US07998395B2
In an injection molding method to manufacture hollow plastic parts, at least one plastic part's hollow is shaped by evacuating an internal portion of the flowable material of an injection mold's cavity using a pressurized gas, and a gate of the mold and thereupon the molded article's aperture so made will be sealed off. After the flowable material has been moved from a blind duct into the gate and partly forced back into the hollow, the molded article will be ejected from the injection mold.
US07998394B1
A method for making an integrally molded flexible fishing lure, comprising: creating a mold of a lure design, having a head integral with an egg sack, a body integral with the egg sack, and a tapered tail integral with the body. The head, body and tail have a smooth surfaces with a plurality of concentric ridges. At least two air trapping cavities are disposed in the body for trapping and retaining air during lure movement. A polymer comprising polypropylene, polyethylene, urethane, elastomer, or combinations thereof, is poured into the mold, the mold is cured, and the integrally molded flexible fishing lure is removed from the mold forming a lure with air trapping cavities.
US07998378B2
A method of making a composite support structure and sander includes the steps of providing a rigid plate adjacent a mold such that a polyfoam layer can be formed to a front surface thereof which includes a wall defining a contained surface, the plate having a back surface for connection to a handle and introducing into the mold fluid components which react to form a polyfoam which is reaction bonded to the front surface of the rigid plate such that a back surface of the polyfoam layer forms within the contained surface and about the wall in a complementary manner thereto and a front surface of the polyfoam layer extends outward from the front surface of the rigid plate and is formed to have a relatively planar surface thereby rendering the composite support structure for removably connecting sandpaper to the relatively planar surface of the polyfoam layer.
US07998377B2
An apparatus comprises a transfer device rotatable at a speed to transfer a dose of plastics from a supply device to a forming device of said dose, a control device that is suitable for varying said speed in a substantially continuous manner between a minimum value and a maximum value being associated with said transfer device.
US07998370B2
The task of the present invention is to offer a conductive paste that can be molded into a conductive coating or film that can maintain flexibility and ductility even while possessing a thickness of 50 μm˜125 μm. The conductive paste of the present invention includes a conductive particulate, a metal capture agent and a polyimide precursor solution. The metal capture agent can be selected as at least one from among either pyrimidinethiol compounds, triazinethiol compounds and imidazole compounds with a mercapto group. Moreover, the conductive particulate is preferably a core particle that is covered with a metal shell. In addition, a polyamic acid solution is preferred as the polyimide precursor solution.
US07998364B2
The invention relates to an ultraviolet to green light region silicate phosphor capable of being excited by radiation light source and its manufacturing method, particularly to white and multicolor systems light-emitting device. The material has luminous color in the range from blue to red color system. The essential composition of the phosphor is aMO.bM′O.SiO2.cR:xEu.yLn.zLv.δLm, wherein M is an element or a combination of elements selected from the group consisting of Sr, Ca, Ba and Zn; M′ is an element or a combination of elements selected from the group consisting of Mg, Cd and Be; R is one or two of B2O3 and P2O5; Ln is an element or a combination of elements selected from the group consisting of Nd, Dy, Ho, Tm, La, Ce, Er, Pr, Bi, Sm, Sn, Y, Lu, Ga, Sb, Tb, Mn and Pb; Lv is an element or a combination of elements selected from the group consisting of Cl, F, Br, I and S; Lm is an element or a combination of elements selected from the group consisting of Li, Na and K.
US07998356B2
The invention relates to a process for manufacturing an integrated optical device. The method involves forming a silicon dioxide multilayer structure on a silicon substrate containing, in a first region a core layer of a waveguide of the optical device. The core includes an electromagnetic radiation inlet/outlet A trench in a second region of the multilayer structure adjacent said first region is formed by a an anisotropic etching, the trench including side walls and a bottom wall spaced from the Substrate. The method further involves forming a coating layer of the side walls and the bottom wall of the trench; defining an opening in the bottom wall by at least partially removing the coating layer in order to expose the lower silicon dioxide of the multilayer structure; performing an isotropic etch through said opening in order to remove, starting from the exposed silicon dioxide, the multilayer structure silicon dioxide until forming a recess in the multilayer structure having a first wall at least one essentially planar portion inclined relative to the substrate. Such inclined portion extends at least partially in the first region, and includes the inlet/outlet port.
US07998350B2
A magnetic treatment device for liquid within at least one liquid container may include a figurine having a body portion and at least one limb extending outwardly therefrom. The at least one limb may be positioned adjacent the at least one liquid container. At least one permanent magnet may be carried by the at least one limb to expose the liquid within the at least one liquid container to a magnetic field.
US07998342B2
Various systems and methods are described that can be used as part of a process to separate bitumen from oil sands. The process may include adding a hydrocarbon solvent to a bitumen containing extract. The tailings from this process may contain a significant amount of solvent. The solvent may be recovered from the tailings with a tailings solvent recovery unit that utilizes negative pressure to significantly reduce the cost of the process in comparison to a conventional steam stripping unit. In one embodiment, the tailings may also separated prior to entering the tailings solvent recovery unit with a gravity separation apparatus or a cyclonic separation apparatus, such as a hydrocyclone.
US07998331B2
An electroplating method that includes: a) contacting a first substrate with a first article, which includes a substrate and a conformable mask disposed in a pattern on the substrate; b) electroplating a first metal from a source of metal ions onto the first substrate in a first pattern, the first pattern corresponding to the complement of the conformable mask pattern; and c) removing the first article from the first substrate, is disclosed. Electroplating articles and electroplating apparatus are also disclosed.
US07998325B2
A biosensor is disclosed comprising a support; a conductive layer composed of an electrical conductive material such as a noble metal, for example gold or palladium, and carbon; slits parallel to and perpendicular to the side of the support; working, counter, and detecting electrodes; a spacer which covers the working, counter, and detecting electrodes on the support; a rectangular cutout in the spacer forming a specimen supply path; an inlet to the specimen supply path; a reagent layer formed by applying a reagent containing an enzyme to the working, counter, and detecting electrodes, which are exposed through the cutout in the spacer; and a cover over the spacer. The biosensor can be formed by a simple method, and provides a uniform reagent layer on the electrodes regardless of the reagent composition.
US07998321B1
An improved sacrificial galvanic anode assembly for cathodic protection of a steel reinforced concrete structure. A galvanic cathodic protection device uses a multi-layered embedded sacrificial anode such as zinc covered with a flexible layer of paste to provide a continuous electrolyte to keep it active. The formulated paste is inert to cement embedment material and is pre-coated on the anode body prior to encapsulation. An integrated conductive contact band extends from within the coated anode to attachment to a reinforcement bar for establishing electrical conductively therewith in the concrete structure transferring galvanic corrosion to the anode.
US07998318B2
A via and contact hole fill composition and method for using the composition in the dual damascene production of circuits is provided. Broadly, the fill compositions include a quantity of solid components including a polymer binder and a solvent system for the solid components. The boiling point of the solvent system is less than the cross-linking temperature of the composition. Preferred solvents for use in the solvent system include those selected from the group consisting of alcohols, ethers, glycol ethers, amides, ketones, and mixtures thereof. Preferred polymer binders are those having an aliphatic backbone and a molecular weight of less than about 80,000, with polyesters being particularly preferred. In use, the fill composition is applied to the substrate surfaces forming the contact or via holes as well as to the substrate surfaces surrounding the holes, followed by heating to the composition reflow temperature so as to cause the composition to uniformly flow into and cover the hole-forming surfaces and substrate surfaces. The composition is then cured, and the remainder of the dual damascene process is carried out.
US07998316B2
A method and apparatus for quenching metallurgical coke made in a coking oven. The method includes pushing a unitary slab of incandescent coke onto a substantially planar receiving surface of an enclosed quenching car so that substantially all of the coke from the coking oven is pushed as a unitary slab onto the receiving surface of the quenching car. The slab of incandescent coke is quenched in an enclosed environment within the quenching car with a plurality of water quench nozzles while submerging at least a portion of the slab of incandescent coke by raising a water level in the quenching car. Subsequent to quenching the coke, the planar receiving surface is tilted to an angle sufficient to slide the quenched coke off of the planar receiving surface and onto a product collection conveyer and sufficient to drain water from the quenched coke.
US07998314B2
A method for the production of paper, cardboard and card by adding a microparticle system consisting of a polymer retention agent having a molar mass Mw of at least 2 million and a fine-part inorganic component in order to form a paper material having a material density of a 20 g/l maximum and by dewatering the paper material, wherein the paper material undergoes at least one shearing step prior to or after addition of the retention agent and wherein the retention agent is introduced in a dosed manner into the paper material in at least two places and the fine inorganic component is dosed prior to or after addition of the retention agent or between two dosing points for the retention agent.
US07998311B2
Size press compositions and methods for producing sized paper products, including liner board, are disclosed. The size press compositions contain at least one non-reactive cationic surface sizing agent, at least one reactive sizing agent, at least one promoter resin, at least one binder, and water. The at least one non-reactive cationic surface sizing agent may be a polymer in the form of a dispersion, an emulsion or a latex with a positive zeta potential below about pH 6. The at least one reactive sizing agent may be a dispersion, an emulsion or a latex including an alkyl ketene dimer or an alkyl succinic anhydride. The at least one promoter resin may be a polyaminoamide-epichlorohydrin resin or poly (dimethyldiallylammonium chloride).
US07998308B2
A liquid processing apparatus includes a substrate holding member configured to rotate along with a substrate held thereon in a horizontal state; a rotary cup configured to surround the substrate and to rotate along with the substrate; a liquid supply mechanism configured to supply a process liquid onto at least a front surface of the substrate; and an exhaust/drain section configured to perform gas-exhausting and liquid-draining out of the rotary cup; and a guide member disposed to surround the substrate, having an upper surface to be substantially continued to the front surface of the substrate, and configured to rotate along with the substrate holding member and the rotary cup, such that a process liquid supplied onto the front surface of the substrate and thrown off from the substrate is guided by the upper surface of the guide member from the rotary cup to the exhaust/drain section.
US07998302B2
A method for applying labels on articles, which are guided in parallel lanes, for which in each case a row of labels is dispensed by a label dispenser from a backing, taken up by a transfer path guided transversely over the lanes and transferred in a transfer step onto the articles, the transfers step comprising the moving of a lifting tool, extending along a section of the transfer path onto article lanes for pressing the labels onto the articles and the return of the lifting tool into its starting position. The dispensed labels are taken up at a point of the transfer path, which is at a distance from the lifting tool, and the dispending of a row of labels is commenced before the step of transferring a previous row of labels is concluded.
US07998292B2
The inclusion of between about 15 to about 60 formulation weight percent of a reaction product of basic copper nitrate and at least one transition metal complex of 5-aminotetrazole, wherein the at least one transition metal complex of 5-aminotetrazole and the basic copper nitrate are included in a weight ratio of no more than 1 part of the at least one transition metal complex of 5-aminotetrazole per 1 part of basic copper nitrate in azide fuel-free gas generant formulations exhibiting increased burn rates, as compared to the same formulation without the inclusion of that reaction product.
US07998289B2
To produce a metallic shaped part (1), in particular a vehicle body part, from a semifinished product (2) made of an unhardened hot-workable steel sheet, first of all the semifinished product (2) is formed by a cold-forming method, in particular a drawing method, into a part blank (10) (process step II). The part blank (10) is then trimmed at the margins to a marginal contour (12′) approximately corresponding to the part (1) to be produced (process step III). Finally, the trimmed part blank (17) is heated and press-hardened in a hot-forming tool (23) (process step IV). The part (1) produced in the process already has the desired marginal contour (24) after the hot forming, so that the final trimming of the part margin is dispensed with. In this way, the cycle times during the production of hardened parts of steel sheet can be considerably reduced.
US07998284B2
Grain-oriented electrical steel sheet having a chrome-free high tensile strength insulating film characterized by comprising steel sheet on the surface of which is formed an insulating film containing a phosphate and colloidal silica as main ingredients and containing crystalline magnesium phosphate uniformly dispersed over the entire surface.
US07998280B2
A dishwasher and a method of controlling a dishwasher are provided. Using this method of controlling a dishwasher, it is possible to quickly and precisely determine, during the washing of dishes, whether nozzles are clogged with impurities. It is also possible to easily address the problems associated with clogged nozzles by terminating the operation of a washing pump for a predefined amount of time, and then resuming the operation of the washing pump to clear obstructions from the nozzles.
US07998279B2
A method of cleaning dishware with a liquid detergent composition having an amphiphilic graft polymer, to provide improved grease cleaning and sudsing.
US07998273B2
An epitaxial growth process for producing a thick III-N layer, wherein III denotes at least one element of group III of the periodic table of elements, is disclosed, wherein a thick III-N layer is deposited above a foreign substrate. The epitaxial growth process preferably is carried out by HVPE. The substrate can also be a template comprising the foreign substrate and at least one thin III-N intermediate layer. The surface quality is improved by providing a slight intentional misorientation of the substrate, and/or a reduction of the N/III ratio and/or the reactor pressure towards the end of the epitaxial growth process. Substrates and semiconductor devices with such improved III-N layers are also disclosed.
US07998267B2
A belite-calcium sulphoaluminate-ferrite (BCSAF) cement composition including: a BCSAF clinker which clinker has the following mineralogical composition, based on the total weight of the clinker: 5 to 25%, preferably 10 to 20%, of a calcium aluminoferrite phase having the general formula C2AxF(1−X), wherein X is from 0.2 to 0.8; 15 to 35% of a calcium sulphoaluminate phase; 40 to 75% of belite (C2S); from 0.01 to 10% in total of one or more minor phases selected from calcium sulphates, alkali metal sulphates, perovskite, calcium aluminates, gehlenite, free lime and periclase and/or a vitreous phase; and an alkanolamine.
US07998249B2
An inlet air chilling and filtration system for a turbine. The inlet air chilling and filtration system may include a first stage spray array with a first number of spray nozzle pairs, a second stage spray array with a second number of spray nozzles pairs, and a drift eliminator.
US07998246B2
The present invention discloses a novel method of making high performance mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) using stabilized concentrated suspensions of solvents, uniformly dispersed polymer stabilized molecular sieves, and at least two different types of polymers as the continuous blend polymer matrix. MMMs as dense films or asymmetric flat sheet or hollow fiber membranes fabricated by the method described in the current invention exhibit significantly enhanced permeation performance for separations over the polymer membranes made from the continuous blend polymer matrix. MMMs of the present invention are suitable for a wide range of gas, vapor, and liquid separations such as alcohol/water, CO2/CH4, H2/CH4, O2/N2, CO2/N2, olefin/paraffin, iso/normal paraffins, and other light gases separations.
US07998245B2
A method and apparatus are disclosed for unblocking a perforated rotary filter screen. In the invention, at least one jet of high pressure air is directed at a surface of the filter screen as the filter screen is rotated and the or each jet of air is moved in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the perforations in the screen in order to cause the or each air jet to trace a spiral or helical path over the surface of the screen.
US07998244B2
A method of alleviating dust in the early stages of metal ore processing, such as copper ore, through mining the ore through concentration involves spraying and wetting crushed ore rock and ground particles and dust at least several of a series of locations with a dust suppressant containing major amounts of water plus minor amounts of an additive combination of glycerol and a selected non-ionic surfactant, and passing the wetted particles and dust to a metal concentrator where the additive combination does not interfere with metal concentration yield.
US07998243B2
A method of producing steel (1) with a high manganese and low carbon content on the basis of liquid pig iron (2) or liquid steel (3) and slag-forming constituents (4) with the object of preventing existing drawbacks of process route in vessels other than, e.g., electrical arc furnaces (18). With steel produced with a high manganese and low carbon content, in a process, the carbon component is reduced to about 0.7-0.8% by a combined blowing of oxygen (7) through top lances (8) and underbath nozzles (9) after feeding of liquid ferro-manganese (50 and liquid steel (3a) in a FeMn-refining converter (6a), wherein a component of a cold end product from premelt is added as cooling means (10), and wherein the carbon component is reduced to about 0.05-0.1% C by a continuous blowing of oxygen (7) through the underbath nozzles.
US07998240B2
A process of water-granulating copper smelting slag can readily suppress elution of As from the copper smelting slag. A process of water-granulating a copper smelting slag with granulation water in a circulating system, includes granulating the copper smelting slag with the granulation water; settling suspended solids from the granulation water circulating in the system in a settling tank followed by discharging part of the granulation water through the settling tank from the system; and feeding supplementary water having a concentration of As of 0.01 mg/L or less into the system in such an amount that the total amount of the granulation water circulating in the system is kept constant; wherein the amount of granulation water discharged through the settling tank is such that As eluted from the copper smelting slag after water granulation is 0.01 mg/L or less.
US07998231B2
An air purifier includes a housing, a centrifugal fan and an air purifying filter. The fan is substantially centered in the housing. The fan has a rotary shaft extending in a depth direction of the air purifier and a fan inlet port facing frontward. Air suctioned by the fan is blown out in a direction perpendicular to the rotary shaft. The filter is aligned with the fan along the direction perpendicular to the rotary shaft. An air inlet port is disposed in front of the fan so as to communicate with the fan inlet port. When the fan rotates, air is suctioned into the air purifier via the air inlet port. An air outlet port is arranged relative to the filter such that air purified by the filter is blown out of the air purifier through the air outlet port.
US07998223B2
A hair dye composition is provided that comprises a first agent containing an oxidation dye and an alkaline agent, and a second agent containing hydrogen peroxide, the hair dye composition being used after mixing the first agent and the second agent. The hair dye composition contains an ascorbic acid compound and the hydrogen peroxide in amounts of from 1.0 to 5.0% by mass and from 0.3 to 1.6% by mass, respectively. The alkaline agent is contained in an amount of from 3.0 to 30 mmol per 100 g of the hair dye composition.
US07998219B2
A ceramic powder of non-agglomerated non-aggregated phase-pure hydroxyapatite having a controllable morphology. Also presented is a film of phasepure crystalline hydroxyapatite grains having a controllable morphology. Methods for preparing the same are also provided.
US07998207B2
Interbody fusion implants that include a load bearing body composed of a calcium phosphate material hardened around one or more structural reinforcing members are provided. The reinforcing members aid the load bearing body in resisting bending forces and, in certain forms, aid in preventing expulsion of the implant after implantation. Methods for promoting fusion bone growth in the space between adjacent vertebrae and methods for making the inventive implants are also provided.
US07998198B2
The present invention is generally directed to accommodative intraocular lenses (IOLs) that exhibit a dynamic spherical aberration as a function of accommodative power. By way of example, in one aspect, the present invention provides an intraocular lens (IOL) having an anterior optical element, a posterior optical element, and a mechanism for coupling the anterior and posterior elements so as to allow axial movement of those elements relative to one another for providing accommodation when the lens is implanted in a patient's eye. Each of the anterior and the posterior elements includes at least one aspherical surface, where the asphericities of the surfaces are adapted to provide a combined spherical aberration that varies with accommodation.
US07998193B2
An intravascular stent especially suited for implanting in curved arterial portions or ostial regions. The stent can include an end region which is fabricated to have a greater radial strength than the remaining axial length of the stent. Such a stent is particularly suited for use in ostial regions, which require greater support near the end of the stent. The stent alternatively can include sections adjacent the end of the stent with greater bending flexibility than the remaining axial length of the stent. Such a stent is particularly suited for use in curved arteries. The stent can also be constructed with an end that has greater radial strength and sections adjacent the end with greater bending flexibility. Such a stent prevents flaring of the stent end during insertion.
US07998189B2
A stent-graft (100) is provided with a tightenable loop element (122) having a first end terminated in a self-tightening knot (142) and a second end (138) which is received in and can slide in the knot (142). The loop (122) is fitted to the stent-graft (100) in a manner as to cause curvature of the stent-graft (100) upon tightening of the loop. An introducer assembly is also disclosed which includes a cannula (132, 150) within which a pull cord (136) and release wire (134) are located.
US07998185B2
Apparatus and a method for treating an irregularity in a wall of a vessel of a patient defined by an irregular or afflicted wall portion with adjacent normal wall portions comprises a catheter having a distal end portion for being guided through the vessel to the site of the irregularity. A balloon associated with said distal end portion of the catheter for selective inflating to contact the walls of the vessel urges a stent carried by the distal end portion of the catheter in a constricted condition for passage through the vessel into an expanded form with the stent spanning the afflicted wall portion and contacting the adjacent wall portions. The catheter is formed with lumens for inflating the balloon, for receiving a guidewire for guiding the catheter through the vessel, and for connecting a port in the catheter proximate the afflicted wall portion to enable delivery of a therapeutic agent into the vessel to contact the stent and the irregular wall portion.
