US07968278B2
A rinsing method for performing a rinsing process on a substrate, after a developing process is performed on a light-exposed pattern disposed thereon, includes a step (STEP 5) of throwing off a developing solution from the substrate after development; a step (STEP 6) of supplying a water-based cleaning liquid onto the substrate; a step (STEP 7) of supplying a surfactant-containing rinsing liquid onto the substrate to replace liquid remaining on the substrate with the surfactant-containing rinsing liquid; and a step (STEP 8) of rotating the substrate to expand and throw off the surfactant-containing rinsing liquid on the substrate. STEP 8 is arranged to supply the surfactant-containing rinsing liquid for a supply time of 5 seconds or less. STEP 9 is arranged to include a first period with a lower rotation number and a second period with a higher rotation number, and to set the rotation number of the substrate in the first period to be more than 300 rpm and less than 1,000 rpm.
US07968250B2
The invention relates to a portable cartridge that stores a fuel for use with a fuel cell system. Cartridges described herein improve mechanical interface between a cartridge and a device that couples to the cartridge. The interface may include one or more of: a sliding interface between a cartridge and device, a latching interface that holds the cartridge in one or more positions relative to the device, and/or keyed access and security features that prevent unintended access to the fuel. Multiple valves may also be included to further control access to the fuel.
US07968243B2
A method of operating a fuel cell (1) in which a gaseous supply stream (5) comprising a reactive species is delivered to an electrode (2) where the reactive species is consumed in an electrochemical reaction to produce an exhaust stream (7, 8) which is depleted in reactive species, which method comprises: a) assessing the concentration of reactive species in the exhaust stream (7, 8); b) relating the concentration of reactive species in the exhaust stream (7, 9) to a maximum current that may be drawn from the fuel cell (1) without redox damage of the electrode; and c) adjusting the way in which the fuel cell (1) is operated in order to optimize efficiency without redox damage of the electrode (2).
US07968234B2
An electrolyte for a lithium secondary battery includes lithium salts, a non-aqueous organic solvent, and additive compounds, which initiates decomposition at 4V to 5V and show a constant current maintenance plateau region of more than or equal to 0.5V at measurement of LSV (linear sweep voltammetry). The additive compounds added to the electrolyte of the present invention decompose earlier than the organic solvent to form a conductive polymer layer on the surface of a positive electrode by increased electrochemical energy and heat at overcharge. The conductive polymer layer prevents decomposition of the organic solvent. Accordingly, the electrolyte inhibits gas generation caused by decomposition of the organic solvent during high temperature storage, and also improves safety of the battery during overcharge.
US07968231B2
A material comprising a lithium titanate comprising a plurality of primary particles and secondary particles, wherein the average primary particle size is about 1 nm to about 500 nm and the average secondary particle size is about 1 μm to about 4 μm. In some embodiments the lithium titanate is carbon-coated. Also provided are methods of preparing lithium titanates, and devices using such materials.
US07968218B2
A method for coating a tool or tool part, includes providing a base structure of the tool or the tool part at a temperature of 850° C. to 950° C. and applying at least one layer to the base structure. One or more layers of the at least one layer is formed of a metal carbonitride of composed of at least one of titanium, zirconium, hafnium, vanadium, niobium, tantalum and chromium. The one or more layers of the at least one layer is deposited by a deposition of a gas containing methane, nitrogen and at least one metal compound. After beginning the applying, the temperature is increased by at least 40° C. to an increased temperature and the deposition is continued for a time at the increased temperature.
US07968216B2
There have been demands for transparent electrode materials and magnetic materials, each having a wide range of applications. In view of the situations, a novel functional device and a method for forming an oxide material are provided. A functional device includes an AlxGayInzN layer (wherein 0≦x≦1, 0≦y≦1, and 0≦z≦1) and an oxide material layer composed of a metal oxide and formed on the AlxGayInzN layer. The metal oxide may be TiO2. The present invention provides a functional device that includes a group III nitride layer having excellent physical and chemical properties and a film integrally formed thereon. The film reflects less light at the interface and has chemical resistance and high durability.
US07968214B2
Provided is a white organic light emitting device comprising an anode, a cathode, and an organic layer formed between the anode and the cathode, wherein the organic layer comprises one green emissive layer, one blue emissive layer, one red emissive layer, and one charge generating layer formed between any two of the foregoing green, blue and red emissive layers. The white organic light emitting device has a tandem structure providing the simplest structure for the three color light emissions of green, blue and red.
US07968209B2
The present invention relates to a new composition and medical implant made therefrom, the composition comprising a thick diffusion hardened zone, and preferably further comprising a ceramic layer. The present invention relates to orthopedic implants comprising the new composition, methods of making the new composition, and methods of making orthopedic implants comprising the new composition.
US07968207B2
The invention relates to a method of producing and joining superalloy balls by means of brazing and to objects produced with such joints. According to one aspect of the invention, an alloy powder covered with a brazing solder is bonded to a spherical core and subsequently transformed into a continuous alloy layer by means of brazing.
US07968204B2
An optical article includes a transparent substrate and an abrasion-resistant layer appended to at least one surface of the substrate. The abrasion-resistant layer results from the reaction mixture of: a first organo-silane chosen from thiocarbamate-silane matrix precursor containing at least one terminal alkoxysilane group, or hydrolysates thereof, the thiocarbamate-silane compound resulting from the reaction of a polythiol including at least two —SH thiol substituent, with an isocyanato-silane compound represented by the general formula: (R1)3Si—R2—N═C═O wherein R1 represents a group selected from linear or branched (C1-C6) alkoxy, and R2 represents a group selected from linear or branched (C1-C6) alkylene, linear or branched (C1-C6) alkenylene, arylene, and (C5-C12)cycloakylene, each of these groups being optionally substituted by one to six groups selected from halogen, alkoxy, carboxy, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, and perfluoroalkyl, an inorganic oxide, a curing catalyst for said thiocarbamate-silane, and a solvent for said organo-silane.
US07968199B2
A process for producing sheets, in which a free-radically crosslinkable coating composition (K) which after crosslinking to completion gives a transparent coating (KE) is applied to a backing sheet (T), a coating (KT), dried but not yet crosslinked to completion, is produced from the coating composition (K), on (KT) a pigmented coating (PB) is produced and optionally on (PB) a tiecoat is applied, the crosslinkable coating composition (K) comprising a free-radically crosslinkable component (KK) based on urethane acrylate and containing carbamate and/or biuret and/or allophanate and/or urea and/or amide groups, (KK) having a number-average molecular weight of from 1000 to 50 000 g/mol, having a double bond content of from 1.0 to 5.0 mol of double bonds per 1000 g of reactive component (KK), containing on average per molecule >1 branching point, containing 5%-50% by weight, based in each case on the weight of component (KK), of cyclic structural elements, and containing at least one aliphatic structural element having at least 6 carbon atoms in the chain.
US07968196B2
A circuit-connecting material interposed between mutually-facing circuit electrodes, and electrically connecting the electrodes, either by direct contact, or via conductive particles present in the material. The circuit-connecting material features: (1) a curing agent capable of generating free radicals upon heating; (2) a radical-polymerizable substance, and two or more microscopically separated phases. The two or more microscopically separated phases include an elastomer phase of carboxyl-group-containing elastomer and a phenoxy resin phase of a phenoxy resin having a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 or more.
US07968190B2
Unique PTFE fabric structures, and methods for making same, are described which comprise a plurality of PTFE fibers overlapping at intersections, at least a portion of the intersections having PTFE masses which mechanically lock the overlapping PTFE fibers.
US07968188B2
An electrochemically disbondable composition is provided having a matrix functionality and an electrolyte functionality. The matrix functionality provides an adhesive bond to a substrate, and the electrolyte functionality provides sufficient ionic conductivity to the composition to support a faradaic reaction at an interface with an electrically conductive surface in contact with the composition, whereby the adhesive bond is weakened at the interface. The composition may be a phase-separated composition having first regions of substantially matrix functionality and second regions of substantially electrolyte functionality. Adhesive and coating compositions and methods of disbonding also are described.
US07968184B2
An erosion resistant surface using a dense array of elastic whiskers to slow the velocity of erosive particles before impacting with the surface. A carbon nanotube forest is grown on the surface to provide the erosion resistance. In the alternative, a carbon nanotube forest is grown on a flexible substrate that is bonded to the surface.
US07968180B2
The extruded propylene-based resin composite foam (1) according to the present invention is provided by extrusion-foaming a molding material containing a propylene-based resin. The propylene-based resin forming the extruded foam has an olefin-based polymer whose loss tangent (tan δ) is 0.04 to 100 at a temperature of 298 K and a frequency of 10 Hz. The molding material includes a fibrous filler in an amount of more than 0 mass % and 60 mass % or less of the entirety of the molding material. The extruded composite foam (1) includes: first extruded foam (2) whose closed cell content is 40 percent or more and whose expansion ratio is 10 or more; and second extruded foam (3) whose closed cell content is less than 40 percent and whose expansion ratio is 10 or more.
US07968173B2
The present invention relates to printable security paper that includes a region capable of receiving printed indicia on the front side and on the reverse side which are observable in reflected light and form an image observable in transmitted light, as security element protecting against two-sided copying, characterized in that such region is a screened region having an average overall opacity less than the opacity of the vellum part of the rest of the paper, said screened region being made up from alternations of vellum miniregions, having an approximately constant thickness equal to that of the vellum part of the rest of the paper, and of miniregions of reduced opacity because of their smaller thickness compared with the vellum miniregions. The invention also relates to the security document obtained with this paper.
US07968172B2
A nonplanar, thermoplastic polymeric film having a top surface, a bottom surface, a midline, and a series of peaks and valleys oscillating around the midline and forming continuous ridges in a first direction on both the top surface and the bottom surface of the film. The nonplanar, thermoplastic polymeric film has two or more polymer layers with at least one polymer layer partitioned disproportionally in the peaks such that at least two of the two or more polymer layers vary in thickness across the width of the nonplanar, thermoplastic polymeric film.
US07968171B2
Shaped waterproofing membranes having three-dimensional contours are useful for the “reverse tanking” waterproofing of detail areas such as those presented by “tiebacks,” pipes, pile caps, and other irregularities that occur on concrete formworks and other civil construction or building surfaces. A preferred method for making such membranes is to thermoform a membrane laminate, having a carrier support sheet, waterproofing adhesive, and optionally a protective coating layer, as a single unit.
US07968170B2
A single pane window for use in a jet aircraft. The single pane window includes a plurality of metal sheets. A fiber reinforced resin at least partially surrounds the plurality of metal sheets. The fiber reinforced resin is transparent. A cutout is formed within each of the plurality of metal sheets, with the cutout being filled by the transparent resin during the manufacturing process. The cutout forms an optically transparent window portion of the single pane window. The single pane window is lightweight and strong enough to form a load bearing portion of a fuselage of a commercial aircraft into which it is incorporated, and also does not require the bulky and heavy frame structure that has traditionally been required on window structures of jet aircraft. The single pane window also enables even larger windows to be incorporated on aircraft without increasing the weight or cost associated with such windows.
US07968167B2
A coated seal for sealing parts in a vehicle engine is disclosed herein. The seal includes a seal body portion including glass fiber-filled polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon-filled polytetrafluoroethylene, molybdenum disulfide-filled polytetrafluoroethylene, bronze-filled polytetrafluoroethylene or combinations thereof; and a coating portion including either expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, carbon-filled polytetrafluoroethylene, or combinations thereof. A method of using a coated seal in a vehicle engine is also disclosed herein. A system to achieve decreased friction, decreased noise, and improved wear in injector seals in a vehicle engine is also disclosed herein.
US07968162B2
A dose of multilayer synthetic resin for the realization of multilayer objects by compression molding, said dose having an axis of symmetry and comprising a first synthetic resin (2) and at least one fine functional layer (3) of synthetic resin forming the outer shell of a body of revolution defined about said axis of symmetry, said body of revolution comprising two ends disposed in a direction parallel to the axis of symmetry, said dose being characterized in that the functional layer (3) is imprisoned in said first synthetic resin (2), totally or in such a way that no more than a single one of said ends is not imprisoned in said first resin (2).
US07968149B2
A regeneration apparatus for an electroless plating solution, which includes a sensor for measuring the formation rate of phosphorous acid formed in a plating tank in response to a plating treatment, a split device for taking out a plating solution in the plating tank to transfer the plating solution to a first processing tank, a sensor for measuring the concentration of the phosphorous acid contained in the plating solution taken out, an addition device for supplying calcium carbonate or calcium hydroxide, an amount of which is required for producing a calcium phosphite from the phosphorous acid contained in the plating solution, to the first processing tank, a separation device for separating and removing the calcium phosphite produced in the first processing tank from the plating solution, and a return pump for transferring the plating solution from which the calcium phosphite has been separated and removed to the plating tank.
US07968146B2
A method for forming a coating over a surface is disclosed. The method comprises depositing over a surface, a hybrid layer comprising a mixture of a polymeric material and a non-polymeric material. The hybrid layer may have a single phase or comprise multiple phases. The hybrid layer is formed by chemical vapor deposition using a single source of precursor material. The chemical vapor deposition process may be plasma-enhanced and may be performed using a reactant gas. The precursor material may be an organo-silicon compound, such as a siloxane. The hybrid layer may comprise various types of polymeric materials, such as silicone polymers, and various types of non-polymeric materials, such as silicon oxides. By varying the reaction conditions, the wt % ratio of polymeric material to non-polymeric material may be adjusted. The hybrid layer may have various characteristics suitable for use with organic light-emitting devices, such as optical transparency, impermeability, and/or flexibility.
US07968144B2
A system for forming a surface coating on an outer surface of a foam for use with cooling system of turbine engines. The system may include removing filler from the outer surface of the foam to expose a porous structure of the foam, whereby portions of the porous structure extend outwardly from a newly formed outer surface of the filler. A surface layer may be applied to the outer surface of the filler and exposed portions of the porous structure, whereby the surface layer is attached to the porous structure at least in part due to mechanical interaction with the portions of the porous structure extending outwardly from the newly formed outer surface of the filler. The filler material may then be removed from the porous structure.
US07968133B2
The invention concerns an element including: 1 sheet (1) including an intermediate zone (29) located between two zones designed to form side walls (9, 11), the intermediate zone (29) being designed to form a flap folded along the tip against one first (9) of the side walls, and elements (51a, 51b) for guiding tears in the sheet (1) the elements forming a single pull tab (58) to cause tears, the pull tab (58) being, in the intermediate zone, spaced apart from the media axis (A) of the zone designed to form the base (3). The invention is, for example, applicable to packaging of melted cheese.
US07968128B2
A composition for affecting physiological sleep disorders comprising a therapeutically effective amount of Baiziren extract or any of its derivatives, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The composition may additionally comprise a therapeutically effective amount of at least one of a Suanzaoren extract and a Yuanzhi extract, or mixtures thereof.
US07968124B2
Methods of attenuating the toxic or medically undesirable effects of drugs and toxins in a human by administering to a human an injectable formulation comprised of a dispersion of particles comprised of reversed cubic or reversed hexagonal lyotropic liquid crystalline material. The particles absorb or adsorb or otherwise sequester and attenuate the effect of drugs and toxins, and may be used as a rescue or reversal agent, or as a prophylaxis. The invention is especially applicable in reversing adverse effects of local anesthetics inadvertently delivered systemically, and attenuating the therapeutic effects of general anesthetics in the course of treatment.
US07968120B2
In one embodiment a dosage form comprises at least one active ingredient and a molded matrix which comprises 10-100% of a material having a melting point of less than about 100 degrees C. selected from the stamp consisting of thermoplastic polyalkylene oxides, low melting hydrophobic materials, thermoplastic polymers, thermoplastic starches and combinations thereof, and the matrix is capable of providing modified release of the active ingredient upon contacting of the dosage form with a liquid medium. The dosage form may additionally comprise uncoated particles which may contain at least one active ingredient. In another embodiment, a dosage form comprises at least one active ingredient, a plurality of particles and a molded matrix, wherein at least a portion of the particles are coated. The coated particles, the matrix or both may comprise at least one active ingredient, and the coated particles or the matrix or a combination thereof is capable of providing modified release of the active ingredient upon contacting of the dosage form with a liquid medium.
US07968113B2
A method is provided to treat skin to restore barrier homeostasis and to promote normal stratum corneum function by applying to the skin a liquid composition which forms a phase inversion membrane. The amount of solids in the liquid composition is varied so as to provide a desired degree of porosity to the resulting membrane.
US07968111B2
The invention concerns the preparation and use of a biocompatible, biocomponent material constituted by: (a) a three-dimensional matrix of hyaluronic acid derivatives witle a structure containing empty spaces; (b) a porous, three-dimensional matrix constituted by a ceramic material; (c) possibly containing pharmacologically or biologically active ingredients.
US07968105B2
The invention is related to an immunogenic composition, vaccine or pharmaceutical composition for preventing, boosting or treating infection caused by a species of the tuberculosis complex (M. tuberculosis, M. bovis, M. africanum, M. microti). The immunogenic composition, vaccine or pharmaceutical composition comprise a fusion polypeptide, which comprises one or more starvation antigens from M. tuberculosis, the units of the fusion polypeptide being M. tuberculosis antigens. Further, the invention is related to the use of a vaccine comprising a fusion polypeptide sequence or nucleic acid sequence of the invention given at the same time as BCG, either mixed with BCG or administered separately at different sites or routes for preparing said immunogenic composition, vaccine, or pharmaceutical composition.
US07968104B2
The present invention related to methods for treating neurological-urological conditions. This is accomplished by administration of at least one neurotoxin.
US07968103B2
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition representing a novel immunomodulating principle comprising bacterial endotoxin, fetal hemoglobin or more particularly a heme-free derivative or the γ-chain thereof, and optionally, components which are present in the fetal liver in addition to HbF. The composition is delivered to humans in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or diluent. In accordance with the present invention it was surprisingly found that endotoxin and fetal hemoglobin partial structures display a pronounced synergistic biomedical activity. The biomedical effect of fetal hemoglobin and its partial structures is surprisingly not based on a classical hemoglobin function as an oxygen transporter but related to a modulation of endotoxin-mediated bioactivity. This biomedical activity is surprisingly also observed after oral application of the composition. The composition of the invention finds a variety of applications which have in common the stimulation of the immune system and the reversion in polarization of cytokines and chemokines from a Th2-directed response to a Th1-type response. The proposed applications would therefore include the treatment of allergic conditions, malignancies, chronic infections, autoimmune phenomena and age-related imbalances.
US07968102B2
The invention relates to Dengue chimeric viruses which are less prone to accumulate point mutations and genetic variations. In these Dengue chimeric viruses, the NS5 gene, which encodes polymerase, has been replaced by the corresponding NS5 sequence of a Yellow Fever virus.
US07968101B2
The invention provides a composition useful to prepare influenza viruses, e.g., in the absence of helper virus, using vectors which include tandem transcription cassettes containing PolI and/or PolII promoters.
US07968094B2
Disclosed is a method for preventing or treating thrombosis in a mammal such as a primate and particularly a human patient. A preferred method includes administering to the mammal a therapeutically effective amount of at least one humanized antibody, chimeric antibody, or fragment thereof that binds specifically to human tissue factor (TF). Additional methods and kits are provided.
US07968082B1
Methods for analyzing mixtures of polysaccharides, for example heparin such as enoxaparin are described. In some instances, the mixtures are analyzed using 1D NMR and/or 2D NMR.
US07968071B2
State-of-the-art electronic structure calculations provide the likelihood of the availability of AlLi2MgHn, ScLi2MgHn, TiLi2MgHn, VLi2MgHn, CrLi2MgHn, MnLi2MgHn, FeLi2MgHn, CoLi2MgHn, NiLi2MgHn, CuLi2MgHn, ZnLi2MgHn, GaLi2MgHn, GeLi2MgHn, PdLi2MgHn, AgLi2MgHn, CdLi2MgHn, InLi2MgHn, SnLi2MgHn, SbLi2MgHn, PtLi2MgHn, AuLi2MgHn, HgLi2MgHn, TlLi2MgHn, PbLi2MgHn, and BiLi2MgHn (here n is an integer having a value in a particular compound of 4-7) as solid hydrides for the storage and release of hydrogen. Different hydrogen contents may be obtained in compounds having the same XLi2Mg crystal structures. These materials offer utility for hydrogen storage systems.
US07968067B2
The present invention relates to the use of lithium salts and/or magnesium salts for the precipitation of aluminum oxides present in aqueous media.
US07968065B2
A process for leaching a value metal from a base metal sulfide ore, comprising the step of leaching the ore with a lixiviant comprising a chloride, an oxidant and hydrochloric acid is disclosed. The leaching is controlled, by use of low concentrations of hydrochloric acid and a redox potential, to effect formation of hydrogen sulfide from the base metal sulfide ore. The hydrogen sulfide is stripped from the leach solution, thereby reducing the amount of sulfate generated in the leach to very low levels. The leaching may also be conducted to limit the co-dissolution of platinum group metals and gold with the base value metals. The leach forms a value metal-rich leachate and a solids residue. The solids residue may be subsequently leached to recover the platinum group metals and gold. The value metal-rich leachate can be oxidized and neutralized to recover the value base metals. In an embodiment, the chloride is magnesium chloride and lixiviant solution is regenerated.
US07968041B2
A method and a tool component for forming in an article of fiber-reinforced composite material at least one locally placed, sharply curved portion. A separate, substantially rigid pressure-transferring element configured with a profile corresponding to the at least one curved portion is placed over the laminate at the location of the at least one locally placed, sharply curved portion of the mold surface. A flexible membrane placed over the laminate and over outer, separated surfaces of the pressure-transferring element is evacuated to depress the laminate to fully conform to the shape of the mold surface.
US07968037B2
A method of manufacturing a curved spinal rod is disclosed. The method includes heating PEEK; injecting the PEEK into an arcuate spinal rod mold; holding the injected PEEK in the mold until the PEEK substantially sets; and removing the injected PEEK from the mold. In another aspect, a spinal rod is disclosed. The spinal rod includes an arcuate main body having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a central portion. The central portion has a non-circular cross-section with a height greater than its width. The first and second end portions and the central portion of the arcuate main body are integrally formed of a polymer such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK). The spinal rod also includes a rounded end cap adapted to mate with at least one of the end portions. The end cap is radiopaque.
US07968034B2
A coating composition for a fiber-reinforced plastic includes an aliphatic resin such as a saturated aliphatic ester intermediate polyurethane having terminal acrylate end groups, a hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate, a polyacrylate ester of an alkylene polyol, and a vinyl substituted aromatic.
US07968029B2
The present invention relates to processes for hydrolyzing polyphosphoric acid in polyareneazole filaments.
US07968016B2
Unconventional twisted π-electron system electro-optic (EO) chromophores/compounds, compositions and related device structures. Crystallographic analysis of several non-limiting chromophores reveals, for instance, large ring-ring dihedral twist angles and a highly charge-separated zwitterionic structure in the ground state, in both solution phase and solid-state.
US07968015B2
One or more embodiments provide for a light emitting diode device that utilizes voltage switchable dielectric material having semi-conductive or conductive materials that have a relatively high aspect ratio.
US07968011B2
A conductive ink comprising 10 to 75 wt % of at least one solvent comprising ≦20 wt % water; 0 to 50 wt % of at least one radiation curable material having a Mn in the range of from 50 to 10,000 g/mol; 5 to 70 wt % of at least one polyurethane having a Mw in the range of from 4,000 to 70,000 g/mol, 0 to 5 wt % of isocyanate-reactive component(s) bearing ionic or potentially ionic water-dispersing groups and a free isocyanate group content <0.5 wt % and 20 to 85 wt % of a conductive material.
US07968009B2
The invention concerns electrically conductive composite nanoparticles having an alkyl polyacrylate core and a polyaniline coating, the dispersions comprising them and their use for preparing conductive films. The invention also concerns a method for making particles, comprising an elastomeric core and a polyaniline coating.
US07968004B2
Polyfluorene polymers and copolymers having substantial amounts (10-100%) of fluorenes coupled at the 2 and 5 positions of fluorene are useful as active layers in OLED devices where triplet energies >2.10 eV are required.
US07968001B2
A stabilized composition consists essentially of unsaturated hydrocarbon-based materials, and a stabilizer selected from the group consisting of hydroxybenzophenone and a nitroxyl radical based stabilizer. A method for stabilizing unsaturated hydrocarbon-based precursor material against the polymerization comprises providing a stabilizer selected from the group consisting of a hydroxybenzophenone and a nitroxyl radical based stabilizer.
US07967994B2
Chalcogenide devices are delineated and sidewalls of the devices are sealed, in an anaerobic and/or anhydrous environment environment. Throughout the delineation and sealing steps, and any intervening steps, the sidewalls are not exposed to oxygen or water. In an illustrative embodiment, a cluster tool includes an etching tool and a sealing/deposition tool configured to etch and seal the chalcogenide devices and to maintain the devices in an anaerobic and/or anhydrous environment throughout the process.
US07967993B2
According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a magnetic recording medium includes forming a hard mask and a resist on a magnetic recording layer, imprinting a stamper on the resist to transfer patterns of protrusions and recesses, removing resist residues left in the recesses of the patterned resist, etching the hard mask using the patterned resist as a mask to transfer the patterns of protrusions and recesses, stripping the resist, and performing ion beam etching to remove the remaining hard mask and to modify a surface of the magnetic recording layer uncovered with the remaining hard mask.
US07967991B2
The separator has a cylindrical separator chamber and an impeller on the same axis and driven in rotation. The impeller has a core, an inlet for receiving an axial flow of fluid, an outlet for injecting the fluid into the separator chamber, and guide channels formed between the inlet and the outlet of the impeller at the periphery of the core. The core has a portion of diameter equal to or greater than the inner diameter of the separator chamber. In this portion, the guide channels extend longitudinally, and they then continue as far as the outlet from the impeller, which outlet is cylindrical in shape and of diameter equal to the inner diameter of the separator chamber.
US07967986B2
A process for adsorption-based separation of bioparticles from an aqueous suspension containing such bioparticles is disclosed which process comprisesa) bringing said aqueous suspension into contact with a macroporous cryogel monolith carrying on its surface a ligand capable of interacting specifically or non-specifically with a receptor on the surface of a bioparticle to be separated to adsorb said bioparticle to said macroporous cryogen monolith; andb) liberating said bioparticle from said macroporous cryogel monolith by elution, wherein said macroporous cryogel monolith is subjected to a physical deformation in conjunction with exposure to eluting medium.
US07967985B1
A method to process grease trap waste or refuse and remove organic matter, and reclaim fats, oils, and grease (FOG) found in it. The process is initiated after dewatering the grease trap material to increase its concentration; the resulting sludge is then mixed with a solvent. The dissolved fractions of fats, oils, and grease are separated using mechanical methods. The solids are washed to further remove any traces of fats, oils, and grease. The solids, substantially free from organic content, are dried to remove any water and/or organic matter remaining, rendering inert solids that can be safely disposed of according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. All fats, oils, and, grease fractions are separated, containing no inert materials, and no water. The solvent is recuperated (recycled), allowing it to be used over again. The recuperated grease fractions, highly pure and homogeneous, constitute an excellent raw material for further oleo-chemical processes and applications.
US07967973B2
The invention relates to a process for producing a new type of high-quality hydrocarbon base oil of biological origin. The process of the invention comprises ketonisation, hydrodeoxygenation, and isomerization steps. Fatty acids and/or fatty acid esters based on a biological raw material are preferably used as the feedstock.
US07967965B2
The present invention provides a unique solution to the problems of both steady-state and transient signals produced by a variety of interfering stimuli, including humidity, which relies upon the inclusion in a gas sensing electrode in an electrochemical gas sensor of a catalyst material in addition to a first catalyst material reactive to the target gas, the additional, or second, catalyst material producing a response to an interfering stimulus which is of the opposite polarity to that generated by the first catalyst material.
US07967960B2
The fluid-confining apparatus includes at least a substrate holder, at least a confining fluid supplying tube, at least a confining fluid recovering tube, at least a process fluid supplying tube, and at least a process fluid recovering tube. The process fluid supplying tube supplies at least a process fluid, and makes the process fluid contact with at least a treatment region of a wafer. The confining fluid supplying tube continuity supplies at least a confining fluid. The confining fluid does not dissolve the process fluid. The flowing confining fluid can contact with at least a non-treatment region of the wafer, and confines the process fluid into a predetermined space.
US07967955B2
A process for treating produced water to generate high pressure steam. Produced water from heavy oil recovery operations is treated by de-oiling the produced water to provide a de-oiled evaporator feedwater that is fed to an evaporator. The pretreated produced water stream is evaporated to produce (1) a distillate having a trace amount of residual solutes therein, and (2) evaporator blowdown containing substantially all solutes from the de-oiled produced water feed. The distillate may be directly used, or polished to remove the residual solutes therein, before being fed to a steam generator. Steam generation in a once-through steam generator, or in a packaged boiler such as a water tube boiler having a steam drum and a mud drum with water cooled combustion chamber walls, produces high pressure steam for down-hole use.
US07967951B2
An object of the present invention is to provide an embossed crepe paper which can clearly be formed into fine embossed shapes, and is excellent in the fluffy feel and therefore excellent in such as absorbency for fats. As a means of achieving this object, the method for manufacturing an embossed crepe paper, according to the present invention, is a method for manufacturing an embossed crepe paper comprising a step of embossing a raw crepe paper, wherein: a raw paper having a basis weight of 6 to 28 g/m2 is used as the raw crepe paper; and the embossing step includes the steps of: (a) supplying the raw crepe paper with water in an amount of 0.1 to 100 weight % based on the basis weight to thereby put the raw crepe paper in a wet condition; (b) embossing the wet-conditioned raw crepe paper; and (c) drying the embossed wet-conditioned raw crepe paper.
US07967945B2
An antenna assembly for forming a barrier coating on the inner surface of a tube by means of a sealed annular chemical-plasma-reaction chamber defined by the inner wall of the tube, two spaced elements slidingly and sealingly moveable inside the tube, and a quartz tube that interconnects the cylindrical elements. The coating is formed by a PE CVD process generated inside the chamber by a transversal RF antenna unit which creates a plasma column that participates in rotation simultaneously with linear motion thus providing uniform coating of the inner surface of the tube. The method of the invention consists of depositing a layer of silicon dioxide onto the inner surface of a plastic tube by means of the aforementioned antenna assembly. The plasma column is rotated by the RF magnetic field which is rotated by using two RF generators of different frequencies that energize two groups of specifically interconnected coils.
US07967939B2
A stacking apparatus and a method for assembly of electrochemical cells. The stacking apparatus includes at least one stacking head having an adjustable holding member adapted to hold an electrochemical laminate of a pre-determined length and means for adjusting the shape of the electrochemical laminate of the pre-determined length during stacking of a plurality of electrochemical laminates. The electrochemical laminates are assembled in a way that prevents air entrapment between the electrochemical laminates.
US07967938B2
The present invention facilitates the thermal conductivity of fabrics by surface coating of the fabrics with high thermal conductivity materials 6. The fabrics may be surface coated when they are individual fibers or strands 4, bundles of strands, formed fabric or combinations therefore. A particular type of fibrous matrix used with the present invention is glass. Some fabrics may be a combination of more than one type of material, or may have different materials in alternating layers. HTC coatings of the present invention include diamond like coatings (DLC) and metal oxides, nitrides, carbides and mixed stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric combinations that can be applied to the host matrix.
US07967936B2
Methods for bonding a donor wafer to a receiver element and transferring a lamina from the donor wafer to the receiver element are disclosed herein. The donor wafer may be, for example, a monocrystalline silicon wafer with a thickness of from about 300 microns to about 1000 microns, and the lamina may be may be less than 100 microns thick. The receiver element may be composed of, for example, metal or glass, and the receiver element may have dissimilar thermal expansion properties from the lamina. Although the lamina and the receiver element may have dissimilar thermal expansion properties, the methods disclosed herein maintain the integrity of the bond between the lamina and the receiver element.
