US07828634B2

The polishing pad (104) is useful for polishing at least one of magnetic, optical and semiconductor substrates (112) in the presence of a polishing medium (120). The polishing pad (104) includes a plurality of polishing elements (402, 502, 602, 702). The polishing elements (402, 502, 602, 702) are aligned in a vertical direction and having a first and a second end. A plurality of junctions (404, 510, 610, 710) connects the first and second ends of the polishing elements (402, 502, 602, 702) with at least three polishing elements at each of the plurality of junctions (404, 510, 610, 710) for forming a tier. Each tier representing a thickness in the vertical direction between the first and second ends of the polishing elements (402, 502, 602, 702). And an interconnected lattice structure (400, 600) forms from connecting sequential tiers of the plurality of junctions (404, 504) that connect the polishing elements (402, 502, 602, 702).
US07828631B1

A motorized vacuum sander having a vacuum assembly (400) mounted on one end of a body tube (114) and a pivoting sanding head assembly (124) with an angle adjustment mechanism (511) mounted on the other end. The vacuum assembly (400) comprises a drive motor (102) mounted on the vacuum assembly rear end plate (420), a motor ventilation chamber (403), a dust chamber (409), a vacuum chamber (411), a main drive shaft (404), a dust seal (405), a centrifugal fan (408), a gearbox (414), and a dust bag (109) surrounding the vacuum assembly (400). The sanding head assembly (124) has a drive disk (514), and a sanding disk (516) which are operatively coupled to the gearbox (414) by a flexible drive cable (416). A dust tube extends from the vacuum assembly (400) through the body tube (114) and is connected to the sanding head assembly (124) dust ring (534) by a flexible dust tube (122).
US07828629B2

A knife grinder comprises a housing, wherein a grinding mechanism is arranged. A magnetic body is arranged under the grinding mechanism to attract metal scraps. Since the magnetic body is arranged under the opening, the knife grinder allows the metal scraps to be fully attracted to the bottom of the housing, thereby maintaining a clean environment during the grinding process.
US07828627B2

In one aspect of the present invention, an outer diameter (O.D.) centerless grinding machine for use in grinding a diamond workpiece has a grinding wheel positioned parallel to a regulating wheel which is adapted to press a cylindrical workpiece into the grinding wheel as the regulating wheel rotates. Electronic equipment may be adapted to adjust a pressure of the regulating wheel against the grinding wheel. Also, a carrier may be adapted to house the workpiece, the carrier being attached to a translation mechanism adapted to move the carrier between the wheels such that the workpiece is in contact with both wheels.
US07828626B2

Embodiments of an apparatus for conditioning a processing pad are provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus for conditioning a processing pad includes a member having a bottom surface selectively maintained in a non-planar orientation and an abrasive disposed on the bottom surface of the member. The abrasive is configured for conditioning a processing pad. The member and abrasive have a profile that produces a non-planar processing pad surface.
US07828623B2

In a substrate processing apparatus for processing a substrate in a hermetic container equipped with an exhaust tube and a gas introducing tube, an introducing port of the gas introducing tube is positioned inside the exhaust tube to make uniform an atmosphere in the hermetic container, in the vicinity of an exhaust port of the exhaust tube.
US07828618B2

A flat panel display includes a glass substrate, an organic light-emitting part, and a sealing part. The organic light-emitting part includes one or more organic light-emitting devices (OLED) formed on a surface of the glass substrate, which has a thickness of about 0.05 mm to about 0.5 mm. The sealing part seals the organic light-emitting part and protects it from damage during the manufacturing process. A method for manufacturing the flat panel display includes preparing a glass substrate of approximately 0.7 mm thickness or greater; forming a plurality of organic light-emitting devices on a surface of the glass substrate, wherein a group of one or more of the plurality of organic light-emitting devices constitutes an organic light-emitting part; sealing each organic light-emitting part; and etching the glass substrate to a predetermined thickness.
US07828609B2

A line spring jack and an assembling method are disclosed. The line spring jack comprises a jack body, a jack cap, a line spring wire and a positioning plug. Said jack body further comprises a plug hole; said line spring wire is located in said plug hole; said jack cap is connected to one end of said jack body; said jack cap further comprises a through hole connected to said plug hole; one end of line spring wire is clipped in a space formed between said jack cap and said jack body; wherein said plug hole further comprises a groove in the bottom; the caliber of the groove is smaller than the diameter of said plug hole; said positioning plug includes a part in the groove and a part in the plug hole, the part in the groove is tightly matched to said groove.
US07828599B2

A USB connector for connecting with a USB female comprises metal legs, a connecting line, a substrate and a rotating shaft assembly. One end of the metal legs connects with one end of the connecting line. The metal legs are formed on a surface of the substrate. The connecting line is fixed to the surface of the substrate. The rotating shaft assembly is fixed to the surface of the substrate. The present invention also provides a USB device. According to the USB connector and the USB device of the present invention, the metal legs are formed on the surface of the substrate so as to ensure the connecting strength of the metal legs. Since the size of the USB connector depends mainly on the substrate and as long as the thickness meets a requirement of inserting the USB connector into the USB female, the thickness of the USB connector and further the thickness of the USB device are reduced without compromising the function of the USB connector. Compared with the conventional USB products, the thickness of the USB device according to the present invention is greatly reduced so that the USB device takes less space and easy to carry. It not only meets the people's requirement for exquisite and compact electronic products, but also improves the practicality and aesthetics of the USB device.
US07828598B2

An electrical connector includes a first housing (1) defining a receiving space (11) therethrough. A second housing (2) includes a main body (20) retained in the receiving space (11) of the first housing and a pair of tongue plates (21) projecting to an exterior of the first housing. A plurality of terminals (3) are mounted on the second housing. An inner shell (4) defines a first receiving cavity (41) for receiving said tongue plates (21) therein and a pair of fork shaped locking plates (45,46) extending rearward for locking with protrusion portions (22) formed on the main body (20) of the second housing. An outer shell (5) surrounds the first housing (1). A plurality of clips (7) each includes a first contacting portion (721) contacting with the locking plates of the inner shell (4) and a second contacting portion (731) contacting with the outer shell (5).
US07828593B2

A high-power, shielded, single-pole electrical connector and method for installing such a connector are disclosed. The connector has a single-pole connector housed within an electrically conductive outer shell. The inner, single-pole connector is electrically insulated from the outer shell. A shielding trap is used to provide electrical contact between the outer shell of the connector and a shielding layer of a shielded electrical supply cable. The inner, single-pole connector may be a male-female type or a lug-type. If a lug-type single-pole connector is used, a dual-shell, cylindrical insulator may be used to provide access to the lug bolts. Such an insulator may be realigned after the lug-bolt access is no longer required so that a complete insulating barrier is provided around the lug-type connector. A variable-angle, lug-type connector may be used.
US07828586B2

A connector system is provided for coupling an ionization emitter to an high voltage (HV) supply. The connector system includes one or more contacts for distributing voltage from the HV supply to the emitter. The connector system further includes a detection device that detects an element of an emitter that provides one or more properties of the emitter. The connector system further includes a detection logic device that sets one or more operating parameters of the HV supply according the one or more properties provided by the element of the emitter.
US07828579B2

A latch locking type connector has one elastic cantilever and an actuation plate respectively disposed with an inclined plate and a slide corresponding to each other. The upward movement of the inclined plate resulting from the sliding contact of the slide and the inclined plate raises a free end of the elastic cantilever to separate a connector casing from a lead frame. The elastic cantilever pushes and contacts in an opposite direction to return the actuation plate to its original place while allowing a free end of the elastic cantilever to return to its normal position to produce an expected latch locking function when the connector casing and the lead frame are connected to each other once again.
US07828559B2

A board-to-board connector assembly includes a receptacle connector and a plug connector mated with each other. The receptacle connector has a receptacle housing, a plurality of first terminals disposed in the receptacle housing, and at least one first fixing member mounted to the receptacle housing and having a base portion. A top of the base portion is bent toward one side and then extends downward to form a propping portion defining a first fixing structure thereon. The plug connector has a plug housing, a plurality of second terminals disposed in the plug housing and contacting the corresponding first terminals electrically, and at least one second fixing member mounted to the plug housing and having a base board. At least one end of the base board extends downward to form a connecting portion defining a second fixing structure thereon which can be buckled with the first fixing structure.
US07828550B2

Activating endodontic points and dental tools are sized and configured to be placed in the root canal of a tooth. The activating endodontic points or dental tools are coated or impregnated with a curing agent that initiates or accelerates polymerization of a sealer or filling composition when placed in contact with the sealer or filler material. Curing agents can include amines that can destabilize a peroxide in the sealer or filler material to initiate or accelerate polymerization. Kits are also disclosed that include a plurality of endodontic points or dental tools that have different concentrations of curing agent coated on or impregnated within the endodontic points or dental tools such that the endodontic points or dental tools have different cure times. In another kit, a plurality of curing agent compositions are provided for dipping a substrate to coat or impregnate substrates having different concentrations of curing agent.
US07828542B2

A positioning device includes a first member and a second member. The first member defines an alignment axis and has a male portion. The second member is separable from the first member and defines a female portion for mating with the male portion along the alignment axis. A bearing mechanism is coupled to the female portion for reducing friction when the male and female portions mate and the bearing mechanism moves between first and second positions relative to at least one of the members. A resilient member is retained by the second member for resiliently supporting the bearing mechanism between the first and second positions. A retaining pin is coupled to the bearing mechanism and is retained between the second member and the resilient member. The retaining pin reacts against the resilient member as the bearing mechanism moves between the first and second positions.
US07828531B2

A vertical centrifugal pump unit, in particular for wet installation in a closed container, including an intermediate pipe (17) which surrounds the shaft (3) of the pump unit and is arranged between the housing (11) of the centrifugal pump (12) and a bracket (5) which carries the electric motor (1) of the unit. The pump unit preferably is fastened in particular to a horizontal flat part (19) arranged beneath the flange (6) of the bracket (5), especially the cover of a container. Production is simplified and it is possible to readily adapt the intermediate pipe to different sizes by designing the intermediate pipe (17) without a flange or other enlargements on its end faces, and pressing the end faces against the bracket (5) and the pump housing (11) using screw connections (18, 20) distributed uniformly around the circumference. The bracket (5) and the flat part (19) arranged beneath the bracket are joined together by the screw connections (18, 20).
US07828527B2

A paint circulating system is suitable for providing paint to applicators in a product finishing facility. The system includes a pump for pumping paint around the system and a back-pressure regulator (BPR), which substantially eliminates pressure fluctuations of paint in the system upstream of the BPR. A controller is provided for controlling the pump and the BPR to operate in one of a flow mode, wherein a required flow rate of paint around the system is maintained, and a pressure mode, wherein a pressure of paint between the pump and the BPR is maintained. The paint circulating method includes switching operation of the pump and the BPR between the flow mode and the pressure mode.
US07828525B2

A rotor hub assembly for a rotary-wing aircraft has a central member and a plurality of blade grips adapted for attaching rotor blades to the central member. The blade grips are pivotally attached to the central member and are capable of pivoting about a pivot axis generally normal to a plane of rotation of the blades. The pivoting allows for in-plane motion of the blades relative to the central member. A damper is operably connected to each blade grip for damping the in-plane motion of the associated blade, each damper being selectively switchable between at least two spring rates.
US07828509B2

A fuel pump includes a bearing element disposed in proximity to an impeller. The bearing element is configured to form a fuel seal with the impeller and to drain fuel leaked from the pump chamber back into the pump chamber. The bearing element minimizes leakage of fuel from the pump chamber into an engine coupled to the impeller. The fuel pump also includes redundant lip seals configured to provide redundant sealing relative to a shaft of the impeller within the fuel pump in order to minimize engine oil from entering the pump chamber and to minimize fuel from entering the engine. Integration of both the bearing element and the redundant lip seals as part of the fuel pump results in the fuel pump having a relatively compact size.
US07828505B2

A lift arm having a plate-like structure that is capable of taking a large load is realized without increasing a plate thickness and at low cost. The structure with required strength and of low cost is realized by a simple construction and achieves, at the same time, both weight lightening of a loader and sufficient load bearing performance. In a loader (2) of a working machine (1), connection sections between a cross member (176) and lift arms (171) are each formed in a shape broadening from the cross member (176) toward a lift arm (171). Further, reinforcement plates are attached to outer surfaces of a front loader (2) so as to overlap the connection sections between the cross member (176) and the lift arms (171). Contact members (171b, 171b) are attached to lower side faces at the heads of the lift arms (171) to restrict the amount of rotation of a working device installed on the heads of the lift arms (171).
US07828503B2

A machine for cutting and crimping the ends of a helical coil inserted into holes at an edge of a book to hold the coil in place is adjustable to accommodate different diameters of coil. A guide member for centering the axis of the coil in a centering direction is adjustable to accommodate different diameter coils and for adjusting the location of the axis in an adjustment direction at right angles to the centering direction depending upon the diameter of the coil. A cutting device has a blade movable in a slot of an anvil to shear on one side and to bend on the other side to form a crimped end portion. The adjustment of the axis causes the cutting device to cut the end portion longer for larger coils. The cutting device is adjustable to rotate the anvil relative to the axis to accommodate different helix angles.
US07828496B1

The invention is a watertight joint seal for precast concrete box modules used to form underground enclosures to control the discharge of water runoff from roads and parking areas. The modules become sections of a tunnel structure, and the joint seal of the invention is constructed by forming the end of the walls of each module with mating offset inside and outside edge surfaces that are joined by an intermediate surface, applying sealing strips to the inside and outside edge surfaces of one end wall, compressing the modules against each other, and injecting an expansive grout into the cavity formed by the sealing strips and the modules' end surfaces. After the grout cures under the pressure resulting from its own expansion, the joint is watertight and does not suffer from leakage through cracks caused by the creep and relaxation characteristics which generally occur in joints formed with conventional grout or only rubber gaskets.
US07828482B2

A plain bearing has two components, each having a bearing surface; the bearing surfaces being in sliding engagement with each other. The bearing may be a spherical plain bearing having an outer ring that has a concave bearing surface and an inner ring that has a convex bearing surface. One of the bearing surfaces comprises a layer comprising tungsten carbide. One component may have spaced-apart seating surfaces for engaging a moving structure and a generally concave interior that includes an internal rib between the seating surfaces. A spherical plain bearing can be made by providing an outer ring and an inner ring includes an internal rib, and disposing the outer ring around the inner ring with the convex bearing surface engaging the concave bearing surface. The bearing may be used in a swashplate assembly.
US07828480B2

Disclosed is a thermocouple circuit that exhibits reduced levels of thermocouple drift. The thermocouple is generally comprised of first and second thermoelectric elements formed of first and second thermoelectric materials, respectively. The first and second thermoelectric elements are coupled to an electrically conductive substrate through intermediate first and second tab elements, respectively. The first and second tab elements are preferably formed of the respective first and second thermoelectric materials, and coupled to the substrate in a spaced apart configuration such that the first and second tab elements, are not physically coupled one to the other. Also disclosed are systems and methods for the preparation and use of the thermocouple circuits disclosed herein.
US07828476B2

An infrared inspection and reporting process and system obtains inspection data on site via a portable computer. An actual temperature of a component derived from an infrared image and a temperature delta between the temperature of the component and the maximum temperature for the component is calculated to determine if there is a problem. A criticality level is assigned for each problem component from a plurality of criticality levels each having a predetermined range for the temperature delta. The criticality level provides an accurate and consistent assessment of component conditions. The inspection data is up linked to a home server from the portable computer and is made available to the customer via an interactive, on-line web application. The customer can interact with the inspection dating including an interactive prediction of energy savings if the problem component is repaired.
US07828472B2

A light guiding strip and a backlight module and display using the same are provided. The light guiding strip of the present invention includes a plurality of light reflecting surfaces and a plurality of light emergent surfaces. Each of the light reflecting surfaces has a light diffusion pattern. The light guiding strip of the present invention has the advantages of light weight, wide LED pitch, low cost, thickness and so on.
US07828463B1

A method and apparatus to control a lighting source such as a streetlight and modulate the output of the lighting source so that artificial illumination is reduced when moonlight is available to illuminate the area. The apparatus includes a sensor assembly for detecting moonlight in the night sky, an electronic circuit for processing the sensor signals in combination with moonrise and moonset data, and modulating the power applied to the lighting source in response to the intensity of the incident moonlight.
US07828462B2

A decorative, imitation candle effectively simulates a lighted wick in a darkened environment by location of a light source at the tip of an imitation wick. The light source is provided by an LED located at the tip of the wick for direct viewing in order to obtain maximum brightness and high contrast to an observer in a darkened environment. The light source and its support structure are incorporated into the imitation wick so that they do not detract from the imitation candle's realism when the imitation candle is viewed from the side or from above under higher ambient lighting.
US07828458B2

A low cost, lightweight device that can be coupled with a portable light source such as a chemiluminescent light stick to create a small, focused and directional source of light. The device can be readily dismantled into a portable flat configuration and then reassembled with minimal effort as needed.
US07828452B2

A mirror support assembly for a motor vehicle comprising an upper support arm, an upper mounting element for mounting the upper support arms to the vehicle, a lower support arm, and a lower mounting element for mounting the lower support arm to the vehicle. A mirror head brace for uniting the upper and lower support arms includes a cast structural member made by pressure casting. The mirror head brace includes at least one longitudinal groove which determines a defined angular setting between the mirror head brace and the upper and lower support arms. The plurality of scorings functionally determine different angular settings relative to the mirror support arms of a mirror head 12 which is carried by mirror head brace.
US07828444B2

A projection apparatus including an illumination system, a light valve, a first optical element, a first projection lens, and a second projection lens is provided. The illumination system is suitable to provide an illumination beam, and the light valve is disposed on a transmission path of the illumination beam. The light valve is suitable to convert the illumination beam into an image beam. The first optical element is disposed on a transmission path of the image beam. A portion of the image beam is reflected by the first optical element, and a remaining portion of the image beam passes through the first optical element. The first projection lens is disposed on a transmission path of the image beam passing through the first optical element, and the second projection lens is disposed on a transmission path of the image beam reflected by the first optical element.
US07828435B1

In accordance with the disclosure there is described herein a method of designing an anterior curve of a contact lens for the eye of a patient comprising the steps of providing a contact lens material having a posterior, a posterior curve having a predetermined asphericity, an anterior, an index of refraction and a center thickness; providing a geometry of a cornea, a distance power correction for the cornea and a near power correction for the cornea; determining a central distance power of the contact lens in air; calculating a central anterior radius of the contact lens using the posterior curve of the contact lens material, the index of refraction of the contact lens material, the center thickness of the contact lens material and the central distance power of the contact lens in air; calculating a center power of the contact lens on the eye of the patient using the index of refraction of tears at the posterior of the contact lens; and using an on-eye ray trace, said on-eye ray trace having a null lens compensation to create a targeted on-eye power profile.
US07828433B2

Progressive lens for viewing a field of vision having at least a first portion including objects in a first range of distances from a viewer and a second portion including objects in a second range of distances from the viewer, the lens comprising: at least two different power zones, the first power zone having lens power required by the viewer for the first range of distances of viewed objects from the viewer, and the second power zone having lens power required by the viewer for the second range of distances of viewed objects from the viewer, wherein the size and location on the lens of the first power zone correspond to size and location in the field of vision of the first portion, and wherein the size and location on the lens of the second power zone correspond to size and location in said field of vision of the second portion.
US07828432B2

A hybrid contact lens includes a substantially rigid center portion and a substantially flexible skirt portion connected to the center portion. The skirt portion is formed using xerogels compatible with diluents comprising at least one selected from polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, lactide, glycolide, a polyacetal, a cyclic acetal, a polyketal, a cyclic ketal, a polyorthoester, a cyclic orthoester, di-t-butyl-dicarbonate, tris(trimethylsilyl)amine, and 2,2,2-trifluoroacetamide. These diluents are formulated to function as a stand-in for water in the xerogel polymer, allowing the xerogel to form and bond to the rigid center portion in its fully expanded state. Upon hydration of the hybrid lens, substantially little dimensional change, and thus substantially little distortion, is obtained in the skirt portion. The diluents of the present invention further preserve the mechanical integrity of the xerogel, allowing the xerogel to be machined to final shape, improving the dimensional tolerances which can be achieved in the hybrid lens.
US07828428B1

A pair of eyeglasses including right and left lenses, each having a top edge having a downwardly extending notch formed into a central portion of each said top edge, the notches preferably being sized to receive a tubular shape of an eyepiece of a microscope or other such optical device. A frame includes lens support structure to be worn over the bridge of the wearer's nose and carries the lenses so that, when the frame is worn in a normal wearing position, the lenses are in optical registry with the corresponding eye of the wearer and define a substantial lower vertical corrected field of vision for viewing objects close up through the lenses and a substantial upper vertical uncorrected field of vision extending upwardly from the top edges of said lenses for viewing distant objects by looking above the top edge of the lenses without repositioning the eyeglasses to utilize said upper and lower vertical fields of vision. The notches are in horizontal alignment with the wearer's cornea whereby the wearer may position the eyepieces within the notches to enable an uncorrected viewing through the microscope when the eyeglasses are being worn in the normal wearing position.
US07828427B2

A structure of reflective glasses includes a frame having a main front section with opposed side ends for supporting at least one lens, the frame further including a pair of side sections extending rearwardly from the respective opposed side ends of the main front section and at least one retroreflective element attached to each of the side sections to be visible by others in low-light conditions.
US07828419B2

An ink jet recording head includes a substrate having a plurality of energy-generating elements that generate energy for discharging ink droplets and an ink supply port extending in a direction in which the energy-generating elements are arranged, a plurality of discharge ports that are provided correspondingly to the energy-generating elements, a discharge-port-forming member provided on the substrate and including a plurality of ink passages that include the energy-generating elements and connect the supply port and each of the discharge ports, and a rib provided on a surface of the discharge-port-forming member opposite the supply port and extending in a direction in which the energy-generating elements are arranged. A surface of the rib opposite the supply port has a protective layer.
US07828416B2

An inkjet printer is provided with: a recording head having an actuator for generating energy in order to jet ink and a wiring member which allows a drive signal to be inputted; and a head holder having a bottom wall for supporting the recording head. The recording head is placed so that the wiring member faces a lower surface of the bottom wall, and after that, a blocking member for preventing an adhesive from making contact with the wiring member is moved so as to make contact with end portions on both sides of the recording head. In this state, a space between the end portions on both sides of the recording head and the lower surface of the bottom wall is filled in with an adhesive, and thus, the recording head and the head holder are bonded together.
US07828407B2

A printing system includes a printhead; a print drum for transporting print media in the printing system including to the printhead; and a spittoon disposed on the print drum for receiving ink from a spitting operation of the printhead. A method of performing a spitting operation for a printhead includes rotating a print drum with respect to the printhead, where the drum comprises a spittoon disposed on the drum for receiving ink ejected from the printhead during the spitting operation; aligning the spittoon on the drum with the printhead; and spitting ink with the printhead to the spittoon.
US07828402B2

The driving device of a recording head having a recording element, the driving device includes: a power supply device which supplies voltage to be applied to the recording element; an output circuit block which converts the voltage supplied from the power supply device into a drive voltage having a prescribed waveform, the output circuit block having a structure in which a plurality of drive circuit units are connected in parallel to the recording element; a recording data integration device which determines an integrated value of a number of recording actions of the recording element according to recording data; and a drive circuit unit selection device which selects at least one of the drive circuit units in accordance with the integrated value determined by the recording data integration device, in such a manner that an on-resistance value of the output circuit block is kept within a prescribed value.
US07828398B1

The enclosed mobile bar apparatus providing a decorative encasement and having a depth of about 26 inches and a height of about 73 inches to provide ample storage and ease of mobility through any standard doorway. The retractable pull-out table with barrier provides a work surface that can be extended forwardly from the encasement and retracted within, then hidden by the doors. The doors are equipped with pane inserts providing further decorative appeal. Stemware racks from within the top downwardly are arranged side by side. The mezzanines importantly increase storage capabilities of the encasement but also, by their substantial u-shape, allow for unfenced storage on the pullout table. The mezzanines also importantly provide decorative flair to the encasement interior, along with decorative barriers. The mezzanines may be identically shaped and sized. Horizontally disposed bottle racks may be provided in either the upper or lower drawer or both.
US07828397B2

The present invention relates to a crawler used for transporting continuous-track vehicles for construction, civil engineering, agricultural use or the like. More particularly this invention relates to a structure of a tension member of the crawler, in which a plurality of tension members concentrically wound are juxtaposedly inserted in the transverse direction of the crawler, and therefore the tension member is prevented from being delaminated and the durability and the workability and productivity can be more improved. The present invention is characterized in that each of the tension members is concentrically wound several times, and the wound members are arranged juxtaposedly in the transverse direction of the crawler, thereby forming the tension members in the form of plural layers.
US07828396B2

In a crawler track comprising at least one guide wheel and caster wheels at a track carrier, at least one driving wheel for the track, and a guide wheel tensioning device including at least one tensioning member which acts on the guide wheel via a tensioning lever supported at the track carrier, the guide wheel is provided in a guide part which is exclusively linearly moveable and is laterally supported in the track carrier with a slide block arranged between the guide part and the tensioning lever, which slide block can slide crosswise and relatively to the linear direction of movement of the guide part while transmitting the tensioning force substantially parallel to the linear direction of movement of the guide part.
US07828392B2

A milling machine for milling a paved surface having milling tools connected to an underside of a body of the machine and at least one metal detector attached to a front end of the machine. The metal detector has at least one electrically conductive coil disposed within a magnetically conductive, electrically insulating trough. Electronic equipment is in communication with the metal detector, the equipment being adapted to interpret feedback from the detector.
US07828386B2

The mechanism comprises first and second slugs, comprising a first contact shoe engaging with a first locking bearing surface, and a second contact shoe engaging with a second, parallel locking bearing surface. The first contact shoes of the first and second slugs extend circumferentially about the tilt axis and each has first and second complementary radial guide surfaces parallel to the tilt axis to guide the movement of the first slug between its locking and release positions.
US07828385B2

A articulation mechanism for a motor vehicle seat is disclosed. The mechanism may include a first end-plate, a second end-plate mounted so as to pivot relative to the first end-plate about a main axis of rotation, locking elements comprising a first locking element and a second locking element that can be moved between an active position and an inactive position, a cam that can be moved between a locked position in which it holds the locking elements in the active position and an unlocked position in which it holds the second locking element in the inactive position, guide elements capable of guiding in rotation each of the locking elements, and a bearing surface preventing the first locking element, but not the second locking element, from being in the active position in a range of angular tilting positions.
US07828382B2

The present invention relates to an operation lever arrangement structure of a vehicle seat. The seat is provided with a tilt down operation lever and a walk-in operation lever. These operation levers are disposed on a side surface portion of a shoulder portion of a seat back, so as to be in a condition in which the operation levers are laterally aligned with each other along a widthwise direction of the seat back, and are rotatably supported by a rotational shaft positioned parallel to a connection shaft so as to be rotated in the same direction as a rotating direction of the seat back. When the operation levers are rotated in a forwardly tilting direction of the seat back, the seat back can be tilted down forwardly. An end portion as an operating portion of the walk-in operation lever disposed on an inner side is shaped to have an extended portion that is extended to an upper surface position of the tilt down operation lever disposed on an outer side.
US07828381B2

A mechanism for securing a seat carriage at a plurality of recline angles relative to a seat base. Embodiments of the mechanism are attached to a seat carriage and include a coupling device, which has a plurality of recesses which may be selectively engaged with or disengaged from one or more rods attached to the seat base. A handle operates the coupling device.
US07828369B2

The invention relates to a support element (4) which can be mounted to an upper beam of the chassis of a motor vehicle. The inventive element comprises a body (6) and at least one upwardly-projecting breakable protuberance (7A, 7B) to which a front fender of the vehicle is to be fixed. The protuberance (7A, 7B) comprises: at least one front wall (28) which is connected to the body (6) by means of a frangible area (26), a rear wall which is also connected to the body (6) by means of the frangible area (26), and a third wall (29) which is connected to the body (6) by the frangible area (26) and which solidly connects the front wall (28) and the rear wall to one another.
US07828367B2

A mobile facility has a fixed frame, an expandable roof section, an expandable floor section, and an expandable side section. Interior space within the mobile facility is expanded by expanding the expandable roof section, the expandable floor section and the expandable side section.
US07828359B2

The current invention is a split windshield which can be stored on a vehicle or deployed into a single windshield to provide protection for a rider on the vehicle. The windshield includes an upper and lower portion and also includes an upper and lower frame attached to the upper and lower portion of the windshield. There are mounts for attaching the windshield to a vehicle.
US07828352B2

A box lifting device places weight upon the lateral surface of lifter's forearm or hand. Preferred embodiments include a lifting body and a handle molded as a single piece of injection molded plastic, a lifting plate having metal teeth or other lifting members, and a weight transfer member that shifts the weight of a box to a lateral surface of the users forearm or hand. The lifting members are preferably angled other than 90° relative to a long axis of the handle. Preferred lifting plates include a plurality of openings, such that the lifting members of one plate enter the openings in the other plate and vice versa during storage of the devices. Magnets can be included to couple the left and right mating pairs. Lateral and medial forearm stops can be used to restrict a bending movement of the user's wrists relative to the handle.
US07828349B2

The resilient device contains two intermediate plates stacked and sandwiched between two outer plates. The intermediate plates have a center opening for accommodating a rotational seat and a spiral spring in the gap between the rotational seat and the intermediate plates. The ends of the spiral spring are attached to the rotational seat and the intermediate plates, respectively. An axle of a door knob or a door handle runs through the outer plates and engages a saw-toothed center opening of the rotational seat. When the door handle or door knob is turned, the spiral spring is tightened as the rotational seat is turned along with the door handle or door knob. When the door handle or door knob is released later, the spiral spring expands and therefore restores the door handle or door knob back to its original, un-turned state.
US07828343B2

The system described here is a bolt-type seal lock which includes a bolt, having a shaft with proximal and distal portions and a head that is wider than the distal portion of the shaft and located at the proximal portion of the shaft; and a locking body having a passageway therethrough with first and second open ends on opposite sides of the locking body. The locking body is configured to receive and retain the shaft in locking engagement after the shaft has been inserted a predetermined extent into the first open end of the passageway, at which point the shaft cannot be withdrawn from the first open end of the passageway, and to permit passage of the distal portion of the shaft through and out of the second open end of the passageway after separation of the head and the distal portion of the shaft.
US07828340B2

A coupling including a shell with shell arms, where ends of the shell arms are removably attached by a hinge assembly. A securing assembly releasably secures ends of the shell arms in an abutting relationship and includes a handle rotatably attachable at an end of a shell arm. The handle includes a handle body, a hinge orifice extending through a portion of the handle body, and a hinge pin extending through the hinge orifice. The hinge pin includes an orifice extending therethrough. The securing assembly also includes a substantially T-shaped bail having an arm with a first end and a base portion having an engagement member extending substantially transversely with respect to the bail arm. The engagement member mates with a groove positioned on the boss attached at or near an end of the other arm, and an end of the bail arm extends through the hinge pin orifice.
US07828338B2

A coupling assembly includes pipe sockets of fluid-holding parts to be joined. The pipe sockets are provided with a peripheral locking rib, behind which a groove is formed and which has a conical front flank and a radial rear flank. The front flanks of the locking ribs lie opposite each other. The rear flank of one locking rib bounds a groove. The coupling assembly also contains a steel spring band, which is curved more than 240° and whose axial ends have inwardly directed flanges which engage behind the locking ribs and are interrupted on the side of the spring band opposite the ends of the spring band. The front flanks of the locking ribs enclose an angle <50° with the center axis, the radius of the smallest circumference of the front flanks is smaller than the inner radius of the flanges of the spring band.
US07828325B2

An air-bag (1) is provided with a vent aperture (2). A membrane (3) extends across the vent aperture, the membrane defining a smaller aperture (4) than the vent aperture (2). The periphery of the aperture is defined by a thickened part of the membrane. The membrane is formed of an elastic material such as a silicone rubber material. When a very high pressure exists in the air-bag the vent becomes deformed, thus increasing the size of the aperture defined by the membrane, permitting a relatively large flow of air from the air-bag to reduce the pressure within the air-bag.
US07828323B1