US07998180B2
Apparatus, systems and methods for making, using, implanting, and visualizing portions of a medical implant are provided. One such implant includes a bone plate at least partially of a radiolucent material having at least one aperture, and a fastener at least partially of a radiolucent material to extend through the aperture. The fastener has a distal end and a proximal end, with at least a portion of the proximal end is of a radiopaque material. A fastener lock is included to engage the fastener proximal end to maintain the fastener position relative to the bone plate. At least a portion of the fastener lock is of a radiopaque material. In this manner, at least a portion of the implant is adapted to be visible on a radiographic image.
US07998161B2
A disposable incision safety lancet is provided, including a casing (2) and a trigger. It is characterized in that the casing (2) is provided inside with an incision blood-taking mechanism composed of a cam (3), a main swing arm (4), a secondary swing arm (5), a blade (1) and a spring (8). The present invention combines the two arc-shaped tracks obtained from the two swing mechanisms, the main swing arm and the secondary swing arm, via the cam and a toggle pin provided on the cam effectively and interlockingly, thus making the point of the blade incise along a V-formed path composed of two arcs of different shape connected with each other. Compared with the prior art single-swing-arm structure of the incision blood-taking mechanism, such a double-swing-arm structure can move with higher accuracy and controllability. An incision of different blood-taking depth and blood-taking width can be designed by means of changing the difference of change of the radius of curvature of the flange of cam (3) as well as changing the swing radius of the main swing arm (4) and the secondary swing arm (5), which is especially suitable for taking blood from infants' heel.
US07998158B2
A cutting saw blade for use with an oscillatory power tool used in surgical bone cutting procedures including a blade having a distal end provided with teeth whose tips are located on a tangent line perpendicular to the long axis of the blade. The teeth are configured substantially as right triangles with their hypotenuses facing either towards the center of the blade or away from the center of the blade. A central tooth can be optionally provided. The surgical saw blade may have a distal end having at least one pair of teeth configured to be adjacent to each other and each of the pair of teeth is configured as a right triangle each having a hypotenuse which is oriented at least one of towards and away from the centrally positioned long axis.
US07998153B2
A device for supporting a tissue, the device has a shaft having a longitudinal axis and at least two atraumatic clamps coupled to the shaft. Each atraumatic clamp may have at least two oppositely polarized magnets. An atraumatic clamp may also have a mounting structure for the magnets. In at least one embodiment, the atraumatic clamps are mounted along the shaft so that when the shaft is positioned relative to a tissue having a length, the clamps may clamp the tissue so that the length of tissue positioned between the clamps is maintained substantially constant.
US07998152B2
An implantable prosthesis for use in periareolar mastopexy. The prosthesis may constructed of a prosthetic or biological mesh material, or a biodegradable/resorbable material, and may be either annular or frusto-conical in shape. An aperture of the prosthesis is sized to surround an areola upon implantation. The prosthesis may include a plurality of teeth, extending outwardly from a top surface of the prosthesis, and canted generally towards an apex of the prosthesis. The implantable prosthesis permits a resorbable, rather than a nonresorbable suture to be used in the periareolar mastopexy procedure.
US07998151B2
The methods, devices, and systems are provided for performing endovascular repair of atrioventricular and other cardiac valves in the heart. Regurgitation of an atrioventricular valve, particularly a mitral valve, can be repaired by modifying a tissue structure selected from the valve leaflets, the valve annulus, the valve chordae, and the papillary muscles. These structures may be modified by suturing, stapling, snaring, or shortening, using interventional tools which are introduced to a heart chamber. Preferably, the tissue structures will be temporarily modified prior to permanent modification. For example, opposed valve leaflets may be temporarily grasped and held into position prior to permanent attachment.
US07998150B2
A suturing device is disclosed which sutures a tissue using a suture unit having a suture thread with both ends fitted to a first anchor and a second anchor, respectively. The suturing device includes a hollow tip member receiving the first and second anchors; a wire having a front end inserted through the hollow tip member so that the first and second anchors can be released out from the hollow tip member; a flexible tube, a parallel member, a relative position holding member, a forward movement restricting member, and an operating portion. At least one of the hollow tip member, the forward movement restricting member, and the flexible tube has a communication portion on an outer peripheral surface thereof so as to communicate with an internal cavity, and a middle portion of the suture unit is inserted into the communication portion and is tied to the wire.
US07998149B2
Improved medical suturing devices, systems, and methods may hold a suture needle at a fixed location relative to a handle of the device, allowing the surgeon to grasp and manipulate the handle of the suturing device to insert the needle through tissues in a manner analogous to use of a standard needle gripper. Cycling the handle from a closed position to an open position and back to the closed position may alternate the device between gripping the needle with a first clamp (for example, along a proximal portion of the needle) to gripping the needle with a second clamp (for example, along a distal portion of the needle) and optionally back to gripping with the first clamp, with the needle often staying at a substantially fixed location relative to the suturing device body. Related single-clamp needle grasping devices can be bent plastically by a surgeon, and/or have bodies that are grasped by a hand while a portion of the hand actuates a handle.
US07998148B2
An endoscopic instrument used to form an artificial valve for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
US07998138B2
Methods, apparatus, and systems for occluding a left atrial appendage are provided. One embodiment includes an elongate body having a tissue apposition member extendably positioned within a lumen of the elongate body to appose tissue of the LAA. An energy emitting device coupled to the elongate body can be used for emitting high intensity focused ultrasound to the tissues to fuse the tissues.
US07998135B2
A device for ophthalmologically treating the eye has a treatment laser beam (UV) for ablating parts of the cornea (12) and a fixation light beam (24). A fixation light spot in the vicinity of the fovea (30) and the fovea are imaged by means of a camera (40). This makes it possible to check whether the patient has reliably fixated the fixation light source (22). In addition, the pupil can be recorded and both recordings can be superimposed.
US07998119B2
A system and method for delivering fluid into a flexible biological barrier employs a microneedle structure wherein a final position of microneedles inserted into the biological barrier is generally sideways projecting from the delivery configuration instead of the conventional downwards projecting arrangement. The microneedles project from a relief surface which is distinct from a primary biological-barrier contact region of the delivery configuration, and is typically angled upwards away from the biological barrier. During insertion, the contact region is brought into contact with the biological barrier and moved parallel to the surface of the flexible biological barrier so as to generate a boundary between a stretched portion and a non-stretched portion of the barrier. Typically concurrently with this motion, the microneedles penetrate into the flexible biological barrier such that, at the end of the motion, the microneedles extend into the flexible biological barrier from the boundary region in a direction towards the non-stretched portion. Fluid is then injected through the bores of the hollow microneedles towards non-stretched portion.
US07998117B2
A drug delivery device having a housing containing a gas generator controlled by an electronic controller. The gas generator generates gas into a reciprocable chamber, whereby reciprocation of the chamber causes a lever to reciprocate a pawl, and this action causes a ratchet to undergo incremental advancement. The device may also be provided with manual control for delivering a bolus dose of drug when necessary.
US07998108B2
Disclosed herein is an injector device including an inserter element, a head element, an implant and a set of detachable protector elements for secured device handling. The device comprises a stop that controls the penetration depth of the device during injection. The device may comprise a removable catch that prevents the implant from exiting the device due to the advancement of its inserter element. The device may comprise a disengageable block that prevents the implant from exiting the device from its head element. The device may be configured for intraocular drug delivery.
US07998079B2
A biosensor senses pulse wave data of a user. The biosensor stores relation information, which indicates a relationship between recommended bedtime data and sleep-affecting activity data. The relationship between the recommended bedtime data and the sleep-affecting activity data is determined in view of at least one of previously sensed pulse wave data of the user and model pulse wave data. The biosensor receives at least one sleep-affecting activity value from the user. The biosensor computes recommended bedtime information based on the at least one sleep-affecting activity value in view of the relation information. The biosensor gives notification to the user based on the recommended bedtime information.
US07998077B2
Embodiments of the present invention may provide a device for rotating a transducer of an ultrasonic probe, which has a simple manufacturing process and a small size. The device may comprise: a drive motor; a pulley rotatably driven by the drive motor; wire-ropes wound around the pulley; a rotatable transducer having a plurality of ultrasonic elements; and buffer springs connecting one ends of the wire-ropes and the transducer, the buffer springs being attached to the transducer.
US07998073B2
Signal processing techniques reduce the impact of noise (including speckle noise and shot noise) on ultrasound images by reducing the intensity of pixels that are probably noise and increasing the intensity of pixels that are probably signal. The decision of whether a given pixel is probably noise or probably signal is made based on spectral characteristics of the samples in and around the given pixel, based on knowledge of the expected spectral characteristics of the signal and the expected spectral characteristics of the noise.
US07998066B2
During cryotherapy, using an endoscope that extends within a patient to a cold treatment site, the device of the invention vacuums gas from the site through radial intake ports to a cylindrical space in an evacuation chamber held elastically circumferentially about the distal end of the endoscope tube that carries the cryoprobe to the site.
US07998061B2
A removable, resilient atraumatic sheath for arthroscopic instruments. The sheath covers sharp edges on the arthroscopic instrument, particularly the distal tip of the rigid cannula, and thereby protects tissue and objects near a surgical site from accidental trauma. The sheath may be provided in the form of an inflow/outflow sheath that allows a surgeon to irrigate and drain a surgical field without the use of a separate irrigation instrument.
US07998059B2
An endoscopic imaging includes an image sensor having a polygonal outline; a lens for focusing an image onto the image sensor; a lens support member abutting on the image sensor, and supporting the lens; and an abutting portion formed while extending from a lower edge portion of the lens support member, the abutting portion abutting on at least two sides of an outline of the image sensor to position the lens support member so that the lens is positioned at a predetermined position of the image sensor.
US07998054B2
An extracardiac pumping for supplementing the circulation of blood, including the cardiac output, in a patient without any component thereof being connected to the patient's heart, and methods of using same. One embodiment provides a vascular graft that has a first end that is sized and configured to couple to a non-primary blood vessel and a second end that is fluidly coupled to a pump to conduct blood between the pump and the non-primary blood vessel. An outflow conduit is also provided that has a first end sized and configured to be positioned within the same or different blood vessel, whether primary or non-primary, through the vascular graft. The outflow conduit is fluidly coupled to the pump to conduct blood between the pump and the patient. The vascular graft may be connected to the blood vessel subcutaneously to permit application of the extracardiac pumping system in a minimally-invasive procedure.
US07998043B2
A prone crawling exerciser comprises upper limp support, left and right leg slides, track means and pulley and cable means, wherein, left and right leg slides each is mounted with wheels; track means comprises two parallel left and right tracks and track brackets, left and right tracks mounted on track brackets with a space from ground, upper limp support located on left and right track or track brackets; left and right leg slides are mounted on left and right tracks and are able to slide on left and right tracks through said wheels; pulley and cable means comprises pulley and cable, said pulleys mounted on track means, said cable reeving about said pulleys connecting at least left and right leg slides. This invention enables users to simulate an animal prone crawling motion. With its adjustable loading, it is suitable for various kinds of users with different physique and age, even for the upper limb disabled person. The user can specifically exercise his lower back and abdomen, pelvis and lower limbs with different load.
US07998038B2
An exercise apparatus is disclosed that comprises a frame, at least one user interface movably coupled to the frame, a pneumatic resistance device, and a weight stack coupled to the frame. The weight stack is arranged between and in series with the at least one user interface and pneumatic resistance device and is coupled to the at least one user interface by a first force transfer mechanism and to the pneumatic resistance device by a second force transfer mechanism.
US07998021B2
A control method for a vehicular drive apparatus that includes a driving power source that includes an engine and a motor, and a shift portion provided in a power transmission path from the driving power source to a drive wheel, includes staring the engine by executing an engine speed control that increases an engine speed to a predetermined engine speed or higher, and executing an engine torque generation control that generates engine torque by supplying fuel and igniting the fuel at the predetermined engine speed or higher. In the case where the controller determines that the period during which the shift of the shift portion is performed overlaps the period during which the engine is started, the engine is started by executing the engine speed control during the shift of the shift portion, and executing the engine torque generation control after the shift of the shift portion is completed.
US07998018B2
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and at least one brake.
US07998017B2
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, three planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes.
US07998016B2
A gear train includes a first planetary gear set including a first sun gear, a first ring gear, and a first carrier and a second planetary gear set including a second sun gear, a second ring gear, and second carrier. The gear train also includes a first clutch configured to selectively connect the first carrier with the second carrier and a second clutch configured to selectively connect the first sun gear with the second sun gear. The gear train also includes a first brake configured to selectively fix the first sun gear, a second brake configured to selectively fix the second sun gear, and a third brake configured to selectively fix the first carrier.
US07998011B2
A speed change apparatus includes a first clutch having a first clutch drum, in which an annular clutch plate is spline-fitted to an inner peripheral surface of the first clutch drum, and a clutch piston formed with a spline on an inner peripheral surface of the clutch piston is provided to slide in an axial direction and press the clutch plate; and a second clutch having a second clutch drum, which is disposed in the clutch piston of the first clutch concentrically with the first clutch, and in which a spline is formed on inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the second clutch drum such that outer peripheral surface spline teeth form inner peripheral surface spline grooves. Wherein the outer peripheral surface of the second clutch drum is spline-fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the clutch piston and an annular clutch plate is spline-fitted to the inner peripheral surface of the second clutch drum.
US07998006B2
In a speed ratio control device for a belt continuously variable transmission according to this invention, when a speed ratio is subjected to feedback control on the basis of a difference between an actual speed ratio and a target speed ratio, pressure supplied to a primary pulley is corrected through feedforward (S17, S18) in order to suppress variation in the groove width of the primary pulley caused by a rapid variation in an input torque into the primary pulley (S17) while traveling in a fixed speed ratio mode (S14) in which the target speed ratio is held at a fixed value.
US07998005B2
Ball structures, such as basketballs, are formed to include regions with different and distinct tactile characteristics or “feel.” Such ball structures may include a cover member divided into plural panels that are separated by channels. The exterior surface of one or more of these panels may include regions having different textures. One region, which extends over a central portion of the panel, includes raised elements, such as raised ribs or other structures, that may extend at least 0.5 mm outward from a base surface of the cover member.
US07998001B2
A golf club head having a deep undercut is disclosed and claimed. The club head includes a cavity in a back portion thereof, opposite the striking face. A recess is provided in the back portion of the club head in proximity of the heel and, optionally, the sole. The recess may extend to the hosel bore, and may be separate from the cavity. An insert, such as a dampening member, a weight member, or a combination thereof, may be positioned within the recess. The recess and any insert provided therein alter the club head moment of inertia and center of gravity location, providing an improved feel to the golf club.
US07997997B2
A golf club incorporating an interchangeable shaft system includes a shaft, a shaft sleeve, a club head. The shaft sleeve is coupled to an end of the shaft and is received in a hosel included in the club head. The shaft sleeve is removably coupled to the club head. Hosel and shaft sleeve alignment features provide discreet orientations between the shaft and club head.
US07997995B2
A putter guide for guiding a putter shaft during a putting stroke has a pair of guide rails for guiding the shaft of a putter, a base member; and a post coupling the base member to the pair of guide rails for elevating the pair of guide rails above the ground to be closer to a grip on the putter. The guide rails are adapted to fold down beside the main post and both are adapted to fold down between two parallel tubes of the base to allow a golfer to carry the putter guide.
US07997994B2
A golf swing training aid to assist golfers with multiple skills required in the game of golf and assist the golfer in creating a repeatable impact position with all golf shots. A short portion and a parallel long portion both connect to a rear portion and define a channel. The short portion is shorter than the long portion to form a J-shaped mat. A golf ball is placed between the two portions at designated markers depending on the type of golf iron used, and the size of the divot resulting from impact can be estimated using the one or more other markers along the short and long portion to help evaluate the swing and direction of the golf club as a result of the size and direction of the divot.
US07997992B2
A golf ball aligning device (GBAD) (10) that is disclosed as a golf visor (12) and as a golf cap (80). Both the visor (12) and the cap (80) feature a bill (40) that has a front square edge (44), an upper surface (50) and a lower surface (52). To the lower surface (52) and adjacent to the front square edge (44) of the bill (40) is applied a dark non-glare finish (60). Alternatively, to the square front edge (44) of the bill (40) can be attached by means of a living hinge (58) a square movable tab (48) also having a dark non-glare finish (60). The dark non-glare finish (60) when viewed by a golfer, aids in aligning a straight ball trajectory along a golf course. The GBAD (10) can also be designed to include a bill adjusting assembly (114) that interfaces with the right and left head bands (26),(32) and the respective right and left hand bands (26, 32).
US07997989B2
A balanced driveshaft assembly that includes a driveshaft and a composite weight. The driveshaft has a shaft member and a pair of cardan joints that are coupled to the opposite ends of the shaft member. The shaft member is formed of a first material. The composite weight is fixed to the shaft member, and includes an insert and a body. The insert is formed of a second material that is denser than the first material and is encapsulated in the body. The body is formed of the first material. A composite weight and a method for forming a balanced driveshaft assembly are also provided.
US07997988B2
A direct torque flow constant velocity joint connector includes an outer joint part, and inner joint part, a cage and a plurality of balls. The outer joint part includes outer ball tracks. The inner joint part includes inner ball tracks and a rotational axis, wherein the inner joint part has a face spline oriented about the rotational axis. The plurality of balls are provided in the cage and engage the inner and outer ball tracks of the respective inner and outer joint parts, thereby allowing torque transmission by way of the face splines. Also provided is a direct torque flow constant velocity joint connection.
US07997982B2
A lottery game with a capped jackpot prize and increasing raffle prize is provided. The lottery game is set with an initial jackpot prize. If there is no jackpot winner for the lottery game for a drawing, the jackpot is increased until the jackpot is at least equal to a predefined value. For each subsequent drawing, a raffle prize is set and a raffle number is printed on each lottery ticket. The raffle prize is not distributed until a jackpot winner is determined.
US07997981B2
Methods and systems for providing a universal bonus within a gaming environment are disclosed. Such systems include universal bonuses that are made available to patrons of both gaming machines and other non-gaming machine gaming venues, such as gaming tables. Systems can include a gaming machine, a gaming table, and a universal system server. Tracking devices at both the gaming machines and gaming tables or other gaming venues facilitate the tracking of gaming events that give rise to the eligibility of a player to participate in the universal bonus. The same singular universal bonus is then made available to players playing entirely different games and/or at different gaming venues. Incorporated into the system are considerations for including slot machines, video poker machines, blackjack tables, poker tables, craps tables, roulette tables, keno lounges, sports books and other wager based games offered by a casino or other gaming establishment.
US07997976B2
According to a slot machine of the present invention, synthetic symbol images each including a first symbol image and a second symbol image are rearranged to a display. The first symbol image is associated with a predetermined prize. In a case where the first symbol images included in the rearranged synthetic symbols or a combination thereof constitute the predetermined prize, special first symbol images are displayed in place of the synthetic symbols including the first symbol images constituting the predetermined prize. The special first symbol images correspond to the first images constituting the predetermined prize.
US07997973B2
Various embodiments of amusement devices and methods for various games are described. In some embodiments, a secondary player may engage in a game started by a first player. Various additional methods and apparatus are described.
US07997968B2
A gaming device includes several changeable prize displays with each changeable prize display sequentially displaying several different prizes. A moveable indicator can move relative to the changeable prize displays and selectively indicate at least one of the prize displays by moving proximate the position of the indicated prize display. The gaming device has a player input device and a controller that are in communication with each other and the changeable prize displays. The controller can cause each of the changeable prize displays to sequentially display the different prizes and to move the moveable indicator relative to the changeable prize displays. The controller can randomly select a prize and detect activation of the player input device. The moveable indicator can stop, after the player input device is activated. A changeable prize display closest to the moveable indicator can display the randomly selected prize.
US07997967B2
A sieve for a grain cleaning system of an agricultural combine, including a system providing enhanced adjustability of spacing, including capacities for quickly and easily varying a number of rows of sieve fingers, spacing between the rows, and angular orientation of the fingers, such that better sieve performance, and cleaning action above the sieve, can be achieved for a particular grain or seed size and other conditions, particularly very large sizes and very small sizes.
