US07704713B2
A polypeptide having a high fidelity DNA polymerase activity and thus being useful as a genetic engineering reagent; a gene encoding this polypeptide; a method of producing the polypeptide; and a method of amplifying a nucleic acid by using the polypeptide.
US07704711B1
The invention relates to novel kinase nucleic acid sequences and proteins. Also provided are vectors, host cells, and recombinant methods for making and using the novel molecules.
US07704707B2
The present invention provides a neutral metalloprotease from actinomycetes which selectively cleaves a pro-structure part of a microbial protransglutaminase and a gene encoding said neutral metalloprotease. An active microbial transglutaminase having the pro-structure part cleaved can be obtained by culturing a microorganism into which a gene encoding the neutral metalloprotease from actinomycetes according to the present invention has been introduced, where by producing the neutral metalloprotease from actinomycetes, and reacting it on a microbial protransglutaminase.
US07704706B2
Disclosed is a method of selectively inhibiting for growth of non-target cells in a mixed population of target and non-target cells, the method comprising the steps of: (a) contacting the mixed population with a selective agent which comprises a carrier moiety linked by a scissile linkage to a toxic moiety; wherein the selective agent is able to enter non-target cells in which the scissile linkage is cleaved, releasing the toxic moiety to exert a toxic effect on the non-target cells causing inhibition of the growth of the non-target cells, whereas the selective agent is unable to enter target cells and/or the scissile linkage is not cleaved in target cells and/or toxic moiety, if released from the selective agent, does not exert a toxic effect on the target cell; and (b) culturing the cells in conditions which allow for growth of non-inhibited cells.
US07704699B2
A method for characterizing the three-dimensional surface structure of molecules, particularly proteins and protein complexes, employing mass spectrometric analysis, an electrospray ionization (ES) source, a novel data interpretation process that utilizes comparisons of particular binding constants (KB) and heats of formation (ΔHf), and computational feedback modeling.
US07704688B2
Methods are disclosed for screening of the occurrence of gene silencing (e.g. post transcriptional gene silencing) in an organism. Also provided are methods for isolating silencing agents so identified.
US07704686B2
The present invention provides methods of identifying a substance that down-regulates or up-regulates an immune response and kits used for the identification methods. A method of this invention comprises detecting a substance that inhibits or enhances the interaction between CD26 and caveolin-1. Another method comprises detecting a substance that inhibits or enhances the interaction between caveolin-1 and Tollip. Still another method comprises detecting a substance that inhibits or enhances the interaction among caveolin-1, Tollip, and IRAK-1. The present invention also relates to immunoregulatory agents comprising a substance that down-regulates an immune response, such as siRNA against caveolin-1 or Tollip. The invention further provides immunoregulatory agents comprising a substance that up-regulates an immune response. These agents are useful for treating inflammatory diseases, autoimmune diseases, or other immune-mediated disorders.
US07704682B2
The method of manufacturing the optical fiber having the Bragg grating includes the steps of applying heat from a heat source to a predetermined portion of the optical fiber and thus diffusing impurities existing in a core of the optical fiber into a cladding of the optical fiber, so as to adjust an effective refractive index for a guided mode in the fiber corresponding to a predetermined wavelength, exposing UV light from an optical source to a phase mask having a periodic surface relief structure, and fabricating the Bragg grating having a predetermined period in the optical fiber using diffraction and interference of the UV light due to the periodic surface relief structure of the phase mask.
US07704671B2
A lithographic printing plate precursor comprising a hydrophilic support, an undercoat layer and a laser-sensitive photopolymerizable layer, wherein the undercoat layer contains a copolymer containing (a1) a repeating unit having at least one ethylenically unsaturated bond and (a2) a repeating unit having at least one functional group capable of interacting with a surface of the support, and the repeating unit (a1) is a repeating unit represented by the formula (A1) as defined herein.
US07704670B2
High silicon-content resin composition that can be used to form thin film thermosets, useful in forming low k dielectric constant materials and as well as hard mask materials with anti-reflective properties for the photolithography industry are disclosed.
US07704653B2
A method and tool for conducting charged-particle beam direct write lithography is disclosed. A disclosed method involves condensing an initial design file down to a set of profiles and a pattern of relative locations to form a formatted pattern file. The formatted pattern file is adjusted to accommodate desired pattern corrections. Portions of the formatted pattern records are extracted to form data strips that have a plurality of channels with a pattern of profiles and spatial indicators. Data strips are sequentially read to construct a printable pattern of profiles and spatial indicators that specify the locations of the profiles. Additionally, the pattern of profiles are sequentially printed from each data strip onto a substrate to form the desired pattern on the substrate.
US07704650B2
A donor sheet for transferring an image pattern to an image receiving element by a thermal imaging process using laser beam, comprising a base having formed in order on the base a light-to-heat conversion layer, and a transfer layer containing an image component which is melted by heating due to an action of the light-to-heat conversion layer and transferred to the image receiving element in a patterned form, in which the image component of the transfer layer contains an ink-repellent or solvent-repellent compound in an optimized amount. Using the donor sheet, it becomes possible to produce an separation member such as partition pattern and black matrix of a color filter by a shortened manufacturing step with ease and accuracy at high contrast, and can impart excellent ink repellency to the separation member.
US07704648B2
A color filter substrate including a substrate, a black matrix, a plurality of color filter patterns and a common electrode is provided. The substrate has a plurality of pixel regions thereon. The black matrix comprises a plurality of strip patterns, wherein the strip patterns are disposed between the pixel regions to isolate the pixel regions, and each strip pattern has a side portion distant from the substrate and extending to the edge of the adjacent pixel region. Each color filter pattern is disposed in each pixel region. The common electrode is disposed over the substrate and covering the color filter patterns and the black matrix.
US07704646B2
A half tone mask having a transparent substrate, a light semitransmission layer, and a light shield layer; and a method for fabricating the same. The halftone mask is applied to multiple cycles of a photolithography process, thus shortening a time taken to fabricate the mask and reducing the production costs of the mask. Since a desired pattern is uniformly formed through a light semitransmission layer of the half tone mask of the present invention according to the uniformity of a chrome oxide (CrxOy) film, i.e., the uniformity in sputtering, the halftone mask is not limited in size.
US07704643B2
The present invention relates to a system, as well as articles and holographic recording medium comprising the system, where the system comprises: a polymerizable component comprising at least one photoactive polymerizable material; and a photoinitiator component comprising at least one photoinitiator for causing the polymerizable component to polymerize to thereby form a plurality of holographic gratings when activated by exposure to a photoinitiating light source; wherein when a portion of the polymerizable component has been polymerized to form at least one holographic grating, the unpolymerized portion of the polymerizable component is resistant to further polymerization when not exposed to the photoinitiating light source. The present invention also provides methods for forming at least one holographic grating in a holographic recording medium having such a photopolymerizable system.
US07704640B2
A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell excellent in cycle characteristics is provided. This purpose is achieved by the following structure. A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell has a positive electrode having a positive electrode active material, a negative electrode having a negative electrode active material, and a non-aqueous electrolyte having a non-aqueous solvent and an electrolytic salt. The positive electrode active material has a lithium-cobalt compound oxide having added therein at least zirconium. The non-aqueous electrolyte has LiBF4 at from 0.05 to 1.0 mass % of a total mass of the non-aqueous electrolyte and unsaturated cyclic carbonate at from 1.0 to 4.0 mass %. The true density ratio of the positive electrode is 0.72 or greater, the true density ratio being represented by formula 1 shown below: (Formula 1) True density ratio=active material apparent density of electrode active material layer÷true density of active material.
US07704636B2
A cell having a film outer casing with high volume energy density and preferably sealing performance is provided. The cell has a flat electrode assembly having a first electrode and a second electrode arranged to opposed to each other via a separator and wound into a flat shape having two flat side R portions. The flat electrode assembly is housed in an outer casing made of a film of a metal layer and a resin layer laminated atop one another. The first electrode is located the outermost layer of the flat electrode assembly. A portion of the first electrode corresponding to an upper end and/or a lower end of at least one of the flat side R portions is cut off. Thus, a separator-exposed portion is formed where a portion of the separator wound immediately inside the outermost layer of the flat electrode assembly is exposed.
US07704615B1
A sequence or array of electrochemical cells storing both digital and analog data. Both binary code and codes having a higher base may be stored in the memory device to increase information density. Such battery arrays could also provide power for the micro or nanodevice. Devices are microscale and nanoscale in size and utilize electrically conductive atomic force microscopy tips to record and read data stored in the device.
US07704613B2
A bit error rate is improved and, at the same time, an aging change due to thermal fluctuation is decreased. In one embodiment, a magnetic recording medium has first, second, third, and fourth magnetic layers stacked over the underlayer film on a substrate. The product (Brt2) of the residual magnetic flux density and film thickness of the second magnetic layer is smaller than the product (Brt3) of the residual magnetic flux density and film thickness of the third magnetic layer. The second magnetic layer has a thickness larger than that of the third magnetic layer and is anti-ferromagnetically coupled with the first magnetic layer by way of the first non-magnetic intermediate layer. The fourth magnetic layer is formed by way of a second non-magnetic intermediate layer above the third magnetic layer. The product (Brt4) of the residual magnetic flux density and film thickness of the fourth magnetic layer is from about 47% to 52% of the product (Brt_total) of the residual magnetic flux density and film thickness of the entire magnetic layers in a state of residual magnetization with the external magnetic field removed.
US07704609B2
A compound represented by the following general formula (1). R3—(X)x-(A)a-(Y)y—(B)b—(Z)z—R12 (1) (A, B, X, Y, and Z represent the following general formulae, and CH on a phenylene ring of each of X, Y, and Z may be replaced with an N atom. a, b, x, y, and z each independently represent an integer of 0 to 5, and a≧1, y≧1, and a+b≧2. (R1 to R14 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, or a linear or branched alkyl group.)). The compound can be suitably used as a compound for an organic EL device.
US07704606B2
A method for repairing a basecoat/clearcoat finish or coating comprised of a fluorinated organosilane topcoat. A fluorinated urethane additive is added to the fluorinated organosilane topcoat composition to improve recoat adhesion with the repair basecoat.
US07704599B2
The invention is directed to a composition having a carrier matrix, and a particulate luminescent composition dispersed therein, the particulate luminescent composition comprising a rare-earth-doped alkaline earth fluoride represented by the formula RExA1−xF2+x−2yOy wherein RE represents a three-valent rare-earth element, A is alkaline earth, 0.002≦x≦0.20, and 0≦y≦x; the particulate luminescent composition exhibiting a luminescence spectrum having a plurality of intensity peaks at characteristic wavelengths. It is further directed to a process by contacting a surface with the composition and articles made therefrom.
US07704597B2
A porous film which has a crosslinked structure and, due to this structure, has excellent resistance to film breakage at high temperatures and excellent transverse-direction shape retention even at high temperatures, uses of the film are provided. The porous film comprises a crosslinked material of a resin composition containing a polyolefin. The film has a peak of shrinkage force in a transverse direction (TD) at a temperature region of the shutdown temperature or higher of the film, and the shrinkage force as measured at the peak being 80 N/cm2 or lower.
US07704596B2
A hybrid ceramic matrix composite (CMC) structure 10 and method for fabricating such an structure are provided. A CMC substrate 12 includes layers 16, 18, 20 of ceramic fibers. Fugitive objects 22 are disposed on at least one of the plurality of layers prior to laying a subsequent layer of ceramic fibers. An outer surface of the subsequent layer influences a shape of the outer surface of the substrate by defining protuberances 24 on the outer surface of the substrate where respective cavities 26 are formed beneath respective protuberances upon dissipation of the fugitives. A liquefied ceramic coating 34 is deposited on the outer surface of the ceramic substrate to fill the cavities. When the ceramic coating is cured to a solidified state, the cavities containing the solidified coating constitute an anchoring arrangement between the ceramic substrate and the ceramic coating.
US07704580B2
An information recording medium comprising: a first recording layer in which a first recording track path to record therein record information is formed; and a second recording layer which is laminated on said first recording layer and in which a second recording tack path to record therein the record information is formed in a direction opposite to the first recording track path, in one recording layer of said first and second recording layers, a predetermined area in which focus leading of laser light is performed reflecting the laser light, in the other recording layer of said first and second recording layers, a facing area which faces the predetermined area not reflecting the laser light.
US07704569B2
A twist-obliquely oriented liquid crystal layer and a twist-obliquely oriented film is formed by forming an alignment layer, on a substrate, containing at least one selected from a glassy macromolecule and a silane coupling agent, performing a rubbing treatment on the alignment layer, and then applying a liquid crystal coating solution containing a chiral agent and a photopolymerizable liquid crystal composition.
US07704562B2
A process is disclosed for the purpose of increasing the adhesion of a polymeric material to a metal surface. The process comprises plating the metal surface with a layer of electroless nickel, electroless cobalt or electroless (or immersion) tin followed by phosphating the plated layer prior to bonding the polymeric material thereto. The process is particularly suited to treating printed circuit board inner-layers and lead frames.
US07704560B2
A process for producing a fuser member coating including a) adding and reacting a fluoroelastomer, a crosslinking agent, a polar solvent, a fluorine-containing additive, and a deflocculant to form a coating solution, and b) providing the coating solution on the fuser member to form a fuser member coating, wherein the fluorine-containing additive includes pendant fluorinated groups.
US07704557B2
Various coatings and methods of coating fasteners are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of coating includes applying a chromate coating to a fastener. In other embodiments, the method may include deoxidizing an aluminum fastener, etching the fastener, deoxidizing the fastener a second time, applying a chromate coating to the fastener, and dying the fastener.
US07704556B2
The silicon nitride film forming method deposits a silicon nitride film on the substrate surface by maintaining the heating element at a predetermined temperature and by decomposing and/or activating a raw material gas supplied from the gas supply system.
US07704554B2
A method for vaporizing organic materials onto a substrate surface to form a film including providing a quantity of organic material into a vaporization apparatus and actively maintaining the organic material in a first heating region in the vaporization apparatus to be below the vaporization temperature. The method also includes heating a second heating region of the vaporization apparatus above the vaporization temperature of the organic material and metering, at a controlled rate, organic material from the first heating region into the second heating region so that a thin cross section of the organic material is heated at a desired rate-dependent vaporization temperature, whereby organic material vaporizes and forms a film on the substrate surface.
US07704538B2
A non-sticky, free-flowing product comprises a candied or infused, internally-moist, solid comestible having a surface coating comprising as main ingredient a dry starch derivative selected from starch phosphate esters, hydroxyalkyl starches phosphate esters and mixtures thereof. Typically, the candied or infused, internally-moist solid comestible is selected from candied or infused ginger pieces, whole fruit or fruit pieces. The product may be used as a food ingredient, for instance in bakery products, cereal products, ice cream and dairy products.
US07704537B2
Frozen taquitos are made on a commercial scale by preparing a flour-based tortilla dough, shaping that dough into generally circular tortillas, baking the tortillas, applying a strip of filling to each baked tortilla, rolling the baked tortilla around the filling to form a filled tortilla, coating the tortilla with batter, frying the batter-coated filled tortillas, and freezing them. To reconstitute, the frozen taquito can be heated in a microwave oven.
US07704534B2
Oil seed protein isolates, particularly canola protein isolate, are produced continuously from oil seed meals, preferably at a high purity level of at least about 100 wt % (Nx 6.25), by a process wherein oil seed protein is continuously extracted from oil seed meal, the resulting protein solution is continuously concentrated, preferably to a protein content of at least about 200 g/L, and the concentrated protein solution is continuously mixed with chilled water having a temperature below about 15° C. to form protein micellar, which are settled in the settling vessel to provide a protein micellar mass (PMM) while supernatant overflows the vessel. The PMM, when accumulated to a desired degree, may be separated from supernatant and dried. The supernatant may be processed to recover additional oil seed protein isolate.
US07704532B1
Described are compositions and methods for use thereof for prevention or mitigation of allergic reactions in humans and animals. Novel compositions comprised of, e.g., an acidic salt solution of aluminum, calcium or magnesium, are provided for topical or contact application to physically and/or chemically alter an allergenic protein present in the environment and thereby lower the allergenicity of the protein. The compositions of the invention, e.g., comprised of aluminum sulfate, can be used to deactivate many types of proteinaceous allergens such as dust mite and cockroach body dust, animal dander, dried saliva, mold spore antigens, airborne pollen protein and the like. Compositions can be applied on an as needed basis to a wide variety of surfaces, interiors, furniture, pet bedding, plants and the like. The compositions provided may also be utilized to mitigate allergens present on clothing, e.g., for use in commercial dry cleaning or in household laundry applications.
US07704525B2
This invention relates to Lipid Microparticles consisting of lipids enriched in amphiphilic components, which promote the incorporation of peptides and/or protein, process for obtaining them as well as use thereof. A cryogenic micronization manufacturing process for their preparation is also disclosed.
US07704522B2
New topical medicaments are provided. The medicaments comprise menthol and camphor, preferably provided as part of a base gel, supplemented with potassium and a source of oxygen. The most preferred base gel is sold under the name SOMBRA, while the most preferred source of oxygen is a chlorite (e.g., sodium chlorite) and/or spirulina. The medicaments provide high metabolic activities and sustain those activities over prolonged periods of time, thus being useful for treating a large variety of ailments, including diabetic neuropathy, post hepatic neuralgia, scleroderma, psoriasis, strain, spasticity, headaches, neuropathy secondary to drugs, peripheral neuropathy, leg pain, muscle cramps, muscle aches and pains, bruise, sinusitis, sprain, arthritis, joint pain (arthralgia), and edema.
US07704521B2
Use of essential amino acid imines and compositions containing them as a source of rumen protected essential amino acids for ruminant animals. Preferred are histidine and methionine.
US07704514B2
The invention refers to an improved vaccine against infections with pathogens, especially viral pathogens, comprising an antigen, a peptide of the formula R1—XZXZN-XZX—R2 and an immunostimulatory deoxynucleic acid containing deoxyinosine and/or deoxyuridine residues.
US07704510B2
Immunogenic compositions and prophylactic or therapeutic vaccines for use in protecting and treating against human cytomegalovirus (CMV) are disclosed. Subunit vaccines comprising a human CMV protein complex comprising pUL128 or pUL130, and nucleic acid vaccines comprising at least one nucleic acid encoding a CMV protein complex comprising pUL128 or pUL130 are described. Also disclosed are therapeutic antibodies reactive against a CMV protein complex comprising pUL128 or pUL130, as well as methods for screening compounds that inhibit CMV infection of epithelial and endothelial cells, methods for immunizing a subject against CMV infection, methods for determining the capability of neutralizing antibodies to inhibit human CMV infection of cell types other than fibroblasts, and methods of diminishing an CMV infection.
US07704507B2
The invention provides a method for vaccinating a patient against a malignancy comprising introducing a protein or peptide comprising of all or an immunogenic fragment of a cyclin protein into the patient. The invention further provides a method of identifying tumor antigens.
US07704499B2
The present invention relates to antibodies raised against fragments of apolipoprotein B, in particular defined peptides thereof, for immunization or therapeutic treatment of mammals, including humans, against ischemic cardiovascular diseases, using one or more of such antibodies.
US07704498B2
The present invention concerns methods and means for controlling excessive proliferation and/or migration of smooth muscle cells, and in particular for treating stenosis, by using antagonists of a native ErbB4 receptor. The invention further concerns a method for the identification of ErbB4 agonists and antagonists capable of inhibiting or enhancing the proliferation or migration of smooth muscle cells.
US07704494B2
A method for producing plant protection or plant-strengthening agent for fighting against bacterial and/or fungal plant diseases, in particular against a fire blight consisting in adding capable to proliferate fungal structures into an acid medium for treating plants.
US07704492B2
The use of recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) virions for delivery of DNA molecules to muscle cells and tissue is disclosed. The invention allows for the direct, in vivo injection of recombinant AAV virions into muscle tissue, e.g., by intramuscular injection, as well as for the in vitro transduction of muscle cells which can subsequently be introduced into a subject for treatment. The invention provides for sustained, high-level expression of the delivered gene and for in vivo secretion of the therapeutic protein from transduced muscle cells such that systemic delivery is achieved.
US07704487B2
A method for the preparation of zeolite beta is described, the template used comprising diethylenetriamine. Furthermore, a zeolite beta obtainable thereby and the preferred use thereof are disclosed.
US07704486B2
A water gas shift catalyst comprising a platinum group metal dispersed on an inorganic oxide support modified with a carbon-containing burn-out additive and a rare earth oxide. A water gas shift catalyst containing alumina, a platinum group metal, and oxides of Pr and Nd are also disclosed.
US07704482B2
Provided is a method for producing a carbon nanotube, wherein a catalyst for carbon nanotube production comprising a powdery catalyst supporting a metal on magnesia and having a bulk density of 0.30 g/mL to 0.70 g/mL, in a vertical reactor, is disposed over the whole area in a horizontal cross section direction of the reactor, in such state a carbon-containing compound flowed in a vertical direction inside the reactor is contacted with the catalyst at 500 to 1200° C., thereby carbon nanotubes of uniformity and high quality are efficiently synthesized in a large amount.
US07704478B2
A method and apparatus for refining silicon which can remove impurity elements such as phosphorus and antimony as well as impurity elements such as boron and carbon using an electron beam in the same vacuum chamber are provided. Silicon is irradiated and melted with an electron beam in a low vacuum inside a vacuum vessel, a compound-forming substance such as H2O which reacts with boron or the like in the molten silicon and forms a vaporizable oxide is introduced into the vacuum chamber, and impurity elements such as boron having a low vapor pressure in a vacuum are evaporated from the molten silicon as part of the vaporizable compound. Silicon in the vacuum vessel is then irradiated with an electron beam in a high vacuum in the vacuum vessel, and impurity elements contained in the silicon having a high vapor pressure in a vacuum such as phosphorus are removed.
US07704477B2
A forsterite powder with superior characteristics which can be sintered at a relatively low temperature can be economically produced, when a magnesium source, a silicon source, and copper particles are mixed to prepare a mixed powder containing 300 to 2,000 ppm by weight of the copper particles, and the mixed powder is fired. The magnesium source used is preferably Mg(OH)2, and the silicon source used is preferably SiO2. A polycrystalline forsterite powder is preferably produced. The magnesium source, the silicon source, and the copper particles can be mixed in the presence of a solvent to prepare the mixed powder. The forsterite powder preferably contains 300 to 2,000 ppm by weight of copper, has a particle size of 0.20 to 0.40 μm and has a crystal size of 0.034 to 0.040 μm.
US07704471B2
A Bayer process comprises grinding and then digestion of bauxite by bringing it into contact with a sodium aluminate liquor. Digestion consists of forming a slurry that is then treated to separate insoluble residues from the sodium aluminate liquor. The liquor is then crystallized and recycled back to green liquor after having been separated from the alumina trihydrate precipitated during crystallization. The process comprises a predesilication treatment during which the ground bauxite, before digestion, is brought into contact with an aqueous sodic solution that has a content of carbonates, sulphates and possibly chlorides which, expressed as a percentage related to the caustic concentration, has less than half of the corresponding impurities content of the spent liquor. Preferably, the pure caustic soda used to compensate for caustic soda losses in the Bayer circuit, previously injected just after evaporation, is now added in the aqueous sodic solution for the predesilication treatment.
US07704462B2
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing aligned carbon nanotube thermal interface structures using batch and continuous manufacturing processes. In a batch process a capacitor is immersed in a bath containing a slurry of thermoplastic polymer containing randomly oriented carbon nanotubes and energized to create an electrical field to orient the carbon nanotubes prior to curing. In a continuous process, slurry carried by a conveyor receives the nanotube aligning electric field from capacitors positioned on both sides of the conveyor bearing the slurry.
US07704458B2
A reaction vessel support device for mounting on a magnetic stirrer hotplate. The modular device comprises a base unit capable of positioning and seating at the reaction hotplate, and an insert formed non-integrally with the base unit comprising a reaction vessel receiving portion capable of seating and locating about a portion of a reaction vessel. At any one time, the base unit is capable of accommodating a plurality of different shaped and sized inserts each insert being configured to seat and support a specific reaction vessel of particular shape and size. The device therefore serves as a magnetic stirrer hotplate adapter.
US07704455B2
A disposable, integrated extracorporeal blood circuit employed during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery performs gas exchange, heat transfer, and microemboli filtering functions in a way as to conserve volume, to reduce setup and change out times, to eliminate a venous blood reservoir, and to substantially reduce blood-air interface. Blood from the patient or prime solution is routed through an air removal device that is equipped with air sensors for detection of air. An active air removal controller removes detected air from blood in the air removal device. A disposable circuit support module is used to mount the components of the disposable, integrated extracorporeal blood circuit in close proximity and in a desirable spatial relationship to optimize priming and use of the disposable, integrated extracorporeal blood circuit. A reusable circuit holder supports the disposable circuit support module in relation to a prime solution source, the active air removal controller and other components.
US07704447B2
A furnace for heating steel plates includes a plurality of horizontal furnace levels in superimposed disposition. Each furnace level is constructed for acceptance of at least one steel plate and includes a transport mechanism for moving the at least one steel plate during a heating process.
US07704436B2
A cosmetic applicator is made of a rubber latex foam which has been solidified by microwave irradiation. The foam satisfies (i) a bubble fineness corresponding to 9 bubbles/mm2 or more, (ii) flexibility of 0.7 N/cm2 or less in initial Young's modulus indicated by 50% compressive stress, and (iii) bulk density of 0.14 g/cm3 or less.
US07704434B2
Methods and equipment for forming beveled edge(s) around the core opening in a concrete block are disclosed. The formation of the beveled edge(s) minimizes feathering along the block edges that are beveled as the block is stripped from a mold. Any feathering that does occur is shifted away from the bottom surface of the block to allow the block to lay flat on other blocks when dry stacked in a wall.
US07704416B2
A conductor paste for a ceramic substrate contains a) a conductive metal powder comprising a silver powder and a palladium powder; b) a glass powder; and c) an organic solvent, wherein the conductive metal powder has an average particle diameter of not more than 1.2 μm, and the glass powder is a Bi2O3—SiO2—B2O3 type glass powder, and the content of the glass powder is in a range of from 1 to 6 wt % based on the weight of the paste.
US07704413B2
Method for the preparation of a composition of nanoparticles of at least one crystalline metal oxide
The invention relates to a method for the preparation of a composition of nanoparticles of at least one crystalline metal oxide from at least one organometallic precursor. One precursor(s) which can react spontaneously to oxidation is selected; a liquid solution of the precursor(s) is produced in a solvent non-aqueous medium, and the liquid solution is placed in contact with at least one oxidant in adapted reactional conditions in order to directly result in the production of nanoparticles of crystalline metal oxide(s). The invention also relates to a composition of nanoparticles obtained in the form of a colloidal liquid solution.
US07704410B2
The present invention provides a light-emitting device having an excitation source which emits a light having a wavelength of from 420 to 500 nm and a phosphor in combination, and having a high luminance.A light-emitting device having a first illuminant which emits a light having a wavelength of 420 to 500 nm and a second illuminant which emits a visible light when irradiated with the light from the first illuminant, characterized in that the second illuminant contains a phosphor, and the object color of the phosphor satisfies L*≧90, −22≦a*≦−10, and b*≧55, in the L*, a*, b* color system.
US07704406B2
The present invention relates to an aqueous antifreeze composition comprising 10 to 50% by weight of one or more dicarboxylic acids, preferably aliphatic dicarboxylic acids having 4 to 12 carbon atoms in the form of the alkali metal, ammonium or alkaline earth metal salt. Preferably, these salts are used in combination with at least one further substance.This gives antifreeze compositions with a good frost protective action, good heat conductivity and good protection against corrosion.
US07704405B2
A mixture for heat storage devices has a phase change material and particulate expanded graphite. The material mixtures are produced by mixing phase change material and expanded graphite as powders or in molten form, and shaping the mixtures into shaped bodies.
US07704400B2
A system for washing contaminated sand comprises a plurality of reactors arranged in a sequence from a first to a last reactor. The first reactor is configured to receive contaminated sand. Each reactor comprises a funnel portion in a lower section thereof for accumulating a sand layer and a sand conveying device for removing sand through an aperture defined near a bottom of the funnel portion. Each reactor except the first reactor receives sand removed from a previous reactor. The system also comprises a steam supply system for providing each reactor with steam for washing the sand, a water supply system for providing the last reactor with clean water for rinsing the sand, and a fluid outlet associated with each reactor for removing fluid and providing the fluid to a separator for separating the fluid into first and second portions respectively containing relatively low and high proportions of hydrocarbons.
US07704398B2
The invention relates to a method and apparatus with which the aqueous solution from liquid-liquid extraction in the hydrometallurgical recovery of metals is purified from droplets of organic extraction solution. The aqueous solution is treated in a settling tank, where it is made to flow through a flow channel area with a reduced cross-section that extends over the width of the tank at least at one point. The flow channels are located in the lower section of the droplet coalescer according to the invention, with the upper section of the device being mainly solid.
US07704397B2
A fluid filter includes a first filter, a second filter coaxial with the first filter, an inlet adjacent the first and second filters, a first outlet adjacent the inlet, and a second outlet at a distal end from the inlet and the first outlet. Further, the first and second filters may be housed in a unitary canister or a canister that has a canister body coupled to a removable canister cap. The bypass flow filter includes a cap having a plurality of blades.
US07704396B2
A fluid filter includes a first filter, a second filter coaxial with the first filter, an inlet adjacent the first and second filters, a first outlet adjacent the inlet, and a second outlet at a distal end from the inlet and the first outlet. Further, the first and second filters may be housed in a unitary canister or a canister that has a canister body coupled to a removable canister cap. First and second springs urge each of the filters into sealing contact with respective gaskets at opposite ends of the device.
US07704394B2
A hollow fiber membrane cartridge comprising a bundle of multiple hollow fiber membranes arranged so as to be vertical in an immersion vessel and comprising bond fixing layers capable of bond fixing of the hollow fiber membrane bundle at both ends thereof, wherein the morphology of each of the bond fixing layers is selected from the group consisting of a triangle, a rectangle and a hexagon, and wherein at least an edge of upper side bond fixing layer, the hollow of the hollow fiber membranes opens, and wherein the hollow fiber membrane bundle at a filtration zone side interface of the upper side bond fixing layer is in the form of multiple wisps.
US07704391B2
A molecular arrangement magnetic treatment apparatus and method includes a material container with an inlet and an outlet where the material to be treated is introduced at the inlet and is released at the outlet and where the material container is sized so as to provide an enclosed space into which the material expands and loses velocity. A material passageway is connected at one end to the inlet and at another end to the outlet such that the material must pass through the material passageway. And at least one pair of magnets is provided that are oriented such that material in the passageway must pass between a north pole and a south pole of the pair of magnets. In one embodiment, the at least one pair of magnets is self aligning such that the north pole and the south pole are free to move so that the north pole and the south pole are always facing each other. In another embodiment, a precipitator is connected with the material container and negatively charged material is precipitated from the material after the material has been negatively charged.
US07704376B2
The use of water-soluble aromatic polysulfonic acid salts for inhibiting fouling in process equipment used in the thermal treatment of heavy oils.
US07704373B2
A method for electrochemical oxidation decomposition of difficult to decompose compounds such as aromatic compounds, organic chlorine compounds, agricultural chemicals, dioxin, PCB's and water soluble polymers that are contained in waste fluid, such as print developing waste fluids, factory waste water and industrial waste water, and landfill soil seeping waste water by carrying out electrolysis at a high current density to eliminate and purify difficult to decompose substances in the waste fluid. Waste fluid containing difficult to decompose substances is introduced into an electrolytic chamber having a ferrite electrode anode, electrolysis is performed at a high current density of 10 A/dm2 or higher, hypohalogenous acid and active oxygen are generated in the waste fluid along with a strong anode oxidation action being brought about, and the oxidation decomposition is repeated by re-circulating the waste fluid through a filter, electrolyzer and an intermediate collecting chamber.
US07704370B2
An aqueous solution of sodium chloride is electrolyzed in a cell (1) with an ion permselective membrane to produce, on the one hand, chlorine (16) which is converted in a chlorine production unit (6) and, on the other, an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (19), which is carbonated using a flue gas (13) from an electricity and steam cogeneration unit (5), and the resulting carbonated solution (18) is evaporated to produce sodium carbonate crystals (21).
