US07932201B2
Disclosed are ceramic articles comprising a sintered phase ceramic composition containing, as expressed on a weight percent oxide basis: a(Al2TiO5)+b(ZrTiO4)+c(Y2O3)+d(YPO4) wherein “a, b, c, and d” represent weight fractions of each component such that (a+b+c+d)=1.00 and wherein 0.5
US07932199B2
A sintered cubic boron nitride (cBN) compact for use in a tool is obtained by sintering a mixture of (i) cubic boron nitride, (ii) aluminum oxide, (iii) one or more refractory metal compounds, and (iv) aluminum and/or one or more non-oxide aluminum compounds. The sintered bodies may have sufficient strength and toughness to be used as a tool material in solid, i.e. not carbide supported, form, and may be useful in heavy machining of cast irons.
US07932197B2
Provided is an optical glass having high-refractivity low-dispersion properties, having a low glass transition temperature and having the property of being softened at a low temperature so that a preform therefrom is precision press-moldable, and the optical glass comprises, as essential components, B2O3, La2O3, Gd2O3 and ZnO and has a refractive index (nd) of over 1.86, an Abbe's number (νd) of less than 35 and a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 630° C. or lower.
US07932196B2
Breathable laminates of a film and nonwoven with increased toughness and the ability to undergo strain without splitting for applications as components of personal care products and other uses. The film is formed using a carrier/letdown resin approach where the filled carrier resin is an ethylene polymer or copolymer having a density at least 0.003 g/cc higher than the letdown resin which is also an ethylene copolymer but has a density in the range of less than about 0.915 g/cc and a melt index less than about 6. The resin phases may be dry blended, formed into a film, stretched and bonded to a nonwoven support layer.
US07932177B2
A field-effect transistor is provided, which includes an organic thin film and which can realize a low threshold voltage while a stable, high field-effect mobility is ensured at the same time. In a field-effect transistor provided with a gate electrode, a source electrode, a drain electrode, a semiconductor film, a gate insulating film, and a substrate, the gate insulating film is formed from a plurality of insulating layers. Here, a first insulating layer in contact with the semiconductor film is formed from poly-p-xylylene formed into a film by a CVD method. A second insulating layer is formed from, for example, cyanoethylpullulan, and the dielectric constant is specified to be higher than that of the first insulating layer.
US07932173B2
The invention includes methods of fabricating integrated circuitry. In one implementation, at least two different elevation conductive metal lines are formed relative to a substrate. Then, interconnecting vias are formed in a common masking step between, a) respective of the at least two different elevation conductive metal lines, and b) respective conductive nodes. Interconnecting conductive metal is provided within the interconnecting vias. Other aspects and implementations are contemplated.
US07932171B2
A method for forming a stud bumped semiconductor die is disclosed. The method includes forming a ball at the tip of a coated wire passing through a hole in a capillary, where the coated wire has a core and an oxidation-resistant coating. The formed ball is pressed to the conductive region on the semiconductor die. The coated wire is cut, thereby leaving a conductive stud bump on the conductive region, where the conductive stud bump includes an inner conductive portion and an outer oxidation-resistant layer.
US07932166B2
By forming a highly non-conformal stressed overlayer, such as a contact etch stop layer, the efficiency of the stress transfer into the respective channel region of a field effect transistor may be significantly increased. For instance, non-conformal PECVD techniques may be used for forming highly stressed silicon nitride in a non-conformal manner, thereby achieving higher transistor performance for otherwise identical stress conditions.
US07932160B2
The invention relates to a method of producing a semiconductor device, comprising the following steps consisting in: forming first, second and third semiconductor layers (1, 2, 3), whereby the first and second layers (1, 3) contain a smaller concentration of oxidizable species than the second layer (2); forming a mask (4) on the third layer (3); and oxidizing the second layer (2) with the diffusion of oxidizing species through the third layer (3).
US07932157B2
Test structures are formed during semiconductor processing. The test structures allow performance characteristics to be monitored as the process proceeds. The test structures are formed with a single mask that is used in a manner that also allows alignment marks to be formed which do not interfere with one another as subsequent levels are patterned. The manner of using the mask also allows different types of test structures having different features to be formed. The different types of test structures can provide insight into performance characteristics of different types of devices.
US07932155B2
A method of forming a semiconductor device having two different strains therein is provided. The method includes forming a strain in a first region with a first straining film, and forming a second strain in a second region with a second straining film. Either of the first or second strains may be either tensile or compressive. Additionally the strains may be formed at right angles to one another and may be additionally formed in the same region. In particular a vertical tensile strain may be formed in a base and collector region of an NPN bipolar transistor and a horizontal compressive strain may be formed in the extrinsic base region of the NPN bipolar transistor. A PNP bipolar transistor may be formed with a compression strain in the base and collector region in the vertical direction and a tensile strain in the extrinsic base region in the horizontal direction.
US07932150B2
Disclosed are methods of making and using a high-K dielectric liner to facilitate the lateral oxidation of a high-K gate dielectric, integrated circuit structures containing the high-K dielectric liner and/or oxidized high-K gate dielectric, and other associated methods.
US07932148B2
This invention discloses an improved trenched metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) device that includes a trenched gate surrounded by a source region encompassed in a body region above a drain region disposed on a bottom surface of a substrate. The MOSFET cell further includes a shielded gate trench (SGT) structure below and insulated from the trenched gate. The SGT structure is formed substantially as a round hole having a lateral expansion extended beyond the trench gate and covered by a dielectric liner layer filled with a trenched gate material. The round hole is formed by an isotropic etch at the bottom of the trenched gate and is insulated from the trenched gate by an oxide insulation layer. The round hole has a lateral expansion beyond the trench walls and the lateral expansion serves as a vertical alignment landmark for controlling the depth of the trenched gate. The MOSFET device has a reduced gate to drain capacitance Cgd depending on the controllable depth of the trenched gate disposed above the SGT structure formed as a round hole below the trenched gate.
US07932145B2
A semiconductor component is formed using the following processes: (a) forming a first dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate; (b) forming a base electrode for the bipolar transistor over the dielectric layer; (c) forming an oxide nitride structure over the base electrode; (d) forming a first spacer adjacent to the oxide nitride structure and the base electrode; (e) removing a top layer of the oxide nitride structure; (f) removing a first portion of the dielectric layer; (g) forming an epitaxial layer over the semiconductor substrate; (h) forming a second spacer over the epitaxial layer; and (i) forming an emitter electrode over the epitaxial layer and adjacent to the second spacer.
US07932139B2
A method of laser annealing a workpiece for reduction of warpage, slip defects and breakage, the method comprising (a) moving a workpiece through a laser beam in a x-axis first direction, (b) moving the workpiece in a y-axis second direction, (c) moving the workpiece through a laser beam in a minus x-axis first direction and repeating (a)-(c) until the workpiece is fully annealed in two successive laser annealing iterations.
US07932138B2
A method for manufacturing a thin film transistor with improved current characteristics and high electron mobility. According to the method, when an amorphous silicon thin film is crystallized into a polycrystalline silicon thin film by metal-induced crystallization, annealing conditions of the amorphous silicon thin film and the amount of a metal catalyst doped into the amorphous silicon thin film are optimized to reduce the regions of a metal silicide distributed at grain boundaries of the polycrystalline silicon thin film. In addition, oxygen (O2) gas or water (H2O) vapor is supplied to form a passivation film on the surface of the polycrystalline silicon thin film.
US07932126B2
The area occupied by a photo-sensor element may be reduced and multiple elements may be integrated in a limited area so that the sensor element can have higher output and smaller size. Higher output and miniaturization are achieved by uniting a sensor element using an amorphous semiconductor film (typically an amorphous silicon film) and an output amplifier circuit including a TFT with a semiconductor film having a crystal structure (typically a poly-crystalline silicon film) used as an active layer over a plastic film substrate that can resist the temperature in the process for mounting such as a solder reflow process. A sensor element that can resist bending stress can be obtained.
US07932125B2
Devices and methods for forming self-aligned charge storage regions are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises forming a layer of a nitride film stacked between two oxide films on a semiconductor substrate, and forming a gate electrode on the layer of the nitride film stacked between the two oxide films. In addition, the method comprises removing side portions of the nitride film such that a central portion of the nitride film below a center portion of the gate electrode remains, oxidizing the central portion of the nitride film, and forming charge storage layers in the side portions of the nitride film, where the charge storage layers are separated by the central portion of the nitride film.
US07932115B2
A photodiode includes a photosensitive element formed in a silicon semiconductor layer on an insulation layer. The photosensitive element includes a low concentration diffusion layer, a P-type high concentration diffusion layer, and an N-type high concentration diffusion layer. A method of producing the photodiode includes the steps of: forming an insulation material layer on the silicon semiconductor layer after the P-type impurity and the N-type impurity are implanted into the low concentration diffusion layer, the P-type high concentration diffusion layer, and the N-type high concentration diffusion layer; forming an opening portion in the insulation material layer in an area for forming the low concentration diffusion layer; and etching the silicon semiconductor layer in the area for forming the low concentration diffusion layer so that a thickness of the silicon semiconductor layer is reduced to a specific level.
US07932111B2
A method for fabricating light emitting diode (LEDs) comprises providing a plurality of LEDs on a substrate wafer, each of which has an n-type and p-type layer of Group-III nitride material formed on a SiC substrate with the n-type layer sandwiched between the substrate and p-type layer. A conductive carrier is provided having a lateral surface to hold the LEDs. The LEDs are flip-chip mounted on the lateral surface of the conductive carrier. The SiC substrate is removed from the LEDs such that the n-type layer is the top-most layer. A respective contact is deposited on the n-type layer of each of the LEDs and the carrier is separated into portions such that each of the LEDs is separated from the others, with each of the LEDs mounted to a respective portion of said carrier.
US07932110B2
Disclosed are layers and patterns of nanowire or nanotube using a chemical self assembly for forming a semiconductor layer and a conductive layer of a thin film transistor by using a nanowire and/or nanotube solution and an diamine-based self-assembled monolayer (SAM) material. The Layers and patterns including layers and patterns of nanowire or nanotube using a chemical self assembly include: a substrate having a surface terminated with amine group (—NH2) by using a chemical self-assembled monolayer (SAM) material having at least one end terminated with amine group (—NH2); and a first nanowire or nanotube layer ionically coupled to the amine group (—NH2) of the surface of the substrate.
US07932103B2
An integrated circuit system includes measuring capacitance for a base structure between a base gate and a base connector thereof, measuring capacitance for a test structure between a test gate and a test connector thereof, the test structure having the test gate, a test dielectric, and the test connector with the test dielectric extending thereunder, and determining a difference between the capacitances of the base structure and the test structure to determine parasitic capacitance for the base structure between the base gate and the base connector thereof.
US07932102B2
A method of fabricating a phase change memory includes forming a lower electrode on a semiconductor substrate, forming a phase change pattern, an upper electrode, and a hard mask pattern sequentially on the lower electrode, a width of a bottom surface of the hard mask pattern being greater than a width of a top surface of the hard mask pattern, the bottom surface of the hard mask pattern facing the upper electrode and being opposite the top surface of the hard mask pattern, and forming a capping layer to cover the top surface of the hard mask pattern and sidewalls of the hard mask pattern, phase change pattern, and upper electrode.
US07932096B2
A method of making a nanoclusters functionalized with a single DNA strand comprising the steps of providing nanoclusters, combining said nanoclusters with thiolated DNA, incubating said nanoclusters and thiolated DNA mixture, combining said mixture with a solution comprising ethanol and dichloromethane; separating said mixture into an aqueous phase and an organic phase, mixing said aqueous phase with a solution comprising dicholormethane and NaCl, and separating the mixture into an aqueous phase and an organic phase; wherein said organic phase comprises said nanoclusters functionalized with a single DNA strand. Further, provided is a nanocluster functionalized with a single DNA strand comprising a nanocluster, said nanocluster being functionalized with a single DNA strand, said DNA strand having a length of about 10 to about 50 bases.
US07932091B2
Water-based colorant traced formulations (products) containing one or more water treatment agents, such as phosphonates, polyacrylic acids and/or polymers, co-polymers, terpolymers thereof, azoles, molybdate, polysilicates, phosphates, zinc, polyphosphates, etc., are provided wherein the water-soluble colorant is detectable in the visible light range of about 580-640 nm and is chemically inert relative to the water treatment agent(s). Measurement of an optical property of the colorant in the treated coolant water permits the concentration of the product therein to be ascertained, and the level of the product containing can be adjusted for controlling scale, corrosion, deposition, and/or microbial activity in commercial and/or industrial cooling water systems. These products may be reliably monitored and dosed to maintain a product level in treated water of 5 to 500 mg/L.
US07932090B2
Apparatus and methods for positioning the process chambers of microfluidic sample processing devices in the proper focal plane of a microplate reader are disclosed. The apparatus and methods may be adaptable to position the sample processing devices at different heights as may be necessary for processing in different microplate readers. A positioning device is used in connection with the sample processing device to locate the process chambers within the focal plane of the microplate reader.
US07932089B2
A simulant material for simulating hazardous materials is provided. The simulant material includes a quantity of at least one explosive material and at least one inert material. The simulant material is a non-explosive material and is in the form of a homogenous, flexible and non-particulated material. Also provided is a method for manufacturing such a simulant material.
US07932082B2
A device is disclosed for extracting a smear sample. The device includes a cavity, into which a sample carrier carrying a smear sample can be introduced. Liquid can be introduced into the cavity through at least one liquid feed connected to the cavity, and the liquid can be removed from the cavity through at least one liquid discharge connected to the cavity.
US07932081B2
An automated analyzer for performing multiple diagnostic assays simultaneously includes multiple stations in which discrete aspects of the assay are performed on fluid samples contained in sample vessels. The analyzer includes stations for automatically preparing a sample, incubating the sample, preforming an analyte isolation procedure, ascertaining the presence of a target analyte, and analyzing the amount of a target analyte. An automated receptacle transporting system moves the sample vessels from one station to the next. A method for performing an automated diagnostic assay includes an automated process for isolating and amplifying a target analyte, and, in one embodiment, a method for real-time monitoring of the amplification process.
US07932079B2
A system (1) for producing a dough starter culture is provided which comprises a plurality of reservoirs (15) pre-loaded with a small amount (“mother level”) of a previously obtained starter culture. Into the reservoirs (15) are inoculated the other ingredients required for the preparation of starter culture and the contents are left to ferment for a specified period of time to produce the required starter culture, which is then discharged as required from each reservoir (15). A “mother level” portion is retained in the reservoirs and is used to produce a next batch of starter culture. The system (1) operates automatically and is programmable so that a first pre-set interval of time which is less then the fermentation time is allowed to elapse from the start of fermentation in a first reservoir (15) before the ingredients are delivered into a succeeding reservoir (15), and a second pre-set interval of time is allowed to elapse after the starter culture is discharged from the first reservoir (15) before a next batch of the ingredients is delivered into the first reservoir (15).
US07932077B2
Engineered strains of the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica capable of producing greater than 25% eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, an ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid) in the total oil fraction are described. These strains comprise various chimeric genes expressing heterologous desaturases, elongases and acyltransferases and optionally comprise various native desaturase and acyltransferase knockouts to enable synthesis and high accumulation of EPA. Production host cells are claimed, as are methods for producing EPA within said host cells.
US07932074B1
The present invention provides vaccine compositions for protection against human rotaviral disease without significant reactogenicity. Human×bovine reassortant rotavirus comprising each of the four clinically most important VP7 serotypes of human rotavirus are combined in a multivalent formulation which provides a high degree of infectivity and immunogenicity without producing a transient febrile condition. Methods for producing an immunogenic response without producing a transient febrile condition are also provided.
US07932073B2
The present invention relates to variants of a parent glycoside hydrolase, comprising a substitution at one or more positions corresponding to positions 21, 94, 157, 205, 206, 247, 337, 350, 373, 383, 438, 455, 467, and 486 of amino acids 1 to 513 of SEQ ID NO: 2, and optionally further comprising a substitution at one or more positions corresponding to positions 8, 22, 41, 49, 57, 113, 193, 196, 226, 227, 246, 251, 255, 259, 301, 356, 371, 411, and 462 of amino acids 1 to 513 of SEQ ID NO: 2 a substitution at one or more positions corresponding to positions 8, 22, 41, 49, 57, 113, 193, 196, 226, 227, 246, 251, 255, 259, 301, 356, 371, 411, and 462 of amino acids 1 to 513 of SEQ ID NO: 2, wherein the variants have glycoside hydrolase activity. The present invention also relates to nucleotide sequences encoding the variant glycoside hydrolases and to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the nucleotide sequences.
US07932071B2
A polypeptide having an RNaseH activity from Archaeoglobus profundus and being highly useful in gene engineering; a gene encoding this polypeptide; and a genetic engineering process for producing the polypeptide.
US07932070B2
The subject invention relates to compositions comprising an enzyme mixture which comprises a first enzyme and a second enzyme, where the first enzyme comprises a DNA polymerization activity and the second enzyme comprises an 3′-5′ exonuclease activity and a reduced DNA polymerization activity. The invention also relates to the above compositions in kit format and methods for high fidelity DNA synthesis using the subject compositions of the invention.
US07932061B2
This invention relates to the use of tumor-derived or associated extracellular ribonucleic acid (RNA) found circulating in the plasma or serum fraction of blood for the detection, monitoring, or evaluation of cancer or premalignant conditions. Specifically, this invention enables the extraction of circulating RNA from plasma or serum and utilizes nucleic acid amplification assays for the identification, detection, inference, monitoring, or evaluation of any neoplasm, benign, premalignant, or malignant, in humans or other animals, which might be associated with that RNA. Further, this invention allows the qualitative or quantitative detection of tumor-derived or associated extracellular RNA circulating in the plasma or serum of humans or animals with or without any prior knowledge of the presence of cancer or premalignant tissue.
US07932057B2
The present invention provides a method for preparing 20-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol (Ginsenoside M1) by using Sanqis leaves and stems. The method of the invention includes the steps of: (a) provides powder of Sanqi leaves and stems; (b) provides a fungus for fermenting the Sanqi leaves and stems, wherein the fermentation temperature is ranged from 20-50° C., the fermentation humidity is ranged from 70-100%, the pH value is ranged from 4.0-6.0, and the fermentation period is ranged from 5-15 days; (c) extracts and collects the fermentation products; and (d) isolates 20-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol from the fermentation products.
US07932056B2
A crustacean or rotifer is infected with a recombinant infectious virus that expresses a protein exogenous to the virus. The genome of the crustacean or rotifer itself remains unaltered. Crustacean, rotifer, insect, or viral promoters drive the transcription of a gene inserted into the recombinant virus genome, and the virus replicates in the crustacean or rotifer cell cytoplasm. The infected crustacean or rotifer can be provided directly to humans or non-human animals, or, following production and harvest of the crustaceans or rotifers, purified recombinant protein or polypeptide can be provided. Large quantities of biopharmaceuticals can be produced rapidly and inexpensively using this production system.
US07932050B2
Enzymatic phenoxazinone substrates of formula (I): in reaction media containing the same are used for detecting, identifying and/or quantifying microorganisms expressing at least one peptidase activity.
US07932046B2
Provided are a method for detecting biomaterials, a method for fabricating a chip for biomaterial detection and a chip for biomaterial detection. The method for detecting biomaterials is characterized by comprising the steps of: (S1) immobilizing polydiacetylene liposomes onto a substrate; (S2) linking the polydiacetylene liposomes together and layering them on the substrate; (S3) immobilizing a material which forms a complementary binding with a subject biomaterial to be detected onto the polydiacetylene liposomes; (S4) exposing the resulted polydiacetylene liposome to UV light so as to form a chip for biomaterial detection; (S5) applying the subject biomaterial to be detected to the chip for biomaterial detection for reaction; and (S6) measuring a fluorescent signal from the chip for biomaterial detection.
US07932045B2
Provided are methods of isolating and proliferating antigen-specific CD8+ T cells using anti-4-1BB antibodies. The methods of isolating and proliferating CD8+ T cells may yield cells at a higher recovery rate than a conventional isolation method, and the isolation method using humanized anti-4-1BB antibodies may also yield cells at a high recovery rate. Further, in cell culture, cells may be grown at a high proliferation rate. The antigen-specific CD8+ T cells yielded according to the isolation and proliferation methods may be used to treat cancer without any side-effects.
US07932013B2
There are provided a coating material which improves an etching resistance of a pattern in an etching process using a pattern formed on a substrate as a mask.The material is a pattern coating material for an etching process using a pattern formed on a substrate as a mask, including a metal compound (W) which can produce a hydroxyl group on hydrolysis.
US07931999B2
In a manufacturing method for an electrode-membrane-frame assembly in a fuel cell, a first frame member and an electrolyte membrane member are arranged in a first mold for injection molding such that the edge of the electrolyte membrane member is arranged on the first frame member, a second mold is arranged to form a resin flow passage for forming a second frame member which is in contact with the first frame member by interposing the electrolyte membrane member, and a part of the edge of the electrolyte membrane member is pressed and fixed to the first frame member by a presser member mounted on the second mold and a molding resin material is injected into the resin flow passage to form a second frame member.
US07931994B2
A fuel cell system which includes: a fuel cell (1); a supply system (Sc) for supplying fuel gas to the fuel cell (1); a recirculation system (Rc) for recirculating unused fuel gas from the fuel cell (1), in which the fuel gas therein may contain nitrogen; a purge valve (8) for purging nitrogen contained in the fuel gas in the recirculation system (Rc); and a controller (100) for adjusting a valve opening of the purge valve (8) so that a nitrogen concentration of the fuel gas in the recirculation system (Rc) is kept constant.
US07931988B2
An improved Ni—Zn cell with a negative electrode substrate plated with tin or tin and zinc during manufacturing has a reduced gassing rate. The copper or brass substrate is electrolytic cleaned, activated, electroplated with a matte surface to a defined thickness range, pasted with zinc oxide electrochemically active material, and baked. The defined plating thickness range of 40-80 μIn maximizes formation of an intermetallic compound Cu3Sn that helps to suppress the copper diffusion from under plating layer to the surface and eliminates formation of an intermetallic compound Cu6Sn5 during baking to provide adequate corrosion resistance during battery operation.
US07931986B2
An alkaline battery includes a positive electrode including a positive electrode active material, a negative electrode including a negative electrode active material, and an alkaline electrolyte including potassium hydroxide. The positive electrode active material includes a manganese dioxide powder, and the negative electrode active material includes a zinc powder. In a powder X-ray diffraction pattern of the manganese dioxide powder using CuKα radiation, the diffraction peak attributed to the (110) plane is in the range of 20.5° to 21.7°, and the ratio of the peak intensity of the (130) plane to the peak intensity of the (021) plane: I(130)/I(021) is 0.1 or less.
US07931980B2
An electrode assembly is adapted to prevent the separator from contracting due to heat that is generated near the electrode tab during overcharging, over-discharging, or in the case of an internal short circuit. The electrode assembly also prevents an additional short circuit between the electrode plates. A rechargeable battery that comprises the electrode assembly is also provided. The present invention prevents the electrode tab from being short-circuited due to increased heat generation during overcharging or in the case of a short circuit, thus improving the safety of the rechargeable battery.
US07931977B2
The present invention relates to information storage media, and more particularly, to ultra-high density magnetic information storage media which comprises a plurality of discrete islands of magnetic material.
US07931975B2
An OLED device includes a cathode, an anode, and having there between a light-emitting layer, further including, between the cathode and the light emitting layer, a first layer having a thickness of 20 nm or less and containing a fluoranthene compound including one and only one fluoranthene nucleus and having no aromatic rings annulated to the fluoranthene nucleus, the fluoranthene nucleus having independently selected aromatic groups in the 7,10-positions and a phenanthroline group in the 8-or 9-position. The OLED device desirably includes a second layer containing an alkali metal or an alkali metal compound, located between the cathode and the first layer. The OLED device can also include a polycyclic aromatic compound in the first layer or in a third layer located between the first layer and the light-emitting layer. Devices of the invention provide improvement in features such as efficiency, drive voltage, and operational stability.
US07931971B2
A plasma display panel (PDP) includes an EMI filter at a front portion thereof for blocking/shielding substantial amounts of electromagnetic waves. The filters has high visible transmission, and is capable of blocking/shielding electromagnetic waves. In certain example embodiments, a silver based coating of the EMI filter reduces damage from EMI radiation through highly conductive Ag layers, blocks significant amounts of NIR and IR radiation from outdoor sunlight to reduce PDP panel temperature, and enhances contrast ratio through reduced reflection, while maintaining high visible transmission. In certain example embodiments, at least one layer of or including silicon nitride may be Si-rich, and/or at least one layer including an oxide of Ni and/or Cr may be a suboxide, in order to improve heat treatability of the coated article.
US07931968B2
This invention is to an improved method for cleaning contaminated polymer when that polymer is to be blended with clean material. The method involves combining the contaminated material and the clean material in a compartmentalized pellet wherein the contaminated material is placed in the outermost compartment, the clean material is placed in an inner compartment and then subjecting the pellet to an extraction process.
