US07838062B2
Fabrication of a solar cell using a printed contact mask. The contact mask may include dots formed by inkjet printing. The dots may be formed in openings between dielectric layers (e.g., polyimide). Intersections of overlapping dots may form gaps that define contact regions. The spacing of the gaps may be dictated by the alignment of nozzles that dispense the dots. Using the dots as a contact mask, an underlying dielectric layer may be etched to form the contact regions through the underlying dielectric layer. Metal contact fingers may be formed over the wafer to form electrical connections to corresponding diffusion regions through the contact regions.
US07838056B2
A method for replenishing carbon dioxide gas in a carbonated beverage container where a carbon dioxide regulator releases carbon dioxide at a rate approximately equal to the rate of carbon dioxide loss from said container. Also shown is a packaging system for maintaining a consistent pressure of a carbonated beverage having a closure, a plastic container, and a carbon dioxide regulator. Also shown is a method for making a packaging system for maintaining a consistent pressure in a carbonated beverage having overmolding a preform around an assembly for a carbon dioxide regulator, or blending a carbon dioxide regulator into the plastic material used to form the body of a container for said carbonated beverage. Also shown is a carbon dioxide regulator composition for replenishing carbon dioxide gas in a carbonated beverage container having polymeric carbonates, organic carbonates, or materials that absorb and subsequently release carbon dioxide.
US07838054B2
A vacuum tumbler for marinating food products within a liquid. The vacuum tumbler comprises a container having an interior wall, the interior wall defining a chamber for containing the liquid. A rib extends inwardly from the interior wall at least one-quarter of the distance across the chamber. A drive moves the container so that the rib brings the food products into and out of contact with the liquid, and a vacuum source creates a partial vacuum within the chamber.
US07838051B2
To provide a method for the manufacture of polyphenols that enables industrial manufacture of polyphenols containing water-soluble proanthocyanidins from grape seeds. The seeds of grape berries dried after squeezing out the juice are separated into grape seeds and peel with a separation apparatus, and the grape seeds are stirred in a washing machine to remove contamination thoroughly. The grape seeds are charged into a boiling kettle and heated for the prescribed time at the prescribed temperature. Then, germination is induced in a curing kettle maintained at the prescribed temperature preferred for the germination. The grape seeds in which germination or germination and differentiation have advanced are crushed, mixed with water to obtain an emulsified state, and a salt is added, if desired. After a known desalting treatment has been conducted with respect to an aqueous solution portion, water is evaporated with a vacuum apparatus to obtain polyphenols comprising proanthocyanidins converted to a water soluble form.
US07838049B2
The invention provides a Pyracantha koidzumii extract and new compounds isolated from the extract and their derivatives. This extract and these compounds have activity in inhibiting tyrosinase.
US07838048B2
The present invention relates to a medical herb composition for reducing shedding of mammal hair and a method for preparing the same. The medical herb composition comprises: a first herb material selected from the group consisting of Ginseng Radix, Astragali Radix, Batatatis Rhizoma, Zizyphi Fructus, Tremella, Codonopsis Pilosula, or the combination thereof; a second herb material selected from the group consisting of Angelicae Radix, Rehmanniae Preparata Radix, Longanae Arillus, Lycii Fructus, Paeonia lactiflora, or the combination thereof; and a third herb material selected from the group consisting of Rehmanniae Radix, Ligustrum Lucidum, Eclipta prostrata, Dendrobium hancockii, Polygonum multiflorun (i.e. Dioscorea bulbifera or Cynanchum wilfordi), or the combination thereof. The medical herb composition of the present invention can reduce shedding of mammal hair, promote the growth of hair, and also can efficiently improve vitality, skin condition, and complexion.
US07838047B2
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition and health food comprising Phellinus sp. PL3 extract or phellinsin A isolated from the same as an effective component. More particularly, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition and health food comprising Phellinus sp. PL3 extract or phellinsin A isolated from the same as an effective component, wherein the Phellinus sp. PL3 extract and its phellinsin A inhibit the oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL), and further, they can be used as a component for medicine and food to effectively prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases such as hyperlipemia and arteriosclerosis.
US07838036B2
Provided is a method of isolating nucleic acid from cells using a single surface, wherein a compound represented by Formula 1 is bound to the surface. Also provided are an apparatus for isolation of nucleic acids, and a bead for isolating nucleic acids.
US07838035B2
Highly durable occlusions that are useful for embolic treatment were obtained using microspheres having new combined properties of high density, low fracture, high swell capacity, rapid swell, and deformability following swell. These microspheres are provided in a microsphere powder which also has high density and high swell properties, that is prepared using a new process.
US07838019B2
Iscom particles can be used as an adjuvant for preparing of an antigenic composition which comprises live micro-organisms and/or killed micro-organisms and/or antigenic molecules. A composition may comprise at least one iscom particle and one or more live micro-organisms and/or killed micro-organisms and/or antigenic molecules. A kit can comprise at least one compartment containing at least one living organism and at least one compartment containing at least one iscom particle.
US07838018B2
An adjuvant combination and a kit useful for immunization is provided. The kit contains an antigenic substance and an adjuvant combination of dimethyl dioctadecyl ammonium bromide (DDA-Br or DDA-Cl) with a monophosphoryl lipid.
US07838014B2
The present invention relates to the field of neisserial vaccine compositions, their manufacture, and the use of such compositions in medicine. More particularly it relates to processes of making novel engineered meningococcal strains which are more suitable for the production of neisserial, in particular meningococcal, outer-membrane vesicle (or bleb) vaccines. Advantageous processes and vaccine products are also described based on the use of novel LOS subunit or meningococcal outer-membrane vesicle (or bleb) vaccines which have been rendered safer and/or more effective for use in human subjects. In particular combinations of gene downregulations are described such as PorA and OpA, PorA and OpC, OpA and Opc, and PorA and OpA and OpC. Alternatively, or in addition, lgtB− is shown to be an optimal mutation for effectively and safely using L3 and/or L2 LOS in Neisseria vaccine compositions. Bleb vaccines derived from lgtB− and capsular polysaccharide deficient meningococcal mutants are further described; as are advantageous methods of making bleb preparations where LOS is to be retained as an important antigen.
US07838011B2
A stabilizing composition that also enhances permeation is provided for the topical or transdermal administration of an active ingredient. The composition comprises collagen, elastin, sphingosine and cerebroside. Also provided are pharmaceutical or cosmetic formulations comprising an effective amount of an active agent and the stabilizing composition as well as methods of administering active agents topically or transdermally.
US07837997B2
Compositions and methods for prevention and treatment of uncontrolled formation of intravascular fibrin clots are provided wherein fibrinolytic or anticoagulant drugs are biocompatibly coupled to red blood cell carriers.
US07837989B2
The present invention is directed to a novel method for preventing or treating the development of respiratory allergies. The method comprises prenatal and/or postnatal administration of a therapeutically effective amount of LGG.
US07837985B2
The present invention provides a post-application expanding composition for application to keratin fibers, preferably hair, more preferably the hair of the scalp, eyebrows and eyelashes, and most preferably the eyelashes. The composition comprises one or more surfactants, a solvent for the surfactant(s), a volatile agent, a film forming agent and, optionally, a colorant, preferably a pigment. The present invention also provides a method for imparting a volumizing effect to hair of the scalp, eyebrows or eyelashes by applying thereto the post-expanding composition of the invention.
US07837981B2
Provided herein are agents that bind to soluble beta-amyloid. Also provided are in vivo and in vitro methods for detecting soluble beta-amyloid in a sample that may include brain tissue.
US07837979B2
A process for synthesizing the porous crystalline material ITQ-12 is disclosed and employs an organic directing agent having the formula: where n is an integer from 1 to 3 and Q− is an anion. The resultant ITQ-12 is useful in as a catalyst in chemical conversion reactions and as an adsorbent for gas separation.
US07837969B2
The method of making a single crystal, especially a CaF2 single crystal, includes tempering, in which the crystal is heated at <18 K/h to a temperature of 1000° C. to 1350° C. and held at this temperature for at least 65 hours with maximum temperature differences within the crystal of <0.2 K. Subsequently the crystal is cooled with a cooling rate of at maximum 0.5 K/h above a limiting temperature between 900° C. to 600° C. and then further below this limiting temperature at maximum 3 K/h. The obtained CaF2 crystals have refractive index uniformity <0.025×10−6 (RMS) in a (111)-, (100)- or (110)-direction and a stress birefringence of less than 2.5 nm/cm (PV) and/or a stress birefringence of less than 1 nm/cm (RMS) in the (100)- or (110)-direction. In the (111)-direction the stress birefringence is <0.5 nm/cm (PV) and/or the stress birefringence is <0.15 nm/cm (RMS).
US07837960B2
A method is disclosed for separating and recovering base metals from a used hydroprocessing catalyst originating from Group VIB and Group VIII metals and containing at least a Group VB metal. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: contacting the used catalyst with an ammonia leaching solution under conditions sufficient to dissolve the group VIB metal and the Group VIII metal into the leaching solution; forming a leached slurry containing at least a group VIB metal complex and at least a group VIII metal complex, ammonium sulfate and a solid residue containing at least a Group VB metal complex and coke; separating and removing from the leached slurry the solid residue and coke; precipitating from the remaining solution at least a portion of the Group VIB metal complex and at least a portion of the Group VIII metal complex by controlling the pH to form a liquid material substantially free of Group VB, Group VIB and Group VIII metals and another solid material comprising substantially Group VIB and Group VIII metal complexes. Said solid material is further processed by dissolution, means of separation, further means of precipitation and oxidative dissolution to produce, separately, a Group VIB metal product solution, a Group VIII metal product solution and a purified ammonium sulfate product solution.
US07837959B2
A process for separating one or more metal ions forming a first group of metal ions such as copper, zinc and ferric ions, from one or more other metal ions forming a second group of metal ions such as cobalt and nickel, comprising: contacting an aqueous solution comprising said first and second groups of metal ions with an organic solution comprising a phosphinic acid and a hydroxyoxime to extract one of said groups of metal ions into the organic phase, and separating the organic and aqueous phases.
US07837957B2
A system and device for preparing polyurea compounds. The system comprising a chamber for reacting amines and isocyanates in the presence of a liquid diluent in a high-pressure impingement mixing device under conditions sufficient to produce a polyurea compound having the consistency of a powder and in which diluent is dispersed.
US07837950B2
The invention provides an apparatus and a process for the high pressure polymerization of ethylene, optionally with one or more comonomers, in which unreacted monomer is separated from the polymer in a separation system having at least first, second and third separation vessels and in which off gas from the second vessel is recombined back into the product mixture upstream of the first separation vessel, preferably using a jet pump.
US07837941B2
A device for measuring blood coagulation time is formed from a first substrate; a second substrate; a spacer layer disposed between the first and second substrates, said spacer layer having an opening formed therein defining a sample receiving chamber, a vented sink chamber, and an elongated reservoir forming a conduit for liquid movement between the sample receiving chamber and the sink chamber; a first electrode disposed on the first substrate, said first electrode being exposed in the reservoir portion through a first opening in the spacer layer; and a second electrode disposed on the second substrate, said second electrode being exposed in the reservoir portion through a second opening in the spacer layer. The device of the invention is used in combination with an apparatus that is connected to the first and second electrodes for measuring current flow between the first and second electrodes. Changes in observed current are indicative of flow through the device, and a cessation of flow indicates coagulation.
US07837935B2
Disclosed is a small-sized joint for joining hydrogen gas running route-forming members, which can surely prevent the leakage of hydrogen gas, and a portable hydrogen flame ionization gas detector that can prevent the leakage of hydrogen gas to achieve high safety.The joint comprises a metallic base having an internal space at least one end of which is opened, and a ring-like sealing member composed of an elastic material and arranged at opening edge of the metallic base, wherein a hydrogen gas running route-forming member is fixed in a state inserted into an internal space of the metallic base through the sealing member, and the sealing member is squeezed to gastightly seal the space, whereby one hydrogen gas running route-forming member is removably joined. In the gas detector, the joint is used to form a hydrogen gas running route.
US07837934B2
Packaging systems for storing ophthalmic devices such as contact lenses and to methods for packaging such ophthalmic devices with solutions to improve the comfort of the lenses during wear are disclosed. A packaging system includes an ophthalmic device stored in an aqueous packaging solution comprising a substantially water-soluble silicone-containing surfactant. Such solutions are retained on the surface of an unused lens for extended periods of time, resulting in surface modification that persists in the eye, which may provide significant improvement in the wetting properties of fresh contact lenses used for the first time and, moreover, even several hours after lens insertion, preventing dryness and improving lubricity.
US07837926B2
A device and method are disclosed for the production of hollow bodies, especially plastic bottles, wherein a section of a plastic flexible hose is placed in a cavity of a blow mould by an extruder head according to a predefined clocked pulse. The plastic flexible hose is inflated inside the blow mould by a blow mandrel by overpressure according to the blow mould cavity. The manufactured inflated hollow body is subsequently removed from the mould. The plastic hose can be continually held on opposite sides of the blow mould arrangement during the entire extrusion and blow cycle.
US07837922B2
A reverse molded, plant-on decorative panel component comprises a panel portion lying on a first plane, a skirt portion, and a contoured portion. The skirt portion has a first surface adapted to be exteriorly disposed and an opposite second surface adapted to be interiorly disposed in order to be adhesively secured to a planar surface. The contoured portion extends outwardly from and surrounds the panel portion and interconnects and is integral with the panel portion and the skirt portion. The skirt portion extends peripherally about the contoured portion.
US07837918B2
An in-mold coating method providing a mold having a specifically formed auxiliary cavity and an in-mold coating formation method which employs said mold, so that it is possible to prevent a coating material from leaking out of the mold, thereby shortening the molding formation cycle, and making it possible to manufacture a molded product having a stabilized quality. In addition, by using a mold having a specifically shaped sub-cavity, there is provided a still further in-mold coating formation method which can keep mold temperature at a relatively low value, cause the coating material to cure at a predetermined temperature and within a predetermined time period thereby shortening the molding formation cycle, improving the productivity, improving the physical properties of a coating layer, thus obtaining a good molded product.
US07837917B2
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a molded plastic article (2) having a second surface (56) with molded extensions (59), e.g., structural supports, such as ribs, extending therefrom, and a first surface (69) that is substantially free of sink mark defects. The method involves forming, from a first plastic material, a first molded section (50) having at least one molded extension (59) extending from the second surface (56) thereof. The molded extension (59) is formed in a mold recess (23) having a reversibly positionable slide (14) therein. After formation of the first molded section (50), the slide (14) is retracted to a second slide position (B) thus forming within the molded extension a retainer cavity (74) that is in fluid communication with an aperture (71) in the first surface (53) of the first molded section (50). A second plastic material is introduced into the mold (1) over the first molded section (50), and a portion thereof passes through the aperture (71) and into the retainer cavity (74), thereby forming a second molded section (108) that is continuous with each retainer (96). The first and second molded sections, which together form the molded article (2), are fixedly attached to each other by at least one molded retainer (96), and the first surface (111) of the second molded section, which defines the first surface (69) of the molded article (2), is substantially free of sink mark defects. The present invention also relates to a molded article.
US07837913B2
Millimeter to nano-scale structures manufactured using a multi-component polymer fiber matrix are disclosed. The use of dissimilar polymers allows the selective dissolution of the polymers at various stages of the manufacturing process. In one application, biocompatible matrixes may be formed with long pore length and small pore size. The manufacturing process begins with a first polymer fiber arranged in a matrix formed by a second polymer fiber. End caps may be attached to provide structural support and the polymer fiber matrix selectively dissolved away leaving only the long polymer fibers. These may be exposed to another product, such as a biocompatible gel to form a biocompatible matrix. The polymer fibers may then be selectively dissolved leaving only a biocompatible gel scaffold with the pores formed by the dissolved polymer fibers.
US07837910B2
A method of forming a hardened skin on a surface of a molded article. In an exemplary method, a formable material is mixed with a blowing agent to form a foam material. The foam material is placed in a flow molding apparatus such that the top surface of the foam material is in contact with the top mold of the apparatus and the bottom surface of the foam material is in contact with the bottom mold of the apparatus. In operation, an alternating dielectric field is applied across the foam material to form the molded article. At the end of the molding cycle, the bottom surface of the foam material remains under the decomposition temperature of the blowing agent so as to form a hardened skin on the molded article.
US07837901B2
There are provided electrically conducting polymer compositions comprising an electrically conductive polymer or copolymer and an organic solvent wettable fluorinated acid polymer. Electrically conductive polymer materials are derived from thiophene, pyrrole, aniline and polycyclic heteroaromatic precursor monomers. Non-conductive polymers derived from alkenyl, alkynyl, arylene, and heteroarylene precursor monomers. The organic-solvent wettable fluorinated acid polymer is fluorinated or highly fluorinated and may be colloid-forming. Acidic groups include carboxylic acid groups, sulfonic acid groups, sulfonimide groups, phosphoric acid groups, phosphonic acid groups, and combinations thereof. The compositions can be used in organic electronic devices.
US07837894B2
Refrigerant composition are disclosed which comprises: (a) pentafluoroethane, trifluoromethoxydifluoromethane or hexafluorocyclopropane, or a mixture of two or more thereof, in an amount of at least 75% based on the weight of the composition, (b) 1,1,1,2- or 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, trifluoromethoxypentafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2,3,3-heptafluoropropane or a mixture of two or more thereof, in an amount of from 10 to 20% by weight based on the weight of the composition and (c) an ethylenically unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon, optionally containing one or more oxygen atoms, with a boiling point from −50° C. to +35° C., or a mixture thereof in an amount from 1% to 4% by weight based on the weight of the composition the weight ratio of component (a):component (b) being at least 4:1.
US07837887B2
A method of forming an ink supply channel for an inkjet printhead comprises the steps of: (i) providing a wafer having a frontside and a backside; (ii) etching a plurality of frontside trenches into the frontside; (iii) filling each of the trenches with a photoresist plug; (iv) forming nozzle structures on the frontside using MEMS fabrication processes; (v) etching a backside trench from the backside, the backside trench meeting with one or more of the plugs; (vi) removing a portion of each photoresist plug via the backside trench by subjecting the backside to a biased oxygen plasma etch, thereby exposing sidewall features in the backside trench; (vii) modifying the exposed sidewall features; and (viii) removing the photoresist plugs to form the ink supply channel. The ink supply channel connects the backside to the frontside.
US07837878B2
The present invention relates to a method and system for using a hemofilter to treat IMRD, hepatic failure, exogenous intoxication and other conditions associated with toxins in a patient's blood. One treatment includes the use of a very large pore hemofilter to remove target complex molecules and/or target molecules from a patient's blood and to infuse a replacement fluid into the patient's blood to maintain a prescribed albumin concentration in the patient's blood.
US07837869B2
A storm sewer insert includes a mounting assembly that is constructed and arranged to be mounted to a storm sewer system and a filter bag that is fabricated from a mesh material. The filter bag is releasably attached to the mounting assembly by a plurality of suspension elements that suspend the filter bag from the mounting assembly. The storm sewer insert may be provided with a covered bypass system for permitting excess storm water to bypass the filter bag in a manner that will facilitate the capture of floatable material that may be contained within the excess storm water.
US07837866B2
A drainless reverse osmosis (RO) water purification system provides relatively pure water for on-demand dispensing, while recycling brine to a domestic hot water system. The drainless purification system includes a pre-filter catalyst cartridge for removing chlorine-based contaminants from a tap water supply upstream from an RO membrane. The catalyst is regularly refreshed by a high through-flow of water to a conventional cold water dispense faucet, thereby significantly prolonging the service life of the RO membrane. The RO membrane is incorporated into a multi-cartridge unit adapted for facilitated slide-out removal and replacement as needed. A control valve recycles brine from the RO membrane to the hot water system during pure water production, and recirculates tap water through the RO membrane when a pure water reservoir is substantially filled. The multi-cartridge unit may further include an air filtration system for providing a flow of filtered air.
US07837857B2
A method for obtaining jet fuel from diesel fuel is provided, the method comprising subjecting the diesel fuel to hydrocracking to convert at least a portion of the diesel fuel into a mixture of light hydrocarbons, kerosene, naphtha and a liquefied petroleum gas, isolating the kerosene, recovering jet fuel from the kerosene, subjecting at least a portion of the mixture of kerosene, naphtha and a liquefied petroleum gas to steam forming to obtain a synthesis gas containing hydrogen, and recycling hydrogen contained in the synthesis gas to the hydrocracking step. A modular system for performing the method is also provided.
US07837852B2
The reaction of halo-boron compounds (B—X compounds, compounds having one or more boron-halogen bonds) with silanes provides boranes (B—H compounds, compounds having one or more B—H bonds) and halosilanes. Inorganic hydrides, such as surface-bound silane hydrides (Si—H) react with B—X compounds to form B—H compounds and surface-bound halosilanes. The surface bound halosilanes are converted back to surface-bound silanes electrochemically. Halo-boron compounds react with stannanes (tin compounds having a Sn—H bond) to form boranes and halostannanes (tin compounds having a Sn—X bond). The halostannanes are converted back to stannanes electrochemically or by the thermolysis of Sn-formate compounds. When the halo-boron compound is BCl3, the B—H compound is B2H6, and where the reducing potential is provided electrochemically or by the thermolysis of formate.
US07837848B2
A method for separating the constituents of a mixture M by electrophoresis in a single capillary includes (A) separating compounds of the mixture M in a single capillary according to the capillary electrophoresis technique; (B) isolating a fraction F of the compounds thus separated by evacuating part of the compounds having the highest migration speeds from the capillary and/or evacuating part of the compounds having the lowest migration speeds from the capillary; (C) introducing a separating medium MS having a higher migration speed than the compounds of the isolated fraction F into the capillary containing the isolated fraction F, and (D) the compounds contained in fraction F are separated in the new electrophoretic conditions thus obtained.
US07837843B2
This invention relates to a fixture for use in a physical vapor deposition coating operation which comprises a support structure 14 comprising a circular base member 10, a circular top member 11 opposite the circular base member 10, and a plurality of structural members 12 joining said top member 11 to said base member 10; a plurality of panel members 13 aligned in a vertical direction around the outer periphery of said support structure 14 forming a cylinder-like structure; said panel members 13 including a plurality of apertures for holding workpieces 19 and 35 to which a coating is to be applied; and said apertures positioned on said panel members 13 so that said workpieces 19 and 35 are aligned in a staggered vertical direction. This invention also relates to a method for simultaneously coating a plurality of workpieces 19 and 35, such as gas turbine compressor blades and vanes, with erosion resistant coatings using the fixture of this invention.
US07837833B2
An apparatus (200) for determining fiber orientation parameters of a sheet of material during a production process includes a polarized radiation generating system (201, 202) operable for providing polarized radiation having a frequency of at least 1×108 Hz. The radiation is aligned to be incident on a sheet of material to be characterized (203). A polarimeter (204, 205) is aligned to receive the radiation transmitted by the sheet of material (203). A photodetector (206) is provided for measuring radiation received after polarization processing by the polarimeter. A processor (207) is coupled to the photodetector (206) for calculating Stokes parameters of the moving sheet (203) based upon intensities of the radiation received and determines at least one parameter relating to fiber orientation of the moving sheet based upon the Stokes parameters.
US07837832B2
Wiping products are disclosed comprising a sheet and an additive composition. The additive composition, for instance, comprises an aqueous dispersion containing an alpha-olefin polymer, an ethylene-carboxylic acid copolymer, or mixtures thereof. The alpha-olefin polymer may comprise an interpolymer of ethylene and octene, while the ethylene-carboxylic acid copolymer may comprise ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer. The additive composition may also contain a dispersing agent, such as a fatty acid. The additive composition may be incorporated into the sheet by being combined with the fibers that are used to form the sheet. Alternatively, the additive composition may be topically applied to the sheet after the sheet has been formed. For instance, in one embodiment, the additive composition may be applied to the sheet as a creping adhesive during a creping operation. The additive composition may improve the strength of the sheet and/or improve the perceived softness of the sheet.
US07837828B2
A substrate supportingstructure (50) for semiconductor processing, comprising a mounting table (51) for placing a processed substrate (W) disposed in a processing chamber (20), wherein temperature control spaces (507) for storing the fluid used as a heat exchange medium are formed in the mounting table (51), a conductive transmission path (502) is disposed to lead a high frequency power to the mounting table (51), and flow channels (505, 506) feeding or discharging the heat exchange medium fluid to or from the temperature control spaces (507) are formed in the transmission path (502).
US07837824B2
The present invention relates to photoradiation and/or moisture curing silicone compositions and methods for producing and using the same. In particular, the methods of the present invention permit controlled growth of a polymer, and allow for incorporation of pendant functional groups along the length of the polymer.
US07837822B2
A donor substrate for a laser induced thermal imaging method and an organic light emitting display manufactured using the same are provided. A laser induced thermal imaging apparatus includes a stage grounded by a grounding means, and a method of fabricating an organic light emitting display is capable of controlling static electricity which may be built up while an organic layer is formed using the apparatus.
US07837820B2
A method for dicing a wafer having a first face in which opening are arranged along dicing streets. The method includes a step of affixing a dicing tape to the first face such that the dicing tape lies over the openings and adhesive regions of the dicing tape are exposed in the openings and a step of treating the dicing tape to reduce the adhesive strength of the adhesive regions.
US07837812B2
Metastable beta titanium alloys and methods of processing metastable β-titanium alloys are disclosed. For example, certain non-limiting embodiments relate to metastable β-titanium alloys, such as binary β-titanium alloys comprising greater than 10 weight percent molybdenum, having tensile strengths of at least 150 ksi and elongations of at least 12 percent. Other non-limiting embodiments relate to methods of processing metastable β-titanium alloys, and more specifically, methods of processing binary β-titanium alloys comprising greater than 10 weight percent molybdenum, wherein the method comprises hot working and direct aging the metastable β-titanium alloy at a temperature below the β-transus temperature of the metastable β-titanium alloy for a time sufficient to form α-phase precipitates in the metastable β-titanium alloy. Articles of manufacture comprising binary β-titanium alloys according to various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein are also disclosed.
US07837810B2
Thermo-mechanical properties of welds in stainless steel is substantially improved by the implementation of a post weld heat treatment that illiminates sigma phase in the heat treated zone and favors niobium carbonitride precipitate formation in a desirable size range. In most cases, post weld heat treated material can be employed in pressurized devices at temperatures exceeding 550° C., which is currently regarded the upper safe temperature limit, and material according to the inventive subject matter was tested at temperature of up to 850° C. without reheat cracking.
US07837807B2
A magnetic core for a current transformer, and a current transformer and a watt hour meter used thereof, which is preferred the detection of a alternate current with a large asymmetrical waveform and a alternate current which a direct current is superimposed are realized. A magnetic core for a current transformer comprising the composition represented by the general formula: Fe100-x-a-y-cMxCuaM′yX′c (atomic %), wherein M is at least one element selected from Co and Ni, M′ is at least one element selected from V, Ti, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta, X′ is at least one element selected from Si and B, and x, a, y, and c meets the composition of 3≦x≦50, 0.1≦a≦3, 1≦y≦10, 2≦c≦30, and also 7≦y+c≦30, and an alloy comprising a crystal grain consisting of at least a part or all of the composition with a mean particle size of less than or equal to 50 nm.
US07837803B2
In a spin-chuck with plural collector levels, a separate exhaust controller is provided for each level. This permits selectively varying gas flow conditions among the collector levels, so that the ambient pressure at one level does not adversely affect device performance in an adjacent level.
US07837802B2
There is provided a dishwasher and a method of controlling the dishwasher. The dishwasher includes a temperature detecting unit for detecting a temperature of washing water supplied, a rinse dispensing unit for dispensing rinse when washing water is heated up to a rinse dispensing temperature, and a control unit for varying the rinse dispensing temperature in accordance with the temperature of the washing water supplied.
US07837800B2
The present invention relates to a CMP polishing slurry, comprising cerium oxide particles, a dispersing agent, a water-soluble polymer and water, wherein the water-soluble polymer is a compound having a skeleton of any one of an N-mono-substituted product and an N,N-di-substituted product of any one selected from the group consisting of acrylamide, methacrylamide and α-substituted products thereof. The amount of the water-soluble polymer is preferably in the range of 0.01 part or more by weight and 10 parts or less by weight for 100 parts by weight of the polishing slurry. Thus it is possible to provide a polishing slurry and a polishing method which make it possible to polish a film made of silicon oxide or the like effectively and rapidly and further control the process therefor easily in CMP technique for flattening an interlayer insulating film, a BPSG film, an insulator film for shallow trench isolation, and other films.
US07837791B2
A silicon single crystal wafer for a particle monitor is presented, which wafer has an extremely small amount in the surface density of light point defects and is capable of still maintaining a small surface density even after repeating the SC-1. The wafer is prepared by slicing a silicon single crystal ingot including an area in which crystal originated particles are generated, and the surface density of particles having a size of not less than 0.12 mum is not more than 15 counts/cm2 after repeating the SC-1. More preferably, a silicon single crystal wafer having a nitrogen concentration of 1×1013 1×1015 atoms/cm3 provides a surface density of not more than 1 counts/cm2 for the particles having a diameter of not less than 0.12 mum even after repeating the SC-1. Hence, a high quality wafer optimally used for a particle monitor can be obtained and a very small number of defects in the wafer make it possible to produce devices.
US07837765B2
Pressure swing adsorption (PSA) assemblies and hydrogen-producing fuel processing assemblies and/or fuel cell systems including the same. The PSA assemblies include, or are utilized with, combustion fuel stream supply systems that are adapted to regulate the flow of a byproduct stream from the PSA assembly for delivery to a heating assembly for use as a combustible fuel stream, such as to maintain at least a hydrogen-producing region of the fuel processing system at a hydrogen-producing temperature or range of temperatures. In some embodiments, the combustion fuel stream supply system is configured to ensure that the supply of combustible fuel from the PSA assembly to the heating assembly contains at least a sufficient fuel value, such as to maintain at least the hydrogen-producing region at or within a predetermined hydrogen-producing temperature or range of temperatures.
US07837764B2
An oxygen exchange manifold converts oxygenate air into an oxygen depleted air stream for use in inerting an otherwise flammable environment. A system including the oxygen exchange manifold may be utilized to inert fuel tanks of an aircraft or another environment. Methods of inerting such environments are also disclosed.
US07837760B2
The invention publishes a process to increase the bioleaching speed of ores or concentrates of sulfide metal species in heaps, tailing dams, dumps, or other on-site operations. The process is characterized by the continuous inoculation of the ores or concentrates with isolated microorganisms of the Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans type, together with isolated microorganisms of the Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans type, with or without native microorganisms, in such a way that the total concentration of microorganisms in the continuous inoculation flow is of around 1×107 cells/ml to 5,6×107 cells/ml. In particular, the invention publishes the continuous inoculation of Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans Licanantay DSM 17318 together with Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans Wenelen DSM 16786 microorganisms, or with other native microorganisms at a concentration higher than 5×107 cells/ml. In addition to the inoculation of isolated bacteria, the invention includes the addition of oxidizing agents such as the ferric ion produced externally, together with nutrients in the shape of salts of ammonium, magnesium, iron, potassium, as well as air enriched continuously with carbon dioxide to promote bacterial action in the bioleaching process of ores or concentrates.
US07837758B2
Method for the production of solid urea ammonium sulphate (UAS) fertilizers from sulphuric acid, ammonia and urea, wherein free ammonia and/or as carbamate to be decomposed from urea production, is reacted with sulphuric acid without substantially decomposing urea in the process stream, where after urea and ammonium sulphate (AS) is mixed and particulated. The point of integration of the ammonium sulphate production in the urea production process is chosen according to the desired product composition. The reaction is carried out in a pipe reactor where the head of the reactor enhanced the chemical reaction between sulphuric acid and ammonia and the urea solution surrounds the ammonium sulphate formation.
