US07691709B2
A method of fabricating a flash memory includes forming a first oxide film over a semiconductor substrate, forming a metal film over the first oxide film, forming a photoresist pattern on the metal film, etching the metal film using the photoresist pattern as a mask and forming a metal film pattern, forming a second oxide film overlying the metal film pattern, and heat-treating the first and second oxide films at high temperature and processing the metal film pattern using metal oxide crystallization.
US07691708B2
A MOSgated trench device has a reduced on resistance by forming a less than about a 13 nm thick strained SiGe layer on the silicon surface of the trenches and forming a thin (30 nm or less) layer of epitaxially deposited silicon on the SiGe layer which epi layer is converted to a gate oxide layer. The conduction channel formed by the SiGe layer is permanently strained to increase its mobility particularly hole mobility.
US07691704B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device having a damascene metal/insulator/metal (MIM)-type capacitor and metal lines including providing a semiconductor device; sequentially forming a first interlayer insulating film and a second interlayer insulating film over the semiconductor substrate; simultaneously forming a vias hole and a lower metal line in a line region and a lower electrode in a capacitor region, wherein the lower metal line and the lower electrode are electrically connected to the semiconductor device; sequentially forming a dielectric film, a third interlayer insulating film, a fourth interlayer insulating film and a fifth interlayer insulating film over the semiconductor substrate; and then simultaneously forming a plurality of upper electrodes, a plurality of second vias holes and a plurality of second upper metal lines in the capacitor region electrically connected to the plurality of upper electrodes, a plurality of third vias holes and a plurality of second upper metal lines in the capacitor region electrically connected to the lower electrode, and a plurality of fourth vias holes and a plurality of fourth upper metal lines in the line region electrically connected to the lower metal line.
US07691702B2
In deep submicron memory arrays there is noted a relatively steady on current value and, therefore, threshold values of the transistors comprising the memory cell are reduced. This, in turn, results in an increase in the leakage current of the memory cell. With the use of an ever increasing number of memory cells leakage current must be controlled. A method of manufacture of a dynamic threshold voltage control scheme implemented with no more than minor changes to the existing MOS process technology is disclosed. The disclosed invention controls the threshold voltage of MOS transistors. Methods for enhancing the impact of the dynamic threshold control technology using this apparatus are also included. The invention is particularly useful for SRAM, DRAM, and NVM devices.
US07691697B2
A high-reliability power composite integrated semiconductor device uses thick copper electrodes as current collecting electrodes of a power device portion to resist wire resistance needed for reducing ON-resistance. Furthermore, wire bonding connection of the copper electrodes is secured, and also the time-lapse degradation under high temperature which causes diffusion of copper and corrosion of copper is suppressed. Still furthermore, direct bonding connection can be established to current collecting electrodes in the power device portion, and also established to a bonding pad formed on the control circuit portion in the control circuit portion. A pad area at the device peripheral portion which has been hitherto needed is reduced, so that the area of the device is saved, and the manufacturing cost is reduced.
US07691691B1
Thin film transistors (TFT) and methods for making same. The TFTs generally comprise: (a) a semiconductor layer comprising source and drain terminals and a channel region therebetween; (b) a gate electrode comprising a gate and a gate dielectric layer between the gate and the channel region; (c) a first dielectric layer adjacent to the gate electrode and in contact with the source and drain terminals, the first dielectric layer comprising a material which comprises a dopant therein; and (d) an electrically functional source/drain extensions in the channel region, adjacent to the source and drain terminals, comprising a material which comprises the same dopant as the first dielectric layer.
US07691688B2
Methods of forming a strained Si-containing hybrid substrate are provided as well as the strained Si-containing hybrid substrate formed by the methods. In the methods of the present invention, a strained Si layer is formed overlying a regrown semiconductor material, a second semiconducting layer, or both. In accordance with the present invention, the strained Si layer has the same crystallographic orientation as either the regrown semiconductor layer or the second semiconducting layer. The methods provide a hybrid substrate in which at least one of the device layers includes strained Si.
US07691686B2
An object of the present invention to provide a semiconductor device manufactured in short time by performing the step of forming the thin film transistor and the step of forming the photoelectric conversion layer in parallel, and to provide a manufacturing process thereof. According to the present invention, a semiconductor device is manufactured in such a way that a thin film transistor is formed over a first substrate, a photoelectric conversion element is formed over a second substrate, and the thin film transistor and the photoelectric conversion element are connected electrically by sandwiching a conductive layer between the first and second substrates opposed to each other so that the thin film transistor and the photoelectric conversion element are located between the first and second substrates. Thus, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device which suppresses the increase in the number of steps and which increases the throughput can be provided.
US07691669B2
Techniques for electronic device fabrication are provided. In one aspect, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device comprises at least one interposer structure having one or more vias and a plurality of decoupling capacitors integrated therein, the at least one interposer structure being configured to allow for one or more of the plurality of decoupling capacitors to be selectively deactivated. In another aspect, a method of fabricating an electronic device comprising at least one interposer structure having one or more vias and a plurality of decoupling capacitors integrated therein comprises the following step. One or more of the plurality of decoupling capacitors are selectively deactivated.
US07691667B2
An integrated circuit package may include a plurality of interconnects, and an integrated package substrate coupled to the plurality of interconnects and comprising an integrated circuit package substrate core. A first surface of the integrated circuit package substrate core may define a depression.
US07691657B2
A nitride based 3-5 group compound semiconductor light emitting device comprising: a substrate; a buffer layer formed above the substrate; a first In-doped GaN layer formed above the buffer layer; an InxGa1-xN/InyGa1−yN super lattice structure layer formed above the first In-doped GaN layer; a first electrode contact layer formed above the InxGa1-31 xN/InyGa1−yN super lattice structure layer; an active layer formed above the first electrode contact layer and functioning to emit light; a second In-doped GaN layer; a GaN layer formed above the second In-doped GaN layer; and a second electrode contact layer formed above the GaN layer. The present invention can reduce crystal defects of the nitride based 3-5 group compound semiconductor light emitting device and improve the crystallinity of a GaN GaN based single crystal layer in order to improve the performance of the light emitting device and ensure the reliability thereof.
US07691652B2
An encapsulated calorimetric flow meter according to the present invention comprises an integrated circuit (104) mounted on a lead frame (102). The integrated circuit has a channel (105) provided in its lower face, the channel being aligned with two holes (103) provided in the lead frame, the holes coinciding with the ends of the channel (105). There are further slots (111) in the lead frame (102) alongside the integrated circuit to thermally isolate it from the rest of the lead frame (102), which acts as a heat sink to keep the entry and exit fluid at ambient temperature. The flow meter is manufactured by mounting the integrated circuit (104) on to a suitable lead frame (102). The assembly of integrated circuit (104) and lead frame (102) is then inverted and blobs of gel (112, 114) are then deposited onto the lead frame (102) covering the holes (103). The assembly is then inserted into a mould (100) and encapsulated within a suitable mould compound. When the assembly is ejected from the mould cavity the gel can be removed and the holes (103) and the channel (105) exposed to facilitate fluid flow into, out of and along the channel (105).
US07691643B2
The invention provides a mass analysis method and apparatus capable of identifying proteins or peptides at greater speed and with improved accuracy. Specifically, a mass analysis method whereby a sample is ionized and a protein is analyzed using a mass analysis apparatus is provided, said method comprising: selecting predetermined information from a database in which information about proteins and peptides is stored, estimating the mass of the selected component, and calculating frequency information for each mass; analyzing a sample using a mass analysis apparatus so as to acquire a mass spectrum, selecting, based on the acquired mass spectrum and said frequency information, a mass to be used for identification, performing mass analysis using the mass spectrum of the selected mass as a precursor ion, and performing an identification process using a resultant mass spectrum. The method allows a precursor ion for obtaining an MS/MS spectrum required for identification processing to be efficiently selected using the frequency information matched with the purpose of analysis.
US07691641B2
The present invention relates to macromolecular polysaccharide-peptide conjugates which contain a peptide portion which C-terminally contains the amino acid sequence Ala-Gly-Arg, which is cleaved by thrombin.
US07691639B2
A catalytic conformational sensor method for detecting abnormal proteins and proteinaceous particles. The method is based on the interaction of a peptide fragment or probe with an abnormal proteinaceous particle. The interaction catalyzes transformation of the probe to a predominately beta sheet conformation and allows the probe to bind to the abnormal proteinaceous particle. This in turn, catalyzes propagation of a signal associated with the test sample-bound probe. As a result signals can be propagated even from samples containing very low concentrations of abnormal proteinaceous particles. The peptide probes can be designed to bind to a desired peptide sequence or can even be based on dendrimer structure to control further aggregate propagation.
US07691634B2
The invention pertains to a method, a system and a component for systematically and automatically controlling a product, whose preservation in a distribution circuit depends on temperature, in particular a product subjected to a cold chain. The method includes: affixing, on the product, a marker including elements, in particular the bars of a bar code, intended to be identified by automatic processing units, fixing a component on the product. The component includes at least one part including a mask intended for masking the elements of the marker, at least temporarily, without modifying them, when (i) the temperature of the product exceeds a specific temperature threshold or (ii) when the preservation conditions differ from a specific reference level, in particular characterized by the exceeding of a specific temperature threshold for a longer duration than a specific duration or by the exceeding of a specific preservation duration.
US07691633B2
Polymer fractions such as polyethylene fractions can be produced that have a PDI less than about 2.3 and a Mw greater than about 1,000,000 g/mol, 3,000,000 g/mol, or 6,000,000 g/mol. Such polyethylene fractions are separated from a UHMWPE parent polymer by first dissolving the parent polymer in a relatively good solvent. The conditions employed for such dissolution are selected to reduce the degradation of the parent polymer. The resulting parent solution is transported into a fractionation column in which a support is disposed. The fractionation column is thereafter operated at conditions effective to form a precipitate on the support comprising the desired polyethylene fraction. The polyethylene fraction may then be recovered from the fractionation column by repeatedly displacing a solvent/non-solvent mixture into the column to dissolve the polyethylene fraction. The relative concentrations of the solvent and the non-solvent are based on a solvent gradient profile of the polyethylene parent polymer.
US07691632B2
The present invention relates to the discovery in eukaryotic cells, particularly mammalian cells, of a family of cell-cycle regulatory proteins (“CCR-proteins”). As described herein, this family of proteins includes a polypeptide having an apparent molecular weight of 16 kDa, and a polypeptide having an apparent molecular weight of approximately 15 kDa, each of which can function as an inhibitor of cell-cycle progression, and therefore ultimately of cell growth. The present invention comprises antibodies directed to such CCR-proteins. The present invention is directed to a kit for detecting the level of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p16 gene expression comprising antibodies directed to a p16 protein.
US07691624B2
This invention relates to a device for detecting cancer cells. The device includes a light source for generating light (e.g., a light emitting diode), a first optical filter selected from the group consisting of a band pass filter and a long pass filter, a second optical filter (i.e., a band pass filter) disposed between the light source and the first optical filter, and a sample receiver for receiving a sample. The sample receiver is disposed between the first and second optical filters. The first optical filter, the sample receiver, and the second optical filter are aligned so that light emitted from the light source passes sequentially through the second optical filter, the sample receiver, and the first optical filter.
US07691620B2
Production of ethanol in a thermophilic bacterium can be achieved by transformation of the bacterium with a heterologous gene encoding pyruvate decarboxylase. The bacterium comprises native alcohol dehydrogenase function and does not comprise a gene encoding a functional lactate dehydrogenase. The bacterium may be grown at elevated temperatures to allow the ethanol to be conveniently removed in a vaporized form from the fermentation medium. Traditional mesophilic microorganisms are incapable of growth at the envisioned elevated temperatures.
US07691618B2
The present application relates to two novel alkaline proteases (SEQ ID NO. 4 and 7) which are similar to one another, whose DNA was obtained from soil samples, and which were C-terminally deleted. The present application also provides proteolytically active fragments thereof (SEQ ID NO. 5 and 8), all alkaline proteases similar at least to 90% to SEQ ID NO. 4 or to 87.5% to SEQ ID NO. 7, and those which can be summarized under a consensus sequence (SEQ ID NO. 9) derived from SEQ ID NO. 4 and 7. Furthermore, the present application relates to all nucleic acids which have a homology of at least 85% identity to the associated nucleic acids (SEQ ID NO. 3 and 6) or the fragments concerned. Furthermore, the present application relates to use for these proteases and especially describes their use in detergents and cleaners.
US07691603B2
The invention includes methods and compositions for forming peptide conjugates intracellularly having a covalent linkage between a modifying group and a glycosylated or non-glycosylated peptide. The modifying group is conjugated to the peptide via a glycosyl linking group interposed between and covalently linked to both the peptide and the modifying group.
US07691601B2
The invention relates to a medium for detecting and/or identifying microorganisms present in a sample, comprising a culture medium and at least one substrate that can be hydrolysed to a labelled product by at least a first enzyme not free in the sample, and specific for the microorganisms, characterized in that it also comprises at least one inhibitor of at least a second enzyme, different from the first enzyme or identical to it, but free in said sample and not originating from a microorganism. The present invention also finds a preferred application in the field of biomedical diagnosis or in food microbiology, and more particularly in bacteriology and mycology.
US07691598B2
The present invention provides methods for the use of enzymes to selectively deposit metal to the vicinity of a target molecule. The invention also relates to applications of enzymatic metal deposition to sensitively and selectively detect target molecules such as biomarkers in various biological samples, such as chromogenic immunohistochemical (IHC) detection in situ by using bright field light microscope.
US07691592B2
The present invention relates to polypeptides capable of promoting odorant receptor cell surface localization and odorant receptor functional expression. The present invention further provides assays for the detection of ligands specific for various odorant receptors. Additionally, the present invention provides methods of screening for odorant receptor accessory protein polymorphisms and mutations associated with disease states, as well as methods of screening for therapeutic agents, ligands, and modulators of such proteins.
US07691591B2
The C-type lectin DC-SIGN is absent in normal synovium but is highly expressed by CD68 positive macrophages in the synovium of rheumatoid arthritis patients. Accordingly, rheumatoid arthritis is diagnosed or treated by, respectively, assaying or blocking DC-SIGN. This can be accomplished by the use of agents, e.g., antibodies, which bind specifically to DCSIGN. Agents that bind to ICAM-3 are used to block inhibition of activation of macrophages by DC-SIGN-ICAM-3 interaction and cause inhibition of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms.
US07691590B2
Oligodendrocyte-myelin glycoprotein (OMgp)-specific binding agents are used to reduce OMgp-mediated axon growth inhibition. Mixtures of axons and OMgp and mixtures of Nogo receptor (NgR) and OMgp are used in pharmaceutical screens to characterize agents as inhibiting binding of NgR to OMgp and promoting axon regeneration.
US07691589B2
The present invention is to provide a chicken LIF gene. Based on this genetic information, LIF protein derived from the chicken can be stably supplied and it solves the problems of the creation of transgenic chickens in the past. In addition, the present invention provides not only transgenic chickens for testing purposes but also supplies the first practical transgenic stock animals. The present invention relates to leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) shown in sequence No. 2, and the gene that encodes thereof shown in sequence No. 1, and a manufacturing method of chicken LIF. In addition, the present invention pertains to a differential preventer of the chicken differentiable cell, and a method of chicken differential prevention and a culturing method for the chicken differentiable cell using thereof, and a medium comprising thereof.
US07691576B2
The present invention relates to the development of a novel method for the selection of nucleic acid processing and other enzymes. In particular the invention relates to a method for the selection of nucleic acid polymerases and other enzymes with desired properties based on the method of compartmentalized self-tagging.
US07691574B2
The present invention relates to methods for monitoring differential expression of a plurality of genes in a first Bacillus cell relative to expression of the same genes in one or more second Bacillus cells using microarrays containing Bacillus genomic sequenced tags. The present invention also relates to computer readable media and computer-based systems. The present invention further relates to substrates containing an array of Bacillus licheniformis or Bacillus clausii GSTs.
US07691563B2
Methods for alleviating pain comprising administering to a subject sphingosine-1-phosphate, functional fragments and derivatives thereof, and other compounds, and assays for identifying such compounds.
US07691561B2
In a positive resist composition comprising (A) a resin component which becomes soluble in an alkaline developer under the action of an acid and (B) a photoacid generator, component (A) is a polymer of formula (1) wherein R1 is H, methyl or trifluoromethyl, R2 and R3 are alkyl, R4 is a monovalent hydrocarbon group, X1 is O, S or CH2CH2, X2 is O, S, CH2 or CH2CH2, n is 1 or 2, a and b each are from 0.01 to less than 1, c, d1 and d2 each are from 0 to less than 1, and a+b+c+d1+d2=1. The resist composition forms a pattern with high rectangularity at an enhanced resolution when processed by ArF lithography.
US07691556B2
The present invention relates to a coating solution comprising a polymer obtained by reacting a glycoluril compound with at least one reactive compound containing at least one hydroxy group and/or at least one acid group, and further where the polymer is soluble in an organic solvent. The invention also relates to a process for imaging a photoresist coated over such a coating composition and to a polymer for the coating composition.
US07691548B2
There is provided a method of manufacturing a photomask for forming a semiconductor pattern. The method may include forming a plurality of dies including a main pattern, and forming a pseudo pattern to an area adjacent to the main pattern between the plurality of dies. A multi developing process of sequentially and repeatedly supplying a developer on the mask, supplying DI water on the mask, and drying the mask may be performed in manufacturing the mask.
US07691543B2
A method of creating data of a mask for manufacturing a semiconductor device. The mask includes at least one auxiliary pattern arranged adjacent to a line pattern. The at least one auxiliary pattern is allocated in accordance with a rule-based method on the basis of an interval between a first line pattern and a second line pattern adjacent to the first line pattern. Size of the at least one auxiliary pattern is then optimized in accordance with a model-based OPC (Optical Proximity Correction), by shifting edges of the at least one auxiliary pattern and edges for one of the line patterns on the basis of a first light intensity threshold on the at least one auxiliary pattern and a second light intensity threshold on the line patterns.
US07691540B2
A method of designing an exposure mask for exposing an image forming layer provided on a substrate, by use of near field light leaking from adjoining openings formed in a light blocking member. The method includes determining a width D of the openings and an opening interval of the openings to be formed in the light blocking member, in which a relation D≦(P−W−2T) is satisfied where T is the height of a pattern to be produced by the image forming layer, W is the linewidth of the pattern and P is the pitch of the pattern, so that an electrical field distribution, adjacent to the opening of the light blocking member as exposure light is projected on the light blocking member, is approximated to an electrical field model extending concentric-circularly with an edge of the light blocking member at an image forming layer side as a center.
US07691535B2
A positive active material is provided which can give a battery having a high energy density and excellent high-rate discharge performance and inhibited from decreasing in battery performance even in the case of high-temperature charge. Also provided is a non-aqueous electrolyte battery employing the positive active material. The positive active material contains a composite oxide which is constituted of at least lithium (Li), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), and oxygen (O) and is represented by the following chemical composition formula: LiaMnbNicCodOe (wherein 0
US07691533B2
The invention provides an electrode 1 comprising a collector 1a with electron conductivity and an electrode active material-containing layer 1b with electron conductivity formed on the collector 1a, wherein the electrode active material-containing layer 1b includes conductive polymer-covered carbon nanotubes.
US07691529B2
Electrical separators for batteries, especially lithium batteries, having a shutdown mechanism. A process for their production. An electrical separator is used in batteries and other systems in which electrodes have to be separated from each other while maintaining ion conductivity. Safety is very important in lithium batteries, since in contrast to other types of battery (Pb, NiCd, NiMeH) the solvent for the electrolyte is not water but a combustible solvent. A separator for lithium cells must possess a shutdown mechanism while not being able to melt down. This is achieved by an electrical separator having a shutdown layer which comprises particles which melt at a desired temperature, close the pores of the separator, and so stop ion flow. Since the separator also comprises a porous inorganic (ceramic) layer on a carrier, the cells cannot melt down as a result of a completely melted separator.
US07691525B2
A secondary battery comprising a heat-sensitive indicator on the outer surface of the battery is disclosed. The color of the heat-sensitive indicator changes according to battery temperature. The heat-sensitive indicator may comprise a sheath. When the internal temperature of the battery increases rapidly, the heat-sensitive indicator changes color to alert the user that the battery is abnormally hot.
US07691508B2
A method and device for operating a fuel cell system. A recirculation loop coupled to a fuel cell cathode ensures that fluids passing through the cathode are recycled, thereby enabling reaction between residual oxygen in the recycled fluid and fuel that has been introduced into the recirculation loop until substantially all of the oxygen is reacted, leaving a substantially oxygen-free, predominantly nitrogen compound in the cathode and related flowpath. Thereafter, this compound can be redirected to purge the remaining residual hydrogen resident in the fuel cell's anode and related flowpath. While the present invention is usable during any period of system operation, it is especially valuable for operational conditions associated with starting up and shutting down a fuel cell system to inhibit the formation of high voltage potentials that could otherwise damage fuel cell catalysts or catalysts supports.
US07691506B2
A fuel cell stack which comprises a plurality of unit fuel cells laminated via separators, and is connected to external resistors each allowing a feeble current to flow to each unit fuel cell, whereby such problems as an open-circuit voltage generation and corrosion that may be caused by fuel gas remaining after operation shutdown can be resolved. A switch is preferably attached in series with an external resistor.
US07691502B2
The present inventions relate to power systems (for example, fuel cell power systems) and architectures having an integration plane to incorporate various technology modules therein including, for example, one or more fuel cell stacks, fuel storage containers/tanks (for example, hydrogen, methanol and/or hydrogen containing compounds or substances from which hydrogen can be extracted on demand (e.g., a hydride)), power unit having a power management unit to provide a conditioned and/or regulated electrical power using electrical power provided by a fuel cell, fuel cartridge having one or more fuel storage containers/tanks and electrical circuitry to monitor and/or store one or more parameters of the fuel storage container(s)/tank(s), super-capacitors, batteries, and/or electrical or electronic devices such as mobile communications (for example, phones and/or modems), data processor circuitry, and/or monitoring or surveillance device (for example, a imaging sensing device (for example, camera) and/or audio sensing device).
US07691499B2
A corrosion-resistant granular magnetic recording medium with improved recording performance comprises a non-magnetic substrate having a surface; and a layer stack on the substrate surface, including, in order from the surface: a granular magnetic recording layer; an intermediate magnetic de-coupling layer; and a corrosion preventing magnetic cap layer. The intermediate magnetic de-coupling layer has an optimal thickness and/or composition for: (1) promoting magnetic exchange de-coupling between the granular magnetic recording layer and the magnetic cap layer; and (2) reducing the dynamic closure field (Hcl) for determining writeability and eraseability of the medium. Grain boundaries of the magnetic cap layer are substantially oxide-free, and have a greater density and lower average porosity and surface roughness than those of the granular magnetic recording layer.
US07691492B2
A novel substituted fluorene compound is provided which is represented by the general formula [I]:
US07691488B2
A method for joining two ceramic parts, or a ceramic part and a metal part, and the joint formed thereby. The method provides two or more parts, a braze consisting of a mixture of copper oxide and silver, a diffusion barrier, and then heats the braze for a time and at a temperature sufficient to form the braze into a bond holding the two or more parts together. The diffusion barrier is an oxidizable metal that forms either a homogeneous component of the braze, a heterogeneous component of the braze, a separate layer bordering the braze, or combinations thereof. The oxidizable metal is selected from the group Al, Mg, Cr, Si, Ni, Co, Mn, Ti, Zr, Hf, Pt, Pd, Au, lanthanides, and combinations thereof.
US07691485B2
An ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer composition excellent in neck-in reduction, stretching properties and further, gas barrier properties and a multilayer structure using the same, are disclosed. The ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer composition of the present invention is the blend of two or more ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymers and at least one of the copolymers has the following structural unit (1). (wherein X represents any binding chain excluding an ether bond, each of R1 to R4 represents independently any substituent and n represents 0 or 1). Preferably, the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer having the structural unit (1) is obtained by hydrolyzing of a copolymer of 3,4-diacyloxy-1-butene, a vinyl ester monomer and ethylene.
US07691483B2
The resin-coated metal sheet is composed of: a metal sheet; a lower resin layer containing a hydrophilic copolyester, formed on at least one side of the metal sheet; and an upper resin layer containing a polyester containing a diol component composed of a diol derivative of 1 to 10% by mole of alicyclic compound and 99 to 90% by mole of ethylene glycol, and a dicarboxylic acid component consisting of terephthalic acid, formed on the lower resin layer. The sum of cyclic trimer of alkylene terephthalate existing in the upper resin layer and the lower resin layer is 0.9% or less by mass. Since the manufacture of food cans using the resin-coated metal sheet does not induce white haze phenomenon and retort blushing phenomenon on outer surface of the can even after retorting, the decorative appearance on outer surface of the can is not deteriorated.
US07691478B2
Structures comprising substrates comprised of an organic material capable of accepting a proton from an organophosphorous compound and a film of the organophosphorous compound bonded to the substrate are disclosed. The structures are useful in a variety of applications such as visual display devices.
US07691477B2
A multi-layer article is disclosed. The article contains a base layer that contains at least one thermoplastic resin and a second layer containing a thermoplastic (co)polyformal superimposed over the base layer. The (co)polyformal conforms to formulae (1a) or (1b), in which O-D-O and O-E-O independently denote a diphenolate group, -D- and -E- independently denote an aromatic group having 6 to 40 carbon atoms, k is a whole number from 1 to 1500, o stands for numbers from 1 to 1500, and m is z/o and n is (o-z)/o wherein z is 0 to o.
US07691474B2
An embodiment of the present invention describes aerogel materials comprising an additive comprising a compound comprising at least two different metal elements. Another embodiment, involves aerogel particulates in combination with said compound. Said compound preferably comprises at least two different transition metal elements and may be in an oxide form.
US07691472B2
Individualized seed hairs, methods for individualizing seed hairs, chemical derivatives of individualized seed hairs, seed hair-containing soft fibrous structures, single- or multi-ply sanitary tissue products comprising such fibrous structures and methods for making such fibrous structures and sanitary tissue products are provided.
US07691470B2
Disclosed is a decorative laminate structure having at least two sheets of polycarbonate and at least one decorative image layer there-between two sheets of polycarbonate, and a method of making the decorative laminate structure. Through heat and pressure the sheet layers and the decorative image layer are bonded together resulting in a decorative laminate structure of this invention. This product is intended for use primarily to produce decorative articles which include counter tops, table tops, cabinet doors, game boards, toys, panels for shower stalls, hot tubs, markerboards, indoor and outdoor signs, seamless vanity tops including sink, soap dish, back splash, flooring and others.
US07691466B2
A honeycomb structure includes a honeycomb segment joined body comprising a plurality of honeycomb segments unitarily joined at joint faces thereof by means of a bonding material layer, and an outer peripheral coat layer, the honeycomb structure having a plurality of cells functioning as fluid passages disposed in parallel with one another in a central axis direction. A thickness of the outer peripheral coat layer at least at one portion of the portions (portions on end faces) located on end faces in longitudinal direction of the bonding material layer in a cross-section in a direction perpendicular to the central axis direction is larger than an average thickness of the portions other than the portions on end faces.
US07691464B2
A surface for an article has an artificially producible base structure (10). The structure (12) has or develops a capillary effect at which the quotient from capillary work (K) and adhesion work (A) is larger 1. The capillary structures and their capillaries have a negative capillary rise such that liquid is forced from the capillaries, allowing for a self-cleaning effect.
US07691461B1
A stent is formed by encasing or encapsulating metallic rings in an inner polymeric layer and an outer polymeric layer. At least one polymer link connects adjacent metallic rings. The stent is drug loaded with one or more therapeutic agent or drug, for example, to reduce the likelihood of the development of restenosis in the coronary arteries. The inner and outer polymeric materials can be of the same polymer or different polymer to achieve different results, such as enhancing flexibility and providing a stent that is visible under MRI, computer tomography and x-ray fluoroscopy.
US07691460B2
Sheathing for reinforcing natural veins for use as surgical implants in the form of textile netting that is configured by forming a seamless, tubular, essentially pile-less, knit fabric and has loops having large, open apertures having essentially polygonal shapes is made available.
US07691458B2
Numerous embodiments of a carrier substrate having thermochromatic materials are described. In one embodiment of the present invention, a carrier substrate has a visible surface, and a thermochromatic material is disposed near the carrier substrate. The thermochromatic material produces a visual change of the visible surface when an activation temperature of the thermochromatic material is reached.
US07691456B2
The invention relates to novel dioxane derivatives of the formula R1-(A1-Z1)m-G-(Z2-A2)n-R2, in which G denotes (I) or (II), and in which R1, R2, A1, A2, Z1, Z2, m and n have the meanings indicated in claim 1, to the use thereof as component(s) of liquid-crystalline media, and to liquid-crystal and electro-optical display elements which contain the liquid-crystalline media according to the invention.
US07691452B1
A multi-layer insulation (MLI) blanket with enhanced contamination inhibiting properties and a method for inhibiting the formation of organic residues on the outer surface of a MLI blanket are provided. In one embodiment, a MLI blanket (10) attachable to a spacecraft or other structure includes a plurality of metallized layers (20, 30, 40, 50) separated by mesh layers (60, 62, 64). An anti-contamination coating (80) comprised of a photocatalytic material is disposed between a high emittance layer (70) that overlies the outer surface (20A) of the outer metallized layer (20) and an outer electrically conductive layer (90). When exposed to ultraviolet or near-ultraviolet radiation components present in solar radiation, the anti-contamination coating (80) catalyzes the breakdown of organic residues on the outer surface of the MLI blanket (10) thereby maintaining the reflective properties of the MLI blanket (10) and ensuring that solar absorptance of the MLI blanket (10) is maintained at or below an acceptable threshold level.
US07691449B2
Coating materials for the coil coating process, comprising (A) as binder at least one aliphatic, araliphatic and/or aromatic polyester having an acid number of <10 mg KOH/g, a hydroxyl number of from 30 to 200 mg KOH/g, and a number-average molecular weight Mn of between 1000 and 5000 daltons, (B) as crosslinking agent at least two amino-containing resins of different reactivity, processes for preparing them, and their use as coil coating materials.
US07691432B2
A dispenser for a liquid crystal display panel includes a syringe for applying a dispensing material to a substrate through a nozzle provided at one end portion thereof, a cap unit provided at the other end portion of the syringe, a gas supply unit for supplying a gas to the syringe through a gas pipe penetrating the cap unit, a valve provided in the gas pipe, a detecting unit for detecting a residual quantity of the dispensing material remaining in the syringe through a flow amount of gas supplied from the gas supply unit to the syringe and a controller for controlling the gas supply unit, the valve and the detecting unit.
US07691431B2
A system is provided for spray coating medical devices, comprising a rotary atomizer with one or more rotary heads and a plurality of holders to hold a plurality of medical devices, such as stents, wherein the holders are positioned around a longitudinal axis of the rotary head. A method of using such a system is also provided. The invention enables the use of rotary atomizers to coat small medical devices with reduced waste of coating material and allows increased production throughput by the coating of multiple devices simultaneously. The rotary atomizer may be an electrostatic rotary atomizer. The holders and/or a holding structure on which the holders are mounted may move relative to the rotary atomizer.
US07691426B2
The present invention relates to providing an animal chew formed of rawhide and edible resin. The edible resin may be positioned on the outer surface of the rawhide and/or retained within the rawhide. The edible resin may include one or a mixture of starch, gluten, vegetable protein, carbohydrate or fat.