US07931963B2
An improved energy absorbing member comprising, an thermoplastic cellular polymer in contact with a structural element such as a metal guard rail or automotive door, wherein the cellular polymer has an average cell size of at least about 0.75 mm and at least one of CE/CT, CV/CT and CH/CT is about 0.25 to about 0.4 said one of CE/CT, CV/CT and CH/CT having a compressive efficiency of at least 70% at a 60% strain, CE, CV and CH being the compressive strength of the cellular polymer in each of three orthogonal directions E, V and H where one of these directions is the direction of maximum compressive strength in the foam and CT equals the sum of CE, CV and CH.
US07931962B1
A pyrolyzing flexible ablator comprising a flexible substrate and a pyrolyzing material that will pyrolize upon exposure to a heat flux greater than 5 W/cm2, the pyrolyzing material being bonded to the flexible substrate.
US07931959B2
Polyamide compositions filled with fibers have good mechanical and rheological properties, the polyamide having a high fluidity in molten phase and the fibers, in particular glass fibers, being well aligned at both the surface and the core of shaped articles injection molded from such compositions.
US07931955B2
A composite material having a substrate material and at least one barrier coating on one side of the substrate material. The barrier coating is plasma impulse chemical vapor deposited (PICVD) to the substrate material. The barrier coating includes at least one of material selected from the group consisting of SiOx, TiOx, SnOx, Si3Ny, Nb2Oy, and Al2Oy.
US07931954B2
There is provided a decorative material comprising at least a substrate, a low-luster pattern ink layer partially formed on the substrate, and a surface protective layer which is present on and contacted with the low-luster pattern ink layer so as to cover a whole surface including both a region where the low-luster pattern ink layer is formed and a region where no low-luster pattern ink layer is formed, wherein the surface protective layer is formed by crosslinking and curing an ionizing radiation-curable resin composition, and provided therein with a low-gloss region which is located in a portion just above the low-luster pattern ink layer and in the vicinity of the portion and visually recognized as a concave portion. The decorative material is provided on a surface thereof with a pattern, and exhibits a difference in gloss according to the pattern which is visually recognized as a concave portion, thereby imparting a good convexo-concave feeling to a surface thereof.
US07931953B2
The present invention provides an anti-dazzling laminate which has anti-dazzling properties and can realize excellent glare preventive properties and black color reproducibility, such as gradation rendering of black color at low brightness. The optical laminate comprises a light transparent base material and an anti-dazzling layer provided on the light transparent base material. The outermost surface of the anti-dazzling layer has a concavoconvex surface, and the average spacing S determined by calculation based on data obtained by measuring a roughness curve of a concavoconvex shape of the anti-dazzling layer is not less than 0.04 mm and not more than 0.30 mm.
US07931944B2
The present invention provides a method of treating a substrate to improve the alcohol repellency of the substrate while minimizing the effect on the hydrostatic head value of the substrate that includes contacting a substrate with a treatment solution that includes an ionic fluoropolymer, a monovalent salt, and essentially no antistatic agent or less than 0.05 weight percent by weight of an antistatic agent.
US07931937B2
A method and apparatus for depositing a film on a substrate includes introducing a material and a carrier gas into a heated chamber. The material may be a semiconductor material, such as a cadmium chalcogenide. A resulting mixture of vapor and carrier gas containing no unvaporized material is provided. The mixture of vapor and carrier gas are remixed to achieve a uniform vapor/carrier gas composition, which is directed toward a surface of a substrate, such as a glass substrate, where the vapor is deposited as a uniform film.
US07931933B2
Solder paste application, inspection and correction. Following or during application of solder paste on a substrate, the result thereof is inspected and any detected errors are registered. Following an evaluation as to whether correction of these errors is required and if it would be worthwhile, the errors are corrected. The correction involves removing solder paste from locations where so required, and jetting of additional solder paste to locations where so required.
US07931931B2
A porous prosthesis for delivering a medication to the site of implantation, and a method of making the same, is disclosed.
US07931923B2
A method for manufacturing a loaf of bread of this invention is comprised of a forming step to form a sheet from a block of bread dough that is kneaded from the raw materials for bread, a further forming step to form a bar-like dough by rolling or folding the sheet, a cutting step to cut the bar-like dough, and a placing step to place the bar-like pieces of dough that were cut at the cutting step into a baking mold so that at least one cutting plane faces upward. If there are air bubbles between layers of the bar-like pieces of dough, the air bubbles can escape from a cutting surface of the bar-like pieces of dough when they rise and expand at the fermenting and baking steps.
US07931910B2
The present invention provides an environmentally compatible, pesticidal composition and method for the control of insect pests. The composition includes two components. The first component is a chelating agent, a metal complex of a chelating agent, and mixtures thereof, and the second component is preferably a carrier material.
US07931908B2
The invention provides an immunogenic composition comprising MSPk-8 linked to an antigen. Methods of using the composition to induce an immune response in an animal are also provided.
US07931907B2
The present invention relates generally to viral variants exhibiting reduced sensitivity to agents and in particular nucleoside analogues. More particularly, the present invention is directed to hepatitis B virus variants exhibiting complete or partial resistance to nucleoside analogues. The variants may also comprise corresponding mutations affecting immunological interactivity to viral surface components. The present invention further contemplates assays for detecting such viral variants which assays are useful in monitoring anti-viral therapeutic regimes and in developing new or modified vaccines directed against viral agents and in particular hepatitis B virus variants. The present invention also contemplates the use of the viral variants to screen for agents capable of inhibiting infection, replication and/or release of the virus.
US07931903B2
The present invention provides humanized, chimeric and human anti-CD74 antibodies, CD74 antibody fusion proteins, immunoconjugates, vaccines and bispecific that bind to CD74, the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class-II invariant chain, Ii, which is useful for the treatment and diagnosis of B-cell disorders, such as B-cell malignancies, other malignancies in which the cells are reactive with CD74, and autoimmune diseases, and methods of treatment and diagnosis.
US07931902B2
The present invention relates to transgenic animals, as well as compositions and methods relating to the characterization of gene function. Specifically, the present invention provides transgenic mice comprising disruptions in PRO226, PRO257, PRO268, PRO290, PRO36006, PRO363, PRO365, PRO382, PRO444, PRO705, PRO1071, PRO1125, PRO1134, PRO1155, PRO1281, PRO1343, PRO1379, PRO1380, PRO1387, PRO1419, PRO1433, PRO1474, PRO1550, PRO1571, PRO1572, PRO1759, PRO1904, PRO35193, PRO4341, PRO4348, PRO4369, PRO4381, PRO4407, PRO4425, PRO4985, PRO4989, PRO5737, PRO5800, PRO5993, PRO6017, PRO7174, PRO9744, PRO9821, PRO9852, PRO9873, PRO10196, PRO34778, PRO20233, PRO21956, PRO57290, PRO38465, PRO38683 or PRO85161 genes. Such in vivo studies and characterizations may provide valuable identification and discovery of therapeutics and/or treatments useful in the prevention, amelioration or correction of diseases or dysfunctions associated with gene disruptions such as neurological disorders; cardiovascular, endothelial or angiogenic disorders; eye abnormalities; immunological disorders; oncological disorders; bone metabolic abnormalities or disorders; lipid metabolic disorders; or developmental abnormalities.
US07931899B2
Humanized anti-Aβ antibodies derived from a murine antibody directed to a N-terminal epitope of Aβ are described. The humanized antibodies have reduced or no human T cell epitopes and bind Aβ with an affinity similar to that of the murine antibody.
US07931898B2
The invention provides methods and compositions for inhibiting binding of IgE to a high affinity receptor. The methods and compositions are useful in the treatment of allergic diseases and allergy symptoms in mammals.
US07931896B2
Compositions containing soluble B7-H4 (sH4) antagonists in an amount effective to reduce, inhibit, or mitigate an inflammatory response in an individual and methods for the treatment or prophylaxis of inflammatory disorders and autoimmune diseases or disorders are provided. Soluble H4 has been discovered to interfere with B7-H4 activity including B7-H4's activity as an inhibitor of T cell immunity. Thus, interference of sH4 biological activity is an effective method to restore B7-H4 activity and thereby provide an effective method for treating inflammatory diseases or disorders including autoimmune diseases or disorders. B7-H4Ig could also work as an agonist to suppress both humoral and cellular autoimmunity.
US07931894B2
It is intended to provide a method of three-dimensionally culturing normal joint chondrocytes; the production and supply of chondrocytes; and a transplantation material to be used in an injured site in a joint tissue.
US07931887B2
An apparatus and a method for controllably converting aluminum into alane. In the system of the invention, a reaction between aluminum and hydrogen to form alane is performed at temperatures below 100° C. using a supercritical fluid such as CO2 as a reaction medium, with the optional inclusion of a co-solvent, such as an ether, in the reaction vessel. Inert gas is used to exclude unwanted gases such as oxygen. The reaction of aluminum and hydrogen has been observed to proceed at approximately 60° C. using Me2O as an added solvent in CO2 at supercritical pressures.
US07931885B2
A method of fabricating carbon nanotube complex is disclosed, which comprises, (A) dispersing carbon nanotubes in a solvent; (B) adding a filler to the above solution to give a precursor solution; (C) performing light illumination on the precursor solution; (D) washing the solution after light exposure; and (E) drying to evaporate the solvent contained in the solution. Therefore, the carbon nanotube complex of the present invention is obtained.
US07931881B2
An air pollution control system includes an emission treatment system configured to receive flue gas, to reduce at least one pollutant therefrom, and to output emission treated flue gas. A first air heater in fluid communication with the emission treatment system includes a heat exchanger for heating forced air introduced thereto above a base temperature and thereby cooling emission treated flue gas from the emission treatment system to a stack discharge temperature. A second air heater in fluid communication with the first air heater to receive heated forced air therefrom includes a heat exchanger for heating forced air introduced thereto to a preheat temperature for combustion in a boiler and thereby cooling flue gas introduced from a boiler to the second air heater to an emission treatment temperature. The second air heater is in fluid communication with the emission treatment system to introduce cooled flue gas thereto.
US07931873B2
In an isoolefin-diolefin rubber production process (e.g. a butyl rubber production process), the cold rubber slurry produced in the reaction vessel is transported from the reaction vessel to the flash tank during which time the cold slurry may be expressed to separate at least part of the cold liquid reaction medium from the isoolefin-diolefin rubber. The separated cold liquid reaction medium is transported off stream, for example by a mechanical filter, where it can be recycled back into the reaction vessel and/or where it can be used to cool a feed stream or streams of the reaction components. The isoolefin-diolefin rubber and the residual liquid reaction medium are transported to a flash tank for further processing. The ability to separate and recycle cold liquid reaction medium makes the process more economical. In one aspect, the slurry may be transported from the reaction vessel to the flash tank by a self-cleaning fully intermeshing co-rotating twin screw extruder, which helps overcome the problem of plugging due to rubber sticking to the surfaces of the slurry transfer apparatus.
US07931865B2
An apparatus which comprises: an organic-substance oxidation part in which organic substances contained in a sample water supplied are oxidized into carbon dioxide; a carbon dioxide separation part in which the carbon dioxide contained in the sample water is caused to permeate and come into a measurement water; and a conductivity measurement part in which the conductivity of the measurement water is measured. The carbon dioxide separation part comprises: a sample water channel in which sample water flows; an intermediate water part in which intermediate water having a higher pH value in a neutral region than the sample water is present; and a measurement water channel through which the measurement water comprising deionized water flows. The sample water channel is in contact with the intermediate water part through a gas-permeable membrane, and the intermediate water part is in contact with the measurement water channel through a gas-permeable membrane.
US07931862B2
A sample rack transport apparatus for transporting a sample rack holding a container containing a sample is provided with a rack transport mechanism for transporting sample racks, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the transport mechanism. The transport mechanism has actuators, and the samples rack is transported by the operation of these actuators. The control unit is accommodated in a control box. The transport mechanism and control box are supported in a case. The control box is provided below the transport mechanism, and is configured so as to be slidably transferred into and from the case.
US07931853B2
A process for converting precursor objects into a unitary ceramic object produces, for example, a ceramic, optical scan mirror that is formed from at least two pieces. An optical section has at least one optical surface and at least one attachment surface, and a support section has at least one attachment surface and preferably has a mounting area. The optical and support sections are formed as separate pieces from a precursor material, such as graphite, such that a selected support section can receive any of a plurality of optical sections having different sizes, shapes, or orientations. To form the mirror, the attachment surfaces are placed adjacent each other, and then the sections are converted simultaneously to a ceramic material, such as silicon carbide, to form a monolithic scan mirror.
US07931849B2
A method is provided for laser optically marking integrated circuit (IC) packages in a non-destructive manner. The method provides an IC die encapsulated as a package in a compound of glass spheres and epoxy. An acute angle is defined between a laser optical path and an IC package planar surface. The IC package surface is scanned with a laser, and in response to ablating the IC package surface, a legible mark on the planar surface.
US07931844B2
An imprint lithography apparatus is disclosed which has a needle, and a substrate table arranged to hold a substrate to be imprinted, wherein the needle is moveable between a first position and a second position, the first position being such that in use the needle penetrates a layer of imprintable material on the substrate, and the second position being such that in use the needle is disengaged from the imprintable material on the substrate, the substrate table and the needle arranged such that one may be scanned relative to the other.
US07931842B2
A system for making sheets, films, and objects including a reactor-dryer for reacting at least one monomer to produce a polymer melt; a flash melter in communication with the reactor-dryer for heating the polymer melt received from the reactor-dryer; a flash tank in communication with the flash melter for removing volatile compounds from the polymer melt; and a control loop in communication with the flash tank for controlling the pressure of the polymer melt from the flash tank to a die forming unit. Methods of making sheets, films, and objects is further included.
US07931840B2
A screw formed of cortical bone for use in the human body with an implant having a screw hole for receiving at least a portion of a screw therethrough, includes a shaft with a thread along at least a portion of its length. The thread has an outer diameter dimensioned to pass through the screw hole in the implant. The trailing end of the screw is configured to cooperatively engage at least a portion of the screw hole of the implant so as to prevent the screw from linear motion along the mid-longitudinal axis of the shaft in a direction opposite to the direction of insertion when the screw is threaded through the screw hole to attach the implant to a bone portion of the human body. The screw is formed substantially of cortical bone of a single cortical thickness.
US07931836B2
According to aspects of the present invention, metal oxide powder, such as yttria and alumina powder (feed material), is processed using a plasma apparatus. The process generally consists of in-flight heating and melting of the feed material by the plasma apparatus. The plasma apparatus contains a plasma torch with required power supply and cooling systems, a powder feeder, a chamber to collect the powder and a dedusting system. The heated powder forms molten spherical droplets that are rapidly cooled under free fall conditions. The plasma densification process removes some impurity oxides, modifies the morphology of the particle and increases the apparent density of the powder.
US07931834B2
A process for the formation of particles of a target material is disclosed, comprising: (i) introducing the target material into a particle formation vessel, and forming a continuous liquid surface of the target material in the particle formation vessel, and an interface between said liquid surface of the target material and additional gaseous contents of said particle formation vessel; (ii) introducing a stream of cryogenic material including solid particles of cryogenic material into the particle formation vessel and into contact with the target material in a liquid state below the continuous liquid surface; (iii) allowing rapid volumetric expansion of the cryogenic material into a gaseous state while in contact with the target material in a liquid state, and release of the expanded gaseous cryogenic material through the continuous liquid surface, and forming liquid droplet particles of the target material; and (iv) collecting the formed particles of the target material.
US07931832B2
This invention discloses methods and apparatus for providing an ophthalmic lens with media including an energy receptor. In some embodiments, the media includes an insert placed in a cavity formed to cast mold an ophthalmic lens from a reactive mixture.
US07931828B2
A gas turbine engine and method of fabrication includes a gas turbine engine with a structure having movable portions and static portions. At least a portion of the structure includes a composite material having an electrically conductive path formed from carbon nanotubes configured for conducting electrical signals therealong.
US07931821B2
An oxynitride piezoelectric material, which exhibits ferroelectricity and has good piezoelectric properties, and a method of producing the oxynitride piezoelectric material. The oxynitride piezoelectric material includes a tetragonal perovskite-type oxynitride represented by the following general formula (1): A1−xBix+δ1B1−yB′y+δ2O3−zNz (1), where A represents a divalent element, B and B′ each represent a tetravalent element, x represents a numerical value of 0.35 or more to 0.6 or less, y represents a numerical value of 0.35 or more to 0.6 or less, z represents a numerical value of 0.35 or more to 0.6 or less, and δ1 and δ2 each represent a numerical value of −0.2 or more to 0.2 or less, in which the A includes at least one kind selected from Ba, Sr, and Ca and the B and the B′ each include at least one kind selected from Ti, Zr, Hf, Si, Ge, and Sn.
US07931811B2
A fluid treatment device and method are provided for generating an electric field across a gap between first and second electrode and for concentrating the electric field within a fluid treatment chamber located in the gap.
US07931808B2
A method and system of treating wastewater that can provide operating flexibility is disclosed. The system is operated with a sequencing batch reactor, which is typically cycling to any of fill, react, settle, decant, and idle stages, to treat the wastewater. The system can further utilize a membrane filtration system to further treat water from the sequencing batch reactor and produce suitable water. A solids-reducing system can be connected to the sequencing batch reactor and reduce an amount of biodegraded solids by converting the character or distribution of microorganisms population in the biomass.
US07931803B2
A fluid filter (1) comprises a housing (3) provided with a fluid inlet (11) and a fluid outlet (19), filter means (45) being mounted in the house (3) between the fluid inlet (11) and the fluid outlet (19) to filter fluid flowing through the housing (3). Actuation means (43) is provided to move the filter means (45), in use, within the housing (3) to dislodge particles of filtered material from the filter means (45) so as to clean the filter means (45). A filter assembly comprising a plurality of such filters is also provided.
US07931801B2
An aquarium filter system mainly has a base and an uprightly mounted filtering cylinder; the filtering cylinder is provided therein with a pump unit, it can be optionally used to spray forceful water jet on the surface board of the base or to pump air into the filtering cylinder to form air bubbles in water in the filtering cylinder; after filtering, seawater in an aquarium can be kept clean.
US07931797B2
A process for hydroprocessing heavy oil feedstock is disclosed. The process operates in once-through mode, employing a plurality of contacting zones and at least a separation zone to convert at least a portion of the heavy oil feedstock to lower boiling hydrocarbons, forming upgraded products. In the once-through upgrade system, little if any of the unconverted material and slurry catalyst mixture is recycled back to the system for further upgrading. The contacting zones operate under hydrocracking conditions, employing a slurry catalyst for upgrading the heavy oil feedstock. The slurry catalyst feed comprises an active metal catalyst having an average particle size of at least 1 micron in a hydrocarbon oil diluent, at a concentration of greater than 500 wppm of active metal catalyst to heavy oil feedstock.
US07931776B2
A plasma processing apparatus including a chamber having an inner wall with a protective film thereon and a sample stage disposed in the chamber in which plasma is generated by supplying high-frequency wave energy to processing gas to conduct plasma processing for a sample on the sample stage using the plasma. The apparatus includes a control device which determines, based on monitor values of a wafer attracting current monitor (Ip) to monitor a current supplied from a wafer attracting power source, an impedance monitor (Zp) to monitor plasma impedance viewed from a plasma generating power source, and an impedance monitor (Zb) to monitor a plasma impedance viewed from a bias power supply, presence or absence of occurrence of an associated one of abnormal discharge in inner parts, deterioration in insulation of an insulating film of a wafer attracting electrode, and abnormal injection in a gas injection plate.
US07931772B2
A method for manufacturing light emitting devices is provided. The method may reduce the inner pressure of a laminated image emitting device panel, thereby preventing failure of the panel. The method includes holding a first substrate with a lower chuck located in a vacuum chamber; holding a second substrate with an upper chuck located opposite the first chuck in the vacuum chamber; creating a high vacuum in the vacuum chamber; correcting positions of the first substrate and the second substrate; supplying gas having a temperature of about 50 to about 200° C. into the vacuum chamber; temporarily laminating the first substrate and the second substrate; venting the vacuum chamber; and bonding the first substrate and the second substrate. The panel is laminated after being filled with a heated gas and thus, when it is exposed to room temperature, the mobility of the gas decreases while reducing its initial inner pressure, thereby preventing panel failure.
US07931770B2
Continuous decoration process with a film of inked plastic material enclosing a structural shape and consisting of the following steps: perform continuous wrapping of the structural shape with inked film (4, 5), place under pressure the film wrapping the structural shape (7), keep the film under pressure, heat the structural shape wrapped in the film to the sublimation temperature and perform the sublimation (9, 10), automatically detach the exhausted film from the structural shape (11), cool the structural shape (12), and unload and accumulate the decorated structural shape devoid of film (13, 14).
US07931764B1
A method to substantially desensitize a metastable intermolecular composite material to electrostatic discharge and friction comprising mixing the composite material with an organic diluent and removing enough organic diluent from the mixture to form a mixture with a substantially putty-like consistency, as well as a concomitant method of recovering the metastable intermolecular composite material.
US07931759B2
Improved compositions are described for the protection of gas turbine parts at elevated temperatures. The compositions are of the MCrAlY type, wherein M is Nickel, or Nickel in combination with cobalt and/or iron. The compositions further comprise a lanthanide, a group 4 metal selected from hafnium, zirconium, titanium, or a combination of these, and optionally, a group 14 element selected from silicon and/or germanium. The combination results in improved Al retention properties. Also disclosed herein are articles comprising the coatings.
US07931745B2
The present invention relates to a black pigment/auxiliary combination having an improved relative color strength of greater than or equal to 110%, the preparation thereof and the use thereof.
US07931740B2
Systems and methods for separating contaminants in a contaminated airstream are described. In one embodiment, a contaminated airstream is received and a vortex is created that separates the contaminated airstream into a clean airstream used in the system and contaminants (e.g., debris and particles).
US07931733B2
A method and a system for providing a hypoxic environment inside an enclosed compartment with simultaneous removal of carbon dioxide and moisture produced by occupants; said method and system designed for fire prevention and for simulated altitude training, wellness and hypoxic therapy, including equine and other animal applications.
US07931724B2
A filter element arrangement is provided which includes a media pack including Z-filter media, a preform and an overmold sealing a portion of the interface between the preform and the media pack, and also forming an air cleaner seal for the filter element. The overmold preferably comprises molded, foamed, polyurethane. A variety of media pack shapes can be used.
US07931723B2
A panel filter for removal of contaminants from a gas, the panel filter having at least one V-pocket formed of two halves, each half composed of multiple pleats of filter media. The pleats extend generally parallel, often at an angle of less than 5 degrees or even less than 1 degree, to the overall filtration path, so that air or gas to the filtered passes through the pleats in a generally straight manner, with minimal bends. Each pleat has two legs of different length. The panel filter provides improved dust collection and retention while restricting pressure drop.
US07931722B2
A cyclonic vacuum cleaner includes a body portion, a nozzle portion and a dirt cup which is removable from the body portion. The dirt cup collects dirt and other debris separated by a cyclone and a cyclone slinger portion in the body portion. A main filter may be housed in a transparent filter door downstream of the cyclone. The dirt cup may be inserted into and sealingly held within the body portion by using a rotational caroming structure.
US07931694B2
The invention relates to an implantable stomach prosthesis for surgically replacing or augmenting all or part of the antrum and/or pylorus of a stomach. The prosthesis controls the passage of food from the stomach to the small intestine. The prosthesis may be configured to churn ingested material and release it from the stomach through a prosthetic pyloric valve. At least one expandable member is arranged to be expanded to control the passage of food and/or to mimic the churning action of a patient's stomach. The prosthesis includes an outer support structure, a flexible inner member forming a conduit for the movement of material, and at least one expandable member located between the outer support structure and inner member. An implantable pump system is provided for inflating and deflating the expandable member(s).
US07931679B2
The invention relates to bone compression devices and bone compression systems, and in particular, to bone compression devices and systems for use in connection with vertebrae. The bone compression devices and bone compression systems are disposed, or installed, along at least one bone to maintain the at least one bone in a desired spatial relationship. Broadly, the invention is directed to a bone compression device for placing in communication with at least one bone having a bone radius of curvature, the bone compression device comprising a plate having a pre-formed shape, a deformed shape, and at least one elastic shape therebetween, the pre-formed shape having a preformed radius of curvature less than the bone radius of curvature, the deformed shape having a deformed radius of curvature greater than the bone radius of curvature, and at least one of the at least one elastic shapes having an elastic radius of curvature that substantially corresponds to the bone radius of curvature. The invention is also directed to a bone compression system wherein the plate includes a string attached to each end of the plate and a tensioner for facilitating the movement of the plate from the pre-formed shape to the at least one elastic shape. Methods of maintaining a bone in a spatial relationship and methods of contouring the bone compression devices are also disclosed.
