US07824667B2
A process for treating hair involving contacting the hair with a composition containing: (a) a cationic surfactant component comprising: (i) a quaternized fatty acid amidoamine; and (ii) optionally, a non-quaternized fatty acid amidoamine; and (b) optionally, a conditioning agent selected from the group consisting of a fatty alcohol, a fatty alcohol polyglycol ether, and mixtures thereof.
US07824660B2
The present invention provides a novel approach to cancer therapy and diagnostics that utilizes nanotubes and other similar nanostructures as both an indirect source of radiation therapy (BNCT), and as delivery vehicles for other types of radio- and chemo-therapeutic materials, as well as imaging agents for diagnostic purposes.
US07824656B2
The present invention relates to catalysts for the production of hydrogen using the water gas shift reaction and the carbon dioxide reforming of hydrocarbon-containing fuels. The catalysts nickel and/or copper on a ceria/zirconia support, where the support is prepared using a surfactant templating method. The invention also includes processes for producing hydrogen, reactors and hydrogen production systems utilizing these catalysts.
US07824650B2
A graphitizable carbon foam having enhanced directional thermal conductivity is provided. The mesophase portions of a mesophase pitch are aligned with each other to create an oriented mesophase pitch, which is then foamed to provide an oriented pitch foam. The pitch foam can be heated to carbonize the pitch thereby forming an oriented carbon foam. The carbon foam can be further heated to provide an oriented graphite foam.
US07824646B2
Mesoporous carbon and silica containing composites are prepared based on the co-assembly of a suitable surfactant in a liquid medium. When a low molecular weight carbonizable polymer and a silica precursor are added to the surfactant solution, a mixture of distinct phases of the materials is formed after solvent evaporation. A polymer/silica solid composite with highly organized mesopores is obtained after surfactant removal. This product has utility as a catalyst support or gas absorbent. And the polymer-silica composite can be easily converted successively to a mesoporous carbon-silica composite and to a bimodal mesoporous carbon material.
US07824633B2
A system and method for producing molybdenum oxide(s) from molybdenum sulfide are disclosed. The system includes a pressure leach vessel, a solid-liquid separation stage coupled to the pressure leach vessel, a solvent-extraction stage coupled to the solid-liquid separation stage, and a base stripping stage coupled to the solvent-extraction stage. The method includes providing a molybdenum sulfide feed, subjecting the feed to a pressure leach process, subjecting pressure leach process discharge to a solid-liquid separation process to produce a discharge liquid stream and a discharge solids stream, and subjecting the discharge liquid stream to a solvent extraction and a base strip process.
US07824627B2
An active material and light emitting device comprises an ultrasonic atomizer assembly and a light emission device. The active material and light emitting device further includes a housing containing the atomizer assembly and the light emission device such that the atomizer assembly is disposed above the light emission device. The light emission device emits light that is transmitted through a medial portion of the housing.
US07824626B2
A system that captures and eliminates indoor pollutants and chemical and biological agents within a HVAC system by breaking down the pollutants and chemical and biological threats into non-hazardous molecules. The surface area created by crystalline titanium dioxide nano-structures results in highly effective elimination rates when catalytic ionization by UV exposure occurs. The catalyst is activated with UVA light.
US07824623B2
A laboratory device design particularly for a multiplate format that includes a manifold wherein the position of the plate is not a function of gasket compression or vacuum rate applied. In one embodiment, the device has a modular design, wherein removable inserts with different functionalities can be positioned between a base component and a collar component. The particular inserts chosen depend on the desired sample preparation or assay to be carried out. The inserts are stacked and are positioned between the base and collar as a unit, so that the stack within the manifold does not move during evacuation of the vacuum chamber. The consistent position of the multiplate facilitates using vacuum sample processing with automated liquid handlers.
US07824616B2
The present invention relates to an analyzing instrument (X1) provided with a capillary (5) for moving a sample liquid. The analyzing instrument (X1) includes a dehumidification region for maintaining a constant moisture content in the capillary (5). Preferably, the dehumidification region has a hygroscopicity of no less than 2%. Preferably, at least part of an inner surface of the capillary (5) extends in the moving direction of the sample liquid and is a water-insoluble high-wettability region having a wettability of no less than 57 mN/m. The dehumidification region and the high-wettability region may be made of Vinylon, for example. Preferably, the analyzing instrument (X1) includes a liquid pooling portion (4) communicating with the capillary (5) and having a portion wider than the capillary (5).
US07824615B2
A support element for test-tubes and the like, including an annular body adapted to be fitted on a test-tube and provided with connection means among several support elements to allow the formation of a chain having additional support elements, wherein the connection means are a spherical joint.
US07824613B2
A control system for a bank of analytical instruments operates the instruments as a group rather than singly. The system includes an autoloader at a sample preparation station into which an individual loads sample vials of unknown material. A second autoloader provides sample vials of known material that can be used to calibrate instruments. A computer controls the autoloader and a conveyor system to deliver a selected one of the vials to a selected instrument. The conveyor system includes a group of distributors, typically in series, to deliver a vial to any one of a large group of instruments. The conveyor system is preferably a pneumatic system including a receiver and technique for slowing the vials down when they approach the receiver. The receiver is positioned to deliver the vial to an autoinjector of the instrument. A computer monitors and communicates with the analytical instrument to obtain inputs to control components of the system.
US07824611B2
The assay devices, assay systems and device components of this invention comprise at least two opposing surfaces disposed a capillary distance apart, at least one of which is capable of immobilizing at least one target ligand or a conjugate in an amount related to the presence or amount of target ligand in the sample from a fluid sample in a zone for controlled fluid movement to, through or away the zone. The inventive device components may be incorporated into conventional assay devices with membranes or may be used in the inventive membrane-less devices herein described and claimed. These components include flow control elements, measurement elements, time gates, elements for the elimination of pipetting steps, and generally, elements for the controlled flow, timing, delivery, incubation, separation, washing and other steps of the assay process.
US07824606B2
The invention provides nickel-based alloys that are useful in the preparation of articles for applications requiring high mechanical and physical properties, such as high strength and high heat stability, while simultaneously reducing the cost of preparation of the alloys. The invention further provides articles, such as turbine wheels, prepared using the inventive alloys.
US07824604B2
The present invention generally relates to apparatuses and methods for use in metal melting, refining and/or other processing, such as, for example, steel making in an electric arc furnace (EAF), and more particularly, to improved cooling systems and related methods for use in an extended burner panel.
US07824597B2
In a method for producing flat molded plastic parts, for example panes, a mold is first filled completely with plastic material and additional plastic material is subsequently added, in such a way that the mold distends in a defined manner in opposition to the clamping force. The distension compensates for material shrinkage during a subsequent cooling operation, thus preventing sink marks and permitting the production of, for example, panes of high optical quality.
US07824583B2
A product to render flame- and fireproof surfaces and materials and inhibit the spread of fire on objects of various and diverse chemical nature and affinity, using non-toxic and non-carcinogenic basic fire and flame retardant intumescent mixtures with wide ranging chemical affinity, prepared in stable colloidal dispersion. The intumescent base comprises a colloidal solvent in which a source of phosphoric acid, a charring agent and a blowing agent are dissolved and dispersed. Intumescent mixtures are produced adding to said base flame spread reduction materials, thermal resistance enhancers, thermal transmission reduction and refractory, elasticity, water resistant materials and combinations thereof. Bipolar chemicals are also added to change the chemical affinity. Products are applicable on household, professional and industrial materials and objects, natural, synthetic and metallic.
US07824566B2
One method includes applying to a post-manufactured textile material a liquid composition resulting from a combination of ingredients. The ingredients include one or more anti-fading compounds, one or more anti-soiling compounds, one or more silicon-based compounds, and one or more carrying media. One composition is a liquid composition resulting from a combination of ingredients, with the ingredients including a benzotriazole, a fluorocarbon, an organosiloxane, and odorless mineral spirits.
US07824565B2
Colorfast urea composition having reduced compressibility, cake formation and tendency of re-crystallization of the urea granulate, wherein the granulate further contains at least two different biodegradable polymers, of which at least one polymer is preferably a polyalkenyl amine compound. The other polymer is preferably polyaspartic acid or polyvinyl alcohol. The invention further relates to a process for the preparation of such a urea composition.
US07824544B2
The invention relates to a device which is used to continuously filter material mixtures, in particular for separating impurities from plastic melts. The device includes a hollow cylindrically-shaped filter element (2) which is arranged inside a housing (1), an annular chamber (22) which is defined from the outside of the filter element (2) and an inner wall of the housing, and at least one stripper (23) which can be pressed onto the filter body by an adjusting device. The stripper is used to remove the impurities detained on the filter element (2) due to a relative movement of the filter element (2) and the stripper (23). The adjusting device contains a pressure sensor (42, 53) which is used to detect the pressure of the material mixture upstream from the filter body and an actuator (43) which is connected to the pressure sensor, the actuator being used to adjust the pressure of the stripper (23) according to the pressure detected by the pressure sensor.
US07824539B2
Ionic interactions are monitored to detect hybridization. The measurement may be done measuring the potential change in the solution with the ion sensitive electrode (which may be the conducting polymer (e.g., polyaniline) itself), without applying any external energy during the binding. The double helix formation during the complimentary hybridization makes this electrode act as an ion selective electrode—the nucleotide hydrogen bonding is specific and thus monitoring the ionic phosphate group addition becomes selective. Polyaniline on the surface of nylon film forms a positively charged polymer film. Thiol linkage can be utilized for polyaniline modification and thiol-modified single strand oligonucleotide chains can be added to polyaniline. The sensitivity is because the double helix formation during the complimentary hybridization makes this electrode act as an ion selective electrode as the nucleotide hydrogen bonding is specific and thus monitoring the ionic phosphate group addition becomes selective.
US07824536B2
Disclosed are processes of making solutions of alkali alkoxides in their corresponding alcohols using an electrolytic process. In one embodiment, sodium methoxide in methanol is made from methanol and aqueous sodium hydroxide solution, where the aqueous sodium hydroxide solution is present in the anolyte compartment and a solution of sodium methoxide in methanol is present in the catholyte compartment, the two compartments are separated by a ceramic membrane that selectively transports sodium ions under the influence of an electric potential, and wherein the composition of the solution of sodium methoxide in methanol in the catholyte compartment of the electrolytic cell comprises between at least about 2% by weight sodium methoxide and at most about 20% by weight sodium methoxide.
US07824521B2
A process of treating a lignocellulosic material includes a pre-extraction step in which hemicellulose is extracted from the lignocellulosic material. In one embodiment, the pre-extraction step involves contacting the lignocellulosic material with an aqueous solution under conditions that release acidic material from the lignocellulosic material into the aqueous solution, and the aqueous solution includes a basic material that at least partly neutralizes the acidic material so that the aqueous solution at the end of the pre-extraction step has a pH within a range of from 4.5 to 11. The process also includes a pulping step, after the pre-extraction step, in which the lignocellulosic material is separated into pulp. The process further includes an adsorption step, after the pulping step, in which hemicellulose is adsorbed on the pulp.
US07824516B2
A method and apparatus for forming a patterned layer having a surface profile that provides relief structures within an electronic device. The method comprises the steps of taking a carrier film (50) having an inverse of the required surface profile formed on one side thereof, taking a layer of fixable material (54) located on a substrate (52), laminating the carrier film (50) and substrate (52) such the carrier film causes the required surface profile to be formed in the layer of fixable material with a predetermined offset, and then fixing the fixable material. Lamination may be performed using rollers (56,58) or a vacuum process. The process is designed to ensure that the offset can be kept as low as possible, preferably to within 150 nm.
US07824514B2
A method of producing a stretch laminate exhibiting reduced defects from a mechanical activation process can include providing a nipping member. The nipping member can have a first nip region and a non-nip region adjacent to the first nip region. A first substrate and an elastic element are provided to the nipping member. The first substrate and the elastic element are joined in a face to face relationship with adhesive therebetween, thereby creating an intermediate laminate. The intermediate laminate has a first tack down region and an activation region adjacent the first tack down region. A portion of the first tack down region passes through the first nip region, and a portion of the activation region passes through the non-nip region of the nipping member. The activation region of the intermediate laminate is mechanically activated, thereby creating the stretch laminate.
US07824504B2
An electronic device cleaning method includes the steps of: placing, on a processing face, a semiconductor substrate having an obverse face portion in which an electronic device is formed so that the processing face faces a reverse face of the semiconductor substrate; diselectrifying at least the reverse face of the semiconductor substrate by irradiating light to the semiconductor substrate by a light source provided at the processing face; and supplying a chemical solution to an obverse face of the semiconductor substrate after the diselectrifying step starts. Whereby, static electricity present on the processing face is removed reliably.
US07824498B2
A substrate support has a support structure and a coating on the support structure having a carbon-hydrogen network. The coating has a contact surface having a coefficient of friction of less than about 0.3 and a hardness of at least about 8 GPa. The contact surface of the coating is capable of reducing abrasion and contamination of a substrate that contacts the contact surface. In one version, the support structure has a dielectric covering an electrode. A plurality of mesas on the dielectric have a coating with the contact surface thereon.
US07824495B1
A system to continuously produce fully carbonized or graphitized carbon fibers using microwave-assisted plasma (MAP) processing comprises an elongated chamber in which a microwave plasma is excited in a selected gas atmosphere. Fiber is drawn continuously through the chamber, entering and exiting through openings designed to minimize in-leakage of air. There is a gradient of microwave power within the chamber with generally higher power near where the fiber exits and lower power near where the fiber enters. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN), pitch, or any other suitable organic/polymeric precursor fibers can be used as a feedstock for the inventive system. Oxidized or partially oxidized PAN or pitch or other polymeric fiber precursors are run continuously through a MAP reactor in an inert, non-oxidizing atmosphere to heat the fibers, drive off the unwanted elements such as oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen, and produce carbon or graphite fibers faster than conventionally produced carbon fibers.
US07824489B2
Cement compositions including environmentally compatible defoamers and methods of using such cement compositions are provided herein. An example of a method is a method of reducing foam generation in a cement composition. An example of a composition is a is a cement composition comprising water, hydraulic cement, and a defoamer.
US07824486B2
The present disclosure relates to a process for making a decorative base paper for a paper laminate comprising impregnating a base paper with a pigment mixture of titanium dioxide and water wherein the titanium dioxide pigment is made by treating a mixture of titanium dioxide pigment and water with a source of phosphorus and a source of aluminum; drying the treated mixture to form a treated pigment, the treated pigment having surface hydroxyl groups; and removing a major proportion of the surface hydroxyl groups of the treated pigment. Preferably the surface hydroxyl groups are removed by thermal treatment, for example at temperatures ranging from 300° C. to 800° C. The source of phosphorus is typically phosphoric acid and the source of aluminum is typically sodium aluminate. The pigment can be characterized by an isoelectric point which is greater than pH 6 and a negative zeta potential of at least 20 mV at a pH of 7.5 or more and wherein the pigment has improved light fastness.
US07824485B2
Asphalt compositions and methods of forming such are described herein. The asphalt compositions and methods of forming such are generally adapted to enable open air processing while producing asphalt compositions that exhibit properties capable of meeting SUPERPAVE™ specifications.
US07824483B2
A composition comprising a compound of Formula (1) or a salt thereof and compound of Formula (2) or a salt thereof: wherein: A is or comprises an aryl or heteroaryl group; Q1 and Q2 each independently is an optionally substituted phenylene group; R1, R2, Ra and Rb each independently is H, optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted aryl or optionally substituted arylalkyl; each W1, W2, W3 and W4 independently is a —CO2H, —SO3H, —PO3H2 group or an alkyl substituted with one or more groups selected from —CO2H, —SO3H, —PO3H2; each S1, S2, S3 and S4 independently is a substituent other than those defined for W1, W2, W3 and W4; a and d each independently is from 1 to 5; b and c each independently is from 0 to 4; (a+b) has a value of from 1 to 5; (c+d) has a value of from 1 to 5; e and h each independently is from 1 to 7; f and g each independently is from 0 to 6; (e+f) has a value of from 1 to 7; and (g+h) has a value of from 1 to 7.
US07824482B2
The present invention relates to new substance combinations as vapor phase corrosion inhibitors for protecting a broad range of customary utility metals, including iron, chromium, nickel, tin, zinc, aluminum, copper, magnesium and their alloys, against corrosion in humid climates. Said substance combinations comprise (1) at least one C6 to C10 aliphatic monocarboxylic acid, (2) at least one C6 to C10 aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, and (3) a primary aromatic amide. Preferably they further comprise (4) an aliphatic ester of hydroxybenzoic acid, in particular of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, and/or (5) a bemzimidazole, in particular a benzimidazole substituted on the benzene ring.
US07824472B2
In order to provide a new PSA method which can concentrate simultaneously a strong adsorbate such as xenon and a weak adsorbate such as nitrogen in a high concentration with a high recovery percentage when highly valuable gas such as xenon and krypton contained in the exhaust gas from a semiconductor manufacturing equipment, etc. is recovered in a high concentration with a high recovery percentage, the present invention provides a new PSA method in which the method uses a separation apparatus comprising a lower column and a upper column which are filled with an adsorbent, a material gas storage tank for storing the material gas to be introduced into the lower column, a strong adsorbate storage tank for storing a main component which is easily adsorbed by the adsorbent, and a compressor, and the strong adsorbate which is easily adsorbed by the adsorbent and the weak adsorbate which is not readily adsorbed by the adsorbent are recovered, wherein the method comprises an (a) adsorption step, (b) rinse step, (c) low column depressurization step, (d) upper column depressurization step, and (e) purge step sequentially repeated based on a predetermined sequence.
US07824468B2
A carbothermic process for producing an aluminium carbide containing mass by injecting carbon and alumina into molten aluminium superheated above 1400° C. The carbon reacts with molten aluminium to produce an aluminium carbide and alumina mass. The mass can be heated in the range of 1700° C. to 2000° C. to produce aluminium metal and carbon monoxide.
US07824467B2
A method of preparing metal nanoprisms having a unimodal size distribution and a predetermined thickness. The present method also allows control over nanoprism edge length.
US07824454B2
A unique combination of a certain poly(oxyalkylene) amine and a thiadiazole compound when employed as a fuel additive in a hydrocarbon fuel such as gasoline or diesel fuel will preclude fuel gauge sending units from sustaining sulfur-related corrosion damage or restore fuel gauge sending units, particularly silver-based fuel gauge sending units, in vehicle fuel storage tanks to like-new operational condition. Moreover, a method suitable for use in precluding fuel gauge sending units from sustaining sulfur-related corrosion damage or restoring silver-based fuel gauge sending units in gasoline or diesel vehicle fuel storage tanks to like-new operational condition using the combination of a certain poly(oxyalkylene) amine and a thiadiazole compound as a fuel additive is also described.
US07824448B2
Disclosed are processes whereby stains on a variety of substrates may be removed by treating a stained area of a substrate with a solution of a sulfonamide compound. The sulfonamide-containing solutions are particularly useful as stain removal agents for stains which originate with body fluids such as blood, urine, vomit, feces etc. The stain removal solutions may be buffered to a predetermined pH. The stain removal solutions may further incorporate small percentages of low molecular weight alcohols and wetting agents.
US07824447B2
A prosthesis for implantation into a human body is made by a method that includes the steps of providing a natural animal ligament or tendon that has a substrate, crosslinking and fixing the substrate, minimizing the antigens from the substrate, tanning the substrate to improve its mechanical properties, and coupling an active layer to the substrate.
US07824446B2
The invention provides a prosthetic foot device including an elongated upper forefoot portion extending through an upper attachment section, forwardly through an arch section, and to a toe section positioned at a toe location of a natural foot. The foot device also includes an elongated lower forefoot portion extending through an upper attachment section attached to the attachment section of the upper forefoot portion, and forwardly under the arch section of the upper forefoot portion to a terminal end positioned under the ball location of a natural foot and rearward of the toe section of the upper forefoot portion.
US07824445B2
An improved artificial spinal implant system for replacing a disc or vertebral body that provides adjustability in height, and provides support and stability of the spine with proper lordosis or kyphosis, osseous-integration of the implant, and motion preservation (if desired) of the adjacent vertebrae while preserving the space. Motion preservation is achieved with compressible and/or tiltable artificial discs.
US07824441B2
Coatings for stents that include a polymer and a drug are provided. A method of forming the coatings is also provided.
US07824424B2
The invention is directed to a system and method for releasably holding a surgical instrument (14), such as an endoscopic instrument configured for delivery through a small percutaneous penetration in a patient. The instrument comprises an elongate shaft (100) with a pair of mounting pins (116) laterally extending from the shaft between its proximal and distal ends. An instrument holder comprises a support having a central bore (202) and an axially extending slot (204) for receiving the instrument shaft and the mounting pins. A pair of locking slots (206) are cut into the support transversely to and in communication with the axial slot so that the mounting pins can be rotated within the locking slots. The instrument support further includes a latch assembly for automatically locking the mounting pins within the locking slots to releasably couple the instrument to the instrument holder. With this twist-lock motion, the surgeon can rapidly engage and disengage various instruments from the holder during a surgical procedure, such as open surgery, laparoscopy or thoracoscopy.
US07824421B2
Disclosed is an instrument for use in a procedure to effect anastomosis of a patient's bladder and urethra following a prostatectomy having a tube assembly, and an end effector assembly operably supported by the tube assembly, where the end effector assembly includes an anchor for insertion into and through the patient's bladder wall and pelvic floor and an anchor guide associated therewith.
US07824408B2
An energy delivering probe is used for thermally coagulating and/or constricting hollow anatomical structures (HAS) including, but not limited to, blood vessels such as perforator veins. The probe includes a shaft and at least two electrodes where at least one of the electrodes has a generally spherical or toroidal geometry.
US07824404B2
Methods of treating the sacroiliac region of a patient's body by delivering energy are described. In some embodiments, the method comprises the steps of: positioning one elongated probe comprising at least one energy delivery device within a sacroiliac joint of the body; and delivering radiofrequency energy through the elongated probe. In some embodiments, the delivery of energy results in the creation of a lesion. In further embodiments, energy may be delivered substantially along a long axis of the sacroiliac joint. In yet further embodiments, at least one energy delivery device may be positioned adjacent a sacroiliac joint and energy may be delivered so as to create a lesion at least partially within the joint.
US07824402B2
An ablating device has a cover which holds an interface material such as a gel. The cover contains the interface material during initial placement of the device. The ablating device may also have a removable tip or a membrane filled with fluid. In still another aspect, the ablating device may be submerged in liquid during operation.
US07824400B2
A circuit is disclosed which minimizes the amount of tissue vaporized during a first half (positive half cycle) of an electrosurgical current cycle and minimizes the amount of current applied to tissue during a second half (negative half cycle) of the electrosurgical current cycle to control thermal spread. The circuit is preferably provided within an electrosurgical generator which is capable of controlling the amount of energy delivered to a patient during electrosurgery on a per arc basis.
US07824399B2
A system and method for creating lesions and assessing their completeness or transmurality. Assessment of transmurality of a lesion is accomplished by monitoring the depolarization signal in a local electrogram taken using electrodes located adjacent the tissue to be ablated. Following onset of application of ablation energy to heart tissue, the local electrogram is measured with electrodes located adjacent tissue to be ablated so that the ablation energy to ablation elements can be selectively reduced or terminated when transmurality is detected.
US07824394B2
The present invention provides improved methods and apparatus for skin treatment and tissue remodeling. The apparatus includes an array of needles that penetrate the skin and serve as electrodes to deliver radio frequency current or other electrical or optical energy into the tissue being treated, causing thermal damage in controlled patterns. The damaged regions promote beneficial results such as uniform skin tightening by stimulation of wound healing and collagen growth.
US07824390B2
Methods, devices and systems facilitate diagnosis, and in some cases treatment, of back pain originating in intervertebral discs. Methods generally involve introducing one or more substances into one or more discs using a catheter device. In one embodiment, a patient assumes a position that causes back pain, and a substance such as an anesthetic or analgesic is introduced into the disc to determine whether the substance relieves the pain. Injections into multiple discs may optionally be performed, to help pinpoint a disc as a source of the patient's pain. In some embodiments, the catheter device is left in place, and possibly coupled with another implantable device, to provide treatment of one or more discs. A catheter device includes at least one anchoring member for maintaining a distal portion of the catheter within a disc.
US07824387B2
Aspects of the present disclosure involve new methods for using disposable absorbent articles having replaceable absorbent core components as a training pant. Non-removable absorbent core components may be disposed in a chassis of the disposable absorbent article. The absorbent article may also include one or more replaceable absorbent core components selectively disposed in capillary liquid communication with the non-removable absorbent core component. Embodiments of such absorbent articles can be configured for use as a training pant by removing the replaceable absorbent core component. As discussed below, removal of the replaceable core component can be done without having to remove the absorbent article from the wearer. In addition, embodiments of the absorbent articles can be reconfigured for use as a high absorbency diaper by reinstalling a replaceable absorbent core component without having to remove the absorbent article from the wearer.
US07824375B2
Disclosed herein is a slittable delivery device for the delivery of a cardiac surgical device. The delivery device includes a hub and a shaft integrated into the hub. The shaft forms at least a segment of the circumferential surface of the hub. The delivery device may also include a hemostasis valve contained substantially within the hub and a cap on a proximal end of the hub. The cap may include an opening in the cap extending radially outward from a point near a radial center of the cap through a circumferential edge of the cap.
US07824373B2
A self-contained and hand-held power-assisted syringe is provided which is suitable for the controlled injection of fluid material during medical procedures such as coronary angiography procedures which utilize small-bore and small sized guide catheter systems. The present invention provides a greater degree of injection power on-demand than was previously possible in a portable and hand-held syringe; and it can deliver larger volumes of radiopaque contrast medium at greater pressures than was previously possible using a conventional manual syringe. The power assisted syringe, along with all components necessary for its effective use and operation, may be pre-packaged and steriled within a single container and then disposed of after use.
US07824371B2
An artery stabilizer device, which is held in place by a technician over a targeted artery using just one or two fingertips of the technician's hand, is provided for stabilizing the artery while the user inserts the needle of a syringe into the artery. A pair of stabilizer fingers, which protrude from the bottom surface of a finger-hold platform, hold the artery in place while the needle is inserted into the artery distal the tips of the stabilizer fingers. In one embodiment, a gauze pad is attached beneath the finger-hold platform, allowing the user to quickly apply a dressing over the wound created by the needle puncture. Another embodiment provides a needle guide between extended stabilizer fingers for stabilizing the needle during the arterial puncture. Each embodiment creates an augmented pulse at the targeted needle insertion site, making it easier for the technician to palpate the pulse there. Arterial line insertions can also be facilitated using this invention.
US07824369B2
A system and method for inflating and deflating a catheter balloon using osmosis. An elongate catheter shaft has a proximally disposed osmotic membrane in fluid communication with a distally mounted balloon through a fluid-filled catheter lumen. The balloon is inflated by exposing the exterior of the membrane to a solution that is hypotonic relative to the solution within the catheter lumen. The balloon is deflated by exposing the exterior of the membrane to a solution that is hypertonic in relation to the solution within the catheter lumen.
US07824364B2
A liquid mixing infusor includes a main body defining an internal chamber and has an upstream port, a downstream port and a confluent port. Each port is fluidly couplable with the internal chamber. A valve may be mounted within the internal chamber of the main body and is adapted for rotational movement between a blocking position interrupting fluid flow between the confluent port and one of the upstream port and the downstream port and between the upstream port and the downstream port, and a flow position permitting fluid flow between the upstream port and the downstream port. A manually manipulative member is mounted relative to the main body and operatively connected to the valve. The manipulative member is movable to cause corresponding movement of the valve between the blocking position and the flow position.
US07824361B2
The connector of the present invention provides fewer connections and attachments to a breastpump configured for expressing breast milk from both of a woman's breasts simultaneously, thereby facilitating easier use of the breast pump and yielding fewer pieces for the user to carry or misplace. The connector includes a manifold with four ports. Individual tubes extend from three of the four ports and each has a plug member. One tube engages with a vacuum source and the remaining two tubes engage with a breastshield assembly for double breast pumping. When single breastpumping is desired, one of the two tubes connected to the breastpump assemblies is disconnected and engaged with the dock port of the manifold.
US07824359B2
The bioinjection device has a housing including a pistol grip and an elongated barrel. A trigger is pivotally mounted to the housing. A plunger and needle are slidable between a first position in which the plunger and needle are slidably disposed in the barrel and a second position in which the plunger and needle extend from an opening in the end of the barrel. A retaining member is disposed about the opening at the end of the barrel. A spring-biased actuation mechanism connects the trigger with the plunger and needle. A membranous cartridge containing bone morphogenic protein, antibiotics, and/or other medication is loaded into the retaining member. A surgeon can inject the cartridge into a bone fracture or degenerative bone tissue during surgery to deliver the medicament directly to the affected site.
US07824357B2
A method for preventing contrast associated nephropathy includes the steps of providing a multi-lumen dual balloon catheter and inserting the catheter into a patient's coronary sinus. The method also includes the steps of inflating the two balloons to block blood flow from the coronary sinus into the right atrium and draining blood containing contrast solution from between the two balloons through the catheter while the blood flow is blocked. A hemo filtration unit is used to remove contrast solution from the drained blood and the filtered blood returned to the right atrium. A multi-lumen dual balloon catheter is also disclosed.
US07824354B2
Equipment for controlling blood flow in an extracorporeal blood circuit, comprising at least a first sensor, designed to measure an arterial pressure upstream of a peristaltic pump, at least a second sensor, designed to measure an angular velocity of a peristaltic pump, a memory designed to store at least one set value of the desired blood flow through the access branch, a calibration function, and a control unit. The calibration function has at least variables (v1), related to the angular velocity of the pump, (v2), related to the arterial pressure in a portion of the access branch upstream of the peristaltic pump, (v3), related to an actual flow of blood through the access branch. The control unit is capable of calculating an actual flow value by applying the calibration function to the values of angular velocity and arterial pressure measured by the sensors, comparing the actual flow with the desired flow, and varying the angular velocity of the peristaltic pump if the actual flow value minus the desired flow lies outside a predetermined range.
US07824343B2
Methods and apparatus for collecting blood samples in vacuum sample tubes are disclosed. The samples, including the initial blood sample, are substantially free of excess air.
US07824340B2
The present invention relates to a noninvasive medical pulsimeter sensor using magnetic thin films. By forming a pulse-sensing part array with magnetic sensors such as GMR devices, MTJ devices and the likes, over the skin-contacting part which consists of a magnetic material, the present invention increases the integrity of sensors, minimizes the time for searching the pulse and it is applicable widely to portable pulsimeters and the likes.
US07824335B2
An imaging probe having multi-level transmitter cells. The imaging probe includes a plurality of acoustical sub-elements for transmitting and receiving acoustic energy for imaging. Each of the multi-level transmitter cells is arranged along a respective transmitter cell path between a switching matrix and one of the acoustical sub-elements. The multi-level transmitter cells in the probe are capable of producing signals having multiple voltage levels.
US07824331B1
A laryngoscope blade is detachably connectable to a hook-on-type laryngoscope handle in conformity with International Standard ISO-7376-1 or ISO 7376-3. The blade comprises a rigid housing having a lower, tongue-engaging flange section extending along the length thereof, a proximal base end provided with hooks or fittings for engaging complementary handle hooks or fittings in compliance with ISO-7376-1 and ISO-7376-3, the proximal base being provided with a hook or flange of such length that the hook or flange comes into contact with the top of the handle such that the blade is prevented from rotating downwardly to such a degree that the distal end of the blade comes into contact with the side of the handle and enabling the blade to be elevated into an operating position to maintain conductivity for powering a light source for the blade.
US07824330B2
A system for transmitting the light required for a medical device is disclosed generally comprising an endoscope body, a light guide for transmitting light from a light source to the instrument body, where the light guide includes a bundle of optical fibers having a tapered portion, and a ceramic housing disposed around at least part of the tapered portion of the bundle. In certain embodiments, the ceramic has a pigment for improving insulation. In some embodiments, the taper and ceramic housing are located in an endoscope handle, which may be coupled to the endoscope body via an input post, and in certain embodiments, the inner diameter of the ceramic housing has an increase substantially equal to the decrease of diameter of the taper.
