US07967632B2
A card connector includes a base housing configured to allow attachment of different kinds of memory cards; multiple kinds of memory card contacts held in the base housing and configured to connect to the corresponding memory cards; a module housing stacked on the base housing and configured to allow attachment of an expansion module; and a module contact configured to connect to the expansion module. The memory card contacts and the module contact are electrically separated.
US07967623B2
A lamp socket includes a socket housing and a plurality of power supply members. The socket housing has a plurality of connecting holes extended in a vertical direction. The power supply members are disposed in the connecting holes, respectively, and each of the power supply members includes a plurality of lamp connecting parts and an inverter connecting part. The lamp connecting parts are protruded from an upper surface of the socket housing and include first and second portions facing each other. The inverter connecting part is integrally formed with the lamp connecting parts, and is protruded from a lower surface of the socket housing.
US07967621B2
An electrical interconnect assembly and methods for making an electrical interconnect assembly. In one embodiment, an interconnect assembly includes a flexible wiring layer having a plurality of first contact elements and a fluid containing structure which is coupled to the flexible wiring layer. The fluid, when contained in the fluid containing structure, presses the flexible wiring layer towards a device under test to form electrical interconnections between the first contact elements and corresponding second contact elements on the device under test. In a further embodiment, an interconnect assembly includes a flexible wiring layer having a plurality of first contact terminals and a semiconductor substrate which includes a plurality of second contact terminals. A plurality of freestanding, resilient contact elements, in one embodiment, are mechanically coupled to one of the flexible wiring layers or the semiconductor substrate and make electrical contacts between corresponding ones of the first contact terminals and the second contact terminals. In another embodiment, a method of making electrical interconnections includes joining a flexible wiring layer and a substrate together in proximity and causing a pressure differential between a first side and a second side of the flexible wiring layer. The pressure differential deforms the flexible wiring layer and causes a plurality of first contact terminals on the flexible wiring layer to electrically connect with a corresponding plurality of second contact terminals on the substrate.
US07967619B2
This utility model relates to a decorative light, and particularly, to a decorative light capable of avoiding an open circuit condition on an entire string of bulbs that operate in series when an individual bulb is removed. The decorative light comprises a socket, a bulb base, a bulb and two terminals, wherein the socket is provided with a retainer therein, which has an opening laterally extending therethrough, and an elastic, conductive ring or coil with a thickness smaller than a width of the opening is disposed within the opening. When the elastic ring or coil is in a natural state, the elastic ring extends outside the retainer through the opening at two sides of the retainer. The bulb base is further provided with an inserting partition at the bottom thereof The elastic conductive ring has two states: one is a separating state where the bulb base is inserted into the socket. In this first state, the inserting partition of the bulb base separates one side of the elastic ring or coil from the corresponding terminals. The other state is a conducting state of the two terminals when the bulb base is removed from the socket. In this second state both sides of the elastic, conductive ring or coil provide contact with the two terminals respectively. This utility model provides a decorative light capable of preventing failure of the complete string of bulbs when any bulb is removed.
US07967616B1
An in-wall mounted receptacle device includes a body and an electrical outlet box, wherein the body has an accommodating section. The electrical outlet box has a junction surface and is disposed inside the body. When the electrical outlet box rotates, a perpendicular direction of the junction surface varies and points outwardly or inwardly. Whereby, the in-wall mounted receptacle device of the present invention is capable of receiving both an electrical plug which is connected with the junction surface and an electric wire coupled to the electrical plug into the accommodating section, thereby preventing the electrical plug from exposure outside and further reducing the occupied space of the electrical plug. Moreover, the orientation of the junction surface is capable of changing directions so as to alter the direction of the electric wire adjacent to the electrical plug, thereby minimizing the possibility of bending or damaging the electric wire exposed outside.
US07967605B2
An endodontic file, or a series of endodontic files, and an endodontic obturator or series of obturators, and methods of manufacturing same. Regarding the endodontic files, they may include a file body extending from a tip region to a shank region, at least one helical flute extending from the tip region towards the shank region. Each helical flute may have an up-sharp cutting edge without a land. For one such set of endodontic files, there is included at least a first and a second file, each one of the files having a tip and a shank, the first file having a tip size that is substantially the same as a tip size of the second file, wherein the first file has a different taper configuration relative to the taper configuration of the second file. The taper configurations of each one of the first and second files include at least two different rates of taper, the taper configurations of each one of the first and second files arranged such that at least one rate of taper closer to the shank of the file is smaller than at least one rate of taper closer to a tip of the file.
US07967601B2
A device for creating an electrical potential, such as a piezoelectric igniter, is connected to a conductor that conducts current to a burn tube to create a spark that ignites the fuel in the burn tube. In one embodiment a gap is formed in the conductor. An insulator is located in the gap such that is can be selectively moved between an insulating position where the flow of electricity over the gap is prevented such that no spark is created in the burn tube and a non-insulating position where electricity is allowed to flow over the gap such that a spark is created in the burn tube. In another embodiment the piezoelectric igniter forms part of the electrical circuit and is in electrical conductive contact or proximity to an electrical conductor that forms part of the ignition circuit. An insulator may selectively located between the igniter and the conductor.
US07967600B2
A flare apparatus for burning combustible gases. A flare tip unit comprises an inner member and an outer member defining an annulus therebetween. The annulus defines an annular gas passage through which combustible gas passes. Air moved by a motive force, preferably steam, passes through the inner member and a steam/air mixture exits an outlet of the inner member. The combustible gas and an air/steam mixture mixes in a premix zone between the inner member outlet and the exit opening of the outer member. The combustible gas/air/steam mixture is ignited for burning in the atmosphere above the exit opening. The flare apparatus may include a plurality of flare tip units.
US07967594B2
Even when a cell electrode plate with broader width is press formed to enhance bulk density of electrode active material, it is made possible to positively and reliably provide a high-quality cell electrode plate with good productivity. From upstream to downstream in a travel direction of a cell electrode plate including a core member with electrode active material applied thereon, an uncoiler, a tension applicator, a four-high mill type roll press device, a thickness detector, a tension applicator and a coiler are arranged in the order named.
US07967593B2
An apparatus for supplying synthetic resins applicable to a metal mold wheel that rotates at a high speed. A cutter of a cutter unit and a holding fitting are attached to an air cylinder, so that the cutter unit can be advanced and retreated in the radial direction of rotation. When the molten resin is stably blown out from an extrusion nozzle, the air cylinder is expanded to move the cutter to an advanced position to cut the molten resin. When the molten resin is unstably blown out from the extruder, the air cylinder is contracted and the cutter is arranged at a retreated position so will not to come in contact with the molten resin. Despite the cutter wheel continues to rotate, the molten resin is not contacted by the cutters.
US07967571B2
A rotor airfoil having a leading edge extending from a root to a tip, an inner span region and an outer span region the leading edge having a sweep angle profile such that the sweep angle increases from the root a first height location at a first rate of change of sweep angle that is substantially constant and thereafter increases at a second rate of change of sweep angle that is substantially constant.
US07967568B2
Introducing a plurality of geometrically shaped members (27) into a cooling passage (16) of a gas turbine airfoil (10) will effectively reduce the cross-sectional flow area while simultaneously retaining a sufficiently thick external contour desired for proper gas path aerodynamic behavior. Small cooling sub-passages (18a, 18b) formed around the geometric members will create a preferentially higher coolant flow rate and heat transfer coefficient at the cooled surface (14) when compared to the interior of the cavity. The geometric shapes may be metal or ceramic spheres retained in the cooling cavity by a retaining structure such as a screen grid (30) or perforated plate (32). The openings (34) in the retaining structure may be unevenly distributed to preferentially allow more coolant to enter the cavity proximate the cooled walls. The size/shape of the geometrically shaped members may be varied to achieve a desired heat transfer coefficient along the cooled wall surface (17).
US07967566B2
A turbine blade including an airfoil having an airfoil outer wall extending radially outwardly from a blade root to a blade tip. The airfoil outer wall includes a pressure sidewall and a suction sidewall, and the pressure and suction sidewalls are joined together at chordally spaced leading and trailing edges of the airfoil. A pressure side serpentine cooling path extends adjacent the pressure sidewall and a suction side serpentine cooling path extends adjacent the suction sidewall. The pressure side cooling path conducts cooling fluid in a first chordal direction between the leading and trailing edges, and the suction side cooling path conducts cooling fluid in a second chordal direction, opposite the first chordal direction, between the leading and trailing edges. A central partition extends chordally through the airfoil, and a transverse passage extends through the central partition and connects the pressure side cooling path to the suction side cooling path.
US07967558B2
The hybrid seal assembly includes a seal for use with rotating surfaces which may suffer significant deflections such as for sealing between flanges and mating surfaces typical of annular seal face surface of a diffuser section of a tip turbine engine.
US07967542B2
A discharge system for a grain storage bin has a discharge auger extending from the center of the bin floor to an exterior location and a sweep auger pivotally supported at an inner end on a post at the center and extending across the floor to the periphery of the bin for sweeping movement over the floor. The sweep auger is carried on a pivot link arm which pivots at one end on the post and at the other end on the sweep auger to allow it to move from a first position along one side of the discharge auger to a second position along the other side. The sweep auger is driven by a wheel at the outer end carried on a plate attached to an end plate of the shroud of the sweep auger and extending parallel thereto to a location behind the shroud at which is located the hydraulic motor directly driving the wheel with the motor shaft parallel to the auger shaft and behind the shroud. An extra weight plate can be slid into a receptacle on the mounting plate.
US07967536B2
A transportation tooling of the type that borders the blade at its root and at an intermediate point. This tooling is used in combination with platforms placed on the transportation elements and the platforms can move transversely and turn or rotate with respect to the devices of transportation without affecting blade integrity. Also a method for blade transportation with the tip of one blade facing the tip of the adjacent blade so as to use the minimum space on the devices of transportation. The rail tooling takes into account the maximum corner radius that the train will encounter while absorbing the bending and torsion stress acting on the blades.
US07967533B2
A surface-coated cutting tool includes a coating layer (108) formed on a substrate (104), wherein assuming that the average thickness of the coating layer (108) on a first surface (106) and a second surface (107) of the substrate (104) is A, a difference between the maximum and minimum thicknesses of the coating layer (108) is 0.04×A or less. Also, a surface-coated cutting tool includes a coating layer (108) formed on a substrate (104), wherein assuming that the average thickness of the coating layer (108) on a first surface (106) of the substrate (104) is B1, and the average thickness of the coating layer (108) on a second surface (107) of the substrate (104) is B2, a value obtained by dividing an absolute difference value between B1 and B2 by a larger value of B1 and B2 is 0.04 or less.
US07967532B2
A ground anchor or rock anchor is provided that includes an anchor tension member composed of one or more individual elements, such as steel bars, steel wires, or steel wire strands. While the anchor tension member is intended to be introduced into a drilled hole and anchored there, the anchoring of the anchor tension member at the exposed end of the drilled hole is achieved with the aid of anchor head. To this end, the anchor head comprises a support element to bear directly or indirectly against the underlying rock or substratum, and an anchoring component for tensioning the individual elements, which can be brought into a frictional connection with the individual elements while bearing against the support element. In addition, a cap, which extends around the anchoring component and the ends of the individual elements, protects the exposed end of the anchor head. For secure attachment of the cap to the rest of the anchor head, between the support element and anchoring component, a connecting element is arranged that has a first closure component at its circumferential side, and has a second closure component of complementary shape on its circumferential side, wherein the first and second closure component work together to produce a frictional connection between the cap and connecting element.
US07967527B2
A load plate sleeve assembly for maintaining a load plate in position between adjacent concrete slabs and facilitating controlled lateral movement of the load plate includes a housing and an insert clip coupled to the housing. The housing includes a top wall, a bottom wall, opposing side walls extending between the top and bottom walls, and an end wall extending between the top and bottom walls, and between the side walls. The walls define an internal cavity, and the housing includes a cavity access opening. The insert clip includes a opposing side walls having a first end and a second end. The insert clip also includes an end wall extending between the side walls, a plurality of deformable centering fingers extending from the side walls, and a collapsible diamond shaped center support extending from the end wall. The insert clip is positioned inside the internal cavity of the housing.
US07967517B2
A printing system comprising: a printing device having a printing portion and a printing control portion; and a cutting device having a cutting portion which cuts a continuous sheet, a conveying portion conveying the continuous sheet, a detecting portion detecting cutting information, and a cutting control portion which controls the cutting portion such that the continuous sheet is cut at a cutting position indicated by the cutting information, when the cutting information is detected at the continuous sheet within a predetermined range from a cutting position at an upstream side in a conveying direction of the conveying portion, and controls the cutting portion such that the continuous sheet is cut at a set length which is set in advance, when the cutting information is not detected at the continuous sheet within the predetermined range from the cutting position at the upstream side in the conveying direction, is provided.
US07967514B2
A dust protector module comprises a protective cover and a decorative element. The decorative element defines a receiving area corresponding to the protective cover, the receiving area has the same shape and a smaller size than the protective cover. Therefore, the protective cover is frictionally engaged in the receiving area.
US07967513B2
A reflector assembly for use with an electronic device includes a light guiding member forming a light-guiding passage having a light guide assembly in the form of a plurality of lens assembled therein, the light guiding member is assembled in an electronic device having a display window formed in the front surface and a camera module formed in the back surface. An end of the light guiding member aligns with the camera module, the other end of the light guiding member extends to the front surface of the electronic device, outside lights can enter into light-guiding passage and be reflected by the lenses and reach to the camera module.
US07967504B2
The push-button control device for a watch includes a push-button stem (28) inserted via a bottom end into an orifice (22, 23) of a watchcase and a button (29) mounted on a top part (28a) of the stem (28) outside the watchcase. The stem can slide axially between a rest position and an active position against a return member (35) to control at least one function of the watch. The control device is characterized in that the top part (28a) of the stem includes an annular groove delimited by two parallel shoulders (44, 46) perpendicular to the axis of the stem, and in that the button (29) includes an annular base (27) that is engaged in the groove so as to be held between the two shoulders (44, 46) in the axial direction and centred with some play by the bottom of the groove such that the button (29) is free to move off-centre relative to the axis of the stem (28) while remaining secured thereto.
US07967497B2
The present invention sets forth an implement which enables the user to mix paint, and optionally to perform several other painting related functions. The implement has a perforated paddle with oppositely deflected upper portions to enhance mixing of the paint. The implement may be selectively positionable to either mix paint or to support a paint roller for cleaning. A paint can remover and a paint can rim cleaning device are also incorporated into the implement. A single implement can serve the functions of opening paint cans, stirring paint in a container, cleaning the groove around the lip of a paint can, cleaning a paint roller, and as a spatula to aid in removing paint from a can.
US07967495B2
Luminous surfaces 25 of a concave-convex shape are formed on a light guide member 2 of a scuff plate, and a screen member 4 made of a non-transparent material is disposed between the light guide member 2 and a wire harness 31 of the scuff plate. The light guide member 2 luminously displays a design in a three-dimensional manner, and also the wire harness 31 will not be visually recognized through the light guide member 2, and therefore the design is enhanced.
US07967481B2
A recessed light fixture includes a housing or can, a junction box, a protective flexible wire conduit connected to the junction box and the housing, and an adjustment assembly adjustably and detachably connecting the housing to the junction box. The adjustment assembly includes a first bracket connected to the housing and a second bracket connected to the junction box. The second bracket is slidably and detachably connected to the first bracket.
US07967472B2
The light unit comprises a light source and a reflector. The light source is surrounded by an exterior pipe. Spring clips with a centering effect for the exterior bulb of the light source are anchored at the open end of the exterior pipe.
US07967466B2
A movable light bar assembly includes a primary frame having a side coupled with a secondary frame and an opposite side coupled with at least one lighting element and a battery element. The secondary frame has a surface provided with solar chips and is provided internally with a photoelectric transducer electrically connected to the battery element and the at least one lighting element. Each lighting element is provided with at least one light-emitting body and secured to the primary frame by a lamp cover. The battery element is secured to the primary frame by a battery cover. The primary frame is peripherally provided with at least one rotatable handle which, when angularly offset from the primary frame, serves to support the primary frame. The at least one handle is insertable into a fixing base and connectable with a hanging cord. The primary frame can be positioned at a lamp frame.
US07967450B2
A light amount control device that controls an amount of light acquired from a light source provided in an image display apparatus includes: a pulse generator; an operation processing portion for light amount control that outputs a transfer start signal at timing when the amount of light is controlled; a data setting circuit that is provided outside the operation processing portion and that stores data, in which various kinds of signals instructing the operation processing portion to set transfer data beforehand are set, in a memory; an address generator that is provided outside the operation processing portion and that sets an address in response to the transfer start signal output from the operation processing portion; a memory that is a main component included in the pulse generator and that outputs data on the basis of a memory address generated by the address generator; a pulse driven body whose operation direction and speed are determined by a pulse signal formed by data output from the memory and which is driven by a pulse; an actuator connected to the pulse driven body; and an opening capable of adjusting the amount of transmitted light according to an operation of the actuator inserted in an emission path of the light source.
US07967444B2
A multi-resolution digital table display system is provided for integrally displaying an image picture with more than one resolution. The multi-resolution digital table display system includes a table, a peripheral projection device, a foveal projection device, and an image module. For saving space and avoiding affection of user's hand, the peripheral projection device and the foveal projection device required for projecting images are disposed under the table. The image module provides a peripheral image with a first resolution to the peripheral projection device for projecting the same to a projection screen, and provides a foveal image with a second resolution to the foveal projection device for projecting the same to the projecting screen, such that an image picture can be integrally displayed on the projecting screen.
US07967442B2
A Pupillometer is disclosed. The Pupillometer has a display, an imaging apparatus that has a pupil finder and a microprocessor, and a memory in communication with the microprocessor. The display is sized to simultaneously display a video of y or more seconds in length of a left pupil and a video of y or more seconds in length of a right pupil. The pupil finder identifies the perimeter of a pupil. The imaging apparatus is capable of recording images of an individual's pupils at a rate of x image frames per second for a period of y or more seconds and playing back said image frames as a video at x image frames per second or at another rate that is faster or slower than x image frames per second. The memory has stored therein a program for enabling said microprocessor to do the following: (i) identify a center of the left pupil and a center of the right pupil for each image frame; (ii) synchronize each image frame of the two videos starting from the first frame; (iii) cause the display to display the two videos simultaneously such that each of the image frames of the video of the left eye is synchronized to a corresponding image frame of the video of the right eye when played back on the display; and (iv) cause the two videos to be displayed so that the center of the left pupil in each image frame is aligned on the display with the center of the right pupil for the corresponding image frame.
US07967438B2
The present invention is related to a system for obtaining a fundus image, constituted by optical means implemented in an equipment to observe and photograph the image of the wall fundus (16), comprising a capturing optical means composed by high sensibility digital camera, constituted by an image sensor (2) and focal optical system (3), said digital camera being used to register a captured image by an afocal optical system, composed by a capturing lens (13) and its afocal complement (6); a lighting optical means provided from a arrangement conformed with optical fiber bundle (7), (8), (9) and (10), halogen light source (23) or light emitting diode source (LED); wherein said light beam from the halogen light (23) or light emitting diodes has an annular form when it pass in the anterior part of eyeball (14) and focus in the pupil plan (15); both the means having the optical path partially common over the optical axle (1) from the optical fibers arrangement (7), (8), (9) and (10) to the fundus (16), region in that both the beams are coaxial; in that both the optical means are equipped with light polarizers (4) and (11), being integrated with mechanical, electronics and computerized components, and applicative program, which allow control the equipment and its multiple operational configurations, conducing image acquisition and processing, and displaying the results.
US07967431B2
A pair of rimless spectacles includes two lenses, a frame including two temple units and a bridge, and a connection mechanism. The connection mechanism includes a plurality of first connectors spacedly provided at the lenses at a predetermined location and a plurality of second connectors provided at a predetermined location of each of the temple units and the bridge respectively, wherein the second connectors are coupled with the first connectors respectively to couple the temple units at two outer sides of the lenses respectively and to couple the bridge between two inner sides of the lenses respectively in a tool-less manner.
US07967430B2
An ink umbilical provides different colors of heated ink to multiple print heads in an integrated structure. The ink umbilical includes a first and a second plurality of conduits, each conduit in the first and the second plurality of conduits having a flat surface between a first end and a second end of the conduit, and a heater having a first side and a second side, the flat surfaces of the conduits in the first plurality of conduits being coupled to the first side of the heater and the flat surfaces of the conduits in the second plurality of conduits being coupled to the second side of the heater to enable the heater to heat ink being carried between the first and the second ends of the conduits in the first and in the second plurality of conduits.
US07967420B2
An inkjet printhead nozzle arrangement includes side walls provided on a wafer substrate and a roof layer deposited on said side walls to define an ink chamber, the roof layer defining a nozzle aperture; an inlet defined in the substrate to supply the ink chamber with printing fluid; and at least one heater element having two opposite sides parallel to a plane of the ejection aperture, the heater element adapted to generate a gas bubble at both of said opposite sides. The heater elements and associated electrodes are arranged in the chamber to be non-coincident and have an annular shape facilitating a point of collapse of the bubble near a center thereof. The heater element has a mass of less than 10 nanograms.
US07967418B2
An inkjet printhead has a wafer substrate with a droplet ejection side and a liquid supply side opposite the droplet ejection side. Drive circuitry layers are formed on the droplet ejection side of the wafer substrate. An array of nozzles is formed on the droplet ejection side of the wafer substrate, each nozzle having a drop ejection actuator and an associated drop ejection aperture for ejecting drops of liquid. Ducting extends from the liquid supply side into the wafer substrate and terminating before reaching the droplet ejection side. Liquid inlets establish fluid communication between the ducting and the array of nozzles.
US07967403B2
Provided is a home bar for a refrigerator that reduces assembly costs of a gasket and prevents cooling air leakage by improving a gasket structure of a home bar. The home bar includes an opening, a home-bar frame, a home-bar door, and a gasket. The opening is formed on a refrigerator door. The home-bar frame forms an edge portion of the opening. The home-bar door is rotatably coupled to one end of the home-bar frame. The gasket is coupled to the home-bar frame and surrounds both a front surface and a rear surface of the home-bar frame. The home bar can be easily sealed by preventing cooling air leakage from a storing portion of the home bar. In addition, assembly costs of a gasket and a home-bar frame can be reduced, thereby reducing a fabrication cost of a refrigerator.
US07967401B2
A systemic cabinet is composed of multiple boards and multiple connecting pieces. Each board has multiple mortises defined at sides respectively to combine the corresponding connecting pieces with supporting strength by wedging to form a configuration of the systemic cabinet. The connecting pieces have multiple types in design variation to provide orientation-positioning efficiency and have supporting strength to make the composed systemic cabinet firm and stable. Therefore, once one board is worn out, only the worn board is replaced by detaching the connecting pieces to save other elements and to make the replacement easy and environmental for future repair.
US07967392B2
A hub body for a bicycle wheel has a substantially tubular body extending along a longitudinal axis with a pair of opposite end portions, at least one of which has an annular front surface on which a plurality of housing seats for an end portion of respective spokes are formed. Advantageously, at least some of these seats comprise retention elements adapted to prevent said spokes from moving along a direction substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis in all operating conditions. The spoke is thus prevented from moving away from the hub in the case of untightening or breaking of a spoke during a race, which would compromise the correct operation of the wheel and/or constitute a danger to the cyclists.
US07967391B1
A saw and water dispensing combination system includes a handsaw that includes a motor, a handle attached to the motor, and a blade mechanically coupled to the motor that is rotated when the motor is turned on. The blade is configured to cut through cement blocks. A shroud extends over an upper portion of the blade relative to the motor and a grip is attached to the motor distal to the blade. A container is provided that has water therein. A pump is fluidly coupled to the container and creates pressure within the container when the pump is actuated. An outlet conduit is fluidly coupled to the container. Water is forced into the outlet conduit when the pump is actuated and the outlet conduit ejects the water onto the saw blade. A coupler releasably couples the container to the handsaw.
US07967390B2
A machine and method are disclosed for deconstructing walls and other substantially vertical surfaces. The machine comprises a static, stand-alone support-frame. A carriage is movably mounted on the support-frame, which carriage is operable to be raised and lowered along the support-frame adjacent to a workface. To the carriage are mounted one or more nozzles, preferably the nozzles are mounted to the carriage by means of a nozzle carrier that is operable to move back and forth along the length of the carriage. The nozzles are connected to a high-pressure supply of an erosive material, preferably water. The erosive material, when forced through the nozzles, form jet streams that are directed against the surface of the workface, thereby eroding the surface.Optionally, the invention comprises means of yawing or means of rotating the nozzles in order to access the sidewalls of the opening in the workface produced by the invention.Optionally, the invention comprises means of adjusting the nozzles towards or away from the workface surface in order to maintain an optimal gap between the nozzle and the workface surface as the opening gets deeper.Optionally, the invention comprises a work platform mounted on the support-frame and operable to be raised and lowered along the support-frame, thereby providing access to the workface for workers cutting rebar and carrying out other ancillary tasks.
US07967379B2
A seat including a plurality of user support assemblies that are independently adjustable. User support assemblies, which are independently adjustable, include a head support assembly, a thoracic support assembly, and a lumbar support assembly. Moreover, the seat might include a independently adjustable seat assembly.
US07967372B2
A cab-side cover 10 is fixed to a cab 1, and a chassis-side cover 13 is fixed to a side member 2. A rear edge portion 7a of a tilt stay 7 is located between a front tire 5 and the side member 2 while the cab 1 is in a non-tilted state. The cab-side cover 10 includes a cab-side front cover portion 12, and the chassis-side cover 13 includes a chassis-side front cover portion 15. The cab-side front cover portion 12 is located at the outer side, in the vehicle-width direction, of the tilt stay 7 and extends further forward than the rear edge portion 7a of the tilt stay 7 while the cab 1 is in the non-tilted state. The chassis-side front cover portion 15 is located at the inner side, in the vehicle-width direction, of the tilt stay 7 and extends further forward and downward than the front lower edge of the cab-side front cover portion 12 while the cab 1 is in the non-tilted state.
US07967370B2
A variable length bed system is provided for a vehicle having a load-carrying bed and a support structure configured to provide support to the bed system. The bed system comprises a floor structure including a bed floor and a separate shell. The bed floor includes a support for directly supporting cargo. The support is a selected support that is selected from a first support having a first length and a second support having a second length that is greater than the first length. The separate shell is connected to a first end section of the support and defines a first storage chamber disposed adjacent the support. The shell has first and second chamber openings. The first chamber is accessible through the first opening. The shell has a fixed size. The differing lengths of the first support and the second support allow the fixed sized shell to be used in varying vehicle sized load-carrying beds.
US07967365B2
An actuation mechanism for a stowable front roof panel includes a first support assembly to provide vertical movement of the roof panel and a second sliding support structure to provide horizontal movement of the front roof panel. The first support assembly includes first and second upwardly extending supports and a transverse tubular cross member that in combination form an inverted U-shaped roll over protection member. The roll over protection member is used to provide roll over protection to the occupants of the motor vehicle in the event of a vehicle roll over.
US07967364B1
A tarp system with a knuckle arm assembly having a housing on an upper aim with a bent enclosure with a flexible torque shaft substantially within the enclosure, such as an extruded tube. A first end of the flexible torque shaft may be used in conjunction with a motor, preferably mounted away from the bend in the enclosure to minimize the envelope of the tarp system around a container of a container of a trailer or rail car. A second end of the flexible torque shaft is attached to an axle shaft for a roller or the like that is used in conjunction with a tarp.
US07967362B2
A motor vehicle is provided that includes, but is not limited to a windowpane and a protective sunscreen for the windowpane, and the protective sunscreen exhibits a cover that can be moved from a non-use position into a use position, in which the cover at least partially covers the windowpane. The cover exhibits a rigid load-bearing section that accommodates at least one sun visor, which can be moved from a non-use position into a use position.
US07967354B2
A mixed size product end of arm tooling is used in conjunction with a robot to pick mixed size product and place the product onto a pallet or layers resting on top of a pallet. The end of arm tooling includes two center rails/forks mounted to a base. Two outer rails/forks are mounted to linear bearings that guide the outer rails/forks when moving inwardly or outwardly from the center rails for pre-sizing to the product. Pusher arms are formed of two outer pusher arms and one center pusher arm. These pusher arms are attached to linear bushings that guide the pusher arms forward and backward. The pusher arms push off the product simultaneously as the robot is withdrawing the rails.
US07967349B2
An industrial vehicle, in particular a trailer or semi-trailer, comprises on its two sides two side-impact guard devices each comprising at least one bar extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and connected to the frame of the vehicle. Set between the bars of the two side-impact guard devices is a housing structure for one or more spare wheels, in such a way that said housing structure and the spare wheel or wheels housed therein contribute, together with the aforesaid bars, to absorbing the energy of a lateral impact.
US07967348B2
A key alignment system for safety interlock switches uses alignment holes, and alignment pins to compensate for misalignment between a body assembly and a key assembly. The misalignment is often due to normal wear and tear or outright abuse of a gate or other movable member that should be safely interlocked. The key is fixed to a floating plate connected to a mounting plate by a suspension. The alignment pins and holes on or in a fixed alignment assembly and the floating plate can move the floating plate into a position such that the key enters the key hole. Some embodiments incorporate the fixed alignment assembly into the body assembly. The normal function of a keyed safety interlock wherein the key can be caught and held or released is preserved and enhanced by compensating for misalignment.
US07967346B2
Exemplary embodiments are provided of slider mechanisms for slidably opening and closing portable communications terminals. In one exemplary embodiment, a portable communications terminal includes a main body and a slider body sliding on the main body. The slider mechanism includes a first slider member fixed to one of the main body and slider body and a second slider member fixed to the other one. The second slider member is slidably engaged with the first slider member. A zigzag spring is disposed between the first and second slider members. One end portion of the zigzag spring is rotatably supported on one of the first and second slider members and the other end thereof is rotatably supported on the other one of the first and second slider members. The zigzag spring is formed of a first zigzag portion and a second zigzag portion having spring characteristics different from the first zigzag portion.
US07967344B2
A balloon tying device has a base adapted for attaching to a support structure. A cantilever, supported by the base and protruding away from the support structure, is attached to the base. The cantilever has a U-shaped cross section and two ears defining generally parallel planes extending outwardly and terminating at the tip for retaining a loop of balloon material. Inside the U-shape of the cantilever is an axially oriented recess for passing ribbon and providing clearance for tucking the overhand knot. A brace tab extends downward from the lower edge of the base. A ribbon retainer is disposed on the device for integrating spooled or pre-cut ribbon into the balloon knot. The support structure can be human fingers, a station stanchion, a tank stand, or a caddy leg.
US07967343B2
An adapter for pipe locking clamps, particularly but not exclusively useful for welding portions of plastic piping by polyfusion. The adapter has at least two bodies obtained from a metal plate, and arranged parallel to each other. The bodies have respective circular arc-like lateral rims that have a same radius of curvature. The centers of curvature of the circular arc-like lateral rims are all arranged on a same axis so as to form a partially cylindrical concave surface forming an open cradle which is adapted to lock the pipes in cooperation with a similar surface formed on a complementary and opposite reduction unit.
US07967331B2
The present invention provides a passenger airbag structure that prevents an airbag cushion from directly shocking a child in a passenger seat to secure safety of the child by controlling the flow of an inflation gas in an early inflation of the airbag cushion and has the same of improved performance in protecting an adult by inflating the airbag cushion in the same shape as in the related art, when the airbag cushion has completely inflated.