US07704365B2
In order to make plating thickness uniform in a metal plating apparatus, a metal plating apparatus capable of performing metal plating to a uniform thickness is provided by aligning lines of electric force uniformly and in parallel by disposing a pair of conductive perforated plates 20a and 20b, which are electrically connected to each other, between plating metals 16 immersed in a plating solution and an object 18 to be plated.
US07704358B2
An oxygen sensor includes a base body portion; and a plurality of function layers laminated on a surface of the base body portion. The function layers includes a solid electrolyte layer adapted to conduct oxygen ions; a reference electrode layer located on a base body portion side of the solid electrolyte layer; a sensing electrode layer located on the opposite side of the solid electrolyte layer to the reference electrode layer; a heater portion adapted to activate the solid electrolyte layer by heating; and a gas diffusion layer formed between the reference electrode layer and the base body portion, and adapted to diffuse a reference gas within the gas diffusion layer. The gas diffusion layer is formed to have a porosity indicating a limit current value ranging between 60 μA and 200 μA. The limit current value is a value of a current flowing between the reference electrode layer and the sensing electrode layer when the current flowing therebetween becomes substantially constant during the process of bringing a voltage applied therebetween higher.
US07704357B2
A potentiometric sensor, especially a pH-sensor or redox-sensor, includes: an elementary sensor for registering a potentiometric parameter, especially a pH-value or a redox potential; and an interface for issuing a potentiometric-parameter-dependent signal to a superordinated unit, especially a transmitter; wherein the potentiometric sensor of the invention has a digital data memory, which is permanently connected with elementary sensor.
US07704355B2
The invention describes an improved anode suitable for being installed in chlor-alkali electrolysis cells intercalated to cathode elements provided with a diaphragm.In operation, the anode of the invention is in direct contact with the diaphragm so as to form mutually equivalent vertical channels defined by the surfaces of the plates, of the supporting sheets and of the diaphragm, allowing a predefined and controlled upward motion of the chlorine-brine biphasic mixture.
US07704350B2
A press belt (2) comprises both-end corresponding regions B positioned so as to correspond to both ends of a press roll (1) or a press shoe (3) in a width direction and having a small thickness and a center region A positioned between the both-end corresponding regions B and having a thickness larger than that of the both-end corresponding region B.
US07704345B2
A method for decorating the cylindrical walls of receptacles, comprising the following steps: a) moveable mandrels are arranged in a loop and are displaced, keeping their axes parallel to a direction D; b) each receptacle is engaged by the cylindrical wall thereof on the mandrel; c) the mandrel is brought into the vicinity of a marking cylinder which turns about a fixed axis parallel to direction D; d) the mandrel is rotated at a speed which is correlated with that of the marking cylinder; e) a transfer film support strip is displaced between the marking cylinder and the mandrel; f) the marking cylinder and mandrel are placed in contact with each other such that the marked area of the transfer film adheres to the cylindrical wall; g) the support strip is removed from the cylindrical wall of the receptacle. The inventive method is adapted to the manufacture of flexible tubes and can be easily implemented on existing devices such as capping machines.
US07704342B2
Glass laminates are prepared using low-water content plastic interlayer material, such as polyvinylbutyral interlayer sheets, by a process employing nip roll de-airing, and high temperature finishing at atmospheric pressure.
US07704341B2
In a method and apparatus for forming a bonded web comprised at least in part of a polyester, a first material web and a second material web are arranged in opposed relationship with each other at least along those portions of the first and second material webs to be bonded together. At least one of the first and second material webs is comprised at least in part of the polyester. The opposed webs are transported in a machine direction to the nip of a bonding apparatus comprised of a first bonding member and a second bonding member defining the nip therebetween for passage of the opposed first and second material webs therebetween in the machine direction. A shear force is applied to the webs generally in the machine direction at the nip and the webs are mechanically bonded together at the nip while the shear force is applied to webs.
US07704339B2
A gamma titanium aluminide alloy consisting of 46 at % aluminium, 8 at % tantalum and the balance titanium plus incidental impurities has an alpha transus temperature Tα between 1310° C. and 1320° C. The gamma titanium aluminide alloy was heated to a temperature T1=1330° C. and was held at T1=1330° C. for 1 hour or longer. The gamma titanium aluminide alloy was air cooled to ambient temperature to allow the massive transformation to go to completion. The gamma titanium aluminide alloy was heated to a temperature T2=1250° C. to 1290° C. and was held at T2 for 4 hours. The gamma titanium aluminide alloy was air cooled to ambient temperature. The gamma titanium aluminide alloy has a fine duplex microstructure comprising differently orientated alpha plates in a massively transformed gamma matrix. The heat treatment reduces quenching stresses and allows larger castings to be grain refined.
US07704328B2
The present invention relates to a starch composition comprising starch, a polymer that is substantially compatible with starch and has a weight-average molecular weight of at least 500,000 such that the polymer forms effective entanglements or associations with neighboring starch molecules, and preferably at least one additive to improve melt flow and melt processability. The additive may be a hydroxyl plasticizer, a hydroxyl-free plasticizer, a diluent, or mixtures thereof. The composition is melt processable on conventional thermoplastic equipment. The composition is especially suitable for uniaxial and biaxial extensional processes to make fibers, films, foams and like products.
US07704325B2
A crystal forming apparatus and method for using the apparatus, the method including depositing a precipitant solution in a site, incubating the site, during which time volatile vapor evaporates from the precipitant solution and accumulates in the site, and pumping the accumulated volatile vapor away from the site. An exemplary apparatus includes a sealed site except for a vent on the sealed site. In one embodiment, the vent is a passive vent that inhibits vapor diffusion out of the site. In another embodiment, the vent is an active vent that opens in response to a pressure differential. The present invention accelerates and controls the crystal growth process by pumping volatile vapor away from the sealed site.
US07704313B2
Cleansing and multifunctional coating compositions containing an organosilane quaternary compound, nonreactive abrasives, and hydrogen peroxide in aqueous formulations are used to improve water and soil repellency and residual antimicrobial activity on surfaces. Various surfaces may be treated including metal, glass, plastics, rubber, porcelain, ceramic, marble, granite, cement, tile, sand, silica, enameled appliances, polyurethane, polyester, polyacrylic, melamine/phenolic resins, polycarbonate, painted surfaces, wood, and the like.
US07704305B2
As conventional heat exchange modules, adsorptive agents of an inorganic type such as silica gel, zeolite, active alumina, active carbon and molecular sieve have been used. While these adsorptive agents have characteristics of high moisture absorptive ability and easy handling, they have problems of durability, regenerating temperature and generation of bacteria or fungi. An object of the present invention is to solve these problems which are noted in the inorganic adsorptive agents and to provide a heat exchanger module of a energy conservation type having a high heat exchange efficiency and a method for the manufacture thereof. The present invention is a heat exchange module of a sorptive type, characterized in that, a moisture absorptive layer in which a sorptive agent of an organic polymer type comprising organic polymer having hydrophilic polar group and cross-linking structure in a molecule is an essential component, saturated moisture absorbing rates at 20° C. and 65% RH and 90% RH are not less than 20% by weight and not less than 40% by weight, respectively and the difference in the saturated moisture absorbing rates under such a condition is not less than 20% by weight is formed on a metal surface having excellent heat conductivity.
US07704304B2
An improved sieve bed design to manage breakthrough and the mass transfer zone by way of volumetric division. An empty space in the product end is separated from adsorbent-filled sieve space in the feed end by a mid-diffuser plate. The ratio of the empty product end void space to the adsorbent filled sieve space within a sieve bed may be determined by the relative percentages of the gasses to be separated and the bulk loading factor of the molecular sieve. A product end void space of the correct volume may ensure the maximum volume of nitrogen has been adsorbed before breakthrough occurs. In operation, pressure in the sieve bed empty space and sieve filled space may be equal at any instant. This contains breakthrough to the location of the mid-diffuser plate. The mass transfer zone may be static at the point of the mid-diffuser plate and as such, gas separation is a function of pressure within the bed.
US07704300B2
The invention refers to a device and a method for cleaning a gas containing particulate impurities. The device includes a main separator having an inlet for the gas, an outlet for the gas and a rotating member provided between the inlet and the outlet. The rotating member is adapted to bring the gas to rotate for separating by means of centrifugal forces a main amount of the particulate impurities from the gas, wherein a rest amount of the particulate impurities remains in the gas. The device also includes an additional separator adapted to separate substantially the whole rest amount. The additional separator includes an electrostatic filter.
US07704297B2
A melt of nickel nitrate hydrate is introduced as droplets or liquid flow into a heated reaction vessel and thermally decomposed in a gas phase at a temperature of 1200° C. or more and at an oxygen partial pressure equal to or below the equilibrium oxygen pressure of nickel-nickel oxide at that temperature to manufacture a highly crystalline fine nickel powder with an extremely narrow particle size distribution. The oxygen partial pressure during the thermal decomposition is preferably 10−2 Pa or less, and a metal other than nickel, a semimetal and/or a compound of these may be added to the nickel nitrate hydrate melt to manufacture a highly crystalline nickel alloy powder or highly crystalline nickel composite powder. The resultant powder is suited in particular to thick film pastes such as conductor pastes for manufacturing ceramic multilayer electronic components.
US07704295B2
A honeycomb structure includes a first end face and a second end face substantially parallel to each other, a peripheral face interconnecting the first end face and the second end face, a ceramic block including plural through cells with partition walls inbetween, the cells extending from the first end face to the second end face, and a coating layer forming the peripheral face of the honeycomb structure. The thickness of the coating layer at the second end face is greater than at the first end face.
US07704277B2
In one embodiment, the present invention provides a prosthesis that can be implanted within a heart to at least partially block gaps that may be present between the two mitral valve leaflets. In one preferred embodiment, the prosthesis includes an anchoring ring that expands within the left atrium to anchor the prosthesis and a pocket member fixed to the anchoring ring. The pocket member is positioned within the mitral valve, between the leaflets so that an open end of the pocket member is positioned within the left ventricle. When the mitral valve is open, blood flows past the pocket member, maintaining the pocket member in a collapsed state. When the mitral valve closes, the backpressure of the blood pushes into the pocket member, expanding the pocket member to an inflated shape. The mitral valve leaflets contact the expanded pocket member, allowing the prosthesis to block at least a portion of the openings between the leaflets, thereby minimizing regurgitated blood flow into the left atrium.
US07704271B2
Within a given spinal segment, the stable vertebral level is identified. Within the lower lumbar spine, that level is most commonly at the sacrum. A bone fastener is rigidly affixed to the stable spinal segment and an interconnecting member is rigidly affixed to the bone fastener so as to form a cantilever construct. Vertebral bodies that exhibit aberrant spinal motion and/or mal-alignment relative to the stable segment are then attached to the interconnecting member using non-rigid bone fastener(s). The motion profile of the dynamic fastener can be varied and may be selected to provide the desired vertebral motion characteristics. The interconnecting member may be rigid or it may be alternatively made rigid parallel to the direction of greatest instability and non-rigid in the other planes.
US07704262B2
A suture needle instrument having improved connection means enabling a hollow suture needled to be attached to a handle in a variety of orientations. The suture needle is provided with user accessible suture channels and suture advancing wheels to facilitate cleaning and repair.
US07704261B2
A ligature and suture device for medical application that ligatures or sutures biomedical tissue that has been suctioned by a suction device using a suturing member. The ligature and suture device includes an insertion portion having a lumen into which an endoscope can be inserted, and a distal end portion that is connected to the lumen and in which at least one side aperture is provided, at least one hollow needle that is able to support inside itself the suturing member, and that is placed inside the insertion portion such that a tip of the hollow needle is able to move between a first position, which is on a base end side of the side aperture, and a second position, which is on a distal end side of the side aperture, an operating section that performs an operation to move the needle, and at least one pledget that can be penetrated by the needle, and that is placed in a vicinity of the distal end of the side aperture so as to be freely removable from the distal end portion.
US07704257B2
An instrument for use in moving bone fragments of a bone fracture with respect to one another is disclosed. Preferably, movement of a portion of the instrument causes translational movement of a first bone fragment with respect to a second bone fragment. In certain embodiments, the instrument is used in conjunction with a bone plate and an elongate element, such as a K-wire. Methods for utilizing the instrument and moving bone fragments with respect to each other are also disclosed.
US07704250B2
An anterior cervical plating system having moveable plate segments to vary the overall length of the plate, moveable to allow and/or cause intersegmental compression of vertebral bodies, and coupled together by a non-detachable fastener. The plating system includes locking elements, each locking element adapted to lock at least two bone screws to the plate, instrumentation, and method for installation thereof. The plating system is capable of both passive and active dynamization and the ability to produce the former from the latter.
US07704247B2
Consistent with the present invention, a tube is provided that contains both a sensing and a laser delivery fiber to the target area. The length of the tube can be varied to any desired length. The end portion of the tube includes a second piece, which is a cap having two through holes or passages. These holes can be formed by standard machining or micromaching methods. The first hole can accommodate the sensing fiber, while the second hole contains the laser delivery fiber. The first and second holes extend in first and second directions, respectively, and form an angle therebetween such that the sensor fiber viewing area is within the radiation area created by the laser delivery fiber. Accordingly, the sensor fiber receives energy emitted from a central portion of the radiation area so that the temperature of the exposed tissue can be accurately determined.
US07704246B2
An intraocular light probe has a mask or shield at its distal end which forms a directed light beam for intraocular illumination of target tissues or application of therapeutic light. The mask or shield serves to more fully focus, intensify and direct the beam toward the target tissues and directs light away from other tissues and away from the eyes of the surgeon, lessening unwanted glare. The probe may be placed beneath a surgical instrument, whether as part of or separate from an infusion sleeve. The mask or shield is opaque or semi-opaque and made of a soft, semi-rigid or rigid material. The shield can be rigid enough to serve as the shaft of an instrument with a probe or manipulator at its distal tip. It may also be reflective on the side adjacent to the fiber bundle to help direct, magnify, and intensify the beam of light.
US07704236B2
This distribution device comprises a syringe body (30), a distributor (32), a feed tube (56) for a first active medical fluid opening into the syringe body (30), a tube (60) for the injection of this active fluid connected to a distal extremity (46) of the syringe body (30), a pressurized tube (64) designed to be connected to a patient through a pressurized line (12) and a tube (66) for the measurement of venous or arterial pressure. The pressurized, injection and measurement tubes open into a chamber (62) bounded within the body (32B) of the distributor (32). The device (2) comprises a flush tube (68) which is at least partly bounded by the body (32B) of the distributor (32), which opens into the chamber (62) and is fitted with a valve (70, 80) which can be operated manually.
US07704234B2
Utilizing the technology and methods disclosed, the characteristics of flexibility and rigidity for intralumenal devices, including coaxial two piece devices such as stylet and needle sets, can be adapted by the physician or device manufacturer according to the type of procedure, the patient size and unique anatomical challenges of a given procedure. Rigidity and flexibility can be actively controlled by the operator at predefined portions of a device through rotating the stylet within the cannula to bring about alignments of customized notches to impart target flexibility or rigidity profiles at specific spots on the device. The device operator may alter the relationship and orientation of specific notched and non-notched segments of either or both the stylet and cannula that are strategically located at said critical points along the length of the device.
US07704229B2
An insertion device, generally used with an infusion set, including a needle being adapted for puncturing at one end and including at the opposite end a hub. The hub includes a handle part and a guard part that are capable of securing the needle through the use of locks. Locking structures are used to secure the insertion device in a position where the needle is covered in a locked position, avoiding unintended contact with the needle.
US07704224B2
A peritoneal function testing method of using a ratio MTACun/MTACc calculated using MTACun and MTACc as an index for a peritoneal function test. MTACun is an overall mass transfer-area coefficient for urea nitrogen and MTACc is an overall mass transfer-area coefficient for creatinine. Use of the MTACun/MTACc ratio enables examination of the future peritoneal function of a patient (a mechanism of deterioration in peritoneal function). MTACun and MTACc are obtained using a Pyle-Popovich model. The peritoneal function testing method further calculates a permeability coefficient for cell pores (LPSC) and an overall permeability coefficient (LPS) from a Three-Pore Theory model to obtain a ratio LPSC/LPS calculated using the LPSC and the LPS, and further uses the LPSC/LPS ratio and the MTACun/MTACc ratio as indexes for the peritoneal function test.
US07704217B2
The present invention provides seating apparatuses that may reduce an effect of an ailment such as sciatica, joint illness, degenerative disc condition, hip bursitis, tendinitis, or sacral/coccyx pain. A seating apparatus includes a back portion and a seating portion, each portion having at least one encased bladder that is inflated by a pumping component in a timed sequence. The bladders may be differently shaped, asymmetrically situated with respect to a center axis, and spatially overlapping. The bladders are inflated and deflated in accordance with a predetermined time sequence and are independently controlled. The seating apparatus may contain a set of encased bladders that may be configured for different aliments. A user selects a treatment for one of the ailments through a remote control unit. Consequently, a subset of bladders is configured so that the selected subset of bladders is inflated and deflated.
US07704216B2
A method for developing and validating a quality assessment for a test is provided. A test method is also provided, which assesses the accuracy of a test. The methods include performing a behavioral test on a subject to measure a psychometric quantity, measuring one or more quality indicators, the quality indicators being any variables that are correlated with test accuracy, obtaining an independent measure of test accuracy, and deriving a predictive formula for estimating test accuracy from the quality indicators.
US07704205B2
A system and method is provided for obtaining images of a subject using a capsule type medical device, The method performs the steps of preparing a swallowable capsule type medical device including at least an imaging device and a memory for storing a setting associated with an operation; changing the setting stored in the memory; introducing the capsule type medical device into the subject; and controlling the operation based on the setting. The operation can include controlling an imaging device. The system includes a swallowable case; an imaging device arranged in the case, the imaging device being operated based on a setting stored in a memory disposed in the case; and a receiver arranged in the case adapted to receive an instruction to change the setting from outside of the case.
US07704203B2
A method for treating a gastrointestinal tract in a body of a mammal. At least one nonaqueous solution is introduced into the wall. A nonbiodegradable solid is formed in the wall from the at least one nonaqueous solution to treat the wall. A kit for use in the procedure is provided.
US07704188B2
Method for the operation of a transmission device with several hydraulically actuated shift elements
A method is described for the operation of a transmission device (3) with several shift elements (5, 6) actuated hydraulically by a pressure source (4) for engaging and disengaging various transmission ratios and with several electric actors (7, 8) of a hydraulic system of the transmission device (3) for the adjustment of actuating pressures for the shift elements (5, 6). When an engine start-stop function calls for a combustion engine (2) of a drivetrain comprising the transmission device (3) to be switched off, the energizing current of the actors (7, 8) is adjusted from an operating level (I_B) in which the respective actors (7, 8) are energized with a current appropriate for producing an operating-situation-dependent actuation pressure in the shift elements (5, 6), to a standby level (I_S). When the engine start-stop function calls for the combustion engine (3) to be switched on, the energizing current of the actors (7, 8) is adjusted from the standby level (I_S) to the operating level (I_B). The energizing currents of the actors (7, 8) are changed from the standby level (I_S) to the operating level (I_B) in a defined time sequence.
US07704179B2
Fluid-tight transmission comprising an internal cogwheel (19) with N-n teeth in cooperation with an external cogwheel (29) with N teeth. The internal cogwheel (1) is drivingly influenced by an eccentric (7; 17) via radially arranged push rods (10) encapsulated in respective bellows (12). The bellows are closely connected with a housing (3) comprising the external cogwheel (2). A fluid-tight barrier is thereby formed between a first rotatable element (8; 16), which drives the eccentric (7; 17), and a second rotatable element (14).
US07704170B2
A multi-section table tennis table half comprises first and second table sections which abut to form a first table half. Each of the sections includes an upper surface for playing table tennis, an opposite lower surface an inner edge. The inner edges of the first and second sections abut to form a first table half joint. The vertical cross-section of the joint may be stepped, with each of the inner edges being stepped and thereby including a horizontal section positioned between two vertical sections. The table half may further include a fastener spanning the abutment between the sections to secure the connection of the sections.
US07704157B2
A golf swing-measuring system including a computer (16) for capturing a colored moving image obtained by photographing a golfer (11) who swings by gripping a golf club (13). The computer (16) selects and extracts one or more images each showing a swing posture as check-point images such as an address image, a take-back shaft 8 o'clock image, a take-back shaft 9 o'clock image, a take-back unskillful arm horizontal image, a top image, a downswing unskillful arm horizontal image, a downswing shaft 9 o'clock image, an impact image, a follow-through shaft 3 o'clock image, and a finish image and extracts from a large number of still images constituting said color moving image. Thereafter the computer (16) obtains coordinates of positions of attention-focused points that operate in said check-point images when said golfer swings.
US07704154B2
A golf swing modeling device includes a base having a first row of sensors, a striking row of sensors, a second row of sensors and a third row of sensors. The various sensors output individual signals. The striking row of sensors comprises a striking row inside sensor and a striking row outside sensor. A ball striking assembly has a lower ball mounted on a lower ball arm which is mounted on a lower retainer and an upper ball mounted on an upper ball arm which is mounted on an upper retainer. The upper ball has a sensor which outputs a signal when struck. A striking face of the lower ball is placed between the striking row inside sensor and striking row outside sensor. A processor receives individual signals from the sensors. The processor calculates club speed, and club head orientation from individual signals, and the processor provides output.
US07704147B2
A disclosed gaming machine is coupled to a plurality of “USB gaming peripherals.” The USB gaming peripherals, which may include one or more peripheral devices, communicate with a master gaming controller using a USB communication architecture. The USB gaming peripherals may include USB DFU (Device Firmware Upgrade)-compatible peripheral devices. One or more host processes, such as a USB device class manager or a DFU driver, may be capable of downloading firmware to the USB DFU-compatible peripheral device. The host processes may receive a firmware identifier from the USB DFU-compatible peripheral device where the firmware identifier allows for two USB DFU-compatible peripheral devices with identical product identification information to be downloaded different firmware.
US07704144B2
Apparatus, system and methods for ranking tournament players are disclosed. The apparatus includes a RFID tournament detection system coupled to a server. The server is provided with game data as one or more tournaments proceed. According to tournament rules, player activity may result in a player being eliminated. When a player is eliminated, the server or detection system records the time and date coupled to each player's identification and may rank each player on an on-going basis or at the end of the tournament. Players do not need to compete at the same site, but may be ranked according to a player's current status within the tournament as captured by the tournament detection system and recorded by the server, which receives data from each game table participating in the tournament.
US07704130B2
A retention device for a tubular casing material for receiving a viscous or granular filling material in a packaging machine, in particular a clipping machine that has a filling tube for filling the tubular casing material with the filling material, where the retention device includes: a first brake ring, which can be mounted coaxially on the filling tube, the inner diameter of first brake ring being larger than the outer diameter of the filling tube and on the inner circumference of which a first brake is provided, along which the casing material can be guided in the filling direction of the filling material against a friction force acting upon the casing material. A second brake ring is also provided which can be stationarily disposed on the filling tube and which has a counter-brake on its outer circumference, where the casing material can be guided between the first brake of the first brake ring and the counter-brake of the second brake ring and where the first brake ring is reversibly displaceable in the filling direction for setting a predetermined friction force for the casing material at the first brake of the first brake ring and at the counter-brake of the second brake ring.
US07704125B2
The present application relates to polishing pads for chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) of substrates, and methods of fabrication and use thereof. The pads described in this invention are customized to polishing specifications where specifications include (but not limited to) to the material being polished, chip design and architecture, chip density and pattern density, equipment platform and type of slurry used. These pads can be designed with a specialized polymeric nano-structure with a long or short range order which allows for molecular level tuning achieving superior thermo-mechanical characteristics. More particularly, the pads can be designed and fabricated so that there is both uniform and nonuniform spatial distribution of chemical and physical properties within the pads. In addition, these pads can be designed to tune the coefficient of friction by surface engineering, through the addition of solid lubricants, and creating low shear integral pads having multiple layers of polymeric material which form an interface parallel to the polishing surface. The pads can also have controlled porosity, embedded abrasive, novel grooves on the polishing surface, for slurry transport, which are produced in situ, and a transparent region for endpoint detection.
US07704122B2
A polishing pad for chemical mechanical planarization of a film on a substrate is customized by obtaining one or more characteristics of a structure on a substrate. For example, when the structure is a chip formed on a semiconductor wafer, the one or more characteristics of the structure can include chip size, pattern density, chip architecture, film material, film topography, and the like. Based on the one or more characteristics of the structure, a value for the one or more chemical or physical properties of the pad is selected. For example, the one or more chemical or physical properties of the pad can include pad material hardness, thickness, surface grooving, pore size, porosity, Youngs modulus, compressibility, asperity, and the like.
US07704121B2
A one piece maternity support for the relief of discomfort associated with the progressive changes in the human body associated with a normal pregnancy. The support has a body encircling upper band for the support of the lower uterine segment and a lower belt having a pair of tensionable arms that connect to the upper band to support the lumbar region and offer counter rotational force for the anteriorly tilted pelvis. The position of the lower arms is optimized to apply a constant pressure to the muscles above the hip joint providing relief from so-called hip pain associated with many pregnancies.
US07704120B2
The posterior-form enhancement device includes a garment and two posterior-form pads. Each posterior-form pad is formed by attaching one first posterior-form piece to one second posterior-form piece. The garment is used for covering the lower body part of a person, and in its rear side has two pockets adjacent to the posteriors of wearers for placing the posterior-form pads respectively. Each first posterior-form piece includes a bag for encasing a volume of gel. The second posterior-form pieces are respectively adjacent to the first posterior-form pieces in the pockets, wherein the first posterior-form piece is near an external surface away from wearers' posteriors of while the second posterior-form piece is near an internal surface adjacent to wearers' posteriors. The shape and size of the pockets are determined by the shape and size of the posterior-form pad. The posterior-form pads can be put into or taken out of the pockets.
US07704118B2
Disclosed is a device for collecting and/or playing with circular and spherical objects. The device comprises: a base comprising an open top portion and a closed bottom portion; an open top main body comprising a rim portion, and a circular portion extending downwardly and inwardly from the rim portion to an aperture concentric with the rim portion and coupling with the open top portion of the base; a flange extending horizontally and outwardly about the rim portion; and at least one launching ramp mounted on the flange. Due to the mounting of the launching ramps on the flange the device is capable of accommodating the launching ramps outside the rim portion, that is, outside the outer circumference of the circular portion. Such an accommodation of the launching ramps provides the entire surface of the circular portion as a rolling surface for the circular and spherical objects.
US07704110B2
A marine outboard engine for a watercraft is disclosed. The marine outboard engine includes a starter motor operatively connected to the crankshaft of the engine and a capacitor electrically connected to the starter motor. The capacitor is powering the starter motor to initiate rotation of the crankshaft. An alternator is operatively connected to the engine and is electrically connected to the capacitor for charging the capacitor when the engine is operating. A starting system and a method for operating a starting system of a marine outboard engine are also disclosed.
US07704100B1
An electrical connector assembly includes a housing having a slot configured to receive at least a portion of an electronic module therein. The housing includes an anti-stubbing shoulder. An electrical contact is held by the housing. The electrical contact includes a mating contact portion and an anti-stubbing contact portion. At least a portion of the mating contact portion extends within the slot for engagement with the electronic module. Engagement between the anti-stubbing portion of the electrical contact and the anti-stubbing shoulder of the housing moves at least a portion of the mating contact portion of the electrical contact generally away from the slot of the housing.
US07704098B2
An electrical connector has a shield for EMI shielding. The top of the shield has two rows of tabs; two flaps, one on either side of the shield; and a tab on the bottom. The flaps have mounting holes. When the connector is attached to a mounting panel, screws or rivets are mounted through the holes in the flaps and corresponding holes in the mounting panel to secure the connector. The bottom tab and the two rows of top tabs electrically connect the shield to the mounting panel to provide extra EMI protection to the connector. The flaps provide yet another connection to provide EMI protection. The two rows of tabs can be positioned and sized such that the rear row of tabs engages with a flange in the rear of the top of the mounting panel. The electrical connector is preferably an RJ connector.
US07704093B2
An insulation-displacement connection having at least one insulation-displacement element (1) with a retaining slot (5), which cuts through an insulation of an electrical conductor with which electrical contact is to be made by the insulation-displacement element (1), in a sleeve body is described. The retaining slot (5) extends continuously from an insertion opening in a longitudinal direction (L) of the sleeve body. The sleeve body has a crosspiece (2) which has two mutually opposite spring limbs (3a, 3b) integrally adjoining its ends, which spring limbs merge, at their end which is opposite the crosspiece (2), into limb ends (4a, 4b), which are angled-away so as to face one another, in order to form the retaining slot (5) by way of the free longitudinal side edges of the limb ends (4a, 4b), so that a conductor accommodation space which is bounded by the spring limbs (3a, 3b) and the crosspiece (2) is created beneath the retaining slot (5). The spring limbs (3a, 3b) in each case have at least one slot recess (9a, 9b) which extends in the direction of the limb end (4a, 4b) from the crosspiece (2), the width of the said slot recess being matched over the direction of extent to the width of the spring limbs (3a, 3b) such that an effective width of the spring limbs (3a, 3b), which tapers from the crosspiece (2) to the longitudinal side edge of the limb ends (4a, 4b), is produced in the longitudinal direction (L).
US07704087B1
A method and apparatus are described to prevent the unwanted energizing of equipment not normally intended to be energized when delivering a fluid to an energized power cable. The method and apparatus relate to the installation of a fluid back-flow prevention device in the line or equipment carrying a fluid to the cable, and also providing a pressure relief device that may relieve excess pressure to prevent damaging equipment.
US07704084B1
An improved USB connector extension/retraction device for a USB flash drive includes a moving cover for coupling with a flash memory unit (which has a USB connector), a resilient bar element, and two springs. The moving cover is assembled with a railed housing to form the USB connector extension/retraction device. The moving cover can be pushed forward and secured in position so that the USB connector of the flash memory unit is extended out for use. When not in use, the USB connector is retracted automatically so as to be hidden for protection. In addition, the USB connector extension/retraction device allows the USB flash drive to have a reduced volume.
US07704083B1
In one aspect, a busbar connector includes first and second portions. Each portion includes a rigid member forming an exterior portion of the busbar connector, a conduction member forming an interior portion of the busbar connector and a compliant member having a stiffness less than the rigid member and including a first surface attached to the rigid member and a second surface opposite the first surface attached to the conduction member. The busbar connector also includes a fastener structure configured to secure a first busbar and a second busbar between and in contact with the conduction members of the first and second portions to allow current to flow between the first and second busbars.
US07704075B2
The drilling instrument (10), for cleaning and forming of radicular teeth canals, comprises an end section (11), mounted in a chuck and driven by an electric motor, a distal region (12), a central region (13), provided with cutting flutes (16) and a proximal region (14) with a rounded end (15), serving to guide the instrument in the canal. The envelope (20) around the proximal, central and distal regions has a generally inverted cone shape with a vertex angle (F) identical over the whole length thereof. The junction region (17) between the proximal region (14) and the end section (11) has an incipient fracture (18), calibrated such as to break on application of a given driving torque. The instrument eliminates all risk of jamming and hence breakage in the radicular canal.
US07704072B2
An orthodontic bracket is described and which includes a base member defining an archwire slot having an opening, and at least one projection extending outwardly from the base member; a ligating slide moveable between a first position which is clear of the archwire slot, and second position where the ligating slide projects over the opening of the archwire slot; and a biasing member borne by the ligating slide, and resiliently cooperating with the projection, and wherein the biasing member has a first portion which receives the projection when the ligating slide is in the first position, and a second portion which receives the projection when the ligating slide is in the second position.
US07704070B2
A heat transfer system and use thereof. The heat transfer system provides for the combustion of a fuel and the use of heat energy released by the combustion to heat a process fluid and to preheat the fuel and oxidant prior to their combustion. The heat transfer system includes three tubes with a fuel introduction tube surrounded by an oxidant introduction tube that is surrounded by a process tube. A heat transfer system having the appropriate geometry may provide for the flameless combustion of the fuel. The heat transfer system may also be integrated into other systems such as heat exchangers and catalytic process systems.