US07997964B2
An adjustable air vent assembly has a frame and a plurality of louvers pivotally mounted to the frame. The plurality of louvers is movable between a closed position and a diffuse position. In the closed position, each louver has an edge contacting an edge of at least one other louver to substantially prevent air from flowing through the plurality of louvers in the closed position. In the diffuse position a first louver is oriented along a non-parallel plane with respect to a second louver. A single actuator is provided for moving the plurality of louvers between the closed and diffuse positions.
US07997954B2
To provide a centerless grinding method which facilitates a tooling change and enables automation. A blade 11 is disposed slidable along a first straight line 101, i.e., Y axis, a grinding wheel 7 is disposed slidable along a second straight line 102, i.e., X axis, and a regulating wheel 9 is disposed slidable along a third straight line 103 intersecting with the second straight line at an angle θ2. At a tooling change, then, the blade is moved in a negative direction of the Y axis with an increase in diameter of a workpiece, the grinding wheel is moved in a negative direction of the X axis with an increase in diameter of the workpiece, and the regulating wheel is moved in a positive direction of the Y axis and also in a positive direction of the X axis with an increase in diameter of the workpiece. With this, angles α and β, which a contact angular position reference line S makes with line segments OB and OR, are made always constant.
US07997946B2
A flushing device that is used to remove salt water and other corrosive agents from the cooling system of an outboard motor. The flushing device includes an earmuff flushing accessory that is attached to the end of an elongate support member and is used to create sealed chambers that surround the end ports of the motor. The elongated member can either be directly coupled to the earmuff flushing accessory or coupled through an elbow extension member to allow for the operation of the device from various positions, including to the side, in front, or from behind the outboard motor. The device is configured so that the flushing liquid flows either directly from the elongated member or through a bent extension member into the earmuff flushing accessory, thereby eliminating the need for various separate components to control the flow of the liquid. The device, therefore, uses a simple design that is both inexpensive to manufacture and effective while eliminating potential sources of failure.
US07997942B2
This invention relates to a cable connector device for use on a battery terminal post, the cable connector including a conductive mounting cap having an internal mounting wall with a surface area corresponding with the surface area of a said battery mounting post to enable, in use, the cap to be mountable over the said battery mounting post, the mounting cap including a cable mounting post integral with or attachable to the mounting cap, the cable mounting post being adapted with a cable fastening means, in use, to receive and fasten an electrical cable thereto.
US07997938B2
An electrical connector for mating with a mating connector includes a housing having a mating face and a guide member. The guide member includes a receptacle and a guide wall. The guide wall includes an interior surface that at least partially defines the receptacle. The interior surface includes a guide feature. The receptacle is configured to receive a plug of a mating housing of the mating connector therein. An electrical power contact includes a mating end held within the receptacle of the guide member. The guide wall of the guide member extends at least partially around the mating end of the electrical power contact.
US07997925B2
A multifunctional wall socket related to electrical conduction connecting device, comprising socket cover (1) with a conventional power connector (2) and a USB port (3) arranged on the socket cover. The USB port (3) is connected to the output terminals of an AC-DC conversion module (4) arranged on the socket cover (1). The AC-DC conversion module (4) comprises a rectifier filter module (41), modulation step-down module (42), current sampling and protection module (43), voltage reference module (44) and feedback control module (45). A first safety shutter (6) which can be opened or closed in arranged at the USB port (3) on the socket cover (1), or a second safety shutter (7) which can be opened or closed is arranged at the conventional power connector (2).
US07997922B2
A connector guide mounted in front of a receptacle connector is provided with a latch that engages a connector mounted on a circuit board when a mating connector is inserted into the connector on the circuit board. The guide is separate from the plug connector and serves to align contact surfaces and provide strain relief to the receptacle connector.
US07997920B1
An electrical connector includes a plug connector, a receptacle connector and a locking element. The plug connector includes an insulating housing, a plurality of terminals mounted into the insulating housing, a shell wrapping the insulating housing. The locking element fixed on the plug connector has a top plate, two opposite sides of the top plate are extended downwards to form a pair of locking plates. A front side of the locking element is extended perpendicularly and outwardly to form at least one connecting arm. A top side of the connecting arm is extended frontward to form a locking arm. The locking arm has a front end extended perpendicularly to form a locking end. When the plug connector is inserted into the receptacle connector, the locking element hooks locking potions provided by the receptacle connector to ensure the connection stability between the plug connector and the receptacle connector.
US07997919B2
An electrical component socket according to the present invention includes: a socket body 1 including an accommodating portion 4 detachably accommodating therein an electrical component; plural contact pins 5 disposed in the socket body, contactable with terminals of an electric component; and a socket cover 2 rotatably attached to the socket body 1, for, when the socket cover 2 is closed, press-retaining an electrical component accommodated in the accommodating portion 4 so that the terminals of an electrical component are in contact with the contact pins 5, in which the socket cover 2 is disposed movable so as to be close to and apart from the socket body 1 when the socket cover 2 closed, so that the electrical component accommodated to be press-retained in the accommodating portion 4 can be urged by a predetermined urging force according to a thickness of the electrical component or a number of terminals thereof. Thus, the electrical component socket according to the present invention is capable of urging the electrical component by a predetermined urging force even in the case of different thickness of the electrical component or different number of terminals thereof, and is applicable to a high functional device of larger heat dissipation amount.
US07997910B2
The invention includes an electrified framework system having a plurality of grid members which form a grid framework. A conductive material is disposed on a surface of at least one of the plurality of grid members as shown throughout the drawings. The system includes connectors which provide low voltage power connections. For example, the connectors bring power from a power supply to the conductive material disposed on the grid framework and/or the connectors provide electrical connections between the conductive material on the grid framework and various devices.
US07997906B2
An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device includes a first sub assembly having a first housing component. The first housing component has an opening. The electronic device also includes a second sub assembly having a second housing component. The second housing component cooperates with the first housing component to enclose components of an electronic device. The at least one internal component is accessible through the opening. The at least one internal component is also movable relative to the second sub assembly so as to properly align with the opening. The at least one internal component is additionally magnetically attracted towards the first housing component near the opening.
US07997905B2
A machine tool or a production machine, such as e.g. a multispindle machine, or a robot, is described, wherein a liquid metal lubricated slide bearing is not only used to transmit feed currents for electrical consumers but also to transmit currents for producing control signals. Accordingly, it is possible to apply via the liquid metal lubricated slide bearings a voltage of 600 volts in order to produce feed currents and a voltage of 24 volts in order to produce control signals.
US07997904B2
In the modern practice of obstetrics, the military is in the position of having experts in both simulation training for obstetric emergencies and teamwork training. The military has the potential to train better and provide the safest environment possible with these resources. Accordingly, an embodiment of the invention provides an obstetrics simulation system, comprising an articulating maternal birthing simulator. The maternal birthing simulator is a full size and full-body female having an intubeable airway with a chest rise component, a forearm having a medication receiving component, and/or a fetal heart sound component. Additionally, the maternal birthing simulator includes a head descent and cervical dilation monitor, a placenta positionable in at least two locations, two or more removable dilating cervices, and/or postpartum vulval suturing inserts.
US07997893B2
A building block for a ventilated wall includes an elongated center portion flanked by a pair of substantially parallel side walls oriented substantially perpendicularly to the center portion. The center portion has a first vertical wall and a second sloped wall, the second sloped wall extending between a relatively thicker bottom wall of the center portion and a relatively thinner top wall of the center portion. The first wall is co-planar with first edges of the side walls. A stacked arrangement of such blocks, where adjacent blocks are inverted and reversed, establishes front-to-back air passages that do not provide a sight line, and which prevent rain from passing through. A mold assembly for manufacturing the blocks is also disclosed.
US07997891B2
A molding process and apparatus suitable for use in molding processes, including rapid prototyping processes and short run production processes. The molding process and apparatus entail the use of a reconfigurable screen tool having a housing defining a manifold cavity and a plurality of substantially parallel pins, each having a head protruding from the housing and a shank protruding into the housing. The heads of the pins define a screen surface through which air is able to flow, for example, through gaps between adjacent heads or through internal passages within the pins. The process further includes axially moving the pins to configure the screen surface, preventing further axial movement of the pins relative to each other, and then drawing a vacuum within the manifold cavity and creating a vacuum at the screen surface.
US07997890B2
Apparatus and method for transferring a pattern from a template (10) having a structured surface to a substrate (12) carrying a surface layer of a radiation polymerisable fluid (14). The apparatus comprises a first main part (101) and a second main part (102) having opposing surfaces (104;105), means for adjusting a spacing (115) between said main parts, support means (106) for supporting said template and substrate in mutual parallel engagement in said spacing with said structured surface facing said surface layer, a radiation source (110) devised to emit radiation into said spacing. A cavity (115) has a first wall comprising a flexible membrane (113) devised to engage said template or substrate, and means (114;116) are provided for applying an adjustable overpressure to a medium present in said cavity, whereby an even distribution of force is obtained over the whole of the contact surface between the substrate and the template. The apparatus further includes a heater device having a surface facing said spacing, for heating either fluid layer (14).
US07997878B2
A dense phase pump for particulate material includes a pump chamber wherein material flows into the pump chamber under negative pressure and flows out of the pump chamber under positive pressure. A plurality of pinch valves are provided to control flow of material into and out of the pump chamber. The pinch valves are operated independent of each other and of the pump cycle rate. A modular design of the pump is provided.
US07997873B2
A turbine bucket including a bucket airfoil having an airfoil shape is provided. The airfoil shape has a nominal profile according to the tables set forth in the specification. The X and Y coordinate are smoothly joined by an arc of radius R defining airfoil profile sections at each distance Z. The profile sections at the Z distances are joined smoothly with one another to form a complete airfoil shape. The airfoil profile results in improved efficiency and airfoil loading capability.
US07997872B2
The suction surface blade angle of a transonic fan blade, subject in use to a shock wave, progressively reduces along part of the suction surface, beginning at a position upstream of the shock wave position. The increased area variation at the location of the shock results in the shock position becoming less sensitive to small geometric imperfections. The reduced shock sensitivity reduces the variation in aerodynamic load and hence reduces the untwist variation with respect to small geometric imperfections. This has the effect of stabilising the untwist deflections of the fan.
US07997867B1
A system for cooling includes a surface to be cooled and at least one film-cooling hole within the surface for allowing a film cooling jet of coolant to reach the surface, each of the at least one film-cooling hole having a diameter. The at least one film-cooling hole is shaped to preserve momentum of the coolant and assist in preventing entrainment of the hot gases. A method of cooling a surface proximate hot gas includes providing coolant through a w-shaped film-cooling hole to form a cool film between the hot gas and the surface and preserving momentum of the coolant using the w-shaped film-cooling hole to assist in preventing entrainment of the hot gases.
US07997864B2
A user adjustable variable axial length and variable pitch ceiling fan blade arm. The blade arm includes a pair of extension elements. Each element is threadably engaged with each other. At the other end of the extension elements are custom flanges for the purpose of attaching a fan blade and connecting the blade arm to a ceiling fan motor. The user can adjust the axial length and radial pitch of the blade arm by screwing in or out a threaded connection between the extension elements, and once the desired length and pitch is selected, the connection is secured by a connector, such as a hand and/or tool adjustable threaded lock.
US07997849B2
A grain bag unloader is described for unloading grain from a grain bag wherein the unloader is moved rearwardly and operated by a tractor. The grain bag unloader includes a wheeled frame having a grain hopper at the rearward end thereof with a transversely extending unloading auger which is adapted to be inserted into the lower end of a field grain bag and which conveys grain from the grain bag into the grain hopper. The grain bag unloader also includes a discharge auger which extends upwardly and laterally from the grain hopper. The grain bag unloader also includes a grain bag winder tube. The grain unloader includes a first clutch which is able to disengage the operation of the unloading auger while permitting the discharge auger to continue to operate. The grain bag unloader also includes a second clutch which is designed to disengage the bag winder tube.
US07997843B2
A fastener comprises an adjustable insert that disposed in a receptacle having a first end facing a grommet and the insert is connected to the receptacle for movement relative to the receptacle. The insert has a central opening and diametrically opposed cam and locking surfaces open to said central opening. A bore in the insert is radially disposed relative to a longitudinal axis of the insert. An engagement member disposed within the bore is moveable therein laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of the insert toward and against the receptacle to fix the insert against movement relative to the receptacle. The engagement member is moveable laterally relative to and toward the central opening of the insert to allow movement of the insert relative to the receptacle.
US07997836B2
An indexable type cutting tool includes a drill having a shank and a drill body which extends from the shank, the drill body being defined with body flutes, and being formed with an insert seat which has seat side surfaces and a seat bottom surface and body flank surfaces and body thinning surfaces; a drill insert fitted into the insert seat of the drill body, having cutting edges and an insert bottom surface which is brought into close contact with the seat bottom surface, formed with insert flutes and insert side surfaces which are brought into close contact with the seat side surfaces, and defined with a through-hole which passes through the insert side surfaces; and a fastening screw for fastening the drill insert fitted into the insert seat to the drill.
US07997829B2
An articulated flowline connection, or coupling, between a flowline and a structure. In some embodiments, the coupling includes a housing and three cylindrical members, each disposed within the housing. The housing has a first longitudinal centerline. The first cylindrical member is rotatable relative to the housing about the first centerline, the first cylindrical member supporting the flowline, whereby the flowline is rotatable about the first centerline relative to the housing. The second cylindrical members are immovable relative to the structure. The housing and the first cylindrical member disposed therein are rotatable about a second axis normal to the first centerline relative to the second and third cylindrical members, whereby the flowline is rotatable about the second axis relative to the structure. In some embodiments, the flowline is also rotatable about a third axis normal to the first centerline and the second axis relative to the coupling.
US07997826B2
A roller assembly adapted to follow ground contours during operation which includes a pair of roller components each having respective inner ends connected to each other by a flexible and movable primary coupling and having their respective outer ends connected to a support shaft which extends through a hollow interior of each roller component by a secondary coupling.
US07997822B2
A dispensing system for spreadable foodstuffs and spreadable non-food substances allowing for dispensing of metered amounts of foodstuffs or non-food substances and spreading without the need for additional utensils not part of the packaging is disclosed. The system is composed of a disposable cartridge containing a spreadable product and a reusable dispenser that acts to dispense product from the disposable cartridge. The dispenser may rapidly switch between different disposable cartridges.
US07997819B1
A mounting apparatus for mounting a mobile information handling device comprising a frame assembly, a mount for mounting a mobile information handling device and a support for supporting a printing device. Frame assembly may include a base plate having a first surface configured to receive a printable media supply housing. Printable media supply housing may be a basket assembly. Support may be pivotally coupled to the frame assembly, allowing insertion and removal of printable media supply housing. Mounting apparatus may be further comprised of a mounting arm having at least one universal joint coupling the mount to the frame assembly. Mounting arm may allow three-dimensional rotational adjustment of the mount.
US07997818B2
An image recording apparatus, including a sheet-supply tray device which accommodates and holds a plurality of recording sheets and which supplies the recording sheets, one by one, in a sheet-supply direction; and an image recording device which records an image on each of the recording sheets supplied from the sheet-supply tray device. The sheet-supply tray device includes a first tray which accommodates and holds at least one first sheet of the plurality of recording sheets; a second tray which accommodates and holds at least one second sheet of the plurality of recording sheets, and which selectively takes a stacked posture thereof in which the second tray is stacked on the first tray, and an opening posture thereof in which at least a portion of the second tray opens at least a portion of the first tray; and a supporting device which supports at least a portion of the second tray while permitting the second tray to selectively take the stacked posture thereof and the opening posture thereof such that the at least one second sheet held by the second tray is not plastically deformed.
US07997811B2
A camera module including a lens system with at least one lens is capable of capturing a still image and a moving picture. The camera module includes a housing containing the lens system with an opening on a surface thereof facing an object of the lens system. An aperture diaphragm can be selectively positioned between the object and the lens system for a still image and/or a moving picture.
US07997810B2
A support plate and a printed wiring board are spaced from a shutter base plate. An adjusting shaft member includes first and second shaft portions and an attachment portion that is press-fitted to an attachment hole in the support plate. Each of first and second contact members is attached to the printed wiring board at one end and has a contact portion and a positioning portion at the other end. The positioning portions of the first and second contact members are respectively brought into contact with a cam-shaped peripheral surface of the first shaft portion and a circular peripheral surface of the second shaft portion. When the adjusting shaft member is rotated, the distance between the contact portions varies. Thus, the time at which the two contact portions come into contact with each other when a pushing portion of the second contact member is pressed can be adjusted.
US07997805B1
An optical fiber connector assembly includes optical fibers, a first connector, electric wires, and a second connector. The first connector receives the optical fibers. The second connector includes a coupling portion and a conversion portion. The coupling portion is mechanically engaged with the first connector and includes lenses optically coupled to the respective optical fibers. The conversion portion receives the electric wires and includes light detectors electrically connected to the corresponding electric wires and configured for receiving and converting optical signals into electrical signals.
US07997803B2
The invention relates to an anti-friction bearing comprising a first bearing race, a second bearing race and a plurality of anti-friction bodies that are located between the first bearing race and the second bearing race. According to the invention, the anti-friction bodies are arranged in several rows and the pitch diameters of at least two rows differ.
US07997802B2
An axial plain bearing assembly includes a thrust ring provided for common rotation with a rotary component. The thrust ring has a radial seal face on an end face thereof for co-operating with a radial seal face of a non-rotational seal ring of a gas-lubricated mechanical face seal assembly for sealing said rotary and stationary components against each other. A plurality of peripherally spaced gas-pumping grooves is formed in at least one of the radial seal faces of the thrust and non-rotational seal rings. A mass ring connected with the thrust ring is provided at an axial distance from the thrust ring. The mass ring is configured and adapted to exert a balancing force on the thrust ring under centrifugal forces acting on the mass ring during common rotation of the mass and thrust rings to compensate for thermal distortion of the thrust ring during operation.
US07997795B2
Temperature sensors and methods of manufacturing thereof, having an intermediate stop disposed along a set of wires, the intermediate stop is secured to the set of wires such that an insulator can be properly positioned around proximal end portions of the set of wires during assembly of the temperature sensor.
US07997793B2
A thermometric apparatus for determining a patient's temperature having a elongated sensing probe that is connected to a base housing. The insertion tip of the probe contains a outer shell and a spaced apart inner shell. The outer surface of the inner shell has a heater that is fabricated of a resistive thick film material and a heat sensor mounted thereon. The heater and the heat sensor are connected to a pair of thick film conductive traces which in turn are electrically attached by a flexible circuit board to leads running back to the base housing. The space between the two shells is filled by a thermally conductive epoxy.
US07997765B2
A submersible light assembly comprises at least one light source and a watertight housing having a base, at least one sidewall and a transparent envelop enclosing a portion of the light source. The base incorporates two concave indentations set substantially orthogonal to each other to substantially conform to the profile of the surface profile pilework of the type associated with a jetty, such that the light assembly can be placed against the pilework in any one of four configurations.
US07997753B2
The present invention is a portable lighting system comprised of a light head with visible white light and infrared light sources mounted on the center post of a quadpod. The quadpod has four adjustable, telescoping legs which are affixed to the center post using a collar mechanism. The collar mechanism allows the quadpod legs to be pivoted to a parallel position for storage. A power unit, which includes a battery, power supply and remote control receiver encased within a weather resistant housing, is located near the opposite end of the center post. A power cable connects the light head and the power unit. The portable lighting system is capable of being operating wirelessly using a handheld remote. The portable lighting system may be constructed from fiberglass, aluminum, a composite material or any other material or combination of materials.
US07997746B2
An arrangement and method for displaying at least a first and a second image. The arrangement comprises at least one light source (120, 121, 220, 221, 320, 321) adapted to generate light having at least a first and a second light characteristic; and at least a first and a second image forming element (122, 123, 222, 223, 322, 323) arranged to display a first and a second image (128, 129, 230, 231), respectively. The first image forming element (122, 222, 322) is at least responsive to the light having the first light characteristic. The second image forming element (123, 223, 323) is at least responsive to the light having the second light characteristic.
