Patents Issued in May 14, 2013
  • Patent number: 8440871
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a tetramer production apparatus. The apparatus can include a fractionation zone and an oxygenate removal zone. The fractionation zone can produce a distillation product including one or more C6 hydrocarbons for producing one or more C12 compounds. The oxygenate removal zone may remove one or more oxygenate compounds from the distillation product passed through the oxygenate removal zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Steven Lee Krupa
  • Patent number: 8440872
    Abstract: A process for preparing poly alpha olefins from a Fisher-Tropsch product. The process comprising the steps of contacting a C5-C18 fraction of an alpha-olefinic hydrocarbon mixture produced from thermal cracking a C16-C40 Fisher-Tropsch product with an oligomerization catalyst under conditions to produce an oligomerized product; and fractionating the oligomerized product to obtain a fractionated product having an average carbon number greater than 30. A process for preparing lubricant base stocks from a Fisher-Tropsch product is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Exxonmobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: John S. Buchanan, Margaret M. Wu, Lorenzo DeCaul
  • Patent number: 8440873
    Abstract: Process for producing mono-olefins(s) from a feedstock A containing ethanol and propanol, wherein ethanol and propanol are dehydrated into the corresponding same carbon number olefins. The process is performed by 1. reacting feedstock A in a vapor phase dehydration reactor wherein the ethanol and propanol alcohols are converted into a product stream B comprising ethylene, propylene, ethers, water and unconverted alcohols, 2. cooling the product stream B, 3. disengaging the cooled product stream B in a separation unit to give a first stream C containing ethylene, propylene and ethers, and a second product stream D containing water, ethers and unconverted alcohols, 4. feeding the product stream D to a dewatering column wherein the water stream F is separated from the ethers and unconverted alcohols stream E, 5. recycling the stream E into the dehydration reactor of step 1, and 6. cooling the product stream C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Craig Bailey, Leslie William Bolton, Benjamin Patrick Gracey, Michael Keith Lee, Stephen Roy Partington
  • Patent number: 8440874
    Abstract: A process for the production of propylene, the process including: contacting ethylene and a hydrocarbon stream comprising 1-butene and 2-butene with a bifunctional isomerization-metathesis catalyst to concurrently isomerizes 1-butene to 2-butene and to form a metathesis product comprising propylene; wherein the bifunctional isomerization-metathesis catalyst comprises: a catalyst compound may include at least one element selected from tungsten, tantalum, niobium, molybdenum, nickel, palladium, osmium, iridium, rhodium, vanadium, ruthenium, and rhenium for providing metathesis activity on a support comprising at least one element from Group IA, IIA, IIB, and IIIA of the Periodic Table of the Elements; wherein an exposed surface area of the support provides both isomerization activity for the isomerization of 1-butene to 2-butene; and reactive sites for the adsorption of catalyst compound poisons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignees: Lummus Technology Inc., BASF Corporation
    Inventors: Bala Ramachandran, Sukwon Choi, Robert J. Gartside, Shane Kleindienst, Wolfgang Ruettinger, Saeed Alerasool
  • Patent number: 8440875
    Abstract: A method of making a diesel fuel from a renewable feedstock is described. Ammonia or an amine compound is used to neutralize the organic acids in the renewable feedstock. The ammonia or amine compound is removed from the product mixture before the isomerization zone so that it does not affect the isomerization catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventor: Donald A. Eizenga
  • Patent number: 8440876
    Abstract: A chemical decontamination apparatus of the present invention chemically dissolves radioactive substance-containing oxide films formed or adhering on the surface of a decontamination object by using ozone water to conduct decontamination. The chemical decontamination apparatus includes an ozone generating unit for generating ozone gas, an ozone supplying device for supplying the generated ozone gas to an ozone supplying unit in water, and a sintered metal element 37 which is disposed in the ozone supplying unit and to which ozone gas is supplied from the ozone supplying device. The ozone gas supplied to a sintered metal element interior from the ozone supplying device is allowed to flow out of the element into water so as to generate ozone water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Masami Enda, Nagayoshi Ichikawa, Masayuki Kaneda, Takeshi Kanasaki, Toshihiro Yoshii, Yumi Yaita, Ichiro Inami
  • Patent number: 8440877
    Abstract: Presented is a sensing absorbent article system including an absorbent article having a liner and an outer cover, the absorbent article including a sensing means, an article design scheme, and an attachment zone having an attachment zone design scheme, wherein the attachment zone design scheme is visually differentiable from the article design scheme. Also presented is a sensing absorbent article system including an absorbent article having a liner and an outer cover, the absorbent article including a sensing means, an article design scheme, and an attachment zone adapted to indicate the proper position for a signaling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Meghan E. Collins, Thomas M. Ales, III, Shirlee A. Weber, Andrew M. Long
  • Patent number: 8440878
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule encoding an insulin-like factor of the androgenic gland of the freshwater prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergii (M. rosenbergii). The present invention further relates to methods of silencing the expression of the insulin-like factor gene in decapod crustaceans order, particularly in M. rosenbergii, useful for producing male monosex populations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Research and Development Authority