An integrated air bag support structure that includes a support base for attachment to the rear side of a substrate. The support base is configured to surround a door support panel and both are configured for attachment to the rear side of a substrate in an area that is pre-weakened to define an air bag deployment door in a vehicle instrument panel or a steering wheel air bag module. The upper surfaces of the support base and door support panel are attached to the rear surface of the substrate, and a test tab extends from the base that is attached to the rear surface of the substrate in the same manner as the support base and the door support panel. The test tab has an unattached extension portion for the purpose of gripping and pulling to test the integrity of the attachment without affecting the attachment of the support panel.
US07828319B2

An airbag is disclosed, in which at least a part of the inside thereof is partitioned into cells. In one form, an airbag apparatus for a pedestrian includes a case for housing a folded airbag, an inflator for inflating the airbag, and a lid that closes an opening of a hood, the opening allowing the airbag to pass through. The inside of the airbag is partitioned by linear stitched portions and. A gas blowing portion of the inflator is disposed to correspond to the stitched portion.
US07828316B1

A boat trailer that has a retractable display cover and support structure to fully enclose a sport boat during transport and provide multiple display surfaces for commercial endorsement indicia thereon. The trailer incorporates enclosure trailer frame panels with removable undercovers and selectively retractable cover frame with stressed flexible material panels and a storage access enclosure on an integrated boat support and launching frame.
US07828310B2

A chassis structure for a mid-wheel drive power wheelchair includes a pair of restricting racks each having a first restricting plate and a second restricting plate. Each restricting plate has a slot at a central portion thereof. A first fixing member is inserted through one end of the first restricting plate and the slot of the second restricting plate, and a second fixing member is inserted through one end of the second restricting plate and the slot of the first restricting plate, so that the two restricting plates overlap to extend and restrict with each other for maintaining a steady and balancing ride.
US07828305B2

A handle grip for ambulatory aid appliances has a soft top portion and a rigid body portion. The handle grips may be attached to a wheeled ambulatory aid appliance such as a rolling walker, wheelchair, stroller and the like in a selected position to provide a comfortable and secure hand grip to a user of the ambulatory aid.
US07828302B2

An elongated elastomeric gasket (10) seals a pair of opposing flanges (12, 14) against the passage of liquid without compressing the flanges (12, 14) together. A reinforcing spring (32) is embedded within the elastomeric gasket (10) and is shaped so as to react when deflected by the operation of installing the gasket (10) into an operative position between the flanges (12, 14). A strategically located U-shaped bend (34) formed in the reinforcing spring (32) causes, in a preferred embodiment, contact pressure to be increased between opposed sealing beads at the other end of the gasket. More specifically, lateral contact pressure between a first pair of sealing beads (24) and their associated contact faces (38) is increased as a direct result of the reinforcing spring (32) being displaced during the assembly process. Likewise, lateral contact pressure between a second pair of beads (28) and their respective contact faces (42) is increased in direct response to the lateral displacement of the reinforcing spring (32) in the region of the first beads (24) during assembly.
US07828301B2

An apparatus is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including an annular seal (e.g., an o-ring) and a backup ring to provide support to the annular seal. A gland is provided to accommodate the backup ring and the annular seal. The gland has a contact surface which is adapted to contact a corresponding contact surface of the backup ring upon inserting the backup ring into the gland. The diameters of the contact surfaces of the backup ring and gland are sized such that the contact surface of the backup ring radially interferes with the contact surface of the gland, thereby urging the backup ring out of the gland. A retention mechanism, such as interlocking grooves, protrusions, ridges, notches, slots, or the like may be provided in the backup ring and gland respectively to prevent the backup ring from completely exiting the gland.
US07828300B2

To stabilize frictional force to the reciprocating shaft without affecting sealing ability, a sealing device for a reciprocating shaft comprises a main lip 11, a whole periphery of which slidably and tightly contacts with an outer peripheral surface of a shaft 2 reciprocating in the axial direction; and a frictional lip 13, which extends to the sealed space A side from the main lip 11 and slidably and tightly contacts with the outer peripheral surface of the shaft 2 in the state of permitting circulation of sealed fluid, whereby the frictional force of the frictional lip 13 is not varied by pressure of the sealed fluid, while frictional force of the main lip 11 to the shaft 2 is varied by the pressure, the sliding surface is lubricated with the sealed fluid, and reduction of the frictional force by abrasion can be controlled.
US07828297B2

A leaf seal for sealing a shaft rotating about an axis, in particular in a gas turbine, includes a plurality of spaced-apart leaves disposed in a concentric circle around the axis and fixed in position. Each of the leaves includes a surface oriented essentially parallel to the axis and an integrally formed element configured to position and retain the leaves in the leaf seal.
US07828289B2

A stacker tray assembly for a photocopier is easily mounted or removed from the copier, and permits facile handling of large copies. The stacker tray assembly for a photocopier for producing large copies has a main plate which has a copy side for insertion into the copier and a copy receiving end for receiving copies oppositely disposed therefrom. The stacker tray assembly also has a tilt plate at the copy receiving end to support the copies, as they exit the copier.
US07828286B2

Digital scanning of document sheets with a substantially vertical scanning system is provided by sequentially feeding the uppermost document from an upright input loading and image viewing area to a scanning head, and then to an output, along a sheet feeding path which is substantially linear, planar and vertical, but also somewhat rearwardly inclined, defined by a correspondingly rearwardly inclined document rear supporting surface and a substantially horizontal bottom edge supporting surface providing a lateral movement guide and at least initial gravitational registration and support of the bottom edges of the loaded documents. The scanned documents can be automatically ejected to stack in the collated order in which they were fed to be scanned by automatically deflecting them forwardly (outwardly) from their substantially vertical rearwardly inclined lateral movement path onto a forwardly inclined stacking area.
US07828285B2

The present invention provides a removable input tray to be used in an image forming device, such as a printer. The input tray includes a front wall with a sloped surface for sheet separation, an opening in the front wall, and a retractor pivotally mounted in the opening. The retractor is movable between a stopping position and a retracted position, the stopping position provides a stop to the leading edge of a stack of media sheets when the stack is being inserted into the input tray, and the retracted position is triggered when the input tray is fully inserted into the image forming device.
US07828283B2

Various embodiments of a sheet feed apparatus for an electronic device are disclosed. The sheet feed apparatus includes a mount pick arm that pivotally moves closer to a stack of media as the media is picked from the stack of media. A pick arm is pivotally connected to the mount pick arm and picks media from the stack of media.
US07828274B2

Vaporizable material is supported within a vessel to promote contact of an introduced gas with the vaporizable material, and produce a product gas including vaporized material. A heating element supplies heat to a wall of the vessel to heat vaporizable material disposed therein. The vessel may comprise an amoule having a removable top. Multiple containers defining multiple material support surfaces may be stacked disposed within a vessel in thermal communication with the vessel. A tube may be disposed within the vessel and coupled to a gas inlet. Filters, flow meters, and level sensors may be further provided. Product gas resulting from contact of introduced gas with vaporized material may be delivered to atomic layer deposition (ALD) or similar process equipment. At least a portion of source material including a solid may be dissolved in a solvent, followed by removal of solvent to yield source material (e.g., a metal complex) disposed within the vaporizer.
US07828265B2

A valve is provided that includes a housing having an inlet, an outlet, and a valve seat therebetween. The valve includes a valve member movable towards the valve seat towards engagement with a stop, and away from the valve seat when the solenoid is energized. The valve member has an opening in which a valve element is received. A spring urges the valve member and valve element towards the valve seat, and a solenoid moves the valve member away from the valve seat. The spring biases the valve member to a closed position, in which the valve element engages the valve seat, and the valve member engages a stop that prevents the valve member from impacting against the valve element that is seated against the valve seat. The solenoid when energized causes the valve member to move upward and pull the valve element away from the valve seat.
US07828247B2

An automatic recycling ice detector includes a sensor for sensing the formation of ice on an aircraft surface and a heater for melting the detected ice. The detector also includes a timing circuit for indicating the time to melt any detected ice and automatically recycling the detector when the ice is melted. A computer including a look up table or the like are provided for measuring and indicating the thickness of the accumulated ice based on a relationship between melting time and thickness.
US07828242B2

A reusable take-apart washable spool includes a first flange having a first flange wall with inner and outer opposite sides. The inner side of the first flange wall is convex. The spool has a second flange having a second flange wall. The second flange wall has inner and outer opposite sides. The second flange wall inner side is convex. A barrel having a loading surface connects the first flange and the second flange so that the first flange inner side faces the second flange inner side. The barrel is removably connected to each of the first flange and second flange. A kit for assembling a reusable take-apart spool includes a pair of flanges and a barrel. The barrel has a first end that is constructed and arranged to be removably connected to a hub on one of the flanges. The barrel has a second end that is constructed and arranged to be removably connected to a hub on the other of the flanges. A method of using a spool includes orienting a projection arrangement of a first end of a barrel into a recess arrangement of a hub of a first flange; orienting a first cord through the projection arrangement and recess arrangement to lock the first flange to the barrel; orienting a projection arrangement of a second end of the barrel into a recess arrangement of a hub of a second flange; orienting a second cord through the projection arrangement of the second end of the barrel and recess arrangement of the second flange to lock the second flange to the barrel; and winding material onto the barrel.
US07828223B1

The exemplary embodiment of the present invention will provide computer systems and methods for protecting the security of processing for customization of computer-based value-bearing items, such as, for example, securing processing of exemplary image-customized computer-based postage label 1 in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as depicted in FIG. 1. The exemplary embodiment of the present invention will further provide computer systems and methods for securing computer-based value-bearing items, such as, for example, securing image-customized computer-based postage label 1 as depicted in FIG. 1. With reference to FIG. 1, the exemplary customized computer-based postage label 1 will bear an image 2 that would be provided by a corresponding user, namely by the user that orders the customized computer-based postage label. The user may provide image 2 in an electronic form, such as by uploading a digital representation of image 2. In a variation of the exemplary embodiment, a user could alternatively provide a hardcopy image. The exemplary customized computer-based postage label 1 will bear a human-readable indication of the country 4 for which the postage is approved. The exemplary customized computer-based postage label 1 will also bear a human-readable indication of an amount of postage 5. The exemplary customized computer-based postage label 1 will also bear a human-readable identifier (such as a serial number) 6 that will uniquely identify the particular customized computer-based postage label. The exemplary customized computer-based postage label 1 will also bear a machine-readable set of information 7.
US07828212B2

An apparatus for seating within a battery compartment and a smart card compartment of a device, including a battery component and a smart card component. The battery component is coupled to the smart card component. The smart card component is configured to seat within a smart card compartment of a device. The apparatus is configured to be inserted into a smart card compartment of a smart card containing device substantially simultaneously with the insertion of the battery component into a battery compartment of the device. The smart card component may be a test smart card, and the battery component may be a battery emulator.
US07828210B2

The present invention relates to a method and system for providing e-commerce and accounting services to organizations and service providers for offerings ordered by the organization via an on-line interactive communication network. In particular, the present invention relates to a method and system whereby a third party intermediary can absorb certain payment, collection and billing functions on behalf of an organization and service providers which provide services to the organization. The term service provider as used herein refers to any entity or individual that provides a service, including the service of providing goods.
US07828206B2

Systems and methods are provided for facilitating an acquisition from a merchant, whereby payment for the acquisition is made at least partially through automated redemption of loyalty points from a loyalty account. In particular, information is received at a loyalty point exchange system from the merchant. The information may include loyalty data indicating that the acquisition was paid for using a transaction card account that is to be reimbursed using loyalty points from the loyalty account. The loyalty account is debited by an amount equal to a currency value of the acquisition and the transaction card account is credited the amount charged for the acquisition. Loyalty points may, alternatively, be used to directly pay for purchases without the steps of charging and crediting a transaction card.
US07828204B2

Techniques for authorization of usage of a payment device include facilitating an issuer of the device obtaining an authorization message for an account number associated with the device, based on desired spending limit parameters established by a merchant and/or an issuer of the device; facilitating obtaining an issuer authorization decision; and responsive to the issuer authorization decision, facilitating setting a spending limit for the account number based on at least an appropriate one of the parameters.
US07828201B2

The present invention relates to bar-code reading from a carried object such as a cartridge and enables the bar-code reading from a gripped carried object. For a bar-code label attached to a carried object such as a cartridge storing a magnetic tape, a bar-code reading unit is provided in a hand unit, which grips the carried object, at a surface opposite to the carried object; the bar-code reading unit includes a light source (light emitting device) that emits light to the bar-code label and a light receiving unit (light receiving device) that receives reflected light from the bar-code label; the bar-code label is detected by scanning with the light; and therefore, the gripping of the carrier object can be performed concurrently with the reading of the bar-code label.
US07828200B2

An ergonomically designed timing module is integrated with an equine training whip, normally carried by the equestrian, especially for those needing to improve riding skills in point-to-point timed events such as cross country, stadium jumping, racing, barrel racing. This combination provides for safe operation and convenient viewing while in the saddle.
US07828193B2

In a method of mounting an electronic component on a substrate, electrode terminals on at least one of the substrate and the electronic component are composed of solder bumps. The electrode terminals of the substrate and the electrode terminals of the electronic component are placed in contact and ultrasonic vibration is applied to at least one of the substrate and the electronic component to provisionally bond the electrode terminals together. A gap between the substrate and the electronic component is then filled with flux fill, and the electrode terminals of the substrate and the electronic component are bonded by reflowing the solder bumps.
US07828191B2

The present invention is a friction stir welding machine adapted to perform solid phase welding on a welding portion of materials to be welded, by pressing a welding tool against the welding portion of the materials to be welded while rotating the welding tool, and forcing the welding tool to be advanced into a softened portion which is softened by a frictional heat while stirring the softened portion, wherein a coating made of aluminum nitride is formed on at least a region of the welding tool to be in contact with the materials to be welded.
US07828187B2

An apparatus for endoscopic application of surgical staples adapted to attach surgical mesh to body tissue includes a frame and an elongated endoscopic section connected to the frame and extending distally therefrom. A staple storage cartridge is removably supported on a pivotal support system at the distal end portion of the endoscopic section. An elongated pusher system is provided for individually advancing at least one staple at a time distally. The pusher system includes a trigger system to actuate the pusher. The trigger system is provided with perceptible tactile sensing means to indicate when the legs of the staple being advanced are exposed so as to be visible to the user for positioning and orientation purposes.
US07828186B2

A surgical instrument particularly suited to endoscopic use articulates an end effector by including a fluid transfer articulation mechanism that is proximally controlled. A fluid control, which is attached to a proximal portion, transfers fluid through the elongate shaft through a first fluid passage to a first fluid actuator that responds by articulating an articulation joint. Two opposing fluid actuators may respond to differential fluid transfer to effect articulation. Thereby, design flexibility is achieved by avoiding the design constraints of transferring a mechanical motion through the tight confines of the elongate shaft sufficient to effect articulation.
US07828178B2

A caulking gun cartridge caddy has back to back cartridge clamps which surround a portion of the circumference of two caulking gun cartridges, holding them in parallel juxtaposition whereby one cartridge is held in readiness for replacing another while the latter is in use. The caddy holds the cartridges oriented in opposite directions to minimize interference by the spare cartridge with using the caulking gun. The caddy may include a tool holder on its side for also holding a smoothing tool commonly needed by users to smooth a bead of the fill material after it has been distributed from the cartridge nozzle.
US07828177B2

A dispenser head for mounting on an actuator rod of a fluid dispenser member. The actuator rod is displaceable up and down along an axis. The dispenser head includes a bearing surface for displacing the dispenser head and for actuating the fluid dispenser member. The head further includes a dispenser endpiece that internally defines an endpiece channel that opens out to the outside at a dispenser orifice. The endpiece presents an elongated configuration with a connection end connected to the remainder of the head and a free end. The dispenser orifice is situated in the proximity of the free end. The dispenser orifice is provided with internal closure member that is suitable for selectively closing the dispenser orifice from the inside.
US07828173B2

Assembly (10) consisting of a dispensing valve (11) for dispensing pressurized fluids, and a pouch (12) of flexible film material in fluid-tight connection therewith, which is placeable in an outer container (15) through an opening (14) therein that is sealable by a cover (13), the dispensing valve (11) having a valve body (18) which is mountable fluid-tightly at the edge (16) of a cover opening (17) formed in the container cover (13), to which valve body (18) an outlet tube (20) extending through a pouch opening (19) is able to make fluid-tight connection. The outlet tube (20) has a disc-shaped, especially cylindrical-cap-shaped, widened portion (21) extending around the pouch opening (19) inside the pouch (12). The pouch (12) is supported against the widened portion (21) of the outlet tube (20), with the intermediate arrangement of an annular disc (22) that bounds the pouch opening (19).
US07828172B2

The invention relates to a dose indicator (A) which is intended for a fluid product dispensing device (B). The inventive indicator consists of at least one rotary counting means (10) which can move in rotation and which comprises indicator means (15), said indicator means indicating the number of doses that have been distributed or that remain to be distributed. Moreover, said at least one counting means is actuated by an actuation member (35) which is in turn actuated by a transmission element (34) that is designed to co-operate with the dispensing device each time the latter is actuated. The dose indicator comprises amplification means which are designed to amplify the movement of the transmission element (34) with each actuation, such that the movement of the actuation member (35) is greater than the movement of the transmission element (34).
US07828167B2

Apparatus and methods for hinging or otherwise easily engaging and disengaging various members to each other include a spring-actuated pin element to selectively extend and retract a pin from one hinge leaf to engage an adjacent structure. A variety of spring elements may be used, and the hinge may be combined with other hinge elements in a variety of ways, including an articulated hinge. Methods of fabrication and assembly are disclosed.
US07828165B2

A nursing bottle formed of a large volume container, incorporating a vent tube that extends to vent pressure at all times. The nursing bottle may have a cylindrical shape or other configuration that prevents formula placed therein from blocking the vent tube regardless of its angular disposition. The vent tube extends distally from the vent insert, operatively associated with a collar, that holds the vent structures and the nipple to the wide rimmed opening. In addition, the vent tube has a conical shape of decreasing diameter distally toward the center of the bottom to dissipate the pressure that may cause leakage from the bottle. Further, the vent insert has a major and minor seal that prevents leaks out of the collar and onto an infant.
US07828162B2

The invention relates to a vehicle crane, especially a mobile crane, automobile crane, or track-laying crane, comprising a superstructure which is embodied as a top slewing crane and encompasses a vertical tower and a boom located on the tower.
US07828161B2

A reinforced rack truss base to protect against damage to a rack truss storage system is provided.
US07828160B2

A storage rack a base frame rod structure formed by bending one single metal wire rod into a predetermined shape and a top frame rod structure formed by bending one single metal wire rod into a predetermined shape and welded to the base frame rod structure such that multiple storage racks can be received together by inserting one storage rack of another storage rack to save storage space, or multiple storage racks can be stacked together, constituting a multi-deck combination storage rack.
US07828156B2

A channel for managing equipment cables that includes opposing first and second members and a third member extending between and connecting the first and second members. Each of the first and second members includes first and second inner and outer surfaces. At least one cable receiving area is defined between the first and second inner surfaces of the first and second members. First and second equipment mounting elements extend from each of the first and second outer surfaces of the first and second members. The first and second equipment mounting elements are connectable to equipment. A base support is coupled to at least one of the first and second members.
US07828155B2

A method for over-molding a tubular filter element 16, at least at one end 16b thereof, with a thermoplastic end cap 12. The over-molding method can be used to manufacture easily and cost-effectively a filter cartridge, of good durability, from an unprecedented range of polymeric materials and components. The thermoplastic over-molding method does not require pre-lamination of said end 16b, and can be performed at temperatures and pressures that do not result in undesirable morphological changes in the tubular filtration medium. Exemplary filter cartridges made through the over-molding method comprise a tubular filtration medium interposed between thermoplastic end caps, the thermoplastic material of the end caps infiltrating the tubular filtration medium, thereby creating mechanical interlock zones at the ends thereof.
US07828144B2

A clothes hanger storage device includes a container and a plurality of pillars inside the container for retaining a multitude of variously-sized and -shaped hangers. The plurality of pillars may be arranged as two sets of pillars, or two elongated pillar units, wherein large triangular hangers extend around both sets of pillars or around the two elongated pillar units, and small triangular hangers extend around only one set of pillars or one elongated pillar unit. Non-triangular hangers, such as hangers only comprising two shoulders, may be stored in the container by being trapped between the container wall and the pillars, but not extending around the pillars. The clothes hanger storage device may be adapted to be hung from a door, stored underneath a counter or in a closet, or attached to the door of a cabinet. In an optional embodiment, the container may be fitted with a releasable lid that fits over the top of the container. The preferred lid may be moved to a dispensing position, which leaves room between the container and the lid through which one or more hangers may be removed.
US07828143B2

A cigarette box has a box body, a lid that opens/closes the box body, an outer wall superposed on a rear wall of the box body and forms a pocket (P) in cooperation with the rear wall, and a sheet-like pouch removably contained in the pocket (P), the pouch being used as a portable ash container.
US07828139B2

A closure apparatus is fitted onto a container opening of a drinking container with an inner space for reception of a drinking liquid. The closure apparatus includes a chamber body that defines therein a receiving chamber, the content of which is introducible into the inner space of the drinking container. The closure apparatus further includes a closure element that selectively closes a first opening of the chamber body, and an axially slidably displaceable cover element that selectively closes a second introduction opening of the chamber body. The content of the receiving chamber is releasable into the inner space of the drinking container through the second introduction opening by an axial sliding displacement of the cover element.
US07828116B2

A mobile mount for attachment of a fall arrest system is provided for example for aircraft and includes a base carried on ground wheels and a support which is adjustable in height upstanding from the base and an arm cantilevered over the base. At least one receptacle is mounted on the arm of the support at a position located over the base for attachment to a personal fall arrest system including a harness for one or more persons, with the receptacle, base and support being designed and arranged to receive a loading from the personal fall arrest system sufficient to accommodate a fall of the person from the elevated structure.
US07828115B2

A novel lockstep mechanism for a rolling ladder is described. The weight-releasing ladder lockstep allows a ladder to be relocated on wheels but when a person climbs the ladder, the front wheels are automatically retracted and the ladder rests firmly with its front feet on the floor. When in the climbing (stationary) position the front wheels of the lockstep are retracted and the ladder rests on the lockstep's feet. When in the rolling position, the ladder is tilted slightly back on its rear wheels and the wheels of the lockstep are pushed down to allow the ladder to roll. When in the rolling position, the lockstep wheels are held in place via a latch which is isolated from rolling vibrations through pivoting shock links and springs.
US07828098B2

A battery arrangement structure for a vehicle that concentrates a mass of a vehicle body while effectively making use of a space in the vehicle body. The engine of the vehicle is mounted on a vehicle body frame, an intake device which includes a throttle body is connected to the engine, and a battery is arranged inside a pair of left and right upper frames which constitute the vehicle body frames. The throttle body is arranged on either one of left and right sides with respect to a vehicle body center line which extends in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle body, and the battery is arranged on anotheer side with respect to the vehicle body center line.
US07828089B2

Flow tubes for earth-boring tools include hardfacing material for protecting the tubes from erosion due to the flow of fluid through a fluid passageway extending therethrough. Earth-boring tools include an erosion-resistant material covering a surface of a body of the tools for protecting the bodies from erosion due to the flow of fluid through a fluid passageway extending therethrough. Methods of forming earth-boring tools include forming a body having a fluid passageway extending therethrough and covering a surface of the body with a hardfacing material. The surface of the body may be located in a region susceptible to erosion when fluid is caused to flow through the fluid passageway.
US07828086B2

A guide track system for a tool that can be raised and lowered within a telescoping drilling rig tower is provided. The system includes parallel guide rails mounted on a fixed lower tower section and on a movable upper tower section of the drilling rig tower. The lower and upper guide rails are parallel to one another and overlap one another when the lower tower section is nested with the upper tower section. Guide wheels rotatably attached to the tool can have parallel grooves to roll on the guide rails. The grooves can have sidewalls that flare outward so that they do not scuff against the guide rails as the tool travels up and down within the tower.
US07828084B2

A system for preparing slurry on a rig including a first cuttings storage vessel, a module, and a fluid supply line in fluid communication with the first cuttings storage vessel, the module including a grinding device configured to facilitate the transfer of fluids, an inlet connection configured to connect to an outlet of the first cuttings storage vessel, and an outlet connection configured to connect to an inlet of the first cuttings storage vessel is disclosed. A method of operating a slurrification system including using a first vessel for cuttings storage and operating the first vessel in a slurrification process is also disclosed. A method of transferring material from a work site to a transport vehicle, the method including transferring a first material from a first cuttings storage vessel disposed at the work site to a cuttings storage assembly disposed on the transport vehicle, and transferring a second material from a second cuttings storage vessel disposed at the work site to the cuttings storage assembly disposed on the transport vehicle, wherein the transferring of the first material and the transferring of the second material occurs contemporaneously, and wherein the first material comprises dry cuttings and the second material comprises a fluid is also disclosed.
US07828080B2

A method for controlling a peripheral drilling operation involves obtaining a first property of a first drilling operation component associated with the peripheral drilling operation, via a wireless network, obtaining a second property of a second drilling operation component associated with the peripheral drilling operation, generating a control signal for the first drilling operation component, based on the first property and the second property, and communicating the control signal to the first drilling operation component, via the wireless network, where the first drilling operation component is adjusted, based on the control signal, to control the peripheral drilling operation.
US07828068B2

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a system and method for forming an annular isolator between production tubing and a borehole wall is provided. A section of expandable tubing is installed in a borehole, and a sleeve disposed around a surface of the tubing cooperates with the tubing to form a fluid chamber. The sleeve includes a first portion that is predisposed to expand outwardly under fluid pressure from the fluid chamber, and a second portion that is configured such that, when expanded due to fluid pressure, the second portion stores energy that is biased to sustain the fluid pressure within the chamber, in response to a change in fluid volume. The tubing may be expanded using a tool disposed within the tubing.
US07828057B2

Hydrocarbons are extracted from a target formation, such as oil shale, tar sands, heavy oil and petroleum reservoirs, by apparatus and methods which cause fracturing of the containment rock and liquification or volatization of the hydrocarbons by microwave energy directed by a radiating antenna in the target formation.
US07828054B2

A packer for temporarily closing a well or a pipe including a support and an inflatable tubular element attached to the support, the element having a wall of elastic material that is deformable radially outwards under the action of internal pressure so as to press hermetically against the wall of the well or pipe and is reinforced with multistrand metal cables embedded in the wall of the material, wherein the spaces between the strands forming the metal cables contain a fluid impermeable material so that fluid is unable to flow through the spaces of the cables.
US07828046B2

Hybrid wicking materials are used in high performance heat pipes where a bi-modal distribution of pore sizes offers advantages over a homogeneous monolithic porous structure. This wick is comprised of sintered metal powder formed on a foam, felt, screen or mesh metal substrate. A fine pore structure is formed by the metal powder while the substrate is comprised of large pores. The large pores are several times, preferably five times to several orders of magnitude larger in size than the small pores. The sintered powder metal and the metal substrate may be made of nickel, copper, molybdenum, niobium, aluminum, iron, cobalt, titanium and alloys based on these metals. This provides a wicking material with axial and radial variations in pore size for optimized performance under both horizontal and against gravity orientations.
US07828042B2

A method and apparatus for the casting of metal components is disclosed. The apparatus includes a gooseneck for drawing molten metal from a crucible of hot metal and for forcing the drawn molten metal through the system, a hot runner assembly having a hot runner tip positioned adjacent the mold cavity, and a machine nozzle inserted between the gooseneck and the hot runner assembly. The gooseneck is fitted with a one-way check valve to allow for molten metal to be drawn into the plunger but to stop its passage out of the gooseneck when the metal is forced through the system into the die. A thermal valve is formed within the hot runner tip to provide a metal blockage from the molten metal which prevents the back-flow of molten metal back into the hot runner assembly. Both temperature and flow rate are carefully monitored and controlled.
US07828041B2

A roll-up sunroof shade is provided that has two guide rails in addition to the tensioned shade element. A push element runs in each guide rail. Each push element is driven with a positive fit via a separate drive gear. For manual activation of the shade element, the rotational movement of the wind-up shade is transferred to the drive gears, and thus to the push elements, via a gear arrangement. In contrast, during retraction, the force acts from the push elements onto the wind-up shaft via the drive gears in order to generate the necessary rotational movement of the wind-up shaft.
US07828040B2

A sun shade apparatus of the present invention having a cable provided so as to be capable of being forced out or drawn in, a connector connecting the cable and a curtain to each other, a guide rail provided on a window portion, and a slide member attached to the curtain and slidable on the guide rail. The curtain is stretched with the operation for forcing out or drawing in the cable. The guide rail has a bracket for fixing the guide rail on a vehicle door panel. One end of the bracket is engaged with a flange portion of the door panel, while the other end is fixed on the door panel by a fixing member.
US07828039B2

A window shade arrangement has holding levers in order to draw the window shade material from the wind-up roller shaft and to hold it in a drawn out or extended position. The holding levers include hinged sliding elements that slide in associated guide grooves in the pull-out element or bar. To ensure stop-free, smooth operation, these sliding elements can be provided with a lubricant reservoir, can have a dumbbell shape, can have a cylindrical shape or some combination thereof.
US07828033B2

A method of manufacturing a multilayer capacitor comprises a first layer forming step, a first electrode forming step, a second layer forming step, a second electrode forming step, a separation step, an element forming step and a terminal forming step. In the first layer forming step, a first ceramic green layer is formed on a supporting body. In the first electrode forming step, a first electrode pattern is formed on the first ceramic green layer. In the second layer forming step, a second ceramic green layer is formed laminated on the first ceramic green layer. In the second electrode forming step, a second electrode pattern is formed at the second ceramic green layer. In the separation step, the support body is separated from the laminated body. In the element forming step, elements are formed by laminating a plurality of the laminated bodies.
US07828028B2

Providing a pneumatic tire for two-wheeled vehicle which is capable of enhancing the braking performance and the high-speed turning performance, while assuring the ride comfort.The carcass has a semi-radial construction, whereby the necessary and minimum rigidity is ensured with the ride comfort being assured. In the crown part of the semi-radial bias carcass 16, a belt layer 26, which is a crossed belt layer, is provided, and inside of the tread end parts, a radial reinforcement band layer 22 in which a plurality of reinforcement cords 24 extending in the radial direction are arranged is provided. By disposing the radial reinforcement band layer 22, the section flexural rigidity (the flexural rigidity in the tire width direction) for the crown part is improved, and further the reinforcement cords 24 in the radial reinforcement band layer 22 restricts the pantograph (the rhombus) made up of the reinforcement cords 11 of the two carcass plies from being extended in the radial direction, which provides a great reinforcement effect. The cornerability at the time of banking depends particularly on the ground contactability for the tread end part, and in the present invention, no radial reinforcement band layer is added to the tread end part with priority being given to the ground contactability and the section flexural rigidity therefor being not increased, thus a high turning performance can be obtained.
US07828026B2

A rotary cutting machine is described and includes a circular rotatable element, a plurality of tooth holders disposed on the circular rotatable element at spaced apart locations about its periphery, and at least one reversible cutting tooth removably fastened to each tooth holder such that at least one cutting edge is disposed in a operable cutting position. Each cutting tooth includes opposed first and second cutting faces spaced apart along a central tooth axis extending therebetween. Each of the first and second cutting faces at least partially defines at least four of the cutting edges. The cutting tooth is reversible by 180 degrees about a transverse tooth axis such that it is mountable on the tooth holder in at least eight different positions, each of the positions providing a different selected one of the cutting edges in the operable cutting position.
US07828025B2

Apparatus for limiting the amount of debris that is disbursed in and around a disc type wood chipper when the disc is being treated with high pressure air. The apparatus includes a casing that surrounds the chipper disc having a stationary section and a removable section that can be detached from the stationary section to provide access to about 90° of the disc. A shield is hinged to the stationary section of the disc that has a vertical wall and an arcuate cover that can be moved over the exposed section of the disc which contains and directs debris in the chippers exhaust system when removed by high pressure air that is directed at the front face of the disc.
US07828024B1

