US07754437B2
The method for qualitative and quantitative detecting of the extend of use and the correct process flow of the mammalian aerobic glucose fermentation metabolic pathway (mam-aGF) in a mammalian individual is characterized in that the enzyme TKTL1 is used as indicator and target molecule and that the structural and/or functional parameter of said TKTL1 in a biological sample of said individual (patient) are taken as indication for the qualitative and quantitative run of the mam-aGF in the cells and/or tissue of said individual (patient). In combination with the use of inhibitors and activators of that mam-aGF the method is further suitable for checking and controlling the mam-aGF in an individual (patient).
US07754435B2
Prostate cancer-related compositions, methods, and kits based on DNA macroarray proteomics platforms
The invention relates to novel nucleic acids encoding a mammalian PCADM-1 gene, and proteins encoded thereby, whose expression is increased in certain diseases, disorders, or conditions, including, but not limited to, prostate cancer. The invention further relates to methods of detecting and treating prostate cancer, comprising modulating or detecting PCADM-1 expression and/or production and activity of PCADM-1 polypeptide. Further, the invention relates to novel assays for the identification of DNA-binding proteins and the double-stranded oligonucleotide sequences that specifically bind with them. Finally, the invention relates to DNAZYMs or DNA enzymes which specifically bind PCADM-1 mRNA to inhibit PCADM-1 gene expression and thereby destroy tumor cells and tumor tissue.
US07754433B2
Methods are disclosed for determining the relative binding affinities of molecules for their binding partner. One type of molecule is an antibody, which has an antigen binding partner. Antibodies are tested for binding against limited dilutions of antigen. Antibodies that bind to the most dilute antigen concentrations are determined to have a higher relative binding affinity for the antigen than antibodies that only bind to more concentrated antigen preparations.
US07754431B2
Methods of using TLE3 as a marker for predicting the likelihood that a patient's cancer will respond to chemotherapy. Methods of using TLE3 as a marker for selecting a chemotherapy for a cancer.
US07754429B2
The invention relates to methods for pairwise sequencing of a double-stranded polynucleotide template, which methods result in the sequential determination of nucleotide sequences in two distinct and separate regions of the polynucleotide template. Using the methods of the invention it is possible to obtain two linked or paired reads of sequence information from each double-stranded template on a clustered array, rather than just a single sequencing read from one strand of the template.
US07754428B2
This application describes the discovery that, in a pregnant woman, certain genes (such as RASSF1A, APC, CASP8, RARB, SCGB3A1, DAB2IP, PTPN6, THY1, TMEFF2, and PYCARD) originated from a fetus are highly methylated, whereas the same genes of maternal origin are unmethylated. This discovery allows the easy detection of one or more of these methylated fetal genes in a biological sample from a pregnant woman, serving as a universal indicator of the presence of fetal DNA in the sample. These fetal methylation markers are particularly useful as positive controls for a non-invasive analytical process during which the quality and quantity of fetal DNA are monitored. These newly identified fetal markers can also be measured directly for diagnosis of certain pregnancy-related conditions.
US07754424B1
The invention is directed to isolated genomic polynucleotide fragments that encode human carboxypeptidase M and human mouse double minute 2 homolog, vectors and hosts containing these fragments and fragments hybridizing to noncoding regions as well as antisense oligonucleotides to these fragments. The invention is further directed to methods of using these fragments to obtain human carboxypeptidase M and human mouse double minute 2 homolog and to diagnose, treat, prevent and/or ameliorate a pathological disorder.
US07754420B2
The present invention provides methods of treating a viral infection of a host using antiviral proteins (collectively referred to as cyanovirins).
US07754394B2
Methods for manufacturing a photomask, such as a chrome on glass photomask and a phase shift photomask are provided. A selective main chrome etch and a selective chrome overetch in the fabrication process provides a photomask having improved image quality and provides nominal image size control and image size uniformity across the photomask within current process flows and manufacturing steps. The selective etch process utilizes a main etch where the resist etch selectivity (amount of chrome removed to resist removed) is higher than in the overetch step in which the etch is more selective to removal of the resist layer relative to the chrome layer. To control the etch selectivities the composition of the etchant chemistry and/or the etchant reactor hardware settings (power, voltage, etc.) can be adjusted.
US07754392B2
A nitrogen concentration of fuel gas is estimated, and an amount of discharged fuel off-gas that is discharged from a fuel off-gas passage to outside by a discharging mechanism is controlled depending on the estimated nitrogen concentration. The nitrogen concentration, for example, can be estimated from a rate of pressure drop in the fuel off-gas passage during the discharge of fuel off-gas.
US07754382B2
The composite particle for an electrode in accordance with the present invention contains an electrode active material, a conductive auxiliary agent having an electronic conductivity, and an oxidizing/reducing agent. Therefore, this composite particle can construct an effective conductive network, and effectively provide so-called oxidizing/reducing capacity due to the oxidizing/reducing agent. Hence, when the composite particle for an electrode in accordance with the present invention is used as a constituent material of an electrode in an electrochemical device, the electrochemical device can realize a higher capacity.
US07754378B2
In a secondary battery having an electrolyte injection hole having improved sealing structure to improve the safety of the can-type secondary battery and to prevent the electrolyte from leaking, the electrolyte injection hole is sealed by welding the sealing plate on top of the cap plate so that the electrolyte is prevented from flowing into the welded portion. Since no fine gap is created in the electrolyte injection hole, the electrolyte is prevented from flowing into the welded portion due to a capillary phenomenon and no pin hole caused by the electrolyte is formed in the welded portion.
US07754375B2
Disclosed is a lithium ion secondary battery wherein an active material layer of at least one of positive and negative electrodes, or a separator carries a porous insulating layer, and the surface of the active material layer or separator carrying the porous insulating layer has a first region in which the porous insulating layer is formed and a second region including plural discontinuous deficient hole portions where the porous insulating layer is not formed. When a given reference deficient hole portion is selected from the plural deficient hole portions and a given circle having an area ten times that of the reference deficient hole portion is set on the surface of the active material layer or separator, the area of a part of the second region surrounded by the circle is controlled to not less than 10 μm2 and not more than 100 mm2.
US07754372B2
A lithium secondary battery having a cap assembly including a cap plate, an insulation plate and a terminal plate. The insulation plate and the terminal plate each have a predetermined vent hole corresponding to a safety vent formed on the cap plate so that if the secondary battery is dropped, an electrolyte passes through the vent-holes and undergoes a pressure reduction, thereby preventing fracture of a safety vent by the electrolyte while allowing gas to be exhausted upon battery overcharge, full discharge or by overheating.
US07754362B2
A fuel cell system includes a stack for generating electrical energy through electro-chemical reaction between a fuel and oxygen and supplying the electrical energy to a load, a fuel supply unit for supplying the fuel to the stack, an oxygen supply unit for supplying the oxygen to the stack, and a comparator coupled to the stack to compare an electricity output value of the stack with a reference electricity output value corresponding to the load and to selectively electrically connect the stack to the load according to the electricity output value.
US07754356B2
To provide glass for a data storage medium substrate, whereby high heat resistance can be obtained.Glass for a data storage medium substrate, which comprises, as represented by mol percentage based on the following oxides, from 55 to 70% of SiO2, from 2.5 to 9% of Al2O3, from 0 to 10% of MgO, from 0 to 7% of CaO, from 0.5 to 10% of SrO, from 0 to 12.5% of BaO, from 0 to 2.5% of TiO2, from 0.5 to 3.7% of ZrO2, from 0 to 2.5% of Li2O, from 0 to 8% of Na2O, from 2 to 8% of K2O and from 0.5 to 5% of La2O3, provided that the total content of Al2O3and ZrO2(Al2O3+ZrO2) is at most 12%, and the total content of Li2O, Na2O and K2O (R2O) is at most 12%.
US07754354B2
A patterned medium and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The patterned medium includes a data region having a plurality of recording dots arrayed along a plurality of tracks; and a non-data region comprising a part of the patterned medium other than the data region, the non-data region having a plurality of pattern marks. The method includes depositing an aluminum layer on a base substrate; depositing a photo-resist on the aluminum layer; forming a pattern on the photo-resist using a lithography process; forming a fine pattern by forming a plurality of cavities on a portion of the aluminum layer which is exposed through the photo-resist; removing the photo-resist; forming a mold pattern; imprinting the mold pattern on a media substrate to form cavities on the media substrate; and filling the cavities with a recording material.
US07754347B2
An organic electroluminescent device comprising a pair of electrodes and at least one organic layer between the pair of electrodes, wherein the organic layer contains at least one compound represented by the formula (I), preferably by the formula (II) and more preferably by the formula (III) as defined herein.
US07754337B2
A method of reforming an interlayer film for heat-insulating laminated glass by which an interlayer film for heat-insulating laminated glass capable of exhibiting an excellent optical property may be obtained even if heat-insulating fine particles covered with an inert substance are used, an interlayer film for heat-insulating laminated glass, and laminated glass is provided. The method comprises irradiating an interlayer film for heat-insulating laminated glass comprising a heat-insulating fine particle covered with an inert substance, a matrix resin, and a liquid plasticizer with a high energy ray comprising an electromagnetic wave having energy of 3.0 eV or more to improve transmittance of visible light having a wavelength of 380 to 780 nm, and also to reduce transmittance of a near-infrared radiation having a wavelength of 780 to 2100 nm.
US07754329B2
A water-stable semiconductor nanocrystal complex and methods of making the same are provided. The water-stable semiconductor nanocrystal complex includes a semiconductor nanocrystal composition, a surfactant layer, and an outer layer. The outer layer and/or the surfactant layer can be cross-linked.
US07754325B2
Disclosed is a rubber-modified styrene-based resin comprising a styrene-based polymer forming a matrix and rubber-like polymer particles dispersed in the matrix like islands, each of the rubber-like polymer particles having a cross sectional structure where the styrene-based polymer particles are contained like islands-sea, wherein the rubber-modified styrene-based resin is constituted of 1-10 wt % of the rubber-like polymer and 99-90 wt % of the styrene-based polymer; the particle-diameter of the rubber-like polymer particle falls within a range of 1.0 to 5.0 μm; and a value of (styrene-based polymer weight/rubber-like polymer weight) in a methylethylketone-insoluble matter of the rubber-modified styrene-based resin falls within a range of 0.5 to 1.5.
US07754319B2
A composite material according to the present invention includes: a fiber fabric (2) composed of certain fibers; and a matrix (3) which is so formed as to adhere to the fiber fabric (2). The fiber fabric (2) contains main constitutional fibers (21) and auxiliary fibers (22) which compensate the characteristics of the main constitutional fibers (21) when they are exposed to a high temperature atmosphere.
US07754303B1
A label assembly includes a plurality of flexible panels sealed together along their peripheral edges. The plurality of panels includes a bottom layer and a top layer. The top layer is substantially transparent. A thermally reactive material is positioned between the top and bottom panels. The thermally reactive material changes to a color when the thermally reactive material attains a selected temperature. A pressure sensitive adhesive is positioned on a bottom side of bottom layer.
US07754298B2
A method of producing an intermediate transfer member for digital offset printing comprises: a) providing an intermediate transfer member body portion, b) coating the body portion with a rubber layer, c) coating the rubber layer with a primer comprising an organosilane, a photoinitiator, and a catalyst, d) coating the primer with a release layer, and e) applying UV irradiation to the coated primer to bond the release layer to the rubber layer.
US07754290B2
A method of forming a film includes: disposing a plurality of films on a substrate by discharging a chemical species or a precursor material thereof from at least one nozzle, the plurality of films being made of the chemical species.
US07754287B2
The present invention provides a process for making a filled fluoropolymer bearing comprising providing an aqueous fluoropolymer dispersion comprising fluoropolymer particles and anionic polyelectrolyte dispersing agent in an amount sufficient for stabilization. The dispersion contains less than about 300 ppm fluorosurfactant based on the weight of the dispersion. The dispersion is coagulated to make a mush and a bearing filler is added to the dispersion prior to or after making the mush. The mush containing bearing filler is applied onto a bearing substrate to produce a coated substrate which is sintered and formed into a bearing.
US07754284B2
A method for heat treating lignocellulosic material with a water-soluble preservative, such as preferably borate, involves the modification of the lignocellulosic material by heat to a moisture content of 0 to 5%, and preferably as close as possible to 0%. The thermo-treatment of the lignocellulosic material drives out not only free extra cellular water but also the intercellular and intracellular water. The process of modification by heat effectively kills the cells, permanently altering their cellular structure, and locking or fixing the preservative in the lignocellulosic material so that the water-soluble preservative does not leach out of the treated lignocellulosic material in the presence of rain water.
US07754282B2
A method of adjusting a spacing between a gas distribution member and a substrate support includes forming a layer on a substrate disposed on the substrate support; measuring a thickness of the layer on the substrate; and calculating differences in thickness between a reference location on the substrate and a plurality of remaining locations on the substrate. The method further comprises computing spacing adjustment amounts for the remaining locations relative to the reference location based on the differences in thickness between the reference location and the remaining locations.
US07754279B2
A method of making article having a superhydrophobic surface includes: providing a solid body defining at least one surface; applying to the surface a plurality of diatomaceous earth particles and/or particles characterized by particle sizes ranging from at least 100 nm to about 10 μm, the particles being further characterized by a plurality of nanopores, wherein at least some of the nanopores provide flow through porosity, the particles being further characterized by a plurality of spaced apart nanostructured features that include a contiguous, protrusive material; flash bonding the particles to the surface so that the particles are adherently bonded to the surface; and applying a hydrophobic coating layer to the surface and the particles so that the hydrophobic coating layer conforms to the nanostructured features.
US07754250B2
A method of treating an amyloid disease in a patient or inhibiting the formation, deposition, accumulation, or persistence, of amyloid fibrils, amylin fibrils, or islet amyloid fibrils, and/or dissolving or disrupting pre-formed or pre-deposited amyloid fibrils in type II diabetes in a mammalian subject. In the method a therapeutically effective amount of plant matter form the genus Uncaria, species Tomentosa is administered, preferably from the inner bark or root tissue of Uncaria Tomentosa.
US07754244B2
The present invention relates to composition useful in growing hair. The compositions are particularly suited for re-growing hair in subjects who have experienced hair loss due to any cause. The compositions comprise essentially the lipoidic fraction of mammalian bone marrow. Methods of using the compositions and processes of preparing the lipoidic fraction for the compositions are also disclosed.
US07754243B2
The present invention is directed to an improved supercritical fluid processing technique that can be used to form particulate suspensions of biologically useful materials. The disclosed processes include variations of RESS processes. The disclosed processes do not form micelles of any stabilizing agents in the aqueous solution that receives the product materials following rapid expansion through a nozzle. In particular, stabilizing agents in the aqueous solution are either materials that will not form micelles in aqueous environments, or else they are materials that can form micelles, but are utilized at conditions that are insufficient for the formation of micelles or at least not suitable for any significant presence of micelles in the product. Through utilization of the disclosed process, particulate suspensions can be formed exclusively of very small particles, for example, particulate suspensions in which all of the particles formed are less than 100 nm in size. Moreover, the product suspension of particles can be very homogeneous, with particle size distribution standard deviations of less than about 15 nm.
US07754242B2
The present invention is based, in part, on the unexpected discovery that particles for pulmonary delivery of a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent that comprise a phospholipid and a sufficient amount of leucine can produce sustained effect of the agent. Specifically, particles for pulmonary delivery of a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent that contain a phospholipid or combination of phospholipids, wherein the phospholipid or combination of phospholipids is present in the particles in an amount of about 1 to 46 weight percent; and leucine, wherein leucine is present in the particles in an amount of at least 46 weight percent, can contribute to sustained effect of the agent. Particles that comprise at least 46 weight percent leucine but that do not contain phospholipids do not exhibit these same sustained effect properties.
US07754237B1
A method for repelling insects from the skin of a subject by applying thiamine to the skin in a transdermal patch in an effective amount for systemic absorption through the skin. The area of transdermal patch which contacts the skin is about 35 cm2, and the amount of thiamine in the transdermal patch is about 50 mg. After application, the transdermal patch provides insect repelling activity up to 48 hours.
US07754236B2
The present invention relates to a patch which is free from any migration of a drug into a substrate and has favorable anchoring properties between the substrate and adhesive layer, in which the drug containing adhesive layer firmly adheres onto the substrate and which gives no adhesion residue when applied to the skin and then peeled off. Namely, a patch comprising a substrate made of a polyester-based film and a drug-containing adhesive layer laminated thereon wherein the surface roughness (also known as “the central line mean roughness” or “Ra”) of the polyester-based film surface in the side in contact with the adhesive layer is from 0.05 to 0.8 μm is provided.
US07754233B2
A method for preventing adhesion using a co-polyester comprising the reaction product of a polycondensation polyester and at least one lactone, wherein the polycondensation polyester comprises the reaction product of diglycolic acid and/or a derivative thereof and ethylene glycol; and the co-polyester comprises about 40 to 50% by weight of the polycondensation polyester based on the total weight of the co-polyester.
US07754226B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods of use comprising peptidyl-prolyl isomerase (PPI) polypeptides of group C and G streptococci and polynucleotides encoding same. The invention also relates to immunogenic compositions comprising the PPI polypeptides and polynucleotides, as well as antibodies and antibody fragments that bind the PPI polypeptides. In addition, the invention relates to methods of inducing an immune response in a subject against beta hemolytic streptococci using the immunogenic compositions, as well as conferring passive immunity by administering a therapeutic antibody or antibody fragment.
US07754225B2
A method of preventing or treating staphylococcal bacterial infection in an individual is disclosed. A vaccine based on a conjugate of PS1 polysaccharide antigen can be used for active protection in individuals who are to be subjected to conditions that place them at immediate risk of developing a bacterial infection, as would be case in the context of a catheterization or a surgical procedure. Alternatively, antibodies raised in response to the antigen can be used to treat or to provide passive protection to individuals. The method can be used in a population of patients at risk for infection by various species of Staphylococcus or various types of Staphylococcus epidermidis.
US07754222B2
The present invention provides safe vaccines and methods of preparing such vaccines. The vaccines of the present invention contain at least two live mutant viruses of the same family or nucleic acid molecules encoding such viruses, wherein each of the two viruses or the encoding nucleic acids contains a mutation that confers a desirable phenotype and the mutations in the viruses reside in the same genomic site such that the mutant viruses cannot recombine with each other to eliminate the mutations.
US07754221B2
Therapeutic methods and microorganisms therefor are provided. The microorganisms are designed to accumulate in immunoprivileged tissues and cells, such as in tumors and other proliferating tissue and in inflamed tissues, compared to other tissues, cells and organs, so that they exhibit relatively low toxicity to host organisms. The microorganisms also are designed or modified to result in leaky cell membranes of cells in which they accumulate, resulting in production of antibodies reactive against proteins and other cellular products and also permitting exploitation of proferating proliferating tissues, particularly tumors, to produce selected proteins and other products. Vaccines containing the microorganisms are provided. Combinations of the microorganisms and anti-cancer agents and uses thereof for treating cancer also are provided.
US07754219B2
The present invention is directed to a method for delivering exogenous proteins to the cytosol, by binding a target antigen (such as a protein) to a transport factor that contains a fragment of a bipartite protein exotoxin, but not the corresponding protective antigen. Preferably, the target antigen is fused to the transport factor. Preferred transport factors include the protective antigen binding domain of lethal factor (LFn) from B. anthracis, consisting of amino acids 1-255, preferably a fragment of at least 80 amino acids that shows at least 80% homology to LFn, and a fragment of about 105 amino acids from the carboxy portion that does not bind PA. The target antigen can include any molecule for which it would be desirable to elicit a CMI response, including viral antigens and tumor antigens.
US07754216B2
Methods and kits for treating inflammatory conditions are described that include modulating kallikrein 6 protease activity.
US07754214B2
Nucleic acids encoding mammalian, e.g., primate, receptors, purified receptor proteins and fragments thereof. Antibodies, both polyclonal and monoclonal, are also provided. Methods of using the compositions for both diagnostic and therapeutic utilities are described.
US07754209B2
The invention relates to novel binding domain-immunoglobulin fusion proteins that feature a binding domain for a cognate structure such as an antigen, a counterreceptor or the like, a wild-type IgG, IGA or IgE hinge-acting region, i.e., IgE CH2, region polypeptide or a mutant IgGI hinge region polypeptide having either zero, one or two cysteine residues, and immunoglobulin CH2 and CH3 domains, and that are capable of ADCC and/or CDC while occurring predominantly as polypeptides that are compromised in their ability to form disulfide-linked multimers. The fusion proteins can be recombinantly produced at high expression levels. Also provided are related compositions and methods, including cell surface forms of the fusion proteins and immunotherapeutic applications of the fusion proteins and of polynucleotides encoding such fusion proteins.
US07754203B2
This invention provides a novel endophytic fungus, Muscodor, that produces a mixture of volatile antibiotics with activity on specific plant pathogens, bacteria, nematodes and insects. Also provided is a method for treating or protecting plants, soil and seeds from microbial infections comprising applying an effective amount of a volatile antibiotic producing Muscodor sp. The invention also relates to fungicidal, bactericidal, insecticidal and nematicidal compositions comprising this novel Muscodor strain and the antibiotics and metabolites produced by this strain either alone, or in combination with other chemical and biological pesticides. Also provided is a method for identifying and isolating related gas producing fungi.
US07754197B2
A method for reducing odor is provided. The method comprises forming a coordination complex between a transition metal and a polydentate compound, and contacting the coordinated complex with an odorous compound. The transition metal provides one or more active sites for capturing the odorous compound. In some embodiments, the polydentate compound may be a polyalkylimine, such as polyethyleneimine, polypropyleneimine, or a dendrimer thereof.
US07754185B2
The invention relates to high purity MoO2 powder by reduction of ammonium molybdate or molybdenum trioxide using hydrogen as the reducing agent in a rotary or boat furnace. Consolidation of the powder by press/sintering, hot pressing, and/or HIP is used to make discs, slabs, or plates, which are used as sputtering targets. The MoO2 disc, slab, or plate form is sputtered on a substrate using a suitable sputtering method or other physical means to provide a thin film having a desired film thickness. The thin films have properties such as electrical, optical, surface roughness, and uniformity comparable or superior to those of indium-tin oxide (ITO) and zinc-doped ITO in terms of transparency, conductivity, work function, uniformity, and surface roughness. The MoO2 and MoO2 containing thin films can be used in organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), liquid crystal display (LCD), plasma display panel (PDP), field emission display (FED), thin film solar cell, low resistivity ohmic contacts, and other electronic and semiconductor devices.
US07754181B2
The present invention relates to a method for synthesising a catalyst with a view to the production of multi-wall nanotubes comprising the following stages: mixing an Al(OH)3 powder having a particle size lower than 80 μm with an aqueous solution of an iron and cobalt salt, the whole forming a paste; drying said paste until a powder with a moisture level lower than 5% by weight is obtained; selecting the particle-size fraction that is lower than 70 μm.
US07754177B2
A hollow carbon nanoballoon structure having a relatively large closed space, and a method of producing a carbon nanoballoon structure capable of easily and stably producing such a structure. The carbon nanoballoon structure is obtained by heating soot prepared by an arc discharge using carbon electrodes, soot prepared by vaporizing carbon by laser irradiation, or carbon black having a specific surface area of 1000 m2/g or more and a primary particle diameter of 20 nm or more at a high temperature in an inert gas atmosphere, and includes graphite sheets linked to form a curved surface.
US07754169B2
Methods are provided for producing a composition comprising carbonates, wherein the methods comprise utilizing waste sources of metal oxides. An aqueous solution of divalent cations, some or all of which are derived from a waste source of metal oxides, may be contacted with CO2 and subjected to precipitation conditions to provide compositions comprising carbonates. In some embodiments, a combustion ash is the waste source of metal oxides for the aqueous solution containing divalent cations. In some embodiments, a combustion ash is used to provide a source of proton-removing agents, divalent cations, silica, metal oxides, or other desired constituents or a combination thereof.
US07754165B2
An apparatus for use in parallel reaction of materials. The apparatus includes a base having a plurality of reaction wells, each of the reaction wells having a closed lower end and open upper end for receiving reactant materials. A cover is configured for sealing engagement with the base to form a housing enclosing the plurality of reaction wells and defining a common pressure chamber in communication with the reaction wells. The apparatus further includes an inlet port in communication with the pressure chamber for supplying pressurized fluid to the chamber to pressurize the reaction wells. The housing is configured to sustain a pressure substantially above atmospheric pressure.
US07754164B2
A reformer for a fuel cell system includes a reforming portion for converting fuel containing hydrogen into hydrogen-rich gas; and an adiabatic portion entirely covering the reforming portion, the adiabatic portion being composed of first and second adiabatic layers arranged opposing each other with at least one spacer interposed between the first and second adiabatic layers. As such, the fuel cell system has an effect of enhancing the adiabatic performance of a thermal reaction for producing reforming gas and distributing thermal residence stress uniformly on the surface of the reformer.
US07754157B2
The present invention provides a humidifier capable of removing microorganisms without using electric power. The humidifier includes a reservoir; a humidification system including a humidification filter arranged such that at least part thereof is immersed in water and a blowing means for discharging air through the humidification filter; and a microorganism remover including a first electrode and a second electrode having different electric potentials and opposing to each other to have a space therebetween and a short circuit part for causing a short circuit between the first and second electrodes. The first electrode is higher than the second electrode in electric potential and at least the first and second electrodes are arranged in contact with water in the reservoir.
US07754153B2
Biomolecular and other interactions are analyzed with a simpler construction. A biotic sample is fixed to noble metal nanoparticles, and light is irradiated from a light source to the noble metal nanoparticles through an optical fiber. Light obtained after reflection of the irradiated light by the noble metal nanoparticles is introduced to one or more optical detecting units through another optical fiber. The optical detecting unit(s) separately measure the intensity of the input light in a second band including a maximum absorption wavelength, a first band covering a longer wavelength range than the range covered by the second band, and a third band covering a shorter wavelength range than the range covered by the second band.
US07754152B2
The invention relates to an electrical connection system for an analysis system and a method for analysis of a liquid sample on an analytical test element using the described analysis system. The analysis system comprises an evaluation appliance for evaluation of electrical signals, a test element holder for holding and positioning of an analytical test element in a measurement position, and at least one electrical contact element configured to make electrical contact with at least one electrical contact surface of an analytical test element, and to produce an electrical connection between the contact surface and the evaluation appliance. The at least one contact element is arranged to move to contact the contact surface of a test element held either in a fixed test element holder or a moveable test element holder, such as a slide. Furthermore, the analysis system has a means for moving the electrical contact element to the electrical contact surface of an analytical test element when the test element holder is in the measurement position.
US07754149B2
A clinical laboratory management system is described that includes an analyzer for analyzing a sample, and a management apparatus connected to the analyzer. The management apparatus includes (a) a storage configured for storing a result of an assay output from the analyzer, analyzer identification information for identifying whether or not the analyzer used for the assay has a dilution mode, and diluted sample identification information for identifying whether or not the sample used in the assay is a diluted sample; and (b) a controller configured for correcting the result when the analyzer used in the assay does not have a dilution mode, and the sample used in the assay is a diluted sample. Management apparatuses and recording media are also described.
US07754146B2
The present invention is directed to field test kits, methods, and compositions for the field detection of monosodium glutamate (MSG) and related materials in foodstuffs and drinks. The field test kit consists of a reaction chamber, a closed reaction vessel containing encapsulated chemicals, and a means of providing heat to the reaction chamber, all housed in a convenient construction. The function of the encapsulated chemicals is to produce a colorimetric reaction with MSG at very low concentrations.
US07754145B2
Provided photo-decontamination catalyst material comprising an optically active molecule embedded/incorporated/bridged in a periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO). The optically active molecule is a typically a fluorophore or chromophore, more specifically, a porphyrin or phthalocyanine. The periodic mesoporous organosilica can be a template directed molecularly imprinted periodic mesoporous organosilica. The PMO material incorporating an optically active molecule is useful as a catalyst in photo-decontamination applications, as well as a detection element for stand-off point detection system.
US07754142B2
A high-carbon austenitic iron-base alloy with good corrosion and wear resistance, particularly useful for valve seat insert applications when corrosion resistance is required, comprises about 1.8-3.5 wt % carbon, about 12-24 wt % chromium, about 0.5-4 wt % silicon, about 12-25 wt % nickel, about 2-12 wt % molybdenum and tungsten combined, about 0.05-4 wt % niobium and vanadium combined, about 0-1 wt % titanium, about 0.01-0.2 wt % aluminum, about 0.05-3 wt % copper, and less than 1.5 wt % manganese, with the balance being iron and a small amount of impurities.
US07754139B2
An increase in the cutting hardness of a shaped body comprising a crystalline aluminosilicate is achieved by treating the shaped body with a gas comprising water vapor at from 100 to 600° C. and an absolute pressure of from 0.1 to 10 bar for a period of at least 20 hours, and this shaped body having an increased cutting hardness can be used in processes for chemical synthesis, in particular in a process for preparing triethylenediamine (TEDA) by reaction of ethylenediamine (EDA) and/or piperazine (PIP).
US07754138B1
A water bottle and the method of manufacture concerning blow moulding. The improved blow moulding method and relevant apparatus is capable of making complicated designs with an equal wall thickness. Especially bottles used for the storage of water sold, shipped and delivered to consumers with the bottles returned when empty.
US07754123B2
High performance filter media and manufacturing methodology provides nanofibers of diameter less than 1 μm incorporated and processed into internal structure of a filter medium dominantly composed of coarse fibers of diameter greater than 1 μm, to change the internal media structure.
US07754119B2
Polymeric structures, methods for making same, fibrous structures comprising same and fibrous product incorporating same are provided.
US07754115B2
A ceramo-ceramic dental prosthesis is made from a patient's negative mandibular impression, including at least one working cavity having an inner surface matching the lower surface of the prosthesis to be produced and left at least by one tooth primed by the dental surgeon to be prosthetized. The method of making the prosthesis includes a step of providing a single-unit wax model used for producing by precision casting a single-unit metal model on which is mounted, by the dental technician, a ceramic, the single-unit model having previously been coated with a stripping product to avoid the adherence of the ceramic on the metal single-unit model after the ceramic is cured on the single-unit metal model.
US07754107B2
A carbon nanotube is described, to which quantum dots are attached through non-covalent bonding via linking molecules bonded to the quantum dots. A method of visualizing a carbon nanotube is also described, wherein quantum dots are attached to the carbon nanotube through non-covalent bonding via linking molecules bonded to the quantum dots, and then the quantum dots are made emit light. This invention allows carbon nanotubes, even those in a wet condition, to be visualized by a simple fluorescent optical microscope. Thereby, the difficulties on preparing specimens and the need of sophisticated instruments can be reduced. This invention also exhibits great potential for the application of carbon nanotubes under a wet condition.