    Inventors: Amir Sagi, Tomer Ventura
  • Patent number: 8440879
    Abstract: To provide a highly expressed F3?5?H gene, whereby a blue moth orchid can be produced and a method using the gene for producing Orchids having blue flowers. A gene encoding a flavonoid 3?,5?-hydroxylase of Commelina communis, which has an amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID No: 2 or an amino acid sequence having at least 90% of homology to the amino acid sequence depicted in SEQ ID No: 2. A method for producing an orchid having a blue flower, which comprises transfecting a white moth orchid with the gene, a gene encoding a dihydroflavonol 4-reductase of Torenia or Gerbera; a gene encoding a flavanone 3-hydroxylase; and a gene encoding an anthocyanidin synthase and expressing the genes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shunji Yuki, Satoshi Araki, Takanori Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8440880
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid sequences from Xenorhabdus that encodes a GroEL protein. The invention encompasses nucleic acid molecules present in non-coding regions as well as nucleic acid molecules that encode proteins, fragments of proteins, tRNA's, fragments of tRNA's, rRNA's and fragments of rRNA's. In addition, protein and fragments of proteins so encoded and antibodies capable of binding the proteins are encompassed by the present invention. The invention also relates to methods of using the disclosed nucleic acid molecules, proteins, fragments of proteins, RNA'S, and antibodies, for example, for gene identification and analysis, and preparation of constructs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: David R. Corbin, Barry S. Goldman, Gregory J. Hinkle, Joseph E. Huesing, Thomas M. Malvar, Karina C. Krasomil-Osterfeld, Steven C. Slater, Sergei Spiridonov
  • Patent number: 8440881
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of molecular biology and concerns a method for enhancing various economically important yield-related traits in plants. More specifically, the present invention concerns a method for enhancing yield-related traits in plants by modulating expression in a plant of a nucleic acid encoding a Harpin-associated Factor G polypeptide (hereinafter termed HpaG?). The present invention also concerns plants having modulated expression of a nucleic acid encoding an HpaG polypeptide, which plants have enhanced yield-related traits relative to control plants. The invention also provides constructs comprising HpaG-encoding nucleic acids, useful in performing the methods of the invention. The present invention also provides a method for enhancing yield-related traits in plants relative to control plants, by modulating (preferably increasing) expression in a plant of a nucleic acid sequence encoding a SWITCH 2/SUCROSE NON-FERMENTING 2 (SWI2/SNF2) polypeptide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignees: CropDesign N.V., Crop Functional Genomics Center
    Inventors: Youn-Il Park, Yang Do Choi, Seok Won Jeong, In Gyu Hwang, Jonghee Oh
  • Patent number: 8440882
    Abstract: Compositions and methods for conferring pesticidal activity to bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions comprising a coding sequence for a delta-endotoxin polypeptide are provided. The coding sequences can be used in DNA constructs or expression cassettes for transformation and expression in plants and bacteria. Compositions also comprise transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues, and seeds. In particular, isolated delta-endotoxin nucleic acid molecules are provided. Additionally, amino acid sequences corresponding to the polynucleotides are encompassed, and antibodies specifically binding to those amino acid sequences. In particular, the present invention provides for isolated nucleic acid molecules comprising nucleotide sequences encoding the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:13-24 or the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1-12 and 25-44, as well as variants and fragments thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Athenix Corporation
    Inventors: Kimberly S. Sampson, Daniel John Tomso
  • Patent number: 8440883
    Abstract: A soybean cultivar designated S100004 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S100004, to the plants of soybean S100004, to plant parts of soybean cultivar S100004, and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar S100004 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 S100004, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S100004, 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 S100004 with another soybean cultivar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignees: Monsanto Technology LLC, Stine Seed Farm, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Eby
  • Patent number: 8440884
    Abstract: A novel soybean variety, designated XBP44002 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP44002, cells from soybean variety XBP44002, plants of soybean XBP44002, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP44002. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP44002 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XBP44002, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP44002, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XBP44002. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP44002 are further provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Pioneer Hi Bred International Inc
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Thompson
  • Patent number: 8440885
    Abstract: A soybean cultivar designated 08093572 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 08093572, to the plants of soybean cultivar 08093572, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 08093572, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 08093572. 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. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 08093572. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 08093572, 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 cultivar 08093572 with another soybean cultivar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignees: Monsanto Technology LLC, Stine Seed Farm, Inc.