US07931678B2
Various spinal plating systems for use in treating spinal pathologies are provided. In certain exemplary embodiments, the spinal plating systems can be configured to allow a surgeon to select a bone screw construct having a particular range of motion for attaching a spinal plate to bone as needed based on the intended use. In one exemplary embodiment, the spinal plating system includes a first bone screw that is polyaxially movable relative to the spinal plate, and a second bone screw that has a range of motion that is substantially limited to a single plane.
US07931675B2
Spine stabilization devices, systems and methods are provided in which a single resilient member or spring is disposed on an elongate element that spans two attachment members attached to different spinal vertebrae. The elongate element passes through at least one of the two attachment members, permitting relative motion therebetween, and terminates in a stop or abutment. A second resilient member is disposed on the elongate element on an opposite side of the sliding attachment member, e.g., in an overhanging orientation. The two resilient members are capable of applying mutually opposing urging forces, and a compressive preload can be applied to one or both of the resilient members.
US07931674B2
Systems and method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention can includes an implant comprising a first wing, a spacer extending from the first wing, and a distraction guide. The distraction guide is arranged in a first configuration to pierce and/or distract tissue associated with adjacent spinous processes extending from vertebrae of a targeted motion segment. The implant can be positioned between the adjacent spinous processes and once positioned, the distraction guide can be arranged in a second configuration. When arranged in a second configuration, the distraction guide can act as a second wing. The first wing and the second wing can limit or block movement of the implant along a longitudinal axis of the implant.
US07931672B2
Intraoral orthodontic pacifier/nipple appliances having integrated orthodontic functionality. The appliance has an integrated orthodontic mechanism. The bulb expands or moves upward and expands outward as a child sucks on it, to counteract inward pressure of the cheeks and the lateral portion of the lips caused by suction or sucking action. The invention also provides products including the orthodontic appliance, as well as methods of using the appliance and products including the appliance in the inhibition and treatment of certain malocclusions in the primary dentition of young children.
US07931667B2
A medical instrument has an instrument insert (4) and an instrument handle (2) which are detachably connected to one another via a locking connection. A grip (24; 57) and a closure (26; 50) are provided for securing the locking connection. The closure (26; 50) may be moved into an unsecured position by movement of the grip (24; 57) as well as independently of a movement of the grip (24; 57).
US07931666B2
A system for enabling the insertion and removal of an embolic protection device, for capturing and retaining embolic debris which may be created during the performance of a therapeutic interventional procedure in a stenosed or occluded region of a blood vessel. The system, in an embodiment thereof, enables the device to be compressed for insertion thereof through a patient's vasculature so as to cross the stenosis in a low profile, and to enable release of compression thereof for expansion and deployment of the device at a location distal to the interventional procedure site.
US07931658B2
A retention device for anchoring indwelling catheters, sheath introducers, feeding tubes, ostomy bags or other medical devices beneath the skin of a patient includes an deployable section coupled to a medical device; following introduction into a patient, the deployable section is subcutaneously deployed, securely anchoring the device and coupled medical device for the duration of treatment.
US07931656B2
A method and apparatus for implanting acetabular components into an acetabulum utilizing a minimally invasive incision. The method and apparatus utilize a subatmospheric pressure formed in a hollow passage of an elongate body to secure an acetabular shell to a shell-engaging head removably attached to a coupler end of the elongate body. Liner-engaging heads may also be removably attached to the coupler end to install socket liners into an implanted acetabular shell. The elongate body may comprise a bent portion to allow access to the acetabulum through a minimally invasive incision.
US07931651B2
An external fixation assembly includes a plurality of hollow pins that are inserted into a patient's bone. Each pin has an interior bore and a plurality of apertures extending through the pin wall from the bore. The pin may be coupled to a source of vacuum pressure operable to create reduced pressure in the tissue surrounding the pin. A cover is placed around the pin and sealed to provide a fluid-tight enclosure that maintains reduced pressure around the pin. A method for applying external fixation using the fixator pins described above includes the steps of inserting each pin through a skin opening, positioning the pin apertures near selected tissue, covering the skin opening with a sealed enclosure, connecting the pins to a source of vacuum pressure, and activating the source of vacuum pressure to create reduced pressure in the patient's tissue at or near the bone.
US07931650B2
By providing components securable to anchor pins or screws of different diameters as well as providing clamps which hold associated pins in any position during adjustments, an external fixation or adjustable frame structure is provided which is capable of being quickly and easily assembled in any desired configuration. In the present invention, the frame structure is retained in any assembled configuration in order to allow final adjustments to be made, prior to the final securement of the frame assembly in the precisely desired configuration by closure of each clamp member. In this way, an entire frame assembly is capable of being constructed, adjusted, and readjusted in order to assure each component is oriented in the precisely desired position prior to final closure of the clamping members. In one preferred embodiment, the clamping members employed in the frame structure of the present invention incorporate friction pins internally mounted in each clamp which engages the rod member once this rod is inserted into the jaws of the clamp. In this way, any rod member inserted into the clamping jaws contacts the surface of the jaws and the friction pin, preventing the rod member from sliding or moving relative to the clamp. In addition, by incorporating a uniquely constructed, moving wedge plate that is adjustably engageable with any cooperating anchor pin, secure affixation of the mounting member with the anchor pins of any diameter is easily achieved, regardless of the orientation configuration, or diameter of the anchor pin.
US07931649B2
An end effector assembly for use with an instrument for sealing vessels and cutting vessels includes a pair of opposing first and second jaw members which are movable relative to one another from a first spaced apart position to a second position for grasping tissue therebetween. Each jaw member includes an electrically conductive tissue contacting surface connected to an electrosurgical energy source. At least one of the jaw members includes an electrically conductive cutting element disposed within an insulator defined in the jaw member. At least one channel is included in the insulator which is configured to deliver fluid between the jaw members.
US07931643B2
A miniature drug delivery pump utilizes a shape memory Ni—Ti alloy. A flow restrictor is provided and the pump is refillable.
US07931639B2
The invention provides a panty realizing easy fit of a sanitary napkin for night use to a crotch portion, preventing the napkin from shifting out of position, alleviating digging into the crotch portion, and thus being comfortable to wear without giving feeling of constriction to the wearer. The panty includes a front part, a back part, a crotch part provided so as to bridge between the front part and the back part, a slightly elastic member is provided at the substantially center area of the back part, a highly elastic member is provided from a back parts lifting member to the entire area of the front part except for the waist hold part, a fixing member is provided on the substantially center area of the front part, a crotch lifting member is provided at the substantially center area of the crotch part.
US07931636B2
A simple disposable pant-like garment includes a chassis and an absorbent assembly. The chassis, which can be extensible, includes a water-impermeable sheet folded laterally inward at both of its side edges to form opposing side flaps. Each side flap is attached to the interior surface of the chassis adjacent to its end edges. Each side flap has a longitudinally extending elastic gathering member attached adjacent to its proximal edge. The absorbent assembly is smaller in width and in length than the chassis. The side edges and end edges of the absorbent assembly can be disposed proximally relative to the respective side edges and end edges of the chassis. The absorbent assembly includes an absorbent core that can contain superabsorbent particles contained inside pockets. The absorbent assembly may be attached in a cruciform pattern to the chassis to allow portions of the chassis to extend laterally.
US07931635B1
Oversized adult diapers are made on converting machinery designed for handling only components no greater than a maximum component width, while utilizing as an outer layer component of the diapers an elongate sheet-like web having a width exceeding the maximum component width of the machinery. The web is pre-formed with at least one folded pleat along a laterally outward margin of the web, such that the pleat reduces the width of the web to less than the maximum component width. The pleat is temporarily tacked to retain the pleat against unfolding while the web is handled by the machinery, but is yieldable to unfold when a diaper made with the web is donned for wearing. The pre-formed pleated web is delivered to the machinery, which is then operated in normal manner to incorporate the web into a plurality of diapers.
US07931631B2
An ostomy appliance having a face plate assembly and inner and outer pouches joined thereto, has its outer pouch provided with one or more peripherally-extending sealing seams that allow the walls of the outer pouch to be separated by peeling forces applied in directions transverse to such seam or seams. In preferred embodiments, the sealing seam, also peelably join the peripheral edges of the outer pouch to those of the inner pouch. A method of disposing of the pouch assembly of such an ostomy appliance is also disclosed.
US07931630B2
Multi-functional urine collection devices, embodiments of which can include a self-expanding container having a receptacle for receiving urine from the tubing, a pump for moving urine through the tubing and into a receptacle, extendable tubing that may be shortened and/or lengthened, and/or one or more meters for monitoring, measuring, transmitting or storing a characteristic from the urine.
US07931628B2
A tissue closure device has an elongate body with a first portion and a second portion. A wound closure member is also provided. In operation, a wound closure member is releasably held on a distal end of the first portion. The wound closure member is advanced within the patient until it is placed on top of and over a wound in tissue. Flowable adhesive is injected through a lume of the second portion onto the wound closure member and tissue surrounding the wound closure member. The wound closure member applicator holds the wound closure member in place, allowing the adhesive to at least partially set. The applicator is then removed from the wound closure member. Thus, an adhesive wound closure member is attached to close an opening in tissue.
US07931626B2
The invention provides a injection device for administering an injectable product, including a base section adapted to receive a container from which a product dose is dispensed through a needle by displacement of a piston in the container, and a drive unit including a driven member, a drive element and a damping arrangement, the drive unit for applying a force to advance the piston in the container to dispense a dose, wherein the damping arrangement generally counteracts the drive force and counter forces. The invention also encompasses a needle safety sleeve and a blocking structure for use with injection devices.
US07931620B2
Administering device for infusing or injecting a product, comprising a housing (1, 2) with a first housing shell (1) and a second housing shell (2), a receiver (3) for the product formed in the housing (1, 2), a conveying mechanism (4) for conveying the product and a seal (10), which connects the housing shells (1, 2) to one another in a pressing contact rendering them watertight, which seal (10) is or has a sealing lip (13) which establishes the pressing contact with the first housing shell (1).
US07931613B2
The present invention provides a module for a computer interface including a transducer wherein the transducer receives a measurement value and makes this measurement value available for monitoring an individual's health by means of the computer interface, for example, for monitoring an individual's blood glucose level, wherein the measurement value is obtained by means of a sensor.
US07931594B2
A system and method for regional anesthesia using ultrasound to assist in locating the anesthetic needle are disclosed. One or more piezo-electric crystal transducers is placed either at the tip of the needle or near the tip of the needle on a stylet which is inserted into the lumen of the needle. The transducer(s) are pulsed with ultrasonic frequency, the reflected ultrasonic signals from structures are detected and converted into a digital signal and may be displayed in an oscilloscopic format to indicate anatomical structures forward to the needle and allow the medical professional to avoid errors and/or increase efficiency and accuracy. An array of transducers can be pulsed in a phased array fashion to generate a 2D image, or a single transducer can be pulsed to generate a 1D image. A 2D image can also be obtained by mechanically sweeping a single transducer, for example by means of a miniature motor in or at the base of a needle or stylet.
US07931588B2
A comprehensive system for objective assessment of colonoscope manipulation includes a handgrip for collecting and transmitting colonoscope handling data including force and motion data; a patient pain monitor for collecting and transmitting data on the level of patient's pain and discomfort; and digital processing means for extracting useful features such as colonoscope tip advancement speed from colonoscope-provided video images. All data is wirelessly transmitted to an electronic unit for processing and displaying on a monitor. A colonoscopy procedure is properly conducted when certain shaft advancement causes appropriate tip advancement, all without an increased level of patient's pain. The system of the invention is aimed at providing objective assessment data allowing for safer and less painful colonoscopies.
US07931580B2
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for implantation into the walls of an organ such as the stomach. Deformable or inflatable anchors with a connector between are used to pull the walls of the organ together, or to implant devices in the wall of the organ. Also disclosed are surgical instruments useful in practicing the disclosed methods.
US07931578B2
Surgical systems for less invasive access to and isolation of an atrial appendage are provided. A suturing grasper compresses soft tissue structures and deploys one or more sutures through complimentary pledget(s) carried by the grasper. The pledgets are reinforced, containing support members that define the profile of the stitch and distribute stresses applied by the stitch, once tightened, over a length of tissue. This hardware may be applicable to other surgical and catheter based applications as well including: compressing soft tissue structures lung resections and volume reductions; gastric procedures associated with reduction in volume, aneurysm repair, vessel ligation, or other procedure involving isolation of, resection of, and reduction of anatomic structures.
US07931574B2
An apparatus for performing lumbar stretching treatments comprises a supporting structure where at least one electric motor vertically moves leg supporting members. A person that needs performing lumbar stretching treatments takes the right position at the apparatus and autonomously controls it powering the vertical movement of the leg supporting means which put into traction the lower section of the person's back. The apparatus may also be installed on specific beds having a lay surface horizontally translatable in order to improve the comfortable use of the apparatus.
US07931559B2
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches.
US07931556B2
The present invention relates to an automatic transmission (1) comprising at least one planetary stage (2) and at least one gear shifting element (3), wherein this gear shifting element (3) is disposed axially directly adjacent to the planetary stage (2), wherein a piston-cylinder arrangement (4) is provided for actuating the gear shifting element (3), wherein the planetary stage (2) comprises an internal gear (5), a sun gear (6) and a planet carrier (7), on which planet gears (8) are rotatably mounted, wherein the planet carrier (7) is connected non-rotatably to a transmission shaft (9), and wherein the pressure medium can be fed to the pressure chamber (10) of the cylinder (11) of the piston-cylinder arrangement (4) through a bore (12, 13) in the transmission shaft (9) and in the planet carrier (7).
US07931548B2
A lacrosse stick including a lacrosse head attached to a handle, wherein the lacrosse head has a taller, or thicker, ball stop, wherein a portion of the ball stop portion is lowered with respect to the immediately adjacent portions of the sidewall portions relative to a centerline of the handle. The net securing structures in the ball stop are preferably located in the lowered portion and therein provides increased ball retention characteristics. The lower portion of the ball stop portion includes a concave inner surface that is preferably flared, or sloped, slightly outwardly along its interior surface from its front side to its back side. The openings for attaching the netting in the ball stop are preferably slightly recessed with respect to the upper surface.
US07931545B2
A hitting face of a golf club head having improved flexural stiffness properties. In one embodiment, the hitting face is made from multiple materials. Each material has a different tensile modulus of elasticity, where the center of the hitting face has a much higher tensile modulus of elasticity than the surrounding portions of the hitting face. This creates a stiff center and a more easily deflected concentric portion. In another embodiment, the materials have different yield strengths, where the center of the hitting face has a very high yield strength compared to the surrounding portions of the hitting face. The hitting face may then plastically deform around its periphery, while the center retains its original shape.
US07931535B2
A game operating device (controller) includes a longitudinal housing, and a holding portion held by hand to be wrapped by its palm it is formed in the housing. A direction switch is provided on an upper surface at a position where it can be operated by thumb of the hand holding the holding portion, and a start switch and a select switch are provided backward thereof. An X button 46 and a Y button are further arranged in line on the upper surface of the housing. An imaging information arithmetic unit is provided at a front end of the housing in a longitudinal direction in such a manner that an imaging device thereof is exposed from a front-end surface. A concave portion is formed on a lower surface at a position corresponding to the direction switch. The concave portion includes a valley and two inclined surfaces. An A button capable of being operated by index finger of the hand holding the holding portion is provided on the backward inclined surface. By processing an image signal obtained by imaging an infrared ray from LED modules by the imaging device, it is possible to obtain an operation signal varying according to a position and/or attitude of the controller.
US07931525B2
The invention relates to a device (10) for controlling airflow (A) in a ventilation pipe (12) comprising one or several air throttle (32) which are synchronously actuated and prevent air flowing (A) in the air pipe in the closed position thereof. The ventilation pipe (12) is provided with a longitudinally extending fixing bar (16) which is arranged on a symmetry plane and provided with the pivot bearing (30) of an axis (28) for driving the air throttle(s) (32) and means (50, 52) for transmitting a force and/or torque to the drive axis (28) connected to the air throttle(s) (32). Said fixing bar (16) provided with different air throttles (12) is usable for the ventilation pipes having different cross sections and forms, an angle (β), preferably, ranging from 15° to 90°, with a longitudinal axis (L) or with a wall (18) of said ventilation pipe (12).
US07931516B2
Provided is an organic light-emitting apparatus in which a crack or the like produced when removing a passivation layer on an external connection terminal is prevented from developing with the elapse of time and the moisture resistance of a light-emitting area is not impaired. The organic light-emitting apparatus includes a substrate; an organic planarization layer for planarizing unevenness of the substrate; an organic light-emitting device including a lower electrode, an organic compound layer, and an upper electrode; and a passivation layer for covering the organic light-emitting device, in which the organic planarization layer has formed therein a recessed or protruding discontinuous portion for dividing a region including a light-emitting area and a region including an external connection terminal, and the discontinuous portion is covered with the passivation layer.
US07931508B1
An electrical connector is provided with a stud connector hole disposed into one end thereof which has a shallow V-groove therein, the flanks of the V-groove provided with threads for both sizes of studs commonly disposed therein wherein the threads of the smaller diameter stud are disposed into the flanks of the V-groove spaced from the threads of the larger diameter stud. The shallow V-groove provides at least two areas of contact on either size stud inserted therein, the areas of contact maintained along the length of the stud.
US07931503B2
An electrical connector comprises an insulating housing defining a receiving room with a front mating opening and a plurality passageways extending rearwards, a plurality of contacts retained in the passageways, and a first spacer member retained in the insulating housing and sustaining said contacts upwardly. Each contact comprises a holding beam with tabs formed thereon and a holding leg downwardly extending from a rear end of the holding beam. Said first spacer member has a plurality of blocking portions which are formed on a rear side of said tabs to resist the tabs frontward so that the contacts can not move rearwards but be retained in the insulating housing stably even during the mating process with a mating connector.
US07931495B2
A card edge connector assembly for connecting a pair of electrical cards to a printed circuit board includes an upper connector and a lower connector. The upper connector includes a first housing defining a first elongated mating groove along a longitudinal direction with a plurality of first contacts by two sides thereof, and a recess is defined under the first elongated mating groove. The lower connector is moveably received within said recess and includes a second housing defining a second elongated mating groove with a plurality of second contacts by two sides thereof. A metallic member is attached to the upper connector for preventing the lower connector releasing from said recess.
US07931494B2
A holder is capable of providing flexible support for the connector of a flexible printed circuit board, and has particular applicability for battery recharging cradles for a mobile computing device or hand-held scanner. The holder comprises a receptacle having a rear wall and two side walls, along with protrusions to slidably retain the connector therein. The rear wall connects, using a radiused bend, to a connecting wall, which may form an acute angle relative to the rear wall, and which may neck down to improve rotational capability. The connecting wall transitions, using a radiused bend, to a transverse wall, and from its ends are two cantilever straps extending towards the receptacle, and thereby forming an acute angle relative to the connecting wall. An upward protruding boss on the end of each strap aids translational and rotational flexibility, where the holder is mounted to a surface using orifices in the bosses.
US07931493B2
A cable assembly comprises an insulative housing defining an opening through two opposite top and bottom surfaces. A plurality of contacts are assembled in the insulative housing, each contact has a mating portion and a connecting portion. A plurality of wires are disposed on the top surface of the insulative housing, each wire defines a conductor electrically connected with the connecting portion and a metallic braiding layer surrounding the conductor. A conductive plate is assembled to the insulative housing and soldered with one side of the metallic braiding layers of the wires. A metallic shell encloses the insulative housing and defines a grounding tab extending into the corresponding opening of the insulative housing. The grounding tab is attached and soldered with another side of the metallic braiding layers of the wires facing to the opening of the insulative housing.
US07931483B2
A lever-type connector having a housing that includes a contact receiving area, a slider receiving slot, a slider, a wire cover, an outlet, a lever provided with a connector and being rotatably and detachably disposed on the housing and the cover to slide the slider; a pair of arms that extend from both ends of the connector, and a pair of wall portions arranged at the pivotal end of the arms of the lever. The wall portions extend from a pivotal end of the arms, respectively, and oppose each other at end edges of the wall portions, respectively. The outlet arranged at the wire cover has a width set greater than a width of a contact receiving area in the housing.
US07931465B2
A device for transferring objects, in particular containers such as preforms or bottles, comprising a support (2) which is rotated about an substantially vertical rotational axis and which supports at least one transfer arm (3) with an inner radial part fixed to the support (2) and an outer radial part (6) adapted for sliding with respect to said inner radial part along an elongation axis held within a plane substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of said support (2), the outer radial part (6) having a gripper head (13) adapted for supporting at least one object, wherein said head (13) is adapted for sliding, with respect to the inner radial part, along an elongation axis substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the support (2).
US07931456B2
An improved electroblowing process is provided for forming a fibrous web of nanofibers wherein polymer stream is issued from a spinning nozzle in a spinneret with the aid of a forwarding gas stream, passes an electrode and a resulting nanofiber web is collected on a collector. The process includes applying a high voltage to the electrode and grounding the spinneret such that an electric field is generated between the spinneret and the electrode of sufficient strength to impart an electrical charge on the polymer as it issues from the spinning nozzle.
US07931442B1
A rotor disk assembly with a platform spacer secured to the rotor disk and un-coupled from the rotor blades. Adjacent rotor blades are secured to the rotor disk slots by conventional means. The rotor disk includes a dovetail extending from the rim and positioned substantially midway between adjacent rotor blades. A platform spacer having a size and shape to occupy substantially the entire space formed between the adjacent rotor blades and the rotor disk rim is secured through a slot to the dovetail projecting from the rim. The platform spacer is a solid piece and forms the outer hot gas flow path between the blades. The platform spacer provides damping to the rotor blade assembly as well as eliminates hot gas flow migration below the platform. The platform space also un-couples the platform from the blades so that the load due to the platform is transmitted directly to the rotor disk and not through the blades, allowing for the blades to have improved LCF. Uncoupling the platform from the blade also eliminates the thermal mismatch between the platform and the blade which produces excessive levels of stress at this junction. With the un-coupled platform spacer of the present invention, the rotor blades can be formed from a single crystal material to allow for higher temperature limits and longer LCF of the assembly.
US07931434B2
A telescopic chimney and methods are disclosed for generation of mechanical energy using air routed through a turbine. Truncated cones stored nested together telescope to interlock when extended end to end to form a conical shape that diverges upwardly. An air output deflector at the exit of the chimney drives the exiting airflow downwards and is optionally divided into six equal radial spans so that airflow can be varied through each by a computer-controlled shutter to compensate for wind forces. An axial cable raises and lowers truncated cones. A method of deploying the chimney includes steps of closing the shutters; filling the truncated cones with heated air; controlling the rise of the truncated with the cable; and, opening the shutters. A method of collapsing the chimney includes the steps of pulling the cable to exert downward force on a truncated cone.
US07931419B2
A connection (4) of a first (2) to a second (3) cylindrical component for the transfer of circumferential and axial forces. The first component (2) has locking elements (9a) arranged on its circumference and at the end, the second component (3) has windows (12) associated with the locking elements (9a), and the first and second components (2, 3) can be plugged one into the other at the ends to form a positive interlock between the locking elements (9a) and the windows (12).
US07931414B2
A printing apparatus and method can control vibration generated resulting from the movement of a carriage to be small even when a desired printing pattern, etc., may change. The carriage is moved based on a plurality of drive conditions, each specifying a different moving distance of the carriage, and a drive condition by which vibration generated at that time becomes not larger than a predetermined magnitude is set as a drive condition of the carriage when printing an image on a printing medium.
US07931410B2
A strength of a machined cage for a cylindrical roller bearing is increased without reducing a bearing life. An integral machined cage for a cylindrical roller bearing includes: a pair of side plates (42, 44); a plurality of columns (46), which are arranged in a circumferential direction, for connecting the pair of side plates (42, 44); pockets (48) formed between the adjacent columns (46); and relief portions (50) provided at four corners of each of the pockets (48), in which as viewed from a section perpendicular to an axis of the cage, the columns (46) have side surfaces each constituting a circular arc shape, and the relief portions (50) are in parallel to the side surfaces of the columns (46).
US07931408B2
A unit, which has a wheel bearing and at least one vehicle-sided fixed support. The wheel bearing has at least one outer part which is rigidly fixed to at least one bearing seat which is embodied as an axial passage of a sheet metal molded part of the support, and at least one end section of the outer part is surrounded in a radial and supple manner, at least in the proximity of the passage such that the end section engages in an axial mariner behind the support.
US07931407B2
Systems are provided for supplying oil from an oil source to a bearing assembly, the bearing assembly including a cage having a forward rail and an aft rail, and at least one bearing disposed therebetween.
US07931405B2
A sliding part comprises a first sliding member made of a steel, a second sliding member made of a steel, a first carbide film comprising a carbide and formed on the surface of the first sliding member, and a second carbide film comprising a carbide and formed on the surface of the second sliding member. The first sliding member and the second sliding member slide relative to each other while applying loads on each other. The carbide of the first carbide film and the carbide of the second carbide film differ from each other, and the hardness ratio of the first carbide film and the second carbide film is not more than 1.4.