US07704069B2
Injection molding apparatus has upper and lower mold halves that split along the center line of the parison cavity and the gate opening leading thereto. Each hot melt injection nozzle is received within a tubular insert cup having a reduced diameter tip that is seated within the gate opening. The cup is mounted to the lower mold half so as to remain secured thereto as the upper mold half opens and closes the mold. The base end of each nozzle has a swivel ball and socket relationship with the manifold block which supplies it with hot melt, while the tip end of each injection nozzle has a swivel ball and socket type interface with the interior front end of the insert cup, thus providing for dimensional variations in the parts of the tooling that arise during non-uniform thermal expansion and contraction thereof.
US07704066B2
A heat insulating stamper is disclosed. The heat insulating stamper includes an uppermost section made of a metal material, a lowermost section made of the same material as the uppermost section, and a middle section having a heat conductivity lower than the uppermost section. The middle section includes the same metal material as the uppermost section and the lowermost section, and heat insulating portions.
US07704065B2
An injection stretch blow molding apparatus includes a lower base which is secured on a stage, an upper base which is disposed above the lower base and supports a turntable, and vertical clamping device that raises and lowers the upper base with respect to the lower base. The vertical clamping device includes a pulling plate disposed in the stage under the lower base, a plurality of tie rods which pass through the lower base and connect the upper base and the pulling plate, a vertical clamping toggle mechanism which is disposed in the stage at a position under the injection molding section and expands and contracts with respect to the lower base as a reference position to raise and lower the pulling plate, and a first motor which transmits a driving force to the vertical clamping toggle mechanism.
US07704062B2
A nonwoven production machine includes a spun-bond tower for extruding filaments and associated apparatus for forming the filaments into a web that is consolidated by water jets, a web that is calendered and then softened by water jets, or a web that is only calendered.
US07704059B2
Compressor having a helmholtz type resonance chamber with a lowermost end connected to a gas passage
A compressor includes a first muffler chamber communicating with a first cylinder chamber, and a second muffler chamber communicating with a second cylinder chamber. The first muffler chamber and the second muffler chamber are communicated with each other by a gas passage. The gas passage is communicated with a Helmholtz type resonance chamber by a connecting passage. The connecting passage is connected to a lowermost end of the resonance chamber. Therefore, oil contained in the refrigerant gas, even if having entered into the resonance chamber, is discharged through the connecting passage located at the lowermost end of the resonance chamber to outside of the resonance chamber. Thus, since oil is not accumulated in the resonance chamber, the resonance chamber keeps generally constant in capacity at all times.
US07704046B1
A turbine blade with a 5-pass serpentine flow cooling circuit to provide cooling for the blade. A first leg of the serpentine circuit is formed along the leading edge region of the blade, while the last leg is formed along the trailing edge region. The serpentine flow circuit includes a first root turn and a second root turn and a cooling air collector cavity formed in the blade attachment region and between the two root turns. A first metering hole connects the first root turn with the collector cavity, and a second metering hole connects the second root turn with the collector cavity. A portion of the cooling air flow from the first root turn is diverted through the first metering hole and into the collector cavity. This diverted cooling air then flows through the second metering hole and into the second root turn to be rejoined with the cooling air than passed through the serpentine circuit in the mid-chord region. The recombined cooling air flow then passes up the last leg of the serpentine circuit and is discharged through a row of exit holes spaced along the trailing edge of the blade.
US07704042B2
A turbomachine has a stator and a rotor, wherein the rotor has blades (21) and the stator has a housing (20) and stationary guide vanes (17), wherein the guide vanes (17) form guide vane rings (11, 12) that adjoin the housing (20) with radially outwardly positioned ends (18) and adjoin the rotor with radially inwardly positioned ends. The guide vane rings are spoke-centered with the aid of bearing journals or guide pins (24) allocated to the housing (20) and penetrating through the housing (20). The guide pins (24) extend at a slant relative to the radial direction and the axial direction of the turbomachine, wherein the ends (26) of the guide pins (24) reaching into the housing engage in forked elements (27) allocated to the radially outer ends (18) of the guide vane rings (11, 12).
US07704041B2
A packing ring assembly is provided and includes an arcuate carrier ring segment, an arcuate packing ring segment movable relative to the carrier ring segment, an attachment component disposed in association with the packing ring segment and in association with the carrier ring segment, and an actuator component configured to maintain the packing ring segment in a first position and to allow a movement of the packing ring segment to a second position when the packing ring assembly is exposed to a pressure condition.
US07704040B2
A water pump includes an impeller provided on an end of a rotational shaft supported on a body through a bearing, a mechanical seal provided between the impeller and the bearing, a draining hole guiding a coolant leaked from the impeller side to a reservoir provided at a bottom of the body via the mechanical seal, a vapor outlet provided above the reservoir for establishing communication between the reservoir and the atmosphere, and the draining hole opening to the reservoir at a lower level than the vapor outlet. An axis of the reservoir is offset from a vertical plane which passes through an axis of the rotational shaft.
US07704031B2
When FOUPs (front opening unified pods) (80a, 80b) are mounted on shelves (111d, 121c), respectively, shelves (121a, 121b, 121c) are moved in the vertical direction by cylinders (127a, 127b, 127c), respectively. The FOUP (80b) is thereby moved above the FOUP (80a) to create a space (129), for ensuring a transport path (AR6) for the FOUP (80a). The FOUP 80a can therefore be transported to a shelf (141) without moving the FOUP (80b) to another shelf, achieving improved throughput of substrate processing.
US07704030B2
The present invention pertains to a screw for use in nonmetal objects comprising a plurality of cut-aiding portions formed by the longer and shorter cutting surfaces inclined toward opposite directions. Further, a cutting edge formed by the junction of any two adjacent cutting surfaces presents in a fastening direction of the screw. Thus, the cutting edge assists the threads to thoroughly severe and to shatter the fibers and debris of the objects, which can also be accommodated into the cut-aiding portions. Also, the ridge of the longer cutting surface aids in cutting fibers and further guides the debris out. In this manner, the present invention facilitates to enhance cutting capability for obtaining less screwing resistance, to prevent the destruction of the object and to increase the screwing speed.
US07704021B2
With an integrally bladed rotor, material removal is performed from the annulus (5) on a wide, even machining path (8) using the front-side cutting area of an essentially cylindrical cutter head (7). The tool shank (9) is shaped and dimensioned such that it does not collide with the opposite lateral surfaces of the differently curved and twisted blades (4). This type of machining enables an essentially even, smooth annulus surface to be obtained with a reduced number of overlapping machining paths (8). The time required for machining the annulus and the tool wear are reduced. With an annulus machined in accordance with the present invention, the rotor will satisfy high requirements on aerodynamics.
US07704020B1
A drilling assembly for drilling holes in concrete structures. The assembly includes a base assembly defining a longitudinal axis and adapted to support at least two concrete structures, for example, on turntables positioned in spaced apart relation along the longitudinal axis. A drilling machine is movably mounted to the base assembly between the turntables for movement along the longitudinal axis, and includes a drill assembly having first and second drill bits each substantially aligned along the longitudinal axis and facing substantially opposite directions. In this manner, the drilling machine includes an in-line, dual drill bit assembly which allows the machine to move along a single horizontal axis for both drilling operations and for traversing between the turntables. Advantageously, the present assembly combines the traverse and drilling axes of the drilling machine into a single horizontal axis, thus eliminating the need to traverse the machine between a pair of turntables along a first horizontal axis and to perform drilling operations along a second horizontal axis.
US07704015B2
In an air cell of a buoyancy compensator an outer protective bag has a section of double layer construction. In the double layer area, two panels of elastic material are each juxtaposed adjacent a panel of non-elastomeric material. The elastic panels are spaced at a distance of each other such that during expansion when the elastic panels are at their limit, there is still an adjacent layer of non-elastomeric protective material. If a sharp object penetrates the elastic panel, it will not puncture the inner air cell unless it can also pierce the protective bag non-elastic layer.
US07704009B2
An axial spacer for a rotational assembly comprising a body, a rotational assembly attaching member and a centering member. The body comprises an outer ring, an inner ring and a plurality of reinforcing members extending between the inner ring and the outer ring. The reinforcing members each comprise an annular reinforcing rim extending from the outer ring and a connecting beam extending from the annular reinforcing rim to the inner ring. A plurality of web members extend between adjacent reinforcing members and the inner and outer ring, to, in turn, substantially couple adjacent reinforcing members with the inner and outer ring therebetween. The attaching means comprises an opening extending through at least a plurality of the plurality of reinforcing members. The centering member centers the spacer relative to the rotational assembly.
US07704008B2
A shaft fixing clip that is fitted into a groove of a shaft, the shaft fixing clip includes: a shaft clamping portion that is formed by a metal wire member; and a pinch portion that is monolithically formed with the shaft clamping portion, wherein: the metal wire member is bent into an 8-like shape; both end portions of the metal wire member are crossed in an end portion of one of loops to respectively protrude toward both sides; tip ends of the both end portions are bent; the loop that is positioned on a side of the both end portions is configured as the shaft clamping portion; and bent portions of the tip ends of the both end portions are configured as the pinch portion.
US07704004B2
An applicator in which paint flow is facilitated utilizing a grip pump bias to a paint distributor such as a roller. The roller is configured within a head such that paint is appropriately distributed with limited leakage in order to allow easy operation for distributing paint upon a surface. The application is arranged to operate at elevated or displaced positions and allow greater paint flow control.
US07704000B2
A printer dock for use with a digital data terminal, has a housing having a paper inlet portal, a first tray receiver, and a second tray receiver. The first tray receiver adjoins the paper inlet portal. The second tray receiver is disposed in spaced relation to the paper inlet portal. A printer engine is disposed in the housing. The printer engine has a paper path extending from an entrance facing the paper inlet portal. A device interface is operatively connectable to the data terminal and the printer engine. A paper tray is alternately mountable in a use position and a storage position. The paper tray, in the use position, is located in the first tray receiver and is disposed in operative relation to the printer engine. The paper tray, in the storage position, is located within the second tray receiver.
US07703995B1
An ergonomic apparatus is provided for stabilizing support of portable video devices. The apparatus generally includes a longitudinally extended neck member supporting a device mount coupled thereto, a spine member coupled to extend transversely from the neck member, and a pair of stabilizing arm members extending laterally from a lower portion of the neck member. The spine member includes a weighted stop member adjacent a free end thereof; and, each stabilizing arm member suspends stabilizing weight in laterally offset manner from the neck member. The mechanical forces imparted to a video device mounted on the device mount are thereby dampened for stabilizing video images generated thereby.
US07703991B2
An optical connector comprises a housing having a cavity extending there through to accept a mating connector. The connector comprises no optical components. Dummy solder bonding pads positioned on the connector allow the connector to be automated flip-chip bonded over a substrate waveguide.
US07703988B2
Optical connector assemblies suitable for use in harsh environments such as down hole oil and gas well applications and methods for fabricating the same are provided. In one embodiment, an optical connector assembly suitable for down hole oil field applications comprises a first and second optical waveguide urged by a biasing member against a bracket. Each of the waveguides has at least one base surface formed on the exterior of the waveguide that is disposed against at least one of a plurality of reference surfaces of the bracket. In another embodiment, flats comprise two of the base surfaces on each optical waveguide. In another embodiment, a method of fabricating an optical connector assembly suitable for down hole oil field applications includes the steps of forming a first flat on a first optical waveguide, forming a second flat on the first optical waveguide, forming a first flat on a second optical waveguide, forming a second flat on the second optical waveguide, and biasing the first flats of the first and second optical waveguides against a first seating surface and second flats of the first and second optical waveguides against a second seating surface.
US07703983B2
A sliding material including a resinous porous article having an interconnected hole porosity of not less than 30% and a lubricating oil which impregnates the resinous porous article is disclosed. The resinous porous article has an interconnected hole formed by molding a resin mixed with a pore-forming substance into said resin, and extracting said pore-forming substance from said molded article with a solvent which dissolves said pore-forming substance and does not dissolve said resin. A sliding bearing composed of a sliding material having a sliding surface which slides on a mating member and a lubricating oil supply layer which supports the sliding material and supplies the sliding surface with the lubricating oil.
US07703976B2
A sensor apparatus including a plurality of sensors, and a measurement device. The plurality of sensors being divided into sensor groups with each sensor group having a number of sensors. The groups being arranged such that the sensor groups are electrically matched. The sensors in a sensor group coupled in parallel with each other to form a sensor ladder. A measurement device is arranged to compare electrical signals from each sensor group and to output an indication signal, wherein the measurement device is coupled to each sensor ladder at an intermediate position and in that the coupling position of each sensor ladder are electrically equivalent to one another. Also provided by the present invention is a method of monitoring a plurality of sensors.
US07703974B2
The invention concerns a device enabling reversibility and interchangeability of an object, such as a watch and a wrist watch, comprising at least one reversible and interchangeable element (110, 111) including a cavity (120, 121) and a removable projecting fixing element (203) integral with the bracelet or other support to be inserted axially parallel or not and to be moved in parallel with the element to the cavity (120, 121) up to a stop position and brought by rotation into its fixing position. The removable fixing element (203) can be made in different embodiments desired by a user. The device comprises a cavity in the middles (110, 111) wherein is housed the base (210) of a pivot (211) of the removable fixing element (203) which is integral with one end of the bracelet (204), whereby a rotational motion is imparted to a watch case (100, 104) and to its bracelet (204), independently of each other, so as to provide a watch with interchangeable double dial and a double-sided bracelet.
US07703973B2
A backlight module includes a light source, a light guide plate and a reflector. The light guide plate includes a light incidence surface, a light-emitting surface opposite to the light incidence surface, and a pair of side surfaces connecting the light incidence surface to the light-emitting surface. The light-emitting surface of the light guide plate includes a groove formed therein. The reflector is placed between the light source and the light incidence surface of the light guide plate, and located corresponding to the groove of the light-emitting surface of the light guide plate. The reflector includes a light-receiving surface. The light source is facing the light-receiving surface of the reflector.
US07703966B2
In one aspect, a light device is provided having an elongate body that has a high strength construction. The high-strength light device is especially well-suited for use as a work light. The work light includes a high-strength body that has a handle and an elongate light-transmissive portion extending from the handle. Preferably, the light-transmissive portion includes a one-piece tubular wall that is tapered and which is molded from a high-strength material. In another aspect, the light device includes anti-rolling surfaces axially between the handle and light transmission portion along the elongate body. The anti-rolling surfaces preferably have a flat configuration so that the flat surfaces keep the elongate body from rolling when placed on a support surface.
US07703962B2
A lighting device usable in a vehicle, the lighting device comprising at least a reflector and a lamp, wherein the reflector further includes an orifice. The lamp may be mounted in a lamp holder, the lamp holder being coupled to the reflector and positioned at least partly in the office. In addition, the orifice located within the reflector may be configured to work with a variety of lamp holders, including at least a discharge bulb lamp holder and a halogen bulb lamp holder.
US07703960B2
A light for motor vehicles includes a rod-shaped optical waveguide having at least two optical waveguide arms arranged behind one another in their longitudinal direction, and between which at least one light source is arranged whose light can be coupled on a front side of the light into the optical waveguide arms and can be emitted transversely to their longitudinal direction by way of a light exit surface situated opposite a reflecting surface. In a central area between the optical waveguide arms, a row of more than two light sources is aligned in the longitudinal direction of the optical waveguide arrangement. The light of two outer light sources can be coupled into the respective front sides of the adjacent optical waveguide arms, and the light of at least one light source situated in-between the two outer light sources can be emitted directly in the direction of the light exit surface.
US07703953B2
The invention relates to a skid device (6) for spotlights with skids (7, 8), which extend essentially parallel to the optical axis of the spotlight, and cross members (11, 12), which connect the skids (7, 8) to one another and which serve to hold a bottom section of the spotlight housing (3). The invention provides that at least one skid (7, 8) has a section (73 to 75, 83 to 85) situated at an angle to the center longitudinal axis (M) of the spotlight housing (1, 3).
US07703946B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to an LED light fixture that linearly arranges a plurality of LEDs within a housing such that each LED has a respective collimator. The output from the collimators is directed to a diffuser that shapes the light provided by the fixture so that a desired viewing angle is achieved. More particularly, the LEDs are located on a first circuit board and the driver chips for the LEDs are located on a second circuit board which sandwich a heat sink.
US07703943B2
A color tunable light source comprises: a first light emitting diode (LED) arrangement operable to emit light of a first color and a second LED arrangement operable to emit light of a second color, the combined light output comprising the output of the source. One or both LED arrangements comprises a phosphor provided remote to an associated LED operable to generate excitation energy of a selected wavelength range and to irradiate the phosphor such that it emits light of a different color wherein light emitted by the LED arrangement comprises the combined light from the LED and phosphor and control means operable to control the color by controlling the relative light outputs of the two LED arrangements. The color can be controlled by controlling the relative magnitude of the drive currents of the LEDs or by controlling a duty cycle of PWM drive current.
US07703932B2
An imaging optical system includes a set of mirrors including at least three mirrors on a beam path. Only a last mirror on the beam path has a positive optical power and all other mirrors have negative optical power. The sum of the optical powers of the mirrors is zero. An external posterior aperture stop is on the beam path between the last mirror and the image plane. A back focal length of the optical system is equal to or greater than an effective focal length of the optical system. The field of view is large, and typically at least 30-40 degrees in one plane.
US07703928B2
An optical projection apparatus is provided, where a reflective light valve, a light deflecting device and a lens set are arranged on an optical path of the light beam providing by an illuminating system. The light deflecting device is located between the illuminating system and the reflective light valve, and the lens set is located between the reflective light valve and the light deflecting device. When the light beam is incident to the reflective light valve through the light deflecting device and the lens set, the light beam is converted into sub-image beams, and then the sub-image beams are reflected to the lens set. The projection lens set arranged on an optical path of the sub-image beams has a pupil located on the light deflecting device. The lens set converges the sub-image beams on the pupil and then the sub-image beams are incident to the projection lens set for imaging.
US07703924B2
Systems and methods for displaying three-dimensional (3D) images are described. In particular, the systems can include a display block made from a transparent material with optical elements three-dimensional disposed therein. Each optical element becomes luminous when illuminated by a light ray. The systems can also include a computing device configured to generate two-dimensional (2D) images formatted to create 3D images when projected on the display block, by a video projector coupled to the computing device. The video projector is configured to project the 2D images on the block to create the 3D images by causing a set of the passive optical elements to become luminous. Various other systems and methods are described for displaying 3D images.
US07703920B2
An ophthalmic apparatus capable of alignment in total automation and manual alignment with an examinee's eye comprising an ophthalmic examination unit, a unit detecting an alignment state of the examination unit with the eye, a main base, a mobile base on which the examination unit is mounted and moved horizontally on the main base through operation of a control member, driving mechanisms moving the examination unit vertically and horizontally with respect to the mobile base, means switching a mode between a manual mode of performing alignment of the examination unit with each eye in sequence through the operation and a fully automatic mode of performing the alignment through driving of the driving mechanisms, and a control unit controlling the driving based on the detection result which starts in the fully automatic mode the driving based on a predetermined trigger signal so as to perform the alignment.
US07703919B2
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for diagnosing and treating subjects using neuro-ocular wavefront data. As such, in some embodiments, among others, neuro-ocular wavefront data is obtained, and one or more characteristics of a visual system are ascertained from the neuro-ocular wavefront data.
US07703917B2
The object of this invention is an ophthalmologic lens for pseudoaphakic eyes and/or eyes suffering macular and retinal degeneration, created by applying a yellow pigment filter to a regular ophthalmologic lens, to protect the eye from the short wavelengths of the visible spectrum (under 500 nm). This invention avoids the difficulties and risks of the techniques currently available to protect eyes subjected to cataract surgery and improves protection in eyes with neurodegeneration through the simple use of an ophthalmologic lens.The invention is comprised of a common ophthalmologic lens and a yellow pigment that absorbs short wavelengths of light of 350/500 nm, both appropriate for use in humans.
US07703915B2
A lens blank having a base prefitted with an insert and peripheral ejector marks on the base provided outside an outermost portion of the insert. The ejector marks are carried by a tab of the base having extra thickness on the same side as the insert, and a recess in its other side, the recess forming an element for centering the spacer of an adjacent blank, which is superposed thereon.
US07703913B2
The present invention is related to a pair of eyeglasses, comprising at least a lens, at least a pair of temples, at least a pair of engaging elements, and at least a connecting element. The lens includes at least a pair of engaging elements disposed on the left and right opposite sides of the lens, and the engaging elements include a C type engaging portion. The pair of temples include at least a connecting element disposed at one end of the temples to be pivotally connected to the engaging elements of the lens, and the connecting element includes at least a connecting pillar and is at least partially suspended. Wherein when the connecting element and the engaging elements are pivotally connected to each other, the connecting pillar of the connecting element is disposed in the C type engaging portion for the pivotal connection of the lens and the temples to be completed in a simple and fast way.
US07703910B2
A print roll unit is provided for dispensing print media. The print roll unit includes an elongate core, in turn, including a plurality of ink supply containers. Each container contains a respective type of ink. A roll of print media includes a tubular former in which the core can be received and a length of print media which is wound upon the former. A casing includes a pair of molded covers which can be fastened together in a releasable manner to encase the roll of print media. The casing defines a print media exit slot. A pair of pinch rollers is rotationally mounted to the casing, and is configured to feed print media from the former and out through the exit slot.
US07703903B2
An ink reservoir (1) for maintaining ink (10) at a negative pressure by using the suction provided the printhead and then regulating the negative pressure with a pressure regulator (16) that allows air into cartridge at a specified pressure difference. The pressure regulator may be a porous member such as a membrane or mesh filter, or a simple pressure relief valve. The membrane (16), mesh or foam is selected such that its bubble point equates to the specified pressure difference.
US07703902B2
A holder 204 which holds a connector 203 contacting with an electrical connection terminal portion 202 and can move with respect to a recording apparatus is provided, and a relative positioning unit 210 which allows the ink cartridge 11 to contact with the holder 204 and move the holder 204 in an mounting direction (Y-axis direction) of the ink cartridge 11 to determine a relative position between the ink cartridge 11 and the holder 204 when the ink cartridge 11 is mounted is provided.
US07703894B2
An apparatus of fabricating a liquid ejection head is provided. The apparatus includes: a first die including projected streak portions aligned in parallel by a predetermined pitch and gap portions formed between the adjacent projected streak portions, wherein the first die is adapted to form the groove-like recess portions by pressing the projected streak portions to a metal plate; and a second die for supporting the metal plate to which the projected streak portions of the first die are pressed. Each of the projected streak portions includes: an inner wall forming portion for forming an inner wall of the corresponding groove-like recess portion extending in a depth direction of the corresponding groove-like recess portion; a connecting face portion; and an inclined face portion, continuous via the connecting face portion to the inner wall forming portion, for forming a bottom portion of the corresponding groove like recess portion into a substantially V-like shape.
US07703893B2
An inkjet system including a printhead with an ink-fillable chamber operatively connected to a piezoelectric actuator and provided with a nozzle for the ejection of ink drops in response to the energization of the actuator, which actuator is connected to a measuring circuit for measuring an electrical signal generated by the actuator in response to the deformation thereof, wherein the system is configured such that a natural frequency of said system corresponds substantially to a natural frequency of a disturbance in the system.
US07703892B2
A printhead integrated circuit comprising a substrate having a plurality of nozzle assemblies. A nozzle plate has a plurality of nozzles openings defined therein and each nozzle opening corresponds to a respective nozzle assembly. Each nozzle assembly havs a respective nozzle chamber and a heater element positioned in the nozzle chamber. Each heater element is suspended in the nozzle chamber and parallel with a plane of the nozzle plate. The integrated circuit includes drive circuitry for controlling actuation of the heater elements. Each heater element includes solid material having a thickness of at least 0.25 microns and a mass of less than 10 nanograms.
US07703888B2
Provided is a nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printhead. The arrangement includes a substrate defining an ink inlet channel and ink chamber with a CMOS layer deposited on top of the substrate, and a nozzle wall, roof and rim positioned on top of the substrate via which ink is operatively ejected from the chamber. The arrangement also includes an anchor atop the CMOS layer, said anchor linked to a stiffening beam by means of an actuator beam, the stiffening beam suspended from the CMOS layer by means of a passive beam and a carrier. Further included is a diffusion barrier about the ink chamber to inhibit the diffusion of hydroxyl ions through the CMOS layer.
US07703870B2
A liquid ejection apparatus includes: a liquid ejection head (26) having a nozzle (21) with an inner diameter of 15 μm or less to eject droplets of charged solution onto a substrate; an ejection voltage supply (25) to apply an ejection voltage to a solution inside the nozzle; a convex meniscus generator (40) to form a state in which the solution inside the nozzle rises from the nozzle in a convex shape; and an operation controller (50) to control application of a drive voltage to drive the convex meniscus generator and application of an ejection voltage by the ejection voltage supply so that the drive voltage to the convex meniscus generator is applied in timing overlapped with the application of a pulse voltage as the ejection voltage by the ejection voltage supply.
US07703868B2
The amount of ink is determined using both a first vibration frequency that is measured when a driving signal of a first frequency is provided to a sensor, and a second vibration frequency that is measured when a driving signal of a second frequency, which is less than the first vibration frequency by a specific ratio, is provided to the sensor. When there is an incorrect measurement of either the first vibration frequency or the second vibration frequency, the natural frequencies to which the vibration frequencies are near will be different. Because the cases wherein the vibration frequency is measured incorrectly are the cases wherein there in no ink, when the first vibration frequency and/or the second vibration frequency is near to the target natural frequency, it is determined that the amount of ink is stored in the cartridge being processed is less than a specific amount.
US07703860B2
A locomotive brake system includes a plurality of electronic air brake controllers for controlling at least a train brake pipe and a locomotive brake pipe interconnected by a communication network. A communication port and a system controller are connected to the network. The system controller controls the configuration of the electronic air brake controllers for standard mode and remote mode of the brake system and assembling EAB network signals for communication between a remote locomotive controller to be connected to the communication port and the electronic air brake controllers.
US07703857B2
A continuous miner including a support frame having a support frame front, and a sumping frame mounted on the support frame for forward and rearward movement relative to the support frame. The sumping frame has a sumping frame front, and the miner further includes a cutting drum pivotally mounted on the sumping frame, the cutting drum being positioned near the sumping frame front. The miner also includes a gathering head for gathering mined minerals pivotally mounted on the sumping frame front, and a hydraulic cylinder for pivoting and fixing the gathering head relative to the sumping frame in both the raising and lowering directions. The continuous miner also includes a first drilling platform pivotally mounted on the support frame front, a second drilling platform pivotally mounted on the support frame front and spaced apart from the first drilling platform, a hydraulic cylinder for pivoting and fixing the first drilling platform relative to the support frame independently of the second drilling platform, and a hydraulic cylinder for pivoting and fixing the second drilling platform relative to the support frame independently of the first drilling platform.
US07703856B1
A manhole cover frame removal apparatus has a ring-shaped base with a circular track thereon and a saw mounting framework disposed atop the base. Rollers allow the saw mounting framework to advance in rotation about aligned vertical axes of the frame and the base. A saw mounting arm is joined to the framework and may be raised and lowered and locked in the raised position. A saw carriage is mounted on the saw arm for reciprocal movement toward and away from a saw arm hinge axis. A single saw motor is mounted on the carriage and can be immobilized at selected angles. Separate horizontal-cut and vertical-cut saw blades are alternatively and interchangeably attached to the saw blade rotor.
US07703842B2
A sliding roof structure of a vehicle includes rails 5a, 5b installed on the right and left roof side portions of the vehicle and a cover member 2 that can be slid and folded along the rails 5a, 5b, wherein the cover member 2 is comprised of a detachable inner cover member 30 and an outer cover member 40, which is slid along the rails 5a, 5b and to which the inner cover member 30 is mounted in detachable state, or the cover member 2 is comprised of a base cover member 7, which is made by attaching a bottom cover sheet 9 to the bottom frame member 10, and a top cover member 8, which is made by attaching a top cover sheet 8a to the top frame member 14, either the top frame member 14 or the bottom frame member 10 is equipped with an engaging portion 14a and the other with a groove 12 for supporting the engaging portion 14a, and the engaging portion 14a is inserted into the groove 12 and the top cover member 8 attached to the base cover member 7 in detachable state.
US07703840B2
A vehicle with a cabin comprises a vehicle body supported by a plurality of wheels; a cabin bracket supported by the vehicle body; an elastic member for supporting the cabin, disposed between the cabin and the cabin bracket; and a weight member attached to a plate-shaped member of the cabin.
US07703831B2
A pressure difference rearward of a windshield is efficiently corrected in a windshield unit for a saddle-ride type vehicle provided with two types of air ducts for directing the air flow from the front of the vehicle to the upside of the vehicle and to the rear of the windshield. A windshield unit includes an air duct for allowing an air introduction port opening toward the front of the vehicle to communicate with an air blowout port opening toward the upside of the vehicle and a second air duct for allowing a second air introduction port opening toward the front of the vehicle to communicate with a second air blowout port disposed rearward of the air duct to open toward the rear of the vehicle. The second air blowout port is disposed within the left-right width of the air blowout port of the air duct.
US07703814B2
A quick connection unit for hydraulic or pneumatic tools includes a female part having an axial passage and a lateral tube. A fixing bolt extends into the axial passage, and the female part is pivotable about the fixing bolt along a Y-axis. A path is defined in the shank of the fixing bolt which is connected to the hydraulic or pneumatic tool. An L-shaped male part includes a horizontal tube and a vertical tube. The horizontal tube is rotatably connected to the lateral tube of the female part and communicates with the lateral passage in the lateral tube and the axial passage. The horizontal tube of the male part is pivotable about an X-axis of the lateral passage. A pipe is connected to an inlet of the vertical tube of the male part. The pipe can be rotated along the two axes relative to the hydraulic or pneumatic tool.
US07703809B2
The printed product comprises a carrier of a main image applied thereon transmitted by an ordered screen having a specified angle and lineature and at least one additional latent image which is hidden from visualization and transmitted by a deformed-structure screen. Said latent image can be visualized when it is applied to the printed product of a test pattern embodied in the form of a transparent substrate which is provided with a linear screen applied thereto and which angle and lineature are identical to specified angle and lineature. Depending on the type of the screen deformation the latent image is displayable with preserved tints or in the form of contour lines. The method for producing of the printed product consists in introducing distortions in the ordered screen by shifting the centers of the screen grid structure or by inserting modified elements into the ordered screen said elements being embodied in the form of transition between the types of said ordered screen elements.
US07703807B2
A seat belt retractor for a safety belt including a seat belt spindle for winding up and unwinding the safety belt and a tensioning drive. The seat belt spindle includes a gas generator, a drive wheel and a supply pipe which connects the gas generator and the drive wheel. A plurality of thrust members are present in the supply pipe which, after triggering the gas generator, are accelerated and indirectly or directly drive the drive wheel for winding up the safety belt. An inertia coupling is arranged between the drive wheel and the seat belt spindle. The inertia coupling comprises coupling elements which, during an acceleration of the drive wheel, pivot outward and are directly or indirectly coupled to the seat belt spindle.
US07703802B2
The present invention relates to an air bag that has a gas-introducing hole and is folded and housed in a container and that includes a pair of first zigzag folded portions, the first zigzag folded portions being formed by respectively folding both side portions and collecting them at a center in a lateral direction; and a second zigzag folded portion that is formed by folding zigzag the first zigzag folded portions in a direction that intersects with a folding direction of the first zigzag folded portions.
US07703801B2
A vehicle safety device includes a seat mounted within a passenger compartment of a vehicle and a seat position adjusting mechanism that allows the seat to move along an axis between a forward-most position and a rearward-most position. An air-bag is mounted within the passenger compartment in front of the forward-most position. In the forward-most position a distance between a passenger seated in the seat and the air-bag is equal to a minimum safe clearance. A method of maintaining a minimum safe clearance between an air-bag mounted in a vehicle and a vehicle passenger includes preventing motion of a seat toward the air-bag beyond a forward-most position, and providing a position adjusting mechanism for at least one vehicle control pedal to allow a passenger to adjust a distance between the seat and the at least one pedal seat positioning system may be used to position a passenger.