US07754106B2
A release agent is flash evaporated and deposited onto a support substrate under conventional vapor-deposition conditions and a conductive metal oxide, such as ITO, is subsequently sputtered or deposited by reactive electron beam onto the resulting release layer in the same process chamber to form a very thin film of conductive material. The resulting multilayer product is separated from the support substrate, crushed to brake up the metal-oxide film into flakes, and heated or mixed in a solvent to separate the soluble release layer from the metallic flakes. Thus, by judiciously controlling the deposition of the ITO on the release layer, transparent flakes may be obtained with the desired optical and physical characteristics.
US07754105B2
It is an object to provide a water-soluble preflux containing a low-volatile solubilizing agent excellent in performance to dissolve an imidazole compound in water and capable of bringing out an excellent film-forming property of the imidazole compound and also to provide a treating method for the surface of a metal conductive part which comprises bringing the surface into contact with the above water-soluble preflux.
US07754101B2
Substituted alkylmetal solutions and a method for making the same wherein the solutions include (a) a substituted alkylmetal compound of the formula of M-CH2—W(Ra) (Rb) (Rc) at a concentration of greater than 1.0M; (b) a hydrocarbon solvent; and (c) an amine cosolvent.
US07754096B2
A liquefied-gas aerosol dusting composition is disclosed for preventing inhalation abuse incidents. The composition comprises at least one liquefied gas and denatonium benzoate, wherein the concentration of said denatonium benzoate in said aerosol dusting composition ranges from about 5 ppm to about 50 ppm.
US07754095B2
A main component has a general formula of {(1−x)(K1−a−bNaaLib)m(Nb1−c−dTacSbd)O3−x(M10.5Bi0.5)nM2O3} (wherein M1 is Ca, Sr or Ba, M2 is Ti, Zr or Sn, 0.005≦x≦0.5, 0≦a≦0.9, 0≦b≦0.3, 0≦a+b≦0.9, 0≦c≦0.5, 0≦d≦0.1, 0.9≦m≦1.1, and 0.9≦n≦1.1). At least one specific element selected from the group consisting of In, Sc, Y, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb and Lu is contained at as in sample numbers 46 to 48, 0.1 to 10 mol in total per 100 mols of the main component (preferably, 1.5 to 10 mol). This provides a piezoelectric ceramic composition and a piezoelectric ceramic electronic component that can have a desired high piezoelectric d constant in a consistent and highly efficient manner in both a very low electric field and a high electric field.
US07754094B2
A sintered ferrite body having a main composition comprising 63-80% by mol of Fe2O3, and 3-15% by mol of ZnO, the balance being manganese oxide; Rcal determined from the Fe2O3 content X (% by mol) by the formula (1) of Rcal=[200(X−50)]/(3X), and the ratio R (%) of Fe2+ per the total amount of Fe in the sintered body meeting the condition of Rcal−2.0≦R≦Rcal+0.3; and the sintered body having a density of 4.9 g/cm3 or more.
US07754093B2
The present invention provides reagent compositions, and analyte measuring devices and methods that utilize the reagent compositions.
US07754087B2
A process of dewatering aqueous suspension employing a flocculating system comprising treating the suspension with a flocculating amount of a first flocculant and a dewatering amount of a second flocculant, and subjecting the suspension to mechanical dewatering to form a cake, wherein the first flocculant brings about flocculation and assists thickening of the suspension and the second flocculant is a water-soluble or water swellable polymer that is mixed into the suspension is a water-soluble or water swellable particulate polymer having a particle diameter of at least 20 microns.
US07754079B2
The invention relates to a plant-based sewage treatment system for purifying waste water including at least one planter, a supply unit which supplies waste water to be purified to the plant-based sewage treatment system, a discharge unit for discharging purified water from the plant-based sewage treatment system, and plants placed inside the planter. The plants are arranged, without a substrate, inside the planter. At least a portion of the planter is situated on a building roof. A space is provided between the planter and the building roof and an exchange medium from the building can be flowed through the space.
US07754078B2
The invention concerns a filter for liquids loaded with solid particles, comprising a vessel (52) provided with an inlet for the liquid to be filtered, an outlet for the filtrate emerging into a manifold and a discharge orifice for the sludge of solid particles and wherein is enclosed a plurality of filtering elements (10), each filtering element shaped like an elongated pocket (16) of fabric (12) of filtering media having an upper opening (10) in communication with the outlet and mounted around frames (18) provided with longitudinal drainage channels (30) and suspended to support elements housed in said vessel and comprising a radial pipe (20) forming a manifold wherein emerges the opening of the filtering elements. The invention is characterized in that the upper edge of said pockets is provided with a hem (17) receiving a stiffening element (19) and urged to be tightly fixed in a peripheral catching element (21) integral with said support elements.
US07754068B2
A process for the selective hydrodesulfurization of naphtha streams containing olefins and organosulfur compounds that minimizes olefin hydrogenation and results in a reduced sulfur content product. This is attained by two-stage hydrodesulfurization and H2S removal from the first stage effluent, with the first reaction stage catalyst being a more active HDS catalyst than the second reaction stage catalyst. Hydrogen and a non-reactive compound are fed to the first stage, with the H2 mole fraction in the mixture of H2 and non-reactive compound being from 0.2 to 1.0. H2S at the reactor inlet is limited to not more than 0.1% by volume. Hydrogen and a non-reactive compound are fed to the second reaction stage, the H2 mole fraction in the mixture of H2 and non-reactive compound being from 0.2 to 0.7. H2S at the reactor inlet is limited to not more than 0.05% by volume.
US07754066B2
Method for making base oil, comprising transporting a height of greater than 7.5 meters of granular solid wax particles comprising a highly paraffinic wax with defined boiling points and a powder coating to a distant location, and hydroprocessing the transported wax. Also, a method comprising: a) selecting a Fischer-Tropsch wax having a broad boiling range, b) powder coating the wax, and c) transporting and d) hydroprocessing the wax. Also, a method comprising forming inorganic powder coated granular solid wax particles that withstand heavy loads without clumping or sticking together from highly paraffinic wax, wherein the amount of powder is between 0.1 and 5 wt %, transporting, and hydroprocessing the solid wax particles.
US07754060B2
A slab gel electrophoresis cassette with an integrated upper buffer chamber is constructed such that the integrated chamber is collapsible to allow the cassette to assume a reduced thickness for purposes of stacking during storage and shipping.
US07754051B2
A paper making machine may having heated rolls for making high clay content papers. A roll cleaning apparatus may be mounted to the paper making machine. The roll cleaning apparatus may have a cleaning member that is mounted to a support member that extends lengthwise relative to a first roll of the paper making machine. The cleaning member may be a pad having a substantial area of the surface of the roll may be contacted. The cleaning member may be movable between an engaged position against the roll during operation, and a disengaged position spaced away from the roll in a non-operating condition, such as when replacement of the cleaning member is desired. The roll cleaning apparatus may include a drive connected to cause linear reciprocation of the cleaning member. The roll cleaning apparatus may have a drive or actuator mounted to move the cleaning member between the engaged and disengaged positions, and may be operable to bias the cleaning member against the roll in use.
US07754048B2
The present invention relates to a process for bleaching a cellulosic fibre material with a peroxide compound in an aqueous alkaline medium, comprising a bleaching step wherein: a) a first polymer (A) comprising a homopolymer of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or maleic acid, or a copolymer of acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid with an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, and a solution of a second polymer (B) comprising a poly-alpha-hydroxyacrylic acid or a salt thereof, are added to a cellulosic fibre material, and b) thereafter adding a peroxide compound and an alkaline substance and carrying out the bleaching.
US07754040B2
A method for applying an elastic member on an elastic web of material includes providing an elastic web of material running in a travelling direction; applying adhesive in a predetermined adhesive pattern on the web of material; applying a continuous elastic member in an elastic pattern on the adhesive, wherein the elastic member is applied in a direction of extension which deviates from the travelling direction at least within portions of the elastic member; applying a non-elastic web of material over the elastic web of material, wherein the non-elastic web of material is brought to cover the adhesive pattern, whereby the elastic member is locked between the elastic web of material and the non-elastic web of material in the applied position on the adhesive pattern. The non-elastic web of material is given a band shape with a first non-linear edge and a second non-linear edge, wherein the shape of the non-elastic web of material is brought to generally coincide with the shape of the adhesive pattern.
US07754038B2
A method for welding parts formed of polymeric resins having different melt-index grades. The method may include the steps of selecting a tube formed of a first thermoplastic in an extrusion process, selecting a first flange formed of a second thermoplastic in an injection molding process and having a containment region sized to receive an end of the tube, inserting an end of the tube within the containment region of the first flange, and welding the tube to the flange by inducing relative rotation between the flange and the tube. The containment region may have a depth more than two times the wall thickness of the tube. Moreover, the containment region may maintain its shape and support friction pressure on a significant portion of melted material within the weld zone, so the material may continue to generate heat and conduct the same to the less easily melted material.
US07754033B2
A method of improvement of toughness of a heat affected zone in a multi-layer welded joint, a fillet welded joint, and a one-pass or several-pass large heat input welded joint of a steel plate is provided, that is, a method of improvement of toughness of a heat affected zone in a welded joint of a steel plate characterized subjecting a surface of a heat affected zone formed by a last pass of a multi-layer welded joint of a steel plate to impacts by an ultrasonic vibration tool or shot peening by ultrasonic vibration steel balls to thereby make an average of longitudinal axis of crystal grains up to a depth of 2 mm or more from the surface of the steel plate in the microstructure adjacent to a fusion line (FL) of a weld metal and a steel plate matrix in said heat affected zone formed by the last pass the equivalent of the crystal grain size of the steel plate matrix before the welding at a depth of ¼ of a thickness t from the surface of the steel plate.
US07754030B2
A high-strength steel sheet has a metal structure consisting of a ferrite phase in which a hard second phase is dispersed and has 3 to 30% of an area ratio of the hard second phase. In the ferrite phase, the area ratio of nanograins of which grain sizes are not more than 1.2 μm is 15 to 90%, and dS as an average grain size of nanograins of which grain sizes are not more than 1.2 μm and dL as an average grain size of micrograins of which grain sizes are more than 1.2 μm satisfy an equation (dL/dS≧3).
US07754024B2
A dishwasher apparatus includes a dish rack having a wire member, and a feed tube for a spray arm rotatably disposed beneath the dish rack. An intensive washing zone is provided in a region of the dish rack, the intensive washing zone including a rod-shaped pipe element attached to the wire member and having an outlet nozzle. A pipe branch for the intensive washing zone is provided, the pipe branch being disposed in a region of the feed tube and communicating with the pipe element via a T-piece. An actuator is provided that cooperates with the pipe element so as to enable the intensive washing zone to be activated and deactivated.
US07754012B2
A method for manufacturing Group III nitride crystals with high quality is provided. By the method, a crystal raw material solution and gas containing nitrogen are introduced into a reactor vessel, which is heated, and crystals are grown in an atmosphere of pressure applied thereto. The gas is introduced from a gas supplying device to the reactor vessel through a gas inlet of the reactor vessel, and then is exhausted to the inside of a pressure-resistant vessel through a gas outlet of the reactor vessel. Since the gas is introduced directly to the reactor vessel, impurities attached to the pressure-resistant vessel and the like into the crystal growing site can be prevented. Further, the gas flows through the reactor vessel, to suppress aggregation of an evaporating alkali metal, etc., at the gas inlet and reduce flow of the metal vapor into the gas supplying device.
US07754011B2
A method of manufacturing calcium fluoride single crystal includes cooling the calcium fluoride single crystal with variable cooling rates so that throughout a temperature range in the cooling step, maximum shear stress inside the calcium fluoride single crystal caused by thermal stress is approximately equal to or smaller than critical resolved shear stress (τc) of the calcium fluoride single crystal in a <1 1 0> direction on a {0 0 1} plane of the calcium fluoride single crystal, and is maintained to be an approximately constant ratio, and adding strontium fluoride when growing the single crystal before the cooling step.
US07754000B2
A process for preparing a pigment dispersion, which comprises mixing a first solvent composed of an organic solvent in which a pigment has been dissolved with a second solvent which lowers the solubility of the pigment in the presence of a dispersant, thereby precipitating and dispersing particles of the pigment in a mixed solvent, wherein a pigment derivative to which a hydrophobic substituent having affinity for the first solvent has been bonded is used as the pigment.
US07753999B2
A water-based ink for ink-jet recording enables the expression of sharp text and lines in high density black, and the formation of a high quality gradation image in which the graininess is reduced in a black image of medium to high lightness. The inks include a color ink (A) and a color ink (B) each of which independently has a lightness index L* according to the L* a* b* calorimetric system of about 60 or less. The color ink (A) and the color ink (B) satisfy the following expression (I): about 120°≦|α−β| about ≦240° (I) wherein α is the hue angle of the color ink (A) and β is the hue angle of the color ink (B). The chroma C* of a hue obtained by the combination of the color ink (A) and the color ink (B) is about 30 or less.
US07753998B2
A liquid polishing composition of the invention suitable for polishing an automobile and the like comprises about 0.01 to about 3 percent by weight of at least one silicone-based wax, about 0.20 to about 10 percent by weight of poly(alpha olefin) compounds including about 0.1 to about 5 percent by weight of at least one hyperbranched poly(alpha olefin), about 6 to about 60 percent by weight of at least one polydimethylsiloxane silicone fluid, about 1 to about 20 percent by weight of at least one volatile cyclic silicone, about 0.25 to about 3 percent by weight of at least one amino-functional silicone, about 0.01 to about 5 percent by weight of at least one UV absorber, and a petroleum-based carrier therefor. The liquid polishing composition can be packaged together with a microfiber polishing cloth in the form of a polishing kit. The liquid polishing composition provides a long lasting showroom finish and can be used directly on rubber, vinyl, and plastic components without leaving a white residue, commonly associated with conventional polishing compositions.
US07753996B1
A portable gas fractionalization apparatus that provides oxygen rich air to patients is provided. The apparatus is compact, lightweight, and low-noise. The components are assembled in a housing that is divided into two compartments. One compartment is maintained at a lower temperature than the other compartment. The lower temperature compartment is configured for mounting components that can be damaged by heat. The higher temperature compartment is configured for mounting heat generating components. An air stream is directed to flow from an ambient air inlet to an air outlet constantly so that there is always a fresh source of cooling air. The apparatus utilizes a PSA unit to produce an oxygen enriched product. The PSA unit incorporates a novel single ended column design in which all flow paths and valves can be co-located on a single integrated manifold. The apparatus also can be used in conjunction with a satellite conserver and a mobility cart.
US07753988B2
An agglomerate comprising alumina, carbon, and a binder for use in a vapor recovery reactor of a carbothermic alumina reduction furnace is disclosed. A method for using alumina-carbon agglomerates to capture aluminum vapor species and utilize waste heat from off-gases in a vapor recovery reactor to form a recyclable material is also disclosed.
US07753985B2
The invention relates to a method for producing a fertilizing agent containing urea, by means of synthesis step, an evaporation process, and a granulation unit. According to said method, a self-regulating centrifugal pump is used to reduce the dwell time and to optimize the positioning of the components of the method for transporting the product flow of the evaporation process to the granulation unit.
US07753970B2
The present invention relates to polyalkene amine formulations comprising at least one polyalkene amine in a solvent, having improved performance properties, especially improved low temperature properties; a process for preparing such formulations and the use of these formulations in fuel and lubricant compositions, in particular fuels, for improving the intake system-cleaning action of such fuels.
US07753968B2
This disclosure relates to methods of making a cathode for a lithium batter. The methods include: (a) treating a cathode current collector with flame or corona; (b) coating a slurry containing iron disulfide, a first solvent, and a binder onto the cathode current collector obtained from step (a) to form a coated cathode current collector, in which the slurry contains about 73-75% by weight solids and the binder contains a polymer selected from the group consisting of linear di- and tri-block copolymers, linear tri-block copolymers cross-linked with melamine resin, ethylene-propylene copolymers, ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymers, tri-block fluorinated thermoplastics, hydrogenated nitrile rubbers, fluoro-ethylene-vinyl ether copolymers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic olefins, and polyvinylidene fluoride homopolymers; and (c) drying the coated cathode current collector obtained from step (b) to provide a cathode, in which the cathode contains no more than 0.5% by volume of the first solvent and is capable of being bent to 180°. This disclosure also relates to methods of making a lithium battery.
US07753959B2
A glenoid component used for shoulder arthroplasty is adapted to be implanted into a scapula and engaged by a head of a humeral component. The glenoid component includes a body having a first articulating surface and a second medial surface opposite to the first articulating surface. The first articulating surface is adapted to engage with a humeral head. A plurality of fixed pegs each have a first end adapted to engage a cavity formed in the scapula and a second end extending from the medial surface. A central peg fixation mechanism is provided that is configured to couple an optional central fixation peg to the medial surface.
US07753956B2
A prosthetic disc for insertion between adjacent vertebrae includes a core having upper and lower curved surfaces, upper and lower plates, and peripheral restraining structure on at least one of the upper plate, the lower plate and the core. Each plate has an outer surface which engages a vertebra and an inner curved surface which slides over the curved surface of the core. The peripheral restraining structure serves to hold the core against a curved surface of at least one of the plates during sliding movement of the plates over the core.
US07753952B2
A vision prosthesis includes an optical element having a surface that is shaped to be positioned near a cornea of an eye, and a magnetic element embedded in the optical element.
US07753947B2
Fine structure stents physiologically acceptable to the body.
US07753943B2
The invention relates to the use of reduced fluency rate PDT to treat neovasculature, particularly choroidal neovasculature (CNV). Reduced fluency rate PDT decreases the likelihood of molecular oxygen being the limiting factor in the photodynamic reaction so that the concentration of either photons (light intensity) or photosensitizer in the target tissue controls the photodynamic reaction.
US07753941B2
Devices and methods for treating a damaged intervertebral disc to reduce or eliminate associated back pain. The present invention provides disc reinforcement therapy (DRT) which involves implanting one or more reinforcement members in and preferably around the annulus of the disc. The reinforcement members may be used to stabilize the annulus and/or compresses a portion of the annulus so as to reduce a bulge and/or close a fissure. The implantable devices and associated delivery tools may incorporate heating capabilities to thermally treat the annular tissue. Alternatively or in combination, other devices may be specifically employed for such thermal treatment.
US07753937B2
Superior and/or inferior facets of one or more facet joints may be replaced by superior and/or inferior facet joint prostheses. In one embodiment, a kit of superior or inferior prostheses is provided, in which the prostheses have at least two dimensions that vary among members of the kit independently of each other. Each prosthesis may have a bone engaging surface having a surface that is polyaxially rotatable against a corresponding resection of a vertebra. Each prosthesis may also have an articulating surface shaped such that, after attachment to the spine, the replaced or partially replaced facet joints provide a larger medial-lateral range of motion when the spine is flexed than when the spine is extended. Crosslinks may be used to connect left and right prosthesis together in such a manner that they are stabilized in a position in which they are seated directly against the vertebra.
US07753934B2
A surgical closure method utilizes a surgical device including an elongate tube, a flexible web member disposed in a collapsed configuration inside the tube, and a push rod disposed at least partially inside the tube for pushing the web member from the tube. A distal end portion of the tube is inserted through an opening or wound in a wall of a hollow body organ. The rod is pushed in a distal direction along the tube to eject the web member from the distal end of the tube. The ejected web member is expanded from the collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. The expanded web member is placed in contact with the wall of the organ over the opening or wound. Subsequently the expanded web member is attached to the wall of the organ.
US07753932B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to a medical device having a proximal portion that can selectively receive other portions of the device. More specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to an endoscopic instrument with a handle portion configured to accommodate an elongate, flexible member and an end effector assembly of the endoscopic instrument for protection, coiling, looping, containment, packaging and for disposal. The device may have a variety of configurations.
US07753931B2
An apparatus and method for introducing a medical device deployment system into the vasculature of a human body and then using the deployment system for placing a medical device at a preselected position within a vessel, and an apparatus and method for introducing a medical device deployment system into the vasculature of a human body and then subsequently retrieving the deployment system, where the apparatus and method include an introducer having a detachable and reattachable sheath disposed about a deployment catheter.
US07753928B2
A space occupying device for deployment within a patient's stomach and methods of deploying and removing the device. The device includes an expandable member and fasteners, such as sutures, that extend to least partially through the patient's stomach wall, and that anchor the device with the patient's stomach. The device can be deployed and/or removed through transesophageal approaches and/or through a combination of transesophageal and transabdominal approaches.
US07753927B2
A corneal punch comprising a base unit having a first annular mating surface surrounding a well in which a donor cornea may be located, and a separate guide unit including an inner annular guide shaft and an outer locating ring connected to the guide shaft and having a second annular mating surface. The base unit and the guide unit may be releasably positioned in registration with each other by way of the first and second mating surfaces such that the guide shaft is substantially coaxial with the well.
US07753926B1
Embodiments include, a medical device having a balloon portion with a first end, a second end, and a variable balloon mass to inflate the balloon portion non-uniformly from the first end to the second end. In one embodiment, the balloon portion inflates in a controlled manner to rupture a vulnerable plaque near the second end.
US07753916B2
An apparatus and methods for delivering ocular implants or microimplants. The apparatus is ergonomically designed for ease of use, and a simple manual depression of an actuator produces proportional movement of a linkage causing the implant or microimplant to be ejected through a cannula disposed at the desired location in the eye. Small gauge cannulas are provided for self-sealing methods of delivery.
US07753915B1
Bone length adjustment method and system includes a two-part telescopic device connected to bone parts whose length between the connection points is to be adjusted, with each part of the telescopic device being secured to the bone part, and a rod with an embedded permanent magnet which is in threaded engagement at one or both of its ends with one or both of the parts of the telescopic device. The permanent magnet in the rod is excited by an external solenoid arrangement to cause a radial force to develop at the rod thereby causing it to rotate. Rotation of the rod is converted via the threads at one or both of its ends to axial motion or movement of the telescopic parts relative to each other and thereby causes an increase or decrease in the bone length depending on the direction of axial movement between the telescopic parts.
US07753907B2
Medical systems and related methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the medical systems include a catheter, an expandable medical device at least partially surrounding a portion of the catheter, a blade attached to the medical device, and an energy transmitter configured so that energy emitted by an energy source can be transmitted to the blade via the energy transmitter.
US07753904B2
A surgical instrument particular suited to endoscopic use is disclosed. Various embodiments include an end effector that is sized to be inserted through a trocar. An elongated shaft assembly is coupled to the end effector and a control handle. The elongated shaft assembly has a distal portion that is adjacent to said the effector for insertion into the trocar. The elongated shaft assembly further has a proximal portion that is remote from the distal portion such that the proximal portion protrudes from the trocar when the end effector and distal portion are inserted therethrough. The control handle is articulatably coupled to the proximal portion of said elongated shaft assembly to enable the surgeon to move the handle portion to a more ergonomically comfortable position while carrying out the endoscopic procedure. Various articulation joint embodiments and locking arrangements are disclosed.
US07753903B1
A method for monitoring biological substances found in the bloodstream include implanting in-vivo a pedestal such that a sensor mounted on the pedestal extends into the bone marrow for sensing the biological substance. A transmitter is included for transmitting signals from the sensor to a receiver.
US07753902B1
The present invention is directed to a system and method for monitoring the physiological parameters of an organ or tissue during and after surgery. The system has a probe and a monitoring unit. In one embodiment the probe includes features for convenient, fixed and releasable attachment to surgical drains without interfering with their normal fluid-draining function while utilizing their suction to enhance the probe-to-tissue interface for improved sensing. An applicator is provided to facilitate such attachment. The monitoring unit which controls the sensors of the probe includes a processor to process, record and display the sensor data. This system may be valuable for monitoring transplanted organs and tissue grafts during the critical postoperative period when most of the clinical complications, such as vascular thrombosis, may occur.
US07753901B2
A laparoscopic port assembly includes a cannula unit including three cannulas each extending at an acute angle relative to a base. The cannulas are flexible for receiving respective angulated laparoscopic instruments. The cannula unit is rotatingly received in a port holder for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the holder, the holder being disposable in an opening in a patient's skin.
US07753895B2
A sperm collecting apparatus is provided and includes a container having a non-cylindrical container main unit whose one end face in a longitudinal direction is open and a cap that is attachable the container main unit. A core member made from a gel-like material, which is located in the container main unit and has an insertion room extending to an inner portion of the core member from an insertion port at one end face in the core member. A sponge layer which is interposed between the core member and an inner wall of the container main unit, the container main unit is a non-cylindrical member whose intermediate portion in a longitudinal direction thereof has an outer diameter smaller than those in both end portions.
US07753874B2
A micro fluid delivery device is particularly useful in medical applications. The device may be worn or carried by the user and may deliver drugs or other medicaments to the user or patient. The device has a control system that accepts input from the user and controls all aspects of operation of the device. The control system measures the output of the pump and adjusts the output of the pump to achieve the desired dosage rate and size. This eliminates differences from pump to pump that result from inevitable variations in the manufacturing of such small scale affordable devices.
US07753873B2
A micro fluid delivery device is particularly useful in medical applications. The device may be worn or carried by the user and may deliver drugs or other medicaments to the user or patient. The device has a control system that accepts input from the user and controls all aspects of operation of the device. The control system measures the output of the pump and adjusts the output of the pump to achieve the desired dosage rate and size. This eliminates differences from pump to pump that result from inevitable variations in the manufacturing of such small scale affordable devices.
US07753866B2
A joint hinge and a leg brace having the joint hinge that includes a spring loaded spherical joint for coupling a proximal portion and a distal portion of the joint hinge. The spherical joint includes a dome on one portion coupled to a mating cup on the other portion. A wide-headed pin, typically a shoulder screw, captivates the cup against the sphere. A spring washer may be included to provide a preloading force to mate the cup to the dome. The spherical portion may be pressed or stamped into one portion of the hinge or fabricated separately and attached. In one embodiment, the dome is fabricated of sintered bearing material and may be impregnated with lubricant. The spherical joint functions in conjunction with an adjustable flexion range limiting system that include rods that are threaded and easy to screw in and out as the patient's range of motion changes.
US07753864B2
A device for treatment of plantar fasciitis and/or Achilles tendonitis comprises (a) a calf strap removably engagable to the calf of a leg, (b) a foot assembly removably engagable to the foot of the leg such that when the device is worn the assembly can be positioned proximate to the ball of the foot intermediate to the midfoot and forefoot areas of the foot to secure it to the foot, and (c) a substantially inelastic tension member connectable between the calf strap and the foot assembly in a tensioned manner such that when the device is worn the plantarflexion of the ankle is limited such that the plantar surface of the foot is held in a neutral to slight dorsiflection.
US07753858B2
Devices, systems and methods facilitate positioning of a cardiac valve annulus treatment device, thus enhancing treatment of the annulus. Methods generally involve advancing an anchor delivery device through vasculature of the patient to a location in the heart for treating the valve annulus, contacting the anchor delivery device with a length of the valve annulus, delivering a plurality of coupled anchors from the anchor delivery device to secure the anchors to the annulus, and drawing the anchors together to circumferentially tighten the valve annulus. Devices generally include an elongate catheter having at least one tensioning member and at least one tensioning actuator for deforming a distal portion of the catheter to help it conform to a valve annulus. The catheter device may be used to navigate a subannular space below a mitral valve to facilitate positioning of an anchor delivery device.
US07753856B2
A method for cardio-acoustic signal analysis includes receiving a signal representative of heart sounds and displaying the signal in a time-perceptual frequency-perceptual loudness domain representation. The received signal is transformed to represent a time-perceptual frequency-amplitude domain. The method further includes applying a human auditory modeling algorithm to the time-perceptual frequency-amplitude domain representation to generate the time-perceptual frequency-perceptual loudness domain representation.
US07753829B1
A training device is shown and described. The device comprises a disk having a perimeter. A foot-interface is attached to the disk. A rolling member is positioned around the perimeter of the disk and is preferably substantially concentric with the disk.
US07753821B2
A composite gear member of the power transmission device is divided into an annular first member and a second member. The annular first member is formed with an output gear. The second member is formed with internal teeth and spline-coupled to an inner portion of the first member. Therefore, the influence of the engagement reaction force generated from the output gear of the first member is decreased by the spline-coupling, and the vibration is reduced.
US07753818B2
A control apparatus for a vehicular drive system including a differential mechanism operable to distribute an output of an engine to a first electric motor and a power transmitting member, and a second electric motor connected to the power transmitting member. The control apparatus, which permits size reduction of the vehicular drive system, or improvements of fuel economy and vehicle drivability, includes a switching clutch or switching brake for switching a the differential mechanism between a continuously-variable shifting state and a step-variable shifting state, to enable the drive system to have both of an advantage of a fuel economy improvement of a transmission the speed ratio of which is electrically variable, and an advantage of high power transmitting efficiency of a gear type power transmitting device. The control apparatus includes an engine-torque-variation restriction control operable in the continuously-variable shifting state of the differential mechanism, to control an electric path torque, for restricting a variation of the torque to be transmitted to the power transmitting member, irrespective of a variation of the engine torque, so that the engine torque variation to be transmitted to drive wheels is restricted to improve the vehicle drivability.
US07753810B2
Golf balls consisting of a multi-layer core and a cover are disclosed. The multi-layer core consists of a small, hard center enclosed by a soft intermediate core layer and an outer core layer.
US07753797B2
In accordance with some embodiments, a plurality of outcomes are generated and used to create a video presentation of representative outcomes that is recorded onto a tangible medium (e.g., DVD or CD-ROM). A player may then purchase a video presentation of (e.g., predetermined) outcomes in a jurisdiction in which gambling is legal and then view the presentation at the player's convenience (e.g., from any jurisdiction and at any time). In some embodiments, a salesperson inspects at least one tamper evident item associated with the tangible medium for any indication of tampering. If no tampering is evident, then the salesperson activates the tangible medium upon receipt of a purchase price. In some embodiments, if the salesperson determines that tampering has occurred, then she refuses to activate the tangible medium, and information about the player and the tangible medium may be communicated to one or more databases.
US07753795B2
Maintenance of community integrity in a gaming network is disclosed. One or more devices interacting with a particular game in the gaming network may be monitored. During the course of monitoring these devices, indicia of the violation of certain rules that define fair game play may be identified. A user and/or device engaged in certain illicit game play activity that resulted in the violation of the rules that define fair game play may subsequently be identified. The identified user and/or device may then be penalized as to maintain the integrity of the gaming community. Various penalties may be implemented, including ejection from the gaming network or prohibitions with regard to future access to the gaming network. Various retributive actions may also be taken against a particular user who has engaged in illicit game play activity with respect to future game session activity.