US07967328B2
A continuous side airbag seam for use in a seat of a motor vehicle is disclosed. The seam includes a first material and a second material or a combination of materials joined to one another. The seam further may include any known thread member used to join the first material to the second material. The seam will extend from a portion near the top of the side panel of the seat cover to a portion near the back of the side panel of the seat cover. The seam will be continuous from the top portion to the back portion of the side panel cover of the seat. The continuous seam will have a predetermined shaped curve therein. The predetermined shaped curve will allow for quicker deployment of both the thorax section and pelvis section of an advanced two part side airbag to deploy both downward and forward in a controlled manner.
US07967321B2
A roll coupling assembly includes a roll torque transfer structure and an alignment mechanism. The torque transfer structure includes a first load bearing structure mountable to the rear of the tow vehicle, and a second load bearing structure mountable to the front of the trailer drawbar. Corresponding first and second load bearing surfaces cooperate so as to releasably mate with one another for towing of the trailer behind the tow vehicle. The bearing surfaces are distributed across a substantially planar interface between the rear of the tow vehicle and the front of the trailer drawbar so as to distribute to the tow vehicle torque imparted to the drawbar by relative rolling motion between the trailer and tow vehicle. The coupling alignment mechanism adjusts the relative orientation of the first and second load bearing surfaces so as to align them for mating to one another.
US07967320B2
An accessory for trailer hitch systems having components for equalizing loads and reducing trailer sway. The accessory includes a jacket for attaching to a bracket that supports a load equalizing spring bar. The bracket may include a lateral extending portion for supporting the spring bar. The jacket may include a socket for receiving the lateral extending portion of the bracket, such that the jacket may be removably installed on the bracket. The jacket may include a contact surface for contacting the spring bar. The contact surface may include a different coefficient of friction or a different shape, as compared to the lateral extending portion of the bracket, such that movement of the spring bar with respect to the bracket may be altered as compared to conditions in which the spring bar is supported on the bracket without the jacket.
US07967318B2
A stand device for a motorcycle includes an interlocking mechanism having a coil-formed stand spring connected to a stand at one end thereof. A spring support member has a spring support portion connected with the other end of the stand spring and is interlocked and connected to an operating element so that the position of the spring support portion can be changed according to a manual operation of an operating element. The position of the spring support portion determined according to the operation of the operating element toward the erect position side is so set that the stand spring is put in the state of urging the stand toward the erect position side.
US07967314B1
A wheeled vehicle drive mechanism is provided that has a hand leverage arm and one or more horizontal gears to move associated drive gears. A drive chain meshed with a fixed drive sprocket keyed to the drive gears may be used to transmit motion from the horizontal gears to the vehicle wheels.
US07967304B2
A steering stopper unit for vehicle includes a stopper that is disposed to a knuckle and a stopper bracket that corresponds to the stopper and is disposed to a lower arm that is rotatably connected with a lower portion of the knuckle, and includes a stopper plate, which is hingedly engaged with an end of the stopper bracket, selectively contacts a forward side or rearward side of the stopper bracket, and has a predetermined thickness.
US07967301B2
A method for controlling or regulating a level control system for a motor vehicle including a compressed air source, at least one air spring, a switchable directional control valve associated with the air spring and a master line connecting the compressed air source to the switchable directional control valve. The switchable directional control valve blocking the master line in a normal state thereof and connecting the master line through for filling the air spring in a switching state thereof. The master line is filled with compressed air before filling the air spring until the air pressure in the master line is at least equally as high as a predetermined threshold value, and only thereafter is the switchable directional control valve transferred into the switching state for filling the air spring. A level control system for a motor vehicle is also provided.
US07967298B2
An elongated elastomeric gasket (10) seals a pair of opposing flanges (12, 14) against the passage of liquid without compressing the flanges (12, 14) together. A reinforcing spring (32) is embedded within the elastomeric gasket (10) and is shaped so as to react when deflected by the operation of installing the gasket (10) into an operative position between the flanges (12, 14). A strategically located U-shaped bend (34) formed in the reinforcing spring (32) causes, in a preferred embodiment, contact pressure to be increased between opposed sealing beads at the other end of the gasket. More specifically, lateral contact pressure between a first pair of sealing beads (24) and their associated contact faces (38) is increased as a direct result of the reinforcing spring (32) being displaced during the assembly process. Likewise, lateral contact pressure between a second pair of beads (28) and their respective contact faces (42) is increased in direct response to the lateral displacement of the reinforcing spring (32) in the region of the first beads (24) during assembly.
US07967293B2
The present invention relates to a game of dice wherein each player (i) draws a hand of at least three dice, wherein each die possesses a number of sides, an equivalent number of consecutive numerical values with one numerical value per side, and a suit, the suits being ranked from highest suit rank to lowest suit rank, wherein each side and numerical value in a die is associated with said suit; wherein the dice in a hand are of different suits, none having the same suit, but all of the dice in a hand having the same number of sides and numerical values; and (ii) compares the hand to an established ranking system of hands to determine the hand of highest rank, wherein the hand of highest rank is deemed the winner.
US07967289B2
A drive roll/idler roll nip release mechanism utilizes the motor used for the drive nip, coupled with one-way clutches, to power the nip release as a sheet is handed off to a downstream nip. A drive shaft is coupled to a first one-way clutch in one direction and an idler cam shaft is coupled to a second one-way clutch in the opposite direction. This allows the idler cam shaft to be driven only when the motor is reversed, and the drive shaft to be driven only when the motor is moving forward. The one-way clutch on the drive shaft allows the drive wheels to freewheel when the motor is reversed in order to engage the nip release. Thus, the nip release is activated while the drive nip continues to rotate in the direction of sheet motion.
US07967284B2
A sheet conveying device in which at least a sheet is guided and conveyed by a guiding member includes a discharging roller that conveys the sheet, a first guiding member and a second guiding member that are arranged along an outer periphery of the discharging roller, and a supporting shaft that rotatably supports both the first guiding member and the second guiding member. When the first guiding member is located at a first position in which a path between the first guiding member and the discharging roller is closed, the sheet is guided to a shift conveying path, and when the first guiding member is located at a second position in which the path is opened, the sheet is guided to a folding processing tray.
US07967281B2
A vibration isolation member comprising an inner member comprising an outer periphery having a first dimension; an outer member comprising a base and a shroud that extends away from the base, the shroud adapted to overlay the inner member, said shroud defining an inner periphery having a second dimension, the second dimension being less than the first dimension; and a resilient member constrained between the shroud and the inner member, whereby the vibration isolation member provides iso-elastic dynamic stiffness and an interference between the inner and outer members in the event of a failure of the resilient member.
US07967278B2
The present invention is directed to apparatus for a winch assembly. The winch assembly may be secured to a towing trailer and arranged to assist in loading and unloading cargo from the trailer. The winch assembly may include mechanisms, systems, and features to make the winch assembly easy to assemble and use, increase the service life of the winch assembly, and improve the consistency of the performance of the winch assembly. Embodiments of a winch assembly disclosed include novel drive systems, novel ratchet and pawl systems, novel systems for guiding a winch strap, novel systems for securing the winch assembly to a towing trailer, and a novel frame member for a winch assembly.
US07967271B2
This invention provides a support arm to couple a monitor to a surface such as a wall or ceiling to remotely adjust the viewing angle of the monitor. The support arm includes at least one motor along a pivot axis in the support arm. The motor may be activated by a processor based on the control signal provided by the remote control. The support arm may include a plurality of pivot axes with a motor in each of the pivot axis to adjust the viewing angle along the vertical and horizontal planes. The support arm may be also provided with a tracking device that follows the movement of the viewer to adjust the viewing angle of the monitor corresponding to the movement of the viewer. The support arm may also receive periodic signal from the remote control to determine the location of the remote control. Based on the periodic signal, the processor may adjust the viewing angle of the monitor towards the location of the remote control.
US07967263B2
A fixing device is provided. The fixing device is fixed to a surface, comprising a sucker, a rack, a gear, a transforming unit and a limiting unit. The rack is connected to the sucker. The gear is engaged to the rack. The transforming unit is connected to the gear. The transforming unit rotates the gear to move the rack between a first position and a second position. The rack pushes the sucker to apply a suction force to the surface when the rack is in the first position, and the suction force of the sucker is released when the rack is in the second position. The limiting unit is connected to the rack to restrict the rack.
US07967256B2
A spacecraft battery thermal management system is provided that includes a battery, a first radiator panel and a second radiator panel. A first face of the first radiator panel is arranged to face a first direction and a first face of the second radiator panel is arranged to face a second direction opposite the first direction. A first heat pipe thermally couples the battery and the first radiator panel and is configured to control the transfer of heat between the battery and the first radiator panel. A second heat pipe thermally couples the battery and the second radiator panel and is configured to control the transfer of heat between the battery and the second radiator panel. Solar cells are optionally arranged on the faces of the first and/or second radiator panels.
US07967254B2
A sling release mechanism for releasing the sling of a drogue parachute from a descending aerially delivered cargo pallet. The sling release mechanism has a body, with which a pivot arm, an inner and outer hinge plate articulate. The inner and outer hinge plates articulate in opposite directions when in use. The inner hinge plate has a cavity or receiver into which the end tip of the pivot arm may engage. The end of a parachute sling is placed over the pivot arm, and the pivot arm and inner hinge plate are articulated to engage the pivot pin end with the receiver of the inner hinge plate. The outer hinge plate is then articulated to engage the inner hinge plate, and is held in place with a releasable retainer. The parachute sling is released by releasing the retainer, allowing the outer and then the inner hinge plates to articulate, thereby releasing the pivot arm to articulate, after which the end of the parachute sling slides off the pivot pin. Other embodiments include multiple mechanisms for releasing a plurality of slings.
US07967253B2
A fairing suitable for enclosing a component mounted on an exterior surface of a mobile platform, and more particularly on an outer surface of a high speed mobile platform such as a jet aircraft or an aerospace vehicle. The fairing provides aggressive closure angles for optimum RF performance when used to house an antenna that is scanned to varying azimuth and elevation angles. The fairing further provides low aerodynamic drag, is scalable to enclose components having wide ranging dimensions, and provides attached flow with minimum separation of airflow thereover for airflows experienced by high speed jet aircraft, and reduces or eliminates RF reflections within the fairing from the RF beam of the antenna.
US07967245B2
The invention relates to a wind-brace device for an aircraft undercarriage, the device comprising a hinged brace movable between a folded position and a stabilization position for stabilizing the undercarriage in the deployed position, a stabilizer member for stabilizing the brace comprising two hinged-together arms, one of the arms having one end hinged to the brace about a hinge axis, and a spring member for urging the arm of the stabilizer member towards the locked position. The spring member is connected to a lever hinged to the brace, the lever presenting a slot in which there is engaged a finger secured to the arm that is hinged to the brace.
US07967238B2
A system including a heavier-than-air vehicle (HTA), a lighter-than-air vehicle (LTA), and a tether is disclosed. The tether is coupled between the HTA and the LTA such that the LTA supports the HTA. The system may be further configured to suit the needs of the particular application. For example, the system may be configured to be controllable from a remote location or capable of autonomous operations. The system may also be configured such that the HTA comprises a mission payload and communications equipment. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the LTA is configured to provide lift for the system and the HTA is configured to provide station-keeping propulsion, the advantage being reduced fuel consumption and increased mission endurance.
US07967236B2
An arrangement of attenuating the vibration in a roll assembly of a fiber web machine, in which assembly the roll (10) being rotatably suspended at its end on bearings in bearing housings (13a, 13b), and the bearing housings being supported on the frame or the foundation of the machine via viscoelastic intermediate piece or pieces (21a, 21b). The loss factor of the intermediate piece is greater than 0.1 at the normal operating conditions of the roll at a frequency range, which is ±10% calculated from the lowest bending eigenfrequency of the roll, and in the each end of the roll the spring constant of the total influence of the intermediate piece or pieces is in the range of 0.04 GN/m-1 GN/m.
US07967221B2
A method of forming droplets comprises flowing a liquid through a channel; spreading the liquid into a thin film in the channel; and impinging the thin film with a flowing gas to atomize the liquid into droplets. The droplets may then be dried to produce dried particles, such as particles comprising a pharmaceutical active agent. The droplets formed by the disclosed process have improved size and/or size distribution characteristics.
US07967214B2
An electronic card comprises a thin, flexible substrate having electrical circuitry embedded therein. An activation device is disposed in the substrate and is configured to complete a circuit in response to a stimulus, such as light or sound. An output device is disposed in the substrate and is configured to produce an output, such as music or vibration, wherein the output device is activated upon the completion of the circuit by the activation device. A cavity is formed in an outer surface of the substrate and has electrical contacts at an inner portion thereof in electrical communication with the electrical circuitry. The cavity further comprises retaining means for replaceably retaining a battery in the cavity to enable the battery to provide power to the electrical circuitry, the activation device, and the output device. The retaining means allows a battery to be removed from the cavity and replaced with another battery.
US07967212B1
A network node in a communication path between a client station and a web content server determines or estimates a power consumption level associated with particular web content requested by the client station. The client station is preferably a wireless communications device operating on battery power. Based on the current battery level in the device, the battery type or total capacity, user preferences and determined or estimated power consumption level, the node sends a power consumption notification to the client station, either prior to or simultaneously with the transmission of the web content. The notification message alerts the user to the possibility of their battery being drawn down to a low level if they download the content, and thus allows the user to abort the download to preserve battery capacity.
US07967207B1
Bar codes used for various applications. A bar code can be used for biometrics, or for computer data entry. A special bar code is described that has additional information, but can be read by other readers.
US07967206B2
An automatic data collection device is provided for reading barcodes, matrix codes, stacked codes, or other machine-readable symbol. The data collection device generates an aiming beam that serves a dual purpose of target locating and data acquisition, such as data acquisition using imaging methods. The aiming beam defines the field of view of the data collection device for imaging. The illumination pattern provided by the aiming beam for imaging can have its shape, size, and/or intensity adaptively changed depending on conditions.
US07967203B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus for efficiently authenticating a document (e.g. a credit card) having a magnetic stripe are provided. The magnetic field at different points of the magnetic stripe are measured, e.g., by a checkout scanner to create a magnetic signature. Digital samples of the measurements may be transformed into coefficients of continuous basis functions, e.g., a Fourier transform. These coefficients are then compared to reference values (e.g. corresponding coefficients) to produce a measure of the authenticity of the document. The number of coefficients used can advantageously be smaller than the number of digital samples without compromising accuracy, thus using less bandwidth between a scanner and an authentication entity.
US07967192B1
An automated transaction machine can operate to carry out a financial transaction for a machine user responsive to communication with a financial transaction host computer. The machine includes a card reader that can read a user identifier from a magnetic stripe of a user card. The machine sends the read user identifier to a remote marketing computer. The marketing computer uses a user identifier to determine the next marketing presentation to be presented to a machine user corresponding to the user identifier. Responsive to a message received from the marketing computer, the machine operates to display the determined next marketing presentation to the machine user. A marketing campaign includes a sequence of presentations to be output in a predetermined order to a machine user. Machine communication with the remote marketing message computer is independent of machine communication with the transaction host computer.
US07967189B2
In one embodiment, the invention provides a keyboard overlay adapted to indicate which one of a plurality of menu commands provided by a particular software application is invoked when an alphanumeric key is pressed together with a modifier key on a computer keyboard. In this embodiment, the keyboard overlay has a portion overlaying the modifier key and displaying a predetermined color thereby associating the color with the modifier key. The keyboard overlay has a portion overlaying the alphanumeric key and displaying the predetermined color together with closely associated indicia identifying the menu command. More complex arrangements are described that indicate keyboard equivalents that involve pressing an alphanumeric key together with more than one modifier key.
US07967186B2
The present invention relates to a reconfigurable carrying device. The device includes a container and a handle. The handle is movably coupled to the container and reconfigurable between a collapsed or stored position and an extended or deployed position. In one position, the handle extends from the container to form a hand grip for carrying the container. In another position, the handle lies substantially flat against a wall or surface of the container from which the handle extends.
US07967185B2
A method of forming a bonded body comprised of a first base member, a second base member, and a first bonding film and a second bonding film provided between the first base member and the second base member is provided. The first bonding film and the second bonding film are constituted mainly of copper. The method is comprised of: forming the first bonding film on the first base member by using a chemical vapor-film formation method; forming the second bonding film on the second base member by using a chemical vapor-film formation method; bringing the first bonding film formed on the first base member into contact with the second bonding film formed on the second base member so that the first bonding film faces the second bonding film; and applying a compressive force to the first base member and the second base member so that the first bonding film and the second bonding film are bonded together to thereby obtain the bonded body. Two base members can be firmly and efficiently bonded together with high dimensional accuracy at a low temperature, and the two base members can be efficiently separated (peeled off) to each other after use of the bonded body. Further, a bonded body is also provided.
US07967180B2
The present disclosure provides for a loading unit for use with and/or supportable on a distal end of a surgical stapling apparatus. The loading unit includes a housing portion including a distal end and a proximal end, a drive assembly slidably supported within the housing portion of the loading unit, and a locking mechanism pivotally supported on the housing portion of the loading unit, the locking mechanism having a first position wherein the locking mechanism engages a portion of the drive assembly and maintains the position, preferably the axial position, of the drive assembly relative to the housing portion of the loading unit, and the locking mechanism having a second position wherein the locking mechanism disengages the drive assembly and enables the drive assembly to move relative to the housing portion.
US07967172B2
A dispenser for a container has an annular ring with a central portion which has at least one aperture. The annular ring is attached to a valve dimensioned to close an opening of the dispenser. The valve is operatively associated with the opening and biased in the closed position. Depressing the annular ring acts as an actuator to cause the valve to move inwardly into the container and away from the opening, thereby allowing the contents to be dispensed from the container through the at least one aperture of the annular ring.
US07967158B2
A mobile lift crane includes a carbody, a rotating bed, a boom, a moveable counterweight unit, at least one linear actuation device and at least one arm pivotally connected at a first end to the rotating bed and at a second end to the linear actuation device. The arm and linear actuation device are connected between the rotating bed and the counterweight unit such that extension and retraction of the linear actuation device changes the position of the counterweight unit. In one method of operation, the counterweight is never supported by the ground during crane pick, move and set operations other than indirectly by the ground engaging members on the carbody. One embodiment includes a counterweight movement structure having a rectangular rack with at least first and third pinion gears engaged with teeth on one side and second and fourth pinion gears engaged with teeth on the opposing side.
US07967151B1
A money saving universal fuel recycling machine has a reservoir for receiving fuel from a used fuel filter or other source of used or old fuel. A pumping device selectively moves the fuel from the reservoir through the filtration devices. Each filtration device has a lower portion for collecting water and other waste material for selective removal to a waste receptacle. The filter fuel that can be selectively routed to either a new fuel filter or a recycled fuel container.
US07967150B2
According to the present invention, there is provided a centrifugation dewatering apparatus that is capable of using a flow of air to dry a material to be dewatered while the material is being subjected to centrifugation dewatering. A centrifugation dewatering apparatus has a water-draining basket (2) for accommodating a material to be dewatered (i), and the water-draining basket (2) is rotatably provided to an apparatus main body (3). The water-draining basket (2) is rotatably driven, whereby water that has adhered to the material to be dewatered (i) is centrifugally removed. A hollow rotating shaft part (5) that is caused to rotate using a drive source (4) is vertically provided to the apparatus main body (3). The water-draining basket (2), which rotates in tandem with the rotating shaft part (5), is provided to a periphery of the rotating shaft part (5). The interior of the hollow rotating shaft part (5) and the interior of the water-draining basket (2) are provided in a communicating state. Air introduced into the rotating shaft part (5) is introduced into the water-draining basket (2) via the interior of the rotating shaft part (5) when the material to be dewatered (i) that is accommodated in the water-draining basket (2) is centrifugally dewatered by the rotation of the rotating shaft part (5) as provided by the drive source (4). The material to be dewatered (i) is dried using the air flow and the centrifugal force.
US07967145B2
The present invention relates to a kit for whitening teeth and a kit for fabricating a dental apparatus and/or denture without visiting the dentist or stomataologist.
US07967144B2
A package is provided that is able to contain tablets or like separate dispensable items in a manner exhibiting child-resistant and senior-friendly dispensing properties. The package includes a card, such as a blister card, and a protective hollow sleeve. The card has a base strip on which a plurality of spaced-apart compartments are provided for holding the tablets or like items, and the sleeve has an opposed pair of side edges extending between opposite ends with at least one of the ends being a dispensing end of the package. The sleeve provides a protective housing for the card when the card is in a storage position within the sleeve, and the card is slidable relative to the sleeve between the storage position and a dispensing position in which the card extends at least partially outside the sleeve to expose at least one of the compartments. The card has a pair of locking tabs extending laterally from opposite sides of the card, and the side edges of the sleeve cooperatively engage the locking tabs to lock the card in the storage position when the card is slid within the sleeve to the storage position.
US07967134B2
A suture pledget assembly is disclosed that includes a block with at least one slit and a pledget in an abutting relationship to the block. A suture has first and second end portions that are retained by the first and second slits, respectively. The first and second end portions generally extend beyond a face of the block and are substantially parallel to each other. A suture pledget package for retaining a suture is disclosed. The suture pledget package includes a front panel and a backing panel where the backing panel forms a plurality of tracks. Each track is configured and dimensioned to receive at least one suture pledget assembly.
US07967131B2
An endless conveyor belt has teeth with drive faces raked away from the direction of travel. The belt can be driven by a drive pulley having sheaves with drive faces raked toward the direction of travel. The drive faces on the sheaves engage the drive faces on the teeth to move the belt and the raked angle tends to pull the belt inwardly. A stationary foot assists removing a driven tooth from its corresponding sheave.
US07967128B2
An article conveying device 10 in which a floor surface 21 of each of a plurality of fixed floors 20 is arranged so as to form a descending slope towards a downstream side in a conveying direction with respect to each other, each of a plurality of moving floors 30 is adjacently arranged on a side in the conveying direction with respect to each fixed floor 20, and a raising/lowering operation of simultaneously positioning the respective floor surface 31 of each moving floor 30 at a high position and a low position with respect to the floor surface 21 of the adjacent fixed floor 20 is repeated to arrange the floor surface 31 of each moving floor 30 positioned at the high position so as to form a descending slope towards the downstream side in the conveying direction with respect to each other.
US07967127B2
The present invention relates to an adjustable star wheel and guide rail assembly for use with containers being processed on an automated handling line between machines such as rotary packaging machines. Star wheels derive their name from their general shape. The star wheels of this invention have fingers that support containers, such that they convey the containers as the star wheel rotates. Conveniently, the fingers of the present invention may be set in any position within their range of movement. In addition, a supporting guide rail may be adjusted, for example by rotation on cams. Thus, the fingers and the guide rail may be set to convey containers of varying sizes while keeping the container's centers travelling along the centerline of the conveyor.
US07967124B2
A package stream indexer device for indexing a stream of packages being displaced thereon within a stream plane includes a first articulated track with live rollers and a second articulated track with depending pressure wheels for maintaining packages in contact with the first track and within the package path defined there between within the stream plane. The first and second articulated tracks are each composed of a plurality of interconnected links frictionally engaged together to allow adjustment in track orientation from one set position to another by means of dynamic movement on the track.
US07967122B2
A torque transmitting device in a drive train of a motor vehicle to transmit torque between an internal combustion engine having a drive shaft and a transmission having coaxial input shafts. The transmission input shafts are each non-rotatably connected with a respective clutch disc having friction linings. An intermediate pressure plate is positioned between the friction linings of the clutch discs and is non-rotatably connected to the engine drive shaft. The friction linings of the clutch discs are between the intermediate pressure plate and respective axially movable clutch pressure plates that are actuated by an actuation device. To provide support for the double clutch unit the intermediate pressure plate is radially mounted on one of the two transmission input shafts.
US07967120B2
A maritime power supply system for supplying power to a docked ship, including a cable management system having at least one power cable assembly having, at a first end, a first connection arrangement for connecting the power cable assembly to the ship and, at an opposite second end, second a connection arrangement for connecting the power cable assembly to a dockside power supply; and a reel for winding the at least one power cable assembly thereon and for unwinding the at least one power cable assembly therefrom. According to an important aspect of the invention, the cable management system is arranged in a stackable power supply container placed on the ship.
US07967110B2
An access ladder includes a plurality of sections connected together to telescope between an extended position and a retracted position that has an increasing reactive force to counterbalance the weight of the sections as they extend. A method for accessing a room with a ladder connected to a ceiling including the steps of moving the ladder to a fully extended position subject to an increasingly active force to counterbalance the weight of the ladder as it extends. There is the step of retracting the ladder into a retracted position in the ceiling.
US07967106B2
An air induction sound modification system for an internal combustion engine includes a multi-frequency sound suppression unit having Helmholtz resonators and a multi-component expansion chamber. A sound generator, which functions to radiate sound at a desirable, tuned frequency, extends between the multi-function sound suppression unit and a second expansion chamber, such as an air cleaner box.
US07967104B2
A speaker enclosure, or enclosure, and kit with plural linearly aligned panels connected by flexible couplings are shipped in a parallel stack with all the coupled panels still coupled during shipment, plus additional panels, also stacked parallel. The flexible couplings may be provided by a single sheet of flexible substrate coupled to the linearly aligned panels. One side of the assembled speaker enclosure includes a middle panel of the coupled panels, having at least one flat rabbet joint. The external length of the middle panel is long enough to permit folding of at least one of the outermost of the panels, with flexible substrate and a covering, under the middle panel. The assembled speaker enclosure is held together with a flexible substrate, adhesive, clamps, or preferably, any two thereof. Openings for speakers and connector cups are provided. The kit includes adhesive, instructions, at least one connector cup, and hardware.
US07967101B2
The invention is a combination drive and suspension system that includes an upper drive assembly and a lower drive assembly pivotally connected. The pivoting drive system provides improved ground clearance for a farm vehicle capable of carrying a large quantity of field application material.
US07967097B2
A motorcycle suspension apparatus and method is provided. In one embodiment, a motorcycle suspension assembly includes a shaft and at least two asymmetric bushings, with each bushing comprising an inner element and an outer element, with the outer element and inner elements constructed of different materials. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
US07967094B2
A machine room (15) is provided between a cab (14) and a counterweight (6) which are mounted on a revolving frame (5) to accommodate an engine (7). The machine room (15) is built of a left front support member (20), a rear support member (21), a connecting support member (22) and a left side housing door (25). A horizontal grip portion (22B) and an inclined grip portion (22C) are provided in intermediate portions of the connecting support member (22) which connects the left front support member (20) and the rear support member (21). By opening the left side housing door (25), the inclined grip portion (22C) of the connecting support member (22) comes out, permitting a servicing worker to hold on thereto helping him or her perform a cleaning job of a rear face portion (14B) of a cab (14) in an efficient manner.
US07967091B2
A control method and control system for a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain with a multiple-ratio transmission is disclosed in which engine start events are separated in time from transmission ratio shift events to effect a smooth transition from an electric drive state with the engine off to a drive state in which the engine delivers driving power.
US07967089B2
Children's ride-on vehicles having powered window mechanisms, and window mechanisms for such vehicles. The window mechanism includes a window drive assembly that selectively drives movement of a window member relative to the vehicle body. In some embodiments, the window drive assembly includes a window motor assembly and a window linkage to couple the output of the window motor assembly to the window member. In some embodiments, the window member includes a receiving region coupled to the window linkage. In some embodiments, the window mechanism includes a window support assembly that maintains the window member in a predetermined orientation relative to the vehicle body.
US07967073B2
A control line running system includes a control line storage unit and a guiding system having a guiding device and a guide rail for guiding a control line from the control line storage unit toward a well center. The system may also include a control line manipulator assembly for moving the control line toward a tubular and a control line clamp for attaching the control line to the tubular.
US07967066B2
A method for monitoring a Christmas tree assembly installed on a subsea hydrocarbon well includes receiving a plurality of parameters associated with the Christmas tree assembly. A health metric for the Christmas tree assembly is determined based on the parameters. A problem condition with the Christmas tree assembly is identified based on the determined health metric.
US07967064B2
An apparatus for radially expanding and plastically deforming a tubular member includes a support member with a fluid passage. A mandrel is movably coupled to the support member and includes an expansion cone operable to radially expand and plastically deform the tubular member when moved relative to the tubular member. A pressure chamber is positioned between the support member and the mandrel, and the pressure chamber is fluidicly coupled to the fluid passage. A releasable support is coupled to the support member and operable to selectively couple the support member to the tubular member.
US07967056B2
A process for manufacturing steel long products provides for starting from a continuous casting step with liquid core reduction, followed by induction heating without interruption until the end of a rolling step in a plurality of stands. The blooms or billets subjected to such a process have initial thickness in the range between 120 and 400 mm and a high “mass flow” passing in the time unit at the outlet from the continuous casting, as well as an average temperature in the cross-section which is higher than the surface temperature, being in the core or inner middle region higher by 100° C. than on the surface, that is of about 1200° C. A plant for carrying out such a process is also described.
US07967053B2
This invention relates to filters made from a refractory material, preferably an insulating material, and chemical binder. The filters are used in the foundry industry to filter molten metal. The invention also relates to a process for preparing the filters.
US07967052B2
A vehicle roof blind assembly includes a guide rail having upper and lower slide grooves, a pull rod, and a slide member having a slide portion extending slidably into the upper slide groove. A fabric blind has a transverse end portion connected to the pull rod, and a longitudinal insert portion received slidably in the lower slide groove and including first and second insert parts, and an angled part interconnecting the first and second insert parts. A guiding device is connected to the slide member, and includes a guide insert projecting into the lower slide groove and into the angled part between the first and second insert parts so as to push the angled part transversely of the fabric blind and inwardly of the lower slide groove.
US07967050B2
An awning assembly includes a canopy, a first and second arm assembly, and a canopy rod. The arm assemblies can each include an adjustable pitch arm assembly configured to adjust the pitch of the canopy. The canopy rod has a first end and a second end each supported by one of the arm assemblies. Manual adjustment of the adjustable pitch arm assemblies is configured to move the ends of the canopy rod. The canopy is movable from a first deployed position to a second deployed position when the adjustable pitch arm assemblies are both manually adjusted from an extended position to a collapsed position. The canopy can be movable from either deployed position to a retracted position without manually adjusting the adjustable pitch arm assemblies. The adjustable pitch arm assemblies can change positions in response to water being collected on the awning assembly to drain the collected water.
US07967048B2
A transferring device 10 for transferring plate-like members such as a semiconductor wafer and the like among the first table T1, the second table T2 and the third table T3. The transferring device 10 includes a supporting unit provided with a supporting face for the semiconductor wafer W, and a multi joint robot 12 for transferring the supporting unit 11. The supporting face includes an adhesive sheet S in which an adhesive layer A is laminated on a sheet base material SB, and transferring among the table T1 through T3 can be performed through sticking and peeling operation between the adhesive sheet S and the semiconductor wafer.
US07967047B2
A film splicer including a base body on which two films to be spliced are aligned such that splicing ends thereof make contact with each other, an adhesive tape applied to the splicing ends of the films to join them, and a splicer arm that is folded against the base body to bore sprocket holes by punching members and to cut the adhesive tape by cutting members to a length corresponding to the length in the width direction of the films, wherein the cutting members comprise punches capable of punching out both the adhesive tape and excessive edge areas in the width direction of the films and that are formed with tapered portions having an angle relative to a cutting direction that extends in the longer direction of the films, the tapered portions being formed at both end areas in the cutting direction, whereby edge areas in the width direction of the films spliced together are free of steps.
US07967045B2
A drive axle assembly includes a non-rotating spindle having a cylindrical body defining an internal cavity and an axle shaft assembly mounted within the internal cavity for rotation about an axis. A seal assembly is positioned within the internal cavity to provide a sealed chamber between the axle shaft assembly and the non-rotating spindle. A first air passage is formed within the cylindrical body and includes an air inlet to be in fluid communication with an air supply and an air outlet in fluid communication with the sealed chamber. A second air passage is formed within the axle shaft assembly and receives air input from the sealed chamber and includes an air output to be associated with at least one tire.