US07967935B2
The Invention relates to a device for the production of a component from at least one first layer (1) and a second layer (2) with clamping frame elements (21,22), moving relatively towards each other to fix the layers in a given manner during the forming process outside the form range of the tool and a cutting device (300) arranged on the first clamping frame element, for cutting a projection of the second layer extending between the first and the second tool piece and method for carrying out the cutting process.
US07967931B2
In a single-reel type tape cartridge, a coupling portion of a leader tape includes a pair of winding pieces disposed at opposite sides of a cutout and each winding piece includes a base portion and a turnover portion wound around a pin of a leader member so as to be ultrasonically welded to the base portion. An anvil for supporting the coupling portion of the leader tape has a pair of anvil faces each having a width smaller than that of the turnover portion and ultrasonic welding of the turnover portion to the base portion is performed by supporting the coupling portion on the anvil faces. The turnover portion is divided into a completely welded area having a width substantially equal to that of each of the anvil faces and an incompletely welded area disposed outside each of opposite side edges of the completely welded area.
US07967927B2
A nanocarbide precipitation strengthened ultrahigh-strength, corrosion resistant, structural steel possesses a combination of strength and corrosion resistance comprising in combination, by weight, about: 0.1 to 0.3% carbon (C), 8 to 17% cobalt (Co), 0 to 10% nickel (Ni), 6 to 12% chromium (Cr), less than 1% silicon (Si), less than 0.5% manganese (Mn), and less than 0.15% copper (Cu), with additives selected from the group comprising about: less than 3% molybdenum (Mo), less than 0.3% niobium (Nb), less than 0.8% vanadium (V), less than 0.2% tantalum (Ta), less than 3% tungsten (W), and combinations thereof, with additional additives selected from the group comprising about: less than 0.2% titanium (Ti), less than 0.2% lanthanum (La) or other rare earth elements, less than 0.15% zirconium (Zr), less than 0.005% boron (B), and combinations thereof, impurities of less than about: 0.02% sulfur (S), 0.012% phosphorus (P), 0.015% oxygen (O) and 0.015% nitrogen (N), the remainder substantially iron (Fe), incidental elements and other impurities. The alloy is strengthened by nanometer scale M2C carbides within a fine lath martensite matrix from which enhanced chemical partitioning of Cr to the surface provides a stable oxide passivating film for corrosion resistance. The alloy, with a UTS in excess of 280 ksi, is useful for applications such as aircraft landing gear, machinery and tools used in hostile environments, and other applications wherein ultrahigh-strength, corrosion resistant, structural steel alloys are desired.
US07967924B2
A compositionally graded gas turbine disk is made by preparing a rotationally symmetric radially inner segment of a gas turbine disk preform, rotating the inner segment about a central axis, spray applying a radially outer-segment material onto the radially inner segment as it rotates about the central axis, preferably achieving a gradual transition in composition, and thereafter further processing the gas turbine disk preform to produce the compositionally graded gas turbine disk.
US07967916B2
A system and method for preventing a pattern formed on a substrate from collapsing during a rinsing and drying phase of a fabrication operation includes determining a plurality of process parameters associated with a rinsing chemistry used during the rinsing operation. The process parameters define the characteristics of the rinsing chemistry and a substrate surface layer. A chemistry to reduce the surface tension of the rinsing chemistry (surface tension reducer) with at least one low surfactant chemical is identified based on the process parameters of the rinsing chemistry. The surface tension reducer is applied to the surface of the substrate such that the low surfactant chemical reduces the surface tension of the rinsing chemistry applied to the surface of the substrate thereby preventing the pattern from collapsing.
US07967913B2
A remote plasma process for removing unwanted deposition build-up from one or more interior surfaces of a substrate processing chamber after processing a substrate disposed in the substrate processing chamber. In one embodiment, the substrate is transferred out of the substrate processing chamber and a flow of a fluorine-containing etchant gas is introduced into a remote plasma source where reactive species are formed. A continuous flow of the reactive species from the remote plasmas source to the substrate processing chamber is generated while a cycle of high and low pressure clean steps is repeated. During the high pressure clean step, reactive species are flown into the substrate processing chamber while pressure within the substrate processing chamber is maintained between 4-15 Torr. During the low pressure clean step, reactive species are flown into the substrate processing chamber while reducing the pressure of the substrate processing chamber by at least 50 percent of a high pressure reached in the high pressure clean step.
US07967910B2
A fine structure body comprises: (i) a base body, and (ii) a plurality of metal nanorods, which have been distributed and located on a surface of the base body, a proportion X being equal to at least 15%, the proportion X being calculated with the formula: X=(A−B)/C×100[%] wherein A represents the sum total of the projected areas of all of the metal nanorods, B represents the sum total of the projected areas of certain metal nanorods, each of which is located as an isolated metal nanorod at a spacing larger than 10 nm from the closest metal nanorod, and C represents the entire projected area of the fine structure body, including regions free from the metal nanorods.
US07967909B2
A cement mix for cementing the well casing within a wellbore which contains a synergistic blend of an alkali metasilicate and/or alkali silicate, aluminum silicate and either silica fume or micro silica quartz along with a Portland cement. The cement mix, when combined with mix water, may render a cementitious slurry having a density less than or equal to 11.5 pounds per gallon (ppg); the amount of mix water in the cementitious slurry being between from about 200 to about 560 percent by weight of cement (BWOC). The compressive strength of such cementitious slurries, when cured, is in excess of 100 psi, more typically in excess of 200 psi, after 72 hours at 130° F.
US07967904B2
The present invention provides an improved method and materials for forming biodegradable containers that can hold food products in dry, damp or wet conditions and provides the biodegradable containers prepared according to the disclosed process. The containers are produced through the use of a pre-gelled starch suspension that is unique in its ability to form hydrated gels and to maintain this gel structure in the presence of many other types of materials and at low temperatures.
US07967900B2
In an air filtering apparatus for generating electrolytic water, infiltrating the electrolytic water into a gas-liquid contact member, and blowing air to the gas-liquid contact member by an air blowing fan, thereby filtering air, including a drain pipe for discharging the electrolytic water and a drain tank for receiving and stocking the electrolytic water discharged from the drain pipe which are mounted in a housing, the drain tank has a vertical tank body and disposed so as to be taken in and out through the front surface of the housing.
US07967897B2
The present invention relates to a system for the separation of suspensions of spent catalysts and hydrocarbons formed in an FCC unit with multiple ascending flow reaction tubes, comprising interconnections between each of the ascending flow reaction tubes and the separator vessel, each interconnection also comprises two sections. The outside sections of the separator vessel are inclined and are connected to a single vertical section, which penetrates into the interior of the separator vessel, and which has at its lower end an open device for draining the spent catalyst from the suspensions separated in this sector. In the same vertical section, at the end of its internal part at the separator vessel, a series of two sets of cyclones are installed, the first set containing cyclones without sealing legs, and the second set containing conventional cyclones of the first stage. The present invention also relates to a process for the separation of suspensions of spent catalysts and hydrocarbons using the said separation system.
US07967893B2
A system and method for supercritical fluid enrichment of radioactive isotope/s are disclosed. The method involves pressurizing an outer chamber and an inner centrifugal chamber of a stage to supercritical pressure; supplying material including target isotope/s at supercritical pressure to the inner chamber; spinning the inner chamber to centrifuge the material including target isotope/s; providing a differential pressure between the inner chamber and the outer chamber; wherein windows in the inner chamber enable passage of the target isotope or an undesired isotope from the inner chamber to the outer chamber in response to the differential pressure.
US07967892B2
A water deaerating system and method are provided. The first end of an open-ended conduit is placed beneath the surface of a body of oxygen-rich water. The conduit extends into a housing and where the second end of the conduit resides at a location in the housing that is above the surface of the body of oxygen-rich water. A vacuum is applied to a spatial region defined within the housing above the location of the second end of the conduit. The oxygen-rich water is pumped through the conduit and exits the second end of the conduit to enter the spatial region of the housing. The oxygen-rich water descends through the housing due to gravity. The oxygen-rich water's descension is interrupted and the vacuum operates to remove oxygen from the oxygen-rich water so-descending to generate oxygen-depleted water.
US07967891B2
Method producing metal nanopowders by decompositon of metal carbonyl using an induction plasma torch
A process for synthesizing metal nanopowders by introducing metal carbonyl into an induction plasma torch. By taking advantage of the much lower dissolution temperature of carbonyl as opposed to the high melting temperature of conventional metal powder feeds less torch power is required. Moreover, in contrast to current powder production techniques utilizing electrode based plasma torches, the induction plasma torch does not introduce contaminants into the nanopowder.
US07967889B2
A solid free-flowing particulate fertilizer composition is provided, as well as a method of manufacturing same. The composition has low tendency to caking, is easy for storage and manipulation, dissolves rapidly and completely in water, and can be used directly as a fertilizer or serves in the preparation of concentrated aqueous fertilizer compositions comprising otherwise scarcely soluble nutrients.
US07967886B2
Z-filter media pack arrangements and methods for providing them are described. Certain aspects concern a cured-in-place seal on an outside of a coiled z-filter media combination. Other aspects concern a cured-in-place center core, most preferably one that has opposite concave ends with seal arrangements configured to seal a lead end portion of the coiled z-filter media combination.
US07967883B2
An extractor for a vacuum cleaning system of the type based on a cyclonic separator. The extractor comprises an annular body located adjacent the cyclonic separator and has an annular opening communicating with the cyclonic separator. A mesh covers the annular opening. In use the air circulating in the cyclonic separator vents through the extractor but debris in the air stream is stopped by the mesh.
US07967881B2
A method and apparatus for gasifying a solid fuel within a pressurized gasifier without a lockhopper, a slurry or pulverization comprising the feeding of said fuel into a charging chamber having a first section equipped with a ram through which a mandrel is disposed, and a second section within which an impervious seal is formed from the solid fuel by the compressive forces generated by said ram and a third section into which the seal is advanced while said ram forms a successive seal in said second section. The seal from said third section is reduced in size and charged into the pressurized gasifier where it is gasified without loss of pressure. The gases produced are utilized to polygenerate products such as transport fuels and electric power, and a fertilizer from waste gas resulting from the combustion of one of the produced gases.
US07967878B2
A multiple adiabatic bed reforming apparatus and process involving stage-wise combustion and multiple reforming chambers. Co-flow and cross-flow occurs under laminar flow conditions. A reformer suitable for small scale production as well as large scale production. A passive stage-by-stage fuel distribution network suitable for low pressure fuel wherein the resistances in successive fuel distribution lines control the amount of fuel delivered to each combustion stage. Heat is captured from reforming syngas product to preheat gases before entering the reformer. Conditions that would produce unwanted coking or metal dusting are avoided or localized away from the heat exchangers to locations which can be cost effectively protected. A chemical reactor which has a core composed of a stack of metal plates that are diffusion bonded in face-to-face relationship.
US07967867B2
An expandable interbody fusion device includes superior and inferior endplates that are configured to receive a sequentially inserted stack of interlocking expansion members or wafers. The like-configured wafers include features on their top and bottom surfaces that interlock the wafers in multiple degrees of freedom so that the wafer stack is not disrupted when the fusion device is fully expanded. One of the interlocking features includes a plurality of prongs projecting from an upper surface of the wafers and into a recess defined in the lower surface of an adjacent previously inserted like-configured wafer. The prongs and recesses are configured to prevent retrograde movement of each new wafer in a direction opposite the direction of insertion. Other interlocking features prevent movement in the direction of insertion, transverse to the insertion direction and vertically within the stack.
US07967865B2
Devices for limiting the movement of flowable material introduced into or between tissue layers of the human spine. The devices can include at least one generally elongated member having a pre-deployed configuration for insertion into or between tissue layers of the human spine and a deployed configuration in which the elongated member forms a barrier that limits the movement of flowable material introduced into or between the tissue layers.
US07967864B2
Spinal tissue distraction devices that include at least one guide member for guiding a distraction device to a location between layers of spinal tissue. The guide member has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The distal end portion is adapted for insertion between the tissue layers and defines a shape of a desired support structure. The distraction device is slidably mounted on the guide member for advancing the distraction device distally along the guide member for insertion of the distraction device between the tissue layers. The distraction device substantially conforms to the shape defined by the distal end portion of the guide member to form a support structure that separates, supports or both separates and supports the tissue layers.
US07967863B2
This invention relates to devices and instruments for implant insertion through a posterior lateral opening to the disc space. The instruments include an implant inserter, and the devices include a spinal fusion implant engageable by the implant inserter. The implant provides bilateral support of the adjacent vertebrae when inserted into the disc space from a postero-lateral approach.
US07967853B2
Apparatus, systems, and methods for percutaneous valve replacement and/or augmentation are provided. The apparatus includes a valve having a valve frame, a valve leaflet coupled to the valve frame, and a leaflet transition member coupled to the valve leaflet. The valve leaflet and leaflet transition member can transition from a first position where the valve leaflet and leaflet frame are at least partially outside a lumen of the valve frame to a second position where the valve leaflet and the leaflet transition member are within the lumen of the valve frame.
US07967845B2
A spinal fixation system comprising at least two bone anchors, a rod connecting the bone anchors and a connecting plate extending from a proximal surface of at least one of the bone anchors. A method of fixing vertebrae relative to each other comprising the steps of: implanting bone anchors in two adjacent vertebrae, each bone anchor having a rod receiving portion; placing a rod in the rod receiving portions, thereby connecting the bone anchors; threadably engaging set screws in the rod receiving portions of at least a portion of the bone anchors, thereby fixing the rod to the bone anchors; mating one end of a connecting plate to a proximal bearing surface of at least a portion of the bone anchors; and engaging a cap with at least a portion of the set screws, thereby fixing the connecting plate to the bone anchors.
US07967840B2
The present invention provides devices for closing septal defects, such as a patent foramen ovale (PFO). The closure devices include a proximal anchor member, a distal anchor member, and at least one flexible center joint connecting the two anchor members. According to some embodiments, the proximal and/or distal anchor members may include a generally cylindrical member split along the central portion of its length to form an elongate oval. The proximal and/or distal anchor members may further include a tissue scaffold. At least some of the closure devices according to the present invention are repositionable and retrievable.
US07967837B2
A delivery catheter 1 has a distal pod 2 for reception of an embolic protection filter 3. The filter 2 is moved from a retracted delivery configuration to an extended deployed configuration by a push wire 6 which has an engagement hoop 7 at the distal end. Retraction of a handle 9 has the effect of retracting the pod 3 relative to the push wire 6 and the engagement hoop 7 and the filter 2 is effectively deployed by pushing it out of the pod 3.
US07967835B2
An apparatus for use in fascial cleft surgery adapted to perform blunt dissection between two layers of anatomically named fascia. The dissection performed by the apparatus extends to the limits of anatomic space defined by fusion of said two layers of fascia in a minimally invasive manner. The apparatus is formed of a hollow tube body member including a malleable introducing flange having a spoonbill-like shape. Further, the apparatus includes an elastic dissection balloon movably positioned within the applicator. The dissection balloon is reversibly expandable between a deflated condition and an expanded condition and is movable from a first storage position within the hollow tube body of the applicator to a position exterior thereof. The dissection balloon is formed of a chosen elastic material having a tensile strength less than the tensile strength of the points of fusion between two layers of fascia such that the dissection balloon fails prior to achieving pressures that would destroy the anatomic boundaries of the fascial cleft such that a working space is demonstrated not created. The apparatus also includes a gripping handle and introducing rod slideably positioned within said applicator for positioning said dissection balloon exterior said applicator to within an anatomic space for subsequent inflation and deflation. Finally, a fill tube extends through the hollow introducing rod to the dissection balloon and operably associated therewith for inflating and deflating the dissection balloon.
US07967823B2
Apparatus for performing an open wedge, high tibial osteotomy, the apparatus comprising: a wedge-shaped implant for disposition in a wedge-shaped opening created in the tibia, wherein the wedge-shaped implant comprises at least two keys, laterally offset from one another, for disposition in corresponding keyholes formed in the tibia adjacent to the wedge-shaped opening created in the tibia.
US07967821B2
The present invention provides minimally invasive devices and methods for delivering a spinal connector to one or more spinal anchor sites in a patient's spinal column. In one embodiment, a spinal implant and access device is provided that includes a U-shaped receiver member, a bone-engaging member, and an extension member. The U-shaped receiver member can have a recess formed therein that is adapted to seat a spinal connector. The bone-engaging member can extend distally from the receiver member and it can be adapted to engage bone to thereby mate the receiver member to bone. The extension member can extend proximally from the receiver member and it can include a frangible portion formed thereon that is adapted to break when a predetermined force is applied thereto thereby allowing at least a portion of the extension member to be separated from the receiver member.
US07967816B2
An electrosurgical instrument including an elongated shaft and a non-conductive handle. The shaft defines a proximal section, a distal section, and an internal lumen extending from the proximal section. The distal section forms an electrically conductive tip and defines at least one passage for distributing fluid. Further, the shaft is adapted to be transitionable from a straight state to a first bent state. The shaft is capable of independently maintaining the distinct shapes associated with the straight state and the first bent state. The handle is rigidly coupled to the proximal section of the shaft. With this in mind, an exterior surface of the shaft distal the handle and proximal the distal section is electrically non-conductive. In one preferred embodiment, the shaft is comprised of an elongated electrode body surrounded by an electrical insulator.
US07967815B1
Cryosurgical instruments and methods utilizing improved heat transfer characteristics. A cryosurgical device includes: a tubular housing; a cryogen supply passage; a heat exchange enhancing member in the housing, disposed along a longitudinal axis of the housing; an annular cooling passage between the heat exchange enhancing member and the tubular housing; a tip cooling and cryogen flow directing section that transmits a temperature of a cryogen flow to the tip, and an insulation element in the tubular housing.
US07967807B2
A radiopaque marker configured for being securing to a tubular member adapted for introduction into a patient and having relief sections to provide localized accommodation of diametrical-circumferential dimensional reduction.
US07967795B1
A cartridge interface assembly including a driving plunger including an outer shaft, and a driver including an inner shaft, the inner shaft mating with an intermediate shaft, the intermediate shaft mating with the outer shaft, so that the shafts are movable telescopically with respect to one another, wherein rotation of the driver causes the driving plunger to advance in a direction away from the driver.
US07967793B2
A reciprocating syringe that can be used in connection with existing syringe barrels and fittings. Some embodiments comprise a frame, adapted to retain two existing syringe barrels. The frame can accommodate fittings on one or both barrels. The invention also provides a plunger complex, comprising two plungers, each adapted for use with one of the syringe barrels. The two plungers are coupled such that pushing of each plunger into its barrel causes the other plunger to pull outwards relative to its barrel. The two plungers can be coupled by a flexible line attached to one plunger, routed from the plunger out of the corresponding barrel into the other barrel, and attached to the other plunger. The invention contemplates various frame configurations to accommodate desired line and pulley performance characteristics. Other embodiments comprise a frame adapted to retain an existing syringe barrel, and an auxiliary actuator mounted with the frame. Such an actuator can provide a syringe-like plunger operation, or can comprise other manipulable structures. The auxiliary actuator can be coupled to a plunger adapted for use with the syringe barrel, such that pushing the plunger into the barrel causes the actuator to move in a reversible manner, and moving the actuator in the reverse manner causes the plunger to pull outwards relative to its barrel. The invention also comprises various materials, methods of making, geometries and arrangements of parts, and accommodation of various specific existing syringe designs and applications.
US07967789B2
An insertion device with an insertion axis includes an axial actuator with a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is moveable along the insertion axis relative to the second portion. The insertion device further includes a first tube coupled to the first portion of the axial actuator, and the first tube is movable along the insertion axis in response to movement of the first portion relative to the second portion. The device further includes a second tube having a radially biased distal end. The distal end is substantially contained within the first tube in a first state, and the second tube is rotatable with respect to the first tube. Also, the second tube is axially movable to a second state, and a portion of a distal end of the second tube is exposed from a distal end of the first tube in the second state.
US07967783B2
An automatic pump relay system includes controllers coupled to drivers for sequentially discharging fluid from a plurality of medication containers into a coupler having a reflux barrier from which fluid is administered to a patient. The internal fluid pressure of the coupler is determined by a pressure sensing device or devices that provide signals to the controllers that, based at least on the sensor signals, cause the drivers to operate in reverse and forward directions so as to rapidly decrease and raise the fluid pressure within the coupler during a relay from an empty syringe to a filled syringe, thereby avoiding bolus formation and an interruption in infusion therapy. Independently operable syringes pumps are contemplated to be connected in relay fashion to form a modular system. An associated method is also disclosed wherein a fluid administration pressure is stored for use as a reference during a syringe changeover.
US07967779B2
A mixing syringe having a first sealed chamber containing a powder (powder housing) and a second sealed chamber containing a liquid (liquid housing). When the user needs to inject a patient, he or she holds the mixing syringe approximately upright and depresses a plunger. This motion causes a piercer to pierce a foil seal separating the two chambers. The liquid then drops down into the powder housing. The liquid flows through a passage in a piston located in the powder housing, where it then comes in contact with the powder itself. As the user continues pressing the plunger downward, the piercer comes to rest within the piston and seals the passage through the piston, thereby locking the piercer and piston together. The device is then ready for an injection. As the plunger is further depressed, the piston expels the powder and liquid mixture through a needle.
US07967769B2
A long-term implantable arterio-venous shunt device or creation of a fistula is provided that can be used as a therapeutic method for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The shunt device is implanted between an artery and a vein, preferably between a peripheral artery and the inferior vena cava. The shunt device and method of creating a fistula increases cardiac output and decreases the systemic vascular resistance and allows a blood flow rate through the shunt device of at least 5 ml/min after the implantation. Based on the effects of the method and device to the respiratory, cardiac and circulatory system, the method and device are beneficial as a therapy to patients with problems or conditions related to these systems.
US07967768B2
An ankle-foot orthosis that comprises: an elastic structure (50) formed of contiguous first (52) and second (54) tubular members, the second tubular member being set at an angle to the first tubular member to define, at least in use, a generally L-shaped cavity (56) configured to accept and fit closely about the foot and ankle of a patient; and a rib (58) which is permanently bonded or otherwise permanently affixed to a region of the structure which overlies the dorsum of the patient's foot in use, said the rib being formed of a flexible material that has a resilience appropriate for resisting the particular degree of plantarflexion experienced by the patient.
US07967765B2
Provided are apparatus and methods of securing an orthopedic brace on a wearer such that the brace is unlikely to migrate. In preferred embodiments, the apparatus includes a band that extends entirely around the wearer, making contact with the entire circumference of the wearer. In certain embodiments, a strap secured to the brace threads through loops on the band, thereby operably connecting the brace and the band. In certain other embodiments, the apparatus further includes a belt that overlaps the band. Suspenders operably connect the brace to the band/belt. Because the band makes contact with the entire circumference of the wearer, the apparatus comfortably secures the brace to the wearer while effectively preventing migration of the brace and without hindering the intended function of the brace.
US07967764B2
The present invention relates to a device for mini-invasive ultrasound treatment of an object. At least one therapeutic ultrasound transducer (2) is arranged for treatment of the object (5) by generating an ultrasonic field (3), the temperature focus (F) of which is located in the object (5) for heating thereof. The therapeutic ultrasound transducer (2) comprises a probe (10) adapted to be inserted into the body in the direction towards the object (5) and comprises a front portion (10a) adapted to be located at, against or in the object (5). Said probe (10) comprises at least one transmitter element (11) for generating said ultrasonic field (3). The transmitter element (11) for generating the ultrasonic field (3) is arranged behind the front portion (10a) such that the transmitter element (11) does not heat or substantially not heat the front portion (10a) when in operation.
US07967761B2
A sensor and guide wire assembly (21; 41; 61; 81) for intravascular measurements of a physiological variable in a living body includes a sensor element (22; 42; 62; 82) mounted at a distal sensor portion (23; 43; 63; 83) of a guide wire (24; 44; 64; 84), wherein the sensor portion exhibits a maximal cross-sectional dimension which is larger than a maximal cross-sectional dimension of guide wire portions (28, 30; 48, 50; 68, 70) located proximally of the sensor portion.
US07967758B2
Devices and methods for detecting inadequate tissue perfusion by measuring a parameter other than heart rate such as vascular blood pressure, intracardiac blood pressure, vascular blood flow or tissue perfusion, in addition to or as a substitute for heart rate. Such devices and methods improve the accuracy of determining when and to what degree therapy should be administered to treat inadequate tissue perfusion, such as pre-syncope, syncope, or orthostatic hypotension, particularly in the absence of abnormal cardiac function.
US07967757B2
One or more cardiovascular parameters is estimated as a function of the arterial pressure waveform, in particular, using at least one statistical moment of a discrete representation pressure waveform having an order greater than one. Arterial compliance, the exponential pressure decay constant, vascular resistance, cardiac output, and stroke volume are examples of cardiovascular parameters that can be estimated using various aspects of the invention. In one embodiment of the invention, not only are the first four moments (mean, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis) of the pressure waveform used to estimate the cardiovascular parameter(s) of interest, but also heart rate, statistical moments of a set of pressure-weighted time values, and certain anthropometric patient measurements such as age, sex, body surface area, etc.
US07967752B2
The invention generally relates to a sensor system. In particular to a sensor for glucose monitoring. The invention also also relates to an arrangement and a method for monitoring a constituent and in particular glucose in body tissue using a sensor system.
US07967745B2
The present invention provides, according to some embodiments, an in vivo imaging device, comprising a mount having at least one illumination source. The mount may be in electrical communication with the illumination source. The device may further include a circuit board and a contact clip for securing the mount to the circuit board and for providing electrical communication therebetween.
US07967743B2
A high accurate image of a specimen is obtained by accurately measuring a distance between the specimen and a tip of a light emitting portion that irradiates a light to the specimen. An endoscope observation device includes the light emitting portion that irradiates the light to the specimen and a light receiving portion that receives an observation light returning from the specimen so as to form an image of the observation light received by the light receiving portion. The endoscope observation device is equipped with a distance measurement unit that measures an absolute distance between the tip of the insertion portion and the specimen through an interference of the low coherence light, a correction unit that corrects the brightness information of the observation light based on the absolute distance measured by the distance measurement unit, and an image forming unit that forms the image of the specimen based on the brightness information of the observation light corrected by the correction unit.
US07967742B2
A method for a variable direction of view endoscope used in combination with an image guided surgical system to provide new diagnostic and surgical capabilities. The method provides the following capabilities: greatly improved endoscopic orientation capabilities, global monitoring of endoscopic viewing direction, and greatly improved surgical approach and procedure planning.
US07967741B2
Various exemplary methods and devices are provided for manipulating and/or anchoring devices and body parts during surgical procedures. In one embodiment, an anchor member is provided for anchoring a device or body part to tissue, such as an internal wall of a body cavity. The device can be, for example, an endoscopic device, an accessory channel coupled to an endoscopic device, or a support member adapted to support or manipulate an organ. The anchor member can include or form an opening through which the device can be inserted. The anchor member or device can thus be manipulated relative to the tissue to control movement of and/or provide support to the device, tools inserted through the device, and/or organs grasped by the device or tools.
US07967739B2
A sleep system includes sensors capable of gathering sleep data from a person and environmental data during a sleep by the person. A processor executes instructions that analyze this data and control the sleep of the person and the environment surrounding the person. Typically, the instructions are loaded in a memory where they execute to generate an objective measure of sleep quality from the sleep data from the person and gather environmental data during the sleep by the person. Upon execution, the instructions receive a subjective measure of sleep quality from the person after the sleep, create a sleep quality index from the objective measure of sleep quality and subjective measure of sleep quality, correlate the sleep quality index and a current sleep system settings with a historical sleep quality index and corresponding historical sleep system settings. The instructions then may modify the current set of sleep system settings depending on the correlation between the sleep quality index and the historic sleep quality index. These sleep system settings control and potentially change one or more different elements of an environment associated with the sleep system.
US07967737B2
Preferably, there is defined a “w” shaped exercise bar, a short elongated central shaft that easily comes apart, a pair of hand grip portions disposed on either side of the central shaft, and a pair of removable jump rope handles with adjustable color coded-retractable ropes hidden inside the handles.
US07967734B1
A exercise bike and electricity producing combination apparatus includes a frame with a central support forming a triangle with a first leg, a second leg and base. A first footing is attached to a juncture of the first leg and second leg, a second footing is attached to a juncture of the second leg and base, and a third footing is attached to a juncture of the first leg and base. A housing is mounted on the central support. A crank is mounted on the housing. A seat is removably couplable to the housing when the first and second footings are positioned on a floor surface to position the seat above the crank. A chair is removably couplable to the housing when the first and third footings are positioned on the floor surface to position the chair facing the second leg to allow the crank to be actuated by hand.
US07967724B2
A controller selects a shift map for deriving the shift timing of an automatic transmission according to output signals from a front seat seating sensor, a pillion seating sensor and a carrier loading sensor. The controller switches the shift map of a standard type to an output-emphasizing type shift map when the seating of the rider is sensed and at least one of the seating of the passenger and the loading on the carrier is sensed. The controller judges the seating of the rider or the loading of the cargo when a load equal to or exceeding a predetermined value is continuously applied to each load sensor for predetermined time or longer. Load sensors that can measure weight are used and a shift map may be also selected based upon a total value of loaded weight.
US07967720B2
A method for operating a powertrain in a hybrid vehicle is provided. The method comprises providing torque to drive the vehicle from both an electric drive and an engine, where engine torque is varied within an allowable range. When operating the engine at an edge of the range, the range may be adjusted based on conditions. In this way, it is possible to compensate for an engine that has a variable maximum torque output depending on operating conditions.
US07967716B2
An output side transfer member 103 of a second clutch C-2 extends around the outer circumferences of the output side transfer members 101, 102 of the third and first clutches C-3, C-1, the output side transfer member 104 (or 13, 101) of a fourth clutch C-4 and the output side transfer member 101 of a third clutch C-3 are linked to a sun gear S2, the output side transfer member 104 (or 13, 101) of a fourth clutch C-4, an output side transfer member 101 of a third clutch C-3, and a sun gear S2, which rotate integrally, are disposed radially inward with respect to the output side transfer member 102 of the first clutch C-1. Thereby, it becomes possible to reduce the diameter of the output side transfer member 104 (or 13, 101) of the fourth clutch C-4, to reduce the weight and inertia, and to improve the controllability of the automatic transmission 1.
US07967711B2
A hybrid powertrain system for a vehicle includes an engine and a transmission. The transmission includes a transmission input member, first and second electric machines, first and second planetary gear sets, and a plurality of selectively engageable torque transfer devices enabling configuring the powertrain in variously to operate in electric drive, electrically variable, fixed gear and neutral charging operating states.
US07967700B2
A ball striking device, such as a golf club head, has a head that includes a face configured for striking a ball and a body connected to the face, the body being adapted for connection of a shaft thereto. The head may include one or more stiffening elements or other structures engaging the face to provide locally increased stiffness to particular areas of the face. The stiffening element can be movable to create regions of increased stiffness in desired locations, leaving other regions of the face to have increased flexibility as compared to the stiffened regions.
US07967695B2
A golf equipment fitting system that uses advanced technology to not only objectively identify the optimum equipment for the golfer, but to also identify and help correct swing flaws so that the golfer can achieve optimum performance on the golf course. Thus, in one embodiment, golf fitting includes collecting data related to the golfer's swing and determining if the golfer's swing technique should be modified based at least in part on the collected swing data. When it is determined that the golfer's swing technique should be modified, then providing swing instruction to the golfer. When, however, it is determined that the golfer's swing technique is fine, then collecting data related to how the golfer's swing launches a golf ball. Finally, golf equipment, e.g., golf clubs, can be specified based on the collected swing data and launch data.