US07753788B2
A game controller operates in both a wired mode and a wireless mode, and is able to switch between these two modes without permanent disruption to an ongoing game. During a transition from one mode to another, a host gaming system detects when the controller is physically disconnected (for wired mode to wireless mode) or connected (for wireless mode to wired mode). Upon detection, the host gaming system stores the game data and user information and the game controller stores an identifier in its nonvolatile memory. The host gaming system and game controller then establish a new communication link. The game controller retrieves the identifier and submits it to the host gaming system, which uses the identifier to reassociate the game data and user information with the game controller as it begins operating in the new mode. This allows the player to continue game play without interruption.
US07753787B2
A convertible game controller that can be configured for use on a person's lap or on a table top is disclosed. The convertible game controller includes a lap rest designed to support a game controller on a person's lap. The lap rest is also designed to be attached to a table clamp so that the game controller can be secured to a table top. A latch and hooks are provided on the table clamp and lap rest that allow the lap rest to be attached to the table clamp.
US07753778B2
A slot machine of the present invention includes: a display having a screen capable of displaying a symbol arrangement image in which a plurality of symbols are arranged and a plurality of valid area images each having a shape capable of including one or more symbols; and a controller in communication with the display for determining the number of valid area images in accordance with the number of BETs, displaying the symbol arrangement image and the valid area image so as to superpose said valid area images on the symbol arrangement image, in such a manner that said valid area images move and then stop, and providing an award in accordance with a symbol included in the valid area image stopped so that an award in accordance with the symbol included in an overlap area where the valid area images overlap with each other is higher than an award provided in a case of the symbol included in the remaining valid area image.
US07753776B2
A slot machine according to the present invention comprises: a display to which a plurality of symbols are arranged; a BET switch that allows a BET input; an input switch that allows an input of a rank order of the symbols; and a controller, the controller accepting the input of the rank order from the input switch when a predetermined number or more of BETs are accepted from the BET switch, and generating a predetermined bonus if a quantitative order of the numbers of the respective symbols rearranged to the display is same as the rank order inputted from the input switch upon rearrangement of the plurality of symbols arranged to the display.
US07753774B2
Methods, devices and systems are described for mapping a variety of Class III game outcomes to a common set of bingo patterns. Each game theme may have a different entertaining display, based upon a corresponding Class III game. Preferably, each game theme will offer game play and paytable percentages closely matching those of the original Class III game. In order to more closely match Class III game play, some implementations provide a system wherein the hit frequency of a bingo game will be modulated according to Class III game options selected by a player. The options may be, for example, paylines of a simulated slot game. In preferred implementations, this modulation is accomplished by varying the number of bingo cards provided in the underlying bingo game according to the options (e.g., the number of paylines) selected.
US07753771B2
A game system of the present invention comprises: a second game machine for executing a second game which is different from a basic game executed in a slot machine; a plurality of second game terminals each including: a bet input device to which a bet on a win or loss of a second game player is to be inputted; and a bet controller for transmitting a bet signal according to the bet when the bet is inputted; a slot machine including: a game controller programmed to execute the basic game and to enable the second game which is executed on the second game machine to be played when a predetermined second game start condition is established in the basic game; a command input device to which a command for accepting or refusing the bet made by a player other than the second game player on the second game player is to be inputted; and a display, the game controller transmitting a command signal according to the command when the command is inputted, and displaying to the display a content of the bet made by the player other than the second game player based on the bet signal; and a central controller for determining a payout value for each of the second game terminals based on the bet signal, the command signal, and a result of the second game.
US07753769B2
A gaming terminal is utilized for playing a wagering game. A wager-input device receives a wager from a player. A display displays symbols indicating a randomly selected outcome selected from a plurality of outcomes. The plurality of outcomes include at least one special-event outcome that awards additional game play at a time selectable by the player. The additional game play provides a guaranteed winning outcome. A special-event input device initiates the additional game play in response to the player activating the special-event input device. The additional game play is implemented with a game-enhancement parameter such that the guaranteed winning outcome has an enhanced payout.
US07753762B2
A device for removing an information-bearing layer of an optical disc comprises a housing defining a first chamber and a second chamber, a mount to selectively mount an optical disc having an information-bearing layer adjacent the first chamber, a cutter within the first chamber, a drive mechanism operatively connected to the cutter, and a passageway between the first and second chambers. The cutter causes the information-bearing layer of the disc to form particulate matter, and the particulate matter is caused to move through the passageway into the second chamber. The resulting particulate matter has a particle size less than about 326 microns to meet the standards of the Department of Defense and NIST for digital data destruction.
US07753754B2
A submersible device according to an embodiment of the invention includes a container configured to be selectively buoyant in a liquid. The container can have at least one of a variety of different buoyancy systems. For example, the container can include a reservoir where the volume can be adjusted. In another example, the container can include a reservoir in communication with a pump configured to control the intaking and expelling of a liquid. In another embodiment, the container also defines a first partitioned section and a second partitioned section. The first partitioned section is substantially liquid resistant and the second partitioned section defines a hole in communication with an exterior of the container. An actuator is configured to receive an input from a user and is configured to modify an interior volume of the second partitioned section based on the input.
US07753750B2
An electrically powered and balanced buoyancy and velocity of movement controllable life preserving vest and transport system.
US07753746B1
A marine jet propulsion system has a jet pump, a venturi connected to the jet pump, a first steering nozzle rotationally mounted relative to the venturi about a first steering axis, and a second steering nozzle rotationally mounted relative to the first steering nozzle about a second steering axis. The second steering axis is disposed rearwardly of the first steering axis. Rotation of the first steering nozzle relative to the venturi about the first steering axis in a steering direction causes the second steering axis to rotate about the first steering axis in the steering direction and the second steering nozzle to rotate relative to the first steering nozzle about the second steering axis in the steering direction. A watercraft having the jet propulsion system and a nozzle assembly for a marine jet propulsion system are also disclosed.
US07753733B2
A shield connector 1 includes an L-shaped terminal 2 which includes an opposite-side connection portion 21; an inner housing 3 which holds a terminal 2; a tubular inner shell 4 which surrounds the opposite-side connection portion 21; a tubular outer housing 5 which accommodates the inner shell 4; and an outer shell 6 which is attached to the outer housing 5. The outer shell 6 includes a covering portion 64 which covers a second opening 71 of the outer housing 5 and a first opening 81 of the inner shell 4; a pair of sandwiching portions 66 which is bent upward from the outer edge of the covering portion 64 so as to elastically sandwich the inner shell 4 therebetween; and an earth portion which is grounded.
US07753728B2
A fixation structure for a rear cover (1) in which a waterproofing grommet (5) is fixed to the wire lead-out side (4), from which a wire from a connector housing (2) is led out, of a connector (3) and which is assembled to the wire lead-out side (4) of the connector for (3) with the waterproofing grommet (5) in between. The grommet (5) is provided with a rib (7) that is in contact with the inner wall (protrusion (34)) (6) to hold the attitude of the grommet (5) relative to the rear cover (1).
US07753725B2
A right angle coaxial connector comprises a unitary body, (1) having a dielectric insulating member (4) secured along a longitudinal tubular bore extending along axis F-F through said unitary body (1) and holding a predominantly longitudinal inner conductor (2), having male ends (2A, 2B), in its correct position along the bore's central axis F-F with an integral perpendicular node (2B) lying along the axis E-E, a shell (6) extending along a lateral axis E-E having dielectric insulating member (8) secured along a lateral tubular bore extending through said shell (6) and holding a lateral inner conductor (7) having female ends (7A, 7B), where said unitary body (1) and shell (6) are fixably joined at a pair of interfaces (B, C) and the corresponding male (2B) and female (7A) ends of the respective inner terminals (2, 7) are releasably attached to one another.
US07753723B2
A card connector comprises an insulating housing comprising a base and a plurality of tongue portions extending from the base; a shell covering the insulating housing; a plurality of contacts arranged in upper and lower line each retained on the housing; the contacts each comprising a contacting portion extending into the mating portion, a containing portion secured in the housing, and a soldering portion extending behind the housing; a spacer and a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) each mounted on the insulating housing and the soldering portion of the contacts each receiving in the spacer and the PCB; the distance between the soldering portions of the upper and the lower contacts is smaller than that of the containing portions.
US07753720B2
An on-train information transmitting/receiving system is provided that can be implemented in an environment with significant external noise and allows high speed transmission to be carried out between transmitter/receivers mounted in vehicles without having to develop a new jumper cable used between the vehicles while cost increase is prevented. A transmission path that connects transmitter/receivers 10 provided in vehicles included in a train to process train-related information in association with one another includes an inside vehicle interconnection cable 20 provided in a vehicle and a jumper cable interconnecting the vehicles. The jumper cable includes a plurality of shield electric wires 33 each produced by coating a conductor 35 with a shield 36, two such shielded electric wires 33 are paired to form the transmission path, the shields 36 of the pair of the shield electric wires 33 are connected with each other at both ends of the shield wires 33, and the shields 36 connected with each other are grounded at one end of the shield wires 33.
US07753719B2
An electrical connector includes a housing with a plurality of receiving spaces, a group of terminals received in the housing, an indicator received in the housing, and a shielding covering on the housing. The terminals include a central portion connected to anode and a contact portion connected to cathode. The indicator includes a pair of legs with ends exposed out of the housing. The shielding includes a first and second connecting portion extending from the back edge thereof. One of the two legs of indicator is connected to the first connecting portion. The contact portion is connected to the second connecting portion.
US07753718B2
A wire connector has an enclosure including a housing and a cap and one or more contacts supported in the enclosure. The contacts each have outer ends opposite wire ports in the cap to receive a stripped end of a wire in a push-in engagement. One set of contacts has a male blade and the other set of contacts has a female socket at the inner or forward ends thereof. The housings are arranged so that two housings are releasably engagable with one another. When two housings are engaged the male contacts electrically engages the female contacts of the other housing. The female contacts include a sacrificial tine that is always first to make and last to break engagement with the male contact so that any degradation due to arcing always occurs at the sacrificial tine.
US07753716B2
An electrical connector assembly for terminating first and second electrical wires, the electrical connector assembly comprising a housing including a compartment for receiving first and second IDC elements and a cap movably mounted to the housing to cover the compartment. The cap is movable between an open position and a closed position. The cap includes a general body portion, a wire retention portion, and a latching mechanism. The wire retention portion includes first and second wire holders to retain and align the respective electrical wires within the housing for engagement with a gripping portion of the respective IDC element when the cap is placed in a closed position. The gripping force of the wire holders is less than a gripping force of the IDC elements. The latching mechanism can releasably fasten the cap to the housing when the cap is placed in a closed position. When the cap is returned to an open position after the cap was placed in the closed position, the first and second wires are retained by the first and second IDC elements and the first and second wire holders disengage the first and second wires from the cap.
US07753714B2
An electrical adapter assembly for connecting a first hard disk drive and a second hard disk drive is provided. The electrical adapter assembly includes a connector capable of electrically inserting into the first hard disk drive, a printed circuit board (PCB) module electrically connecting the connector, and a loading member for loading the first hard disk drive. The PCB module includes a chip for controlling data transfer between the first hard disk drive and the second hard disk drive. The loading member includes a base and at least two guiding portions pivotally attached on the base to allow the first hard disk drive to be able to slide between the at least two guiding portions.
US07753701B2
On a holder (8) to be mounted on a vehicle body (b), there are formed a connector-holding portion (12a) for holding thereon a female connector (5) and a male connector (4) fitted in the female connector (5); and a cap-holding portion (12b) for holding thereon a female cap (84) and a male cap (81) that can be mounted on the male connector (4) and the female connector (5) respectively, with the male cap (81) fit in the female cap (84).
US07753694B2
A stacked card connector (100) adaptor for receiving cards includes a first electrical card connector (1), a second electrical card connector (2) under the first electrical card connector and a retaining member (4) integral with the second insulating housing. The first card connector includes a first insulating housing (12) received a plurality of first terminals (13). The second card connector includes a second insulating housing (22) received a plurality of second terminals (23). The retaining member defines a plurality of slots (41), said first and second terminals partially passing through the slots.
US07753691B2
The present disclosure is directed to conductive connector attachments for use in electrically connecting printed circuit boards to absorbent products such as diapers, training pants, incontinence products, feminine hygiene products, and the like. Specifically, various configurations and methods of securely attaching conventional conductive hook and loop attachments to printed circuit boards are disclosed.
US07753680B2
To provide: a water-discoloring drawing toy which, when a writing utensil or applicator for water adhesion is applied thereto, produces a multicolor image and which eliminates the monotonous production of monochromatic images in a related-art technique and is rich in unexpectedness and changes; and a water-discoloring drawing toy set including this drawing toy.A water-discoloring drawing toy 1 having such a constitution that a drawing made by applying a writing utensil or applicator for water adhesion produces a multicolor image, the drawing toy comprising: a substrate; many non-discoloring images differing in color tone and adjoining each other disposed on the substrate so that at least two color tones per 100 cm2 can be visually recognized in the part having the non-discoloring images; and a porous layer for preventing the non-discoloring images from being seen in the ordinary state, the porous layer being disposed over the non-discoloring images and comprising a binder resin and a low-refractive-index pigment fixed therein in a dispersed state, the porous layer having a difference in transparency between a liquid-impregnated state and an unimpregnated state. Also provided is a water-discoloring drawing toy set which comprises the water-discoloring drawing toy 1 and a writing utensil 3 or applicator for water adhesion.
US07753678B2
Apparatus for batch processing source material into charcoal in a battery of kilns, each of which use forced convection of process gases through the source material to shorten the process cycle time, and all of which use an external combustor to burn the process waste gases from each kiln to provide the primary source of applied energy for the process.
US07753677B2
Burners in prior art exhibit combustion instabilities in certain ranges. The operating range of burners is restricted by said instabilities. In an inventive burner, the combustible has a concentration distribution, whereby the concentration of the combustible reduces in a radial direction from the interior to the exterior.
US07753676B2
A bushing body has an upstream portion and a downstream portion for extending into a channel. The bushing body has a bore therethrough for receiving a valve pin. A contoured sleeve is fit around the downstream portion of the bushing body for guiding a flow of molding material. A cap piece is coupled to the upstream portion of the bushing body for contacting a back plate.
US07753673B2
A device for forming optical lenses includes a base, a driving mechanism mounted on the base, a controller connected to the driving mechanism and a roll forming die. The controller is configured for controlling the driving mechanism. The roll forming die includes a roller, a number of mold cores attached to the roller, and a molding material container disposed on the base and spaced with the roller. The roller is mechanically coupled to the driving mechanism such that the roller can be driven to rotate by the driving mechanism, the roller, the mold cores and the molding material container are arranged to cooperatively form workpieces. A number of mounting holes are defined in the roller; each of the mold cores is mounted in a corresponding mounting hole. The device for forming optical lenses can reduce internal stress of produced optical lenses.
US07753667B2
A resin-sealing mold for sealing a semiconductor element with resin includes an upper die (12), a lower die (14) disposed so as to be opposed to the upper die (12), and a plurality of middle dies (13a, 13b) sandwiched between the upper die (12) and the lower die (14), wherein the plurality of middle dies (13a, 13b) are provided with molding faces at tip ends and are placed so that the molding faces are opposed to each other during the sealing. Because of this, the middle dies (13a, 13b) can be opened to the right and left from dividing faces I, and even a resin package of a semiconductor device with a concave part formed in a side surface can be molded.
US07753664B2
Disclosed herein is a rotary pump in which one or more rotors including rotary cylinders and rotary pistons rotate upon inside a housing having a suction hole and a discharge hole to compress a pump fluid. More particularly, the two rotary pistons are arrange to revolve about a rotating shaft in a state wherein the center of mass of the two rotary pistons coincide with that of the rotating shaft, thereby achieving not only a reduction in the generation of vibrations or noise, but also a variation in the flow of rate of fluid. The rotary pump may have a cover, which is opened or closed in accordance with a pressure, to prevent the generation of backflow and pulsations in accordance with the rotation of the rotary pump when the pressure of the discharge hole differs from that of the suction hole.
US07753659B2
A motor assembly including a body that includes a plurality of cylinders and a plurality of air channels and a conical shaped piston slidably coupled within each of said plurality of cylinders. The motor assembly also includes a rotatable timing shaft positioned concentric to and at least partially housed within the body and in flow communication with an air source and the plurality of air channels and a cam plate coupled to the timing shaft and configured to engage the pistons and generate torque.
US07753656B2
A magnetohydrodynamic pump for pumping a fluid. The pump includes a microfluidic channel for channeling the fluid, a MHD electrode/magnet system operatively connected to the microfluidic channel, and a system for promoting flow of the fluid in one direction in the microfluidic channel. The pump has uses in the medical and biotechnology industries for blood-cell-separation equipment, biochemical assays, chemical synthesis, genetic analysis, drug screening, an array of antigen-antibody reactions, combinatorial chemistry, drug testing, medical and biological diagnostics, and combinatorial chemistry. The pump also has uses in electrochromatography, surface micromachining, laser ablation, inkjet printers, and mechanical micromilling.
US07753652B2
An array of blades for use in a turbomachine is provided comprising a plurality of blades mounted to a rotor disk. A plurality of first blades form a first set of blades and a plurality of second blades form a second set of blades. A blade-to-blade flow field defined between successive ones of the first set of blades is interrupted by the second set of blades to form an asymmetric blade-to-blade flow field around the array of blades. The trailing edges of the second set of blades are positioned forwardly from a line connecting the trailing edges of the first set of blades such that shock forces in the flow field around the array of blades will generally impinge on a stable region of the first set of blades.
US07753650B1
A turbine rotor blade for use in a gas turbine engine, the rotor blade including a plurality of wavy flow cooling channels extending in the blade chordwise direction from a leading edge supply channel to a trailing edge exit hole. Each wavy flow channel is connected to the leading edge supply passage by a metering hole in order to regulate the cooling air pressure and flow through that channel. The wavy flow channels are formed by ribs that form a sinusoidal flow path for the cooling air to increase the turbulent flow and increase the convective surface area which both lead to a thin rotor blade with increase cooling efficiency and lower cooling air volume than the prior art blades.
US07753646B1
Systems and methods are provided for cooling bearings or other objects. Such cooling may be accomplished by expanding a compressed gas in a cooling channel surrounding a bearing and allowing the expanded air to come into direct contact with the bearing. Expanding a compressed gas in local proximity of the bearing takes advantage of the Joule-Thompson expansion of gas, resulting in a substantial drop in gas temperature, thereby maximizing the cooling potential of the gas being directly applied to the bearing. Cooling bearings in this manner extends their operational life and enables them to operate at the desired speeds. A housing may be provided for receiving a compressed gas, expanding the compressed gas to a predetermined pressure, enabling the expanded gas to directly contact the bearing, and exhausting the expanded gas.
US07753645B2
Various “contactless” bearing mechanisms including hydrodynamic and magnetic bearings are provided for a rotary pump as alternatives to mechanical contact bearings. In one embodiment, a pump apparatus includes a pump housing defining a pumping chamber. The housing has a spindle extending into the pumping chamber. A spindle magnet assembly includes first and second magnets disposed within the spindle. The first and second magnets are arranged proximate each other with their respective magnetic vectors opposing each other. The lack of mechanical contact bearings enables longer life pump operation and less damage to working fluids such as blood.
US07753631B2
A screw comprising a first member having a plurality of alternating first thread ridges and first thread grooves, a ridge width of the first thread ridges being larger than a groove width of the first thread grooves at a measurement diameter of the first member. The measurement diameter is determined by calculating a pitch diameter of a hypothetical member having a plurality of hypothetical thread grooves and hypothetical thread ridges, with the hypothetical thread grooves being identical to the first thread grooves, and with the hypothetical thread ridges and the hypothetical thread grooves having identical, but opposite, profiles, and with the measurement diameter being identical to the pitch diameter of the hypothetical member.
US07753630B2
Base unit (2) for docking and securing a wheelchair (1) in a vehicle, which base unit is designed to be fixed to the floor of the vehicle and comprises a locking mechanism (11) for securing an engaging device (3) fixed to the wheelchair in such a way that it can be released. In order to achieve a butt fixing of the wheelchair, the base unit comprises at least one first support surface (20), facing away from the floor of the vehicle, that is arranged to make contact with a corresponding first support surface on the wheelchair in order to prevent the wheelchair from moving in the direction towards the floor of the vehicle when in the secured position.
US07753612B2
The assembly comprises a fixed fork (10) of which the lugs (22, 30) support a rod (60) onto which a spherical ball is slipped (46) about which a cage (44) and a support (42), of the part which is mobile in rotation, swivel. The maintaining of the axial and angular positions of the spherical ball (46) in the fork is ensured, in particular, by a tight fit (A3) which replaces conventional screw and nut systems positioned at the end of the rod and which project disadvantageously.According to the invention, a pair of planar facets which are opposing and in abutment (including 23) carry out a blocking of one of the assembly pieces in rotation.Application to bell cranks for the transmission of movement, in particular in aircraft engines.
US07753608B2
A lipstick case includes a cylindrical case body and a tube axially movably mounted in the case body to hold a lipstick. The tube has a vertically sliding groove and a guide groove disposed at two opposite lateral sides of a bottom base block thereof. A limiter device is formed of a holder base, a limiter element, a spring member and a constraint member. The limiter device is fastened to the inside of the case body for guiding and limiting axial movement of the tube relative to the case body.
US07753594B2
The retaining plus is used for assembling or retaining an array of needle roller bearings in the center of a gear. The plug applies a spring force through a push ball and a wire retainer clip which separates a pair of the needle roller bearings and force the array of bearings together and against the inside diameter of the gear.
US07753593B2
A tapered roller bearing (1) comprises an inner ring (2), an outer ring (3), a plurality of tapered rollers (4) rollably disposed between the inner and outer rings (2, 3) and a cage (5) for holding the tapered rollers (4) at predetermined circumferential intervals, wherein (the circumferential length on the PCD)−(roller diameter×the number of rollers)
US07753590B2
A bearing unit includes: a radial bearing for bearing in a circumferential direction of a shaft; a thrust bearing for bearing one end in a thrust direction of the shaft; a housing provided on the outside of the radial bearing and the thrust bearing and filled with a viscous fluid; a seal member united with the housing so as to contain the radial bearing and the thrust bearing in a sealed state, the seal member having a shaft passing hole through which the shaft is passed; and a passage for discharging air present inside the housing, the passage formed between the housing and the radial bearing, and the passage providing communication between the one end side and the other end side in the thrust direction of the shaft projecting from the radial bearing, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the passage is a shape including at least one acute angle.
US07753589B2
An encapsulating bag for contamination control on gas cylinders employs a main body of fabric such as polyester or flouropolymer having a weave sufficiently tight to preclude contaminant transmission. A bottom boot engages a lower portion of the main body to cover the bottom of the cylinder. A separation closure means such as a non-metal zipper is incorporated into the main body for opening the main body for insertion of the cylinder. A cuff is attached to a top circumference of the bag main body for close engagement of a top boss of the cylinder to preclude contaminant escape. An ESD button is incorporated in the body of the bag for attachment of a conducting lead for grounding connection.
US07753582B2
A sensor for determining the thermal conductivity of a fluid comprising a sensing module located within a housing having inlet and outlet ports for a fluid under test, the sensing module comprising a reference base surface and a sensing element spaced therefrom and having measure and reference sections, and there being provided electrical power monitoring means for monitoring the power through the measure and reference sections in order to generate a signal indicative of the power difference due to thermal conductivity through the fluid. The sensing element is a thick film printed disc with measure and reference resistors printed on it. All changes in the fluid are common to both the measure and reference sections except for the thermal conductivity of the fluid itself.
US07753580B2
A class of designs is provided for a mixer in micro reactors where the design principle includes at least one injection zone in a continuous flow path where at least two fluids achieve initial upstream contact and an effective mixing zone (i.e. adequate flow of fluids and optimal pressure drop) containing a series of mixer elements in the path. Each mixer element is preferably designed with a chamber at each end in which an obstacle is placed (thereby reducing the typical inner dimension of the chamber) and with optional restrictions in the channel segments. The obstacles are preferably cylindrical pillars but can have any geometry within a range of dimensions and may be in series or parallel along the flow path to provide the desired flow-rate, mixing and pressure-drop. The injection zone may have two or more interfaces and may include one or more cores to control fluids before mixing.
US07753552B2
An assembly and a method for attaching a sign-type lighting fixture to an electrical box. The assembly includes a lighting fixture having a mounting plate affixed to the electrical box, an illuminating sign, and a canopy affixed to the lighting fixture, allowing the canopy and the mounting plate to attach quickly. The method first includes affixing a mounting plate to an electrical box and affixing a canopy to a sign-type lighting fixture. Next, the canopy is secured to the mounting plate by inserting at least one wing tab from the canopy through at least one holding tab on the mounting plate. Then, the electrical wiring is connected. After that the wing tab and holding tab are separated. Finally, the wing tab is inserted into at least one offset on the mounting plate, and the canopy is secured to the mounting plate.
US07753550B2
The invention relates to a recessed lighting fixture comprising a holder for fixing a mounting surface, in particular in a room ceiling consisting of an illuminant holder and a reflector. The holder and the reflector are disposed with respect to each other in such a way that the reflector extends in the direction of a main lighting beyond the mounting surface when the recessed lighting is fixed thereto. In said area extending beyond the mounting surface, the reflector is connected to a reflective element which is vertically or angularly oriented with respect to the direction of the main lighting and is disposed outside of the reflector for receiving the light in the area between the mounting surface and the reflective element.
US07753549B2
A weapon mountable aiming system has a multi-laser assembly having a first visible laser pointer assembly, a second infrared laser pointer assembly, and an infrared laser illuminator assembly whose generated light beams extend outwardly through an opening in an actuator used to adjust the divergence of the infrared laser illuminator assembly. The multi-laser assembly being steerable by a set of adjusters in the weapon mountable aiming system to allow alignment of the generated light beams with a point of impact of a bullet with a target.
US07753545B2
The invention is an illuminable tank that includes a partially translucent plastic tank and an illumination apparatus. The illuminable tank enables a user to determine the level of liquid in the tank, to make the tank more visible at night, and to light the area surrounding the tank's mouth and a spout. The illumination apparatus has a magnetic reed switch and an electrical circuit with a plurality of light emitting devices that are directed toward the interior of the tank, therein backlighting the tank and illuminating a visible level line at an interface of a surface of the liquid in the tank and the space above the surface. There can also be external lights which provide a cone of light for the spout. The illumination apparatus is explosion proof, and the illuminable plastic tank can be used to store, carry and dispense all commercial retail fuels.
US07753538B2
In a variable-shape mirror provided with a support base, a mirror portion that is disposed to face the support base and that has, on a side thereof facing away from the support base, a mirror surface which is irradiated with a light beam, and piezoelectric elements that are sandwiched between the support base and the mirror portion and that vary the shape of the mirror surface, the piezoelectric elements are bonded, by means of a thin layer of metal, to at least one of the support base and the mirror portion by the application of heat and pressure.
US07753535B2
According to the present invention, a projection type image display apparatus enables control of a large amount of light masking through a light-masking unit while maintaining a uniform illumination distribution in an area to be illuminated by the illumination light. The apparatus uses two array lenses on which lens cells are arranged in matrix form, where light-masking unit masks the array lens installed on the light source side in their particular area. The light-masking unit adjusts the amount of light emitted from the light source. The light-masking area of lens cells adjacent to lens cells closest to an optical axis is made smaller than the light-masking area of other cells.
US07753531B2
An image display apparatus acquires a high-quality image by suppressing positional fluctuation of projected dots due to a positional offset of an optical path deflecting element. A spatial light modulation element (1) displays an image by projecting a light from an illumination light source. A projection optical system (3) enlarges and projects the image formed on the spatial light modulation element (1). An optical path deflecting element (2) is provided between the spatial light modulation element (1) and the image formed on a screen (4) so as to deflect an optical path in accordance with a screen frame period. The optical path deflecting element (2) shifts the optical path for the image projected on the screen (4) at a high rate so as to apparently increase a number of picture elements. The optical path deflecting element (2) is located within the projection optical system.
US07753523B2
A goggle based light-weight VOG system includes an integral calibration laser and at least one digital camera connected to and powered by a laptop computer through a firewire connection. The digital camera may digitally center the pupil in both the X and Y directions. A calibration mechanism may be incorporated onto the goggle base. An EOG system may also be incorporated directly into the goggle. The VOG system may track and record 3-D movement of the eye, track pupil dilation, head position and goggle slippage. An animated eye display provides data in a more meaningful fashion. The VOG system is a modular design whereby the same goggle frame or base is used to build a variety of digital camera VOG systems.
US07753512B2
A fluid transport apparatus maintains temperature of a fluid transported through a conduit. The fluid transport apparatus includes a fluid transport conduit for transporting fluid, the fluid transport conduit having an inlet end that is coupled to a fluid supply and an outlet end that is coupled to a receiving port, a compressor conduit configured to pump fluid through the fluid transport conduit by pressurizing and venting the compressor conduit, and a thermal conductor configured to achieve a non-ambient temperature for the fluid within the fluid transport conduit as the compressor conduit is operated to move the fluid through the fluid transport conduit.
US07753510B2
An ink stick for use in a phase change ink printer includes a first portion of a solid ink stick body, the first portion being formed of a first material of a phase change ink composition. The ink stick also includes a second portion of the solid ink stick body, the second portion being formed of a second material. The first material and the second material combine when the ink stick body is melted.
US07753507B2
A cartridge for a pagewidth printhead assembly is provided. The cartridge includes a body assembly having a lid and main body operatively defining a plurality of fluid chambers when assembled, each chamber comprising a stack of polymer layers with a micro-capillary array of channels formed therein to form an absorbent assembly. The cartridge includes a plurality of printhead integrated circuits (IC) each having a plurality of micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangements for ejecting printing fluid onto a printing medium, in use. The cartridge also includes a fluid distribution member operatively arranging each chamber in fluid communication with each IC.
US07753501B2
This liquid supply system has a liquid storing portion, and a first communication hole and a second communication hole formed in the bottom of the liquid storing portion. The liquid supply system has a gas circulation mode of leading a gas in the liquid storing portion to the outside through the second communication hole and forcing the gas into the liquid storing portion through the first communication hole.
US07753487B2
A nozzle assembly for an inkjet printhead is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes an inkjet nozzle having an actuator for ejecting an ink droplet from the inkjet nozzle when a resistive element of the actuator is heated by an electrical current. A drive transistor provides an energy pulse to the resistive element of the actuator, and control logic controls the drive transistor. The aperture of the inkjet nozzle through which the ink droplet is ejected has a diameter of less than 15 μm.
US07753485B2
An ink ejection nozzle has an ink reservoir with an oscillator configured to oscillate ink pressure in the reservoir. A wafer assembly defines an ink supply channel in fluid communication with the ink reservoir. A nozzle chamber structure on the wafer assembly defines a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with the ink supply channel. An ink ejection port is in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber. A shutter is positioned in the nozzle chamber and is configured to shut the ink ejection port to the ejection of ink from the nozzle chamber.