US07967038B2
A method for installing lock levers for a beverage filling machine includes supplying a plurality of lock levers, including a plurality of regular size lock levers with a first dimension associated with the height of an engagement surface relative to the axis of rotation of the lever, and at least one other lock lever having a second dimension for the height such that the second dimension is reduced or increased relative to the first dimension, installing a plurality of regular size lock levers on the beverage filling machine, determining if the engagement surface of any of the regular size lock levers is not positioned at a predetermined position and thereby non-conforming, then installing at the location of any non-conforming regular size lock lever one of the at least one other lock lever having a second dimension to position the engagement surface thereof substantially at the predetermined position.
US07967036B2
The present invention provides a natural gas compression system, comprising a gas inlet component for the entrance of natural gas into the system, a booster component for increasing the pressure of the natural gas, a drying component for drying the natural gas, a compressor component including a reciprocating compressor for further increasing the pressure of the natural gas, a valve control panel and storage component, and a dispensing component.
US07967035B2
A system and method for quickly refilling a pressurized irritant dispenser is disclosed. In the system and method, either the dispensing nozzle or the connection between the dispensing nozzle and the valve assembly is replaced with a quick connect fitting. The quick connect fitting allows for both the quick refill of irritant and the quick attachment (and detachment) of various accessories to the pressurized irritant dispenser.
US07967030B2
A long-length hose spliced from two or more hoses containing an inner sealing layer, at least two spirally laid reinforcing plies, and a cover. A liner forming the inner sealing layer is formed by leak-tight splicing of liners of hoses to be spliced and the reinforcing plies are embedded into filling/adhesive material inside of a rigid outer sleeve, at the location of the splicing.
US07967027B2
A diverter valve includes a housing and a diverting stem cartridge. The housing has a top and a bottom and a stem cartridge receiving chamber. The housing also has an inlet port proximate the bottom thereof and a plurality of laterally directed outlet ports. Each outlet port directs water to selective alternative uses such as a spout, shower, body spray or the like. The stem cartridge also has an inlet port proximate the bottom and has a plurality of laterally directed outlet ports for selective alignment with the outlet ports of the housing. The inlet ports and outlet ports of said stem cartridge has there-between a stem waterway to allow water to flow from the inlet to said outlets. The cartridge has contained therein at least two checking mechanisms disposed prior to the waterway. The at least two check mechanisms prevents water from the outlet ports from contaminating the water supply. Replacement of the stem cartridge permits simple replacement of faulty checking devices without the need for skilled tradesmen being involved.
US07967015B2
An earplug has a single very long main flange with a maximum diameter that is at least 80% of the length of the main flange, and at least 55% of the entire length of the earplug except for the stem. This allows the outside of the long flange to extend at a very small angle to the axial direction, and apply a constant force against the walls of the ear canal, for good and comfortable sealing to the ear canal.
US07967011B2
Actuator for an inhaler for delivering medicament by inhalation, having a mouthpiece for guiding medicament to the mouth of a user; and a removable protection cap for the mouthpiece. The cap is secured to the mouthpiece by a cap retaining member that engages a mating recess in the mouthpiece outer periphery. The cap includes at least one release button arranged to provide an elastic deformation of the cap inner periphery that disengages the cap retaining member from the recess.
US07967010B2
A spray or injection device that includes a casing or a pusher that includes at least one tab radially moveable between a first radial position, in which the tab does not impede the movement of the pusher with respect to the casing, and a second radial position in which the tab opposes movement of the pusher. The pusher or the casing, respectively, includes at least one ramp-shaped projection configured to bring the tab into the second radial position and then allow it to return to the first radial position. The pusher or the casing further includes at least one stop between the pusher and casing to delineate the end of a first stroke corresponding to a first dose of medicament, and the beginning of a second stroke corresponding to a second dose of medicament.
US07967003B2
A windscreen configured for use with a backpacking type of stove and a cooking container. The windscreen more effectively and efficiently directs the heat from the stove to the sides of the container so as to utilize less fuel to warm the materials therein, thereby reducing the weight to be carried by the user. In one embodiment, a plurality of adjustable lower vents selectively partially or fully open to control the wind allowed into the interior area of the windscreen so as to better transfer heat from the stove to the sides of the container. In another embodiment, adjustable support tabs at the upper end of the windscreen allow the user to adjust air flow out of the windscreen. In yet another embodiment, the upper end of the windscreen engages the sides or lip of the cooking container and air flows from the interior area through upper vent holes.
US07967002B2
It is an object of the invention to provide a cooking device and a cooking method which can quickly discharge a steam supplied into a heating chamber from the heating chamber and can cook an object to be heated through uniform steam heating by setting the steam in the heating chamber to have a suitable temperature for the cooking.A cooking device (100) for supplying a steam S to a heating chamber (11) accommodating an object M to be heated, thereby heating the object M to be heated includes steam supplying means for supplying the steam (S) to the heating chamber (11), and air discharging means for discharging the steam supplied to the heating chamber (11) from the heating chamber (11).
US07966995B2
A system and method provide dual level pressurization control of a fuel supply system based on whether fuel is being supplied to one or more secondary fuel loads. Fuel pump discharge backpressure is maintained above either a first minimum pressure value or a lower second minimum pressure value by determining whether fuel is being supplied to one or more secondary fuel loads. The fuel pump discharge pressure is maintained above the first minimum pressure value if it is determined that fuel is being supplied to the one or more secondary loads. The fuel pump discharge backpressure is maintained above the lower second minimum pressure value if it is determined that fuel is not being supplied to the one or more secondary loads.
US07966984B2
A method of operating a fuel delivery system for an internal combustion engine is described. The method may include, after or during engine shutdown, and during a fuel system cool down, activating the first pump; and varying the activation of the first pump responsive to temperature to maintain a higher pressure for high temperatures. By utilizing the pump to generate increased pressure at an appropriate condition during the cool down, for example, the pressures in the system can be managed to reduce the likelihood of fuel migrating to the rail.
US07966982B2
A fixation structure for a valve system rotation shaft of an internal combustion engine to support a camshaft with a cylinder head through the use of a lower cam holder and cam caps, which are formed separately from the cylinder head. The fixation structure eliminates the necessity of taking special vibration/noise control measures for a head cover thus preventing an increase in the cost, size, and weight of the head cover. A head external wall extends toward the head cover rather than toward a head middle surface in such a manner so as to cover the circumference of the lower cam holder fixed to a head middle surface. The connection to the holder fixation section is established with the base end of an external wall of the head cover abutted on the leading end of the head external wall.
US07966965B2
An aircraft gas turbine oil tank 1 includes a casing, which is connected to a filler port, with an optical indicator 2 being associated with the oil tank 1, which includes at least one light emitter 3. This light emitter is associated with a specified filling level and emits an optical signal.
US07966964B2
A tamper-evident mechanism for use with an electronic appliance includes a first housing, a second housing, a fastening device and a shielding element. The first housing includes a perforation, which is surrounded by a ring-shape member. The second housing includes a groove corresponding to the perforation of the first housing, wherein the groove has an inner thread formed on a portion of inner wall thereof. The fastening device includes a head portion and a shaft portion, wherein the shaft portion has an external thread engaged with the inner thread of the groove and the head portion is sustained against the ring-shape member, thereby coupling the first housing with the second housing. The shielding element is inserted into the perforation of the first housing for shielding the head portion of the fastening device.
US07966953B2
The invention provides an innovative yet straightforward approach to driving the seed distribution system in planters which feature hinged winged extensions. The flexibility of the hinged winged extensions may allow the planter to adjust to the contours of a field and to fold to facilitate transport of the planter. In one embodiment, for example, the invention may provide a mechanical coupling between several sections of a seed drive shaft which may support and be driven by a hydraulic motor for each of the winged sections. The seed drive system may also be coupled to row units to synchronize and power the distribution of seeds by the planter.
US07966938B2
A machine (1) for picking up and storing rail fastenings (2) of a track (3) includes two rail fastening pickup devices (9). Arranged between these and a rear on-track undercarriage (4)—with regard to a working direction (6)—is a crawler track (24). At each longitudinal side of the machine, two devices (29) for guiding rails (30) are provided which are adjustable by drives (28) relative to the machine frame (5) and arranged one following the other in the longitudinal direction of the machine.
US07966937B1
A projectile is provided comprising a body with a channel that contains a non-Newtonian fluid. In various embodiments a plunger is located in the channel, wherein the plunger transmits a force to the non-Newtonian fluid upon interacting with a target, causing the non-Newtonian fluid to exert a pressure in the channel, and wherein the viscosity of the non-Newtonian fluid changes upon interacting with the target. By way of non-limiting example, the non-Newtonian fluid of embodiments of the present invention can comprise a shear-thickening fluid that increases its viscosity with at least the rate of shear upon interacting with the target.
US07966933B2
An apparatus and method for clamping printing plates on a plate cylinder is disclosed. A clamping element is integrated into a lockup slot of a plate cylinder with an actuating element. The clamping element is transferred by the actuating element between a first position, where the clamping element clamps the leading end and/or the trailing end of the printing plate, and a second position, where the clamping element releases the leading end and/or the trailing end of the printing plate. The clamping element can be adjusted exclusively in the radial direction of the plate cylinder and the actuating element exclusively in the axial direction of the plate cylinder such that, depending upon the relative axial position of the actuating element with respect to the clamping element, the clamping element is displaced either radially outwardly for clamping the printing plate or is displaced radially inwardly for releasing the printing plate.
US07966931B2
A sheet-fed offset printing press prints multiple colors on both sides of sheets, preferably on sheets of paper. A first row of in-line printing units print a first side of the sheet, before the sheets are turned in a reversing device, which is followed by a second row of in-line printing units for printing the other side of the sheets. The second row of in-line printing units is followed by one or more varnishing units that are arranged in such a way or include varnishing blanket cylinders that are arranged in such a way that the front sides and the back sides of the passing sheets are varnished.
US07966923B2
A conformable self-healing ballistic armor protective structure has a shell formed of a laminated cloth material having outer and inner lamellae. The outer lamella of the laminated material is a ballistic cloth and the inner lamella is a soft, conformable self-healing, rubber compound. The shell is filled preferably with multiplicity of ceramic particles disposed in a fluid.
US07966922B2
A restraint for immobilizing a projectile with respect to its launch system is disclosed. When electromagnetic force is applied to the restraint, the restraint releases the projectile, thereby enabling its launch.
US07966920B2
Disclosed is an airbag deployment device that includes a containment vessel and a retention rack disposed within the containment vessel, wherein the retention rack comprises at least one container, and wherein at least one airbag pyrotechnic actuator may be placed within the at least one container and secured through utilization of at least one pin.
US07966919B2
A safe inspection system for the manual inspection of personal luggage, which comprises an inspection module including at least one inspection member which defines an inspection surface, for supporting a potentially explosive object for manual inspection by an inspector; a blast containment container arranged in a position of immediate communication with the inspection module; and transfer means for effecting the immediate transfer of a suspicious inspected object from the inspection surface to the blast containment container by an inspector without requiring further handling of the object by the inspector, thereby to immediately confine the object within the blast containment container and so as to thus reduce the reduce blast damage in the event that the suspicious object explodes after confinement therewithin. The present invention also includes a kit for converting a blast containment container to a safe inspection system.
US07966915B2
An extensive device is disclosed to connect a bit to a handle of a tool. The extensive device includes a rod, a polygonal sphere, a socket and a retaining element. The polygonal sphere is connected to the rod near an end. The socket includes a polygonal cavity, a tunnel and a groove. The polygonal cavity receives the polygonal sphere so that the surface of the polygonal sphere is in contact with the wall of the polygonal cavity. The rod and the socket are coaxial when the end of the rod is disposed in the tunnel. The rod can be pivoted relative to the socket when the end of the rod is located outside the tunnel. The groove is defined in the wall of the polygonal cavity. The restraining element is fit in the groove of the socket to keep the polygonal sphere in the polygonal cavity of the socket.
US07966914B2
A screwdriver handle comprising a base portion adapted to accommodate a screwdriver shaft member; at least one arm pivotally connected to the base portion; a locking sleeve mounted on the base portion; and an electric motor operatively connected to the base portion and adapted to rotate the screwdriver shaft member in any of a clockwise and counter-clockwise manner. The screwdriver handle may further comprise a switch adapted to turn the motor on and off. Additionally, the screwdriver handle may further comprise an electromechanical actuator operatively connected to each of the electric motor and the locking sleeve. Preferably, the locking sleeve is adapted to move along a longitudinal axis of the base portion, and wherein the electromechanical actuator is adapted to prevent the locking sleeve from moving along the longitudinal axis of the base portion.
US07966911B2
A hose clamp compression tool for engaging and compressing opposed or opposite end tangs of a hose clamp includes a first fixed plate and jaw and a second fixed plate spaced from the first fixed plate and jaw. The first and second plates are mounted on rails with a sliding plate and jaw also mounted on the rails and positioned between the fixed plates. The sliding plate is rotatably adjustable in spacing from the one fixed plate by means of a threaded rod journaled to the fixed plates and threaded to the sliding plate. The jaws each include both a transverse slot cooperative with an end tang of a band type hose clamp and a channel extending from the slot for engagement with the end tang of a ring or wire type hose clamp thereby enabling use of the tool for either a band type or a wire type hose clamp.
US07966904B2
A drive system for rotating an assembly, such as an external vehicle mirror housing, about an axis is provided with a drive housing containing a worm drive assembly coupled to an axis gear mounted about the axis. The worm drive assembly is rotated by an electric motor. The axis gear is stationary with respect to the axis, such that rotation of the worm drive assembly will cause it to travel about the axis gear. Such movement of the worm drive assembly will cause the drive housing and the associated external vehicle mirror housing to rotate about the axis. Thrust transmitted to the worm drive assembly is transmitted to a central portion of the drive housing by a shaft retainer associated with the worm drive assembly. Play between the axis gear and the worm drive assembly is prevented by eliminating separation between adjacent components of the worm drive assembly.
US07966899B2
A system for sampling emission products from an emissions source, for example combustion engines including gasoline, diesel and natural gas engines, for subsequent measurement and analysis of the emission products. The system includes a dilution apparatus, a residence time chamber, a plurality of sampling probes within the residence time chamber, and a plurality of sampling trains connected to the sampling probes to take simultaneous representative emission samples for subsequent analysis. The system has particular use in quantifying chemical and toxic trace species from emissions sources. The results of the analysis can be used to formulate decisions on changes in engine design strategy, and can be used to determine the effectiveness of aftertreatment systems on the emissions source.
US07966897B2
A plating apparatus includes a plating tank for storing a plating liquid, and applies a magnetic alloy plating to a shaft-shaped member immersed in the plating liquid by using the shaft-shaped member as a cathode. The plating apparatus further includes a rotable member configured to rotate the shaft-shaped member as a rotary shaft; annular shielding tools mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the shaft-shaped member; a plating liquid discharge nozzle including plating liquid discharge ports which are provided to face the shaft-shaped member so as to avoid the shielding tools; and an anode provided around the shaft-shaped member and the plating liquid discharge nozzle.
US07966894B2
An in line measuring device, includes a measuring transducer having: a least one measuring tube vibrating, during operation, and serving for conveying, a two- or multiphase, flowable medium; an exciter mechanism for producing vibrations of the at least one measuring tube; a sensor arrangement for registering vibrations of the measuring tube and for delivering an oscillation measurement signal representing oscillations of the measuring tube, and a measuring device electronics electrically coupled with the measuring transducer. The measuring device electronics delivers, at least one exciter signal driving the exciter mechanism, and, in such a manner that the at least one measuring tube, during operation, —driven by the exciter mechanism driven by means of the at least one exciter signal—is excited, to execute vibrations in a wanted mode of the measuring transducer, in which it, at least partially, executes bending oscillations about an imaginary bending oscillation axis of the measuring transducer, Moreover, the measuring device electronics ascertains, a damping value of first type, which represents, instantaneously, a damping of vibrations of the at least one measuring tube, which opposes the bending oscillations of the at least one measuring tube corresponding to the Coriolis mode.
US07966892B1
The in-line sampler separator utilizes an improved method of measuring the gas, oil and water components in a fuel material mixture being processed at high pressure in a processing system. A sampling loop obtains mixture samples to be collected in a sampler. The sampler releases the collected sample to a separator tank when a certain volume has been reached. The tank operates at or below a pressure that allows the gas component to be released in gaseous form. The oil and water components separate within the tank, and their respective volumes are determined.
US07966887B2
A high-temperature pressure sensor is provided. The sensor includes a quartz substrate with a cavity etched on one side. A reflective coating is deposited on at least a portion of the cavity. The sensor further includes a ferrule section coupled to the quartz substrate with the cavity therebetween. The cavity exists in a vacuum, and cavity gap is formed between the reflective metal coating and a surface of the ferrule. The sensor also includes an optical fiber enclosed by the ferrule section and extending from the cavity gap to an opposing end of the ferrule section and a metal casing surrounding the ferrule section and the quartz substrate with an opening for said optical fiber extending therefrom. The pressure applied to the quartz substrate changes the dimensions of the cavity gap and a reflected signal from the reflective coating is processed as a pressure.
US07966884B2
A two-dimensional array ultrasonic probe has an ultrasonic transducer. The transducer has transducer elements that are arranged in a first direction and a second direction, forming a lattice. Acoustic-emission electrodes are provided on the acoustic-emission surfaces of the transducer elements. Back electrodes are provided on the backs of the transducer elements. A transmitting-circuit unit is connected to the acoustic-emission electrodes. A receiving-circuit unit is connected to the back electrodes. Of the acoustic-emission electrodes, two electrodes are short-circuited to the transmitting circuits of the transmitting-circuit unit. The remaining two acoustic-emission electrodes are short-circuited to the receiving circuits of the receiving-circuit unit.
US07966883B2
An inspection system is provided to examine internal structures of a target material. This inspection system includes a generation laser, an ultrasonic detection system, a thermal imaging system, and a processor/control module. The generation laser produces a pulsed laser beam that is operable to induce ultrasonic displacements and thermal transients at the target material. The ultrasonic detection system detects ultrasonic surface displacements at the target material. The thermal imaging system detects thermal transients at the target material. The processor analyzes both detected ultrasonic displacements and thermal imagery of the target material to yield information about the target material's internal structure.
US07966878B2
A method of measuring a level of liquid cryogen, comprising the steps of immersing a liquid cryogen level probe in a liquid cryogen, applying a propagation current to the heater (26) to induce quench in at least an adjacent part of the superconductive material (22); removing the propagation current from the heater; applying a measurement current to the superconductive material; and measuring (30) a voltage across the superconductive material thereby to determine the level of the liquid cryogen. In articular, the method comprises the steps of monitoring (40) the voltage across the superconductive material while the propagation current is being applied; and ceasing application of the propagation current in response to the detection of a voltage across the superconductive material which exceeds a certain threshold level.
US07966877B2
To determine air mass flows, especially for controlling internal combustion engines, a hot-film air-mass sensor is provided, which may be used especially for sensing air mass flows in the intake tract of an internal combustion engine. The hot-film air-mass sensor has a sensor chip having a sensor frame and a sensor diaphragm having at least one heating element and at least two temperature sensors. Furthermore, the hot-film air-mass sensor has a chip carrier for mounting the sensor chip, as well as at least one additional heating element. The sensor chip is able to be heated up using the at least one additional heating element, which is inserted into the chip carrier. Compared to the usual devices, the hot-film air-mass sensor has a lower susceptibility to contamination, especially by oil films.
US07966875B2
This application relates to various methods and apparatus for rapidly obtaining accurate formation property data from a drilled earthen borehole. Quickly obtaining accurate formation property data, including formation fluid pressure, is vital to beneficially describing the various formations being intersected. For example, methods are disclosed for collecting numerous property values with a minimum of downhole tools, correcting and calibrating downhole measurements and sensors, and developing complete formation predictors and models by acquiring a diverse set of direct formation measurements, such as formation fluid pressure and temperature. Also disclosed are various methods of using of accurately and quickly obtained formation property data.
US07966873B1
A system for simultaneously creating severe acoustic, thermal and airflow environmental conditions is described. The system includes a jig for mounting a test article, a jet engine, and a nozzle attached to the jet engine. The nozzle includes an opening for defining a two dimensional exhaust flow from the jet engine to create an acoustical, thermal and airflow environment across the test article. The jig is operable for maintaining a position of the test article with respect to the nozzle.
US07966862B2
A particulate matter detector formed in an insulated device such as a spark plug. The insulated device has a center electrode having a first end and a second end. The first end of the center electrode passes through the insulated device and may be connected to a terminal. The second end of the electrode is formed to provide a greater surface area. The form may be a star, circle, series of S's or a helix to increase the surface area of the second end of the center electrode that may be exposed to the exhaust from an engine. The sensor may be used to measure particulate matter in the exhaust of an engine and permit a processor to regulate the operation of the engine.
US07966853B2
The invention relates to a key carrier comprising a base body (1) and a window, wherein one respective end of the base body (1) and window (6) is provided with a fork-shaped termination. A key ring (21) can be introduced into a gap (18) defined by the prongs (10,11) of the fork-shaped end of the window (6). When inserted, said key ring is secured by means of a retaining bolt (14). The prongs (10,11) of the window can be clipped in between the prongs (2,3) of the base body. When clipped in, the window is retained by pivoting journals (16,17) which engage with the opposite ends of the window bores (12,13) receiving the retaining bolts (14).
US07966852B1
The present invention relates to a two-stage lock cylinder structure, which includes a lock casing, a lock barrel and an actuating unit, wherein a first joining member is located at one end of the lock barrel, and the actuating unit is fitted with a corresponding second joining member. Moreover, a flexible member is located between the lock barrel and the actuating unit, and the displacement distance of the first joining member towards the second joining member is smaller than the center distance of any of two through holes of the lock casing. Accordingly, the flexible member and the actuating unit are used to enable achieving two-stage actuation as an unlocking operation for a locking device, thereby providing the present invention with burglar-proof effectiveness.
US07966849B2
A sliding padlock has a shell, a locking assembly, a shackle and a resilient element. The locking assembly is mounted in the shell and has a lock cylinder and a lock rod. The shackle is mounted in a locking end of the shell, is selectively blocked by the lock rod and abuts the resilient element. Because of the resilient element, the shackle is held to abut the shell without external force even when the lock cylinder is unlocked. Therefore, the sliding padlock still holds an object in position when unlocked so a user may take the object easily without using a key.
US07966843B2
A cool air supplying apparatus is provided for a refrigerator. The cool air supplying apparatus includes a box fan motor integrally having a fan that blows cool air generated by an evaporator to a freezing chamber or a refrigerating chamber and a motor that drives the fan, a first passage that supplies cool air generated from the evaporator to the box fan motor, and a second passage that supplies cool air blown by the box fan motor to the freezing chamber or the refrigerating chamber. Since the box fan motor does not interrupt a cool air passage, energy loss may be decreased. Further, since the motor does not protrude towards the inside of the refrigerator, a capacity volume of the refrigerator may be increased.
US07966842B2
The refrigerator includes a vegetable compartment (107) thermally insulated by a rear partition (111), and a mist generation department (139) for atomizing a mist into the vegetable compartment (107), and the mist generation department (139) includes a atomizing electrode (135) for atomizing the mist into the vegetable compartment (107), a voltage applicator (133) for applying a voltage to the atomizing electrode (135), and a cooling pin (134) coupled to the atomizing electrode (135), in which the atomizing electrode (135) is cooled to a temperature lower than the dew point by a outlet air-duct for freezer compartment (141), and the moisture in the air is cooled to condense dew on the atomizing electrode (135), and is atomized as a mist into the vegetable compartment (107), and dew can be condensed from moisture onto the atomizing electrode (135) stably and in a simple configuration, and the freshness of the food is enhanced while the reliability of the refrigerator is enhanced.
US07966832B1
A combustor includes a first wall, a second wall, an injector grommet, a combustor longitudinal axis, and a connection assembly indirectly connecting the first wall to the second wall. A portion of the injector grommet is disposed within a groove of the connection assembly.
US07966831B2
An apparatus and method for suppressing dynamic instability in a bleed duct of a gas turbine engine includes a fan bypass duct configured to permit a flow of air through the gas turbine engine. The fan bypass duct defines a fan duct surface, and the bleed duct has an inlet in fluid communication with the fan bypass duct and a flow control valve having an opened position and a closed position. A flow diverter is positioned on the fan duct surface proximate the inlet of the bleed duct and diverts the flow of air from the inlet when the flow control valve is closed, while permitting a portion of the flow of air to enter the inlet when the flow control valve is opened.
US07966825B2
An exhaust educator system includes a primary exhaust nozzle configured to transport an active flow stream; and a mixing duct at least partially surrounding the primary exhaust nozzle and configured to transport a passive flow stream that is entrained by mixing with the active flow stream from the primary exhaust nozzle. The mixing duct has an interior, and a baffle on the interior of the mixing duct is configured to prevent the mixed flow streams from exiting the mixing duct.
US07966815B2
Engine load for a supercharged engine is estimated by determining airflow upstream of a throttle valve that is upstream of a supercharger, subtracting a value representative of a change in air mass between the throttle valve and the supercharger based on a measured change in pressure between the throttle valve and the supercharger, and subtracting a modification value dependent upon a current engine speed and a signal representative of a pressure at the intake manifold.
US07966813B2
A sealing element seals a pressure piston which is movably arranged in a housing of a brake cylinder. The sealing element may be inserted into a ring-shaped groove which is provided in the housing. The sealing element includes an outer sealing lip for contact with a floor of the ring-shaped groove, an inner sealing lip for contact with the pressure piston, and a sealing element back. At least one non-sealing spacer element is provided on the sealing element back.
US07966810B2
It is suppressed that nanoparticles generated in an internal combustion engine are discharged into the atmosphere. In a cylinder or an exhaust system of the internal combustion engine, microparticles having a particle diameter larger than that of the nanoparticles are generated, and the nanoparticles generated in the internal combustion engine are adsorbed by the microparticles, thereby increasing the diameter of the nanoparticles. The microparticles can be generated in the cylinder as the soot, for example. Additionally, by providing a carbon microparticle generation device in the exhaust system, the microparticles can be generated, too. By making the nanoparticles adsorbed by the microparticles and increasing the diameter of the nanoparticles, discharging of the nanoparticles can be suppressed.
US07966809B2
A hybrid rocket motor is formed from a single piece of material, such as, for example, by extrusion or injection molding. The rocket motor includes various components, such as casing, structure, oxidizer tank, combustion chamber, fuel, port and nozzle that are all formed from a single piece of material. The material can be, for example, a material that can be used as solid rocket fuel.
US07966805B2
A new rocket motor assembly configuration is disclosed. Amine based oxidizer is decomposed in the presence of a metallic catalyst to generate an oxygen rich hot gas stream. The hot gas stream is used to trigger a Magnesium based solid fuel in the combustion chamber. The thrust of the rocket motor may be regulated at multiple points. This design thus offers an IM compliant, thrust-adjustable rocket motor that is of a low hazard classification without compromising its performance.
US07966804B2
A method for testing a cooling system for use in a gas turbine engine control system is provided. The method includes connecting an inlet of the cooling system to a differential pressure sensor, connecting an outlet of the cooling system to the differential pressure sensor, and determining whether or not a difference in pressure exists between the inlet and outlet, wherein such a pressure difference is indicative of whether cooling fluid is flowing through the cooling system.
US07966798B2
Device for stretching a transmission chain closed in itself and comprising pairs of elongated rocker elements mutually coupled by links, said rocker elements being destined for a torque transferring cooperation with the pulley sheaves of a pulley sheave transmission, and comprising a first and a second supporting surface which support a chain to be treated over an angle of an arc and having an adjustable mutual distance to generate tensile stresses in the chain supported thereby, in which the first supporting surface is freely rotatable accommodated between the first ends of two distant frame parts, the second supporting surface is freely rotatable accommodated on an auxiliary carrier between the two frame parts, said carrier being provided with two opposite stubby shafts, protruding there from and of which the axis lies at a distance from the axis of rotation of the second supporting surface which is rotatably supported by said auxiliary carrier and lies near the second end of the frame parts while of said supporting surfaces at least one can be driven in rotation.
US07966794B2
A drive system for agricultural implements having at least one floating head and a tongue that may be disposed at various angles relative to a longitudinal angle of the implement. Two swivel gearbox assemblies are used, each comprising a first 90° gearbox rigidly attached to the implement and a second 90° gearbox that is permitted to rotate about an axis passing through one of its shafts and one of the first 90° gearbox's shaft. Because the tongue angle is variable, the drive shafts for driving the implement must take on a plurality of angles. The swiveling gearbox assemblies allow variable angles at the tongue and at the header.
US07966786B2
A riser formed from a plurality of curved cylindrical segments with vertical side edges having mating vertically tapered projections and slots brought into interlocking engagement to pull confronting surfaces together as the tapered elements become increasingly mechanically engaged. The segments are assembled by a sliding engagement of the protruding mating element of one segment into the vertically tapered slot of an adjacent segment. When sufficient segments are joined together horizontally to complete a ring except for a last adjacent pair of vertical side edges, the ring is warped to align the protruding mating element of the last adjacent pair of vertical side edges with an opposite end of the adjacent tapered slot. Thus aligned, the final protruding mating element and tapered slot are then slipped together while un-warping the joined segments forming the remainder of the ring until the top and bottom ends of all the segments are aligned. A cover has a flexible spider on a lower surface that can be locked into a groove or other feature on an inside surface of the curved riser segments.
US07966784B2
A masonry anchoring system for use in commercial and residential construction is described. In one aspect, the invention includes a brick tie that interfaces the masonry veneer and interlocks with an anchor plate mounted on a structure.
US07966776B2
A window well structure adapted to be disposed at least partially below grade and adjacent a window in a foundation. The window well structure includes a main body having a center wall portion and two opposing side wall portions. The window well structure may also include a decorative design on its front surface and a plurality of support ribs to reinforce the main body. Each of the support ribs may include a core comprised of a filler material, such as foam, and may be comprised of a composite material.
US07966775B2
A hard side shelter is convertible between transport and deployed modes. When in the transport mode, the shelter has an envelope identical to an ISO-cargo container. A side section floor and cover are each connected to the center section for rotating between being coplanar with the center section floor and roof when in the deployed mode, and being vertical and lying in a center section side planes when in a transport mode. Each side section has end and middle panels that are turnable relative to each other, and a door assembly that is turnable relative to the middle panels. Locking bars engaged the center section floor when the shelter is in a transport mode, and engage the side section floors when the shelter is in the deployed mode. The shelter is handleable by pallet handling systems and includes insulation panels to enhance the heat transfer characteristics of the shelter.
US07966747B2
An item of footwear (10), which exposes a substantial portion of a wearer's foot, is disclosed. The footwear includes a plurality of foot enclosures (110, 112) operably connected to each other via a connector (114), such as a plurality of elastic straps (200, 202). Protective pads (180, 182) may be attached to the footwear, such as leather pads on the plantar surface of the footwear. One advantage offered by this footwear is that the wearer's foot—and particularly the arch and middle of the foot—is substantially exposed to view, achieving a new aesthetic for ballet and dance footwear.
US07966744B2
The present invention relates to a food waste treatment apparatus that can effectively dispose food waste containing a large amount of water, rapidly dry food waste using microwaves, and remove odors and vapors generating during the drying process, thereby discharging clean air. The food waste treatment apparatus comprises a pulverizer (10) for pulverizing food waste, an endless track (20) for transferring food waste, a plurality of containers (30) installed on the upper surface of the endless track (20) for storing pulverized food waste, and a microwave dryer installed above the endless track for drying the pulverized food waste by making microwaves pass through the endless track in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the endless track (20).
