US07960194B2
A method for manufacturing a reflective surface sub-assembly for a light-emitting device, comprising a substrate, at least one area reserved for placement of a light-emitting device assembly on the substrate, and a diffusive reflective layer applied on selected regions on the substrate, wherein if the light-emitting device assembly were placed onto the at least one area then the diffusive reflective layer would reflect photons emitted by the light-emitting device assembly is disclosed.
US07960191B2
The present invention provides a composite laser element that solves the problems encountered with a conventional laser medium composed of an Nd:YAG single crystal or polycrystal, and exhibits excellent performance as a laser medium. The invention relates to a laser element in which two or more crystal materials are joined, wherein (1) at least one of the crystal materials is a transparent crystal material capable of laser oscillation, including a laser active element in a matrix crystal, and (2) the transparent crystal material capable of laser oscillation and/or a second crystal body joined thereto is a polycrystal.
US07960176B2
A method and device for determining whether a product is in condition to be used or consumed, this product being intended to be preserved under temperature conditions and for a period of time which limit its degradation includes an indicator combined with the product, to provide a signal indicating that the product can be used or consumed, and then, after the expiration of a preservation period of time, a signal indicating a change in the condition of possible use or consumption of the product. The period of time depends on the preservation conditions of the product. The indicator provides information enabling the product to be used or consumed for a longer period of time if the product has been preserved under conditions better than recommended conditions or for a shorter period of time if the product has been preserved under conditions worse than recommended conditions.
US07960175B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide an immunodeficient animal capable of generating human-derived lymphoid cells, a human-derived lymphoid cell, and a method for producing a human antigen-specific antibody.The means for solving the aforementioned object is: an immature immunodeficient mammal into which human-derived hematopoietic precursor cells have been transplanted, and which is able to generate said human-derived hematopoietic cells or immunocompetent cells; and a method for producing a human-derived antibody, which is characterized in that it comprises recovering immunocompetent cells from the above-described mammal, culturing the immunocompetent cells, and collecting a human-derived antibody from the obtained culture product.
US07960172B2
A method and an apparatus are provided for aeration of organic material, wherein the organic material undergoes an aerobic composing process, such that air is caused to evenly penetrate the organic material. The organic material is first sealed in a vessel. Air is then delivered to the contents of the vessel such that an air pressure of from about 1 to about 1000 kPa above atmospheric pressure is maintained in the vessel. A pressure differential initially forms and is then allowed to equilibrate over a period of time, in which time air flows from areas of high pressure to areas of low pressure in the organic material thus ensuring that aeration is evenly distributed throughout the organic material.
US07960157B2
The present invention discloses novel blends of chimeric and non-chimeric thermostable DNA polymerases for use in PCR, DNA sequencing and mutagenesis protocols. The invention allows for PCR reactions with shorter extension times that will facilitate PCR amplification of genomic DNA templates and improve the efficacy of long PCR.
US07960141B2
The invention relates to compositions and methods for the in vivo production of polypeptides comprising one or more unnatural amino acids. Specifically, the invention provides plasmid systems for the efficient eubacterial expression of polypeptides comprising one or more unnatural amino acids at genetically-programmed positions.
US07960135B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for identification, sorting and enrichment of cells. In particular, the present invention provides compositions and methods for quantitation of cell motility by measurement of individual cell motility, and rapid isolation of cell populations, using fluorescent signal within single cells. Such compositions and methods find use in clinical, therapeutic and research settings.
US07960134B1
The present invention provides a c-Met inhibition model. The invention further provides a method to derive inhibition models for other kinases. The kinase inhibition models of the present invention can be used to design or screen for inhibitors for kinases.
US07960129B2
The present invention provides assays and methods for determining levels of STIM2 activity, thus providing tools for the characterization and study of the regulation of intracellular calcium levels.
US07960128B2
The present invention relates to the discovery, identification and characterization of a transient receptor potential channel, referred to herein as TRP8, which is expressed in taste receptor cells and associated with the perception of bitter and sweet taste. The invention encompasses TRP8 nucleotides, host cell expression systems, TRP8 proteins, fusion proteins, polypeptides and peptides, antibodies to the TRP8 protein, transgenic animals that express a TRP8 transgene, and recombinant “knock-out” animals that do not express TRP8. The invention further relates to methods for identifying modulators of the TRP8-mediated taste response and the use of such modulators to either inhibit or promote the perception of bitterness or sweetness. The modulators of TRP8 activity may be used as flavor enhancers in foods, beverages and pharmaceuticals.
US07960127B2
The present invention relates to the discovery, identification and characterization of a transient receptor potential channel, referred to herein as TRP8, which is expressed in taste receptor cells and associated with the perception of bitter and sweet taste. The invention encompasses TRP8 nucleotides, host cell expression systems, TRP8 proteins, fusion proteins, polypeptides and peptides, antibodies to the TRP8 protein, transgenic animals that express a TRP8 transgene, and recombinant “knock-out” animals that do not express TRP8. The invention further relates to methods for identifying modulators of the TRP8-mediated taste response and the use of such modulators to either inhibit or promote the perception of bitterness or sweetness. The modulators of TRP8 activity may be used as flavor enhancers in foods, beverages and pharmaceuticals.
US07960114B2
The present invention provides methods and compositions for predicting patient responses to cancer treatment using hypoxia gene signatures. These methods can comprise measuring in a biological sample from a patient the levels of gene expression of a group of the genes designated herein. The present invention also provides for microarrays that can detect expression from a group of genes.
US07960110B2
This invention provides methods of detecting melanoma. The methods comprises detecting a gain or loss of certain chromosomal regions that undergo copy number changes in melanoma.
US07960107B2
The present application identifies the involvement of the HIFβ-homologous Arntl2 gene in the control of type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes. Accordingly, the present invention provides a method of determining the susceptibility of a subject to developing insulin-dependent diabetes based on the expressing level of the Arntl2 gene. The present invention also provides a method for identifying compounds effective for treating or preventing insulin-dependent diabetes in a subject in need thereof and a method of treating or preventing insulin-dependent diabetes by administering an effective amount of compound identified by the identification method. The present invention also provides a method of enhancing protection against insulitis progression or autoimmune diabetes development in a subject in need thereof comprising, enhancing expression of the Arntl2 gene or modulating the expression of target genes thereof.
US07960101B2
Division arrested cells are used in screening assays to determine the effect of a substance of interest on the cells. The division arrested cells can be used in drug screening assays, signal transduction assays, and are especially useful in large scale, high throughput assays.
US07960074B2
A method of generating a photolithography patterning device for transferring a pattern formed in the patterning device onto a substrate utilizing a lithographic projection apparatus includes defining features within the pattern formed in the device, wherein the features have dimensions and orientations chosen to create a desired image on the substrate during pattern transfer; and adjusting the dimensions of the features to compensate the desired image for displacement and dimension errors introduced by the effective shadow angle of the radiation on the features during pattern transfer or correlated to the position of the features within the exposure slit during pattern transfer. A measurement device for determining the position of a target image on or proximate a substrate in a lithographic projection apparatus, wherein the target image is formed by features on a patterning device, includes a detector configured to measure the position of the target image on or proximate the substrate, wherein the detector compensates the measured position of the target image for displacement and dimension errors introduced by the effective shadow angle of the radiation on the features of the patterning device during pattern transfer or correlated to the position of the features within the exposure slit during pattern transfer. A lithographic apparatus includes a measurement device.
US07960069B2
In one aspect, there is disclosed a high temperature composite insulation assembly for a fuel cell that includes a core portion having inner and outer surfaces. A temperature stable sealant is disposed on the outer surface of the core portion forming a gas retaining mechanically robust insulation assembly. In another aspect, there is disclosed a high temperature composite insulation assembly for a fuel cell that includes a core portion having inner and outer surfaces, and a reinforcing material disposed on the outer surface of the core portion. A temperature stable sealant is disposed on the outer surface of the core portion forming a gas retaining mechanically robust insulation assembly. In another aspect, there is disclosed a high temperature composite insulation assembly for a fuel cell that includes a core portion having inner and outer surfaces and a high temperature refractory material disposed on the inner surface of the core portion. A reinforcing material is disposed on the outer surface of the core portion and a temperature stable sealant is disposed on the outer surface of a core portion forming a gas retaining mechanically robust insulation assembly.
US07960064B2
A catalytic combustion unit for a fuel cell system is provided. The catalytic combustion unit includes a reactor having a porous medium with a catalyst deposited thereon. The reactor is disposed adjacent a heat exchanger and adapted to receive an air stream and a hydrogen stream. The reactor is further adapted to promote an exothermic reaction and modulate a temperature of a fuel cell stack. A fuel cell system and method employing the catalytic combustion unit are also provided.
US07960053B2
The present invention aims to provide a sealed battery having superior performance due to favorable welding of a terminal of a seal cover and a current collector body provided below the seal cover, and a manufacturing method for the sealed battery. In the sealed battery, one of a positive-electrode plate and a negative-electrode plate is electrically connected, via a current collector body, to a terminal of a seal cover which seals an outer can. The current collector body is a single-piece plate member that has a main body and a tab extending from the main body. The tab passes through an insulating ring and bends back such that part of the insulating ring lies between a tip of the tab and the main body of the current collector body. The main body is resistance welded to the electrode assembly, and the bent back tab is resistance welded to the terminal.
US07960052B2
A battery module is provided with a plurality of batteries (10) joined in a straight-line configuration, insulating caps (30) that insulate the series connected batteries (10), and connecting hardware (20, 40) disposed between connected batteries (10) that connect those batteries in series. The insulating cap (30) has an outer insulating region (31) that covers outer surfaces of adjacent batteries (10) connected in series. The connecting hardware (20, 40) has a first welding section (21, 41) that is welded to the end-plane electrode (19) of one battery, a second welding section (22, 42) that is disposed outside the first welding section and is welded to the end-plane electrode of another battery (10), and welding terminals (23, 43) that are disposed outside the outer insulating region (31) of the insulating cap (30) at battery outer surfaces in a manner insulated by the outer insulating region (31).
US07960051B2
A holding member attached to outer peripheries of a plurality of adjacent cylindrical cell modules which are arranged parallel along axes thereof. Each cell module is formed by a plurality of unit cells serially connected, and the holding member is positioned in the middle of the cell modules along the axes thereof so that a gap is secured between the cell modules. The holding member has a plurality of circular holding portions for respectively holding the cell modules, wherein the holding portions are coupled with each other, and the coupled holding portions have a plurality of divided portions at which the coupled holding portions are divided into two holding bodies, each being fit over the cell modules; and a coupling device for coupling the divided portions positioned between adjacent two of the holding portions.
US07960048B2
An electrode assembly for a lithium ion secondary battery and a lithium ion secondary battery using the same are provided. In a sealing tape attached to the outer circumference of the electrode assembly in order to prevent the wound electrode assembly from being unwound, the sealing tape is formed of the material having an affinity for the electrolyte to absorb the electrolyte and to swell or the external or internal surface of the conventional sealing tape is coated with such a material so that, when the sealing tape is impregnated with the electrolyte, the sealing tape swells to attach the electrode assembly and the can to each other and to thus prevent the welding parts of the electrode tabs from being disconnected due to the rotation or floating of the electrode assembly.
US07960045B2
An aspect of the present invention relates to a magnetic recording medium comprising a coating layer on a nonmagnetic support, wherein the coating layer comprises a nonmagnetic layer comprising a nonmagnetic powder and a binder and a magnetic layer comprising a ferromagnetic powder and a binder in this order, the nonmagnetic support comprises a main component in the form of a resin obtained by mixing and/or copolymerizing a polyester and a polymer having compatibility with the polyester, has a glass transition temperature of equal to or higher than 80° C. but less than 125° C., and has a heat absorption peak, based on enthalpy relaxation, ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 J/g. Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium.
US07960038B2
The light emitting element includes a first electrode and a second electrode, between which a light emitting layer, a hole transporting layer provide in contact with the light emitting layer, an electron transporting layer provided in contact with the light emitting layer, and a mixed layer provided between the electron transporting layer and the second electrode. The mixed layer includes an electron transporting substance and a substance showing an electron donating property with respect to the electron transporting substance. The light emitting layer includes an organometallic complex represented in General Formula (1) and a host. R1 and R2 each represent an electron-withdrawing substituent group. R3 and R4 each represent any of hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. L represents any of a monoanionic ligand having a beta-diketone structure, a monoanionic bidentate chelating ligand having a carboxyl group, or a monoanionic bidentate chelating ligand having a phenolic hydroxyl group.
US07960034B2
Multi-ply composite cookware consisting of different metal combinations to include the beauty of copper on the exterior coupled with its excellent heat distribution/conductivity properties within the interior to provide thermally efficient, durable and cosmetically pleasing cookware. In several embodiments of the present invention, a layer of silver is also preferably employed in the interior thereof between adjacent aluminum layers to further improve thermal conductivity.
US07960033B2
A transparent conductive film which is amorphous, has a high transmittance of light in the visible region of short wavelengths, and is hard to beak with respect to bending is provided. The transparent conductive film is an amorphous oxide film composed of Ga, In, and O, in which a Ga content ranges from 35 at. % to 45 at. % with respect to all metallic atoms, a resistivity ranges 1.2×10−3 Ω·cm to 8.0×10−3 Ω·cm a film thickness is 500 nm or less, and a transmittance of light at a wavelength of 380 nm is 45% or more.
US07960030B2
A free-standing film comprising a cured organopolysiloxane resin obtained by conducting a cross-linking reaction between (A) an organopolysiloxane resin represented by the following average siloxane unit formula: [R1aR23-aSiO1/2]v[R3SiO3/2]w (1) or [R1aR23-aSiO1/2]x[R3SiO3/2]y[SiO4/2]z (2) (where R1 designates univalent hydrocarbon groups of one or more than one type selected from alkyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and univalent aromatic hydrocarbon groups having 6 to 8 carbon atoms; R2 designate alkenyl groups having 2 to 6 carbon atoms; R3 designates alkyl groups with 1 to 4 carbon atoms or univalent aromatic hydrocarbon groups having 6 to 8 carbon atoms; at least 50 mole % of R3 groups being phenyl groups; “a” is 0, 1, or 2; 0.8≦w<1.0 and v+w=1; 0
US07960025B2
The invention relates to nanoparticles of noble metals, having a controlled microstructure which leads to the appearance of ferromagnetic behaviour in said nanoparticles, thereby enabling the use of very small magnets (<5 nm) in a range in which standard ferromagnetic metals behave as superparamagnetic entitles (disappearance of hysteresis cycle). The inventive nanoparticles can be used, for example, to reduce the dimensions in magnetic recordings, as well as in biomedicine as tools for biomolecule recognition, nuclear magnetic resonance imaging, drug-release control or hypothermia treatments.
US07960019B2
An electronic assembly having a microelectronic die, a heat spreader and a heat sink. A first thermal interface material is disposed between the microelectronic die and the heat spreader. A second thermal interface material is disposed between the heat spreader and a heat sink. The first and second interface materials each comprising a phase change polymer, a solderable material and a plurality of thermally conductive non-fusible particles. The solderable material interconnecting the non-fusible particles to form a plurality of columnar structures within the phase change polymer.
US07960015B2
The present invention provides an optimized hard coating and a workpiece, especially a cutting tool coated with a hard coating to increase tooling performance with difficult to machine materials such as high speed steels, titanium alloys, nickel alloys, austenitic steels and especially hard materials like hardened tool steel having a hardness of higher 50, preferably of higher 55 HRC. This is achieved by a workpiece coated with a wear resistant multilayered comprising at least a first supporting layer and a second nanocrystalline layer, whereas the first layer comprises a coating material of the following composition (TiaAl1-a)N1-x-yCxOy with 0.4
US07960009B2
A porous ceramic substrate includes a first phase of microcracked cordierite ceramic material and a second phase of non-cordierite metal oxide particles dispersed in the cordierite ceramic, wherein at least a portion of the interface between the first and second phases is wetted by glass and the particles of the second phase have a size in the range of from about 0.1 to about 10 μm. A method for toughening a porous microcracked cordierite ceramic includes the steps of providing a cordierite batch composition; adding to the cordierite batch composition at least one non-cordierite forming metal oxide or metal oxide precursor; mixing the batch composition with a pore former, binder, and water into a paste; shaping the paste into a green body; firing the green body; and annealing the fired green body at a temperature below the firing temperature to form a toughened cordierite ceramic honeycomb having a second phase of crystallized non-cordierite particles dispersed within the cordierite ceramic, wherein at least a portion of the interface between the first and second phases is wetted by glass.
US07960008B2
A loop material for a hook and loop type fastener is a composite nonwoven. The composite nonwoven consists of a loop layer, a backing layer, and a plurality of bond regions. The loop layer may be a carded nonwoven of thermoplastic crimped staple fiber. The staple fiber may be between 1.5 to 6.0 dTEX. The loop layer may have a basis weight of between 10 and 35 g/m2. The backing layer may be a spunbond or spunmelt nonwoven having a basis weight of 5 to 30 g/m2. The loop layer may be superimposed face-to-face with the backing layer. The plurality of bond regions joins the loop layer to the backing layer and rendering said bond regions substantially air impermeable. The bond regions comprise between 35 to 55% of a surface area of the loop material.
US07960000B2
A cost-effective and minimally destructive apparatus and method for removing paint and other coatings from a surface. The apparatus comprises a tape having a masking material adapted to adhere to the surface and a stripper, wherein applying the masking material and the stripper can be performed in a single step.
US07959999B2
A stent is formed by encasing or encapsulating metallic rings in an inner polymeric layer and an outer polymeric layer. At least one polymer link connects adjacent metallic rings. The stent is drug loaded with one or more therapeutic agent or drug, for example, to reduce the likelihood of the development of restenosis in the coronary arteries. The inner and outer polymeric materials can be of the same polymer or different polymer to achieve different results, such as enhancing flexibility and providing a stent that is visible under MRI, computer tomography and x-ray fluoroscopy.
US07959987B2
A method and apparatus for depositing a material layer to treat and condition a substrate, such as a fuel cell part, is described. The method includes depositing a hydrophilic material layer on a portion of the surface of the substrate in a process chamber from a mixture of precursors of the hydrophilic material layer. In addition, the method includes reducing a fluid contact angle of the substrate surface. The hydrophilic material layer comprises a wet etch rate of less than about 0.03 Å/min in the presence of about 10 ppm of hydrofluoric acid in water. The material layer can be used to condition various parts of a fuel cell useful in applications to generate electricity.
US07959983B1
A system and method for applying a material, such as a polymer composition, to a substrate, the method comprising mixing the material with a heated carrier gas stream, spraying the material through a nozzle, and radiant and convective heating of the material during transport. Preferred embodiments of the system and method can be used to spray polyetherimides, polyimides, polyamides, thermoset resins (e.g., and epoxies, polyesters and silicones), liquid crystal polymers, compositions comprising a blowing agent, compositions comprising a binder, compositions comprising a metallized material, compositions that produce an open cell foam, and compositions that produce a closed cell foam.
US07959970B2
A system and method is provided for removing chamber residues from a plasma processing system in a dry cleaning process. The dry cleaning process includes introducing a process gas including a gas containing carbon and oxygen in a process chamber of the plasma processing system, generating a plasma from the process gas, exposing the chamber residue to the plasma in a dry cleaning process to form a volatile reaction product, and exhausting the reaction product from the process chamber. The plasma processing system may be monitored to determine status of the processing system, and based upon the status from the monitoring, the method includes either continuing the exposing and monitoring, or stopping the dry cleaning process. The dry cleaning process can be a waferless dry cleaning (WDC) process, or a substrate may present on the substrate holder in the process chamber during the dry cleaning process.
US07959959B2
Methods for producing meat products with a bone flavour, and the meat products so produced, are provided. In exemplary methods a cured bone is secured with a binding to a de-boned and cured piece of meat, such as a piece of ham. The bone can be the one removed from the de-boned piece of meat, or can be a substitute bone. The de-boned piece of meat and the bone can be cured together or cured separately with the same or different cures prior to being secured together. An exemplary meat product comprises a de-boned piece of meat having an exterior, a bone positioned against the exterior, and a binding that secures the bone to the exterior of the piece of meat.
US07959958B2
A cooling composition comprising at least one compound of the Formula I in which R is selected from the group of moieties consisting of (CH2)nCOOR″; (CH2)nCONMe2; (CH2)nOR″; and CHNH2CH3; where n is 1-3 and R″ is independently selected from hydrogen, methyl and ethyl; and R′ is selected from the group consisting of the moieties fenchyl, D-bornyl, L-bornyl, exo-norbornyl, 2-methylisobornyl, 2-ethylfenchyl, 2-methylbornyl, cis-pinan-2-yl, verbanyl and isobornyl. The compositions are useful in providing cooling sensations to the skin or mucous membranes of the body.
US07959949B2
The invention provides a composition comprising a plurality of nanoceria particles, a sufficient amount of at least one inhibitor of human carbonic anhydrase II associated with said plurality of nanoceria particles, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier containing said plurality of nanoceria particles with associated inhibitor. One preferred inhibitor of human carbonic anhydrase II comprises 4-carboxybenzene sulfonamide. The disclosed composition is useful in treatment of glaucoma.
US07959946B2
A pharmaceutical dosage form comprising a controlled release component comprising an antihyperglycemic drug in combination with a second component comprising a thiazolidinedione derivative is herein disclosed and described.
US07959940B2
Methods and devices relating to polymer-bioceramic composite implantable medical devices are disclosed.
US07959939B2
A laminate comprising a transparent collagen I type sheet and a human corneal endothelial cell culture layer provided on the sheet. An endothelial cell culture layer laminate usable in transplantation is provided.
US07959929B2
The subject invention pertains to isolated influenza virus that is capable of infecting canids and causing respiratory disease in the canid. The subject invention also pertains to compositions and methods for inducing an immune response against an influenza virus of the present invention. The subject invention also pertains to compositions and methods for identifying a virus of the invention and diagnosing infection of an animal with a virus of the invention.
US07959925B2
Compositions including a trimeric OX-40 fusion protein are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for enhancing the immune response of a mammal to an antigen by engaging the OX-40 receptor on the surface of T-cells involving administering to the mammal a composition comprising a trimeric OX-40 fusion protein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
US07959912B2
A probiotic composition comprising a Bifidobacterium strain which has DNA sequence homology of greater than 40% to Bifidobacterium GC56, wherein Bifidobacterium GC56 was deposited at the Collection Nationale de Cultures de Micro-organismes (CNCM, Institut Pasteur) on 9 Dec. 2004 with accession number CNCM 1-3342.
US07959909B2
The growth hormone supergene family comprises greater than 20 structurally related cytokines and growth factors. A general method is provided for creating site-specific, biologically active conjugates of these proteins. The method involves adding cysteine residues to non-essential regions of the proteins or substituting cysteine residues for non-essential amino acids in the proteins using site-directed mutagenesis and then covalently coupling a cysteine-reactive polymer or other type of cysteine-reactive moiety to the proteins via the added cysteine residue. Disclosed herein are preferred sites for adding cysteine residues or introducing cysteine substitutions into the proteins, and the proteins and protein derivatives produced thereby.
US07959908B2
Methods for treating mammals with infections, particularly viral infections using molecules that have an IL-21 functional activity are described. The molecules having IL-21 functional activities include polypeptides that have homology to the human IL-21 polypeptide sequence and proteins fused to a polypeptide with IL-21 functional activity. The molecules can be used as a monotherapy or in combination with other known antimicrobial or antiviral therapeutics.
US07959907B2
The invention relates to the treatment of cancer. More specifically the invention shows that the anti-cancer activity in mammals can be augmented by administering to the mammalian host a combination of a synergistically effective amount of TNF and alfa-galactosylceramide.
US07959900B2
Timed-bioresorbable particulates, particularly microspheres or fibers, may be used as a vehicle for delivery of radioisotopes, such as Y-90 and Pd-103 for localized radiotherapy, or as an embolic device. These particulates may also be embedded in polymers, or dispersed in injectable gels or other injectable media for the treatment of various cancers. The benefit of bioresorption, the ability to control the ratio of radioisotopes in the particulate, especially the gamma and beta ratios such as In-111/Y-90 ratio in a particulate, and the benefit of non-conductive implants are disclosed.
US07959897B2
This invention relates to a process and apparatus for the production of pure hydrogen by steam reforming. The process integrates the steam reforming and shift reaction to produce pure hydrogen with minimal production of CO and virtually no CO in the hydrogen stream, provides for CO2 capture for sequestration, employs a steam reforming membrane reactor, and is powered by heat from the convection section of a heater.
US07959891B2
The present invention provides a process for obtaining fullerene-like metal chalcogenide nanoparticles, comprising feeding a metal precursor selected from metal halide, metal carbonyl, organo-metallic compound and metal oxyhalide vapor into a reaction chamber towards a reaction zone to interact with a flow of at least one chalcogen material in gas phase, the temperature conditions in said reaction zone being such to enable the formation of the fullerene-like metal chalcogenide nanoparticles product. The present invention further provides novel IF metal chalcogenides nanoparticles with spherical shape and optionally having a very small or no hollow core exhibiting excellent tribological behaviour. The present invention further provides an apparatus for preparing various IF nanostructures.
US07959890B2
The invention relates to recycled rubber produced by a process comprising the steps of: a) shredding cleaned rubber tires into shreds less than 2″ long; b) pyrolyzing the shreds in a reaction chamber of a thermal processor in a first anaerobic environment to produce a char; c) drawing off volatile organics from the reaction chamber; c) removing the char from the reaction chamber; d) cooling the char in a second anaerobic environment; e) removing metal and textile components from the char to obtain pyrolytic carbon black; f) milling and sizing the pyrolytic carbon black so obtained into particles of 325 mesh size or smaller; and, g) utilizing the pyrolytic carbon black from the previous step in a polymerization process that produces said recycled rubber. It also relates to the high quality pyrolytic carbon black recovered from this process.
US07959881B2
The method for scrubbing an amine type extractant after stripping to be able to regenerate the same so that the amine type extractant can be repeatedly reused as it is in the extraction stage in the solvent extraction process, when an amine type extractant is regenerated by scrubbing an amine type extractant (A) containing an iron and a zinc chloro complex ion obtained by back extracting a cobalt with a hydrochloric acid aqueous solution from the amine type extractant after extracting a cobalt.The method is characterized by comprising the procedures of the following (1) to (3). (1) an amine type extractant (B) is obtained by adding an aqueous solution containing a sulfite ion to an amine type extractant (A) and stirring the mixture and reducing a ferric (III) chloro complex ion to divalent. (2) an amine type extractant (C) is obtained by adding an aqueous solution containing an oxidizing agent to the amine type extractant (B) and stirring the mixture and oxidizing a sulfite ion to sulfate ion. (3) an amine type extractant removed an iron and a zinc is obtained by adding an aqueous solution containing a chloride ion to the amine type extractant (C) and stirring the mixture and replacing a sulfate ion with chloride ion.
US07959878B2
The bottom of the cuvette comprises a curved raceway placed so as to guide the oscillating movement of a ball inserted into the cuvette. In addition, the cuvette comprises means of attachment, in two perpendicular directions, to adjacent unit cuvettes. The cuvettes can thus be stored as plates in a feed magazine of an analytical device. The analytical device comprises several stations placed around a rotary ring. Only where it is desired to determine the clotting time of the blood contained in the cuvette a ball is introduced into the latter, at a ball distribution post. The cuvette equipped in this way is then brought to a station where the test is carried out. The major advantage of the invention is the polyvalence of the cuvette and of the analytical device.
US07959877B2
Biological sampling apparatus have a barrel defining a chamber with a narrow passageway at one end and an absorbent analytical test means in the chamber. In one embodiment, an integral frit is provided with a first portion acting as a splash filter and located in the chamber, and a second portion integral with said first portion acting as a wick. The second portion extends through the narrow passageway. A portion of the splash filter is hydrophobic, and at least a portion of the wick is treated with a wetting agent and is hydrophilic. In another embodiment, a splash filter is located in the chamber and a separate hydrophilic wick is provided having a first portion located in the narrow passageway and a second portion located outside the passageway and barrel. The second portion has a bulbous portion capable of absorbing substantially more fluid sample than the first portion.
US07959874B2
A fluid-ejection device includes a handheld and/or mountable enclosure, a removable tip, a cap, a pneumatic fitting, and a controller. The removable tip has a fluid-ejection mechanism located at an end thereof. The cap is disposed on the end of the removable tip such that just the fluid-ejection mechanism is exposed through the cap. The pneumatic fitting extends from the enclosure and is receptive to placement of the removable tip thereon. The controller is situated within the enclosure to cause the removable tip to eject fluid.
US07959871B2
A disinfection apparatus for disinfection of objects, such as health care objects, is disclosed. The disinfection apparatus includes a disinfection chamber, and a channel system with at least one wash channel. The wash channel is arranged to transport a cleaning liquid to nozzles directed substantially transversely thereto to distribute cleaning liquid in the disinfection chamber. The wash channel, which supports the nozzles, has a releasable quick coupling which at least at one end engagingly cooperates with the rest of the channel system.
US07959861B2
Device and method for detecting the presence of known or unknown toxic agents in a fluid sample. Targets in the sample are bound to releasable receptors immobilized in a reaction region of a micro- or nano-fluidic device. The receptors are selected based on their affinity for classes of known toxic agents. The receptors are freed and the bound and unbound receptors separated based on differential electrokinetic mobilities while they travel to a detection device.
US07959850B2
Disclosed are a method and a device for blow forming containers (2). A parison (1) is stretched by means of a stretching rod (11) within a blow mold and molded into the container (2) by applying blow pressure following thermal conditioning. Pressurized gas is introduced into the container (2) through the stretching rod (11). The pressurized gas is laterally introduced from a pressure chamber into an interior space of the stretching rod (11). The stretching rod comprises at least one passage opening (53) between a tip (51) facing the blow mold and an end (52) of the stretching rod, which faces away from the blow mold. Said passage opening (53) extends into the interior space of the rod so as to deliver the pressurized gas.
US07959848B2
The present invention relates to methods for producing fibers made from one or more polymers or polymer composites, and to structures that can be produced from such fibers. In one embodiment, the fibers of the present invention are nanofibers. The present invention also relates to apparatus for producing fibers made from one or more polymers or polymer composites, and methods by which such fibers are made.
US07959840B2
A method of constructing a shaft seal assembly includes attaching a PTFE seal element to an outer metal case and disposing a bore of the PTFE seal element onto a mandrel. Then, heating the PTFE seal element while on the mandrel. Further, cooling the PTFE seal element while on the mandrel and, removing the shaft seal assembly from the mandrel. The resulting seal element provides a reliable seal against a running surface of a shaft in use, while at the same time producing low running torque against the running surface of the shaft. Further, a minimal axial push force is required to install the shaft seal assembly onto the shaft, thereby reducing the potential of damage to the seal element or inversion of the seal element during installation.
US07959837B2
A method of compacting material such as but not limited to cathode material for electrochemical cells. A mixture is inserted into a die cavity and the mixture is compacted into a disk shape by the action of a first plunger pressing down on the material and a second plunger pressing upwardly on the material. Flashing of material during ejection of the disk from the die is prevented by fitting a polymeric sleeve around the outer surface of the first plunger. The sleeve flexes to bulge outwardly and does not enter the die cavity during compaction of material and returns to its original position during ejection of the compacted disk from the die. Contact between the disk and sleeve prevents flashing during ejection. Alternatively, a polymeric seal ring is placed around the outer surface of the first plunger. The disk presses against the seal ring preventing flashing of material during ejection.
US07959834B2
The photostabilizing electronic excited state energy—particularly singlet state energy from a UV-absorbing molecule has been found to be readily transferred to (accepted by) α-cyanodiphenylacrylate compounds of formulas (I) and (V) having an alkoxy radical preferably in the four (para) position (hereinafter methoxycrylenes) on one or both of the phenyl rings: wherein at least one of R1 and R2 is a straight or branched chain C1-C12 alkoxy radical, preferably C1-C8, more preferably C1-C4, and most preferably methoxy, and any non-alkoxy radical R1 or R2 is hydrogen; and R3 is a straight or branched chain C1-C24 alkyl radical, preferably C12-C24, more preferably C20; wherein A and B are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of oxygen, amino and sulfur; R1 and R3 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of C1-C30 alkyl, C2-C30 alkylene, C2-C30 alkyne, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, C1-C30 substituted alkylene, C2-C30 substituted alkyne, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, substituted heteroaryl and substituted heterocycloalkyl; R2 is selected from the group consisting of C1-C30 alkyl, C2-C30 alkylene, C2C30 alkyne, C3-C8 cycloalkyl, C1-C30 substituted alkyl, C3-C8 substituted cycloalkyl, C1-C30 substituted alkylene, C2-C30 substituted alkyne; R4, R5, R6 and R7 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of C1-C30 alkoxy straight chin on branched and a, b, c and d are each either 0 or 1, and a, b, c and d add up to 1, 2, 3, or 4.