US07931401B2
A temperature sensor including a housing and a temperature sensing element at least partially disposed in the housing. A particulate media, which may include a blend of differently sized particles, is disposed in the housing and at least partially surrounds the temperature sensing element. The particulate media may entrain oxygen to avoid a reducing atmosphere in said housing.
US07931399B2
The invention comprises a chronograph watch including a chronograph mechanism. The chronograph mechanism includes a chronograph train (50), and a counter mechanism (64) kinematically connected to the train (50). The counter mechanism (64) further includes first and second wheel sets (78, 82) respectively provided with first and second display members (36, 38), wherein the first wheel set (78) is angularly positioned using positioning members (86) so as to rotate in steps, and the second wheel set (82) is angularly positioned by the first wheel set (78).
US07931398B2
Fluid blending apparatus and methods are provided, the blending apparatus including components accommodating both passive and/or active mixing. The apparatus for performing the methods include a main body and closure connectable to define a chamber having a fluid outlet. A valved fluid inlet channel opens into the chamber and is tangentially oriented relative to a peripheral wall thereof so that fluid entering the chamber has a primary vortical flow circulation direction. A fluid injection channel opens to the inlet channel at an acute angle relative to direction of fluid flow through the inlet channel. A plurality of barriers is arrayed in the chamber to define interconnected inner and outer chamber portions. An impeller is rotatably mounted at the inner chamber portion and includes a plurality of blades oriented to urge flow from the inner chamber portion to the outer chamber portion.
US07931391B2
A backlight module includes a back plate structure, a light source disposed in the back plate structure, at least one wire connected to the light source, and at least one wire fixing frame fixed on the back plate structure. Each wire fixing frame includes a main part, a first fixing part disposed on a side of the main part, a second fixing part disposed on a side of the main part and opposite to the first fixing part, and an extending part extending in a direction from the second fixing part to the first fixing part. A wire outlet is defined between the extending part and the first fixed part, and a wire inlet is opposite to the wire outlet. A wire hold space is defined among the main part, the first fixing part, the second fixing part, and the back plate structure.
US07931387B2
An LED light source comprises a lower substrate having an upper surface which is formed with a groove and covered with an insulating layer in an area outside the groove, wherein the insulating layer is partially covered with a metal layer; an upper substrate disposed on a top of the insulating layer and formed with an opening in an area corresponding to the groove; a plurality of sub-substrates disposed on an inner bottom portion of the groove, wherein each said sub-substrate has a surface covered with a circuit layer, adjacent said sub-substrates are electrically connected to each other at respective adjacent ends thereof by a first metal lead, and each said sub-substrate is provided thereon with a plurality of LED chips, in which each said LED chip is connected by a second metal lead to a corresponding electrical connection point; and a light-transmitting colloid filled in the groove and the opening. The plurality of LED chips are thus integrally packaged in the groove to form the LED light source, which can be easily manufactured while having a small volume and providing high brightness.
US07931384B2
In an object verifier having a housing and an object holder, an object may be placed in the object holder for observation by an operator. The object is illuminated using a collimated beam of white light that is generated by a light generator. The collimated beam of white light is passed through a beam splitter with the two portions of the collimated beam of white light presented to the object at a 90 degree angle one from the other. The interior of the housing includes a reflective surface for maximal illumination of the object. The observer may view the illuminated object through a viewing window and/or through a magnification window. The magnification window provides for the viewing of the object in greater detail.
US07931372B2
Methods, devices, and systems establish an optical surface shape that mitigates or treats presbyopia in a particular patient. The combination of distance vision and near vision in a patient can be improved, often based on input patient parameters such as pupil size, residual accommodation, and power need. Iterative optimization may generate a customized corrective optical shape for the patient. Threshold residual accommodation is established for presbyopia treatment.
US07931367B2
Eyewear includes a left temple and a right temple. Each of the temples has a cavity sized to receive an audio device such as a BlueTooth transceiver configured to communicate wirelessly with a remote device like a cell phone or a digital sound device. The BlueTooth transceiver may be placed in the cavity of either temple with the other temple cavity covered with a cover plate. An earphone may be connected to the BlueTooth transceiver through a receptacle. The earphone delivers the audible sound to the user's ear. The receptacle of the BlueTooth transceiver to which the earphone connects is also configured to receive the connector from a charger to charge a rechargeable battery in the BlueTooth transceiver. The eyewear may also be configured with cover plates over the cavity in both of the temples or with an audio device in both cavities to provide audible signals to both ears of the user.
US07931358B2
A pagewidth printhead assembly comprises an ink conduit structure defining a plurality of longitudinal ink ducts; a pagewidth printhead mounted to said ink conduit structure on a bottom surface thereof, the pagewidth printhead being in fluid communication with the ink conduit structure; a plurality of inlet ports provided adjacent and substantially planar to the ink conduit structure and the plurality of longitudinal ink ducts; and an ink distribution structure including a plurality of ink channels connecting each of the plurality of longitudinal ink ducts with respective inlet ports. The ink channels extend from respective inlet ports above the ink conduit structure so as to feed into respective longitudinal ink ducts from above.
US07931347B2
The invention is a transport method that transports a medium by causing a transport roller to rotate based on a corrected target transport amount, after correcting the target transport amount that is targeted based on a correction value and includes: printing a first pattern on a medium, printing a second pattern after the medium has been transported by causing the transport roller to rotate by a rotation amount of less than one rotation from a rotation position of the transport roller at a time of printing the first pattern, printing a third pattern after the medium has been transported by causing the transport roller to rotate by a rotation amount of one rotation from a rotation position of the transport roller at a time of printing the first pattern, printing a fourth pattern after the medium has been transported by causing the transport roller to rotate by a rotation amount of one rotation from a rotation position of the transport roller at a time of printing the second pattern, calculating a first correction value based on the first pattern and the third pattern, calculating a second correction value based on the second pattern and the fourth pattern, transporting the medium by correcting the target transport amount based on the first correction value or the second correction value depending on the relative position of the medium with respect to the transport roller.
US07931341B2
A launch vehicle (10) is provided for a continuous mining system including modular conveyor units (U) that are connected together to form a conveyor train. The launch vehicle (10) includes a main frame (12) for supporting a rearmost conveyor unit (U) of the conveyor train. The main frame (12) includes a first side over which additional conveyor units (U) are added to the conveyor train and a second side. A belly conveyor (14) is carried on the main frame (12). A drive assembly (42) is provided for selectively advancing and withdrawing the conveyor train. Further the launch vehicle (10) includes a canopy (18) overlying the main frame (12). The canopy (18) is mounted on at least one cantilever support (20) extending upwardly adjacent the second side of the main frame (12) whereby the first side is left open for adding additional conveyor units (U) to the conveyor train.
US07931336B2
A seat frame of a stadium seat includes a lower cross beam, bench-engaging support arms configured to mount over a top, flat surface of the stadium bench, and upright support members. The upright support members include rounded upper ends that may be rearwardly canted.
US07931332B2
Disclosed is a rear-seat occupant protection apparatus, which is designed to protect, during a frontal collision of a vehicle, a rear-seat occupant (B) seated in a rear seat (5) located behind a front seat (3) equipped with a seat belt (7) having a load limiter function. The rear-seat occupant protection apparatus comprises a collision detection device (25) adapted to detect the frontal collision of the vehicle, and a seat-back displacing mechanism adapted, when the frontal collision of the vehicle is detected by the collision detection device, to permit a seat back (12) of the front seat (3) to be displaced frontwardly at a given timing consecutive with a frontward displacement of a front-seat occupant (A) seated in the front seat (3). The rear-seat occupant protection apparatus of the present invention can adequately protect a head of the rear-seat occupant during the frontal collision of the vehicle.
US07931331B2
A headrest for mounting on one or more vertically extending posts positioned on the backrest of a vehicle seat, the headrest comprising one or more mounting sleeves positioned on the headrest and adapted to surround a portion of a respective one of said posts, pivot means extending between each mounting sleeve and the respective post to mount the mounting sleeve on the respective post in pivotal relation thereto about a pivot axis substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the post, each mounting sleeve being shaped and otherwise dimensioned on an internal surface to resist pivotal motion of the headrest between first and second positions below application of a directed threshold force to the headrest.
US07931330B2
An air conditioning seat includes a seat pad having a seating portion and a side support portion, blowing means for blowing air to an air path formed at the seat pad, a seat cover covering the seat pad, and a net-like cushion member capable of permeating air in a thickness direction and in a plane direction. An air path is formed at the seating portion of the seat pad. A hanging groove in a groove-like shape is recessed and on a boundary line of the seating portion and the side support portion. The an air blow out port of the air path is covered by the net-like cushion member. A communicating path reaching the net-like cushion member of the side support portion from the air path of the seating portion is formed by passing a back side of the hanging member at inside of the hanging groove.
US07931328B2
A logistics panel includes a composite panel that is formed of inner and outer skins and a core member secured therebetween. The composite panel has top and bottom end portions and first and second side end portions. The composite panel further has an aperture set provided therethrough which defines at least one aperture which extends through the inner and outer skins and the core member and between the end portions. Multiple logistics panels can be used to form a sidewall of a trailer by joining the first side end portion of one panel to the second side end portion of an adjacent panel. Top and bottom rails are secured to the top and bottom end portions, respectively, of the panels.
US07931314B2
A vehicle door outer handle system is provided in which a pair of electrodes and a circuit board on which is provided a detection circuit for detecting a change in capacitance between the electrodes are housed within an operating handle formed from a handle main body and a cover covering the outer side of the handle main body, the operating handle being disposed on an outer side of a vehicle door, and the electrodes (43) being patterned on the circuit board (44), the operating handle thereby being made thin.
US07931313B2
A latch with dual rotary magnets is particularly suited for releasably securing dual doors of a compartment in the closed position. Each rotary magnet holds in a closed position a magnetic insert attached to a respective door by magnetic attraction to secure both doors in the closed position relative to the compartment.
US07931307B2
In a double-pipe joint for connecting and coupling a double pipe (H) consisting of outer and inner pipes (h2, h1) made of a fluororesin tube, an inner joint portion (T1) for coupling the inner pipe formed by: a sleeve (2) which is to be pressingly fitted into an inner-pipe end portion (h1t); an inner-pipe joint body (1) which is to be fitted onto an inner end of the end portion; and an inner-pipe union nut (3A), and an outer joint portion (T2) for coupling the outer pipe formed by: a sleeve (4) which is to be pressingly fitted into an outer-pipe end portion (h2t); an outer-pipe joint body (3B) which is to be fitted onto an outer end of the end portion; and an outer-pipe union nut (5). The inner-pipe union nut (3A) and the outer-pipe joint body (3B) are formed integrally into a nut-equipped body (3).
US07931304B2
Vouchers and methods for providing vouchers configured to assist in distinguishing unauthorized duplicate or counterfeit vouchers are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a voucher can include a substrate, a first indicia on the substrate, and a thermally responsive second indicia on the substrate. At least one of the first indicia and the second indicia can indicate a value of the voucher. A system which assists in detecting alteration of value documents or transmissions, such as a coin counter voucher is provided. Voucher information such as the voucher value is included in the voucher in an encrypted or otherwise modified form. When the voucher is presented for redemptions, the encrypted information is decrypted and compared to independently available voucher information. Failure of the information to match indicates that the voucher has been altered or should otherwise be further checked.
US07931300B2
An anti-tip system is provided for improving the stability of a powered vehicle, such as a powered wheelchair. The vehicle includes a drive-train assembly pivotally mounted to a main structural frame. A suspension system biases the drive-train assembly and its connected anti-tip wheel to a predetermined resting position. The drive-train assembly bi-directionally rotates about a pivot in response to torque applied to or acceleration forces on the vehicle. A linkage arrangement is provided and is characterized by a suspension arm pivotally mounting to the main structural frame about a pivot at one end thereof and an anti-tip wheel at the other end. The linkage may further include at least one link operable to transfer the bi-directional displacement of the drive-train assembly to the suspension arm. The link may include a bell crank member and/or may be resiliently compressible.
US07931299B2
The application relates to an airbag with a venting assembly. An air bag cushion can include at least one panel and a tether that forms the venting assembly. The tether can include an attachment portion to attach the tether to a panel of the air bag cushion, an opening, at least one passive vent, and a discrete vent. The passive venting system can be formed by folding the tether over upon itself so that the opening and vents substantially lie above and below one another.
US07931295B2
A garnish includes a garnish body which covers a folded air bag and a locking portion which is inserted to be locked in a mounting hole in a mounting base on a vehicle body. The locking portion holds the garnish body which is pressed by the air bag when the air bag is inflated to move so as to form a projecting space for the air bag. The locking portion includes a locking main body portion which is inserted to be locked in the mounting hole and a connecting piece portion. The connecting piece portion includes a locking base portion on which the locking main body portion is provided, connecting portions which are connected to a rear surface of the garnish body, and deformable portions lying between the locking base portion and the connecting portions and is molded integrally with the garnish body. The deformable portions deform to extend a distance between the locking base portion and the connecting portion when the garnish body moves towards a vehicle interior side.
US07931290B2
A motorcycle fluid cooler assembly includes a heat exchanger and a mounting member coupled to the heat exchanger. The mounting member is adapted for mounting the heat exchanger to a first footrest mounting point of a motorcycle frame so that the heat exchanger transversely extends externally to the motorcycle frame when mounted. Fluid ports are coupled to the heat exchanger, and a footrest member is coupled to the heat exchanger. The footrest member is positioned as a rider footrest when the heat exchanger is mounted.
US07931274B2
A processing device to provide hybrid control of sheet transport modules. The processing device includes a first sheet transport module, a second sheet transport module and a control subsystem. The first sheet transport module and the second sheet transport module are configured to transport a sheet. The control subsystem is configured to set velocity of the first sheet transport module before a transfer of the sheet from the first sheet transport module to the second sheet transport module. The control subsystem is further configured to set torque of the first sheet transport module to a torque value to control tension of the sheet to a first sheet tension value when the sheet transfers from the first sheet transport module to the second sheet transport module.
US07931270B2
A method for personalizing a plurality of documents and a personalization installation which comprises a plurality of processing stations arranged one behind the other along a longitudinal axis of the personalization installation for carrying out individual personalization steps, wherein in order to carry out the personalization steps the documents or smart cards run through one processing station in a first direction running transversely to the longitudinal axis and the other processing station in a second direction which is opposite to the first direction and likewise runs transversely to the longitudinal axis, wherein all the processing stations are oriented with their run-through directions transverse to the longitudinal axis.
US07931267B2
A sheet feed device includes a sheet tray and a guide unit. The sheet tray is configured to store a recording medium including a recording sheet. The guide unit is configured to support detachably the sheet tray. The guide unit includes a rotary member that is configured to contact an outer bottom surface of the sheet tray while contacting an outer side surface of the sheet tray, and rotate with mounting and detachment of the sheet tray. An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member for bearing a latent image on a surface thereof, an exposure unit for exposing the image bearing member to form the latent image, a developing unit for developing the latent image with toner to form a visible image, a transfer unit for transferring the visible image onto the recording medium, and the sheet feed device.
US07931261B2
A signature hopper is provided comprising a first drum having a first gripper for a lead edge of a folded signature, a second drum having a second gripper for an open edge of the folded signature, the second gripper having a gripper finger with an end curled in a direction of rotation of the second drum, a dipper blade for pushing the open edge from the first drum toward the second drum so as to contact the gripper finger and a stationary signature guide spaced with respect to the first drum, the signature contacting the signature guide as the first drum rotates the signature past the signature guide.
US07931252B2
A steam valve is provided with a valve body, a valve seat, and a valve rod provided for the valve body. The valve body has a bottom portion to which a recessed portion is formed, and the recessed portion has an edge, which is positioned on an upstream side of a place at which a shock wave is generated in steam flowing through a steam path defined by the valve body and the valve seat.
US07931251B2
An expanding gate valve having a valve body defining a valve chamber and flow passages and having spaced sealing surfaces. Gate members are moveable within the valve body between open and closed positions and at the closed position having sealing engagement with the spaced sealing surfaces. A wedge member is positioned between the gate members and has at least one tapered surface having reacting engagement with a tapered surface of one of the gate members so that relative linear movement of the gate member relative to the tapered surface of the wedge member develops a lateral gate expansion force causing expansion of the gate members for tight sealing engagement with the spaced sealing surfaces. A valve stem is linearly moveable to valve opening and closing positions within said valve body and has driving connection with the gate members Upon initial linear opening movement the valve stem causes sequential opening movement of the gate members prior to initial opening movement of said first gate member and releases the sealing force of the upstream gate member to minimize the force that is required for opening for the valve.
US07931243B2
A speaker system with a mount pivotally secured to a speaker frame for detachably securing the speaker system to a display monitor is disclosed. The mount pivots relative to the frame so as to allow the display monitor to be operably received between the mount and frame thereby holding the speaker system in place. A securing structure is preferably provided to hold the mount at a desired position, and resilient padding is preferably provided between the frame, mount and display monitor. The mount can also have a substantially planar bottom surface which allows the speaker system to rest on a desktop simply by positioning the substantially planar bottom surface of the mount on the desktop.
US07931231B2
A flight control system and method which determines an expected power required data in response to a flight control command of the at least one model following control law and utilizes the expected power required data to perform at least one action to control an engine speed.
US07931229B2
A rolled medium supporting mechanism includes a supporting member 210 that rotatably supports a rolled medium. The mechanism is provided with a plurality of abutting supporting members 230 arranged in the circumferential direction of the supporting member and supporting the rolled medium by making abutting contact with an inner peripheral face of a hollow shaft portion of the rolled medium when the mechanism is inserted into the hollow shaft portion of the rolled medium. The abutting supporting members are configured to be freely displaced in a roll-diameter direction in accordance with an inner diameter of the hollow shaft portion. With such a configuration, it is not necessary to have a separate component in order to adapt to core members having different diameters, but only displacement of the abutting supporting member is needed. Thus, it is possible to simplify the construction and provide easy handling properties.
US07931224B2
A round cutter-blade of a paper shredder includes a body having a surface, a periphery, and an opening formed therethrough; and at least one triangular shaped knife-edge that is integrally formed with the surface of the body and is turned over the periphery of the body. The cutter-blade can cut broken paper into short fragments, thus raising the secure requirement greatly and reducing the cost due to a reduction of thickness of the round cutter-blade.
US07931223B2
A dust-proof structure of a cone crusher below a cone core of the cone crusher includes primarily a dust ring which is suspended under the cone core, allowing the dust ring to operate concurrently with the cone core. Lubricant oil is provided between the dust ring and the cone core, enabling the dust ring to be tightly attached with a lip part of the cone core and operate successfully. The dust is prevented from entering into the cone crusher by ineffectiveness of a dust-proof function. Furthermore, a dust collar is attached under the dust ring, and an adjustment washer is provided between the dust collar and the cone core. When the dust ring is worn out, the adjustment washer is removed, and the dust ring is tightened again by screwing elements, thus preventing the dust from entering into the cone crusher due to the ineffectiveness of the dust-proof function.
US07931221B2
A mobile crusher unit is provided having a supporting framework (12) which is includes at least a crusher unit (13), a feed conveyor (11), and a dumping conveyor unit (14), and which can be relocated by means of a crawler undercarriage. To minimize construction height and weight the supporting framework and the traveling gear are configured as one unit, with parts of the supporting framework (12) serving as parts of the traveling gear, and with the crawlers (16) of the crawler vehicle protruding into recesses of the supporting framework.
US07931219B2
An anti-spin assembly is arranged in a gyratory crusher. The anti-spin assembly includes an expandable braking receptacle, which is adapted to be expanded by way of a pressure medium. The braking receptacle is arranged in a space between a first surface formed on a part which rotates with the crushing head and a second surface formed on a non-rotary part which is connected to the frame bottom part. The braking receptacle is arranged, when expanding, to engage both the first and the second surface, thereby braking the rotation of the crushing head.
US07931215B2
This device comprises a sprayer (10) and a reservoir (9) for feeding the sprayer with fluid. The reservoir (9) defines a cylindrical housing (L9) in which there slides (F1) a piston (91) forming a moving wall (91a) for a storage volume (V9) for storing the coating fluid. The housing (L9) is defined by a jacket (92) placed in a support-forming body (95). The jacket (92) has an end wall (93) co-operating with the peripheral wall (96) of the jacket (92) and with the piston (91), to define the above-mentioned storage volume (V9). No interstice are present in which the coating fluid could accumulate, thereby making the reservoir (9) easier to clean.
US07931203B2
There is provided a non-contact type IC card that prevents electrostatic discharge failure of an IC chip embedded in an IC card.A non-contact type IC card includes at least a magnetic recording layer, a metal reflective layer, and a hologram layer, which are sequentially laminated on a card base member, and an antenna and an IC chip connected to the antenna that are embedded in the card base member. The metal reflective layer is made of a material of which electric conductivity is smaller than 28.9×106/Ωm, or is composed of a thin film of which surface resistivity is 7.02 (Ω/□) or more.
US07931198B2
A weather resistant modular sensor and computing platform reduces costs and enhances versatility of sensor systems. Rapidly evolving electronic technology results in hyper-obsolescence wherein sensor systems that are state of the art technology when designed, fall behind the art quickly as new transducers, batteries and components are developed. A cylindrical shaped modular system provides an architecture for up-grading sensors, batteries, special modules, communications, and control. A modular architecture extends the life cycle of a system and avoids hyper-obsolescence and the requirement to design a complete new system to incorporate new technology. Modularity and low cost manufacturing methods enable the practical definition of a cylindrical computer. The cylinder shaped enclosures have on their ends a common connection interface to which modules may be added. This provides a long system life cycle and wide ranging versatility. The size of the platform is not restricted. Larger systems are capable of supporting more sophisticated processing. A scaled up version of the modular platform provides an outdoor weather resistant community computing server.
US07931192B1
An identification assistance card system is disclosed for assisting in obtaining identification information from an identification card having an identification card shape. The identification assistance card system includes an identification assistance card having an assistance card shape based at least in part on the identification card shape of the identification card. An identification information window is disposed in the identification assistance card for displaying the identification information from the identification card when the identification assistance card is substantially aligned with the identification card. The identification information window is disposed in the identification assistance card at a location based at least in part on where the identification information is disposed on the identification card.
US07931181B2
A combustion-type power tool includes a cylinder, a piston, a head, a combustion chamber frame, an ignition unit, a trigger, a control member. The combustion chamber frame is abuttable on the head to provide a combustion chamber in cooperation with the head and the piston. The trigger is operated by a user for driving the fastener into a workpiece. The control member detects that the combustion chamber has been provided and the trigger has been operated, and allows the ignition unit to ignite the combustible gas only when the control member detects that both the combustion chamber has been provided and the trigger has been operated.
US07931173B2
A liquid dispenser is described and includes a cover connecting to the opening of a container and a main body connecting to the cover. The main body includes a chamber in communication with the cover and a liquid outlet for liquid discharge, wherein a liquid output device is arranged in the chamber, a button is arranged on the main body for controlling the action of the liquid output device, a one-way valve is arranged in the liquid output device for adjusting the open/close state of a liquid output passage. The liquid dispenser described is novel in design, simple and compact in construction. The liquid dispenser described can employ the operating principle of a one-way valve so as to realize liquid discharge in any direction.
US07931166B2
A cap device for use with a container or bottle includes adjacent first and second portions, each portion including a structure different than the other for accessing the contents of a container. The first portion may include an opening, such as a straw opening or pour opening, and a cover pivotally movable between open and closed configurations. The second portion may define a trough and include a drinking implement, such as a sipper, that is pivotal between retracted and extended configurations. The drinking implement includes first and second sections, the first section being rotatable between retractable and locked configurations. Contents of the container may be accessed when the second section is in the locked configuration. The drinking implement may be moved to the retracted configuration only when the second section is in its retractable configuration.
US07931163B2
A closure for a container having a body comprises a neck and cap assembly with a foil interposed between the body and the neck and cap assembly. The neck comprises a base fitted to the body with a removable annular flange connected to a pull ring and secured to the foil. A frangible region separates the removable annular flange from the base. A plurality of depending teeth each having a saw tooth profile inclined inwardly to a centre of the base are formed in the base adjacent to or in the frangible region such that on removal of the pull ring the foil is torn by the teeth.
US07931152B2
A log shuffler and conveyor assembly including: a chute including a log conveyor having a bottom surface and at least one sidewall; a gap in the log conveyor, and a log shuffler arranged in the gap of the conveyor, wherein the shuffler includes at least one pivoting plate having a first edge moving reciprocally above and below the bottom surface of the chute.
US07931143B1
A toolbox includes two pivotally connected shells, a buckling unit and at least one tool-holding unit. Each of the shells includes at least two primary partitions formed on an internal side thereof, a compartment defined between the primary partitions, a row of ribs formed one each of the primary partitions, and gaps each defined between two adjacent ones of the ribs. The bucking unit can buckle the shells to each other. The tool-holding unit is engaged with the rows of ribs of selected one of the shells.