A jig to make the pin and tail parts of a dovetail joint in first and second workpieces has a frame with front, bottom, and top walls. A plurality of spaced rails form first guide slots in a first section of the frame front and top walls and a plurality of posts form second guide slots in a second section of the front wall. Fasteners on the frame bottom wall clamp the jig to one face of the first workpiece with an end facing the plurality of first guide slots and clamp the jig to one face of the second workpiece with the second plurality of guide slots facing the plurality of second guide slots. The guide slots guide a router cutter bit when in each of the first and second slots to cut into respective first and second workpieces ends to make the joint pin and tail parts.
US07828021B2

A method of storing (meth)acrylate in a tank of a less expensive and highly versatile material without losing stability of the stored (meth)acrylate. To be specific, a method of storing (meth)acrylate in a tank, including supplying an appropriate gas for storing (meth)acrylate into the tank, in which: the tank is made of a carbon steel material; the gas has a water concentration of 100 ppm or less; and the (meth)acrylate has a (meth)acrylic acid concentration of 30 ppm or less.
US07828014B2

A rivet-type flapper valve assembly for a fluid device has a main body part defining a valve orifice communicating with the fluid device. The main body part includes a pin or shaft of a rivet spaced adjacent to the valve orifice. The main body part is permanently attached to the fluid device, such as by brazing. A flapper valve is then mounted on the rivet shaft to cover the valve orifice, and the rivet shaft is deformed to retain the flapper valve in place.
US07828013B2

A water inlet device is adapted for mounting a valve body that is formed with a water inlet hole on top of a deck, is adapted to be connected to a water inlet pipe, and includes a fixing unit and a connecting unit. The fixing unit is adapted to be secured to the deck, and is formed with a water supply hole corresponding in position to the water inlet hole in the valve body and adapted for connection to the water inlet pipe. The connecting unit is adapted to couple the valve body to the fixing unit, and includes a connecting component adapted to be secured to the valve body and formed with a guide hole to fluidly communicate the water inlet hole in the valve body and the water supply hole in the fixing unit, and a positioning unit for connecting separably the connecting component to the fixing unit.
US07828010B2

Disclosed is a pressure regulator for a fuel supply unit of a motor vehicle and method for production of a pressure regulator. The pressure regulator comprises a valve for producing a joining of a connection to an outlet above a designated pressure in the connection, a movable piston and a membrane, which is held on a fixed annular element, for sealing the piston in relation to the annular element, characterized in that the membrane is welded to the annular element.
US07828009B2

The present disclosure is directed to a flow control device, such as a regulator, for controlling fluid flow between an inlet port and an outlet port, and having an internal adjustment mechanism for varying the outlet pressure of the device, including the pressure required to close the device. The device may include first and second components, such as a body and a bonnet, demountably attached to form a housing of the device and defining an internal device cavity. A piston is disposed and movable within the device cavity, and in fluid sealing relationship with the inner surface of the device cavity. The components and the piston are configured to define a channel within the device cavity placing the inlet port in fluid communication with the outlet port, and with the piston being movable between a closed position preventing fluid flow and an open position allowing fluid flow to the outlet port. The internal adjustment mechanism may be in the form of a wheel that may be rotated in either direction to increase or decrease the outlet pressure at which the piston will move to the closed position. A vent port offset from the longitudinal axis of the housing may provide access to the interior of the device for manipulation of the adjustment mechanism.
US07827995B2

An Interlocking Hookah Pipe is disclosed. The pipe incorporates a positively-lockable interface between the stem assembly and the base assembly of a hookah pipe. The interlocking stem assembly has an interlock element upon which are pins, channels or other interlocking features. The stem assembly further has a sealing gasket to seal to the base assembly. The base assembly includes a shoulder insert that inserts into the glass base jar and is then adhered thereto. The shoulder insert has interlocking features that cooperate with the interlocking features disposed on the stem assembly interlock element. The pins or channels creating the interlocking mechanism may be disposed on either the stem assembly or the shoulder insert.
US07827990B1

The invention relates to a sealing lip device for a respiratory mask, to a respiratory mask per se and to a method and mould for producing the same. According to the invention, the respiratory mask has an orifice (2) for receiving at least the nose tip of the mask wearer and a sealing lip (3) consisting of an elastomeric material, which surrounds the orifice and crosses the bridge of the nose. Said sealing lip has a supporting zone which lies against the face of a mask wearer. The elastic pliability of the sealing lip (3) is such that the sealing lip zone (a) which seals the area around the bridge of the nose has a greater pliability than the sealing lip zone (b1, b2, c) which lies adjacent to the nostrils and/or the upper lip of the mask wearer, when the mask is applied to the face of the latter. From a production method viewpoint, the synthetic material is introduced in two separate injection-moulding steps, a support structure (4) with thick walls being preferably configured in the first step.
US07827985B2

An insertion aid device includes a handle to hold the insertion aid device and a tongue depressor to depress the tongue of the patient. A curved wedge-shaped tongue depressor maintains the patient's mouth in an open position.
US07827983B2

A method of making a pharmaceutically active ingredient abuse-prevention device includes providing a pharmaceutically active ingredient and providing an antagonist of the pharmaceutically active ingredient. The antagonist is in selective fluid communication with the pharmaceutically active ingredient. Electronic circuitry is configured to selectively operate the fluid communication between the antagonist and the pharmaceutically active ingredient so as to mix the pharmaceutically active ingredient with the antagonist upon recognition of one or more predetermined fault conditions. Mixing the pharmaceutically active ingredient with the antagonist renders the pharmaceutically active ingredient substantially ineffective.
US07827981B2

The present invention relates to a method for reducing the work of breathing. Heated and humidified air is delivered through a nasal cannula to the nasal passageway of a patient at a flow rate above 20 liters/min thereby reducing inspiratory work.
US07827971B2

An engine assembly may include an engine defining a cylinder bore, a fuel tank, a fuel supply assembly in fluid communication with the fuel tank and the cylinder bore, a fuel return assembly in fluid communication with the fuel supply assembly and the fuel tank, and a fuel filter assembly. The fuel filter assembly may include a filter casing having an inlet, an outlet and a bypass opening, and a filter media located within the filter casing. The filter media may be located between the inlet and the outlet, defining a dirty fuel region of the filter assembly between the inlet and the filter media and a clean fuel region between the filter media and the filter outlet. The bypass opening may be in fluid communication with the dirty fuel region and the fuel return assembly to draw gases out of the dirty fuel region.
US07827966B2

An ECU reduces a fuel flow rate discharged from an electric pump to the filter when a fuel temperature and a fuel pressure in the filter detected by a sensor portion drop. Since a mechanical pump continues to be driven without respect to the fuel quantity discharged from the electric pumps when the fuel flow rate discharged from the electric pump is decreased, a suction pressure is generated at an inlet of the filter. The fuel in a recirculation passage is introduced into the filter through a branch passage. As the result, relatively high temperature fuel is introduced into the filter to melt a solidified fuel causing a clogging of the filter.
US07827965B2

A piston aircraft engine assembly includes a piston aircraft engine, a fuel source, and a control system adapted to deliver fuel from the fuel source to the piston aircraft engine. The control system includes a mass airflow sensing apparatus adapted provide a pressure signal, an electronic engine controller coupled to the mass airflow sensing apparatus, and a set of fuel injectors. The electronic engine controller is adapted to (i) receive the pressure signal from the mass airflow sensing apparatus and (ii) generate a set of fuel injector signals based on the pressure signal received from the mass airflow sensing apparatus. The set of fuel injectors is adapted to meter the fuel in response to the set of fuel injector signals generated by the electronic engine controller.
US07827962B2

The invention relates to a fuel injection system for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having a first high-pressure accumulator and having a second high-pressure accumulator. The fuel injection system also has a high-pressure pump, wherein the first and the second high-pressure accumulators have a number of ports for injector supply lines corresponding to the number of cylinders of the internal combustion engine. A damping volume for damping pressure pulsations between the high-pressure accumulators and the high-pressure pump is integrated into one of the high-pressure accumulators.
US07827959B2

An ignition device (ECU and a drive circuit) for a spark ignition type internal combustion engine that directs an ignition with generation of a predetermined start signal (i.e., falling of an ignition signal) has a circuit for monitoring generation timing of the start signal and for prohibiting the ignition based on the start signal when the start signal is generated at abnormal timing. In particular, the ignition device has a circuit for determining whether the start signal is generated at predetermined start timing and a circuit for prohibiting the ignition based on the start signal when the above circuit determines that the start signal is not generated at the start timing. Thus, damages to the engine and peripheral devices due to the ignition at the abnormal timing can be reduced.
US07827955B2

An engine for a leisure vehicle including a crank chamber in which a crankshaft is disposed, a transmission chamber in which a transmission unit of the vehicle is disposed, the transmission unit having an input shaft that is coupled to the crankshaft and configured to be driven by the crankshaft, a cylinder extending from the crank chamber, and a cylinder head attached to the cylinder. The crank chamber is located above the transmission chamber, and the cylinder is disposed in such a manner that an axial direction thereof is oriented in a substantially longitudinal direction of a vehicle body of the leisure vehicle.
US07827954B2

There is provided a method for controlling a plasma-jet spark plug in a four-stroke internal combustion engine, including the steps of: causing the spark plug to generate a primary discharge during either a compression stroke or an expansion stroke of the engine in such a manner as to produce a plasma by the primary discharge; and causing the spark plug to generate a secondary discharge during a time after the primary discharge and before the completion of a subsequent intake stroke of the engine.
US07827944B2

A control system and method for a hydraulic system (HS) that controls a fluid supply in an engine includes a timer module determines the response time of the HS to perform at least one of: increasing the pressure of the fluid supply above a predetermined threshold following the state change command and decreasing said pressure of said fluid supply below said predetermined threshold following said state change command. An update module updates the desired time of the HS based on the response time of the HS.
US07827943B2

A variable compression ratio system for use in a reciprocating-piston engine. The system allows the compression ratio in a combustion cylinder of the engine to be varied by varying the distance from a combustion chamber facing surface of a piston to the center of pivotal connection of a connecting rod to a crankshaft. The distance is varied responsive to the supply and withdrawal of pressurized hydraulic fluid. The hydraulic fluid is supplied and discharged by a slave pump pivotally connected to the connecting rod at a first end and pivotally connected to a stationary point at a second end. The slave pump supplies and withdraws hydraulic fluid responsive to the rotation of the crankshaft and a hydraulic backpressure controlled using a pressure control valve.
US07827939B2

A modular bird cage includes a plurality of support posts located at the corners of the cage. The support posts are made up of an internal column and an external post surrounding the internal column. The internal column is internally threaded to rigidly connect a base portion and an upper portion of the bird cage. The internally threaded column engages a vertically extending threaded stud extending from the base portion. Two perpendicular, radially extending lugs are mounted on the base portion spaced from the stud. The internally threaded column, when fully engaged with the externally threaded stud, abuts against the two radially projecting lugs, filling the space between the stud and the lugs. A hollow external post is passed over the column and includes two perpendicularly located arched openings which engage the two lugs mounted on the base portion.
US07827937B1

Providing underwater marine structures having a primary component of sedimentary rock of biochemical origin that is fixated into an assemblage forming structure that is anchored into the marine environment to foster establishment of a reef ecosystem.
US07827931B2

A plasma processor electrode includes a support member disposed to face to an electrode that holds a substrate to be treated, an electrode plate fixed to the support member and equipped with gas injection holes and a screw hole open and facing to the support member to supply a processing gas through the gas discharge hole into a processing space formed between the electrode plate and the electrode to generate a plasma in the processing space, and a fastening unit that clamps the electrode plate on the support member by fastening the electrode plate to the support member with a screw driven into the screw hole from the support member.
US07827929B2

A pneumatic seasoning system and method utilizing a rotating drum for seasoning, a funnel-fed pneumatic eductor, line splitters, and a plurality of specially-designed swirl-inducing nozzle spools for inducing a broad and even seasoning plume. In a preferred embodiment, a pneumatic seasoning system transports seasoning from a seasoning hopper to food items within a rotating drum using a combination of an eductor and four in-line vacuum generators, which vacuum generators operate on compressed air. Each vacuum generator comprises a distributing nozzle roughly shaped like a collared spool, wherein compressed air is supplied to the annular region defined between the spool and its collar, and said compressed air exits through swirl ports distributed about the circumference of the spool exit. Each swirl port preferably has a pitch angle of 15° and a yaw angle of 15°.
US07827923B2

In a sewing machine having an automatic thread cutting mechanism, a situation of a thread cutting operation is detected in power-OFF to continuously carry out a proper operation when a power supply is turned ON again after sudden power-OFF.In a sewing machine having an automatic thread cutting mechanism, there is provided means for detecting an operation situation of the automatic thread cutting mechanism when a power supply is turned ON. Based on a signal for the detection, the automatic thread cutting mechanism is operated to complete a thread cutting operation and to carry out a control to return into an initial state when a stop is performed with the thread cutting mechanism in power-ON executing the thread cutting work.
US07827922B2

The present invention relates to a veterinary medical lift device to treat animals. Specifically, this invention relates to a mobile veterinary preparation table with a sloping flange or an angled ramp that is height-adjustable and that allows a large degree of ease in relocating an animal to the top of the table. In another embodiment it may also relate to a fixed exam table which lowers close to the floor and which would have its height adjustable table situated such that it would be perpendicular to the wall.
US07827916B2

An apparatus for positioning railroad tie plates along a railroad track comprises a carrier vehicle having a carrier conveyor, a roller conveyor formed of frame members and a plurality of idler rollers, the roller conveyor having an upper input end and a lower output end for gravity feeding the plurality of tie plates, the roller conveyor adapted to receive a plurality of tie plates at the input end and feed the tie plates toward the output end, the roller conveyor connected to the carrier vehicle and in feeding communication with the carrier conveyor adjacent an input end of the roller conveyor, the roller conveyor further comprising a rolling support adjacent the output end for movable support of the roller conveyor along the railroad track, an actuator positioned at the output end of roller conveyor, the actuator successively engaging each of the plurality of tie plates during feeding, a sensor adapted to detect an in-service railroad tie plate wherein the sensor signals a controller and the controller actuates the actuator to eject the plurality of tie plates from the roller conveyor in a preselected spaced apart manner.
US07827896B2

A remote cocking and charging device for a weapon on a mount, the weapon having a bore axis and a rope actuated cocking and charging mechanism having a rope end exiting from the weapon. The device includes a first rotatable pulley having an axis of rotation fixedly connected to the mount and positioned adjacent to and below an exit point of the rope from the weapon positioned in the mount, a second rotatable pulley having an axis of rotation fixedly connected to the weapon mount and positioned below and spaced from the first pulley, and a linearly moveable actuator arm having a longitudinal axis situated substantially in a plane and substantially parallel to the bore axis, the actuator arm at an end thereof including a rope engagement element.
US07827895B2

A safety elastic rope includes an elastic outer tubular rope having two longitudinally opposite first fixing ends, and an elastic inner rope inserted into the outer tubular rope and having two longitudinally opposite second fixing ends. The inner rope is more elastic than the outer tubular rope, and has substantially the same length as the outer tubular rope. The second fixing ends are connected respectively to the first fixing ends.
US07827894B2

A microtome blade having a safety portion. The safety portion may include a protective portion spaced from a knife edge and a gripping portion extending outwardly from the protective portion. The protective portion and the gripping portion help reduce unintended knife edge cuts.
US07827893B2

Table saws with elevation mechanisms are disclosed. One embodiment includes a table saw with a blade, an elevation carriage, a trunnion structure, and a shaft positioned beyond the perimeter of the blade. Another embodiment includes a second shaft interconnecting the elevation carriage and trunnion structure, where the second shaft is positioned beyond the perimeter of the blade.
US07827881B2

A pedal with a body has two opposing plates on different sides of the pedal that can be easily removed or displaced by sliding to access the inner surfaces of the pedal and the backside of traction pins. In this way, traction pins can be replaced even after the pins have been worn out or broken.
US07827863B2

Generally, a fuel tank sight glass cleanable without disassemble. Specifically, a fuel tank sight glass in which a sight glass cleaner element travels to remove deposition material from the surface of the surface of a sight glass.
US07827862B2

The invention is a level meter having a flexible probe. The flexible probe includes a flexible conductor and at least one flexible band shield member disposed in a substantially vertically parallel relationship with the conductor, where the conductor and the shield member are offset from each other.
US07827860B2

A pump testing apparatus includes a tank mounted on a mobile trailer for testing water pumps associated with fire fighting equipment. Two rotatable draft tubes extend into the tank for drawing water from the lower part of the tank through suction hoses connected to the pump being tested. Two inlet manifolds receive water discharged from the pump being tested and direct the water into respective flow stations that measure the water flow rate. The water is then dispersed back into the tank. The tank has a system of baffles to prevent cavitation of the water circulating through the tank. A cooling system is provided to cool the water within the tank to maintain a desired water temperature during pump testing. The cooling system includes a supply line having a cool water inlet for connecting to a source of cool water, and cool water outlets at spaced locations throughout the tank.
US07827858B2

A system for estimating the maximal grip coefficient μ in the contact area of a tire on a road. A tire tread is fitted with at least one tread sensor for measuring at least the tangential stresses which the tread experiences locally when the tire rolls on the ground. A signal processing unit and means for transmitting to the processing unit at least one signal delivered by the tread sensor are provided. The processing unit comprises means for finding in the signal the values corresponding to the sensor passing through the contact area of the tire on the ground, means for calculating an instantaneous value of a preselected criterion as a function of a series of values chosen from those relating to the sensor passing through the contact area, and means for extracting an estimate of the maximal grip coefficient μ by using the said instantaneous value.
US07827848B2

An oxygen sensor and a method for manufacturing the oxygen sensor are provided. The oxygen sensor includes a zirconia layer having first and second sides. The second side is opposite the first side. The oxygen sensor further includes a first electrode disposed on the first side of the zirconia layer. The oxygen sensor further includes a second electrode disposed on the second side of the zirconia layer. The oxygen sensor further includes a porous channel structure configured to route air therethrough to the first electrode while preventing hydrocarbons from flowing therethrough and contacting the first electrode, such that a signal between the first and second electrodes is indicative of an amount of oxygen in exhaust gases contacting the second electrode.
US07827846B2

A method of wear level determination and an associated product. Multiple Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) tags are distributed within a thickness of a wearing surface layer of a tire. The multiple RFID tags include first RFID tags that have not been worn away, second RFID tags that have been worn away, and a special RFID tag that has not been worn away. A measure of wear of the wearing surface layer of the tire is determined from data received from the first RFID tags and from a table in the special RFID tag. The product includes the wearing surface layer of the tire, the multiple RFID tags, and a mechanism for determining the measure of wear of the wearing surface layer.
US07827845B2

A method for maintaining a medical device in a sterile atmosphere at a desired temperature during a calibration step is provided. The method includes packaging a medical device and temperature indicator in a sterile container such that the indicator is visible to a user. Next, heat can be applied to the container in order to stabilize the temperature of the container (as indicated by the encased temperature indicator) at room temperature. Once at room temperature, the device can be calibrated while remaining in the sterile atmosphere. A kit including such a container and a set of instructions is also provided. Like above, the container of the kit can include a sterile medical device and temperature indicator such that the device can be maintained in a sterile environment during calibration and/or zeroing. As such, the method and kit allow for increased precision and safety in performing medical procedures.
US07827827B2

A yarn carryall device comprising a portable chassis with a plurality of knitting accessory holders. The chassis comprises at least one spool cradle wherein the at least one spool cradle is configured to freely rotate therein at least one spool in a horizontal orientation. The device includes a plurality of knitting accessory holders coupled to the portable chassis. The spool may be empty so that a batch of yarn may be uploaded onto the spool for dispensing during the knitting or crocheting process.
US07827824B2

A synthetic quartz glass substrate having (i) an OH concentration of 1-100 ppm and a hydrogen molecule concentration of 1×1016-1×1019 molecules/cm3, (ii) an in-plane variation of its internal transmission at wavelength 193.4 nm which is up to 0.2%, and (iii) an internal transmission of at least 99.6% at wavelength 193.4 nm is suited for use with excimer lasers.
US07827821B2

To provide a highly efficient and compact absorption refrigerating machine with water heated from 60 to 70 degrees Celsius as the heat source. In an absorption refrigerating machine including a regenerator G, condenser C, an absorber A, an evaporator E, an auxiliary regenerator GX and an auxiliary absorber AX, the concentrated solution from G is heated and further concentrated in GX, while the diluted solution from A is cooled in AX, the refrigerant vapor from GX is absorbed. A low temperature heat exchanger XL is provided for heat exchange between the concentrated solution supplied from GX to A, and the diluted solution sent from AX to G, and a high temperature heat exchanger XH is provided for heating the diluted solution leaving from XL and sent to G with the concentrated solution supplied from G to GX.
US07827815B2

A portable apparatus and method for providing a cooled liquid for vascular administration are disclosed. The portable apparatus includes a source of liquid for vascular administration, a cooling reservoir for receiving liquid from the source, and a sorption-based heat exchanger for cooling liquid in the cooling reservoir by a sorption-based process. The heat exchanger may include an evaporative area for receiving and vaporizing a refrigerant, a sorptive material for sorping vaporized refrigerant, and a heat exchange member for conducting thermal energy from liquid in the cooling reservoir into the evaporative area. Additional componentry may be provided for fluidly interconnecting and controlling the flow of liquid from the source to the cooling reservoir and from the cooling reservoir to a vascular interface device. Such componentry may be conveniently packaged in a sterilized manner together with at least the cooling reservoir.
US07827810B2

An air conditioner includes a case having an inlet provided at a front surface thereof to suck in air and an outlet provided at a lower surface thereof to discharge the air, and at least one displaying member provided at an outer border of the inlet so as to display operating information and control operation of the air conditioner.
US07827807B2

Disclosed is a method and device to increase the cooling load that can be provided by a refrigerant-based thermal energy storage and cooling system with an improved arrangement of heat exchangers. This load increase is accomplished by circulating cold water surrounding a block of ice, used as the thermal energy storage medium, through a secondary heat exchanger where it condenses refrigerant vapor returning from a load. The refrigerant is then circulated through a primary heat exchanger within the block of ice where it is further cooled and condensed. This system is known as an internal/external melt system because the thermal energy, stored in the form of ice, is melted internally by a primary heat exchanger and externally by circulating cold water from the periphery of the block through a secondary heat exchanger.
US07827803B1

A method for using an aerodynamic stability management system is disclosed. The method includes placing at least one pressure sensor in a compressor, the at least one pressure sensor communicating with an aerodynamic stability management system controller and monitoring gas turbine engine performance using the aerodynamic stability management system controller. The controller includes a memory, an input/output interface and a processor. The method also includes defining a correlation threshold value and calculating a correlation measure using a plurality of pressure signals generated by the at least one pressure sensor and comparing the correlation measure with the correlation threshold value. When the correlation measure is less than the correlation threshold value a corrective action is implemented.
US07827802B2

The invention relates to a variable-section flow mixer for a double-flow turbojet for a supersonic airplane, the mixer comprising a central body, a primary cover, a secondary cover, and a nozzle extending the secondary cover. The nozzle has a plurality of external-air admission openings having mounted therein lobes that are movable between two positions: a closed position in which they close the openings; and a deployed position in which they disengage said openings and deploy into the nozzle so as to allow external air to be admitted. All of the lobes present a common azimuth component in a common direction, and the mixer further includes a plurality of longitudinal grooves occupying at least a portion of the central body, all of the grooves presenting a common azimuth component in a common direction that is opposite to the direction of the azimuth component of the lobes.
US07827794B1

The power plant combusts a hydrocarbon fuel with oxygen to produce high temperature high pressure products of combustion. These products of combustion are routed through an expander to generate power. The products of combustion are substantially free of oxides of nitrogen because the oxidizer is oxygen rather than air. To achieve fast starting, oxygen, fuel and water diluent are preferably stored in quantities sufficient to allow the power plant to operate from these stored consumables. The fuel can be a gaseous or liquid fuel. The oxygen is preferably stored as liquid and routed through a vaporizer before combustion in a gas generator along with the hydrocarbon fuel. In one embodiment, the vaporizer gasifies the oxygen by absorption of heat from air before the air is routed into a separate heat engine, such as a gas turbine. The gas turbine thus operates on cooled air and has its power output increased.
US07827786B2

An improved seal assembly is provided that minimizes loss of transmission pump pressure by controlling fluid flow past a torque converter hub bushing to meet bushing lubrication requirements without unnecessarily diminishing pump pressure and while also minimizing frictional losses. The seal assembly includes a rigid carrier adapted to fit between a pump body member and the torque converter hub. An elastomeric lip extends from the rigid carrier. A contact layer is connected to the elastomeric lip and configured to sealingly contact the torque converter hub. The contact layer is integral with and harder than the elastomeric lip, therefore minimizing frictional losses.
US07827783B2

An exhaust gas purifying apparatus for an internal combustion engine having a NOx removing device provided in an exhaust system of the engine and at least one fuel injector for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of the engine. A temperature of the NOx removing device is detected and a regeneration process, which removes sulfur oxide accumulated in the NOx removing device, is performed. The regeneration process is performed by performing at least one post injection after performing a main injection by the at least one fuel injector to raise a temperature of the NOx removing device or by increasing a main injection amount of fuel to raise the temperature of the NOx removing device without performing the post injection. The exhaust gases are then controlled to flow into the NOx removing device in the reducing state.
US07827779B1

A Liquid Metal Ion Thruster (LMIT) has a substrate having a plurality of pedestals, one end of the pedestal attached to the substrate, and the opposing end of the pedestal having a tip, the pedestals having grooves and the substrate also having grooves coupled to each other and to a source of liquid metal. An extractor electrode positioned parallel to the substrate and above the pedestal tips provides an electrostatic extraction field sufficient to accelerate ions from the tips of the pedestals through the extractor electrode. A series of focusing electrodes with matching apertures provides a flow of substantially parallel ion trajectories, and an optional negative ion source provides a charge neutralization to prevent space charge spreading of the exiting accelerated ions. The assembly is suitable for providing thrust for a satellite while maintaining high operating efficiencies.
US07827775B2

A harvesting machine includes a harvesting header with a header frame, a cutterbar assembly attached to the header frame along the length thereof and configured to cut a crop, and a draper assembly positioned behind the cutterbar assembly and operable to receive severed crop material from the cutterbar assembly. The draper assembly includes a center draper that delivers crop material to a feeder house of the harvesting machine and oppositely spaced side drapers that deliver crop material to the center draper. The harvesting header is operable to flex and thereby follow an uneven terrain. The header further includes end crop dividers that are mounted on outermost support arms that support the flexible cutterbar assembly so that the dividers swing with the outermost support arms as the flexible cutterbar assembly flexes.
US07827771B2

A mower carried on shoulders or back to be used. A bowl-shaped contact member is disposed under a rotating body driven to rotate around a vertical axis as to be freely rotate around the axis. And, a bottom wall face portion of the bowl-shaped contact member has a flat face at right angles with the axis on a lower face. And, the bowl-shaped contact member has a curved face portion connecting a cylindrical peripheral wall face portion, of which center is the axis, and the bottom wall face portion.
US07827767B2

A method and packing machine for combining an insert and a group of cigarettes; the group of cigarettes is fed to a first seat of a pocket, which first seat is designed to house the group of cigarettes; the insert is fed to a second seat of the pocket, which second seat is designed to house the insert and is separate from the first seat; and the group of cigarettes and the insert are expelled together from the pocket by a common ejector device, so as to combine the insert with the group of cigarettes.
US07827765B2

A method of forming a reclosable fastener track having a slider. The process provides a reclosable fastener track, forms a slit in the fastener track, attaches a slider to the fastener track, seals the slit in the fastener track after the slider attaches, and creates a first and a second end stop on the track.
US07827763B2

Apparatus and methods for spacing, securing, and stabilizing I-joists at their ends, and insulating and structural enhancing I-joist assemblies, are provided around the perimeter, or in the interior, of a floor or ceiling where ends of I-joists are located. Insulated blocking panels may comprise an insulating portion that provides a high-R-value and a structural portion which may comprise vertical panel(s) and optional integral support blocks that provide a profiled end surface for extending to the web of the I-joists. Alternatively, insulated blocking panels with flat, vertical end surfaces may be used with field-installed support blocks, or insulated blocking panels with profiled end surfaces may be used without any support blocks. The support blocks or profiled end surfaces of the insulated blocking panels extend to the web of each I-joist, to fill in the space between the I-joists near the I-joist ends, including a substantial amount of the space immediately adjacent the web of each I-joist. The preferred insulated blocking panels, therefore, insulated the outer perimeter of a floor or ceiling and also contribute vertical load carrying capability, and lateral shear and roll-over resistance.
US07827761B2

The present invention provides spacer stock for making a spacer frame for a multi-sheet unit. The spacer stock includes a first supporting surface; a second supporting surface opposite to, and facing away from, the first supporting surface; a base surface between and connecting the first and second supporting surfaces, and wherein the first and second supporting surfaces and base surface are made of plastic and rate of moisture and/or gas movement through portions of the first and second supporting surfaces is greater than the rate of moisture and/or gas movement, respectively through the base surface.
US07827759B1

A floor plug (10) is disclosed having a top plate (11) and a neck (12), the neck defining a top plate lip (14). To repair a bore hole (20) in a concrete floor (21) an adhesive (19) is applied to the underside of the lip (14) and the neck (12) is positioned within the bore hole (20). Once the adhesive has cured a viscous smoothing compound or concrete floor leveler is poured over the floor plug (21) and surrounding concrete floor area. If necessary, the concrete floor leveler material is smoothed to provide a generally smooth or level surface.
US07827757B2

A bracket system for assembling playground equipment includes a plurality of deck support brackets, at least two vertical frame brackets, at least two horizontal frame brackets, a swing bracket, and at least two ladder brackets. The deck support brackets secure horizontal deck support beams to vertical frame beams at first points along the vertical frame beams. The vertical frame brackets attach to at least two adjacent vertical frame beams at second points above the first points. The at least two horizontal frame brackets fix at least one horizontal frame beam to the at least two adjacent vertical frame beams at the second points; the horizontal frame brackets and the vertical frame brackets interconnect. The swing bracket fastens a swing support beam to the at least one horizontal frame beam at a third point along the at least one horizontal frame beam. The at least two ladder brackets connect a ladder to one of the horizontal deck support beams. A piece of playground equipment assembled with the bracket system and a method of assembling playground equipment with the bracket system also are disclosed.
US07827751B2

A sound and/or moisture barrier underlayment suited for use on a roof or floor surface to provide a substantially flat and level surface, comprises at least first and second strips of insulation membranes (10) laid down one next to the other in a coplanar relationship. The first and second strips (24, 26) have a thickness W1. An overlap joint (28) is provided between the first and second strips (24, 26). The overlap joint (28) has a thickness W2 substantially equal to or less than W1 to provide a free-bump transition between the first and second strips (24, 26) while preventing straight-through infiltration.
US07827745B2

A panel for providing explosion-resistant curtain walls comprising at least one glass pane suitable to form a glazing unit, and associated with a supporting frame constituted by at least two uprights connected, at their upper and lower ends, by at least two cross-members. The panel comprises an interconnection device for strengthening and interconnecting the uprights and the cross-members, a guiding device for strengthening and guiding in position two contiguous uprights of two panels arranged one above the other, and a limiting device for limiting mutual rotation of two contiguous uprights of two panels arranged side by side.
US07827743B2

An energy conserving active thermal insulation arrangement installed upon the ambient surface of an insulated structure employing alternately spaced insulated air channels and insulated conductive ply channels. A thin conductive ply conveys the energy by conduction from the airflow into the adjacent conductive ply channels, that contain an additional layer of foam which improves the conservation of energy. The conductive ply is placed above and below structural openings which would otherwise restrict airflow. The airflow is drawn from beneath the frost line, exhaust ventilation or sunspace. A math model solution determines the energy necessary to maintain a desired room temperature for each hour of the day which characterizes the thermal resistance. As the ambient temperature fluctuates, the resistance varies, however the energy for 24 hours is used to determine the total apparent resistance. Examples of apparent resistance R-value have been improved beyond any published resistance values to date.
US07827734B2