US07966740B2
A post sleeve installation device includes a standing structure, a structure coupled to the standing structure and configured to support a post sleeve below the standing structure, and a mechanism configured to enable selective translation of the support structure in three axes and rotation around a vertical axis. Locks are provided to lock the post sleeve at a selected position and orientation relative to the standing structure. A beam extending from one installation device to another measures or controls the relative spacing, orientation, and elevation of associated post sleeves, and related data is collected for off-site manufacture of fence panels. Additionally, a repository is provided, to which the data is transmitted for retention, and from which the data can be retrieved for manufacture of replacement fence panels.
US07966732B2
A cutting apparatus has a unidirectionally-locking blade cover that automatically snaps back over the exposed blade after each cut, and a dependent, index finger operated unlocking trigger.
US07966730B2
A constant velocity joint in the form of a counter-track joint. The circumferential length (L1) of the first cage windows for the balls in the first pairs of tracks is greater than the circumferential length (L2) of the second cage windows for the balls in the second pairs of tracks. This permits a method of assembly wherein first the first balls, one after the other, are mounted in first pairs of tracks which widen from the aperture end to the attaching end and wherein then the second balls, one after the other, are mounted in second pairs of tracks which widen from the attaching end to the aperture end. For mounting the second balls in the second pairs of tracks, only a small overarticulation angle is necessary, and thus a shorter circumferential length of the respective windows than there is required for mounting the first balls in the first pairs of tracks.
US07966728B2
The described embodiments relate to methods and systems of forming slots in a substrate. One exemplary embodiment forms a feature into a substrate having a first substrate surface and a second substrate surface, and moves a sand drill nozzle along the substrate to remove substrate material sufficient to form, in combination with said forming, a slot through the substrate.
US07966725B2
In order to provide a flat gasket, in particular cylinder head gasket, comprising at least one metal gasket sheet made of a spring steel or a metallic material with a percentage elongation after fracture corresponding to the percentage elongation after fracture of a spring steel, which has a novel structure, it is proposed that the gasket sheet is provided with at least one edging fold, which comprises a bending region and a flange region connected in one piece to the gasket sheet via the bending region.
US07966724B2
A method of assembling a conduit assembly can include seating a ferrule on a distal end portion of an elongate conduit body. The method can further include providing an elongate body insert having a large diameter end an a small diameter end, wherein the elongate body insert defines a hollow tubular body having a passage along a symmetrical axis between the large and small diameter ends. The method can further include mounting the end portion of the elongate conduit body on the small diameter end of the body insert, such that the large diameter end of the body insert contacts an end of the ferrule interposed axially between the large diameter end of the body insert and the distal end of the elongate conduit body, the distal end of the elongate conduit body axially adjacent the end of the ferrule to prevent axial contact between the distal end of the elongate conduit body and the large diameter end of the body insert. The method can further include compressing the elongate conduit body between the body insert and the ferrule, deploying a transmission line into the elongate conduit body wherein the transmission line comprises at least one of a hydraulic hose and an electrical cable, and pouring potting material into the elongate conduit body.
US07966719B2
A set head for setting clip nuts on workpieces by means of pushing, having at least one channel embodied in the set head, which (channel) ends at one front end of the set head in an output or mounting opening, with which the set head can be positioned for setting the clip nuts on workpieces.
US07966713B2
Embodiments of tool mounted structural positioning devices and techniques are described. In one embodiment, a positioning device includes mountings to mount the device directly to a tool device configured to travel a path and perform a manufacturing operation on an element. Engagement mechanisms coupled to the positioning device are aligned to the predefined path and are configured to exert a clamping force upon the element such that the element is secured and positioned by the positioning device in constant relation to the predefined path as the operations are performed.
US07966707B2
A method for forming or remanufacturing a component to have an internal space. A refractory metal blocking element is formed, in situ, with at least a portion to be within the internal space. A material is added by at least one of welding, laser cladding, and diffusion brazing, the blocking element at least partially blocking entry of the material to the internal space. The blocking element is removed.
US07966703B2
The clamp comprises two substantially L-shaped members, arranged opposite each other, articulated on an intermediate support on which rest the lateral profile sections of the frames of the panels to be clamped, one of the arms of each of the L-shaped members having an end profile adapted for its coupling to the profile sections to be clamped, while the other arm of each of said L-shaped members receives a displacement action in order to effect its rotation from a mechanism incorporated in the intermediate support, intended to effect the opening and closing of the L-shaped members of the clamp.
US07966699B2
Shutter (or door) fitting for fastening a furniture shutter (or door) in a pivotable manner on a basic cabinet structure, having at least one actuating arm, which is provided for moving the furniture shutter, and having at least one shutter-mounted fitting part, which can be connected to the actuating arm, characterized in that the shutter-mounted fitting part has a rotation-prevention means for temporarily fixing the pivoting position of the at least one actuating arm, preferably in the fully open position thereof, wherein the rotation-prevention means, in a first operating position, arrests the at least one actuating arm in its pivoting position relative to the shutter-mounted fitting part and, in a second operating position, allows the actuating arm to pivot.
US07966688B2
A cleaning tool and an effective technique for realizing a higher cleaning effect in the cleaning tool having a cleaning element for wiping a region to be cleaned is provided. A representative cleaning tool for wiping a region to be cleaned includes an elongate cleaning element holder, and a cleaning element having an outer surface which has predetermined dimensions and can extend in a longitudinal direction of the cleaning element holder. The cleaning element is attached to the cleaning element holder. When the cleaning element is attached to the cleaning element holder, the cleaning element is wrapped in a helical form around an outer surface of the cleaning element holder in such a manner that the cleaning element outer surface moves toward the outer surface of the cleaning element holder.
US07966685B2
A pocket ramp for loading objects or cargo onto the floor of a vehicle and which is mounted between the longitudinally extending frame members of the vehicle. The pocket ramp assembly includes a main frame, a primary slide, a secondary slide, a lower ramp section, an upper ramp section and a latching mechanism which selectively locks the pocket ramp assembly in either of its stowed or operative positions. The main frame is fixed to the longitudinally extending frame members of the vehicle, the primary side being slidably mounted therein. The secondary slide is slidably mounted in the primary slide. The upper ramp section is pivotally mounted to the rearward end of the secondary slide and the lower ramp section is pivotally mounted to the rearward end of the upper ramp section.
US07966683B2
A method of controlling the operation of a steam generator in a fabric treatment appliance may include setting an operational temperature for the steam generator based on calcification of the steam generator. A change in the calcification of the steam generator may be determined by behavior of the actual temperature of the steam generator in response to changing a flow rate of water supplied to the steam generator.
US07971264B2
An apparatus such as an HTTP proxy server compares information of a request by HTTP client logic with a known pattern of information for the client logic. When the information of the request matches the known pattern, the HTTP proxy server causes content and/or software to be communicated to the client in response to the request. Depending upon the results of the comparison, the HTTP proxy may also validate or invalidate the request before communicating it to the server.
US07971263B2
The invention disclosed is a method and system for the secure activation of web clipping applications upon a portable information device (PID). In an embodiment of the invention, the method first provides for preventing a user from accessing web clipping applications that are installed on the PID and located within installed software. The method then continues with a user registering the PID with a proxy server by using a registration application within the installed software. Upon the authorized registration of the PID with the proxy server, the web clipping applications are revealed to the user, and with the web clipping applications thus revealed, the user may retrieve information from the proxy server through the implementation of any of the web clipping applications. The invention further provides for a method and system for the secure access of a proxy server by a PID such that the recurring step of device identification can be eliminated. This provides for reduced overhead in recurring data transmissions and affords more efficient communications.
US07971256B2
A method and a system for preventing a network attack, the attack being caused by the presence of worms in the network, is provided. The method includes determining the number of packets being transmitted from each source in the network to a plurality of destinations, the packets being transmitted from a source with a set of characteristics. If the number of packets with the set of characteristics, being transmitted from a source, exceeds a predefined first threshold, then the signature of the packets is stored. Subsequently, if at least one of the pluralities of destinations of the packets identified with the source becomes a source of new packets, the new packets being transmitted to more than one destination; then the new packets are compared with the signature. If at least one new packet matches with the signature, then the worm is to be detected.
US07971248B2
Detecting and/or tolerating races. Races occur due to malicious threads not respecting software locks. A method of detecting and/or correcting races includes making local copie(s) and reference copie(s) of shared data. Any read and write operations performed by a safe thread are caused to be performed on the local copie(s) during a critical section. The critical section defines a time frame which a variable lock is placed on shared data. Any read and write operations performed by malicious threads are allowed to be performed on the shared data during the critical section. The shared data, the local copie(s), and the reference copie(s) are compared to determine that a race has been detected. An indication can be output that a race has occurred or the race can be corrected.
US07971240B2
Exchanging information in a multi-site authentication system. A network server receives, from an authentication server, a request by a client computing device for a service provided by the network server along with an authentication ticket. The authentication ticket includes: a session key encrypted by a public key associated with the network server, message content encrypted by the session key, and a signature for the encrypted session key and the encrypted message content. The signature includes address information of the network server. The network server identifies its own address information in the signature to validate the signature included in the authentication ticket and verifies the authentication ticket content based on the signature included in the authentication ticket. The network server decrypts the encrypted session key via a private key associated with the second network server and decrypts the encrypted message content via the decrypted session key.
US07971235B2
A method of user authorization for services in a wireless communications network including the steps of: establishing a connection between user equipment and an authorization server of the network; the user equipment providing user identification to the authorization server; the authorization server retrieving authorization data based on the user identification as to a service available to that user; the authorization server returning authorization to the user equipment for a service indicated by the authorization data; and the user equipment establishing a communication path to the service using the authorization
US07971228B2
An architecture for A method for providing on-line charging in a network environment is provided that includes interacting with an application that is selected by an end user, and with a policy enforcement point to install corresponding policies that are inclusive of charging rules. The method also includes performing, via a policy server, on-line charging interactions on behalf of the selected application itself such that application-specific on-line charging for the application is enabled. In more particular embodiments, the policy server understands which application is interacting with it by use of application tokens, source, or service identifiers. Also, the application element can query the policy server indirectly to grant network resources and the policy server examines an end user's policy profile or a network-wide profile (or both) and recognizes that on-line charging applies to the selected application.
US07971214B1
The present invention is a television receiver that includes a memory that stores a first lock release code, an input device to input a second lock release code, a comparing portion to compare the second lock release code to the first lock release code, and a control portion to output a signal to operate the television receiver when the result of the comparison conforms. Also the present invention includes a method for preventing theft of an electronic device that includes the steps of storing a lock release code in a memory of the electronic device, providing information corresponding to the lock release code to a third party, requesting an input of the information corresponding to the lock release code, comparing input information to the lock release code stored in the memory, and disabling the electronic device when the result of the comparison is not conforming.
US07971205B2
A method, apparatus and program storage device for providing a no context switch attribute that allows a user mode thread to become a near interrupt disabled priority is disclosed. A thread includes a no context switch attribute. Control of a thread based on the no context switch attribute is much more efficient than the real-time priority because the no context switch attribute bypasses the overhead of scheduling. Moreover, the no context switch attribute may be used to detect whether a thread performs any undesirable operations that can cause the thread to become suspended while in a critical section. The no context switch attribute is configurable to indicate whether execution of the thread can be suspended.
US07971202B2
The present invention provides a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for managing a software installation. A graphical user interface is displayed for receiving user input to manage a software installation having multiple software installation tasks. A particular software installation task is initiated in response to the particular software installation task being selected from the multiple software installation tasks. The performance of the particular task is customized based on the selection of the option in response to a selection of an option during execution of the particular software installation task is received. At least one of the multiple software installation tasks may be scheduled and initiated independently from others of the multiple software installation tasks.
US07971190B2
In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes a method that includes interrupting a program running on a processor. The active instruction that was interrupted is identified. Event counts since a previous interrupt are harvested.
US07971174B1
A circuit design process for the reduction of routing congestion is described. This process includes a block placement operation, an initial pin optimization for the block placement, and global routing based upon the initial pin optimization. Congestion data is generated from the global routing and, in an automated process, the pins are re-optimized, based upon the congestion data. This process can be used as part of a custom layout design process, for example.
US07971173B1
Disclosed is an improved method, system, and article of manufacture for implementing routing for an electrical circuit and chip design. A routing architecture can be represented as a spectrum of different granular routing levels. Instead of routing based upon area, routing can be performed for specific routes or portions of routes. Different types of representation or levels of abstraction for the routing can be used for the same net or route. Partial topological reconfiguration, refinement, or rip-up can be performed for a portion of the integrated circuit design, where the portion is smaller than an entire route or net. Non-uniform levels of routing activities or resources may be applied to route the design. Prioritization may be used to route certain portions of the design with greater levels of detail, abstraction, or resources than other portions of the design.
US07971170B2
A method of forming a scan chain for testing an integrated circuit includes examining an interconnection of register elements in an integrated circuit design. A register element segment is identified which includes a source register element having an output and a destination register element having an input directly coupled to the output of the source register element. The segment is selectively coupled to another scan register element to form a portion of scan chain.
US07971157B2
Systems, methods and computer readable media are disclosed for a gesture recognizer system architecture. A recognizer engine is provided, which receives user motion data and provides that data to a plurality of filters. A filter corresponds to a gesture, that may then be tuned by an application receiving information from the gesture recognizer so that the specific parameters of the gesture—such as an arm acceleration for a throwing gesture—may be set on a per-application level, or multiple times within a single application. Each filter may output to an application using it a confidence level that the corresponding gesture occurred, as well as further details about the user motion data.
US07971152B2
A direction-based data entry system displays a field having an initial value and a field location. When the user selects the field, the direction-based data entry system enters a data entry mode in which an auxiliary data entry tool is not displayed. To enter a new value for the field, the user indicates movement across the display relative to the field. As the user indicates movement, the direction-based data entry system may display an indication of a new value for the field represented by the movement. When the new value is the value that the user wants entered into the field, the user terminates the movement, which causes the new value to be the current value for the field.
US07971131B1
Systems and methods for iterative denoising and error correction decoding are presented. In an embodiment, a system iteratively processes a noisy signal formed by a noise-introducing channel in response to an error correction coded input signal. A denoiser generates reliability information for symbols in the input signal. The reliability information is generated by forming a product of received reliability information and an estimate of the distribution of metasymbols in the input signal, each metasymbol includes context symbols and a corresponding input symbol, and summing over values for the context symbols corresponding to the particular input symbol. An error correction decoder performs error correction decoding using the generated reliability information. In another embodiment, the reliability information is generated by forming a hard-decision decoded signal from received reliability information, determining metasymbol counts from the hard-decision decoded signal and solving an equation whose coefficients are obtained from the received reliability information and the metasymbol counts.
US07971120B2
In one embodiment, the invention is a method and apparatus covering a multilayer process space during at-speed testing. One embodiment of a method for selecting a set of paths with which to test a process space includes determining a number N of paths to be included in the set of paths such that at least number M of paths in N for which testing of the process space will fail, computing a metric that substantially ensures that the set of paths satisfies the requirements of N and M, and outputting the metric for use in selecting the set of paths.
US07971110B2
In a system and method for testing a serial attached small computer systems (SAS) interface of a SAS controller, the SAS controller connects to a loopback dongle via the SAS interface. The SAS interface sends a first data packet to the loopback dongle, and receives a second data packet from the loopback dongle. If information in the second data packet is the same as information in the first data packet, the system and method transmits a first notification indicating that the SAS interface is functioning normally. Otherwise, the system and method transmits a second notification indicating that the SAS interface is not functioning normally.
US07971109B2
Embodiments of the invention enable the integrity of data processed by a switch to be guaranteed better than 10−9 undetected erroneous frames per flight hour. To do this, rules for disabling ports are included in the switch management program. These rules include a maximum absolute admissible number of erroneous frames, to a maximum relative rate of admissible erroneous frames and a minimum number of erroneous frames constituting a significance threshold. Random errors are detected at the level of each frame due to the insertion of a CRC. Deterministic or data-dependent errors able to deceive systematically the CRC check are made random by means of a frame index.
US07971108B2
Systems and methods are described for managing bit errors present in a series of encoded bits representative of a portion of an audio signal, wherein the series of encoded bits is received over a communication link in an audio communications system. At least one characteristic of a portion of a received modulated carrier signal that is demodulated to produce the series of encoded bits is determined. A number of bit errors present in the series of encoded bits is then determined based on the at least one characteristic. Based on the estimated number of bit errors, one of a plurality of methods for producing a series of digital audio samples representative of the portion of the audio signal is selectively performed. The series of digital audio samples produced by the selected method is then converted into a form suitable for playback to a user.
US07971090B2
There is disclosed a method and system of testing server side objects in a client-server environment. A proxy is created of a first object on a server side on a client side. The proxy invokes a method of the first object on the server side to conduct a test by a test case deployed on the client side. A proxy is created of a second object on the client side by the proxy of the first object by the process of invoking the method of the first object on the server side. The creation of the proxies and objects are performed recursively.
US07971087B2
A variable clock control information generator receives graphics engine activity data relating to the operating level of a graphics engine, and memory activity data relating to an activity level of memory. In response, the variable clock control information generator produces graphics engine clock control information and memory clock control information with respect to each other, such that a relative difference between the graphics engine activity data and the memory activity data is within balance threshold data. Accordingly, the variable clock control information generator adapts to the varying levels of graphics engine activity and memory activity and adjusts the frequency of the graphics engine clock signal and the frequency of the memory clock signal to achieve a balanced relative activity level.
US07971080B2
An example embodiment is illustrated to reduce power consumed by inactive connections. This embodiment may include detecting a connection condition signifying a requirement for an active connection between one network device and another network device. Thereafter, an enable instruction may be retrieved based upon the detecting of the connection condition, and a port may be enabled based upon the retrieved enable instruction resulting in increased electrical power consumption by a port component. The electrical power consumption may be increased relative to a prior level of electrical power consumption in which the port is disabled.
US07971074B2
A system and method to provide source controlled dynamic power management. An activity detector in a source determines expected future resource usage. Based on that expected usage, the source generates a power management command and sends that command to a destination. The destination then adjusts the power level of the resource based in the command.
US07971068B2
Under the present invention, contract information corresponding to a first contract between a first contract partner and a customer, and contract information corresponding to a second contract between a second contract partner and the customer is received within a secure computer infrastructure. Based on the contract information, the first and second contracts are created. To provide desired isolation and security, the second contract is secured to prevent access thereof by the first contract partner. Then, approval and execution for both contracts is requested from the appropriate parties.
US07971065B2
A method for data concealment between two parties in a system, including: permitting the system to solicit one or more data from a user; permitting the system to generate a traversed path in a graph by using the one or more data provided by the user to generate the traversed path; performing a sequence of computations; associating square matrices to each connected node of the plurality of nodes of the traversed path in the graph; initiating each of the sequence of computations with a random vector; performing matrix multiplications at each step in the sequence of computations; obtaining a result vector; using the result vector of a matrix and a vector product of each connected node of the plurality of nodes of the traversed path as a vector in a subsequent node in the traversed path; comparing an outcome of the sequence of computations to a value associated with the traversed path of a correct password.
US07971061B2
An opt-in email system in which a recipient that has opted in to an email list can recognize and trust that an email has actually come from a desired sender. When a recipient desires to opt-in to an e-mail list, the recipient is sent to a trusted third party certification service that generates a certificate associated with a key pair. A key is maintained at the sender's location by a secure cryptographic device that can verify the certificate and create a signature, using a key of the key pair, for messages intended for the recipient. When a message intended for the recipient is received from the sender, the signature will be verified based on the status of the certificate and the corresponding key of the key pair. If the signature does not verify, it indicates that the recipient has not opted-in to receive emails from this sender.
US07971039B2
A system for conditional memory ordering implemented in a multiprocessor environment. A conditional memory ordering instruction executes locally using a release vector containing release numbers for each processor in the system. The instruction first determines whether a processor identifier of the release number is associated with the current processor. Where it is not, a conditional registered is examined and appropriate remote synchronization operations are commanded where necessary.
US07971024B2
A communication interface, coupling a controller device to one or more memory devices, provides a high-voltage reset interface. The high-voltage reset interface provides a high-voltage signal to reset the one or more memory devices. The high-voltage reset interface is implemented using a single interconnect line. The reset voltage signal is greater than a maximum voltage representing a high logic value. The communication interface may also include a bi-directional data and address interface that is used to send address, data, and commands between the controller device and the one or more memory devices. A method of transferring information between the controller device and the one or more non-volatile memory devices includes resetting the one or more non-volatile memory devices by asserting a high-voltage signal on the high-voltage reset interface and sending a command from the controller device to the one or more non-volatile memory devices via the data and address interface.
US07971020B2
A method of controlling copying of an information signal, comprises the steps of:prior to recordal and/or transmission, applying to the information signal a substantially imperceptible modification representing copy control data including a password securely encoded according to a predetermined algorithm;upon reproduction for copying by a user, deriving (S1, S3) the copy control data from the modified information signal;comparing (S8, S9, S11, S13, S15) the derived securely encoded password with a reference password securely encoded according to a predetermined algorithm; andenabling (S5) copying of the information signal if the securely encoded password derived from the information signal and the securely encoded reference password have a predetermined relationship, otherwise disabling copying (S7).The reference password is sent to the user via a channel which is separate from a channel used to send the information signal to the user.
US07971019B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a media library controller that can communicate with multiple physical libraries that are physically separate from each other (i.e., that cannot pass media back and forth). The media library controller can maintain a virtualized aggregate media library representing the physical media libraries with which it is in communication. From the physical media libraries, the media library controller can establish a virtual media library and associate a host with the virtual media library. The virtual media library can represent the portions of a physical media library to which the host is allowed access.
US07971017B1
A software installation system comprises an interface component that receives a request to access data resident upon a flash memory card. An installation component compares a unique identifier associated with the data with a unique identifier embedded within the flash memory card, and the installation component determines whether to allow access to the data based at least in part upon the comparison. The installation component prohibits access to the data if the unique identifier associated with the data does not match the unique identifier embedded within the flash memory card.
US07971013B2
A method and system for data storage provides a digital fast-write storage device, a plurality of digital slow-write storage devices, and a controller. The digital fast-write storage device might be a solid state drive. The digital slow-write storage devices might be conventional rotational media drives. Typically, read operations are directed to the fast-write storage device. The slow-write storage devices provide redundancy by mirroring the contents of the high-speed storage device. Data on the slow-write storage devices is organized in stripes, allowing data to be written in parallel. The number of slow-write storage devices can be chosen to compensate for the speed differential on write operations. In some embodiments, the controller will represent the storage system as a virtual disk drive.
US07971012B2
An improved method and system to return a mail processing control computer back into operation after a hard drive failure. A first phase is a back-up process for the primary drive of the mail processing computer. A second phase is the recovery process when a primary hard drive failure occurs. The back-up process includes copying the primary drive to be protected to a spare backup drive. The data copied to the backup drive reflects data of the primary drive at a particular point in time. Once the backup drive is installed, the machine returns to normal operation. In the course of normal operation, incremental changes to the primary hard drive are recorded to a backup computer. When there is a failure of the primary drive, a new primary drive is installed in its place. An image of the backup drive is then copied to the new primary drive, thereby causing the new primary drive to reflect the original primary drive at the particular point in time. Next, the incremental changes recorded in the backup computer are updated to the primary drive from the backup computer.
US07971010B2
A mechanism for performing loitering trace is disclosed. A method of embodiments of the invention includes initiating a loitering trace of objects that cause a memory leak and remain in a heap after surviving at least one garbage collection operation. Initiating the loitering trace includes detecting the objects remaining in the heap via a loitering module of a profiling structure at a first virtual machine of an application server of a first computer system. Initiating the loitering trace further includes performing time-based sampling for the objects remaining, the time-based sampling having method statistics identifying an average runtime associated with each of the objects remaining. The method statistics is calculated based on a number of uses called for each of the objects remaining and a time length associated with each use of each of the remaining objects. The method further includes providing, from the first virtual machine, the time-based sampling to a second virtual machine of the first computer system or a second computer system, and performing an act on the objects remaining in the heap based on the time-based sampling.
US07971005B2
A multiple computer system is disclosed in which n computers (M1, M2 . . . Mn) each run a different portion of a single application program written to execute only on a single computer. The local memory of each computer is maintained substantially the same by updating all computers with every change made to addressed memory locations. Contention can arise when the same memory location is substantially simultaneously updated by two or more machines because of transmission delays and latency of the communications network interconnecting all the computers. Contention detection and resolution is disclosed. A count value (99) indicative of the cumulative number of times each memory location has been updated is utilized. Contention is indicated if the currently stored count value and the incoming updating count value are the same. A method of echo suppression and a method of echo rejection are disclosed. In particular incrementing the count value by two in the case of consecutive sequential transmission to the same memory location (D) is disclosed.
US07971004B2
Provided are a system and article of manufacture for dumping data in processing systems to a shared storage. A plurality of processing systems receive a signal indicating an event. Each of the processing systems write data used by the processing system to a shared storage device in response to receiving the signal, wherein each processing system writes the data to the shared storage device.
US07970994B2
A method, information processing system, and computer program storage product for managing disk failures in a disk array. At least one disk in a first disk array is determined to have failed. The first disk array only accesses data by reading an entire stripe that is distributed across multiple disks in the first disk array. A number of spare disks are selected that is equal to a number of disks making up the first disk. A second disk array is created from the number of disks that has been selected. Data is acquired from the first disk array by reading at least one entire stripe from the first disk array. A corresponding stripe comprising the data from each respective stripe that has been acquired is written to the second disk array.
US07970992B1
A partitioned storage subsystem includes a plurality of directors, each having at least one processor thereon, each of the directors acting as one of: a primary director and a secondary director for a subset of logical devices handled by the partitioned storage subsystem, where primary directors actively perform I/O operations for logical devices and wherein secondary directors receive data to mirror memory of a corresponding primary director. The partitioned storage subsystem also includes a global memory distributed among the plurality of directors, where a different portion of the global memory is provided on each of the directors, and includes metadata for the logical devices, provided in the global memory, where the metadata contains information that correlates logical device data with physical device data. The physical device data may be provided by at least one disk drive coupled to at least one of the directors.
US07970977B1
A method of bridging a plurality of buses within a bus bridge can include determining whether a queue of the bus bridge includes a transaction request directed to a restricted address range and, for each received transaction request, determining whether an address to which the transaction request is directed is within the restricted address range. Each transaction request received by the bus bridge can be selectively rejected according to whether the address to which the transaction request is directed is within the restricted address range and whether the queue includes a transaction request directed to the restricted address range.
US07970974B2
A method and apparatus for adding or removing a logical unit of a mass storage device connected to a host computer through a universal serial bus (USB) interface are provided. The method may comprise: dynamically managing a logical unit table associated with the logical unit; generating a corresponding hot plug and play (PnP) event in the mass storage device; and informing the host computer of the hot PnP event. The mass storage device may comprise: a logical unit managing apparatus; a hot PnP event generating apparatus; and an informing apparatus for informing a host computer of the hot PnP event through a USB.
US07970966B1
A pair of processing modules and methods that enable low latency communications between a data processing system and devices located at a remote graphic user interface across a standard shared network in accordance with the present invention is disclosed. The present invention provides a method for communicating graphics data in a synchronous manner from the data processing system to the user. This method is used in conjunction with a feedback error recovery method to provide lossless, low-latency communications of graphics data across the network.
US07970958B2
According to some embodiments, a message generated by a downstream device is received at upstream device. The message may, for example, be received via a peripheral interface and may not require a response. It may then be determined that an error is associated with the message, and an alert message may be sent from the upstream device to the downstream device via the peripheral interface.
US07970956B2
Described are a system and method for broadcasting write requests to a plurality of graphics devices. A different address range of graphics device addresses is associated with each graphics device of the plurality of graphics devices. A controller receives a write request directed to a memory address and generates a plurality of graphics device addresses based on the memory address of the write request when the memory address is within a particular range of broadcast addresses. An offset may be applied to a reference address in each address range associated with one of the graphics devices when generating the plurality of graphics device addresses. The write request is forwarded to each graphics device of the plurality of graphics devices associated with one of the generated graphics device addresses.
US07970941B2
Screen data is generated by a screen generating processor (74) of a control host computer (7) and transmitted to a programmable display apparatus (5). In accordance with the screen data, the programmable display apparatus (5) inquires a PLC (3) or the like about a state of a device (21), so as to update the display or transmit a control instruction depending on an input result. On the other hand, a control host computer (7) has a public server section (77) to transmit to a client apparatus (9) via the Internet an applet, which is generated by a compiler (76) compiling the screen data. The client apparatus (9) executes the applet to transmit to the public server section (77) an or the control instruction inquiry similar to those the programmable display apparatus (5) makes. In this way, the display is updated in accordance with a response. This realizes a control system, which allows a display content of the programmable display apparatus (5) to be remotely checked from a remote area remote from the programmable display apparatus (5), without newly generating a display screen.
US07970939B1
A computer-implemented method comprising detecting a resolution of an internet address to a first computing-device address, the internet address being associated with a first domain. The method may also comprise storing a domain-name record, the domain-name record associating the internet address with the first computing-device address. The method may comprise using the domain-name record to bind the first domain to the first computing-device address and preventing, until a request to leave the first domain is detected, the first domain from being rebound to a second computing-device address. Systems and computer-readable media for addressing DNS rebinding are also disclosed.
US07970933B2
An ad hoc network is configured of a plurality of nodes. The node includes: a link setting unit configured to set a plurality of links to a plurality of adjacent nodes on a one-to-one basis; a Bloom filter storage unit configured to store a Bloom filter in association with each of the links existing in linked destinations, the Bloom filter generated by using, as a key, a node identification uniquely identifying each of the nodes exiting in linked destination; and a data transmitter configured to use the stored Bloom filters as routing information at a time of data transmission.
US07970930B2
A system and method that enables session-based and non-session-based application services to be controlled and managed within the IMS/NGN architecture. The IMS/NGN architecture includes a service layer and a transport layer. IMS service control functions are implemented within the service layer, and RACF and transport functions are implemented within the transport layer. The transport functions include access and core network functions, which have corresponding QoS resources. The access or core network function includes an application service control function (ASCF), which includes a PD-FE and a functional element for inspecting packet data flows, and identifying and classifying application services associated with the flows. The ASCF is employed to signal the IMS service control functions on behalf of non-session-based application services, and to reserve and allocate the QoS resources needed to support packet data flows associated with the non-session-based services. As a result, service providers can provide users or subscribers of such non-session-based services with guaranteed or differentiated QoS and/or differentiated service plans, thereby allowing charges to be calculated for the non-session-based services and service plans that are commensurate with the value of the respective service or plan.
US07970924B2
A method and system for rendering Ethernet linked components deterministic, the method including the step of storing a communication rule set in each of at least two Ethernet linked components where the set specifies rules by which the two components communicate and monitoring communications between the two components to identify any rule that is not followed and then activating an alarm function when a rule is not followed.
US07970919B1
An object-based storage system comprising a host system capable of executing applications for and with an object-based storage device (OSD). Exemplary configurations include a call interface, a physical layer interface, an object-based storage solid-state device (OSD-SSD), and are further characterized by the presence of a storage processor capable of processing object-based storage device algorithms interleaved with processing of physical storage device management. Embodiments include a storage controller capable of executing recognition, classification and tagging of application files, especially including image, music, and other media. Also disclosed are methods for initializing and configuring an OSD-SSD device.