US07931142B2
The sterilization pouch includes a sealable inner space for receiving one or more medical instruments, a preferred instrument being hinged pliers. The pouch is generally comprised of first and second layers, the layers being sealed around a peripheral edge except a separation in the seal to form an opening for accessing the inner space and a flap for closing the opening. The pouch has an upper portion and a first and second lower portion extending therefrom, the upper portion being comprised of a vertical length just as long or longer than the lower portions to allow for insertion and removal of the instrument through the opening, wherein the opening is along the peripheral edge of the upper portion. A recessed portion separates the first and second lower portions, such as to permit the inner space to connect the first and second lower portions only through the upper portion.
US07931138B2
An automatic tire transfer apparatus using a traverser comprises: a vertical lift adapted to lift and lower a tire from a tire storage place; a tire charge section adapted to be supplied with the tire from the vertical lift and adapted to automatically push the supplied tire in the progress direction of the tire; a traverser unit disposed at an outlet of the tire charge section and adapted to automatically transfer the tire supplied from the tire charge section in the progress direction of the tire while fixedly supporting the tire; a tire loader adapted to be supplied with the tire from the traverser unit and adapted to transfer the supplied tire to a tire assembling unit; and a controller adapted to control the overall operation of the tire charge section, the traverser unit and the tire loader.
US07931126B2
A lubricator (1) includes a coaxial compartment (3) with a shaped seat (4) upon which a sliding shutter (5) consisting of a front shaped plug (6) and an intermediate stem (7) with a back beat (8) associated with a first stop pin (9), operates; in the rear threaded end (10) of the compartment (3) a security dowel (11) with a front beat (12) associated with a second stop pin (13), screws on. A counter spring (15) engages itself between pins (9) and (13). The stem (7) of the shutter and the dowel (11) present peripheral helical grooves (14, 14′) with a spiral developing in the opposite direction as to the threading (10) of the compartment (3) and the threading of the dowel (11) itself.
US07931119B2
A support structure for an exhaust pipe includes left and right side frames disposed on a lower side of a rear floor and a back panel extending downward from the rear floor joined to rear end portions of the side frames. Reinforcing plates join the back panel on a vehicle rear side in positions facing the rear of the side frames. Stays extending in a rearward direction mount to the respective reinforcing plates and support a bumper member. A muffler disposed below the rear floor and on a front side of the back panel or an exhaust pipe connected thereto, is supported on a vehicle body by a hanger rubber. A flange portion that is formed with a reinforcing plate extends rearwardly and perpendicularly therefrom. A hanger rubber mounts to the flange portion to support the muffler or exhaust pipe.
US07931115B2
A surround for a diaphragm includes at least one rib section oriented to be extended during excursions of the diaphragm. The surround includes at least one membrane section supported by one or more rib sections contributing to a compliance characteristic different from the contribution of the one or more rib sections.
US07931112B2
A steering system includes a fluid actuator, a first steering circuit in selective fluid communication with the fluid actuator, and a second steering circuit in selective fluid communication with the fluid actuator and disposed in parallel to the first steering circuit. The second steering circuit includes a load-reaction feature and an isolation valve with the isolation valve being adapted to enable and disable the load-reaction feature.
US07931110B2
An electric motorcycle is provided that can air-cool a power drive unit without the provision of a plurality of cooling fans. In an electric vehicle in which a battery box housing batteries is disposed below a foot rest space and electricity supplied from the batteries is supplied to a running-purpose power-generating motor via a power drive unit, the power drive unit is attached to a swing arm turning around a pivot shaft and the battery box is formed with an air introduction port and an air discharge port used to cool the batteries. A cooling fan is provided which sucks air in the battery box from the air discharge port and sends the air toward the power drive unit. The cooling fan is disposed rearward of the air discharge port of the battery box and close to the pivot shaft.
US07931097B2
A laser control system and apparatus for guiding a drilling or boring operation during a trenchless technology implementation. In most if not all trenchless technology applications, direction of the pipe or utility structure through the earth is of utmost importance. Proper directional guidance throughout the trenchless technology implementation ensures not only that the resulting utility infrastructure is placed properly, but also ensures that the trenchless technology operation, does not hit or otherwise damage (such as through vibrations) existing utilities and other underground objects. The laser control system and apparatus of the present invention comprises a laser, a housing having a laser sight, a camera in optical communication with the laser sight a microwave transmitter having an antenna, with the transmitter being operatively coupled to the camera, and a microwave receiver.
US07931093B2
Downhole tools for anchoring and isolating at least one zone in a wellbore comprise a mandrel having an upper end, a lower end, an outer wall surface, and a longitudinal bore disposed therethrough having an axis. One or more anchors are disposed through the outer wall surface of the mandrel. Each of the anchors has a retracted position and an extended position. An isolation element is disposed along the outer wall surface of the mandrel. The isolation element may cover the anchors or be disposed, above, below, or around the anchors. Engagement of the isolation element with the inner wall surface of the wellbore to isolate at least one zone of the wellbore may be accomplished by piercing the isolation element to permit wellbore fluid to contact a swellable material contained within the isolation element, or by pumping fluid into the isolation element.
US07931090B2
A technique is provided for control of subsea well systems. The technique utilizes a subsea controller coupled to a plurality of subsea well system components to allow localized control of the subsea well system. The subsea controller can be used in a variety of functional applications, such as balancing power distribution to subsea components.
US07931085B2
A tubing connection release system. The system includes, a male connector having a profile at one end thereof and receptive to a tubular at the other end thereof, a female connector receptive to a tubular at one end thereof and receptive to the male connector at the other end thereof. The system further includes, a sleeve disposed radially inwardly of the female connector, and a collet having at least one deflectable collet finger disposed radially inwardly of the sleeve. The collet is biased to a position within the female connector whereat the at least one collet finger is supported against radially outward deflection. The collet is further movable by the push-in connector against the bias to a position where the at least one collet finger is radially outwardly unsupported such that the profiled end of the male connector is movable into engagement with the at least one collet finger.
US07931084B2
A method is provided for treating at least a portion of a subterranean formation. The method includes the steps of: (a) introducing a treatment fluid into the subterranean formation, wherein the treatment fluid comprises a proppant and a swellable particulate; (b) swelling the swellable particulate, wherein the step of swelling is performed prior to, during, or after the step of introducing the treatment fluid; and (c) degrading the swellable particulate in the subterranean formation, wherein the step of degrading is performed after the steps of introducing and swelling.
US07931056B2
A debarking apparatus includes a cutting body having a cutting surface and a first projection configured to cooperate with a fastener. The debarking apparatus also includes a holding body for removably holding the cutting body, the holding body having a trailing surface and defining a first recess generally complementary to the first projection to receive therein the first projection in a close surrounding fit, and a first opening sized to receive the fastener. The fastener is configurable to pass through the first opening and to cooperate with the first projection and with the holding body to hold the first projection in the first recess in a close surrounding fit.
US07931051B2
A papermaker's fabric includes: a set of top MD yarns; a set of bottom MD yarns; a set of top CMD yarns interwoven with the top MD yarns to form a top fabric layer; a set of bottom CMD yarns interwoven with the bottom MD yarns to form a bottom fabric layer; and a set of stitching yarns that interweave with the top and bottom fabric layers. The top MD yarns and the top CMD yarns are interwoven in a series of repeat units and the bottom MD yarns and the bottom CMD yarns are interwoven in a series of corresponding repeat units. Each of the bottom MD yarns forms a bottom MD float by passing under three or more consecutive bottom CMD yarns.
US07931040B2
An apparatus in one example is a portable shelter to be set up on a ground surface, the shelter having: first and second arms; a sheet connected at a first edge thereof to the first arm, and at a second, opposite edge thereof to the second arm; first and second legs intended for generally vertical alignment when the shelter is open, so that each leg has a top end and bottom end, the legs having a rotational connection at the top ends thereof to ends of the first and second arms, respectively; means attached to the bottom end of each leg for mounting the legs on the ground surface; whereby the arms and sheet may be rotated to an open position apart from the legs, to provide shelter, and may be rotated to a closed position along the legs.
US07931036B1
A walker is disclosed that may be adjusted in width during use for allowing the user to pass safely through narrow doorways or passageways. Walkers of the present invention have crossbars at a front thereof constructed of telescoping tubing and locking/unlocking mechanisms. During use, the telescoping tubes may be unlocked so that a smaller tube may be moved into a larger tube, reducing a width of the walker. In other embodiments, a lead screw assembly may be rotated in order to reduce width of the walker. In yet other embodiments the walker may be automatically increased or decreased in width responsive to the tubes being unlocked.
US07931035B2
A method of and system for cleaning semiconductor wafers minimizes the exposure of the wafers to the air by washing, rinsing and drying the wafers in one cleaning chamber. The system includes a wafer support by which a plurality of wafers can be supported in the cleaning chamber as oriented vertically and spaced from each other, and tubular de-ionized water supply nozzles extending longitudinally in the direction in which the wafers are spaced from each other as disposed to the sides of the wafers. Each de-ionized water supply nozzle has an inner nozzle passageway, and a plurality of sets of nozzle holes extending radially through the main body of the nozzle from the inner nozzle passageway. Each such set of nozzle holes subtends an angle of 80˜100° in a vertical plane and is directed towards a surface of a respective wafer W. During a primary rinse procedure, the de-ionized water is supplied to the de-ionized water spray nozzles, and the liquid in the cleaning chamber is simultaneously discharged from a lower part of the chamber and by being allowed to overflow the chamber. The supplying of the de-ionized water to the de-ionized water spray nozzles and the discharging of the cleaning chamber are carried out in proportions that minimize differences in the etching rate of a wafer across the surface thereof.
US07931033B2
A dish washer includes a steam generating unit that is configured to control the amount of steam in accordance with the amount of items in the dish washer. The steam generating unit is positioned outside of the tub and is configured to generate and supply steam to the tub. The dishwasher includes a fluid supplying passage that supplies washing fluid to the steam generating unit. A steam discharging passage is configured to discharge steam that is generated from the steam generating unit to the tub.
US07931032B1
A fluid dispensing system for a residential dishwasher comprises a fluid reservoir that can hold liquid gel dish detergent in bulk quantities, preferably comprising the contents of at least one bottle of detergent as sold at retail, which is disposed inside a door of the dishwasher. The reservoir is filled with detergent from the inside of the door, to facilitate clean-up if any product is accidentally spilled. As a result, the dishwasher is made easier and more convenient to use, by reducing the repetitive step of loading detergent and allowing “peace of mind” delegation of the dishwashing task. Metered doses of the fluid may be dispensed. In addition to dish detergent, liquid rinse aids may also be dispensed using the disclosed system.
US07931027B2
An earplug for a hearing aid adapted for engagement with earpieces made of materials with a comparatively high hardness. The earplug comprises a resilient sleeve and a shell, the shell having an outer portion adapted to fit within a user's ear canal and a central bore, the central bore having a first abutment shoulder adapted for retaining the resilient sleeve inside the shell and a second abutment shoulder adapted for providing a stop for the resilient sleeve and for the earpiece. Hereby the resilient sleeve is able to combine relatively relaxed manufacturing tolerances with precise positioning of the earpiece inside the earplug.
US07931025B2
The present invention provides a connection device for connecting a headgear having straps, a mask and a system for supplying a flow of gas to a patient. The connection device incorporates a locking member or locking portion which is configured to lock the straps in a particular location.
US07931022B2
An apparatus and method for delivering a plurality of medication includes providing first and second medicament on a medicament pack in separate containers for preventing either medicament from interfering with the stability of the other. In accordance with the method, the medicaments are preferably delivered in a single inhalation.
US07931019B2
A self-powered pump for heated liquid is provided. The pump includes an airtight container for containing the heated liquid. A heated liquid inlet pipe extends upwardly into the container such that its end is within the container. A heated liquid outlet is lower than the end of the inlet pipe. A breathing pipe extends upwardly into the container such that its end is within the container and is higher than both of the outlet and the end of the inlet pipe but lower than an interior side of the container top. An opposite end of the breathing pipe is outside the container, lower than the container base, and is received by an open container such that the opposite end can become submerged in heated liquid accumulated within the open container during pump operation. A fluid or liquid heating system incorporating the self-powered pump may operate without external power for the pump.
US07931008B2
A fuel injection system includes an injector control module, a current detection module, and a position determination module. The injector control module controls current through a solenoid of a fuel injector for a predetermined period. The current detection module measures an amount of current through the solenoid after the predetermined period. The position determination module determines whether the fuel injector injected fuel during the predetermined period based on when the amount of current through the solenoid is less than or equal to a predetermined current.
US07931005B2
An electrical generator includes an opposed piston, internal-combustion engine with a piston and a hypocycloidal drive connected by a rod to the piston. The construction of the hypocycloidal drive imposes a sinusoidal period on the linear motion of the piston and connecting rod. As generator associated with the piston produces a sinusoidal voltage in response to the liner motion of the piston and connecting rod.
US07930999B2
A cooling water passage structure of internal combustion engines is provided which can contribute to a scale-down of the external form of the engine and also can prevent deformation of the cylinder bores. The cooling water passage structure comprises a water jacket for the flow of cooling water provided on the peripheries of a plurality of cylinder bores; and a lateral suction passage 9a, 9b integrally formed with a side wall of a cylinder block 2 having bolt holes formed for fastening a cylinder head 3. The lateral suction passage runs through by the cylinder bores at a height in the vicinity of the water jacket bottom and is arranged on the outside of, and perpendicular to the bolt holes. On the rear surface of the cylinder head 3 is mounted a water passage block 15 and on the front end part of the cylinder block 2 is provided a water pump housing 10.
US07930994B2
A bird feeder provides a feed hopper constructed concentrically around a vertical central axis and having a plurality of feeding ports evenly distributed around the central axis, and a cable reel mounted to the feed hopper and adapted to store and provide a cable for supporting the bird feeder along the central axis.
US07930987B2
An electric steering device includes a steering retaining device arranged to retain a steering angle against an external steering force applied from outside of a watercraft to an outboard motor main body. A reverse input shutoff clutch, for example, is preferably used as the steering retaining device. A steering retaining state in which a steering angle of the outboard motor main body is retained can be detected from a steering condition of the outboard motor main body, and a control is made to stop electric power from being supplied to an electric motor steering the outboard motor main body. Accordingly, the steering retaining device retains a steering angle while steering is retained, and thus the electric power supply to the electric motor can be stopped, which allows electric power to be saved. The steering retaining device provides an electric steering device for a watercraft in which no electric power is required when applying a steering retaining force for retaining a counter-steering state.
US07930976B2
A structure includes a substrate of a first material and a second material coating at least a portion of the substrate, where the second material is different from the first material, where the first and second materials, upon being thermally energized, react with each other in an exothermic and self-sustaining alloying reaction that propagates from a first location within the structure along a travel path to a second location within the structure at a rate that depends upon one or more characteristics of the first and second materials.
US07930963B2
A workpiece cutting method utilizing a band-saw machine, includes the following steps of: guiding tooth tips of an endless band-saw blade provided on the band-saw machine in a direction of a workpiece by a band-saw blade guiding apparatus; and applying vibrations to the band-saw blade in a cutting direction to the workpiece so as to perform cutting of the workpiece by a vibration applying unit provided on the band-saw blade guiding apparatus.
US07930958B2
A blade housing for an electronic cutting apparatus includes an outer housing having a distal end, an inner housing coupled to the inner housing and longitudinally selectively adjustable relative thereto and a blade rotatably coupled to the inner housing with a sharpened distal end. Adjustment of the inner housing relative to the outer housing adjusts an amount of the blade that protrudes from the distal end of the inner housing.
US07930956B2
An improved Davenport® multi-spindle automatic screw machine has a tool arm (14) mounted on a shaft (41) for rotational movement relative to a revolving head cap (13). A needle bearing (42, 42) is operatively arranged between the shaft and the revolving head cap. The bearing is radially loaded as said bearing is installed and that the individual needles of same remain elastically deformed by the radial load immediately after said bearing has been installed. The shaft has a hardened surface (52) that is engaged by the needles. The diameter of the shaft hardened surface portion is greater than the diameters of the adjacent shaft portions. Annular recesses (51, 53) extend into the shaft at either end of the hardened portion. These recesses have frusto-conical surfaces (55) that act as ramps to guide insertion of the press-fittable needle bearing into the space between the shaft and the head cap.
US07930949B2
A linear motion assembly comprising a first body arranged for operable communication with a second body for translation of the first body and the second body relative to one another. At least one of the two bodies carries a sensor that detects and monitors information related to performance-indicating characteristics of the assembly. A control module is arranged in communication with the sensor and monitors at least one performance-indicating characteristic of the linear motion assembly by monitoring corresponding signals received from the sensor. The control module also detects and provides an indication of a discrepancy in the performance-indicating characteristic.
US07930944B2
An ASIC compensated pressure sensor includes a sense die, an ASIC chip, and supporting elements. The sense die includes a metallized surface for attaching the sense die to a mounting surface. The resulting solder joint provides a hermetic seal that is resistant to a wide range of media associated with different environmental conditions. The mounting surface can contain the ASIC and electronics for compensation or can be attached to another mounting surface, which contains the ASIC and electronics. Either configuration can include collars of different styles for ease of assembly and in turn can be attached to a mating connector. The mounting surface can possess a closely matched coefficient of thermal expansion to the sense die in order to enhance electrical stability of the output signal over a wide temperature and pressure ranges.
US07930942B2
The invention relates to a protective hood with a housing (1) for the protection of a measuring apparatus (2), which housing comprises a receiving space (17) for receiving a first measuring apparatus section (20) of such a measuring apparatus (2) and a through opening (12) for running a second measuring apparatus section (21) through it. The arrangement is advantageous in that at least one underlapping support element (18, 19) extends into the receiving space (17) for partially underlapping the first measuring apparatus section (20) in the direction of the through opening (12), and that the housing (1) is constructed from at least a first and a second housing section (1a, 1b) and at least one coupling element (13; 14, 15), and that the first measuring apparatus section (20) can be set between the housing sections (1a, 1b) and that the latter can be subsequently designed to be adjustable to one another for forming and closing the receiving space (17). At least one such coupling element is preferably constructed as an articulation (13) connecting housing sections (1a, 1b) to one another. Moreover, a process for mounting such a protective hood is advantageous.
US07930940B2
An ultrasonic transducer incorporated into an ultrasonic inspection apparatus for examining existence of defect in a sample dipped in water comprises a transducer main part having an oscillator which projects an ultrasonic wave to the sample, receives the reflected wave from the sample and outputs the received reflected wave as an echo signal, a transmitter substrate producing a drive pulse for emitting the ultrasonic wave to the oscillator, a receiver substrate for amplifying the echo signal, a housing for containing therein both substrates electrically connected, and connecting member for electrically connecting between a signal input/output terminal and the side of the oscillator in the transducer main part, wherein, when a maximum operational frequency of the ultrasonic wave emitted from the oscillator is referred to as fmax [MHz], the connecting member is set at a length of 100/fmax [cm] or less. Even if the sample to be examined is small, a desirable defect inspection can be achieved at an excellent examination accuracy.
US07930937B2
The detection device for measuring the quantity of hot water remaining inside a storage reservoir and more particularly inside a tank (2) of a water heater (3, 30), comprises a capillary tube (10) containing a heat-carrying fluid which is placed either inside, or outside the tank (2) of the water heater (3, 30) and an indicator device (12) coupled to said capillary tube (10), said indicator device (12) comprising an amplifying device (15) disposed outside said tank (2) and making it possible to transmit under the effect of the expansion of the fluid contained in the capillary tube (10) either a motion to a member (16), or a variation in resistance to an electronic measurement card (24) in such a way as to continuously indicate the quantity of hot water available remaining in the tank (2) of the water heater (3, 30).
US07930933B2
A method and a device for the diagnosis of at least one gas exchange valve of at least one cylinder of an internal combustion engine that is on the one hand reliable and on the other hand does without additional sensor equipment are described. In a first operating state of the internal combustion engine, at least one gas exchange valve of the at least one cylinder is activated. In a second operating state of the internal combustion engine, all the gas exchange valves of the at least one cylinder are deactivated and therewith closed in stationary fashion. Sound waves produced by the internal combustion engine are acquired. It is checked whether a significant change occurs in a quantity characterizing the acquired sound waves upon a transition from the first operating state to the second operating state. In this case, an erroneous opening of the at least one gas exchange valve is recognized.
US07930932B2
A NOx sensor abnormality detection device senses a NOx concentration and an O2 concentration from output signals of a NOx sensor and calculates an estimated NOx concentration from the O2 concentration when an engine is in a steady operation state, when a zero point of the NOx concentration is sensed, and when an O2 sensing section of the NOx sensor is normal. The NOx sensor abnormality detection device calculates a sensed inclination and an estimated inclination of a NOx concentration output characteristic of the NOx sensor based on the sensed NOx concentration, the sensed O2 concentration and the estimated NOx concentration calculated from the O2 concentration. The NOx sensor abnormality detection device determines that the NOx sensor is faulty when an absolute value of a difference between the sensed inclination and the estimated inclination is larger than a predetermined value.
US07930921B2
An impact detector includes a first determination unit operable to determine whether or not an absolute value of an acceleration in a direction of Y axis exceeds 1G, and an impact determination unit operable to output a predetermined impact detection signal which indicates detection of impact in a direction of Z axis in response to an absolute value of an acceleration in a direction of X axis exceeding 1G within a predetermined time period T after the first determination unit determines that the absolute value of the acceleration in the direction of Y axis exceeds 1G.
US07930914B1
An anti-theft device for preventing theft of a boat fitted with an outboard motor. The anti-theft device is made up of a rear collar and a front collar. In one embodiment the rear collar comprises an elongated bracket having a U-shaped cross-section defined by first and second opposite sidewalls with a joining curved portion there-between. A nut cover is integral with and located at one end of the front collar. Complimentary locking teeth and locking teeth receiving apertures allow a user to affix the front and rear collars around an outboard motor's steering piston. Each of the front and rear collars are provided with locking tongues. In typical use a shackle is threaded through the locking tongues and attached to a padlock to secure the anti-theft device to the steering piston.
US07930896B2
A refrigerant circuit (40) is provided with an outdoor heat exchanger (54), an indoor heat exchanger (55) and two adsorption heat exchangers (56, 57). The indoor heat exchanger (55) is disposed in an indoor unit (11), while the outdoor heat exchanger (54) and the two adsorption heat exchangers (56, 57) are disposed in an outdoor unit (12). Moisture in outdoor air taken in the outdoor unit (12) is adsorbed by the adsorbent in the adsorption heat exchanger (56, 57) serving as an evaporator and the air is dehumidified. The dehumidified air is cooled by the indoor heat exchanger (55) serving as an evaporator and the air is supplied to the room space.
US07930884B2
A manifold for exhaust gases from a motor vehicle engine, includes upper and lower half-shells (18A, 18B) delimiting between them an exhaust gas pipe, and aligned bores designed to be arranged in the extension of the engine exhaust outlets, the half-shells having each a peripheral edge and being attached to each other via at least first segments (20A, 20B) of their peripheral edges welded to each other. The invention is characterized in that there is at least one median plane (P) passing through the bores and traversed at least twice by the first segments (20A, 20B).
US07930878B2
According to one aspect of the present invention, a liquid reductant tank for supplying liquid reductant to a selective catalytic reduction system is disclosed. The tank includes a tank cavity for holding a liquid reductant and being at least partially defined by one or more side walls; a liquid reductant supply line at least partially situated within the tank cavity and for communicating liquid reductant from the tank cavity to outside of the tank cavity; and a heating element situated at least partially within the liquid reductant supply line and for thawing frozen reductant situated within the supply line during cold start conditions to obtain liquid reductant for use in a selective catalytic reduction system.
US07930875B2
In an engine, a rotor having a folded jet pipe is rotatably supported in a sealed container filled with a liquid. A heating portion is inserted in a center cylinder at the center of the rotor, and a fluid of a high temperature is passed therethrough to vaporize the liquid sucked through the suction pipe of the rotor. A mixture of steam and liquid is jetted from the jet pipe due to the pressure of the steam that is vaporized to rotate the rotor. A check valve for jetting and a check valve for suction are disposed at the ends of the jet pipe and the suction pipe. The jetted steam is guided to a condenser disposed on the sealed container, and is condensed and is refluxed into the sealed container. A vacuum pump is connected to the condenser, and the pressure in the sealed container is held at the saturated steam pressure.
US07930872B2
A direct drive system for the rotating cutter shaft assembly in a flail mower includes a internally splined collar having a thermal interfitment within and welded attachment to a rotating shaft assembly. An externally splined shaft from a drive motor mounted to the flail mower housing fits into the internally splined collar to provide rotational force to the rotating cutter shaft assembly.
US07930868B1
An optical disc advertising and security method that includes the use of a promotional label that is coaxially aligned and adhesively attached to the top surface of an optical disc. The promotional label includes an upper label layer and a lower label layer. Attached to each layer is a laterally extending tab. Printed on the top layer surface of each label layer is promotional indicia. In one embodiment, the upper label layer is slightly larger in diameter than the lower label layer so that the lower label is covered and hidden from view by the upper label layer. In a second embodiment, the promotional label is made of two label layers permanently adhesively attached together with a RFID tag disposed between them.