A window assembly includes a main outer support frame supporting at least one movable rectangular sash frame enclosing an insulated glass panel. The sash frame is supported for vertical or horizontal movement between open and closed positions, and an interlocking system is effective to lock adjacent overlapping sash frame members. The interlocking system includes an angular metal clip member mounted on one sash frame member and having a flange projecting into a slot within the adjacent sash frame member. A pair of clip members are located under the tilt latches on single and double hung window assemblies and are secured to a vertical sash frame member on a horizontal sliding window assembly. The interlocking system responds to a substantial positive or negative wind load or such a wind load after an impact which breaks a glass panel, to limit deflection and prevent permanent deformation or release of the movable sash frame.
US07827716B2

A mounting for sheet signage which includes a base structure of frame elements, an elongate support having frame members and sheet attachments. Mounts on the base and on the elongate supports facilitate placement of the mounting on the base structure. Interlocking elements are engageable through relative longitudinal displacement between the elongate supports and the base which are neither engageable nor disengageable through relative lateral displacement between these elements. A mounting for sheet signage also contemplates the integration of a vehicle frame with sheet attachments.
US07827714B2

A lighting unit adapted to be mounted to a vertical member, preferably a pole for use at a checkout counter in a retail service location. The lighting unit includes a substantially polygonal housing secured to the pole. The housing typically includes at least three sides, a top, and a base; the top may have slots to promote ventilation. An opening is formed in the first side of the housing and defines a receiving location for the pole, situated between the top and base of the housing. A clamp plate is releasably engageable with the first side of the housing spans the opening adjacent to the pole, and releasably engages the pole to provide for easy vertical adjustment of the housing relative to the pole. Each flange can advantageously include at least one set of teeth for enhancing the gripping strength of the clamp plates and penetrating the vertical member.
US07827711B2

An automatic rotating decoration includes a rotating body, a support, a driving device connecting the support, and a transmission member connecting the driving device and the rotating body. The support, the driving device and the transmission member all are received in the rotating body. An opening is defined in the rotating body. The support is exposed to the opening. The driving device includes a driving body and an output shaft extending from the driving body. The driving body includes a motor body and a battery seat electrically connecting the motor body. The automatic rotating decoration of the present invention may automatically rotate around the support on another object without additional housing thereby simplifying the structure of the automatic rotating decoration, increasing fun of the automatic rotating decoration and facilitating the handling.
US07827706B2

The present invention relates to a sole made from a first material, at least one receptacle made from a second material, and at least one stud, which can be releasably mounted within the receptacle by inserting a fastening projection of the stud into the receptacle. The fastening projection includes a first locking member, and the receptacle includes a flexible wall having a second locking member. The flexible wall is deflected when the fastening projection is inserted into the receptacle until the first and the second locking members engage.
US07827702B1

A measurement device for measuring a distance between a center of a through hole defined in a panel and a side of the panel extending from an end of the panel includes a positioning member, a support member, and a measurement member. The positioning member and the measurement member are set on two ends of the support member. An inside surface of the positioning member resists the side of the panel. A distance between the inside surface and a center of the measurement member is about equal to a normal distance between the side and the center of the through hole. If an actual distance between the side and the center of the through hole meets a determined specification, the measurement member will enter into the through hole.
US07827699B2

The present invention is directed to environmentally friendly levels. Through the use of renewable resource or environmentally friendly liquids in the transparent tubes of a level, it is possible to provide a level that will not harm the environment if the liquid escapes from the tubes as well as reduce the use of petroleum based fluids. In one embodiment, the level contains non-petroleum based hydrocarbons and a water-based solution of dissolved ionic solids. In other embodiments, the level contains non-petroleum based hydrocarbons and water-based solutions of dissolved ionic solids with increased boiling points and lowered freezing points. In other embodiments the level contains arced tubes, standard tubes and combinations of both wherein the liquid in the tubes may be the same or different.
US07827697B2

A low friction folding knife has a blade with a distal end and a tang. The tang has a slot disposed in the thickness of the tang with a roller cam extending slightly outside of the perimeter of the tang and rotatably attached within the slot. There is a safety assembly disposed within the first outer handle that has a safety stud extending through a safety slot in the first outer handle for moving the safety assembly between a safe position and a safe off position. There is an adjustable bias element disposed between the first liner and the second liner. The adjustable bias element is positioned to assist the blade in exiting the blade slot.
US07827693B2

A method of manufacturing a powertrain member capable of suppressing an effect of heat distortion is provided. A method of manufacturing a powertrain member including a disk portion provided to extend from a boss portion in a direction perpendicular to a rotation axis and having a through hole formed in the disk portion includes the first through hole formation step of forming a tip hole which is at least a portion of the through hole, the chamfering step of chamfering at least a portion of the tip hole, the heat treatment step of performing heat treatment after chamfering, and the second through hole formation step of forming a desired shape of the through hole by laser processing after heat treatment.
US07827690B1

A collector for liquid cooled exhaust includes a retention member, a coolant transfer plate and a collector housing. The retention member fits between at least two exhaust jacket pipes and is attached thereto. Holes are formed through the coolant transfer plate to receive the at least two exhaust jacket pipes and exhaust pipes. Such holes form respective sealing grooves therein, and respective sealing rings are received in such sealing grooves. The coolant transfer plate is secured to the retention member with welding or the like. At least one coolant opening is formed through each exhaust jacket pipe at substantially at end thereof, adjacent a coolant passage cavity in the coolant transfer plate. The collector housing is attached to the coolant transfer plate. Coolant flows between the exhaust pipes and exhaust jacket pipes; through the coolant transfer plate; and through the coolant housing.
US07827688B2

A method for riveting fins into a bottom plate of a heat dissipating device is disclosed. A punching device has a plurality of weights each of which is formed as a thin sheet. The punching device is installed to a fixture; a plurality of fins are spaced with a predetermined gap; and a bottom plate is formed with a plurality of trenches for receiving the fins. The method comprising the step of: positioning the bottom plate at the fixture; inserting the fins into the trenches of the bottom plate; inserting the weights of the punching device into the fins so that each space between two fins has a weight; and punching a backside of the bottom plate by a puncher so that as the bottom plate moves; the weights collide with and deform portions of the bottom plate between the fins to rivet the fins into the bottom plate, firmly securing the fins in the bottom plate.
US07827677B2

A component mounting system includes first to third (pickup, transfer, and placement) stations. A component supplied at a component supply is picked up by a transport head at the pickup station and then transferred to a placement head at the transfer station. The placement head carries the component to the placement station where the component is placed and mounted onto a substrate such as a circuit board. The component, when held by the placement head, is recognized by an imaging device at or in the vicinity of the transfer station.
US07827674B2

A method for providing a giant magneto-resistive (GMR) sensor for use in sensing magnetic flux is provided. The method comprises positioning a layer of Cu material between first and second layers of a specified ferromagnetic material. The respective end surfaces of the Cu layer and the first and second layers are initially located in a common plane and in a co-planar relationship with one another. The method further comprises removing an amount of material from the copper layer to form a new end surface thereof that is selectively spaced apart from the common plane and applying a protective coating to the new end surface of the Cu layer to inhibit corrosion of the Cu layer.
US07827673B2

In a resolver of a motor, a plurality of wires forming a plurality of coils arranged at a resolver stator portion are arranged at a wiring surface which is arranged at a terminal block of a connector portion and extends between an annular shape surface arranged substantially perpendicularly to a central axis at a core back of an insulator and a plurality of terminal pins, and are connected to a control unit via the terminal pins. Each of the wires of the resolver includes a slackened portion formed at a portion thereof between corresponding terminal pins and corresponding coils. The slackened portion is accommodated in a groove portion arranged at the wiring surface of the connector portion in order to minimize the possibility of damaging the wire improving reliability of the connection between the terminal pin and the coil.
US07827666B2

The present alignment tool, method, and system improve the alignment of a driver to a motor. The alignment tool includes a securing ring, a track, and a rotatable ring. The rotatable ring of the alignment tool eliminates the onerous and dangerous rotation of the driver, or motor, previously required for aligning the motor to the pump.
US07827663B2

A pipe gripper includes an adjustable throat for receiving a pipe and a bore having an unbroken inner circumference that exceeds 180 degrees.
US07827662B2

A device of a descaler head is described with circumferentially following and longitudinally following rows of descaler parts (22, 24, 26) where the descaler head comprises: a shaft (12) onto which are fed a number of holding elements for the descaler parts (22, 24, 26), said holding bodies are held together in axial direction with the help of adjustable gripping appliances on the carrier shaft, and each descaler part is connected to associated holding bodies via connecting means that are each in the form of a relatively short length of chain, piece of wire or similar flexible connecting means, at a distance from the rotational axis of the descaler head. The descaler head is characterized in that each holding body is formed by two mutually separated disc-formed elements(30, 32), with the descaler elements (22, 24, 26) being arranged held in between the plate elements of the holding body with mutual distance along their periphery, with each holding body (30, 32) being shaped with means to prevent mutual twisting in relation to the adjoining holding bodies.
US07827659B2

A method of manufacturing an ink jet recording head. The method includes providing a laminated structure in which a first electrode layer is located on a diaphragm, a piezoelectric layer is located on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer is located on the piezoelectric layer and etching the first electrode layer, the second electrode layer and the piezoelectric layer so that a portion of the diaphragm is exposed. In this method, at least the second electrode layer and the piezoelectric layer are etched simultaneously.
US07827657B2

A method of making an electrode assembly for a plasma processing apparatus includes securing a backing member to an electrode wherein first fastener members mounted in apertures in the backing member cooperate with second fastener members to hold the electrode assembly to a support member, such as a temperature-controlled top plate in a plasma processing chamber.
US07827656B2

A clip (100) for retaining a first conduit (210) to a second conduit (230), the first conduit including a first connector (220) and the second conduit including a second connector (240). The first connector is releasably connected to the second connector. The clip (100) comprises a base portion (110) and a first clip portion (120) extending away from the base portion. The first clip portion (120) has a first opening (140) that is sized to frictionally retain the first connector (220). The clip further comprises a second clip portion (150) disposed on the base portion (110) away from the first clip portion (120). The second clip portion (150) includes a second opening (170) that is sized to frictionally retain the second connector (240). A method for securing a first conduit (210) to a second conduit (230) by attaching a clip (100) to the first conduit and the second conduit is also provided.
US07827650B2

An economical and disposable cleaning tool which may be prepared by a simplified manufacturing process involving a reduced number of steps. The cleaning tool includes a cleaning pad and a handle, the cleaning pad having a pocket for receiving the a handle. The cleaning pad may be provided with a top sheet and a fiber bundle. The top sheet is folded over and bonded to provide a cleaning portion and a back portion, and the fiber bundle is disposed on the cleaning portion. The cleaning portion and the back portion of the folded sheet are bonded together forming the pocket for a handle to be disposed therein. The handle may include a hinge to enable the handle to be repeatedly folded over for convenient storage or easily extended for use.
US07827639B2

There is provided a reliable method for sensing a laundry amount and a method for controlling a washing machine, in which a method for sensing a laundry amount is performed appropriately according to the laundry amount. According to the method of the present invention, the reliability in the sensed laundry amount is improved.
US07827635B2

A subject loading system is provided for moving a subject disposed in an isolation zone into and out of a diagnostic system disposed outside the isolation zone. A tube extends away from the isolation zone. The tube has an inner volume open to the isolation zone and operatively coupled with the diagnostic system. An elongated subject support pallet is disposed in the isolation zone and dimensioned to fit into the tube. A base including a mechanical drive is disposed in the isolation zone and is configured to align the elongated subject support pallet with the tube and to move the elongated subject support pallet into and out of the tube.
US07827625B2

A protective garment for a torso is disclosed herein. The protective garment includes a protector portion having an outer surface and an inner surface. The protective garment also includes a screen layer disposed below the outer surface.
US07832015B2

A method for providing a user with access to a plurality of computer resources, at least some of which utilize distinct protocols for receiving security information and for providing access to outside systems based on received security information. A request is received from the user identifying one of the plurality of computer resources. From a set of previously stored records each of which identifies one of the plurality of computer resources and contains security information for allowing access to the computer resource identified in the record, one of the records of the set is selected whose identification of one of the plurality of computer resources best matches the request's identification of one of the plurality of computer resources. The security information in the selected record is used to provide access to the computer resource identified in the request according to the distinct protocol utilized by that resource.
US07832014B2

A DRM disk such as a Blu-ray stores content in a high resolution version for playing by a disk player. The disk also stores the same content in a lower resolution version for playing by a secondary device such as a Playstation Portable (PSP). The disk can be engaged with the disk player and the lower resolution format transferred to the secondary player through a mechanism such as a removable medium (e.g., a Sony Memory Stick®) or a USB connection or other means in accordance with DRM restrictions on the disk.
US07832006B2

The present disclosure provides a system and method configured to manage and facilitate network security. When a lack of security in a communication network is detected by a security agent or when a remote device requests security, a security profile can be determined by a security manager based on the detection or the request and the available network equipment. The security profile may contain numerous executable security objects that are selected based on the security issue and parameters of the specific network device(s) that will be implementing the security feature. The system and method may include a plurality of executable security objects configured to provide security for operations associated with multiple network devices communication over the network.
US07832004B2

A computing device has a user desktop on which a relatively less-secure user application is executed and a secure desktop elevated from the user desktop on which a relatively more-secure secure application is executed upon a request thereto from the user application. To securely collect information from a user at the computer device with regard to the secure application at the secure desktop, an access interface is securely executed on the secure desktop and is visually presented in conjunction with the requesting user application of the user desktop such that the access interface is visually coupled to the requesting user application and is visually perceived by the user along with such requesting user application.
US07831987B2

A program selecting method includes the steps of: storing still pictures or motion pictures of specific scenes of a plurality of viewed programs selected in a predetermined period; presenting the pictures of the specific scenes corresponding to a plurality of programs viewed in the past, during operation of program selection; and selecting the viewed program corresponding to the picture selected by operation of selecting the pictures presented.
US07831984B2

A disk drive includes a disk rotating unit, a traverse base holding the disk rotating unit, a damper member holding the traverse base, a main unit holding the traverse base through the damper member, a tray mounting a cartridge housing the disk, a driving unit that loads or ejects the tray and moves the disk in the cartridge relative to the disk rotating unit, and a traverse base holding member that is moved vertically by the driving unit relative to the main unit at the time of tray loading or tray ejection. The traverse base is held by the traverse base holding member through the damper member, and the resonance frequencies of the damper member in the radius direction of the disk as it is being loaded and in the direction of a rotation shaft are set higher than the maximum rotational frequency of the disk.
US07831978B2

A method for creating a review task includes receiving task data, the task data including information on a main task to be performed. Delegation data is received, the delegation data including information identifying a first delegator of the main task and a first delegatee to perform the main task. A review task is created, with the review task having as its object at least aspects of the main task. The review task is assigned to the first delegator of the main task, and review task data is stored based on the completed main task.
US07831963B2

In a method for tracing a program according to the present invention, a processing unit that executes a program, generates a task control block corresponding to the program based on a tracer storage destination/trace information output destination storage area, which makes a correspondence between the storage destination of a tracer and the output destination of trace information in a primary storage area for each of the plurality of processing units, specifies to output the trace information to a trace information output destination area specified in the task control block when executing the trace process, and executes the tracer specified in the task control block.
US07831959B1

A system and method are provided to manage configuration of multiple file server appliances. The method comprises obtaining a source configuration from a storage server, and pushing a target configuration associated with the source configuration to one or more target storage servers.
US07831957B2

A relationship acquisition unit acquires the relationship between a plurality of sequences to be implemented to realize the functions required for a system to be designed and an object to and from which the sequences deliver and receive messages. A grouping unit groups the sequences which deliver and receive messages to and from the same object to make a group of sequences associated with the object. A duplication dissolution unit dissolves, when the same sequence belongs to different groups of sequences in duplication, the duplication of the sequence based on the relationship, between the sequence and other sequences which deliver and receive messages to and from the object to and from which the sequence delivers and receives messages, of the implementation order of the object. An output unit associates each group and outputs the sequences belonging to the group of sequences associated with the functional blocks.
US07831949B2

To provide a method of designing a semiconductor integrated circuit with a high workability also in an increase in a scale of an LSI and an enhancement in an integration and designing a semiconductor integrated circuit system in which an unnecessary radiation is reduced and which is excellent in a heat characteristic, a reverse design flow to that in the conventional art is implemented, and a mounting substrate such as a printed-circuit board is first designed and a package substrate for mounting an LSI is designed based on a result of the design of the mounting substrate, and a layout design of the LSI to be mounted on the package substrate is then carried out.
US07831948B2

Method and system for automatically generating schematic diagrams of an assembly is provided. The method includes providing one or more identifiers for an assembly, the identifiers providing index to an assembly and component database. A plurality of components for the assembly is retrieved from the database based on the identifiers received. A list of component data, configuration data, location data and bundling data for each of the components, a plurality of schematic diagrams associated with each of the component and its inter-connection with other components within the assembly based on the identifiers are generated. The data generated for each of the components are organized and indexed to associate the identifiers with the assembly and related data of the components.
US07831932B2

An electrical switch apparatus including a movement sensitive form is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing, a motion sensor and a processing unit, where motion on, near or about the motion sensor is translated into output commands adapted for list scrolling, where the list can be arranged in a hierarchy such as menus or for changing a value of an attribute of a electrical device under the control of the switch.
US07831928B1

Displaying a preference by a user of a content contribution is disclosed. A preference event by the user is detected. A plurality of detected events is stored. In response to a query from a client, at least a portion of the stored detected events is stored. At least a portion of the received events is displayed in an interface.
US07831924B2

A processing system may include a display device, a primary window manager, and an auxiliary window manager. The primary window manager may display a first remote-enabled window in the display device. The processing system may also include a program to generate a mouse-enabled window, and the primary window manager may prevent the mouse-enabled window from displaying in front of the first remote-enabled window. The auxiliary window manager may detect an attempt to display the mouse-enabled window, and, in response, may automatically display a second remote-enabled window in front of the first remote-enabled window. The second remote-enabled window may include an object that a user can select with a remote control to instruct the processing system to display the mouse-enabled window. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07831923B2

Mechanisms for providing visual keyboard guides according to a programmable set of keys are provided. With the mechanisms of the illustrative embodiments, a user may select for which keys of a keyboard the user wishes to receive visual guides on a display of a data processing device associated with the keyboard. Thereafter, when the user's fingers are in proximity to keys of the keyboard, a comparison of the keys in proximity to the user's instrument to the keys for which visual guides are to be provided is made. If the keys in proximity to the user's instrument match keys for which visual guides are to be provided, a visual guide is displayed on the display of the data processing device. A graphical user interface may be provided to the user for setting which keys are to have associated visual guides.
US07831922B2

A transparent graphical user interface that overlays the user interfaces of other applications. The transparent user interface receives handwriting input and displays handwriting objects represented by handwriting input received in the area of the transparent handwriting interface. The transparent user interface of the invention can be expanded to include most of the display area of a computer, thereby allowing the user to write anywhere within the display area. This also allows the user to write multiple lines of text. Additionally, because the user interface is transparent, it allows the user to see the underlying graphical user interfaces for other applications, including applications that receive text recognized from the handwriting input written into the transparent handwriting interface. Further the transparent interface allows the user to interact with underlying graphical user interfaces.
US07831918B2

Design of a user interface can be based on content of a data source bound to the user interface. Access can be provided to a data source having fields containing respective items of data. The items can be automatically analyzed to determine which types of user interface elements and/or properties of user interface elements to bind to the fields. Information for binding the fields with the respective determined types of user interface elements and/or the properties can be generated or stored. A user interface design tool can have data field identifiers that identify data fields of a data source. Control-type designators associated with the data fields can allow a user to designate one of a plurality control-types. Property designators associated with one of the control-type designators can be included to allow a user to designate a property of the control-type designated by a corresponding control-type designator.
US07831915B2

Various embodiments provide protection against web resources associated with one or more undesirable activities. In at least some embodiments, a method detects and responds to a user-initiated activity on a computing device. Responding can include, by way of example and not limitation, checking locally, on the computing device, whether a web resource that is associated with the user-initiated activity has been identified as being associated with a safe site. Furthermore, in at least some embodiments, the method checks remotely, away from the computing device, whether the web resource is identified as being at least possibly associated with one or more undesirable activities.
US07831903B2

A method is disclosed for coding a structured document, wherein a plurality of codes is generated by use of one or more schemata and/or name spaces. For a schema and/or a name space and/or for a group of schemata and/or name spaces independent codes for the elements defined or declared in the schemata and/or in the groups of schemata and/or name spaces are allocated. For every schema and/or name space an allocation to additional schemata and/or name spaces is carried out. A corresponding coding method, a coding device, a decoding device and a coding/decoding device are also disclosed.
US07831901B1

A system comprises an editable electronic document and a plurality of selectable sub areas in the document, each independently actionable for cropping.
US07831897B2

Described is a data transmission path including a device for checking the data integrity of data transmitted from the sender side to the receiver side of the data transmission path, in a motor vehicle in particular, having a first data modification device on the sender side and a second data modification device on the receiver side which each have the same transmission function and a comparator for comparing the output data of the data modification devices. Input data are modified into output data on the sender side and transmitted to the receiver side, and identical input data are transmitted to the receiver side and modified there into output data. Moreover, a method for checking the data integrity is described.
US07831885B2

A digital receiving system, and a method of processing data are disclosed. The digital receiving system includes a receiving unit, a known sequence detector, and a channel equalizer. The receiving unit receives a broadcast signal including mobile service data and main service data. The known sequence detector detects known data linearly inserted in a data group. The channel equalizer performs channel-equalizing on the received mobile service data using the detected known data.
US07831881B2

The data detecting apparatus may provide a voltage comparison unit that compares a reference voltage, associated with a specific data bit from among a plurality of data bits stored in a memory cell, with a threshold voltage in the memory cell, a detection unit that detects a value of the specific data bit based on a result of the voltage comparison unit, and a decision unit that decides whether the specific data bit is successfully detected based on whether an error occurs in the detected data. The detection unit may re-detect a value of the specific data bit based on detection information with respect to at least one of an upper data bit and a lower data bit in relation to the specific data bit, in response to a result of the decision unit.
US07831875B2

A test architecture accesses IP core test wrappers within an IC using a Link Instruction Register (LIR). An IEEE P1500 standard is in development for providing test access to these individual cores via a test structure called a wrapper. The wrapper resides at the boundary of the core and provides a way to test the core and the interconnections between cores. The test architecture enables each of the plural wrappers in the IC, including wrappers in cores embedded within other cores, with separate enable signals.
US07831874B2

A reconfigurable high performance computer includes a stack of semiconductor substrate assemblies (SSAs). Some SSAs involve FPGA dice that are surface mounted, as bare dice, to a semiconductor substrate. Other SSAs involve memory dice that are surface mounted to a semiconductor substrate. Elastomeric connectors are sandwiched between, and interconnect, adjacent semiconductor substrates proceeding down the stack. Each SSA includes a local defect memory and a self-test mechanism. The self-test mechanism periodically tests the SSA and its interconnects, and stores resulting defect information into its local defect memory. The computer is configured to realize a user design and then is run. A defect is then detected. If the defect is determined to be in a part of the computer used in the realization of user design, then the computer is reconfigured not to use the defective part and running of the computer is resumed, otherwise the computer resumes running without reconfiguration.
US07831870B2

An integrated circuit containing memory includes IEEE 1149.1 (JTAG) controlled self-repair system that permits permanent repair of the memory after the integrated circuit has been packaged. The JTAG controlled self-repair system allows a user to direct circuitry to blow fuses using an externally supplied voltage to electrically couple or isolate components to permanently repair a memory location with JTAG standard TMS and TCK signals. The system may optionally sequentially repair more than one memory location using a repair sequencer.
US07831869B2

A block of user data is formatted by arranging the user data block into a byte array having plural rows and plural columns of bytes. An error correction code is applied to individual ones of the rows of bytes, such that each row has four code words.
US07831863B2

A diagnostic process applicable to VLSI designs to address the accuracy of diagnostic resolution. Environmentally based fail data drives adaptive test methods which hone the test pattern set and fail data collection for successful diagnostic resolution. Environmentally based fail data is used in diagnostic simulation to achieve a more accurate environmentally based fault callout. When needed, additional information is included in the process to further refine and define the simulation or callout result. Similarly, as needed adaptive test pattern generation methods are employed to result in enhanced diagnostic resolution.
US07831862B2

A processing device includes a timer and a processor core configured to execute an instruction during a debug session. The processing device further includes a timer control module configured to selectively enable/disable the timer based on a characteristic of the instruction. Another processing device includes a timer, a processor core configured to single step execute a sequence of instructions during a debug session, and a timer control module configured to selectively enable/disable the timer during single step execution of each instruction of the sequence of instructions.
US07831845B2

A power-up circuit includes a power-up signal generating section connected to an external source terminal, configured to generate a power-up signal when the external source reaches a predetermined target level, and to selectively interrupt a path from the external source terminal in response to a selection signal. A pulse generating section generates a pulse with a predetermined pulse width to control an initializing operation with reference to an activation time of the power-up signal. A power-up controlling section provides the power-up signal generating section with the selection signal, variable by the pulse, when the power-up signal is active.
US07831841B2

A secure LSI device 1 includes an encryption section 2 for encrypting a program, and an external I/F 50 for inputting/outputting a program or data from/to an external memory 100. In the encryption section 2, the operation of a private key arithmetic processing section 20 is prohibited with respect to a sequence whose execution is determined by a key-generation/update sequencer 30 to be impermissible. In the external I/F 50, a program processing section 51 and a data processing section 55 are structured independently from each other.
US07831840B1

A system and method are provided for codifying security concerns into a user interface. An application launching a window may be determined, and the security attributes associated with the application may be ascertained. If the security attributes indicate that the application is insecure, the window may be visually and/or behaviorally modified to reflect the level of security of the application.
US07831831B2

An authentication communication system is capable of storing information relating to revoked devices in less area than is conventionally required.A computer unit stores in advance revocation information that indicates at least one revoked apparatus, and when authenticating a driver unit judges, based on the revocation information, whether or not the driver unit is revoked. The computer unit prohibits communication with the driver unit when the driver unit is judged to be revoked, and communicates with the driver unit when the driver unit is judged not to be revoked.
US07831828B2

A system and method for securely authenticating a data exchange session with an implantable medical device is presented. A crypto key uniquely associated with an implantable medical device is defined to authenticate data during a data exchange session. A secure connection is established from an external source with a secure key repository securely maintaining the crypto key. Authorization to access data on the implantable medical device is authenticated by securely retrieving the crypto key from the secure key repository.
US07831825B2

The disclosed technology provides a system and method of securely communicating data. An encryptor located at a transmitter can provide encrypted data to the transmitter. The transmitter can maintain a packet number indicating a particular packet for carrying the encrypted data and a sub-packet number indicating a position within the packet where the encrypted data is to be stored. The encryptor can produce the encrypted data using an encryptor seed generated based on the packet number and sub-packet number. A receiver can maintain a receiver packet number indicating a number of previously received packets and can compute a receiver sub-packet number. The receiver can receive a packet containing encrypted data and can decrypt the encrypted data using a decryptor seed generated based on the receiver packet number and sub-packet number.
US07831824B2

The present invention discloses a hallmark verification process for verifying a hallmark of a web site, the process comprising the step of a user activating a hallmark verification process on a device with access to the web site in which the web site does not have access to the activation of the verification request.
US07831817B2

A two-level branch prediction apparatus includes branch bias logic for predicting whether a branch instruction will result in a branch being taken. Upon receipt of a first address portion of a branch instruction's address, a first store outputs a corresponding first branch bias value. A history store stores history data identifying an actual branch outcome for preceding branch instructions. A second store stores multiple entries, each entry including a replacement branch bias value and a TAG value. An index derived from the history data causes the second store to output a corresponding entry. The first branch bias value is selected unless the TAG value corresponds to a comparison TAG value derived from a second address portion of the branch instruction's address, in which event, the replacement branch bias value is selected.
US07831814B2

The invention concerns a monitoring device (18′, 18″) integrated to the chip of a microprocessor (12) executing a series of instructions comprising message calculating means (36) for upon each execution of an instruction, producing a corresponding digital message; a buffer memory (34) for storing each message produced; and a plurality of output terminals (FA, FB, FC) connected to an external analyzing tool (24), each output terminal (FA, FB, FC) being associated with one type of instructions; the message calculating means (36) modifying the state of the output terminal (FA, FB, FC) associated with one type of instructions at the time when a message corresponding to said type of instructions is stored in the buffer memory.
US07831802B2

Executing Multiple Instructions Multiple Data (‘MIMD’) programs on a Single Instruction Multiple Data (‘SIMD’) machine, the SIMD machine including a plurality of compute nodes, each compute node capable of executing only a single thread of execution, the compute nodes initially configured exclusively for SIMD operations, the SIMD machine further comprising a data communications network, the network comprising synchronous data communications links among the compute nodes, including establishing a SIMD partition comprising a plurality of the compute nodes; booting the SIMD partition in MIMD mode; executing by launcher programs a plurality of MIMD programs on compute nodes in the SIMD partition; and re-executing a launcher program by an operating system on a compute node in the SIMD partition upon termination of the MIMD program executed by the launcher program.
US07831799B1

An improved address translation method and mechanism for memory management in a computer system is disclosed. A segmentation mechanism employing segment registers maps virtual addresses into a linear address space. A paging mechanism optionally maps linear addresses into physical or real addresses. Independent protection of address spaces is provided at each level. Information about the state of real memory pages is kept in segment registers or a segment register cache potentially enabling real memory access to occur simultaneously with address calculation, thereby increasing performance of the computer system.
US07831797B2

A memory system is functionally designed so that, despite operation without an error correction device, memory chips of a memory module that are actually provided for error correction are concomitantly used for the data transfer. A control device is configured to receive, store and transfer data packets to and from a first and second set of memory chips. Transfer of an internal packet data from the control device to memory takes place such that a first record is stored in a second set of memory chips and additional records are stored in the first set of memory chips. In preferred embodiments, data is allocated in the second set of memory chips such that at least one additional transfer step takes place to the second set of memory chips compared with transfers to the first set of memory chips. In the additional transfer step(s), the first set of memory chips is masked from receiving data.
US07831791B2

A system and method for address space layout randomization (“ASLR”) for a Windows operating system is disclosed. The address space layout includes one or more memory regions that are identified and then a particular implementation of the system randomizes the identified memory region in order to prevent any software vulnerabilities.
US07831788B1

Systems, methods, apparatus and software can utilize storage resource locks to prevent modification (including relocation) of data in the storage resource while a third-party copy operation directed at the storage resource is occurring. A data transport mechanism such as a data restore application requests that a relevant portion of the storage resource be locked. Once locked, the data transport mechanism requests a data mover to perform a third-party copy operation whereby data is moved from a data source to the locked portion of the storage resource. When the third party-copy operation is complete, the data transport mechanism requests release of the lock on the portion of the storage resource.
US07831787B1

A high efficiency portable archive (“HEPA”) implements a storage system running in a computer architecture to generate point-in-time versions of a raw data set. The HEPA can be implemented in a variety of computer architectures with the storage system being implemented as a conventional application on a host operating system or as a virtual system on a virtualization layer. In either case, the point-in-time versions and optionally the storage system itself can be archived on archive media. Alternately, the point-in-time versions and optionally the storage system itself can be replicated to a virtualized storage system first and then archived on archive media. The storage system and point-in-time versions of the raw data set can be restored into a virtual system on any hardware subsystem that supports the virtual system.
US07831782B1

A system or method for reestablishing data consistency between data volume P and its real time or near real time copy volume S. When volumes P and S enter a state of data inconsistency, data consistency can be restored through use of roll-back and/or roll-forward logs. The roll-forward log stores new data to be written to volume P. The roll-back log stores existing data of volume S before the existing data of volume S is overwritten with new data. As will be more fully described below, the roll-back log can be used to incrementally restore volume S to a prior data state in reverse chronological order, while a roll-forward log can be used to incrementally restore volume S in forward chronological to equal the data state of volume P.
US07831779B2