US07824328B2
An endoscopic surgical navigation system comprises a tracking subsystem to capture data representing positions and orientations of a flexible endoscope during an endoscopic procedure, to allow coregistration of live endoscopic video with intra-operative and/or pre-operative scan images. Positions and orientations of the endoscope are detected using one or more sensors and/or other signal-producing elements disposed on the endoscope. The sensors include optical curvature sensors located along the endoscope, where the length of each optical curvature sensor decreases with increasing proximity to the distal end of the endoscope. Output signals of the sensors can be routed to the tracking subsystem through the light channel in the endoscope. A hybrid approach can be used to separately track the position and orientation of the (rigid) base and the flexible portion of the endoscope.
US07824327B2
An optical access apparatus for receiving an endoscope to permit visualization during passage through tissue includes an access member dimensioned for insertion through body tissue. The access member defines a longitudinal axis and has a longitudinal opening for receiving an endoscope. The access member has a closed penetrating end adapted to pass through tissue. The closed penetrating end is transparent to permit visualization of tissue with the endoscope. The optical access apparatus further includes a locking collet coaxially mounted relative to the longitudinal axis of the access member and a manual member mounted adjacent the locking collet and operatively engageable therewith. The locking collet has internal surfaces defining an internal passage to permit passage of the surgical instrument. The manual member is adapted for rotational movement about the longitudinal axis to reduce an internal dimension of the internal passage of the locking collet to cause the internal surfaces of the locking collet to securely engage the surgical instrument.
US07824306B2
The invention mainly relates to a power transmission device (1) between an internal combustion engine (2) and vehicle wheels (3) consisting of a pair of electrical machines (4.1, 4.2) and a mechanical assembly (90), wherein said assembly (90) comprises at least two epicycloidal trains (5, 9) each of which is provided with three mutually engageable elements. According to said invention, a switching device (23.1) comprises means (23, 28) for simultaneously connecting the machine shaft (11) to two other elements (11.1, 11.2) of the mechanical assembly (90) during switching between two operating modes of the transmission device (1).
US07824300B2
An automatic transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may be either brakes or clutches. Eight forward speeds or gear ratios and reverse are achieved by engaging various combinations of the brakes and clutches.
US07824296B2
A locking differential includes a housing with an interior chamber in which a two-piece split-center driver is located. The split-center driver is positioned on opposite sides of a cross-pin assembly. A pair of axially spaced output shafts extend from the interior chamber and are coupled to a pair of side gears. The split-center driver gear and a centered cam member are arranged co-axially about the adjacent ends of the output shafts, and annular clutch members are operable to disconnect an overrunning output shaft.
US07824288B2
A power transmission belt having a main belt body portion of elastomeric material, a tensile reinforcement such as carbon fiber cord, disposed in said body portion, and a sheave contact portion integral with said main body portion. The elastomeric material includes the reaction product of a polyisocyanate prepolymer composition and a chain extender. The polyisocyanate prepolymer composition is prepared by reacting a diisocyanate and a polyol substantially free of moieties oxidative at less than about 150° C. and at least one triol crosslinker selected from the same group of polyols. Either before or after reacting the prepolymer, a plasticizer selected from the group consisting of alkyl-ether di-alkylesters such as polyethylene glycol di-alkylester is added thereto. The chain extender is an aromatic symmetric primary or secondary diamine chain extenders.
US07824286B2
A tensioning device has a tension arm mounted on a base. A pulley is mounted on the tension arm for engaging a looped belt. By changing mounting bushings, one can select either a static mode wherein the tension arm is held stationary relative to the base, or a dynamic mode wherein, in response to a changing force applied between the pulley and the belt (due to vibrations or load changes, for example), the tension arm moves relative to the base in such a manner as to maintain the force substantially constant. Several such devices can be employed in a system for controlling the tension of a looped belt, one or more of the devices being in the static mode and one or more being in the dynamic mode. Several such systems can be employed in a complex machine such as a photocopier or medical apparatus for controlling the tension in a number of different belts.
US07824283B2
A hockey stick comprising a shaft portion and a blade portion, the shaft portion including means having preformed stresses to induce a flexural resistance at about mid-span so as to create in the shaft portion induced stresses which are neutralized as stresses are further induced in the shaft portion at impact on the blade portion to thereby provide a stiffer and more rigid shaft portion.
US07824282B2
A volleyball approach and hit trainer mountable upon a volleyball net provided with a ball coupled to a cord coupled to a frame at a connection point. The ball retained above and offset forward of the top of the volleyball net, rotatable around the connection point.
US07824280B2
A head includes a head body, an additional member in which a contour shape obtained by a projection onto a plane has a rotational symmetric axis, and a holding mechanism for holding the additional member. The head body has a recess portion in which at least a part of the additional member can be fitted. The holding mechanism is constituted to enable a mutual transition of a holding state in which the additional member is held in the recess portion and a releasing state in which the hold is released. The recess portion inhibits a rotation around the rotational symmetric axis of the additional member in the holding state. The additional member is rotatable around the rotational symmetric axis in the releasing state. A phase of the additional member in the holding state is changed so that a position of a center of gravity of the head can be varied.
US07824271B2
In a device for adjusting the relative angular position of two rotating elements which are connected to a drive and, via a transmission element, to an actuating shaft by which, driven by a rotor of an electric actuating drive including a winding, the relative angular position of the rotating elements can be changed, the actuating shaft is operatively connected to at least one of the rotating elements and the winding is biased axially into engagement with one of the rotating elements for locking the drive while the electric actuating drive is de-energized.
US07824264B2
A default bonus award and a set of non-default bonus awards are determined for a type of gaming machine. A criterion for qualifying for a bonus award is also determined. Then, if a bonus session is active and a player meets the criterion, a bonus award is randomly selected for the player. In one embodiment, the random bonus award is selected immediately after the player is identified at the gaming machine, before he has begun play.
US07824260B2
To display a plurality of symbols in a plurality of display regions, upon starting a game, and in a case where trigger symbols are stop displayed in any of the plurality of display regions, to draw for specific display regions where trigger symbols are displayed, from a plurality of types of symbols so that the symbols are displayed having a predetermined relationship among the symbols in at least game units, and at the same time, to draw for general display regions that have symbols other than the trigger symbol displayed, from a plurality of types of symbols so that arbitrary symbols are independently displayed.
US07824255B2
Some embodiments include a card game in which a set of rules for the card game require a player of the game to perform an action in a particular set of circumstances. For example, in a poker game, rules of the poker game may require a human player to bet in a particular set of circumstances.
US07824253B2
A system and a method is provided wherein real world monetary or cash values are placed on virtual world avatars, avatar possessed or avatar purchasable virtual world items, environmental virtual world items and virtual world computer generated non-player characters (NPCs), such as slayable beasts, monsters, creatures, or humanoids. These NPCs or other avatars (i.e., other players' avatars) have the ability to defeat and collect the cash value of avatars and their gear, thus gaining cash value for the NPC or the avatars. This cash value is then winnable by any avatar with the skill to best the NPC or other avatar. In this system and method, a real world cash value of an avatar is established and can be increased or decreased based upon the avatar's interaction with other avatars, the virtual world environment and/or a player's investment of real world cash value.
US07824252B1
In an embodiment, set forth by way of example and not limitation, a game includes a rotating wheel and sound effects, both under microprocessor control. In another example embodiment, a wheel indicator with sound effects includes a wheel, a motor for rotating the wheel, a speaker, and a microprocessor providing commands capable of causing the motor to rotate the wheel and speaker to emit a sound. In another example embodiment, a method for controlling a wheel and sound display includes providing a motorized wheel, providing a speaker, and providing a microprocessor and program instructions stored in ROM coupled to said microprocessor for controlling a rotational position of said wheel and for generating sound effects from the speaker.
US07824233B2
An electrical plug connector with a tube-shaped housing section in which a multi-part insulating body with electrical contact elements is disposed, with the insulating body having at least one contact carrier with radially inserted contact elements and a contact carrier sleeve element for holding the contact elements that can be pushed onto the contact carrier. The pre-assembled insulating body can be inserted in the axial direction into the housing section from the side of the housing section that is opposite the plug-in side of the plug connector, with the contact carrier being non-permanently lockable with the contact carrier sleeve element and with the contact carrier sleeve element being non-permanently fixable on the housing section. The invention proposes to implement the contact carrier sleeve element with axially arranged spring arms at a rear sleeve end that faces away from the insertion side, with at least one first spring arm having an outer locking element protruding radially towards the housing section, and at least one second spring arm having an inner locking element projecting radially in the direction of the contact carrier.
US07824232B2
A connector system includes a first connector part including at least one first cavity formed therein. The first connector part has at least one first contact. The system includes a second connector part including at least one second cavity formed therein. The second connector part is complementary to the first connector part such that when the first and second connector parts mate together. The first and second cavities are at least partially aligned and the first and second contacts are placed in electrical contact with one another. The system also includes a printed circuit board sub-assembly including a printed circuit board, a plurality of spring contacts that are electrically coupled to the printed circuit board. The sub-assembly has a stabilizing element that includes a plurality of vanes with the spring contacts being disposed between the vanes. The sub-assembly is securely disposed within the first connector part such that the spring contacts are accessible along both a front surface thereof and along an opposite second surface thereof.
US07824228B1
An audio plug connector for mating with an audio jack connector includes a main member of cylindrical shape with a plurality of contacts exposed along an axis direction thereof. A subsidiary member is extended from a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the main member and defines at least one terminal groove at a lateral surface thereof. A front end of a bottom of the terminal groove is concaved downwards and passes through a lower portion of a front wall of the terminal groove to form a fixing groove, with a stopping portion traversing above the fixing groove. At least one conductive terminal receives in the terminal groove with a rear end thereof extended beyond a rear end of the terminal groove. A front end of the conductive terminal extends oppositely to form a buckling portion inserted into the fixing groove and restrained beneath the stopping portion.
US07824224B2
The present invention provides a printed board connector reinforced with a circuit board, and the printed board connector includes an insulating casing, a plurality of signal modules, and a plurality of metal shielding elements. The insulating casing includes a rib. The rib extends a plurality of insulating shielding walls downwardly and the signal modules are received between the insulating shielding walls and are tightly mounted in the rib. The metal shielding elements are received between the insulating shielding walls and are tightly mounted in the rib and the signal modules. When a user presses the printed circuit connector to connect with a circuit board, the rib guides and positions the signal modules and the metal shielding elements, moreover, the rib enhances the strength of the assembling with the circuit board.
US07824223B1
An electrical assembly comprises a housing having a frame portion. A substrate has a first side and a second side opposite the first side. A subscriber identification module is mounted to a first side of the substrate and has device terminals. A first connector portion is secured to the second side of the substrate and has connector terminals. A retainer is associated with an interior of the frame portion. The retainer retains at least one of the substrate and the first connector portion. Conductive (e.g., conductive vias or through-holes) in the substrate connect the connector terminals to the device terminals.
US07824220B2
The present invention discloses an electrical connector, including a housing, a base body with its front end extending to form a tongue, whose one surface is disposed with a plurality of first terminal slots and whose other surface is disposed with a plurality of second terminal slots, with the first and second terminal slots being alternately arranged in a top/down fashion; a first terminal assembly; and a second terminal assembly; such that when the above components are assembled, a display port plug or a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) plug can be plugged therein and all or some of the terminals of the first and second terminal assemblies are used to achieve electrical connection.
US07824216B2
A coaxial cable continuity connector comprising a connector body, a post engageable with connector body, wherein the post includes a flange having a tapered surface, a nut, wherein the nut includes an internal lip having a tapered surface, wherein the tapered surface of the nut oppositely corresponds to the tapered surface of the post when the nut and post are operably axially located with respect to each other when the coaxial cable continuity connector is assembled, and a continuity member disposed between and contacting the tapered surface of the post and the tapered surface of the nut, so that the continuity member endures a moment resulting from the contact forces of the opposite tapered surfaces, when the continuity connector is assembled, is provided.
US07824212B2
The apparatus simplifies release of the locking connections. The second housing section of the electrical device is designed rotationally asymmetrically in such a way that when rotated about the longitudinal axis, the electrical device at one particular side wall of the second housing section causes the at least one locking connection to open.
US07824206B1
A system includes a digital multimedia connector of a digital multimedia cable. The digital multimedia connector includes a first housing enclosing a first plurality of electrical contacts, a retainer adjacent and external to the first housing, and a release. The system includes a digital multimedia receptacle. The digital multimedia receptacle includes a second housing to receive the first housing of the digital multimedia connector, a second plurality of electrical contacts to couple to the first plurality of electrical contacts, and a support to receive at least a portion of the retainer. The digital multimedia cable is inhibited from separating from the digital multimedia receptacle and an electrical connection between the first plurality of electrical contacts and the second plurality of electrical contacts is maintained when the retainer of the digital multimedia connector is received by the support of the digital multimedia receptacle.
US07824205B2
A plug arrangement for an electric or optical cable includes a connector body connected with the cable and including a first socket or plug. An insulating housing is provided configured to receive the connector body. A locking tab is articulated at a front edge of the connector body and configured to block release of the connector body from a counter body having a plug-in opening and including a second plug or a socket complementary to the connector body. A length of the locking tab is less than or equal to a depth of the plug-in opening. A resilient actuation element is provided including a pressure body extending parallel to a plug-in direction of the plug arrangement. The actuation element is integrally disposed in an articulated manner via a film hinge on the housing so as to be deformable with the housing and actuate the locking tab. The actuation element is integrated in a wall of the housing via at least one surface element disposed on the housing.
US07824204B2
A connector includes a plug and a socket that are connected and integrated to each other. The plug and socket each have an end to which a connection line may be respectively connected. The plug of the connector includes a plug body for connecting to the connection line and having a fitting recess on one end, a plug holder configured to be freely rotatably fitted over the plug body without slipping, and a stopper fitting configured to be freely rotatably fitted over the plug body and slidable in the shaft center direction. The socket of the connector includes a socket body for connecting to the connection line at one end and a socket holder. The socket body has an insertion portion configured so as to fit into the fitting recess of the plug body. The socket holder is configured to be freely rotatably fitted over the socket body without slipping.
US07824202B1
Disclosed herein is a dental lamp socket assembly especially adapted for use with dental lamps. The dental lamp socket assembly is configured to dramatically increase the ease at which bulbs can be placed and/or replaced in and out of the socket assembly.
US07824201B2
A jack has first and second jack ports, first and second contacts, and a switch having a full, half, and no normal positions. In the full normal position, the switch couples the first and second contacts together when no plug is inserted into either the first or second jack port, and the switch conditions the jack so that, when a plug is inserted into either the first or second jack port, the coupling between the first and second contacts is broken, the first contact is coupled to the plug if the plug is in the first jack port, and the second contact is coupled to the plug if the plug is in the second jack port. In the half normal position, the jack operates in the same way except that, when a plug is inserted into the second jack port, the coupling between the first and second contacts is maintained. In the no normal position, there is no coupling between the first and second contacts whether or not a plug is inserted into either the first jack port or the second jack port.
US07824200B2
A data transfer hinge is disclosed. Embodiments of the present invention provide a door hinge that facilitates transmission of data from LAN wiring in a building through a door frame to a door mounted device. Power and ground connections can also pass through the hinge. Channels run in each leaf from an edge coincident with the knuckles of the leaf to a passageway in the face of the leaf. Twisted pairs of data wires having a specified number of twists per unit length run through the passageway and the channels in the leaves. Each wire of a twisted pair is of a gauge and has insulation of a specified thickness and permittivity so as to cooperate with the channel to maintain an even distribution of capacitance and appropriate impedance for connection within a local area network.
US07824199B2
A connector is matable with a mating connector which has an engaged portion. The connector comprises a support portion and a lock member pivotally supported by the support portion. The lock member comprises a body portion, a lock portion, a spring portion and an operated portion. The body portion comprises a first predetermined portion which has a plate-like shape and is pivotally supported by the support portion. The lock portion is movable between a lock position and a release position in response to a pivotal movement of the body portion. The lock portion comprises an engaging portion engagable with the engaged portion. The engagement of the engaging portion with the engaged portion is locked when the lock portion is positioned at the lock position, while the engagement is released when the lock portion is positioned at the release position. The spring portion urges the lock portion to move toward the lock position. The spring portion extends from the body portion and has a second predetermined portion, which is parallel to the first predetermined portion but is different in position from the first predetermined portion in a direction perpendicular to the first and the second predetermined portions. The operated portion is formed and arranged to force the lock portion to move to the release position when the operated portion is operated.
US07824198B2
A connector configured to be connected with a cable including a drain line, comprises a plurality of ground contacts, a housing holding the ground contacts, and a ground plate connected with the ground contacts. The ground plate has a first surface and a second surface and provided with a drain connection portion. The first surface is configured so that the cable is mounted on the first surface. The second surface is a back of the first surface. The drain connection portion is configured to be connected with the drain line and being formed on the second surface.
US07824195B1
A dual-mode electrical plug includes an insulating body formed with a channel and an elongate guiding aperture; a pair of conductive components disposed on the insulating body; a ground prong including a hollow prong body disposed in the channel and movable between an extended position and a retracted position, and the prong body defining a wire containing space, the ground prong further including an operating part disposed on an outer surface of the prong body, the operating part extending through and being movable in the elongate guiding aperture so as to drive movement of the prong body; and a ground wire extending into the wire containing space and including a connecting end for connecting electrically to an inner surface of the prong body.
US07824194B2
A case with a connector integrally formed with a resin connector, and can be manufactured with a small number of processes is provided. The connector case includes a housing, a resin connector, and a ground terminal extending along an outer periphery of the connector. A terminal-side fixing portion extending backward from the ground terminal is crimped to or pressed over a housing-side fixing portion. When molds are closed after the housing and the ground terminal are placed in the molds for injection molding of the resin connector, a pressing portion formed on the mold presses the terminal-side fixing portion against the housing-side fixing portion to crimp or press the terminal-side fixing portion to or over the housing-side fixing portion. As a result, in the process for the injection molding of the connector, the ground terminal is fixed to the housing at the same time. The connector case with the ground terminal fixed to the housing can be manufactured in a small number of processes.
US07824192B2
An electrical connector (100) includes an insulative housing (10) with a base portion (11, 12), a first engaging portion (14) and a second engaging portion (121) extending from the base portion along same direction, a plurality of conductive terminals (30) retained in the insulative housing (10) and a shielding member (20) assembled on the housing. The shielding member (20) has a pair of sidewalls (21, 23) opposite to each other and a pair of end walls (22) surrounding the first engaging portion (14) thereby forming a mating cavity between thereof. One of the end walls (22) is served as a partition located between the first engaging portion (14) and the second engaging portion (121) which extends outwards through the shielding member (20) then nearly presses against the shielding member.
US07824183B2
A measured object mounting tool for producing three-dimensional shape data includes a placing part at a lower face of a cylindrical part, an inclined part at a boundary between a side face and an upper face of the cylindrical part, and a pillar part at the upper face of the cylindrical part. The pillar part has a mounting part at the upper face thereof. A three-dimensional coordinate other than the engaging portion of a model is produced by engaging the model of the dental prosthesis with the mounting part of the tool on a placing table, detecting a position where a received light amount is remarkably decreased with a laser sensor to detect a lower end of the inclined part, and thereby calculating an upper end of the engaging portion.
US07824181B2
The invention relates to a custom-fit implantable surgical guide (1) and an associated milling tool (4), which is positioned in straddling on the alveolar ridge (7) of a maxillary or mandible arch (2) and comprises at least one drilling barrel (11) for axially guiding said milling tool (4), wherein said barrel (11) is laterally open and at least one part of the internal surface thereof (17) and at least one part of the external surface of the milling tool (4) interact and axially maintain the entire milling tool (4) with respect to the barrel (11). Said invention makes it possible to carry out high precision osteotomies for lateral insertion dental implants.
US07824178B1
A water heater apparatus includes a fuel-air transfer arm connecting a blower outlet to a burner inlet. The transfer arm includes a continuously curved 180° bend portion and at least one inwardly extending internal flow disrupter located in the 180° bend portion for improving fuel-air mixture distribution across the burner inlet.
US07824169B2
A stretching apparatus for thermoplastic synthetic resin improved so as to ensure that a web can be easily stretched over its entire width. The stretching apparatus 2 for a thermoplastic synthetic resin web 1 comprises a plurality of first stretching members L arranged in a circumferential direction on a peripheral surface of a drum 6 rotating in a machine direction M. The drum 6 is provided around its rotating shaft 8 with rotatable members 7 adapted to rotate in synchronization with the drum 6 in the direction in which the drum 6 rotates. The rotatable members 7 are respectively provided with a plurality of second stretching members U operatively associated with the first stretching members U. Surfaces of the first and second stretching members L, U associated with each other are defined by convex portions 31, 41 and concave portions 32, 42 extending in parallel to the shaft 8 and alternately arranged in the circumferential direction of the drum 6 in a complementary fashion to each other so that these surfaces of the first and second stretching members L, U configured in this manner may be engaged with and disengaged from each other. At least one of the first stretching member L and the second stretching member U is movable in the radial direction of the drum 6.
US07824160B2
A scroll back pressure chamber in a scroll compressor is composed of a space 111 filled with suction pressure (or intermediate pressure) and a space filled with discharge pressure, and the summation of the suction pressure (or the intermediate pressure) and the discharge pressure presses one of scrolls against the other of the scrolls. An injection hole, through which refrigerant in gas state or refrigerant in liquid state is injected into a compression chamber of the scroll compressor, is provided on a fixed scroll, and the gas refrigerant injection or the liquid refrigerant injection is selected and carried out according to an operating pressure ratio.
US07824157B2
The rotor disk carries an axial retention plate facing slots having blade roots received therein, the disk and the plate are shaped so as to define outer circumferential interlock and inner circumferential interlock.
US07824155B2
A fan holder is provided for holding a fan on a base, wherein the fan holder includes a fixed frame, a movable frame, and a lid. The fixed frame is fixed on the base while the movable frame is pivotally connected to the base, and the movable frame is spaced from the fixed frame by an interval. When the movable frame rotates relative to the base, a containing space is formed between the fixed frame and the movable frame to accommodate the fan. The lid is pivotally connected to an upper edge of the fixed frame, so as to be swiveled relative to the fixed frame for covering the fan, and the lid is engaged with the movable frame simultaneously, so as to holding the fan in the containing space.
US07824149B2
A turbine has a hollow conical rotor sealed by a base end cap. The outer race of a bearing is centered and mounted on the end cap. An intake shaft mounted within the bearing's inner race passes through the race. High-pressure fluid introduced into a passage within the intake shaft passes through a nozzle arm and nozzle mounted on the intake shaft within the interior of the rotor and is directed by the nozzle against the inner surface of the rotor. Friction and adhesion between the fluid and the inner surface transfers kinetic energy to the rotor, causing it to rotate. Fluid is exhausted from the interior of the cone through a passage in an output shaft attached to the apex of the rotor. Mechanical power may be extracted from the rotating output shaft directly, or through pulleys, gears, or other means. The turbine may be enhanced by addition of a cylinder between the base of the cone and the end cap, providing more surface area for energy exchange.
US07824148B2
A method is provided for controlling operation of a compressor having an inlet and an outlet, a variable geometry diffuser communicated with the outlet, and inlet guide vanes communicated with the inlet, wherein the method includes the steps of: determining a loading parameter indicative of onset of surge; and independently controlling the inlet guide vanes and the variable geometry diffuser based upon the loading parameter so as to allow increase in efficiency and stable operation of the compressor.
US07824146B2
Automated systems and methods for adapting semiconductor fabrication tools to process wafers of different diameters are described. In one embodiment, a method comprises providing a semiconductor fabrication tool, placing an adapter ring on a plurality of ring holders via a robotic arm, the plurality of ring holders being operable to support the adapter ring at a vertical distance from a stage heater and the stage heater being movable in a vertical direction, placing a first semiconductor wafer on the stage heater via the robotic arm, the first semiconductor wafer having a first diameter, and moving the stage heater upward to receive the adapter ring from the plurality of ring holders and to cover a portion of the stage heater during processing of the first semiconductor wafer.
US07824144B2
A hoist with a cradle for coupling with a pressurized tank. A primary means of restraining the tank on the cradle is provided along with a backup means should the primary means fail for any reason. A linear actuator assembly raises the cradle up to 27 inches from the floor surface. An onboard battery with an integrated battery charger provides power to the linear actuator. A compact base with swivel casters allows a raised tank to be safely lifted and transported by a single operator. The compact size of the hoist allows it to operate in confined spaces.
US07824143B2
A bookbinding apparatus includes: a replenishing device having a pellet storing section that stores pellets of adhesive and a replenishing member that takes out the pellets in a countable manner from the pellet storing section; an adhesive reservoir that melts the pellets replenished from the replenishing member and stores the molten adhesive liquid; a coating device having a coating member that coats the adhesive scooped up from the adhesive liquid; a replenishment sensor that detects the number of pellets replenished to the adhesive reservoir; and a controller that controls the replenishing member based on an output of the replenishment sensor.
US07824134B2
A cutting insert includes a cutting insert body having a plurality of openings, a plurality of cutting tips, and a braze joint between each of the cutting tips and the cutting insert body. Each of the cutting tips may be disposed in a respective opening of the insert body. The cutting tips include an intermediate feature and a tip portion. The intermediate feature has a geometry that provides a mechanical bond when inserted into an opening of the cutting insert body.
US07824131B2
A building over the water, maneuvering methods for the building and hosting sites of the building. The buildings including a superstructure (A) provided a floor structure (1) that is placed over a water surface (2) on which an inhabitable subassembly (3) is positioned, a support (B) sitting on ground (4) positioned under the floor structures (1), and mobile floating docks (C) with variable and controllable buoyancy that includes a load carrying platform (5) positioned under the floor structure (1). The superstructure (A) is held above the water surface (2) by the supports (B), that sit on the ground (4), and respectively carried by the floating docks (C), the superstructure being detachable from the ground (4), and transportable on water on the mobile floating docks (C), thus being possible to reposition the superstructure (A) on ground (4), at a destination of choice.
US07824119B2
A printer that can be configured either as a dot matrix/impact printer or an inkjet printer. A printer frame mounts a carriage mechanism for reciprocally moving a head carrier. An adapter secures a printhead to the carrier; the adapter being configured to accept a predetermined type of printhead. A compensator/feeder assembly is pivotally movable between a printing position and a printer open position at which a slot for receiving a form is defined. The compensator/feeder assembly mounts a printer bar which is positioned in a confronting relationship with the printhead when the assembly is in the printing position. A compensator drive arrangement is fixed to a base and effects movement in the feeder assembly.
US07824117B2
Provided is a wallpaper printer having a cabinet configured to receive replaceable ink reservoirs and cartridges of blank wallpaper, and a feed system defining a media path through the cabinet, the feed system having pilot guides for guiding the blank wallpaper from the cartridges past a pagewidth printhead for printing. The printer also includes a heated platen positioned in the media path downstream of the pilot guides for heating the blank wallpaper prior to printing. The printer also has a pagewidth printhead arranged in the cabinet for printing images on the blank wallpaper, and a cutter module for cutting the printed wallpaper before the feed system feeds said wallpaper into a container configured to roll the printed wallpaper into a roll for storage purposes.
US07824114B2
The mirror device of a single-lens reflex camera according to the present invention includes a main mirror section having a reflecting mirror surface that moves to a first position for reflecting an object beam to an observation optical system and to a second position retracted from the object beam, a sub-mirror section having a reflecting mirror surface located, in conjunction with movement of the main mirror section, at a position apart from the main mirror section when the main mirror section is located at the first position and at a position retracted from the object beam together with the main mirror section when the main mirror section is located at the second position, and a cushioning section interposed between the sub-mirror section and the main mirror section when the main mirror section moves from the first position to the second position.
US07824112B2
A compact optical transceiver is provided in which a substrate provides for an alignment surface for optical fibers and a lens assembly provides the necessary optical paths for coupling to photodiode and photodetector structures. Appropriate electrical connections on the substrate enable the substrate to be directly connected to a printed circuit board, grid array socket, and the like.
US07824108B2
A connection device for connecting a cable having at least one signal conductor to a signal connector. The connection device including a housing, the at least one signal conductor being disposed in the housing, the housing having at least one securing device configured to detachably secure the housing to the signal connector. The connection device further includes a plug disposed on the housing, the plug having a locking mechanism. The housing has a strain relief device configured to provide strain relief for the plug. A deflection device is configured to deflect the at least one signal conductor into a deflected position so that a movement of the at least one housing portion of the housing relative to the plug results in a defined lateral movement of the at least one signal conductor so as to provide a corresponding length compensation.
US07824101B2
A sensor arrangement includes a tube, a measurement head and a holder. The measurement head includes a composite of at least two flexible plastic films and a sensing element arranged between the plastic films. The sensing element is electrically contacted via metallic conductor traces. The measurement head contacts a circumference of the tube and is arranged between the holder and the tube and is pressed by the holder onto the tube.
US07824098B2
Mechanical transducers such as pressure sensors, resonators or other frequency-reference devices are implemented under conditions characterized by different temperatures. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a combination of materials is implemented for mechanical transducer applications to mitigate temperature-related changes at or near a selected turnover temperature. In one application, a material property mismatch is used to facilitate single-anchor transducer applications, such as for resonators. Another application is directed to a Silicon-Silicon dioxide combination of materials.
US07824095B2
A package for reinforcing fibers to be used in production of fiber concrete or similar materials. The package has a continuous, elongated design with a circular, elliptical, square, rectangular or polygonal cross section. The fibers are longitudinally or transversally or randomly oriented and are filled into the package, wherein the fibers are uniformly arranged so that each length unit of the package has a defined amount of fibers. The continuous package is arranged into a transport box to be delivered to a concrete plant. The continuous package is fed to a conveyer belt, an aggregate belt, a skip, a weigh hopper, a truckmixer, or a premixer, wherein the package is opened and the fibers are dosed into the concrete.
US07824089B2
A gradient index wide-angle illuminator is disclosed, one embodiment comprising: a light source for providing a light beam; an optical cable, optically coupled to the light source for receiving and transmitting the light beam; a handpiece, operably coupled to the optical cable to receive the light beam; an optical fiber, operably coupled to the handpiece, wherein the optical fiber is optically coupled to the optical cable to receive and transmit the light beam; an optical element, optically coupled to a distal end of the optical fiber, for receiving the light beam and transmitting the light beam to illuminate a surgical field, wherein the optical element comprises a gradient index lens; and a cannula, operably coupled to the handpiece, for housing and directing the optical fiber and the optical element. The optical element can be a small-gauge, divergent gradient index lens having a distal surface co-incident with the distal end of the cannula. For example, the optical element can be a 19, 20 or 25 gauge optical element. Further, the cannula and the handpiece can be fabricated from biocompatible materials.
US07824086B2
A lamp unit for a vehicle headlamp includes a projection lens disposed on an optical axis extending in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle and a plurality of light source units disposed rearwards of a rear focal plane of the projection lens. Each of the light source units includes a light emitting device; and a light guiding member having a front end light output port and adapted to guide light from the light emitting device to the front end light output port so as to allow the light be emitted from the front end light output port. The front end light output ports of the light guiding members of the respective light source units are arranged adjacent to each other in a horizontal direction in a vicinity of the rear focal plane.
US07824084B2
A lighting fixture includes a support frame and a plurality of elongated, light-enhancing, decorative elements. Each of the decorative elements has a proximal portion, a distal portion and a curvilinear central axis extending therebetween. The proximal portions of the decorative elements are rigidly affixed to the support frame. The distal portions of the affixed decorative elements are unsupported and curve away from the support frame. The support frame may include elongated arms, and the decorative elements may be affixed to the support frame via the arms. The decorative element may be fabricated of crystal.
US07824078B2
A cover of an electronic device has a body inside and is penetrable by light yield from an illumination device. The body has an inner surface having a region impenetrable by light as a light-blocking region and the remaining region penetrable by light as a light-passing region. The body further has an outer surface having a region impenetrable by light as another light-blocking region and the remaining region penetrable by light as another light-passing region. The light-blocking region of the outer surface correspond to the light-passing region of the inner surface in shape, but in a size that is smaller, so that when light pass through the body, light can give an effect that the shape of the light-blocking region looks three-dimensional.
