US07686902B2
There is provided a lightweight plaster board having a cellular porous plaster core, excellent in adhesion to a covering base paper for a plaster board, free from dry-out in side edge parts of the plaster board, and with no disadvantage in workability for driving a nail into the plaster board. The plaster board includes a plaster core having a front surface, a back surface, and four side surfaces, and at least one covering base paper that covers the front surface, the back surface, and the at least two opposite side surfaces of the plaster core. The plaster core includes one or more hard edge parts each including one of the side surfaces covered with the covering base paper, one or more high-density parts including the front surface or the back surface, not including the side surface covered with the covering base paper, and having a density substantially equal to the density of the hard edge part, and a low-density part having a density less than the densities of the hard edge part and the high-density part and contacting with the hard edge part and the high-density part. The hard edge part does not include a position in which a nail is driven.
US07686897B2
The present invention provides a martensitic stainless steel seamless pipe and a method of making, wherein the pipe has minimal inner surface defects and prevents delayed fracture generation in the impact-worked portions. The pipe comprises C: 0.15 to 0.22%, Si: 0.1 to 1.0%, Mn: 0.10 to 1.00%, Cr: 12.00 to 14.00%, P: 0.020% or less, S: 0.010% or less, N: 0.05% or less, O(Oxygen): 0.0060% or less, at least one alloying element selected from V, Nb and Ti of 0.005 to 0.200% and B of 0.0005 to 0.0100%, and the balance Fe and impurities, wherein either the following inequalities (1), (2), (4) and (5) or the following inequalities (1), (3), (4) and (5) are satisfied: C*+10N*≦0.45, (1) H1≦−0.003(C*+10N*)+0.0016, (2) H2≦−0.0018(C*+10N*)+0.00096, (3) Cr*≦9.0, (4) S≦0.088N*+0.00056, (5).
US07686894B2
A magnetically soft powder composite material is described, which is composed of at least 99.4 wt. % of a pure iron powder, a phosphatized iron powder, or an iron alloy powder and 0.05 wt. % to 0.6 wt. % of a soft ferrite powder and which is primarily suited for use in rapidly switching solenoid valves in motor vehicle engines. Furthermore, a method for manufacturing such a magnetically soft powder composite material includes the following method steps: a) preparation of a starting mixture including a pure iron powder, a phosphatized iron powder, or an iron alloy powder and a soft ferrite powder, b) mixing of the starting mixture, c) compacting of the starting mixture in a press under increased pressure, d) debinding of the compacted starting mixture in an inert gas atmosphere or in an oxygen-containing gas atmosphere, and e) heat treatment of the compacted starting mixture in an oxidizing gas atmosphere at a temperature of 410° C. to 500° C.
US07686892B2
The present invention relates to cleaning and/or treatment compositions comprising a dye conjugate, and processes of making and using such compositions. Such compositions can provide benefits such as an increase in the whiteness or blackness perception of a situs that is cleaned or treated with such compositions.
US07686889B2
There is provided a susceptor for semiconductor manufacturing apparatus that offers excellent thermal uniformity of a substrate being secured by vacuum chucking. A susceptor for semiconductor manufacturing apparatus includes an aluminum-nitride support member in which heater electrodes are buried to heat the substrate, a recessed wafer pocket formed on an upper surface of the support member, a through hole formed in the wafer pocket, and a seal band that supports the substrate at a periphery of the wafer pocket, and on an upper surface of the seal band, a plurality of gas channels are formed to allow gas in a chamber to pass through the gas channels from an outer circumference of the seal band toward the wafer pocket.
US07686879B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide coating materials including at least one binder and at least one photocatalytically-active substance adapted to absorb light at one or more absorption wavelengths in the range of about 380 nm to about 500 nm. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US07686869B2
Improvements in active field polarized media air cleaner include an aerodynamic front cowling to reduce static air resistance, a rear double hinge to reduce blow by, a resistive center screen permitting the sharing of high voltage power supplies while reducing the tendency to arc and allowing for a higher operational voltage, a dielectric media support frame to produce a more uniform electrostatic field and reduce blow by, while at the same time reducing the tendency to spray corona and/or arc at the edges of the center screen, a substantially flat conductive outer screen to produce a more uniform electrostatic field throughout the filter media and a high-voltage shield to reduce high-voltage arcing and the spraying of corona where the high-voltage probe contacts the center screen.
US07686865B2
Embodiments of a method and a system for recovering a metal, such as uranium, from a metal-containing material are disclosed. The metal-containing material is exposed to an extractant containing a liquid or supercritical-fluid solvent and an acid-base complex including an oxidizing agent and a complexing agent. Batches of the metal-containing material are moved through a series of stations while the extractant is moved through the stations in the opposite direction. After the extraction step, the metal is separated from the solvent, the complexing agent and/or other metals by exposing the extract to a stripping agent in a countercurrent stripping column. The complexing agent and the solvent exit the column and are separated from each other by reducing the pressure. The recovered complexing agent is recharged with fresh oxidizing agent and recombined with fresh or recovered solvent to form a recovered extractant, which is distributed through the extraction stations.
US07686864B2
A method of manufacturing liquid-metal composite contacts, where fabric of high-melting metal based wire is in the form of a strip, rolled into a cylindrical workpiece, and installed into a matrix. The workpiece is then pressed, reduced in an environment of hydride hydrogen in a vacuum furnace, and soaked with low-melting metal or alloy, where the soaking of the structure is performed with three metals, tin (Sn), indium (In) and gallium (Ga) within three sequential stages lasting 10 to 20 minutes each, namely, the structure is first soaked with liquid tin at a temperature of 750 to 1150° C., then with liquid indium at the temperature of 750 to 1000° C., and third with liquid gallium at the temperature of 700 to 900° C. The amount of liquid tin, indium, and gallium is proportional to eutectic mixture and volume of the pores in the structure.
US07686861B2
A dust collecting apparatus which is removably connected to a cleaner body is provided. The apparatus includes a cyclone body which forms a cyclone chamber and is in fluid communication with an air inlet passage on one side thereof; an exit pipe which is protruded from a bottom of the cyclone body to an upper side of the cyclone chamber; and a dust canister body which forms a dust collection chamber between the cyclone body and the dust canister body. The cyclone body is arranged eccentrically within the dust collection chamber so that a portion of the cyclone body has a common portion in contact with a portion of the dust canister body. The common portion is made of transparent materials to see through the cyclone chamber.
US07686858B2
Disclosed is a cyclone dust collection apparatus. The cyclone apparatus comprises a cyclone body having a first cyclone section and a plurality of cyclone cones arranged around a lower part of the first cyclone, each cyclone cone having a conical shape whose diameter is reduced as approaching the top end thereof; a top cover joined to the top end of the cyclone body and formed with a helical air inflow duct for introducing ambient air into the first cyclone section; an inflow/outflow guide cover joined to the lower end of the cyclone body so as to communicate the first cyclone section and the plurality of cyclone cones; and a discharge cover joined to the lower part of the inflow/outflow guide cover so as to collect the air discharged through the inflow/outflow guide cover and discharge the collected air to the outside of the cyclone dust collection apparatus.
US07686843B2
An expandable stent is fabricated from a plurality of radially undulating rings, each pair of adjacent radially expandable undulating rings being interconnected by a multiplicity of flex members. Each flex member contacts a portion of an apex on one ring at a circumferential location and a portion of an apex of a directly adjacent ring at a circumferentially offset location. Each flex member is expandable and in one embodiment is circumferentially S-shaped. Adjacent flex members are mirror images of each other. The resulting stent is both flexible and strong when expanded thereby providing good scaffolding. In one embodiment, the strut material is fabricated of shape memory alloy such that when the strut is compressed so as to be insertable into a vessel, the strut will automatically expand to its previous dimension upon rising to the temperature of the vessel in which it is placed, thereby to expand and hold open the vessel without need for a balloon catheter.
US07686840B2
A substrate that contains an exothermic coating is provided. More specifically, the exothermic coating includes one or more components (e.g., carbon, oxidizable metal, moisture-retaining particles, etc.) that are durably adhered to the substrate. To provide the desired durability, the exothermic coating includes the combination of a certain amount of a polymer latex and polysaccharide. When appropriately selected and incorporated into the exothermic coating, the present inventors have discovered that these components may interact synergistically to improve binding capacity.
US07686831B2
A method of securing a suture includes the steps of inserting the suture through a passageway into a body of a patient, inserting the suture into and back out of tissue, tying a knot along a length of the suture, and fusing the knot.
US07686828B2
A system for treating a septal defect having an implantable treatment apparatus and devices for delivering the implantable treatment apparatus and methods for treating a septal defect are provided. The implantable treatment apparatus is preferably implantable through a septal wall or portion thereof. The treatment system can include a flexible elongate body member, a delivery device configured to deliver the implantable apparatus, a stabilization device configured to stabilize the body member and a positioning device configured to position the delivery device in a desired location.
US07686815B2
Medical devices for filtering fluids flowing through a lumen and a method of forming medical devices. The devices can be used in vascular channels, urinary tracts, biliary ducts and the like, and filter emboli and other debris generated at a treatment site.
US07686814B2
Spinal surgical systems include a compressor mountable to a first vertebra and positionable relative to a fulcrum mountable to a second vertebra. The compressor and fulcrum are manipulated relative to one another to compress the first and second vertebrae. The systems further include a distractor mountable to a first vertebra and positionable relative to a fulcrum mountable to a second vertebra. The distractor and fulcrum are manipulated relative to one another to distract the first and second vertebrae.
US07686811B2
An apparatus is provided for attaching a surgical component to a bone at a surgical site. The apparatus includes an elongated pin and a cam mounted to the pin. The cam is engaged with the surgical component such that rotating the cam about the shaft axis changes the surgical component position relative to the bone.
US07686810B2
Suture separation and organization devices for use in a tissue graft tensioning system. The inventive devices help to separate and organize a plurality of suture strands that extend away from a bone tunnel of a patient's leg during joint repair surgery (e.g., while repairing or replacing the anterior cruciate ligament (“ACL”)). The suture separation and organization device may comprise one or more elongate bodies, or a one-piece body, comprising a plurality of suture retention recesses or protrusions disposed on a perimeter of a body. The suture separation and organization device also includes recesses or passages adapted to receive corresponding posts of a graft tensioning device. In this way, the suture separation and organization device can be removably attached to the graft tensioning device.
US07686809B2
An inserter tool for coupling a spinal rod with an implant includes an outer shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and an elongated opening extending between the proximal and distal ends, a handle secured to the proximal end of the outer shaft, and an inner shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, the inner shaft being telescopically received within the elongated opening of the outer shaft and being adapted to move between the proximal and distal ends of the outer shaft. The tool includes a compressible clamping tip secured to the distal end of the inner shaft, the clamping tip including a first section secured to the distal end of the inner shaft, a flexible arm that extends from the first section, and an opening disposed between the first section and the flexible arm. A knob is coupled with the proximal end of the inner shaft, the knob being rotatable in a first direction for extending the clamping tip from the distal end of the outer shaft and in a second direction for retracting the clamping tip into the distal end of the outer shaft so as to compress the flexible arm of the clamping tip toward the first section of the clamping tip.
US07686808B2
A fracture fixation device includes a plate portion and an intramedullary nail portion which is offset relative to the plate portion by a neck portion. The plate portion includes longitudinally displaced peg holes which orient pegs along an imaginary surface parallel to subchondral bone of an articular surface. The upper surface of the plate portion includes a dimple to reference a jig. The nail portion includes threaded screw holes oriented normal to an endosteal surface, and a smaller K-wire alignment hole parallel to the screw holes. The jig has a first portion which references with the dimple and a second portion in alignment over the screw holes of the nail portion. The back of the first portion of the jig is curved upward to facilitate maneuvering of the jig. The first and second portions of the jig includes K-wire guide holes which direct K-wires relative to holes in the device.
US07686807B2
A tool for inserting a bone fixation device is provided. The tool generally includes an elongate outer body and an elongate inner body, each having a proximal end, a distal end, and a longitudinal axis. The tool typically includes a pin-receiving portion at the distal end of the outer body for receiving a proximal pin of a bone fixation device. The tool may further include first and second levers pivotally mounted to the inner member at respective pivot axes, and each of the levers having a gripping portion. The levers preferably include finger engagement portions, wire-gripping portions, and are preferably configured to be axially movable relative to the outer body. The levers are generally configured such that a proximal force on the finger engagement portions relative to the outer body will cause the pin engagement portions to close and to move proximally such that a guidewire of a bone fixation device placed between the wire-gripping portions may be gripped and pulled proximally.
US07686802B2
Junctions of ablation electrodes and catheters are disclosed. Electrophysiology catheter systems include a recessed region such as a channel at a junction of an electrode and a catheter shaft. The channel can help to reduce electrode hotspots, energy density and/or blood coagulation at the junction. The channel may be incorporated in a distal tip electrode or a ring electrode.
US07686790B2
An absorbent feminine care article (20) having a longitudinal direction (22), a lateral direction (24), first and second longitudinally opposed end portions (72, 72a), and an intermediate portion (76) located between the end portions. The article (20) comprises an absorbent body structure (30) sandwiched between a cover (26) and a baffle (28). In a particular aspect, the absorbent structure (30) can include one or more distinctively configured embossment regions (34), and the embossment regions can be distributed along the intermediate portion (76) of the article.
US07686789B2
A medical liquid injection system capable of automatically preventing a piston drive mechanism from being driven when a cylinder holding mechanism does not hold a medical liquid syringe properly. When a cylinder member (210) is being held, in a specific direction of rotation about the axis of the mechanism, by a cylinder holding mechanism (120), an RFID chip (230) and an RFID reader (131) become communicable, making the piston drive mechanism operable. On the other hand, when the cylinder member (210) has been rotated by a specified angle from a specific direction, the RFID chip (230) and the RFID reader (131) become incommunicable, not making the piston drive mechanism operable. As a consequence, the piston drive mechanism is not driven when the cylinder holding mechanism (120) is not holding the medical liquid syringe properly.
US07686785B2
A suction regulator for controlling a level of negative pressure in a system in which compensatory clean airflow is used to isolate a control device for regulating suction delivered to a patient is disclosed. The regulator comprises an inlet; an outlet; a controller for controlling the suction delivered to the inlet; and a barrier for isolating the controller from the inlet.
US07686783B2
Disclosed is a combination perfusion and occlusion device that can have a perfusion member, an occlusive member and an elongate member. The perfusion member can be an elongate perfusion member that can have a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. In the collapsed configuration, the perfusion member can be disposed around the elongate member. In the expanded configuration, the perfusion member can define a perfusion lumen. The occlusive member can have a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. The occlusive member in the collapsed configuration can have a low profile that can facilitate insertion of the occlusive member in a body lumen. In the expanded configuration the occlusive member can be a structure that restricts the flow of fluids through a body vessel, for example a filter or another structure that restricts the flow of fluids. The occlusive member can be disposed on the elongate member, for example on a distal portion of the elongate member.
US07686757B2
A position detecting apparatus 3 includes receiving antennas 7a to 7d to receive a radio signal, transmitting antennas 8a to 8d to transmit a radio signal for power supply to a capsule endoscope 2, a first linear magnetic field generator 9 that generates a first linear magnetic field, a second linear magnetic field generator 10 that generates a second linear magnetic field, a diffuse magnetic field generator 11 that generates a diffuse magnetic field, a processing device 12 that performs a predetermined process on the radio signal received through the receiving antennas 7a to 7d, and a magnetic field sensor 13 that functions as a body-size information detector. The magnetic field sensor 13 has a function of detecting magnetic field strength at an arranged position as body-size information, and the processing device 12 has a function of controlling the first linear magnetic field generator 9 and the like based on the magnetic field strength detected by the magnetic field sensor 13. Thus, the position detecting apparatus is realized that is capable of generating a magnetic field for position detection having an optimal strength according to a difference in body sizes of subjects.
US07686756B2
A low-dose-rate (LDR) brachytherapy device having a spatiotemporal radiation profile includes an elongated body having a radioactive material in a spatial pattern to provide a spatial radiation profile with a radiation intensity that varies along a length of the elongated body. The radioactive material includes at least first and second radioisotopes having at least first and second respective decay profiles that together provide a temporal radiation profile that is different from the first and second decay profiles. The spatial radiation profile and the temporal radiation profile form a net spatiotemporal radiation profile configured to provide a radiotherapy plan for a patient.
US07686751B2
A board sport training device comprises a base configured for attachment to a platform such that the base is disposed beneath the platform. The base comprises a plurality of separate base portions, each base portion comprising at least two bowl-shaped pivot areas and each base portion having sufficient flexibility that each base portion conforms to a curved bottom surface of the platform. A plurality of the pivot areas are positioned along a longitudinal axis of the platform and separated by a distance from the platform.
US07686747B1
A pelvic muscle strengthening device has a conical body with a hollow interior with an interior and an exterior surface. An end cap has a forward face formed with a threaded recess. A cylindrical stud extends into the body and has a trailing end formed with threads for removable coupling with the end cap. A plurality of weights are carried by the stud. A circular central opening with slits in a cross-like configuration in the body.
US07686741B2
An exercise apparatus including: a pair of platforms, each of the pair of platforms having: a base including a lower surface and a pair of opposed flanges extending upwardly from the lower surface; roller units received side-by-side in the base and being independently rotatable, each of the roller units extending between the pair of opposed flanges of the base and including at least two roller bodies spaced from one another by a groove, each of the at least two roller bodies including an outer surface, at least a portion of the outer surface being in continuous contact with the lower surface of the base; a retainer coupled to the base for maintaining the rollers units on the base; and a connector for coupling the pair of platforms to one another to provide a surface for sliding.
US07686739B2
The invention relates to a climbing arrangement that comprises a rotatable endless belt suspended on a frame structure and forming a climbing surface. The frame structure comprises a first side section that settles beside a first edge of the belt, and a second side section that settles beside a second edge of the belt. A support frame is arranged to support the frame structure. To make the space requirement of the climbing arrangement small and to make it mountable in different environments, the support frame is arranged to support the frame structure asymmetrically by means of a vertical support removably fastened to the support frame on only one side of the frame structure in such a manner that the vertical support is beside one side section only; the frame structure is arranged to fasten to the vertical support optionally on the side of the first side section or the second side section; and the support frame comprises first fastening means and second fastening means for fastening the vertical support to the support frame optionally at a first or a second point to settle the vertical support optionally beside the first side section or the second side section.
US07686725B2
A reduction gear includes a reduction mechanism, which includes: an external gear eccentrically rotatable about an input shaft; an internal gear internally meshing with the external gear and having a small number of difference between the teeth of the internal gear and the external gear; a disk for extracting only a rotational component of the external gear; an output shaft; and gears for transmitting the rotational component of the external gear from the disk to the output shaft. The disk, the gears and the output shaft are aligned in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of the input shaft.
US07686724B2
In one form, the present teachings provide a power transmission device that includes a rotatable input shaft, a rotatable output shaft and a ring gear fixed for rotation with the input shaft. A carrier is fixed for rotation with the output shaft. A pump assembly includes an inner rotor supported for rotation on the carrier and an outer rotor encompassing the inner rotor. The outer rotor is in driving meshed engagement with the ring gear. The pump provides pressurized fluid to one of first and second fluid ports. A flow restrictor is moveable to selectively restrict fluid flow relative to one of the first and second ports.In another form, the present teachings provide a power transmission device with a ring gear and a carrier assembly that are coupled to first and second rotary members, respectively. The carrier assembly includes pump assemblies, each of which having a rotor pin, an inner rotor rotatably received on the rotor pin, and an outer rotor that is rotatably received over the inner rotor. The outer rotors have planet gear teeth that are meshingly engaged with teeth of the ring gear. First and second fluid conduits are coupled to first and second sides of the pump assemblies, respectively, to facilitate the flow of hydraulic fluid into and out of the pump assemblies when they are operated in a first rotational direction. A valve is coupled to at least one of the first and second fluid conduits. The valve has a valve element, which is movable between first and second positions, for controlling fluid flow through the valve.
US07686722B2
A plate-link chain for a belt-driven conical-pulley transmission. The chain has a large number of link plates that are articulatingly connected with each other by rocker members, which link plates are positioned one behind the other and are offset from each other transversely relative to the longitudinal direction of the plate-link chain, and also partially overlap each other. The chain has a plurality of link plates of two different lengths in the longitudinal direction of the chain, with openings to receive the rocker members. The arrangement of the link plates in the longitudinal direction of the chain is such that a long link plate is followed by a short link plate.
US07686720B2
A portable power take-off unit for mounting to and dismounting from the rear of a vehicle, such as a pickup truck, providing mechanical operational power to construction and farm implements and machinery includes an engine for driving a belt and pulley assembly that drives a chain and sprocket assembly that, in turn, drives a power take-off shaft at selectable high or low speeds. An elongated drive shaft from the machinery is connected to the power take-off shaft for connection to the implement or machinery so that power can be provided thereto. The power take-off unit includes a hydraulic system, comprising a pump, reservoir, couplers, and hoses, for controlling the operation of the machinery, and a manually operable engagement lever for engaging and disengaging the belt and pulley system thereby controlling the engagement and disengagement of the power take-off shaft.
US07686719B2
A belt tensioner is provided for mounting on a mounting surface of a structure. The tensioner comprises a body, which defines a cavity, and a drain hole that is in communication with the cavity. The drain hole is located on the body so as to be facing the mounting surface of the structure when the tensioner is mounted on the structure. In this manner it is more difficult for contaminants to enter the body than to exit the body.
US07686718B2
In the timing drive of an internal combustion engine, cyclic variations in chain tension, in the span traveling from a camshaft sprocket toward the crankshaft sprocket are leveled by synchronous reciprocating movement of a guide in sliding contact with that span of chain. The maximum rearward speed of the guide coincides approximately with the maximum tension in the span of chain, and the maximum forward speed of the guide coincides approximately with the minimum tension in the chain.
US07686715B2
A hybrid clamping mechanism for a belt continuously variable transmission (CVT) is disclosed. A pulley having adjustable belt-engagement surfaces allow for a variable effective diameter of the belt when about the pulley. A clamping spring disposed to bias the belt-engagement surfaces closer together exert a clamping force on the belt. A first hydraulic drive is disposed to assist the clamping force of the clamping spring, and a second hydraulic drive is disposed to oppose the clamping force of the clamping spring. The total clamping force at the belt results from the clamping spring, the first hydraulic drive, the second hydraulic drive, or any combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.
US07686714B2
The present invention is directed to a shaft and arrow system. The shaft and arrow system includes a hybrid structure that may include two concentric tubes. A first of the two concentric tubes may comprise an outer shell or jacket of thin-walled metal alloy. A second of the two concentric tubes may include an inner core of thin-walled fiber reinforced polymer. The two concentric tubes may be bonded together by a suitable adhesive such as epoxy or urethane. The shaft may have a reduced diameter as compared to conventional arrow shafts, and the shaft may be receptive of a variety of inserts, points, nocks, and other components. Some inserts may be completely recessed within a first end of the shaft.
US07686712B2
A temporary sunshade for a soccer goal which has a net and a goal frame for supporting the net in an outstretched configuration, the outstretched net having contiguous generally planar net surfaces including a horizontal top panel, upright end panels, and a sloping back panel. The sunshade preferably includes a removable flexible sunscreen connectable atop preferably all of the outstretched net as a sunshade for players during periods of soccer play inactivity. The sunscreen includes an airflow opening in a back panel thereof which permits moving air to flow there through for cooling players within the goal space of the soccer goal while remaining shaded. In one aspect, the opening may be an elongated slit formed along a substantial length of the back panel of said sunscreen. In another aspect, the opening may be a plurality of spaced U-shaped cuts through the back panel of the sunscreen each defining a flap movable by air movement thereagainst which produces an opening to permit air to flow there through.
US07686709B2
A multi-lobed golf ball dimple is provided. The dimple comprises a plurality of lobes positioned radially around the center of the dimple, wherein each lobe is defined by a circumferential segment and may be further defined by spoke-like ridges. Each lobe comprises a first curved profile extending from the circumferential segment toward the center of the dimple and the first curved profile of each lobe abuts each other in an uninterrupted manner. The multi-lobed dimple may include uniform and non-uniform dimples. The curvature of the circumferential segments can be defined by a ratio of an inside radius to an outside radius. Each dimple also includes a slightly convex floor that is continuous and smooth. The curvature may match that of the outer surface of the golf ball. Further, a sloped wall interrupted by spoke-ike ridges may connect the convex floor with the outer surface of the golf ball.
US07686707B2
This invention provides a hollow golf club head having a first viscoelastic body made of a first viscoelastic material and a second viscoelastic body made of a second viscoelastic material with a loss coefficient the temperature dependence of which is different from that of a loss coefficient of the first viscoelastic material.
US07686698B2
A bowling pin storage bin assembly for use as part of a bowling pin delivery system of a pinspotter apparatus, as well as a method of manufacturing such bin. The storage bin is molded as a one-piece article having a plurality of cavities or pockets for storing bowling pins in an essentially horizontal plane above a pin spotter and for delivering the pins to a plurality of pin cups or a pin spotter for spotting on a pin deck.
US07686696B2
A constant velocity joint 10 comprises an outer race 12, an inner race 11, balls 14 and a cage 13. The outer race 12 has a partially spherical inner surface 12a provided with plural outer ball grooves 12b. The inner race 11 has a partially spherical outer surface 11 a provided with plural inner ball grooves 11b arranged to correspond to the outer ball grooves 12b. The balls 14 are interposed between the outer ball grooves 12b and the inner ball grooves 11b. The radial distance of the outer ball grooves 12b from the rotational axis of the outer race increases toward an opening end of the outer race 12 in a predetermined zone H, and a contact angle θ between each ball 14 and each outer ball groove 12b decreases toward the opening end of the outer race 12 in the predetermined zone H.
US07686695B2
A constant velocity joint (11) in the form of a counter track joint wherein, when the joint is in the aligned condition, the ratio (V1) of the pitch circle diameter (PCDS) of the shaft toothing in the inner joint part (15) in the power of three relative to the product of the ball diameter (DK) squared and pitch circle diameter (PCDB) of the balls (17) assumes a value ranging between 0.9 and 1.3.
US07686688B2
An apparatus, method, and computer readable storage for automatically deciding slot machine configuration changes. Slot machine usage is electronically monitored and ideal settings are determined from the usage. Slot machines can then be updated electronically according to the ideal settings, either automatically or upon operator approval.
US07686666B2
A top-emitting organic light-emitting device can prevent a voltage drop by electrically coupling a cathode bus line to a cathode electrode. A method for fabricating the same is also disclosed. The flat panel display device comprises an insulating substrate having a pixel region and a non-pixel region, a first electrode arranged in the pixel region. a second electrode arranged in the pixel region and the non-pixel region, an organic emission layer and a charge transporting layer formed between the first electrode and the second electrode of the pixel region, and an electrode line formed in the pixel region and the non-pixel region. The electrode line and the second electrode are electrically and directly coupled to each other in the non-pixel region.
US07686659B2
A battery connector assembly (100) includes a first connector (200) and a second connector (300). The first connector includes an insulating housing (1) defining an elongate end face (102) and a tongue portion (11) projecting forward from and extending along a longitudinal direction of the end face. A plurality of signal contacts (21) extends on the tongue portion and power contacts (22) of blade shape are projected from the end face and vertical to the longitudinal direction. The second connector is mated with the first connector.
US07686655B2
A mini plug connector has an insulative housing, a plurality of terminals and a metal shell. The insulative housing has a base, a tongue and a plurality of mounting holes. The tongue protrudes from the base and has a top, a space and at least one top elongated recess. The space and the at least one top elongated recess are defined in the top of the tongue. The terminals are mounted respectively through the mounting holes. The metal shell covers the insulative housing. The at least one top elongated recess prevents the insulative housing from being defective and deforming when the insulative housing is manufactured by an injection molding process.
US07686654B2
A memory card is disclosed resembling a CompactFlash card, but which is compatible with an ExpressCard slot.
US07686652B2
A USB card connector includes an insulative housing and a plurality of contacts retained in the insulative housing. The insulative housing includes a rear wall and a card receiving cavity located forward the rear wall. Each contact includes a contact portion protruding to the card receiving cavity. The contacts are divided into first and second contact groups with same contact arrangement in condition that each the first or the second contact group comprises four contacts for transmitting USB or similar-USB signals.
US07686640B2
An arrangement includes (a) a housing situating an integrated circuit that includes first contacts and (b) a connector. The housing includes a window which exposes at least a portion of the first contacts. The connector includes second contacts disposed at a first end of the connector. The second contacts removably couple to the first contacts. A second end of the connector is coupled to an output device. The connector establishes an electrical connection for an exchange of multimedia data between the integrated circuit and the output device.
US07686624B2
An electrical connector includes an insulator holding a plurality of contacts in an array corresponding to an array of pads on an electronic device. At least one shorting path electrically connects at least two of the contacts in the array. The insulator includes a plurality of apertures therethrough, with each aperture defining a contact location on the insulator. The insulator includes a channel formed between at least two contact locations. The channel defines a location of a shorting path and the shorting path is at least partially within the insulator.
US07686621B2
A socket can be used for testing an integrated circuit package having a plurality of rows of leads. The socket includes a base that is aligned with a circuit board having a plurality of contact pads. A plurality of rows of contact fingers are electrically coupled to the plurality of contact pads, each of the plurality of rows of contact fingers for engaging a corresponding one of the plurality of rows of leads in response to a retention force applied to the integrated circuit package. Each of the contact finger has a cantilevered end that is supported by a supporting force generated by an elastic contact in response to the retention force.
US07686619B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a configurable blade card. A base card is in physical and electrical communication with a blade connector. The blade connector is in physical and electrical communication with a blade enclosure connector. A secondary card is in physical and electrical communication with the base card to form a blade card. A coupler physically couples the base card and the secondary card. The base card and the secondary card are co-planar and compatible with a blade card form factor.
US07686615B1
A miniature house no larger than 4 inches in any dimension having a drawer that is extensible from one wall close to the base of the wall. The drawer serves a number of purposes according to the scope of the invention. In one embodiment, a porous pad is positioned in the drawer and serves as a medium for growing miniature plants—preferably mosses and grasses. Means for moisturizing the pad are provided. In other applications, the house is an interesting devoid for dispensing business cards. In another embodiment, the drawer holds watercolors and stamps enabling the user to apply his own arrangement of doors and window.
US07686611B2
The present invention relates to a method and furnace for generating straightened flames in a steam methane reformer or ethylene cracking furnace where fuel-staged burners are used. Fuel staging may be used for reducing NOx emissions. Criteria for generating straightened flames are provided. These criteria relate to oxidant conduit geometry and furnace geometry. Techniques for modifying the furnace and/or burners to achieve these criteria are also provided.
US07686609B2
An apparatus for molding a proppant is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first member comprising a manifold for channeling a plastic fluid to a cavity block, with the cavity block containing a plurality of semi-spherical cavities. The apparatus further includes a second member that comprises a movable plate for engaging with the first member, with the movable plate having an opening therein, and a core block positioned within the opening, with the core block containing a plurality of reciprocal semi-spherical cavities configured to engage the semi-spherical cavities of the cavity block so that a plurality of spheres are formed, with the core block further containing a plurality of arm cavities that link the plurality of spheres so that a star cluster (which links the proppants) is formed. A method of manufacturing proppants and a method of using the proppants is also disclosed.
US07686605B2
A device (1) for manufacturing a three-dimensional object by a layer wise solidification of a building material at positions in the respective layers corresponding to the object is provided. The device comprises a building field, in which the solidification of the material in powder form takes place; an application element (61), that applies the building material in powder form in the form of a layer; and a drive mechanism (59) that moves the application element (61) across the building field in order to apply the layer of the building material. The drive mechanism (59) is configured such that for the application of layers it moves the application element (61) between a first end position on a first side of the building field and a second end position on an opposite second side of the building field on a circular path back and forth.
US07686599B2
A scroll compressor has a device which may be actuated to limit the orbit radius of the orbiting scroll. The device is moveable between an unactuated position at which it is spaced from a hub for the scroll compressor, and an actuated position at which it limits the orbit radius of the hub. The device may be actuated when reduced capacity is desired.
US07686597B2
A linear drive device comprising at least one excitation winding for producing a variable magnetic field and is provided with an associated yoke body conducting a magnetic flux and an armature body which comprises a magnet carrier provided with at least two permanent magnet parts, preferably in the form of a plate, and to which an axial oscillation movement can be transferred by the magnetic field of the excitation winding. In order to avoid eddy currents in the magnet carrier, it is made of an electrically insulating material at least in the part thereof which penetrates into the magnetic field area defined by the pole surfaces of the yoke body and the excitation winding or which are arranged in said area. The magnet parts can be provided with ferromagnetic covers.