US07691419B2
A topical composition for treating skin diseases is provided. The composition comprises calendula, tea tree oil, eucalyptus oil, grape seed oil, and Aloe vera. In some embodiment, the composition may also include beeswax, vegetable oil, vitamin E, rosemary oil, or shea butter or combinations thereof to further enhance its beneficial effects. In some embodiments, the composition may also include herbs. Kits and methods for treatment of skin diseases are also disclosed.
US07691418B2
Compounds for inhibiting and/or preventing the formation of a biofilm are disclosed. The compounds are an anthraquinone and/or a naphtoquinone, stereoisomeric forms, racemic mixtures, metabolites, esters or salts thereof, or mixtures thereof, and/or at least one plant extract including the compound or active fraction thereof. Compositions containing the compounds such as oral health products and methods of using the products in a method to prevent or inhibit biofilm formation are also disclosed. Preferred compositions include emodin and/or plant extracts from Rheum sp.
US07691411B2
The present invention provides pharmaceutical formulation for thyroid hormones which allow safe and stable administration by mouth within the ambit of the narrow therapeutic index prescribed in the case of thyroid dysfunctions, as well as procedures for obtaining them.
US07691408B2
The invention relates to a heat-sensitive composition in liquid form, containing: an organic hydrophobic liquid; an organogelling substance, the molecules of which can be bound to one another by low energy linkages; and a bioactive substance, which switches to organogel form upon coming into contact with a physiological fluid during the administration thereof into an animal body, in particular, a human.
US07691407B2
A multi-component pharmaceutical dosage form comprising a plurality of drug substance—containing sub-units, being capsule compartments and/or solid sub-units comprising a solid matrix of a polymer which contains a drug substance, the sub-units being connected together in the assembled dosage form by a weld between parts of the assembled dosage form.
US07691403B2
Non-absorbent articles containing an additive are disclosed. The non-absorbent articles include an effective amount of an inhibitory compound such as cerulenin, triclosan, or hexachloroprene, for example, to substantially inhibit the production of TSST-1 by Gram positive bacteria.
US07691402B2
Disclosed herein are implantable medical devices comprising controlled release biodegradable block copolymers or coated with controlled release block copolymers and at least one drug releasable from the block copolymer. The controlled release block copolymers comprise least two blocks selected from the group consisting of polyesters, polyethers, and polyurethanes.
US07691398B2
A hair treatment composition comprising an aqueous dispersion of composite particles, said particles comprising: i) a clay with a net surface charge, and ii) a charged organic molecule comprising at least 6, preferably at least 11, more preferably at least 17 carbon atoms, wherein the charge on the charged organic molecule is opposite to the net surface charge of the clay, said hair treatment composition further comprising one or more suitable hair treatment ingredients.
US07691389B2
The invention provides isolated polynucleotide molecules, including plasmids; viral vectors; and transfected host cells that comprise a DNA sequence encoding an infectious RNA sequence encoding a North American PRRS virus; and also North American PRRS viruses encoded thereby. The invention further provides isolated infectious RNA molecules encoding a North American PRRS virus. The invention also provides isolated polynucleotide molecules, infectious RNA molecules, viral vectors, and transfected host cells encoding genetically-modified North American PRRS viruses; and genetically-modified North American PRRS viruses encoded thereby. The invention also provides vaccines comprising such plasmids, RNA molecules, viral vectors, and North American PRRS viruses, and methods of using these vaccines in swine and in other animals. Also provided are isolated polynucleotide molecules, viral vectors, and transfected host cells that comprise a nucleotide sequence encoding a peptide of a North American PRRS virus. These viral vectors and transfected host cell lines are useful in providing peptides to compensate for mutated peptide coding sequences of DNA sequences encoding genetically-modified North American PRRS viruses so that functional virions can be generated.
US07691388B2
Disclosed herein are compositions comprising Porphyra, as well as methods of making and using such compositions.
US07691382B2
The present invention concerns polypeptides derived from a tandem repeat of apoE141-149 and their uses as medicaments. The peptides may comprise the tandem repeat, and truncations thereof, for which at least one Leucine (L) is replaced by an amino acid with a side chain comprising at least 4 carbon atoms and at least one Nitrogen atom. Such peptides are useful for preventing or treating viral infections.
US07691380B2
Disclosed are various compositions and methods for use in achieving specific blood coagulation. This is exemplified by the specific in vivo coagulation of tumor vasculature, causing tumor regression, through the site-specific delivery of a coagulant using a bispecific antibody.
US07691377B2
A method for inhibiting melanoma cell growth in a patient by administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a glutamate release inhibitor, a GRM1 antagonist, or a combination thereof
US07691352B1
A new set of additives to be sued in the preparation of inorganic materials; especially of perovskite nature is proposed. The chemical compositions of the perovskites prepared in the presence of the mentioned additives are found to be more homogenous, leading to better catalytic behavior, including higher selectivity and yields as compared to catalysts of identical formulations prepared through the conventional method of using EDTA/citrate (or other organic additive) method.
US07691350B2
A method of treating fly ash and fly ash treated thereby, the method involving contacting ammonia-laden fly ash with an organic base-containing treatment composition, where the organic base causes the ammonia within the fly ash to evolve from the fly ash. The treatment composition preferably includes an effective amount of one or more amines. The treatment compound may be applied to the fly ash in any manner effective to disperse the treatment compound among the fly ash.
US07691345B2
An apparatus for sterilizing and disinfecting a target space by spraying a chemical including alcohol includes a spray gun 4 to which a chemical container 7 containing a sterilizing and disinfecting chemical including alcohol is attachable, a gas cylinder 1 filled with a compressed carrier gas that does not react with alcohol, and a pressure reducing valve 2 for decompressing the carrier gas discharged in a vaporized state from the gas cylinder 1 to a predetermined pressure, and is constructed so that the pressure reducing valve 2 and the spray gun 4 are directly connected with a gas hose 3 and mounted on a common truck 5. The sterilizing and disinfecting apparatus can operate with a simple structure requiring no power supply, and is much lighter in weight compared to conventional apparatuses.
US07691332B2
A cap which can form an essentially leak-proof seal with an open-ended vessel capable of receiving and holding fluid specimens or other materials for analysis. To minimize potentially contaminating contact between a fluid sample present in the vessel and humans or the environment, the present invention features a cap having a frangible seal which is penetrable by a plastic pipette tip or other fluid transfer device. The cap further includes a filter for limiting dissemination of an aerosol or bubbles once the frangible seal has been pierced. The filter is positioned between the frangible seal and a retaining structure. The retaining structure is positioned on the cap above the filter and may be used to contain the filter within the cap. The material of the retaining structure may be penetrable by a fluid transfer device.
US07691321B2
The present invention relates to use of a thermic lance as a firework. Frictional or electrical ignition of a thermic lance is more convenient and safer than conventional methods. In addition, when used as a firework, the lance is safer and provides less pollution than conventional fireworks.
US07691316B2
Cylindrical devices (frits) are prepared by embedding aminoalkyl- or mercaptoalkyl-modified Controlled Pore Glass (CPG) in high-density polyethylene. Methods and devices pertaining to their use in the synthesis of nucleic acids are described. A reusable synthesis column or a reusable 96-chamber synthesis plate have been designed to hold one to 96 of the said frits that are inserted reproducibly into the synthesis chambers with a frit insertor. A short gas surpressure is required to drive entry of chemical reagents into the said frit. Reagents are retained into the frit until a second, longer surpressure is applied to drain the said reagents.
US07691310B2
According to the invention, a shoe is produced by firstly forming a shoe upper piece (8), made up of an upper (7) and an inner sole (5), sewn to the upper (7), which is bonded to a sole (4) in the assembled shoe. A sole tread (2) is introduced into a casting mould (1) and then filled with a cork/latex mixture in a pasty state. A fillet (9) is then introduced into the shoe upper piece (8) and the unit thus produced, placed from above into the casting mould (1), such that the casting mould (1) is sealed thereby. It is important that only the sole edge (10) rests on the edge of the casting mould (11) and the fillet (7) is fixed internally to the inner sole (5), such that the shoe base material presses the inner sole (5) against the edge of the upper (12), lying on the fillet (9).
US07691307B2
A fabricated microstructure comprising at least one protrusion capable of providing an adhesive force at a surface of between about 60 and 2,000 nano-Newtons. A stalk supports the protrusion at an oblique angle relative to a supporting surface. The microstructure can adhere to different surfaces.
US07691303B2
A method is provided including a step of preparing a base member; a step of preparing a metal mold which comprises a reference surface and plural projection-shaping die parts which have ring-like protruding sections projecting from a reference surface and surrounding hollow spaces which are shaped to match with the profiles of the projections; a step of placing a thermoplastic or thermosetting sheet-like molding material on the base member; a step of pressing the metal mold against the molding material placed on the base member, pressurizing the molding material at least with the ring-like protruding sections and accordingly bonding the molding material thus pressurized with the ring-like protruding sections to the base member, and forming and shaping projections from the molding material which is opposed against the insides of the hollow spaces surrounded by the ring-like protruding sections; and a step of leaving on the base member the molding material which is opposed against the plural projection-shaping die parts and stripping off the molding material other than the molding material which is opposed against the plural projection-shaping die parts.
US07691302B2
A disposable cup lid including a body and a mounting portion extending around the periphery of the body. The body defines a suitably shaped clearance area to accommodate a person's nose when drinking the contents of a cup having the lid positioned thereon. The body also defines an enhanced drinking area which is suitably configured to provide a person with a drinking experience more similar to the drinking experience of drinking from an uncovered cup or glass. In one embodiment, the body includes a raised portion which defines a lip engaging front wall and an enhanced drinking area. The enhanced drinking area includes a closure member having an upwardly extending gripping member and a drink-through opening initially covered by the closure member, wherein the drink-through opening is positioned substantially adjacent to the lip engaging front wall. The closure member is movable about a hinge from an initial closed position to an open position. The closure member of the top wall is also movable into a locking position wherein the gripping member frictionally engages the walls of a locking recess.
US07691293B2
A red light-emitting phosphor capable of emitting red light upon excitation with light having a wavelength of 350 to 420 nm, represented by the following compositional formula (1): A(1-x)Eu(1-x-y)LnyD2xM2O8 (1) wherein A is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, Rb and Cs, Ln is at least one element selected from rare earth elements including Y but excluding Eu, D is at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba, M is at least one element selected from Mo and W, x is a positive number satisfying 0
US07691291B2
Novel optically active polyacetylene derivatives exhibiting liquid crystallinity; liquid crystal compositions containing the derivatives; and moldings thereof. Specifically, polyacetylene derivatives which have helical structure of rigid-rod shape and which exhibit a liquid crystal phase either in a solvent containing an organic solvent as the main component or in a molten state as well as electric field orientation; liquid crystal compositions containing the derivatives; and moldings thereof. More specifically, polyacetylene derivatives having helical structure of rigid-rod shape as represented by the general formula [1]; liquid crystal compositions containing the derivatives; and moldings thereof: wherein R1 and R2 are each independently aminocarbonyl of an amino acid having an ester linkage with C2-22 alkyl or carbonylamino of an amino acid having an amide linkage with C2-22 alkyl, the amino acid being achiral one, or chiral one of (S)- or (R)-configuration, or a racemic mixture composed of both antipodes; and X is a number satisfying the relationship: 0
US07691289B2
Compositions, materials incorporating the compositions, and methods of use thereof, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the composition includes a metal nitrate selected from d-block metal nitrates and f-block metal nitrates and a metal salt having weakly bound counter anions. The metal of the metal salt having weakly bound counter anions is selected from a d-block metal and an f-block metal. Another embodiment of the composition includes a first polyoxometalate having a first metal selected from a d-block metal and an f-block metal and a second polyoxometalate having a second metal selected from a d-block metal and an f-block metal. The first metal being an open coordinate site of the first polyoxometalate. In addition, the first metal has a nitrate terminal ligand. The second metal being an open coordinate site of the second polyoxometalate. In addition, the second metal has a halide terminal ligand.
US07691283B2
A water-addition-type surfactant-based composition, containing: at least one of a fatty acid sodium salt and/or potassium salt, as a surfactant component; and at least one of N,N-bis(carboxymethyl)-L-glutamic acid tetrasodium salt, L-aspartate-(N,N)-diacetic acid tetrasodium salt, N-2-hydroxyethyliminodiacetic acid disodium salt, (S,S)-ethylenediaminesuccinic acid trisodium salt, methylglycinediacetic acid trisodium salt, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, nitorilotriacetic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetic acid, triethylenetetraminehexaacetic acid, 1,3-propanediaminetetraacetic acid, 1,3-diamino-2-hydroxypropanetetraacetic acid, dihydroxyethylglycine, glycol ether diamine tetraacetic acid, hydroxyethanediphosphonic acid, aminotrimethylenephosphonic acid, 1,2,4-butanetricarboxylic acid, dihydroxyethylethylenediaminediacetic acid, sodium gluconate, sodium glucoheptonate, inositol hexaphosphate, hydroxyethanoic acid, 2-hydroxypropanoic acid, 2-hydroxysuccinic acid, 2,3-dihydroxybutanedioic acid, and 2-hydroxy-1,2,3-propanetricarboxylic acid, as a chelating component.
US07691282B2
Disclosed is a hydrofluoroether compound comprising two terminal fluoroalkyl groups and an intervening substituted or unsubstituted oxymethylene group, each of the fluoroalkyl groups comprising only one hydrogen atom and, optionally, at least one catenated (that is, in-chain) heteroatom; with the proviso that the hydrogen atom is part of a monofluoromethylene moiety.
US07691271B1
A compact hydrogen generator is coupled to or integrated with a fuel cell for portable power applications. Hydrogen is produced via thermocatalytic decomposition (cracking, pyrolysis) of hydrocarbon fuels in oxidant-free environment. The apparatus can utilize a variety of hydrocarbon fuels, including natural gas, propane, gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, crude oil (including sulfurous fuels). The hydrogen-rich gas produced is free of carbon oxides or other reactive impurities, so it could be directly fed to any type of a fuel cell. The catalysts for hydrogen production in the apparatus are carbon-based or metal-based materials and doped, if necessary, with a sulfur-capturing agent. Additionally disclosed are two novel processes for the production of two types of carbon filaments, and a novel filamentous carbon product. The hydrogen generator can be conveniently integrated with high temperature fuel cells to produce an efficient and self-contained source of electrical power.
US07691269B2
A method and system for retrofitting an existing water treatment system having one or more biological reactor systems and one or more gravity clarifiers. To retrofit the existing water treatment system, the one or more gravity clarifiers of the existing water treatment system are converted to one or more biological reactors. In addition, one or more high rate clarifiers (HRCs) are added to the existing water treatment system. In some cases one or more high rate clarifiers are added downstream of the converted biological reactors, in other cases one or more HRCs is added upstream of the biological reactors, and in other cases a number of HRCs are added, upstream and downstream with respect to the biological reactors.
US07691263B1
A monolith for liquid chromatography is disclosed that involves a reaction product of; a (1) crosslinker having at least three adjacent groups, selected from ethylene oxide, polyethylene oxide, and mixtures thereof, and two or more pendent vinyl groups, and (2) monomer having the formula, CH2═CR—Y—Z, where R is H or CH3, where Z is a functional group selected to impart a desired interaction property to the monolith, and where Y is nothing, or any group that will not materially affect or compete with the function of the functional group (Z) in the monolith, or the reactivity of vinyl groups in the crosslinker or monomer.
US07691262B2
A wastewater treatment system including a biological reactor is disclosed. At least one controlled-reaction-volume module is provided to the biological reactor. The at least one controlled-reaction-volume module includes a fixed-film media for supporting a biological growth. At least one mixer, such as, for example, a high momentum mixer, for communicate a fluid to the at least one controlled-reaction-volume module so that wastewater and the biological growth communicate to thereby treat the wastewater.
US07691252B2
The present invention relates to a process for cathodic protection of electrode or electrode materials wherein negative bias is applied on the electrode. the negative bias is obtained by asymmetric current pulse. The asymmetric current pulse is obtained by performing negative phase with higher amplitude. The asymmetric current pulse is obtained by performing negative phase with wider pulse width than that of the anodic phase. The asymmetric current pulse is obtained by performing negative phase with higher amplitude and with wider pulse width than that of the anodic phase. The present invention further relates to a process for cathodic protection of electrode or electrode materials, wherein negative bias is applied on the electrode, wherein the negative bias is obtained by asymmetric current pulse, wherein the asymmetric current pulse is obtained by performing negative phase with wider pulse width than that of the anodic phase. The wider pulse width is obtained by pulse trains.
US07691236B2
The present invention relates to a doctor blade comprising: a body having a thickness, a sharp leading side, a trailing side, and working end comprising a bevel surface, wherein the bevel surface is defined by a leading edge and a trailing edge, and wherein the Ra of the bevel surface is from about 1 μ-in to about 7 μ-in. The present invention further relates to a method of removing a material from a surface of a piece of equipment, the method comprising providing a material on the surface of the piece of equipment; providing a doctor blade adjacent to the surface of the equipment, the creping blade having a working end including a leading edge, which is disposed closest to the surface of the equipment, a trailing edge disposed farthest from the surface of the equipment and a bevel surface disposed therebetween; passing the surface of the equipment past the doctor blade or the doctor blade past the surface of the equipment such that the material impacts the doctor blade and at least a portion of the material is removed from the surface of the piece of equipment; and passing the removed material over the bevel surface of the doctor blade wherein the Ra of the bevel surface is from about 1 to about 7 μ-in.
US07691235B2
Apparatus for separating steam from a mixture of steam and fibers is disclosed, comprising an elongated feeding compartment having an inlet and a feeding device for feeding a mixture through the inlet. The feeding device comprises a tubular section which is curved such that the mixture in the tubular section is separated under the influence of centrifugal forces in a heavy steam-less fraction of fibers in a outer layer and in a light fiber-free fraction of steam in a inner layer. The tubular section is arranged in such a way that a heavy fraction of fibers is fed through the inlet peripherally. The separated light fraction of steam is fed against the center of the compartment and removed through an outlet of the apparatus.
US07691232B2
A method and a device for treating a web, wherein the web is coated by a coating device. The coated web is calendered, and a steam application device applies steam to the coated web before the coated web is calendered. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
US07691229B2
A web-making fabric for producing a high caliper fibrous web and the fibrous web produced thereby. The web-making fabric comprises a reinforcing structure and a framework joined to the reinforcing structure. The framework defines a plurality of deflection conduits, at least one deflection conduit is a negatively radiused deflection conduit, and at least one deflection conduit is a positively radiused deflection conduit. The positively radiused deflection conduits are sized, shaped, and arranged to maximize fiber deflection along the periphery of the conduits. The web comprises three regions, a first region a second region and a third region. The first region is immediately adjacent to at least one of the second region and the third region. The second region comprises a plurality of negatively radiused domes. The third region comprises a plurality of positively radiused domes.
US07691219B2
A method and device for manufacturing a body, a device for implementing the method, and products obtained by the method. In the method, at least a first heated composite strip is introduced into at least one die, and at the same time, at least one molten material is introduced into the die in contact with the first composite strip, to obtain at least one second composite strip, and the second composite strip is wound around a support rotating about its axis.
US07691214B2
An iron-containing heat-resistant aluminum-based alloy product consisting essentially of, in weight percent: up to 0.15% chromium, 0.80-1.20% copper, 0.80-1.20% iron, 2.20-2.80% magnesium, up to 0.10% manganese, 0.80-1.20% nickel, up to 0.15% silicon, up to 0.15% titanium, 5.50-7.00% zinc, up to 0.25% zirconium, and up to 0.25% scandium, with the balance being aluminum. Also, a manganese-containing heat-resistant aluminum-based alloy product consisting essentially of, in weight percent: up to 0.25% chromium, 0.80-1.20% copper, up to 0.30% iron, 2.30-2.90% magnesium, 2.70-3.10% manganese, 2.85-3.25% nickel, up to 0.15% silicon, up to 0.15% titanium, 6.10-7.10% zinc, up to 0.25% zirconium, and up to 0.25% scandium, with the balance being aluminum. A spray-formed billet of the alloy is prepared by: charging aluminum and the other elements that are to make up the alloy into a crucible; melting the elements in the crucible to form the alloy; pouring the melted alloy through an atomizer to atomize the alloy in a spray chamber; and depositing the atomized alloy onto a collector disc at the bottom of the spray chamber to form the desired spray-formed billet. The billet can then be forged into a shaped product, such as an aircraft inboard main wheel half.
US07691211B2
The present invention concerns a method for generating nanostructures in order to obtain in an area on the surface of a metal piece (10) a nanostructured layer of defined thickness, characterized in that it comprises: a step for projecting onto an impact point in the area of the surface of the piece (10) to be treated, for a given duration, at a given speed and at variable incidences at the same impact point, a given quantity of perfectly spherical balls (22) of given dimensions, reused continuously during the projection; repetition of the preceding step with a shift of the impact point so that the impact points as a group cover the entire surface of the piece to be treated; a step for treatment by diffusion of chemical compounds into the nanostructured layer generated during the step for implementing the method for generating nanostructures.
US07691209B2
An apparatus reminds an operator of a need to change water in a reservoir of a warewasher. A counter that counts operating cycles of the warewasher and a sensor provides signal indicating that the reservoir has been drained and refilled. A controller responds to the counter having a first threshold value by activating an annunciator to alert the operator that is it time to change the water. Thereafter when the counter has a greater second threshold value and the controller disables operation of the warewasher until the sensor indicates that the reservoir has been drained and refilled. Thus the operator is required to change the water in order to continue using the warewasher.
US07691207B2
A method for cleaning a disk-shape glass substrate, which comprises rotating the disk-shape glass substrate on its center with its main surface vertical, and making a cleaning fluid irradiated with ultrasonic waves run down on the outer peripheral edge surface of the rotating glass substrate.
US07691205B2
A substrate-supporting device for CVD having a substrate-supporting region includes: a substrate-supporting surface which is a continuous surface defining a reference plane on which a substrate is placed; and multiple dimples having bottom surfaces lower than the reference plane. The respective dimples are isolated from each other by a portion of the substrate-supporting surface.
US07691203B2
A film forming apparatus is provided that can prevent source gases from reacting together before reaching the substrate being processed in the apparatus, minimize the influence of the radiation heat from the substrate, and make the gas behavior in the reaction chamber better for crystal film formation. The apparatus forms a film on a surface of a heated substrate 5 by causing a first source gas and a second source gas to react together. The apparatus has a processing chamber 1, in which the substrate 5 is placed. The processing chamber 1 is divided into a heating chamber 1a and a reaction chamber 1b by at least the substrate 5 so that the substrate surface can be exposed to the source gases in the reaction chamber 1b. The apparatus further has an exhaust duct 7, through which the exhaust gas can be discharged. The exhaust duct 7 faces the exposed substrate surface and connects with the reaction chamber 1b. The apparatus further has first supply ports 11 and second supply ports 12, through which the first and second source gases respectively can be supplied independently onto the substrate surface. The supply ports 11 and 12 are positioned outside the exhaust duct 7. This enables the source gases to react immediately near the substrate 5 so that high-quality crystal film formation can be performed on the substrate.
US07691202B2
An object is to provide an ultraviolet light-emitting device in which a p-type semiconductor which has high conductivity and an emission peak in ultraviolet region, and emits light efficiently is used. The p-type semiconductor is prepared by supplying a p-type impurity raw material at the same time or after starting supply of predetermined types of crystal raw materials, besides before starting supply of other types of crystal raw materials than the predetermined types of crystal raw materials in one cycle wherein all the types of crystal raw materials of the plural types of crystal raw materials are supplied in one time each in case of making crystal growth by supplying alternately the plural types of crystal raw materials in a pulsed manner.
US07691198B2
A dry mix cement composition including an alkaline multi-phase aluminosilicate material, wherein the alkaline multi-phase aluminosilicate material provides a source of alkaline and soluble silicate to the cement composition.
US07691197B2
The present invention relates to a method of preparing a yellow pigment comprising an asymmetric quinolonoquinolone in an amount greater than 50% by weight of the yellow pigment. Also disclosed are modified yellow pigments comprising this yellow pigment having attached at least one organic group as well as inkjet ink compositions comprising the yellow pigments or the modified yellow pigments.
US07691196B2
Disclosed are yellowing-stable, silver-white effect pigments having high whiteness based on synthetic mica flakes and to the use thereof in paints, lacquers, printing inks, plastics, button pastes, ceramic materials, glasses, for coloring seed, as dopant in laser markings of plastics and papers, as additive for laser welding of plastics, as additive for coloring in the foods and pharmaceuticals sectors and in cosmetic formulations, and for the preparation of pigment compositions and dry preparations.
US07691192B2
An ink composition including at least water, a cyan dye represented by the formula shown below and an aromatic compound having a carboxyl group and/or a salt thereof; an inkjet recording method using the composition; and recorded matter which is recorded by the recording method wherein M represents a hydrogen atom, a metal element, a metal oxide, a metal hydroxide or a metal halide, R1 to R4 each independently represents —SO2Z, and Z represents a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, provided that at least one of four Z's has an ionic hydrophilic group as a substituent.
US07691189B2
The present invention is directed to a process for manufacturing multilayer printed circuit boards which is capable of simultaneous via hole filling and formation of conductor circuit and via holes of good crystallinity, and by which uniform deposition can be constructed on a substrate and high-density wiring and highly reliable conductor connections can be realized without annealing.
US07691188B2
An adsorption element for adsorbing gases and vapors from the gaseous atmosphere in the intake tract of an internal combustion engine. The adsorption element is disposed within a wall of a flow cross section carrying the intake air, has a planar adsorption medium along which the intake air flows, and is pleated to create folds in longitudinal direction of the intake stream.
US07691186B2
A pleated filter media includes a plurality of parallel conductive beads to support the media and space the pleated surfaces apart. A high voltage differential applied between adjacent conductive beads induces an electrostatic field within the filter media, thereby increasing the efficiency of the filter.
US07691185B2
A recirculating water extractor includes a swirl vane, a converging nozzle, and two sumps. The recirculating water extractor may be designed to reintroduce uncollected water droplets back into the air stream upstream of both sumps, which may provide additional opportunities for separation. The Coanda effect may be exploited to increase the discharge of water along a surface. Utilizing a converging nozzle may intensify the centrifugal force applied to the air stream rich with entrained water and may move more of entrained water into contact with the wall of the nozzle, which, in turn, may enhance the liquid/vapor separation compared to prior art water extractors. The recirculating water extractor utilizing the Coanda effect and the method for removing entrained water from an air stream may be suitable for, but not limited to, applications in the aircraft and aerospace industries, for example, by being included in environmental control systems of aircraft.
US07691184B2
The invention relates to an arrangement for gas removal including a vertical cylindrical vessel (1) having an outlet (8) and a tangentially arranged inlet (6). The inlet includes means which bring an incoming fluid (4) into a jet which is sharply delimited in the radial direction and runs close to the vessel's (1) inner surface (5) at such a high initial velocity that an upwards open whirlpool (12) comprising a curved fluid surface (11) is formed. The outlet (8) is arranged tangentially at a level which is below the fluid surface (11). The invention also relates to a method for degassing a process fluid, wherein a deep whirlpool (12) including a curved fluid surface (11) is formed in a cylindrical vessel. At said fluid surface gas is brought to escape by means of centrifugal forces acting within the fluid. The invention further relates to the use of the above arrangement and method, respectively, for deaerating a process fluid in paper- or cellulose making.
US07691180B2
Ionic liquids comprising a mixture of one or more triflate or bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide salt(s) with one or more Lewis acids(s), wherein the total of the molar contents of the Lewis acid(s) in the mixture is from about 0.01-98%, are provided, that are useful as catalysts in Lewis acid catalyzed reactions.
US07691175B2
When fine metal particles of a nanometer size are handled in a state of colloidal particles, it is difficult to handle them and the range of the selection of the solvent to be used is limited. The invention offers a granular metal powder that is produced by the steps of (a) preparing a suspension liquid comprising (a1) water, an organic solvent, or a mixture thereof, (a2) metal particles having an average particle diameter of at least 1 nm and at most 100 nm, and (a3) an organic compound capable of being adsorbed on the surface of the metal particles and (b) removing the water, organic solvent, or mixture thereof by drying the suspension liquid and that has an apparent density of at least 1.0 g/ml and at most 5.0 g/ml. The granular metal powder can be handled as a dry metal powder and is readily redispersed in a solvent.
US07691154B2
The invention in some embodiments relates to systems and methods of controlling pressure within a prosthetic knee. The knee in one embodiment comprises a flexible diaphragm that substantially prevents or mitigates undesirable pressure build-up in a sealed chamber of the knee. The knee in another embodiment comprises a compressible gas in the chamber that substantially prevents or mitigates undesirable pressure build-up in the chamber.
US07691136B2
A system for protecting a coated reconfigurable medical implant is provided. This system may include a carrier device having a proximal end and a distal end and a reconfigurable deployable coated medical implant in physical communication with an implant carrying region of the carrier device. In this system the deployable medical implant may be coated with a coating positioned on an exposed surface of the deployable medical implant and the deployable medical implant may be reconfigurable from a first larger configuration to a second contracted configuration. For protecting the coating, the coated medical implant may be encased by a hollow deformable membrane when the deployable medical implant is in the first larger configuration and the membrane may define a cavity with a cross-section that is smaller than the external cross-section of the deployable medical implant. The medical implant may be crimped to its second contracted configuration while the hollow deformable membrane is in place.
US07691135B2
The present invention relates to the endoluminal repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms at the aortic and iliac bifurcation. In particular, a deployment system and graft are disclosed for deploying the bifurcated graft within both iliac branches, as well as the aortic trunk, from a single vascular access.
US07691133B2
Systems and methods for bone fixation are disclosed. A fixation system can have a planar fixation device and a laterally-fixed fixation apparatus. The planar fixation device can have a planar surface and at least one opening having side walls defining an at least generally cylindrical shape. The laterally-fixed fixation apparatus can have an at least generally cylindrical shaped head portion having outer wall sections at least partially surrounding a central hollow area. The head portion can have an inner bottom surface. An expander hub is provided in the fixation apparatus for positioning at least partially within the central hollow area of the head portion and can be seated at least partially on the inner bottom surface of the head portion. The expander hub is rotatable to force the outer wall sections of the head portion outwardly for engaging and locking the fixation apparatus in place in the opening. The fixation apparatus is further adapted for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the fixation apparatus without lateral toggle movement relative to the planar surface of the planar fixation device. In other aspects, systems for fixating an orthopedic guide and systems and methods for compressing bone portions are also provided.
US07691121B2
Embolectomy catheters, rapid exchange microcatheters, systems and methods for removing clots or other obstructive matter (e.g., thrombus, thromboemboli, embolic fragments of atherosclerotic plaque, foreign objects, etc.) from blood vessels. This invention is particularly useable for percutaneous removal of thromboemboli or other obstructive matter from small blood vessels of the brain, during an evolving stroke or period of cerebral ischemia. In some embodiments, the embolectomy catheters of this invention are advanceable with or over a guidewire which has been pre-inserted through or around the clot. Also, in some embodiments, the embolectomy catheters include clot removal devices which are deployable from the catheter after the catheter has been advanced at least partially through the clot. The clot removal device may included a deployable wire nest that is designed to prevent a blood clot from passing therethrough. The delivery catheter may include telescoping inner and outer tubes, with the clot removal device being radially constrained by the outer tube. Retraction of the outer tube removes the constraint on the clot removal device and permits it to expand to its deployed configuration. An infusion guidewire is particularly useful in conjunction with the embolectomy catheter, and permits infusion of medicaments or visualization fluids distal to the clot.