US07997743B2
An optical film is provided and includes a base member and an optical layer on the base member. The optical layer has a surface asperity formed by applying a coating material containing microparticles and resin on the base member, distributing the microparticles densely in some parts and sparsely in other parts by convections that occur in the coating material, and curing the coating material. The average diameter of the microparticles is 2.4 μm or more and 8 μm or less. The average thickness of the optical layer is 6.4 μm or more and 18 μm or less. The arithmetic mean roughness Ra of a roughness profile of the optical layer surface is 0.03 μm or more and 0.15 μm or less and the root-mean-square slope RΔq is 0.01 or more and 0.03 or less. The difference in refractive index between the resin and the microparticles is 0 or more and 0.015 or less.
US07997740B2
An integrator unit for integrating an incoming light beam for a uniform distribution of illumination comprises an inner cylinder fixedly equipped with a rod integrator, an outer cylinder in which the inner cylinder is coaxially received for axial movement and axial adjustment members which comprises a circumferential groove spatially squared to a center axis of the inner cylinder and a radial access bore formed in the outer cylinder. A round shaped position adjustment tool has an end pin on a round end face thereof in a position off center from an axis of rotation of the position adjusting tool. The position adjusting tool is inserted in the radial access bore to put the end pin in the circumferential groove and turned in the radial access bore so as thereby to move the inner cylinder axially back and forth.
US07997739B2
An optical beam scanning device includes a polygon mirror 80 in which tilt angles with respect to a rotation axis of the polygon mirror 80 of respective plural reflecting surfaces are set to angles corresponding to photoconductive members associated with the respective reflecting surfaces, a post-deflection optical system A1 that guides light beams reflected and deflected by the respective plural reflecting surfaces in the polygon mirror 80 to the photoconductive surfaces of the photoconductive members corresponding to the respective reflecting surfaces, and a pre-deflection optical system 7a that shapes the light from the light source to be a light beam of a predetermined sectional shape and guides the light beam to the polygon mirror 80, the pre-deflection optical system 7a guiding the light from the light source to the polygon mirror 80 through an optical path that passes, in the main scanning direction, on an optical axis of the post-deflection optical system A1 and passes, in the sub-scanning direction, a position further apart from the optical axis of the post-deflection optical system A1 than all light beams after reflection and deflection guided by the post-deflection optical system A1.
US07997733B2
An electro-active spectacle lens is disclosed. The disclosed lens includes a first lens optic. The disclosed lens also includes a first electro-active zone positioned in a cooperative relationship with the first lens optic. In certain embodiments, the electro-active lens includes a range finder positioned in a cooperative relationship with the electro-active lens.
US07997732B2
The multi-aperture system of the present invention provides a retinal oximetry apparatus for determining the level of oxygen saturation in retinal vessels using a lenslet array comprising at least seven lenses for the simultaneous measurement of reflected light with at least three wavelengths and at least four polarization states. The multi-aperture system of the present invention further provides an apparatus for determining the level of oxygen saturation in retinal vessels using a lenslet array comprising at least ten lenses for the simultaneous measurement of reflected light with at least three wavelengths for oxygen measurement, at least three wavelengths for melanin content, and at least four polarization states. Methods of operating the same are also provided.
US07997728B2
The present invention discloses a method for comparing the detection of clinically significant diabetic macular edema by an optical coherence tomography (OCT) grid scanning protocol and biomicroscopic examination. Also provided are computer implemented, automated systems for performing the method thereof and computer readable media encoding the method thereof.
US07997727B2
A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling optical aberrations to alter relative curvature of field by providing optical devices and methods comprising the repositioning of peripheral off-axis focal points relative to the retina to produce stimulus for influencing the progression of refractive error while simultaneously controlling the position of the central focal point near to the retina to provide clear central vision and simultaneously providing zones of controlled peripheral defocus and other optical aberrations to improve peripheral vision for select directions of gaze.
US07997722B2
An eyeglass frame with a hinge for angling the eyeglass temples, for which, in the middle of the hinge surface, the hinge has excess material, which, depending on the position of the excess material, leads to a bending of the hinge or holds the hinge in one plane.
US07997720B1
The present invention relates to an eyeshade apparatus having a band, a lens, lens punchouts, and adjustable stops. Its design allows the curvature of the lens of the eyeshade to be modifiable for different activities and uses. The eyeshade apparatus, also because of its design, is nearly indestructible in its non-use position as it lies virtually flat.
US07997702B2
A liquid container contains a liquid therein and is detachably mountable to a liquid ejection device. The liquid container has a liquid lead-out port for supplying said liquid to the outside, the liquid lead-out port being disposed in a connection surface, and an abutment surface for opening a channel valve by abutting against part of said channel valve provided in said liquid ejection device, the abutment surface being disposed in said connection surface.
US07997691B2
An ink jet print head is provided which is highly reliable in recovering its performance by removing bubbles accumulated in the ink paths to reliably prevent print quality degradation in bi-directional printing. In the ink ejection member having an odd number of arrayed ink supply ports to supply ink to the ejection openings, the ink colors of the ink supply ports are arranged laterally symmetrically and a plurality of ink tanks are arranged side by side so that the direction of array of the ink supply ports is perpendicular to the direction of array of the ink tanks.
US07997689B2
A droplet ejection device for a highly viscous liquid includes a micro flow channel filled with a highly viscous liquid and having an inlet and an outlet channel; at least a branch channel communicated with the outlet channel; a highly-viscous-liquid supply device connected to the inlet so as to supply the highly viscous liquid to the micro flow channel; a gas supply device connected to the branch channel so as to supply a gas to the outlet channel by way of the branch channel; and at least a control valve mounted between the branch channel and the gas supply device so as to control an intermittent supply of the gas from the branch channel to the outlet channel to interrupt the highly-viscous-liquid flow in the outlet channel and to prompt the highly viscous fluid to form a droplet to be ejected out of the micro flow channel.
US07997676B2
An image recording apparatus configured to record images on front and back surfaces of a sheet, including: a head which ejects ink onto the sheet for recording; a sheet-supply roller which contacts the sheet so as to transfer the sheet for supplying to the head; a sheet-supply path which is provided between the sheet-supply roller and the head, which has a U-shape, and through which the sheet is transferred such that one of surfaces thereof opposite to the other of the surfaces contacted by the sheet-supply roller faces the head; and a sheet-stopping control section configured to control the sheet-supply roller such that the sheet transferred by the sheet-supply roller is stopped for a first time in the sheet-supply path in a state in which the sheet is deformed so as to have a U-shape, after an image has been recorded on the front surface of the sheet and before an image is recorded on the back surface thereof.
US07997670B2
A liquid-ejection apparatus, including: a head configured to eject a liquid from a plurality of liquid-ejection openings; a main tank configured to accommodate the liquid supplied to the head; a liquid-supply pump configured to supply the liquid in the main tank to the head; a sub-tank in which are formed (a) a connection opening for connecting the sub-tank to the head and (b) an air-discharge opening for communicating the sub-tank with ambient air; a first channel extending from the liquid-supply pump to the sub-tank via the head and the connection opening; a second channel extending from the sub-tank to the liquid-supply pump; a third channel extending from the air-discharge opening of the sub-tank to the ambient air; an air-discharge valve provided in the third channel so as to be openable and closable; and a controller configured to control the air-discharge valve such that the air-discharge valve is temporarily opened in a liquid introducing operation in which the liquid is introduced from the main tank to the liquid-supply pump and an air discharging operation in which air separated from the liquid in the sub-tank by causing the liquid to be flowed through the first channel by driving of the liquid-supply pump is discharged through the third channel, and such that the air-discharge valve is closed in times other than the liquid introducing operation and the air discharging operation.
US07997666B2
A crawler traction device for a crawler vehicle, in particular a tractor, the device having a carriage, a drive sprocket rotating about a first axis, an idler wheel rotating about a second axis parallel to the first axis. The track is looped about the drive sprocket and the idler wheel and meshes with the drive sprocket along a meshing arc. The traction device has a noise and vibration damping device having an auxiliary roller which rotates about a third axis parallel to the first axis and is eccentric with respect to the drive sprocket as well as smaller in diameter than the drive sprocket. The noise and vibration damping device only cooperates with the track along a portion of the track located, in use, immediately upstream from the meshing arc and interposed between the auxiliary roller and the terrain.
US07997659B2
A rotary cutter for a tunnel boring machine or similar machine has a cutter ring mounted to a hub. The hub is mounted on a shaft. A sleeve bearing system is positioned between the hub and the shaft for supporting the hub on the shaft and allowing relative rotation. A duo-cone seal assembly is positioned between the hub and the shaft to seal out contaminants from the sleeve bearing system. An oil gallery with lubricating oil for lubricating the sleeve bearing system is provided in the shaft.
US07997654B2
A recliner seat assembly for a passenger vehicle. The recliner seat assembly includes a fixed supporting portion for supporting the assembly off a floor of the vehicle, a reclinable seat portion having a seat-pan and a back-rest, and a seat connecting device adapted for connecting the seat portion to the supporting portion. The connecting device includes a seat reclining mechanism adapted for allowing and controlling translational movement of the seat portion relative to the supporting portion between a first upright position and a second fully reclined position. The connecting device further includes a selectively operable, bi-directional motor adapted for driving the seat portion between the first and second positions. The seat reclining mechanism includes a guiding device for reclining the back-rest progressively rearwardly relative to the supporting portion as the seat portion is moved from the first upright position to the second fully reclined position.
US07997649B2
In order to symmetrically act on a support member (20) of a support assembly on both sides using a single Bowden cable (18), a traction cable arrangement is used with comprises the Bowden cable, a first traction wire (17), and a coupling device (16) for coupling the first traction wire (17) to the Bowden cable (18). The first traction wire (17) is fixedly attached to the coupling device (16) and extends therefrom in a first direction. The sheath of the Bowden cable (18) is fixedly attached to the coupling device (16), and the wire of the Bowden cable (18) extends from the coupling device (16) in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction and forms a second traction wire (19). The first traction wire (17) and the second traction wire (19) are slidably held on the support member (20) and are connected to a seat frame (30) at their ends. When the wire of the Bowden cable (18) is retraced with respect to the sheath, the second traction wire (19) is shortened, the coupling device (16) is displaced in the extending direction of the second traction wire (19), whereby a tensile force is also generated in the first traction wire (17). Consequently, the first traction wire (17) and the second traction wire (19) symmetrically act on the support member (20) on both sides thereof.
US07997643B2
A roof assembly for a vehicle that includes a center roof panel made from a lightweight material like aluminum, a surrounding attachment flange made from a more formable and stronger material like steel, and a junction that connects the roof panel and the attachment flange together. The aluminum-based roof panel may reduce the overall weight of the assembly, while the steel-based attachment flange may improve its metal forming and attachment capabilities.
US07997636B2
The invention relates to the actuation of an openable roof system, for example of a cabriolet canopy system, in which a synchronized adjusting phase (Ts) is provided during the adjustment (tθ to t3) for opening and/or closing the vehicle roof system, in which synchronized adjusting phase (Ts) a first hydraulic actuator and a second hydraulic actuator are hydraulically coupled for the synchronized movement (s1, s2) of two components of the vehicle roof system. In order to increase operational reliability, in particular to reduce the risk of undesired collisions of the components, the invention provides monitoring of the synchronized movement (s1, s2) of the two components during the synchronized adjusting phase (Ts), and in the event of a deviation of the synchronized movement (s1, s2) from a predefined nominal synchronized movement being detected, correction of the synchronized movement by at least partially suspending the hydraulic coupling of the two hydraulic actuators.
US07997634B2
A lifting hook is arranged to grab an object to be lifted by a cylindrical lifting surface formed thereto, the lifting hook having a hook shank, a hook part joining the hook shank and a locking device arranged to lock the lifting hook to the object to be lifted. To allow the lifting hook to be reliably attached to the piece to be lifted, a mechanical control device is mounted above the hook part to co-operate with the upper surface of the lifting surface for guiding the hook part to a lifting position onto the lower surface of the lifting surface.
US07997619B2
A track frame in which stress concentration caused by a work load is avoided and that has increased strength. These are achieved by reducing the weigh of connection legs and providing sufficient welding length for joint surfaces for joining the connection legs. The track frame has a front and rear pair of left/right connection legs (61, 71) joined to a center frame (30) and side frames (7) to connect the center and side frames (30, 7). Each of the connection legs (61, 71) has a body part (62, 72) formed in a tubular shape, a center joint part (63, 73) formed at one opening edge of the body part (62, 72) and joined to the center frame (30), and a side joint part (64, 74) formed at the other opening edge of the body part (62, 72) and joined to a side frame (7). The center joining parts (63, 73) are flush with or projected from the upper surface of the center frame (30).
US07997613B2
Multiple protecting devices, such as an air bag and an air bag jacket, are controlled and operated in accordance with the shape and size of an impact. A normal collision determining section causes the air bag and/or the air bag jacket to operate in accordance with the magnitude and direction of a collision based on outputs of G sensors. When a collision predicting section predicts a collision on the basis of other vehicle information obtained by a vehicle-to-vehicle communication device and own-vehicle information, it causes a stand-by collision determining section to start instead of the normal collision determining section. The stand-by collision determining section determines a collision mode in advance and sets a threshold value for determining the outputs of the G sensors to a value different from a value used in the determination of the normal collision determining section so as to permit quick determination of a collision.
US07997608B2
An extension coupling for interconnecting a trailer to a tow hitch carried on a tow vehicle includes an elongated arm having a first end and a second end. The first end is pivotally connected to the trailer. A king pin is connected to the second end. The king pin includes a projecting stop that engages the tow hitch to strictly limit pivoting movement of the elongated arm relative to the tow hitch. In one possible embodiment, the elongated arm is a pin box assembly.
US07997607B2
A recreational trailer assembly that includes first and second trailer members and a trailer tongue that are all detachably and removably connected to one another. Specifically the first and second trailer members and trailer tongue are detachably removed from one another allowing for multi-functional uses of each and to provide assistance in transportation and storage of the entire recreational trailer assembly.
US07997603B2
Methods and apparatus may permit the mounting of bicycle components (16) such as seats, handlebars, and the like, to bicycles. A bicycle component mount (3) may be isolated from the structure of a bicycle. Forces generated at various points on the bicycle's structure may be substantially impeded or eliminated from transmission through an isolated bicycle component mount (3). Multidimensional motion of a bicycle component mount (3) may include rotational, translational, and rototranslational motion with progressive elastomeric resistance in multiple directions. A bicycle component mount (3) may exhibit movement about its own center of mass (12). Motions of a rider on a bicycle may be biomechanically compensated for by a bicycle component mount (3) to facilitate rider comfort, promote efficient transfer of rider motion to the operation of a bicycle, and decrease wear on bicycle components (16).
US07997592B2
A Gurney Clamp, Detachable Equipment Stand and Associated Transport Cart is disclosed. The combination of these devices makes the transportation of patients and health status monitoring equipment more controlled, reliable and safe. The clamp is specifically configured to be attachable to the safety rails on a conventional gurney. Once installed, the clamp will provide a secure mounting point to attach the detachable equipment stand to the gurney. The stand is configured to be capable of holding a wide variety of patient monitoring equipment in an upright manner so that the equipment data can be easily viewed. The stand can be quickly and easily shifted back and forth between its mounting location at the gurney clamp, and its mounting location on the associated transport cart. When the stand is attached to the equipment cart, it provides the equipment with a secure, portable storage location.
US07997591B2
There is a chassis with retractable wheels, wherein the chassis includes a housing. The chassis may also include a chassis sled slidably disposed within the housing. In addition, the chassis may include a pair of lever arms, each said lever arm being disposed in the lower portion of the housing. Furthermore, the chassis includes a pair of mounting wheels, a fender configured to cover the wheels openings in a retracted position, and a web joining the fender to the wheel lever, and having a second end. The chassis with retractable wheels includes a chassis sled, wherein the chassis sled includes an isosceles trapezoid configuration. The chassis sled also includes a pair of receiving members pivotly attached to the first end of the pair of lever arms. The chassis further includes a separation panel attached to the housing configured to conceal the mechanical components of the chassis with retractable wheels.
US07997590B2
A car seat caddy for use in supporting an infant seat of a type having an underside defining front and rear lateral grooves includes a pair of front and rear upstanding tubular members each being telescopically movable between retracted and extended configurations. A pair of upper support members extends between respective front and rear tubular members, each having a front and rear ends coupled to respective front and rear tubular member and having a curved configuration. A front seat support bar having opposed ends is pivotally coupled to the respective front tubular members and movable between selective position, the front seat support bar having a configuration complementary to a front groove defined by the underside of the infant seat. A similar rear seat support bar may also be included with respective rear tubular support members.
US07997584B2
A piston ring for the piston of an internal combustion engine, comprising, on a lower side of the piston ring, a circular, radially inner bezel, the width thereof reducing, on both sides of the ring stop, up to the side of the piston ring that is opposite the ring stop, in a symmetrical manner in relation to a radially situated axis and runs through the ring stop, and the bezel on the lower side of the piston ring is arranged away from the piston base. A good oil-scraping effect of the piston ring is obtained over the entire periphery of the inner wall of the cylinder.
US07997583B2
A mechanical sealing device includes a stationary slide ring, a rotary slide ring which rotary slides and closely contacts the stationary slide ring, an O-ring located between an inner bore of the rotary slide ring and the rotary shaft. An annular ring member has a relatively lower gas permeability than that of the O-ring and is provided in the inner bore of the rotary slide ring so as to adjoin the O-ring at an atmosphere side of the sealing device, wherein the following expression D1
US07997567B2
A stage apparatus, includes a holding member configured to hold a subject; an elevation supporting member configured to support the holding member so that the holding member can go up and down; a rotation supporting member configured to support the elevation supporting member so that the elevation supporting member can be rotated with respect to a Z axis; and a Z axis driving part configured to elevate the holding member in a Z axial direction; wherein the Z axis driving part is located on the rotation supporting member and makes the holding member go up and down relative to the rotation supporting member.
US07997565B1
A personal air cooling apparatus includes a main housing having a hollow interior that houses a water-retaining sponge in a first chamber and a motor-driven fan in a second chamber. A partition wall separates the chambers and is apertured so that air pulled into the first chamber flows through the sponge and through the aperture into an air passageway that leads to an air outlet vent that directs a strong flow of cooled air onto the user. The first chamber has a depth less than a depth of the sponge so that an empty space is provided between the partition wall and the sponge. The empty space facilitates flow of ambient air through the sponge and reduces the load on the motor. The personal air cooling apparatus is compact and light-in-weight so that it can be carried by a user.
US07997562B2
A tower/frame structure of interconnected columns and beams (which may be used in a cooling tower) and novel columns, beams, connection mechanisms and other components are provided. In one embodiment, a column and a beam are constructed of pultruded composite fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) materials. The beam includes two sidewall extensions or flanges (each having one or more attachment apertures) at one end and which are integral with the beam for connection to the column (having one or more corresponding attachment apertures). The dimension/spacing between the inner walls of the two flanges substantially equals or is slightly larger than the outer dimension of the column. The attachment holes are aligned and a fastener is inserted through the extensions and column for attaching the column and beam. The C-shaped end of the beam substantially conforms to the cross-sectional shape and dimensions of the column. Additional plastic components, such as a firewall and toe/trim member, for use in a cooling tower are also provided.
US07997536B2
The present invention relates to an equipment for jump in an oversized parachute for carrying a pilot (1) and a passenger (2) comprising a main harness (3) and a secondary harness (4) connected to the main harness (3) and provided with at least a dorsal part and a frontal part which can be applied on the back and the belly of the passenger (2), respectively, characterized in that it comprises means to maintain the dorsal part and the frontal part of the secondary harness (4) spaced apart. The invention has the advantage of enabling a better positioning of the passenger (2) during the canopy descent in view of the landing operations. The invention will find its application during jumps in tandem parachute.
US07997531B2
An aircraft seat in a cubicle able to provide privacy via a hidden, sliding/pocket door drawn to a seat-side end of a divider between adjacent seats from within a facing panel of the next divider in the line of seats. The divider provides a recessed backing for the seat; whilst a return recess provides foot rest space opposite the seat. The dividers are generally S-shaped in one form. The seat in one form is a double seat, in that it comprises a convertible seat and a fixed seat immediately next to each other. The fixed seat provides an alternative seating position when the convertible seat is in bed configuration and a seat for a friend when the convertible seat is in seat configuration. In one form not only the convertible seat, but also the fixed seat have seat belts, the latter seat's belts being provided in case of turbulence during use. The convertible seat has a seat squab, a backrest and a leg rest both pivotally connected to the seat squab that are reclinable via a reclining mechanism.