US07824071B2
An LED lamp includes a connecting box with a retaining assembly attached to its underside and a plurality of LED modules mounted on the retaining assembly. The retaining assembly is a plurality of spaced mounting plates with two lateral portions extending laterally beyond other, lower mounting plates. The LED modules are mounted on undersides of the lateral portions of the mounting plates.
US07824068B2
Lighting fixtures, systems, and methods of using the lighting fixtures that can achieve radically increased energy efficiency and visual effectiveness, are disclosed. The invention also offers the potential for decorative effects, supplementary background lighting, and other lighting effects. Various embodiments use light sources capable of individual focus, replacement, and control of operation. Fixtures allow mounting of the light emitting components to achieve a large effective aperture/diameter of the fixture in relation to the distance from the illuminated area, producing improved illumination. The light emitting components may be installed on parts of the fixture that may be oriented individually, thereby allowing infinite and/or incremental adjustment of the overall light emission pattern to achieve desirable illumination effects. Desirable lighting effects are further achievable by selection of the lighting type (LED, incandescent, fluorescent, etc), combinations thereof, and by selection of the fixture aperture/diameter, axis, and intensity. Shielding of the light sources to avoid glare to bystanders may be included.
US07824056B2
A light assembly for a refrigerated merchandiser that includes a case defining a product display area and that has at least one mullion. The light assembly includes a housing that is attachable to the mullion, a specular member that is coupled to the housing within a first receiving portion, and a LED light source that is coupled to the housing within a second receiving portion substantially opposite the specular member. The LED light source includes a first light portion and a second light portion that are directed along at least one illumination path. The first light portion is directed along the illumination path in a first direction directly toward the product display area, and the second light portion is directed along the illumination path toward the specular member. The second light portion is reflected by the specular member in a second direction at least partially opposite the first direction.
US07824055B2
The present disclosure provides a light assembly (10) for connection to a shelf (16) having a top face (84), a front face (88), and a front edge (80) defined by the intersection of the top face (84) and the front face (88). The light assembly (10) includes an elongated housing (14) having an inner face (22), an outer face (30) formed opposite the inner face (22), and an upper face (26) extending between the inner face (22) and the outer face (30). The elongated housing (14) is adapted to receive a light source (34) therein. A mating portion (70) extends from the inner face (22) of the elongated housing (14) and is abuttable with a portion of a shelf (16) such that the upper face (26) of the elongated housing (14) is substantially flush with the top face (84) of the shelf (16) to form a continuous extension of the shelf (16). A clamp (96) extends from the mating portion (70) and is engageable with the shelf (16) to secure the elongated housing (14) to the shelf (16).
US07824041B2
An adjusting apparatus is provided for a projector and received in a case of the projector. The case includes a front wall defining a through hole. Two protrusions each defining a notch are formed on the inside surface of the front wall. The adjusting apparatus includes two supporting members partially received in the case and movably coupled to the case, and an operating member partially exposed out of the through hole of the front wall of the case. A connecting member is connected to the operating member, and received in the notches. Each supporting member forms a plurality of teeth thereon. The connecting member forms a plurality of teeth at two ends thereof respectively for mating with the teeth of the supporting member. The operating member is rotated for driving the connecting member to move up and down relative to the supporting member.
US07824033B2
An apparatus for determining spherical and cylinder components of subjective refraction of a patient's vision includes a wavefront measurement device that can produce a measure of quality of vision in a return beam from the patient's eye viewing a target through a corrective test lens in the apparatus. The corrective lenses may be varied and a plurality of measurements of quality of vision may be obtained and analyzed to determine the spherical and cylinder components. Accordingly, the eye examiner may conduct a refraction examination without a subjective response from the patient.
US07824030B2
An inkjet recording element comprising a support extrusion coated with a porous hydrophilic material. The composition comprises a hydrophilic thermoplastic polymer and blends thereof. Also disclosed are methods for making and a method of printing on the inkjet recording element.
US07824027B2
An ink stick for use in a phase change ink imaging device having a leading end; a trailing end; and a plurality of longitudinal surfaces extending between the leading end and the trailing end. Each longitudinal surface of the plurality has a leading edge adjacent the leading end and a trailing edge adjacent the trailing end. At least one of the leading edge and the trailing edge is configured as a clearance edge that enables the at least one longitudinal surface to clear a wall of a feed chute as the at least one longitudinal surface progresses through the feed chute.
US07824026B2
A printer includes a printhead cartridge. The printhead cartridge has a printhead, an ink supply configured to supply ink to the printhead and a capper arranged to cap the printhead when the printhead is inoperative or not in use. A cradle unit engages with the printhead cartridge in a complementary manner and has a media transport mechanism for transporting print media between the printhead and the capper. A media supply cartridge is configured to supply the media to the cradle unit.
US07824023B2
It is desirable that the entire ink to be furnished to the nozzle head be deaerated efficiently, the entire ink including a portion of ink recovered from the purge section.Accordingly, an ink furnishing unit in an ink jet recorder is provided, which comprises a back pressure tank 15 connected to a nozzle head 2 via an ink supply passage, a main tank 9 connected to the back pressure tank via a main supply passage 16 provided with a main ink pump 18 therein, a recovery tank 7 connected to the main tank via a return passage provided with an ink pump 22 therein, and a purge cap 5 connected to the recovery tank via a recovery passage 8 provided with a purge pump 6 therein, the purge cap being opposed to the nozzle head when purging, wherein a deaerator 17 is disposed in the main supply passage connecting the main tank and the back pressure tank and the back pressure tank is connected to an upstream of the purge pump in the recovery passage via a three way directional control valve 30.
US07824021B2
A printhead assembly is provided for an inkjet printer. The printhead assembly includes an elongate ink distribution structure defining a plurality of parallel ink ducts extending along the ink distribution structure. A laminated stack is received within the ink distribution structure and defines a plurality of ink passages in fluid communication with respective ink ducts. One or more printhead integrated circuits (ICs) are received within the laminated stack, and are in fluid communication with the ink passages so that the printhead ICs can print ink provided from the ink distribution structure and laminated stack.
US07824013B2
A microprocessor device that has a support structure with a chip mounting area and a conductor mounting area. An inkjet printhead IC is supported on the chip mounting area. The inkjet printhead IC has a back surface in contact with the chip mounting area and an active surface opposing the back surface. The active surface has electrical contact pads and an array of ink ejection nozzles. The active surface has electrical contact pads for its circuitry and functional elements. A plurality of electrical conductors are, at least partially, supported on the conductor mounting area and a series of wire bonds extending from the electrical contact pads to the plurality of electrical conductors supported on the conductor mounting area wherein, the chip mounting area is raised relative to the conductor mounting area. By raising the chip mounting area relative to the rest of the PCB, or at least the conductors connected to the PCB end of the wire bonds, the top of the arc formed by the layer is much closer to the active surface of the die. This, in turn, allows the bead of encapsulant to have a lower profile relative to the active surface. With a lower encapsulant bead, the active surface can be brought into closer proximity with another surface without making contact. For example, the nozzle array on a printhead IC can be 300 microns to 400 microns from the paper path.
US07824010B2
A pagewidth inkjet printhead that has an array of droplet ejectors for ejecting drops of printing fluid onto print media fed passed the printhead in a media feed direction. Each drop ejector having a nozzle and an actuator for ejecting a drop of printing fluid through the nozzle. The array has more than 100000 of the droplet ejectors and extends in a direction transverse to the media feed direct between 200 mm and 330 mm. A pagewidth printhead with a large number of nozzles extending the width of the media provides a high nozzle pitch and a very high ‘true’ print resolution—i.e. the high number of dots per inch is achieved by a high number of nozzles per inch.
US07824008B2
In one embodiment, an aerosol trap for an inkjet printer includes a conductor at least partially surrounding ink ejection nozzles such that, when the conductor is charged, aerosol generated when ink is ejected from the nozzles is contained by the conductor, and a source of electric power operatively connected to the conductor.
US07824005B2
A liquid ejection device includes: a liquid ejection head which includes an ejection surface and an ejection port formed at the ejection surface, ejects a droplet of liquid from the ejection port, and allows the liquid to land on an object; an elastic absorbing member which comes into contact with the ejection surface of the liquid ejection head, and absorbs the liquid adhering to the ejection surface; and moving means for moving the absorbing member with respect to the ejection surface while the absorbing member is in contact with the ejection surface, in which the absorbing member has a surface layer which is impregnated with a solution containing a surfactant.
US07824003B2
A service station for use with a fluid ejection device having a fluid-ejection mechanism with at least one nozzle includes a housing configured to attach to the fluid-ejection mechanism and to remain attached to the fluid-ejection mechanism during the fluid-ejection operation. A shutter arranged within the housing includes at least one opening, and is selectively moveable between a closed position and an open position with respect to the nozzle. In the open position the opening exposes the nozzle and in the closed position the nozzle is covered. An actuation mechanism separate from the housing is positioned to selectively couple with the shutter, such that activation of the actuation mechanism causes the shutter to move between the open and closed positions.
US07824000B2
A head unit includes an input section that receives control data for controlling the discharging of liquid. The input section includes first and second input sections. First and second control data memorizing sections memorize first and second control data for a first and a second group of nozzles, respectively. Either a first or a second processing step is selectively performed. In the first processing step, first control data inputted from the first input section or the second input section is memorized in the first control data memorizing section, whereas second control data inputted from the same input section is memorized in the second control data memorizing section. In the second processing step, first control data inputted from the first input section is memorized in the first control data memorizing section, whereas second control data inputted from the second input section is memorized in the second control data memorizing section.
US07823995B2
A slide assembly includes an outer slide (10), an intermediate slide (30) telescopically attached to the outer slide, an inner slide (90) telescopically attached to the intermediate slide, and a transmitting mechanism (31) detachably attached to the intermediate slide. The outer slide has a blocking portion (11). A fulcrum (365) is formed on the intermediate slide. The transmitting mechanism includes a driving member (35) and a post member (38). The driving member includes a driving portion (357), a lifting end (351), and a resilient member (37). The post member is connected to the lifting end of the driving member and traversed through the intermediate slide. A head portion (381) is formed on the post member and configured for engaging with the blocking portion. The resilient member is attached to the post member for urging the post member to return to an original position.
US07823989B2
A rubber crawler (1) has a plurality of parallel metal links (11) embedded at regular distances from each other in circumferential direction of a rubber belt (22) and extending in the lateral direction of the rubber belt (22), each metal link (11) including a first (3) and second (13) protrusion at opposing sides (6, 16) of a sprocket (15) provided with an upper surface (7, 17) for guiding supporting rollers, extending in a height direction of the metal link (11) with respect to a base (5), each protrusion (3, 13) including a first (4) and a second (14) running surface element which extends in the longitudinal direction of the crawler (1), in which the second running surface element (14) is positioned shifted in longitudinal and the lateral direction of the belt (22) with respect to the first running surface element (4), in which the first (4) and the second (14) running surface of adjacent metal links (11) are positioned at least partially adjacent with respect to each other in the longitudinal direction, wherein the base (5) of the metal links (11) is at least partially embedded into a first rubber composition (20) and wherein the first (3) and second (13) protrusions of adjacent metal links (11) are at least partially embedded in and connected to each other by a second rubber composition (21) which has a higher elasticity than the first rubber composition (20) and which is connected with the first rubber composition (20) forming a continuous layer of rubber.
US07823986B2
A device for supplying pressure to an actuation unit of a vehicle brake system, in particular to a vehicle brake system of the ‘brake-by-wire’ type, comprising a pneumatic motor-and-pump assembly with a pump and a motor driving the pump, wherein the motor-and-pump assembly is controlled by an electronic control unit depending on a pressure level or pressure difference in a pneumatic brake booster of the actuation unit, with the pressure level in a chamber or a difference in pressure between two chambers of the brake booster being detected by means of a sensor. In order to maintain the availability of the service brake function as high as possible and to obtain a maximum possible redundancy, the control unit, used to control the motor-and-pump assembly comprises a logic module and a power module, which are arranged separately of each other.
US07823983B2
A parking brake system is provided in which a parking brake state of a wheel brake is obtained by forward movement of a parking piston slidably fitted into a casing with the rear side of the parking piston facing a parking control fluid pressure chamber, a lock piston forming part of a lock mechanism for mechanically locking the forwardly moved state of the parking piston is slidably fitted into the casing to the rear of the parking piston and urged forwardly by a spring, an opening provide in a portion of the casing that the rear side of the lock piston faces is closed by a detachable lid member, a tool connection part enables a tool inserted through the opening to be detachably connected to the tool connection part. This enables an automatic parking brake state to be obtained by a simple structure without consuming power, and the parking brake state to be released by a manual operation for maintenance or inspection.
US07823982B2
In one aspect, a brake pump assembly including a plurality of pairs of pumping elements configured in a horizontally opposed arrangement, and a rotatable eccentric assembly located between the pumping elements. The pairs of pumping elements abut the eccentric assembly and are reciprocally driven to provide an output of pressurized fluid. In another aspect, a brake pump assembly including a hydraulic block defining a piston bore, and a pumping element received in that bore. The pumping element includes a polymer piston, and a circumference of the polymer piston defines a high-pressure seal slideably engaging adjacent structure. In another aspect, a hydraulic block coupled to an electronic control unit, the hydraulic block including a plurality of pairs of pumping elements located in a horizontally opposed arrangement, and an embedded pressure sensor, the pressure sensor being adjacent to but vertically separated from the pumping elements.
US07823980B2
A piece for a skin member of a vehicular seat has a base member and a leather laminated to the base member. The base member has a cushion having elastic properties and a base cloth adhered to the cushion. The base member and the leather include an adhering portion bonded by an adhering agent, a sewing portion formed by being sewn at outer peripheral portions of the base member and the leather, and a nonbonding portion in which the base member and the leather are not bonded between the adhering portion and the sewing portion.
US07823968B2
One embodiment of the folding chair with a hood combination includes a detachable hood, which is located on the rear of the seat assembly. By squeezing the safety clip will release the hood rods. Then raising inserted rod by hand in extended position until the rod base lock in place. Release the rod arms to lock in the notch of the rear support poles. Allowing the hinge where the rod arm and the rod base are connected to fold. Remove hood from pouch located on the rear of the seat assembly. Then place front end of the hood arrow pockets inside the arrow tips of rod assembly. Further attach the back end of detachable hood with fasteners inside the pouch located on rear seat assembly.
US07823967B2
A heater system for an aircraft seat includes a first heater pad secured to the bottom seat cushion and a second heater pad secured to the back seat cushion, with both pads being under an upholstery cover. The first and second heater pads each has a body of an open cell foam material that is self flame extinguishing, and an electric resistance wire embedded in a winding pattern within the body. A control module applies a variable electric current to the electric resistance wire in each of the first and second heater pads. Preferably only the second heater pad for the back seat cushion can be activated or both the first and second heater pads can be activated. A pushbutton switch module allows the seat occupant step the control module through a sequence of different heating levels.
US07823963B2
A body structure for an automotive vehicle includes a side member, an outer back panel and an inner back panel. The side member extends generally vertically and defines a rear pillar of the vehicle. The side member has an inner flange. The outer back panel has a middle wall extending generally transversely in the vehicle. The outer back panel has a connecting wall extending from the middle wall. The inner back panel has a center wall extending generally transversely in the vehicle. The inner back panel has a connecting flange extending from the center wall. The inner back panel is spaced apart from the outer back panel to define a cavity in which a rear window is disposed. The connecting flange, connecting wall and inner flange are fixedly secured to each other to define a longitudinally extending seal that prevents liquid from passing between the cavity and an inside region of the vehicle.
US07823959B2
The present invention relates to a pedestrian safety structure for a motor vehicle body having a soft-nose outer skin panel and a bonnet providing an overlying structure for a grille opening reinforcing front cross member. The grille opening reinforcing front cross member carries a plurality of brackets. The brackets are designed to support loads distributed thereupon by the overlying structure, vertical (Z) loads in the range of 1.0-1.5 kN and longitudinal (X) loads in the range of 0.4-0.6 kN. The brackets are further designed for energy absorbing deformation when subjected to longitudinal (X) loads distributed thereupon by the overlying structure above 0.6 kN, such that the plurality of brackets provide an energy absorbing upper leg impact zone for the protection of pedestrians in the event of a collision with the motor vehicle.
US07823955B2
A sunshade device comprises a sunshade in the form of a roller blind forming part of a roller-blind device, comprising a supporting structure, a shaft for rolling of the sunshade blind, mounted so that it can rotate on the aforesaid supporting structure, and a shape-memory actuator device for causing displacement of the blind from the rolled-up condition to the distended condition.
US07823953B2
An improved cover made of opaque, reflective, snow-and-ice-repellent material that shields windshields, windshield wipers, and air intake manifolds of vehicles from the accumulation of snow, ice, and frost; and it also prevents the sun's rays from penetrating the interior of vehicles through windshields.
US07823951B2
A passenger's weight measurement device for a vehicle seat, capable of suppressing generation of an initial load. The passenger's weight measurement device includes a pair of slide rails extending in parallel and fixed to the vehicle floor, and a pair of side frames that support the seat and are disposed above the pair of slide rails. Load cells are disposed between the pair of the slide rails and the pair of the side frames. A set of first connection frames for connecting both ends the pair of side frames extend in parallel so as to be perpendicular to the pair of side frames. Second and third connecting frames connect middle parts of the pair of slide rails so as to be perpendicular to the slide rails. The pair of the slide rails and the second and a third connecting frames constitute an H-shaped frame.
US07823950B2
There is provided a seat device for a vehicle comprising a pair of main seats disposed in the vehicle width direction including respectively a main seat cushion and main seat back, and a sub seat back disposed between the main seat backs, wherein the sub seat back is configured so as to be in an arranged position in which the sub seat back is located above the main seat cushion and before the main seat back, and the main seat backs are configured so as to be moved inward when the sub seat back is in the arranged position. Accordingly, the width of the seat can be adjusted variably, without improperly affecting spaces behind or before the seat, thereby attaining both the movement of seat and the improvement of space utility.
US07823948B2
A system for mounting adjustable shelves (206) in mobile truck body-applications. The system includes integrated attachment means adapted to receive a cross-member (202) for affixing thereto. The integrated attachment means are integrated into the panels forming the compartments (102,112,114,116) of the body side pack. The system further includes one or more shelves (206), which include at least two slots, disposed along the periphery surface of the shelf (206) so as to receive a corresponding fastener (208). The cross-member (202) includes at least two slots, corresponding to the slots in the shelf (206), such that a fastener (208) extends through the slots to secure the shelf to the panel of the compartment.
US07823942B1
A towing accessory for use in connection with a chain having a plurality of links includes an elongate body having a J-hook at one end and a T-hook at the other end. The J-hook has a hook portion that extends away from one side of the elongate body, and the T-hook has a T-cross that extends away from the opposite side of the elongate body. The elongate body also includes a central hole that is configured and sized so that adjacent links of the chain may pass therethrough, a first slot that extends from the central hole towards one end, and a second slot that extends from the central hole towards the other end. Both the first slot and the second slot are configured and sized so that a chain may be locked therein.
US07823940B2
A device for gripping a flexible container, such as a bag filled with fluid, comprising a chamber that is open on one side with a peripheral wall that encloses the open side, a container support that extends in the peripheral direction inside the peripheral wall, as well as an orifice for connecting a vacuum source to the chamber, wherein the chamber can be placed with the open side against the container, such that a vacuum can be generated between the chamber and the container for bringing the container in to contact around the container support transversely to the peripheral direction. The orifice is outside the container support and extends in the peripheral direction.
US07823939B2
A crash box for installation between a bumper beam and a side rail of a motor vehicle includes an outer tube, and an inner tube which is held inside the outer tube, with the outer and inner tubes being movable in relation to one another. At least one of the inner and outer tubes is provided with a coat of varnish at least in a contact area between the outer pipe and the inner pipe.
US07823919B2
An airbag inflator that includes a pyrotechnic material capable of producing a quantity of gas during deployment. The inflator also includes a filter. The filter may be an expanded metal filter that is wrapped about the pyrotechnic material. When this filter is wrapped about the pyrotechnic material, the filter forms a plurality of layers having holes that are a different size. This filter also includes a first set of barriers and a second set of barriers that are positioned exterior of the first set of barriers, the second set of barriers being offset from the first set of barriers. Gas passing through the filter will encounter the first set of barriers, be re-directed, encounter the second set of barriers, be re-directed, and then flow out of the filter.
US07823914B2
An airbag assembly, airbag mounting assembly, and method of assembling an airbag mounting assembly are disclosed. The airbag assembly comprises an airbag and an airbag mounting assembly. In one embodiment, the airbag mounting assembly comprises a mounting bracket, a connecting member, and a wrapping member.
US07823909B2
An airbag module includes an inflator and an airbag housed within a housing. The airbag has a cushion inflator hub portion that includes one or more tab extensions and an opening. The tab extensions define at least a portion of the periphery of the opening. A retainer ring is also added to the airbag module. The retainer ring has an aperture through which the inflator may be passed. The retainer ring includes one or more relief cuts positioned to receive the tab extensions. Specifically, the tab extensions are bent to pass through the relief cuts.
US07823907B1
The present invention features a garbage caddy comprising (a) a four-sided enclosure formed by a first side, a second side, a third side, and a fourth side, (b) a base disposed within the enclosure and attached thereto, the base having a top side and a bottom side, and (c) a first wheel removably and rotatably mounted to a side of the first side, and a second wheel removably and rotatably mounted to a side of the third side. The first side and third side extend downwardly from the bottom side of the base to form a set of skis. The top side of the base has at least one slot 118a for snugly holding a trash receptacle 200.
US07823906B2
A mission adaptable multi-purpose, collapsible portable cart/utility table, for use in emergency response and disaster situations, camping, hunting and other outdoors activities, which carries medical rescue carts, canoes, small boats, game, or hauled cargo by hand. It transports one or more cargo bins over long, rough terrain and each bin can include one or more cabinet drawers therein, wherein upon tilting of a cargo bin from a horizontal transport position to a substantially vertical position the cargo bin serves as a supply cabinet. Each bin is openable to expose the supply drawers for use.
US07823899B2
The present invention provides a propulsion assembly for a bicycle. The propulsion assembly includes a support member that at least extends from the bicycle frame to a distal end spaced-apart from the rear wheel. The assembly includes a first drive mechanism rotatably mounted on the frame and axially connected to the rear wheel for transmitting motion thereto. A second drive mechanism is rotatably mounted at the distal end of the support member and coupled with the first drive mechanism. Ratchet mechanisms axially extend from the second drive mechanism and connect to a pair of elongate members having pedals. The pedals are movable from an upper position to a lower position for transmitting one-way rotational power to the second drive mechanism. There is a means for selectively returning the pair of elongate members from the lower position to the upper position.
US07823897B2
A drive system for a work vehicle comprises a control unit adapted to: monitor output of a speed ratio setting input device for a speed ratio setting request signal and output of a drive-request input device for a FWD-only request signal, determine from the speed ratio setting request signal if a requested speed ratio setting represented thereby is one of at least one predetermined speed ratio setting among a plurality of speed ratio settings possible for the work vehicle upon receipt of the FWD-only request signal, and, if so, output at least one control signal engaging a FWD-only mode enabling FWD operation of the work vehicle but disabling RWD operation of the work vehicle. An associated method is disclosed.
US07823894B2
The suspension comprises at least one lower arm (14, 18; 42; 14) connected (24, 34; 24) to the vehicle body and at least one upper link (16; 58; 60, 62; 64; 66; 16, 68) connected (30; 63; 67; 30,71) to the vehicle body (20). The lower arm (14, 18; 42; 14) carries at least two substantially blade-like flexible members (22, 23; 22, 23, 25), which are connected (36, 37; 36, 37, 39) to the wheel carrier of the wheel (12) and the planes of which intersect along one common axis (T1) of predetermined orientation defining a first shear axis of the suspension. The at least one lower arm (14, 18; 42; 14) is configured so as to define a second shear axis (T2) of predetermined orientation acting in series with the first axis (T1), in such a manner that when the wheel carrier is subject to an external force acting in a substantially horizontal plane the displacement of the wheel carrier (12) results from the combination of the rotations of the wheel carrier about the two shear axes (T1, T2).
US07823882B2
A transport apparatus, including a first transport portion for transporting one signature, a second transport portion for transporting other signature, and a fan wheel for entering both sheets, which have been transported by the first and second transport portions, between vanes thereof, and rotationally transporting the sheets, comprises: a main frame for supporting the first transport portion and the fan wheel; a movable frame for supporting the second transport portion; a first adjusting device for moving the main frame and the movable frame by the same amount; and a second adjusting device for moving the movable frame relative to the main frame.
US07823873B1
A paper feeding device is mounted in a shredder and has a casing, and a pushing assembly and a feeding assembly mounted in the casing. When a stack of paper is put into the paper feeding device, the pushing assembly pushes the paper forward and the feeding assembly automatically feeds some of the paper into the shredder to shred the paper into small pieces until shredding of the stack of paper is complete. Furthermore, according to a capability of a cutting mechanism of the shredder, the feeding assembly is adjustable to feed different quantities of paper at a time. Therefore, the paper feeding device for the shredder is convenient, time saving and efficient.
US07823869B2
A sheet feeder includes a sheet feed tray on which a first sheet bundle is stacked at a first position where sheet feeding to a conveyance path can be performed, and a conveyance tray on which a second sheet bundle is stacked at a second position adjacent to the sheet feed tray, and which conveys the second sheet bundle to the sheet feed tray and stacks the second sheet bundle on the sheet feed tray after the first sheet bundle is fed, presses the stacked second sheet bundle to a side plate provided in a direction perpendicular to a conveyance direction of the conveyance tray, and aligns an end of the second sheet bundle.
US07823868B2
A sheet finishing apparatus includes an inlet roller to receive a sheet conveyed from an image forming apparatus, a sheet introduction unit to guide the sheet received by the inlet roller to a finishing unit, a sheet ejection unit to guide the sheet performed to a post process by the finishing unit to an ejection port and to eject from the ejection port, a paper storage tray to receive the ejected sheet, a drive unit including a plurality of motors to drive respective devices, and a control unit to control operations of the plurality of motors. In a trial operation of the sheet finishing apparatus, the control unit controls the plurality of motors, and first drives a motor with a sound pressure level less than a previously set reference level.
US07823866B1
An arrangement for clamping a flat plate to a flat surface includes juxtaposing the plate to the flat surface. An axially-movable wedging element defining a surface fitted with wedges is fixed against motion in other than a direction of elongation, and is forced to move in the direction of elongation. The wedges are forced against a first spring beam to impart forces thereto. The forces are coupled from the first spring beam to a second spring beam by intermediary supports. The second spring beam bears against a surface of the flat plate to force the plate against the flat surface.
US07823865B2
An air humidification system for large enclosed spaces, comprising at least one humidification line constituted by at least one humidification module comprising a box-like container with a water flow pipe inside which is functionally connected at its inlet to a water pump and at its outlet to a water discharge space. The pipe has, along its extension, a plurality of nozzles adapted to provide a water aerosol. The nozzles are open onto a first opening provided in the box-like container and are oriented toward the outside of the first opening. A cross-flow impeller is provided within the box-like container along a rotation axis which is parallel to the pipe and is suitable to aspirate air from a second opening of the box-like container and direct it toward the first opening.
US07823857B2
A collapsible easel for holding items to be displayed, the easel having a top assembly and a base assembly. The base assembly includes two front legs and a rear leg, each leg pivotally mounted to the top assembly with cushion members forcing part of the top assembly to provide a slight restriction against pivoted movement of the two front legs. A V-shaped spring assembly is pivotally mounted on the rear leg, and is removably attached to each front leg. Insertion of portions of the spring assembly into apertures in the front legs, allows the easel to stand in a tripod configuration. Removal of portions of the V-shaped spring assembly from the apertures in the front legs allows the legs to be folded together. In another embodiment, a collapsible brace assembly connects the rear leg to the front legs. The collapsible brace assembly comprises a pair of lateral struts extending between and engaging each of the front legs and a bracket connecting the lateral struts. The bracket of the brace assembly further engages a rear extension assembly which extends to and is pivotally connected to the rear leg. The dimensions of the lateral struts and the rear extension assembly are determined by a first open tripod position and a second closed position of the easel such that the easel may be folded flat for easy transportation and storage.
US07823847B2
A display mount with post-installation adjustment features according to embodiments of the present disclosure addresses the above-mentioned needs of the industry. The mount may include two or more wall brackets, each having a vertically shiftable carrier assembly. Cross-supports extend between the carrier assemblies and are received in floating connection structures in the carriers. An electronic display display is coupled with the cross-supports. The carrier assembly of each wall bracket is independently vertically shiftable to shift the orientation of the cross-supports, and thereby adjust the vertical position and orientation of the electronic display device coupled with the cross-supports. The electronic display may be coupled to the cross-supports with display interface brackets which are tilt-adjustable to change the tilt position of the display device.
US07823846B2
A rigid utility portal that can replace a removed or omitted section of the framing members of a wall construction that also includes stud, and that will permit the passage therethrough of electrical utilities, plumbing utilities, and/or HVAC without the necessity of drilling holes in the conventional wooden top framing plates which can destroy the integral between framing members and studs, and may include one or two skirt portions and one or strength of the wall. The utility portal may include a center portion for spanning the spacing two tab portions extending downwardly from the center portion.
US07823845B2
A novel device for climbing inside corners, outside corners, and a variety of surfaces. The technology presented herein relies on high friction materials, suction devices, adhesive materials, pneumatic devices, etc. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention are designed to clamp onto inside or outside corners such that the devices weight, and an optional load, can be supported. Further embodiments allow the device to climb up, down, and across corners. Moreover, embodiments that can scale flat, rough, or jagged surfaces are also disclosed.
US07823844B2
A device mounting platform apparatus having a reconfigurable biasing mechanism. The device mounting platform apparatus includes a frame member capable of being mounted in a vehicle and having a device mounting surface facing generally upward. A clamp member is slidably interconnected to the frame member along a first direction. A biasing mechanism is coupled between the frame and clamp members. The biasing mechanism is reconfigurable for urging a jaw portion of the clamp member along the first direction heading either toward or away from the frame member. The biasing mechanism is thus reconfigurable for either urging the clamp member open or urging it closed.
US07823837B2
An in-space spacecraft servicing system (10) includes a servicing spacecraft (22) and a propellant module (24). The servicing spacecraft includes a client servicing system (136), as well as navigation avionics (108) for independent flight operation and a servicing propellant tank (170). The propellant module moves the servicing module from an upper stage drop off location and releases it in proximity to a client spacecraft (16) for a servicing mission. It has a propellant tank (172) with capacity for multiple missions and is used to refill the servicing spacecraft's propellant tanks between missions. Either or both the servicing spacecraft and the propellant module may have navigation avionics. The servicing spacecraft also has a universal docking adaptor (70) for different client spacecraft, and can convert a client spacecraft from non-cooperative to cooperative.
US07823834B2
This door includes a device that permits air to flow through the door in one direction but prevents this flow of air in the opposite direction.On the attached illustration, the door includes at least a window (74), that less air pass through as well as an elastic membrane (76) covering window (74).Elastic membrane (76) includes on the one hand an area that is airtight facing window (74) and capable of fully covering it and on the other hand, an area that is pervious to air near the impervious area.
US07823830B2
A luggage compartment for aircraft comprises a tilting floor, a flap and a suspension device. The tilting floor is designed for holding carry-on baggage and the like, and may be locked in an initial position and may be tilted to another position for easier loading or unloading. The loading edge height may be substantially lower than the initial height of the closed luggage compartment. For example, an interlocking mechanism may couple the opening and closing of a flap and the tilting of the floor from an initial position to the tilted position, such as a three-position handle that prevents release of the tilting floor until the flap is unlatched.
US07823822B2
A bushing to assist in positioning a bolt in the bolt apertures of refining plates and disk. The bushing is a cylindrical sleeve that slides over the bolt shaft, before the bolt is inserted into the aperture. The bushing may be short relative to the length of the bolt and the aperture. The bushing fits between the bolt and aperture in the refining plate and/or disk, as the bolt engages the threads of the plate and/or disk. The bolt is centered in the aperture and the centered bolt ensures that the plate segment is properly positioned on the disk as the bolt fastens the segment to the disk.