US07686595B1
A high pressure metering pump employs a flexible diaphragm extending radially from a piston as the moving pump element. The diaphragm is secured by an annular anvil at its periphery to form a high pressure seal, and the center of the diaphragm is driven reciprocally by a mechanically driven piston. A support assembly for the diaphragm includes a moveable metal ring concentric about the piston and an elastic, resilient ring concentric about the piston and interposed between the metal ring and the diaphragm. The elastic resilient ring is formed of a material such as neoprene, Viton, or the like to mediate and distribute the force between the diaphragm and the metal ring. This assembly allows the diaphragm membrane to support the high pressures that are prevalent in HPLC.
US07686591B2
A portable air compressor assembly includes a tubular frame having a pair of parallelogram shaped side sections. A support plate is connected between the side sections and horizontally positioned in a compressor normal operating position. A plurality of operating components connect to the support plate. A fluid pressure tank is supported perpendicular to the side sections and forward of the operating components. The frame envelopes the operating components' outer perimeter and angularly extends to a stop point rearward of the operating components. When tipped rearward to the stop point, the compressor assembly returns by gravity to the compressor normal operating position. An instrument and connector panel including an engine on/off switch is mounted in a protected position. Wheels and structural feet are removable and a handle is retractable and removable for shipping.
US07686590B2
A vacuum control system allows the degree of vacuum in a vacuum vessel to be kept constant while removing vaporized components degassed into the vacuum vessel through a gas permeation diaphragm by stably introducing a very small amount of air into a vacuum exhaust path of the vacuum vessel. The vacuum control system controls the rotary power of a DC brushless motor, continuously controls displacement of a vacuum pump, and thus keeps the degree of vacuum in a vacuum vessel constant, by decompressing the inside of the vacuum vessel using an exhaust vacuum pump which operates with the DC brushless motor, monitoring the inside pressure of the vacuum vessel using a pressure sensor, and controlling a voltage applied to the DC brushless motor on the basis of an output signal resulting from measurement of the inside pressure of the vacuum vessel by the pressure sensor.
US07686588B2
A liquid chemical supply system that performs accurate pressure feedback control and controls the discharge flow rate of liquid chemical with high precision, even when the pressure setting value of the operation pressure differs due to changes in the type of liquid chemical, includes a pump having a pump chamber and an operation chamber separated by a diaphragm comprised of a flexible membrane. The intake and discharge of liquid chemical is performed in accordance with the change in pressure inside the operation chamber. An electro-pneumatic regulator supplies operation gas pressure to the operation chamber. A plurality of pressure sensors having different pressure detection ranges is provided for detecting the operation gas pressure. A controller selectively employs any of the detection results of the plurality of sensors in accordance with the pressure setting value of the operation air that is set for each use, and performs pressure feedback control.
US07686583B2
Systems and methods use cyclical propellers with dynamic blade angle control to extract power from waves. A control system for such implementations can adapt pitching schedules for the blades of the cyclical propellers for efficient energy extraction and/or to control reactive forces. The cyclical propellers may be installed on the floor of a body of water or other liquid, on a submarine, or on a surface float, and blades may extend vertically or horizontally depending on the character of the waves. Several cyclical propellers can be combined into a single unit operated to minimize reactive forces and torques, to propel the unit horizontally or vertically, and/or to stabilize the unit. Such units can be installed with minimal or no moorings.
US07686581B2
A serpentine cooling circuit is formed in a gas turbine blade to cool portions of the tip shroud, primarily the fillet between the airfoil and the tip shroud and the shroud edges.
US07686575B2
An inner mounting ring (20) for gas turbine flow path components such as shroud ring segments (24). The inner ring (20) may be mounted to an outer ring (22) on radially slidable mounts (26, 28) that maintain the two rings (20, 22) in coaxial relationship, but allows them to thermally expand at different rates. This allows matching of the radial expansion rate of the inner ring (20) to that of the turbine blade tips (32), thus providing reduced clearance (33) between the turbine blade tips (32) and the inner surface of the shroud ring segments (24) under all engine operating conditions. The inner ring (20) may be made of a material with a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than that of the outer ring (22).
US07686570B2
This invention relates to an abradable coating system for use in axial turbine engines. When coated onto a turbine ring seal segment the coating system may allow formation of an individualized seal between turbine blade disks and the surrounding ring seal without causing excessive wear to the blade tips. The abradable coating system includes columns of an abradable material. Thus, interference between the blades and the abradable coating system causes the individual columns to break off at the base. This abrasion mechanism may reduce blade wear and spalling of the coating system when compared to conventional coatings.
US07686569B2
A blade gap control system configured to move a blade ring of a turbine engine relative to a blade assembly to reduce the gaps between the tips of the blades and the blade rings to increase the efficiency of the turbine engine is provided. The blade rings can be at an acute angle with respect to the rotational axis of the blade assembly. The axial movement of the blade ring can be done by a pressure differential supplied across the blade ring, the thermal expansion and/or contraction of a linkage or by a piston.
US07686564B2
A device for palletizing objects containing a buffer device and a conveyor zone on which are provided a transposing device for assembling a layer and a pallet loader. To equip the device with effective buffering in a simple design, the conveyor zone and the buffer could optionally be loaded by the transposing device and optionally unloaded by the pallet loader.
US07686558B2
The present invention discloses an arrangement scheme of a container wharf, in which the containers positioned in the yard is arranged in a direction being perpendicular to the direction of the containers positioned in the ship, comprising: a quayside container crane for loading/unloading containers in the first direction; a low elevated system including low elevated track, low elevated system lifting trolley and low elevated system plane carriers, the low elevated system plane carrier can be operated by the low elevated system lifting trolley and the low elevated system can be operated by the quayside container crane; a transportation carriers system including transportation carrier track along the second direction and transportation carriers being able to rotate 90 degrees together with container put thereon, the transportation system can be operated by the low elevated system; a yard crane having a yard crane track along the second direction for loading/unloading the containers with the yard. The arrangement scheme of the container wharf according to the present invention increases the efficiency and technical level of the container handling port significantly.
US07686554B2
In order to produce a combination of a screw member comprising a screw head, a threaded portion and a shank portion which is arranged between the screw head and the threaded portion and has an external diameter that is smaller than the external diameter of the threaded portion, a washer incorporating a passage opening the diameter of which is smaller than the external diameter of the threaded portion, and a sleeve the internal diameter of which is greater than the external diameter of the threaded portion, whereby said combination can be produced in a simple manner but nevertheless ensures that the sleeve and the washer are held securely on the screw member, it is proposed that the sleeve have at least one projection which engages in a recess provided in the washer, wherein the sleeve is pressed against the washer in such a manner that the sleeve and the washer are connected together and held captive on the screw member.
US07686550B2
A container is described herein which uses three different types of restraining mechanisms to help secure glass sheets therein so that the glass sheets can be safely transported from one facility (e.g., a manufacturing facility) to a second facility (e.g., a customer facility). The first type of restraining mechanism includes two collapsible retainer bar mechanisms which are connected to one another by a support bar that can be moved so as to secure the major surfaces of the glass sheets. The second type of restraining mechanism includes two side restraints which are used to help secure the two opposing sides of the glass sheets. The third type of restraining mechanism includes two secondary retainer mechanisms each of which has a stopper that is moved to help secure/support the bottom portion of the glass sheets.
US07686542B2
The surface of rock or soil, newly-exposed, for example, by tunnelling, and having the tendency to become friable on exposure to the atmosphere, can be protected by forming thereon a film by the process of combining on the surface at least one coagulable material and a coagulating agent therefor. The preferred coagulable material is an aqueous polymer dispersion, preferably one which has some degree of elastomeric properties, and preferably one which additionally is anionically stabilized.
US07686540B2
A roadway or other transport corridor infiltration system which collects runoff while allowing for the easily removal of litter from its surface. The infiltration system comprises at least the edge surface of the roadway or other transport corridor being formed by a plastics grid structure having at least its upper surface formed by an array of alternate openings and support members, such that water can permeate therethrough. An infiltration layer is located at least below and in communication with said grid structure, filled with aggregate material, which is larger in cross-section than the width of the openings of said grid structure. A geotextile wrapped water permeable infiltration tank located below and in communication with said infiltration layer, such that runoff passes through the grid structure into the infiltration layer and into the permeable infiltration tank, where the water is stored and/or flows back into the soil through the walls of the tank and the geotextile.
US07686531B2
A universal connector apparatus for securing a male-threaded utility handle end into a female receptacle of a tool assembly comprising a tool, comprising: a substantially-circular friction ring; a substantially-circular thread neck attached at a leading end thereof to, and centrally-aligned with, a trailing end of the friction ring; and a substantially-circular threaded-end aperture running centrally through the friction ring and thread neck combination.
US07686523B2
With this invention, at least one of a video file containing video information, a still picture file containing still picture information, and an audio file containing audio information and a management file having management information on a control method of reproducing the information in the file are recorded on an information storage medium. This realizes a data structure that causes the recording and deleting places on the information storage medium to correspond spuriously to places on a single tape, such as a VTR tape. Use of the data structure provides users with an easy-to-use interface.
US07686520B2
A premises wiring system (112) comprising a back-end interface (122) communicating with at least one communications system and a front-end interface (126) communication with disparate communications devices configured for electrical signalling. At least one fiber-optic pair (146) couples the front-end and back-end interfaces. The front-end and back-end interfaces convert electrical signals destined for transmission over the pair into optical signals prior to transmission.
US07686518B2
A shuttered adapter for a communications connector is formed of two pieces in the form of a retainer and a door. The retainer is formed of plastic and includes facing resilient lips for snap-on attachment to a connector body. A resilient tab and a first hinge portion are integrally formed as features of the retainer during an initial molding process of the retainer. The door is formed of plastic and includes a second hinge portion integrally formed therewith during an initial molding process of the door. The second hinge portion is attached to the first hinge portion to permit the door to pivot relative to the retainer. The resilient tab contacts a top of the door to urge the door into a position covering an opening in the connector for receiving a mating connector.
US07686517B2
A wheel bearing apparatus for a driving wheel is formed as a unit of a wheel hub, a double row rolling bearing and a constant velocity universal joint. The double row rolling bearing has an outer member with a body mounting flange mounted on a knuckle and double row outer raceway surfaces. An inner member includes the wheel hub and an outer joint member of the constant velocity universal joint. The wheel hub has an inner raceway surface corresponding to one of the double row outer raceway surfaces. The outer joint member has another inner raceway surface corresponding to the other of the double row outer raceway surfaces. Double row rolling elements are rollably arranged between the outer and inner raceway surfaces. Seals are mounted in an annular space opening formed between the outer member and the inner member. A sensor is fit into a mounting aperture formed in the knuckle. A pulser ring is mounted on the outer circumferential surface of the outer joint member. It opposes the sensor via a predetermined radial gap. The outer diameter of the pulser ring is smaller than the inner diameter of the knuckle.
US07686516B2
An encoder 12 a characteristic of which is changed alternately at an equal interval in a circumferential direction is supported/fixed onto a hub 4 concentrically with the hub 4. A sensing portion of a sensor 13 supported on the outer ring 3 is positioned in close vicinity to a sensed surface of the encoder 12 to face thereto. Width dimensions of first and second sensed portions provided onto the sensed surface are changed continuously in a direction along which a to-be-sensed load is applied. Since a pattern according to which an output signal of the sensor 13 is changed is changed pursuant to a change of the load, the load is derived by observing this pattern. The output signal is also utilized to sense a rotation speed of the hub 4 in ABS or TCS control.
US07686513B2
A flexible container with a wall structure comprised of multi-layer, flexible thin films, including a first film layer that is affixed to the wall structure by a releasable adherence and that incorporates a removable piece. The removable piece is incorporated into the first film layer such that, other than at least one continuous cut facilitating removal and any conspicuous printing on the removable portion, it is indistinguishable from the rest of the exterior of the package. The continuous cut allows for full or partial detachment of the removable portion from the first film layer so that only the releasable adherence prevents it from separating from the container. The removable piece is removed by peeling it away from the container, where the initiation of the peeling is facilitated by a smaller peel force adjacent the continuous cut. The removable piece may function as a promotional or collectible piece such as a gaming piece or redeemable coupon, or may be designed to retain a tacky surface and function as a sticker or as a piece of tape to close an opened bag. The removable piece can also expose a tacky surface on the container to permit closure of the opened bag.
US07686507B2
Multi-module weighing system with a holding structure serving to receive a plurality of weighing modules which are rigidly connected to each other in a given spatial arrangement and are operable independently of each other, wherein each weighing module comprises at least one load receiver, wherein the multi-module weighing system is connected to a temperature control device which is in thermal connection with each of the weighing modules.
US07686506B2
Probe cover cassettes having a plurality of probe covers releasably attached to a frame are capable of being stacked so that probe covers attached to a first of the frames are nested within probe covers attached to a second of the frames. The vertical space occupied by the cassettes is reduced allowing more cassettes to be stacked in a given space. The frames of the cassettes are particularly constructed to resist twisting and bending motion when probe covers are detached from the frames using a tympanic thermometer probe.
US07686504B2
A performance testing apparatus for a heat pipe includes an immovable portion having a heating member located therein for heating an evaporating section of a heat pipe requiring testing. A movable portion is capable of moving relative to the immovable portion and has a heating member therein for heating the evaporating section of the heat pipe. A receiving structure is defined between the immovable portion and the movable portion for receiving the evaporating section of the heat pipe therein. A positioning structure extends from the immovable portion to ensure the receiving structure being capable of precisely receiving the heat pipe. Temperature sensors are attached to the immovable portion and the movable portion for detecting temperature of the heat pipe.
US07686502B2
An apparatus and method are provided for mixing paint disposed in either a conventional one gallon paint container or a square paint container having a body with a handle passage extending therethrough. The apparatus includes a square bucket for holding the container. A rocker is pivotably mounted to a side wall of the bucket and includes a pair of heads aligned over a pair of openings in the side wall. A floor of the bucket has a plurality of support structures extending upwardly therefrom. When the conventional one gallon paint container is disposed in the bucket, the container rests on the floor, the vertical axis of the container is offset from the central axis of the bucket, and both heads of the rocker are disposed against the container inside the bucket. When the square paint container is disposed in the bucket, the container is supported on top of the support structures so as to be elevated above the floor, the vertical axis of the container is collinear with the central axis of the bucket, and one of the heads of the rocker is disposed in the handle passage of the container.
US07686494B2
A backlight assembly having a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and a light guide plate for uniformly guiding light emitted from the LEDs to a liquid crystal substrate is provided. The backlight assembly includes a reflective structure having at least one reflective surface facing the LEDs and tilted at a constant angle. The light emitted from the LEDs is reflected by the reflective surface to have the shape of light emitted from a line light source and be incident on the light guide plate. In effect, hot spots degrading screen quality and screen brightness distribution non-uniformity can be prevented.
US07686490B2
A vehicle front body structure including a front end module attached to a body front end. The front end module includes a frame member and a headlamp unit supported on the frame member. The headlamp unit is provided with a mounting device which is configured to flexibly support the headlamp unit on the frame member, and to provide a tendency to move the headlamp unit to its attachment position, upon application of a force exceeding a predetermined threshold to the headlamp unit.
US07686489B2
An LED light source device and an illumination device using the same, including vehicle lighting devices, can have a light weight and thin profile and can form a desired light distribution pattern while employing a simple configuration. The light source device can include a plate shaped light guide member made of a material that is transparent in a visible range. The light guide member can have a front surface serving as a light emitting surface and having a plate shape, and a rear surface having a luminance control element for controlling a luminance distribution on the light emitting surface. A point or linear light source facing towards an end surface of the light guide member can be provided. The luminance control element controls light reaching the element from the end surface of the light guide member and configures the luminance distribution on the light emitting surface, the luminance distribution being obtained by reducing a light distribution pattern to be projected (and in some cases horizontally and vertically reversing the pattern).
US07686487B2
A door mirror comprising a mirror portion and a side blinker which is one example of lamp bodies allows easily performed maintenance for the side blinker. It is also structured so as to make a lamp body elongated in lateral dimension. A second opening is formed on the back side of a mirror housing with fixing pieces formed on the second opening. A lamp unit integrates a lens portion with the back face of a base body having an inner base and an outer base which covers the front face of the inner base and is structured so that the base end side avoids the vehicle body mounting portion. The lamp unit is inserted into the second opening through the back face side of the mirror housing, and fixing pieces on the lamp unit and the mirror housing-fixing pieces are tightened by screws.
US07686483B1
The invention features an improved lighting fixture structure with temperature control and stray light reductions, together with a unique directional pivot/extension mounting mechanism.
US07686478B1
A bulb is adapted to fit over a light-emitting diode emitting a light of a first hue. The bulb is composed of a light-transmitting material and defines an inner cavity. The bulb includes a color-converting insert that is positioned in the inner cavity. The color-converting insert is also composed of a light-transmitting material and includes a light color-converting material. The light-emitting diode emits light of the first hue into the color-converting insert, which converts the light of the first hue into light of a desired hue, which is then emitted into the bulb and ultimately observed over a light-emitting surface of the bulb.
US07686466B2
An electronic device illuminator comprises a light assembly pivotally coupled to a housing of an electronic device.
US07686453B2
A projection system includes a projection lens unit, a color combiner, and at least a first and a second image-forming devices for generating single color images. The single color images are combined in the color combiner to produce a colored image light beam. The colored image light beam passes from the color combiner to the projection lens system. A polarization control element is disposed between the color combiner and the first image-forming device. The polarization control element alters the polarization of light at either one of the first and second color, while not altering the polarization of light of the other of the first and second color. In some embodiments, the polarization control element is oriented to substantially prevent light at the second color from passing from the color combiner to the first image-forming device via a polarizing beamsplitter.
US07686445B2
A method and system for monitoring a print drum maintenance system of an image producing machine is disclosed herein in various embodiments. A test pattern is printed on the print drum, and imaged with an image-on-drum detector to determine a printed pattern response. The print drum is then cleaned again imaged with the image-on-drum detector to determine a cleaned print drum response. A cleaning efficiency is computed by comparing the imaged test pattern response to the imaged cleaned print drum response and determining if a failure condition exists by comparing the computed cleaning efficiency to predetermined limits. A corrective process is performed if the failure condition does exist, the corrective process including changing parameters of the drum maintenance system according to the computed cleaning efficiency. The changed parameters are compared to predetermined thresholds and, if not exceeding the thresholds, the cleaning is repeated after the parameters are changed.
US07686435B2
A printing system includes a liquid drop ejector, a fluid passage, and a fluid flow source. The liquid drop ejector is operable to form liquid drops having a plurality of volumes moving along a first path. The fluid passage includes a wall. A source of acoustic energy is associated with the wall. A fluid flow source is associated with the passage and is configured to provide a fluid flow through the passage. Interaction of the fluid flow and the liquid drops causes liquids drops having one of the plurality of volumes to begin moving along a second path.
US07686432B2
An inkjet printer head and fabricating method thereof are disclosed. An inkjet printer head, which includes: a lower board, in which a nozzle part and a restrictor are formed; an upper board attached to an upper portion of the lower board, in which an ink chamber and an ink inlet are formed; and a piezoelectric element joined to a membrane of the upper board, where the membrane is formed by the portions remaining after portions of the upper board are removed to form the ink chamber, is formed by attaching two boards by an attachment method that does not use a separate adhesion material, such as anodic bonding, for a simple and easy attachment, and for a strong head structure in which there are no chemical or physical reactions that may occur in adhesion layers.
US07686430B2
A printer system is provided having a printhead which has nozzles, a bubble forming chamber corresponding to each nozzle, and heater elements disposed in each chamber each configured for thermal contact with a bubble forming liquid such that heating heater elements to a temperature above the boiling point of the bubble forming liquid forms a gas bubble that causes the ejection of a drop of an ejectable liquid through the nozzles. Each heater element is an elongate strip suspended between corresponding electrodes on opposite sides of the chamber. Each strip has a cross-section with a lateral dimension different than that of each other strip of the corresponding chamber and at least triple that of the thickness of that strip. The thickness of each strip is less than 0.3 microns. The heater elements and electrodes are arranged so that the electrodes are non-coincident with the electrodes of the other heater elements.
US07686428B2
A liquid discharge head includes a substrate having a discharge port, a plurality of energy generating elements disposed on a first surface of the substrate for generating energy to discharge liquid from the discharge port, a liquid supply port, and a member provided on the first surface and forming a wall of a liquid chamber and a wall of a liquid path from the liquid supply port through the liquid chamber to the discharge port. A plurality of first penetrating electrodes penetrate the substrate from the first surface to the second surface, wherein one of the first penetrating electrodes electrically connects one of the energy generating elements, and a plurality of second penetrating electrodes penetrate the substrate from the first surface to the second surface, wherein one of the second penetrating electrodes electrically connects to the same energy generating element connected to the first penetrating electrode. Also, first and second power wirings are provided, and a plurality of driving elements are electrically connected between the first penetrating electrode and the first power wiring, correspondingly to each of the energy generating elements, to drive and control the energy generating elements.
US07686424B2
Devices used to degas and eject fluid drops are disclosed. Devices include a flow path that includes a pumping chamber in which fluid is pressurized for ejection of a fluid drop, and a semi-permeable membrane including an inorganic material having an outer surface positioned in fluid contact with the flow path. The membrane allows gases to pass therethrough, while preventing liquids from passing therethrough.
US07686414B2
Disclosed is a method of multi pass inkjet printing on wide format flexible substrates where errors in flexible substrate positions are corrected by adapting the geometry and position of the next printed swath to the geometry of the adjacent earlier printed image swath.
US07686408B2
An electrically-chargeable element control device includes a plurality of coils, a switch circuit, and a controller. One end of each of a plurality of the coils is connected to a power supply. The switch circuit is connected to an other end of each of a plurality of the coils and is connected to one electrode provided on each of a plurality of electrically-chargeable elements. The controller connects a selected coil to an electrically-chargeable element to be charged and discharged by controlling the switch circuit depending on the number of the electrically-chargeable elements to be charged and discharged, and charges and discharges with resonance the electrically-chargeable element to be charged and discharged.
US07686407B2
The printing method includes the following steps of: preparing a printing apparatus that includes an element that is driven in order to form a dot, a first drive signal generation section that generates drive signals for driving the element, and a second drive signal generation section that generates drive signals for driving the element; at a certain timing, forming a dot of a predetermined size by generating a first drive signal with the first drive signal generation section and by generating a second drive signal that is different from the first drive signal with the second drive signal generation section; and at a separate timing, forming a dot of the predetermined size by generating the first drive signal with the second drive signal generation section. With this printing method, the first drive signal generation section and the second drive signal generation section can be made to generate an equal amount of heat.
US07686399B2
A back includes an integrated articulating back frame and a back support. The back frame has a lower segment pivoted to a chair control, an upper segment for thoracic support, and links forming a four-bar linkage with the upper and lower segments, with a joint being formed at the lumbar region. The back support is stretchable in limited directions to accommodate shape change in the articulating back frame but to provide adequate support to a seated user. Upon receiving a rearward pressure on the lumbar joint, the back frame itself changes shape. The pivot locations in the four bar linkage create a mechanism that simultaneously controls rotational and translational movement of the upper segment during flexure of the lumbar. The back frame is close to the back support to provide significant design flexibility, but permit substantial lumbar flexure. Various back supports are contemplated that accommodate articulation of the back frame.
US07686393B2
An orthopedic back support for displacing a person's weight from the lower area of the spine by providing support for the upper torso and for use with a chair or seat having a seat base and a seat back. A flexible fabric cross piece is connected between vertical members to provide back. The cross piece may include vertical channels or sleeves at opposite sides to receive and support the vertical members. A flexible strap is connected to the fabric or the vertical members and adapted to be positioned behind a seat or a head rest. The entire unit is portable or may be fabricated as part of a seat.
US07686391B2
A cover for an infant seat, comprising: (1) a flexible, bag-form main body having, in a top portion thereof, an opening for introducing therethrough an infant into the main body, and having a leg through-hole for allowing the leg of an infant to extend out of the main body, and (2) a flexible flap extending from a portion of the main body, which portion is positioned above the leg through-hole, wherein the flap has a free end, wherein when the flap is allowed to hang downwardly, the flap is engaged with the main body to close the leg through-hole, and wherein when the main body is installed on the seat in a manner such that the flap is placed on or wrapped around a support means provided on the seat for preventing the falling of an infant, the infant in the main body is prevented from directly contacting the support means.
US07686390B2
A motion simulation chair incorporates a base providing elevated attachment points for a number of support cables. A seat support is carried within the base and engages a seat for an occupant at a top end. The seat support has companion attachment points for the support cables at a bottom end. A control system incorporates a forward vertical control element constrained for three axis motion about a control point. A horizontal control element displaced upward from the control point and extending rearward from the forward vertical control element, engages the seat support. A control stick operated by the user imparts motion to the forward vertical control element about the control point. Moving the horizontal control element alters the suspension angles of the cables providing a corresponding tilt of the seat support and seat for realistic simulation of motion resulting from inputs to a computer game by the control stick.
US07686386B2
An automotive body and trim assembly is provided that utilizes locating features on only a single sheet metal layer of a multi-layer body frame pillar to position a trim member, thus minimizing variability in the final assembled position of the trim member. The single sheet metal layer has both a fore-aft-locating feature and a cross-car-locating feature. A fore-aft-positioning feature and a cross-car-positioning feature on the pillar trim member are spaced to permit contact with the fore-aft-locating feature and the cross-car-locating feature, respectively when the pillar trim member is assembled with the body frame pillar, so that only the single sheet metal layer determines the fore-aft and cross-car position of the pillar trim member. A method of assembling a pillar trim member and a body frame pillar having multiple sheet metal layers is also provided.
US07686376B2
A motor vehicle with a roof that is at least partially moveable and can be stowed in the body beneath a cover section. The cover section can be moved upward in a pivoting motion, opening up toward the rear to reveal a stowage opening for the roof sections or for the entire roof. A drive element is provided that lies in a longitudinal vertical plane of the vehicle. When the drive element is in close proximity to its retracted position, it actuates a moveable power pull-down device for the cover which comprises at least one pivoting control arm disposed on the body by acting on the pivoting control arm.
US07686374B1
In a vehicle including a cab, having a windshield with opposed upper and lower edges, bounding an interior, a dashboard extending into the interior proximate the lower edge of the windshield, a hood extending forwardly of the cab proximate the lower edge of the windshield, a sitting position in the interior of the vehicle rearward of the dashboard, and a field of view to the hood through the windshield overlying the dashboard from the sitting position, improvements therein consisting of a visor, having a glare suppressing property, mounted in the field of view adjacent to the lower edge of the windshield and the dashboard suppressing glare from the hood in the field of view.
US07686367B2
A seat storage assembly is provided for an automotive vehicle having a floor, a roof, and a rear liftgate extending between the floor and the roof. A pair of spaced apart and parallel tracks is disposed along the floor and extends between fore and aft ends. A recess is formed in the floor rearward of the aft ends of the tracks. A second row seat is slidably engaged and pivotally coupled to the tracks for moving between forward and rearward seating positions, and a stowed position within the recess. A third row swing seat is pivotally coupled to the roof for moving between a seating position and a raised stowed position. Moving the third row swing seat into the raised stowed position enables the second row seat to move between the forward and rearward seating positions, and the stowed position within the recess.
US07686361B1
An animal waste handling device includes an elongated foldable. A hand hold thereon has a trigger that operates against a spring bias. A clamp including an upper and a lower clamp element is provided on the handle. A sliding housing is provided on the handle adjacent to the clamp elements and the clamp elements are pivotally attached to the sliding housing. The sliding housing is moved against a spring bias. When the trigger in the hand hold is operated, a cable attached to the trigger moves the sliding housing against the spring bias and opens or closes the clamp elements. A bag for the animal droppings is attached to each of the clamp elements such that the animal waste may be scraped from the ground and contained in the bag, which may then be disposed of in a sanitary manner.
US07686358B2
A vehicular bumper structure includes plural load detection sensors (28, 30, 32, 34, 52) disposed at predetermined intervals in a vehicle body vertical direction between a load transmitting plate (36, 50) disposed with a bumper touch sensor and a front wall portion (20C) of a bumper reinforcement. The load transmitting plate (36, 50) is configured so as to be displaced towards a vehicle body rear side with respect to the front wall portion (20C) of the bumper reinforcement (20).
US07686348B2
The invention relates to a device for connecting lines, especially to a quick-connector, having at least two connections, with at least one connection thereof comprising two extensions to form a receiving portion for a line end, wherein one of said two extensions has a first section and a second section with a wall thickness larger than that of the first section. According to the invention a process optimization of the mounting processes is achieved by providing a transition with a wall on the side of the receiving portion between the two sections of the extension, which is curve-shaped in the longitudinal direction of the connecting device.
US07686347B1
A coupler apparatus for use with concrete segments has a first duct, a first coupler member having a connector and a flexible boot extending therefrom and having an end extending over a surface of said first duct, a second duct, a second coupler member having a connector and a flexible boot extending therefrom and extending over an exterior surface of the second duct, and a gasket received in the connectors of the first and second coupler members for forming a liquid-tight seal between the first and second ducts. Clamps are affixed over the ends of the flexible boot so as to establish a liquid-tight seal with the respective ducts. The connector includes an annular section affixed to an end of the flexible boot and an annular groove formed around this annular section.
US07686343B2
The engineering problem of the claimed invention is to enhance wear-resistance of drill pipe tool joints. The proposed drill pipe consists of a body with upset ends and tool joints connected by means of friction welding, having tapered thread and a double coating, the first layer being applied by means of thermo-diffusion zincing and the second one, by means phosphate treatment. Enhancement of tool joint life, as compared to the tool joints with phosphate coating only, allows no overdimension to be stipulated for future repair purposes, which saves up to several kilos of metal per tool joint, decreasing the drill string weight by several tons. With a view to increasing the joints' durability and reliability of welding seams the thickness δ of the first coating layer as function of thread conicity K is adjusted according to the following formula: δ=0.09 . . . 0.13 K. The segment at 15 to 25 mm from the welding spot on joints is coated with phosphate only.
US07686341B2
The invention relates to a data carrier having a security element that is at lest visually testable and has an embossing in at least a partial area, the embossing being a halftone blind embossing executed by inkless line intaglio printing, and to a method for producing the data carrier and a printing plate for blind-embossing a security element.
US07686336B2
A steering column assembly includes a steering column shroud which supports a steering shaft for a steering wheel. The column shroud includes an inner member and an outer member. The inner member being at least partially received within the outer member. A support bracket is fixed in position relative to a part of the vehicle. A clamp mechanism is movable between a locked position in which the clamp mechanism fixes the inner member and the outer member in position relative to the support bracket and an unlocked position in which the clamp mechanism permits movement of at least one of the inner and outer members relative to the support bracket. The clamp mechanism includes a clamp pin that passes through an opening in the support bracket and is connected to a loop plate. The loop plate includes at least one loop portion that loops a portion of the shroud and which is drawn towards the support bracket as the clamp mechanism is moved to a locked position, thereby to clamp the shroud in position relative to the support bracket.
US07686335B2
A rollover protection system with at least one rollover protection device allocated to a vehicle seat consists of a first module attached to the body with guide devices for a second module, movable between a lowered rest position and an elevated support position, with a rollover element, a releasable holding device for holding the second module in its rest position, a locking device, by means of which the second module can be automatically supported in a position deviating from its rest position against a force acting in the direction of the rest position, and a drive system with a spring-force accumulator, by means of which the second module, as required, can be moved in the direction of its support position. In a design that permits a pass-through opening, the rollover protection devices of two vehicle seats in a row of seats are arranged in opposite directions, essentially off-center relative to the corresponding vehicle seat.
US07686329B2
An airbag module for a motor vehicle includes an airbag that may be inflated for restraining a person, at least one outlet opening for releasing gas out of the module and originating at least partially from the inflated airbag, and a reservoir containing coolant for cooling the gas released from the module through the outlet opening. The reservoir includes a wall that sealingly encloses the coolant and is opened to bring the coolant into direct contact with the released gas to cool the released gas.