US07837752B2
A rigid or semi-rigid demister pad is positioned between an air turbine and an inertial water removal device such as extractor in an air conditioning system for an aircraft. The demister pad comprises packed fibers or strands whose diameter typically ranges from approximately 10 or fewer microns to approximately 280 microns. The demister is capable of catching very small droplets discharged from the air turbine that coalesce into larger droplets that exit the demister pad and enter an adjacent water removal device downstream from the pad to separate the larger water droplets from the stream of air. This avoids using a water separator containing a coalescer bag that requires frequent maintenance and is sensitive to dirt and freezing. The demister can operate at freezing temperature, is not dirt-sensitive and requires no maintenance.
US07837748B2
Disclosed are fuel compositions for internal combustion engines comprising as a predominant component organic distillates which exhibit suitable physical properties, and a low-sulfur fraction of an alkylated petroleum feedstock which, for example, consisted of material boiling between about 60° C. and about 345° C. More particularly, compositions of the invention comprise low-boiling, low-sulfur, blending components, advantageously obtained by a process for converting sulfur-containing organic compounds which are unwanted impurities, to higher boiling products by alkylation and removing the higher boiling products by fractional distillation. Products can be used directly as transportation fuels and/or blending components to provide fuels which are more friendly to the environment.
US07837745B2
A means and method for rendering high energy density cells safe in compliance with transportation requirements, with the incorporation of a cell fusible terminal which is added on or incorporated within the cell terminals to prevent over current and hazards from developing due to external short circuits. As a result, cells made in accordance with the method of the present invention can be shipped by common carriers even though they are classified as hazardous materials and can be readily used and normally discharged with such fusible link element thereon. The fusible terminal comprises a non conductive base element upon which is mounted a fusible link element and wherein the non-conductive or insulative base element comprises means for connection to a terminal of the cell or battery and to an external component.
US07837744B2
A fluid consuming battery (10) is provided with a fluid regulating system (50) for regulating fluid entry into the battery. The battery (10) includes a fluid consuming cell (20) having a cell housing with fluid entry ports for the passage of a fluid into the cell housing. A first fluid consuming electrode and a second electrode are disposed within the cell housing. The fluid regulating system (50) includes a valve having a moving plate (66) disposed adjacent to a fixed plate (62). The moving plate and fixed plate both have fluid entry ports (68, 64) that align in an open valve position and are misaligned in a closed valve position. The fluid regulating system (50) also includes an actuator that may include one or more shape memory alloy (SMA) components (82a, 82b) for moving the moving plate (66) relative to the fixed plate (62) to open and close the valve.
US07837740B2
The invention is directed toward a cartilage repair assembly comprising a shaped allograft two piece construct with a demineralized cancellous cap and a mineralized cylindrical base member defining a blind bore with a through going transverse bore intersecting the blind bore. The demineralized cancellous cap has a cylindrical top portion and a smaller diameter cylindrical stem extending away from the top portion which fits into the blind bore of the mineralized base member. The cap stem defines a transverse through going bore which is aligned with the through going bore of the base member to receive a cylindrical cortical pin holding the cap within the base member. The shaped structure is dimensioned to fit in a drilled bore in a cartilage defect area so that the assembly engages the side wall of the drilled bore in an interference fit.
US07837736B2
A method is provided for performing a total knee arthroplasty. The method includes making a primary incision near a knee joint of a patient and resecting medial and lateral condyles of the femur of the leg to create at least one femoral cut surface. The resecting step is performed without dislocating the knee joint. The method also includes balancing various ligament tensions to obtain desired tension and moving a femoral component of a total knee implant through the primary incision. The method further includes positioning the femoral component with respect to the at least one femoral cut surface.
US07837733B2
A method for treating a spinal disc comprises the steps of: determining the integrity of the annulus by subjecting the annulus to a first pressure applied internally of the annulus; providing access to the nucleus pulposus through the annulus without removing any tissue from the annulus or from the nucleus pulposus; and sealably injecting curable biomaterial through the annulus access directly into the nucleus pulposus at a second pressure correlated with the first pressure. The integrity of the annulus may be determined by a pre-operative discogram using a contrast medium that has a viscosity substantially similar to the viscosity of the biomaterial to be injected. The curable biomaterial may be injected under a pressure sufficient to distract opposing vertebral bodies communicating with the disc space.
US07837727B2
A replacement valve for implantation centrally within the orifice of a malfunctioning native heart valve. The valve is designed for minimally invasive entry through an intercostal opening in the chest of a patient and an opening in the apex of the human heart. The replacement valve includes either a separate anchor (11, 87, 111) or a combined anchor (67) that folds around the malfunctioning native valve leaflets, sandwiching them in a manner so as to securely anchor the replacement valve in a precise, desired location.
US07837717B2
A bone fracture fixation system comprises a bone plate configured to bear against a proximal surface of the bone and a plurality of elongated tension elements, each sized to pass through an opening in the bone plate and through the bone from the proximal surface to a distal surface thereof. Each tension element is anchored to the bone and maintained in tension by a distal anchor attached to said tension element and configured to engage the distal surface of the bone and a proximal anchor engageable between the bone plate and the tension element. In one method for fixation of a bone fracture, the bone plate is positioned on a proximal surface of the bone while the tension element is introduced into the bone and through an opening in the bone plate from an opposite distal surface of the bone.
US07837707B2
An internal sinus procedure for patching a perforation in patient's sinus membrane comprising the steps of (i) creating an opening in the sinus floor of a patient to expose the portion of the sinus membrane including the perforation, (ii) inserting a quantity of a sinus membrane patching material through the opening to a location adjacent the sinus perforation and (iii) laterally expanding and forcing the patching material against the sinus membrane to seal the perforation.
US07837701B2
An embolic protection device has a collapsible filter element (105) mounted on a carrier such as a guidewire (101). The filter element (105) collapses into the outer end of a catheter (118) for deployment and retrieval through a vascular system of a patient. The filter element (105) has a collapsible filter body with a proximal inlet end and a distal outlet end. The proximal inlet end has inlet openings sized to allow blood and embolic material enter the filter body. The outlet end has outlet openings which allow through passage of blood but retain embolic material within the filter body. After use, the catheter (118) is movable along the guidewire (101) to engage the proximal end of the filter element and close the inlet openings before sliding over the filter element from the proximal end to the distal end to progressively collapse the filter body on the guidewire (101) for retrieval. The filter element (105) may conveniently be mounted on a tubular sleeve (104) which is slidable and rotatable on the guidewire (101) between spaced-apart slops (106, 120) on the guidewire (101) which allows some manipulation of the guidewire independently of the filter when the filter is in use.
US07837700B2
The invention relates to shielded reciprocating surgical file system for precisely removing bone and/or other tissue material. The system allows a user to maneuver the system and navigate into hard to access sites under a direct vision mechanism included in the system. A transmission mechanism converts rotary motion from a motor into reciprocating motion and provides it to the surgical file for precision bone and/or tissue removal. A pulsatile pump mechanism is operatively coupled with the transmission mechanism and provides irrigating fluid to the surgical site.
US07837693B2
A medical device includes a sheath defining a lumen, and an elongate member movably disposed within the lumen. The elongate member includes a basket having a plurality of legs, at least one leg of the plurality of legs is disposed between adjacent first and second slots defined by the elongate member. A first distal relief feature at a distal end of the first slot is longitudinally offset from a second distal relief feature at a distal end of the second slot.
US07837676B2
A cardiac ablation device treats atrial fibrillation by directing and focusing ultrasonic waves into a ring-like ablation region (A). The device desirably is steerable and can be moved between a normal disposition, in which the ablation region lies parallel to the wall of the heart for ablating a loop-like lesion, and a canted disposition, in which the ring-like focal region is tilted relative to the wall of the heart, to ablate only a short, substantially linear lesion. The ablation device desirably includes a balloon reflector structure (18, 1310) and an ultrasonic emitter assembly (23, 1326), and can be steered and positioned without reference to engagement between the device and the pulmonary vein or ostium. A contrast medium (C) can be injected through the ablation device to facilitate imaging, so that the device can be positioned based on observation of the images.
US07837672B2
A method for removing an object from a body lumen includes dispensing fluid into the body lumen, and causing the dispensed fluid to propel the object along the body lumen. A device for removing an object from a body lumen includes a fluid dispenser for dispensing fluid into the body lumen, and a pump in fluid communication with the dispenser.
US07837666B2
The invention provides container systems, kits and methods for peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions. Such a system, for example, includes a first compartment that contains a PD osmotic agent and a second compartment that contains a PD buffer agent. The compartments maintain their respective contents separately from one another for purposes of transport, storage and/or sterilization. However, the compartments are fluidly couplable, so that their respective contents can be combined with one another, e.g., following sterilization of the agents and prior to their introduction into the patient's abdomen. The invention provides, in other aspects, such systems, kits and methods that provide protective structure which inhibits breaking of a seal prior between the second compartment and an outlet of the system, prior to breaking of a seal between the first and second compartments.
US07837663B2
The present invention relates to a visual indicating device and an article for controlling odors, in particular foot, garbage, basement, cooking, pet, tobacco, feces and urine odors. The article comprises a visual indicating agent that is color sensitive to the odor, and optionally, an odor absorbing agent. The visual indicating agent changes color when the article has been exposed to a sufficient amount of odor to saturate the article. The indicating agent may be applied in differing concentrations to two or more zones so as to indicate to a user of the article how much of the odor absorbing capacity has been used, or conversely, how much of the odor absorbing capacity remains. Suitable visual indicating agents that change color in response to odors are also described. The article for controlling odors may be a disposable odor absorbing sheet, air freshening product, diaper, undergarment pad, face mask, air filtration device, sanitary napkin, tampon, panty shield or incontinence pad.
US07837656B2
An applicator device 6 is provided to mix and apply two or more compositions of adhesive or sealant to tissue or bone. The applicator device generally includes an applicator assembly having a handle containing a double-barreled syringe, removably mounted thereto, and a regulator assembly for providing control and sources of air pressure to the applicator assembly.
US07837655B2
A method of securing a medical article to the body of a patient is disclosed in which an anchoring device comprising an anchor and a retainer is used. The retainer is attached to an upper surface of the anchor and comprises a base, a cover and a post. The base is disposed on the upper surface of the anchor and the cover is connected to the base so as to move between an open and a closed position. When the cover is in the closed position, it lies above at least part of the base. The post is attached movably to either the base or the cover and is arranged so as to lie at least partially between the cover and the base when the cover is in the closed position. When securing a medical article, the cover is placed in the open position and the medical article placed onto the retainer. The cover may then be closed over the medical article and the anchoring device attached to the patient.
US07837654B2
A microneedle insertable in a target cell tissue, including a manipulative end maintained exterior of cell tissue and an insertion end positionable in or adjacent of target cell tissue. A plurality of microtubes are bundled to pass through the needle body and extend to respective distal ends grouped proximally interior of the insertion end. A sensing fiber is extendable from means for sensing for passage through the needle body to a distal end capable of sensing cell tissue parameters. The insertion end and the bundled microtube and sensing fiber distal ends are positionable in or adjacent of cell tissue thereby providing rapid evaluation of cell parameters by optic fiber sensing, fiber sampling of cell parameters, and precise delivery of therapeutic fluids or additional treatment measures. A method is also disclosed of precisely positioning a microneedle having a plurality of microtubes and sensing fibers therein for evaluating and treating cell tissue.
US07837640B2
The present invention provides a novel means of joint and body protection using engineered textiles to provide dynamic kinematic control within the device itself and for the underlying body part. The apparatus may be used in apparel or orthosis wherein a textile is organized about the proximal and distal aspects of a joint or body part and uses the mechanical and material characteristics of the engineered textile to dynamically control the kinetics of the body part and more specifically to prevent the body part from reaching extremes in range of motion. The engineered textiles can be designed to provide non-uniform increases in stiffness in any direction. The engineered textile may incorporate strain or strain rate dependant materials in which case stiffness properties would vary non-uniformly with velocity and/or acceleration within the device allowing for protection from blunt trauma, blast, or ballistic events anywhere on the body. A further aspect of the present invention is to provide a novel means of dynamically fitting and anchoring apparel, orthosis, body protection devices or other objects that need to be securely fixed to the body anatomy during joint flexion or extension, by using motion at a body joint to actuate a closure mechanism and bracing system that actively closes upon the body anatomy surrounding the joint and transfers loads created during dynamic restraint of the joint to anchor zones on the body.
US07837639B2
An adjustable brace is provided for correcting a forward lean to obtain an upright position. The brace includes an anterior frame having a chest pad bearing upon a chest area and thigh pads bearing upon thigh areas. The brace has a lumbar pad applied to the lumbar area. The chest pad covers the sternal area substantially from the position of approximately 2″ distal to the clavicle bones to about the mid sternum point. The lumbar pad covers the lumbar area from the areas of T-12 to L-5 of the spine. In one embodiment, the frame includes a pubic pad bearing upon a pubic pad. The frame is adjustable in height and width.
US07837637B2
Safety cast compositions for the prevention of thermal injury are provided basically comprising a curable casting material, a flexible substrate coated or impregnated with the casting material and a thermochromic material. Methods for using the safety cast to prevent cast burns in patients in need of immobilizing a body member are also provided.
US07837628B2
An electrical-mechanical system may be used in electrophysiology and hemodynamic studies. The system may include a mounting arrangement couplable to a support surface for supporting a patient. At least one catheter input module may be electrically and mechanically coupled to the mounting arrangement, the catheter input module being connectable to catheters for use in the patient. A central processing device may be attached to the support surface and placed in communication with the mounting arrangement.
US07837624B1
A medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system aligns substantially co-planar two-dimensional images to form an extended field of view using improved methods that speed the alignment, use Doppler processors to alert the user when transducer motion relative to the imaged region is excessive, and provide a longitudinal sectional view of a blood vessel and surrounding tissue.
US07837621B2
Systems and methods of generating updated surgical plans are described herein. In one embodiment, a method of generating an updated surgical plan can include generating a three dimensional (3D) model of a bone, generating a surgical plan based on the 3D model, in which the surgical plan can include: locations on the bone upon which to dispose a fixator and settings of struts of the fixator, disposing the fixator on the bone based on the surgical plan, and, based on data associated with the placement of the fixator disposed on the bone, generating an updated surgical plan including updated settings for the struts.
US07837618B2
In an endoscope control system, endoscope devices capture an image of each inspection site, write endoscope information in a title and/or a text of an electronic mail, and transmit the captured image in the electronic mail which has a captured image management computer of a management center as its distribution destination. The captured image management computer of the management center receives the captured images from the endoscope devices in the electronic mails, and manages them collectively.
US07837614B2
A capsule medical apparatus including: an illuminating unit; an image pick-up unit; an objective optical system; a sealed capsule container which seals the above components; a fixing frame to which a first objective lens of the objective optical system is fixed, the fixing frame being fixed at a reference position of an image area of the image pick-up unit such that a reference position of the fixing frame matches the reference position of the image area of the image pick-up unit; a guiding frame extended in an optical path direction on a surface of the fixing frame on an opposite side not facing the image pick-up unit; and a movable frame to which a second objective lens of the objective optical system is fixed, the movable frame being positioned and fixed in the optical path direction by being moved in the optical path direction relative to the guiding frame.
US07837612B2
A tissue suspension device has an elongated spanning element with a first and a second end. A suspending element is attachable to the spanning element. A first supporting element is attached to the first end of the spanning element, and a second supporting element is attached to the second end of the spanning element. The tissue suspension device substantially spans the transverse width of the body cavity and suspends tissue within the body cavity. The first and second supporting elements are attachable to the body wall, which supports the weight of the suspended tissue.
US07837611B2
The present invention includes apparatuses for artificially inseminating animals which prevents contaminants from entering the opening at the end of an insemination sheath during insertion through the reproductive tract of an animal. A thin protective cover or membrane is provided at the tip of the sheath to seal it, the membrane being designed to rupture under the pressure from the seminal fluid being applied by the plunger used to eject the semen from the insemination gun. The protective cover can be an integrated portion of the sheath itself, or a material applied to the tip of the sheath. The protective cover is minimal in size as to not increase the diameter of the artificial insemination device so that there is no loss in tactile sensitivity to the breeder who must maneuver the invention through the animal's reproductive tract.
US07837608B2
A method of preventing blockages of flow paths of a separator, the separator processing a fat-containing product such as milk. The method steps include determining a concentration of the fat content of an outflowing product phase from the separator to detect an imminent clogging, and shifting a separation zone in a separator drum of the separator for a defined minimum time period by changing operating parameters.
US07837605B2
An ankle-clamping device for an inversion table includes a clamp holder, a motor mounted on the clamp holder, a worm shaft rotated by the motor, and a clamping roller unit that includes a worm gear connected rotatably to the clamp holder and meshing with the worm shaft, a lever having one end connected to and rotatable along with the worm gear, a pair of fixed clamping rollers fixed to the clamp holder, and a pair of movable clamping rollers fixed to the lever. The movable clamping rollers are movable toward or away from the fixed clamping rollers to cooperatively clamp therebetween or to permit release of the user's ankles from therebetween, respectively.
US07837601B2
A method to prepare for and conduct an exercise using free weights while minimizing the risk of injury to an individual during the acquisition, use, and return of the free weights includes the step of providing a plurality of cylindrically-shaped free weight plates and a staging station. Each of the free weight plates is mounted on edge in an upright orientation in one of a plurality of detent units of the staging station at a height above the ground. A first one of the free weight plates is manually grasped and rolled from the detent unit onto a horizontally oriented support surface of the staging station, manually removed from the support surface, utilized to perform an exercise, manually returned to the support surface, and manually rolled on the peripheral edge of the first one of the free weight plates from the support surface into one of the detent units.
US07837597B2
An exercise machine including a weight measurement system which provides a signal representative of a user's weight. An embodiment of the weight measurement system includes at least one load cell outputting a signal used by a microprocessor to determine an accurate value of the users weight. An embodiment of the weight measurement system includes a plurality of load cells using a Wheatstone bridge configuration to output a signal representative of a user's weight regardless of whether the weight is evenly distributed across each load cell. A calibration process calibrates the load cells for each exercise machine.
US07837591B2
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, three planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes a sun gear member, a planet carrier member, and a ring gear member. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes arranged within a transmission housing.
US07837589B2
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, a split dual clutch assembly, two countershaft gearing arrangements, one planetary gear set, a plurality of interconnecting members, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the countershaft gearing arrangements includes a plurality of co-planar gear sets. The torque transmitting devices include a combination of clutches, brakes, and synchronizers.
US07837586B1
A simultaneous multiple rotation interface where a series of discs rotate about an eccentric camshaft. Each disc is engaged with the other by a series bearings embedded within each disc. As the camshaft rotates, each disc alternatively engages an outer shell so as to rotate the shell in the same direction as the shaft, albeit at a reduced speed.
US07837585B2
An electromagnetic actuator assembly with a frame, a movable plunger, first and second sensor targets that are coupled to a plunger for movement therewith, first and second sensors that are coupled to the frame and a controller. The first sensor is configured to sense a position of the first sensor target and to produce a first sensor signal in response thereto. The second sensor is configured to sense a position of the second sensor target and to produce a second sensor signal in response thereto. The controller that receives the first and second sensor signals and identifies three or more discrete points along a path of travel of the plunger. A differential assembly that incorporates the electromagnetic actuator assembly is also provided.
US07837583B2
In a silent chain, link plates having two different back heights are arranged so that V-shaped oil guiding walls, opening in the direction of chain travel, are formed on the back of the chain that comes into sliding contact with the shoe of a chain guide.
US07837580B2
An archery arrow carries a light transmitting nock plus a light assembly, which comprises a light source positioned so that the light source is visible through the nock, a switch having normally open electrical contacts, and closable upon momentary contact with a magnetic field, and circuitry interconnecting a battery, the switch, and the light source for permitting illumination of the light source when the magnetic field is sensed. By this invention, the light assembly may be free of a housing and occupies a first bore of the nock and a second bore of the arrow shaft rearward end. A unique system for retaining a battery and protecting against high G force, plus a focused beam LED are other optional, advantageous features.
US07837578B2
A multi-lobed golf ball dimple is provided. The dimple comprises a plurality of lobes positioned radially around the center of the dimple, wherein each lobe is defined by a circumferential segment and may be further defined by spoke-like ridges. Each lobe comprises a first curved profile extending from the circumferential segment toward the center of the dimple and the first curved profile of each lobe abuts each other in an uninterrupted manner. The multi-lobed dimple may include uniform and non-uniform dimples. The curvature of the circumferential segments can be defined by a ratio of an inside radius to an outside radius. Each dimple also includes a slightly convex floor that is continuous and smooth. The curvature may match that of the outer surface of the golf ball. Further, a sloped wall interrupted by spoke-like ridges may connect the convex floor with the outer surface of the golf ball.
US07837577B2
A wood-type golf club head (20) with a main body (22) and a metal injection molded sole portion (26) is disclosed herein. The main body (26) has a face portion (30), a crown portion (24) a ribbon portion (28) and a bottom opening (31). The metal injection molded sole portion (26) is preferably brazed to the main body (22). The metal injection molded sole portion (26) preferably has a mass ranging from 45 grams to 110 grams. The metal injection molded sole portion (26) is preferably from 50 weight percent to 35 weight percent of the total mass of the wood-type golf club head (20).
US07837576B1
The two-faced golf putter includes a putter head having a putting face and a chipping face disposed on at least one side of the putter head, an angled toe, an angled heel and a bottom sole. Both the angled toe and heel include a respective setup guide to assist the user in properly positioning over the putter. A sight alignment groove is formed on the top of the putter head to help aim the ball. An elongated shaft extends upwardly from a centered bore in the top surface of the putter head, which improves balance and feel to the putter. The top portion of the shaft includes an elongated handle to accommodate a wide range of user grip sizes and techniques. To further assist accurate setup placement of the putter head, an alignment dot is disposed behind the shaft on top of the putter head. The bottom sole includes at least one upwardly extending sloping side to permit angling of the putter for chipping.
US07837565B2
An arrangement, comprising two shaft ends (1, 2), which are mutually connected by a coupling element (3) so as to transmit torque, the coupling element (3) being associated with a bearing (4), which receives at least one shaft end (1), the bearing (4) comprising a support body (5) for the shaft end (1) and an outside body (6) surrounding the support body, and an elastic deformable layer (7) being disposed between the support body (5) and the outside body (6), with the aim of creating an arrangement that guarantees the lowest possible cardan rigidity while achieving maximum radial rigidity, is characterized in that the elastic layer has at least in part a spherical configuration. A bearing also has at least in part a spherically configured layer.
US07837562B2
A gaming apparatus may include a housing, a display unit capable of generating video images, a value input device, a controller operatively coupled to the display unit and the value input device, and a panel at least partially overlaying the display unit. The housing may include a first opening and a second opening. The display unit may be positioned relative to the housing so that a first portion of the display unit is visible through the first opening and the second portion of the display unit is visible through the second opening. The controller may comprise a processor and a memory, and may be programmed to allow a person to make a wager, to cause a first video image to be generated on the first portion of the display unit and a second video image to be generated on the second portion of the display unit, and to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of the game.
US07837559B2
A game controller includes a control unit and a control housing. The control unit includes a circuit board and a plurality of functional controls, wherein each of the functional controls has a movable control end and a signal end operatively coupling with the circuit board. The control housing includes an outer casing having a receiving cavity receiving the circuit board therein and a plurality of control holes for the control ends of the functional controls extending out of the receiving cavity, and an internal enclosure, which is received in the receiving cavity of the outer casing, having a sealing cavity for the circuit board supporting therein to form a double-wall structure to protect the circuit board and a plurality of guiding slots aligned with the control holes of the outer casing respectively to guide the functional controls extending to the control holes through the guiding slots respectively.
US07837557B2
This embodiment of a method and apparatus for communicating with a player of a networked gaming device incorporates a touch screen display into an electronic slot machine. The display facilitates player interaction with the slot machine network to enable cashless gaming, player tracking, bonus, and secondary game features.
US07837551B2
A gaming machine comprises: a display device for displaying symbols variably and statically on a display screen; a contact input device to be operated; a storage device for storing winning combinations of symbols; and a processor being operable to: conduct another internal lottery to determine a combination of symbols to be displayed statically; determine whether the determined combination matches one of the predetermined winning combinations; provide a payout corresponding thereto when the statically displayed combination is determined to match the one; shift a game to a feature game when the statically displayed combination is determined to include a trigger symbol; urge a game player to operate the contact input device to trigger the internal lottery in the feature game; and provide a point to one of a plurality of feature levels in the feature game such that an accumulated points may reach a predetermined number of points.
US07837550B2
One or more player Bingo cards are generated using a universe of Bingo indicia, optionally with player input. In an optional embodiment, the player may select all or a portion of the Bingo indicia on a player Bingo card, or regenerate a player Bingo card. A selection set of pairs are generated, each pair consisting of a Bingo indicium and a playing card. The pairs of the selection set are compared to the player Bingo cards and, on each player Bingo card, locations matching the Bingo indicium of a pair are replaced with the corresponding playing card of the pair. The player is rewarded if a pattern on the player Bingo card matches a winning Bingo pattern. The player is also rewarded for having a poker hand formed from the playing cards along predetermined poker patters on the player Bingo card match a winning poker hand.
US07837548B2
A gaming machine includes: a plurality of game terminals each including an operation section for accepting operation of a player; a game medium payout unit for paying out game medium to the game terminal in response to the operation result and the game results of a base game and a bonus game having a different game mode from the base game; a bonus game generation determination unit for determining whether or not the bonus game is generated; a first game control unit for controlling the game based on the base game; a second game control unit for controlling the game based on the bonus game; an base game result determination unit for determining whether or not the game result of the base game satisfies a predetermined condition; and a bonus game result change unit for changing the game result of the bonus game.
US07837543B2
Adaptive agents are driven by rewards they receive based on the outcome of their behavior during actual game play. Accordingly, the adaptive agents are able to learn from experience within the gaming environment. Reward-driven adaptive agents can be trained at either or both of game-time or development time. Computer-controlled agents receive rewards (either positive or negative) at individual action intervals based on the effectiveness of the agents' actions (e.g., compliance with defined goals). The adaptive computer-controlled agent is motivated to perform actions that maximize its positive rewards and minimize is negative rewards.
US07837537B2
A belt sander is disclosed that may include a sanding assembly having a first roller and a second roller, the sanding assembly being configured to receive a sanding belt around the first roller and the second roller to define a sanding surface therebetween. The belt sander may include a motor operationally coupled to the sanding assembly and opposite the sanding surface, the motor being configured to rotate at least the first roller and thereby rotate the sanding belt around the first roller and the second roller, as well as a handgrip formed around at least a portion of the motor and substantially encasing the motor.
US07837532B2
A chassis is provided for a track-guided toy vehicle which is supported on a front axle and a rear axle and has a guide wedge that is movable about a first vertical pivot axle and cooperates with a groove in the raceway. The rear axle is driven by an electric motor, with the rear axle and the electric motor together forming an assembly. Steering capability of the vehicle, is optimized by arranging the assembly to be movable about a second vertical pivot axle. The assembly is operatively connected via a control unit to the chassis-mounted guide wedge.
US07837531B2
An interactive toy doll is described for performing and displaying realistic facial expressions and ordered sequences of visual and aural effects upon activation. The doll includes at least one sensor disposed thereon, a position orientation switch, at least one motor and at least one pair of contact switches functionally connected with a controller. Upon initial activation of a sensor, the doll is responsive to subsequent re-orientation thereafter for a pre-determined amount of time.
US07837530B2
An organic light-emitting display device includes a bottom substrate having a pixel region and a non-pixel region. In the pixel region, organic light-emitting pixels are formed. A top substrate is bonded to the top substrate. A sealing member is provided between the non-pixel region of the substrate and the encapsulation substrate. The sealing member includes a first frit and a second frit which melts substantially easier than the first frit upon irradiation of a laser or infrared beam thereto.
US07837525B2
An easily deployable data relay buoy, in some embodiments, has a diesel powered alternator and storage battery, providing long service life. The data relay buoy has mechanical characteristics that allow it to maintain antenna stability in the presence of seas states from at least zero through four and to survive in sea states up to sea state six.
US07837524B2
A device that when fitted to a motor vessel's existing propulsion gear improves the performance and reduces potential damage and wear of underwater propeller shaft bearings, commonly referred to as “cutlass bearings” that are used on boats, ships, etc. Designed with radially mounted impeller blades around the periphery of the propeller shaft, the device creates a forced flow of water by centrifugal pumping action, which creates suction along the shaft abaft the cutlass bearing, thereby increasing the flow of water through the cutlass bearing. The device also greatly diminishes the probability that fouling around a propeller shaft will severely restrict water flow through the cutlass bearing.
US07837523B2
A water-jet pump includes a cylindrical housing and an impeller. The impeller is disposed in the cylindrical housing and is configured to be rotated in a rotating direction. The impeller includes a shaft body and plural blades. The plural blades are provided on an outer circumference of the shaft body. A front portion of one of the plural blades overlaps a rear portion of another of the plural blades adjacent to one of the plural blades when viewed in an axial direction of the shaft body. When viewed in the axial direction, at least a part of a rear edge of the rear portion is formed obliquely with respect to a radial direction of the impeller towards the rotating direction. A cutaway portion is formed in each of the plural blades between at least a part of the rear edge and the outer circumference.
US07837507B1
A connector connected with a complementary component inserted therein from a front direction includes an insulating housing and a shield coupled with the insulating housing comprising an upper shell and a lower shell. The upper shell has an upper cover covering a top surface of the insulating housing and a pair of wings extending laterally from two opposite sides of the upper cover. The wing has a slot extending along a front-to-rear direction, and a plurality of positioning pegs extended downwards from a lateral edge thereof. The lower shell has a lower cover and two lateral plates bent upwards from two opposite sides of the lower cover and flanked to the insulating housing. Each of the lateral plates has a clasper which passes through the slot of the wing and extends laterally to hook a side of the slot, for buckling the upper shell with the lower shell together.
US07837500B2
The present invention relates to a fixture capable of fixing a USB connector on a housing. The fixture comprises a housing connection surface, a top surface, a first lateral surface, and a second lateral surface, wherein the housing connection surface is capable of being fixed on the housing; the top surface is connected to the housing connection surface where both surfaces are substantially perpendicular to each other, and the top surface comprises a first constraining unit capable of contacting a protection part of the USB connector to constrain movement of the USB connector along a first direction; the first lateral surface is connected to the top surface to constrain movement of the USB connector; and the second lateral surface is connected to the top surface to constrain movement of the USB connector.
US07837493B2
A lamp socket includes connection terminal bodies including connection terminals provided in sides of the lamp socket to contact with connection pins of the lamp, and connection terminal recesses into which the connection terminals are inserted, and connection caps to slide to press and fix the connection pins when the connection pins contact with the connection terminals.
US07837491B2
An electrical power connector is disclosed, configured as either a plug connector or a receptacle connector, which includes at least one retractable lever that provides a mechanical advantage to the user to facilitate the coupling and uncoupling of a plug connector to a receptacle connector. The retractable lever is suitable for applications in which space is relatively limited. The plug connector and the receptacle connector are each connected to an electrical cable on one end. The opposing ends of the plug connector and the receptacle connector are configured to mate with each other so that there is a continuous electrical current path from the cable connected to the plug connector to the cable connected to the receptacle connector. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the retractable lever is rotatably connected to one or the other of the plug connector or the receptacle connector.
US07837490B2
To provide a seal member for a waterproof connector which will not be deteriorated in waterproof performance even when wires swing, and is suited for use even in the type of connector in which an inner housing is swingable as in a floating connector, a seal member for a waterproof connector is mounted at rear ends of terminal receiving chambers of the waterproof connector, and has wire-sealing passage holes in which wires connected to respective terminals can be fitted, respectively. Lip portions are formed on an outer peripheral portion of the seal member over an entire periphery thereof, and also lip portions are formed on front and rear sides of the seal member spaced from each other in an inserting direction, and these lip portions can be compressed and deformed between the seal member and the terminal receiving chambers.
US07837486B2
An ejection device is manufactured independently from but implemented with a subscriber identification module (SIM) connector comprising an insulative housing and a tray having a SIM card mounted therein and has a bracket, a push button, a link and an ejection lever. The push button is mounted slidably on the bracket. The link is mounted slidably on the bracket and is connected with the push button. The ejection lever is mounted pivotally to the bracket, is connected with the link and selectively pushes the SIM card out of the tray. The ejection device may be pre-fabricated or formed with the connector so can be easily retrofitted to current designs or added simply to any SIM card connector and greatly facilitates SIM card removal while benefiting from reduced production costs from simplification and greater economies of scale.