A multiple computer system is disclosed in which n computers (M1, M2 . . . Mn) each run a different portion of a single application program written to execute only on a single computer. The local memory of each computer is maintained substantially the same by updating all computers with every change made to addressed memory locations. Contention can arise when the same memory location is substantially simultaneously updated by two or more machines because of transmission delays and latency of the communications network interconnecting all the computers. Contention detection and resolution is disclosed. A count value (99) indicative of the cumulative number of times each memory location has been updated is utilized. Contention is indicated if the currently stored count value and the incoming updating count value are the same. A method of echo suppression and a method of echo rejection are disclosed. In particular incrementing the count value by two in the case of consecutive sequential transmission to the same memory location (D) is disclosed.
US07831774B2

A method and apparatus for preventing selection of Deleted (D) members as an LRU victim during LRU victim selection. During each cache access targeting the particular congruence class, the deleted cache line is identified from information in the cache directory. A location of a deleted cache line is pipelined through the cache architecture during LRU victim selection. The information is latched and then passed to MRU vector generation logic. An MRU vector is generated and passed to the MRU update logic, which is selects/tags the deleted member as a MRU member. The make MRU operation affects only the lower level LRU state bits arranged in a tree-based structure state bits so that the make MRU operation only negates selection of the specific member in the D state, without affecting LRU victim selection of the other members.
US07831768B2

A method for writing data to a RAID 5 configuration of hard disks writes two or more items of data to a data stripe together. The method includes the determining of the suitability of data items to be written together, the storing of the new data items to temporary buffers, the reading of the original data and parity from the hard disk to the temporary buffers, the modification of the parity and the writing of the new data and new parity to the hard disks.
US07831763B2

A security apparatus for a nonvolatile memory includes a nonvolatile memory, a working buffer temporality storing a predetermined unit output from the nonvolatile memory, a checksum buffer storing a checksum of at least one unit output from the nonvolatile memory, and a read verification engine controlling storing of a unit output from the nonvolatile memory corresponding to a read signal that is externally input, in the working buffer. The read verification engine calculates a checksum of the unit corresponding to the read signal stored in the working buffer and compares a calculated checksum with a checksum of the unit corresponding to the read signal stored in the checksum buffer.
US07831760B1

A method includes indexing a translation table stored in memory with a first index of a virtual address corresponding to a first memory region size by querying the translation table at first locations associated with the first index. Indexing the translation table with a second index of the virtual address corresponding to a second memory region size by querying the translation table at second locations associated with the second index. The translation table includes translations for mapping address tags of the virtual address to physical addresses. The first index is different than the second index, and the first memory region size is different than the second memory region size.
US07831759B2

A computer-implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product are disclosed in a data processing environment that includes host computer systems that are coupled to adapters utilizing a switched fabric for routing packets between the host computer systems and the adapters. A unique destination identifier is assigned to one of the host computer systems. A portion of a standard format packet destination address is selected. Within a particular packet, the portion is set equal to the unique identifier that is assigned to the host computer system. The particular packet is then routed through the fabric to the host computer system using the unique destination identifier.
US07831745B1

A host station and a scatter gather engine (SGE) station communicate with each other. In the host station, a host generation indication is maintained. In the SGE station, an SGE generation indication is maintained. Information, including the host generation indication maintained in the host station, is written into an entry of a data structure in a memory associated with the host station. In the SGE station, information is received from each of at least one of the entries of the data structure. The received information is processed, including comparing the SGE generation indication maintained in the SGE station to the host generation indication in the entry to determine whether the information in that entry includes valid information.
US07831742B2

An embodiment of the invention describes a method for enumeration. The method includes assigning a second number to a device of a plurality of devices, wherein each device of the plurality of devices has a different unique first number. The method includes comparing at least portions of the first numbers and assigning a second number to one of the plurality of devices depending on the result of the comparison.
US07831735B1

A plurality of data objects may be replicated across a plurality of computing nodes coupled to a network. The network may include a first node operable to initiate an update operation to update a plurality of replicas of a first object. If one or more of the replicas are not reachable then the update operation may update a subset (e.g., a quorum) but not all of the replicas. For each node on which one of the replicas was updated in the update operation, the node may add the object to a list of incoherent objects. The list of incoherent objects may subsequently be used to bring the lagging replicas in sync with the replicas that were updated. In another embodiment, a plurality of replicas of an object may be stored on a plurality of nodes, similarly as described above. A first node that stores a replica of the object may store a first timestamp associated with the replica on the first node. The timestamp may be used to ensure that the replica on the first node is coherent with respect to one or more other replicas by periodically communicating with the one or more other replicas when a threshold amount of time has passed without the replica on the first node receiving an update.
US07831729B1

A method, system and computer program product. The method includes: receiving multiple variable bit rate version of a program; wherein different variable bit rate versions of the program differ from each other by their bit rate; converting each variable bit version of the program to a constant bit version of the program by adding null packets so that once an edge device removes the null packets a valid single program transport stream is generated; and transmitting multiple constant bit versions of the program to a server.
US07831722B2

A portable communications device adapted to provide communications security and user identification, and authentication. In one embodiment, the device is useful with an untrusted network, and comprises security apparatus adapted to create associations with one or more security devices on the network. Traffic between the associated devices may be encrypted and residue-protected for e.g., data confidentiality and integrity protection. In one variant, the security apparatus comprises a software entity disposed at least partly within the software stack of a host. A security card may also be used as part of the security apparatus. The portable device may be untrusted (e.g., have an untrusted operating system) and also be physically unsecure. In one variant, the security apparatus is also agnostic to the portable device with which it is used.
US07831718B2

An apparatus, method and system to improve data transfer across a communications network by employing an acknowledgment independent equalized data packet transfer mechanism on a peer-to-peer basis. The present disclosure teaches how many computers can send data to many other computers, with particularity on a peer-to-peer basis when desired, without requiring acknowledgements of safe receipt by the receiving computer. By aggregating several computers to send data in a collection to a requesting computer, transfer rates may be increased. Further, by not requiring acknowledgment of receipt from the receiving computer, and by treating all data packets with equal utility, the present disclosure teaches a mechanism that reduces file transfer administration bandwidth, increases file transfer scalability on demand, and increases overall network transfer efficiency.
US07831709B1

Computer implemented methods and systems are provided for flexible grouping for port analysis. Router configurations are parsed to create port data for each port on each router in a service provider network. The port data is integrated with customer data to create an integrated database. A plurality of ports is assigned to a plurality of groups in the integrated database based on applying a set of user defined rules, wherein at least one of the plurality of ports is assigned to multiple groups. Port data and customer data associated with a group selected from the plurality of groups is displayed.
US07831707B2

Methods, systems, and computer program products for managing electronic subscriptions are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method includes monitoring, at an electronic subscription client, receipt of one or more subscription messages associated with an electronic subscription. Interaction with the electronic subscription client by a client may be monitored to determine a viewing frequency of the one or more received subscription messages. Further, a prompt with a control configured for unsubscribing the user from receiving a future subscription message associated with the electronic subscription may be presented based on the determined viewing frequency.
US07831706B1

Information related to activity of a user may be provided using a method or a data processing system program product to perform the method. In one embodiment, the method includes sending a first view request to a first electronic site, receiving a first view from the first electronic site, and first information related to the first view request to a second entity that is different from the first entity. In another embodiment, a data processing system program product may perform a method of sending information related to a view request from the user for an electronic site. The information is to be sent to an entity that is different from an entity that substantially controls or owns the electronic site and different from an Internet service provider of the user, if the user is to use the Internet service provider in accessing the electronic site.
US07831705B1

Events are preprocessed and rulesets are horizontally partitioning among rule computer systems. This allows the event analysis to be horizontally partitioned onto different rule computer systems. Thus, event correlation across large, high-speed networks is readily performed. Further, by increasing or decreasing the granularization of the horizontally partitioning of the rulesets, the event correlation is readily scalable.
US07831693B2

System and method for designing and implementing Web Services according to a structured methodology and design patterns. Embodiments may incorporate a structured methodology, best practices and design patterns that address reliability, availability and scalability of Web Services architecture. Embodiments may provide mechanisms for integrating heterogeneous technology components into Web Services. Embodiments may provide a vendor-independent Web Services architecture framework and reusable Web Services design patterns, which may be used in creating end-to-end solutions based on past experience and best practices. Embodiments may include design patterns and best practices for delivering Web Services solutions with Quality of Services. One embodiment may provide a Business-to-Business Integration (B2Bi) integration framework for Web Services. Embodiments may provide a Web Security framework and design patterns for designing end-to-end Web Services security.
US07831689B2

A system and method for managing a virtual private network. The system and method include a graphical user interface. The graphical user interface is configured to display at least one link for accessing, via the interne, a web-page associated with a switch offering virtual private network functions.
US07831675B2

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a method for interacting with and controlling infrastructure devices within an IM environment. The method comprises registering at least one infrastructure device at an IM server, registering at least one computing device at the IM server, and delivering one or more of infrastructure device characteristics, status information, and service information from a registered infrastructure device to the IM server, wherein the IM server is configured to publish and update the infrastructure device characteristics, status information, and service information from the at least one registered infrastructure device to registered computing devices. The method also comprises maintaining and displaying a contact list at an IM client application executing at a registered computing device, wherein the contact listing is populated with a listing of registered infrastructure devices and the infrastructure device characteristics, status information, and service information that is associated with the infrastructure device.
US07831672B2

Systems and methods are disclosed for avoiding electronic mail (email) attacks on a computer by downloading one or more emails in virtual-copy format to prevent the one or more emails from executing; determining whether a potentially infected email is in the one or more emails; and displaying the potentially infected email to a user and providing a user interface to allow the user to select and delete the infected email prior to downloading emails to the user's computer.
US07831657B2

An electronic apparatus for performing an operation by use of an application, which can communicate with a plurality of external apparatuses, includes an application registering unit to register one or more applications selected as available applications from applications installed in the plurality of external apparatuses, an application selecting unit to select an application to be utilized from the one or more applications registered by the application registering unit, and a control unit to communicate with an external apparatus having the selected application installed therein to perform the operation by utilizing the selected application installed in the external apparatus.
US07831653B2

A partially manufactured semiconductor chip comprising a slice and a number of shells is a template for a communication and networking chip. The slice has a number of I/O ports, blocks, and PHYs. The hardmac PHYs are established to correspond to a high speed data transmission protocol. The interior of the template comprises logic gate arrays and configurable memory. Once particular protocols of data receipt and transmission are selected, the logic gate arrays and configurable memory can be programmed and otherwise configured to develop protocol layers for data networking and communication.
US07831649B2

Provided is a method for transforming data using a look-up table. The method includes the steps of: (a) mapping pre-processed input binary data to a constellation diagram divided into four quadrants to output a first complex number; (b) performing addition/subtraction operations between real numbers and between imaginary numbers with respect to the first complex number and a second complex number; and (c) reading a fourth complex from a look-up table in response to the first complex number, the second complex number and a third complex number, the look-up table outputting the fourth complex by performing a subtraction operation on multiplication results between real numbers and between imaginary numbers and an addition operation on multiplication results between the real numbers and the imaginary numbers with respect to the result value of the step (b) and the third complex number. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the hardware size at the time of IFFT/FFT design and to provide a high-speed, low-power operation.
US07831646B1

An FIR filter apparatus comprises a coefficient generator to generate first and second coefficients. A first end of a shared wiring is coupled to the coefficient generator. A first memory is coupled to a second end of the shared wiring to store the first coefficient in response to a selector. A first multiplier is responsive to the first coefficient stored in the first memory and an input. A first delay circuit is responsive to the input. A second memory is coupled to the second end of the shared wiring to store the second coefficient in response to the selector. A second multiplier is responsive to the second coefficient stored in the second memory and the first delay element.
US07831637B2

Embodiments herein relate to configuring computer systems. Some embodiments include storing, on a computing device, at least a subset of an application configuration dataset of a target application, and storing, on the computing device, at least a subset of an application transaction dataset of the target application. Some embodiments also include providing a configuration application on the computing device to receive data and data modifications within the configuration dataset and the transaction dataset of the target application and uploading received data modifications of the configuration dataset and the transaction dataset to an application configuration environment of the target application. These and other embodiments provide the ability to copy an application configuration, or a configuration of an application to be deployed, on to a portable computing device and configure an application while not connected to the application or an application configuration environment.
US07831636B2

A method for configuring a transaction-based host environment for migration to a new system platform is described. The method comprises the steps of providing at least one database of a first type and at least one database of a second type, which have different migration behaviour, on the previous system platform. Further provided is a first type of transaction which accesses both the first type of database and the second type of database on the previous system platform. For preparing the migration, the first type of transaction is replaced in the host environment by a second type of transaction and a third type of transaction, wherein the second type of transaction accesses only the first type of database and the third type of transaction only the second type of database. The method additionally comprises initiating transactions of the second and third type on request for a transaction of the first type from a decentralised environment.
US07831633B1

Methods and apparatus for supporting an additional data source in a system adapted for processing data from one or more data sources are disclosed. A design-time driver for the additional data source is obtained, where the design-time driver supports the definition of data including one or more fields of the additional data source to retrieve from the additional data source. In addition, a run-time driver for the additional data source is obtained, where the run-time driver supports retrieval of data corresponding to the one or more fields from the additional data source and where the run-time driver has a second application programming interface. The design-time driver is executed via a first application programming interface, where the first application programming interface enables definition of the data including the one or more fields to be retrieved from the additional data source. The data is then retrieved from the additional data source via the run-time driver using the second application programming interface.
US07831626B1

An integrated search engine includes a hierarchical memory configured to support a plurality of multi-way trees of search keys. These multi-way trees, which share a common root node, support respective databases of search keys. The child pointers associated with search keys within the common root node may be allocated at a single key level of granularity, which means that each search key within the common root node may be associated with a pair of child pointers when each search key within the common root node is associated with a different multi-way tree of search keys.
US07831625B2

Embodiments and principles described herein relate to software repositories for common languages. Embodiments include maintaining database schema and structures which comprise application framework information and provides for the storage, querying, and retrieval of an abstraction of a namespace corresponding to an application framework. Embodiments also provide for the storage, querying and retrieval of information corresponding to parameters of methods within an application framework. Embodiments also include the storage, querying and retrieval of information corresponding to type information for constructed types within an application framework.
US07831615B2

A computer-implemented system and method are provided to handle operations dealing with a multidimensional database. Information about the hierarchical structure of a multidimensional database is used when performing the operations upon the database. Operations such as update, select and others are performed using the hierarchical structural information. Keys and indexes may be used in accessing the hierarchical structural information.
US07831614B2

A method for generating a structured query language (SQL) script based on a template includes selecting one object from a plurality of objects in a data model. At least one instruction is selected based, at least in part, on a type of the selected object and, then, an associated template string is selected based on each selected instruction. At least a portion of a SQL script is automatically generated based on the one or more selected template strings.
US07831609B1

A user interface aids in creation of customized pre-defined queries that can be used for identifying particular search results relevant to a topic. Provision can be made to allow express inclusion or exclusion of certain results. Metrics relating to how much the pre-defined query focuses the search can be provided. A pre-defined query can be referenced by a URL, which can be distributed or referenced in content available in any number of locations. When results of the pre-defined search change, a contact associated with the search query can be notified. When a URL is activated, a redirect to the search engine with the customized query can occur, and the contact associated with the query can be notified of the usage of the pre-defined query. Metrics concerning sources of query usage can be produced, based on data gathered while serving the pre-defined query requests.
US07831594B2

In a method for estimating a static execution time of a database query, a prediction of query runtime tree is built from historical query information. A database query is received. The prediction of query runtime tree is used to estimate the static execution time of the database query.
US07831584B2

A search suggestion system and method for a product/service database which provides an improved, bifurcated search result search result algorithm. A vectored index of a product/service database is first generated. As a search query is typed, the letters/words are processed through a lexographical matching module, compared to the index, and a subset of the index is identified. The subset is then ranked according to (1) the user's history, (2) most popular sales data, (3) most often viewed products, and (4) lexographical weights. The highest ranked items are then displayed in a drop-down list to the user.
US07831579B2

Computer-storage media, computerized methods and systems for formatting a page layout according to form factors of a display area are provided. Initially, search results are received and dynamically converted into respective block-level elements, where each of the block-level elements is associated with a portion of content from one of the received search results. Form factors are retrieved from a graphical user interface. Typically the form factors are associated with properties of a display area initiated to present the search results. At least one adaptive template is selected according to the retrieved form factors. The portion of content of each of the block-level elements is formatted based on at least one adaptive template. Also, the adaptive template is utilized to establish content panes within the page layout, as directed by the form factors. These content panes are populated with one or more of the block-level elements.
US07831572B1

A system and method for updating a source copy of an ordered list (the source list) comprising a plurality of list items according to modifications made to the order of the list items in a local copy of the ordered list (the local list) is provided. Each list item includes an order value. The order of the list items is determined according to the order values. To update the source list, the list items that have been moved in the local list are identified and placed on a temporary list, retaining the ordinal position in the local list. For each list item in the temporary list, the list item is placed back in the local list and its order value is set according to the average of the previous list item's order value and the subsequent list item's order value. The list item is then written to the source list.
US07831570B2

A secure database appliance leverages database security in a consistent framework provides consistent, flexible, and adaptable security using mandatory access controls in addition to user and role based security for access control and accountability. A database system comprises a plurality of datasets, each dataset including a plurality of data, and a plurality of database objects, each object having a security label comprising a security classification of the object, at least one database session, the database session having a security label indicating a security classification of the database session, wherein, the database system is operable to allow or deny access to data to a database session based on a security label of a database object and on a security label of the database session.
US07831567B2

Systems, methods, and software for managing information retention using uniform retention rules is disclosed. Particularly, the disclosure relates to identifying data to be archived and assigning, inter alia, a destruction date to the identified data. Data for archival are identified using one or more defined retention rules. The retention rules identify the data for archival by one or more properties of the data. Once identified, retention information is applied to the identified data.
US07831565B2

A method, device, and system are provided for rollback of a master volume in a data storage system. More specifically, when a rollback is requested, snapshots that are involved in the rollback can be deleted during the rollback. This is accomplished by deleting the snapshot partition but not the actual snapshot data. Rather, the snapshot data is retained until the rollback is complete incase some of the snapshot data needs to be written to the master volume as part of the rollback.
US07831561B2

Space on disk, designated for storage of recovery files is automatically managed so as to not exceed a predetermined limit. Specifically, after creation of information to be stored in a new recovery file, an automatic check is made to see if creation of the new recovery file will cause the space to exceed the limit. If so, at least one recovery file currently in the space is deleted. The new recovery file is automatically created, when the space occupied by existing recovery files becomes sufficiently small to accommodate the new file without exceeding the limit. The recovery file(s) deleted to make room for the new recovery file may be automatically identified in accordance with a user-specified policy. Such a policy may be used to automatically identify a subset of recovery files available for deletion, well ahead of time, i.e. prior to a need for deletion arises.
US07831555B2

Extensible reconfigurable media appliance for security and entertainment captures images digitally for storage. Digital effects and filters are applied to incoming video stream on-the-fly or to video data stored in memory. Digital effects and filters are dynamically stored, modified, updated or deleted, providing extensible reconfigurable effects studio. Digital media appliance communicates wirelessly with other media appliances, computers, security systems, video storage, email, chat, cellular services or PDAs to provide seamless integration of captured video stream.
US07831554B2

Middleware for mobile data management may include an association table and a message store. The middleware may operate to receive a business object instance from a backend system, determine one or more mobile devices associated with the business object instance, associate the business object instance with the one or more mobile devices and with an insert state in an association table, and associate, in the association table, the business object instance and the one or more mobile devices with a full-state message in the message store.
US07831545B1

A method and system for identifying a subject of a document and facts included within are described. A source document that includes facts and linking documents that include hyperlinks to the source document are identified. The anchor texts of the hyperlinks are identified and candidate labels are generated based on the anchor texts. One of the candidate labels is selected based on first predefined criteria and associated with the source document and/or the facts included within the source document.
US07831542B2

Searching hypotheses for locations of objects in a playback image corresponding to a recorded image generated by a graphical user interface (GUI) of an application program may be accomplished by capturing the playback image, detecting at least one active object in the recorded image, searching subsets of hypotheses from the playback image for an object according to predetermined criteria, recalculating old actions for the object in the playback image by applying actions according to an execution scenario and loading a next set of data, when the object is found, and checking dynamic conditions.
US07831540B2

Various techniques are described hereafter for improving the efficiency of updating XML documents in a content repository, such as a database system. Specifically, techniques are described for updating an XML document by dynamically merging a stream of XML data from the document with update information. Techniques are also described for efficient validation of XML documents. Because of the manner of the updates, specifically because the XML data being updated is in the form of a stream, the database system validates only those portions of the stream of XML data that have been updated. In the alternative, the database system validates that portion of the XML data that is associated with the parent node of the portion of XML data that has been updated.
US07831539B2

Methods, systems, and computer program products dynamically filter an aggregate report based on values resulting from one or more filters previously applied to the aggregate report. A method involves maintaining a collection of filters to be applied in a designated evaluation order to the aggregate report, applying a first filter to the aggregate report, and evaluating values in the aggregate report to produce aggregate values resulting from applying the first filter. The method also involves applying a next filter to the aggregate report and evaluating the aggregate values in the aggregate report resulting from applying the first filter therein producing aggregate values resulting from applying the next filter to the aggregate report. Additionally, the method involves displaying the aggregate report wherein evaluating values resulting from previously applying any filter to the aggregate report involves evaluating visual values displayed in the aggregate report after each previous filter has been applied.
US07831535B2

In accordance with the embodiments described herein, a method and system for adaptive knowledge lifecycle management, and methods for delivering adaptive knowledge lifecycle management services to customers, is disclosed. Adaptive knowledge lifecycle management provides a means for beneficially adapting knowledge assets and their collective structures over time. It also provides a means for generating an estimate of the value of knowledge assets and their associated organizing topologies, as well as providing a means to determine changes in value corresponding to changes to the knowledge assets and their associated organizing topologies.
US07831527B2

A method for feature reduction in a training set for a learning machine such as a Support Vector Machine (SVM). In one embodiment the method includes a step (35) of receiving input training data vectors xi of a training set. The input training data vectors are typically derived from a set of features in a feature space. At step (37) the input data vectors are mapped into a multi-dimensional space. At step (39) a least squares problem, derived from a formulation of the SVM, is solved to determine which features comprising the training vectors are to be deemed significant. At step (41) decision parameters and vectors of the chosen decision machine, e.g. SVM, are determined using the features determined to be significant in step (39).
US07831522B1

Determining reputation information is disclosed. A honey token is included in an online identity data. The honey token is to monitor for misuse of all or part of the online identity data. Optionally, information associated with at least one use of the honey token is aggregated with other reputation information.
US07831511B1

Computer implemented methods, systems, and computer program products for automating the setup of a user's financial management product account for electronic transfer of data between an account at a financial institution and the user's financial management product account, by receiving a link having financial account information, executing the user's financial management product in response to the link, extracting the financial account information from the link, providing the financial account information from the link to the user's financial management product, and configuring the financial management product account to receive electronic transfer of data from the account at the financial institution.
US07831510B2

A method to redirect a browser client is disclosed. The method comprises serving a first web page including a check-out option and receiving a check-out request from a consumer user of an electronic storefront web site. The check-out request is to purchase a product. In response to the check-out request the browser client is redirected to a web page hosted by a payment service web site. The payment service web site stores information that includes a return URL that corresponds to a web-based interface that is hosted by the electronic storefront web site. The redirection further includes a comparison of the return URL in the stored information to a return URL that corresponds to the web-based interface that is hosted by the electronic storefront web site. The comparison is to determine whether redirection to the web-based interface hosted by the electronic storefront web site should be performed.
US07831509B2

A method of providing a user with education financing information, includes the acts of: maintaining an electronic site on a computer network to which the user may connect; sending data to the user over the network for presenting at least one electronic screen which contains financial award information concerning a potential student of an educational institution, the financial award information including a monetary award which may be used for the student to attend the educational institution; and sending data to the user over the network when requested for presenting at least one electronic screen which contains cost projection information, the cost projection information being a function of the award and including an amount of money required for the student to attend the educational institution.
US07831508B1

A system and method for dynamically creating and presenting a network based application for any number of a plurality of products. The method and system upon receiving a request to apply for one or more of a plurality of products, dynamically creates an application pages that includes fields to input the specific information required to apply for the selected products. The application page is provided to the applicant through the network and the application data is received by the system. The method and system causes the application data to be processed and provides the results to the applicant. The applicant is provided the results of multiple specific applications in with minimal data input and in real time.
US07831505B2

A system and method are provided for trading a trading strategy defined for at least one tradeable object in an electronic trading environment. More specifically, one example method includes using a first pay-up tick value to determine a first acceptable price level for an order associated with the trading strategy, automatically modifying the first pay-up tick to a second pay-up tick value in response to detecting a predefined condition, and using the second pay-up tick value to determine a second acceptable price level for the order associated with the trading strategy.
US07831500B2

A system and method is provided for the gathering of and manipulation of shareholder data, including information on individual shareholders and related custodians of shares, and comparing the shareholder/custodian data to a set of rules and/or a set of marketing analysis data to identify securities compliance issues and/or evaluate a securities marketing plan.
US07831498B2

A method of producing a suspicious activity reports includes storing configuration information at a transaction processing device. The configuration information configures the device to produce suspicious activity reports based on certain criteria. The method also includes receiving transaction information and determining, based on the transaction information and the certain criteria, whether a suspicious activity report is to be prepared. The method also includes generating a suspicious activity report containing at least some of the transaction information.
US07831497B2

A technique to provide a return from an aggregate of an investment in a cash equivalent account and a leveraged index product account over a time period that is substantially equivalent to a multiple of the return of a theoretical position in an underlying index for the period of time is provided by calculating in a computer system a benchmark exposure of the theoretical position in the underlying index corresponding to the index used in the leveraged index fund; and based on the benchmark exposure, determining whether to initiate a transaction to re-allocate funds from the leveraged index product to a cash equivalent account or from the cash equivalent account to the leveraged index product according to the determined daily benchmark exposure.
US07831495B1

In an embodiment, an asset allocation mutual fund comprises assets invested, at any one time, substantially 100% in one of stocks, bonds or cash equivalents. As market conditions change, as indicated by changes in the output of stock and bond models, substantially all of the assets may be shifted from one of these three asset classes to another. A method for allocating assets in a mutual fund, among the three asset classes, according to one embodiment includes, first determining whether a buy signal has been given on stocks using a stock model. If a buy signal has been given on stocks, substantially all assets of the mutual fund may be invested in stocks. If a buy signal on stocks is not indicated, it is determined whether a buy signal has been given on bonds using a bond model. If a buy signal has been given on bonds, substantially all assets of the mutual fund may be invested in bonds. If a buy signal on bonds is not indicated, substantially all assets of the mutual fund may be invested in cash equivalents. The method may be repeatedly queried over time to consider re-allocation of assets.
US07831491B2

Systems and methods are provided for communicating and processing market data. The market data may comprise quotes, orders, trades and/or statistics. A messaging structure allows for adding, re-ordering and/or expanding data, within the printable character set of any language. One or more delimiters are defined and used to delimit data elements within the message structure. The data is interpreted based on templates which may be disseminated prior to the sending of messages and used as an abstraction so that the meaning of data need not be conveyed in the message.
US07831489B2

In one embodiment, a method for providing correlation of billing entries for a mobile communications network is provided. A correlating network element in a bearer path determines a plurality of billing entries for a flow. One or more of the billing entries may be received from other network elements and includes traffic altering information for a flow. The correlating network element correlates the plurality of billing entries using state information included in the billing entries. The state information is used to determine information in billing entries that may be related, such as billing entries for a single flow. Also, the correlating network element uses the traffic altering information to determine a data volume sent for the flow. A correlated billing entry may then be generated using the data volume for the flow. The correlated billing entry is then sent to a billing system from the correlating network element. Billing entries are not sent from other network elements that may be generating billing entries in a link to the billing system.
US07831479B2

A method of extending the closing point in a timed on-line auction. The method establishes a fixed closing time for the on-line auction. The system then monitors for the placement of a bid within a first fixed time period proximate the closing point. If a bid is received during the first fixed time period, then the timed auction is extended for a first extended time period (which may be the same length as the first fixed time period). The process then repeats by monitoring for the receipt of a bid during the first extended time period. If a bid is received, then the timed auction is extended for a second extended time period. The extensions will continue until no bid is received during an extended time period, at which point the auction will finally close.
US07831470B1

A merchant server of a first merchant receives an indication of items that a customer is to purchase via a web site. The indication may be, for example, a signal indicating that the customer is ready to “check out” his shopping cart of items on the web site. In response, the merchant server provides an offer for a subsidy from a second merchant. The offer is provided before the items are purchased, and thus the offer is not provided unless and until the customer has manifested an intent to make a purchase from the first merchant. A response is received from the customer. If the response indicates acceptance of the offer, then the subsidy is applied to the items purchased. For example, the total price paid for the items may be reduced, or the items may even be provided to the customer without charge. In exchange, the customer agrees to participate in a transaction with the second merchant. For example, the customer may be required to switch service providers (e.g. long distance telephone service) or initiate a new service agreement (e.g. sign up for a credit card account).
US07831453B2

In one embodiment, a business process meta-model is defined that represents a business process. The business process meta-model includes control flow elements pertaining to a control flow of the business process, and annotation elements providing details for the control flow elements.
US07831452B2

Ticketing systems and methods are provided specifically relating to a player's ticket and a player's ticket option. A player's ticket references at least one player and allows the player's ticket holder to attend all sporting events played in by the at least one player referenced on the player's ticket. A player's ticket option references at least one player and allows the player's ticket option holder to exercise the option to obtain a player's ticket that allows attending all sporting events played in by the at least one player referenced on the player's ticket option.
US07831450B2

A medical information system receives patient data and information from various sources and displays such information in a variety of formats for use by member of a medical team in a hospital, clinic, or office. The system receives patient information from doctors, pharmacists, patient monitoring equipment, testing laboratories, and/or computer databases. Access to selected subsets of patient information is provided by user selection of specific data sets identified by job function selection icons. A member of the medical team can record observations about a patient using key words and phrases which can be supplemented with additional text for customized notation. Multiple types of patient data are selectively displayed simultaneously, and to multiple remote users. The system can access stored data according to user-specified formulae to compute a score or metric which reflects a relationship between various factors, each factor being weighted appropriately according to its significance as defined in the formula. A user can selectively display data in graphic form by “clicking” on a row of tabular data in a tabular region of the display and “dragging and dropping” that row to a graphic display region of the display.
US07831448B1

The system distributes workload amongst a plurality of pharmacy resources that are connected by a computer network. Work orders are queued at each pharmacy resource and redistributed based on existing workload distribution, capacity of pharmacy resources, and/or product demand.
US07831446B2

An apparatus for communicating health care data from a sender to a receiver is provided. The apparatus has a first computer system, a second computer system, and a rules engine. The first computer system has health care data stored therein. The second computer system is in operable communication with, and is configured to extract the health care data from, the first computer system. The rules engine normalizes the extracted health care data to a predefined format.
US07831439B1

A computer-implemented data processing system comprises a user interface and gift conversion logic. The user interface is configured to permit users to order products using a network service, such as a website. The gift conversion logic is in communication with the user interface and permits the users to specify gift conversion rules. For each user that specifies gift conversion rules, the gift conversion rules define a manner in which gifts purchased for the user by other users may be converted.
US07831435B2

Spatial information associated with an audio signal is encoded into a bitstream, which can be transmitted to a decoder or recorded to a storage media. The bitstream can include different syntax related to time, frequency and spatial domains. In some embodiments, the bitstream includes one or more data structures (e.g., frames) that contain ordered sets of slots for which parameters can be applied. The data structures can be fixed or variable. The data structure can include position information that can be used by a decoder to identify the correct slot for which a given parameter set is applied. The slot position information can be encoded with either a fixed number of bits or a variable number of bits based on the data structure type.
US07831429B2