US07686328B2
A technique is provided effective in improving rider retraining performance of an airbag in a motorcycle airbag system to be mounted to a motorcycle. In a first form, an airbag system to be mounted to a motorcycle restricts the deployment of the airbag toward the rider's head in an early stage of the inflation of the airbag in the event of a head-on collision of the motorcycle using a webbing that tethers the airbag to the motorcycle.
US07686326B2
Disclosed herein is a low risk deployment passenger airbag system using a slim type passenger airbag module which is minimized in height and/or length, such that a top airbag and a mid airbag can be installed in a limited space defined by an instrument panel. In the slim type passenger airbag module used in the low risk deployment passenger airbag system, a disk type inflator is used, unlike the conventional art using a cylindrical inflator, an upper end of the disk inflator is disposed in an airbag housing, and a retainer for supporting the cushion is brought into close contact with the bottom (or the rear surface) of the airbag housing in which the disk type inflator is provided, thus minimizing the height and/or length of the passenger airbag module. Thereby, the slim type passenger airbag module is suitable for the low risk deployment passenger airbag system. Furthermore, in the low risk deployment passenger airbag system, to deploy the cushions of the top and mid airbags substantially horizontally towards a passenger seat when a vehicle accident occurs, the distance between the top airbag and the mid airbag is within a range from 100 mm to 250 mm, the top airbag is inclined at an angle ranging from 60° to 75° with respect to the horizontal surface, and the mid airbag is inclined at 15° or less with respect to the horizontal surface.
US07686318B2
A passenger footrest structure (30) includes a footrest support bracket (31) for supporting a passenger footrest (33) and an accessory mount (37) formed therewith for supporting an accessory part (40, 50, 60, 70, 80) other than the footrest (33).
US07686313B2
A speed sensor for a wheel end that has an interior that is substantially isolated from an atmosphere around the wheel end. The speed sensor is carried by a housing of the wheel end for monitoring the rotation of the wheel end and indicating the angular velocity of the wheel end. The speed sensor includes a cable leading from the sensor to a location remote from the wheel end and further includes leads that transmit a signal and a sheath that encloses the leads. The sheath is open enough to allow a fluid to flow through its interior. A vent channel provides communication between the interior of the wheel end and the interior of the sheath on the cable.
US07686306B2
A method and apparatus of playing a variation of Roulette, permit a player to place a bet on the outcome of a spin of the Roulette wheel in combination with the outcome of one or more other random events.
US07686304B2
An approach to realistically schematizing professional team sports embodied as board games, and particularly a preferred embodiment schematizing American football, baseball and basketball, as well as soccer, ice hockey and golf. One key to the realistic play of the game is the On-The-Roll™ (“OTR”) mechanism where, once play begins, real time play continues, generally against a clock, where both teams, generally, continue to roll dice continuing sub-play actions or elements, until a play is completed, as by a touchdown, tackle, or otherwise. Other games employ a one-player OTR mechanism for processes such as putting or hazard escape in golf. An additional essential element is a series of rules and charts, based on statistical compilation of many actual professional games, that map various combinations of offensive and defensive strategy options and dice rolls onto realistic game situations and the progression among them. Further, a mechanism is often employed where both teams: secretly choose a strategy, generally by selecting a card placed face down; roll one or more dice; reveal strategy choices by turning cards face up; determine a situation chart to consult, and further determine which result is selected from within the chart, based on some combination of which cards were played and the results of the dice rolls. An additional element is a variety of play cards that effect the overall game momentum of either team. Additional authenticity is achieved in golf, for example, by constructing a variety of dice roll mechanisms and progress rules that each correspond to the specific performance of an environmental or landscaping element such as wind magnitude and direction, ground slant, grass roll speed, and various hazards of diverse properties and difficulties including water, trees, roughs, and sand traps of various depths.
US07686298B2
A method of removing media lateral DC position errors in a long paper path using closed loop correction is disclosed. The amount of lateral DC media shift error generated (or the lateral DC correction required) in the paper path is sensed by a CCD or full width array sensor located in the downstream paper path. In the closed loop, this information is used to energize a motorized actuator in the upstream paper path to correct for lateral DC errors in the media path. Thus, the paper is delivered to the downstream media path within specifications.
US07686286B2
A pin clamp for use in a manufacturing line. The clamp including a body and a pin arranged on one end thereof. The clamp having a hook arranged within the pin. A first torque arm is connected to the hook and contacts a spring. A second torque arm contacts the spring and a link member. The clamp is capable of holding workpieces at various load strengths and workpieces having a variety of thicknesses.
US07686275B2
An adjustable artwork display for suspending a displayed item, such as a picture, away from a wall surface is disclosed. The mounting bracket comprises a rigid, planar base that includes a rigid extension sleeve projecting away therefrom. At least one rigid extension rod is slidably and rotationally receivable within the extension sleeve and fixed therein. A front side of a picture plate includes at least one hook means adapted to support the picture. A rear side of the picture plate includes an extension rod attachment means that may slidably and rotationally receive the at least one extension rod therein. In use, the base is fixed to the wall surface with a mechanical fastener. With at least one extension rod fixed in the extension sleeve and also fixed to the picture plate, the picture may be suspended from the hook means of the picture plate away from the wall surface. Each extension rod may be rotated and slid within the extension sleeve and the extension rod attachment means of the picture plate to a desired position and fixed therein. As such, the artwork is substantially rigidly fixed to the wall surface, while projecting away from the wall.
US07686266B2
An article support having a mount section comprising: a first engaging element (18) that has a pillar protruding from a base and a first hook extending from the pillar so that it can be displaced elastically; and a second engaging element that has a pillar protruding from the base and a second hook extending from the pillar so that it can be displaced elastically. The first hook and the second hook can be displaced elastically independently of each other and are disposed on the sides opposite to each other with respect to the pillars and. When the mount section is attached to an object, the pillar of the first engaging element bears a load on the object and the first hook and the second hook are engaged with the object to fixedly hold the article support on the object.
US07686265B2
A clip particularly adapted for releasably attaching a component such as an AV screen to a surface, wherein the component defines a channel having a base wall and a pair of opposed side walls each of which has a recess extending therealong and facing the opposed side wall. The clip has a base member adapted for attachment to the surface with a rear plane in contact therewith, and an arm projecting forwardly at an acute angle to the rear plane so as to be engageable into one of the component side wall recesses. A latch member is slidably supported on the base member and is spring urged away from the arm. The latch member has a leading portion configured for engagement in the recess of the opposed side wall of the component.
US07686260B1
A lawn and leaf bag holder apparatus and method of use and manufacture comprising an arm holder and at least a pair of arms which are capable of holding a bag in an upright and open position. The bag holder adjusts to and holds a plurality of bag mouth sizes via elastic or spring separation, and provides for easy transport with a cart or dolly and easy storage especially for partially filled bags. The bag holder is especially suited for conventional biodegradable and recyclable lawn and leaf bags used to store or dispose of lawn or garden clippings or debris.
US07686256B2
The present invention provides flow field control techniques that adapt the aft body region flow field to eliminate or mitigate the development of massive separated flow field zones and associated unsteady vortical flow field structures. Embodiments of the present invention use one or more distributed arrays of flow control devices (submerged in the boundary layer) to create disturbances in the flow field that inhibit the growth of larger vortical structures and/or to energize the aft body shear layer to keep the shear layer attached the aft body surface. These undesirable aerodynamic phenomena produce increased vehicle drag which harms vehicle range, persistence, and loiter capabilities. Additionally, the unsteady nature of the turbulent vortical structures shed in the aft body wake region may produce increased dynamic buffeting and aft body heating by entraining nozzle jet exhaust (a.k.a. jet wash) —requiring additional structural support, shielding, and vehicle weight.
US07686239B2
A low crystallinity calcium phosphate powder is prepared by mechanically grinding a calcium phosphate solid under grinding forces local heating sufficient to mechanically alloy the calcium phosphate solid and reduce the crystalline domains of the calcium phosphate solid to less than about 100 nm. The method is useful for making any calcium phosphate material by solid-solid mixing and high energy grinding.
US07686237B2
A manually operated sprayer for a container of liquid to be sprayed includes variable volume pump means having liquid inlet and outlet means for discharging the contents of the container. The sprayer further includes a control module having product and vent valves reciprocably disposed therein, the product and vent valves being simultaneously reciprocable by means of the manual actuator between valve open and valve closed positions. In the valve open position, the product and vent valves respectively prevent flow of product and air respectively into the liquid inlet means and into a vent passage in communication between atmosphere and an interior of the container, and in the vent closed position, the product and vent valves respectively enable flow of product and air respectively into the liquid inlet means and into the vent passage.
US07686232B2
A system and a method for monitoring and inspecting food safety is disclosed. The system adopts insert and use concept that only requires an initial push on a button to begin its function. The system provides visual alert for different conditions if food products are in unsafe status. The system is pre-calibrated during manufacture without complicated or multi-step calibration or recalibration procedures during application. The system relies on modern surface-mount microprocessor technology that enables long-term calibration stability along with very low power consumption for extended battery life.
US07686221B2
An image reading apparatus is attached to the top of a PDA. During the image reading operation, an operation state control signal is output from the image reading apparatus to the PDA. According to the signal, the intensity of an input display unit not required during the operation can be reduced. Additionally, the power supply or the supply of a signal not required during the operation is stopped. Furthermore, an LED of the PDA issues a notification of an operation state by lighting, blinking, or turning-off. When the input display unit displays an image, an erect image and an inverted image are appropriately switched depending on the operation state. During an image reading operation, input by input buttons and a touch panel of the input display unit are nullified to avoid the occurrence of a malfunction.
US07686215B2
Improved podcasts and techniques that facilitate their use are disclosed. The improved techniques can pertain to creating, publishing, hosting, accessing, subscribing, managing, transferring, and/or playing podcasts. According to one aspect, a client application can subscribe to podcasts and then automatically monitor the podcasts for updates to be downloaded. In the event that user interest in a podcast becomes inadequate, downloading of further updates can be restricted. According to another aspect, a podcast can be subscribed to through use of a portable subscription file. According to still another aspect, podcast feeds can be enhanced to include segment elements and other metadata.
US07686210B2
According to the invention, a method for funding an account with an online money transfer system using a wide area network, where the account cannot be used for purchases outside a closed purchasing community, is disclosed. In one step, information about a money handler is accepted at the online money transfer system and over the wide area network. The information includes an amount of funds, a bank routing number, a bank account number and a unique identifier. The unique identifier discriminates a buyer from other buyers in the closed purchasing community. The amount of funds is drawn with the money handler from a bank account indicated by the routing number and the bank account number. Funds are transferred to the account for benefit of the buyer indicated by the unique identifier. The funds cannot be used outside the closed purchasing community while in the account.
US07686209B2
Producing print streams for efficiently generating properly formatted and ordered paper cash letters comprises print stream file that includes electronic form definitions for each cash letter document. The cash letter documents can include a cover page, one or more bundles of substitute checks, a bundle summary for each substitute check bundle, and/or a cash letter bundle summary. Information from an electronic image cash letter file can be input in data fields of the electronic form definitions. Printing the information in the print stream file results in a properly formatted and ordered paper cash letter including substitute checks and audit data. Each substitute check can include all of the MICR data provided on a corresponding, original paper check. The audit data includes the cover page, bundle summary(ies), and/or cash letter bundle summary, which can each detail the documents printed concurrently therewith.
US07686201B2
A circular stapler for performing hemorrhoidal operations is disclosed. The circular stapler includes an anvil, a stapler head and a shaft which movably supports the anvil in relation to the stapler head between open and closed positions. The stapler includes at least one displacing member, each of which is arbitrarily and/or independently displaceable along the shaft. Each of the at least one displacing members has a first end configured to engage a pursestring suture and a second end which extends through the body, e.g., the neck of the stapler. The displacing member is arbitrarily displaceable along the shaft. In one embodiment, two independently displaceable displacing members are provided. In another embodiment, the at least one displacing member is at least partially embedded in the shaft.
US07686193B1
A mechanical actuator for attachment to a conventional aerosol can to allow for holding the can with a comfortable handle and controlled dispensing of substances, such as spray paint, using a trigger-type actuator. The device further includes a quick can loading and unloading system including a resilient band that facilitates rapid hands free unloading and one hand loading of aerosol cans. A manual actuator is provided to selectively stretch the band to facilitate loading (and unloading) of aerosol cans. Relaxing the manual actuator allows the resilient band move into constricted engagement with the can.
US07686191B1
One preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a convenient and efficient dispenser that includes at least one container and at least one nozzle for dispersing the contents of the container(s). In one preferred embodiment, first and second nozzles functionally associated with sterilization agent within the container are positioned to disperse the sterilization agent to first and second target points respectively, the first target point being distinct from the second target point. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, a grid is positioned in front of the nozzle(s) so that a dispersement of sterilization agent from within the container(s) sterilizes the grid(s) when the nozzle(s) are activated. Yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a multiple-mist dispenser that includes a dual chamber activation sleeve so that two nozzles are simultaneously actuable by depression of the dual chamber activation sleeve.
US07686188B2
A snap on, drain back fitment closure for a container, wherein the drain back pour spout fitment has a snap fit structure overlaying a container or bottle neck finish and which may be secured thereto with adhesives. The snap fit structure has an outer annular skirt with an internal, radial inwardly facing bead engaging a radial outwardly facing surface of the bottle finish. Spaced from the outer annular skirt by a horizontal upper flange, the spout fitment includes an inner annular skirt with internal threads on the fitment to receive an externally threaded closure. The closure has a plug seal above the threads engaging the fitment. Further the pour spout has a radial outwardly extending drip-less pour spout at an end thereof.
US07686187B2
At least one collapsible tube for containing at least one product, comprising: external flexible thread form on flexible throat coupled to flexible shoulder. The flexible throat and flexible shoulder flatten to dispense essentially all the contained product. The flexible shoulder may include a raised detent for stopping a cap and/or raised flexible ribs to control the direction of flattening the flexible shoulder. At least one cap for the collapsible tube including an interior bulge or an interior rim, both for urging an included interior thread form to engage with an external flexible thread form included in the flexible throat, and further including a lower surface to engage with the raised detent, and/or internal ribs and/or internal posts to engage with the raised flexible ribs. Manufacturing methods for the collapsible tubes and caps, and these items as products of the manufacturing processes.
US07686185B2
A tray for a product vending machine including a flat base upon which product to be vended may be placed. A plurality of walls are attached to the base which define rows into which product is organized. A channel within the flat base houses a threaded shaft. The threaded shaft threadingly attaches to a product drive member.
US07686184B2
A medicine dispensing device capable of appropriately dispensing medicines independent of their form and having a compact structure. The medicine dispensing device has a device body (1) and a medicine conveyance member (3) for conveying, on one by one basis, medicines (D) arranged in rows in the device body (1). The medicine conveyance member (3) has a medicine holding member (40) reciprocatingly moving in the horizontal and vertical directions. The medicine holding member (40) has a support member (42), a forwardly/backwardly moving member (43) reciprocatingly moving in the forward and backward direction of the device body (1) while being supported by the support member(42), and a holding member (44) supported by the forwardly/backwardly moving member (43) so as to swing between a vertical position and a horizontal position and having a pair of holding sections (54) capable of holding a medicine (D).
US07686181B2
A stackable tray obtained by vacuum molding of a sheet of plastic material, the tray comprising, in open position: a) a top and a bottom; b) at least one receiving cavity opened upwardly; c) a hinge portion dividing the tray into a cover portion and a base portion; the receiving cavity being at least provided in the base portion; d) spacing members to keep, in a stack of trays, the top portion and the bottom portion of neighboring trays at distance from each other to thereby prevent interlocking therebetween; and e) at least one two-part locking members, each part being provided in the top of the sheet and positioned to engage one into the other when the cover portion is folded over the base portion along the hinge portion to bring the tray into a closed position defining a box. A stack of the trays and a method using the trays are also provided.
US07686178B2
A beverage bottle. The bottle may include a flattened upper lobe, a flattened lower lobe, and a substantially circular transitional section. The bottle may be made out of a plastic material.
US07686176B2
A suspended type transporting carriage (16) is provided with: a gripping mechanism (22) for gripping a transported object (17); a hoisting mechanism (21) for hoisting the gripping mechanism; and a traveling mechanism (60), on which the hoisting mechanism is mounted in a suspended condition, for traveling on a rail (20) installed on or near a ceiling. The gripping mechanism is provided with (i) an elongating and contracting device (23) capable of horizontally elongating and contracting and (ii) a gripping device (24) disposed at a tip portion of the elongating and contracting device for selectively gripping the transported object.
US07686174B2
The within invention concerns a vehicle crane with a telescopic boom that can move on a horizontal axle and rotate on an upright axle with a pivot section, telescoping sections that can telescope out of the pivot section, and also with two anchor supports flexibly housed on one of the sections so that they can pivot out of transportation position, in which they are folded essentially parallel to each other against the section, and can be spread apart into an erect, particularly V-shaped, operation position. The invention also concerns a process for assembling or dissembling said anchor supports of the telescoping boom of the vehicle crane. According to the invention, when the boom is lying in essentially horizontal position, the anchor supports can be disassembled, are positioned on brackets provided next to the boom, and after the boom is raised are raised from the brackets and loaded by the boom itself.
US07686170B2
A deflector (1) for attachment to a spiral separator (2), for capturing and redirecting a portion of a flowing stream of material (5). The deflector (1) includes an attachment means (3), to attach the deflector (1) to the spiral separator (2), a capturing portion (4) to capture a portion of the flowing stream (5), and, a redirecting portion (6) to emit a portion (7) of the stream. A method of separating particles of different densities using the deflector device (1) in conjunction with a spiral separator (2) is also disclosed.
US07686169B1
A container and method for containing a valued article protected against impact and shock during transportation and storage. The article is packed within an inner case and an inner frame is extended around the inner case, juxtaposed with the inner case at spaced apart locations along the exterior of the inner case. The inner frame is suspended within a circumambient outer frame and is spaced away from the outer frame by shock-absorbent suspenders placed at corresponding spaced apart corners of the inner and outer frames, with open gaps established between the spaced-apart suspenders. Cover members are juxtaposed with the outer frame to extend circumambient over the exterior of the inner case and cover the open gaps between the inner case and the cover members such that the open gaps deter the transmission of impacts from outside the container to the inner case.
US07686167B1
A container for transporting and displaying baked products. The container can be stacked in a 0° and 180° stacking configuration, and when in the former, utilizes stacking feet projections to provide additional strength for carrying heavier products, and to substantially prevent lateral motion of the stacked containers. Further, the containers comprise curved stacking feet and stacking receptacles so that when containers are stacked in the 180° stacking configuration, they can be more easily removed. The containers further include substantially non-glossy, non-smooth areas that allow stickers to be more easily removed, and to reduce errors in counting containers by automated counting equipment.
US07686162B2
A generally flat carton blank is arranged for assembly into a carton shape holding multiple cigarette packs. The carton blank has a defined periphery, and a generally flat promotional sheet overlies the carton blank within the outer periphery thereof. A portion of the promotional sheet is adhesively secured to the carton blank. In another embodiment a generally flat promotional sheet overlies the carton blank essentially within the outer periphery thereof. Both carton blank each with its associated promotional sheet may then be assembled and loaded with cigarette packs utilizing standard assembly machinery and standard procedures. Fold lines on the carton blank and the promotional sheet facilitate assembly of the carton blank into a carton shape with the promotional sheet inside the assembled carton. In one embodiment, the remaining portion of the promotional sheet is folded into the form of a packaging sleeve holding multiple cigarette packs for retail distribution upon removal of the sleeve and cigarette packs from the carton. In another embodiment of the present invention, the remaining portion of the promotional sheet simply comprises a planar carton insert for ultimate use by the consumer in obtaining rebates, merchandise and the like or when the promotional sheet is simply used for printed matter.
US07686155B2
A workpiece-transporting apparatus of in-line sputtering machine includes a conveyer unit and a carrying salver. The conveyer unit has a holder, and a transporting wheel group is arranged in the holder. A conveyer belt covers around the transporting wheel group. A driving wheel group is arranged in one side of the conveyer belt and located in the holder. The driving wheel group connects to a motor and surrounded by a connecting belt. The carrying salver is placed on the conveyer belt of the conveyer unit. The carrying salver has a base, a plurality of supporting shafts are assembled in the base and linked together for being driven together. A workpiece base is arranged on the supporting shafts. At least one of the supporting shafts is surrounded by a supporting wheel. The supporting wheel engages with the connecting belt for being driven by the connecting belt.
US07686154B2
In order to check hand luggage and other objects carried by persons, control stations are needed, which have a control unit, in particular an X-ray checking unit, a conveyor which extends through the control unit, a depositing point which is arranged ahead of the conveyor, and a removal point which is arranged behind the conveyor, for the objects and having transport tubs which can be placed onto the conveyor. Small objects and items of clothing are placed in the transport tubs and conveyed through the control unit for checking. A return conveyor for the transport tubs is arranged next to or below the conveyor which passes through the control unit, which return conveyor reaches from the removal point behind the conveyor at least as far as into the region of the depositing point ahead of the conveyor.
US07686146B2
A combined viscous heater and viscous coupling fan drive operates on principles of viscous coupling to provide both, supplemental vehicle interior cabin heating, and rotation to a cooling fan mounted to a fan shaft. A viscous drive chamber and case surround a drive plate and a viscously driven plate. A liquid coolant chamber and case surrounds the viscous drive case that houses the plates for viscous coupling. Liquid coolant passes through the liquid coolant chamber as coolant circulates through the engine block. The coolant chamber has a coolant inlet and outlet. An electromagnetic clutch engages to turn a shaft and the driving plate which viscously couples to and turns the driven plate, which is connected to a shaft and engine cooling fan. The electromagnetic clutch and a fan brake are controlled to govern viscous heat generation by the plates and cooling fan operation.
US07686145B2
A drive device for electric vehicles comprises a casing 30, a motor 40 housed in the casing and having a rotating shaft 42, a housing 50 rotatably fitted around the casing and coupled to the outer end of the rotating shaft of the motor by a reduction gear mechanism 48, a drive wheel 80 provided around the housing and an electromagnetic brake 60 for arresting the rotation of the rotating shaft of the motor at the base end of the shaft. The rotating shaft of the motor is engaged with or disengaged from the electromagnetic brake by a clutch mechanism 70 provided between the shaft and the brake.
US07686141B2
A brake-equipped retracting device (3) returns a liquid crystal display device (1) from a deployed position (1B) to a stored position (1A) using an elastic returning force of a spiral spring (18) that is wound up when the liquid crystal display device (1) is opened by the rotational force of a motor. A braking force for preventing the liquid crystal display device (1) from returning with too much force is applied to an input shaft (17a) of a reducer by having a rope (21) whose tensile force increases and decreases in relation to the opening and closing of the liquid crystal display device (1) be wound around a slip clutch (15) that is connected to the input shaft (17a). In emergency situations such as when the rope (21) breaks, a centrifugal grip (53) of a rotation-restraining mechanism (50) strikes an engagement notch surface (56b) on a fixed side, and the rotation of the input shaft (17a) is forcibly halted. A retracting device for a liquid crystal display device comprising a braking device that has a simple structure, is reliable, is highly safe, and is low in cost can be realized.
US07686131B1
An exhaust tip assembly conducts hot engine exhaust from a muffler through an opening in a molded plastic bumper fascia. An exhaust pipe defining a cross-sectional flow area for the exhaust flow and has an inlet end attached to the muffler and an outlet end. The exhaust pipe has a flexible coupling portion intermediate the inlet end and the outlet end. A heat shield has a cross-sectional flow area greater than the pipe, and an inlet end attached to the outlet end of the pipe. A decorative bezel is attached to the heat shield at the outlet end of the heat shield. Fasteners fasten the heat shield to the fascia with the bezel located in the opening in the rear bumper fascia. During movement of the muffler, the bezel remains in the center of the opening as the flexible coupling portion of the exhaust pipe flexes.
US07686127B2
An acoustic chamber as part of adapter or appliance for an appliance. The acoustic chamber is substantially enclosed except at the exterior surface, and is configured to interchangeably receive a plurality of different consumer electronic devices.
US07686120B2
A hood lift mechanism for reversibly increasing the energy absorption capability at appropriate force levels of a vehicle hood includes a vehicle hood; an active material in operative communication with the vehicle hood, wherein the active material comprises a shape memory alloy, a ferromagnetic shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, a magnetorheological fluid, an electroactive polymer, a magnetorheological elastomer, an electrorheological fluid, a piezoelectric material, an ionic polymer metal composite, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing active materials; and an activation device in operative communication with the active material, wherein the activation device is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a reversible change in a property of the active material, wherein the reversible change results in an increased clearance distance between the vehicle hood and an underlying component.
US07686119B2
A technique for reinforcing seatbelt usage in automobiles is described. One implementation of which includes a weight sensor in the car seat that detects occupancy by a person and generates an occupancy signal that is transmitted to a seatbelt monitor unit that receives both the occupancy signal and a buckled seatbelt signal (based on a magnetic switch in the female portion of the buckle), and based thereupon, generates an unbuckled seatbelt alarm signal if the buckled seatbelt signal indicates that the buckle is not buckled when the transmitted occupancy signal indicates that the respective seat is occupied. A program executing on the automobile's stock computer then receives the unbuckled seatbelt alarm signal from the seatbelt monitor unit and handicaps the operation of the automobile in a predetermined way (e.g., speed limitation, engine kill, etc.).
US07686113B2
The purpose of the present invention is to construct cheaply a light and rigid bonnet of a working vehicle having a working machine such as a loader or a tractor without providing a reinforcement member in an opening of the bonnet, and to improve the external appearance of the bonnet and maintainability of an engine room. A bonnet has rear and lower portions thereof that are opened and an opening is provided in a front or side surface of the bonnet so as to provide an intake grille. The whole bonnet besides the opening is formed hollowly. A front guard is embedded in the opening provided at a center of a front end of the bonnet.
US07686110B1
A garbage can moving system includes an elongated handle having a first end and a second end. A grip is attached to the second end. A bracket assembly is attached to the handle adjacent to the first end. The bracket assembly is removably engageable with a rod positioned on a perimeter wall of a garbage can. A wheel is rotatably coupled to the handle and extends below the first end of the handle. A motor is coupled to the handle and is mechanically coupled to the wheel. The motor rotates the wheel when the motor is turned on. An actuator is electrically coupled to the motor. The motor is turned on when the actuator is actuated to an on position and the motor is turned off when the actuator is actuated to an off position.
US07686102B2
The invention comprises a downhole jet motor, and a method of using same, that can be utilized to drill or to clean a well bore or tubing. The jet motor comprises a power shaft partially surrounded by a control sleeve defining a blind annular space, closed at the upper end and open at the lower end to allow fluid discharge. At least one opening is provided in the drive shaft wall extending radially within the annulus region. Drilling or cleaning fluid pressure is directed to the at least one opening in the power shaft. The control sleeve provides a reaction structure in relation to fluid discharged from the at least one opening producing rotation of the drive shaft in relation to the control sleeve.
US07686095B2
A height control system for an implement coupled to a tractor is provided, the implement being raised and lowered by a hydraulic cylinder on the implement, and the height of the implement being sensed by a position sensor on the implement. An operator input device, such as a lever, is coupled to a digital controller network on the tractor and is used to position the implement before setting upper and lower desired implement heights or set points. The operator input device is also used to raise and lower the implement to the upper and lower desired implement heights by moving the operator input device between first and second predetermined detent positions.
US07686090B2
A liner hanger assembly comprises a tool mandrel (104) suspended on a running string, and a slip assembly (120) for engaging a casing to support the liner hanger and liner from the casing. The release assembly (175) releases the set liner hanger from portions of the assembly to be retrieved to the surface. A cementing bushing (130) is releasable and reinsertable into the liner, and includes a circumferential loading ring (226).
US07686081B1
A process for fracturing a subterraneous formation in the production of an oil well is described. The process steps include injecting an initial charge of a mixture, the mixture being formed from at least diatomaceous earth and at least one well treatment agent, into a well bore formed in the subterraneous formation so as to form a down-hole matrix within the formation; injecting a solution comprised of an additional amount of the well treatment agent into the formation after the initial charge of the at least one well treatment agent has been substantially depleted; and then pressurizing the well bore for a time and under conditions sufficient to reactivate the down-hole matrix in the formation, so that the treatment agent activity of the matrix is increased relative to the treatment agent activity of the matrix just prior to injecting the solution.
US07686066B2
According to one embodiment, a die is provided with a stationary die and a movable die. When the movable die is combined with the stationary die, a biscuit section, a product section in which a product is to be cast, a main runner configured to guide a molten metal from the biscuit section toward the product section, a main gate provided between the main runner and the product section, a sub-runner diverging from the main runner and extending along a side edge part of the product section, and a sub-gate provided between the sub-runner and the product section are formed between the stationary die and the movable die. The sub-gate is connected to the side edge part in an end portion of the product section. The sub-runner extends beyond the product section in a direction in which the side edge part extends.
US07686064B2
A motorized and manual clutch of curtain track, set on a curtain track, the curtain track is provided with a belt which is driven by motor and carrier hook parts which are used to hang curtain. The motorized and manual clutch is composed of a clutch body module and a clutch bar module, the clutch body module and said clutch bar module are detachably connected. A gap is provided on the belt, the clutch body module is set in the gap, connected with the belt and moved with the belt. The clutch bar module is set under the clutch body module connected with the carrier hook parts and moves the carrier hook parts. The application of the new practical motorized and manual clutch of curtain track solves the operation problem when power cut or breakdown motor or electrical circuit. It further improves the practical value of motorized curtain track.
US07686063B2
A drapery system for moving a suspended drapery fabric allows the drapery fabric to be decoupled from a drive system, such that the drapery fabric may be manually moved. The drapery system comprises a master car comprising a driven portion and a non-driven portion. The driven portion is coupled to a drive belt of the drive system, while the non-driven portion is coupled to the drapery fabric. The master car comprises a spring having a snap adapted to be received in a snap-receiving structure, such that the driven portion is coupled to the non-driven portion. The non-driven portion is operable to move in response to movement of the drive belt to move the drapery fabric when the non-driven portion is coupled to the driven portion. The non-driven portion is operable to be decoupled from the driven portion, such that the position of the drapery fabric may be manually adjusted.
US07686056B2
Apparatus for applying thermoplastic strips to thermoplastic membranes, each strip having an upstanding central portion and opposed flange portions extending widthwise therefrom. The apparatus includes a housing having drive wheels for movably supporting the housing. A guide assembly fixed to the housing includes a first pair of guide wheels for disposition around an applied first strip and movable along the first strip with one guide wheel on either side thereof, and a second pair of guide wheels for disposition around a second strip to be applied and movable along the second strip, so as to guide the second strip to a welding station on the apparatus. The welding station is adapted to heat weld the second strip to the membranes along the length of the second strip equidistantly from the first strip.
US07686053B2
A cord tensioning mechanism for a tire cord applicator head includes a closed loop timing belt extending between spaced apart pulleys and a tension adjustment pulley pressuring the cord laterally against the timing belt sufficiently to place the cord into a desired tension.
US07686052B2
A lamination apparatus and a laser-induced thermal imaging method using the same are provided. The lamination apparatus comprising: a chuck for fixing first and second substrates; and having at least one vacuum hole located therein and exposed outside of the first substrate therein.
US07686051B2
The present invention is a wheel assembly having a rim with a valve aperture extending therethrough that is designed to receive a valve having a simplified a construction that can be seated directly within a tire wheel assembly to minimize the number and type of components necessary for the valve. The valve includes a main body that is positionable in a sealed and recessed or embedded configuration within the aperture in the wheel rim in communication with the interior of the tire and with a pressurized air source that is used to inflate or deflate the tire. The main body encloses a valve mechanism that includes a components situated within the main body in a manner that enables the parts to be easily removed, cleaned and/or replaced if necessary without having to remove the entire valve assembly from the wheel.
US07686050B2
A device has a detachably fitting traction aid to be attached using at least two fixing devices, applied to the inner circumferential surface of a rim, in the vicinity of the rim edge, disposed opposing each other, substantially vertically on the plane of the rim and aligned with each other. A first fixing device, faces the wheel inner side, and has a first fixing element for the hooking and unhooking to a second fixing element, complementary to the first fixing element, mounted on one end of the traction aid. The second fixing device, faces the wheel outer side, and has a second fixing element being a coupling device, for coupling and tensioning a tension element, mounted on the other end of the traction aid, such that the traction aid may be tensioned transversely across the tire on the running surface, between both fixing devices.