US07837485B2
An electrical plug connector includes a first connector housing, a slider, and a cap. The slider has slider surfaces insertable into the first housing in a direction transverse to a direction of insertion of a second housing to the first housing at a connecting side of the first housing. The slider is connected to the first housing upon the slider surfaces being inserted into the first housing. The cap is on a cap side of the first housing lying opposite to the connecting side of the first housing. The slider surfaces connect with the cap to latch the cap to the cap side of the first housing upon the slider surfaces being inserted into the first housing.
US07837482B2
A connecting-side connector is connected to a receiving-side connector. A main frame supports the receiving-side connector in such a manner that the receiving-side connector is movable in a connection direction. A control unit performs a control of a movement of the receiving-side connector in the connection direction and a release of the control each time a pressing force is applied to the connecting-side connector in the connection direction.
US07837479B1
A mezzanine connector assembly is configured to electrically interconnect first and second circuit boards. The connector assembly includes a mounting body, a mating body, contacts and dielectric layers. The mounting body is configured to be mounted to the first circuit board. The mating body is disposed opposite of the mounting body and is configured to mate with the second circuit board. The mating body is separated from the mounting body by a separation gap along a vertical direction. The contacts extend between the mounting body and the mating body along the vertical direction. The contacts are configured to be coupled with the first and second circuit boards to electrically join the first and second circuit boards. The dielectric layers discretely surround corresponding ones of the contacts in the separation gap between the mounting body and the mating body. The dielectric layers are separated from one another by an air gap in the separation gap.
US07837477B2
An electrical interconnection device for establishing redundant contacts between the ends of two conductive elements to be mated, creating a electrical interconnection without capacitive stubs.
US07837475B2
A connector includes a wiring board; a lead configured to connect the wiring board electrically to an external board; a conductive layer configured to connect the lead to the wiring board so as to allow the lead to move in predetermined directions relative to the wiring board when the conductive layer is melted; and a reinforcement member configured to reinforce a mechanical connection of the wiring board and the external board.
US07837466B2
An orthodontic device includes a bracket having a body and the body includes external surfaces. An archwire passageway is formed in the body. An aperture extends from one of the external surfaces of the body to the passageway. A pawl is attached to the body and includes stop and cam surfaces which extend into the aperture. An extendable archwire includes an adjustment portion having a locking surface and a loop-spring therein and the adjustment portion is inserted into and through the passageway. The pawl and the locking surface form a ratchet. The cam surface of the pawl interengages the extendable archwire as the extendable archwire is extended through the bracket under the application of force to the extendable archwire. The stop surface of the pawl interengages the locking surface of the adjustment portion of the extendable archwire preventing retraction of the extendable archwire upon discontinuation of the application of force.
US07837459B2
The process of producing a dual damascene structure used for the interconnect architecture of semiconductor chips. More specifically the use of imprint lithography to fabricate dual damascene structures in a dielectric and the fabrication of dual damascene structured molds.
US07837454B2
In a plant for producing thin articles in the form of a slab, manufactured with a mix (M) based on agglomerate stone or ceramic material, the mix is distributed in a thin layer on a support (90) using a distributor (100) comprising a hopper (120) and an underlying extractor belt (150). Means (132, 151) are provided for preventing interruption of the article production cycle, required to eliminate the incrustations resulting from contact of at least part of the hopper (120) and/or the extractor belt (150) with the mix.
US07837448B2
An oil seal structure of a supercharger (10) has an oil shield member (21), a seal housing (25), and an annular seal member (23) arranged between the oil shield member (21) and the seal housing (25). The oil shield member (21) has a portion in which an approximately circular outer edge is formed in a vertical cross section to an axial direction, in a leading end portion in a compressor side, and the oil shield member (21) has an outer edge reduced-diameter portion (21a) which is formed in the leading end in the compressor side and in which a radius of the outer edge is smaller than the other portions of the outer edge. The seal member (23) is fitted to the outer edge reduced-diameter portion (21a). An opening through which the oil shield member (21) passes is formed in the seal housing (25), and the seal housing (25) is brought into contact with the seal member (23) in an inner edge in a radial direction forming the opening.
US07837446B2
A composite blade (28) comprises a root portion (38) and an aerofoil portion (40). The aerofoil portion (40) has a tip (50) remote from the root portion (38). The aerofoil portion (40) has a leading edge (42), a trailing edge (44), a suction surface (46) extending from the leading edge (42) to the trailing edge (44) and a pressure surface (48) extending from the leading edge (42) to the trailing edge (44). The composite blade (28) comprises reinforcing fibers (62) arranged in a matrix material (63). The tip (50) of the aerofoil portion (40) is arranged to define a recess (66), an insert (68) is arranged in the recess (66) and the insert (68) comprises an abradable material.
US07837439B2
A wind turbine blade comprising one or more oscillation dampers for damping oscillations or vibrations of the wind turbine blade. The first damper parts being rigidly connected to the blade or being a part of the blade. The dampers further comprise second damper parts, wherein the first damper part surfaces and the second damper part surfaces are arranged to move relatively to each other during the oscillations. Even further the dampers comprise a load transferring coupling, coupling the first damper part surfaces and the second damper part surfaces, so that the relative movement results in a oscillation-damping dissipation of kinetic energy.
US07837437B2
A method of repairing a turbine nozzle segment having at least one vane disposed between outer and inner bands. The method includes using an salvageable part, such as honeycomb backing strip remnant, from a nozzle segment that is unrepairable, and joining the honeycomb backing strip to a replacement casting. The replacement casting includes a tenon formed on the inner band that mates with a mortise formed on the back side of the honeycomb backing strip. A nozzle segment and nozzle segment casting used in connection with the method is also disclosed.
US07837419B2
An exemplary method for marking molds, the method comprising, configuring a milling machine to operate with a diamond coated bit having an angle of approximately 60 degrees, and engraving a unique identifier on a bottom surface of a borosilicate glass injection molded soldering mold with the milling machine.
US07837418B2
Twist drill with a drill shaft and a cutting part that extends to a drill tip, with spiral chip flutes along the cutting part that form a drill core, wherein the drill diameter and/or core thickness diminish or taper from the drill tip toward the shaft. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.
US07837393B2
A self-aligning roller bearing is provided which includes an inner ring having a double-row raceway, an outer ring having a double-row integral and spherical raceway, a plurality of rollers incorporated between the inner ring raceway and the outer ring raceway on a double-row basis, and a retainer for rotatably retaining the rollers. Processing marks crossing each other are formed on a raceway surface of the spherical raceway of the outer ring. The processing marks are cut substantially straightly at a predetermined crossing angle to the circumferential direction of the raceway surface. The surface roughness of the raceway surface is substantially constant in the axial direction and the circumferential direction thereof at least in a part in contact with the roller.
US07837386B2
The present invention relates to an aseptic pouch (1) for packaging food products, comprising two walls which are bonded together so as to define an internal space (2) which is sterilized and hermetically closed. The pouch (1) further comprises at least one sealing (7; 12) which joins together said walls, extending between opposite sides (5, 6) of the pouch, (1) and defines a neck portion (8) of said internal space (2) and two border portions (9) external to said internal space. Said neck portion (8) is suitable for providing, after opening of the pouch (1), an access to said internal space (2) and said border portions (9) are suitable for providing grips for handling said pouch. The invention also relates to a method for packaging a food product in said aseptic pouch (1).
US07837383B2
The invention is an optical method and apparatus for measuring the temperature of semiconductor substrates in real-time, during thin film growth and wafer processing. Utilizing the nearly linear dependence of the interband optical absorption edge on temperature, the present method and apparatus result in highly accurate measurement of the absorption edge in diffuse reflectance and transmission geometry, in real time, with sufficient accuracy and sensitivity to enable closed loop temperature control of wafers during film growth and processing. The apparatus operates across a wide range of temperatures covering all of the required range for common semiconductor substrates.
US07837378B2
A mixer-extruder assembly may include a hollow cylindrical chamber and a hopper connected to the chamber. A piston drive shaft having a piston attached at one end may be rotatable about a drive shaft axis that is coaxial with the cylindrical chamber. The piston may have one or more mixer blades coupled thereto and rotatable therewith. The piston may be controllably rotated about the drive shaft axis, after input material received by the hopper is delivered into the chamber, causing the mixer blades to rotate and mix the input material with mixing fluid introduced into the chamber. The piston may also be slidably movable from an upper end of the chamber toward the outlet port of the chamber, so that the mixed input material is extruded through the output port of the chamber.
US07837376B2
An image display apparatus comprising a light guide plate, a light-emitting diode (LED), a first transparent substrate and a second transparent substrate is provided. Light generated from the LED is guided into the light guide plate through the edge thereof, and outwardly projected through the two opposite surfaces of the light guide plate. Thus, a pattern being disposed in front of the first transparent substrate or the second transparent substrate would be lighted up.
US07837373B2
An exemplary optical plate includes at least one transparent plate unit. The transparent plate unit includes a first surface, a second surface, a plurality of encircling protrusions, a plurality of elongated V-shaped protrusions and a lamp-receiving portion. The second surface is opposite to the first surface. The encircling protrusions are formed at the first surface. The elongated V-shaped protrusions are formed at the second surface. The lamp-receiving portion is defined in one of the first surface and the second surface. A backlight module using the optical plate is also provided.
US07837361B2
Light control devices (76, 80, 82) implemented with diffusers exhibiting controllable diffusion characteristics provide anisotropic luminous intensity distributions and glare control at high viewing angles while maintaining high luminaire efficiency or daylight utilization.
US07837360B2
An optical module includes: point light sources; and an optical lens being spaced apart from the point light sources with an air layer therebetween and asymmetrically refracting and emitting a light incident from the point light sources.
US07837358B2
A light-emitting diode module with a heat dissipating structure includes a metal substrate and a plurality of light-emitting diode dies mounted on a face of the metal substrate. A jacket has a coupling surface engaged with the other face of the metal substrate. A heat conduction pipe includes a portion received in a longitudinal hole of the jacket. The coupling surface of the jacket has an opening in communication with the longitudinal hole. A portion of an outer periphery of the portion of the heat conduction pipe is in direct, thermal contact with the other face of the metal substrate through the opening of the jacket to absorb heat generated by the light-emitting diode dies. A finned heat sink is mounted on another portion of the heat conduction pipe outside the jacket to dissipate heat transferred to the heat conduction pipe into the environment.
US07837348B2
A light emitting apparatus has a radiation source for emitting multi-colored radiation. A diffuser material receives at least a portion of the multi-colored radiation emitted by the radiation source and converts the multi-colored radiation into forward transferred radiation and back transferred radiation. An optic device is coupled to the diffuser material and is adapted to receive the back transferred radiation and extract at least a portion of the back transferred radiation from the optic device.
US07837341B2
A deformable mirror device includes a flexible member formed so as to be deformable and having a mirror surface formed on its front surface, and a pressure generating section configured so that a direction of generation of a pressure to be applied to the flexible member is variable.
US07837332B2
Laser projection systems are provided comprising a laser source, scanning optics, beam splitting optics, and a scanning controller. According to one embodiment, the laser source is configured to produce at least two optical beams having different emission wavelength spectrums. The beam splitting optics are positioned downstream of the scanning optics and are configured to generate wavelength-dependent spatial misalignment of the two optical beams in the image plane by splitting the two optical beams into spatially misaligned propagating axes. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the beam splitting optics are positioned downstream of the scanning optics and are configured to generate polarization-dependent spatial misalignment of the two optical beams.
US07837325B2
Designing a progressive addition lens includes using scaled surface powers and/or cylinder powers of base curves to determine a set of power targets, and using these targets to determine a lens design.
US07837322B2
A printing apparatus is provided with a circulation route through which a print sheet can be circulated a minimum number of times to avoid the overall print process time from being elongated. The circulation route includes an ordinary transportation route CR which transports a print sheet for printing and discharging through a discharge route, and a switchback route SR which is connected to the ordinary transportation route CR as a branch, such that the print sheet can be circulated a plural number of times. The printing apparatus is provided further with a print coverage detecting unit 332c for calculating the print coverage of each print sheet, a circulation repeat number determination unit 332b for determining the number of circulations for each print sheet in accordance with the print coverage, a paper discharge control unit 334a for selectively discharging each print sheet in accordance with the number of circulations.
US07837315B2
A cavity unit for use in an ink jet recording head, including plate members which stacked on each other and having an ink-introducing passage, a filter portion which removes foreign matters from introduced ink, two communication chambers which communicate with each other through the filter portion, and nozzles each of which ejects a droplet of the ink. The plate members include a filter plate including the filter portion, and a guide-passage plate which is provided adjacent the filter plate and which has, on an upstream side of an upstream-side one of the two communication chambers with respect to an ink-flow path, a guide passage which causes the introduced ink to flow, before the ink flows into the upstream-side communication chamber, in a direction along one surface of the filter plate.
US07837311B2
An ink cartridge includes an ink chamber, a communication path configured to dispense ink from an interior of the ink chamber to an exterior of the ink chamber, and a valve member disposed within the communication path. The valve member is configured to selectively open and close the communication path. The ink cartridge also includes an elastic, and the elastic member has a first opening formed therethrough. Moreover, the ink cartridge includes a cap member connected to the elastic member, such that the elastic member is positioned between the cap member and the valve member, and the cap member has a second opening formed therethrough and a chamber formed therein. In addition, a portion of the chamber is aligned with the first opening.
US07837308B2
A protector for an ink cartridge container including a containing case body, an ink inlet for a recording head, a cartridge containing part into which an ink cartridge is removably insertable, and a door body capable of opening and closing an opening opposed to the ink inlet with the cartridge containing part sandwiched therebetween, the protector includes a protective cap unit including: a main body; a supporting rod protruded toward the ink inlet from the main body; a guiding funnel formed at a front edge of the supporting rod; and an elastic cap provided at an inner diametrical portion of the guiding funnel and capable of coming into close contact with the ink inlet, wherein the main body, the guiding funnel and the elastic cap has a symmetrical shape with respect to an axis of the ink inlet.
US07837307B2
In an ink-jet printing a succession of ink droplets are projected along a longitudinal trajectory at a target substrate. A group of droplets is selected from the succession in the trajectory, and this the group of droplets is combined by electrostatically accelerating upstream droplets of the group and/or decelerating downstream droplets of the group into a single drop.
US07837306B2
A valve unit includes a valve portion arranged in a laminate body operable to open and close a flow passage; a drive portion that generates drive force for driving the valve portion; and a transmission portion arranged between the valve portion and the drive portion for transmitting the drive force of the drive portion to the valve portion. The laminate body includes: a first plate member including the drive portion; and a second plate member including a hole functioning as part of the flow passage; and a third plate member arranged above the second plate member and including a plate spring so as to urge the valve portion to a closing position. The valve portion pivots and inclines about a position in contact with the plate spring based on the drive force from the drive portion.
US07837303B2
An inkjet printhead includes a substrate having an ink feed hole formed therethrough and a plurality of ink drop generators formed on the substrate. The drop generators define a stagger pattern, and the ink feed hole defines a sidewall that is shaped so as to match the stagger pattern. In one embodiment, a support membrane is embedded in the substrate along an edge of the ink feed hole.
US07837302B2
An inkjet nozzle array includes a plurality of nozzles. Each nozzle includes a chamber having an input aperture adapted to receive ink into the chamber and an output aperture through which ink is ejected from the chamber. Each chamber further includes a window adapted to receive electromagnetic radiation and operable to heat ink in the chamber responsive to the electromagnetic radiation and eject an ink droplet through the output aperture.
US07837301B2
When the driving printed wires from the drive IC are passed between the terminal lands and connected to respective terminal lands, and the printed wires of a number greater than the number of printed wires that can be passed between the terminal lands are required, the driving printed wires from the drive IC are led on the outer side of the columns of the plurality of terminal lands and connected to respective terminal lands.
US07837289B2
A method of printing with overlapped segments of a segmented printhead is provided in which at least one temperature sensor on the printhead measures temperatures of adjacent segments to determine an overlapped region of the adjacent segments, an overlap signal indicative of the determined overlapped region is output from the temperature sensor to a half toning circuit, and the half toning circuit adjusts, using the received overlap signal, a half toning firing pattern of a continuous tone image for coextensive nozzles of the adjacent segments within the determined overlapped region such that VA+VB is greater than V, where VA and VB are respective independent dither matrix values of the adjacent segments and V is a continuous tone value to be represented.
US07837282B2
A cabinet includes side panels, a back panel, and a top panel that frictionally-attach together with non-intrusive integrally-formed connectors. The illustrated base is screw-attached, and includes openings for routing wiring within the cabinet. Brackets are adapted to support shelves in the cabinet in either a flush or inset condition, and at different heights based on which cabinet slots they engage and based on their orientation in those slots. A light-transmitting top panel and top shelf can be used to provide improved light within the cabinet. Hinge brackets on the cabinet support either a thick door with internal storage space, a proud door or an inset door. Drawers supported in the cabinet include a lock within the drawer's header for operating a vertical cabinet lock rod.
US07837272B2
An upholstered structure including an upholstery material for a chair or a backrest of a chair is proposed, which may achieve: reduced proportion of the appearance of the rear frame of the backrest over the appearance of the whole chair; more sophisticated design; reduced weight; reduced number of parts; and improved assemble-ability. In the chair having the backrest upholstered with the upholstery material over the front surface of the rear frame, the rear frame comprises a front frame to which the peripheral edge part of the upholstery material is fixed and an upper reinforcement frame rod. The laterally facing upper reinforcement frame rod is connected at its both ends to both ends of the laterally facing upper frame rod at the top of the front frame with the center part of the upper reinforcement frame rod separated backward from the upper frame rod.
US07837267B2
A juvenile vehicle seat includes a seat base adapted to set on a vehicle seat and a foldable backrest associated with the seat base. The juvenile vehicle seat also includes a backrest lock coupled to the foldable backrest.
US07837250B2
To reliably prevent lifting of a roof panel when the roof panel is fully closed. To provide a roof panel (12) to a vehicle body (1) capable of opening/closing a vehicle cabin space (11), a link mechanism (3) for supporting the roof panel (12) at the vehicle body (1) having a front connecting link (33) rotatably connected to both of the vehicle body (1) and the roof panel (12), and a rear connecting link (34) rotatably connected to both of the vehicle body (1) and the roof panel (12) at rear side of a vehicle relative to front connecting link (33), and link restricting mechanism (500) for restricting the rear connecting link (34) to the vehicle body (1) when the roof panel (12) is in fully closed state over the vehicle cabin space (11).
US07837246B2
The present invention relates to a device in intermediate- or extension pieces, which are often designated for example middle yoke, frame, etc., for interconnection with a goods handling or hoisting device which is often designated, for example, yoke, 5 spreader etc. so as to permit handling or hoisting of goods platforms which are often designated flats, flat racks, etc., with corner boxes for cooperation with twist locking pins (V) of the goods handling or hoisting device, the intermediate- or extension pieces being in the form of a beam arrangement in the form of two mutually interconnected ends (5, 6) with one leg (1, 2, 3, 4) at each end, a twist locking 10 pin (13) being disposed in each leg (1, 2, 3, 4) and there being disposed, at one end of each leg, a part (60, 61, 62, 63) switchable in a direction up out of the leg (1, 2, 3, 4) for actuating a mechanism for twisting the twist locking pin (13) in the leg (1, 2, 3, 4) on switching of said part (60, 61, 62, 63) in a direction up out of the leg (1, 2, 3, 4).
US07837245B2
A hollow crane spreader beam incorporates at least one radio-controlled load-release assemblies. Each assembly includes a slidable bolt that is coupled to the plunger of an electric-motor-driven, radio-controlled door lock unit that is installed within the beam. When in a first position, taken in response to application of first polarity voltage to the door lock motor, the bolt traps a free end of a load-supporting chain or cable between a pair of eye blocks, each having an aperture through which the bolt slides. When in a second position, taken in response to application of a second polarity voltage, the bolt releases the free end. The spreader beam also incorporates a radio receiver/controller unit and a battery that is coupled to both the radio receiver/controller unit and the multiple door lock units.
US07837241B2
A two point lock includes two pivotally mounted security hooks having sliding faces that engage sliding faces of a spring-loaded mishandling pin when the mishandling pin is vertically extended and the security hooks are rotatably retracted. The mishandling pin is vertically retracted when it abuts a jamb. When the mishandling pin is vertically retracted, the sliding faces disengage so that the security hooks can rotate to lock onto a striker on the jamb. Thus, the mishandling pin prevents the security hooks from being slammed into the striker before a door or a window is fully closed.
US07837239B2
A pipe coupling including an annular clamp having an opening at least one end of its axial length for inserting therein a pipe, the annular clamp including two clamp members, an annular inclined surface extending axially from each of the clamp members, a wedge-shaped gripper arranged for sliding and abutting against the annular inclined surface, and a fastener that fastens the clamp members towards each other in a direction transverse to the axial length so as to apply a radially-inward clamping force on the pipe inserted in the opening and a radially-inward clamping force on the annular inclined surface that moves and wedges the wedge-shaped gripper in an axial direction between the annular inclined surface and the pipe.
US07837237B2
A combination of two bodies having tube-shaped or sleeve-shaped connecting sections which can be plugged into one another as part of an air-conditioning line system in an aircraft, the combination including at least one radial locking projection on a first body, at least one locking clearance on a second body which is completely surrounded by a rim, at least one lead-in clearance which is angularly offset in the peripheral direction in relation to the appertaining locking clearance, and at least one releasing groove associated with each locking clearance and disposed angularly offset in the peripheral direction on the opposite side of the appertaining lead-in clearance.
US07837234B2
A pipe joint unit includes a first pipe member with a male joint, a second pipe member with a female joint, and a pipe joint member coupling the first pipe member and the second pipe member. The male joint is received in the female joint such that an outer peripheral surface of the male joint is opposed to an inner peripheral surface of the female joint. The pipe joint member includes an engagement part that is elastically displaceable in the radial direction, and engages with the first and second pipe members. The male joint and the female joint have rotation restricting parts on the outer peripheral surface and the inner peripheral surface, respectively, for restricting relative rotation of the first and second pipe members.
US07837216B1
A tow bar apparatus has a hitch member, a pair of linkages, and a pair of tow bars. The hitch member has a receiver tube adapted to removably engage a towing vehicle, and a vertical pivot post having a vertical axis that is generally orthogonal to the surface when the hitch member is mounted on the towing vehicle. Each of the pair of linkages connects the hitch member to a proximal end of one of the pair of tow bars. Each linkage includes a vertical aperture that pivotally mounts the linkage on the vertical pivot post, and a horizontal pivot pin attached to one of the pair of tow bars. A towed vehicle attachment element of a distal end of each of the tow bars is adapted to be removably attached to the towed vehicle.
US07837214B2
A rear fork for a bicycle, including a brake caliper support, mounted in rotation about the axle of the rear wheel and a hub carrier, fixed to the wheel axle, including a lower arm connected at a first end to the hub carrier and at a second end to the frame of the bicycle, and an upper arm, extending from the hub carrier to the frame. A connector link is arranged between the brake caliper and the lower arm, and the distance between the point of connection of the connector link on the lower arm and the connection of the lower arm to the hub carrier is at least equal to a third of the distance between the connection of the lower arm to the hub carrier and the connection of the lower arm to the frame.
US07837209B2
A person rides the Tri-Axial Control Device standing on pedal assemblies. The pedal assemblies are attached to a control axial member thus forming the Tri-Axial Control Device. The control axial member on the vertical stick, can rotate fore and aft, and turns the front skis and/or wheels. Changing the angle of the vertical stick side-to-side changes the pedal angle. If the rider falls forward the front stick can rotate away. Various torsion controls rod assemblies and pedal assemblies can be utilized to create a unique tri axial device. The device can be folded, is lightweight and can be manufactured without welding. No special equipment or training is required to operate the device. In addition to its entertainment uses, the mounting device for portable electronics can also be used for added safety by adding a global positioning system or other electronic signal device, allowing safety personnel to locate the rider.
US07837206B1
A wheeled article carrier is operational in either one of two conditions. A frame with a horizontal base is supported by three or four wheels with a vertical member upstanding from the base. A receptacle may be attached to the frame. A telescoping handle extends above the frame. The frame may be pulled by the handle to roll on two of the wheels. A foot board is retracted to lie securely along the vertical member. In the second condition, the carrier becomes a scooter, with the foot board extending horizontally from the base, with two of the wheels supporting the distal end of the board and the proximal end of the board fixed to the base and supported by the one or two other wheels attached to the base. A steering mechanism connects the one or two wheels on the base to the handle so that the rider may steer the scooter.
US07837198B2
A symbol display device for a game machine includes a reel unit having a plurality of reels, each having a peripheral surface with a plurality of peripheral symbols. A reel supporting member that supports the reels rotatably and independently includes a lateral wall having a plurality of lateral symbols arranged around the rotational axis of the end reel, whereby any one of the lateral symbols is indicated by a pointer that rotates about the rotational axis of the end reel. A pivoting unit pivots the reel unit to a first angular position where the peripheral surfaces of the reels are observable and to a second angular position where the pointer and the lateral symbols on the lateral wall of the reel supporting member are observable. The pivoting unit is located above the reel unit.
US07837197B2
An apparatus for playing a game comprising a playing surface 4.2) having a first area (14) and a second area (17), a projectile (24), at least two propulsion devices (8). First and second sets of playing pieces {12,16) are provided, each playing piece having a lower peg portion, and a substrate (18) overlaying and spaced above the playing surface and extending across both the first and second areas of the playing surface. In a game, the playing pieces are located on the substrate above the first area of the playing surface, with their peg portions extending below the substrate, and each propulsion device is capable of propelling the projectile such that the projectile can impact with a peg portion of a playing piece and thereby dislodge the playing piece.
US07837196B2
There is provided a connection apparatus for connecting an image forming apparatus and a plurality of sheet post-processing apparatuses. This connection apparatus has a flapper portion for switching a plurality of conveying paths going toward the plurality of sheet post-processing apparatuses. Sensors are provided near inlet rollers and near output rollers, respectively. Outputs of the sensors are inputted to a wired OR circuit, so that an output of the wired OR circuit is supplied to a CPU of one of the connected sheet post-processing apparatuses.
US07837193B2
Systems and methods for positioning a sheet in a feed path including at least one sheet drive roller driven in a rotational direction by a drive shaft in which the drive shaft translates in a lengthwise direction along the axis of the drive shaft. A power shaft rotates about the same axis as the drive shaft and is driven by a power source that is fixedly mounted in the system. The power shaft is fixed to the drive shaft by a flexible coupling that allows the drive shaft and the power shaft to move relative to one another in the lengthwise direction along the axis while maintaining corresponding rotational motion between the power shaft and the drive shaft.
US07837182B2
A dust boot retention system includes a jounce bumper having an end portion with an outer diameter and an annular recessed groove adjacent to the end portion. A dust boot is attached to the jounce bumper and has an upper flange including a radially inwardly extending portion and an axially extending portion extending from an innermost portion of the radially inwardly extending portion. The axially extending portion has an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the end portion of the jounce bumper. A rate ring secures the dust boot to the jounce bumper. The rate ring includes an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the end portion of the jounce bumper. The rate ring includes an annular recessed channel in a first end thereof for receiving the axially extending portion of the dust boot. The rate ring and the upper flange are press fit over the end portion of the jounce bumper whereby the rate ring is received in the annular recessed groove and secures the end portion of the dust boot to the jounce bumper.
US07837176B2
Methods and apparatus for positioning an orifice plate within a body having a straight flowbore. One embodiment includes a carrier supporting the orifice plate and a drive member operable to engage the carrier and move the carrier along a first axis perpendicular to the flowbore. The drive member is also operable to limit the movement of the carrier along a second axis perpendicular to the flowbore and perpendicular to the first axis. A pin is operable to engage the carrier so as to limit movement along the first axis.
US07837175B2
The invention provides an actuator for moving a threaded valve stem along a longitudinal axis to selectively open or close a valve. The actuator comprises a carrier rotatably mounted within a housing. A portion of the carrier has a bore threaded to receive the threaded valve stem. The actuator further comprises a gear arrangement configured for transmitting a rotational force to the carrier. A cylindrical operator rotatably mounted to the housing has a plurality of splines on its circumference and is configured for receiving a rotational input force from a drive mechanism. An annular collar slidably disposed around the operator rotates with the operator but can slide longitudinally along the operator between a first position in which it engages the gear arrangement and a second position in which it engages the carrier.
US07837174B2
A formwork assembly for casting a concrete structure includes a support member for supporting a conventional armature grid if any, further including at least one liquid-tight and load-bearing formwork wall connected to the support member. The formwork wall includes at least two panels, each defining a peripheral edging having at least one first dovetail joint element about its peripheral edging. Each formwork wall also has a panel connector having at least two second dovetail joint elements, each second dovetail joint element being complementary to the first dovetail joint element of a corresponding panel and is interlocked with the first dovetail joint element of a corresponding panel to form a dovetail joint, the connector holding the panels in an edgewisely juxtaposed fashion to form a continuous formwork wall. The formwork assembly includes a securing member for securing the connector and panels together, and a supporting structure for supporting the formwork wall.
US07837173B2
According to various exemplary embodiments, an apparatus is provided for mounting a rearview display and one or more electronic components in a vehicle. An example of the apparatus comprises an inside rearview assembly for mounting an electronic component near a windshield of a vehicle including a mirror and an adjustable support connected to the mirror. The rearview assembly also includes a bracket configured to mount on the windshield, including an attaching structure configured to attach the bracket to the windshield and a support frame coupled to the attaching structure. The support frame has a portion set off from the windshield to accommodate the electronic component between the windshield and the set off portion. The support frame is connected to the adjustable support.
US07837171B1
The invention is a purse hanger with an extendible shelf, balance arms, and a key ring. The purse hanger engages tables and other relatively flat surfaces, including tables with flat sides.
US07837168B2
The application includes various embodiments of devices and methods for mounting a motor within an image forming apparatus. The motor is mounted on a frame and positioned to engage and drive a component within the image forming apparatus. In one embodiment, the component is an imaging unit. The frame includes an opening to receive the motor. A locating member is attached to the frame and extends into the opening to contact the motor and provide accurate positioning for engagement with the component. The locating ring provides for a press fit with lower forces. Additional fasteners may fixedly connect the motor to the frame and maintain the accurate positioning provided by the locating member.
US07837165B2
Article mounting apparatus is provided for mounting an article such as a plant container to a support such as a lamp post. The apparatus includes a first bracket for mounting to a support, and a second bracket associated with the article. The first and second brackets are arranged to be mountable together to an engaged position by mutual relative movement in a first direction, and movable from the engaged position to a locked position by mutual relative movement in a second direction, the second direction being different to the first direction. The first and second brackets are arranged so that in the locked position, mutually relative movement of the brackets in a direction substantially opposite to the first direction is substantially prevented.
US07837132B2
An automated sprayer for spraying the walls of a shower enclosure with a liquid cleanser dispenses the cleanser using a pumping system and rotatable spray head. The sprayer has a showerhead mountable housing with an adjustable hanger. There is a portion of the housing for supporting a bottle of cleanser in an inverted fashion. The bottle is vented through a piercing post. A single motor both drives the pump and rotates the spray head.
US07837129B2
A metering device for dispensing a medium to an environment is provided. The metering device includes a housing, a shallow metering chamber within the housing which is of planar design and is essentially closed off from the environment by wall sections, a first media inlet which is connected to the metering chamber and can be connected to a media reservoir, and a vibration mechanism which is arranged in such a manner that vibrations generated by the vibration mechanism cause pulsing changes in volume of an internal volume of the metering chamber. A wall section which is designed as an outlet wall section has metering openings so that the metering chamber is connected to the environment. The vibration mechanism forms a vibration wall section so that the metering chamber is delimited.