US07997524B2
The present invention provides a reel having an engaging portion that can engage accurately with a braking member. A reel 30 has: a hub 32, an extending portion 36 being formed at a peripheral edge of a lower end portion of the hub 32; an upper flange 38 provided integrally at a peripheral edge of an upper end portion of the hub 32 so as to extend outward; and a lower flange 40 having a floor wall 42 to which a reel plate 46 is fixed, the lower flange 40 being welded to the extending portion 36 of the hub 32. In this reel 30, an engaging portion 48 is formed at the lower flange 40, the engaging portion 48 engaging with a braking member 60 that is held so as to be unable to rotate at the case 12 at times of non-use.
US07997510B2
In some embodiments a propulsion system includes a thrust chamber having an inside wall, an expansion nozzle mounted to the thrust chamber and having an interior and having an exterior, a main propellant injector mounted to the thrust chamber to inject a fluid in the interior of the thrust chamber, the fluid comprising oxidizer, fuel and internal film coolant, the internal film coolant ranging from about 1% to about 5% of the fluid, limited coolant tubing circumscribing the exterior of the expansion nozzle to circulate an external coolant, and an injector mounted to the expansion nozzle to inject the external coolant in the interior of the expansion nozzle, the external convective coolant about 2.5% of the fluid. The system operates at lower temperatures while having conventional amounts of thrust, in which the thrust chamber can be made of thin walls of lower cost conventional metals with simple coolant tube construction.
US07997506B2
An air conditioning system can automatically increase or decrease a desired temperature of an indoor unit at a variable gradient smaller than the variable gradient per predetermined time of an outdoor temperature. Hence, the user does not have to directly change the desired temperature, thus increasing user's convenience. Also, in the event of a significant diurnal range in temperature, air conditioning sickness can be prevented since an optimum indoor temperature can be maintained. Moreover, the variable gradient of the desired temperature of a room is smaller than the variable gradient of an outdoor temperature, thus keeping the room pleasant.
US07997502B2
The invention discloses a two-dimensional code and its decoding method and the printing publication for applying the two-dimensional code. Positioning dots located at four corners of code symbols in the two-dimensional code are larger than data dots. The code symbols are arranged repeatedly on the basement, including at least two identical code symbols. Adjacent code symbols share same positioning dots on their adjacent border. The decoding method comprises the following steps: reading the two-dimensional code by using a reading device, detecting the margin of each dot, obtaining an image of the closed border, selecting positioning dots; matching the positioning dots in a rectangle mode, grouping the data dots, reconstructing a matrix of data dots, and reducing codes according to an inverse process of codes layout in coding process of the two-dimensional code.
US07997500B2
In a semiconductor integrated circuit, a device identification-code-information circuit includes an internal circuit which can set device identification code information and which can selectively read the same. This structure enables reduction in size of an LSI chip and improvement in reliability.
US07997495B2
The present invention describes An RFID antenna manufacturing system whereby the RFID antenna becomes an integral part of an integrated circuit package. The RFID manufacturing system contemplated by this invention includes photoresist manufacturing techniques to produce a template or die specifically designed to mass produce RFID transponders whereby the chip and antenna becomes one integrated unit. The RFID antenna template or die is precisely tuned, using trimming algorithms and laser technology, to resonate with electro magnetic signal increments of 2 megahertz. According to this system each electro magnetic signal increment is assigned to a different category in a supply chain. This invention reduces the cost, size and weight of prior art RFID transponders. This invention reduces signal to noise ratio by producing precisely tuned antennas which provide a gatekeeper function directly correlated to ambient electro magnetic signals.
US07997491B2
A color-based content encoding system is provided that includes providing a color-containing image from an electronic device display including a fixed pixel grid, wherein the color-containing image includes a plurality of color pixels on the fixed pixel grid, each of the color pixels having sub-pixels correlating to encoded binary data; reading the color-containing image with a scanner; and decoding the encoded binary data. In one embodiment, the plurality of sub-pixels includes three sub-pixels, wherein each sub-pixel of the three sub-pixels corresponds to a binary data value of “1” or “0”.
US07997481B2
In one embodiment, at least one information control device manages the content displayed on multiple separate portable, content adjustable personal identification devices. The information control device automatically selects at least one content specification for transmission to any portable, content adjustable personal identification devices moving either into or out of a particular area delimited by a boundary secured by the information control device. The information control device then transmits the selected content specification for detection by portable, content adjustable personal identification devices, wherein the content specification directs display of identification content on each of the portable, content adjustable personal identification devices.
US07997480B2
A data communication system includes an IC card function execution unit, a card reading/writing device, and an information processing terminal. The IC card function execution unit has a controller that causes the card reading/writing device to execute a data transfer operation to a memory in the IC card function execution unit through a contactless interface or causes the information processing terminal to execute a data transfer operation to the memory through a wired interface. The controller executes a data transfer between the card reading/writing device and the information processing terminal on a communication path composed of the contactless interface and the wired interface through the IC card function execution unit interposed therebetween. When the IC card function execution unit receives data from the information processing terminal through the wired interface, the IC card function execution unit directly transmits the data to the card reading/writing device through the contactless interface.
US07997470B2
A transducer is provided that comprises a horn that is configured to transmit vibrations along its length during operation in the form of an oscillatory waveform, such oscillatory waveform having a plurality of vibration nodal points. An ultrasonic generator is coupled to one end of the horn and a bonding tool is coupled to an opposite end of the horn for performing bonding operations. A first flange structure is located along the length of the horn at a first vibration nodal point for mounting the transducer, and a second flange structure is located along the length of the horn at a second vibration nodal point for mounting the transducer, such that the second flange structure is separated from the first flange structure by a distance of at least two consecutive vibration nodal points.
US07997468B2
A surgical instrument for surgically joining tissue is disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a handle portion, an endoscopic portion, a pair of jaw members and a clamp. The endoscopic portion extends distally from the handle portion and defines a first longitudinal axis. The pair of jaw members is disposed adjacent a distal end of the endoscopic portion and extends generally distally therefrom. At least one of the jaw members is movable with respect to the other between an open position and an approximated position for engaging body tissue therebetween. The clamp is disposed adjacent the jaw members and extends generally distally from the endoscopic portion. The clamp is movable between an open position and an approximated position for engaging body tissue. The clamp is independently movable with respect to the jaw members.
US07997462B2
The invention relates to a bung hole and tag assembly for small flexible containers, in particular for food liquids substantially consisting of a bung hole (2) of a container and a liquid dispensing tab comprising a body (1) for mounting in the bung hole (2) and dispensing a liquid. The inventive assembly is characterized in that it is provided with at least one means (3) for positioning and holding the bung hole (2) on the container and in a machine for producing containers or the similar and/or in a machine for filling and indexing the body (1) for mounting the tab in said bung hole (2). Said invention is particularly usable for producing small flexible containers, in particular for food liquids and for the dispensing tabs for said containers.
US07997461B2
A gravity discharge device for liquids, especially concentrated liquid detergents, comprises a valve guide system whose surface area optimizes liquid flow. The discharge is especially useful with concentrated (“2×”) liquid detergents, whose viscosities tend to unacceptably slow their flow rate from home-use containers, especially when the containers progressively empty after multiple uses.
US07997459B2
A metering valve is provided for a pressurised container containing a pharmaceutical formulation. The valve has a stem with a central flange and a hollow open end with a side port. The stem slides in a body having larger and smaller diameter portions, and being closed off by a seal against which the flange rests in an inoperative position. A second seal is located around the stem on the opposite side of the flange and trapped by a spring which urges the stem into its inoperative position. When the stem is depressed, the inner seal forms a sliding seal with the smaller diameter portion of the body to define a metering chamber filled with the pharmaceutical formulation. Continued depression opens the side hole to allow the contents of the metering chamber to be dispensed.
US07997450B2
The multicomponent cartridge has a container with chambers for the reception of different fluid components, a mixer element fixed on the container for the mixing of the components and a dispensing tube placed onto the mixer element and connected to the container for the dispensing of the mixed components. The mixer element is configured as a guide element for the axial displacement of the dispensing tube between an open position for dispensing of the mixed components and a closed position.
US07997439B2
A flexible bakeware compound includes a flexible baking container having a basin and a first carrier member disposed in an upper portion of the basin. A second carrier member is also disposed in the upper portion of the basin such that the second carrier member is capable of movement relative to the first carrier member.
US07997437B2
A plug (10) for sealing holes in a vehicle body comprises a central closure section (12) and engaging section (14) arranged on the rim and provided for receiving portions of the vehicle body. The closure section (12) and the engaging section (14) are made of a plastics material and the plastics material of the engaging section (14) is softer than the plastics material of the closure section (12). The plastics material of the engaging section (14) can be softened by heating such that a tight connection is produced between the engaging section (14) and the portions of the vehicle body that are received by it.
US07997434B2
There is provided a bottle, adapted in particular for containing beverages, wherein its bottom is not integral with the rest of the bottle, but is fixable to the aforesaid by means of reversible fixing means; in particular, the bottom can be screwed to the rest of the bottle. Once the bottle is rotated so that its bottom is turned upward, after having opened the bottom the bottle may be set, in opposition position to the normal positioning of the aforesaid bottle, atop this bottom, where there are present means of locking and clasping with the part normally arranged on the top part of the bottle and with the related cap, this permitting the user to drink the contents of the bottle by bringing his lips to that which normally composes the bottom of the aforesaid bottle, naturally once it is open.
US07997428B2
A support rod for curtains and the like has telescoping sections the ends of which are threaded for being screwed onto respective receivers mountable on facing walls in axial alignment. The receivers are fixed to the walls by fasteners which are concealed within the bore of at least one of the rod section or its mating receiver. A decorative flange may be mounted between each receiver and its respective rod section.
US07997426B2
A multi-layer membrane structure including a crosslinked polymeric membrane, such as a crosslinked polyvinyl sulfate membrane or a crosslinked copolymer polyvinyl sulfate and polyvinyl alcohol membrane, is provided. The membrane structure is suitable for use in an acid environment, and is suitable for recovering acid from a feed mixture comprising acid, hydrocarbons and water.
US07997413B2
In an apparatus in spinning preparation for separating foreign objects at conveying equipment for fiber material, at least one separation device is associated with the conveying equipment. The separation device comprises an arrangement for producing a blast of air that flows in the direction onto the conveying equipment and generates an air flow that detaches the foreign objects from the conveyed fibers and carries them away. The arrangement comprises a plurality of blast nozzles arranged across the width of the conveying equipment and connected to a compressed air pipe and to valves. To reduce the proportion of good fibers in the waste in a simple manner, and to allow a more selective action of the blast air current, a bar member for mounting the blast nozzles is present and the nozzles are integrated in the bar member.
US07997406B2
A conveyor apparatus includes a tail portion connected to a head portion such that the head portion is moveable relative to the tail portion from a first position to a second position located lower than the first position. It should be appreciated that such movement of the head portion can permit the drop height of the conveyor apparatus to be adjusted. At least one frame portion is moveably positioned between the tail portion and the head portion. A stacker is also provided that includes the conveyor apparatus.
US07997404B2
A series of rows of belt modules wherein a first one of the rows may have a plurality of hinge elements along an end of the first row. A second one of the rows may have a plurality of hinge elements along an end of the second row. The plurality of hinge elements of the first row may be interleaved with the plurality of hinge elements of the second row. A pivot rod may extend through the plurality of hinge elements of both the first row and the second row so as to pivotally join the first row to the second row. A sphere may be supported from a first module of the first row and supported from a second module of the first row, so that the sphere resides between the first module and the second module and so that the sphere extends above the modules in order to allow an object, which is to be conveyed by the conveyor belt, to be supported on the sphere. The modules may be moved in a belt travel direction in order to convey the object from a first location to a second location.
US07997403B2
A mechanical interface for transferring a reciprocating movement from one element to another element releasably mountable thereto. The interface comprises at least three interface points, at least two of which being laterally spaced apart, and at least two of which being longitudinally spaced apart. A motion generator provides a reciprocating movement, which is transferred from the one element to the other element via at least one of the interface points. The interface point(s) transferring the movement includes contact portions having curved contact surfaces, such that the curved contact surfaces are in abutment with opposing contact surfaces of the interface point when the elements are mounted, thereby transferring the reciprocating movement.
US07997401B2
The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for displacing objects (2) relative to a transport track (10) along which the objects (2) are moved, comprising a plurality of displacement devices (4) which displace at least some of the objects (2) relative to this transport track (10), wherein the displacement devices (4) have at least one displacement element (6) which in at least one region can be brought into contact with the objects (2) in order to displace the latter relative to the transport track (10). According to the invention, the displacement elements (6) can pivot about a predefined pivot axis (S) and movement devices (8) which are respectively assigned to the displacement elements (6) are provided such that various displacement elements (6) can be displaced in their entirety relative to the transport track (10) onto different transport paths.
US07997392B2
A vibration damper, e.g. for damping retraction or extension springing forces on motor vehicles, includes a pressure medium cylinder in which a piston with a piston rod is axially slidably arranged. The piston divides the cylinder into first and second chambers which contain an electrorheological or magnetorheological fluid as a pressure medium. The two chambers are connected with one another through a throttle gap with at least one field generating element arranged adjacent thereto. The length of the throttle gap is divided by a gap intersection point into a first throttle gap section connected with the first chamber, and a second throttle gap section connected with the second chamber. A non-return check valve is arranged in a bypass gap connected parallel to the first throttle gap section between the gap intersection point and the first chamber.
US07997389B2
A bicycle includes front and rear disk brake units. The rear disk brake unit includes a rear brake lever unit, a rear brake disk, a rear caliper device, and a rear brake oil tube interconnecting the rear brake lever unit and the rear caliper device and having a first inner diameter. The front disk brake unit includes a front brake lever unit, a front brake disk, a front caliper device, and a front brake oil tube interconnecting the front brake lever unit and the front caliper device and having a second inner diameter greater than the first inner diameter so as to allow for approximate simultaneous clamping of the front and rear caliper devices on the front and rear brake disks, respectively, when the front and rear brake lever units are operated simultaneously.
US07997387B2
The invention relates to a four post parking platform for motor vehicles, comprising two longitudinally directed platform tracks (20, 21) for receiving the vehicle, a front and rear transverse member (5, 6) which both are guided on their ends at the posts (1-4) in a vertically displaceable manner, flexible traction cords (27, 28, 28′) which are provided for engaging at the transverse members (5, 6) for raising and lowering the platform tracks and can be wound and unwound on spool bodies (60), a torsionally rigid shaft (19) for connecting the two spool bodies (60) to each other, and with an electrical drive assembly (15) as rotary drive for the two spool bodies (60) and the shaft (19). According to the invention, the drive assembly (15) is mounted to a vertically liftable and lowerable transverse member (6). The shaft (20) is aligned parallel to the platform tracks (20, 21) and rotatably mounted to the two transverse members (5, 6). One end of the flexible traction cord (27, 28) is fixed at the upper end of each post (1-4).
US07997383B2
An exhaust system for a straddle-type vehicle, such as a motorcycle, which achieves miniaturization and also provides a reduced noise output. The exhaust system is connectable to an engine of an associated vehicle and includes an exhaust pipe and a silencer. The silencer comprises an outer housing and an inner core accommodated in the outer housing. A sound absorbing material is arranged on an outer surface of a side wall of the inner core in a manner to come into close contact therewith. An air space is provided between an outer surface of the sound absorbing material and an inner surface of the outer housing.
US07997382B2
An exhaust device for a straddle type vehicle allowing a compact design while still satisfying the sound deadening characteristic requirements is provided. The exhaust device for a straddle type vehicle comprising: an exhaust pipe that is connected to an engine; a silencer that is connected to the exhaust pipe wherein the exhaust pipe is provided with a Helmholtz resonator, and the Helmholtz resonator is filled with a sound absorbing material. The Helmholtz resonator is formed with an opening that communicates with the inside of the exhaust pipe. The opening is formed in a place where the sound pressure in the exhaust pipe is high during the operation of the engine.
US07997369B2
An articulating cab assembly for vehicles with an elevated frame, such as excavators, is described. The cab assembly includes a cab coupled to a pivot plate, wherein the pivot plate is coupled to a cab assembly mounting framework. A cab extendable link is pivotally connected to the cab and the pivot plate, for moving the cab between an elevated operating position and a lower ground level operator load and unload access position. The cab assembly also includes a framework extendable link that is pivotally connected to the pivot plate and to the cab assembly mounting framework, for moving the pivot plate forwardly and rearwardly without pivot plate rotation. The cab is in a fully lowered position when the extendable links are each at a minimum extension, and the cab is in a fully raised position when the extendable links are each at a maximum extension.
US07997367B2
In an assembled battery used as a power source of a vehicle, a negative electrode collector plate and a positive electrode collector plate are arranged at every two bipolar secondary batteries adjacent in a stacking direction among a plurality of bipolar electrodes. The negative electrode collector plate and the positive electrode collector plate also function as heat radiating members, as a cooling medium is caused to flow therein. It becomes unnecessary to connect a cooling tab to the positive electrode collector plate (or the negative electrode collector plate) to cool the assembled battery and, therefore, no portion protrudes from the positive electrode collector plate (or the negative electrode collector plate) of the assembled battery. Thus, the inside of assembled battery can be cooled while reducing the size of the assembled battery.
US07997361B1
A reverse drive mechanism is configured to rotate at least one wheel of a multi-wheeled device in a reverse direction so that the device moves in that reverse direction. One particular application involves a motorcycle conversion assembly in which at least one of the rear wheels of the conversion assembly is driven in the reverse direction so as to back-up the motorcycle.
US07997353B2
An apparatus for perforating wells has perforating charges and a means for retaining the perforating charges in a first array The first array has a first maximum cross sectional area; and means for expanding the perforating charges into a second three dimensional array The second array has a second maximum cross sectional area larger than the first maximum cross sectional area. Also an apparatus for perforating wells has a plurality of perforating charges and a means for retaining the perforating charges in a first array The first array has a primary axis and a first maximum cross sectional area and the perforating charges having firing directions oriented approximately perpendicular to the primary axis; and means for expanding the perforating charges into a second array, the second array has a second maximum cross sectional area larger than the first.
US07997337B2
The present invention relates to a seal element for a wellbore which includes a support member, a bag positioned on the support member and a eutectic material positionable in the bag. The bag may be axially compressed and axially extended along the support member thereby permitting sealing and unsealing of an annulus in a wellbore. The eutectic material may be a phase changing salt.
US07997336B2
A method and apparatus for retrieving an assembly having a whipstock and an anchor from a wellbore. A method of retrieving an assembly having a whipstock coupled to an anchor from a wellbore may comprise the steps of releasing the whipstock from the anchor in the wellbore, re-engaging the whipstock to the anchor, and retrieving the whipstock with the anchor from the wellbore. An apparatus for use in a wellbore may comprise a whipstock, a latch coupled to the whipstock, and an anchor operable to be selectively retrieved from the wellbore using the latch.
US07997332B2
A method of severing a drill string or other tubular string that includes lowering a torch into the drill string, positioning the torch at a joint in the drill string, such that the joint may have a pin component engaged with a box component, igniting the torch to produce cutting fluids, and directing the cutting fluids into the joint in a direction that is along a length of the drill string to cut the joint.
US07997331B2
An air-conditioning system allows adjustment of the vented air temperature of a rear seat evaporator. An electronic control system judges whether the surface of the rear seat evaporator is frosting up when 1) a target blowing rate of the rear seat blower is lower than a predetermined value, 2) a detected temperature of evaporator vented air is lower than a specified temperature TEa, and 3) a detected temperature of the outside air is lower than a specified temperature TAMa. A target temperature TEO is raised at this time, so that an electric motor of an electric compressor is stopped and refrigerant no longer flows into the rear seat evaporator. The surface temperature of the rear seat evaporator rises so that the rear seat evaporator can be defrosted.
US07997329B2
The invention relates to a cylindrical vessel having a cylindrical shell provided internally with a tube bundle having a number of parallel tubes and axially spaced apart transverse supports for supporting the tubes in the cylindrical vessel, wherein each transverse support is a sheet of expanded metal.
US07997320B2
A sheet cutter cuts an adhesion sheet and includes a pair of blades including a first blade including a blade edge and a second blade opposing the first blade and including a blade edge. The pair of blades cuts a border of the adhesion sheet. The adhesion sheet is formed by adhering a first sheet, at least a part of which is transparent and bears a mirror image, to a non-transparent second sheet including an adhesive layer, to oppose the mirror image on the first sheet against the adhesive layer of the second sheet.