US07753474B2
A droplet ejection apparatus having a droplet ejection head, a cap casing, a pump, and a movement device is disclosed. The droplet ejection head ejects liquefied material containing functional material from nozzles as droplets. The cap casing has an accommodating portion in which a portion of the droplet ejection head including at least the nozzle forming surface is accommodated. The pump supplies liquid to the accommodating portion. The movement device moves at least one of the cap casing and the droplet ejection head relative with the other. When recovery is performed on the droplet ejection head or the droplet ejection head is held in a nonoperating state, the movement device arranges the cap casing relative to the droplet ejection head in such a manner that the nozzle forming surface is immersed in the liquid retained in the accommodating portion.
US07753465B2
A method for generating a reference signal for use in an imaging apparatus having an encoder system that supplies an original encoder signal includes selecting one of a plurality of encoder signal conditioning algorithms corresponding to a plurality of desired functions, each encoder signal conditioning algorithm of the plurality of encoder signal conditioning algorithms being directed to facilitating a specific predefined function of the plurality of desired functions relating to a modification of the original encoder signal; reading values into the selected encoder signal conditioning algorithm to generate at least one programming parameter; and programming a hardware reference unit using the at least one programming parameter to generate a synthesized encoder signal representing the modification of the original encoder signal.
US07753464B2
A liquid-jet apparatus includes: a driving signal generating unit that generates a ejecting driving signal, which is a periodic signal having a plurality of pulse waveforms; a driving pulse generating unit that generates a driving pulse string for each unit region of a medium to be printed upon, on the basis of gray-scale data for the unit region, the ejecting driving signal, and information on whether the driving pulse string generated for a previous unit region includes a last pulse waveform or a pulse waveform immediately before the last pulse waveform in one cycle of the ejecting driving signal; and a control unit that drives the pressure changing unit on the basis of the driving pulse. In the liquid-jet apparatus, the one cycle of the ejecting driving signal corresponds to one unit region of the medium to be printed upon.
US07753449B2
A reclining seat for an automobile is disclosed. The reclining seat includes a seat back 1 having first side brackets 10 provided at both sides thereof, a seat cushion 2 having second side brackets 11 provided at both sides thereof, the second side brackets 11 being arranged outside of the first side brackets 10 so as to be opposite to the first side brackets 10, a connecting shaft 12 inserted at both end portions thereof through the first and second side brackets and interconnecting the first and second side brackets, whereby the seat back 1 pivotally supported to the seat cushion 2, recliner devices 13 mounted on the connecting shaft 12 and arranged between the first and second side brackets 10, 11 for allowing the seat back 1 to be pivoted forward and rearward relative to the seat cushion 2 in such a manner that an angle of the seat back 1 relative to the seat cushion 2 can be adjusted, and allowing the seat back 1 to be locked with respect to the seat cushion 2, and stopper mechanisms 15 on the first and second brackets 10, 11 for causing a rearward reclined posture of the seat back 1 to be maintained in a full-flat state when the seat back 1 is pivoted rearward relative to the seat cushion 2.
US07753443B2
A frame structure of a seatback for a vehicle includes a first frame including at least two panels and a divided portion therebetween and a second frame including tubing and bonded to the first frame substantially along a periphery of the first frame. The second frame includes an elongation deformation allowing portion for allowing a portion of the second frame to be elongated over the divided portion of the first frame in an upper side portion when a predetermined load is exerted on the seatback toward a rear of the vehicle.
US07753439B2
A folding chair that may be positioned in a folded position or a working position. The chair includes a front leg assembly that has first and second legs and a rear leg assembly that has third and fourth legs with first and second shafts slidably mounted therein. The first and second shafts are pivotably attached to the front leg assembly. A first cap is mounted on a pivot end of each of the third and fourth legs. A second cap is mounted on a proximal end of each of the first and second shafts. The second caps engage the first caps when the chair is in the working position and the first and second caps are spaced apart from each other when the chair is in the folded position. A locking assembly connects to at least one of the first and second shafts.
US07753435B2
A water shield for a door of a vehicle includes a main body with at least one sealing portion for sealing to the door. The water shield also includes at least one rib coupled to the main body for increasing stiffness of the water shield.
US07753423B2
A component assembly for a motor vehicle includes a first component and a second component. The first component includes a main wall and a tab extending outwardly from the main wall. The tab has an aperture extending therethrough. The second component has a support wall and a tab receiver extending outwardly from the support wall. The tab receiver lockingly engages the tab to interconnect the first component and the second component. The tab receiver has an end wall and a pair of guide walls extending from opposite ends of the end wall. The guide walls are spaced apart to receive the tab therebetween. The tab receiver has a retaining member disposed between the side wall and extending outwardly from the support wall. The retaining member extends through the aperture of the tab when the tab is fully received between the side walls. The tab receiver has a rib that extends longitudinally between the retaining member and a free end of the support wall for tensioning the tab as the tab is received by the tab receiver.
US07753413B2
A refrigerant pipe connected to a suction side of a compressor and a refrigerant pipe connected to a discharge side of the compressor are integrated into one body. A refrigerant pipe connected to an inlet side of a condenser and a refrigerant pipe connected to an outlet side of the condenser are integrated into one body. A refrigerant pipe connected to an inlet side of a decompressor and a refrigerant pipe connected to an outlet side of the temperature detecting portion are integrated into one body. In these piping structures, a double pipe structure and a double pipe joint structure are adopted in which an inner pipe for circulating high pressure fluid and an outer pipe for circulating low pressure fluid are formed separate from each other and the respective end portions of the pipes are joined to a joint member by plastically deforming the pipes.
US07753411B2
A book cover, formed from an elastomeric polymer material, has pocket portions for receiving the covers of a book. The pocket portions form an elliptically shaped access slot that encases covers inserted into the pocket portion and have peripheral edges that fold over and cover the top and bottom edge of the book spine.
US07753410B2
A tactical quick release seatbelt mechanism that attaches as an after-market enhancement to a pre-existing factory installed seatbelt. The tactical quick release seatbelt mechanism expedites exit from a factory-installed 3-point seatbelt, particularly in an emergency situation. The tactical quick release allows tactical users such as law enforcement, military personnel, drug enforcement personnel, Homeland Security personnel, etc. to exit a vehicle quickly, without delay or snag of tactical equipment (e.g., weapons, communications backpack, etc.) on the 3-point seatbelt, and without the need to take their eye of a given target by looking down for the seatbelt release button. The quick release mechanism inherently provides some extension to the length of the factory installed seatbelt, providing that much more flexibility and maneuverability for the occupant-particularly an occupant that is forward-leaning in the seat because of their wearing a backpack or similar tactical equipment while seated in the vehicle.
US07753399B2
An equalizer for a suspension system for a trailer is configured to absorb or dampen the harsh shocks or vibrations coming off of the leaf springs proximate to a center frame hangar, thus allowing for a “softer” ride. The equalizer utilizes one or two independent equalizer arm assemblies or castings which are each rotatably secured within the equalizer. Each equalizer arm assembly or casting is operatively associated with one of the leaf springs such that upon upward movement of the leaf spring, the associated equalizer arm assembly or casting is forced to rotate within the equalizer and to deform a shock absorber provided within the equalizer. The shock absorber, upon the deformation thereof, absorbs the harsh shocks or vibrations which would otherwise normally be transferred from the leaf springs, to the equalizer, and thus to the frame of the trailer.
US07753397B2
A pivotal base is adapted for detachably connecting a canopy frame to a stroller. The pivotal base comprises a connector, a first pivotal connector and a second pivotal connector. Wherein the connector of the pivotal base has a plug for connecting with the stroller, and a snap wall formed with a toothed inner surface; the first pivotal connector has a first connecting portion for connecting with a canopy brace, and a toothed portion pivotally inserted and snapped by the toothed inner surface in a plurality of fixed angle positions; and the second pivotal connector has a second connecting portion for connecting with another canopy brace, and a toothed portion pivotally inserted and snapped by the toothed inner surface in a plurality of fixed angle positions.
US07753393B2
A hitch assistance system including a tow ball position indicator; wherein the tow ball position indicator includes a base member having a gripping member, a bias member, and an extension member. The tow ball position indicator also includes a telescoping staff coupled to the extension member and an indicating member. The system includes a hitch position indicator configured to facilitate knowing a position of a hitch, wherein the hitch position indicator includes a base member configured to couple to a hitch. The base member includes a coupling member, a flared extension extending upwardly and outwardly, and a bias member, wherein the bias member is configured to bias the arms against contraction such that the flared extensions of the coupling member is disposed within an interior of a hitch and thereby couple thereto. The base member includes an extension member, a telescoping staff, and an indicator includes an indicating member.
US07753388B2
Embodiments of the present invention comprise a lightweight front wheel drive recumbent road bicycle and an associated frame. A front triangle is provided to which the drive train of a standard road group can be attached and utilized. A telescoping tube assembly is provided in the front triangle to permit the distance of a bottom bracket and crankset from a seat pan to be adjusted for riders of different sizes. The handlebar is coupled to an end of the telescoping tube assembly and no traditional handlebar stem attached to a steering tube is utilized, so that the structure provides maximum stiffness to better capture the input of the arms and upper body when maximum power is required. The seat pan and a seat back are integrated with the main frame truss structure to help ensure the maximum transfer of the rider's energy to the drive train.
US07753387B2
A bicycle stepping apparatus to increase the moment of force and save manual stepping labor has a stepping means located between a sprocket and a crank of a bicycle. The stepping means has a socket wrench which has a hub on one end with ratchet teeth formed thereon to house a flywheel. The flywheel has a gear engageable with the hub. The axis of the flywheel is coupled on the axle of the sprocket and fastened by a nut. The socket wrench has another end opposite to the hub that has an elongate sliding track formed on the bottom side to slidable hold a pair of first bearings of an auxiliary bar. The auxiliary bar has a steel ring on the bottom end with a pair of second bearings coupled on two sides to allow a shaft of a pedal to run through. The socket wrench can increase the moment of force to save manual stepping labor.
US07753386B2
A steering mechanism and method for a manually powered vehicle are provided. The steering mechanism includes a stem. An inner shaft freely rotates within the stem. A first end of a first cable and a first end of a second cable are operatively connected to the inner shaft. A second end of the first cable and a second end of the second cable are operatively connected to a steering column. The steering column supports a wheel of the manually powered vehicle. The steering column and the wheel rotate in response to rotation of the steering bar.
US07753380B2
A boot for constant-velocity universal joint includes a minor-diameter cylindrical portion, a major-diameter cylindrical portion, and a bellows. The bellows connects the minor-diameter cylindrical portion with the major-diameter cylindrical portion integrally, and includes a plurality of crests and roots, being made of a first crest, a first root, a second crest, a second root, and so on, which are disposed alternately in this order from one of the opposite ends that faces the minor-diameter cylindrical portion to the other one of the opposite ends that faces the major-diameter cylindrical portion. The bellows further includes a rising wall, which connects one of the opposite ends of the minor-diameter cylindrical portion that faces the bellows with a top of the first crest in the bellows, and which exhibits a rising angle of less than 45 degrees to an imaginary central line of the boot or that of the shaft.
US07753378B2
A cylinder head gasket for an internal combustion engine with a cylinder bore and a fluid hole includes a first metal plate having a curved portion around the cylinder bore and a folded portion extending from the curved portion, and a second metal plate laminated on the first metal plate and having a first full bead projecting toward the first metal plate. The first full bead is disposed on the folded portion. At least one secondary plate is inserted inside the folded portion.
US07753371B2
This invention relates to a media jam and media bent corner detector, comprising: a carriage; a transducer operatively connected to or adjacent to the carriage; and a piezoelectric film beam operatively connected to the transducer such that a portion of the beam substantially extends into a media path to detect the presence of a media jam or a media bent corner.
US07753370B2
A sheet conveyance apparatus provides skew correction roller pairs which rotate a sheet while conveying the sheet to correct skew of the sheet, and lateral registration roller pairs which moves the sheet in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction to correct the lateral registration. When the lateral registration is corrected, assist roller pairs arranged downstream is moved in the same direction as the lateral registration roller pairs in synchronization with the lateral registration roller pairs.
US07753369B2
Various embodiments and methods relating to a mechanically triggered nip drive shaft are disclosed.
US07753367B2
In a printing system in which the print media sheets are alternately fed from the same stack in the same tray by two sheet feeders at opposite sides into different sheet paths, at least one of the sheet feeders is repositionable towards and away from the other for feeding different size sheets, and the connecting sheet path is repositionable with the repositioning of the sheet feeder. The repositioning of the sheet feeder and its associated sheet path may be automatic in coordination with the normal resetting of a tray stack edge guide with the loading of different size sheets into the tray. The enhanced rate sheet feeding may be for a dual print engine printing system and/or selectably common or reversed sheet facing. Alternating coordinated lifting of a nudger roll of one sheet feeder with operation of the opposing sheet feeder, and retard nips spaced from the stack, may be provided.
US07753355B2
An image reader has an image reading portion and first and second conveying portions each having plural pairs of rotating bodies. A first changing portion makes a changeover between a first state in which the plural pairs of rotating bodies in the first conveying portion nips the sheet and a second state in which at least one of the plural pairs of rotating bodies in the first conveying portion is separated and the other pairs of rotating bodies in the first conveying portion nip the sheet, and a second changing portion makes a changeover between a first state in which the plural pairs of rotating bodies of the second conveying portion nips the sheet and a second state in which at least one of the plural pairs of rotating bodies in the second conveying portion is separated and the other pairs of rotating bodies in the second conveying portion nip the sheet.
US07753346B2
A freestanding fence constructed of square tubing and a few connectors. The fence is supported on footed x-shaped posts that sit on top of the ground. A horizontal member extends between adjacent x-shaped posts and a footed vertical support member is provided on each horizontal member approximately midway between the adjacent x-shaped posts. Several fence wires extend horizontally and connect to adjacent x-shaped posts along the length of the fence via electrical insulators and non-conductive fasteners so that the fence can be electrified. The horizontal members attach to the posts by means of couplings that allow for both vertical and horizontal adjustment. The fence is constructed of easily transported and assembled pieces that can be disassembled, moved, and then reassembled as often as needed.
US07753345B2
The invention relates to a winch comprising a drum, a rotary drum bearing, on which the drum is supported in a rotating manner, a supporting device, on which the rotary drum bearing is supported in a pivotable manner by means of at least one pivot joint, and an actuating drive for the active pivoting of the drum. The pivot axis extends inside the drum and the actuating drive is arranged at least partially inside the drum.
US07753338B2
A luer activated device includes an inlet adapted to receive a male luer, an outlet associable with a fluid flow system, and a flow path defined therebetween. The inlet receives a resealable valve element having an aperture adapted to receive the male luer. The valve element is adapted such that a male luer inserted into the aperture will open fluid flow through the inlet without causing a substantial change in fluid displacement.
US07753330B2
A multi-directional mechanical jointed arm for supporting and suspending articles and its use as a free hand accessory, characterized by comprising at least three ball and socket joints, adjustable at any spatial position and direction providing a three-dimension movability and ability to hold suspended articles in a specific determined point selected at such space.
US07753321B2
A harness clamp tie includes a locking head and a flexible strap extending outwardly from the locking head. The strap is insertable through the locking head to form a loop that can be used at least one item. A pawl in the locking head secures the strap. Nonslip rails formed along the outer edge of the strap face and clamping rails formed on the locking head aid in securing small items. Conic friction points are formed on both sides of the strap surface to provide a mechanical grip for pulling the strap through the locking head. A mounting fastener extends from the locking head in the opposite direction. The fastener secures the tie to a mounting structure such as an aperture in a panel. The fastener includes a pair of flexible winged springs which help to stabilize the tie and hold the tie perpendicular to the panel.
US07753316B2
A method and systems are disclosed for reducing fluid flow noise. The method and systems use a thermal mechanism to deploy a flap edge fence during landing and/or other operating conditions, and stow the flap edge fence during other operational conditions such as cruise. The flap edge fence is controlled passively by ambient temperature or actively by a controller based on temperature changes corresponding to various operating conditions.
US07753315B2
An un-manned multi-stage payload delivery vehicle and methods of deployment therefore are disclosed. According to various embodiments, the payload delivery vehicle includes first stage and a second stage. At least one of the first and second stages comprises a jet engine. According to various embodiments, methods of deploying the payload delivery vehicle include the steps of launching the payload delivery vehicle from a launch site, controlling the flight of the payload delivery vehicle in accordance with one or more deployment parameters, deploying a payload attached to the payload delivery vehicle, and controlling the flight of the payload delivery vehicle subsequent to payload deployment such that the payload delivery vehicle is flown to a pre-determined location for recovery and reuse.
US07753306B2
A winding machine includes flyers 5 rotated around a flyer rotation axis AXf orthogonal to the axis AXs of a rotor 2 constituting a work while at the same time winding wires 6 on core 23 of rotor 2. Rotor 2 is set in the winding machine in such a position that the center position of core 23 in the direction along rotor axis AXs and flyer rotation axis AXf are displaced from each other.
US07753295B1
A paper shredder which prevents cutting fingers is composed of a plurality of stops at two sides of a slot hole of a rack of two blade tools inside the paper shredder. The stops, which are aligned in alternation, are emplaced respectively between two blades. When a paper drop opening at a bottom cap is aligned with the slot hole of the rack, the stops will limit space the paper drop opening extending into the blade tool, which prevents from inserting fingers into the paper drop opening to be cut by the blade tool, and also prevents from putting in extraneous material to cause malfunction of the paper shredder.
US07753282B2
A mobile communication terminal being capable of holding various contents and immediately using a desired service regardless of the volume of data of the noncontact IC is provided. The mobile communication terminal includes a noncontact IC being capable of reading/writing a content directly from an external reader/writer and a terminal body that holds the noncontact IC. The terminal body includes: a main body processor that controls an operation of the terminal body and reads/writes the content stored in the noncontact IC; a display section that displays the content stored in the noncontact IC; an operation section that receives a selection of the content displayed on the display section; and a main body memory that stores therein data processed by the main body processor. The main body processor saves the content selected by the operation section among the contents displayed on the display section from the noncontact IC to the main body memory, and writes the saved content back to the noncontact IC when a predetermined condition is satisfied.
US07753274B2
A writing information processing device includes a writing acquiring unit that acquires writing information which is an electrified writing onto a medium that a document image is printed on, a link acquiring unit that acquires at least one of link information to a first electronic document that is an original of the document image and link information to a second electronic document generated from the first electronic document, and a file generating unit that generates a file in which the writing information is added to the link information.
US07753270B2
A storing apparatus (4) is provided with RFID readers (10, 11), and an ID of an article on a shelf (6) is read. Reading is performed when the shelf (6) is opened and at the time of closing it, and the ID of the article taken out and the ID of the article set are detected from a change made during the period. The ID of the article taken out or set is recorded as history information, and when the ID of the article is inappropriate, a monitor (28) gives warning.
US07753253B2
A dispensing device (4) for charging underfill agent into a gap between a substrate (K) and a chip (C) includes means for storing underfill agent (66, 67), a chamber (52) provided for containing substrate (K) to be charged with underfill agent and capable of being opened/closed, a dispenser (73) provided in the chamber (52) and discharging underfill agent introduced from the storing means (66, 67) into the gap between the substrate (K) and the chip (C), and a first pressure reducing means (46) for reducing the pressure in the chamber (52) at a predetermined vacuum pressure prior to the discharge of underfill agent by the dispenser (73). The dispensing device (4) can supply underfill agent with no bubbles to the substrate (K). A mounting system using this dispensing device (4) is also provided by the invention.
US07753249B2
The invention is a stapling device comprised of an articulation section having a staple cartridge containing staples and parts of a staple-firing mechanism located at one end and an anvil portion located at the other end. The front surfaces of the anvil and the cartridge are curved. When the articulation section is bent the curved front surfaces of the anvil and the cartridge are brought opposite each other. As the distance between said curved surfaces is reduced, their curvature helps to correct transverse misalignment and to bring the anvil and the cartridge into the correct working relationship.
US07753248B2
A drive mechanism for use with a surgical instrument includes a rotatable drive member, a crank operatively coupled to the drive member; a clutch operatively coupled to the crank, wherein rotational motion of the drive member causes oscillating movement of the clutch; and a gear rotatably coupled to the clutch, wherein the oscillating movement of the clutch causes rotation of the gear. The drive mechanism may further include a gear configured to engage a linear member. The crank may include a pin extending distally therefrom. The clutch may include a slot dimensioned and configured to receive a pin of the crank.
US07753246B2
A surgical stapling device has an elongated body and a removable loading unit and a securing structure for securing the loading unit onto the elongated body. A guiding ramp guides the movement of the loading unit as it is mounted onto the loading portion. The locking structure has a first position for locking movement of the loading unit and enabling firing rod to engage the loading unit. The locking unit has a second position for allowing the loading unit to be disengaged and removed from the device.
US07753239B2
A pressurized water container for use with a drinking water purification system includes a housing having a top opening and lower first and second valves; a sealing assembly releasably mounted on the opening of the housing; a flexible upper water chamber including a top opening in communication with the opening of the housing; a lower pressure chamber having a rigid top surface fixedly secured to an inner surface of the housing wherein pressurized air is adapted to feed into the pressure chamber through the second valve for storage; an air chamber between the water chamber and the pressure chamber; and a tube interconnecting the first valve and a bottom surface of the air chamber, the tube having a port in communication with the pressure chamber, and a hand wheel for either opening or closing the port. Replacement of the water chamber is made easy by detaching the sealing assembly.
US07753229B2
A counter is disclosed for use with a medication storing and dispensing cassette. The counter is comprised of a loader for receiving a cassette, a sensor for sensing whether a cassette is in the loader, means for moving the loader into an operative position, a vacuum unit for applying a vacuum to the cassette, a drive unit for driving a driven portion of the cassette and a counter for counting medication within a portion of the cassette. Methods of operating the counter are also disclosed.
US07753217B2
A retainer is shaped and sized to accommodate within it a bracket of a hanger in order to prevent an upward, vertical translation of the bracket, followed by its pivoting and finally fall to the ground, by using one end of the retainer for positioning and stabilizing, with respect to one channel of a slatwall track, one extremity of the bracket, while another end of the retainer, vertically spaced from the aforementioned one, is inserted by snapping into another parallel channel of the slatwall track.
US07753216B2
A tool suspension device has a base bracket and multiple clamps. The base bracket has a baseboard and a rail bracket. The rail bracket is formed securely on the baseboard and has a rail and two longitudinal grooves. The rail has multiple detents formed in a front surface of the rail. The clamps are slidably mounted on the rail in pairs. Each clamp has two hooks and an arm. The hooks are respectively mounted slidably in the longitudinal grooves of the rail. The arm is formed on and protrudes out from the hooks and has a jaw recess, a mounting recess and a boss. The mounting recess is formed in the arm and corresponds to one of the detents in the rail. The boss is mounted in the mounting recess and engages the corresponding detent.
US07753214B2
A liquid extraction unit for extracting liquid from an aqueous material is described. The unit includes a filter that is configured to allow passage of the liquid and prevent passage of the aqueous material. The unit also includes a first vacuum that is configured to extract air from the extraction unit. The unit further includes a second vacuum that is configured to pull the liquid through the filter. The first vacuum and the second vacuum are located after the filter.
US07753212B2
A continuous flotation process and apparatus for iron-containing sulphides in ores and concentrates of ores are disclosed. The process includes adjusting the pH of an aqueous pulp of the ores or concentrates of the ores to be in the range of 6.5-8.5 and thereafter adding a reducing agent to modify an iron hydroxide film on the surface of iron-containing sulphides in the ores or ore concentrates to enable adsorption of a collector onto iron-containing sulphides. The process also includes adding the collector to the pulp prior to, during, or after adding the reducing agent. The process also includes aerating the pulp to increase the pulp potential to a level sufficient to allow collector adsorption onto the iron-containing sulphides and thereafter bubbling gas through the pulp and subjecting the aqueous pulp to froth flotation to produce a froth containing said sulphide containing minerals.
US07753199B2
A USB device securement apparatus is disclosed. The USB device securement apparatus includes a dock that includes a device side and an attachment side. The device side of the dock receives the USB device and the attachment side of the dock is coupled to a surface. This arrangement provides proper securement of the USB device during retail, transportation, and storage.
US07753194B1
A conveyor assembly is provided. The conveyor assembly comprises a frame having structural support elements that facilitate easy cleaning of the device and avoid the collection of water, bacteria, debris and the like. The frame of the conveyor assembly may further comprise one or more means for retaining wear strips on the frame that provide for the secure retention of the wear strip, yet allow easy removal and cleaning of the associated components. A sanitary removable hinge is also disclosed and may be used in connection with a conveyor assembly.
US07753186B2
A vehicle clutch, particularly motorcycle clutch, is provided comprising a friction system; an engaging member acting on the friction system; and a spring adapted to be brought into operative communication with the engaging member via a bearing, wherein the engaging member is subdivided into an inner part and an outer part which is rotatable relative to the inner part by a defined turning angle, the spring has a degressive spring characteristic, and the bearing and the inner part are adapted to be brought into operative communication with one another via a surface arrangement constituting an inclined plane.
US07753185B2
A shift device includes a hub, a sleeve splined with the hub, and a pair of speed gears sandwiching the hub. Thrust pieces are respectively inserted in the concave portions of the sleeve and movable in the notches of the hub in an axial direction, and formed with slanted surfaces on their outer circumference for contacting with slanted surfaces of the sleeve, and contact with projections of synchronizer rings so that the thrust pieces can move around the projections and push the projections in the axial direction. The thrust pieces are also formed with projecting portions at their four edges, seen from an outside of the hub in a radial direction, the projecting portions being formed with slanted surfaces corresponding to the slanted surfaces of the hub.
US07753182B2
A speed restrictor for a gravity driven vehicle is provided. The speed restrictor is configured to limit the speed of the gravity driven vehicle by restricting rotation of a wheel axle while the gravity driven vehicle descends down a mountain track.
US07753177B2
A wheel chock assembly is provided having a base member extending axially from a top end to a bottom end, first and second support members whose upper ends are pivotally and slidably engaged with respect to the base member, first and second wheel chocks mounted with respect to the lower ends of the support members, and an adjustment mechanism mounted to the base member. The adjustment mechanism is operatively engaged to the support members to achieve axial movement of their upper ends with respect to the base member to extend and retract them within a range that permits the assembly to grip the wheel of a cart between the wheel chocks. Preferably, the adjustment mechanism is a cord secured to the main member of the base member such that pulling the cord upward draws the main member into the handle of the base member, extending the support members outward, while releasing the cord withdraws the main member from the handle, retracting the support members inward. A method is also provided for securing the wheel of a cart.
US07753174B2
The invention relates to an elevator installation with a number of cars in a shaft, with a second car disposed underneath a first car. Associated with each car is a drive with a traction sheave and at least one cable strand, which is led over the traction sheave and by means of which the car is connected to a counterweight. The second car is kept in a suspension ratio of 1:1 and is connected to its counterweight by means of two cable strands associated with different sides of the second car and led over the traction sheave of the second car. A cable guiding device is provided which subjects the two cable strands of the second car to equal loading.
US07753170B1
A cover for a ladder top has a top panel, a front side extending downwardly from one side of the top panel and indentation formed therein, and a belt connected to the top panel for maintaining the front side of the top panel in juxtaposition against an extrinsic surface. The indentation has a generally V-shape. A first slot is formed on one side of the indentation and a second slot is formed on the other side of the indentation. The belt extends through both the first and second slots.
US07753169B1
A wheeled platform for supporting a stepladder includes an adjustable size frame carrying a plurality of swivelable and rotatable wheels for movably interengaging an underlying surface. The frame includes a plurality of adjustable mounting brackets that are releasably interconnectable to respective legs of a stepladder for holding the stepladder in an open condition on the frame. A brake is provided for selectively engaging at least one of the wheels to brake and hold the frame in a selected location on the underlying surface.
US07753168B2
A muffler has a casing with a plurality of sound-muffling chambers, exhaust pipes that pass through at least two sound-muffling chambers and to pass through exhaust from an engine, a plurality of apertures provided in each exhaust pipe, and a plurality of valves provided in each of the apertures. In this muffler, the plurality of apertures are provided at the locations at which an exhaust flow from one aperture and an exhaust flow from another aperture do not interfere with each other. When there are two apertures, the apertures are provided at positions in the exhaust pipes at which the apertures do not face each other. For this reason, by avoiding interference between exhaust flows from the two apertures, it is possible to suppress an abnormal sound caused by the interference.
US07753161B2
A method of configuring components on a chassis of a model vehicle is provided, comprising providing a vehicle chassis, mounting an engine to the vehicle chassis such that the engine crankshaft is positioned at a first height relative to the chassis, and mounting a transmission to the vehicle chassis such that the transmission output shaft is positioned at a second height, and wherein the first height of the crankshaft is no less than about 3 mm and no more than 15.5 mm higher than the second height of the output shaft.
US07753153B2
A method and an apparatus are provided for the adaptive cruise control of a motor vehicle along the lines of a distance-constant control and a speed-constant control, respectively, which apparatus includes at least two devices interconnected by a data-exchange device. The first device includes at least one transmitting and receiving unit for detecting objects, which operates according to the radar principle and/or lidar principle, as well as at least one target-object-selection device. The second device includes at least one speed and distance controller, and is connected to the first device by a data-exchange system through which data with respect to two detected objects is transmitted.
US07753143B1
According to various aspects of the present invention, a superabrasive element includes a plurality of superabrasive grains (e.g., as diamond grains and/or cubic boron nitride grains). The superabrasive element further includes a binder constituent that bonds at least a portion of the superabrasive grains together. The binder constituent includes predominantly one or more inorganic-compound phases, such as boron or silicon compounds. Applications utilizing such superabrasive elements and methods of fabricating such superabrasive elements are also disclosed.
US07753140B2
An auger boring machine includes a common power source for powering a drive motor which rotates an auger and a drive assembly which drives a pilot tube to form a pilot hole in the earth which is followed by the auger. The drive assembly is movable into and out of the operational position of the auger to allow the auger to be mounted on the drive motor. Preferably the drive assembly is removably mounted on the frame of the auger boring machine. An electric generator and hydraulic pump are powered by the common power source for operating various components of the drive assembly.
US07753136B2
The present invention provides a reciprocating pneumatic tool mechanism, including a casing, pneumatically-operated control module, control switch, actuating module and vibration-absorbing member. The plates of the actuating module are combined into a single body by the perforating locator. The periphery of the plates can be slidably abutted with the inner wall of the tank. The air inlet of actuating module is adapted air-tightly with air supply end of pneumatically-operated control module. At a front end of the actuating module, a protruding tube is screwed into a punch hole in front of the casing. The vibration-absorbing member includes a built-in buffer between actuating module and pneumatically-operated control module, and a front-mounted buffer between the front ends of actuating module and casing. With the invention, the vibration-absorbing members of reciprocating pneumatic tool is saved, improving the assembly efficiency, reducing assembly cost and volume with better economic efficiency.