A speech recognition system that includes a host computer which is operative to communicate at least one graphical user interface (GUI) display file to a mobile terminal of the system. The mobile terminal includes a microphone for receiving speech input; wherein the at least one GUI display file is operative to be associated with at least one of a dictionary file and syntax file to facilitate speech recognition in connection with the at least one GUI display file.
US07831426B2

A network based interactive speech system responds in real-time to speech-based queries addressed to a set of topic entries. A best matching response is provided based on speech recognition processing and natural language processing performed on recognized speech utterances to identify a selected set of phrases related to the set of topic entries. Another routine converts the selected set of phrases into a search query suitable for identifying a first group of one or more topic entries corresponding to the speech-based query. The words/phrases can be assigned different weightings and can include entries which are not actually in the set of topic entries.
US07831423B2

A system enables a transcriptionist to replace a first written form (such as an abbreviation) of a concept with a second written form (such as an expanded form) of the same concept. For example, the system may display to the transcriptionist a draft document produced from speech by an automatic speech recognizer. If the transcriptionist recognizes a first written form of a concept that should be replaced with a second written form of the same concept, the transcriptionist may provide the system with a replacement command. In response, the system may identify the second written form of the concept and replace the first written form with the second written form in the draft document.
US07831418B1

Iterative (nondeterministic) optimization of aerodynamic and hydrodynamic surface structures can be accomplished with a computer software program and a system using a combination of a variable encoding length optimization algorithm based on an evolution strategy and an experimental hardware set-up that allows to automatically change the surface properties of the applied material, starting with the overall shape and proceeding via more detailed modifications in local surface areas. The optimization of surface structures may be done with a computing device for calculating optimized parameters of at least one (virtual) surface structure, an experimental hardware set-up for measuring dynamic properties of a specific surface structure, and an interface for feeding calculated parameters from the computing device to the experimental set-up and for feeding measured results back to the computing device as quality values for the next cycle of the optimizing step.
US07831405B2

A semiconductor package includes an input pin that receives a first signal from the outside of the semiconductor package, a pad that is coupled to the input pin, and a test mode driving circuit that receives the first signal from the pad and outputs a plurality of test mode signals to drive a test apparatus in a semiconductor chip.
US07831404B2

The configuration and utilization of multiple memories is disclosed to efficiently gather histogram data for either multiple devices or single devices. Each memory can be configured depending on the number of ADCs to be tested. Rather than utilizing a separate histogram engine for each ADC, or duplicate memories to test each ADC, the memory of each histogram engine can be used either for a single ADC having a large or otherwise substantial sample width, or for multiple ADCs, each having a smaller sample width. To accomplish this, the memory is partitioned into multiple segments using address decoding such that a single ADC can use all of the segments for histogram data collection, while multiple ADCs can each use one of the segments for histogram data collection.
US07831402B2

A method for estimating values assumed at a certain instant of each period by currents flowing respectively in two distinct windings of a poly-phase load controlled in a space vector modulation (SVM) mode, using a same measuring device, may include coupling the measuring device to the first winding and measuring a current flowing therethrough with an anticipation from the certain instant smaller than or equal to an SVM half-period. The method may also include coupling the measuring device to the second winding, measuring a current flowing therethrough at the certain instant, coupling the measuring device to the first winding, and measuring a current flowing therethrough with a delay equal to the anticipation. The method may also include estimating a value assumed at the certain instant by the current flowing through the first winding based upon the two measured values with the anticipation and with the delay respectively.
US07831392B2

A method and system are provided for comparing ordered segments of a first DNA restriction map with ordered segments of a second DNA restriction map to determine a level of accuracy the first DNA map and/or the second DNA map. In particular, the first and second DNA maps can be received (the first DNA map corresponding to a sequence DNA map, and the second DNA map corresponding to a genomic consensus DNA map as provided in an optical DNA map). Then, the accuracy of the first DNA map and/or the second DNA map is validated based on information associated with the first and second DNA maps. In addition, a method and system are provided for aligning a plurality of DNA sequences with a ordered DNA restriction map. The DNA sequences and the DNA map are received (the DNA sequences being fragments of a genome and the DNA map corresponding to a genomic consensus DNA map which relates to an optical ordered DNA map). Then, a level of accuracy of the DNA sequences and the DNA map is obtained based on information associated with the DNA sequences and the DNA map by means of the method and system described above. The locations of the DNA map at which the DNA sequences are capable of being associated with particular segments of the DNA map are located. Furthermore, it is possible to obtain locations of the DNA map (without the validation) by locating an optimal one of the locations for each of the DNA sequences for each of the locations.
US07831387B2

Digital mapping techniques are disclosed that provide visually-oriented information to the user, such as driving directions that include visual data points along the way of the driving route, thereby improving the user experience. The user may preview the route associated with the driving directions, where the preview is based on, for example, at least one of satellite images, storefront images, and heuristics and/or business listings.
US07831384B2

Techniques are provided for predicting a destination for a ground-based vehicle. Travel patterns are accessed and a series of locations of a ground-based vehicle are received. At least some of the received locations are related to at least one accessed travel pattern, and a destination of the ground-based vehicle is predicted based on relating the received locations with the travel patterns. An existence of an event may be predicted using the predicted destinations of a ground-based vehicle.
US07831377B2

An ignition timing control system for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of properly carrying out ignition timing control over a wide control range, thereby making it possible to improve fuel economy, and is capable of suppressing combustion fluctuation, thereby making it possible to improve drivability. Ignition timing is calculated, when the engine is determined to be in an intense combustion mode, such that a largest in-cylinder pressure angle at which in-cylinder pressure becomes largest converges to a target angle, whereas when the engine is determined to be in a weak combustion mode, the same is calculated by feedback, based on the target angle and combustion state parameters indicative of a combustion state in the cylinder.
US07831375B2

A multi-cylinder engine includes an EGR mechanism for introducing exhaust gas into intake air, and is capable of a partial cylinder operation in which combustion in a part of the cylinders is halted. The multi-cylinder engine includes an EGR rate control unit for setting an introduction rate at which the exhaust gas is introduced into the intake air to be lower in a first partial cylinder operating state in which the ignition intervals are unequal, than in a second partial cylinder operating state, in which ignition intervals among a plurality of operating cylinders are equal.
US07831358B2

Land-based vehicle including an arrangement for monitoring objects in or about a vehicle includes a source from which modulated illumination is emitted into an area in or about the vehicle, a receiver arranged to receive illumination reflected from an object in the path of the modulated illumination, and circuitry coupled to the receiver and the source and arranged to compare a phase of the modulated illumination with a phase of the reflected radiation at a common frequency to determine whether there is a phase difference between the modulated illumination and the reflected illumination. The phase difference is a measure of a property of the object, such as the distance between the object and the source/receiver, which can be co-located. Otherwise, if the source and receiver and not co-located or substantially co-located, the distance is a measure of the distance of travel of the illumination.
US07831356B2

An electric power steering control apparatus for controlling a motor that provides an assisting force for steering a steering wheel has a command value calculation device operable to calculate a command value for a torque current to be fed to the motor based on a steering torque of the steering wheel, a magnetic field control device operable to control intensity of a magnetic field in the motor, and a motor drive device operable to drive the motor based on outputs from the command value calculation device and the magnetic field control device. The magnetic field control device is operable to perform a field weakening control for weakening the magnetic field in the motor when a vehicle speed is less than a predetermined value, and to not perform the field weakening control when the vehicle speed is not less than the predetermined value.
US07831350B2

The present invention is operative to disable at least one infotainment device under certain conditions relative to the current driving environment of the user. The system uses a weighted matrix to assign risk to certain sensed conditions while driving. A changed condition is assigned a weight and the weighted risks are summed to calculate risk level information. The risk level information is thereafter compared to priority level information associated with at least one infotainment device. When the risk level information exceeds or is equal to the priority level information of the at least one infotainment device the system temporarily disables the infotainment device until the driving environment changes to a condition where it is safe to operate the infotainment device.
US07831341B2

A system and method for navigation utilizes sources of modulated celestial radiation. A spacecraft, satellite, or other vehicle (12) includes one or more modulated radiation sensors (22a-22x) for detecting a modulated signal (14) generated by one or more pulsars or other celestial objects (16). Pulse time of arrival at a respective pulse sensor (22a-22x) is measured by comparing the pulse signal (14) with a known pulse profile. A processor (30) calculates a timing difference between the measured pulse time of arrival at sensor (22a-22x) with a calculated pulse time of arrival at a selected reference point (100). Positions and pulse profile characteristics of the pulsars (16) are stored. Combining the calculated time difference with the known positions of pulsars (16), navigational parameters such as position, velocity, and attitude for spacecraft (12) with respect to the selected localized reference point (100) can be calculated.
US07831334B2

An apparatus and method for filling vials comprises a shelving unit defining an array of storage locations. The shelving unit may be an array in an XY plane or one or more carousels. A plurality of storage containers are provided, each removably carried by one of the storage locations. A counting and dispensing unit, a source of vials, a label printer and application unit or units, and an output device are also provided. A computer controlled engagement device provides motion in a Z direction. The engagement device may be comprised of a first stage for engaging the storage containers and a second stage for engaging the vials. A computer controlled system carries the engagement device and moves the engagement device in XY directions among the plurality of storage locations, counting and dispensing unit, source of vials, label printer and application unit, and output device.
US07831333B2

The invention relates to a method for the transfer of a load hanging at a load rope of a crane or excavator comprising a slewing gear, a luffing mechanism and a hoisting gear comprising a computer-controlled regulator for the damping of the load oscillation which has a trajectory planner, a disturbance observer and a state regulator with a pre-control, wherein the working space is first fixed by selection of two points, with one of the two points being fixed as the destination point by direction presetting by means of the hand lever and with the nominal speeds for the slewing gear and the luffing mechanism being preset by the hand lever signals.
US07831328B2

The invention relates to a method for producing a three-dimensional object by solidification of a material solidifiable under the action of electromagnetic radiation by means of energy input via an imaging unit comprising a predetermined number of discrete imaging elements (pixels), The method comprises performing solidification with exposure using bitmap mask. The bitmap mask may be formed from a stack of bitmap data provided by an overlap analysis of a three-dimensional volume completely or partially enclosing a three-dimensional model of at least a part of the three-dimensional object to be produced. Alternatively, bitmap mask may be formed from a two-dimensional data set comprising overlap information. Solidification may be performing with exposure using bitmap mask generated “on the fly”. The invention is also directed to devices, and a computer and a data carrier useful for performing or executing the method.
US07831326B2

Recipe steps of a manufacturing process run that generated a fault are displayed in a current view of a user interface, the recipe steps being displayed in association with a first axis. At least one of measured parameters or calculated parameters of the manufacturing process run are displayed in the current view, where at least one of the measured parameters and the calculated parameters are displayed in association with a second axis. A plurality of intersections of the recipe steps with at least one of the measured parameters or the calculated parameters are displayed in the current view, each of the plurality of intersections including a representation of a fault contribution attributable to at least one of a distinct measured parameter or a distinct calculated parameter at a distinct recipe step.
US07831319B2

A control system for selectively lighting and/or highlighting a control interface for a specific individual function generally includes at least one sensor for detecting at least one condition; a controller in operative communication with the at least one sensor and the control interface; wherein the controller sends an output signal to the control interface in response to detecting the at least one condition, wherein the output signal is effective to light and/or highlight the control interface for the specific individual function. Methods for operating the control system are also discussed.
US07831317B2

A distributed historian framework is provided where historical data is collected in accordance with an organizational model of a hierarchical system that is distributed across various elements of an enterprise. A directory service operates with the organizational model to enable configuration of historian components within the organization and to enable data to be located within the organization. In one aspect, an industrial automation system is provided. The system includes at least one historian component to archive data within an organization. A common data model then exposes functionality and data of the organization to the historian component.
US07831316B2

The invention relates to a method for programming and/or executing programs for industrial automation systems. Modules and functions that respectively represent partial tasks of an automation solution are modeled and/or generated by using input aids and optionally a display device. The modules and functions are structured and networked by input aids and optionally the display device in such a way that they form at least one hierarchical tree, as at least one machine-independent program. According to the invention, each machine-independent program in the form of at least one hierarchical tree is loaded into the corresponding components of the automation system. The corresponding components of the automation system execute each machine-independent program.
US07831313B2

A lead anchor includes a body defining a first opening and a second opening through which a lead can pass. A protrusion and a corresponding depression may be provided within the body that cooperate to form a non-linear path for the lead through the housing to resist movement of the lead within the lead anchor.
US07831310B2

An implantable infusion pump possesses operational functionality that is, at least in part, controlled by software operating in two processor ICs which are configured to perform some different and some duplicate functions. The pump exchanges messages with an external device via telemetry. Each processor controls a different part of the drug infusion mechanism such that both processors must agree on the appropriateness of drug delivery for infusion to occur. Delivery accumulators are incremented and decremented with delivery requests and with deliveries made. When accumulated amounts reach or exceed, quantized deliverable amounts, infusion is made to occur. The accumulators are capable of being incremented by two or more independent types of delivery requests. Operational modes of the infusion device are changed automatically in view of various system errors that are trapped, various system alarm conditions that are detected, and when excess periods of time lapse between pump and external device interactions.
US07831306B2

In one embodiment, a method electrically stimulates an area in a spinal disc. The method comprises: implanting at least one steerable lead at a placement site for stimulating a spinal disc such that the lead is disposed exterior and immediately adjacent to and circumferentially along an annulus of the spinal disc, the at least one lead including a plurality of electrodes distributed along a majority of a circumference of the annulus; connecting the lead to a signal generator; and generating electrical stimulation pulses using the generator to stimulate targeted portions of the spinal disc, wherein the stimulation of the targeted portion of the spinal disc sufficiently stimulates nerve tissue within the spinal disc to prevent communication of pain signals originating in the spinal disc without damaging tissue of the spinal disc.
US07831296B2

A method and system for producing tomosynthetic images of a patient's breast. An x-ray source that delivers x-rays through a breast immobilized and compressed between a compression paddle and a breast platform and form an image at a digital x-ray receptor panel. Multiple x-ray images are taken as the x-ray source and the receptor move relative to the immobilized breast. In one preferred embodiment, the x-ray source travels from −15° to +15°. The source can travel in an arc around the breast while the receptor travels linearly while remaining parallel and at the same distance from the breast platform. The sets of x-ray image data taken at different angles are combined to form tomosynthetic images that can be viewed in different formats, alone or as an adjunct to conventional mammograms.
US07831294B2

A system and method are provided for control of a navigation system for deploying a medical device within a subject, and for enhancement of a display image of anatomical features for viewing the projected location and movement of medical devices, and projected locations of a variety of anatomical features and other spatial markers in the operating region. The display of the X-ray imaging system information is augmented in a manner such that a physician can more easily become oriented in three dimensions with the use of a single-plane X-ray display. The projection of points and geometrical shapes within the subject body onto a known imaging plane can be obtained using associated imaging parameters and projective geometry.
US07831293B2

A method of defining a biological target for treatment in which image detectable markers are placed at and correlated to the location or locations of tissue biopsy. By obtaining pathological analysis of the biopsy tissue specimens and correlating the analysis to the corresponding marker locations, the definitive pathological analysis of the target tissue at the marker locations can be correlated to corresponding locations on a functional image of the target tissue. The correlation of the marker locations and pathology to the corresponding locations on a functional image can then be used to prescribe and apply modulated therapy to the target tissue.
US07831287B2

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for a continuous analyte sensor, such as a continuous glucose sensor. One such system utilizes first and second working electrodes to measure additional analyte or non-analyte related signal. Such measurements may provide a background and/or sensitivity measurement(s) for use in processing sensor data and may be used to trigger events such as digital filtering of data or suspending display of data.
US07831280B2

A wireless communication system for transmitting and receiving wireless communications using at least one beam is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of WTRUs, at least one beam-forming antenna, and at least one radio network controller (RNC). The antenna is capable of beam-forming and beams emanating from the antenna may be adjusted in accordance with actual conditions in the wireless communication system. The antenna is further capable of dithering beams in the azimuth and/or elevation plane for breaking up null areas due to beam overlap.
US07831266B1

A method and system for routing a push-to-talk (PTT) call in a communications network is disclosed. A PTT call request is received at a regional call processor of the communications network, where the PTT call request includes an address for a called party with a first user part and a second domain part. The regional call processor consults a table to determine whether the second domain part is associated with the communications network. The regional call processor routes the PTT call request to a central call processor of the communications network if the second domain part is associated with the communications network and routes the PTT call request to a gateway if the second domain part is not associated with the communications network.
US07831264B2

A method performed by a mobile terminal may include setting a tracking parameter for a group of mobile terminals, transmitting text and position information messages of each of the mobile terminals, and displaying the messages based on priority. The method may further include automatically generating messages relating to the position of a mobile terminal.
US07831248B2

Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for detecting whether a content executed in a mobile platform of mobile communication terminal perform a communication operation without a user's reservation or permission, thereby preventing an unexpected communication operation. In this invention, if a content performs the communication operation due to its malfunction by a computer virus or a program error, the communication operation, such as voice calling or message transmission to unspecified communication terminal or access to arbitrary wireless internet server, is detected and interrupted. With the interruption of the unexpected communication operation, the user's damage, such as the payment of charges for communication services, is previously prevented. In case of the interruption of the communication operation, the user is informed of the erroneous content and the performed communication operation so that the user selects the corresponding contents to be deleted or preserved.
US07831240B2

A system for storing subscriber information in a centralized location includes a processor, memory coupled to the processor, and a data storage device coupled to the processor. The data storage device includes a subscriber profile portion for storing personal information about a subscriber. The subscriber profile portion includes a subscriber identification portion for storing an identification string. The subscriber profile portion is associated with an account type portion for storing account information, a portal portion for storing portal information, and an account status portion for storing account status information. The data storage device further includes a subscription portion for storing subscription information. The subscription portion is associated with a device portion for storing device information, a services portion for storing services information, and a mobile subscription portion for storing mobile subscription information.
US07831233B2

A waveform reconstruction circuit receives an rf signal from an antenna, digitizes it, and then generates an undistorted reconstructed waveform. The reconstructed waveform can then be conventionally mixed and demodulated to extract useful signal information with enhanced receiver fidelity and sensitivity.
US07831230B2

A terminal is provided for selectively communicating in at least two frequency bands. The terminal includes an antenna transducer including a first port and a second port, where the antenna transducer is capable of selectively transducing first radio signals (e.g., low power radio frequency (LPRF) signals) to and/or from the first port, and/or second radio signals (e.g., global positioning system (GPS) signals) to and/or from the second port. In this regard, the antenna transducer is capable of transducing first radio signals such that an impedance at the second port approaches a short circuit or an open circuit, and capable of transducing second radio signals such that an impedance at the first port approaches an open circuit. An associated communication assembly and method for selectively communicating in at least two frequency bands are also provided.
US07831222B1

A method and system are provided for improving the isolation characteristics of a combiner. In a system comprising a digital and analog radio signal combiner and a digital transmitter, an analog transmitter, an antenna, and a reject load coupled to the combiner, adjusting an impedance matching device coupled between the reject load and combiner so as to reduce the energy transmitted from the digital transmitter to the analog transmitter through the combiner.
US07831217B2

An external speaker/microphone apparatus for a radio transceiver includes a speaker, a microphone, a push-to-talk switch, and an emergency switch. The apparatus further includes an encoder module operatively coupled to the push-to-talk switch and the emergency switch and configured to generate a digital identification each time the push-to-talk switch is pressed, and a digital emergency signal and digital identification when the emergency switch is pressed. The apparatus also includes a connector configured to operatively couple audio to the speaker from the transceiver, a combination audio signal from the microphone and the encoder module to the transceiver. The connector is further configured to operatively couple the push-to-talk switch and the emergency switch to the transceiver so that the transceiver is switched to a transmit mode when either the push-to-talk switch or the emergency switch is pressed.
US07831211B2

A voice, data and RF integrated circuit includes an RF transmitter generates a transmit signal that includes a first calibration signal when at least one control signal indicates a receive calibration mode. An RF receiver receives a received signal that includes the first calibration signal and generates at least one receiver equalization parameter for equalizing the RF receiver, when the at least one control signal indicates the receive calibration mode.
US07831207B2

In an example embodiment, a technique that allows a device unable to display a confirmation value and/or unable to receive a keyed data entry to confirm a generated confirmation value with a confirmation value produced by a second device. The confirmation value is output one character at a time. For example, for performing a six digit numerical comparison (NC), each digit is presented one at a time enabling a user to compare the output digit with the corresponding digit output by the second device.
US07831195B2

An improved system for administering a computer and paper-based test, including a multifunction peripheral having a printing function and a scanning function for operating on the test, and a host remotely connected to the peripheral over a network. The multifunction peripheral is configured to receive the test from the host and transmit a scanned copy of a modified paper test to the host, and the host is configured to transmit a result of an evaluation of the modified test to the peripheral. A method for administering a test including transmitting a registration code, receiving a print job including a test associated with the registration code and printing the test. The method further includes digitizing the test and transmitting the digitized test.
US07831193B2

Provided is an image forming device including: a sheet number control part for controlling a maximum processable sheet number set on a paper attribute basis for a finisher for finishing a printed sheet; an automatic tray switching part for switching an initially selected tray part to another tray part when paper runs out in the midst of print processing on sheets fed from the initially selected tray part to continue the print processing, the initially selected tray part being initially selected from a plurality of tray parts holding sheets of different paper attributes; and a tray switch determining part for, when a feeding tray part runs out of paper in the midst of print processing set to execute finishing, determining whether to actuate the automatic tray switching part on the basis of maximum processable sheet numbers and a paper attribute of paper of a selectable tray part candidate.
US07831191B2

A printing system includes a first sheet media source dispensing a length of sheet media and a second sheet media source dispensing pre-cut sheets of media. A merging unit is operative to receive the length of sheet media and position pre-cut sheets of media along the same. A marking unit receives and marks images on the length of sheet media as well as the pre-cut sheets positioned thereon. A separating unit is adapted to separate the pre-cut sheets from the length of sheet media. A cutting unit is adapted to divide the length of sheet media into marked and unmarked sheets of media. A sheet receiving unit is operative to receive the marked sheets of media and the pre-cut sheets of media. A method of printing on continuous feed and pre-cut sheet media is also included.
US07831189B2

A lubricant applying unit, included in a process cartridge provided in an image forming apparatus, includes a solid lubricant, a lubricant supporting unit to support the solid lubricant, a lubricant holder to accommodate the solid lubricant supported by the lubricant supporting unit, a pressing mechanism located between the lubricant supporting unit and the lubricant holder and designed to press the solid lubricant against a lubricant applying member, and a frictional resistance reducing member to reduce a frictional resistance produced at sliding contact portions between the lubricant supporting unit and internal surfaces of the lubricant holder.
US07831188B2

An image forming apparatus and a fusing unit thereof. The image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive body on which to form an electrostatic latent image, an exposure device to irradiate light to the photosensitive body to form the electrostatic latent image, a developer adhering device to adhere a developer to the photosensitive body on which the electrostatic latent image has been formed to form a visible image, a transfer device to transfer the visible image formed on the photosensitive body onto a printing medium, and a fusing unit to fuse the visible image transferred onto the printing medium to the printing medium. The fusing unit includes a press roller, a heating belt to closely contact the press roller to form a fusing nip to apply heat and pressure to the printing medium onto which the visible image has been transferred, first and second support rollers disposed apart from each other to circulatingly support the heating belt, and an elastic support device to elastically bias the first support roller and/or the second support roller in a direction away from each other to maintain a constant tension of the heating belt.
US07831185B2

Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including a first member having a surface endlessly moving in a specific direction a second member having a surface endlessly moving in the specific direction at a region facing the surface of the first member, and a supporting member holding the second member and to move together with the second member. The supporting member includes a release mechanism to release an engagement of the supporting member from the second member. A pressing member is included to press the second member via the supporting member to cause the second member to contact the first member under pressure to form a nip between the first and second members. The release mechanism releases the engagement of the supporting member from the second member when the second member is pushed away by a leading edge of a recording medium having a thickness greater than a reference thickness value.
US07831158B2

An image forming apparatus, including a toner supplying unit to supply toner, a toner transporting unit to transport the toner supplied from the toner supplying unit, a sensor to sense a density of the toner transported by the toner transporting unit, a compensating signal generating unit to compensate for amounts of the toner pre-supplied by the toner supplying unit, and a control unit to generate a control signal to control the toner supplying unit by receiving a sensing signal of the sensor as an input signal and a compensating signal of the compensating signal generating unit as a feedback signal.
US07831155B2

The present invention provides an optical transmission device 100 capable of solving the problem of an unnecessary residual sideband components to thereby obtain a high-quality optical intensity-modulated signal in a case where an SSB optical modulation section 20 has wavelength dependence and a manufacturing error. In the optical transmission device 100, where the SSB optical modulation section 20 cannot evenly branch the intensity of the optical carrier into two routes of optical waveguide, the amplitude adjusting section 62 adjusts the amplitude of an electric signal that changes the refractive index of the SSB optical modulation section 20 so that the unnecessary sideband component of the optical intensity-modulated signal outputted from the SSB optical modulation section 20 disappears.
US07831148B2

An optical network comprises a transmitter node (1), a receiver node (4) and an optical fiber (3) for transmitting an optical wavelength-division multiplex signal having payload channels and a supervisory channel between the nodes (1, 4). At least one of the nodes has an amplifier (8, 13) which is passed by the multiplex signal. The transmitter node (1) has a source (11) for the supervisory channel and a multiplexer (12) for combining the payload channels and the supervisory channel in order to form the optical wavelength-division multiplex signal, and the receiver node (4) has a sink (16) for the supervisory channel and a demultiplexer (14) for separating the wavelength division multiplex signal into supervisory and the payload channels. The multiplexer (12) and the demultiplexer (14) are adapted to insert and extract, respectively, as the supervisory channel, a wavelength into/from the optical multiplex signal, the attenuation of which between source (11) and sink (16) is essentially the same in the pumped and unpumped states of the amplifier (8, 13).
US07831144B2

A method and apparatus for fault notification in an optical network are described herein. In one embodiment, an exemplary process includes detecting at a node that at least a portion of a first unidirectional path of an optical circuit is down, where the first unidirectional path is originated from a first terminating node. In response to the detection, the node signals the first terminating node by removing at least a portion of light of a second unidirectional path in an opposite direction of the first unidirectional path of the optical circuit, to indicate a path between the node and the first terminating node is down. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.
US07831140B2

There is provided an apparatus for auto-focusing including: a sensing unit sensing a current position of a lens moving within a predetermined range along a moving shaft; an A/D converter converting a lens position value from the sensing unit into a digital signal; a lens position control unit generating a signal for moving the lens to a target lens position determined by an auto-focusing algorithm; a driving signal generating unit generating a square wave signal according to the signal from the lens position control unit; and an operation unit connected to the A/D converter and controlling a time at which the A/D converter performs conversion according to the square wave signal from the driving signal generating unit.
US07831137B2

An image apparatus (10) for providing an adjusted image (474) of a scene (12) that includes an photo-emissive object (18) includes an apparatus frame (228), a capturing system (232), and a control system (236). The capturing system (232) captures a raw captured image (466) of the scene (12). The control system (236) identifies a captured photo-emissive object (418) in the raw captured image (466). Further, the control system (236) can perform a different level of image compensation on the captured photo-emissive object (418) than on other portions of the captured image (466). Stated in another fashion, the control system (236) can perform a first level of white balance correction on at a first region (482A) of the captured image (466) and can perform a second level of white balance correction on a second region (482B) of the captured image (466). With this design, the control system (236) can provide the adjusted image (474) having a more uniform and acceptable white balance correction.
US07831133B2

A heating system for a subsurface formation is described. The heating system includes a first heater, a second heater, and a third heater placed in an opening in the subsurface formation. Each heater includes: an electrical conductor; an insulation layer at least partially surrounding the electrical conductor; and an electrically conductive sheath at least partially surrounding the insulation layer. The electrical conductor is electrically coupled to the sheath at a lower end portion of the heater. The lower end portion is the portion of the heater distal from a surface of the opening. The first heater, the second heater, and the third heater are electrically coupled at the lower end portions of the heaters. The first heater, the second heater, and the third heater are configured to be electrically coupled in a three-phase wye configuration.
US07831132B2

An information processing apparatus is configured to execute a sequence of processing operations for recording video data recorded to a first recording medium in a first format to a second recording medium in a second format, without user's manual intervention. Any one of three settings is provided in accordance with total time Tx of data to be written to a DVD: a first setting in which a maximum value of image bit rate (first value B1) and a maximum value of audio bit rate (second value B2) are used; a second setting in which a first value of image bit rate and a third value B3 of audio bit rate are used; and a third setting in which a fourth value of image bit rate determined on the basis of a line and the third value B3 of audio bit rate are used. The information processing apparatus may be an apparatus for recording the data recorded to a digital cassette video tape to a DVD.
US07831130B2

A recording apparatus employs a circulating recording scheme for overwriting the oldest recorded data in a recording area having a limited storage capacity with the latest recorded data. The recording apparatus includes a memory device and a data recovery unit. The memory device includes a data recording area for recording data, an index information area for recording index information related to the data recorded in the data recording area, and a reserve index information area provided in part of the data recording area for recording substantially the same index information as the index information. When an error is found in index information recorded in the index information area, the data recovery unit recovers the index information in the index information area based on the index information in the reserve index information area.
US07831119B2

This invention provides a tunable delay of an optical signal having multiple frequency components. The delay comprises at least a first and a second integrated resonators coupled sequentially to a waveguide; the resonators have angular resonant frequencies ω1=ω0−Δω and ω2=ω0+Δω respectively, ω0 is a median frequency of an input optical signal and Δω is a tunable deviation from the median frequency. The device is providing a nearly equal true time delay to all frequency components in the output signal.
US07831110B2

The invention discloses a resolution converting method. Particularly, it discloses a resolution converting method having the steps of: inputting reference pixel data as pixel data which can be used for calculation of the pixel data of an interpolation pixel; and calculating the pixel data of the interpolation pixel by using a plurality of selected reference pixel data, wherein the selected plurality of reference pixel data include the reference pixel data which is selected in accordance with information corresponding to a position of the interpolation pixel in an area formed by mutually connecting positions of a plurality of adjacent pixels serving as a plurality of pixels adjacent to the interpolation pixel where the interpolation pixel is located.
US07831109B2

In the generating of images by means of a two-dimensional field of image sensors, notably by means of a flat dynamic X-ray detector FDXD, adherence to the maximum data rate Gmax of an evaluation unit (1) requires satisfying the relation Δx·Δy·f/b≦Gmax between the width Δx and the height Δy of a sub-region of the image sensor read out, the imaging rate f and the binning factor b. In conformity with the method, parameters defining the size, position and/or shape of the sub-region can be preset at will, the other variables of the inequality being adapted, if necessary, in such a manner that the inequality remains satisfied. In the context of the method there is also performed a mosaic calibration during which calibration images of the complete image sensor are composed from calibration images of sub-regions.
US07831107B2

An image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program which enable generation of vector data capable of replicating a clipart region of a raw image as faithfully as possible are provided. To accomplish this, a raw image is segmented into region images according to attributes. From the segmented region images, a region image having a predetermined attribute is cut out from the raw image. At least one representative color which configures the predetermined region image is decided based on an appearance color of the cut out predetermined region image. A color image having the decided representative color is extracted from the predetermined region image. A contour line of the extracted color image is extracted. An edge image within the predetermined region image is extracted. The extracted contour line is corrected based on the extracted edge image. Using the corrected contour line, vector data of the predetermined region image is generated.
US07831103B2

A rate control means for rate allocation in JPEG2000 processing apparatus is disclosed. The rate control means includes means to receive various parameters from the tier-1 coder and means to calculate R-D slope, means for composing a bucket element, means for comparing the RD slope of each bucket element with the threshold slope of each bucket, and selecting the bucket into which the current element is to be added; means for accepting the selected bucket number and generating an address for storing the current bucket element; means for keeping a count of, number of elements in each bucket and the sum of the differential byte count of each element in that bucket; for all buckets; means for including the bucket elements and means for keeping the record of number of coding passes and number of bytes to be included for each code block, during and after the rate control.
US07831095B2