US07967691B2
The invention relates to a sports complex comprising: a floatable carrier body (3) with a playing field disposed thereon, a basin (4) which can be filled with liquid, in which basin (4) the carrier body (3) is situated, in which the carrier body (3) is displaceable with respect to the basin (4), and in which the basin (4) comprises a first basin part which is adjacent to a first side of the carrier body (3) and a second basin part which is adjacent to the opposite side of the carrier part, a filling means for filling the basin with liquid. The sports complex according to the invention is characterized by the fact that the sports complex furthermore comprises a liquid displacement means in order to create a difference in liquid pressure between the first basin part and the second basin part.
US07967684B1
A simple, center-less universal joint of ultra tight tolerance comprising two yokes, each having two facing, distinctly round interface surface areas; both yokes being easily engaged (a self aligning process) and disengaged.
US07967680B2
A first collision determination area and a second collision determination area moving concurrently with a motion of a player character are set, and a collision of the first or second collision determination area against an object is detected. Each time a collision of the first collision determination area against an object is detected, an influence to be exerted on the object which has collided against the first collision determination area is determined as being one of a plurality of preset influences at a predetermined probability. Each time a collision of the second collision determination area against an object is detected, an influence to be exerted on the object which has collided against the second collision determination area is determined as being a predetermined influence. The display state of each object is changed to a display state in accordance with the respectively determined influence.
US07967668B2
A method for the harvesting of back skin from a carcass part of slaughtered poultry, from which carcass part the breast cap has been removed, wherein the carcass part initially consisting of at least a part of the upper back and at least a part of the legs connected to the back, wherein the part of the upper back consists of back meat and back skin, and wherein the leg parts consist of at least the thighs and are provided at least partially with leg skin, the leg skin being connected at least partially to the back skin, which carcass part has a front, a rear and two sides. The method includes the following steps of suspending the carcass part in a product carrier, the product carrier engaging the leg parts, making a first and a second side cut in the hanging carcass part, which side cuts on the sides are located on the side parts on both sides of the carcass part and extend substantially perpendicularly to the vertebral column, wherein each side cut separates at least the leg skin on the respective side of the carcass part from the back skin, detaching the back skin from the back meat, and harvesting the back meat after the back skin has been detached from the back meat, for example by detaching the back meat from the remainder of the carcass part.
US07967667B2
An automatic apparatus includes an input platform, a creature shaking mechanism, a flushing unit and an output platform. The input platform has a transporting unit. A creature container containing at least one creature is placed on the input platform. The creature shaking mechanism is connected to the input platform. When the creature container is transported to a positioning region of the creature shaking mechanism, the creature container is subject to a shaking operation in response to a power source, thereby turning over the creature and exposing different surfaces of the at least one creature. The flushing unit generates a spout of water to flush the different surfaces of the at least one creature so as to sufficiently shed superficial adherent substances off the at least one creature. The output platform is connected to the creature shaking mechanism for receiving the creature container that is departed from the positioning region.
US07967666B1
An apparatus useful for sharpening blades includes a blade support, a sharpener guide mounted to the blade support, and a sharpener mount. The sharpener guide includes an elongated guide member defining a sharpening axis extending substantially parallel to a blade axis defined by the blade support. The sharpener mount includes a pivot connector coupled to and complementally configured with the elongated guide member for enabling pivotal movement of the sharpener mount about the sharpening axis and translational movement along the elongated guide member. The sharpener mount may be coupled to a rotary grinder having a grinding wheel, such that the sharpener mount and the grinder may pivot to provide a desired sharpening angle on the blade and move the grinder along the blade while the blade remains in place on the blade support.
US07967654B2
An organic electroluminescence element has a layered structure on a surface of a transparent substrate. The layered structure comprises an organic material layer including a light-emitting organic material layer, an opaque electrode layer, an insulating layer, a metal layer and a resin film in order. The organic electroluminescence element is improved in durability because moisture is prevented from permeating into a light-emitting element.
US07967653B2
A full color display comprising a red, a green, and a blue light emitting diode, each light emitting diode including a light emitting region having at least one layer of single crystal rare earth material, the rare earth material in each of the light emitting diodes having at least one radiative transition, and the rare earth material producing a radiation wavelength of approximately 640 nm in the red light emitting diode, 540 nm in the green light emitting diode, and 460 nm in the blue light emitting diode. Generally, the color of each LED is determined by selecting a rare earth with a radiative transition producing a radiation wavelength at the selected color. In cases where the rare earth has more than one radiative transition, tuned mirrors can be used to select the desired color.
US07967650B2
A tension sleeve system that is selectively operable to engage a trolling motor system of a watercraft. The tension sleeve system is configured to fit over the area containing the lower portion of the trolling motor's stationary shaft and the middle portion (i.e., the exposed portion) of the swivel shaft, especially in proximity to the middle bearing area between the two shafts. The tension sleeve system is selectively operable to adjust feedback on any cable operated rotational steering system by applying an appropriate amount of tension between the trolling motor's stationary shaft and the swivel shaft, thus controlling the torque and/or energy generated by the propulsion motor and propeller. Clamps or other suitable devices can be used to apply the appropriate amount of tension between the trolling motor's stationary shaft and the swivel shaft by appropriately tightening the tension sleeve members against the external surfaces of the two shafts.
US07967644B2
A contact sub-assembly is provided for an electrical connector. The contact sub-assembly includes a printed circuit and an array of mating contacts. Each mating contact includes a terminating end portion and a mating interface. The contact sub-assembly also includes an array of circuit contacts that is discrete from the array of mating contacts. Each circuit contact is engaged with and electrically connected to the printed circuit. Each circuit contact is separably engaged with and electrically connected to the terminating end portion of a corresponding one of the mating contacts such that the array of circuit contacts electrically connects the array of mating contacts to the printed circuit.
US07967643B1
An electric plug having a central signal shaft terminating in a tip, wherein the tip has a substantially frustoconical nose, a convex annular shoulder centered at an axial distance of less than 0.120 inch from the front end of the tip, (defining a bulbous portion) and a concave waist having a radius of curvature greater than about 0.75 inch, defining the detent adjacent to the bulbous portion.
US07967630B2
The invention relates to an electric connection device including a first connection member (1) to be powered by an electric current and a second conjugated connection member (2), the first connection member (1) being provided with at least one luminous member having at least two states and powered by a portion of the supply current of said first connection member. The device of the invention is characterized in that it comprises a position sensor having two states and provided in the first connection member (1) so as to be actuated by a portion (16) of the second connection member (2), or a mobile portion (13) of the first connection member (1) driven by a portion (16) of said second member (2) when said members are in a connection position, thus switching the position sensor from state to the other, the latter being adapted to switch the luminous element or one of them from one state to the other depending on its own state.
US07967613B2
A power unit for LED display includes a main power unit body comprising a plurality of power terminals and a plurality of clapboards provided between each two power terminals respectively, a socket plate comprising a socket having a plurality of plugholes and a plurality of spacedly apart connectors extending from the socket for being inserted into the plurality of clapboards for connecting with the plurality of power terminals respectively, and a plug adapted for connecting to the socket plate, comprising a plurality of plug heads corresponding with the plurality of plugholes for being inserted into the plurality of plugholes respectively.
US07967608B2
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing, a plurality of terminals secured in the housing, a metallic cover pivotally mounted to a rear end of the insulative housing and covering the insulative housing and at least one magnetic board lock secured at one side of the insulative housing and spaced with a distance from the rear end of the insulative housing. The at least one magnetic board lock assist to hold the cover by magnetic attractive force produced between the at least one magnetic board lock and the metallic cover on the insulative housing.
US07967604B2
An application for a heated mouthpiece includes a mouthpiece section for insertion into the mouth of a user and a heat retention mass connected to the mouthpiece section and in thermal contact with the mouthpiece section whereby external heat provided to the heat retention mass before insertion into the mouth is partially retained by the heat retention mass and conducts to the mouthpiece section while the mouthpiece section is in use within the mouth.
US07967602B2
A pliers for forming orthodontic wires has opposing beaks with complementary wire-forming surfaces that include interfering portions. A hinge mechanism enables the beaks to open and close by rotating about an axis, and also allows a range of axial motion between the beaks sufficient to prevent interference between the wire-forming surfaces as the beaks are closed. By preventing such interference, novel over-bending capabilities can be achieved to form useful bending of low spring rate wire. A spring, such as a Belleville washer, exerts a biasing force parallel to the hinge axis to maintain alignment of the beaks, but allows the required range of axial motion between the beaks to prevent interference.
US07967596B2
The present invention relates to a system to manufacture composite material parts comprising a supporting mandrel having at least one compacting zone configured to contain at least one composite material element to be compacted by applying a certain degree of vacuum. The system comprises also at least one compacting equipment comprising a frame having a plurality of interconnected arms along a predetermined perimeter, at least one vacuum bag attached to a side of the frame along its perimeter and configured to compact the element, at least one porous material attached to the vacuum bag along the frame's perimeter and configured to adhere in a removable way to the compacting zone and to impede the air influx during the compacting of element. The invention also relates to a compacting equipment and to a method to manufacture composite material parts.
US07967588B2
Electrostatic fine fiber generation equipment such as for forming nano-fibers from polymer solution is provided. The fine fiber generation equipment includes a strand that may take the form of a stainless steel beaded chain. The beaded chain can be an endless chain entrained upon two guide wheels and driven about an endless path perpendicularly relative to the collection media.
US07967581B2
A counterweight mounted to a drive shaft in a scroll compressor is provided. The drive shaft has a central annular segment generally concentric about the central axis and an eccentric annular segment offset from the central axis that can be used for driving the movable scroll compressor body. A counterweight engages the eccentric and also engages the annular segment for location and mounting of the counterweight to the shaft.
US07967580B2
An oil pump for an internal combustion engine for drawing up the lubricating oil situated in an oil collector device has an oil pump housing wherein at least two pairs of gears are disposed. The pairs of gears, in order to form the pumping stages, are connected on the suction side to a suction passage formed in the oil pump housing and on the delivery side to a delivery passage. The oil pump housing is further formed with an oil supply passage that is connected to the suction passage of a first pumping stage and via which lubricating oil can be delivered to the suction side of the first pumping stage.
US07967577B2
A fastening structure for a fan has a frame which includes a fastening member having a vertical portion fixed to the frame, and an extending portion extending towards the interior of the frame and having a protrusion, where when the fan is assembled with the fastening structure, the fan is rotated along an axle thereof to closely fit the protrusion in an hole of the outer frame of the fan so that the fan can be fixed on the frame.
US07967574B2
The invention concerns a variable pump or hydraulic motor with a drive shaft with a first axis of rotation and first plungers connected to the drive shaft and rotatable around the first axis of rotation. A port plate mounted in the housing can rotate around an axis intersecting the first axis, for adjusting the stroke volume. The port plate positioning drive comprises two counter-acting hydraulic actuators acting on the port plate in the direction of the first plungers.
US07967569B2
This invention relates to a vertical shaft wind turbine, and particularly to an installation method of blades that can effectively improve the efficiency of a vertical shaft wind turbine. A supporting plane is connected to vertical shaft and a blade is installed on supporting plane. The airfoil of the blade is an asymmetrical camber airfoil. The convex surface of blade is installed facing the vertical shaft. The blade rotary angle is in the range of 0-15 degrees. This invention represents a remarkable progress in the field of wind power generation and is applicable industrially.
US07967564B1
A measurement arrangement for measuring a deflection of a wind turbine rotor blade is provided. The measurement arrangement includes a magnetostrictive sensor, which includes a first sensor part and a second sensor part, a first support structure, which is adapted to be mounted to a first portion of the rotor, wherein the first sensor part is mounted to the first support structure, and a second support structure, which may be mounted to a second portion of the rotor, wherein the second sensor part is mounted to the second support structure and wherein either or both the first portion and the second portion is a portion of the blade. The magnetostrictive sensor measures the relative spatial position between the first sensor part and the second sensor part. A method for measuring a blade deflection and a wind turbine rotor which includes the described blade deflection measurement arrangement are also provided.
US07967557B2
A multiblade centrifugal blower includes a centrifugal fan including a hub rotated by a motor, and plural curved rectangular blades arranged at predetermined intervals in a circumferential direction of the hub forming a cylindrical basket with an opening on a front side of the hub, and a scroll casing including an air inlet and an air outlet, and houses the centrifugal fan inside to face the air inlet. A length from a rear end to an front end of an outer edge of the blade is shorter than a length from a rear end to an front end of an inner edge of the blade, and a bell mouth is configured such that distance between a tip part of the inner edge of the blade and an inner wall of the scroll casing is the minimum at an inner tip part P of the bell mouth of the air inlet.
US07967551B2
A casing provided centrally with a sealed structure chamber. Small-sized separate four filter elements are arranged each on opposite sides of the chamber such that inflow air from a suction section into the casing is introduced via the filter elements into the chamber. Each filter element is detachably fitted over a filter-element mount having openings at its outer periphery. Upon filter-element replacement, the filter elements are replaced individually by opening a window. An integral cast casing having compressing sections and compressed air passages integrally fabricated therewith by casting is formed with receptacles for first and second intercoolers and an aftercooler. The intercoolers and aftercooler are received in the receptacles. Outlets of the intercoolers are connected with suction sides of second- and third-stage compressors through second- and third-stage suction pipes, respectively. A blowoff silencer is arranged between the integral cast casing and an oil tank.
US07967547B2
In a work machine 1, an angle θ formed by a first line segment L1 connecting a pivot position Y of a bell crank 11 on a boom 10 and a pivot position X of the bell crank 11 on a connecting link 13, and a second line segment L2 connecting the pivot position Y of the bell crank 11 on the boom 10 and a pivot position W of the bell crank 11 on the tilt cylinder 12 on a bucket 20 side is 176 (deg) or less, an angle α formed by the second line segment L2 and a line segment L3 connecting the pivot position W of the bell crank 11 on the tilt cylinder 12 and a pivot position Z of the tilt cylinder 12 on a working structure is 72.3 (deg) or less, and, in a case where the bucket 20 is set at a top position, a lowering angle ω of a front end of a lower surface of the bucket 20 is 4.5 (deg) or less.
US07967546B2
A system for unloading a container of bulk particulate material, having attachment means for lifting the container and a spout for discharging material therefrom, generally consisting of an unloading apparatus including a material hopper, a mobile apparatus and a carrier member including an arrangement for detachably connecting a container thereto, an arrangement for detachably mounting on a mobile apparatus and an arrangement for detachably mounting on the unloading apparatus.
US07967544B2
A load carrying vehicle (10) having a mobile chassis (11) and a load carrying body or tray (15) mounted to the chassis (11) so as to be capable of pivotal movement about a pivot axis defined by a releasable pivot connection (16) between the chassis (11) and body (15) for tipping of the body about a pivot axis. Alternatively the load carrying body (15) may be mounted to the chassis (11) through rollers (19) which permit movement of the body longitudinally of the chassis (11) and tilting movement about a tilt axis.
US07967539B2
The fastener comprises a head and a snap-engagement foot comprising a rigid core and curved flexible wings. Each wing has a convex surface bordered by said core, by a longitudinal edge surface and by a transverse edge surface. Each transverse edge surface has, viewed by an observer viewing said convex surface, a V-shape of which the point, which is directed outwardly, is located at said inflection plane. The core is a hub about which at least three said wings are regularly spaced. Each wing comprises a corner delimited by said longitudinal edge surface and by a shoulder and a web less thick than the corner, disposed between the hub and the shoulder. Each wing is adapted to flex by elastic deformation towards the convex surface of the neighboring wing.
US07967526B2
The invention relates to a device reducing speed of vehicles travelling on a roadway, formed by at least one strip of flexible material, rubber or other similar material, made up of several hollow chambers which are interconnected by a calibrated conduit which enables the controlled passage of the fluid filling said chambers from that flattened by the wheel of the vehicle towards the adjacent chamber. The fluid contained therein is water, or a non-Newtonian fluid offering the higher viscosity, the higher the stress gradient applied thereto is, the fluid itself acting as means for controlling the resistance to deformation of the strip as the higher is the speed of impact of the vehicle in said strip.
US07967524B2
A landscape edging member for use in defining borders of walks, patios, driveways and the like, is provided with edge lips on one side of a base wall, which serve as stops when one of the landscape edging members is inverted and nested with another landscape edging member, to prevent lateral shifting of the nested landscape edging members when they are placed in a stack or bundle. The lips of the nested landscape edging members overlap portions of the vertical walls of the other one of the two nested landscape edging members, which form an inverted pair of landscape edging members. The lips are high enough from the base wall to prevent lateral shifting of the nested pair when a stack of the landscape edging members are shipped.
US07967523B2
A trench drain assembly including a flow channel and a frame for supporting the channel in a trench. Sidewalls of the frame have a gradually increasing height between ends of the frame so that the frame creates a gradual slope for the assembly to properly drain. In addition, sidewalls of the frame include spaced lugs that extend outwardly and sidewalls of the channel include spaced lugs that extend inwardly to create an interference fit with the lugs of the frame so that the channel can be easily attached to the frame. During assembly, the frame is lowered onto the channel so that the lugs of the frame are received between the lugs of the channels and the frame is then slid with respect to the channel until the lugs of the frame are positioned below the lugs of the channel to secure the frame to the channel.
US07967520B2
A dry eraser is disclosed including an eraser body having an upper region and a lower region, a layer of erasing material having a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion affixed to the lower region of the eraser body, at least one socket on the upper region for accommodating at least a portion of a writing utensil, and a magnetic member operatively engaged to the eraser body between the top portion of the layer of erasing material and the upper region of the eraser body.
US07967518B2
Stick-shaped solid cosmetic 10 comprises a wax with a melting point of 45° C. or higher and liquid oil, wherein the hardness of top portion 16 is 0.07 N to 0.38 N and the hardness of boundary portion 20, which is a border between a retained portion in inner holder 12 and a portion outside of the inner holder 12, is 0.03 N to 0.31 N higher than the hardness of the top portion, and wherein the hardness gradually increases from the top portion 16 to the boundary portion 20. Thus, the stick-shaped solid cosmetic 10 has smooth spreadability and excellent product strength.
US07967510B2
A flexible container for containing a quantity of pourable product is disclosed herein. The flexible container includes a bag having a first closed end and a second closed end and a wall extending between the first closed end and the second closed end to define a closed cavity. The flexible container also includes a tearable score line defining an intended opening directly to the closed cavity. The tearable score line divides the wall into a first portion engaged with both of the first closed end and the second closed end and a second portion spaced from both of the first closed end and the second closed end. The tearable score line is exposed and directly graspable such that the bag is operable to function as a dish when the second portion is removed.
US07967507B2
A dimensional reference system for tomography, including X-ray computed tomography and MRI tomography. The system includes a dimensional reference apparatus that comprises plurality of spheres composed of a material having an X-ray absorption property between approximately +500 Hounsfield units and +1200 Hounsfield units. The spheres are spaced apart at a known distance by support structure/spacer unit that has an X-ray absorption property between approximately −100 Hounsfield units and +400 Hounsfield units. After an image that incorporates the dimensional reference apparatus and a measurement subject has been reconstructed, the dimensional reference apparatus provides for measurement of the resultant image voxels in three dimensions. Because solid structural elements such as plastic or glass spheres may not be visible in an MRI, an MRI implementation of the apparatus may be disposed in a fluid-tight enclosure along with water, a contrast-enhancing agent and ethanol.
US07967498B2
Submersibly installable and operable high volume and low pressure stirrer type liquid transferring equipment comprises a rotor type stirrer driven via a drive shaft passing without making contact along a sleeve rooting centrally in a housing having a downwardly facing inlet and a tangentially arranged outlet. As the casing of the housing is independent of the remainder of the equipment it is fitted with elevating leg plates. Its operative location is accommodated by a location of equipment installation. The stirrer is bolted to a drive assembly via its shaft. The length of the sleeve is established in conjunction with the circumstances of use of the equipment to maintain the zone encompassed by the housing sealed from above by a liquid seal.
US07967490B2
The present invention provides a backlight unit including an LED module and a frame separately, and each separated part is stable and is capable of simple use and assembly. The backlight unit of direct type includes a plurality of makeup LED modules including an LED package of direct type on a PCB and a heat sink releasing heat generated from driving the LED package of direct type, a reflection plate reflecting light emitted from the makeup LED module to a front face, and attached at the remaining surface except for the makeup LED packages, an optical sheet disposed on the reflection plate, and improving brightness and uniformity of the light emitted from the makeup LED module and the reflection plate, and guide the light into a front face of the optical sheet and a frame including a guide rail to combine the makeup LED module by a sliding combination.
US07967488B2
A breakable structure of a headlamp for vehicles is partially broken and deformed when an impact force is applied to the headlamp. The breakable structure of the present invention includes at least a separable member provided in the junction of the headlamp housing and the headlamp lens, the separable member being separated from the junction of the headlamp and the headlamp lens when an impact force is applied thereto.
US07967483B2
Wireless network used to control multiple lights, includes multiple different networks for different purposes, and interference prevention mechanisms.
US07967474B2
The present invention relates to a radiating member of an LED illumination device and the LED illumination device using the same. Provided is an LED illumination device includes a printed circuit board mounted with LED chips; and a radiating member provided on a rear surface of the printed circuit board, wherein the radiating member includes a radiating pipe vertically attached to a center of the printed circuit board, radiating pins surrounding and attached to the printed circuit board at a predetermined interval, radiating disks provided below the radiating fins and arranged along the radiating pipe at a predetermined interval, and a radiating member case for covering the radiating member.
US07967468B2
A lighting device is disclosed. The lighting device can be battery-powered and can include one or more LEDs within a light assembly. The device also can include a battery compartment, a first frame element, and a second frame element. The light assembly can be supported by the first frame element and free to tilt on a first axis relative to the first frame element. The light assembly can be free to rotate relative to the second frame element on a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis. The second frame element can be, for example, a plate configured to be fixedly mounted to a surface, such as a wall.
US07967462B2
A light source includes a plurality of light emitting elements, and each light emitting element is disposed in such a manner that a direction of an optical axis of the light emitting element having a highest luminance is disposed at a predetermined inclination angle relative to a plane of the liquid crystal display. The optical guide member has an optical guide portion of a wedge shape having a first flat plane generally perpendicular to the optical axis of each light emitting element for receiving light from each light emitting element and a second flat plane having a predetermined angle relative to the optical axis and intersecting the first flat plane at an acute angle for reflecting light. A plurality of optical guide portions are disposed in a plane and formed integrally along a predetermined direction corresponding to the inclination direction of the light emitting elements.
US07967458B2
A rearview mirror assembly for a motor vehicle includes a mirror bracket fixedly secured to the motor vehicle. A mirror case is secured to the mirror bracket. The mirror case defines a primary opening. A backing plate is operatively connected to the mirror case. A mirror is fixedly secured to the backing plate. The mirror defines a substrate having a first surface and a second surface. The second surface defines a primary mirror surface and a spot mirror surface formed within the second surface. The rearview mirror assembly also includes a heating element fixedly secured to the second surface of the mirror for heating the mirror. The heating element includes a primary portion fixedly secured to the primary surface and a secondary portion fixedly secured to the spot mirror surface.
US07967453B2
A member to be held is held in an external cabinet having a combination of a first cabinet and a second cabinet. A first supporting section is provided in the first cabinet and a second supporting section is provided in the second cabinet. A section to be sandwiched is provided in the member to be held, and the member to be held is held in the external cabinet by sandwiching this section to be sandwiched by the first supporting section and the second supporting section.
US07967448B2
A micro-mirror based projection display system in an enclosure with minimum chin and depth measurements is disclosed. A light source, such as a solid state laser light source, generates light of multiple primary colors that is modulated by a digital micro-mirror device. The projection optics of the system include a telecentric rear group of glass lenses with spherical surfaces, followed by a pair of aspheric lenses formed of plastic. A folding mirror, such as a single-piece or multi-piece angular mirror, is disposed between the aspheric lenses, to reduce the depth of the enclosure, and an aspheric mirror projects the image onto a TIR Fresnel projection screen. The aspheric lenses are magnifying to reduce the magnification required of the aspheric mirror, and the aspheric lenses and mirror are clipped to reduce enclosure volume. A folding mirror may be used after the aspheric mirror to further reduce the depth of the enclosure.
US07967447B2
An overheat prevention device comprises an inclination angle detector, a cooling module, and a control circuitry. The inclination detector is adapted to detect a first inclination angle and a second inclination angle, which an light source module is subject to relative to a reference plane, and transmit a first inclination signal and a second inclination signal, respectively. In response to the first inclination signal, the control circuitry alters the cooling module from a first operation mode to a second operation mode. In response to the second inclination signal, the control circuitry alters a projection apparatus from the first operation mode to the second operation mode.
US07967445B2
An image projecting apparatus enables the formation of a projected image faithful to original image information by reducing degradation in the projected image due to decrease in imaging performance of a projection optical system. Image information is processed by an image processing device, which includes a first and a second image processor. A light modulating device modulates a flux of light emitted by an illumination optical system based on the processed image information. The modulated flux of light is projected on a screen by a projection optical system. If the image information processed by the first image processor in a pixel region is not within a representable modulation range of the light modulating device, the image information is processed by the second image processor.
US07967441B2
A microscope and a method for illuminating an object to be imaged by a microscope are described. The method includes illuminating the object by primary light of a first spectral intensity distribution and by secondary light of a second spectral intensity distribution, the secondary light arising from the scattering of the primary light; measuring the intensity of at least one wavelength of the secondary light; comparing at least one of the measured intensity and a value derived from this measured intensity to a threshold value; and generating a signal indicating a change in the spectral intensity distribution of the secondary light by indicating whether the at least one of the measured intensity and value derived from this measured intensity either exceed or stay below the predefined threshold value.
US07967440B1
A system includes a light pattern generator having light spots for illuminating front and back surfaces of a cornea with polarized light; one or more detectors for receiving one or more of first spot images from light reflected off the front surface, and second spot images from light reflected off the back surface, the light reflected off the front surface having a first polarization and the light reflected off the back surface having a second polarization; a polarization element in an optical path between the back surface and the one or more detectors, the polarization element being configured to attenuate an intensity of the light reflected off the front surface by an amount greater than an amount by which it attenuates the light reflected off the back surface; and a processor for determining a geometric characteristic of the cornea using at least the second plurality of spot images.
US07967429B2
An ink tank includes a first channel extending in the form of a groove on an external part of the tank in connection with an atmospheric communicating port. The tank also includes a second channel which branches off from the first channel and joins this again and which has a capillary force greater than that of the first channel. Even when some amount of ink has flowed out of the atmospheric communicating port, the capillary force generated in the second channel acts to hold the ink in the channel. Additionally, even when ink is stored in the second channel, the first channel is not closed, and the pressure in the tank is therefore kept in equilibrium with the atmospheric pressure. Therefore, there is little possibility that the ink in the second channel will be pushed out even when the ambient temperature changes.
US07967428B2
Since a bypass flowing passage which communicates with the inside of a bag part not through a second valve mechanism is provided for an outlet part, ink can be filled from the outlet part into the bag part in spite of the existence of the second valve mechanism. Further, after an empty ink pack has been housed in an inner case, the ink is filled into the ink pack. Therefore, when a first seal film is welded to the inner case, since the bag part is not bulky, the ends of the bag part are caught in a cartridge case. Therefore, the maximum amount of ink for the inner volume of the cartridge case can be filled. Further, since a bypass flowing passage is blocked after the ink has filled into the ink pack, contamination of air bubbles into the bag part through the bypass flowing passage is prevented.
US07967425B2
A printhead assembly with a printhead and a shut off (138) valve that has a valve body (200) defining an ink inlet (202) for connection to an ink supply, an ink outlet (67) connected to the printhead IC. A diaphragm (212) is biased into sealing engagement with the valve seat (216) to provide a fluid seal between the ink inlet and the ink outlet. An actuator (204) unseals the diaphragm from the valve seat when energized. The valve protects the ink in the ink supply from contaminants that can migrate up the ink line during shut down periods. The diaphragm is biased to a closed position and so seals the ink supply from the printhead as a default condition even in the event of a power failure. The bias is strong enough to provide the fluid seal so that the seal is not compromised when the pressure difference between the inlet and the outlet is small.
US07967417B2
An ink jet printhead that has a nozzle aperture that defines a planar opening having two planes of symmetry, both of which extend perpendicular to the plane of the opening. The printhead also having a heater corresponding to the nozzle aperture for generating a gas bubble in printing fluid to eject a drop of the printing fluid through the nozzle aperture. The heater element is a suspended beam that has two planes of symmetry and at least one of the heater element planes of symmetry is common to one of the nozzle aperture plane of symmetry.
US07967415B2
Ink cartridge 70 is attached to cartridge holder 62 of printing apparatus 20 by being inserted in a predetermined insertion direction R until it is touching locating member. Ink cartridge 70 includes a plurality of low voltage circuit terminals 111-113 and a plurality of high voltage circuit terminals 114, 115 on body 71. Low voltage circuit terminals 111-113 are arranged so as to form row A2 orthogonal to insertion direction R. High voltage circuit terminals 114, 115 are arranged so as to form row B2 orthogonal to insertion direction R. Row B2 is arranged further towards the insertion direction R side than row A2.
US07967413B2
A liquid ejection method is provided which ejects small-volume droplets from ejection openings and causes them to reliably combine together on the fly into a large droplet that is less susceptible to influences of air flows, thus realizing a printing with reduced droplet landing position deviations. To that end, each of the ejection openings is constructed of two openings spaced apart and a slit-like constricted connection portion that connects the two openings together.
US07967408B2
An aspect of the invention is a printer for printing on one surface and the other surface of a sheet-like printing medium fed in a predetermined feed direction. The printer includes, a first printing part for printing on the one surface, a second printing part provided on the upstream side of the first printing part for printing on the other surface, a storage area in which first image data and second image data are stored, and an adjustment part for adjusting printing start positions of printing operations performed by the first and second printing parts by shifting the readout order of the first image data to be stored in the storage area toward the end side in accordance with a positional difference between the first printing part and the second printing part in the feed direction.
US07967405B2
An apparatus for imprinting high quality images on non-planar surfaces, including the surfaces of various types of three-dimensional articles, such as baseball bats, formed from a number of different types of materials. In the preferred method of the invention, the non-planar surfaces of the three-dimensional articles are printed using a uniquely modified ink jet image transfer technique. The apparatus of the invention includes an ink jet printer coupled with a novel article positioning apparatus which functions to support a plurality of articles, to move a selected one of the articles into proximity with the ink jet printer and to controllably rotate the selected one of the articles.
US07967404B2
A display unit installing structure for a refrigerator includes an accommodating unit which is formed by depressing a portion on a front surface of a door and in which a display unit for displaying a variety of information thereon and inputting operating signals are retractably installed; a link mechanism for guiding accommodation and withdrawal of the display unit and tiltably supporting the display unit withdrawn from the accommodating unit at a predetermined angle; and a locking arrangement for preventing the display unit from being inadvertently escaping from the accommodating unit. The display unit can be retractably installed on the front surface of the refrigerator door.
US07967400B1
A personal cabinet for jewelry, tobacco products and implements or other items has a housing mount. An actuator housing is located within the housing mount and defines an actuator housing receptacle. A spring urged inner case is movably connected with the actuator housing within the actuator housing receptacle and is linearly moveable to a contracted position and a projected position relative to the actuator housing and housing mount. A latch mechanism retains the inner case at the contracted position and a latch release mechanism is operated to release the inner case for spring urged linear movement to its projected position. A closure is pivotally mounted to the inner case and can be opened only when the inner case has been moved to its projected position.
US07967398B2
A coreless rubber crawler has a tension body embedded in an endless rubber elastic body in the longitudinal direction thereof, lugs (7) formed at the outer peripheral surface of the elastic body, central projections (2) formed at the center in a width direction of the inner peripheral surface of the elastic body at regular intervals in a longitudinal direction of the elastic body, and drive projections (5, 6) engaging with sprockets and formed at both outer sides in a width direction of the inner peripheral surface of the elastic body at the same intervals as the central projections. Elongated detachment preventing projections (2A) that engage with rolling wheels (20) are formed such that the pitch between the central projections (2) is larger than the pitch between the drive projections (5, 6).