US07930865B2
A method of installing an interlocking floor system includes surface preparation, assembly of the polymeric panels making up the interlocking floor system and affixing a turf material over the polymeric panels.
US07930864B2
An L-shaped clip for mounting a trim member along an exposed edge of a suspension ceiling includes a support leg to be longitudinally secured to a grid tee and a perpendicular face leg to be secured to the trim member. The support leg includes offset clip walls for engagement with offset tee walls and clip abutment surfaces for engagement with tee abutment surfaces. The offset walls and abutment surfaces cooperate to assist in the alignment and mounting of the clip to the grid tee at different relative heights. A single clip may be mounted to either a T-shaped grid tee or an open channel grid tee.
US07930861B2
A tough, water-proof building system provides wall, ceiling, and floor structures, as well as accessories. The walls can be designed to have vertical and horizontal strengths sufficient to be used in place of concrete, as an engineered solution, both above grade and below-grade, including in severe weather conditions. Walls have inner and outer layers, and structurally reinforcing members extending, typically as a layer and/or stud, the full height of the wall, at spaced locations along the length of the wall. The spaces between the structurally reinforcing members are optionally filled with insulating foam. An optional reinforcing stud is attached to, or overlaid by, the inner layer, and extends inwardly into the building from what is otherwise the inner surface of the building panel/wall panel. A building floor can be supported from the load-bearing wall, at locations on the floor support members which are below the top of the load-bearing wall.
US07930859B1
A cable marker pole system is described for marking the location of buried utility cabling. The cable marker pole system includes a base for embedding in earth or concrete, and a two-part pole assembly that couples with the base. The two-part pole assembly includes a spring coupling the two pole members to allow the pole assembly to flex if struck. A sign is attached to the top of the pole assembly to indicate what is buried.
US07930853B2
A humane animal trap includes an enclosure having an opening with a door disposed therein. The door is pivotable about an upper edge between open and closed positions, and is biased toward the closed position by a torsion spring. An electrical solenoid is disposed above the door and has a catch that is biased into engagement with a holding feature on the door when the door is in the open position, and is operable to disengage the catch from the holding feature in response to the receipt of an electrical trip signal. An electrical sensor disposed in the enclosure transmits a light beam between opposite sidewalls of the trap, and generates an electrical trip signal and transmits it to the solenoid when the light beam is interrupted by an animal entering the trap so as to close the door behind the animal and thereby capture it unharmed in the enclosure.
US07930851B1
A strap tensioning apparatus consisting of a strap tensioner attached to a firearm, a spring loaded spool contained within the strap tensioner, the strap having one end releasable attached to the spool, the strap exiting the spool, the other end of the strap attached to the firearm. The spool adapted to be adjustable between three different modes: a lock mode, a release mode, and a free spool mode. The strap tensioner allows a user to easily and safely adjust the tension of the strap to increase comfort, mobility, and safety.
US07930850B1
A spare gun barrel hanging assembly preferably includes an elongated post that has a curvilinear top end, and first and second anchor platforms statically coupled to such a post, which extend orthogonally away therefrom. The assembly may further include a mechanism for removably securing the existing spare gun barrel to a bottom surface of the second anchor platform while the first anchor platform remains spaced thereabove, and a hanger pin removably inserted into the first anchor platform.
US07930849B2
A butt stock for a shoulder held firearm with an horizontally and vertically adjustable cheek rest, reversibility of the cheek rest without loss of any of the other adjustments, a shoulder pad assembly to allow from 0 to 360 degrees of adjustment of the angle of the shoulder pad to the rest of the shoulder held firearm, an adjustable length of pull, and a butt stock body that could function as a cheek rest even if the adjustable cheek rest were to be disconnected.
US07930843B2
A system and process for controlling propulsion and steering of a track trencher excavation machine powered by an engine includes a multiple mode propulsion and steering control system that performs a plurality of functions depending on a selection of one of a plurality of operational modes. A controller generates a vehicle propulsion hydrostatic drive signal optionally using a track drive hydraulic pressure or a track drive speed as a variable for modifying the propulsion drive signal. The controller optionally uses a hydraulic attachment drive pressure as a variable for further modifying the propulsion drive signal.
US07930838B2
The present invention relates to a laundry dryer that can prevent as well as remove wrinkles of laundry. A laundry dryer includes a drum in which laundry is held; a hot air heater that heats air to supply hot air to the drum; a steam generator that generates steam to supply the steam to the drum; and a water tank to hold water to supply to the steam generator, the water tank in flow communication with a water supply hole through which water is supplied into the water tank with the water tank kept in flow communication with the steam generator.
US07930831B2
The invention relates to a scraper blade assembly structure. The scraper includes a stem for hand grip and a scraping section in the front. The scraping section includes a jaw plate, a blade and a fastening button. The jaw plate extends backward to form an arm. The jaw plate is attached to the inside of the jaw plate groove of the scraping section by a fastener that also serves as a lever pivot for swinging back and forth. When a fastening button goes into the inside of the jaw plate of the scraping section, it pushes the inner side of the arm of the jaw plate, and so as to generate a great holding power for the front of the jaw plate. Further, the fastening button can be a handle protruding from one side of the scraping section.
US07930825B2
A method for reducing “blow-out” of annular welds for attaching press-fit components in a fuel injector assembly is disclosed. The method employs a multi-step welding procedure whereby a first annular weld bead that corresponds to less than 360° of rotation of the assembly about a longitudinal axis leaves a radial void that is thereafter sealed with a second annular weld bead. In an alternative embodiment, a relief region is formed on radially-facing surfaces of the components, the relief region being disposed adjacent to a press-fit region. A sealed gap is thereby formed in the relief region between the welds and the press-fit region. The sealed gap provides a further means for expansion of trapped gases that could otherwise “blow out” the liquid weld bead.
US07930823B2
A cell for automated assembly operations, in particular for the assembly of parts of multicylinder internal-combustion engines, has manipulator members that are designed for simultaneous assembly of a plurality of elements on a work piece and that are adjustable for varying the distance between the positions of said elements.
US07930815B2
A method of forming an electrically-conductive pattern includes selectively electroplating the top portions of a substrate that corresponds to the pattern, and separating the conductive pattern from the substrate. The electroplating may also include electrically connecting the conductive pattern to an electrical component. Conductive ink, such as ink including carbon particles, may be selectively placed on the conductive substrate to facilitate plating of the desired pattern and/or to facilitate separation of the pattern from the substrate. An example of a conductive pattern is an antenna for a radio-frequency identification (RFID) device such as a label or a tag. One example of an electrical component that may be electrically connected to the antenna, is an RFID strap or chip.
US07930812B2
A method and apparatus for providing toolless rack mounting rail installation using a pin having a latch. A retention device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes stepped features and a dual locking mechanism that are configured to engage standard apertures of rack systems. The locking mechanism is configured to extend beyond the surface of a pin when in a normal position, but may be depressed to allow the retention device to be easily inserted or removed without the use of tools.
US07930811B2
A vehicle slide door temporary setting jig includes a door position holding mechanism for holding a slide door in a desired angular position relative to a vehicle body. The door position holding mechanism has an end extension of one link lever of a linkage projecting beyond an associated link pin, an arcuate guide member pivoted to the free end of an attachment frame and configured to define a path of movement of a tip end portion of the end extension as the link lever turns about the link pin, and a resilient member acting between the free end of the attachment frame and the arcuate guide member and resiliently urging the arcuate guide member against the tip end portion of the end extension.
US07930807B2
The present invention is a holding device for a rope, cable, wire and the like hereafter referred to as rope and more particularly a sliding cam rope cleat comprised of a holding device, a slideable cam member controlled by a sliding handle and two passageways therethrough for the rope member. While the sliding handle is engaged in the open position, the cam member will not be resident in the first passageway and a rope member may be freely inserted and drawn. However once the sliding handle is engaged in the clamping position, the cam member will partially obstruct the first passageway and the tapered serrated bottom of the cam member will engagingly grip and secure the inserted rope member. Subsequently, the holding device provides for a quick release of the secured rope member by returning the sliding member to its first open position thereby disengaging the tapered serrated cam member for the inserted rope member. In addition, the holding device offers a second passageway which serves as a storage receptacle for any slack in the rope member.
US07930797B2
A suction brush assembly for a vacuum cleaner capable of automatic height adjustment according to the present disclosure includes a suction brush body connected to a cleaner body at a rear side thereof and provided with a rotation brush for striking a surface to be cleaned to separate dirt from the surface to be cleaned at a bottom surface thereof; and an up/down adjusting unit for monitoring continuously a state of the surface to be cleaned and adjusting a height of the rotation brush body to vary a distance between the surface to be cleaned and the rotation brush according to the state of the surface to be cleaned so as to prevent the surface to be cleaned from being damaged by the rotating rotation brush.
US07930796B2
A wiper blade to clean windshields, in particular of automobiles. The wiper blade (10) has an elongated belt-shaped, flexible spring support element (12), with a separate first component designed as an elastic rubber wiper strip (14) that can be pressed against the windshield (20) located at the bottom belt surface (13) of the support element and with a separate second component located at the other upper belt surface (11) of the support element (12) that is designed as a wind deflection strip (24) that extends at least along a longitudinal section of the wiper blade (10). A particularly low-disruption wiper blade results if the two components (14, 24) are connected together at their sides facing one another.
US07930794B2
A cleaning tool and an effective technique for realizing a higher cleaning effect in a cleaning tool having a cleaning element for wiping a region to be cleaned is disclosed. The cleaning tool includes an elongate cleaning element holder and a cleaning element to be attached to the cleaning element holder. The cleaning element holder has a holding part extending elongate while having components extending in a direction crossing the extending direction of the cleaning element holder. The cleaning element has an insert region into which the holding part is inserted. The cleaning element is attached to the cleaning element holder while being twisted along an extending portion of the holding part through insertion of the holding part into the insert region.
US07930791B1
An improved deck mop to retain yarn comprising an elongated rod having an upper section and a lower section. An exterior rotatable sleeve threadedly surrounds the lower section which includes an interior movable piston which is further connected to a stationary spring. The lower section at its bottom end is connected to a first and second rotatable and removable clamp member comprising a respective bottom brush and bottom scrubber for cleaning. The mop through a respective clockwise and counter-clockwise rotation of the sleeve controls a respective closing and opening movement of two clamp members to thereby respectively hold or release a mop yarn, wherein the closing movement further results in contracting the spring so that the reduced spring stores a compression force having sufficient power to enable it to push the clamp members rotatably apart when the sleeve is rotated in the counter-clockwise direction.
US07930789B2
Footwear cleaning apparatus includes a receptacle well filled with a cleaning solution and a rotating brush. The rotating brush is supported by telescoping stems that extend and retract the rotating brush. In one embodiment, retracting a cover for the receptacle well activates the rotating brush, thus allowing a user to clean the sole of the footwear. In another embodiment, a sensor senses the presence of a user and automatically activates the rotating brush and telescoping stems for the apparatus to be used.
US07930777B2
A stackable wire core assembly for a bedding foundation which may be nestably stacked with numerous other such assemblies for transportation, thereby avoiding the need to compress and tie the assembly for shipping. The wire core assembly includes an upper wire grid, including a border wire and support wires extending between the ends of the border wire. Each support wire has resilient portions extending downwardly from the plane of the upper wire grid, each resilient portion having a flat bottom adapted to be secured to a wooden base frame and curved arms extending upwardly from opposed ends of the flat bottom.
US07930776B2
A playpen includes a top frame, pairs of supporting legs in which the supporting legs of each pair have top ends connected to the top frame at two spaced apart positions and bottom ends extending toward each other, and a fabric enclosure having a lower portion and an upper portion which is attached removably to the top frame. A fixing device includes a plurality of fixing plates adapted to be fixed to the fabric enclosure and each having an engaging hole, and a plurality of foot members each having top and bottom ends, a plate-receiving hole opening at the top end and extending downwardly for insertion of a corresponding fixing plate, two leg-receiving holes for insertion of the bottom ends of one pair of the supporting legs, and a tongue for engaging detachably the engaging hole disposed within the plate-receiving hole.
US07934256B2
The present invention offers an electronic device that reduces the amount of data for communication required when files pertaining to software are to be updated, as compared to the conventional devices, and performs tamper detection. The present invention is an electronic device having an application file pertaining to an operation of application software and updating the application file via a network. The electronic device (i) stores therein the application file including one or more data pieces, (ii) receives, from an external apparatus via the network, update data and location information indicating a location, within the application file, which is for rewrite with the update data, (iii) rewrites only part of the application file by writing over a data piece present at the indicated location with the update data, to update the application file, and (iv) examines whether the updated application file has been tampered with.
US07934250B2
A method for authenticating a device including the steps of measuring at least one performance parameter of the device to obtain a measurement; and comparing the measurement of the at least one performance parameter with a previously stored measurement of the at least one performance parameter to determine an identity of the device. An apparatus and an article of manufacture for authenticating a device is also disclosed.
US07934249B2
Apparatus, methods, and computer program products are disclosed that determine Rights to an entity. The disclosed technology maintains data structures representing a set of entities. These entities include protected-entities and sensitivity-entities. Each of the sensitivity-entities is associated with a respective sensitivity access-control-list. The sensitivity-entities include a first sensitivity-entity that is associated with a first sensitivity-access-control-list. A first protected-entity being one of one or more of the protected-entities associated with the first sensitivity-entity. The technology evaluates Rights to the first protected-entity with respect to the first sensitivity-access-control-list and enables access to the first protected-entity responsive to the Rights evaluation and presents the first protected-entity when access is enabled.
US07934234B2
In a digital television system, a receiver/decoder (or “set-top-box”) can download one or more of several applications which can be run by the receiver/decoder to provide interactivity with the user. The applications include: an Internet browser application which uses a PSTN connection to make Internet requests and the television signal path to receive Internet responses; a shopping application operable in an “impulse” mode and a “catalogue” mode; a banking application; a quiz application which runs in synchronization with a quiz television programme; a magazine browser application; and a weather or traffic application.
US07934233B2
A method for providing complementary information 226 for a video program is provided that includes receiving complementary information 226 for a video program. A query is received from a consumer. The query is related to a specified portion of the complementary information 226. A query response is provided to the consumer based on the specified portion of the complementary information 226.
US07934229B1
A security module interfaces with a set of infection repair modules. Each repair module can perform a specific repair of an infection. Some of the repair modules utilize context information about the computer, such as the availability of a non-infected backup file. Further, the repairs performed by some repair modules are fine-grained while repairs of other repair modules are coarse-grained. The security module identifies malicious software infecting a computer and generates an infection object for each infection. The security module selectively routes the infection objects to the repair modules. In response, the repair modules provide repair objects representing repairs that the repair modules can perform on the infection. The repair objects have scores describing their thoroughness and complexity. The security module ranks the repair objects based on their scores and selects certain repairs for repairing the malicious software infections.
US07934226B2
An optical pickup apparatus comprising: a photo detector configured to receive light reflected from a medium; a housing mounted with the photo detector; and a projecting portion projecting from the housing, the projecting portion including a displacement preventer configured to prevent displacement of the photo detector or an adhesive relative to the housing, the displacement preventer including a fixing portion formed to extend along a plurality of directions, the photo detector being provided on the housing by applying the adhesive to the displacement preventer.
US07934222B2
A system, method and computer-readable medium for adapting command line output message streams in a virtualized command line interface (CLI) environment. In accordance with the method of the present invention, a virtualized CLI command is entered and executed. The virtualized CLI command encapsulates a guest operating system command having an associated standard output message. In response to executing the virtualized CLI command, the standard output message is piped to an output message file. Within the standard output message file, a structured array is used to search the standard output message for matches between strings within the standard output message and one or more specified message strings identified in the structured array. In response to finding a match between the specified message strings and the strings within the standard output message, the specified message string within the standard output message is replaced with a replacement message string.
US07934221B2
An approach is provided for proactive notification of contract changes in a software service. According to the approach, when the executable code of a composite application operable to access the service is generated, an initial copy of a contract that describes the service is retrieved. A baseline representation of the contract is generated based on the initial copy of the contract. When the composite application is being executed, a determination is made based on the baseline representation whether the contract has experienced any changes. In response to determining that the contract has experienced a change, a notification is sent indicating that the contract has experienced the change.
US07934220B2
An operating system directed to using special properties of a common inter-process communications mechanism (IPC), namely UNIX domain socket-pairs or stream-pipes alternatively as a storage medium for file-descriptors of UNIX processes. When a file-descriptor is written into a socket-pair, and closed in the UNIX process, the file remains open, but occupies no space in the process' file-table. The file-descriptor may later be read out of the socket-pair to reestablish it in the file-table, and access it. This property is implemented in an IPC mechanism of UNIX operating system whereby a process such as a dispatcher may manage more connections and processes than its file-table size allow. This provides scalability improvements of the UNIX operating system.
US07934219B2
The addition of process agents into an application system allows a much simpler integration between business objects by placing the integrating components into separate, independently updateable process agents. Process agents observe business objects with which they are associated and communicate with other process agents. Alternatively, process agents may be notified by business objects to perform communication activities. Thus, a business object may be designed, operated, or updated with complete independence from the surrounding structure of the application system. The logic, application code, and integration components that require specific changes or design in response to changes in the overall application system or real world conditions are placed in the process agent objects, allowing them to be updated, modified or integrated freely without any changes to business objects within the system.
US07934217B2
Aspects of the present invention relate to systems, methods and devices for providing remote file structure data access to an imaging device user interface. Some aspects relate to methods and systems wherein a request for file structure data is sent from an imaging device (IDev) to a remote computing device (RCD) that is capable of retrieving and converting file structure data. Some aspects relate to reading the file structure data of a remote resource and converting that file structure data to a format that is compatible with an IDev user interface (UI). The converted file structure data may then be received by the IDev and displayed at the IDev UI.
US07934206B2
A service level executable environment (SLEE) in a telecommunications network linking a PSTN and a packet (e.g., IP) network is provided. The SLEE includes a scripting language, a compiler adapted to compile scripts written with said scripting language into executables, and a plurality of dynamically loaded shared libraries, wherein the dynamically loaded shared libraries are distributed over the IP network and executables can utilize dynamically loaded shared libraries from different locations in the IP network.
US07934205B2
A method of restructuring a source computer program to a target computer program. A defined source computer program has source code. A set of tasks is defined for the source computer program to be performed by the source computer program. For each task, a corresponding set of input data sets is defined. For each input data set, a corresponding set of programs is determined such that each program in the set of programs includes declarations and executable statements, from the source code of the source computer program, required to execute the task in each input data set. Each set of programs is processed to generate a component that executes the respective task, resulting in generation of a set of components. A target computer program is generated from the set of components.
US07934203B2
During program code conversion, such as in a dynamic binary translator, automatic code generation provides target code 21 executable by a target processor 13. Multiple instruction ports 610 disperse a group of instructions to functional units 620 of the processor 13. Disclosed is a mechanism of preparing an instruction group 606 using a plurality of pools 700 having a hierarchical structure 711-715. Each pool represents a different overlapping subset of the issue ports 610. Placing an instruction 600 into a particular pool 700 also reduces vacancies in any one or more subsidiary pools in the hierarchy. In a preferred embodiment, a counter value 702 is associated with each pool 700 to track vacancies. A valid instruction group 606 is formed by picking the placed instructions 600 from the pools 700. The instruction groups are generated accurately and automatically. Decoding errors and stalls are minimized or completely avoided.
US07934200B2
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to scenario testing of an application under test and provide a method, system and computer program product for enhanced scenario testing. In one embodiment of the invention, a scenario testing data processing system can include an action recorder configured to activate each of recording and playback sessions in an application user interface. The system also can include an application communicatively coupled to the action recorder and the content browser. The application can include one or more controllers, each controller corresponding to one of the sessions. Finally, the system can include an action engine disposed in each of the controllers, each action engine including program code enabled both to create and execute actions based upon requests received in a recording session for interactions in the application user interface, and also to create and execute actions based upon action descriptors in a playback file identified during a playback session in the application user interface.
US07934193B2
A computer-implemented method of processing a module specification to produce a module definition is disclosed. A module consists of a collection of interrelated classes for object-oriented programming. A module specification is an object-oriented data structure, the elements of which correspond to classes of a meta-module. A module definition is a collection of class definitions and other expressions in an object-oriented programming language. The module specification includes unitary and categorical class specifications. The class specifications include member specifications. The module definition may include definitions for a unitary host class, a unitary viewer class, a unitary editor class, and categorical class definitions corresponding to the categorical class specifications.
US07934173B2
A method of inserting dummy patterns includes providing a window area comprising a main pattern. The main pattern includes first patterns of a first type of features, and second patterns of a second type of features. The first and the second types are different types. The method further includes globally inserting first dummy patterns throughout the window area, wherein the first dummy patterns are dummy patterns of the first type of features; enlarging the main pattern to generate an enlarged main pattern, wherein the enlarged main pattern occupies an enlarged region of the window area; removing the portion of the first dummy patterns in the enlarged region from the first dummy patterns to generate first inversed dummy patterns; and combining the first patterns in the main pattern with the first inversed dummy patterns to generate first mask patterns for the first type of features.
US07934156B2
Deletion gestures for use on a portable multifunction device with a touch-sensitive display are disclosed. In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method for use in conjunction with the portable multifunction device comprises displaying a list of items on the touch-sensitive display, detecting a first gesture on the touch-sensitive display to edit the list of items, responding to the first gesture by displaying a first icon next to each deletable item in the list, detecting a second gesture on the touch-sensitive display to select one of the deletable items, and responding to the second gesture by displaying a second icon next to the selected item. If a third gesture on the second icon is detected, the selected deletable item is deleted. If a fourth gesture on the first icon next to the selected deletable item is detected, the second icon is deleted.
US07934148B2
Systems and methods are provided for storing a mark-up language file and delivering the file from a network server to a user's computer via a packet switched data network using a hyper-text transfer protocol (HTTP). The mark-up language file is stored in a storage area accessible by the network server, wherein the file contains information personal to the user. A notification is transmitted to the user's computer, wherein the notification serves to notify the user of the availability of the file. In response to a user request made in response to the notification, the mark-up language file is transmitted from the network server to the user's computer, via the packet switched data network, using the HTTP.
US07934146B2
Methods, apparatus and computer program products are provided for encoding and/or decoding a data block. The method for encoding a data block includes the steps of: providing an information block of size k, I=(i0, i1, . . . i(k−l); and encoding the information block into a low-density parity-check (LDPC) codeword c of size n, c=(i0, i1, . . . i(k−l), p0, p1, . . . , p(n−k−l)), by adding n−k parity bits obtained so that H·cT=0, where H is an (n−k)×n parity-check matrix.
US07934144B2
A method and system using the principle of generalized maximum likelihood estimation to resolve sample timing uncertainties that are associated with the decoding of communication signals. By using generalized maximum likelihood estimation, sample timing uncertainty can be resolved by taking multiple samples of the received signal within a symbol period and determining which sample best corresponds to the optimal sample timing. The sample which best corresponds to the optimal sample timing can be determined from a timing index which can be calculated from ambiguity indicators that are based on the samples of the received signal.
US07934142B2
In an encoding and/or decoding method utilizing a self-orthogonal Quasi-Cyclic (QC) code whose parity check matrix is expressed by at least one circulant matrix, a code sequence is generated which satisfies a check matrix. The check matrix is designed so that a column weight w of each circulant matrix is three or larger and a minimum hamming distance of the code is w+2 or larger.
US07934141B2
A method of transmitting data according to a data transmission protocol wherein the data is transmitted as a plurality of data frames and each data frame includes an error checking field comprising at least two sub-fields, the data of the first sub-field being formed by a first error checking method performed on data of the frame and the data of the second sub-field being formed by a second error checking method performed on the said data of the frame, the first and second methods being such that the data of the first sub-field has different error checking properties from those of the data of the second sub-field.
US07934134B2
A method for performing a logical built-in self-test of an integrated circuit is disclosed. The method includes performing a flush and scan test to determine whether the scan chains function correctly. If one of the scan chains does not function correctly, the logical built-in self-test is terminated. If each of the scan chains functions correctly, a structural test of the design-for-test logic supporting LBIST is performed to determine whether the LBIST design-for-test logic functions correctly. If the LBIST design-for-test logic does not function correctly, the logical built-in self-test is terminated. If the LBIST design-for-test logic functions correctly, a level sensitive scan design test of the functional combinational logic is performed using the logic supporting LBIST design-for-test to determine if the integrated circuit functions correctly.
US07934128B2
Methods, systems and computer program products for architecting fault tolerant applications. Embodiments of the invention include a method for executing an application in a computer system, the method including monitoring a behavior of the computer system, the computer system having a subsystem in an operating system of the computer system, in response to encountering a problem in the computer system, performing switching the application from a normal mode of operation to a critical mode of operation, executing the application in the critical mode of operation, determining if the computer system has returned to the normal mode of operation, in response to the computer system returning to the normal mode of operation switching the application to execute in the normal mode and executing the application in the normal mode of operation.