This invention relates to an image processing method and image processing apparatus capable of accurately cutting out a desired target from a displayed image. A polygonal area including a cutout target is specified from a displayed image. It is determined whether or not each side of the specified polygon contacts with the cutout target. A side that does not contact with the cutout target is selected as a side for starting cutout processing in accordance with the determination result. The pixel value is examined from the selected side in the inward direction of the polygonal area. It is determined whether or not the pixel belongs to the desired target. Finally, the desired target is cut out in accordance with the determination result.
US07831094B2

Simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) utilizes multiple view feature descriptors to robustly determine location despite appearance changes that would stifle conventional systems. A SLAM algorithm generates a feature descriptor for a scene from different perspectives using kernel principal component analysis (KPCA). When the SLAM module subsequently receives a recognition image after a wide baseline change, it can refer to correspondences from the feature descriptor to continue map building and/or determine location. Appearance variations can result from, for example, a change in illumination, partial occlusion, a change in scale, a change in orientation, change in distance, warping, and the like. After an appearance variation, a structure-from-motion module uses feature descriptors to reorient itself and continue map building using an extended Kalman Filter. Through the use of a database of comprehensive feature descriptors, the SLAM module is also able to refine a position estimation despite appearance variations.
US07831085B2

According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a method comprising detecting a defect of a pattern formed on the photo mask, acquiring a pattern image of a first region on the photo mask, extracting a pattern contour from the pattern image to acquire pattern contour extracted data, producing first graphic data based on the pattern contour extracted data and a pixel size, acquiring pattern data including the first region and corresponding to a second region from design data, producing second graphic data from the pattern data, replacing the second graphic data with the first graphic data to produce third graphic data only in a region where the first graphic data is superimposed upon the second graphic data, producing transfer patterns of pattern shapes represented by the second and third graphic data, and comparing the transfer patterns to judge whether or not the defect needs to be corrected.
US07831079B2

A method of constructing a navigation table relating a set of images representative of a region of interest in a subject to a reference system with reference positions indicating known anatomic landmarks of a reference subject comprising providing reference positions for two or more images identified with two or more anatomic landmarks indicative of the region of interest with reference positions of known anatomic landmarks corresponding to the identified anatomic landmarks, and determining reference positions for the remaining images by interpolation.
US07831066B2

A group of components in a container that forms a kit that is compact for fitting in a pocket and has means for rapidly collecting and recording identification information of personnel in the field and processing collected information at a computer processing station. The kit provides a means for linking collected and recorded biometric data of individuals through the use of a photographic image and a unique identifier. Complete biometric data, photographic data, and biographical information are processed into internationally accepted and law enforcement standards for later use. A method that allows personnel to rapidly collect, record, and link types of identification information and later process collected in a secure location.
US07831060B2

A method for protecting content of vector graphics formats is provided. A first vector graphics is scrambled to generate a second vector graphics. Then a plurality of pixel samplings are performed by the first vector graphics which generating at least a recovery information object according to a predetermined graphics. The predetermined graphics is watermarked to generate a watermark object. And the recovery information object is encoded and embedded in the watermark object to generate a recovery information watermark. Finally, the second vector graphics, the recovery information watermark, and the recovery code are combined to generate a protected first vector graphics.
US07831058B2

A microphone positioning structure is connected to an audio output device, and is composed of a sound tube, an end of which is connected with the audio output device; an earplug part which is located at a tail end of the aforementioned sound tube; an ear-hook part, an end of which is connected with the aforementioned sound tube. An end of the sound tube is plugged into the audio output device such as a trumpet or a loudspeaker, the ear-hook part is hung on a user's auricle for positioning, and the earplug part is inserted into the user's ear. In addition, while listening, the ear-hook part is hung and fixed on the user's auricle; therefore, the earplug part will not be subjected to a force, and it will not be fallen off due to a force of gravity and a shaking.
US07831049B1

Techniques to bolster the security of an AlphaEta cryptosystem using spectral phase encoding. In one aspect, a spatial light modulator (SLM) is used to change the spectral code (spectral phase) of each optical bit in response to the output of an extended key generator based on a cryptographic algorithm. In other aspects, additional time and polarization modulations are used to maintain high security levels as well as good performance levels. Such methods are combined with traditional key generation methods such as key-distribution centers or one-way mathematical algorithms to bolster the security of traditional key generation as well.
US07831047B2

Various techniques are disclosed for authenticating a first gaming application adapted for deployment at a first gaming machine that is operable to receive a wager on a game of chance. A first gaming application signature is accessed. In at least one embodiment, the first gaming application signature is associated with a first portion of a first plurality of gaming objects that are associated with the first gaming application. A first certified gaming signature associated with the first gaming application may also be accessed. Authentication of the first gaming application may be performed. In at least one embodiment, the first gaming application may be authenticated, for example, by comparing at least one gaming application signature with at least one certified gaming signature. If it is determined that the first gaming application is not authentic, the first gaming application signature may be analyzed to identify at least one invalid gaming object.
US07831037B2

A keypad arrangement and keypad arrangement of a handheld device implements a 12-key keypad to optimize space utilization on a handheld device. The display area on a user viewable side may occupy 25% or more of the available user side surface of the handheld device. The keypad is arranged as a three row by four column matrix. The number sign special function key may remain adjacent to the number 9 key of a standard keypad to facilitate effective changeover for the user when switching from a standard keypad.
US07831036B2

A method is set forth for reducing the total acoustic echo cancellation convergence time for all look directions in a microphone array based full-duplex system. The method is based on capturing the loudspeaker signal due to the first far-end speech bursts when the conferencing system is first used, as well as the corresponding loudspeaker feedback signals in the individual microphones. The captured signals are then used for consecutive adaptation of the acoustic echo canceller on all echo paths corresponding to all look directions of the beamformer, thereby training the AEC. This training process can be executed concurrently with normal phone operation, for example, as a background process that utilizes available processing cycles.
US07831029B2

A platform provides access to multiple telecommunications services via a single telephone number. These services may include, for example, voicemail services, facsimile messaging services, paging services, and outbound calling services. A guest caller may call the single phone number to speak to a subscriber, leave a voicemail message for a subscriber, leave a facsimile message for a subscriber, or place a page to a subscriber. A subscriber may call the phone number to place outbound calls. In addition, a subscriber may call the single phone number to retrieve or send facsimile messages and/or voicemail messages. A subscriber may also call the phone number to configure service options. For instance, a subscriber may select routing options and choose what services are available to guest callers.
US07831023B2

A diaphragm system for an x-ray apparatus for scanning an object is provided. The diaphragm system includes a diaphragm support arranged within a radiation path of an x-ray beam. The diaphragm support includes at least two different individual diaphragms. The at least two different individual diaphragms may be controlled as a function of a definable radiation intensity and/or the size of a surface of the object to be irradiated and can be introduced into the radiation path.
US07831018B1

These teachings provide for identifying (101) a set of fluence-based control points to represent a leaf sequence and then selecting (102) a first subset of the fluence-based control points and optimizing that first subset. This first subset (now optimized) is combined (103) with a second subset of the fluence-based control points and the aggregation then optimized. The latter activities are then iteratively repeated (104) with additional subsets of the fluence-based control points to provide resultant optimized sets of fluence-based control points. This eventually results in a fully optimized complete set of fluence-based control points. This optimized set of fluence-based control points are then used (105) to specify a corresponding radiation-treatment leaf-sequence plan.
US07831013B2

One embodiment of the present disclosure sets forth a method for determining a movement of a target region using tomosynthesis. The method includes the steps of accessing a first set of projection radiographs of the target region over a first processing window defined by a first range of projection angles, accessing a second set of projection radiographs of the target region over a second processing window defined by a second range of projection angles, wherein the first processing window slides to the second processing window during treatment of the target region, and comparing a first positional information derived from the first set of the projection radiographs and a second positional information derived from the second set of the projection radiographs with the first positional information to determine the movement of the target region.
US07831007B1

Described is circuitry for improving the acquisition/locking time of phase-locked loops (PLL). The circuitry includes a node for tapping voltage from a PLL, with an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to convert the voltage to a digital signal. A memory module stores the digital signal. A digital-to-analog converter (DAC) converts the digital signal to an analog output. A comparator/threshold detector is included to compare the voltage from the node to the analog signal from the DAC. Based on the comparison, the comparator/threshold detector provides a signal to the memory module to cause the memory module to update its stored digital signal. Upon power-up, the saved voltage is forced into the PLL to force the PLL nodes to the saved values as an initial condition, thereby decreasing acquisition time in the phased locked loop.
US07830996B2

A display apparatus which processes an input image signal to display it thereon having a connector which is connected with an external source, a differential signal receiver which processes a differential signal from the external source, and a differential signal controller which generates a predetermined temporary differential signal using a single ended signal transmitted from the external source and outputs it to the differential signal receiver. Thus, the display apparatus generates a temporary differential signal corresponding to an input single ended signal to process it as a differential signal, and a control method thereof.
US07830985B2

An analog front-end having built-in equalization includes a control module and a tunable gain stage. The control module is operably coupled to provide a frequency response setting based on a channel response of a channel providing high-speed serial data to the analog front-end. The tunable gain stage includes a frequency dependent load and an amplifier input section. The frequency dependent load is adjusted based on the frequency response setting. The amplifier input section is operably coupled to the frequency dependent load and receives the high-speed serial data. In conjunction with the frequency dependent load, the amplifier input section amplifies and equalizes the high-speed serial data to produce an amplified and equalized serial data.
US07830982B2

An apparatus comprises a plurality of antenna elements, a plurality of digital signal processing devices for supplying phase-and-amplitude-weighted digital baseband signals, a beamforming processor for processing the weighted digital baseband signals to adaptively form a plurality of beam patterns for the antenna elements, a plurality of digital modulators for converting the digital baseband signals into intermediate frequency digital signals, and a modulator for modulating in-phase and quadrature components of the intermediate frequency digital signals to produce composite radio frequency output signals for the antenna elements. Receiving apparatus, and methods of transmitting and receiving a plurality of signals on a plurality of antenna elements are also provided.
US07830956B2

A method for processing a sampled signal includes receiving a signal from a channel at a channel speed and providing error adjustment to the signal. The method includes sampling the signal at a speed less than the channel speed to yield a sampled signal and determining an error associated with the signal. The method also includes determining compensation information for the error adjustment. The compensation information is based on the error, and the compensation information is determined at a compensation speed less than the channel speed.
US07830955B2

Configuration or otherwise controlling parameters of a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) system related to power, band usage and margin is based on collected operational data. Operational data are collected from at least one DSL system operating under a known configuration and/or a profile. A target profile is selected based on binder-level information. The collected operational data is analyzed and conditions for changing the DSL system configuration to the target profile are evaluated, including any applicable transition rules pertaining to changing profiles. If the conditions hold, then the DSL system is instructed to operate with the target profile. Binder-level information can include deployment point information, topology information, and/or crosstalk coupling information. The controlled parameters may have values that are chosen using one or more spectrum balancing methods. Such spectrum balancing methods may be executed infrequently, and may make use of all binder-level information that is available.
US07830948B2

A system provides for remote monitoring using asynchronous code division multiple access (CDMA) communication techniques between a base station and one or more transponders. Each transponder is attached or otherwise associated with an object or an environment to be monitored. Upon receipt of an interrogation signal, a transponder generates and transmits a coded transponder signal containing the monitored data. The coded transponder signal is generated using a spreading code. Each transponder is associated with a unique, mutually exclusive set of spreading codes. Each spreading code is based on a unique transponder address and the monitored data to be sent. A detector asynchronously monitors received signals for any of the available spreading codes. Once the detector detects a particular spreading code, the base station can identify the source transponder and extract the monitored data.
US07830936B2

A method for a laser system to compensate a variability of a signal converter in the laser system includes generating a temperature signal corresponding to a temperature of a laser and adjusting a signal of the signal converter based on at least the temperature signal. A laser transceiver includes a memory, a controller, a bandwidth circuit, and a modulation driver. The controller generates at least one control signal set by a host in the memory. The bandwidth circuit is a programmable low-pass filter (LPF) receiving the control signal and at least one input terminal receiving at least one data signal. The programmable LPF filters the data signal based on the control signal. The modulation driver has at least one input terminal receiving the filtered data signal. The modulation driver provides a modulation current to a laser in response to the filtered data signal.
US07830935B2

A laser (10) provided with a discharge activation power supply (11) supplied with power from a 3-phase AC power line, the discharge activation power supply (11) provided inside it with three first capacitors (12a, 12b, and 12c), the laser (10) including an external ground fault protection device comprising a voltage measuring unit using the first capacitors (12a, 12b, and 12c) to measure voltages between the phases of the 3-phase AC power line and the ground and a power breaking unit (18) comparing the values of voltages measured by the voltage measuring unit and a predetermined threshold and breaking the supply of power from the 3-phase AC power line to the power supply (11) when the value of a voltage exceeds the threshold.
US07830923B2

An interval centroid-based watermark encoder encodes a watermark into a packet flow. Intervals are defined for the packet flow. Some of the intervals are selected as group A intervals while other intervals are selected as group B intervals. Group A and group B intervals are paired and assigned to watermark bits. A first or second value may be encoded by increasing the relative packet time between packets in either the group A (for the first bit value) or group B (for the second bit value) interval(s) of the interval pair(s) assigned to the watermark bits that are to represent the first or second bit value and the beginning of the same group interval(s). The relative packet times may be measured by a decoder and used to calculate a centroid difference for each interval pair. The centroid differences may be used to reconstruct the watermark.
US07830921B2

In one embodiment, at least first and second channels in a frame of the audio signal are independently subdivided into blocks if the first and second channels are not correlated with each other. The first and second channels are corresponding subdivided into blocks such that the lengths of the blocks into which the second channel is subdivided correspond to the lengths of the blocks into which the first channel is subdivided if the first and second channels are correlated with each other. First information may be generated to indicate whether the first and second channels are independently subdivided or correspondingly subdivided.
US07830912B2

A communications device capable of simultaneously operating in a dual-band CDMA communications system having a cellular and a PCS CDMA communications systems and a dual-band GSM communications system having a GSM 900 and a GSM 1800 communications systems includes a radio signal transceiver module, a CDMA module, a GSM module, a first CDMA filtering unit, a second CDMA filtering unit, a first GSM filtering unit, and a second GSM filtering unit. The first CDMA filtering unit, the second CDMA filtering unit, the first GSM filtering unit, and the second GSM filtering unit are utilized for discarding signals in an overlapping frequency band between the dual-band CDMA and the dual-band GSM communications systems.
US07830907B1

Provided is a frame structure for filtered OFDM signaling, wherein once every frame a central controller passes redundant broadcast data for a short time (e.g. 16 symbol times) over all frequencies in use. This broadcast, called a beacon, may carry control information, frame structure information, and other data. The rest of the frame is divided into other assignments, including broadband redundantly coded channels for broadcast, ALOHA contention access, or point-to-point transmissions, and including traffic channels that may use only some of the assigned frequencies intended primarily for point-to-point access. This allows a mix of TDMA and FDMA point-to-point and broadband access. This system may be controlled by a central coordinator, which issues reservations. This system allows devices on a frequency-selective channel to communicate with scheduled operations.
US07830901B2

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for managing network data packet transmission. A retry buffer is maintained that includes a single first in, first out retransmission retry buffer. A first data packet is inserted into the retry buffer in response to transmitting the first data packet to a remote node. A determination that a second data packet is not able to be transmitted to the remote node causes the second data packet to be inserted into the retry buffer. A third data packet is retrieved from the retry buffer and a determination that it is not to be transmitted to the remote node causes the third data packet to be reinserted into the retry buffer.
US07830888B2

A method for combining Internet protocols in a Differentiated Services model environment is described. The Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and Common Open Policy Service (COPS) are combined together to provide methods of setting up a session and tearing down a session, while maintaining Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) policies. The Open Settlement Policy (OSP) is also combined with SIP and COPS. This combination provides for an interchange of parameters between session setup, teardown, authorization, policy, Quality of Service (QoS), and usage reporting.
US07830878B2

There is provided a virtual network connection apparatus including a first storage unit that stores first correspondence information representing a correspondence relationship between a real address of an information processor in a site and a virtual address of the information processor in a virtual network, an address conversion unit that executes an address conversion for transmitted information between an information processor in the site and an information processor outside of the site by referring to the first correspondence information, a second storage unit that stores second correspondence information representing a correspondence relationship between a name of an information processor in the site and a real address of the information processor, a generation unit that generates third correspondence information representing a correspondence relationship between a name of an information processor in the site and a virtual address of the information processor based on the first and the second correspondence information.
US07830877B2

Management of congestion level, in a computer-related context, is disclosed. Also disclosed is a system generating a plurality of computer network-related tables during system operation. A number of the tables are each separately indexed by a different index. The system includes at least one tangible computer-readable medium adapted to store, at each indexed location, a swap count providing an indication of the congestion level of the indexed location. The system also includes insert logic stored as instructions on the at least one medium for execution. When executed, the insert logic is operable to: i) insert, when a predetermined condition has been satisfied, a new entry by overwriting the current entry stored in the indexed location having the lowest swap count; and ii) update the swap counts in each of the indexed locations in a manner that maintains the total swap count at least substantially constant over time.
US07830875B2

A method for enabling autonegotiation over an interface for which no autonegotiation standard exists comprises establishing network communication between a first network device and a second network device over a communication link. The first network device includes a first media access controller (MAC) associated with a communication port coupled to the communication link and a second MAC positioned between the first MAC and the communication port, and the second MAC operates as a proxy MAC for the first MAC. The first MAC outputs an outbound data communication to the communication port at a first communication rate. The proxy MAC intercepts the outbound data communication. The proxy MAC then outputs the outbound data communication to the communication port at a second communication rate different from the first communication rate.
US07830867B2

Methods and apparatus to authorize and allocate resources for outdial communication services are disclosed. An example disclosed method comprises determining a first local access transport area (LATA) useable to route an outdial call initiated by a message center, identifying a first set of unified sub-groups within the first LATA having a first sub-group type and having unused capacity, each unified sub-group comprising a logical grouping of communication resources partitioned among at least one of a plurality of features or a plurality of subscriber categories, determining whether any of the unified sub-groups in the first set meets a first selection preference, and if any of the unified sub-groups in the first set meets the first selection preference, selecting a first unified sub-group having a lowest current load from the unified sub-groups in the first set meeting the first selection preference to route the outdial call.
US07830860B2

The quality of service existing in a data packet network during the course of communication of a voice call through a data network, such as the Internet, is monitored. A minimum acceptable level of service may be predefined with a threshold quality level stored in the user's Call Processing Record (CPR) in the AIN Integrated Services Control Point (ISCP). If the monitored quality is maintained in excess of the stored threshold, communication of the call continues through the established course of transmission. If the measured quality of service on the data network is not satisfactory, the routing of the call is changed to communication solely through a voice telephone network connection, which may include an Interexchange Carrier link, without terminating the call. The packet data network is thereby bypassed to obtain voice grade quality while maintaining the call.
US07830850B2

In a wireless class-based data communications network, a class-switching method includes configuring a wireless two-way RF data communication device, of a wireless class-based data communications network, to adopt a different class designation of another wireless two-way RF data communication device of a proximate wireless class-based data communications network such that the particular wireless two-way RF data communication device joins the proximate wireless class-based data communications network. Another class-switching method includes communicating a command to a wireless two-way RF data communication device of a wireless class-based data communications network to change its class designation to that of another wireless two-way RF data communication device of a proximate wireless class-based data communications network such that the wireless two-way RF data communication device joins the proximate wireless class-based data communications network.
US07830845B2

A wireless access point and multiple wireless terminals exchange utilization, status, mobility and reception characteristics. Each wireless terminal generates reception characteristics based on transmissions received from the wireless access point and from other devices in the network. In one operating mode, the characteristics gathered by the wireless devices are forwarded to the wireless access point, and, based on all received characteristics, the wireless access point selects its own transmission power for different types of the transmission. In another mode, all characteristics are exchanged between every wireless terminal and the access point so that each can independently or cooperatively make transmission power control decisions. In a further mode, the wireless access point adjusts protocol parameters based on an assessment of the characteristics received from the client devices, to detect an event such as a hidden terminal condition.
US07830838B2

A wireless sensor network, a node device thereof and a method for arranging communications therein are presented. A first frequency is used in wireless communication of information between a headnode and subnodes of a first cluster (103) using a time slotted channel access scheme. A headnode of a second cluster (113) known the first frequency and selects a second, different frequency for use in wireless communication of information within said second cluster (113) using a time slotted channel access scheme. The headnode of the first cluster (103) is informed about the second frequency selected for the second cluster (113). Information from the headnode of said first cluster (103) to the headnode of said second cluster (113) is communicated on said second frequency, using the same time slotted channel access scheme as other nodes in said second cluster (113).
US07830829B2

An FDD/CDMA transmission/reception system includes a CDMA transmitter and a CDMA receiver. The CDMA transmitter includes a plurality of transmission antennas, signal transmission units for transmitting transmission signals weighted by different values to the respective transmission antennas, and pilot signal transmission units for transmitting a plurality of different pilot signals to the respective transmission antennas. The CDMA receiver includes a reception unit for obtaining one received signal from the transmission signals from the plurality of transmission antennas of the CDMA transmitter in consideration of reception quality, and a unit for transmitting antenna control signals corresponding to reception power values of the received pilot signals to the CDMA transmitter.
US07830822B2

A Multicast Source Discovery Protocol (MSDP) speaker can associate a “key” with a set of one or more source address/group address pairs within a Source Active (SA) message and send the SA message to a MSDP peer. Initially, the MSDP speaker sends both the key and the source address/group address pairs associated with that key. Subsequently, the MSDP speaker can simply resend the key, without also sending all of the associated source address/group address pairs, in order to refresh the SA information at the peer. Additionally, several keys can be sent in a single message.
US07830821B2

A method of connecting and sharing resources of network terminal devices of two private networks via user agents is applied in a network system including at least two private networks and an Internet. Each private network includes at least two network terminal devices. At least one network terminal device installs a user agent, and each user agent is connected with the other network terminal device on a private network. Each network terminal device is connected to the Internet through a network connecting device. In the method, the network terminal device can be connected with other network terminal devices on the private network for accessing data, and a connection channel can be established between the network terminal devices on the public network and another private network, and the network terminal devices on the other private network can share the services provided by other network terminal devices on the private network.
US07830818B2

A mobile station that receives F-DCPH symbols and CPICH symbols from a base station: (1) averages a plurality of CPICH symbols in a time sequence before a certain time of interest and estimates a channel, then uses the obtained channel estimation value and the CPICH symbol at the time of interest to calculate an interference power ISCP; (2) averages a plurality of CPICH symbols in a time sequence that include the CPICH symbol at the time of interest and estimates a channel, then uses the obtained channel estimation value and the CPICH symbol at that time of interest to calculate a reference ISCP; (3) corrects an interference power ISCP at the next time of interest using the difference between the ISCP and the reference ISCP; and (4) uses the ISCP that is obtained by the correction and a reception power RSCP of the F-DCPH symbol to calculate a signal to interference power ratio SIR of the mobile station.
US07830813B1

A system for analyzing an availability of at least part of a communications network is provided. The network includes a set of network components, that are further divided into first and second subsets of network components. Each of the first and second subsets includes a plurality of different components in the network component set. The system includes an availability prediction assessment tool that is operable to (I) determine a first traffic flow exchanged between first and second endpoint groupings in the first subset, the first traffic flow being a first percentage of a total traffic flow in the communications network; (ii) for a plurality of first subset members involved in the first traffic flow, determine a corresponding downtime; (iii) determine a total of the downtimes corresponding to the plurality of first subset members; (iv) multiply the total of the downtimes by the first percentage to provide a first traffic weighted total downtime for the first subset; and (v) determine an availability of the first subset for the first traffic flow based on the first traffic weighted total downtime for the first subset.
US07830811B2

There is provided a terminal apparatus capable of, when the volume of packets received by the terminal apparatus is abnormally increased, disconnecting the terminal apparatus from a network and continuously performing a process other than a process regarding received packets by the steps of detecting the number of packets received from the network in a predetermined time, logically disconnecting the terminal apparatus from the network when the number of packets exceeds a predetermined value, and reconnecting the terminal apparatus to the network after a predetermined time has elapsed.
US07830809B2

A fibre channel frame is received at a first fibre channel switch. The fibre channel frame includes time stamp information associated with fibre channel switches between a second fibre channel switch and the first fibre channel switch. A time-to-live (TTL) value included in the fibre channel frame is determined. The fibre channel frame is sent back to the second fibre channel switch upon determining the TTL value included in the fibre channel frame.
US07830797B1

Apparatus having corresponding methods and computer programs comprise: an ingress circuit to receive a plurality of data flows, wherein each data flow includes packets of data having a desired order of transmission; an unshaped queue; one or more shaped queues; a forwarding engine to transfer the packets in each data flow from the ingress circuit to the unshaped queue when a shaping flag for the respective data flow is not set, and to transfer the packets in each data flow from the ingress circuit to a corresponding shaped queue when the shaping flag for the respective data flow is set; an egress circuit to transmit the packets; and a scheduler to dequeue the packets from the unshaped queue to the egress circuit, and to dequeue the packets from each shaped queue to the egress circuit only when no packets for the respective data flow remain in the unshaped queue.
US07830794B2

Data buffer management logic transfers a segment of a data stream over a communication fabric and stores it in a buffer. Then, while data is consumed from the buffer, the rate of consumption and communication fabric status are monitored, and a target minimum level of data in the buffer may be adjusted. If the amount of data in the buffer falls below the target, another segment is retrieved. Systems and software to implement related data buffer management operations are described and claimed.
US07830785B2

Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer readable media for modifying IP backbone link weights such that multicast traffic and unicast traffic will not travel on a same path between nodes. The method comprises assigning link weights to nodes within an IP backbone such that multicast forwarding paths and unicast forwarding paths are failure disjoint, and delivering undelivered multicast packets using IP unicast encapsulation to the loopback address of next hop router on a multicast tree upon link/interface failure.
US07830778B2

An optical information recording medium having a disk-shaped substrate formed with spiral grooves on one main surface, and having an optical reflection layer formed with grooves at the surface corresponding to the grooves of the substrate for reflecting a laser beam, an optical recording layer, a protective layer, and an optical transparency layer in this order on the main surface thereof. The optical information recording medium has a main information area and a sub-information area to the inner circumferential side thereof, in which the track pitch TrB of the grooves in the sub-information area is about 0.32 μm or less, and the depth D of the grooves and the half-band width W of the grooves satisfy a relation represented by: W≧2D+70, whereby the difference between the reflectivity at the land surface and the reflectivity at the groove surface in the sub-information area can be restricted to less than 30%, thereby preventing occurrence of mis-decipherment for BCA marks.
US07830758B2

An optical disk drive includes focusing means, moving means for moving the focusing means in a direction perpendicular to a track direction, light detection means having a first light acceptance section accepting a light beam reflected by one information recording layer and a second light acceptance section accepting stray light reflected by another information recording layer, tracking error signal generating means for generating and correcting the tracking error signal using an output of the second light acceptance section, and tracking control means, wherein the second light acceptance section is composed of a disk inner area and a disk outer area, and where the stray light is accepted without accepting the light beam, and the tracking control means removes an offset caused by the stray light using a difference between the output of the disk inner area and the output of the disk outer area.
US07830747B2

Three data subsets are obtained in three selected azimuthal directions from seismic data in heterogeneous, anisotropic media. Azimuthal velocities are determined for each of the data subsets. A linear system of equations in the three selected azimuthal directions and the three determined azimuthal velocities is solved for three independent parameters. An azimuthal time migration velocity function is constructed from the three solved independent parameters. A time migration traveltime function is constructed from the constructed azimuthal time migration velocity function.
US07830741B2

A semiconductor memory device is capable of easily checking whether banks are overlappingly activated. The semiconductor memory device includes a bank active signal generating unit and an overlap detecting unit. The bank active signal generating unit generates bank active signals for respective different banks in response to an active signal and bank addresses. The overlap detecting unit detects whether the bank active signals of the different banks are overlappingly enabled.
US07830735B2

Disclosed herein are embodiments of an asynchronous memory device that use internal delay elements to enable memory access pipelining. In one embodiment, the delay elements are responsive to an input load control signal, and are calibrated with reference to periodically received timing pulses. Different numbers of the delay elements are configured to produce different asynchronous delays and to strobe sequential pipeline elements of the memory device.
US07830731B2

A semiconductor memory device includes a pipe latch unit having a plurality of pipe latches for latching data. An input controller controls input timing of data transmitted from data line to the pipe latch unit. An output controller controls output timing of data latched in the pipe latch unit. An initialization controller controls the input controller and the output controller to thereby initialize the pipe latch unit in response to a read/write flag signal which is activated during a write operation.
US07830726B2

Method and apparatus for writing data to a storage array, such as but not limited to an STRAM or RRAM memory array, using a read-mask-write operation. In accordance with various embodiments, a first bit pattern stored in a plurality of memory cells is read. A second bit pattern is stored to the plurality of memory cells by applying a mask to selectively write only those cells of said plurality corresponding to different bit values between the first and second bit patterns.
US07830716B2

During first portion of a first read cycle determining that a first input of a sense amplifier is to receive information based upon a state of a storage cell during a first portion of a read cycle, and determining that a conductance at the first input is substantially equal to a conductance at a second input of the sense amplifier during the first portion. A plurality of NAND string modules are connected to a global bit line of a memory device that includes a memory column where a plurality of NAND strings and a buffer are formed.
US07830712B2

A non-volatile memory apparatus for controlling a page buffer includes a page buffer configured to include a plurality of buffer stages, each buffering input/output data of cell arrays in units of predetermined number of bits, and a control unit configured to selectively activate one of the plurality of buffer stages when a burst mode as a synchronous mode is activated.
US07830703B2

A semiconductor device having SRAM cell units each comprising a pair of a first driving transistor and a second driving transistor, a pair of a first load transistor and a second load transistor, and a pair of a first access transistor and a second access transistor, wherein each of the transistors comprises a semiconductor layer projecting upward from a substrate plane, a gate electrode extending on opposite sides of the semiconductor layer so as to stride over a top of the semiconductor layer, a gate insulating film interposed between the gate electrode and the semiconductor layer, and a pair of source/drain areas formed in the semiconductor layer; and the first and second driving transistors each have a channel width larger than that of at least either each of the load transistors or each of the access transistors.
US07830702B2

Synthetic molecular spring device featuring: (a) a synthetic molecular assembly, SMA, each scalable chemical module including: (i) at least one atom, M, (ii) at least one complexing group, CG, complexed to an atom, M, (iii) at least one axial ligand, AL, reversibly physicochemically paired with at least one atom, M, complexed to a complexing group, CG, (iv) at least one substantially elastic molecular linker, ML, having body and two ends with at least one chemically bonded to another component of SMA; (b) activating mechanism, AM, operatively directed to an atom-axial ligand pair, whereby following activating mechanism, AM, sending activating signal, AS/AS′, to an atom-axial ligand pair for physicochemically modifying the atom-axial ligand pair, there is activating at least one cycle of spring-type elastic reversible transitions between contracted and expanded linear conformational states of molecular linker, ML. Optionally includes (v) chemical connectors, CC, and/or, (vi) binding sites, BS.
US07830690B2

A method is disclosed for implementing a scheme to configure thermal management control for a memory device resident on a memory module for a computing platform. A method is also disclosed for implementing the configured thermal management control. In a run-time environment for a computing platform a temperature is obtained from a thermal sensor monitoring the memory module. The memory module is in a given memory module with thermal sensor configuration that includes the memory device. An approximation of a temperature for the memory device is made based on thermal information associated with the given configuration of the memory module and the obtained temperature. The configured thermal management control for the memory device is implemented based on the approximated temperature. Other implementations and examples are also described in this disclosure.
US07830683B2

A current control type converter has a converter section and a control section that includes three controllers. A first controller calculates and outputs an active current instruction value by proportional-plus-integral control to perform proportional integration of a deviation between the value of a DC voltage outputted from the converter section and a DC voltage instruction value. A second controller calculates and outputs an active voltage correction value by proportional-plus-integral control to perform proportional integration of a deviation between the active current instruction value from the first controller and the value of an active current inputted to the converter section. A third controller calculates and outputs a reactive voltage correction value by proportional-plus-integral control to perform proportional integration of a deviation between the value of a reactive current inputted to the converter section and a reactive current instruction value.
US07830682B2