US07967396B2
A status of one or more subsystems positioned on one or more trailers is communicated to a tractor electrically and mechanically connected to the trailer. The status may be automatically supplied by the subsystem or may be requested either by the operator of the tractor/trailer combination or automatically by another subsystem on either the tractor or the trailer. A spread spectrum data communications signal representing the status of a respective subsystem is superposed on the power bus. The status of the respective subsystem can then be determined from the spread spectrum data communications signal. Preferably, the status of the subsystem is indicated to an operator positioned on the tractor. A command for controlling a subsystem on a trailer can also be communicated from the tractor to the trailer over the power bus. A spread spectrum data communications signal representing the command is produced on the power bus, and the subsystem is controlled based on the spread spectrum data communications signal. Preferably, the command is received from an operator positioned in the tractor.
US07967388B2
A backrest structure capable for a vehicle having seats that are supported on a vehicle body frame via a seat frame as a seat support member. Each of the seats includes a seat back as a backrest supporting a back of a driver. The seat back is removably mounted in the seat frame, thereby permitting positional adjustments in vertical and longitudinal directions to fit a body type of the driver. The resulting configuration makes driving of the vehicle easier.
US07967384B2
A fitting (5) for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, includes a first fitting part (11), a second fitting part (12) which is rotatable about an axis (A) relative to the first fitting part (11), and with a ring (13) which keeps the two fitting parts (11, 12) together in the axial direction. The fitting (5) forms a disc-shaped unit, wherein an adaptor (21) is provided. The adaptor (21) bears against the first fitting part (11), in particular in an abutting manner, and, with the bearing contact, defines a connecting surface (F). The adapter (21) IS connected to the first fitting part (11) and/or the ring (13) by a weld seam (23). The weld seam (23) is produced from a direction (S) which runs within the connecting surface (F) or at a shallow angle (f) to the connecting surface (F).
US07967381B2
There is disclosed a vehicle seat provided with a system for facilitating relieving of fatigue of a person driving a vehicle, the vehicle seat comprising a seat back (1) having a pad (5), the system including an occupant's body-motion promoting mechanism (12) provided in the seat back so as to be arranged behind the pad for locally pressing an occupant's body during driving of the vehicle and releasing the occupant's body from pressure, thereby moving the occupant's body and promoting blood circulation of the person. The occupant's body-motion promoting mechanism is configured to intermittently perform repeated pressing/releasing operations with respect to the third lumbar vertebrae of the occupant in a range of three to seven times, at a stroke amount in a range of 10 mm to 20 mm, and at a time interval of 5 minutes to 10 minutes.
US07967380B2
A vehicle seat comprises a seat back frame having a pair of side frames, a seat spring mounted between the side frames, a single plate-shaped flexible cushion plate mounted to the seat spring, a seat back cushion provided in front of the cushion plate, a single plate-shaped flexible auxiliary plate mounted on the cushion plate. The auxiliary plate is located between the cushion plate and the seat back cushion. The auxiliary plate pushes the seat back cushion to the front by being forwardly bent in response to an operation member. A collision detector is located on the rear side of the cushion plate having a predetermined distance therebetween.
US07967375B2
A headrest apparatus may include a headrest fixing member connected to a headrest assembly, a guide member connected to a seatback frame inside the seat back, wherein the guide member including a guide portion and a locking portion guides forward and backward movement of the headrest fixing member, at least an elastic member coupling the guide member and the headrest fixing member and configured to bias the headrest fixing member in the forward direction of the seat back so that the headrest fixing member moves in the forward direction and then is locked to the locking portion of the guide member by the elastic member when the seat back is unfolded, and a locking release unit pivotally coupled to the guide member and configured to release the headrest fixing member from the locking portion of the guide member in accordance with the seat back when the seat back is folded.
US07967374B2
A chair that is reconfigurable between a folded and an unfolded configuration includes a first leg having a first end and an opposite second end. An intermediate portion is located between the first and second ends. A second leg has a first end and an opposite second end. An intermediate portion is located between the first and second ends of the second leg. The intermediate portion of the second leg is pivotally connected to the intermediate portion of the first leg. A support member has a first end pivotally connected to the first leg and an opposite second end. A seat frame has a first part pivotally connected to the second end of the support member and a second part pivotally connected to the second end of the second leg. The second end of the support member is adjacent the first end of both the first and second legs in the folded configuration.
US07967371B2
A machine includes a frame having ground engaging elements for propelling a machine, and a body mounted to the frame. The body includes a plurality of body components, one of which is contoured for mounting a camera that includes a continuous face and a pocket each formed in an outer surface thereof. The method of assembling a machine includes molding a unitary body component for machine body, the body component having an outer surface with a continuous face and a pocket. The method further includes mounting a camera within the pocket and establishing an electrical link between the camera and an electrical system of the machine via a port disposed in the pocket which extends through the outer surface.
US07967363B2
A rail car cover system including a rail car, a first cover section and a second cover section. The rail car has an opening. The first cover section is operably attached to the rail car. The first cover section includes a first corner hinge assembly, a first intermediate hinge assembly and a first cover material. The first corner hinge assembly is attached to the first cover material. The first intermediate hinge assembly is slidable with respect to the first cover material. The second cover section is operably attached to the rail car. The second cover section includes a second corner hinge assembly, a second intermediate hinge assembly and a second cover material. The second corner hinge assembly is attached to the second cover material. The second intermediate hinge assembly is slidable with respect to the second cover material. The first cover section and the second cover section are both movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. When in the closed configuration, the first cover section and the second cover section substantially cover the opening.
US07967360B2
A removable visor and method for installing a removable visor is provided. The removable visor includes a cover having a slot, a bracket, positioned inside the cover, having a flexible snap configured to be inserted into the slot, an elbow, attached to the bracket through an opening in the cover, an arm extending from the elbow and a visor attached to the arm. The top of the bracket of the assembled visor, having at least one lobe, is inserted through an opening in the interior ceiling of the vehicle. The bracket is rotated inside the cover so that the flexible snap engages the slot and locks the bracket to the cover, wherein the at least one lobe pinches down on the interior ceiling, connecting the removable visor to the interior ceiling.
US07967359B2
An apparatus, system, and method for deflecting mud from the foot area of an all terrain vehicle includes a substantially vertical barrier disposed adjacent to the foot area of the all terrain vehicle. The apparatus comprises a mud deflector stretched between a front fender and a rear fender. The apparatus may comprises a mud deflector configured from an elastomeric material stretched between a front fender and a rear fender and attached to the front and rear fenders by a plurality of attachment clips. In certain embodiments the apparatus may comprise a mud deflector configured from a rigid material attached to the front and rear fenders of the all terrain vehicle.
US07967353B2
A grab hook includes a locking plate which is held in position by a biased pin that may be axially extended to move the locking plate between a latching and unlatching position to close or open the slot in the grab hook.
US07967347B1
A vacuum actuated door latching assembly for use in combination with a door of a delivery vehicle. The latch assembly moves between locked and unlocked positions and includes a pneumatic actuator that drives the latch assembly between the locked and unlocked positions. Extending from the pneumatic actuator is a vacuum line that is adapted to be connected to a vacuum source such as the engine of the delivery vehicle. A control valve is disposed between the vacuum source and the pneumatic actuator for controlling the activation of the pneumatic actuator. A biasing device engages the door and biases the door towards and open position. Thus, when the latching assembly is actuated the door of the delivery vehicle is unlatched and the biasing device causes the door to assume the open position.
US07967342B2
A quick connector coupling assembly comprising a body, a tube, and a retainer to secure the tube in the body. The body defines an internal cavity extending from an opening. The tube has an endform extending through the opening and into the internal cavity. The endform has a tip and an engagement surface. The engagement surface of the endform coacts with a locking surface associated with the body or the retainer to resist rotational movement of the tube relative to the body.
US07967340B2
Slip and protective label assemblies are provided, as well as methods of manufacture and application to a receiving face. In one case, the assembly includes a slip layer and a protective layer, with the slip layer divided into a slip portion that is printed upon, a surrounding border portion, and a tab portion. The reverse side of the slip layer is coated with a release coating such that the slip layer may be removably laminated to the protective layer using an adhesive. In another case, direct thermal stock is laminated to an intermediate layer to form a slip laminate, which is adhered to a protective layer to form the assembly. In all cases, the border portion of the slip layer or slip laminate may be removed to attach the label to a receiving face, and the protective layer may be peeled away to provide access to the printed slip portion.
US07967338B1
The trailer chassis includes a plurality of frame members forming a substantially rectangular box frame. The rectangular box frame includes a central, elongate main sub-frame integral with a pair of spaced outboard frame rail sections where wheel wells are formed. The central main sub-frame is devoid of cross members to provide unhindered storage space. Select sections of the rectangular box frame are covered with rigid plating to strengthen the torsional rigidity of the trailer chassis. The front section of the rectangular box frame includes a raised platform with a hitch frame integral thereto for installing a hitch. The trailer chassis is detachably mounted to the trailer in order to permit separate shipment of the trailer chassis in a shipping container.
US07967337B2
A motorcycle includes a head pipe, left and right main frames extending rearwardly from the head pipe on left and right sides, respectively, and a cowl stay extending forwardly from the left and right main frames and supporting a cowling, which protectively covers a front portion of the motorcycle. The cowl stay is positioned such that its front end portion is located rearwardly of a front end portion of a front wheel, and in front of a tip portion of a head light disposed on a front portion of the head pipe so as to illuminate an area in front of the motorcycle. The cowl stay is disposed at a position located above a center of gravity of the motorcycle.
US07967336B2
A transporting device for transporting a wheelchair directly on a motorcycle or recreational vehicle, the device being configured to include a frame attachment portion for attaching the bracket to a frame portion of a motorcycle or recreational vehicle, a spaced-apart portion configured to receive and secure a portion of a foot rest of a wheelchair, and a spaced-apart wheelchair axle receiving and securement portion located at a level above the frame attachment portion and the portion for receiving and securing a portion of the foot rest.
US07967334B2
An airbag comprises a bag which is bent in the shape of an arrow ‘<’ in a deployed state, and a connection member which is arranged on a side of the bag, facing a vehicle body, and connects the upper and lower ends of the bag with each other. A longitudinal intermediate portion of the bag projects toward a vehicle occupant. A space is defined between the projecting intermediate portion and the connection member. The head of the vehicle occupant initially comes into contact with the intermediate portion and then presses the bag toward the vehicle body. Upper and lower parts of the bag which extend upward and downward from the intermediate portion cooperate with the connection member to define a triangular space.
US07967329B2
An instrument panel assembly for a passenger vehicle is provided with a protective film. The protective film has only one unfolded layer. The film layer is sized to cover an opening in an instrument panel. The opening is sized for an airbag to deploy through. The film layer is provided with a slit for separating into portions. The portions extend through the instrument panel as the airbag deploys. The protective film prevents the airbag from being damaged. The film layer also prevents the airbag from damaging the instrument panel. The instrument panel may be provided with a door for selectively covering the opening. The instrument panel assembly may include a hinge for pivotally connecting the door to the instrument panel.
US07967325B1
A hand-propelled or vehicle-towed convertible deer cart incorporates side walls that are locked vertically when collapsed to a first geometry of very small size for storage and transport, and also when readily reconfigured for use as a larger transport cart or trailer. When further reconfigured for use as a hunting stand, the side walls are pivoted from vertical to horizontal and form a part of a larger platform in combination with the cart bed. A pair of ladders may be stored within the cart bed when configured as a transport cart. The ladders are pivoted about their longitudinal axis to convert to the larger transport cart, and then extended to full-length ladders in the hunting stand geometry.
US07967315B2
The bicycle may have a frame and a front fork. A cross section of the frame or the front fork may have an airfoil shape wherein a leading surface is sharper (i.e. less round) compared to prior art airfoil shaped bicycle front forks and bicycle frames. Additionally, a maximum thickness of the airfoil shape may be located more rearward compared to prior art airfoil shaped bicycle frames and bicycle front forks. This configuration provides for a reduction in drag for headwind speeds of about twenty (20) to thirty (30) miles per hour and headwind angles of plus or minus fifteen (15) degrees.
US07967311B2
A dual position step assembly that can be mounted into a standard square towing receiver that is previously installed on a pickup truck or similar vehicle is described. The step assembly is mounted to the rear of the vehicle. The step can be pivoted to two positions, either vertical or horizontal. When placed in the vertical position the step assembly automatically seats into a downward self locking position. The weight of the step assembly provides the force necessary to set the step assembly into the self locking position.
US07967286B2
A sheet stacking tray assembly may include a tray having a lead surface and an elevate plate. The lead surface may include one or more first geometric protuberances. At least one edge of the elevate plate may include one or more second geometric protuberances that are complimentary to the first geometric protuberances. The lead surface may be configured to interlock with the edge of the elevate plate to form a support area for one or more sheets.
US07967274B1
A unitary piece umbrella holder, adapted to be mounted on a vehicle window, including a plate, a receptacle mounted on an angle relative to the plate; and at least one fastener mounted on the plate.
US07967270B2
The invention comprises an eyeglass holder. In one embodiment, the eyeglass holder comprises a toy or doll figure to encourage children to wear and take care of eyeglasses.
US07967268B2
A vertically stabilized shelf bracket assembly having at least two support strips on which a plurality of shelf brackets are mounted. A cover is provided that aesthetically enhances the shelf bracket assembly and stabilizes it at the same time. In one embodiment, the cover includes a cap and a hanging casing. In one embodiment, apertures are provided in the shelf brackets to support a rod. In another embodiment an adjustable mounting slot is provided in the support strips to facilitate their parallel installation.
US07967266B2
The hook includes a body having a receiving space for receiving the journal and, within the body, a clip for coupling to the journal and an actuator for actuating the clip. The clip includes a semi-cylindrical wall, two flaps and two hinges for pivotal hinging of each flap to a respective one of the walls. The clip has a closed position in which the flaps have come towards each other to form with the wall a bearing for the journal, and an open position in which the flaps are separated for freeing and insertion of the journal from/into the receiving space. The passage from one position to the other is actuated by the actuator by pressing the journal on the wall.
US07967264B1
A U-shaped bracket having an adjustable width is telescopically inserted around a side rail of the ladder by pushing the bracket onto the side rail with the open end of the bracket receiving the side rail as the bracket is pushed onto the side rail. Side walls of the bracket have extended wall portions that stick out past the rear of the side rail. A paint can holder can be telescopically inserted through a set of aligned holes in the extended wall portions to couple the paint can holder to the side rail of the ladder. A paint roller pan holder can also be telescopically inserted through a set of aligned holes in the extended wall portion to couple the paint roller pan holder to the side rail of the ladder. The paint roller pan holder includes a pivot connection to allow the portion of the holder that supports a paint roller pan to be leveled relative to the horizontal.
US07967257B2
Provided is a space object deployment system. Specifically, the system in at least one embodiment, includes at least one deployable object. A deployment chamber is paired with each deployable object, each chamber including: a base opposite from the deployable object; and a spring loaded countermass coupled to the base and slidably disposed within the chamber, the deployment chamber at least partially disposed within a rotatable body transverse to the axis of rotation. At least one coupler is paired to each deployable object and adapted to detachably couple the deployable object to the body and constrain the countermass within the chamber. An associated method of use is provided as well.
US07967255B2
An autonomous unmanned space flight system and planetary lander executes a discrete landing sequence including performing an initial velocity braking maneuver to remove velocity at altitude, coasting during which the planet surface is imaged and correlated to reference maps to estimate cross-track and along-track navigation errors and one or more lateral braking maneuvers are performed to reduce cross-track navigation error, and performing a terminal velocity braking maneuver(s) to reduce the along-track braking maneuver and remove the remainder of the velocity just prior to landing. A bi-propellant propulsion system provides a very high T/M ratio, at least 15:1 per nozzle. Short, high T/M divert maneuvers provide the capability to remove cross-track navigation error efficiently up to the maximum resolution of the reference maps. Short, high T/M terminal velocity braking maneuver(s) provide the capability to remove along-track navigation error to a similar resolution and remove the remaining velocity in a very short time window, approximately 3-15 seconds prior to touchdown. The propulsive efficiency frees up mass which can be allocated to a fuel to remove the unknown navigation errors, perform hazard avoidance and/or relocate the lander by flying it to another site or be allocated to additional payload.
US07967235B2
A two-roll toilet paper dispenser automatically transfers a new roll into dispensing position once the previous roll is spent or nearly spent. A spring-loaded plate senses the decreasing diameter of the first roll, and once it reaches a predetermined minimum, actuates a linkage that permits a mandrel carrying the two rolls to drop down within the dispenser body and position the second roll for dispensing. The mandrel and track structure permits reloading the dispenser without removing the mandrel. The rolls of toilet paper have adapter plugs in one end only, to ensure that the rolls are placed in the correct orientation within the dispenser.
US07967223B2
A fuel injector for use in an internal combustion engine comprises a first valve member and a second valve member, an injection control chamber for fuel, and a set of nozzle outlets; wherein actuation of the second valve member controls the fuel pressure within the injection control chamber, and actuation of the first valve member is regulated by the fuel pressure within the injection control chamber; and wherein the fuel injector is arranged such that actuation of the second valve member establishes a fuel flow path between the injection control chamber and the set of nozzle outlets. The first valve member may be provided with a first valve bore within which the second valve member is received. An injection nozzle and a method of operating a fuel injector are also described.
US07967222B2
A pressure washer is provided including a housing. A pump is contained within the housing for pressurizing fluid received through a water inlet port and for pumping the pressurized fluid through an outlet port. An application wand is connected to the water outlet for outputting a pressurized stream of fluid. At least one wheel is supported on the housing so as to enable rolling movement of the housing. A first handle is arranged on the housing for movement between a retracted position in which a gripping portion of the handle is arranged relatively closer to the housing and an extended position in which the gripping portion of the handle is arranged relatively further away from the housing.
US07967218B2
In a multi-zone control system for central forced air HVAC systems where the minimum conditioned airflow produced by the HVAC equipment significantly exceeds the airflow capacity to many of the zones, the invention is an energy saving method for choosing non-calling zones to receive excess airflow in. When satisfying calls for conditioning from one or a few zones, excess conditioned airflow is directed to non-calling zones. The method chooses occupied non-calling zones using a priority that provides comfort, and chooses unoccupied non-calling zones using a different priority that provides energy savings. Limits are provided for each zone to prevent excessive over conditioning in non-calling zones.
US07967215B2
Systems, methods, and computer program products for supporting multiple contactless applications using different security keys on a wireless smart device are disclosed. According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for supporting multiple contactless applications using different security keys on a wireless smart device. The method includes, at a wireless smart device configured to communicate with a wireless smart device reader, the wireless device including a plurality of contactless applications and a contactless application memory for use by the plurality of contactless applications, initializing a portion of the memory such that access to the portion of memory requires the use of a shared secret key known to the plurality of contactless applications. The method includes reserving the portion of memory for use by one of the plurality of contactless applications by using the shared secret key to set access privileges for the portion of memory such that access to the portion of memory requires the use of a application-specific secret key associated with the one application and not known to the other applications.
US07967211B2
Techniques are described for facilitating the reliable communication of information to bar code scanners from mobile digital devices, thereby enabling mobile digital devices to easily access the current commercial infrastructure. These techniques may be used to access many other goods and services in addition to conventional commercial services. The core enabling technology is the use of various elements commonly found on mobile digital devices to provide light that simulate a reflection of a scanning beam being moved across a static bar code image, and to confirm completion of the scan. The control system may interpret the light provided by the mobile digital device as merely a conventional identification type bar code, although the control system may be enhanced to identify and receive other types of information, including identity and credit information.
US07967204B2
A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device. The RFID device comprises an antenna assembly and a resonator assembly. The antenna assembly comprises a first substrate and an antenna element. The resonator assembly comprises a second substrate having an integrated circuit connected to a resonator loop. The first substrate and the second substrate are attached to one another. The integrated circuit electrically couples to the antenna element without a direct mechanical contact.
US07967200B2
The invention relates to an authorization verification method and devices suited therefor, which play back authorization data via a user interface (11) of an electronic playback device (1). During the playback of authorization data via the user interface (11) of a first playback device (1), the playback attributes are modified. The playback of authorization data via the user interface (11) of the first playback device (1) is compared with the playback of reference data via a user interface (21) of a second electronic playback device (2). Authorization is granted in the event the playback of authorization data via the user interface (11) of the first playback device (1) matches the playback of reference data via the user interface (21) of the second playback device (2), and modifications of the playback attributes are, in essence, time-synchronized. The dynamic modification of the playback attributes during the playback of authorization data and playback of the reference data render practically impossible the unauthorized copying of image contents or audio contents for falsifying an authorization. In addition, a simultaneous playback of authorization data and reference data render unnecessary inquiries made to an authorization center (3).
US07967184B2
A semiconductor package having a low profile is disclosed. In embodiments, a surface mounted component may be mounted directly to the core of the semiconductor package substrate, so that there is no conductive layer, plating layers or solder paste between the component and the substrate core. The surface mounted component may be any type of component which may be surface mounted on a substrate according to an SMT process, including for example passive components and various packaged semiconductors.
US07967183B2
The invention relates to a method for repairing components comprising a base material with an oriented microstructure, wherein the repair point comprises a correspondingly oriented microstructure as the surrounding base material. According to the inventive method, solder is applied in the region of a point which is to be repaired and is soldered to the component by means of a heating effect produced by a device. A temperature gradient, i.e., approximately a temperature characteristic, is produced during the heating effect, said temperature characteristic ranging from a high to a low temperature in the region of the point which is to be repaired.
US07967181B2
There are disclosed rotary cutting systems for use with circular surgical stapling devices. The rotary cutting systems generally include a circular knife blade and a mainspring for imparting rotary motion to the circular knife blade. A latch mechanism is provided to maintain the knife blade on a linear travel path during a first predetermined distance and to release the circular knife blade for rotation due to the bias of the mainspring along a second predetermine distance. The circular knife blade may be rotated by the mainspring itself or, in an alternative embodiment, may be driven by frictional engagement with a rotational hammer.
US07967177B2
A combustion-operated setting tool (10) for driving in fastening elements, includes a combustion chamber (15), a ventilator (16), and a motor (17) for driving the ventilator (16). The motor (17) is mounted in a receptacle (20) of a motor-supporting member (21) and is supported at least at one of its axial ends (24, 25) by an annular damping element (30) at a wall portion (22, 23) defining the receptacle (20), with an annular recess (33) arranged at the circumference of the annular damping element (30).
US07967171B2
A manually operated liquid foaming dispenser is attached to the top of a container of liquid and is manually reciprocated to dispense the liquid from the container as a foam. The dispenser includes a liquid pump chamber and an air pump chamber that respectively pump liquid and air under pressure to a discharge passage of the pump where the liquid and air are mixed, generating the foam dispensed from the dispenser. The air pump chamber has a tube valve controlling the discharge of air from the air pump to the discharge passage, and the air pump chamber is charged with air by opening the air pump chamber to the exterior environment of the dispenser.
US07967166B2
A storage system comprising: an evacuable and reclosable bag comprising a wall made of a flexible material and a one-way valve attached to said wall of said bag; a container having walls made of a material less flexible than the flexible material; and an attachment device that attaches the bag to the container such that at least a portion of the bag resides within the container. To use this storage system, compressible articles are placed inside the evacuable bag. Then the bag is hermetically sealed and evacuated. During evacuation, the shape of the compressible articles inside the bag conform to the shape of the container interior volume. In one embodiment, when the bag with compressed articles is removed from the container, its shape facilitates stacking. In another embodiment, the storage bag with compressed articles remains inside the container.
US07967162B2
An undercut for a blow-molded container is provided and may include a top surface, first and second side surfaces, and first and second end surfaces. The side surfaces are connected to the top surface, and the side surfaces may be substantially flat, substantially parallel with one another, and substantially perpendicular with the top surface. The first end surface is connected to the top surface and the side surfaces, and may be positioned at an obtuse angle relative to the top surface. The second end surface is connected to the top surface and side surfaces. The second end surface may include a tip portion and a concave arc portion. The tip portion may be flat and extend from the top surface at an acute angle. The concave arc portion extends from the tip portion and underlies the top surface to form a hook-shaped fastener for attaching an object to the undercut.
US07967160B2
An assembly for storage and controlled dispensing of unit products, constituted by a container for bulk storage of the products, a device for reclosably closing the container, including a dehydrating device, and a flow-limiting device for dispensing products. The flow-limiting device includes (a) a tearable membrane connected to the edge of the dispensing aperture and totally blocking the aperture and equipped with a gripping and pulling device, and (b) a passage allowing for a gas exchange and preventing, by virtue of its restricted dimensions, the dispensing of the packaged products.
US07967156B2
A storage system includes a rear frame, a plurality of divider panels, and a plurality of shelving panels. The divider panels include a first divider panel and a second divider panel, each divider panel having a front vertical bar and a rear vertical bar, each divider panel being removably connected to the rear frame adjacent the rear vertical bar. A plurality of U-shaped connectors are provided in spaced apart manner along the front vertical bars and the rear vertical bars of each divider panel. Each shelving panel has a four-sided configuration that defines four corners, with each corner of each shelving panel fitted inside a U-shaped connector.
US07967154B1
A display support system for releasably supporting a plurality of product-containing containers for display and sales of the products contained therein. The system includes at least one container having an open top end, a bottom end wall, and at least one generally vertical side wall adjoined to the bottom end wall defining a bottom corner and the open top end and forming an interior for containing a plurality of products; and a product display adapted to be supported on a flat surface, which may be formed of cardboard or wire rod. The display has at least one depending retention member for releasably receiving and engaging the top end of the container side wall, and at least one corner support member disposed a distance vertically below a respective retention member having a protruding support surface for receiving and supporting the bottom corner and a portion of the bottom end of the container having its side wall engaged with the retention member.
US07967147B2
A substrate storage container includes a container body capable of storing a plurality of substrates in array, a lidding body, and a retainer for retaining substrates therebetween. The retainer includes a plurality of flexible and elastic pieces that are extended from the interior side of the lidding body in the direction of substrates stored in the container body and arranged in the direction of the array of the plurality of substrates, and holding groove pieces each formed with the elastic piece for touching and holding the rim of the substrate. The elastic piece with holding groove piece is gradually curved outwardly with respect to the width direction of the substrate from the interior side of the lidding body toward the substrate, so as to reduce the contact-holding area of the holding groove piece with the rim of the substrate.
US07967146B2
A portion of a container includes a plurality of first resilient support members having a first height. The first resilient support members are configured to contact an edge of a component placed in the container. A plurality of second support members each have a second, smaller height. The second support members are arranged relative to the first resilient support members such that the second support members contact the edge of the component if corresponding ones of the first resilient support members deflect a sufficient amount.
US07967118B2
An impact absorber device includes at least one first portion having a short tubular shape, and at least one second portion having a short tubular shape concentrically disposed in a stacked relationship with the first portion. The first portion and the second portion engage with each other at an engagement portion which is inclined with respect to a concentric axis of the first portion and the second portion. With this arrangement, impact energy is absorbed in the case of collision accidents of vehicles such as an automobile and trains, and the dropping accidents of lifts such as elevators.
US07967115B2
The invention relates to a brake disc, particularly an internally ventilated brake disc, having at least one friction ring (12), which is connected to a brake-disc chamber (14) via fastening elements, the fastening elements taking the form of threaded bolts (19), which have a cylindrical section (22) and a threaded section (21), which can be screwed into the brake-disc chamber (14) in such a way that the cylindrical section (22) of the threaded bolt (19) extends outward in the radial force direction over an outer circumference (25) of the brake-disc chamber (14), and that the cylindrical sections (22) engage in holding sections (34) of the friction ring (12) and take up the friction ring so as to form an annular gap (36) with respect to the brake-disc chamber (14).
US07967113B2
The invention provides a system and method for handling power outages in a multiple car elevator system in a building having a plurality of floors. The system includes an energy calculator connected to the elevators, and determines a total energy of the elevator system, a total energy required to handle a power outage, a plan to prepare for a power outage and a plan to handle a power outage. The system also includes a movement controller connected to the elevator(s) and the energy calculator. The movement controller receives the plan to prepare and the plan to handle from the energy calculator, and the movement controller executes the plan to prepare if there is no power outage and the movement controller executes the plan to handle if there is a power outage.
US07967112B2
This invention provides a high-volume check stand with a front transport that has two belted input conveyors so that a customer can load one belt while the cashier is checking out products purchased by a second customer on the second belt. This two belt module has a flush rear end to which is attached a scanner that can be slid from one belt to the other. Preferably this check stand has an output module which has two belts and two rollers so that the check stand can use a bagger on each side for bagging the items, to speed checkout time. Embodiments of this check stand may have an output module that is a carousel or a turntable. It could also have any combination of one or two conveyor belts and one or two rollers on an incline for use in packing the products. A scanner is placed between the flush rear end of the front transport and the flush front end of the output module. The scanner has means for either being slid transversely or rotated by the cashier between one belted conveyor and the other conveyer so that the cashier can move from scanning products on one conveyor to the other.
US07967095B2
A powered vehicle has a rear frame assembly and a front frame assembly that are pivotally attached to one another, and can be pivoted from a normal fully-extended operating position to a folded position in which the frame assemblies are positioned substantially adjacent to one another, effectively reducing overall vehicle length to about half. One or more latch members lock the front and rear frame assemblies in the fully-extended, normal operating position, and they may be used to lock the frame assemblies in the folded position. The seat support structure may be integrated with the front and rear frame assemblies such that pivoting the frame assemblies toward the folded position collapses the seat support. The steering tiller may also be collapsible toward the front frame assembly. The rear wheels may be mounted on a transaxle that is pivotally mounted on the rear frame assembly. An extendable handle may be provided to assist in the folding operation and to tow the collapsed vehicle on its anti-tip rollers.
US07967090B2
A hybrid drive system includes an engine; at least one rotating electric machine, wherein the engine and the at least one rotating electric machine are capable of driving a vehicle; and a controller. The controller starts a load limit control that limits a load exerted to the rotating electric machine when a temperature of the rotating electric machine exceeds a load limit start temperature; detects a loading state or a towing state of the vehicle; and determines the load limit start temperature based on the loading state or the towing state detected.
US07967087B2
A machine is provided. The machine has a forward direction of travel and includes a frame, at least one lift arm, a first torsion axle assembly, an undercarriage, and an endless track. The lift arm is pivotally attached to the frame. The first torsion axle assembly is attached to the frame and includes a first torsion arm, a first torsion shaft, and a first axle, with the first torsion shaft and the first axle extending from the first torsion arm. The undercarriage is attached to the first torsion axle assembly and the endless track encircles the undercarriage. One of the first torsion shaft and the first axle is attached to the frame and the other of the first torsion shaft and the first axle is attached to the undercarriage. The first torsion arm extends upward from the frame at an angle between 90 and 180 degrees from the forward direction of travel.
US07967084B2
An external water delivery system includes a water box front head, a collet configured to interface with the water box front head, a polymer sleeve configured to be positioned between the water box front head and the collet, a shank, and at least one seal positioned within the sleeve. The sleeve and seals are configured to provide a water chamber when coupled to the shank. An inner of the sleeve provides a bearing surface for the shank.
US07967078B2
It is an object of the invention to provide a rational forced vibration of a dynamic vibration reducer in an impact tool that linearly drives a tool bit in an axial direction of the tool bit via a swinging member.An impact tool includes a motor 111, a swinging member 129 that swings in the axial direction of a tool bit 119 by rotation of the motor 111, a driving element 141 that is caused to reciprocate by swinging movement of the swinging member 129 and a first air chamber 143a in which pressure is fluctuated by reciprocating movement of the driving element 141, and the tool bit 119 is driven by pressure fluctuations of the first air chamber 143a. The impact tool further includes a second air chamber 163 in which pressure is fluctuated by swinging movement of the swinging member 129, and a dynamic vibration reducer 151 having a weight 155 and an elastic element 157 which exerts a biasing force on the weight 155. The weight 155 under the biasing force of the elastic element 157 is forcibly vibrated by pressure fluctuations of the second air chamber 163.