US07691115B2
An occlusion device includes a center assembly having a flexible section formed by a fabric connector. The flexible fabric connector gives the center assembly improved flexure characteristics, which allows the occlusion device to better conform to the contours of the heart.
US07691114B1
The technical field of the invention is the manufacture of surgical equipment implantable in the human body. The invention concerns a device for protecting nerves (2) and/or tendons (3) located in a canal zone (13) of the human body, normally closed by a ligament (1) and which is opened during a surgical procedure. The invention is characterized in that the device includes at least a plate (10) whereof the dimensions enable its insertion between the edges of the ligament, and in particular whereof the length is compatible with the distance separating the edges (11) of the ligament (1) after the cut performed during the surgical procedure, and whereof one face (102) includes a sliding surface and the other face (101) a adhering surface, the plate (10) is preferably convex with two curvilinear sides parallel in the direction transverse to the sides corresponding to the cut edges (11) of the ligament (1).
US07691111B2
Baskets with atraumatic distal tips allow the capture of material from difficult-to-reach areas of the body, while reducing the risk of tissue damage.
US07691110B2
A snare injection device for performing endoscopic transection procedures is disclosed. The device includes a snare system and a needle system, each containing actuator components separately routed in one of two channels of an elongated dual lumen. Deployment of the snare and needle are independently operated by two separate handle controls. The device includes needle travel stop and anti-puncture features for safety and ease of use.
US07691100B2
An MRI guided surgical apparatus includes a heat source formed by a laser and an optical fiber carrying the heat energy into a part to be coagulated by hyperthermia with an end reflector to direct the energy in a beam to one side of the fiber end. A reinforcing sleeve for the fiber is mounted in a shielded, Piezo-electric motor which causes movement of the fiber longitudinally and angularly within a rigid elongate cannula. A magnetic resonance imaging system is arranged to generate a series of output signals over a period of time representative of temperature in the part as the temperature of the part changes during that time. The heat source is controlled in heat energy applied and location and orientation of the beam to stop heating when the temperature at the boundary of a tumor reaches the required hyperthermic temperature. Cooling of the tip portion of the probe is effected by expansion of a supplied cooling fluid in gaseous form through a restrictive orifice into an expansion zone at the probe end. The fiber is thus encased in a stiff tubular titanium probe with a relatively small fluid supply duct along the inside of the probe with the interior of the probe acting as a return duct for the expanded gas. Thus the fiber end is contained in gas rather than liquid and the temperature of the probe end can be monitored by a sensor in the probe end and controlled by controlling the pressure in the supplied cooling fluid. The probe is driven in the longitudinal and rotational directions to move the fiber tip.
US07691088B2
A vascular access device having a spring-biased septum is provided for preventing the leakage of blood during the placement and use of vascular catheters and similar devices. The structure of the device includes a housing with an internal channel. A spring-biased septum is placed securely within the channel such that it substantially blocks blood flow through the channel. The spring-biased septum includes an elastic plug having a pre-slit or pre-molded hole and a biasing element disposed about the elastic plug. A needle or other object may be withdrawn through the slit or hole, after which the biasing element forces the hole closed, preventing blood leakage.
US07691085B2
A syringe interface includes a top opening into which a syringe can be loaded, a first retaining member positioned on one side of the opening and a second retaining member positioned on a second side of the opening. The first retaining member and the second retaining member abut a forward facing abutment surface of a syringe flange on the syringe generally symmetrically. The syringe interface further includes a cradle, at least one engagement member to abut a forward facing abutment surface of a syringe flange, and a carriage slidably disposed within the cradle. The carriage includes a connector to form a releasable connection with a plunger or plunger extension of the syringe and a drive member of the injector. The connector includes a plurality of flexing capture members that flex radially outward to connect to a flange on the rear of the plunger or plunger extension of the syringe when the carriage is moved forward within the syringe interface. The syringe interface may further include a connector on a rear portion thereof to connect to the injector.
US07691078B2
A stent for assisting urinary release in a male patient includes a first segment, a second segment, and a connecting member disposed between the first and second segments. The first segment includes a multi-winged malecot. When the stent is properly positioned within the patient's urinary system, the first segment is located on one side of the external sphincter with the multi-winged malecot located within the bladder to inhibit migration of the stent, and the second segment is located on the other side of the external sphincter and also tends to inhibit migration of the stent. The connecting segment is sized to extend through the external sphincter to couple the first and second segments together while not interfering with the normal operation of the external sphincter.
US07691075B1
The arm support bridge 11 is then uniformly bent outward away from the common lateral plane of the main panel 10 by applying a thermal press to the arm support bridge 11. The arm support bridge 11 is bent outward at acute angle of 20 to 40 degrees relative to the common lateral plane of the main panel 5 such that the underarm support 13 is disposed anterior of a longitudinal centerline of the main panel 5 and cantilevered from the main panel 10 with the arm support bridge 11.
US07691070B2
An apparatus for monitoring the presence of secretions in an artificial respiratory system comprises at least one sensing element (20) to detect waves generated by said secretions and output a main signal (50), representative of at least one main parameter characteristic of the waves; a first processing block (30) connected downstream of said first sensing element (20), is set to input the main signal (50) and to generate a corresponding main output alarm signal (51), in the case in which the main parameter has a greater value than a predetermined threshold value.
US07691068B2
System and method that can monitor pulse rate and passively produce a blood pressure measurement and automatically log the data for the user. Additionally, coupling to the Internet or Information Systems expands the options for the early detection of diseases, based on sudden detected changes and trend analyses, and the successful treatment of these patients while reducing the high costs associated with invasive procedures and in-hospital care.
US07691057B2
A surgical access system including a tissue distraction assembly and a tissue retraction assembly, both of which may be equipped with one or more electrodes for use in detecting the existence of (and optionally the distance and/or direction to) neural structures before, during, and after the establishment of an operative corridor to a surgical target site.
US07691041B2
An exercise device includes an upper body rest pivotally attached to a base. A first leg swing is pivotally attached to the base for engaging a first leg of an exerciser to perform a first leg raise. A second leg swing is pivotally attached to the base for engaging a second leg of an exerciser to perform a second leg raise. The upper body rest supports the spinal column and torso of an exerciser when performing the first and second leg raises.
US07691025B2
A multi-speed transmission has three planetary gear sets and six torque-transmitting mechanism packaged in various ones of five zones within a transmission cavity. Each planetary gear set has a ring gear member, a sun gear member and a carrier member that rotatably supports a plurality of pinion gears that intermesh with both the sun gear member and the ring gear member. Certain members are continuously connected for common rotation. Specifically, an interconnecting member continuously interconnects for common rotation the carrier member of the first planetary gear set, the sun gear member of the second planetary gear set and the ring gear member of the third planetary gear set. Additionally, the sun gear member of the first planetary gear set is grounded to the transmission casing via a radially-extending structural member.
US07691022B2
The transmission has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide nine forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio. The transmission includes four planetary gear sets, six torque-transmitting devices, and four fixed interconnections. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another one of the planetary gear members. The six torque-transmitting devices provide interconnections between various gear members, and the transmission housing, and are operated in combinations of three to establish nine forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio.
US07691020B2
In a roller or bushing chain transmission a standard roller or bushing chain having a uniform chain pitch meshes with a sprocket having at least two different tooth form pitches.
US07691019B2
A chain guide, including a chain guide member and a guide holder, in which deformation and/or scarring of the guide holder can be controlled, and which is easy to assemble and disassemble, is described. The position of a front end of the guide holder is brought in contact with a flange provided at the front end of the chain guide member. Left and right side surfaces of the chain guide member are formed on the backside of the flange. The leading edge of the front end of the guide holder abuts and confronts the left and right side surface of the backside of the flange of the chain guide member so that a chain entering the chain guide contacts the chain guide member rather than the guide holder. A method of manufacturing the guide holder is presented.
US07691013B2
A tennis training device comprises a ball, a rope, and a hollow pole, the ball being coupled with a portion of a first end of the rope, a part of the rope being in a cavity of the pole, the rope being knotted at or near the second end of the rope. The training device may be coupled with a support. A method of training various tennis shots comprises the steps of obtaining the training device; adjusting a length of a first portion of the rope which is outside the pole between an first end of the pole and the first end of the rope; holding the pole to set the ball at a selected height; and allowing a player to hit the ball with a tennis racquet. Multiple trainers may participate the training with the training devices and allow a player to practice a combination of different tennis shots.
US07691012B2
The present invention includes programs, devices and methods for a programmable ball throwing machine that is able to eject balls to preset, programmed or manually-selected positions with programmable projection and travel characteristics. The present invention includes a computer implemented method for controlling the parameters of a ball flight and trajectory in three dimensions including one or more parameters to identify a flight and trajectory of a ball in three dimensions for one or more player positions and a processor to control one or more motors in response to the one or more parameters.
US07691011B1
A durable golf tee having one piece body formed of a high modulus thermoplastic, preferably ultra high molecular weigh polyethylene (UHMWPE). The head of the tee includes a grooved area providing an area for material deformation at club head impact such that the area supporting the golf ball retains shape and structural integrity, and barbs are provided on the tee shank for resisting ground separation upon impact.
US07691003B2
A method for performing projectile-based sport simulations. A striking apparatus is used to strike a projectile with striking means, the striking apparatus being configurable to alter its strike properties. The strike results from the strike are measured and are entered into a data base along with the corresponding strike properties. The process is repeated for a variety of strike properties. A sports practice device is then provided having a simulation projectile mounted to a flexible tether and sensor means. The striking apparatus is then used to strike the simulation projectile of the sports practice device using the same strike properties as entered into the database. A user strikes the simulation projectile of the sports practice device and sensor readings are measured. The strike results for the user's strike are calculated by correlating the sensor readings with the information entered into the database.
US07690998B2
A gaming machine includes: an information reading unit that reads object information from a reading object provided with a storage medium in which the object information is stored, the reading object being mountable on the gaming machine; a game processing unit that performs game processing to provide to a player a game in a plurality of game states including a base game state and a bonus game state in which a grater advantage is provided to the player than in the base game state; and a display unit that displays an effect related to the game, wherein the game processing unit controls a frequency of occurrence of the effect to be displayed on the display unit during the game based on the object information read from the reading object by the information reading unit.
US07690995B2
A verification system for verifying a user's location within a predefined geographic area to allow remote access to a sports book system. The system includes a transmitter; one or more pagers for communicating with the transmitter; a control center for receiving a telephone call requesting remote access to a betting system; upon receipt of the telephone call, the control center forwards an authorization number to the transmitter which forwards the authorization number to the user pager. The user pager receives the authorization number only when within the predefined geographical area. Also, the system includes a communication channel by which the user returns to the control center, the authorization number after receipt by the user pager. Upon receiving the authorization number, the control center allows the user to remotely access the betting system.
US07690992B2
Video game processing apparatus, a method and a computer program product for processing a video game
When an action content command and an action target character is received, a control section and a graphics processor identify action executing standby time in accordance with a predetermined time identifying rule. The control section and the graphics processor then identify an action executable range in which a player character can execute the received action content in accordance with a predetermined range identifying rule, and determines whether or not an action target character that is a target of the received action content exists within the identified action executable range. The control section and the graphic processor execute the received action content against the action target character in the case where it is determined that the action target character exists within the action executable range when action executing standby time is clocked.
US07690986B2
A gaming device including a award mode in a primary game that increases the probability of obtaining an award in the primary game. The gaming device includes a plurality of reels having several symbols where the symbols include award symbols, at least one trigger symbol and at least one wild symbol. The gaming device activates the reels and initiates the award mode when the trigger symbol is indicated on one of the paylines associated with the reels. In the award mode, the gaming device re-activates all of the reels except the reel including the trigger symbol until those reels indicate a wild symbol on the payline. The gaming device then re-activates the reel including the trigger symbol until an award symbol is indicated on that reel. The gaming device provides the award associated with the indicated award symbol on the payline on that reel to the player.
US07690981B2
A gaming device that includes a plurality of elements or symbols which are each in one or more of a plurality of element groups or sets. The gaming device also includes a plurality of player selectable selections. Each player selectable selection is associated with one of the plurality of element groups or sets. In one embodiment, the player is enabled to pick one of the selections and each element in the element group or set associated with the picked selection is flagged or marked. If a designated element or combination of elements are not flagged, the player is enabled to pick at another one of the selections, one at a time, until a designated element or combination of elements are flagged or marked. Once a designated element or combination of elements are flagged or marked, the player is provided an award based, at least in part, on the specific element or combination of elements which are flagged or marked.
US07690977B2
A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. Upon a suitable triggering event at a triggering gaming device in the gaming system a bonus event occurs. When the bonus event occurs, the players actively playing each auxiliary gaming device in the gaming system are each provided a chance to participate in the bonus event as well. Each remaining gaming device's chance of participating in the bonus event is based on the individual accumulated bonus event pool for that gaming device.
US07690974B2
A debris deflector having a proximal end, a distal end, and opposed sides. The debris deflector uses a flexible connecting device for attaching the proximal end to a combine and a rigid connecting device for attaching the distal end to a header of the combine. The flexible connecting device comprises a spring device at each opposed side of the debris deflector adjacent the proximal end having hooks or other device for fastening or connecting to the combine and a rigid member releasably retained by a sleeve at the proximal end of the debris deflector. The rigid connecting device comprises a magnet at each opposed side of the debris deflector adjacent the distal end for magnetically connecting to the header of the combine and a nut and bolt fastener or other device for fastening or connecting the magnet to another rigid member releasably retained by a sleeve at the distal end of the debris deflector.
US07690958B2
An improved personal propulsion device that generally imparts thrust directly to the user. The device allows hands free control of thrust magnitude and direction so both hands can grasp and control bicycle handlebars and brakes, watercraft paddles, ski poles or other apparatuses. The device is adjustable vertically, on the users' back, higher to allow sitting in a canoe or wheelchair and lower for standing on skates, skis, kick scooters etc. A user on a bicycle may prefer to lean forward for comfort and aerodynamics, a device adjustment compensates and delivers level thrust. A user on a snowboard or skateboard stands oblique to the direction of travel, a device adjustment allows in line thrust. Both users' hands and arms are free to balance, protect others by pushing off or break a fall. The present invention can be provided as separate modules that allow interchangeability and use with a direct drive mechanism.
US07690957B2
An amphibious vehicle which has elements, such as caissons, floats, and ramps, arranged on a self-propelled rolling base, oriented essentially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the rolling base, when the vehicle is in a folded configuration for movement on land, and which are deployed to form a track or bridge portion oriented transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the rolling base, when the vehicle, alone or with another vehicle of the same design, is used to form a floating bridge or ferry. The vehicle has a deployment device for deploying elements by pivoting of four groups of the elements around four vertical shafts spaced from one another, according to at least three different configurations, each group of elements including at least one caisson.
US07690956B2
A shift-in operation determination device determines a shift-in operation based on a signal in accordance with an operation of a remote control lever. An ignition timing operation device retards an ignition timing of an engine based on a determination result of the shift-in operation by the shift-in operation determination device. A shift-in command device engages a shift actuator and a dog clutch with either of a forward traveling bevel gear or a rearward traveling bevel gear in a state where the ignition timing of the engine is retarded. The shift-in operation determination device works to prevent a shock which occurs at a shift-in while maintaining a stable engine output in an outboard motor.
US07690950B2
A wiring assembly that allows easy installation into a vehicle and includes a connector that allows functional signals to perform a function in a connector while passing through the connector.
US07690947B2
An electrical connector (100) for mating with a corresponding plug (200) includes a dielectric housing (1) defining two contact areas (15) along an up to down direction. An outer shield (3) encloses the dielectric housing. A plurality of contacts (2) are retained in the contact areas. An inner shield (4) are mounted between two contact areas and comprises a pair of spring arms (42) extending into the contact area to lock with the plug and a resilient strip (43) extending into the contact areas to abutting against an outer side of the plug.
US07690945B2
A coaxial cable connector is provided for attachment to a corrugated coaxial cable. The coaxial cable connector includes a clamping member with at least two projections configured to engage the outer corrugated conductor where the corrugated conductor has a diameter that is the smallest. The coaxial cable connector also includes seals to protect the coaxial cable connector from the elements. An alternative embodiment includes a third projection to engage the outer corrugated conductor to provide support for the coaxial cable.
US07690942B2
The present invention relates to the field of enhanced electrical power receptacles and associated plugs. Specifically it relates to power receptacles that are easy to identify and use. It achieves these features with a receptacle that has the individual prong-holes identified and differentiated with light source or markings in a scheme that allows the user to quickly locate and identify the proper prong-holes. The associated plug can be labeled with markings for orientation. The receptacle lighting or pattern scheme will help the user easily locate the receptacle and orient the associated plug for accurate and rapid insertion.
US07690935B2
The invention relates to a connector comprising at least a contact element, which has at least an unconnected state and a connected state; and a pre-loading element, which has at least a first position and a second position. When the pre-loading element is in the first position, it forces the contact element into the unconnected state and when the pre-loading element is in the second position, it allows the contact element to transfer to the connected state.
US07690925B2
Socket terminal assemblies and intercoupling components are configured to electrically connect a contacting area of an integrated circuit with a corresponding connection region of a substrate. The socket terminal assembly includes a socket shell, a pin, and a resilient member. The socket shell includes a portion defining an interior cavity and a protrusion extending inwardly relative to the portion, the protrusion defining an opening into the cavity within the socket shell. The pin includes a first portion having a first outer dimension and defining an interior cavity within the pin, and a second portion having a second outer dimension that is smaller than the first outer dimension. The first pin portion is received within the cavity of the socket shell with the second pin portion extending through the opening and out of the socket shell. In addition, the resilient member is interposed between the socket shell and the pin.
US07690916B2
A method and an apparatus for operating a gas-powered cooking device including an actuator for moving a closure disposed in the gas feed conduit of a burner to an open state and of igniting gas emitted from the burner by an ignition electrode to form a burner flame, the ignition electrode being connected to an ignition voltage for a predetermined first interval of time, a sensor thermo-conductively connected to the burner flame for generating a sensor voltage for maintaining the closure means in its open state if the sensor voltage attains a predetermined level and of initiating subsequent ignitions after a predetermined interval of time where the predetermined level is not attained within a predetermined further interval of time.
US07690913B2
An apparatus is provided that forms embossed portions on a workpiece. The apparatus includes a melting chamber filled with melt, such as ceramic, nozzles provided at a lower portion of the melting chamber, and presses provided adjacent to each of the injection nozzles. The injection nozzles drop the melt on the workpiece and the presses press the dropped melt into a predetermined shape of the embossed portions in a state where the dropped melt is being solidified after being dropped on the workpiece.
US07690906B2
A rotary powder compression molding machine configured to compression-mold powder filled in a die bore of a die mounted on a turret between a lower end face of an upper punch and an upper end face of a lower punch, is provided including powder lubricant jet means for jetting powder lubricant, the powder lubricant jet means including: jet nozzles, each of which has a concave surface, faces a respective one of end faces of the upper and lower punches at a respective powder lubricant jet position, and is configured to guide the powder lubricant along the concave surface and jet the powder lubricant in substantially one direction; an air stream providing mechanism configured to jet an air stream to adjacent the lower end face of the upper punch for preventing the powder lubricant jetted from the jet nozzles from scattering upwardly; and a charger device configured to charge the powder lubricant electrostatically upon jetting from the jet nozzles.
US07690892B1
A turbine blade or airfoil used in a gas turbine engine, the blade having a single cooling air flow path from leading edge to the trailing edge formed from a series of impingement cavities each connected by impingement holes. the series of impingement cavities are formed to alternate from a pressure side cavity to a suction side cavity, and the impingement holes are therefore offset at about 90 degrees, resulting in more impingement cavities being crowded into the length of blade and the impingement holes providing a jet of cooling air directed to a smaller impingement area and at about a head-on direction to the hot section of the cavity. The first impingement cavity is located at the leading edge as is supplied with cooling air from the exterior source, while the last impingement cavity in the series is located in the trailing edge region and includes a plurality of exit holes extending along the trailing edge to discharge the cooling air from the circuit. a greater number of impingement cavities are used in the same length of blade, and a more concentrated impingement jet is directed at the hottest surface of the cavity to provide improved cooling heat transfer coefficient.
US07690887B2
A first centrifugal impeller and a second centrifugal impeller are arranged in such an orientation that back sides of the first centrifugal impeller and the second centrifugal impeller face to each other. Bearings are cylindrical roller bearings and a thrust bearing. The cylindrical roller bearings are arranged at two axially spaced supporting positions respectively, and support a radial load applied to the rotating shaft. The thrust bearing supports a thrust load applied to the rotating shaft.
US07690882B1
This invention provides a system and method for separating, folding, stacking and transporting a continuous web that allows stacks of web that are relatively large (four-feet-high or more) to be generated at high speed directly beneath the folding mechanism and to be transferred as complete, discrete stacks to downstream locations and stack utilization devices without interrupting the ongoing, upstream stack-folding and stack-formation process. A zigzag folded web passes by a pair of opposing front and rear compression plate assemblies, with fingers that are extended to selectively project into the folding area, onto a stack supported by a vertically moving supporting mechanism. The supporting mechanism cycles between an ever-lower position in which upper, loose pages of the folded web pass by plate fingers (when retracted) and an upper position in which the stack engages and presses upwardly against the now-extended plate fingers to compress the stack. After the web is separated above the chute, the supporting mechanism eventually travels to the base where the now-completed stack is conveyed to a downstream location. While the supporting mechanism is occupied transferring the completed, old stack, new folded web is deposited on a deployed temporary support that allows a new stack to form thereon until the supporting mechanism has completed the transfer of the old stack, and is ready to receive the new stack from the temporary support.
US07690869B2
An inner member having a supply port is installed at the inside of a housing, wherein the housing and the inner member are connected together by connecting bolts. Air is supplied to the supply port of the inner member and is directed and introduced through communication passages into an annular passage. Thereafter, the air is directed outwardly from a plurality of lead-out holes, which communicate with the annular passage, in a swirling direction with respect to an annular recess facing the workpiece. In addition, by having the air flow along the annular recess, which is formed with a substantially trapezoidal shape in cross section, the workpiece is maintained in a non-contact state with respect to a holding surface of the inner member.
US07690868B2
A cable coupler includes a body having a first end, a second end, and first and second passageways sized and shaped to receive a cable, with each passageway including a tapered portion. A wedge assembly is disposed in each tapered portion to secure a cable to the body. A clip assembly is attached to the body adjacent the tapered portion of each of the passageways and is shiftable between a closed position in which the clip assembly is positioned to prevent an adjacent one of the wedge assemblies from exiting the corresponding passageway and an open position in which the adjacent wedge assembly is insertable into the tapered portion of the corresponding passageway.
US07690857B2
A storm drain relief channel for providing fluid/debris access from the surface of a road to the interior portion of a catch basin including a rigid box structure includes a substantially-hollow channel structure disposed adjacent to the rigid box structure of a curb inlet, the substantially-hollow channel structure having a first end defining a first opening and a second end defining a second opening, wherein the first end is configured to be disposed adjacent to and substantially flush with, and in fluid/debris communication with, the surface of the road and the second end is configured to be disposed one of adjacent to and within, and in fluid/debris communication with, the interior portion of the curb inlet.
US07690855B2
A binding tool for documents or the like is provided which is capable of suppressing the height of protruded portions from a surface of a base portion thereby to expand a space thereabove, and which is also easy to manufacture and assemble. The binding tool includes a base portion (2) formed of a metal plate, rings (3) that are each mounted on the base portion so as to be selectively changed into a closed ring posture to bind documents or the like and an opened ring posture to open a part of a closed ring for insertion of the documents or the like, and a switching mechanism (5) that is mounted on the base portion and includes a switching lever (4) for switching the rings between the closed ring posture and the opened ring posture. The switching lever has a base end (41) and a free end (42), and a cam member (6) is provided on the base end of the switching member for adjusting the degree of opening/closing of each of the rings according to a rotated position of the free end. The cam member has a cam main body (61) and camshafts (62) that protrude from the cam main body, and bearing portions (25) are formed in the base portion. The bearing portions are each formed of an inner surface of a curved portion where a part of the base portion is curved to a front surface side thereof.
US07690854B2
A packaging and applying device. The device is particularly advantageous for packaging and applying a cosmetic product, and includes a container holding the product; and an applicator element designed to be supplied with product via a passage in permanent or selective communication with the inside of the container. The applicator element includes an application surface intended to be placed in contact with a surface to be treated. The applicator element is carried by a mobile or movable member designed to move from a first position in which the applicator element is outside or faces outwardly from a recess, to a second position in which the applicator element is contained within the recess. The movable member additionally can perform the following functions when it is in the second position: prevent the actuation of a dispensing element fitted on the container, and/or close off the product delivery passage to the applicator element.
US07690853B2
A substrate processing apparatus comprises an indexer block, an anti-reflection film processing block, a resist film processing block, a development processing block, a resist cover film processing block, a resist cover film removal block, and an interface block. An exposure device is arranged adjacent to the interface block. The interface block includes a substrate replacement group. The substrate replacement group has a stack of three cleaning/drying processing units. The cleaning/drying processing unit subjects the substrate after exposure processing to cleaning and drying processing.
US07690851B2
An imaging apparatus, for example, a security camera, having a camera assembly including a camera mounted on and supported by a base and pivotally rotatable both in a vertical direction and in a horizontal direction to allow tilting and panning motions of the camera. The camera assembly is supported on an assembly fixation structure of the base to allow the tilting motion of the camera assembly. The assembly fixation structure is panned relative to a base foot of the base. A panning rotation gear for the panning motions of the camera is fixed on a ground plate, which has a positional change relative to a pedestal plate unit in the assembly fixation structure. A tilting motor, a panning motor, and vertical and horizontal rotation transmission mechanisms for the tilting motions and the panning motions of the camera are arranged on the pedestal plate unit of the assembly fixation structure. The tilting motor and the panning motor are arranged having respective output shafts in the horizontal direction and face each other across a pivot shaft fitting element on the pedestal plate unit.
US07690841B2
The system developed for the continuos temperature measurement of molten metal (1), like in the case of the continuous casting machine tundish (2), uses an optical process to control the continuous casting machine speed, and it consists of an optical infra-red sensor (8) protected by a cooled jacket (30). This two-color sensor (8), fitted with optical fiber (9) and an optical signal converter (10), is focused inside a high thermal and light conductivity ceramic tube (15), and it enables accurate temperature readings of molten steel (1) in the tundish (2).This practical device avoids the inconvenience of the method currently being used. It reduces the operator's high temperature exposure time, lowers maintenance downtime, minimizes the operating risks, improves safety and enables fast, simple replacement, resulting in improved slab quality and, as a consequence, lower costs.
US07690836B2
The present invention is an attachment to a mixer blade for wiping the sides of a container and producing a mixture that is uniform and consistent. The attachment is placed onto the mixer blade either temporarily or permanently. After the attachment is on the mixer blade, the rotating spin of the mixer blade and the angular positioning of the flexible fins wipe the mixture on the sides of the container to the center of the container. By using a flexible material for the fins, the fins come into direct contact with the container while not damaging the container. The direct contact allows for the complete wiping of each side of the container. The attachment is easily cleaned.
US07690830B2
The present invention makes a radiation angle of light at a portion of a light guide plate in front of an LED formed on one edge of a light guide plate and a radiation angle of light at a corner portion of the light guide plate equal to each other as much as possible. A shape of beam control elements which are arranged on a lower surface of a light guide plate is arranged concentrically about the LED.
US07690829B2
The front luminance of the light emitted from a surface light emitter provided with a surface light emitting device is greatly enhanced. In a surface light emitter in which a light control sheet 10 having a concavoconvex structure provided on one of its surfaces is affixed on to the light emitting side surface of a surface light emitting device, the projections 12 on one surface of the above light control sheet gets small towards the light emitting side surface of the above surface light emitting device, not only the tip surfaces 12a of these projections 12 are affixed to the light emitting side surface, but also a transparent material with a lower refractive index than the above light control sheet is packed in the space part 13 formed between the projections of the above light control sheet and the light emitting side surface of the surface light emitting device.
US07690824B2
An interior rearview mirror assembly includes a mirror reflective element having a front surface, a rear surface and a reflector. A display element is disposed to the rear of the rear surface and is operable to emit light when actuated, the emitted light passing through the mirror reflective element to be viewable to a driver of the vehicle. A garage door opener device is included in the rearview mirror assembly, which includes at least one user actuatable input device associated with operation of the garage door opener device. Actuation of at least one user actuatable input device causes the display element to provide a visual indication to the driver viewing the front surface, when the mirror assembly is installed in the vehicle, of at least one of (i) operation of the garage door opener device and (ii) coding the garage door opener device.
US07690822B2
A lighting fixture swivel joint for pivoting an upper conduit having a fixture head disposed at an upper end thereof downward with respect to a lower conduit generally includes an upper swivel joint member and a lower swivel joint member rotatably coupled to the upper swivel joint member about a plane of rotation. The upper swivel joint member includes an upper conduit receptacle defined by a longitudinal axis and being adapted to receive a lower end of the upper conduit, whereby the upper conduit is coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis. The plane of rotation is disposed at an angle of between zero degrees (0°) and thirty degrees (30°) with respect to the longitudinal axis of the upper conduit receptacle of the upper swivel joint member.
US07690815B2
The present invention relates to a portable lighting device comprising a body, a light source coupled to the body and configured to emit a beam of light along a central axis, a head assembly rotatably coupled to the body, and a filter assembly rotatably coupled to the body. The filter assembly has a rotational axis and a plurality of filters offset from the central axis. Rotation of the head assembly rotates the filter assembly to align different filters of the plurality of filters along the central axis on an output side of the light source.
US07690805B2
There is provided a lighting device that lights a liquid crystal panel, including a substrate (51) on which red, green and blue light separating plates (52R, 52G, 52B) are alternately disposed with a pitch of w in array. Red LEDs (53R) are disposed one at every other center between the green and blue light separating plates (52G, 52B), green LEDs 53G are disposed one at every other center between the blue and red light separating plates (52B, 52R), and blue LEDs (53B) are disposed one at every other center between the red and green light separating plates (52R, 52G).
US07690803B2
A light emitting sheet module includes a light guiding sheet to cover a plurality of key switches, at least one LED disposed on at least one end portion of the light guiding sheet, and a circuit board disposed on the one end portion of the light guiding sheet on which the LED is disposed. When the light emitting sheet module is, mounted on a switch board, it is capable of adaptation to key switches in a wide variety of forms and to illuminate the key switches with light emission of high brightness.
US07690799B2
Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, an optical relay for a head up display, the optical relay comprises a glare trap having angularly selectivity by being capable of reflecting light having an angle of incidence greater than a first angle, and being capable of transmitting light having an angle of incidence less than a second angle, and a first optic arranged to receive light reflected off the glare trap at an angle of incidence greater than the first angle, and to direct light through the glare trap at an angle of incidence less than the second angle to exit the glare trap.