US07837127B2
The invention relates to a ventilation system for exchanging the air in a room with outside air, which system comprises: A fine wire heat exchanger having a first channel and a second channel, which channels are in heat-exchanging contact with each other, and wherein the first channel has an inlet connected to outside air and an outlet connected to the air in the room, and wherein the second channel has an inlet connected to the air in the room and an outlet connected to the outside air; balancing means for balancing the flow in both channels, such that the heat transfer is maximized. The invention also relates to a combination of a façade, a room on the inside of and adjacent to the façade and a ventilation system, wherein the inlet of the first channel of the system is connected to outside air on the outside of the façade and the outlet is connected to the air in the room, and wherein the inlet of the second channel is connected to the air in the room and the outlet is connected to the outside air.
US07837119B2
The invention relates to an apparatus as well as a method for reliably determining the deliberate use of a contactless data carrier. Beside an antenna-based data transmission channel in dependence on the data to be transmitted additionally an optical data transmission channel between reading device and data carrier can be employed.
US07837118B2
The present invention relates to a process for producing an opaque, transparent or translucent transaction card having multiple features, such as a holographic foil, integrated circuit chip, silver magnetic stripe with text on the magnetic stripe, opacity gradient, an invisible optically recognizable compound, a translucent signature field such that the signature on back of the card is visible from the front of the card and an active thru date on the front of the card. The invisible optically recognizable compound is an infrared ink and/or film, which can be detected by a sensor found in an ATM or card assembly line.
US07837085B1
A seal design provides positive compression to produce a hermetic seal around a feedthrough pin in a hermetically sealed device, including an implantable medical device. One embodiment of the seal design uses a plurality of “micro-flanges” placed along the length of a feedthrough pin, which micro-flanges grabs and compresses the insulator material to form a hermetic seal. Because the seal design produces positive compression of the insulator, the seal is relatively insensitive to changes in temperature and to differences in thermal expansion coefficients (“TCEs”) between the metal feedthrough and the insulator. It is therefore possible to use a wider variety of materials for the insulator and the feedthrough with the described sealing design, while achieving a superior hermetic seal.
US07837082B2
A friction stir tool has an axis of rotation and a welding tip that is made of powdered metal material.
US07837052B2
Apparatus and related methods for a container lid include a pull structure affixed to at least one end of a tamper evident tearstrip and positioned in an outer flange of the lid, the pull structure having a portion shaped to receive and engage a manipulator such as at least one finger of a user's hand, to assist the user to initiate tearing of the tearstrip from the lid. The shaped portion of the pull structure is configured to eliminate the need to grip the tearstrip between opposing digits of the user's hand. The lid may further include an extendible connection member positioned on at least one end of the tearstrip in an area or space generally defined as a “well.” Among other things, the extendible connection member can provide additional flex to a hinge portion of the lid, without destroying the subsequent tamper-evidencing value of the lid. A satellite ring may be attached to or provided on the lid or container to provide further tamper evidencing and protection to the lid assembly.
US07837048B2
A multi-colored transparent or semi-transparent container having at least two discrete sidewall regions, each discrete region having a different transparent color such that when the container is viewed it exhibits multiple transparent colors or gradations of color. The container may have a generally polygonal or round cross section. The container may further include a transparent, semi-transparent or transparent colored inscription or image, as well as a light source for illuminating the inscription or image.
US07837047B2
A joint arrangement for connecting a drawbar to a carriage includes a push/pull device for the transmission of pushing and pulling forces arranged at the carriage end of the drawbar. The push/pull device comprises a mid-piece connected to the carriage side end of the drawbar, extending the drawbar in the longitudinal direction thereof which extends through an opening provided in the baseplate. A front spring plate and a rear spring plate are provided on the mid-piece with a front spring element between the front spring plate and the baseplate in the drawbar longitudinal direction and a corresponding rear spring element is provided between the baseplate and the rear spring plate. The front spring element and the rear spring element enclose the mid-piece of the push/pull device with a positive fit in order to guide and support the mid-piece of the push/pull device in the most effective manner possible within the baseplate and are themselves supported in the vertical direction on the baseplate and in particular on a recess region provided in the baseplate.
US07837044B2
The apparatus includes first and second side walls, and a bottom wall having a first, a second, a third and a fourth side edge. A lower edge of the first side wall is secured to the first side edge, and a lower edge of the second side wall is secured to the third side edge. A door is rotatably coupled to a front edge of the first side wall and latchable proximate to a front edge of the second side wall. When latched, a bottom edge of the door is located at a pre-determined distance from the second side edge of the bottom wall. The first and second side walls, the bottom wall and the door form a substantially rectangular enclosure when first and second cross-members, fixedly attached to respective top and bottom back edges of the first and second side walls, are affixed to a vertical structure.
US07837038B2
A gift package includes: a box body having a partitioning plate dividing an inner space in the box body into first and second chambers and adapted to abut against an article, the box body being provided with a lid for covering and uncovering an access opening of the box body; a signal output unit mounted in the second chamber; a circuit board mounted securely in the second chamber and provided with a controller that is electrically coupled to the signal output unit for controlling activation and deactivation of the signal output unit; and a switch operable through a selected one of the lid and the article to activate the signal output unit.
US07837025B2
A centring drum for filter assembly machines, the centring drum having external axial seats movable with the centring drum about a longitudinal axis of rotation, and for receiving respective double filters, at least some of which are offset laterally, along the relative seats, with respect to a central transverse reference plane; each seat housing a respective stop member movable with the relative seat about the longitudinal axis of rotation, and located on a respective side of the reference plane to define a centred position of the relative double filter, and a push device for moving the relative double filter axially onto the relative stop member; the stop members defining a first and a second succession of stop members, which are located on opposite sides of the reference plane and are both connected to a position adjusting device movable about the longitudinal axis of rotation and for moving the two successions equally and oppositely along the longitudinal axis of rotation.
US07837017B2
A high-friction fluid seal used for high-friction sealing, comprising a fluid seal lip provided on the working fluid filling side to intercept a working fluid; and a dust lip provided on the working fluid non-filling side (the outer side) of the fluid seal lip to intercept dust coming from the outside, wherein the thickness of a working fluid film formed on the extension stroke by the dust lip is smaller than the thickness of a working fluid film formed on the extension stroke by the fluid seal lip.
US07837014B2
A disk brake kit including a pair of brake pads disposed on opposite sides of a brake disc and carried from calipers suspended from a kit frame indexed to predetermined land marks on the wheel housing.
US07837004B2
A steering assisting system has a variable transfer ratio steering apparatus and an electric power steering apparatus. The variable transfer ratio steering apparatus has an electric motor for a rotation transfer ratio varying operation. When a predetermined failure occurs in the electric power steering apparatus, the motor is driven to assist the steering operation of the steering wheel. Therefore, without providing the electric power steering apparatus in two sets, the power-assisting torque generation can be continued even when the electric power steering apparatus fails to generate the power-assisting torque.
US07836996B2
A pedestrian protection system is mounted in the front portion of a vehicle, and includes a controller, a forward movement holding mechanism controlled in actuation by the controller, and a contact body that a pedestrian can contact. The controller, when having predicted a collision of a pedestrian with the vehicle based on a signal from a collision predicting sensor, actuates the forward movement holding mechanism to cause a forward movement of the contact body, and based on a signal from a turn sensor when the forward movement holding mechanism carries out an upward rotation or a downward rotation at the time of contact of the forwardly moved contact body with a pedestrian, controls actuation of the restraint body so as to correspond to a pedestrian moving to a front upper side of the vehicle and a pedestrian moving to a front lower side of the vehicle, respectively.
US07836993B2
A hydraulic circuit including a first motor set, and a second motor set for driving vehicle-moving means situated one behind the other. The circuit has first, second, third, and fourth main ducts for feeding the motor sets in parallel. The device includes a selector suitable for taking up a first stable position making the feeding in parallel possible by interconnecting in pairs the feed and discharge main ducts, and for taking up a second stable position in which one of the motor sets is inactive because one of the main ducts is connected to one of main ducts of the other set. Between the stable positions, the selector can take up a temporary position, in which all four main ducts are interconnected. At least while the selector is moving in one direction between its two stable positions, the temporary position is sustained in an intermediate stage during which at least one of the interconnections between the main ducts of the first and second motor sets is constricted.
US07836981B2
Cutting elements are provided having substrates including end surfaces. TSP material layers extend over only a portion of the end surfaces or extend into the substrates below the end surfaces. Bits incorporating such cutting elements are also provided.
US07836978B2
A drill bit or milling tool includes a bit body on which a plurality of cutting elements are disposed. At least some of the plurality of cutting elements include a diamond table and a superabrasive material non-reactive with iron-based materials disposed over at least a portion of an exterior surface of the diamond table. The diamond table is suitable for drilling through a subterranean formation and the non-reactive superabrasive material is suitable for drilling through a casing or casing-associated component comprising an iron-based material and disposed within the subterranean formation. The diamond table may comprise a PDC and the non-reactive superabrasive material may comprise cubic boron nitride.
US07836975B2
A bottom hole assembly for drilling a cavity including a chassis configured to rotate is provided. The chassis may include a conduit, a circuit, a pressure transfer device, a plurality of pistons, a plurality of valves, and a plurality of cutters. The conduit may accept a first flow of a primary fluid. The circuit may have a second flow of a secondary fluid. The pressure transfer device may be configured to transfer pressure between the flows. The pistons may be operably coupled with the circuit, and each piston may be configured to move based at least in part on a pressure of the circuit at that piston, with the valves possibly configured to control a pressure of the circuit at each piston. Each cutter may be coupled with one of the pistons.
US07836974B2
A method of logging a wellbore comprises drilling a first wellbore to a depth using a drilling rig and drilling a second wellbore to a depth using the drilling rig. While the second wellbore is being drilled a logging operation is conducted in the first wellbore using the drilling rig. The logging operation can be conducted in the first wellbore via a wireline logging tool.
US07836963B2
A system which is sufficiently compact and portable to be moved via skid support platform to a multi-wheel diesel-powered host containing active pump and roll capability with front and rear active hydraulics, such as a Bobcat Toolcat Turbo 5600. The system contains a water tank, generally 150 gallons, as well as built in foam tank. The system is wholly powered by the hydraulic system of the host vehicle powering a hydraulic motor on the system. The system hydraulic motor turns a serpentine belt at sufficient RPM's to power a water pump, air compressor and the compressed air foam system (CAFS) module. Using solely the power provided by the hydraulic motor, water is drawn from the tank, either used alone or mixed with foam at the percentage inputted by the user. Compressed air is added and the air alone, water alone or water/foam mixture is routed via adjustable valve to either the 1 inch firefighters hose or the rigid waterway ending in an adjustable, movable nozzle attached to the cab roof of the host.
US07836962B2
An apparatus and method for operating a packer and a fracture valve is shown. The packer may include a tubular mandrel having a longitudinal bore with an annular packing element and a first piston disposed around the mandrel, wherein the first piston is operable to set the packing element, and a second piston operable to isolate fluid communication between the first piston and the mandrel bore. The fracture valve may include a tubular mandrel having a longitudinal bore and a port, a piston operable to close fluid communication between the bore and the port, and a latch disposed between the piston and the mandrel operable to resist movement of the piston.
US07836956B2
A method for positional control of an actuator includes applying pressure to both an input line and an output line connected to the actuator and then releasing a predetermined volume of fluid from the output line, thereby displacing a piston of the actuator a corresponding predetermined distance. A system for positional control of an actuator includes the actuator included in a well tool positioned in a well; the input line connected to the actuator and extending to a remote location; the output line connected to the actuator and extending to the remote location; and a fluid volume measurement device connected to the output line at the remote location. The fluid volume measurement device is operative to meter the predetermined volume of fluid from the output line.
US07836955B2
An electrical wireline conveyed baling system for removing large volumes of liquids from a well borehole with a single trip of a bailer tool string. The system also utilizes one or more blow out preventers thereby allowing wireline bailing operations to be carried out while controlling well pressure. A bailer tool string that is conveyed by the wireline comprises a tool head containing a pump, at least one carrier section, and a no-return valve. Once deployed in the borehole, a first signal transmitted via the wireline from the surface activates the pump thereby reducing pressure within the carrier section. A second signal transmitted via the wireline from the surface opens the no-return valve thereby allowing liquid to flow from the borehole into the carrier section. The bailer tool string containing liquid is subsequently retrieved via the wireline thereby removing liquid from the borehole. A plurality of carrier sections can be axially stacked and deployed thereby increasing liquid bailing capacity while still maintaining well pressure control.
US07836954B2
Methods and compositions that include a method of cementing comprising providing a cement composition comprising water, a hydraulic cement, and an additive comprising at least one additive selected from the group consisting of a stevia retarder and inulin; placing the cement composition in a subterranean formation; and permitting the cement composition to set in the formation.
US07836950B2
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for conveying an electrically energized hydraulic pump into a wellbore surrounded by steel casing and thereafter using that hydraulic pump to pump oil, water and gas to the surface of the earth. The apparatus may be used as a well tractor conveyance system to service a perforated steel cased wellbore located in a geological formation that incorporates means to prevent any reverse fluid flow into the geological formation through any perforations in the steel cased wellbore during movement within the wellbore of the tractor conveyance means.
US07836946B2
A system and method for reducing wear to radial seals in a rotating control device. The seals may be cooled by a thermal transfer fluid circulating through a passageway making more than one pass. Also, the differential pressure between multiple seals may be regulated and lowered, thereby increasing seal life.
US07836945B2
An exhaust gas heat exchanger system of a combustion engine has a bypass duct and a heat exchanger duct with a heat exchanger. A valve is controlled by determining when heat is to be transferred from exhaust gas flowing through the exhaust system to the heat exchanger. When heat is to be transferred, the valve is switched into a first position in which all of the exhaust gas flows through the heat exchanger duct. A pressure drop across the heat exchanger system is monitored either directly or indirectly. If the pressure drop reaches a predefined limit, the valve is switched into an intermediate position, resulting in a smaller portion of the exhaust gas flowing through the heat exchanger duct than when the valve is in the first position and a remaining portion flowing through the bypass duct, thereby reducing the pressure drop across the heat exchanger system. If the pressure drop again reaches a predefined limit, the valve is switched into a second position, resulting in an even smaller portion of the exhaust gas flowing through the heat exchanger duct, thereby further reducing the pressure drop across the heat exchanger system.
US07836937B2
A shade for architectural opening incorporating a single cord drive featuring automatic braking of the shade when the user releases the drive cord. In a preferred embodiment, an automatic tilt-open mechanism is provided to tilt the shade open when the shade is in the fully extended down position.
US07836935B2
An apparatus for providing uniform axial load distribution for laminate layers of multilayer ceramic chip carriers includes a base plate configured to support a plurality of green sheet layers thereon, the base plate having at least one resiliently mounted load support bar disposed adjacent outer edges of the base plate. The load support bar is mounted on one or more biasing members such that the top surface of the support bar extends above the top surface of the base plate by a selected distance.
US07836933B2
The invention relates to a fiber strip splicer for taping machines, formed by two mobile assemblies comprising respective modules (6,6′) between which the capture for joining the fiber strip (3) that is being fed to the application process and a strip (3′) intended to continue with the supply when the first strip ends is possible, the modules (6, 6′) incorporating heating means (10) to activate the fiber strips in the joining, a blade for cutting the excess of the finished fiber strip (3) after the joint, and a catch (16) for securing the end of the new fiber strip (3′) on standby for the joining.
US07836931B2
An automated tape head assembly for a multiple axis tape laying machine includes a tape supply reel and a tape compaction roller. Tape from the supply reel passes through the space between the two independent structures of the supply reel and compaction roller defining a tape path that substantially maintains a zero Gaussian curvature of the tape. The tape path is a curved path referred to as a compliance loop that results from a substantially or partially unrestrained curved path between the supply reel and the compaction roller. This structure allows the compaction roller to shift laterally and vertically with respect to the supply reel while the supply reel is in a fixed position with respect to the tape head assembly generally. This structure also allows the compaction roller to roll, steer, and follow the fiber tape's natural path, all with significant independence from the supply reel.
US07836926B2
A circumferential sipe extends continuously in the circumferential direction of the tire in the center region of the tread surface section of a rib defined between circumferential grooves. Widthwise sipes are disposed at prescribed intervals in the circumferential direction of the tire in the tread surface section, the widthwise sipes extending in the widthwise direction of the tire in crossing relationship to the circumferential sipe, the widthwise sipes each having opposing terminal ends open to the circumferential grooves. The circumferential sipe changes in depth periodically in such a manner that the circumferential sipe is shallow between adjacent widthwise sipes. The widthwise sipes changes in depth in such a manner that they are greater in depth in the center region and end regions of the tread surface section.
US07836921B2
A powder filling apparatus and a powder filling method which enable powder to be densely filled in a short period of time is to be provided. This is a powder filling apparatus having a pressure hopper wherein the pressure hopper has a discharger for discharging powder and a gas inlet positioned above at least the surface of a powder layer formed by the powder in the pressure hopper; the powder layer is so formed as to blockade the discharger in the pressure hopper; in the powder filling apparatus, the inside of the pressure hopper is pressurized by leading in gas through the gas inlet in a state in which the discharger is closed, and the powder layer so formed as to blockade the discharger is discharged by opening the discharger after the pressurization thereby to utilize that pressure to load the powder into the filling container.
US07836918B1
A process for imparting a variety of ranges in modulus, stretch and recovery characteristics into an elastomeric fill yarn and a rigid warp yarn stretch woven fabric. The high stretch/recovery properties, in the fill direction, is achieved by using a plurality of successive fabric forming operations, resulting in incremental stretch capacity from each successive operation. The fabric exhibits high stretch/recovery properties in the fill direction and rigid or extremely low stretch properties in the warp direction.
US07836913B1
Valve battery cartridge—used primarily for mixing cold water and warm water—which has two discs arranged one above the other to form a plane sealing together, being the lower disc a stationary inlet disc (6) and the upper disc a control disc (5) suitable to be displaced and rotated on the inlet disc (6); where said control disc (5) is in mechanical connection with a driving arm (1) pivoted in a lever holder (2)—through a ceramic moving element (4) as the case may be—and the lever holder (2) is arranged in the cartridge casing that allows it to be rotated, while on the base (9) of the cartridge a connection place (14) is formed or arranged for the reception of at least one insertion piece (10), further the opening for the admission of the insertion piece (10) of the connection place (14) is formed principally in a direction which is parallel with the longitudinal axis of the cartridge, whereas the connection place (14) is an outwardly directed sleeve, arranged or formed on the base (9), wherein the cold and warm water inlet formed in the base are ending.
US07836903B2
A beach umbrella with improved sturdiness, durability and ability to keep the shading size maximized, but weight of the structure to the minimum is disclosed. The umbrella may include a poll member, an upper ring member at substantially the top of the poll member, a slider member which is movable along the poll member, a interior rod frame stretching member to pivot with respect to the upper ring member, a support rod frame member to pivot with respect to the slider member and a transfer rod frame member to pivot with respect to the support rod frame member.
US07836889B2
Provided is an airway maintenance apparatus that draws the lower jaw forward to forcibly maintain an airway during sleep, designed to allow quick and easy setting of a drawing extent for the lower-jaw side attachment suitable for each patient. The airway maintenance apparatus contains an upper-jaw side attachment 1 to be attached to the upper jaw side in the oral cavity, and a lower-jaw side attachment 2 provided separately from the upper-jaw side attachment 1, and to be attached to the lower jaw side in the oral cavity, the lower-jaw side attachment 2 being connected to the upper-jaw side attachment 1 via a stepless adjusting device 3 capable of moving the lower-jaw side attachment 2 in a stepless manner in the direction of drawing the lower jaw forward relative to the upper-jaw side attachment 1.
US07836884B2
A double-body therapeutics face and tracheostomy mask which functions as both a mask for the nose and mouth of a patient and a mask for the tracheostomy tube area of a patient is disclosed. The mask of the present invention serves as a means for delivering a gaseous medicament or a liquid, such as liquid medication, in the form of a fine spray or mist to the nose, mouth, and trachea of the patient simultaneously. The upper body (1) of the mask fits over the nose and mouth area of the patient and the lower body (5) of the mask fits a patient's tracheostomy tube area. The upper and lower mask bodies may be connected to one another and to a nebulizing apparatus (4) and adjustable-length delivery conduit (17). Therefore, the double-body therapeutics face and tracheostomy mask of the present invention may be adjusted to comfortably fit the face and trachea area of any sized patient.
US07836881B2
In one embodiment, the invention provides a device for decreasing intracranial or intraocular pressures. The device comprises a housing having an inlet opening and an outlet opening that is adapted to be interfaced with a person's airway. The device further includes a valve system that is operable to regulate respiratory gas flows through the housing and into the person's lungs during spontaneous or artificial inspiration. The valve system assists in lowering intrathoracic pressures during each inspiration to repetitively lower pressures in the venous blood vessels that transport blood out of the head to thereby reduce intracranial or intraocular pressures.
US07836873B2
An improved bolt construction for use in a paintball marker assembly is provided. The improved bolt assembly is generally formed to include a cut-out in the top surface thereof along its leading edge. The cut-out has a size and shape that functions in an manner that prevents the bolt from clipping or otherwise damaging a second incoming paintball projectile as the bolt reciprocates forward to ready a first paintball that is already loaded into the breech in preparation for launch. As the bolt is moved forward to push the first paintball into a position that is ready for launch, the leading edge of the cutout passes beneath the second paintball such that the top surface of the cutout impacts the bottom of the second paintball to push the second paintball upwardly as it advances, thereby clearing it from the breech and preventing the bolt from clipping the second paintball.
US07836858B2
A V-type vehicle engine includes a main engine body with a front bank with a rear bank defining a V-type structure. A plurality of valve actuation units are respectively located in valve chambers in the front bank and the rear bank, to minimize the size of a cylinder head and a cylinder head cover in at least one of the front bank and the rear bank. A first valve actuation unit, with a double overhead camshaft structure having intake-side and exhaust-side camshafts individually corresponding to the intake valve and the exhaust valve, is located in a valve chamber in one of the front bank and the rear bank. A second valve actuation unit, having a common single camshaft for the intake valve and the exhaust valve, is located in a valve chamber in the other one of the front bank and the rear bank.
US07836856B2
A water heater has a burner positioned below a vertical centrally located flue with heat exchange capacity enhanced by a multiplicity of rectangular metal fins which are welded on the inside of the vertical central flue. The central flue extends upwardly within a water tank. The central flue transitions to a smaller diameter downwardly draining helically coiled condensing flue. Approximately 80% of the heat from the combustion gases is transferred to the water within the water tank through the wall of the central flue without condensation. An additional 10% or more of the combustion heat is transferred to the water accompanied by condensation of water in the coiled flue. A fan draws the combustion gases through the central flue and the coiled condensing flue and supplies the combustion gases to an exterior vent.
US07836855B2
An apparatus and method for sorting animals includes a housing having a basket area and a measuring device. An entry gate is mounted to the housing and is moveable between open and closed positions. A sort gate is mounted to the housing and moveable between a first and a second position based on a measurement taken by the measuring device. A trainer gate is mounted to the housing and moveable through an operating position whereby the trainer gate contacts an animal in the basket area and urges the animal toward the sort gate. A programmable controller communicates with the measuring device, the entry gate, the sort gate and the trainer gate and controls actuation of the entry gate, the sort gate and the trainer gate.
US07836851B2
A formula and method for treating water used to hold captive fish in tanks includes isoeugenol, sodium chloride, potassium chloride and soluble dextrose. Also included are an ammonia remover, a chlorine remover, a bacterial and fungal spore remover, an anti-columnaris and saprolegnia agent, a disinfectant, a slime-coating protecting agent, a chelating agent and a surface foam remover.
US07836842B2
Provided is a coating apparatus, which has satisfactory operability at a time of installing or exchanging a spray nozzle, is not complicated in structure, and is advantageous in terms of layout. A rotary drum (2) is rotated around an axis (A) inclined with respect to a horizontal line, and has an opening (5) at one end on an inclination upper side. A spray nozzle unit (10) is removably attached to a swing arm (34), and the swing arm (34) can swing with respect to a swing axis (34c). Owing to the swing operation of the swing arm (34), the swing nozzle unit (10) can be moved between the inside and the outside of the rotary drum (2).
US07836824B2
When a printed circuit board is inspected and determined to have an insufficient amount of printing of a print pattern, the printed board is returned to a screen-printing apparatus so that a new print pattern is formed so as to overlap a previous print pattern. In the re-printing, a raising speed of the printed board at a final stage of the board raising operation is rendered lower than in the previous screen printing so that the printed board is brought into contact with the underside of the screen mask more slowly.
US07836815B2
A piston for an internal combustion engine, the engine having a connecting rod coupled to a wristpin, the wristpin being connected to the piston for pivotal movement about an axis, the piston comprising: a top portion and a generally cylindrically-shaped wall portion extending from the top portion, the top and wall portions defining a skirt cavity, the top portion having thereon a downwardly extending projection with a downwardly facing bearing surface for the wristpin, the bearing surface extending in the direction of the axis and defining a portion of a cylinder centered on the axis, and the projection having opposite sides facing the skirt cavity; at least one lubricant passage extending through the projection from one of the opposite sides and over the bearing surface to the other of the opposite sides; and a lubricant opening communicating between the lubricant passage and the bearing surface to supply lubricant to the bearing surface and to the wristpin.
US07836813B2
A self-locking braking device, for rotary shafts connectable to external loads, comprises braking means which can be operated to lock, respectively to release the rotation of a drive shaft; the braking means consist of a rigid braking disk, rotating with the drive shaft, and slidingly supported in an axial direction between two clutch members, one of which is secured to a support body for the drive shaft, while the other clutch member is supported by a plate which is elastically biased against the braking disk and operatively connected to a pneumatic cylinder for releasing the brake.
US07836811B1
Systems are described herein for remotely aligning and placing disruptive devices at or near suspicious targets such as suspected improvised explosive devices (IEDs). In particular, tools connected to remotely controllable robots include disruptor guns for firing disruptive materials at the targets and disruptive devices filled with explosive materials, e.g., water, for controllably detonating or disrupting the detonation of the targets when placed in close proximity thereto.
US07836805B2
A cam follower plate used in a product processing line such as a pizza making assembly line. The cam follower plate includes a panel of synthetic resin having side grooves to engage rails of the assembly line, a forward located slot surrounded by a wall, the slot having a predefined geometry such that the slot wall is engaged by a cam roller to impart motion to the panel, and a rearward located row of holes for receiving a pin carrying connector to facilitate the connection of the driven panel to other elements of the assembly line.
US07836799B2
A tool assembly comprising a tool having a distal end and a proximal end having a protrusion thereon; and a device coupled with the proximal end of the tool, wherein the device is capable of accommodating a tool and has a compartment for storing various items.
US07836790B2
A tilt steering column assembly having a first housing defining at least one orifice disposed along a central axis and a second housing defining at least one hole disposed along the central axis is disclosed. A pin includes a body having a first end and a second end facing the first end to define a seam. A first tab extends outwardly from a segment of the first end and a second tab extends outwardly from a segment of the second end. The first tab abuts the second tab to define a portion of the seam with a remainder of the first and second ends being spaced from each other to define a gap and a remaining portion of the seam for providing a proper fit of the pin within the orifice and the hole by compensating for varying dimensions of at least one of the orifice and the hole.
US07836781B1
A torque-setting device includes a handle with grooves defined in an internal side, a driving unit attached to the handle, a strain gauge connected to the driving unit, a strain spring abutted against the strain gauge, a nut abutted against the strain spring, an axle and a knob. The axle includes a thread. The thread is engaged with the nut. The knob includes a tooth on an external side. The knob is operable to rotate the axle relative to the nut, thus moving the nut relative to the strain spring to set a value of torque. The knob is movable between a first position where the tooth is inserted in one of the grooves to retain the value of torque and a second position where the tooth is removed from the grooves to allow the rotation of the knob and therefore the rotation of the axle.
US07836778B2
The inventions relates to an apparatus, in particular for a screen-printing machine, for measuring tension in a printing screen in a frame, characterized in that a holder for the frame (1) has holder bars (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) each formed of a plurality of sections (3a1, 3a2, . . . , or 3b1, 3b.2, . . . , or 3c1, 3c2, . . . , 3d1, 3d2, . . . , ) each provided with a respective sensor (6) for measuring tension. The invention furthermore relates to a method, in particular for a screen-printing machine, for measuring tension in a screen in a screen frame, characterized in that a screen (2a) mounted in a frame (1) is mounted in a holder (3) having holder bars (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) each formed by a plurality of sections (3a1, 3a2, . . . , or 3b1, 3b.2, . . . , or 3c1, 3c2, . . . , 3d1, 3d2, . . . ) each provided with a respective sensor (6) that measure forces between the respective section (3a1, 3a2, . . . , or 3b1, 3b.2, . . . , or 3c1, 3c2, . . . , 3d1, 3d2, . . . ) and the frame (1).
US07836774B2
It is aimed to provide a strain detector having a fewer number of mounting parts and high operation efficiency and usability. The strain detector is provided with a cylindrical strain generator to be strained upon receiving a load, a resistor element which is arranged on the outer circumferential surface of the strain generator and whose resistance varies depending on the amount of strain, a signal processing circuit connected with the resistor element and screw portions arranged above and below the strain generator to sandwich the strain generator. The strain generator and the screw portions are integrated.
US07836773B2
Optical fiber thermometer includes one optical fiber that relays light from the light source to a measuring unit, two parallel optical fibers that relay light from a mirror at the measuring unit to two light-receiving units, and an arithmetic processing circuit that calculates the temperature of the measuring unit from the ratio of electrical signals from the two light-receiving units; end surfaces of three optical fibers facing the reflecting face being fixed at an angle θ between the longitudinal direction of the optical fibers and the normal to the reflecting face that is not zero, the angle between the optical fibers for reception and projection being symmetrical based on the normal to the reflecting face. Each of the optical fibers is a single-mode fiber at the wavelength being used.
US07836764B2
The invention relates to a device comprising a sensor chip and a structure housing the sensor chip. The structure is covered by a mold compound and is fabricated from a ceramic or a glass material.
US07836762B2
An apparatus for weighing liquid in a bottle, in particular a pharmaceutical bottle. The apparatus has at least one measuring cell, and a conveying device for feeding a number of bottles through the measuring cell along a path. The apparatus is characterized in that the measuring cell has an actual measuring section preceded and followed, respectively, by a first guard section and a second guard section, which reduce the effect of adjacent bottles on the measurement.
US07836760B2
The improved monitoring device includes a data acquisition device with an accelerometer inside a bendable tube. One end of the tube is connected to a pole that may be secured to the top of a sewer manhole, while the other end is submerged in a fluid flow. The tilt, oscillations, and pressure exerted upon the tube due to fluid flow are measured and recorded. An improved method includes installing several monitoring devices into sewer system manholes, recording fluid level and flow, reading the recorded data, and displaying the data in chart or map form. Data may be displayed in two or three dimensional maps that may be overlaid with information of topography, street maps, and single or multiple sewer systems. Data displayed on the maps may include fluid flow rates, fluid levels, derivatives and integrals of flow rates, and differences in fluid levels or flow between monitoring devices.
US07836755B2
In a solidification sensor for measuring a solidification state of a liquid with a high degree of accuracy in real time, and for making the sensor small-sized with a reduced power consumption, the solidification sensor comprises a liquid absorbing portion formed of a liquid absorbable material, a substrate coupled to the liquid absorbing portion and a strain sensor for measuring strain exerted to the substrate due to a volumetric change upon solidification of a liquid absorbed in the liquid absorbing portion.
US07836749B2
A sled carriage is configured to move in a direction of an axis. A platform is attached with the sled carriage and a sled buck is attached with the platform. Upon acceleration of the sled carriage, the sled buck and platform move relative to the sled carriage.
US07836735B2
A drawer lock set includes a body with a tubular member and a block extends radially from an inner periphery of the tubular member. A cylinder and a core are received in the tubular member. The core includes a driving piece extending from a distal end thereof and is capable of driving a transmission member which is able to rotate a driving member. The driving member includes a protrusion which is slidably engaged with a groove defined in the dead bolt. The cylinder includes a first notch and a second notch in an outer periphery thereof and a 90-degree angular distance is defined between the first and second notches. The block is engaged with one of the first and second notches so as to set the position of the operational direction of the dead bolt with only one part replaced.