US07959830B2
This invention discloses novel nanocomposite material structures which are strong, highly conductive, and fatigue-resistant. It also discloses novel fabrication techniques to obtain such structures. The new nanocomposite materials comprise a high-conductivity base metal, such as copper, incorporating high-conductivity dispersoid particles that simultaneously minimize field enhancements, maintain good thermal conductivity, and enhance mechanical strength. The use of metal nanoparticles with electrical conductivity comparable to that of the base automatically removes the regions of higher RF field and enhanced current density. Additionally, conductive nanoparticles will reduce the surface's sensitivity to arc or sputtering damage. If the surface is sputtered away to uncover the nanoparticles, their properties will not be dramatically different from the base surface. Most importantly, the secondary electron emission coefficients of all materials in the nanocomposite are small and close to unity, whereas the previously used insulating particles can produce significant and undesirable electron multiplication.
US07959825B2
The present invention relates to compositions for use in refrigeration, air-conditioning, and heat pump systems wherein the composition comprises a fluoroolefin and at least one other component. The compositions of the present invention are useful in processes for producing cooling or heat, as heat transfer fluids, foam blowing agents, aerosol propellants, and fire suppression and fire extinguishing agents.
US07959814B2
The present invention provides a system and method for producing hot water without a flame. The system and method heats water to at least a specified temperature without a flame by providing a source of water and a prime mover, pumping water from the source of water into one or more heat exchangers, pre-heating the water using the one or more heat exchangers, heating the pre-heated water to at least the specified temperature without a flame using a dynamic heat generator driven by the prime mover, using the heated water in the one or more heat exchangers to pre-heat the water and providing the heated water to an output.
US07959813B2
Systems, apparatus and methods for treating a contaminated fluid stream are provided. The systems may include a treatment column fluidly interconnected to a regeneration column, the regeneration column being adapted to continuously receive solid spent media from the treatment column to continuously regenerate such solid spent media.
US07959808B2
The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for water filtration comprising contacting a water stream with a membrane comprising a polysulfone having structural units of Formula I wherein X is OH, NR1R2, or OR3; R1 and R2 are independently at each occurrence hydrogen, a C1-C5000 aliphatic radical, a C3-C12 cycloaliphatic radical, a C3-C12 aromatic radical, a polypeptide, a combination thereof, or R1 and R2 taken together form a 5- or 6-membered aliphatic ring or a 5-membered aromatic ring; R3 is a C1-C20 aliphatic radical, C3-C12 cycloaliphatic radical, C3-C12 aromatic radical, or a combination thereof; B′ and C′ are independently at each occurrence a nitro group, C1-C20 aliphatic radical, C3-C12 cycloaliphatic radical, C3-C12 aromatic radical, or a combination thereof; and q and r are independently at each occurrence 0 to 4. The present invention also relates to a method and apparatus for gas separation, the method comprising contacting a gas stream with a membrane comprising a polysulfone having structural units of Formula I.
US07959806B2
A new and improved method for treating mine influenced water (MIW) or other environmental contamination is disclosed. A number of electron donors are disclosed, including chitin complex-containing materials. The chitin complex-containing materials may modify the pH and reductive-oxidation potential of the contaminated media within the subsurface or within a treatment cell to facilitate metal removal through biological, chemical, and physical means, or a combination thereof. Bioremediation enhancing agents such as yeast products may also be used to facilitate microbial treatment of the contaminated sources. The yeast products may work with microbes to improve the rate of contaminant removal and promote microbial growth.
US07959795B2
The distillate catalytic hydrodesulfurization of hydrocarbon fuels wherein the optimum hydrogen treat gas rate to maximize desulfurization is determined and introduced into the reaction zone to maintain a controlled amount of hydrogen at the surface of the catalyst during hydrodesulfurization.
US07959792B2
A composition for promoting the oxidation of CO and minimizing NOx emissions during FCC processes comprises (i) acidic oxide support, (ii) at least one precious metal for promoting CO oxidation, and (iii) metals or metal oxides capable of reducing NOx production during CO oxidation, at least one precious metal (ii) being primarily distributed in the central interior of particulate additive and the metals or metal oxides (iii) being primarily distributed in the particulate additive as a shell around the precious metal.
US07959789B2
A method is provided, which includes moving a mobile floor cleaning device along a floor; electrochemically activating a liquid on the mobile floor cleaning device, and dispensing the electrochemically activated liquid from the mobile floor cleaning device.
US07959785B2
A hand-held spray apparatus is provided, which includes a tank for holding a supply of liquid to be treated and a functional generator carried by the hand-held spray apparatus. The functional generator receives the liquid from the tank and has an anode chamber and a cathode chamber separated by an ion exchange membrane and electrochemically activates the liquid that is passed through the functional generator. A spray output is coupled to an output of the functional generator and dispenses the electrochemically activated liquid as an output spray.
US07959780B2
A textured water-splitting membrane comprises an anion exchange layer abutting a cation exchange layer to form a heterogeneous water-splitting interface therebetween, and a textured surface having a pattern of texture features comprising spaced apart peaks and valleys. The membranes can also have an integral spacer on the membrane. A cartridge can be fabricated with a plurality of the membranes for use in an electrochemical cell. The electrochemical cell can be part of an electrochemical ion exchange system.
US07959768B2
The invention relates to a falling film evaporator, which is fitted with a liquid distributor which is divided into segments, such that it is possible to charge only a limited number of evaporator tubes with liquid and the evaporator can be operated in an optimum manner even with a partial load. The invention also relates to a method for operating said falling film evaporator, the aim of which is to transfer heat, which is released when a gas-vapor mixture is condensed, to a liquid which is to be evaporated at least partially. It would be useful to use said falling film evaporator thus fitted in heat recuperation systems such as those used in the production of 1,2 dichloroethane.
US07959766B2
Process for recovering cyclododecatriene (CDT) from a solution containing CDT and high boilers such as deactivated catalyst and polymers, which includes feeding the solution into a preheater and heating it, subsequently depressurizing it through a downstream pressure maintenance device and feeding the resulting two-phase mixture into a helical tube evaporator and there reducing the CDT content of the liquid phase by partial evaporation and discharging a gaseous product stream having an increased concentration of CDT.
US07959758B2
An article comprising at least one cured, liquid-impervious polymeric shell substantially free from defects, at least one liner, and a non-tacky, thermoplastic adhesive layer between the shell and the liner, wherein the adhesive layer is melted and solidified to create a non-tacky bond between the shell and the liner, which can be moisture-absorbing or cut-resistant, whereby the liner supports and limits stretch ability of the shell, thereby preventing adhesive delamination between the adhesive layer and either of the shell and/or the liner; a method for the manufacture of an article comprising a supported, polymeric shell, such as a glove, a gauntlet, an apron, or a boot, comprising providing a cured, liquid-impervious, polymeric shell, providing a knitted/woven liner, incorporating a non-tacky, thermoplastic adhesive layer between the shell and the liner, such as by hot-melt spraying, dry-powder spraying or fiber-coating, creating intimate contact between the shell, the adhesive layer, and the liner, subjecting the shell, the adhesive layer, and the liner to infrared radiation to melt the adhesive layer and create a bond between the shell and the liner, and cooling the shell; as well as other methods.
US07959751B2
A manufacturing method for producing a unitized composite material has been discovered. An assembly of loose fibers or fiber and fabric combinations is formed where at least one of the layered elements contains a bondable material such as a thermally sensitive bonding fiber. The un-bonded layered assembly is shaped into a wavy form having a repeating wave-like pattern of the desired amplitude and wavelength. The amplitude and wavelength of the repeating waves can be altered such as by changing the relative speeds of a transfer device and an oven wire and the height of the transfer device relative to the height of the oven wire using simple machinery control settings. The shaped assembly is subsequently bonded in an oven or other activation step preserving the wave-like shaping when cooled or removed from the activation effect.
US07959748B2
Disclosed herein are a method of manufacturing a Ni-based superalloy component for a gas turbine using a one-step process of hot isostatic pressing (HIP) and heat treatment, and a component manufactured by the method. In the method, an HIP process and a heat treatment process, which have been performed to manufacture or repair a Ni-based superalloy component for a gas turbine, are performed as a one-step process using an HIP apparatus. Thus, component defects, such as micropores and microcracks, which are generated when casting, welding, or brazing the Ni-based superalloy component for a gas turbine used for a combined cycle thermal power plant or airplane, can be cured using an HIP apparatus at high temperature and high pressure and, at the same time, the physical properties of the Ni-based superalloy component can be optimized using the heat treatment process.
US07959745B2
A high-strength steel pipe having a strength of API X65 grade or higher consisting essentially of, by mass %, 0.02 to 0.08% of C, 0.01 to 0.5% of Si, 0.5 to 1.8% of Mn, 0.01% or less of P, 0.002% or less of S, 0.01 to 0.7% of Al, 0.005 to 0.04% of Ti, 0.05 to 0.50% Mo, at least one element selected from 0.005 to 0.05% of Nb and 0.005 to 0.10% of V, and the balance being Fe, in which the volume percentage of the ferritic phase is 90% or higher, and complex carbides containing Ti, Mo, and at least one element selected from the group consisting of Nb and V are precipitated in the ferritic phase. The high-strength steel pipe has excellent HIC resistance and good toughness of a heat-affected zone, and can be manufactured stably at a low cost.
US07959742B2
An outer support body for a drawer-type dishwasher includes first and second U-shaped brackets. The first U-shaped bracket includes first and second leg members that are joined by a first cross member. Likewise, the second U-shaped bracket includes third and fourth leg members that are joined by a second cross member. The outer support body also includes side wall members that are secured to the first and third and second and fourth leg members respectively. A rear brace extends between and interconnects the side wall members at a position spaced from the second cross member. In addition, a drip pan is provided at a bottom portion of the outer support body between the side wall members.
US07959740B2
The polisher shuttle serves to polish the inside walls of cylindrical tubes, in particular tubes for medical use. It comprises radial projections that are flexible along the axial direction, suitable for polishing the inside walls of tubes merely by relative movement between the shuttle and the tube, the shuttle passing inside the tube. In a longitudinal section, the sections of the projections form a series of separate undulations that are long and thin in the radial direction. The polishing method made possible by the shuttle is particularly simple, since a single pass of the shuttle can suffice for performing polishing; the method is thus fast and easy to automate, e.g. in a polisher device of the invention.
US07959738B2
A method of removing a photoresist may include permeating supercritical carbon dioxide into the photoresist on a substrate having a conductive structure including a metal. The photoresist permeating the supercritical carbon dioxide may be easily removable. The photoresist permeating the supercritical carbon dioxide may be removed using a photoresist cleaning solution from the substrate. The photoresist cleaning solution may include an alkanolamine solution of about 8 percent by weight to about 20 percent by weight, a polar organic solution of about 25 percent by weight to about 40 percent by weight, a reducing agent of about 0.5 percent by weight to about 3 percent by weight with the remainder being water. The photoresist may be easily removed without damaging the conductive structure in a plasma process.
US07959737B2
A method for using a film formation apparatus for a semiconductor process includes a first cleaning process of removing by a first cleaning gas a by-product film from an inner surface of a reaction chamber of the film formation apparatus, while supplying the first cleaning gas into the reaction chamber, and setting an interior of the reaction chamber at a first temperature and a first pressure to activate the first cleaning gas. The method further includes a second cleaning process of then removing by a second cleaning gas a contaminant from the inner surface of the reaction chamber, while supplying the second cleaning gas into the reaction chamber, and setting the interior of the reaction chamber at a second temperature and a second pressure to activate the second cleaning gas. The second cleaning gas includes a chlorine-containing gas.
US07959736B2
A process (10) and apparatus (2) for extracting juice from a fibrous material. The process (10) comprises a step of feeding the fibrous material (13) into a receiving chamber (30) having a fluid contained therein. The fibrous material (13) is then combined with the fluid in the receiving chamber (30) to form a first fluid mixture. The first fluid mixture is then passed through at least one cell disruptor device (40) to facilitate at least partial release of juice from the fibrous material into the first fluid mixture, thereby forming a second fluid mixture having a relatively higher released juice content than said first fluid mixture with relatively finely disrupted fibrous material suspended therein. The second fluid mixture is then collected.
US07959734B2
A substrate mounting structure that can maintain the temperature uniformity of a substrate mounted on a mounting stage. The substrate mounting structure disposed in a pressure reduced space has a base portion, a pillar portion mounted in a standing manner on the base portion and having an internal space, and a mounting stage supported on the pillar portion and having a substrate mounted thereon. The mounting stage has a heating element that heats the mounted substrate, and a thermal breaking unit that mechanically breaks an electrical power supply line connected to the heating element depending on the temperature of the substrate. The pillar portion is comprised of a thin-walled cylinder. The thermal breaking unit is disposed on the pillar portion's internal space side in the mounting stage, and the pressure in the internal space is reduced.
US07959726B2
Blends of carbon black or other fillers is described. The blends of carbon black or other fillers are preferably pre-blended prior to introducing the blend into a product such as an elastomeric or polymeric product.
US07959722B2
A device for separating wet paint overspray from an exhaust air flow containing overspray particles is disclosed. The overspray particles pass into the exhaust air flow in an application region of a painting assembly and the device includes a separation device for separating the overspray from a part of the exhaust air flow, in which clogging of the separation device with wet paint overspray is substantially prevented during a cleaning operation and/or ingress of precoat material into the application region from the region of the separation device is substantially prevented during a precoating operation, the device includes at least one closing device, by means of which the flow path of the exhaust air flow from the application region to the separation device can be intermittently closed off at least partially, and at least one precoat feeding means discharges a precoat material into the exhaust air flow downstream of the closing device.
US07959718B2
A flotage trapping device has at least one plus electrode and at least one minus electrode. The plus electrode and minus electrode are alternately disposed. The electrodes trap the flotage floating in the air. Another flotage trapping device has at least one electrode of a single polarity and a space ion generating device for generatingions of polarity opposite to that of the electrode so as to form an ion space around or adjacent the electrode. A flotage repelling device has at least one electrode of a single polarity, and a space ion generating device for generating ions of the same polarity as that of the electrode so as to form an ion space around or adjacent of the electrode.
US07959717B2
An air conditioning system with an electrostatically atomizing function includes an electrostatically atomizing unit and a ventilation duct which flows conditioned air. The electrostatically atomizing unit generates a mist of charged minute water particles. The electrostatically atomizing unit is provided with a discharge port which locates adjacent to an air outlet of the ventilation duct. The mist of the charged minute water particles flows into an airflow which is sent from the ventilation duct. The mist of the charged minute water particles effectively spreads to the space by the air flow without dissipating inside the ventilation duct.
US07959711B2
A method of manufacturing such gas separation membrane system that includes applying to a surface of a porous substrate a layer of a nanopowder of a gas-selective metal and, thereafter, heat-treating the resultant surface treated porous substrate to yield a heat-treated and surface-treated porous substrate suitable for use as a gas separation membrane system.
US07959707B2
Aspects of the invention include methods for producing purified semiconductor or metallic materials. In one embodiment, the methods include admixing a particulate composition of a material, for instance, a metal, with a metal halide to produce a metal-metal halide admixture. The admixture is then heated to a temperature that is above the material's melting point in a container that is chemically and physically stable at that temperature. The molten admixture is allowed to segregate into a lower of the material and an layer of the metal halide and cooled. The metal halide is then separated from the material and a purified semiconductor or metallic material is thereby produced. Also provided are purified material crystals, shaped ingots and/or taper, sheet, or ribbons produced by such methods, as well as the silicon chips and solar panels in which such products are employed.
US07959706B2
A sintering compound containing a sinterable powder and a binder removable in a debinding step is injected into a metal mold set provided with a sintering compound injecting mold, in a sintering compound molding step (S104). An add-on forming compound which becomes removable or separable from the sintering compound injection molded body in the debinding step or the sintering step is injected into the metal mold set provided with an add-on mold in an add-on forming step (S102). The sintering compound injection molded body and the add-on are formed integrally with each other in the metal mold set. The integral formation of the add-on and the sintering compound injection molded body enables to prevent damage during release from the mold and make easy to handle the injection molded body.
US07959704B2
A porous fibrous honeycomb substrate having an aluminum titanate composition and methods of producing the same are provided herein. Precursors of aluminum titanate are provided in an extrudable mixture that includes fiber materials to form a green honeycomb substrate. When cured, the precursors of aluminum titanate form an aluminum titanate composition, with the fiber materials defining the porous microstructure. Various composite structures including aluminum titanate are provided to form a porous honeycomb substrate that can be configured to be filtration media and/or a catalytic host.
US07959697B2
A bulk loader including an air inlet, an air-particulates separating chamber in communication with the air inlet, an air outlet in communication with the air-particulates separating chamber, means for moving air and particulates into the air-particulates separating chamber, means for separating air from particulates positioned within the air-particulates separating chamber, means for removing air from the air-particulates separating chamber, an auger, the auger being in communication with the air-particulates separating chamber by way of an auger opening in the air-particulates separating chamber, and a screen positioned across a portion of the auger opening adapted to permit air to flow therethrough and adapted to prevent particulates from flowing therethrough.
US07959693B2
Compositions including an iron containing fuel additive and a solid carrier are disclosed. Methods of preparing tablet forms of the compositions are also disclosed. The iron containing fuel additive may be ferrocene and/or substituted ferrocene derivatives. The compositions are useful for handling and rapidly solvating the iron containing fuel additive in a fuel such as gasoline.
US07959690B1
Novel nano-sized rare earth metal oxide prepared from aqueous reverse micelles is provided. The engineered nanoparticles have large surface area to volume ratios, and sufficient oxygen vacancies on the surface of each particle, so that when mixed with carbon-containing combustible fuels, the particles remain suspended indefinitely; there is a significant reduction in soot and other by-products of combustion, an increase in engine efficiency and less fuel consumed per mile traveled in various vehicles, such as, but not limited to, automobiles, defense vehicles, airplanes, ships and other surface or air-bearing vehicles.
US07959687B2
The present disclosure relates to a hair dyeing process comprising dyeing the hair by applying to the hair at least one dyeing composition comprising at least one dye precursor; rinsing the hair; and post-treating the hair by applying to the hair at least one aqueous composition comprising at least 30% of water and at least 20% of at least one organic silicon compound chosen from the silanes that comprise one silicon atom and the siloxanes that comprise two or three silicon atoms, wherein the least one organic silicon compound also comprises at least one basic chemical functional group and at least one hydroxyl group or hydrolysable group per molecule.
US07959676B2
An intervertebral disc device is provided to support or repair one or both of the disc annulus and the disc nucleus. The intervertebral disc device includes an annulus support and an elongated member to support the disc nucleus. The disc annulus support has an elongated wire and an annulus closure. The disc nucleus has an elongated member that is expandable. Any of the devices can be loaded with biologics. Moreover, any of the devices may include a scarring factor to promote fibrous growth.
US07959672B2
Apparatus for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve, including: a replacement valve adapted to be delivered endovascularly to a vicinity of the heart valve; an expandable anchor adapted to be delivered endovascularly to the vicinity of the heart valve; and a lock mechanism configured to maintain a minimum amount of anchor expansion. The invention also includes a method for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve. In some embodiments the method includes the steps of: endovascularly delivering a replacement valve and an expandable anchor to a vicinity of the heart valve; expanding the anchor to a deployed configuration; and locking the anchor in the deployed configuration.
US07959668B2
In at least one embodiment, a stent comprises a plurality of interconnected framework members defining a plurality of cells. A portion of the interconnected framework members comprise a side branch structure defining an inner side branch cell that is shaped differently than other cells of the stent. The side branch structure comprises a first serpentine ring extending around the inner side branch cell. The first serpentine ring comprises alternating inner turns and outer turns connected by straight struts. The inner turns are distributed around a reference circle centered upon a side branch center point. The side branch structure further comprises a second serpentine ring extending around the first serpentine ring. The second serpentine ring comprises alternating inner turns and outer turns connected by straight struts. The second serpentine ring has the same number of inner turns and outer turns as the first serpentine ring. The side branch structure further comprises a plurality of inner side branch connectors, each inner side branch connector spanning between the first serpentine ring and the second serpentine ring in a side branch radial direction.
US07959664B2
A drug-coated stent and a method for fabricating the stent are disclosed. The stent has an originally flat pattern and connection points where the sides of the flat pattern are joined. The method includes the steps of a) cutting a stent pattern into a flat piece of metal thereby to produce a metal pattern, b) spraying the flat metal stent pattern with a polymer and a drug, c) deforming the metal pattern so as to cause two opposing sides to meet, and d) joining the two opposing sides at least at one point. Substantially no portion of the stent projects into the lumen of the stent when the stent is expanded against the internal wall of a blood vessel.
US07959661B2
A delivery system for delivering an endoluminal implant to a distal deployment location inside a body lumen from a proximal access location outside the lumen. The system includes the implant, a catheter, and a slidable sheath having an advanced position in which the sheath covers the implant and a retracted position in which the implant is exposed. The catheter includes a stabilizer having a distal end adjacent the implant proximal end and/or a catheter tip attached to a central core slideably disposed relative to the implant and having a proximal end adjacent the implant distal end. The catheter tip proximal end and/or the stabilizer distal end includes a docking section adapted to releasably engage a portion of the implant. Each docking section has an engagement geometry including a flared engagement surface that extends inside a short axial length of the implant or a pocket having a bottleneck geometry.
US07959647B2
A capture device for removal of clots and foreign bodies from vasculature or filtering of particulate from blood flow. The parachute-like capture device is connected to an elongate wire located within a longitudinally elongated tubular member. The invention provides a capture device that is radially expandable and a method for refolding the capture device into a reduced profile during contraction. Thereby, providing an atraumatic retraction of the capture device from within the vasculature.
US07959637B2
A system locates a femoral cutting guide on a distal end of a femur. The femoral cutting guide establishes at least a first reference plane to perform a distal femoral planar cut. The system generally includes a mounting rod operable to insert into the distal end of the femur. An index member is operable to abut the distal end of the femur. A bridge member extends from the index member. A cutting guide member extends from the bridge member. The cutting guide member includes a first channel that establishes the first reference plane. A mounting mechanism releasably couples the cutting guide member to the bridge member. The mounting mechanism is operable to generate a sliding resistance between the bridge member and the cutting guide member that is generally overcome to position the cutting guide member relative to the femur.
US07959634B2
The present invention provides instrumentation that facilitates access to both sides of the vertebral body from a single access point. More particularly, the present invention provides bendable access devices that can be steered so as to traverse the vertebral body from the point of entry into the vertebral body, through the cancellous bone within the vertebral body, and to the contralateral side of the vertebral body. This steerability is provided by forming the access device with a series of slots, grooves, or notches in the side of the access device near the distal end of the access device, which slots, grooves, or notches reduce the bending stiffness of the access device. As a result, the distal end of the access device bends as it is being advanced into the vertebral body.
US07959628B2
A tissue ablation device assembly ablates a region of tissue in a body of a patient. The tissue ablation device assembly comprises an elongated body having a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. A tubular porous membrane having a porous wall with an inner surface that defines an inner space is located along the distal end portion of the elongated body. An ablation element is disposed over the porous membrane, with the ablation element having a fixed position with respect to the porous membrane. A fluid passageway extending through the elongated body and communicates with the inner space. The fluid passageway is adapted to be fluidly coupled to a pressurizeable fluid source for delivering a volume of pressurized fluid from the fluid source to the inner space. The porous membrane allows at least a substantial portion of the volume of pressurized fluid to pass through the porous wall for enhancing ablative coupling between the electrode and the region of tissue.
US07959623B2
A pain management system for the infusion of drug to a wound site includes a pump connected to medical tubing which is connected to an improved infusion catheter for providing uniform delivery of fluid throughout an anatomical region. One method by which the infusion catheter is advanced to the wound site includes a guide needle that is placed within an introducer tubing. The needle is pierced through the patient's skin, after which the guide needle is withdrawn and discarded, leaving the introducer tubing in place partially under the patient's skin. The infusion catheter is then threaded through the introducer tubing and advanced to the wound site. The introducer tubing is then withdrawn and the infusion catheter remains in place to provide drug to the wound site. The introducer tubing is preferably peeled off of the infusion catheter and discarded. In accordance with one embodiment of the catheter, the catheter comprises an elongated tube with a plurality of exit holes along an infusion section of the catheter, and an elongated flexible porous member residing within the tube and forming an annular space between the tube and the member.
US07959619B2
Disposable hygiene pants with a front portion (2), a rear portion (3) and a crotch portion (4) provided with two leg openings (5, 6), the longitudinal edge portions (21, 22) of the front portion being connected by longitudinal weld seams (7, 8) to the longitudinal edge portions (31, 32) of the rear portion (3) in order to form a waist opening (9) and two leg openings (5, 6) in the crotch portion, which leg openings are outwardly delimited in the transverse direction by the inner end portions of the weld seams as seen in the longitudinal direction of the hygiene pants. The hygiene pants have an outer cover (10) and comprise an absorption unit (11). The cover is preferably made of an elastic laminate. The weld seams (7, 8) are each reinforced by at least one reinforcing strip (15, 16) containing thermoplastic fibers and have a tensile strength, in a direction transverse to the weld seam, in excess of 5 N/25.4 mm at least in the portions reinforced with said nonwoven strip (15, 16).
US07959618B2
A pant-shaped garment includes an outer panty having a length direction and a transverse direction and having a rear portion, a front portion, and a crotch portion. The garment includes a waist opening with a waist edge extending in the transverse direction and two leg openings each being bordered by a leg edge having a front part of the leg edge being located generally on the front portion and a rear part of the leg edge being located generally on the rear portion and on the crotch portion. The rear and front portions are mutually connected in two side joins running in the length direction from the waist opening to each leg opening. The front and rear portions of the outer panty substantially comprise an elastically extensible material. The rear part of each leg edge is curve-shaped and exhibits a concave curved segment located mainly on the rear portion.
US07959616B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a stretchable sleeve having a medicinal section that can be loaded with a medicinal composition and a perforated section comprising a plurality of openings, wherein the medicinal section and the perforated section overlap, and wherein the sleeve is sized so that the interior surface of the medicinal section comfortably fits a body portion and the medicinal section contacts the body portion at the site of pain. Embodiments of the invention also provide methods for preparing a sleeve by applying a medicinal composition to the inner surface of the medicinal section through the openings at the perforated section. Embodiments of the invention also provide methods for relieving pain in a body portion by pulling the sleeve in an outside-out configuration straight up a body portion without having to roll and flip its exterior surface outside.
US07959615B2
An access port for subcutaneous implantation is disclosed. Such an access port may comprise a body for capturing a septum for repeatedly inserting a needle therethrough into a cavity defined within the body. Further, the access port may include at least one feature structured and configured for identification of the access port subsequent to subcutaneous implantation. Methods of identifying a subcutaneously implanted access port are also disclosed. For example, a subcutaneously implanted access port may be provided and at least one feature of the subcutaneously implanted access port may be perceived. Further, the subcutaneously implanted access port may be identified in response to perceiving the at least one feature.
US07959614B2
A pressure actuated flow control valve for an infusion catheter permits gravity flow of a liquid through the catheter and into a patient while resisting back flow of blood from the patient and into the catheter. The valve has a hemispherical body with an outstanding circumferential flange and a normally closed, diametric slit. The slit is longer on the convex outer surface than on the concave inner surface. Dome thickness diminishes in the area adjacent the slit, reducing total apical deflection upon collapse of the slit toward the concave surface. An inner orthogonal rib biases the slit closed. Upon application of a predetermined pressure, the slit opens toward the concave surface to permit forward fluid flow. At lower pressures, the slit closes to check fluid flow. Greater reverse pressure is required to collapse the slit toward the concave surface to permit reverse fluid flow.
US07959607B2
A fluid delivery device is provided for delivering fluid to a target site such as an intervertebral disc during discography. The fluid delivery device includes pressure and volume sensors to determine the pressure and the volume of the fluid delivered to the intervertebral disc. The fluid delivery device is hand-held during use and includes a syringe assembly having a plunger with threads that enables controlled discharge of the fluid from the fluid delivery device by rotating the plunger in a housing of the fluid delivery device. The fluid delivery device may also include a communication module to wirelessly transfer data to an external device outside of a sterile field, while the fluid delivery device is in the sterile field. The fluid delivery device may also include a physiological sensor to monitor involuntary pain responses based on changing physiological parameters such as increases in body temperature or blood pressure.
US07959605B2
An angiographic injector system includes a manifold and valve which selectively connects either a syringe pump or a low pressure system to a catheter which is inserted into a patient. The valve is normally biased to a state which connects the low pressure system to the catheter for pressure monitoring, saline flushing, or aspirating functions. When an injection is to be made, the valve automatically switches so that the low pressure system is disconnected and not exposed to high pressure, while the syringe pump is connected through the manifold to the catheter.
US07959604B2
A suction regulator for controlling a level of negative pressure in a system in which compensatory clean airflow is used to isolate a control device for regulating suction delivered to a patient is disclosed. The regulator comprises an inlet; an outlet; a controller for controlling the suction delivered to the inlet; and a barrier for isolating the controller from the inlet.
US07959597B2
An irrigation and aspiration system is disclosed. The system can be configured to aspirate and irrigate alone, sequentially or concurrently. The system can be configured to aspirate and irrigate the nasal cavity. The system can be manually controlled. The system can have removable and easily cleanable reservoirs for aspirant and irrigant.
US07959596B2
An extracorporeal circuit, which makes it possible to efficiently collect priming solution by displacing the priming solution with blood after the priming solution is fed to the extracorporeal circuit to prime the extracorporeal circuit, includes a circuit body including first and second tubes, a feed bag that feeds the priming solution, a blood reservoir in which a liquid is temporarily stored, a third tube that branches out from the middle of the first tube, and a collection bag which communicates with the third tube and into which the priming solution is collected through the third tube. After the priming solution is fed from the feed bag to prime at least a housing, when the priming solution in the housing is displaced by blood, the priming solution in the housing is transferred and collected in the collection bag due to a height difference between the liquid level and the collection bag.
US07959594B2
Apparatuses, devices, systems and methods for detecting access disconnection are provided. In one embodiment, a medical fluid system includes (i) a medical fluid machine and (ii) a device operable with the medical fluid machine, the device configured to provide electrical contact with a medical fluid, the device including (a) a tube used during dialysis therapy through which the medical fluid can flow, and (b) a conductive element configured to self-sealingly pierce the tube, the conductive element having a first portion exposed to the medical fluid and a second portion external to the tube.
US07959593B2
A blood purification apparatus includes a blood circuit, a blood purifying device, a driving device, an air bubble detection device, and a connection condition evaluation device. The blood circuit is provided with arterial and venous blood circuits, to which needles are attached at ends thereof. The blood purifying device is connected between the arterial and venous circuits. In a blood purifying treatment after a priming operation, the driving device drives the blood in the arterial blood circuit in a forward direction, and drives the blood in the venous blood circuit in a reverse direction. The air bubble detection device detects air bubbles in a liquid flowing in the arterial and venous blood circuits. The connection condition evaluation device evaluates connection conditions of the needles to the ends of the arterial and venous blood circuits based on the detection by the air bubble detection device.
US07959592B2
A lightweight, flexible, aerating, compressive, thermal material. Perforations allow the treatment area to aerate. Thermal capacity of the invention allows for hot or cold treatment in a manner that compressively supports the object undergoing thermal treatment while maintaining maximum mobility. The material is made from an elastomer such as polyurethane with the addition of silicon and vegetable oil. Resin is used to color the product.
US07959591B2
An elongate flexible strap is adapted to be wrapped about a wearer's leg and pelvic region. The strap applies a torque to the leg, rotating the leg into a desired degree of external rotation. In a leg having an improperly aligned patella, it is believed that the external rotation improves lower extremity mechanics by aligning the patella within the trochlear groove.
US07959579B2
A measuring device for medical applications in at least one example embodiment includes a first part provided with measuring means for measuring data of a patient, and a second part provided with communication means for sending the data. In at least one example embodiment, the second part is releasably connected to the first part.
US07959570B2
A system for measuring intraocular pressure (IOP) of an eye, comprising a plurality of force sensors that are adapted to contact a surface of an eye, means for measuring the forces exerted on the force sensors when in contact with the eye surface, and processing means that is adapted to receive the measured forces and determine IOP of the eye as a function of the measured forces.