US07703800B2
An apparatus for an airbag arrangement including a frame part and an airbag package. The frame part may be a part of a base body of a motor vehicle seat. The airbag package is fastened to the frame part. The airbag package includes a folded-up airbag that may be inflated with gas. The airbag package further includes at least one clamping element that is configured to press the airbag package against the frame part. The clamping element includes a first and a second end region via which the clamping element is secured to the frame part. The two end regions are connected to one another via a pretensionable bearing region of the clamping element. The clamping element includes an intermediate layer extending between the airbag package and the frame part, that together with the bearing region encompasses the airbag package in cross section by 360°.
US07703799B2
In an airbag module cover, at least one pair of tear lines is provided on a double-wall portion (an inner side wall and an outer side wall). The tear line provided on the inner side wall is formed as a slit. The tear line provided on the outer side wall is formed as a groove. Therefore, strength of the double-wall portion is reduced to tear the tear lines unfailingly and torn module cover can be opened unfailingly as a deployment door by an inflating airbag.
US07703786B1
The head cap of a bicycle headset is configured with a shoulder sized to releasably receive an uncrimped bottle crown to cover a headset adjustment bolt in a decorative fashion.
US07703782B2
An assembly including a control arm and a steering knuckle, one of the control arm and the steering knuckle having a first end with a ball, the other of the control arm and the steering knuckle having a socket that includes a bearing structure formed so as to surround a portion of the ball to securely fasten the ball to the socket. The control arm has a bayonette configuration to receive a first node and a second node is cast directly onto the control arm.
US07703781B2
A low profile chassis and suspension system for a road vehicle. The chassis supports a payload section or cargo compartment, such as for a delivery truck, ambulance, or shuttle bus. The chassis includes a largely planar frame having a top surface which is located beneath the rotational axes of the rear wheels. The wheel suspension system is particularly compact and close to the road surface. In some embodiments each wheel is suspended from the vehicle by a pair of pivotal support arms. Preferably, one arm is located above the other arm, and both arms pivot along pivot axes that are generally perpendicular to the rotational axis of the supported wheel. A spring urges one of the arms apart from the frame. In other embodiments, the spring is placed beneath the rotational axis of the wheel. In some embodiments both of the pivoting support arms are located beneath the rotational axis of the wheel.
US07703780B2
A wheel supporting apparatus includes dampers, ball joints, a knuckle, an upper arm and a lower arm. The dampers are attached to a case of an in-wheel motor in the top-bottom direction of the vehicle's body and are connected respectively to the ball joints. The upper arm and the lower arm have respective one-ends connected to respective dampers via the ball joints and respective other ends pivotably fixed to the vehicle's body. The knuckle is connected to the ball joints to rotatably support a wheel hub via hub bearings.
US07703777B2
A portable contractor cart for use on construction sites that have not yet been hard wired includes a frame having front and rear wheels and arranged on the upper deck side of the frame from front to back are a 50 foot electric cord reel and a 50 foot compressed air line, an air compressor, an electrical generator, a refrigerated cooler and a weatherproof radio/cd player. A handle is mounted to the rear of the frame and a pivotable foot brake is interconnected to the rear axle for locking and unlocking the rear wheels, and the cart can be motorized wherein a motor and pulley arrangement would be mounted to the underside of the frame. Snaps are spaced about the periphery of the frame for attaching a covering thereto thereby protecting the cart when it is left outside on the job site. A welder generator for a TIG or MIG welder can also be mounted on the frame in place of the air compressor, and a trailer hitch can extend from the front of the frame for towing the cart from site to site.
US07703771B2
A game in which two spherical balls tethered to opposing ends of a flexible cord are tossed at a ladder-like target goal post having a plurality of cross bars, the toss occurring from the region behind a facing goal post spaced across a field of play. An objective of the game is to toss the tethered ball pair across the field to the opposing goal post to entwine or wrap around a goal post cross bar. Points are earned when the toss remains wrapped to the crossbar.
US07703766B2
A method for sensing a paper skew adapted for a device having a paper feeding mechanism is provided. The device has a feed sensor which is fixed at a start position of paper feeding; and, a position sensor which moves in a direction perpendicular to a direction of paper feeding and passes through a first and a second positions. The first position is the intersection of a moving path of the position sensor and a line. The feed sensor is on the line, and the line is parallel to the direction of paper feeding. The method includes the device having a first distance; moving the position sensor to the second position; feeding a work paper into the device; obtaining a second distance which is a moving distance of the work paper fed; and determining whether the work paper is skewed or not according to the difference between the first and the second distances.
US07703763B2
A sheet conveying device includes a tray having a bottom surface. The tray holds at least one sheet therein, and has a recess formed in the bottom surface. A rotating member moves between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the rotating member contacts a sheet held in the tray, and in the second position, the rotating member is separated from the tray. The rotating member selectively rotates to convey a sheet held in the tray in a when the rotating member is in the first position. An operative portion moves in and out of the recess in the bottom surface of the tray, and movement of the operative portion corresponds to a movement of the rotating member into the second position.
US07703758B2
A bundle discharge roller pair is made to rotate backward in a holding state in which the sheets are held between the bundle discharge roller pair, and, at the same time, the upper bundle discharge roller of the pair is separated from the lower bundle discharge roller of the pair. The released sheets slide down on the inclined processing tray at a return velocity Vb; and are made to run into the rear end stopper for aligning. The return velocity Vb may be controlled according to the reverse-rotational speed of the bundle discharge roller pair and is set at a low velocity, when it is found that, for example, the size of the sheet is large, and the return velocity Vb is increased in the case of coated paper with a large coefficient of friction.
US07703750B2
A storage apparatus is disclosed. The storage apparatus comprises a mounting mechanism, a hoist system and a storage member. The hoist system, which is attached to the mounting mechanism, comprises at least one pulley. A hoist wire is disposed within each of the at least one pulleys. A hoist wire mount receives a first end of each of the hoist wires and also includes a power source. Finally, the storage member is affixed to a second end of each of the hoist wires.
US07703742B2
The invention describes devices for controlling fluid flow, such as valves. The devices may include one or more electroactive polymer transducers with an electroactive polymer that deflects in response to an application of an electric field. The electroactive polymer may be in contact with a fluid where the deflection of the electroactive polymer may be used to change a characteristic of the fluid. Some of the characteristic of the fluid that may be changed include but are not limited to 1) a flow rate, 2) a flow direction, 3) a flow vorticity, 4) a flow momentum, 5) a flow mixing rate, 6) a flow turbulence rate, 7) a flow energy, 8) a flow thermodynamic property. The electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure that is immersed in an external fluid flow, such as the surface of an airplane wing or the electroactive polymer may be a portion of a surface of a structure used in an internal flow, such as a bounding surface of a fluid conduit.
US07703730B2
A fastening system fastens a radiator, an electric fan support and a fan shroud as a single unit. The radiator has lower and upper posts to which slotted plates protruding from the fan support and fan shroud fit over. A structural sandwich is formed with the fan support lying between the radiator and the fan shroud. A flexible lever arm with a locking tab lies adjacent to the upper post of the radiator and connects to the radiator. When the fan support is fitted over the posts, the top plate of the electric fan support locks under the first lever arm tab. The fan shroud also has two slotted plates that also fit over the posts of the radiator. The fan shroud locks into place when a lever arm with a tab on the fan shroud locks under a tab that protrudes from the top plate of the fan support.
US07703719B1
A rifle scope system allows adjustment of the scope while a shooter maintains the shooting posture and the scope sight picture. The scope system comprises an adjustment system comprising an electromechanical mechanism that responds to a signal from a remote controller manipulated by the shooter without having to significantly disturb the shooting posture. The adjustment system allows the shooter to adjust the scope's point of aim to coincide with a bullet's point of impact at a target. Such adjustment can be performed either by the shooter. Alternatively, such adjustment could be performed by a processor configured to adjust the point of aim based on a ballistic parameter associated with the bullet or the shooting environment. The adjustment system allows such processor-determined adjustments to be effected in a quick manner.
US07703716B2
A hinged device for at least one door (46.1, 46.2) of an aircraft nacelle (40), whereby the door is able to block an opening (44) that is made in the fairing of the nacelle, the device including a base to which is connected at least one door, able to occupy a first retracted state in which the base is located at least in part inside the nacelle and a second extended state in which the base is located outside the fairing of the nacelle so as to be able to move, in a direction that is essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nacelle, outside of the nacelle by entraining the at least one door (46.1, 46.2) to release the opening (44) at least in part.
US07703706B2
A variable arc sprinkler nozzle is provided for distribution of water through nearly any adjustable arcuate span. The nozzle includes one or more arcuate slots formed by the helical engagement of spiral surfaces of a deflector and a nozzle body. A user may rotate a portion of the nozzle body to select the arcuate span of the one or more slots. A matched precipitation rate feature is adjustable to proportion the amount of water directed to the deflector depending on the extent of the arcuate span. Further, edge fins on the deflector and nozzle body channel water flow at the two edges of the distribution arc to increase the throw radius and to provide fairly uniform water distribution at the edges of the arc.
US07703705B2
Apparatus and methods for generating and dispensing a mixture containing a pressurized gas and a fluid material. The apparatus includes a mixing device having a mixing chamber and a mixer inside the mixing chamber. A gas injection device, which is coupled with the mixing device, injects the pressurized gas into the fluid material in the mixing chamber. The mixer operates to combine the pressurized gas with the fluid material to form a mixture, which is subsequently dispensed from a dispenser coupled with the mixing device.
US07703699B2
A beam (16) such as a spray bar of an agricultural sprayer (10) is pivotable about an axis (22) into an operating position. In the operating position, the bar is in contact with a stop (28) located on a two-legged lever (30), one leg (42) of which is acted upon by the beam (16) and the other leg (44) of which is acted upon by a energy storing mechanism (34).
US07703696B2
The invention is directed to a sprinkler toy and a method for producing a geyser-like burst of liquid supplied by a source of pressurized liquid. The sprinkler toy may include a reservoir in fluid communication with the pressurized liquid source, wherein the volume of the reservoir may increase as the liquid is supplied to the reservoir by the pressurized liquid source. The sprinkler toy may further include a valve in fluid communication with the reservoir and operatively coupled to the reservoir, wherein the valve may be moveable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the increase of the volume of the reservoir from a first volume to a second volume may cause the valve to move from the closed position to the open position, and wherein the pressure within the reservoir when the valve moves to the open position may cause a geyser-like burst of liquid stored in the reservoir to discharge through the valve. In alternate embodiments, the sprinkler toy may further include nozzles in fluid communication with the pressurized water source and providing a constant discharge of liquid, and a housing having moving components that move in response to the increase in volume of the reservoir.
US07703688B2
A card-like portable article having a microcontroller comprises a memory that contains a set of instructions allowing the microcontroller to communicate in accordance with a first communication protocol. The card-like portable article further comprises an interface for converting commands in accordance with the first communication protocol into commands in accordance with a second communication protocol and vice versa. Preferably, the first communication protocol is in conformity with the ISO 7816-3 standard and the second communication protocol is in conformity with the USB standard.
US07703685B2
For applying a label to an article, and with a RFID tag on the label also being separated from the article, and for minimizing the influence from the article on the tag, and for securing stable reading and writing of data, a label application device applies a label to which a RFID tag comprising an IC chip and communication antenna is fixed, to the article. A folding device folds a portion of the label having a tag-fixing area to which the RFID tag is fixed, such that the back side of the label is pushed to the surface side of the label so that the label portion protrudes to form an angle and is folded, and then applying the label to the article. A device acts on the label portion to form the fold.
US07703656B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a friction stir welding tool which enables friction stir welding of a wide range of materials, from low-melting temperature metallic materials including aluminum to high-melting temperature metallic materials including steel.An entire friction stir welding tool or a tool tip including a pin is made of Mo alloy having a dual phase microstructure of Mo and intermetallic compound Mo5SiB2. It is desirable that the Mo alloy be composed of 6.0 to 10.0 mol % of Si, 10.0 to 20.0 mol % of B, and 20 to 60% of Mo-phase volume content. This Mo alloy tool has excellent high-temperature strength and wear-resistance properties and hardly deform and wear when used for the welding of steel.
US07703655B2
In a frictional spot joining where plural metal members lapping over are jointed with a joining device comprising a rotating tool, a receiving tool disposed on a rotational axis of the rotating tool and a drive device to rotate and move the rotating tool in a pushing direction, a holding member is provided on a side of the receiving tool, which has a restriction portion to restrain a movement of the receiving tool in a direction perpendicular to the rotational axis, and the joining device is moved by a moving device such that the receiving tool is disposed at the restriction portion. Accordingly, the rotational runout of the rotating tool can be restrained effectively with a simple structure of a properly small-sized rotating tool and receiving tool.
US07703651B2
A striking cylinder 6 is disposed within a body 1. A main air chamber 7 for reserving compressed air therein is disposed at an outside of the striking cylinder 6. A cylinder cap 8 for covering the striking cylinder 6 and the main air chamber 7 is fixed at an upper portion of the body 1. A lower portion of a cylindrical head valve 13, which opens and closes the main air chamber 7 and the striking cylinder 6 and is configured in a manner that upper and lower external diameters thereof are the same, is disposed at an outside of the striking cylinder 6. A cylindrical inner wall 10 and a cylindrical outer wall 11 are integrally formed at a lower surface of the cylinder cap 8. A piston stop 12 for defining a top dead center of a striking piston 5 is provided at an inside of the cylindrical inner wall 10. The head valve 13 is slidably provided between the cylindrical inner wall 10 and the cylindrical outer wall 11.
US07703650B2
From top to bottom of an inner wall of a case in which stacked stapled sheets each composed of linear staples connected in parallel are accommodated, horizontal nonreturn projections are successively arranged. A nonreturn lug is attached to a staple pushing plate pushing the staple sheets by a spring, and the nonreturn lug is engaged with the nonreturn projections of the case. The nonreturn lug and the nonreturn projections are shaped to permit a descent of the staple pushing plate and inhibit an ascent thereof. In addition, a height of an apex of each of the nonreturn projections is reduced step-wise or with no step from top to bottom of the inner wall of the case.
US07703645B2
A backpack adapter comprising a generally L-shaped frame having a user side and a load side. The user side is provided with at least two coupling means for coupling a shoulder strap means thereon, the coupling means being spaced apart from each other. The L-shaped frame comprises a top L portion and a bottom L portion and the shoulder strap assembly is placed on either coupling means in order to either have the bottom L portion closer to the ground than the top L portion or reversibly have the top L portion positioned closer to the ground. The adapter can be used in at least two significantly different configurations: one by which the bottom L portion is used to carry a load on an upper side of said bottom L portion, the other by which the bottom L portion is used as a rack from which objects are hung.
US07703640B1
The present invention offers a solution to the potential hazards associated with an accidental overheating of a full compressed gas cartridge, by offering an automatic heat-actuable pressure discharge system. The compressed gas cartridge is protected from dangerous explosions caused by excessive heat by the use of a lance that pierces the compressed gas cartridge safely when a spring loaded hammer is released from its constraints when a length of heat sensitive material fails in the presence of excessive heat, thereby avoiding a very serious fire hazard.
US07703637B2
An automated method for dispensing pharmaceuticals, particularly tablets and capsules, and other small discrete objects, includes: receiving prescription information, selecting a container, labeling the container, dispensing the tablets or capsules into the labeled container, applying a closure to the filled, labeled container, and offloading the container to a designated location. Preferably, the tablets are dispensed with high speed dispensing bins that employ forced air to agitate and singulate the tablets. The other functions within the system are typically carried out at stations designed to offer speed, flexibility and precision to the dispensing operation.
US07703634B2
An air valve for the cap of a liquid container comprising an annular membrane. The cap has at least one air passage opening. A holding element having an encircling groove that is open toward the inside of the cap is fixed to the inside of the cap. This holding element has at least one air inlet opening connected to the air passage opening of the cap and which leads into the groove. A ring can be placed or is placed inside the groove. Also provided is a mouthpiece for drinking from a liquid container, which is made, in essence, of elastic material and placed on a cap provided with the inventive air valve.
US07703633B2
A mouthpiece assembly includes a base connected with a hose and the base has a base tube in which a spring is received and a seal member is inserted in the base tube. The base tube has two symmetrical outlet notches defined in a top edge thereof and the seal member has two outlet holes which can be in alignment with the outlet notches when the seal member is moved to compress the spring. A mouthpiece is mounted on the base tube and has an outlet which is sealed by the seal piece on the seal member so that when the user squeezes the mouthpiece to move the seal member, the outlet is opened. A cap is removably mounted on the mouthpiece and can be positioned on two lugs on the base when being removed from the mouthpiece.
US07703630B2
A vented hatch cover comprising a cover body, an intake filter element, and a discharge filter element includes a plurality of walls defining an air intake passage, and an air discharge passage, an inner rim and an outer rim with a plurality of ribs extending across the air intake passage. The intake filter element includes a plurality of latches engaging the ribs. The discharge filter element includes an outer disc portion with a radially outer edge having a rim with a plurality of latches that releasably secure the discharge filter element to the inner rim of the cover body.
US07703629B2
A fuel cap having a cap member with an internal chamber and a downward extending hollow tube in open communication with the internal chamber and in sealing communication with a lower hub bore; vents on side walls of the internal chamber; an absorption media inside the internal chamber below the vents and above the hollow tube; a hub rotatably and slidably connected to the cap member with the hub having a lower hub bore into which the hollow tube is translatable for releasing vapors from the fuel tank as necessary before re-fueling whereby the vapors pass through the absorption media where they are cleansed before being release out the vents.
US07703624B2
The present invention generally relates to a flexible tab used to open beer/beverage can ends and food can ends. The tab has a plurality of slots provided in about a middle part of the tab between a nose portion and a lift portion on opposing sides of the tab. The slots combine to form a fulcrum that extends generally transverse to an axis that passes along a length of the tab. The fulcrum allows the lift portion to pivot upwards and downwards in relation to the nose portion. The tab also has a paneled or beaded area adjacent to the slots at about the middle part of the tab. Tooling for the manufacture of the flexible tab is also provided. A method for manufacturing the flexible tab is additionally provided as well.
US07703621B2
Provided is a moisture retention seal for use with a package. The moisture retention seal includes an opened-ended canister having a plurality of canister sealing surfaces. Snap-fitted with spatial interference to the canister at its opened-end, is a moisture retention closure having a plurality of closure sealing surfaces. Each canister sealing surface cooperates with a corresponding one of the closure sealing surfaces to form a plurality of partial seals. At least one of the partial seals includes a micro-bead surface comprising one or more small, inwardly directed, narrowly spaced-apart, micro-bead elements. The package that includes a moisture retention seal of the present invention employs only molded parts and does not require gaskets or secondary seals.
US07703620B2
Chain linked capsules comprising multiple capsules interconnected in a chain by chain links. The capsules comprise a sleeve and a piston whereby a powder product can be sealed within the capsule. The capsules are for use in inhalation devices, for example for entraining a dose of an inhalable pharmaceutical powder product to a patient's respiratory tract.
US07703613B2
Apparatus for managing layers of different density includes an enclosed tank for holding the liquids so that they stratify into separate layers of different levels in the tank. A conduit for liquid in the tank is open at an inner end to the tank interior, and is open at an outer end to the tank exterior. A drive moves the inner end of the conduit to different levels within tank so liquid can be transferred into or out of different levels in the tank.
US07703607B2
There is provided a carton having a top panel, side panels and base panels. The carton has a removable portion, defined by lines of weakening, which removable portion when removed exposes a single top area which shows at least part of the tops of all of the articles held in the carton. In preferred arrangements, a single top area of the panel remains at one of the ends of the carton.
US07703605B2
A router bit case that includes a bottom half that having a plurality of router bit-shaped recesses with a substantially flat bottom surface that includes a sloped portion and a deepened cavity. The router bit case also includes a top half having a plurality of recesses formed therein, a plurality of hinges and a closing device.
US07703600B1
The present invention provides a transport or conveyor belt structure, particularly for use in heavy duty environments such as mining, aggregate and ore handling and other industrial conditions, where the belt preferably comprises a carcass that is made from identical cross-shaped interengaging metal links embedded within the body of the belt so as to provide both strength and flexibility. A method of making such a belt comprising building up layers of belt material and links is also described as are unique structures for joining and splicing belt ends or sections.
US07703595B2
A method and device are provided for transporting items, in particular postal consignments. A transport process is performed from an intermediate store to a continuation point. Each item that was conveyed to the intermediate store before generation of a start signal is removed from the intermediate store. The items transported are transferred from the intermediate store into a transport device. A record is stored of which items were conveyed to the intermediate store between generation of the start signal and generation of an end signal. The items transported in the transport device are removed from the transport device. For each item that was transported, a data record that has been stored for the item is determined. The stored data record is determined exclusively from the data records generated for those items that were conveyed to the intermediate store between generation of the start signal and generation of the end signal.
US07703581B1
A disc brake wherein first and second friction member are aligned by first and second rails with a rotor. A piston retained in a caliper has a first radial groove separated from a second groove in a carrier for the first friction member by an oval member. The piston responds to pressurized fluid to create a braking force that acts the piston to move the first friction member into engagement with the rotor. On engagement with the rotor the first friction member rotates to bring the carrier into abutment engagement with the rail and at the same time the oval member pivots within the second groove to push the housing such that a running clearance is eliminated with the rotor such that the pressurized fluid may thereafter act on the housing to define a clamping force between the first and second friction members and rotor to effect a brake application.
US07703573B2
A tailpipe for use with a vehicle moveable in a forward direction upon a support surface and adapted to be oriented substantially perpendicular to the support surface. The tailpipe includes a windward surface facing in the forward direction and a leeward surface facing opposite the forward direction. The tailpipe also includes a tubular body defining a main exhaust gas flow passageway adapted to direct an exhaust gas flow from a proximal end to a distal end of the tubular body and a plurality of exhaust ports. The exhaust ports are disposed between the proximal end and the distal end of the tubular body and pass through the leeward surface for permitting at least a portion of the exhaust gas flow, when present in the tubular body, to exit the tubular body through the plurality of exhaust ports.
US07703566B2
An upper CRFM attachment modality which provides assembly simplification, structural strength, design efficiency, and reduced vehicle weight. The tie bar, particularly the inner tie bar component thereof, is integrally provided with a pair of upper CFRM brackets. A pair of elastomeric frustoconical studs are attached to the top end of the upper CRFM, wherein the frustoconical studs self-aligningly interface, respectively, with a stud hole of each of the upper CRFM brackets as a powertrain cradle carrying the CRFM is lifted toward the engine compartment.
US07703565B2
There are provided plural suspension links, one end of each of which is coupled to a wheel and the other end of each of which is coupled to a vehicle body. The suspension links are disposed so as to extend substantially in a vehicle width direction. A drive motor is disposed so as to be offset from a center of a wheel on a side that is away from disposition location of the suspension links. The drive motor and the wheel are coupled by a drive-force transmitting mechanism so that a drive force can be transmitted. Accordingly, there can be provided the disposition structure of a drive device for a vehicle that can provide both the drive motors and the suspension links without any improper interference, ensuring proper controlling of the wheel positions.
US07703556B2
Earth-boring rotary drill bits including a bit body attached to a shank assembly at a joint. In some embodiments, the joint may be configured to carry at least a portion of any tensile longitudinal and rotational load applied to the drill bit by mechanical interference at the joint. In additional embodiments, the joint may be configured to carry a selected portion of any tensile longitudinal load applied to the drill bit. Methods for attaching a shank assembly to a bit body of an earth-boring rotary drill bit include configuring a joint to carry at least a portion of any tensile longitudinal and rotational load applied to the drill bit by mechanical interference. Additional embodiments include configuring a joint to carry a selected portion of any tensile longitudinal load applied to the drill bit by mechanical interference.
US07703555B2
An abrasive wear-resistant material includes a matrix and sintered and cast tungsten carbide granules. A device for use in drilling subterranean formations includes a first structure secured to a second structure with a bonding material. An abrasive wear-resistant material covers the bonding material. The first structure may include a drill bit body and the second structure may include a cutting element. A method for applying an abrasive wear-resistant material to a drill bit includes providing a bit, mixing sintered and cast tungsten carbide granules in a matrix material to provide a pre-application material, heating the pre-application material to melt the matrix material, applying the pre-application material to the bit, and solidifying the material. A method for securing a cutting element to a bit body includes providing an abrasive wear-resistant material to a surface of a drill bit that covers a brazing alloy disposed between the cutting element and the bit body.
US07703552B2
A water treatment pad for core drill, attached on a drilling surface in performing drilling work while supplying cutting water with a core drill, wherein the water treatment pad for core drill comprises: a roughly cylindrical pad main body 10 mounted to surround the core drill and having a drain outlet on a side surface; an inner wall plate 20a detachably attached on the inside of the pad main body and formed into an arc shape in cross section when attached and wherein a pressure space communicating with the drain outlet is formed between the inner wall plate and an inner surface of the pad main body. As an attachment structure of the inner wall plate 20a, preferably, the guide 12 formed with a fitting groove 13 in the top rear face of the pad main body 10 is provided on a circumference thereof so that the inner wall plate 20a is fitted.
US07703549B2
A method of removing cuttings includes the steps of disposing a pipe string in a high-angle wellbore, circulating mud through the wellbore and creating a viscous coupling layer of mud spiraling about a section of the pipe string. Wherein the wellbore may be deviated from vertical thirty degrees or greater. The viscous coupling layer desirably extends outwardly beyond the outside diameter of the tooljoint upsets in the section of the pipe string. A pipe joint for creating a viscous coupling layer of drilling fluid spiraling about the pipe to remove cuttings from high angle wells includes an elongated tubular having an outer surface extending between opposing tooljoints, tooljoint upsets and projections provided on substantially the entire outer surface.
US07703548B2
Methods are disclosed for drilling a first well and a second well. The method includes measuring direction and inclination for at least one of the bottom hole assemblies (BHAs) in the wells, generating a magnetic field in at least one of the BHAs and measuring the magnetic field at the other BHA. The method includes determining the geometrical relationship of one BHA with respect to the other BHA. The method further includes determining the position of one BHA with respect to the Earth's geology or geometry. The method further includes automatically positioning one well with respect to the other well to maintain a predetermined geometrical relationship between them.
US07703542B2
The expandable casing packing element systems for cased and open-hole wellbores include an expandable casing member having a sealing device comprising a sealing element disposed between at least two retainer rings. The retainer rings have flat cross-sections and the sealing element is forced radially outward by the expansion of the expandable casing against the two retainer rings such that the sealing element protrudes outwardly beyond the retainer rings and engages the wall of a wellbore in three locations. The retainer rings can also include flares that extend outwardly from the body of the expandable casing to which they are attached. As the expandable casing is expanded, the flares are forced inward to compress the sealing element which is then extruded radially outward through a gap between the two retainer rings to engage and seal off the wellbore.
US07703538B2
Access to a downhole tool through a tubular wall is created with a penetration tool into a surrounding annular chamber. The chamber is disposed around a tool joint between the end connection leaving an annular chamber that is of considerable length and allowing penetration anywhere along such length. The need to precisely position the penetration tool, as in past designs of annular chambers disposed within a pin and box connection is eliminated. Landing shoulders for the penetrating tool are also not required as the long length of the annular chamber allows surface personnel to sufficiently and accurately place the penetration tool somewhere along the length of the annular chamber.
US07703532B2
A flapper type downhole valve is opened by flow against the flapper. The flapper and the housing contain magnets that hold the flapper open after it has been opened by flow to keep the flapper from chattering from the flow going past it. The strength of the force is not sufficient to hold the flapper open against a torsion spring on a pivot pin, when there is no flow through the valve. The valve can still be held in the locked open position with no flow through the housing by pressurizing the surrounding annulus to position another magnet to increase the holding force to a level greater than the force of the torsion spring. The additional magnet is spring biased so that upon removal of annulus pressure it shifts to allow the flapper to close. Alternative designs with and without a flow tube are possible. Fixed or movable restrictions can be associated with the flow tube to create a force to shift it to open a flapper with flow into the well.
US07703523B2
Apparatus for use above and below a restriction in a well bore and a method of operation is described. The apparatus comprises an upper element, such as a wiper, operable in the well bore above the restriction and a lower element, which may be a lower wiper, operable in the well bore below the restriction. A drop ball sized to pass through the restriction is released from the upper element and thereby passes through the restriction to operate the lower element. In one embodiment, the apparatus is incorporated into a running tool, which may be used to hang liners by dimple forming.
US07703522B2
Unconsolidated formation sand in the near wellbore region may be uniformly consolidated using a system including a sodium silicate solution and a hardener, such as at least one dialkyl ester of a dicarboxylic acid. Subsequently, a low concentration acid, such as hydrofluoric (HF) acid, is pumped through and into the consolidated sand to create channels or passageways to connect the formation hydrocarbons with the wellbore for production of the hydrocarbons through the wellbore. Hydrofluoric acid may be generated in situ by hydrolyzing a substance to hydrofluoric acid where the substance may include ammonium bifluoride, ammonium fluoride, alkali metal fluorides, alkali metal bifluorides, transition metal fluorides, and the like, and mixtures thereof. The acid may instead or additionally include organic acids and other mineral acids.
US07703520B2
Methods are provided including a method comprising: placing a sand control screen in the wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation, wherein the sand control screen comprises: a base pipe having at least one opening in a sidewall portion thereof; a swellable material layer disposed exteriorly of the base pipe and having at least one opening corresponding to the at least one opening of the base pipe; a telescoping perforation operably associated with the at least one opening of the base pipe and at least partially disposed within the at least one opening of the swellable material layer; and a filter medium disposed within the telescoping perforation; and introducing a consolidating agent into at least a portion of a subterranean formation. Additional methods are also provided.
US07703512B2
The present invention provides a packer cup system for use inside a wellbore comprising a packer cup and a backup component coupled thereto. In one configuration, the backup component further comprises a support member and a rubber ring disposed between the support member and the packer cup. The support member is configured to prevent the rubber ring from moving toward the support member.
US07703508B2
A technique utilizes a well filter with a submersible motor-driven pump. The system comprises an elongated filter housing in which a cylindrical filtering element is installed. A fixture is provided for fastening the elongated filter housing to the pump. The filter housing also comprises at least one fluid intake port positioned to allow entry of fluid into the elongated filter housing. A deformable sealing element is installed along an outer surface of the elongated housing and serves to direct fluid flow.
US07703504B2
A heat exchanger includes fins arranged in parallel with each other with a predetermined spacing along the rotational axis direction of a blower. Heat exchanger tubes are inserted into the fins to form rows along a longitudinal direction of the fins connected to each other along the airflow direction, to form refrigerant channels. A branch portion is provided to connection portions of the heat exchanger tubes to increase or decrease the number of paths in the refrigerant channels. Refrigerant flows through each of the refrigerant channels passing through paths mutually different at least at one portion between the refrigerant inlet and the refrigerant outlets, flows along one direction from the windward-side row to the leeward-side row, or from the leeward-side row to the windward-side row in the airflow direction, in sequence between rows. One-path portion is provided in the most windward-side row heat exchanger tubes. The fins are in close contact with a refrigerant outlet case when the heat exchanger is operated as a condenser, and a connection piping are thermally separated by separation means.
US07703499B2
A portable barrier retraction device and system for retracting and deploying barriers, such as theatrical curtains. The portable barrier retraction device for retracting and deploying barriers, such as theatrical curtains. The device includes a rotatable shaft in rotational communication with a first drum. The device further includes a detachable rotatable second drum rotational communication with the first drum. The second drum further including at least one spool configured to retract or deploy at least one line in response to rotation of the second drum.
US07703492B2
A tire traction device securing apparatus having a plurality of elastic tensioning arms extending radially from a central hub, each of the plurality of elastic tensioning arms removably attachable to a tire traction device to provide a tension force directed toward the central hub to secure the tire traction device to the tire. In an embodiment, the plurality of arms and central hub are of an elastomeric material to form a monolithic body; coupled to each tensioning arm of the monolithic body is a hook to removably attach the tire traction device securing apparatus to the tire traction device and thereby secure the tire traction device to the tire.
US07703486B2
An apparatus for the handling of hazardous fluids includes a collection vessel, a collection vessel connector, a dose control connector, a unit dose container, a delivery control connector, and a delivery site access device. The collection vessel contains the fluid prior to dispensing, the unit dose container contains a predetermined amount of the fluid for dispensing, the delivery site access device provides access to an intended delivery site, and the connector attaches pieces of the apparatus to one another. The method of the invention allows needle-free connections to be made for the apparatus, using a predetermined arrangement of the pieces of the apparatus, and in one embodiment, employs deformable elastomeric valves capable of creating a decreased pressure at a valve surface, so that upon closure of said valves, a fluid on the surface on the valves is withdrawn within the connector.