    Inventor: William H. Eby
  • Patent number: 8440886
    Abstract: Fertile transgenic Zea mays (corn) plants which stably express heterologous DNA which is heritable are disclosed along with a process for producing said plants. The process comprises the microjectile bombardment of friable embryogenic callus from the plant to be transformed. The process may be applicable to other graminaceous cereal plants which have not proven stably transformable by other techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventors: Ronald C. Lundquist, David A. Walters
  • Patent number: 8440887
    Abstract: A novel maize variety designated X8K709 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X8K709 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X8K709 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X8K709, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X8K709. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X8K709.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Pioneer Hi Bred International Inc
    Inventors: Luis A. Verde Chifflet, William Andrew Wilson
  • Patent number: 8440888
    Abstract: A novel maize variety designated 10084890 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing maize variety 10084890 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into 10084890 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety 10084890, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety 10084890. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety 10084890.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Pioneer Hi Bred International Inc
    Inventors: Gary Edward Henke, David Bernard Fischer, David Walter Whitaker, Terrill E. Williams, Nancy Guse
  • Patent number: 8440889
    Abstract: A novel maize variety designated PHWJH and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PHWJH with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHWJH through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PHWJH or a locus conversion of PHWJH with another maize variety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Pioneer Hi-Bred Int'l Inc.
    Inventor: Gustavo Marcelo Garcia
  • Patent number: 8440890
    Abstract: A novel maize variety designated PH1D0D and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1D0D with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1D0D through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1D0D or a locus conversion of PH1D0D with another maize variety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Pioneer Hi Bred International Inc
    Inventors: Mario Rosario Carlone, Jr., Michael Phillip Jines
  • Patent number: 8440891
    Abstract: A rice cultivar designated CL 142-AR is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of rice cultivar CL 142-AR, to the plants of rice CL 142-AR, to methods for producing a rice plant produced by crossing the cultivar CL 142-AR with itself or another rice variety, and to methods for controlling weeds in the vicinity of plants of rice cultivar CL 142-AR, which comprises increased resistance to acetohydroxyacid synthase-inhibiting herbicides. The invention further relates to hybrid rice seeds and plants produced by crossing the cultivar CL 142-AR with another rice cultivar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of the University of Akransas, N.A.
    Inventor: Karen A. K. Moldenhauer
  • Patent number: 8440892
    Abstract: A rice cultivar designated CL 181-AR is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of rice cultivar CL 181-AR, to the plants of rice CL 181-AR, to methods for producing a rice plant produced by crossing the cultivar CL 181-AR with itself or another rice variety, and to methods for controlling weeds in the vicinity of plants of rice cultivar CL 181-AR, which comprises increased resistance to acetohydroxyacid synthase-inhibiting herbicides. The invention further relates to hybrid rice seeds and plants produced by crossing the cultivar CL 181-AR with another rice cultivar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas, N.A.