US07836730B1
A jacquard needle equipped with a return structure is installed in a circular knitting machine which has a computer needle selected device including plural jacquard needles and plural needle selected sheets on an upper needle dial. Each jacquard needle is driven by a cam to move a knitting needle. The needle selected sheet depresses the jacquard needle to escape from the cam. The jacquard needle includes a fulcrum, a neck, a force received section, a needle foot and a return structure. The fulcrum is connected with the knitting needle. The needle foot is located in a slide track of the cam. The return structure has a bend end at a distal end beneath the needle foot. The bend end butts an inner wall of the upper needle dial. The force received section transmits the depressing force to bend the return structure to generate a returning elasticity.
US07836729B2
In a transfer needle (1) having at least one transfer spring (8), this transfer spring (8) is held, on its one end, in a preferably lateral pocket or recess of the needle body, while the tip of the transfer spring is positioned in a longitudinal slit of the needle body. This longitudinal slit (24) has an inlet (25) that is open in longitudinal direction (L) of the needle body (5). The inlet (25) of the longitudinal slit (24) is located at an end of the longitudinal slit (24) away from the hook (6).
US07836701B2
An InfraRed Suppression System (IRSS) vectors engine exhaust flow away from the exhaust manifold plane, the high aspect ratio exhaust duct defined as a ratio of a maximum nozzle length to a maximum nozzle width, the ratio greater than 2:1.
US07836688B2
The present invention relates to an exhaust system for an internal combustion engine, in particular in a motor vehicle, having an SCR module containing at least one SCR catalyst element in an SCR housing connected to an exhaust line and having a PF module containing at least one particulate filter element in a PF housing connected to the exhaust line upstream from the SCR housing.
US07836683B2
A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine that includes right and left banks, first and second catalysts provided in the right and left exhaust pipes, respectively, and a downstream catalyst provided in a common exhaust pipe downstream of the upstream catalysts is adapted to alternately switch execution of catalyst degradation minimization and execution of fuel cut between the two banks if at least one of the temperature of the first catalyst and temperature of the second catalyst is higher than a predetermined value during deceleration of the internal combustion engine.
US07836681B2
A nozzle device defines a passageway including an outlet to discharge working fluid to produce thrust. This device includes a vectoring mechanism having three or more vanes pivotally mounted across the passageway and a linkage pivotally coupling the vanes together. This linkage includes a first arm fixed to a first one of the vanes to pivot therewith about a first pivot axis, a second arm and a third arm fixed to a second one of the vanes to pivot therewith about a second pivot axis, and a fourth arm fixed to a third one of the vanes to pivot therewith about a third pivot axis. A first connecting link pivotally couples the first arm and the second arm together, and a second connecting link pivotally couples the third arm and the fourth arm together. The relative angular positioning of the arms with respect to the corresponding pivot axes and/or the arm links can be varied to define different vectoring schedules with the mechanism linkage. In one particular form, the nozzle is utilized with a lift fan of an aircraft to perform V/STOL operations.
US07836665B2
The present invention is directed to a method of transporting and packaging a plurality of preformed flower pot covers. Each preformed flower pot cover is formed from a flexible sheet of material which is of a shape and size to receive a flower pot. Each preformed flower pot cover has a base with a closed lower end and an open upper end with an object opening extending therethrough for receiving the flower pot and further having a decorative skirt extending angularly upwardly and outwardly from the upper end of the base. The method of the present invention includes the step of providing a portable platform configured to stabilize, receive, support and protect a plurality of stacked preformed flower pot covers. The platform with the preformed flower pot covers can then be wrapped to further stabilize the stacks of preformed flower pot covers so that the platform can be transported to a predetermined destination.
US07836658B2
A flashing assembly for reinforcing an interface defined between a roof and a portion of a building wall, either a flat roof or a flat roof with parapet wall. The flashing assembly has a first member configured for securing along the interface between the roof and the building wall and a second member for covering an upper part of the first member. The first member has an inner vertical part adapted for extending along the building wall, a locking flange extending at a right angle to the inner vertical part, and an outer vertical part extending in a substantially parallel orientation to the inner vertical part. In one aspect, the first member has an inclined bottom flange for diverting water away from the building while the top locking flange is secured to the roof. In another aspect, the flashing assembly has a top locking flange that is sealed in a groove formed in a parapet wall above the roof and a securing bottom flange, which is attached to the roof.
US07836653B1
The present invention discloses an air conditioner cover having at least two posts, a plurality of slats, and a plurality of obstructions used to properly distance the slats from the ground. The air conditioner cover also has connectors disposed between said posts and said slats in some embodiments. The air conditioner cover is designed to surround an air conditioner unit in order to hide it from sight and to protect the air conditioner unit from various types of damage. The present invention is specifically designed to ensure appropriate ventilation, as the uniquely shaped slats have in order to provide a spacing gap for ventilation purposes, while still providing a barrier to the air conditioner unit.
US07836651B2
The present invention provides a tile panel unit having a tile cap composed of at least one layer of crushed stone mixed with a resin and a catalyst and at least one layer of fiberglass strands mixed with a resin, and a base plate at least partially embedded in at least one layer of the tile cap material. The base plate provides a structure for supporting the tile cap, the structure having a matrix of supporting shapes and other reinforcing elements arranged within a peripheral support structure. The base plate further provides mounting features for securing the tile panel unit to an underlying support structure, and interlocking features for aligning and securing adjacent tile panel units in a wall and floor covering tile assembly system.
US07836647B2
The invention concerns a filtering wall designed for an expendable formwork comprising a lattice formed by assembling flexible warp and weft yarns, the lattice being stretched on an undeformable structure. The filtering wall is characterized in that some of the warp yarns are more resistant than other warp yarns, the lattice being stretched by traction solely exerted on the more resistant warp yarns and in that it comprises tension maintaining means for maintaining the tension associating the more resistant yarns with the undeformable structure, the tension maintaining means delimiting a larger mesh than the one resulting from the initial interlacing of the warp and weft yarns.
US07836646B2
A wall structure of an architecture is provided, which comprises an outer wall having resistance against earthquakes and wind and an inner wall relatively inferior in the earthquake-resistance and so forth, so that the outer and inner walls are properly combined to share design loads. The wall structure includes the outer wall (2) of bricklaying structure in which bricks (A˜D) and metal plates (51) are stacked. Fasteners (60,62,63,70) extending through the bolt holes (7) of the bricks are tightened, and the vertically adjacent bricks are integrally connected with each other under prestress of the fasteners. The inner wall (3) is constructed inside of the outer wall, and the shear reinforcement member (10,20) connects the inner and outer walls with each other. The inner wall is constructed by a dry type of construction method, which can support a permanent vertical load such as a roof load. A temporary horizontal load acting on the inner wall, such as a seismic force, is transmitted to the outer wall by the shear reinforcement member.
US07836636B2
The pneumatic structural element according to the invention comprises from one to a number of interconnected elements of the following construction: two hollow bodies (1) with casings (9) made of textile material preferably coated in a gas-tight manner and having end caps (5) are assembled such that they produce a common sectional area (2). The edging of this sectional area (2) is formed by two curved tension/compression elements (3) into which is clamped a web (4) made of a flexible material of high tensile strength. By filling the two hollow bodies (1) with compressed gas, a tensile stress σ is built up in their casings (9) and is transmitted directly or via the tension/compression elements (3) to the web (4) and pretensions said web. This pretensioning greatly increases the bending rigidity of the tension/compression elements (3). If a plurality of such elements is combined to form a roof, every two adjacent hollow bodies (1) thus form a sectional area (2) with a tension/compression element (3) and web (4).
US07836635B2
When a door is open, at a hinge side of the space between the door and door frame a gap appears and this presents an opening into which a young child's hand or fingers can very easily be inserted. The invention provides a cover for this space which can help to reduce risk of injury if the door should be closed accidentally when a child's hand is present. A door safety device comprises a cover for the gap at the hinge side of a door (2) and door frame (4) combination, the cover comprising a strip of a rigid material which is flexible about its major axis, the strip having attachment means at its long edges so that one edge may be secured to the door (2) and the other edge to the door frame (4) of the combination, and the cover including fastener means (13) adjacent to one of its long sides such that the cover may be secured to a second similar cover in order to increase the effective width of the safety device. This can enable a single model of safety device to be adapted to fit ordinary domestic doors and also doors which open through wider angles such as up to 180°.
US07836633B2
A robotic ocean farm includes a plant support means such as a grid, with a submersible towing system incorporating means for navigation of the support grid in the open ocean, and means for positioning of the support grid in a first surfaced position for sunlight exposure of the plants and a second submerged position for nutrient gathering by the plants. The submersible towing system incorporates one or more tow boats connected to a forward periphery of the grid, each of the tow boats incorporating a propulsion system for navigation of the grid and maintaining lateral tension in the forward periphery of the grid. Additionally, one or more reaction boats are connected to an aft periphery of the grid. Each of the reaction boats incorporates a propulsion system for maintaining lateral tension in the aft periphery of the grid and reacting in concert with the tow boats to maintain longitudinal tension in the grid. A system for harvesting multiple independently operating farms incorporates a harvesting station which is placed or positions itself to meet the farms at predetermined locations during their voyage to harvest and replenish the plants carried on the farm grid. Base stations, separately or as a part of the harvesting station, communicate with the farms provide mutual support and informational exchange for optimized operation of the farms.
US07836622B1
A foldable tag including multiple fold segments and an expandable loop conjoined to one of the multiple fold segments is disclosed. In illustrated embodiments the foldable tag includes multiple fold segments to form a bi-fold tag or alternatively a tri-fold tag. As disclosed the expandable loop is formed along a portion of an elastomeric sheet that is conjoined with a portion of the foldable tag.
US07836618B1
A license plate security frame comprises a solid inner back plate that is secured to a vehicle and a outer front rim hinged to it that traps the license plate and covers the mounting screws. Hinges at the bottom allow the inner back plate and outer front rim to open like a clamshell, and a cylinder lock mounted at the top to the outer front rim engages a lock pin mounted to the inner back plate. Clear corner covers are included to protect any stickers on the caged-in license plate, and are attached inside the outer front rim in the appropriate corners. The main surface of the license plate including the license numbers and their background are exposed through the middle of the outer front rim.
US07836610B2
An attachment for an item of footwear having an outsole, the attachment comprising a body having first and second body surfaces, the body being releasably co-operable with the outsole in a first position in which the first body surface is disposable away from the outsole and in a second position in which the second body surface is disposable away from the outsole; an attaching portion which is associated with the body and which includes an inter-engageable formation for releasably attaching the attachment in the first and second positions; and a detaching portion which is associated with the body, the detaching portion having an edge portion moveable with respect to the body to allow the body to be released from the item of footwear. The invention also includes an outsole and an item of footwear to which the attachment can be releasably attached.
US07836609B2
The invention relates to a shoe having a sole with a first part, a second part, and a top surface extending from the first part to the second part. The shoe also includes a welt attached to a localized area of a perimeter of the second part and an upper having an inside and an outside, where the outside is attached to the welt in the second part of the sole and where the inside is attached to the top surface in the first part of the sole.
US07836605B2
A headstack locator assembly for locating and fixing a headstack on a spinstand and which mitigates the aforementioned prior art limitations. The headstack locator assembly includes a headstack locator received on a fixed locator. The headstack locator connects to a headstack, while the fixed locator is permanently secured to a spinstand. A vacuum is used to clamp the headstack locator to the fixed locator for testing of the headstack. Upon test completion, the headstack locator is released from the fixed locator by applying positive air pressure to the assembly. More generally, an apparatus and methods for generally locating and reversibly, pneumatically coupling various elements to each other.
US07836603B2
A headstack locator assembly for locating and fixing a headstack on a spinstand and which mitigates the aforementioned prior art limitations. The headstack locator assembly includes a headstack locator received on a fixed locator. The headstack locator connects to a headstack, while the fixed locator is permanently secured to a spinstand. A vacuum is used to clamp the headstack locator to the fixed locator for testing of the headstack. Upon test completion, the headstack locator is released from the fixed locator by applying positive air pressure to the assembly.
US07836595B1
A system and associated method for disengaging a shrink coupling that secures a shaft to a drive train component, such as a gearbox, includes a reaction plate erected around the shaft at a location displaced from the shrink coupling, with the reaction plate being anchored in place relative to the shaft. A plurality of jacking devices, such as hydraulic jacks, are operationally disposed between the reaction plate and shrink coupling and spaced circumferentially around the shaft. The jacking devices have a first end engaged against the reaction plate and a second opposite end mechanically fastened to the shrink coupling. To remove the shrink coupling from the drive train component, the shrink coupling is released from its clamped state and the jacking devices are activated to exert a pulling force on the shrink coupling, which causes the shrink coupling to be pulled off of the drive train component and moved axially along the shaft to a resting position on the shaft.
US07836590B2
A manufacturing method for a printed circuit board is disclosed. The method includes: forming a first circuit pattern on a metal layer of a conductive carrier, which has the metal layer stacked on one side, pressing the conductive carrier and a first insulation layer together with the first circuit pattern facing the first insulation layer, forming a via by selectively removing the conductive carrier, and removing the metal layer. Using this method, a high-density thin package can be manufactured with increased reliability, and the productivity of the manufacturing process can also be improved.
US07836585B2
A method of operatively combining a plurality of components to form a land grid array (LGA) interposer structure, including an electrically insulating carrier plane, and at least one interposer mounted on a first surface of said carrier plane. The interposer possesses a hemi-toroidal configuration in transverse cross-section and is constituted of a dielectric elastomeric material. A plurality of electrically-conductive elements are arranged about the surface of the at least one hemi-toroidal interposer and extend radically inwardly and downwardly from an uppermost end thereof into electrical contact with at least one component located on an opposite side of the electrically insulating carrier plane.
US07836581B2
The invention relates to a device for installing and removing a bearing assembly (3) which consists of a chock in which a trunnion hearing is arranged on a supporting roller stud (1) of a rolling stand. The aim of said invention is to replace said assembly by means of an operationally reliable device without carrying out modifications or large-scale modifications of the supporting roller stud (1), in particular to obtain reproducible mounting forces in order to ensure best long-term wear-less service possible, best possible rotation and easily controlled stripping forces for reliable operation of the rolling stand. The invention also relates to a nut (8) fixed to the roller stud (1) prestressed against the bearing assembly (3). According to said invention, a stripping device (11) can be temporarily coupled to the bearing assembly (3), the hydraulic cylinder (15) thereof resting against the roller stud (1).
US07836576B2
A method is disclosed for converting a commutator exciter, also called to as a DC machine, into a brushless exciter while keeping one part of the rotor as well as the stator frame of the DC machine. In an embodiment, the method also keeps the field currents and the time constants of the DC machine so that the exciter's voltage regulator may be kept. Alternatively, the magnetic cores of the DC machine stator poles may also be kept.
US07836571B2
An apparatus and method for installing a piston and connecting rod assembly in a cylinder of an engine block includes a frame, an installation rod and a guide defining a channel complementary to the rod. The frame is disposed about an opening at the bottom of the engine block and the guide is positioned on the frame in alignment with a cylinder. The installation rod is coupled to the connecting rod and the rod and the piston and connecting rod assembly are slid into the cylinder. The installation rod is received within the guide channel and maintains the connecting rod perpendicular to the crankshaft and away from the cylinder wall. As the connecting rod moves toward the crankshaft, the guide and rod move the connecting rod into proper alignment and contact with the crankshaft.
US07836563B2
A fastener stringer capable of following up stretching/contracting action of a stretchable fabric smoothly by improving a stretching property of an element attaching portion, and capable of preventing breaking of chain if the element attaching portion is stretched, wherein the fastener stringer includes: a woven fastener tape having a tape main portion and an element attaching portion; a continuous fastener element row sewed to the element attaching portion with a non-elastic sewing thread; and an elastic core thread inserted through an interior of the fastener element row, an elastic yarn and a non-elastic yarn are woven into the tape main portion and the element attaching portion as warp yarns while a non-elastic yarn is woven as a weft yarn, and a weaving ratio of the elastic yarn to the non-elastic yarn is larger in the element attaching portion than in the tape main portion.
US07836562B2
A clip for use in a cable tensioning system, comprising (i) a base plate comprising a generally flat base member having a top surface having a plurality of surface irregularities, a bottom surface, a front edge and a rear edge, and a pair of opposing tensioning arms extending from the top surface; and, (ii) a top plate comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a front edge and a rear edge, a lip protruding from a top surface thereof having a channel defined therein, wherein the top plate is adapted to secure an edge of a substantially flat medium between the base plate and the top plate when the top plate and the bottom plate are in an engaged relationship, and wherein the channel can receive a portion of a cable.
US07836561B2
Buckle for adjusting the strap in equipment for practicing water sports, such as diving goggles, swimming goggles or the like, said strap being provided at at-least one end with a plurality of transverse reliefs, said buckle comprising a body provided with means for driving said end of the strap and with an engaging tooth which is normally kept in a position engaged with said reliefs of said strap, against said drive means, there being envisaged operating means able to disengage said engaging tooth from said reliefs, comprising means with an inclined surface co-operating with said engaging tooth and movable in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the end of said belt.
US07836553B2
A hinge construction for a wing mirror unit for a motor vehicle including a first hinge part for mounting on a motor vehicle and a second hinge part, pivotably connected therewith, for supporting a wing minor unit. In an embodiment, the first and second hinge parts cooperate via a rack-and-pinion guide and a drive mechanism having a disengageable coupling. The drive mechanism and the rack-and-pinion guide cause the hinge parts upon pivoting to rotate and translate relative to each other. The disengageable coupling is operatively configured to disengage the motor and the gear drive from the first hinge part. The invention also relates to a wing mirror unit provided with embodiments of a hinge construction.
US07836551B2
A hinge structure with locking feature is connected to a first body of an electronic device through a support frame. A pivot portion of the hinge structure is connected to a second body of the electronic device and includes a rotating shaft connected to the support frame, such that the first body is capable of rotating relative to the second body. Moreover, a lock receptacle is disposed on the support frame, and is engaged with a matching lock unit. Therefore, the electronic device is secured to a fixed position, which thus achieves an anti-theft function.
US07836550B2
A damping hinge device includes a hinge and a damper. The damper is arranged coaxially with the hinge and has a damping shell, a damping body, a plurality of rotating slices, a plurality of limiting slices, an outer gasket and a pushing body. The damping shell has a cylinder-shaped shell body, a top cover is formed in the top of the shell body. The damping body is accepted in the damping shell and has a basic portion and a column portion extending from one end of the basic portion. The rotating slices are accepted in the damping shell and fixed around the column portion. The limiting slices are fixed in the damping shell and rotatably around the column portion of the damping body, the limiting pieces and the rotating pieces are staggeredly arranged. Damping oil is filled between the adjacent limiting slices and the rotating slices. The outer gasket is disposed on the basic portion of the damping body and pressed against the shell body.
US07836541B2
A lever of a wiper blade holds a blade rubber. A cover accommodates at least a part of the lever from an opening. A nozzle mechanism has a connecting portion connected to a supply passage. A nozzle portion receives washer liquid that has been sent from the supply passage under pressure and passed the connecting portion, and supplies the washer liquid to a surface to be wiped. An attachment member is integrated with the nozzle mechanism. In a state where the cover accommodates the nozzle mechanism, the attachment member is attached to the lever or the cover. Therefore, the wiper blade is capable of stably supplies washer liquid to the surface to be wiped for an extended period of time.
US07836537B1
A toothbrush with independently mobile bristles comprises a toothbrush body with a handle section, a head section and a neck section, with a long axis there through. A plurality of individual, linear slots extends from a top surface of the head section and terminates there within. The individual slots are angled to the long axis of the toothbrush body. A bristle assembly is movably positioned in each slot of the head section with a bristle group extending exterior to the top surface thereof. When brushing teeth, movement of the toothbrush body in a first direction, parallel with the long axis thereof, causes movement of the bristle assemblies in a direction essentially perpendicular to the long axis of the toothbrush body. Movement of the toothbrush body in the opposite direction causes movement of the bristle assemblies in an opposite direction, also essentially perpendicular to the long axis of the toothbrush body.
US07836535B2
The present invention relates to dishwashers, and more particularly, to a dishwasher and a method for controlling the same, which can measure turbidity of the washing water, and control operation of the dishwasher with reference to the turbidity detected thus, to prevent wasting of water, and optimize a washing time period.The dishwasher includes a sump for holding washing water, a washing pump for pumping the washing water to provide a portion of the washing water to dishes to be washed through a main flow passage, and a turbidity sensing means for sensing turbidity of the washing water, wherein the turbidity sensing means is positioned at a sampling flow passage through which the other portion of the washing water passes.The method for controlling a dishwasher includes the steps of putting a washing pump into operation, detecting turbidity of the washing water, adjusting a washing time period preset at a control unit according to the turbidity detected thus, and operating the washing pump according to the washing time period adjusted thus.
US07836530B2
A child enclosure apparatus that includes a hub assembly, a base assembly having four base legs in an X-shaped configuration, a side structure having four side posts, an upper assembly having four pairs of upper arms with each pair connected with medial latch connectors, lower corner assemblies, each having a pair of plates that are pivotally mounted to a side post and a pair of base legs, upper corner assemblies, each having two pair of plates that are configured at a right angle to each other, and cables extending from the base assemblies, through the side posts and being connected to the upper arms and to the latch connectors. The enclosure apparatus is operated by linear movement of the hub assembly, either by a motor assembly or manually, to cause simultaneous movement of the base legs, the upper arms and the latch connectors between opened and folded positions by tensioning the cables. The lower corner assemblies are pivotally connected to the side posts and the base legs so as to prevent unintended opening of the enclosure from a folded position.
US07836521B2
A protective sports glove having a protective finger knuckle system introduced to the back portion of the finger portions to cover a space formed between adjacent pads corresponding to the knuckles of the fingers. The protective finger knuckle system includes a cap portion and a pair of side flanges that have a pair of slots. A strap is passed through the pair of slots on each of the pair of side flanges and beneath the cap portion and is secured to the glove. The cap portion spans the gaps between the protective portions of the fingers and the thumb and thus provide protection to the knuckles of the wearer where the fingers or thumb are flexed. Because the protective knuckle portion is not coupled to the pads defining the gap, they are maintained in position over the widening gap as the finger is flexed.
US07836520B2
A garment assembly for a human body comprising a first garment element and a second garment element. The first garment element comprising a top end having a first neck opening, left and right lateral sides having left and right first arm openings respectively, a front side, a back side having an opening, and a bottom end. The second garment element comprising a top end having a second neck opening, left and right lateral sides having respective left and right second arm openings respectively, a front side having an opening, a back side, and a bottom end. When assembling the first and second garment elements on a human body, the first and second neck openings provide for the neck of the human body to be placed therethrough, the first garment element front side covers the front of the human body, the second garment element back side covers the back of the human body. The left first and second arm openings provide for the left arm of the human body to be placed therethrough and the right first and second arm openings provide for the right arm of the human body to be placed therethrough.
US07841016B2
The invention is directed to a spin-polarized electron injector using a semiconductor tip, in which tip the injected electrons are photocreated by a circularly polarized light excitation incident on the rear of the tip. This tip is supported by a transparent lever or cantilever and undergoes a surface treatment for the purpose of removing the surface oxide layer, to prevent said layer from reforming and to improve the proportion of injected electrons.
US07841011B2
Methods and apparatuses for tiered customization for an application with a plurality of users. In one embodiment, an application with various options for different users has a tiered system for customization to provide cost efficiency. For example, in a tiered system for customization, multiple option values can be specified for one option at multiple tiers of user group hierarchy and resolved based on the tier hierarchy to balance the capability for deep customizability, and the efficiency of resource usage. For example, a deep customizable hosted Customer Relationship Management (CRM) application allows customization from company level to individual user level.
US07841010B2
An integrity verification process and associated apparatus to detect tampering or other alterations to computer code (software) or other computer files, and especially useful to detect tampering with code by hackers who might try to plant their own malicious code in the software. To make the verification process more robust versus hackers, each e.g., object code file to be protected is first selected using some sort of rule, then partitioned into variable length blocks or portions, the lengths varying in an unpredictable manner. Each portion has its checksum or hash value computed. An accompanying verification file is created which includes a vector for each portion including the portion's start address in memory, length, and the computed checksum or hash value. When the code is later to be run (executed) the verification file is conventionally read and each portion is verified by computing its checksum or hash value using the same algorithm as before, and comparing that to the value in the associated verification file vector. Lack of a match in the two values indicates tampering, so execution of the code can be halted.
US07840999B2
An image processing apparatus authorizing the use thereof by carrying out user authentication prevents fraudulent use of the processor and/or a data leak due to a user's forgetting invalidation of authentication or other reason. When a user is authenticated, whether the user is authorized to use a DMFP is determined by comparing the user's input information with the information of an access-authorized person stored in the DMFP. When both information matches, a range of functions available for the user are specified, and the user is authenticated. Subsequently, for example, operation of copy setting is carried out in making setting on the DMFP. When the setting operation is over, whether authentication on the user is invalidated is determined to execute processes of copy setting, etc. In response to a trigger of invalidation of authentication on the user, the processes of copy setting, etc., are started.
US07840998B2
A module installable in a machine includes a memory device attached thereto for storing electronic data associated with the module. The memory device allows an individual to verify the authenticity or inauthenticity of the module without having to install the module into the machine. The memory device includes a sensory signal output device (e.g., a visual, audible, or tactile output device) that provides a sensory signal indicating authenticity or inauthenticity of the module. To verify authenticity or inauthenticity of the module, the individual initiates a query signal, for example by activating a switch on the module or by using a handheld antenna to impart an electromagnetic field onto the CRUM, and checks for the sensory signal output by the CRUM. The sensory signal may be capable of communicating a visual or audible trademark associated with the module. Data stored in the CRUM may include anti-arbitrage variables associated with the module.
US07840990B2
A bi-directional communications link between a television set and a remote control unit assists a viewer in controlling the entertainment system. The television set can signal the remote control unit to confirm instruction signal received from the remote control unit. The television can also transmit electronic program guide information to the remote control unit which is displayed on a display device on the remote control unit. The television can send the remote control unit a listing of available sub-channels within a single digital channel. The listing is displayed on the remote's display device, and the viewer can then choose from among the sub-channels.
US07840974B2
A disc device is for electrically identifying and determining the number of discs inserted into the disc device. Roller members for coming in contact with a disc inserted into the device, transporting the disc, and inserting and ejecting the disc are provided in the vicinity of a disc insertion slot of a cabinet. A lever member for engaging a lever engagement part of a roller member and capable of rotating with a stem member as a supporting point and a push switch for detecting displacement of the lever member are provided. If the disc is inserted into the device, the roller member displaces in the up direction of the disc (A direction in a figure), the lever member displaces in an H direction in the figure, and the displacement of the lever member is detected by the push switch, whereby the thickness of the disc inserted into the device is detected.
US07840970B2
A user interface (UI) collaboration system enables a plurality of application clients to collaborate in a heterogeneous environment. The system includes, but is not limited to, a server, a first application interface (API), and a second API. The first API is coupled to the server and is associated with a first application client that includes a first UI component. When an event is triggered by activation of a function of the first UI component, the first API reports the event to the server. The second API is coupled to the server and is associated with a second application client that includes a second UI component. The second API receives the event forwarded from the server to activate the second UI component. More than two application clients and APIs may also be included.
US07840964B2
In some embodiments, the invention efficiently manages, sets up, controls and performs communication between isolated components using portals. In a platform having virtualization architecture, a component in a first virtual machine requests a service to be performed by a component in a second virtual machine. A privileged system layer validates the ability to create a communication portal between the two components. The validation is a two-level validation to ensure that a portal is permitted between the two components and that the requested activity is also permitted. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07840963B2
The present invention is directed to systems and methods for providing disaster recovery services using virtual machines. The invention provides an inexpensive and minimally intrusive way to provide disaster recovery services including recovery of the state of computer processors and devices. The system includes a production host and a backup host that communicate via a communications link. The state of the processor and devices on the production host are periodically stored onto backup host and can be restored in the event of an emergency. Additionally, the invention includes two business methods for utilizing the system and methods for providing disaster recovery services.
US07840957B2
A computer program and apparatus that minimize the time required to update installed programs to a new version. Upon receipt of a request for updating old version software to a new version, a version information collector first obtains version information describing specified new version software. Then a processing time calculator calculates update processing times for a full update process, a partial update process, and a copy & update process, based on the obtained version information about the new version software, as well as based on version information describing the old version software. A process selector compares the calculated update processing times and selects the fastest update process. Then an updating unit executes the selected fastest update process to update the old version software to the new version software.
US07840954B2
A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer usable code are provided for generating code to perform scalar computations on a Single-Instruction Multiple-Data (SIMD) Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) architecture. The illustrative embodiments generate code directed at loading at least one scalar value and generate code using at least one vector operation to generate a scalar result, wherein all scalar computation for integer and floating point data is performed in a SIMD vector execution unit.
US07840953B2
In a method for reducing code size a replaceable subset of instructions at a first location within a set of instructions and a matching target subset of instructions at a second location within the set of instructions are identified. A base offset and a relative offset are determined. The base offset and the relative offset indicate an absolute offset from the first location to the second location. An instruction to cause a base offset storage element to be loaded with the base offset is inserted prior to the first location. The replaceable subset of instructions is replaced with a second instruction to cause a program counter to be modified based on the relative offset and a value in the base offset register so that the modified program counter indicates the second location.
US07840950B2
Optimizations are programmatically applied by a compiler (preferably, a just-in-time or “JIT” compiler), and enable achieving improved performance while a variable acts as a global constant, yet also allow code to execute correctly if the global constant's run-time value changes from the value on which the optimization was originally based. Code snippets that dynamically patch executable code are described, where these code snippets take corrective actions to enable correct program execution following a run-time change to the value of a glacial constant. A backup recovery path may also be maintained, where this path provides code that is executed in the event of a change to a glacial constant and that treats the glacial constant as a variable. Recompilation may also be used after a change to a glacial constant, where the originally-compiled code has made an assumption about the glacial constant's value that is no longer accurate. Combinations of these approaches may be used.
US07840947B2
Transactional programming promises to substantially simplify the development and maintenance of correct, scalable, and efficient concurrent programs. Designs for supporting transactional programming using transactional memory implemented in hardware, software, and a mixture of the two have emerged recently. Unfortunately, conventional debugging programs are often inadequate when employed in relation to code that employs transactional memory and new or modified techniques are needed. Implementations of delayed breakpoints are described that provide programmers with the benefits of breakpoints in transactional code, while minimizing the side-effects of breakpoints placed inside atomic block.
US07840940B2
This invention relates to a management method, during a logging or a replay, of software operations returning a non-deterministic result within the execution of an application process within a computer (OP).This method comprising the following steps: execution, from at least one executable file, of a program instruction initiating the implementation of the managed operation; intervention (TMF, TC1, TC2) by a management software agent (AG) external to the managed application (AOP), in the software functioning of the computer (OP) in order that the managed process or the managed application takes account of a result datum (DR) reproducible in an unambiguous manner from the state of the reproducible resources (RRepr) before the managed operation.
US07840937B1
The present invention discloses a process of using a container code generator to generate a web application. By using the process, the container component coder generator uses at least one component code generator for a subcomponent to generate the component code of the subcomponent, includes the component code of the subcomponent in the web application, and generates necessary communication code that allows the subcomponent to communicate with the container component or another subcomponent inside the container component at a client computer.
US07840919B1
The availability of device resources of an IC are quantified for a circuit design by building a representation of resource sites for the IC. Initial availability values are assigned to the resource sites, and any components having locking constraints are identified and placed into their respective sites. From the remaining resource sites, candidate sites for a component of the circuit design are identified. The candidate sites are summed, and the initial availability values of the candidate sites are modified according to the sum.