US07703485B2
According to an aspect of the invention, an apparatus for self-sealing of a reaction vessel, such that the reaction vessel may be repeatedly accessed by a fluid transfer mechanism and subsequently self-sealed, is detailed. The reaction vessel has an access opening, and the apparatus comprises a cap, a ball which is comprised of a magnetizable material (such as a ferrous metal), and a ring magnet. The cap is sized to fit over the reaction vessel access opening, and has an access port. The cap has an internal surface which faces the reaction vessel, and an external surface, which faces away from the reaction vessel. The ball is sized to fit over the cap access port, such that a portion of the ball seats partially in the cap access port on the cap internal surface, thus sealing the cap access port. According to an aspect of the invention, the ball may be comprised of a ferromagnetic material, or a magnetizable material that is preferably magnetized. The ring magnet produces a magnetic field, and is mounted to the cap on the cap external surface. The ring magnet is spaced from the cap such that the magnetic field is sufficient to hold the ball in the cap access port, and to reseat the ball in the cap access port after the reaction vessel is accessed.
US07703479B2
An actuator including a first and second conductor on a dielectric, wherein application of a voltage to the first conductor creates a plasma, thereby modifying a fluid flow in communication with the actuator. Related systems and methods are also provided.
US07703477B2
A fluid control valve for use with apparatus for medical use. Commercially available valves which operate by electrical, hydraulic or pneumatic means are often expensive and bulky. They may require excessive power to operate them and can be noisy during operation due to moving parts and fluid flow through internal pathways. The valve of the present invention has a valve seal (1) mounted between inlet (A) and outlet ports (B), with the seal including a valve closure member (4) operated by means of a control fluid fed through a control port (C) in the valve body. In operation a pressure differential acting to open and close the valve is set up between the inlet and outlet ports and the control port to operate the valve. This design results in cost savings and performance benefits compared with the prior art.
US07703476B1
A trigger mechanism is provided for a water heater fail safe valve assembly which automatically shuts off the flow of water to a water heater when leakage of water from the water heater is detected in an underlying catch tray. The trigger mechanism includes a vertical housing having a drive rod which is upwardly urged by a spring and holds a resilient valve closing component. A cam member holds the drive rod down, representing the open state of the valve. An accumulation of water in the catch tray causes the cam member to release the drive rod to an upper position which closes the valve.
US07703467B2
A personnel decontamination and containment system is disclosed. This system includes a plurality of components positionable on a selected location for establishment of a multi-station decontamination and containment facility to decontaminate personnel and to contain contaminants collected during the decontamination process. The components can include a plurality of collapsible frame and roof assemblies, wall and roof covers, a weapons clearing assembly, a weapons storage locker, a hanging bar, a signage assembly, collapsible containment hamper assemblies, a covered dispensing assembly, a shuffle box, a multi-wipe dispensing assembly, and a transportable containment enclosure. The enclosure is shaped and sized to removably retain the system's components for transportation or the like.
US07703464B2
A connector is provided to connect a structural rib of a structure to another rib or portion of the structure, such as an umbrella. The connector comprises first and second ends, and can include a reinforcing rib and/or a closure member. The second end comprises at least one recess extending from a side of the connector. The recess can comprise an open end configured to be coupled to a mounting member of an umbrella hub or rib and a closed end configured to rest on or retain the mounting member. The reinforcing rib can extend between the first and second ends of the connector to enhance its strength. The closure member, if present, can be biased to allow or restrict access to the open end of the recess to retain the mounting member in the closed ends thereof.
US07703462B2
A proximity head for generating and maintaining a meniscus for processing a substrate is described. The proximity head includes a plurality of meniscus nozzles formed on a face of the proximity head, the nozzles being configured to supply liquid to the meniscus, a plurality of vacuum ports formed on the face of the proximity head, the vacuum ports being arranged to completely surround the plurality of meniscus nozzles, and a plurality of gas nozzles formed on the face of the proximity head, the gas nozzles at least partially surrounding the vacuum ports. The proximity head further includes means for reducing a size and frequency of entrance and/or exit marks at a leading edge and a trailing edge on the substrate by aiding and encouraging liquid from the meniscus to evacuate a gap between the substrate and the carrier.
US07703453B2
The rack includes a main section including a primary platform area and a secondary platform area. The primary platform area includes a plurality of elongated support bars and at least one cross member provided across a portion of the primary platform area to provide strength. An auxiliary section has an auxiliary platform area and is adapted to be slidably received by the main section to move between a retracted position and an extended position. The auxiliary platform is adapted to support various items independent of whether it is in retracted position or the extended position. In one example, the auxiliary section is adapted to be slidably received in a recessed area. In addition or alternatively, the auxiliary section is adapted to be removable from the main section.
US07703449B2
Disclosed is a device made of a soft, flexible elastomer with freely movable members for use as a vibration dampener on an archery bow limb. Upon release of an arrow from an archery bow, the damper members reactively contact and rebound against the bow limb. The device can be installed on a mount to attach to both solid limb and split limb bows at the same general location on both the top and bottom limbs to greatly reduce the duration of vibration, the amount of hand shock and perceived noise generated upon release of an arrow from an archery bow.
US07703446B2
Engine management system for operation of a direct injection spark ignition gasoline engine. The system includes a gasoline engine, a source of gasoline and a source of an anti-knock agent. Gasoline and anti-knock agent are introduced into a proportioning valve that delivers a selected mixture of gasoline/anti-knock agent to a high pressure pump. At least one injector receives the selected mixture from the high pressure pump and delivers the mixture into a cylinder of the engine. The engine management system provides a rapidly variable mixture of directly injected anti-knock agent and gasoline which prevents knock as the engine torque increases.
US07703441B2
A method for determining one or more cylinder pressure features for setting the combustion position in an internal combustion engine includes ascertaining a curve of a cylinder pressure or a curve of a cylinder pressure gradient with respect to a crankshaft angle, filtering the curve of the cylinder pressure or the curve of the cylinder pressure gradient using a filter, in order to eliminate a component of a pressure fluctuation brought about by the piston movement in the combustion chamber, and determining at least one cylinder pressure feature from the filtered curve.
US07703440B2
A control system for an internal combustion engine having at least one fuel injection valve for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of the engine. A compression end temperature in the combustion chamber is estimated. A target compression end temperature is calculated according to an operating condition of the engine. A main injection and a plurality of pilot injections before the main injection are performed by at least one fuel injection valve. A fuel injection amount in a first-performed pilot injection of the plurality of pilot injections is controlled so that the estimated compression end temperature coincides with the target compression end temperature.
US07703439B2
A method for controlling an engine having an intake manifold and an outlet control device coupled to the manifold for controlling flow exiting the manifold and entering at least one cylinder of the engine, the engine further having an inlet control device for controlling flow entering the manifold, the method comprising determining a driver torque command; calculating a desired cylinder charge based on said driver torque command; adjusting the outlet control device to provide said desired cylinder charge; and adjusting the inlet control device based on intake manifold pressure.
US07703437B2
An electronic control device according to the invention is disclosed for controlling the internal combustion engine in a motor vehicle, for fault recognition with an irregular running determination unit and with an injection quantity correction unit, a defined group of cylinders being associated with a lambda probe, the injection quantity of a cylinder to be investigated of the defined group is adjusted in the direction of lean by a differential adjustment value associated with an irregular running differential value, and the injection value of at least one of the remaining cylinders, which are associated with the same lambda probe, is correspondingly adjusted in the direction of rich, so that in total a predetermined lambda value of this group of at least approximately 1 is reached. Homogeneous operation is thus ensured. The differential adjustment values may, for example, relate to the injection quantity itself, the injector stroke or the injection time. In this manner, a differential adjustment value individual to the cylinder is adjusted for each cylinder of the defined group. Correction values individual to the cylinder are then determined in that the differential adjustment values individual to the cylinder are related to one another.
US07703427B2
A camshaft adjusting device for an internal combustion engine is provided. A functionally reliable camshaft adjusting device designed for a long-lasting operation is obtained when the camshaft adjuster (13) has a lifelong lubrication located in the housing (28, 36, 37) sealed from the surrounding area be sealing covers (36, 37). The camshaft adjuster is not required to be mounted inside the cylinder head (33), but can be mounted as a separate unit on the cylinder head (33) of the internal combustion engine independent of the lubricating oil circuit. This expands, in particular, the range of possibilities for use of the camshaft adjuster (13) with a belt drive.
US07703423B2
An internal combustion engine (300) for a vehicle, such as a motorcycle (20), includes a crankcase (380), two banks of cylinders (320a, 320b) projecting from the crankcase (380) in a V-configuration, a plurality of pushrods (364), and a plurality of camshafts (360a, 360b, 360c) supported by the crankcase (380). The two banks of cylinders (320a, 320b) include a first cylinder bank that projects from the crankcase (380) to a first cylinder head (340a), and a second cylinder bank that projects from the crankcase (380) to a second cylinder head (340b). The plurality of pushrods (364) extend between the crankcase (380) and the first and second cylinder heads (340a, 340b), and the plurality of camshafts include only the first, second and third camshafts (360a, 360b, 360c).
US07703419B1
A new and improved animal toenail sheath or cap, a method for its manufacture and various methods for securing said cap to an animal's toenail. The improved toenail cap utilizes a double dip polymeric manufacturing process to produce a layered cap, each layer being capable of having a different durometer, thickness or color than that of the adjacent layer. The cap may also contain a series of internal cleats to help secure the cap to the animal's toenail. Various adhesive methods, some of which are included in the manufacturing process, are also disclosed for adhering the nail cap to the animal's toenail.
US07703416B2
A collapsible pet enclosure is provided. The enclosure includes a pliable cover supported by a rigid, but foldable, frame. The cover includes an opening in a top panel such that the enclosure is top loading. The cover is completely removable from the frame so that it can be machine washed. The frame is of one-piece jointed construction so that it is collapsible for easy transportation or storage. Because all frame components are jointedly attached to one another, the frame does not include any loose components that are easily lost. The enclosure is quick and easy to set up and collapse.
US07703414B2
The invention provides a system for respiratory pharmacology test and a chamber device that enables respiratory pharmacology test on particular large animals under unanesthetized, unrestrained state, with easy acclimatization and reduced effect of stress, and a method for conducting safety pharmacology studies on the same large animal individual. The chamber device of the invention includes animal cage 10 and transparent chamber 20, which includes first and second compartments 21 and 22 separated by partition plate 23. The compartment 21 has a door and ventilation connection port 26, and the compartments 21 and 22 are provided with communication pipe 29 having opening 29a for introducing ambient air. The device of the invention has ventilation connection port 26 in a side face of the chamber 20, and communication pipe 29 for introducing air on the top face of the chamber 20, so that, with the cage 10 placed in the compartment 21, air flow through the compartment 21 is maintained constantly and allowed to communicate through the cage 10.
US07703401B2
A portable support structure including a platform member having a primary platform connector and a secondary platform connector. The primary platform connector is configured to receive a primary support connector. The secondary platform connector is configured to receive a secondary support connector. The support structure also includes a primary support member including the primary support connector and a hook member. In addition, the support structure includes a secondary support member having a first end and a second end. The first end is detachably engaged with the secondary platform connector and the second end is in locking engagement with the hook member. The primary support connector includes structures that engage the primary platform connector and rotationally position the primary support member. The hook member includes a hook portion that engages and prevents the secondary support member disengaging upon a rotation of the secondary support member.
US07703397B2
A hopper car discharge section may be wide at the top and narrow at the bottom. Outflow is controlled by closure members, at least one of which is movable. The closure members come together to a closed condition or position for retaining lading. When apart, in an open position or condition, lading may be discharged. A seal member or seal member assembly is mounted to one or both of the closure members. When open, the seal member or seal member assembly lies substantially flush with, or shy of, the slope of the surface of the closure member. When closed, the seal member may be self-energizing, in the sense that as lading is added the seal may tend to seal more tightly. The seal assembly may include a cantilevered spring that presents a land to the opposed closure member, and a fulcrum, over, or across, which the spring is cantilevered, such that pushing down on one end of the spring may tend to cause the other end to flex upward. The fulcrum may also be cantilevered outward from the slope sheet of the closure member to which the seal assembly is attached. The discharge section may be robustly reinforced to discourage deformation.
US07703394B2
An apparatus and a method for the non-contact, metered application of a liquid, for example a printing ink, to the surface of a cylinder, include an application device which has at least one exit opening for the liquid. An extraction device has at least one entry opening for excess liquid. The excess liquid preferably passes substantially directly from the exit opening to the entry opening. A printing unit and a machine having the apparatus are also provided.
US07703388B2
A fryer for business use is provided which can prevent degradation of cooking oil, secure a good cooking environment and improve a work efficiency. To this end, the fryer of this invention comprises: a water tank 32, 82 to store water; an oil tank 9, 51 arranged above the water tank to store the cooking oil in contact with the stored water in the water tank; a heater 13, 52 arranged in an oil layer in the oil tank; and an oil delivery pipe 10, 61 through which to draw the cooking oil in the oil layer by a pump 29, 64 and release it onto a bottom of the water tank 32, 82; wherein the released cooking oil rises through the water layer and flows into a lower part of the oil layer.
US07703382B2
A water dispenser including a water inlet adapted to receive water from a water supply, a water filter operative to filter water received from the water supply via the water inlet, a water outlet operative to provide filtered water received from the water filter, a water spill collector and a pivotably mounted drainage-equipped water container support having a first operative orientation underlying the water outlet and defining a downwardly inclined water spill drainage pathway communicating with the water spill collector and a second, non-operative, orientation not underlying the water outlet.
US07703371B2
The present invention is related to an apparatus and method for a carrier rope for use in the transport of paper webs in paper threading machine systems. The carrier rope constructed in accordance with the invention comprises a multi filament yarn assembly (A) having an initial twist, a composite yarn assembly (B) comprising mono filament yarn imparted around the multi filament yarn assembly via a second twist, wherein the multi filament yarn assembly (A) is not further twisted, a braided plait assembly (C) comprising a braid of composite yarn assemblies, and a carrier rope (D) comprising a braid of braided plait assemblies.
US07703368B2
A knife holder for a microtome having a vibrating knife comprises a support element and a clamping element movable relative to the support element. The support element is embodied with a support surface for the knife, and the clamping element is embodied with a clamping surface. For clamping the knife, the support surface and clamping surface are settable at a distance of 0.1 to 1.5 from one another.
US07703366B2
A gear and shaft assembly that translates the bevel of a power tool to an indicator more easily readable by an operator provides a front bevel indicator and locking mechanism. A locking mechanism is conveniently placed within reach of the operator and directly controls the motion of the gear assembly. The front bevel indicator may provide a higher resolution of the tilt angle by selection of the various gear ratios of the gears that translate the bevel position of the power tool mounted in the rear to the front of the mount of the power tool.
US07703349B2
A cable laying structure for a robot, which does not interfere with external devices in a periphery of a forearm. Camera and hand control cables and motor control cables are drawn into a robot mechanism through a connection panel of a base of a robot main body. While allowing the motor control cables to sequentially diverge, the control cables are arranged in a robot arm along an upper arm portion and guided to the forearm. The control cables are introduced into the forearm with a shield and a sheath removed. After reaching an end effector-mounting face, the control cables are connected to a camera and a hand. The forearm is formed of conductive material and grounded on the base of the robot main body to have the same electric potential as the base by using an earth cable, and therefore the forearm is utilized in replacement of the shield.
US07703346B2
A transmission is provided having a dual clutch and a countershaft gearing arrangement. The countershaft gearing arrangement includes a plurality of co-planar gears sets having gears that are selectively connectable to at least two countershafts. Moreover, one of the gears of the plurality of co-planar gears sets that provides a reverse gear ratio is selectively connectable to a first countershaft and is in mesh with only one other gear of the plurality of co-planar gears sets that is selectively engagable to a second countershaft.
US07703342B2
There is provided such a pressure distribution detection device that noise affect is small even when the detection region is increased and no line break occurs even when the device is used for a long period of time. The pressure distribution device detects distribution of the pressure applied. The device includes a first loop electrode line group (1), a second loop electrode line group (2) arranged on the first loop electrode line group (1), an elastic body (3) arranged on the second loop electrode line group (2), and a conductive material (4) arranged on the elastic body (3). The first loop electrode lines (1) are arranged in parallel to one another inside a first surface. The second loop electrode line (2) are arranged in parallel to one another within a second surface parallel to the first surface and fixed at a predetermined distance from the first surface. The second loop electrode lines (2) orthogonally intersect the first loop electrode line (1). The conductive material (4) is movably arranged via the elastic body (3) on the intersection between the first loop electrode line (1) and the second loop electrode line (2). The first loop electrode lines (1) are driven by a drive circuit and a detection circuit detects a signal electromagnetically coupled from the second loop electrode lines (2).
US07703338B2
A flowmeter detects a differential pressure of steam as the steam passes through a conduit with a feature shaped to produce changes in velocity and pressure of the steam. Taps used to enable detection of the differential pressure extend from a wall of the conduit upward toward vertical (defined as parallel to the direction of gravitational force) in order to drain liquid water into the conduit from the tap. The differential pressure measured enables calculation of flow rate of the steam.
US07703325B2
A method for relieving residual stress in an object includes: (a) applying a vibration energy to the object over a frequency range; (b) monitoring vibration behavior of the object over the frequency range so as to identify a reference frequency, where the vibration amplitude of a fundamental wave component of the wave pattern is approximately one third of a maximum vibration amplitude of a resonate frequency of the object, and an optimum frequency, where the frequency and the vibration amplitude of the harmonic wave component of the wave pattern are respectively larger than those of the harmonic wave component of the wave pattern of the reference frequency; and (c) applying the vibration energy to the object at the identified optimum frequency for an extended period of time.
US07703324B2
A two-axes rate sensing MEMS system. The system includes two proof masses, two drive components, two drive sense components, two orthogonal sets of substrate electrodes, and a processing device. The processing device is in signal communication with the two proof masses, the two sense components, or the two sets of substrate electrodes. The processing device determines the rate of rotation about two orthogonal axes based on signals received from the two proof masses, the two sense components, or the two substrate electrodes. Rotation about one axis will induce proofmass motion in the plane of the substrate. Rotation about an orthogonal axis will induce proofmass motion out-of-plane of the proofmasses. The sensing scheme independently detects these proof mass motion, which can infer rate of rotation.
US07703321B2
The invention relates to a level meter which comprises a tank (1) which can at least be partially filled with a medium and has a bottom (12). The level meter further comprises a first measuring device (2) having a float (23) in the interior (14) of the tank (1) for indicating the level of the medium inside the tank (1). Said measuring system is disposed in the top section of the tank (1) and in parallel to a path of displacement of the float (23). An aligning unit 94) comprises at least one fixing element (41; 43; 45; 47) for fixing at least one lower section (32) of the meter tube (30) on the bottom (12) in relation to the path of displacement of the float (23) and at least one medium passage (42; 44; 46; 48) for allowing the medium to flow between the interior (14) of the tank (1) and the interior of the meter tube (30).
US07703318B2
A formation tester for determining the formation pressure of a subsurface formation traversed by a wellbore comprises of:—an elongate tester body;—a support plate (3) that is extendible outwardly from the surface of the formation tester body, said support plate carrying probe means (5) to establish a passageway between the inside of said formation tester body and said formation, and a sealing pad (6) connected to said probe means to isolate said passage way between the inside of said formation tester body and said formation;—anchoring means (7) to settle said tester body at a level within the wellbore. The elongate tester body comprises an eccentric portion (2) wherein said support plate is mounted such that a determined standoff is maintained between said elongate tester body and the wall of the wellbore when said tester body is settled at a level in the wellbore.
US07703310B2
In a door opening and closing device for a vehicle in which a cylinder body of a cylinder lock having a rotor turned in response to a key operation and a casing of a door-locking device which has a door-locking lever shaft turned in response to the turning of the rotor and is switched over between a locking state and an unlocking state in response to the turning of the door-locking lever shaft are mounted to a door, a turning movement-transmitting member having a flexibility is disposed between the cylinder lock and the door-locking device so as to transmit a turning force of the rotor to the door-locking lever shaft by its twisting motion responsive to the turning of the rotor. Thus, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom for the relative dispositions of the cylinder lock and the door-locking device, while eliminating the need for a protector for preventing the unauthorized access from the outside.
US07703296B2
Disclosed is an air conditioner that can operate in a general cooling mode in which indoor air is cooled by heat exchange with a first refrigerant in a main evaporator, or alternatively in a fast cooling mode in which the indoor air is primarily cooled by heat exchange in a midway heat exchanger which includes the main evaporator for the first refrigerant and a fast cooling condenser for a second refrigerant, and then re-cooled in a fast cooling evaporator for the second refrigerant. Accordingly, fast and agreeable air cooling can be achieved.
US07703287B2
A fuel injector for a gas turbine engine is disclosed which includes an inlet fitting for receiving fuel, a nozzle for issuing fuel into the gas turbine engine, an injector body extending between the inlet fitting and the nozzle and having and interior bore extending therethrough, and an elongated fuel tube disposed within the interior bore of the injector body for delivering fuel from the inlet fitting to the nozzle. The fuel tube has an inlet end portion dynamically associated with the inlet fitting and an outlet end portion rigidly connected to the nozzle. An adapter is operatively associated with either the inlet end section of the fuel tube or a reception bore formed with the inlet fitting of the injector for accommodating a seal member in a manner that permits thermal growth of the injector body relative to the fuel tube.
US07703285B2
Systems and method for generating electricity using heat from a SCWO reaction. The system may comprise a pump that pumps the mixture undergoing the SCWO reaction to a pressure above the critical pressure point for the mixture. The pressurized mixture is heated, by a heating system, above the critical temperature point for the mixture. The SCWO reaction occurs in a reaction chamber. The reaction chamber is in thermal communication with a vessel that holds water such that the heat from the mixture heats the water into steam. The steam powers a steam turbine, which is connected to an electrical generator to thereby generate electricity.
US07703284B2
A supercharging system, in particular an at least two-stage supercharging system, including a first stage and a second stage for an internal combustion engine having two cylinder banks. The at least two-stage supercharging system includes at least two charge air coolers. An exhaust gas turbocharger representing the first stage and an exhaust gas turbocharger representing the second stage are each situated next to one of the cylinder banks of the internal combustion engine.
US07703281B2
An arrangement of the invention includes a base block 16, a cylindrical cam 14, as a rotary member, which is rotatably supported on the base block 16, and includes a contact portion on an outer periphery thereof for outputting a rotating force, a drive gear 21, as an oscillatory ring, which includes a contact portion on an inner periphery thereof, and is oscillated on a plane perpendicular to a rotation axis of the cylindrical cam 14 in contact with the contact portion of the cylindrical cam 14, parallel springs 23 through 26, as a position retainer, for retaining the position of the drive gear 21, and three or more shape metal alloy actuators (SMA) wires 35 through 38, as expandable and contractible actuators, with both ends of the each SMA wire being fixed to the base block 16 for contact with the drive gear 21.
US07703275B2
A fuel adding valve (14), an HC adsorbing and oxidation catalyst (11), and a NOx storing catalyst (12) are successively arranged in an exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine toward the downstream side. When the NOx storing catalyst (12) should release NOx, particulate fuel is added from the fuel adding valve (14). This fuel is adsorbed once at the HC adsorbing and oxidation catalyst (11), then gradually evaporates to make the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas flowing into the NOx storing catalyst (12) rich. Due to this, NOx is released from the NOx storing catalyst (12).
US07703273B2
Spacecraft thrusters capable of dual-mode operation, and a method of applying propulsion to a spacecraft using a dual-mode thruster are provided. In one embodiment, the thrusters of the current invention can operate as a chemical motor to provide high thrust and low propellant exhaust velocity to achieve fast maneuverability, or as an electric propulsion thruster to provide low thrust and high exhaust velocity to perform maneuvers with a minimal amount of propellant.
US07703270B2
A mistake proof cable assembly for promoting short time engine assembly and method of assembling same. The mistake proof cable assembly comprises a slotted member defining a slot having an open end, and a cable connected to the slotted member and extending longitudinally through the slot. First and second restrainers are mounted on the cable on opposite sides of the slotted member for limiting free movement of the cable in the longitudinal direction of the slotted member. A lock prevents removal of the cable from the slot through the open end thereof.
US07703267B2
A coupler comprising a shaft, an enlarged head, a proximal end of the shaft, and a journal for contacting and rotating in an annular bearing surface of a component for forming a pin connection with the component. In addition, the coupler includes a plurality of projecting fins projecting from the journal along axes generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft and are radially spaced around the journal.
US07703257B2
The invention relates to a mobile structure for adapting surfaces, which is formed by a grid assembly (1) which is supported at grid nodes by telescopic columns (2) which can be individually extended in order to use the grid assembly (1) to form a variable surface comprising relief elements.
US07703252B2
A sub-floor assembly for a sports flooring system includes a plurality of sub-floor panel components each formed of a plastic material and each having a formed channel wherein the formed channels of the plurality of sub-floor panel components are linearly aligned. A first strip of anchoring material is disposed within the linearly aligned formed channels of the plurality of sub-floor panel components and is used to attach a plurality of flooring strips to the sub-floor panel components.
US07703248B2
An elongated building element (14) to form a series of walls (10) to (13). The elements (14) each have longitudinally extending flanges (21) that snap engage with longitudinally extending grooves (19) in the next adjacent element (14). Accordingly the wall (10) is constructed by joining the elements (14) in a direction transverse their general direction of extension. If so required the elements (14) may be filled with concrete.
US07703241B2
A security gate for controlling passage of personnel through an accessway to or from a controlled-access region, the security gate including: (a) a first support structure deployed on a first side of the accessway; (b) a second support structure deployed on a second side of the accessway opposite the first support structure; (c) for each of the first and second support structures, a first set of vertically-spaced elongated barrier elements extending from the support structure in a first barrier formation and a second set of vertically-spaced elongated barrier elements extending from the support structure in a second barrier formation; and (d) a mechanical actuator system deployed so as to synchronously move at least the first and second barrier formations of the first and second support structures such that: (i) the first and second barrier formations assume a first state in which the first barrier formations are spaced apart to allow entrance of a person into the gate from an entrance side while the elongated barrier elements of the second barrier formations of the first and second support structures are at least partially interspaced so as to prevent passage of a person from the gate to an exit side, and (ii) the first and second barrier formations assume a second state in which the second barrier formations are spaced apart to allow exit of a person from the gate to an exit side while the elongated barrier elements of the first barrier formations of the first and second support structures are at least partially interspaced so as to prevent entry of a person from the entrance side into the gate.
US07703231B2
A gun attachment holder includes a device holder, which has a coupling groove detachably coupled to a coupling flange of a gun and a sliding groove transversely extending across the coupling groove, two locking members reversely arranged in parallel and slidably mounted in the sliding groove and movable between a locking position to lock the device holder to the coupling flange of the gun and an unlocking position to unlock the device holder from the coupling flange of the gun, and a torsional spring set in between the locking members to hold the locking members in the unlocking position.
US07703228B2
A collapsible structure has first and second panels, each panel comprising a top side, a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, and a fabric covering portions each frame member to form the panel for each frame member when the frame member is in the unfolded orientation. The panels are hingedly connected to each other along their top edges. An image is provided on the fabric of at least one of the panels, and a weight is coupled to the first panel.
US07703226B2
A container for creating a multi-dimensional visual display or illusion. The container includes sidewall and a visual display assembly mounted on an exterior surface of the sidewall. The display assembly may be provided in one or more labels attached to the exterior surface and includes a reflective surface attached to a rear portion of the sidewall. A primary image is positioned between the reflective surface and exterior surface of the sidewall. The sidewall is curved and the reflective surface and primary image are mounted to conform to this curved shape. A framing element is provided on a front portion of the sidewall with background images on an inward facing surface. The framing element includes a view port providing a line of sight through the container onto the primary image and reflective surface, which reflects the background images to the viewer so as to appear behind the primary image.
US07703222B2
A snow plow for use with personal utility vehicles is disclosed. The snow plow includes a mounting apparatus for attachment to a vehicle and a plow blade having a main surface, a rear surface, a plurality of retention members and a rubber scraper. The mounting apparatus includes a frame having a mounting upright and a hitch tongue, which is easily mounted in a hitch receiver which can be pivotally secured a vehicle. The retention members configured to at least partially encircle and slideably engage the mounting upright when the plow blade is in a working orientation. Preferably, the frame pushes the rear surface of the plow blade when the vehicle is moving in a direction towards the plow blade and wherein the frame disengages the rear surface when the vehicle moves in a direction rearward of the plow blade and the plow blade pivots away from the frame.
US07703221B2
A sole assembly suitable for use in footwear, the sole assembly including a flexible base (12) having an underside surface (13) which includes a forward region (31), a rearward region (32) and an intermediate region (33) therebetween. The sole assembly further includes a plurality of individual sole elements (14) on the underside surface, each element including a body section (15) and a connecting section (17) which is operatively secured to the underside surface (13) of the flexible base (12), the sole elements (14) being arranged on the underside surface of the flexible base such that at least some of the body sections (15) of adjacent sole elements have overlapping sections.
US07703208B2
An improved vehicle box assembly with an upright front or side panel defined by a monolithic one-piece roll-formed steel sheet member having a desired three-dimensional configuration. The sheet steel member is roll-formed in the lengthwise direction thereof. The panel has a channel, preferably a closed tubular channel on the front panel, roll-formed along one edge of the sheet steel during forming of the panel. The closed tubular edge rail is preferably closed by a seam weld which extends lengthwise therealong and is performed in line with the roll-forming operation. The roll-formed panel is preferably provided with a flat shelf deformed horizontally to extend lengthwise along the panel downwardly from the top rail.
US07703205B2
A high-pressure plug valve is refurbished by replacing a valve plug, a valve plug cage, and flow path inserts that line a flow path through the plug valve. The valve plug cage has first and second opposed flat side surfaces, each side surface has a port for receiving one of the replaceable flow-path inserts in a fluid-tight seal. In one embodiment, refurbishing the plug valve includes replacing at least one inset seal for sealing at least one of the ports when the plug is in a closed position to inhibit leakage through the valve at low fluid pressures.
US07703194B2
A method for creating a write element of a magnetic head according to one embodiment includes forming a first pole pedestal; forming a write gap layer above the first pole pedestal; forming a second pole pedestal above the write gap layer; and forming at least one of: a cap layer of CoFeON between the first pole pedestal and the write gap, and a seed layer of CoFeON between the write gap layer and the second pole pedestal. Note that other layers may be interspersed between those set forth here.
US07703190B2
A tooling system includes a plurality of elements arranged in an array, each element being moveable longitudinally relative to the other elements in the array and having a first end. The system further includes a device, adapted to adjust the relative longitudinal positions of the elements such that the free ends of the elements define approximately a desired surface contour and a device for retaining the elements in their adjusted positions. The first end of each element may be provided on a machinable portion removably mounted to a base portion, the arrangement being such that the free ends of the elements can be machined to produce the desired surface contour. The tooling system may include a plurality of elements arranged in an array, the elements of the array being movable between a closed position in which the elements contact one another and are secured in position, and an open position in which the elements of the array are spaced apart and are capable of vertical movement relative to one another, wherein it also includes a drive device for opening and closing the array.
US07703179B2
This disclosure relates to a method for making a polymeric article mold, a method for making a polymeric article with that mold, and improved surface topography features for a polymeric article. A prototype article is formed and then coated with a thin conductive layer. The coated prototype article is then electroformed until nickel plated to a sufficient depth to define a nickel plating tool. After the prototype article has been removed from the mold face of the nickel tool, the tool can be used as a mold for forming finished polymeric articles which replicate the original prototype article. The use of fine topography features such as a dense upstanding stem array on the surface of the prototype article facilitates accurate and complete electroforming by increased surface area presentation. The disclosure also presents improvements to microreplicated surface structures such as stem arrays. The improvements include the formation on a stem array having separate zones of stems of differing heights, and the formation of directional microreplicated features (e.g., stems) which are oriented and shaped to promote or restrict frictional interaction in one or more particular directions.