US07690781B2
A UVLED (62) or a UVLED array unit (64) is employed in the UV-ray emitting body of a UV-ray irradiating means (60) for curing a UV-ink drop, shot at the surface of print media (50) mounted on a platen (20) from the ink jet head (30) of an ink jet, by irradiating it with UV-rays. Power consumption of the UV-ray irradiating means (60) is suppressed greatly, the UV-ray irradiating means (60) is reduced in size and weight or simplified, waiting time of the UV-ray irradiating means (60) is eliminated when the UV-ray emitting body is lighting, or generation of ozone is prevented when the UV-ray emitting body is lighting.
US07690775B2
An ink stick having a solid ink stick body adapted for insertion in an insertion direction into an ink loader of a phase change ink device. The solid ink stick body includes a top and bottom surface that are oriented substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction and a plurality of side surfaces that are substantially parallel to the insertion direction. The plurality of side surfaces define a plurality of corner edges that extend from the top surface to the bottom surface where adjacent side surfaces meet. A corner guide element extends at least partially along at least one corner edge in a feed direction of the feed channel. The corner guide elements are configured to engage guide members in the feed channel to restrain movement of the ink stick body in at least one direction other than the feed direction. The insertion direction is parallel to the feed direction.
US07690772B2
The ink jet printer comprises a printhead (22) movable in front of a printing medium (30) and provided with an ink cartridge (25) integral with it; the cartridge is filled with ink from a main, high capacity tank (35), which is connected at intervals to the cartridge (25) by means of a capillary element. During each connection, the capillary element (101) is brought into contact with the sponge (41) inside the cartridge, while a peristaltic pump (134) mounted integral upon the main tank provides a pressure suitable for generating a sufficient flow of ink to refill the cartridge (25) in a short time frame. To perform the refilling, the cartridge is brought at the end of its stroke into a service station (5) mounted on the body of the main tank (35), which is moved against the cartridge by means of a motor-driven linkage, controlled by a refilling management program, in response to the signals of a cartridge ink level sensor.
US07690769B2
A recording head for use in an inkjet recording device, the recording head including a cavity unit having a plurality of nozzles each of which ejects a droplet of an ink, a plurality of communication holes which communicate with the plurality of nozzles, respectively, and a common ink chamber which communicate with each of the communication holes and which temporarily stores the ink to be supplied to the each of the nozzles via a corresponding one of the communication holes. The cavity unit has at least one inner wall surface which defines the common ink chamber and has respective open ends of the communication holes. The at least one inner wall surface further has a plurality of grooves each of which is connected, at one end thereof, to the open end of a corresponding one of the communication holes.
US07690761B2
An inkjet printhead assembly includes an elongate ink supply body. The body defines a plurality of ink supply channels. An elongate cradle defines a plurality of rows of apertures and can be fast with the body so that ink within the ink supply channels can pass through respective rows. A plurality of printhead segments each includes a carrier. Each carrier defines a plurality of rows of ink supply passages arranged so that the ink supply passages can be placed in alignment with respective apertures when the carrier is cradled within the cradle. Each printhead segment further includes an elongate ink ejection printhead mounted to the carrier in fluid communication with the ink supply passages.
US07690754B2
An inkjet printer head including: (a) a front head unit having (a-i) an outside surface which is to be opposed to a print media, (a-ii) an inside surface opposite to the outside surface, (a-iii) a plurality of nozzles opening in the outside surface and arranged in row, and (a-iv) an ink inlet opening in the inside surface; (b) an ink-channel defining unit supplying an ink into the front head unit through the ink inlet; (c) a head holder holding the front head unit; and (d) a reinforcement member fixed to the inside surface of the front head unit. The front head unit and the head holder are fixed to each other, with the reinforcement member being interposed therebetween. The ink-channel defining unit is fixed to one of opposite side surfaces of the reinforcement member that is remote from the front head unit. Also disclosed is an inkjet printer including the above-described inkjet printer head, a carriage, a heat dissipater and a bubble discharger, wherein the heat dissipater, bubble discharger and front head unit are mounted on the carriage, and are arranged in a direction of movement of the carriage.
US07690751B2
A temperature detection circuit acquires first temperature data detected by a temperature sensor corresponding to a heater of a recording head in a state in which no electric current is flowed into the heater, and second temperature data for the heater in a state in which an electric current is flowed into the heater. Correction data for correcting the temperature data detected by the temperature sensor is obtained based on the first and second temperature data. The temperature data detected by the temperature sensor is corrected based on the correction data.
US07690742B2
An inkjet printer head driving apparatus and a control method thereof include a switching unit turning on and off each of heating elements to heat and eject ink through nozzles, a level shift unit having a level converter converting to a predetermined potential level a potential level of a signal inputted to drive the switching unit, a transient time extending part provided with at least one time extending element to extend a transient time during which a potential level of the signal inputted from the level converter to the switching unit is converted from a first signal level to a second signal level and vice versa, and a control unit outputting to the level shift unit the delayed signal as a nozzle selection signal to select the nozzles corresponding to a to-be-recorded image.
US07690732B2
A seat assembly including an assembly frame having at least two seat connection brackets, a seat frame, two or more connectors attached to the seat frame, the two or more connectors removably attached to the two or more seat connection brackets, two or more flexible supports extending across at least a portion of the seat frame, each support including a woven material, and a foam cushion including one or more holes, wherein the seat frame and the two or more flexible supports are molded within the foam cushion, and wherein the one or more connectors extend at least partially within the one or more holes.
US07690731B2
A collapsible highchair for an infant has a seat (3), a back-rest (4) and a front leg-support (5) that are provided in one by an elongate, contoured moulding (1). Rear leg-support is by tubular legs (2) which are pivoted to the one-piece moulding (1) under the seat (3) and which are held in rearward extension in the erect condition of the highchair by a pivoted tubular frame (10) which snaps into a socket (11) under the seat (3). Release of the frame (10) from the socket (11) allows the legs (2) to fold onto the underside of the front leg-support (5) for collapse of the chair. A tube (14) attached at each end under the seat (3) extends up either side of the seat (3) to form arm-rests (15), and a backwardly/forwardly slidable tray (18) is attached by releasable mounts (20) to the arm-rests (15).
US07690724B2
A massage chair including an electric reclining mechanism for moving a backrest into different sloping positions, a holding mechanism for holding at least one forearm of a user to fix to the base side, and a controller that controls operations of these mechanisms. The controller allows the holding mechanism to hold the at least one forearm and allows the electric reclining mechanism to move the backrest into at least one sloping position before moving the backrest into a final position. An inclination of the at least one sloping position from a sloping position of the different sloping positions when the at least one forearm is held by the holding mechanism is smaller than an inclination of the end position from a sloping position of the different sloping positions when the at least one forearm is held by the holding mechanism.
US07690709B2
The invention relates to a rear door for a motor vehicle, the door including hinges (16, 16′) embodying an axis (Y) for pivoting the door on the vehicle between a closed position and an open position. The door includes a motor (17) for generating a driving torque about the pivot axis of the door.
US07690701B2
A walk-in bathtub adjustable door latch assembly incorporates an adjustably positionable closing lever to secure and to adjustably move and adjustably pressure a hinged door of a walk-in bathtub into a close sealing position in a bather entryway to guard against water leakage through the bather entryway.
US07690699B2
A first element is connected to a first end of a connecting piece and a second element is connected to a second end of the connecting piece. At least one end of the connecting piece is provided with a thread, whereby the connecting piece is connectable to a pipe or fitting with a threaded connection. The connecting piece is made of plastic in such a way that a metal insert provided with a thread is arranged at at least one end of the plastic body of the connecting piece, or the connecting piece is made substantially completely of thermoplast in such a way that the thermoplastic body is provided with a thread. The outer surface of the connecting piece is provided with a gripping member. The gripping member is formed and dimensioned such that it gives way earlier than the connecting member thread and/or basic structure.
US07690698B1
An improved system and method for facilitating pipe and conduit coupling comprises a clamp having at least one screw hole for insertion therethrough of at least one screw for insertion for a further clamp for being screwed to fasten the clamps together on ends of pipes to be coupled, at least one gasket between the clamps and pipe and including at least one retainer to engage with the screw to prevent the screw from displacement prior to being screwed into fastening relationship with the gasket and the pipe. An improved method for facilitating pipe coupling comprises providing clamps fastenable together around ends of pipes, a gasket to be placed between the clamps and the pipe ends and providing at least one retainer to engage the screw to prevent it from being displaced through a screw hole prior to fastening the clamps around the pipe ends.
US07690694B2
A quick coupling device comprising a body (5) axially subdivided into a link section (6) for linking to a first duct (1), and a connection section (7) arranged to receive in leaktight manner one end of a second duct (2), the body being associated with a retaining member (22) possessing tabs (24) that are elastically deformable between a state of gripping an outer bead (4) on the end of the second duct, and a state of releasing the bead, the retaining member being mounted on the body to turn between a free deformation position in which the tabs can deform between their two states, and at least one holding position in which the tabs cooperate with a surface (20, 21) that is secured to the body and that holds the tabs in one of their two states.
US07690693B2
Fitting connections for corrugated metal tubing. The connection includes a body having an externally-threaded end, a nut or other fastener which is threadably engageable with the body end, and a collet which is receivable coaxially within the fastener. The collet is formed as a series of individual, arcuate tangs which are joined together by a retaining collar, the collar allowing the segments to be resiliently opened within the fastener so as to allow the crests of the tubing to pass therethrough. The fitting may be pre-assembled with the collet segments being received coaxially within the fastener with the collar extending rearwardly from the fastener, and with the fastener then being partially threaded onto the fitting body.
US07690691B2
A plastic pipe coupler is provided having a plurality of sections connected to one another but with at least one gap between the ends of two sections which are adjacent to one another. Each of the coupler sections has an exterior surface and an interior surface, and is fabricated so that when taken together, the sections cooperatively circumvent a section of plastic pipe. Each bracket is secured to the exterior surface of one of the aforesaid sections of the coupler and has a base plate, a pair of sidewall plates attached to each base plate, and a crosspiece having a first end and a second end, the first end of which is in contacting relationship with one of the pair of sidewall plates, while the second end is in contacting relationship with the other of the pair of sidewall plates.
US07690689B2
A saddle-type vehicle that securely supports a fuel tank with sufficient strength when load in a vertical direction is applied. A pair of frame members extend in a front-and-rear direction of the vehicle and support a fuel tank. The fuel tank has a pair of flanges contacting the outer sides of the frame members. The flanges are attached to the frame members by attachment members inserted from outside in a vehicle width direction.
US07690685B2
A steering mechanism of a vehicle has a suspension arm, and steering acceleration gear mechanisms for steering left and right front wheels provided to either end of the suspension arm. A portion of the suspension arm protrudes further forwardly of the vehicle than the steering acceleration gear mechanisms, so that the steering acceleration gear mechanisms including knuckle arms are protected from obstructions.
US07690679B2
A passenger-protecting system includes a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure in an inner space of a door and a side airbag installed in the door. The pressure in the inner space increases when a side collision occurs. When the pressure in the inner space of the door exceeds a predetermined threshold level, the side airbag is inflated to protect a passenger from a side collision. There are certain situations where the operation of the side airbag is not necessary even if the pressure in the inner space of the door exceeds the threshold level. Such situations include: when the door is abruptly closed and a front airbag is inflated to protect a passenger from a frontal collision. According to the present invention, unnecessary operations of the side airbag are effectively avoided.
US07690667B2
A bicycle shock absorber and methods for differentiating between rider-induced forces and terrain-induced forces includes a first fluid chamber having fluid contained therein, a piston for compressing the fluid within the fluid chamber, a second fluid chamber coupled to the first fluid chamber by a fluid communication hose, and an inertial valve disposed within the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve opens in response to terrain-induced forces and provides communication of fluid compressed by the piston from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve does not open in response to rider-induced forces.
US07690660B2
A leading or trailing arm vehicle suspension system comprised of a fabricated vehicle axle and a fully integrated beam casting providing bending stiffness to control axle windup and longitudinal stiffness to control axle position is disclosed. The beam casting is attached to the vehicle axle with a thru-bolt connection. The beam casting includes rack and pinion mounting attachment holes and also includes other built-in features providing efficient transfer of loads into the vehicle axle.
US07690653B2
The present invention generally relates to a game device. In one aspect, a foosball game apparatus is provided. The foosball game apparatus includes a game body having a playing field, an endwall adjacent each end of the playing field, and a sidewall adjacent each side of the playing field. The foosball apparatus further includes an electronic digital display formed in each end wall for indicating a time period and a score. In another aspect, a method of playing a timed foosball game is provided.
US07690649B2
A method of synchronizing the feeding and printing of sheets of media, i.e., paper, envelopes, post cards, etc. even though shingled feeds have occurred in the system. The foregoing is accomplished by utilizing two sensors and counters to monitor two sheets of paper to allow two software tasks to stay in synchronization and release the appropriate print data to the printer even when a sheet of paper was not detected in the feeder appears at the print head. The feeder sensor has a counter for its Lead Edge as does the Start of Print Sensor that is in the system's transport paper path. The feeder sensor counter and the start of print counter are incremented and decremented as the paper approaches the sensor and leaves the sensor. If the lead edge counter of the feeder sensor goes negative, then the feeder has shingled and the data for that sheet of paper must be printed.
US07690645B2
A sheet supplying apparatus, including a sheet holder which accommodates recording sheets stacked on each other; a feeding device which feeds an uppermost one of the stacked sheets in a sheet-feed direction; an inclined guide plate which is provided downstream of the sheet holder in the sheet-feed direction, wherein the inclined guide plate has a sheet-guide surface which guides a movement of each sheet while changing a direction of the movement thereof; a sheet-separate body with which the sheet feeding device cooperates to separate and feed the sheets, one by one, wherein the sheet-separate body is supported by the inclined guide plate, and includes sheet-separate portions which are arranged in the sheet-feed direction and which project from respective portions of the sheet-guide surface; and a projecting portion which is supported by the inclined guide plate, at a position distant from the sheet-separate body in a widthwise direction of the sheet holder, and which has a curved surface projecting from the sheet-guide surface.
US07690636B2
A finishing apparatus in a copying machine is disclosed, which can finish large sized papers without enlarging the size of a tray base. The finishing apparatus includes a jogging assembly 170 aligning papers in left and right directions, a paper contact plate 166 provided with a stapler 196, a paper roller 200 pushing the papers to a paper stacker 134, ends of the papers being positioned in the stapler, a tray base 10 moving in a direction opposite to the paper roller to guide alignment of a set of the papers, and an angle adjusting unit guiding the papers by adjusting a tilt angle of the papers in accordance with the size of the papers.
US07690635B2
An apparatus includes a frame, a rotatable first shaft, wherein the first shaft includes a first cam, a rotatable second shaft, an item gripper connected to the second shaft by a connection including a link and an offset shaft rotatably connected to the link, and a linkage. The link is adapted to rotate with the second shaft for pivoting the offset shaft about the second shaft. The item gripper includes jaws adapted to open and close when the offset shaft is axially rotated relative to the link. The linkage connects the first cam on the first shaft to a rider on the offset shaft. The linkage includes a second having a stepped surface for a stepped movement of the rider along the stepped surface to open the jaws during a predetermined angular movement of the offset shaft about the center axis of the second shaft.
US07690633B2
A sheet processing apparatus may include a conveyance path and a tray. The conveyance path may convey sheets. The tray may receive the sheets conveyed from the conveyance path. The tray may include a stapler and a folding member. The stapler may staple the sheets. The folding member may fold the stapled sheets and may be provided upstream from the stapler relative to a sheet conveyance direction.
US07690631B2
A ski holder for tuning skis is disclosed. The device allows a ski to be held in a variety of orientations so that adjustments and maintenance work can be performed thereon. The device includes a track assembly, a plurality of ski support assemblies slidably engageable with the track assembly, and a plurality of binding support assemblies slidably engageable with the track assembly. The ski support assemblies allow a ski to be held in vertical, horizontal, and angled positions, and can be locked in desired positions along the track assembly. The binding support assemblies contact bindings of a ski to assist with retaining a ski on the holder, and can also be locked in desired positions along the track assembly.
US07690626B2
A trunnion type ball valve having valve seats that are laterally moveable within seat recesses of the valve and establish sealing engagement with a valve ball member that is trunnion supported for rotational movement between open and closed positions. The valve seat members are self-centering for optimum sealing engagement with the spherical sealing surface of the ball member. The internal geometry of the seat assemblies are designed to permit optimum flow through the valve mechanism even under circumstances where the seat members are located in laterally off-center relation with respect to the centerline of the flow passages due to self-centering seat movement. The ball valve is readily adapted for fire-safe application via the use of heat resistant seals and metal-to-metal sealing of components to prevent or minimize leakage in the event of seal destruction or degradation by excess heat.
US07690625B2
A valve including a shutter placed in a chamber which is arranged in the valve body and whose end is provided with a seat against which a plug-forming part of the shutter is pressed in the closed position of the valve and is remote in the open position thereof. The inventive valve also includes a magnetic control device provided with the shutter magnetic drive device disposed outside the chamber and displacing the shutter in the closed or open position thereof. The valve is characterized in that the magnetic control device includes at least one ball which is made of a magnetic material, disposed in the chamber and is coupled with an external magnetic drive device, wherein the ball is associated with the shutter in such a way that the shutter is driven in the chamber when the ball is moved by a magnetic drive device.
US07690623B2
An electronic faucet (10) mounted on a countertop (12) includes a housing, at least one fluid inlet line (24a, 24b) extending into the housing, a fluid outlet (46) from the housing, a solenoid (142, 143) for operating a valve controlling the fluid flow between at least one inlet line and the outlet, and a control circuit (206) for controlling the opening and closing of the valve.
US07690622B2
An auxiliary valve member, an auxiliary pilot pressure chamber for applying a pilot fluid pressure to the auxiliary valve body, and a transmitting rod for transmitting operating force of the auxiliary valve body to a main diaphragm are provided other than the main diaphragm which is in contact with or separating from a main valve seat by operating by means of application of the pilot fluid pressure in a diaphragm valve portion, as a mechanism for strengthening valve-closing force of the main diaphragm, so as for the main diaphragm not to be separated from the valve seat even when the fluid pressure from a load is applied to the main diaphragm as adverse pressure.
US07690613B2
A breakaway transformer base for a lighting pole includes four upstanding corner members (preferably formed of aluminum castings), and four side sheets. Each side sheet is attached to two of the corner members, e.g., by welds or fasteners, thereby interconnecting the corner members. Each corner member forms bolt holes for enabling the base to be bolted to a lighting standard and to an anchored foundation.
US07690610B2
The invention relates to a suction-type holding device (1) to be fixed to fastening surfaces (17). Said holding device comprises a hollow suction base (2) that is open towards the fastening surface (17) and encompasses a central piece (11), and a sealing edge (5) which is provided with an elastic material at least towards the fastening surface (17) and can be placed on the fastening surface (17) along with the suction base (2) such that a suction chamber (30) that is gas-tight sealed towards the outside is embodied between the bottom face (9) of the suction base (2) and the fastening surface (17). The inventive suction-type holding device (1) further comprises contact pressure transmitters (8) and pressing means (18) for transmitting the contact pressure to the wall (7) of the suction base, thus applying additional contact pressure used for firmly attaching the suction-type holding device.
US07690606B1
The universal work stand is a device that is useful for holding a pistol or other small items to assist the user in cleaning, assembly and repair. The device is mounted to any relatively flat surface. Once the device is secure to that surface the pivoting ball can accept a plurality of work piece holders such as a firearm holder, a fly tying vise, a reel vise (for holding fishing reels), fishing rod holder, pistol barrel holder or any other vise configuration that will hold a work piece. The unique pivoting ball allows for the manipulation of the ball to aid in the worker in placing the work at various angles. The ball lock is a standard locking mechanism and is also available with a quick release that can be adjusted with one hand while the other hand securely moves the work piece or the holder.
US07690605B2
The invention provides a support structure with torque transfer function including a link member having an upper end and a lower end; a pair of main brackets located on a surface of a base member and being pivotally connected to the lower end of the link member through an intermediate hinge. The link member is rotatably pivoted between the two main brackets. The base member has a pair of auxiliary brackets located at one side of the pair of main brackets. A base hinge is socketingly connected to a resilient support and disposed between the main brackets and the auxiliary brackets. A torque transfer device having upper and lower rotation parts pivoted to the intermediate hinge and the base hinge so as to move synchronously together and a connecting part linking the upper and lower rotation parts to rotate in the same direction, thereby forming a torque transmission path.
US07690600B2
An aerially transportable tank (20) for storing a composition for discharging in flight, the tank including a neck (23) terminated by a composition discharge opening (24), and having a wall (21) extending the neck that is sufficiently deformable to be received in part or in full within the neck.
US07690597B2
A flap actuator is provided for controlling movement of a flap on a wing of an aircraft. The flap actuator includes a housing having a leading end and a trailing end. A ball nut is rotatably supported in the housing. A motor has a rotatable drive shaft that is rotatable in first and second opposite directions. A gear assembly translates rotation of the drive shaft to the ball nut. A ball screw extends along a longitudinal axis and has a terminal end operatively connectable to the flap. The ball screw is movable between a first retracted in response to rotation of the ball nut in a first direction and a second extended position in response to rotation of the ball nut in a second direction. A one-way roller clutch is operatively connectable to the ball nut. The roller clutch engages the housing and prevents rotation of the ball nut in a first direction in response to a compressive force on the ball screw by the flap. First and second concentric gimbals are positioned about the longitudinal axis adjacent the housing. The gimbals interconnect the housing to the wing.
US07690594B2
A recording tape cartridge is provided that includes a leader pin attached, directly or through a leader tape, to an end portion of a recording tape, and includes flange portions formed at both ends thereof, an opening formed at a case, and from which the leader pin is pulled out; holding portions formed at an upper case and a lower case respectively, and holding respectively the flange portions of the leader pin in the vicinity of the opening; an overhang portion formed at at least one of the holding portions, and overlaping with the flange portion at an inner surface side thereof when the leader pin is held at the holding portions; and an elastic deformable engaging portion formed at at least one of the holding portions to urge the flange portion in an axial direction of the leader pin when the leader pin is held at the holding portions.
US07690591B2
The invention relates to a roller mill, particularly intended for dressing ores.To reduce the energy demand for comminution and classifying a grinding product, a classifying device is positioned below the grinding area and to it is supplied the comminuted ground material under gravity action, as well as classifying air from an annular chamber in the lower region of the grinding bowl and which has at least one fine material outlet and coarse material outlet.
US07690588B2
A fuel injector is provided having a needle valve element and a nozzle member with a central bore configured to slidingly receive the needle valve element. The fuel injector also has a spring configured to bias the needle valve element toward a closed position. In addition, the fuel injection assembly has a guide element configured to reduce a lateral movement of the needle valve element. The fuel injection assembly further has a fluid flow restricting device configured to restrict the flow of a fluid through the needle valve element and create a fluid pressure differential between the fluid upstream and downstream of the fluid flow restricting device.
US07690586B2
A deodorizer for a refrigerator is formed of a mesh type material having fine multiple pores through which the air in the refrigerator passes and the material having multiple pleats so as to enlarge a surface area coming in contact with the air, thereby maximizing a surface area coming in contact with the cool air and accordingly, improving deodorizing performance.
US07690583B2
A sensor in a bathroom continuously senses the humidity level therein at periodic intervals and provides the sensed humidity values to a processor, which stores the sensed values and continuously calculates an average humidity value over a time period. The processor continuously checks if the current sensed value exceeds an upper threshold value related to the calculated average humidity value and, if so, turns on an exhaust fan. Once the upper threshold value has been exceeded, the processor continuously checks if the current sensed value has dropped below a lower threshold value related to the calculated average humidity value and, if so, turns off the exhaust fan and, if not, leaves the exhaust fan on for a period of time. If the processor is not controlling the exhaust fan in the on position, a user can manually activate a switch to turn on the exhaust fan for a certain period of time.
US07690580B2
Apparatuses and methods backward compatible with existing card processing infrastructure are provided to furnish dynamically configurable data to a card reader to facilitate transactions such as credit card transactions. The inventive apparatuses and methods are operable even with card readers configured to read statically implemented data, such as statically implement magnetic stripe data and/or statically printed bar codes. Techniques are also provided to take advantage of features of the inventive apparatus and method to substantially reduce or to eliminate transaction fraud and to improve efficiency for cardholders, card issuers, and intermediary institutions.
US07690568B2
There are provided a barcode reader for reading an article code in a barcode form from an article tag, and an RFID tag reader for reading a shelf code from a shelf tag in a non-contact wireless manner. The article code read by the barcode reader is stored in an article code memory, and the shelf code read by the RFID tag reader is stored in a shelf code memory. There are also provided an information processing unit, a control unit and a transmission unit. The information processing unit is controlled by the control unit to process the article code and the shelf code as one set of information for article management. Then, the transmission unit transmits the processed information to a personal computer.
US07690567B2
A scanning unit is for scanning a measuring standard having a coded track formed by a graduated scale, such as an incremental track, and a reference mark system, including a detector system for scanning the coded track and an additional detector system for scanning the reference mark system. The detector system, when scanning the associated coded track or reference mark system, receives scanning signals on a signal-sensitive surface, and the additional detector system includes at least two sensors, of which only one is used for scanning the reference mark system during operation of the scanning unit. Each of the two sensors is connected to one of the two inputs of a differential amplifier, and the sensor not used for scanning is deactivated in that its signal-sensitive surface is covered.
US07690564B2
According to embodiments of the present invention there is provided a computer-based method and a computer program product for automatically sorting customers who make purchases from merchants using a credit card. The computer-based method includes the following steps. An adjusted index is calculated for a customer based on an amount of money the customer spent across merchants during a time period. The adjusted index is compared to a cut-off value. The customer is classified based on the comparison of the adjusted index to the cut-off value. In an embodiment, the method also includes re-classifying the customer based on at least one of (i) information about the merchants, or (ii) a number of transactions in a predetermined industry.
US07690560B2
A method for providing messaging between a portable device and base device is provided. The method includes communicating one or more message codes maintained in the portable device to the base device. The base device then composes a message for a user of the portable device using a dictionary of message codes. The message codes have corresponding message values, which are used to generate the message for the one or more message codes. The generated message is then provided to the user.
US07690557B2
A method and apparatus for displaying received data using a separate device that makes a user's receiving terminal, that has received only a unique code of data, transmit the unique code to a separate display device connected to the Internet, and which makes the display device access a server, in which the data is stored, and display the data corresponding to the unique code. The apparatus displays received data using a code generation unit for generating a first unique code that matches metadata received from a data server that stores the data and the metadata, a first communication unit for transmitting the first unique code to a receiving terminal, and a second communication unit for receiving a second unique code from a display device and transmitting the stored metadata that matches the first unique code to the display device if the first unique code corresponds to the second unique code.
US07690556B1
A method and apparatus for a step counter system is described. The step counter system comprises an accelerometer to detect motion of a user, a step calculation logic to utilize the motion detected by the accelerometer to detect and count steps, and an incline logic to calculate an incline of a surface on which the user moved.
US07690555B2
A corrugated bulk container for shipping, storing and dispensing liquids and semi-liquid fluids. The container is a laminated triple wall open-ended tube having side walls and end walls, and a bag assembly is supported in the tube for containing the liquid or semi-liquid fluid. The bag assembly includes a bag having a fill valve and a dispensing valve attached to it, a bag cassette to which a bottom end of the bag is attached, and a fill valve support plate to which a top end of the bag is attached. The bag cassette has structure to receive and hold the dispensing valve in position relative to a dispensing valve opening in the tube, and the fill valve support plate has structure to receive and support the fill valve. The container is attached to a pallet by severable structure, and the fill valve support plate is attached to the tube by severable structure so that the bag assembly can be removed from the container, for easy collapse of the container for disposal or recycling. Fill valve support structure is cut from the fill valve support plate and folded into a position to receive and support the fill valve.
US07690538B2
A method and system are disclosed for moving and placing in hard to reach locations granular and other particulate material such as sand, gravel, earth and similar materials. The system includes an improved auger for moving the material and an improved rotary airlock mechanism designed to withstand the abrasive action of the particulate material and at the same time move the material several hundred feet through a flexible conduit for placement in a pre-designated location. A system and apparatus is also disclosed for transporting on one vehicle all of the devices needed at a remote site for operation the particulate placement system, including a front loader.
US07690536B2
A dispenser (1) for dispensing a mixture of two or more fluids, e.g. liquid (9) and gas (4) (e.g. air) as a foam and/or mist, the dispenser comprising a flexible container (6) for a liquid including a conduit (8) having first and second end portions (11,12) the first end portion (11) terminating in an opening in the container (6) through which the mixture is expelled from the container (6) and the second open end portion (12) being close to the base of said container, wherein the conduit (8) includes a third open end portion (13) which is located close to the top (16) of the container and laterally inclined or opposed to the second open end portion (12) and the dispenser further being provided with one or more three-dimensional turbulence elements (26) mounted in the flow path of the liquid before it leaves the dispensing opening.
US07690535B2
An airless dispenser pump assembly includes a pump mechanism with an inlet valve that is configured to efficiently pump viscous fluids and that is able to be pre-primed when the pump mechanism is attached to a container. In one form, the inlet valve includes a seal member that seals an inlet port of the pump and an outer support member that secures the inlet valve to the rest of the pump mechanism. Two or more legs generally extend in a circumferential direction between the support member and the seal member in order to create a large flow opening for fluid flow through the inlet valve when opened and to rapidly close the inlet valve. The pump mechanism further includes an outlet valve that is configured to draw fluid back from a nozzle of the pump after dispensing in order to minimize build up around the nozzle.
US07690532B2
An accessory is provided for a product dispenser having a container for holding a product. The container defines a center axis and has a normal dispensing position, and a dispensing mechanism is coupled to the container and has a discharge opening adapted to direct product toward a desired target area when the container is in the normal dispensing position. The accessory is a first stabilizing element coupled to at least one of the container and dispensing mechanism and adapted to maintain the container in the normal dispensing position, thereby to more reliably direct product toward the target area during use. The first stabilizing element incorporates at least one physical feature attractive to a child.
US07690521B1
A beverage bottle nipple adapter and funnel apparatus includes a perimeter wall that has a first edge and a second edge positioned opposite of each other. A peripheral lip is attached to and is coextensive with the first edge. The peripheral lip extends away from the perimeter wall. The peripheral lip has an exterior surface and an interior surface each being threaded. The interior surface has a size configured for receiving and threadably coupling to the threaded neck. The perimeter wall may be positioned in funnel position extending upwardly from the threaded neck or in a nipple receiving position extending downwardly from the threaded neck. A nipple is positioned in a threaded nipple coupler and the threaded nipple coupler is threadably coupled to the exterior surface of the peripheral lip when the perimeter wall is in the nipple receiving position.
US07690520B2
An inventory storage and retrieval system and method are provided for a shipping or storage facility. In an embodiment, the system includes: (a) a mobile computer and radio on a load-handing vehicle; (b) sensors on the vehicle to determine the ground location and orientation of the vehicle; (c) encoders that determine the position of a lifting mechanism relative to a chassis of the vehicle; and (d) a base computer and radio that communicates with the vehicle. The system maintains an inventory database of items and their respective storage locations in three dimensions as a result of the loading activity of the vehicle. The data can be used to guide the vehicle for ground movement generally to a storage location, appropriately orient the vehicle, and then to move the lifting mechanism of the vehicle to deposit or retrieve the item at a particular storage location.
US07690516B1
A rack for storing a wheeled vehicle include a base, a raised portion and a finger. The rack also includes a socket into which a wheel of the vehicle may be inserted. The rack may be mounted to either a vertical or a horizontal surface.