US07970913B2
Techniques for maintaining connectivity between a remote application stored on a remote device and an application being executed in a system environment, wherein the system environment is migrated from a first device to a second device, are provided. A first connection between the remote application stored on the remote device and the application being executed in the system environment stored on the first device is established via a first communication over a first negotiation channel. The first negotiation channel connects a first socket layer interface linked to the application being executed in the system environment to a second socket layer interface linked to the remote application. The first connection between the remote application and the application being executed in the system environment is disconnected for migration of the system environment from the first device to the second device. Disconnecting the first connection is coordinated via the first negotiation channel. A second connection between the remote application stored on the remote device and an application being executed in the migrated system environment stored on the second device is established via a second communication over a second negotiation channel. The second negotiation channel connects a third socket layer interface linked to the application being executed in the migrated system environment to the second socket layer interface linked to the remote application.
US07970912B2
A business or social networking method described herein enables mobile device users to meet one another, on a permission basis. Whether a given pair of mobile device users are introduced depends on whether a server determines they are in intellectual or “cognitive” proximity, which is typically a function of one or more factors. Individuals who match to a given degree or threshold are said to be in intellectual proximity. When given mobile devices users are within physical proximity of one another during an overlapping time window, the server determines whether the users are also within a given intellectual proximity. If so, and if both users have opted to receive new introductions, the server issues a mutual collaboration opportunity message to the users to determine whether they desire an introduction. If the mobile device users agree to be introduced, the server establishes a direct private messaging session between them.
US07970911B2
A method, system and apparatus for modulating an application associated with at least one of a first communication device and a second communication device is provided. Proximity between the first communication device and the second communication device is determined. The application associated with at least one of the first communication device and the second communication device is modulated based on the proximity.
US07970902B2
A method and system for policing resources in a computing utility facility includes policing resources in a computing utility facility includes intercepting a request for resources from an application admitted to access a pool of resources associated with the computing utility facility, acquiring an entitlement profile associated with the application to determine if application is entitled to requested resources over a time period, identifying an entitlement value and corresponding sliding window of the time period from the entitlement profile, determining if the request for resources exceeds the entitlement value associated with the sliding window and indicating application entitlement to the request for resources in response to the determining if the request is excessive.
US07970901B2
A method, system, computer program product, and related business methods for phased rollout of an upgraded version of a web-based business information system are described. URLs associated with client requests remain the same even where the target subscriber accounts have been upgraded. Client requests for both upgraded and non-upgraded accounts are received by a common set of web servers. Client requests representing external entry points are trapped, and the receiving web server accesses a login router database to determine whether the target subscriber account is upgraded or non-upgraded, and then transfers the request to an appropriately-versioned application server. Application server sets are mapped to database sets according to system version, allowing the upgraded system database schema to be substantially different than the non-upgraded database schema. An early adopter program business method leveraging the abilities of such web-based business information system is also described. Applications to environments other than phased rollout are described, such as URL-agnostic differentiation and routing of client requests according to class-of-service of the target subscribing account.
US07970898B2
To assist in monitoring the intelligent messaging network, a system and method for publishing logging and status information from the servers is provided. A list of available servers accessible for monitoring by persons, devices, and applications via a remote monitor device can be provided. The remote monitor device may forward selected servers from the list of available servers in which they are interested. Also, particular information about the selected servers can be requested. Access to certain servers and information may be restricted to those with authorization. Authorization can be verified by the use of digital certificates. The requested information can then be gathered and provided to authorized persons or devices. Typically, the information includes logging and status information from the servers. The information can be provided as an XML page and viewed using, for example, a standard web browser. Further, if the information is provided to the remote monitor device as an XML page, a standard XML parser may be used to extract particular information from the XML page.
US07970889B2
Techniques are disclosed for enabling end users to subscribe to information content, without requiring the end user to initiate the subscription process. User patterns are observed, and content subscriptions are offered to users based on these observations. Preferably, the user is allowed to customize the offered subscription, including conditions to be evaluated before content is considered as being of interest to this user, and/or one or more actions to be taken when the conditions are met.
US07970888B2
A method of allocating a priority level in an information flow in a data transmission system including receiving a plurality of data packets and allocating a priority level to each data packet is provided with a controller employing such method. The priority level may be determined in accordance with determining a class of loss of the data packet and a class of service for the data packet. The priority level is also a function of the current load of the information flow. It has been established that the choice for each degree of freedom should preferably be made independently and concurrently. The invention, therefore, provides a method for performing such a composite choice.
US07970887B2
A system for measuring user feedback concerning a particular web page of a website includes a first icon. The first icon is viewable on the particular web page independent of input from a user subsequent to the user accessing the particular web page. The first icon solicits user feedback concerning the particular web page as a whole from the user independent of input from the user subsequent to the user accessing the particular web page. The first icon receives user input indicating a desire to provide user feedback concerning the particular web page as a whole, and the user input causes a second icon to become viewable on the particular web page for providing the user feedback concerning the particular web page as a whole. Software associated with the second icon receives the user feedback concerning the particular web page as a whole for reporting to a website owner.
US07970881B2
A method comprising: storing outbound attachments uploaded from a wireless device in a cache memory of a wireless service; receiving, over the wireless network, an electronic message that includes an attachment from a wireless device; determining whether the attachment is stored within the cache memory; and sending the electronic message to one or more addressees based on the determining.
US07970879B1
The invention provides a network automatic management method and a corresponding system for executing the method. The system according to the invention comprises a management server connected to a plurality of devices nodes, a management information database (MIB) connected to the management server system; an plurality of event tables stored in the MIB, each corresponding to an event that occurred in the network system and having a task leader selection base for selecting task leaders from at least one of the device nodes for performing a task. Work to be executed in a network is realized by a task which is a work package for indicating devices in the lower layers of the network system to execute work assigned by the management server. At least one task leader is assigned in the system for executing work performed by the management server in optimally reducing the burden thereof.
US07970872B2
GridBatch provides an infrastructure framework that hides the complexities and burdens of developing logic and programming application that implement detail parallelized computations from programmers. A programmer may use GridBatch to implement parallelized computational operations that minimize network bandwidth requirements, and efficiently partition and coordinate computational processing in a multiprocessor configuration. GridBatch provides an effective and lightweight approach to rapidly build parallelized applications using economically viable multiprocessor configurations that achieve the highest performance results.
US07970870B2
A unique system and method that facilitates extending input/output capabilities for resource deficient mobile devices and interactions between multiple heterogeneous devices is provided. The system and method involve an interactive surface to which the desired mobile devices can be connected. The interactive surface can provide an enhanced display space and customization controls for mobile devices that lack adequate displays and input capabilities. In addition, the interactive surface can be employed to permit communication and interaction between multiple mobile devices that otherwise are unable to interact with each other. When connected to the interactive surface, the mobile devices can share information, view information from their respective devices, and store information to the interactive surface. Furthermore, the interactive surface can resume activity states of mobile devices that were previously communicating upon re-connection to the surface.
US07970865B2
A data retrieval method and system. The method includes transmitting, by a computing device to data source organizations in response to a request for data, a request for populating online forms. The computing device receives input data associated with the online forms. The computing device transmits notification data requesting analysis of the input data and an input form for uploading results of the analysis. The computing device receives analysis data files. The computing device transmits the analysis data files and data transformation requirements to an IT service organization. The computing device receives clarification inquiries data. The computing device transmits the clarification inquiries data to the data source organizations. The computing device receives response data from the data source organizations. The computing device receives modified analysis data files from the IT service organization. The computing device transmits notification data indicating results of the modified analysis data files to an entity.
US07970859B2
An integrated circuit is a baseboard management controller that is a fully integrated system-on-a-chip microprocessor incorporating function blocks and interfaces that provide remote management solution. The integrated circuit uses a microprocessor, a media co-processor to accelerate video processing, and a set of system and peripheral functions that are useful in a variety of remote management applications. It further includes an integrated USB high-speed device and an OTG interface to support keyboard, mouse and mass storage emulation without additional external components, and two integrated MII LAN interfaces and one FSB interface, a memory controller to support a variety of static and dynamic memory components, an encryption controller to ensure secure remote management sessions and IPMI2.0-compliant BMC interfaces. The integrated circuit is based on structured ASIC technology, which enables easy customization of function blocks according to customer demands or new industry standards.
US07970858B2
Disclosed methods provide for presenting search engine results based on domain name related reputation data. The search engine may sort or order search engine results based on domain name related reputation data. In some cases links connected to low reputation domain names may be excluded from search engine results. Alternatively, the search engine may show reputation ratings next to the links in the search engine results. Thus, allowing the Internet user to determine whether to visit the link or not. The reputation data may be tracked on the domain name itself, URLs, domain name purchaser or registrant, or email addresses associated with the domain name. The reputation data may include various categories, such as email practices, website content, privacy policies and practices, fraudulent activities, domain name related complaints, overall reputation, etc. The reputation data may be digitally signed for authenticity. The reputation data may be stored in a digital certificate.
US07970857B2
Some embodiments of a method and an apparatus to record web transactions in a proxy server have been presented. In one embodiment, responses and requests are routed between a web server and a client via a proxy server communicatively coupled between the web server and the client during a web transaction. The proxy server further records transaction information of the web transaction.
US07970850B1
An instant messaging system generates an instant messaging application user interface display object enabling the user to select one or more buddies, or a predefined group from their buddy list, and then to select a file to share with the selected buddies or group. The instant messaging system then controls sharing of the file within the selected buddies or group, by allowing only one of the sharing users to check out and modify the shared document at a given time. The instant messaging system user interface displayed to each user also displays the list of files that are shared with that user. The instant messaging system user interface further provides a current status for each shared file, including an indication of one of the sharing users that currently has the shared file checked out.
US07970849B2
An improved handheld electronic device and an associated method are provided in which time data regarding certain aspects of a messaging conversation on a handheld electronic device are made available to a user. Such time data is provided, for instance, in situations where an interruption has occurred during a messaging conversation. Time data can also be provided to a user on demand in certain circumstances.
US07970845B2
A system for suppressing delivery of undesirable messages through vulnerable systems. The system includes an emulator that emulates one or more of the vulnerable systems. A module associated with the emulator intercepts undesirable messages, which were originally intended to be sent through a vulnerable system. One embodiment includes plural emulators, which include one or more servers that are part of a network of servers. A controller communicates with one or more servers. In this embodiment, the controller includes a database capable of storing statistics pertaining to undesirable messages blocked by one or more of the servers. The statistics may include information pertaining to the sender(s) of the undesirable messages. Undesirable messages intercepted by the network of servers include email spam.
US07970842B2
A method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for tagging and tracking non-hypertext markup language based e-mail. An e-mail is converted from a non-hypertext markup language format to an encoded format. An item is identified in the e-mail. A tag is added to the item in the e-mail. The e-mail is converted from the encoded format back to the non-hypertext markup language format.
US07970841B2
The present subject matter discloses a method for transmitting a text message including: receiving a text message to be transmitted, which is encoded with a first character set encoding scheme; determining whether a final receiver of the text message supports the first character set encoding scheme; and in response to the situation in which the final receiver of the text message does not support the first character set encoding scheme: converting the text message to be transmitted into an image; and transmitting the converted image. With this method, parties involved in transmission of a text message can enable convenient and efficient transmission of the text message without requiring each party involved in the transmission of the text message to satisfy specific prerequisites normally necessary for proper reproduction of the text message transmitted from an opposite party. One of the specific prerequisites is that the parties involved in the real time communication should support a specific character set encoding scheme. The subject matter further provides a device for transmitting a text message capable of implementing the method for transmitting a text message, a device for processing a text message provided with the device for transmitting a text message, and a system for transmitting a text message through the device for processing a text message.
US07970840B2
A method, system and computer program product for associating a virtual instant messaging client, of an avatar, with a standard instant messaging account. When a communication transcript is completed in a virtual instant messaging session, the communication transcript is stored. Wherein the stored communication transcript is an archived virtual world (VW) communication transcript. The archived VW communication transcript is associated with one or more instant messaging clients. A request is received to continue communication, with one or more avatars, when a virtual instant messaging session is completed. When the request is received a graphical user interface (GUI) is automatically displayed. One or more of the following selections are enabled: communicate via the instant messaging session or do not communicate via the instant messaging session. When the selection to communicate, with the one or more avatars, via the instant messaging session is received, the system dynamically initiates an instant messaging session. The GUI is automatically closed when a do not communicate via the instant messaging session selection is received. Access to the archived VW communication transcript is enabled during one or more instant messaging sessions. The content of the archived VW communication transcript is automatically displayed when the archived VW communication transcript is accessed during the instant messaging session.
US07970839B2
Various technologies for automatically downloading one or more high resolution image files from online storage. In one implementation, an e-mail client desktop application (stored at a sender's computer) may receive a request from the sender to send an e-mail with one or more high resolution image files added to the e-mail. Although the high resolution image files may be uploaded to a server, the files may be added as lower resolution image files with hidden Uniform Resource Locator (URL) addresses that may indicate the location on the server of the corresponding high resolution image files. Prior to sending the e-mail, the e-mail client desktop application may concatenate each high resolution image file's URL address with an extension or tag such as “?download” so that the address may later be easily identified.
US07970838B2
A mail relay server decodes a received command electronic message to produce and issue a command to a service manager server which is directed to a device manager server for a target printing device. The device manager server produces and issues instructions to the target printing device. If the command includes a request for the reply, the process of executing the instruction in the target printing device includes the target printing device producing and issuing, the reply to the device manager server. The device manager server collects any multi packet reply and transmits the reply to the service manager server which directs the reply to the mail relay server. The mail relay server encodes the received reply to produce and issue a reply electronic message to the requestor.
US07970836B1
Method and apparatus for parental control of electronic messaging contacts of a child is described. One aspect of the invention relates to communication of an electronic message from sender to recipient over a text-based communication channel established between sender and receiver clients on a network. A host on the network is configured to generate a unique identifier for the sender and maintain a log for the recipient. A first proxy module is configured to receive the electronic message from the sender client, embed the unique identifier associated with the sender therein, and forward the electronic message towards the receiver client over the text-based communication channel. A second proxy module is configured to receive the electronic message from the text-based communication channel, remove the unique identifier from the electronic message, send the unique identifier to the host for storage in the log, and forward the electronic message to receiver client.
US07970835B2
A peer-to-peer filing sharing system and method are provided which allow peers in a P2P network system to download segments of a large file in indeterminate order, storing them in a database and making those segments available to other peers in the P2P network system. Given the possibility that only a few peers in the P2P network system may have a complete copy of the file at any given time, the potentially many peers each having a different subset of segments from the total file, can immediately make the segments available to other peers. Given a sufficient number of peers, and a reasonable amount of time, it is highly likely that a complete copy of the file will exist and be distributed throughout the P2P network system, even if the original provider disconnects from the P2P network system or by some other reason becomes unavailable.
US07970829B2
This disclosure provides various embodiments of systems, methods, and software for the management of relationship networks. In one implementation, the software identifies an electronic communication, parses the electronic communication into a first communication attribute and a second communication attribute, and stores the first and second communication attributes in an attribute repository. Based on this persisted information, the software calculates one or more relationship indicators based on at least one of the first and second communication attributes and, perhaps in response to a request, communicates at least a subset of the relationship indicators to an interface for presentation as a graphical relationship network.
US07970827B1
A method for providing notifications to an individual within a multi-dimensional personal information network includes obtaining itinerary information corresponding to a first individual within a multi-dimensional personal information network. A second individual that is included in a projection of the multi-dimensional personal information network that also includes the first individual is identified. Itinerary information corresponding to the second individual is obtained. One or notifications based on the itinerary information corresponding to the first individual and the itinerary information corresponding to the second individual are provided to the first individual.
US07970822B2
The invention provides a system and method for integrating multimedia descriptions in a way that allows humans, software components or devices to easily identify, represent, manage, retrieve, and categorize the multimedia content. In this manner, a user who may be interested in locating a specific piece of multimedia content from a database, Internet, or broadcast media, for example, may search for and find the multimedia content. In this regard, the invention provides a system and method that receives multimedia content and separates the multimedia content into separate components which are assigned to multimedia categories, such as image, video, audio, synthetic and text. Within each of the multimedia categories, the multimedia content is classified and descriptions of the multimedia content are generated. The descriptions are then formatted, integrated, using a multimedia integration description scheme, and the multimedia integration description is generated for the multimedia content. The multimedia description is then stored into a database. As a result, a user may query a search engine which then retrieves the multimedia content from the database whose integration description matches the query criteria specified by the user. The search engine can then provide the user a useful search result based on the multimedia integration description.
US07970820B1
A system and method for content distribution are provided. A content provider generates a network topology having one or more subnetworks made up of content sources. The content provider segments content, such as applications, into segments for distribution. The content provider then distributes the content such that for each identified subnetwork, each content segment is distributed to a content source. Subsequent, client computing device requests for content can be serviced by selecting a content source in a particular subnetwork selected for delivering the requested content to the client computing device to minimize traffic flow of the requested content through the nodes of the distribution network.
US07970815B1
A reproducing means for performing reproduction processing on digital data which is read out from a predetermined recording medium recording the digital data, a manipulating means for making an instruction of reproducing the digital data inserted in the recording medium, a control means for reading the digital data from the recording medium in accordance with the reproduction instruction input with the manipulating means and sending it to the reproducing means, and for controlling the reproducing means to perform reproduction processing on the digital data, and a cylindrical case for containing the reproducing means and the control means are provided, and wherein the manipulating means is provided on one end side on one plane in the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical case. Thereby the user can manipulate the manipulating means without taking out a portable recording and/or reproducing device from a bag or a pocket, thus making it possible to remarkably improve its manipulation.
US07970807B2
A method in a computer device for use in displaying a map is described. The computer device includes a memory for storing a mapping application and a user interface having a display. A selection of a hypertext link object in an electronic file or message is received through the user interface. The hypertext link object is associated with a uniform resource locator (URL) string comprising a server address and location data corresponding to a location. In response to receiving the selection of the hypertext link object, a mapping function of the mapping application is invoked via a URL hook instead of displaying a map of the location based on map data received in response to a request to a server identified by the server address. The mapping function is invoked for rendering, in the display, a map of the location based on alternative map data received in response to a request to a mapping server. Advantageously, processing of the received hypertext link mapping indicator is handled differently depending on the type of device or whether a predetermined mapping application is installed in the device, so that optimal mapping functionality is provided for different device environments.
US07970798B2
A technique for updating elements in a data storage facility, including a single server or a multi-server system, such as by providing updated internal code packages to the elements. The update is performed using a fixed state machine, where the elements are updated in a coordinated manner within the constraints of the state machine. In a multi-server device, code packages are distributed to elements associated with the different servers in one traversal of the state machine, during distribute states of the state machine. The distributed code packages are activated in activate states of the state machine in multiple traversals of the state machine, so there is a serial activation. The code packages can be grouped in a flexible way by configuring an external update bundle used by the state machine. The distributing of the code is based on the grouping.
US07970788B2
A nonintrusive database access monitoring mechanism employs a hybrid approach that disallows, or blocks, the access mediums which are not feasible to intercept or analyze, as well as intercepting and analyzing access mediums for which interception and interrogation is available. Accordingly, various configurations provide the hybrid coverage approach to identifying access mediums, and either block or intercept the access attempts. In this manner, access mediums, such as interprocess communication (IPC) system calls, which may be efficiently intercepted and analyzed are captured and substantively processed, while other access mediums that are excessively burdensome or intrusive to capture are unselectively blocked from any communication, avoiding the need to analyze such access attempts.
US07970771B2
An object tracking module establishes relationships between different types of data objects associated with application programs while a particular activity occurs. Contextual information associated with the data objects and the activity is collected to establish the relationship. The contextual information may include data objects that are accessed or created while the activity is in progress, or any other information associated with the activity. When an event related to the activity occurs, the object tracking module locates data relevant to the event based on the established relationships. The relevant data is presented in the same information space where the event occurs. A user may easily access the relevant information without manually searching for the data. The object tracking module may determine the degree of relevance between the data objects and the event such that only the most relevant objects are displayed.
US07970767B2
One or more classification algorithms are applied to at least one natural language document in order to extract both attributes and values of a given product. Supervised classification algorithms, semi-supervised classification algorithms, unsupervised classification algorithms or combinations of such classification algorithms may be employed for this purpose. The at least one natural language document may be obtained via a public communication network. Two or more attributes (or two or more values) thus identified may be merged to form one or more attribute phrases or value phrases. Once attributes and values have been extracted in this manner, association or linking operations may be performed to establish attribute-value pairs that are descriptive of the product. In a presently preferred embodiment, an (unsupervised) algorithm is used to generate seed attributes and values which can then support a supervised or semi-supervised classification algorithm.
US07970765B1
This disclosure describes domain name system (DNS) caching techniques for providing integrated DNS caching services to multiple customers. For example, a virtual private network (VPN) device provides integrated DNS caching services to multiple customers even though each customer has a different corresponding VPN and may be serviced by a different DNS server. The VPN network device accesses the multiple, different DNS servers to retrieve correct IP addresses for the different customer VPNs, and internally stores the IP addresses in an integrated DNS cache in a manner that allows the IP addresses to be uniquely retrieved based on combinations of customer VPN identifiers and hostnames.
US07970755B2
Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with test execution of user SQL in server code are described. One example method includes producing a reproduced execution environment that reproduces a portion of an execution environment in which a user SQL runs. The example method may also include running the user SQL in the reproduced execution environment and capturing a statistic associated with performance of the user SQL while the user SQL runs in the reproduced execution environment. The method may conclude by storing, displaying, and/or providing a signal concerning the statistic.
US07970754B1
The subject matter described herein relates to systems and techniques for optimizing, distributing, and tracking the use of content online in, for example, Internet search engines and other Internet distribution networks.
US07970753B2
A system and method are provided for enabling a user to search for documents that the user has previously viewed on its local machine. The system includes three main components: the desktop integration module, the index module, and the graphical user interface module. The desktop integration module is an application which monitors documents with which the user interacts for predetermined events, and obtains content data and metadata from the monitored documents. The index module indexes the content data and metadata received from the desktop integration module. The graphical user interface module then permits a user to utilize the desktop integration module and index module by allowing a user to search for a document.
US07970740B1
In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a method for taking a snapshot of a service instance, including transitioning the service instance to a new state, determining whether to take the snapshot based on the new state, obtaining a property composition of the service instance, and taking the snapshot using the property composition, if the snapshot is to be taken.
US07970736B2
A method, system and computer program product for storing transient state information, the method includes: defining a first logical storage space within at least one storage device in response to at least one characteristic of a processing system logical memory space utilized for storing current transient state information of the processing system; repetitively storing current transient state information at a logical location within the first logical storage space that corresponds to a logical location of the current transient state information within the processing system logical memory space and storing, within a second logical storage space, previous transient state information.
US07970732B2
Data is extracted from at least one data source. The data is translated according to a metadata model and is stored in a staging data store. A migration management user interface is provided that includes a mechanism for indicating at least some of the data to be included in a migration event. The migration event is initiated based at least in part on the input received via the user interface. The at least some of the data is migrated from the staging data store to a target data store according to a hierarchy of controls.
US07970730B2
A system and methodology that provide schema inferencing at runtime. An inference component receives as an input an input data stream, and processes the input data stream at runtime to develop a schema based on actual values thereof. The inferred schema is then used to create an inferred output data that is a specialized representation of the input stream data, which can then be accessed efficiently and conveniently.
US07970729B2
A method of modeling an enterprise includes storing core objects, where the core objects include an information object defining information used in the enterprise, a participant object defining a participant in the enterprise, an enabler object defining a tool used in the enterprise, and an activity object defining a process performed in the enterprise, and storing relationship objects that define interactions between two or more of the core objects.
US07970725B2
A rules system for creating rules to an expert system is provided, the rules system providing a user-friendly, guided process for creating such rules.
US07970722B1
A decision making system, method and computer program product are provided. Initially, a plurality of attributes is defined. Thereafter, first information regarding the attributes is received from a receiving business. Second information is then received regarding proposed products or services in terms of the attributes. Such second information is received from a supplying business. In use, a decision process is executed based on the first information and the second information.
US07970719B2
A method is described for structurally individualized simulation of the introduction of a wall support element into a section of a tubular structure. To this end, image data of the interior of the section of the tubular structure are provided. A start point and an end point of the section of the tubular structure are then determined, and a lumen and a profile line of the tubular structure are determined between the start point and the end point. Furthermore, an individual elastic structure model for the section of the tubular structure is identified by adapting a tubular elastic initial model to the section of the tubular structure on the basis of the identified lumen and the profile line, and a tubular elastic wall support element model which is positioned inside the individual structure model is provided. In at least one embodiment, the wall support element model is then virtually expanded stepwise, a check for collisions between the wall support element model and the individual structure model being carried out in each expansion step. At the positions where a collision is identified, the wall support element model and the individual structure model are modified at least locally while taking into account the elasticity of the individual structure model. A method for driving an image display device, by using such a simulation method, and a simulation device are furthermore described.
US07970711B2
A warranty management data processing system, method, and computer program are provided for determining relationships of data associated with warranty claims. Warranty data for a plurality of products is received and stored, and warranty service providers file repair/replace warranty claims against the warranties for the corresponding products. The repair/replace warranty claims are processed and repair/replace claims data is generated. The stored warranty data and the repair/replace claims data are analyzed, and a graphical representation of a distribution of the repair/replace claims data for one of the warranty service providers is generated.
US07970709B2
A client computer requests plural program parts from various servers. The plural parts are authorized in accordance with usage rights and combined to create a new computer program. The parts can be executed as the new computer program on the servers, on the client, or on both the servers and the client.
US07970706B2
A system mainframe receives a payee check file and a payor check file and produces an exception file including at least one exception item. A server receives the exception file and generates a Web file including information relating to the exception item and generates an address for the Web file. The server further sends an exception client an e-mail which notifies the exception client of the exception item and provides the exception client with the address for the Web file.
US07970704B2
In one general aspect, a financial advisor support method is disclosed that includes presenting on a wireless handheld device a list of accounts of different types held by a household entity at different institutions, receiving through the wireless handheld device account selection commands for a selected account in the list presented in the step of presenting, and presenting on the wireless handheld device account information for the selected account in response to the step of receiving.
US07970699B1
The invention relates to methods that create and update a centralized and searchable database of lenders' underwriting and pricing guidelines that can be utilized by the consumer and to a system that matches the consumer's qualifications and needs to the best available loan products with associated rate pricing.
US07970696B2
A method for submitting transactions from an automated trading tool to an electronic exchange. The method includes defining a proximity limit and automatically generating a transaction for a tradeable object. The method further includes applying the proximity limit to the transaction. When the transaction falls within the defined proximity limit, the transaction is submitted to the exchange. An apparatus and interface for transaction toggling based on proximity limits are also provided.
US07970694B2
Disclosed are methods and systems of executing securities trades. An exemplary system comprises a server system that is in communication with a client system, a security data source, and a trade execution location. The security data source provides security data relating to a plurality of securities to the server system. The client system provides user specific criteria to the server system. The server system then analyzes the security data based upon the criteria, identifies user preferred securities from the plurality of securities, and provides the client system with data relating to the user preferred securities. The client system uses N user specific parameters to generate and display an N dimensional graph that is populated with icons representing the user preferred securities. After a user preferred securities is selected from the graph and an order is requested, the client system sends the order to the server system.
US07970689B2
A method and system serve for network dealing for conducting single-period auctions where there is one seller and at least one buyer, but typically multiple buyers. The method and system allow for posting of at least one or multiple items offered for sale on a network by a computer at the seller interconnected to other computers on the network. Bids are submitted by buyers for the items offered for sale with the seller requiring predetermined information about the buyer submitting bids before determining a selling price. The seller applies a selected set of criteria to strike out bids the seller does not wish to consider and applies a seller determined criteria to determine the price at which the seller is willing to sell the item(s).
US07970688B2
A method for pricing a trade comprising providing a user input for entering trade data, providing a structure for receiving the trade data and then transmitting the structure to a pricing system. The structure, now populated with both the trade data and the pricing data, is received from the pricing system and the trade data and pricing information is displayed. Advantageously, the structure is encrypted prior to transmitting it to the pricing system and decrypted when received from the pricing system. The pricing system records the data and the pricing information, which may be automatically entered into a trading system if and when the user agrees.
US07970679B2
The invention is a method of on-line credit information monitoring and control. In detail, the method includes the steps of. 1) accessing the credit information by means of a computer system in a computer network; 2) providing the information to the individual by means of the computer system in the computer network; 3) providing for the individual to request changes in the information; and 4) informing the individual of the completion of the changes in the information.
US07970678B2
Tokenless biometric authorization of transaction between a consumer and a merchant uses an identicator and an access device. A consumer registers with the identicator a biometric sample taken from the consumer. The consumer and merchant establish communications via the access device. The merchant proposes a transaction to the consumer via the access device. The access device communicates to the merchant associated with the access device. After the consumer and merchant have agreed on the transaction, the consumer and the identicator use the access device to establish communications. The access device communicates to the identicator the code associated with the access device. The identicator compares biometric sample from the consumer with registered biometric sample. Upon successful identification, the identicator forwards information regarding the consumer to the merchant. These steps accomplish a biometrically authorized electronic financial transaction without the consumer having to present any personalized man-made memory tokens.
US07970677B1
An image of a negotiable instrument may be communicated from a user to a financial institution using a messaging application so that funds associated with the negotiable instrument may be deposited into a user's bank account. A user may launch an instant messaging application and establish a communications session with a predetermined account at the financial institution to communicate the image. The image may be stored in a file or created by a capture device under control of the instant messaging application. The image file may be processed and verified by the financial institution, where it may be deposited in an account associated with the user.
US07970675B2
A computer system for managing, creating, and support of a novel investment instrument, known as a Security Receipt. This receipt provides translation of ownership of plural underlying securities to the holder of the receipt in a seamless and efficient way. The system permits enhanced security creation, and orderly support to facilitate liquidity and market trading of the Security Receipt.
US07970674B2
A facility procuring information about a distinguished property from its owner that is usable to refine an automatic valuation of the distinguished property is described. The facility displays information about the distinguished property used in the automatic valuation of the distinguished property. The facility obtains user input from the owner adjusting at least one aspect of information about the distinguished property used in the automatic valuation of the distinguished property. The facility then displays to the owner a refined valuation of the distinguished property that is based on the adjustment of the obtained user input.
US07970671B2
Transaction management for contract and contract-related approaches is facilitated. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a transaction management system automatically sets contract terms including currency conversion terms for a transaction based on business rules previously established between parties to a transaction. In one implementation, the transaction management node automatically derives a contract term including a pricing-related term for a transaction between a buyer and seller using contract information therefor. The pricing-related term is used to set a price for the transaction, and a currency conversion term is used to convert the set price (or a portion of the set price corresponding to a particular transaction party) into a different currency.
US07970667B2
A method for searching a bill of materials (BOM) in a data processing system, a data processing system configured to perform a corresponding method, and a computer program product encoded with instructions for performing the method. The method includes retrieving BOM data in a data processing system, and forming a wavefront queue of a plurality of proto lines corresponding to the BOM data. The method also includes determining the cumulative geometric bounds of multiple ones of the plurality of proto lines and performing a geometric bounds test on the cumulative geometric bounds of multiple ones of the plurality of proto lines. The method also includes producing a BOM line to each proto line that passes the geometric bounds test, and adding the produced BOM lines to a candidate results list stored in the data processing system.
US07970662B2
An online system and method for allowing a prospective buyer to complete an electronic RFP document and to have the RFP document transmitted to one or more appropriate prospective sellers of goods and services. The system and method provide the prospective buyer with the option of automatically identifying potentially appropriate sellers by means of key word searches in a compiled database of vendor information and product and services descriptions. The prospective buyer may also elect to review the database contents “manually” by means of selecting specific subject matter areas or incrementally reviewing a list of database vendors one at a time. The system directs the buyer's RFP to the selected vendors for review and consideration. This transmission is made electronically, typically by email protocols, for review by appropriate personnel at the selected vendor's business. Such review is carried out by an individual or automatically by the vendor's own system which identifies the appropriateness of the match with its range of offered goods and services. A proposal or price quote is then transmitted electronically back through the system to the prospective buyer for consideration, again typically by email protocols. The buyer may then review the various proposals and price quotes it receives back for consideration and may select an appropriate vendor with which to carry out the commercial transaction.