US07703176B2
The present invention comprises a hinge device. The hinge device is located within a housing, and may comprise a rotating drum mounted on a hinge bar. The rotating drum is slidable between a first, locked position and a second, unlocked position, and also rotatable with respect to the housing. The hinge device may also comprise a engagement wall positioned within the housing and having a shelf and at least one locking slot. A locking member may be formed on the rotating drum and may cooperate with the engagement wall when the rotating drum is in the first, locked position to prevent the rotating drum from rotating with respect to the housing. A biasing spring may be located within the housing, which biases the rotating drum toward the first, locked position.
US07703174B1
Snappable wheel holders for environmental control units such as radiators, heaters, fans and air conditioners. Wheel holders can attach wheels to brackets located underneath the units by mateably attaching male protruding ends into female slots. Plastic triangular pieces can snap into openings to lock the wheel holders to the brackets. The brackets can be attached underneath the units by clamping U-bars with wing nuts.
US07703168B2
A bumper and dusting attachment for a vacuum cleaner head generally provides a flexible body of mesh material having fleece on its exterior surface. The body defines a medial chamber and has a first end portion, a second end portion, a top edge, a bottom edge, a back surface and a front. Padding, having a retentive memory, fills the medial chamber adding thickness to the body. A protruding lip formed in the front surface extends elongately from the first end portion to the second end portion and protrudes outwardly from the front surface when the body is fastened to a vacuum cleaner head. Cooperating strips of hook and loop fastener carried by the back surface of the body and on the vacuum cleaner head provide for releasable attachment of the body to the vacuum cleaner head.
US07703165B2
A portable cleaning apparatus includes a handle and a wheel rotatably mounted to the handle having a plurality of scrubbing elements. A nozzle delivers fluid to the scrubbing elements to effect rotation of the wheel. The scrubbing elements can be secured to the wheel to limit pivoting movement of the scrubbing element in a direction of rotation of the wheel while permitting greater pivoting movement of the scrubbing elements in a direction opposite the direction of rotation of the wheel. A dispensing system mounted to the handle is remotely operable to position a dispenser of treatment material in the rotational path of the scrubbing elements to apply treatment material to the scrubbing elements.
US07703163B2
A toothbrush is provided for cleaning and/or massaging of teeth and gums having a mechanical vibratory element and a head having cleaning/treating elements on a plurality of different types of cleaning areas which provide for an enhanced cleaning, scrubbing and massaging effect. The cleaning/treating elements have different physical characteristics so that in addition to providing a varied cleaning/treating effect from the cleaning/treating elements themselves there is enhanced treatment as a result of the movement of the cleaning/treating elements imparted by the mechanical vibratory device.
US07703157B2
A bed, in particular a sickbed or nursing bed, comprises a height-adjustable bedstead to be supported on a floor, a fixing brake having an actuator adapted to be moved between a braking position and a release position and to be operated by hand or by foot, and at least one brake element which is pressed to the floor in the braking position of the actuator, and is spaced apart from the floor in the release position of the actuator. The actuator is adapted to be automatically placed into the brake position by a bedstead element when the lowermost position of the bedstead has been reached.
US07703156B2
A side cover apparatus includes an electric mat, a curtain-type side cover attached to an outer periphery of the electric mat, and a contracting portion disposed on an inner periphery of the side cover. The side cover conceals side surfaces of the electric mat and a bed mattress such that the combination of the electric mat and the bed mattress appears as if the combination is a single bed mattress.
US07703151B2
A cuff closure comprising a flap having one end attached to the cuff and a free end, a longitudinal slit in the cuff adjacent to the attached end of the flap, a flap fastener component on the flap, a first surface fastener component on the first surface of the cuff that mates with the flap fastener component, and a second surface fastener component on the second surface of said cuff that mates with the flap fastener component. When the first surface is the outside surface, the flap fastener component mates with the first surface fastener component and, when the second surface is the outside surface, the flap fastener component mates with the second surface fastener component.
US07707643B2
A digital rights management system for the distribution, protection and use of electronic content. The system includes a client architecture which receives content, where the content is preferably protected by encryption and may include a license and individualization features. Content is protected at several levels, including: no protection; source-sealed; individually-sealed (or “inscribed”); source-signed; and fully-individualized (or “owner exclusive”). The client also includes and/or receives components which permit the access and protection of the encrypted content, as well as components that allow content to be provided to the client in a form that is individualized for the client. In some cases, access to the content will be governed by a rights construct defined in the license bound to the content. The client components include an object which accesses encrypted content, an object that parses the license and enforces the rights in the license, an object which obtains protection software and data that is individualized for the client and/or the persona operating the client, and a script of instructions that provides individualization information to a distributor of content so that the content may be individualized for the client and/or its operating persona. Content is generally protected by encrypting it with a key and then sealing the key into the content in a way that binds it to the meta-data associated with the content. In some instances, the key may also be encrypted in such a way as to be accessible only by the use of individualized protection software installed on the client; thereby binding use of the content to a particular client or set of clients.
US07707639B2
Systems and methods for handling restoration operations for a mobile device. A mobile device receives a kill pill command, wherein the command causes some or all data on the mobile device to be wiped. An indicator is stored to indicate that the kill pill command was sent to the mobile device. The indicator is used to determine whether a program should be wiped from the mobile device.
US07707635B1
In one embodiment, script patterns for identifying particular network viruses are written using a scripting language. The scripting language may allow for flow control, arithmetic, memory manipulation, and content matching operations, for example. Each script pattern may identify a particular network virus using a set of instructions supported by the scripting language. Among other advantages, the use of script patterns allows antivirus analysts to develop more flexible and effective patterns for dealing with current and future network threats.
US07707634B2
A malware detection system and method for determining whether an executable script is malware is presented. The malware detection system determines whether the executable script is malware by comparing the functional contents of the executable script to the functional contents of known malware. In practice, the executable script is obtained. The executable script is normalized, thereby generating a script signature corresponding to the functionality of the executable script. The script signature is compared to known malware script signatures in a malware signature store to determine whether the executable script is malware. If a complete match is made, the executable script is considered to be malware. If a partial match is made, the executable script is considered to likely be malware. The malware detection system may perform two normalizations, each normalization generating a script signature which is compared to similarly normalized known malware script signatures in the malware signature store.
US07707630B2
In a system providing for user access of secure resources upon user authentication by a remote authentication server, a successful user authentication is saved locally for use when the authentication server is not available. The successful user authentication returns an authenticated credential which is stored on the local client utilizing a security method such as Public Key Infrastructure which prevents tampering with the credential. If a gateway machine provides connectivity between the client and the authentication server, the credential is also stored on the gateway.
US07707629B2
Apparatus and systems, as well as methods and articles, may operate to intercept a first request to use a platform configuration register (PCR) directed to a first trusted platform module (TPM) port, a second request to use the PCR directed to the first TPM port, or both, and to re-direct the first and second requests to use the PCR to a second TPM port capable of accessing a first virtual static platform configuration register (VS-PCR) set and a second VS-PCR set.
US07707622B2
Protecting the security of an entity by using passcodes is disclosed. A passcode device generates a passcode. In an embodiment, the passcode is generated in response to receipt of user information. The passcode is received by another system, which authenticates the passcode by at least generating a passcode from a passcode generator, and comparing the generated passcode with the received passcode. The passcode is temporary. At a later use a different passcode is generated from a different passcode generator.
US07707621B2
A method of preventing a first action associated with a first message from being performed in a target entity, the method including the steps of: sending the first message to the target entity, the first message being configured to cause the entity to perform the first action and a second action; sending a second message to the target entity, the second message being configured to cause the entity to perform a third action; and wherein the entity is configured such that performance of the second action and the third action is mutually incompatible.
US07707614B2
A personal media broadcasting system enables video distribution over a computer network and allows a user to view and control media sources over a computer network from a remote location. A personal broadcaster receives an input from one or more types of media sources, digitizes and compresses the content, and streams the compressed media over a computer network to a media player running on any of a wide range of client devices for viewing the media. The system may allow the user to issue control commands (e.g., “channel up”) from the media player to the broadcaster, causing the source device to execute the commands. The broadcaster and the media player may employ several techniques for buffering, transmitting, and viewing the content to improve the user's experience.
US07707607B2
There are provided a method and apparatus for providing and receiving a video service in digital audio broadcasting (DAB). The video service providing method includes: storing information related to encoding of a provided video service stream and information related to packetization of the video service stream in a channel different from a service data channel; and multiplexing the information related to encoding of the video service stream and the information related to packetization of the video service stream to create a DAB transmission frame, and transmitting the DAB transmission frame. Therefore, by allowing different types of DAB receivers to uniformly process video services, it is possible to achieve high efficiency in video service processing and controlling.
US07707605B2
A liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal display panel having a plurality of pixels on a display line. A set of drivers drives a set of pixels, the set of drivers receiving display data and providing video signals to the set of pixels. A clock provides a clock signal to the set of drivers to latch the display data based on a frequency of the clock signal, and receives a feedback signal from the set of drivers prior to an end of the display data received by the set of drivers. A delay circuit stops the clock signal to the set of drivers, based on the feedback signal, after delaying for a first time period that is no less than a predetermined time period between the feedback signal and the end of the display data received by the set of drivers.
US07707599B1
Methods and systems provide customer support services through interactive television sessions via a cable services network. Cable services customers may pay bills or enroll in automatic bill payment via interactive television sessions. Information on pending work orders, answers to frequently asked questions and helpful service provider contact information may be obtained from a data services system through an interactive television session via a cable services network.
US07707596B1
A device and method for simultaneously manipulating multiple data storage cartridges or other storage elements in a storage library. The device housing includes an opening for receiving data storage cartridges. A gripping mechanism extends from the opening. The gripping mechanism is adapted to grip a data storage cartridge to be retrieved and to urge the data storage cartridge into the opening. One or more transport mechanisms are attached to one or more inner walls of the housing. The transport mechanisms are adapted such that once a data storage cartridge moves into the opening, the transport mechanisms will urge the data storage cartridge further into the opening until the data storage cartridge is held within the housing. The data storage cartridge can be moved further into the housing such that the gripping mechanism is free to collect additional cartridges.
US07707594B1
A system for providing a routing service that enables a client to locate a target service in distributed computing environment that supports multiple communications protocols. The system includes a main database and a routing mechanism. The main database has routing information. The routing mechanism can be distributed in multiple instances. The routing mechanism includes a local database. The local database stores an extract of the main database. The routing mechanism uses the local database to make routing decisions. To locate the target service, the client first obtains a reference to the routing mechanism. The client then sends a request with input parameters to the routing mechanism. The routing mechanism then returns output parameters to the client. The output parameters contains a reference and/or associated properties of the target service depending on the type of the target service. The client analyzes the returned output parameters and locates the target service.
US07707593B2
Software programming models are provided for supporting host-environment agnostic content that can be hosted in different hosting environments (e.g., browser or window) without needing to rewrite the content. The models comprise a host-environment abstraction wrapper that provides a transparent layer of abstraction between content and host-environment specific instructions. The host-environment abstraction wrapper supports the use of host-environment independent interaction instructions or declarative statements in content by invoking host-environment specific implementation details on behalf of the content. The host-environment independent interaction instructions represent particular interactions between some content and a hosting environment, but do not provide host-environment implementation instructions that are specific to any particular hosting environment.
US07707588B2
A method for collecting runtime information generated by an active software application is provided wherein the method is implemented by a computer and includes identifying an occurrence of a function event generated for a software application operating on a predetermined platform, collecting the runtime information responsive to a function event, determining the duration of the function event, comparing the duration with a predetermined threshold value and processing the function information responsive to the comparing of the duration.
US07707587B2
The present invention proposes a method and a corresponding system for scheduling invocation of web services from a central point of control. A scheduler accesses a workload database, which associates an execution agent and a descriptor with each submitted job. The descriptor identifies a desired web service, an address of a corresponding WSDL document, and the actual content of a request message to be passed to the web service. Whenever the job is submitted for execution, the scheduler sends the job's descriptor to the associated agent. In response thereto, the agent downloads the WSDL document that specifies the structure of the messages supported by the web service. The scheduler builds a request message for the web service embedding the desired content into the structure specified in the WSDL document. The agent sends the request message to an endpoint implementing the web service, so as to cause its invocation.
US07707585B2
System, method, and computer program product for automatically monitoring message flow in a message queuing system in an asynchronous messaging network. A message queuing application programming interface appends, in a message descriptor field for recording and monitoring message flow, unique application identification keys of applications that process the message, operation codes applied to the message, and time stamps of operations applied during message processing. The keys are generated by the start-up of the applications and are filled in by each PUT and GET function of the API. After processing of the message, the entries included in the message descriptor field are monitored, and any deviation from a predefined message flow is automatically detected and reported.
US07707584B2
In a client and server system the execution of calls is synchronized to maintain a correct execution of a service application. At the server, calls are executed asynchronously by a plurality of threads, and when a thread change occurs, a synchronization call is generated and transmitted to the client, including a server call counter value indicating a number of calls executed at the server. With every synchronization call, the client determines whether the server call counter value corresponds to a current client call counter value. If the counter values are identical, the correct sequence of execution is maintained, but if they differ, an overtake condition has occurred, indicating that service calls from a first thread were overtaken by a second thread. The thread and service calls which have overtaken other service calls are placed into a wait condition to maintain the correct order of execution of service calls.
US07707583B2
Methods and apparatus, including computer systems and program products, for sharing objects in runtime systems and for providing isolation between user sessions in a scalable manner. A user context corresponding to a user session is stored in a shared memory area. Upon receiving a request corresponding to the user session, a process is selected from a set of operating system processes, and a runtime system is selected from a set of runtime systems. The runtime system is bound to the process, and the user context is associated with the runtime system to process the request. In some implementations, sharing user contexts enables virtual machines to be used in a shared but isolated manner: Each user context can be exclusively associated with an available virtual machine from a fixed set of virtual machines, and each virtual machine can be exclusively executed in an available process from a fixed set of processes.
US07707581B2
A method and system for managing server load to execute groups of transactions of an application program on N servers. A condition, ascertained for each transaction group, is that a current value of global multiplicity is not or is, respectively, less than a specified maximum value of global multiplicity. For each transaction group, an instruction is or is not issued to each server to change a current value of the maximum permitted local multiplicity for each server to a new value of the maximum permitted local multiplicity. For each transaction group: global multiplicity denotes a number of transactions concurrently performed by the N servers collectively; and local multiplicity for each server denotes a number of transactions concurrently performed by each server. The issuing or not issuing depends on the ascertained condition and whether the current value of the maximum local multiplicity is a default value for each server.
US07707579B2
Disclosed are a method of and system for profiling a computer program. The method comprises the steps of using a utility application to execute the computer program; and on the basis of said execution of the computer program, identifying specific performance requirements of the computer program. A profile of the computer program is determined from said identified performance requirements; and based on said determined profile, resources for the computer program are selected from a grid of computer services.
US07707570B2
A user machine is made aware of a need for communication to update a version of a firmware by communication from a service center (a notification that the latest version has been released). After shutting off this communication once, communication is carried out between the official service center and the user machine by the user machine commencing communication with the official service center, the contact information of which is stored, and the service center provides information for updating the new version to the user machine in this communication state.
US07707568B2
An optimization method that optimizes programs is disclosed. A pattern for multiple instructions is used to replace one of a plurality of partial programs with a replacement set of instructions. The partial program to be optimized is detected within a first set of instructions. The first set of instructions is transformed in the one of the plurality of partial programs and is replaced with the replacement set of instructions.
US07707558B2
Systems and methods for computer security are provided. In one implementation, a computer-implemented method is provided. The method includes applying a hook to a kernel of an operating system, monitoring system calls made to the kernel using the hook, and injecting a new entry into a list of files assembled by a loader to create a new process when the hook identifies a create process system call. In another implementation, the method can further include initializing the injected new entry where the injected new entry is operable to examine process files prior to loading, examining the process files, and acting on the process according to a result of the examination.
US07707557B1
Execution of modified byte code for debugging, testing and/or monitoring of object oriented software
A method is described that comprises, in an object oriented environment, invoking a second method from a first method. The invoking comprises providing an identification of the first method and a class that the first method is a part of. The method further comprises identifying a plug-in module for the first method based upon the identification. The plug-in module contains a handler method. The method further comprises executing the handler method to perform an output function for the first method and then executing the first method from a point beyond where the second method was invoked.
US07707548B2
An integration component assists in the integration of information distribution systems (IDSs). The integration component may help to identify the scope of the systems that are to be integrated using a multi-level top-down approach. The multi-level top-down approach may include five levels: a system software level, a business process level, a business rule level, an interface function level, and a data level. A fault detection component may then check the identified systems to identify potential faults. This check can be performed by representing the business rules as a Transition-Directed-Graph (TDG) and then processing the TDG using generic depth-first search (DFS)-based algorithms.
US07707541B2
A method for determining a mask pattern to be used on a photo-mask in a photolithographic process is described. During the method, a target pattern is partitioning into subsets, which are distributed to processors. Then, a set of second mask patterns, each of which corresponds to one of the subsets, is determined. Moreover, at least one of the second set of mask patterns may be determined by: providing a first mask pattern that includes distinct types of regions corresponding to distinct types of regions of the photo-mask, calculating a gradient of a function, and determining a second mask pattern based, at least in part, on the gradient. Note that the function may depend on the first mask pattern and an estimate of a wafer pattern that results from the photolithographic process, and that the gradient may be calculated in accordance with a formula obtained by taking a derivative of the function.
US07707538B2
The method of the invention tracks how the collective movement of edge segments in a mask layout alters the resist image values at control points in the layout and simultaneously determines a correction amount for each edge segment in the layout. A multisolver matrix that represents the collective effect of movements of each edge segment in the mask layout is used to simultaneously determine the correction amount for each edge segment in the mask layout.
US07707537B2
Some embodiments of the invention provide a method for defining wiring directions in a design layout having several wiring layers. The method decomposes a first wiring layer into several non-overlapping regions. It assigns at least two different local preferred wiring directions to at least two of the regions. In some embodiment, the method decomposing the first wiring layer by using the vertices of items in the layout to decompose the layout. In some of these embodiments, the item include macro blocks. The method of some embodiments also identifies several power via arrays on the first wiring layer, and identifies a local preferred wiring direction based on the arrangement of the power via arrays on the first wiring layer.
US07707533B2
A system and method of generating a set of circuit simulation data, applying data mining to for knowledge extraction from the data, and graphically presenting the extracted knowledge in a format that is easy to digest to a designer.
US07707532B1
Techniques are provided for grouping circuits in a user design for a programmable integrated circuit into logic blocks. A packing tool separates each circuit element into individual abstract blocks and groups the abstract block into logic blocks. A determination is made whether placement information indicates that a design goal would be improved by rearranging at least a portion of the user design. The user design can be rearranged by moving one or more of the abstract blocks into different logic blocks than the ones they were previously grouped with. Circuit elements in the same logic block can be separated and placed into different logic blocks to improve routability of the user design and signal timing.
US07707526B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that predicts a manufacturing yield of a chip. During operation, the system first receives a chip layout. Next, the system identifies hotspots within the chip layout, wherein a hotspot is a location within the chip layout wherein a yield-indicative variable value falls in a low manufacturable range. The system then obtains yield scores for the hotspots, wherein a yield score indicates a failure probability for a corresponding hotspot. Next, the system predicts the manufacturing yield for the chip based on the hotspots and the yield scores for the hotspots.
US07707524B2
Various techniques and tools are disclosed for providing an osculating model of a circuit, which can be used to more accurately predict the circuit's operation. The parameters for a general model of the circuit are determined such that the general model matches desired circuit characteristics at one or more points. The parameters for the general model are determined such that the slopes of the general model at those points also match desired circuit characteristics. These determined parameters are used to create an osculating model specific to the circuit. The osculating model of the circuit can be employed to predict the operation of the circuit. Particular implementations of these techniques and tools may be used to predict the timing characteristics of a circuit having a capacitive, inductive, or magnetically-coupled load.
US07707522B2
In a method of routing a wire to a shape in an integrated circuit for minimizing undesirable jog creation during a masking process, a plurality of possible placements of the wire relative to a selected edge of the shape resulting in the wire being connected to the shape are determined. A cost is assigned to each placement, the cost indicating an amount of jog that would be created in the masking process corresponding to the placement, wherein a greater cost indicates that a greater jog would be created in the masking process than would be created by a placement assigned a lesser cost. A placement having a lowest cost of the plurality of possible placements is selected.
US07707519B2
The invention relates to a device for displaying information, data and/or input elements on an interface (4), in particular on a screen, with at least one register (1) for displaying a subset of information, data and/or input elements, with the at least one register having a selectable, sensitive area on the interface and with means for showing the content (2) of the at least one register (1) on selection of the sensitive area (11) of the register (1).
US07707517B2
Techniques are presented to display values for a set of icons by controlling their assignment to a set of rows and their placement within these rows. A plurality of icons to be displayed is determined. An abacus attribute taking a finite set of values is associated with the set of icons. Icon groups are formed for each abacus attribute value and optionally ordered based on each of one or more sorting attributes. Inter-group indicators such as display characteristic changes, spacing and the like are determined. The inter-group indicators separate each group of icons within a row. An ordering of the icons is determined based on the abacus attribute value and the one or more optional sorting attribute values. The icons are laid out in the display space ordered by the values of the primary abacus attribute and the secondary optional sorting attributes.
US07707514B2
A widget manager facilitates management of widgets in a dashboard layer. Management functions can include enablement, preview, importation, exportation, organization, installation, deletion, acquisition, etc.
US07707507B1
The present invention comprises a graphical user interface, including methods and apparatus for configuring and implementing such an interface. One or more embodiments of the invention comprise a graphical user interface comprising a main window including a navigation viewport and a data viewport, the navigation viewport arranged to display navigation selectable elements and the data viewport arranged to display information associated with an application associated with one or more of the navigation selectable elements. One embodiment of the invention comprises a method of configuring a graphical user interface based upon user or device information. One embodiment of the invention comprises a method of controlling the navigation of the graphical user interface based upon user or device information. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the graphical user interface is associated with a gaming system which includes at least one gaming device.
US07707503B2
Methods and systems for supporting presentation using a zoomable space. In an exemplary method, a structure, such as a hierarchy, of presentation information is provided. The presentation information may include slides, text labels and graphical elements. The presentation information is laid out in the zoomable space based on the structure. A path may be created based on the hierarchy and may be a sequence of the presentation information for the slide show. When a modification is received in at least one of the hierarchy and the layout, the path may be automatically updated based on the modification. During a presentation, the presentation information is displayed based on the path.
US07707498B2
A method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium are provided for managing specific types of content in an electronic document. A user interface is provided for displaying a specific type of content in a predefined area of and electronic document. The user interface includes a content region for receiving the specific type of content and displaying the specific type of content within a predefined boundary. The user interface also includes a selection region for receiving a selection of content for insertion into the content region. The user interface validates the content received in the content region based on the specific type of content defined for the content region and based on a predefined content limit. The specific type of content received in the content region may be formatted according to a predetermined format and may also be bound to a data source external to the electronic document.
US07707497B1
Displaying font names is disclosed. A list of font names is obtained, where each font name is divided into a prefix portion, if any, and a remainder portion. The list is sorted without considering the prefix portion. The prefix portions are displayed, for those font names that have them, using a first display property and the remainder portions are displayed using a second display property.
US07707496B1
A method, system, and apparatus are provided for converting dates between calendars and languages. When a string of text is entered into an application program, the string is analyzed to determine whether the string of text includes a date. If the string of text includes a date, the date is semantically labeled with schema information that identifies the calendar and language used to express the date. When a selection is received of the date or an indication that the date is labeled with schema information, a list of actions may be provided identifying conversion options available for the date. One of the conversion options may then be selected resulting in the conversion of the selected date to the calendar and language identified by the selected action. The converted date may then be inserted into the string of text to replace the selected date.
US07707495B2
In a layout processing method for adjusting the amount of change in the sizes of containers, a link that associates a plurality of containers with each other is set so as to extend between a plurality of pages. Accordingly, it is determined whether to insert content data into a predetermined page or into a page different from the predetermined page depending on the content data.
US07707493B2
A document rendering system includes a standard schema and a graphical user interface configured to receive graphically represented presentation constraints. A translation engine is configured to translate the graphically represented presentation constraints into a presentation schema conforming with a syntax of the standard schema. A validation engine is configured to validate a document respective to the standard schema and respective to the presentation schema. A rendering engine is configured to render a document conditional upon validation by the validation engine.
US07707479B2
A method of generating structured irregular LDPC codes for a wireless network such as a wireless local area network (WLAN) system, allowing systematic generation of improved code ensembles using density evolution, and providing essentially the best tradeoff between decoding threshold and decoding complexity. Such an LDPC code has a higher diversity order for MIMO systems, with better built-in interleaving capability. Further, the code dimension can be tailored to 802.11n system parameters such as the number of sub-carriers and delay. The code also provides an improved girth control scheme, provides flexible length with different expanding factors, and supports simple encoding and shortening for multiple rates.
US07707476B2
A device and a method that improve decoding characteristics of an LDPC decoder to which SPA where the equation for the computation of messages is approximated and the number of messages are reduced is applied. A received LDPC code is decoded by repeating the passing of messages between a plurality of check nodes and a plurality of bit nodes corresponding to a check matrix, and messages sent from one of the check nodes to one of the bit nodes out of messages sent from the one of bit nodes to the one of check nodes are weighted at the one of bit nodes so that the longer ago the messages are computed at the one of check nodes, the less influential they become.
US07707473B2
Embodiments herein may enable an algorithmic pattern generator (APG) to present iterative values of one or more operational parameters to a device under test (DUT). At each iteration, one or more test patterns may be presented to the DUT. The APG may capture test results from a set of iterations of the operational parameters. The APG may also write values associated with a next operational parameter to be iterated to a test parameter configuration space within the device tester.
US07707471B2
Provided is a method of forming reference information for defining a fault pattern of equipment, and monitoring equipment. One example embodiment method may include performing an angle spectrum analysis by re-classifying fault points distributed on a plane, the plane including a first component axis and a second component axis, and the re-classifying fault points including calculating an angle for each of the fault points with reference to any one of the first component axis and the second component axis of the plane, and forming a reference fault pattern for defining a fault pattern of the re-classified fault points.
US07707470B2
A method and apparatus for reducing cost for the backplane and system test and for speeding up the time to market of a new product are disclosed. A failure simulation based on system level Boundary Scan architecture allows the use of an already available test infrastructure for test and validation.
US07707469B2
Example embodiments relate to a memory test system having a semiconductor memory device, a coupling circuit and a tester. The semiconductor memory device may include a plurality of first output nodes and a plurality of second output nodes. The first output nodes may be connected to respective first on-die termination circuits that may not be tested, and the second output nodes may be connected to second on-die termination circuits that may be tested. The semiconductor memory device may be configured to generate test signals of the second on-die termination circuits and to provide the test signals to the second output nodes. The coupling circuit may be configured to connect the first output nodes and the second output nodes to communication channels, respectively. The tester may be configured to test a logic state of the test signals of the communication channels.
US07707459B2
The invention relates to a data processing system comprising a central processing unit, a first memory coupled to the central processing unit for storing variable data values, an eventing engine coupled to the central processing unit and the memory to monitor in real-time at least one of the variable data values and determine the occurrence of an event based on the at least one of the variable data values, and a debug module coupled to the central processing unit and to the eventing engine for receiving the at least one of the variable data values in real time to conduct a real-time debugging of the program.
US07707458B2
An electronic system comprising a system to be monitored (2) and a plurality of fault-monitoring systems (4, 6) each of which is adapted to output a fault signal when an input indicates that the electronic system is in a fault condition associated with the fault-monitoring system. The fault-monitoring systems are arranged in a cascade fashion such that a fault signal output from one fault-monitoring system (4) is provided as an input to a subsequent fault-monitoring system (6) in the cascade of fault-monitoring systems to simulate a fault condition associated with the subsequent fault-monitoring system. The output of the final fault-monitoring system in the cascade gives an indication of whether there is a fault with any of the fault-monitoring systems.
US07707450B1
Apparatus and method are provided for accessing information in a storage area including a storage area which is accessible by a first buss and a second buss. The access by the first buss is clocked by a first clock signal and the access by the second buss is clocked by a second clock signal. The first clock signal has a first clock frequency and the second clock signal has a second clock frequency. A terminal receives a base clock signal having a frequency of at least the sum of the first clock frequency and the second clock frequency. An access to the storage area by the first or second buss is made during a cycle of the base clock.
US07707445B2
An integrated circuit having a first circuit unit, which is put into a power-saving mode by a control apparatus and into a predetermined initial state when changing from the power-saving mode to a regular operating state. A second circuit unit is put into a power-saving mode by the control apparatus, during which the second circuit unit buffer-stores data and/or instructions adopted immediately prior to the power-saving state, with the second circuit unit resuming and providing the data and/or instructions when changing from the power-saving mode to the regular operating state. The second circuit unit has an input connection to which a first potential is applied in order to change to the power-saving mode and during the power-saving mode, and to which a second potential is applied in order to change to the operating state and during the operating state.
US07707442B2
A semiconductor device capable of stabilizing power supply by suppressing power consumption as much as possible. The semiconductor device of the invention includes a central processing unit having a plurality of units and a control circuit, and an antenna. The control circuit includes a means for outputting, based on a power supply signal including data on power supply from an antenna (through an antenna) or a load signal obtained by an event signal supplied from each of the units, one or more of a first control signal for stopping power supply to one or more of the units, a second control signal for varying a power supply potential supplied to one or more of the units, and a third control signal for stopping supplying a clock signal to one or more of the units.
US07707422B2
The present invention relates to a method for embedding and detecting a watermark where a forgery/alternation of an image can be identified and the location of forgery/alternation can be verified by embedding and detecting a watermark into a digital image which is shot in real time. The watermark is generated by using a quantized coefficient after frequency transform used in the compression process. By embedding this into an image, the image can be compressed simultaneously with the embedded watermark. The present invention relates to a method for embedding a robust watermark which embeds a random sequence circular shifted from an original pseudo random sequence by the distance d as the watermark is embedded into an image, and a method for generating and embedding the watermark by using a DCT coefficient quantized during an MPEG compression process of the image.
US07707420B1
An improved encryption and digital signature system and method in accordance with the invention reuses an encryption ephemeral key pair from an encryption process in a digital signature process. The reuse of the encryption ephemeral key pair in the digital signature process advantageously results in reduced byte size of the digital signature and reduction of costly computation overhead. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is based on the El Gamal encryption scheme and the Nyberg-Rueppel signature scheme. The present invention is particularly useful for operation in conjunction with small communication devices having limited processing and storage, wherein such devices may communicate via bandwidth sensitive RF links.
US07707418B2
A communication system is constructed in such a manner that a user is allowed to designate a controller 1 and a wireless device 3 simultaneously to start authentication for connection with a wireless base station 2 to specify the device to be connected, and to establish connection authentication without a password for the first time. Thereafter, the controller 1 distributes a password to the wireless base station 2 and to the wireless device 3 to cancel the connection authentication. Next, connection authentication with the distributed password is established. Thus, the communication system makes it possible to substantially automatically establish connection authentication, thereby eliminating a cumbersome operation by the user in implementing the connection authentication process.
US07707417B2
A method and apparatus securely transmit data between a client and a server over a communications network. The secure data transmission includes, after the client is initially authenticated, (a) transmitting a series of client connection messages from the client to the server at least while the data is being transmitted, (b) transmitting a series of server connection messages from the server to the client at least while the data is being transmitted; (c) monitoring the client connection messages at the server; (d) monitoring the server connection messages at the client; (e) if a disturbance is found either in the client connection messages or the server connection messages, terminating the data transmission between the client and the server, re-authenticating the client, and re-transmitting the data; and (f) if the encrypted data is successfully transmitted to the server, storing the data in a database associated with the recipient.
US07707409B2
The invention relates to a method and system for authenticating software. One embodiment of the invention provides a system for authenticating software in a mobile terminal, wherein the system is configured to: receive an execution instruction for software installed in the mobile terminal through an inputting means, generate a first error code for the software, extract a mobile terminal identifier of the mobile terminal, generate a first authentication key by combining the mobile terminal identifier and the first error code, and execute the software when the first authentication key corresponds to a second authentication key stored in the mobile terminal. By authenticating the software for a wireless mobile terminal, one embodiment of the invention can prevent unauthorized duplication and execution of the software at the mobile terminal.