US07690494B2
The invention relates to a conveyor device having a filling device (7) for vertical flow of material, without demixing, of powdered media having different particle sizes and particle densities, having the following features: a supply container (8) having a lower opening (9) to which the filling device (7) can be coupled; an inlet hopper (1) having an upper inlet opening (10) and a lower outlet opening (11) of a guide tube (12), the inlet opening (10) being couplable to the lower opening (9) of the supply container (8); telescopic elements (13), which are arranged on the guide tube (12), and an outlet hopper (3) having an outlet flap (4).
US07690491B2
A twin-clutch device includes first and second clutch actuating mechanisms; a first clutch disconnection/connection control mechanism for exerting on the first clutch actuating mechanism a controlling force for switching disconnection/connection of the first clutch actuating mechanism; and a second clutch disconnection/connection control mechanism for exerting on the second clutch actuating mechanism a controlling force for switching disconnection/connection of the second clutch actuating mechanism. The first and second clutch disconnection/connection control mechanisms include control actuating members that are supported on a fixing member in a non-rotating state while being allowed to move in a direction along rotation axes of a first driven rotary member and second driven rotary member, the control actuating members being respectively connected to first and second clutch actuating mechanisms via bearings. The clutch so configured reduces the inertial mass by reducing the weight of the rotary portion of the clutch.
US07690476B2
Disclosed is a clearance adjusting decelerator and an electric power steering apparatus having the same.
US07690474B2
In a clutch manipulation assist device which includes a clutch assist actuator, the actuator is arranged at a position where it is possible to suppress the influence of heat from an engine on the actuator without requiring the heat insulation structure or the like. In a clutch manipulation assist device which includes a clutch mechanism 61 which is arranged in a power transmission path for transmitting a rotational driving force of an engine to a wheel, a clutch-manipulation mechanism in which a clutch manipulation force is inputted, and an actuator which generates a clutch assist force in response to a manipulation of the clutch manipulation mechanism, the actuator is arranged in front of the engine and outside a main frame.
US07690470B2
A hydrostatic transaxle comprises: a motor casing; at least one hydraulic motor disposed in the motor casing; at least one output shaft disposed in the motor casing so as to be driven by the at least one hydraulic motor; and a pair of steerable wheel support units attached onto respective opposite ends of the motor casing. Each of the steerable wheel support units includes an axle, a steerable casing, a wheel, and a steering arm. In each of the steerable wheel support units, the axle is drivingly connected to the at least one output shaft, the steerable casing is substantially horizontally rotatable relative to the motor casing, the wheel is attached on an outer end of the axle outside of the steerable casing, and the steering arm is rotatably integrally provided on the steerable casing. The hydrostatic transaxle further comprises a pair of connection rods for connecting the steering arms of the steerable wheel support units to a common rotary member of a steering operation mechanism spaced forward or rearward from the hydrostatic transaxle.
US07690467B2
A motorcycle frame includes hollow left and right frame members that define a fuel-containing volume. Left-center, right-center, left-rear, and right-rear engine supports each depend from a corresponding left and right frame member. Each engine support includes a first portion that is coupled to the frame member and a second portion that is coupled to the engine. Each engine support also includes a stress riser defined between the first and second portions. The stress riser is configured to cause the first and second portions to separate from one another in response to application of sufficient force to the engine or second portion. By causing the first and second portions of the engine mount to separate in a predetermined way, the frame members and the fuel-containing volume are left intact.
US07690460B2
An upper surface part of an engine guard forming an engine room is formed by a bonnet for opening and closing a maintenance port and a fixed hood. On the lower surface side of the bonnet is disposed a movable duct in a state that when the bonnet is opened the movable duct is moved integrally with the bonnet so as to open the maintenance port. On the lower surface side of the fixed hood, is disposed a fixed duct in a state that when the bonnet is closed one end of the fixed duct is connected to one end of the movable duct in the air flow direction. An exhaust duct is formed by both the movable duct and the fixed duct.
US07690459B2
A hybrid electric vehicle and powertrain include an engine operable to output torque in only one direction, and further includes a power transfer arrangement configured to provide output torque in two rotational directions. In one embodiment, the power transfer arrangement includes three gears and a single clutch, the configuration of which provides a simple mechanism for driving the vehicle in reverse using torque produced by the engine.
US07690457B2
A hybrid vehicle control apparatus includes an engine, a motor, first and second engaging elements, an input rotational speed and a controller. The first engaging element is arranged between the engine and the motor to selectively connect and disconnect the engine and the motor. The second engaging element is arranged between the motor and a drive wheel to selectively connect and disconnect the motor and the drive wheel. The input rotational speed detecting section is configured to detect an input rotational speed of the second engaging element corresponding to a rotational speed of the motor. The controller is configured to determine whether the second engaging element is seized based on the input rotational speed when a disengagement command or a slip engagement command has been issued to the second engaging element and a drive force of at least one of the engine and the motor has been changed.
US07690455B2
A hybrid driving unit (7) is mounted to a vehicle by coupling a coupling section (14d) at the front end of a casing member (14) with an internal combustion engine (5) and by mounting a mounting section (14c) at the rear end of the casing member (14) to a part (4a) of a body (4). Still more, a second electric motor (23), i.e., a heavy device, is disposed in the rearmost part among a first electric motor (20), a power splitting planetary gear (21), the second electric motor (23) and a transmission disposed on an axis (13) in the casing member (14). Thereby, the vibration occurring in the casing member (14) is suppressed.
US07690448B2
A car includes a car body having a bottom portion, a wheel that is rotatable, and a supporting member for supporting the wheel, the supporting member being provided to the bottom portion. At least eight pairs of the wheel and the supporting member are provided. The supporting member has a first supporting portion for supporting the wheel rotatably, a second supporting portion for supporting the first supporting portion so that a direction of the wheel supported by the first supporting portion can be changed, and a turning portion that is rotatable about a rotation axis with its axial direction along a direction orthogonal to the bottom portion, the turning portion being provided to the bottom portion. The turning portion supports the second supporting portion so that a distance between the wheel and the bottom portion can be changed, and a position of the wheel can be moved by a rotation of the turning portion in a state that the distance is maintained.
US07690446B2
A roller cone drill bit is disclosed which includes a bit body adapted to be coupled to a drill string. A bearing journal depends from the bit body. A single roller cone is rotatably attached to the bearing journal. The roller cone has a plurality of inserts disposed at selected positions about the cone. The journal defines a rotation angle with respect to an axis of rotation of the bit such that the roller cone includes a wall contact zone and a bottom contact zone. At least one of the inserts disposed in the wall contact zone has an extension portion terminating in a substantially planar upper surface.
US07690445B2
A method and apparatus for treating for disposal oil contaminated substrates, such as drill cuttings from drilling with an oil-based mud, by steam distillation. If necessary, the contaminated substrate 10 can be pretreated with an emulsion breaker 14. The contaminated substrate 10 can be treated with steam 16 in a first mixing still 12. The substrate can be optionally treated with a second steam source 20 in a second mixing still 18. The steam provides heat to vaporize the oil, moisture to treat the substrate and water to the reaction mixture. Recoverable constituents in the vapor can be condensed in a vapor collection system 24. The treated substrate 22 is essentially free of oil and can have a controlled water content. The process exhibits low energy consumption, rapid treatment, compact equipment and a high degree of process control.
US07690436B2
A wellbore pressure isolation apparatus is deployed in a wellbore and has a sealing element that can be activated to seal against an interior surface of a surrounding tubular. Once set, a ball valve in the apparatus restricts upward fluid communication through the apparatus, and another ball valve in the apparatus can restrict downward fluid communication through the apparatus. These ball valve can have disintegratable balls intended to disintegrate in wellbore conditions after different periods of time. To facilitate deployment of the apparatus in a horizontal section of the well bore, the apparatus has a plurality of rollers positioned on a distal end. In addition, the apparatus has a ring disposed about the body between the distal body portion and an adjacent body portion. The ring has an outside diameter at least greater than that of the adjacent body portion to facilitate pumping of the apparatus in the wellbore.
US07690431B2
Methods comprising: providing a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore wherein the well bore comprises perforated casing that comprises a plurality of perforations, providing an acidic treatment fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid and an acid composition, placing the acidic treatment fluid in the well bore in a manner that allows the acidic treatment fluid to reduce debris present in the perforations, providing a consolidating agent, and placing the consolidating agent in a near well bore region.
US07690418B2
A heat sink for dissipating heat from an electronic element comprises a base with a plurality of first fins extending upwardly therefrom, a conducting member thermally contacting the base with a plurality of second fins extending from two opposite lateral face of the conducting member toward different directions and perpendicular to the first fins, a heat pipe connecting the base and the conducting member to transfer heat from the base to the conducting member.
US07690417B2
A method for making a thin cast strip with reduced meniscus marks includes assembling a pair of casting rolls laterally positioned to form a nip therebetween, preparing molten steel having a carbon content in the range of 0.01 to 0.3% by weight, a manganese content between 0.1 and 0.8% by weight, a silicon content between 0.05 and 0.5% by weight, a calcium content between 0.0008 and 0.004% by weight, an aluminum content between 2 and 500 ppm by weight, having a free oxygen content below about 50 ppm at 1600° C., forming a casting pool of the molten steel supported on casting surfaces of the casting rolls above the nip, and counter-rotating the casting rolls cause thin strip to be casted downwardly from the nip.
US07690411B2
A tire pressure control system for a tire mounted to a wheel of a vehicle is disclosed. The tire pressure control system comprises a servo system mounted to the wheel that includes a servo mechanically connected to a vent valve that is in fluid communication with a gas inside the tire. The vent valve is adapted for bleeding the gas out of the tire and into the ambient atmosphere. A pressure sensor is in fluid communication with the gas inside the tire, and a control circuit is electrically connected to the servo and the pressure sensor. The control circuit further includes a signal receiving means and a memory for storing a commanded pressure signal. The control circuit actuates the servo to open the vent valve when the pressure sensor indicates a tire pressure of greater than the commanded pressure. A master control unit is adapted to transfer the commanded pressure signal to the control circuit through a transmission means. The servo system further includes a second servo mechanically connected to a fill valve that is in fluid communication with compressed gas inside a gas supply tank. The fill valve is adapted for bleeding gas out of the gas supply tank and into the tire. The control circuit actuates the second servo to open the fill valve when the pressure sensor indicates a tire pressure of less than the commanded pressure.
US07690406B2
A hazardous material transfer system for the transfer of waste from a containment cell through a transfer port to a storage vessel. A port door in the containment cell is movable between a open and closed positions relative to the transfer port. The port door has a closure face with a first connector set. A storage vessel sealed by a storage vessel cover is provided for receipt of waste transferred through the port. The cover has an outside face that carries a second connector set that interlocks with the first connector set on the port door. The inside face of the vessel cover has a third connector set. A fourth connector set is located on the storage vessel and mates with the third connector set to lock and seal the cover to the vessel. The connector sets are the variety that engage and disengage upon rotational motion.
US07690403B2
An automatic liquid dispenser and automatic liquid dispensing method are disclosed capable of transmitting ultrasonic to an upper surface of a receptacle, and receiving the ultrasonic reflected from the upper surface of the receptacle to detect a receptacle height, whereby the receptacle height may be freely detected regardless of shape, material and surface state of the receptacle, and regardless of a position where the receptacle is placed.
US07690401B2
A high-density hollow weave fabric for an air bag is provided, wherein an inflatable double-layer hollow weave portion is encircled on the outer periphery thereof with a seam zone including a reversible figured weave pattern and a basket weave pattern. In the seam zone, the reversible figured weave pattern is closest to the boundary of the inflatable double-layer hollow weave portion, and a first weave portion including the basket weave pattern, a narrow width hollow weave portion and a second basket weave patterns continue in this order. The inventive fabric is woven without the generation of fluffs and wrinkles, and the wrinkle-free coating is provided in the boundary between the double-layer hollow weave portion and the seam zone encircling the former. By using this high-density hollow weave fabric, it is possible to make the curtain-shaped air bag deployable at a high speed while preventing gas from leaking.
US07690400B2
Trim disk assemblies for use in fluid flow control devices include a first disk and a second disk. An elongated void is formed in a surface of each of the first disk and the second disk. The second disk is aligned with the first disk to provide fluid communication between the void of the first disk and the void of the second disk, the void of the first disk being offset or staggered from the void of the second disk. The void of the first disk and the void of the second disk at least partially define a fluid passageway having a cross-sectional area characterized by increases and decreases in cross-sectional area, which define an expansion/contraction mechanism of the fluid passageway.
US07690398B2
An electrofluidic control device comprises a plurality of electrically operated power modules arranged at least in part in the form of control valves, said power modules being contacted by an concatenation strand. By way of a connection module and at least one additional feed module separate operating voltages may be supplied to the concatenation strand at mutually spaced points.
US07690397B2
A valve includes a body having an interior and defining at least one inlet passageway and discharge passageway. The valve also includes a flow diverter disposed within the body between the inlet and discharge passageways to receive a fluid from the inlet passageway in an inlet direction. The diverter is adapted to discharge the fluid to at least one discharge passageway in a direction that differs from the inlet direction. The diverter is rotatable to vary the discharge direction. According to one embodiment, the discharge direction is substantially perpendicular to the inlet direction.
US07690395B2
A hands-free faucet comprises a proximity sensor, a logical control, a handle, a spout, and a touch control operably coupled to at least one of the spout and the handle.
US07690394B2
A crossover manifold system for hot and cold water faucet pairs arranged back to back on opposite sides of a partition, the system comprising a pair of manifold tubes, wherein each tube comprises a central section; a first intermediate section and a second intermediate section, wherein each intermediate section is adjacent to and angled with respect to the central section; and a first distal section and a second distal section, wherein each distal section is adjacent to and angled with respect to the first and second intermediate sections, respectively. The first and second distal sections are approximately parallel to one another, and the manifold tubes cross over one another.
US07690393B2
The present subject matter relates to controlling water sources external to a structure and more particularly to an external water shutoff. One embodiment of the present subject matter includes an apparatus having an electrically operable valve placed on a water supply line internal to a structure between a location where the water supply line enters the structure and a location where the water supply line exits the structure, an auto-drain valve, and means for controlling the electrically operable valve, wherein the means for controlling is external to the structure, further wherein the means for controlling the electrically operable valve is communicatively connected to the electrically operable valve external to the structure.
US07690392B1
A mixing body for diverting a portion of a liquid, e.g., water flow, into a cartridge of fertilizers, fungicides, hormones, pesticides or the like to form effluent. The effluent is reintroduced to the water flow and goes to a downstream sprinkler or application system. The cartridge, which may contain liquid concentrate, is inserted into the mixing body, which has inlet and outlet one way valves that puncture a sealing layer of the cartridge. The diluted effluent exits through the outlet one way valve and is thus delivered to the irrigation system. The amount of effluent can be regulated by a needle valve that controls the amount of effluent exiting the manifold. The mixing body has a locking system to securely hold the cartridge in place. There is also a plate to protect a user from the sharp inlet and outlet valves when the cartridge is removed.
US07690389B2
The wheelchair umbrella includes an umbrella section with a circular canopy. Such a canopy has a center region statically attached to the top ends of the arms. The apparatus further includes a pair of coextensively shaped rectilinear arms with top ends directly connected to the umbrella section, a mechanism for removably attaching bottom ends of the arms to associated ones of the handles of the existing wheelchair, a mechanism for storing and transporting the wheelchair umbrella during non-operating conditions, and a mechanism for securing the storage and transport mechanism to the existing wheelchair during operating conditions.
US07690382B2
A method and probe device are presented, suitable for use in joint arthroscopy. A beam of pulsed laser radiation of a wavelength range of about 2700-3000 nm and a predetermined frequency of pulses is produced, directed to a joint region inside a fluid medium and maintained substantially focused on a treatment target within the joint region during a predetermined time period. By this, a tissue within the treatment target is effected by the laser radiation.
US07690376B1
An improved heat exchange mechanism for a deep fat fryer is described. The improvement includes a baffle plate wherein the walls are corrugated and horizontally aligned holes are provided along the length of the plate with the interior two rows of such holes having decreasing diameter in the direction of flow of the combustion gases through the heat tube. In addition, holes are formed at the edges of the corrugations. A burner shield is provided restricting the flow of secondary air to the burner tube.
US07690368B2
A method of transitioning between homogeneous charge compression ignition and spark ignition in a combustion chamber of an engine that is configured for homogeneous charge compression ignition under at least some engine operating conditions and for spark ignition under at least some engine operating conditions, the method comprising heating contents of the combustion chamber with a glow plug prior to transitioning between homogeneous charge compression ignition and spark ignition.
US07690364B2
A tank ventilating valve is disposed in a regeneration pipe which connects a storage container collecting fuel gas of a fuel tank to an intake pipe of the internal combustion engine. The tank ventilation system is air tightly sealed towards the atmosphere prevailing outside the motor vehicle while the tank ventilating valve is opened to create a negative pressure in the tank ventilation system. The method has the following steps: determining the fuel gas charge of the storage container; determining the volume flow rate through the tank ventilating valve; calculating an intermediate value from the product of the load and the volume flow rate; determining a tank pressure difference between the pressure prevailing in the fuel tank and the atmospheric pressure; and determining the additive corrective value by adjusting the intermediate value to the amount of the tank pressure difference.
US07690360B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a fuel feed system for a vehicle in which, even if a small fuel quantity remains in a fuel pump, an air inhaling phenomenon is not generated when a vehicle jumps or runs on an upward slope. In the fuel feed system, a fuel pump unit is accommodated in a fuel tank, and the fuel pump unit includes a fuel pump and a fuel filter connected to a lower-end fuel suction portion of the fuel pump. The fuel filter is shaped so as to extend outward from a region of the fuel pump as seen from the above, and a filter housing for covering at least one of an upper portion and a lower portion of the fuel filter, front and rear portions of the fuel filter, and right and left portions of the fuel filter is provided with the fuel pump unit.
US07690357B2
A fuel injection valve is provided with a main body and a valve member. The main body has a fuel passage and a fuel injection opening formed at the downstream-end of the fuel passage. The valve member is provided in the fuel passage. The valve member is configured to move between a first position in which the valve member closes the fuel injection opening and a second position in which the valve member opens the fuel injection opening. A hardened layer is formed on abutment surfaces of the valve member and the main body that abut with each other. The hardness of this hardened layer is lower in its surface side than in its bottom side. According to this structure, the stress generated inside the hardened layer is suppressed, and breakage and detachment of the hardened layer are prevented.
US07690355B2
A fuel metering system for supplying fuel to a plurality of loads includes a variable displacement piston pump having an adjustable hanger that is movable to a plurality of positions. The variable displacement piston pump is configured to receive a drive torque and, upon receipt of the drive torque, to supply fuel to the plurality of loads at a flow rate dependent on the position of the adjustable hanger. A hanger actuator is coupled to receive hanger position commands and is operable, in response thereto, to move the adjustable hanger to the commanded position. A pump control mechanism is coupled to receive the fuel flow commands supplied by the gas turbine engine controller and is operable, in response thereto, to supply the hanger position commands.
US07690354B2
A system and method to heat a fuel injector is described. Resistive heating may be selectively applied to improve the performance of a fuel injector. Specifically, current can be supplied to an electrically operable mechanical valve to improve the operation of the valve at lower temperatures. The method can improve engine performance and lower emissions, at least under some conditions.
US07690353B2
Noise and vibrations associated with a common rail fuel system drive linkage are reduced by synchronizing a high pressure common rail supply pump with engine operation. This may be accomplished by selecting a linkage associated with a desired ratio of engine speed to pump speed along with selecting a number of pump plungers and cam lobes that results in synchronizing action of the pump with engine combustion events. In particular, a pattern of pumping events per engine cycle repeats during each engine cycle. In a more sophisticated version, the pattern of pumping events per engine cycle includes a sub-pattern of pumping events that repeats an integer number of times each engine cycle, where the integer number equals the number of engine cylinders.
US07690343B2
Methods and systems for controlling a supply of power to a load are provided.
US07690342B2
A priming and purging fuel system for an internal combustion engine purges a diaphragm carburetor of the engine of stale liquid fuel and accumulated fuel vapor and air while simultaneously priming the carburetor and/or engine with liquid fuel for starting. A start pump of the fuel system supplies at least liquid fuel to a priming circuit and preferably at least fuel vapor and air to a purging circuit of the fuel system. The priming circuit delivers the priming fuel to the engine via a conduit that leads to an isolation chamber located between an inlet jet and preferably an outlet jet. The cross sectional flow area of the jets are appropriately sized to flow a needed amount of priming fuel to the carburetor and/or engine for starting without flooding the engine. The combination of the enlarged isolation chamber and jets, at least substantially prevents fuel dribble from the priming circuit and into the engine while running.
US07690337B2
A split-cycle engine includes separate compression and expansion cylinders connected by a crossover passage. Crossover compression and expansion valves define a pressure chamber between them in the crossover passage for storing pressurized gas prior to timed delivery into the expansion cylinder. A fuel-air mixture is delivered into the expansion cylinder for ignition and expansion, developing power. One or more ignition sources, such as spark plugs, are positioned to encourage rapid combustion after ignition in the expansion cylinder but far enough from the crossover expansion valve(s) to prevent burning gases from reaching the crossover expansion valves before they are substantially closed to avoid entry of burning gas therein. A “safe distance” (“S”) between the ignition source and an opening of the crossover expansion valve is expressed by the function: S (mm)=combustion speed (mm/crank angle degree)×crank angle degrees from ignition to crossover expansion valve closing.
US07690317B2
A computer workstation includes a worksurface moveable a first distance between first and second worksurface positions and a monitor support coupled to the worksurface. At least one of the worksurface and the monitor support is automatically moveable in response to a movement of the other of the worksurface and the monitor support. The monitor support is moveable a second distance between first and second monitor positions as the worksurface is moved the first distance between the first and second worksurface positions, wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance. A method of adjusting the position of a monitor support on a computer workstation is also provided.
US07690310B2
A high-pressure fixed munition for a low-pressure launching system having a cylindrical body with a centrally located bore is provided. The bore of the munition has a reduced diameter on the charge end in which a primer charge is positioned. The bore is filled above the primer charge with a propellant and above the propellant with a payload. The payload may include multiple buckshot pellets, frangible buckshot pellets, tear gas, multiple slugs, frangible slugs, paint balls, rubber pellets, bean bags, or the like. The munition may also include a pressure disk between the propellant and the payload, and tactile ridges or on the outside surface of the munition body or be of a specific color for purposes of identification of the payload.
US07690304B2
A weapon and weapon system, and methods of manufacturing and operating the same. In one embodiment, the weapon includes a warhead having destructive elements. The weapon also includes a folding lug switch assembly that provides a mechanism to attach the weapon to a delivery vehicle and is configured to close after launching from the delivery vehicle, thereby satisfying a criterion to arm the warhead. The weapon still further includes a guidance section including an antenna configured to receive mission data before launching from the delivery vehicle and further configured to receive instructions after launching from the delivery vehicle to guide the weapon to a target.
US07690301B2
An ink composition including a cationically polymerizable compound (a), a compound (b) that generates acid by irradiation with a radiation ray, and a basic compound (c) that becomes less basic by irradiation with a radiation ray. Also, an inkjet recording method and a printed material using the ink composition, as well as a planographic printing plate obtained by using the ink composition and a method of producing the planographic printing plate are disclosed.
US07690289B2
A missile launcher including a forward support for supporting a forward portion of a missile, and an aft support for supporting an aft portion of the missile where the forward support is arranged to swing clear of the aft portion of the missile during the initial period of its launching run where the forward support comprises a roll member being in the shape of a segment of a circle and pivoted at the circle center, wherein the perimeter of the roll member is arranged to make frictional contact to the missile fuselage in order to confer mechanical energy to the roll member to make the member to swing clear of the aft portion of the missile during the initial period of the missile's launching run.
US07690287B2
An explosive device includes a firing train, an explosive charge and a shock activated neutralizer configured to disable activation of the explosive charge by the firing train. The neutralizer includes a housing and a rupturable fluid barrier configured to selectively permit mixing of disabling material constituents to interact with the firing train to disable the same. A method of neutralizing an explosive device includes rupturing the fluid barrier, at least in part by applying a shock to the explosive device, and interacting the disabling material with the firing train to disable the same.
US07690286B2
A piercing device includes an outer tube rotatably supported on a first shaft and eccentrically arranged relative to a second shaft, so as to be driven for rotation. Piercing needles are arranged on the second shaft, spaced from each other in a circumferential direction, projecting radially outwards, rotatable about a second axis, and extendable and retractable relative to an outer surface via holes in the outer tube. A needle restraining member, rotatably supported on the second shaft, transmits torque to the piercing needles when driven for rotation. The first plurality of needles rotate in unison, as do the second plurality of needles and are fixedly connected to support members; thus, protecting the needles from unreasonable force and preventing undesirable enlargement of pinholes and deformation of the rubber sheet. Further, when the needles are advanced into the rubber sheet and retraced therefrom, enlargement of the rubber sheet pinholes can be prevented.
US07690280B2
An element comprises a rotary input member (15), a motion output member (19), an electrical machine (14) including a stator (27) and a rotor (26), a first connecting clutch (89A) between the input member (15) and an intermediate member (83) rotating about a first axis (X-X′). The intermediate member (83) is connected in rotation to the rotor (26), and a second connecting clutch (89B) is positioned between the intermediate member (83) and the output member (19). The element also comprises a casing (21) defining a housing (69) wherein are coaxially and concentrically mounted the first and second connecting clutches (89A, 89B). The axis of rotation (Y-Y′) of the rotor (26) is separate from the first axis (X-X′) and a transmission (121, 123, 135) connects in rotation the rotor (26) and the intermediate member (83). The invention is applicable to motor vehicle engine-transmission units.
US07690279B2
A vehicle-pedal backward-displacement preventing device including: (a) a pedal bracket supporting an operating pedal having a depressible portion; (b) upper and lower attachments fixed to the pedal bracket, such that the pedal bracket is attached to a dash panel through the attachments; and (c) a guide member fixed to the pedal bracket or a vehicle body member and is operable to restrain, in event of backward movement of the pedal bracket together with the dash panel toward a driver's seat, the depressible portion of the operating pedal from being backwardly displaced toward the driver's seat, by causing a distal end portion of the pedal bracket to be downwardly displaced. The pedal bracket has a separation portion located in vicinity of the upper attachment, such that the pedal bracket is breakable at the separation portion by a load generated in the event of the backward displacement of the dash panel, thereby separating the upper attachment from the pedal bracket, and allowing the pedal bracket to be pivoted about the lower attachment in a direction causing the distal end portion of the pedal bracket to be downwardly displaced.
US07690276B1
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for redirecting a flow of aerosol-containing air into, for example, an aerosol sampler. The apparatus comprising a device for redirecting a portion of the flow of aerosol-containing air into an air intake disposed within the flow of aerosol-containing air, preferably using eduction caused by a pressurized gas stream. A sampling tube having an opening for receiving aerosol-containing air is disposed within the air intake to collect the redirected portion of aerosol containing air.
US07690275B1
An enclosure for an automated sampling and/or dispensing device for minimizing contamination to samples enclosed therein. Further, the enclosure may minimize user exposure to the enclosed samples allowing for the containment of potentially hazardous chemicals. In an embodiment, the enclosure includes at least one flexible panel which allows a user to efficiently access the device by retracting the at least one flexible panel. In addition, the at least one flexible panel allows the enclosure to be shipped efficiently for the enclosure may be disassembled into smaller pieces and thus, be shipped in a smaller box when compared to enclosures with non-flexible panels/doors. Moreover, the use of the at least one flexible panel allows the enclosure to be shaped to accommodate varying shaped automated sampling and or dispensing devices and assemblies.
US07690261B2
An ultrasonic diagnosis system includes an ultrasonic probe, which has an array of plural ultrasonic transducer elements, for transmitting an ultrasonic wave to an object, and for receiving an echo signal thereof to output a detection signal. A testing unit sets a testing mode, and operates in test operation of the plural ultrasonic transducer elements while the testing mode is set, so as to acquire a testing detection signal. There is a display panel. A display control unit controls the display panel to display information of the testing detection signal obtained for each of the ultrasonic transducer elements. Furthermore, the testing unit, when in a first inspection, drives the ultrasonic transducer elements together to obtain the testing detection signal, and when in a second inspection, drives the ultrasonic transducer elements by at least one element to obtain the testing detection signal.
US07690254B2
A microelectromechanical system (MEMS) includes a housing defining an enclosed cavity, stator tines extending from the housing into the cavity, a MEMS device located within the cavity, the MEMS device including a proof mass and rotor tines extending from the proof mass, each rotor tine being positioned at a capacitive distance from a corresponding stator tine. The rotor tines include a first section extending a first distance from an insulating layer of the rotor tines and a second section extending a second distance from the insulating layer in an opposite direction from the first section. The stator tines include a first section extending a first distance from an insulating layer of the stator tines and a second section extending a second distance from the insulating layer in an opposite direction from the first section, the stator tine first distance being greater than the rotor tine first distance.
US07690249B2
A method for detecting a jammed charge movement flap of an internal combustion engine, a volumetric air flow of the internal combustion engine being ascertained as a measured volumetric air flow and as a modeled volumetric air flow. In the event of a deviation of the measured volumetric air flow from the modeled volumetric air flow which is greater than a predefined value, a jammed charge movement flap is automatically detected.
US07690246B1
A system and methodology is provided for dynamically adjusting fluids that operate as a lubricant in a machine. The system includes a control module having a processor and one or more sensors providing data to the processor in situ with the machine, wherein the processor employs the data to monitor the fluid. One or more inputs are provided to receive a plurality of additives that are associated with the fluid, wherein actuators are employed by the processor to dispense the additives to the fluid. The processor dispenses the fluid based upon one or more parameters of the fluid.
US07690236B2
A hole punching method capable of executing hole punching with high material yield at a low load and preventing occurrence of underfill is provided. The hole punching method includes a step of expanding a hole punching scheduled portion 2 of a raw material 1 disposed in a cavity 12 of a closed die 11 by pressing the hole punching scheduled portion 2 from opposite sides thereof across the hole punching scheduled portion 2 with a pair of large diameter punch and small diameter punch 13 and 15 different in diameter and arranged to as to face each other so that unfilled portions remain in the cavity, a step of penetrating the small diameter punch 13 into the hole punching scheduled portion 2 of the raw material 1 while releasing or after releasing pressurization by the large diameter punch 15 to the hole opening scheduled portion 2, and a step of penetrating the large diameter punch 15 into the hole punching scheduled portion 2 of the raw material 1 while pulling out or after pulling out the small diameter punch 13 penetrated in the hole punching scheduled portion 2 of the raw material 1 from the hole punching scheduled portion 2 of the raw material 1.
US07690231B1
An electromechanical cylinder lock includes an outer lock shell and a rotatable lock barrel located therein which is controlled by dual locking features. A side bar or fence selectively blocks and permits rotation of the barrel with respect to the shell in response to insertion of a key into a keyway in the barrel. A slider bar is movable between a blocking position in which the side bar is prevented from permitting rotation of the barrel, and an unblocking position in which the side bar permits rotation of the barrel. Alternately, a blocking mechanism is provided to block motion of tumbler pins in the cylinder lock. A shape memory alloy actuator, such as a wire made of NITINOL disposed in the barrel is activated by an electric current in response to determination by an electronic control device whether an attempt to open the lock is authorized. Thermal interlock protection from external heating of the lock is also provided.