    Inventor: Karen A. K. Moldenhauer
  • Patent number: 8440893
    Abstract: When C60 was added to synovial fibroblasts, infiltrating lymphocytes, and macrophages, and the inflammatory cytokine production level was measured, the inflammatory cytokine production level was significantly suppressed in all cells. Furthermore, when C60 was added to osteoclast precursor cells and cultured in the presence of osteoclast differentiation-inducing factors, a certain concentration or more of C60 suppressed their differentiation into osteoclasts. Observation of the effect of C60 addition on bone resorption showed that C60 suppressed bone resorption by osteoclasts. In addition, the use of arthritis model animals confirmed in vivo that C60 suppressed inflammatory symptoms, as well as bone resorption and bone destruction by osteoclasts. C60 is effective for treating arthritic diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis through its effects of suppressing osteoclast differentiation, bone resorption, and inflammatory cytokines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignees: St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Mitsubishi Corporaion
    Inventor: Kazuo Yudoh
  • Patent number: 8440894
    Abstract: Device for supporting a guitar (1) or another string instrument, with a support (2) which is fastened on its upper part to a guitar body (9) in a lockable hinge (4). In an unfolded position the support (2) creates an angle at approximately 45° to the length axis through the guitar body (9), in such manner that the guitar can rest on the support (2). When mounted on an electric guitar the support is placed in grooves at the back of the guitar, and can be pivoted from the guitar body when the locking mechanism is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventor: Egil Amland
  • Patent number: 8440895
    Abstract: To provide a drum pedal with a suppressed deflection and no fluctuation in beat timing or beat force of a beater, which allows the player to perform with a desired well-modulated tone, and to obtain the direct feeling, which is a sense of the depressing force being directly transferred to the beater attained by the good operability and the maintained stable attitude of the entire pedal, without inviting an increase in weight or material cost. A drum pedal includes at least: a pedal frame 2 having a base portion 20, a right and left pair of strut portions 21 and a heel portion 22; a rotation shaft 3 to which a beater 5 that beats a drumhead is mounted, and that is horizontally pivotally supported between respective top end portions 21a of the strut portions 21; and a foot board 4 that has its base end side rotatably supported by the heel portion 22, and that rotates the rotation shaft 3 through a coupling member 40 extending from its tip end side in accordance with the depressing operation of the player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Sakae Rhythm Musical Instrument Ltd.
    Inventors: Eizo Nakata, Manabu Morioka, Takashi Wariishi, Shunsaku Tsuji
  • Patent number: 8440896
    Abstract: This key structure includes rotating shaft sections 12, 16, and 20 which are respectively provided in the rear end of key bodies 11, 15, and 19 arrayed in parallel, and serve as rotation fulcrums for rotations of the key bodies 11, 15, and 16 in an up and down direction, and connecting sections 14, 18, and 22 which respectively rotatably connect the rotating shaft sections 12, 16, and 20 along a key array direction. Therefore, the key bodies 11, 15, and 19 can be integrally formed by the connecting sections 14, 18, and 22, and the rotating shaft sections 12, 16, and 20 can be independently rotated. Additionally, as a result of the rotating shaft sections 12, 16, and 20 being evenly arrayed, the spacing between the keys and the key alignment can beheld evenly, and the key bodies 11, 15, and 19 can be stably rotated when depressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akihisa Hoshino
  • Patent number: 8440897
    Abstract: A guitar is played during performance by rapid change in the tension of its strings. In one embodiment, rapid, accurate, and repeatable tuning is obtained by a two-step process of adjusting the tension of the string to a stored value which may be then be corrected according to the pitch of the string obtained at later various times during the performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventor: Keith M. Baxter
  • Patent number: 8440898
    Abstract: A system that allows the repositioning (scrolling) of the displayed portion of a music notation computer file in rasterized format, according to an internal or external time code/metronome, to constantly display the currently active part of the music notation file. By use of a corresponding data file describing the relative position of each music stave and form defining musical markings such as repeats or codas, a software application based on this invention can shift the displayed part of the entire music file to match the current played portion of the music notation file.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Knowledgerocks Limited
    Inventors: Eran Kendler, Stefan Redtenbacher
  • Patent number: 8440899
    Abstract: A lighting system. Implementations may include an AC input power source coupled with a power conditioning and control module adapted output a low voltage high frequency pulse width modulated (PWM) signal. A remote transmission cable may be adapted to carry the low voltage high frequency PWM signal to a remote transformer adapted to convert the low voltage high frequency PWM signal to a high voltage high frequency PWM signal. A charge pump may be included which is adapted to receive the high voltage high frequency PWM signal and increase a voltage of the signal. A gas discharge tube may be coupled to the charge pump. A controller may be coupled to the power conditioning and control module and adapted to operate the gas discharge tube at two or more light intensity levels with the low voltage high frequency PWM signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Retinal 3-D, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Roger C. Bowser, Lawrence A. Neal, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8440900
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable storage medium generates an audio fingerprint for an input audio clip that is robust to differences in key, instrumentation, and other performance variations. The audio fingerprint includes a sequence of intervalgrams that represent a melody in an audio clip according pitch intervals between different time points in the audio clip. The fingerprint for an input audio clip can be compared to a set of reference fingerprints in a reference database to determine a matching reference audio clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Richard F. Lyon, Thomas C. Walters, David Ross