US07686039B2
A cartridge valve assembly includes a body having a pilot port, a first port, a second port, a third port fluidly connected to a central bore, and a spool positioned within the central bore and being movable between at least a first position and a second position. The spool includes a first chamber at a first end surface of the spool in fluid communication with the pilot port, a second chamber at a second end surface of the spool, and a control chamber. The area of the first end surface is greater than the area of the second end surface. A passage fluidly communicates the control chamber with the second chamber. In the first position, the first port and the second port fluidly communicate with the control chamber. In the second position, the second port and the third port fluidly communicate with the control chamber.
US07686038B2
Solenoid valve for controlling the flow of a fluid in a hydraulic circuit, comprising a valve body having at least one fluid duct, a stopper for allowing or preventing the flow of fluid in the fluid duct, a mechanical connection to actuate the stopper, an electromagnetic actuator arranged to actuate the mechanical connection, and a coupling between the electromagnetic actuator and the valve body via a jacket surrounding the electromagnetic actuator and engaged on a shoulder of the valve body. The jacket holds the electromagnetic actuator in axial engagement against the valve body in a direction of engagement. The shoulder comprises two matching half-washers engaged radially in a peripheral groove of the valve body.
US07686037B2
A quick disconnect valve assembly includes first and second valve elements configured to releasably engage each other. Each valve element includes a housing that defines a valve seat and a fluid passageway. A plunger is disposed within each housing and arranged for selective engagement with a corresponding valve seat. Each plunger is biased into a sealing engagement with the valve seat by a resilient element disposed within the housing. Consequently, the fluid passageway of each valve element is closed off when the first and second valve elements are separated from each other. When the valve elements are engaged, the respective biases associated with the plungers counteract each other to the extent that each plunger is lifted off the corresponding valve seat and fluid communication is established between the respective fluid passageways of the first and second valve elements.
US07686026B2
The rail skirt system includes a top rail, a skirt that hangs from the top rail, formed from rail bar members connected together at their inner ends by a middle connector tube connectable to a locking support leg, to provide support for the top rail on a side of a shelter. The outer ends of the rail bar members are connected to legs of the shelter by fixed corner connecting brackets.
US07686016B2
A medication holder is disclosed comprising a housing (10) having an outer wall (12) and an inner wall (11) preferably in sleeved relationship to each other. The outer wall may be moved between a closed position in which the housing (10) is sealed for ingress of moisture or other contaminants and an open position providing access to the medication container discharge outlet. The second wall may (12) be slid longitudinally or rotated circumferentially to access the cavity and may, in the process, open an air pathway through the cavity. The medication container is preferably a pressurized canister (22). Alternatively, it may comprise a frangible vial (603) with a volatile liquid. In the latter case, an evaporation grid (563) may also be supplied to enhance absorption of the liquid which is preferably methoxyfluorane. Opening means (561) may be provided to open the frangible vial and discharge the contents onto the evaporation means (563) which is in fluid contact with the air pathway (806). A medication chute (26) may be rotatable between stowed and deployed positions. The chute (26) may include an auxiliary air inlet (556). The medication holder may also include one-way valves (605) to channel inspiratory air through the chamber and direct expiratory air elsewhere. The expiratory air may pass through unidirectional valve (810) and also through an absorbent filter (805) to minimize environmental contamination.
US07686012B2
Apparatus and methods for non-invasively determining cardiac output using partial re-breathing techniques are disclosed in which the apparatus is constructed with an instantaneously adjustable deadspace for accommodating differences in breathing capacities of various patients. The apparatus is constructed of inexpensive elements, including a single two-way valve which renders the apparatus very simple to use and inexpensive so that the unit may be readily disposable. The method of the invention provides a novel means of estimating cardiac output based on alveolar CO2 values rather than end-tidal CO2 values as previously practiced. A program for calculating cardiac output is also disclosed.
US07686005B2
An onboard combustion-gas-powered engine supplies power to a paintball marker or other projectile launcher by generating gas pressure pulses for propelling paintballs and other projectiles. The combustion gases produced by the engine can be allowed to rise in pressure within a confined volume of space before being released through a valve into a barrel for applying enhanced pressure pulses to the projectiles. A loading system is linked to a combustion accelerating system for automatically loading projectiles into the launcher.
US07685997B2
A control method of a fuel feeding system in a bi-fuel internal combustion engine; the feeding system presents: a least a first injector adapted to inject a first fuel type; a least a second injector adapted to inject a second fuel type; a common electronic control unit adapted to drive both injectors; and a switching device, which is controlled by the common electronic control unit and is adapted to electrically connect both injectors to the common electronic control unit by means of at least a first relay adapted to connect/disconnect the first injector to/from the common electronic control unit and by means of at least a second relay adapted to connect/disconnect the second injector to/from the common electronic control unit.
US07685996B2
An engine system and method are disclosed for controlling pre-ignition of an alcohol fuel. In one embodiment, the fuel injection timing is adjusted to cause the fuel to avoid combustion chamber surfaces. In another embodiment, the fuel injection timing is adjusted to spray the fuel directly onto the piston surface to cool the piston. Also disclosed is a cylinder cleaning cycle in which engine knock is purposely caused for one to hundreds of engine cycles by adjusting the fuel content away from alcohol toward gasoline. Further measures to cause knock which are disclosed: adjusting spark timing, intake boost, exhaust gas fraction in the cylinder, cam timing, and transmission gear ratio.
US07685995B2
The alcohol concentration detection value estimated or detected by the alcohol concentration sensor is corrected in accordance with intensity, frequency and the like of knocking to set the alcohol concentration detection value after the correction as the alcohol concentration for ignition timing control. Thereby, occurrence of the knocking can be prevented by changing ignition timing in accordance with the knocking state. In regard to the fuel injection control, the alcohol concentration detection value before the correction is used as the alcohol concentration for fuel injection control as it is without using the alcohol concentration detection value corrected in accordance with the knocking state. This prevents a fluctuation of the fuel injection quantity due to correcting the alcohol concentration detection value in accordance with the knocking state, leading to prevention of a torque fluctuation or combustion deterioration.
US07685994B2
When the engine speed is high (determination of YES at S100), actual intake valve phase is calculated based on rotation phase difference between rotation angles of crankshaft and camshaft, detected by using a crank angle signal and a cam angle signal, and actual valve timing is detected therefrom. When the engine speed is low (determination of NO at S100) and the crank angle signal and cam angle signal are unstable, an amount of change in camshaft rotation phase by the VVT mechanism in accordance with the operation amount of actuator detected by a motor rotation angle signal is calculated successively, and based on an accumulation of the amount of change, the actual intake valve phase is calculated, and the actual valve timing is detected.
US07685992B2
In a method for operating a direct-injection internal combustion engine, a position of at least one piston inside a cylinder in which the combustion engine is at a standstill is determined; and a starting cylinder into which fuel is injected first is selected for a start following the standstill. An instantaneous charge of the starting cylinder is determined as a function of a duration of the standstill of the combustion engine. A distance (d) between the piston of the starting cylinder and a specified position of the piston is calculated. A minimum distance of the piston of the selected cylinder is determined as a function of the instantaneous charge; and another cylinder is selected as starting cylinder if the distance (d) between the piston of the starting cylinder and the specified position is less than the minimum distance.
US07685988B2
A coupling device for a split, in-line engine is provided. The coupling device may be configured to connect a first section of a crank shaft to a second section of the crank shaft of the engine. Further, the coupling device may be positioned at at least one main bearing of the crank shaft. Further still, the coupling device may be encircled by the at least one main bearing.
US07685986B2
A disc valve system for a piston driven internal combustion engine. The disc valve system comprises at least one rotating disc valve and an intermediate seal member. The disc is mounted between a cylinder head manifold having exhaust and intake ports and an engine cylinder housing the piston and defining a combustion chamber. The disc comprising sequencing ports to be brought into periodic communication with the exhaust and intake ports at cyclic intervals of the rotating movement thereof, thereby providing for the exhaust and intake ports to be brought into periodic communication with the combustion chamber. The intermediate seal member is mounting between the disc and the cylinder so as to seal the combustion chamber at a junction of the disc and the cylinder. The intermediate seal member comprising a dynamic seal for contact with the disc and a stationary seal for sealing contact with the engine cylinder. The rotating movement of the disc sequentially opens and closes each exhaust and intake ports synergistically with the translational movement of the piston. Engines comprising these disc valve systems are also disclosed herein.
US07685985B2
An air intake device for an internal combustion engine formed of at least two plastic component parts assembled to form a combustion air flow channel. The plastic component parts have communicating weld surfaces lying radially outside the flow channel, along which the plastic component parts are joined to each other by friction welding, and at least two communicating weld surfaces with different radial distances from the flow channel are provided on both the first and the second plastic component parts.
US07685979B2
A variable valve timing mechanism comprises a drive shaft including a rocker arm, a control shaft, a stopper, a first spring member and a second spring member. The rocker arm opens and closes at least one of an intake/exhaust valve in response to rotation of the drive shaft. The control shaft changes a position of the rocker arm to continuously change valve lift characteristics of the intake/exhaust valve in response to rotation of the control shaft by driving a control shaft actuator. The stopper regulates an operating range of rotation of the control shaft between upper and lower limits. The first and second spring members urge the control shaft towards the upper and lower limits, respectively. The first and second spring members return the control shaft to a balance position between the upper limit position and the lower limit position when the internal combustion engine stops.
US07685978B2
A control device for a variable valve mechanism that avoids the overheating an actuator while reducing adverse effects on the driveability of a vehicle. The actuator adjusts the lift of an intake valve by moving a drive element, and a sensor is used to determine whether the actuator will overheat. A control unit stops the drive element if the lift adjusted by the actuator is equal to or larger than a first predetermined value, when the control unit determines that the actuator will overheat. The actuator may be an electric actuator. In this case, the actuator maintains the drive element in a fixed position when supply of electric power to the actuator is interrupted. The control unit stops the drive element, and interrupts the supply of electric power to the actuator.
US07685977B2
An internal combustion engine has at least one cylinder and at least one gas exchange valve (1; 1a, 1b) controlled by a first cam (14) on a first camshaft (16) and by a second cam (15) on a second camshaft (17), at least one camshaft (16, 17) having an adjustable phase position in order to modify the control times of the gas exchange valve (1; 1a, 1b). The first cam (14) acts upon actuating means (6, 10) and the second cam (15) upon actuating means (6, 10) which actuate the gas exchange valve (6, 10). The actuating means (6, 10) are designed in such a way that the gas exchange valve (1) opens only when both the first cam (14) and the second cam (15) are acting upon the actuating means (6, 10). A simple structure with very high degrees of freedom for the control is achieved in that the actuating means (6, 10) comprise a lever which actuates the gas exchange valve (1; 1a, 1b) and is actuated by both cams (14, 15).
US07685975B2
An internal combustion engine twin power unit that includes a crossover passage fluidly connecting a first cylinder to a second cylinder such that an air-fuel mixture introduced in the first cylinder is transferred to the second cylinder via the crossover passage, and wherein an ignition in any cylinder causes combustion of the air-fuel mixture in both cylinders via the crossover passage. Also included is a rod assembly, which is connected to the first piston and the second piston which are disposed in the cylinders. The rod assembly rigidly fixes the first piston and the second piston in a fixed spatial relation to each other. In addition, an intake port is included that is in fluid communication with both the first cylinder and the second cylinder.
US07685974B2
A variable compression ratio piston (26) and connecting rod (18) assembly for an internal combustion engine (14) includes an eccentric bushing (28) that carries a piston pin bushing (42) and contains a journaled portion (48) held in the rod bore (24) of the connecting rod (18). The eccentric bushing (28) can be selectively rotated between either of two angle adjusted positions to effect a change in the height of the piston (26) relative to the connecting rod (18), and thus change the compression ratio of the assembly. A latch (50) mechanism is actuated by oil jets (90, 91) external to the connecting rod (18). The latch (50) includes bolts (54, 56) with tapered tips that seat in oblong holes (60, 62) in a flange plate (58) to reduce destructive lash. A resilient stop post (80) bears the brunt of stresses associated with stopping the flange plate (58) during switching events to protect the latching bolts (54, 56).
US07685972B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a pet leash that permits a pet handler to bring his/her pet under control urgently in a steady and reliable manner. Embodiments include a handle, a lead mechanism, an elongate portion extending therebetween, and multiple grip points on the elongate portion. A pet handler can grip the handle or one of the grip points with one hand and grip another of the grip-points with the other hand.
US07685968B2
A device for placing food on a floor within reach of one or more animals that are feeding along a feeding rail. The device is mounted on or near the feeding rail and has an extendable and retractable arm connected to a plow. The arm is storable above the floor and does not have moving parts located on the floor. The device may move along the length of the feed rail, as well.
US07685965B1
A port provides access to a process chamber interior for exemplary gas injection and process analysis and measurement. Centering the port in an external RF coil reduces the strength of an electric field across the port in generating plasma in the chamber. Plasma-induced etching and deposition in a bore of a gas injection injector mounted in the port is reduced by a grounded shield surrounding a region defined by the port, extending the life of the injector and of a chamber window in which the port is provided. The shield surrounds the region, and is configured with a longitudinally-extending slot defining a retainer arm and a flexure junction, and with a retainer foot on the arm. The junction urges the arm to extend the foot into a retainer groove of the port, and flexes to permit foot movement out of the groove in removal of the shield from the port.
US07685963B2
In a photoresist dispensing apparatus for use in manufacturing a semiconductor device, to coercively emit photoresist from a bottle by using a dispensing pump and to pass it through a supply line and a filter to obtain a filtering operation, and to spray the filtered photoresist to a wafer through a spraying nozzle; a bubble removal unit is equipped with the supply line, before the dispensing pump. Large and micro bubbles generated in the midst of flow of photoresist, and foreign substances, are substantially filtered off so as to supply photoresist of a good quality. A floating load in a foreign substance removal filter is substantially removed, thus spraying photoresist under an always uniform and stabilized pressure by using a dispensing pump, to cover a wafer with photoresist in a uniform thickness and obtain a precise pattern formation.
US07685962B1
A fallen game locator to aid the hunter in locating the precise location game was when shot. A cylindrical, cone shaped device with unspecified fluorescent or brightly colored series of rings on the exterior, working in conjunction with a target site viewer tube, extending through the small center tip of the cone shaped device, through and beyond the larger opening of the cone shaped device with the back plate in place, and secured to a riser so as to enable the series of colored rings to be seen from multiple locations, at a distance, with the naked eye, a scope, or binoculars, thus economizing the length of time required to find shot game.
US07685957B2
A ship has interchangeable mission modules. For example, a ship has a frame with a mission-module bay disposed therein. The bay is operable to receive a mission module having a mission-module system and an interface that facilitates the coupling between the mission-module system and the ship. As such, a plurality of different types of mission modules can be interchanged quickly and easily to provide the ship with different mission capabilities. Each mission-module is generally self-contained such that all the equipment necessary to perform the specific mission is contained within the single mission-module. Each mission-module is either a single unit or multiple units combined together to form an integrated unit. Thus, the ship is capable of transitioning from one mission to another simply by ejecting one mission module and replacing with another mission module.
US07685953B2
A system for rapid, secure transport of cargo by sea includes a monohull fast ship and an arrangement for loading and unloading cargo through an opening in the stern of the ship and along a driving surface of a cargo carrying deck of the ship. The arrangement includes a self-propelled, automatically guided vehicle for carrying cargo to be transported during loading and unloading of the ship and a self-contained security scanning system on the vehicle for maintaining control and surveillance of cargo in transit on the vehicle. The ship includes a reader grid of ship communication system on the cargo carrying deck to which continued control and surveillance of the cargo can be handed off from the vehicle scanning system.
US07685952B2
A capstan roller assembly is provided between the yarn supply and scroll type yarn feed attachments for a tufting machine in order to minimize the underfeeding of yarn to the pattern being tufted due to irregularities in the feeding of the yarn from the yarn supply.
US07685944B2
A whip ride is provided for amusement parks. A platform is provided with a guide slot extending through the platform. A drive assembly is positioned beneath the platform and includes a drive member (e.g., drive cable) moving on a constrained path. A track follows a path horizontally offset from the drive path. The drive assembly includes a bogie or drive truck mounted on the track and pivotably linked to the drive member to be driven by the drive member. A passenger whip vehicle is provided on the platform upper surface and pivotably attached via a connector extending through the guide slot to the bogie. The bogie path includes inside and outside curves, and the bogie track is vertically offset from the drive member such that its path may crossover the drive member to vary the horizontal offset and to locate the bogie track on either side of the drive member.
US07685939B2
An ignition charge for an initiator provided with an igniting mechanism for setting aflame an ignition charge by the heat generated by an exothermic element connected via a pair of current conducting pins in response to an electric signal is a slurry ignition charge which is formed mainly of a mixture consisting of zirconium as a fuel component and potassium perchlorate as an oxidizing agent component. The ignition charge for the initiator contains nitrocellulose as a binder component in an extrapolated compounding ratio of 0.1% by weight or more and 0.5% by weight or less based on the total amount of zirconium and potassium perchlorate and isoamyl acetate as a solvent in an extrapolated compounding ratio of 12.5% by weight or more and 14.0% by weight or less based on the total amount of zirconium and potassium perchlorate. The ignition charge is spread on the exothermic element and dried. The ignition charge is for the initiator of a gas generator, particularly an electric gas generator.
US07685937B2
A composite doctor blade to be installed in a blade holder (11) containing a throat (15) has a rear part (14) made of a composite material which has a profiling (16) which protrudes beyond the plane (18) defined by the doctor blade in order to retain the doctor blade in the blade holder (11). At a distance from the rear part (14), part (17) of the profiling (16) protrudes from the plane (18) to one side only. Moreover, the part (17) is higher than its width in the cross-sectional plane of the doctor blade.
US07685935B2
Provided in a food processor (1) is a driveable holder (13) for a tool unit (29), which tool unit (29) is equipped with multiple tools (26, 27, 28) and can be relocated in relation to the holder (13), so that one tool (26) at a time from the tool unit (29) can be brought into an operational position in the area of a window (25) in a holder wall (21) of the holder (13), and the other tools (27, 28) are hereby covered by the holder wall (21).
US07685932B2
A system, method and apparatus for increasing the interaction between water and a brewing substance in a brewing apparatus. The structure includes a spray head having a thickness dimension which facilitates the formation and definition of tubes or passages extending therethrough. The passages are directed at an angle so as to provide an extended flow path to and through the brewing substance. The spray head is positioned a dimension above the brewing substance retained in a pod so as to increase the interaction between water dispensed through the spray head and the brewing substance which is infused by the water from the spray head. The use of the angled paths helps to increase the saturation, penetration and agitation of the brewing substance so as to help promote uniformity of extraction of the brewing substance. Additionally, directed flow helps facilitate quicker rate of expansion of the brewing substance within the corresponding chamber thereby helping to improve the overall brewing process.
US07685928B2
A powered steering mechanism can operate in a steering mode or in a powered self-centering mode. The mechanism of the present invention includes a cylinder into and out of which can reciprocate a rod. The rod is provided with a fixed piston that defines a first pressure chamber and a second pressure chamber. First and second inlet/outlet steering ports are provided in the pressure chambers through which a pressurizing fluid can flow into or out. The cylinder is also adapted to provide powered self-centering of the fixed piston and thereby the steering mechanism itself by the floating pistons that are located within the pressure chambers. First and second inlet/outlet centering ports are also provided in pressure chambers, through which fluid can flow into the chambers, causing floating pistons to move towards a central position and enabling the fixed piston to be moved and retained.
US07685922B1
The present invention's stratified composite material system of armor, as typically embodied, comprises a strike stratum and a backing stratum. The strike stratum includes elastomeric matrix material and inventive ceramic-inclusive elements embedded therein and arranged (e.g., in one or more rows and one or more columns) along a geometric plane corresponding to the front (initial strike) surface of the strike stratum. More rigid than the strike stratum, the backing stratum is constituted by, e.g., metallic (metal or metal alloy) material or fiber-reinforced polymeric matrix material. Some inventive embodiments also comprise a spall-containment stratum fronting the strike stratum. The inventive ceramic-inclusive elements geometrically describe any of various inventive modes, including: first mode, having a flat front face and a textured back face; second mode, having a pyramidal front section and a prismatoidal (especially, prismoidal, e.g., truncated pyramidal or prismatic) body section; hybrid mode, combining features of first and second modes.
US07685914B2
A food slicer comprises a fan-cooled electrically powered motor driving a slicer blade. The motor is mounted within an enclosure which comprises at least one air intake port and at least one exhaust port on opposite sides of one nominally air-tight first partitioning wall within the enclosure to confine the flow of cooling air from the air intake port through the enclosure, then into intimate contact with the electrical windings and components within the frame of the motor. The motor frame is sealed into a closely conforming contacting aperture in the first partitioning wall. The fan is mounted immediately adjacent to a non-contacting aperture in a second partitioning wall within the enclosure juxtaposed the exhaust port.
US07685912B2
Miter saws are disclosed having a base, a blade supported by the base, a detection system adapted to detect a dangerous condition between a person and the blade, and a reaction system associated with the detection system to cause a predetermined action to take place upon detection of the dangerous condition. The blade is rotatable, and moves into a cutting zone to cut a workpiece. The predetermined action may be to stop the blade from rotating, to create an impulse against movement of the blade into the cutting zone, or to cause the blade to move away from the cutting zone.
US07685907B2
The subject invention relates to a new method for manufacturing extrusion die tools that eliminates the step of hardening the steel after cutting the steel to form the desired extrusion die tool design. The new method involves the steps of cutting and finishing steel to form the desired extrusion die tool design, coating the die tool, or parts thereof, and hardening the coated die tool. The new method for manufacturing extrusion die tools reduces the time and the cost involved in their manufacture.
US07685905B2
A steering wheel for a motor vehicle includes a skeleton (10) and a rear-side covering part. The skeleton forms a hub (12), at least one spoke (14) and an upper part (16) of a steering wheel rim. The steering wheel also includes a rear-side covering part (18) made of plastic, which at least partially covers a lower area of the central part of the steering wheel and also constitutes a lower part of the steering wheel rim.
US07685900B2
A vehicle mounted with a continuous stepless transmission having a continuous stepless transmission and a controlling section for performing speed-changing operation of the continuous stepless transmission, the speed change ratio of the continuous stepless transmission being switchable by a speed change operation section, includes: a shift-mode-switching section which switches the mode of a speed change ratio switching, the speed change ratio switching being performed by the speed change operation section, between a first mode for switching the speed change ratio in stages among a plurality of preset speed change ratios and a second mode for switching the speed change ratio continuously or substantially continuously; in which the controlling section further includes a vehicle speed setting section which sets a target vehicle speed at least based on the speed change operation signal detected by operating the speed change operation section and a mode signal detected by switching the shift-mode-switching section.
US07685884B2
A system to remotely report the load condition of a railroad car including a mechanism to sense the load condition in the form of a switch responsive to load condition to change the state of an electrical circuit, a controller to recognize the state of the circuit and a radio wave transmitter directed by the controller to report the condition to a remote receiver. Load is sensed by recognition of the distance between two components of the car, one which remains relatively fixed regardless of the weight of the car, the other which moves relative to the first component as the car weight changes.
US07685862B1
A target for a test range includes an impact plate having at least three strain sensors positioned on the plate. The sensors are connected to a data acquisition board for receiving a signal from each sensor upon impact of a projectile on the plate. The data acquisition board is joined to a processor for calculating impact location and energy. Optionally multiple sensors can be provided having different orientations for accounting for different strain components in the plate.
US07685859B2
A crimping apparatus and method are provided that enable secure crimping of objects to one another even when the objects are subject to thermal or stress cycling. Specifically, an apparatus for crimping a work-piece includes a die pair with a first die that defines a first groove characterized by a first cross-sectional shape as well as a second die opposing the first die. The second die defines a second groove characterized by a second cross-sectional shape different than the first cross-sectional shape. When the dies are moved together for crimping the work-piece, the first and second grooves are aligned to define a die cavity with a compound cross-sectional shape for crimping the work-piece.
US07685856B1
A hydroforming seal and method includes a nozzle having both a radially expandable O-ring seal and a conical tapered surface for separately sealing with the bore of the tube. The O-ring seal is expanded to seal the tube and pressurized fluid is added sufficient to support the interior of the tube while the dies are closed so that the tube is thereby bent and forced into the die cavity without collapse or injury to the tube. The O-ring seal is then contracted to a non-sealing position and the conical tapered surface provides metal-to-metal sealing while the higher hydroforming pressure is applied to expand the tube. The nozzle also has a radial shoulder that engages the end face of the tube so that advance of the nozzle feeds the tube into the die.
US07685850B2
A security device comprising a retaining member forming an adjustable loop, including a cable; a ratchet member connected to the cable, operable to narrow the loop and to prevent widening of the loop, including a first main part comprising a gear ring extending in a first plane with a saw tooth profile raised from the plane, a second main part, rotatable relative to the first main part, including a latch member biased towards the first plane to engage the gear ring, and a drum for winding up of the cable.
US07685849B2
A control system for a home appliance includes a cabinet, a wash tub positioned within the cabinet and configured to receive laundry therein, and a fill device configured to deliver liquid into the tub. The control system includes a first detecting component configured to detect an amount of the liquid delivered into the wash tub, a second detecting component configured to detect a liquid level in the wash tub, and a controller operatively coupled with the detecting components. The controller is configured to receive signals from the detecting components and calculate an amount of the laundry positioned within the wash tub based on the received signals.
US07685845B2
A circular knitting machine for hosiery or the like, comprises at least one needle cylinder with vertical axis and has, on its lateral surface, a plurality of axial slots, each of which accommodates a needle and an element for actuating the needle. The actuation element comprises at least one connecting element and a selector. The connecting element is provided with a radially actuatable movable heel, and the selector protrudes with a portion between the bottom of the axial slot and the connecting element in any operative position of the machine. The selector is oscillatable on a radial plane of the needle cylinder to produce oscillation of the connecting element and extract its movable heel from the axial slot to achieve engagement with connecting element actuation cams facing the lateral surface of the needle cylinder.
US07685843B2
A tin oxide-based electrode formed from a composition comprising a major component SnO2 is disclosed. The composition includes additives including aCuO, bZnO, and cSb2O3, wherein a, b, and c represent weight percentages of respective components, and 0.2≦(a+b)/c<1.0.
US07685834B2
An HVAC system includes a desiccant wheel, wherein the wheel's speed varies with airflow, the wheel is energized for at least a set period at startup, and/or a heat recovery system (e.g., an air-to-air heat exchanger) upstream of the wheel enhances the system's ability to dehumidify air.
US07685833B2
There is provided an indoor unit of an air conditioner, in which a front part of the indoor unit can be easily assembled and disassembled. The indoor unit includes: a main chassis forming a rear appearance; a front frame disposed at a front of the main chassis to form a front appearance; a heat exchanger disposed between the main chassis and the front frame; a fan for generating airflow through the heat exchanger; a suction grill detachably mounted at a front of the front frame; and a filter disposed at a front of the front frame, for filtering foreign particles from air, wherein the suction grill is fixed to the front frame by an elastic deformation.
US07685826B2
A maintenance tool for a gas turbine engine includes a housing coupled to the gas turbine engine, and a drive portion inserted at least partially through the housing. The drive portion is configured to enable the gas turbine engine to be selectively rotated during non-operational periods. Moreover, the maintenance tool is coupled to the gas turbine engine during normal operation.
US07685820B2
A solar-powered supercritical carbon dioxide turbine system includes a supercritical carbon dioxide turbine system and a solar heating system. The solar heating system has a molten salt heat transfer fluid for providing thermal energy to the supercritical carbon dioxide turbine system.
US07685817B2
A system and method for providing a rotational output using a non-combustion heat source. The system may include a sealed chamber and a triggering element. The sealed chamber may contain a substance that expands when heated and contracts when cooled. The sealed chamber may include a displacer capable of moving within the sealed chamber, wherein the displacer moves when the substance is heated and a heat source situated within the sealed chamber. The heat source heats the substance when activated. The triggering element is coupled to the sealed chamber and activates the heat source. The system may include mechanisms for translating the displacer movement into a rotational output or other output.
US07685809B2
Often NOx selective catalysts that use ammonia to reduce NOx within exhaust to a harmless gas require on-board storage of ammonia which can be hazardous and inconvenient. In order to generate ammonia in exhaust, the present disclosure increases a NOx concentration in exhaust from at least one combustion chamber, at least in part, by injecting fuel in a predetermined increased NOx generation sequence that includes a first injection during non-auto ignition conditions and a second injection during auto ignition conditions. At least a portion of the NOx is converted to ammonia by passing at least a portion of the exhaust with the increased NOx concentration over an ammonia-producing catalyst.
US07685801B2
A method and apparatus for manufacturing a shoe for an animal is disclosed. The hoof of an animal may be aligned to a pre-determined position. The animal may then be examined against a criteria. It is then determined whether the bone structure of the animal satisfies the criteria. The hoof may be re-aligned to a different pre-determined position if the criteria is not satisfied. A shoe is then manufactured for the animal according to position data corresponding to a satisfactory position.
US07685793B2
A valve (20) is provided for sealing an evacuation port (16) in a port area (18) of a wall structure (12) of a container. The valve (20) comprises a casing (22) having a shell portion (30) which is deformable from an open condition, whereat the shell portion (30) forms a chamber (32) over the port area (18), and a closed condition, whereat the shell portion (30) contacts the port area (18). When the shell portion (30) is in its open condition, gas exits from the chamber (32) through gas-releasing holes (24) in the casing (22). When the shell portion (30) is deformed to its closed condition, a port-sealing adhesive (26) adheres to the port area (18) to thereby seal the evacuation port (16).
US07685792B2
An angular flange for reinforcing and firestopping in the annulus between a structural panel such as a wall, ceiling or floor and a duct extending therethrough. The prefabricated angular flange includes a primary angular flange leg to be secured to the duct and a secondary angular flange leg approximately perpendicularly oriented relative thereto. Each flange includes a sealing member of flexible intumescent paper positionable therealong to facilitate firestopping therebetween. The sealing member preferably including two panels at an obtuse angle with respect to one another and being flexible to become approximately perpendicular with respect to one another responsive to securement of the angular flange to the duct and the surrounding structural panel. One or more uniquely designed corner brackets can be included for mounting the adjacently positioned angular flanges with respect to one another selectively.
US07685781B1
A skirt guard for a mobile home skirt having a skirt base on the ground and in a channel of which the bottom of the skirt sits. The skirt guard is formed of a flat elongate panel with a top and bottom edge and having a groove near and parallel to its bottom edge. In use the bottom edge of the skirt guard is bent upward along the groove to form a hook. To install the skirt guard the hook is inserted into the skirt base channel alongside the bottom of the skirt and the hook fastens the skirt guard in the channel.
US07685775B2
A combined sealing system for connecting a panel to a frame includes a first sealing system and a second sealing system. The first sealing system connects a first surface of the panel to a first surface of the frame, and the second sealing system connects a second surface of the panel to a second surface of the frame. The combined sealing system has an unlocked configuration and a locked configuration. In the unlocked configuration, the panel moves relative to the frame along a plane substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the first or second surfaces of the frame. In the locked configuration, each of the first and second sealing systems separately prevent movement of the panel relative to the frame along the plane.
US07685770B2
A biodegradable planter made from straw and coir is described. The composition is made from a blend of about 1 to about 99% straw and 99% to about 1% coir. The planter is sprayed on at least one surface with a latex. Preferably it is sprayed with a natural latex.
US07685767B2
A method and system for automatically harvesting and screening plant embryos in multiple stages to identify those embryos that are suited for incorporation into manufactured seeds are provided. The method includes generally three steps. First, plant embryos are automatically sorted according to their rough size/shape and also singulated into discrete embryo units, for example by vibrational sieving. Second, the sorted and singulated plant embryos are classified using a first classification method. For example, each embryo may be imaged by a camera and the image is used to ascertain the embryo's more precise size/shape. Third, for those embryos that have passed the first classification method, a second classification method is applied. For example, a pre-developed classification algorithm to classify embryos according to their putative germination vigor may be applied to the same image used in the first classification method, to identify those embryos that are likely to germinate.
US07685765B2
A plant support device includes a base that connects to a supporting post. The base may comprise a plate including a series of receptacles that connect to the supporting post and position the post in a generally vertical orientation. The receptacles may be formed as cups extending from the base, or as recesses formed into the base. The base may be releasably connected to the floor of a container such as a flowerpot or planter. The base may further include spacers capable of creating an aeration gap within the container. The base may also include slots that limit the rotation of the base when positioned within the container. The supporting post may be formed from a series of axially connectable pole sections.