US07690230B2
A housing assembly adapted to fit into a mortised recess in a door is provided for accommodating components of an electronic lock mechanism. The housing assembly comprises a housing including opposed major side walls at least partially defining an opening into the housing. A circuit board comprising electronic circuitry for operating the lock mechanism is disposed in the housing. A bracket for holding batteries is adapted to be disposed in the opening in the housing. The bracket is accessible when the housing is in the mortised recess of the door such that the bracket is movable relative to the housing between a first position and a second position. In the first position the bracket is in the housing and in the second position the bracket is at least partially outside of the housing such that batteries may be inserted into or removed from the bracket.
US07690226B2
A washing machine and a method of manufacturing a door thereof are provided. The washing machine may include a door rotatably coupled to a cabinet, and a door ring positioned on the cabinet at an external circumference of the door to reinforce a rigidity of the cabinet and to improve an external appearance of the washing machine.
US07690218B2
An ejector refrigerant cycle device includes a radiator for radiating heat of high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from a compressor, a branch portion for branching a flow of refrigerant on a downstream side of the radiator into a first stream and a second stream, an ejector that includes a nozzle portion for decompressing and expending refrigerant of the first stream from the branch portion, a decompression portion for decompressing and expanding refrigerant of the second stream from the branch portion, and an evaporator for evaporating refrigerant on a downstream side of the decompression portion. The evaporator has a refrigerant outlet coupled to the refrigerant suction port of the ejector. Furthermore, a refrigerant radiating portion is provided for radiating heat of refrigerant while the decompression portion decompresses and expands refrigerant. For example, the refrigerant radiating portion is provided in an inner heat exchanger.
US07690212B2
Disclosed is a method and device to efficiently regulate flow of refrigerant while maintaining a sealed chamber in systems providing stored thermal energy for use during peak electrical demand. A mixed-phase regulator replaces the thermostatic expansion valve used in conventional air-conditioning systems that, along with capillary tubes and orifices, regulates the refrigerant fed from the compressor to the heat load.
US07690204B2
A method of reducing a modified Wobbe index of a fuel stream fed to diffusion combustors of a gas turbine that is used in connection with an IGCC installation in which a nitrogen stream is fed into the head ends of the combustor of NOx control and the modified Wobbe index of the fuel stream has been increased in an amount that is greater than at least about 10 percent of a design Wobbe index for the fuel to be fed to the gas turbine. The reason for the increase is the conversion of the carbon monoxide within the fuel stream to hydrogen and carbon dioxide by a water gas shift reaction and subsequent removal of the carbon dioxide. The nitrogen stream is maintained at the same level both with and without conversion and subsequent removal of carbon atoms. The nitrogen stream is divided to subsidiary streams that are respectively fed into the head end of the combustors and that are mixed with a fuel to lower the modified Wobbe index to acceptable levels for the gas turbine.
US07690199B2
In one embodiment according to the invention, there is provided a method for generating electrical energy using a thermal cycle of a working gas. The method comprises using the motion of a piston in a cylinder, containing the working gas performing the thermal cycle, to electromagnetically induce current in an electrical circuit coupled to the cylinder; using the electrical circuit to store the electrical energy, produced by the current induced in the electrical circuit, in an electrical storage device; and using the electrical energy stored in the electrical storage device to electromagnetically provide a motive force to the piston. Cyclically using the electrical circuit to store the electrical energy and using the stored energy to provide a motive force to the piston effect a net positive average power transfer into the electrical storage device over the course of the thermal cycle.
US07690187B2
A modular propulsion system includes an array of micromachined field effect electrostatic propulsion devices, each of which is an assembled micromachined device including an array of field effect electrostatic propulsion thrusters, a fuel container of propellant using passive plumbing, electronic power and command controls, with the array of devices disposed about and on a surface of a spacecraft for providing diverse propulsion needs.
US07690186B2
The gas turbine engine comprises at least one electrical generator and an electrical heater associated with a gas path of the engine. The heater is powered by the generator to selectively add heat to the gas turbine cycle.
US07690185B2
A system for driving first and second accessory machines of a double-bodied turbine engine with an LP shaft and an HP shaft is disclosed. The system includes a first power train disposed between the shaft of the HP rotor and the first machines, which mechanically drives the first machines, and a first coupling means and a second power train between the shaft of the LP rotor and the second machines arranged so as to drive the said second machines. The system also includes a second coupling means between the first power train and the second power train allowing the second accessory machines to be driven by the shaft of the HP rotor, particularly when the engine operates at high speeds. The system may include a gearbox with at least two speed ratios and the first coupling means may be arranged to selectively couple one or other of the two ratios or else to decouple the mechanical transmission from the shaft of the LP rotor.
US07690176B2
A hydraulic cutter device incorporates a rotatable base including a plurality of spaced cutter teeth. A protective shield covers at least a portion of the base. A fluid cooler is located adjacent the protective shield, and defines a window for movement of ambient air from a relatively high-pressure area upstream of the fluid cooler to a relatively low-pressure area downstream of the fluid cooler. A hydraulic motor is adapted for rotating the base, and includes a plurality of hydraulic lines communicating with the fluid cooler. Rotation of the base creates a pressure reduction downstream of the fluid cooler causing ambient air flow into and through the fluid cooler to cool fluid moving into and from the hydraulic motor.
US07690174B2
An apparatus for conveying an article through a hot air chamber of a shrink packaging machine comprises a first conveyor and a second conveyor. Each conveyor includes a plurality of rollers. The rollers of the plurality are interconnected together to form an endless conveyor belt. The conveyor further includes a drive assembly for advancing the endless conveyor belt in a first direction, and a track member having a surface disposed in engagement with particular rollers of the endless conveyor belt. Each of the particular rollers of the endless conveyor belt rolls over the surface of the track member when advanced through the shrink packaging machine. The first conveyor is located over the second conveyor in opposing facing relation therewith such that a compressible item to be shrink wrapped may be compressed and conveyed through the shrink packaging machine between and by the first and second conveyors.
US07690162B2
The invention provides technology for building houses and many other structures using logs. Log-positioning apparatuses are provided. Also provided are assemblies that include a plurality of logs and a plurality of log-positioning apparatuses. Finally, various log building methods are provided.
US07690135B2
Applicants have created a method and system of deep sea mining comprising mining SMS deposits from the sea floor with a subsea miner, pumping the solids from the subsea miner through a jumper and pumping the solids from the jumper up a riser to a surface vessel. Further, applicants have created a method of deploying a deep sea mining system, comprising stacking a riser hangoff structure on top of a subsea pump module forming an assembly; picking up the assembly by a hanging mechanism, hanging the assembly on a moon pool, attaching a first riser joint; disconnecting the riser hangoff structure from the assembly; and attaching at least one second riser joint to form the riser.
US07690132B2
A shoe for dancing, comprising a forefoot portion, wherein the forefoot portion comprises a forefoot sole and a front upper; a rearfoot portion comprising a rearfoot sole including a high heel; a midfoot portion comprising a midfoot sole; and a rigidified section that extends at least partway from the rearfoot portion to partway into the midfoot portion, leaving a gap between the rear edge of the forefoot portion and the front end of the rigidified section so that there are at least two zones of flexibility in the midfoot portion, the first zone being relatively rigid for supporting a weight bearing midfoot, and the second zone being relatively flexible, the overall midfoot portion allowing the wearer to perform both dorsiflexion and plantar flexion of the foot over a full range of movement.
US07690129B2
The present invention is an object hanging device, comprising an elongated body and a scale on the elongated body. The elongated body having a middle section. The scale has a zero point that is located within the middle section of the elongated body. The scale includes right measuring units to the right of the zero point and left measuring units to the left of the zero point. The right measuring units and the left measuring units increase away from the zero point.
US07690123B2
A skyline imaging system includes an image sensor and an inclination reference coupled to the image sensor. The inclination reference provides a righting moment for the image sensor and establishes a predetermined orientation for the image sensor relative to the Earth's gravity vector. A heading reference determines an azimuth heading for the image sensor.
US07690122B2
A handle for a shaving razor includes a handle casing and an interconnect assembly disposed at an end of the handle casing. The interconnect assembly is configured to releasably connect a cartridge to the handle, and includes a release button comprising a button substrate and a flexible canopy extending outwardly from the button substrate toward the handle casing.
US07690121B2
A punch tool for the punching of a shape through a sheet of material. The punch tool includes a punch and a die portion disposed within a housing having a slot for receiving a sheet of material. A lower ramp is disposed within the housing and, when rotated, raises the punch to engage the die. The lower ramp may be rotated regardless of the orientation of the punch tool. Thus, the punch tool may be used even when in an inverted position.
US07690100B2
A device and method for testing a slider of a head-gimbal assembly during disc drive manufacturing. The device includes a test disc, an actuator arm and a control module. The test disc has a first circumferential area for detecting contact between the slider and the test disc and a second circumferential area for burnishing sliders that contact the first circumferential area as the test disc rotates at or above the predetermined velocity. The head-gimbal assembly is affixed to the actuator arm such that the slider is operable to move between an inner diameter and an outer diameter of the test disc. The control module controls the movement of the actuator arm, and thus the slider, relative to the test disc. The control module monitors the slider-disc interface for contact therebetween. If contact is detected, the slider is either burnished or the head-gimbal assembly is discarded altogether.
US07690090B2
The disclosure relates to a slider and a reclosable zipper, particularly a zipper with first and second profiles for watertight vessels, packages or similar devices. The slider is generally C-shaped with an upper arm, a lower arm, and a support wall in between. The support wall includes a groove which captures a rail formed on the first profile so that the slider can slidably move along the rail, riding the first profile. The lower arm includes separator blades which separate the first and second profiles when the slider is moved in the opening direction so as to urge the second profile between the upper and lower arms. When the slider is moved in the closing direction, the second profile travels between the upper and lower arms and is urged into engagement with the first profile by the upper arm. At the final closing position, the slider is stabilized or parked within a cut-out portion of the second profile.
US07690088B2
A magnetic clasp for an article of jewelry is provided. The clasp includes a pair of mating male and female members, an alignment groove on one member, and associated alignment projection on the other member and a safety catch. The pair of mating male and female members are arranged to be magnetically coupled to each other. The safety catch is arranged to be moved to a locked position to mechanically releasably secure the male and female members together when they are aligned. The alignment groove is shaped to facilitate and guide the projection into it when the two members are magnetically coupled and appropriately aligned so that the safety catch can be moved to the closed position to thereby releasably lock the members together.
US07690086B2
A fleece-laying apparatus with an upper carriage (4) and a laying carriage (5) which move above an output conveyor belt (2) transversely to the transport direction of that belt to lay a card web (11) supplied to the fleece layer in partially overlapping layers on an output conveyor belt (2), an endless card web conveyor belt (14) traveling exclusively in the laying carriage (5) wraps around at least one first laying roller (12) in the laying carriage (5). The belt has upper and lower strands (14o, 14u), which extend between the first laying roller (12) and a deflecting roller (15), which is supported in the laying carriage a certain distance away from the laying roller and around which the belt partially wraps. The lower strand (14u) of the web conveyor belt (14) traveling around exclusively in the laying carriage (5) passes only a very short distance away from the output conveyor belt (2), and its upper strand (14o), namely, a section of the upper strand adjacent to the laying gap, supports a length of the card web (11) to be laid from underneath. This length of the card web (11) is covered by the opposing section of another traveling card web guide belt (6).
US07690068B2
The invention relates a protective structure for brushes of sweeping machines (30) having a frame (31) and at least one cup-shaped brush (20) supported protruding from the frame (31), said structure (1) comprising a flexible membrane (2), positioned near the cup-shaped brush (20) and suitable to prevent the diffusion of dust in the environment, and a supporting system (3) for the flexible membrane (2), the supporting system (3) being movably connected to the sweeping machine and comprising a movable portion (6) which shapes the flexible membrane (2) and elastically deforms near the frame (31) counter to elastic means (9).
US07690067B2
The invention is directed to a brush attachment adapted to be attached to and detached from a shaft of a handle of an electric toothbrush, including a bristle area, a brush shank and a plug-on part disposed in the brush shank, wherein the plug-on part includes a first spring element and a second spring element which act on the shaft when the brush attachment is plugged onto the shaft. This establishes a connection without play between the brush attachment and the shaft, enabling relatively high vibration frequencies to be transmitted.
US07690064B2
A washing and rinsing method in a washer is disclosed, by which a washing power is raised by rotating a drum irregularly to enable a laundry and water to move in a disordered pattern. The present invention includes a referential rotational speed setting step of setting a referential rotational speed of a drum having a laundry accommodated therein to perform a washing or rinsing on the laundry, an actual rotational speed setting step of setting an actual rotational speed within a range having a prescribed variation from the referential rotational speed set by the referential rotational speed setting step, and a drum rotating step of rotating the drum according to the actual rotational speed if the actual rotational speed is set by the actual rotational speed setting step.
US07690062B2
A method for cleaning a steam generator may include supplying water to the steam generator and boiling the water in the steam generator to separate and expel at least some deposits in the steam generator.
US07690052B2
A hat or cap includes a main hat portion and an outerband or fold-down portion secured to the main hat portion in a manner that permits the outerband to be moved upward and downward with respect to the main hat portion from a first position, in which the outerband lies over the main hat portion and away from the wearer's face and eyes, to a second position in which the outerband covers and protects a part of the wearer's face including the eyes. A lens or goggle portion, which is integrated into and attached to an opening in the outerband, is positioned over the wearer's eyes when the outerband is in its second, lower position.
US07694347B2
A measuring device with a daisy type cantilever wheel enabling easier setting of a measuring head and modification head by rotating the daisy type cantilever wheel, enabling modification, adhesion of a sample, and application of a force to a sample specimen by using centrifugal force, and also enabling an easier measurement of a variation of characteristic vibration frequency and vibration amplitude of a cantilever array is provided.The measuring device with a daisy type cantilever wheel comprising a disk-like base plate, a cantilever array with cantilevers, the longitudinal axes thereof being arranged approximately in the radial direction of the disk-like base plate, a rotational mean of the disk-like base plate, the cantilever array being arranged thereon, a positioning device of the cantilever array, an optical measuring head arranged in a position corresponding to the cantilever array for measuring the movement of the cantilever, whereby the variations in the vibration frequency and/or the vibration amplitude of the cantilevers are successively detected according to the rotation of the disk-like base plate.
US07694340B2
Systems and methodologies for integration of an anti virus AV Plug In(s) as part of an Item Store. The semantics for operation of the AV Plug In(s) are provided by the relational Item Store, via employing a metadata component and a scanning component associated with the Item Store. The metadata component can supply a signature value being associated with the Item Store that can represent the time of scanning of data, and outcome for every scanned item. The scanning component can provide for a queuing of items in the data store in a synchronous and/or asynchronous mode for both scanning and cleaning by the AV Plug In supplied by vendors.
US07694332B2
A first user (110) requests a service provider (130) to create (200,400) a record of a transaction. The service provider (130) creates (230,430) a digital receipt (300,700,900), which includes a description (310,710,720,910,1020) of the transaction understandable by humans, tamper-proof evidence (320) of the transaction, and a verification prompt (330,740,940,1030). A second user (120) who desires to verify the transaction displays (265,465) the digital receipt (300,700,900) and activates (270,470) the verification prompt (330,740,940,1030). Upon activation, the tamper-proof evidence (320) is verified without requiring further human interaction to identify the tamper-proof evidence.
US07694329B2
A client is impersonalized to a plurality of servers using a middle-tier server. A common nonce associated with each of the plurality of servers is obtained and the common nonce is provided to the client. The common nonce signed by the client is received at the middle-tier server and provided as a signature for transactions from the client to the plurality of servers so as to authenticate the client to the plurality of servers.
US07694327B2
An information processing apparatus and method are provided. The information processing apparatus and method provides an attribute of a component which executes a process of reading data from an information recording medium is confirmed so that severe authentication corresponding to contents can be achieved. In authentication of a component which attempts to perform a process of data read from an information recording medium, it is confirmed whether or not an attribute of the component has a data process permission component attribute set in advance. For example, it is confirmed through the attribute confirmation whether the component is a hardware component or a software component, and only when the component is a hardware component, a process of the contents is permitted.
US07694323B2
A user may purchase in a retail outlet a host device for receiving cable services. The cable operator needs to provide a point-of-deployment (POD) module for insertion into the host device to realize out-of-band communications, and provide conditional access to premium subscription channels. Security measures are implemented to detect removal of the host device from its connection to a broadband communications system. If its removal is unauthorized, the service area in which the host device is located may be identified when it is reconnected to the system. In addition, a transmission device in the host device may be activated to transmit detectable signals to help recover the host device.
US07694320B1
According to the invention, channel surfers are aided by summary frames appearing on the screen along with the regular program. These summary frames are embedded in the broadcast and appear in a small window on the screen at some point in the future as the video is broadcast. The summary frames depict key scenes from the past which aid the viewer in quickly ascertaining the current plot or theme of the video program. In an interactive television environment, a short video segment may be associated with each shot such that when the shot is selected, the past video segment is played in a larger window on the screen complete with sound. Once the segment is viewed, the video program is rejoined in progress with the viewer having a better sense of what is going on in the video. Hence, a when a channel surfer arrives at a new channel, rather than only having what is currently playing to catch the eye, summary frames are also available to catch the surfer's attention and aid in understanding the programming.
US07694300B2
Described herein is an implementation of a technology for the construction, identification, and/or optimization of operating-system processes. At least one implementation, described herein, constructs an operating-system process having the contents as defined by a process manifest. Once constructed, the operating-system process is unalterable.
US07694299B2
A system, method and media for performing a composite task, comprising: determining an undo task for each subtask in a plurality of subtask for the composite task; performing each one of the plurality of subtasks; performing the associated undo task for each subtask that was performed if the performing of any subtask in the plurality of subtasks fails. This abstract is not intended to be a complete description of, or limit the scope of, the invention. Other features, aspects and objects of the invention can be obtained from a review of the specification, the figures and the claims.
US07694297B2
The invention involves a method for an Applet to be stored on a hard drive attached or available to a computer, such that the Applet is available to other programs running on the same computer wishing to make us of the Applet without transferring the Applet over the Internet.
US07694295B2
A screen driver is included with other drivers provided by a vendor with a computer system The screen driver is picked up by the OS along with the other drivers at the beginning of the installation of the OS. The screen driver remains dormant until the first time a user logs into the computer system. At that time, the driver executes and retrieves screen data along with a program that displays the screen. The program also maintains the displayed screen on top of any other screens that might be generated subsequent to completion of the first log-in to maintain visibility to the user until the user has an opportunity to act on the display screen.
US07694289B2
Methods for embedding codes executable in a first system having a first microprocessor into codes executable in a second system having a second microprocessor are described herein. In one aspect of the invention, an exemplary method includes providing first codes having a routine, the first codes being compilable to be executed in the first system, and compiling the first codes, resulting in second codes; the second codes comprising opcodes of the routine executable by the first system, which convert the second codes into third codes automatically, the third codes being compilable to be executed by the second system; this is followed by compiling the third codes, resulting in the fourth codes being executable in the second system, and linking the fourth codes, generating an executable image and executing the executable image in the second system. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.
US07694287B2
A parse/build engine that can handle multi-format financial messages. The engine converts the different format messages into a common format, and the common format message is then processed by the business service application. A parser examines the message and determines an appropriate schema for the particular format of message received. The schema is a data structure in a schema registry that includes a grammar structure for the received format as well as pointers to handlers for converting the different fields of the message into the internal message format using the grammar structure (the “grammar” can include field sequence, field type, length, character encoding, optional and required fields, etc.). The handlers are individually compiled. As formats change, new formats or changes to old formats can be dynamically added to the parse/build engine by loading new schema and handlers.
US07694284B2
The concept of “renderers” and “translators” is introduced in connection with bidirectional conversion between object models and XML. A renderer embodies the logic responsible for mediating the parser specific APIs for reading and writing XML. It utilizes a plurality of translator objects, which embody the mapping information needed to convert the XML into object model instances. The translator objects themselves do not contain “knowledge” of parser implementations; thus, the translators are common and can be shared and reused by any and all renderer implementations. Since each translator embodies the knowledge and rules regarding how to convert an XML model to an object model, and how to convert object models to XML, it is thus independent of the particular renderer that is being used, whether it be SAX, DOM, or some other renderer.
US07694278B2
The subject invention pertains to systems and methods that facilitate development and debugging of calculations in a multidimensional data environment or model. Data cube calculation scripts, including those provided in MDX (Multidimensional Expressions), can be executed or applied incrementally. Breakpoints can be set with respect to a calculation script and the cube state can be viewed and queried via a user interface. Users are enabled by the subject systems and methods to step through calculation scripts, identify the effects on a cube, and alter the script if the desired results failed to occur. In addition to debugging, the systems and methods can be employed for initial development of scripts.
US07694272B2
A software development platform, used to develop software applications substantially free of the need to write code. The platform includes a visualizable computer executable modeling language for the definition of software solutions. The platform also includes a visual modeling system comprising a visual modeling tool for users to develop software solutions using the modeling language, and a runtime engine software program that automatically executes the defined software solutions. The visualizable computer executable modeling language system enables defining each application by a set of: process models, each of which may contain any number of sub process model; input and output slots; data models, each of which may contain any number of sub data models; and flow rules applicable to connect pairs of slots, data models and sub-data models, thereby defining both data flow and process flow, wherein the sets of process models, slots, data models and flow rules are arranged in a structural hierarchy conforming to a set of rigid composition rules.
US07694271B2
Rendering GUI widgets with generic look and feel by receiving in a display device a master definition of a graphics display, the master definition including at least one graphics definition element, the graphics definition element including a reference to a protowidget and one or more instance parameter values characterizing an instance of the protowidget, the protowidget includes a definition of a generic GUI object, including generic display values affecting overall look and feel of the graphics display, and rendering at least one instance of the protowidget to a graphics display in dependence upon the generic display values and the instance parameter values.
US07694270B2
Systems and methods for facilitating and managing a business project, include generating, on a computer, a plurality of primary fact sheets, each primary fact sheet being made up of a plurality of tiles. Each tile represents a predetermined attribute of a particular metric that is represented by the respective primary fact sheet. The fact sheets are grouped together into a fact sheet dictionary, which substantially characterizes fundamental requirements of the business project, such as requirements for a software application. At least one secondary fact sheet is linked to at least one of the fact sheets or tiles to provide additional details about the attribute of a particular metric. The fact sheet dictionary and secondary fact sheet(s) are stored for subsequent retrieval, display, and modification, and relied upon by decision makers to facilitate management of business projects.
US07694269B2
The present application is directed to a method of selectively positioning sub-resolution assist features (SRAF) in a photomask pattern for an interconnect. The method comprises determining if a first interconnect pattern option will result in improved circuit performance compared with a second interconnect pattern option, where the first option is designed to be formed with SRAF and the second option is designed to be formed without SRAF. If it is determined that the first option will result in improved circuit performance, the first pattern option is selected as a target pattern and one or more SRAF patterns are positioned to facilitate patterning of the first pattern option. If it is not determined that the first option will result in improved performance, the second pattern option is selected as a target pattern.
US07694265B2
Some embodiments provide a method of designing a configurable integrated circuit (“IC”) with several configurable circuits. The method receives a design having several sets of operations for the configurable circuits to perform in different operational cycles. For at least a first set of operations that has a start operation and an end operation, the method assigns a particular operation in the first set to a first operational cycle based at least partially on the position of the particular operation with respect to the start and end operations.
US07694262B2
A trench capacitor, method of forming a trench capacitor and a design structure for a trench capacitor. The trench capacitor including: a trench in a single-crystal silicon substrate, a conformal dielectric liner on the sidewalls and the bottom of the trench; an electrically conductive polysilicon inner plate filling regions of the trench not filled by the liner; an electrically conductive doped outer plate in the substrate surrounding the sidewalls and the bottom of the trench; a doped silicon region in the substrate; a first electrically conductive metal silicide layer on a surface region of the doped silicon region exposed at the top surface of the substrate; a second electrically conductive metal silicide layer on a surface region of the inner plate exposed at the top surface of the substrate; and an insulating ring on the top surface of the substrate between the first and second metal silicide layers.
US07694255B2
There is provided a variable delay circuit to be implemented in an integrated circuit, the variable delay circuit including: a variable delay assigning section that assigns a variable time delay to an input signal in an actual operation of the integrated circuit, the variable time delay being varied within a predetermined range in accordance with a time delay inherent in an implementation level; and a verification delay assigning section that assigns a predetermined fixed time delay to the input signal in low-speed logic verification and/or in a low-speed selection test of the integrated circuit. For example, the time delay assigned by the verification delay assigning section is larger than a maximum value of the time delay assigned by the variable delay assigning section.
US07694252B1
Verification of a design for a multi-voltage circuit which defines a plurality of iso-voltage rail blocks, and which comprises voltage state information for the iso-voltage-rail blocks. Verification includes generating cross-over information regarding a cross-over signal between two iso-voltage-rail blocks, identifying the voltage state relationship between the two iso-voltage-rail blocks based on the voltage state information, and verifying the validity of the cross-over signal based on the determined voltage state relationship.
US07694249B2
Methods and apparatuses are described for an Intellectual Property (IP) Generator for estimating timing, area, and power characteristics of an electronic system design. The IP Generator receives a user-supplied file having data describing a configuration of an IP design having multiple levels of hierarchy. The IP Generator also receives user-supplied technology parameters and data-flow information. The IP generator correlates estimated timing, area, and power characteristics for each IP sub component based on the user supplied technology parameters, data-flow information and configuration parameters. The IP generator reports the timing, area, and power estimates to a user via a graphic user interface prior to a transformation of a Register Transfer Level (RTL) design into the gate-level circuit design.
US07694248B2
An apparatus for supporting verification includes a detecting unit that detects description data of a false path from setting data for a system mode operation of a target circuit to be verified; an analyzing unit that analyzes the description data in the system mode operation and a test mode operation of the target circuit; a diversion determining unit that determines, based on a result of analysis by the analyzing unit, whether the description data is divertible to the test mode operation; and a generating unit that generates setting data for the test mode operation based on a result of determination by the determining unit.
US07694239B2
Provided are techniques for viewing objects. A hierarchical structure is displayed, wherein the hierarchical structure includes two or more levels, and wherein each of the levels includes one or more objects. A control is provided to enable selection of one or more objects at each of the levels of the hierarchical structure. Selection of at least one object at each of two or more of the levels of the hierarchical structure is received. In response to receiving the selection, the hierarchical structure is displayed with the at least one object at each of the two or more of the levels shown as selected along with a list of the selected objects.
US07694234B2
A display screen magnifier is controllable by a user to magnify selected portions of a desktop including windows open on the screen. A moveable magnifier frame is provided, within which a magnified image is presented. The magnified image corresponds to screen content located within a magnification region underlying the magnifier frame, magnified to a set level of magnification. The magnifier is controllable through use of a user input device. At least one operational parameter of the magnifier can be adjusted, without interaction with on-screen objects and without taking focus away from the desktop or any windows open on the screen. In a particular embodiment of the invention, on-the-fly controllability of the magnifier includes its activation and deactivation, adjustment of the magnification level, and adjustment of the size of the magnifier frame.
US07694231B2
A plurality of icons are displayed on a touch-sensitive display. A respective icon in at least a subset of the plurality of icons corresponds to two or more symbols. A contact by a user with the touch-sensitive display that corresponds to the respective icon is detected. A respective symbol in the two or more symbols to which the contact further corresponds is determined. The displayed respective icon is modified to indicate that the contact corresponds to the respective symbol.
US07694230B2
Once bookmark registration is instructed by user operation while any detailed setting window is being displayed on a background screen on a display of a digital mixer, only the currently-displayed detailed setting window is bookmark-registered. Thus, once bookmark call operation is performed while a desired background screen is being displayed, the currently-displayed background screen is maintained as-is, and the called detailed setting window is displayed on the background screen. Further, bookmark registration can be made in association with a mixer channel, and, in response to bookmark call operation, parameters of the associated channel can be called and displayed.
US07694216B2
A method for processing a document that includes a plurality of fields having respective contents. The method includes providing labels to be assigned respectively to the fields and one or more rules applicable to the contents of the fields according to the labels assigned thereto. A computer reads the contents of the fields, and assigns the labels to the fields responsive to application of the rules to the contents.
US07694209B2
According to one embodiment, a decoding device decodes a (k+m) bit codeword in accordance with a check matrix. The codeword includes k-bit information symbols and an m-bit parity check code. The check matrix includes a unit matrix and a coefficient matrix. The most significant bit of each of a second vector to a last vector in the coefficient matrix is 1. Binary codes with values 1 to k−1 are sequentially arranged from the second vector to the last vector in a matrix which is obtained by excluding the most significant bits of the second to the last vectors from the matrix including the second to the last vectors. A first vector of the coefficient matrix disagrees with the other vectors in the check matrix, and the first vector is composed of a specified bit pattern having a most significant bit of 0.
US07694207B1
A method of correcting a communication signal with BCH product codes is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of receiving a codeword vector, establishing a generator polynomial, establishing a check polynomial, calculating a binary-matrix, and calculating the binary syndrome S=Hrt. If an all zero vector results, no errors exist in the received vector. If errors exist, a tm x (N−k) binary matrix is created, the power basis expansion of (r(α1), r(α3), r(α5), . . . r(α2t−1)) is calculated, and the syndrome is solved. The speed of the method comes from using word-level XOR's to apply the check polynomial to the stream at all offsets. The utility of this approach is due in part to the fact that the conversion matrix involved can be created quickly using only items needed elsewhere in BCH decoders: a field table and the generator polynomial coefficients.
US07694204B2
Error detection in physical interfaces for point-to-point communications between integrated circuits
An apparatus, system and method for detecting errors in a physical interface during the transmission and/or receipt of data communications between integrated circuits (“ICs”) are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus is configured to operate as or within a receiving physical interface. The apparatus includes a decoder configured to decode a subset of encoded data bits to yield decoded data bits. It also includes a physical interface (“PI”) error detection bit extractor configured to extract a physical interface error detection bit from the decoded data bits. As such, the apparatus uses the physical interface error detection bit to determine whether the encoded data bits include at least one erroneous data bit as an error. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes an error detector configured to operate within a physical layer. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus efficiently transmits error detection codes within, for example, an NB/(N+1)B line coder.
US07694201B2
A semiconductor testing device includes: a data memory which stores a test program, said test program generating a test command for testing a plurality of functions within one function area of a plurality of function areas of a semiconductor device, said test command being generated for said function area; a first area generation part which generates first data, said first data identifying one function area of said plurality of function areas, said plurality of functions of said one function area being tested; a main control part which generates said test command based on said test program and said first data and transmits said test command to said semiconductor device; a second area generation part which receives a first result, said first result being returned from said semiconductor device based on a first test in accordance with said test command and generates a second result based on said first result, said second result showing a pass or failure of said first test corresponding to said function area; and a third area generation part which generates second data based on said second result and transmits said second data to said first area generation part, said first area generation part generating third data based on said second data, said third data identifying one or more of said plurality of function areas, said one or more of said plurality of function areas being the object of a second test subsequent to said first test.