US07934121B2
A method and apparatus for transparently replacing a processor, that receives interrupts in a partitioned computing device, with a replacement processor, is disclosed. The method comprises directing the interrupts to an unchangeable identifier mapped to the processor's identifier and replacing the processor with the replacement processor. An intermediary, such as an I/O APIC, is used for storing the unchangeable identifier. The mapping may use logical mode delivery, physical mode delivery, or interrupt mapping.
US07934117B2
Systems and methods that provide for assignment and recovery of tokens as part of a plurality of nodes and distributed application framework/network. The assignment component assigns numbers and tasks to candidates and facilitates multiple leader election. Moreover, a recovery component can recover a token for a node that leaves the network (e.g., crashes). Such recovery component ensures consistency, wherein only one server is assigned recovery of the token and associated tasks.
US07934116B2
A framework and method for use in determining appropriate information technology system disaster recovery and operational continuity solutions for an enterprise. In one embodiment the method includes identifying (504) business processes associated with achieving a defined mission of the enterprise. Assets of the information technology system are grouped (508) into one or more functional sub-system/data class groups and one or more of the business processes are selected. The functional sub-system/data class groups are mapped (524) to the selected business processes to establish a correspondence between each selected business process and one or more of the functional sub-system/data class groups. Thereafter, each functional sub-system/data class group corresponding with each selected business process is associated (602) with a solution class included in a three-dimensional disruption tolerance decision matrix.
US07934113B2
A digital circuit may have at least two asynchronous clock domains with a controller responsive to a first domain clock signal and a target responsive to a second domain clock signal. A first domain control signal pulse is generated in response to the first domain clock signal for controlling the target. Each assertion the first domain control signal pulse is detected and used to form a second domain control signal pulse synchronized to the second domain clock signal. The target is controlled using the second domain control signal pulse. If the target is a clear-on-read register, contents of the clear-on-read register are latched in a feedback register in response to the first domain control signal pulse and provided to the controller. Each bit of the clear-on-read register is reset in response to the second domain control signal pulse only if the corresponding latched content of each bit in the feedback register is a logical one.
US07934110B2
A technique to dynamically maintain the thermal levels of a plurality of cores of a processing system by interleave core hopping with throttling techniques. The interleaving logic may transfer execution of threads from a hot core to a cold if core hopping is applicable. Core hopping may be applicable if there exist a cold core to which the execution of threads can be assigned to from a hot core and if the rate of occurrence of core hopping is within an allowable rate value. The interleaving logic may apply throttling techniques if core hopping is not applicable. The throttling techniques may throttle the throttling parameters, which may comprise voltage, frequency, and micro-architecture throttling parameters provided to the hot core if the core hopping is not applicable.
US07934098B1
An electronic signature capture system and process meets the legal requirements of a valid electronic signature while also providing electronically signed documents that have the appearance, and thus equivalent acceptability, of a traditional pen-and-ink signature. The documents can be signed using a mouse, a stylus, a touch screen, a graphics tablet, or other suitable input device to draw a signature analogue on the screen similar to signing a paper document with a pen. A fingerprint image, retinal scan image, or other similar biometric input may be captured in addition to or instead of a signature. The signature analogue is saved and linked to a particular user and to particular documents. The signature analogue may be combined with the document in a composite image file, or the signature analogue may be applied dynamically to appropriate document components to assemble an executed document as needed.
US07934092B2
An electronic device comprising an embedded computer system is provided. The device comprises a processor supporting a real-time operating system (RTOS). The processor further supports user and supervisor modes. The computer system is programmed such that only code portions directly controlling essential hardware in the device are run in supervisor mode.
US07934090B2
A method provides for control of access to network resources. A virtual identity machine resides in the network and is pre-authorized to access certain network resources. End users desiring access to those network resources attempt to logically connect to the virtual identity machines. If the logical connection attempt is successful, then the end user assumes the virtual identity of the virtual identity machine and has access to all of the same information that was available to the virtual identity machine.
US07934078B2
An system and method for retiring instructions in a superscalar microprocessor which executes a program comprising a set of instructions having a predetermined program order, the retirement system for simultaneously retiring groups of instructions executed in or out of order by the microprocessor. The retirement system comprises a done block for monitoring the status of the instructions to determine which instruction or group of instructions have been executed, a retirement control block for determining whether each executed instruction is retirable, a temporary buffer for storing results of instructions executed out of program order, and a register array for storing retirable-instruction results. In addition, the retirement control block further controls the retiring of a group of instructions determined to be retirable, by simultaneously transferring their results from the temporary buffer to the register array, and retires instructions executed in order by storing their results directly in the register array. The method comprises the steps of monitoring the status of the instructions to determine which group of instructions have been executed, determining whether each executed instruction is retirable, storing results of instructions executed out of program order in a temporary buffer, storing retirable-instruction results in a register array and retiring a group of retirable instructions by simultaneously transferring their results from the temporary buffer to the register array, and retiring instructions executed in order by storing their results directly in the register array.
US07934075B2
A computer array (10) has a plurality of computers (12). The computers (12) communicate with each other asynchronously and operate in a generally asynchronous manner internally. When one computer (12) attempts to communicate with another it goes to sleep until the other computer (12) is ready to complete the transaction, thereby saving power and reducing heat production. The instructions executed by the computers (12) can include a micro-loop (100) which is capable of performing a series of operations repeatedly. In one application, the sleeping computer (12) is awakened by an input such that it commences an action that would otherwise required an interrupt of an otherwise active computer. For example, one computer (12f) can be used to monitor an input/output port of the computer array (10).
US07934061B2
Methods, systems, and media for reducing memory latency seen by processors by providing a measure of control over on-chip memory (OCM) management to software applications, implicitly and/or explicitly, via an operating system are contemplated. Many embodiments allow part of the OCM to be managed by software applications via an application program interface (API), and part managed by hardware. Thus, the software applications can provide guidance regarding address ranges to maintain close to the processor to reduce unnecessary latencies typically encountered when dependent upon cache controller policies. Several embodiments utilize a memory internal to the processor or on a processor node so the memory block used for this technique is referred to as OCM.
US07934055B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a shared, front-end, distributed redundant array of independent drives (“RAID”). A multiple storage request receiver module receives at least two storage requests from at least two clients to store file or object data in one or more storage devices of a storage device set. The storage requests are concurrent and have at least a portion of the data in common. The storage device set includes autonomous storage devices forming a RAID group. Each storage device is capable of independently receiving storage requests from a client over a network. A striping module calculates a stripe pattern and writes N data segments per stripe to N storage devices. A parity-mirror module writes a set of N data segments to parity-mirror storage devices. A sequencer module ensures completion of a first storage request prior to executing a second storage request.
US07934039B2
A device suitable for use as a module in a Controller Area Network (CAN) system with a bus or connection includes relatively simple and inexpensive components, including an oscillator that generates a number of different frequencies in response to directions from a microcomputer. A CAN Controller receiving the frequencies is connected to the bus via a transceiver. The device has utility for verification and validation work in association with a CAN system.
US07934031B2
An asynchronous logic family of circuits which communicate on delay-insensitive flow-controlled channels with 4-phase handshakes and 1 of N encoding, compute output data directly from input data using domino logic, and use the state-holding ability of the domino logic to implement pipelining without additional latches.
US07934030B1
A disk drive is disclosed comprising a disk, a head actuated over the disk, and a read channel for processing a read signal generated by the head. The disk drive further comprises a plurality of code segments including a read channel interface procedure having an input parameter comprising a pointer to a data structure. The data structure comprises a command ID identifying one of a plurality of routines, input data for use by the routine identified by the command ID, a pointer to a data structure for use by the routine identified by the command ID, and output data returned by the routine identified by the command ID.
US07934022B2
A system for deriving connectivity information among telecommunications devices. The system includes a system including a database identifying the telecommunications devices and ports associated with each of the telecommunications devices. A bus master consolidation point (BMCP) is in communication with the system over a network. A data and power consolidation point (DPCP) is in communication with the BMCP over a first bus connection. A patch panel is in communication with the DPCP over a second bus connection, the patch panel including a controller for transmitting and receiving port identification data. The patch panel forwards received port identification data to the DPCP over the second bus connection, the DPCP forwards receiving port identification data to the BMCP over the first bus connection and the BMCP the forwards port identification data to the system over the network. The system correlates received port identification data with the database to determine connectivity among the telecommunications devices.
US07934020B1
A virtual computer system, including one or more virtual machines (VMs), is connected to a computer network by multiple network interface cards (NICs). The VMs are supported by a kernel, which includes a resource manager for allocating system resources among the VMs, including network data bandwidth. A NIC manager is loaded into the kernel as a driver or is integrated into the kernel, for selecting NICs over which outgoing network data is transferred, including providing functions such as failovers and failbacks, as well as load distribution. Implementing the NIC manager in the kernel provides NIC teaming functions to each of the VMs without having to implement a NIC teaming solution in each of the VMs, adding to the simplicity, flexibility and portability of the VMs. In addition, integrating the NIC manager into the kernel improves the kernel's ability to manage the VMs and to implement network resource allocations for the VMs.
US07934017B2
Methods and systems for providing transparent access between computing systems connected to separate networks are provided. Example embodiments provide Grid Location Services (“GLS”) which, in one embodiment integrates multicast DNS (mDNS) technologies with DNS technology to achieve transparent configurability of servers. In one example, an Application Workspace System “AWS” provides a GLS module that transparently provides for the reconfiguration of computing systems, when an AWS service is added, removed, or fails, without reconfiguring all the entities that use those services. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US07934015B2
A system and method for addressing a mobile device in an IP-based wireless network is provided. Push service providers prepare data for transmission to the mobile device using a first IP address. The addressed data is then transmitted to a push proxy. The push proxy obtains a network identifier that is permanently associated with the wireless mobile device using the first IP address. The network identifier is then used by the push proxy to obtain a second IP address that is temporarily associated with the wireless mobile device. Using this second IP address, the data from the push proxy is then addressed and transmitted to the wireless mobile device via a tunnel created through the wireless network using the second IP address.
US07934013B2
Systems and methods for transporting client data received at a first rate over an interconnect at a second, higher rate, wherein the client data is combined with dummy data according to a pattern that minimizes the amount of buffer space required to store the received client data. In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving client data at the first rate, buffering the client data, retrieving the client data, combining the client data with dummy data according to the pattern, and transmitting the combined data at the second rate. The pattern comprises K blocks, of which a first number contain P w-bytes of client data, and of which the remainder contain P+1 w-bytes of client data. The remainder of the space in the blocks is stuffed with dummy data. The pattern may also include a residual slot that contains one or more bytes of client data.
US07934003B2
Method and system for performance monitoring of distributed applications. A sensor intercepts every request of service for a server that is generated on a client. If the request meets a filtering condition (for example, defined by the address of the server, the web page from which the request is originated and/or the selected link) the measuring of a corresponding transaction on the client is enabled; at the same time, the request is updated by inserting a correlator. The request is then transmitted to the server. If the request includes the correlator, the measuring of a sub-transaction originating from the request is also enabled on the server. The parameters measured on the client and on the server are then associated with the correlator.
US07933988B2
An arrangement which jointly exploits an agent component installed in a server-side portion of client-server architecture for emulating requests of actual clients of the client-server architecture and measuring a server execution time indicative of a time elapsed between reception of an emulated end-user request at a server component and generation of a result of said emulated end-user request at said server component; information stored in a server log file about a hit end to end response time, i.e., the time elapsed between the instant in which the end-user sends a request to the server component and the instant in which result of the request reaches the end-user. From the server execution time and the hit response time, the delay due to the network connecting the server-side portion of the client-server architecture to a client-side portion may be determined. The network delay and the server execution time are then used for monitoring performance of the client-server architecture by distinguishing network related problems from server-related problems or even from client-related problems.
US07933987B2
Server virtualization technology is applied to virtualize and encapsulate all unique information of a server as an image that is stored on a storage area network at one site and replicated on a storage area network at another site to provide high availability of system resources and data recovery capabilities. In one embodiment, a virtualized server system (100) includes a primary site (110), a secondary site (130), and a computer executable control application (150). The primary site (110) includes a storage area network (112), at least one primary virtual server platform (114), and at least one primary virtual server stored as at least one image (116) on the storage area network (112). The control application (150) directs replication of the primary virtual server image (116) onto a storage area network (132) at the secondary site (130) to create a corresponding replicated virtual server image (138). The control application (150) also monitors operation of the primary virtual server platform (114) and associates the replicated virtual server image (138) with a secondary virtual server (134) at the secondary site (130) in the event that a problem is detected with the primary site virtual server (114).
US07933985B2
A method and system are provided for use in detecting and preventing attacks in a communications network. In one example, the method includes calculating first and second traffic volumes based on messages received at a first time and a second time, respectively. An average acceleration is calculated based on the first and second traffic volumes, and the method identifies whether the average acceleration has crossed a threshold. The messages are serviced only if the average acceleration has not crossed the threshold.
US07933971B2
There is described a method of communicating over a public data network, for example the Internet. A user of a public PC, for example one located in an Internet café, uses the Internet browser provided on the public PC to downloaded from a remote trusted web site a secure Internet browser that then runs within the browser provided on the public PC. The user uses the secure Internet browser to browse the Internet. The secure browser has been configured so that no copy of information transmitted into the network or downloaded from the network is cached or otherwise recorded on the hard disc of the terminal. The user may thus browse the Internet without leaving a record of sensitive information (e.g. credit card details) used in the browsing session at the public terminal.
US07933969B2
A method for providing a provider-selected message in response to a user request for user-selected information is disclosed. The method includes receiving a request from a client program for user-selected information. If a provider-selected message has not been previously transmitted to the client program, the method further includes transmitting provider-selected information to the client program. If a provider-selected message has been previously transmitted to the client program, the method further includes transmitting the user-selected information. In one embodiment, the method also includes receiving a second request from the client program for the user-selected information after the provider-selected information is displayed for a limited time.
US07933962B1
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for reducing reliance on a central data store while maintaining idempotency in a multi-client, multi-server environment. During operation, the system receives a request to perform a transaction from a client at a server, wherein the request includes a request identifier and an idempotence-risk flag. The system then determines if the idempotence-risk flag is set. If not, the system: processes the request at the server to produce a result, and stores the request in a request-cache local to the server. The system also stores the request in the central data store, and returns the result to the client.
US07933952B2
Embodiments are provided to enable a collaborative authoring of a document or other data structure. In an embodiment, a system includes a number of components configured to structure a collaborative authoring process. The components of the system can be used to define a number of sections, roles, and other collaboration parameters associated with a collaboration effort. A workspace can be provisioned to allow participants to interact with the document based in part on a number of permissions. Components of the system can be used to communicate a customized document to the participants based in part on an associated role and other collaboration parameters. Other embodiments and collaborative functionality are available.
US07933951B2
Communication traffic redirection systems and methods are disclosed that allow for redirection of communication traffic over the Internet based, at least in part, on the type of higher-level communication protocol intended to be used. The systems and methods permit redirection of only certain types of communication traffic of interest for example HTTP traffic, while permitting other types of communication, for example SMTP traffic, to pass without redirection. The systems and method can employ a training and dynamic feedback procedure to ensure only traffic of interest is redirected. The systems and methods provide efficient redirection of specific types of traffic to redirect landing pages, and allow for efficient methods of generating revenue through advertising.
US07933947B2
A method is described that involves identifying which session a received request pertains to. The method also involves referring to information maintained for the session. The information comprises first information that identifies a queue that provides notifications of requests to a worker node that is assigned to handle the session. The method also involves entering a request for a session into a shared memory. The method also involves entering a notification of the request into the queue. The method also involves, after failure of the worker node, retracting the notification from the queue, and, identifying a new worker node to handle the session with a load balancing algorithm.
US07933944B2
An approach that efficiently solves for a desired parameter of a system or device that can include both electrically large fast multipole method (FMM) elements, and electrically small QR elements. The system or device is setup as an oct-tree structure that can include regions of both the FMM type and the QR type. An iterative solver is then used to determine a first matrix vector product for any electrically large elements, and a second matrix vector product for any electrically small elements that are included in the structure. These matrix vector products for the electrically large elements and the electrically small elements are combined, and a net delta for a combination of the matrix vector products is determined. The iteration continues until a net delta is obtained that is within predefined limits. The matrix vector products that were last obtained are used to solve for the desired parameter.
US07933941B2
An arithmetic program conversion apparatus, an arithmetic program conversion program and an arithmetic program conversion method that can convert the floating-point arithmetic of an arithmetic program into a fixed-point arithmetic without degrading the accuracy. The apparatus comprises a profile section that uses as object variables the floating-point type variables of an arithmetic program for performing floating-point arithmetic operations, alters the arithmetic program so as to output the changes in the values of the object variables as history at the time of executing the arithmetic program in order to provide a first program, executes the first program and detects the range of value of the object variables according to the history obtained as a result of the execution and a conversion section that alters the arithmetic program according to the ranges of value of the object variables as detected by the profile section so as to convert the object variables into fixed-point type variables in order to provide a second program, executes the second program and determines if the accuracy of the outcome of the execution of the second program meets the predefined and required accuracy level or not.
US07933938B2
A file storage system, a file storing method, and a file searching method. In the file storing method, a single file to be stored is classified into at least one or more objects, and the classified objects are classified into pages with a serial number. One storage device to record the file is selected among a plurality of storage devices connected through a network. One object is allocated to the selected storage device. Pages configuring the file of the object allocated to the selected storage device are stored. When all pages of the file are not stored, the remaining pages are stored by allocating new object to a new storage device. Metadata for managing information about the storage of the file is set. Accordingly, the file can be stored over several disks. In addition, the overall system performance can be increased by setting the file information in the object metadata simply using the least resources.
US07933933B2
Techniques for implementing fast loading of binary XML into a binary XML database repository are provided. A client application reduces the processing burden on the repository by doing pre-processing of the binary XML data prior to loading.
US07933932B2
The subject disclosure pertains to systems and methods that generate a simulation database based upon a source database. The simulation database can be populated using a schema and statistics obtained from the source database. After population, the simulation database can be statistically similar to the source database, facilitating testing, analysis, support and database design. More particularly, data distribution histograms can be used to generate data to populate the simulation database. At the same time, the referential integrity can be maintained.
US07933929B1
A markup language is provided that facilitates communication between servers and clients of an interactive geographic information system (GIS, which enables a number of GIS features, such as network links (time-based and/or view-dependent dynamic data layers), ground overlays, screen overlays, placemarks, 3D models, and stylized GIS elements, such as geometry, icons, description balloons, polygons, and labels in the viewer by which the user sees the target area. Also, “virtual tours” of user-defined paths in the context of distributed geospatial visualization is enabled. Streaming and interactive visualization of filled polygon data are also enabled thereby allowing buildings and other such features to be provided in 3D. Also, techniques for enabling ambiguous search requests in a GIS are provided.
US07933924B2
A document object includes informational elements and at least one attribute corresponding to a first document, and a sub-object corresponding to a second document. The sub-object includes informational elements and at least one attribute corresponding to the second document. Optionally, the second document may be a subset of the first document. Any of the attributes may include elements such as an access right, operation, informational element, internal state indicator and/or work low instruction. The document object is stored in a manner such that when the document object is decompressed, the sub-object remains compressed until it is also decompressed.
US07933919B2
One-pass sampling is employed within a hierarchically organized structure to efficiently and expeditiously respond to sensor inquires. Identification of relevant sensors and sampling of those sensors is combined and performed in a single pass. Oversampling can also be employed to ensure a target sample size is met where some sensors fail or are otherwise unavailable. Further yet, sensor data can be cached and utilized to hasten processing as well as compensate for occasional sensor unavailability.
US07933916B2
A nonSQL index containing data associated with a social networking network is queried with a nonSQL query generated from a SQL query. A query translation component parses the SQL query for query parameters specifying requested data and identifies a type of the nonSQL index based on the nonSQL index. The query translation component generates a nonSQL query based on the query parameters and the type of nonSQL index and queries the nonSQL index with the generated nonSQL query to search for the requested data. The query translation component receives a nonSQL result set from the nonSQL index based on the nonSQL query and then transforms the nonSQL result set into a SQL result set based on the type of nonSQL index and the received SQL query.
US07933912B2
A bioinformatics method, software, database and system for compiling attribute combinations that co-associate with a query attribute (i.e., an attribute of interest) are presented in which expanded attribute profiles associated with a group of query-attribute-positive individuals and expanded attribute profiles associated with a group of query-attribute-negative individuals are accessed, and combinations of attributes having a higher frequency of occurrence in the set of expanded attribute profiles associated with the group of query-attribute-positive individuals are identified and stored to generate a compilation of attribute combinations that co-associate with the query attribute.
US07933910B2
A data retrieving apparatus having: an input apparatus for inputting the hierarchical structure data showing the hierarchical structure and operation instruction data; a data storing apparatus for storing the inputted hierarchical structure data; a retrieving apparatus for retrieving data which satisfies conditions from the hierarchical structure data stored in the data storing apparatus on the basis of the operation instruction data which is inputted by the input apparatus; and an output apparatus for outputting the retrieved data. Each data which is stored in the data storing apparatus has items regarding an efficient date and items regarding a data change date. The retrieving apparatus has an apparatus for retrieving the data on the basis of the efficient date and the data change date.
US07933909B2
A system and method for improving the linkage and security of records is provided. Generally, the present invention can be viewed as providing methods for selecting an ideal identifier, from a series of test identifiers, for linking more than one associated record. In this regard, one embodiment of such a method, among others, can be broadly summarized by the following steps: accessing several parameters for each test identifier; determining if an error rate of the test identifier is an improved error rate over an error rate of an existing identifier; determining if the test identifier reduces linkage error; and selecting the test identifier as the ideal identifier if the test identifier has a lower overall error rate, as determined by the steps of determining if an error rate of the test identifier is an improved error rate over an error rate of an existing identifier and determining if the test identifier reduces linkage error, compared to other test identifiers.
US07933906B2
An information retrieval system for automatically retrieving information related to the context of an active task being manipulated by a user. The system observes the operation of the active task and user interactions, and utilizes predetermined criteria to generate context representation of the active task that are relevant to the context of the active task. The information retrieval system then processes the context representation to generate queries or search terms for conducting an information search. The information retrieval system determines the relevance of a word to the context by utilizing an adaptive weighting system. The information retrieval system assigns varying weights to different attributes of a word and calculates an accumulated weight of the word by accumulating all weights assigned to the word. The attributes may include word size, style, location of the word, etc. The system then ranks the importance of words based on their respective accumulated weight, and chooses words that rank within a predetermined number from the top to form search terms to conduct an information search using various data sources.
US07933899B2
A method for an online sponsored search system includes storing a database of items. At least some of the items include a keyword and a money amount associated with a respective advertiser. The method further includes receiving information about current user preferences within the online sponsored search system. When the received user information relates to a keyword of an item, the method includes automatically adjusting the money amount of the item based on the received user interest information. In response to a received user query, the method includes identifying items relating to the received user search query and generating a search result list including the related items. The method then includes ordering the related items according to the adjusted money amounts associated with the matching items. In response to the designation of a Web page to receive sponsored advertisements, the method includes identifying items relating to the subject matter of one or more portions of the Web page. In this instance, the method then includes determining which items are to be shown and their placement on the Web page according to the adjusted money amounts associated with the related items.
US07933891B2
A method and system for collecting and reviewing data related to web services receives service criteria from a service requester, selects candidate services that match the service criteria, invokes the selected candidate services, and aggregates results provided by the candidate services. In conjunction with aggregating results, the method and system builds service result objects conforming to a composite schema constructed from the various result schemas. To increase the utility of the aggregated results, metadata such as an invocation timestamp are also attached to each service result object. Result values are inspected and enumerated within a results table that may be used to determine which service result objects contain a particular result value.
US07933883B2
This invention relates to an advertisement machine which provides advertisements to a user searching for desired information within a data network. The machine receives, from a user, a search request including a search argument corresponding to the desired information and searches, based upon the received search argument, a first database having data network related information to generate search results. It also correlating the received search argument to a particular advertisement in a second database having advertisement related information. The search results together with the particular advertisement are provided by the machine to the user.
US07933868B2
A method of removing metadata from a database in a multimode replication system includes establishing a metadata retention period for nodes in the system as well as associating changes with nodes on the system. The system responds to an expiration of the retention period for any one node by analyzing the associated changes and nodes and determining if the change affects data shared with other nodes. If the data is shared with other nodes then the expired retention period node metadata is removed from the system. If the expired metadata retention period node does not share the changes with other nodes, the metadata is not removed. This allows any unique changes to still be entered into the database without adversely affecting other nodes.