US07959564B2
To avoid traditional muscle dissection required in the placement of a surgical implant during arthrodesis, a pedicle seeker and retractor are provided. The pedicle seeker includes a distal end that approximates the size, shape and length of a surgical implant and is of sufficient length to extend beyond the face of the retractor, allowing the pedicle seeker to be removed from the surgical site once the retractor has been placed. The pedicle seeker is used to palpate the bony surface of the patient's spine in order to locate the proper place to place an implant. After the desired location has been located, the retractor is placed into the surgical site and held in place in order to maintain the desired location for placement of the surgical implant, and the seeker is removed. The retractor includes surficial features that approximate the size of the pedicle seeker and the surgical implant, to allow the implant to be moved down the length of the face of the retractor to the desired location. The retractor therefore provides a guide for the desired implant to be to the desired location and is configured to retract as the implant is advanced into position. The pedicle seeker and retractor of the present invention thus allow for accurate, protected placement of a surgical implant without the use of a retractor insert, or similar article.
US07959559B2
The present invention includes a first balloon member having a first hollow portion that allows an insertion portion of the endoscope to pass therethrough; a first transmission member that transmits an advance/retreat action performed by an operator to the first balloon member; a second balloon member having a second hollow portion that allows the insertion portion of the endoscope to pass therethrough; a second transmission member that transmits an advance/retreat action performed by an operator to the second balloon member; and a control portion that controls supply and exhaust of fluid to and from the inside of the first balloon member and the second balloon member to expand or contract the first balloon member and the second balloon member.
US07959552B2
An implantable device comprising: a stepper motor; a moveable member, moveable by the stepper motor; and an oscillator, wherein the oscillator is influenced by a signal derived from or supplied to the stepper motor to enable information on the moveable member to be fedback to an external controller by passive telemetry.
US07959540B2
Systems and methods for facilitating an isometric contraction exercise regimen for many subjects across a network are provided. One or more exercise constraints are developed for a subject as a function of the medical health information of the subject. The subject performs a plurality of isometric contraction exercises using exercise equipment always in the presence of a personal fitness trainer thereby producing an exercise result. The exercise equipment has a strain gauge in order to impose exercise constraints in the one or more exercise constraints. A mandatory recovery period for the subject is then imposed. During this mandatory recovery period, the subject does not perform isometric constraints exercises. These steps are repeated using a new set of one or more exercise constraints that were refined based upon the exercise result of a previous isometric contraction exercise work out session.
US07959533B2
Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for continuously variable transmissions (CVT). In one embodiment, a main axle is adapted to receive a shift rod that cooperates with a shift rod nut to actuate a ratio change in a CVT. In another embodiment, an axial force generating mechanism can include a torsion spring, a traction ring adapted to receive the torsion spring, and a roller cage retainer configured to cooperate with the traction ring to house the torsion spring. Various inventive idler-and-shift-cam assemblies can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of a CVT. Embodiments of a hub shell and a hub cover are adapted to house components of a CVT and, in some embodiments, to cooperate with other components of the CVT to support operation and/or functionality of the CVT. Among other things, shift control interfaces and braking features for a CVT are disclosed.
US07959530B2
The invention relates to an elastomeric product which contains a radical cross-linked rubber mixture, especially drive belts. For the production of elastomeric products, especially drive belts, having a long service life and producible in an environmentally friendly way, the rubber mixture contains (a) 0.1 to 50 phr of at least one carboxylic acid, which is at least α,β unsaturated and γ,δ unsaturated and preferably has at least one allylic hydrogen atom; and, (b) 0.1 to 50 phr of at least one salt-former as co-activator.
US07959502B2
A system and method are provided for playing a game of chance. The game of chance may include, for example, a lottery-type game. A result of the game of chance is revealed to a player in another medium. In one example, the result is revealed during multiple game instances of one or more online games. In one example, the online game includes a poker game. In another example, the poker game is coupled with a second level game in which the result is revealed. In a specific example, the second level game is a slot machine game.
US07959497B2
A hand-held power tool includes a drive spindle (2) rotatable about a rotational axis (A), a clamping flange (3) provided at a free end of the drive spindle (2) and having at least one inner thread (12) that in a mounted condition of the clamping flange (3) on the drive spindle (2), engages in a thread undercut (13) of the clamping flange (2), a locking pin likewise provided at the free end of the drive spindle (2) and having a locking thread (4), and a locking nut (7) tightenable on the locking thread (4) for securing a disc-shaped tool (5) between the clamping flange (3) and the clamping surface (6) of the locking nut (7), with the clamping flange (3) having in its axial region between the disc-shaped tool (5) and an inner recess (8) of the locking nut (7) in which the centering collar (9) of the clamping flange (3) can be partially received at least one radial, outwardly projecting nose (10), and with the disc-shaped tool (5) having at least one, opening radially inwardly and axially extending groove (11) associated with the at least one nose (10) of the clamping flange.
US07959496B2
A flexible membrane assembly for a wafer carrier in a CMP system. The flexible membrane assemble has a flat, flexible membrane joined to a rigid cylindrical sidewall.
US07959485B2
A play and/or exercise hoop for hip gyration is formed of a tube formed into a circle, the tube having a cross-section with a flat outwardly facing wall suitable for accepting a decorative strip adhered thereto. The cross-sectional shape of the tube is D-shaped.
US07959482B2
A manufacturing method for an ignition plug is provided. The method includes: preparing an insulator having a cavity provided at a leading end portion thereof by disposing a leading end of the center electrode more inwards than a leading end of the insulator; building the insulator in an interior of the metal shell such that the leading end of the insulator is situated closer to a rear end side than the leading end of the metal shell; removing at least part of a leading end portion of the metal shell which projects from a leading end face of the insulator; and disposing the ground electrode at the leading end portion of the metal shell and welding the ground electrode and the metal shell together after the removal step.
US07959481B1
A safety device for a tow handle such as might be used for waterskiing, wakeboarding, kite-boarding, etc. One embodiment of the safety device provides a thin, flat panel (30) made of semi-rigid material and having pressure relief holes (32) and attachment holes (31). In addition, a handle attachment link (34) attaches said panel to the cross bar (41) of the tow handle providing additional support. Other embodiments are described and shown.
US07959480B2
A mooring system comprising a submerged buoy releasably connected to a vessel adjacent its keel by a structural connector. The structural connector consists of a cylindrical sleeve coaxially movable with respect to a cylindrical housing by circumferential actuators. The lower ends of the connector sleeve and connector housing capture a number of collet segments circumpositioned therebetween that radially pivot in and out as the connector sleeve is moved axially within the connector housing. The lower ends of the collet segments extend downward to a connector hub on the buoy and releasably engage a groove therein, dogging the bearing hub against the vessel. A combined bearing assembly that supports both axial and radial loading revolvably connects the buoy to a moored chain table.
US07959472B1
An audio jack connector adapted for receiving an audio plug connector with a tip end includes an insulating housing and a contact terminal. The insulating housing defines a plug insertion hole from a front end to a rear end thereof and a recess communicating with the plug insertion hole. The contact terminal has a connecting portion received in a rear of the recess. Two opposite ends of the connecting portion are extended downward to form first and second holding arms. Portions of the holding arms extend along the axis of the plug insertion hole to form first and second locating boards. Edges of the locating boards extend towards each other and are bent along the axis of the plug insertion hole to form first and second elastic arms. First and second contact portions are protruded into the plug insertion hole from free ends of the elastic arms.
US07959468B2
A shielding connector has shielding electric wires (10) and a terminal fitting (20) mounted on an end of each of the shielding electric wires (10). The connector also has a housing (30) made of synthetic resin and configured to fit in a mounting hole (62) in a case (60). Terminal insertion chambers (32) are provided inside the housing (30) and receive the terminal fittings (20). A rubber stopper (37) is fitted on an entrance (36) of each of the terminal insertion chambers (32). A metal shielding shell (50) is mounted to cover a rear surface of the housing (30) and has a mounting plate (57) to be fixed to the case (60). Connection tubes (53) project on a rear surface of the shielding shell (50) and communicate with the terminal insertion chambers (32). Braided wires (13) of the shielding electric wires (10) can be connected the connection tubes (53).
US07959466B2
An electrical connector includes an insulating body, a plurality of terminals, a plurality of shielding layers, and a plurality of insulating layers. The insulating body has a plurality of terminal-receiving holes. The shielding layers are mounted on the terminal-receiving holes. The insulating layers are mounted on the shielding layers, and the terminals are disposed in the terminal-receiving holes. Thereby, the insulating layers prevent EMI between terminals and ensure the terminals do not contact the shielding layers.
US07959456B2
A connector (10) to be mounted in a metallic transmission case (C) has a base housing (20). Terminal fittings (40) have a wire connecting portion (41) and a terminal connecting portion (42) arranged in an L-shape. The terminal connecting portions (42) are inserted through the base housing (20) and the wire connecting portions (41) are arranged side by side on the base housing (20). A cover housing (30) is assembled with the base housing (20) to cover the wire connecting portions (41). Lock projections (22) and lock pieces (31) lock the cover housing (30) and the base housing (20) together. A wall (33) projects from the cover housing (30) toward the base housing (20) between adjacent wire connecting portions (41); and a groove (26) is provided in the base housing (20) at a position corresponding to the wall (33) and into which the wall (33) is press-fit.
US07959451B2
A connector is provided with a first housing (10) including a lever 30 rotatably mounted about supporting shaft bearings (34), and a second housing 60 including cam followers (63) engageable with cam grooves 41 of the lever 30 and to be connected with the first housing (10) by a cam action displayed between the cam grooves (41) and the cam followers (63) as the lever (30) is rotated. The second housing (60) includes posture correcting pins (66) at the opposite sides of the cam followers (63). The lever (30) is formed with posture correcting grooves (45) engageable with the posture correcting pins (66) in a rotating process thereof and extending along arcs centered on the supporting shaft bearings (34).
US07959442B2
A multi-sensory teaching kit includes one or more edible items in symbolic shapes, a handbook including a glossary of meanings for the shapes, and a spiritual lesson. In some embodiments, a souvenir such as a jewelry bead is provided, with an optional text explaining the significance of the souvenir. A method of production of a multi-sensory teaching kit is provided, comprising, forming a cookie into a symbolic shape, writing a handbook including a glossary of meanings of the symbolic shapes, printing a lesson on a spiritual principle, optionally providing a souvenir, and optionally enclosing the cookie, handbook, lesson, and optional souvenir in a container.
US07959428B2
A device for blowing, with the aid of a pressurized fluid, containers from thermoplastic blanks closed in a blow mold including a nozzle whose end is functionally and sealingly connected to the neck of the blank and includes several solenoid valves for selectively connecting the nozzle to the source of a moderately pressurized pre-blowing fluid, to the source of a highly-pressurized blowing fluid and to an exhaust for discharging the pre-blowing/blowing fluid, respectively. The inventive device also includes a body which is mechanically associated with the nozzle, incorporates at least one reception area for receiving a solenoid valve and is selectively connectable to the nozzle.
US07959423B2
A vacuum pump includes a quick-rotatable component a bearing for supporting the quick-rotatable component and a lubricant pump for feeding lubricant to the bearing and having a rotor, with the bearing and the lubricant pump forming parts of a closed lubrication circuit having a hollow axle on which the rotor of the lubricant pump is rotatably supported.
US07959419B2
A cooling system for an electric device such as a personal computer is disclosed. The cooling system includes a receiving assembly and a removable fan assembly. The receiving assembly has a first component of a bayonet lock and first electrical contact, while the fan assembly has a fan blade, a motor for the fan blade, a second component of the bayonet lock, and a second electrical contact. The first and second electrical contacts are situated with radial respect to each other such that turning the fan assembly to engage the bayonet lock forces an electrical connection between the first and second electrical contacts.
US07959417B1
The hydraulic engine includes first and second reaction chambers, the first and second reaction chambers each having an enclosure within which is disposed a floating piston. An impulse turbine is in fluid communication with the first and second reaction chambers. A delay valve is in fluid communication with the first and second reaction chambers and the impulse turbine, the delay valve operable to switch between a first position and a second position, the first position providing a flow of pressurized fluid to the first reaction chamber to cause an explosion therein and the second position providing a flow of pressurized fluid to the second reaction chamber to cause an explosion therein. Successive explosions in the first and second reaction chambers provide flows of high pressure fluid to drive the impulse turbine and to switch the delay valve.
US07959412B2
A rotor blade for a wind turbine is provided, the rotor blade comprising an acoustically porous surface layer at least partially covering at least one surface of the rotor blade, at least one reactive acoustic element located below said acoustically porous surface layer, and a resistive acoustic layer located between said acoustically porous surface layer and said at least one reactive acoustic element.
US07959409B2
Methods are provided for repairing a vane assembly, where the vane assembly includes an inner annular housing, an outer annular housing, and a vane extending therebetween. In one embodiment, the method includes removing an identified section of the vane to thereby form a pocket in an inner surface of the outer annular housing, a slot through the inner annular housing, and an edge on the vane, inserting a replacement vane portion with an advanced coating through the formed slot such that a first edge of the replacement vane portion is disposed in the pocket and at least a portion of the first edge is spaced apart from at least a portion of the outer annular housing inner surface, and welding a section of the replacement vane portion to the annular inner annular housing. The repaired vane assembly is also provided.
US07959404B2
A wind turbine for generating electricity has been developed. The turbine includes a housing for securement to a support. A wheel is mounted within the housing and is rotatable about a horizontal axis. The wheel has an axle assembly and a number of blade assemblies affixed thereto. Each of the blade assemblies has a frame with a spaced-apart pair of uprights and a crosspiece connecting the uprights. Each of the blade assemblies also having a pair of movable blades positioned within the frame with each of the blades being hingedly fastened to a respective one of the uprights. A brake actuator assembly is associated with each of the blades for relieving pressure imparted by strong winds on the blades. A brake operator assembly, disposed principally within said axle assembly, synchronizes the movement of the blades. An electrical current generator is connected to the wheel so as to be powered thereby.
US07959403B2
Methods and systems are provided for handling materials, including materials used in semiconductor manufacturing systems. The methods and systems include linear semiconductor processing facilities for vacuum-based semiconductor processing and handling, as well as linkable or extensible semiconductor processing facilities that can be flexibly configured to meet a variety of constraints.
US07959390B2
A vehicle trunk organizer includes at least two elongated, generally parallel strut members and at least two elongated, generally parallel cross-piece members. Each strut member comprises at least one longitudinal opening formed therein, and each cross-piece member comprises at least one elongated beam member which extends through the opening in each strut member. The beam members are pivotally connected to the strut members to enable the trunk organizer to be collapsed from an unfolded state to a folded state. In the unfolded state the trunk organizer comprises a generally rectangular lattice configuration which defines a number of individual compartments within which items to be transported may be placed.
US07959381B2
A thread milling tool includes a proximal shank portion and a distal cutting portion. The cutting portion includes at least one thread milling tooth and at least one flute oriented helically, or spirally, about a central rotational axis of the tool. The cutting portion may be configured to form internal or external threads in a workpiece as the cutting portion moves relative to the workpiece. The teeth of the thread milling tool have a negative taper angle or back taper to offset deflection of the tool during milling operations.
US07959377B2
This invention provides a method of preparing a foundation structure including the steps of forming foundation trenches in the ground; and heating the ground defining the trenches sufficiently to irreversibly change the properties of the ground defining the trenches. In the case where the ground consists primarily of clay, it is heated to a temperature above a level where the ground is baked into a brick-like consistency, wherein the structural water of crystallisation is removed and any carbonaceous material and Fe is oxidised. If the ground consists primarily of sand, it is heated to a temperature above its vitrification point wherein mullite (AI6Si2O13) begins to form. The method includes the further step of pre-treating the ground by adding an additive such as potash or slaked lime to the soil, prior to the step of heating.
US07959371B2
A hole-saw assembly including a hole-saw having at one end a plurality of cutting teeth and at the other end two shafts. The assembly includes a mandrel coaxially aligned with said hole-saw and including a body having two bores therethrough coaxially aligned with said shafts. An annulus located on top of the body is coaxially aligned with said mandrel and hole-saw and includes two holes, the annulus rotatable around its longitudinal axis from a first to a second position. In the first position, the annulus holes are aligned with the bores and shafts allowing the shafts to be freely insertable and removable and in the second position the holes are misaligned to lock the shafts to the annulus. Such an arrangement allows the hole-saw and the mandrel to be easily and quickly mountable and demountable.
US07959369B2
A device, applicator and a cosmetic non-therapeutic method of treating at least one area of the human body. The device includes a composition held in a container or a substrate and an applicator configured to apply the composition. The applicator includes an application surface that includes an application surface material with at least one of a thermal inertia of at least 1,000 Jm−2K−1s−1/2 and a thermal conductivity greater than or equal to 1 Wm−1K−1. The method includes providing an applicator, cooling the applicator to a temperature below or equal to 15° C., and loading the cooled applicator with a cosmetic composition at a temperature closer to an ambient temperature than that of the applicator, and applying the composition using the applicator, or before or after the cooling, applying a cosmetic composition, and after the cooling, bringing the cooled applicator into contact with the area to be treated.
US07959360B2
An antifriction bearing of the roller type for a pulling system of weaving loom including two end plates secured to the inner race and positioned respectively and axially close to each flank of the rollers, end plates lying radially beyond the raceways and the end plates and the inner race being intended to be mounted between two lateral flanges. At least one end plate has a shape defining at least one cavity adjoining all or part of a flank of the rollers and able to accept a lubricant. The inner race has two lateral shoulders each one defining an axial bearing surface for each flange, and a width of the inner race with its lateral shoulders is substantially equal to a distance separating the outermost axial faces of the end plates.
US07959357B2
A fluid dynamic bearing motor is described. In one embodiment, the fluid dynamic bearing motor includes a base that has a bore hole and a liner secured within the bore hole. The fluid dynamic bearing motor also includes a rotor assembly that has a shaft, which is partially disposed within the liner and configured to rotate relative to the liner. A fluid dynamic bearing is disposed between the liner and the shaft to support this relative rotation.
US07959352B2
Winding crown for a timepiece, said crown (32) including an uncoupling mechanism (1) comprising a rigid drive ring (4, 400) secured to the crown (32) and cooperating with at least one elastically deformable element (2; 200) secured to a pipe (12) to one end of which a winding stem is secured, the rigid ring (4; 400) driving the deformable elastic element (2; 200) in at least one rotational direction until the resistant torque opposed by said elastic element (2; 200) exceeds a threshold value beyond which said elastic element (2; 200) is deformed so as to interrupt the drive connection thereof with the rigid ring (4; 400), the elastically deformable element (2; 200) therefore having means for temporary coupling said element to said rigid drive ring (4; 400), the crown (32)) being characterized in that the elastically deformable element (2; 200) includes means for centring said element relative to the rigid drive ring (4; 400).
US07959348B2
An improved canister assembly for a multi-fluid dispenser is shown and described. The canister assembly comprises an annular outer shell with an outer cylindrical wall connected to a bottom which, in turn, is connected to an inner cylindrical wall that serves as a standpipe. The bottom includes an outlet connected to a pump A hollow agitator shaft slides over the inner standpipe and includes a plurality of outwardly extending blades for stirring or “agitating” the fluid. An annular screen element is disposed below the bottom end of the agitator shaft. Beneath the annular screen element is a lower agitator blade element The lower blade element and the lower end of the agitator shaft are snap-fitted together with the annular screen element sandwiched therebetween. The screen element includes a cylindrical shell with the annular screen disposed upwards from the lower end of the cylindrical shell so that the screen is spaced above the bottom wall and to make room for the lower blade element. Blades disposed on the lower end of the agitator shaft scrape or brush a top surface of the annular screen and the blades of the lower blade element scrape or brush a bottom surface of the annular screen. Sufficient space is provided between annular screen and the bottom outlet to prevent clogging. A deflector cap is provided for a top end of the hollow agitator shaft to prevent spillage of fluid material through the agitator shaft when the canister is refilled. The deflector cap can also be snap-fitted to the agitator shaft. A centralizer is also provided for holding the agitator shaft in place during refilling of the canister.
US07959339B2
An illumination apparatus includes a light source which generates heat when emitting an illumination light from a light-emitting surface, a light guide bundle which has a light-receiving surface opposed to the light-emitting surface of the light source, to receive the illumination light emitted from the light-emitting surface of the light source, and guides the illumination light from the light source received by the light-receiving surface, and a light guide connector which has an end face arranged along the light guide bundle and opposed to the light-emitting surface of the light source, and a contact part in which at least a part of the end face directly contacts the light-emitting surface, and absorbs the heat generated on the light-emitting surface of the light source.
US07959335B1
A portable fishing light has a base housing, a mounting element adapted for removably mounting the base housing on the boat, and a light wand having a white light source and a UV light source. A flexible control arm adjustably mounts the light wand to the base housing so that the light wand can be adjustably positioned relative to the base housing.
US07959332B2
A recessed light fixture includes an LED module, which includes a single LED package that is configured to generate all light emitted by the recessed light fixture. For example, the LED package can include multiple LEDs mounted to a common substrate. The LED package can be coupled to a heat sink for dissipating heat from the LEDs. The heat sink can include a core member from which fins extend. Each fin can include one or more straight and/or curved portions. A reflector housing may be coupled to the heat sink and configured to receive a reflector. The reflector can have any geometry, such as a bell-shaped geometry including two radii of curvature that join together at an inflection point. An optic coupler can be coupled to the reflector housing and configured to cover electrical connections at the substrate and to guide light emitted by the LED package.
US07959330B2
A power LED lighting assembly includes power LEDs (each 1 watt, for example) mounted on a small circuit board of aluminum. To promote air ventilation, the LED circuit board is provided with air openings to communicate with the heat sink. A heat sink enclosure for accommodating the heat sink is also provided with air openings to communicate with the surrounding atmosphere. A micro fan is fixed above the heat sink for forced air ventilation. A temperature sensor is also installed to sense abnormal temperature increases in the assembly to adjust or reduce the volume of light and protect LEDs against abnormally high temperature. The micro fan is turned on for heat release automatically on a temperature increase.
US07959329B2
Lighting devices which comprise a connector portion, a light emitter, a casing and a heat transfer component. At least a first portion of the heat transfer component which is in contact with the casing is spaced farther from an axis of the connector portion than a second portion of the heat transfer component. Also, fixtures comprising a housing, a socket and at least one heat transfer component. Also, lighting assemblies comprising a housing, a socket, a heat transfer component and a lighting device which comprises a light emitter and a casing, respective portions of the heat transfer component being in contact with the casing and with the housing. Also, lighting devices comprising means for transferring heat, and methods of deploying lighting devices.
US07959328B2
A laterally emitting radiation-generating component comprising a radiation source, the optical axis of which runs perpendicular to a mounting area of the component, and comprising an optical device arranged downstream of the radiation source. The optical device includes a reflective surface shaped like a V in cross section and a refractive surface that is shaped convexly as seen externally and is arranged between the reflective surface and a bottom area facing the radiation source. The bottom area is arranged and formed in such a way that through it electromagnetic radiation from the radiation source couples into the optical device. The reflective surface is arranged and formed in such a way that a central first portion of the coupled-in radiation is deflected toward the refractive surface by the reflective surface. The refractive surface is arranged and formed in such a way that both a radiation coming from the reflective surface and a radiation coming directly from the radiation source are coupled out through it with simultaneous beam focusing laterally with respect to the optical axis of the radiation source.
US07959327B2
An LED lamp comprises a lamp housing, a heat sink made of metal and mounted at a bottom side of the lamp housing, a plurality of LED modules, and a vapor chamber having a bottom surface thereof attached to a top surface of the heat sink and having a top surface thereof to which the LED modules are attached, a working liquid is sealed in the vapor chamber. The vapor chamber defines a sealed chamber therein, and the working liquid is phase changeable liquid and is sealed in the sealed chamber. A plurality of ribs is arranged in the vapor chamber for strengthening an integrity of the vapor chamber, and the ribs divide the sealed chamber into a plurality of communicating spaces.
US07959325B2
A solid state lighting unit includes a plurality of solid state lighting tiles including a planar surface and a plurality of solid state light sources on the planar surface. The lighting unit includes a plurality of bar support members. Respective ones of the bar support members include at least two of the plurality of tiles affixed thereon to form respective bar assemblies, and respective ones of the solid state light sources on the solid state lighting tiles of a bar assembly are electrically connected in series so as to be simultaneously energized upon application of a voltage thereto. Methods of forming a solid state lighting unit are also disclosed.
US07959320B2
Methods and apparatus for generating and modulating white light illumination conditions. Examples of applications in which such methods and apparatus may be implemented include retail environments (e.g., food, clothing, jewelry, paint, furniture, fabrics, etc.) or service environments (e.g., cosmetics, hair and beauty salons and spas, photography, etc.) where visible aspects of the products/services being offered are significant in attracting sales of the products/services. Other applications include theatre and cinema, medical and dental implementations, as well as vehicle-based (automotive) implementations. In another example, a personal grooming apparatus includes one or more light sources disposed in proximity to a mirror and configured to generate variable color light, including essentially white light, whose color temperature may be controlled by a user.
US07959318B2
A backlight module including a first side frame, a plurality of first elastic holding elements, a second side frame, a plurality of second elastic holding elements, and a plurality of lamps is provided. The first side frame has a plurality of first containing grooves, and the first elastic holding elements are disposed in the first containing grooves respectively. In addition, the second side frame has a plurality of second containing grooves, and the second elastic holding elements are disposed in the second containing grooves respectively. The lamps are connected between the first side frame and the second side frame. Two ends of the lamps are fixed through the first elastic holding elements and the second elastic holding elements.
US07959307B1
Embodiments include a light engine to generate pixels and a number of lenses positioned to receive pixels from the light engine and to project the pixels on to a field with a higher angular pixel density at an edge of the field than at a center of the field. A method according to embodiments includes generating pixels in a light engine, receiving the pixels from the light engine in a plurality of lenses, and projecting the pixels through the plurality of lenses on to a field with a higher angular pixel density at an edge of the field than at a center of the field.
US07959303B2
When a position detector detects that the position of a spot on a projection plane designates a non-projection region, the level of a driving signal of a laser is corrected. Specifically, the correlation between the quantity of laser light detected by a light-receiving portion and the level of the driving signal of the laser in accordance with prescribed data is detected. Then, the characteristic value of the laser indicated by the detected correlation is compared with the characteristic value at room temperature stored beforehand to indicate the correlation between the quantity of light emitted by the laser at room temperature and the level of the driving signal. Then, based on the comparison result, the level of the driving signal of the laser in accordance with image data is corrected.
US07959302B2
The invention has an object of providing a display device, which can freely change a display position or a display area, and can display a high grade image, and a game machine, such as a slot machine etc., which includes the display device.
US07959301B2
According to one embodiment, a projection display device comprises a light modulator configured to receive light from a light source and emit an optical image modulated based on an image signal, a projector configured to project the optical image emitted from the light modulator onto a screen, and a correction unit configured to correct a distortion of the optical image which is projected onto the screen with an optical axis of the projector being not perpendicular to the screen, wherein the correction unit corrects the optical image which is projected onto the screen so that a shape of the optical image becomes a rectangle and any one of boundary sides of a rectangular optical image is aligned with a long boundary side of a trapezoidal projectable area of the projector.
US07959299B2
A projector including a lighting device for emitting light including first, second and third colored light beams. A first dichroic mirror separates the light into the first colored light beam by reflecting the light in a certain wavelength range and transmitting the light in another wavelength range and transmitting the light in another wavelength range. A second dichroic mirror separates the other colored light beams into the second and third colored light beams by reflecting the light in a certain wavelength range and transmitting the light in another wavelength range. The second dichroic mirror separates the light from the lighting device into the colored light beams. The projector including a first color combining optical system for combining the colored light beams to emit a first image light beam.
US07959295B2
Spectral separation filters for channels of a 3D image projection incorporate passbands of primary colors. In at least one of the filters, passbands are present in more than 3 primary colors. A set of two filters include a first filter having passbands of low blue, high blue, low green, high green, and red, and a second filter having passbands of blue, green, and red. The additional primary passbands of the first filter allow for an increased color space in projections through the filters compared to filters only having red, green, and blue primaries. The added flexibility of the increased color space is utilized to more closely match a color space and white point of a projector in which the filters are used.
US07959289B2
An opthalmologic device and an opthalmologic measuring method in accordance with an embodiment of the present application in which, cross-sectional images of cross-sectional portions illuminated from different instrument positions by a light projector are captured in Scheimpflug configuration. Furthermore, corresponding top view images are also captured from the different instrument positions. At least one reference section and at least one comparative section are extracted from an initial instrument position or from an advanced instrument position, respectively. The displacement between the reference section and the comparative section is determined and the cross-sectional images are positioned relative to one another, based on the displacement. A coherent examination of the entire eye is made possible in which the relative movements of the eye with respect to the device, particularly rotational movements, are taken into consideration.
US07959286B2
Solid state lenses, lens blanks, and lens components formed of compressible mixed powders of two or more optical substances where the mixing ratio has been deliberately varied from place to place within the volume of the optical component to produce optically useful variations in the local refractive. The compressible mixed powders are ground as fine powders having mechanical properties that make them capable of being formed into cohesive monolithic masses that are low in scattering. The fine powders may be admixtures of host matrix materials and others which, when combined, provide preferred optical properties such as index and dispersion. Parts possessing transmission from within the range from the ultraviolet to the infrared are possible. The materials are suited to low temperature formation of aspheric lenses transmissive in the near and far IR.
US07959285B2
A subject matter is to provide an efficient method for designing a progressive refraction lens in consideration of not only its optical performance but also its appearance performance. The method for designing the progressive refraction lens includes a step (S030) for determining addition power of an entire lens that is a summation of addition power of a front surface and that of a back surface and a step (S040) for determining the addition power of the front surface. The method for designing the progressive refraction lens is characterized in determining to make the addition power of the front surface not less than 0 but smaller than that of the entire lens in the case that the appearance performance is considered to be more important than the optical performance while determining to make the addition power of the front surface larger than that of the entire lens in the case that the optical performance is considered to be more important than the appearance performance.
US07959269B2
A print head has an array of jets to transfer ink from the print head to a printing substrate, at least one ink supply rail to provide ink, and at least one injector to deliver ink from the ink supply rail to the print head. A printer has at least one supply to provide ink, at least one print head to transfer ink onto a printing substrate, an ink supply rail to provide ink to the print head, and an injector to deliver ink from the ink supply rail to the print head. A printing system has an array of print heads, each having at least one injector, at least one ink supply rail to deliver ink to the print heads, at least one supply to supply ink to the ink supply rail, and a transport system to transport a web substrate past the array of print heads.
US07959268B2
A fluid ejection device ejecting a fluid, the fluid ejection device includes: a fluid ejection unit; a main chassis case; a fluid-containing pack; a container case; and a plurality of holders. The fluid ejection unit ejects a fluid onto an ejection target. The main chassis case houses the fluid ejection unit. The fluid-containing pack contains a fluid for ejection. The container case houses the fluid-containing pack. The plurality of holders is disposed inside the container case. Each of a plurality of holders includes an incline panel that inclines toward the inside base plane, and the fluid-containing pack rests on the incline panel.
US07959265B2
Provided is a thermal inkjet printhead. The inkjet printhead includes a substrate; an insulating layer formed on the substrate; a heater formed on the insulating layer and an electrode to apply current to the heater; a chamber layer that is stacked on the insulating layer and includes an ink chamber; a nozzle layer that is stacked on the chamber layer and includes a nozzle; and at least a heat transfer layer that is formed inside the insulating layer and dissipates heat generated in by the heater toward the substrate.
US07959262B2
An ink jet recording head substrate is provided with: an array of a plurality of energy generating bodies for generating energy utilized to discharge ink; and an ink supply port arranged along the array to supply ink to the plurality of energy generating bodies, the array and the ink supply port each extending in a longitudinal direction of the ink jet recording head substrate, the ink jet recording head substrate comprising: a first terminal electrically connected with the plurality of energy generating bodies, the first terminal being arranged along beside a first side of the ink jet recording head substrate, the first side extending in a cross direction intersecting the longitudinal direction; and a second terminal electrically connected with the plurality of energy generating bodies, the second terminal being arranged beside a second side of the ink jet recording head substrate, the second side extending in the longitudinal direction, so as to be arranged in an area between the first side and a phantom line that passes through a longitudinal end of the ink supply port closer to the first side and extends in the cross direction.