US07694198B2
A level of indirection is utilized when writing to a microprocessor array structure, thereby masking hard faults in the array structure. Among other benefits, this minimizes the use of a backward error recovery mechanism with its inherent delay for recovery. The indirection is used to effectively remove from use faulty portions of the array structure and substitute spare, functioning portions to perform the duties of the faulty portions. Thus, for example, faulty rows in microprocessor array structures are mapped out in favor of substitute, functioning rows.
US07694195B2
A system and method are herein disclosed for managing memory defects in an information handling system. More particularly, a system and method are described for generating a usable memory map which excludes memory locations containing defect memory elements. In an information handling system, a memory defect map, which contains information about the location of defective memory elements, is coupled to the memory device. As a map of memory usable by the system is created, usable memory regions containing defective memory elements are excluded from the memory map. The memory map is passed to the operating system, which uses only those regions of memory designated as usable and non-defective.
US07694189B2
Embodiments pertain generally to a method of providing a remote monitoring subscription service. The method includes receiving client activity data from at least one of a client virtual machine and a physical machine supporting the client virtual machine at a site of a customer and comparing the client activity data against a set of performance guidelines. The method also includes determining a recommended action in response to the client activity data not falling within the set of performance guidelines and forwarding the recommended action to the customer.
US07694188B2
The subject disclosure pertains to systems and methods that facilitate prevention of hard disk drive failure. Sophisticated drives are likely to be capable of detecting many of the conditions that either cause or precede hard disk drive failure. Such information can be provided to a host operating system, analyzed and used to correct errors associated with the hard disk drive to reduce the probability of failure and/or damage of the hard disk drive. The host operating system can respond by taking corrective actions that alleviate or mitigate hostile conditions (e.g., excessive vibration, heat, humidity and the like) prior to disk failure.
US07694185B2
A method identifies, prior to runtime, a first device that is added to a system. Further, the method generates, prior to runtime, a statically precompiled database for the device that provides a first set of error handling data. In addition, the method identifies, during runtime, a second device that is added to the system. Finally, the method generates, during runtime, a dynamically allocated database for the second device that provides a second set of error handling data.
US07694181B2
A generic testing framework to automatically allocate, install and verify a given version of a system under test, to exercise the system against a series of tests in a “hands-off” objective manner, and then to export information about the tests to one or more developer repositories (such as a query-able database, an email list, a developer web server, a source code version control system, a defect tracking system, or the like). The framework does not “care” or concern itself with the particular implementation language of the test as long as the test can issue directives via a command line or configuration file. During the automated testing of a given test suite having multiple tests, and after a particular test is run, the framework preferably generates an “image” of the system under test and makes that information available to developers, even while additional tests in the suite are being carried out. In this manner, the framework preserves the system “state” to facilitate concurrent or after-the-fact debugging. The framework also will re-install and verify a given version of the system between tests, which may be necessary in the event a given test is destructive or otherwise places the system in an unacceptable condition.
US07694179B2
A statistically added point calculation unit of the present invention statistically adds a point to a part related to a content of an anomaly in error information received by an error information receiving unit, and sets the added point in an added point table. A suspected place identifying unit refers to the added point table, and if the statistically added point of a target of determination has exceeded a threshold, the suspected place identifying unit identifies the target of the determination as a suspected place. If the configuration information table is referred to and a target of this process is a maintenance part at the suspected place, the suspected place identifying unit compares an initial value, for example, by means of the threshold which has been doubled. Furthermore, the suspected place identifying unit identifies a part having the statistically added point which is the next highest, as a second suspected place. A part isolation processing unit isolates the part at the suspected place. A configuration information management unit sets a second suspected place flag at the corresponding part in the configuration information table.
US07694178B2
Method, apparatus and computer program product for transaction resolution in a system comprising a transaction manager, a plurality of resource managers and a connection distributor for distributing transaction requests from the transaction manager amongst the plurality of resource managers. The transaction manager is allocated a first resource manager via which to conduct its transactions and the first resource manager has a transaction resolution queue associated with it. The system also comprises an asynchronous messaging infrastructure able to transmit messages originating at the transaction manager to the transaction resolution queue. The resource managers may comprise part of the asynchronous messaging infrastructure. Responsive to a failure between the transaction manager and the first resource manager, state data is received from the transaction manager at a second resource manager, the state data being addressed to the transaction resolution queue. The state data is delivered to the transaction resolution queue using the asynchronous messaging infrastructure.
US07694174B2
Systems and methods for repairing a processor are provided. In one embodiment, a method for repairing a processor is provided that includes, for example, the steps of initializing and executing an operating system, determining that a cache element is faulty, and swapping in a spare cache element for said faulty cache element while the operating system is executing.
US07694168B2
A method, system, and logic for determining connectivity information for routers running on servers that are attached to a device. A router is resigned in favor of a corresponding router at another server when the corresponding router has better connectivity to the device, where partial connectivity is better than no connectivity, and full connectivity is better than partial connectivity.
US07694160B2
A method and apparatus for reducing net power consumption in a computer system includes identifying a plurality of processing states operable to execute a task. A processing state and current drain pattern is selected that is most power efficient. A selected processing state may include one or more processing elements of the computer system such as one or more processors or accelerators and indicates the manner in which one or more portions of the received task may be distributed among the processing elements of the computer system. The current drain pattern selected may be a constant current drain pattern or a pulsed current drain pattern and may be selected to optimize power consumption when executing the task among the one or more processing elements.
US07694157B2
A heat dissipation device for cooling an electronic device. The heat dissipation device comprises a fan, a controller connected to the fan and coupled to the electronic device and a sensor connected to the controller and sending a first signal to the controller by detecting a temperature variation in the electronic device. The electronic device sends a second signal to the controller, the controller changes the speed of the fan according to either the first signal or the second signal.
US07694155B2
A system includes of a main device and a recording medium device. The main device includes a reception unit that receives a digital work from an external distribution server, an internal storage area for storing the digital work, a playback unit that plays back the digital work, and a unique information storage area for storing information that is unique to the main device. The main device also includes an encryption unit that encrypts the digital work using the unique information, a decryption unit that decrypts, using the unique information, the encrypted digital work having been read from the recording medium device, a write unit that writes the encrypted digital work into the recording medium device which is portable, and a read unit that reads the encrypted digital work from the recording medium device.
US07694148B2
A method (10) for managing the display of sensitive content in non-trusted environments can include the steps of interrogating (12) a list of policies associated with a given user and a physical device, determining (14) a location of the physical device, comparing (18) the location of the physical device with a list of trusted locations, and enforcing (20) a plurality of rules contained in the policy by limiting or restricting access to sensitive information based on the location.
US07694121B2
A mechanism for protected operating system boot that prevents rogue components from being loaded with the operating system, and thus prevents divulgence of the system key under inappropriate circumstances. After a portion of the machine startup procedure has occurred, the operating system loader is run, the loader is validated, and a correct machine state is either verified to exist and/or created. Once the loader has been verified to be a legitimate loader, and the machine state under which it is running is verified to be correct, the loader's future behavior is known to protect against the loading of rogue components that could cause divulgence of the system key. With the loader's behavior being known to be safe for the system key, the validator may unseal the system key and provides it to the loader.
US07694120B2
A pin strap setting override system comprises logic configured to determine whether a pin strap setting for at least one feature of an integrated circuit (IC) is set to enable, the logic further configured to automatically override the enable pin strap setting if a flag stored in a memory indicates a disable setting for the at least one feature.
US07694119B1
Described are techniques for initializing a device in a data storage system. An indicator is set in an entry associated with a portion of the device indicating that the portion of the device is to be initialized. A signature field of the entry is set with a signature value indicating that the portion of the device is to be initialized. The device is indicated as available for use after setting the indicator and the signature field for each portion of the device. The device has one or more portions and each of the portions has a corresponding entry including an indicator and a signature field.
US07694115B1
A system for managing network alerts including data connections adapted to receive alerts from network sensors, alert processing logic coupled to the data connections and further including alert integration logic operable to integrate the alerts, report generation logic coupled to the alert integration logic, distribution logic coupled to the report generation logic and a remote management unit coupled to the alert processing logic and being operable to dynamically modify the alert processing logic.
US07694111B2
A deep-pipeline system substantially reduces the overhead of setup delays and pipeline delays by dynamically controlling access of a plurality of configuration register sets by both a host central processing unit (CPU) and the stages of the pipelines. A master configuration register set is loaded with configuration parameters by the host CPU in response to an index count provided by a setup-index counter. A plurality of other counters are employed to track timing events in the system. In one embodiment, a run-index counter provides a run-index count to the first stage of the pipeline that is propagated along the stages, enabling configuration register sets to transfer configuration parameters to the stages of the pipeline when required to enable processing of a task. In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of D flip-flops sequentially propagates a state for successive registers, so that the setup-index counter is not required.
US07694109B2
When fetching an instruction from a plurality of memory banks, a first pipeline cycle corresponding to selection of a memory bank and a second pipeline cycle corresponding to instruction readout are generated to carry out a pipeline process. Only the selected memory bank can be precharged to allow reduction of power consumption. Since the first and second pipeline cycles are effected in parallel, the throughput of the instruction memory can be improved.
US07694105B2
A data storage device has a data storage medium configured to store a first version of data in parent sectors. The data storage device is configured to store a second version of the data in child sectors. The child sectors have the same logical block addresses as the parent sectors. A host operating system can read data from or write data to the child sectors by sending logical block addresses and a sector set number to the data storage device. The logical block addresses and the sector set number identify the child sectors. In response to receiving a request to access the child sectors, the data storage firmware identifies physical addresses that correspond to the logical block addresses and the sector set number. The data storage device uses the physical addresses to identify the location of the child sectors.
US07694101B2
A method for implementing virtual disk reservations on a storage media for multiple distributed applications. The method includes initializing a plurality of virtual disks, wherein each of the virtual disks is instantiated on a physical storage media. A reservation status is determined for each of the virtual disks and a first distributed application that uses at least one virtual disk is executed. Upon an update of the reservation status for the at least one virtual disk by the first distributed application, a notification indicator is set to notify a second distributed application of the update. The update is subsequently recognized and the notification indicator is cleared in order to continue I/O for the first distributed application and the second distributed application.
US07694098B2
Processes are monitored as components are loaded into memory. Relocation of a component to an alternate base address instead of its preferred base address, causes an alternate component to be created corresponding to the relocated component. The alternate component is a copy of the relocated component, but the preferred base address of the alternate component is reset to be the alternate base address of the relocated component. Additional alternate components may be created for each relocated component, with each additional alternate component being optimized in a different manner. Alternate components may be implemented as alternate data stream of the corresponding relocated components. In response to subsequent requests to load a selected component into memory, it is determined whether the selected component has at least one corresponding alternate component. If so, one of the corresponding alternate components is loaded into memory instead of the selected component.
US07694093B2
A memory module including first and second ranks is provided. Each rank includes a separate plurality of individually accessible memory locations. Also included in the memory module is a control circuit coupled with the first rank and the second rank. The control circuit is configured to receive a write command for writing data to the first rank, and to process the write command to write the data to both the first rank and the second rank. Another embodiment of the invention features the control circuit alone.
US07694088B1
A system for efficient creation of aggregate backup images includes a plurality of backup images of a source data set, including a first and a second backup image, and a backup manager. The second backup image may include at least one data block containing an updated version of a corresponding data block in the first backup image. The backup manager may be configured maintain a first and a second image map corresponding to the first and second backup images, respectively, where each image map includes a plurality of entries pointing to data blocks of the corresponding backup image. In response to a request to create a first aggregate backup image of the source data set, the backup manager may be configured to establish a first aggregate image map including indirect pointers that point to one or more entries in each of the first and second image maps.
US07694086B1
A method and system for incremental backup is disclosed. The method includes attaching a first plex to a log, which includes a log plex. The method also includes writing data to said log plex and said first plex.
US07694074B2
A removable-medium apparatus that outputs data that is stored on a removable medium that updates ID information that corresponds to data stored on said removable medium when it is detected that a removable medium is mounted, and sends the ID information that is updated. Also, it sends data when receiving a request to send data that is stored on said removable medium and that corresponds to the updated ID information.
US07694070B2
In a computer system with a DBMS running thereon, management of the performance of a storage apparatus is executed by using a performance indicator provided by a user job so as to simplify the management of the performance. For this reason, a management server employed in the computer system monitors an operating state of each system element, a response time onto a job and other information. A method for estimating a processing time is given to the management server, which issues a setting modification command based on an estimated processing time.
US07694067B2
A memory device is provided which is connected to operate with power and clocks supplied from a host apparatus. The memory device includes external terminals, a flash memory chip to store data, an IC chip to process data; and a controller chip connected with the external terminals, the flash memory chip and the IC chip. The flash memory chip, the IC chip and the controller chip are discrete chips. The controller chip writes data inputted from the host apparatus into the flash memory chip or the IC chip and transfers data read from the flash memory chip or the IC chip to the host apparatus, based upon commands from the host apparatus.
US07694066B2
A memory system including a nonvolatile semiconductor storage device includes: a nonvolatile memory unit that includes a first data area in which data is frequently rewritten and a second data area in which data is hardly rewritten; and a control unit. The control unit sequentially selects logical block addresses in the second data area in which data is hardly rewritten and updates physical block addresses at new rewriting destinations in the first data area in which data is frequently rewritten to physical block addresses corresponding to the logical block addresses selected.
US07694065B2
Methods for a treatment of cached objects are described. In one embodiment, an object, associated with an object key, is stored in a first local memory cache associated with a first virtual machine within a first computing system. The object is also stored in a serialized format to a database. The object key is serialized after receiving a notification of successful storage of the object in the database. The serialized key is then sent over a network to a second computing system.
US07694063B1
Systems, methods, apparatus and software can implement a multipathing driver using dynamically loadable device policy modules that provide device specific functionality for providing at least one of input/output (I/O) operation scheduling, path selection, and I/O operation error analysis. Because the device policy modules include device specific functionality, various different devices from different manufacturers can be more efficiently and robustly supported.
US07694061B2
Devices in a process control system communicate by data messages over a communication medium segment. Each device includes a communication controller that includes a received data memory and a plurality of received message objects. When a message is received, a received message object is activated, and the initial position of a write pointer in the received data memory is stored in the received message object. During message reception, if a hardware device determines that the message is to be ignored, the received message object is deactivated, thereby preventing further writing of the message to the received data memory. The write pointer is then preferably returned to its initial position as stored in the received message object.
US07694060B2
In some embodiments, a chip includes transmitters and receivers, and control circuitry. The control circuitry to cause some of the transmitters and receivers to be inoperative in response to an estimated activity level being in a first range, while others of the transmitters and receivers remain operative. Other embodiments are described and/or claimed.
US07694059B2
A device includes a first interface to receive a signal from a first communication link, wherein the receive signal includes out-of-band (OOB) information. A detector coupled to the first interface detects the OOB information. An encoder coupled to the detector encodes the OOB information into one or more symbols (e.g., control characters). A second interface is coupled to the encoder and a second communication link (e.g., a serial transport path). The second interface transmits the symbols on the second communication link. The device also includes mechanisms for preventing false presence detection of terminating devices.
US07694052B2
A processing apparatus has a master processing module and a plurality of slave processing modules. The master processing module has a master recording unit and a slave recording unit recording part of the data recorded in the master recording unit. The slave processing modules access the master processing module when it is necessary to access the data recorded in the master recording unit. When the data to be accessed from one slave processing module is recorded in the slave recording unit, the master processing module transmits the data to be accessed, from the slave recording unit to the one slave processing module. In the processing apparatus such as a base transceiver station communicating with transceivers such as mobile telephones, a reduction in the overall cost of the apparatus and an efficient internal communication are realized, and the overall processing time is reduced.
US07694042B2
Digital logic processing devices capable of reduced power consumption may be provided. A digital logic processing device may include one or more processing elements, an input FIFO for storing data, a processing unit, and a clock controller circuit. The processing unit may process data from the input FIFO and the clock controller circuit may control a clock signal supplied to the input FIFO and the processing unit. The clock controller circuit may monitor whether there is data to be transferred to the input FIFO and states of the input FIFO and the processing unit and may control the clock signal.
US07694041B2
Method and system for managing a buffers pool. The system may include a first processor coupled to a general memory having allocation ring and de-allocation ring portions; and a second processor to perform internal accounting of pointer(s) buffer(s). The second processor has an internal storage array logically divided into first and second storage spaces. The second processor releases temporarily un-required buffer(s) pointer(s) to the first storage space, or to the second storage space if the first storage space is full. The second processor utilizes allocated buffer(s) pointer(s) accumulated in the first storage space. The second processor is to cause a DMA engine to move a bulk of two or more buffer(s) pointer(s) from the allocation ring to the first storage space, and to move a bulk of two or more buffer(s) pointer(s) from the second storage space to the de-allocation ring.
US07694040B2
A method and an apparatus of memory access request priority queue arbitration comprises sorting the requests into plurality of different priority levels firstly. The priority queues of different priority levels are arranged respectively according to the following steps: counting the cycles and latencies of each access request; counting the total cycles; comparing the latencies of each access request and total cycles respectively, if the total cycles is larger than the latency of a request, then arranging one more the same request in the priority queue, else executing the priority queue in order.
US07694039B2
A data transmission interface system includes a first electronic component having a first pin, a second electronic component having a second pin electronically connected with the first pin via a wire. The first electronic component includes an encoding module for converting a command into a pulse code. The second electronic component includes a decoding module for converting the pulse code into the command. The first pin is capable of switching between a first state and a second state. The second pin is in the same state as the first pin. Switch of the first pin from the first state to the second state triggers a beginning of data transmission between the first electronic component and the second electronic component. A related method is also provided.
US07694033B2
According to the present invention, is allowed to store, in a hard disk drive, only a driver and an application which are necessary for a peripheral device connected a personal computer, the area in use of the hard disk drive is reduced. An information processing apparatus comprising first storing unit storing therein a basic program which is executed on a computer connectable to a peripheral devices, peripheral device associated programs which is executed when the peripheral devices is in use, and an identification program for identifying a type of the peripheral device connected to the computer and control unit executing the basic program, the peripheral device associated programs, and the identification program, wherein the control unit includes unit storing the type of the currently connected peripheral device through the execution of the identification program and unit storing, from second storing unit storing therein the plurality of peripheral device associated programs, the peripheral device associated programs which is associated with the currently connected peripheral device in the first storing unit through the execution of the basic program.
US07694026B2
Methods and arrangements to handle non-queued commands for data storage devices, such as Parallel and Serial ATA hard drives, are disclosed. Embodiments may comprise a host and/or a data storage device. The host and data storage device may form, e.g., a handheld device such as an MP3 player, a cellular phone, or the like. The storage device may comprise a new method of responding to a non-queued command while the storage device may be processing a queue of commands. In many embodiments, the method involves processing queued commands until the drive receives a non-queued command that requires immediate processing by the drive. In many of these embodiments, the drive will respond in a new manner to process the non-queued command, the end result having no or minimal impact on host system operation.
US07694025B1
A base address sorting device in a serial switch is disclosed which includes an array of shadow registers, each shadow register in the array being electrically coupled to a base address register, in an array of base address registers, each of the base address registers having a base address, and control logic circuitry electrically coupled to the array of shadow registers and to the array of base address registers with the control logic circuitry being operable, when it receives a configuration command, to implement a method, for reconfiguring the contents of the array of base address registers, including: inserting a new base address from the configuration command into a shadow register in the array of shadow registers, sorting the array of shadow registers into a predetermined order, and then copying the contents of the array of shadow registers into the array of base address registers.
US07694023B1
A method embodiment includes determining whether a communication received from a first processor connected to a network interface unit is intended for a second processor connected to the network interface unit. The method embodiment also includes selecting a first communication path between a route through a switch and a route directly to the second processor through which to route the communication from the network interface unit to the second processor. The method embodiment further includes routing the communication from the network interface unit to the second processor through the first communication path.
US07694022B2
A method and system for protecting an application that implements a communication protocol against exploitation of a communication-based vulnerability is provided. A protection system provides a protection policy that specifies how to recognize messages that expose a specific vulnerability and specifies actions to take when the vulnerability is exposed. A protection policy specifies the sequence of messages and their payload characteristics that expose a vulnerability. The protection system may specify the sequences of messages using a message protocol state machine. A message protocol state machine of an application represents the states that the application transitions through as it receives various messages. The message protocol state machine of the protection policy may be a portion of the message protocol state machine of the application relating to the vulnerability. The protection system uses the message protocol state machine to track the states that lead up to the exposing of the vulnerability.
US07694005B2
An automation network includes automation network devices connected to the network and a system layer interface that interfaces with a transport layer and an application layer of the home automation network. The system layer interface includes command libraries configured to upgrade a remote network device. The automation network queries the network devices to determine if there are lost network devices or newly added network devices. The automation network may update a new remote device with scene information related to any lost network devices.
US07694004B2
In an example embodiment, a method writes individual bits of data to a register. Bits of data are received in a data field. The number of bits in the data field is equal to the number of bits in the register and the bit locations in the data field correspond respectively to the bit locations in the register. Enable bits are received in a bit enable field. The number of enable bits in the bit enable field is equal to the number of bits in the register. The bit locations in the bit enable field correspond respectively to bit locations in the register. Only the bits at the bit locations of the register for which the enable bit in the corresponding location in the bit enable field is set are overwritten with the bit in the corresponding location in the data field.
US07694000B2
A method for presenting portlets within a portal can include providing a portal including a multitude of portlets, each portlet having at least one presentation attribute. A context in which access to the portal is requested can be identified and particular ones of the presentation attributes can be selected according to the context. Based upon selected presentation attributes, a presentation order can be determined for the portlets.
US07693991B2
A method and system is provided intelligent network dispatchers that are capable of routing requests to one or more servers (e.g., LDAP servers) based on the requested application or the identity of the requester. The servers may be grouped into virtual clusters so that a particular cluster may service requests associated with a particular application or based on a type of customer (e.g., preferred or general customer) in order to grade levels of service. Also, a system resource monitor may provide continual monitoring of servers in virtual clusters to determine when one or more servers are overburdened or under burdened based on statistical performance data. As a servers performance changes, the system resource monitor may advise the intelligent network dispatcher causing a change in the rate of requests to the overburdened/under burdened server. The server may be temporarily removed from the virtual cluster until performance levels normalize. Further, servers may be re-assigned to other virtual clusters on demand to provide increased capacity to a virtual cluster.
US07693987B2
A BACnet MS/TP communication network analysis system includes: a monitoring node for performing a first filtering on a frame received from the network, configuring a monitoring frame by adding a monitoring frame header to the received frame, and transmitting a frame corresponding to a message created in the BACnet visual test shell (VTS) to the communication network; and a monitoring module for receiving the monitoring frame, performing a second filtering thereon, outputting a result of the second filtering, transmitting a part of the monitoring frame on which the second filtering is performed to the VTS, receiving a message from the VTS, determining a destination address of the network to which the received message is transferred, configuring an MS/TP frame on the basis of the received message and the destination address, and transmitting the configured MS/TP frame to the monitoring node.
US07693986B2
A system for onboard processing of flight tests, which includes a group of standard interchangeable computers connected to an Ethernet network identical software being installed on each computer.
US07693982B2
Systems, methods, and software used in performing automated diagnosis and identification of or forecasting service level object states. Some embodiments include building classifier models based on collected metric data to detect and forecast service level objective (SLO) violations. Some such systems, methods, and software further include automated detecting and forecasting of SLO violations along with providing alarms, messages, or commands to administrators or system components. Some such messages include diagnostic information with regard to a cause of a SLO violation. Some embodiments further include storing data representative of system performance and detected and forecast system SLO states. This data can then be used to generate reports of system performance including representations of system SLO states.
US07693975B2
Systems, methods, and device are provided for network and network device management. One method embodiment includes receiving information associated with a network device. The method further includes analyzing the network information using a Kalman filter.
US07693973B2
A method and system for managing service state data of a service in a service-oriented architecture by establishing a pluggable meta-data processor comprising: establishing a platform independent, extensible meta-data information model to define meta-data about service state data; establishing an extensible meta-data definition comprising an extensible set of service state data attributes; configuring one or more extensible semantic processors; configuring a controller meta-data processor; and defining contracts among the semantic processors.
US07693971B2
A computer network is managed by policies. This allows selections to be made from a range of control options and optionally to be based on locally available system information. Policy-based management is distributed across the system and is handled locally by management agents allowing control of a sub-network. As a result of a distributed policy-based management system is provided which allows additional flexibility of control.
US07693970B2
A secure shared storage infrastructure accessible by more than one customer is separated into a plurality of logical storage areas. A customer is associated with at least one logical storage area within the shared storage infrastructure. The customer and its logical storage areas are associated with at least one port in the shared storage infrastructure. Each customer has access only to the logical storage areas associated with the customer and cannot access the logical storage areas of any other customer.
US07693965B2
The presently claimed invention relates generally to analyzing audio signals including analyzing streaming audio signals. One claim recites a method including: a) utilizing a programmed electronic processor, analyzing a streaming audio signal to extract identifying information therefrom, the identifying information being extracted from the audio signal through an analysis of data representing the audio signal; b) accessing a remote repository with the identifying information, the remote repository including a plurality of records that link identifying information to a pointer which identifies a remote computer; c) obtaining a pointer from the database with at least reference to the identifying information; and d) using the pointer to establish communication with the remote computer to obtain information associated with the audio signal. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided too.
US07693958B2
Instant messaging with data sharing is described. One or more of the described techniques may be employed to share data in conjunction with an instant messaging session, even if one or more clients which are to share the data are not currently available.
US07693954B1
A system for data storage includes a switch node, a meta-data server, a plurality of storage servers having at least one respective data storage device, and a scalable interconnect. The scalable interconnect couples the switch node, the meta-data server, and the storage servers. At least one of the switch node, the meta-data server and the storage servers includes a hierarchical storage manager (HSM). When information is received at the switch node, the HSM presents the information substantially simultaneously to the storage servers for storage at the respective data storage devices.
US07693946B2
Disclosed is a communication apparatus in which it is possible to change the size of data transmitted at one time, the data size being changed to one size in case of transmission of e-mail via a mail server and to different size in case of transmission that is not performed via a mail server. E-mail data having image data as an attached file is generated and it is determined whether a predetermined server will intervene when e-mail is transmitted to a transmission destination. When it has been decided that the destination will be a mail server, it is determined whether the e-mail data has exceeded a prescribed size. E-mail data for which it has been determined that the prescribed size is exceeded is divided into a plurality of segments and then the e-mail data is transmitted to destination decided.
US07693943B2
In an electronic mail system, an apparatus and method for providing, in addition to the conventional “Inbox” directory in which all incoming e-mails are normally received, a plurality of appropriately labeled directories for containing e-mails suspected of being spam, grading the level of spaminess of the incoming e-mails and then moving or copying the incoming e-mails into one or more of the spam directories based upon the e-mails' respective levels of spaminess.
US07693940B2
A method and system are provided for conversation detection in email systems. Multiple email messages are provided and grouped as relating to a conversation. The grouping is carried out by applying a similarity function based on a similarity of the email messages' attributes, the similarity function including a similarity between the email messages' participants and at least one of a similarity between the email messages' subjects or a similarity between the email messages' contents. The similarity function may also include the similarity between the email messages' dates. The similarity function may also include weightings for the contributions of the email messages' attributes. A graphical user interface is provided in an email client which includes means for viewing email messages by conversation.
US07693939B2
Context-based routing in multi-hop networks involves using a context-based routing metric. In a described implementation, respective path values are calculated for respective ones of multiple paths using the context-based routing metric. A path is selected from the multiple paths responsive to the calculated path values. Data is transmitted over at least one link of the selected path. In an example embodiment, the context-based routing metric is ascertained responsive to an estimated service interval (ESI) of a bottleneck link of each path of the multiple paths. In another example embodiment, the context-based routing metric is ascertained responsive to an expected resource consumption (ERC) metric. In an example embodiment of path selection, the path is selected using a context-based path pruning (CPP) technique that involves maintaining multiple local contexts at each intermediate node, with each local context representing at least one partial path.
US07693935B2
The invention relates to the field of domestic network technology. The control of an appliance in the network via a central appliance for the network and having a display unit is normally simplified with the aid of user interfaces. When an audio-video datastream has to be transmitted between two network appliances, then this takes place via data links that are set up. There is then a close relationship between the connected appliances, and this requires frequent switching between the user interfaces of the two appliances. For example, when the user interface for a CD player is displayed, this user interface must first of all be closed and a user interface for an amplifier in the network must be started, usually by selection from the list of all the appliances in the network, in order then to set the volume for the amplifier. The aim of the invention is to simplify the control of such appliances which are coupled to one another via a data link that has been set up. This is achieved by providing a field in the user interface for an appliance to be controlled, in which field a list of those appliances which maintain a connection that has been set up is displayed, and the user interface of that appliance is displayed with it. This results in a preselection from the list of all of the appliances in the network, allowing the desired user interface to be selected more quickly.
US07693932B1
A system for accessing a resource locator (RL) associated with a resource wherein a RL search string is used to search a list of valid RLs to identify valid RLs similar to a predetermined specified RL. A list of valid RLs meeting criteria specified by the search string is generated and displayed for user review or selection.
US07693930B2
An asynchronous adder permits asynchronous design in which dual-rail encoding is employed, not only for a control part but also for a datapath part including an ALU. An asynchronous adder of an exemplary embodiment includes a combinational circuit to perform full addition with, as an input value, an addend X, an augend Y and a carry-in Cin that are dual-rail encoded, and to output a sum output Z and a carry output Cout that are dual-rail encoded as an output value.
US07693928B2
A Galois field linear transformer trellis system includes a Galois field linear transformer matrix; an input selection circuit for providing to the matrix a number of input bits in one or more trellis bit streams and a trellis state output of the matrix and a programmable storage device for configuring the matrix to perform a multi-cycle Galois field transform of the one or more trellis bit steams and trellis state output to provide a plurality of trellis output channel symbols and a new trellis state output in a single cycle.
US07693916B2
Instance data is transmitted for Payload/Milestone events and for Enable-Continuation events. Payload/Milestone event data contains information describing an instance and/or providing a time of one or more portions of the processing of an instance. Included in the Enable-Continuation event data is an identifier associated with an instance by a first application and an identifier associated with the same instance by another application. The identifiers are placed in a continuation data table which is used to index the appropriate record of an instance data table. Out-of-order data for an instance is hidden from view until sequentially prior data for the instance is received.
US07693915B2
A method of browsing media items is disclosed, the method comprising the steps of displaying (802) representations of the media items on a display (914), defining (803) a filter criterion for a display pointing device (903), browsing (804) the displayed representations of the media items by moving the pointer of the pointing device about the display (914), and displaying (804) in a pop-up window, while the pointer of the pointing device (903) is designating a selected one of the displayed representations of the media items, a representation of the designated media that satisfies the filter criterion.
US07693910B2
This invention aims to provide an efficient means of performing a document search wherein relevance between plural document databases is examined. A summary making module and a search module are provided to document databases, and these are connected to a network as a server. A client obtains a relevant set of documents in a specified document database via this summary from a set of documents in the specified document database. The summary obtained is sent to another server, and a search is performed according to the summary in a document database in the server to which the summary is transferred.
US07693909B2
A method and system for reporting quantitative measurement information includes forming a message with quantitative measurement information; converting the data format of the message to a data format which allows the message to be sent over a communication network; converting the data format of the message received over the communication network to a data format corresponding to that of a data recording system; and generating a report with the recording system using the quantitative measurement information contained in the message.