US07967077B2
A packer (80) for establishing sealing engagement with a surface disposed in a wellbore includes a packer mandrel (90) and a seal assembly (100, 102, 104) slidably disposed about the packer mandrel (90). The seal assembly (100, 102, 104) has a running position and a radially expanded sealing position. A piston (122) is slidably disposed about the packer mandrel (90) and operably associated with the seal assembly (100, 102, 104). A collet assembly 145 is disposed about the packer mandrel (90) and is releasably coupled to the piston (122) such that radially inwardly shifting at least portion of the collet assembly (145) decouples the collet assembly (145) from the piston (122) allowing the piston (122) to shift longitudinally relative to the packer mandrel (90) which operates the seal assembly (100, 102, 104) from the running position to the radially expanded sealing position, thereby setting the packer (80).
US07967071B2
Apparatus and method for a providing a completion assembly for running at an end of a completion string which provides a remotely operable tubing mounted valve used to control the flow of fluids through the tubing in hostile well conditions. The tubing mounted completion assembly has a tubular body for connection in the string below a production packer with a through bore from a first inlet and a first outlet coaxially aligned with the string; a downhole electronic actuating mechanism, a downhole hydraulic pump and a hydraulically operated ball valve member. The actuating mechanism operates the hydraulic pump to provide a hydraulic control line to control movement the valve member from a first position, where the member is open and a through bore is created between the inlet and outlet of the assembly, to a second position, where the valve seals the throughbore and, finally, back to the first position.
US07967070B2
A subsea connector is disclosed. The connector includes a guide funnel assembly that may be coupled to a subsea structure. The guide funnel assembly may receive a shaft. The shaft may be coupled to a bend restrictor/limiter or a bend stiffener. The shaft may be received inside the guide funnel assembly. The shaft may include a recess. A latch assembly may be coupled to the guide funnel assembly. The latch assembly may include one or more dogs and a latch operating device. The dogs may be radially moveable in and out of the interior of the guide funnel assembly. The dogs may be inserted into the recess of the shaft to inhibit longitudinal axial movement between the shaft and the guide funnel assembly. The latch operating device may control the in and out radial movement of the dogs.
US07967068B2
Fluids viscosified with viscoelastic surfactants (VESs) may have their fluid loss properties improved with the presence of at least one mineral oil in combination with at least one particulate fluid loss control agent that may be an alkaline earth metal oxides, alkaline earth metal hydroxides, transition metal oxides, transition metal hydroxides, and mixtures thereof. The mineral oil may initially be dispersed oil droplets in an internal, discontinuous phase of the fluid. In one non-limiting embodiment, the mineral oil is added to the fluid after it has been substantially gelled. The particulate fluid loss control agent may be added in any order relative to the VES and the mineral oil fluid loss control agent. The mineral oil may enhance the ability of a particulate fluid loss control agent to reduce fluid loss. The presence of the mineral oil may also eventually reduce the viscosity of the VES-gelled aqueous fluid.
US07967051B2
A torsion coil spring type counterbalance system for an upward acting door includes one or more sleeves disposed over or within the spring coils and engageable with a pre-determined number of spring coils during operation of the spring to modify the spring rate to more closely approximate the required counterbalance forces exertable on the door when the door moves between open and closed positions. The counterbalance system is particularly advantageous for upward acting sectional doors which have one or more sections which are heavier than the other sections, including an uppermost section which may be heavier due to the provision of windows or other structural features of the section.
US07967040B1
A system for transferring a viscous liquid between containers that comprises a first container from which the liquid is to be drained, a second container for receiving the liquid, a first transfer lid that attaches to the first container, a second transfer lid that attaches to the second container and a transfer adapter that interconnects the lids. The first transfer lid has an outlet spout received into the transfer adapter, which is received in an inlet spout of the second transfer lid. The first container is inverted over the second container to drain liquid from the first container lid to the second container through the connected container lids. In an another configuration, the system is used with bottles and comprises a pair of bottle connectors that each engage a bottle and have interlocking members that join the connectors. In another embodiment liquid is transferred between a bottle and a container.
US07967009B2
A glazed solar collector with a frame surrounding an absorber (3a), an insulating layer (2) disposed beneath the absorber (3a) and a cover pane (4) spaced above the absorber (3a). Absorber tubing (3b) is connected to an supply header (15) and to an return header (16). The axis (X) of the supply/return header (15,16) is arranged at an angle to a plane (Z) coinciding with the cover pane (4) with the distance between the axis (X) and the plane (2) increasing along the axis (X) in a direction leading away from the collector.
US07967004B2
A modular burner for a cooking plate of a cooking appliance comprises a burner base (20) in turn comprising a framework (22), a burner base (21) which can be centrally assembled to the framework (22) and at least one cover for covering the framework (22) and the burner base (21).
US07967000B2
A paintball gun comprises: a body defining a gas storage chamber for connection to a source of pressurized gas, a breech into which paintballs can be loaded, and a hammer chamber; a bolt slidable in the breech and having a bolt inlet port; a hammer slidable in the hammer chamber and connected to the bolt; and a poppet valve comprising a valve body defining a valve inlet connected to the storage chamber, a valve outlet connected to the breech, and a blow back port connecting the inlet to the hammer chamber, and a valve member slidable in the valve body and movable between an open position, in which it allows gas to flow from the storage chamber through the valve inlet to the valve outlet, and a closed position in which it closes the valve, and a pair of magnets arranged to bias the poppet towards the closed position.
US07966999B2
A paintball loader system designed to efficiently deliver paintballs to a paintball gun. The drive mechanism is a screw-type design comprising a resilient auger. A microcontroller is programmed to automatically adjust the rotation of the auger based on data from multiple sensor points within the loader. The auger is mounted such that both rotational axial movements are enabled during operation. The axial movement of the auger is used to maintain a constant force on the paintballs awaiting loading within the paintball gun.
US07966998B2
The present invention is a nitrous oxide and fuel injection apparatus for an internal combustion engine and is used to increase horsepower for use such as in racing. It is mounted between the carburetor and the intake manifold having passages to allow the communication of the mixture from the carburetor to the intake manifold. The module supplies a center section that has two chambers one for fuel and one for nitrous oxide. The nitrous oxide and the fuel are feed to conduits exiting the module with the nitrous oxide conduit being inside of the fuel conduit. The feed conduits distal open ends is in or pointed at the intake runner form the nitrous oxide and fuel spray nozzle that will spray their mixture into the air and fuel mixture from the carburetor when the nitrous system is activated to give the increase in horsepower.
US07966994B2
A system for metering fuel to an engine. The system includes a fuel metering valve having a throttled inlet and a throttled outlet. The system also provides regulation of redundant pump supplies of fuel to the engine. The throttling of the inlet to the fuel metering valve is provided by a valve that also functions to selectively couple a second fuel pump to the fuel metering valve.
US07966988B2
Periodically heating a soot containing engine lubricant to a temperature in the range of about 115° C. to about 150° C. is effective in controlling soot induced viscosity increase of the lubricant. The period at which heating is conducted may be a function of the number of hours the engine has been operated or it may be based on the oil condition.
US07966985B2
A valve operating system that includes a drive shaft, a drive lever that is fixedly provided thereon and can pivot in a direction of movement of a valve body, a follower arm that is fixedly provided on the valve body, a link, a first connecting shaft that connects one end of the link and the drive lever, and a second connecting shaft that connects the other end of the link and the follower arm; in response to a movement of the valve body from a first position to a second position by pivoting of the drive lever, a center of the first connecting shaft approaches from one side a straight line connecting two centers of the drive shaft and the second connecting shaft, and after the valve body reaches the second position, further pivoting of the drive lever is carried out through a predetermined angle so that the center of the first connecting shaft moves to the other side of a dead point on the straight line. Thereby a valve body can be held at one position with hardly any dependence on the output of an actuator, thus greatly reducing the load on the actuator.
US07966979B2
A cooling device for emissions system electronics is disclosed. The cooling device may have a mount for an exhaust treatment device. The mount may have a framework comprising a plurality of rigid members. The cooling device may also have a passageway located within at least one rigid member of the plurality of rigid members. The passageway may be configured to transmit a flow of coolant. The cooling device may further have a plate coupled to the at least one rigid member and at least one electronic device coupled to the plate. The at least one electronic device may be associated with the exhaust treatment device.
US07966977B2
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the generation of superheated steam. According to the invention, essentially saturated or wet steam is generated in a main vessel in which superheating is technically not possible or only restrictedly possible and which is superheated in an auxiliary plant whereby the superheater of the auxiliary plant is controlled dependent upon the steam production of the main plant.
US07966975B2
The present invention is a ground-based tool for use by horses, livestock and other animals for such animals to scratch themselves without human intervention. The tool is configured and positioned to remove biting insects from animal undersides and to relieve any itching from such insects or from other causes. In a preferred embodiment the device comprises at least one anchor for securing the device to the ground such that a tuft of bristles extends upwardly to a height to allow an animal to scratch its own belly. The device is flexible yet strong enough to withstand the potentially large forces applied by a large animal standing over the device.
US07966972B2
The invention relates to a method for the incubation of eggs and to a device for the incubation of eggs. The incubation device includes a cabinet provided with a climate control for regulating the atmospheric humidity and temperature of the air that is to be passed through the cabinet, and at least one frame. At least one stack of trays positioned vertically above one another is arranged in the frame, each tray having a multiplicity of egg positions for receiving an egg. To turn the eggs, the trays of the stack can pivot to and fro through a defined pivot angle about a horizontal axis with respect to the frame. The vertical distance between the trays positioned above one another thereby changes. In the method, the trays are periodically pivoted through the defined pivot angle and the magnitude of the defined pivot angle is variable.
US07966963B1
An owl replica for deterring pests, having a plastic owl body; a plastic owl head; an unstable mount disposed between the body and head for free movement of the head relative to the body; and a powered assembly supported by the mount and operable to move with the mount relative to the body and enable intermittent powered movement of the head relative to the body without interfering with free movement of the head.
US07966960B2
A cover for use with an elongated opening associated with a transportable barge. The cover includes a number of inter-engageable cover sections, each exhibiting a lightweight plasticized construction and extending in both widthwise and lengthwise fashion relative to an upper lip edge defining an open perimeter of the barge. Each cover section exhibits pairs of opposing lifting eyes and associated locking pins, these being defined along outer extending side edge locations of each cover section and is adapted to securing the cover section upon the barge perimeter defining edge. At least one roller supported and traversable door is incorporated into each cover section and defines a selectively open location for accessing a cargo carrying interior associated with the barge.
US07966958B2
The present invention relates to a pontoon lift mechanism includes: a plurality of PVC tubing aligned in parallel; a portion of the plurality of PVC tubing including air filled PVC tubes; a portion of the plurality of PVC tubing including water filled PVC tubes; and an inlet valve and outlet valve provided for each PVC tube. The air filled PVC tubes and water filled PVC tubes abut each other and alternate in the parallel alignment of the tubes. The pontoon lift mechanism also includes a means to fill the air filled PVC tubes and the water filled PVC tubes, where said means to fill includes an air hose extending from an air supply valve and a water hose extending from a water supply valve.
US07966957B2
A device for use with an embroidery machine to hold an item or material to be embroidered between upper and lower hooping members, with the hooping members being secured to one another by use of a magnetic force, preferably with rare earth magnets, is disclosed. The magnets provide a solid, secure mating arrangement between the upper and lower hooping members without the need to adjust for different thicknesses of material. Compressible and/or frictional material may be attached to at least one hooping member to securely retain the item or material to be embroidered. One hooping member has interchangeable arms for attaching the mating hooping members to different brands of embroidery machines. One hooping member may also include a locating device for attaching the hooping members to a hooping device such as a hooping board.
US07966951B1
An apparatus for dispensing utilities at a selected location of a work station. The apparatus has a housing that has an upper peripheral portion and a pair of oppositely positioned sidewalls that extend downwardly from the upper peripheral portion. The housing defines a spatial region between the sidewalls. The housing has an opening that is bounded by the upper peripheral portion and in communication with the spatial region. An inner support structure is attached to and between the sidewalls of the housing and located within the spatial region of the housing. The inner support structure has sidewalls, a bottom portion and a pair of lengthwise panel members that define a spatial region of the inner support structure. The inner support structure has a generally “V” shape cross-section wherein the lengthwise panels are angulated with respect to the bottom portion and away from each other. A utility receptacle module is attached to each lengthwise panel. Each utility receptacle module has at least one utility receptacle that is in communication with and accessible through the spatial region of the inner support structure. A cable extends from each utility receptacle module and is in electrical signal communication with the utility receptacle. Two lid members are movably attached to the housing of the inner support structure. Each lid member is movable between a closed position and an open position that provides access to the spatial region of the inner support structure and the utility receptacles.
US07966949B2
An assembly for supporting at least one item while in transit within a vehicle having cushioned passenger seating. The assembly used during transit within a vehicle, has: a platform (for supporting the item) that has an aperture for receiving at least one primary support-post therethrough, and a plurality of recesses; an anchor for releasably securing the assembly between cushion structures within the vehicle is used (e.g., such that it can be wedged into the spacing between back support cushion and seat cushion). The anchor comprises a base member having a free end and a bulbous end, between which a pedestal extends having a recessed shape, such as a cup, for receiving a lower end of the primary support-post. The bulbous end can be fabricated integral with the base member, or made of one or more hinged-sections interconnected with the base member. At least a portion of the outer surface of the primary support-post is preferably threaded, around which a mating internally-threaded leveling ring can twist. Also, an assembly for supporting at least one item while in transit from location to location, wherein the anchor and primary support-post and leveling ring are not operationally assembled.
US07966944B1
A power generating system includes a railroad track configured to define a looped track; a series of railroad cars riding on and extending substantially the full length of the looped track forming a train loop; a drive gear mounted to the train loop and having a gear circumference substantially concentric with the looped track; and several turbine generators secured relative to the ground at the outer periphery of the drive gear, the turbine generators having individual generator pinion gears in meshed driving contact with the drive gear, so that movement of the train loop around the looped track causes the drive gear to rotate the generator pinion gears and thereby operate the turbine generators. The turbine generators preferably are electrically connected by cables to a power station. The train loop and track preferably include electromagnets for propelling the train loop around the looped track, and alternatively includes a diesel locomotive.
US07966940B2
A system comprising a cable held in suspension and a trolley traveling along the cable relies on a brake to control velocity and limit net downhill acceleration of the trolley. The trolley may include a brake pad positioned to contact the cable. At the downhill end of the ride, the lever actuating the brake is caught and lifted by a capture ring, thus relieving the braking load on the trolley. Also, the trolley engages a comparatively modest, second resistance mechanism, such as, for example, a system of springs, that gradually increases in resistance with distance of motion of the trolley thereagainst, bringing the trolley to a gradual halt at a rate to improve comfort of a rider and reduce acceleration forces (loads) on the trolley.
US07966916B2
A locking system for securing tools on an arbor. The locking system has a collar attached to the arbor, with the collar spaced from the tooling. A nut is placed over the collar and positioned next to the tools. The nut is then rotated to secure the nut between the collar and the tools.
US07966913B2
A hand tool device is provided that stops the user from banging knuckles/hands into other nearby structures. The hand tool, for instance a wrench, includes a knuckle-protecting wrench handle, a wrench jaw, and a throat positioned between and integrated with the knuckle-protecting wrench handle and the wrench jaw. The wrench jaw may be a fixed open-ended jaw, an adjustable jaw, a Stillson type jaw, or a Crescent type jaw. The handle has two spaced-apart handle sections that define an opening therebetween. The user grips one of the handle sections during operation of the hand tool, while positioning one or both hands in the central opening. The second handle section protects the user's hands during use.
US07966908B2
The invention relates to the automobile industry, is usable in transportation means differential drives capable of automatically blocking the wheels, and aimed at simplifying the self-blocking differential's design, reducing dimensions, easing the manufacturing, increasing the differential's strength and efficiency. The differential comprises a drive housing, provided with half-axial elements, arranged therein coaxially to each other, whose external surfaces are provided with helical grooves of an opposite spiral direction, rolling members in the form of balls fill in a chain manner at least one closed-loop channel arranged in the housing, and a part thereof made open for insertion of segments of the balls into the grooves. According to the invention, the longitudinal section of the channel is made of a rectangular longitudinal cross-section with rounded external corners, the transversal cross-section of branches of the channel is equal to the ball's diameter and the number of balls in the channel is odd.
US07966900B2
An actuator for a motor vehicle with an electric motor having an output shaft, a gearbox that is connected to the output shaft that includes a spindle nut, and a spindle that engages the spindle nut. The spindle nut comprises one main portion and at least one axial socket. The axial socket: (a) is solidly connected to the main portion, more specifically is integral with the main portion, (b) comprises an internal thread cooperating with the spindle and (c) is configured to be radially elastic. An elastic element is provided which fits against the axial socket and pushes the internal thread thereof into engagement with the spindle.
US07966890B2
A multi-axis fatigue testing device includes a multi-axis test fixture having a multiple input, multiple output mechanical linkage driven by a plurality of actuators and a controller operating each of the plurality of actuators in real time and in synchronization to produce user-defined multiple fatigue cycle profiles. At least one of the actuators driving the mechanical linkage acts against an artificial load characterized by a stiffness. The stiffness is selected to increase a resonance frequency of the test fixture to allow fatigue testing at higher frequencies for a wider range of samples.
US07966876B2
An apparatus (100) for obtaining a plurality of fluid samples in a subterranean well includes a carrier (104), a plurality of sampling chambers (102) and a pressure source (108) of the apparatus (100). The carrier (104) has a longitudinally extending internal fluid passageway (112) and a plurality of externally disposed chamber receiving slots (159). Each of sampling chamber (102) is positioned in one of the chamber receiving slots (159) of the carrier (104). The pressure source (108) is selectively in fluid communication with each of the sampling chambers (102) such that the pressure source (108) is operable to pressurize each of the sampling chambers (102) after the samples are obtained.
US07966869B2
An apparatus and method for detecting a cam phase of an engine provided with a variable valve timing mechanism able to vary a rotating phase of a camshaft relative to a crankshaft of the engine, which apparatus and method can detect the rotating phase in a short cycle. There is provided a cam angle sensor having a configuration of outputting a cam angle signal at each time when the camshaft rotates by a unit angle. At the same time, by lengthening an output cycle of the cam angle signal on a part thereof or by using a second cam angle sensor able to detect a reference cam angle position, a cam angle position to which individual cam angle signal corresponds is detected. Then, the rotating phase of the camshaft relative to the crankshaft can be detected, based on the detection result of the cam angle position based on the cam angle signal.
US07966868B1
A test facility provides high temperature, high pressure and high mass flow fluid to a test object to form a relatively large thermal gradient on the object. Energy in the fluid is recuperated to drive system components, such as a heat exchanger and a turbocharger compressor. A test chamber housing the test object can be arranged to conform to a contour of the test object. A control system permits independent variation of pressure, temperature, cooling fluid and fluid velocity, as well as mechanical loading on the test object. Noncontact, optical inspection measurement techniques can be employed to measure test chamber and/or test object parameters. The test object can be configured to direct cooling airflow to permit various temperature or pressure gradients to be implemented. The test facility is relatively inexpensive to operate and provides a significant cost advantage over testing conducted in a full gas turbine engine.
US07966865B2
The invention discloses an improved method and apparatus to statically equalize the span wise and chord wise moments of a detached plurality of radial projections. These detached radial projections are associated with a rotating assembly and constitute the majority of its rotating mass. When installed on the rotating assembly, the balanced radial projections will necessarily produce a center of rotating mass approximately concentric with its axis of rotation, thereby minimizing vibrations associated with its rotation. The method to statically equalize the span wise moments of the radial projections comprises first determining the span wise moment by finding the center of gravity and multiplying the distance from the center of gravity to the plane of attachment of the radial projection to the rotating assembly by its total weight.
US07966858B2
A bending tool that may be used for bending elongated works and in which the works are not likely to be damaged is provided. An angle formed by a blade parting line L1, L2 and an outside edge of a blade of each die is made larger than an angle formed by the blade parting line L1, L2 and an inside edge. An inner end edge of the bending block of one of dies is chamfered to be parallel to the outside edge of the blade and the inside edge is shorter than the length of the inner end edge 16C, 26C. The blade parting line L1 of one of the dies is located at a position further toward the blade parting line L2 of the other of the dies with respect to the center of the space between the blade parting line and the inner end edge of the bending block.
US07966847B2
An elongation resistant fabric, devices, and methods can include an elongation resistant yarn laid in a knit structure of the fabric between knit loops in selected adjacent wales and partially about the loop in one adjacent wale in predetermined courses. In this manner, the fabric can be adapted to resist elongation in a walewise direction along the length of the fabric. The elongation resistant fabric can be a mesh fabric. In a mesh fabric, the size and a shape of pores in the fabric can be maintained when the fabric is pulled in the walewise direction. The elongation resistant yarn can have a diameter larger than the individual diameters of other yarns in the fabric. The elongation resistant yarn can be, for example, a monofilament yarn, such as a polypropylene or polyester monofilament yarn.
US07966833B2
A turbine engine for an aircraft is disclosed. The engine includes a gas generator and a receiver driven by a power turbine. The receiver includes a propeller driven by a free power turbine provided with an outer case. The propeller includes a propeller case located radially outwards relatively to the outer case, and from which blades protrude radially outwards. The engine also includes an electric power generator. The rotor of the generator is centered on the longitudinal axis of the turbine engine, and is driven into rotation by the power turbine while being attached on the propeller case.
US07966824B2
Nozzle exit configurations and associated systems and methods are disclosed. An aircraft system in accordance with one embodiment includes a jet engine exhaust nozzle having an internal flow surface and an exit aperture, with the exit aperture having a perimeter that includes multiple projections extending in an aft direction. Aft portions of individual neighboring projections are spaced apart from each other by a gap, and a geometric feature of the multiple can change in a monotonic manner along at least a portion of the perimeter.
US07966818B2
A gas turbine combustion chamber includes an annular combustion chamber (3) confined by an outer (1) and an inner combustion chamber wall (2) and is provided with several fuel injection nozzles (4). Air deflectors (6) are arranged in a front-side area of the annular combustion chamber (3) over the entire combustion chamber annulus (5) concentrically around a combustion chamber axis (12) and fuel injection nozzles (4) are distributed essentially uniformly over the combustion chamber annulus (5).
US07966816B1
An internal combustion engine includes a number of power cylinders furnishing exhaust gases to at least two turbochargers having a common air inlet housing which is divided into a separate compressor housing for each of the turbochargers.
US07966811B2
An exhaust treatment system is provided having a tank configured to store a supply of reductant. The system also has a heat source configured to heat the reductant and a diverter valve configured to regulate the heat source.
US07966807B2
A cooling system for a gas turbine engine includes a non-rotating component extending into an engine flowpath, a vapor cooling assembly configured to transport thermal energy from a vaporization section to a condenser section through cyclical evaporation and condensation of a working medium sealed within the vapor cooling assembly, wherein the vaporization section is located at least partially within the non-rotating component, and wherein the condenser section is located outside the non-rotating component and away from the engine flowpath.
US07966797B2
A method of making colored monofilament ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin fishing line, comprising the steps of feeding a substantially untwisted multifilament ultrahigh molecular weight polyolefin yarn; coating the substantially untwisted multifilament yarn with a colorant; twisting the coated multifilament yarn; and heating the twisted multifilament yarn to a temperature and for a time sufficient to at least partially fuse adjacent filaments together while stretching the yarn. The resultant product is a colored monofilament fishing line that has improved color-fastness and abrasion resistance.
US07966795B2
A mowing device including a disc, the disc providing a mount for at least one knife, said knife being pivotably mounted to said disc by a pivot pin, said pivot pin defining a mounting axis, such that the knife can rotate about said pivot pin between a first extended position and any retracted position, said disc being constructed of a basic material thickness and comprising a mounting surface; said mowing device including a knife adapter comprising a cylindrical aperture and a projection; said pivot pin comprising a first cylindrical section of a first diameter to fit into said cylindrical aperture in said knife adapter, and a second cylindrical section, of a second diameter, with a groove defined by a groove width and a pin section thickness at the groove of a dimension less than said second diameter; said mowing device including a retainer constructed of a material thickness equal to or less than the width of said groove, with a key-hole shaped aperture defined by a first circular section with a first inside diameter larger than said second diameter of said pin and a slot shaped section with a width that is greater than said pin section thickness but less than said second diameter of said pivot pin; wherein said slot-shaped section of the retainer engages said groove of said pivot pin to retain said pivot pin while said projection of said knife adapter engages said retainer.
US07966793B2
Packaging apparatus modules include a frame with a base adapted to reside on a support floor, the frame having opposing right and left hand frame sides and at least one lateral beam that extends therebetween, the right and left hand frame sides comprising respective upwardly extending frame portions which are configured to reside on opposing sides of a longitudinal product travel path having an axially extending centerline; and a clipper mechanism configured to selectively attach to either one of the right and left hand frame sides in a manner that positions the clipper mechanism at a substantially common operative full-clip location in the product travel path when mounted to either the right or left hand frame sides to thereby allow build options with selectable mounting orientations.
US07966788B2
A method and a device for packaging product portions in a wrapper are proposed, wherein at least two webs of a packaging material are aligned parallel, with the longitudinal edges facing each other overlapping, and each transported towards one upwardly open folding shaft, the webs are severed transverse to the overlapping longitudinal edges, creating flat blanks of the wrappers, and the blanks are folded into the folding shaft , creating an upwardly open wrapper, whereupon the product portion is placed in the open wrappers and the upwardly protruding sections of the wrappers are then turned inward while overlapping. The blanks, whose inner edges overlap, are guided in frictional engagement to their folding position above the folding shafts, whereupon the longitudinal edges of the overlapping blanks facing each other are, lifted together , whereupon the blanks are released by releasing the frictional engagement.
US07966783B2
There can be provided a method of cladding a surface with panelling. The method can comprise: attaching a first panel support member to the surface, the first panel support member being configured to receive at least a part of a first edge of a panel comprising a core of woven and non-woven glass impregnated with resin and a surface finish of paper and melamine resin; placing the first edge in a position of co-operative reception with the first panel support member; and placing a second edge of the panel substantially opposite the first edge in a position of co-operative reception with a second panel support member, the second panel support member being configured to be attached to the surface.
US07966781B2
A profiled cover strip system (1) for finishing a bottom covering (2) on a step (3) open on at least one front side (4), the system having an upper covering profiled element (12). A facing device (16) having a facing cap (18) provided with a facing plate (17) for facing the profiled cover strip system (1) on the front side, and at least one facing cover strip (19, 20) separate from the facing cap (18), for facing the bottom covering on the front side (2), is used.
US07966780B2
There is described a wall structure for absorbing or transferring heat from or to the ground, the wall structure comprising a footing for the wall structure disposed in the ground below grade extending in the longitudinal direction of the wall structure, a vertical wall supported on and extending longitudinally in the direction of the footing, the vertical wall extending upwardly from the footing above grade to a predetermined height, and having upper, lower, interior, exterior and end surfaces, a sheath of insulation for enveloping the vertical wall's upper, end, interior and exterior surfaces and thermal conductors disposed in the wall structure to be in thermal communication with one another, at least some of the conductors extending outwardly from the footing into the ground, the thermal conductors facilitating heat transfer between the ground and the vertical wall.
US07966773B2
An apparatus disposed along and attached to a wall edge to mitigate wind-generated vortices and suction loads on the wall, suitable and convenient for both new constructions and retrofits of existing buildings. Preferred configurations are described and include such types as wall edge cap, wall edge windscreen and wall edge wind spoiler, each utilizing a distinctive primary aerodynamic mechanism, often with optional secondary mechanisms to enhance vortex-suppressing effects.
US07966769B2
A method and apparatus for containing, protecting, isolating, and individually identifying sets of one or more articles in a plurality of compartments such that information related to the sets can be easily and efficiently linked to the set. In an example of the apparatus, the apparatus has a compartment layer, a sealant layer, and indicia which may individually identify compartments. In another example, a method includes taking a compartment layer and sealant layer, loading compartments with sets of one or more articles, closing the compartment layer with the sealant layer, and identifying each compartment for each seed or portion thereof with a positionally-addressable ordered array of indicia on at least one of the layers of the package.
US07966768B2
A staking system for use with a self-watering growing container includes an outrigger structure at each longitudinal end. Each outrigger structure is mountable on the bottom of the growing container to provide stability. Two vertical stakes are attached to respective outrigger structures. Connectors at the top of each stake thus mount a horizontal stake element between the two connectors. A rim clamp secures the vertical stakes, clamping them on the lip of the plant growing container.
US07966767B2
A method of enhancing plant growth comprises the step of introducing an alkane into a location adjacent to a plant. The alkane can be introduced intermittently, and can be combined with another gas and/or nutrients. The alkane preferably comprises a butane substrate. The butane substrate can stimulate the growth of butane-utilizing bacteria, such as Aeromonas caviae, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Micrococcus varians, Aureobacterium esteroaromaticum, Aureobacterium barkeri, Rhodococcus fascians, Nocardia paradoxus, Comamonas acidovorans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The alkane can increase the amount of heterotrophic bacteria in the location adjacent to the plant, and thereby accelerate a heterotrophic nitrification process. The butane substrate can also stimulate the growth of butane-utilizing fungi. The method can also enhance the growth protists and/or prokaryotes. A system for enhancing plant growth in accordance with the method is also disclosed.
US07966765B2
In one aspect there is provided a blended mulch product which can be mixed with water and spray-applied to a ground surface to form an erosion control medium, the blended mulch product comprising: about 75% to about 92% by weight ligno-cellulosic fibers; about 1% to about 10% by weight substantially straight synthetic fibers; and a tackifier; wherein the substantially straight synthetic fibers maintain their substantially straight form in the blended mulch product and the erosion control medium. Also provided are slurries in which the blended mulch product is mixed with water to produce the slurry, the slurry is spray-applied to a ground surface and the slurry dries on the ground surface to form an erosion control medium.
US07966758B2
A method and apparatus for improved file folder identification is described. The apparatus includes a file tab having a tab portion rotatably coupled to a base. In one embodiment, a file folder identification apparatus is described. The apparatus includes a base comprising a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion adapted to couple to a file folder, the second coupling portion opposing the first coupling portion, and a tab portion comprising a temporary fastener detachably and rotatably coupled to the second coupling portion and a face configured to retain identification information.
US07966755B1
A combination name badge and compass includes a substantially planar substrate having a front surface that has name indicia thereon, and a rear surface and a clutch bar that includes spaced pins. The clutch bar is secured to the rear surface of the planar substrate with the pins extending away from the planar substrate. A magnetic circuit includes a pair of opposite polarity magnets mounted at the substrate. The magnetic circuit further includes a metal arrow that is coupled with the opposite polarity magnets to form the magnetic circuit. When the name badge is floated on a liquid surface the metal indicator points to magnetic north.
US07966745B2
Fluid bed granulation process comprising the step of cooling the granules in a cooling fluid bed (F2). At least part of the fluidizing air coming out from said cooling fluid bed (F2) is fed into the granulation fluid bed (F1).
US07966737B2
A kitchen appliance for cutting cuttable material such as vegetables, fruit, etc., with a main body. The appliance comprises a guide surface on which the cuttable material can be moved to and fro, and a blade which, for cutting, is arranged offset in relation to the guide surface so that a piece is cut off from a cuttable material moved on the guide surface in the guide direction toward the blade. The offset between the blade and the guide surface determines the cutting thickness. The appliance further comprises an exchangeable insert for modifying the cutting thickness.