US07840917B2
In an apparatus and method for automatically correcting a design pattern in view of different process defects, defect characteristic functions that indicate frequencies of each process defect independent from one another are generated, and a normalization factor that indicates relationships between the defect characteristic functions is determined. A general defect characteristic function indicating a frequency of general defects is generated using the defect characteristic functions and the normalization factor. The general defect causes the same process failure as caused by each of the process defects. The design pattern is modified using the general defect characteristic function in such a manner that the frequency of the general defects is minimized when at least one portion of the design pattern corresponding to the model pattern is transcribed on the substrate. Accordingly, the whole design pattern may be automatically corrected based on the general defect characteristic function.
US07840916B2
A design structure embodied in a machine readable medium used in a design process can include apparatus of a semiconductor chip operable to detect an increase in resistance of a monitored element of the semiconductor chip. The design structure can include, for example, a resistive voltage divider circuit operable to output a plurality of reference voltages having different values. A plurality of comparators in the semiconductor chip may be coupled to receive the reference voltages and a monitored voltage representative of a resistance of the monitored element. Each of the comparators may produce an output indicating whether the monitored voltage exceeds the reference voltages, so that the resistance value of the monitored element may be precisely determined.
US07840914B1
A system comprises a plurality of computation units interconnected by an interconnection network. A method for configuring the system comprises accepting a set of instructions corresponding to a portion of a program that performs a computation repeatedly; identifying subsets of the instructions; and associating each subset with a different one of the computation units to form a specification of the set of instructions such that execution according to the specification forms a pipeline among at least some of the computation units.
US07840910B2
In a method of managing an information processing apparatus displaying a menu screen in which plural menus are arranged and receiving selection of the menus, the information processing apparatus includes a display unit displaying the menu screen, an image data storage unit storing image data of the menus which can be displayed on the menu screen, an information recording unit recording menus displayed on the menu screens and menu display information in which the order of arranging the menus in the menu screen is recorded, and a control unit displaying the menu screen on the display unit based on the menu display information recorded in the information recording unit and the image data recorded in the image data storage unit, and the method of managing the information processing apparatus includes a step of creating menu display information and a step of recording menu display information created in the step of creating menu display information in the information recording unit to change the order of arrangement of the menus at least to be displayed on the menu screen.
US07840896B2
Groups of subordinate report definitions are determined for selected scorecard metrics based on suitable report type and layout features. A list comprising the available reports is assigned to each source metric enabling association of the groups across metrics. A context of the scorecard is passed to a physical instantiation of the group of reports to affect their behavior. Report presentation, queries, and the like may be performed using the assigned definition list(s).
US07840887B2
A method and system for decoding a received data stream are disclosed. The appropriate time interval to decode the received data stream is derived from the data stream itself. A header of the data stream is analyzed to determine two sets of time ranges, each set of time ranges corresponding to a set of possible data transmission intervals. A preamble of the header contains timing information for development of a first set of time ranges to decode a synchronization word of the header. The synchronization word contains both data information and timing information to develop the second set of time ranges. The data information included in the header is used validate the data stream for the receiving device. The second set of time ranges is used to decode a data payload portion of the data stream.
US07840884B2
Method and decoding device for decoding a convolutionally coded input data signal y. The input data signal is multiplied with a scaling factor Lc(8) and then demultiplexed (6). The demultiplexed input data signal LcS is then turbo decoded (5) in order to obtain decoder output likelihood ratio data Λ. The scaling factor Lc is updated (7) for a next iteration in dependence on a combination of a posteriori likelihood data based on turbo decoded output data Λ and a priori likelihood data based on the demultiplexed signal LcS.
US07840880B1
Methods and apparatus are provided for more efficiently computing error checking codes such as cyclic redundancy checks (CRCs). Based on particular characteristics of CRCs, an input sequence is intelligently divided into a series of subsequences. Each subsequence gets selected bits from the input sequence. The error checking code is calculated on each subsequence. The results are bit-interleaved and an error checking code is calculated over this interleaved result to obtain the error checking code over the entire sequence.
US07840876B2
The present invention includes a memory device with a data memory and an error correction code control circuit. The data memory stores data parity information for error correction. The error correction code control circuit is configured to receive a selection signal indicative of whether an error correction mode is to be used. Power to access the portion of the memory storing the parity information is disabled when the error correction mode is enabled.
US07840872B2
N-dimensional iterative ECC method and apparatus with combined erasure—error information and re-read
In an iterative error correction method and apparatus for correcting errors in digital data read from a storage medium, re-reads are combined with the error correction procedure in a single error recovery procedure. The data read from the storage medium are represented as a multi-dimensional data structure, and the error recovery procedure is undertaken for each dimension of the data structure. In each dimension, an erasure map is generated that contains errors in the initial read of the data for that dimension, and the errors in the erasure map are deducted as they are corrected in subsequent re-reads. After a predetermined number of re-reads, or when no further errors exist, the error recovery procedure is ended.
US07840868B2
A digital broadcast transmitting/receiving system and a method for processing data are disclosed. The method for processing data may enhance the receiving performance of the receiving system by performing additional coding and multiplexing processes on the traffic information data and transmitting the processed data. Thus, robustness is provided to the traffic information data, thereby enabling the data to respond strongly against the channel environment which is always under constant and vast change.
US07840866B2
A digital broadcasting transmission apparatus and robust stream coding method thereof. The digital broadcasting transmission apparatus includes a robust processor that codes a robust stream of a dual transport stream where a normal stream and the robust stream are combined. The robust processor includes a demultiplexer (DE-MUX) that separates the normal stream and the robust stream from the dual transport stream; a robust encoder that appends a parity to the separated robust stream; a robust interleaver that interleaves the robust stream having the appended parity; and a MUX that combines the interleaved robust stream and the separated normal stream. Accordingly, a receiver of a simple structure can be provided.
US07840865B2
A built-in self-test (BIST) circuit is disclosed that allows high fault coverage. Additionally, a method is disclosed for implementing the BIST circuit. In one aspect, the BIST circuit includes a plurality of scan chains that receive test patterns used in testing the integrated circuit. A pseudo random pattern generator provides test patterns to the scan chains. Weight select logic is positioned between the scan chains and the pseudo random pattern generator and controls the weightings of the test patterns that are loaded in the scan chains. In another aspect, the weight select logic can switch the weightings of the test patterns on a per-scan-cell basis. Thus, as the scan chains are loading, the weight select logic can effectively switch between test patterns being loaded into the scan chains.
US07840858B2
A detection apparatus is provided. The detection apparatus includes; a multi-strobe generating section that generates a plurality of strobe signals with phases different from one another; a plurality of acquiring sections each of which acquires a signal value of a signal under measurement at a timing of each of the plurality of strobe signals; a plurality of changing point detecting sections that detect a fact that there is a changing point of the signal under measurement between two adjacent strobe signals when two signal values which are acquired in accordance with the two adjacent strobe signals are different from one another; a mask setting section that sets the changing point detecting section to be enabled among the plurality of changing point detecting sections; and a changing timing output section that outputs a changing timing of the signal under measurement based on an output of the enabled changing point detecting section.
US07840856B2
A solution provided here comprises transferring control to at least one data-capture component when an error occurs in a production environment, performing introspection upon an object associated with the error, and capturing data from the object. The captured data is associated with the error, and the capturing is performed at least partially through introspection. Methods for error—handling and providing diagnostic data, systems for executing such methods, and instructions on a computer-usable medium, for executing such methods, are provided.
US07840844B2
Techniques for prioritizing test dependencies are described. A computer system employing such techniques may present a test structure for a set of test cases. The test structure may comprise prioritized test cases and dependencies between test cases. The dependencies may be based on predicted test case failure given failure of another test case. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07840840B2
A DC backup power supply system having a plurality of loads to which AC from a commercial power source is supplied, and DC power storage means for supplying DC power to the plurality of the loads at the time of a power outage of the commercial power source, said DC backup power supply system including: a control circuit having a first DC backup output for supplying a power from the DC power storage means to the plurality of the loads, including a specific load, only during the power outage of the commercial power source, and a second DC backup output for continuously supplying a power from the DC power storage means to the specific load regardless of the power outage of the commercial power source or sound operation thereof, the control circuit supplying the respective powers from the same DC power storage means to the first and second DC backup outputs.
US07840839B2
A fault-tolerant virtualized computer system comprises a primary host executing a primary virtual machine (VM) and a backup host executing a backup VM. In one embodiment, each VM includes a virtual disk mapped to a shared disk image on physical disk accessible to both hosts. A virtual disk IO request is received by virtualization software executing on the backup host from a backup VM. When the virtual disk IO request is a read request, the virtual disk IO request is mapped to a physical read IO request of a virtual disk image stored on a physical disk, the physical read IO request is issued to the physical disk. However, when the virtual disk IO request is a write request, it is assumed to be completed without mapping the virtual disk IO request or issuing a mapped physical IO request to the physical disk.
US07840837B2
A system and method for protecting memory during system initialization is provided. A complex programmable logic device (CPLD) is operatively interconnected with a multiplexer to enable control of a memory to be switched between a memory controller and the CPLD in response to error conditions. If an error condition is identified, the CPLD assumes control of the memory and activates a battery subsystem to provide memory refreshes until system re-initialization. Upon system bring-up, interactions between the BIOS and CPLD assure that protected memory is fully recovered by the system. The contents of memory will remain protected from any further faults that may occur during the bring-up sequence.
US07840831B2
Phase correction circuits and methods for reducing phase skew between multiphase clock signals and a semiconductor device including the circuit are provided. The semiconductor device includes a phase correction circuit and an output buffer. The phase correction circuit corrects phase skew between multiphase clock signals and generates skew-corrected clock signals. The output buffer outputs data in synchronization with the skew-corrected clock signals. The phase correction circuit includes a phase corrector, a replication output buffer, a phase detector, and a controller. The phase corrector corrects a duty cycle of a first clock signal, a duty cycle of a second clock signal, and phase skew between the first and second clock signals and generates skew-corrected first and second clock signals. The replication output buffer has the same structure as a data output buffer and outputs replication data in synchronization with the skew-corrected first and second clock signals. The phase detector detects a phase error in data output from the replication output buffer and generates a detection signal. The controller controls the phase corrector in response to the detection signal. Accordingly, phase skew between multiphase clock signals can be reduced or eliminated.
US07840826B2
A computer array 100 including a field of processors 101-124 each processor having a separate memory. The processors 101-124 are connected to their immediate neighbors with links 200. Several configurations of the links are described including differing types of data lines 210 and control lines 215. Along lines 215 Process Command Words (PCW) to initiate processing tasks and Routing Connection Words (RCW) to initiate routing tasks pass between the processors 101-124 to provide a method for altering the mode of hybrid processors 107-118 in the array.
US07840823B2
A processor system includes a processor which has an internal memory, an external memory, and a bus controller which controls a bus to which the processor and the external memory are connected. The processor system also includes a measurement unit for measuring an instruction-execution rate of the processor, a clock controller for supplying the processor, the external memory, and the bus controller with clock signals having clock frequencies corresponding to the instruction-execution rate measured by the measurement unit, respectively, and a voltage controller for controlling a source voltage or a threshold voltage which are supplied to the processor, the external memory, and the bus controller, in accordance with the respective clock frequencies of the clock signals supplied to the processor, the external memory, and the bus controller.
US07840822B2
To make such an ordinary hub as works on the power fed through a power adapter connected to a commercial power supply be capable of maintaining its hub-function without interruption even when a commercial power supply failure occurs. The ordinary hub is connected to a line securement power supply unit 8 that is power-fed from a POE-compliant power-feeding hub 3 through a communication cable 5c, wherein a means for producing a power for an ordinary hub using a power fed through said communication cable 5c so as to feed produced power to an ordinary hub 2; and a storage battery 806, which stores power while power-receiving, to be used as the power source for producing a power for said ordinary hub when a power failure, are provided in said line securement power supply unit 8.
US07840821B2
Requests to an operational module are received at a monitoring device, where an estimated amount of energy expected to be consumed by the operational module while executing operations related to requests is accumulated for a sliding time window. A throttle signal is generated to limit the amount of energy consumed by the operation module is generated when the accumulated amount exceeds a maximum amount.
US07840820B2
A storage system of the present invention saves power consumption of the storage system and enhances responsiveness by predicting a disk drive that is to be accessed next on the basis of an access request from a host system, and promptly feeding power to the predicted disk drive. A prediction unit predicts the disk drive which is to be accessed next by the host system, by comparing a recent access request from the host system against a past access pattern that is registered in an access pattern record table. A power control unit feeds power from a power unit to the disk drive predicted by the prediction unit.
US07840817B2
To realize device authentication which is highly resistant to attacks with simple procedures. Hence, an authentication unit of an image input apparatus transmits first data to an authentication unit of an information holding device, and receives, from the authentication unit, encrypted key information and second data which is generated from the first data. The authentication unit authenticates a partner device based on the first data and second data. In the case that authentication is successful, the authentication unit of the image input apparatus decrypts the encrypted key information to acquire key information. Then the image input apparatus encrypts data using the key information, and transmits the encrypted data to the partner device.
US07840807B2
A authentication device of an apparatus in one example authenticates a computing device, in communication with the authentication device, through employment of a determination that a current location of the authentication device matches an initial location of the authentication device.
US07840803B2
A group of devices are fabricated based on a common design, each device having a corresponding plurality of measurable characteristics that is unique in the group to that device, each device having a measurement module for measuring the measurable characteristics. Authentication of one of the group of devices is enabled by selective measurement of one or more of the plurality of measurable characteristics of the device.
US07840791B2
A reset device for a computer system is provided. The reset device includes a hardware-reset signal generating circuit for outputting a hardware-reset signal to reset the computer system; a switch connected to the hardware-reset signal generating circuit, the hardware-reset signal generating circuit outputting the hardware-reset signal when the switch is on; a timing circuit set for outputting a controlling signal after a predetermined time that the switch has been on has passed; and a latch circuit communicating with a central processing unit (CPU) of the computer system and the timing circuit, the latch circuit latching the controlling signal and delivering the controlling signal to the CPU, the CPU controlling system settings to resume default values based on the controlling signal.
US07840787B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for non-deterministic incremental program replay using checkpoints and syndrome tracking. Replay of a program proceeds by, for a given execution of the program, recording one or more checkpoints of the program, the one or more checkpoints containing program state information; and a recorded list of values for one or more identified variables executing in one or more threads of the program. Thereafter, during a replay execution of the program, the process continues by commencing execution from a particular one of the recorded checkpoints; restoring the program state information associated with the particular one of the recorded checkpoints; comparing an observed list of values to the recorded list of values for the one or more identified variables executing in each of the one or more threads; and identifying a difference between the observed list of values and the recorded list of values. A perturbation or suspend statement can optionally be introduced into the replay execution of the program.
US07840781B1
Various approaches for profiling a target system are described. In one approach, a uni-directional, point-to-point bus has a single input port and a single output port. A target processor has a trace port coupled to the input port of the bus and is configured to execute a plurality of instructions one or more times. The target processor provides state data at the trace port and to the input port of the bus. A profile circuit arrangement is coupled to the output port of the first bus, and a memory is coupled to the profile circuit arrangement. The profile circuit arrangement is configured to read data from the output port of the first bus and write the data to the memory.
US07840780B2
In one embodiment, a node comprises a plurality of processor cores and a node controller configured to receive a first read operation addressing a first register. The node controller is configured to return a first value in response to the first read operation, dependent on which processor core transmitted the first read operation. In another embodiment, the node comprises the processor cores and the node controller. The node controller comprises a queue shared by the processor cores. The processor cores are configured to transmit communications at a maximum rate of one every N clock cycles, where N is an integer equal to a number of the processor cores. In still another embodiment, a node comprises the processor cores and a plurality of fuses shared by the processor cores. In some embodiments, the node components are integrated onto a single integrated circuit chip (e.g. a chip multiprocessor).
US07840775B2
The resources in a storage system including host IF units 101, drive IF units 102, disk drives 103, data transfer engines 105, cache memories 107, and control processors 109 are partitioning targets. A processor 301 in each control processor 109 creates plural logical units by logically partitioning the partitioning target resources, and changes, according to the amount of access from the host computer, the proportion allocated to each logical partition.
US07840772B2
A method for allocating memory in a computer system is disclosed. The method includes creating a kernel memory class, the kernel memory class acting as a logical container for at least a first kernel memory resource group. The method further includes processing a kernel client's request for additional memory by ascertaining whether there is sufficient free memory in the first kernel memory resource group to accommodate the kernel client's request. The method additionally includes denying the kernel client's request if there is insufficient free memory in the first kernel memory resource group to accommodate the kernel client's request.
US07840768B2
System-directed checkpointing is enabled in otherwise standard computers through relatively straightforward augmentations to the computer's memory controller hub. Firmware routines executed by a control and dispatch unit that is normally part of any memory controller hub enable it to implement any of six different checkpointing strategies: post-image checkpointing in which an image of the system state at the time of the last checkpoint is maintained in a local shadow memory; post-image checkpointing in which an image of the system state at the time of the last checkpoint is maintained in a shadow memory located in a second, backup computer; post-image checkpointing using a bit-map memory, having one bit representing each data block in system memory, to reduce the amount of memory-to-memory copying required to establish a checkpoint; post-image checkpointing to a local shadow memory using two bit map memories to enable normal processing to continue while the shadow is being updated, post-image checkpointing to a local shadow memory using a block-state memory that eliminates the need for any memory-to-memory copying; and local pre-image checkpointing that does not require a shadow memory. Since each of these implementations has advantages and disadvantages relative to the others and since similar mechanisms are used in the memory controller hub for all of these options, it can be designed to support all of them with hardwired or settable status bits defining which is to be supported in a given situation.
US07840761B2
A processor executes one or more prefetch threads and one or more main computing threads. Each prefetch thread executes instructions ahead of a main computing thread to retrieve data for the main computing thread, such as data that the main computing thread may use in the immediate future. Data is retrieved for the prefetch thread and stored in a memory, such as data fetched from an external memory and stored in a buffer. A prefetch controller determines whether the memory is full. If the memory is full, a cache controller stalls at least one prefetch thread. The stall may continue until at least some of the data is transferred from the memory to a cache for use by at least one main computing thread. The stalled prefetch thread or threads are then reactivated.
US07840750B2
The present invention relates to a secure transmission system and secure transmission method that securely transmit data stored in a computer to different computers via a Local Area Network or the Internet. The secure transmission system includes a virtual disk, configured to allow only an authorized application program module to gain an access and read, write and edit information data; and a secure communication application module including a user information generation means for generating intrinsic user information at the time of setting up the virtual disk, a user information storage means for storing the generated user information, an outgoing file management means for searching the virtual disk for information data to be sent and compressing the found information data, generating the header information of the information data in which user information about a sender and/or a recipient is contained, and adding the generated header information to the user information, an incoming file management means for reading the header information of received information data, decompressing compressed information data, and storing the decompressed information data on the virtual disk, and a file security means for encrypting and decrypting information data to be sent or received information data.
US07840748B2
A memory system is provided that enhances the memory bandwidth available through a memory module. The memory system includes a memory controller and at least one memory module coupled to the memory controller. In the memory systems, each memory module comprises at least one memory hub device integrated in the memory module. In the memory system, each memory hub device in the memory module comprises a first memory device data interface that communicates with a first set of memory devices and a second memory device data interface that communicates with a second set of memory devices. In the memory system, the first set of memory devices which are separate from the second set of memory devices are communicated with by the memory hub device via the separate first and second memory device data interfaces.
US07840745B2
A data accessing system for interfacing between a smart card and a non-volatile memory is provided. The non-volatile memory has a smart card exclusive area accessible to a plurality of smart card applications. The smart card exclusive area includes a plurality of record unit sets respectively having a plurality of record units. The data accessing system has a buffer for temporarily storing data to be written into the smart card exclusive area and a data accessing protocol unit managing an access parameter table, a plurality of application information tables, and a plurality of record unit set link tables. The smart card applications access the smart card exclusive area in a unit of record unit set, and the size of a record unit set is a multiple of an access unit of the non-volatile memory. Accordingly, the number of accesses to the non-volatile memory is reduced and data security is increased
US07840738B2
Devices, systems and methods for providing a connector system are disclosed. The exemplary device may have system and device flow contacts on the system and device connectors, respectively. A first set contacts and a second set of contacts may be electrically connected to each other to verify that system and device contacts are properly mated to each other. A controller linked to a contact circuit may regulate the power and/or signals provided to an end device.
US07840731B2
A router that includes a plurality of processors (SMPs) where there is “affinity” between particular processors and particular interfaces: Each of the router's interfaces are assigned to one of the processors. A packet arriving at a particular interface will be handled by the processor having an affinity to that particular interface. If the packet's egress is on an interface assigned to the same processor, then the output process will also be handled by that processor. If the egress interface has an affinity to a different processor, then the packet is handed over to the other processor for egress. The data structures that must be retrieved from memory to handle a packet are often associated with the interfaces through which the packet passes. Thus, having a particular processor handle all the packets that pass through a particular interface insures that the data structures needed to handle the packets will more likely be stored in the processor's cache and less likely be the object of inter-processor lock contention.
US07840729B2
A semiconductor memory card (101) has a plurality of areas (105, 106) based on different file systems. An adapter (102) includes: an area switching part (110) which a user can operates, a determination part (109) for determining the operation; and a card controller (108) for issuing a switching command for switching the area to be used for the semiconductor memory card (101) in accordance with the judgment result. When the switching command is issued in response to input from the area switching part (110), the command is interpreted by an area selector (107) of the semiconductor memory card (101) so as to select an area.
US07840714B2
An embodiment of the present invention is a technique to map pins on an interface connector to signals for a digital display. A first group of signal traces maps transmitter differential pairs pins in a first group of lanes on the interface connector compatible with a first interface standard to video output points corresponding to video output signals of a first video port compatible with a second interface standard. A second group of signal traces maps presence detect pins in the first group of lanes on the interface connector to control signal points corresponding to control signals of the first video port compatible with the second interface standard. A third group of signal traces maps receiver differential pairs pins in the first group of lanes on the interface connector to video input points corresponding to video input signals of the first video port compatible with the second interface standard.
US07840713B2
A method is provided for operating a field bus network system having a ring topology, which has a master unit and a plurality of slave units, which are connected by a field bus in a ring topology. The method includes transmission of a data message by the master unit to a slave unit intended for receiving the data message, which has a first counter device and a second counter device, a count of the first counter device being used to display a number of required relay steps via interposed slave units in the ring topology up to the slave unit intended for receiving the data message and a count of the second counter device being used to display a number of completed relay steps via interposed slave units in the ring topology; the slave units modifying the count of the first counter device using a first predefined algorithm upon receipt of the data message and ascertaining on the basis of the modified count of the first counter device whether it is the slave unit intended to receive the data message; and the slave units modifying the count of the second counter device using a second predefined algorithm upon receipt of the data message.
US07840704B2
Systems and methods are described for supporting routing intelligence for evaluating routing paths based on performance measurements. The routing intelligence may include processes executed in a self-contained device. This device may control one or more edge routers, based on performance data from end users. In other embodiments, the routing intelligence device may be used solely to monitor one or more edge routers, producing reports but not effecting any changes to routing. Routing decisions may be injected to the edge routers via BGP updates. The devices may be stationed at the premises of a multihomed organization, such as an enterprise, ISP, government organization, university, or other organization supporting a sub-network coupled to an internetwork. In other embodiments, the routing intelligence comprises processes executed on a router.
US07840700B2
Custom or user-defined application program extensions may be loaded into a network infrastructure element such as a router or switch without restarting the device. For example, a network element has program extensibility logic operable for receiving one or more user program extensions that comprise logic operable to interface with the application program and perform message processing functions or protocol processing functions that are not in the application program; installing the one or more user program extensions without restarting the apparatus; receiving one or more packets representing an application message; selecting a particular one of the user program extensions based on a protocol associated with the message; loading the particular one of the user program extensions; executing business logic of the application program associated with the received message; and invoking a function of the particular one of the user program extensions in response to a call in the business logic.
US07840698B2
A technique is disclosed for detecting hidden wireless routers that constitute security threats in telecommunications networks that comprise a wireless network portion and a wireline network portion. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the invention, a test station is used in the wireless portion of a network to detect the presence of a hidden wireless router. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a test server is used in the wireline portion of the network in order to detect packets that are illegitimately routed from the wireless portion to the wireline portion of the network through the hidden wireless router.
US07840693B2
Systems and methods provide for on-the-fly alteration of apparent playback rate for content sent to a client based on a request from the client to alter the playback speed of the content. The system and method can use existing, open protocols and the media files served are playable by standard media playback clients. The method includes receiving a request for media content from a client, including instructions for adjusting the number of frames of the requested content to affect an apparent change in the playback speed of the content. The adjustment to the frames may include inserting frames, removing frames, and/or inserting markers to trigger the client device to duplicate frames.
US07840691B1
A personal broadcast server system provides a customized broadcast to one or more users over a transmission media. A data storage device stores a plurality of broadcast elements. A data management system stores a user profile and a user state for each of the one or more users and also stores information associated with each of the plurality of broadcast elements. A broadcast element selector, having at least one broadcast element selector functions, selects broadcast elements from the data storage device based on information contained in the data management system. A broadcast server receives the selected broadcast elements from the data storage device and provides the selected broadcast elements to a user over the transmission media. The personal broadcast server system may provide streaming audio, streaming video, or other forms of broadcast signals.
US07840687B2
Embodiments of methods and apparatus for discovering a bootstrapping server by a mobile station, and bootstrapping the mobile station are disclosed. In some embodiments, a mobile station discovers a remotely disposed bootstrapping server; transmits wirelessly a bootstrap request to the bootstrapping server; and receive wirelessly a bootstrap response from the bootstrapping server in response to the transmitted bootstrap request. Additional variants and embodiments are also disclosed.
US07840685B2
A method for dynamic network transport selection is described. An indication from a user of a client device is received, to fetch over a data network media of a predefined type. One of a number of network transport physical layers in the client device is automatically assigned, based on a number of stored, ranked media types and network transport physical layer types, for use in fetching the media over the data network. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US07840684B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for managing a plurality of home pages for a user. One or more web pages are presented to a user by identifying a plurality of home pages associated with the user; and selecting one or more of the home pages to present to the user based on one or more predefined rules. The home pages associated with the user can be selected by the user. A number of different predefined rules can be applied for selecting the home pages to be presented to the user.
US07840678B2
In a network, a user can configure host-level policies usable for load balancing traffic to servers of a domain. A global server load balancing (GSLB) switch provides load balancing to the servers, and is configured with the GSLB host-level policies. Users can define a host-level policy (alternatively or additionally to a globally applied GSLB policy) and apply the host-level policy to hosts in domains configured on the GSLB switch. Thus, the user can enable different policies for different hosts. This allows the user to have the flexibility to control metrics used for selection of a best address for querying clients, as well as the metric order and additional parameters used in the GSLB process, at the host level.
US07840670B2
A packet transmission diagnostic system transmits diagnostic packets during a communications session in which data packets are transmitted between a source and destination. The diagnostic packets elicit responses from routers along a path between the source and destination. The elicited responses, in the form of packets, are used by the diagnostic system to produce one or more packet-delivery metrics for one or more of the routers along a packet transmission path between the source and destination.
US07840657B2
A method for power-managing storage devices in a storage pool involves monitoring the storage pool to determine whether a storage management policy is satisfied, where the storage pool comprises a first storage device that is powered up and a second storage device that is powered down, powering up the second storage device after the storage management policy is satisfied, and making the second storage device available for use in the storage pool after the second storage device is powered up.
US07840656B2
A system for implementing and controlling a plurality of server-specific policies for a plurality of servers using a management module in communication with the plurality of servers is provided. A policy controller module is operational on the management module. The policy controller module is adapted for defining a first policy of a plurality of policies for each of the plurality of servers, managing a plurality of rules relevant to an execution of the first policy, and coordinating the execution of the first policy with an execution of a second policy of the plurality of policies.
US07840653B1
Techniques for enhancing a throttle management system are disclosed. A throttle management system can be configured to scale down a number of permits available for connections to a data source. The throttle configuration parameters can be viewed by an administrator and modified during the runtime operation of the computer system effecting the throttle.
US07840643B2
A method is provided for transferring data between first and second nodes of a network. Such method includes requesting first data to be transferred by a first upper layer protocol (ULP) operating on the first node of the network; and buffering second data for transfer to the second node by a lower protocol layer lower than the first ULP, the second data including an integral number of standard size units of data including the first data. The method further includes posting the second data to the network for delivery to the second node; receiving the second data at the second node; and from the received data, delivering the first data to a second ULP operating on the second node. The method is of particular application when transferring the data in unit size is faster than transferring the data in other than unit size.
US07840640B2
A server group includes a mail server and multiple game servers that provide different games. The mail server includes a character information table where a character name used in each game is registered and associated with a user and a game name and a mailbox prepared for each user. When receiving a request for using an extended mail address from a terminal apparatus, the mail server generates an extended mail address including the character name as a mail account and the game name as a domain, referring to the character information table. When receiving the mail using the extended mail address as a destination address, the mail server stores the mail to a mailbox of the user corresponding to the extended mail address.
US07840631B2
Embodiments of a system and method for initiating multimedia control are disclosed. One embodiment comprises a means for discovering a media device including establishing communication with the media device, identifying media formats which the media device supports, and identifying variables to control media device playback; a means for delegating to the media device responsibility for playback of a media content including selecting the media device with a one-click selection and identifying to the media device the media content to be played back; and a means for controlling the media device playback.
US07840628B2
A combining circuit and method combines a plurality of terms in a multiplier circuit. The combining circuit includes a first circuit, arranged to receive a first set of the plurality of terms and to combine the first set of terms to produce a first combined term set. The combining circuit also includes a second circuit, arranged to receive a second set of the plurality of terms and to combine the second set of terms to produce a second combined term set. The combining circuit further includes a third circuit, arranged to receive the first and second combined term sets and to combine the first and second combined term sets to produce a third combined term set. The combining circuit outputs the first combined term set as a first combination result and the third combined term set as a second combination result.
US07840613B2
Disclosed is a method for providing audio rendition and storage medium recording the same thereon wherein audio rendition is provided so as to play audio content based on MPV Standard as the content writer desires, without respect to system environment.The method for providing audio rendition functions comprises generating a master file and a rendition file which the master file is converted into so as to play a certain audio content, recording rendition information determined according to a rendition function relative to the generated master file on a resource file on which connection information between the master file and the rendition file is recorded, and executing the master file or the rendition file in the course of playing the audio content through the rendition information. The rendition function is provided by recording rendition information to indicate rendition attributes changing audio content according to data format or specific functions on a resource file of the audio content.
US07840611B2
High availability event forwarding can be obtained utilizing distributed queues in a server cluster. Each server can receive an event from a data system, such as a database or SAP™ system. Event queues exist on servers in the cluster can store an event until, for example, the event is delivered to a user or retrieved for processing. An event processor examines the load of each event queue and selects the event queue with the lightest load. The event processor generates an alias for the selected queue, such that a user, integration system, or client application does not need to know the identity of the physical queue storing the event, but only needs to refer to the ‘distributed queue’ or alias. After a physical queue is selected and an alias assigned, the event is forwarded to the selected queue.
US07840577B2
Search query processing to identify related search terms and to correct misspellings of search terms
A search engine process predicts the correct spellings of search terms within multiple-term search queries. In one embodiment, when a user submits a multiple-term search query that includes a non-matching term and at least one matching term, a table is accessed to look up a set of terms that are “related” to the matching term or terms. A spelling comparison function is then used to determine whether any of these related terms is sufficiently similar in spelling to the non-matching term to be deemed a candidate correctly-spelled replacement. A candidate replacement term may automatically be substituted for the non-matching term, or may be suggested to the user as a replacement. The invention also includes a process for identifying terms that are related to each other based on the relatively high frequencies with which they co-occur in search queries of users, database records, and/or specific database fields.
US07840576B1
Generally described, a method and system for providing a flexible rule-based infrastructure for a self-policing discussion board is provided. More specifically, a method and system is provided for processing reports for messages posted in a discussion board and determining whether each report is accurate based on predetermined criteria. The predetermined criteria are defined by a set of report handling rules which evolve over time by learning from previously processed activity reports. The set of report handling rules also defines an appropriate action to take with regards to an accused message as response to the report when the predetermined criteria are satisfied.