  • Patent number: 8440901
    Abstract: A musical score position estimating apparatus includes a sound feature quantity generating unit configured to generate a feature quantity of an input sound signal, and, a score position estimating unit configured to calculate a weight coefficient based on the feature quantity of the sound signal and a feature quantity of musical score information and estimates a musical score position using a virtual musical score position and a virtual tempo corresponding to the weight coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Nakadai, Takuma Otsuka, Hiroshi Okuno
  • Patent number: 8440902
    Abstract: Interactive data sonification for representing multidimensional numerical information with a plurality of variable-timbre channels for use complementing data visualization is described. The method includes generation of a plurality of variable-timbre audio waveforms, each having an audio frequency parameter and at least one timbre modulation parameter having an adjustable value that affects the timbre of the audio waveform. The method includes associating aspects of multidimensional numerical data with the timbre modulation parameter of each audio frequency waveform using a mapping element. The mapping element varies values of timbre modulation parameters responsive to selected values from the multidimensional numerical data. Each audio frequency waveform can be positioned within a sonically-rendered sound field, associating information with positions within the sound field. Mapping elements can vary the positions responsive to selected values from the multidimensional numerical data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventor: Lester F. Ludwig
  • Patent number: 8440903
    Abstract: The present invention provides a solar module formed using a powder coating and thermal treatment process. The solar module includes a substrate having a surface region and a photovoltaic material overlying the surface region. The solar module further includes a barrier material overlying the photovoltaic material. Moreover, the solar module includes a coating overlying the barrier material and enclosing the photovoltaic material to mechanically protect the photovoltaic material. In certain embodiments, photovoltaic material is a thin film photovoltaic cell and the coating is provided by a powder coating substantially free of bubbles formed by electrostatic spraying and cured with a thermal treatment process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Stion Corporation
    Inventor: Chester A. Farris, III
  • Patent number: 8440904
    Abstract: Disclosed in one aspect is a voltaic cell assembly comprising one or more voltaic cells, a photovoltaic cell in one embodiment; an elastomeric film and a transparent film, the voltaic cell sandwiched there between. The elastomeric film can be formed from a natural rubber or an isobutylene-based elastomer. More particularly, the elastomeric film may comprise a DVA of a polyamide and a functionalized poly(isobutylene-co-p-methylstyrene). The assembly described is useful for a number of end use articles including roofing shingles, automotive components, building components, and, in general, solar arrays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Scott C. Solis, Adriana S. Silva
  • Patent number: 8440905
    Abstract: A dye-sensitized semiconductor includes a semiconductor, and a copper(I) coordination compound comprising 2,9-dialkyl-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthrolinedisulfonate, on the semiconductor. The dye-sensitized semiconductor may be used as part of a photoanode in a solar cell, which also contains a counter-electrode, and a conductive medium containing a redox-active mediator, in contact with and separating the photoanode and the counter-electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventors: Robert J. LeSuer, Kristy L. Mardis, Ali Manesh
  • Patent number: 8440906
    Abstract: A photovoltaic device having a first electrode layer, a high resistivity transparent film disposed on the first electrode, a second electrode layer, and an inorganic photoactive layer disposed between the first and second electrode layers, wherein the inorganic photoactive layer is disposed in at least partial electrical contact with the high resistivity transparent film, and in at least partial electrical contact with the second electrode. The photoactive layer has a first inorganic material and a second inorganic material different from the first inorganic material, wherein the first and second inorganic materials exhibit a type II band offset energy profile, and wherein the photoactive layer has a first population of nanostructures of a first inorganic material and a second population of nanostructures of a second inorganic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: A. Paul Alivisatos, Ilan Gur, Delia Milliron
  • Patent number: 8440907
    Abstract: A solar cell includes a semiconductor substrate having a photoelectric converting portion, a first electrode formed on a first main surface of the semiconductor substrate, and a second electrode connected to the first electrode on the first main surface. The first electrode includes a plurality of first connecting portions to be connected to an interconnector and a first non-connecting portion not connected to an interconnector. The first non-connecting portion is arranged between first connecting portions to electrically connect the first connecting portions together. The first connecting portion and first non-connecting portion are coupled forming an angle larger than 90° and smaller than 180°. A solar cell string and a solar cell module employ the solar cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahisa Kurahashi, Hirotaka Sato, Akira Miyazawa, Kyotaro Nakamura, Toshio Kimura, Masaomi Hioki
  • Patent number: 8440908
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dye sensitized solar cell comprising a semiconductor formed of a particulate metal oxide, a dye adsorbed onto the semiconductor wherein the semiconductor interface with the dye is formed by atomic layer deposition (ALD) of a semiconductor material onto the particulate metal oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Polymers CRC Ltd.