US07823821B2
A distributor plate (10) is shown for use in an impelling rotor of a vertical shaft impactor (14). Typically the impelling rotor is a chamber (12) arranged to rotate about a vertical axis A-A. Feed materials for breakage are gravity-fed into the rotating chamber (12). These materials strike the rotating distributor plate (10) which is located at the base of the rotor chamber (12). The plate has a substantially planar single-piece upper surface (24) onto which the feed materials are received. This substantially flat surface (24) facilitates rapid and easy expulsion of feed materials there across and out of the rotor chamber (12). The plate shown is a circular disc made of metal carbide. Use of a single-piece upper surface of the distributor plate (10) also will not result in the development of preferential wear sites at corners, edges, join lines etc, as can happen with the known distributor plates.
US07823820B2
Inner shell intended for a gyratory crusher, and method of attaching such a shell on a crushing head
An inner shell has a first part of a lug-notch arrangement, which first part is arranged to co-operate with a second part of the arrangement to prevent rotation of the inner shell relative to a crushing head. The inner shell has a contact surface in its upper portion and is arranged to be pressed towards the lower portion of the crushing head by a pressing force which is obtained by tightening at least two threaded bolts, which are arranged in the upper portion of the crushing head such that their longitudinal direction is substantially parallel to the symmetry axis of the crushing head.
US07823808B2
An electrostatic spraying device having a removable cartridge with a reservoir containing a volume of liquid compositions to be electrically sprayed on a user's skin. The device includes a nozzle for dispensing the liquid as well as an emitter electrode disposed adjacent to the nozzle for charging the liquid composition just being dispensed from the nozzle. A field electrode surrounds the reservoir in order to charge the liquid composition within the reservoir, thereby avoiding an occurrence of electric current which would otherwise flow in the liquid composition and would deteriorate the composition remaining in the reservoir. The reservoir is devoid of the field electrode, and therefor can be designed into a simple and compact structure without being restricted by the field electrode, assuring to have an enhanced liquid containing volume in relation to the bulk of the removable cartridge.
US07823794B2
A magnetic device that includes a magnetic stripe for recording a combination of dynamic and static magnetic data. The magnetic stripe includes at least two regions of material with substantially different coercivities. One region contains static information and the other can be re-written with dynamic information.
US07823791B2
Particles conveying a code are incorporated into polymer matrix to form a core document substrate. These particles may be colored to create a distinctive look of the document that makes it unique for a particular document issuer and enables visual authentication. Addition of a covert attribute to the particle, such as a UV pigment or hidden layer of material, allows a covert, forensic characteristic and it also allows a mathematical description to be calculated describing the random distribution of a specific area on a document and then captured on it (e.g., in the bar code or magnetic stripe or digital watermark on an ID document).
US07823787B2
An imaging scan engine includes both a solid-state camera and an illumination source in the same package. The scan engine unit simplifies the integration of swipe imaging components into new and existing scanners.
US07823784B2
The barcode creation apparatus which creates a barcode read in by a prescribed terminal device, comprises: a function specification device which specifies a function which allows the terminal device to startup when the barcode is read in, from a plurality of functions that the terminal device has; a color specification device which specifies a color of the barcode, the color representing the function specified by the function specification device; and a barcode creation device which creates the barcode in the specified color.
US07823779B2
A wireless communication device optically receives an image and processes the optically received image to generate image data. The wireless communication device receives a Radio Frequency (RF) signal and processes the RF signal to derive an image data processing parameter. The image data processing parameter could be an encryption key, authentication code, access code, or some other parameter. The wireless communication device processes the image data and the image data processing parameter to convert the image data into a different format. The different format could be decrypted, authenticated, accessed, or some other converted form of image data.
US07823776B2
A medium processing system for use with an information recording medium is disclosed. The system may include a first medium processing apparatus, a host apparatus, and a second medium processing apparatus. The first medium processing apparatus may be structured to carry out writing and reading information to and from the information recording medium. The host apparatus may have an interface with which the first medium process apparatus is connectable. The second medium processing apparatus may be structured to intermediate a connection between the first medium processing apparatus and the host apparatus. The second medium processing apparatus may also be structured to carry out writing and reading information to and from the information recording medium at a higher speed than the first medium processing apparatus does.
US07823770B2
A method for maintaining confidentiality of personal information during E-commerce transactions. The method includes: (1) compiling a profile of personal information within a depository for at least the buying party to an E-commerce transaction; (2) providing the buying party with a unique identifier linked to his profile for use during subsequent E-commerce transactions; and (3) in response to the buying party providing the identifier to a merchant, completing the E-commerce transaction at the depository without providing any of the buyer's personal information to the merchant.
US07823765B2
An elongate, rectangular box (12, 14, 40, 60, 70, 90, 100) and method for packaging containers (C), wherein the box can be cross-stacked for stable stacking of the boxes, and optimizes utilization of pallet space. Containers (C) are placed in the box in nested, offset relationship in a parallelogram shaped arrangement, and in one embodiment interior corner panels (20, 21) extend angularly across two diagonally opposite corners of the box, defining an interior box shape closely conforming to the parallelogram-shaped arrangement of the containers. The corner panels may be cut from the side walls (18, 19) and folded inwardly and secured at a free edge (28) to an adjacent end wall (16, 17), defining openings (22, 23) in the side wall through which the containers are visible. Side wall segments (24, 25, 26) at the bottom and sides of the opening, in cooperation with the corner panels, retain the containers in place in the box. The box is especially suited for packaging four one-gallon containers.
US07823745B2
A tube comprising a container having a closed bottom end, an open top end, and a part that is adapted for flexible cooperation with a compartment of a rack for accommodation of the tube in such a way that unintentional removal of the tube from the respective compartment is substantially prevented, a cap for sealing a tube, and a rack for accommodating a plurality of tubes. The tube, cap, and rack facilitate automatic handling of samples.
US07823743B2
A food container is provided having a receptacle with an open mouth. A lid is provided. The lid includes an end cap, an eating utensil and a cover. The eating utensil is positioned between the cover and a wall portion of the end cap. The cover is removably secured to the end cap and upon removal provides access to the eating utensil. Upon removal of the end cap from the container bottom, the contents are exposed and the eating utensil may be used to consume the contents of the container.
US07823740B2
The invention relates to a device for sealing foodstuff containers, in particular drink containers, comprising: a sealing element adapted to engage on a wall of a foodstuff container around a wall opening arranged in the wall, and an operating element adapted to co-act with the sealing element for displacing the sealing element between an opened position leaving the wall opening clear and a closed position sealing the wall opening. The invention also relates to a foodstuff container provided with such a device.
US07823732B2
A carton for storing and displaying a plurality of articles including a bottom panel, front and rear panels, first and second side panels, and a top panel. The front and rear panels extend from opposing first and second edges of the bottom panel. The first and second side panels extend from opposing third and fourth edges of the bottom panel. The top panel extends from the rear and second side panels opposite the bottom panel. A gap is defined between corresponding edges of the first side panel and the front panel. A front face is at least partially defined by the front panel, a side face is at least partially defined by the first side panel, and a top face is at least partially defined by the top panel. The carton is configured to permit viewing of contained articles from the front face, the side face, and the top face.
US07823729B2
An inflatable packaging bag formed of a plurality of independent air bags joined to one another by way of heat-sealing, having an air inlet through which compressed air is supplied to inflate the independent air bags. Each independent air bag is formed of a top four thin-sheet flexible layers including a top layer, a bottom layer, a top air-valve layer, and a bottom air-valve layer, having heat sealed seams that seal the layers, constituting an enclosed air chamber such that when some of the independent air bags are punctured, the other independent air bags work normally to continue to protect storage items put inside the inflatable packaging bag and surrounded by the independent air bags.
US07823726B1
A labeling and a method of labeling adapted for pharmaceutical containers having multiple printed indicia locations varying in size and containing information for a user of varying sized pharmaceutical containers. The labeling includes a single substrate having several labeling options and can be designed with multiple main die cut portions separating various sections of the label such that various size labels can be produced from the single substrate.
US07823724B2
A storage container for paint roller sleeve includes a set of flutes on at least two opposing sides of an interior surface of said cylinder for stabilizing a roller cover in place from rattling inside of the housing and for holding said roller cover in place when extracting a roller frame from said roller cover. Each set of flutes includes three interior flutes that located between said two exterior flutes. The interior flutes include a middle flute that is set back a distance from the other two interior flutes so that when the exterior surface of the container is pressed inward said middle interior flute cuts into a paint roller sleeve housed within the container and the other two interior flutes bend outward around a nap of said roller sleeve to better hold said roller sleeve in place when a roller frame is being extracted from said roller sleeve.
US07823722B2
A packed intraluminal probe comprises a tube provided with a hydrophilic coating and having a proximal holding end connected to a nozzle. The nozzle has a canal communicating with the tube and an orifice. The probe is entirely arranged in a flexible, transparent and hermetic package. The probe comprises a removable stopper which closes the orifice. The package is fixed to the nozzle in a hermetic manner such that the nozzle defines two hermetic chambers which communicate only by means of the lumen of the tube and the canal in the nozzle. A first chamber contains a wetting fluid for the coating of the tube, but a second chamber does not contain any wetting fluid.
US07823718B2
A conveyance device is configured to carry a product. The conveyance device includes a first path configured to carry the product in a first direction, a second path configured to carry the product in a second direction, and a transfer assembly positioned adjacent to a portion of the first path to facilitate transfer of the product from the first path to the second path. The conveyance device also includes a guide system configured to move the transfer assembly along the first path. The guide system includes a base positioned proximate the first path and the second path and an arm coupled to the base and extending above a portion of the first path and a portion of the second path. The arm is configured to move in a first manner and a second manner relative to the base. The transfer assembly is movably coupled to the arm.
US07823711B2
A dual automatic mechanically actuated wet clutch device, for operation within a fluid tight housing, for a dual input shaft transmission that includes tightly specified average spacing between friction plate surfaces where the average spacing is selected from between about 0.05 mm to about 0.25 mm in an open position. The clutch has at least first and second independently actuatable clutch portions, and at least one clutch pack in the first or second clutch portion; and mechanical apparatus provided to move friction plates in at least one of the clutch portions toward each other so that they engage. The invention also includes apparatus and methods for adjusting and maintaining the spacing between the friction plate surfaces.
US07823709B2
A bellows for hydraulic, hydropneumatic, or pneumatic piston-cylinder units, especially for vibration dampers or MacPherson strut units for motor vehicles, is located between the end of a piston rod and a cylinder, and covers the part of the piston rod which projects out from the cylinder to provide protection against dirt and/or damage. An interior space of the bellows undergoes a change in volume as a result of the relative movement of the piston and cylinder. The end area of the piston rod distal from the cylinder includes at least one flow connection leading to the interior of the bellows. The flow connection allows an incoming and/or outgoing flow of air. The end area of the piston rod, i.e., the end which passes through a mounting bearing connecting the piston-cylinder unit to the body of the vehicle, is provided with a flow connection connecting the interior space of the bellows to the atmosphere.
US07823700B2
An elevator control method and system. The system comprises a control unit and a memory unit. The memory unit comprises user data segments associated with users for elevators within the system and transponder identification data segments associated with transponders. The method comprises receiving by the control unit, ID signals from the transponders. The control unit associates the user data segments with the ID signals and determines priority levels for the users.
US07823686B2
The invention relates to a motor vehicle steering system comprising a differential drive, said differential drive having a carrier structure (12, 33), a drive shaft (3) with a shaft end (3a) facing the differential drive, an output unit (2) with a shaft end (2a) facing the differential drive, and an auxiliary drive comprising a stator (4) and a rotor (6). The aim of the invention is to simplify the structure of one such differential drive as much as possible. To this end, the shaft end (3a) of the drive shaft (3) carries a first toothed disk (7) which is connected to the drive shaft (3) in a rotationally fixed manner, the shaft end (2a) of the output unit (2) is connected to at least parts of the carrier structure (12, 33) in a rotationally fixed manner; the carrier structure (12, 33) carries a second toothed disk (8) which is connected thereto in a rotationally fixed manner; and the rotor (6) comprises a first cylindrical section (6a) and a second cylindrical section (6b) that is bent in relation to the first section (6a) at an angle (a). The first section (6a) faces the output unit (2) and the second section (6b) faces the drive shaft (3). A swash unit (9a, 9b) arranged on the bent second section (6b) couples the two toothed disks (7,8) together in a driving manner.
US07823680B2
A console box for heavy equipment having a safety bar with a function sound device is provided, which generates a function sound when an operator rotates a safety bar to be in a horizontal/vertical direction, so that the operator can accurately recognize the rotation state of the safety bar. The heavy equipment console box includes a console box mounted on a left/right side of an operator's seat, and having an operation lever, installed thereon, for controlling an operation of a working device; a cover formed on an outer side surface of the console box mounted on a doorway side of a cab, and having first and second locking grooves formed on an outer side surface thereof; a safety bar, movably fixed to the outer side surface of the cover, for controlling an electric signal being applied to the operation lever when the safety bar is rotated to be in a horizontal/vertical direction; and a function sound generation part, mounted on an inner side surface of a main body of the safety bar, for being detachably engaged with first and second locking grooves to generate a function sound when the safety bar is rotated to be in the horizontal/vertical direction.
US07823671B2
A cooling structure includes a plurality of plate-shaped heat generating members such as battery parts, DC voltage converters and electrical member (e.g., relay). In the cooling structure, the heat generating members are arranged in a plate-thickness direction to have predetermined spaces for forming fluid passages each of which is provided between adjacent heat generating members, and the fluid passages are provided to pass a fluid for cooling the heat generating members. Accordingly, all the heat generating members can be effectively cooled while the cooling structure can be made compact.
US07823667B2
In a power unit for a vehicle, which is a unit composed of an internal combustion engine with a crankshaft and of a power transmission system equipped with a continuously variable transmission and configured to transmit the torque from the crankshaft to the drive-wheel side while reducing the speed of the torque, to provide a power unit for a vehicle, equipped with two oil pumps and formed, with fewer component parts, into a compact structure. A first oil pump for ejecting lubricant oil and a second oil pump for ejecting oil for at least one of the controlling of the speed change in, and the lubricating of, the continuously variable transmission share a common pump shaft, and are arranged adjacent to each other in the axial direction.
US07823664B2
An earth boring bit has a steel body having at least one leg with a depending bearing pin. A cone having cutting elements is rotatably mounted to the bearing pin. A ball plug weld is on the outer surface of the leg. A layer of hardfacing applied to part of the outer surface of the leg, the hardfacing having carbide particles in a matrix. A corrosion resistant coating containing at least 50% nickel is formed on parts of the outer surface of the leg that are free of the layer of hardfacing both above and below the ball plug weld.
US07823662B2
Disclosed are hydrocarbon recovery drill string apparatus, subterranean hydrocarbon recovery drilling methods, and subterranean hydrocarbon recovery methods. In one embodiment, a hydrocarbon recovery drill string apparatus includes an elongated assembly within which a rotatable drill rod is received. The assembly comprises a longitudinal axis, a drill rod entrance end, and a drill rod exit end. The assembly comprises a tailcuttings diverter pipe proximate the drill rod exit end, with the tailcuttings diverter pipe defining an initial fluid flow path of the tailcuttings from the longitudinal axis which is acute from the longitudinal axis. Other apparatus and method aspects are contemplated.
US07823658B2
Borehole images obtained with MWD measurements have a mismatch with subsequent images obtained when measurements are repeated over the same depth interval after the drillstring has been raised up. The difference is attributable to stretch of the drillstring. This can be estimated by correlating the two images. The difference can also be estimated by monitoring drilling conditions such as RPM, WOB and torque on reentry.
US07823657B2
This invention includes drilling assemblies, drilling reamer arm assemblies, and methods of drilling. In one implementation, a drilling assembly includes a cutting head apparatus configured to cut into earthen material as the cutting head apparatus is rotated. A drive shaft extends aft of and is configured to rotate the cutting head apparatus. A plurality of reamer arm assemblies projects radially outward of the drive shaft and are mounted for rotation therewith aft of the cutting head apparatus. Individual of the reamer arm assemblies include a radial inner portion extending radially outward of the drive shaft. A radial outer portion connects with and extends radially outward of the radial inner portion. The radial outer portion includes a cutter. At least one breakaway retainer fastens the radial inner and outer portions together and restrains the radial outer portion from moving relative to the radial inner portion towards the cutting head apparatus and the drive shaft. Other aspects are contemplated.
US07823656B1
A method for monitoring drilling mud properties, the drilling mud being transported through a well drilling system and stored in a mud pit includes directing the flow of drilling mud in the well drilling system from the mud pit to a sampling unit. A sample of the drilling mud from the mud pit is obtained. At least one mud property of the sampled drilling mud is sensed automatically and in real time to obtain a condition value. If the condition value is within a set point range for the mud property the drilling mud is returned to the mud pit. The drilling mud is directed to a centrifuge for adjustment of the mud property if the condition value is outside the set point range. The drilling mud from the centrifuge is returned to the mud pit after the mud property has been adjusted.
US07823650B2
A hazard control system according to various aspects of the present invention is configured to deliver a control material in response to detection of a hazard. In one embodiment, the hazard control system comprises a pressure tube having an internal pressure and configured to leak in response to exposure to heat. The leak changes the internal pressure and generates a pneumatic signal. A fire detector may also detect a fire condition associated with fire. A valve may be coupled to the fire detector and the pressure tube. The valve is configured to change the internal pressure and generate the pneumatic signal in response to a signal from the fire detector. The pneumatic signal triggers a delivery system to deliver the control material.
US07823645B2
A system and method for controlling inflow of fluid into a production string. In aspects, the invention provides a downhole sand screen and inflow control device with a gas or water shut-off feature that can be operated mechanically or hydraulically from the surface of the well. The device also preferably includes a bypass feature that allows the inflow control device to be closed or bypassed via shifting of a sleeve. In embodiments, the flow control device can be adaptive to changes in wellbore conditions such as chemical make-up, fluid density and temperature. Exemplary adaptive inflow control devices include devices configured to control flow in response to changes in gas/oil ratio, water/oil ratio, fluid density and/or the operating temperature of the inflow control device. In other aspects of the present invention, inflow control devices are utilized to control the flow of commingled fluids drained via two or more wellbores.
US07823637B2
A fluid loss valve is disposed in a wash pipe in a gravel packing assembly. It is preferably held open initially and when in the process it is time for the valve to be able to go closed a pulling force is applied that creates relative movement to either close the valve or allow it to close without release of the assembly when under tension. This allows a surface signal that the valve is to be released for closure. The tension is relieved before string movement with the valve can occur. This can happen by slacking off before picking up again or through other time delay features that allow the tension to be removed and a lock to collapse before a lift force is applied for subsequent gravel packing operations. The valve in its closed position acts to eliminate fluid loss when excess gravel is reversed out.
US07823631B2
A constructional unit for a heat exchanging device that includes at least one housing in which a gaseous medium is at least partially guided on a predetermined path, an inlet device for the gaseous medium, at least one first heat exchanging device, at least one second heat exchanging device, at least one controller that influences the direction of flow of the gaseous medium in at least some sections and that can be adjusted to at least two different positions, and an outlet device for the gaseous medium. In at least one first position of the first controller, substantially no portions of the gaseous medium are guided through the first heat exchanging device.
US07823630B2
A tube for a heat exchanger is constructed of a single plate having one end portion and the other end portion in a width direction perpendicular to a tube longitudinal direction. The single plate having opposite first and second wall surfaces is bent to have a protruding portion at a position adjacent to the one end portion in the width direction and a contact portion adjacent to the protruding portion in the width direction. The protruding portion is configured to continuously extend in the longitudinal direction and to have a protruding tip on a side of the first wall surface, and the protruding tip contacts the first wall surface of a portion along the longitudinal direction. The second wall surface at the one end portion and the contact portion contacts the first wall surface at the other end portion and a position near the other end portion, respectively.
US07823627B2
A device is coupled to a heat exchanger for mitigating fouling by applying a mechanical force to a fixed heat exchanger to excite a vibration in the heat exchange surface and produce shear waves in the fluid adjacent the heat exchange surface while the heat exchanger is in operation. An electromagnetic driven impulse device induces vibration onto heat exchanger tubes and/or an acoustic wave through the liquid service fluid to reduce fouling. The device can be mounted directly onto the outer part or piping and produces acoustical/vibrational modes onto the tube or near the surface of tubes.
US07823626B2
A refrigerated oven having a cooking chamber in which is provided a heating elements and a refrigeration unit chamber in which is provided a refrigeration unit. The refrigeration unit is fluidly connected to the cooking chamber. Both the heating element and the refrigeration unit are selectively operable to either cool or heat the cooking chamber to thereby cool or heat a food item located therein. The refrigeration unit as preferably modular refrigeration unit that the slid into and out of the refrigeration unit chamber. Preferably, the refrigeration unit includes an evaporator that is thermally isolate is from a condenser. The condenser as preferably conductively coupled to a base supporting the elements of the modular refrigeration unit.
US07823624B2
A heat exchanger comprising a main heat exchange housing, a cooling air inlet line and a hot air inlet line to bring a cooling airflow and a hot airflow in the main housing. A heat pre-exchanger is disposed upstream from the main housing, the heat pre-exchanger being able to be crossed by the cooling airflow and the hot airflow prior to the main housing. The invention also relates to a propulsion unit and an aircraft comprising such a heat exchanger.
US07823621B2
A method to efficiently make flaskless upper and lower molds that are stacked, to efficiently spray a release agent in a closed space, and to promptly place a core. The method includes the steps of holding a match-plate between one pair of cope and drag flasks that are horizontally positioned, each of them having a sand-filling port for supplying molding sand at its side wall, defining upper and lower molding spaces by inserting upper and lower squeeze-plates in respective openings of the pair of cope and drag flasks which openings are opposed to the match-plate, putting the pair of cope and drag flasks and the match-plate in a vertical position, and causing the sand-filling ports to be placed in an upper position, spraying a release agent into the two upper and lower molding spaces, supplying molding sand through the sand-filling ports to the two upper and lower molding spaces, and squeezing the molding sand in the two upper and lower molding spaces.
US07823618B2
An ultrasonic bonding apparatus includes a head that includes a tool surface configured to mount an electronic component, an ultrasonic bonding unit configured to ultrasonically bond the electronic component with a substrate, and a wiping unit configured to wipe out pre-cured underfill that has adhered to the tool surface of the head, by using a wiping member on a wiping table. The wiping unit includes a solvent supply unit configured to supply a solvent configured to powder the underfill, to the wiping member on the wiping table, a sealed cartridge configured to house the wiping table and a feed mechanism configured to supply the wiping member to the wiping table and to roll up the wiping member from the wiping table, and a cartridge support member that includes a motor configured to drive the feed mechanism, and is detachably attached to the cartridge.
US07823612B2
A jointer system comprises a blade assembly, a base, an infeed table, and a measurement system. The base supports the blade assembly for rotation about a blade axis. The infeed table is movably supported by the base. The measurement system comprises a stop member, a gauge assembly, and a display assembly. The stop member defines a stop plane. The gauge assembly comprises a gauge, a pin member supported by the gauge such that the pin member is in contact with the stop member, and a display assembly. As the infeed table moves relative to the base, the gauge assembly generates a measurement signal indicative of vertical displacement of the infeed table relative to the base. The display assembly generates a display image based on the measurement signal.
US07823608B2
The shaft rod (2) according to the invention has, at one of its narrow sides, at least one recess (21) which is later provided in the shaft rod and in which a reinforcing element (24) is glued. The material externally of the shaft rod forms securing zones (32, 33) which serve for the attachment of additional elements. The recesses are preferably applied in such a manner that hollow spaces free from Eloxal coating are exposed which may be utilized as recesses into which reinforcing elements are glued.
US07823592B2
An apparatus for forming an anastomosis between adjacent intestinal sections of tissue is provided. The apparatus includes a circular surgical stapler having an anvil assembly with an anvil shaft and an anvil, the circular surgical stapler further having a tubular body portion with an annular knife and a body portion shaft selectively attachable to the anvil shaft; and a seal structure for deposition between the intestinal sections of tissue including a hub configured to engage attachment structure on at least one of the anvil shaft and the body portion shaft. The attachment structure is positioned so that the seal structure is located between the intestinal sections of tissue when the circular surgical stapler is disposed within the intestinal sections of tissue.
US07823591B2
A female condom has a pouch with an open end, a closed end, and a tubular body extending longitudinally therebetween. The female condom also includes an anchor attached to and outside of the closed end of the pouch.
US07823585B2
A snorkel clip made up of two substantially rigid elements, which are designed to wrap at least half way around a snorkel tube, overmolded with a substantially flexible element to create a simple, aesthetically pleasing device. The snorkel clip also includes a hinge region created as part of the substantially flexible element. This hinge region allows the snorkel clip to flex or bend so that one of the rigid elements may be disengaged and pulled away from the riser tube of the snorkel, so that a mask strap may be attached to and removed from the snorkel, while the other rigid element remains attached to the riser tube in a generally secure manner. The substantially flexible portion may also include several cut out sections to provide visual and tactile access to portions of the substantially rigid elements for utility and aesthetic design.
US07823566B2
A vibration reducing system for an engine is disclosed. The vibration reducing system includes at least one pumping member movable through a plurality of pumping strokes during an engine cycle. The vibration reducing system also includes a controller in communication with the at least one pumping member, the controller being configured to identify a vibration characteristic of the engine. The controller also is configured to adjust the displacement of fuel during at least one of the plurality of pumping strokes based on the vibration characteristic.
US07823565B2
A fuel injection system for internal combustion engine includes an injector mounted within a pocket formed in the cylinder head, and an isolator which defines a radial clearance gap with the injector pocket. The isolator expands radially outwardly into a clearance gap in response to axially directed force imposed upon the isolator by the injector, so that a dual rate force/displacement effect is achieved by the isolator.
US07823564B2
A coupling arrangement (12) with a housing (6) has a first locking part (18), a locking element (14) and a ring (16), which is arranged intermediate the locking element (14) and the housing (6). The locking element (14) is cylindrical having a center axis (X) and has a second locking part (28) and at least one locking contour (30) having a first end (32) designed to take in a respective pin (34) of a connecting element (36) to disable rotational movement of the connecting element (36) via positive locking. The ring (16), the first locking part (18) and the second locking part (28) are designed and arranged such as to form a positive locking at least in one direction of the center axis (X) between the housing (6) and the locking element (14) via the ring (16).
US07823563B2
Various systems and methods are described for controlling fuel injection to a plurality of cylinders. One example method comprises during combustion timing imbalances among a plurality of cylinders carrying out homogeneous charge compression ignition combustion, adjusting a fuel injection amount in a first cylinder to adjust a combustion timing of the first cylinder in a first direction, and correspondingly adjusting a fuel injection amount in a second cylinder in a second direction to maintain average engine torque and reduce the imbalance.
US07823560B2
A straddle-type vehicle includes an engine, an air intake pipe, a throttle valve being controlled in accordance with an operation amount of an accelerator grip, an engine rotating speed detector or a vehicle speed detector, and an electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU increases the opening degree of the throttle valve or maintains the opening degree at a constant value until the engine rotating speed reaches a set rotating speed which is smaller than a prescribed rotating speed, but if the engine rotating speed exceeds the set rotating speed, the ECU reduces the opening degree of the throttle valve irrespective of operation of the accelerator grip.
US07823553B2
A system for actuating an engine valve is disclosed. The system may include a lost motion housing having two spaced collars surrounding a rocker shaft. The lost motion housing may include an internal hydraulic circuit connecting a master piston bore with a slave piston bore. The lost motion housing may include a means for securing the lost motion housing in a fixed position relative to the rocker shaft. A master piston may be disposed in the master piston bore and a slave piston may be disposed in the slave piston bore. A rocker arm may be disposed on the rocker shaft between the spaced collars and may have a first portion adapted to contact a cam and a second portion adapted to contact the master piston. In a preferred embodiment, the system may be used to provide compression release engine braking or bleeder engine braking.
US07823549B2
A switchable valvetrain system is provided having a control unit and a pressure regulator valve responsive to control signals from the control unit. A pressurized fluid source is provided in communication with the pressure regulator valve. A switchable valvetrain component having a latching mechanism and lubrication circuit in selective communication with the pressurized fluid source through the pressure regulator valve is also provided. The pressure regulator valve is operable to selectively and variably communicate fluid pressure from the pressurized fluid source to the latching mechanism and the lubrication circuit in response to control signals from the control unit. A method of operating the switchable valvetrain system is also provided.
US07823547B2
A waste heat recovery system for a split-cycle engine includes a heat exchange unit. An air compressor device is in communication with the heat exchange unit. A waste heat input receives waste heat from the engine and is in fluid communication with the heat exchange unit. An ambient air intake connected to the air compressor device draws air into the air compressor device. A compressed air outlet member on the air compressor device in fluid communication with a compression cylinder of the split-cycle engine delivers compressed air from the air compressor device to the engine. Engine waste heat is communicated to the heat exchange unit and energy from the waste heat is used to drive the air compressor device, causing the air compressor device to draw in ambient air through the ambient air intake, compress the ambient air, and deliver compressed air to the engine through the compressed air outlet.
US07823537B2
A plasma generator for forming a thin film comprises a cathode (4) for supplying constituent particles of an arc plasma and a trigger-and-anode (6) for starting and sustaining the arc plasma. The cathode surface (4a) of the cathode (4) is flat or finely irregular, and the anode surface (6c) of the trigger-and-anode (6) brought into contact with the cathode surface (4a) is flat. The anode surface (6c) is so arranged as to be brought into contact with the whole cathode surface (4a) when plasma is started. The contact point between a fine projection end (4b) of the cathode surface (4a) and the anode surface (6c) is made a plasma emission point. When the projection is consumed by plasma emission, another projection end which can be brought into contact with the anode surface (6c) is used as another plasma emission point, thus enabling intermittent operation of persistently repeating the sequence operation.
US07823535B2
Methods and apparatuses for dispensing samples or reagents onto a target object are provided. A dispensing position designating section (62) designates the dispensing position on the target object (50), such as a membrane, based on an image of the target object (50) displayed on a monitoring section (60). A dispensing control section (64) positions the target object and the dispensing device relative to each other so that the designated dispensing position on the target object is placed beneath the dispensing device (10) and controls the dispensing operation of the dispensing device (10). A dispensing position information creating section (68) creates dispensing position information about the dispensing position on the target object (50) which is designated by the dispensing position designating section (62) and to which the dispensing operation has been performed and outputs it to the outside.
US07823534B2
A developer nozzle is moved from a periphery of a wafer toward the central portion while an exposed substrate held at a spin chuck is being rotated about a vertical axis and while a developing solution is being discharged from the developer nozzle, and this way the developing solution is supplied to the surface of the wafer, the developer nozzle having a slit-like ejection port whose longitudinal direction is oriented to the direction perpendicular to the radial direction of the wafer. The movement speed of the nozzle is higher than a case where a nozzle with a small-diameter circular nozzle is used, and this enables a development time to be reduced. Further, the thickness of a developing solution on a substrate can be reduced, so that the developing solution can be saved.
US07823529B2
To produce a ceramic foam-filled structural sandwich panel, a coating of a pre-ceramic slurry is applied on a preform. The preform includes a foam template sandwiched between a plurality of panels. In addition, the coating is cured to the preform, the preform is modified, and the coating is converted to a ceramic.
US07823516B2
A very practical table apparatus is provided that can be made smaller and thinner without the need to stack a first table that moves in a first direction and a second table that moves in a second direction as in prior art. The table apparatus has a table (1) on which work is disposed, a first actuator (4) for moving the table (1) in the first direction a, and a second actuator (7) that is disposed on substantially the same plane as the first actuator, and that moves the table (1) in the second direction b, thereby allowing a single table (1) to be moved in the first direction a and second direction b without the need to stack two tables.