US07997316B2
A seal arrangement for a tire pressure-regulating device for a motor vehicle, which provides a compressed-air supply to a tire of a vehicle through a hole in an inner ring of a rolling bearing of a wheel bearing, through a seal housing which is connected to a wheel hub in a rotationally fixed manner, and through the wheel hub itself. A flat seal is fixed on the inner ring of the rolling bearing and the radially outer end of the seal has a sealing lip which is directed towards the seal housing and bears against it.
US07997312B2
A system positions a workpiece with respect to a router bit. The system may include a router for routing out a part of the workpiece, a router table for supporting the workpiece, a router fence arranged and constructed to position the workpiece relative to the router during machining, and a positioning device arranged and constructed to position the router fence relative to the router before machining the workpiece, wherein the router comprises a router collet positioned beneath the router table, the router collet being constructed and arranged to engage a router bit extending through an opening in the router table for machining the piece.
US07997308B2
A wood working machine includes a mounting plate assembly for supporting a cutting tool, the assembly including a base plate, first and second intermediate plates on the base plate, and first and second guide plate elements pivotally supported on the intermediate plates, and a cutting tool support plate slidably disposed between the guide plate elements, the guide plate elements being positionable at angular intervals with respect to the intermediate plates, whereby the cutting tool support plate is slidably movable on the base plate between the guide plate elements at a prescribed angle. The mounting plate assembly may include laser sources providing crossed laser beams for positioning the tool bit of the cutting tool near a work piece, and light sources for illuminating the tool bit. A digital sensor may be included for positioning of the work piece.
US07997303B2
The present invention relates to a pipe segment including an outer and an inner pipe section, with the inner pipe section being positioned within the outer pipe section, and a support means supporting the inner pipe section in relation to the outer pipe section so that the inner pipe section can expand axially relative to the outer pipe section in response to temperature changes in the material being transported in the pipe segment. Furthermore, the present invention refers to a transfer line for transporting hot particulate material, such as iron ore fines, in a carrier gas, including a plurality of these pipe segments and to a process for transporting hot particulate material in a carrier gas in a direct smelting plant for producing molten metal from a metalliferous feed material, in particular between a pretreatment unit and solid delivery means in the form of lances for injecting the material into a direct smelting vessel.
US07997302B2
A valve is disclosed that includes a valve body defining an inlet and a plurality of outlets, the inlet and the plurality of outlets cooperating to form a plurality of alternative fluid flow paths through the valve body. The valve further includes an outlet selection member carried by the valve body and defining a port configured to complete a fluid flow path selected from the plurality of alternative fluid flow paths. The valve further includes a first magnet assembly configured to enable reciprocation of the outlet selection member and a second magnet assembly configured to enable rotation of the outlet selection member. A washer fluid supply system incorporating the valve and a method of operating the valve are also disclosed.
US07997301B2
An electronic faucet includes a spout assembly having a sensor configured to control the flow of water therethrough in response to the position of a spray head. Methods and apparatus for providing strain relief for electrical cables used in systems configured to provide fluid and, in particular, to methods and apparatus used to provide strain relief for electrical cables in electronic faucets.
US07997300B1
A flow modulator to control the flow of an aerosol to an aerosol detection and/or monitoring system and other aerosol flow systems includes a chamber having an inlet and an outlet, a diverging section of the chamber beneath the inlet that has a flow divider at the center to divide the aerosol into fractions, a recirculation section in which the divided aerosol fractions are recombined, and a converging section that channels the recombined aerosol fractions to the outlet of the chamber.
US07997296B2
An outdoor lighting device includes a housing, at least one power supply device and at least one arrayed lighting unit. The housing has a surface forming at least one reflection zone and the reflection zone includes a lens. The power supply device is arranged inside the housing and has a grounding terminal connected to the housing. The power supply device receives and converts an alternate current power into an output of direct current power. The arrayed lighting unit includes plural arrays of lighting elements and a light-transmitting protection layer. The arrayed lighting unit is arranged inside the housing at a location corresponding to the lens and is connected to the power supply device, whereby the power supply device provides the arrayed lighting unit with the direct current power to energize the arrayed lighting unit to give off light that is reflected by the reflection zone. As such, an outdoor lighting device containing therein an arrayed lighting unit and an internal built-in power supply device is formed.
US07997295B2
A supplementing water supply controller which provides water from a supplementing water supply to an outlet in preference to a main water supply, wherein if there is insufficient supplementing water to meet demand, the main water supply flows through the controller to the outlet, whereas if there is sufficient supplemental water to meet the demand, a supplementing water pump is activated and the pressure of the supplementing water is raised above a threshold level at which it moves an actuator mounted by two diaphragms to block the main water supply, so that the supplementing water can flow to the outlet. The actuator has a larger effective area at its low pressure end than at its high pressure end, so that the supplementing water threshold pressure level for moving the actuator to block the main water supply is less than the main water pressure.
US07997287B2
A dental flosser having a tongue cleaner, the flosser including a handle terminating at a head: a pair of spaced apart arms extending from the head; a length of dental floss extending between the arms; and a rugous surface on at least one of the arms suitable for being scraped against the tongue of a user for effectively cleaning the tongue.
US07997285B2
In an effect packaging for a cosmetic, in particular a mascara unit, comprising a reservoir for the cosmetic and a lucent covering surrounding the reservoir, wherein the reservoir and covering are at least partially spaced from one another, it is provided that a centering device cooperating with the bottom of the reservoir is provided at the bottom of the outer covering, and that the reservoir and the outer covering are engageable with one another by the cooperation of a locking groove and a locking bead by an axial relative movement, for achieving an attractive appearance accompanied with a cost-effective producibility.
US07997279B2
Architectures and techniques for treating conditions of the eye, such as presbyopia, utilize sources of treatment energy, such as electromagnetic energy emitting devices, to implement non-corneal manipulations. According to these devices and methods, the sources of treatment energy are activated to direct energy onto parts of the eye, such as the conjunctiva and sclera, to treat presbyopia. The treatments can affect at least one property of the eye and enhance an accommodation of the eye.
US07997271B2
This disclosure is of a mask-free device for supplying sufficient gas to a medical patient and for more accurately sampling the exhalation gas of the patient. The device includes a flexible body having lumens adapted to extend into the nares of a patient and adjacent the patient's mouth for collecting and transmitting a sampling of the patient's end tidal exhalation to a gas analyzer to analyze one or more component gases in that exhalation. The disclosure also discloses the transmittal of pressure from the nares of the patient to a pressure transducer for determining the respiratory phase of the patient and for controlling the volume of oxygen delivered to the patient. The body of the mask-free unit further includes conduits for delivering oxygen through diffuser orifices to positions adjacent the patient's nares and mouth. Finally, a controller is interconnected between the pressure transducer and the gas supply for increasing the delivery of gas during the inhalation phase of the patient's respiration and for decreasing said delivery upon the exhalation phase for the purpose of avoiding dilution of the exhalation sample.
US07997266B2
Methods and devices are disclosed for manipulating the airway, such as to treat obstructive sleep apnea. An implant is positioned within the body with respect to the airway. The spatial orientation of the airway is manipulated, directly or indirectly, to affect the configuration of the airway. In general, the implant is manipulated to displace the trachea in an inferior direction, resist superior displacement of the trachea and/or to alter the tracheal wall tension. The implant restrains the trachea in the manipulated configuration.
US07997263B2
A baking oven and method for controlling the exhaust flow from a cooking chamber of the baking oven. The exhaust flow is discharged from the oven by a fan. The method includes increasing the speed of the fan and measuring the gas concentration of the cooking chamber during a first time interval. The gas concentration is measured using a gas sensor. At the beginning of the first time interval, an initial gas concentration is measured. During the first time interval a fan speed is selected at which the measured gas concentration varies from the initial gas concentration. The speed of the fan is set for a second time interval as a function of the selected fan speed from the first time interval.
US07997261B2
The compound bow accessory includes a bracket adapted for mounting to the bow riser of a compound bow, an adjustable bar connected to the bracket and an alignment assembly adjustably mounted to the bar. The alignment assembly includes a pair of vertical alignment pins permitting the user to visually align with the sight pins of a bow sight between the upright pins. The compound bow accessory provides another point of reference in the process of aiming such that the user may reduce inaccuracies due to hand torque.
US07997258B2
A crossbow has a riser, flexible limbs, a bowstring extending between the tips of the limbs for propelling an arrow, and an elongated frame extending from the riser. A bowstring release proximate the rear end of the elongated frame includes a trigger for releasing the bowstring, and firing an arrow. A first grip is disposed proximate to the trigger for being grasped by the user's first hand. A “Picatinny” type support rail extends along and below the elongated frame, secured at its rearmost end to the elongated frame, but otherwise spaced therefrom. The support rail can receive fore-grips, a bi-pod, or can be rested against a support surface to help steady the crossbow during firing.
US07997241B2
In a spark ignition type internal combustion engine that includes a variable compression ratio mechanism capable of changing the mechanical compression ratio, and a variable valve mechanism capable of changing valve characteristics of an intake valve or an exhaust valve, the variable valve mechanism is mechanically coupled to the variable compression ratio mechanism, and the variable valve mechanism is controlled in accordance with the compression ratio-changing operation amount of the variable compression ratio mechanism. The variable valve mechanism is coupled to the variable compression ratio mechanism without intervention of an electronic control unit. Therefore, the possibility of the interference between a piston and an intake valve resulting from an abnormality in a control system that includes an electronic control unit as an intervening unit can be eliminated.
US07997238B2
The engine and cooling system arrangement includes an engine supported between the forward and rear ends of the frame of a harvesting machine, in an engine compartment. A cooler box containing at least one heat exchanger is disposed higher than and vertically offset from, the engine, and has an inlet opening facing sidewardly and covered with an air screen. A discharge opening faces in an opposite side direction. A fan generates a sideward air flow through the filter screen, cooler box and at least one heat exchanger, and outwardly through the discharge opening, away from an operator cab of the machine. A portion of the air flow will be directed into an air flow duct extending downwardly and forwardly to the engine compartment to create a positive air pressure condition therein, to limit infiltration of unfiltered air.
US07997235B2
A flexible omnidirectionally reflective pet leash and collar having a handle and a cylindrical central core is housed within a cylindrical omnidirectionally reflective sleeve that reflect an incoming light beam back in the same direction as it is emanated. The reflected light beam provides accurate illumination of the pet owner's hand, pet leash and the location of the pet during dusk or nighttime hours. This flexible omnidirectionally reflective pet leash is created by surrounding a central core with a cylindrically reflective sleeve comprising a flexible retroreflective sheet and being operable to surround the central cylindrical core thereby providing omnidirectional reflectivity. The flexible retroreflective sheet has retroreflectors bonded thereto with a transparent bond layer. Due to the circular construction of the cylindrically reflective sleeve, the reflective pet leash reflects light omnidirectionally over a large angle of acceptance, illuminating the pet owner's hand, the leash itself, and the pet's collar, thereby providing an improved measure of safety for both the pet and the pet handler.
US07997223B2
A mooring buoy includes a buoyant shell that defines a chamber and has a channel extending from the chamber through the outer surface of the shell. The channel accommodates a pendant line therethrough. Within the chamber is a rotating takeup/payout that rotates about a drive axle and a drive mechanism coupled to the takeup/payout device that can drive the rotating takeup/payout device to rotate in a first direction to take up pendant line slack. The drive mechanism permits the takeup/payout device to rotate opposite the first direction in order to pay out pendant line under tension. Suitable takeup/payout devices include pulleys and spools. Suitable drive mechanisms include gravity-driven mechanisms, spring-driven mechanisms, and pendulum-driven mechanisms.
US07997220B1
One embodiment of a module for a marine vessel includes a base that has a cavity for securing a variety of cargos therein, and a top plate that defines a perimeter and a top surface, the perimeter adapted to define a water-tight seal with a hull of a marine vessel and the top surface defining a smooth plane having a substantial absence of steps and gaps therein.
US07997217B2
The invention refers to an implement regulating device in an agricultural machine including at least one group of implements (4) arranged across the driving direction, thereafter cross-wise arranged support members (15) and at least one each group of implements and support members are controllable and adjustable by a power device (23). Implements (4) and support members (15) in each group are journalled in bearings at one end of at least one carrying arm (13). The power device (23) is adapted to rotate a cross-running main beam (19). The main beam is connected with the carrying arm (13) via a spring member (18) and is rotatably suspended in relation to the frame (Ia) of the machine (1). Activation of the power device is adapted to influence the carrying arm between a position for maximum sowing depth and a transport position.
US07997213B1
A modular cradle for reinforcing, transporting, and stacking cargo containers used in the transportation and storage of bulk cargo in the oil and gas industry so as to allow compliance with construction and shipping standards adopted by the oil and gas industry is disclosed. The cargo cradle is comprised of a rectangular frame for holding and supporting a cargo container. The cradle has attached lifting lugs positioned within the interior of the cargo cradle for attachment of lifting cables. The lifting lugs are positioned so as to allow cradles to be stacked one upon the other. The container cradles interlock when stacked.
US07997203B1
A warhead including a case, a main explosive being received within the case, an initiator having at least a portion embedded within a main explosive charge, and a releasable coupling intermediate the main explosive charge and the initiator.
US07997202B2
A web offset printing press that prints and processes at least one material web and has printing units and/or printing unit assemblies, at least one folder, and transport elements operates by transporting the at least one material web by the transport elements through a web of the printing press into the at least one folder, electrically driving the at least one folder, the printing units and/or printing unit assemblies and the transport elements at least partially mechanically independently of each other, and synchronizing during printing operation via specified setpoints values of at least one master axis with an electronically generated synchronization clock, and starting from a initial state of the at least one folder in which the master axis and/or condition of motion of the folder are independent of each other, adapting by the at least one folder its initial state to or synchronizing by the at least one folder its initial state with setpoint value assignments of the master axis, by performing compensating motions.
US07997197B2
A printer having a roll with a radial outer roll surface has an ink cartridge having a housing itself having a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls bridging the side walls and defining therewith a downwardly open mouth juxtaposed with the roll surface. One of the side walls is shiftable between an outer position defining a relatively large volume and an inner position. Doctor blades supported on the housing have outer edges resiliently engageable at the mouth with the surface. One of the doctor blades is shiftable between an open position with its outer edge spaced from the other doctor blade and a closed position. A mechanism connected to the one wall and to the one doctor blade shifts the one doctor blade between the open position and the closed position and simultaneously shifts the one wall from the inner position to the outer position.
US07997191B2
A hand-held trash compactor that is lightweight, portable, easy to store, and usable with a wide variety of trash receptacles. The hand held trash compactor includes a base with a top surface. A handle extends upward from the top surface and is removably connected to the base. A hook can be pivotally connected to the base.
US07997190B2
Precise motion of the ram of a fastener press is controlled by high torque and low torque motors for high speed/low force and high force pressing of the ram by the ram, respectively. The high torque motor means drive passes through a bidirectional overrunning clutch. The clutch is controlled by the relative motion of the two separate motor drive speeds of which are regulated by a controller. The clutching motion is therefore controlled only by the relative speed of its drive versus driven components. This provides an extremely smooth and responsive transition between high speed/low force and low speed/high force operation of the ram so that the pressing cycle can be as fast and efficient as possible.
US07997189B1
An oven and broiler for cooking foods using convection and radiant heat, including a housing defining a cooking chamber with an inlet for introducing uncooked foods into the cooking chamber, an outlet for discharging cooked foods and a conveyor for conveying food product from the inlet to the outlet, an array of heating elements, and a compressed air injection system for providing a bank of moving air over the food product during the early stages of cooking so as to break up the blanket of cold air over the food product.
US07997175B2
A band saw machine includes a driving wheel and a driven wheel around which an endless band saw blade is wound. At least one of the driving wheel and the driven wheel is directly connected to an output shaft of a control motor. The output shaft of the control motor is arranged in a cylindrical bearing unit installed on a motor base supporting the control motor. The driving wheel is rotatably supported by the bearing unit.
US07997170B1
A firefighter multi-tool, comprising a head assembly having at least one interchangeable tool head with locking means, a first handle assembly, and a second handle assembly. The first and second handle assemblies house spring-loaded tools within. The at least one interchangeable tool head comprises spring-loaded trauma shears, a bridging head, channel-lock pliers, traditional pliers, an adjustable wrench, needle-nose pliers, a ratchet, and tin snips. A carrying case carries the head assembly having at least one interchangeable tool head with locking means, the first handle assembly, and the second handle assembly. The carrying case comprises a first compartment having a locking mechanism. At least a second compartment mounts upon the first compartment to house the at least one interchangeable tool head.
US07997164B2
A screw fastener includes a screwdriver that includes a sleeve having an absorption hole configured to absorb a top surface of a screw, a bit housed in the absorption hole and having a tip engageable with a recess of the screw, and a rotation unit configured to rotate the bit with the sleeve, a movement unit configured to move the screwdriver between a container configured to accommodate the screw and a work, an optical sensor provided to the sleeve and configured to detect the recess of the screw while a bottom surface of the sleeve and a top surface of the screw are arranged in noncontact manner, and a controller aligns the tip of the bit with the recess of the screw based on a detection result of the optical sensor.
US07997158B2
A mechanical linkage, for use on original equipment or for replacement of existing hydraulic ram based actuators, comprises a rotary to linear transmission. The transmission provides two co-rotatable capstans of different diameters, and two idler wheels spaced on a longitudinally slidable linkage. The capstans are linked to a first of the idler wheels by means of a pulley line wound from the first capstan, around the wheel, and then back to the second capstan. The first capstan is also linked by means of a pulley line to the second idler wheel, and the second capstan likewise to the second idler wheel by a third pulley line. The difference in diameters causes a differential winding of the various lengths of pulley line between the idler wheels and the capstans, which urges the linkage to slide relative to the capstans. Cooperation of the two capstan/idler wheel combinations compensates for possible backlash.
US07997153B2
A method and apparatus for bearing thrust monitoring allows measurable detection of tilt of a support bearing (52 or 56) for a roller (34 or 36) which rotatably supports a rotating body (22). A tilt meter (75 or 77) adapted to measurably detect a tilt of the support bearing is coupled to the support bearing (52 or 56), where the tilt is defined as an angular difference in bearing orientation between a first bearing position and a second subsequent bearing position that is cause by an axial thrust on the rotary body (22). Once tilt is detected, the bearing orientation of the support bearing (52 or 56) can be adjusted to return the support bearing (52 or 56) to substantially the first bearing position.
US07997152B2
A magnetostrictive torque sensor that detects a torque of a rotating shaft and/or a stationary shaft by using a magnetostriction inverse effect that occurs on a shaft surface, the magnetostrictive torque sensor includes a first detection coil, a second detection coil, a first oscillation circuit, a second oscillation circuit, a first direction magnetic permeability detector, a second direction magnetic permeability detector, and a torque detector.
US07997149B1
A method and apparatus for measuring the sound velocity of a flowing fluid includes a cartridge having a hollow interior through which the fluid flows formed by first and second chambers of different diameters that define first and second walls extending toward the cartridge longitudinal axis from which energy transmitted by a single sensor mounted in the cartridge is reflected back to the sensor. An electronic circuit includes a microprocessor that is programmed with the distance between the first and second walls and that measures the round-trip transit time of the signal energy transmitted to and reflected from each of the first and second walls and calculates the sound velocity of flowing fluid using the two measured round trip transit times and the programmed value of the fixed distance between the walls.
US07997148B2
The systems and methods described herein allow for intercepting submarine groundwater discharge to be used as a supply source for desalination processes. In one practice a dye-dilution seepage meter is employed as a device for locating water sources. These meters can be placed in estuaries and other locations that may be candidate locations to test for flows of groundwater. In areas of suspected SGD, the meters can be deployed to quantify the potential yield and quality (e.g. salt content) of the resource. Regarding the water quality, it is important to note that even brackish water sources can greatly reduce the energy needed to achieve potable water by desalination.
US07997141B1
A novel oil pressure sensor includes component parts simply stacked up from bottom to top, namely a main body, a separator, an induction unit, a press board, an electronic circuit and a lid. The main body has an accommodation cavity to accommodate other component parts. An oil inlet pipe which extended downward from the accommodation cavity is covered by the separator to alleviate the impact of the flowing oil to the component parts. A conduction medium filled between the induction unit and the separator contributes to assuring conductance of the oil pressure thereby upgrading measurement sensitivity. The press board contributes to prevention of oil leakage. The electronic circuit sends the measured data to another instrument by simple and reliable plug and receptacle combination.