    Inventors: Gerardo Triani, Jonathan Andrew Campbell, Graeme Moad, Gavin Errol Collis, Peter John Evans, Robert Paul Burford, Attila Janos Mozer
  • Patent number: 8440909
    Abstract: A data cable with free stripping water blocking material includes a first conductor substantially surrounded by a first foam, a second conductor longitudinally adjacent the first conductor and substantially surrounded by a second foam, a solid coat substantially surrounding the first foam of the first conductor, a filler material, a shielding member, a water swellable tape, and a jacket. The first conductor with the first foam and the solid coat and the second conductor with the second foam are substantially placed within the filler material. The shielding member is placed substantially around the filler material. The water swellable tape is placed substantially around the shielding member. The jacket is placed substantially around the water swellable tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: General Cable Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Harry Van Der Meer
  • Patent number: 8440910
    Abstract: A differential signal transmission cable has two conductor wires disposed to be parallel with each other, a flat insulating member collectively covering the two conductor wires, the insulating member having flat portions facing to each other in a direction perpendicular to an alignment direction of the two conductor wires to sandwich the two conductor wires, a shield conductor including a metal foil tape and being wound around an outer periphery of the insulating member, a drain wire provided to contact with the shield conductor at a position corresponding to the flat portion, and a jacket jacketing the drain wire and the shield conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Cable, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Nonen, Takahiro Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 8440911
    Abstract: A flexible flat cable having good flexibility and bending resistance without deterioration of a good electrical characteristic of a strip structure and capable of enhancing cost effectiveness is provided. The flexible flat cable includes: a first shield member and a second shield member disposed in such a manner as to cover a surface of a cable body including a plurality of conductors arranged in parallel with a prescribed pitch therebetween. Each of the first and second shield members includes a metal member formed by placing a conductive adhesive layer placed between a plurality of metal layers, and allows one of outer most layers of the metal layers to be conductively connected with a ground layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Dexerials Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Takamatsu, Takeo Kimura
  • Patent number: 8440912
    Abstract: An electrical cable includes first and second conductive strips and an electrically insulative base extending between and joining the first and second conductive strips and electrically isolating the first conductive strip from the second conductive strip. The first and second conductive strips each include an electrically conductive thermoplastic resin in contact with a longitudinally continuous electrical conductor, the electrically conductive thermoplastic resin having a lower electrical conductivity than the electrical conductor. The electrically conductive thermoplastic resin forms an exposed surface of the cable and a field of fastener elements extending from the exposed surface. Lighting systems and electrical fastening devices include similar features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.