US07753133B2
An apparatus for fracturing a crust on an agricultural field includes a tool bar and a support attached to the tool bar. A plurality of discs are non-rotatably attached to an axle that is rotatably supported by the support. Each of the plurality of discs include a plurality of spaced apart teeth about the perimeter of each disc. The teeth comprise convex surfaces and concave surfaces that converge at distal ends where the plurality of discs rotate about the support such that the convex surfaces penetrate and fracture the crust and that any debris or trash picked up by the teeth is ejected by the angles of the teeth and angles of the support brackets preventing plugging and destruction of the rowed crop.
US07753132B2
A method of controlling a machine during an excavating operation is provided. Stabilizers are deployed to ground contact to stabilize the machine at a first set-up position. Excavating is performed with an excavating assemblage during a first excavating phase while the machine is stabilized at the first set-up position. An automated machine preparation for repositioning mode is initiated for preparing the machine, after the excavating phase, for repositioning to a second set-up position for a second excavating phase, by activating an input device to send input signals to a controller. Output signals are delivered from the controller to control automated machine preparation for repositioning to the second set-up position.
US07753130B2
A well bore liner placement method and apparatus, including inserting a liner running assembly carrying a liner into a well bore, the assembly including a liner placement apparatus having an annular seal extending radially to sealingly engage the well bore, and pumping fluid into the annulus above the annular seal until fluid pressure on the upper surface area of the annular seal creates a force exceeding opposing bottomhole forces below the annular seal and thereby driving the liner down the well bore.
US07753127B2
A bottomhole tool and a method for optimizing oil production rate from an oil well with high gas-to-oil ratio and stabilizing thereof in case of occurrence of a gas cone or gas skin conditions are disclosed. The resistance of the adjustable multi-stage flow resistor is determined by a position of a telescoping needle, which in turn is defined by a driving means including a motor and a gearbox. The motor is driven via a cable from a surface by a control means adapted to receive information about the bottomhole parameters from local sensors via a sensor cable. Methodology explaining the principles of maintaining well stability is also disclosed. Automatic adjustment of the bottomhole pressure is maintained over a wide range of operating parameters throughout the life of the well to maximize its oil output.
US07753126B2
A continuous open discharge vacuum chamber for gravity feeding drill cuttings extracted from a cuttings source by vacuum and depositing them by gravity into a fluid. Embodiments include means for removing and recovery of drilling fluids, sizing the cuttings and relieving choke points and blockages.
US07753112B1
A fluid production system is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the fluid production system includes a tubing transport, installation and removal apparatus comprising a trailer having a wheeled trailer frame; a tubing spool carried by the trailer frame; a tubing reel carried by the trailer frame in spaced-apart relationship with respect to the tubing spool; a continuous, flexible and non-metallic tubing string wound on the tubing spool and extending over the tubing reel; a pump provided on the tubing string; and a pump motor drivingly engaging the pump. A fluid production method is also disclosed.
US07753107B2
A heat dissipation device for a heat-generating electronic component includes a heat sink (10) and a fan (20) mounted on a lateral side of the heat sink. The heat sink defines a plurality of channels (162) therein. A fan holder (30) is rotatably mounted on the heat sink. The fan is fixedly mounted on the fan holder and faces towards the channels of the heat sink. An airflow generated by the fan flows through the channels of the fan. When the fan holder rotates with respect to the heat sink, an airflow direction of the fan is changed accordingly.
US07753097B2
The label making apparatus of the invention comprises a guide plate 17 for guiding a raw sheet M in a predetermined feeding direction, an inspecting device 15 for inspecting a label L on a release liner S constituting the raw sheet M, a transfer device 25 for partially bypassing the feeding direction of the release liner to peel off a label from the release liner and temporarily sticking the non-defective label at a position on the release liner advanced toward the downstream side in the feeding direction by a predetermined distance, and a collecting device 22 for collecting a defective when a defective label is detected. The transfer device 25 adjusts the bypass length of the release liner so that a certain interval is kept between the non-defective label after a defective label is detected with respect to the preceding non-defective label.
US07753092B2
A device for feeding one or more substances thixotroping a liquid to a container for storing said liquid, is characterized in that the device comprises a tank containing thixotroping substances, a feeding means for transportation of the thixotroping substances from the tank into the container which contains the liquid, and a pressure generating means for generating a pressure gradients in the thixotroping substances within the feeding means which is directed from the tank to the container. By means of the device according to the invention thixotroping substances can be fed into fluid within the container, in order to prevent discharging and leakage respectively under certain defined circumstances.
US07753086B2
This invention relates to a method for filling particulate material in vertical tubes (1) where the velocity of fall of the material (4) is reduced by having it glide down a rotating spiral duct (2) or by gliding down a rotating inner tube (5) with openings above the bottom (6) through which the material can fall out. The inner tube (5) is filled with the particulate material (4). After the material has fallen out of the spiral duct (2) or the inner tube (5), it can fall towards the tube's (1) wall during the drop onto the top layer of filled material.
US07753084B2
A method and a clamping device for clamping a weft thread in a jet weaving machine are proposed. The weft thread strand runs through the beginning section (2.1) and the end section (2.2) of a mixing tube. The two sections between themselves form an engagement opening (8) and are connected with a first holding magnet (11) by a counter support (9). An actuator (6) in the form of an elastomeric bellows, which comprises a chamber (10), is located on the beginning section (2.1) of the mixing tube. The chamber (10) is connected to a valve (16) via a supply line (20) and is acted on variably with compressed air. By deformation of the actuator (6), a clamping element (7) connected thereto carries out a tilting movement between the counter support (9) and a contact stop part (19), which contains a second holding magnet (12). The holding magnets (11, 12) lead to an exact and reliable clamping of the weft thread (3).
US07753078B2
A user input device is provided for a hydraulic system that has a source of pressurized fluid and a tank. The user input device includes a body with a supply passage for receiving the pressurized fluid, a tank passage for connection to the tank, and a first chamber. A handle is pivotally attached to the body and operates one or more valves within the body. In a preferred embodiment, the handle can be pivoted independently about two orthogonal axis with separate pairs of valves operated by movement about each axis. In response to the position of the handle, each valve connects a separate chamber alternately to either the supply passage or the tank passage and different pressure sensor produces an electrical signal indicating a level of pressure in the chamber of each valve. Thus an electrical signal is produced from each valve to indicate motion of the handle.
US07753067B2
A shear valve employing a two-stage main poppet valve. The two-stage main poppet valve that can be opened with less force than normally required by prior art designs. For example, if there is pump pressure trapped on the upstream side of the two-stage main poppet valve and little or no pressure or atmospheric pressure on the downstream side, more force than can be provided may be required to open the two-stage main poppet valve to reset the shear valve after the two-stage main poppet valve is closed. The two-stage main poppet valve is designed to first begin to equalize pressure differential across the shear valve without opening a main poppet valve head from its seat inside the shear valve. Thereafter, the main poppet valve head can be opened with less force than otherwise would be required.
US07753055B2
A smoking device having an integrated lighter, a bowl for holding tobacco, and a duct for drawing smoke like a pipe. The device consists of a ignition switch located on the side of the pipe in natural proximity to the thumb, a piezo-electric ignition system, a flammable gas delivery system, a bowl for holding smoking material, and an aperature for drawing tobacco.
US07753046B2
The inventions disclosed herein relate to restraint devices for gas tanks. In a first embodiment, the tank retainer includes a bracket for engaging with the collar of a gas tank and a tray for engaging with the base of the gas tank. The bracket is preferably stationary wherein the tank, while supported by the tray, is rotated into engagement with a slot formed into the bracket. The tray preferably includes a channel for receiving and restraining the base of a gas tank. The brackets and trays can be used in combination or independently of one another. The bracket and tray are preferably distinct components of a gas grill; however, it is contemplated that the features of the bracket and tray can be incorporated into other components of a barbecue grill such as the frame members and lower shelf of the grill cart.
US07753045B1
A charcoal cooking grate which is hinged to fold up to trap charcoal in a tight pile that is necessary for efficient burning. The grate folds completely over the top and lays flat to allow for three sheets of crumpled up newspaper to be placed under one side. Both sides then fold up to trap the charcoal in the middle of the grate. There are also two hinged sides which fold up to trap the charcoal. These hinged sides wrap around the grate to complete the enclosure. The charcoal can then be loaded onto the center of the cooking grate. Because you have a defined area to pour the charcoal, you get the exact amount of charcoal that is needed to use the grill. After the coals have become hot enough to cook with, then the chains can simply be pulled to release the hinged sides and the end grates to their original positions. The charcoal is automatically dispersed across the charcoal grate as the end grates are lowered back down to a flat position. The side flaps then lay out the way against the side of the grill to allow for cooking. The aspects, features, advantages, benefits and objects of the invention will become clear to those skilled in the art by reference to the following description, claims and drawings.
US07753037B2
The present invention provides an engine capable of increasing an introducing amount of an EGR gas without reducing an introducing amount of a fresh air. In an engine structured to introduce fresh air and an EGR gas into a cylinder, the EGR gas is introduced into the cylinder at least at a part of a compression stroke using a pressure in a combustion chamber at least at a part of a power stroke.
US07753036B2
A compound cycle engine system has a rotary engine, which rotary engine generates exhaust gas. The system further has a compressor for increasing the pressure of inlet air to be supplied to the engine to a pressure in the range of from 3.0 to 5.0 atmospheres and an intercooler for providing the inlet air to the engine at a temperature in the range of from 150 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. The system further has one or more turbines for extracting energy from the exhaust gas. The Miller Cycle is implemented in the rotary engine, enabling the compression ratio to be lower than the expansion ratio, allowing the overall cycle to be optimized for lowest weight and specific fuel consumption.
US07753035B2
This involves diagnosing the operation of a fuel vapor purge device on an internal combustion engine. The pressure value and/or mass flow rate admitted to the air inlet manifold is determined upstream of the manifold where it communicates with the vapor recirculation pipeline, a command to open the electrically operated purge valve is issued, the engine control electronics are provided with the pressure and/or mass flow rate value determined at the start, without taking account of the mass flow rate that should have passed through the valve if it is opened, the engine reacts, according to whether or not vapors have been supplied to the manifold, and at least one operating parameter of this engine is detected, and if this parameter does not reveal any variation in the engine operation it is deduced that there is a deficiency in the opening of the valve and/or a malfunctioning of the purge device.
US07753033B2
A fuel module for a vehicle has a module housing in fluid communication with a fuel tank of the vehicle and supporting a fuel pump. A pressure regulator is in the module housing and the regulator receives fuel from the pump. An orifice is disposed in a fluid path between the pump and the intake of the regulator.
US07753024B2
The invention relates to an oil supply for an internal combustion engine, comprising an oil supply device for the supply of oil to a piston, reciprocating in a cylinder. The oil supply device is embodied such that at least at a point at which the piston is in the region of bottom dead centre, oil is introduced directly into a region below the piston, by means of the oil supply device, in particular, beneath the piston crown and within the piston skirt. The oil supply device thus comprises at least one tube element, extending into a region beneath the piston crown. The tube element terminates as close as possible to a gudgeon pin, when the piston is at bottom dead center. A targeted lubrication of the mechanically and thermally highly loaded gudgeon pin can thus be guaranteed. It is also possible by means of the oil supply to supply transfer ports of a two-stroke engine with oil, counteracting a tendency to coke up.
US07753021B2
A vehicle, such as a motorcycle, includes an engine and a frame. The engine includes a cylinder housing and a spark plug. The cylinder housing defines a spark plug aperture. The spark plug is received within the spark plug aperture. The frame supports the engine and comprises a frame member. The frame member is adjacent to the cylinder housing and defines an access aperture. The access aperture is substantially aligned with the spark plug aperture. The access aperture is configured to facilitate installation and removal of the spark plug with respect to the spark plug aperture. Methods of installing and replacing a spark plug are also provided.
US07753018B2
A valve timing control device includes a drive pulley driven by a crankshaft of an engine, and a driven camshaft. The camshaft has a cam that serves to open and close an intake port. An engine valve is spring-loaded by a valve spring, whereas the cam opens or closes the engine valve against the bias of the spring. Torque is transmittable between the drive pulley and the camshaft, and a rotation angle adjusting mechanism is provided therebetween. The rotation angle adjusting mechanism has a movable operating member being movable in a substantially radial direction.
US07753017B2
A hydraulically lashed end pivot rocker arm assembly finds application in high performance valve trains of internal combustion engines. The rocker arm is mounted at one end upon an eccentric bearing assembly and includes a surface for engaging a valve stem at the opposite end and a roller engaged by a camshaft disposed between the ends. The eccentric bearing assembly includes a stub shaft or cylindrical body that is received within a bore in the rocker arm and an eccentric bore which receives an inner shaft which extends along the cylinder head and supports the eccentric bearings and the rocker arm assemblies. The stub shaft or cylindrical body includes an ear or lug which is engaged by a hydraulic lash adjuster disposed parallel to and offset from the vertical plane of motion of the rocker arm.
US07753015B2
A device and a method for regulating the lift characteristic of an exhaust charge cycle valve of an internal combustion engine. The device comprises a controllable electric motor having an actuator element for actuation of the exhaust charge cycle valve, a regulating device for controlling the electric motor and two energy storage means acting in opposite drive directions on the exhaust charge cycle valve. The regulating device controls the electric motor according to a stored setpoint path, on the basis of which the exhaust charge cycle valve is transferred between a first end position and a second end position by swiveling the rotor of the electric motor back and forth. At least two different setpoint paths may be provided for regulating the speed of the rotor of the electric motor, whereby a lower kinetic energy is transferred to the exhaust charge cycle valve in regulation on the basis of the one setpoint path during the valve opening process than in regulation on the basis of the other setpoint path.
US07753000B1
A hay feeder allows a horse to eat from the feeder at a controlled speed in order to help prevent choke as well as overeating. The feeder uses a receptacle that has one or more guide posts extending between a closed bottom and an open top. A plate has first openings that each receive a respective post in order to allow the plate to slide up and down within the receptacle, the plate also having a series of second openings. Hay is placed into the receptacle and the plate is positioned on top of the hay. The horse eats the hay through the series of second openings and the plate gravitationally falls with the depleting stock of hay guided downwardly along the posts.
US07752997B1
A method and apparatus that produces highly ordered, nanosized particle arrays on various substrates. These regular arrays may be used as masks to deposit and grow other nanoscale materials.
US07752996B2
An electroless plating chamber is provided. The electroless plating chamber includes a chuck configured to support a substrate and a bowl surrounding a base and a sidewall of the chuck. The base has an annular channel defined along an inner diameter of the base. The chamber includes a drain connected to the annular channel. The drain is capable of removing fluid collected from the chuck. A proximity head capable of cleaning and substantially drying the substrate is included in the chamber. A method for performing an electroless plating operation is also provided.
US07752991B2
The invention relates to a visual warning device adapted to extend between a first cargo-carrying unit and a second cargo-carrying unit. The visual warning device includes a first mounting adapted to attach to the first cargo-carrying unit, a second mounting adapted to attach to a second cargo-carrying unit, and a conspicuous, elongate belt that engages the first and second mountings. The invention also relates to a method for providing a visual indicator of a region between a dump truck and a pull trailer.
US07752985B2
In a method for attaching s surface skin member with a stitch line onto a base core member, meandering of a stitch line is eliminated and thus a smart stitch line is formed. A stitch line A is formed on a surface skin member 33 of which material is artificial leather or genuine leather, a rod 36 is temporarily joined along the stitch line A on a reverse side of the surface skin member 33, a groove 311 is provided along the stitch line A on a surface of a base core member 31, the surface skin member 33 is attached and fixed on the surface of the base core member 31 while accurately positioning the stitch line A by accommodating the rod 36 inside the groove 311, and then the rod 36 is drawn out so as to accurately form the stitch line A.
US07752984B2
The present invention provides a device and a method for dense phase transport of a granular product, such as seed. A dense phase delivery line includes a porous medium located along a side wall of the dense phase delivery line. When air and seed are send through the delivery line, a control cover may be moveably positionable over the porous medium to control the flow of air through the porous medium and to start, stop, or otherwise control the dense phase transport of seed through the dense phase delivery line.
US07752979B2
A hopper car having an increased volume. The car has side walls, end walls, a bottom, and first and second sloping surfaces. The bottom lies at least partially in a horizontal plane and includes a plurality of spaced apart openings. The side walls, end walls, and horizontal plane define a volume X. The first and second sloping surfaces are located between adjacent openings and joined to the bottom adjacent the openings. The sloping surfaces extend upwardly from the bottom to present an inverted V enclosing a volume Y. The volume Y is no more than approximately 1 to 5% of the volume X.
US07752976B2
A warhead includes a barrel operatively associated with the vehicle, the barrel being extendable from and retractable into the vehicle; a penetrator disposed in the barrel; and means for expelling the penetrator from the barrel. A vehicle includes a barrel extendable from and retractable into the vehicle; a penetrator disposed in the barrel; and means for expelling the penetrator from the barrel. A method includes transporting a warhead to a position proximate a target; angularly or translationally positioning a barrel of the warhead; and expelling at least one penetrator from the barrel toward the target. A vehicle includes an airfoil; a barrel operably associated with the airfoil; a penetrator disposed in the barrel; and means for expelling the penetrator from the barrel.
US07752960B2
High-compression balers and methods for forming bales are disclosed. An exemplary baler 10 comprises a baling chamber 26 configured to receive the material. The baling chamber is formed by a pair of end plates 30a, 30b defining the longitudinal ends of the baling chamber, and a driven endless belt 28 guided by a plurality of rollers 36, 37, 40, 44, 50. The endless belt defines a periphery of the baling chamber. An exemplary method comprises providing an endless belt around at least a driven roller 40 and a tilt roller pair 36, 37, receiving the material in a baling chamber 26 through a throat 24 formed between the driven roller 40 and the tilt roller pair 36, 37, increasing the pressure applied by the endless belt 28 to the material, and securing the material in the baling chamber with netting 60 to form the bales 20.
US07752954B1
An electromagnetic launcher having a longitudinal axis includes a pair of longitudinally extending rails; a pair of longitudinally extending insulators disposed between the rails; a bore defined by interior surfaces of the rails and the insulators; and a jacket extending around exterior surfaces of the rails and the insulators; wherein the exterior surfaces of the insulators are substantially flat and further wherein a distance between the exterior surfaces of the insulators is substantially equal to or less than a maximum thickness of the rails.
US07752952B1
A dynamic barrier system including a number of sensors that monitor a barrier area to determine specific types of objects approaching, within, or exiting the barrier area. Depending upon the type of object(s), the dynamic barrier system initiates an appropriate action, both lethal and non-lethal. The barrier system may advantageously deactivate after its intended period of operation eliminating difficult and/or dangerous removal.
US07752951B2
A convertible miter/table saw comprises a base frame supporting a lower, miter saw table rotatable about a vertical axis. A circular saw assembly, namely a saw blade and motor, is mounted on a rear pedestal of the table and pivotable about a horizontal axis, the miter saw table providing a turntable and having a lower saw slot for receiving the saw blade. In miter saw mode, the swivel position of the miter saw table is adjusted and the circular saw blade moved downwards into the lower saw slot. In table saw mode, an upper saw table connected to the rear of the base frame is pivoted about a horizontal axis from a raised, generally vertical position to a lowered, generally horizontal position in which a slot in the upper saw table accommodates the circular saw blade when the latter is aligned therewith.
US07752940B2
An adjustable steering column for a motor vehicle includes a fixing device, in the opened state of which the steering column is adjustable in at least one displacement direction, and, in the closed state of which the set position of the steering column is fixed in the displacement direction or at least one of the displacement directions, for fixing the set position comprises at least one securement part which includes at least one toothing with teeth, and at least one counter-securement part, which includes at least one counter toothing, with teeth. Viewed in a cross section through the teeth of the securement part and of the counter-securement part, wherein the plane of this cross section is oriented parallel to the displacement direction and parallel to the opening direction, both side flanks of the teeth of the securement part and of the counter-securement part in the closed state of the fixing device form, at least in a section of their extent, inclination angles of less than 20°, preferably less than 12°, with the opening direction.
US07752939B2
A parallel link mechanism arranged between a fixed base and a movable base includes a harmonic drive gear reducer, a first arm, a second arm, a connection base, a first auxiliary link, and a second auxiliary link. The harmonic drive gear reducer has a body, an input shaft, a first output shaft, and a second output shaft. The first arm has a proximal end pivotally connected to the fixed base and a distal end connected to the body of the reducer. The second arm has a proximal end connected to the second output shaft and a distal end pivotally connected to the movable base. The connection base is arranged outside the second arm with respect to the reducer and connected to the first output shaft. The first auxiliary link is arranged parallel with the first arm and has an end pivotally connected to the fixed base and an end pivotally connected to the connection base. The second auxiliary link is arranged parallel with the second arm and has an end pivotally connected to the connection base and an end pivotally connected to the movable base.
US07752937B1
An anti-backlash gear includes a first gear and a second gear. The first gear preferably includes a gear plate, a plurality of snap projections and a finger hub. The plurality of snap projections and the finger hub extend from one face of the gear plate. The finger hub includes at least one substantially circular cavity. The second gear preferably includes a gear ring, a tubular projection and at least one spring finger. The tubular projection extends from one face of the gear ring. A snap bore is formed in the tubular projection. The at least one spring finger extends from an inside perimeter of the tubular projection. Each spring finger is terminated with a substantial retention cylinder for retention in the substantially circular opening. The second gear is pushed on to the first gear. The plurality of snap projections are retained on a bottom of the snap bore.
US07752934B2
A transmission is provided having a dual clutch, to achieve torque flow through a countershaft gearing arrangement. The countershaft gearing arrangement includes a plurality of co-planar gear sets having gears that are selectively connectable to a first and second countershaft. A transfer gear set transfers torque from the countershaft to an output shaft. The output shaft is connected to a final drive unit that has a final drive unit output shaft that is transverse to an input member connected at one end to a torque converter and at the other end to the dual clutch.
US07752932B2
A linear actuator is provided with an outer tube, an intermediate tube and an inner tube, and the tubes are all polygonal in cross section and are mounted orderly. The outer tube is disposed at the bottom thereof with a push device which has a screw and a nut that are screwed with each other. The nut is engaged in the intermediate tube and is linked to move axially by the screw. The intermediate tube can be movably equipped with a pulling member, and the pulling member can link the inner tube to synchronously move in the axial direction. By such arrangements, the linear actuator allows the respective tubes to extend and retract axially relative to one another while preventing them from moving relative to one another in radial direction, thus achieving the stable and smooth axial movement.
US07752925B2
A seat belt assembly includes a webbing, a resistive film attached to the webbing, and a connector. The connector further includes a first contact connected to first contact point on the resistive film and a second contact connected to a second contact point on the resistive film. The electrical resistance of the film between the first contact point and the second contact point is proportional to tension applied axially to the webbing. The first contact and the second contact are electrically connected to an electrical resistance measuring device.
US07752923B2
A magnetostrictive torque sensor for detecting a torque includes an operating shaft, magnetically insulating layers, and magnetostrictive films. The operating shaft is adapted to be applied with an external torque. The magnetically insulating layers are formed of a nonmagnetic material and provided on an outer peripheral surface of the operating shaft. The magnetostrictive films are provided on outer peripheral surfaces of the magnetically insulating layers.
US07752919B2
Acoustic flow meter with dual flow measurements. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are flow meters comprising a spool piece that defines a central passage, a first plurality of transducer pairs mechanically coupled to the spool piece, a second plurality of transducer pairs mechanically coupled to the spool piece, and meter electronics electrically coupled to the first and second plurality of transducer pairs (the meter electronics configured to determine a first value indicative of fluid flow through the central passage, the first value determined using only signals of the first plurality of transducer pairs). The meter electronics further configured to determine a second value indicative of fluid flow through the central passage, the second value determined using only signals of the second plurality of transducer pairs.
US07752912B2
A sliding fluid level-detecting device which is mounted in a fuel tank of a vehicle and detects a remaining amount of a liquid fuel in the tank by sliding, on a plurality of stripes of an electrode formed at an electrode part electrically connecting with a fuel meter, a contact point provided on a slider interlocking with displacement of a float floating on a fluid surface of the liquid fuel, wherein the electrode is formed out of a glass-incorporated silver-palladium alloy where glass is mixed in an amount of 30 to 50 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of a silver-palladium alloy and the contact point is formed out of a conductive material having a Vickers hardness (Hv) of 190 to 250.
US07752892B2
According to the invention, an apparatus to characterize leaks in a fluid storage container is disclosed. The apparatus may include a valve coupler, a gas manifold and a processor. The valve coupler may couple the apparatus with a closed valve on the fluid storage container. The gas manifold may be coupled with the valve coupler and may include a first branch connected with a gas monitoring device. The gas monitoring device may scan for a plurality of gases that may be emitted by the closed valve of the fluid storage container. The processor may be operable to receive gas monitoring device data representing masses for one or more of the plurality of gases detected by the monitor.
US07752882B2
The invention relates to pseudo porosity standards, and methods for their manufacture and use, which substantially mimic the effect porosity has on ultrasonic sound as it passes through a composite laminate. An ultrasonic inspection reference standard for composite materials having porosity may include a member having at least one thickness and at least one mesh. The member may be manufactured from a fiber-free polymer resin using a stereo lithography process. Use of the mesh produces a standard which transmits ultrasonic energy, with the mesh scattering and attenuating the energy. The manufactured reference standard may replace more costly porous, fiber-reinforced, composite reference standards in the aircraft industry and in other non-aircraft applications.
US07752875B2
A lock for use as a multipoint lock, the lock having: a lock body, a lock tongue which is moveable between a locking position and a free position, an actuator to move the lock tongue, a deadlocking member in the lock body and which is moveable between a deadlocking position to deadlock the lock tongue and an undeadlocking position, and, attachment means attachable to a remote lock operator to move the operator without any lost motion.
US07752869B2
A method for manufacturing a preform having a core and a multilayer clad, includes covering a circumference of a rod including at least the core and an inner clad layer with a first tube including at least a high viscosity clad layer, and unifying the rod and the first tube by heating and contracting the first tube.
US07752866B2
A thermal conduction switch includes a thermally-conductive first member having a first thermal contacting structure for securing the first member as a stationary member to a thermally regulated body or a body requiring thermal regulation. A movable thermally-conductive second member has a second thermal contacting surface. A thermally conductive coupler is interposed between the first member and the second member for thermally coupling the first member to the second member. At least one control spring is coupled between the first member and the second member. The control spring includes a NiTiFe comprising shape memory (SM) material that provides a phase change temperature <273 K, a transformation range <40 K, and a hysteresis of <10 K. A bias spring is between the first member and the second member. At the phase change the switch provides a distance change (displacement) between first and second member by at least 1 mm, such as 2 to 4 mm.
US07752850B2
A combustor (22) for a gas turbine (10) includes a main burner oxidizer flow path (34) delivering a first portion (32) of an oxidizer flow (e.g., 16) to a main burner (28) of the combustor and a pilot oxidizer flow path (38) delivering a second portion (36) of the oxidizer flow to a pilot (30) of the combustor. The combustor also includes a flow controller (42) disposed in the pilot oxidizer flow path for controlling an amount of the second portion delivered to the pilot.
US07752847B2
The invention relates to a method for cooling a gas turbine comprising a rotor, said method being carried out after the operation of the gas turbine and whereby the rotor is driven at least intermittently during a cooling phase at a reduced nominal speed. To provide a gas turbine with a reduced down time, a liquid is introduced at least intermittently into the air stream upstream of the compressor during the cooling phase.
US07752842B2
Circuit for controlling a double-action hydraulic drive cylinder includes a directional control valve having working ports A and B, a pump port P, and a tank port T, wherein the directional control valve has a neutral position in which pump port P is blocked and working ports A, B are connected to tank port T. A pressure-limiting valve and a controllable load-holding valve are connected to the piston space in parallel, and a regeneration check valve is connected in series between a connection point for the parallel components and the rod space. A first precharge valve is connected between the working port A and the connection point, and a first bypass check valve is connected anti-parallel parallel with the first precharge valve and the load-holding valve. A second precharge valve is connected in series with the directional control valve between the tank port P and the rod space.
US07752839B2
An exhaust emission purifying apparatus of the present invention has a casing that includes therein a plurality of layered passages which is formed by partitioning an inside of the casing to thereby allow an exhaust passage from an exhaust emission inlet to an exhaust emission outlet to be folded in its direction once or more, a reduction catalyst that reductively purifies NOx by using a reducing agent, a nozzle that injects the reducing agent or a precursor thereof to an exhaust upstream side of the reduction catalyst, and a filter (DPF) that collects PM suspended in an exhaust emission. The reduction catalyst and the filter are disposed in the different layered passages. Consequently, a more compact exhaust emission purifying apparatus having both NOx removal function and PM collection function can be provided.
US07752838B2
A device for purifying exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine comprising a NOx catalyst device, fuel feeding means for feeding additional fuel into combusted gas flowing into the NOx catalyst device during the regeneration treatment, and a NOx concentration sensor arranged on the exhaust downstream of the NOx catalyst device, wherein when the NOx concentration detected by the NOx concentration sensor is lower than a preset concentration during the regeneration treatment of this time, the amount of NOx absorbed by the NOx catalyst device during a preset period until the regeneration treatment of the next time is estimated by utilizing the NOx concentration sensor, and when the absorbed amount of NOx is smaller than a preset amount, it is decided that the amount of additional fuel fed during the regeneration processing of this time had been abnormally decreased.
US07752828B2
An apparatus that loads horizontally oriented slugs of edible, edge-standing items into trays includes a tray delivery mechanism having a tray infeed for receiving trays, a tray outfeed from which filled trays can be removed from the apparatus and a tray conveyor that moves the trays from the tray infeed to the tray outfeed. An over head transfer mechanism is disposed above the tray conveyor. The over head transfer mechanism includes a pusher flight and a retainer flight. The pusher flight and retainer flight are configured to cooperate to transfer a pre-selected number of edge-standing items forming the slug from a counting conveyor to a tray loading area. The overhead transfer mechanism includes a flight adjustment system that adjusts a distance between the retainer flight and the pusher flight to change the pre-selected number of edge-standing items transferred by the over head transfer mechanism from the counting conveyor to the tray loading area.
US07752819B2
This invention teaches inter alia a one-piece layered monolithic modulus of composite thermally-insulated concrete walls comprising a foundation; a concrete wall; a plurality of reinforcing steel plates; a pair of wall form panels; a slab; and optionally a plurality of slab-supporting bars; wherein the wall form panels having a plurality of steel plates distributed in uniform spacing and embedded vertically therein are made of polystyrene foam plastic; a plurality of teeth are vertically arranged on the two peripheral edges of the steel plate; a cavity is formed on each tooth; the teeth and the cavities protrude out of the inner surface of said wall form panels; a pair of channel-shaped steels with slots facing upwards are affixed horizontally on the foundation; the bottom surfaces of the wall form panels are affixed respectively into the slots of the channel-shaped steels; a plurality of welded steel fabrics are embedded in the spaces between the wall form panels; at least two wall form panels are interconnected by a plurality of jointing pieces passing through the corresponding cavities in the steel plates; the transverse jointing pieces are interconnected by transverse connecting locks and by vertical connecting locks; and pre-drilled holes are formed at the backside of the steel plates.