US07966735B1
A toy scissors apparatus for modeling compound. The scissors apparatus has two handles, each handle connected to a respective mounting cap and to a respective rotatable scissor blade. Each of the blades is rotatable about its longitudinal axis between two positions about 180° apart so as to enable a choice of two different cutting edge regions for use. To alter cutting edges, the blade is pulled away from the mounting cap against a biasing force created by a spring, and then rotated.
US07966731B2
A shaving blade unit includes a housing having a front edge, a rear edge and side edges extending between the front and rear edges. One or more shaving blades are positioned between the front edge and the rear edge and have cutting edges arranged to define a first cutting region. The shaving unit further includes a discrete trimming blade assembly having a blade carrier with a cap, guard and a solitary trimming blade defining a second cutting region. A clip is arranged to retain the one or more shaving blades on the housing and function as an anode in an anode-cathode cell to inhibit corrosion of the shaving and trimming blades.
US07966729B2
The invention relates to a method for the economic production of entire fuselage cells of airplanes and to a site for carrying out the method. Differing from the conventional sectional assembly according to the invention separate shells (shell components) are attached to a substantially completed cockpit section and/or rear section. At this the half shell construction and the four shell construction as well as a combination hereof can be applied. Alternatively, the cockpit section and the rear section as well as the central wing box section can be aligned and positioned to each other in a site forming gaps in longitudinal direction. Subsequently, the shell components as well as the floor framework sections are adjusted circularly revolving between the sections and are ideally simultaneously connected to these by means of at least four cross-seams and a plurality of longitudinal seams.
US07966721B2
In order to mount an electronic component, a connection terminal of the electronic component is bonded to electrodes of a substrate. This is done by using solder paste which mixes solder particles in a thermosetting adhesive. The solder paste is supplied to the electrodes and a recess. Solder print parts are formed. The electronic component is mounted and the connection terminal and the main body of the electronic component are adhered to the solder print parts, and are heated in this state by reflow. As a result, the connection terminal and the electrodes are bonded by a solder junction.
US07966716B2
A method for assembling a direct drive generator assembly includes the steps of placing a rotor over a stator, leaving a gap therebetween. A magnetic hub is assembled using adjacent columns of magnets having opposed orientation, and placed in the air gap. Application of an input torque to generate cogging torque in first direction that offsets coggery torque in second direction.
US07966712B2
A system for molding and assembling a fluid spray device, said system comprising two multi-cavity molds (B, C; B′; C′) for molding two different parts (100, 200) of said fluid dispenser device, the system being characterized in that the first part (100) is a spray head and the second part (200) is an insert for assembling in said spray head (100), said system comprising means for assembling parts coming from each of the cavities of the first multi-cavity mold (B; B′) in pairs always with parts coming from a corresponding respective cavity of said second multi-cavity mold (C; C′), such that the same insert (200) is always assembled in the same spray head, thereby guaranteeing constant spraying performance for each dispenser device assembled from the same pair of cavities.
US07966711B2
A method and apparatus for attaching parts. A composite male fastening component is placed through at least a first part and a second part. The composite male fastener component preferably has a threaded portion. A composite female fastener component is positioned adjacent to and surrounding the threaded portion of the male fastener component. A portion of the composite female fastener component is caused to flow around and form into the threaded portion of the composite male fastener component. The portion of the composite female fastener component that flowed around and formed into the threaded portion of the composite male fastener component is re-solidified and re-consolidated such that the composite female fastener component is securely attached to the composite male fastener component thereby joining the mating parts.
US07966710B2
An article of cookware is assembled by the rivet attachment of a handle. The rivets are simultaneously attached to both the cookware vessel and the handle. The co-aligned holes for receiving the rivet in the wall of the cooking vessel and the handle flange are bevel such that exterior of the rivet is relatively flush with the interior of the cookware article and the exterior of the handle flange. Deformation of the rivet head also deforms the beveled edges of the through hole in the cookware article, locking it with the corresponding portion of the handle flange through hole.
US07966709B2
An article of cookware is assembled by the riveted attachment of a handle. Novel rivets are first attached from the interior of the cookware article via a flush hole such that the deformation of the cookware article around the rivet locks the rivet to the cookware article yet leaves the rivet head flush with the interior surface of the cookware article. The handle is subsequently attached by deforming the opposite end of the rivet.
US07966700B2
The invention includes a belt clip for mounting objects to a user's belt. The belt clip has a resilient U-shaped member portion and a hollow hanger member. The resilient U-shaped member portion having an upper end and a lower end with a U-bend portion at the upper end and parallel inner and outer walls extending downwardly from the U-bend. A gap is defined between the inner and outer walls for slidably engaging a belt. The hollow hanger member portion protrudes outwardly from the outer wall of the U-shaped member portion and has a generally downwardly facing wall with an aperture extending therethrough. The aperture provides a means for mounting objects to the belt.
US07966698B2
A modular hinge for mechanically connecting first and second parts of a handheld electronic device, said modular hinge comprising at least two hinge elements, each hinge element comprising an arm and a boss with a through hole for receiving wiring for electrically connecting the first and second parts, said arm being rotatably mounted on said boss, and wherein the hinge elements are mounted on a bracket with said through holes in alignment.
US07966696B2
A hinge, particularly for movable pieces of furniture, has at least two stop parts connected in an articulated manner (which is to say a hinge arm and a hinge cup) for fastening to pieces of furniture. The hinge has a damping device for damping the hinge movement, and has a restoring mechanism, by which an actuating element of the damping device can be moved into a starting position for the next damping stroke after damping has taken place. The damping device and the restoring mechanism are disposed as separate components on the hinge cup. The damping device, which has no restoring mechanism, is disposed on a lateral wall of the hinge cup, and the restoring mechanism is disposed on an opposing lateral wall of the hinge cup.
US07966693B2
A hinge apparatus includes an upper body, a lower body, a shaft whose lower end portion is rotatably installed in the lower body, a piston whose outer circumference is slidably installed along the inner surface of the lower body, a rotational/linear motion converter which converts a rotational motion of the shaft into an axial linear motion of the piston, a damping unit provides a damping function selectively where the piston ascends according to return of the door, a torsion spring rotates the shaft in the door closing direction, and a clutch unit for stopping the elastic force due to reverse twisting of the spring or for restoring the elastic force of the spring.
US07966692B2
The present invention relates to a multi-cyclone dust collector and a vacuum cleaner employing the same that forms an upwardly whirling air current so as to separate contaminants. The multi-cyclone dust collector for the vacuum cleaner includes a first cyclone unit causing dust-laden air sucked through a lower portion of the first cyclone unit to form a first upwardly whirling air current so as to separate contaminants from the dust-laden air by centrifugal force, and a second cyclone unit disposed under the first cyclone unit and making partially clean air, which is discharged from the first cyclone unit and then sucked in a lower portion of the second cyclone unit, to form a second upwardly whirling air current so as to separate dust from the partially clean air by centrifugal force.
US07966690B2
A surface cleaning apparatus with a recovery tank that has side rails to facilitate alignment of the recovery tank with the base. The recovery tank can include a float assembly with a pivotable closure member. The recovery tank can have a lid with a handle and latch to secure the lid to the recovery tank. Further, the recovery tank can include a lid with a working air conduit mounted to the lid and removable from the recovery tank with the lid.
US07966687B2
An anti-smear cleaning swab for cleaning delicate surfaces, comprising a body defining an elongated shaft having two opposite ends. An enlarged blade is carried at one end of the handle. A number of bores are made through the blade, these bores enabling both fluid flow therethrough and also some retensive capture of fluid droplets. A fluid absorbing cloth sheet pocket generally encloses by folding same around the blade, and is sized to fit snugly therearound.
US07966684B2
A method and apparatus for drying a fabric load which has been wetted with a working fluid including the steps of flowing drying gas through a container holding the fabric load, sensing the non-aqueous working fluid concentration and the aqueous working fluid concentration in the wash liquor or in the headspace above the fabric within the container and controlling drying in response to the sensed working fluid concentration.
US07966673B1
An apparatus for use with a cap includes a rigid liner that is secured to an interior or exterior of the cap to provide impact protection over a portion of the forehead region, crown and temple area. An absorbent liner is preferably included if the cap does not include an interior liner. The absorbent liner absorbs perspiration from the brow of the wearer. An optional energy attenuating liner can also be included as an inner layer that is disposed adjacent to the rigid liner and intermediate the head of the wearer to more safely distribute kinetic energy. The energy attenuating liner can include a material that provides single-use only or multiple-use capability. The rigid liner and other components are either permanently attached to the cap or they may be detachably-attachable with respect to the cap or with respect to a remainder of the apparatus and replaced, as desired. Any preferred material may be used for any component part of the protective shield for a cap.
US07966669B1
A survival coverall has a main suit and adjustable telescopic limbs. The main suit is adapted to provide coverage for a torso and shoulders of a wearer. The adjustable telescopic limbs, each comprise a cuff, an outer shell, and a fastener. The cuff and the outer shell extend from the main suit. The outer shell is attached to the cuff at a primary attachment point creating a cuff overlap with an exposed side and inner suit side. The fastener is attached to the cuff overlap on the inner suit side which allows the cuff to attach to the outer shell at an adjustable secondary attachment point either shortening or elongating the adjustable telescopic limb.
US07971266B2
The present invention relates to a method for providing a measuring probe (1, 1a, 2) for a probe microscopic examination of a sample in a probe microscope, in particular a scanning probe microscope, in which the measuring probe (1), which has a probe base (1a) and a probe extension (2) formed thereon, is held on a carrier device and the measuring probe (1) is processed before or after a measurement by detaching a section of the probe extension (2). The invention further relates to an arrangement having a probe microscope for the probe microscopic examination of a sample, in particular a scanning probe microscope.
US07971262B2
Methods and software products are disclosed for protecting against software piracy. When a customer purchases software, the seller performs an activation process by identifying a unique computer identifier (ID) for the computer system of the customer, and activating the software based on the computer ID, such as by encoding the computer ID on the media storing the software. When the customer attempts to install the software on a computer system, the computer system executes an installation process. The computer system identifies its own computer ID and the computer ID used to activate the software. The computer system determines if its computer ID corresponds with the computer ID used to activate the software. If the computer IDs correspond, then the computer system is allowed to install the software. If not, the computer system is prevented from installing the software.
US07971261B2
In accordance with the domain management for digital media, a device accesses a domain administrator in order to obtain a domain membership license. The domain membership license indicates that the device is part of a domain that includes multiple devices associated with a user of the device. The device also obtains multiple pieces of protected content from multiple content providers, with two or more of the multiple content providers employing different digital rights management systems. The device also accesses a license server to obtain, for each piece of protected content, a content license that is bound to the domain. The content license permits the device to play back the piece of content to the user.
US07971258B1
A method for detecting malware in a computer that employs a production operating system during normal use is provided. The method includes activating on the computer a first operating system while the production operating system is dormant and ascertaining at least a portion of the production operating system that would be involved in booting up the computer if the production operating system had been activated instead. The method further includes scanning, while the first operating system is activated and while the production operating system is dormant, the portion of the production operating system. The method further includes neutralizing, while the first operating system is activated and while the production operating system is dormant, the malware responsive to the scanning.
US07971254B1
This invention relates generally to systems and methods for rapid, low-latency detection of viruses in network transmissions and specifically to methods for determining which parts of a network transmission might contain viruses and checking and cleaning only those parts of the transmission which could potentially be infected as soon as sufficient information is available for such a check.
US07971250B2
A system and method for providing data content analysis is disclosed. The system includes an intelligent switch in a local area network, where the intelligent switch has content analysis applications stored therein and is configured to apply one or more content analysis applications on a port-by-port basis. The method includes remotely updating one or more content analysis applications at intelligent switches of subscriber networks.
US07971237B2
An approach provides fraud detection in support of data communication services. A usage pattern associated with a particular account for remote access to a data network is monitored. The usage pattern is compared with a reference pattern specified for the account. A fraud alert is selectively generated based on the comparison.
US07971236B1
Method and system are provided where a memory key structure is used for authenticating access to a memory location that is registered for a remote direct memory access (RDMA) operation. The memory key structure not only includes a standard memory key that is expected by an RDMA enabled network interface card (RNIC), but also includes an endpoint network address identifier and a transport identifier. The endpoint network address identifier and the transport identifier are verified before an entity is granted access to the registered memory location.
US07971230B2
The present invention relates to a system and methodology to facilitate security for data items residing within (or associated with) a hierarchical database or storage structure. A database security system is provided having a hierarchical data structure associated with one or more data items. The system includes a security component that applies a security policy to the data items from a global location or region associated with a database. Various components and processes are employed to enable explicit and/or inherited security properties to be received by and propagated to the data items depending on the type of data structure encountered or processed.
US07971225B2
A device for and a method of decreasing the data rate of a digital return path link in a Cable Television Hybrid Fiber-Coax system (CATV system) is disclosed. At the node of the CATV system, the bandwidth of the a digital data stream representative of an analog return signal is limited to a desired frequency band. The bandwidth-limited data stream is then digitally re-sampled at a predetermined multiple of a center frequency of the frequency band. The re-sampled data stream is then separated into two data streams. Then, these separate data streams are digitally decimated to a lower data rate, interleaved and serialized for transmission to a head end of the CATV system. A reverse process reconstructs the original analog return signal's signal components within the desired frequency band at the head end.
US07971222B2
An interactive television system is provided in which an interactive television application is used to support network-based or local personal video recorder capabilities. A user may use this application to view lists of program listings. The user may select a program listing of interest. The interactive television application may allow the user to set a reminder for the selected program at the scheduled broadcast time. This application may also allow the user to set a reminder for the selected program at a later time at which the program is not scheduled to be broadcast. The user may be provided with a reminder at this later time. In response, the user may direct the network-based or local personal video recorder to play back the program or may defer the reminder again. The interactive television application may collect information on program usage and popularity to determine how long to retain certain programming.
US07971217B2
Meta data about content is converted into characteristic values. Each characteristic value is associated with one or more content segments of content. The content can be audio, video, or other data or combinations of data. Importance levels for content segments are determined from content scores. Content scores are generally an indication of how one person would rate a particular characteristic value. The content scores may be estimated by using previously determined scores of similar content segments. The similarity is preferably determined by a particular metric. A user may also supply his or her own content scores for content segments. The user profile content scores can be combined with the determined content scores or completely supplant these scores. Based on the importance levels for content scores for content segments, content segments may be packaged into a content digest that a user may view.
US07971215B1
A method, system and computer readable medium for managing media streams, the computer readable medium has computer-readable code embodied therein for sharing media content, the computer-readable code comprising instructions for: associating different program map tables with devices of different users that are scheduled to filter, at a certain point of time, streams that form a same program; wherein the different program map tables reflect streams that should be filtered by devices of the different users.
US07971211B2
The present invention provides a disk drive with a compact size that makes it possible to effectively utilize space within a disk drive and permits a straightforward layout of members.The disk drive comprises a disk holder 10 that has a plurality of holder plates 11 that individually hold disks D, a drive unit 62 that plays back disks D, disk selectors 41A and 41B that form a space above and below a desired disk D by raising and lowering the holder plates 11, and a drive base 60 that moves the drive unit 62 into the space that is formed by raising and lowering the holder plates 11. The opening amount of the disk holder 10 by the rise and fall of the holder plates 11 is fixed. The height of insertion of disk D into the disk holder 10 is on the upper side between the highest holder plate 11 and the lowest holder plate 11 when the disk holder 10 is open.
US07971204B2
A system and method of co-allocating resources within a compute environment are disclosed. The method embodiment of the invention comprises receiving a request for a reservation for a first type of resource, analyzing constraints and guarantees associated with the first type of resource, identifying a first group of resources that meet the request for the first type of resource and storing in a first list, receiving a request for a reservation for a second type of resource, analyzing constraints and guarantees associated with the second type of resource, identifying a second group of resources that meet the request for the second type of resource and storing in a second list, calculating a co-allocation parameter between the first group of resources and the second group of resources and reserving resources according to the calculated co-allocation parameter of the first group of resources and the second group of resources. The request may also request exclusivity of the reservation.
US07971201B2
A multiple operating device version program generating device for generating software for multiple versions of an operating device, has an environment file storage unit having environment file storage folders, prepared for multiple versions of an operating device, each storing environment files including a library, at least one source program, and a compile and link operation instruction file; a generation environment table defining storage positions of the versions of the operating device and the environment file storage folders; a generation environment storage unit storing the environment files when generating the software; a software generation environment construction unit for copying environment files for specific versions of the operating device in the generation environment storage unit; and a software generating processing unit for executing the compile and link operations based on the compile and link operation instruction files in the generation environment storage unit.
US07971199B1
A mobile device with a self-backup mechanism may conduct an implicit backup of update agent code during an update of firmware in the electronic device, using a package of update information. Another embodiment may perform an explicit backup of update agent code before the update of other firmware is performed. In an electronic device employing NAND flash non-volatile memory for firmware storage, a boot code may copy all firmware, including update agent code, from the non-volatile memory to RAM for execution. A determination may be made whether a backup copy of update agent code exists, and the existing update agent code may be updated by a copy of the update agent code stored in an area in RAM. An updated update agent code may be capable of employing update status data used by old update agent code, as well as update status data used by an updated update agent code.
US07971198B2
A resources sharing container having logic-linking mechanism for logically linking program code to pages, pages to applications and applications to solutions. The resources sharing container will have the ability to create finished solutions by using its logic functionalities (logic-linking, resources code, enhancements, etc.), application requirements (application pages and their programming code logic) and preconfigured enhancements (settings, translations, interfacing, securities, etc.), and have the final solution tailored to each user's prerequisites. Moreover, it will permit the creation of a global resource sharing of logically linked software code blocks, application pages and application page's settings that can be shared in house, over a network or globally over the Internet, thus, reducing replication and distribution costs, since all the developments, securities and enhancements are at the resources level at a single location.
US07971191B2
The present disclosure relates to a system and method for analyzing a process. Embodiments of the present invention may include obtaining a process execution trace including at least one subtrace, the process execution trace comprising at least one loop repetition. Further, embodiments may include removing loop repetitions within the process execution trace, identifying the subtrace as a point for data collection in a process, and collecting data related to the subtrace.
US07971189B2
An automated interaction diagram generation using source code breakpoints is presented. A user sets diagram breakpoints at locations in source code using an integrated development environment (IDE) that includes a diagram generation manager. The user sets the breakpoints at locations where the user wishes to capture the interaction between objects on an interaction diagram. The IDE executes the code and the diagram generation manager collects breakpoint data corresponding to the breakpoints. Once the source code finishes executing, the diagram generation manager formats the breakpoint data and generates an interaction diagram based upon the formatted breakpoint data. The user may instruct the diagram generation manager to add or remove detail from the interaction diagram by adjusting breakpoint attributes and/or adding/deleting breakpoints.
US07971185B2
The present invention provides a method for supporting data driving a software process. The method comprises receiving, from a user, input of a class of an object of a non-primitive data type; and providing to the user a description of the collection of attributes necessary to construct an instance of the object, based only on the class of the object. The step of receiving the class of the object is free of receiving a pre-existing instance of the data type. In further related embodiments, the method further comprises receiving, in a single user step, user input of defining attribute data necessary to create the instance of the object and set it into a desired state; and creating and initializing the instance of the object using the defining attribute data; wherein the defining attribute data does not include a pre-existing instance of the data type.
US07971175B2
Parameterized cells are cached and provided by the plug-in to increase the speed and efficiency of an application for circuit design. This allows source design to be read-interoperable and also enables some basic write-interoperability in the source design.
US07971169B1
A system for, and method of, reducing the generation of inconsequential violations resulting from timing analyses and an electronic design automation (EDA) tool incorporating the system or the method. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a timing violation identifier configured to identify at least some timing violations in a circuit based on a timing analysis, (2) an unsensitizable path identifier configured to identify at least some unsensitizable paths in the circuit and (3) a repair list generator coupled to the timing violation identifier and the unsensitizable path identifier and configured to generate a repair list based on both the at least some timing violations and the at least some unsensitizable paths.
US07971165B2
A verification apparatus that verifies whether a reference circuit and an implemented circuit are logically equivalent deletes, respectively therefrom, all buffers and an even number of inverters between flip-flops. On each of the circuits, the apparatus further deletes and merges a flip-flop to another flip-flop that is logically equivalent. The name of the deleted flip-flip is added to the name of the flip-flop to which it is merged. The apparatus compares all of the names of the flip-flops and pairs the flip-flops by name. From the input pin of each of the paired flip-flops, logic cones are defined and using these logic cones, comparison of and verification between the reference circuit and the implemented circuit is performed.
US07971160B2
A method for creating a pattern on a photomask includes steps of recognizing a space between main patterns by using pattern data which indicate the main patterns to be adjacently transferred onto a wafer, determining a 1st rule about arrangement of an assist pattern on the photomask, the assist pattern being adjacent to the main patterns and not being transferred onto the wafer, estimating a depth of focus in the presence of the assist pattern among the main patterns, determining a 2nd rule about arrangement of the assist pattern on the photomask to improve the depth of focus in the presence of the 1st assist pattern among the main patterns in a group having one or more number of appearance times of the space between main patterns, and correcting the assist pattern on the photomask using the assist pattern data on the basis of the 2nd rule.
US07971159B2
To provide a data generating method, device, and program that can generate drawing data for drawing the entire general design graphic data with an accuracy of about 1 to 4 nm in a drawing method or a drawing system adapted to draw gradation-controllable spotlights in a two-dimensional array. The data generating method is a method for generating, in an exposure system having a function of irradiating multigradation-controllable spotlights in a two-dimensional array onto a photosensitive film on a substrate, gradation values of the spotlights based on design graphic data. Using reference data classified by features of a graphic and describing in advance combinations of gradation values mapped to coordinate information of a graphic, the method discriminates the feature in the design graphic data near positions of the spotlights and selects the combination of the gradation values in the reference data corresponding to coordinate information of the positions of the spotlights, thereby determining the gradation values.
US07971149B2
A method for emphasizing differences between original and modified documents. The method includes displaying the original document with the original document defining an original document boundary and a first bitmap. The method includes displaying the modified document with the modified document defining a modified document boundary and a second bitmap. The method includes receiving a user-selected first reference point set including a plurality of reference points correlated to coordinates within the original document boundary. The method includes receiving a user-selected second reference point set including a plurality of reference points correlated to coordinates within the modified document boundary. The method includes transforming the first bitmap to a common reference using the first reference point set. The method includes transforming the second bitmap to the common reference using the second reference point set. The method includes comparing the bitmaps. The method includes displaying indicia related to the comparison of the bitmaps.
US07971141B1
A method of populating at least one form involving selecting a current completion option based on a previous completion option, obtaining a first completion process based on the current completion option, and populating the at least one form using the first completion process, wherein a format of the first completion process is determined by the selected current completion option.
US07971139B2
Determining correspondence, association, and/or correlation between nodes of electronic forms based on schemas of those forms is described. Importing, merging, and/or annotating data from one electronic form into another electronic form based on correspondence, association, and/or correlation between nodes is also described.
US07971138B2
A master specification is provided to specify a common design for a number of resultant web pages to be generated. The common design includes common content placement, and at least one of a common style and a common navigation arrangement. The content of a first resultant web page is defined employing a first subordinate web page specification, including reference to the master specification for content placement, and at least one of style and navigation. The content of a second resultant web page is similarly defined. In turn, the first and second resultant web pages are generated with first and second contents being placed, styled and/or having the common navigation arrangement in accordance with the master specification.
US07971137B2
A system and method for evaluating documents for approval or rejection and/or rating. The method comprises comparing the document to one or more criteria determining whether the document contains an element that is substantially identical to one or more of a visual element, an audio element or a textual element that is determined to be displeasing.
US07971133B2
A content administration system receives user identification information from a terminal device via the Internet. The content administration system then specifies content administration information storage means corresponding to the received user identification information. The content administration system acquires object path information correlated to sharing permission information from a content administration information storage means of another unspecified user. The content administration system then acquires an icon image from the icon image storage means. The content administration system then makes display control information for the content administration screen containing the icon leading to the object based on the acquired icon image and the acquired object path information. The content administration system transmits the made display control information to the terminal device via the Internet. As a result, an administrator of a web site does not have to add a content path corresponding to an HTML file when adding content to a web site administered by themselves or when sharing content with another web site.
US07971127B2
Data in non-volatile storage is decoded using iterative probabilistic decoding. An error correcting code such as a low density parity check code may be used. In one approach, initial reliability metrics, such as logarithmic likelihood ratios, are used in decoding sensed states of a set of non-volatile storage elements. The decoding attempts to converge by adjusting the reliability metrics for bits in code words which represent the sensed state. Simulated annealing using an adjustable temperature parameter based on a level of error in the data can be performed. The simulated annealing can introduce randomness, as noise for example, into the decoding process. Moreover, knowledge of the device characteristics can be used to guide the simulated annealing process rather than introducing absolute randomness. The introduction of a degree of randomness adds flexibility that permits possible faster convergence times and convergence in situations where data may otherwise be uncorrectable.
US07971126B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for hard disk drive redundancy. A demarcation module demarks a parity data block in each set of a specified number of data blocks on a hard disk drive. An association module associates a PBA of each un-demarked data block with a LBA. A write module writes the data to the un-demarked data blocks. A parity module calculates parity data for the data written to the un-demarked data blocks and the write module writes the parity data to the parity data block.
US07971125B2
Various systems and methods for generating and/or ordering error indications are disclosed herein. In some cases, the error indication is used as an erasure pointer in a memory access system. As one particular example, a system for ordering erasure pointers is disclosed that includes a group of N sort cells, where N is a whole number. Each of the sort cells is operable to maintain a respective error indication that includes an error value and an associated error pointer. Further, the group of N sort cells is operable to receive an incoming error indication including error value and associated error pointer, and to update the error indication of one or more of the group of N sort cells based in part on the incoming error value. The system also includes a selector circuit that is operable to allow selectable access to each of the respective error pointers maintained in the group of N sort cells.
US07971124B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for distinguishing correctable bit errors in memory. A bit error detection module detects a correctable bit error in memory. The correctable bit error is correctable using error-correcting code (“ECC”). A comparison module compares an error location indicator with a stored error location indicator. The error location indicator is a location of the correctable bit error. The stored error location indicator includes to at least one previously stored error location indicator of a previously detected correctable bit error. A storage module stores the error location indicator in response to the comparison module determining that the error location indicator differs from a stored error location indicator. A bit error counter module increases a random bit error counter if the comparison module determines that the error location indicator differs from a stored error location indicator and does not increase the random bit error counter otherwise.
US07971117B2
A test circuit of a semiconductor memory device for performing a test in cooperation with a tester having a plurality of input/output pins connected to a plurality of input/output lines. The test circuit may include a first comparing unit adapted to compare, on a bit-by-bit basis, read data that may be read from memory cells corresponding to an address with expected data, and to output the comparison results as first comparison signals, a second comparing unit adapted to perform a logic operation on the first comparison signals and to generate a flag signal when determining a failure of at least one of the memory cells on the basis of the operation result, and a storage unit adapted to store the first comparison signals in response to the flag signal.
US07971116B2
Disclosed is a semiconductor device including a BIST provided with a plurality of scan FFs (flip-flops), a data address signal generation circuit unit which respectively generates a data signal and an address signal based on a set value of a scan FF, WEB generation circuit unit which generates a signal WEB which controls writing to and reading data from the semiconductor memory based on an scan FF value, and a test signal control circuit unit which controls the data address signal generation circuit unit and the WEB generation circuit unit, based on a received control signal, controls selectors, and selects and controls, as data and address signals to be supplied to the memory, data signal and address signals from the data address signal generation circuit unit or data and address signals via a user defined circuit.
US07971113B2
A method for detecting disturb phenomena between neighboring blocks in non-volatile memory includes, sequentially erasing and writing test data (pattern) to each block of a plurality of blocks under test in the non-volatile memory at a first time point, dividing the plurality of blocks under test into a first block group and a second block group based on ordinal number included in each block of the plurality of blocks under test, reading data from each block of the first block group at a second time point, and comparing the data with the test data written at the first time point to generate a first detecting result, and determining applicability of each block of the first block group based on the first detecting result.
US07971106B2
A network appliance for monitoring, diagnosing and documenting problems among a plurality of devices and processes (objects) coupled to a computer network utilizes periodic polling and collection of object-generated trap data to monitor the status of objects on the computer network. The status of a multitude of objects is maintained in memory utilizing virtual state machines which contain a small amount of persistent data but which are modeled after one of a plurality of finite state machines. The memory further maintains dependency data related to each object which identifies parent/child relationships with other objects at the same or different layers of the OSI network protocol model. A decision engine verifies through on-demand polling that a device is down. A root cause analysis module utilizes status and dependency data to locate the highest object in the parent/child relationship tree that is affected to determine the root cause of a problem. Once a problem has been verified, a “case” is opened and notification alerts may be sent out to one or more devices. A user interface allows all objects within the network to be displayed with their respective status and their respective parent/child dependency objects in various formats.
US07971101B2
The systems and methods herein may be used for management and capturing of optical drive failure errors. One implementation of a method for capturing a failure error of an optical storage drive may include detecting the failure error of the optical storage drive. The failure error may be characterized by an error identifier, which may be stored in a drive memory. In certain embodiments, methods herein may also include storing media information available on optical storage media to the extent that such media information may be available. Among other advantages, storage of error identifiers and/or media information may aid manufacturers in diagnosing problems with returned optical storage drives.
US07971098B2
A method of booting a multi-processor data processing device includes establishing a link between a first processor and a memory. The link is monitored to determine if, in response to a request from the processor, expected initialization data is communicated between the memory and the first processor. If unexpected data is detected on the link, the link is severed and a new link established between a second processor and the memory to allow the second processor to initiate the boot process. This ensures that, in the event of an error in the boot process at the first processor, the device can complete the boot process, thereby reducing device downtime.
US07971095B2
System and methods for providing a recoverable real time multi-tasking computer system are disclosed. In one embodiment, a system comprises a real time computing environment, wherein the real time computing environment is adapted to execute one or more applications and wherein each application is time and space partitioned. The system further comprises a fault detection system adapted to detect one or more faults affecting the real time computing environment and a fault recovery system, wherein upon the detection of a fault the fault recovery system is adapted to restore a backup set of state variables.
US07971094B1
A failover module generates a user interface to enable an administrative user to define a failover plan for a primary site. The failover plan includes user-specified information for use by multiple operations of a failover process for failing over a server system from the primary site to a failover site. The failover plan can be stored as a data object on a computer system at the failover site. In the event of a serious failure at the primary site, the failover process can be invoked and carried out on the failover site with little or no human intervention, based on the failover plan, to cause the server system to be failed over to the failover site, thereby substantially reducing downtime of the server system and its data.
US07971089B2
When a server RM detects a failure in an operating server, a system resource manager selects a substitute server from a pool of a server domain to which a failed server belongs, based on information in a system resource DB, disconnects the failed server from a business network and a storage sub group and moves the failed server to a pool, and permits the substitute server to access a storage group to which the failed server had an access and to connect to the business network to which the failed server was connected, to boot up the substitute server from a SAN.
US07971088B2
A clock skew controller for adjusting a skew between a first clock, which is input to a first clock mesh, and a second clock mesh input to a second clock mesh, includes a pulse generator adapted to output a pulse signal corresponding to a delay time between a first output clock output from the first clock mesh and a second output clock output from the second clock mesh, a pulse width detector adapted to generate a digital signal corresponding to a pulse width of the pulse signal, and a clock delay adjuster adapted to delay one of the first and second clocks by a time corresponding to the digital signal.