US07707406B2
A system using digital certificates having overlapping validity intervals. The overlapping certificates can be used in a hierarchical certificate authorities network in order to obtain benefits such as to increase the usage of all the certificates in the certificate chain; reduce/eliminate the certificate updates/downloads to a large population; only replace the minimum number of certificates in the trust hierarchy to re-establish the certificate chain; reduce the complexity of maintaining certificate nesting in certificate generation process; reduce the risk of service interruption; and control the extent of older technology in circulation and to reduce the risk associated with older products being more susceptible to attack. The certificate renewal process of a preferred embodiment is described.
US07707404B2
The present invention provides systems and methods for enabling encrypted communication capabilities for a Subscriber's Web Site, thereby allowing Customers to access the Subscriber's Web Site in a secure manner. A Hosting Provider, that hosts the Subscriber's Web Site, and a Certificate Authority (CA), that verifies the identity of the Subscriber, provide the Subscriber's Web Site with Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encrypted communications capability. The Hosting Provider and CA communicate directly with each other as needed, typically via the Internet, without using the Subscriber as an intermediary in their communications.
US07707401B2
A protocol management system is capable of detecting certain message protocols and applying policy rules to the detected message protocols that prevent intrusion, or abuse, of a network's resources. In one aspect, a protocol message gateway is configured to apply policy rules to high level message protocols, such as those that reside at layer 7 of the ISO protocol stack.
US07707399B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide adjustments of the depiction of a user interface upon a computing environment's change in state.
US07707396B2
A processor includes an execution unit and instruction sequencing logic that fetches instructions for execution. The instruction sequencing logic includes a branch target address cache having a branch target buffer containing a plurality of entries each associating at least a portion of a branch instruction address with a predicted branch target address. The branch target address cache accesses the branch target buffer using a branch instruction address to obtain a predicted branch target address for use as an instruction fetch address. The branch target address cache also includes a filter buffer that buffers one or more candidate branch target address predictions. The filter buffer associates a respective confidence indication indicative of predictive accuracy with each candidate branch target address prediction. The branch target address cache promotes candidate branch target address predictions from the filter buffer to the branch target buffer based upon their respective confidence indications.
US07707390B2
A multi-threaded in-order superscalar processor 2 is described having a fetch stage 8 within which thread interleaving circuitry 36 interleaves instructions taken from different program threads to form an interleaved stream of instructions which is then decoded and subject to issue. Hint generation circuitry 62 within the fetch stage 8 adds hint data to the threads indicating that parallel issue of an associated instruction is permitted with one of more other instructions.
US07707389B2
A method and apparatus for recoding one or more instruction sets. An expand instruction and an expandable instruction are read from an instruction cache. A tag compare and way selection unit checks to verify each instruction is a desired instruction. An instruction staging unit dispatches the expand instruction to a first recoder and the expandable instruction to a second recoder of a recoding unit. At least one information bit based on the expand instruction is generated at the first recoder. The second recoder uses the at least one information bit generated at the first recoder to recode the expandable instruction, and the recoded expandable instruction is placed in an instruction buffer.
US07707387B2
The use of a configuration-based execution model in conjunction with a content addressable memory (CAM) architecture provides a mechanism that enables performance of a number of computing concepts, including conditional execution, (e.g., If-Then statements and while loops), function calls and recursion. If-then and while loops are implemented by using a CAM feature that emits only complete operand sets from the CAM for processing; different seed operands are generated for different conditional evaluation results, and that seed operand is matched with computed data to for an if-then branch or upon exiting a while loop. As a result, downstream operators retrieve only completed operands. Function calls and recursion are handled by using a return tag as an operand along with function parameter data into the input tag space of a function. A recursive function is split into two halves, a pre-recursive half and a post-recursive half that executes after pre-recursive calls.
US07707386B2
A design apparatus for designing a processor re-configurable for an application, includes an analysis unit that analyzes the content of a program to be executed by the processor; a hardware extension unit that searches the program for a part of the program allowing hardware extension in accordance with the analysis results by the analysis unit and generates hardware extension information for the searched part; an extended instruction definition unit that searches the program for a part allowing use of an extended instruction in accordance with the analysis results by the analysis unit and generates definition of an extended instruction for the searched part; and a performance estimation unit that estimates whether or not the performance of the processor satisfies a target performance using at least one of the hardware extension information generated by the hardware extension unit and the definition of the extended instruction generated by the extended instruction definition unit.
US07707373B2
Differential management information that is information representing the difference between a logical volume and a sequential device group after a full backup is updated in response to an update of the logical volume. Partial data that are data representing the difference between the logical volume and sequential device group are specified by using the updated differential management information, information necessary for restoration that is necessary to restore the data group located in the updated logical volume by using the partial data is recorded in the sequential device group, and the partial data are backed up from the updated logical volume into the sequential device group.
US07707367B1
A data storage system having protocol controller for converting packets between PCIE format used by a storage processor and Rapid IO format used by a packet switching network. The controller includes a PCIE end point for transferring atomic operation (DSA) requests, a data pipe section having a plurality of data pipes for passing user data; and a message engine section for passing messages among the plurality of storage processors. An acceleration path controller bypasses a DSA buffer in the absence of congestion on the network. Packets fed to the PCIE end point include an address portion having code indicating an atomic operation. An encoder converts the code from a PCIE format into the same atomic operation in SRIO format. Each one of a plurality of CPUs is adapted to perform a second DSA request during execution of a first DSA request.
US07707366B2
Improved efficiency of address/data communication over a memory bus. A memory-control device is located between a processor 30 and memory ranks 40a, 40b and controls access to the memory ranks 40a, 40b. A memory-management unit 10 receives and buffers access request from the processor 30 to memory ranks 40a, 40b, and issues access request to a rank-management unit 20 based on scheduling for memory management. A rank-management unit 20 connects the memory ranks 40a, 40b, receives and buffers access request from the memory-management unit 10, and gives access request to a specified memory rank based on scheduling for rank management.
US07707365B2
A memory address monitoring device for monitoring a memory includes an address determining module and an identification determining module. A first process has a first process identification and issues a request address to access the memory. The memory saves data of a second process between a beginning address and an ending address of the memory. The second process has a second process identification. In this device, the address determining module receives the request address and determines whether the request address is located between the beginning address and the ending address to generate an address determining result. The identification determining module receives the address determining result, the first process identification and the second process identification, and compares the first process identification with the second process identification to generate an identification determining result when the address determining result is true.
US07707358B2
A method and system for accessing a single port multi-way cache with way dedication includes address multiplexers that simultaneously addresses a set of data and a set of program instructions in the multi-way cache. Duplicate output way multiplexers respectively select data and program instructions read from the cache responsive to the address multiplexer.
US07707356B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for reducing disk seek time to improve the overall throughput by improving the scheduling of read requests. One or more requests to read data from one or more disks are scheduled by suspending one or more requests to read data from the disk for a predefined period of time. The read suspension can be initiated, for example, in response to a request to read data from the disk, such as a speculative read operation. The predefined period of time may be approximately equal, for example, to an expected duration of the read request operation, an expected seek time, a predefined recovery time or a time since a last request less a recovery time. The read suspension can be conditioned upon one or more predefined criteria, such as a disk bandwidth threshold being satisfied, a time since a last request threshold being satisfied and a condition that only a request for a different stream than a currently requested stream is suspended.
US07707353B2
An apparatus for estimating a frequency of access to a storage device that includes a flash memory and a controller for controlling the flash memory includes interface. Data is written into the flash memory in units of a page and being erased from the flash memory in units of a block consisting of pages. The interface is supplied with an internal signal transferred between the flash memory and the controller, configured to recognize the internal signal, and outputs the internal signal as an input signal. An erasure sequence detection section outputs a detection signal when address data is followed by an erasure command requesting erasure of data in the block specified by the address data in the input signal. An address holding section holds address data in the internal signal, and outputs held address data as erasure address data when supplied with the detection signal.
US07707351B2
A storage system that may include one or more memory devices, a memory interface device corresponding to one or more of the memory devices, which are organized in sections, and a section controller. In this system, a data request for the data may be received over a communications path by a section controller. The section controller determines the addresses in the memory devices storing the requested data, transfers these addresses to those memory devices storing the requested data, and transfers an identifier to the memory interface device. The memory device, in response, reads the data and transfers the data to its corresponding memory interface device. The memory interface device then adds to the data the identifier it received from the section controller and forwards the requested bits towards their destination, such that the data need not pass through the section controller.
US07707347B2
An apparatus is described for data processing in a computer system. The apparatus comprises a data processing device having a data processing master, a functionally coupled data processor core, and a functionally coupled data processor slave. Both the data processing master and the data processing slave are coupled to a common bus or common crossbar switch. The data processing device processes the data associated with transfers to or from the data processor slave. System masters will direct transactions that require data processing to the data processing slave, which will indirectly interact with the target memory slave. System masters will direct transactions that do not require data processing, directly to the target memory slave.
US07707339B2
A system includes a master device and a plurality of slave devices. The master device initiates a bus transaction having an arbitration data field for processing by a subset of the slave devices. Each slave device of the subset arbitrates a corresponding data value for the arbitration data field via the multiple-access bus such that an extreme data value of the data values of the slave devices of the subset is transmitted via the multiple-access bus for the arbitration data field. The slave device can arbitrate its data value by providing the data value for serial transmission via a data line of the multiple-access bus and monitoring the data line. In response to determining that a bit value of the data value being provided does not match the state of the data line, the slave device terminates provision of the data value, thereby ceasing arbitration of its data value.
US07707333B2
Upon reception of data via a first communication device, a unit connects the first communication device with a storage unit to store the data to be transferred and, after completion of data reception, the unit switches connections of the storage unit to a second communication device and transmits the stored data to the second communication device.
US07707332B2
An I/O-request processing system which is capable of reducing the maximum value of the time required until the I/O request of each external device is registered. An I/O-request receiving section (501) receives an I/O request issued from an external device (600). A process-information storage section (510) stores an I/O-request delay time (512) for each external device (600). A priority-process judgment section (520) registers the I/O request having a maximum I/O-request delay time (512) among the I/O requests which have been registered into an I/O-request cue (540).
US07707327B2
A media utilization administering device reads a medium ID saved in a memory card, obtains last update time information indicating the respective times during a data transfer at specified time intervals, and stores state information including the medium ID and the last update time information in a utilization administration memory. The media utilization administering device also stores the last update time information as the state information in the memory card. A transfer resumption judging device compares the medium IDs and the last update time information included in the state information and saved in both the memory card attached and the utilization administration memory when the data transfer was started. If the state information held by both agree as a result of the comparison, a transfer resumption controlling device causes a data transfer processing device to resume the data transfer from a position on the data indicated by the last update time information.
US07707325B2
A job status monitoring system includes a job output unit configured to output a job to a job managing unit of an operating system. The job is issued in response to a job issue request. A status of the job output to a printer is monitored by a monitoring unit. The monitoring unit controls the job managing unit by monitoring the status of the job. An application or utility determines the status of the job by obtaining information about the job from the job managing unit and performs display control based on the determined status of the job.
US07707309B2
An isolation switch blade Fibre Channel switch presents F_ports to form a first Fibre Channel fabric and N_ports to a second Fibre Channel fabric to appear as node devices. The isolation switch blade may be used to connect a plurality of blade servers to a Fibre Channel fabric. Fabric events engendered by the insertion or removal of hot-pluggable devices are handled by the isolation switch blade and “event storms” on the Fibre Channel fabric are avoided. The isolation switch blade presents the blade servers to the FC fabric as a virtualized N_port.
US07707306B2
One routing device which connects plural networks on which a plurality of other routing devices, including a parent router, are connected. The parent router manages network identification data to identify the plural networks. Master router data is included for each corresponding other routing device. Master router data includes master router identification data identifying whether the corresponding other routing device is a “master router” located on a path to the parent router or a “slave router” which is a routing device other than the master router, and includes network identification data identifying a network to which the corresponding other routing device connects. Upon startup of the one routing device, the master router data is acquired from the other routing devices on the networks to which the one routing device connects. It is determined whether a router function of the one routing device is enabled based on the acquired master router data.
US07707297B2
A method of at least partially creating a network connection from a computing device to a network wherein the method comprises determining the bandwidth associated with the network connection that it is desired to make to the computing device from the network and assessing whether this bandwidth is available from the network before commencing creating the connection. Generally, this method will be used during a hand-over process from an existing network to the network.
US07707286B2
Methods for updating presence information between a first user equipment (UE) and a second UE over a communications network are presented including: on an INVITE message delivery failure to the second UE from the first UE, sending a first PUBLISH message on behalf of the second UE to a presence server by a communications server; sending a NOTIFY message to the first UE by the presence server; and setting a current presence status of the second UE to UNAVAILABLE. In some embodiments, methods further include: if an immediately previous presence status of the second UE is set to AVAILABLE, sending a NOTIFY message to all watchers of the second UE to indicate the current presence status of the second UE. In some embodiments, the first PUBLISH message utilizes a user-agent header to indicate that the communications server originated the first PUBLISH message.
US07707285B2
A system and method is provided for capturing and using problem fingerprints in an Information Technology (IT) infrastructure for integrity management. A fingerprint of the transaction topology in an IT infrastructure is automatically captured at various time intervals prior to the occurrence of an event leading to a problem, such as a failure, hard threshold violation, defined transaction violation or user-provided occurrence. The fingerprint provides an indication of the activity and operation of the IT infrastructure immediately preceding the problem event. The captured fingerprint is then used to monitor real-time data in the IT infrastructure operation and activity to look for activity that matches a captured fingerprint to provide an indication of a pending problems before the problems occur. When it is determined that there is sufficient probability a problem event will occur based upon real-time data matching a previously generated problem fingerprint, an alert is generated to provide sufficient notification prior to the occurrence of problem event.
US07707277B2
A technique for configuring a pseudowire involves extending the functionality of the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). In an embodiment, pseudowire configuration information is embedded into DHCP messages that are communicated between a customer edge (CE) device and a provider edge (PE) device and used to configure a pseudowire between the two devices. The pseudowire configuration information may include an indication of the pseudowire capabilities of the CE device, the types of pseudowires desired by the CE device, the types of pseudowire encapsulations supported by the CE device, the types of pseudowires that are to be configured, the pseudowire encapsulations that are to be used, and pseudowire labels. Pseudowire configuration information can be embedded into the options field of a DHCP message using a new option, using multiple new options, or by overloading an existing option.
US07707273B2
The disclosed embodiments relate generally to the downloading of media items. The media items may include, for example, audio, video, image, or podcast data. In accordance with one embodiment, two or more media items may be concurrently downloaded. In accordance with another embodiment, a user may control the downloading of each of the media items, as desired. More particularly, the user may choose to download, pause, or resume downloading one or more media items identified in the list of media items. In other words, the user may alter the download status of any of the items in the list of media items. In addition, the user may re-prioritize the order in which the media items in the list or a subset thereof are to be downloaded.
US07707271B2
Personalized content is provided over a communications network such as the Internet. Providing personalized content includes both generating content which depends on the recipient of that content and delivering that content in a manner that depends on the recipient. Although methods of providing personalized content are known, none of those methods provide a mechanism for deciding when and how to personalize content. By enabling a content provided to send policy data to local caches and having a local agent computer arrange for content files to be delivered in accordance with those policy files, such a mechanism is provided.
US07707260B2
A data processing system for resending a previously sent email message. A new recipient for the previously sent email message is selected. The new recipient of the previously sent email message is added in response to selecting the new recipient, wherein the previously sent email message is directed to the new recipient and a previous recipient. An indicator to the previously sent email message is added in response to selecting the new recipient, wherein the indicator indicates that the new recipient has been added to a form a new version of the previously sent email message. The new version of the previously sent email message is sent in response to adding the indicator, wherein the indicator causes the new version of the previously sent email message to replace the previously sent email message at an email program of the previous recipient.
US07707257B2
A system and method for transforming a thread of email messages into a real-time e-meeting. Collaborative processing between asynchronous and synchronous components are controlled through a UI which controls the selection of threaded messages and initiates an e-meeting including all the recipients of the thread, each participant may privately view the full content of the message by selecting the message, and the moderator has the option to terminate the real-time meeting. Any participant who accepts the invitation can see a synchronized inbox that is limited to the selected thread. A final summary of the decisions is then sent as a final message in the thread, thereby being captured in everyone's inbox.
US07707255B2
Automatic sorting and grouping of electronic mail items in an electronic mail system is provided. An automatic mail grouping property may be selected for electronic mail received, sent or stored in a variety of storage folders. For a given mail location (e.g., received mail, sent mail, or a given mail storage folder), a selected automatic grouping property causes mail to be displayed to a user in one or more categories that make location of specific mail items easier and more efficient. Visible dividers with optional headings may be provided between mail categories to quickly draw a user's attention to a given mail category and to separate large numbers of mail into logical groupings that make location of specific mail items more manageable.
US07707250B2
A method and apparatus is provided for setting up a wireless conference call, wireless non-call conference, and sharing audio and/or video content. The method includes the steps of providing an audio mixer that receives an audio input from each of at least three audio interfaces, mixes, cleans, and amplifies and/or de-amplifies the audio signal from the audio inputs and provides an equalized audio output to each of the at least three audio interfaces; providing a first local wireless interface between a first audio interface of the at least three audio interfaces and a wireless headset of a first local participant; providing a second local wireless interface between a second audio interface of the at least three audio interfaces and a wireless headset of a second local participant; and, providing a third wireless interface between a third audio interface of the at least three audio interfaces and a remote communications means for communicating with a remote participant, wherein the communication paths to the first local participant, second local participant and the remote participant are all discrete, so as to permit simultaneous two-way (incoming and outgoing) communications between each participant during wireless conferencing between the local participants and during wireless conferencing between the local participants and the remote participant, and so as to permit simultaneous one-way communications between an audio and/or video content source and each local participant during wireless sharing of audio and/or video content between the local participants.
US07707239B2
The present invention provides a method for establishing a location for a digital image without the use of a GPS unit. Aspects of the invention include broadcasting over a network a location identifier (ID) identifying a location of the network; detecting the location ID by a digital image capture device coupled to the network; and in response to the image capture device capturing a digital image when in communication with the network, associating the location ID with the digital image.
US07707231B2
Updating automatically generated playlists in response to media content being edited. Aspects of the invention associate a playlist type or other code with each playlist to define the structure of the playlist. When media content is added to or deleted from a collection of media files, one or more playlist types corresponding to the media content are identified. The playlists with the identified playlist types are updated to reflect the addition or deletion of the media content.
US07707230B1
Methods and associated structures for improving streaming database translation by use of an auxiliary database to store supplemental information derived as a by-product of the importation process and to then update the target database of the importation process using the supplemental information so generated. The supplemental information may include information such as supplemental attributes that define additional joins to be created in the target database following importation. In particular aspects hereof applicable to GIS database applications, supplemental geometric information may be derived from the source database during the importation process and stored in the auxiliary database. Following completion of the importation, the target database may be updated to add the geometric information from the auxiliary database to the newly imported objects in the target database.
US07707227B2
There is provided a minutes-creating support apparatus including a conference image retaining portion retaining a conference image captured by a capturing apparatus to be associated with date and time information, a memo editing portion associating information input from an inputting apparatus with the date and time information, and a minute creating portion editing the information input from the inputting apparatus with retaining the date and time information.
US07707225B2
An information processing apparatus configured to perform cryptographic processing in response to a request from a server transmitting encrypted information to control an integrated circuit chip includes a managing unit managing types of the cryptographic processing granted in accordance with requests; and an output unit performing predetermined cryptographic processing requested from a predetermined server succeeding in authentication, when the requested predetermined cryptographic processing has a granted type managed by the managing unit, to supply information concerning the processing result to the predetermined server as information to be transmitted to the integrated circuit chip to be controlled.
US07707218B2
A mobile query and response system and method that is based on visual cues, in which a user captures and transmits an image with a networked mobile device such as a cell phone or PDA with image capture and transmission capabilities. Searchable records that include stored image data and response information associated with such data are provided. The image transmitted by the user is used to perform a search of the records, to find in the records an image that matches the transmitted image. If a match is found, the response information associated with the stored image data for the matching image is retrieved, and that response information is used to send a reply to the user.
US07707205B2
Process for locating target item in a list including a plurality of items in sequence from 1 to m, including: (a) defining a range within the list including the target item, including: i) identifying a first item at location “n”, where 1≦n≦m; ii) identifying a last item at location “p” where n≦p≦m; (b) identifying and displaying an item at location D=((p−n)/2+n); (c) determining location of target relative to “D”. If the target is at or adjacent “D”, terminate the process and display the target item; if the target is between “n” and “D”, resetting “p” to “D”, repeat steps (b) and (c); if the target item is between “D” and “p”, resetting “n” to “D”, repeat steps (b) and (c); until the target item is at or adjacent the location “D”.
US07707203B2
A computer system and method for capture, managing and presenting data obtained from various often unrelated postings via the Internet for examination by a user. This system includes a scraping module having one or more scraping engines operable to scrape information data sets from listings on the corporate sites and web sites, direct feeds, and other sources, wherein the scraping module receives and stores the scraped listing information data sets in a database. The system also has a management platform coordinating all operation of and communication between the sources, system administrators and processing modules. The processing modules in the platform include scraping management module analyzing selected scraped data stored in the database, and a categorization module that examines and categorizes each data set stored in the database into one or more of a predetermined set of categories and returns categorized data sets to the database.
US07707193B2
A system and method verifies and restores the consistency of inode to pathname mappings. In a first embodiment, an off-line verification procedure is modified to verify and correct the primary name inode to pathname mapping information within inodes of a file system. In a second embodiment, an on-line file system verification process is modified to verify inode to pathname mapping information upon the loading of each inode within the file system.
US07707186B2
A method and apparatus for migrating one or more data sets each having one or more extents from one or more source logical devices to one or more target logical devices concurrently with interaction between the application and the data being migrated. A background operation copies each extent from the source logical device to the target logical device in a copy state. When a certain level of data has been copied, the extent is locked to assure synchronization of the data in the target logical device to the corresponding data in the source logical device. The status is changed to a mirrored state. When the extents for a data set in a source logical device or in a group of data sets have been mirrored, all the extents are changed to a diverted state. I/O requests to the diverted extents thereafter are intercepted and processed according to whether they access an extent that is in the copy, mirrored, or diverted state.
US07707184B1
The present invention provides a method for generating a backup of a database file that is suitable for a hard recovery operation. A snapshot of the database file is generated and the log and/or patch files associated with the database are stored in a backup location. Additionally, the header and/or footer information of the database is stored, thereby enabling a restored snapshot of the database to be converted into a file suitable for a hard recovery operation.
US07707183B2
Methods for monitoring changes in objects on a computer system include receiving a request to generate a baseline snapshot of a plurality of objects having associated object types. The object types include at least one object having an object type not managed by a file system of the computer system. Current information is obtained, responsive to the request to generate a baseline snapshot, from a plurality of data collectors to determine at least one attribute of each of the objects to define the baseline snapshot. A request for a baseline report for the objects is received. Updated information is obtained, responsive to the request for a baseline report, from the plurality of data collectors to update the at least one attribute of each of the objects. The baseline snapshot is compared to the obtained updated information to determine if any of the objects have changed. Receiving the request to generate the baseline snapshot may be preceded by generating a baseline definition query that identifies object types to be included in the generated baseline snapshot and their associated attributes and the received request to generate the baseline report includes an identification of the baseline definition query.
US07707177B2
A computer network system for building and/or synchronising a second database based on a first database. Accesses by work units are carried out on the first database from an application workstation, to generate, change or delete contents of the database. A first server and second server interconnected via a data connection guide and maintain the first database and a second database, respectively. The accesses take place using an encapsulation module that receives and decomposes the work units into one or more messages, enters the messages in the first database and sends the messages to the second database. A coexistence controller places change messages sent by the first database in a coexistence database, determines whether all messages of a transaction have been transmitted, determines application program elements for which changes are relevant, if all of the messages of the transaction have been transmitted, and reads out the placed change messages in a correct order.
US07707167B2
A method, system, and apparatus are provided for creating a knowledge interchange (“KI”) profile for a user that identifies the interests of the user, the individuals with which the user has communicated, and the topics on which the communication with the user was made. In order to create the KI profile, items of interest are gathered at the client computer by monitoring the interaction between a user and programs executing on the client computer. Once the items of interest have been identified, the KI profile is created by performing a social network analysis, an interest analysis, and a noun phrase analysis. Once the KI profile has been created, it may be uploaded to a server computer where it is aggregated with KI profiles created for other users.
US07707160B2
A system and method for representing, storing and retrieving real-world knowledge on a computer or network of computers is disclosed. Knowledge is broken down into permanent atomic “facts” which can be stored in a standard relational database and processed very efficiently. It also provides for the efficient querying of a knowledge base, efficient inference of new knowledge and translation into and out of natural language. Queries can also be processed with full natural language explanations of where the answers came from. The method can also be used in a distributed fashion enabling the system to be a large network of computers and the technology can be integrated into a web browser adding to the browser's functionality.
US07707158B2
A method, computer program product, and a data processing system for selecting services of a business process for execution is provided. Ontological data is read from a data store, and an ontological model representative of the ontological data is then generated. The ontological model is mapped to a business process that comprises a plurality of sub-processes. The ontological model is used to select a subset of the plurality of sub-processes comprising the original business process resulting in a modified business process.
US07707157B1
A near-duplicate component includes a fingerprint creation component and a similarity detection component. The fingerprint creation component receives a document of arbitrary size and generates a compact “fingerprint” that describes the contents of the document. The similarity detection component compares multiple fingerprints based on the hamming distance between the fingerprints. When the hamming distance is below a threshold, the documents can be said to be near-duplicates of one another.
US07707155B2
A system and method are described for efficiently filtering and restoring tables within an enterprise application server. For example, one embodiment of the invention detects that a filtering function has been selected for a particular table node and responsively stores elements from the table node within a backup table collection. The filtering function is then performed to generate a filtered table node containing a subset of elements specified by the filtering function. Subsequently, upon detecting that the filtering function has been disabled, the table node may be restored from the backup table collection.
US07707152B1
Systems and methods which facilitate search engine discovery of and/or access to application program content are shown. Declarative code may be provided within the procedural code of a rich Internet application in order to identify various states, and their associated content, of the rich Internet application. A Web crawler may identify content associated with a rich Internet application using the foregoing information. Likewise, direct access to rich Internet application states associated with the identified content may be provided using the foregoing information. A translation module may be provided for interfacing between a Web crawler and a rich Internet application. Such a translation module may interact with the Web crawler to respond to Web crawler navigation instructions and access declarative code associated with different states of the rich Internet application, providing responsive information identifying content in a structure that is compatible with a search engine associated with the Web crawler.
US07707150B2
Automatic exchange of information in an ad-hoc computing environment is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the invention, a collection agent module facilitates a search for a first device to connect to via a wireless network. The collection agent queries for and receives a first document from the first device based on metadata associated with the first document and the collection agent automatically forwards the received first document to a second device connected to the wireless network upon receiving the first document from the first device. The collection agent also automatically sends a second document to the first device upon the first device connecting to the wireless network.
US07707145B2
A method for control, analysis and simulation of research, development, manufacturing and distribution processes, in which the data relevant for describing the process are mapped in a four-dimensional coordinate space with the orthogonal coordinate axes source, sink, object or service and time and are stored in a relational database with tree structure, wherein, for logical connection of the coordinates source, sink and object or service during performance of an analysis or simulation, there are provided a transaction table, in which time-related information on inventory changes of data stored in the coordinates source, sink and object or service is recorded, and a resource table, in which time-related information on costs and capacities of the process under consideration is recorded.
US07707143B2
Systems, methods, and computer products that include an automated discovery process that discovers useful metadata objects from an intelligent starting point thereby generating at least one multidimensional model for OLAP analysis. Further, generation of the intelligent starting point may be derived by use of a multidimensional analysis program that analyzes the results of query mining and query analysis. The preferred embodiment of the present invention determines whether metadata useful for OLAP analysis exists by evaluating patterns found in the queries. In addition to using the starting point derived from the results of query mining and query analysis, the preferred embodiment of the present invention may also limit search parameters to narrow the scope of searching for an intelligent starting point and thereby both increase the probability of producing an accurate cube multidimensional model and increase the efficiency of determining the intelligent starting point.
US07707142B1
Methods and systems that perform an offline search for an article are described. In one aspect of the invention, the aspect includes receiving a search query, determining whether the search query has been previously entered, if the search query has been previously entered, retrieving a previously stored result set, determining whether a previously stored result set meets at least one condition, and if the previously stored result set meets at least one condition, outputting the previously stored result set.
US07707141B1
The present invention relates to a system and methodology for resource query management. The system includes a resource manager, a query engine and a filter component. The system facilitates construction and management of a resource query across resource type(s) that may be similar, different, incongruent and/or distinct. Accordingly, an SQL environment is leveraged to perform efficient, complex and intensive queries and/or operations using resource query constraint(s) from a resource constraint(s) store and the filter component over large set(s) of resources from the resource pool.
US07707136B2
A computer-implemented data processing system and method writes a first plurality of copies of a data set at a first plurality of hosts and reads a second plurality of copies of the data set at a second plurality of hosts. The first and second pluralities of copies may be overlapping and the first and second pluralities of hosts may be overlapping. A hashing function may be used to select the first and second pluralities of hosts. Version histories for each of the first copies of the data set may also written at the first plurality of hosts and read at the second plurality of hosts. The version histories for the second copies of the data set may be compared and causal between the second copies of the data set may be evaluated based on the version histories for the second copies of the data set.
US07707133B2
A management system for a computer system is disclosed. The computer system operates or includes various products (e.g., software products) that can be managed in a management system or collectively by a group of management systems. Typically, the management system operates on a computer separate from the computer system being managed. The management system can make use of a knowledge base of causing symptoms for previously observed problems at other sites or computer systems. In other words, the knowledge base can built from and shared by different users across different products to leverage knowledge that is otherwise disparate. The knowledge base typically grows over time. The management system can use its ability to request information from the computer system being managed together with the knowledge base to infer a problem root cause in the computer system being managed. The computer system being managed can also request the management system to process its knowledge base for possible problem cause analysis. The management system can also continually identify persisting problem causing symptoms.
US07707127B2
Systems and methods for determining semantically related terms using an active learning framework such as Transductive Experimental Design are disclosed. Generally, to enhance a keyword suggestion tool, an active learning module trains a model to predict whether a term is relevant to a user. The model is then used to present the user with terms that have been determined to be relevant based on the model so that an online advertisement service provider may more efficiently provide a user with terms that are semantically related to a seed set.
US07707124B2
A mail piece verification system for processing mail pieces having associated therewith respective mail piece data. The system includes a plurality of postage metering systems for preparing mail pieces, a plurality of mail processing centers for receiving mail pieces and obtaining the respective mail piece data and a data center means in operative communication with the plurality of postage metering systems and the plurality of mail processing centers, the data center means including a plurality of account files corresponding to the plurality of postage metering systems. The data center means stores reset data in each of the plurality of account files representative of reset activity associated with the plurality of postage metering systems, respectively, receives respective mail piece data corresponding to the mail pieces from the plurality of mail processing centers, uses the respective mail piece data, storing empirical data in each of the plurality of account files representative of mailing activity associated with the plurality of postage metering systems, respectively, and conducts a forensic accounting analysis of the empirical data and the reset data associated with a selected postage metering system.
US07707119B2
A system and method to enable a person to interact in both a physical world and an electronic world and enable a person to make Identity Protected Secured Purchases (IPSP) is described. The system includes a blank card containing an encoded strip, a password, a wireless communication device (cell phone with two-way satellite communication), and a server that delivers purchase approvals. The assigned blank card contains encoded information exclusive to the client that when presented, allows the retailer to request purchase approval from the server. The password is a series of numbers known only by the client. The assigned wireless communication device transmits its EIN (exclusive to the client) to the server and allows the client to input their password. The server includes a matching process that matches information from the client's blank card, password and, wireless communication device with information from retailers and other hosts that warrant the purchase approval. In the method, the client's identity is never exposed to the retailer. The client simply takes their receipt, the validation server authorizes the transaction and records it and the validation server keeps a record of the purchase.