US07752816B2
A retention assembly is for retaining a panel in a window or a door. The assembly includes a surround, a frame, and a locking latch. The surround includes a first and a second pair of spaced segments which extend to define an opening. The frame includes a pair of first spaced sides and the panel is supported between the sides. The pair of first spaced sides are disposed between the first and second pair of segments. One of the first sides includes a floor and a catch which extends from the floor. The locking latch is movably supported by the surround and defines a retention recess for permitting locking engagement between the locking latch and the catch as the locking latch is moved relative to one of the first segments.
US07752807B2
An improved watering device comprises a cap member including a fastening portion provided at the upper side thereof for screwing with a container, and including a hollow tapered insertion element couplingly disposed at the lower side thereof and communicating with the fastening portion for forming a water passageway therein, and the cap member containing an air flowing duct extending in the air venting end of the cap member and having an air admitting end formed at the outer portion thereof for screwing with a rotating knob, wherein the air admitting end of the air flowing duct includes a tapered outer thread portion attached thereon so that as screwing with the rotating knob, an air admitting sacs between the inner and outer thread portions may be formed, thereby the outside air may flow into the air flowing duct, any by using the control member, the outflow amount of fluid may be stably regulated.
US07752805B2
A walkway adjacent trees is made up of modular sections of perforated plates supported on hinged frames that are supported on spaced piers. Retaining edges of biodegradable material serve to maintain a shallow trench beneath the perforated plates into which leaves or mulch are periodically added. This provides a root-friendly zone under the walkway for tree roots that are watered through the perforated plates and may grow without damaging the walkway. A fringe of plantings maintains the trench level when the biodegradable material disintegrates.
US07752804B2
A hydraulically-applied mulch matrix comprising non-porous particles, porous particles and mixtures thereof combined with a mechanically and or chemically bonded fiber mulch mixed within a high viscosity slurry to keep the particles in suspension for dispersion onto soil surfaces with mulch spraying equipment for enhanced erosion control and higher level plant establishment.
US07752800B2
The combination of a fishing reel support, a fishing reel, and a security assembly. The fishing reel support has a graspable body with a fishing reel mounting assembly. The fishing reel has a frame with an operating mechanism on the frame. The frame has a mounting stem and a mounting foot including first and second foot portions projecting generally oppositely away from the mounting stem. The security assembly prevents the fishing reel from being separated from the fishing reel support. The security assembly consists of first and second strap components that are joined to each other. A first foot portion is captive between the first strap component and the fishing reel support, with the second foot portion captive between the second strap component and the fishing reel support. The security assembly has a secured state and cooperates with the fishing reel support so that the fishing reel and security assembly cannot be separated from the fishing reel support with the security assembly in the secured state.
US07752797B1
A sling swivel component that interfaces with an S.I.R. system to allow attachment of a sling strap thereto while also having a flat head screwdriver integrated into the end of the threaded neck of the swivel body itself is provided. The sling swivel includes a swivel body and a sling swivel pivotably attached to an upper end of the swivel body. The sling or shoulder strap passes through the elongated opening of the sling swivel. The swivel body includes a threaded neck that is sized for threaded engagement within one of the threaded openings that are normally provided along the S.I.R. system such as those found in one of the optional rail segments or directly in the lower hand guard of the rail system.
US07752796B2
A device and method for locking a firearm are provided, the device having a locking round, elongate locking rod, protective cylinder, and locking tool. The locking round has a radial flange, an internal thread, and a plurality of prongs associated therewith, wherein the prongs are disposed about a circumference of the locking round. The locking rod has a conical cam, an external thread, and a first engagement member, wherein the cam is operable to radially expand the prongs through engagement between the internal and external threads. A removable tool having a second engagement member is operable to be inserted into the protective cylinder that is rotatably coupled to the locking rod, wherein a rotation of the tool is operable to operable to engage the shoulder, prongs, and protective cylinder with the firearm, thus providing first, second, and third friction regions for locking the locking device in the firearm.
US07752794B2
An identification wristband includes a liner layer permanently affixed to one end thereof, which covers an adhesive whereby the wristband may be secured to a person or object in a looped fashion securing the ends of the wristband together. The liner releasably covers a portion of the adhesive and is permanently attached to an adjacent portion of the adhesive. In this way, the liner is not separable from the wristband. The liner includes a first portion which is not adhered to the wristband to allow for ease of separation. The liner layer also includes a second portion that is not adhered to the wristband to ensure against accidentally exposed adhesive.
US07752783B2
A message card includes: a card body having first and second leaves, the card body being foldable and unfoldable in a manner that the first leaf is movable toward and away from the second leaf between closed and opened positions; a mounting base provided on the second leaf; a supporting mechanism mounted on the mounting base and defining two opposite end openings that are spaced apart from each other by a gap; a circuit unit; a switch mounted on the mounting base, coupled electrically to the circuit unit, and having an actuating member extending into the gap; and a flexible driving lever attached to the first leaf, extending through the end openings, and co-movable with the first leaf relative to the second leaf. The driving lever has a driving segment that is received in the gap to drive movement of the actuating member of the switch.
US07752777B2
A shoe sole includes a sole bottom portion and an enclosure integrally formed on a periphery of the sole bottom portion. The sole bottom portion forms a hard zone that is made of a carbon fiber composite material mixed with a thermosetting epoxy. The enclosure forms a soft zone that is made of a carbon fiber composite material mixed with a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). Thus, the shoe sole has a reinforced strength by provision of the enclosure so that the shoe sole is bonded onto the vamp solidly and stably, thereby enhancing the combination strength between the shoe sole and the vamp. In addition, the shoe sole has a light weight and greater hardness by provision of the sole bottom portion, thereby decreasing the weight of the whole shoe.
US07752776B2
Articles of apparel comprising insulating components having insulating structures with low thermal conductivity. Preferred insulating components for use in apparel have an insulating structure comprising a gas impermeable envelope and a porous material contained within the envelope where the insulating structure has a thermal conductivity of less than or equal to 25 mW/m K.
US07752775B2
The present invention teaches a method of making a custom article of footwear. Further, the article of footwear can include a spring element that can provide improved cushioning, stability, and running economy. In addition, the components of the article of footwear can be selected from a wide range of options, and can be easily removed and replaced, as desired.
US07752771B2
A depth checking device includes a body member, a pressing member, a checking member and an adjustment nut. The body member defines a stepped through hole forming a stopping surface inside. The pressing member includes a first end and an opposite second end. The first end includes a first end surface defining a first opening. The second end defines a second opening. The checking member is mounted in the stepped through hole and includes an indication end adjacent to the first end and a probe end. The indication end includes a second end surface. The adjustment nut is screwed on the checking member and supported by the stopping surface in a position where the first end surface is coplanar with the second end surface and the probe end protrudes from the body member with a protruding length of the probe end same as a designed depth of a fixing hole.
US07752769B1
A self-applied measurement kit for a hair replacement mold is provided. The kit comprises one shape wire, two side wires, one shape sheet and one domed support pad. The shape wire is adjusted to fit the desired hair boundaries and to be fixed on the head. The two side wires are draped downward toward the chin of the user and tied, so as to fix the shape wire in place. The shape sheet covers the head wearing the shape wire, so as to imprint the shape of the head, and the shape sheet is pinched to imprint the position and shape of the shape wire. The domed support pad keeps the molded shape wire and shape sheet from deforming. The two side wires facilitates fixing the shape wire on the head and imprinting the shape of the head and the shape wire fixed in place fitting the desired hair boundaries.
US07752768B2
A surgical incision marking template for marking a breast with an intended incision pattern prior to surgery comprises a pliable structural portion with a guide portion. The guide portion is substantially shaped and/or shapeable into a “keyhole” pattern. The keyhole pattern corresponds to the incision pattern generally utilized for the vertical short scar and the inferior pedicle techniques for breast reduction or mastopexy surgery and comprises a generally circular pattern and a generally linear pattern, with the generally linear pattern extending downward from the generally circular pattern when the template is placed on a standing patient. The pliable nature of the structural portion not only allows the shape of the guide portion to be altered but also allows the structural portion to conform to the curvature and shape of the breast. Methods of use for the template to mark the breast are also disclosed.
US07752759B2
A folding knife comprises a lock configured to more securely hold the blade in an extended position than conventional locks of conventional knives. The folding knife includes a handle, a blade movable relative to the handle to an extended position, and the lock that retains the blade in the extended position. The blade includes a cutting edge, and a tang that has a cavity and that is attached to the handle and pivotable about a pivot axis. The cavity includes a central axis parallel or substantially parallel with the pivot axis and that is located a distance away from the pivot axis that is greater than the distance between the pivot axis and the end of the handle. The lock includes a pin moveable relative to the handle and insertable into the cavity to retain the blade in an extended position. The lock holds the blade more securely by contacting the blade a further distance away from the location where the blade is attached to the handle than the distance between the same two locations of a conventional folding knife.
US07752758B2
A system for storing and opening encased articles, such as those wrapped in a protective seal, provides a combined container and seal cutting apparatus. The container is configured to store at least one removable article encased within a protective seal. The seal cutting apparatus includes a receiving channel and a cutting member which extends into the receiving channel. The receiving channel is configured to receive at least a portion of the seal while the cutting member is configured to cooperatively cut the seal portion as it is inserted into and translated along the channel. The cutting apparatus may be permanently or temporarily attached to the container.
US07752753B2
A method being applied to manufacture a water-proof electronic device (200, 200a) is disclosed in the present invention. In the method, at least one inner component is assembled into at least one water-proof shell to form at least one sub-assembly, which has a first water-proof portion and a water-permeable portion; a injection molding die is fitted around the water-permeable portion; and an injection molding treatment is executed for the injection molding die with the water-permeable portion therein to form a second water-proof portion; and then the injection molding die is removed after a cooling process, so as to manufacture the water-proof electronic device with the first water-proof portion and the second water-proof portion.
US07752750B2
Resist films 19 for liftoff are formed on an insulating layer 12 corresponding to a wiring formation region A so as to expose the insulating layer 12 corresponding to formation positions of first seed layers 14 and thereafter, metal films 21 are formed. Then, the resist films 19 for liftoff are removed and the first and second seed layers 14, 22 are formed. Thereafter, conductive metals 15 are precipitated and grown on the first seed layers 14 by an electrolytic plating method and thereafter the second seed layers 22 are removed and thereby, wirings 13 made of the first seed layers 14 and the conductive metals 15 are formed.
US07752726B2
A fixture assembly and inspection method by which the internal diameter and/or concentricity of a segmented annular seal can be readily inspected and optionally measured prior to final installation. The fixture assembly has at least two fixture segments supported on a base, by which an annular fixture housing is defined having an outer rim and a groove with a cross-sectional shape corresponding to a cross-sectional shape of the annular seal. The fixture assembly further includes a device or apparatus for assessing at least one dimensional characteristic of the annular seal when installed in the groove of the fixture housing and as the assessing device/apparatus travels along the interior circumference of the fixture housing.
US07752722B2
A litter strap that is easily adjustable to any length while simultaneously secure under tension includes an elongate strap extending between first and second parts of a two-piece buckle. The strap may be threaded through one of the buckle parts and manually slidable therethrough for adjusting a length of the litter strap assembly. A flexible pinch guard may be affixed to the strap so that the pinch guard substantially overlaps the first buckle part when the buckle parts are decoupled and may be wider than the strap and sized to substantially overlap the first and second buckle parts when the buckle parts are coupled. A keeper loop may encircle a middle portion of the strap and be slidable therealong and a pull tab may extend from the keeper loop to facilitate adjusting a position of the keeper loop along the middle portion.
US07752717B2
A tensioning device is configured to wind a threadable tensioning line, particularly a belt or a web, the proximal end of which is threaded through a first end of the device and attached to an opposite end of the device. A frame of the tensioning device can be fastened to a support surface. A ratcheting system included in the device winds the proximal end of the threadable tensioning line by means of a pivot handle. The threadable tensioning line is tightened when the handle is pivoted in a drive stroke. An embodiment of the tensioning device includes a ratcheting system that drives the tensioning device when the pivot handle is pulled toward the user in a drive stroke.
US07752714B2
A grip apparatus and method for use with hand held instruments and includes a hollow tubular section. An extension with a first end and a second end is connected with the hollow tubular section al the first end but not at the second end.
US07752710B2
The present invention relates to a sliding hinge. The sliding hinge includes a basic body, a sliding body slidably coupling with the basic body and a pushing component placed between the basic body and the sliding body. The pushing component has a torsion spring and a damping plate. The torsion spring has a first elastic arm and a second elastic arm, a free end of the first elastic arm is pivotably connected to the basic body, a free end of the second elastic arm is pivotably connected to the sliding body. The damping plate is pivotably mounted on the sliding body. The damping plate defines a stopping portion, the stopping portion has two stopping ends alternately engaging with the second elastic arm for providing a damping force to the second elastic arm when a stored elastic force of the torsion spring is released.
US07752709B2
Disclosed is a refrigerator having a height-adjustable door. The body of the refrigerator has at least one storage space having a front opening. The door is coupled to the body so as to cover/uncover the storage space, and a hinge hole is formed on the bottom surface of the door. A hinge frame is fixed to a front surface of a lower portion of the body and has a hinge shaft inserted into the hinge hole so as to rotatably support the door. The hinge shaft is covered with a hinge bush, a part of which is inserted into the hinge hole. The hinge bush has a flange portion on its lower end for supporting the bottom surface of the door. A height adjustment screw is screw-coupled to a screw hole of the hinge frame so as to travel vertically. The upper end of the height adjustment screw abuts the bottom surface of the hinge bush so that, when rotated, the height adjustment screw lifts/lowers the hinge bush, in order to adjust the height of the door.
US07752708B2
A floor cleaning apparatus includes a housing and a dirt collection vessel carried on that housing. The dirt collection vessel includes a first air inlet, a second air inlet, a dirt collection chamber, a filter chamber and a clean air outlet. A filter is received in the filter chamber. A suction generator is carried on the housing. The floor cleaning apparatus also includes a flow control valve assembly. The flow control valve assembly is selectively displaceable between a first or home position wherein dirt and debris are captured in the dirt collection vessel and a second or filter cleaning position wherein clean air is drawn through at least a portion of the filter to clean the filter. An activator is provided for automatically displacing the flow control valve assembly between the first and second positions.
US07752700B2
A cleaning bullet for use in a pipe or track includes a compressible body. In one embodiment, a sheet draped over the body is engageable with interior walls of the pipe or track to clean small contaminants. In another embodiment, the body is formed from an absorbent material that absorbs a fluid, such as a cleaning solution, that can clean and/or disinfect the interior walls of the pipe or track. In yet another embodiment, an alignment key extends radially from a body axis for guiding the cleaning bullet in an air conveyor track.
US07752699B1
A tubing preparation machine is an electrically powered mechanical device housed in one convenient housing assembly. A cutoff assembly is provided that virtually eliminates the need for the reaming and deburring of the cut end of tubing and a cleaner assembly is provided that has a tubing alignment guide to accept tubing to the correct depth for cleaning while stabilizing the tubing during the cleaning process. A quick release chuck allows the operator to easily attach the correct size fitting cleaner brush. The tubing preparation machine is portable, lightweight and easily hand carried by use of a handle provided on the housing assembly cover. The tubing preparation machine provides for unparalleled, safe, convenient and efficient preparation of tubing and related fittings.
US07752697B2
The present invention relates to a sealed box apparatus for a pool cleaning machine wherein the sealed box is installed inside the body of the pool cleaning machine. The box contains and seals electronic devices for the cleaning machine. At least one waterproofed tube is provided for inputting and outputting wires for connecting the electronic devices sealed inside the box with peripherals. A transparent portion is installed on one side of the box. A humidity display is installed inside the box, and corresponds to the position of the transparent portion. The sealed box provides an excellent airproof seal for protecting the inside electronic circuits from being waterlogged, and to provide excellent heat elimination, while leakage into the sealed box may be conveniently monitored in real-time.
US07752692B1
A baby changing apparatus in a pillow is disclosed. A flexible pad unfolds lengthwise from a pocket. The pad has a plurality of parallel, joined folding sections. A pillow-forming section is one of the sections, at a first end of the pad. The pillow-forming section has fabric defining the pocket. The pillow-forming section may be openable towards an opposing second end of the pad. A stowage section is one of the sections. The stowage section has a first storage volume. The stowage section may have a second storage volume. The opened pillow-forming section may receive the remaining folded sections folded and inserted to form the pillow. The pad may fold such that the pillow-forming section receives the remaining or residual folding sections tucked into the pocket to form the pillow. The folding sections may include a first middle section, and may include an adjacent second middle section.
US07752688B2
Playard has a frame body that includes a top frame, a plurality of standing posts, and a bottom frame pivoting to one another so that the playard is foldable. A top corner of the standing post, top rails adjacent to the top corner, and the corresponding post body of the standing post form an arc-shaped surface structure. The top corner is mounted above the post body of the standing post by coupling a plug of the top corner to a socket of the post body. The standing post has two first engagements at two sides of its arc shape post body or on the wall of the socket. The enclosure has a second engagement at one end that can engage with the first engagement by sliding up and down relative to the standing post so that the enclosure is easily attached to or detached from the standing post.
US07752683B2
A helmet jacket for covering and protecting a helmet and for substantially and releasably enclosing the volume inside the helmet to allow the covered helmet to function as a sealed carrying and storage container. The jacket may include elastic segments that define respective constricted openings through which the chin straps of the helmet extend on opposed sides of a releasable fastening element so that the chin straps may be used to carry the helmet while the fastened jacket material substantially encloses the volume inside the helmet to define a storage volume within the helmet.
US07757300B2
A method is disclosed wherein a first piece of digital information and copy control information of the first piece of digital information is received. The copy control information is for controlling the recording of the first piece of digital information on a recording medium. When the received copy control information is Copy One Generation indicating that only one generation copy of digital information is allowed, then a plurality of the first pieces of digital information are recorded on a first recording medium as the first piece of digital information and a second piece of digital information, wherein the first piece of digital information is different in format or in bit rate from the second piece of digital information.
US07757299B2
The present invention provides for an interface between two seemingly incompatible and different content protection systems. Accordingly, protected content may be transferred between the respective security kernels of a conditional access (CA) and digital rights management (DRM) systems, while maintaining security of the content and any associated protection information. The transfer and consumption of protected content and the associated content protection information may be achieved by temporarily or permanently binding the respective security kernels of the CA and DRM systems, transcribing content protection information, and potentially transcribing the content.
US07757292B1
Virus detection modules (120) execute virus detection techniques on clients (110) to check for the presence of computer viruses in data and also communicate with a software server (116). A constraints module (320) specifies constraints on the application of certain virus detection techniques. An administrator uses the software server (116) to release (514) a virus detection technique and an associated constraint to the clients (110). The clients (110) execute the technique subject to the constraint, and report the results to the software server (116). The administrator uses the constraint and reported results to determine (518) whether the technique is causing false positive virus detections. If necessary, the administrator modifies (520) the technique to reduce the false positives and/or modifies (524) the constraint to cause the technique to execute more frequently. The constraints allow the administrator to detect false positives without inconveniencing most clients (110).
US07757289B2
A method for protecting a client computer from dynamically generated malicious content, including receiving at a gateway computer content being sent to a client computer for processing, the content including a call to an original function, and the call including an input, modifying the content at the gateway computer, including replacing the call to the original function with a corresponding call to a substitute function, the substitute function being operational to send the input to a security computer for inspection, transmitting the modified content from the gateway computer to the client computer, processing the modified content at the client computer, transmitting the input to the security computer for inspection when the substitute function is invoked, determining at the security computer whether it is safe for the client computer to invoke the original function with the input, transmitting an indicator of whether it is safe for the client computer to invoke the original function with the input, from the security computer to the client computer, and invoking the original function at the client computer with the input, only if the indicator received from the security computer indicates that such invocation is safe. A system and a computer-readable storage medium are also described and claimed.
US07757283B2
This method and system for detecting abnormal traffic in a communications network is based on classifying the traffic in risk and status categories and maintaining a service status table with this information for each service at a respective node. The risk categories are initially established based on known software vulnerabilities recognized for the respective service. An early notifier enables further processing of services suspected of malware propagation. Status categories enable segregating the traffic with a “under attack status” from the “non under attack” status, so that the intrusion detection system at the respective node only processes the “under attack” traffic. In this way, the time and amount of processing performed by the intrusion detection system is considerably reduced.
US07757281B2
Remote administrative privileges in a distributed system are disabled by default. To administer a remote system, express action is taken to elevate a user status to obtain remote administrative privileges. When local and remote systems communicate, information pertaining to the status of the logged on user is included in the communications. If the user wishes to legitimately administer a remote system, the user provides an explicit request. The request is processed. If the user is configured as an administrator of the remote system and the request contains an indication that the user's administrative status has been elevated, an authorization token is generated. The authorization token is utilized by the remote system to allow the user to administer the remote system.
US07757278B2
A method and apparatus are provided for protecting sensitive information within server or other computing environments. Numerous electronic requests addressed to a server system are received over network couplings and evaluated. The evaluation scans for sensitive information including credit card information and private user information. Upon detecting sensitive data, cryptographic operations are applied to the sensitive data. When the sensitive data is being transferred to the server system, the cryptographic operations encrypt the sensitive data prior to transfer among components of the server system. When sensitive data is being transferred from the server system, the cryptographic operations decrypt the sensitive data prior to transfer among the network couplings. The cryptographic operations also include hash, and keyed hash operations.
US07757276B1
A method and apparatus for verifying configuration changes for network devices using digital signatures are disclosed. In one approach, a method comprises the computer-implemented steps of receiving trust information defining one or more trusted signatories; receiving configuration information comprising a hostname, one or more configuration directives for a host associated with the hostname, and one or more digital signatures of the hostname and configuration directives; attempting to verify the one or more digital signatures based on the trust information; and applying the configuration directives to a network element only when the one or more digital signatures are verified successfully.
US07757273B2
A method for remote administration of at least one smart card via a communication network is described. The method includes the steps of associating the at least one smart card with a remote administrator by storing administrator identification information of the remote administrator in the at least one smart card, inserting the at least one smart card in at least one user unit, employing the administrator identification information stored in the at least one smart card to identify the remote administrator associated with the at least one smart card, and establishing communication between the at least one smart card and the remote administrator via the communication network in accordance with the administrator identification information.Related apparatus and methods are also described.
US07757271B2
A security service of computer networks having a policy builder, an LDAP-compliant database, a validator and an API. The policy builder component provides a graphical user interface to be used by a policy manager to define access policies for users seeking to access network services and resources. The graphical user interface has a grid of nodes representing access policies. The grid is arranged to correspond to a defined tree structure representing services and resources and a business relationship tree structure representing users. The graphical user interface permits the policy manager to define policy builder plug-ins for access policy customization. The LDAP-compliant database maintains the policy builder plug-ins. The validator component receives requests from users and queries the LDAP-compliant database to obtain relevant access policies as defined by the policy manager. The system provides for double inheritance of access policies such that where there is no express definition of an access policy for a node, the access policies are propagated according to the hierarchical structures of the data. The validator includes validator plug-ins for carrying out access policies corresponding to the access policies defined by policy builder plug-ins.
US07757268B2
A system and a method for policy management in a web services environment includes a policy design tool, a policy storage and a policy manager controller. The policy design tool creates (or updates) a policy for association with a web service. The policy storage stores the policy. The policy manager controller provides an interface for transmission of the policy to a policy enforcement tool and also receives messages relating to the policy from the policy enforcement tool. In addition, a system and method for policy enforcement in a web services environment includes a policy enforcement controller, a policy enforcement repository, an enforcer, a policy enforcement framework, and a policy container. The policy enforcement controller receives and commits a policy and the policy enforcement repository stores the committed policy. The enforcer module receives a request to invoke the policy and the policy enforcement framework determines whether the requested policy is committed in the policy enforcement repository and whether the policy is instantiated. The policy container determines whether the policy is enforceable.
US07757265B2
A data modification system and method for selective insertion of local meta data into an incoming data stream, the incoming data stream having a video data component and a meta data component. The data modification system comprises an incoming data terminal, a local data terminal, and a data modification unit coupled to the incoming data terminal and the local data terminal, wherein the data modification unit is adapted to selectively combine data from the incoming data terminal and the local data terminal. The method comprises receiving a data signal, the data signal comprising a first data component and a second data component, separating the first data component from the second data component, determining whether to modify the second data component, retrieving a third data component from a database, merging the third data component with the first data component, and outputting the third data component and the first data component to a distribution terminal.
US07757264B2
Audiovisual reproduction system comprising a central unit managing a sound control circuit, and a telecommunications modem connected to a distribution network controlled by a host server, through a multitask operating system created around a tools and services library, characterized in that the operating system comprises a function that adjusts the sound control circuit to couple volumes in the various areas in which the loudspeakers in the audiovisual reproduction system are used, this function being accessible through a management mode of the multitask operating system, the coupling maintaining the ratios between the various volumes in each area when the volume in one area is modified.
US07757261B2
Flexible systems and methods are disclosed that may be used for provisioning, configuring, and controlling a host embodied in a cable set top box or other digital device attached to a digital communication network, such as cable distribution network. An enhanced services system maintains various host files for various types of hosts that a cable subscriber may purchase and connect to the cable network. The Enhanced Services Server interacts with the host using the host files. The host files may be downloaded from the host manufacturer into a database that distributes the modules as required to the various enhanced services systems. The host may be purchased by the cable subscriber and provisioning may be initiated by the retailer at the time of purchase using a provisioning network interacting with the appropriate cable system serving the subscriber. This abstract is not intended to limit or construe the scope of the claims.
US07757258B2
A system for controlling display and operation of simultaneous transmissions of at least two media includes an entertainment unit capable of transmitting at least two media simultaneously. A wireless interface device is used to select a first and second media from the at least two media. A display device in electrical communication with the entertainment unit receives and displays a video portion associated with each of the first and second selected media. At least two wireless receivers are provided for receiving an audio portion associated with each of the first and second media. The wireless interface device is further provided for independently controlling operation of each of the first and second media.
US07757254B2
An interactive entertainment system enables presentation of supplemental interactive content along side traditional broadcast video programs, such as television shows and movies. The programs are broadcast in a conventional manner. The supplemental content is supplied as part of the same program signal over the broadcast network, or separately over another distribution network. A viewer computing unit is located at the viewer's home to present the program and supplemental content to a viewer. When the viewer tunes to a particular channel, the viewer computing unit consults an electronic programming guide (EPG) to determine if the present program carried on the channel is interactive. If it is, the viewer computing unit launches a browser. The browser uses a target specification stored in the EPG to activate a target resource containing the supplemental content for enhancing the broadcast program. The target resource contains display layout instructions prescribing how the supplemental content and the video content program are to appear in relation to one another when displayed. When the data from the target resource is downloaded, the viewer computing unit is responsive to the layout instructions obtained from the target resource to display the supplemental content concurrently with the video content program. Embedding the layout instructions in the supplemental content advantageously places control of the presentation to the content developers. The developers are free to arrange the data and video in any manner they choose.
US07757253B2
A video clip is captured from a television broadcast on each of a plurality of channels. The captured video clips are provided to a display interface, which successively displays the captured video clips within a focus area of a user interface in response to an initiating action by a user. The display interface then discontinues the successive display of video clips to show a particular video clip corresponding to a selected channel in response to a terminating action by the user.
US07757250B1
The present invention is related to a system and method of considering time segments or intervals in a collaborative filtering model. The present invention extends collaborative filtering approaches by integrating considerations of temporality into the training and/or vote input associated with the usage of collaborative filtering models. The present invention also applies filtering to the output with temporal models, so as to view a most appropriate subset of recommended content, centering on content that may be available at a target time. The present invention applies time to a collaborative filtering model by allowing weight to be associated with selections within a current time segment, selections historically watched within the current time segment by the user and selections historically watched within the current time segment by a large group of users.
US07757247B2
Provided is a small form factor optical/magnetic disk including an integrated metal hub and a disk plate. The integrated metal hub includes a circular upper metal hub and a circular lower metal hub integrally formed with and disposed under the upper metal hub. The circular lower metal hub has a smaller diameter smaller than the upper metal hub. A central hole is formed in central portions of the upper and lower metal hubs and passes through the upper and lower metal hubs. The disk plate has a through-hole that is formed in a central portion and is directly associated with the integrated metal hub, and a recess that is formed around the through-hole and allows the upper metal hub to be mounted therein. Since the central portion of the small form factor optical/magnetic disk is not thick, the small form factor optical/magnetic disk can contribute to an ultra thin small form factor information storage device. Also, since manufacturing processes are simple, price and quality competitiveness can be enhanced.
US07757232B2
An apparatus employs a work request list to access a memory device. The apparatus comprises an upper layer protocol that generates the work request list comprising a plurality of work requests, the work request list having an attribute that indicates the number of the plurality of work requests in the work request list. The apparatus additionally comprises an interface that is adapted to receive the work request list and individually enqueue the plurality of work requests.
US07757231B2
In some embodiments, the invention involves a system to deprivilege components of a virtual machine monitor and enable deprivileged service virtual machines (SVMs) to handle selected trapped events. An embodiment of the invention is a hybrid VMM operating on a platform with hardware virtualization support. The hybrid VMM utilizes features from both hypervisor-based and host-based VMM architectures. In at least one embodiment, the functionality of a traditional VMM is partitioned into a small platform-dependent part called a micro-hypervisor (MH) and one or more platform-independent parts called service virtual machines (SVMs). The micro-hypervisor operates at a higher virtual machine (VM) privilege level than any SVM, while the SVM and other VMs may still have access to any instruction set architecture (ISA) privilege level. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07757230B2
A method of executing a program (2) on a computer (3) comprising a main memory (6) divided into pages comprises the steps of:loading a main section (7) of the program comprising a manipulating module into the main memory (6) and executing the main section (7), whose manipulating module (12) effects a manipulation of a first of a plurality of program blocks (8, 9, 10) of the program every time a predetermined page error is generated upon an attempt to access the first program block (8, 9, 10).
US07757228B1
A system for imaging a computer system is disclosed. An administrative computer system includes an image for use with a target computer system and an imaging server for managing imaging processes on other computers. A target computer system includes or is in communication with a computer-readable medium that includes instructions to implement a method for writing the image to a storage device. The target computer system has a hard drive having a file system. The image is received from the administrative computer system. The image is stored on the hard drive of the target computer system without using the file system. The image is written to the hard drive of the target computer system using an imaging tool. The imaging tool uses a temporary file system to access the image. The temporary file system is transparent to the imaging tool.