US07971086B2
A system for activating and deactivating a hardware device including a first stage electronic deactivation unit operative, responsive to a deactivation request, to perform a first deactivation operation including deactivation of a first portion of the hardware device having low wake-up latency at a first time, a second stage electronic deactivation unit including a breaking distance timer activated subsequently to the deactivation request and operative to deactivate a second portion of the hardware device having high wake-up latency at a subsequent second time separated from the first time, and a power management system including a power source and a power supply regulator operative to control the supply of power in accordance with a selectable one of a plurality of regulator settings, selected using a hardware setting selector. Responsive to a wakeup event, the first portion of the hardware device is reactivated and the breaking distance timer is deactivated.
US07971083B2
An output system having an output device that performs output based on output data so that the output device performs the output after having acquired authentication. In the system, an operating state controlling unit outputs a power-save-cancel command for causing a power-saving state to be changed into an active state to a power-save switching unit after a device having an output data storing unit acquires the output data, and a transition-to-power-save command for causing the state to be changed from the active state to the power-saving state is outputted to the power-save switching unit when the output process of the output data is completed by an output process completion detecting unit.
US07971078B2
A method for measurement-based power and energy accounting for virtual machines distributed among at least one hosting device is disclosed. The method comprising determining an energy for the hosting device during a first time interval and a second time interval, partitioning a difference in the determined energy among virtual machines within a plurality of regions of the hosting device, determining a level of activity of each of the resources in each virtual machine within a corresponding one of the regions, determining an energy of each resource in each corresponding virtual machine wherein energy associated with resources shared among an plurality of virtual machines are allocated to a corresponding one of the virtual machines based on a number of requests made to the shared resource by the corresponding virtual machine, determining a total energy for each of the virtual machines in corresponding regions based on a level of activity of the virtual machine and the energy associated with the corresponding shared resources, and determining a power for each of the virtual machines by dividing the determined total energy by a length of the time interval.
US07971077B2
An information processing apparatus is disclosed as an example. The information processing apparatus sends data to an image forming apparatus and causes the image forming apparatus to generate an image. The information processing apparatus includes a receiving unit configured to receive information that is sent from an image forming apparatus and indicates whether the image forming apparatus has a power saving function, a determination unit configured to determine, on the basis of the information received by the receiving unit, whether the image forming apparatus has the power saving function, and a setting unit configured to perform setting on a communication program in the information processing apparatus so as to reduce a number of times a power saving mode of the image forming apparatus having the power saving function is released due to communication between the information processing apparatus and the image forming apparatus.
US07971076B2
A method for monitoring the supply voltage of an electronic device includes the steps of: determining an operating condition of the electronic device, adjusting a plurality of reference voltages dependent on the operating condition of the electronic device, wherein each of the plurality of reference voltages is adjusted at a different time, and comparing the supply voltage of the electronic device with at least one of the plurality of reference voltages.
US07971075B2
A midspan power sourcing equipment (PSE) that supports four-pair powering in a power over Ethernet (PoE) applications. The midspan PSE can provide power to two separate end devices using a single cable. To ensure compatibility with legacy Ethernet devices, the ports used for transmission of data are designed with a sufficient inductance level or a low effective impedance at a frequency of operation.
US07971073B2
Dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) is an effective way to reduce energy and power consumption in microprocessor units. Current implementations of DVFS suffer from inaccurate modeling of power requirements and usage, and from inaccurate characterization of the relationships between the applicable variables. A system and method is proposed that adjusts CPU frequency and voltage based on run-time calculations of the workload processing time, as well as a calculation of performance sensitivity with respect to CPU frequency. The system and method are processor independent, and can be applied to either an entire system as a unit, or individually to each process running on a system.
US07971071B2
A method of securing a digital object with a secure hardware adjunct in communication with a digital device, comprising configuring the digital object on the secure hardware adjunct so that the digital object may be portable among digital devices, executing a first portion of code on the digital device, and providing predefined digital rights verification and enforcement located on the secure hardware adjunct.
US07971070B2
A recorder system contains a media key block (MKB) and selectively writes protected content into a recording medium according to the following content protection logic, to combat theft of the protected content: If the medium does not have a MKB, then the recorder writes its stored MKB into the medium and writes protected content into the medium. If the medium has a MKB that is older than the stored MKB in the recorder, then the recorder writes its stored MKB into the medium before re-encrypting and writing protected content into the medium. If the medium has a MKB that is newer than the stored MKB, then the MKB in the medium is used for content protection. The recorder may store the newer MKB in non-volatile memory, effectively updating its previous stored MKB, so the recorder will have the most recently observed MKB for content protection use.
US07971049B2
A computer system may include a virtual configuration settings package that captures a user's configuration settings in a user layer. The user layer may represent the files, registry entries, and the like, that make up the virtualized configuration settings. The configuration settings may be captured by filtering file system requests through a virtualization driver. The file system requests that are associated with the user's configuration settings may be redirected to the user layer. Virtualizing the configuration settings may make them much simpler to manage. The virtual configuration settings package may be selectively activated or deactivated, imported and exported, reset, deleted, and so forth. The user layer may include configuration settings from the operating system, applications, and the like.
US07971043B2
An electronic system includes a pipeline having a first number of pipeline stages coupled in series, a pipeline control unit, and a logic engine, wherein each pipeline stage in the pipeline is for outputting data to a next pipeline stage at each cycle of a clock signal. The pipeline control unit is for changing the first number of pipeline stages in the pipeline to a second number of pipeline stages. The logic engine is for performing operations of the electronic system in a first mode by utilizing the pipeline having the first number of pipeline stages and for performing operations of the electronic system in a second mode by utilizing the pipeline having the second number of pipeline stages. A frequency control unit and a voltage control unit, coupled to the pipeline and the logic engine, respectively adjust the frequency and voltage of the electronic system accordingly.
US07971042B2
Systems and methods for recording instruction sequences in a microprocessor having a dynamically decoupleable extended instruction pipeline. A record instruction including a record start address is sent to the extended pipeline. The extended pipeline thus begins recording the subsequent instruction sequence at the specified address until an end record instruction is encountered. The end record instruction is recorded as the last instruction in the sequence. The main pipeline may then call the instruction sequence by sending a run instruction including the start address for the desired sequence to the extended pipeline. This run instruction causes the extended pipeline to begin autonomously executing the recorded sequence until the end record instruction is encountered. This instruction causes the extended pipeline to cease autonomous execution and to return to executing instructions supplied by the main pipeline.
US07971040B2
The disclosure relates to a method for executing by a processor an instruction for saving/restoring several internal registers of the processor. The method comprises breaking down the saving/restoring instruction to generate micro-instructions for saving/restoring the content of a register, executing each of the micro-instructions, initializing a progress status of the saving/restoration of the registers, updating the progress status of the saving/restoration upon each generation of a micro-instruction for saving/restoring a register, saving the progress status in the event of an interruption in the saving/restoration of the registers to execute a higher-priority task, and restoring the progress status when the saving/restoration of the registers is resumed.
US07971023B2
In order to maintain a memory system's performance levels to its end-of-life, latency threshold level(s) are specified and associated with different memory system operating parameters. In one embodiment, the memory system monitors and gathers performance statistics in real time, and in accordance with specific memory transfer sizes. A current latency level can be dynamically calculated using the performance statistics and compared to previously established latency threshold levels. If the current latency level is greater than or equal to a specific latency threshold level, the memory system's configuration setting can be adjusted according to the operating parameters associated with the latency threshold level to offset the increased latency.
US07971001B2
Methods for a treatment of cached objects are described. In one embodiment, management of a region of a cache is configured with an eviction policy plug-in. The eviction policy plug-in includes an eviction timing component and a sorting component, with the eviction timing component including code to implement an eviction timing method, and the eviction timing method to trigger eviction of an object from the region of cache. The sorting component includes code to implement a sorting method to identify an object that is eligible for eviction from said region of cache. The sorting method includes identifying an object for eviction that is cached in the region of cache and that has been used least recently compared to other objects that are cached in the region of cache.
US07970993B2
A rotating parity redundant array of independent disk (RAID) and a method for storing parity of the same are provided. The rotating parity RAID comprises a first˜a third disk. The first disk has A1˜Am blocks for storing A1˜Am data respectively. The second disk has B1˜Bm blocks for storing B1˜Bm data respectively. The third disk has C1˜Cm blocks for storing C1˜Cm data respectively. The Cn+k data is an nth parity data obtained from the An data and the Bn data. The Bn+k+1 data is an (n+1)th parity data obtained from the Cn+1 data and the An+1 data. The An+k+2 data is an (n+2)th parity data obtained from the Bn+2 data and the Cn+2 data.
US07970991B2
A storage control apparatus capable of rapidly carrying out data processing according to requests from upper order apparatus, and capable of rapidly returning the results of processing to the upper order apparatus is provided. A computer system comprised of upper order apparatus and storage control apparatus is disclosed. The upper order apparatus accesses a virtual volume. A pool volume is allocated to the virtual volume. The pool volume is provided with a storage region of storage discs. The pool volume classifies data sent from the upper order apparatus for every type into text data, block data, and large sized data. The storage control apparatus then recognizes the types of data and stores the data on respective volumes.
US07970989B2
A hard disk cache includes entries to be written to a disk, and also includes ordering information describing the order that they should be written to the disk. Data may be written from the cache to the disk in the order specified by the ordering information. In some situations, data may be written out of order. Further, in some situations, clean data from the cache may be combined with dirty data from the cache when performing a cache flush.
US07970988B2
A recording medium, such as a high-density and/or optical recording medium and apparatus and methods for recording to and reproducing from the recording medium, in order to initialize, reinitialize, format, and/or re-format the high-density and/or optical recording medium.
US07970987B2
Data in less than all of the pages of a non-volatile memory block are updated by programming the new data in unused pages of either the same or another block. In order to prevent having to copy unchanged pages of data into the new block, or to program flags into superceded pages of data, the pages of new data are identified by the same logical address as the pages of data which they superceded and a time stamp is added to note when each page was written. When reading the data, the most recent pages of data are used and the older superceded pages of data are ignored. This technique is also applied to metablocks that include one block from each of several different units of a memory array, by directing all page updates to a single unused block in one of the units.
US07970985B2
The present invention presents techniques for the linking of physical blocks of a non-volatile memory into composite logical structures or “metablocks”. After determining an initial linking of good physical blocks into metablocks, a record of the linking is maintained in the non-volatile memory where it can be readily accessed when needed. In one set of embodiments, the initially linking is deterministically formed according to an algorithm and can be optimized according to the pattern of any bad blocks in the memory. As additional bad blocks arise, the linking is updated using by replacing the bad blocks in a linking with good blocks, preferably in the same sub-array of the memory as the block that they are replacing.
US07970979B1
A high performance field programmable gate array is described with one or more signal processing engines coupled to a programmable logic fabric. Each signal processing engine includes a signal processing unit for performing specifying tasks and a bus-based configurable connection box for routing a bus-based input to a bus-based output. The signal processing unit has a floating point unit (FPU)/multiply accumulate (MAC) for computation and register files for storing information. The programmable logic fabric is coupled to the one or more signal processing engines for routing of information between the signal processing engines.
US07970970B2
In one embodiment, a switch is configured to be coupled to an interconnect. The switch comprises a plurality of storage locations and an arbiter control circuit coupled to the plurality of storage locations. The plurality of storage locations are configured to store a plurality of requests transmitted by a plurality of agents. The arbiter control circuit is configured to arbitrate among the plurality of requests stored in the plurality of storage locations. A selected request is the winner of the arbitration, and the switch is configured to transmit the selected request from one of the plurality of storage locations onto the interconnect. In another embodiment, a system comprises a plurality of agents, an interconnect, and the switch coupled to the plurality of agents and the interconnect. In another embodiment, a method is contemplated.
US07970969B2
In a method of communication on a multidrop bus of a magnetic resonance system, an adaptive protocol script for telegrams on the multidrop bus is used, that implements adaptive protocol matching using telegram start characters, addresses and frame-type binding. For this purpose, a telegram frame is divided into a link layer and a service layer, the link layer being device-based and being responsible for differentiating addresses and frame types, and enabling devices that use different communication protocols to be simultaneously present on the bus. The service layer represents the load of the link layer, and its service script is operation-based, and the service layer provides, for the exterior, interfaces that are independent of the communication protocols used by the devices.
US07970968B2
This invention relates to an information-signal-processing apparatus etc. for performing a series of processing pieces by using plural functional blocks in response to any information signals, in which functions can be easily upgraded through version upgrading of the functional blocks. Control block 110 issues a common command and transmits it to a control block 120 via a control bus 111. Control I/F 120 of the functional block 120 converts this common command into an intra-functional-block command if the common command is the common command related to its own functional block, and supplies the functional section 120e with it. This enables the functional block 120 to operate adaptively in accordance with the common command. When performing upgrade of the functions by the version updating of a predetermined function block, the common command need not be changed.
US07970959B2
A DMA transfer system includes a DMA controller having at least one channel coupled to a system bus, the DMA controller configured to perform a DMA transfer via the system bus according to a DMA transfer setting of the at least one channel, and a DMAC control unit coupled to the DMA controller, wherein the DMAC control unit includes a plurality of virtual channels configured to have respective DMA transfer settings made thereto, a virtual channel arbiter configured to select one of the plurality of virtual channels, and a DMA setting circuit configured to read a DMA transfer setting of the selected virtual channel to write the read DMA transfer setting to the at least one channel of the DMA controller.
US07970954B2
A method can include, during a boot flow at an information handling system, receiving an initial device path related to a device that is integrated with or coupled to the information handling system. The method can also include identifying a system-specific device location table based on a node included in the initial device path and receiving a particular alternate location string associated with the node at the system-specific location table. Further, the method can include adding the particular alternate location string to an alternate device path string related to the device and outputting the alternate device path to a user after the alternate device path includes an alternate location string associated with each node of the initial device path.
US07970940B1
A technique to reduce the latency of a remote DNS lookup operation is disclosed. More specifically, a machine-readable medium, method, device, and system are described that scan a document when it is retrieved from the Internet. The scan takes place for one or more patterns, where each pattern denotes an Internet host name. The technique then asynchronously causes an Internet Domain Name System (DNS) server to translate each Internet host name pattern discovered from the document scan to an associated Internet Protocol (IP) address. The technique then asynchronously stores each translated IP address in a local DNS cache.
US07970935B2
A content distribution system in which content is distributed from a broadcasting station via a plurality of nodes connected in a hierarchical tree structure, including: a base tree obtained by connecting the plurality of nodes in a hierarchical tree structure using the broadcasting station as an apex; an extension tree obtained by connecting the plurality of other nodes in a hierarchical tree structure using, as an apex, a first root node as any of the nodes included in the base tree; and a topology controller for controlling a topology of each of the nodes belonging to the base tree.The first root node controls the topology of each of the nodes belonging to the extension tree using the first root node as an apex.
US07970927B1
A method and system for concurrent processing transmit requests uses transmit queue including a circular buffer and a queue state including a producer index, a consumer index, and a producer list. Producer processes write to the circular buffer concurrently. The producer list signals which portion of the circular buffer are allocated to each of the producer processes.
US07970920B1
Disclosed herein are methods and systems for selecting a coding scheme for application-session content in an application session between a server and a client device. In an exemplary embodiment, the client device receives application-session content from the server via a communication path that comprises a wireless link. An exemplary method may involve (a) at the client device, determining current values of one or more quality-of-service indicators, wherein the quality-of-service indicators are indicative of quality of service over the wireless link; and (b) using the current values of the quality-of-service indicators as a basis for selecting a coding scheme that should be used to encode forthcoming applicant-session content. Further, if the selected coding scheme differs from the coding scheme being used by the server, the client device may request that the application server use the selected coding scheme.
US07970917B2
A system renting out file servers to many companies in a data center has a security problem so that the user cannot perform operation needing manager authorization in the file servers. An OS provides execution administrative area information of an application program designated by process information which can specify the range of an accessible device to operate the server system of the customer in the administrative area information.
US07970910B2
A terminal apparatus for forwarding/sharing a data service is provided. The terminal apparatus for forwarding/sharing the data service includes a service receiver to receive the data service from a service provision apparatus; a connector to perform a connection with a corresponding terminal; and a service forwarding unit to forward the data service to the corresponding terminal via the connection with the corresponding terminal.
US07970906B2
A method is provided for allocating resources by a Base Station (BS) in a wireless communication system. The method includes persistently allocating one or more resource slots among a plurality of resource slots, the persistently allocated one or more resource slots being allocated to corresponding one or more Mobile Stations (MSs), de-allocating at least one persistently allocated resource slot of the one or more persistently allocated resource slots, determining whether a hole is created due to the de-allocation among the one or more persistently allocated resource slots not de-allocated, and shifting a location of at least one of the one or more non-de-allocated persistently allocated resource slots when it is determined that the hole is created due to the de-allocation.
US07970894B1
A method and a system for detecting access point devices that provide unauthorized wireless access to local area computer networks is provided. The method includes transferring one or more marker packets to the wired portion of the local area network. The one or more marker packets include an authentication data that is computed based at least upon identify of the wirelessly active access point device and a secret key. The method includes processing one or more wireless frames transmitted from the wirelessly active access point device to extract and to verify at least a portion of the authentication data.
US07970885B2
The present specification related to a method for interacting with a user and terminal thereof. The present specification provides a terminal comprising a first module adapted to receive a scheduling context including scheduled device management from a server and to install the received scheduling context, and a second module adapted to provide one or more of notification to a user about the scheduled device management, and an option allowing the user to modify the scheduled device management before performing the scheduled device management.
US07970884B1
A method, system and computer program product for distributing intermediate data of a multistage computer application to a plurality of computers. In one embodiment, a data manager calculates data usage demand of generated intermediate data. A computer manager calculates a computer usage, which is the sum of all data usage demand of each stored intermediate data at the computer. A scheduler selects a target computer from the plurality of computers for storage of the generated intermediate data at such that a variance of the computer usage demand across the plurality of computers is minimized.
US07970880B2
A computer program product is presented for recovering a server blade, in a multiple server blade computer, that is lost during a flash update operation on a service processor in the server blade. Because of the flash update failure, the lost server blade is unaware of its location on a management pathway, which in an exemplary form may be a midplane or a bus, which connects the server blade and a management module in a server blade chassis. The lost server blade puts a signal on the management pathway indicating that the flash failed. The signal is put on a special channel reserved for such messages. The management module receives the signal, and then determines which of the multiple server blades are lost due to the flash update failure.
US07970878B1
A method of limiting domain name server (DNS) transaction bandwidth comprises intercepting one or more DNS packets, examining said one or more packets for the presence of a suspect transaction criterion and, if said suspect transaction criterion is present, implementing a transaction bandwidth limitation action.
US07970874B2
The present invention provides redirection for a web page request for an old URL received at a web server. In an embodiment, a web page request from an end-user is redirected to a Common Gateway Interface (“CGI”) script for handling the web page redirection. In an embodiment, the CGI script includes a routine for matching an old URL to a new URL provided in a lookup table. In an embodiment, each web page of an old URL has a corresponding new URL such that an end-user trying to access a web page using an old URL is always directed to a corresponding new web page, or to a relevant page if a corresponding new page does not exist. In another embodiment, a customized message may be associated with a match between an old URL and a new URL, and the customized message may be displayed prior to redirection.
US07970864B2
Systems and media for detecting outbound Nagling on a TCP network connection are disclosed. Embodiments may include creating by a sender computer one or more segments to be transmitted to a receiver computer and determining by the sender computer whether any of the one or more segments to be transmitted are small segments and determining whether a previously transmitted small segment is unacknowledged by the receiver computer. If the previously transmitted small segment is unacknowledged by the receiver computer and at least one of the segments to be transmitted is a small segment, embodiments may also include detecting by the sender computer a Nagling condition on the network connection. Further embodiments may include modifying a Nagle algorithm configuration of the network connection in response to the detected Nagling condition by turning off the Nagle algorithm or reducing a delayed acknowledgement timer for the network connection.
US07970862B2
Provided is a Web Services Response Template (WSRT) that addresses the problems of efficiency and robustness to change in Web Services response by allowing a requestor to explicitly specify, in a response template what information is to be returned by the request. A requestor of a web service gets just the information it needs; different requestors of the same operation may get different information; and a responder sends the requestor only what is asked for so there is no problem when new information becomes available. WSRTs are specifically designed to allow the type of control needed in program-to-program (P2P) communication, while being very efficiently and simply processed by a web service. Thus, WSRTs address difficulties that arise in typical distributed, P2P communication without adding much overhead or complexity to either a service requestor or a service provider. The efficiency and flexibility afforded by WSRTs is essential to emerging enterprise architectures based on SOA (Service Oriented Architecture).
US07970861B2
Systems, methods, and computer storage media for load balancing at a client device in a distributed computing environment based on a dynamic validity duration and utilization metrics of one or more data stores are provided. The client device selects a data store from a plurality of data stores that each maintains a copy of a datum. The selection of data stores by a client is based on utilization metrics of the data stores. The utilization metrics are stored at the client. A data store determines if a request for a particular datum may be fulfilled within a validity period associated with a request from the client. The validity period is dynamically changed by the client across multiple requests to aid in the load balancing process. Additionally, a gossip protocol may be used to propagate utilization metrics of a plurality of data stores across the system.
US07970854B2
A method and system for requesting prints of digital images displayed online is disclosed. The present invention provides a network-based photosharing system that includes a plurality of peer nodes that contain images and that are capable of communicating with other peer nodes. The method and system include allowing a user of a first one of the peer nodes to invite at least one visitor to view images hosted on the first peer node, and allowing the visitor to browse the images on the first peer node and to select one or more images to print by filling-out a print request form that identifies only the visitor and the selected images. The method and system further include notifying the user of the submission of the print request form, wherein once notified, the user accesses the print request form, prints the selected images, and delivers the prints to the visitor.
US07970846B2
Systems and methods for integrating instant messaging (IM) services and email services are described. In one embodiment, the email services and IM services are integrated through an address book database. The address book database correlates email information of a contact with a reference identifier (ID). Additionally, one or more IM addresses of the contact are also correlated to the reference ID, thereby permitting further correlation of a contacts IM information with the contacts email information.
US07970843B2
A multi-user e-mail messaging system is described that is interfaced through the Internet and includes a first user group sharing a first server, which first server is interfaced to the Internet. In this system, after an e-mail message has been originated by an originating user of the first user group, the e-mail message is directed onto an e-mail enhancement path, and additional content is added to the e-mail message using the e-mail enhancement path to produce an enhanced e-mail message. Thereafter, the enhanced e-mail message from the e-mail enhancement path to the intended recipient. In one feature, the path taken by an incoming e-mail message is different from an outgoing path taken by an e-mail message sent from the first user group. The outgoing path defined to the intended recipient includes the enhancement path.
US07970837B2
A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for initiating a session in a virtual world. An instant messaging system (IMS) comprises a registry of IMS user identifiers cross-referenced to their corresponding virtual world user identifiers. A first IMS user implements a virtual world invitation module as a result of an IMS session to invite a second IMS user to participate in a virtual world session. The first IMS user selects the IMS user identifier of the second IMS user, followed by selection of a target virtual world and a virtual world identifier. Once completed, the invitation is sent the IMS user identifier of the second IMS user, who receives the invitation and signifies their acceptance or declination. If accepted, the cross-referenced virtual world user identifiers of the first and second IMS users are used to log them into the agreed-upon virtual world venue and initiate a virtual world session.
US07970830B2
A system includes a computing cloud having at least one data storage unit and at least one processing unit. The computing cloud is configured to provide at least one service. The system also includes a client configured to communicate with the computing cloud and to selectively offload data to the computing cloud based upon one or more specified criteria. The client is also configured to offload processes to the computing cloud based upon the one or more specified criteria and to use the at least one service of the computing cloud. At least one of the specified criteria may be based upon a determination of whether the data is required for at least one real time process and/or a determination of whether each process is required for at least one real time process. The system may be used in a data storage and retention application or in an industrial automation application.
US07970825B2
A process and system for metasearching on a distributed network activated by a request executed on a client device to request a metasearch engine to send a plurality of search queries to a plurality of social network server devices, each of the plurality of search queries comprising a keyword phrase, each of the keyword phrases comprising at least one keyword, at least two of the keyword phrases of the plurality of search queries being different from each other, comprising incorporating, by the metasearch engine, received search results into at least two different display lists corresponding to the at least two different keyword phrases, communicating a response comprising the at least two different display lists to the client device, optionally incorporating at least one advertisement associated with at least one of the at least two keyword phrases into the response and/or means for inputting and ordering at least one item.
US07970823B2
System and method for sharing data objects among applications. A portion of the data messages includes data objects. A client library is coupled to a requesting application. A client library requests data objects of a data-object set. Requests from the client library are received and parsed by a set of code (SOC) that performs tasks so as to retrieve any matching data objects and cause the return of such matching data objects to the client library. A registration module registers subscriptions from or on behalf of the applications and an event notification module compares a data object in an event message with the subscriptions and notifies the subscribed applications in response. The system can respond to requests in either a query or a procedure call format.
US07970809B2
A method is presided for masking a process used in generating a random number sequence. The method includes generating a random number sequence. This step involves selectively generating the random number sequence utilizing a ring structure which has been punctured. The method also includes performing a mixed radix conversion to convert the random number sequence from a first number base to a second number base. The method further includes puncturing the ring structure by removing at least one element therefrom to eliminate a statistical artifact in the random number sequence expressed in the second number base. The first number base and second number base are selected so that they are respectively defined by a first Galois field characteristic and a second Galois field characteristic.
US07970806B2
Management of files in a memory, such as a flash memory, includes storing in the memory a first node including a first type of metadata of the file, a second node including data of the file and a third node including a second type of metadata of the file including file status and memory location information for the first and second nodes. The third node may include a node including memory location information for the second node and a node including an index table that cross-references a memory location for the memory location information for the second node to a memory location of the first node. Methods and devices may be provided.
US07970805B2
The invention provides a method for managing the data in the removable storage device. The method includes: applying or organizing or establishing or re-building the file managing system of the storage medium of said removable storage device according to the uses of said memory chips; and utilizing said file managing system to perform the corresponding processing in said memory chips according to the operation instructions of the host system, which is connected with said file managing system. By applying the method for managing the data in the removable storage device, which the invention provides, the capacity of the removable storage device can be extended, and the storage medium can be updated, thus the data security, the functions and the convenience of the system are increased.
US07970801B1
A method for communicating data includes selecting a portion of data for communication to a remote computer with the data portion in device-dependent format and comprising at least an integer, a real number, or a binary value. A portable buffer is generated based on the selected data portion, the portable buffer comprising at least one device-independent data representation. The portable buffer is communicated to the remote computer for processing the data portion in a second device-dependent format.
US07970783B2
A system and method of producing a business report from data contained in a computer based business intelligence system, is provided. The method includes defining one or more macro functions, and producing a report layout containing one or more macrotized database language expressions. The macrotized database language expression having at least one of the macro functions. The method includes produce one or more valid database language expressions for a database query by modifying the one or more macrotized database language expressions in dependence upon the return value of the at least one of the macro functions, and applying the one or more valid database language expressions to one or more database to produce the business report.
US07970782B1
Systems and methods are provided for filtering data in a database using an execution plan. The execution plan has a first processing pass against the database that calculates a filter set using a filter criteria, and a second processing pass against the filter set that calculates a report result.
US07970779B2
An application programming interface configured to transform data responsive to a transform process definition. The transform process definition is interpreted concurrently with the transformation process. This interpretation dynamically determines navigation within, and processing of, the data to be transformed. Under control of the transform process definition, a transform engine is configured to transform input data using recursive calls to a transformation process. The recursive approach is responsive to data structures within the transform process definition and simplifies operations such as parallel processing, load-balancing of transformation tasks, nesting, un-nesting, filtering, and the like.
US07970776B1
Apparatus, methods, and computer code for monitoring a database and for determining estimated aggregate disk-sort wait times for a database statement and/or database table and/or database index and/or database session are described. A description of database performance may be presented to a user in accordance with the determined aggregate disk-sort wait time(s).
US07970774B2
An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a method, system, and storage medium for providing web-based electronic research and presentation functions via a document creation application. The method includes scanning an active document on a computer to identify relevant keywords, searching a database for reference materials relating to the relevant keywords, and displaying relevant reference materials on the computer. The method further includes deploying process software for providing the web-based electronic research and presentation functions via a document creation application. The deployment includes installing the process software on a server, identifying server addresses for users accessing the process software on the server, sending the process software to the server and copying the process software to a file system of the server. The deployment also includes sending the process software to a client computer and executing the process software on the client computer.
US07970773B1
Systems and methods for determining a set of variation-phrases from a collection of documents in a document corpus is presented. Potential variation-phrase pairs among the various documents in the document corpus are identified. The identified potential variation-phrase pairs are then added to a variation-phrase set. The potential variation-phrase pairs in the variation-phrase set are filtered to remove those potential variation-phrase pairs that do not satisfy a predetermined criteria. After filtering the variation-phrase set, the resulting variation-phrase set is stored in a data store.
US07970759B2
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for inferring a probability of a first inference absent from a database at which a query regarding the inference is received. Each datum of the database is conformed to the dimensions of the database. Each datum of the plurality of data has associated metadata and an associated key. The associated metadata includes data regarding cohorts associated with the corresponding datum, data regarding hierarchies associated with the corresponding datum, data regarding a corresponding source of the datum, and data regarding probabilities associated with integrity, reliability, and importance of each associated datum. The query is used as a frame of reference for the search. The database returns a probability of the correctness of the first inference based on the query and on the data.
US07970748B2
The invention is a reorganization system having a reorganization application, a database management system, and one or more database files. The reorganization application communicates with the database management system and the one or more database files to reorganize an object, such as, for example, a table or index, while providing one or more clients substantially continuous access to the object. The reorganization application employs one or more trigger locks to synchronize the data in an original table and a reorganized table. The one or more trigger locks block select data modification operations while allowing one or more read-only operations and structural modification operations.
US07970745B2
Creating a relational database table that identifies at least one application as belonging to a logical group. All components that belong to the logical group are listed and a unique schema name is created for each component by combining a logical schema name of each component with a designated system name for the component. Each component co-exists in a single database instance.
US07970744B2
According to an aspect of the present invention, information indicating the list of referrer documents referring to a referred document, is maintained. Thus, when the document identifier (name and directory location of the document) changes, the list of referrer documents that need to be changed can be easily identified. In an embodiment, the administrators of the referrer document are notified (e.g., by an automatic email) of the change of the document identifier of the referred document. According to another aspect of the present invention, a first mapping of the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of each web accessible page/document to a virtual link is maintained in a web server. The content server maintains a second mapping of the virtual link to the document identifier. Thus, when the document identifier changes, only the second map in the content server needs to be updated for continued access of the content.
US07970737B2
A transaction system that allows for analysis and administration at the global transaction participant level is disclosed.
US07970735B2
A data processing and analysis system is provided. The system includes an analysis engine that queries one or more components of data. A rules component specifies a relationship between at least one dimension of the data with respect to at least one other dimension of the data in order to facilitate an analysis of the data. In one example, the analysis engine is provided as an online analytical processing component.
US07970723B2
Described herein is technology for, among other things, enabling use of custom expressions in a rules engine. The rules engine may be used in conjunction with a workflow. The technology involves providing a custom expression with access to validation context and execution context of the workflow. The custom expression can then participate in rules engine validation and execution. Furthermore, the technology allows for variables of the custom expression to be analyzed so that the rules engine can discover the variable dependencies of the custom expression and any side effects that drive forward chaining.
US07970721B2
A system and method that facilitates and effectuates making an inference related to objects of interest within a context. A web projection component can generate sub graphs by projecting objects of interest onto a web graph representing a superset or partially overlapping set of objects to the objects of interest. An inference component can provide inferences relating to the quality of the objects of interest, adjustments to the context, and patterns recognized from graphical properties of the sub graphs.
US07970717B2
A method and apparatus based on transposition to speed up learning computations on sparse data are disclosed. For example, the method receives an support vector comprising at least one feature represented by one non-zero entry. The method then identifies at least one column within a matrix with non-zero entries, wherein the at least one column is identified in accordance with the at least one feature of the support vector. The method then performs kernel computations using successive list merging on the at least one identified column of the matrix and the support vector to derive a result vector, wherein the result vector is used in a data learning function.