    Inventors: David P. Kraus, Jr., Kristel Hinton, Christopher M. Gallant, Mark A. Clarner, Vamshideep Devershetty
  • Patent number: 8440913
    Abstract: A pole assembly for a three phase breaker includes a center pole and a pair of outer poles positioned on opposed sides of the center pole. A pair of brackets are positioned at opposed ends of the pole, and include a center groove and a pair of outer grooves. The center pole is positioned in the center groove. The outer poles are secured in the outer groove in a shipping configuration and an installed configuration. When in the shipping configuration the bushings of all the poles are parallel. When in the installed configuration the bushings of the outer poles are angled away from the bushings of the center pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: ABB Technology AG
    Inventors: Jason Stull, Vince Rogers, Christian Daehler
  • Patent number: 8440914
    Abstract: A liquid crystalline thermoset oligomer or polymer including a structural unit of Chemical Formulae 1 and 2; and a functional group of Chemical Formula A,
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd., Samsung Fine Chemicals Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae-Jun Lee, Kalinina Fedosya, Myung-Sup Jung
  • Patent number: 8440915
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is of a PoP structure such that first electrode portions provided on a first device mounting board constituting a first semiconductor module and second electrode portions provided in a second semiconductor module are joined together by solder balls. A first insulating layer having an opening is provided on one main surface of an insulating resin layer which is a substrate, and an electrode portion, whose top portion protrudes above the top surface of the first insulating layer, is formed in the opening. A second insulating layer is provided on top of the first insulating layer in the periphery of the top portion of the first electrode portion; the second insulting layer is located slightly apart from the top portion of the first electrode portion. The first electrode portion is shaped such that the top portion is formed by a curved surface or formed by a curved surface and a plane surface smoothly connected to the curved surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masayuki Nagamatsu, Kiyoshi Shibata, Takanori Hayashi
  • Patent number: 8440916
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a substrate core structure comprises: providing first and second patterned conductive layers defining openings therein on each side of a starting insulating layer; providing a first and a second supplemental insulating layers onto respective ones of a first and a second patterned conductive layer; laser drilling a set of via openings extending through at least some of the conductive layer openings of the first and second patterned conductive layers; filling the set of via openings with a conductive material to provide a set of conductive vias; and providing a first and a second supplemental patterned conductive layer onto respective ones of the first and the second supplemental insulating layers, the set of conductive vias contacting the first supplemental patterned conductive layer at one side thereof and the second supplemental patterned conductive layer at another side thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Yonggang Li, Islam Salama, Charan Gurumurthy, Hamid Azimi
  • Patent number: 8440917
    Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for coating plated through holes (PTHs) to reduce impedance discontinuity in electronic packages. PTH vias are imbedded in the core of a printed circuit board comprising a core layer, a plurality of buildup layers, a plurality of micro-vias, and a plurality of traces. Traces electrically interconnect each of the micro-vias to PTH vias, forming an electrically conductive path. PTHs are coated with a magnetic metal material, such as nickel, to increase the internal and external conductance of the PTHs, thereby providing decreased impedance discontinuity of the signals in electronic packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Paul M. Harvey, Douglas O. Powell, Wolfgang Sauter, Yaping Zhou
  • Patent number: 8440918
    Abstract: An assembly includes at least one electronic component, a bus bar electrically connected to the electronic component and having a connection portion, a case receiving both the electronic component and the bus bar and having first and second openings, and a drop prevention member having a drop prevention wall. The connection portion of the bus bar is to be connected with a terminal of an external connector by engaging a first engaging member to be placed inside the case through the first opening and a second engaging member provided in the external connector. In the assembly, there is defined, by the drop prevention wall, the connection portion of the bus bar, and part of the external connector, a confinement space for confining the first engaging member and thereby preventing it from dropping outside the confinement space during establishment of the engagement between the first and second engaging members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Kazurou Matsumoto, Akira Nakasaka
  • Patent number: 8440919
    Abstract: A seal (300) for use in a cable gland (301) is disclosed. The seal (300) has a body portion (308) formed from a first rubber material having a first hardness and seals against a cable (320). The seal (300) also has one or more support portions (302,304) formed from a second material that is harder than the first material and supports the structure of the body (308) against excessive deformation as well as forming a mechanical grip with the cable (320).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: CMP Products Limited
    Inventors: James Robb, Geoffrey Mood
  • Patent number: 8440920
    Abstract: A two-dimensional capacitive sensor device comprises a sensor substrate with a plurality of wedge shaped sensor cells arranged in a single-layer circular pattern proximal to the substrate. The plurality of wedge shaped sensor cells are arranged in a rotationally symmetric pattern about a center of the single-layer circular pattern. A sensor cell of the plurality of wedge shaped sensor cells comprises a first sensor electrode and a second sensor electrode separated by a border. The first and second sensor electrodes are configured for detecting changes in capacitance caused by one or more input objects. The first and second sensor electrodes become substantially thinner in width approaching the center of the single-layer circular pattern than at a distance further from the center. A sensor circuitry is communicatively coupled with the sensor electrodes of the sensor cell and the sensor circuitry is configured to interpret the changes in capacitance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Synaptics Incorporated
    Inventors: Mihai M. Bulea, Patrick Worfolk