US07823512B2
A monorail bogie for supporting a monorail car travelling over a monorail track. The monorail bogie comprises a load-bearing wheel having an axis of rotation that is parallel to the running surface. The monorail bogie further comprises an inboard pair of guide wheels and an outboard pair of guide wheels. Each guide wheel of the inboard pair of guide wheels has an axis of rotation and each guide wheel of the outboard pair of guide wheels has an axis of rotation. The axes of rotation of the inboard pair of guide wheels and the axes of rotation of the outboard pair of guide wheels are offset in opposite directions in relation to the axis of rotation of the load bearing wheels. The monorail bogie further comprises at least one stabilizing wheel positioned co-axially with each one of the inboard pair of guide wheels.
US07823508B2
Mining operations frequently involve the use of electric or electronic delay detonators in operative association with an explosive charge contained in a booster. Disclosed herein are connectors for connecting a signal transmission line to a detonator associated with a booster. In this way, the connectors, at least in preferred embodiments, allow the production of a substantially sealed booster assembly having a secure electrical connection to a signal transmission line. Also disclosed are methods of producing substantially sealed booster assemblies, and methods for their use in mining operations.
US07823504B2
A cutting frame for use in a curd vat, which cutting frame comprises substantially parallel frame girders, between which is situated a lattice formed from longitudinal knives and transverse knives, of which the transverse knives are mounted on the frame girders by welding and have aligned openings, in which the longitudinal knives are received, wherein the longitudinal knives are strip-shaped knives having a length dimension and a width dimension and having at least one sharp cutting edge extending in the length dimension, which cutting edge is formed by at least one obliquely ground cutting face, wherein the width of the longitudinal knives is smaller than the corresponding dimension of the openings of the transverse knives, and wherein means are provided for substantially preventing displacement of the longitudinal knives in the length dimension, wherein at least a number of openings of at least a number of transverse knives is provided with supporting elements which substantially lock the longitudinal knives both in lateral direction and in the width dimension of the longitudinal knives, while the supporting elements leave the sharp cutting edge clear.
US07823502B2
A rotisserie cooking device for use in an oven includes a food holding member. At least one motor is operatively linked with the food holding member. At least one thermopile is associated with the motor. The at least one thermopile provides energy for driving the at least one motor for rotating the food holding member.
US07823499B2
Present invention involves a seal means suitable to replace the classic seals. For instance the seal means of present invention can be a liquid seal ring (7) to replace the classic rubber seal rings. Such is liquid O-ring can be adapted to resists the actuation pressure relying on surface tension forces. Such liquid O-rings can also be linked in series, hereby increasing the maximum seal pressure. In a preferred embodiment the seal means of present invention comprises two major components, a surface tension seal (7) and a pressure divider (4). The pressure divider will comprise a system that generates a pressure drop. Such pressure divider can be located before the surface tension seal and perform the first pressure drop. The combination of these two systems has the advantage that the surface tension seal is able to reduce the leakage to zero or essentially zero and that the pressure divider is able to perform a large pressure drop. Nevertheless, the surface tension seal can also create a considerable pressure drop. This means that in applications where the seal pressure of the surface tension seal is not exceeded, the pressure divider can be omitted. However, omitting the pressure divider will always result in tighter tolerances when manufacturing the seal.
US07823485B2
A torque wrench includes a main beam having a distal end and a proximal end, a drive element disposed at the distal end of the main beam, a stationary beam having a distal end fixedly secured to the main beam at a first location on the main beam, and having a proximal end, and a displacement sensor assembly disposed at a second location associated with the main beam and with the stationary beam to detect an amount of displacement of the main beam relative to the stationary beam. The displacement sensor assembly includes an actuating element to produce a radiation signal and rigidly secured to one of the main beam or the stationary beam and an actuable element responsive to the radiation signal and rigidly secured to the other one of the main beam or the stationary beam.
US07823483B2
A working depth adjusting device includes an adjusting member, an intermediate member and an operation member. The adjusting member is supported on the front portion of the tool body and movable along the axis of the spindle, so that the position of the adjusting member can be adjusted relative to the tool bit with respect to a working depth direction. The intermediate member is rotatably supported on the adjusting member. The adjusting member moves in the working depth direction as the inmate member rotates. The operation member is operable to rotate relative to the intermediate member between a lock position and an unlock position. The intermediate member has a first engaging member. When the operation member is rotated to the lock position, the first engaging member engages the tool body, and the engagement of the first engaging member is maintained by the operation member, so that the working depth adjusting device can be prevented from being removed from the tool body. When the operation member is rotated to the unlock position, the first engaging member is disengaged from the tool body, so that the working depth adjusting device can be removed from the tool body.
US07823479B2
A vehicle steering column structure includes a movable steering column portion, a tilting mechanism and a telescoping mechanism. The tilting mechanism is configured to selectively adjust an angle of inclination of a tilting part. The telescoping mechanism adjusts the telescopic position of a telescoping part. The telescoping mechanism includes a hand operated release member, an actuation member and a biasing member. The hand operated release member has an actuating end pivotal about first pivot axis between a locking orientation and a releasing orientation. The actuation member has a contact section. The biasing member urges the actuation member to apply an approximately constant return force from the contact section to the actuating end biasing the hand operated release member to return to the locking orientation regardless of the tilt angle of the tilting mechanism.
US07823471B2
The method of the present invention provides a variety of vehicle performance characteristics depending on the mode of operation. A first routine is initiated to provide an optimal balance of powertrain responsiveness and fuel economy for any given combination of vehicle speed and deceleration rate. The first routine may, according to a preferred embodiment, include a plurality of routines that are each configured to provide an optimal balance of powertrain responsiveness and fuel economy within a predefined range of vehicle speeds and deceleration rates. A second routine is initiated if said deceleration rate is within a predefined range. The second routine includes running the electric motor/generator while the hybrid vehicle is being stopped in order to control the driveline lash and thereby minimize disturbances during a subsequent engine re-start.
US07823468B2
A sample injector includes a rotary valve element with a straight passageway through it, which element may be rotated to connect a port communicating with a source of solvent with a port communicating with an inlet to a column. Another passageway connects two adjacent ports. The valve element may be rotated to one position in which it provides a straight path for sample to be injected, a second position in which it provides a path that connects a source of purge gas to the chromatographic system and a third position in which it provides a path that connects solvent to the column for preconditioning.
US07823466B2
A device for setting, adjusting, and measuring a force in a system, including a first portion for measuring a system force at a first end of the device and including a measurement means, a second portion for adjusting or setting the system force at a second end of the device and including an adjustment means, a housing where the first portion corresponds to the first end of the housing and the second portion corresponds to the second end of the housing, a resilient means within the measurement means for generating a resistance force, and a visual means for indicating an amount of the system force that is related to the physical position of the adjustment means and the resistance force created by the resilient means.
US07823462B2
An apparatus for determining fluid flow in a pipe includes an ultrasonic flowmeter which communicates with the interior of the pipe through at least one pair of apertures, where each aperture of the one pair of apertures has an effective diameter. The apparatus includes a turbulence conditioner disposed in the pipe having openings where the pitch between openings is a function of the effective diameter of the aperture. A turbulence conditioner for a pipe has openings and a pitch. The conditioner has walls between the openings whose thickness is a function of the pitch. The conditioner has a length which is a function of the pitch. A method for determining fluid flow in a pipe includes the steps of flowing fluid through a turbulence conditioner disposed in the pipe having openings where the pitch between openings, is made a function of an effective diameter of an aperture of an ultrasonic flowmeter which communicates with the interior of the pipe through the aperture. There is the step of measuring the flow with the meter. A method for producing a turbulence conditioner.
US07823461B2
A flow sensor includes: A measuring tube for the conveying of an electrically conductive fluid; a magnetic circuit arrangement arranged on the measuring tube for producing and guiding a magnetic field, which induces an electric field in the flowing fluid; and measuring electrodes for the tapping of a voltage of the electric field. The measuring tube includes a carrier tube and liner, especially a tubular liner, of insulating material, accommodated in a lumen of the carrier tube. A support skeleton may serve for stabilization is embedded in the liner. The carrier tube additionally has at least a first groove formed in a wall of the carrier tube and open towards the lumen of the carrier tube, whereby, on the one hand, the tendency of the liner and/or of the possibly present support skeleton towards crack formation upon temperature changes, especially in the case of cooling, can be considerably reduced, and, on the other hand, a rotation or displacement of the support skeleton in the carrier tube, especially in the case of possible material shrinkage, can be effectively prevented.
US07823459B2
A load detection device includes a strain generating body having first and second holes at first and second ends of the strain generating body, a strain gauge attached on the strain generating body, first and second fixing members having first and second middle shaft portion press-fitted into the first and second holes, respectively, and having first and second end shaft portions protruding from the first and second middle shaft portions, respectively, a bracket member having first fixing portion including a first fixing hole into which the first end shaft portion is press-fitted, and a second fixing portion, integrally connected to the first fixing portion and including a second fixing hole into which the second end shaft portion is inserted with a clearance therebetween, a press-fit fixing member press-fitted onto the second end shaft portion, and a connecting shaft integrally connected to the strain generating body.
US07823456B2
A pressure sensor is provided with a carrier (2), which in an inner region includes a membrane (4) on which at least one first measurement element (R1−) for detecting a pressure impingement of the membrane (4) is arranged. Additionally, at least one second measurement element (R3−) for detecting a pressure impingement of the membrane (4) is arranged on the membrane. The first measurement element (R1−) and the second measurement element (R3−) are arranged distanced differently far from the edge of the membrane. The output signals of the first and the second measurement element (R1−, R3−) are evaluated together in a manner such that the two measurement elements (R1−, R3−) detect a differential pressure acting on the membrane (4), and thereby compensate the influence of the system pressure acting on both sides of the membrane (4).
US07823453B2
An ultrasonic imaging device, comprising: a receiver, for receiving ultrasonic signals which carry information about human body; a processor, for analyzing and processing the received ultrasonic signals in order to get image and/or sound signals; a controller, for issuing at least one instruction; and a recorder, for recording the image and/or sound signals on recording medium in digital form in accordance with the instruction.
US07823443B2
System for determining inflating pressures of tyres mounted on a motor vehicle front and rear wheels
The invention concerns a system for determining inflating pressure of tires mounted on a motor vehicle front and rear wheels. Said system comprises means (12, 14) for acquiring inflating pressures of the front and rear wheels, means (16, 18) for acquiring vertical accelerations of the front and rear wheels, and means (32) for emerging the acquired pressures and the acquired accelerations to estimate the inflating pressures of the front and rear tires.
US07823441B2
The present invention relates to a vehicle brake system, which has a brake reservoir, and utilizes a tire management system that is in communication with the brake reservoir and a vehicle operator. As a result of this configuration, the tire management system communicates brake reservoir pressure signals to the vehicle operator, so that the operator is made aware of any low pressure conditions, in the trailer, before trying to move the trailer.
US07823437B2
A method for re-calibrating an anemometer of a wind turbine is provided, the method comprising the steps of obtaining pairs of measured values of wind speed and a wind-speed dependent turbine variable; comparing said measured value pairs to pairs of wind speed and the turbine variable obtained from an expected turbine variable curve of the wind turbine to determine a difference between a measured wind speed value and an expected wind speed value for a given turbine variable value; and adjusting a calibration function of said anemometer on the basis of said determined difference.
US07823435B2
A die clamp mechanism includes: a plunger that protrudes from a lower side of a carrier when the carrier on which a bolster is mounted is separated from a bed of a press machine and plunges into the lower side of the carrier when the carrier is grounded on the bed; a biasing member that biases the plunger downward; and an engaging member that engages a die with the bolster in accordance with an axial movement of the plunger when the plunger plunges into the lower side of the carrier.
US07823433B2
A ratchet crimping tool is disclosed. The ratchet crimping tool comprises a tool head cover board structure, a tool handle structure, a transmission device, and a tool handle. The transmission device further comprises an anti-backup mechanism, an advancement mechanism and a gear structure. The ratchet crimping tool uses a coaxial tool head, a confirming-indicating device and an adjustable jaw structure. The coaxial tool head comprises a movable tool handle and a fixed tool handle. A gear of the movable tool head is engaged with the gear structure of the transmission device, and the adjustable jaw structure is connected with the movable tool handle. The confirming-indicating device is connected with the movable tool handle and the fixed tool handle respectively. The coaxial tool head is connected with a tool head cover board structure by link pins, and the gear structure of the transmission device is connected with the movable tool handle by connecting pins via upper and lower cover boards. The fixed tool handle is connected with an anti-backup mechanism of the transmission device by connecting pins via the upper and lower cover boards. Between the advancement mechanism of the transmission device and the movable tool handle, a connection is established by advancement of the connecting pins.
US07823430B2
A quick plastic forming (QPF) tool is provided in which a thermal gap is created that reduces or eliminates some of the conductive heat loss paths when the QPF tool is in an open position during part removal or sheet loading. By reducing conductive heat loss, a more precise temperature control for the QPF tool from manufacturing cycle to manufacturing cycle may be realized. The QPF tool may also have a thermal gap when the tool is placed in a semi-open position during idle times. The QPF tool may also include components for creating the thermal gap when the QPF tool is moved to the open position and control the lateral movement of the part forming section of the QPF tool as the part is moved between the open position and the closed position.
US07823429B2
The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an axle component having the following steps: arranging a hollow semi-finished product such as a tube in a die for forming the axle component; introduction of fluid into the interior of the hollow semi-finished product; and loading of the fluid with high pressure, in order to deform the hollow semi-finished product in accordance with the die as a result.
US07823424B2
A bicycle lock in the form of a cable lock includes an elongated lock body and a cable having first and second ends. The first end is fixed to one end of the elongated lock body and another end of the lock body has an insertion opening for an insertion pin that is attached to the second end of the cable and provided with two lateral, diametrically opposed recesses that are oriented parallel to a longitudinal direction of the lock body. Two locking bolts are insertable into the recesses in a translatory manner in the longitudinal direction of the lock body for securing the insertion pin in the lock body. The locking bolts form a part of a locking device. A driver, which lies with inner ends in an effective area of the drive, is rotatable by means of a closing cylinder. By actuation of the closing cylinder, the locking device is drivable in the longitudinal direction of the lock body. The locking device has a first section extending in the longitudinal direction of the lock body and a second, bracket section oriented perpendicular to the lock body longitudinal direction on its outer end. The locking bolts, which are preferably cylindrical, are insertable into the first and second sections on opposite sides of the bracket section.
US07823423B2
The object is to determine a suitable stop timing of dry cleaning operation in a dry cleaning method without an oil-soluble surface-active agent. Contamination level of a pure solvent supplied from a supply tank to an inner drum of a process tank by a supply-side pump is detected by a supply-side RGB sensor. Contamination level of a used solvent collected from the process tank to a distilling unit by a collect-side pump is detected by a collect-side RGB sensor. When the deference of the contamination levels becomes to zero, a control unit stops supplying the pure solvent from the supply tank to the process tank, collecting the used solvent from the process tank to the distilling unit.
US07823418B2
A glass base material manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing a glass base material comprising: a plurality burners, arranged in a row at a predetermined intervals along the longitudinal direction of a starting base material of the glass base material, for forming a deposit, which is a base material of the glass base material by depositing glass soot on the starting base material while moving reciprocatory over a section of the entire length of the starting base material along the longitudinal direction of the starting base material; a plurality of flow rate regulators, at least one of which is connected to the plurality of burners, respectively, for regulating a flow rate of raw material gas of the glass soot, which is supplied to the plurality of burners; and a control unit connected to each of the plurality of flow rate regulators for controlling individually the plurality of flow rate regulators.
US07823412B2
A hermetic vessel capable of preventing noise caused by fluid flow, and an oil separator, a gas-liquid separator, and an air conditioning system using the same. The hermetic vessel having a vessel body includes an inlet through which a fluid flows into the vessel body, and a discharge pipe which is inserted into the vessel body to discharge the fluid. The discharge pipe includes a first discharge pipe which guides a flow of the fluid in a first direction and causes a wave of a higher frequency than an audible frequency, and a second discharge pipe which is connected to the first discharge pipe to guide a flow of the fluid from the first discharge pipe in a second direction which is different from the first direction.
US07823406B2
An evaporator including a refrigerant inlet header having a refrigerant inlet at one end thereof, and a plurality of heat exchange tubes arranged at a spacing longitudinally of the inlet header and each having one end joined to the inlet header. The interior of the inlet header is divided by a flow dividing control wall into an upper space for admitting a refrigerant thereinto through the refrigerant inlet and a lower space communicating with the heat exchange tubes. The control wall has a communication hole formed in an end portion thereof opposite to the refrigerant inlet. The upper and lower spaces communicate with each other through the communication hole so that the refrigerant flows through the lower space in a direction opposite to the direction of flow of the refrigerant in the upper space. The evaporator achieves a high heat exchange efficiency.
US07823404B2
A vapor-compression air conditioning system comprising a blower positioned in a return air flow path from a conditioned space, a reheat heat exchanger positioned in the return air flow path and downstream from the blower, a system reversing valve fluidly coupled to the reheat heat exchanger, and a refrigerant flow sequencer interposed the system reversing valve and the reheat heat exchanger. A method of manufacturing an air conditioning system is also provided.
US07823403B2
A preferred embodiment of the MEMS cooling device of the invention comprises one or more MEMS micro-channel volumes in communication with one or more MEMS micro-pump assemblies wherein each micro-pump assembly comprises a flexure valve, such as a leaf valve and means to drive a coolant through the channel volumes such as an electrostatic interleaved comb drive structure. A preferred embodiment comprises an inlet micro-pump assembly and an outlet micro-pump assembly but the device may also be fabricated with a single pump mechanism per channel volume.
US07823399B2
When there is a command for pre-air conditioning to be performed, an inlet switches to an inside air recirculating mode and a compressor and a blower fan are driven to blow air that was drawn in toward a lower portion in a vehicle cabin (130 to 136). Then when a door switch detects that an occupant may get into the vehicle (100, 102), air is blown from an outlet toward the upper portion in the vehicle cabin while the inlet remains in the inside air recirculation mode (114 to 124). That is, cooled air in the lower portion in the vehicle cabin is drawn in, cooled, and then blown toward the occupant. Also, when starting the pre-air conditioning, the battery state-of-charge is detected and pre-air conditioning is prohibited if the battery state-of-charge is less than a predetermined value (116, 126, 128).
US07823398B2
Improvements to a rotating-vane integral compressor/expander are outlined to significantly improve efficiency. A method to simply achieve variable-flow operation is also described.
US07823397B2
A method for detecting a clogged state of a pipe of a heat pump type multi-air conditioner includes: detecting a temperature of a pipe of an arbitrary indoor heat exchanger among a plurality of indoor heat exchangers; detecting a pressure of a refrigerant sucked into an arbitrary outdoor unit among a plurality of outdoor units in case of performing an air-conditioning operation, and detecting a pressure of a refrigerant introduced into the arbitrary indoor heat exchanger after being discharged from an arbitrary outdoor unit among the plurality of outdoor units in case of performing a heating operation; and comparing a pressure corresponding to the detected temperature of the pipe and the detected pressure of the refrigerant and determining whether the pipe is clogged based on the comparison result. By detecting a clogged state of a pipe, the heat pump type multi-air conditioner is prevented from being damaged due to a clogged state of the pipe.
US07823395B2
A coupling in accordance with the present invention may be used to join devices together without the need for conduits or other intermediaries. A nut may be used to couple the coupling to a first device via a first thread portion and to a second device via a second thread portion. In some embodiments, the coupling may be affixed to one of the first or second devices.
US07823394B2
Systems and methods are disclosed to insulate a vessel includes placing a plurality of shells on all sides of the vessel without providing a direct energy pathway from outer walls of the vessel to the inner walls of the vessel; placing the shells under a vacuum; cryogenically cooling the shells to a cryogenic temperature; and while under vacuum, allowing the shell temperature to rise from the cryogenic temperature to ambient temperature.
US07823391B2
A turbine engine arrangement incorporates an electrical machine combination which can act as a generator or motor. Thus, the combination during initial turbine engine arrangement start-up acts through this motor to drive shaft rotation. This shaft rotation creates core compressed air which is bled through a valve to an air turbine such that the electrical machine when acting as a motor or generator at low engine loads is appropriately cooled. The arrangement also includes a compressor fan which generates an airflow utilised by the air turbine in order to drive the electrical machine as a generator of electrical power when engine conditions dictate. A duct is provided to direct airflow exhausted from the air turbine to a heat exchanger arranged to exchange heat with a bypass flow from the compressor fan. In such circumstances, the generators can operate substantially independently of rotational speed of the engine shafts within the core whilst bled air through the valve acts to cool the electric machine during initial start-up. Generally, a gearbox is provided whereby matching of air turbine rotation with generator requirements is achieved whilst also through a coupling allowing connection to the primary drive shaft of the core to either allow engine start-up or driving of the generators when engine speed is appropriate.
US07823387B2
A gas turbine engine diffuser defined between an external casing and an internal casing of the engine and supplied with air via an upstream annular diffuser duct is disclosed. The diffuser includes a combustion chamber of the convergent type, forming an external annular duct with the external casing and an internal annular duct with the internal casing, and a cowling partially closing off the external annular duct. The cowling is positioned toward the closed end of the combustion chamber.
US07823378B2
A method (1) of controlling an exhaust gas purification system has a DPF device (12), where a regeneration control means (35C) has a forced regeneration mode and an arbitrary regeneration mode. In the forced regeneration mode, when it is determined by a regeneration time determination means (34C) that it is time to regenerate a filter (12b) and the temperature of exhaust gas is low, the exhaust gas temperature is raised by an exhaust gas temperature raising means (351C) to forcibly regenerate the filter (12b). In the arbitrary regeneration mode, the filter is arbitrary regenerated based on the result of detection by a collection amount detection means (32C). While the temperature of exhaust gas is raised in the arbitrary regeneration mode by the exhaust gas temperature raising means (351C), operation of a compressor (41) of a vehicle air conditioner is stopped. By means of this, the temperature (Tw) of engine (10) coolant is prevented from abnormally rising while the DPF device (12) is forcibly recovered by arbitrary regeneration.
US07823370B1
The wheeled weed trimmer support apparatus provides a vehicle for supporting a weed trimmer by adjustably clamping the trimmer shaft, typically above the shaft bend, in two spaced apart locations. By adjustably supporting the shaft with respect to both height and angular positioning of the trimmer head, a trimmer can be exactly controlled to allow angular cuts, more exact flat cuts, and overall desired positioning of the trimmer cutting line and/or blades. The rapidity with which such adjustments are made, especially accommodated by the t-handled tighteners, is further equally important to the adjustment capabilities themselves. The apparatus importantly provides support for a trimmer so that the load of the trimmer is not born by a user's back, shoulders, arms, and other muscles, joints, and bones.
US07823369B2
The invention relates to a method of packaging or a device for packaging an electronic component, such as semiconductor device, whereby the component is positioned in a cavity of a foil by tweezers and is supported by means of a further foil which is attached to the foil at one side thereof. According to an example embodiment, the component is first placed into the cavity of the foil by the tweezers, and only after that is the further foil positioned adjacent thereto and attached to the foil. The tweezers are moved through the foil to pick up the component, hold it, and move it into the cavity. A feature of this embodiment is that the component may be temporarily supported by a supporting means after being positioned in the cavity and before being attached to the further foil and the foil with the component is moved in a longitudinal direction of the foil.
US07823365B2
Laminates comprising at least two glass plys surrounding at least one interlayer having at least one bore extending through the laminate are produced by excluding the interlayer from the area surrounding the bore(s) and positioning a load bearing insert around the bore. The insert may be positioned before or after the laminating process. The invention reduces the tendency for delamination around the area of the bore when the laminate is placed under load.
US07823362B2
A splice plate for stringers designed to connect two adjacent stringers at least three independent pieces, a connection rod being designed to be fixed by two opposite extremities to two adjacent stringers, and at least two connecting plates, each connecting plate being designed to be fixedly joined to a first extremity of one of the two stringers, and by a second extremity of a cross bar disposed between the two stringers. The disclosed embodiment also relate to a device for orbital fixation including at least one stringer splice plate splice bar.
US07823356B2
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a shearing force reinforced structure of an existing RC structure body that can simply and surely ensure a predetermined pulling-out rigidity. Then a shearing force reinforced structure (1) of the invention is configured with: a side wall (W) of an existing reinforced concrete structure; shearing force reinforced members (20) arranged inside reinforced member insertion holes (10) with bottoms formed in a direction intersecting a major reinforcing bar of the side wall (W); and fillers (30) filled in the holes (10), wherein each of the shearing force reinforced members (20) is configured with a shearing force reinforcing bar (21), a plate head 23 and a ring head (22) respectively fixed at a base end and top end of the reinforcing bar (21); each of the holes (10) is formed at a general part (12) having an inner diameter larger than a reinforcing bar diameter of the reinforcing bar (21) and smaller than a width of the head (23), and a base end width broadening part (11) formed at a base end of the hole 10 and having a diameter larger than the width of the head (23). In accordance with such a shearing force reinforced structure and a shearing force reinforced member, it is enabled to simply and surely ensure a predetermined pulling-out rigidity.
US07823355B1
A nonmetallic masonry flashing is disclosed. The flashing includes a laminate that is applicable to cavity walls and particularly masonry block walls. The flashing has an adhesive layer which is a pressure activated, hot melt adhesive with various additives. The additives provide reinforcement to the entire structure and uses fiber glass or filamentous fragments of polypropylene. These additives are admixed into the hot melt adhesive. The nonmetallic masonry flashing employs peel-and-stick technology. After removal of a release sheet, the adhesive layer is pressed against the rough surface of the masonry block. The pressure activation creates a durable bond with the masonry block. Incorporated into the nonmetallic masonry flashing are various high-strength, polymeric laminates. The high-strength of the polymeric laminates is derived from advances in cross-lamination and laminates having a scrim as a core component.
US07823349B2
A vent for an exterior brick wall. The vent includes a first enclosure which is installed in the brick wall in place of an entire brick. The enclosure defines a flow path from ambient conditions to the air in between the brick wall and an interior wall. The vent includes a shield for protecting the flow path of the enclosure from being obstructed by falling debris. Some embodiments includes a vertical section of vents which is also protected from falling debris such as trash mortar.
US07823348B1
A system and method which positions and orients a wall post or column during positioning and supports the post after it has been positioned. The system embodying the principles of the present invention is set and contacts surfaces of the post. The system includes two monolithic one-piece anchor blocks located on a level surface to have top faces thereof located co-level with each other and tie and cross rods each of which has a surface that is vertically oriented when in use and which abuttingly engages a corresponding surface of the post when in use. At least one tie rod is connected to the anchor block top faces and the cross rod is attached to the tie rod. The tie rod is located at a desired position relative to a reference plane and the cross rod is located at a desired location relative to a reference location. The post is located between the two anchor blocks and in abutting contact with the vertically oriented surfaces of the rods. A second tie rod can be mounted on the anchor blocks prior to the connection of the first cross rod to the tie rods. The system automatically locates the post in a desired location and automatically levels the column or post so no additional adjustments are required. The system weight, including the weight of the anchor blocks, prevents shifting or movement of the post during set up.
US07823343B1
A customizable ridge ventilator includes a first support bracket, a second support bracket, a perforated support and a ridge cover. The first and second support brackets are attached to a roof. The perforated support is secured to the first and second support brackets. The ridge cover is attached to the first support, the second support and the perforated support. A second embodiment includes a support bracket, a perforated support and a ridge cover. The support bracket is attached to a roof. The perforated support is attached to the support bracket and a back side of wall. The ridge cover is secured to the perforated support. A third embodiment includes a support bracket, a perforated support and a ridge cover. The support bracket is attached to a roof. The perforated support is attached to the support bracket. The ridge cover is attached to the perforated support bracket and a wall.
US07823339B1
A weep hole screen and method for installing the same in the exterior wall of a masonry building in order to prevent small animals such as insects and rodents from entering the building through the weep hole. A weep hole screen in accordance with the present invention preferably comprises a rectangular mesh screen with an angle bracket attached to each end. The weep hole screen is sized such that the angle brackets sandwich the bricks that form the weep hole, preferably on the interior faces of the bricks. The interfaces between the weep hole screen and the bricks are preferably sealed with mortar or another suitable sealant. The weep hole screen may be installed easily during original construction of the wall without the need for any mechanical fasteners.
US07823338B2
An access control system includes first and second portable containers. The first portable container comprises a first sidewall opening and the second portable container comprises a second sidewall opening. The portable containers are arranged such that the first sidewall opening in the first portable container communicates with the second sidewall opening in the second portable container. The first portable container comprises a passing room disposed in the first portable container. The passing room includes a barrier device located in the walkway defining a first space between a first passing room opening and the barrier device, and a second space between the barrier device and a second passing room opening. The access control system is constructed such that when the access control system is disposed between a first area and an enclosed second area ingress and egress from and to the second area is controlled by the access control system.
US07823332B2
A reusable stair cover is described having a length of washable material for covering a number of stair treads and intervening risers. At least one tread-covering portion of the cover includes a non-slip finish for contacting with the stair tread. Alternatively, each tread-covering portion further includes means for accepting a rigid insert. In another alternative embodiment, the length of the tread-covering portion is approximately a minimum tread length, and the portions between the tread-covering portions is long enough so that the stair cover can cover a range of staircase geometries.
US07823325B2
A watering and fertilizing device comprises at least one fertilizing column and a water supply system. The fertilizing columns are vertically inserted in soil, surrounding roots of a plant to be watered. Water from the water supply system enters the fertilizing columns, taking along fertilizer contained therein and further dripping into surrounding soil at a constant rate, so that the plant is effectively supplied with water and nutrients without waste of water. The water supply system optionally provides besides water water-soluble fertilizer, which flows into soil along with water.
US07823323B2
The subject invention pertains to materials and methods useful for management of certain pests. The invention is particularly well suited for the control of social insect pests and, particularly, termites. The invention concerns unique toxicant-containing matrices as well as apparatuses for monitoring pest activity and presenting a toxicant. The invention is useful as part of an Integrated Pest Management Program and can greatly reduce the introduction of harmful chemicals into the environment.
US07823313B2
A collapsible stock which includes a stock body having a buffer tube holder, a firearm buffer tube slidingly mounted in the buffer tube holder, the stock body being arranged for linear reciprocating motion relative to the buffer tube during firing of the firearm, a recoil absorbing mechanism mounted inside the stock body and affixed to the buffer tube, and a locking pin mounted through the stock body and affixed to the buffer tube, the stock body being arranged for motion relative to the locking pin during firing of the firearm.
US07823312B2
A magazine well extension for a firearm having a magazine well in a lower receiver, the magazine well extension including a substantially hollow body including a magazine well extension portion, for covering and extending beyond an opening of the magazine well of the firearm, the magazine well extension portion being adapted and configured to guide a magazine into the magazine well of the firearm and coupling elements for coupling the body about the lower receiver of the firearm. The inner surface of the body is contoured to conform to the outer surface of the lower receiver, and the body is shaped as a grip, for use as a fore grip on the firearm.
US07823309B2
Display device including a unitary, rigid sheet defining a left center panel, a right center panel pivotally connected to the left center panels, a left side panel pivotally connected to the left center panel and a right side panel pivotally connected to the right center panel. Vertically extending separation lines are formed on a rear planar layer without penetrating or cutting a front planar layer so that the panels are able to pivot about vertical axes. Fold lines may be formed opposite the separation lines on the front planar layer to facilitate folding the sheet whereby the fold lines define the vertical axes about which the panels pivot. Folding of the sheet provides a compact configuration which enables the display device to be easily carried.
US07823305B2
A mail processor machine casing having an identity plate for identifying the machine, which identity plate is formed by a portion of said casing that is connected to the remainder of said casing by a peripheral zone of weakness that, on being broken, makes it possible to detach said identity plate. Preferably, said zone of weakness comprises a plurality of casing bridges that can be broken by hand.
US07823300B2
A footwear (e.g., bike shoe, snow ski boot, snowboard boot, wakeboard boot, water ski boot, work boot) is described herein that incorporates correlated magnets which enable a person who has their foot placed within the footwear to attach or remove the footwear to or from a corresponding device (e.g., bike pedal, snow ski, snowboard, wakeboard, water ski, or work platform) which also incorporates correlated magnets.