US07933845B1
The exemplary embodiment of the present invention will provide computer systems and methods for customizing computer-based value-bearing items, such as, for example, customizing a computer-based postage-indicia-bearing item such as exemplary image-customized computer-based postage label 1 in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, depicted in FIG. 1. With reference to FIG. 1, the exemplary customized computer-based postage label 1 will bear an image 2 that would be provided by a corresponding user, namely by the user that orders the customized computer-based postage label. The user may provide image 2 in an electronic form, such as by uploading a digital representation of image 2. In a variation of the exemplary embodiment, a user could alternatively provide a hardcopy image. The exemplary customized computer-based postage label 1 will bear a human-readable indication of the country 4 for which the postage is approved. The exemplary customized computer-based postage label 1 will also bear a human-readable indication of an amount of postage 5. The exemplary customized computer-based postage label 1 will also bear a human-readable identifier (such as a serial number) 6 that will uniquely identify the particular customized computer-based postage label. The exemplary customized computer-based postage label 1 will also bear a machine-readable set of information 7.
US07933844B2
A method for sorting parcels may include reading, during a first sortation pass, machine readable indicia applied to the parcel prior to mailing and at least a portion of delivery address information on a parcel. The method may also include selecting a reference indicium from the machine readable indicia and creating an entry, corresponding to the reference indicia, in a first database, the entry including a portion of the delivery address information for the parcel and a value corresponding to the reference indicium. The method may also include determining whether the delivery address information has a corresponding forwarding order, and, if a corresponding forwarding order exists, modifying the delivery address information in accordance with the forwarding order. The method may include forwarding the entry to a second database different from the first database, the second database corresponding to the delivery address information. The method may include reading the machine readable indicia during a second sortation pass, subsequent to the first, identifying the reference indicium and retrieving the entry corresponding to the reference indicium from the second database, and sorting the parcel according to the portion of the delivery address information in the entry retrieved from the database. The method may also include delivering the parcel to a location corresponding to the delivery address information retrieved from the database, even if the delivery address information differs from the destination address originally applied to the parcel.
US07933842B2
An online card-present transaction system facilitates card-present type transactions with a merchant over a public network. A host system is configured to accept authentication data from a user via an authentication device. The host system, after authenticating a user is configured to retrieve the user's account information from a user database system and translate a user account number into a temporary transaction number. The temporary transaction number is then transmitted directly from the host system to the merchant, thereby eliminating the need for the user to send to the merchant over the internet, the user's transaction account number.
US07933826B2
To electronically authorize and initiate payment, payment information including a date which pre-dates a due date of a payment by an amount of time corresponding to a time period for making payment in a particular manner. The received payment information is displayed in the form of a check, with the date displayed as a date on the check. A user authorization to proceed with the payment is received. An instruction to initiate the payment in the particular manner on the check date is transmitted based on the received user authorization.
US07933820B2
A method and apparatus for collecting property data from sources using a mobile device, such as a tablet pc, and to upload that property data to a database. The property data is then proofed and immediately returned to the searcher using the mobile device for error corrections. If there are no errors, the method and apparatus of the invention saves the data and returns the requested property data to the requester. If there are errors, the method and apparatus of this invention requests revisions from the searcher, proofs the order again, and returns the requested property data to the requester.
US07933817B2
Disclosed are methods of leasing or billing for the usage of a portable suction pump adapted for use in a suction-assisted would treatment system. The pump has means for recording time units corresponding to periods of time when the pump is operating and for providing reports of usage time. The pump further has means for detecting that the wound treatment system is operating normally so as to be compliant with standards for suction wound treatment, and for recording and reporting time of normal operation or compliant usage. The methods include leasing the pump at a payment schedule that is based upon the amount of actual usage time or the amount of compliant usage time. The lease payment may include an amount of pre-paid time units such that unused time units can be credited to a new or renewed lease for a replacement pump. The billing methods can also be based in whole or in part on a planned maintenance schedule for the pump.
US07933812B2
A purchasing entity directs the sourcing of one or more parts in a microprocessor-based method. The microprocessor-based method comprises obtaining over a computer network sourcing information from a primary supplier which identifies one or more third party secondary suppliers for one or more parts in a group of parts, ordering the group of parts from the primary supplier, and then issuing a release to the secondary supplier to ship the part to a predetermined location. A computer system for purchasing parts from a secondary supplier that executes the method is also provided.
US07933810B2
A method for collectively purchasing a gift in a social network environment is described. A request is received to establish a gift account, a recipient user of the social network environment is designated to receive the gift, and the gift is selected. Money is received from a plurality of contributing users for deposit into the gift account, and the selected gift is purchased using the money deposited in the gift account. The purchased gift is then provided to the recipient user.
US07933802B2
A method for storing Internet advertisements at a user computer includes receiving plural Internet advertisements at the user computer. Some of the advertisements are tagged using a hypertext markup language (html) tag. An Internet browser within the computer determines which received advertisements are tagged and saves them within the computer. The saved advertisements are then displayed for a user to review later, e.g., in response to a button being toggled.
US07933794B2
A method and system for ADI (Active Dependency Integration) provides an information and execution model for the description of enterprise systems, solutions and services. It supports the modeling of various entities and business components (e.g. event, disk, application, activity, business process), the information that is associated with them (i.e. schema), and the semantic relationships among them (e.g. dependency between a business component and other business components and events). The ADI execution model monitors and manages business components and the relationships among them. It automatically updates business components information in response to events occurrences and constraints violations, and propagates changes in business components to other business components according to the dependency model.
US07933790B2
This web enabled system is capable of facilitating the management of unlimited projects within which an unlimited number of parties may participate to complete an unlimited number of stages, substages and tasks. The system facilitates the efficient disbursal of monies while reducing the inefficiencies that result when money is not timely disbursed. It uses a quasi-escrow system to secure waivers and distribute money simultaneously. Projected timelines for completion, tracking of materials used and materials stored, and partial payments and releases are all managed by the system based on inputs by participating parties. Allowed inputs are governed by each party's function and the password security level provided therefore, in balance with checks against required approvals or releases by other affected parties and intrasystem consistency checks.
US07933789B2
A method and system for accessing declined invitations is provided. The method includes receiving notification of an available time slot, retrieving stored declined event invitations, and presenting the declined event invitations to a user. The user can accept of a previously declined event invitation for the available time slot. When the user receives an event invitation and declines the event invitation, the method includes saving the declined event invitation to a data store from which it may be retrieved. Stored declined event invitations are deleted once the time of the event has passed.
US07933786B2
An insurance claim processing system may include an insurance claim database, an event processor component, a task engine component and a collaborative intelligent task processor. The insurance claim database may be configured to store and provide access to data in a data record that is related to an insurance claim. The event processor component may be executable with a computer to iteratively monitor the data in the data record and identify events. The task engine component may be executable with a computer in response to one of the identified events to generate tasks indicative of information that needs to be acquired based on the contents of the data record. The collaborative intelligent task processor may be executable with a computer to analyze a task generated by the task engine component and select an action plan that is responsive to the task. The action plan may include a first procedure that enables the collaborative intelligent task processor to acquire information related to the insurance claim, and a second procedure that enables the collaborative intelligent task processor to process the information to yield a result responsive to the task.
US07933783B2
An engagement is brokered between a consumer and a medical service provider; electronic text of a real-time, text-based communication between the medical service provider and the consumer is monitored during the engagement; the electronic text is analyzed for a triggering event related to at least one of medical diagnosis and medical treatment; the triggering event is detected in the electronic text; and medical information is provided to the medical service provider via a user interface in response to the triggering event.
US07933780B2
A method and apparatus for controlling IV medication delivery and monitoring, the method including providing information tags on IV bags that specify delivery parameters, obtaining delivery parameters for at least one bag, associating a controller with a particular patient, comparing patient information for the particular patient with the delivery parameters, determining the efficacy of delivering the medicant to the patient and affecting pump control as a function of the comparison. The method also includes various timing rules and other verification procedures.
US07933778B2
A serial transmission system has a transmission signal generator and a transmission signal receiver. The transmission signal generator generates a digital audio signal of multi-channel based on information of a sampling frequency, and serially transmits the information of the sampling frequency together with the digital audio signal. The transmission signal receiver serially receives the information of the sampling frequency and the digital audio signal from the transmission signal generator, and detects change in a transmission clock based on the information of the sampling frequency.
US07933773B1
A natural language understanding monitoring system adapted to conduct an automated dialog with a user. If the system is unable to identify from the automated dialog, to at least a predetermined level of confidence, any one of a plurality of predetermined tasks as being a particular task that the user wants to have performed, the system makes a determination of the value of a probability that further automated dialog will enable the system to identify the particular task, and determines whether or not to conduct further automated dialog with the user, in an attempt to identify the particular task, based on the relative values of the determined probability and a predetermined threshold value. The probability value determination is based on inputs from the user during the automated dialog.
US07933766B2
A method of generating a natural language model for use in a spoken dialog system is disclosed. The method comprises using sample utterances and creating a number of hand crafted rules for each call-type defined in a labeling guide. A first NLU model is generated and tested using the hand crafted rules and sample utterances. A second NLU model is built using the sample utterances as new training data and using the hand crafted rules. The second NLU model is tested for performance using a first batch of labeled data. A series of NLU models are built by adding a previous batch of labeled data to training data and using a new batch of labeling data as test data to generate the series of NLU models with training data that increases constantly. If not all the labeling data is received, the method comprises repeating the step of building a series of NLU models until all labeling data is received. After all the training data is received, at least once, the method comprises building a third NLU model using all the labeling data, wherein the third NLU model is used in generating the spoken dialog service.
US07933763B2
Preferred embodiments of the present invention comprise methods and software for processing text documents and extracting chemical data therein. Preferred method embodiments comprise: (a) identifying and tagging one or more chemical compounds within a text document; (b) identifying and tagging physical properties related to one or more of those compounds; (c) translating one or more of those compounds into a chemical structure; (d) identifying and tagging one or more chemical reaction descriptions within the text document; and (e) extracting at least some of the tagged information and storing it in a database.
US07933760B2
A method of simulating operation of a bitcell includes determining sensitivities of a bitcell model to different component characteristics and device parameters, such as device temperature, operating voltage, and process characteristics. The determined sensitivities are normalized, so that each normalized value represents the relative sensitivity of the bitcell, under the simulated device parameters, to the component characteristic associated with the value. The normalized sensitivity values can be scaled based on a tolerance factor, and the adjusted sensitivities used to model the behavior of each component of the bitcell in subsequent simulations.
US07933759B2
Predicate checking in conjunction with distributed systems can enable an investigating user to check predicates in the context of instance states and/or distributed states of a distributed system. In an example embodiment, a method entails accepting distributed system simulation data and performing a simulation of a distributed system using the distributed system simulation data to create distributed system simulated states. At least a portion of the distributed system simulated states are exposed. The exposed portion of the distributed system simulated states is retrieved and stored as exposed states for the distributed system. The exposed states for the distributed system are compared to predicate states for the distributed system. If an inconsistency is detected between the exposed states and the predicate states based on the comparing at least one alarm is issued.
US07933751B2
This invention relates to computing numerical solutions of linear systems of equations, specifically to implementing preconditioning of the coefficient matrix of such a system. The preconditioning applies to any coefficient matrix, dense or sparse, based on the solutions of a physical problem of unknown functions, commonly referred to as basis or interpolation functions, where the basis function spans more then one mesh element. Examples of such linear systems can result from, as examples, an electromagnetic analysis of printed circuit boards or field scattering in radar applications, fluid mechanics and acoustics. A method and system to compute a preconditioner for a coefficient matrix A that is compatible with the linear system of equations that provides basis function support over at least two mesh elements. Coupling of the preconditioner between partitions of a portioned mesh representation is only through basis functions at the partition boundaries.
US07933743B2
A network health analyzer that analyzes health of a computer network may be implemented in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A network profile having an issue profile and one or more benchmarks appropriate for the network is determined. A set of numeric measures that is common to all issues in the issue profile is established. The network health analyzer collects data points pertaining to the operation of the network. Based on the data points, numeric values corresponding to the numeric measures may be calculated. In turn, health indexes for all issues in the issue profile may be determined. Based on these health indexes for the issues, an overall health rating may be determined.
US07933742B2
A noise detection signal detected at an evaluation point is filtered by a low pass filter, so that an evaluation waveform signal is extracted. A real signal mother wavelet of complex type is derived from the extracted evaluation waveform signal. Using this mother wavelet, an abnormal waveform signal stored in advance is processed by wavelet transformation. Then, a correlation value is calculated between the abnormal waveform signal and the mother wavelet. The correlation value is compared with a predetermined criterion, so that the presence or absence of abnormality in a sound source or vibration source corresponding to each abnormal waveform signal is determined.
US07933737B2
Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that estimates an ambient temperature of air outside of a computer system. During operation, a temperature inside the computer system is measured for different flow rates of air into the computer system. Next, the temperature measurements are used to determine a relationship between the temperature inside the computer system and a parameter related to the flow rate of air into the computer system. Then, the ambient temperature of air outside the computer system is estimated based on the relationship.
US07933736B2
A data logger is disclosed wherein a common housing includes different function blocks which are connected to one another. These function blocks include at least one analog/digital converter for conversion of measurement signals into digital input data, a memory unit for recording of digital data and of digitized event data, a timer, a processor unit for processing of data, a power supply source and input and output interfaces for measurement signals or digital data and event data. The processor unit is configured for conversion of digital input data and time data into a format which is compatible with standardized software (e.g., freely available) and which makes it possible to display the processed data using standardized software in tabular and/or graphic form on an output device. The processor unit can be configured to embed the digital input data and time data as well as the event data as protected raw data into the generated data format such that they can be read and processed only with hardware-specific evaluation software.
US07933730B2
A method for restoring navigation failure information in a fluoroscopy-based imaging system is disclosed. The method includes obtaining a plurality of receiver navigation information using a calibration target rigidly attached to a supporting member of the imaging system. The calibration target may include a plurality of receivers providing navigation information and the supporting member may be a C-arm. The method identifies a navigation failure and corresponding to the navigation failure a calibrated receiver navigation information is generated. The calibrated receiver navigation information is generated using a calibration information and a C-arm imaging position obtained during navigation failure. A receiver navigation information corresponding to the navigation failure is estimated using the calibrated receiver navigation information, and a transmitter navigation information. Also disclosed is a restoration unit for restoring navigation failure information in a fluoroscopy-based imaging system and a fluoroscopic imaging system using the restoration unit.
US07933711B1
Methods and systems are provided for expediting engine spin-down in an engine that is shutdown during engine idle-stop conditions and restarted during restart conditions. In one example, the method comprises, during an automatic engine idle-stop, turning off spark, operating a first cylinder with a rich ratio of air to injected fuel richer than a rich flammability limit, operating a second cylinder with a lean ratio of air to injected fuel leaner than a lean flammability limit, and mixing un-combusted exhaust from the first and second cylinders with exhaust, the exhaust mixture being substantially stoichiometric.
US07933706B2
An automatic transmission calculates a current thermal load state of the frictional element, predicts (S41), prior to the start of the shift, a heat generation amount of the frictional element during the shift, predicts (S42) a thermal load state of the frictional element upon shift completion on the basis of the current thermal load state of the frictional element and the predicted heat generation amount, determines (S43, S44, S45) whether to permit or prohibit the shift on the basis of the predicted thermal load state upon shift completion, and halts the determination as to whether to permit or prohibit the shift, made on the basis of the predicted thermal load state upon shift completion, when a shift mode of the shift is a second shift mode in which the heat generation amount is smaller than that of a first shift mode.
US07933683B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a partition plate capable of efficiently cleaning a medicine remaining in a V-measure. The partition plate comprises: a slide member (8) which is installed so as to be capable of reciprocating along side plates and has a guide reception part (11); and a partition member (9) which has a guide part (18) removably guided by the guide reception part (11) of the slide member (8) and reciprocates together with the slide member (8) while maintaining such a state so as to be parallel with an end plate (5).
US07933682B2
An integrated medication management and compliance system for enabling a care provider to remotely manage and deliver individual doses of therapeutic products to a patient, in a non-sequential fashion. The system includes delivery apparatus remotely located from the care provider, wherein the apparatus stores a plurality of sealed unit dose packages that are delivered to a patient at a scheduled dosing time. The delivery apparatus is coupled to a control facility and to a computer terminal of the care provider by way of a secure communications network. The system enables the patient's medication regimen to be remotely tailored in real-time to accommodate fluid medical conditions.
US07933681B2
A computer system utilizes an algorithm that: (a) prepares a table that includes counts of zip code occurrences in a mailing list; (b) prepares a container list that allocates counts to different containers; (c) uses the container list to allocate individual addresses to different mailing containers; and (d) addresses the mailing pieces (directly or by labels) according to the addresses associated with the various containers. Such configurations can advantageously decrease the time required to sort an extremely large mailing into mailing containers according to postal presort levels, among other things by performing the above steps predominantly in the internal memory of the computer system.
US07933679B1
A method for optimizing machining parameters for a cutting process performed on a work piece. Finite element analysis of cutting tool and work material interaction is initially performed. Mechanistic modeling of the cutting process, using results of the finite element analysis, is then performed to provide optimized machining parameters for improved rate of material removal and tool life. Optionally, a two-stage artificial neural network may be supplementally employed, wherein a first stage of the network provides output parameters including peak tool temperature and cutting forces in X and Y directions, for a combination of input reference parameters including tool rake angle, material cutting speed, and feed rate.
US07933673B2
A system for demand breakout for a supply chain includes a memory operable to store a plurality of orders for at least one product. Each product may be produced using at least one precursor. The memory is also operable to store a production schedule identifying one or more resources in the supply chain, a quantity of each product and precursor scheduled to be produced by the resources, and a time period associated with production of each product and precursor. The system also includes one or more processors collectively operable to identify one or more particular units of the product that correspond to each product order. The one or more processors are also collectively operable to identify one or more particular units of one or more precursors that correspond to each product order.
US07933668B2
A user interface operable to connect to a device within an industrial control system includes a memory and a processing unit. The memory is operable to store a plurality of software applications for interfacing with the device and a configuration mask including access rights for at least a subset of the software applications. The processing unit is operable to establish a first connection with the device and disable selected software applications based on the configuration mask.
US07933661B2
A coiled member of a medical device extends along a length of an elongate body of the device. A surface of the coiled member extends at an angle, with respect to a longitudinal axis of the body, from a first edge to a second edge, toward the proximal end of the body, such that the first edge of the surface is disposed in close proximity to the body and the second edge of the surface is spaced apart from the body.
US07933656B2
A distributed system comprises a programming device and a remotely located server. During a programming session, the programming device transmits programs and rating information associated with the programs to the server. The server presents the rating information to a clinician to assist the clinician in selecting from among programs tested during the programming session. The programming device may also transmit patient information and device configuration information to the server for storage with selected programs and rating information within a database as part of a patient record. Programs and information received from a plurality of programming devices and for a plurality of patients may be stored in the database and analyzed by the server to provide responses to user queries made by clinicians via programming devices.
US07933652B2
An implantable signal generator including electronic circuitry, a computer readable medium, and a connector block with a lumen which receives at least one lead. The at least one lead has at least one electrode connector while the lumen of the connector block has a plurality of contacts operably coupled to the electronic circuitry. The computer readable medium contains instructions for carrying out a process to determine at least one piece of information regarding the at least one lead within the lumen based on an electrode connector being electrically connected with the at least one of the plurality of contacts, and an electrode connector not being electrically connected with the at least one of the plurality of contacts.
US07933647B2
Methods for increasing lipolysis in a cell are described herein. Such methods comprise the application of an electrical current to a cell. In an embodiment, the application of the electrical current does not substantially alter the viability of such cell and/or preserves the viability of such cell. In an embodiment, such cell is an adipocyte. Corresponding uses and packages are also described.
US07933641B2
There is described a medical examination and/or treatment apparatus with an electromagnet for generating a magnetic field for navigating a medical instrument and an x-ray device having an x-ray source and an x-ray detector attached to a bracket for visual control during the navigation, with the x-ray source and the x-ray detector being arranged on the electromagnet embodied as a hollow cylinder, on the front ends of which are located two ring coils which are arranged in parallel, between which a number of saddle coils arranged in the peripheral direction are arranged, with the hollow cylinder being arranged on a bracket which can be moved about a number of axes.
US07933631B2
A call informing apparatus is provided. The call informing apparatus includes a call detecting unit and a call informing unit. The call detecting unit includes an external light shielding cap that shields external light, a sensing module with an optical sensor sensing light from a display panel or a call informing lamp of a portable terminal, a first controller that generates a call reception signal, and a wireless transmitter that transmits the reception signal. The call informing unit includes a wireless receiver for receiving the reception signal, a second controller for controlling an indicating lamp to emit light, and the indicating lamp. Therefore, a user can easily and visually recognize reception of an incoming call in noisy environment, or even when riding a motorcycle.
US07933630B2
A radio section 1 and a control section 2 allow communications using two radio channels simultaneously, such as TV phone communication and message communication. An LCD 33 displays information concerning each communication simultaneously or selectively when simultaneous communications are being made using two radio channels. Even if communications are made using two radio channels simultaneously, excellent operability is provided and a radio communication terminal can be realized which is low in cost and power dissipation.
US07933618B2
Apparatus, and an associated method, for selectably delaying performance of synchronization operations in which database copies are placed in match with one another. A user of a mobile node at which a database copy is maintained selectably actuates an actuator to select delay of performance of the synchronization operations. Once selection is made to delay the performance of the synchronization operations, selection is further made by a delay selector of the delay period prior to which synchronization operations are carried out.
US07933610B2
A system and method selects secondary base stations to task that provide geo-location information used to geo-locate a mobile station. A network overlay location system may be co-located at base station sites of a wireless communications network. The location measurement units of the network overlay system provide location information of the mobile station, which may be determined via one or more geo-location techniques, for example: time of arrival (TOA), time difference of arrival (TDOA), uplink time difference of arrival (UTDOA), angle of arrival (AOA), signal power, radio fingerprinting etc. Selecting secondary base stations to task using various selection criteria may provide optimum results when geo-locating a mobile station.
US07933605B2
A computerized model provides a display of a physical environment in which a communications network is or will be installed. The communications network is comprised of several components, each of which are selected by the design engineer and which are represented in the display. Errors in the selection of certain selected components for the communications network are identified by their attributes or frequency characteristics as well as by their interconnection compatibility for a particular design. The effects of changes in frequency on component performance are modeled and the results are displayed to the design engineer. A bill of materials is automatically checked for faults and generated for the design system and provided to the design engineer. For ease of design, the design engineer can cluster several different preferred components into component kits, and then select these component kits for use in the design or deployment process.
US07933602B1
A method and system for controlling the rate at which access terminals hand off from an IS-2000 (e.g., 1xRTT) communication system to an IS-856 (e.g., EVDO) communication system. A base station determines metric indicative of the rate at which hybrid access terminals hand off to the IS-2000 from the IS-856 system, and then based at least in part on the metric, dynamically adjusts a dormancy period that at least one hybrid access terminal must wait before entering a dormant mode in which is looks for service under IS-856. As the rate-metric indicates a higher or lower rate, the system may responsively adjust the dormancy period down or up. The rate at which hybrid access terminals operating under IS-2000 may seek service under IS-856 may thus be tuned to the rate at which they hand of form IS-856 to IS-2000.
US07933599B2
Various schemes are provided that facilitate a communication handoff from a current base station to a target base station. One feature provides for reducing the search space that a base station searches by providing it with the position/location and/or velocity of an access terminal with which it attempts to communicate. Having the position and/or velocity of the access terminal, a current or target base station is able to reduce its search space (e.g., direction, frequency range, and/or time window) for the access terminal. Another feature provides for selectively and gradually increasing the power of a pilot signal originating from the access terminal during the handoff acquisition period to a target base station. By increasing the pilot signal power, the base station has a better chance of acquiring the signal and do so more quickly.
US07933598B1
Embodiments of the invention provide methods and apparatuses for effecting handover between the licensed and unlicensed portions of an integrated wireless network. For one embodiment, prior to hand out of a communication from the unlicensed wireless system (UWS), a cell identifier associated with a user terminal is changed from the cell identifier corresponding to the internet access point to the cell identifier corresponding to the unlicensed network controller. This allows the destination MSC of the licensed wireless system (LWS) to accept and fulfill a handover request from the UWS. In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention, after a hand in of a communication to the UWS, a cell identifier associated with the user terminal is changed from the cell identifier corresponding to the UNC to the cell identifier corresponding to the internet access point. This change allows providing location-based services to the UT being serviced by the UWS.
US07933597B2
A method of registering a network is applied to a mobile station. The mobile station has a first network module and a second network module. The first network module is for accessing a first network having a third network module. The second and third network modules are for accessing a wideband network. The method of registering the network includes the following steps. First, the second network module transmits an identification code to the third network module via the wideband network. Next, the first network stores the identification code. Finally, the first network notifies, via the first network module, the mobile station that registering succeeds.
US07933593B2
A CDMA data transmission system and method for periodically allocating channels to subscriber units, wherein prior to the beginning of any period all active subscriber units are identified that are in communication with the transmitter and for which there are data, exceeding a given minimal quantity, stored in a buffer. For each active subscriber unit one or more priority factors are calculated as a function of associated power levels; and on the basis of the priority factors, at least one channel is allocated to a corresponding active subscriber unit. The channel allocation is repeated in respect of any active subscriber units to which no channels have yet been allocated, subject to an availability of unallocated channels and subject to a limitation of maximum transmitter power.