US07959244B2
A data interfacing apparatus and method of a print head chip are provided. The data interfacing apparatus includes a drive module to output a low-speed signal with a slow transmission speed and a high-speed signal requiring a fast transmission speed, a connection cable transmitting the low-speed signal and the high-speed signal, and a print head chip to operate in response to the low-speed signal and the high-speed signal transmitted through the connection cable, wherein the drive module includes multiplexers to perform a switching operation so that the connection cable is earthed to a ground in response to the high-speed signal, and wherein the print head chip includes de-multiplexers to perform a switching operation in response to the operation of the multiplexers.
US07959222B1
A chair device for providing comfort to a individual such as a pregnant woman comprising a first, second, and third panel, wherein the first panel is pivotally connected to the second panel and the third panel is pivotally connected to the second panel opposite the first panel; legs for supporting the panels; a first hole disposed in the second panel for accommodating a user's stomach (a pregnant woman's stomach) when she lies on her stomach; a second hole disposed in the first panel for accommodating the user's face; a shelf hanging downwardly from and generally parallel to a bottom surface the first panel, wherein the shelf may be used as a book shelf, wherein the shelf is attached via an attachment means; the shelf can move between first position where the shelf hangs below the bottom surface of the first panel and a second position where the shelf flipped over a top surface of the first panel.
US07959209B2
A closure assembly for a vehicle includes a hook movable between locked and unlocked positions. An actuator is connected to the hook and is linearly movable to move the hook between the locked and unlocked positions. First and second rotatable gears are engaged with one another such that either gear rotates as the other gear rotates. First and second levers are respectively connected between the gears and the actuator. The levers move as the gears rotate in response to the first gear rotating in a first rotary direction and thereby cause the actuator to move linearly in a first direction to thereby move the hook to the locked position. The levers move as the gears rotate in response to the first gear rotating in a second rotary direction and thereby cause the actuator to move linearly in a second direction to thereby move the hook to the unlocked position.
US07959206B2
A retractable roof system for a vehicle is provided with a roof locking apparatus (70) provided in a vehicle body and retaining a retractable roof in a storage space (7) which is different from a trunk space, and a link mechanism (10) provided in the vehicle body and capable of changing a position of a lid (6) covering the storage space (7) so as to open and close to an open position and a closed position. The roof locking apparatus (70) is structured such as to work with the link mechanism (10).
US07959202B2
A vehicle tray having an open-prevention mechanism may include a rotating member integrally connected to a tray cover and rotatably coupled to the tray to support the tray cover, and an inertia detecting member pivotally coupled to the tray, a portion of the inertia detecting member being selectively engaged with a stopper portion of the rotating member according to an impact to prevent rotation of the rotating member when the impact greater than a predetermined level is applied to the tray.
US07959199B2
A multi-joint finger unit (1) has first and second joint sections (3, 5) constructed by using bevel gears. In each joint section (3, 5), the section where a driving bevel gear (10, 44) and a driven bevel gear (14, 56) mesh with each other and also a bearing section of a joint shaft (15, 57) are assembled in a tubular housing (13, 51) whose forward end is closed. Rear end openings (13A, 52) of the tubular housings (13, 51) are closed by a tubular housing (7) at a finger root and a tubular housing (41) at a finger body section. The section where the gears of the joint sections (3, 5) mesh and the bearing section are substantially sealed, so that a foreign matter is prevented from entering from the outside to these sections and lubricant does not leaks from these sections. The multi-joint finger unit is suitable for use in place where thick powder dust is present and in a clean room.
US07959188B2
A scratch off lottery game card is that includes a substrate on which a plurality of game indicia printed on a game indicia area in an M×N matrix and a plurality of player indicia printed on a player indicia area. The game indicia are preferably grouped by different identifier. If the game identified by an identifier have matched to the player indicia, the player wins a prize.
US07959186B2
A signaling label for use in postage payment evidencing is described including a luminescent signaling section having a primarily green fluorescent ink coating. In one configuration, a primarily green fluorescent ink includes approximately 12 weight percent of a pigment selected from the quinazolinone class of pigments mixed with an acrylic varnish base to provide a primarily green fluorescent signal having with sufficient red fluorescent response to a short UV excitation to trigger a USPS facing system is described.
US07959181B2
A snowboard binding has a front fixation device and a rear fixation device. The front fixation device and the rear fixation device secure a snowboard boot in a way that the snowboard boot is able to perform a free lateral roll movement about an axis extending in a longitudinal direction of the snowboard binding. The front and rear fixation devices have pivot points located in an area of a toe of the snowboard boot and in an area of a heel of the snowboard boot, respectively.
US07959175B2
A torsion beam type suspension including a torsion beam in which arms are formed by bending both ends of a pipe material and also includes wheel installation members fixed to the arms, respectively. Portions to be inserted of the wheel installation members are inserted into open ends of the arms, and the wheel installation members are welded to the arms. The torsion beam type suspension can be produced at low cost and have high quality.
US07959170B2
A vehicle independent suspension for a double-wishbone high link axle has on each wheel side, a wheel carrier which is mounted by at least one lower link and at least one upper link in the form of a transverse or diagonal link, on an assembly frame that is fastened to the vehicle frame. The assembly frame comprises two longitudinal members and two cross members that are fixedly connected in a force-fitting or materially joined fashion to the longitudinal members. The rear cross member is extended upward forming a link carrier for the upper link or mounting the link carrier in a dimensionally rigid manner by a support element. For each longitudinal member, a further link carrier for the upper link is arranged between the cross members; and said further link carrier engages in each case around the closest longitudinal member in a form-fitting or force-fitting or materially joined fashion.
US07959165B2
A method of adjusting a suspension run height includes: pivotably mounting a leveling valve to a hanger bracket; attaching an indicator arm to a suspension component which displaces relative to the hanger bracket; and pivoting the leveling valve relative to the hanger bracket to thereby adjust the run height of the frame relative to the suspension component. A run height adjustment system includes: a leveling valve having a leveling arm pivotably mounted thereto at a first pivot, and an indicator arm being pivotably mounted to the leveling arm at a second pivot; an adjustment lever for pivoting the leveling valve about a third pivot; and the third pivot being positioned longitudinally between the first and second pivots. Another run height adjustment system includes: a leveling arm pivotably mounted to a leveling valve; an adjustment lever for pivoting the leveling valve; and the adjustment lever pivotably mounted to a hanger bracket.
US07959161B2
In order to make it possible to previously specify which of two members the rubber-like elastic part pinched between the two members attaches to, and to improve workability of rework or the like, an attachment member specifying structure is provided in the rubber-like elastic part so that the rubber-like elastic part is surely detached from one member and attached to the other member at a time of moving the two members apart from each other, preferably by forming a contact area with one member in the rubber-like elastic part smaller than a contact area with the other member, by forming a surface treated portion by matte finishing or the like in a contact area with one member in the rubber-like elastic part, or by forming a projection-like spring portion elastically pressed to one member so as to achieve a spring effect.
US07959159B2
In order to provide a seal arrangement for sealing between a first medium space filled with a first medium and a second medium space filled with a second medium which ensures reliable sealing between the medium spaces with very low leakage values even over a prolonged period of use, wherein said seal arrangement comprises a moveable component which is displaceable in the longitudinal direction thereof and/or rotatable about the longitudinal direction thereof and extends through the seal arrangement and wherein the seal arrangement comprises a sealing element which comprises a first sealing region that is sealing in relation to the first medium space and a second sealing region that is sealing in relation to the second medium space, wherein the first sealing region comprises a first dynamic sealing section abutting against the moveable component and the second sealing region comprises a second dynamic sealing section abutting against the moveable component and at least one of the two dynamic sealing sections has at least two sealing lips, it is proposed that each of the two sealing regions should comprise at least one respective spring element which biases the dynamic sealing section of the respective sealing region against the moveable component.
US07959152B2
In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to a gaming device including a game apparatus adapted to allow a player to play a game. The gaming device may include a prize holder adapted to releasably hold a prize object in a controllable manner. The gaming device may also include a controller in communication with the game apparatus and adapted to cause the prize object holder to release the prize object. A display mechanism may be in communication with the controller and may be adapted to display the prize object to the player. The display mechanism may comprise at least one prize object receiver.
US07959146B2
Means for superposing a bundle of value sheets which have been misfed from a value sheet store is disclosed. Also disclosed is a value sheet handler which includes a first value sheet store for receiving value sheets from, and dispensing value sheets to, a user and a second value sheet store where the second value sheet store provides value sheets to resupply the first value sheet store. The handler may include means for detecting a misfeed from the second value sheet store and a bundle of misfed value sheets may be stored in a third store after superposition of the bundle, where it includes overlapping value sheets.
US07959140B2
A magnetic positioning device is disclosed and claimed wherein two magnetic arms are hingeably connected by an axle connector with locking bolt and nut, and an activation hole with pin inserting through the connection disks having arc-shaped toothed-groove made the selection of frequently used angles straight-forward and easy, when the pre-select angles are built to the “indents” in the toothed-groove, so that the enlarged head on the pin can be used to easily engaging to the selected angle, by pushing toward the spring located inside the hole on the disk. An optional switch is provided on the second end of the magnetic arm for easy control of the magnetic power direction.
US07959133B2
A grid falling film devolatilizer including a tower housing, a liquid distributor for distributing liquid within the tower housing, and one or more internal towers arranged in the tower housing in a parallel manner, for continuously forming and regenerating a large surface of film material using liquid from the liquid distributor. Each internal tower has (i) a round, square or rectangle cross section, (ii) four corners, (iii) four pillars standing at the four corners of the internal tower, respectively, and (iv) multiple grid trays supported within the internal tower and numbering between 2 to 500. Each pair of neighboring grid plates having an interval in the range of about 20 to 500 mm. Also, each grid tray includes a pair of beams, a plurality of grid bars and corresponding guide members.
US07959129B2
A first cap is mounted at a movable iron core, a second cap holding a valve member is fitted to the first cap, capable of displacement, an biasing force F1 of an iron-core return spring biasing the movable iron core toward an initial position and an biasing force F2 of a buffer spring interposed between the movable iron core and the valve member are set so as to have a relation of F1>F2, and when the movable core is located at the initial position, gaps x, y are interposed between the valve member and a regulating portion of the second cap and between an engagement projection portion of the second cap and a front end wall of an engagement recess portion of the first cap, respectively.
US07959125B1
A footing cleat used to construct a concrete footing with integrally attached concrete wall located thereon. In the first embodiment, the cleat includes an elongated footing member with two downward brackets attached to its opposite ends. During use, the footing member is aligned transversely over the top edge surfaces of two sideboards used to construct the footing's concrete form. The brackets extend downward over the outside surface of the two sideboards. Extending upward from the footing member is a vertical wall support member. Formed on the wall support member is a plurality of holes used to receive nails or pins that hold pieces of horizontally aligned rebar used in a vertical wall constructed over the footing. The nails or pins are designed to temporally hold the pieces of horizontal rebar in place until the entire rebar wall is constructed. They can then be easily removed so that the cleat can be disassembled from the footing.
US07959109B2
A thermal anti-ice system in an aircraft. A controlled valve receives air from a compressor bleed port of an engine of the aircraft. A self-regulating valve is fluidly connected between the controlled valve and an inlet of the engine. A first pressure sensor senses pressure between the valves. A second pressure sensor senses pressure between the self-regulating valve and the inlet. The system can be used to de-ice aircraft inlet lip skins made of composite materials that have comparatively lower design temperatures than other comparable materials.
US07959108B2
A control device for locking and unlocking a door includes a handle (46) whose movement makes it possible to control the change of state of the locking or unlocking of the door, a hinged flap (54) that can move between a closed position and an open position in which it makes it possible to grip the handle, elements for locking and unlocking the handle that are able to occupy two states, a first locked state in which the handle is immobilized and a second unlocked state in which the handle can be maneuvered, and a stop (64) that makes it possible to control the movement of the hinged flap (54), during the change of state of the locking and unlocking elements, wherein the stop is elastically deformable so as to be able to be deformed by the hinged flap during the change of state of the locking and unlocking elements.
US07959107B2
A hinge device of a nacelle cowling of an aircraft engine on a supporting structure is disclosed. The hinge device includes two fittings and a link rod connected thereto and mounted on the fitting by an end connection. The link rod is further mounted on the fitting by an intermediate connection including a pivot pin slidably housed in a hole, and the end connection includes a guide pin slidably housed in a guide ramp. The connections are designed so as to create, upon rotation of the link rod about the pin, a relative movement of the axis in the ramp, simultaneously causing a relative movement of the pin in the hole.
US07959102B2
The machine control 30 drives the winder 1 according to the invention in such a manner that for the winding of a reel 6, the pair of supporting arms 17 is continuously moved away from the contact roller 4 in accordance with the calculated desired radius of the reel 6 which is building up. The contact roller is exposed to the contact pressure through the cylinder arrangement 24 and remains in its desired position without any perturbations (out-of-round reel, incorrectly calculated desired radius) but in the event of perturbations, can avoid the perturbation due to its floating mounting.
US07959099B1
A bolt-in toolholder assembly for a shredding device includes a rotor having a substantially cylindrical shape, a plurality of pockets formed in the rotor and spaced apart preselected distances to form preselected patterns, a bolt-in toolholder.
US07959098B2
A beater for comminution devices with a rotor on or at which the beater can be fastened, including a lower body which is designed as a shaft end for connecting the beater with the rotor, and at least one cutting body. At least one cutting body is connected with the lower body in a releasable/fixed manner.
US07959092B2
A coating machine enables the inside of a paint chamber to be washed clean with less amount of use of thinner by increasing washing efficiency and is capable of forming a coating with uniform coating thickness by always uniformly jetting a paint over 360° about a rotary atomizing head and the rotary atomizing head of the coating machine. The coating machine includes the rotary atomizing head in which the paint chamber is formed in the clearance between an outer bell fitted to the tip of a tubular rotating shaft and an inner bell fitted to the front side of the outer bell. Fins agitating, in the paint chamber, a washing fluid supplied from a thin tubular nozzle inserted into the tubular rotating shaft are radially formed on the rear surface side of the inner bell. An annular paint groove temporarily accumulating the paint is formed in the inner surface of the rim part of the outer bell on which the paint jetted from the paint jetting holes formed at the peripheral surface part of the paint chamber is extended.
US07959090B2
Apparatus and method for providing a heated cleaning fluid to a vehicle surface. The apparatus has an inlet port for receiving an amount of fluid; an outlet port for dispensing an amount of heated fluid; a heating element that heats up fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet; and a control circuit for energizing at least a portion of the heating element with a voltage to heat the fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet. The apparatus also has expandable and compressible features and parts for protection against freezing.
US07959089B2
The configuration of a feedstock material is controlled by bringing it into contact with at least a first gas moving against it at a location with an area and thickness of the feedstock liquid that forms drops or fibers of a selected size. In one embodiment, drops of agricultural input materials are formed for spraying on agricultural fields. In another embodiment, nanofibers of materials such as chitosan or metals are formed. In another embodiment seeds are planted with gel. In another embodiment particles carrying desired agricultural inputs with modified release characteristics are delivered.
US07959088B2
A spray head or spray head insert is provided for use in at least one of a shower head, an industrial spray head and an agricultural spray head including a plurality of groups of nozzles, each group of nozzles having at least two nozzles that are suitable for issuing jets of fluid from a surface of the spray head or spray head insert and are dimensioned and oriented, at least in use, so that fluid exiting the said at least two nozzles under pressure collides, interacts substantially unimpeded by surrounding structures and breaks into droplets.
US07959085B2
The disclosed electronic inlay and the method of making such an electronic inlay includes a circuit board, a plurality of circuit components attached to the circuit board, a bottom cover sheet, a top cover sheet, and a layer of thermosetting material between the bottom and top cover sheets. The electronic inlay can be used to manufacture electronic cards while using conventional equipment to apply top and bottom overlays to the electronic inlay.
US07959083B2
An XML processing system for use in a barcode printer apparatus includes a computer system operatively coupled to the barcode printer apparatus. The computer system further includes an XML processor configured to receive, parse, and process an XML input data stream and obtain schema identified in the XML data stream from a schema repository. The XML processor validates the XML data stream based upon the schema obtained. Also included is an XSLT processor configured to obtain a stylesheet identified in the XML data stream from a stylesheet repository. The XSLT processor transforms data in the XML input data stream into transformed XML data based upon the stylesheet obtained. Also, an XSLFO processor formats the transformed XML data into formatted XML data based upon XSLFO instructions contained in the stylesheet. A barcode rendering subsystem then receives the formatted XML data and generates a bit map representative of the bar code label. Alternatively, the system includes a SAX processor configured to receive and process the XML input data stream, a ZPL processor configured to receive and process a format template, a variable data integrator configured to develop an association between the XML data contained in the XML input data stream and the format template, a formatting engine configured to format the associated XML data according to a format governed by the format template, and a barcode rendering engine configured to receive the associated and formatted XML data and generate a bit map representative of the bar code label.
US07959073B2
A method for securely handling processing of information in a chip may include randomly selecting one of a plurality of data processes based on a random process index. A time interval may be randomly allocated on the chip, for processing the randomly selected one of the plurality of data processes. When the randomly allocated time interval has elapsed, the randomly selected one of the plurality of data processes may be initiated. The randomly selected one of the plurality of data processes may include one or both of accessing data and acquiring the data. Data may be verified by the randomly selected one of the plurality of data processes prior to the processing of the data. The data may be verified utilizing at least one digital signature verification algorithm, such as a Rivest-Shamir-Adelman (RSA) algorithm and/or a secure hash algorithm (SHA-1).
US07959069B2
Systems and methods for electronically processing accounts receivable (AR) check transactions via a location-base device associated with a merchant. The location-base device, such as a point-of-sale (POS) device, can be configured to perform various functions that facilitate processing of AR checks. Such functions may include improved user interface, an ability to handle a repetitive input parameter, an ability to handle multiple merchant identifiers, an ability to generate multiple receipt types, an ability to edit check transactions, an ability to manage throughput of the device, and an ability to allow scanning of different types of checks so as to allow subsequent processing of the scanned checks to be different based on the type of the check. The location-base device configured in one or more of the foregoing manner facilitates a check authorization process performed by a check processing service.
US07959068B2
A transaction product includes a housing, a gelatinous substance and an account identifier. The housing defines a storage cavity and is configured to be selectively opened and closed to provide selective access to the storage cavity. The gelatinous substance is selectively enclosed within the storage cavity, and, upon removal of the gelatinous substance from the storage cavity, the gelatinous substance is configured to selectively flow in a plurality of different directions. The account identifier links the transaction product to at least one of an account and a record and is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal such that value can be added to or deducted from the at least one of the account and the record using the account identifier. Other product, cards, assemblies and associated methods are also disclosed.
US07959055B2
In a wave soldering tank using a conventional screw pump, pulsation sometimes occurred in which molten solder spouting from the discharge nozzle moved up and down. The cause of the occurrence of the pulsation in a screw pump was that the gap between the screw pump and the casing was wide, so there was reverse flow through the gap. It is conceivable to narrow the gap, but if the gap is made narrow, the screw pump ends up contacting the casing if the screw pump becomes eccentric.A wave soldering tank according to the present invention makes the diameter of the inlet in the bottom of the casing smaller than the diameter of the screw pump so that reverse flow does not take place even if the gap between the screw pump and the casing is wide. Flow is made more stable by providing outwardly flaring guide walls on the outlet of the casing.
US07959044B1
A container for dispensing a fluid with no contraction/expansion “glug, glug” effect has a cover forming a sealed top with a pouring spout on top of the cover and at least one elongated handle on top of the cover. The elongated handle extends longitudinally away from the pouring spout and has a distant end coupled to a vacuum manifold formed under the cover as a void space distant from the pouring spout and above fluid within the fluid tight container. A pouring spout has a circular aperture leading into the fluid tight container. The circular aperture has a central axis; the circular aperture is bordered by a peripheral circular sealing surface that extends radially away from the aperture. An air vent opening is positioned on the circular aperture's highest radial central position on the circular sealing surface. A dual air vent bypass channel delivers air entering the air vent opening via a top channel through the elongated handle to the vacuum manifold, and via a bottom channel under the cover to the vacuum manifold.
US07959032B2
A re-closable pouring element for liquid food packaged in cardboard/plastic composite packages, comprising a base encircled by a flange and having both a solidly constructed inner thread and an outer thread, an opening element having at least one cutting edge and a screw cap formed as a threaded lid. The opening element has a solidly constructed outer thread and is arranged inside the base. The opening element is formed in such a way that when the screw cap is operated for the first time, it cuts an opening in the package material located under the pouring element.
US07959031B2
A method for a metering and dispensing device for free flowing materials includes a volume body having first and second ends, and a volumetric channel extending therethrough. The second end of the volume body is adapted for attachment to the opening of a container holding the free flowing material. The device further includes a measuring partition operatively associated with the second end of the volume body. The measuring partition includes a barrier lip portion extending therefrom into the volumetric channel, and a measuring opening selectively movable from a closed position to an open position relative to the volumetric channel, wherein the selective movement of the measuring opening simultaneously causes the barrier lip portion to vary the volume of the volumetric channel relative to the measuring opening. The device further includes a feed partition proximate the second end of the volume body, operatively associated with the measuring partition, the feed partition including a feed opening selectively movable from a closed position to an open position relative to the measuring opening. The device also includes a discharge partition operatively associated with the first end of the volume body, which includes a discharge opening selectively movable from a closed position to an open position relative to the volumetric channel.
US07959029B2
A splash and spill resistant insulating lid for beverage containers comprising an insulated splash and spill barrier integrated into a cup lid combination. This is achieved by creating a barrier and/or labyrinth flow path, which buffers and deflects sloshing liquid. Accidental/incidental release of liquid is minimized and/or prevented while allowing the normal flow of liquid for drinking. These features of the SSRIL further create an insulating barrier to keep a cup's fluid hotter or cooler for a longer period of time, enhanced by using an appropriate insulating material combined with finite number of transfer holes that are of a specific shape and/or specific location and/or specific orientation to promote the formation of a surface tension film of fluid across the transfer holes, creating additional barriers against the escape and exchange of both fluid and vapor outside the cup.
US07959026B2
The invention concerns a vent cap for oil tanks of machines and motor equipment, comprising a cup (1), equipped with means of engagement (4) with the seat of the tank filler, and a lid (12) mounted on the cup and which snaps thereon. Between the cup (1) and the lid (12) there is a gap allowing the vapor outflow from the tank to the outer environment or viceversa. According to the invention, said lid (12) comprises two cylindrical diaphragms (12b, 12c), concentric to the cap axis and which, in cooperation with the cup (1), form labyrinth means for the flow of vapors and air. Cup (1) also carries a guide (7) supporting a level rod (8), consisting of a central, cylindrical main body (7b), wherefrom ribs (7a) for anchoring to the cup (1) depart. Guide (7) extends, at the top, into two flexible flaps (7c), provided with means of engagement (10) of the rod (8).
US07959024B2
The plastic container includes a hollow body of plastic material having a lower supporting base, a sidewall extending upwardly from the lower base and an upper neck portion extending upwardly from the sidewall with an opening therein. The sidewall includes at least one panel having a central region and an outer boundary, with the outer boundary being depressed with respect to the central region.
US07959023B2
A hydration container includes a bottle having a selected volume and a bottle cap which includes a drinking nozzle. An indicator bearing a sequence of numbers is moveably mounted to the cap so that any one of the numbers in the sequence may be positioned opposite an index on the cap. Preferably, the numbers on the indicator are coordinated with numbers in a recommended daily fluid intake table present on the bottle. Thus when the user increments or decrements the indicator each time the bottle is refilled with fluid, the container will indicate in real time the user's approximate actual fluid consumption versus the intake goal indicated by the table.
US07959013B2
A telescopic support device for supporting a storage bin for storing mailpieces comprises a first slideway with a first slide on which the bin rests, and a second slideway with a second slide, the first slideway being hinged pivotally on the second slide.
US07959010B2
An apparatus, system, and method for bypassing a fuel filter pressure regulation valve which includes a bypass window and bypass passage. The bypass passage window is positioned in the top of a standpipe of a filter. The filter includes a filter cartridge with top and bottom end plates. The top end plate of the filter cartridge has a hole to receive a standpipe. The top end plate also has a sealing gasket to seal the bypass passage window when the proper filter cartridge is in place. This arrangement exposes the regulator valve to the fuel and/or air at the top of the filter housing when the proper filter cartridge is in place. Pressure in the housing opens the valve, allowing air and/or fuel to be vented through the bypass passage and back to the fuel tank.
US07959009B2
A screening arrangement and a modular system and modular protective cover for protecting a support frame in a screening arrangement is disclosed. The modular system includes a plurality of modular protective covers mounted in side-by-side relationship. Each of the modular protective covers includes a top surface and two opposing side walls that define a recess. The modular protective cover has a male component located at a first end of the modular protective cover and a female component located at a second end of the modular protective cover. The male component of the modular protective cover is adapted to mate with the female component of an adjacent modular protective cover to provide a generally continuous protective surface along a length of a support frame.
US07959000B2
The present invention relates to a novel device for the collection, storage, shipping and retrieval of hair follicles from animals for the purpose of isolating DNA or other genetic material from the follicles for analysis. The device has outer flaps for the protection as well as identification of the samples and an inner part where samples are placed. The inner device has thicker base and a clear plastic cover, the easy peel back of which is facilitated by a) low tack adhesives that hold the two together and b) a touch cut on one end, through the base sheet which creates a grip. This makes the device convenient and easy to use, and yet a robust collection device for hair follicles from animals in a farm or real-life situation. Hair follicles can be punched out through the inner device for direct DNA isolation and analysis.
US07958999B2
A pallet for packing a glass plate include a base part which is disposed at a bottommost portion, for supporting from below a plurality of glass plates piled one upon another in an upright posture, and has a fork insertion portion for insertion of forks of a forklift. The pallet also has a backside part rising from a rear side of the base part, for supporting the glass plates from a rear thereof, and a pedestal part mounted in engagement with at least one of the base part and the backside part so as to receive bottom side portions of the glass plates, in which a lowermost portion of the pedestal part is set lower than a substantial top surface of the base part.
US07958995B2
A palletized shipping container (10) for bulk handling of liquids and fluent materials has a collapsible inner bag (30) enclosed in a flexible outer liner/bag (11) having rigid stiffener panels (20) in pocketed sides. The inner bag has a bung at its top end for filling or discharge and a valve fitment (50) near the bottom for receiving a discharge valve. Tape tabs (34, 19) at upper ends of the inner bag and outer liner/bag attach to the top panel and/or stiffener panels to maintain the bags in an erect uncollapsed configuration. The stiffener panels prevent bulging of the inner bag and provide vertical support, but their lateral sides are spaced apart and form non-structural “floating corners” to maximize volume, minimize shock, vibration and abrasive forces on the inner bag, yet maintain impact and compression strength meeting international certification standards. The bung is disposed beneath the top panel after filling the bag to prevent access and provide a tamper resistant assembly.
US07958991B2
A conveyor belt (1) includes a metallic net belt (8) functionally driven by at least a traction drum (5), tensioned by at least a return drum (12) and supported by a plurality of independent transversal rollers (13). Belt (1) supports individually a plurality of plates (2) partially overlapping one another, so as to form a flat continuous transport surface as a mobile reliable plane that is resistant to extreme mechanical stress. Each of said plates (2) is suitably shaped so that an upper portion of one plate overlaps a lower portion of the following plate.
US07958988B2
A conveying device includes a guiding member that has a contact portion that comes into contact with an inner peripheral surface of a conveying belt in which a plurality of suction holes is formed, and an endless conveying belt that has ridges to hold a recording medium lest the recording medium come into contact with the suction holes. A plurality of slits is formed in the contact portion to attract the recording medium to the endless conveying belt through the suction holes. The slits are formed to prevent the conveying belt from falling in the slits when the conveying belt is pressed due to suction.
US07958976B2
The pad clip 14d is arranged between pins 12, 12 made to bridge an outer body portion and an inner body portion constituting a caliper and the two pads 10b, 11b. An engaging plate portion 27 is engaged with the respective pins 12, 12 without play. Press pieces 28, 28 formed by folding to bend both end portions in a rotational direction of the engaging plate portion in directions in which the more proximate to the two pads 10b, 11b, the more directed to an outer side in a radial direction are brought into elastic contact with outer peripheral edges of both end portions in a rotational direction of pressure plates 13b, 13b of the two pads 10b, 11b. Thereby, amounts of projecting portions in correspondence with the respective press pieces 28, 28 in a state of a material plate before being folded to bend from the engaging plate portion 27 can be restrained.
US07958974B2
A self-boosting electromechanically actuable disc brake, having an application device for applying the brake pad, which application device has a rotary brake lever and a self-boosting device, wherein the rotary brake lever acts on an actuating plunger which acts on the application-side brake lining directly or via a pressure plate, is characterized in that the actuating plunger is pivotably mounted on the rotary brake lever and on the pressure plate or the application-side brake lining with an intersecting rotational axis.
US07958969B2
A transfer device for a vehicle includes a casing, a cylindrical input shaft supported by the casing, a first end of the input shaft engaging with a driveshaft, an output shaft supported on an internal surface of a second end of the input shaft and engaging with the second end of the input shaft, the output shaft including an oil passage formed therein in an axial direction, and a lubrication fluid supply passage supplying a lubrication fluid from the casing to the oil passage. The lubrication fluid supply passage includes an inner fluid tight chamber annularly formed with an external surface of the output shaft and an internal surface of the input shaft, a first passage establishing a communication between the inner fluid tight chamber and the oil passage, and a second passage establishing a communication between the inner fluid tight chamber and an external surface of the input shaft.
US07958967B2
The combination of: a scaffold assembly comprising a vertical member; a baseplate on the vertical member and having a downwardly facing surface; and a foot having a top surface and a bottom surface spaced in an axial direction. The foot has an opening in the top surface and a recess extending axially from the opening toward the bottom surface. The recess accepts the baseplate with the baseplate in an operative position. The downwardly facing surface bears on the foot so as to cause a downward force produced by the vertical member to be applied to the foot and distributed by the foot through the bottom surface to an underlying support surface for the scaffold assembly. The bottom surface on the foot has a peripheral edge that bounds an area that is greater than an area bounded by a peripheral edge of the baseplate.
US07958956B2
A coaxial two-wheel vehicle on which a rider stably travels without the upper body being swayed left and right in a riding state of the center of gravity being positioned high is provided.The coaxial two-wheel vehicle includes: a step plate for a driver to ride; a vehicle body that supports the step plate so as to be capable of changing a posture in a roll direction of rotating around a roll axis as the center, when a traveling direction is made the roll axis; a pair of wheels disposed on both sides on the same axis in the direction orthogonal to the traveling direction of the vehicle body and rotatably supported by the vehicle body; a pair of wheel drive means to drive and rotate the pair of wheels independently; and a handle for directly changing a posture of the step plate or indirectly changing the posture through the vehicle body.
US07958952B2
The system and device described relates to flow pulsing for use in down-hole drilling rate of penetration (ROP) enhancement and measurement while drilling (MWD) using a pulse drilling device (PDD) with a fast acting valve in conjunction with a pilot valve to produce high pressure, high amplitude, low duration pressure pulses.
US07958947B2
A damping device for inserting into a housing of an impulse producing drill machine, for damping Shockwave reflexes from a drill string connected to the drilling machine, is distinguished in that a first damping piston (7) for direct or indirect action against the drill string and for applying a pressure in the direction of the drill string an a second damping piston (9) for applying pressure in the direction against the drill string against a fixed stop (11) arranged in the housing, wherein the first (7) and the second damping piston (9) are arranged to co-operate for joint damping action with a drill bushing or shank adapter in a certain relative position. The invention also concerns a drilling machine.
US07958943B2
A wheel mounting and height adjustment mechanism for use with a power equipment unit/implement such as a lawn mower. In one embodiment, the mechanism may include a block defining a plurality of bores, each bore to selectively receive an axle of a wheel assembly. A plate member may be provided in or near the block. The plate member may include a plurality of elongate cutouts such that a separate cutout is selectively alignable with each of the plurality of bores. When the plate member is in a disengaged position such that a first portion of each cutout is aligned with its respective bore, each cutout permits the axle to fully enter its respective bore. However, when the plate member is moved to an engaged position, each cutout may engage the axle to capture the respective wheel assembly.
US07958942B2
A potato harvester has a lifting device for lifting soil ridges, wherein the lifting device has a digging device with digging shares. At least one support element for supporting the lifting device on the ground is provided. The at least one support element has at least two wheels that are movable along opposite sides of an intermediately positioned soil ridge, respectively. The wheels form a guide unit that supports at least one part of a weight of the at least one digging device, wherein the guide unit controls the digging shares and acts on a soil ridge to be lifted as an intake aid.