US07970716B2
Provided are a method for expressing emotion and intention in remote interaction and a real emoticon system thereof. The system includes a real emotitoy and a terminal. The real emotitoy senses an input pattern corresponding to sensing information from outside and operates according to an expressing pattern corresponding to sensing information. The terminal generates a real emoticon by corresponding at least one of input pattern information and expression pattern information from the real emotitoy to visual symbolization information, transfers expression pattern information of a real emoticon transmitted from the outside to the real emotitoy, and transfers input pattern information of a real emoticon from the real emotitoy to the outside, where the input pattern information is created by selecting and combining at least one of input patterns and the expression pattern information is created by selecting and combining at least one of expression patterns.
US07970712B2
The invention provides method of displaying strengths of social relationships between users of a computerized network. The invention evaluates network information, such as network communications, between one user of the network and other users of the network to produce metrics. The invention then normalizes the metrics from the perspective of the viewing user to produce relationship values representing strengths of social relationships between the viewing user and the other users. The invention classifies the relationship values into different groups, and optionally assigns context commands to each of the groups. The invention places each of the other users in one of the groups (according to their relationship value) and then displays a listing of the other users and their associated group identifications. The invention can assign different indicators to each of the groups, wherein the display links corresponding indicators to each of the other users to graphically identify the group in which each of the other users was placed. The display can utilize numbers, characters, sizes, fonts, character sets, icons, graphic features, colors, motions, speeds, and/or directions to graphically distinguish and identify the group in which each of the other users was placed. The displaying is primarily directed to and for use by the viewing user, but other users can use the invention to study relationships of a particular individual.
US07970707B2
Systems and methods for the dynamic processing of royalties are disclosed. Sales records are processed on a transaction basis rather than in batch mode. This process also allows correction of information retroactively, rather than delaying the entire processing of the information. One embodiment includes a system comprising a message broker in communication with a plurality of clients and services, a state machine, a processor and a time manager. The message broker interacts with the processor to execute a common service based on events produced by the state machine. Another embodiment includes a method comprising providing a rate matrix, receiving a sales record from a database and calculating a royalty payment using the sales record and the rate matrix.
US07970697B2
A system and method are provided for modifying how market updates are provided in an electronic trading environment upon detecting one or more triggering events. One example method includes defining an event to be used to trigger modification of how market updates are provided to a client entity, receiving a market update from an electronic exchange, and, when the event is detected, modifying how the market update is provided to the client entity. As an example, the modification of how the market update is provided to the client entity may include providing less data in relation to market updates, and sending the market updates less frequently.
US07970695B2
A system for managing trading orders comprises a memory operable to store an order associated with a first price. The system further comprises a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and operable to identify a latency value. The processor is further operable to receive a counterorder and to identify a potential trade associated with the order and the counterorder, the potential trade based at least in part on the first price. If the latency value satisfies a configurable condition, the processor is further operable to initiate a configurable period of time. If the potential trade is not valid upon expiration of the configurable period, the processor is further operable to prevent the execution of the potential trade.
US07970690B2
In an automated leads-and-bids exchange system, bid profiles are defined to describe desires of lead buyers. Received leads are matched to active ones of the bid profiles whose specifications the leads substantially match. An auctioning subsystem finds the highest one or group of bids for each given lead. A quality rating database rates the quality of leads provided by different sellers. A price discounting engine discounts the amount paid to sellers who are rated as inferior sources of leads.
US07970687B2
A system for determining a basket of financial instruments for hedging investment risk in actively managed exchange traded funds is described. The system uses a trusted computer system and includes a computer storage medium storing a computer program product. The product determines the basket of hedging instruments by extracting factor information from a portfolio of the actively managed exchange traded fund and determining factors that affect the price of the exchange traded fund. The program can select a portfolio of instruments with similar behavior with respect to the determined factors to produce a hedging portfolio that tracks the price of the exchange traded fund.
US07970684B1
A method for creating an investment fund and selling shares in the fund to individual investors, each of whom has an investment ratio defined by a dollar amount of direct real estate investments held by the investor outside of the fund divided by a dollar amount of shares in the fund held by the individual investor. A target range of the investment ratio is selected for the fund. A target geographical region is selected where individual investors in the fund hold the direct real estate investments. A model composite portfolio is identified having an asset combination that includes: (i) direct real estate investment held by an individual investor in the target geographical region, and (ii) shares in the fund held by the individual investor. The asset combination in the model composite portfolio has an investment ratio that is within the target range. An optimal fund asset allocation is selected for the composite model portfolio in order to diversify and/or hedge risks associated with the direct real estate investment held by the model composite portfolio. Shares of the fund are sold to individual investors that hold direct real estate investments in the target geographic region and have investment ratios in the target range.
US07970683B2
In an embodiment one or more alternate entity structures are created in response to a base entity structure. A tax liability is determined for each alternate entity structure and the base entity structure; furthermore, a result is generated in response to comparing each of the determined tax liabilities with one another.
US07970673B2
A financial institution may use the bank routing and account number information (ABA/DDA) of a checking account or the like, obtained from paper checks previously submitted by a customer, in an electronic payment program. When a customer who has previously paid a credit balance by check, for example, wants to enroll in the electronic payment program, an abbreviated enrollment process is provided in which the consumer only enters a portion of bank routing information, instead of having to enter the full ABA/DDA as in the standard enrollment procedure. In some cases, the customer may leave such information blank and needs only to confirm that the stored bank account information corresponds to the account being used for the electronic payment.
US07970672B2
Systems and methods are described that determine which offers for credit-based transactions (if any) to market to a person. Each offer is associated with a set of third party demographic information criteria, a set of lender demographic information criteria, and a set of lender credit data criteria. The set of third party demographic information criteria is applied to a set of offers to determine a first subset of offers. The set of lender demographic information criteria is applied to the first subset of offers to determine a second subset of offers. The set of lender credit data criteria is applied to the second subset of offers to determine a third subset of offers.
US07970670B2
Systems and methods are provided for providing a credit default futures market. A system providing the credit default futures market includes a processor, memory and an interface. The interface is configured to display credit default futures contracts that subscribe to a set of standard terms and conditions. The processor is configured to settle certain credit futures contracts in kind and other in cash, depending on, at least in part, the maturity date of the futures contract. A method is presented for electronically clearing and settling probability of default futures contracts.
US07970668B2
A system and method of reconciliation processing that automates multiple steps of data validation. One of the key steps of reconciliation is the review and validation of the input and outputs. An embodiment of this invention includes the maintenance of an automated checklist of the various reconciliation steps, which enables maintaining an audit trail and the generation of metrics. A web-based system can be implemented to achieve the objectives of improving the reconciliation process and utilizing computerized controls.
US07970666B1
One embodiment of the invention includes a method and system to provide a mobile device a travel schedule in response to the mobile device remotely logging into a separate system, provide the mobile device Global Positioning Systems (GPS) data for way points of the scheduled travel; and receive a time and location data from the mobile device in response to the mobile device entering a way point of the scheduled travel. In one embodiment, the time and location data received is to be used to determine at least one of an average, minimum, or maximum time of travel between separate way points.
US07970658B1
In various embodiments, sellers and buyers may interact with a price determination application and/or electronic marketplace to buy/sell items for tax deductions to increase the tax deduction benefit for the sellers and buyers. For example, donating an item may have a tax benefit to a seller that is less than the tax benefit to a higher income bracket buyer. The electronic marketplace may facilitate a sale of the items to the buyer who may then donate the items for the tax benefit. In some embodiments, an item distribution service may sell items from multiple sellers to buyers according to a calculated price/distribution to increase the tax benefit to the sellers/buyers. In some embodiments, the items may not be delivered to the buyer by the seller, but may instead be routed to a charitable organization for donation in the buyer's name after ownership is transferred to the buyer.
US07970648B2
The present invention discloses a method and system for creating advertising content and business listing content in a location-based services system. An advertising campaign or a business listing is created with a business remote terminal using a campaign management interface application or a business profile interface application. The advertising campaign or business listing is then transmitted to an advertiser portal. The advertiser portal then directs the advertising campaign or business listing to a create campaign application or a business profile application for processing. The advertising campaign or business listing is then stored in a business database or a business profile database using a data access component.
US07970639B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide improved project management systems and methods. In one embodiment the present invention includes a project management system comprising a plurality of radial task regions displayed around a focal point and a plurality of time regions displayed around the focal point, wherein each time region represents a period of time. The present invention may be implemented in software or as a project management template provided on a sheet of material such as paper.
US07970636B2
A controlling unit of a replacement part management server specifies a maintenance target equipment and acquires order conditions from a responsible personnel terminal. The controlling unit acquires maintenance information and part information both relating to the maintenance target equipment. The controlling unit calculates prediction residual regarding target parts of an initial value setting process, and compares the prediction residual with the shortest cycle. When the prediction residual is smaller than the shortest cycle, the controlling unit sets the number of replacements in the part order data storing unit. When an initial value setting process regarding all the parts is completed, an order input screen is output. When an order request is received from the responsible personnel terminal, an order management server acquires part order data and transmits a preparation instruction of a PM kit to the purchaser.
US07970632B2
A computer-implemented method where a party other than the patient's health plan, requests patient records from a health provider, thereby triggering the health provider to submit identifying demographic data of the requesting party and additionally, if different, the name of the health provider's patient for whom the party requested records on, where the submission by the health provider is made to the patient's health plan, allowing the health plan to gain improved knowledge on the patient's involvement in an injury claim, thereby improving the health plan's subrogation operations.
US07970627B2
Method and system for providing dynamically generated orthodontic profile and associated treatment information including receiving an orthodontic condition and one or more related treatment goal options, retrieving a predetermined set of parameters associated with the orthodontic condition and the one or more related treatment goal options, determining a weighted parameter associated with each of the one or more treatment goal options for the orthodontic condition, and generating treatment plan information for the orthodontic condition based on the determined weighted parameter are provided.
US07970624B2
A workflow system and user interface coordinates information concerning a course of treatment of a patient, as well as data from a treatment device and links appointment data from a scheduling system with actual treatment activity information in order to show a complete timeline of a course of treatment. A user interface system for presenting medication dosage and treatment information includes a display processor for providing data representing a single display image. The single display image presents information identifying treatment received by a patient and treatment scheduled to be received by the patient together with a timeline. The single display image also presents information identifying cumulative dosage of a medication received by a patient and an associated date the cumulative dosage is received by the patient. A command processor initiates presentation of the single display image in response to user command.
US07970623B2
A method of managing at least one maintenance work on a medical equipment installed in a medical facility, starts by collecting condition information of the medical equipment. The method continues by determining the maintenance work on the medical equipment based on the collected condition information, and making it possible to provide a maintenance staff with information of the determined maintenance work.
US07970622B2
A method for tracking prescriptive medications is provided whereby a complete prescriptive medication history including active and inactive prescriptive medications is stored for a plurality of patients utilizing a plurality of pharmacies wherein the pharmacies may be affiliated or unaffiliated. The information may be selectively retrieved through a secure computer connection by entities such as hospitals, doctors, pharmacies, insurance companies, government agencies and the like. The information may be utilized to benefit the patient whereby a doctor is able to obtain an accurate view of the complete prescriptive medication history of the patient including prescriptive medications by other doctors. Hospitals will be able to obtain, in accord with the invention, a prescriptive medication history prior to treatment such as emergency treatment where such information is not normally available. The stored data for each prescriptive medication transaction includes searchable data such as the patient's name, address, doctor, pharmacy, aberrant use flag, and the like.
US07970609B2
Sound signals from sound sources present in multiple directions are accepted as inputs of multiple channels, and signal of each channel is transformed into a signal on a frequency axis. A phase component of the transformed signal is calculated for each identical frequency, and phase difference between the multiple channels is calculated. An amplitude component of the transformed signal is calculated, and a noise component is estimated from the calculated amplitude component. An SN ratio for each frequency is calculated on the basis of the amplitude component and the estimated noise component, and frequencies at which the SN ratios are larger than a predetermined value are extracted. Difference between arrival distances is calculated on the basis of the phase difference at selected frequency, and the arrival direction in which it is estimated that the target sound source is present is calculated.
US07970607B2
An implementation of the present invention comprises a voice encoder and decoder method and system that uses voice excitation, eliminating the voice/unvoiced pitch tracking, and the first formant up to 2400 Hertz for synchronous and up to 1600 Hertz for asynchronous, does not use pulse code modulation encoding, but uses the zero crossings only of the first formant, frequency dividing by two and sampling at the formant frequency. The resulting combination uses half or less of the bit rate for excitation and the remainder for short-term spectrum analysis. The spectrum could be updated each 20 milliseconds using 49 bits for the spectrum frame and 49 bits for excitation and one frame bit for synchronous Asynchronous operation could be update at 21.25 milliseconds using 49 bits for the spectrum information and 34 bits for excitation with one bit for frame synchronization. The decoder extracts the excitation, multiplies it by two and uses a Hanning modified sawtooth and spectral flattening to excite the spectrum generator. This waveform produces both even and odd harmonics for both periodic (voiced) and aperiodic (unvoiced) frequencies and gives naturalness to all languages and speakers.
US07970600B2
A computer-implemented method for developing a parser is provided. The method includes accessing a corpus of sentences and parsing the sentences to generate a structural description of each sentence. The parser is trained based on the structural description of each sentence.
US07970596B2
An integrated design environment (IDE) is disclosed for forming virtual embedded systems. The IDE includes a design language for forming finite state machine models of hardware components that are coupled to simulators of processor cores, preferably instruction set accurate simulators. A software debugger interface permits a software application to be loaded and executed on the virtual embedded system. A virtual test bench may be coupled to the simulation to serve as a human-machine interface. In one embodiment, the IDE is provided as a web-based service for the evaluation, development and procurement phases of an embedded system project. IP components, such as processor cores, may be evaluated using a virtual embedded system. In one embodiment, a virtual embedded system is used as an executable specification for the procurement of a good or service related to an embedded system.
US07970589B2
In an apparatus for analyzing an electromagnetic field in an analytical space: a range setting unit sets the range of the analytical space; an object-information setting unit sets a distribution-index value indicating the amount of particles distributed in the range, the dimensions of the particles, a first material-property value of a first material of which the particles are formed, and a second material-property value of a second material existing around the particles in the range; a model production unit produces a calculation model of an arrangement in which the particles are arranged at random positions in the range so as to realize the distribution-index value, the dimensions of the particles, the first material-property value, and the second material-property value which are set by the object-information setting unit; and an analysis unit analyzes the electromagnetic field in the range in accordance with the calculation model.
US07970588B2
A method, system, and medium of modeling and/or for controlling a manufacturing process is disclosed. The method includes the steps of identifying one or more input parameters that cause a change in output characteristics, defining global nodes using estimated maximum and minimum values of the input parameters, and defining a mathematical equation that calculates a predicted output characteristic for each node. The method also includes the steps of receiving at least one empirical data point having one or more input parameter values and at least one empirical output value and adjusting the predicted output values at the nodes based on a difference between the at least one empirical output value and the predicted output characteristic calculated using the mathematical equation based on the one or more input parameter values.
US07970582B2
The invention relates to a diagnosis system comprising a detection unit for detecting measuring data, a storage unit for storing measuring data, a diagnosis unit for classifying the operational states of the technical system and at least one server unit which is at least connected to the storage unit and machine-readable data based on the HTML-language is produced. The system enables diagnosis data of a technical system to be transmitted in a simple manner in the form of dynamic HTML pages, especially via the internet and to be evaluated.
US07970580B2
Described is a technique to exhaustively enumerate the thermodynamic properties of the water molecules solvating the active site of a protein in its apostate and calculate the relative binding affinities of congeneric compounds that bind to this protein. The subject matter includes sampling the configurations of the solvating water in the active site; extracting the thermodynamic information about the solvating water from these configurations by clustering the observed water configurations into regions of high water occupancy (e.g., “hydration sites”), computing the average system interaction energies of water molecules occupying the various hydrations sites, computing excess entropies of water molecules occupying the hydration sites; constructing a 3 dimensional hydration thermodynamics map of the protein active site; and computing relative binding affinities of congeneric ligands based on the principle that tighter binding ligands can displace more entropically structured and energetically depleted hydration sites from the active site into the bulk fluid.
US07970574B2
Adaptive rule-based methods to solve localization problems for ad hoc wireless sensor networks are disclosed. A large problem may be solved as a sequence of very small subproblems, each of which is solved by semidefinite programming relaxation of a geometric optimization model. The subproblems may be generated according to a set of sensor/anchor selection rules and a priority list. The methods scale well and provide improved positioning accuracy. A dynamic version may be used for estimating moving sensors locations in a real-time environment. The method may use dynamic distance measurement updates among sensors, and utilizes subproblem solving for static sensor localization. Methods to deploy sensor localization algorithms in clustered distributed environments are also provided, permitting application to arbitrarily large networks. In addition, the methods may be used to solve sensor localizations in 2D or 3D space. A preprocessor may be used for localization of networks without absolute position information.
US07970573B2
A method, apparatus, and article containing computer instructions are described. Embodiments may use accelerometer data regarding forward motion by a wearer of a three-axis on-body accelerometer. Embodiments may further measure an acceleration due to gravity on each axis x, y, z of the accelerometer and use the direction of gravity to associate or align the x axis of the accelerometer with gravity. Embodiments may then use the acceleration not due to gravity to identify the forward motion and associate or align the forward direction with the y axis. The remaining direction may be identified as the sideways direction, which may be associated or aligned with the z axis. Additional activities may then be performed using the now-known orientation of the accelerometer. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07970570B2
Methods and systems for analyzing combustion dynamics of a combustor system in the time domain are provided. The combustor system includes an inlet pipe coupled in flow communication with a combustion chamber. The method includes determining a characteristic equation of a wave traveling in the inlet pipe, determining an acoustic pressure oscillation in the combustion chamber, and determining a pressure fluctuation in the inlet pipe using the characteristic equation and the determined acoustic pressure oscillation.
US07970567B2
An HDMI cable may exhibit frequency dependent signal attenuation, inter symbol interference, and inter-pair skew. A boost device integrated with the cable can compensate for such impairments of the cable. A self calibrating cable with a boost device of the embodiment of the invention is described, in which parameters that control the response of the boost device are set optimally in a self-calibrating process comprising looping the boosted cable on itself through a calibration fixture that contains a calibration control device. The boost device includes pattern generators and a sampling circuit. Each high speed channel of the cable is separately tested and calibrated with the help of one of the other channels serving as a sampling channel.
US07970563B2
A powerline signal test apparatus has a housing, a pair of prongs protruding from the housing, a powerline module coupled to the pair of prongs within an interior region of the housing. The powerline module is configured to process a first data signal in a first format. The apparatus further has a processor coupled to the powerline module. The processor is configured to initiate transfer of first test data characterized by a first data rate from the pair of prongs through a portion of a powerline network to a target node and initiate receipt of second test data characterized by a second data rate. Moreover, the apparatus has a signal strength indication for the portion of the powerline network associated with the second test data characterized by the second data rate. Furthermore, the apparatus has an output device coupled to the housing and configured to output the signal strength indication.
US07970562B2
A system, method and apparatus for monitoring a processing system is disclosed. The method includes obtaining N parameter-value pairs that include a first parameter value and a second parameter value; obtaining, for each parameter-value pair, the product of the first parameter value and the complex conjugate of the second parameter value to obtain N products defined by a real part and an imaginary part; obtaining, for each parameter-value pair, a product of the second parameter value and the complex conjugate of the second parameter value to obtain N real numbers; calculating an average reflection coefficient by dividing an imaginary number by an average of the N real numbers, the real component of the imaginary number being equal to the average of the real parts of the N products and the imaginary part of the imaginary number being equal to an average of the imaginary parts of the N products.
US07970561B2
The present invention provides a METHOD TO CALCULATE AN ENERGY EFFICIENCY RATING for information technology equipment. This method specifically pertains to information technology equipment that doubles its capabilities in a predetermined timeframe according to Moore's Law.This method uses a formula to calculate an energy efficiency rating based on power consumption and transactions per second. It further calculates a normalized rating where the absolute rating is adjusted based on Moore's Law prediction of improvements. As a result the method invented is the first and only method to compare information technology from various generations of hardware, processor and component architecture with each other in terms of their energy efficiency.
US07970547B2
A device, system and method for molecular computing which not only includes a suitable, renewable power source, but actually is able to receive power through the performance of the computations themselves. The molecular computing machine of the present invention actually employs the free-energy difference between its input and output to accomplish a computation, preferably by using its input DNA molecule as a partial source of energy, or alternatively by using the input DNA molecule as the sole source of energy. This molecular finite automaton preferably transforms an input DNA molecule into an output DNA molecule by digesting the input as it computes.
US07970545B2
A system and method for perceiving drilling learning through visualization is provided. In one embodiment using three-dimensional visualization of the earth model as a foundation, a new IT development strategy focuses on perceiving “Drilling Learning” by an intuitive method. Symbols, known as “Knowledge Attachments” are attached to each wellbore trajectory displayed in the three-dimensional environment, with each symbol indicating a specific event—such as one related to drilling operations or problems. A Knowledge Attachment system proves particularly useful to represent disparate data at once, in such a manner that the interdependencies between the earth model and drilling operational data are evident and correlated. Operational issues and lessons learned from prior wells are easily accessed and perceived in the context of the earth model. By understanding this information at the beginning of the well planning process, operational efficiencies may be improved.
US07970539B2
Provided are a method of voice-guidance and a navigation system that guide a travel route of a mobile vehicle using a 3D sound having directivity. The method includes detecting at least one of a proceeding direction and a destination direction of a mobile vehicle base on navigation data, calculating a proceeding angle of the mobile vehicle and an angle of a destination direction based on at least one of the detected proceeding direction and the destination direction of the mobile vehicle, and generating a 3D direction-guidance sound of corresponding angle by providing the calculated angles to 3D sound technology.
US07970538B2
An accurate global positioning system having a receiver, a display screen, an input device, having capabilities for visual calibration of the system is disclosed. Further methods of operating that system are disclosed.
US07970530B2
A system for reducing congestion on a roadway is provided. Selected lengths of selected normal lanes of a roadway are divided into two commuter lanes, distinctive lane markings identify the commuter lanes, and selected lengths of selected lanes are dynamically designated as either normal lanes or pairs of commuter lanes. In order to dynamically change lane configurations, a set of indicators can be provided as lane markers together with a control system to alter particular lane configurations between normal lanes and commuting lanes both cyclically according to a preprogrammed schedule and dynamically in response to sensed vehicle traffic volume, unusual events such as accidents, weather, and so on.A commuter vehicle is required for use on commuter lanes. A typical commuter vehicle weighs less than 650 lbs., has at least three wheels, an enclosed seating compartment, and a low center of gravity with at least one occupant. Occupants sit in a near-kneeling or recumbent position to provide a low center of gravity. Occupants can be positioned in-line, one behind the other.
US07970522B2
A work machine gear shifting control system provides gear shifting conditions for an automatic gear shifting mode in accordance with work site conditions. An area 62 of a display device 49 displays a permissible velocity setting range and setup operation guidance, and another area 64 shows guidance to indicate whether the setting is acceptable or unacceptable. When the traveling velocity falls within the permissible velocity setting range, the displayed guidance changes to indicate that the setting is acceptable. When, in this instance, an operator presses a setup switch 23 with desired timing, a transmission gear shifting control section 45 acquires the prevailing vehicle velocity and velocity ratio (or vehicle velocity), and stores adjustment values in an adjustment value storage section 43 so that the vehicle velocity and velocity ratio become the gear shifting control threshold values for normal gear shifting control (steps S535 to S545).
US07970519B2
An earthmoving system, includes in one embodiment a laser transmitter for transmitting a reference beam of laser light, and a laser receiver mounted on a mast on the bulldozer blade. The bulldozer has a frame and a cutting blade supported by a blade support extending from said frame. The blade support includes hydraulic cylinders for raising and lowering the blade in relation to said frame, and for tilting the blade along its length. The mast extends upward from, and is movable with, the blade. An inclinometer is mounted for movement with the blade to provide an indication of the inclination of the blade. A sensor detects turning of the bulldozer. A control is responsive to the laser receiver, to the inclinometer, and to the sensor, for controlling the operation of said cylinders and adjusting the position of said blade. When rapid turning of said bulldozer is detected the control operates to reduce the errors that would otherwise result from an erroneous inclinometer output.
US07970517B2
The present invention includes a method of monitoring and controlling interior functions of a vehicle, for example, a memory seat position, a vehicle pedal position, a steering column position, a vehicle interior temperature, and/or whether the vehicle is occupied or unoccupied at certain times and under certain conditions. The interior functions are controlled by passively monitoring a characteristic of an occupant, determining an identity of the occupant based on the monitored characteristic, and regulating the interior function based upon the identity of the occupant. The monitored characteristic, for example, may be representative of a weight classification or biomass associated with the occupant, or a signal or input generated based upon a user identification device, for example, a key fob or other personal electronic device carried by the occupant.
US07970506B2
A system maintains communication between a plurality of unmanned vehicles within an environment. The system includes a sensor component and an evaluator. The sensor component senses objects within the environment. The sensor component is located on a first unmanned vehicle. The evaluator evaluates data from the sensor component. The evaluator is located on the first unmanned vehicle. The evaluator compares data for the first unmanned vehicle and a second unmanned vehicle and determines whether a trajectory of one of the first and second unmanned vehicles may be modified to maintain communication between the first unmanned vehicle and the second unmanned vehicle.
US07970503B2
A method, apparatus, and computer program product for detecting anomalies in a landing system. In one embodiment, a magnitude difference between a blended inertial deviation magnitude and a raw deviation magnitude is identified to form a magnitude difference. The magnitude difference is compared to a magnitude threshold. If the magnitude difference exceeds the magnitude threshold, an anomaly in the data is detected.
US07970501B2
An inertial navigation system which includes a first control system and a second control system is described. The first control system is configured to estimate a vertical velocity based in part on received vertical acceleration data. The second control system is configured to receive the estimated vertical velocity from the first control system and determine a compensated vertical velocity utilizing the estimated vertical velocity and airspeed.
US07970496B2
The present invention provides systems and methods for provisioning a vehicle interface module comprising receiving a VIM from a VIM manufacturer and entering appropriate VIM data into a dealer inventory, activating a SIM card for the VIM and installing the VIM in a predetermined vehicle, selecting a wireless activated VIM from the dealer inventory and connecting the VIM to an OBD-II port of the vehicle, connecting a configuration PC to the VIM and downloading a modem configuration, selecting and downloading a vehicle-specific configuration file, accessing a telematics services provider's web portal, entering appropriate vehicle data, and associating the vehicle with the VIM, installing the VIM in the predetermined vehicle, and conducting an installation verification test.
US07970491B2
A robot localization system is provided. The robot localization includes a robot, which moves within a predetermined space and performs predetermined tasks, and a docking station corresponding to a home position of the robot. The docking station includes a first transmitting unit, which transmits a sound wave to detect a position of the robot; and a second transmitting unit, which transmits a synchronizing signal right when the sound wave is transmitted. The robot includes a first receiving unit, which comprises at least two sound sensors receiving the sound wave incident onto the robot; a second receiving unit, which receives the synchronizing signal incident onto the robot; a distance calculation unit, which calculates a distance between the first transmitting unit and the first receiving unit using a difference between an instant of time when the synchronizing signal is received and an instant of time when the sound wave is received; and an incident angle calculation unit, which calculates an incident angle of the sound wave onto the robot using a difference between receiving times of the sound wave in the at least two sound sensors comprised in the first receiving unit.
US07970488B2
A workpiece inspection system is disclosed for determining measurements of a workpiece on a machine tool. The system utilizes a measurement device which outputs data relating to the workpiece (e.g. in place of a conventional cutter). The problem of obtaining real time data relating to the position of the machine tool is overcome by recording a machine tool position data set and a measurement device data set at selected instants which are defined by a synchronization signal. The data sets are combined later in the correct relative position because the synchronization signal was used. The synchronization signal can issue from the machine tool controller, an interface, measurement device or another part of the system.
US07970482B2
A method and system for process control using a model predictive controller. The control system can have one or more control devices operably coupled to a processing system for controlling a process of the processing system; a modeling tool to provide a non-linear model based at least in part on the process and to provide a plurality of linearized models based at least in part on the non-linear model, where the plurality of linearized models are linearized at different linearization rates; and a controller operably coupled to the modeling tool. The controller can select one of the plurality of linearized models based on a comparison of the plurality of linearized models with a reference model. The controller can send one or more control signals to at least one of the one or more control devices. The one or more control signals can be determined using the selected one of the plurality of linearized models.
US07970467B2
Heart rate variability metrics are derived from the intervals between successive heart beats, referred to as BB intervals. A method implementable by an implantable cardiac device for excluding BB intervals due to ectopic beats based on a function of preceding BB intervals is presented. It is desirable to remove such BB intervals from a BB interval time series used to calculate a heart rate variability metric.
US07970466B2
A method and apparatus for optimizing and assessing the response to extra-systolic stimulation (ESS) are provided. An optimization/monitoring parameter is calculated as a function of potentiation ratio, PR, and recirculation fraction, RF, derived from measurements of myocardial contractile function during and after ESS. PR may be computed as the ratio of the contractile function on post-extra-systolic beats during ESS to baseline contractile function. RF may be computed as the slope of a linear regression performed on a plot of the contractile function for a post-extra-systolic beat versus the contractile function for the previous post-extra-systolic beat after ESS is ceased. The ESI resulting in a maximum optimization/monitoring parameter, preferably computed as the product of PR and RF, is determined as the optimal ESI. The operating ESI may be automatically adjusted, and/or PR and RF data may be stored for monitoring purposes.
US07970448B2
Devices and methods for determining analyte levels are described. The devices and methods allow for the implantation of analyte-monitoring devices, such as glucose monitoring devices, that result in the delivery of a dependable flow of blood to deliver sample to the implanted device. The devices comprise a unique microarchitectural arrangement in the sensor region that allows accurate data to be obtained over long periods of time.
US07970440B2
A mobile phone holder comprising a base (6), a cover (1) connected to the base and provided with a cavity (2) for inserting a mobile phone, side protrusions (3) with guides to guide the mobile phone, and a locating base (4), the locating base having a slot (25) and plugs (9), and a push-out mechanism (5) for pushing out the mobile phone from the holder, the push-out mechanism located between the base (6) and the cover (1).
US07970439B2
A mobile communication device includes an alerting mechanism comprising a light source, wherein the light source is configured to alert the user via a visual alert that an event has, or is, occurring. The event can be an incoming communication, a voice message, an alarm etc. The visual alert can be synchronized with an audible alert also included in the mobile communication device.
US07970438B2
A mobile terminal including a display unit configured to display a keypad in a second display region and data input from at least the keypad in a first display region, and a controller configured to determine if the keypad displayed in its current form is to be displayed in a new different form, to determine if all of the keypad in the new different form can be displayed to fit within the second display region, and to selectively control the display unit to display a scrolling function for scrolling the keypad displayed in the new different form when all of the keypad can not be displayed to fit within the second display region.
US07970434B2
A dual-mode phone includes a mobile phone antenna, a mobile phone module, a WLAN antenna, a WLAN module, a processing module, a memory, and a user interface. The processing module sets a communication mode of the dual-mode phone. The memory stores the communication mode and a phone book, wherein the phone book includes a plurality of mobile phone numbers, a plurality of WLAN phone addresses, mapping relationships between the plurality of mobile phone numbers and the plurality of WLAN phone addresses, and statuses of dual-mode phones corresponding to the plurality of WLAN phone addresses. The user interface receives an input phone number. The processing module further determines if the input phone number is a mobile phone number, determines if the mobile phone number has a mapping WLAN phone address, and calls the mapping WLAN phone address via the WLAN module.