US07997137B2
There is provided a bidirectional readout circuit for detecting direction and amplitude of an oscillation sensed at a capacitive microelectromechanical system (MEMS) accelerometer, the bidirectional readout circuit converting capacitance changes of the capacitive MEMS accelerometer into a time change amount by using high resolution capacitance-to-time conversion technology and outputting the time change amount as the direction and the amplitude of the oscillation by using time-to-digital conversion (TDC) technology, thereby detecting not only the amplitude of the oscillation but also the direction thereof, which is capable of being applied to various MEMS sensors.
US07997135B2
An angular velocity sensor includes a drive electrode section (26) for inputting a drive signal for driving a detecting element (21), a monitor electrode section (28) detecting the drive status of the detecting element (21) and outputting a monitor signal, and a sensing electrode section (27) outputting a sensing signal, which is generated due to an angular velocity given to the detecting element (21). The drive electrode section (26), the monitor electrode section (28), and the sensing electrode section (27) each have a lower electrode formed on a substrate, a piezoelectric film formed of a piezoelectric material on the lower electrode, and an upper electrode formed on the piezoelectric film. The capacitance value between the upper and lower electrodes of the monitor electrode section (28) is set to be equal to the capacitance value between the upper and lower electrodes of the sensing electrode section (27), and the resistance value between both end portions of the monitor electrode section (28) is set to be equal to the resistance value between both end portions of the sensing electrode section (27).
US07997121B2
A milliwave melter monitoring system is presented that has a waveguide with a portion capable of contacting a molten material in a melter for use in measuring one or more properties of the molten material in a furnace under extreme environments. A receiver is configured for use in obtaining signals from the melt/material transmitted to appropriate electronics through the waveguide. The receiver is configured for receiving signals from the waveguide when contacting the molten material for use in determining the viscosity of the molten material. Other embodiments exist in which the temperature, emissivity, viscosity and other properties of the molten material are measured.
US07997119B2
This invention describes a sample collection method that could release and collect residues of explosives and other chemicals from a surface; the described method is implemented into a compact detection system that can be used as a “wand” for screening chemicals residues on a subject. The wand configuration includes multi-function for sampling and detecting multiple threads. The invention further describes a method of inspecting a subject using an interrogating apparatus in a sweeping motion; the near range closed loop particle sampling arrangement allows effective collection of particle and vapor residues from a targeted surface. The invention also describes a sampling and detecting apparatus for on-the-fly threat detection using compact ion mobility based detectors.
US07997109B2
A disengageable lock for a motor vehicle locking system includes a fixed stator, a sleeve, a rotor, a driver, and an indexer. The sleeve is mounted rotatably in the stator and is fixed axially relative to the stator. The rotor is mounted rotatably in the sleeve and is fixed axially in the sleeve. The driver is connected in disengageable rotation on the rotor. The indexer, which is axially mobile between rest and disengagement positions, is connected in translation in the stator by ribs surrounding the sleeve. When an appropriate key is inserted in the rotor, the driver couples the rotor and a cam actuator in rotation, releasing the lock. When an inappropriate key is inserted, the rotor and the sleeve rotate, causing the indexer to move toward the cam actuator. Because the indexer is rotationally immovable as a result of its connection with the stator, the cam actuator cannot rotate.
US07997108B2
A disengageable cylinder for a motor vehicle lock mechanism includes a fixed stator, a sleeve, a rotor, a driver, and an indexer. The sleeve is mounted in rotation about its axis in the stator, and is fixed axially with respect to the stator. The rotor is mounted in rotation in the sleeve and is fixed axially in the sleeve. The driver is connected in translation on the rotor. The indexer, which can move axially between rest and disengagement positions, is connected in translation on the stator. When an appropriate key is inserted in the rotor, the driver couples the rotor and a cam actuator in rotation, releasing the lock. When an inappropriate key is inserted, the rotor and sleeve rotate, causing the indexer to move toward the cam actuator. Because the indexer is rotationally immovable as a result of its connection with the stator, the cam actuator cannot rotate.
US07997103B2
A tub having a structurally strengthened rear wall and a washing machine with the same therein are disclosed. A washing machine includes a bearing housing having a flange part and a tub injection-molded with the bearing housing inserted into a wall thereof, the wall having a recessing part and a projecting part formed on an inner or an outer surface thereof along a circumferential direction, and a circumferential rib or a radial rib formed on the recessing part.
US07997101B2
In a glassware molding machine, the half-molds of a mold are moved between an open position and a closed position and cooled by an actuating and cooling assembly having a fixed supporting structure and, for each half-mold, a respective supporting and actuating arm fitted to the relative half-mold and hinged to the fixed supporting structure to rotate about a fixed hinge axis; each supporting arm internally defining a chamber communicating with a ring of cooling conduits formed through the half-molds, and the chamber having an inlet formed through an outer lateral wall of the supporting arm to receive cooling air from a compressed-air tank of the machine.
US07997095B2
A method of controlling an air conditioner includes a step of controlling an opening degree of the expansion valve and/or the number of rotations of an outdoor fan of the outdoor heat exchanger such that the difference Tx (=Te−Ti) between the temperature Te of the outdoor heat exchanger and the temperature Ti of the indoor heat exchanger is within a predetermined range, in a cooling mode in a low outside air temperature environment. Specifically, the opening degree of the expansion valve is adjusted, with the number of rotations of the outdoor fan being reduced to be smaller than that in a normal cooling mode, and then, the number of rotations of the outdoor fan is adjusted with the opening degree of the expansion valve being fixed, thereby controlling the difference Tx to be substantially constant.
US07997094B2
A refrigerated merchandiser that includes a case, a refrigeration system, at least one sensor, a controller, and a display. The refrigeration system is in communication with a product storage area of the case, and discharges a refrigerated airflow into the product storage area to refrigerate product. The refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator coupled in series. The sensor is in communication with the refrigerated airflow to sense an airflow temperature and to generate a signal indicative of the airflow temperature. The controller is in electrical communication with the sensor to receive the signal indicative of the airflow temperature, and includes an algorithm that calculates a temperature of the product based on the signal indicative of the airflow temperature. The display is coupled to the case and is visible from outside the case, and is in electrical communication with the controller to show the calculated product temperature.
US07997093B2
An air conditioner that adjusts the temperature in a target space includes a refrigerant circuit and a controller. The refrigerant circuit is configured by the interconnection of a compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger, indoor expansion valves, and indoor heat exchangers. The controller adjusts the temperature such that predetermined temperature is reached in a target space. In addition, the controller judges the refrigerant quantity in the refrigerant circuit based on at least one value of operation state quantity of constituent equipment or refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant circuit. The controller achieves a state in which the target space temperature satisfies a predetermined temperature condition.
US07997091B2
A refrigerant cycle is provided with an economizer circuit. The amount of refrigerant passing through the economizer circuit can be gradually modulated by an expansion device whose position can be easily adjusted from fully open to fully closed or disengaged. In the past, economizer circuits have either been fully engaged or fully disengaged. Modulation of economizer flow allows for variable capacity operation. This improves unit operating efficiency, minimizes unit cycling and prevents compressor overloading at extreme of operating conditions. It also allows for head pressure and discharge temperature control.
US07997090B2
An air conditioning system providing cooled air to a vehicle includes a detection device, a control module, and an air adjusting module. The detection device determines whether another vehicle is in front of the vehicle within a predetermined distance, and sends a signal when the other vehicle is detected. The control module is coupled to the detection device and controls the air adjusting module to operate in a recirculation mode upon receiving the signal.
US07997084B2
A gasifying furnace gasifies solid fuel or liquid fuel. A gas turbine drives a turbine to generate power by using combustion gas generated by burning mixed gas of compressed air compressed in a compressor and gas generated in the gasifying furnace in a combustor. A booster boosts compressed air bled from the compressor, and feed the compressed air to the gasifying furnace. A bleed source valve is provided in a bleed line between the compressor and the booster. An abnormality stop controller stops the booster and the gas turbine, based on an opening angle of the bleed source valve or a bleed pressure on an upstream side of the bleed source valve.
US07997077B2
Disclosed is an energy retriever system and methods for absorbing energy and using that energy elsewhere or converting it to other useful forms of energy or work. The energy retriever system consists of a series of components interconnected by a plurality of conduits containing a fluid. Working as a self-contained thermodynamic system, the energy retriever system allows the fluid to circulate through all of these elements. Heat added to the energy capture subsystem heats the fluid. The fluid becomes more pressurized and moves into the expansion cycle subsystem. The energy extraction subsystem transforms the thermal energy of the fluid into work, kinetic energy or thermal energy. The reservoir subsystem compresses the fluid and reintroduces it into the energy capture subsystem. One-way valves are used throughout the system to keep the flow of the fluid in one direction and separate sections of the system that contain different pressures.
US07997074B2
A hydraulic station in a hydraulic system of a wind turbine includes a tank for storing working fluid, first and second pumps fluidly connected to the tank, first and second flow paths extending from the respective first and second pumps to a hydraulic circuit, and first and second relief valves in fluid communication with the respective first and second flow paths. The first pump and first relief valve are controlled based on maintaining pressure of the working fluid in the hydraulic circuit between a first minimum limit and first maximum limit. If the pressure falls below the first minimum limit, the second pump and second relief valve are controlled in addition to the first pump and first relief valve, with the control then based on a second maximum limit and second minimum limit.
US07997071B2
The disclosure is directed to a flow distributor for use to maximize the efficiency and working life of a catalytic converter. The flow distributor is configured such that it directs the gas flow in the center of the exhaust gas stream to the periphery of the gas stream thereby resulting in a more uniform velocity flow pattern.
US07997061B2
A propulsion unit comprises a turbojet engine and a thermal exchanger, situated above the turbojet engine. The turbojet engine comprises a regulation device to regulate an air flow-rate in a cooling air lead-in conduit conveying a stream of cooling air into a thermal exchanger, The regulation device regulates the air flow-rate upstream with respect to the cooling air lead-in conduit.
US07997059B1
A propulsion system for use in a liquid or gas fluid is provided including an axially-extending funnel-shaped conduit, a flow generator, a power source, and, optionally, an airfoil-shaped wing. The funnel-shaped conduit has outer walls forming an inner fluid passageway, an upper edge defining a fluid inlet, and a lower edge defining a fluid outlet. The optional airfoil-shaped wing is connected to and circumferentially surrounds the funnel-shaped conduit upper edge. The flow generator is rotatably mounted about the axis of the funnel-shaped conduit and is configured to force the fluid from the fluid inlet rearward through the fluid outlet. A forward force is produced by the combination of both thrust from the flow generator plus the lift force created as the flow generator draws the fluid across the annular airfoil-shaped wing and inwardly through the fluid inlet forcing the fluid rearward to exit out of the fluid outlet.
US07997056B2
A shackle apparatus including a generally U-shaped shackle body having an arcuate end, a pair of parallel arms, and a retaining member spanning a gap defined between the shackle arms. The retaining member cooperates with the shackle body to define a closed loop which can be permanently attached to a sling or lifting cable. The retaining member prevents the shackle apparatus from being removed and installed on another sling or lifting cable without substantially destroying the shackle apparatus of the present invention.
US07997047B1
The present invention relates generally to an air evacuation assembly and methods of using the same, and in particular to an assembly used to evacuate air from a sealable plastic bag and to form an air tight seal, and to the methods of using the same. In a preferred embodiment, a valve assembly is provided with an inside piece that is matable with an outside piece. A plastic bag is pierced, and a gasket forms a seal with the bag when the inside piece and outside piece are threadably engaged. A check ball is contained within a spout. The ball can seal the inside of the bag, or alternatively be moved to allow air to evacuate from the bag. An external rib is provided for forming a tight engagement between the valve assembly and a pump and/or a cap.
US07997038B2
A floor drain support plate for mounting and securing a floor drain to a floor structure. The support plate includes a body defining a first portion and a second portion, wherein the body has an inner surface and an outer surface. The first portion of the body defines a peripheral edge and the second portion of the body is attached to the peripheral edge of the first portion and axially extended therefrom. The inner surface of the first portion and the second portion of the body define an interior cavity. The first portion of the body defines a center passageway spaced radially apart from the peripheral edge and is adapted to receive a pipe. The first portion of the body also defines at least one slot adapted to be aligned with the receptacle body for receiving a member for attaching the receptacle body to the body of the support plate.
US07997031B2
An integrally formed riser pan member for use as a modular component within an access passageway for an on-site waste disposal system, such as a septic tank, to receivably retain a secondary cover member within, the riser pan member including a cylindrical body having an upper portion having a vertical wall member adapted to receive another modular passageway component thereon, and a lower portion which includes an integral pan portion to seatably receive a secondary cover member. The riser pan member further includes an annular ring between the upper and lower portions. The riser pan member can be employed as a lowermost, a highermost, or as an intermediate component in, for example, an access passageway formed of multiple stackable riser members. In addition, the riser pan member may be formed integrally with a stackable riser member.
US07997028B2
An internal swivel door for an aircraft compartment. A door frame for entering the compartment includes a horizontal element and at least one door leaf which is mounted inside the door frame wherein the door leaf is turned about a vertical door rotational axis. The vertical door rotational axis is moved in parallel along a predetermined local curve. In order to take up less space during opening and closing of the door and to be able to operate the door with the least possible force, the door has a rotary sliding joint between the door leaf and the horizontal element. The door leaf has a rotational movement about a momentary rotational axis running through the rotary sliding joint wherein the momentary rotational axis is moved in parallel both in relation to the horizontal element and the door leaf.
US07997027B1
A roof system includes modular trays placed side-by-side on a roof, and a border along the boundaries of the system. The border includes side members with walls that extend from the roof to the top of the modules, along the length of the outer sides of the modules, to conceal the otherwise exposed sides of the modules. The side members include feet that extend along the roof line, from the base of the sidewalls to below the outer perimeter of the modules such that the weight of the trays holds the feet against the roof. The feet are formed with upward projections that are gravitationally engaged into voids formed in the bottoms of the modules to lock the side members in position at the sides of the modules.
US07997017B2
In a wear assembly for securing wear members to excavating equipment, a spool is used with a wedge to hold the wear member in place. The spool is formed with at least one laterally extending arm at its upper end in lieu of an axial arm such as used in a conventional C-shaped spool. In this way, the spool can be easily supported in the assembly as the wedge is installed. The spool does not fall through the opening and no special care is needed to prevent it from falling. The spool also holds itself in place when the wedge is driven into the passage. As a result, installation of the wear assembly is easier and less hazardous. In addition, the lateral support reduces the risk that the spool will suffer spreading.
US07997014B2
Antistatic footwear for man, woman and child comprising an upper portion, an outer sole (3) and an insole (1, 2) disposed between the outer sole (3) and the upper portion. One or more electrical conductors positioned within the outer sole and contacting one or more electrically conductive regions of the insole (1,2) provide an electrical contact between the foot of the user and the ground.
US07997011B2
An article of footwear includes an upper and a sole assembly secured to the upper and having a support assembly. The support assembly has an upper plate and a lower plate spaced from the upper plate. The lower plate has a peripheral edge and a plurality of spring arms, with each spring arm curving initially outwardly and then upwardly and inwardly from the peripheral edge to the upper plate.
US07997008B2
An overshoe used while finishing concrete and worn over another article of footwear. The overshoe includes a flexible and resilient sole and a substantially flat and smooth outsole, which is substantially resistant to adhering to wet concrete and abrasion resistant. The overshoe further includes a strap, which securely holds the overshoe onto a work boot.
US07997003B2
In a method and an apparatus for drying plate-shaped products in a multi-level throughflow dryer, moist air stagnated under the housing ceiling is sucked away and delivered into the suction area of axial blowers arranged in the lower levels, where the moist air is then differentially admixed into a quantity of re-heated drying air, and the mixture is delivered to the nozzle boxes of the dryer.
US07997002B2
A probe capable of measuring recesses in features such as apertures and/or trench-like structures of very small size is comprised of one or more carbon nanotubes (CNTs) which is oriented at an angle and, if two or more CNTs are employed, such that they cross (with or without touching each other) at a location separated from ends of the carbon nanotubes which approximates the depth of the aperture or trench-like structure and at an angle such that the ends of the carbon nanotubes extends by a lateral distance greater than a dimension of a recess of a feature to be measured or in excess of a sidewall angle or an angle of a crystal lattice of a material in which a feature to be measured is formed.
US07996999B2
An inclination detector device is disclosed. The detector device has a light source, a light sensor device, and a level arranged between the light source and the light sensor device. In addition, a light guide is arranged between the light source and the level. The light source is joined to the light guide, the light guide is joined to the level, and the level is joined to the light sensor device in such a way that the light source, the light guide, the level, and the light sensor device form a closed unit.
US07996975B1
A unified head for a staked fastener wherein the unified head is made from a first member in combination with a supplemental member, and the two members have at least one shared fiber. In a staking operation that forms the unified head, the operation is conducted in such a manner that a portion of a fiber, initially within the first member or the supplemental member, crosses the boundary therebetween creating the shared fiber, i.e., a segment of a single fiber is embedded in the first member and a segment is embedded in the supplemental member.
US07996970B2
To provide a seat having a three-dimensional complex undulated cushion body securing hardness in a stress direction and excelling in dispersibility of the stress and durability, and a method of manufacturing the same.A seat 1 includes frames (15, 25), cushion bodies (11, 21) obtained by forming a plurality of sheet-like fibrous structures 4a to 4d integrally, and covers (13, 23), wherein a sheet-like fibrous structure 4 is formed by performing cotton blending of thermally adhesive composite short fibers to inelastic crimped short fibers and thermally adhering crossing points, and the sheet-like fibrous structure 4 satisfies a relationship of A≧3B/2 when the number of short fibers arranged along a thickness direction is represented as A and the number of short fibers arranged along a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction is represented as B, and the cushion bodies 11, 21 are obtained by disposing in a state in which the sheet-like fibrous structures 4a to 4d are stacked and compressed in a mold 40, and forming the sheet-like fibrous structures 4a to 4d integrally by performing high pressure steam molding, and provided on the frames 15, 25 such that a thickness direction extends along a direction in which a load is applied.
US07996966B2
A machine for creating a bundle of creased strips of material and handles for use with bundles of creased strips and other applications. Also contemplated are bundles of strips with or without handles for various applications.
US07996961B2
A pliable handle for a hand-held device is provided. The handle includes a tubular core member, a deformable outer sheath disposed about the tubular core member, a gel disposed between the tubular core member and the outer sheath, and first and second sealers inserted into respective ends of the tubular core member and sealing the gel between the tubular core member and the outer sheath, wherein a force applied to the outer sheath causes load movement of the gel.
US07996958B2
A hinge assembly includes a resilient member and two rotary units. Each rotary unit includes a shaft, an outer tube, and an inner tube. The outer tubes are sleeved on the shafts correspondingly. The inner tubes are non-rotatably connected to the shafts and rotatably connected to the outer tubes. The resilient member is positioned between the rotary units, thus causing the inner tubes of the rotary units to resist the outer tubes.
US07996955B2
A modular street sweeper includes a pair of side brooms to sweep debris laterally inwardly from opposing sides of the sweeper and a pickup mechanism to convey the swept debris from the ground to a collection hopper. The pickup mechanism includes a conveyor module in which a main broom at a rear of the sweeper sweeps the debris forwardly onto a rotating conveyor and a vacuum module in which a vacuum head spans laterally across the sweeper in proximity to the ground and communicates with a fan to direct the swept debris into the hopper. The vacuum pick up module is interchangeable with the conveyor pickup module so that a single sweeper investment can perform both a spring function of sand collection with the conveyor and a fall function of leaf collection with the vacuum head.
US07996948B2
A fabric steam towel for mounting onto a steam frame of a steam appliance is provided. The pocket includes two complimentary substantially planar layers of fabric joined at their peripheral edge with an open section for mounting onto the steam frame and allowing the open edges to butt against each other. The fabrics are constructed of an outer terry layer and inner material with an upper jersey layer, padding and a lower mesh layer with a 45 degree quilting pattern to improve performance. The fabric is sealed about the frame a first length of a fastener is secured to the inside face along the open edge of one layer with a complimentary length of fastener secured to the inside face of the second layer and extending beyond the edge to allow the open edges of each layer to abut each other and for the fasteners to engage and secure the fabric pocket about the edge of the frame.