US07958938B2
A system for supporting multiple-well-site, offshore, hydrocarbon-bearing fields, each well-site has one or more wells. In general, the system first comprises a floating vessel that is relocatable from a first subsea well-site to a second subsea well-site. The system also comprises two separate systems: (1) an operations control system for providing subsea well-site operations such as power and communications; and (2) an intervention system for conducting intervention services to an individual subsea well such as workover services and maintenance services. The operations system may provide control to wells and other subsea equipment at either the first well-site or the second well-site, regardless of the location of the floating vessel. The intervention system may provide workover and/or maintenance to subsea equipment or individual wells at the well-site at which it is located.
US07958937B1
A process for hydrofracturing a specific interval or zone in a water aquifer from a water well borehole and introducing high-pressure water and gravel proppants for increasing water flow production from the water well. The process uses a hydrofracture tool having a pipe section with a pair of inflatable packers. The tool is lowered into the borehole to the deepest interval to be fraced. The packers are then inflated thus sealing off the area in the borehole above the interval. High-pressure water is then introduced through the drill stem and out a high-pressure injection port in the lower end of the pipe section. After sufficient high-pressure water has fractured the surrounding interval, gravel proppants are forced into the surrounding fractured interval.
US07958927B2
A die casting process using pattern recognition techniques to identify those die castings manufactured under conditions likely to produce a die casting which would subsequently prove unacceptable for use. By promptly identifying such die castings, they may be discarded before being shipped to a remote facility for further processing. As a result, the rejection rate of die castings at the remote facility may be reduced and the raw materials used to form the discarded die castings may be more readily recycled.
US07958916B2
Powder dispensing and sensing apparatus and methods are provided. The powder dispensing and sensing apparatus includes a tray support structure to receive a cartridge tray holding cartridges, a powder dispenser assembly including powder dispenser modules to dispense powder into respective cartridges of a batch of cartridges in the cartridge tray, a powder transport system to deliver powder to the powder dispenser modules, a sensor module including sensor cells to sense respective fill states, such as the weights, of each of the cartridges in the batch of cartridges, and a control system to control the powder dispenser modules in response to the respective sensed fill states of each of the cartridges of the batch of cartridges.
US07958905B2
A breather device A1 for pressure relief includes a breather pipe 121 serving as a fixing part, and an inner pipe 122 serving as a communication part and is provided by the breather pipe 121 with fixation strength enough for securing the breather device A1 to a liquid tank 101. The inner pipe 122 has a vent hole P formed therein for provide fluid-communication between the inside of the liquid tank 101 and the outside thereof in a manner such that an inner surface forming the vent hole P is made of a resin.
US07958902B2
A mobility assistance device is disclosed including a main shaft having a handle attached to one end thereof and a ground engaging member attached to an opposite end. The ground engaging member includes a support member and at least one generally arcuate-shaped foot depending therefrom adapted to contact a supporting surface that facilitates a maximization of a traction and a surface to surface contact between the arcuate-shaped foot and the supporting surface. The shaft and the handle are oriented in respect of the ground engaging member to facilitate a proper posture and a gait of a user, thereby maximizing a stability of the user.
US07958893B2
A respiratory mask includes a frame including a breathable gas port, wherein the frame defines an inner chamber to receive at least one of a wearer's nasal region and mouth. The mask includes a cushion including a flange connected to the frame, an inner rim defining an opening to the inner chamber of the frame, and a sealing portion disposed between the flange and the inner rim to contact the wearer's face. The sealing portion includes a nasal seal section to span a wearer's face above the wearer's nares, side seal sections extending from each side of the nasal seal section on both sides of the wearer's mouth, and a chin seal section that extends between the side seal sections. The chin seal section is upwardly curved in an arch to follow the chin's bony contour.
US07958892B2
An air delivery system includes a controllable flow generator, a primary controller, and an auxiliary controller. The flow generator is operable to generate a supply of pressurized breathable gas to be provided to a patient for treatment. The primary controller is associated with at least one primary control feature to select at least a first aspect of operation of the flow generator. The auxiliary controller is associated with at least one auxiliary control feature to select at least a second aspect of operation of the flow generator. The second aspect selected by the auxiliary controller is different than the first aspect selected by the primary controller. The primary and auxiliary controllers may be interchangeably usable to control operation of the flow generator.
US07958889B1
A protective face cover, mask or respirator with a moldable attachment that allows different devices or solids to be inserted into and withdrawn from inside the face cover of the wearer without removing it and the moldable attachment itself. The same moldable attachment can contain also an exhalation port to provide the mask with exhalation capability.
US07958886B2
A torque arm assembly, used with a solar collector mounted to a drive shaft, comprises a torque arm with first and second ends and a torque arm coupling assembly including a drive shaft enclosure defining an open-ended channel sized to house the drive shaft. The channel has a circumferentially extending substantially continuous drive surface between the ends that lies adjacent to the drive shaft so the drive shaft and the drive shaft enclosure rotate together. In some examples contiguous abutment structure, such as weld lines, shims and/or adhesive, connects each side of the drive shaft to the drive shaft enclosure. The invention may also be carried out as a connection improvement method.
US07958874B2
An exhaust gas recirculation apparatus includes a housing connected with an EGR cooler via a mount face. The housing has a valve chamber accommodating a selector valve. The housing has a partition extending from the mount face close to the valve chamber to divide first and second exhaust ports opened in the mount face. A first passage leads exhaust gas into the EGR cooler through the valve chamber. A second passage recirculates exhaust gas to the intake passage through the EGR cooler and the valve chamber. A bypass passage leads exhaust gas from the engine through the valve chamber to bypass the EGR cooler. A rotation axis of the selector valve is perpendicular to an axis of the mount face, and offset away from the partition.
US07958872B1
An internal-combustion engine receives no air from outside atmosphere. Instead, combustion gas expelled from the engine is cooled and recycled back into the engine. That gas contains no nitrogen and consists mostly of carbon dioxide and water vapor. Oxygen and fuel are added to the recycled gas, and the resulting mixture is used to perform an internal-combustion cycle. Cooling that gas condenses its water vapor, and liquid water is separated from the gas. That water is used for injection into the recycled gas at a later time. A small amount of the expelled combustion gas is discharged into outside environment, and the rest is recycled. Water too is recycled back into the engine, and whatever is lost to outside environment is replaced by reclaiming water produced in combustion. No additional supply of water is needed. Since no nitrogen is present, no nitrogen oxides are produced. The amount of other harmful exhaust emissions is greatly reduced too, since most of them are recycled back into the engine. Water evaporation in the cylinders greatly improves fuel economy. The engine is inherently supercharged with combustion-gas pressure, and no turbocharger is needed. Since the combustion gas is heavier than air, the engine can be substantially smaller than a conventional engine of equal power. A smaller engine has less friction.
US07958871B2
The invention relates to a combustion air supply arrangement, including an air intake duct of an internal combustion engine, and a compressor arranged in the air intake duct, and a first throttle located downstream the compressor and upstream the internal combustion engine and arranged to change the flow area of the air intake duct between the compressor and the internal combustion engine, the same furthermore including a second throttle, which is located upstream the compressor and which is arranged to change the flow area of the air intake duct upstream the compressor. Furthermore, the compressor is a centrifugal compressor, the rotational speed of which is directly dependent on the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine, and that the combustion air supply arrangement is arranged in such a way that the sucked-in air is compressed once between the second throttle and the internal combustion engine.
US07958867B2
To provide an accelerator position sensor arrangement structure for a motorcycle that can prevent an increased vehicle-width without change of operational feeling of a throttle. An accelerator position sensor is connected to a throttle grip via a pair of throttle cables and disposed externally of main frames, of a body frame, extending from a head pipe toward the rearward of a vehicle body.
US07958859B2
A camshaft assembly is disclosed which comprises an inner shaft, an outer tube surrounding and rotatable relative to the inner shaft, and two groups of cam lobes mounted on the outer tube, the first group of cam lobes being fast in rotation with the outer tube, the second group being rotatably mounted on the outer surface of the tube and connected for rotation with the inner shaft. The connection between the second group of cam lobes and the inner shaft is effected by means of driving members whose positions are adjustable in order to compensate for significant manufacturing inaccuracies between the inner shaft and its associated group of cam lobes.
US07958855B2
A cooling fan assembly has an inner surface provided with a guide body for guiding a cooling air towards a first engine cylinder, positioned on a leading side with respect to the direction of rotation of the cooling fan assembly, and a second engine cylinder, positioned on a trailing side, after the cooling air has been separated. The guide body includes an upright wall protruding from the inner surface of the fan casing in an axial direction of the cooling fan assembly and extending radially outwardly and spirally from the inner surface of the fan casing as it progresses from the trailing side towards the leading side, and a ceiling wall connected with a projecting end of the upright wall and extending inside the spirality and operable to guide the cooling air inside the spirality of the upright wall towards the first engine cylinder.
US07958853B2
A steam generator has a pressure casing formed in the shape of a drum. The longitudinal axis of this pressure casing is oriented horizontally or largely horizontally. A hollow tube (1) is formed in such a way that at least two hollow tube sections (1′) are provided, preferably a plurality of hollow tube sections which extend predominantly parallel to each other, and which are arranged in stack-form vertically or vertically offset above each other, and which in each case are interconnected in pairs at an end section, wherein this hollow tube is located in the vertical direction above the feed section (8).
US07958849B2
The invention relates to an egg collection conveyor and a vertical feeding device for egg collection, and particularly relates to an egg roll out mechanism for an egg collector. The egg collection conveyor collects eggs produced at each cage of a multiple-stage chicken cage and conveys the eggs to horizontally one end side of the conveyor. The vertical feeding device for egg collection is provided on one end side of the multiple-stage chicken cage, conveys the eggs in the vertical direction, and discharges the eggs, collected by the egg collection conveyor, at a previously set position. The vertical feeding device has egg placement means on which eggs are placed and that discharges the eggs at a desired position. The egg placement means has a space section directly under the position where an egg is placed and the space can be in contact with the bottom surface of the egg. The vertical feeding device is connected to an endless conveyor for conveying the collected eggs to a desired position. A projection for egg roll out is provided on the downstream side of the egg placement means and the distance of the projection relative to the egg placement means is changed corresponding to a change in the conveyance direction of the endless conveyor. In the egg roll out mechanism, when the relative distance is minimum, the egg roll out mechanism causes an end of the projection to reach the space section to help rolling out of an egg.
US07958842B2
A substrate processing apparatus comprising: a processing chamber which is to accommodate at least one substrate; a gas supply system which is to supply processing gas into the processing chamber; an exhaust system which is to exhaust atmosphere in the processing chamber; and at least one pair of electrodes which are to bring the processing gas into an active state and which are accommodated in protection tubes such that the electrodes can be inserted into and pulled out from the protection tubes, wherein the electrodes are accommodated in the protection tube in a state where at least a portion of the electrodes is bent, and the electrodes are formed of flexible members, is disclosed.
US07958835B2
An offshore floating production, storage, and off-loading vessel has a hull of generally cylindrical or polygonal configuration surrounding a central double tapered conical moon pool and contains water ballast and oil and/or liquefied gas storage compartments. The exterior side walls of the polygonal hull have flat surfaces and sharp corners to cut ice sheets, resist and break ice, and move ice pressure ridges away from the structure. An adjustable water ballast system induces heave, roll, pitch and surge motions of the vessel to dynamically position and maneuver the vessel to accomplish ice cutting, breaking and moving operations. The moon pool shape and other devices on the vessel provide added virtual mass for increasing the natural period of the roll and heave modes, reducing dynamic amplification and resonance due to waves and vessel motion, and facilitate maneuvering the vessel. A disconnectable turret buoy at the bottom of the moon pool connects risers and mooring lines.
US07958826B2
A grenade includes an explosion chamber having an explosive charge to which an ignition charge is connected. The grenade also includes a primer and trigger coupled to the ignition charge for detonation of the explosive charge held within the explosion chamber. A variable distance detonation mechanism has a trigger and primer for allowing controlled detonation of the grenade a specific distance from the launch point thereof.
US07958819B2
A blender and juicer system involving a blender container, having an open top and an open bottom, and a removable juicer member being open at each end and adapted for insertion into the blender container. The blender container is adapted to prevent the over-insertion of the removable juicer member. The inserted juicer member is adapted to engage operatively the interior of the blender container. The blender and juicer system also involves a plunger adapted for insertion into the juicer member. The inserted plunger is utilized during a juice extraction operation. The plunger includes a top exterior lip that defines the optimal range of plunger insertion into the juicer member.
US07958813B1
An ordnance mounting system for a helicopter operatively supports a weaponry support beam above an upwardly projecting floor obstruction in a cabin area of the helicopter, between opposite cabin door openings, with the support beam longitudinally extending transversely through the cabin area, and outer weaponry mounting end portions of the support beam projecting outwardly through the door openings beyond opposite fuselage side walls of the helicopter. The mounting system may be secured to door opening sill structures, or the cabin ceiling or side walls, and permits vertical bending flexure of the installed support beam due to flight and weaponry weight loads on the outer ends of the support beam.
US07958807B2
An upper tool device includes: a punch body having a punch blade at a lower end of the punch body; a punch guide into which the punch body is fitted so as to be movable in vertical direction; an adjustment screw member provided above the punch guide, the adjustment screw member screwed with a screw formed on the punch body; a stripper unit including an urging unit urging the punch body in an upward direction; and a retainer collar including a stopper piece having a tip end disengageably engaged with a stopper formed on the punch body. In the device, the stripper unit is detachably provided in the upper tool device, and the retainer collar is provided between the punch guide and the stripper unit in a manner such that the retainer collar can be relatively rotated against the stripper unit.
US07958803B2
A wire-stripping pliers is disclosed to include a cutter holder fixedly provided at the upper clamping jaw of the pliers body thereof, a curter blade fixedly mounted on the cutter holder, a support rod fixedly provided at the lower clamping jaw of the pliers body and movable with the lower clamping jaw relative to the cutter blade, and a sleeve rotatably mounted on the support rod for supporting an electric wire for cutting by the cutter blade.
US07958796B2
A screw-driven fan device includes a screw, a screw nut, a fan, and a connecting unit. An external edge of the screw has a rolling groove formed thereon and a groove formed alternately with the rolling groove. The screw nut, disposed on the screw, has a linking portion. The fan has a rotary axle with a hole formed thereon for screw passing through. The fan further has blades surrounding the rotary axle. The hole has a flange formed on an interior side thereof and engaged with the groove. The connecting unit has a space therein such that the fan can be placed in the space.
US07958781B2
A gyroscope structure 41 includes ring structure 42 supported from a central hub 43 by eight compliant support legs 44a to 44h. Primary drive transducers 45a and 45b and secondary drive transducers 46a and 46b are all located around and in spaced relationship with the external periphery of the ring structure 42 to create capacitive gaps and primary pick-off transducers 47a and 47b and secondary pick-off transducers 48a and 48b are all located around and in spaced relationship with the internal periphery of the ring structure 42 to create capacitive gaps. The gyroscope structure 41 includes sixteen capacitor plates 49a to 49p in spaced relationship to the ring structure 42 to create capacitive gaps. Two groups of capacitive plates 49a to 49d and 49i to 49l are all located around the internal periphery of the ring structure 42 and two groups of capacitor plates 49e to 49h and 49m to 49p are all located around the external periphery of the ring structure 42. Each capacitor plate 49a to 49p is arranged to generate a predetermined electrostatic force, which acts upon the ring structure 42 to locally adjust the stiffness of the ring structure 42. The positioning of the transducers 45a to 48b and capacitor plates 49a to 49p reduces the effect of variation a capacitive gap with ring structure 42 due to temperature change, thereby improving the scalefactor of the gyroscope structure.
US07958780B2
A wind tunnel testing technique or method involves using feedback to position control surfaces of a model so that there is substantially no moment on the model for its given orientation to the airstream. The model is mounted on a sting that allows change in orientation of the model relative to the airstream. A balance is used to provide data regarding the forces and/or moments on the model. This data on forces and/or moments is used in one or more feedback loops to position the control surfaces of the model so that there are substantially no moments on the model. This may be done automatically, with a controller automatically controlling the position of the control surfaces to zero out the moments on the model. The use of the method may allow faster determination of model characteristics, such as determination of the trim envelope of the model.
US07958776B2
A scanning probe microscope in which the probe is oscillated at a frequency lower than its resonant frequency, a force sensor that is sensitive to the bending of the cantilever and minimally sensitive to the oscillation is used to measure tip-sample interaction force. The sensor signal is then converted to a force gradient signal by electronics. The gradient signal is kept constant by a feedback mechanism as the tip is scanned across the surface of a sample, and force and topographical information are mapped.
US07958774B2
A system and method for sample preparation and/or sample enrichment are provided. The system comprises the following components: a first switch element with a switch element input and at least two mutually exclusive switch element outputs and a second corresponding switch element with at least two mutually exclusive switch element inputs and a switch element output, the first and second switch elements being connected to control means for opening and closing the switch element inputs and switch element outputs; a first distributor element with at least three ports and a second distributor element with at least three ports; as well as a first separation column and a second separation column, the components being in such fluidic communication with each other that by means of different positions of the switch elements it is possible to configure at least two different fluidic paths in the system, wherein said different positions are achievable through the control means. The system allows, for example, the simple performance of the backflush process.
US07958770B2
A heat transfer line assembly is disclosed for microwave heated chromatography instruments. Analytical instruments incorporating a microwave oven including the heated transfer lines are also disclosed as well as methods for making and using same.
US07958768B2
Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward pressure controllers and calibrators for setting or measuring pressures in test devices. In one embodiment, the pressure controller contains a dual reference pressure controller. The dual reference pressure controller is operable to maintain two different pressures relative to a reference pressure. The first pressure being a relatively fixed amount greater than the reference pressure and the second pressure being a relatively fixed amount less than the reference pressure.
US07958767B2
A dent removal tool for removing dents from automobile panels is provided. The tool includes a body with a handle on one end and a rest plate for contacting the body panel on the opposite end. A clamp for gripping one or more studs which have been welded to the body panel is located between the handle and the rest plate. The tool gives an automobile repair technician a high degree of mechanical advantage and control in removing dents from body panels.
US07958765B2
A pressing machine 1 includes: a bed 6 on which a die-cushion device 10 is provided; and a bolster 51 provided on the bed 6. The bed 6 has an inner space 61 in which a die-cushion pad 13 of the die-cushion device 10 is lifted up and down. A supporting portion 63 penetrating the die-cushion pad 13 in a lifting direction and supporting a lower surface of the bolster 51 via a carrier 52 is provided in the inner space 61. With this arrangement, since the bolster 51 is supported by the supporting portion 63, the bolster 51 can be prevented from being flexed during a press forming operation, whereby a highly accurate press forming operation can be realized. In addition, since the supporting portion 63 penetrates the die-cushion pad 13, unlike conventional arrangements, the die-cushion pad 13 does not need to be divided, whereby a complication of the arrangement can be avoided.
US07958760B2
A lock and key system is disclosed including locks of the kind comprising a cylindrical key plug (203) with locking tumblers (205) having a body part (206a) and an integral key sensing part (206b) for engagement with an associated key (100). The key sensing part (206b) of each locking tumbler comprises at least two neighbouring key contacting portions (210a, 211a), confined within a limited region, for possible sliding engagement with a longitudinal code pattern of the associated key, at least one but not necessarily all of these key contacting portions of each locking tumbler actually engaging with a corresponding code portion of the associated key upon fully inserting the latter into the key slot of the lock.
US07958754B2
A warp-knitting machine (1) comprising a unitary supporting structure (2), at least one needle bed (3) mounted on the unitary supporting structure (2), at least one thread-guide bar (4) for feeding yarn to the needle bed (3), mounted on the unitary supporting structure (2), a yarn feeding device (5) to the thread-guide bar (4) and to the needle bed (3); and electric and electronic devices (6) for the operation of the warp-knitting machine (1), the electric and electronic devices comprising at least main electronic devices (8) for the operation of the warp-knitting machine (1), the main electronic devices (8) comprising at least the power electronic devices and/or the servodrives for piloting the motors of the machine (1) and being mounted on the unitary supporting structure (2).
US07958752B2
A method for distributing fibrous material, wherein fibrous material, which is fiberized by a spinner of a fiberizing unit, is accumulated on a collection conveyor disposed under the spinner, is characterized by rotatably disposing a hollow cylindrical bucket at a position just under the spinner, the hollow cylindrical bucket having a two-stage structure comprising an upper stage part and a lower stage part, the lower stage part being inclined at an angle with respect to a rotary axis of the hollow cylindrical bucket; and rotating the hollow cylindrical bucket, dispersing the fibrous material in the hollow cylindrical bucket and accumulating the fibrous material on the collection conveyor after flowing down the fibrous material in the hollow cylindrical bucket.
US07958751B2
A plunger foot assembly includes a preassembled gearbox for mounting on a section box base plate of a glassware forming machine. The preassembled gearbox has an input and an output gear with an internally threaded central opening. A hollow externally threaded shaft is threadably coupled to and extends from the internally threaded opening of the output gear. A plunger support is mounted on the hollow externally threaded shaft such that rotation of the output gear of the gearbox raises and lowers the plunger support. The plunger support has an upper face for mounting at least one plunger with air ports of the plunger opening at the face of the support. The plunger support also has air passages for feeding plunger up, plunger down and plunger cooling air to the air ports of a plunger mounted on the plunger support, and a cooling air exhaust passage for feeding cooling air exhaust from the plunger mounted on the support to the hollow interior of the externally threaded shaft. At least one telescoping tube assembly has a base for mounting on the section box base plate, and telescoping tubes with inlet ports for receiving plunger up, plunger down and plunger cooling air and outlets coupled to the air passages in the plunger support.
US07958745B2
The method produces a coated three-dimensionally shaped glass ceramic body, especially a viewing window pane, which is provided with a reflective, anti-reflective or partially reflective layer. The method includes coating a flat green glass body to produce a coated green glass body and subsequently shaping the coated green glass body and ceramizing to form the coated three-dimensionally shaped glass ceramic body. In preferred embodiments the shaping the ceramizing occur at the same time. The reflective or anti-reflective coating is preferably applied to the green-glass body by an economical sol-gel process.
US07958737B2
A heat pump is provided with an improvement while switching from heating/cooling mode to a defrost mode. Prior to initiation of a defrost mode, an electronic expansion device is moved to an open position such that refrigerant can migrate between the indoor-outdoor heat exchangers. When the operation of the defrost cycle is initiated, there is a lower likelihood and severity of flooded starts, as the refrigerant, under existing pressure differential at system shutdown, will move to the heat exchanger that will be downstream of the compressor in the defrost mode. Thus, no flooded start will occur on the subsequent compressor start-up. After completion of the defrost cycle, the electronic expansion device is again opened prior to return to operation in the conventional heating/cooling mode. In case subsequent starts are in an identical mode of operation, the electronic expansion valve is kept closed during shutdown to minimize cyclic performance losses.
US07958735B2
A turbine static structure having reduced leakage air is disclosed. A static structure turbine support ring having few segments is disclosed in which the segments have improved thermal expansion capability with reduced air leakage. A plurality of radially extending slots are placed in the segments to reduce stiffness. In order to minimize air leakage through the support ring, generally circumferential slots are placed in the ring and connect with the generally radially extending slots. Positioned in each of the generally radially extending slots and generally circumferential slots, and in contact with each other, are two sheet metal plates. The plates are staked to the support ring structure so as to provide a seal member, yet compensate for thermal growth.
US07958729B2
A compressor in the intake tractate of an internal combustion engine has a compressor chamber and a compressor wheel arranged in the compressor chamber. A drive unit with shaft is provided, wherein the compressor wheel is coupled to the shaft. An intermediate chamber separate from the compressor chamber is provided. A centrifugal separator is arranged in the intermediate chamber and coupled to the shaft. The intermediate chamber has an inlet for supplying separator gases and also has at least one connecting opening that connects the intermediate chamber to the compressor chamber.
US07958722B2
A valve device includes a control valve for manipulating a communication between a first fluid channel and a second fluid channel. The valve device further includes a pressure sensor for detecting pressure in the first fluid channel. The pressure sensor is provided on a side face defining the first fluid channel. The pressure sensor has a pressure detection face directly opposed to the first fluid channel. The pressure detection face is substantially in parallel with a first axis of the first fluid channel.
US07958715B2
A link member (e.g. a chain link or an elevator link) having a body, the body having two spaced-apart ends, wave-energizable apparatus (one or more) on the link body, and, in one aspect, a wrap or wraps securing the wave-energizable apparatus to the link. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).
US07958708B2
As crop materials are severed from the field, they pass through two successive pairs of counter-rotating conditioning rolls before being returned to the ground. The front rolls are preferably ribbed, metal rolls wherein the ribs of one roll are intermeshed with those of the other roll so as to crimp the stems of the crop materials as they pass between the rolls. The hard metal ribs also aggressively feed the materials rearwardly into the second set of rolls, which are preferably compressive surface rolls made of rubber or the like and provided with wide, intermeshed bars about their periphery. The tension mechanism for the rolls includes single-acting hydraulic cylinders that squeeze the rolls together to the extent permitted by adjustable stop structure used to set gaps between the rolls. In typical operations, the gap between the rear rolls is set to be considerably smaller than the gap between the front rolls. Great flexibility in the degree of conditioning experienced by the crop materials is achieved by the nature of the rolls and the ease with which roll pressure and spacing can be adjusted.
US07958702B2
The present invention relates to an erectable and/or collapsible floral easel for holding a floral object, and more particularly but not by way of limitation, to an erectable or collapsible floral easel for holding a floral object. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a floral easel for holding and/or supporting a floral object. In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to methods of shipping a floral easel, methods of using a floral easel, methods of storing a floral easel, and methods of placing a floral object on a floral easel.
US07958700B2
In one embodiment, a system has components that include A) an interface to receive a signal associated with a point-of-sale transaction, the signal further indicating coins to be given to a customer in accord with the point-of-sale transaction; B) a first dispenser to access a number of coins in accord with the signal; and C) a packager to package the accessed coins.
US07958690B2
A coupling system for securing an elongated wood member having a surface to a second body comprises a stitching body having a first end and a second end defining a length, and a first side and a second side. A first plurality of angled fastener bores is positioned generally on the first side of the stitching body, each configured to position a first side fastener element resting therein at least a first angle with respect to the surface of the elongated wood member. A second plurality of angled fastener bores positioned generally on the second side of the stitching body, each configured to position a second side fastener element resting therein at least a second angle with respect to the surface of the elongated wood member, such that ones of said second side fasteners and said first side fasteners form an intersection when viewed along the length of the stitching body. In one aspect, the coupling system is a hold-down securing a column having a surface to a foundation. The hold-down includes an anchor securing section securing an anchor bolt having a first end positioned in a foundation, the securing section having a first side and a second side defining a width, and a first end and a second end defining a length. A method for installing a hold-down is also provided.
US07958687B2
A concrete building panel has a slab and a plurality of ribs and beams. A series of horizontal holes in the end ribs are spaced at a selected constant spacing such that adjacent panels may be fastened together through them. In one type of panel, the slab is separated from the ribs to provide an air gap. Connections between holes in two adjacent concrete wall panels are made by a hollow conduit having an abutment at either end to engage the concrete wall panels. Other connections between adjacent panels involve a stitch with legs which extend through holes in the beams. Other connections involve a space made by vertical channels of horizontally adjacent panels. A plate fitted into the space aligns the adjacent panels and may extend upwards to align upper panels. Load bearing horizontal holes through the ribs are reinforced with reinforcing bar in the concrete arranged in generally triangular shapes. The concrete panels are formed in a form with sub-forms aligned by rods which create horizontal holes of the desired size and placement when removed.
US07958674B2
The present invention relates to a door sealing element for sealing a gap between a movable door and a stationary floor side mating face, comprising two pieces of flexible tubing which are connected to each other such that they communicate on one end, namely a first piece of tubing, to be provided in the region of the door edge on the gap side, and a second piece of tubing, to be provided in the region of a door edge to be moved against a stationary stop surface in a closed position of the door.
US07958670B2
A container surrounding a pole and base stand of a freestanding floor lamp or similar device. The container includes a sidewall integrally attached to a base panel to form a ballast volume, a fixture void, and a wedge void extending into the ballast volume. The container can take on a variety of shapes and can be split into two sections comprising an upper planter section and a lower reservoir section. The upper planter section includes a ballast volume, a pole void and a wedge void and can include a plurality of drain ports with or without integrally attached circumferentially arrayed stands. The lower reservoir section includes a ballast volume, a wedge void, and a base void and can include a watering port. A wedge section can be provided to close off the wedge void and define the aperture in which a freestanding device such as a floor lamp is housed.
US07958666B2
A motion-type predator decoy for attracting coyotes, wild dogs and other pest or nuisance predators for use in ranching, farming, recreation land management, public safety and sporting fields. The decoy has a support base for placement during use on an environmental surface. The base includes a downwardly disposed surface contact end of a predetermined lateral dimension and an upwardly disposed support end of a predetermined lateral dimension. The decoy also has a driven decoy mechanism connected to the support end of the base. The decoy mechanism includes an actuator and a flexible decoy member. The actuator generates vibrations and the decoy mechanism undergoes random longitudinal, radial and lateral movement components with respect to the base. A method of using the decoy is also disclosed.
US07958662B2
A weapon conditionally activates a cartridge. The cartridge has a projectile and a first mechanical feature. The weapon includes an activator and a station. The activator includes a second mechanical feature. The station positions the cartridge so that the first feature opposes the second feature. On condition that the first feature does not mechanically interfere with the second feature, the activator activates the cartridge to launch the projectile from the cartridge. On condition that the first feature mechanically interferes with the second feature resulting in an excess head space, the activator is inhibited by the excess head space from activating the cartridge.
US07958658B2
The present invention discloses a recordable card holder having an electronic record device invisibly perched within a plastic ornament body for supplementing a recording function of a card holder. The present invention discloses a way to personalize gifts of flower bouquets, flow baskets and gift boxes, and thus enhance gift value.
US07958654B2
A snowboard boot incorporating techniques for making the process of tightening and loosening the laces of a snowboard boot more convenient for the wearer is disclosed. The snowboard boot may be provided with at least two independent lacing zones, the tensions of which are separately adjustable by the wearer. The zones may be secured by pulling on two laces, each of which tightens one of the two independent lacing zones. This arrangement allows the wearer to simultaneously tighten each zone, providing the wearer with the “feel” as though he or she is tightening a conventional single lacing zone snowboard boot. The laces may be simultaneously, yet independently secured by a lace lock at the upper and/or forward region of the snowboard boot. Slack may be created to facilitate loosening of the snowboard boot and easy removal of a foot from the snowboard boot by unhooking the lace from the lace guide without a corresponding distance of lace traveling through the lace lock. A release strap, graspable by the wearer, facilitates unhooking the lace.
US07958645B1
The Chappell Universal Square™ solves the problems associated with standard framing squares and provides a dynamic framing square bearing novel indicia and a novel arrangement of same for direct application to framing members during construction of complicated framing systems of equal and/or unequal pitched members. Typically, squares are limited to use with a single base unit of measurement, e.g. inches or millimeters, and provide limited tabulated information for use in calculating lengths, distances, and angles at which to cut framing members. The present invention is a tool that provides universal applicability for use in building both simple and complex structures according to metric and standard/imperial measurement systems. The present invention provides tabulated calculations aligned with indicia that enable construction of equal and complex unequal pitch framing members without necessitating the execution of complex trigonometric calculations.
US07958643B1
A reticle comprises a horizontal section having horizontal section horizontal lines broken by horizontal section gaps between the horizontal section horizontal lines. A vertical section has vertical section vertical lines broken by vertical section gaps between the vertical section vertical lines. The horizontal section intersects the vertical section at a midpoint. A wide measurement ranging system includes range indicators including a highest range indicator, a plurality of intermediate range indicators, and a lowest range indicator. A height measurement ranging system has range indicators which include height measurement horizontal lines and which include a height measurement lowest range indicator closest to the vertical section, height measurement intermediate range indicators, and a height measurement highest range indicator.
US07958640B1
A pole saw head which comprises a cheek plate having an integral downwardly curved arm and an integral upwardly rope setting auxiliary notched hook strategically positioned on an end of the arm. The notched hook will hold a loop of a length of rope tied in a monkey's fist knot thereto. A mechanism is for coupling the cheek plate to a top end of a pole. When the pole is manually manipulated by a person grasping the pole the notched hook can release the loop on the monkey's fist knot, so that the monkey's fist knot will appropriately uncoil when the rope is tossed over a branch of a tree.