US07823299B1
The present disclosure describes a novel interchangeable flip-flop/sandal footwear that is capable of interconversion between a flip-flop and a sandal by movement of a heel and/or forefoot band between a first stored position and a second in-use position. In the first stored position, the heel and/or forefoot band is movably stored adjacent to the heel portion of the sole. In the second in use position, the heel and/or forefoot band is placed on the user's foot as described herein. In one embodiment, the flip-flop/sandal comprises a sole, a forefoot cover, at least one of a heel band and a forefoot band, each of which being capable of movement between a first stored and a second in-use position, at least one central member rotatably secured and received by the sole, said central member being in removable communication with the heel band and/or forefoot band and at least one void or indentation in the sole to rotatably receive and secure the central member.
US07823298B2
The present invention relates to the upper U of an athletic shoe comprising a first opening 1 out of which the foot sticks upwards during wearing and a second opening 2 which is closed with a tongue. The two openings 1, 2 are continuous with each other, and the upper U comprises a medial side stretchable part 51 which covers a part of a medial side face of an arch of the foot, a lateral side stretchable part 50 which covers a part of a lateral side face of a ball of a little toe (a fifth toe), a front part 3 located forward of the two stretchable parts 50, 51 and a rear part 4 located backward of the two stretchable parts. Each of the stretchable parts 50, 51 is provided so as to essentially cross one of side faces of the upper U from a top surface of a sole S to the second opening 2. Young's modulus along the lengthwise direction L of the foot of each of the stretchable parts 50, 51 is set smaller than that of the front part 3 and the rear part 4.
US07823297B2
A shoe with a breathable and waterproof sole and upper, including a breathable and waterproof sole, an assembly associated with the sole in an upward region, an external breathable upper, an internal lining and, between them, a breathable and waterproof membrane, and an at least partially perforated or breathable insole, which is joined at least to the upper and to the breathable and waterproof membrane. The shoe thereby has a sole that is joined hermetically and peripherally to the assembly at the connecting region between the upper and the breathable and waterproof membrane.
US07823293B2
The present invention provides a plunge-cut action circular saw having a double pivot hinge mechanism. Problems associated with this hinge mechanism, in particular axial end flow are reduced by urging a component of the hinge against a fixed component of the saw, such as a base plate component or the like. The urging force is applied by a resilient member, such as a spring washer.
US07823292B1
A cutter for cutting pizza and other foods comprising a pair of rotatable cutting wheels mounted on the ends of a substantially C-shaped handle. The cutting wheels are spaced such that the centers are a predetermined distance apart equal to one half of the length of the food item to be cut. By positioning one wheel in the center of the pizza and one wheel at the edge of the pizza, a complete cut of the pizza may be made by moving the cutter one half of the span of the pizza. The cutter in this position may be used with the lower arm of the user substantially vertical wherein the shoulder and body weight of the cutter may be used directly to press down on the cutter. The cutter may also be used in a vertical position using a single cutting wheel. In either position, the cutter provides improve ergonomics.
US07823287B2
The syringe pump comprises a receiving position for a syringe. The piston plate of the syringe is moved by a drive head which is fastened to a drive rod. For locking the piston rod prior to fixing the piston plate in the drive head, a braking element is provided on a syringe holding head. The syringe holding head further serves for determining the respective syringe size. After placing the syringe holding head against a syringe cylinder, the brake element is actuated to temporarily engage the piston rod and fix it relatively to the syringe cylinder.
US07823262B2
A repair/replacement nut plate assembly, which is fully preassembled, is provided which can be inserted into an oversized or reworked/reconditioned aperture of a workpiece after an original nut plate has been removed from the original aperture of the workpiece. The repair/replacement nut plate assembly includes a nut, a holding bracket, a stem, a nut retainer, and a sleeve member. The sleeve member is configured to be secured to a nut plate assembly, of the same type originally used to provide the original nut plate in the original aperture of the workpiece to compensate for material lost from the workpiece during the removal of the original nut plate. The sleeve member allows for the original nut plate assembly to be utilized, with only the securement of the sleeve member to the holding bracket prior to setting.
US07823253B2
A slidable dual-axis hinge assembly has a sliding leaf and a stationary leaf. The sliding leaf has two detents and an outer pivot formed on a pivoting end of the sliding leaf and pivotally mounting the sliding leaf in a cover of a portable electronic device. The stationary leaf has an inner pivot formed on a proximal end of the stationary leaf and pivotally mounts the stationary leaf in a base of the portable electronic device, and has two slide brackets engaging the detents and defining two sliding grooves oppositely therein and being mounted around the side edges of the sliding leaf to allow the sliding leaf to slide relative to the stationary leaf. Thereby, the cover of the portable electronic device pivots relative to the base in two different positions.
US07823251B2
A surface-treating appliance in the form of a vacuum cleaner has a main body, a surface-treating head and a support assembly. The support assembly is moveable between a supporting position, in which it supports the main body, and a stored position, in which it lies substantially against the main body. The provision of a support assembly that lies substantially against the main body of the appliance when not needed improves the maneuverability and range of motion achievable by the appliance in use. The support assembly may be brought out of its supporting position by a user-depressible pedal, which makes the appliance user-friendly.
US07823247B2
A wiper connector for a motor vehicle intended for the connection and articulation between a wiper arm and a component of a wiper blade is engaged longitudinally from rear to front inside the front end of the arm, which is curved longitudinally towards the rear in the form of a U. The wiper connector includes at least one elastically deformable element for securing the connector in the engaged position inside the front end of the arm and two longitudinal vertical flanks, which are designed to be received between two lateral wings of the blade component. The wiper connector is locked in the engaged position in the arm by a safety fastener mounted so as to be able to move between a closed position, in which it extends with regards to the securing element in order to prevent its elastic deformation, and an open position allowing the disengagement of the connector from the arm.
US07823235B2
Various embodiments of a pipe cleaning tool are disclosed. In one embodiment, the pipe cleaning tool comprises a body and a plurality of pipe cleaners. The pipe cleaners are adapted to clean at least two different sizes of pipes. In another embodiment, a pipe cutter device is disclosed.
US07823230B2
A bath tub rail assembly for use on a bath tub sidewall includes a hand grip and a clamping device. The hand grip and the clamping device are adjustably connected such that the hand grip may be adjusted in both height and angular orientation relative to the bath tube sidewall when the bath tub rail assembly is attached thereto.
US07823227B2
A bathroom odor removal apparatus comprising: a housing; a filter in the housing; a blower fan located in the housing; a water skirt, with a side opening, and the skirt with an open bottom, and extending from a second end of the housing; a stabilizer adaptor unit attached to the edges of the side opening; clip located on an interior surface of a top wall; a removable conduit attached to the clip; an adapter removeably coupled to a refill tube, to a first end of the removable conduit, and to a top panel; an overflow pipe adapter attached to one end of the conduit; pairs of grooves, with one groove from each pair located on a first side wall, and the second groove from each pair located on a second side wall; and the adjustable stabilizer adaptor attaches to the skirt via any pair of grooves.
US07823222B2
A protective hood is provided for covering at least a portion of a wearer's head. The hood includes an upper head covering section, a posterior head covering section, a neck covering section and an anterior head covering section. The anterior head covering section includes a window through which a portion of the wearer's face is exposed. The window is adjustable from a first position to a second position, exposing different portions of the wearer's face.
US07827610B2
A intrusion detection method is disclosed for use in a wireless local area data communications system, wherein mobile units communicate with access points, and wherein the system is arranged to locate transmitters using signals transmitted by the transmitters. A database relating authorized transmitters to location is maintained. Selected signals are detected at the access points and location data corresponding to the selected signals for use in locating a source of the signals is recorded. The source location is determined using the location data, and the source location is compared to a corresponding location in the database. An alarm is signaled if the source location is inconsistent with the corresponding database location.
US07827606B2
Systems and methods for reverse engineering access control include determining a set of potential access control target methods, functions and/or subroutines that may be used in software applications. A software application is then analyzed to determine if the access control targets are present in the software application. If an access control target is used by the software application, then the access control policy for the target is analyzed to determine the roles, privileges, or rights that are necessary to successfully execute the access control target. A report is then generated that provides information about the access control policy elements actually used by the software application.
US07827605B2
A system and method are disclosed for preventing detection of a monitoring process running on a computer. A request to access a process file concerning a process running on the computer is received from a user. It is determined whether the process file requested by the user relates to the selected process. If the requested process file does not relate to the selected process, the user is provided with access to the file.
US07827602B2
Systems for providing information on network firewall host application identification and authentication include an identifying and transmitting agent on a host computer, configured to identify each application in use, tag the application identity with a host identity, combine these and other information into a data packet, and securely transmit the data packet to the network based firewall. The embodiment also includes an application identity listener on the network based firewall, configured to receive the information data packet, decode the data packet and provide to the network based firewall the identity of the application. The network based firewall is provided with an application-awareness via an extension of firewall filtering or security policy rules via the addition of a new application identity parameter upon which filtering can be based. Other systems and methods are also provided.
US07827596B2
An apparatus and method authenticate computed results in a public distributed computing environment without the need for fully recomputing the results. The work unit is operated on by client code that computes one or more partial results along with the completed result. When the results are returned to the server, the server may decide to have a trusted computer system process the same work unit to compute the partial result according to a defined acceptance policy. In addition, the work unit name, user identity and current date are encrypted using a time-sensitive key. Should the server detect a problem with the results (e.g., decrypted work unit name does not match, recomputed partial result does not match), the results may be rejected according to a defined rejection policy. In this manner, it becomes very difficult to fool a server into thinking a work unit has been processed when it has not.
US07827593B2
Embodiments of the inventions are generally directed to methods, apparatuses, and systems for the dynamic evaluation and delegation of network access control. In an embodiment, a platform includes a switch to control a network connection and an endpoint enforcement engine coupled with the switch. The endpoint enforcement engine may be capable of dynamically switching among a number of network access control modes responsive to an instruction received from the network connection.
US07827589B2
Systems and methods for implementing a communication mode for a communication terminal are provided. An embodiment of a method for implementing a communication mode includes receiving a first type of data over a first type of communication channel, determining that the first type of data is subsequently not available over the first type of communication channel, and responsive to determining that the first type of data is subsequently not available over the first type of communication channel, receiving the first type of data over a second type of communication channel.
US07827579B2
Methods and systems for transmitting electronic service guide (ESG) data to a mobile terminal are described. The method for delivery of ESG data comprises steps of receiving ESG data, encapsulating metadata associated with the ESG data to generate a new ESG object, replacing a current ESG object with the new ESG object, transmitting the new ESG object in a carousel, and transmitting a notification of a change in the carousel. Another method for receiving ESG data comprises steps of receiving a notification of a change in a carousel, receiving a new ESG object in the carousel, replacing a current ESG object with the new ESG object, extracting metadata associated with ESG data from the new ESG object, storing the ESG data and metadata, and updating an ESG on a mobile terminal with the ESG data.
US07827574B1
A novel network controller for use with a digital cable headend capable of monitoring and controlling set top terminals in a television program delivery system is described. The invention relates to methods and apparatus for a network controller that manages a configuration of set top terminals in a program delivery system. Specifically, the invention modifies a program control information signal at the cable headend before the modified signal is transmitted to each set top terminal. This signal is used with polling methods to receive upstream data from the set top terminals. The invention initiates such upstream data retrieval, gathers all data received and compiles viewer demographics information and programs watched information. The invention processes this data and information to generate packages of advertisements targeted towards each set top terminal. The invention uses upstream data reception hardware, databases and processing hardware and software to accomplish these functions.
US07827569B2
Disclosed herein is a recording medium drive system including: a casing provided in a front face thereof with a slot through which to insert and discharge a recording medium having a principal surface and an opposite surface; and a sheet-formed member provided so as to close the slot and having a loop-formed deflected part which, while being deformed, is capable of making contact with at least one of the principal surface and the opposite surface of the recording medium at the times of insertion and discharge of the recording medium.
US07827561B2
A system and method for public consumption of communication events between arbitrary processes. In one embodiment, mechanisms are provided by which the system can effectively act to broker a user's communications and thus act as a type of automated assistant. The invention is provided in a notification user context system which determines when it is appropriate or not appropriate to interrupt a user with a notification based on the user's context (i.e., availability to interruption). The system provides for processes to be informed when these notification events are occurring, thus allowing the processes to act on these types of events on the user's behalf. In one example embodiment, a calendaring program may be a type of process that is registered to be informed when communication events occur. When the calendaring program is informed that a notification from another program (e.g., e-mail, instant messaging, etc.) has been refused due to the user being busy, the calendaring program may evaluate the sender, and if appropriate respond with a customized busy announcement that indicates a time when the user may next be available.
US07827560B2
A system and method is disclosed for automated task/program management which is not dependent upon a calendar based schedule and flexibly accounts for various operating conditions. In one embodiment, the disclosed system and method permits specification of one or more tasks to be performed, such as a recurring task, and a time interval. The performance/execution of the task(s) may be related to or dependent upon satisfaction of one or more conditions, for example, that the computer that will execute the task(s) is turned on or otherwise available. The system and method monitors for the elapse of the specified time interval and also that the condition(s) is/are satisfied (which may occur by default if the monitoring program is similarly dependent upon the condition(s)). Upon elapse of the time interval and satisfaction of the condition(s), the specified task(s)/program(s) is/are caused to be executed.
US07827554B2
Systems and/or methods are described that enable multi-threaded multimedia processing. These systems and/or methods may, in some embodiments, allocate threads for components of a multimedia pipeline based on input/output characteristics of the components. These systems and/or methods may also allocate threads and priorities for those threads based on a relative importance given components of two or more multimedia pipelines.
US07827553B2
In an information processing method of registering a processing flow, which defines cooperation processing of a plurality of tasks, in a manner that the processing flow can be shared by a plurality of users, a new processing flow is registered in association with a first user in response to a registration request of the new processing flow from the first user. In this stage, parameters of a task cooperated in the new processing flow are altered based on parameter information corresponding to another user different from the first user. Then, the new processing flow, where parameters have been altered, is registered in association with said another user.
US07827535B2
An application tuning server-side component, and a method, system, and computer program product for application tuning, provides application deployers with a single, unified facility for modifying the relevant parameters. A method of tuning an application deployed in an application server comprises the steps of deploying the application in the application server, invoking an application tuning server-side component operable to retrieve information relating to application parameters to be tuned, receiving specifications of values of application tuning parameters, and tuning the application using the received specified parameter values. The application tuning server-side component may be implemented using Java Management Extensions.
US07827532B2
A finite state model-based testing system has a user interface to enable a user to enter state information and transition information about a software application to be tested. The user interface further enables a user to initiate a model generation engine to generate a model of the software application from the state information and transition information. A graph traversal menu enables a user to select a graph traversal program to generate a test sequence of inputs for the software application from the model, and a test execution menu enables a user to select a test driver program to read the test sequence of inputs for the software application, and execute the test sequence of inputs on the software application.
US07827531B2
Techniques for testing software applications in stack-based computing environments are discussed. A tested application is executed at predetermined logical positions in a stack, such as at a layer of the OSI reference model. An expected result of an operation performed by the application is identified. A first set of computer-executable instructions is installed at a first position logically above the tested application, and a second set of computer-executable instructions is installed at a second position logically below the tested application. One or both sets of instructions simulate inputs to the application. The application is executed based on the simulated inputs, and one or both sets of instructions are used to compare outputs from the application with the expected result. Various, virtually unlimited tests can be performed on the software application without the use of extensive test infrastructure.
US07827529B2
A system and method for generating a probability distribution indicating the probability of a range of performance ratios between computer systems. Benchmark and/or other testing results are obtained for both computer systems. For each test, a ratio of one system's performance to the other is calculated. The ratios and/or testing results may be weighted. From the performance ratios, a histogram is produced to indicate the probabilities of achieving the various ratios. Based on the distribution of probabilities, a particular performance ratio can be predicted with a corresponding level of confidence, and used for capacity planning or configuring a computing environment.
US07827524B2
A method includes receiving a modeling template, the modeling template comprising a plurality of modeling constructs and profile constructs, each profile construct generated from a modeling profile and comprising an extension of one of the modeling constructs. The method further includes parsing the modeling template into the plurality of modeling constructs and profile constructs. One or more object-oriented constructs are defined based, at least in part, on the parsed modeling constructs and profile constructs. Source code is automatically generated in an object-oriented programming language based, at least in part, on the defined object-oriented constructs. The object-oriented programming language comprises an object-oriented programming language with embedded inferencing.
US07827523B2
A system and method for dynamically composing a class is provided. A query is parsed and a compiler object tree is generated that corresponds to the operators in the query. A set of feature requests and responses are initiated and a set of feature objects are generated that are executed at runtime. The language of the query may be extended by registering a new operator, and optionally a new feature for a query language, with a search engine without modifying the source code of the search engine. The new operator may be specified in a plug-in and provided to the search engine via the plug-in. An application converts an end user query into an application query that conforms to the query language supported by the search engine and includes the new operator. The application query may also include references to traditional programming constructs and search engine primitives.
US07827522B2
Computer method and apparatus implements redefinition of features in a programming model. The invention method includes (i) providing a model element having a feature with a redefinition such that the feature is a redefined feature; (ii) storing indications of the redefinition; and (iii) interpreting the stored indications and generating therefrom a model that implements the redefined feature. Redefined features include redefined property names, redefined property type and redefined multiplicity of a property.
US07827512B2
A plurality of internal circuits (11 to 14) are formed on a semiconductor chip 10, and receive different power supply voltages. An ESD protection circuit (15) is connected to the power supply lines (31 to 34) for the internal circuits (11 to 14). The area in which the protection circuit (15) is formed is closer to the center of the semiconductor chip (10) than the areas for the internal circuits (11 to 14). Surge voltages applied to the power supply pads reach the protection circuit before reaching the reaching the internal circuits.
US07827508B2
A digital camera comprising: a display; means for displaying on the display a menu of user selectable options; first user activated means for sequentially navigating through the displayed menu of user selectable options; and second user activated means for directly choosing a predetermined one of the options without having to navigate sequentially through the options.
US07827500B2
A method of expanding a command line comprising at least one command word and word separators delineating the at least one command word is presented. A trigger to expand the command line is detected, and upon detection of the trigger, a current cursor position within the command line is determined. From the current cursor position, a particular command word that is currently being edited is determined. The last characters of a particular command word is deleted from the cursor position onwards, thereby yielding a particular truncated command word. A match for the particular truncated command word is found in a command word database, and the particular truncated command is completed according to the match.
US07827493B2
To freely establish a peripheral equipment selection operating environment of excellent operability which can remarkably reduce an operation burden which is applied until construction information of selectable peripheral equipment can be confirmed and can easily confirm the construction information of the selectable peripheral equipment by everyone by a simple operating instruction, a CPU obtains construction information of a printer that is being selected and default setting on the basis of a selection instructing state relative to a selectable printer candidate on a network and allows them to be caption-displayed at a position near the position indicated by a cursor on a printer selection picture plane displayed on a CRT.
US07827489B2
A method and apparatus is described that allows edited media to be recorded to a sequential storage device. An edited time based stream of information of a source media is displayed. The edited time based stream is transferred to a sequential storage device to be recorded using an icon where the icon represents a function to be performed on the storage device.
US07827485B2
A method of previewing the effects of flattening transparency is provided. The method includes displaying a first presentation of a document containing transparency, receiving settings affecting how the document is flattened for a desired output and displaying a second presentation of the document in accordance with the settings.
US07827482B2
A data edit method and apparatus for editing electronic album data requesting printing of the album. The method and apparatus comprise receiving data in a first format from a first apparatus, generating edited data by using the first-format data, converting the first-format edited data into a second format, and transmitting the second-format data to a second apparatus.
US07827479B2
Methods for synchronized media playback between a number of electronic media devices wherein the electronic media devices are in electronic communication are presented, the methods including: creating a media play list on an originating media device, selecting a member media device for sharing the media play list; negotiating the media play list by the at member media device wherein the negotiating the media play list includes, searching the member media device for at least one matching candidate, wherein the searching is enabled by comparing a number of candidate indicia with a number of matching candidate indicia, selecting one of the at least one matching candidates for inclusion on a member media play list, conforming the at least one matching candidate, and populating the member media play list with the at least one matching candidate; and playing the media play list and the member media play list.
US07827478B2
Systems and methods for generating dynamic form pages for accessing a database. An item model is stored in the database and defines attributes or characteristics of item types. The item model is separate from the actual data and from the data model. When a form page is requested, the page is dynamically generated by accessing the item model based on the requested form. The page is then displayed to the user. Data can be included in the page as necessary. Form pages can be generated on the fly and can automatically adapt to changes in the definition of the item model.
US07827473B2
Turbo decoder employing ARP (almost regular permutation) interleave and arbitrary number of decoding processors. A novel approach is presented herein by which an arbitrarily selected number (M) of decoding processors (e.g., a plurality of parallel implemented turbo decoders) be employed to perform decoding of a turbo coded signal while still using a selected embodiment of an ARP (almost regular permutation) interleave. The desired number of decoding processors is selected, and very slight modification of an information block (thereby generating a virtual information block) is made to accommodate that virtual information block across all of the decoding processors during all decoding cycles except some dummy decoding cycles. In addition, contention-free memory mapping is provided between the decoding processors (e.g., a plurality of turbo decoders) and memory banks (e.g., a plurality of memories).
US07827470B2
Apparatuses and methods for detecting error events in a codeword reproduced by perpendicular magnetic recording medium (PMR. The method includes: generating cyclic redundancy check (CRC) parity bits based on a generator polynomial for a source information sequence to be recorded on PMR medium and recording a codeword in which the generated CRC parity bits are added to the source information sequence; and reading the recorded codeword and an error event in the read codeword. It is possible to detect error events when a codeword recorded by PMR is read, using a small number of bits.
US07827465B2
A method of terminating two or more constituent encoders of a turbo encoder employing a turbo code, comprising the step of: generating tail input bits at each of two or more constituent encoders, including deriving the tail input bits from each of the two or more constituent encoders separately from a contents of shift registers within each of the two or more constituent encoders, after an encoding of information bits by the two or more constituent encoders; puncturing one or more tail output bits such that 1/R output tail bits are transmitted for each of a plurality of trellis branches, wherein R is a turbo code rate employed by the turbo encoder during an information bit transmission. In yet another variation, the step of puncturing the tail output bits further comprises the step of: transmitting, during trellis termination, the tail output bits, only if they are sent from an output branch of one of the two or more constituent encoders that are used during information bit transmission.
US07827453B2
An integrated circuit carries an intellectual property core. The intellectual property core includes a test access port 39 with test data input leads 15, test data output leads 13, control leads 17 and an external register present, ERP lead 37. A scan register 25 encompasses the intellectual property core and ERP lead 37 carries a signal indicating the presence of the scan register.
US07827451B2
A method, system and program product are provided for establishing one or more decimal floating point (DFP) operand for facilitating testing of a decimal floating point instruction. The method includes obtaining an encoded DFP operand previously generated for testing the decimal floating point instruction, and logically modifying at least one bit of the encoded DFP operand without decoding the encoded DFP operand to obtain an additional encoded DFP operand. In one embodiment, m sequential bits of the encoded DFP operand, n randomly generated bits (wherein n=m), and a logical operation (such as an AND, OR, XOR or SHIFT) are employed in modifying the previously generated, encoded DFP operand.
US07827448B1
A system for determining status information based on one or more reporting applications providing a status summary. The system includes an underlying application operable to provide status, and a reporting application operable to receive the status information and generate a status report including a status summary from the status information. The system also includes a middleware layer operable using the status, and an interface in communication with the middleware layer to display a status indicator. The status indicator is based on the status summary. The interface includes a plurality of status indicators operable when selected for a data display to appear in the interface, the data display being related to the status report from which the status summary was generated.
US07827444B2
Embodiments of an application crash resist method and apparatus including an abnormal application termination service and an exception handler are disclosed herein. The service is configured to broadcast messages to cause the exception handler to be loaded by applications, and the exception handler is configured to stall abnormal termination of an application having loaded an instance of the exception handler. In various embodiments, the exception handler instances further report abnormal terminations to the service, and to receive instructions on how long to stall from the service. In various embodiments, the method and apparatus further includes a tray application through which the service obtains user inputs on how long to stall an abnormal termination from a user.
US07827440B1
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes identifying and restoring corrupted data stored, for example, on a portable media player. Some of the described implementations include synching a media player with a host device (e.g., a personal computer). During synchronization, the host device can query the media player to determine whether any media stored on the device should be replaced. For example, the host device can determine whether a corruption event occurred in association with a media file (e.g., whether the media player skipped the media file as unplayable). In another example, the host can determine whether portions of a media player's storage device are damage or “bad.” If a bad portion is detected, the host device can identify media stored on the portion as corrupt. After identifying corrupted media, the host can replace the media with valid copies.
US07827438B2
A fully distributed system for testing a distributed computing system utilizes test services exposed in conjunction by independent test components deployed on one or more computing nodes of the distributed computing system. The test services ensure dynamic and adaptive coordination amongst the test components. The test services include but are not limited to: an atomic synchronization service; a distributed shared memory service; a lock manager service; a publish/subscribe service; and a producer/consumer service.
US07827437B1
A system and method for allowing more rapid takeover of a failed filer by a clustered takeover partner filer in the presence of a coredump procedure (e.g. a transfer of the failed filer's working memory) is provided. To save time, the coredump is allowed to occur contemporaneously with the takeover of the failed filer's regular, active file service disks by the partner so that the takeover need not await completion of the coredump to begin. This is accomplished, briefly stated, by the following techniques. The coredump is written to a single disk that is not involved in regular file service, so that takeover of regular file services can proceed without interference from coredump. A reliable means for both filers in a cluster to identify the coredump disk is provided, which removes takeover dependence upon unreliable communications mechanisms. A means is provided for identification during takeover of the coredump disk and SCSI-3 reservations are employed to coordinate write access to (ownership of) shared disks, so as to prevent takeover from interfering with coredump while simultaneously preventing the failed filer is from continuing to write regular file system disks being taken over by its partner.
US07827434B2
A RAID storage system is provided with a plurality of disk drive modules in communication with a processor through a RAID controller. Tools and processes are provided for managing failure of individual modules in the RAID, identifying and managing excess spare modules, and migrating modules among array sites to produce uniform or near-uniform array sites.
US07827431B2
A memory card includes a clock I/O circuit, a data I/O circuit, a delay element, and an adjustment value holding circuit. The clock input/output circuit receives a first clock from a host apparatus. The data I/O circuit receives a second clock from the host apparatus in a write timing adjustment mode. The data I/O circuit transmits and receives data to and from the host apparatus in a data transfer mode. In the write timing adjustment mode, the delay element adjusts a phase of the second clock in accordance with the first clock so as to receive the data received in the data transfer mode in response to the first clock. The adjustment value holding circuit holds an adjustment value for the phase of the second clock adjusted. In the data transfer mode, the delay element adjusts a phase of the data in accordance with the adjustment value.
US07827428B2
A system for providing a cluster-wide system clock in a multi-tiered full graph (MTFG) interconnect architecture are provided. Heartbeat signals transmitted by each of the processor chips in the computing cluster are synchronized. Internal system clock signals are generated in each of the processor chips based on the synchronized heartbeat signals. As a result, the internal system clock signals of each of the processor chips are synchronized since the heartbeat signals, that are the basis for the internal system clock signals, are synchronized. Mechanisms are provided for performing such synchronization using direct couplings of processor chips within the same processor book, different processor books in the same supernode, and different processor books in different supernodes of the MTFG interconnect architecture.
US07827423B2
A processing device comprises a processor, low power nonvolatile memory that communicates with the processor, high power nonvolatile memory that communicates with the processor. The processing device manages data using a cache hierarchy comprising a high power (HP) nonvolatile memory level for data in the high power nonvolatile memory and a low power (LP) nonvolatile memory level for data in the low power nonvolatile memory. The LP nonvolatile memory level has a higher level in the cache hierarchy than the HP nonvolatile memory level.
US07827418B2
A novel system and methodology for supplying power over a communication cable, such as an Ethernet cable, using power distribution circuitry for controlling power distribution between wires or pairs of wires in the communication cable. The power distribution circuitry may control distribution of current among wires or pairs of wires in the communication cable. In particular, balance of current among the wires or pairs of wires may be provided.
US07827410B2
A system and method for performing an identity validation is provided. The invention includes an identity transaction engine component and a communication component. The identity transaction engine component facilitates searching of data store(s) in order to validate identity related to a regulated transaction. The communication component facilitates communication between the identification validation system and remote system such as database(s) and/or data storage system(s). The data store(s) can store governmental agency and/or private entity information. The data store(s) can be remote or local. The invention further provides for the identification validation system to, optionally, include input device(s) and/or output device(s). The input device(s) facilitate identifying an entity to the identification validation system. The output device(s) facilitate communication to user(s) of the identification validation system.
US07827408B1
A device for and method of authenticated encryption by concatenating a first user-datum with a second datum, concatenating the first datum with a third datum, encrypting the results, concatenating the encrypted results, concatenating the result with a message and a fifth user-definable datum, hashing the result, concatenating the result with the message, dividing the result into blocks, concatenating the first datum with a sixth datum, generating key-stream blocks from the result using a block cipher in counter mode, combining the blocks and key-stream blocks, concatenating the result with the first datum and the fifth datum, and transmitting the result to a recipient. The recipient extracts the hash value from the received ciphertext, generates a hash value from the first through fifth datums and plaintext derived from the ciphertext, and compares the two. If they match then the plaintext and fifth datum are as the sender intended.
US07827407B2
A scoped federation is described which is referenced by a unique identifier and messages relating to the federation include this unique identifier. The federation is scoped by rules which are stored associated with the unique identifier and upon receipt of a request containing the unique identifier, the related rules are checked to determine if the request is valid.
US07827399B1
Briefly, an embodiment of a method of certificate path processing is disclosed, which includes the following. A certificate is accessed. A first set of preferences is searched. Various preferences correlated to the certificate are identified. The correlated preferences include a preference set which is digitally or logically compatible with the specific computing system performing the processing. The preferences correlating to the specific computing system are merged with another set of preferences to form a third preference set.
US07827396B2
According to one embodiment of an information processing apparatus includes: a storage medium including, a first partition that stores a first operating system and data, and a second partition that stores a second operating system and a data rescue program; a switch that allows a user to enter a command for booting the second operating system; and a boot control section that boots the second operating system when the command is entered. The data rescue program is executed when the second operating system is booted, and performs at least one of recovering and backing up the data stored in the first partition.
US07827392B2
A sliding-window, block-based Branch Target Address Cache (BTAC) comprises a plurality of entries, each entry associated with a block of instructions containing at least one branch instruction having been evaluated taken, and having a tag associated with the address of the first instruction in the block. The blocks each correspond to a group of instructions fetched from memory, such as an I-cache. Where a branch instruction is included in two or more fetch groups, it is also included in two or more instruction blocks associated with BTAC entries. The sliding-window, block-based BTAC allows for storing the Branch Target Address (BTA) of two or more taken branch instructions that fall in the same instruction block, without providing for multiple BTA storage space in each BTAC entry, by storing BTAC entries associated with different instruction blocks, each containing at least one of the taken branch instructions.
US07827389B2
A method, system, and computer program product are provided for enhancing the execution of independent loads in a processing unit. The processing unit dispatches a first set of instructions in order from a first buffer for execution. The processing unit receives updated results from the execution of the first set of instructions. The processing unit updates, in a first register, at least one register entry associated with each instruction in the first set of instructions, with the updated results. The processing unit determines if the first set of instructions from the first buffer have completed execution. Responsive to the completed execution of the first set of instructions from the first buffer, the processing unit copies the set of entries from the first register to a second register.
US07827384B2
Various systems and methods for implementing a Galois-based incremental hash module are disclosed. For example, a method involves computing a first hash of a first string of an input stream. The first hash is computed by performing one or more Galois mathematical operations upon portions of the first string. A second hash of a second string, which overlaps the first string, can then be computed by processing the first hash.