US07970661B1
A collaborative shopping group can be established within a social networking web site. This initially established group can consist of individuals with whom the establishing user has a social networking affiliation. After an initial establishment of the collaborative shopping group, each individual within the group is able to add additional individuals to the collaborative shopping group. A shared shopping cart can be established for the collaborative shopping group. A set of different members of the collaborative shopping group can individually and independently add items from a set of different e-commerce sites to the shared shopping cart. An e-commerce purchase of items in the shared shopping cart can be completed. The completed e-commerce purchase can receive a transaction discount greater than or equal to a sum of discounts that would have resulted from discrete purchases of the items of the shared shopping cart by the individuals of the collaborative shopping group.
US07970657B2
A system and method is described for giving gifts via a social network and displaying icons representing assets that have been acquired via the social network. In various embodiments, the assets include real assets, digital assets, and virtual assets. Digital assets that have been acquired via the social network environment may also be displayed. In some embodiments, the assets are received as gifts or in trade from another user of the social network environment.
US07970654B2
A system for processing sales transactions may include a first computing device in communication with a buyer-operated computing device, and a computer-readable storage medium in communication with the first computing device. The computer-readable storage medium may include programming instructions for receiving an order including one or more of a commitment of a buyer to purchase an item, and a preferred share value associated with the buyer, receiving contact information associated with one or more third parties, receiving a fractional share value associated with each of the one or more third parties, and in response to a sum of the fractional share values associated with each third party and the preferred share value equaling the purchase price associated with the item, using the received contact information to send a message to each third party. Each message may include the fractional share associated with the third party.
US07970651B2
A commercial article information presenting system includes a shopping basket device and a shopping server communicating with the shopping basket device. The shopping basket device acquires a tag ID from an electronic tag attached to a commercial article put in a shopping basket and transmits the tag ID to a shop server. The shop server stores the tag ID received from the shopping basket device, generates screen data for an itemization screen for indicating a commercial article identifier and a unit price corresponding to the stored tag ID, a total of unit prices. The shop server transmits the screen data for the itemization screen to the shopping basket device.
US07970649B2
A computing system for encouraging the performance of a task comprises association data, a proxy module, a display module, and a reward module. The association data associates tags with stimuli related to performing tasks. The proxy module is configured to receive encoded data, to identify tags in the encoded data that have associated stimuli in the association data, and to generate modified encoded data that includes data representative of at least one of the stimuli. The display module is configured to receive the modified encoded data, to display information based at least in part on the modified encoded data, and to provide at least one mechanism for a user to perform a task related to at least one of the stimuli. The reward module is configured to reward a user for performing tasks related to the stimuli.
US07970647B2
Methods and apparatuses for performing dynamic Web-based market analysis are disclosed. A Web server presents a Web page including content to a user, via a browser located at the user's computer or workstation. The content in the Web page may be provided by third party entities that pay predetermined fees to have the Web server render their content in a Web page. While the user views the site, detailed user activities associated with the content, including in-view activities associated with viewable content in the Web page, are collected in a client side data store. After a trigger event occurs, such as the client side data store fills up, the collected data is sent back to the Web server where its is stored in a server side data store. An analytical program executed by the Web server retrieves the collected response data from the data store and performs market analysis on the collected response data. The analytical program produces results associated with the effectiveness of the content included the Web page. A middleware program, executing in the Web server, retrieves the result data and produces billing records, that may also include content effectiveness reports, and sends the billing records to respective third party entities that supplied the content for billing and marketing purposes.
US07970645B2
Techniques to deliver targeted advertisements and multimedia contents to viewers. Various types of advertisements are encoded and transmitted. The advertisements may be targeted for different coverage areas (e.g., national and local levels) and may further include various categories (e.g., kids, sports, business, and so on). At the terminal, one or more advertisements may be selected for display based on various selection schemes. The particular advertisement to be selected for display at a terminal may be based on the terminal's assigned profile or user interaction at the terminal. The profile may be assigned based on the last program viewed at the terminal, a particular filter icon selected at the terminal, the observed television viewing habits of the viewer at the terminal, and so on. The techniques may also be advantageously used for delivery of other multimedia contents and for other applications.
US07970641B2
An automated system and method for pricing a bundle package based on a weight of a bundle includes an interface, a point of entry and a processor. The interface requests information and displays information. Data relating to the requested information is submitted through the point of entry. The requested information includes dimensions of a booth and a weight of a bundle to be displayed within the booth. The processor receives and controls the data and includes a rules database, a transaction processing system and a calculator. The rules database stores a pre-established set of rules for classifying data into one of a plurality of bundle packages and for associating the bundle packages with a price. The transaction processing system stores and analyzes the submitted data and the pre-established set of rules in the rules database. The calculator determines a bundle package price based on the submitted data and the pre-established rules in the rules database.
US07970638B2
A method is provided for meeting anticipated parts demands, by controlling substitute part inventory coverage based on percentage requirements. The method is characterized by substitution sets determined as a ratio of the current PN level. In one embodiment, current parts of specified type and substitute parts functionally equivalent to the current parts are respectively kept in inventory. This embodiment includes specifying a maximum percentage of demand for the current parts that is allowed to be filled using substitute parts. The number of additional parts needed to cover a demand is determined, when the demand specifies a total number of current parts exceeding the number thereof in inventory. A number of substitute parts is then assigned from inventory to cover the demand, up to a number that does not exceed the specified maximum percentage of the specified total number. When the number of additional parts needed is greater than the number of assigned substitute parts, a number of current parts equal to the difference therebetween is then purchased.
US07970635B1
Automobile accident claims initiation systems and methods are described. An insured driver may initiate a claim by operating a mobile device. The system provides automated inquiries to the driver through the mobile device. The driver provides responses to the inquiries using the mobile device. The driver may provide images and audio data, as well as personal information and information on the parties and vehicles involved in the accident. The system may automatically arrange for services such as a rental car or a tow truck. The system may provide claim information, such as a claim number to the driver by transmitting information to the mobile device.
US07970631B2
A medical effector system comprised of a bedside unit and a procedure unit. The bedside unit contains a series of connection points for receiving inputs from a series of patient monitors. The procedure unit contains a patient monitoring and medical effector program, and a drug delivery pump or magnetic flux generator capable of delivering therapeutic energy to a patient. The medical effector system contains the capability to issue and receive a request from a non-sedated patient, issue and receive a request from a sedated patient and then to calculate a time difference. The medical effector program operates the pump or magnetic flux generator based upon at least some of the patient outputs and program inputs including a calculated time difference. A removable umbilical cable connects the two units and allows the output of the patient monitors as well as other information to travel between the two units.
US07970630B2
A computer-implemented system and method for integrating data from a plurality of biomedical development phases. The system and method include a database that stores data collected from the biomedical development phases. The database further includes a metadata data structure that describes the data collected during a biomedical development phase. At least one graphical user interface collects data during the biomedical development phase. The structure of the graphical user interface is defined based at least in part upon the metadata data structure so that the graphical user interface collects data points as well as metadata that is to be stored within the metadata data structure. The metadata describes the collected data points, and at least a portion of the metadata data structure is determined based upon an issue that arises in a subsequent biomedical development phase.
US07970628B2
Method and system for receiving one or more dentition conditions of a patient, associating a first set of one or more treatment goals based on the one or more dentition conditions, generating a case difficulty assessment based on the one or more treatment goals, detecting a modification to the case difficulty assessment, retrieving a second set of one or more treatment goals associated with the modified case difficulty assessment, and displaying the second set of one or more treatment goals are provided.
US07970626B2
A computer-implemented method to facilitate a purchase comprising: receiving, at a first host computer, a request from a provider for payment authorization for a charge to a purchaser; examining a database coupled to the first host computer for information concerning the purchaser; providing the information concerning the purchaser to a second host computer associated with the provider; receiving at the first host computer information from a third host computer concerning a negotiated amount of the charge to the purchaser; tendering payment of the negotiated charge to the provider; and withdrawing an amount no greater than the negotiated amount of the charge from an account of the purchaser.
US07970620B2
The invention presents a networked system for identifying an individual, communicating information to the individual, and remotely monitoring the individual. The system includes a remotely programmable apparatus that occasionally connects to a server via a communication network such as the Internet. The remotely programmable apparatus interacts with the individual in accordance with a script program received from the server Among other capabilities, the script program may instruct the remotely programmable apparatus to identify the individual, to communicate information to the individual, to communicate queries to the individual, to receive responses to the queries, and to transmit information identifying the individual and the responses from the remotely programmable apparatus to the server. Information identifying the individual may be obtained via a biometrics sensor, a data card, a remote monitoring device, or the interception of data from a separate information system. The information identifying the individual may be used by either or both the server system and remotely programmable apparatus for security, customization and other purposes. As the present invention has multi-user capabilities, it can be used in a public place, such as a pharmacy or health care clinic. The multi-user capabilities also allow collection and tracking of user data for the healthcare industry.
US07970612B2
Provided are a method and apparatus for automatically completing a text input using speech recognition. The method includes: receiving a first part of a text from a user through a text input device; recognizing a speech of the user, which corresponds to the text; and completing a remaining part of the text based on the first part of the text and the recognized speech. Therefore, accuracy of the text input and convenience of the speech recognition can be ensured, and a non-input part of the text can be easily input based on the input part of the text and the recognized speech at a high speed.
US07970608B2
Techniques are described for providing relevant information to users (e.g., information that is at least potentially of interest to the users). Relevant information for a user may be automatically determined based on a determined context of the user and/or on a request for that information from the user. For example, voice-based information may be obtained from a user in one or more ways, and then analyzed to identify requests or other indications of information of interest and/or to otherwise determine a context of the user that corresponds to potential information of interest. Relevant information for a user may be provided to the user in various ways, such as via a voice-based response during a telephone call and/or via one or more electronic messages sent to the user (e.g., via emails, instant messages, paging messages, SMS or other text messages, etc.).
US07970606B2
Encoding a sequence of digital speech samples into a bit stream includes dividing the digital speech samples into one or more frames and computing a set of model parameters for the frames. The set of model parameters includes at least a first parameter conveying pitch information. The voicing state of a frame is determined and the first parameter conveying pitch information is modified to designate the determined voicing state of the frame, if the determined voicing state of the frame is equal to one of a set of reserved voicing states. The model parameters are quantized to generate quantizer bits which are used to produce the bit stream.
US07970605B2
A method and apparatus multiplies a past sample a time lag τ older than a current sample by a quantized multiplier ρ′ on a frame by frame basis, subtracts the multiplication result from the current sample, codes the subtraction result, and codes the time lag using a fixed-length coder if the multiplier ρ′ is smaller than 0.2 or if information about the previous frame is unavailable, or codes the time lag using a variable-length coder if ρ′ is not smaller than 0.2. A multiplier ρ is coded by a multiplier coder and the multiplier ρ′ obtained by decoding the multiplier ρ is outputted. The process is performed for each frame.
US07970603B2
A method and apparatus that manages speech decoders in a communication device may include detecting a change in transmission rate from a higher rate to a lower rate, decoding and shifting a first, second and third received first decoder set of frame parameters, generating a first decoder output audio frame from the previously shifted frame parameters, generating a first, second and third second decoder audio fill frame, the second decoder being a higher rate decoder than first decoder, outputting a first and second second decoder audio fill frame, combining the first decoder audio frame and the third second decoder audio fill frame with overlapping triangular windows, and outputting combined first decoder and second decoder frames to an audio buffer for subsequent transmission to a user of the communication device. In an alternative embodiment, another method may include detecting and processing a change in transmission rate from a lower rate to a higher rate.
US07970599B2
An application archive is searched for an existing translation for a text string in an application to be localized. The text string is associated with context information that identifies a location of the text string in the application. If an existing translation is found that matches the text string, and all, or alternately part of, the context information, the existing translation is logically linked to the text string. In one aspect, the existing translation is selected from multiple matches based on number of occurrences. In another aspect, the existing translation is submitted to a manual validation process.
US07970597B2
A circuit emulator includes emulation resources programmed to emulate a circuit, a clocking system for clocking logic implemented by the emulation resources, a resource interface circuit, a logic analyzer, and a debugger. The resource interface circuit supplies input signals to the emulation resources, stores data representing behavior of signals generated by the emulation resources produces in response to the input signals and configures operating characteristics of the clocking system. Upon detecting a specified event in the selected signals of the emulation resources, the logic analyzer asserts a trigger signal telling the clocking system to stop clocking the emulation resources. Communicating with the resource interface circuit and the logic analyzer via a packet routing network, the debugger acquires and processes the data stored by the resource interface circuit and transmits commands to the resource interface circuit and the logic analyzer specifying clocking system operating characteristics, controlling signal data transfer to the debugger, and defining the signal events the logic analyzer is to detect.
US07970595B2
The invention provides a device for simulating a multi-antenna radio channel, a module and a method. The device comprises channel modules for incorporating propagation effects into channel signals which represent radio signals propagating along propagation paths, which channel modules are electrically connected to neighbour channel modules for forming an (m,n) array configuration. The (m,n)th channel module is configured to receive a first (m,n−1)th channel signal and a second (m−1,n)th channel signal and comprises: a processing resource for processing the first (m,n−1)th channel signal according to a channel model, thus generating a processed (m,n)th channel signal, and a combiner for combining the processed (m,n)th signal and the second (m−1,n)th channel signal, thus generating a second (m,n)th channel signal. The (m,n)th channel module is further configured to output the second (m,n)th channel signal.
US07970594B2
A mechanism for exploiting the data gathered about a system model during the system design phase to aid the identification of errors subsequently detected in a deployed system based on the system model is disclosed. The present invention utilizes the coverage analysis from the design phase that is originally created to determine whether the system model as designed meets the specified system requirements. Included in the coverage analysis report is the analysis of which sets of test vectors utilized in simulating the system model excited individual components and sections of the system model. The present invention uses the information associated with the test vectors to select appropriate test vectors to use to perform directed testing of the deployed system so as to confirm a suspected fault.
US07970590B1
Electronic Design Automation tools are used to aid in the design and verification of integrated circuits. As part of the verification process, circuit designs are analyzed with respect to their timing performance. Timing analysis is susceptible to variation in circuit components due to fabrication process variation. Process variation is introduced as worst-case conditions or statistical probabilities. More accurate process variation is modeled by for timing sensitivity with Parametric Elmore Delay. Parametric Elmore Delay introduces effects on circuit components as parameters in the conventional Elmore Delay definition to model fabrication process variation in the timing analysis. Delay variance demonstrates sensitivities to process and design factors. Parametric timing analysis is used to anticipate fabrication yield and identify potential improvements in the design or fabrication process.
US07970585B2
A method and system for remotely monitoring and controlling one or more cell-sites are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes (a) receiving data indicative of a status of at least one battery of at least one cell-site at a remote processing device, where the status relates to at least one of a voltage status, a conductance status, and a temperature status. Additionally, the method includes (b) processing the data at the processing device, and (c) determining at least one further action that should be taken by the at least one cell-site in response to the data. Further, the method includes (d) sending from the processing device at least one control signal to the at least one cell-site configured to cause the at least one cell-site to take the at least one further action. Also, in other embodiments, the method involves remote monitoring and controlling of devices other than batteries.
US07970583B2
An actuator control system is disclosed that includes an actuator continuously movable between multiple positions. The controller is configured to command the actuator to a desired actuator position and to apply the command to an actuator model. The controller is configured to compare the modeled and actual actuator positions to determine if the position difference exceeds a fault detection accommodation limit and if the position difference is within a band that is different than the fault detection accommodation limit. The controller is configured to calculate a threshold, which is based upon an estimated load on the actuator. The controller is configured to calculate a band comprised of the threshold applied to the modeled position and to determine if the actual actuator position is within the calculated band. The threshold is calculated at regular intervals, and a fault is declared if the actual actuator position is outside the band for a number of consecutive intervals.
US07970579B2
A coherence scanning interferometer (2) carries out: a coherence scanning measurement operation on a surface area (81) carrying a structure using a low numeric aperture objective so that the pitch of the surface structure elements (82) is much less that the spread of the point spread function at the surface (7) to obtain structure surface intensity data; and a coherence scanning measurement operation on a non-structure surface area (83), which may be part of the same sample or a different sample, to obtain non-structure surface intensity data. A frequency transform ratio determiner (105) determines a frequency transform ratio (the HCF function) related to the ratio between the structure surface intensity data and the non-structure surface intensity data. A structure provider (109) sets that frequency transform ratio equal to an expression which represents the electric field at the image plane of the coherence scanning interferometer in terms of surface structure element size (height or depth) and width-to-pitch ratio and derives the surface structure element size and width-to-pitch ratio using the frequency transform ratio. The structure provider (109) may also extract the surface structure element width, if the pitch is independently known.
US07970578B2
A compensation table for compensating interference signal obtained by OCT measurement is generated easily. When a reflection body interference signal is obtained by OCT measurement, the reflection body interference signal is compensated by a compensation table (Formula (1)) to obtain an evaluation output signal. Then, a spectrum of the evaluation output signal is calculated to obtain an evaluation value of the spectrum. Thereafter, a model coefficient is updated such that the evaluation value becomes small.
US07970576B2
An orientation measurement value acquisition unit (145) acquires an orientation measurement value measured by an orientation sensor (110) mounted on an image capturing apparatus (120), and an orientation measurement value measured by a sensor (115) mounted on a physical object (125). An image processing unit (135) acquires the image coordinates, on a captured image, of indices allocated on the physical object (125). A calibration unit (160) calculates at least one of allocation information of the sensor (110) with respect to the image capturing apparatus (120) and allocation information of the sensor (115) with respect to the physical object (125) using the two orientation measurement values and image coordinates.
US07970575B2
A method for determining the accuracy of the estimated position for a target device in a wireless system includes the computation of a confidence index. In the online location determining phase, after knowing the observations of the radio signal for a target device, the target device's probability distribution of location and its motion model are combined to calculate the position uncertainty, thereby giving the confidence index of this location estimate. The invention determines the location probability distribution, and calculates the uncertainty of the location probability distribution and the possible maximum uncertainty under the current situation. Based on these uncertainties, this invention determines the confidence index of the radio signal. The confidence may be regarded as a quantity that the location uncertainty can be excluded in the location prediction.
US07970572B2
A method of detecting a free fall of a device includes measuring an acceleration of the device, calculating an integral of the acceleration, and determining whether the acceleration is periodic. If the acceleration is not periodic, the integral of the acceleration is compared with a first critical value to determine whether the device falls freely. If the acceleration is periodic, the integral of the acceleration is compared with a second critical value to determine whether the device falls freely. The first and second critical values are different. Since whether the device is periodically accelerated is considered, free fall of the device can be correctly detected, and thus malfunction of the device can be prevented. For example, an unnecessary protection operation for a hard disk drive of the device can be prevented, and thus a user can conveniently use the device.
US07970565B2
A measurement apparatus that measures a signal under measurement, including a strobe timing generator that sequentially generates strobes arranged at substantially even time intervals, a level comparing section that detects a signal level of the signal under measurement at a timing of each sequentially provided strobe, a capture memory that stores therein a data sequence of the signal levels sequentially detected by the level comparing section, a frequency domain converting section that converts the data sequence into a spectrum in the frequency domain, and a jitter calculating section that calculates jitter of the signal under measurement based on a value obtained by integrating levels of frequency components in a predetermined frequency range of the spectrum.
US07970559B2
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent with the present invention determine the type of damage to a wire, the amount of damage, and the location of the damage based on the wire's broadband impedance measured from a single measurement point. The type of damage is determined by comparing the wire's calculated dielectric function, resistance and inductance to known values that correspond to types of wire damage. The amount of damage is determined by comparing the wire's low-frequency impedance phase to known low-frequency impedance phase information that corresponds to a known amount of wire damage. The location of damage is determined by comparing the wire's high-frequency impedance phase to known high-frequency impedance phase information that corresponds to a known location of wire damage.
US07970554B2
A system for providing secure access to mechanical data associated with the mechanical properties of a concrete mass. The system includes a logger associated with the concrete mass and having at least one sensor adapted to measure physical properties of the concrete mass and generate sensor data indicative of the physical properties of the concrete mass. The logger also has a microprocessor adapted to receive the sensor data and calculate mechanical data associated with the concrete mass and an outbound data transfer device. The system includes a reader adapted to receive the mechanical data associated with the concrete mass from the outbound data transfer device of the logger. Lastly, the system includes a computer receiving the mechanical data from the reader and distributing the mechanical data to one or more users via the Internet, a world-wide network of information sharing computers, or using the world-wide web.
US07970551B2
The invention provides methods for providing information on the probability of DNA samples being contaminated over days, weeks and months in relation to collection, processing and analysis of DNA samples. Methods are also provided for analyzing the likelihood of a result arising due to contamination and/or determining the analysis protocol to be applied to a DNA sample and/or methods of operating databases, particularly containing DNA profiles.Improvements in accounting for sporadic and undetected contamination and improvements in the operation of DNA sampling of analysis are provided by the invention.
US07970549B1
The present invention provides an apparatus, system, method and computer program and computer program product for analyzing cellular samples. One embodiment of the apparatus and method provides a multiparameter assay that provides information with respect to cell proliferation, cell cycling and cell death. The multiparameter assay is particularly useful for assessing and screening candidate compounds for anti-cancer utility.
US07970537B2
A navigation system and a navigation method inside of a building using Visible Light Communications (VLC) are provided. The navigation system includes a map server, in which map information required to provide a navigation function is stored, for transferring the map information to each lamp, a plurality of lamps, installed in each zone inside of the building and having their respective identifiable and unique IDentifications (IDs), for receiving the map information required to provide the navigation function from the map server, and for generating a visible light signal in response to the received map information by using a VLC module, and a mobile terminal, equipped with a visible light Rx module, for being provided with the map information upon receiving the visible light signal generated from the lamp, and for displaying a map image in response to the provided map information.
US07970535B2
When moving a vehicle forward to park, a swept path during a period of parking operation is stored in memory. The vehicle is parked as forward parking, in which the front of the vehicle faces the dead end of a parking space of a side-by-side parking lot. In starting the vehicle from the parking space, an assist start switch is turned on to thereby cause a control unit to compute a rearward exit method to move the vehicle rearward to thereby exit from the parking space by referring to surrounding information on surroundings of the vehicle and the stored swept path. A display device is then caused to display the computed rearward exit method to notify a driver of the vehicle.
US07970534B2
A handheld device and system includes a mapping module, a tracking module interoperative with the mapping module, and a communications module interoperative with the tracking module and the mapping module. At least two antennae are communicatively connected, via the communications module, to at least one central processing unit. At least one of said at least two antenna is suitable for communicating using at least two distinct communication modes.
US07970533B2
A method and system for matching participants in a rideshare program is provided. A participant rating is identified in a rideshare environment. A rideshare participation score is generated for the identified participant. The identified participant is assigned to a rideshare transaction with at least one other participant in the rideshare program based on the rideshare participation score.
US07970527B2
An engine start control apparatus enables a user to start an engine of a vehicle irrespective of a user's operation of ignition key. The engine start control apparatus includes a controller that performs engine start control and a storage unit. When the engine abnormally stops during a period in which the controller performs the engine start control, the storage unit stores at least one of a cause of the abnormal stop and a timing of the abnormal stop.
US07970516B2
A vehicle control system estimates the vibration states of tires by using a vehicle vibration model that is separated into a vehicle body vibration model, a chassis vibration model, and a tire vibration model with high precision. The tire vibration model in the vehicle vibration model is formed of a rear wheel tire vibration model, a front wheel tire vibration model, and a virtual coupling element vibration model that virtually couples the rear wheel tire vibration model and the front wheel tire vibration model. Influence of the vibration state that is conducted between the front wheel tires and the rear wheel tires is considered while the tire vibration model and the chassis vibration model are separated from each other, thereby making it possible to estimate the vibrations that occur in the front wheel tires and the rear wheel tires.
US07970508B2
The guided travel control method and guided travel control apparatus capable of creating a traveling course by teaching only target earth unloading points, without traveling through all passage points of the traveling course, prior to the guided traveling, when each traveling course to each target earth unloading point is taught, thereby increasing the efficiency of teaching operation and also increasing the operation efficiency. In the invention, a corrected traveling course for guiding an unmanned vehicle is created based on a hopper detour area, a corrected target earth unloading position, and a target movement direction in a target earth unloading position such that the unmanned vehicle moves in the target movement direction to the corrected target earth unloading position without interfering with the hopper detour area, then the unmanned vehicle is guided to travel along the created corrected traveling course.
US07970499B2
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for a mobile tail support control system. An apparatus comprises a data processing system, an output device, a set of load sensors, a set of position sensors, and a computer program product executing on the data processing system. The output device is capable of generating signals for managing movement of a mobile tail support apparatus. The set of load sensors may be coupled to the data processing system and may be capable of detecting loads associated with a swing tail cargo door. The set of position sensors are coupled to the data processing system and detect a position of the mobile tail support apparatus relative to the swing tail cargo door. The computer program product may receive information from the set of load sensors and the set of position sensors and generate signals to manage the mobile tail support apparatus.
US07970498B2
A flight control system includes a model-based sensor system which estimates angular accelerations to control rotor system moment such that loads on the aircraft structure are reduced to thereby allow an aircraft structural envelope to more closely follow an aircraft service flight envelope.
US07970484B2
In order to increase the efficiency of a production process a new method is presented. Thereby a flow of items is generated in a production system. Electronic devices that are attachable to the items are used for tracking the items. An identification of a first electronic device attached to a first item is read out. The identification is forwarded to a computer system that steers the flow of items. Due to a reception of the identification by the computer system, a transport status indicating authorization or prohibition to process the second item is set. The transport status is then transmitted to a second electronic device with an authorizing signal that is sent from the computer system to the second electronic device. The second electronic device contains a signal receiver circuit for receiving the authorizing signal and the second electronic device is attached to the second item.
US07970483B2
In one aspect of the invention, a method for the improved operation of an electronic device manufacturing system is provided. The method includes providing information to an interface coupled to an electronic device manufacturing system having parameters, processing the information to predict a first parameter, and providing an instruction related to at least a second parameter of the electronic device manufacturing system wherein the instruction is based on the predicted first parameter. Numerous other aspects are provided.
US07970471B2
A system and method for automatically selecting among a plurality of pacing modes based upon capture detection. Patients suffering from heart failure may be optimally treated with different resynchronization pacing modes or configurations. By detecting whether capture is being achieved by a particular configuration or mode, a device is able to automatically switch to one that is both optimal in treating the patient and is successful in capturing the heart with pacing pulses.
US07970469B2
An implantable therapy system including implantable stimulation and control components. The implantable components operate under a set of variable parameters that can be adjusted for improved performance for an individual patient. The implantable components are adapted to self-evaluate the patients physiologic performance and autonomously adjust an existing set of parameters to improve performance throughout an implantation period without requiring intervention of a clinician, for example with a physicians programmer. The implantable components can compare a patient's exhibited activity to a desired template of that activity to determine when adjustments are indicated. The template can be based on observations of one or more third parties exhibiting normal activity. The implantable components can adjust the operating parameters to improve synchrony of multiple heart chambers and/or to increase a peak contractility.
US07970459B2
A sleepiness level detection method of determining a sleepiness level of a subject, includes: detecting a heart beat signal indicating a signal of heart beats from the subject and storing the heart beat signal in a storage device; detecting amplitude peaks of the heart beat signal and detecting an interval between the amplitude peaks as a heart beat interval; and computing a spectral density corresponding to fluctuation in the heart beat interval detected and determining the sleepiness level based on a maximum frequency at which the spectral density is maximum.
US07970458B2
Designs, implementations, and techniques for optically measuring a sample and integrated systems that provide CT-scan, optical probing and therapy by electromagnetic radiation treatment (e.g. laser, RF, or microwave). Light at different wavelength bands may be used to detect different absorption features in the sample. Multiple light sources may be used including tunable lasers.
US07970454B2
The invention is directed to marker delivery devices and methods of using such devices. The delivery devices embodying features of the invention include a delivery cannula with a discharge opening and a releasable plug disposed in the inner lumen of the delivery cannula so as to at least partially occlude the discharge opening. The releasable plug prevents ingress of tissue, body fluids and the like into the bore of the tube, and prevents the premature discharge of any markers proximal to the releasable plug from passing through the discharge opening before the distal end of the cannula is properly positioned at a desired location within a patient's body. The releasable plug preferably has an MRI detectable element. Preferably, at least one remotely detectable marker mass is provided in the inner lumen of the cannula proximal to the releasable plug.
US07970450B2
An apparatus for monitoring an electrical signal from a patient's body includes a disposable electrode patch having a thin flexible housing with an adhesive exterior, a power source, a printed circuit board, a plurality of electrodes, a converter for converting a detected electrical signal from the patient's body to a digital signal, a processor for processing the digital signal, and a transmitter connected for transmitting the processed digital signal as a wireless signal. A monitoring unit communicating with the electrode patch includes a power source, a transceiver, a global positioning receiver, a processor, at least one communication port for external communications, and a display. A system of the invention includes a plurality of patients having medical monitors wirelessly communicating biometric information to a central processor for archiving and accessing.
US07970419B2
A method and system for location determination of a multi-mode device using a plurality of GPS fixation processes, each fixation process using a different mode (e.g. Cell-ID, MS-Assist, and MS-based) of the device is provided. The invention relates to methods for quickly obtaining and displaying geographic location of a mobile device on its display. These methods can be performed by applying successive fixation steps as outline herein.
US07970412B2
An Aided Location Communication System (“ALCS”) is described that may include a geolocation server and a wireless communication device having a GPS section where the GPS receiver section is capable of being selectively switched between a standalone mode and at least one other mode for determining a geolocation of the wireless communications device. An Aided Location Communication Device (“ALCD”) is also described. The ALCD includes a position-determination section having a GPS receiver and a communication section where the position-determination section is selectively switchable between a GPS-standalone mode and at least one other mode for determining a geolocation of the ALCD.
US07970400B2
A telecommunications network comprises a base station node (28) which provides plural sets of radio transmission resources (52) for communicating with mobile stations (30) in a cell (40). At least one set (521) of radio transmission resources of the cell is a non-hopping set of radio transmission resources including a resource which may carry the BCCH, and other sets (521-52n) of radio transmission resources of the cell are hopping sets of radio transmission resources. A base station controller (26) node schedules calls comprising voice over internet protocol packet flows on the non-hopping sets of radio transmission resources in accordance with capacity of the non-hopping set of radio transmission resources. When the non-hopping set of radio transmission resources lacks capacity for a further call with a mobile station, the base station controller (26) node requests that the call be changed from a voice over internet protocol packet flow to a circuit switched connection.
US07970399B2
Method and arrangements for enabling improved handover of a user equipment (3) communicating in a first radio access network (1) utilizing a first radio access technology (RAT), where the user equipment (3) measures a first parameter and a second parameter for a plurality of neighboring cells (20) of at least a second radio access network (2) utilizing WCDMA, reports the measured parameters to a node (10) in the first network (1) and handover is initiated to one of the cells (20) in the second network (2) based on both of the reported first parameter and second parameters.
US07970395B2
A method of selectively improving the quality of calls carried by a communications network. The method comprises defining off-peak and peak call periods, and during off-peak periods, for each call carried by the network, analysing call data to determine whether or not a network based Voice Quality Enhancement function should be applied to the call and, if yes, applying the function to the call. A database is maintained containing subscriber and/or terminal identities together with respective Voice Quality Enhancement function requirements, said requirements being updated based upon determinations made during said off-peak periods. During peak periods, said network based Voice Quality Enhancement function is invoked on a per call basis in dependence upon the requirements contained in said database for the user(s) and/or terminal(s) participating in the calls.