US07685756B2
Devices, systems and methods of using an ergonomic fore grip/gun handle with a concealable and collapsible bipod. One version can have a tubular recess consisting of a first cylindrical cutout housing the bipod legs when concealed and a sliding piston that deploys the legs and a second cylindrical cutout housing a release mechanism and a void space for other accessories. The release mechanism has a compression spring positioned between the piston assembly and the bottom of the first cylindrical cutout and the compression spring. The legs are connected to the bottom of the piston assembly via a hinge and spring that when released from confinement within the fore grip, causes the legs to expand outward until fully deployed. Telescoping legs allow adjustment of leg length for use on uneven terrain. The grip portion has an outer surface with a flat surface on sides of the grip to provide a more stable grip, assist in orienting the mounted weapon and support pressure pads for lights.
US07685752B2
The carrier comprises a male part (1) and a female part (2), wherein the male part (1) has a stud (3) able to cooperate with a cavity (4) of the female part (2), wherein the stud (3) contains a ferrite rod (5) on his central axis (7). Said female part (2) comprises said antenna coil (6) so that when the stud (3) fully cooperates with the cavity (4) of the female part (2) through positioning means (9,10), the ferrite rod (5) is placed in the center (8) of the antenna coil (6).
US07685748B1
A vehicular plow comprises front and back plastic sheet members which are molded together to form a single seamless piece or moldboard. The back side of the moldboard has reinforcing ribs and rib members molded thereinto to add strength and rigidity to the plow. The plow is lightweight, frameless, durable and will not rust.
US07685743B2
Impact-attenuating elements, e.g., for use in footwear or other foot-receiving device products, may include: (a) a base member, such as a fluid-tight and/or other fluid-filled or fluid-containing enclosure element; (b) a support element integrally and contiguously formed in a surface of the base member; and/or (c) a spring device engaged with the support element. The support element and its corresponding spring device (if any) may include a non-planar surface (e.g., substantially parabolic shaped, cylindrically shaped, etc.) that extends in a direction into the base member and toward its opposite surface. The support element and its corresponding spring device (if any) also may include reinforcing structure(s), such as raised ribs extending along a surface of the support element and/or spring device.
US07685742B2
Impact-attenuation members, e.g., for use in footwear or other foot-receiving devices, include: (a) a first body member having a base region and three (or more) leg portions extending from the base region. A second body member, with similar leg portions, may be arranged facing the first member such that the free ends of the various leg portions lie adjacent one another. A retaining member may extend between and/or at least partially around the body members to at least partially hold them in place with respect to one another. Such impact-attenuation systems may be arranged in the heel (or other portions) of an article of footwear.
US07685740B2
An article of footwear configured for use as a dance shoe is provided. The article of footwear can include an upper and a two-piece sole connected to the upper. The article can also include a cage support that surrounds a portion of the upper and aids in flexibility of the shoe. The article can also include a single piece liner with an integrated toe box. In addition, the shoe can include an offset lacing system. In another arrangement, the shoe can include an elastic wrap, connected to the bottom of the shoe on the inside of the upper. The wrap can act as a tongue to minimize contact between the offset lacing system and the dancer's foot. In yet another arrangement, the shoe can include different types of outsole supports.
US07685736B2
The present invention is generally directed to shoulder refacing indicator. In one illustrative embodiment, the shoulder refacing indicator includes a body having a first side and a second side, the first and second sides being formed at an included angle of 135 degrees relative to one another, the first side adapted to engage an engaging surface of a make-up shoulder of a pipe connector and the second side adapted to engage a tapered surface of the pipe connector. The shoulder refacing indicator further includes at least one scribe line formed on the body.
US07685734B1
A template allows a piping system installer to create a pipe fitting outline without requiring the installer to consult a manufacturer's catalog and without requiring the installer to plot dimensions with a measuring instrument. The template comprises marking holes corresponding to key locations of one or more pipe fittings. The installer marks the outline through template marking holes using a piece of chalk or other marking instrument. The installer removes the template and is left with an outline on the structure's surface comprising the pipe fitting's key locations. A set of fifty templates could cover almost all the needs of most installers with hundreds of different fitting dimensions covered in a set of fifty templates.
US07685730B2
A tile marking tool uses a probe mounted on a biased marking arm to engage and follow a contour of an obstruction, such as a wall, cabinet, or heat vent, adjacent which floor tile must be installed. As the tool is moved along the wall, a marking element on the other end of the marking arm marks or cuts the contour of the obstruction on a tile or tiles to be laid, facilitating cutting and/or placement of the tile in such a way as to fit well against the obstruction. Embodiments include a corner marking arrangement for marking tiles to be laid in reentrant corners. The corner marking arrangement includes a corner arm attachable to and orthogonal to the marking arm so that the tool is used in usual fashion as it approaches the reentrant corner.
US07685723B2
A laser device with a housing which features a beam outlet window (24), particularly a laser device with an electro-optical mechanism for generating a horizontal and/or vertical light beam, where the housing is at least partially enclosed by a protective covering (10). In order to provide secure protection for the beam outlet window without significantly altering the outer dimensions of the housing when the device is not in use, it is proposed that the protective covering (10) be pivotable about an axis that passes through the housing, and that it feature a first section which, depending on the pivot position of the protective covering, covers or exposes the beam outlet window (24).
US07685722B1
A celestial navigation device. A full-featured embodiment is useful as a sundial and planisphere and for measuring, among other things, latitude, longitude, and for time to angle conversions. The device may have one or more rings and is based on a transparent circular tube having a gravity indicator, typically a ball or bubble, in the circular tube, which locates the lowest or highest point in the tube to indicate time or angle measurements against a corresponding scale. The device may have a 24-hour time scale, a calendar scale, and/or an angle scale. One embodiment includes a split analemma with separate north and south portions. Each analemma portion is used with a corresponding gnomon of a pair of gnomons, each on opposite sides of the tubular ring. A two-ring embodiment has an inner ring and outer ring rotatably slidable relative to one another. Two additional gnomons and star position marks may be provided for star sighting observations. The device has a hollow center and may be worn as a bracelet and may be constructed with precious metals and/or gems to enhance the value of the bracelet aspect.
US07685715B2
A method for modifying the processing capabilities of a container. The method includes providing a container that defines a cavity and comprises a wall. The wall defines at least a portion of the cavity and has thermal energy transfer characteristics. At least one of the thermal energy transfer characteristics comprises a first value. Changing the first value of the one thermal energy transfer characteristic to a second value for at least a first portion of the wall, the second value being different from the first value.
US07685712B2
Method for repairing a rubbing surface of a variable-pitch blade of a turbomachine, consisting in filling a deficit of material of said surface of the blade that results from wear thereof by depositing a metallic product by electrolysis then in forming at least one thin layer of a hard material with a low coefficient of friction onto the deposited metallic product and on the surrounding part of said surface.
US07685707B2
A stable and high quality circuit forming substrate is provided even when the work size is increased in the circuit forming substrate. In a stacking step, prepregs that are B stage substrate materials, are arranged lined with respect to a first metal foil, and stacked on the first metal foil. A C stage substrate material is stacked on the B stage substrate materials. Further, the prepregs that are two or more B stage substrate materials, are stacked on the C stage substrate material and a second metal foil is stacked thereon.
US07685689B1
A garbage disposal installation tool for installing garbage disposal units under sinks providing two degrees of height adjustment that consists of a flat base portion, a hollow cylindrical housing portion that has an operable locking system attached to the base portion, a hollow cylindrical shaft portion sliding longitudinally inside the housing portion, wherein sliding position temporarily secured and locked by the locking system, a flat top platform portion having an externally threaded rod portion extending perpendicular to the top platform, and a rotatable lever bar nut having an internally threaded center through hole with screw threads matchingly corresponding with the threaded rod portion, wherein rotation of the lever bar nut causes axial motion of the externally threaded rod portion resulting in raising and lowering of the top platform portion.
US07685686B2
A method for a piezoelectric actuator and an ink-jet head uses, for forming a lower electrode on a vibration plate, metal-nano particles which can start to sinter with a low temperature as a conductive material; and uses, for forming a piezoelectric layer, an aerosol deposition method requiring no calcination step. Accordingly, upon forming the lower electrode and piezoelectric layer, any calcination under severe condition is not needed. In addition, the calcination of the lower electrode can be advanced simultaneously with an annealing step required after forming the piezoelectric layer. Accordingly, the thermal cycle during producing process can be minimized, thereby suppressing the exfoliation of layers and diffusion of material forming vibration plate into the piezoelectric layer due to thermal history, and consequently lower the degradation of piezoelectric characteristics.
US07685682B2
A boutonniere attachment device comprises a backing member and a pin member. The pin member is attached to the backing member and extends from the backing member to a pointed terminal end. The backing member can be engaged with a non-exterior surface of a portion of a garment while a portion of the pin member that includes the pointed terminal end is positioned external to the garment, and while at least part of the portion of the pin member extends at least partially through the stem of a boutonniere in a manner such that a portion of the stem is biased against the exterior surface of the portion of the garment and such that the portion of the garment is biased between the portion of the stem and the backing member.
US07685679B2
A pivotal hinge has multiple washers, positioning spacers and an oil-retaining collar mounted around the washers and the positioning spacers filled with lubricating oil. The oil-retaining collar prevents the lubricating oil from flowing out of the pivotal hinge, prevents the components from wearing away, keeps the pivotal hinge rotating smoothly and has hooks formed separately on the two edges. The hooks hold the collar securely around the pivotal hinge.
US07685676B2
A living hinge includes a hinge body formed of a material. The hinge body has attachment edges and a flexing zone between the attachment edges defining a flexing axis. The material of the hinge body has at least one separation formed therein in the flexing zone. The at least one separation describes an angle with the flexing axis being other than 90°.
US07685675B2
The present invention relates to a handle mounting device for use in a refrigerator for mounting a refrigerator door handle onto an outer surface of a door of the refrigerator. The handle mounting device of the present invention is used to mount a handle 50 for opening and closing the door onto an outer surface 40 of the door. The handle mounting device includes a mounting ring member 70 into which one end of handle 50 is fitted and of which a surface is plated, and a handle base 60 which is made of synthetic resin material and of which one end is fitted into the mounting ring member 70 and the other end is fixed onto the outer surface 40 of the door. Further, one end of the handle base 60 is fitted into the handle 50 fitted into the mounting ring member 70.
US07685668B2
A cleaning device for cleaning the ferrule end surface of an optical fiber that has been installed in a connector, such as a connector coupler or bulkhead receptacle, comprises a cleaning head (22a, 22b, 22c). The cleaning head is made from thermally sintered polymers, e.g., thermally sintered particles and/or thermally sintered strands and provides a matrix of open-celled multi-directional pores. The cleaning head has zones (26, 28, 32) of increasing polymer densities from compression zone (26) to sidewall cleaning zone (28) to base zone (32). The cleaning head serves to lift, absorb, trap and remove contamination from the ferrule end faces (14a, 14b, 14c) and the end face of the optical fiber therein. The open-celled structure of the cleaning head (22a, 22b, 22c) allows the contact surface to compress both laterally and radially where it contacts the ferrule end, thus permitting effective cleaning for all ferrule end designs. The cleaning head may be used either dry or with a cleaning solvent.
US07685654B1
A disposable sanitary protector for sink basins is provided in the form of a generally rectangular cover with two non-parallel low-tack adhesive strips on the underside, one of each strip being on the underside of the cover near the left and right edges. The non-parallel low-tack adhesive strips increase the probability of engaging the rim of sinks with either a curved or linear shape at the sides of the sink. An optional perforated slit is provided to allow a portal for the faucet assembly to protrude. A second differently sized backup slit is provided in the event the first slit tears. The cover is made of fabric, paper, plastic or a like material.
US07685648B2
A bath towel bib including a collar adapted to form a releasably securable loop around a user's neck, an actuatable means for releasing the loop from around the user's neck, and an absorbent cloth fixedly attached to the collar and operatively arranged to hang from the collar in front of the user's torso when the loop is releasably secured around the user's neck, wherein the actuatable means for releasing the loop from around the user's neck is operatively arranged to actuate when the absorbent cloth is pulled in a direction away from the user's neck.
US07690044B2
One or more computer-readable media on which is stored a program for selecting an optimum electronic ticket among a plurality of electronic tickets for imparting rights of use of content, the stored program causing a computer to execute functions comprising: extracting a plurality of electronic tickets corresponding to a content; and selecting the optimum electronic ticket among the extracted electronic tickets by comparing conditions of use of content included in the respective extracted electronic tickets.
US07690031B2
An electronic data flash card accessible by a host computer, includes a flash memory controller connected to a flash memory device, and an input-output interface circuit activated to establish a communication with the host. In an embodiment, the flash card uses a USB interface circuit for communication with the host. A flash memory controller includes an arbitrator for mapping logical addresses with physical block addresses, and for performing block management operations including: storing reassigned data to available blocks, relocating valid data in obsolete blocks to said available blocks and reassigning logical block addresses to physical block addresses of said available blocks, finding bad blocks of the flash memory device and replacing with reserve blocks, erasing obsolete blocks for recycling after relocating valid data to available blocks, and erase count wear leveling of blocks, etc. Furthermore, each flash memory device includes an internal buffer for accelerating the block management operations.
US07690030B1
An electronic data flash card with fingerprint capability is accessible by an host computer, and includes a processing unit connected to a flash memory device that stores a data file and reference fingerprint data of a person authorized to access the data file, a fingerprint sensor for scanning the fingerprint of a user and for generating input fingerprint data that can be compared with the stored reference fingerprint data, and an input-output interface circuit activated so as to establish a communication with the host computer. In an embodiment, the electronic data flash card uses a USB input/output interface circuit for communication with the host computer.
US07690025B2
A method for accessing a network-based computer system utilizing a server system that is coupled to a centralized database and at least one client system. The method includes the steps of entering at a client system a single sign on identification (SSO ID) and a single sign on password (SSO password) assigned to a user, receiving at the server system the user's SSO ID and SSO password, authenticating the SSO ID and SSO password by transmitting the SSO ID and SSO password to the database, displaying on the client system after authenticating the entered SSO ID and SSO password each computer system that the user is permissioned to access, selecting a computer system to be accessed by the user, randomly generating a user password at the server system for accessing the selected computer system, transmitting a user identification (user ID) and the randomly generated user password from the server system to the selected computer system; and accessing the selected computer system by the user.
US07690003B2
A system and method for delivering data from a device driver to an application increases the usage of synchronous processing (fast I/O mode) of data requests from the application by utilizing thread scheduling to enhance the likelihood that the requested data are available for immediate delivery to the application. If the amount of data in a data queue for storing data ready for delivery is low, the thread scheduling of the system is modified to promote the thread of the device driver to give it the opportunity to place more data in the data queue for consumption by the application. The promotion of the thread of the device driver may be done by switching from the application thread to another thread (not necessarily the device driver thread), boosting the device driver's priority, and/or lowering the priority of the application, etc.
US07690000B2
The metadata journal service records changes to an information system through client devices that send changes made to objects for recording in a server. A client calls the server when a metadata event is raised. A metadata event may be raised when an object is modified, created, or deleted. The client sends the object identifier of object involved in the metadata event to the server, along with schema objects and operations associated with the object. The server generates a unique key for the metadata event, and stores the objects along with their associated schema objects and operations in the metadata journal. The journal may be searched and queried to provide metadata analysis, such as lineage or impact analysis for an object in the system.
US07689998B1
The present invention provides a port-based technique to manage processing resources that can be utilized by an Operating System. The systems and methods consider time parallelism and pre-emption through sends, receives, and execution context, wherein scheduling of execution units occurs via (aperiodic and/or periodic) communication rather than time slicing. The systems and methods employ a resource manager that listens behind a port associated with a processor, which enables the processor to transition to a reduced power consumption state. When a request for processing resources arrives at the port, the resource manager can allocate the processing resources, wake the processor, and/or return a communication, which can include a location of allocated memory and an execution context of the processor, to a reply channel. Alternatively, the resource manager can preempt the request to mitigate processing resources consumption.
US07689988B2
In a host-base printing system, it is intended to execute a continuous page printing of continuous print jobs with a maximum printing speed specific to a printing engine in a printing apparatus, without a loss in the printing speed. There is provided a host computer system in which a data generation unit generates a print job based on a drawing command entered from an application software, and transfers the generated print job for example to a printer, characterized in that a plurality of print jobs generated in succession are spooled in a system spooling unit, and a print control unit combines plural print jobs entered from the system pooling unit and transfers them as a single print job for example to a printer.
US07689985B2
The subject invention relates to systems and methods that facilitate automatic version level updates of driver components in the context of an operating system framework. In one aspect, an automated computer versioning system is provided. The system includes a version library supplying various components of an operating system framework, wherein the version library defines revision levels and interfaces for the components of the operating system framework. A loader automatically distributes the interfaces in order to facilitate functional interactions with the operating system framework, whereby such distribution of the interfaces is based in part on a change in the revision levels.
US07689982B1
A linker profiler tool facilitates maintenance and management of object ordering between releases of firmware. By maintaining object ordering, code differences between firmware builds are reduced, which reduces the size of a package of update information used to update an electronic device from one version of firmware to another. Information used by an object code linker in a firmware build activity is processed to minimize changes in code object ordering between builds. The impact on the size of the update information caused by updates to firmware/software component in the build is thereby reduced to a minimum.
US07689978B2
Disclosed is a system and method for instructing a computer program to self-optimize comprising inputting commands into the computer program and allowing a learning protocol in the computer program to determine an approximately optimal policy of operation of the computer program based on the commands. The commands comprise operational choices for the computer program to select from including an approximately optimal choice for optimizing the operation of the program. The commands comprise a selection command for selecting any function in a list of instructions inputted into the program, wherein the function provides a basis of making an approximately optimal choice. Additionally, the commands comprise a rule command for instructing the computer program of how to make an approximately optimal choice. Moreover, the commands comprise a reward command for instructing the program which of the operational choices results in an approximately optimal choice for optimizing the operation of the computer program.
US07689973B2
A test harness development component streamlines the design of regression test harnesses for testing text-based software. An auto-recording tool to automatically record the input and output data in an actual run of the testing session and to automatically generate a test harness. The test harness development component provides an auto-executing tool to automatically run the test harness in subsequent regression tests. The test harness language is used to specify the tests, validation rules of the results, and any other rules for running the test of a test harness. The test harness language is human-readable and emulates the manual test procedures with very little overhead.
US07689971B2
Methods and apparatuses provide for referencing thread local variables (TLVs) with techniques such as stack address mapping. A method may involve a head pointer that points to a set of thread local variables (TLVs) of a thread. A method according to one embodiment may include an operation for storing the head pointer in a global data structure in a user space of a processing system. The head pointer may subsequently be retrieved from the global data structure and used to access one or more TLVs associated with the thread. In one embodiment, the head pointer is retrieved without executing any kernel system calls. In an example embodiment, the head pointer is stored in a global array, and a stack address for the thread is used to derive an index into the array. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07689967B2
A reference image is generated from a subject image of at least a portion of a photolithography mask to enable a photolithography mask inspection and analysis system that otherwise cannot generate a reference image from a reference die or digitized design data, for example, to perform a mask analysis using the reference image. A mask inspection and analysis system may then be enhanced to perform one or more additional mask analyses to analyze the mask. The reference image is generated by identifying a defect or contaminant of the mask in the subject image and modifying the subject image to remove the defect or contaminant from the mask to generate the reference image. For one embodiment, a system using a STARlight inspection tool that captures transmitted and reflected images of a portion of a mask may then be enhanced to perform one or more mask analyses that use a reference image.
US07689966B2
Various computer-implemented methods are provided. One method for evaluating reticle layout data includes generating a simulated image using the reticle layout data as input to a model of a reticle manufacturing process. The simulated image illustrates how features of the reticle layout data will be formed on a reticle by the reticle manufacturing process. The method also includes determining manufacturability of the reticle layout data using the simulated image. The manufacturability is a measure of how accurately the features will be formed on the reticle. Also provided are various carrier media that include program instructions executable on a computer system for performing a method for evaluating reticle layout data as described herein. In addition, systems configured to evaluate reticle layout data are provided. The systems include a computer system and a carrier medium that includes program instructions executable on the computer system for performing method(s) described herein.
US07689965B2
A system, apparatus and method for generating extracted timing model files, such as macro library files, are disclosed. A user interface or data template is provided to an engineer that allows for the population of data within particular fields related to timing characteristics of an IP block, cell or core. Various types of data and fields may be provided into the user interface or data template. The location of relevant files, such as a cell or core netlist, may be provided within the template. Additionally, one or more modes may be selected by the user to define the manner in which the ETM file(s) are to be generated. An ETM file is automatically generated using the information provided in the data template.
US07689954B2
Statistical timing analysis methods for circuits are described which compensate for circuit elements having correlated timing delays with a high degree of computational efficiency. An quadratic timing model is used to represent each delay element along a circuit path, wherein each element's delay has a first-order relationship to local variations and a second-order relationship to global variations. Propagation of the modeled delays through the circuit is efficiently done via straightforward ADD operations where an input propagates through another element in a circuit path, and via a MAX operation (or an approximation thereof) where two or more inputs merge at an intersection. The inputs to the MAX operator can be tested for gaussianity, and can be processed by the MAX operation (or its approximation) if they are substantially gaussian. Otherwise, they may be stored in a tuple for processing at later points along the circuit path.
US07689953B1
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for determining cell-based timing elements based on a transistor-level circuit design. The method may include accessing information indicative of a transistor-level circuit design determining at least one component of at least one cell based on the information indicative of the transistor-level circuit design, and determining at least one time delay associated with the transistor-level circuit design based on said at least one component of at least one cell.
US07689952B2
A system that includes a candidate generator that generates candidate vectors having as components performance specifications of an electrical circuit design. The system also includes a performance estimator that generates performance vectors of the electrical circuit design, the performance vectors having as components performance values of the electrical circuit design. The candidate vectors and the performance vectors are input into a statistical estimator that calculates a statistical parameter, for example, yield, for each candidate vector in accordance with the performance vectors. The system further includes a filter that receives the candidate vectors and their respective statistical parameters, and outputs a filtered candidate vector with its corresponding filtered statistical parameter. A display system visually represents the filtered candidate vector and its corresponding filtered statistical parameter.
US07689936B2
Several elements are displayed on a computer display. The user is provided with a haptic device, for moving a cursor over the display. Distances between the cursor and the various elements are computed; the element with the smallest distance is highlighted on the display. When the user moves the haptic device, the identified element is changed, according to the distance between the cursor and the various elements. The user selects the identified element by actuating a select button. The invention makes it possible for the user to select one of the displayed elements, without having to move the cursor over the element to be selected. No prior knowledge of the shape of the elements is required for carrying out the selection process.
US07689935B2
A computer system utilizing software to map content by determining a field of relevance and at least one topic in the field of relevance is presented. The system determines at least one content pertaining to the topic, retrieves a representation of the content and maps the representation of the content onto the field of relevance. Then, it provides an extremely flexible presentation mechanism where the content is organized by multi-dimensional mappings to present the information effectively. One of the features allows a vector to be assigned to each entity, queries a user or software agent for a particular focal element and displays the multiplicity of distinguishable entities based upon the assigned vectors utilizing the focal vector as a reference point to view the information. The system facilitates the organization of results of database interrogations, web searches and other large data situations, creating a multi-dimensional topic space of content. The invention represents a novel, unique approach that matches nicely with the requirements of the Internet to efficiently examine the results from search engines in an efficient manner.
US07689931B2
The display control device includes: display control means for displaying a plurality of button groups each having at least one button in a monitor and for focusing and displaying any of the buttons displayed in the monitor; and button changing means including an in-group button changing operation unit for changing the button to be focused, from one button to another in a button group, and an inter-group button changing operation unit for changing the button to be focused, from a button of one button group to a button of another button group. In case the button to be focused is changed by the inter-group button changing unit from the button of one button group to the button of another button group, the display control means focus and display a specific button of the button group changed.
US07689925B2
Described is technology allowing computer programs to participate in the copy and paste process at various times. A source program, from which data is requested to be copied to the clipboard, may participate as desired, including, for example, to cancel the copy, or to determine which data formats will be placed on the clipboard, including one or more custom data formats. A target program, to which data may be copied from the clipboard, may also participate as desired, including, for example, to cancel the paste, or to determine which data format will be pasted, which may be a custom data format. In one implementation, events provide notifications and APIs may be called to facilitate the communication.
US07689922B2
A novel application and user interface for facilitating group interactions over a network integrates messaging, file sharing, media playing, journaling, profiles, and gaming into a cohesive environment. The groups facilitated by the invention are persistent and mobile in that a user does not have to recollect and reconfigure the group each time he or she wants to interact with the group online and, while online, the group may be taken from one activity to another without having to disband and reconnect at the second activity. The application is modular so as to be extensible to include other activities and functionalities. In an embodiment, the group interaction application utilizes a peer-to-peer network environment to facilitate network communications between group members.
US07689914B2
Manipulation of elements in a graphical user interface is aided by allowing the graphical user interface to treat certain mouse button actuation and releases as holding the mouse button in an actuated state. When predetermined conditions are satisfied, the graphical user interface will treat a mouse button actuation and release as if the mouse button were held in an actuated state. A user can then manipulate elements in the graphical user interface as if the user held the mouse button in an actuated state. The types of manipulation can include the moving of a window, the resizing of a window, moving an icon, and the scrolling through the visible portion of a window.
US07689903B2
A method, system, architecture and apparatus for unified markup language processing. A unified markup language processing and distribution system includes a unified language markup parser configured to produce both a layout model and an execution model based upon content defined by a unified markup language. A layout engine may be included that is programmed to process the layout models produced by the parser to generate corresponding user interfaces for an application defined by the content. An execution engine may be programmed to process execution models produced by the parser to generate corresponding logic for the application defined by the content.
US07689902B1
A system and method for context management which addresses the above problems while isolating the context management functions from the other functional code found on the server system. The context management system includes a context manager component which stores and retrieves name-value pairs describing the context in which the current request is being processed. In doing so, three types of context data are distinguished: static, dynamic, and transient. The context manager stores context data regarding each of a user's sessions and page flows, and returns context data in response to requests from the server system. Using this context data, the server system can then interact with the user in a manner appropriate to the user's context.
US07689901B2
Updates to a content description represented as a tree are contained in a series of fragment update units. Each fragment update unit includes an update command and a navigation path, and may include a fragment payload depending on the update command. The update command is applied to a set of nodes in the tree that are selected using the navigation path. The fragment payload may contain a fragment, a fragment reference, or an attribute. The update command may be an add, delete or replace command. More than one fragment payload may be present in the fragment update unit, with each fragment payload applied to a different one of the nodes from the set selected by the navigation path.
US07689895B2
An on-the-fly error checking and correcting system and method of supporting a non-volatile memory processes data using an on-the-fly error correction method to be performed between a temporary memory and a flash memory. The flash memory stores actual data read from the temporary memory and parity generated on-the-fly in a write mode, and transmits the stored data to the temporary memory, computes a syndrome from the stored data on-the-fly, and generates an error correction information signal according to the result of computing in a read mode. Thus, error correction may only be selectively performed.
US07689893B1
Systems and methods are provided to correct errors occurring in a decision-codeword that is generated by a detector. A decoder determines whether errors in the decision-codeword are of a degree that exceeds the correction capability of a Reed-Solomon error-correction code. If they are, the decoder iteratively modifies the decision-codeword to reduce the number of errors therein. In each iteration, the decoder generates an error indicator using one or more error indicators from a previous iteration and uses the error indicator to perform error detection and correction operations.
US07689886B2
A system and method for predicting lwarx (Load Word And Reserve Index form) and stwcx (Store Word Conditional) instruction outcome is presented. A lwarx instruction establishes a reservation on an address/granule, and a stwcx instruction targeted to the same address/granule “succeeds” only if the reservation for the granule still exists (conditional store). Since the reservation may be lost due to situations such as, for example, a processor (or another processor) executing a different lwarx or ldarx instruction (or other mechanism), which clears the first reservation and establishes a new reservation, the invention described herein builds test patterns in a manner that ensures, stwcx success and failure predictability. As a result, stwcx instructions are testable during test pattern execution.
US07689881B2
Repair of memory hard failures during normal operation, using ECC and a hard fail identifier circuit
A memory sub-system and a method for operating the same. The memory sub-system includes (a) a main memory, (b) an ECC circuit, (c) a hard fail identifier circuit, (d) a repair circuit, (e) a redundant memory, and (f) a threshold setting circuit. The ECC circuit is capable of (i) detecting a first bit fail, (ii) sending an error flag signal to the hard fail identifier circuit, (iii) sending a first location address, a first bit location of the first bit fail, and a repaired data from the first location address to the hard fail identifier circuit. The hard fail identifier circuit is capable of (i) determining the number of times of failure occurring at the first bit fail, (ii) determining whether the number of times of failure is equal to a predetermined threshold value, and (iii) if so, sending a threshold reached signal.
US07689879B2
A memory module includes several memory devices coupled to a memory hub. The memory hub includes several link interfaces coupled to respective processors, several memory controller coupled to respective memory devices, a cross-bar switch coupling any of the link interfaces to any of the memory controllers, a write buffer and read cache for each memory device and a self-test module. The self-test module includes a pattern generator producing write data having a predetermined pattern, and a flip-flop having a data input receiving the write data. A clock input of the flip-flop receives an internal clock signal from a delay line that receives a variable frequency clock generator. Read data are coupled from the memory devices and their pattern compared to the write data pattern. The delay of the delay line and frequency of the clock signal can be varied to test the speed margins of the memory devices.
US07689877B2
A method for reconstructing corrupted data, which includes determining a number of non-parity disks (n), selecting a first combination of n-1 non-parity disks, obtaining a first set of physical blocks from the first combination of n-1 non-parity disks, obtaining a parity block associated with the first set of physical blocks, reconstructing a first physical block using the first set of physical blocks and the parity block, combining the first physical block and the first set of physical blocks to obtain a first reconstructed logical block, checksuming the first reconstructed logical block to obtain a first calculated checksum, and determining whether the first calculated checksum is equal to a stored checksum associated with the first reconstructed logical block.
US07689875B2
A system and method for detecting and handling errors in a computer system are disclosed. The invention is configurable to permit selecting of timelength or time out values, assigned interrupts to be generated and error recover procedures so that failures of system events can be promptly detected and recovered from. The watchdog timer is started with a timelength or time out value and generates an interrupt (i.e., is triggered) if the period of time set as the timelength passes without receiving a reset. The watchdog timer interface interacts and controls the hardware based timer to obtain this watchdog timer functionality. The hardware based timer is generally a high precision timer that exists in hardware architecture for a computer system and is usable by system software. The watchdog timer interface controls and sets various parameters and/or registers of the hardware based timer in order to provide the desired functionality of a watchdog timer. Thus, another software component can call and interact with the watchdog timer interface for a system event and view the watchdog timer interface as a watchdog timer (i.e., the operation of the hardware based timer is transparent).
US07689872B2
An autonomic system for diagnosing and correcting error conditions among interrelated components and resources. The system can include one or more commonly formatted log files utilizing standardized naming conventions for the interrelated components and resources. Each of the commonly formatted log files can include an association with one of the interrelated components and resources. An autonomic system administrator can be coupled to each of the interrelated components and resources and can be configured to parse the log files to identify both error conditions arising in associated ones of the interrelated components and resources, and also dependent ones of the interrelated components and resources giving rise to the identified error conditions. Preferably, the autonomic system can further include a codebase of analysis code and code insertion logic coupled to the autonomic system administrator and programmed to insert portions of the analysis code in selected ones of the interrelated components and resources.
US07689871B2
A method for monitoring a system, having a control unit defined as a master and a number of control units defined as slaves, with the aid of a monitoring module, in which in reply to an inquiry from the master and the slaves a response is given in each instance and a joint response provided on the basis of these responses is checked by the monitoring module.
US07689865B2
A method, device, system, and computer program product for enabling advanced control of debugging processes on a JTAG (Joint Test Action Group) IEEE 1149.1 capable device (or system under test (SUT)). Middlesoft Commander is provided within a JTAG-enabled (or JTAG) POD, which is connected to both a host system executing debugging software and the SUT. The communication between the POD and the SUT is enabled with a pair of JTAG interfaces bridging the connection between the POD and the SUT. Middlesoft Commander comprises code that enables Middlesoft Commander to convert high level commands (debug packets) received from (or generated by) the host system into JTAG commands. These JTAG commands are forwarded to the SUT. Middlesoft Commander further comprises code that enables Middlesoft Commander to convert the JTAG data received from the SUT into commands recognizable by the host system.