US07693908B2
Techniques for analyzing and modeling the frequency of queries are provided by a query analysis system. A query analysis system analyzes frequencies of a query over time to determine whether the query is time-dependent or time-independent. The query analysis system forecasts the frequency of time-dependent queries based on their periodicities. The query analysis system forecasts the frequency of time-independent queries based on causal relationships with other queries. To forecast the frequency of time-independent queries, the query analysis system analyzes the frequency of a query over time to identify significant increases in the frequency, which are referred to as “query events” or “events.” The query analysis system forecasts frequencies of time-independent queries based on queries with events that tend to causally precede events of the query to be forecasted.
US07693907B1
Embodiments are directed towards selecting news formatted for a mobile device that is similar to currently popular desktop formatted news. Words are extracted from the desktop news and weighted based on various criteria. A comparison is then performed between the weighted words and available mobile news to identify similar mobile news. If an insufficient amount of mobile news is identified, then a revised similarity comparison is performed by modifying the keyword list using a virtual title weighted and/or sorted based in part on relevancy to the currently popular desktop formatted news. The resulting news articles formatted for mobile computing devices are then made available using a push and/or pull mechanism, instead of making available one of the news articles formatted for non-mobile computing devices.
US07693905B2
Described is a system and method for optimizing event predicate processing. The method comprises processing a subscription including a plurality of subscription predicates, sorting the subscription predicates using a predefined sorting algorithm, processing an event including a plurality of event predicates and comparing the plurality of event predicates to the subscription predicates. When each of the subscription predicates is matched by a corresponding one of the event predicates, the event is output to a source of the subscription.
US07693904B2
A method of determining a relation between search queries and a system for executing the method are provided. A method of determining a relation between search queries, comprises: maintaining a database including a search session and search queries received from a user terminal during the search session; determining numbers of search sessions where first and second search queries are received during a predetermined time interval; calculating conditional probability based on the determined numbers of search sessions; calculating correlation by using a total number of search sessions and said numbers of search sessions; and determining a relation between said search queries based on said calculated conditional probability and said calculated correlation.
US07693902B2
Methods and apparatus for searching data, grouping search results into categories that are ordered according to search relevance, and reviewing the search results via text messaging. In one embodiment, a search term is submitted via a search request text message to a short code for a search service. The search service searches for content based on the search term and context data, such as location of a submitting client device. The search results are clustered into categories and ranked by relevance to the search term and context within each category. The categories are also ranked relative to each other. The most relevant search result from the most relevant category is transmitted in an initial result text message, which also includes instructions to access additional results via subsequent text messages. Each result text message also includes a link to a web page of categorized search results for display in a browser.
US07693899B2
A feature of at least one object from a first computer database is selected with a graphical user interface. The feature is characterized by a value. The feature can be selected from a table in which the feature is represented as a field in the table. A subrange of values of the feature is selected with the graphical user interface from a graph of a range of values of the feature. The graph can be a histogram, a scatter plot, or the like. The query is constructed so that it can identify an object from at least one of the first computer database and a second computer database if the value of the feature of the object is within the subrange of values.
US07693876B2
In a method and system for monitoring storage resources, storage containers are monitored to identify their individual normal usage patterns over time. Based on a storage container's normal usage pattern, limits may be established for determining whether its rate of change over a predetermined amount of time (i.e., usage change rate) is normal or abnormal based on a mean and a standard deviation of historical usage rate values. The limits are periodically updated to ensure that the limits remain indicative of the storage container's current usage pattern, as usage patterns may vary over the life of a storage container.
US07693874B2
Disclosed is a mechanism and method for object linking. According to an aspect of one embodiment of the invention, name linking information is co-located with the storage object, rather than being stored only at a computer node. By maintaining name liking information with a storage object, that name linking information can still be used to correctly associate an alternate name with that storage object, regardless of configuration changes that move or delete storage objects in the system and regardless of any changes to internal identifiers for that storage object.
US07693864B1
A system and method accelerates update of a metadata search database using PCPI differencing. After first populating the search database, a search agent generates a PCPI and utilizes a PCPI differencing technique to quickly identify changes between inode files of first and second PCPIs. The differences are noted as modified metadata and are written to a log file, which is later read by the search agent to update the search database.
US07693863B2
The present invention relates to summarizing cross-network user behavioral data. The summarizing cross-network user behavioral data may particularly include publishing the data to one or more data structures that become accessible to a server hosting an authorized domain when a user accesses the authorized domain.
US07693862B2
A graphical user interface and method of use thereof that allows users to interact with an entity relationship model. The user interface includes zones that allow users to navigate among the entities, roles and fields to create queries that are run against the model. Clicking on an entity in the shows the available fields for the entity. Users can drag and drop entities and fields onto a design surface to quickly and easily build queries. Rules are applied when either an entity or a field is dropped onto the design surface based upon the item being dropped (either an entity or a field), the position of the drop and also the properties that are associated with the item. Entities may be grouped and filtered to sort and limit the results of the query. After query is run, the results may be displayed in a separate area to the user.
US07693858B2
By modeling real-world application objects with complex structures, behaviors, and operations described by a schema which is enforced by the hardware/software interface system, various embodiments of the present invention provide rich sub-typing functionality by extending Items (and Item types) using “Extensions” which provide additional data structures (Properties, Relationships, etc.) to already existing Items type structures. Extensions are strongly typed instances that cannot exist independently and must be attached to an Item or a Nested Element. Extensions are also intended to address “multi-typing” issues by enabling the overlap of type instances (e.g., a Document may be a “legal document” as well a “secure document”).
US07693854B2
A Two-Pass Harmonized Tariff Schedule Classification system and method is disclosed using an integrated Trade Compliance System (TCS). A classification analyst may preliminarily classify each product by comparing information about each product with information concerning HTS codes. The analyst may store these classifications in a repository in the TCS database. Subsequently, the information in the repository input by the analyst may be reviewed during a second pass by other personnel. The other personnel can review the information in the database for accuracy, taking into account other bases for classification.
US07693851B2
The present invention discloses methods and systems for tenants to execute application software hosted by a provider in a computer-based environment in which a provider may store a shared data structure associated with the application software, such that each of the plurality of tenants has access to the shared data structure. The provider may also distribute, to each of the plurality of tenants, respective tenant-specific data structures for storing data unique to each respective tenant for storage at each respective tenant, and send, based upon a data request generated by the application software, data of the shared data structure a first tenant of the plurality of tenants.
US07693850B2
Method and apparatus for adding annotations to an index are disclosed. Annotation is defined as any supplemental information that may be stored in an index node in addition to the usual key and data references. Adding annotations to the index opens numerous applicative possibilities, including but not limited to, storing and retrieving aggregation, statistical, and security information pertaining to the indexed data and to the index itself.
US07693848B2
A method and apparatus is provided for converting a document in a first format essentially comprising a flat layout structure into a structured document in a hierarchical form in accordance with predetermined attributes identified from the input format. The process comprises fragmenting the input document into a plurality of document content elements in accordance with a predetermined set of document attributes identifiable from the input document format. The content elements are clustered into selective sets having similar document attributes. The clustered sets are validated with reference to common textual properties organizational content common in documents in the collection. The clustered sets are then categorized into predetermined categories comprising structured elements of the structured document format and the document content elements are organized by hierarchical dependency from the predetermined categories wherein the organized document elements comprise the desired structured document format.
US07693843B2
An information management apparatus which is capable of managing products owned by a user by making the products easily registered in a device on a network. A user ID is registered in correspondence with model information on an image-pickup device. The user ID is received from a user terminal. When it is determined that the uploading of the image is permitted, on the basis of the received user ID and the registered user ID, the image uploaded from the user terminal is stored. Model information on an image-pickup device used for photographing the image stored in the storing unit is acquired from attribute information of the image. When the model information corresponding to the acquired model information is not registered, the acquired model information is further registered in correspondence with the received user ID.
US07693837B2
The invention is an improvement to conventional access control systems that use ACLs. The improvement comprises an Access Control Set, which is a data structure of access rules, ACLs, and other ACSs, and an improved object manager program that controls access to data objects according to the contents of an ACS. As in systems that rely exclusively on ACLs, every data object in the improved system includes a reference to an ACS that determines a user's access rights to the data object.
US07693828B2
A method of enabling users to perform a search using a search request form. The search request form has coded data indicative of an identity of the search request form and of a plurality of reference points, with some of the coded data being coincident with a search field. In use, the computer system receives indicating data from a sensing device, which is generated when the sensing device is moved within the search field. The indicating data is indicative of the identity of the search request form, movement of the sensing device within the search field and, an identifier stored in a store within the sensing device. The computer system determines the movement of the sensing device within the search field and uses this to perform the search, with the results being provided to the user using the identifier.
US07693822B2
The present invention provides a method and apparatus of generating browsing paths for data, a method for browsing data and a computer program product. According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of generating browsing paths for data. Firstly, a plurality of candidate browsing paths based on a data model describing the data structure is generated; next for each of the plurality of candidate browsing paths, importance of the browsing path based on a portion of data corresponding to the browsing path in the data is calculated; and at least one of the plurality of candidate browsing paths based on the importance is selected.
US07693817B2
Various components and processes are provided to enable data processing on multiple data types where aspects of the history of user activity, attention, interest, location, or other interaction with data is determined and employed to enhance information storage and access. In one particular aspect, a data manipulation system is provided. The system includes one or more data items that are associated with one or more tags and indicate at least one user's interaction or activity with the data items. A manipulation tool that processes the data items to determine a subset of data items based at least in part on the user's interaction with the data items. Methods are described for using the manipulation tool to weight terms in an index, to compress indexes, to influence the rank of items returned in a search, to generate additional queries for data items either automatically or with user direction, or for improved presentation of data items.
US07693816B2
There is a program for transmitting a prefetch command to a database management system (DBMS) so that access data of the DBMS can be prefetched to a storage. The DBMS is able to generate an access plan conscious of prefetch and to access database (DB). The DBMS is, however, unable to recognize that a prefetch command program is halted and it cannot generate an access plan at a proper I/O cost. Database management system servers 1, 2, . . . monitor a prefetch program of a management server 5, understands that the prefetch program is halted and it can optimize an execution plan to access storage apparatus 3, 4, . . . by using an I/O cost changed when the prefetch program is halted.
US07693810B2
A computer based method and system generates alerts based on the detection of an advanced scenario in a data set. The system and method may take data related to events and entities, transform the data, and apply advanced scenarios to the data to produce matches that reflect the occurrence of an advanced scenario and the behavior of interest. The advanced scenarios can be defined to cover specific product lines and services, lines of businesses, and combinations thereof. The advanced scenarios can be defined to be indicative of a behavior class, or a specific behavior which is part of a behavior class. Alerts produced by the system can be grouped, prioritized and routed such that the appropriate users are notified in a timely manner. The system and method can be applied to a variety of industries including financial and health care, and can detect both illicit and licit behaviors of interest.
US07693808B2
A method for generating a list of cases that are ranked by desirability (i.e. an ordinal ranking) based on attributes defined by a decision maker, and providing tools to assist the decision maker in statistically analyzing both the data inputted into a decision problem, the outcomes of the ranking process and the quality and consistency of inputs provided by raters.
US07693803B1
Systems and methods which implement hybrid postage printer technology are shown. Embodiments provide a postage printing apparatus having a printable area larger than that associated with a postage meter stamp printed thereby and which can accommodate a variety of mail item and other media sizes. Embodiments employ a movable platen to accommodate various media thicknesses. Embodiments accommodate any size mail item or other media using a “C” configuration to allow a mail item or other media to extend beyond the print mechanism in at least three directions. According to an embodiment, the postage printer includes a web browser for hosting postage generation client software and to communicate with a postage generation server via the Internet or other network. Embodiments utilize a commercially available ink cartridge filled with a ink unique to postage metering applications and one or more color ink cartridges.
US07693794B2
Computer system and computer-implemented method for creating travel-expense statements. The computer system is based on electronic data processing means comprising identifying means for automatically creating particular identifying data for identifying which of the travel-expense receipts were related to particular business trips, and determining means for automatically collecting the identifying data of the travel-expense data for determining the travel-expense receipts associated with the particular identifying data. Rather than showing all entries, only those automatically-identified entries may be presented to the user as items that should be associated with a particular travel-expense statement.
US07693791B2
Historical data is used to manage and authorize payment for merchant offerings for transactions among a plurality of transaction parties. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, invoiced item quantities are processed using historical fulfilled and billed quantities of each item. If invoiced item quantities involved items that have been fulfilled but not billed, payment for the invoiced items is authorized. If some or all of the invoiced items have not been fulfilled or have been previously billed, payment authorization is withheld for at least the portion of unfulfilled or previously billed (and paid) invoiced items. With this approach, historical information relative to order fulfillment and payment status is used to automatically process invoices (e.g., audit the invoices for payment).
US07693786B2
A network transaction server apparatus manages virtual world privilege information that is issued for a transaction that a user has conducted in a virtual world by manipulating a personal computer. A settlement server apparatus manages real world privilege information that is issued for a transaction that the user has conducted in a real world. In response to a request from the personal computer, the settlement server apparatus converts virtual world privilege information that is managed by the network transaction server apparatus into real world privilege information using a prescribed conversion factor.
US07693784B2
A system and method of providing a client with cashflow monitoring during a transfer of services (e.g. pre-authorized debits and credits) from a first account to a second account, the method comprising the steps of: (i) determining an effective date for the transfer of each service, said effective dates creating a transfer window; (ii) determining cashflows for said first account and said second account during said transfer window; (iii) adjusting effective dates for transfer of each services to avoid cashflow interruptions in said first and said second accounts; and (iv) providing a cashflow analysis to the client that lists all the effective dates for each service transfer and predicted cashflows for said first and said second account during said transfer window.
US07693782B1
A system for evaluating risk associated with a mortgage loan includes an automated underwriting engine configured to calculate a first risk indication and a second risk indication for the mortgage loan. The first risk indication is based on mortgage loan application data received for the mortgage loan, and further based on at least one of interest rate risk and collateral risk associated with the mortgage loan. The second risk indication represents a probability of an adverse event associated with the mortgage loan. The probability of the adverse event is determined based on the mortgage loan application data. The system also includes user interface logic configure to provide a user interface, and further configured to provide the first risk indication to a lender in the form of an underwriting recommendation for the mortgage loan, and to provide the second risk indication to the lender in a form which is useable by the lender to manage the risk associated with the mortgage loan.
US07693781B2
An apparatus for providing a financial instrument comprises a memory operable to store a plurality of predefined states wherein each of the predefined states corresponds to at least one potential outcome of a probabilistic event. The memory further stores a plurality of predefined termination criteria wherein each predefined state corresponds to at least one predefined termination criteria. The memory further stores a financial instrument that is allocated a value based at least in part upon one of the plurality of predefined states. A processor is coupled to the memory and facilitates the transfer of the financial instrument.
US07693779B2
A method and system for the determination of optimal pricing and allocation of securities in an open, competitive environment. The method and system may also be used in developing pre-markets of other items that are difficult to price and allocate in a competitive manner, such as the underwriting/securitization of contracts for property; future revenue/earning streams from an asset and/or group of assets; underwritten insurance portfolios, intellectual property and other goods and services. The system of price optimization and allocation is accomplished by interactive feedback of information using a display and including competitive participation of individual members of the public (and/or their agents) or institutional buyers over a data network e.g., the Internet, uncovering the nature and identification of demand in a self-organizing fashion. Demand emerges through participants' interaction with the system and with each other, via a graphically-supported, interactive reservation process. Multiple types of units (e.g., maturities of a term series bond offering) may be sold in one offering.
US07693778B2
Provided herein are various exemplary methods and apparatus for implementation of futures securities custom tailored to specific clienteles; one or more variable pay-out futures contracts as devices for hedging; hedging contracts having variable pay-outs; variable payout hedging contracts having limited exposure; freezing assets of an originator of an order to buy or sell a variable pay-out contract sufficient to cover a maximum exposure of the contract; determining whether an originator of an order to buy or sell a variable pay-out contract has assets sufficient to cover the contract at the time of placing the order; determining whether an originator of an order to buy or sell a variable pay-out contract has assets sufficient to cover the contract immediately before fulfilling the order and charging a penalty to an originator of an order to buy or sell a variable pay-out contract who does not have assets sufficient to cover the contract.
US07693777B1
The present invention relates to computerized trading systems and associated methods, particularly those that implement trades in basis trading where the two instruments have different and non-universally agreed pricing mechanisms and metrics, such as futures crosses in the European derivative markets. The present invention allows traders to enter orders expressed in terms of their own metrics. These orders are then converted to be expressed according to a standardized metric such that comparisons may be made and orders matched. Once matching orders are identified, these orders can be reported back to the traders, expressed in terms of their own metrics.
US07693774B2
An anonymous trading system comprises a network of broker nodes each of which perform price matching, deal execution and market distribution. Trader terminals on trading floors are connected to a given broker node via a trading agent node. Credit may be stored for a given trading floor at its trading agent node or at a credit agent node which stores credit limits for a group of trading floors. Where the credit limits of a party to a proposed deal are stored at a credit agent node, the deal execution process is routed through that credit agent node to check for available credit. The system allows institutions to adopt any combination of local and global credit assignments with counterparties with which it wishes to trade.
US07693773B2
An interactive user interface for displaying information about a plurality of publicly traded securities (e.g., stocks) at one time is disclosed. According to various embodiments, the interface may comprise (i) a two-dimensional chart comprising an x-axis and a y-axis, (ii) a first field for specifying a first metric related to the publicly traded securities for the x-axis, and (iii) a second field for specifying a second metric related to the publicly traded securities for the y-axis. An icon (e.g., a circle or a bubble) may be positioned on the chart at the x and y coordinates for each of the publicly traded companies based on the selected x-axis and y-axis metrics. In addition, the size of the icons may be representative of a third metric related to the publicly traded securities such as, for example, the market capitalization of the companies that issued the securities. Also, an interior feature of the icons (e.g., the color or hatching) may be representative of a fourth metric related to the publicly traded securities, such as the rating for the securities.
US07693772B1
An investment structure including a fixed component and a contingent component for investing funds. The fixed component invests a portion of the funds in fixed income securities and generates principal plus fixed interest. The contingent component invests another portion of the funds in non-fixed income, securities and generates contingent interest. The fixed interest is selectively distributed or re-invested in the fixed component, and the contingent interest is re-invested in the contingent component in order to boost the trading pool for that component and potentially increase the return on investment.
US07693764B1
Systems and methods consistent with the present invention provide an indication of whether a mortgage loan is likely to involve property value fraud, such as a property involved in mortgage flipping. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving information representative of the property, the information including foreclosure information on the property and a rate of foreclosures corresponding to a region in which the property is located; and determining an indication based on one or more rules and the received information, the indication representative of a likelihood that the mortgage loan application involves property value fraud.
US07693762B1
In one implementation, a volatility of expected service usage is calculated along with an expected revenue. User input provides estimates of service usage such as an estimated high usage, an estimated low usage, and a swing range of percentiles for the high and low usage estimates, for each time period in a plurality of future time periods. A user also provides a schedule of prices that are based on usage rates. A model volatility is calculated based on the swing range of percentiles, the estimated high and low usage, and a cumulative density function, such as a cumulative lognormal density function, for each time period in a plurality of time periods. The expected usage and the schedule of prices, along with any discount plans, are also used to calculate an estimated revenue.
US07693758B1
Disclosed are various embodiments of systems, methods, and computer programs that facilitate verification of activity in an environment of predefined activity orchestration. Activity is captured on image capture devices in the environment of predefined activity orchestration. The activity is verified to be consistent with the predefined activity orchestration. An event is generated based upon whether the activity is consistent with the predefined activity orchestration.
US07693754B2
A quoting system for housing components, especially cabinets, includes a product database storing a plurality of product identifiers for different cabinet components, each having an associated cabinet style. The database also includes identifiers for products and/or services that are outsourced. The user need enter the description and product or service identifiers only once for an entire quote. The user can assign the pricing by style (or wood species).
US07693745B1
Transferring a package from a source location to a target location, including obtaining the package from a shipper at the source location, the package containing no indication of the target location; affixing to the package a unique identifier; storing, in a package routing system, the unique identifier, and associating therewith, information identifying the target location; transporting the package toward the target locations associated with the unique identifier; and delivering the package to the target location associated with the unique identifier in the package routing system.
US07693744B2
A system for delivering coupons containing barcodes to a mobile device such as a mobile phone is disclosed. A message processor means (106) generates message data comprising a coupon. A message optimizer means (116) generates an optimized message responsive to the message data and the capabilities of the mobile device (124). Preferably the capabilities of the mobile device comprise device attribute associated with a mobile device type, and are stored in a database means (110). The optimized message is transmitted to the mobile device. For basic mobile devices, simple text message including barcode number and associated text will be delivered. Otherwise, subject to the mobile device supporting the required display dimensions and color depth, a barcode image, picture, and/or multimedia content will be delivered.
US07693735B2
An apparatus and method provides dynamic schedule mediation by scheduling and monitoring appointments between a service provider and customers. The apparatus and method uses a statistical analysis to determine a best appointment time based on at least one of: historical performance patterns, the type of service requested during the appointment, geographic location of the customer or the service provider, time of day, time of year, weather, skills of the service provider, and automobile traffic conditions. The system and method continuously monitors changes to the appointment initiated by the customer or the service provider and notifies the other. The statistical information of a service provider may also be used to evaluate the rules of the service provider and to evaluate individual field service personnel of the service provider.
US07693730B2
An apparatus for communicating health care data from a sender to a receiver is provided. The apparatus has a first computer system, a second computer system, and a rules engine. The first computer system has health care data stored therein. The second computer system is in operable communication with, and is configured to extract the health care data from, the first computer system. The rules engine normalizes the extracted health care data to a predefined format.
US07693729B2
Described is a method and system for conducting a clinical trial. Medical data is obtained from a patient participating in the clinical trial. Then, the medical data and at least one identifier are transmitted, via a communications network, for storage at a remote server. The at least one identifier links the medical data to a record of the patient. Access to at least portions of the medical data is provided, via the communications network, to trial participants based on predefined clinical trial procedures. The remote server tracks accessing of the medical data by the trial participants and generation by the trial participants of work product responsive to the medical data.
US07693703B2
Configuring reconfigurable interconnect resources employing a switch matrix and configuration bit look-up table are disclosed. Reconfigurable interconnect resources include multiplexors to decrease the number of bits needed to load a configuration. Distributed processing resources configure a selected reconfigurable interconnect resource, interconnecting each input of the reconfigurable interconnect resource with a particular output of the reconfigurable interconnect resource using configuration bits scalably extracted from a row of configuration bits of a look-up table. Use of a configuration bit look-up table allows for compression of the bits needed to load the configuration for a reconfigurable interconnect resource.
US07693698B2
This disclosure relates to LINGO-1 polypeptides, LINGO-1 polypeptide/ligand complexes, crystals of LINGO-1 polypeptides, crystals of LINGO-1 polypeptide/ligand complexes, and related methods and software systems.
US07693692B2
According to one embodiment, a CAD system includes a model building section which builds a total model by combining shape models of frame components and internal components of a designed appliance, a design verification simulation executing section which executes analysis simulation which serves design verification by running a simulation of the total model built by the model building section in accordance with a design specification, and a simulation result manipulating section which forms a model from the total model modified in accordance with a result of the analysis executed by the design verification simulation executing section.
US07693691B1
Systems and methods for accurately and quickly simulating link performance of a transceiver operating with any given transmission medium are provided. Accurate and quick link simulations may be provided using a link simulation platform. The link simulation platform may simulate link performance using transceiver behavioral models (e.g., transmitter and receiver behavioral models) that incorporate silicon level parameters, which parameters enable the behavioral models to substantially emulate the actual behavior of the transceiver portions of the link.
US07693690B2
A symbolic disjunctive image computation method for software models which exploits a number of characteristics unique to software models. More particularly, and according to our inventive method, the entire software model is decomposed into a disjunctive set of submodules and a separate set of transition relations are constructed. An image/reachability analysis is performed wherein an original image computation is divided into a set of image computation steps that may be performed on individual submodules, independently from any others. Advantageously, our inventive method exploits variable locality during the decomposition of the original model into the submodules. By formulating this decomposition as a multi-way hypergraph partition problem, we advantageously produce a small set of submodules while simultaneously minimizing the number of live variable in each individual submodule. Our inventive method produces a set of disjunctive transition relations directly from the software model, without producing a conjunctive transition relation—as is necessary in the prior art. In addition, our inventive method exploits the exclusive use of live variables in addition to novel search strategies which provide still further benefit to our method.
US07693689B2
A noise-component removing method for removing a noise component from multipoint spectral data that has been generated through measurements performed at measurement points of a sample surface, the method comprising: a PLS analysis step of determining components of the multipoint spectral data for each measurement point in a descending order of eigenvalues of the components by subjecting the multipoint spectral data to multivariate analysis based on the partial least squares regression using a value obtained by quantifying characteristic information about a characteristic of each measurement point, other than spectral information of the measurement point and using the spectral information as an independent variable in the partial least squares regression; and a spectrum reconstruction step of reconstructing the multipoint spectral data for each measurement point to eliminate a component having an eigenvalue lower than a predetermined value, from the components determined in the PLS analysis step.
US07693684B2
A process for detecting the operating state of a pump of a pump system, involves the steps of: detecting at least one pressure and/or flow profile P(t) in the pump system, computing of at least one characteristic value Kkal from the pressure and/or flow profile P(t), comparing the computed characteristic value Kkal with at least one defined characteristic value Kvor or with a range bordered by the characteristic value Kvor, the defined characteristic value Kvor or the characteristic value range corresponding to the operating state of the pump of interest, and outputting the operating state determined by the comparison. With the process, the operating states of pumps, pump systems and hydraulic systems is determined by the computed characteristic value Kkal characterizing the pulsation of the pressure and/or flow profile P(t) in a computation time interval ΔtB, the pulsation quotient being computed as the computed characteristic value Kkal.
US07693679B1
A graphical user interface for configuring parameters associated with a portable infrared imager is provided. The interface can be used to manually or automatically set range and span parameters. The interface can also be used to configure one or more alarms to notify a user that a detected temperature is outside a predetermined range. In some embodiments, a non-linear temperature scale can be displayed.
US07693672B2
A signal processing method includes receiving an unknown signal that includes a distorted component and an undistorted component, and performing self-linearization based at least in part on the unknown signal to obtain an output signal that is substantially undistorted, wherein performing self-linearization includes adaptively generating a replica distortion signal that is substantially similar to the distorted component, and subtracting the replica distortion signal from the unknown signal to obtain the output signal.
US07693671B2
A battery control device includes a unit to measure a voltage of a battery, a unit to measure an electric current of the battery, and a control unit to calculate an open-circuit voltage of the battery based on the voltage and the electric current of the battery, and to calculate a battery residual quantity ratio of the battery by use of relative information and the calculated open-circuit voltage, wherein the control unit calculates a charge quantity ratio of the battery by subtracting a battery residual quantity ratio at charge ending time from a battery residual quantity ratio at charge starting time, calculates a value obtained by multiplying the charge quantity ratio by a correction coefficient as a charging-discharging count of the battery, and integrates the charging-discharging count each time the charging-discharging count is calculated.
US07693654B1
A method for generating maps of a desired area that are referenced to a universal uniform spatial reference frame includes a mobile platform having a mapping processor and at least one mapping sensor is provided. The mapping sensor is applied to determine the location of features to be mapped relative to the mobile platform. The mobile platform is moved to a new location, and the mapping sensor is further applied to determine the location of features to be mapped relative to the mobile platform. These steps are repeated until the desired area is mapped. The at least one mapping sensor is also applied to locate at least one position on the map of the desired area on a universal uniform spatial reference frame. Positions on the map of the desired area are transformed into the universal uniform spatial reference frame.
US07693649B2
A method of logging faults in an electronic controlled internal combustion engine that passes any fault readings through a debounce logic to determine whether the fault indication is real.
US07693642B2
An anti-overspeed system is adapted to prevent overspeeding of an engine of a vehicle. The anti-overspeed system has an anti-overspeed hydraulic circuit operably connected to the engine and a controller for controlling the hydraulic circuit in a manner that prevents overspeeding of the engine.
US07693640B2
A lateral G sensor breakdown detection device configured to carry out a breakdown determination control that determines that the lateral G sensor has a breakdown when the difference between the actual lateral G acting on a four wheel drive vehicle measured by the lateral G detection sensor installed on the vehicle and the estimated lateral G estimated and calculated from predetermined parameters that express the condition of the vehicle; while the vehicle is turning when the rotation speed of the outer wheel is equal to or less than the rotation speed of the inner wheel and when the actual lateral G is less than the estimated lateral G and the difference is greater than a predetermined value, the breakdown determination control is suspended.
US07693637B2
A vehicle control system is comprised of a controller which is arranged to select an optimal mode adapted to a driving point of a vehicle from an optimal mode map of defining a plurality of running modes of the vehicle, to detect a generation of a mode transition in the optimal mode map, and to hold a current running mode selected before the transition for a holding time period when the generation of the mode transition is detected.
US07693628B2
A method and apparatus for synchronous communication in a control system is disclosed. Within a first time interval, a first source task is executed to broadcast a first destination task, within a second sequential time interval, the first destination task is communicated over a channel to a first destination, and within a third sequential time interval, the first destination task is consumed. Within the first time interval, a second source task may be executed to broadcast a second destination task, within the second sequential time interval, the second destination task may be communicated over the channel to a second destination, and within the third sequential time interval, the second destination task may be consumed. The first source task is allowed to be scheduled ahead of the second source task, and the second source task is allowed to be scheduled ahead of the first source task.
US07693626B2
Vehicle with tire monitoring capabilities includes at least one wheel, each including a rim, a tire mounted on the rim, a sensor system for sensing angular, radial, tangential and/or lateral acceleration of the tire and providing acceleration signals based thereon, and an antenna arranged on the rim or tire and coupled to the sensor system for communicating data about the sensed acceleration. A processor receives acceleration signals provided by the sensor system and determines the existence of an anomaly in the tire based thereon. When arranged on the wheel, the processor provides a signal indicative or representative of the determination of the existence of the anomaly via the antenna to a receiving antenna which conveys it to a reactive system. The reactive system may provide a visual and/or audible warning to the driver of the vehicle or to personnel at a vehicle or tire monitoring facility.
US07693610B2
A power management system and associated method includes provision of local wireless energy control units at remote sites for controlling power delivery to customer loads, and a central station with a wireless transmitter for broadcasting commands to the wireless energy control units. The wireless energy control units each comprise a bank of switches for controlling power delivery to electrical loads at each local site. The controllable switches preferably have a deformable bimetal member controlled by a heated coil for engaging and disengaging electrical contacts. Each wireless energy control unit is capable of being pre-configured so as to specify the order or priority in which electrical loads are disengaged, in response to commands to reduce power consumption received from the central station. The central station issues power reduction commands according to different priority levels or alert stages, causing the local wireless energy units to disengage local loads accordingly.
US07693596B2
Processing components to manufacture information handling systems have build-to-order integrated circuits with plural selectively-enabled features set at the information handling system manufacture location. For instance, fuses integrated in the integrated circuits are selectively blown at the information handling system manufacture location to permanently disable features so that the processing components have a desired configuration. As another example, feature enable or disable states are programmed in flash incorporated in the integrated circuit, with the flash programmability subsequently disabled to permanently set the features so that the processing components have a desired configuration. Features are set with keys provided by the processing component manufacturer to track the information handling system manufacturer's use of the features.