US07958635B2
A process for producing a pulley for a belt drive CVT, including subjecting tapered surfaces of a preform of at least one of input and output pulleys to surface hardening, subjecting the surface-hardened tapered surfaces of the preform to hard turning to form microgrooves radially spaced from one another thereon, between which microprojections are formed, and reducing a height of the microprojections. Alternatively, a process for producing a pulley for a belt drive CVT, including subjecting tapered surfaces of a preform of at least one of input and output pulleys to surface hardening, subjecting the surface-hardened tapered surfaces of the preform to shot peening, and subjecting the shot-peened tapered surfaces of the preform to finishing to form microgrooves having a substantially equal pitch thereon.
US07958631B2
Removal of a conventional separable insulated connector from an electric power system often results in a shortened electric cable. An extender for a separable insulated connector enables the separable insulated connector to connect to a shortened cable. A conventional cable adapter is inserted into the extender, which includes a conductive connector for accepting the shortened cable and a conductive rod for carrying electric power from the shortened cable to the separable insulated connector. The extender also includes an inner semi-conductive layer that borders the conductive rod and compression connector, an outer semi-conductive layer, and a insulating layer between the two semi-conductive layers. The extender is inserted into a separable insulated connector, which is then connected to the electric power system.
US07958628B2
A vacuum bonding tool method for pick-and-place and bonding semiconductor chips onto a substrate or onto a previously mounted die to form a die stack includes a shank and a suction part. The shank has a vacuum conduit extending from a first end to a second end of the shank. The shank is adapted for cooperative engagement with the suction part at the second end, and the shank has a plate at the second end to support the suction part. The suction part has a surface for contacting a semiconductor chip during pick-and place operation. According to the invention, the suction part is made of an elastically deformable conductive or non-conductive material. In various embodiments, the chip contacting surface of the elastically deformable suction part flat overall, or is concave, of has a flat central region and concave regions.
US07958627B2
A method of forming an electrical component is provided. The method comprises preparing a subassembly by electrically connecting an integrated circuit to a flexible circuit; and attaching the subassembly to a multilayer ceramic capacitor having a mounting surface with a curvature deviation exceeding 0.008 inches per inch.
US07958624B2
An automated pallet inspection and repair apparatus includes an inspection station and a repair station. The inspection station includes a laser that illuminates a pallet, a camera that collects the reflected light and a computer system. The computer system analyzes the output of the camera and acquires the pallet's geometry and topography. The design of the pallet is determined by the computer software. A decision to repair the pallet is made by comparing the acquired pallet data against the design criteria. If the pallet needs repair, a recipe of repair steps is constructed by inspecting each of the pallet's elements. The recipe is transmitted to the automated repair station.
US07958614B2
The present invention relates to fasteners and more specifically to a fastener adapted to visually indicate tension, and method of making thereof.
US07958610B2
A method of repairing a housing for a machine system includes returning an inner diameter of at least one bearing bore of the housing to a uniform diameter state. The at least one bearing bore is prepared for resurfacing via removing deeply entrapped grease from within pores in cast surface material of the housing subsequent to returning the inner diameter to a uniform diameter state. Subsequent to preparing the at least one bearing bore for resurfacing, it is resurfaced with a material different from cast material of the housing and bonded therewith, for example via thermal spray coating. Resurfacing a cast metallic component, of iron, steel, or the like with metal spray coating may include removing deeply embedded grease from pores of cast surface material of a cast component, in preparation for spraying the cast component with metal spray resurfacing material.
US07958603B2
The invention relates to a rotary handle for a closing mechanism of a sash of a window, a leaf of a door, or the like, particularly a sliding sash or leaf, comprising an actuating grip, which in the neutral position can be disposed such that it is retracted in the sash or leaf at least partially with regard to the height and which can be pivoted from the neutral position in a working position as a folding grip such that it protrudes, wherein in the working position it can be rotated about a rotational axis. An operating element is provided, which is used to bring about a coupling or decoupling position in relation to a control element, which rotates together with the actuating grip in the coupling position and does not rotate along in the decoupling position.
US07958593B2
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a protective member to be adapted about a roller of a moving assembly and to ride along a path of the roller. In this way, debris is prevented from contacting the roller. In one particular embodiment, the protective member may have an internal portion with a frusto-circular shape.
US07958589B2
Toothbrush heads, e.g., for power toothbrushes, are provided. An embodiment of the toothbrush heads include a support structure, a plurality of upstanding accurate members extending upward from a surface of the support structure forming an open center area, a second cleaning element disposed within the open center area and plurality of bristle tufts extending from the support structure and at least partially surrounding at least one of the plurality of arcuate segments
US07958585B2
A method of determining static and dynamic imbalance conditions in a horizontal axis washing machine utilizes a number of dynamic algorithms to automatically determine the total load size, the magnitude of any static load imbalance, and the magnitude of any dynamic load imbalance for any given load in a given washing machine based on power measurements from the washing machine motor obtained in predetermined speed profiles.
US07958581B2
According to at least one embodiment, an apparatus for continuous collection of human waste products is disclosed. The apparatus may include a bed frame, a lower plate having a container coupled thereto, an upper plate having an aperture defined therein, a mattress having an aperture defined therein, a mattress cover having an aperture defined therein and an absorbent pad having a bag coupled thereto. The apparatus may allow for continuous collection of human waste products while maintaining the patient in a comfortable position. The apparatus may further facilitate preventing human waste products from contacting the skin of the patient, thereby substantially reducing the occurrence of pressure ulcers. Additionally, the apparatus may reduce the need for the use of Foley catheters for incontinence management, thereby reducing the occurrence of urinary tract infections related to such use.
US07958577B2
A shower curtain hanging structure includes a fixture, a first socket, a second socket and a linking rod. The fixture is provided with a connecting unit to secure the first socket. The second socket is accommodated in the first socket and linked with the connecting unit. The linking rod is composed of several sections, with the two ends connected to the second socket to form the hanger. The first socket is adjustable to link the second socket for the linking rod in a different length.
US07958575B2
An embodiment of the present invention provides a correlated magnet toilet seat cover lock which may include a first correlated magnetic field structure securely attachable to a toilet bowl, a second correlated magnetic field structure that is complementary to the first correlated magnetic field structure and securely attachable to a toilet seat cover, and wherein the first correlated magnetic field structure associated with the toilet bowl is capable of being aligned with the second correlated magnetic field structure attachable to the toilet seat cover such that the toilet bowl and the toilet seat cover produce an attractive force that secures the toilet seat cover to the toilet seat bowl.
US07958574B1
A back protector having a back plate configured to, among other things, relieve, reduce, or eliminate the stress or discomfort that can be imposed on a person's upper trunk region during certain activities. The protected areas can include the upper back, spine, and/or lower shoulder area of a person, such as a plumber, in the supine position. The upper trunk protector further includes apparatus or means for attaching the plate to the person to be protected, such as a first elongate strap and a second elongate strap each having a first end and a second end, and a waist belt. Preferably, the waist belt is attached along a bottom portion of the back plate and is configured to be worn about the person's waist, while the first elongate strap and second elongate strap are each attached at the first end to a top section of the back plate and at the second end to corresponding points on the waist belt. Related methods are described.
US07958571B2
An underwear garment for use by a male, that is, a person having a penis and a scrotum, may be characterized as including a genital pouch and a pair of side panels collectively formed in a mid-section of a front wall depending from a waistband so as to bisect said front wall. The pouch may be pear-shaped when viewed from the front. A lower extremity of the pouch extends under and rearwardly of the front wall so as to form a perineum portion for covering rearwardly past the scrotum and to the perineum of the user. The pouch also has a phallus supporting portion extending forwardly of a plane generally containing the front wall and forming therein an apex portion for containing the head of the penis of the user when the penis is hanging at rest. The pouch also has a scrotum supporting portion extending from and between the phallus supporting portion and the perineum portion for containing at least a portion of the scrotum of the user.
US07962962B2
In a computer, a first set of object classes are provided representing active entities in an information-handling process and a second set of object classes are provided representing data and rules in the information-handling process. At least one object class has rules associated with data. The above-mentioned objects are used in constructing a model of an information-handling process, and to provide an output that identifies at least one way in which the information-handling process could be improved. One aspect is a method for handling personally identifiable information. Another aspect is a system for executing the method of the present invention. A third aspect is as a set of instructions on a computer-usable medium, or resident in a computer system, for executing the method of the present invention.
US07962950B2
In one embodiment, the present invention is related to a computer system including compartments implemented on an operating system. A database contains access rules with the access rules defining which compartments are authorized to access particular file resources. A kernel module receives a system call to access a file from a user space application belonging to a compartment. A security module determines whether the user space application is authorized to access the file utilizing access rules stored in the database.
US07962945B2
An integrated Internet camera includes, as embedded components contained within the camera body and controlled by a microcontroller, at least a network interface device for connecting to the Internet, a transport control device for packetizing according to Internet protocols, a file transfer device for communicating with a destination user directory on the Internet, and a transmission initiating device for initiating the connection and transfer operations of the file transfer device and transport control device. The network interface device may be a modem, network adapter, or adapter for connection to the Internet. Upon capturing the digital image, the camera initiates a connection to the Internet, connects to the destination user directory, and uploads the digital images. Thereafter, the digital images are available to authorized (or any) user having access to the Internet.
US07962938B2
An electronic program guide (EPG) is enhanced to have entries that enable access to one or more images. When an image-related entry is selected by a user, a television-based device presents the one or more images that are associated with the selected entry. In a described search-related implementation, portions of the EPG, such as actors and actresses names, are presented as links. Selection of a link effectuates a search of a group of files and is followed by the visual presentation of a slide show of images resulting from the search. In a described email-related implementation, a third party can email images to an email address that is associated with the television-based device. In response to the emailed images, an image entry is added to the channel lineup of the EPG. Selection of the image entry causes the device to visually present the emailed images in a slide show.
US07962919B2
A method and apparatus for modifying an events queue for extending an extended mark-up language (XML) processor's feature set are described. In one embodiment, the method includes the parsing of an XML document to generate an initial event queue. During parsing of the XML document, an event associated with a parser plug-in module may be detected. When an event associated with a parser plug-in module is detected, control is passed to the plug-in module to perform event-based functionality to modify the initial event queue to form a modified event queue. Subsequently, any additional event information contained within the modified event queue, as generated by the parser plug-in module, is reported to, for example, an end user application. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07962911B2
An information handling system (IHS) employs operating system software to manage IHS resources. The operating system software manages software application programs as processes executing within the IHS. The processes run in foreground and background mode within the IHS. Processes running in foreground mode are subject to hang-up events with negative process output results, such as output data loss. In one embodiment, the operating system software supports a “no hang-up now” command for use with processes running in foreground mode. The “no hang-up now” command provides system users the ability to hang-up or log-out of an IHS terminal without negative effects on the current foreground process. A user may invoke the “no hang-up now” command after execution of the foreground process is already underway. The no hang-up command moves the foreground application to the background for continued execution. A signal handler program prevents termination of the background process until the process completes.
US07962909B1
In one embodiment, a processor comprises an execution core configured to execute instructions including instructions comprising a guest and a circuit coupled to the execution core. The circuit is configured to monitor the execution core, and is programmable to limit an execution of the guest in the execution core to an execution interval. In another embodiment, a method comprises establishing an execution interval for a guest to be executed in a processor; and initiating execution of the guest in the processor. The processor includes a circuit configured to monitor execution of the guest to detect an end of the execution interval. A computer accessible medium storing instructions which, when executed, implement the method is also contemplated.
US07962898B1
A system and method is provided for remotely analyzing machine vision data. An indication of a choice of vision software is sent from a first computer to a remote second computer. The second computer, using the selected vision software, processes image data to provide a result that is transmitted from the second computer to a designated location.
US07962893B2
In conventional cases, a control program for an automatic sampler for a liquid chromatograph has to be created by combining operational commands. To do this, users have to know the meaning of each command and learn the programming method. Therefore, the conventional method is difficult for those who are not skilled in programming. In contrast, with the system for assisting the creation of an automatic sampler control program, the user can create the control program by selecting instructional sentences written in a natural language. The system uses a definition file in which each instructional sentence is associated with one or more operational commands. When the user selects one of instructional sentences displayed on a display screen, the system includes one or more operational commands corresponding to the selected instructional sentence into the control program. By selecting one instructional sentence after another over multiple sentence input lines, the user can easily create a control program consisting of a sequence of operational commands.
US07962885B2
The present invention provides a new hardware description language for chip-level JTAG testing. This new hardware description language, referred to as New BSDL (NSDL), enables testing resources of a system-on-chip to be described, thereby enabling the system-on-chip to be described in a manner that facilitates testing of the system-on-chip. The present invention provides a bottom-up approach to describing a system-on-chip. The present invention supports algorithmic descriptions of each of the components of the system-on-chip, and supports an algorithmic description of interconnections between the components of the system-on-chip, thereby enabling generation of an algorithmic description of the entire system-on-chip or portions of the system-on-chip. The present invention supports devices adapted for dynamically modifying the scan path of a system-on-chip (referred to herein as crossroad devices), including methods for describing such devices and use of such devices to perform testing of system-on-chips.
US07962884B2
The present invention is aimed to efficiently realize a reduction in size of and dead space in a semiconductor integrated circuit while securing freedom of placement and wiring of internal components of placement objects and suppressing an increase of constraints of CAD system. A floorplanning apparatus has a temporary placement section temporarily arranging a plurality of placement object blocks onto a mounting region so that at least two placement object blocks among the plurality of placement object blocks overlap each other to form an overlap region, and an optimization section changing arrangement of the internal components in at least one placement object block among the placement object blocks forming the overlap region while using the overlap region to optimize at least one placement object block.
US07962880B2
A method for minimizing coupling capacitance between wires in a bus comprising shifting by rearranging the order of said wires in said bus so that, aside from said first and last wires in said arrangement, the coupling capacitance across said bus is uniform and minimized relative to the original arrangement. Alternatively, a method for minimizing coupling capacitance between wires in a bus comprising shifting by rearranging the order of said wires in said bus so that, aside from said first and last wires in said arrangement, one of said wires incurs the smallest possible amount of coupling capacitance and then the coupling capacitance across the rest of said wires in said bus gets progressively worse relative to the original arrangement.
US07962878B2
A method for configuring an integrated circuit including configuring a plurality cells to form a cell library, wherein configuring each cell includes defining intracell wiring in at least one layer positioned above a substrate, the intracell wiring connecting to structures below the at least one layer and forming one or more terminals, and defining one or more candidate wires for at least one terminal to use as pre-defined intercell wiring for connection to the at least one terminal. The method further includes arranging selected cells from the cell library to form a desired layout of an integrated circuit, and routing intercell wiring so as to interconnect the selected cells to achieve a desired function of the integrated circuit including using only selected candidate wires for intercell wiring within borders of each of the selected cells.
US07962868B2
A method for forming a semiconductor device includes performing a first optimization of a first edge location of a feature fragment, wherein the first optimization has a first speed per fragment, and performing a second optimization of a second edge location of the feature fragment, wherein the second optimization has a second speed per fragment that is slower than the first speed per fragment. Next, a result of the second optimization is used to form a reticle pattern; and a layer on a semiconductor wafer is patterned using the reticle pattern.
US07962858B2
A method for reminding a user of a mobile communication terminal of an event scheduled using a scheduling feature of the mobile communication terminal is provided. The method comprises displaying an alert, associated with a scheduled event, on a display screen of the mobile communication terminal, wherein the alert is in a format that conspicuously distinguishable from other information displayed on the display screen to prompt the user's immediate attention.
US07962857B2
A method, and a handheld electronic device that implements the method, for selecting a number of languages used by a text disambiguation function executed by an electronic device during a text entry session. The method comprises determining a context for the text entry session, and responsive to the determining, selecting at least some of the number of languages used by the text disambiguation function during the text entry session.
US07962843B2
A method includes storing one or more resource identifiers identifying one or more associated resources visited using a browser application, and presenting the resource identifiers in an order designated by one of a plurality of history presentation settings and resource navigation context specifications. The history presentation setting and navigation context can be selected by a user. Exemplary history presentation settings include chronological and domain-name grouped. Exemplary navigation context includes resource identifier, such as name, URI, or domain of the currently viewed resource. The method may further include presenting a thumbnail when a pointer icon is positioned over one of the resource identifiers. A system includes a navigation event capture module storing resource identifiers identifying associated visited resources in a navigation history and an overview module ordering the resource identifiers in an order designated by one of a plurality of history presentation settings and resource navigation context specifications.
US07962832B2
A method for easily detecting a memory error that may occur when a memory is accessed or an allocated memory is freed in the process of developing software is disclosed. The memory error detecting method includes: (a) generating an original block indication variable for indicating a starting memory block of a memory region allocated with respect to a variable included in a computer program; (b) detecting a memory error that may occur when the allocated memory region is accessed, by performing a certain operation (computing or arithmetic operation), before the allocated memory region is accessed, using a target block indication variable indicating memory block to be accessed in the allocated memory region and/or the original block indication variable; and (c) outputting information about a detected memory error.
US07962830B2
An approach is provided for decoding a low density parity check (LDPC) coded signal. Edge values associated with a structured parity check matrix used to generate the LDPC coded signal are retrieved from memory. The edge values specify the relationship of bit nodes and check nodes, and are stored within memory according to a predetermined scheme that permits concurrent retrieval of a set of the edge values. A decoded signal corresponding to the LDPC coded signal is output based on the retrieved edge values.
US07962829B2
In a parity prediction circuit which corrects the predicted parity using AND/OR parity inversion condition generation circuits, predicted parity and inversion conditions are corrected using an EOR condition of one of data buses. Two parity prediction logics are sufficient; the added correction logic circuit requires only the EOR condition for one data bus, and the hardware configuration can be reduced. Further, control signals from opcode signals are employed in the latter half of the logic operations, and thereby parity prediction is possible at high speed comparable with circuits which have parity prediction logic for each instruction.
US07962825B2
Disclosed is a system and methods for accelerating network protocol processing for devices configured to process network traffic at relatively high data rates. The system incorporates a hardware-accelerated protocol processing module that handles steady state network traffic and a software-based processing module that handles infrequent and exception cases in network traffic processing.
US07962820B2
Methods, apparatus, and systems for diagnosing failing scan cells from compressed test responses are disclosed herein. For example, in one nonlimiting exemplary embodiment, at least one error signature comprising multiple bits (including one or more error bits) is received. Plural potential-error-bit-explaining scan cell candidates are evaluated using a search tree. A determination is made as to whether one or more of the evaluated scan cell candidates explain the error bits in the error signature and thereby constitute one or more failing scan cells. An output is provided of any such one or more failing scan cells determined. Tangible computer-readable media comprising computer-executable instructions for causing a computer to perform any of the disclosed methods are also provided. Tangible computer-readable media comprising lists of failing scan cells identified by any of the disclosed methods are also provided.
US07962815B2
An integrated circuit can have plural core circuits, each having a test access port that is defined in IEEE standard 1149.1. Access to and control of these ports is though a test linking module. The test access ports on an integrated circuit can be arranged in a hierarchy with one test linking module controlling access to plural secondary test linking modules and test access ports. Each secondary test linking module in turn can also control access to tertiary test linking modules and test access ports. The test linking modules can also be used for emulation.
US07962814B2
A method of causing an interface to implement a mode from a plurality of selectable modes in which the interface operates according to a plurality of states defined by a state machine comprises sequencing through a sequence of the states, and detecting a predetermined sequence of the states. The predetermined sequence of the states represents a no-operation for at least one of the modes and also represents a mode change command.
US07962813B2
IEEE 1149.1 Test Access Ports (TAPs) may be utilized at both IC and intellectual property core design levels. TAPs serve as serial communication ports for accessing a variety of embedded circuitry within ICs and cores including; IEEE 1149.1 boundary scan circuitry, built in test circuitry, internal scan circuitry, IEEE 1149.4 mixed signal test circuitry, IEEE P5001 in-circuit emulation circuitry, and IEEE P1532 in-system programming circuitry. Selectable access to TAPs within ICs is desirable since in many instances being able to access only the desired TAP(s) leads to improvements in the way testing, emulation, and programming may be performed within an IC. A TAP linking module is described that allows TAPs embedded within an IC to be selectively accessed using 1149.1 instruction scan operations.
US07962812B2
Scan distributor, collector, and controller circuitry connect to the functional inputs and outputs of core circuitry on integrated circuits to provide testing through those functional inputs and outputs. Multiplexer and demultiplexer circuits select between the scan circuitry and the functional inputs and outputs. The core circuitry can also be provided with built-in scan distributor, collector, and controller circuitry to avoid having to add it external of the core circuitry. With appropriately placed built-in scan distributor and collector circuits, connecting together the functional inputs and outputs of the core circuitry also connects together the scan distributor and collector circuitry in each core. This can provide a hierarchy of scan circuitry and reduce the need for separate test interconnects and multiplexers.
US07962811B2
An apparatus, a method and a computer program product are provided for conserving energy during functional mode of a processor by disabling the scan chain. By inserting logic gating into the scan chain it is possible to disable the scan chain during the processor's functional mode. During functional mode the scan out port of the latch bit in a scan chain toggles, which leads to unnecessary energy consumption. By gating scan control signals and the scan out port of a latch bit, the scan chain segment between latch bits can be disconnected. Therefore, the scan control signals can disable the scan chain during functional mode.
US07962805B1
A system that includes a first flip flop that is serially coupled to a second flip flop. The first flip flop includes a transfer circuit that is coupled between a master latch and a slave latch. The master latch of the first flip flop latches a scan data signal during a first portion of a cycle of a first clock signal that is provided to the first flip flop. The transfer circuit is conductive during a sub-portion of a second portion of the cycle of the first clock signal. The sub-portion starts after an occurrence of a predefined change in a control signal provided to the slave latch. The predefined change occurs after an estimated start of a first portion of a cycle of a second clock signal that is provided to the second flip flop. A master latch of the second flip flop latches the scan data signal during a first portion of a next cycle of the second clock signal.
US07962804B2
Systems and methods for performing fault analysis using numerically coded time series data are disclosed. First time series data, including a plurality of first time entries and an associated first data value for each first time entry, may be received for a machine variable for a first printer. Second time series data, including a plurality of second time entries and an associated second data value for each second time entry, may be received for the machine variable for each of a plurality of second printers. For each second printer, a similarity measurement may be determined for the first time series data for the first printer and the second time series data for the second printer. One or more closest matching second printers may be determined based on the similarity measurements. An association may be displayed between the first printer and each closest matching second printer.
US07962797B2
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for automatically generating and refining health models. Embodiments of the invention use machine learning tools to analyze historical telemetry data from a server deployment. The tools output fingerprints, for example, small groupings of specific metrics-plus-behavioral parameters, that uniquely identify and describe past problem events mined from the historical data. Embodiments automatically translate the fingerprints into health models that can be directly applied to monitoring the running system. Fully-automated feedback loops for identifying past problems and giving advance notice as those problems emerge in the future is facilitated without any operator intervention. In some embodiments, a single portion of expert knowledge, for example, Key Performance Indicator (KPI) data, initiates health model generation. Once initiated, the feedback loop can be fully automated to access further telemetry and refine health models based on the further telemetry.
US07962795B2
The present invention provides an embedded system and method for recovering the file system of flash memory when damage has occurred to the file system of the flash memory. The embedded system is equipped with NOR flash memory. The embedded system includes boot Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM) and a Central Processing Unit (CPU). The boot PROM stores a normal state check value for a Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC), and performs the recovery of the NOR flash memory if it is determined that a failure has occurred in the NOR flash memory through failure detection. The CPU is set such that it jumps to the boot PROM at the time of startup of the embedded system.
US07962791B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for automated data determination propagation. A data package source collects data and compiles the data into data packages. A local data package prioritization module determines a prioritized order of the data packages based on a local priority matrix. The local data package prioritization module sends the data packages in the prioritized order over a temporary data connection to a central data package prioritization module. The local data package prioritization module updates the local priority matrix over the temporary data connection based on a central priority matrix. The central data package prioritization module receives the data packages and makes one or more updates to the central priority matrix based on the data packages.
US07962781B2
A control method for an information storage apparatus has the steps of: providing redundancy of information stored in the information storage apparatus; a redundancy failure recording part recording a record of a redundancy failure in a state recording part, when the failure has occurred in keeping of the redundant state of the information; a redundancy monitoring part reading the record of the redundancy failure from the state recording part the record; and a reporting part reporting the redundancy failure when the record of the redundancy failure is read by the redundancy monitoring part.
US07962777B2
Multiple copies of firmware code for controlling operation of a non-volatile flash memory system are stored at different suitable locations of the flash memory of a memory system. A map of addresses of these locations is also stored in the flash memory. Upon initialization of the memory system, boot code stored in the memory controller is executed by its microprocessor to reference the address map and load one copy of the firmware from the flash memory into a controller memory, from which it may then be executed by the microprocessor to operate the memory system to store and retrieve user data. An error correction code (ECC) is used to check the data but the best portions of the two or more firmware copies stored in the flash memory are used to reduce the need to use ECC. The firmware code may be stored in the flash memory in two-states when user data is stored in the same memory in more than two-states.
US07962776B2
A method to detect component removal while operating in a battery backup mode, comprising providing power from a battery backup unit (BBU) to a control card memory device, and measuring the current drawn by the control card memory device. If the current drawn by the control card memory device is less than or equals a pre-determined disconnect current, the method determines if a BBU release pin has been asserted. If the BBU release pin has been asserted, the method encodes in an event log a battery backup removal event. If the BBU release pin has not been asserted, the method encodes in the event log a control card removal event.
US07962774B2
An over-provisioned multicore processor employs more cores than can simultaneously run within the power envelope of the processor, enabling advanced processor control techniques for more efficient workload execution, despite significantly decreasing the duty cycle of the active cores so that on average a full core or more may not be operating.
US07962773B2
A microcontroller unit (MCU) is disclosed with a stand-alone Real Time Clock (RTC). The MCU includes a processing circuit for receiving digital information and processing said received digital information. A primary clock circuit provides the timing for the processing circuit. A power control circuit controls the power to the processing circuit and the primary clock circuit to control the operation thereof to operate in at least a full power mode drawing a full power level from a supply voltage input and a reduced power mode drawing less than the full power level from the supply voltage input. A stand-alone RTC circuit is also provided, the stand-alone RTC circuit including an RTC clock circuit operating independent of the primary clock circuit. A timer clocked by the RTC clock circuit is operable to increment a stored time value for output therefrom, the RTC clock circuit having a defined time base. An input/output (I/O) device provides access by the processing circuit to the results output by the timer. A power management circuitry manages the power to the stand-alone RTC circuit, such that the RTC clock circuit, the timer, and the I/O device operate regardless of the power mode of operation of the processing circuitry and the primary clock circuit.
US07962771B2
A method, system, and apparatus may route an interrupt to a first core of a plurality of cores of a multi-core system. If the first core is in an idle or low power state, or operating in a power state at or below a threshold power state, a core in a least idle state may be found. The interrupt may be rerouted to and processed by the core in the least idle state. Cores in a multi-core system may be rated based on for example, power states or other characteristics, and interrupts may be assigned based on these ratings. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07962767B2
An integrated circuit is provided having first and second circuitry which are configured to emit light when undergoing changes in state. The first and second circuitry being operated to change state at the same time so as to hinder optical detection of the light emitted by the first circuitry.
US07962764B2
A reproducing method is disclosed, that comprises the steps of determining whether or not additional data has been read from data that had been read from a loaded record medium, and when the determined result represents that the additional data has been read from the data, performing a reproducing process for the data that had been read from the record medium corresponding to reward data contained in the additional data.
US07962763B2
A data transfer device for transferring data to a removable data storage item. The data transfer device encrypts data to be stored using an encryption key, and additionally encrypts a copy of the encryption key using the encryption key. The data transfer device then stores the encrypted data and the encrypted encryption key to the removable data storage item.
US07962752B2
Providing trusted time in a computing platform, while still supporting privacy, may be accomplished by having a trusted time device provide the trusted time to an application executing on the computing platform. The trusted time device may be reset by determining if a value in a trusted time random number register has been set, and if not, waiting a period of time, generating a new random number, and storing the new random number in the trusted time random number register. The trusted time random number register is set to zero whenever electrical power is first applied to the trusted time device upon power up of the computing platform, and whenever a battery powering the trusted time device is removed and reconnected. By keeping the size of the trusted time random number register relatively small, and waiting the specified period of time, attacks on the computing platform to determine the trusted time may be minimized, while deterring the computing platform from being uniquely identified.
US07962746B2
A mobile telephone includes a CPU that obtains and decodes instructions included in an OS, a nonsecure program, a switch device driver, and a secure program, and operates according to the decoding results. A memory includes a controlled area and an uncontrollable area. The OS has only the controlled area as its access space, and includes an instruction for mediating access of the nonsecure program to the controlled area and an instruction for instructing the switch device driver to make a switch to the secure program. The nonsecure program includes an instruction to access the controlled area via the OS. The switch device driver includes an instruction to make a switch from execution of the OS to execution of the secure program in response to an instruction of the OS. The secure program has only the uncontrollable area as its access space, and includes an instruction to access the uncontrollable area.
US07962732B2
An instruction processing apparatus includes a thread execution processing section executing threads each including plural instructions, a register file including a register window having plural registers, a current window pointer indicating a position of the register where the register window is possible to be inputted and outputted, a current register reading data held by the register window designated by the current window pointer to hold the data and a replacement buffer holding data transferred from the register file to the current register, a first transfer path transferring data in a register file to one of the replacement buffer, a second data transfer transferring data in a replacement buffer to one of the current registers, a calculation section executing a switching instruction of the register window, and a control section controlling, if the calculation section executes the switching instruction, the first data transfer path and the second data transfer path.
US07962730B2
In one embodiment, a processor comprises a retire unit and a load/store unit coupled thereto. The retire unit is configured to retire a first store memory operation responsive to the first store memory operation having been processed at least to a pipeline stage at which exceptions are reported for the first store memory operation. The load/store unit comprises a queue having a first entry assigned to the first store memory operation. The load/store unit is configured to retain the first store memory operation in the first entry subsequent to retirement of the first store memory operation if the first store memory operation is not complete. The queue may have multiple entries, and more than one store may be retained in the queue after being retired by the retire unit.
US07962722B2
In at least one embodiment, a processor includes at least one execution unit that executes instructions and instruction sequencing logic, coupled to the at least one execution unit, that fetches instructions from a memory system for execution by the at least one execution unit. The instruction sequencing logic including a branch target address cache (BTAC) including a plurality of entries for storing branch target address predictions. The BTAC includes index logic that selects an entry to access utilizing a BTAC index based upon at least a set of higher order bits of an instruction address and a set of lower order bits of the instruction address.
US07962721B1
There is provided an information processing apparatus. The apparatus comprises: a processor; at least one I2C device; and a processor support chip. The processor support chip comprises a local service controller and a jointly addressable memory space and has an interface to the processor for the transfer of information therebetween. The processor support chip also has an interface for communication with a service processor; and an I2C interface for communication with the at least one I2C device. The local service controller has exclusive read and write access to the I2C interface; and is operable to maintain a data structure indicating a current value associated with the I2C device in the jointly addressable memory space for access by the processor and the service processor.
US07962715B2
A memory controller includes at least one interface adapted to be coupled to one or more first memory devices of a first memory type having a first set of attributes, and to one or more second memory devices of a second memory type having a second set of attributes. The first and second sets of attributes have at least one differing attribute. The controller also includes interface logic configured to direct memory transactions having a predefined first characteristic to the first memory devices and to direct memory transactions having a predefined second characteristic to the second memory devices. Pages having a usage characteristic of large volumes of write operations may be mapped to the one or more first memory devices, while pages having a read-only or read-mostly usage characteristic may be mapped to the one or more second memory devices.
US07962708B2
Resolving retention policy conflicts is disclosed. An indication is received that two or more retention policies apply to an item of content. A merged retention policy that is based at least in part on the respective requirements of the two or more retention policies is generated automatically for the item of content.
US07962706B2
The present invention is directed toward methods and systems for data de-duplication. More particularly, in various embodiments, the present invention provides systems and methods for data de-duplication that may utilize a data de-duplication system that retrieves data from a data storage device in an order based on the location of blocks on the data storage device. Some embodiments break a data stream into multiple blocks of data and store the blocks of data on a data storage device of a data de-duplication system, wherein a code representing a redundant block of data is stored in place of the block of data. A location for each block of data may be stored. Additionally, the blocks may be read in an order that is determined based on the location of the blocks.