US07840573B2
A trusted relabeler system and software is provided that allows for the simultaneous reclassification of multiple files to multiple classification labels (security domains or computer networks) through automation of the multi-person review process. Roles, used to break down the requirements of the multi-person review process, dictate what specific function a user can perform. There are three roles used: Submitter, Processor, and Reviewer. Users are assigned one or more roles and a set of source and destination classification labels inside the security policy of a specific user that are bounded (restricted) by the clearance (maximum classification) assigned to a user on the trusted operating system on which the trusted relabeler system is implemented. The bundled documents to be reclassified are virus scanned, file typed, and searched for “dirty words” indicative of a particular classification level. Files are upgraded or downgraded only if all processes are completed successfully.
US07840564B2
A generic and expandable document aspect system and method for searching, browsing, presenting, and interacting with data assembled from document contents and related external data is provided. New varieties of document aspects are added to existing installations and can be accessed by users without requiring upgrades to server or clients, for example by using plug-in technology.
US07840549B2
Provided are techniques for updating retrievability aids. A search request including one or more search terms is received. Each of the one or more search terms is captured. A list of topics is provided to a user as search results. User selection of a topic in the list of topics is received. After reviewing the topic, the user adds one or more folksonomy tags to the topic. The one or more folksonomy tags added by the user to the topic are captured. Each of the one or more search terms and each of the one or more folksonomy tags are mapped to the topic. For each of the search terms, based on a number of times that the search term has been used to search for the topic, the search term is added to one or more retrievability aids. For each of the one or more folksonomy tags, based on a number of times that the folksonomy tag has been applied to the topic, the folksonomy tag is added to at least one of the one or more retrievability aids.
US07840543B2
A method of sharing a group of one or more objects between a plurality of users, in which one or more of said plurality of users is able to change parameter data of at least one said object. The method comprises storing at least one version of each said object; when an object is changed, creating a new version of the object, the new version of the object comprising additional data relating to the creation of the new version; storing the new version of the object together with any version of that object before the change; providing all versions of the object to each of said plurality of users; and using the additional data provided for each version of the object to determine how to display the object. The group may be a calendar and each object may be an event in the calendar. In that case, the object parameter data may comprise a start time of the event, an end time of the event, a description of the event, a status of the event, whether the event is to be repeated and the persons attending the event. The additional data may comprise an identification of the user who made the change, a time at which the change was made, a description of the change, a user comment relating to the change and an identification of the previous version of the event from which the present version was created.
US07840541B2
This invention has for its object to eliminate failure of correct recording on a recording medium in an on-vehicle audio recording/reproduction device due to an instantaneous power cut-off or the like. In order to achieve this object, a file system is used for managing files hierarchically by using files having information and a directory as a storage place of a plurality of files so that predetermined information is recorded in a work sector for backup before performing the primary recording. The work sector is selected from a work sector area having a plurality of sectors and the work sector has recorded the number of mountings of the file system. Thus, an optimal work sector is used for data recovery.
US07840539B2
Building a database from stored backup data images. In one aspect, an identification of a target image is received, the target image including a copy of a logical storage unit of data from a previous database and description information that describes the previous database. The target image holds a copy of a subset of the data of the previous database. A received list has at least one desired logical storage unit of data from the previous database to be included in a built database. The desired logical storage unit is restored from at least one stored data image to the built database using the description information in the target image. Other aspects include the target image being a database image, and the desired logical storage units of data being a subset of database data.
US07840538B2
A system is described for discovering query intent based on search queries and concept networks. The system may construct frequency vectors from log data corresponding to a submitted query and at least one related query submitted to one or more search engines. The system may also construct a query intent vector based on the frequency vectors. The query intent vector may include frequency scores that represent the intent of the query.
US07840535B2
An approach to validating replicated data allows use of a validation procedure that may modify the data replica. The approach features suspension of updating of the data replica for data replication and enabling restoration of the data replica to a state prior to any modification of the data as a result of the validation procedure. After validation, the data replica is restored before resuming updating for data replication.
US07840524B2
A computer research tool for indexing, searching and displaying data is disclosed. Specifically, a computer research tool for performing computerized research of data including textual objects in a database or a network and for providing a user interface that significantly enhances data presentation is described. Textual objects and other data in a database or network is indexed by creating a numerical representation of the data. The indexing technique called proximity indexing generates a quick-reference of the relations, patterns and similarity found among the data in the database. Proximity indexing indexes the data by using statistical techniques and empirically developed algorithms.
US07840511B2
A medical concept is learned about or inferred from a medical transcript. A probabilistic model is trained from medical transcripts. For example, the problem is treated as a graphical model. Discrimitive or generative learning is used to train the probabilistic model. A mutual information criterion can be employed to identify a discrete set of words or phrases to be used in the probabilistic model. The model is based on the types of medical transcripts, focusing on this source of data to output the most probable state of a patient in the medical field or domain. The learned model may be used to infer a state of a medical concept for a patient.
US07840509B1
The specification discloses a computer program and computer-based system and method for interrogating a user and generating a result, for example a report, custom video presentation, web-site presentation, etc., based upon the user's interrogatory answers. The computer program comprises a computer-readable memory device encoded with a database comprising a plurality of predefined questions and associated, predefined answers, wherein the plurality of questions and answers are organized in a predefined relationship between a pre-designated starting question and one or more ending questions to thereby define a plurality of possible logical interrogatory paths through the database, and wherein further the selection of any one of the plurality of possible logical paths is user-answer-dependent; a computer-readable memory device encoded with a user interface for displaying questions from the database and accepting answers from a user; and a computer-readable memory device encoded with an engine operative to present questions from the database to the user interface, and to navigate one of the plurality of possible logical interrogatory paths through the database as dictated by a user's answers to the questions presented at the user interface.
US07840508B2
An information processing apparatus includes a storage unit configured to store a node holding dynamics; an input-weight-coefficient adjuster configured to adjust input-weight coefficients on a dimension-by-dimension basis, the input-weight coefficients being weight coefficients for individual dimensions of input data input to input units of the node, the input data being observed time-series data having a plurality of dimensions; and an output-weight-coefficient adjuster configured to adjust output-weight coefficients on a dimension-by-dimension basis, the output-weight coefficients being weight coefficients for individual dimensions of output data having a plurality of dimensions and output from output units of the node.
US07840507B2
Systems and methods for enhancing the accuracy of classifying a measurement by providing an artificial class. Seizure prediction systems may employ a classification system including an artificial class and a user interface for signaling uncertainty in classification when a measurement is classified in the artificial class.
US07840503B2
A technique for increasing efficiency of inference of structure variables (e.g., an inference problem) using a priority-driven algorithm rather than conventional dynamic programming. The technique employs a probable approximate underestimate which can be used to compute a probable approximate solution to the inference problem when used as a priority function (“a probable approximate underestimate function”) for a more computationally complex classification function. The probable approximate underestimate function can have a functional form of a simpler, easier to decode model. The model can be learned from unlabeled data by solving a linear/quadratic optimization problem. The priority function can be computed quickly, and can result in solutions that are substantially optimal. Using the priority function, computation efficiency of a classification function (e.g., discriminative classifier) can be increased using a generalization of the A* algorithm.
US07840494B2
A monetary transaction system allows one or more wireless or wired devices, or a combination of these devices, to perform a transfer of currency or monetary funds from one online financial account to another financial account. After a user's profile is created, all of the necessary steps to verify the profile, availability of funds, security related issues and debiting and crediting of the appropriate account can be performed quickly and easily from the user's device. Thus, the transaction system will allow the transfer of funds between wired or wireless devices or appliances.
US07840489B2
According to one embodiment, a method comprises generating a cryptographic key and sharing the cryptographic key with a plurality of digital rights management (DRM) systems supplied by different providers. This provides flexibility in using any DRM system by media receiving devices targeted to receive media.
US07840467B2
The present invention relates to a method that allows managers of retail portfolios to compute performance time series that have been cleaned of marketing impacts, lifecycles, management actions, and seasonality, leaving only the performance changes due to the environment. These normalized series can be used to compute the necessary covariance matrices for portfolio optimization or computing portfolio-level economic capital. The invention applies to any retail product or segment where vintage-level performance time series are being stored.
US07840462B2
Managing and evaluating commodities pricing, in one embodiment, includes retrieving and summing one or more price data sets exchanged between a buyer and seller agent in a specified time period. Additionally, metric data indicative of market prices for commodities indicated by the retrieved price data sets are summed. The summed totals are then compared to generate a comparison value. In another embodiment, one or more price data sets in a specified time period are retrieved, wherein commodities indicated by the price data sets meet a specified criterion. The retrieved price data sets and metric data indicative of market prices for the indicated commodities are summed and compared. In another embodiment, price data in one or more requests for quote are compared with metric data to normalize quoted prices. Accordingly, multi-value cross compilation of sales transactions and metric data for evaluation of commodities pricing is achieved.
US07840460B2
Methods and systems for forming a team of experts and evaluating a portfolio of patent documents have been provided. The methods comprise the step of determining a bias of an expert, and then providing evaluations of patent documents assigned to the expert according to a selected evaluation method, which is bias corrected to reduce or compensate for the bias of the expert. A system for evaluating a patent portfolio comprises means for assigning the patent documents to said experts and monitoring progress of the evaluation process of each expert, and means for performing evaluations of the assigned patent documents by each expert. The system is further enhanced with the means for determining the bias of the expert, and with a visualization unit for visualizing the results of the patent portfolio evaluation by color coding the evaluation results, wherein patent documents having different values are represented by different colors of a visible part of the light spectrum. A corresponding computer program product, a computer memory and a web site for providing access to the system and management of activities of the experts are also described.
US07840458B2
A method and apparatus for collecting information about an event in which a user accesses the Internet through the system of a first Internet Service Provider with whom the user does not have an account. The apparatus includes a first server that creates a record of the user's Internet usage and sends the record to a second server. The second server collects records from a plurality of Internet Service Providers and forwards the records to a third server on a regular basis. The third server processes the data in the plurality of records and generates a report showing how much money the first Internet Service Provider is owed for allowing the user to access the Internet through the system of the first Internet Service Provider.
US07840457B2
A system and method are provided for automated transaction splitting. A central repository gathers details of multi-category transactions between a first payee (e.g., merchant, investment firm) and one or more users. Each category's proportionate share of the total of the transactions is calculated and used to configure an average or model transaction. When a new transaction is received, it is automatically split among the categories based on the model transaction. Multiple types or tiers of model transactions may be applied. For example, a user-specific model transaction may reflect one specific user's history of transactions with the payee. A community model transaction may reflect multiple users' transactions. Similarly, one type of model transaction may reflect transactions with a single payee, while another type may reflect transactions with related payees (e.g., payees having similar businesses).
US07840455B1
In one embodiment, the present invention includes methods for detecting fraudulent or erroneous invoices that use an associative memory and models of valid invoices. Incoming invoices may be applied against the models of valid invoices, and the models may access the associations of data elements in an associative memory and provide results to a decision engine. The decision engine may flag invoices that are nonconforming for further analysis. As more invoices and information about the invoices are gathered, the models and associative memory may be adapted to improve detection performance.
US07840452B2
A computer implemented method, computer program product, and data processing system for managing proxy parts that are exchangeable based on an active exchangeable proxy part list, a production history, and a true demand. A production history is used to compile a list of active exchangeable proxy parts. The most available active exchangeable proxy part is chosen as a proxy part in a unit. The target part in the unit's production order is overridden with the newly assigned proxy part number. Following the implementation of the proxy part, the proxy part is recovered. The proxy part is returned to production inventory, where it may be reassigned as a proxy part or implemented as a production part.
US07840450B2
A system for storing and retrieving data associated with an identification of a RFID device. The invention receives data and a list of RFIDs associated with data. The system then stores the data in a memory and stores a record of an association by the data and each RFID. When the system receives a request for data that includes a RFID, the system searches for records of the associations and presents the data associated with the received RFID.
US07840449B2
A method, system and program product to manage total inventory. Existing inventory, optimum inventory, excess inventory and inventory consumption are calculated according to different sets of data regarding whether one is considering a policy inventory and/or a manufacturing limitation. Results of the calculations with different sets of data are compared to determine an impact of the policy inventory and an inventory trapped in manufacturing. This invention has application in the microelectronics industry as well as other industries.
US07840445B2
An electronic requisition processing method and system are disclosed. The method comprises the steps of preparing an electronic requisition including a requisition proposal; establishing an electronic list of approvers for the requisition; and at defined times, electronically recalculating the list. Preferably, this list is recalculated after each of at least some of the approvers act on the requisition; and the list is recalculated according to a given set of rules. Also, in the preferred system, the approval process is synchronous, whereby upon submission of the requisition, the requisition is immediately available for approval. Additionally, preferably, when each approver approves, the list is dynamically recalculated to take into account the availability of approvers further down in the list.
US07840443B2
A customer sends a CAD file for the part to be manufactured to the system. The system assesses the CAD file to determine various pieces of manufacturing information. One or more acceptability criteria are applied to the part, such as whether the part can be machined in two opposing orientations in a 3 axis CNC machine. If not, the system sends a file to the customer graphically indicating which portions of the part need modification to be manufacturable. The system provides the customer with a quotation form, that allows the customer to select several parameters, such as number of cavities or parts per workpiece block, surface finish and material, which are independent of the shape of the part. The quotation module then provides the customer with the cost to manufacture the mold or a number of parts, which may include both molded parts and total profiled machined parts. Budget-driven quotation is possible, wherein proposed modifications in the molding process are controlled by the budget of the customer. Interactivity is also achieved, with the customer being able to modify the quotation interactively by modifying one or more of the initially selected parameters, including selecting a different budgeted amount.
US07840437B2
A system for handling data and transactions involving data through the use of a virtual transaction zone, which virtual transaction zone removes the dependency of such transaction on the delivery medium of the product. The invention may reside and operate on a variety of electronic devices such as televisions, VCRs, DVDs, personal computers, WebTV, any other known electronic recorder/player, or as a stand alone unit. The transaction zone also provides a mechanism for combining mediums, data feeds, and manipulation of those feeds. The transaction zone also provides a mechanism for controlling the content, delivery, and timing of delivery of the end consumer's product.
US07840434B2
Methods and systems are disclosed for assigning multiple tasks to a technician. One method allows a user to interface with an Integrated Dispatch System and assign multiple tasks to at least one technician. Each task describes a repair of a telecommunications network. The method displays a graphical user interface on a computer, and the graphical user interface indicates the assignment of the multiple tasks.
US07840431B2
A method and system for forming service compositions to provide service components to business processes. Service components independently needed by each business process are identified. At least one of the service components is needed by at least two business processes. At least two different service components are needed by at least one business process. At least two service compositions are specified. Each service composition includes at least one service component. At least one service composition comprises at least two service components. An optimal subset of the service compositions is ascertained, such that the total cost of deploying the service compositions in the optimal subset to provide the service components independently needed by each business process does not exceed the total cost of deploying the service compositions in any other subset of the service compositions to provide the service components independently needed by each business process.
US07840429B2
Disclosed is a system for substantially optimizing logistics for loading vehicles and transporting goods and a method of accomplishing the same.
US07840427B2
The network system matches the supply and demand of transportation services by incorporating unused transportation capacity (i.e., empty seats) with a real-time allocation and matching service that enables individuals and goods to conveniently hire that capacity with attractive pricing, rapid responsiveness, better information availability and trusted security. The network system provides an electronic registry of capacity containing an indication of the spare transport capacity and location of a plurality of transport vehicles, an electronic registry of demand containing an indication of the demand for transportation needs of a plurality of individuals and a central processing capability to effect a match of the transport capacity of at least one transport vehicle with the transport demand of at least one individual.
US07840426B2
Techniques for processing flexible-date queries are described. Techniques include a interface to enter a flexible date query including a description of a traveler's desired stay at a destination. A user receives a set of solutions that satisfy the flexible date query in the form of a calendar. The set of solutions can be stored in a database for eventual retrieval of a subset of the set of solutions to render to a user.
US07840416B2
A computing device-based system and method are described for generating a medical procedure description recorded into the system by a physician. The system and method manipulate a set of database records comprising medical content which is naturally descriptive of clinical procedures and clinically accurate diagrams which are naturally descriptive to document a medical procedure. To support the generation of a set of said medical procedure descriptions, the system and method provide interchangeable, connected, ontologically-based medical procedure database cartridges of medical content terms, rules, and diagrams that naturally describe constrained procedure representations for clinical procedure descriptions.
US07840411B2
A multi-channel audio encoder (10) encodes an N-channel audio signal. A first unit (110) generates a first encoded M-channel signal, e.g. a spatial stereo down-mix, for the N-channel signal (N>M). Down-mixers (115, 116, 117) generate first enhancement data for the signal relative to the N-channel audio signal. A second M-channel signal, such as an artistic stereo mix, is generated for the N-channel signal. A processor (123) then generates second enhancement data for the second M-channel signal relative to the first M-channel signal. A second unit (120) generates an output signal comprising the second M-channel signal, the first enhancement data and the second enhancement data. The generator (123) can dynamically select between generating the second enhancement data as absolute enhancement data or as relative enhancement data relative to the second encoded M-channel signal. A decoder (20) can perform the inverse operation and can apply the second enhancement data as absolute or relative enhancement depending on an indication in the received bit-stream.
US07840410B2
Blocks of audio information are arranged in groups that share encoding control parameters to reduce the amount of side information needed to convey the control parameters in an encoded signal. The configuration of groups that reduces the distortion of the encoded audio information may be determined by any of several techniques that search for an optimal or near optimal solution. The techniques include an exhaustive search, a fast optimal search and a greed merge, which allow the search technique to tradeoff the reduction in distortion against the bit rate of the encoded signal and/or the computational complexity of the search technique.
US07840404B2
A method and system for providing immediate diagnostic feedback on speech samples of non-native speakers are disclosed. A scoring model is generated based on speech features extracted from one or more training speech samples. An evaluation speech sample is received and speech features of the evaluation speech sample are determined. Based on the scoring model and the speech features, diagnostic feedback is provided to the speaker. In an alternate embodiment, speech features are extracted from an evaluation speech sample. The speech features are then compared with optimal values, ranges of values, or norms for those features. Based on the result of the comparison, diagnostic feedback is provided to the speaker.
US07840393B1
A system and method of developing better-designed medical devices, particularly cardiovascular stents and endovascular grafts. The system comprises a geometry generator, a mesh generator, a stress/strain/deformation analyzer, and a visualization tool. In one embodiment, the geometry generator receives three-dimensional volumetric data of an anatomical feature and generates a geometric model. The mesh generator then receives such geometric model of an anatomical feature or an in vitro model and a geometric model of a candidate medical device. In another embodiment, the mesh generator only receives a geometric model of the candidate medical device. Using the geometric model(s) received, the mesh generator creates or generates a mesh or a finite element model. The stress/strain/deformation analyzer then receives the mesh, and the material models and loads of that mesh. Using analysis, preferably non-linear analysis, the stress/strain/deformation analyzer determines the predicted stresses, strains, and deformations on the candidate medical device. Such stresses, strains, and deformations may optionally be simulated visually using a visualization tool.
US07840390B2
A method of creating a simulation model, includes acquiring a CD value of a photoresist pattern actually formed based upon a test pattern, acquiring information about a shape of the photoresist pattern, acquiring an intensity distribution of an optical image based upon the test pattern by performing simulation, acquiring an empirical threshold defined according to a CD value on the intensity distribution, which corresponds to the CD value of the photoresist pattern, acquiring a parameter of the optical image based upon the intensity distribution of the optical image, acquiring a first correlation between the information about the shape of the photoresist pattern and the parameter of the optical image, acquiring a second correlation between the information about the shape of the photoresist pattern and the empirical threshold, and acquiring a third correlation between the parameter of the optical image and the empirical threshold by using first and second correlations.
US07840389B2
The subject of the disclosed embodiments is a method of optimizing stiffened panels under stress. In particular, the method makes it possible to determine the stress distribution in stiffened panels with postbuckling taken into account. The method proposed is a coupling between an overall, linear stress calculation approach, based on strength-of-materials results, and a local, nonlinear approach for the behavior of the stiffened panel. The disclosed embodiments fall within the field of aeronautical design, at the pilot study stage in the definition of a civil transport airplane of conventional architecture.
US07840383B2
A monitoring system capable of being operationalized. Power consumption is electrical devices is monitored by the use of new and innovative consumption power monitoring device in accordance with the present invention. Power consumption information is collected by an intelligent power hub that is communicatively coupled to a remote server that presents overall power usage displays. A method of operationalizing a power usage monitoring system comprises powering up an energy pump device when the energy pump device is plugged into a first power socket, setting the energy pump device automatically to a SET mode to acquire new monitoring devices, and discovering the presence of a power consumption monitoring device.
US07840379B2
A system and method for controlling performance and/or power based on monitored performance characteristics. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise an integrated circuit comprising a first circuit module that receives electrical power. A second circuit module may monitor one or more performance characteristics of the first circuit module and/or the integrated circuit. A third circuit module may, for example, determine power control information based at least in part on the monitored performance characteristic(s). The power control information may be communicated to power supply circuitry to control various characteristics of the electrical power. Various aspects of the present invention may also comprise an integrated circuit comprising a first module that monitors at least one performance characteristic of a first electrical device. The integrated circuit may also comprise modules that determine power control information based on the monitored performance characteristic(s) and communicate such power control information to power supply circuitry.
US07840373B2
A system and associated method for selecting or creating an area which meets meet a set of marking criteria, for example, corresponding to a minimum surface area; a maximum slope angle; and a minimum deviation from a specified height. A marking station is directed to mark the selected area that meets the marking criteria.
US07840371B2
A non-contact scanning system for three dimensional non-contact scanning of a work piece is disclosed for use in various applications including reverse engineering, metrology, dimensional verification and inspection The scanning system includes a scanner carried by an arcuately configured gantry assembly and a fixture for carrying a work piece. The gantry assembly includes a fixed arcuately shaped gantry member and a telescopic arm that is movable in an arcuate direction relative to a rotary table that carries the object to be scanned. A scanner is mounted on the end of the telescopic member and is movable in a radial direction. The configuration of the scanning system in accordance with the present invention provides a spherically shaped scanning envelope which facilitates three dimensional modeling of the work piece.
US07840366B1
A method for calibrating a volatile organic compound (VOC) detector. In one implementation, an initiation request may be received indicating a gas concentration level amount to be used for calibrating a VOC detector. A gas may be provided to the VOC detector according to the gas concentration level amount. The VOC detector may be provided with the gas concentration level amount. A calibration log may be received from the VOC detector. The calibration log may comprise an identifier of the VOC detector, the gas concentration level amount, and a date indicating when the VOC detector received the gas concentration level amount and the gas according to the gas concentration level amount.
US07840363B2
System and method for determining total mill flow (TMF) in a biofuel production process. Measured slurry flow and density values from a process fed by mill(s), backset, and at least one water source, are received. The slurry includes biomass solids and water. Measured backset flow and density values, and a backset composition value are received, as well as a slurry composition value indicating % biomass solids of the slurry is received. A quantity of biomass solids and/or water of the slurry determined based on the slurry flow, density, and composition, and a quantity of the biomass solids and/or water of the backset determined based on the backset flow and density, backset composition, and a system filter characterizing time delays and lags between measurements of the backset flow and biomass slurry flow. Total mill flow is determined based on the quantities of biomass solids and/or water of the slurry and backset.
US07840360B1
A system and method for non-invasively inspecting one or more vessels capable of transmitting IR light containing liquid is provided, which uses a near-infrared (NIR) imaging device in combination with one or two NIR light sources, a diffuser plate, and an optical wavelength selecting means is provided for selecting one or more wavelength bands. In addition, the system may further comprise a computer processing means, a computer database containing known absorbance values, and a computer application, such that the system may compare the collected spectroscopic data to known spectroscopic data, and identify the liquid contained within the inspected vessel. The inspection method of the present invention measures a transmission or reflection image of one or more vessels being inspected at one or more narrow wavelength intervals in the NIR spectral range that corresponds to a peak absorbance wavelength of water, organic liquids, and explosive compositions.
US07840359B2
Methods and systems are provides for measuring multi-dimensional sensing information for identification purposes. The identity of one or more substances is determined through analysis of multidimensional data that can include, among others, intrinsic information as well as extrinsic information. The method for identification of a substance comprises utilizing pattern recognition to form descriptors to identify characteristics of the substance. A system and computer program for performing analysis of the multidimensional data are also described.
US07840348B2
An output control method of voice guidance signal in navigation system, the method comprising: searching for a travel route from a starting location to a destination of a vehicle; guiding the vehicle to travel along the searched travel route, and determining a current vehicle location if the vehicle is traveling, searching for a target location to be guided ahead of the traveling vehicle; generating a voice guidance signal for the searched target location to be guided; determining the priorities of a plurality of voice guidance signals in advance and outputting the voice guidance signals in sequence according to the predetermined priorities if the plurality of voice guidance signals conflict thereamong.
US07840341B1
A system which automatically makes a travel plan by using on-vehicle or portable terminal. The system can prepare a travel plan in which the concrete destination and route are specified when rough positional and temporal conditions are inputted. The objective area and schedule inputted through the terminal are transmitted to an information center. At the information center, a basic frame of the travel meeting the received conditions is prepared. For a day trip, an example of the basic frame is “departure-walk-lunch-amusement park-night view-return”. After the basic frame is prepared, concrete facilities meeting the actions are specified by making access to a data base. The specified facilities are inputted to the basic frame, and thus a concrete plan is completed. The completed plan is supplied to the terminal and displayed on a display to the persons who want to travel. The completed plan is further supplied to a navigation system and the system guides the persons in accordance with the plan.
US07840339B2
A traffic information display method includes creating a highest-level traffic information selection menu among traffic information categorized in multiple levels, and displaying the created traffic information selection menu, creating a low-level menu including associated travel speed data, and displaying the created low-level traffic information selection menu and repeating the creation of the low-level menu until the lowest-level menu is displayed.
US07840325B2
An apparatus (10) for controlling a vehicle actuatable occupant restraining system including a crash accelerometer (32) for sensing frontal crash acceleration and providing a first crash acceleration signal indicative thereof. A side crash accelerometer (46, 48) senses transverse crash acceleration and provides a second crash acceleration signal indicative thereof. A controller (50) actuates the actuatable occupant restraining system in response to the first crash acceleration signal and the transverse crash acceleration signal.
US07840324B2
An object is to simplify the structure of electric wirings, and to facilitate installation. A vehicular motion quantity sensor and a steering angle sensor are installed in the same casing or mechanically connected directly with the casing. Therefore, it is possible to put together electrical wiring harnesses for transmitting the detection signals from the vehicular motion quantity sensor and the steering angle sensor to an ECU. Moreover, since all of the sensors can be located in the same compartment, the structure of the electrical wiring harnesses can be simplified and can be installed more easily.
US07840313B2
Disclosed is a grid interconnection device that converts electric power from a power supply device into predetermined alternating-current power, and interconnects the power supply device to a power distribution system. The grid interconnection device includes a detector that detects islanding of the power supply device, and a receiver that receives power failure information including local area information indicative of an area in which a power failure occurs, through a predetermined transmission path. The detector enhances detection sensitivity for the islanding when the received power failure information includes the local area information indicative of a different area from the area to which the power distribution system belongs.
US07840311B2
A method for configuring a communicating environmental conditioning network, an apparatus for such configuring and a method for configuring a communicating air conditioning network are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method for configuring a communicating environmental conditioning network includes: (1) establishing baseline data indicating conditioned outputs of selected space interactive units of the plurality of space interactive units, (2) activating a respective environmental interactive unit of the plurality of environmental interactive units and (3) assigning to the respective environmental interactive unit a respective selected space interactive unit associated with the largest change in a conditioned output.
US07840310B2
A smart, adaptive control system that monitors and influences physical conditions of an architectural setting. The architectural setting in which the system is deployed typically includes a plurality of private spaces and at least one community space. The individual private spaces, and the community spaces, may include an environmental control device that affects one or more physical conditions of the individual private space. Each private space may also include an environmental sensor that measures a particular physical condition of the private space. The private spaces may also include one or more occupant sensors, which measure either behavioral or physiological parameters of an occupant. The environmental control devices, environmental sensors, and occupant sensors are in communication with a computer. The computer is also in communication with a database, which houses a data set that describes how to best modify the physical conditions of the architectural setting.
US07840301B2
A power transmission system including a component having a surface and a plurality of micro-defects is provided. The surface has a distribution of asperities has a second resonance frequency distribution that is substantially outside of the resonance frequency distribution.
US07840294B2
A layout setting device that sets layout of a target lens shape used as a processing shape with respect to an eyeglass lens when the lens is processed to fit the lens to an eyeglass frame, the layout setting device includes: means for inputting data on the target lens shape; a display; a display control unit that switches between a first screen and a second screen to be displayed on the display or displays the first and second screens at the same time on the display, the first screen being used to input layout data including a pupillary distance of a user using the frame and a frame pupillary distance of the frame, and the second screen being used to measure a warp angle of the frame; and means for inputting the layout data using the first screen.
US07840292B2
Multi-user playlist generation is provided. Users submit their playlists; a pie chart (3-1) is displayed (S3) representing the multi-user playlist generated from the plurality of playlists, such that m the pie chart each user playlist is represented as a piece of the pie (3-11, 3-12); a first piece of the pie is selected as the user playlist from which a selection is next chosen by displaying (S5) a spinning effect with respect to the pie for a random or a pseudorandom period of time; and choosing (S7) the selection from the determined user playlist and playing the selection chosen. The selection may include a song, a piece of music, a picture, a video, a film, or a TV program. The user playlists may be provided by a user as a list of songs, a genre, an artist, or a user preference profile.
US07840288B2
Scoring of each player may be based on the outcomes of a game between players who compete against each other in one or more teams of one or more players. The scoring may also consider partial play where one or more players of a game only play for a portion of the full time of the game. Additionally or alternatively, the scoring may consider partial rankings of teams where the relative ranking of one team to another may be unknown. Each player's score may be represented as a distribution over potential scores which may indicate a confidence level in the distribution representing the player's score. The scoring may be used to track a player's progress and/or standing within the gaming environment, used in a leaderboard indication of rank, and/or may be used to match players with each other in a future game.
US07840278B1
The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for electrically inducing, pharmacologically maintaining cardiac asystole. The present invention also provides cutaneous array electrodes (900) that may be used non-invasive to stimulate the vagus nerve.
US07840270B2
A method of conditioning a diaphragm of a patient is provided. The method can include the steps of implanting an electrode adjacent a target site in the diaphragm of the patient and operating the electrode to deliver a sufficient amount of electrical stimulation to the target site in the diaphragm of the patient to cause the diaphragm to contract.
US07840268B2
Disclosed are systems and methods which provide management of historical information associated with a medical device, such as an implantable neurostimulation pulse generator, drug pump, cardiac device, hearing enhancement device, or vision enhancement device. Such management of historical information includes storage of historical information within an associated medical device. Historical information stored within a medical device may provide a complete summary of the use, configuration, and operation of the medical device, e.g., information spanning the entire in-service life of the medical device. Historical information for which management is provided may include both static data and dynamic data. The historical information may be used in configuring the medical device, analyzing the operation of the medical device, autonomously altering operation of the medical device, etcetera.
US07840267B2
An apparatus comprises a first impedance sensing circuit, a second sensing circuit, and an impedance-based cardiac dyssynchrony detector. The impedance sensing circuit senses an intracardiac local impedance signal that is indicative of a cardiac local wall motion of a first cardiac region from an implantable first bipolar pair of impedance sensing electrodes. The second sensing circuit is configured to produce a second sensor signal indicative of cardiovascular activity. The impedance-based cardiac dyssynchrony detector is configured for detecting cardiac dyssynchrony using a relationship between the first intracardiac local impedance signal and the second sensor signal. Other apparatuses and methods are disclosed.