US07689855B2
A clock supplying apparatus capable of suppressing a current fluctuation as much as possible when supply of a clock signal to a circuit block is started or stopped. At start or termination of the clock signal supply to the circuit block, the clock signal frequency is temporarily changed to a low frequency lower than a standard frequency.
US07689852B2
Certain aspects of a system for controlling power for a network interface controller device may comprise a precision voltage comparator that may instantaneously detect ramp up of a main voltage corresponding to a main voltage source in order to control the network interface controller device. A power monitor may detect when a threshold voltage of the main voltage is reached during the ramp up. A main voltage source switch and an auxiliary voltage source switch may switch an output from an auxiliary voltage to the main voltage source without the switches being simultaneously on. The power monitor may determine whether the main voltage is ramping up in excess of a determined rate and if so, may decrease a rate at which the main voltage ramps up. A current limiter and/or the power monitor may monitor and limit an inrush current caused during main voltage ramp up.
US07689843B2
A network node selects a “sleep” level based on its current or projected battery capacity. In an embodiment of the invention, sleep levels define the physical radius within which the wireless network node will engage other devices. The node in question communicates its selected sleep level to the rest of the network so that the other network nodes can communicate accordingly with the node.
US07689840B2
An information processing apparatus, an imaging apparatus and an information processing method, and a computer program are provided. An information processing apparatus includes: a state detecting part which detects physical fluctuations that are generated in association with a user carrying the information processing apparatus; and a control part which receives detection information of the state detecting part, and which shifts a state to a hot standby state in which a system startup process necessary prior to data processing in the information processing apparatus is completed, or which executes a process to continue the hot standby state, based on determination that the information processing apparatus is being carried by the user.
US07689838B2
In some embodiments, the method and apparatus to provide for the detection of processor transition states is described. Some embodiments include at least two threads which provide detection for high and low priority states, which provide for power state transitions by the operating system: The low priority thread runs just prior to entry into an idle or low power state; the high priority thread runs when the idle state is ended or the highest power state is reached. In some embodiments, the use of these threads provides for the detection of processor state transitions and idle times independently of the operating system. Other embodiments are described.
US07689835B2
Provided are methods, apparatus and computer programs for identifying matching resources (data files and executable files) within a data processing network, by comparison of hash values computed for each of a set of resources. A match between a newly computed hash value and a previously computed hash value for a resource indicates that the resource has not changed since the previous computation. A match between hash values for different resources indicates that they are identical. The result of the comparison can be used to determine whether a virus scan is currently required for a resource, on the basis that a resource which is unchanged since it was classified virus-free remains virus-free and a resource which is identical to a virus-scanned resource does not require duplication of the virus scan. The methods, apparatus and computer programs enable more efficient use of antivirus scanning or management of a backup copy process.
US07689834B2
The present invention provides a personal authentication apparatus that includes a permissibility information file for registering information indicating whether setting an ID common to more than one person is permitted or not. In the apparatus, only if setting of an ID common to more than one person is prohibited, an information registering section refers to the permissibility information file to check whether or not a first ID currently obtained for registration is identical to any of second IDs stored in an information storing section. Then, only if the first ID differs from any of the second IDs, the information registering section registers the first ID and biometric information currently obtained in an information storing section.
US07689831B2
A method and system for securing interface access via visual array patterns in combination with hidden operations improves the security of computer systems and dedicated terminals. A hint display is generated in at least a quasi-random fashion that may be an array of numerical digit values. A user input is received that represents selection of a pattern of elements chosen from the hint display and combined in an algorithm using one or more mathematical, relational and/or logical operations. A pre-defined pattern and algorithm are used to generate a token from the hint display that is compared with the user input to verify that the user knows the pattern and algorithm. Further ease of use can be provided by dividing a hint display array into sub-arrays while providing a clue such as color to indicate each sub-array to the user.
US07689829B2
A method is for the encryption and decryption of data by various users, in which a user is assigned a data key for encrypting and decrypting data. A data processing facility is designed to carry out the method and a storage medium is designed to store information for carrying out the method on a data processing facility. A first step involves the performance of a security check in order to ascertain the identity of the user. A second step involves a data key which cannot be viewed by the user, being assigned on the basis of the result of the security check. In this case, various users who, by way of example, can be associated with a common user group, can be assigned the same data key.
US07689828B2
The OTPK module 40 is essential to the present embodiment. It may be considered to be a software module implemented on the signing entity 20. The OTPK module 40 may be dynamically downloaded for use or implemented as a pre-installed client plug-in. The OTPK module 40 may perform its role without significant intervention from a user when operating as the signing entity 20. The OTPK module 40 may be implemented as a PKCS#11 or CAPI DLL or a Java Applet or ActiveX plugin embedded within the Internet Web Browser. It may be automatically executed when performing secure transactions requiring digital signatures. The OTPK module 40 serves to independently and without additional instruction from a user carry out the steps of generating the asymmetric key pairs comprising the public key and the private key. The OTPK module 40 then contacts the authentication and certification server 50 for authenticating the identity of the signing entity 20. At this point, the user of the signing entity 20 may be prompted for a password or the password may have been entered earlier as part of a 2-factor authentication to the authentication and certification server 50. The private key is then automatically used to generate a digital signature for the signing entity 20. At this point onwards, the private key is then irretrievably deleted such that it cannot be re-used or copied for future use.
US07689827B2
Computation environments are protected from bogus or rogue load modules, executables, and other data elements through use of digital signatures, seals, and certificates issued by a verifying authority. A verifying authority—which may be a trusted independent third party—tests the load modules and/or other items to verify that their corresponding specifications are accurate and complete, and then digitally signs them based on a tamper resistance work factor classification. Secure computation environments with different tamper resistance work factors use different digital signature authentication techniques (e.g., different signature algorithms and/or signature verification keys), allowing one tamper resistance work factor environment to protect itself against load modules from another tamper resistance work factor environment. The verifying authority can provide an application intended for insecure environments with a credential having multiple elements covering different parts of the application. To verify the application, a trusted element can issue challenges based on different parts of the authenticated credential that the trusted element selects in an unpredictable (e.g., random) way, and deny service (or take other appropriate action) if the responses do not match the authenticated credential.
US07689824B2
A data management system includes an authentication server and a data management apparatus (or an MFP). The authentication server includes a storage part for storing affiliation information specifying at least one group that each user belongs to, an authentication part for transferring and receiving data to and from the data management apparatus to perform user authentication, and a group identification part for identifying one or more groups that an authenticated user belongs to based on the affiliation information to send information about the one or more groups to the data management apparatus. An access permission part of the data management apparatus permits an authenticated user belonging to a plurality of groups to access a data file to which any of the plurality of groups has been granted access.
US07689823B2
A method for appropriately defining standards for implementing an MPEG-n intellectual property management and protection (IPMP) system introduces IPMP Tool Information located at the beginning of the content stream, and an IPMP Tool management function as a pre-processing module located at the start of the content decoder, and retrieves IPMP Tools based on the IPMP Tool Information. To improve security and enable interoperability between terminals in different IPMP systems, a two-layer security structure and user authentication output format are further defined. Implementation on terminals of different complexity is enabled by further defining different profiles for IPMP Tool retrieval.
US07689822B2
A method and apparatus for providing security in a group communication network provides for receiving an encryption key, encrypting media for transmission to a controller using the received encryption key, the encrypted media being directed to another communication device, and communicating the encrypted media to the controller. In one embodiment, the communicating includes wireless communication. The method and apparatus further provides for receiving encrypted media from a controller and blocking the encrypted media if the communication device is not enabled to receive encrypted-media transmission, or if the media is not encrypted based on an encryption key previously specified by the communication device. In another aspect, the communication device is a push-to-talk (PTT) device.
US07689820B2
A computing device is booted in a manner that enables a software application to begin execution with minimal delay. When the device is powered up, a first processor system begins booting under control of a first operating system, and a second processor system begins booting under control of a second operating system. The first operating system is of a type that generally takes longer to complete booting than the second operating system. As soon as the second processor system has booted up, it begins controlling execution of a software application. Then, when the first processor system has booted up, control over the software application is transferred from the second processor system to the first processor system.
US07689814B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for disabling error handling countermeasures in various processing contexts, such as by monitoring whether a given processing context requires error handling countermeasures; and disabling any recoverable error correction countermeasures when such countermeasures are not required.
US07689812B2
A method of restoring register mapper states for an out-of-order microprocessor. A processor maps a logical register to a physical register in a map table in response to a first instruction. Instruction sequencing logic records a second speculatively executed instruction as a most recently dispatched instruction in the map table when the second instruction maps the same logical register of the first instruction. The instruction sequencing logic sets an evictor instruction tag (ITAG) of the first instruction in the map table when the second instruction maps a same logical register of the first instruction. The instruction sequencing logic detects mispredicted speculative instructions, determines which instructions in the map table were dispatched prior to the mispredicted speculative instructions, and restores the map table to a state prior to the mispredicted speculative instructions by utilizing the evictor ITAG to restore one or more A bits in the map table data structure.
US07689810B2
A circuit to detect position signals in a mobile station includes a general-purpose processor to generate instructions for execution of at least one signal detection algorithm and to carry out at least one other function not associated with the signal detection algorithm, special-purpose hardware blocks responsive to the instructions of the general-purpose processor to execute the at least one signal detection algorithm, and at least one of the general-purpose processor and the special-purpose hardware blocks configured to execute at least one efficiency process to optimize performance of the at least one signal detection algorithm. Methods and machine-readable medium implementing the method steps are also disclosed.
US07689808B2
A data processor includes a reader for reading a bit stream stored in a storage if there is free space of 8 bits or more in a buffer and outputting to a first array changer, the first array changer for changing an array sequence of the 8 bits in reversed sequence for a PNG bit stream but does not change the array sequence for a JPEG bit stream, a second array changer for further changing the array sequence of the 8 bits to output in case of PNG but outputting as it is in case of JPEG when reading out fixed length data of 8 bits from the buffer to the second processor, and a first processor for reading bits of VLC by 10 bits each from the buffer.
US07689805B2
The embodiments described herein can be used to enable one-time or few-time programmable memories to work with existing consumer electronic devices (such as those that work with flash—an erasable, non-volatile memory) without requiring a firmware upgrade, thereby providing backwards compatibility while minimizing user impact. As such, these embodiments are a viable way to bridge one-time or few-time programmable memories with existing consumer electronic devices that have flash card slots. These embodiments also allow future consumer electronic devices to be designed without updating firmware to include a file system customized for a one-time or few-time programmable memory.
US07689794B2
Disclosed are systems and methods for reserve allocation of event data. A request event is received. The request event is associated with memory storing request event data. Memory for response event data is allocated from a first pool. The response event data is associated with a response, and the response is associated with the request. Upon failure of the allocation of memory for the response event data, memory is obtained for out-of-memory response event data. The out-of-memory response event data is associated with the response event. The request event is completed using the response event.
US07689785B2
Systems and methods for transferring data between storage components in a device. During a user interaction, at least some of the data to be transferred is loaded from an electromechanical data storage arrangement into an electronic storage. The transfer of data may begin prior to an end of the user interaction and may be completed, when possible, during the user interaction. The transfer of data between the storage components may be avoided in times that precede and follow the user interactions. If additional data transfers are required, the additional data is transferred during subsequent user interactions to avoid situations where mechanical shock could cause damage to one of the storage components as the data is accessed and transferred.
US07689778B2
In various embodiments, hardware, software and firmware or combinations thereof may be used to prevent cache conflicts within microprocessors and/or computer systems. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to a technique to prevent cache conflicts within a processor and/or computer system in which a number of accesses may be made to a particular cache or group of caches.
US07689777B2
A method and apparatus for enabling protection of a particular member of a cache during LRU victim selection. LRU state array includes additional “protection” bits in addition to the state bits. The protection bits serve as a pointer to identify the location of the member of the congruence class that is to be protected. A protected member is not removed from the cache during standard LRU victim selection, unless that member is invalid. The protection bits are pipelined to MRU update logic, where they are used to generate an MRU vector. The particular member identified by the MRU vector (and pointer) is protected from selection as the next LRU victim, unless the member is Invalid. The make MRU operation affects only the lower level LRU state bits arranged a tree-based structure and thus only negates the selection of the protected member, without affecting LRU victim selection of the other members.
US07689774B2
A system and method for improving the page crossing performance of a data prefetcher is presented. A prefetch engine tracks times at which a data stream terminates due to a page boundary. When a certain percentage of data streams terminate at page boundaries, the prefetch engine sets an aggressive profile flag. In turn, when the data prefetch engine receives a real address that corresponds to the beginning/end of a new page, and the aggressive profile flag is set, the prefetch engine uses an aggressive startup profile to generate and schedule prefetches on the assumption that the real address is highly likely to be the continuation of a long data stream. As a result, the system and method minimize latency when crossing real page boundaries when a program is predominately accessing long streams.
US07689771B2
According to one embodiment, a method of coherency management in a data processing system includes holding a cache line in an upper level cache memory in an exclusive ownership coherency state and thereafter removing the cache line from the upper level cache memory and transmitting a castout request for the cache line from the upper level cache memory to a lower level cache memory. The castout request includes an indication of a shared ownership coherency state. In response to the castout request, the cache line is placed in the lower level cache memory in a coherency state determined in accordance with the castout request.
US07689764B1
A system may be provided which is operable to determine a routing node for a data object. The system can comprise an identifier generator operable to generate an identifier for the data object on the basis of data content thereof, and a lookup engine operable to compare the identifier for the data object to a routing table to determine a routing node for the data element.
US07689752B1
A cabin telecommunications unit that provides combined telephone and entertainment/information services onboard an aircraft. The includes a central data bus for exchanging data between components of the cabin telecommunication unit; a first processor connected to said central data bus for processing a communication received by the cabin telecommunication unit and directing the communication to a destination point within the cabin; and a second processor connected to said central data bus for processing and responding to requests for data stored within said cabin telecommunications unit.
US07689746B2
A method for operating a bus system, in particular in a microprocessor or microcontroller, and a semiconductor device for performing the method is disclosed. In one embodiment, for optimizing the order of accesses to the bus system, a method for operating a bus system includes at least one transmission channel, wherein the transmission channel connects at least two masters and at least one slave with one another. The masters are connected with an arbiter determining the order of accesses in which the masters access the transmission channel. The method provides that the arbiter takes into account meta information about planned accesses when determining the order of accesses. Meta information can further be stored and be referred to for subsequent determinations.
US07689744B1
Methods and structure for enabling transparent coordination between multiple host systems sharing access to a common SATA storage device to improve bandwidth utilization therebetween in a manner transparent to each of the multiple host systems. The SAS protocol may be utilized by each of the host systems coupled to an SAS/SATA Converter. The storage device coupled to an output path of the SAS/SATA Converter is selectively coupled to one of the multiple host systems each coupled to an input signal path of the SAS/SATA Converter to the shared SATA storage device. Protocol conversion within the SAS/SATA Converter may convert between host SAS protocol exchanges and SATA protocol exchanges of the storage device. Other features within the SAS/SATA Converter may provide queuing or buffering of SAS protocol exchanges from a host system presently non-selected for coupling to the shared SATA storage device.
US07689737B2
There is provided the first storage unit for storing original data, and the second storage unit for storing meta-data. Under the control of a path control unit, an optimal connection process can be performed. As a result, a stream from the first storage unit for storing the original data can always be transmitted at maximum.
US07689729B2
A method and computer program for implementing a reset both in a master computer and a slave computer which are both connected to a shared data bus. To allow a different reset configuration of both computers even when the slave computer, in particular, has no possibility of an internal slave-reset configuration, the method provides that the slave computer is configured with a slave-reset configuration which is provided to the slave computer by the master computer, reset-configured beforehand, via the data bus.
US07689727B2
System and method for automatically updating a memory map coupled to or included in a programmable controller (PrC). A PrC may automatically detect at least one programmable hardware element (PHE) coupled to the PrC. The PHE may provide a customizable interface, i.e., input and output (I/O) interface, between one or more devices and the PrC. The devices may include one or more measurement, data acquisition, signal generation, automation, motion control, and/or analysis device(s), among others. The PHE may perform one or more functions on the data transmitted between the device(s) and the PrC. One or more of the PHEs and/or device(s) may be local or remote to the PrC. The PrC may automatically update the memory map based on a hardware I/O interface of the at least one programmable hardware element, where the memory map facilitates communications between programs executing on the PrC and the programmable hardware element.
US07689726B1
Method and apparatus for encoding configuration data is described. An integrated circuit device having a configuration interface is coupled to boot memory coupled at the configuration interface. The boot memory contains boot cores for configuring the integrated circuit device via the configuration interface. The boot cores include a configuration encoder core and an internal processor interface core. The boot cores may further include a processor core. The configuration encoder core provides a peripheral interface internal to the integrated circuit device, and the boot memory contains at least one set of instructions for encoding configuration data read from configuration memory. The encoded configuration data may be sent via the peripheral interface. Alternatively, configuration encoder core may include a configuration bitstream for instantiating an encoder in configurable resources for encoding readback configuration data.
US07689722B1
Methods and apparatus are provided for enhancing security and fault tolerance for VPN gateways connecting clients in a public network with entities in a private network. According to various embodiments, primary and standby VPN gateways serving the same private network are configured with the same virtual IP address to allow public network clients the ability to efficiently switchover to a standby VPN gateway upon failure of the primary VPN gateway. Cryptography operations are executed using the virtual IP address. Routes can also be injected into the private network to enhance failover efficiency.
US07689698B2
Methods, systems and machine readable media for synchronising three or more electronic devices.In one exemplary method of synchronising three or more electronic devices, said method comprises: a) selecting at least one category of record for synchronisation; b) storing an original value and a changed value of each changed record from a selected record category; c) establishing an electronic connection between at least two devices; d) comparing the records of the selected record categories; e) determining any changed record; f) identifying the updated device with the changed record having an original value the same as the value of the record in the other previous device; and g) changing the value of the record in the previous device to the changed value.
US07689684B2
The invention disclosed herein enables a collection of computers and associated communications infrastructure to offer a new communications process which allows information providers to broadcast information to a population of information consumers. The information may be targeted to those consumers who have a precisely formulated need for the information. This targeting may be based on information which is inaccessible to other communications protocols. The targeting also includes a time element. Information can be brought to the attention of the consumer precisely when it has become applicable, which may occur immediately upon receipt of the message, but may also occur long after the message arrives. The communications process may operate without intruding on consumers who do not exhibit the precisely-specified need for the information, and it may operate without compromising the security or privacy of the consumers who participate.
US07689680B1
A method and apparatus for defining, creating, and applying checks to multiple computers simultaneously is disclosed. In a network comprised of multiple computers capable of being linked together, a number of parameters to be monitored are defined. Then a number of checks corresponding to the one or more defined parameters are created. Each check is a set of computer executable instructions to monitor a defined parameter of the one or more defined parameters. After the checks are created, one or more checksuites that each include two or more of the created checks may be created. One or more checksuites may be designated for deployment and applied to one or more of the multiple network computers.
US07689674B2
A method is provided for selectively loading a layered service provider (LSP). The method includes registering at least one category for an installed LSP and registering a list of permitted categories of LSPs for an installed application. The application is then loaded, and the list of permitted categories of LSPs for the installed application is read. The installed LSP is loaded only if the at least one category is included in the list of permitted categories of LSPs.
US07689673B2
Remotely installing a new printer in a printers folder on a client workstation that communicates via a network with a control point terminal by, in the control point terminal, performing an operation to add the new printer in the printers folder of the client workstation, and in response to the operation being performed, the control point terminal transmitting identification information of the new printer being added to an agent in the client workstation, and in the client workstation, the agent receiving the identification information from the control point terminal, in response to receiving the identification information of the new printer, the agent automatically obtaining printer configuration information and print driver information based at least in part on the received identification information, the agent automatically configuring the printer and installing a print driver based on the obtained printer configuration information and print driver information, and the agent creating a locally managed instance of the printer. The operation may be simply selecting the new printer and the workstation that the printer is to be added to. The printer configuration information and the print driver information may be automatically obtained from a remote device on the network, such as an FTP server, and a port for communication with the printer may be automatically created. The unique identifier may be a network address of the printer, such as an IP address, a printer name, a DNS name or a NetBios name, and the printer may be a virtual printer, rather than an actual printer installed on the network.
US07689672B2
The present disclosed system is directed toward a communication and management system that dynamically targets network devices for content deployment, such as application programs, device drivers, configuration files, and registry subhives. Moreover, the present system targets users of network devices for promotions, such as advertisements offered by Internet e-commerce sites. Network devices and their users are targeted through user profiles. User profiles are created when network devices register with the system server and are continually updated with information provided by user activity and event logs that are periodically uploaded from each device. A scalable messaging system provides for data transmission between the system server and among the network devices such that it is neutral as to the specific hardware platforms on which it is implemented.
US07689667B2
A protocol for automatically fixing broken hypertext links is described that can save countless hours wasted by World-Wide Web surfers trying to navigate using a broken link or web authors trying to fix broken links to their web pages. A link correction service checks hypertext links in a document by sending messages according to a hyperlink verification protocol (HLVP) to a remote web server indicated by the link. A link checking service at the remote web server, in response to receiving an HLVP message for a link, consults a mapping table to determine if the link is valid, has changed, has been removed, or is unknown. A response code indicating the status of the link is returned to the link correction service to modify the page accordingly.
US07689666B2
A system for selectively allowing and restricting access to websites requested by a user includes a computer having a central processing unit, a display, a keyboard and a web browser installed on the central processing unit. The web browser has a list of allowable top level domains (TLDs), and the central processing unit includes a database having a list of allowable uniform resource locators (URLs). The web browser compares the TLD and URL associated with a requested website to respectively determine if they are the same as a TLD or URL in the lists of allowable TLDs and URLs. If either the TLD or URL associated with the requested website is the same as a TLD or URL on the lists, the user is allowed to access the requested website on the computer. If neither the TLD nor the URL associated with the requested website is the same as a TLD or URL on the lists of allowable TLDs and URLs, the user is denied access to the requested website on the computer.
US07689661B2
A cache module (26) at a client computer (12) controls a cache portion (28) on a storage device (24). The cache module communicates with other cache modules at other clients to form a cache community (15). The cache modules store World Wide Web or other content in the cache portions for retrieval in response to requests (32) for content from browsers (30) in the cache community. When the requested content is not available in the cache community, the requested content may be retrieved from an origin server (19) using the Internet.
US07689648B2
A dynamically extended peer network is formed from a first peer network and a second peer network. The first and second peer networks are separated from each other by a boundary. A first computing system in the first peer network is configured to establish a communication link with a second computing system in the second peer network. The first computing system relays messages from the first peer network to the second computing system. The second computing system receives the messages and posts them to the second peer network. If desired, the second computing system can send a response to the message.
US07689646B2
Differences between two web services are identified and quantified by a set of parameters. Each parameter is drawn from a discrete set of values that describes an aspect of the difference. The set of parameters is provided to a client of the web service.
US07689640B2
An apparatus for scaling numbers comprises register means for storing an operand to be scaled, bit shifting means for performing a right shift operation on the operand, rounding means, and decision means to test for the existence of at least one of an overflow and an underflow condition.
US07689631B2
One or more embodiments of the invention enable a user to create multiple non-redundant views using metadata targeted at a specific audience that comprises language, regional, regulatory and/or cultural specific values. The word “audience” for the purposes of this specification means a group of document consumers such as people or computers that are associated with a language, country, region, regulation or culture. Audience specific data therefore is data targeted at a specific audience and audience specific metadata is related to the descriptive information related to the data, such as a table name or a field name for example. At least one embodiment of the invention makes use of rule-based inheritance in providing metadata values via layers that comprise audience specific data.
US07689627B2
A method which may allow a user to create more than one online identity in a Web browser, and associate each online identity with one type of intended online activity. The user may be able to switch to a different online identity without logging out from his/her computer or Web browser. The invention may help users to evade websites' tracking and targeting functions and protect users' privacy. Since each online identity may be associated with only a part of a user's browsing history, it is difficult for websites to collect all information about the user.
US07689619B2
A method of generating a media file for display on a display device. The method includes the steps of (a) initializing the media file and an associated index file, the associated index file referencing the media file, and (b) inserting a plurality of video frames from a camera into the media file. The inserting step includes the steps of (i) determining if the media file is configured to accept the plurality of video frames, and (ii) configuring the media file, based on the determination step, such that the plurality of video frames is accepted by the media file. The method further includes the steps of (c) appending a text string having at least a time stamp of the inserting step to the plurality of video frames, to thereby generate the media file, the text string being adapted for reconstructing the associated index file upon corruption of the associated index file, wherein the reconstructed index file replaces the associated index file, wherein upon the media file and the associated index file being damaged.
US07689616B2
Data records containing one or more fields, which can be considered keys and/or values, are received, and processed such that data values of records that contain key values of interest are aggregated together. The keys of the resultant aggregations or “resultant keys” are created under the control of simple parameters to an aggregation framework. Similarly, the particular aggregations performed are also under the control of a similar set of simple parameters to the aggregation framework. Mapping of keys to reduce originality is one of the important features of resultant key creation. Finally, the structure of the parameters used to control aggregation is simple, flexible, and powerful.
US07689613B2
A method of carrying out a search using a search engine consistent with certain embodiments involves extracting selected text from a video frame containing text by optical character recognition (OCR) processing of the selected text from the video frame; loading the text extracted from the OCR processing as a search string into a search engine; executing the search using the search engine operating on the search string; receiving search results from the search engine; and displaying the search results for viewing on a display. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US07689608B2
Computer-implemented methods for controlling network asset recovery for a communication network include receiving an identification of a plurality of non-utilized assets from an asset identification system. Business rules to be applied to the non-utilized assets are identified. One of the non-utilized assets is automatically identified for recovery based on the identified business rules. A job ticket identifying the one of the non-utilized assets is automatically generated that includes information from the received identification of the plurality of non-utilized assets sufficient to direct an assigned technician to a physical location of the one of the non-utilized assets. A recovery dispatch system associated with the one of the non-utilized assets is determined and the generated job ticket is submitted to the determined recovery dispatch system.
US07689599B1
Method, system, and apparatus for maintaining consistent images of metadata and data in a file system or other data journaling software stored on a temporal volume are presented. An intent log is maintained of all data and metadata modifying transactions, which is then relayed either asynchronously or form a last known consistent checkpoint to a requested checkpoint thereby rendering the requested checkpoint data and metadata consistent.
US07689590B2
A computer-implemented yield management system and method for media advertising are provided. The system includes demand curve data associated with an availability of advertising time slots. The demand curve data is defined by a function PN=PL*PN and PN=PH*FN. The system also includes and inventory module to create advertising inventory for a plurality of media provides, the advertising inventory containing available advertising time slots, a yield management module to generate pricing information based on the demand curve data, a forecasting module to generate advertising time segments that meet specific criteria in the advertising inventory and a pricing module to create a pricing strategy using the demand curve data where the price of advertising varies for one ore more advertising time slots in the advertising inventory based on the available advertising inventory.
US07689588B2
This invention relates to the Pattern Recognition (PR) of noisy/inexact strings and sequences and particularly to syntactic Pattern Recognition. The present invention presents a process by which a user can recognize an unknown sting X, which is an element of a finite, but possibly larger Dictionary, H, by processing the information contained in its noisy/inexact version, Y, where Y is assumed to contain substitution, insertion or deletion errors. The recognized string, which is the best estimate X+ of X, is defined as that element of H which minimizes the Generalized Levenshtein Distance D(X, Y) between X and Y, for all X
US07689582B2
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for generating an execution plan graph from a data flow. A metadata representation of the data flow is generated in response to receiving the data flow. A set of code units is generated from the metadata representation. Each code unit in the set of code units is executable on multiple different types of runtime engines. The set of code units is processed to produce the execution plan graph.
US07689571B1
A method for optimizing the construction of a KStore includes providing a data set having a plurality of records with a plurality of fields, providing an optimization structure from a sample of the data set and analyzing the optimization structure to determine a field order for the records contained in the data set. A KStore is provided from the data set in accordance with the field order. The sample of the data set can include the entire data set, a random sample of the data set or a predetermined number of records from the data set. The data set has an initial order having earlier records and later records and the sample can include a plurality of the earlier records. The sample of the data set includes a user determined number of records from the data set. The optimization structure can be a KStore.
US07689568B2
A communication system comprises a bridge device being configured to manage multi-channel communications, a host terminal coupled to the bridge device through a first network, a participant terminal coupled to the bridge device through a second network, and a broadcasting device coupled to at least one of the host terminal and the bridge device for broadcasting at least one of the participant signals from the participant terminal and the host signals from the host terminal. The host terminal is configured to receive host signals and to transmit the host signals to the bridge device. The participant terminal is configured to receive participant signals and to transmit the participant signals to the bridge device. The bridge device is configured to receive the participant signals from the participant terminal and the host signals from the host terminal and transmit the participant signals from the participant terminal and the host signals from the host terminal only to the host terminal but not another participant terminal.
US07689567B2
An intermittently connected mobile device asynchronously communicates with a middleware system for subsequent communication with a back-end system. Local data objects are given an inconsistent state when charged on the mobile device and the back-end system is not available for data validation. Due to the intermittent communication, a waiting period for possible validation may be hours, days, weeks, etc. If an error occurs, the mobile device then receives and maintains a list of the error notifications. Upon selection of an error notification, an error resolution process is executed on the mobile device so that the user can select between the local data object and the remote data object. If the back-end object is selected, the process terminates otherwise if the local is selected, the user is presented the interface to update the data object, which is again verified by the back-end system.
US07689562B2
An access control system provides access control to at least one information resource associated with at least one application within a computer network. The system comprises a plurality of context sources being relevant for the at least one application and providing context information, a constraint specification console providing an interface to specify application specific constraints based on the context sources, a rule engine capable of handling facts and applying inference rules on those facts, an application specific constraint enforcement point configured for receiving access requests, hence querying facts and further being responsible for making access decisions regarding the information resource based on those facts and on application specific constraints and a rule engine adaptor acting as intermediary in communication of the rule engine with the context sources, the constraint specification console and the enforcement point, respectively, so as to allow access control to the at least one information resource based on specified application specific constraints with regard to context information originating from the context sources.
US07689561B2
A system and method of updating persistent objects in a persistent store. In response to receipt of a confirmation of task competition, an attempt is made to acquire a lock for corresponding item data in the persistent store. Regardless of whether the lock is acquired, a successful update of the persistent store is acknowledged to the sender of the confirmation within a defined time period.
US07689560B2
A database is maintained that stores data persistently. Tasks are accepted from task sources. At least some of the tasks have competing requirements for use of regions of the database. Each of the regions includes data that is all either locked or not locked for writing at a given time. Each of the regions is associated with an available processor. For each of the tasks, jobs are defined each of which requires write access to regions that are to be accessed by no more than one of the processors. Jobs are distributed for concurrent execution by the associated processors.
US07689557B2
This invention provides a method and system for analyzing and deriving analytical insights from textual information. The information structuration process determines the structure in which the text information is rendered. A cyclical extraction process using the parameters of co-frequency, co-dependency, and co-relatedness and parts of speech, determines various textual aspects and their subcomponents such as themes and dimensions. Using the subcomponents of the textual aspects, relationship maps are built, disambiguated and ranked. A text analytics and decision support matrix is created using the ranked relations, thereby providing a highly relevant result set to the user's information need. A multidimensional navigation matrix is created that helps a user navigate across dimensions.
US07689552B2
A query for data in a UDDI registry is developed. A URI query having parameters that identify the data is provided. A UDDI query having a UDDI specified format based on the parameters in the URI query is generated. The UDDI query is sent to the UDDI registry.
US07689548B2
Techniques for cross-selling keywords among keyword bidding entities (e.g., advertisers) based upon bidding patterns are provided. Utilizing a keyword suggestion tool in accordance with one embodiment, upon receipt of a first keyword, may examine all additional keywords that have been paired with the first keyword in the bidding patterns of other bidding entities and recommend one or more of the paired keywords to the bidding entity for consideration. In another embodiment, a keyword suggestion tool, upon receipt of a keyword from a first bidding entity, may examine the bidding pattern of the first bidding entity in comparison to the bidding patterns of other bidding entities to identify bidding entities that are similar to the bidding entity. Recommendations may then be made to the first bidding entity based upon keywords that the identified similar bidding entities have bid.