US07962705B2
Some embodiments provide a method of presenting virtual memory as narrower and deeper than a physical memory. The method receives a memory address location including a set of real memory address bits and a set of virtual memory position bits. The method retrieves an original memory word from a physical memory using the real memory address bits. The method shifts the original memory word by an amount determined by the virtual memory position bits by using a barrel shifter, creating a shifted memory word. The method reads a part of the shifted memory word.
US07962704B2
A storage control apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of connecting units connected to one or more host computers and one or more hard disk drives as storage media for storing data, one or more non-volatile storage media which are of a different type from the hard disk drives and which store data WRITE requested from the host computer, a plurality of processing units for processing WRITE and READ requests from the host computer by using the hard disk drives or the non-volatile storage media and, a plurality of memory units for storing control information to be by the processing units.
US07962700B2
Compressed memory systems are provided to reduce latency associated with accessing compressed memory using stratified compressed memory architectures and memory organization protocols in which a region of compressed main memory is allocated as a direct access memory (DAM) region for storing uncompressed data items. The uncompressed data items in the DAM region can be directly accessed, speculatively, to serve access requests to main memory, requiring access to compressed memory in the event of a DAM miss.
US07962690B2
A method to access a data in a RAID array comprising a plurality of data storage media, wherein information is written to said plurality of data storage media using a RAID configuration, wherein the method receives from a requester a command comprising a data access priority indicator. If a RAID rebuild is in progress, the method determines if the data access priority indicator is set. If the data access priority indicator is set, the method executes a command selected from the group consisting of writing information to the target logical block array range, and returning to the requestor information read from the target logical block array range.
US07962687B2
A flash storage device having improved write performance is provided. The device includes a storage block having a plurality of physical pages and a controller configured to allocate subsets of the plurality of physical pages to a plurality of logical addresses, respectively, and to write data to the plurality of physical pages. Each of the subsets of physical pages includes more than one physical page. Upon receiving a first write request for one of the logical addresses, data from the first write request is written to a first physical page of the physical pages allocated to the logical address. Upon receiving a second write request for one of the logical address, the data from the second write request is written to a second physical page allocated to the logical address and the first physical page allocated to the logical address is invalidated.
US07962685B2
A portable data storage device is disclosed which includes an Interface for enabling the portable data storage device to be used for data transfer with a host Computer, and an Interface controller for controlling the interface. There is also a master control unit for controlling the writing of data to and reading data from a non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory includes at least one single layer cell flash memory and at least one multiple layer cell flash memory. Upon receiving a write instruction, the master control unit determines which of the memories data contained in the instruction should be written to, and writes the data as appropriate similarly, upon receiving a read instruction, the master control unit reads the data from the appropriate one of the memories and transmits the data out of the device.
US07962678B2
A bus arbitration apparatus according to this invention appropriately arbitrates bus rights of use between a plurality of masters and a plurality of slaves so as to efficiently perform requested data transfer. An arbiter A 5 receives data transfer requests with respect to a slave A 3 generated by masters A 1 and B 2. The arbiter A 5 cooperates with an arbiter B 4, and arbitrates a contention of the data transfer requests with respect to the slave A 3 generated by the masters A 1 and B 2.
US07962668B2
A USB audio controller includes a USB interface unit, an audio interface unit, a storage interface unit, and a processing unit. The USB interface unit is used to connect to a USB bus for communicating with a host by a communication information. The audio interface unit is used to connect to at least one audio device for communicating with an audio signal. The storage interface unit is used to connect to a memory unit for communicating storage information. The processing unit is for processing the communicating information, storage information, or audio signal.
US07962655B2
A computer architecture for enterprise device applications provides a real-time, bi-directional communication layer for device communication. An identity-based communications layer provides for secure, end-to-end telemetry and control communications by enabling mutual authentication and encryption between the devices and the enterprise. The identity-based communications layer is situated between a network layer and an application layer and transmits a message between two devices identified by a global address. The global address specifies a protocol, a network, and an address meaningful for the combination of the protocol and the network.
US07962651B2
A serverless name resolution protocol ensures convergence despite the size of the network, without requiring an ever-increasing cache and with a reasonable numbers of hops. This convergence is ensured through a multi-level cache and a proactive cache initialization strategy. The multi-level cache is built based on a circular number space. Each level contains information from different levels of slivers of the circular space. A mechanism is included to add a level to the multi-level cache when the node determines that the last level is full. A peer-to-peer name resolution protocol (PNRP) includes a mechanism to allow resolution of names which are mapped onto the circular number space through a hash function. Further, the PNRP may also operate with the domain name system by providing each node with an identification consisting of a domain name service (DNS) component and a unique number.
US07962647B2
A virtualized platform includes a virtual switch connected to the virtual network interface cards (vNICs) for a group of virtual machines running the same application program that is associated with multiple software ports. A module in the virtualized platform monitors the virtual switch's receipt of a network packet that includes control information relating to the application program and its software ports. The module applies a load balancing algorithm to select a vNIC from the vNICs connected or connectable to the virtual switch, based on the rate of processing of previous network packets by each the vNICs (e.g., as measured by the size of a network packet queue). The module might also apply the load balancing algorithm to select a software port for the application. The module then causes the virtual switch to route the network packet to the selected vNIC and software port.
US07962646B2
The present invention solves the disadvantages of the prior art and provides a distributed messaging system supporting stateful subscriptions. A stateful publish-subscribe system extends the functionality of the content-based approach to include more general state-valued expressions. A plurality of broker machines is provided to deliver messages sent by publishing clients toward subscribing clients based upon the contents of the messages and stateful transformations requested by the subscribing clients. Subscription specifications are analyzed by a compiler and converted into a collection of message transforms and views. A deployment service component deploys tasks to optimize system performance. A monitoring services component detects a possible need to reconfigure. A performance optimization service component computes new assignment of transforms. A continuous deployment service implements a redeployment protocol that installs changes to transform placement while the existing publish-subscribe system continues to operate.
US07962643B2
One embodiment of the present method and apparatus for reducing spam in peer-to-peer networks includes forming a search message including at least one decoy word and sending the search request message, including the decoy word(s), to one or more nodes in the network. Embodiments of the present invention make it possible to weed out nodes in the network that send spam in response to every search message (e.g., regardless of the search message's content).
US07962642B2
A communications system having a data transfer pipeline apparatus for transferring data in a sequence of N stages from an origination device to a destination device. The apparatus comprises dedicated memory having buffers dedicated for carrying data and a master control for registering and controlling processes associated with the apparatus for participation in the N stage data transfer sequence. The processes include a first stage process for initiating the data transfer and a last Nth stage process for completing data transfer. The first stage process allocates a buffer from a predetermined number of buffers available within the memory for collection, processing, and sending of the data from the origination device to a next stage process. The Nth stage process receives a buffer allocated to the first stage process from the (N−1)th stage and to free the buffer upon processing completion to permit reallocation of the buffer.
US07962639B2
A system and method for a media processor separates the functions of topology creation and maintenance from the functions of processing data through a topology. The system includes a control layer including a topology generating element to generate a topology describing a set of input multimedia streams, one or more sources for the input multimedia streams, a sequence of operations to perform on the multimedia data, and a set of output multimedia streams, and a media processor to govern the passing of the multimedia data as described in the topology and govern the performance of the sequence of multimedia operations on the multimedia data to create the set of output multimedia streams. The core layer includes the input media streams, the sources for the input multimedia streams, one or more transforms to operate on the multimedia data, stream sinks, and media sinks to provide the set of output multimedia streams.
US07962637B2
A method and apparatus for the dynamic adjustments of video streams sent from a server to a client is provided. Using both short term and long term thinning mechanisms, the server reduces its data transfer rate when bandwidth is reduced and increases its data transfer rate when bandwidth is available. In the short term mechanism, the server will dynamically adjust the transmission rate of the video or the quality of the video based on parameters returned by the client. These parameters include currently-buffered data-size, buffered-data duration, and packet loss rate. In the long term mechanism, the server will adjust the current maximum quality level allowed depending upon the round trip times of data packets transmitted. This invention decreases client rebuffering and packet loss and increases the efficiency of available bandwidth.
US07962635B2
Aspects of the invention pertain to user session management in load balanced clusters. Multiple application servers communicate with a central data server to ensure there is a single session per user ID. The central data server maintains a user session index and a parameter table. Each time a network access is attempted using a given user ID, a load balancer assigns the session to one of the application servers. The assigned application server queries the central data server to determine whether a session status for the user's login ID is inactive or active. If inactive, a new, unique value is assigned as the session number. If active, the session number is evaluated to determine whether multiple sessions exist. In this case, one of the sessions is terminated to ensure a single session per user ID. Preferably, the terminated session is the earlier session.
US07962632B2
A user through a mobile or fixed terminal (5) informs an agent (33) hosted by an operator server (13) of subjects in respect of which content is requested. The agent (33) searches the internet for relevant content, and determines from a set of user preferences, relating to cost and timing of delivery preferences, a network for use in delivering the content to the terminal. Delivery may be made by a free network, e.g. a WLAN or Bluetooth network, if one is available, or over an expensive network such as a 3G, GSM or GPRS network if the content is requited quickly. If delivery is to be made over a broadcast network (11), such as a DVB-T network (11), a signal is sent to the terminal over a mobile telephone network (7) giving the time of broadcast, in response to which the terminal (5) enables its broadcast receiver at the appropriate time. Also, the agent (33) periodically reviews the content on a data carousel (45) which is awaiting broadcast, and informs the terminal (5) of any forthcoming content which is relevant to the user request.
US07962631B2
Techniques are described for measuring TCP connection quality between a client and a plurality of data centers. A small amount of code, called a web beacon, is placed onto production web pages. When a client requests the production web page, the web page is served to the client. When the web page code is processed, the web beacon instructs the client to retrieve zero-content images from a plurality of data centers through TCP connections in the background. As each connection is made, a passive monitoring system measures and logs statistics about each TCP connection from the client to the data center. The statistics are aggregated into a database and may be sorted based upon ranges of IP addresses of clients and the connection quality measurements. The data is exported from the database to global load balancers to determine routing from subsequent clients to the plurality of data centers.
US07962624B2
A system and method for maintaining direct, two-way asynchronous communication between a client and a web server. An HTTP-compliant request is communicated from a client to a web server. The HTTP request is configured to initialize a CGI that operates within or in conjunction with the web server. A task, associated with the CGI, is executed in accordance with the HTTP request. The task is configured to perform the two-way asynchronous communication with the client until terminated by the client or the CGI. The task includes an operation in which client request data is listened for and read by the CGI through the web server. The task further includes an operation in which data is created and sent by the CGI to the client through the web server.
US07962618B2
A number of items of data from a data source (12) can be processed and supplied to a data destination (16, 17). The data can include image data, text data, numeric data or other types of data, or a combination of these types of data. The processing of the data is controlled by a project definition (14, 71, 101), which includes a plurality of modules selected from a variety of available modules (Tables 1-4). The modules have input and output ports which are interrelated by binding information. Where a project definition is complex and/or is assigned to process a large data set, capability is provided to launch multiple instances of the same project definition, each of which processes a respective portion of the data. Further, capability is provided to launch multiple instances of the same or different project definitions on each of one or more computers, in order to efficiently execute project definitions in a centralized processing facility.
US07962617B2
For optimizing Internet access resources, a system for billing network access capacities shared across Internet service providers is disclosed. A Client Service Provider (CSP) may rent access on Points Of Presence belonging to a Master Service Provider (MSP) while maintaining a constant security level and providing connection accounting. When a CSP's subscriber sends an access request to a MSP, the MSP analyzes the subscriber's realm and checks the capacities allocated to the subscriber's CSP. If connection is allowed, the MSP sends an authentication request to the CSP. If the subscriber is authenticated, the MSP launches an accounting process based on the subscriber's realm while the CSP may launch an accounting process associated with the subscriber identifier. The cost of rented Points Of Presence capacity is based on total connection time and on the number of simultaneous connections established by the MSP for the CSP, combined with predetermined thresholds.
US07962614B2
System, method, computer program product, and business operating model. Information processing system comprising: server computer having processor for executing computer instructions and memory coupled to processor for storing instructions and data; communications link for communicating between server and information appliance client entities external to server, communication link enabling receipt of first information from a plurality of external entities and for transmitting second information to second entities, first and second entities may be same entities or different entities; data store defining database for storing first and second information; computer program having plurality of executable command instructions and executing in processor and memory for generating second information from at least some of plurality of first information; wherein first information comprising plurality of individual information items and second information comprising processed collective information generated from plurality of individual information items and having increased value to second entities by virtue of collective contribution and processing applied thereto.
US07962612B2
A method, system and machine readable medium for connection leak detection and prevention collect metadata about the connection on a request by an enterprise component and on connection release or transaction completion. If the enterprise component is server managed, the connection gets automatically released by the server at the end of the call to the enterprise component. If the enterprise component is not server managed, the collected metadata is stored and displayed in a user readable manner allowing an administrator to identify the erroneous behaving enterprise component which is causing the connection leak.
US07962609B2
Systems and methods for providing an efficient partitioned resource server. In one embodiment, the partitioned resource server comprises a plurality of individual servers, and the individual servers appear to be equivalent to a client. Each of the individual servers may include a routing table that includes a reference for each resource that is maintained on the partitioned resource server. Requests from a client are processed as a function of the routing table to route the request to the individual server that maintains or has control over the resource of interest.
US07962602B1
Techniques are described for centralized management of quality of service (QoS) characteristics of network data flows. A service management system maintains a database that associates access information, such as a username and password, with QoS information. A router or other network device associates a data flow with access information, and queries the service management system with the access information to obtain the QoS information. The router forwards data of the data flow in accordance with the QoS information obtained from the service management system. As the access information may be a username and password, an existing system, such as a Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) system, may easily be adapted for use as the service management system. As a result, QoS information may easily be centrally managed for numerous routers or other network devices.
US07962599B2
Apparatus and methods for automatically processing and displaying information for managing equipment or services in a network. The information is automatically inserted into a hierarchical data structure, which can then presented in a ticker display for viewing by a user. The information concerning the network equipment or services may also be used to determine the users affected by particular network failures.
US07962596B2
A computer system comprising a number of components which make up an infrastructure with the system having a Directory 10 and an APS which is adapted to centralize and automate information management for online service systems.
US07962595B1
A method, apparatus and computer-program product for determining the status of a connection among a plurality of elements in a distributed system is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of determining an initial configuration of the connections among selected ones of the plurality of elements as a relationship of one of said selected elements to another of said elements, wherein at least one of said relationships is associated with a root element of an associated connection, responsive to a stimulus, determining a second configuration of the connections among the selected elements, determining a current condition of the connections among the selected elements is based on at least the second configuration; and providing an indication when at least a significant change has occurred. The device discloses, in one aspect, a processor executing code for implementing the method steps described and the computer product providing code to a processor for implementing the method steps described.
US07962587B2
In general, the invention relates to a method for migrating virtual machines. The method includes obtaining migration criteria for a first virtual machine (VM) where the migration criteria is a bandwidth constraint for the first VM. The method further includes sending a request comprising the migration criteria to a second computer in the chassis, receiving a response to request from the second computer, where response indicates that the second computer can satisfy the migration criteria. The method further includes suspending execution of the first VM on the first computer and obtaining information to migrate the first VM, migrating the first VM and a first VNIC associated with the first VM, updating a virtual switching table in the chassis to reflect the migration of the first VM; and resuming execution of the first VM on the second computer.
US07962577B2
A data processor is communicable with a host device via a network. The data processor includes a media connecting unit, a file creating unit, a data transmitting unit, and an operation executing unit. The media connecting unit is capable of connecting a storage medium. The file creating unit creates a controlling file for controlling the storage medium. The data transmitting unit transmits data identifying the controlling file to the host device for allowing the host device to access the file. The operation executing unit executes an operation of the storage medium in response to receiving a transmission request of the controlling file.
US07962576B2
The application is directed to methods, systems, procedures, networks and storage apparatus used to conduct conversions of data using remote conversion servers. In one embodiment of the present invention, recent query results may be stored and then used to solve subsequent conversions rather than querying a remote conversion server when the same conversion was previously completed. A counter may be referenced to determine if too much time has passed since the original query was stored in the buffer and, if too much time has passed, the buffer may be cleared and the remote conversion server may be queried to convert the pending data. The resulting conversion may be stored for subsequent use.
US07962563B2
A scheduler selects an I/O from a session of a pool and updates token buckets associated with resource limits and reserves for the session and the pool and statistics used in determining fair sharing. To select an I/O, the scheduler identifies sessions with a non-empty queue, identifies head I/Os in the queues, computes for the head I/O a deadline using session and pool reserve buckets and a release time using session and pool limit buckets, and selects a head I/O with an earliest deadline that is past the release time. If the deadline of the selected candidate head I/O is in the past, the scheduler transfers the selected head I/O to the tail of the storage device queue. Otherwise, the scheduler selects the pool with the least amount of I/O traffic according to a session fair share estimator.
US07962561B2
An Email guarantee deposit method, system, and program product, with the method comprising in one embodiment, the steps of: receiving from a sender a request to send to a recipient an Email; receiving a deposit or an authorization to obtain a deposit of something of value; sending the Email to the recipient only if a deposit of authorization for a deposit is received; determining if the recipient has accepted the deposit; and if the recipient has accepted the deposit, then facilitating the disposal of the deposit. In an important alternate embodiment, a deposit can be required before an Email with a auditory or visual enhancement is provided, or before routing to a designated type of device occurs.
US07962560B2
A system and method are disclosed for maintaining a whitelist, including: obtaining message data based on an email message sent by a user; extracting recipient information from message data; updating the whitelist using the recipient information.
US07962556B2
A first user of a collaboration application having IM contact information for target users can set up an IM session through the collaboration application that makes of the first user's preferred IM client. The collaboration application responds to the first user's request for an IM session by generating in IM session request that contains IM contact information for both users. The IM session request is forwarded to the IM server associated with the first user's preferred IM client. The IM server sends a session setup request to the first user. The session setup request identifies the second user as the originator of the request. When the first user responds to the message ostensibly sent by the second user, the message is forwarded to the second user to complete the session setup process. In an alternate embodiment, the server sends the request to the IM server for the second user. When the second user responds with an IM message, the message is forwarded to the first user to complete the session setup process.
US07962554B2
The invention provides a technique of automatically checking the validation of a destination address to which electronic mail is to be transferred. If the destination address is validated, the transfer of the mail to the address is permitted, so that no mail is transferred to the wrong address. An electronic mail management device (1, 2) for managing the destination addresses to which electronic mail is to be transferred comprises: means for receiving a request to set a destination address corresponding to a receiving mail address, and means for checking the validity of the destination address.
US07962545B2
A traditional registry, such as a global UDDI server, is not designed to accommodate transitory devices, e.g., devices that may frequently attach and detach from a network, often-times without warning, such as virtual machines offering or desiring services that are periodically instantiated and then suspended or destroyed. To accommodate such transitory devices, a dynamic resource/service registry may be implemented that leverages lower-level protocols or state to determine appropriate registry updates to keep the registry state consistent with currently-active virtual machines. For example, a virtual machine monitor (VMM) may track creation and suspension or deletion of a virtual machine (VM), and resources advertised by the VM, where the VMM appropriately adds or removes registry entries for the VM as the state of the VM changes or provides hooks (e.g. notifications) or other instrumentation based on said state or protocols to enable other associated modules or agents (e.g. management modules or the registry) to take appropriate actions.
US07962541B2
A causal impulse response function is calculated from a truncated spectrum by extending the real part of the spectrum beyond the truncation frequency and computing the imaginary part with the Hilbert transform to enforce causality. The out of band extrapolation is optimized to reduce the discrepancy between the computed and the original imaginary part in the in band frequency range so that the causal impulse response accurately represents the original spectrum. The technique can be applied to spectral with the delay phase subtracted to enforce delay causality. The Hilbert transform may be employed to maintain causality in S-parameter passivity violation correction. At frequencies where violation happens, the S-parameter matrix is scaled down by the inverse of the magnitude of the largest eigenvalue. Magnitudes at other frequencies are unchanged. An additional phase calculated by the magnitude phase Hilbert transform is added to the scaled spectrum to maintain the causality.
US07962539B2
Some demonstrative embodiments of the invention include a method, apparatus and system of generating a random number. A random number generator may include, for example, a plurality of different random-number-generation modules adapted to generate random bits at a plurality of bit paths; and a combiner adapted to combine the bits of the plurality of paths. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07962538B2
An electronic computing circuit for implementing a method for reducing the bit width of two operands from a bit length N to a reduced bit length M, thus, M
US07962537B2
Determining a table output of a table representing a hierarchical tree for an integer valued function includes determining an address from a table input. A subset of a memory is selected according to the address, where the memory represents the hierarchical tree and the subset represents a subtree of the hierarchical tree. Bit fields are selected from the subset, and bits are extracted from the bit fields. A table output is determined from the extracted bits.
US07962516B2
A system and method for adding multi-level security to federated asset repositories is provided. A multi-level security (MLS) manager receives normalized taxonomies from repository managers, which manage repositories that include assets assigned various security levels. In turn, the MLS manager integrates the taxonomies into a composite taxonomy. When a portal receives a request from a user, the portal sends a taxonomy request to the MLS manager that includes the user's user identifier. The MLS manager retrieves the composite taxonomy, identifies the user's security level, filters the composite taxonomy based upon the user's security level, and provides the filtered composite taxonomy to the portal. In turn, the portal generates a user interface view based upon the filtered composite taxonomy and provides the user interface view to the user, which utilizes the user interface view to request and receive access to assets from one or more federated repositories.
US07962506B2
A system in which an initial distribution list is dynamically modified using criteria determined from the current entries in the list. After an originator generates a distribution list and prior to submission of the message to entries on the generated list, the entries in the created distribution list are examined. From this list, features of the entries are identified. From these features, criteria are generated that can be used to generate additional entries that may be included in the list. In one approach, the generated criteria are presented to the user for review and approval. If the originator approves the criteria, the generated list is modified to add additional entries to the distribution based on the generated criteria. If the originator rejects the criteria, the initially generated list is submitted and the message is sent to the entries on the initial list.
US07962503B2
A data query system including a first storage medium including a data schema having a data schema query language associated therewith, a second storage medium including an ontology model including classes and properties, the ontology model having an ontology query language associated therewith, wherein constructs of the database schema are mapped to corresponding classes, properties or compositions of properties of the ontology model, and an ontology query processor generating a query expressed in the data schema query language corresponding to a specified query expressed in the ontology query language. A method is also described and claimed.
US07962500B2
An approach for responding to a text-based query for a digital image is provided. A request that identifies one or more keywords is received. A number of annotated digital images are selected. Each selected annotated digital image has a bounded region, on its appearance, that has an annotation associated with at least one of the keywords. A set of candidate digital images is selected for each annotated digital image. The set of candidate images, for a particular annotated digital image, are the digital images, of a set of digital images, which have an appearance that is most similar to the particular annotated digital image. The sets of candidate images are aggregated into a single set of digital images. A response is generated that identifies those digital images in the single set of digital images which are most responsive to the one or more keywords.
US07962498B2
Described are methods and systems for generating an attribute-specific document for a business scenario. Attributes necessary for generating the attribute-specific document are selected. Based upon the business scenario, a global document and corresponding metadata are determined. The global document includes generic information about the business scenario. Based upon the global document and corresponding metadata, sections associated with the business scenario are determined. Based upon the attributes selected, parameters are determined to overwrite the generic information in the global document. The sections and the parameters are compiled along with the global document, to create the attribute-specific document.
US07962497B2
The subject disclosure pertains to relationships between items. Relationships between items can be defined external to the items themselves thereby providing a modular, flexible and extensible system. For instance, relationships between items can be defined in a class that includes methods for returning particular elements or values in accordance with a specified relationship. Moreover, a compiler or like system can be extended to accept relationship expressions in a simple property format and direct such calls to specific methods.
US07962495B2
In one embodiment, a method comprises creating and storing an ontology for a data store in response to receiving first user input defining the ontology, wherein the ontology comprises a plurality of data object types and a plurality of object property types; creating one or more parser definitions in response to receiving second user input defining the parser definitions, wherein each of the parser definitions specifies one or more sub-definitions of how to transform first input data into modified input data that is compatible with one of the object property types; and storing each of the one or more parser definitions in association with one of the plurality of object property types.
US07962487B2
Techniques described herein allow for suggesting creation of tools for improving search engine performance. Specifically, these tools focus on producing more relevant search engine results via a URL-based query clustering method. These tools first extract tokens from Uniform Resource Locators associated to search queries. With these tokens, these tools form query clusters of common tokens. The resulting clusters can be used to help understand the similarities in user search queries via URL-based cluster queries to produce more relevant search results.
US07962483B1
A system, software module, and computer program product for performing association rule based data mining that improved performance in model building, good integration with the various databases throughout the enterprise, flexible specification and adjustment of the models being built, and flexible model arrangement and export capability. The software module performs association rule based data mining in an electronic data processing system. A model setup block operable to receive client input including information specifying a setup of a association rule data mining models, generate the model setup, generate parameters for the model setup based on the received information. A modeling algorithms block operable to select and initialize a association rule modeling algorithm based on the generated model setup, and a model building block operable to receive training data and build a association rule model using the training data and the selected association rule modeling algorithm.
US07962482B2
Systems and methods of generating and modifying a playlist using contextual information are disclosed. For example, a user may provide an input seed such as a song name or artist name. The input seed is compared to database items and a playlist is generated as a result. In some examples, the contextual information is used to enhance the comparison and to select better content objects for a user's playlist. Meanwhile, in some examples the content objects in the playlist may be arranged in an enhanced order using ranking and/or contextual information.
US07962476B2
In a database, inner joins are performed in a depth-first manner. Depth-first joins differ from breadth-first joins in that rows are examined a page at a time during execution from every table that is participating in the query. Thus, the depth-first join is a constant-space operation with respect to the size of the data set, with the storage required approximately equal to the sum of the sizes of a page from each table.
US07962475B2
An apparatus is provided which is adapted to search for a desired device among a plurality of devices in a network. The apparatus includes a dividing unit adapted to divide a search condition into a first search condition and a second search condition when the size of the search condition exceeds a predetermined data size; a transmitting unit adapted to transmit the first search condition and the second search condition; a receiving unit adapted to receive each of a first search result of the first search condition and a second search result of the second search condition; and display unit adapted to display a combined search result on the basis of the first search result and the second search result received by the receiving unit.
US07962474B2
A method for processing queries for a document of elements is provided. The document includes a plurality of subsections where each subsection includes at least a portion of elements in the document. The method comprises: receiving a query for a path of elements in the document of elements; determining a plurality of step queries from the query, each step query including at least a part of the path of elements; for each step query in the plurality of step queries, determining one or more subsections that include elements that correspond to a step query; and determining at least one subsection that includes the path of elements of the query. A result for the query is generated using the at least one subsection.
US07962473B2
Techniques are provided for performing structural joins for answering containment queries. Such inventive techniques may be used to perform efficient structural joins of two interval lists which are neither sorted nor pre-indexed. For example, in an illustrative aspect of the invention, a technique for performing structural joins of two element sets of a tree-structured document, wherein one of the two element sets is an ancestor element set and the other of the two element sets is a descendant element set, and further wherein each element is represented as an interval representing a start position and an end position of the element in the document, comprises the following steps/operations. An index is dynamically built for the ancestor element set. Then, one or more structural joins are performed by searching the index with the interval start position of each element in the descendant element set.
US07962457B2
A method for conflict resolution includes converting a first plurality of transactions into a first plurality of derivative objects in a first derivative model wherein each of the first plurality of derivative objects comprises a corresponding first type indicator and converting a second plurality of transactions into a second plurality of derivative objects in a second derivative model wherein each of the second plurality of derivative objects comprises a corresponding second type indicator. The first plurality of derivative objects is compared with the second plurality of derivative objects, and it is determined whether one or more conflicts exist between one or more of the first plurality of derivative objects and one or more of the second plurality of derivative objects.
US07962452B2
Provided are techniques for data deduplication. A chunk of data and a mapping of boundaries between file data and meta data in the chunk of data are received. The mapping is used to split the chunk of data into a file data stream and a meta data stream and to store file data from the file data stream in a first file and to store meta data from the meta data stream in a second file, wherein the first file and the second file are separate files. The file data in the first file is deduplicated.
US07962445B2
An automated system displays enables a user to observe the activities in a system based on information in the display. From this display, the user can quickly identify the source of problems for the purpose of troubleshooting without the need to manually determine the source and nature of the problem. In this system, data about the system is gathered through a plurality of agents positioned throughout the network. This data is analyzed and a system monitor deployment configuration is developed. This monitor deployment information along with information about the various devices in the system and any relationships of devices in the system are imported to the display system. The display system then displays this information showing the present relationships of the devices in the system.
US07962435B2
A surveillance system implements an architecture and process to support real-time abnormal behavior assessment operations in a distributed scalable sensor network. An automated behavior model builder generates behavior models from sensor data. A plurality of abnormal behavior scoring engines operating concurrently to generate abnormal behavior assessment models by scoring the behavior models. An execution performance manager performs fast switching of behavior models for the abnormal behavior scoring engines. The execution performance manager performs detection of abnormal behavior score distribution characteristic deviation by comparing a current abnormal behavior assessment model to a pre-recorded abnormal behavior assessment model. The execution performance manager selects a pre-recorded behavior model for the abnormal behavior scoring engines when the deviation exceeds a predetermined threshold.
US07962433B1
System and method for facilitating user thinking about an arbitrary problem with improved search capabilities. Some embodiments provide improved search capabilities through the application of archetypes for problem solving and other factors at a number of points throughout the total search process.
US07962426B2
The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates managing data within an environment. An interface component can receive a role-based model reflective of at least one position within an environment, wherein the environment includes two or more entities within an organized hierarchy. The role-based model can include at least one role assigned to an entity in which the assignment is indicative of the position of the entity within the environment. A role component can provide data access to the entity within the environment in accordance with the role assigned to such entity.
US07962424B1
In response to receiving an order (e.g., including payment for one or more software licenses), a license distribution manager allocates a specified number of software licenses for distribution to a corresponding customer's clients that utilize the licenses to operate software associated with a corresponding vendor software application. The license distribution manager can allocate one or more overdraft licenses for distribution to the customer in addition to the specified number of software licenses associated with the order. Accordingly, the license distribution manager can allocate extra software licenses (e.g., the overdraft licenses) and distribute more software licenses than are actually purchased by a respective customer. This enables the customer to use one or more provisional licenses (e.g., overdraft licenses) that support restricted use of the vendor's software application such as until the customer can replace the provisional licenses with corresponding purchased licenses.
US07962417B2
A method and apparatus of encouraging distribution, registration, and purchase of free copyable software and other digital information which is accessed on a User's System via a Programmer's Program. Software tools which can be incorporated into a Programmer's Program allow the User to access Advanced Features of the Programmer's Program only in the presence of a valid Password which is unique to a particular Target ID generated on an ID-Target such as the User's System. Advanced features will thus relock if the Password is copied to another ID-target. If a valid Password is not present, the User is invited to obtain one, and provided with the means of doing so, and of installing that Password in a place accessible to the User's System on subsequent occasions. The present invention also provides Programmers with means to invoke business operations as well as computational operations with their programs, and thus to automatically obtain payment from Users who elect to obtain passwords.
US07962405B2
A method for analyzing merchant account information comprises receiving at a server computer application information on merchants applying for credit service accounts. The application information is electronically stored at a storage location. At the server computer information is received from a user computer on how at least some of the accounts are being serviced. The servicing information is stored at the storage location.
US07962398B1
A system for executing trades in a user preferred security comprising a server system (12) in communication with a client system (14), a security data source (26) and a trade execution location (30). The security data source (26) provides security data relating to a plurality of securities to the server system (12). The server system (12) analyzes the security data based upon M user specific criteria, and identifies user preferred securities from the plurality of securities and provides the client system (14) with data relating to the user preferred securities. The client system (14) uses N user specific parameters to generate and display an N dimensional graph that is populated with icons representing the user preferred securities. After a user preferred security is selected, the server system (12) routes the order to a trade execution location (30).
US07962394B2
Computer-based systems and methods are described for generating personalized, automated contribution strategies for scheduling contributions to a retirement savings plan or other savings plan. Embodiments of the systems and methods provide visual and other educational displays to assist a client in choosing a suitable savings contribution strategy that may take into account at least one of the set consisting of: details of an employer-sponsored savings fund available to the client which may include opportunities for employer matching-funds, acceptable portion of standard-of-living increases derived from salary raises that the client is willing to contribute to a savings plan, client's current savings behavior and value of savings portfolio, effects of the stochastic nature of future investment portfolio value, and changing federal tax regulations. Clients may use the systems for educational and planning purposes and/or may authorize automated triggering of contributions with scheduled increases and/or decreases as specified by the selected plan.