US07970394B2
An apparatus and method of determining coverage of a wireless network is disclosed. The method includes traveling to multiple locations around access points of the wireless network, and for a plurality of client applications, measuring a performance parameter between a test client device and nodes of the wireless network, at a plurality of the multiple locations.
US07970388B2
Methods and apparatus for supporting real time parental screening of a variety of different types of communications which may be directed to or sent from children are described. The methods and apparatus may be used with voice, text messaging and/or E-mail communications individually or as part of a unified parental control system. Parents can set restrictions preventing text messages, E-mails and/or voice calls being sent to or received from particular individuals, sources or destinations. In addition, parents can configure the system to support real time parental screening of individual communications, e.g., messages or calls, with the parent being provided a real time notification of an incoming or outgoing communication and the parent being provided an opportunity to control in real time the disposition of the individual communication. Disposition options may include blocking an outgoing or incoming call, video communication such as point to point video, text message, or E-mail, or sending the communication to a storage device, e.g., voice mail system.
US07970385B1
A method and system is disclosed for reactively managing dropped calls in a wireless communication system. A mobile station determines that it has experienced a dropped call. In response, the mobile station allows a user to continue communicating, such as by recording the user's speech, for instance. The mobile station may then play out the recorded speech to the user or to another call participant, such as upon reestablishment of the call.
US07970372B2
A mixer mixes respective signals of L1, L2C, and L5-E5a with a local oscillation signal where the frequency of the L1 signal has an image relationship with the frequencies of the L2C and L5-E5a signals to conduct frequency conversion. An image removal mixer mixes the respective position signals of 1stIF with a local oscillation signal where the frequency of the L1 signal of the 1stIF has an image relationship with the frequencies of the L2C signal and the L5-E5a signal of 1stIF to conduct frequency conversion. The image removal mixer then outputs the L1 signal of 2ndIF and the L2C and L5-E5a signals of 2ndIF, independently. A branching filter separates the L2C and L5-E5a signals of 2ndIF from each other, and outputs the separated signals.
US07970359B2
In a wireless transmission system including a transmit delay module, delaying each of at least one copy of a signal by a respective delay, the signal being transmitted over a plurality of carrier frequencies and over at least one beam, the at least one beam exhibiting a beam pattern, the number of copies of the signal corresponding to the number of beams, each the at least one copy being associated with a respective one of the at least one beam, the system further including a beam pattern former, coupled with the transmit delay module, producing a plurality of transmit signals corresponding to the beam pattern, a frequency dependent beam shifter, coupled with the beam pattern former, delaying each of the at least one transmit signal by a respective angular shift delay, thereby applying an angular shift to each of the at least one beam, the angular shift of each of the at least one beam corresponding to at least a respective one of the carrier frequencies, wherein each beam is transmitted with a delay corresponding to the transmit delay of each the copy.
US07970357B2
A coherent RFID tag design having no internal power source is disclosed. The design exhibits a longer detection range and less interference relative to conventional tag designs. The coherent RFID tag design operates in a locked or stabilized fashion, in that the frequency at which energy is parasitically coupled to the RFID tag (via its antenna) is the same as the frequency at which the RFID tag transmits information utilizing the same antenna. The RFID tag design allows a greater number of RFID tags to be deployed, without causing cross-tag interference issues and the like.
US07970353B2
A reflective communication system allows information from wireless communication devices, such as radio-frequency identification devices (RFID), to be reflectively communicated to a receiver. A transmitter at a known location transmits a communication signal to the wireless communication device. The wireless communication device modulates a data signal onto the communication signal to form a reflected data signal and reflects the reflected data signal to the receiver. The receiver receives the communication signal from the transmitter and can determine a distance between the wireless communication device and the transmitter based on data that includes a time delay between receipt of the communication signal and receipt of the reflected data signal by the receiver. The receiver can further determine the approximate location of the wireless communication device based on data that includes the known location of the transmitter and the determined distance between the wireless communication device and the transmitter.
US07970350B2
Described are methods and devices for automatically coupling two or more mobile communication devices (502, 541) to share content such as calls, music, documents, video and games where two or more devices automatically determine the feasibility of sharing the content and negotiate to find an efficient manner in which to do so. In this way, the pairing between devices may be transparent to the users. Moreover, a better choice in a transport may be selected without user input. Each device may include a near field communication (NFC) device that when in range of the other device may automatically initiate pairing between the devices so that the devices may share content. The users of NFC enabled devices may have little or minimal interactions except that one or more users may bring the devices within range so that the NFCs may initiate the pairing between the devices.
US07970346B2
Methods of reducing interference in a satellite communications system may include receiving a plurality of feeder link signals and time aligning the plurality of feeder link signals to provide time aligned feeder link signals. At least two of the time aligned feeder link signals may be combined to provide reduced interference of at least one of the feeder link signals. Related systems are also discussed.
US07970342B1
An accessory for a digital music player establishes bidirectional communications between the digital music player and a remote receiver. The bidirectional communication channel allows song information such as the title, artist and album to be transferred from the digital music player to the remote receiver. This information is then displayed by the remote receiver. The accessory also transmits an FM audio signal to the receiver based upon an audio signal received from the digital music player such that music from the player can be played over the remote receiver. The bidirectional communication channel allows the controls of the remote receiver's controls to be used to control the music being played by the digital music player. The commands and digital information are preferably transferred between the digital music player and the remote receiver in accordance with a Radio Data System or Radio Broadcast Data System format.
US07970317B2
An image forming apparatus includes a rotating member, a driving force transmission unit configured to transmit drive force to the rotating member, a drive unit configured to rotationally drive the rotating member via the driving force transmission unit, a detecting unit configured to detect a velocity of the rotating member and generate velocity data based in the detected velocity, and a control unit configured to control the drive unit based on the velocity data. The control unit calculates a correction value to be added to a drive velocity instruction value so as to cancel velocity variation of velocity data during one rotation of the rotating member, and a correction value is controlled so as to eliminate a difference between a correction drive instruction value obtained by adding a correction value to a drive velocity instruction value and the drive velocity instruction value.
US07970316B2
A method for processing a media sheet by advancing the media sheet through a nip in a media processing device is disclosed. The nip is capable of being configured by abuttingly coupling a heater device to a pressure roller. A first heater device temperature of the heater device and a pressure roller temperature of the pressure roller are determined. A signal for configuring the nip is generated upon determining the first heater device temperature and the pressure roller temperature. A second heater device temperature of the heater device is determined on generating the signal. A closure of the nip is verified for advancing the media sheet through the nip based on the first heater device temperature, the second heater device temperature and the pressure roller temperature. The media sheet is advanced through the nip on verifying the nip as closed.
US07970308B2
An image forming apparatus of the present invention includes an image bearing member for carrying a toner image, a rotatable endless belt, a transfer member for transferring a toner image from the image bearing member onto the endless belt electrostatically, a detecting device to detect a distance from the endless belt, and controls amount a loop generated in the belt to the predetermined loop amount, based on the distance detected by the detecting device.
US07970304B2
Flat field uniformity can be improved in images produced by an image development system having a development roller interposed between a supply of developer and an imaging element. A raw feed of developer is supplied from the developer supply to the development roller to produce both a metered feed of developer and an overfeed of developer, which is returned to the supply, from the raw feed. A plurality of mass densities of developer used in the system and a plurality of developer velocities through the system are determined, and respective product values of those developer mass densities and those developer velocities are thereafter calculated or otherwise determined. A maximum value of the respective product values is identified, and the image development system is then operated so that the maximum product value is produced.
US07970300B2
An image forming apparatus including a toner charge amount control portion for controlling the toner charge amount based on the property of a recording material; a recording material charging section for charging the surface of the recording material based on the toner charge amount controlled by the aforementioned toner charge amount control portion; and a recording media charge amount control portion for controlling the amount of charge on the surface of a recording material applied by the recording material charging section.
US07970296B2
An image forming unit includes an image supporter configured to be rotatable, and an amount detecting unit configured to rotate with a predetermined period to detect an amount of remaining developer. A rotation period of the amount detecting unit is an integral multiple of a rotation period of the image supporter.
US07970294B2
A document feeding apparatus includes a first delivery roller delivering a document sheet discharged from a fixing unit, a second delivery roller discharging the document sheet to a paper delivery tray, a motor driving the second delivery roller, a lever installed at the downstream, or upstream, side of the first delivery roller out of a document sheet transporting pathway, which rotates at a predetermined angle when contacting the document sheet and returns to an original position when not contacting the document sheet, a sensor sensing a rotation time and a returning time of the lever, and a controller determining a double feeding or slipping state of the document sheet based on a signal transferred from the sensor regarding the rotation time and the returning time of the lever, and controlling the driving speed of the motor according to the determination result.
US07970289B2
An optical receiver apparatus and methods for mitigating intersymbol interference (ISI) in a differentially-encoded modulation transmission system by controlling constructive and destructive transfer functions. The receiver includes a bandwidth control element for controlling transfer function bandwidth, a transfer phase controller for controlling transfer function phase and/or an imbalancer for imbalancing the transfer functions for compensating for intersymbol interference and optimizing the quality of the received optical signal.
US07970285B2
A system and method are provided for calibrating temporal skew in a multichannel optical transport network (OTN) transmission device. The method accepts a pair of 2n-phase shift keying (2n-PSK) modulated signals, as well as a pair of 2p-PSK modulated signals. The 2n-PSK and 2p-PSK signals are converted to 2n-PSK and 2p-PSK optical signals, respectively. The 2n-PSK and 2p-PSK optical signals are orthogonally polarized and transmitted. A timing voltage is generated that is responsive to the intensity of the orthogonally polarized signals. The timing voltage is correlated to a reference frame calibration pattern associated with a preamble/header portion of an OTN frame. Then, the timing voltages associated with the Ix, Qx, Iy, and Qy signal paths are compared, and the misalignment between the timing voltages and the reference frame calibration pattern is minimized in response to adjusting time delay modules in the Ix, Qx, Iy, and Qy signal paths.
US07970284B2
An optical and electric signals transmission apparatus includes a receptacle having a light-receiving element and/or a light-receiving element and electrical connecting terminals, a plug having electrical connecting terminals to establish electrical coupling with the receptacle and optical coupling with the light-emitting element and/or the light-receiving element, an electric signal transmission line, and an optical signal transmission line. The receptacle has a fitting recess, and when the plug is fitted in the fitting recess in a direction substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the light-emitting element or the light-receiving element, the optical coupling, the electrical coupling, and engagement of the receptacle with the plug are established at a location where the fitting recess and the plug are adjacent to each other.
US07970282B2
A bridge controller, which controls relay between terminals including emission units and addresses assigned to the terminals, acquires coordinates of a light-received element in an light receiving unit at which light emitted from an emission unit is received, and stores the acquired coordinates in a location information table memory in association with a logical location on the network. Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the stored coordinates differ from newly acquired coordinates. When it is determined that the stored coordinates differ from the newly acquired coordinates, the logical location associated with the coordinates stored in the storage unit is controlled to be changed and stored.
US07970274B2
A diaphragm control apparatus in a camera body includes a stepping motor; a lead screw thereof, wherein a slider is driven by the lead screw; a position detector; and a controller. When driving the stepping motor by a predetermined number of steps in a direction to move the slider away from an origin position, the controller detects the slider position before driving the stepping motor stepwise as the origin position via the position detector, and thereafter detects a stepping position of the slider to compare the stepping position with the origin position each time the stepping motor is driven by one step, and counts the number of steps based from the moment at which the stepping position of the slider exceeds a predetermined position in the direction to move the slider away from the origin position against the biasing force of the resilient biaser.
US07970270B2
An image pick-up apparatus capable of directing an increase amount of light toward an auto focus module and of performing a fast auto focusing is disclosed. The image pick-up apparatus includes a photographing lens to focus light received from a subject, a main mirror to pass a portion of the light passing through the photographing lens and reflect remaining light, an auto focus module to detect a focus state of the photographing lens and a sub-mirror operable independently from the main mirror to guide the light passing through the photographing lens toward the auto focus module.
US07970267B1
A system and method of wirelessly communicating a camera synchronization from a camera to a remote device using an externally connected device. A first signal generated after the activation of a camera trigger is received from the camera. Based on the first signal, a transceiver of the externally connected device is switched from a wireless receive mode to a wireless transmit.
US07970263B1
A method is disclosed for recording steps performed in a computer environment to produce an electronic demonstration movie. The method includes recording at least one screen shot corresponding to at least one of the steps using a still motion recorder. The method also monitors the steps for the presence of detail criteria. In response to the detection of detail criteria in the steps, the still motion recorded is paused and a video recorder is initiated for recording full motion video clips of a detailed process. In response to the end of the detail criteria, the video recorder is paused and the still motion recorder is re-instated in response to the pausing of the video recorder. The recorded screen shots and recorded full motion video are then compiled into an electronic demonstration movie.
US07970262B2
A system, method, and apparatus for decoding and displaying images utilizing two processors and two memory units. The decode process receives images which are encoded according to a predetermined standard. Included with the encoded images are parameters which facilitate the decode and display processes. The decode process decodes the encoded images and the encoded parameters and stores each image in a separate image buffer, and each set of associated parameters in a buffer descriptor structure associated with the image buffer. The decode process is carried on by the first processor. The display process utilizes the parameters associated with the image to determine the appropriate display order for each image, and then display the image accordingly on a display device, based on the associated parameters. The first processor carries on the display of the image on the display device. The second processor determines the display order for the images. The second processor and the second memory can be off-chip.
US07970261B2
An apparatus and method thereof determines a title of a recorded program. After a desired video content that is transmitted through a channel has been recorded upon user's request of timer recording, it is checked if more than one program is scheduled for broadcast on that channel during the preset timer recording interval based on broadcast program time information obtained from the channel. If it is determined that more than one programs is scheduled, the title of the recorded desired video content is determined on the basis of time length, data size, and/or minimum ratio.
US07970260B2
An approach provides editing of digital media. A platform, as maintained by a service provider, provides a remote proxy editing capability of a plurality of media streams. A first one of the media streams is transmitted to a player of a first customer of the service provider. Further, the method comprises transmitting a second one of the media streams to a player of a second customer of the service provider.
US07970253B2
There are provided an information storage medium capable of real-time recording/playback of digital moving picture information, and a digital information recording/playback system using this medium. In a medium that records/plays back data including video data and control information, the control information (DA21 in FIG. 4; RTR_VMG in FIG. 30) includes information (VOBU entry in FIG. 31) for accessing a specific portion (VOBU) of the video data.
US07970249B2
Certain example embodiments of a splice enclosure include a housing defining an opening for allowing a trunk cable to be passed through the housing. The splice enclosure also includes a splice tray stack pivotally mounted within the housing and a cable management tray that mounts within the housing beneath the splice tray stack. The management tray includes cable retention and/or securement arrangements for mechanically securing the cables to the splice enclosure.
US07970244B2
An embodiment of a method for manufacturing an optical ring resonator device is disclosed. The method forms a ring resonator waveguide on a semiconductor substrate, forms an unoriented electro-optic polymer cladding over the ring resonator waveguide, and forms electrodes on the semiconductor substrate. The unoriented electro-optic polymer cladding is configured to change orientation under an applied electric field, and the electrodes are coupled to the optical ring resonator for manipulation of the electric field applied to the oriented electro-optic polymer cladding for rapid voltage tuning of its index.
US07970238B2
An apparatus for acquiring an internal-structure image of an object from a plurality of images of the object photographed by a photographing unit includes a control unit that controls the photographing unit to obtain the images under different photographing conditions; and an extracting unit that extracts a portion common to the images as the internal-structure image.
US07970237B2
Glossy reflections may include areas that are less clear (more blurry) than other regions. For instance, an area of reflection that is closer to the object being reflected may appear clearer than a region that is farther from the object. When generating a glossy reflection, the total amount of light reaching each point on the reflecting surface is calculated according to a spatially-varying convolution kernel of the transparency information for the image being reflected. Ray-tracing, traditionally used to determine a spatially varying convolution, can be very CPU intensive. Instead of using ray-tracing, data structures, such as MIP-maps and summed-area tables, or separable linear filters may be used to compute the spatially-varying convolution. For example, a two-dimensional convolution may be computed as two spatially-varying, separable, linear convolution filters—one computing a horizontal component and the other a vertical component of the final 2D convolution.
US07970229B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for visual background subtraction using one or more preprocessing modules. One or more effects are detected in a received image signal and one or more blocks are selectively enabled to preprocess the image signal to compensate for the detected one or more effects. Visual analysis is then performed on the preprocessed signal using background subtraction. A spatially-variant temporal smoothing of the image signal is also disclosed. The spatially-variant temporal smoothing can be achieved by the mixing of a new intensity value with a previous intensity time-average as determined by a weighting matrix. The mixing can be influenced by a dynamic bias term that is a real-time estimate of a variance at the pixel, such as a degree of change, and the weighting can be determined by a relative stability of an observed value compared to a stability of the time-average.
US07970212B2
The invention is a method of using Wavelet Transformation and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) systems for automatic detecting and classifying objects. To train the system in object recognition different images, which usually contain desired objects alongside other objects are used. These objects may appear at different angles. Different characteristics regarding the objects are extracted from the images and stored in a data bank. The system then determines the extent to which each inserted characteristic will be useful in future recognition and determines its relative weight. After the initial insertion of data, the operator tests the system with a set of new images, some of which contain the class objects and some of which contain similar and/or dissimilar objects of different classification. The system learns from the images containing similar objects of different classes as well as from the images containing the class objects, since each specific class characteristic needs to be set apart from other class characteristic. The system may be tested and trained again and again until the operator is satisfied with the system's success rate of object recognition and classification.
US07970205B2
An image processing device which simultaneously secures and extracts a background image, at least two object images, a shape of each object image and motion of each object image, from among plural images, the image processing device including an image input unit (101) which accepts input of plural images; a hidden parameter estimation unit (102) which estimates a hidden parameter based on the plural images and a constraint enforcement parameter, which indicates a condition of at least one of the hidden parameters, using an iterative learning method; a constraint enforcement parameter learning unit (103) which learns a constraint enforcement parameter related to the hidden parameter using an estimation result from the hidden parameter estimation unit as a training signal; and a complementary learning unit (104) which causes the estimation of the hidden parameter and the learning of the constraint enforcement parameter, which utilize the result from the learning of the hidden parameter, to be iterated.
US07970204B2
An image processing device comprising: a plurality of image pickup sections that pick-up, from respectively different positions, a same object of sensing which carries out an instructing action, and outputting image information thereof; a position information sensing section which, by carrying out stereo matching on the plurality of image information outputted from the plurality of image pickup sections by using, as an object, two-dimensional regions, which correspond to a search space which is a three-dimensional space set in advance as a space in which the instructing action can be carried out, senses position information expressing matching positions which are positions of the object of sensing in the three-dimensional space at points corresponding to one another in the two-dimensional regions; and a specific position sensing section that senses, among the matching positions expressed by the position information, a specific position which is a matching position which matches predetermined conditions, is provided.
US07970199B2
A surface inspection apparatus is provided based on an optical interference scheme using a wide-band laser light source, such as diode laser, for an interferometer. In the apparatus, a diode laser with a large spectrum width having a short coherence length is used as an emitted light source; modulation optical elements for performing modulation with slightly different frequencies, and optical path length varying optical elements for adjusting the optical path length are located in each of two optical paths between a branching optical element and a combining optical element; and the above-mentioned optical path length varying optical elements are adjusted, while measuring an interference intensity, so as to maximize the interference intensity.
US07970197B2
A block of tissue is imaged and used as a reference. Later slides formed from that tissue receive numbers, and are also imaged. The imaged slides are compared to the reference image to determine identification errors.
US07970196B2
A method automatically detects and quantifies arterial plaque (hard plaque, soft plaque or both) in the coronary arteries of the heart from CT images. The method uses plaque definitions based on subject specific in vivo blood/muscle and fat density measurements, subject specific voxel statistical parameters and 2-D and 3-D voxel connectivity criteria to automatically identify the plaques. The locations of the major arteries are determined in a 3-D coordinate system; and the specific coordinates of the detected plaques are displayed in a plaque map for follow-up exams or ease in plaque review, editing and reporting the results.
US07970176B2
The present invention is a method of identifying a user's gestures for use in an interactive game application. Videocamera images of the user are obtained, and feature point locations of a user's body are identified in the images. A similarity measure is used to compare the feature point locations in the images with a library of gestures. The gesture in the library corresponding to the largest calculated similarity measure which is greater than a threshold value of the gesture is identified as the user's gesture. The identified gesture may be integrated into the user's movements within a virtual gaming environment, and visual feedback is provided to the user.
US07970173B2
An object-detecting device detects an operation object for operating an operating apparatus. The object-detecting device includes an imaging portion for imaging the operation object and an image processor for extracting the operation object. The operation object has a first face, on which outside light falls from outside into the operating apparatus, and a second face opposite to the first face. The imaging portion images the second face of the operation object. The object-detecting device can stably detect the operation object, even when an illuminance variation of outside light is large.
US07970171B2
A system and a method are disclosed for generating video. Object information is received. A path of motion of the object relative to a reference point is generated. A series of images and ground for a reference frame are generated from the ground truth and the generated path. A system and a method are disclosed for generating an image. Object information is received. Image data and ground truth may be generated using position, the image description, the camera characteristics, and image distortion parameters. A positional relationship between the document and a reference point is determined. An image of the document and ground truth are generated from the object information and the positional relationship and in response to user specified environment of the document.
US07970168B1
There is provided a hierarchical shadow detection system for color aerial images. The system performs well with highly complex images as well as images having different brightness and illumination conditions. The system consists of two hierarchical levels of processing. The first level involves, pixel level classification, through modeling the image as a reliable lattice and then maximizing the lattice reliability using the EM algorithm. Next, region level verification, through further exploiting the domain knowledge is performed. Further analyses show that the MRF model based segmentation is a special case of the pixel level classification model. A quantitative comparison of the system and a state-of-the-art shadow detection algorithm clearly indicates that the new system is highly effective in detecting shadow regions in an image under different illumination and brightness conditions.
US07970166B2
The presently claimed invention relates generally to steganographic encoding. One claim recites a method including: obtaining data representing a first graphic; utilizing a multi-purpose computer processor configured for steganographically data hiding to hide a signal in the data representing the first graphic; obtaining a copy of the first graphic including a steganographically hidden signal therein; storing the copy of the first graphic in electronic memory or integrated circuitry. A steganographically hidden signal in the data representing the first graphic and the steganographically hidden signal in the copy of the first graphic are related. Of course, other combinations are provided as well.
US07970160B2
A speaker apparatus which does not need insertion of a stand into a speaker box, and which can prevent vibrations occurring in a speaker unit from transmitting to the speaker box by the speaker apparatus itself is provided. Within a speaker box which can be divided into first and second half portions, a plurality of supports extending from a main body portion of a weight radially are fixed at a connecting portion of the speaker box by bolts. A driving portion of a speaker unit is coupled to the main body portion of the weight, and is supported inside the speaker box in a manner that vibrations do not transmit, by the main body portion of the weight acting as a virtual ground. In order to swing the speaker box, a stand and the speaker box are pivotally supported by a pivotally supporting mechanism.
US07970159B2
A noise reducing headset has one or more of the following features: (a) pair of earcups each seated in a yoke assembly mechanically coupled by a headband enclosing a flat spring formed with a slot that runs the length of the spring accommodating electrical wires electrically interconnecting electrical elements in the earcups, (b) each earcup having active noise reducing circuitry, (c) each earcup including a loudspeaker driver located off center in the earcup to allow an internal cavity inside each earcup to accommodate a loudspeaker driver, a microphone and an electronic printed circuit board and one of a battery and plug assembly, (d) one of the earcups accommodating a detachably secured plug assembly having a sensitivity switch covered by the earcup when the plug assembly is fully seated in the earcup, (e) the other earcup having a battery door that may be opened to allow insertion and removal of the battery and covered by a yoke assembly when the headset is worn by a user with the battery fully seated in the earcup.
US07970157B2
An In The Ear (ITE) microphone improves the acoustic response of a Behind The Ear (BTE) Implantable Cochlear Stimulation (ICS) system during telephone use. An acoustic seal provided by holding a telephone earpiece against the ear provides improved coupling of low frequency (up to about 1 KHz) sound waves, sufficient to overcome losses due to the near field acoustic characteristics common to telephones. In an exemplary embodiment, the ITE microphone is connected to a removable ear hook of the BTE ICS system by a short bendable stalk.
US07970153B2
An audio output apparatus has a measuring circuit which measures the levels of at least two sound signals, a sound level adjusting module (a sound level adjusting circuit and a gain control circuit) which adjusts a sound level so as to equal the levels of the sound signals based on the levels measured at the measuring circuit, and an array speaker unit (a delay circuit, a multiplier, an adder, an amplifier and a speaker unit) which emits sounds in accordance with the sound signals outputted from the sound level adjusting module in different directivities respectively.
US07970150B2
A communication system (e.g., a speakerphone) includes an array of microphones, a speaker, memory and a processor. The processor may be configured to perform acoustic echo cancellation, to track multiple talkers with highly directed beams, to design beams with nulls pointed at noise sources, to generate a 3D model of the physical environment, to compensate for the proximity effect, and to perform dereverberation of a talker's voice signal. The processor may also be configured to use a standard codec in non-standard ways. The processor may perform a virtual broadside scan on the microphone array, analyze the resulting amplitude envelope for acoustic source angles, examine each of the source angles with a directed beam, combine the beam outputs that show the characteristics of intelligence or speech.
US07970144B1
Modifying a panned source in an audio signal comprising a plurality of channel signals is disclosed. Portions associated with the panned source are identified in at least selected ones of the channel signals. The identified portions are modified based at least in part on a user input.
US07970143B2
A technique for obtaining a key for encryption/decryption/data recovery from an enterprise key management system. In one example embodiment, this is accomplished by connecting a client mobile device to a cryptography key management using a UID, a UDID, the names of one or more data files to encrypt, a password Pswd, and a KeyID to obtain the key for encryption/decryption/data recovery.
US07970138B2
A method and apparatus for providing conditional access to media programs is described. An exemplary method comprising the steps of transmitting media information encrypted according to a control word (CW) to a receiver station, transmitting entitlement management information (EMI) to the receiver station, the EMI comprising a service bitmap, and transmitting entitlement control information (ECI) to the receiver station, the entitlement control information including the control word (CW) encrypted according to a key (K) and an index to an element of the service bitmap, wherein the control word (CW) is decrypted by the receiver stations according to a value of the indexed element of the service bitmap.
US07970137B2
Content reproduction apparatus, content recording apparatus, network system, and method of recording and reproducing content are provide. The content reproduction apparatus includes an original content reception section for receiving streams of original content; an encrypted content transmission section for encrypting the streams of original content received by the original content reception section for transmission so as to be recorded on an external content recording apparatus through a network; an information transmission section for transmitting information about the transmitted content including identifying information of a self apparatus so as to be recorded on a recording medium of the content recording apparatus in association with the encrypted streams of content; a content requesting section for requesting the content recording apparatus to acquire the encrypted streams of content recorded in association with the identifying information of the self apparatus; and a content reproduction section for receiving the encrypted streams of content transmitted from the content recording apparatus in accordance with the request, and decrypting the encryption for reproduction.
US07970135B1
In a method for the secure, distributed generation of an encryption key for a cryptographic method, where the encryption key, as well as a public key are generated using deterministic methods from a large random number (seed), the seed (S) is generated on the user side by consulting variables known only to the user, and a public key (V) that is transmitted in advance from the trust center. Generation information suitable for generating the seed and, on the basis of which, the seed is able to be derived deterministically from the trust center, by consulting information known only to the center, is produced on the user side, and transmitted to the trust center to create the seed in parallel.
US07970133B2
The present invention is a method for secure and flexible key schedule generation, which includes loading a key schedule algorithm and a cryptographic algorithm into a cryptographic engine. The method further includes loading the cryptographic algorithm, when selected, into a cryptographic co-processor. The method further includes loading the key schedule algorithm into a separate virtual machine.
US07970132B2
A controller receives an encrypted media stream (“EMS”) and an identifier indicative of a selected content key from a headend. The EMS is encrypted with an encryption key and can be decrypted with a corresponding decryption key which is determinable from the selected content key. The controller receives indexes and content keys from the headend prior to receiving the EMS. Each index respectively corresponds to an identifier with one index corresponding to the identifier indicative of the selected content key. The content keys correspond to the indexes with one content key corresponding to the index corresponding to the identifier indicative of the selected content key. The controller selects the index corresponding to the identifier indicative of the selected content key upon receiving the EMS, determines the selected content key from the selected index, determines the decryption key from the selected content key, and decrypts the EMS with the decryption key.
US07970131B2
A scalar multiplication can be performed on an elliptic curve cryptosystem at a high speed. P is set as an initial value of Q[0], and 2×P is set as an initial value of Q[1]. An elliptic curve doubling ECDBL of Q[d[i]] is performed, and an arithmetic result is stored in Q[2]. An elliptic curve addition ECADD of Q[0] and Q[1] is performed, and an arithmetic result is stored in Q[1]. Q[2−d[i]] is stored in Q[0]. Q[1+d[i]] is stored in Q[1]. The elliptic curve addition ECADD and the elliptic curve doubling ECDBL are concurrently performed in the respective processors.
US07970129B2
Processing of masked data using multiple lookup tables (LUTs), or sub-tables, is described. For each input value, an appropriate sub-table provides an output value that is the result of a non-linear transformation (e.g., byte substitution) applied to the input value. An additive mask can be applied to the input data. A transformation can be applied to the masked input data to transform the additive mask into a multiplicative-additive mask. Selected bits of the masked input data and the bits in the additive component of the multiplicative-additive mask can be used in combination to select one of the sub-tables. An entry in the selected sub-table, corresponding to a transformed version of the input data, can then be identified.
US07970127B2
A base station for use in a code division multiple access communication system comprises circuitry configured to process a user equipment identification (UE ID) by ½ rate convolutionally encoding the UE ID to produce a code. The code is used by the base station for scrambling a high speed shared control channel (HS-SCCH). The base station is configured to transmit a wireless signal. The wireless signal provides the user equipment with payload data carried on a high speed physical downlink shared channel (HS-PDSCH). The HS-PDSCH is associated with the HS-SCCH.
US07970126B2
A communication terminal equipped with a sliding-type flat display module includes a main body and a flat display which slides between retracted and extended positions along a first axis relative to the main body and which rotates to a tilted position along a second axis when in the extended position. The first axis may be substantially perpendicular to the second axis. In the retracted position, the flat display is unable to rotate to the tilted position along the second axis. Also, in this position, the display is partially visible to allow information to be read by a user while at the same time being protected within a receiving part of the terminal.
US07970122B2
Disclosed is a method and circuit for echo suppression or cancellation. According to some embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a circuit including a Noise-Enhanced-Receiving-Direction unit and Narrow-Band Remover unit or units.
US07970119B2
A device may retrieve a ring tone, an image, and a visual effect from a database based on a client line identifier. In addition, the device may generate frequency samples based on the ring tone, may transform the image based on the frequency samples and the visual effect, and may display the transformed image.
US07970111B2
A system for generating and working with communities of interests is disclosed. In various forms, the present system allows multiple users sharing common interests to interact with each other seamlessly, seek out times when each is available, and other such convenience functions.
US07970104B2
The invention relates to a bearing unit (1) for rotary anodes of X-ray tubes, with a shaft (2) and a flange element (3), to which a rotary anode can be attached, wherein the bearing unit (1) can be inserted into a cutout within the X-ray tube and locked there. The shaft (2) is held via a first and a second bearing element (4, 5), wherein the first bearing element (4) comprises an inner race (6) fitted on the shaft (2) and a separate outer ring (7). The second bearing element (5) comprises a roller bearing fitted on the shaft (2) with an inner ring (8) and an outer ring (9), wherein a spacer element (10) is fitted between the outer rings (7, 8) of the first and the second bearing element (4, 5).