US07689543B2
A system and method for searching a knowledge base for a match answer and an alternative answer. The method includes the steps of: inputting a search term; beginning a search at a random location in the knowledge base to identify the match answer; determining a match answer category from the match answer; determining a look-up association based on the match answer category and a search history; plugging the look-up association into an alternative answer probability table to identify an alternative answer category; and performing a secondary search at a second random location in the knowledge base to find the alternative answer that belongs to the alternative answer category.
US07689539B2
Data retrieval systems for retrieving data from a multidimensional medical data set include: (a) a client configured to electronically request image data of a patient; (b) a server in communication with a plurality of electronically stored multidimensional patient medical image data sets; and (c) a data retrieval interface in communication with the client and the server. The data retrieval interface is configured to retrieve image data from the multidimensional data sets. The respective data sets have a number of grid points in G dimensions and a number of values V for each grid point. Some of the data sets have different G dimensions and V values than others. The data retrieval interface is configured to employ an object oriented retrieval process. The client can employ and Image region object to request data and the interface can employ a Physical region object that defines a multi-dimensional region extent associated with a client request for data on a region of interest to retrieve relevant image data from a respective patient data set. Related signal processor circuits, computer programs and data structures for data retrievals are also described.
US07689534B2
Embodiments of the invention provide techniques for processing database triggers having delay attributes. In general, delay attributes may selectively introduce a delay between the firing of a trigger and the execution of the triggered action. The delay may be based on waiting for a specified time interval, waiting until a specified time, or reaching a predetermined threshold of a measure of system performance. The use of delay attributes may enable greater control over the timing of the execution of the triggered action, resulting in reduced impact on the performance of an underlying system.
US07689531B1
The invention relates, in an embodiment, to a computer-implemented method for automatic charset detection, which includes detecting an encoding scheme of a target document. The method includes training, using a plurality of text document samples, to obtain a set of machine learning models. Training includes using a SVM (Support Vector Machine) technique to generate the set of machine learning models from feature vectors obtained from the plurality of text document samples. The method also includes applying the set of machine learning models against a set of target document feature vectors converted from the target document to detect the encoding scheme.
US07689529B2
There is disclosed a system and method for managing an application portfolio. In an embodiment, a system is designed to provide a balanced, cohesive, end-to-end approach to application portfolio management. Taking into account a number of decision drivers for application portfolio management (e.g. business drivers, technology drivers, financial drivers, and staffing/labor drivers), the system attempts to process this information, using one or more fuzzy logic algorithms derived from one or more expert knowledge bases, into an actionable implementation plan and business case. Upon validation of the implementation plan and business case, one or more of the expert knowledge bases may be updated with additional expert knowledge.
US07689527B2
Techniques are described for reducing the false positive rate of regular expression attribute extractions via a specific data representation and a machine learning method that can be trained at a much lower cost (much fewer labeled examples) than would be required by a full scale machine learning solution. Attribute determinations made using the regular expression technique are represented as skeleton tokens. The skeleton tokens, along with accurate attribute determinations, are provided to a machine-learning mechanism to train the machine-learning mechanism. Once trained, the machine-learning mechanism is used to predict the accuracy of attribute determinations represented by skeleton tokens generated for not-yet-analyzed input text.
US07689519B2
Method of delivering a franking service including the following operations: connection via a communications network of a user's communications device (10, 12) with a server system (18) operated by a franking services provider, entry via the communications device of a unique identification number carried by a mail item (14) to be sent, selection by the user of a franking service from the various franking services offered by the server system and entry of postal information in relation to the selected service, determination by the server system on the basis of this information of the cost of the selected franking service and communication of this cost to the user, payment by the user for the selected franking service, and depositing of the mail item in a post box (16).
US07689514B2
The present invention provides a method, data processing system and computer program product for providing a data stream transform service, for example for transforming a data stream into a format suitable for printing. A data-stream is divided into one or more work units, each work unit is provided to one or more transform engines to transform the work unit into the required format, and each transform engine is monitored whilst transforming a work unit. By monitoring each transform engine details of, for example, resource usage are obtained which may be used to calculate a fee to charge a client for performing transformation of a data stream, and/or failure of a transform engine can be detected and corrective action taken should a transform engine fail.
US07689512B2
A license management apparatus, a license management system, a license management method, and a recording medium are provided, in which a job or a work flow is executed efficiently. The order of grant of a license is controlled according to a grant request for a license for a function necessary to execute a job or a workflow.
US07689509B2
An automated banking machine (12) is operative to conduct transactions in response to HTML documents and TCP/IP messages exchanged with a local computer system (14) through an intranet (16), as well as in response to messages exchanged with foreign servers (20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 96) in a wide area network (18). The banking machine includes a computer (34) having an HTML document handling portion (76, 80, 82). The HTML document handling portion is operative to communicate through a proxy server (88), with a home HTTP server (90) in the intranet or the foreign servers in the wide area network. The computer further includes a device application portion (84) which interfaces with the HTML document handling portion and dispatches messages to operate devices (36) in the automated banking machine. The devices include a sheet dispenser mechanism (42) which dispenses currency as well as other transaction devices.
US07689505B2
A method of registering a credit card user's credit card information by a credit card management organization. A card user accesses the card management computer system in a computer network. The method provides a user interface whereby the user grants authorization to the card management organization to obtain the card user's credit report from a credit reporting bureau. The method further transmits a request for the user's credit report to a credit reporting bureau and automatically downloads the user's credit report when received. The method further parses the credit report to determine a card issuer for each card on the credit report using a database of card issuer aliases. The method then fully or partially automatically registers each card with the user's account in the card management association and then presents the opportunity to the user to review and edit each card.
US07689501B1
Described herein is an embodiment for administering two or more funds or one or more funds and one or more separate account portfolios, where each fund or portfolio is managed using a common investment process. The funds may have different management and distribution fees and may have different investor eligibility requirements. The fee structure may be accomplished through a fund of funds or holding company structure. Also described is an embodiment for investment management wherein funds and separate account portfolios using a common investment process exchange their shares or units and baskets of their securities to accommodate entry and exit of investors while protecting ongoing investors from the cost of such entries and exits and to accommodate investors paying different fees and expenses.
US07689499B1
A trading interface is provided for displaying market data related to a tradeable object being traded at an electronic exchange. According to one example embodiment, market data related to a tradeable object is displayed in relation to a value axis, such as a price axis. As new market data is received, the displayed market data is updated and may be repositioned so that a trader can view current market conditions in a viewable portion of the interface. The interface also includes a number of market movement indicators that assist a trader in tracking market movement. These viewable references allow a trader to navigate and immediately understand the “real” direction of the market activity despite any underlying adjustment of the viewable area of the trading interface.
US07689497B2
A switch engine module receives interest rate risk portfolios from a plurality of traders, and for each prospective trader, provides available switches based on positions in other counterparty portfolios that offset the viewing traders' positions. The offsetting positions are encoded with credit preference information in order to identify eligible trades based on both counterparties credit preferences. Another embodiment provides for a switch auction whereby users can use an auction process to trade for forward rate agreement switches with other counterparties. In the switch auction, the price is predetermined by the system prior to the auction so that parties can opt out of the transaction if desired. The credit preferences of the participating traders are taken in consideration in making matches.
US07689485B2
Methods, apparatus, and other mechanisms are disclosed for generating accounting or other data based on that indicated in access control lists or other specifications, and typically using associative memory entries in one or more associative memory banks and/or memory devices. One implementation identifies an access control list including multiple access control list entries, with a subset of these access control list entries identifying accounting requests. Accounting mechanisms are associated with each of said access control list entries in the subset of access control list entries identifying accounting requests. An item is identified, and a corresponding accounting mechanism is updated. In one implementation, the item includes at least one autonomous system number. In one implementation, at least one of the accounting mechanisms is associated with at least two different access control list entries in the subset of access control list entries identifying accounting requests.
US07689484B2
In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for financing acquisition of a vehicle is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a future interest in a vehicle in consideration for a future interest price upon transfer of a legal title in the vehicle in consideration for a legal title price.
US07689472B2
Methods, articles of manufacture, and systems for providing access to a grid computing environment. In one environment, requests include resource specific criteria used to identify a particular grid resource to perform the request. In another embodiment, a request includes a queue criterion used to identify one of a plurality of queues on which the request is placed.
US07689469B1
In the volume pricing methodology, a seller initially establishes a price structure for a product which provides for lower prices as larger quantities of the product are purchased. The price structure is electronically made available to potential buyers of the product. For example, the price structure may be displayed on an Internet site. The sellers further establish an “open session” period during which orders for the product are accepted. During the open session period, multiple buyers are able to place orders for the product up to a maximum available quantity. At the end of the open session, the total quantity of products collectively ordered by all of the buyers is calculated. Based on the total quantity ordered, the final price to all buyers is the lowest price provided from the price structure regardless of whether the lowest price had been reached at the time a particular buyer placed their order during the open session.
US07689454B2
A database system and method for ordering marketing events for offering to candidates. The database system comprises a first database structure storing a first list identifying marketing events, a second database structure storing a second list of candidates, and a database manager software application stored on a computer readable medium. The database manager software application comprises a grouping tool and an optimization tool. The marketing events from the first list are divided into a first plurality of groups. The grouping tool is for dividing candidates from the second list into a second plurality of groups and matching a first group from first plurality of groups with a second group from the second plurality of groups. The optimization tool is for optimizing and sorting the marketing events from the first group for all candidates from the second group.
US07689443B2
Methods and structure for automated insurance workflow processing. Methods include receipt of a document to be entered into the workflow processing system. The document is either received initially in digital form or is digitized into a digital form for further processing in the workflow system. Subsequent flow of the document through various review processes of the insurance entity is in electronic form. Interaction with third parties including individual agents, agencies and underwriters may also be conducted in digitized, electronic form. The workflow processes and systems automatically may generate a sequence of tasks to be performed associated with a new document entered in the system and may track progress of the tasks. A central may database maintain information regarding all such tasks and documents.
US07689440B2
A health monitoring system includes a plurality of remote user sites, each remote user site comprising at least one health monitoring device for collection of user health monitoring data, an interactive video device, and a user interface apparatus; at least one remote computing facility configured for signal communication with, and to receive health monitoring data-related signals from, the plurality of remote user sites; and at least one computer, configured for signal communication with the remote computing facility, wherein the interactive video device is interactively coupled with the remote computing facility. Associated methods are also described.
US07689435B2
A method and apparatus are disclosed for managing composite business processes that include multiple trading mechanisms, such as requests for quotes (RFQs), auctions and contracts, or repeat passes through a single trading mechanism. The independence of the individual business processes that manage each trading mechanism is maintained, while each individual business process can be connected to other business processes to form a composite business process. Each individual business process that may be followed by another business process to form a composite process must have at least one state labeled as a conversion state with a conversion transition to another business process. A conversion transition spans the gap between an end state of one business process and the start state of another subsequent business process. When a conversion state is entered by an object, a determination is made as to whether the object is being managed by a composite flow, and if so, what business process to use next. Conversion transitions execute any necessary steps to create a new object of the type required by the next business process in the composite process.
US07689434B2
A computer network and method for feeding animals in a feedlot, in which discretion and direct control over the various suboperations of the feed ration assignment and delivery process are distributed among the individual operators in the system, while the feedlot manager is capable of indirectly monitoring the performance of the various suboperations through use of a satellite based global positioning system.
US07689430B2
The present invention provides a web service gateway which enables a web client to access a target service which does not provide a transport mechanism with which the client can communicate. The gateway imports a target service document describing the target service interface, end point addresses and supported transport mechanisms, and then modifies it by adding end point addresses and transport mechanisms supported by the gateway. A client may then access the target service by obtaining the modified document and sending a request to a gateway provided end point address using the associated transport mechanism. The gateway then forwards the request to the target service by converting the request and forwarding it to an end point address and transport mechanism specified in the target service document.
US07689427B2
The invention concerns a scalable version of an audio encoder based on lattice quantization of companded audio data, wherein the scalability is achieved using bitplane encoding. In methods and apparatus of the invention, a time-domain to discrete-frequency-domain transformation is performed on an audio signal, creating a plurality of frequency domain coefficients. The frequency domain coefficients are organized subband-wise; scaled; companded; and vector quantized using a lattice quantization method, creating scaled, companded and vector quantized coefficient vectors for each subband. Side information comprising an exponent of the scaling factor and the maximum norm of the quantized vector are generated for each subband. The side information is used to calculate the relative importance of the subbands. The subband frequency domain coefficients are then bitplane encoded in order of subband importance, creating an embedded, scalable bitstream from which the encoded audio information can be recovered at finely scalable bit rates. Decoders operating in accordance with the invention decode the scalable bitstream generally by performing the inverse of the encoding operations at a selected bitrate.
US07689416B1
This invention combines methodologies that enhance voice recognition dictation. It describes features for moving speaker voice files eliminating redundant training of speech recognition dictation applications. It defines how to create synthetic voice models reducing speaker dependency. It combines accuracy and performance into a single measure called RAP Rate. Moreover, the invention describes enhancing voice recognition applications and systems by measure/adjusting hardware and software features for optimal voice recognition dictation incorporating methodical processes based on RAP Rate. Using these approaches and tools the invention includes a method for constructing a handheld transcriber that immediately translates audio speech into text with real-time display. The invention describes a method for applying RAP Rate and synthetic voice models to applications like voice mail to text. With the ability to move and translate voice models the invention describes new services that could be provided for a fee.
US07689411B2
A method for developing a system for retrieving text related to a selected concept within a text corpus includes identifying a set of semantic classes which express the concept and identifying a set of keywords for each of the semantic classes to be used in text searching in a text corpus. Each set of keywords includes at least one keyword. A plurality of syntactic rules are established which are to be applied to retrieved text which includes keywords. Each of the syntactic rules identifies a first of the semantic classes and a second of the semantic classes. A rule is satisfied when a keyword from the first of the semantic classes is in a syntactic relationship with a keyword from the second of the semantic classes. The syntactic relationship can be any one of a plurality of syntactic relationships.
US07689404B2
In some speech recognition applications, not only the language of the utterance is not known in advance, but also a single utterance may contain words in more than one language. At the same time, it is impractical to build speech recognizers for all expected combinations of languages. Moreover, business needs may require a new combination of languages to be supported in short period of time. The invention addresses this issue by a novel way of combining and controlling the components of the single-language speech recognizers to produce multilingual speech recognition functionality capable of recognizing multilingual utterances at a modest increase of computational complexity.
US07689401B2
In delay characteristic evaluation of a logical circuit, there was the problem of underestimation of the output load compared with the actual output load.There is provided a simulation device including a simplification section that, simplifies the load circuit using a transistor with which a virtual control voltage source is connected, by specifying a transistor driven through the output terminal of the target circuit and connecting to the drain of this transistor the virtual control voltage source whereby the output potential of this transistor is varied in accordance with the gate potential of this transistor.
US07689399B1
A method for automatic extraction of design properties of a hardware design, is provided. The method includes running a hardware design simulation to generate simulation results for the hardware design. The simulation results are then analyzed to extract properties. The extracted properties can be a powerful tool for the design engineers and the test-writers to learn more about the functional coverage of the test suites.
US07689392B2
A simulation system (30) for simulating an operation of an automotive vehicle includes an input (34) providing vehicle information and path information and a controller (38) having a vehicle computer model therein. The controller (38) is programmed to determine an initial steering wheel angle input to the computer model; determine a first steering wheel angle input to the computer model at a time later than the initial steering wheel angle input by comparing a look ahead point and an intended path; when the vehicle model is understeering, operate the computer model with the initial steering wheel angle input until an error of the first steering wheel angle and the initial is decreasing; when the error decreases, operate the computer model with the first steering wheel angle input; and generate an output in response to the vehicle model and the initial steering wheel input or the first steering wheel input.
US07689390B2
An embodiment of the present invention provides a method of modeling electrostrictive effects and acoustic resonances in a tunable capacitor, comprising adjusting empirically the characteristic impedances and complex propagation constants to account for actual process variations in manufacturing of the tunable capacitor; adjusting empirically the characteristic impedances and complex propagation constants to account for end-effects in the directions transversal to the wave direction; and modeling the electrostrictive effect by dividing a BST layer of the tunable capacitor into thin layers or slices with each slice's thickness representing a small fraction of an acoustic wavelength and injecting at each junction between slices, an acoustic current proportional to the electrical current through the voltage tunable capacitor.
US07689389B1
A method of synchronizing a block diagram view of a system being modeled with a three-dimensional view of the system being modeled and with the underlying block diagram model data is disclosed. Changes in the block diagram model data are reflected in both views to the degree that the views contain a point of correspondence. User selected changes to the block diagram view of the system being modeled cause changes in the underlying model data. A view generator examines the model data to determine if a point of correspondence equivalent to the changed portion of the block diagram view exists in the three dimensional view. If a point of correspondence exists in the three-dimensional view the view is updated to reflect the changes in the block diagram view. Similarly, user selected changes in the three-dimensional view cause changes in the underlying block diagram model data. The view generator examines the model data to determine if a point of correspondence equivalent to the changed portion of the three dimensional view exists in the block diagram view. In the event that a point of correspondence is found, the block diagram view is updated.
US07689387B2
A computer implemented system, method, and article of manufacture provide access to a drawing. A server computer has one or more server component applications. One or more drawing files are created by a first drawing application and stored on the server computer. A search server component application executes on the server computer and provides a query engine that allows queries of the one or more drawing files to locate data. A conversion server component application executes on the server computer and dynamically convert the drawing files into a drawing file format viewable by a client application executing on a client compute. The server component applications are further configured to provide the one or more drawing files that have been dynamically converted to the client computer.
US07689386B1
A new type of method and system for designing duct work is disclosed. This system may be implemented using a computer. The system may be designed such that specific information regarding the room, the appliance, and/or other information is input into the computer. Using this input information, along with information that is stored in a database, the system will output a design for the duct work that may include both a cut sheet (for cutting out the duct work) as well as a three-dimensional representation of the duct work that is displayed on a computer.
US07689383B2
Apparatus and methods for assessing component health for reconfigurable control are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of operating a product includes monitoring a first diagnostic information of a component of the product, and monitoring a second diagnostic information of a system that includes the component. The first and second diagnostic informations are then combined, and based at least partially on the combined first and second diagnostic information at least one of the component and the system are reconfigured.
US07689373B1
A system for collecting and analyzing vibration data is provided. The system includes: at least one sensor for sensing vibrations and producing an electrical signal corresponding to the sensed vibrations; a Universal Serial Bus (USB) communication device for receiving the electrical signal corresponding to the sensed vibrations from the at least one sensor and conditioning and sampling the electrical signal to produce a conditioned signal; and a data collector for receiving the conditioned signal and storing the conditioned signal in a data storage device.
US07689369B2
A problem diagnosis method and problem repair method for a laser device are provided. The method includes measuring the intensity of scattered light generated by an optical part inside the laser device; referring to data indicating a temporal change in the scattered light predicted under predetermined operating conditions of the laser device, and predicting the seriousness of the problem from the intensity of scattered light; and determining what kind of maintenance work is necessary based on the seriousness of the problem. Additionally, the seriousness of the problem in the optical part can be predicted by executing fuzzy logic based on membership functions defining the relationship between scattered light intensity and the seriousness of problems of optical parts.
US07689364B2
Techniques for surface exploration and monitoring are presented. In representative embodiments, a system is provided that can perform multiple types of measurements of a surface. For example a single system of survey probes and one or more survey controllers can be used to offer both seismic and electrical measurements. A survey controller can be configured to automatically poll survey probes to obtain identifiers of the probes and determine a relative order the probes. Survey probes can be configured to: (a) collect signals associated with a surface; (b) digitize the signals to form digital data; and (c) store the digital data for later transmission to the survey controller. Relative positions of survey probes can be automatically determined using a transmitting beacon or other techniques. Survey probes can automatically disconnect from a power conduit while measuring a surface property and operate using an internal source of power when disconnected, to reduce noise. The survey controller can be remotely accessible through a computer network for remote control of the survey probes.
US07689361B2
A driving assisting system for assisting a driver in operating a vehicle. The system includes a detection assembly configured to obtain environment information related to an environment around the vehicle. A risk potential calculation device is provided to calculate risk potential associated with the vehicle based on the environment information. A controller causes a reaction force determined based on the calculated risk potential to be transmitted to the driver via an operator controlled input device in response to the calculated risk potential being a first type of risk potential, and causes a pressure force determined based on the calculated risk potential to be transmitted to the driver via equipment of the vehicle in response to the calculated risk potential being a second type of risk potential. The operator controlled input device is used by the driver to control the driving of the vehicle, and the equipment is different from the operator controlled input device.
US07689360B2
An obstacle detecting apparatus includes sensors and a processing unit. Each of the sensors are rendered operational by predetermined parameters. The processing unit transmits the parameters to the sensors and includes a vehicle state detector, a condition determiner, a communication controller, and a parameter setting processor. The vehicle state detector detects a running state of the vehicle. The condition determiner determines that the running state of the vehicle is one of an operating condition indicating that the sensors should be operated and a forbidding condition indicating that the operation of the sensors should be forbidden. The communication controller performs communication with the sensors. The parameter setting processor transmits the parameters to the sensors and receives a response indicating completion of the process. The parameter setting processor repeats the process upon either a parameter of one sensor not being set, or communication being terminated while the forbidding condition is identified.
US07689358B2
A system and method is provided for establishing a substantially delta-V-free three-dimensional atomic satellite cloud cluster. In one embodiment, a satellite cloud cluster system comprises a plurality of satellites maintaining a three-dimensional periodic motion relative to a reference point. The plurality of satellites and the reference point maintain an orbital pattern around a celestial body. The three-dimensional periodic motion is symmetrical about at least two planes that intersect at the reference point.
US07689349B1
A surrogate origin is substituted for a user-entered or system-determined origin, and maneuvers for a route from the surrogate origin to a destination are determined and presented to the user as driving directions. A surrogate origin may be pre-selected or pre-configured for a user identity.
US07689347B2
An apparatus or system and method to control traffic at an intersection which uses a digital camera with pan, tilt, zoom, fast position and autofocus to send information to an integrated central processing unit having image processing algorithms which evaluate and analyze less than the entire image to determine whether a vehicle(s) is (are) present or are approaching and its (their) size, speed and distance in order to solve logical propositions to maintain or change the right of way by signal to a conventional traffic control signal unit.
US07689341B2
One energy recovery system (30) that can decelerate the vehicle in response to a brake request stores recovered energy electrically in a battery bank (32). Another energy recovery system (36) stores recovered energy hydraulically in a high pressure accumulator (40). One system is given priority over the other when a brake request is issued. When the stored energies are reused to accelerate the vehicle, one form of stored energy is used before the other.
US07689340B2
A method for controlling operation of a parallel transmission comprising two partial transmissions that act upon a common drive shaft and can be coupled to a drive shaft via one respective clutch. The gear ratio of the parallel transmission can be changed from the gear that is engaged in one partial transmission to the gear that is engaged in the other partial transmission without interrupting traction when the parallel transmission functions correctly by opening the clutch of one partial transmission and simultaneously closing the clutch of the other partial transmission. When a malfunction is detected in the actuator of at least one of the clutches, the open clutch can be closed only if at least one of the following conditions is met: the previously closed clutch is open; or, no gear is engaged in the partial transmission allocated to the previously closed clutch.
US07689328B2
A routing tool is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method and system include receiving flight data and geographic data in the aircraft, and generating route data based on the flight data and the geographic data. The route data provides information about attainable landing areas for the aircraft.
US07689324B1
A vehicle operator interface is disclosed. The vehicle operator interface comprises a visual display device. A first indicator which is representative of a vehicle energy target, a second indicator representative of a vehicle energy vector and a third indicator representative of a vehicle capability zone are on the display.
US07689320B2
A robotic surgical system has a robot arm holding an instrument for performing a surgical procedure, and a control system for controlling movement of the arm and its instrument according to user manipulation of a master manipulator. The control system includes a filter in its forward path to attenuate master input commands that may cause instrument tip vibrations, and an inverse filter in a feedback path to the master manipulator configured so as to compensate for delay introduced by the forward path filter. To enhance control, master command and slave joint observers are also inserted in the control system to estimate slave joint position, velocity and acceleration commands using received slave joint position commands and torque feedbacks, and estimate actual slave joint positions, velocities and accelerations using sensed slave joint positions and commanded slave joint motor torques.
US07689311B2
A method for planning machine control for a system includes determining one or more capabilities and one or more capability constraints for each component used to execute a plan for processing a job by the system. The plan is incrementally constructed based on the components, the one or more capabilities, and the one or more constraints. One or more sets of executable instructions are queried with incremental portions of the plan, wherein each set of executable instructions is associated with a different one of the components and represents the actions that are performed by its corresponding component, each incremental portion includes actions that are to be performed by its corresponding component, and each set of executable instructions executes the incremental portion it received. Upon receiving confirmation from each of the queried sets of executable instructions that indicates each of the components is able to perform the actions in the incremental portions, a final plan for processing the job is generated.
US07689310B2
System and method for manufacturing a dental prosthesis and a dental prosthesis manufactured thereby
A dental prosthesis is made by externally machining successive layers of wax, each of which is formed on a previous prosthesis layer and/or on a coping. Each wax layer is used to form a mold in situ over the previous prosthesis layer/coping, and the appropriate prosthesis material is cast or otherwise molded to conform to the wax layer by the mold.
US07689306B2
An audio player includes: a buffer unit that temporary stores sampling values contained in a second-half frame of each of a plurality of frames received in time series, the frames containing audio data; a detecting unit that detects a defect in the frames; an inverted-frame generating unit that generates a first-half inverted frame containing first-half complementarity samples obtained by arranging the sampling values of the second-half frame of a normal frame in a reverse order of the time series, the normal frame being received immediately before the defect is detected; a non-inverted frame generating unit that generates a second-half non-inverted frame containing second-half complementarity samples obtained by arranging the sampling values of the second-half frame of the normal frame in the time series; and an output unit that outputs the normal frame, the first-half inverted frame, and the second-half non-inverted frame, in this order.
US07689304B2
The present invention is intended to provide an audio playback apparatus which is capable of randomly reproducing music on an album basis or a folder basis. In a sound source in which a plurality of music files are hierarchically recorded, a unit of music file groups in each of which music files are reproduced in a batch is specified, music file groups are randomly selected in the specified unit, and all music files included in each of the selected music file groups are reproduced.
US07689291B2
A lead includes a lead body extending from a lead proximal end portion to a lead distal end portion and having an intermediate portion therebetween, one or more tissue sensing/stimulation electrodes disposed along the lead body, one or more terminal connections disposed along the lead proximal end portion. The lead further includes one or more conductors contained within the lead body extending between the tissue sensing/stimulation electrodes and the terminal connections, and a fibrous matrix coating is disposed onto at least a portion of the lead body and/or sensing/stimulation electrodes.
US07689290B2
Devices, systems, and method for treating urinary incontinence generally relying on energy delivered to a patient's pelvic support tissue to selectively contract or shrink at least a portion of that pelvic support tissue so as to reposition the bladder. The energy will preferably be applied to the endopelvic fascia and/or an arcus tendineus fascia pelvis. A variety of devices and methods are provided for applying gentle resistive heating of these and other tissues to cause them to contract without imposing significant injury on the surrounding tissue structures. By applying sufficient energy over a predetermined time, the tissue can be raised to a temperature which results in contraction without significant necrosis or other tissue damage. By selectively contracting the support tissues, the bladder neck, sphincter, and other components of the urinary tract responsible for the control of urinary flow can be reconfigured or supported in a manner which reduces urinary leakage.
US07689271B1
The invention determines the heart rate and respiration rate of a patient through the patient's extremities. Heart rate and respiration rate are determined via an energy spectrum, periodogram or histogram using a time series analysis. A patient can stand near the device and lean on it, or stand on a piezoelectric pad. A microcomputer provides calculations to determine heart and respiratory rates using signal processing and time series analysis of data.
US07689267B2
The present invention is a technique and apparatus for providing preferential enhancement of an artery of interest relative to adjacent veins and background tissue by correlating the collection of a predetermined portion of data (for example, image data which is representative of the central portion of k-space) of a magnetic resonance contrast image during the arterial phase of the magnetic resonance contrast enhancement.
US07689266B2
In a medical image diagnosis apparatus which forms a scanogram image of a subject and forms tomographic images under imaging conditions set by using the scanogram image, an imaging condition setting frame 33 independent of the scanogram image 31 is provided on a monitor 14. Desired imaging for which imaging conditions are to be set is designated by inputting a numeric value presenting an ordinal number for imaging in a numeric value input box 40 in the imaging condition setting frame 33. A pointer is set to a frame 41, a mark 42 or a dotted line 43 and dragged, thus enabling imaging conditions indicating the number of instances of imaging and image reconstruction and image reconstruction positions for the designated imaging. Settings in the imaging condition setting frame 33 are reflected in a frame 32A and lines 32B on the scanogram image 31 indicating the number of instances of imaging and image reconstruction and image reconstruction positions. In this way, the frame, lines and so on displayed on the scanogram image and indicating the imaging conditions for the desired imaging can be operated speedily and correctly.
US07689251B2
An apparatus and a method for controlling the use of a SIM card mounted in a mobile terminal by employing a fraud technology includes comparing data related to the SIM card received from a network to information read from the SIM card in the terminal as part of a terminal initialization process and generating a control signal to cause an RF antenna switch to open or close an RF antenna loop structure in order to disable or enable a requested SIM card function. The data received form the network and the information read from the SIM card in the terminal include subscriber information and transportation card information that allow a determination of whether a user requesting a SIM card function is the subscriber entitled to access the function. If the data received form the network and the information read from the SIM card are identical, the requested SIM card function is approved. If the data received from the network and the information read form the SIM card are not identical, the requested SIM card function is not approved. Optional password protection of SIM card functions may also be provided.
US07689250B2
A method (30) and apparatus (10) for bundling and partitioning access rights to network services and applications. The method includes providing communication devices and paired smart cards that are configured to access network services and applications when a smart card paired with a communication device is inserted in or coupled to the communication device. The method also includes transferring a portion of access rights to authorized network services and applications between associated owner smart cards and borrower smart cards using one or more paired communication devices. The method also includes transferring a portion of network service and application access rights between communication devices using one or more paired smart cards. The use of access rights can be limited by duration or in such a way that only one device/smart card pair can access the associated service or application at a given time.
US07689249B2
A system for printing a security identification on a print medium is disclosed. The system comprises a mobile telecommunications device. The mobile telecommunications device in turn comprises a sensor module for sensing data encoded on a surface of a print medium, the data encoding at least a print media identifier of the print medium. The mobile telecommunications device further comprises means for determining the print media identifier from the data and for retrieving a security identification associated with the print media identifier from a storage medium. A printer module of the mobile telecommunications device then prints the security identification on the print medium.
US07689243B2
A user guidance system includes a communication history receiver receiving communication history information of a mobile communication terminal; a traffic information generator receiving resource state information from a base station and generating communication traffic information at the base station; a dissatisfaction calculator calculating a dissatisfaction with a recommended action to a user of the mobile communication terminal, based on the communication history information and the communication traffic information; a recommended action extractor extracting a recommended action for the user to be notified of, based on dissatisfactions with a plurality of recommended actions; and an information transmitter transmitting the recommended action to the mobile communication terminal.
US07689240B2
A method and system for enhancing the performance of augmented services associated with a wireless communications system through the dynamic exploitation of current measurements and operational configuration parameters to accurately and effectively control the signal power and duration transmitted by the mobile unit of interest.
US07689237B2
The present invention relates to methods and arrangements to enhance transmission quality in a Push-to-Talk system comprising a sending mobile unit MB1, and a receiving mobile unit MB2 used by a receiving subscriber B. The receiving unit MB2 comprises a Play-Out-Buffer POB and a Repeat Buffer RB, whereby a stream of sequences 15-19,25-29,35-39 is sent from the sending unit MB1 to the receiving unit MB2. The method comprises the following steps:—The incoming stream of sequences 15-19,25-29,35-39 is collected into the Repeat Buffer RB and into the Play-Out-Buffer POB. The Play-Out-Buffer has a storage size and a point for commencing play-out that provides low voice delay, and the Repeat Buffer has a storage size that provides high sound quality. —The incoming stream is played-out from the Play-Out-Buffer POB to the receiving subscriber B. —Replay is commenced of a defined part 36-39 of the sequences 15-19,25-29,35-39 collected in the Repeat Buffer RB.