US07840264B1
Systems and methods to inhibit the conduction of certain spurious electrical impulses in the heart. Inhibition of spurious electrical impulses in the heart is accomplished by cooling one or more targeted portions of the heart. Optionally, inhibition of spurious electrical impulses may be accomplished by cooling of cardiac tissue in combination with pacing of the heart.
US07840262B2
Method and apparatus (120) for modifying gene expression in cardiac muscle cells (110), by the application of electric fields.
US07840261B2
A catheter system suitable for implanting pacemaker leads. A guide catheter is provided with steering capability, and the necessary steering components are modified to permit the catheter to be sliced during withdrawal, so that the proximal forced applied to the pacemaker lead is minimized and the lead is less likely to be dislodged.
US07840260B2
A system, method, and apparatus for iontophoretically delivering medically-active ions beyond the tympanic membrane, into a middle ear portion of a patient, and to an area or structure of the middle or inner ear that is targeted for treatment. The system and apparatus can include a needle configured partially for insertion through a tympanic membrane and having a longitudinal bore, a flexible lumen coupled with the needle, and typically a fluid source coupled with the lumen such that a fluid in the fluid source can be delivered from the fluid source, through the lumen and the needle, and into the middle ear. A positioning tab can be coupled with the needle to assist determining a proper insertion extent of the needle through the membrane. The system and method can also include a power source having oppositely charged electrodes, electrically-conductive materials coupled with an electrode and disposed within the fluid source, lumen, and/or needle, and electrically-conductive materials coupled with an oppositely-charged electrode and further coupled with the patient's skin. Medically-active ions are iontophoretically delivered by the apparatus, when the fluid is delivered to a patients middle ear and an electrical charge is imparted to the ions by the apparatus.
US07840250B2
A method for neural current imaging. Electromagnetic fields produced unknown distribution of unknown sources in the body is sensed at a plurality of remote locations. The inverse problem is solved to produce a first fuzzy “image” of the sources. In addition, a standard imaging method, such as MRI, is used to independently image the body, to obtain a second fuzzy image of the sources. Additional independently obtained fuzzy images may also be provided. All or a selected subset of the images are pooled as components to form an enhanced image with greater resolution or clarity than the component images.
US07840244B2
A superconducting cable enables the cooling of the superconducting conductor with high efficiency and has a sufficient insulating strength. A method of controlling the temperature of the coolants used in the cable is offered. The superconducting cable comprises a heat-insulated pipe that houses a cable core provided with a superconducting conductor made of a superconducting material. The cable core is also provided with a poorly heat-conductive pipe placed at the outer side of the outer circumference of the superconducting conductor. The inside and outside of the poorly heat-conductive pipe are separately filled with different types of coolants having different purposes. The poorly heat-conductive pipe is filled with a conductor-use coolant for cooling the superconducting conductor so as to maintain it at the superconducting state. The heat-insulated pipe is filled with an insulation-use coolant for performing electric insulation of the superconducting conductor.
US07840242B2
An earphone antenna includes: earphone cords; an earphone portion; a coaxial cable; and a pin plug connector portion; wherein the earphone cords cooperate with a shielded line of the coaxial cable using a connection point with the coaxial cable as a feeding point to constitute an antenna for receiving RF signals; wherein conductor lines constituting a core wire of the coaxial cable form signal lines for transmitting audio signals and a ground line; and wherein the coaxial cable is connected with a separation-superimposition circuit portion which is mounted at a side of the pin plug connector portion or at a side of a wireless electronic device and acts to separate the RF signals and the audio signals and to superimpose the audio signals.
US07840240B2
A communication procedure has been developed that allows even a low-rate CPU to perform stable communication so as to realized wireless network nodes, which have a long communication distance and also have a long battery life. Each wireless network node decides its own time slot number by use of random numbers and transmits it after delaying the transmission by the number of time slots. When receiving the unique number from the wireless network node, a master unit transmits, to the wireless network node, an ACK signal together with the unique number. When receiving its unique number, the wireless network node gets into a sleep state for a period of time. In this way, each time communication is established, the number of active wireless network nodes is reduced.
US07840236B2
Apparatus and method for routing calls made to a service centre to a call destination able to meet criteria preselected by the caller for the interaction with the service centre.
US07840232B2
A method of controlling a transmit power includes determining a power control parameter of an assigned timeslot, wherein the value of the power control parameter is a default value if the assigned timeslot is assigned with no power control parameter and the value of the power control parameter is the current value if the assigned timeslot is already used by the mobile station and determining the transmit power on an uplink channel.
US07840226B1
An apparatus and method directed to automated call screening, and specifically the utilization of location history of a call recipient to determine call authorization, are provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a computer readable medium embodied in an article of manufacture is encoded with instructions for directing a processor to receive a request from a first device to communicate with a second device. The processor is further directed to determine at least one location associated with the first device, determine an authorization for the request based at least in part upon the at least one location associated with the first device and at least one prior location of the second device, and transmit the request to the second device in accordance with the authorization.
US07840221B1
A network includes access points that can reduce beacon power to redistribute mobile station loading on the access points. A relatively highly loaded access point can reduce its beacon power so that one or more connected mobile stations will migrate to a further access point covering the migrating mobile station.
US07840212B2
A telecommunications system includes a plurality of cellular telephone networks; a presence server configured to receive cellular telephone network registration information from presence clients and provide cellular telephone network identification indicia to others of said presence clients.
US07840191B2
A small size, low cost balun is formed on a substrate, such as gallium arsenide, as an integrated passive device. Multiple baluns are formed on a same substrate, allowing multi-band operation. For example, symmetrical transformers are provided for two different bands of operation, such as for a quad-band GSM application. Each of the two different baluns is used for two different frequency bands of operation of the quad-band device. A ground ring allows two Hi-Q baluns to be formed on the same integrated circuit side-by-side with minimum spacing and minimum impact on phase and amplitude performance over the frequency bands of operation. By using multiple integrated circuit baluns on a same substrate or chip, the size and cost of baluns for multi-band operation may be reduced.
US07840186B2
A wireless data transfer system. The system includes a first hard disk, a first hard disk interface, and a first transmitter. The first hard disk interface is configured to retrieve first read data from the first hard disk and to create a first bit serial signal from the retrieved first read data. The first bit serial signal conforms to a protocol selected from the group consisting of serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) protocol and serial attached small computer system interface (SAS) protocol. The first transmitter is configured to operate at selected carrier frequency greater than 50 GHz, comprising, to operate at effective isotropic radiated power level less than or equal to 40 dBm, to receive the first bit serial signal from the first hard disk interface, to modulate the first bit serial signal using amplitude shift keying modulation to substantially create directly a first signal, and to transmit the first signal.
US07840184B2
Wireless devices may utilize a Bluetooth stack to setup a data transmission session between the devices. The data transmission session may comprise a Bluetooth PHY and/or MAC/PHY layer that enables the wireless devices to perform discovery, pairing, and security setup operations. A secondary physical layer may be utilized to perform high speed data transmission. The secondary physical layer may comprise a 60 GHz PHY and/or MAC/PHY. The secondary physical layer may be integrated via the Bluetooth stack, and applications running on top of the Bluetooth stack may utilize the secondary physical layer transparently. A portion of the transmitted data may be multiplexed onto other secondary physical layers that may be available in the wireless devices. Alternatively, transmission of data may comprise switching among available secondary physical layers. The Bluetooth PHY and/or MAC/PHY layer may be utilized during data transmission to continually monitor and/or manage the data transmission.
US07840180B2
A system includes a satellite fleet (102, FIG. 1), in which each satellite receives uplink signals from an uplink hub (104), and transmits downlink signals in at least one directed beam (112). In an embodiment, downlink signals include television content, which is transmitted within a frequency range between about 3.7 and 4.2 Gigahertz. The satellites follow Molniya orbits (1001-1006, FIG. 10), orbit nodes are equally separated, and the satellite phasing is maintained to provide continuous communication within a coverage area. A system also includes user equipment systems (1300, FIG. 13), which include highly-directional, non-tracking antennas (1302) adapted to receive the downlink signals. In an embodiment, a method includes the satellites maintaining orbit phasings, with respect to other satellites, so that the satellite enters an active orbit segment and initiates transmission of downlink signals as a second satellite exits an active orbit segment and ceases transmission of the downlink signals.
US07840170B2
An apparatus (100) and method (300) that meters fluid film in an image fusing system. The apparatus can include a source of fluid film (110) and a source metering roll (120) rotatably supported in the apparatus. The source metering roll can have a source metering roll surface (122) coupled to the source of fluid film, where the source metering roll surface can be configured to transport fluid film from the source of fluid film. The apparatus can include a donor belt (140) having a donor belt surface (142) coupled to the source metering roll surface. The donor belt surface can be configured to transport fluid film from the source metering roll surface. The apparatus can include a second metering roll (150) rotatably supported in the apparatus. The second metering roll can have a second metering roll surface (152) coupled to the donor belt surface, where the second metering roll surface can be configured to transport fluid film from the donor belt surface. The apparatus can include a fuser assembly (170) having a fuser assembly surface (172) coupled to the donor belt surface. The fuser assembly surface can be configured to transport fluid film from the donor belt surface and the fuser assembly can be configured to fuse an image on media.
US07840151B2
A heating device includes a heat applying member heated by a heat source, a pressure applying member pressure contacting the heat applying member with a prescribed pressure, and a temperature detection device that detects temperature of the heat applying member. A timing device is provided to count time elapsing from when the heat source starts heating the heat-applying member. A control device is provided to determine that heat application as a start up operation to the heating member is completed when the temperature detected by the temperature detection device reaches a prescribed threshold and the elapsing time counted by the timing device reaches a prescribed threshold.
US07840148B2
An image forming apparatus includes a secondary transfer roller that becomes a pressed state to make an intermediate transfer belt perform a transfer process and can move between the pressed state and a separated state, a press and separation driving device for driving the secondary transfer roller to become the pressed state and the separated state, a press and separation detecting device for detecting a pressed or separated state, and a voltage applying portion for applying a voltage between the intermediate transfer belt and the secondary transfer roller. The press and separation detecting device includes a resistor for detecting a current and a determination portion for determining a pressed or separated state in accordance with the detected current.
US07840145B2
Apparatus and methods for noise-feedback controlled optical systems are disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus includes a receiver adapted to receive an optical signal and to convert the optical signal to a corresponding electrical signal, and a control circuit coupled to the receiver. The control circuit includes a monitoring component adapted to monitor a noise level of at least a portion of the electrical signal and to adjust a gain of the receiver based on the noise level. In an alternate aspect, an optical system includes a transmitter, a receiver, and a monitoring component adapted to monitor a noise level of at least a portion of the electrical signal and to adjust at least one of an amplification of the transmitter and a gain of the receiver based on the noise level.
US07840139B2
The invention pertains to optical fiber transmission systems, and is particularly relevant to optical transport systems employing optical amplifiers. In particular the invention teaches an apparatus and method that allows cost effective co-directional operation of an optical amplifier to support full duplex traffic on a single fiber, and the design of an optical fiber transmission system based on this optical amplifier technology.
US07840126B2
A vibration detecting device includes: a vibration amount detecting unit including at least a vibration amount sensor which is a portion for detecting a vibration amount, and outputting a vibration detection signal which is a signal indicating the detected vibration amount, and a high-pass filter configured to remove DC components to be superimposed on the vibration detection signal; a status detecting unit configured to detect a particular status which causes a result for providing particular change to the vibration amount detected by said vibration amount sensor; and an input control unit configured to prevent said vibration amount detection signal from being input to said high-pass filter in response to said particular status being detected by said status detecting unit.
US07840124B2
An optical bench for mounting in an interior compartment of a flight pod has a substantially flat top surface. A bottom surface is attached to the top surface. The bottom surface is shaped to conform to a shape of the interior compartment of the flight pod. A core material is placed between the top surface and the bottom surface.
US07840117B2
An information recording medium includes: a plurality of recorded information pieces being independent of each other; a plurality of individual attribute information pieces each corresponding to each of the recorded information piece and including information relating to attributes of the recorded information piece and functions in reproduction; and an aggregate attribute information piece, recorded at a position read out prior to any other positions on said recording medium, and including at least a part of the individual attribute information piece for all of the recorded information pieces.
US07840112B2
A system including a recording device in which multiple lesser quality recordings of a program, e.g., recordings at a reduced bit rate, are determined by transcoding a high quality version of the program. Since transcoded recordings are determined with respect to the high quality version, they will have the best quality available for a given bit rate. The system allows a user to manage recordings by associating retention policies and relative ranking attributes with recordings, where a policy manager may use these associated policies and attributes to select which high and lesser quality copies of the program are retained over time, thus gradually degrading retained copies in accord with user preferences.
US07840111B2
A rack (1) for optical distribution frame includes a plurality of horizontal supports for sockets with connections on a front face (1A) of the rack and means for management of the bundles of optical cables outside each socket. These means for management are made from a plurality of guiding systems (2A to 2E) of the cables, disposed on at least one side wall (1B) of the rack, distributed on the height of the rack and comprising at least one element of reception (C) of cables opened towards outside. The element of reception is in shape of U, the base of the U being fixed to the side wall (1B), and comprises an articulated closing lever (L).
US07840104B2
A multiplexing AWG device capable of producing an ultra-wideband, low ripple, flat-top signal is presented. The AWG device includes an AWG unit and a two-section waveguide coupled to the AWG unit. The two-section waveguide has a first section and a second section. The first section produces a signal having a double-peak field profile and has a first input end and a first output end. The second section reduces the phase variation of the signal having the double-peak field profile exiting the first section. The second section has a second input end that is coupled to the first output end. For example, the first section may be a parabolic tapered waveguide and the second section may be a rectangular waveguide.
US07840101B2
Systems and methods for sensing properties of a workpiece and embedding a photonic sensor in metal are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, systems for sensing properties of a workpiece include an optical input, a photonic device, an optical detector, and a digital processing device. The optical input provides an optical signal at an output of the optical input. The photonic device is coupled to the workpiece and to the output of the optical input. The photonic device generates an output signal in response to the optical signal, wherein at least one of an intensity of the output signal and a wavelength of the output signal depends on at least one of thermal characteristics and mechanical characteristics of the workpiece. The optical detector receives the output signal from the photonic device and is configured to generate a corresponding electronic signal. The digital processing device is coupled to the optical detector and determines at least one of the thermal characteristics and mechanical the characteristics of the workpiece based on the electronic signal.
US07840098B2
A variable optical power limiter is disclosed. An apparatus according to aspects of the present invention includes an optical waveguide disposed in semiconductor material. An optical beam is to be directed through the optical waveguide. The optical beam is to generate free carriers in the optical waveguide via two-photon absorption in response to an input power level of the optical beam. A diode structure is disposed in the optical waveguide. The diode structure is coupled to be biased to control free carrier lifetimes of the free carriers in the optical waveguide to set an output power of the optical beam to a clamped output power level in response to the bias of the diode structure.
US07840092B2
A medium processing method is provided that includes the steps of inputting images of a first medium and a second medium, recognizing first area information of the first medium and second area information of the second medium, determining a correspondence between the first area information and the second area information based on the recognition result, adjusting one of the first area information or the second area information based on the determined correspondence between the first area information and the second area information, and compositing the adjusted one of the area information within a predetermined area defined by the other one of the area information.
US07840088B2
A method of reducing image noise is provided. In the method, during the process of reducing image noise by a bilateral filter, the image noise filtering intensity of a domain filter in the bilateral filter is adjusted according to whether a regional area of the image has a frame boundary, and the image noise filtering intensity of a range filter in the bilateral filter is adjusted through the intensity of a regional area, so as to improve the image noise reduction effect of the bilateral filter.
US07840083B2
A method of encoding flags, a method of decoding flags and an apparatus thereof, in which flag encoding and decoding can be efficiently performed by using spatial correlation between various flags included a plurality of blocks are provided. The method includes collecting flag values respectively allocated to groups of the plurality of blocks according to spatial correlation of blocks to create a flag bit-string, dividing the flag bit-string into a plurality of divided bit-strings using a group size, setting a pattern bit indicating whether all bits included in the divided bit-strings are 0 or not, and performing entropy coding on the divided bit-strings according to the set pattern bit.
US07840082B2
A coding method and system with an adaptive bitplane coding mode is provided to code multiple bitplanes of a frame consisting of multiple macroblocks. Each bitplane consists of macroblock modes used by the macroblocks of the frame. The method includes the steps of: (A) initializing a bitplane coding mode of the frame as a compress mode; (B) coding the frame and the bitplanes to thereby obtain coded bitplanes, and calculating the bit number of coded bitplanes; (C) calculating the bit number of uncoded bitplanes; (D) executing step (A) when the bit number of coded bitplanes is smaller than the bit number of uncoded bitplanes; (E) initializing the bitplane coding mode of the frame as a raw mode when the bit number of coded bitplanes is not smaller than the bit number of uncoded bitplanes.
US07840080B1
An adaptable motion estimator architecture for low bit rate image communication 1) to be compatible with image characteristic and bit rate with a reduced hardware size and 2) to optimize performance of the motion estimator by selectively applying a search method suitable for a low bit rate image characteristic and an encoder performance.The motion estimator multiplexes a previous search window memory data from DRAM and a current macro block data for finding motion vectors to conform to each data processing elements (PE0-PE8) and comparatively detecting MAE (Mean Absolute Error) of each motion vector with a previous frame data and a current frame data to find a motion vector having a least MAE.The motion estimator may be applied to an image phone which requires high encoding efficiency due to small hardware and may be applied to all video encoders conforming to H.261/H.263 and MPEG.
US07840071B2
A method of identifying regions of different content in an image comprises dividing image data into a plurality of pixel blocks, extracting features of the pixel blocks and classifying the content of the pixel blocks based on extracted features. Extracting comprises, for each pixel block, convolving a magic square filter with the pixels of the pixel block and summing the results, and calculating the percentage of background pixels in the pixel block. The magic square filter is a 3×3 kernel that has a specific selectivity towards the statistical appearance and geometric alignment of a document based text of various fonts, sizes and styles. The complete sum of the magic square filter, as well as the sum of the rows, columns and diagonals of the magic square filter are zero.
US07840070B2
The invention relates to a method for providing rendered images based on image segmentation with determining an edge within the image introduced by boundaries of image segments. To allow shift-based rendering, the invention provides determining an edge within the image introduced by boundaries of image segments, determining an edge region around the edge, determining a first displacement field for the segments, determining a second displacement field for the edge region, merging the first and the second displacement field into a third displacement field having a displacement of the first displacement field for the segments and a displacement of the second displacement field for the edge region, such that the edge region is treated as a separate object with a separate displacement, and shifting the image pixels according to the third displacement field.
US07840063B2
An image processing apparatus has an image input section, a color image processor, a monochrome image processor and an image synthesizer. The image input section inputs image data of an original image. The color image processor generates color image data by performing color image processing on the image data. The monochrome image processor generates monochrome image data by performing monochrome image processing on the image data. The image synthesizer generates synthesized image data by synthesizing the monochrome image data with the color image data. The apparatus also has a buffer that temporarily stores image data, a determination section that determines on the basis of the image data of the original image whether the original image is color or monochrome, and an output controller that controls an image output process. The output controller outputs output color or monochrome image data fetched from the buffer as determined to be appropriate.
US07840042B2
The systems and methods disclosed herein employ superposition of two-dimensional video and a rendered, three-dimensional image to provide visual feedback during acquisition and analysis of three-dimensional data. These systems and methods may be usefully employed in a context such as dentistry to assist in the acquisition of highly detailed and accurate digital dental models from the dentition of a dental patient.
US07840041B2
A converting device that carries out data conversion on medical image data expressing a state of one pixel of a medical image using effective bits, which are part of a plurality of bits for one pixel and expressing information other than the medical image using redundant bits, which are different part from that of the effective bits, the converting device includes an invalidating unit that invalidates data expressed by the redundant bits.
US07840026B2
An apparatus for detecting an object is provided which detects the pitching of a vehicle, and detects the presence of an object the front of the vehicle itself with the pitching being taken into consideration. The apparatus includes a microcomputer that performs image processing for the image of the object to compute the velocity and acceleration of the object present in the picked-up image, and based on the computed acceleration of the object, to determine whether the image was captured when the vehicle itself was balanced. If the image is judged to be an image captured when the vehicle itself was not balanced, then the position of the object present in the picked-up image is computed based on another picked-up image that was captured when the vehicle itself was balanced.
US07840022B2
A speaker device includes a cabinet, a speaker unit, a port, a cartridge, and an adsorbent material. The adsorbent material is disposed in the interior of the cartridge. The cartridge is a container removable from the cabinet. When the adsorbent material is deteriorated, the cartridge is replaced or the adsorbent material is reactivated, thereby making it possible to maintain, over a long period of time, the effect of physical adsorption provided by the adsorbent material.
US07840021B2
A weather-proof notification device includes an enclosure having an integrally formed grille and a speaker located within and attached to the enclosure proximate the grille. The grille is configured to inhibit the entry of rainwater into the interior of the enclosure. A water-resistant or water-tight seal is provided between the speaker and the enclosure, and the speaker includes a water-repellent diaphragm, in order to prevent water from migrating from the sound chamber into the operating electrical compartment. A drain is provided on the grille to permit free drainage of water from the sound chamber.
US07840020B1
An implanted microphone is provided that has reduced sensitivity to vibration and attendant acceleration forces to differentiate between desirable and undesirable components of a transcutaneously received signal. More specifically, the microphone utilizes an output that is indicative of acceleration forces acting on the implanted microphone to counteract and/or cancel the effects of acceleration-induced pressures in an output signal of a microphone diaphragm. In one arrangement, a microphone having two diaphragms pneumatically cancels acceleration pressures. In this arrangement, a first diaphragm receives and generates a response to commingled acoustic and acceleration forces and a second diaphragm is substantially isolated from the acoustic forces. That is, the second diaphragm generates a response to acceleration forces. The displacements of the first and second diaphragms are pneumatically combined. The result of such pneumatic combination is that the acoustic component of the first diaphragm is enhanced in a resulting output signal.
US07840016B2
A sound control system includes a digital mixing system, a control system, and a private control system. The professional operator who is experienced in handling of the digital mixing system executes detailed settings of respective parameters associated with the mixing process of the digital mixing system by using the control system. The amateur operator who is inexperienced in the handling of the digital mixing system executes settings of a part of parameters out of the parameters that are authorized by the professional operator, etc. by using the private control system.
US07840003B2
A high-speed Galois Counter Mode-Advanced Encryption Standard (GCM-AES) block cipher apparatus and method is provided. The apparatus can operate at a low clock frequency of 125 MHz and provide a 2 Gbps link encryption function in an Optical Line Termination (OLT) and an Optical Network Unit (ONU) of an Ethernet Passive Optical Network (EPON). 11-round block cipher of 128- bit input data is implemented using an 8-round Counter-AES (CTR-AES) block cipher module and a 3-round CTR-AES block cipher module, so that it is possible to provide a 1 Gbps link security function for an input frequency of 62.5 MHz and a 2 Gbps link security function for an input frequency of 125 MHz.
US07839996B2
A folding electronic device has a first frame having plural first joints, a second frame having plural second joints, plural sets of hinge joints in which the plural first joints and the plural second joints are connected together in a manner that the first frame and the second frame can rotate on a predetermined rotation axis, a first body containing the first frame, and a second body containing the second frame, wherein at least one set of hinge joint of the plural sets of hinge joints has a connecting component having a hollow portion and wherein the other sets of hinge joints have predetermined solid hinge shafts.
US07839992B2
The present invention enables the calling party to register multiple addresses of frequently called parties with a packet-switched network service provider, e.g., a VoIP network service provider, and have the network dials through the numbers on behalf of the calling party until the called party is reached or the list of available phone numbers has been exhausted. Optionally, the network can intersperse each call by asking the calling party if he or she wants to dial a particular phone number of the called party from the list of available phone numbers, and the network can dial the selected phone number.
US07839987B1
The present invention is related to telecommunications, and in particular, to methods and systems for processing call signaling data. In an embodiment, a call processing system receives a first message from a switch while the switch is processing a call for a calling party, wherein the first message is initiated at least partly in response to a firing of a call event trigger configured within a switch. The first message includes call signaling information, including the calling party's phone number. The calling party's phone number is stored in the call processing system. A communication channel is established over a network between the call processing system and a computer associated with the called party. A message is transmitted to the networked computer, the message including the calling party's phone number, wherein the calling party's phone number is intended to be displayed on the networked computer associated with the called party.
US07839977B2
A radiation imaging apparatus comprises a first diving circuit unit to drive a first switching element connected to a conversion element, wherein the conversion element converting radiation into charges, a second diving circuit unit to drive a second switching element connected to the conversion element, and a control unit to control the first diving circuit and the second diving circuit independently at different timing.
US07839968B2
An image capturing base that contains a radiation detector includes a housing having a slit serving as an air inlet port formed in the front end side of the housing, which is to be located adjacent to the chest wall of a subject, and a slit serving as an air outlet port formed in the rear end side of the housing adjacent to a pivot shaft. A fan forces air to flow into the housing through the slit, along a detection surface of the radiation detector in a direction from the front end side toward the rear end side, and out of the housing through the slit.
US07839967B2
There is provided an electron computer tomography method for recording a moving object (27), in which an electron beam is deflected onto an anode arc (14) in order to generate X-ray radiation which passes through an object (27) and is picked up by a detector device (28), wherein the X-ray radiation leaves the anode arc (14) in the form of a fan-shaped beam having a source trajectory (40) in the form of a circle segment around the object (27) and the starting point (41) of the source trajectory (40) can be changed. Also provided is an electron computer tomograph for recording a moving object (27), comprising an electron gun (8), a focusing coil (12), a curvature coil (16), an anode arc (14) for generating an X-ray beam by being struck by an electron beam of the electron gun (8), and a detector device (28) for detecting the X-ray radiation transmitted through a volume (26), said X-ray radiation having a source trajectory (40) in the form of a circle segment at the anode arc (14) and a variable starting point (41) of the source trajectory (40).
US07839962B2
The present invention relates to a method for synchronizing a signal frame transmitted by a transmitter of a telecommunication system to a receiver adapted to synchronize said signal frame from a synchronization sequence included in said signal frame. The method is characterized in that it includes: a synchronization sequence generation step (100) intended to be executed by the transmitter in the course of which the synchronization sequence (xi(k)) is formed by the concatenation of a first and a second bursts of L complementary sequences, said first burst of L sequences being obtained by the concatenation of L times a first N pulses complementary sequence (A) of a pair of complementary sequences ((A,B)), said second burst of L sequences being obtained by the concatenation of L times a second N pulses complementary sequence (B) of said pair of complementary sequences, and a sequence weighting step (200) intended to be executed by the transmitter in the course of which the pulses of each complementary sequence (A) of rank q of the first burst of L sequences are multiplied by the component of rank q of a L components long weighting code (MCi) belonging to a set of I weighting codes known by the receiver (RCD) beforehand, and the pulses of each sequence of rank q of the second burst of L sequences are multiplied by the same component of rank q of said weighting code (MCi).
US07839960B2
A system and method for communicating information signals using spread spectrum communication techniques. PN sequences are constructed that provide orthogonality between the users so that mutual interference will be reduced, allowing higher capacity and better link performance. With orthogonal PN codes, the cross-correlation is zero over a predetermined time interval, resulting in no interference between the orthogonal codes, provided only that the code time frames are time aligned with each other. In an exemplary embodiment, signals are communicated between a cell-site and mobile units using direct sequence spread spectrum communication signals. In the exemplary embodiment, transmit power of mobile unit signals is controlled based on signal power received by the mobile unit and power adjustment commands sent to the mobile unit.
US07839955B2
In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for adjusting a signal includes applying loss compensation for frequency-dependent distortion to a signal before or after the distortion occurs to generate an output signal. The method also includes, using a clock signal, sampling the output signal to generate a plurality of data values and boundary values, each value comprising either a high value or a low value based on the sampling of the output signal. The method further includes, based only on the high or low values of one or more of the data values and boundary values, adjusting the loss compensation applied to the signal, where if the loss compensation applied to the signal is to be increased, the loss compensation is increased by a first amount, if the loss compensation applied to the signal is to be decreased, the loss compensation is decreased by a second amount, the magnitude of the first amount is not equal to the magnitude of the second amount, the first amount and the second amount are associated with a control target value, and the control target value is adjusted dynamically based on the value of the loss compensation applied to the signal.
US07839944B2
A method of transmitting data using a phase shift-based precoding in a multiple antenna system using a plurality of subcarriers is disclosed. More specifically, the method includes determining a diagonal matrix to provide different phase angles to each of the plurality of antennas as a part of a phase shift-based precoding matrix, selecting a unitary matrix from a first codebook as the part of a phase shift-based precoding matrix, and performing precoding to symbols associated with subcarriers based on the diagonal matrix and the unitary matrix.
US07839933B2
A video codec provides for adaptive vertical macroblock alignment of mixed interlaced and progressive video sequences. With adaptive vertical macroblock alignment, a video codec enforces a macroblock alignment height restriction on per picture basis, rather than requiring that all frames in a sequence adhere to a uniform height restriction. The video codec can then apply less padding to progressive and like type pictures that have smaller macroblock alignment increments, than to interlaced type pictures with larger alignment increments, which can save significant compression overhead.
US07839932B2
In high-end professional video cameras, a triax system transfers various signals back and forth over a single coaxial cable between the camera and a base unit using frequency multiplexing. Current low-cost camera systems transfer several signals as analogue signals over separate wires or cables. However, a standard serial SDI signal from the camera to a base unit replaces the analogue camera CVBS video output signal achieving a maximum data rate of 270 Mbit/s. To improve efficiency, a single SDI or HDSDI connection transmits a digital playback video signal as well as a digital teleprompter video signal from the base unit to the camera. A one-dimensional adaptive dynamic range compression reduces the data word length of the two video signals transmitted via the SDI/HDSDI connection. A smaller data word length is assigned to one of the two video signals than to the data word length of the other one.
US07839897B2
Methods and apparatus for synchronizing a first clock of a transmit node and a second clock of receive node in a packet network are provided. Consecutive intervals of time-stamped packets transferred from the transmit node to the receive node are selected. The consecutive intervals have a difference in delay noise within a defined acceptance window. A correction factor is determined for the second clock in accordance with transmit and receive time stamps of transferred time-stamped packets bounding the consecutive intervals. The correction factor is applied to the second clock to synchronize the second clock of the receive node with the first clock of the transmit node.
US07839891B1
A first network element forwards a set of packets associated with first configuration information along a path to a second network element. Logic in the first network element generates a first knowledge digest encoding the first configuration information into a fixed length bit array. Logic in the second network element generates a second knowledge digest encoding second configuration information into a fixed length bit array. Logic in the second network element compares the first knowledge digest to the second knowledge digest, and generates an indication if the comparison indicates that the first configuration information is not a subset of the second configuration information.
US07839888B2
A method of processing data in a Medium Access Control (MAC) layer through which at least one first channel is mapped to a second channel in a transmitting end of a wireless communication system is disclosed. More specifically, a MAC layer data block is configured by including at least one higher layer data block received through the at least one first channel and adding a header thereto which includes at least one field which indicates at least two types of information. Furthermore, the MAC layer data block is transferred to a lower layer through the second channel.
US07839887B1
A system for providing frame rate conversion for audio data is provided. The system includes a first client configured to transmit audio data frames at a first frame rate, a second client configured to receive audio data frames at a second frame rate. The first frame rate is different from the second frame rate. The system further includes a device configured to facilitate transmission of audio data frames between the first client and the second client. The device is further configured to receive the audio data frames from the first client at the first frame rate, store the received audio data frames in an intermediate storage area and repackage the stored audio data frames into one or more frames for transmission to the second client at the second frame rate.
US07839886B2
A host device, a point of deployment (POD), and a method for recognizing an operation mode are disclosed. The host device interfaces with a point of deployment (POD), and checks an operation mode of the POD. The interface unit includes CD1#, CD2#, VS1#, VS2#, VPP1, VPP2, and ISIO16# ports. The controller detects Card Information Structure (CIS) information from the POD if each of the VS1# and VS2# ports is set to ‘Logic Low’, and determines whether the POD supports an Internet Protocol (IP) Card S-Mode on the basis of the detected CIS information.