US07962390B2
A data mining device, method, and apparatus configured to associate customer exclusive data from a payment card or device after a financial transaction. A financial transaction processing system comprises a report distribution management system, a data relationship manager, and a customer exclusive data association database. The report distribution management system receives financial transaction data. The data relationship manager determines an issuer associated with the financial transaction data, queries a subscription database for subscription data associated with the issuer and a core database for the issuer processing parameters. The processing parameters are applied to the financial transaction data and the subscription data. A customer exclusive data association database is updated with the financial transaction data once the processing parameters are applied.
US07962386B2
Centralized process context and information context are provided for a computer system having an enterprise service architecture platform. The process context is a centrally accessible object storing and providing status data generated during performance of a process flow. The process context permits firm personnel to review performance of the process flow, for example, to determine its status and to identify any business exceptions that may have occurred therein. The information context caches information generated during performance of the process flow. It provides data on which to assess firm performance parameters, for example, time elapsed during performance of each process step and it provides a detailed set of information describing the process business activity. The process context and information context support higher-level monitoring functions. The process context and information context relieve operators from directly addressing a host of process-specific applications during performance of process flows.
US07962372B2
Stored product management information in a first format for use by a first computerized system is transformed to readily make the stored product management information available for use in a second computerized system that utilizes a second format in a cost-efficient and time-efficient manner.
US07962366B2
Disclosed herein is an automatic product price payment counter including an input device, an output device, and a control device. The input device inputs information about one or more products to be purchased by detecting a barcode attached thereon. The output device displays the information about the products and performs steps of paying for the price of the products. The control device performs comparison and determination on the information input from the input device with information stored in product information DataBase (DB). The input device includes a weight measurement unit including a first balance and a second balance configured to measure the weight of the products, and a cash slot and a card slot. The output device includes a cash change slot configured to refund change after the price of the products has been paid in cash.
US07962364B2
A chassis houses a marking engine, a scanner, and various input and output ports allowing devices to connect to the hub for data transfer, sharing, and collaboration. The preferred configuration includes two towers with a display and a work surface supported therebeteween. The display can have another display on its rear face, and both can have cameras and microphones mounted thereon, as well as speakers. The scanner is preferably embedded in the work surface. The towers house various components of the hub. A base can be included that supports both towers and any users using the hub. Preferably, the base includes pressure sensors to let the hub know when users are present.
US07962351B2
According to some embodiments, a current net amount at risk associated with a life insurance policy is determined. The life insurance policy may, for example, have been previously issued to a consumer for a given face death benefit amount. At least one applicable cost of insurance rate may then be automatically selected based at least in part on the determined net amount at risk. The applicable cost of insurance rate can then be applied to the current net amount at risk for the policy. For example, a first cost of insurance rate may be applied to a first portion of the current net amount at risk, and the applicable cost of insurance rate may be applied to a second portion of the current net amount at risk.
US07962349B2
A method of dispensing a pharmaceutical product is disclosed. The pharmaceutical product has associated packaging. The packaging has disposed thereon coded data. The coded data is indicative of an identity of the pharmaceutical product. The coded data is sensed by a sensing device and indicating data indicative of the identity of the pharmaceutical product is generated based on the sensed coded data. The coded data is arranged in accordance with a layout having n-fold rotational symmetry. The layout including n sub-layouts rotated 1/n revolutions apart about a center of rotation. A processor receives the indicating data from the sensing device and determines at least one criterion for dispensing the pharmaceutical product. The processor causes the pharmaceutical product to be dispensed when the at least one criterion is satisfied.
US07962346B2
A system configured for: (A) identifying a first party of a plurality of parties as one of an excluded group of parties; (B) identifying a candidate group that includes each of the plurality of parties other than the excluded group of parties; (C) receiving, from the first party, a first-party utility value that the first party would associate with at least one of a plurality of different outcomes; (D) receiving, from a second party, a second-party utility value that the second party would associate with at least one of the plurality of different outcomes, the second party being part of the candidate group; and (E) determining which particular one of the plurality of outcomes should be selected based primarily on a set of utility values that comprises the second-party utility value. Step (E) may be made without substantially considering the first-party utility value, and Step (B) may be made without substantially considering the first-party utility value.
US07962345B2
An expressive speech-to-speech generation system which can generate expressive speech output by using expressive parameters extracted from the original speech signal to drive the standard TTS system. The system comprises: speech recognition means, machine translation means, text-to-speech generation means, expressive parameter detection means for extracting expressive parameters from the speech of language A, and expressive parameter mapping means for mapping the expressive parameters extracted by the expressive parameter detection means from language A to language B, and driving the text-to-speech generation means by the mapping results to synthesize expressive speech.
US07962340B2
Techniques are disclosed for overcoming errors in speech recognition systems. For example, a technique for processing acoustic data in accordance with a speech recognition system comprises the following steps/operations. Acoustic data is obtained in association with the speech recognition system. The acoustic data is recorded using a combination of a first buffer area and a second buffer area, such that the recording of the acoustic data using the combination of the two buffer areas at least substantially minimizes one or more truncation errors associated with operation of the speech recognition system.
US07962336B2
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for enrollment and evaluation of speaker authentication. The method for enrollment of speaker authentication, comprising: generating a plurality of acoustic feature vector sequences respectively based on a plurality of utterances of the same content spoken by a speaker; generating a reference template from said plurality of acoustic feature vector sequences; generating a corresponding pseudo-impostor feature vector sequence for each of said plurality of acoustic feature vector sequences based on a code book that includes a plurality of codes and their corresponding feature vectors; and selecting an optimal acoustic feature subset based on said plurality of acoustic feature vector sequences, said reference template and said plurality of pseudo-impostor feature vector sequences.
US07962332B2
In one embodiment, the method includes receiving an audio data frame having at least first and second channels. The first and second channels are independently subdivided into blocks if the first and second channels are not correlated with each other. The first and second channels are decoded, and the subdivided blocks of the first and second channels are not interleaved if the first and second channels are independently subdivided.
US07962329B1
A system for generating a scene description from a set of words includes modules that perform the following functions: performing a linguistic analysis on a set of words to generate a structure representation of semantic relationships between words within the set of words, converting the structure to a set of description elements representative of objects to be depicted in a scene and relationships between objects, depicting a spatial relationship by using at least one spatial tag of an associated one or more of the object, and assigning a set of depictors to each of the description elements. Each depictor in the set of depictors may include a reference to an object to be modified, parameters used in modifying the object and a procedure for modifying the object. The system may also include a module that generates the same description by execution of the procedure for the modification of the objects.
US07962319B2
Methods and systems for updating and/or predicting statistical reliability for downhole devices. In some embodiments, the statistical reliability for a device may be predicted prior to using the device to ensure the statistical reliability stays above a preset threshold. In other embodiments, the statistical reliability for a device is tracked substantially simultaneously with use, again to ensure its statistical reliability stays above a predetermined threshold.
US07962315B2
Methods and systems for measuring and gathering data relating to publication usage by participants in publication readership studies. Some methods and systems employ portable monitors carried by participants of the studies along with publications fitted with various devices, such as piezoelectric transducers, RFID tags and others devices and circuits.
US07962307B2
An apparatus for measuring a static pressure inside a component is provided. The apparatus includes a housing coupled to the component, the housing includes a moveable component disposed therein, the moveable component operably extendable into the component and retractable from the component in response to the static pressure inside the component: and a sensor disposed in the housing and thermally protected from fluids inside the component, the sensor is configured to enable the determination of the static pressure inside the component.
US07962305B2
A master testing control system includes at least one remote computer with one or more communications lines for communicating over a communications network and a plurality of remote sensors, a two way real-time digital video system, a two-way real-time digital audio system. A set of instructions is on each remote computer for sending and receiving data over one or more data lines and for remote display. A set of instructions is on each remote computer for displaying data. At least one local computer is located geographically distant from the remote computer and able to monitor and control the display, storage, and transmission of data acquired by to the remote computer. The remote computer collects data from the plurality of sensors and transmits this data to the local computer, under the control of the local computer, for permanent recording.
US07962303B2
A distortion evaluating apparatus which can quantitatively evaluate distortion in a measurement object surface is provided. A distortion evaluating apparatus evaluates distortion based on three-dimensional measurement data obtained from a measurement object surface. The apparatus includes a secondary differential component adapted for effecting a secondary differential operation on two-dimensional measurement data of a cross section of the measurement object surface indicative of unevenness therein, thus obtaining curvature data of the cross section, a permissible range setting component adapted for setting a permissible range for the curvature data, based on range of an upper limit value and a lower limit value from a reference value, and a distortion data extracting means component adapted for extracting a portion of the curvature data exceeding the set permissible range as distortion data indicative of the distortion in the cross section.
US07962299B2
A power consumption monitoring apparatus, comprising at least one electrical measurement device (210) for generating a signal indicative of the electrical power passing through an electrical power line (300) at the location of the measurement device, and at least one data controller (220) adapted to receive the signal from the measurement device and to convert the signal into a data transmission stream conveying at least one power consumption statistic. The data controller including a transmitter (221) for transmitting the data transmission stream across a communications medium and a display controller (230) including a receiver (231) for receiving the stream from the communications medium, the display controller adapted to convert the stream into one or more data display transmission signals for reception by a variety of display devices (310) to display power consumption statistics.
US07962294B2
A method and apparatus integrates differential pressure measurements and absolute pressure measurements to provide a continuous absolute pressure profile over a wide range of pressures on a single integrated scale. The absolute pressure measurements and differential pressure measurements are obtained, and a correlation factor between the absolute pressure measurements and the differential pressure measurements is determined. The correlation factor is used to normalize the differential pressure measurements to virtual absolute pressure values on a common absolute pressure scale with the absolute pressure measurements. An absolute pressure profile over a wide pressure range includes the absolute pressure measurements in a portion of the range where the absolute pressure measurements are accurate, and it includes the virtual absolute pressure values in another portion of the range where the differential pressure measurements are accurate.
US07962292B2
A sample analyzer optically measures reaction of a sample mixed with reagent, and obtains optical information therefrom; generates a reaction curve representing change in the optical information over time; determines a first area prior to an evaluation target time (t0) and a second area after the evaluation target time (t0) wherein the first and second areas are formed between a baseline which is parallel to the time axis and a reaction curve from a first time (t1) prior to the optional evaluation target time (t0) to a second time (t2) after the evaluation target time, and determines the reaction end point based on the first and second areas; and obtains a characteristic of a sample based on the determined reaction end point, is disclosed. a sample analyzing method is also disclosed.
US07962276B2
The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine comprising: a plurality of combustion chambers (41,42,43,44); an air induction system (45,45A,45B,46,47) for delivering air to each combustion chamber (41,42,43,44); a fuel system for delivering fuel to each combustion chamber (41,42,43,44); an exhaust system (48,50) for relaying combusted gases from the combustion chambers (41,42,43,44) to atmosphere; and an exhaust recirculation system (49,51) to relay combusted gases from the exhaust system (48,50) to at least one of the combustion chambers (42,43). The engine has a chamber deactivation operating mode in which at least one combustion chamber (41,44) is active and receives fuel and air which are combusted therein and at least one other combustion chamber (42,43) is deactivated and is supplied with no fuel by the fuel system. In the chamber deactivation operating mode the exhaust gas recirculation system (49,51) supplies combusted gas to the (or each) deactivated combustion chamber (42,43).
US07962272B2
A method of sensing the air/fuel ratio in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine that may be easily implemented by a respective low-cost device includes a pressure sensor and a learning machine that generates a sensing signal representing the air/fuel ratio by processing the waveform of the pressure in at least one cylinder of the engine. In practice, the learning machine extracts characteristic parameters of the waveform of the pressure and as a function of a certain number of them generates the sensing signal.
US07962264B2
A method for adapting a monitoring device of a control unit for a restraint system of a motor vehicle, having a redundant detection device and a triggering unit, having the method steps of: providing a first definable threshold value as a timing pattern for the monitoring device in a first operating range of the motor vehicle; detecting at least a second operating range of the motor vehicle by way of the redundant detection device at a first point in time; and transferring data from the redundant detection device to the monitoring device in order to adapt the monitoring device by utilizing at least one second definable threshold value in the second operating range of the motor vehicle, and an apparatus therefor.
US07962259B2
An integrated cabin services system (CSS) for a mobile platform. The system may include a controller in communication with a plurality of remotely disposed cabin services subsystems for controlling each of the subsystems. A comprehensive database may be utilized by the CSS to employ combinational logic to control operation of the subsystems and to thus control the execution of at least one function of each of the subsystems. The comprehensive database may include a plurality of database portions, one database portion related to the controller and stored in the controller, and each one of the other database portions being related to a specific one of the subsystems, with each one of the other database portions being stored with its related said subsystem.
US07962258B2
A storing unit stores a map indicating correspondences between keywords representing states of a vehicle and faulty conditions of the vehicle. A keyword setting unit sets the keywords in response to the vehicle as a recorded object. A processing unit identifies the faulty condition corresponding to the set keywords by searching the storing unit. Then, the mode file corresponding to the identified faulty condition is decided as the mode file to be set in a data recording system, based on correspondences between the previously-set faulty conditions and data contents to be recorded and conditions.
US07962247B2
Systems and methods are provided for collecting, aggregating, and analyzing data associated with the installation and deployment of systems. Energy systems, (500) specifically renewable energy generation systems, are used as examples. The aggregated data serve as the basis for a variety of services that improve the system performance, improve the installation, lower the cost, and provide monitoring and service to maintain optimum performance. Finally, services are provided that improve the start-up, calibration, and configuration of systems.
US07962246B2
A method for operating a wind turbine during a loss of communication is described that includes coupling a pitch controller to at least one wind turbine blade and to a wind turbine controller, establishing communication between the pitch controller and the wind turbine controller, and detecting a loss of communication between the pitch controller and the wind turbine controller. After a loss of communication is detected, the method further includes waiting for a first predetermined amount of time to elapse, independently pitching the at least one wind turbine blade to a predetermined position, waiting for a second predetermined amount of time to elapse, and maintaining the at least one wind turbine blade in the predetermined position until a rotation of the at least one wind turbine blade stops.
US07962238B2
The invention relates to a process or device for the production of a three-dimensional object by layer-wise solidification of a material which is solidifiable under the application of electromagnetic irradiation by means of mask illumination, wherein the mask is produced using an image forming unit having a prescribed resolution, which is formed from a constant number of image forming elements (pixels) being discrete and being arranged in a spatially mutually fixed manner. For the improvement of the resolution along the outer and inner contours of the sectional areas of the object to be generated layer-wise in the sub-pixel range, a multiple illumination per layer is performed, which consists of a series of multiple images that are mutually shifted in the sub-pixel range in the image/construction plane, wherein a separate mask/bitmap is produced for each shifted image.
US07962236B2
A device for downloading data from a machine having a touch screen or PLC to govern its operation, the device includes a handheld control unit that is operably associated with the touch screen or PLC such that the touch screen or PLC can be downloaded from the touch screen onto the device and information from the device can be transmitted to a personal computer to be viewed or printed. Additionally, a method of downloading the data from a machine having a touch screen or PLC to a handheld control unit and downloading this information to a personal computer such that the information can be viewed or printed.
US07962235B2
An operation instructing system includes an individual process information obtaining section obtaining, each time a production element is entered into the system, the process information about one of the production lines to produce the entered production element; a state information obtaining section obtaining, on the basis of the process information, state information about remaining production processes the production elements currently in the production system; a determining section determining, each time operation completion report is obtained, the next manual step by the operator completed a manual step as a next operation step on the basis of the state information; and a notifying section notifying the operator of the next operation step. Accordingly, even when preferential degrees of operations randomly vary, operation shares of respective operators are clearly determined and the next operation steps are accurately notified to respective operator, so that the production efficiency can be improved.
US07962228B2
An evaluation device (22) comprises an evaluation target model (31) which operates according to a control algorithm to be implemented in the control system, and which outputs a manipulated variable of a predetermined controlled equipment (8) included in the physical device (1) in correspondence with a predetermined input condition, a state quantity presumption model (32) which presumes a state quantity of the physical device subjected to an influence of an operation of the controlled equipment in correspondence with a predetermined state quantity presumption condition, and which outputs the presumed state quantity, and a model control device (33) which provides the input condition to the evaluation target model so that the manipulated variable is output therefrom.
US07962227B2
A data collection and viewing application provides a user interface that allows a user to quickly and easily examine a particular batch process or a batch run, to compare separate batch runs and/or to determine whether the particular batch run deviates from a norm, without having to perform a lot of manual data manipulation. To this end, the user interface provides or creates a compact graphical representation of a batch, illustrating a number of different types of batch-related data in relation to one another in a manner that enables a user to easily view or understand the operation of the batch run, either alone or as compared with one or more other batch runs. Moreover, process alarms, alerts, events, as well as other information may be placed in one or more additional layers, and the various layers may be shown together to provide a compact graphical view of the batch.
US07962223B2
Tissue ablation probes and methods for treating tissue are provided. The tissue ablation probe comprises an elongated probe shaft, at least one electrode carried by the distal end of the probe shaft, and a pharmaceutical agent carried by the probe shaft. The pharmaceutical agent may be disposed on the electrode(s), the probe shaft, or a releasable portion associated with the electrode or the probe shaft. A method for treating tissue comprises introducing a tissue ablation probe to a tissue site, operating the tissue ablation probe to ablate tissue at the tissue site, and releasing a pharmaceutical agent from the tissue ablation probe at the tissue site.
US07962220B2
Methods and systems for reducing compensation of the body to therapy delivered by an implanted medical device are described herein. The disclosed techniques cause a change from one therapy protocol to another therapy protocol based on the occurrence of an event (e.g., time, user activations of a sensor, input from a physiological sensor, etc.). The therapy protocols of the implanted medical device differ in terms of the on-time and off-time, but effectuate the same or similar duty cycle.
US07962214B2
A method and apparatus for providing trans-esophageal electrical signal therapy to a portion of a vagus nerve of a patient to treat a medical condition. An implantable medical device comprising at least one electrode is implanted in an inner lumen of the esophagus of the patient. At least one electrode is electrically coupled to the inner lumen of the esophagus. An electrical signal from the IMD is provided to a target portion of the vagus nerve through at least a portion of the wall of the esophagus for treating the medical condition.
US07962211B2
System, method and antenna for an external power source for an implantable medical device having therapeutic componentry and a secondary coil operatively coupled to the therapeutic componentry. A housing has a first surface adapted to be placed closest to the secondary coil of the implantable medical device. A primary coil is operatively coupled to the external power and is capable of inductively energizing the secondary coil, the primary coil being wound forming generally concentric loops having an axis. The housing has a protrusion extending from the first surface.
US07962206B2
A method includes inserting a target probe along a first path within a body such that a portion of the target probe is disposed adjacent a target location within the body. The target location can be, for example, a portion of a nerve, a muscle or the like. An electronic implant is inserted along a second path within the body such that a portion of the electronic implant is disposed adjacent the target location within the body. The second path is different from the first path. The electronic implant is inserted when the target probe is disposed adjacent the target location within the body.
US07962203B2
Systems, devices, structures, and methods are provided to present a visual display based on data from an implantable medical device. The display includes a chart showing the frequency of a detected type of arrhythmia over a predetermined period of time.
US07962200B2
A method and a system for free space optical tomography provides one or more light source and one or more light sensors spaced, which in one embodiment are spaced apart from and object to be imaged. A surface capture system coupled to a variety of optical models provides the method and system with the ability to render accurate tomographic images though the light has propagated both through a diffuse medium and, in on embodiment, also through free space to the one or more light sensors.
US07962199B2
A method is disclosed for analyzing keratinized tissue, particularly fingernails, of a subject to diagnose osteoporosis and bone fracture risk. A Raman spectrum of a sample of keratinized tissue is generated. Broad spectral background features of the spectrum are removed, preferably by using Fourier transform analysis. Peak heights of Raman features of interest, particularly the S—S bond of cystine, are measured. These peak height measurements are normalized using reference peak heights of Raman features that are invariant between normal and osteoporotic subjects, such as the CH2 bending peak.
US07962194B2
A magnetic resonance imager (MRI) controllably propels at least one magnetic field responsive body within a subject. The MRI comprises a bore magnet producing an intense magnetic field sufficient to magnetically saturate the magnetic field responsive body. A magnetic field gradient generator is configured to apply variable magnetic gradients to at least a portion of the subject containing the magnetically-saturated body. A controller instructs the magnetic field gradient generator to acquire image data of the magnetically-saturated body within the subject and to apply a calculated magnetic gradient that will propel the magnetically-saturated body towards a target location in the subject. A tracking unit of the MRI provides position feedback information of the magnetically-saturated body within the subject.
US07962193B2
A method includes receiving during a first time interval image data associated with an image of a dynamic body. The image data includes an indication of the positions of a first marker and a second marker on a garment coupled to the dynamic body. The first marker and second marker are each coupled to the garment at a first and second locations, respectively. A distance is determined between the position of the first marker and the second marker. During a second time interval after the first time interval, data associated with a position of a first and second localization element that are each coupled to the garment is received. A distance between the first and second localization elements is determined. A difference is calculated between the distance between the first marker and the second marker and the distance between the first localization element and the second localization element.
US07962192B2
Systems and methods for aligning a tool positioned on a moveable arm with a location or an object of interest on a body surface. Some methods comprise using one or more cameras and identifying position offsets of the location or the object of interest from the one or more cameras. Some methods comprise using at least two cameras and rectifying the images from the first and the second cameras. A variety of different tools and assemblies may be located on the moveable arm for performing various diagnostic and therapeutic procedures that take advantage of the ability of the moveable arm to rapidly and precisely position the respective tool or assembly at desired locations on a skin.
US07962190B1
A signal processor which acquires a first signal, including a first primary signal portion and a first secondary signal portion, and a second signal, including a second primary signal portion and a second secondary signal portion, wherein the first and second primary signal portions are correlated. The signals may be acquired by propagating energy through a medium and measuring an attenuated signal after transmission or reflection. Alternatively, the signals may be acquired by measuring energy generated by the medium. A processor of the present invention generates a primary or secondary reference signal which is a combination, respectively, of only the primary or secondary signal portions. The secondary reference signal is then used to remove the secondary portion of each of the first and second measured signals via a correlation canceler, such as an adaptive noise canceler, preferably of the joint process estimator type. The primary reference signal is used to remove the primary portion of each of the first and second measured signals via a correlation canceler. The processor of the present invention may be employed in conjunction with a correlation canceler in physiological monitors wherein the known properties of energy attenuation through a medium are used to determine physiological characteristics of the medium. Many physiological conditions, such as the pulse, or blood pressure of a patient or the concentration of a constituent in a medium, can be determined from the primary or secondary portions of the signal after other signal portion is removed.
US07962184B2
A method and apparatus for controlling a bar-type mobile terminal are provided. The method for controlling a bar-type mobile terminal having a first speaker and a first input unit on one side and a second speaker and a second input unit on the other side of the mobile terminal includes receiving a call in a waiting mode; sensing whether a call accept key is input through the first input unit or through the second input unit; activating the speaker located on the same side of the mobile terminal as the call accept key according to the sensing result; and generating a received sound through the activated speaker, thereby enabling a call to be received using both sides of the mobile terminal.
US07962183B2
A novel and useful mechanism for regulating and managing the peak current consumption of the subsystems in a mobile handset device. The mechanism of the present invention is operative to limit the current consumption at any point in time to a predetermined level that is within the current handling capability of the power management system of the handheld device. The mechanism operates by having the high peak current subsystems advertise in advance their intention to initiate a current peak. An arbitration mechanism considers the advertisements or requests sent from interested subsystems and determines whether a subsystem is either granted permission to initiate or is blocked from initiating a peak current session.
US07962169B2
A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with disambiguation software. The device provides output in the form of a default output and a number of variants. The output is based largely upon the frequency, i.e., the likelihood that a user intended a particular output, but various features of the device provide additional variants that are not based solely on frequency and rather are provided by various logic structures resident on the device. The device enables editing during text entry and also provides a learning function that allows the disambiguation function to adapt to provide a customized experience for the user. The disambiguation function can be selectively disabled and an alternate keystroke interpretation system provided. Additionally, the device can facilitate the selection of variants by displaying a graphic of a special
US07962167B2
A mobile station (MS) transmits a first data flow to a first group of base stations with a first power offset, transmits a second data flow to a second group of base stations, and further transmits a pilot signal. A radio network controller (RNC) controls the power of the pilot signal power based on reception errors of the second data flow, calculates the first power offset based on signaled required level of the first power offset from base stations (BTS) of the first group which calculate the required level of the first power offset based on an occurrence of retransmission, and signals the calculated first power offset to the mobile station.
US07962164B2
A system and method supporting extended network access notification via a broadband access gateway is disclosed. A representative embodiment of the present invention may comprise a wireless interface and may be capable of exchanging multimedia communication between the wireless interface and a broadband network. The gateway may support multimedia communication via access devices that may seamlessly hand off from a wireless wide area network to a personal area network supported by the wireless interface. The hand off may be coordinated by the gateway and the wireless wide area network via the broadband network. A user of an access device may be notified when such a hand off has been automatically initiated, and a user may configure aspects of such hand offs.
US07962163B2
A broadcast receiving system capable of keeping low the power consumption of a mobile station having a broadcast receiving unit for receiving an irregular broadcast is realized. A broadcast station transmits a broadcast notice for notifying that predefined contents will be broadcasted. The broadcast notice is transmitted to the mobile station through a relay apparatus and a mobile basestation. The mobile station receives the broadcast notice from the mobile basestation by a communication channel commonly used by mobile stations in the mobile coverage. The mobile station is set to a state capable of receiving the broadcast.
US07962150B2
This invention provides a novel high-accuracy indoor ranging device that uses ultra-wideband (UWB) RF pulsing with low-power and low-cost electronics. A unique of the present invention is that it exploits multiple measurements in time and space for very accurate ranging. The wideband radio signals utilized herein are particularly suited to ranging in harsh RF environments because they allow signal reconstruction in spite of multipath propagation distortion. Furthermore, the ranging and positioning techniques discussed herein directly address many of the known technical challenges encountered in UWB localization regarding synchronization and sampling. In the method developed, noisy, corrupted signals can be recovered by repeating range measurements across a channel, and the distance measurements are combined from many locations surrounding the target in a way that minimizes the range biases associated to indirect flight paths and through-wall propagation delays.
US07962148B2
The disclosure is directed to a mobile communication device, and method for registering with a network from a mobile communications device. A processor in the mobile device may be used to establish a network connection with a server in a network. The mobile device may also include a transceiver that receives information from the server relating to the network connection. The processor may use the information, local measurements, or both to determine whether to register with the network.
US07962145B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to wireless communications networks, and more specifically to an antenna apparatus for cellular wireless systems. Increasing data capacity of cellular wireless systems places increasing demands on the capacity of the two way connection, known as backhaul, between a cellular base station and a telecommunications network such as the PSTN backhaul, since this is the connection that has to convey the wireless-originating traffic to its destination, often in an entirely different network. Known backhaul links include leased lines, microwave links, optical fiber links or radio resources for relaying backhaul traffic between base stations. The fixed line solutions are expensive to implement and maintain, while the radio solutions antenna configurations that are not ideal for relaying data between base stations. In embodiments of the invention, communication between base stations occurs in a first timeslot by use of a first antenna system and communication between a given base station and a user equipment occurs in a second timeslot using a second antenna system. The benefit of this method is that the first antenna system can be optimized for use in communication between base stations, whereas the second antenna system can be optimized for communication with user equipment which preferably occurs within the area of cellular wireless coverage of the sector served by the second antenna system.
US07962141B2
The disclosed embodiments provide for methods and systems for selecting sectors for handoff in a communication system. According to one aspect, the method includes monitoring an indicia of transmit power on a plurality of RL control channels directed to a plurality of sectors, and selecting one of the sectors as a candidate for a RL handoff. The disclosed embodiments also provide for methods and systems for indicating a selected serving sector for handoff in a communication system. According to one aspect, the method includes sending a first signal to a first sector to indicate the first sector as a serving sector for a forward-link handoff, and sending a second signal to a second sector to indicate the second sector as a serving sector for a reverse-link handoff.
US07962137B2
A communication system includes a development sector for registering a plurality of wireless devices, a business sector for controlling utilization of an application program and for receiving application data, a service sector for deploying the application program and for providing the application data to the business sector in accordance with communication with at least one wireless device of the plurality; and a mobile sector comprising the plurality of wireless devices, each device for receiving the application program deployed by the service sector, executing the application program in response to the business sector, and communicating with the service sector to support provision of the application data to the business sector. The business sector or service sector may monitor or limit utilization of the auxiliary device. Deployment of application programs may be controlled by the business sector or the development sector by rendering an application program or auxiliary device available for use only after a particular time or after receipt of a message.
US07962134B2
A system and method allow end users the ability to operate using non-compliant antennas. A coordination database may be continually updated with respect to geographic coordinates, time planning, frequency and orbital positions. Further, the system and method may utilize a tool for easily calculating interference resulting from the use of non-compliant antennas. These components, amongst others, spot possible slots in the frequency spectrum for non-compliance operations. A device may be integrated into terrestrial terminals to perform a sound, realistic and up-to-date interference calculation for equipment in a particular environment. The device may determine the level and extent of safety for operating the equipment in the particular environment.
US07962133B2
A method and apparatus for provisioning a physical link to a service provider is disclosed whereby physical link information in a carrier network is store, in one embodiment, in a database within the carrier network or, in another embodiment, in a database shared by a carrier and a service provider. In response to a request from the service provider for the use of the physical link, physical link information and network management information associated is retrieved from that database. In one embodiment, this information is sent directly from the carrier via in-band signaling. In another embodiment, the information is retrieved from the shared database and is transmitted via out-of-band signaling. In accordance with yet another embodiment, messages exchanged between service providers and carriers comprise digital certificates that are used to verify the identity of the providers and carriers.
US07962129B2
A system for customizing ringtones. The system including a server configured to facilitate generating a customized ringtone based on a sample recording. The system including a phone configured to display a user interface as a function of customization signals received from the server. The customization signals being related to customization options available for customizing the recording sample. The phone being configured to communicate at least one user selected customization option to the server for use by the server in customizing the sample recording and generating the customized the ringtone.
US07962123B1
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for authentication of an access terminal generally includes a radio access network having a packet control function. The packet control function is operable to receive an extended authentication protocol (EAP) message from the access terminal, encapsulate the extended authentication protocol message in a radio-packet (RP) network message, and transmit the radio-packet network message to an IP gateway.
US07962116B1
A receiver includes a Gilbert cell mixer comprising an input transconductance stage. The input transconductance stage includes first and second transistors receiving an input signal and providing a first gain characteristic that is substantially non-linear over an operating frequency range of the receiver. Third and fourth transistors receive the input signal and provide a second gain characteristic that is substantially non-linear over the operating range of the receiver. A combined gain characteristic of the input transconductance stage is based on the first and second gain characteristics and is substantially linear over the operating frequency range of the receiver.
US07962114B2
A sub-harmonic mixer includes a first transistor having a source and a drain and a second transistor having a source connected to the source of the first transistor and a drain connected to the drain of the first transistor. A mixing transistor is configured to be biased in a linear operating region. The mixing transistor includes a drain coupled to the sources of the first transistor and the second transistor. The mixing transistor has its drain driven by a signal at twice a local oscillator (LO) frequency and its gate driven by a radio frequency (RF) signal while the mixing transistor is biased in the linear region such that a process of frequency doubling and mixing are performed simultaneously.
US07962109B1
A system and method for detecting and correcting over-current and/or over-voltage conditions in power amplifier circuitry in a transmit chain of a mobile terminal are provided. In general, over-current detection and correction circuitry combines a current detection signal indicative of a current provided to or drained by the power amplifier circuitry during ramp-up for a transmit burst and a substantially inverse current ramping profile to provide a first constant value. The first constant value is compared to a current threshold or limit value to determine whether an over-current condition exists. If an over-current condition exists, the over-current detection and correction circuitry operates to reduce the output power of the power amplifier circuitry during ramp-up for the transmit burst to correct for the over-current condition. In a similar manner, over-voltage detection circuitry operates to detect and correct over-voltage conditions during ramp-up for the transmit burst.
US07962091B2
Embodiments of a system and methods for “RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND INTERFERENCE MITIGATION TECHNIQUES FOR RELAY-BASED WIRELESS NETWORKS” are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