US07827381B2
A computer system may employ a first memory virtualization and corresponding virtual-to-physical address translation technique for a first application executing on a processor and a second memory virtualization and corresponding virtual-to-physical address translation technique for a second application executing on the same processor transparent to the first application. Different virtualization and corresponding translation techniques may be employed on a per-thread basis, rather than a per-application basis. Different virtualization and corresponding translation techniques may be employed for accesses to different ranges of virtual or corresponding physical addresses. Different virtualization and corresponding translation techniques may employ different page sizes. A first or second virtualization and corresponding translation technique may include page-based, segment-based, or function-based virtual-to-physical address translation. The selection of a first or second memory virtualization and corresponding address translation technique may be dependent on a predicted workload and/or on a user policy.
US07827376B2
A “setmax” command is issued in BIOS to hide the service area (HPA) of a HDD during normal operation, so that the HPA cannot be accessed or erased inadvertently by the user or by a virus. Pressing a special key (e.g., F11) during booting permits access to the HPA.
US07827374B2
According to one embodiment of the invention, a technique is provided for relocating the contents of kernel pages in a manner similar to techniques used for relocating the contents of user pages. Before the contents of a source page are moved to a target page, for each entry of a plurality of entries that correspond to the source page, it is determined whether a mapping indicated in that entry is a mapping into kernel virtual memory address space or user virtual memory address space. If the mapping is into user virtual memory address space, then the entry is marked invalid. If the mapping is into kernel virtual memory address space, then the mapping is marked suspended. Marking an entry suspended causes processes and threads that try to access the entry's mapping to wait until the entry is no longer marked suspended. Consequently, kernel pages may be distributed among all computing system boards.
US07827371B2
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for determining if an isolation driver is present and a processor supports virtualization, launching the isolation driver in a first privilege level different than a system privilege level and user privilege level, creating a 1:1 virtual mapping between a virtual address and a physical address, using the isolation driver, and controlling access to a memory page using the isolation driver. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07827369B2
It is an object of the present invention to conduct data transfer or data copying between a plurality of storage systems, without affecting the host computer of the storage systems. Two or more auxiliary storage systems 100B, 100C are connected to a primary storage system 100A connected to a host device 180. The auxiliary storage systems 100B, 100C read journals of data update from the primary storage system 100A at respective independent timings, save the journals in prescribed logical volumes JNL 2, JNL 3, produce copying of the data present in the primary storage system 100A based on the journals present in the logical volumes JNL 2, JNL 3 at the independent timings, and save the copies in auxiliary logical volumes COPY 1, COPY 3. The primary storage system 100A holds the journals till both auxiliary storage systems 100B, 100C read the journals and restore. The timing of journal read can be controlled according to the journal quantity, processing load, and the like.
US07827358B2
A method and an apparatus for determining a usage level of a memory device to notify a running application to perform memory reduction operations selected based on the memory usage level are described. An application calls APIs (Application Programming Interface) integrated with the application codes in the system to perform memory reduction operations. A memory usage level is determined according to a memory usage status received from the kernel of a system. A running application is associated with application priorities ranking multiple running applications statically or dynamically. Selecting memory reduction operations and notifying a running application are based on application priorities. Alternatively, a running application may determine a mode of operation to directly reduce memory usage in response to a notification for reducing memory usage without using API calls to other software.
US07827353B2
A method for managing a data storage system, consisting of configuring a first cache to retrieve data from and store data at a first range of logical addresses (LAs) in a storage device. A second cache is configured to operate like the first cache. The method further includes configuring one or more third caches to retrieve data from and store data at a second range of LAs in the storage device.The method includes detecting an inability of the second cache to retrieve data from or store data at the first range of LAs. In response to the inability, at least one of the first cache and the one or more third caches are reconfigured to retrieve data from and store at the first range of LAs while continuing to retrieve data from and store at the second range of LAs.
US07827349B1
A storage system, such as a storage server, receives a list of volume block numbers (VBNs) in a multi-block read request. In response to the request, the storage system coalesces the list into one or more chains of sequential VBNs. The storage system issues each chain to the storage subsystem.
US07827340B2
A system that includes a docking station comprising a graphics processor and a transceiver. The system also includes a computer comprising a display. The computer is in communication with the docking station. The graphics processor receives input signals from the computer and, as a result, provides output signals to the computer. The computer uses the output signals to display images on the display.
US07827337B2
A device and a method for sharing a memory interface are disclosed. According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, a supplementary control unit included in a digital processor can control some of the pins, constituting a memory interface, to be shared by a plurality of memory. With the present invention, the number of pins included in a memory interface can be minimized, thereby reducing the size of a supplementary control unit, saving the manufacturing cost, and improving the processing efficiency.
US07827334B2
Disclosed are methods, apparatus, and systems for the interconnection of electronic system apparatus having one or more different communication protocols. A preferred embodiment is disclosed in which a single physical interface and a single protocol are used for providing an efficient and scalable interconnection between a host and operably coupled subsystem apparatus connected to the MMC. In a disclosed method, a bus is provided for coupling a system host to a plurality of system components and a Multi-Management Protocol (MMP) is employed. The Multi-Management Protocol includes a plurality of subclasses, each further including component identity information and function data. The subclasses are grouped by functionality into at least two groups comprising a standard group and an extension group. In a multi-component electronic system according to the invention, an electronic protocol packet structure includes a starting frame delimiter, a length field, a target address field, a subclass identifier, an operation identifier, a data field, and a frame check field. Disclosed preferred embodiments also include protocol conversion apparatus having a Multi-Management Controller (MMC) using a host bus for transmitting and receiving data between a host and the MMC based on a Multi-Management Protocol (MMP).
US07827329B2
A system and method for supporting character interactive input/output operation in a half-duplex block-mode environment including a workstation and a server. Keystrokes at the workstation received into an auto enter, non-display entity on the workstation display are automatically transferred as entered from the workstation to a server application which processes the keystroke and responds in a manner appropriate to the context of the application.
US07827325B2
A mechanism for speculative packet transmission including a credit-based flow control interconnect device to initiate speculative transmission of a Transaction Layer Packet if the number of available flow control (FC) credits is insufficient for completing the transmission. The sending device initiates a speculative transmission of packets to the receiving device even though the packet for transmission requires a number of FC credits greater than the available FC credits. If the additional FC credits required to complete the packet transmission become available to the sending device before the transmission is completed, the packets are then fully transmitted by the sending device. Otherwise, if the additional FC credits required do not become available prior to completion of the transmission, then the sending device aborts the transmission without utilization of the FC credits. The sending device may initiate speculative packet transmission only if a particular minimal amount of FC credits is available.
US07827324B2
A system that includes a host and a peripheral device. The host transmits a packet that includes a command and a flow control field. The peripheral device receives the packet and has the ability to execute the command, wherein the peripheral device can determine whether the command can be processed in a timely manner, and can update the packet's flow control field with flow control data based on the determination. The host receives the updated packet and has the ability to adjust the flow control of subsequent packets to the peripheral device based on the flow control data in the updated packet.
US07827322B2
For protecting data during transmission between a host device and a data storage device, the host device encrypts command-related information and sends the encrypted command-related information to the data storage device. The data storage device decrypts the encrypted command-related information, interprets the decrypted command-related information to generate interpreted commands, and executes the interpreted commands.
US07827320B1
A Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) device for communicating with a host is disclosed. The SATA device comprises control circuitry which enters a XRDY state in preparation for sending data to the host, receives a first XRDY from the host while in the XRDY state, and sets a RXRDY flag. After receiving the first XRDY, the control circuitry receives a RRDY from the host while in the XRDY state, transmits a data block to the host in response to the RRDY, and enters an idle state after transmitting the data block to the host. If the RXRDY flag is set while in the idle state, the control circuitry waits for the host to transmit a second XRDY.
US07827319B2
An interactive control system using a remote control signal in accordance with HDMI-CEC standards between a computer and an electric home appliance performs power supply control and screen display from a PC to a television, power supply control from the television to the PC, and application control on the PC. In the system, a personal computer (PC) is loaded with a controller capable of operating by a standby power supply. The remote control signal of a PC remote controller is input to an HDMI unit connector of a television through a photoreceiver controller of a PC, a USB/CEC power-on signal connector, a CEC unit connector, a signal line a, an HDMI unit connector, and a cable. The remote control signal of a TV remote controller is input to the cable, the HDMI unit connector, the CEC unit connector, a USB power supply connector, and a USB data processing unit.
US07827315B2
A method, computer program product, and data processing system for compressing and abbreviating text messages at a first text messaging device for transport and subsequent interpretation at a second text messaging device is disclosed. A user-defined message length reduction profile for producing human-readable compressed text is associated with a source text message at a first text messaging device. The source text message is then shortened using abbreviations and transformation rules in the profile. The shortened text message can then be transmitted to a second text messaging device. In addition, the compression provided by the present invention, although intended to be human-readable, can be complemented with decompression software to expand the compressed and abbreviated text to its full length and verifying, using a checksum or other error detecting code, that the expanded version corresponds to the original text.
US07827313B2
A method is provided of at least partially securing communications, via a HIP proxy (16), between a first host (12) which is not HIP enabled and a second host (14) which is HIP enabled, the method comprising: sending (A) a query from the first host (12) to resolve the IP address of the second host (14); in response to said query, retrieving (B, C) an IP address (IPfa) and HIT (HIThip) associated with the second host (14), returning (E) from the proxy (16) a substitute IP address (IPres) associated with the second host (14), and maintaining (D) at the proxy (16) a mapping between the substitute IP address (IPres), the retrieved IP address (IPfa) and the retrieved HIT (HIThip); and upon receipt (F) of a session initiation message (TCP SYN) at the proxy (16) from the first host (12) including as its destination address the substitute IP address (IPres), using the mapping to negotiate a secure HIP connection (22) between the proxy (16) and the second host (14).
US07827307B2
A device and method for fast switchover and recovery of a media gateway. A network interface of a router is monitored for a network interface failure, in which the router receives data over a network using a network protocol. In response to detecting a network interface failure, the network interface failure is translated into a gateway protocol understood by the media gateway. The network interface failure is transmitted to the media gateway using the gateway protocol over a primary path, providing for fast switchover time to a redundant path by the media gateway.
US07827301B2
A method for bandwidth allocation for delivery of multimedia data from at least one server to one or more clients over a network. The method includes the steps of: determining a maximum flow rate and a minimum flow rate for each client; determining a flow rate range for each client as given by the difference between the maximum flow rate and the minimum flow rate; sorting the one or more clients according to the flow rate range; initializing a current flow rate for each client as the minimum flow rate and summing the flow rate into total server flow rate; establishing remaining server bandwidth; and allocating the remaining server bandwidth to clients, based upon the sorted client's flow rate ranges.
US07827295B2
There are disclosed processes and systems relating to protocol stacks. The protocol stack may be run entirely in a single memory space. There may be a communal memory region available to certain layers of the protocol stack. The layers of the protocol stack may form condensed versions of data and headers, and data units may be formed by hardware within the device when needed. After transmission, data units may be immediately deleted but recreated if needed for retransmission.
US07827293B2
A secure network resource access system facilitates network access by network terminals to network resources located behind an enterprise firewall, and comprises a proxy server and a polling server. The proxy server is located logically outside the enterprise firewall for receiving application data from the network terminals. The polling server is located logically behind the enterprise firewall, and is configured to poll the proxy server to initiate transmission of the received application data from the proxy server to the polling server, to receive application data and associated network resource data from the proxy server in response to the poll, and to direct the application data to one of the network resources in accordance with the associated network resource data.
US07827288B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, system and computer program product for the auto-completion of values in a model in a composite services enablement data processing system. The method can include establishing for a common session, multiple channels of access to a model for a composite service. The method further can include synchronizing views for each of the channels of access based upon detected value changes to data members of the model. Finally, the method can include auto-completing associated values for other data members of the model responsive to receiving a value change for one data member in the model.
US07827277B2
There is provided a network system including a server and a printer connected to a network, where the server collects and stores configuration data describing operating conditions from respective printers, the server stores the respective collected configuration data associated with a registered ID. If a user enters a predetermined registered ID in new printer, the new printer transmits the entered registered ID to the server. The server, upon receiving the entered registered ID, transmits configuration data associated with the entered registered ID to the new printer. The new printer sets the operating conditions described in the received configuration data to its own operating conditions.
US07827272B2
A system for detecting network intrusions and other conditions in a network is described. The system includes a plurality of collector devices that are disposed to collect data and statistical information on packets that are sent between nodes on a network. An aggregator device is disposed to receive data and statistical information from the plurality of collector devices. The aggregator device produces a connection table that maps each node on the network to a record that stores information about traffic to or from the node. The aggregator runs processes that determine network events from aggregating of anomalies into network events.
US07827263B1
A method for managing a computer over a network is disclosed. The method may be implemented by a resident agent on the network. A connection between the resident agent and a sending application may be opened. Application data may be received from the sending application by the resident agent. A header may be received from the sending application by the resident agent. Whether a data package should be sent directly to a receiving application or whether the data package should be sent through a gateway may be determined. If it is determined that the data package should be sent directly to a receiving application, the data package may be sent directly to the receiving application. If it is determined that the data package should be sent through the gateway, the data package may be sent through the gateway.
US07827259B2
Techniques for repeatedly selecting and presenting media items at a media device are disclosed. In one embodiment, media items are automatically (or dynamically) selected from a media source (e.g., list of media items) and then presented at a media device. As a result, the selected media items can be continuously selected and presented in an automated manner. In one embodiment, the automatic selection of the media items can be performed in accordance with at least one criterion. The at least one criterion can be user-specified and/or rules-based. In one embodiment, a display screen can display information pertaining to recently presented media items, media item being presented, and upcoming media items to be presented.
US07827240B1
The present invention provides methods and systems for specializing calendar items. More specifically, a user or number of users may receive a calendar item having certain original parameters. The receiving user may wish to adjust those parameters for a subset of users that may or may not include the calendar item originator. The receiving user can then specialize certain parameters of the calendar item and transmit them to the determined subset of users without sending the same specialized calendar item to users outside of the subset that received the original calendar item.
US07827229B2
The present disclosure provides a system and method for providing an improved system and method for document imaging management.
US07827226B2
Methods and apparatus for improving the efficiency of an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) are provided. The ALU of the invention combines the operation of a single-cycle ALU with the processing speed of a pipelined ALU. Arithmetic operations are performed in two stages: a first stage that produces separate sum and carry results in a first cycle, and a second stage that produces a final result in one or more immediately subsequent cycles. While this produces final results in two or more clock cycles, useable partial results are produced each cycle, thus maintaining a one operation per clock cycle throughput.
US07827223B2
Systems and methods are disclosed, especially designed for very compact hardware implementations, to generate random number strings with a high level of entropy at maximum speed. For immediate deployment of software implementations, certain permutations have been introduced to maintain the same level of unpredictability which is more amenable to hi-level software programming, with a small time loss on hardware execution; typically when hardware devices communicate with software implementations. Particular attention has been paid to maintain maximum correlation immunity, and to maximize non-linearity of the output sequence. Good stream ciphers are based on random generators which have a large number of secured internal binary variables, which lead to the page synchronized stream ciphering. The method for parsed page synchronization which is presented is especially valuable for Internet applications, where occasionally frame sequences are often mixed. The large number of internal variables with fast diffusion of individual bits wherein the masked message is fed back into the machine variables is potentially ideal for message authentication procedures.
US07827213B2
An attribute is associated with one or more files stored on a storage medium, wherein the attribute is indicative to software utilized by a processor to access the files that the files are deletable. One or more files associated with the attribute can be deleted. Files can be deleted, for example, based upon receipt of a request for file system space. A sufficient amount of free space can be created to fulfill the request via the deletion of the one or more files associated with the attribute. A history of accesses to the files can be maintained and a least recently accessed file, associated with the attribute, can be deleted. Files can also be deleted according to a priority included in the attribute.
US07827212B2
An apparatus and a method of clearing a runtime data area where software objects store variables and each software object has a finalize method where the invention drives the finalize method of a software object when the finalize method of the software object has not performed an operation for a predetermined time period.
US07827211B2
A method of incrementally maintaining a stable, bounded, uniform random sample S from a dataset R, in the presence of arbitrary insertions and deletions to the dataset R, and without accesses to the dataset R, comprises a random pairing method in which deletions are uncompensated until compensated by a subsequent insertion (randomly paired to the deletion) by including the insertion's item into S if and only if the uncompensated deletion's item was removed from S (i.e., was in S so that it could be removed). A method for resizing a sample to a new uniform sample of increased size while maintaining a bound on the sample size and balancing cost between dataset accesses and transactions to the dataset is also disclosed. A method for maintaining uniform, bounded samples for a dataset in the presence of growth in size of the dataset is additionally disclosed.
US07827206B2
A rules change management system and method. The system comprises a first computing system comprising a first memory system. The first memory system comprises a rules change management engine. The first computing system receives a set of meta-rules associated with rules stored in a second memory system within a second computing system. The set of meta-rules are stored in the first memory system. The computing system receives a request to change a rule of the rules. The rules change management engine applies at least one associated meta-rule of the set of meta-rules to the request. The rules change management engine determines if the request may be executed based on the applying.
US07827204B2
Methods and systems for managing order document data are provided. The order document data may be represented as an object, the object being configurable so as to comprise a predetermined number of core components, the core components being configurable in their content, and being hierarchically ordered in a corresponding number of levels. The object may comprise a number of extensions. The core components may comprise a header, at least one item, and/or schedule line. The header may comprise central information about an order.
US07827191B2
Toolbar search data is utilized to facilitate search engine crawlers to locate resources on a network such as, for example, multimedia resources on the Internet. In one instance, for example, users who opt into a user feedback experience have their toolbar searches relayed to a toolbar data mining component which augments a multimedia crawler in locating the multimedia resources. A media inspection component is then employed to determine the content of the media resource and, when appropriate, the media resource is then indexed for utilization in search engine indexing nodes and the like. This allows resources, for example, such as multimedia resources, that are typically undiscoverable by search engine crawlers to be located and indexed for searching.
US07827188B2
A method and apparatus that automatically converts a universal resource locator that specifies a location for a publication into a standard publication identifier that identifies the publication uses a plurality of parser rules, each parser rule being adapted to extract data fields for a particular form of universal resource locator. One of the parser rules is selected based on a domain in the universal resource locator and used to parse the universal resource locator to generate data field values. A plurality of translation rules are used, each translation rule accepting one or more data fields as inputs. When the generated data field values match the inputs of a translation rule, that translation rule is used to create a standard publication identifier.
US07827183B2
A system is disclosed for recognition of patterns in data. It has particular application to a data management system for managing data relating to customers and transactions, the aim being to derive predictive information relating to the future behavior of customers. The system comprises an analysis engine for analysing relationships between responses made by a user to questions relating to a service or products, in which the analysis is of responses made by a customer to one or more constructs. The system operates by subjecting data relating to the opinions of customers to a process of fuzzy entailment such that meaningful conclusions can be drawn when data is an imprecise match with a set of conditions.
US07827179B2
An object of the present invention is to perform data clustering while preventing the processing speed from decreasing while maintaining accuracy. A block division section 3 divides a block received from a DB access section 2 into sufficiently small blocks. A block storage section 8 stores blocks supplied from the block division section 3 and hierarchical relationship between the blocks. A block integration section 5 integrates blocks and groups in the order from a hierarchically deeper position to a shallower position based on the stored hierarchical relationship.
US07827176B2
Methods and systems for improving user search experience with a search engine by providing a way for associated users to create and share personalized lists of local search results and/or advertisements through endorsements of such local search results and/or ads. Local search endorsements can be used to personalize the search engine's ranking of local search results by offering a way for users to re-rank the results for themselves and for those who trust them.
US07827173B2
Method of sorting a set of electronic documents, including, determining for each pair of documents {u,v} of the set the degree of correlation ω(u,v) between the documents u and v, determining a function X for projecting between the set of documents and a sphere of the set Rd where d is a positive integer, the function X being such that, for at least one document u, the distance in Rd between two points X(u) and X(v) where v is a document for which there is correlation between the documents u and v, is all the smaller the higher the degree of correlation, performing a sorting operation on at least part of the set of documents as a function of the values taken by the function X.
US07827169B2
Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for data processing. In one exemplary embodiment, a method is provided that includes extracting data from a Semantic Web and processing the data with an enterprise resource planning system.
US07827156B2
An organization maintains a computer network comprising at least a forest A and a forest B, where forest A has a directory A and a querying entity A capable of querying directory A, and forest B has a directory B and a querying entity B capable of querying directory B. Querying entity A receives a request from the user and decides whether to grant the request based at least in part on whether the user is a member of the group. Thus, querying entity A queries directory A to return information on the group, is directed to forest B, contacts querying entity B, requests querying entity B to query directory B whether the user is a member of the group, receives a response, and grants the request from the user based at least in part on whether the user is a member of the group.
US07827154B1
A method and mechanism for diagnosing application failures. An executable application is augmented with code which generates a list of components, as well as version information, utilized by the application. Also created is data which associates application components with applications which utilize those components. The list of components, version information, and association data are stored in a database and updated each time the application is run. In response to detecting a failure of the application, a database query is generated which returns a list of components utilized by the failed application. By comparing the date that application components changed to the date the application was last successfully run, a high priority list of components which changed since the last successful run may be generated. Diagnosis of the application failure may then begin with components in the high priority list.
US07827152B1
An application server may initialize network services asynchronously and/or on-demand. Some services may be initialized during startup of the application server, while initialization of other services may be delayed. The application server may report that the services are initialized before they are actually initialized and may be configured to receive client requests for non-initialized services. When a client request is received, the application server may delay processing the client request either until the requested service is initialized or until all services are initialized. The application server may hold a received client request in a network layer until the requested service, and possibly other services on which the requested service depends, is initialized able to process the client request. Delaying initialization of some application server network services may result in a faster startup or restart time for the application server.
US07827144B1
An embodiment of a method of writing data includes issuing write messages to a replica set of storage devices. Write confirmations are received from at least a majority of the storage devices. An embodiment of a method reading data includes issuing read messages to a replica set of storage devices. Read confirmations are received from at least a first majority of the storage devices. Read commit messages are issued to the storage devices. Commit confirmations are received from at least a second majority of the storage devices.
US07827137B2
Seeding replication is disclosed. One or more but not all files stored on a deduplicated storage system are selected to be replicated. One or more segments referred to by the selected one or more but not all files are determined. A data structure is created that is used to indicate that at least the one or more segments are to be replicated. In the event that an indication based at least in part on the data structure indicates that a candidate segment stored on the deduplicating storage system is to be replicated, the candidate segment is replicated.
US07827130B2
Fractal memory systems and methods include a fractal tree that includes one or more fractal trunks. One or more object circuits are associated with the fractal tree. The object circuit(s) can be configured from a plurality of nanotechnology-based components to provide a scalable distributed computing architecture for fractal computing. Additionally, a plurality of router circuits is associated with the fractal tree, wherein one or more fractal addresses output from a recognition circuit can be provided at a fractal trunk by the router circuits.
US07827126B2
Disclosed is a method for changing emotion of a software robot (sobot) in a sobot terminal. The sobot terminal includes a short-term memory unit and a long-term memory unit. When an emotional change occurs during the operation of the short-term memory unit, the sobot terminal stores a short-term reference emotion value of the corresponding emotion in the long-term reference memory. When the operation time of the long-term memory unit elapses, the sobot terminal resets the long-term reference emotion value using the short-term reference emotion values stored in the long-term memory unit. The sobot terminal can change the emotion of the sobot more naturally through the above process.
US07827122B1
A data analysis system for utilization in an industrial environment comprises an aggregation component that aggregates data from multiple controllers on a factory floor. An analysis component performs data mining on the aggregated data to determine one of correlations between variables within the aggregated data and trends within the aggregated data. For example, the controllers can be programmable logic controllers, robotic controllers, and the like.
US07827117B2
System and method for facilitating online employment opportunities between employers and job seekers
A system and method for facilitating access to online employment opportunities between employers and job seekers, wherein the system will rank both job seekers and employers based on a predetermined points schedule, and wherein the system will automatically match job seekers with job listings, and employers with job seekers, and finally wherein employers will purchase contact information for job seekers they are interested for a system-determined price based on job seeker's rank within the system.
US07827113B2
Methods and systems of distributing digital content governed by a digital license are provided. In one aspect, the license has identification data for licensed content and is transmitted to a client device. A first item of content is transmitted to the client after receipt by the client of the license. The first item of content has first content identification data, and at least a portion of the first item of content is in encrypted form. A second item of content is transmitted to the client after receipt by the client of the license. The second item of content has second content identification data that is different from the first content identification data. At least a portion of the second item of content is in encrypted form. The encrypted portion of the first item of content is decrypted if the first content identification data corresponds to the identification data for licensed content. Similarly, the encrypted portion of the second item of content is decrypted if the second content identification data corresponds to the identification data for licensed content. The identification data for licensed content remains unchanged after the license is transmitted to the client.
US07827100B2
Apparatuses, computer media, and methods for analyzing credit and tax form data and determining a collections treatment type to collect revenue. A collections model is constructed to determine a collections score that is based on raw credit data and tax form data and is indicative of a debtor's propensity to pay an owed amount. The collections model includes score bands, each score band being associated with a range of credit scores. A collections score is determined from a scoring expression that is associated with a score band and that typically includes a subset of available raw credit data and tax form data. A collections treatment type is determined from a collections score. Each treatment type corresponds to a treatment action that is directed to the debtor. A collections model is constructed from historical tax data, in which score bands and scoring expressions are constructed for the collections model.
US07827099B1
A financial terms alert generation system comprises an information retrieval module, a financial terms comparison module, and an alert transmission module. The information retrieval module is configured to retrieve financing information, customer information, and product information from one or more sources accessible on a network. The financial terms comparison module is configured to compare a customer's current financial arrangement to a potential new financial arrangement to determine whether the customer is able to enter into a new financial arrangement on terms favorable to the customer. The alert transmission module is configured to transmit an alert to a dealer in cases in which the financial terms comparison module determines that a customer is able to enter into a new financial arrangement on terms favorable to the customer. Such alerts identify the customer and the favorable financial terms.
US07827096B1
An system for and method of repurchasing stock is presented. The system and method improve upon prior art techniques by limiting risk to an investment bank that enables an accelerated stock repurchase. More particularly, such risk is reduced in the event that the repurchasing company announces higher than expected dividends on the stock during the term of the accelerated repurchase transaction.
US07827089B2
A system and method is provided to allow traders to submit midprice orders to trade at a price within a spread of a market, preferably at the midpoint of a spread market, while maintaining anonymity of the midprice order. A midprice order is anonymous because other traders do not know whether the submitted midprice orders are orders to buy or orders to sell. A midprice order may remain active until it is traded with a contra midprice order or until a parameter associated with the order is breached, thereby resulting in cancellation of the midprice order.
US07827086B1
A system and method is described that allows customers to bid on the goods or services using reward points earned through a customer affinity program. The system and method also allows the customers to purchase additional reward points for use in the auction. A specific quantity of reward points may be purchased by the customer for use in the auction or the customer may choose to bid on goods and services in excess of his earned reward points and pay for the additional reward points after the auction is completed. Alternatively, the customer may convert reward points to a cash value for use in the auction. The auction may be customized or targeted to a particular group of customers.
US07827081B2
The present invention provides a business facilitation system enabling retail investors to acquire equity in business entities that are seeking equity financing. The fund seeker electronically posts a proposal seeking funds. Through electronic communication means investors commit to buying the private equity at the rate fixed or indicate interest in getting due diligence conducted. If the funds sought are not met by unconditional commitments then investors who had indicated interest in due diligence can make conditional commitments based on the results of the due diligence for which they are willing to pool in funds. If a certain percentage of the funds sought are committed or met though conditional commitments whose conditions are satisfied within a fixed time period, then the fund seeker honors the proposal. Otherwise the fund seeker can revise, extend, honor or withdraw the proposal.
US07827068B2
System and method for receiving purchase information for a client system, e.g., a measurement system. A configuration diagram visually representing a current configuration of the client system is displayed. Multiple product icons are displayed representing products (hardware and/or programs) available for use in the client system. User input is received graphically associating at least one first product icon with the configuration diagram, where the first product icon represents a first product, and the user input indicates a desire to purchase the first product. An updated configuration diagram is displayed representing the configuration of the client system after receiving the user input, including the first product icon. Pricing information for the first product is displayed in response to receiving the user input. User input initiating purchase of the first product may be received in response to displaying the pricing information, and the product may be provided to the user.
US07827066B1
A method for a first organization to do business including entering into a contractual relationship with a second organization to deliver products and services to a customer.
US07827065B2
The invention relates to a method and system (100) for selling an additive (101) for a product (102). Additives are consumer goods which are used in conjunction with another, usually more durable good. The system (100) is notified when a user (130) orders a product (102) for which an additive (101) is available. It then estimates a point in time at which the user's inventory level will be too low, and presents a notification (114) to the user (130). This notification (114) includes an ordering mechanism (116) to order new stock. This system obviates the need for inventory tracking mechanisms and so especially useful for additives.
US07827062B2
Methods and apparatuses for targeting the delivery of advertisements over a network such as the Internet are disclosed. Statistics are compiled on individual users and networks and the use of the advertisements is tracked to permit targeting of the advertisements of individual users. In response to requests from affiliated sites, an advertising server transmits to people accessing the page of a site an appropriate one of the advertisement based upon profiling of users and networks.
US07827054B2
The invention includes a system for providing an online entertainment network for user-contributed entertainment content. The system quickly and accurately identifies quality content from a vast pool of user-contributed content. User-contributed content is rated by those who contribute and those who view content. Fraud detection devices automatically detect and remove fraudulent ratings. Contests and prizes associated with specific categories of content provide incentives for contributors to provide quality content and rate many pairs of items. Contests may be localized by geography, organization, social network, and other relationships. Identified top-rated content is made available individually, or as a continuous stream of user-contributed entertainment content.
US07827052B2
A reputation management system, method and computer readable storage medium assigns reputation scores to various types of entities including, but not limited to people, products, advertisers and merchants. A reputation function is based on a directed graph including the reviewers and the reviews. The nodes in the graph represent the reviewers and the reviews and the links in the graph represent the ratings. The reputation function is iteratively solved until a convergence condition is met. Prior to convergence, when a stability condition is met, the reputation function is modified so as to remove portions of the function corresponding to nodes with negative reputations. Upon convergence, reputation values for at least the reviewers and reviews corresponding to nodes that have not been removed from the reputation function are generated.
US07827048B2
A survey is placed into an envelope containing an address label and a tracking indicia. The address label indicates an old address of a recipient. The envelope containing the survey is routed through a delivery system. The delivery system is configured to sense the tracking indicia as it passes through the elements of the delivery system thus tracking the movement of the envelope through the delivery system. The envelope containing the survey is sent through the delivery system to the plant supporting the old address. The recipient, however, no longer resides at the old address and now resides at a new address. The envelope containing the survey is forwarded through the delivery system to the plant supporting the new address. Once the recipient receives and completes the survey, survey is sent to the system operator for analysis.
US07827047B2
Methods and systems provide scheduling assistance with automation. A party requesting scheduling can make the request to the automated system in various ways such as a voiced call to a voice services node, an email or instant message over the Internet, or a wireless data message from a wireless device. Request data based on the communication from the requesting party is compared to schedule data, such as by querying a database containing the schedule data. If the request data is compatible with the schedule data such that the request can be accommodated, then the schedule data is altered according to the request data to reflect the new scheduling. A notification may then be sent to the requesting party and/or the scheduling party owning the schedule to confirm the scheduling. For example, a voice services node may provide a verbal confirmation to the requesting party over the voiced call, or an email, instant message, or wireless data message may be sent to the requesting party. Likewise, an email, instant message, or a wireless data message may be sent to the scheduling party and/or a web site viewable by the scheduling party may display the updated schedule.
US07827026B2
A bilingual authoring apparatus includes a user interface (20) for inputting partially translated text including a text portion in a source language and surrounding or adjacent text in a target language. A bilingual dictionary (34) associates words and phrases in the target language and words and phrases in a source language. A context sensitive translation tool (30, 32, 38) communicates with the user interface, receives the partially translated text, and provides at least one proposed translation in the target language of the text portion in the source language. The at least one proposed translation in the target language is derived from the bilingual dictionary based on contextual analysis of at least a portion of the partially translated text.