US07970099B2
A multi-beam x-ray device has a multi-beam x-ray tube in the form of a polygon, wherein the focal spots of the x-ray radiation are arranged along the polygon sides. An x-ray tube control unit controls the x-ray radiation emission such that an x-ray beam is alternately emitted from each polygon side in a specified sequence. Multiple first diaphragms with at least one respective first diaphragm aperture are arranged such that they can move into the beam path of the x-ray tube. A first diaphragm, whose first diaphragm aperture limits the cross section of the x-ray beam emitted from the x-ray tube, is associated with every polygon side. A number of slice images can be generated from different directions without a movement of the x-ray tube.
US07970096B2
The disclosed CT scanner comprises at least one source of X-rays; a detector array comprising a plurality of detectors; and an X-ray filter mask arrangement disposed between the source of X-rays and detector array so as to modify the spectra of the X-rays transmitted from the source through the mask to at least some of the detectors so that the X-ray spectra detected by at least one set of detectors is different from the X-ray spectra detected by at least one other set of detectors.
US07970095B2
Example embodiments are directed to tie plate attachments having irradiation targets and/or fuel assemblies having example embodiment tie plate attachments with irradiation targets and methods of using the same to generate radioisotopes. Example embodiment tie plate attachments may include a plurality of retention bores that permit irradiation targets to be contained in the retention bores. Irradiation targets may be irradiated in an operating nuclear core including the fuel assemblies, generating radioisotopes that may be harvested from the spent nuclear fuel assembly by removing example embodiment tie plate attachments.
US07970090B1
A self-synchronizing system that provides a master system component and a master clock source to provide a stable timing reference to the master system component. Timing information is then propagated throughout the system via encoded transmissions containing the timing information, or conversely, propagated by request via a training sequence. All system components other than the master system component do not require a separate clock input, since frequency coherency is maintained by internal time bases that have been calibrated to the frequency of the propagated timing information.
US07970087B2
A system and method for bit eye center determination is provided. In general, the system samples an incoming data stream to determine where transitions in the data stream occur, selectively offsets the selected samples based on state criteria and the number of transitions in each set of samples, accumulates the offset samples and averages the result to determine the center of the bit eye. The system and method also provides the ability to locate the eye center even in the case of noise in the system, whether the noise is random or deterministic, including odd/even noise.
US07970083B2
A technique for estimating maximum Doppler frequency of a wireless signal in a wireless communication system, wherein the method comprises receiving a wireless signal; determining an impulse response of the received wireless signal; determining an auto-correlation function (ACF) value of the impulse response of the received wireless signal; determining a power spectrum density of said received wireless signal based on the ACF value; and selecting an algorithm for performing demodulation of the received wireless signal by utilizing the determined power spectrum density.
US07970080B1
A method of automated acquisition of a QAM signal is provided. The method employs a State machine progressing from an initial State to a final State. The State machine comprises: a symbol timing recovery loop; a carrier loop; a coarse frequency loop; and an equalizer. The method comprises: (A) Performing an automatic gain control (AGC) operation on an incoming QAM signal; (B) Performing a symbol timing recovery of an input QAM signal by adjusting a sampling clock of the symbol timing recovery loop; (C) Performing a Blind Equalization of the QAM signal without carrier lock; (D) Performing a carrier recovery of the QAM signal; and (E) Performing a decision directed equalization (DDE) of the QAM signal by updating a set of coefficients of the equalizer by using a decision based algorithm.
US07970073B2
Provided is an apparatus and method for transmitting/receiving data in a multi-user multi-antenna communication system. A data transmitting apparatus and method computes a RX filter or a TX filter for each user receiver in an improved scheme, selects a codebook correlating with the computed TX filter or the computed RX filter, and transmits an index of the selected TX filter codebook or an index of the selected RX filter codebook to a receiver. A data receiving apparatus and method receives the codebook index and detects a corresponding RX filter from the codebook by using the received codebook index.
US07970065B2
A communication apparatus includes unit measuring a first interference feature quantity indicating a state of an interference signal in a transmission frequency band (TFB), unit determining from the first interference feature quantity whether the interference signal exists in the TFB, unit acquiring, after measurement of the first interference feature quantity, a transmission channel from a second interference feature quantity measured by the measuring unit, the transmission channel corresponding to at least one of a frequency orthogonal to the interference signal, a time orthogonal to the interference signal, a space orthogonal to the interference signal, and a spreading code orthogonal to the interference signal, and unit performing a first transmission using the TFB when it is determined that no interference signal exists in the TFB, and to perform a second transmission using the transmission channel when it is determined that the interference signal exists in the TFB.
US07970059B2
A variable length coding method is comprised of: a coefficient value scanning step in which an RL sequence generation unit 203, a reordering unit 202, and a binarization unit 203 scan coefficient values within a block in a predetermined scanning order starting at a higher-frequency component toward a lower-frequency component; and an arithmetic coding step in which an arithmetic coding unit 205 and a table storage unit 204 perform arithmetic coding on the absolute values of the coefficient values according to the scanning order used in the coefficient value scanning step, by switching between probability tables 1˜4 for use, wherein, in the arithmetic coding step, a probability table to be used is switched to another probability table in one direction, when the arithmetic-coded absolute values of the coefficient values include an absolute value exceeding a predetermined threshold value.
US07970046B2
Provided is a block Time Domain Equalizer (TDE) for a Time Reversal-Space Time Block Codes (TR-STBC) system. The block TDE comprises a block equalizer which generates an output based on an equalizer tap weight with respect to two consecutively received blocks, an equalizer tap weight updating unit which generates an error vector based on the output and the equalizer tap weight and updates the equalizer tap weight using the error vector, and a signal processing unit which processes the output into a digital signal wherein zero padding is eliminated from the output.
US07970044B2
A system and method that provides a user multiple, simultaneous uses of a single analog line. The system comprises a modem, wherein the modem compresses a signal traveling through the analog line. The modem provides simultaneous transmission of two or more speech or data calls.
US07970040B1
An embodiment of the invention includes an apparatus. The apparatus includes a plurality of lasers comprising a plurality of laser paths. The apparatus further includes an incoherent combining beam director in the plurality of laser paths. The apparatus also includes a plurality of optical elements in the plurality of laser paths between the plurality of lasers and the beam director.
US07970029B2
Semiconductor lasers are driven such that high output laser beams are stably obtained without a long start up time. The light outputs of a plurality of semiconductor lasers are detected by photodetectors. The semiconductor lasers are driven by automatic power control based on comparison results between the output of the photodetectors and a set value corresponding to a target light output for the semiconductor lasers. A correction pattern that corrects the set value and/or the output of the photodetectors such that the actual light output becomes uniform is generated in advance. The set value and/or the output are varied according to the correction pattern for a predetermined period of time from initiation of drive. A single correction pattern is employed in common with respect to the plurality of semiconductor lasers.
US07970024B2
A tunable diode laser system with external resonator in Littrow or Littman configuration has an optical lattice on which the light beam from a laser diode is diffracted, a support element to hold the lattice or to hold a mirror, which reflects the light diffracted by the lattice, and an actuator to change the position of the lattice or the mirror. The tunable diode laser system enables a reliable mode-hop-free tuning and furthermore is easy and economical to realize by having the support element include a carrier, on which the lattice or the mirror is arranged, and a base body, while the actuator acts on the carrier and rests against the base body. The carrier is connected to the base body via linkages, such that a linear deflection of the actuator is transformed into a rotation of the carrier in the plane of the light beam, while the center of rotation lies outside the base body.
US07970016B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for wireless transmission and reception of data including processing and buffering features. According to one or more exemplary aspects, there is provided a wireless audio receiver for receiving a plurality of packets of encoded audio data. Moreover, the receiver includes at least one receiving component that receives the plurality of packets to generate a plurality of decoded signals, a decoding component that decodes the first packet of encoded data transmitted to produce decoded data, and a selecting component that identifies the mechanisms for receiving additional encoded data. Other exemplary embodiments may include one or more receiving components that processing data regarding antenna, frequencies and channels selected for transmission, as well as an audio component that receives the decoded signals and produces decoded audio signals.
US07970013B2
Systems and methods of determining the content of frames transmitted on a wireless network through comparison of captured frames to predetermined statistical patterns.
US07970009B1
A system and method are disclosed for processing a packet. Processing the packet comprises receiving the packet; translating the packet from a first protocol-specific format to a canonical packet format; translating the packet from the canonical packet format to a second protocol-specific format; and forwarding the packet.
US07970006B1
The present invention relates to adaptive interconnect logic, which is adapted to communicate with various types of modules that are plugged into the interconnect logic, and to automatically configure itself to interact with the various modules. For each module interface, the interconnect logic can take on different interface personalities for facilitating communications via the data path. Preferably, the interconnect logic will automatically configure itself to provide the appropriate layer or physical and media access control layers, to effectively communicate with computer premise equipment via the modules. The interface personality will define pin functionality, signal levels, acceptable protocols, and the like. In general, the interconnect logic provides a universal translator between a control system associated with the access equipment and the various modules, which need to be plugged into the access equipment.
US07969997B1
Packet-based delivery of video content is facilitated using a peer-to-peer network. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, a packet-based video stream is passed over a peer-to-peer network, with the packets in the stream scheduled and delivered in accordance with a priority assigned to the packets; this priority is based upon a determined or estimated effect that the packet will have upon video quality at a recipient peer. In some applications, the packets are temporally spaced to mitigate congestion and/or distortion of video associated with congestion in the delivery of the packets.
US07969991B2
A cluster system and method. The cluster includes a first and a second interface and two or more nodes, wherein each node is connected to the first and second interfaces, wherein exactly one node includes a first redirector and wherein exactly one node includes a second redirector. The first and second redirectors include means for establishing and tracking sessions and means for forwarding packets to the chosen node. The chosen node receives a packet from the first redirector and uses the packet to send a Session Announcement to the second redirector.
US07969973B2
An information processing apparatus prevents or reduces an increase in storage capacity when setting information of a device present on a network is customized and held. Difference information with respect to common information of the setting information on the network is recorded as difference information of the setting information. The common information is obtained from the network. The recorded difference information and the obtained common information are combined together to generate combined setting information. The combined setting information is applied.
US07969972B2
A system including input circuitry for receiving from one of a plurality of sources at least one packet stream including a plurality of packets for providing audio, video, private data and/or associated information; at least one output for outputting at least one packet of the at least one packet stream to circuitry arranged to provide an output stream; wherein the system is arranged to provide a tag indicative of the source, the tag being associated with the at least one packet.
US07969971B2
The present invention provides methods and devices for implementing a Low Latency Ethernet (“LLE”) solution, also referred to herein as a Data Center Ethernet (“DCE”) solution, which simplifies the connectivity of data centers and provides a high bandwidth, low latency network for carrying Ethernet and storage traffic. Some aspects of the invention involve transforming FC frames into a format suitable for transport on an Ethernet. Some preferred implementations of the invention implement multiple virtual lanes (“VLs”) in a single physical connection of a data center or similar network. Some VLs are “drop” VLs, with Ethernet-like behavior, and others are “no-drop” lanes with FC-like behavior. Some preferred implementations of the invention provide guaranteed bandwidth based on credits and VL. Active buffer management allows for both high reliability and low latency while using small frame buffers. Preferably, the rules for active buffer management are different for drop and no drop VLs.
US07969961B2
In one embodiment, there is disclosed a system and method for providing access to an IP number or a subscriber identity number associated with a mobile device in a network, the method comprising associating a mobile device with a subscriber identity number; generating a temporary IP number for the mobile device; linking the subscriber identity number with the temporary IP number; storing the subscriber identity number and the temporary IP number in a database; and providing a pull application program interface to extract from the database either the subscriber identity number or the IP address for mobile device when requested by an application program.
US07969960B2
The present invention relates to an Internet protocol (IP) management connection control method in a mobile communication system. In the method, a first traffic connection between an access point and a packet access router is established, uplink and downlink second traffic connections between the access point and an access terminal are established, and an IP management message is transmitted through the first traffic connection and the second traffic connection.
US07969958B2
According to one embodiment, a radio communication apparatus includes a first reservation slot securing unit, a second reservation slot securing unit and a radio communication unit. The first reservation slot securing unit secures a first reservation slot for performing radio communication through a first transmission output in a radio communicable slot to be shared in time division in a group by adjustment in periodically formed beacon slots. The second reservation slot securing unit secures a second reservation slot for performing radio communication through a second transmission output smaller than the first transmission output in the radio-communicable period, when the first reservation slot securing unit fails in securing the first reservation slot. And the radio communication unit performs radio communication through the first transmission output or the second transmission output by using at least either the first reservation slot or the second reservation slot.
US07969957B2
An interleave apparatus and an interleave method for preventing an increase in the number of retransmissions to improve the throughput. In a wireless communication apparatus having the interleave apparatus, a data holding part (1021) two-dimensionally arranges and holds bit sequences. A first index calculating part (1022) sequentially calculates first indexes to be used for reading, in a column direction, the bit sequences arranged in a row direction. A second index calculating part (1023) sequentially calculates second indexes to be used for reversing the order of the upper-order and lower-order bits to be read from the even-numbered columns when the bit sequences are read in accordance with the first indexes. A third index calculating part (1024) sequentially calculates third indexes to be used for reading the bit sequences from a different start position in accordance with the number of retransmissions. A reading part (1025) reads the bit sequences in the order that is in accordance with the third indexes. A mapping part (103) maps the read bit sequences to the respectively corresponding subcarriers.
US07969942B2
In a mesh network composed of multiple-radio nodes, we assign each radio to one of a plurality of channels, and treat a plurality of links between a pair of nodes as one logical link (bonded link). In some embodiments, the routing protocol is adapted to view each bonded link as one link having a combination of at least some of the properties of the constituent physical links. Traffic sent along a path is dynamically load balanced between the interfaces at each intermediate node based on the current utilization of each interface. In at least some embodiments, route discovery packets record the metrics of each component link of the bonded links leaving a node, but only one route discovery packet per pair of nodes is forwarded, reducing the route discovery packet traffic compared to if each route discovery packet were forwarded over each component link between the pair of nodes.
US07969938B2
A method and apparatus for notifying a UE of the PFLs of MBMS services in a new cell when the UE moves from an old cell to a new cell in a CELL_DCH state in the case of FLC are provided. An SRNC informs the UE of the PFLs of UE-joined MBMS services in the new cell. If the new cell is managed by a DRNC, the DRNC informs the SRNC of the PFLs of the UE-joined MBMS services and the SRNC transmits the PFL information to the UE so that the UE can move to a corresponding PFL.
US07969937B2
In one embodiment of the invention, a wireless network is adapted with a wireless network switch in communication with a plurality of access points, which are in communication with one or more stations. Coupled to the access points over an interconnect, the wireless network switch is adapted to receive a DEAUTHENTICATION message sent by one of the plurality of access points in the same coverage area of the station so as to detect the DEAUTHENTICATION message and to block communications between the plurality of access points and the station in response to determining that the DEAUTHENTICATION message is invalid.
US07969920B2
Embodiments of communication roaming systems and methods are disclosed. One method embodiment, among others, comprises sending a frame to a station based on an identifier of the station to prompt an immediate response frame, and determining whether the station is suitable for association based on information corresponding to receipt of the immediate response frame or based on non-receipt of the immediate response frame.
US07969918B2
A slave communication device in a wireless LAN system uses a single wireless channel. When a telephone apparatus outside the network originates a call to the LAN, the originated call first terminates at a master communication device. A wireless telephone communication can then be established between that telephone apparatus and the slave communication device without relaying through the master communication device, and without requiring particular processing, such as authentication on a host station side. A first state is when a transmission/reception device of the master communication device is turned on and transmission/reception devices of slave communication devices are turned off. A second state is when the transmission/reception device of the master communication device is turned off and only the transmission/reception device of one of the slave communication devices which is a subject of control delegation is turned on.
US07969910B2
A method for inserting an access point unit into a wireless telecommunications network, comprising: performing a self installation process in the access point unit, wherein during said self installation process, the access point unit automatically detects physical and RF layer parameters of access points around it, and selects its own physical and RF layer parameters according thereto, and/or performing a self-interconnection process in the access point unit wherein the access point unit contacts at least one feeder; and said feeder determines whether or not to permit connection of said access point unit to it.
US07969908B2
Techniques and apparatus that allow for accurate determination of network topology utilizing multicast groups are provided. A multicast group may be established that contains a set of VPN endpoints to be monitored. By sending ping packets from each provider edge endpoint to the multicast group, ping responses (with unicast addresses for responders) may be collected and analyzed to determine reachability of the endpoints.
US07969907B2
An arrangement for scheduling scans of internal network nodes for reachability events by a border node of a network domain, schedules the scans according to the rate at which reachability notifications are received by the node. As the rate at which notifications are received increases, the interval between scans also increases. Conversely, as the rate of notifications decreases, the interval also decreases.
US07969894B2
A system and method for detecting a next-hop dead gateway is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for detecting the next-hop dead gateway includes sending an Internet Protocol (IP) packet by a host to a next-hop gateway associated with the host, receiving the IP packet by the host from the next-hop gateway upon reviewing a routing table and the destination field in the IP header associated with the IP packet, determining whether the IP packet is received from the next-hop gateway within a first predetermined time interval, if so, declaring the next-hop gateway as alive, and if not, declaring the next-hop gateway as dead. In some embodiments, source and destination fields in IP header associated with the IP packet include IP address associated with the host. The method may further include encapsulating the IP packet with a data link layer protocol associated with the host and the next-hop gateway.
US07969892B2
Disclosed is a technique whereby a tunnel entry point, which encapsulates a packet (generates a tunnel packet), can detect the presence of a tunneling loop causing a packet to loop the same path while encapsulated. According to this technique, upon receipt of a packet from a source node (source) 1100, TEP (tunnel entry point) 1120 inserts it into a tunnel packet header for encapsulation. Upon receipt of tunnel packets from TEP 1120 and TEP 1140, each of TEP 1140 and TEP 1160 copies the identifier of the original tunnel packet header to a new tunnel packet header for encapsulation. When this tunnel packet returns to TEP 1120 due to a tunneling loop, the tunneling loop is detected by referring to the identifier in the received tunnel packet.
US07969891B2
Techniques to adjust clock approximations are described, which may be used to synchronize content output at a client. In an implementation, timestamps derived from a universal time source are allocated to respective program clock reference (PCR) timestamps in content received by a network operator during an interval of time to form ordered pairs of timestamps. An approximation is computed of a plurality of the ordered pairs of timestamps for the interval and the approximation is adjusted using an ordered pair of timestamps taken from a previous approximation.
US07969884B1
A method and system for scheduling data dequeuing in a data communication network having a plurality of data queues and a hierarchical scheduler with a plurality of scheduling nodes. A determination is made as to which scheduler nodes and which data queues are eligible for dequeuing scheduling based upon at least one predetermined data rate limitation and availability of data at an eligible descendant node. Data is scheduled for transmission from one of the plurality of data queues. Scheduling data for transmission includes selecting one or more child scheduler nodes which are descendents of the one data queue but to whom the eligible child is not known to be eligible.
US07969882B2
In a packet communication network in which the minimum guaranteed rate and maximum limiting rate of packet transfer are contracted for each service, this invention classifies flows corresponding to received packets into group 1 to which a flow whose packet transfer rate is less than the minimum guaranteed rate belongs, group 2 to which a flow whose packet transfer rate is equal to or higher than the minimum guaranteed rate and less than the maximum limiting rate belongs, and group 3 to which a flow whose packet transfer rate exceeds the maximum limiting rate belongs.
US07969877B2
A packet data transmission method of the HSDPA system includes collecting information on the quality of physical channels, a status of the MAC buffer, the priority level of data, the delay of data, and the like, determining the transmission order of data and the size of a data block to be transmitted based on the collected information, and transmitting the data block through the physical layer according to the order of transmissions. Since the HSDPA scheduler takes into account the delay of data, the quality of real-time services can be improved.
US07969859B2
A method of dynamically allocating sub-carriers for communication in an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplex network is provided. The method includes monitoring network conditions and allocating sub-carriers for the base station to a set of downlink sub-carriers or to a set of uplink sub-carriers based on the network conditions.
US07969857B2
Systems and methods for transmitting and receiving OFDM symbols are provided which enable the otherwise wasted transmission time normally used as a prefix for each OFDM symbol to contain useful information. At the receiver, the received signal is processed to convert received OFDM symbols from a linear convolution with the channel to a cyclic convolution.
US07969855B2
A read-only optical disc medium is disclosed. The disc medium includes: an information recording area in which information is recorded by means of an embossed pit array formed in a convexo-concave shape having a reflective layer deposited thereon; a test writing area which is used for test write recording of a mark formed by dissipating or decreasing the reflective layer; and an additional write area in which a record data string is formed of a mark by dissipating or decreasing the reflective layer under a recording condition decided in accordance with a result of test write recording performed in the test writing area.
US07969848B1
A media defect compensation system and method may decouple effects of asymmetry from baseline error compensation computations. In some embodiments, a switching mechanism passes a baseline error signal into a baseline loop when a determination is made that a baseline error signal is not affected by asymmetry, and otherwise freezes the baseline loop when asymmetry may influence baseline error calculations.
US07969837B2
The present invention is a dubbing device for dubbing data from a portable first recording medium such as a CD-DA (compact disc digital audio) to a second recording medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD), in which dubbing to the second recording medium with a large capacity is automatically carried out when reproducing data from the first recording medium. When data is reproduced from the first recording medium, database means is searched on the basis of identification information for the first recording medium and execution control of dubbing is performed in accordance with the result of search for recording history information. For example, whether or not data to be reproduced from the first recording medium has been already recorded on the second recording medium is discriminated, and dubbing is carried out if the data to be reproduced data has not been recorded on the second recording medium.
US07969826B2
In a thermally assisted magnetic recording head support mechanism, an increase in the temperature of a heat source for supplying an optical near-field transducer with light, due to heat generation by the heat source, is checked while holding back an increase in weight of a slider and lessening transmission loss of light.The thermally assisted magnetic recording head support mechanism is made up such that a suspension 5 has one end holding a slider 4 on which a magnetic head 3 having a read element 31, write element 32, and an optical near-field transducer 34 is mounted, and the other end of the suspension 5 is held by a carriage 6. The optical block 15 provided with one light source 10, and an optical switching mechanism capable of switching a guidance destination of irradiated light from light source 10 is attached to an arm 62 or a support 61 of the carriage 6 having a wide heat release area, thereby guiding light from the optical block 15 to the optical near-field transducer 34 via an optical waveguide 14.
US07969816B2
Systems and methods for reading data from or writing data to a memory device. The methods involve receiving a first pulse signal having a first pulse frequency at the memory device. The methods also involve generating, at the memory device, a second pulse signal using the first pulse signal. The second pulse signal is a compliment of the first pulse signal. The second pulse signal has a second pulse frequency that is equal to the first frequency. The fist pulse signal is used to control first read/write operations so that first data is output from or input to the memory device at a first data rate. The first and second pulse signals are used to control second read/write operations so that second data is output from or input to the memory device at a second data rate. The second data rate is twice the first data rate.
US07969793B2
A resister configuration control device which is capable of updating resister configuration values during a non-display period without increasing a circuit scale. A FIFO selector 103 receives register configuration value information comprising a register configuration value and address information, and selects a transmission destination to which the register configuration value information is to be sent, from FIFOs 108 and 109 based on the address information and sends the register configuration value information to the selected destination. The FIFO 108 or 109 temporarily stores the register configuration value information sent from the FIFO selector 103, and reads-out and outputs the register configuration value information in predetermined timing. A data selector 110 selects one of the register configuration value information sent from the FIFO selector 103 and the register configuration value information output from the FIFO 108 or 109, according to a predetermined priority, and outputs the selected register configuration value information.
US07969783B2
A system or device including a memory device, as well as a method of operating the memory device. Such a method includes writing a plurality of data values to a plurality of data locations. The plurality of data locations may be coupled to one another in a series, and the plurality of data values may be sequentially written to the plurality of data locations, starting with the data location at an end of the series and then sequentially writing to each adjacent data location.
US07969780B2
An object of this invention is to provide a rewritable nonvolatile memory cell that can have a wide reading margin, and can control both a word line and a bit line by changing the level of Vcc. As a solution, a flip-flop is formed by cross (loop) connect of inverters including memory transistors that can control a threshold voltage by charge injection into the side spacer of the transistors. In the case of writing data to one memory transistor, a high voltage is supplied to a source of the memory transistor through a source line and a high voltage is supplied to a gate of the memory transistor through a load transistor of the other side inverter. In the case of erasing the written data, a high voltage is supplied to the source of the memory transistor through the source line.
US07969774B2
Electronic devices comprise a first substrate and a second substrate. The first substrate comprises circuitry including a plurality of conductive traces at least substantially parallel to each other through at least a portion of the first substrate. A plurality of bond pads is positioned on a surface of the first substrate and comprises a width extending over at least two of the plurality of conductive traces. A plurality of vias extends from adjacent at least some of the conductive traces to the plurality of bond pads. The second substrate is bonded to the first substrate and comprises support circuitry coupled to the plurality of bond pads on the first substrate with a plurality of conductive bumps. Memory devices and related methods of forming electronic devices and memory devices are also disclosed, as are electronic systems.
US07969771B2
Various embodiments of the present invention are generally directed to an apparatus and method associated with a semiconductor device with thermally coupled phase change layers. The semiconductor device comprises a first phase change layer selectively configurable in a relatively low resistance crystalline phase and a relatively high resistance amorphous phase, and a second phase change layer thermally coupled to the first phase change layer. The second phase change layer is characterized as a metal-insulator transition material. A programming pulse is applied to the semiconductor device from a first electrode layer to a second electrode layer to provide the first phase change layer with a selected resistance.
US07969747B1
Apparatus includes a chassis assembly, a computing device configured to connect to a housing of the chassis assembly, and a line cord supplying power to the chassis assembly. The line cord has a first portion external to the chassis assembly and a second portion internal to the chassis assembly. The second portion has a shielding member that is in conductive contact with the housing to provide electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding for the chassis assembly.
US07969745B2
The present invention provides a circuit board having electronic components integrated therein, including a carrier board having an metallic oxide layer formed on each two surfaces of a metal layer, and having at least one through cavity; at least a semiconductor chip hold in the opening; at least a capacitor disposed on one surface of the carrier board, wherein the surface with the capacitor disposed thereon is at the same side with the active surface of the semiconductor chip. The capacitor is constituted of a first electrode plate disposed on partial surface of one side of the carrier board, a high dielectric material layer disposed on the surface of the first electrode plate, and a second electrode plate, paralleling and corresponding to the first electrode plate, disposed on the surface of the high dielectric material. The metal layer and the oxidation layer of the carrier board can enhance rigidity as well as tenacity and also integrate semiconductor chips and capacitors in the circuit board structure.
US07969742B2
A bracket is used to mount a heat sink to a printed circuit board (PCB). The heat sink can dissipate heat for an electronic component mounted on the PCB. Cantilevers can be detached from the bracket, and replaced by other cantilevers with different sizes to mount a plurality of heat sinks having different sizes.
US07969736B1
DIMMs are cooled by positioning a thermally conductive base between adjacent DIMMs. The thermally conductive base, such as a heat pipe or metal rod, receives heat from the DIMMs through thermally conductive elements that are selectively biased outward against the installed DIMMs. The base transfers the heat to a liquid conduit extending along the end of the DIMMs, where a circulating liquid carries away the heat. The thermally conductive elements provide an adjustable span to accommodate variations in distance between the DIMM surfaces. Embodiments of the invention may be installed without extending above the height of the DIMM.
US07969735B2
The object is to provide a power converter which is capable of minimizing an extent to which the power converter components other than the semiconductor module are thermally affected by the heat originating from the semiconductor module.A casing houses: semiconductor modules 20, 30 constituting a main circuit for power conversion; a capacitor 50 electrically connected to the main circuit; drive circuits 70, 71 that provide the main circuit with a drive signal used in power conversion operation; a control circuit 74 that provides the drive circuit with a control signal used to prompt the drive circuit to provide the drive signal. Within the casing, a cooling chamber including a coolant passage 28 is formed, and a chamber wall of the cooling chamber is formed with a thermally conductive material. At least the semiconductor modules 20, 30 are housed inside the cooling chamber, and at least the capacitor 50 and the control circuit 74 are disposed outside the cooling chamber.
US07969731B2
A portable computing device includes a base including a first surface, and a lid that is pivotably connected to the base and includes a second surface. One of the first surface and the second surface defines a through opening. A latching mechanism for locking the lid onto the base includes a protruding tab that protrudes from the other one of the first surface and the second surface and defines a through hole. The latching mechanism also includes a hook arranged within and rotatably connected to one of the base and the lid. The hook is configured for engaging the through hole of the protruding tab extending through the through opening, to lock the lid onto the base. An elastic member is provided to apply a spring force to the hook to cause the hook to rotate back to an original position after the hook disengages from the protruding tab.
US07969728B2
A heat dissipation device includes a heat sink having a plurality of fins defining a plurality of passageways therebetween. The passageways have an inlet and an outlet at front and rear sides of the heat sink. Two adjusting members are mounted at two lateral sides of the heat sink. A fan is located at the inlet of the passageways of the heat sink for providing airflow to the heat sink. A guiding member is positioned at the outlet of the passageways of the heat sink for guiding the airflow to electronic components around the heat dissipation device. The guiding member engages the adjusting members and can move vertically relative to adjusting members, thereby adjusting a height of the guiding member along a height of the heat sink.
US07969725B2
A fixing mechanism fixing a storage device to a bracket includes a fastening member. The fastening member is fixed to the storage device, and has a first connecting hook and a second connecting hook. A first latching portion and a second latching portion are formed on the bracket. The first latching portion defines an engaging groove. The first connecting hook is elastic and engaged in the engaging groove of the first latching portion. The second connecting hook engages the second latching portion.
US07969711B2
A Zener diode—capacitor combination wherein a Zener diode is mounted in the capacitor body and connected in parallel with the capacitor after the capacitor has been voltage tested. A welded strap or jumper wire completing the diode circuit or a connection of separate terminations during soldering may be used to complete the circuit.
US07969709B2
A laminated ceramic electronic component includes a ceramic element and two external electrodes on both end surfaces of the ceramic element. The ceramic element includes a function part and lead parts thinner than the function part. Internal electrode layers are provided facing each other via a ceramic layer therebetween in the function part. The internal electrode layers are drawn out of the function part in the lead part. The external electrode includes an extended part and a curled part. The extended part is formed from the lead part through the function part on the main face. On the main face, the part of the extended part in the lead part is lower than the part of the function part. The curled part is formed from the end face of the ceramic element through the surface of the part of the extended part in the lead part on the main face.
US07969706B2
A lightning-protected conductive composite fuel tank includes a conductive material arrayed on an outer surface to at least partially cover a fastener centerline. Through holes extend along the fastener centerline through the conductive material and the underlying fuel tank shell. These through holes are countersunk into the fuel tank shell to a depth such that a fastener in a through hole will avoid electrical continuity or communication with the conductive material on the fuel tank outer surface. The gap in the countersunk through holes, between the fastener heads and the coextensive outer surface of the fuel tank, is filled with a dielectric or nonconductive material.
US07969705B2
Residual magnetic locks, brakes, rotation inhibitors, clutches, actuators, and latches. The residual magnetic devices can include a core housing and an armature. The residual magnetic devices can include a coil that receives a magnetization current to create an irreversible residual magnetic force between the core housing and the armature.