A control system for a PWM inverter may reduce a DC component of an output of the inverter. An output voltage signal may be attenuated with a low-pass filter to produce a signal with a high DC content. A duty cycle of an output of the low pass filter may be determined with a zero-crossing detector. A calculation may be performed to determine a magnitude of a DC offsetting voltage that may offset the DC component of the inverter output. The inverter may be commanded to produce a DC offsetting voltage with an opposite polarity from the DC component of the inverter output. The opposite polarity DC offsetting voltage may effectively cancel the DC component of the inverter output. A monitoring system may employ an alternate system for determining the level of the DC component, thus providing a desirable redundancy to the system.
US07830680B2

The invention makes it possible to secure a maximum output within the capacity range of an electrical power source by preventing an output from being cut by a protective function of a converter at the time of a temporary overload. A bidirectional DC-DC converter 4 for stepping up a voltage of DC power supplied from a battery 5 is provided. A stepped-up DC power is converted to an AC power by an inverter 3-2 via a regulator 3-1 and is outputted to the load side. An input voltage V1 of the regulator 3-1 is detected by a voltage detecting portion 15 and is inputted into an output limit determining portion 16. The output limit determining portion 16 determines an output voltage value for starting to limit an inverter output according to a distance from when the input voltage V1 fell below a limit starting voltage value Vlim to a limit voltage value Va. An inverter driving portion 17 limits an output by switching FETs in the inverter 3 in accordance with this output voltage value. When a temporary overload is eliminated, then the output recovers to a maximum value.
US07830679B2

A HVDC transmission system including at one end of a bipolar HVDC transmission line a converter station for connecting the transmission line to an AC system. The station has two converters and a DC neutral arrangement in common to the converters. The DC neutral arrangement has a separate electrode line connecting member connecting to electrode lines. The electrode lines are dimensioned to be able to at monopolar operation of the converter station transmit substantially full current to an electrode station through the remaining one or ones of the electrode lines at disconnection of an arbitrary of the electrode lines.
US07830677B2

This invention discloses a switching power converter controlled by a winding voltage sampler, including an input circuit with an input end, an output circuit with an output end, one or more switches, a controller to regulate on/off of the switch, a winding voltage sampler, and a transformer including a primary-side coil assembly connecting the switch and the winding voltage sampler, and a secondary-side coil assembly. The output circuit connects the secondary-side coil assembly; the winding voltage sampler detects preset reference voltage of the primary-side coil assembly for the controller to regulate output voltage.
US07830676B2

A power supply apparatus and method of regulating is provided. A converter circuit includes a primary switching element and an auxiliary switching element. The auxiliary switching element is for transferring a reflected voltage signal. A transformer includes a primary and a secondary, the primary is coupled with the converter circuit. The primary and the secondary each comprise a single winding. An output rectifier circuit is coupled with the secondary of the transformer. A resonant circuit is included in the converter circuit and is coupled with the primary. The resonant circuit includes one or more resonance capacitors that are configured for providing a transformer resonance. The transformer resonance comprises the reflected voltage signal, the capacitance of the one or more resonance capacitors and a parasitic capacitance of the transformer. The reflected voltage signal is reflected from the secondary to the primary. A current feedback circuit is coupled between the primary and a controller. A virtual output current feedback loop is provided for regulating an output current using the reflected voltage signal.
US07830665B2

An easily disassembling cooling apparatus is assembled onto a circuit board. The circuit board has an electronic element. The cooling apparatus includes a pair of fastening blocks, one or two heat conducting blocks, and at least one heat pipe. The pair of fastening blocks are fastened onto the circuit board and each has a track slot and a concave opening. The heat conducting block is installed between the fastening blocks and contacts the electronic element. One end of the heat pipe is assembled with the heat conducting block. The fastening plate is installed in the track slots of the fastening blocks, flexibly wedged in the concave openings, and has a flexible arm that flexibly presses onto the heat pipe or one of the heat conducting blocks. Thereby, the welding process is not required in the assembling process. The assembling time is reduced, and the electronic element is reliably cooled.
US07830660B2

A cooling unit to cool the display apparatus including a heat generating unit to generate heat and a casing to accommodate the heat generating unit, the cooling unit includes a cooling fan to generate air flow; a duct which is coupled with the casing and forms a cooling path to connect the cooling fan and the heat generating unit; an inlet portion which is provided to one side of the casing to communicate with the duct; an inlet grill which is provided in the inlet portion to guide air to be inhaled in a direction inclined to a rear surface of the casing; an outlet portion which is provided to an other side of the casing to communicate with the duct, being spaced from the inlet portion; and an outlet grill which is provided in the outlet portion to guide air to be exhaled in a direction inclined to a rear surface of the casing, wherein the exhaled direction provided by the outlet grill is different from the air-inhaling direction provided by the inlet grill. With this configuration, the cooling path is effectively provided to enhance cooling efficiency and thermal reliability.
US07830658B2

A housing for electronic equipment comprises a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between a liquid-containing medium and a gas. This heat exchanger comprises a medium inlet and a medium outlet and a flat heat exchanger mat. The mat comprises a number of parallel, equidistant capillaries of heat-conducting material and wires of heat-conducting material which are attached in heat-conducting contact to the capillaries, extend in transverse direction relative thereto and have a mutual distance in the order of magnitude of the diameter of the wires, wherein air can flow along the wires for heat exchange between this air and the medium flowing through the capillaries. The heat exchanger is embodied such that the air flows along the mat and at least a substantial part of the air is prevented from flowing through the mat, and that it is ensured that the air flows along the wires in longitudinal direction of these wires.
US07830656B2

A mounting apparatus for a data storage device (30) with at least a stud (32) includes a bracket (10) for receiving the data storage device therein and a locking member (20) to secure the data storage device. The bracket includes a side panel (12) with at least a slot (123) defined therein for slidably receiving the stud of the data storage device therein. The locking member includes a pivot portion (24) rotatably attached to the side panel of the bracket, and a resilient arm (22) extending from the pivot portion. The pivot portion of the locking member includes a guiding edge (2433) for facilitating the stud of the data storage device sliding into the bracket to a secured position and a blocking edge (2435) for engaging with the stud of the data storage device in the secured position.
US07830652B2

A monitor correction apparatus and a monitor having the same are provided. The monitor having the monitor correction apparatus includes a display panel and a first frame. The first frame covers a perimeter of the display panel and defines a display area. The monitor correction apparatus includes a front bezel that is integrally formed with the first frame and covers a part of the display area. Moreover, the monitor correction apparatus includes guide pins that are formed inside the first frame and near the front bezel. The monitor correction apparatus also includes a flexible printed circuit board which has at least one guide hole to be inserted by the guide pins. One end of the flexible printed circuit board extends into the front bezel. An optical sensor is disposed on the flexible printed circuit board and inside the front bezel and has an optical signal receiving zone.
US07830650B2

A display system includes a display chassis defining a display chassis housing. A display panel is located in the display chassis housing. A power supply module chassis defines a power supply module housing and is coupled to the display chassis outside of the display chassis housing. A power supply module is located in the power supply module housing and coupled to the display panel. Such display system architecture allows the display chassis to be much thinner than conventional externally connectable display chassis.
US07830648B2

A system includes an electrical busway, an electrical enclosure enclosing an electrical apparatus, the electrical enclosure including an interior and a mounting portion with an opening therethrough; and a tap apparatus electrically interconnecting the electrical busway and the electrical apparatus. The tap apparatus includes a first portion electrically interconnected with the electrical busway through the opening of the mounting portion, a second portion removeably coupled to the mounting portion of the electrical enclosure from the interior of the electrical enclosure, and a third portion including a flexible electrical connection electrically interconnected with the electrical apparatus.
US07830645B2

Dielectric ceramics represented as: CaxZrO3+aMn+bLi+cB+dSi and comprising: based on 100 mol of CaxZrO3 (where 1.00≦x≦1.10), 0.5≦a≦4.0 mol, and 6.0≦b+c+d≦15.0 mol, in which 0.15≦b/(c+d)≦0.55, and 0.20≦d/c≦3.30 or multi-layer ceramic capacitor using the same.
US07830640B2

Magnetoresistive device comprising a spin valve formed from a stack of layers including at least two magnetic layers for which a relative orientation of their magnetisation directions are capable varying under influence of a magnetic field; at least one discontinuous dielectric or semiconducting layer with electrically conducting bridges at least partially passing through a thickness of the dielectric or semiconducting layer, the bridges configured to locally concentrate current that passes transversely through the stack; and means for circulating a current in the spin valve transverse to the plane of the layers, characterised in that the dielectric or semiconducting layer with electrically conducting bridges is arranged inside one of the magnetic layers.
US07830636B2

A disk drive spoiler for reducing particle accumulation in a hard disk drive is provided. The spoiler includes a body portion for directing airflow generated by a rotating disk, the rotating disk comprising a middle diameter and an outer diameter wherein the body portion directs airflow away from the outer diameter of the disk. The spoiler also includes an end portion for directing airflow away from the middle diameter of the disk towards the outer diameter of the disk wherein the body portion comprises a perforation through the body for reducing suction of particles onto the disk surface.
US07830623B2

To connect N lenses to construct a lens unit for an imaging-device in series, (n−1)-th (where 2≦n (integer)≦N) lens having an outer periphery rim region which extends with a certain thickness from an outer periphery edge end portion of the lens region directing to the side of the adjacent nth lens and the outer periphery rim region which has a circular-arc tapered surface inclined with respect to an optical axis on a outer part of the lens region, and the nth lens having a bulgy-protrusion-shaped portion with head-top portion milled to be round along an outer part of the lens region on a surface of an outer periphery rim region opposed to the (n−1)-th lens are arranged, and lens position adjustment is made by putting the bulgy protrusion-shaped portion to the circular-arc tapered surface to perform point contact.
US07830622B2

An imaging lens comprises, in order from an object side: an aperture stop; a first lens having a positive refractive power in a meniscus form having a convex surface facing toward the object; a second lens having a positive or negative refractive power in a meniscus form having a concave surface facing toward the object; and a third lens having a positive or negative refractive power in an aspheric form at both surfaces, wherein conditional expressions given below are satisfied: νd1>50  (1) νd3>50  (2) 0.7
US07830615B2

A zoom lens includes first to third negative, positive, positive lens groups. The second lens group includes first to fourth positive, negative, negative, positive lenses. The third and fourth lenses of the second lens group are bonded to each other to serve as a cemented lens. The zoom lens is configured to satisfy Conditional Expressions (1) and (2) as follows: −0.5
US07830614B2

A zoom lens system includes a negative first lens group, a positive second lens group, and a positive third lens group. Upon zooming from the short focal length extremity to the long focal length extremity, each of the first to third lens groups move along the optical axis. The first lens group includes a negative first sub-lens element, a second sub-lens element having a weak negative refractive power and at least one aspherical surface, and a positive third sub-lens element. The zoom lens system satisfies the condition, 0.5<(ra−rb)/(ra +rb)<1.2  (1), where ra designates the radius of curvature of the object-side surface of the second sub-lens element and rb designates the radius of curvature of the image-side surface of the second sub-lens element.
US07830600B2

An electric roll-up limit device includes a tube coupled by a tube rotor to an electric motor. The tube rotor contains a rocker bar that extends from the tube and activates a lower limit switch when a sheet of material is fully unrolled from the tube. A base below the tube rotor contains a pull bar cavity and an actuator device with a rotatable support frame and a rotatable actuator lever. The support frame supports the actuator lever and prevents it from rotating in one direction to activate an upper limit switch. A spring couples the rotation of the support frame and the actuator lever. When the sheet is fully rolled onto the tube, the pull bar cap retracts into the pull bar cavity and butts against the support frame. This causes the support frame to release the actuator lever, which then rotates to activate the upper limit switch.
US07830590B2

In a magnetic display panel that changes the display using a magnet, a polychrome display panel is obtained that magnetically displays two colors in addition to the background, thus, specifically, magnetically displays three colors. The magnetic migration and reversal display panel encloses a dispersion liquid obtained by dispersing micro-magnets with differently colored magnetic poles in a dispersion medium containing a colorant. After writing representing two display colors is obtained by selecting a specified magnetic pole, causing from the front surface side the migration or migration/reversal of the micro-magnets in the dispersion liquid, and displaying the color tone of the specified surface of the micro-magnets, the color tone of writing is changed without changing the state of writing by causing the magnetic field of the opposite magnetic pole to act from the same surface side on the micro-magnets configuring the writing where the color tone is displayed.
US07830586B2

An interference modulator (Imod) incorporates anti-reflection coatings and/or micro-fabricated supplemental lighting sources. An efficient drive scheme is provided for matrix addressed arrays of IMods or other micromechanical devices. An improved color scheme provides greater flexibility. Electronic hardware can be field reconfigured to accommodate different display formats and/or application functions. An IMod's electromechanical behavior can be decoupled from its optical behavior. An improved actuation means is provided, some one of which may be hidden from view. An IMod or IMod array is fabricated and used in conjunction with a MEMS switch or switch array. An IMod can be used for optical switching and modulation. Some IMods incorporate 2-D and 3-D photonic structures. A variety of applications for the modulation of light are discussed. A MEMS manufacturing and packaging approach is provided based on a continuous web fed process. IMods can be used as test structures for the evaluation of residual stress in deposited materials.
US07830580B2

An optical modulator is provided with a stripe-shaped optical waveguide, which has an upper clad layer, a lower clad layer formed between the upper clad layer and a substrate, and an undoped core layer which is arranged between the upper clad layer and the lower clad layer and has a complex refractive index that changes corresponding to the intensity of an applied electric field, to a signal light propagating inside. On both sides of the stripe-shaped optical waveguide, conductor walls are configured by arranging a pair of parallel blocking flat boards with an insulating wall in between. Thus, the semiconductor optical modulator having a high optical modulation efficiency is provided.
US07830578B2

A complex micromirror or LCD array device that performs complex optical or electro-optical transforms is described. Both real and imaginary parts of a light beam are modulated in amplitude to give a spatially and temporally modulated beam.
US07830576B2

A scanning optical apparatus includes a plurality of rotatable polygonal mirrors for scanningly deflecting laser beams; a plurality of optical members provided across optical paths of the beams deflected by the rotatable polygonal mirrors; vibration detecting means for detecting vibration of at least one of the optical members during driving of the rotatable polygonal mirrors; phase control means for controlling a phase relation between the rotatable polygonal mirrors on the basis of an output of the vibration detecting means.
US07830569B2

A three-dimensional halftone screen is provided that is suited for multilevel printing. The three-dimensional halftone screen includes a plurality of planes each corresponding to one or more input intensity levels of an input RIPped pixel. Within the planes are screen dots, each associated with one or more output exposure intensity values representing an intensity of an exposure dot corresponding to the input RIPped pixel.
US07830568B2

An output color is calculated from a fundamental stimulus value and a spectral support coefficient which indicate an input color using a calculation unit for calculating an output color corresponding to the input fundamental stimulus value and the input spectral support coefficient using a table whose inputs are a fundamental stimulus value and a spectral support coefficient. The interval of grid points of the table are uneven regarding the spectral support coefficient, and the interval in the vicinity whose relevant spectral support coefficient is zero is small as compared with the interval in the vicinity whose spectral support coefficient has a great absolute value.
US07830566B2

The image processing method and device photograph a subject or transparent image to acquire calorimetric values of a subject image, acquire chromaticity information and illuminance information of a light source illuminating the subject and the transparent image, perform on the calorimetric values of the subject image chromatic adaptation correction based on the chromaticity information and the acquired illuminance information and contrast correction based on the illuminance, and correct the corrected calorimetric values to be output by an amount of flare in outputting the subject image, thereby enabling faithful reproduction of appearance. The method and device further perform at least one of contrast conversion and chroma conversion on the calorimetric values of the subject image based on a chromaticity value in a case where a degree of adaptation or an adaptation luminance is set higher than that determined for an illuminating color of the light source before performing the chromatic adaptation correction, thereby enabling faithful reproduction of appearance and preferred color reproduction of appearance.
US07830543B2

A photographic image region extracting apparatus includes: a scanner portion that emits a light to a photographic sheet on which a photographic image is fixed to read a light reflected from the photographic sheet, and outputs image data including the photographic sheet; a photographic sheet extracting portion that extracts a region of the photographic sheet based on the image data output from the scanner; a margin deciding portion that decides presence of a margin around the photographic image based on image data of the photographic sheet region extracted by the photographic sheet extracting portion; and a photographic image extracting portion that specifies a region the photographic image based on a result of the decision of the margin deciding portion and outputs the specified region of the photographic image.
US07830539B2

When preparing print data by a personal computer, identification data corresponding to the print data is also prepared. The print data is transmitted via a network to a printer, and the identification data is transmitted to a portable phone by wireless, and stored in a memory in the portable phone. When a user approaches the printer carrying the portable phone, the identification data is transmitted to the printer by wireless. The printer carries out image output processing based on the print data corresponding to the received identification data. Thus, in a control system for an electronic device such as an image output device, operation control can be conducted by each print job, and by such operation control, the whole system including an electronic device and data preparation means such as a personal computer can be controlled more efficiently.
US07830535B2

An information-embedding apparatus includes a first embedding unit that embeds first information into data to be printed, in accordance with a first embedding mode that allows a printing apparatus to print the embedded first information and that can be selected in accordance with the printing apparatus; a second embedding unit that embeds second information that specifies the first embedding mode, into the data to be printed, in accordance with a second embedding mode that allows the printing apparatus to print the embedded second information and that is fixed irrespective of the printing apparatus; and an instruction unit that instructs the printing apparatus to print the data to be printed in which the first information and the second information have been embedded by the first embedding unit and the second embedding unit.
US07830534B2

Disclosed are an information processing apparatus, a printing instruction method, and a storage medium storing a computer program, that can improve the operability. When dragging and dropping of a first icon that indicates a printer onto a second icon that indicates a document to be printed is detected, or dragging and dropping of the second icon onto the first icon is detected, a signal from an input device such as a keyboard at the time of detection of the drop event is detected, and a printing condition is determined. A print data corresponding to the second icon is transmitted to the printer that is indicated by the first icon so as to print the document to be printed in the printing condition corresponding to the signal that is output from the input device.
US07830529B2

A method for optically measuring a surface is described, in particular, for a surface having a spherical form and a high reflection of radiation. The surface is illuminated by at least one radiation source, as well as by at least one structured light source, in order to produce an illumination structure on the surface to be measured, and to then record the illumination structure using a camera; prior to measuring the surface, a coating being applied thereto in order to reduce the reflected radiation, the electrostatic coating principle being followed when applying the coating to the spherical surface. Thus, a method for optically measuring a surface is described, which provides for a coating to be uniformly deposited on the entire surface of the test object and to have a thickness of less than 0.01 mm.
US07830518B2

An automatic analysis apparatus and an automatic analysis method analysis that includes an optical convergence point adjusting unit in order to variably adjust an optical convergence point of irradiation light or an optical convergence point of detection light to or from a reaction cuvette in accordance with at least one of analysis conditions of a kind of reaction of a mixed solution contained in the reaction cuvette, a liquid volume of the mixed solution or a measurement wave length. The optical convergence point adjusting unit is provided in front the reaction cuvette, in back of the reaction cuvette, or both in order to variably control the position of an optical convergence point so as to maximize the irradiation light based on the volume of the mixed solution in the reaction cuvette. By variably controlling the convergence point of the optical convergence point adjusting unit based on each of the examination items, both measurements of a turbidimetric assay and a spectrophotometric assay can be performed in a single automatic analysis apparatus with good accuracy and precision.
US07830510B2

The present disclosure has an apparatus for detecting fibers in a gas flowing along a passageway. A laser beam is provided at one end of the passageway and the beam is directed along a length of the passageway through which the gas flows. An electrode system, as disclosed, a quadrupole electrode system is mounted along the passageway to cause fibers carried in the gas to oscillate in a detection zone. A photo detector is positioned laterally of the passageway and detects light scattered by the oscillating fibers and projected through an opening in the passageway to provide an output signal that is a function of the light scattered by the fibers in the detection zone.
US07830497B2

Systems and methods to protect a mask from being contaminated by airborne particles are described. The systems and methods include providing a reticle secured in a two-part cover. The two part cover includes a removable protection device used to protect the reticle from contaminants. The cover can be held inside a pod or box that can be used to transport the cover through a lithography system from an atmospheric section to a vacuum section. While in the vacuum section, the removable cover can be moved during an exposure process during which a pattern on the reticle can be formed on a wafer.
US07830495B2

A lithographic apparatus having a stationary magnet motor to drive a support such as a substrate support or a patterning device support, may be provided with a measurement system to measure a position of the support in question, e.g., to provide a safety system to prevent a collision of the support with another part. The measurement system may be configured to measure a magnetic field strength of an alternating magnetic field generated by the magnet assembly of the stationary magnet motor, and/or measure generation of eddy currents in a metallic layer shielding the magnet assembly in combination with an inductance measurement of an electromagnet generating the alternating magnetic field causing the eddy currents, and/or measure light using an optical position sensitive sensor such as a CCD metric or linear photodiode positioned in a light plane emitted by an emitter.
US07830493B2

A system and method are used to compensate for thermal effect on a lithographic apparatus. The system comprises a patterning device, a projection system, a substrate position controller, and a substrate-position-based expansion-compensator. The patterning device modulates a radiation beam. The projection system projects the modulated radiation beam onto a target portion of a substrate. The substrate position controller moves the substrate relative to the projection system sequentially through a plurality of exposure positions. The substrate-position-based expansion-compensator interacts with the substrate position controller to modify the exposure positions in order at least partially to compensate for thermally-induced geometrical changes of at least one of the substrate and projection system.
US07830492B2

A liquid crystal display includes first and second substrates. The first substrate has a first insulating substrate, and a pixel electrode formed on the first insulating substrate with a first opening pattern. The second substrate has a second insulating substrate, and a common electrode formed on the second insulating substrate with a second opening pattern. The first and the second opening patterns proceed parallel to each other while being arranged in an alternate manner. A liquid crystal material is injected between the first and the second substrates. A spacer is positioned at an end of the second opening pattern to maintain the distance between the first and the second substrates.
US07830489B2

A flexible circuit board includes a base substrate, a driving chip, an input transmission line, an output transmission line and a connecting transmission line. The driving chip is on a surface of the base substrate. The input transmission line is on the surface of the base substrate and electrically connected to an input terminal of the driving chip. The output transmission line is on the surface of the base substrate and electrically connected to an output terminal of the driving chip. The input transmission line is electrically connected to the output transmission line through the connecting transmission line.
US07830486B2

A pixel structure suitable for being disposed on a substrate is provided. The pixel structure includes a scan line, a data line, a thin film transistor (TFT), a primary pixel electrode, and at least one secondary pixel electrode. The scan line and the data line are disposed on the substrate. The TFT is disposed on the substrate and is electrically connected to the scan line and the data line. The primary pixel electrode is electrically connected to a drain electrode of the TFT through a contact hole. The secondary pixel electrode is disposed above the drain electrode and the drain electrode is electrically coupled to the secondary pixel electrode. Besides, a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel having the pixel structure is also provided.
US07830480B2

A liquid crystal panel or the present invention comprising a liquid crystal cell, a first polarizer and a second polarizer provided on both sides of the liquid crystal cell, a first optical compensation layer provided between the liquid crystal cell and the first polarizer, and a second optical compensation layer provided between the liquid crystal cell and the second polarizer, wherein a wavelength dispersion of the liquid crystal cell satisfies Re40(450)>Re40(550)>Re40(650), an index ellipsoid of the first optical compensation layer satisfies a relationship of nx>nz>ny, and a wavelength dispersion of the second optical compensation layer satisfies Re40(450)≧Re40(550)≧Re40(650).
US07830479B2

The liquid crystal display includes a first display unit, a second display unit, a light absorbing layer disposed on a bottom surface of the first display unit so as to absorb light which has entered the first display unit through a top surface thereof and which has been transmitted by the first liquid crystal, and a control circuit section for effecting a switch between a two-surface display mode in which the second display unit is lapped over the first display unit so as to face the bottom surface thereof with the light absorbing layer interposed between them to display images independent of each other on the first display unit and the second display unit and a high image quality mode in which the second display unit is lapped over the first display unit so as to face the top surface thereof to display the same image on the first and second display units.
US07830478B2

An LCD device includes a lower panel having a first substrate; an organic layer formed on the first substrate; a trans-reflection layer formed on the organic layer and having a reflection area reflecting a portion of incidence light from exterior and a transmission area transmitting other portion of the incidence light; color filters formed on the trans-reflection layer; an overcoating layer formed on the color filters; and a common electrode formed on the overcoating layer. A portion of the overcoating layer corresponding to the reflection area is thicker than a portion of the overcoating layer corresponding to the transmission area. The LCD device also includes an upper panel including a second substrate facing the first substrate with a predetermined gap; thin film transistors formed on the second substrate; and pixel electrodes connected to the thin film transistors; and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the lower and upper panels.
US07830471B2

An image display device of the present invention includes a liquid crystal display panel, a resin frame for attaching the liquid crystal display panel to a front cabinet and a circuit board that are arranged inside a casing. The resin frame is provided with a grounding clamp arranged between the circuit board and the liquid crystal display panel. The grounding clamp establishes electrical connection between a ground pattern formed on the circuit board and a metal plate arranged on the rear surface of the liquid crystal display panel.
US07830470B2

The present invention discloses a backlight module. The backlight module of the present invention includes a frame, a flexible circuit board, a light emitting unit, and a light guide plate. The frame has a bottom surface, an inner sidewall adjacent and perpendicular to the bottom surface, and a protrusion unit. Protrusion unit protrudes from the inner sidewall and is parallel to the bottom surface. The flexible circuit board is disposed beneath the protrusion unit and electrically connected to the light emitting unit. The light guide plate is disposed on the bottom surface and is adjacent to the light emitting unit. Furthermore, the protrusion unit is disposed at the corner of the two adjacent inner sidewalls of the frame, and a substrate presses the protrusion unit which further presses the flexible circuit board, and thus the flexible circuit board and the light emitting unit connected thereto can be fixed in the frame.
US07830469B2

A tiled display device includes a combination of multiple display devices to form a larger tiled display device. The larger tiled display device minimizes the boundaries between in the multiple display devices to improve the active area of the display. A partition wall between display devices may be configured to reduce the distance between the combined display devices.
US07830467B2

An active matrix substrate includes a thin film transistor, a scanning signal line, and a data signal line disposed on the substrate. A gate electrode of the transistor is connected to the scanning signal line, a source electrode thereof is connected to the data signal line, and a drain electrode thereof is connected to a pixel electrode; and an upper electrode is disposed so as to oppose a storage capacitor wiring pattern at least via an insulating layer. Within a pixel region, the upper electrode includes three divided electrodes in a region opposing the storage capacitor wiring pattern, and a central divided electrode of the three divided electrodes has the smallest area.
US07830463B2

Development of 3-mask process to reduce the manufacturing cost of LCD-display device successively following 4-mask process. Opening formation process and pixel electrode formation process which is sequentially done following the opening formation process are treated with one photo-mask without using halftone exposure technology by forming source-drain wires comprising a low-resistance metal layer and a heat-resistant metal layer, the latter is capable of being removed with etching gas for etching gate insulating layer (and passivation insulating layer), giving protection means at least for the channel and the data line of the insulating gate transistor, forming openings in the insulating layers including the gate insulating layer with photosensitive resins having counter-taper cross sections, removing the exposed low-resistance metal in the openings, forming pixel electrode with the photosensitive resins as a lift-off material to lift off the conductive thin film for pixel electrode.
US07830461B2

A light sensitive display.
US07830441B2

In order to display help information at the time when each of a self-timer button, an illumination button, AE lock button and the like is operated, an image pickup apparatus displays help information with understandable wording by the use of simple terms in consideration of the possibility that the user is not proficient in camera operations in the case that the apparatus operates in a full-automatic mode or a photographing mode of an image zone, and displays help information with concise and easily recognizable wording inclusive of technical terms in accordance with necessity in consideration of the possibility that the user is proficient in camera operations to a certain extent in the case that the apparatus operates in a photographing mode of a creative zone.
US07830423B2

Noise correction values are generated through the calculation of pixel offset values and average pixel output values during a calibration procedure. For each read calibration row, an average pixel output value is determined for a plurality of pixel output values. An offset value for each of the plurality of pixel outputs is generated by finding the difference between each of the plurality of pixel outputs and the calculated average pixel output value. An offset value for an entire row of pixel outputs may also be calculated by finding the average pixel output value for a plurality of optically black pixels in the imager row. The average pixel output value for the optically black pixel values may be refined by discarding pixel values outside a threshold window and substituting the average pixel output value and calculate a new average pixel value.
US07830422B2

Lens apparatuses are disclosed capable of smooth image-pickup operation by facilitating operations of functions provided separately between the lens apparatus and the image-pickup apparatus. The lens apparatus, which is detachably mounted on an image-pickup apparatus, comprises a controller which outputs a signal for controlling a function provided in the image-pickup apparatus in response to operation of a first operating member. The other lens apparatus comprises a controller which outputs a signal for controlling a first function provided in the lens apparatus in response to operation of a second operating member in a case where a first operating member is in a first state and outputs a signal for controlling a second function provided in the image-pickup apparatus in response to operation of the second operating member in a case where the first operating member is in a second state.
US07830419B2

To determine a more appropriate WB gain. A first image data, which is obtained by way of photographing essentially the same subject as that of a main image intended by a user without firing a strobe light for preliminary illumination, and a second image data, which is obtained by way of photographing the same while firing the strobe light for preliminary illumination, are captured. Subsequently, a typical value of each of blocks constituting the first and second image data and the type of a light source of the same are acquired as block information. The thus-acquired pieces of block information about the first and second image data are compared with each other, to thus acquire the tendency of a color change in subject before and after preliminary illumination. An environment light source is estimated on the basis of the obtained tendency of a color change.
US07830414B2

The invention relates to an optical apparatus having a vibration detector that detects vibration, a holding member that holds an image stabilizing optical system, an elastic member that elastically supports the holding member so that the holding member can shift within a plane perpendicular to an optical axis, a drive unit that generates a drive force resisting against an elastic force of the elastic member, a drive circuit that drives the drive unit, a control circuit that controls the position of the holding member, a temperature sensor that measures temperature, and a viscous damper that damps movement of the holding member in the drive direction. The control circuit changes the image stabilizing drive control characteristic of the drive circuit to compensate for changes in viscosity of the viscous damper with temperature.
US07830411B2

With a digital camera 100, a photographed image 31 is displayed on a liquid crystal display and the user selects a desired image and specifies print specifications of the number of print sheets, a print paper size, a print color mode, etc., then print image data is prepared. The prepared print image data is transmitted from the digital camera 100 to a color printer of an output unit. An image is printed at the color printer in accordance with the print image data.
US07830406B2

An LED printer has a photosensitive drum, a resist roller for feeding a printing medium to the photosensitive drum at a first constant speed, a fixing device for discharging the printing medium from the photosensitive drum at a second constant speed, a separation type LED head arranged zigzag, and a printing control circuit for detecting a position of the printing medium fed by the resist roller or the fixing device and adjusting printing timings of the first portion LED head and the second portion LED head based on the detected position and the LED head interval. The LED printer can normally correct a print length in each of a front end region and a rear end region of a sheet.
US07830402B2

A high-quality image forming apparatus that is capable of accurately adjusting the size and position of an image during image formation on a second surface of a transfer material, even when there has been expansion/contraction of the transfer material due to thermal fixing after image formation on a first surface thereof, to thereby avoid image displacement during two-sided image formation and multiple image formation. A pulse adjusting section sets a second number of pulses of the image clock corresponding to a distance from BD signal detector to the write start position of the latent image during image formation on the second surface, to a number of pulses different from a first number of pulses of the image clock corresponding to a distance from the horizontal synchronization signal detecting device to the write start position of the latent image during image formation on the first surface, based on the first number of pulses of the image clock during image formation on the first surface, in accordance with an expansion/contraction ratio of the transfer material after fixing of the image on the first surface.
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