US07757227B2
A download component queries a computer containing an application for requesting resources to determine languages associated with the computer. The download component then accesses the remote database and conducts a match between the queried languages on the computer and available languages in the database. The download component then downloads resources for each of the matched languages and a default language, such as English. A smart query module associated with the application on the computer is provided for choosing language resource files for the application. An algorithm is provided for choosing a language resource based upon user default settings and available resources, with a fall back to a default language, e.g., English.
US07757220B2
A means for exporting a Task-Method-Knowledge (TMK) hierarchy is disclosed using XML as an intermediate file format. Using a computer interface, a user selects the TMK hierarchy, or portion of a TMK hierarchy, to export. The elements of the selected are written to a XML document using an XML schema specifically designed for the task. The order of element export assures that elements and relationships between elements are complete. The exported hierarchy as an XML document is transported to another XML hierarchy and imported. The user selects a receiving TMK project on the receiving system and resolves any naming conflicts.
US07757217B2
The present invention accordingly provides an application debugger running in a process of a computer system comprising: a debugger memory heap; and an object copier for generating a stateful copy in the debugger memory heap of an application object at runtime wherein the application object is stored in an application memory heap of an application process.
US07757213B2
A system for managing an application set is disclosed. The system includes a wrapper that designates a component as belonging to the application set and an interface that provides access to the component. The system also includes a control module that uses the interface to manage the component. Methods of using the system are also provided.
US07757209B2
A display and edit device for a program containing function blocks has a program memory storing such a program to be processed, a block definition analyzer for accessing the program stored in the program memory and analyzing structure relationship of function block definitions contained in this program, a block instance analyzer for accessing this program stored in the program memory and analyzing structure relationship of function block instances contained in this program, and a structure display device for causing to display structure relationship of the analyzed structure relationship of this function block definition and structure relationship of the analyzed structure relationship of this function block instance.
US07757201B2
Photomask patterns are represented using contours defined by level-set functions. Given target pattern, contours are optimized such that defined photomask, when used in photolithographic process, prints wafer pattern faithful to target pattern. Optimization utilizes “merit function” for encoding aspects of photolithographic process, preferences relating to resulting pattern (e.g. restriction to rectilinear patterns), robustness against process variations, as well as restrictions imposed relating to practical and economic manufacturability of photomasks.
US07757195B2
A method and system are described to reduce process variation as a result of the electrochemical deposition (ECD), also referred to as electrochemical plating (ECP), and chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) processing of films in integrated circuit manufacturing processes. The described methods use process variation and electrical impact to direct the insertion of dummy fill into an integrated circuit.
US07757193B2
A method for clustering logic units in a field programmable integrated chip to generate a set of clusters is disclosed. The clustering step for forming a super cluster comprises a first logic element and a second logic unit a first logic unit and a super cluster, or a first super cluster and a second super cluster. The method includes generating all possible configurations by enumerating all possible two-way relationships combining a driver-and-receiver relationship from a pool of a finite number of dedicated connections. The set of all possible configurations is reduced to a subset of configurations based on one or more multi-dimension criteria. Each dimension in the multi-dimensional criteria is represented by a parameter. The method involves prioritizing a collection of parameters so that a set of selected parameters or a set of selected criteria is used to generate a desirable number of subsets of configurations.
US07757187B2
A method and system is described for mapping a system-level description of an integrated system directly to a technology-specific set of logic cells that are comprised primarily of large complex cells (bricks). The invention is based on applying aggressive Boolean operations that would be of impractical runtime complexity for a large library, but are applicable for the targeted brick libraries which typically contain a small number of complex cells, along with a much smaller number of simple cells. This invention is modular such that it can be applied in the context of incremental netlist optimization as well as optimization during physical synthesis.
US07757185B2
A computer program product may include instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to perform operations that include monitoring an electronic device to determine whether the electronic device is in a specific state. The electronic device may define one or more hotkeys, and each hotkey may correspond to an input from one or more input components of the electronic device. If the electronic device is in the specific state, a rule associated with the specific state may be retrieved, and one or more hotkeys may be enabled or disabled based on the retrieved rule. In some implementations, enabling or disabling one or more hotkeys includes enabling or disabling one or more operations associated with corresponding one or more hotkeys.
US07757182B2
A system and method for controlling media through a user interface integrated within a taskbar is described. This system and method enable a user to control media while a user interface of another application remains in perspective. Further, this system includes a taskbar media player, which can play media and enable a user to control the play of that media from within a taskbar.
US07757181B2
A user interface and user interface control for displaying calendar data is provided. In particular, the user interface provides a hybrid view that includes both a schedule view of listed calendar items together with an overview strip that displays a compressed version of the schedule view. The selection of an appointment is reflected in both the schedule view portion of the view and the overview strip. As a result, users are able to easily see conflicts and free time while retaining a simple chronological listing of their day's commitments. Through the use of this hybrid view, the number of views to navigate between can be reduced without sacrificing function to simplify the calendaring experience.
US07757178B2
The subject application is directed to a system and method for generating a customized workflow user interface. Predetermined graphical user interface elements are first stored in an associated data storage. The graphical user interface elements are then generated on an associated display. Each graphical user interface element is then associated with an abstraction interface. Selection data is then received corresponding to selected graphical user interface elements. User interface data is thereafter generated in accordance with the selection data and the associated abstraction interface. Workflow data is subsequently output representing document processing operations corresponding to the selected graphical user interface elements. Thereafter, the workflow data is communicated to an associated document processing device.
US07757174B2
A reproduction list is produced, in which audio data and still image data coexist and a reproduction order thereof is specified. Items of the audio data and the still image data are grouped so as to be associated with each other based on the point of transition between the audio data and the still image data in the reproduction list, and the audio data and the still image data in the same group are reproduced simultaneously.
US07757170B2
Systems and methods for processing automatically generated recommendations. In various exemplary embodiments, a method of producing a recommendation digest for a user includes (a) generating a recommendation log for the user by storing a plurality of recommendations, one or more of the plurality of recommendations relating to a representation of a context that led to the creation of the one or more recommendations for the user, and (b) determining a subset of recommendations by using one or more statistics obtained from processing the plurality of recommendations stored in the log.
US07757161B2
A computer readable medium stores executable instructions to specify a report with a report field for displaying information. An assessment of information that will be potentially displayed in the report field is performed. The report field is sized in accordance with the assessment.
US07757160B2
The present invention relates to debugging of document templates or master documents used in the automated generation of customised documents.
US07757153B2
A nonvolatile memory device, memory system and read method are disclosed. The memory device comprises a memory cell array comprising a plurality of memory blocks each having a plurality of memory cells adapted to store N bits, where N is an integer greater than 1, a page buffer configured to perform a read operation adapted to read data from the memory cell array and output read data, an error correction circuit configured to detect and correct an error in read data stored in a memory block K and generate corresponding error information, and a control circuit configured to reduce the number of bits stored in the plurality of memory cells for memory block K from N to J, where J is an integer less than N but greater than zero, in response to the error information.
US07757144B2
A system and method for testing an integrated circuit module including multiple integrated circuit devices that provide a data strobe signal associated with at least one data signal provided by the same integrated circuit device. A determination of a test outcome for the integrated circuit module may be made after identifying data valid windows for each integrated circuit device, without having to both identify a common sampling window defined by an intersection of the identified data valid windows and verify that such common sampling window meets specification requirements.
US07757140B2
In a first embodiment a TAP of IEEE standard 1149.1 is allowed to commandeer control from a WSP of IEEE standard P1500 such that the P1500 architecture, normally controlled by the WSP, is rendered controllable by the TAP. In a second embodiment (1) the TAP and WSP based architectures are merged together such that the sharing of the previously described architectural elements are possible, and (2) the TAP and WSP test interfaces are merged into a single optimized test interface that is operable to perform all operations of each separate test interface. One approach provides for the TAP to maintain access and control of the TAP instruction register, but provides for a selected data register to be accessed and controlled by either the TAP+ATC or by the discrete CaptureDR, UpdateDR, TransferDR, ShiftDR, and ClockDR WSP data register control signals.
US07757138B2
Semiconductor integrated circuit, test data generating device, LSI test device, and computer product
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes plural shift registers that receive plural test patterns randomly generated, respectively, a mask device that masks, among the shift registers, a target shift register specified by a mask pattern randomly generated. When a shift register other than the target shift register outputs an unknown value, the mask device masks the shift register according to a control signal. When the target shift register outputs a fault value, the mask device releases a mask of the target shift register according to a control signal.
US07757126B2
This disclosure provides various embodiments of software for supporting a business application. In one aspect, the software determines that a technical error associated with the business application has occurred, automatically communicates the technical error and dynamic context information to a remote support site, the dynamic context information at least partially identifying the particular execution point of the business application, receives one or more potential solutions for the technical error, the one or more potential solutions determined using at least the communicated technical error, dynamic context information, and static information collected at the support site; and presents the one or more potential solutions to a user of the business application via an interface. In some implementations, the software is further operable to prioritize the one or more presented potential solutions at least according to metrics associated with the one or more potential solutions.
US07757124B1
A test and system state recorder (TSSR) controller of a test and system state recorder automatically correlates and captures information about possible stimuli from telemetry information events generated by a test or tests of a test system. The TSSR controller simultaneously and automatically correlates and captures information about other possible stimuli, such as environmental stimuli from telemetry information events generated by optional telemetry event generators. TSSR controller keeps a snap-shot list of the most current stimuli from each sender of telemetry information events. On receipt of an asynchronous trigger event generated by a fault management controller the snap-shot list is logged in a test and system state recorder log. The entry in the log provides automatic correlation of asynchronous errors and stimuli.
US07757123B1
Faults are managed. A problem is detected in a data storage system. Possible field replaceable units (FRUs) of the data storage system are identified that may be at fault for the problem. If only one FRU may be at fault, a definitive alert is issued identifying the FRU. If multiple FRUs may be at fault, fault isolation is executed. If fault isolation isolates the problem to only one FRU, a definitive alert is issued naming the FRU. If fault isolation does not isolate the problem to only one FRU, an ambiguous alert is issued identifying multiple FRUs. The user is directed to execute a troubleshooting tree, which execution includes a manual FRU replacement by the user.
US07757120B2
Techniques for processing events in a self-healing system. In one embodiment, the system receives system events, one or more of which may indicate a possible fault condition in the system. A hierarchal rule structure is used to generate a correlated event set. A determining operation determines at least one corrective action to be performed in response to the correlated event set. A deactivating operation deactivates all correlation rules within the hierarchal rule structure that are only used to generate the correlated event set. Repeated instances of the same fault condition are prevented from being processed by the self-healing system.
US07757119B2
A method and system of inherited transactions in an asynchronous messaging are provided. A producer requests a message put operation in a transaction. A consumer carries out a get operation with the option to inherit the transaction of the put operation. In an inherited transaction, the consumer's transaction will not commit until the transaction it has inherited from commits. Work performed in the producer's transaction is visible to the consumer, but work performed in the consumer's transaction is not visible to the producer preserving asynchronous messaging semantics. A transaction hierarchy results and only the net effect of transaction hierarchy is hardened to non-volatile storage.
US07757113B2
A method and system of method and system of enhanced RAID level 3 is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes allocating three times a physical storage capacity of a data drive to a dedicated parity drive of a ‘n’ physical drives of a redundant array of independent disks, recovering n−1 physical drive failures of the ‘n’ physical drives through a parity-in-parity technique in which certain number of parities generated during an initial write of data may be physically stored and using an XOR function applied to the stored parities to recreate un-stored parities which enable recovery of the n−1 physical drive failures. The method may include creating a superior read/write access capability and/or a superior parity data redundancy through the mirroring. The method may also include recreating the un-stored parities after a time interval that may be specified by a user.
US07757110B2
A disclosed timer circuit for clocking a predetermined time includes an oscillator and a frequency dividing unit for dividing a frequency of an oscillating signal output from the oscillator. A comparing unit determines whether a short-time mode instruction is received by comparing a voltage received at an external terminal with a predetermined voltage. A switch causes the oscillating signal to bypass a part of the frequency dividing unit in response receiving the short-time mode instruction.
US07757108B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for implementing a sleep proxy. The system starts by receiving a request at the sleep proxy for information pertaining to a service provided by a device. In response to this request, the system determines if the device is a member of a list of devices for which the sleep proxy takes action. If so, the system determines if the sleep proxy can answer the request. If so, the sleep proxy sends a response to the request on behalf of the device. In a variation on this embodiment, if the system cannot answer the request on behalf of the device, the system sends a wakeup packet to the device, wherein the wakeup packet causes the device to exit a power-saving mode so that the device can respond to the request directly.
US07757104B2
An integrated circuit comprising a source voltage monitoring unit that monitors the level of a first source voltage supplied from an external power source, determines whether the first source voltage is supplied from the external power source, and controls an internal power source and the external power source; so as to apply the first source voltage, when determining that the first source voltage is supplied; and so as to apply a second source voltage supplied from the internal power source, whose level is lower than that of the first source voltage, when determining that the first source voltage is not supplied, wherein the integrated circuit operates with application of either one of the first source voltage and the second source voltage.
US07757101B2
A SAM receives a secure container in which content data encrypted with content key data, the encrypted content key data, and UCP data designating a handling policy of the content data are stored, and determines at least one of the purchase mode and the usage mode of the content data based on the UCP data. The SAM serves as a slave for a host CPU, and is also provided with a common memory shared with the host CPU.
US07757098B2
A programmable processor initializes its state, then computes and verifies a hash of a boot code region of memory before executing any user instructions in the memory. Systems using similar processors, and software to control such a processor's operation, are also described and claimed.
US07757097B2
Method of protecting host application code comprising a plurality of code blocks. The method includes steps of preprocessing the host application code; obfuscating the host application code; installing guards in the host application code to protect client blocks; randomly rearranging the code blocks of the host application code; linking the rearranged host application code with other resources to produce a binary executable image; and patching the binary executable image with data values to be used by the guard. The method can be used to install a plurality of guards to form a distributed network of guards that cooperatively protect the host application code and the other guards in the network. The installation of the guards can be performed automatically using a guard formation graph; and guard formation graph customization parameters. The obfuscation step can include control flow graph merging, cloning, and data-aliasing.
US07757091B2
A self-authenticating printed document (101) comprises text and a symbol (102) printed on the document (101). The symbol (102) includes a verification value, which is representative of the entire data content of the text, and error correction codes for correcting the text. The verification value is used to check the integrity of the text after the document has been corrected using the error correction codes.
US07757090B2
A system is provided for verifying the validity status and/or authenticity information of a secure document. The secure document has user discernable information and a plurality of tags printed thereon. Each tag contains coded data encoding an identity of the document and a location of that tag on the document. The system has memory for recording a correspondence between the identity of the secure document and validity status and/or authenticity information relating to the secure document, a receiver for receiving data from a sensing device, and a processor for verifying the validity status and/or authenticity information of the secure document using the received data and the recorded correspondence. The data received from the sensing device identifies the document identity and a position of the sensing device relative to the document, and is generated by the sensing device sensing coded data contained in at least one tag.
US07757089B2
To distribute Web contents, while ensuring security without increasing a burden imposed on users. The present invention comprises a distribution server for distributing a web content, which is composed of a plurality of digital media associated with each other and has key data for removing a digital watermark embedded in a predetermined digital medium appended to another digital medium as an invisible watermark, and a receiving terminal for receiving and rendering the Web content distributed from the distribution server. The receiving terminal includes a watermark removal control means for extracting key data from a digital medium of a Webcast content, a decorder, for removing a digital watermark embedded in another digital medium corresponding to the digital medium from which the key data is extracted, and a browser for rendering the digital medium from which the digital watermark has been removed.
US07757087B2
An information processing apparatus has an authentication & key exchange unit, a contents receiver, a contents decryption unit and a contents confirmation request unit. The authentication & key exchange unit performs authentication & key exchange processing by using a given protocol with the communication apparatus and generates a first key shared with the communication apparatus. The contents receiver receives encrypted contents obtained by encrypting the contents with a second key generated by using the first key and the key information, and the key information attached to the encrypted contents. The contents decryption unit decrypts the encrypted contents by using the first key and the key information. The contents confirmation request unit instructs the communication apparatus to transmit or confirm the key information held by the communication apparatus, when the contents decryption unit decrypts the contents based on the second key firstly generated by using the first key.
US07757083B2
An integrated circuit has a first component that has a dynamic characteristic that varies among like integrated circuits, for example, among integrated circuits fabricated using the same lithography mask. Operating the first component produces an output that is dependent on the dynamic characteristic of the first component. A digital value associated with the integrated circuit is generated using the output of the first component, and then the generated digital value is used in operation of the integrated circuit.
US07757073B2
System configuration data is transferred from a master integrated circuit to a shadow integrated circuit in a computer system before the system is initialized. The configuration data is initially stored in configuration registers in the master integrated circuit. The configuration data may include values that are programmed via hardware (e.g., strapped pin values) or software (e.g., default or overridden values). A CPU accesses the configuration data in the configuration registers through a host module of the shadow integrated circuit. A copy of the configuration data is transferred to shadow registers in the shadow integrated circuit. After system initialization, the CPU may execute software to read configuration values directly from the configuration registers on the master integrated circuit. The CPU may also execute a write operation on the configuration data in both the configuration registers and the shadow registers such that the configuration settings are consistent across the system.
US07757069B2
A reconfigurable processor including a plurality of reconfigurable execution units, a memory, an instruction queue, a configuration selection unit, and a configuration loader. The memory stores a plurality of steering vector processing hardware configurations for configuring the reconfigurable execution units. The instruction queue stores a plurality of instructions to be executed by at least one of the reconfigurable execution units. The configuration selection unit analyzes the instructions stored in the instruction queue and chooses one of the steering vector processing hardware configurations. The configuration loader determines whether one of the reconfigurable slots is available and reconfigures at least one of the reconfigurable slots with at least a part of the chosen steering vector processing hardware configuration responsive to at least one of the reconfigurable slots being available.
US07757067B2
A processor (e.g., a co-processor) comprising a decoder coupled to a pre-decoder, in which the decoder decodes a current instruction in parallel with the pre-decoder pre-decoding a subsequent instruction. In particular, the pre-decoder examines at least five Bytecodes in parallel with the decoder decoding a current instruction. The pre-decoder determines if a subsequent instruction contains a prefix. If a prefix is detected in at least one of the five Bytecodes, a program counter skips the prefix and changes the behavior of the decoder during the decoding of the subsequent instruction.
US07757054B2
The invention discloses a memory control system and a method to read data from memory. The memory control system comprises a microprocessor, a serial storage device, a first buffer, a second buffer, a memory control unit, and a multiplexer. The memory control system and the method to read data from memory according to the invention utilize the characteristics that the microprocessor reads data from continuous addresses of a serial memory during most of the time. By reading in advance and temporarily storing the data that the microprocessor requests to read, increasing the reading memory speed can be achieved.
US07757052B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for recalling a logical volume from a mountable media for use in a virtual tape server. The apparatus includes a receiving module, a queuing module, and an optimizer module. The receiving module receives recall requests for logical volumes stored in a mountable media such as a tape cartridge. The queuing module places the requests in a queue to be processed in turn. The optimizer module reorders the queue based on one or more optimization rules in order to process the recall requests more efficiently.
US07757043B2
A system for performing storage operations using hierarchically configured storage operation cells. The system includes a first storage manager component and a first storage operation cell. The first storage operation cell has a second storage manager component directed to performing storage operations in the first storage operation cell. Moreover, the first storage manager component is programmed to instruct the second storage manager regarding performance of storage operations in the first storage operation cell.
US07757041B2
Commands are provided for storing data in a plurality of different types of storage media, thereby eliminating the storage errors of important data and improving usability. A storage device comprises a host interface, a hard disk interface acting as an interface to a hard disk, a flash memory interface acting as an interface to a flash memory, a command analyzing section which analyzes the contents of a command inputted from the host interface, and a data write operation processing section which performs a data write operation on both of the hard disk and the flash memory when the command analyzed in the command analyzing section is a predetermined command for write-through acting as a command for writing data into a plurality of media.
US07757035B2
In a virtualized processor based system causing a transition to a virtual machine monitor executing on the processor based system in response to a modification of a page table of a guest executing in a virtual machine of the processor based system, and the virtual machine monitor responding to the transition by performing a verification action, and for each bit modified in the page table of the guest, reading a status indicator for the bit to determine if the bit is significant; and causing the transition only if the status indicator for any bit modified in the page table indicates that the bit is significant.
US07757030B2
A system and method for providing DP capabilities on a computer system is provided. The DP capabilities include hot-add and hot-replace of various hardware components such as a processor, memory, and an I/O device to the computer system. The namespace of the hardware components on a computer system is separately created and stored. Some portion of the hardware components is prevented from being recognized during an initial boot. The unrecognized hardware components can be recognized by manipulation of the namespace modules.
US07757029B2
Electronic device (10) comprising a control unit (11), a plurality of slots (15) for attaching/connecting sub-modules (12, 13), and means (15, 16, 17) for interconnecting the control unit (11) with those sub-modules (12, 13) that are attached/connected to the slots (15). The control unit (11) is capable of issuing commands in order to put the sub-modules (12, 13) in a by-pass mode, to read identification information from sub-modules (12, 13), write parameters into and/or read parameters from at least one of the sub-modules (12, 13), and to re-check whether the configuration of the electronic device (10) has changed by adding or removing a sub-module (12, 13).
US07757027B2
An integrated circuit 2 includes a transaction master 4 connected via interconnect circuitry 10 to a transaction slave 12. The transaction slave 12 generates a transfer-complete signal (R Last or B) to indicate completion of a data transfer (either a read or a write). When this transfer-complete signal has been received by the transaction master 4, then the transaction master 4 generates a complete-acknowledgement signal RACK, WACK, which is passed back to the transaction slave so as to acknowledge receipt of the transfer-complete signal.
US07757025B2
A peripheral device for a programmable logic controller according to the invention includes: an instruction table for correlatively storing instructions and the input/output types of parameters for the instructions; a search/discrimination means for searching the instruction table for an instruction in a code in a portion of a sequence program selected as diversion data from an existing diversion-source sequence program, to discriminate the input/output type of a parameter for the instruction; a search result creating/storing means for creating and storing a search result table by combining an address in the code in the selected portion of the sequence program, with the input/output type; a component data creating means for creating a variable data table by replacing the input/output types stored in the search result table with variable names, and for creating component data by adding the corresponding variable names to variables and to circuit information; and a component data diversion means for diverting the component data into an arbitrary position in a designated sequence program.
US07757024B2
The present invention is directed to an apparatus capable of dual porting a serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) disk drive in a fault tolerant communication system, such as fiber channel. The dual porting apparatus includes two idle regenerators coupled to two serial master devices, a synchronization logic capable of synchronizing the communications between one of the idle regenerators and a third idle regenerator coupled to the SATA disk drive. Furthermore the dual porting apparatus may include an auto detector capable of enabling either of the first two idle regenerators, thus effectively switching between the two.
US07757021B2
The invention relates to a slave bus subscriber for a serial data bus with a master bus subscriber, wherein the slave subscriber recognizes the bit rate of a data packet received over the data bus, whose header has a sync break field, a sync field and an ID field, with the help of the header of the data packet in such a manner that the periods between falling edges of bits having known bit intervals at least of the sync field and of the sync break field are evaluated and the bit rate is determined from the evaluated periods.
US07757019B2
A mobile hub is proposed, the mobile hub includes a circular buffer for storing events, a timer for monitoring the storage period of an event stored in the buffer, and an event manager designed for discarding an event from the buffer when a time-out of the associated timer is exceeded. As no event can block the buffer any more a small-scale buffer can be used for the mobile hub.
US07757008B2
A module-based operating apparatus and method for a portable device is provided. A module-based operating apparatus and method for a portable device, in which various types of personal service contents such as a diary function, a wallet function, and a portable computing function are made into functional modules so as to install and/or detach the functional modules to/from a common bus-based slot.
US07757007B2
The present invention relates to a method, a computer program product and a system for managing virtual instances of a physical port attached to a network. The method is based on the Fiber Channel N_Port virtualization for a physical Fiber Channel N_Port. Multiple virtual Fiber Channel adapters share a single physical N_Port among multiple operating system instances. The invention discloses means for the automatic and persistent generation and administration of unique Worldwide Port Names needed for the N_Port virtualization.
US07757005B2
An apparatus, program product and method bridge an isolated network such as a virtual network to an external network such as another virtual network or physical network by utilizing a network adapter on the other network that is assigned the same Media Access Control (MAC) address as an isolated network adapter on the isolated network.
US07757001B2
A distributed computer network includes at least two computers. Each of the at least two computers runs an application sharing program to enable an image generated by one computer to be displayed by at least one other computer. At least one of the at least two computers executes an image modifying routine to alter the appearance of an image generated by the one computer prior to display on the at least one other computer. In this manner, a user of the at least one other computer can tell at a glance if an image being presented is an image that has been received from the one computer or is its own desktop graphical user interface.
US07757000B1
A method performed by a DHCP server. The method involves receiving a transformation instruction from a user or other command source. The method further involves in response to receiving a request from a client for a network address, applying the transformation instruction to the client request to generate a client identity pattern; and assigning a network address from a pool of network addresses to the client based on the client identity pattern. Apparatus for use in practicing the method are also claimed.
US07756983B2
Network nodes engage in an asymmetric transactional session. The nodes negotiate transactional role reversal and further communication under a reversed asymmetric transactional session in a TCP/IP network. The roles are either an HTTP server or an HTTP client. The roles change depending upon whether the node is consuming, supplying, or relaying data.
US07756979B1
The invention is directed to a instant messaging method and communication system comprising one or more network elements, wherein a connection from one to another network element can be established using a protocol which allows the sending of one or more messages from the one to the another network element as part of one or more protocol words. The protocol includes a protocol portion allowing a network element to specify whether or not the message is to be stored in case it cannot be promptly delivered to the another network element. The protocol portion preferably is part of the protocol header. The protocol may be a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP), and the message can be contained in an Invite request sent from the sending equipment to the receiving equipment.
US07756973B2
Various embodiments of a computer-implemented method, computer system and computer program product provide a configuration recommendation. Request-processing performance data of an application is received. The request-processing performance data is collected by an application monitor during an execution of the application on a source hardware system. One or more request-processing performance measurements are determined based on the request-processing performance data. One or more target objectives of the application are received. An analytic engine is invoked to provide a configuration recommendation of a target hardware system on which to execute the application based on one or more request-processing performance measurements and one or more target objectives.
US07756971B2
A data-processing system has at least one computer executing at least one application program and at least one storage device. The computer and the at least one storage device storing data are communicatively connected via a plurality of data transfer paths assigned to each program. A data-processing apparatus is communicatively connected to the data-processing system. The data-processing apparatus includes a system configuration storage unit, an abnormality detection information reception unit, an inspection target selection unit and an inspection result storage unit. The system configuration storage unit stores, in a correlated manner, each component of the data-processing system constituting each data transfer path and a program using each component as a data transfer path. The abnormality detection information reception unit receives abnormality detection information indicating that an abnormality is detected while executing an application program, from the computer. The inspection target selection unit selects an inspection target among the each component as a component correlated with the largest number of application programs. The inspection result storage unit stores a result of inspection for a component selected as the inspection target.
US07756968B1
A method, apparatus, and system are provided for monitoring of system resources using a monitor tree. According to one embodiment, a resource may be associated with a monitor managed bean at a node of a monitor tree. Monitoring information regarding the associated resources may be requested from a runtime managed bean, and the monitoring information may be received by the monitor managed bean at the node of the monitor tree.
US07756962B2
A system for advertising to an end user in a computer network is provided. The system includes a server configured to transmit instructions to a client application to display an advertisement and a call-to-action for a reward in proximity to each other. The system is further configured to receive a response to the call-to-action for a reward from the user, and to transmit instructions to the client application to display an indication of a reward. A reward log database is provided in communication with the server. The reward log database is configured for logging the response to the call-to-action for a reward from the user. Methods for advertising and conveying a message, and a client application program product are also provided.
US07756959B1
An operating network comprising a large number of nodes interconnected by links determines potential link-capacity enhancement with the help of a companion phantom network. In one embodiment, the operating network and the phantom network are topologically coincident and each node participates in seeking an actual-connection setup through the operating network and a phantom connection through the phantom network for each connection request. Each node associates with each of its output links an operating capacity, a phantom capacity, an operating vacancy, and a phantom vacancy. The phantom vacancy data is used for link provisioning. In another embodiment, nodes may be added to or deleted from the operating network and the phantom network may not topologically coincide with the operating network. Each node then participates in operating connections setup while a plurality of provisioning servers are provided to perform phantom connection setup through the phantom network and determine utilization statistics for provisioning purposes.
US07756958B2
A system, method and computer program product for intelligent discovery of network information from multiple information gathering agents adapted to discover information concerning the network. The discovery agents each have an associated discovery capability. Based on consideration of the agent discovery capabilities, discovery assignments are computed and network discovery is performed according to the assignments so as to reduce discovery poll overhead.
US07756957B2
A system and method for providing quality of service guarantees in a packet-switched network is provided. A network including nodes linked together by communication links includes a management node for governing the performance of the nodes. Ingress and egress rate restrictions are defined at the nodes and the management module may disallow a portion of a requested transmission to a node if the requested transmission would result in a violation of one of the ingress and egress rate restrictions. Disallowance of a requested transmission may be made by the management node if either an ingress rate restriction of the transmitting node or an egress of the receiving node would be violated by allowance of the requested transmission.
US07756956B2
Mimicking network devices with a computing device having first and second network interface cards, the first network interface card connecting the computing device to an external network and the second network interface card connecting the computing device to a local network, including obtaining an IP address of a device on the local network, determining an IP address for the second network interface card based on the obtained IP address of the device on the local network, and assigning the determined IP address to the second network interface card.
US07756951B2
A system and method for automatic optimization of communication traffic based on the amount of data exchanged between predetermined systems in EAI. A plurality of application servers are connected to an integration server via a network. A first application server transmits the data to the integration server with information on an amount of the data. A second application server with a second adapter provides the data received from the integration server to the application executing section. The second application server then changes its own processing power based on information on an amount of data added to the received data.
US07756950B2
A system and method for providing mobile information, a server and a portable device therein are provided. The server comprises an intelligent download manager and the portable device comprises a file browse manager. The intelligent download manager determines a downloaded file update rule and a file browse rule according to any combination of a document attribute, a browse record, and a document preference. The files to be downloaded to the portable device can be determined automatically according to the downloaded file update rule. The file browse manager provides an intelligent browse mode related to the browse sequence of the downloaded files according to the file browse rule. Therefore, information really interesting to the user can be stored in the limited space by the present invention and the user can access the information quickly and efficiently.