US07827025B2
A method of automatically capitalizing text utilizes a capitalization model. The capitalization model is trained from data that is taken from documents associated with a particular user. In particular, documents that are authored by the user such as e-mails, are used to train the model.
US07827006B2
Detection of one or more abnormal situations is performed using various statistical measures, such as a mean, a median, a standard deviation, etc. of one or more process parameters or variable measurements made by statistical process monitoring blocks within a plant. This detection may include determination of the health and performance of one or more heat exchangers in the plant, and in particular, detection of a fouling condition of the one or more heat exchangers. Among the statistical measures, the detection may include calculation of an overall thermal resistance of the heat exchanger, which may be indicative under certain circumstances of heat exchanger performance and in particularly degradation of heat exchanger performance as a result of heat exchanger fouling.
US07826999B1
The instant invention utilizes two, optionally orthogonal and optionally slightly tilted, horizontal magnetic sensors and, optionally, a 2 or 3 axis accelerometer or inclinometer to calculate a pitch, roll and tilt compensated heading. A vertical, Z, component is relatively constant compared to X and Y components, the Z component can be abstracted from the X and Y sensor when pitch and roll is applied based on Z offset measured with X or Y sensor at high tilt angles. Additional sensors tilted at various θ degrees can be added with a different angle α to X sensors when additional horizontal and magnetic coverage is desirable.
US07826996B2
A memory daughter card (MDC) is described, having a very high-speed serial interface and an on-card MDC test engine that allows one MDC to be directly connected to another MDC for testing purposes. In some embodiments, a control interface allows the test engine to be programmed and controlled by a test controller on a test fixture that allows simultaneous testing of a single MDC or one or more pairs of MDCs, one MDC in a pair (e.g., the “golden” MDC) testing the other MDC of that pair. Other methods are also described, wherein one MDC executes a series of reads and writes and other commands to another MDC to test at least some of the other card's functions, or wherein one port executes a series of test commands to another port on the same MDC to test at least some of the card's functions.
US07826995B2
The invention provides an apparatus for testing an integrated circuits on devices including a plurality of electrical subassemblies including a plurality of pattern generator, driver, and power boards divided into physical zones with each physical zone including one pattern generator board, at least one driver board, and at least one power board connected to one another; and a configuration file having information representing flow of current through the electrical subassemblies connected to one another in an interconnection scheme, wherein the electrical subassemblies are organized into at least one logical zone, and wherein the logical zone comprises a plurality of pattern generators.
US07826992B2
Described is a method and an output apparatus for inputting and outputting data from a first electronic device. The input and output apparatus is detachably mountable to the first electronic device and includes at least one storage unit, which stores data obtained by the first electronic device. Further discussed is an adjustment system which includes such an input and output apparatus and to the use of an input and output apparatus.
US07826984B2
An industrial robot diagnostic method including performing a condition analysis utilizing at least two selected input signals, wherein each selected input signal indicates a condition related to a property of the industrial robot, performing an analysis of any combination of the selected input signals utilizing a signal modeling of the signals and outputting from the condition analyzer a result being at least one of: a detection of a malfunction of the robot system, an identification of a root cause failure in the robot system and prediction of a potential malfunction in the robot system. Also an industrial robot system utilizing the method.
US07826983B2
Various implementations are disclosed for an instrumented mobility assistance device, such as an instrumented walker. The device includes an attached sensor that is operable to convert an operational action of a user of the mobility assistance device into a sensor signal. A use analyzer is operable to relate the sensor signal to a contact attribute associated with a contact of the user of the mobility assistance device with an underlying surface. The use analyzer is further operable to determine a gait characteristic of the user, based on the contact attribute. The sensor may include a force or moment sensor. The contact attribute may include a foot-initial contact, or a foot-off contact. In this way, gait characteristics of the user may be determined during normal operation of the instrumented device. Also, the sensor may be used to determine a stability measure associated with the device.
US07826980B2
A sensitivity of a cumulative chemical/physical phenomenon detecting apparatus is improved. Prior to transferring charges at a sensing section to a floating diffusion section, the charges remaining at the sensing section are removed from the sensing section by a potential barrier formed between the sensing section and a charge injection adjusting section.
US07826979B2
Computer-based methods for modeling complex formation between a query ligand and a target macromolecule are described herein. The methods can include, for example, providing a structural model of a query ligand and a structural model of a target macromolecule; identifying a substructure of the query ligand; identifying comparison ligands in a set of 3-D structural models that each share an identical substructure with the query ligand, wherein each 3-D structural model comprises a comparison ligand and a comparison macromolecule, and wherein the comparison macromolecule has structural features homologous to the target macromolecule; mapping spatial relationships between the substructure atoms of the query ligand and the comparison ligand such that corresponding atoms are identified; assigning atomic coordinates to the corresponding atoms of the query ligand; and generating one or more output models, each model comprising a 3-D structural model of the query ligand substructure and the target macromolecule. Related articles and apparatuses are also described.
US07826977B2
Systems and methods for high-speed image scanning are disclosed herein One aspect of the invention is directed to a method for high speed image scanning. The method for high speed image scanning includes adjusting an object using a positioning element; directing a portion of an image of the object toward a sensor by positioning a first mirror relative to the object, and by positioning a second mirror relative to the object and the first mirror; controlling the positioning element, the position of the first mirror and the position of the second mirror using a processor; and detecting the portion of the image of the object using the sensor positioned relative to the first mirror and the second mirror. In accord with this method, the first mirror directs the portion of the image of the object in a first direction and the second mirror directs the portion of the image of the object in a second direction.
US07826976B2
A method and an apparatus for detecting the release of a chemical, biological, or radiological agent are disclosed. In some embodiments, a microphone is used to continuously monitor sound and acquire acoustic data and a sensor is used to substantially continuously monitor a property that is related to a chemical, biological, or radiological agent. The acoustic data is analyzed for a signature that is distinguishable from background sound. The sensor data is analyzed for an event that is indicative of the release of a chemical, biological, or radiological agent. The acoustic signature, and the time at which it is observed, is used to corroborate the sensor data.
US07826970B2
A vehicle driving assist system executes an actuation reaction force control of accelerator pedal, a driving force control or a braking force control in a manner that is appropriate in consideration of the traffic situation in which the vehicle is being driven. The vehicle driving assist system calculates a risk potential that indicates the degree of convergence between the vehicle and an obstacle existing in front of the vehicle based on a prescribed control pattern. Then, based on the risk potential, the accelerator pedal actuation reaction, the host vehicle driving force and/or the host vehicle braking force are controlled. The intent of the driver regarding acceleration and deceleration based on the actuation state of the accelerator pedal is preferably used in controlling one or all of the accelerator pedal actuation reaction, the host vehicle driving force and the host vehicle braking force.
US07826936B2
The vehicle stationary/moving determination apparatus includes an antenna mounted on a vehicle body of a vehicle; and a determination device determining whether or not the vehicle is moving or stationary on the basis of a reception intensity of a radio signal transmitted from a radio transmitter device mounted on the vehicle at a portion other than the vehicle body and received by the antenna.
US07826935B2
A controller with a processing unit and a floating-point processor is disposed in a vehicle to control an actuator according to detected parameters sent from sensors. The processor generates a floating-point control parameter indicating a first quantity of control from the detected parameters at floating-point calculations, and the unit generates a fixed-point control parameter indicating a second quantity of control from the detected parameters at fixed-point calculations. The unit converts the floating-point control parameter into a converted control parameter of fixed-point representation and judges from both the converted control parameter and the fixed-point control parameter whether a failure has occurred in the processor. When no failure has occurred in the processor, the unit generates a control signal from the floating-point control parameter. The actuator is operated according to the control signal so as to give the first quantity of control to a controlled object.
US07826927B2
When there is an object that has a possibility to come into contact with a robot 1 in a desired path, the robot 1 is decelerated stepwise according to the distance L from the robot 1 to a predicted contact position along the desired path. For example, legs 13 and the like of the robot 1 are so controlled that when the distance L is less than a first threshold L1, the moving speed is reduced to a first speed V1, and when the distance L is less than a second threshold lower than the first threshold, the moving speed is reduced from the first speed to a second speed.
US07826926B2
A mobile robot and a method of localizing the robot are disclosed. The robot includes a gyroscope module providing information regarding a rotational angle of a gyroscope; an encoder module providing information regarding velocity and information regarding a rotational angle of a wheel of the robot by sensing motion of the wheel; and a control module estimating a current pose of the robot according to a method based on information provided by the encoder module and the gyroscope module, the control module incorporating information regarding rotational angle provided by the gyroscope module when estimating the current pose.
US07826920B2
A warehousing system includes a container for storing at least one item, a first electronic (e.g., radio frequency identification (RFID)) module associated with the first container, and a controller which wirelessly communicates with first electronic module, for directing a transfer of said at least one item to and/or from said first container. The inventive system may include, for example, a hybrid retail/warehouse system which includes a facility having a shelving area, and a picking area adjacent to the shelving area, and a layout so as to minimize a picking area and a walking distance between a picking area and a shelving area.
US07826918B2
A transfer method employs a transfer system including a semiconductor handling device and an automatic transfer device. The semiconductor handling device includes a first transfer mechanism and a first optically coupled parallel I/O communications interface. The automatic transfer device includes a second transfer mechanism and a second optically coupled parallel I/O communications interface. The transfer method includes a successive transfer notifying step wherein the automatic transfer device and the semiconductor handling device notify each other that a successive transfer is possible via an optical communications between the first and the second optically coupled parallel I/O communications interface in case where a plurality of objects to be processed are able to be successively transferred one by one between the first and the second transfer mechanism; and a successive transfer step wherein the objects are transferred one by one between the first and the second transfer mechanism.
US07826913B2
A sheet metal factory processing system includes a production manager which generates a processing schedule for multiple units each including at least one material sheet, to manage the processing schedule on a per-unit basis. The processing schedule is generated based on sheet processing data obtained by allocating parts to be blanked from the material sheets according to a manufacturing designation. The sheet metal factory processing system also includes a sheet metal factory processing installation which is connected to the production manager through a communication network. The sheet metal factory processing installation receives the generated processing schedule from the production manager and executes the received processing schedule.
US07826909B2
A method of dynamic model predictive control is presented in which both steady state optimization and dynamic moves calculation of the manipulated variables are determined together as part of one optimization solution (211). The method combines steady state optimization and dynamic move calculation such that the steady state optimal targets are determined consistent with the dynamic moves and the resulting dynamic response of the process so that the controlled variables do not violate their low/high limits in both steady state and dynamically. The method utilizes what is described as high limit dynamic violation variables and low limit dynamic violation variables corresponding to each of the controlled variables. The method offers a unique capability of mixing a part dynamic optimization with a part steady state optimization as it relates to application of a large model predictive control under varying situations, in particular at or near constraints violations that can be done dynamically in real time for improved and robust control performance without having to change the controller tuning.
US07826907B2
A computer-implemented method for selecting a combination of devices from a plurality of available devices, each device having service description information associated therewith. A user request is received into a coordinating device which processes the service description information for any available electronic devices to identify functionally responsive combinations of electronic devices, each functionally responsive combination responsive the user request. A score is calculated for each functionally responsive combination, using user preference information. One of the functionally responsive combinations is selected according to it having the best scores. A user preferences and experience computer-implemented method is provided for selecting an ad-hoc combination of electronic devices.
US07826896B2
Method and apparatus for monitoring a plurality of physiological factors contributing to physiological conditions of a heart, that determines a first impedance, corresponding to the plurality of physiological factors, across a plurality of vectors, and a second impedance, corresponding to the plurality of physiological factors, across the plurality of vectors subsequent to determining the first impedance. A relative change in impedance corresponding to the plurality of vectors is determined in response to the first impedance and the second impedance, first minimally contributing physiological factors of the plurality of physiological factors associated with a first physiological factor of the plurality of physiological factors are determined, and relative change in tissue resistivity corresponding to the first physiological factor in response to physiological factors of the plurality of physiological factors other than the first minimal contributing physiological factors and the relative change in impedance are determined.
US07826890B1
An intravenous infiltration detection apparatus for monitoring intravenous failures, which applies an optical method coupled with fiber optics and algorithms for tissue optics to provide a means for noninvasive detection of intravenous infiltration surround the site of IV injection. In the invention, the tissue surrounding the injection site is exposed to a single-wavelength of electromagnetic radiation, and light is collected with only one detector. Changes in the relative intensity of the radiation reflected, scattered, diffused or otherwise emitted provide a means for monitoring infiltration. The invention provides routine, automated, continuous, and real-time monitoring for patients undergoing IV therapy.
US07826889B2
a system for calculating a position of a radioactivity emitting source in a system-of-coordinates, the system comprising (a) a radioactive emission detector; (b) a position tracking system being connected to and/or communicating with the radioactive emission detector; and (c) a data processor being designed and configured for receiving data inputs from the position tracking system and from the radioactive emission detector and for calculating the position of the radioactivity emitting source in the system-of-coordinates.
US07826883B2
A localization mechanism, or fixture, is used in conjunction with a breast coil for breast compression and for guiding a core biopsy instrument during prone stereotactic biopsy procedures in both open and closed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machines. The localization fixture includes a fiducial marker and three-dimensional Cartesian positionable guide for supporting and orienting an MRI-compatible biopsy instrument with detachable probe/thumb wheel probe to the biopsy site of suspicious tissues or lesions.
US07826861B2
A base station including a transmitting and receiving amplifier for amplifying CDMA signals exchanged with a mobile station; a radio stage connected to the transmitting and receiving amplifier for carrying out D/A conversion of a transmitted signal that undergoes baseband spreading, followed by quadrature modulation, and for carrying out quasi-coherent detection of a received signal, followed by A/D conversion; a baseband signal processor connected with the radio stage for carrying out baseband signal processing of the transmitted signal and the received signal; a transmission interface connected with the baseband signal processor for implementing interface with external channels; and a base station controller for carrying out control such as management of radio channels and establishment and release of the radio channels. The base station communicates with the external channels by mapping logical channels into physical channels. The CDMA signals are spread using a short code and a long code.
US07826850B2
A frequency band allocation device is disclosed. The frequency band allocation device comprises a frequency band selection unit (1161, 1162) for selecting usable frequency bands from a dedicated frequency band, a registered frequency band and an unlicensed frequency band; and a frequency band allocation unit (1163) for allocating a frequency band out of the selected usable frequency bands to an uplink and downlink, so as to satisfy user required QoS.
US07826847B1
Generating neighbor lists. A set of devices are provisioned to report on neighbor lists and visibility of sectors. Each device in the set of devices generates event data that includes the neighbor list from a sector, other sectors visible while using the neighbor list, and/or sectors visible to the device if the call was dropped or lost. The event data can be recorded or stored by the device or forwarded to a server immediately or at a later time. The event data of each device is received at and recorded by a management system. The management system can derive recommended neighbor lists for each sector in a wireless network based on the cumulative event data received from the set of devices operating in the network.
US07826843B2
Disclosed is a method for selecting a communication network by a wireless terminal, the method including receiving a signal having a predetermined reception power level from one or more communication networks, and calculating a guaranteed data rate of each of said one or more communication networks by using the predetermined reception power level of the signal; comparing the calculated guaranteed datarate with a minimum guaranteed datarate; and calculating a selection factor value of each of said one or more communication networks by using the guaranteed datarate when all guaranteed datarate of said one or more communication networks are equal to or greater than the minimum guaranteed datarate, and selecting a communication network having a lowest selection factor value.
US07826829B2
Integrating a network-enabled application with a platform having a plurality of users and a plurality of communication channels with a respective plurality of wireless network carriers, including receiving a request from a third-party provider to integrate a network-enabled application with the platform, receiving a set of registration data corresponding to the network-enabled application from the third-party provider, the set of registration data including a link to an application location for accessing the network-enabled application, receiving a set of pricing structure data corresponding to the network-enabled application from the third-party provider, updating a system database in the platform to include the set of registration data and the pricing structure data corresponding to the network-enabled application, and enabling the network-enabled application to be accessible to the plurality of users via a networked interface operated by the platform.
US07826827B2
A mobile electronic communication device includes a processor unit, a transceiver, a keypad and a light unit. Each key of the keypad is associated with a contact of a contact list. The light unit can perform light functions to notify a user of the reception and/or status of messages received via the transceiver. The light functions include providing an indication of the age of a received message that was sent by a contact in the contacts list. The age of the message is indicated by a modulation of the illuminating light. In one embodiment, the age of a message is indicated as one of a set of predetermined age ranges, with each age range being represented by a unique color.
US07826826B2
Apparatus, and an associated method, for providing routing information to a mobile node operable in a radio communication system. The routing information is used by the mobile node to address data messages that are to be communicated to a relay host, or other, device. The routing information that is provided to the mobile node includes a plurality of separate routing sequences. Different ones of the routing sequences are used by the mobile node, depending upon at what location that the mobile node is positioned when the data message is sent. A registration server is used by which to create the routing information, responsive to indications of a home network associated with the mobile node and a current location of the mobile node.
US07826823B1
A method, system and network element for tracing signaling messages related to a subscriber in a mobile communication system. In the solution according to the invention a functional entity of the mobile communication system receives a trace command which indicates the tracer and identifies at least one subscriber whose signaling messages are to be traced, and tracing is started, tracing comprising the steps of: copying the signaling message in response to reception or transmission of a signaling message related to the subscriber to be traced, and sending a copy to the tracer.
US07826819B2
A system controlling an operation of an information processing device mounted on a mobile apparatus such as a motor vehicle to cause it to efficiently receive data, while ensuring economy of the resources of the mobile apparatus, is provided. According to the device control system (10), even when the motor vehicle (1) is switched from the ON state to the OFF state, the first information processing device (11) is maintained in the ON state exceptionally when the device is set to receive data through a high-speed broadcast channel. As such, the first information processing device (11) is maintained in the ON state, while the motor vehicle (1) is in the OFF state, to allow it to receive designated data through the high-speed broadcast channel. Further, since the designated data is broadcast at high speed by the information center (20), the time required for the first information processing device (11) to complete reception of the designated data is reduced.
US07826814B2
A frequency synthesizer comprises: a single-tone signal generator which outputs signals of a single frequency; a frequency multiplier which generates one or more intermediate signals having different frequencies based on frequencies of input signals and outputs the same as output signals; a frequency selector; a mixer; and a frequency synthesizer control circuit which includes a frequency synthesizer control terminal, wherein an output of the single-tone signal generator is set as an input of the frequency multiplier, one or more outputs of the frequency multiplier are set as one or more inputs of the frequency selector, an output of the frequency selector and one output of the outputs of the frequency multiplier are set as first and second inputs of the mixer, and an output of the mixer is set as an output of the frequency synthesizer.
US07826811B2
A two-point modulation type phase apparatus and a wireless communication apparatus capable of achieving a reduction in circuit scale and low power consumption while maintaining modulation precision. It is possible to provide a D/A converter (150) that converts the inputted digital baseband signal to an analog signal, an adder (110) that adds an output signal of a D/A converter (150) and an output of a loop filter (135) to output to a control voltage terminal of the voltage controlled oscillator (105), and a peak control section (140) provided at a front stage of the D/A converter (150) that carries out smoothing of peak portions appearing at the inputted digital baseband signal, at a two-point modulation type phase modulation apparatus (100) that modulates a-carrier frequency signal using an inputted digital baseband signal by setting a frequency dividing ratio of a frequency divider (115) of a PLL circuit based on an inputted digital baseband modulation signal, and adding a voltage corresponding to a signal that is an inputted digital baseband signal analog-converted for supply to a control voltage terminal of a voltage controlled oscillator (105).
US07826809B2
An apparatus for controlling a gain of transmit antennas in a communication system. The transmit antenna gain control apparatus includes a controller for determining a gain of multiple transmit antennas on a basis of a transmit antenna having a minimum currently unused residual power among currently unused residual powers of the multiple transmit antennas used in the communication system.
US07826799B2
A method for calibrating a hands-free system is provided. The hands-free system comprising a hands-free unit and a mobile phone, the method comprising the following steps of setting up a connection between the hands-free system and a distant terminal via a mobile telephony network of the mobile phone, transmitting a predetermined test signal from one of the hands-free system and the distant terminal to the other of the hands-free system and the distant terminal, the predetermined test signal being provided in both the hands-free system and the distant terminal as reference test signal, comparing the received test signal to the reference test signal stored in the other of the hands-free system and the distant terminal, and determining the calibration parameters of the hands-free system in accordance with the comparison.
US07826784B2
A transfer unit includes a transfer roller. The transfer roller includes an electrically conductive rotation shaft, a conductive elastic layer for covering a periphery of the rotation shaft, and a semiconductive cover layer provided between the rotation shaft and the elastic layer at least in both end portions in an axial direction of the rotation shaft.
US07826782B2
A developing device is provided for visualizing an electrostatic latent image previously formed on the surface of an image carrier as a toner image. The developing device has a developing roller placed at a position facing the image carrier, carrying a toner on the surface thereof, conveying the toner and flying the conveyed toner onto the surface of the image carrier; and a resin layer coated on the surface of the developing roller. The absolute value of the difference in charge between the toners in the upper and lower layers of the toner layer formed on the developing roller as the toner carried on the developing roller is 6 μC/g or less.
US07826777B2
A toner container detachably attached to a toner-container holder of a main body of an image forming apparatus includes a container body that includes an opening, and discharges toner contained in the container body, from the opening; and a held portion that is held by the toner-container holder in a non-rotating manner. The held portion includes an open/close member for opening/closing the toner outlet in synchronization with an attachment/detachment operation of the held portion to/from the toner-container holder.
US07826775B2
A disclosed developing device includes a developer carrier including a developing sleeve and a magnetic roller provided inside the developing sleeve. The magnet roller includes a regulating magnetic pole and a pump-up magnetic pole that have different polarities from each other. Among an entire region of the moving surface of the developing sleeve in the surface movement direction, a maximum pump-up magnetic force position where the pump-up magnetic force of the pump-up magnetic pole is maximum faces an upstream position with respect to a supplying position at which the developer is supplied from a supplying screw to the developing sleeve.
US07826773B2
An image forming apparatus detachably mounts black and non-black cartridges each including a photosensitive drum and a developing roller. The apparatus includes a driving source; first and second clutches for connecting and disconnecting between the driving source and the developing roller of the black and non-black cartridges, respectively; movable first and second members actable on the first and second clutches, respectively, for switching between transmitting the driving force to the developing rollers and not transmitting the driving force; and a switching member, movable by the driving force of the driving source and actable on the first and second members for switching among first, second, and third modes for transmitting the driving force to the developing rollers of all of the cartridges, not transmitting the driving force to any one of the rollers, and transmitting the driving force only to the developing roller of the black cartridge.
US07826771B2
An electrostatic latent image holder unit includes: first and second electrostatic latent image holders that have first and second functional layers, respectively, the first functional layer being different from the second functional layer in component ratio, and holds an electrostatic latent image on a surface thereof; a contact type charging unit that is in contact with the first electrostatic latent image holder to charge a surface of the first electrostatic latent image holders at a predetermined electric potential level; a non-contact type charging unit that are spaced from the second electrostatic latent image holder, and charge a surface of the second electrostatic latent image holder at a predetermined electric potential level; an exposure unit that exposes the first and second electrostatic latent image holders to form an electrostatic latent image; and a development unit that develops the first and second electrostatic latent image with toner to form a toner image.
US07826767B2
A process cartridge includes a developing cartridge including a developer carrier, a fitting part, and a pressed part, and a photosensitive cartridge, to which the developing cartridge is removably mounted. The photosensitive cartridge includes a photosensitive member, a positioning part which is fitted into the fitting part for positioning the developing cartridge, and a pressing part which contacts the pressed part for pressing the developing cartridge toward the photosensitive member, wherein the positioning part and the pressing part are provided longitudinally in an area in a longitudinal direction of the photosensitive member corresponding to an area on the photosensitive member in which a developer image is formed.
US07826766B2
A photosensitive-member unit includes a plurality of photosensitive members arranged in a first direction. The photosensitive-member unit is movable in the first direction to be mounted to or dismounted from a mount position in an apparatus main body. A positioning member is fixed to the apparatus main body and is configured to contact the photosensitive-member unit when the photosensitive-member unit is mounted at the mount position, thereby positioning the photosensitive-member unit at the mount position relative to the apparatus main body. A friction applying member is provided to one side of the apparatus main body with respect to a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The photosensitive-member unit is configured to slidingly contact the friction applying member when the photosensitive-member unit moves to the mount position, allowing the friction applying member to apply a frictional force to the photosensitive-member unit.
US07826764B2
An image forming apparatus including an image forming device; an intermediate transfer member; a secondary transferring device; a first cleaning member; a second cleaning member; a contacting/separating device; a release-agent applying device; and a controlling unit which controls the contacting/separating device so that, at a predetermined timing, the first cleaning member is displaced to the state where the first cleaning member is separated from the surface of the intermediate transfer member.
US07826761B2
There is provided an image forming system that are capable of preventing a user or operator from forgetting to carry out a maintenance operation based on required sub-maintenance items after execution of a maintenance operation based on an associated maintenance item, such as component replacement, cleaning, or adjustment. A table of maintenance items and sub-maintenance items associated with respective ones of the maintenance items is stored in a ROM. When a CPU determines that a maintenance operation based on a selected one of the maintenance items has been completed, the CPU determines whether or not there is any sub-maintenance item associated with the selected maintenance item, by referring to the table. When it is determined that there is one or more sub-maintenance items associated with the selected maintenance item, a CPU provides control to display the sub-maintenance item or items in an operating/display unit.
US07826759B2
A power control method includes heating a heating roller provided to fix a toner image of print data in an image forming apparatus, the heating roller having a heating resistor to receive roller power. The power control method includes gradually increasing a maximum level of a source power supplied from an external source up to a specific maximum supply level, supplying the maximum source power to the heating resistor as the roller power while gradually increasing the maximum level of the source power up to a specific maximum supply level, measuring a surface temperature of the heating roller, further supplying the source power of which maximum level is equal to the maximum supply level to the heating resistor as the roller power until the measured surface temperature reaches a specific fixing target temperature, and fixing the toner image onto a fed printing medium.
US07826756B2
A method for controlling an image forming apparatus is disclosed. An image pattern is developed both by a DC developing process using a developing bias voltage of only a DC voltage and by an AC+DC developing process using a developing bias voltage of a DC voltage overlapped with an AC voltage. The densities of the two developed image patterns is compared with each other to implement toner density control.
US07826750B2
An optical differentially phase shift keyed or DPSK binary signal which in the event of phase changes exhibits amplitude reductions and is phase-demodulated is provided. The received optical DPSK binary signal is additionally amplitude-demodulated and resulting phase and amplitude information is evaluated.
US07826744B2
An optical network system is disclosed by which flexible wavelength path setting can be performed in accordance with tree-shaped and star-shaped network topology. A central node includes a multiplexing section for multiplexing optical signals transmitted from user nodes and inputted thereto, and a central node side branching section for branching the optical signal multiplexed by the multiplexing section and supplying the branched optical signals to the user nodes. Each of the user nodes includes a transmission section capable of outputting an optical signal to which transmission wavelengths different from those of the other user nodes are set, and a reception section for extracting selected optical wavelength components from the branched light supplied thereto from the central node side branching section and extracting optical signals from the extracted optical wavelength components.
US07826741B2
An optical transponder includes a mapping unit mapping, out of multiple types of signals including a first client signal and a second client signal that transmission rates are different from each other, the first client signal having a lower transmission rate to a Generic Framing Procedure (GFP) frame defined in ITU-T Recommendations; a coding unit applying 64B/66B coding to the first client signal mapped to the GFP frame; and a multiplexing unit multiplexing the first client signal to which the 64B/66B coding has been applied and the second client signal in a frame conforming to an Optical Transport Network (OTN) defined in ITU-T Recommendations; in which the first client signal and the second client signal are accommodated in an identical frame in a mixed manner and transmitted as an optical signal having one wavelength.
US07826735B2
An auto focus unit, comprising a pursuit block, a lens driver, a detection block, and a controller, is provided. The pursuit block pursues the movements of an optical image of the target-object. The auto focus unit brings an optical image of the target-object into focus on a light-receiving surface. The target-object is desired to be brought into focus. The lens driver causes a focus lens to move so that an optical image of a scanning-area is brought into focus. The detection block detects the light intensity of an area including the scanning area. The controller causes the pursuit block to suspend a pursuit of the target-object when the light intensity detected by the detection block is lower than a predetermined threshold value.
US07826732B2
A stage apparatus includes a stationary support plate; a stage member provided on the stationary support plate so as to move on a reference plane parallel with the stationary support plate; Y-direction magnetic flux generating devices secured to one of the stationary support plate and the stage member; and Y-direction moving coils secured to the other of the stationary support plate and the stage member, the Y-direction moving coils receiving magnetic flux from the Y-direction magnetic flux generating devices so as to generate a driving force in a specific Y-direction between the Y-direction magnetic flux generating devices and the Y-direction moving coils. The Y-direction moving coils are secured to the stage member so that the Y-direction moving coils at least partly overlap each other in an X-direction, which is parallel with the reference plane and perpendicular to the Y-direction, and do not overlap in the Y-direction.
US07826716B2
With this invention, at least one of a video file containing video information, a still picture file containing still picture information, and an audio file containing audio information and a management file having management information on a control method of reproducing the information in the file are recorded on an information storage medium. This realizes a data structure that causes the recording and deleting places on the information storage medium to correspond spuriously to places on a single tape, such as a VTR tape. Use of the data structure provides users with an easy-to-use interface.
US07826713B2
A storage medium storing multimedia data for the reproduction of audio-visual (AV) data and a programming function, and a reproducing apparatus and method thereof. The storage medium includes: reproduction mode data for reproducing audio-visual (AV) data; program data including a plurality of program applications for providing interactive functions with a user and/or additional functions using the AV data; system data for controlling the execution of the reproduction mode data and the program data; and application objects for managing the execution of the program data and information on the reproduction mode data to be reproduced along with the execution of the program data. Accordingly, various user interfaces and/or various additional functions can be provided, as well as simple reproduction of AV data. Also the program application can be prevented from using malicious intent, and program applications having the same function can be reused without modification or recompilation.
US07826712B2
A method and apparatus for improved digital recording and presentation of broadcast information is disclosed. Received broadcast data, which may include video, audio, private, or other data, relating to one or more particular content programs, is presented from an input section to a buffer and recorded directly onto a storage device without any intelligent parsing, such as indexing, and without any manipulation by intermediate hardware or software functions. Upon normal presentation, statistics are generated to determine the ideal number of frames to skip, the number of bytes to seek, and the size of data files to read from storage during time-shifted presentation. Algorithms and processes are provided to dynamically optimize time-shifted presentation. In this way, data may be captured to the storage device more efficiently and economically, and the time-shifted presentation operations can easily be performed in a smoother, more nuanced manner with the application of appropriate probabilistic algorithms.
US07826705B2
There is provided a fiber distribution hub with a panel assembly that includes one or more selectively removable parking devices. The parking devices are adapted to selectively receive one or more connectors of fiber optic cables within the fiber distribution hub. The panel assembly includes a parking area that defines a plurality of slots into which the parking devices are inserted. Once a parking device has been removed from the slot, a splitter module can be inserted into the slot previously occupied by the parking device. Therefore, the size of the housing of the fiber distribution hub can be reduced because the parking area can also be used for splitter mounting.
US07826700B2
The sensor includes an optical waveguide defined in a light-transmitting medium. The waveguide includes a sensing portion and an non-sensing portion. The light-transmitting medium included in the sensing portion has defects that provide the light-transmitting medium with a deep band gap level between a valence band of the light-transmitting medium and a conduction band of the light-transmitting medium. The deep band gap level is configured such that the waveguide guiding light signals through the light-transmitting medium in the sensing portion causes free carriers to be generated in the light-transmitting medium. A detector is configured to detect the free carriers in the sensing region of the waveguide.
US07826697B2
A system and method of asymmetrical fiber or waveguide spacing comprising, in general, an asymmetrical fiber concentrator array (FCA), wherein an offset in the front face spacing of the output waveguides relative to the input waveguides functions to reduce or eliminate the introduction of static back reflection, and static in-to-in crosstalk into a fiber by an optical switch, but does not impose the cost, complexity, and insertion loss penalties brought about by additional components.