US07689236B2
A media device, a network element and a method of enhancing use of a media device are provided. The media device is configured to receive a broadcast media stream transmitted by a broadcast system at a given frequency and a service transmission over a radio interface of a cellular telecommunication system, the transmission being associated with the media stream and comprising information about frequencies used to transmit the media stream in different locations. The media device measures signal strength of the media transmission at the frequency the transmission is received and at least at one other frequency used for transmission of the transmission, compares the measured signal strengths and switches the reception of the media transmission to another frequency if the signal strength at said frequency is greater than the signal strength at the current frequency.
US07689228B2
Various embodiments are described to address the need for providing wireless backhaul that may reduce operator startup costs while avoiding some of the drawbacks present in the prior art approaches. Generally expressed, the wireless network equipment (WNE) (121) of a collector cell provides access to a backhaul network (151) to one or more neighboring cells (122) via in-band wireless signaling. Given the frequency bands used by the collector cell WNE for communication with remote units, one portion of each band used for user traffic while another portion of each band is used for backhaul traffic. Having backhaul and user traffic share the assigned frequency bands can eliminate the need to license additional bands for wireless backhaul. Moreover, utilizing a portion of the existing, in-band orthogonal channels may be more spectrally efficient than using a separate radio in the same band.
US07689227B2
Method and apparatus for hashing mobile stations to frequencies in a communication system. The method uses two-level hashing to assign a mobile station first to frequency band and then to a specific frequency within the frequency band. Embodiments allow for weights to be assigned to frequencies and mobiles hashed to the weighted frequencies. Weighting allows for a non-uniform distribution of mobile stations among frequencies to optimize system operating parameters.
US07689222B2
In one embodiment of managing the use of channelization codes during soft handoff of a mobile station from a transferring network station to a candidate network station, a determination is made as to whether a field associated with an existing channelization code used by the candidate network station is unused and meets timing criteria associated with a corresponding field received by the mobile station from the transferring network station. Based on this determination, a channelization code for use by the candidate network station in communicating with the mobile station is assigned.
US07689205B2
A system including a handheld mobile computing device and an external storage medium in communication with the mobile computing device, the storage medium having stored thereon preconfigured user information and security information.
US07689193B2
An embodiment of a self-aligning resonator filter circuit includes a tunable resonator having a filter output node, an oscillator having an oscillator output node, a resistance element connected between the oscillator output node and the filter output node when the self-aligning resonator filter circuit is in a tuning mode, and a phase detector loop controller coupled between the oscillator output node and the filter output node. The phase detector loop controller is configured to measure a phase difference across the resistance element, and to adjust the tunable resonator in response to the phase difference.
US07689184B2
A method of tuning a frequency and apparatus thereof are disclosed, in which broadcast channel information for bringing up the image of broadcasting is used and by which the frequency corresponding to the broadcast channel information is automatically tuned. The present invention includes the steps of storing a broadcast channel information and a frequency for a specific broadcasting, searching the frequency using the broadcast channel information provided by a user, and tuning the searched frequency.
US07689178B2
A method and apparatus for code multiplexing one or more control signals onto a shared control channel. According to the present invention, a control signal for transmission from a base station to a mobile station terminal is repeated in each slot of a predetermined time interval. The control signal in each slot is spread using a bit-level spreading sequence, where the bit-level spreading sequence varies from slot to slot according to a predefined sequence-hopping pattern. The spread control signals generated for transmission to each mobile station terminal are then combined and spread using a common channelization code.
US07689177B2
A method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving feedback information in a multi-user multi-antenna system and a system supporting the same are provided, in which all possible combinations are created using column vectors included in a precoding codebook, column vectors are correlated in each of the combinations, column vectors comprising correlations exceeding a reference threshold are designated as similar vectors, at least two similar vector sets are formed with the similar vectors, and feedback information is generated based on the at least two similar vector sets and transmitted.
US07689175B2
A communication device for use in adapting an appliance to a computer network consistent with certain embodiments has a data transmitter that receives data to be transmitted and generates output signals at a plurality of frequencies. A user configurable notch filter, receives the output signals from the data transmitter, for reducing the amplitude of a user selected range of frequencies, and producing a filtered output. A network communication medium interface receives the filtered output and transmitting the filtered output over a network communication medium. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US07689167B2
Embodiments of methods and apparatus for operating an ensemble of wireless electronic devices based on user activity are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US07689166B2
A system and method for communicating through a host repeater. Data is received from a remote repeater communicating with a wireless device. The host repeater registers as the wireless device on a wireless network. The data is reformatted for transmission between the wireless devices and the wireless network.
US07689161B2
A broadcast receiver for receiving airwaves by a directional switching antenna capable of switching directivity in a plurality of directions, includes a control unit for performing signal return processing for making a return to a normal reception state when it becomes impossible to receive the airwaves by the antenna. The signal return processing includes a plurality of signal return processings of different kinds. When impossibility of reception occurs, the control unit selects optimum signal return processing from among the plurality of signal return processings according to predetermined conditions and executes the selected signal return processing.
US07689155B2
A cleaning member is for use in contact with a photosensitive member in an electrophotographic process to remove a paper dust adhered to the photosensitive member. The cleaning member includes: a base fabric; and fibers electrostatically implanted on a surface of the base fabric and lying substantially flat along the surface of the base fabric.
US07689145B2
A replacement unit having a toner bottle and a fixing liquid bottle integrated with each other is attached to a printer main body (image forming apparatus main body). Toner particles accommodated in the toner bottle are allowed to be supplied to a development device of the image forming apparatus main body. A sheet member (sealing unit) of a liquid supplying port of the fixing liquid bottle is broken by an insertion pin provided in the printer main body in synchronization with the attachment of the replacement unit to the printer main body. A toner fixing liquid including a softening agent for softening the toner particles and a solvent for dissolving or dispersing the softening agent is supplied from the fixing liquid bottle to a fixing liquid storage of a fixing device of the printer main body.
US07689134B2
In the image forming apparatus, a developing bias in a developing unit is supplied from a drive electrode on the main body side of the apparatus to an electrode member as a DEV output. A detect electrode is also in contact with the electrode member from the apparatus main body side, while the electric potential of the detect electrode is input to a control part through an A/D converter. The control part, based on the electric potential, controls the DEV output so that the electric potential can coincide with a desired electric potential, and when the electric potential is less than a given value, the control part judges that an abnormal condition such as poor contact has occurred.
US07689133B2
An optical signal reception device is disclosed that receives and demodulates an optical signal modulated by DQPSK and performs logical inversion and other controls to transit to the object reception state. The signal reception device includes a front end including a delay interferometer and an opto-electric conversion element that receive the DQPSK optical signal and convert it into an in-phase signal and a quadrature-phase signal, a clock regenerator that regenerates a clock signal based on the in-phase signal and the quadrature-phase signal, a multiplexer that multiplexes the in-phase signal and the quadrature-phase signal, a reception frame processing unit that detects frame synchronization based on the signal multiplexed by the multiplexer and de-maps the received frames, and a controller that, based on out-of-frame-synchronization information (LOF/OOF) from the reception frame processing unit, performs logical inversion control in the clock regenerator, multiplexing timing control in the multiplexer, and controls the delay interferometer in the front end so as to transit to the object reception state.
US07689116B2
The present invention provides a mobile camera optical lens system which assures a wide view angle by dividing a view angle into two or more view angles, and simultaneously achieves the thinness of the mobile camera optical lens system by providing separate off-axis lens systems respectively corresponding to the split view angles.
US07689109B2
An optical image stabilizer includes a lens-holding member, first and second actuators driving the lens-holding member in first and second directions, a first guide member fixed to a base member, a second guide member placed between the first guide member and the lens-holding member, and a first ball placed between the base member and the lens-holding member and rolling in association with movement of the lens-holding member. Relative movement of the first and second guide members in a third direction accompanied by rolling of a second ball is allowed and relative movement thereof in a direction different from the third direction is limited by the second ball. Relative movement of the second guide member and the lens-holding member in a fourth direction accompanied by rolling of the third ball is allowed and relative movement thereof in a direction different from the fourth direction is limited by the third ball.
US07689108B2
When a camera shake correction function is set to “on”, a control unit exposes a CCD. Simultaneously during the exposure, the control unit generates a CCD drive signal for changing relative positions of the CCD and a lens in accordance with a shake detection signal received from a pose sensor. In response to this signal, the position of the CCD is shifted in X and Y directions perpendicular to the optical axis of the lens, thereby camera shake correction is performed. Next, the control unit outputs an imaging signal obtained by using the inside of a use range for camera shake correction within the CCD. On the other hand, when the camera shake correction function is set to “off”, the control unit exposes the CCD while the CCD is fixed at a center position. The control unit outputs an imaging signal obtained by using the entire area of the CCD.
US07689107B2
An anti-shake apparatus of a photographing apparatus comprises a hand-shake quantity detector and a controller. The hand-shake quantity detector has a first detector having an angular velocity sensor and has a second detector having an angular displacement sensor. The controller performs an anti-shake operation based on a first angular signal from the first detector and a second angular signal from the second detector.
US07689092B2
Provided is an apparatus and method for use thereof. The apparatus, in one embodiment, includes first and second 1×N couplers integrated on a substrate and configured to receive an optical symbol having an intended time slot, N being at least three. The apparatus, in this embodiment, further includes N waveguide arms integrated on the substrate, having modulators and coupled between the first and second 1×N couplers. The apparatus, in this embodiment, additionally, includes a modulator controller configured to drive the modulators such that, following transmission over a distance, components of the optical symbol outside of the intended time slot are attenuated relative to components within the intended time slot.
US07689089B2
A release latch for a pre-terminated cassette is described. The pre-terminated cassette includes a release latch to allow removal of the pre-terminated cassette from a patch panel, where the patch panel includes a retaining feature for retaining the pre-terminated cassette. The release latch includes a cantilever beam located on the sidewall of the pre-terminated cassette. The cantilever beam has a hinge point that allows the beam to deflect with respect to the sidewall. The release latch further includes a depressing tab provided at the distal end of the cantilever beam and a latch tab protruding from the surface of the cantilever beam between the hinge point and the depressing tab. The latch tab is capable of engagement with the retaining feature of the patch panel when the cassette is installed in the patch panel.
US07689077B1
A chromatic dispersion compensator with low differential delay is provided that includes a chirped fiber Bragg grating in a compensating optical fiber core. The chirped fiber Bragg grating includes wavelength gratings spaced at distances varying with respect to the length of the compensating optical fiber core to compensate for differential delay in a synchronous time protocol for a bidirectional computer data communication link. The chromatic dispersion compensator also includes an optical junction to optically couple the chirped fiber Bragg grating to an optical fiber of the bidirectional computer data communication link.
US07689072B2
Optical apparatus with improved center wavelength temperature stability. In an embodiment, an AWG has a plurality of slots inserted along the optical paths. The slots contain one or more compensation materials which collectively correct for an order Q temperature dependency of the AWG base material. Q>=2 or the number of compensation materials is at least 2 or both.
US07689068B1
A waveguide structure is provided. The waveguide structure includes a photonic crystal structure comprising gyromagnetic materials arranged in a two-dimensional lattice formation that exhibits a plurality of one-way modes produced as a result of magneto-optic effects. One or more confining barriers are positioned around the photonic crystal structure so as to allow the one-way modes to propagate through the photonic crystal structure. One or more radiation sources are positioned in or around the photonic crystal structure so as to couple electromagnetic energy into and out of the waveguide. One or more static external magnetic field sources induce the magneto-optic effects such that the one-way modes are allowed to propagate in one direction in the photonic crystal structure.
US07689056B2
A non-separable multiresolution structure based on frames by radial scaling functions is disclosed, which are minimally supported in the frequency. Resulting frame multiwavelets are also disclosed which can be isotropic. The construction can be carried out in any number of dimensions and for a variety of dilation matrices.
US07689051B2
Predictive lossless coding provides effective lossless image compression of both photographic and graphics content in image and video media. Predictive lossless coding can operate on a macroblock basis for compatibility with existing image and video codecs. Predictive lossless coding chooses and applies one of multiple available differential pulse-code modulation (DPCM) modes to individual macro-blocks to produce DPCM residuals having a closer to optimal distribution for run-length, Golomb Rice RLGR entropy encoding. This permits effective lossless entropy encoding despite the differing characteristics of photographic and graphics image content.
US07689046B2
The present application relates to a method and system for storing higher resolution images during capture and storage of a movie comprising lower resolution images.
US07689031B2
An image processing system generates an output image from an input image through a depth-dependent transformation. The images are represented as respective pixel arrays. An input 1110 receives for each input pixel an associated input pixel value and input pixel depth. Each input pixel is associated with a respective reconstruction filter footprint. A video processor create the output pixels by, for each input pixel, transforming 1120 the input pixel to a transformed input pixel as a function of the associated input pixel depth and transforming the associated filter footprint to an transformed filter footprint as a function of the associated input pixel depth. The processor also performs a reconstruction filtering operation 1150 on a plurality of the transformed input pixels using the transformed filter footprints. An output 1160 is used for providing the output image for subsequent rendering.
US07689029B2
An operation part in a pattern inspection apparatus includes a defect candidate image generator for generating a binary defect candidate image representing a defect candidate area in an inspection image by comparing the inspection image with a reference image, in an inspection image masking part the inspection image is masked with the defect candidate image to obtain a masked inspection image. In a feature value calculation part, an autocorrelation feature value is obtained from the masked inspection image, and outputted to a classifying part. The classifying part comprises a classifier outputting a classification result on the basis of the autocorrelation feature value and a classifier construction part for constructing the classifier by learning. It is thereby possible to easily perform the high accurate classification of defect candidate using the autocorrelation feature value which is hard to characterize as compared with geometric feature value or feature value representing density.
US07689027B2
A reticle discerning device includes a memory in which images of to-be-illuminated patterns of a plurality of reticles are stored as reference pattern images, respectively, a detection unit comprising an optical image sensor, and a processing unit connected to the memory and to the detection unit. The processing unit is operative to compare the reference pattern images with images detected by the optical image sensor of the detection unit. The reticle discerning device is used in exposure equipment having a stocker in which the reticles are stocked, an exposure apparatus, and a reticle transfer robot that transfers a selected one of the reticles from the stocker to the exposure apparatus. The detection unit captures an image of the pattern of the selected reticle and uses the image to discern the reticle and ensure that the correct reticle is transferred to the exposure apparatus. Specifically, the processing unit compares the captured image to one of the reference images stored in the memory of the reticle discerning device.
US07689024B2
Systems and methods for creating and viewing three dimensional virtual slides are provided. One or more microscope slides are positioned in an image acquisition device that scans the specimens on the slides and makes two dimensional images at a medium or high resolution. This two dimensional images are provided to an image viewing workstation where they are viewed by an operator who pans and zooms the two dimensional image and selects an area of interest for scanning at multiple depth levels (Z-planes). The image acquisition device receives a set of parameters for the multiple depth level scan, including a location and a depth. The image acquisition device then scans the specimen at the location in a series of Z-plane images, where each Z-plane image corresponds to a depth level portion of the specimen within the depth parameter.
US07689012B2
A finger sensing device may include a finger sensing area to receive a user's finger moved in a sliding motion, a sensor controller cooperating with the finger sensing area for collecting image data therefrom, an image processor, and a communications path for sending image data from the sensor controller to the image processor. The sensing device may use at least one of the sensor controller and the image processor for (i) selecting a reference image data subset based upon reference image data, (ii) selecting a new image data subset, and (iii) comparing the new image data subset to the reference image data subset to develop a matching score, and, if the matching score is above a matching threshold, then not having new image data corresponding to the new image data subset sent over the data communications path, and, if the matching score is below the matching threshold, then having the new image data corresponding to the new image data subset sent over the data communications path. The finger sensing device may be operable at a dynamic scan rate.
US07689011B2
Method, apparatus, and systems for extracting features from face regions and auxiliary identification regions of images are described. In one aspect, a face region containing at least a portion of a person's face is detected in an input image. An auxiliary identification region outside the face region is identified in the input image. Facial features characterizing the face region are determined. Auxiliary identification features characterizing the auxiliary identification region are calculated. An indexing datum is derived from the facial features and the auxiliary identification features. The indexing datum is stored in association with the input image.
US07689010B2
A facial feature analysis system for command applications for users with physical disabilities, like impaired users of wheelchairs, patient beds or other appliances is provided. The disclosed system includes a virtual filter bank and a virtual discriminator. The virtual filter bank comprises a feature localization main module having an ancillary data bank which supplies a special signal Sg for control functions. The system calculates face localization based on parameters of a holistic face-model, calculates feature localization based on parameters of an adaptive face graph, calculates feature extraction using stored feature values corresponding to selected validation and provides output signals using a signal delivery main module controlled by static and dynamic classification. The virtual discriminator bank calculates a user adapted allocation based on a face feature of the user and provides a periphery allocation for at least one command modus, and for calculating execution signals for said manipulators.
US07689007B2
The present invention relates to a method to the creation and management of a secondary identification to avoid identify theft. Identity theft may occur over the internet, the purchase of goods and services by credit, and many other forms not yet known. The present invention creates a secondary identification for a person by creating one or more of the following secondary identifications which include a secondary email address, a secondary postal address, a secondary phone number, and any other identifying secondary information. The present invention describes methods and systems to create a secondary identification. Further, the present invention may be used to create a credit card containing the requestor's secondary identification.
US07689002B2
The invention concerns a method of detecting from a vehicle a bend in a road comprising a surface and road edges, comprising the following operations: taking an image of a road scene unfolding in front of the vehicle and at least partly illuminated by the vehicle, determining, for each pixel in the image a light decrease gradient, analysing these decrease gradients and determining an image of the road edges, mathematically discriminating the gradients from the image of the road edges, analyzing this discrimination and determining edges, and an angle of the bend. The invention also concerns a system for implementing the method of the invention comprising a camera mounted in the vehicle, an image processing unit and a neural network.
US07688998B2
The invention relates to a reference star adapter and a method of re-calibrating a previously registered body using the reference star adapter. The reference star adapter includes a first fixing element for coupling the reference star adapter to a body, and a second fixing element for coupling the reference star adapter to a plurality of markers. At least one joint is coupled between the first fixing element and the second fixing element, and at least one position detector is operatively coupled to the at least one joint, wherein the at least one position detector provides data describing a position or a geometry of the at least one joint.
US07688996B2
A watermarked signal is pre-filtered based on an analysis of signal characteristics that identify filter parameters that yield better correspondence between the filtered watermarked signal and the digital watermark. The watermark detection method computes signal characteristics of a host digitally watermarked signal, and analyzes the characteristics to determine an extent to which the signal characteristics correspond to characteristics of the digital watermark. The method adapts parameters of digital watermark prediction applied to the watermarked signal based on the extent to which the signal characteristics correspond to the characteristics of the digital watermark. In one embodiment, different filters or filter parameters are selected to match different signal characteristics of the watermarked signal with the characteristics of the digital watermark.
US07688984B2
An active noise control apparatus for reducing noise from a noise source includes a microphone for detecting noise produced by the noise source, and a generalized finite impulse response (FIR) filter for receiving noise signals of the detected noise from the microphone and generating control signals for reducing the noise from the noise source. A speaker produces sound based on the control signals from the generalized FIR filter for substantially canceling the noise from the noise source.
US07688982B2
A method, apparatus, and system for providing secure communication between a tamper resistant device (404) and a sink device (406) is disclosed. Encrypted content is received from a source device (402) at the tamper resistant device (404), wherein the content has been encrypted using a first key. The content is decrypted using the decrypted first key. A second key is received at the tamper resistant device (404) from the sink device (406), wherein the second key is encrypted using the public key of the tamper resistant device (404). The second key is decrypted using the private key of the tamper resistant device (404). The content is re-encrypted using the second key. The re-encrypted content is transmitted to the sink device (406).
US07688963B1
A method and system process call path interruptions by detecting an interruption of a call path to a first telecommunication terminal during a telecommunication call, selecting by a second telecommunication terminal that remains on the telecommunication call another telecommunication endpoint to which to transfer the telecommunication call, and establishing the telecommunication call between the second telecommunication terminal and the other telecommunication endpoint.
US07688952B2
A portable status sentry comprises a portable memory device, an interface adapted for connecting the portable memory device to a computing device, and auto-run instructions. The auto-run instructions comprise status instructions and are executed by the computing device when the portable memory device is installed in the computing device. Upon execution of the status instructions the computing device is adapted for accessing a query network, acquiring status data from a status file accessible to the query network and associated with a monitored device, and processing the status data to produce a status measure relating to a status of the monitored device.
US07688950B2
When distance compute unit 81 received the instruction of the moving destination at the center of the exposure field 4a from center transfer operation unit 74, calculates the moving amount. Operating information processing unit 8 sends beam-limiting control unit 62 the calculated moving amount. Upside beam-limiting control unit 63 to right side beam-limiting control unit of beam-limiting control unit 62 makes the moving amount at the center of the exposure field 4a prescribed-times ((H1/H2) times in FIG. 3), calculates the moving amount of each diaphragm blade unit 51 in the upper part, the lower side, and the left part and the right part respectively.
US07688947B2
A method for reducing gain and lag signals associated with trapped charges is described. Data is collected from a detector. A forward bias voltage is temporarily applied to the detector between collecting the data.
US07688943B2
Elemental concentrations in hair (head and body hair) and dried serum have been measured by x-ray fluorescence analysis using synchrotron radiation. The relative concentration defined by log P−log S are obtained from the fluorescent spectra, where P is the peak height for the element and S is the background height. The observation shows that hair has two separate [Ca] concentration levels, the upper level and lower level. Since the content in hair growing at a steady state must be equal to the supply from serum, the upper and the lower level of hair [Ca] are attributed to open and close Ca ion channels of the hair matrix cells and can be derived from the serum concentrations of Ca ion and Ca atoms included in serum protein, respectively. The hair analysis is useful for cancer detection and protection as well as for diagnosing the Ca metabolism.
US07688941B2
The invention relates to a method for determining the set relative position of a patient in a dental panorama X-ray apparatus during which the curvature of a front area of a dental arch of a patient is determined. Set position coordinates for the patient are calculated based on this curvature and on a projection arch surface. In addition, the curvature of a middle area and/or of a rear area of the dental arch is determined and is taken into consideration during the calculation of the position coordinates. During a method for determining the set path of a diagnostic unit, the curvature of a front area of a dental arch of a patient is determined and is fixed at a location in the X-ray apparatus located within the space scanned by an X-ray source and by a detector unit. In addition, the curvature of a middle area and/or of a rear area of the dental arch is determined and a set path curve for the diagnostic unit is calculated based on the measured curvatures. The invention also relates to a device suited for carrying out the aforementioned method.
US07688940B2
A mammographic imaging system is optimized for use with a single fixed size flat panel digital image receptor. It accommodates compression devices (paddles) of varying sizes, and positions them properly in the field of view of the image receptor. When a compression paddle with size smaller than the field of view of the image receptor is used, the compression paddle can be shifted laterally in the direction parallel to the chest wall, so as to facilitate different views of different size breasts, and permit the image receptor to image as much of the desired tissue as possible. An automatic x-ray collimator restricts the x-ray illumination of the breast in accordance with compression paddle size and location in the field of view. An anti-scatter grid, mounted inside the image receptor enclosure, just below the top cover of the enclosure, can be retracted out of the field of view of the image receptor for use in magnification imaging.
US07688934B2
A shift register and a shift register unit for diminishing clock coupling effect are introduced herein. Each stage shift register unit includes at least one pull-up driving module, a pull-up module, at least one pull-down module and a pull-down driving module. Before a waveform of either a first clock signal or a second clock signal employed by the pull-up module transits into a rising edge, the pull-down driving module employs a first periodic signal to turn on the pull-down module in advance for a specific period, and/or before the waveform of the first or second clock signal employed by the pull-up module transits into a falling edge, the pull-down driving module employs a second periodic signal to turn off the pull-down module in advance for a specific period. Accordingly, the pull-down module can gain a sufficient capability against the clock coupling effect so as to optimize the waveform outputted from the shift register unit.
US07688929B2
Multi-phase clocks are used to encode and decode signals that are phase-modulated. The input signal is phase-compared with a feedback clock. Phase differences increment or decrement an up/down counter. The count value from the up/down counter is applied to a phase rotator, which selects one clock phase from a bank of multi-phase clocks. The multi-phase clocks have the same frequency, but are offset in phase from each other. An output divider divides the selected multi-phase clock to generate a phase-modulated output. A feedback divider divides a fixed-phase clock from the multi-phase clocks to generate the feedback clock. An analog or a digital front-end may be used to convert analog inputs to digital signals to increment or decrement the counter, or to encode multiple digital bits as phase assignments. For a de-modulator, a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) or a digital decoder produces the final output from the count of the up/down counter.
US07688926B2
A frequency overlay communication system that includes a first communication system for performing communication using a first frequency band being a preset bandwidth; and a second communication system for performing communication using a second frequency band being a second preset bandwidth, wherein the second frequency band includes the first frequency band.
US07688922B2
A transmitting apparatus, a transmitting method, a receiving apparatus, a receiving method, a transceiver, a communication apparatus and method, a recording medium, and a program in which high quality voice can be decoded. A cellular telephone outputs coded voice data and also supplies uncoded voice sample data to a switching center while a telephone call is not made. Based on voice data used for the previous calculation processing and newly input voice data, the switching center performs calculation processing for quality-improving data for improving the quality of voice to be output from a cellular telephone that receives the coded voice data. The switching center stores the optimal quality-improving data as a user information database in association with the cellular telephone. The cellular telephone decodes the coded voice data based on the optimal quality-improving data supplied from the switching center.
US07688912B2
The present invention reduces adjacent channel interference for a wireless peripheral device. A direct digital synthesizer generates a waveform having intermediate angular changes during a transition time between symbol intervals. After the transition time, the direct digital synthesizer generates the waveform with an angular value that corresponds to the symbol being transmitted. In an exemplary embodiment, a generated waveform is characterized by one of two designated frequencies in response to a value of an input information bit. The waveform is further characterized by at least one intermediate frequency during a transition time between a change of the designated frequency. Another embodiment of the invention utilizes phase changes rather than frequency changes during reduce adjacent channel interference. With another aspect of the invention, methods are provided to determine waveform parameters for reducing adjacent channel power (ACP) to a maximum level of interference.
US07688899B2
Techniques to process data for transmission over a set of transmission channels selected from among all available transmission channels. In an aspect, the data processing includes coding data based on a common coding and modulation scheme to provide modulation symbols and pre-weighting the modulation symbols for each selected channel based on the channel's characteristics. The pre-weighting may be achieved by “inverting” the selected channels so that the received SNRs are approximately similar for all selected channels. With selective channel inversion, only channels having SNRs at or above a particular threshold are selected, “bad” channels are not used, and the total available transmit power is distributed across only “good” channels. Improved performance is achieved due to the combined benefits of using only the Ns best channels and matching the received SNR of each selected channel to the SNR required by the selected coding and modulation scheme.
US07688898B1
A wireless communications device for a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) wireless communications system. The wireless communication device includes a radio frequency (RF) transceiver including at least two antennae. A medium access control (MAC) device to dynamically adjust a bandwidth of the wireless communications device by adjusting a number of channels associated with at least two antennae. The adjusting of the number of channels associated with at least two antennae is based at least on a transmission error rate or a correlation measurement.
US07688893B2
A prediction mode determining unit of a video encoder comprises a primary evaluative value calculating unit which calculates each primary evaluative value of a plurality of primary evaluative values corresponding respectively to a plurality of 4×4 intra-prediction modes with different prediction directions, for each of a plurality of 4×4-pixel blocks, using the motion picture signal as a reference image signal, a secondary evaluative value calculating unit which calculates each of a plurality of secondary evaluative values corresponding respectively to the 4×4 intra-prediction modes, by applying to the primary evaluative value, weight summing which uses an evaluation coefficient corresponding to a position of each of the 4×4-pixel blocks, determining unit which determines a coding prediction mode for each macro-block, using the secondary evaluative values, and coding unit which codes the motion picture signal in accordance with the coding prediction mode.
US07688888B2
An output of an equalizer is decoded to produce first decoded data having a first accuracy. The output of the equalizer is further decoded to produce second decoded data having a second accuracy, and the second accuracy is greater than the first accuracy. Tap weights for the equalizer are calculated using the first and second decoded data. The calculated tap weights are applied to the taps of the equalizer.
US07688884B2
Methods, apparatus, systems and computer program products address one-sided vectoring systems that include a bonded-line set having two or more bonded DSL lines within a vectored group wherein other techniques such as precoding, tonal predictive GDFEs, tonal rotors and ordering techniques can be implemented. The performance of lines within a bonded set for a single customer can be improved for both upstream and downstream by nesting a vector coding system within, for example, GDFE and/or precoder architectures. The DSL lines within such a bonded group can have rotors applied at both transmit and receive side to achieve higher performance for these lines. The triangular matrix used by the GDFE and the precoder systems of the above-referenced applications can be modified in this context.
US07688882B2
An apparatus, such as a subscriber unit or a base station within a spread spectrum communication system, provides advanced control over the time-tracking of demodulation elements when unresolvable multipath situations arise. The apparatus provides merge protection that prevents clustered demodulation elements from contracting beyond a minimum time span. In addition, the apparatus provides a master/slave feature for synchronizing the time-tracking of the demodulation elements when clustered around a multipath signal.
US07688871B2
In the improved method for increasing the contrast of a high-intensity laser, signal light outputted from a laser oscillator, a preamplifier or the like is amplified by OPCPA which is excited by pump light having a short pulse width comparable to that of the signal light, thereby producing an extremely high contrast.
US07688859B2
A telecommunications system communicates internet packet data, carrying payload data including a plurality of different data types, with a mobile communications user equipment. The system comprises a gateway support node (GGSN), a service support node (SGSN) and a radio network controller (RNC). At least one of the gateway support node (GGSN) and the user equipment (UE) are operable to: parse the payload data in each data packet; generate a radio access bearer sub-flow indicator indicating the number of different types of data in the payload and the number of symbols in each different data type; and form a transport frame including the sub-flow indicator. The data packets are communicated between the radio network controller and the user equipment by detecting the sub-flow indicator, and in accordance with the sub-flow indicator arranging for the data from each of the different data fields to be communicated via a different radio access bearer providing different quality of service parameters appropriate for the different data type.
US07688857B2
In the data transmission method, a MAC layer receives data from an upper layer, classifies the data according to destination addresses and traffic identifiers, aggregates the data by destination address and traffic identifier as a first transmission unit, aggregates the first transmission units having the identical destination address as a second transmission unit, and transmits the second transmission units having different destination addresses in a single frame. The data transmission method allows packets transferred from the upper layer to be hierarchically aggregated by DAs and TIDs and then packaged into a data unit for each destination such that it is possible to transmit the data at an optimal data rate for each destination terminal.
US07688852B2
The present invention allows communicating devices to control the amount of compression used in packet sessions for transmitting streaming media to and from each other. When a communicating device detects a decrease in performance or quality of service indicative of a limited bandwidth condition, the amount of compression for the current or subsequent sessions is temporarily increased to allow the currently available bandwidth to support the session or subsequent sessions. After a set period of time, or when the limited bandwidth condition is removed, communications associated with the sessions can revert back to transporting uncompressed data or reducing the amount of compression for the sessions, thus using more of the available bandwidth.
US07688848B2
An arrangement is provided for optimizing the bandwidth of DSL connections. A DSL connection is established via a customer premise equipment, a copper line connecting to the customer premise equipment, and a DSL access multiplexer connecting to the copper line. The DSL connection is operated at a transmission rate that is adaptively optimized through a DSL connection optimizer based on dynamic transmission environment.
US07688845B2
A method and arrangement in a telecommunications system comprising a data transmission path (8), the arrangement comprising devices (1, 21, 221 to 22n) and data being transmitted on the data transmission path between the devices in messages (4, 9) cyclically, whereby one or more of the devices (1, 221 to 22n) are arranged, during one or more first turns, respectively, to set the timing of their own cyclic traffic between cyclic traffic detected on the data transmission path; and one or more of the devices (1, 21, 221 to 22n) are arranged, during a second turn, to transmit a message not belonging to the cyclic traffic to the data transmission path on the basis of at least one determined occurrence time slot of the cyclic traffic such that the message does not collide with messages of the cyclic traffic which occur in the determined at least one occurrence time slot.