US07756947B2
In an embodiment, an apparatus, method, and/or system support a service request made by a computer user in an Internet café or similar electronic service environment. A user may operate a café-provided user terminal in a multi-terminal network controlled by a café service console. The user may operate a switch on the terminal to transmit a service request to the service console. A visible and/or audible indication may be provided to the user, via a suitable indicator on the terminal, regarding the status of the user's service request. The user's service request may be transmitted to, and the indication may be received by, suitable terminals of an input/output module located in the user terminal. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07756946B1
A method is disclosed for dynamically varying a content download depending on whether the download is a foreground-download or a background-download. When a server receives a content-request from a device, the server determines whether the content-request is foreground-generated or background-generated and accordingly selects a set of content to transmit in response to the device. If the content-request is background-generated, for instance, the server may select a smaller quantity of content, since the device user might not be actively involved with the download. On the other hand, if the content-request is foreground-generated, the server may select a larger quantity of content, since the user is involved at the time. Alternatively, the device itself may select a location from which to request content, based on whether the download is a foreground-download or a background-download.
US07756942B2
Which device in a first home network is a master device is dynamically established based on the device reporting successful communication with a master device in a second home network, to ensure that the networks have master devices that can “se” each other for, e.g., managing bandwidth.
US07756938B2
A method, system and computer-usable medium for managing electronic mail (email) attachments. An email message comprising a first recipient list and a first file attachment is received from a sender. A response email is generated, comprising a second recipient list. The first recipient list and the second recipient list are compared and a third recipient list is generated comprising recipients that are listed on the second recipient list, but not on the first. The email response is then transmitted to all recipients that are on the second recipient list but not on the third list, and the email response and the first file attachment is sent to the recipients on the third recipient list.
US07756937B2
A network device is to be connected with a communication network. The network device is capable of executing a communication function by utilizing the communication network. The network device is provided with an input device, a storage, a communication device, and a communication test device. The input device inputs communication setting data for executing the communication function. The storage is capable of storing at least two patterns of the communication setting data. The communication device executes the communication function by utilizing one pattern of the communication setting data stored in the storage. The communication test device tests whether it is possible to execute the communication function by utilizing the other pattern of the communication setting data stored in the storage while maintaining a state where it is possible for the communication device to execute the communication function by utilizing the one pattern of the communication setting data.
US07756931B2
A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for programmatic communications via an instant messaging network. A connection is established to the instant messaging network. A script is received though the connection. The script is then executed.
US07756929B1
The present invention provides an improved system and method for processing e-mail. The system may be implemented over a distributed network having several redundant mail servers. The system may include a message switch that receives all incoming e-mail messages and includes a policy filter, a content filter, a virus filter and a spam filter. The filters process the message in a sequential order and can be dynamically reconfigured to adapt to certain conditions. The message is stored in an area of the message switch and the filters communicate with each other by passing links to the message in order to reduce input/output. This communication method may be altered to suit the installation of the software, without altering each filter. Messages that do not pass the filters may be rejected or placed in a quarantine area. Messages that pass all of the filters are delivered to their intended recipients.
US07756927B2
If a control portion in a WAP terminal judges in step S1 that a session is established, the residual capacity of a memory portion is monitored at a predetermined time interval or any time interval in steps S2, S3. When the residual capacity of the memory portion is lower than a predetermined capacity, the control portion renews CPI information in step S5 and continues the operations of the steps S1 to S5 if the CPI information has not yet been renewed in step S4. If the CPI information has been renewed, the control portion continues the operations of the steps S1 to S4 without renewing the CPI information.
US07756921B2
A network component for processing a packet includes at least one first storage unit, at least one second storage unit, at least one third storage unit, and an action implementation unit. The at least one first storage unit is configured to store an initial bit value selected from within the packet. The at least one second storage unit is configured to store a bit action length value. The at least one third storage unit is configured to store an extracted bit value based upon the initial bit value and the bit action length value. The action implementation unit is configured to implement at least one action on a packet by using an action bit value to modify the extracted bit value.
US07756915B2
A digital music library builder including an analog-to-digital converter for converting analog audio into digital audio, an optical character processor for recognizing characters within an image, a meta-data extractor for identifying meta-data for a song within the recognized characters, an audio parser for marking the start and end of a song within the digital audio, and a database manager for associating the identified meta-data with the marked song, within a digital music library. A method is also described and claimed.
US07756911B2
A method (and system) for executing a task includes executing a first task in which garbage is collected using a garbage collector, and executing a second task, the garbage collector being preemptable (e.g., preempted) by the second task.
US07756905B2
A device runtime environment is provided for execution on a computing device. The device runtime environment provides an intelligent container for an application at runtime and comprises a plurality of services in communication with each other. The plurality of services a data manager, a screen manager, a communication service and a script interpreter. The data manager manages data components of the application including manipulation and persistence in a database of the data components. The screen manager managing screen components of the application and renders an output for display on a screen of the computing device. The communication service sends messages to external resources and receives and manages messages sent from external resources in accordance with corresponding message components. The script interpreter dynamically interprets script embedded in at least one of the data components, screen components, and message components and relays the interpreted output to the corresponding component manager for implementation. A method for implementing an application on the device in accordance with the above and a computer readable memory for storing instruction to implement the method are also provided.
US07756893B2
An independent computation environment (ICE) that is isolated from tampering is contained in at least one hardware component of a general purpose computing device (CD). The CD includes at least one processor and memory operable to store instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor direct the CD to execute a module being monitored by the ICE. The ICE is operable to access the memory independent of an operating system of the CD. A policy engine is maintained within the ICE to monitor metadata related to the module and manage the execution of the module in accordance with the contents of a memory addresses and/or data registers of the CD that are referenced by the metadata. The ICE is operable to activate an enforcement mechanism to control an operating state of the CD in response to the monitoring of the module.
US07756892B2
Peer-to-peer file sharing is increasing in popularity on the Internet, faster than any product known in history. Although file-sharing can enable massive piracy, it has many advantages for distribution of information including scalability. Alternatively, file-sharing can be sabotaged with falsified files and used to distribute viruses. To this end, a solution that maintains the scalability of file-sharing and promotes reliability is proposed. The solution involves embedding data within the file or content and using the data to identify the content, demonstrate its completeness and lack of viruses, and verify the file can be shared. The embedded data can be checked when the file is registered with the database for sharing, and before or while the file is being uploaded and/or downloaded. Ideally, the embedded data is added at the time of creation for the file. The embedded data may include a watermark and be linked to other copy management systems, such as those proposed in DVD and SDMI. Finally, the embedded data can be used to enable purchases of files that owners do not have rights to share.
US07756886B1
A system displays a filtered list of elements in response to receiving user input of a desired string associated with a list of elements. The system includes a user interface control, such as an edit control, for receiving the input, and determines whether elements matching the desired string exist in the list of elements. The system provides the ability to search internal strings of an element and various levels of a hierarchical list. If no matching elements exist, the system displays the entire list and provides an option to add a new element to the list.
US07756885B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for optimizing and reducing the memory requirements of state machine algorithms in pattern matching applications. Memory requirements of an Aho-Corasick algorithm are reduced in an intrusion detection system by representing the state table as three separate data structures. Memory requirements of an Aho-Corasick algorithm are are also reduced by applying a banded-row sparse matrix technique to the state transition table of the state table. The pattern matching performance of the intrusion detection system is improved by performing a case insensitive search, where the characters of the test sequence are converted to uppercase as the characters are read. Testing reveals that state transition table with sixteen bit elements outperform state transition table with thirty-two bit elements and do not reduce the functionality of intrusion detection systems using the Aho-Corasick algorithm.
US07756876B2
A customizable logging and content management system for indexing multimedia, including a synchronized timer object that provides a time reference upon request in connection with the media, and a logger object that logs predefined events that occur in the media by associating the events with respective time references from the timer object. A video server is provided that captures and digitally stores events logged by the logging application as media segments, and a search and retrieval engine is provided that enables the media segments to be located, retrieved and viewed based on the indexes. The system includes a graphical user interface generator that enables customized user interfaces and logging databases to be created from database tables for use in the logging application.
US07756867B2
A plurality of documents are ranked. The documents are returned as the result of a query computed for each search engine of a plurality of search engines. Each document of the plurality of documents is associated with a Uniform Resource Locator (URL). The plurality of documents includes at least one document returned as a result of the query from each of the search engines. For each URL associated with a document from the plurality of documents, a frequency of the URLs is determined. Ranking the plurality of documents includes ranking them based on one or more factors, which are based on the frequency determined for each URL associated with the plurality of documents.
US07756862B1
In an information processor which records many contents or has many contents already recorded therein, and can generate an arbitrary combination of the contents, a weight is computed for each of the contents based on either data stored in a history data file (184) or data stored in a display data file (182) and data stored in a filtering data file (181), and a content is selected from the contents stored in a content file (161) based on the weight. The selected content is related with a package corresponding to the data stored in the filtering data file (181).
US07756860B2
A method, system and computer program product for enhancing the usability of web browsers by analyzing the recent behavior of an operator while executing a search pattern on a computer network. In particular, a browser enhancement utility provides web browsers with the ability to store (for a limited time period) search terms used in a variety of web search patterns. The browser enhancement utility employs ranking algorithms to identify the relationships between searches and a ranking and matching algorithm to utilize stored search terms to find (text) matches in a web document. When the browser displays web pages after a search has occurred, the browser enhancement utility utilizes these matches in order to take actions to enhance document usability. These actions include: Highlighting terms that have been recently searched for; pre-selecting matching terms from drop down boxes or radio buttons; and focusing a web page to relevant sections of text.
US07756855B2
A computer-implemented method is provided, which includes receiving a plurality of first search queries, each of which comprises one or more first query terms. At least one association graph is constructed that includes at least a portion of the first query terms as vertices. A second search query is received from a user, which comprises a plurality of second query terms. One or more suggested replacement terms for one or more of the second query terms are identified, using the at least one association graph. The suggested replacement terms are presented to the user. Responsively to a selection of one of the suggested replacement terms by the user, the selected suggested replacement term is substituted for the corresponding one of the second query terms, to generate a refined search query. Search results are presented to the user responsively to the refined search query. Other embodiments are also described.
US07756854B2
Updating values in a multidimensional database is provided. Responsive to receiving a value for updating a first cell, a set of first component cells, a set of subsequent component cells, a set of first target cells, a set of subsequent target cells; and a set of unmarked component cells are determined. The first cell, the set of first target cells, and the set of subsequent target cells are marked as changed cells. The set of first component cells and the set of subsequent component cells are marked as allocated cells. The set of unmarked component cells are marked as required cells. Calculations are performed for the first cell, the set of first component cells, the set of subsequent component cells, the first target cells, and the set of subsequent target cells; and only cells marked as changed cells are updated based on the calculations.
US07756853B2
A method and mechanism for performing improved frequent itemset operations is provided. A set of item groups are divided into a plurality of subsets. Each item group is composed of a set of data items. Possible combinations of data items that may frequently appear together in the same item group are referred to as candidate combinations. Candidate combinations comprising a first set of data items are identified, and thereafter the occurrence of each candidate combination in any item group in each subset is counted by comparing item bitmaps, associated with items in the candidate combination, in each subset in turn. The comparison of item bitmaps is performed in volatile memory. A total frequent itemset count that describes the frequency of candidate combinations in items groups across all subsets is obtained. Thereafter, the total frequent itemset count for candidate combinations having a larger number of data items may be determined.
US07756849B2
Methods, systems and articles of manufacture for searching content in frames. In general, information located at one or more networked addresses may be displayed to a user in two or more frames. The content of a frame may be searched by designating one frame as a default search frame. Such a designation may be made according to a tag or other criteria, such as attributes of the frame itself or historical information pertaining to a previous search of one of the active frames. In any case, the designation of a default search frame eliminates the need for explicit selection by the user prior to a search.
US07756839B2
Systems and methodologies that facilitate data handling among participants with mismatched schema sets of an extensible data model, via employing a versioning component. The versioning component can identify and separate the mismatched and matched data, and direct the mismatched portion to a bit bucket component. The bit bucket component can further persistently store the mismatched data, to enable interaction among participants with mismatched data types. The data can be re-integrated to ensure that round trip data is available to the next participant.
US07756837B2
Methods and apparatus are disclosed that permit the transparent bridging of a broad range of backup storage devices, such that backup software will identify an intermediate device as a one of those storage devices and will transparently send their backup data-stream thereto as part of the existing standard backup process. Upon receipt of a backup data-stream from the backup software, the methods and apparatus provide for analysis of the data elements in the data-stream, collection of management information about those data elements, and storage of the management information in an easily accessible format for subsequent review and query by users and administrators of the original data. The same backup data-stream is stored on any standard backup storage device, including the imitated backup storage device.
US07756830B1
A method and apparatus for providing a recent set of replicas for a cluster data resource within a cluster having a plurality of nodes. Each of the nodes having a group services client with membership and voting services. The method of the present invention concerns broadcasting a data resource open request to the nodes of the cluster, determining a recent replica of the cluster data resource among the nodes, and distributing the recent replica to the nodes of the cluster. The apparatus of the present invention is for providing a recent set of replicas for a cluster data resource. The apparatus has a cluster having a plurality of nodes in a peer relationship, each node has an electronic memory for storing a local replica of the cluster data resource. A group services client, which is executable by each node of the cluster, has cluster broadcasting and cluster voting capability. A database conflict resolution protocol (“DCRP”), which is executable by each node of the cluster, interacts with the group services clients such that the DCRP broadcasts to the nodes a data resource modification request having a data resource identifier and a timestamp. The DCRP determines a recent replica of the cluster data resource among the nodes with respect to the timestamp of the broadcast data resource modification request relative to a local timestamp associated with the data resource identifier, and distributes the recent replica of the cluster data resource to each node of the plurality of nodes.
US07756829B2
A method and apparatus for a middleware approach to initializing and updating required data entry fields, pushing such required data entry fields to mobile devices and applications, collecting entered data from such mobile devices, and the synchronizing and integrating of the data is presented. A “form builder” software component allows for the creation of easy to read and use data entry forms by company management. A “web application” software component allows for the forms to then be distributed via electronic and/or wireless means to mobile client devices. A “synchronization server” software component allows for two-way communication, storage and conflict resolution (versioning) of the collected data. An “integration server” software component allows for external access to the collected and versioned data and modeling/mapping of such data. Thus seamless data entry, collection, updating, conflict resolution, versioning, storage, access and utilization is available.
US07756827B1
A method, computer program and computer system for collecting data from one or more data sources, into which data is continuously stored, and for loading the collected data into one or more data targets is disclosed. One or more events are defined and one or more rules are associated with each event. When one of the one or more events occurs, unmarked data is collected from the one or more data sources in accordance with the rules associated with the one event, the collected, unmarked data in the one or more data sources is marked, and the collected data is stored in one or more of the data targets.
US07756826B2
Systems and methods for reducing file sizes for files delivered over a network are disclosed. A method comprises receiving a first file comprising sequences of data; creating a hash table having entries corresponding to overlapping sequences of data; receiving a second file comprising sequences of data; comparing each of the sequences of data in the second file to the sequences of data in the hash table to determine sequences of data present in both the first and second files; and creating a third file comprising sequences of data from the second file and representations of locations and lengths of said sequences of data present in both the first and second files.
US07756821B2
An element of a file system is virtually deleted by creating a deletion marker for the element. Two or more separate physical file system directories are presented as one merged (virtual) file system directory to a process running in a silo. The operating system provides the merged view of the file system directories by monitoring file system requests made by processes in silos on a computer or computer system and filtering out those elements associated with deletion markers. Special processing is invoked in response to detecting certain types of file system access requests, including: enumeration, open, create, rename or delete.
US07756814B2
The present invention provides methods and systems for controlling access to a data object having an identifier (ID). In a computer application, before access a data object, a check is performed to determine whether an ID associated with the data object is contained in a lock object and the ID is associated with a storage location. If the ID is not contained in the lock object or if the ID is not yet associated with a storage location, the data object is accessed.
US07756809B2
Techniques enable a user, such as a business analyst or a system administrator, to define business process rules that control the processing of transaction data by a computer application. A data structure is used to store business process rules. The data structure includes a condition portion and an execution portion of a rule. A rule may be associated with an external execution point, which, in turn, is associated with an application execution point in the transaction process. At runtime, the computer system executing a computer application when determines that an application execution point is reached, the computer system determines whether there is an external execution point associated with the application execution point, and if so, executes the execution portion of a rule associated with the external execution point if the condition portion of the rule is met.
US07756798B2
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with identifying and selectively deleting duplicate search results are described. One example system embodiment includes logic to receive an identity indicator from a search logic. The identity indicator is associated with a search item that the search logic determines to be relevant to a search request. The example system may also include logic to determine whether the search result associated with the identity indicator is a duplicate result based on comparing the identity indicator to another identity indicator associated with another search result.
US07756791B2
A slip image obtaining unit obtains image information on a slip on which character information has been entered. A character recognizing unit recognizes characters entered on the slip on the basis of the image information obtained by the slip image obtaining unit. A determining unit determines whether assistance by an assistant is necessary in an inputting process with the slip according to whether a result of recognition by said character recognizing unit satisfies a predetermined determination condition. An assistance requesting unit requests assistance by the assistant when the determining unit determines that assistance by the assistant is necessary. Whereby, a load on the assistant can be diminished.
US07756779B1
A method for determining compliance with a delegated underwriting and servicing agreement between a mortgage seller and a mortgage purchaser relating to the sale of multifamily mortgage loans using a computer network includes receiving mortgage data regarding at least one multifamily mortgage loan in a mortgage portfolio of the mortgage seller and financial data regarding the mortgage portfolio and receiving mortgage seller data. The delegated underwriting and servicing agreement includes a loss sharing provision, a servicing provision allowing the mortgage seller to retain servicing rights for the multifamily mortgage loans and a provision that the mortgage seller be adequately capitalized against the risk for each multifamily mortgage loan. The method also includes storing the mortgage data, financial data and mortgage seller data and applying a set of predefined capital standards to the mortgage data, financial data and mortgage seller data to determine compliance with the delegated underwriting and servicing agreement.
US07756774B1
System and method for populating a list with at least one investment vehicle ticker descriptor. A system and method are presented for robustly looking up a ticker symbol for investment vehicle and efficiently adding the ticker symbol to a linked investment list.
US07756755B2
System and method for capturing and utilizing consumer purchase intent information comprise obtaining item information, from a user, in a plurality of formats from a plurality of sources, extracting keywords from the item information, organizing item information and keywords in a shopping list, and enabling a display of the shopping list to the user.
US07756754B2
The present invention relates to method and system for providing an online shopping search service, and more particularly, to method and system for providing an online shopping search service, which constructs a database systematically including information about a product registrant, a product registered by the product registrant and a seller who wants to sell the registered product, and performs operations associated with an online shopping search service by using the database.
US07756746B2
Some embodiments provide methods and apparatus for determining a food product and determining a price range defining a maximum price and a minimum price. An indication is stored that the food product may be offered, as a set of one or more food products, in exchange for a round-up amount associated with a purchase, if the round-up amount is in the price range.
US07756739B2
A simple interface may be provided that enables the user to define parameters for aggregation of a semi-additive measure. The interface may enable the user to designate a measure as a semi-additive measure and to pair the measure with an additive aggregation function. The interface may also enable the user to select non-additive dimensions and to pair each non-additive dimension with a corresponding aggregation function. One such aggregation function is a by account aggregation function, which enables each account in an account dimension to be aggregated across a corresponding non-additive dimension according to an associated account type.
US07756735B2
A process for developing Enterprise Architectures that results in a dramatic reduction in the complexity of the architecture and, therefore, in the cost of developing, implementing, and maintaining that architecture. The process is novel in that it is based on a mathematical model for complexity and how complexity can be reduced. The process for constructing enterprise architectures can also validate the architecture before it is implemented. The process begins by partitioning the Enterprise Architecture into autonomous subunits using the equivalence relation synergistic. It then uses type relations between these autonomous subunits to identify redundancies which can be simplified through consolidation. Once these autonomous subunits have been simplified as much as possible through consolidation, outsourcing, or functionality reduction, they are prioritized through risk/value analysis pictorially represented as Risk/Value Graphs.
US07756734B2
A method, product and system are disclosed for generating and facilitating user navigation among one or more investment maps and corresponding scorecards generated using stored data associated with performance metrics of a several information technology (IT) projects.
US07756730B2
Described herein is a method of providing liability insurance covering medical services of a limited scope which includes an insurance provider establishing criteria or guidelines. The insurance provider accepts at least one practitioner into a network wherein the practitioner accepted into the network meets the established criteria or guidelines. The accepted practitioner may then offer elective liability insurance to at least one patient obtaining at least one medical service from the practitioner, wherein the elective liability insurance covers the service and wherein the service is of a limited scope. A management service may act as an intermediary to provide at least one service related to the elective liability insurance to the accepted practitioner and the insurance provider. The patient may accept or deny the elective coverage.
US07756719B2
Initial data is acquired on an agricultural product associated with a harvesting time. The acquired initial data is transmitted (e.g., handed off) via an electromagnetic signal or wireless communication to an intermediate data processing system associated with a handler of the agricultural product. Additional data is appended to the acquired initial data received at the intermediate data processing system to form composite data. The composite data is transmitted via an electromagnetic signal or wireless communication to at least one of a receiver and a data processing system for processing or storing the composite data. The composite data is transferred to or made available to a data management system, which may be accessible to one or more users who seek access to at least one of the initial data, the additional data, and the composite data on the agricultural product or a derivative thereof.
US07756718B2
A system and method for facilitating delivery of software applications from software manufacturers and channel partners to their aggregated customer base are described. The system enables both direct customers of software manufacturers and customers of channel partners to receive electronic delivery of digital assets and licenses from a single electronic software delivery site. The system enables software manufacturers to uniquely define the use of the electronic software and license delivery service for each of their associated channel partners, including defining whether the channel partner can submit orders directly to the system and to define limits on such orders, to specify which products from the manufacturer's catalog is a channel partner allowed to deliver, and to define which reporting information the manufacturer may access for data submitted by each channel partner.
US07756703B2
A formant tracking apparatus and a formant tracking method are provided. The formant tracking apparatus includes: a framing unit dividing an input voice signal into a plurality of frames; a linear prediction analyzing unit obtaining linear prediction coefficients for each frame; a segmentation unit segmenting each of the linear prediction coefficients into a plurality of segments; a formant candidate determining unit obtaining formant candidates by using the linear prediction coefficients, and summing the formant candidates for each segment to determine formant candidates for each segment; a formant number determining unit determining a number of tracking formants for each segment among the formant candidates satisfying a predetermined condition; and a tracking unit searching the tracking formants as many as the number of the tracking formants determined in the formant number determining unit among the formant candidates belonging to each segment.
US07756700B2
Pitch estimation and classification into voiced, unvoiced and transitional speech were performed by a spectro-temporal auto-correlation technique. A peak picking formula was then employed. A weighing function was then applied to the power spectrum. The harmonics weighted power spectrum underwent mel-scaled band-pass filtering, and the log-energy of the filter's output was discrete cosine transformed to produce cepstral coefficients. A within-filter cubic-root amplitude compression was applied to reduce amplitude variation without compromise of the gain invariance properties.
US07756698B2
A sound encoder multiplexes a plurality of codes into a sound code in an order determined by a multiplexing order determination unit (12), and a sound decoder demultiplexes the sound code into a plurality of codes one by one in an order determined by a demultiplexing order determination unit (14).
US07756697B2
An emulation technique adjusts the execution timing of instructions included in an application to be emulated. An emulator executes an instruction stream consisting of a plurality of instructions included in the application for an apparatus to be emulated to perform the object AP. This emulator performs successively the instructions included in the instruction stream at a predetermined period, and includes a speed controller for adjusting the emulation speed by intermittently inserting a wait into the instruction stream to emulate execution of the instruction stream. Preferably, this emulator includes a clock generator (145), in which the speed controller counts the clock input from the clock generator (145).
US07756691B2
A system, method, and computer program product for configuring a network abstraction for simulation. Relationships between network models in the network abstraction are described in a network specification. A simulation infrastructure is adapted to configure the relationships between network models specified in the network specification. The simulation infrastructure is designed to acquire the network specification during run-time, access configuration, relationship parameterization, and execution APIs of model instances during run-time. Network models are designed to acquire access to modeling-specific APIs of other model instances during run-time in order to establish relationships specified in the network specification.
US07756685B2
Method for automatic community model generation based on uni-parity data. Correlation analysis is employed to identify links within the community. Method may be particularized for solving specific problems such as determining the activities between individuals within a money laundering ring.
US07756681B2
Embodiments of power supply circuits are disclosed in which a filter function is performed on a count value from a counter that counts the number of times of enabling of a power supply circuit.
US07756680B2
A method for online testing of a signal path from a sensor cell to an evaluation point, including providing at least two mutually different test signals, changing the sensor cell output signal on the basis of the at least two mutually different test signals in accordance with a predetermined change specification to obtain the sensor signal, so that the sensor signal depends on the sensor cell output signal and the at least two test signals, outputting the sensor signal or a signal derived from the sensor signal onto the signal path, processing the sensor signal or the signal derived from the sensor signal while taking into account the predetermined change specification to obtain a processed signal, and examining the processed signal with regard to the presence of the at least two mutually different test signals to provide a signal path fault indication on the basis thereof.
US07756670B2
A method for determining the roughness of a tyre rolling surface by the steps of providing a first signal representative of the motion of at least one point of the tyre during rolling of the surface and processing the first signal for providing an output indicative of the roughness of the rolling surface of the tyre.
US07756666B2
A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer usable code are provided for generation of hardware thermal profiles for a set of processors. Sampling is performed of the thermal states of the set of processors during the execution of a set of workloads to create sampled information. The sampled information and thermal characteristics of the set of processors are combined and a thermal index is generated based on the sampled information and characteristics of the set of processors.
US07756662B2
In a capacitance type of non-contact sensor for detecting the position of an object to be detected, such as dielectric material, a detection gain is changed in a first case where the object to be detected is placed in a first position and also in a second case where the object to be detected is placed in a second position, and an offset value is adjusted for each gain to bring an output value to a predetermined value. The adjusted offset values are stored in order to define a gain and an offset value at a point, where the offset values in the first and second cases are closest, as adjustment values.
US07756661B2
A method for measuring a dimension of a pattern formed on a semiconductor light-exposure mask includes performing a preparation arranged to form a first relationship between measured values of dimensions of opaque patterns and misalignments of detected edge positions, and a second relationship between measured values of dimensions of clear patterns and misalignments of detected edge positions, performing detection/measurement arranged to detect opposite two edge positions of a measurement target pattern, and to measure a dimension of the measurement target pattern bounded by the two edge positions and dimensions of adjacent patterns respectively adjacent to the two edge positions, and performing correction arranged to respectively correct two detected edge positions of the measurement target pattern, with reference to one or both of the first and second relationships formed in the preparation, and measured values of the dimensions obtained in the detection/measurement.
US07756659B2
In an integrated circuit with at least two separate timing circuits, for example both a serializer and a deserializer, a trim value correction factor is developed and applied at the testing of the chip. The correction trim value brings the VCO frequency of the serializer into specifications, but the trim value may also be used to alter the delay between a received clock and data in the deserializer. Since both the serializer and the deserializer were made with the same process, the received clock delay may be corrected by substantially the same correction factor as that applied to the VCO. Illustratively the trim values may be stored on the IC.
US07756657B2
A system for monitoring and controlling a batch process. The system includes a control system that is operable to control the batch process and to receive measured process variables of the batch process. An analyzer analyzes a material sample from the batch process and generates array data representative of the composition of the material sample. An analyzer controller is operable to collect the array data from the analyzer and the measured process variables from the control system. A software data server running on a computer is operable to retrieve the array data and the measured process variables from the analyzer controller. A software information management system running on the computer is operable to receive the measured process variables and the array data from the data server and to store the measured process variables and the array data in a database in an associated manner.
US07756652B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that estimates a power utilization of a computer system. During operation, a set of performance parameters of the computer system is monitored, wherein the computer system includes a processor. Then the power utilization of the computer system is estimated based on the set of performance parameters and a power-utilization model, wherein the power-utilization model was trained by measuring a power utilization of the computer system while the processor is operating at a first frequency and measuring a power utilization of the computer system while the processor is operating at a second frequency.
US07756649B2
Modem rotary machine production requires built-in fault detection and diagnoses. The occurrence of faults, e.g. increased friction or loose bonds has to be detected as early as possible. Theses faults generate a nonlinear behavior. Therefore, a method for fault detection and diagnosis of a rotary machine is presented. Based on a rotor system model for the faulty and un-faulty case, subspace-based identification methods are used to compute singular values that are used as features for fault detection. The method is tested on an industrial rotor balancing machine.
US07756643B2
This invention is related to methods, systems and computer program products for determining the biological effect and/or activity of drugs, chemical substances and/or pharmaceutical compositions using their effect on DNA-methylation as a marker for their biological effect(s). The invention is further related to the use of the inventive methods, systems and computer program products in obtaining new biologically active compounds which can be used as so-called “lead”-compounds for new and effective medicaments and treatment strategies of, in particular, human diseases.
US07756634B2
A current-position-calculation unit calculates a current position on the basis of an azimuth angle of a first point that is on an actual road and that corresponds to each of second points on a link, where the azimuth angle is calculated on the basis of a curvature of the first point, the curvature being estimated on the basis of the link, and where the azimuth angle is relative to a curve-start point calculated on the basis of the curvature progress, so that the azimuth angle of the first point corresponding to the second point calculated as the current position agrees with a travel-azimuth angle that is obtained at a current point in time calculated on the basis of a travel locus and that is relative to a curve-start-point-passing time calculated on the basis of the travel locus.
US07756630B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for generating an online listing, such as a yellow pages listing, that includes information about an object, such as a business, and also includes at least one image of the structure containing the object. For example, the image may be a digital image of the store front of a business taken at a street view. Additionally, a user may select an image from a plurality of images that the user perceives as being an appropriate representative image for the business. Based on votes received a default representative image may be identified that is provided in response to a request for information about the business.
US07756622B2
The invention relates to a method and a device for damping the displacement of construction machines, in particular wheel loaders, comprising working equipment that is driven by means of a hydraulic cylinder, a hydraulic source, a controlled valve for supplying the hydraulic cylinder with hydraulic fluid, a regulator unit comprising control software, in addition to an acceleration sensor.
US07756614B2
A system of mobile device control is provided, which includes moving a surrogate under wireless control, and autonomously moving the surrogate to regain wireless control when the wireless control is lost.
US07756612B2
The invention relates to a method of piloting a rotorcraft having a plurality of engines for driving at least one lift and propulsion rotor, in which method, so long as the rotorcraft has not reached an optimum climb speed (OCS), a pitch attitude control signal (Upitch) is determined that is adapted so that the rotorcraft accelerates in application of a profile (P1, P2, P3) that varies as a function of the elapsed time and as a function of the operating state of the engines (OEI/AEO).