US07707118B2
An escrow system that comprises correlating confidential data defining a fixed condition or set of conditions for a release of escrow with data presented in an indefinite series of confidential presentations seeking to satisfy that condition or set of conditions. The system involves a process whereby the conditions for a release of the escrow are fixed (i.e. reduced to writing and not subject to change for a specified period of time) but are not fully disclosed to a party seeking a release of the escrow. Instead, a party seeking a release of the escrow is permitted to submit an indefinite number of confidential presentations seeking to satisfy all of those fixed conditions, both disclosed and undisclosed. The fact and contents of each such presentation are treated as confidential unless the presentation results in a determination by the System that all of the fixed conditions have been satisfied.
US07707112B2
Disclosed are a periodic payment system for service use fees and a control method thereof, and a service provider of the payment system and a control method thereof. The periodic payment system receiving information on credit of a subscriber from a payment information provider includes a payment acknowledgement server for determining whether or not a demanded payment is acknowledged based on the credit information of the subscriber provided by the payment information provider, and providing payment demand information to the payment information provider if it is determined that the demanded payment is acknowledged. The service provider demands a periodic fixed payment of the payment acknowledgement server irrespective of a payment application date when the subscriber applies for payment for the service use fee, and demands payment of an amount of money excluding an advance payment, which is overpaid on the payment application date, from a periodic fixed fee on a payment update date immediately after the payment application date, of the payment acknowledgement server. The payment acknowledgement server outputs a system error signal if a payment acknowledgement error occurs. Upon receiving the system error signal from the payment acknowledgement server on the payment update date, the service provider informs the subscriber of occurrence of an abnormality of payment acknowledgement. Accordingly, an ill-intentioned early secession of the subscriber from the service can be prevented and the subscriber is informed of an nonpayment due to a system error on a service fee payment.
US07707110B2
A system and method for the purchase of products, where some products may eligible for special forms of payment, such as payment from a medical savings account (MSA). A POS terminal is used to obtain a product ID (from a product bar code) and an MSA account ID from an MSA account card. The product and account IDs are provided to a database where MSA eligibility and MSA account status information is accessed and retrieved. A display at the POS terminal separates and displays information on both the eligible and non-eligible products. The POS terminal may used to pay for eligible products by electronically debiting the MSA account, and to pay for non-eligible products by traditional methods, such as cash, check or credit card. Eligible products may be given price discounts, and discount information is also retrieved from the database.
US07707109B2
A service mediator system implementable in a computer environment and which delivers services to a customer of a company having at least two types of customers with different billing data. The system additionally delivers the services only after verifying appropriate customer billing data.
US07707096B2
Futures contracts on options contracts are provided in which the duty to purchase the right to purchase a commodity or security may be agreed upon by two or more parties. The futures contract segment of the exchange device is the duty to purchase the underlying options contract at a specific time. The options contract segment of the exchange device is the right to buy an underlying security or commodity. Margin schemes may be included in either segment of the exchange device or the exchange device as a whole.
US07707093B2
The invention is in the field of using a computer to provide automated investment allocation advice, selection of investment securities, customization of the automated advice, execution of investment securities, maintenance/monitoring of investment portfolios and rebalancing of investment portfolios. A user is connected to the Internet. The user connects to the portfolio management program (PMP) host computer through the Internet. The user completes a questionnaire that the PMP uses to generate a suitable investment allocation and specific portfolio strategy recommendation. The user reviews the strategy and specific information about the strategy. The information is transmitted across the Internet to the user. The information transmitted includes historic and/or hypothetical performance, historical and/or hypothetical holdings, current securities selections of the strategy, and a description of the strategy's selection methodology. The user, after making appropriate reviews, makes a decision to purchase the instruments in that portfolio. Now the user sees a list of instruments provided by the PMP host computer. The list of stocks is ordered by the degree to which they satisfy the requirements of the strategy. The user can then make the decision whether to accept, reject, or replace any individual security in the generated list or add an individual security. For example, the user can reject a security in the strategy and ask the PMP host computer to replace it with the next security that best fits. Once the user has approved the content of the proposed portfolio, the user enters an amount that the user will invest in accordance with the strategy. The PMP will allocate the investment amount across all the securities in the strategy. The user may authorize the PMP to purchase these selections through their qualified broker. The user may monitor the performance of these instruments subsequent to purchase through the PMP. The user may receive news, alerts, and/or research related materials for these instruments through the PMP. The user may authorize the PMP to rebalance their investments periodically to an updated list of instruments matching the selected strategy. The user may select a rebalance method that optimizes the tax consequences or the strategy adherence. The user has the ability to accept, reject, or replace any individual security in the generated list or add an individual security as part of the rebalance. The user can set up automatic email notification of rebalance dates or to have the PMP vote the proxy of the shares. The owner of the PMP host computer collects a payment for this service.
US07707088B2
A method for detecting against unauthorized transmission of digital works comprises the steps of maintaining a registry of information permitting identification of digital copyrighted works, monitoring a network for transmission of at least one packet-based digital signal, extracting at least one feature from the at least one digital signal, comparing the extracted at least one feature with registry information and applying business rules based on the comparison result.
US07707085B2
An environmental impact information collection system modifies and analyzes environmental impact information, which is collected and stored in advance, and obtains the environmental impact at each process done in an organization, according to each product. The environmental impact information collection system then obtains a set of environmental impacts in a product's life cycle.
US07707078B2
Method and apparatus for mapping dimension-based accounting entries to allow segment-based reporting
A method and apparatus are provided for mapping dimension-based financial data to allow segment-based reporting. The method includes selecting a set of dimensions from the dimension-based accounting data and defining an order for the selected dimensions to define a segment-based account code structure. The segment-based account code structure and the dimension-based data are then used to construct segment-based account codes that can be used in segment-based reporting.
US07707073B2
Methods for providing augmented shopping information to a user of a mobile terminal in a store include providing a shopping list identifying a plurality of items and obtaining information regarding physical locations of respective ones of the items in the store. The location of the mobile terminal in the store is established. An image of a view from the location is obtained. An item having an associated location in the obtained image is identified based on the obtained information regarding physical locations. A position within the image corresponding to the respective physical location of the identified item is determined. A graphic indication of the identified item is added to the obtained image at the determined position within the image to provide an augmented image of the view that is displayed to the user on a display of the mobile terminal.
US07707062B2
A method and structure for predicting a satisfaction a consumer will experience contingent on accepting one or more offers from potential sellers. A request is received from a consumer describing one or more transactions in which the consumer may wish to engage. One or more offers are received from one or more potential sellers in response to the request. One or more predictive assessments are received from one or more predictors corresponding to one or more of these offers, each predictive assessment predicting a satisfaction that the consumer will experience contingent on accepting one or more offers from the potential sellers. For one or more of these offers, at least one aggregated prediction is calculated, based on the corresponding predictive assessments, according to a prediction aggregation mechanism.
US07707059B2
A system and method for adaptive marketing using insight driven customer interaction. The invention uses a closed-loop process for developing insight that may be used to refine further customer interactions. Results of a first customer interaction such as a marketing campaign are stored in a database. The results may be used to retrain predictive models and gain new insights regarding how customers are responding to marketing campaigns. The insights may be used to refine the offers delivered to customers or to extend additional offers in an effort to increase the likelihood that customers will redeem the offers. After each marketing campaign, the results are stored in the database. New and/or modified offers are created based on insights provided by the results of past campaigns. This process may be repeated such that subsequent campaigns are based on insights generated by the predictive models. The insight enables businesses to better target customers with better offers. These offers can be delivered through ensuing marketing campaigns or, through any form of interaction that the business has with the targeted customers.
US07707050B2
A system and method are provided for identifying exposure concentrations. The process of determining exposure concentrations may include organizing exposure data, defining parameters, determining elevated exposure concentrations, and providing output results. The exposure data may relate to at least geographical locations, policies, accounts, portfolios, treaties, and other exposure data. The parameters may be defined to include at least an area of analysis, a region of interest, a threshold amount, results parameters, and other parameters. The exposure concentration may include at least defining and locating exposure locations using various techniques. The results may be presented using textual, graphical, or other display schemes. The output may be configured to convey information such as positional accuracy of an identified area, exposure accumulation in a defined area, and other information.
US07707048B1
An insurance payment distribution system is disclosed for distributing data representative of money from a central station to selected individuals to be used at selected locations. The system includes a plurality of distribution payment cards and a remote card processing unit. The distribution payment cards are useable at the selected locations. Each payment card is capable of receiving information representative of a certain amount of money, and is capable of receiving information representative of permitted locations at which the each card may be used. The remote card processing unit is in communication with a computer network including a central computer system. The remote card processing unit is for modifying the information receivable on the cards responsive to information received via the computer network.
US07707047B2
A system and method for generating and/or updating a personal/individual health record. Inputs of data to the system may come from diverse sources including, but not limited to, patient questionnaires, insurance company (or other payor) claims data, hospitals, clinics and other institutional providers, and individual physicians and physicians' offices.
US07707040B2
A business process management system provides one or more business intelligence (BI) gadgets, each providing a predefined functionality for extracting data from one or more data sources of an organization. The system allows embedment of one or more BI gadgets into a business process activity form for presenting to a user relevant data for a business process activity represented by the business process activity form.
US07707038B2
Items to be distributed and transported are separated into at least two categories, based on the shape of the items. Distribution and transportation functions are performed within a system comprising a plurality of Origin Facility/Destination Facility and Network Control Points, with each ODF being assigned to a single NCP. Each ODF, in turn, is assigned one or more geographic area. Items arrive at an ODF, are distributed and then transported to the assigned NCP for further distribution, and then transported to a second ODF for final distribution.
US07707037B2
A method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for monitoring a location having a plurality of audio sensors and video sensors are disclosed. In an embodiment, this comprises receiving auditory data, comparing a portion of the auditory data to a lexicon comprising a plurality of keywords to determine if there is a match to a keyword from the lexicon, and if a match is found, selecting at least one video sensor to monitor an area to be monitored. Video data from the video sensor is archived with the auditory data and metadata. The video sensor is selected by determining video sensors associated with the areas to be monitored. A lookup table is used to determine the association. Cartesian coordinates may be used to determine positions of components and their areas of coverage.
US07707024B2
Method, system, and apparatus for converting currency values based upon semantically labeled strings
A method, system, and apparatus are provided for converting currency values between types of currency. When a string of text is entered into an application program, the string is analyzed to determine whether the string of text includes a currency value. If the string of text includes a currency value, the value is semantically labeled with schema information that identifies the type of currency associated with the value. When a selection is received of the currency value, a list of actions may be provided identifying conversion options available for the value. One of the conversion options may then be selected resulting in the conversion of the selected currency value to the destination type of currency identified by the selected action. The converted currency value may then be inserted into the string of text to replace the selected currency value along with a currency notation corresponding to the destination currency value.
US07707023B2
A method and a system for automatically finding one or more answers to a natural language question in a computer stored natural language text database is disclosed. The natural language text database has been analyzed with respect to syntactic functions of constituents, lexical meaning of word tokens and clause boundaries, and the natural language question comprises a question clause. A computer readable representation of the question clause is analyzed with respect to syntactic functions of its constituents and the lexical meaning of its word tokens. In response to the analysis a set of conditions for a clause in the natural language text database to constitute an answer to the question clause is defined. The conditions relate to the syntactic functions of constituents and the lexical meaning of word tokens in the clause. Furthermore, clauses that satisfy said conditions are identified in the natural language text database, and answers to the question clause is returned by means of the identified clauses that matches the conditions.
US07707022B2
A method and system is provided for emulating individual JTAG devices in a multiple device boundary scan chain. The method includes coupling an emulator to the scan chain, and obtaining the topology of the scan chain. One device within the scan chain is then selected, and at least one other device within the scan chain is placed into bypass mode. Emulation instructions are sent to the scan chain, so that the emulation instructions bypass the at least one other device and are executed by the one device.
US07707004B2
A ferromagnetic object is located by moving magnetic sensors along a path in an area of detection; using the sensors to measure a total magnetic field in the area of detection; using the sensors to measure all three vector components of magnetic field as the sensors travel along the path and passes the object; computing theoretical vector components of the total magnetic field in the area of detection; matching the measured vector components with the computed theoretical vector components of the total magnetic field; calculating an error measurement between matched measured vector components and computed theoretical vector components of the magnetic field; determining optimized values of parameters that minimize an error between the measured vector components and computed theoretical vector components of the magnetic field; and determining a position of the object based on the measured components of the magnetic field as a function of the optimized values.
US07706991B2
An alternator tester is provided for testing an alternator of a vehicle while the alternator is coupled to the vehicle. A sensor is configured to couple to the vehicle and sense a signal related to operation of the alternator. A memory contains data related to operator instructions for performing an alternator tester of a function of vehicle type. A processor configured to provide an output indication of alternator condition based upon the sensed signal. An extra load or connection can be provided for coupling to the electrical system.
US07706983B2
The present invention relates to a method for anonymously registering, storing and using body material of an individual, and/or information derived from the body material, wherein the anonymity can only be removed with the assistance of the individual himself, comprising the following steps, to be performed in suitable sequence, of: (a) collecting the body material of the individual; (b) determining a distinguishing biological characteristic of the body material; (c) linking the distinguishing biological characteristic to the body material by means of an anonymous coding system; (d) optionally using the body material for the purpose of obtaining information; (e) storing the body material and/or the information derived therefrom; and (f) if desired, returning the body material and/or making the information derived therefrom available to the individual only after a biological characteristic of the individual corresponding with the biological characteristic of the body material has been determined, and it has been established that the biological characteristic of the individual is identical to the biological characteristic of the body material.
US07706981B2
The present invention incorporates the use of geophysical, geological and formation evaluation data to develop synthetic stratigraphic columns based on depositional rules and sedimentary stacking patterns. The present invention utilizes dynamic assignment and matching whereby the synthetic columns can be easily conformed throughout the reservation characterization process as geological data becomes available.
US07706973B2
In one aspect, the invention features a system for assisting a user in selecting a route. The system may include a request receiving module. The request receiving module may be configured to receive a route request including map information and route information entered by a user. The map information may be selected from the group consisting of a starting point, an ending point, a landmark point, and combinations thereof. The route information may be selected from the group consisting of lighting criteria, travel surface criteria, population density criteria, weather criteria, distance criteria, speed criteria, calorie criteria, time criteria, elevation change criteria, landmark criteria, and combinations thereof. The system may include a map retrieving module that is configured to retrieve a map based on the map information. The system may include a route providing module that is configured to provide one or more selected routes on the map based on the route information. The system may include a display providing module to provide the one or more selected routes and the map for display to the user.
US07706972B2
A navigation apparatus which includes a front image display displaying an image of a front side and a back image display displaying an image of a back side, the each image being one of images stereoscopically overlapped along the line of sight; a front image signal; a measuring unit for measuring a current position of own vehicle; a map storage unit; a controller for controlling each unit, wherein the controller reads map data of a predetermined area and determines if an elevated road exists in the area, wherein when the elevated road exists, the controller checks whether or not the current position of the own vehicle is on the elevated road, and wherein when the current position is not on the elevated road, the front image display draws the image of the elevated road so that an image drawn on the back image display can be visually percepted.
US07706961B2
In a process of automatically stopping a diesel engine upon fulfillment of automatic engine stop conditions, an ECU cuts off fuel injection when the engine speed equals a preset first engine speed N1. The ECU limits the amount of intake air at the first engine speed N1 and, then, increases the amount of intake air at a point in time when the engine speed equals a second engine speed N2, at which point a piston in a cylinder which will be on a compression stroke at engine stop is expected to transfer to a last intake stroke, so that the piston in the compression stroke cylinder at engine stop stops at a point within a specified range closer to the bottom dead center than a piston in a cylinder which will be on an expansion stroke at engine stop.
US07706958B2
An EGR control apparatus and method for an internal combustion engine which burns an air-fuel mixture with self ignition in addition to a flame propagation combustion, are provided for improving the combustion efficiency, engine output, drivability, and exhaust gas characteristics in an internal combustion engine which involves a self ignition combustion of an air-fuel mixture in addition to a flame propagation combustion. The EGR control apparatus comprises an ECU which selects one of a stratified self ignition mode, a stratified flame propagation combustion mode, and a homogeneous flame propagation combustion mode, sets a total target EGR amount and a target in-cylinder gas temperature in accordance with the selected combustion mode, calculates a target internal EGR amount in accordance with the value, calculates a target external EGR amount by subtracting the target internal EGR amount from the total target EGR amount, and controls the internal EGR amount and the external EGR amount to be the target internal EGR amount and the target external EGR amount, respectively, by driving three mechanisms.
US07706956B2
An apparatus is provided for driving an injector injecting fuel into an internal combustion engine. The injector is provided with a piezoelectric element to be charged and discharged. The apparatus comprises a calculator and a charger. The calculator calculates a command value to charge the piezoelectric element. The calculator includes correcting means that corrects the command value based on information indicating either an operation of the piezoelectric element or an electric characteristic of the apparatus. The charger charges the piezoelectric element in response to the corrected command value to accumulate a desired amount of electric energy at the piezoelectric element.
US07706955B2
When a power demand Pe* is not less than a preset reference value Pref2 in a vehicle stop state (steps S110 and S260), a target rotation speed Ne* of an engine is set to a rotation speed of not lower than a relatively low minimum rotation speed Nemin2 (step S290). A target timing VT* is set according to the set target rotation speed Ne* to have a smaller degree of advance, compared with the setting of the target timing VT* in an engine operating state for driving the vehicle (step S300). The engine is accordingly driven at the target rotation speed Ne* with an open-close operation of an intake valve at the target timing VT*. Such drive control effectively reduces the driver's uncomfortable feeling or odd feeling triggered by operation of the engine at a relatively high rotation speed in the vehicle stop state. The drive control also ensures the better open-close timing of the intake valve according to the operating condition of the engine and enables more appropriate control of a variable valve timing mechanism configured to adjust the open-close timing of the intake valve.
US07706950B2
A continuously variable transmission 18 changes a speed-change ratio γ so that an actual rotation speed NIN of an input shaft 36 coincides with a target rotation speed NIN* set based on a target output P*. A target output calculating portion 156 calculates a first target drive force related value P1* based on both an acceleration required amount Acc and a load of an auxiliary machine AUX, calculates a second target drive force related value P2* based on the acceleration required amount without considering the auxiliary machine load, and sets the second drive force related value as the drive force related value P* upon a vehicle regular running. Even when the auxiliary machine load fluctuates in the vehicle regular running the target output does not fluctuate, and prevention of fluctuation of the target output rotation speed increases the drivability in the vehicle regular running.
US07706947B2
A forward-control counterweight fork-lift truck has a liftable and tiltable load-lifting device (1), a traction drive and operating drives for the movement of the load-lifting device (1). A calculation model (D) is stored in a control device (SE), to which directly or indirectly acting sensors (S) are connected for detecting the lifting load (L), the lifting height (H), the tilting angle (WM), the load torque (M), the direction of travel (R), the driving speed (V), and the steering angle (WL). The control device (SE) is designed to determine a driving and load state (Z) based on the detected physical variables (L, H, WM, M, R, V, WL) and the stored calculation model (D) and is operatively connected to the traction drive and the operating drives. Depending on the driving and load state (Z) determined, the operating speed, starting and braking acceleration, and driving speed are each reduced.
US07706946B2
A safety system for occupants of a vehicle having, e.g., acceleration sensors and/or pressure sensors for sensing a side crash. The safety system also includes a detector to detect the lateral velocity of the vehicle. The control of the restraining devices of the safety system is able to be influenced by the detected lateral velocity.
US07706940B2
A drive recorder system capable of ensuring a fixed level of security of drive recorder information at a comparatively low cost is provided. The drive recorder system includes an on-vehicle camera capable of constantly obtaining an image of the surroundings of a subject vehicle, an HDD, a terrestrial digital broadcast receiving apparatus in which content is managed in compliance with a copyright protection technology, and a controller. Control is performed so that content protection prescribed by the terrestrial digital broadcast receiving apparatus is performed on image data obtained by the on-vehicle camera and is recorded and stored in the HDD.
US07706937B2
Information on current positions of a construction machine and a service car is transmitted from terminals of the construction machine and the service car, and the information is accumulated in a construction machine position information accumulation device and a service car position information accumulation device. A service car search device searches for a service car within a predetermined radius with the current position of a construction machine requiring maintenance as the center. Because the service car search device can detect a service car near the subject construction machine, the need of searching for the service car on a map is eliminated and the service car can be easily found. Thus, construction machines and service cars can be appropriately managed.
US07706935B2
An energy management system for a motor-assisted user-propelled vehicle comprising a motor capable of assisting in propelling the vehicle and a rechargeable power supply for supplying energy to the motor. The system comprises: a user input for providing a desired value for each of at least one control parameter related to the user; a sensor for each control parameter for obtaining an actual value of the control parameter; a value comparator for receiving the desired value and the actual value of each control parameter and comparing them to generate a comparison signal for each control parameter; a command generator for generating a motor command using at least one comparison signal; and a motor controller for operating the motor, using the motor command, either to assist in propelling the vehicle, or act to recharge the power supply, in a way to bring the actual value closer to the desired value.
US07706933B2
The present invention relates to a system for aiding the movement of work trains on a railway line under construction having two tracks that are adjacent and two-way, managed from a central block PC by a PC chief. The system comprises a computer with means of management and of processing of data and an operation block diagram panel, means of communication between the PC chief and escort agents of the work trains for authorization requests to move in section, means of locating a train, connected to the computer, means of detecting the direction of travel of a train, connected to the computer, and means of entering the state of work of the sectors, connected to the computer. The system saves time by enabling a work train to move, under certain conditions, at the speed of the line.
US07706930B2
The method consists in adjusting the pressure of a tire (5) according to a corrected set value Pcc calculated using formula (I), wherein: Pc is a set value recommended by a car manufacturer and a tire producer; Tp is the temperature of the tire (5), supplied by a temperature sensor installed in the tire, and Tref is a variable reference temperature which is selected as being the lowest temperature from the instantaneous ambient temperature measured (at 37) at the site of the inflating machine (2) and a calculated mean value for ambient temperature, the pressures Pc and Pcc being in absolute value and temperatures Tp and Tref being given in degrees K.
US07706926B2
The present invention provides an advanced spray control system for controlling a sprayer, which comprises a controller, a plurality of sensors and feedback means, and an output means for controlling the application system of the sprayer. The controller receives inputs from the operator through a user interface, and/or various feedback signals from the sensors of the system (e.g., a flow meter, or a pressure transducer). After processing these inputs, the controller sends signals to other components of the sprayer, such as, the pump, the storage means, the boom sections, and/or the nozzles, to maintain or change their operating conditions. Also provided are a method of controlling a sprayer using the spray control system and a sprayer comprising the spray control system of the present invention.
US07706925B2
An integrated pressure and flow ratio control system includes N mass flow controllers MFCi (i=1, . . . , N) that each control the flow rate of a fluid Fi (i=1, . . . , N) flowing into a processing chamber. These N mass flow controllers are linked together by a digital communication network. One of the mass flow controllers is a master MFC, and the remaining N−1 MFCs are slave MFCs. The master MFC receives a pressure set point and a plurality N of flow ratio set points from a host controller, and communicates these set points to all the slave MFCs. In this way, the pressure in the chamber is maintained at the pressure set point and the flow ratios Qi/QT are maintained at the flow ratio set points, where Qi is flow rate of the i-th fluid Fi, and QT=Q1+Q2+ . . . QN is the sum of all N flow rates.
US07706922B2
First of all, in a first step S1, each actuator command value for position command value and posture command value of an end-effector is determined. Next, in a second step S2, rotational resistance values of a first and a second universal joints are obtained, and in a third step S3, the force and the moment exerted to each of the second universal joints are computed using this, and in a fourth step S4, the resultant force and the resultant moment exerted to the end-effector are determined from these. Then, in the fifth step, the elastic deformation amount of a mechanism is computed using these, and a compensation amount of the actuator command value is computed using these values. And then, in the sixth step, the actuator command values determined in the first step are updated with the compensation amount determined in the fifth step taken into account.
US07706916B2
A three-dimensional force and torque converter unit for measuring an external force or torque applied to the unit and converting it into a signal, whereby the signal may be used to control a system or device incorporating the converter unit. The converter unit includes a controller formed with four spaced apart arms having six or more degrees of constraint. A force or torque may be applied to the tip portions of each of the arms via a gripping means. Sensors are used to measure the deflection of the arms under an applied loading or torque and an output signal is generated.
US07706904B2
A multi-language attraction communication device is provided wherein a guest selects a particular language file corresponding to an audio file coordinated with at least one entertainment activity. The communication device includes a memory for storing multiple language files for at least one entertainment activity and a processor. The processor is configured to access the memory, in response to a selected language file for the at least one entertainment activity, and to communicate the language file for review by a guest in real time coordination with the at least one entertainment activity. A method of providing audio to guests at an entertainment activity is also provided.
US07706903B2
Methods, computer program products, and electronic devices are provided for managing sound in a plurality of computer-executed applications. One method includes: operating a sound manager function to provide a user with an option to selectively mute up to n-1 applications of n applications, where n>1; and in response to the user choosing to selectively mute up to n-1 applications, the sound manager function selectively muting the up to n-1 applications. Another method includes providing a user with an option to selectively mute up to n-1 applications of n applications, where n>1. In response to the user choosing to selectively mute up to n-1 applications, at least one action is performed in response to requests to play sounds by the selectively muted applications so that the sounds are muted with respect to a sound device.
US07706902B2
A method and system for data logging in a listening device is provided. The system includes a digital signal processing (DSP) entity, which performs normal hearing aid audio and system processing, a level translating module, and a non-volatile (NV) memory. The NV memory is used to store logged data. During the hearing aid audio processing, the DSP entity communicates with the NV memory via the level translating module. The level translating module performs voltage-translation during data logging to a communication signal between the DSP entity and the NV memory.
US07706901B2
Systems and methods for audio streaming in a computing device are described. In one aspect an interface to an adapter driver is provided. The adapter driver is associated with an audio device. The adapter driver and a wave real-time (WaveRT) port driver associated with the computing device use the interface to configure direct access by a client of the computing device and by the audio device to a cyclic buffer. The direct access is for rendering and/or capturing an audio stream. The direct access is independent of any copying by a port driver on the computer system of the audio stream to any buffer.
US07706885B2
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and associated methods to produce analgesia in a mammal by providing an electrical nerve stimulus utilizing a pulsed input of low level electrical current, wherein the level of current is measurable with the measurements utilized to at least adjust the strength of the current according to selected parameters. Additionally, the use of magnets to produce a magnetic field to further control chronic and acute pain. In exemplary implementations, the apparatus maintains continuous monitoring of the electrical characteristics of TENS at the site of input and output, and the electrical input can be modified during treatment to obtain desired electrical input. More particularly the disclosure relates to an electromagnetic apparatus incorporating pulsed direct current, two or more electrodes, and at least two dipole antennas wherein the dipole antenna circuits receive and analyze signal from the dipole antennas, using the information from signal analysis within the methods for producing analgesia in mammals. The strength of the current that the patient is receiving at the targeted site as the actual field is measured by the dipole antennas and adjustment is not dependent on subjective measurements to ascertain whether the proper amplitude, frequency and pulse duration are being applied.
US07706882B2
A method of thermal ablation using high intensity focused ultrasound energy includes the steps of positioning one or more ultrasound emitting members within a patient, emitting ultrasound energy from the one or more ultrasound emitting members, focusing the ultrasound energy, ablating with the focused ultrasound energy to form an ablated tissue area and removing the ultrasound emitting member.
US07706879B2
Automated adjustment of a pre-excitation interval (PEI) used to deliver hemodynamically efficient fusion pacing therapy.
US07706863B2
In one aspect the present invention provides methods for assessing a physiological state of a mammalian retina in vivo, the methods of this aspect of the invention each include the steps of: (a) irradiating a portion of a mammalian retina, in vivo, with light having a wavelength in the range of from 600 nm to 1000 nm at an intensity sufficient to stimulate two-photon-induced fluorescence in the retina; and (b) assessing a physiological state of the retina by analyzing the fluorescence.
US07706862B2
Spectral optical imaging at one or more key water absorption fingerprint wavelengths measures the difference in water content between a region of cancerous or precancerous tissue and a region of normal tissue. Water content is an important diagnostic parameter because cancerous and precancerous tissues have different water content than normal tissues. Key water absorption wavelengths include at least one of 980 nanometers (nm), 1195 nm, 1456 nm, 1944 nm, 2880 nm to 3360 nm, and 4720 nm. In the range of 400 nm to 6000 nm, one or more points of negligible water absorption are used as reference points for a comparison with one or more key neighboring water absorption wavelengths. Different images are generated using at least two wavelengths, including a water absorption wavelength and a negligible water absorption wavelength, to yield diagnostic information relevant for classifying a tissue region as cancerous, precancerous, or normal. The results of this comparison can be used to identify regions of cancerous tissue in organs such as the breast, cervix and prostate.
US07706850B2
In accordance with the present invention, a system includes a personal digital assistant (PDA) and a cellular phone adapted to be coupled to the PDA so that upon coupling the cellular phone to the PDA the combined cellular phone and PDA forms a single body.
US07706848B2
A jog dial and a mobile terminal incorporating the jug dial are provided. The rotation direction and rotation speed of the jog dial are detected at the same time. The structure of the jog dial is simplified and the number of components are reduced, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and satisfying various functions of the mobile terminal.
US07706844B2
Operational characteristics of a wireless input device are modified so as to balance performance and power conservation. Power management algorithms may include an algorithm that improves device performance and increases device power consumption, as well as an algorithm that decreases device power consumption and reduces device performance. An algorithm that most closely corresponds to the desired balance of performance and power consumption is identified. The identified algorithm is then transmitted to the wireless device.
US07706829B2
A method and apparatus for controlling transmit power levels of a plurality of different data streams transmitted from at least one base station to a mobile station in a mobile radio communication system is described. A stream of power control commands is formed at the mobile station in accordance with either the first or second received data stream. A power control signal is formed at the mobile station from the first stream of power control commands and transmitted to the base station.
US07706828B2
A small office/home office base transceiver station including an ultra-wideband transceiver that transmits pulses on directional antenna array elements and monitoring for reflections. Directions from which a large number of reflections are detected are presumed to correspond to the interior of the building within which the base transceiver station is located, while directions from which few or no reflections are detected are presumed to correspond to outside walls. Transmit power gain for directional antenna array elements used for communications are then set to reduce transmission of power in directions that might result in interference with adjacent base transceiver stations.
US07706827B2
Method and apparatus for processing transmit power control (TPC) commands in a wideband CDMA (WCDMA) network based on a sign metric are disclosed and may include calculating a sign metric of a downlink dedicated physical channel (DPCH) based on a plurality of TPC bits received via the downlink DPCH. A value of at least one of the plurality of TPC bits may not be known when the at least one of the plurality of TPC bits is received. The sign metric may specify an error associated with the plurality of TPC bits. Transmit power may be adjusted for a signal transmitted via at least one uplink communication channel based on the calculated sign metric. At least one reliability weight value may be calculated for at least a portion of the received TCP bits, based on the calculated sign metric.
US07706821B2
A noise reduction system and method suitable for hands-free communication comprises a first microphone located in a wireless or cordless headset and a second microphone located within a separate communication device. The first microphone may be placed within a headset attached to or near the ear of the user while the second microphone may be located further away from the user's mouth. The first microphone collects the intended voice signal and ambient background or environmental noise while the second microphone primarily collects ambient noise rather than a voice signal. The inputs to the two microphones are synchronized and the ambient noise of the second microphone is used to compensate or remove noise from the first microphone, such as by subtracting the noise from the second microphone from the input of the first microphone. Noise reduction or noise cancellation is achieved through continuous time quadrant modulation, environmental noise counterbalancing, and/or through other means.
US07706820B2
A conversion adapter according to an embodiment of the invention is connected between a control apparatus that controls a medical appliance and the medical appliance and operates as the virtual control apparatus and medical apparatus. Thus, the communication between the control apparatus and medical appliance having different protocols and communication speeds can be performed efficiently. The conversion adapter includes an appliance information managing section, a control section, a first buffer, a second buffer, an appliance-specific command interpreting section, a communication I/F, and a communication I/F.