US07996934B2
Apparatus for transferring a person from a wheelchair to a fixed seat is disclosed, including a wheeled gantry that includes opposed front and rear legs and an upper portion connecting the legs, the gantry spanning a transfer station with a side entry for the wheelchair, and being capable of spanning the fixed seat; and a holding apparatus including a transfer seat and support frame, the transfer seat being sized to fit within the fixed seat; a lift for raising and lowering the transfer seat; and a support arm for rotating the support frame within the transfer station. The wheelchair can be wheeled into the transfer station, the person can be raised out of the wheelchair and rotated to face the front leg, the wheeled gantry can be moved to span the fixed seat, the person can be lowered into the fixed seat, and the wheeled gantry can be withdrawn.
US07996931B2
The novel enhanced pool safety device of the present disclosure increases safety around pools and prevents unnecessary drowning. The apparatus is disposed in a pool drain system and had been at least one blade connected to an axle and moved by the suction force provided by the filter system. As water moves from a pool to an intake duct via a drain, the combination of moving water and vacuum force turns blades, which cut foreign materials, such as hair, that comes through the drain grating. The cutting of these materials prevents loss of life that may arise as humans and other objects become entangled in pool drains.
US07996930B2
A disposable portable toilet that is efficiently fabricated from foldable stock, such as corrugated cardboard, with minimal waste and adapted with a fluid absorbing inner liner is disclosed. Foldable stock material is formed as a blank sheet having a plurality of fold lines defining multiple panels disposed in side-by-side relation, and a joining tab. Each panel includes a fold-in tab that functions to provide a rim. The blank sheet provides a structure that may be configured to form a support structure that is selectively configurable from a collapsed configuration to an expanded configuration. An absorbent liner is insertedly received within the support structure. Padding sections are disposed on the liner in proximity to overlay the top rim of the support structure when the liner is received therein thereby providing the device with a padded upper rim. A drawstring functions as a closure member to close the liner after use. The present invention thus provides a disposable toilet that is particularly suited for emergency use by anyone, and particularly for use by small children while away from home.
US07996923B2
The present invention relates to an ear warmer device. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods for making ear warmers and ear warmer frames.
US07996920B2
A protective garment including a first portion which is generally impermeable to gases and a second portion which is generally impermeable to gases. The second portion is releasably coupled to the first portion at a joint which is generally impermeable to gases.
US07996918B2
A haircutting cape worn by a user that includes a front closure configuration is provided. The front closure configuration provides an unobstructed and seamless interface between the haircutting cape and the back of the user's neck. Moreover, the haircutting cape provides a barrier over substantially all of the user's body, thus effectively protecting the user from cut hair, water, and chemicals that are associated with barber and hair salon services. The haircutting cape includes a collar, a back portion, a first front portion, and a second front portion. The collar secures the haircutting cape to the user's neck, while the back portion covers the back of the user, and the first and second front portions cover the front of the user.
US07996917B2
A mounting assembly for universally rotatably adjusting a night vision device with respect to a helmet is provided that includes a first attachment mechanism for connection to the night vision device; a second attachment mechanism for connection to the helmet; and a universally rotatable joint for universally rotatably adjusting the night vision device with respect to the helmet.
US08001599B2
A method for providing an alert when a potentially or likely malicious web site is browsed to by a user. The method maintains web site identification details. If a web site purporting to be a known, previously identified, encountered and utilized web site is browsed to and requests information, the user is alerted to the precise differences between the stored web site historical identity and the identity of the present requester.
US08001597B2
A fraud detection and protection method and system are disclosed. The method and system utilize a fraud detection and protection server to monitor online commercial transactions between a webserver and a client computer, and generate a risk assessment of a user associated with the client computer. The system and method further utilize a number of beacon servers geographically dispersed in an area. Each beacon server is configured to receive packet header information associated with the online commercial transactions, analyze the packet header information for authenticating information, and send the authenticating information to the fraud detection and protection server for the risk assessment.
US08001595B1
A security data structure, method and computer program product are provided. In use, computer code is received. Furthermore, functions in the computer code that control a behavior of the computer code when executed are statically identified.
US08001577B2
An interactive entertainment and information system using a television set-top box, wherein pages of information are periodically provided to the set-top box for user interaction therewith. The pages include associated meta-data defining active locations on each page. When a page is displayed, the user interacts with the active locations on the page by entering commands via a remote control device, whereby the system reads the meta-data and takes the action associated with the location. Actions include moving to other active locations, hyperlinking to other pages, entering user form data and submitting the data as a form into memory. The form data may be read from memory, and the pages may be related to a conventional television program, thereby providing significant user interactivity with the television.
US08001572B2
A reception system includes a baseband processor receiving a broadcasting signal including mobile service data and main service data, the mobile service data including first service data and second service data, a table handler parsing a table from an RS frame and extracting signaling information of the second service data, a frame handler extracting the second service data from the RS frame on the basis of the extracted signaling information, and a conditional access handler releasing the conditional access of the extracted second service data on the basis of conditional access information of the extracted signaling information.
US08001566B2
A digital broadcasting receiving apparatus which receives broadcasting signals corresponding to a plurality of channels, the digital broadcasting receiving apparatus including: a first tuner that tunes one of the broadcasting signals; and a controller that controls the first tuner to successively tune the broadcasting signals for each channel, captures image information for a program of a tuned broadcasting signal at a predetermined time interval, and storing detailed program information comprising the captured image information.
US08001562B2
An apparatus includes unit acquiring comment information items related to video content, each of the comment information items including a comment, and a start time and an end time of the comment, unit dividing the comment into words by morpheme analysis for each of the comment information items, unit acquiring an estimated value of each of the words, the estimated value indicating a degree of importance used when the scenes are extracted, unit adding the acquired estimated value of each of the words for each of the words during a period of time ranging from the start time to the end time of the comment that contains a corresponding word to acquire estimated value distributions of the words, and unit extracting a start time and an end time of one scene and to be extracted from the video content, based on a shape of the estimated value distributions.
US08001557B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a slot-in type disk apparatus in which a moving position of a disk is precisely guided when the disk is inserted or discharged, thereby preventing the disk from coming into contact with an objective lens and further reducing the thickness of the disk apparatus. In the slot-in type disk apparatus, a base body 10 and a lid constitute a chassis sheath, a disk-insertion opening 11 into which a disk is directly inserted is formed in a front surface of the chassis sheath, a traverse base 30 is disposed on the side of a front surface of the base body 10, a pickup 32 held by the traverse base 30 is disposed on an outer peripheral side of the base body 10, the pickup 32 is provided with an objective lens 32A and an ACT cover 32B, the traverse base 30 is provided with a traverse base 30 cover 32B, and a protection cover 32B is provided on an upper surface on the side of an outer periphery of the traverse base 30 cover 32B, the protection cover 32B also extends above the ACT cover 32B and is disposed closer to the disk-insertion opening 11 than the objective lens 32A.
US08001546B2
A system and method for allowing transaction callback processing to be synchronized or to take effect prior to completion of a transaction or message. Additional objects that will take part in the transaction can be registered on any server during the transaction's active phase. After the commit function is called, each synchronization object is called during the transaction preprepare processing. A synchronization object can register another object, call a server not previously involved in the transaction, or involve a new resource in the transaction. The effect is to provide a circular pattern of request passing that allows additional resources to be added into the loop prior to commit.
US08001537B1
During compilation of a user logic design in a first type of programmable logic device (e.g., an FPGA), a log is kept of at least certain steps where choices are made. When that logic design is migrated to another type of programmable logic device (e.g., a mask-programmable logic device) the logged steps are taken into account to make sure that the same choices are made, so that the target device is functionally equivalent to the original device.
US08001535B2
A target computing system 10 is adapted to support a register window architecture, particularly for use when converting non-native subject code 17 instead into target code 21 executed by a target processor 13. A subject register stack data structure (an “SR stack”) 400 in memory has a plurality of frames 410 each containing a set of entries 401 corresponding to a subset of subject registers 502 of one register window 510 in a subject processor 3. The SR stack 400 is accessed by the target code 21 executing on the target processor 13. The SR stack 400 stores a large plurality of such frames 410 and thereby avoids overhead such as modelling automatic spill and fill operations from the windowed register file of the subject architecture. In one embodiment, a target computing system 10 having sixteen general purpose working registers is adapted to support a register window architecture reliant upon a register file containing tens or hundreds of subject registers 502.
US08001534B2
A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer usable program code are provided to validate software compliance for a set of technologies. A request is received to validate software. Responsive to receiving the request to validate the software, a selection of a number of technologies is received from the set of technologies for which the software is to be validated. Responsive to receiving the select of the number of technologies, a set of traces is exercised of the software for the selected technologies. The exercise of the set of traces continues until stopped. Responsive to tracing stopping, a set of trace log files of the set of traces is created and sent to a validation server. The validation server then analyzes the submitted trace log files and generates a report detailing what technologies were successfully used.
US08001529B2
A test harness system and method of functionality testing of wireless component applications is provided. The test harness system comprises at least one testlet for testing at least one target application log event and at least one event handler for validating at least one comparator against the at least one target application log event. The method comprises the steps of listening for target application log events, receiving a target application log event, receiving a testlet and validating the target application log event based upon the testlet.
US08001526B2
A property storage structure is provided that is configured to store properties for a display object. The property storage structure includes a property object that corresponds to a property of the display object. The property storage structure is identified according to a key (e.g., the key identifies the property object as a fill style object that corresponds to a fill style property for the display object). The property object hierarchically includes a value designating what type of object for the property object identified by the key (e.g., the fill style object includes a value that designates the fill style object as a solid color fill type).
US08001523B1
A system and methods are provided for implementing an explicit interface member in connection with a computer programming language. Thus, a mechanism is provided that prevents conflicts between independently developed interfaces, enables privately implemented interface members and enables specific versions of generic interfaces that are free from conflict.
US08001514B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that computes a routability estimation across a collection of local routing regions associated with a circuit layout. This system first selects a first local routing region associated with a route overflow, wherein a respective local routing region is associated with an estimation of a number of route overflows for routing layers in a region of the circuit layout. Furthermore, a respective routing layer is associated with a preferred direction variable D. Next, the system transfers an overflow value k in direction d away from an overflowing routing layer for the first local routing region to a second local routing region, which has the capacity to handle an overflow of k or more routes in a direction d. Finally, the system computes a global routability estimation as a function of a global overflow cost and an adjacent overflow cost.
US08001512B1
A method, system, and computer program product are disclosed for using pattern-dependent models at early stages of the design process. This addresses the key disadvantage of prior approaches which are restricted to using such models later in the design process for IC designs that are nearly complete. Pattern-dependent manufacturing effects are extracted from early stage designs and using the extracted pattern-dependent effects to efficiently and effectively design the integrated circuit. One or more contexts are built around one or more units of the design, with examples of units being a block or cell. The units are then used in the context to generate pattern-dependent data as a basis for one or more pattern-dependent models.
US08001494B2
Disclosed is a system and method for integrated circuit designs and post layout analysis. The integrated circuit design method includes providing a plurality of IC devices with various design dimensions; collecting electrical performance data of the IC devices; extracting equivalent dimensions of the IC devices; generating a shape related model to relate the equivalent dimensions to the electrical performance data of the IC devices; and creating a data refinement table using the equivalent dimensions and the electrical performance data.
US08001493B2
An efficient method and computer program for modeling and improving stating memory performance across process variations and environmental conditions provides a mechanism for raising the performance of memory arrays beyond present levels/yields. Statistical (Monte-Carlo) analyses of subsets of circuit parameters are performed for each of several memory performance variables and then sensitivities of each performance variable to each of the circuit parameters are determined. The memory cell design parameters and/or operating conditions of the memory cells are then adjusted in conformity with the sensitivities, resulting in improved memory yield and/or performance. Once a performance level is attained, the sensitivities can then be used to alter the probability distributions of the performance variables to achieve a higher yield. Multiple cell designs can be compared for performance, yield and sensitivity of performance variables to circuit parameters over particular environmental conditions in order to select the best cell design.
US08001486B2
A method for automatically verifying one or more features of file-based media content (108) is disclosed. This file-based media content includes one or more media content files. The method includes customizing (204) a test plan on the basis of the one or more features. Customizing the test plan includes creating, modifying or utilizing at least one media content check of one or more media content checks. A media content check verifies at least one feature of the one or more features of the file-based media content. Further, the method includes verifying (206) the one or more features, based on the customized test plan. The method also includes documenting (208) the results obtained from the verification of the one or more features.
US08001469B2
Systems and methods are described that automatically generate interactive systems configured for collecting dialog data of human-machine interactions in dialog systems. The systems and methods comprise receiving a task flow that describes operations of a dialog system. A formal description of the task flow is generated, and an interactive system comprising a graphical user interface (GUI) is automatically generated from the formal description. The GUI consists of templates for control of the dialog system and real-time collection and annotating of dialog data during a live dialog between only the dialog system and callers to the dialog system. The dialog data consists of data of the live dialog.
US08001468B2
Disclosed is a method and system for capturing a user action on a user interface and fetching user interface elements in the user interface into a first list and operations of the user interface elements into a second list. A test case for the user action is created in an automation accelerator by selecting a user interface element from the first list and an operation of the user interface element from the second list. An automation accelerator script of the test case is created by the automation accelerator.
US08001456B2
Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for communicating data between a web application running on a server and a browser running on a client in a network environment. Information is requested at the client from the server. The requested information is received at the client. The requested information is separated into a data portion and a markup portion.
US08001452B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for soft decision decoding using reliability values based on a log base two function. A signal is processed to determine one or more reliability values for a soft decision decoder by computing one or more log-likelihood ratio (LLR) values using a log base two function. The soft decision decoder may employ, for example, a belief propagation algorithm. The soft decision decoder can decode, for example, Low-Density Parity Check codes or turbo codes.
US08001451B2
A trellis encoding device includes a plurality of trellis encoders to perform trellis-encoding of a transport stream into which a supplementary reference signal (SRS) has been inserted, and performs a memory reset in a region that precedes an SRS; and a parity compensation unit to compensate for parities of the transport stream in accordance with values stored in memories included in the trellis encoders. The plurality of trellis encoders may be implemented in diverse types. The trellis encoding device can perform a memory reset selectively using the stored value of the memory and the inverted value thereof, or selectively using the stored value of the memory and a fixed value. By properly resetting the memory in processing the transport stream into which the SRS has been inserted, DC offset can be reduced.
US08001450B2
The data memory cell array and parity memory cell array in the memory cell array has a constitution that is capable of corresponding with a plurality of ECC code lengths. An input-side parity generation circuit that generates parities from write data, an output-side parity generation circuit that generates parities from read data, and a syndrome generation circuit that generates a syndrome bit that indicates an error bit from the read parity bits and generated parity bits are constituted so as to be capable of switching, according to the plurality of ECC code lengths.
US08001434B1
A self-testing memory module includes a printed circuit board configured to be operatively coupled to a memory controller of a computer system and includes a plurality of memory devices on the printed circuit board, each memory device of the plurality of memory devices comprising data, address, and control ports. The memory module also includes a control module configured to generate address and control signals for testing the memory devices. The memory module includes a data module comprising a plurality of data handlers. Each data handler is operable independently from each of the other data handlers of the plurality of data handlers. Each data handler is operatively coupled to a corresponding plurality of the data ports of one or more of the memory devices and is configured to generate data for writing to the corresponding plurality of data ports.
US08001406B2
Provided are a method and apparatus for managing power of a portable information device. The apparatus includes: a display unit displaying a power management mode picture when a wake-up signal is input during a low-power consumption state of the portable information device; and a processing unit setting the portable information device again in the low-power consumption state when a user's input, as a response to the power management mode picture, is not received within a predetermined time after the power management mode picture is output to the display unit. Accordingly, even when a button on the portable information device is accidentally pressed, battery thereof can be prevented from being needlessly consumed.
US08001405B2
Power management techniques include a method for power management of a processor chip which comprises the following steps. An initial operating level is set for the processor chip. After a predetermined time interval, slack is calculated. If the slack is greater than zero, the initial operating level is increased to a next higher level, otherwise the initial operating level is maintained. After the predetermined time interval, the slack is re-calculated and further includes accumulated slack. If the re-calculated slack is greater than zero, the operating level is increased to the next higher level if the processor chip is being operated at the initial operating level, otherwise the operating level is returned to the initial operating level if the processor chip is being operated at the next higher operating level. The steps to re-calculate the slack and either increase the operating level to the next higher level or return the operating level to the initial operating level are repeated.
US08001403B2
An exemplary method for managing power consumption of a data center includes monitoring power consumption of a data center, assessing power consumption with respect to a billing equation for power, based on the assessment, deciding whether to implement a power policy where the power policy reduces instantaneous power consumption by the data center and increases a load factor wherein the load factor is an average power consumed by the data center divided by a peak power consumed by the data center over a period of time. Various other methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed.
US08001394B2
A computer-implemented method and a system for managing power in a multi-core microprocessor are provided. A power management control microarchitecture in a chiplet translates a first command comprising a power setting. A chiplet comprises a processor core and associated memory cache. The power management control microarchitecture comprises power mode registers, power mode adjusters, translators, and microarchitectural power management techniques. The power management control microarchitecture sets microarchitectural power management techniques according to the power setting. The global power management controller issues the first command. The global power management controller may reside either on or off of the microprocessor. The global power management controller issues commands either directly for a specific chiplet out of the plurality of chiplets or to the plurality of chiplets and the control slave bus translates the command into sub-commands dedicated to specific chiplets within the plurality of chiplets. Each chiplet may be set to separate power levels.
US08001392B2
An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) of a UPS system including a plurality of UPSs connected in parallel at a load bus and configured to provide power thereto from respective batteries of a plurality of batteries is operated such that a difference between a variable, for example, battery voltage, indicative of battery capacity for a battery associated with the subject UPS and an average value of the variable for the plurality of batteries is determined and a power flow between the subject UPS and the load bus is controlled responsive to the determined difference. Controlling a power flow between the subject UPS and the load bus responsive to the determined difference may include, for example, controlling a phase of an inverter of the subject UPS responsive to the determined difference.
US08001376B2
A tamperproof ClientID system to uniquely identify a client machine is invoked upon connection of a client application to a backend. Upon initial connection, the backend issues a unique ClientID containing a checksum. The client application prepares at least two different scrambled versions of the ClientID and stores them in respective predetermined locations on the client machine. Upon subsequent connection to the backend, the client application retrieves and unscrambles the values at the two locations, verifies the checksums and compares the values. If the checksums are both correct and the values match, the ClientID value is sent to the backend, otherwise the client application sends an error code.
US08001374B2
A method for protecting data between a circuit and a memory is disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of (A) generating a particular address among a plurality of addresses for accessing a particular area among a plurality of areas in the memory, (B) determining a particular key among a plurality of keys associated with the particular area, (C) generating a cipher stream from both the particular address and the particular key and (D) modifying a data item with the cipher stream such that the data item is encrypted during a transfer between the circuit and the memory.
US08001369B2
An information processing unit is provided, which includes a first memory, a second memory, and a controller. The first memory stores a BIOS program beforehand that is executed at a startup of the unit so as to allow peripheral devices to operate normally. The first memory also stores initial BIOS data beforehand. The second memory stores BIOS data with which the BIOS program is executed. The controller is configured to: (a) if the initial BIOS data is updated, read the updated BIOS data including updated data from the first memory and writes the updated BIOS data into the second memory; and (b) execute the BIOS program using the updated BIOS data written in the second memory.
US08001360B2
A system and software for improving the performance of processors by incorporating an execution unit operable to decode and execute single instructions specifying a data selection operand and a first and a second register providing a plurality of data elements, the data selection operand comprising a plurality of fields each selecting one of the plurality of data elements, the execution unit operable to provide the data element selected by each field of the data selection operand to a predetermined position in a catenated result.
US08001354B2
A computer system, computer program product, and method implement dynamic physical memory reallocation. A system management interface (SMI) Handler and an Operating System (OS) are arranged for exchanging communications. Periodically the SMI Handler queries the operating system to identify a percentage of available memory currently being utilized. Responsive to the identified percentage of available memory currently being utilized, physical memory is dynamically reallocated.
US08001352B1
Technologies are described herein for providing networked RAID in a virtualized storage cluster. The storage capacity of a storage cluster having two or more storage nodes is organized into tiers. A portion of the available storage capacity is allocated to one tier that is organized using chained declustering. Another portion of the available storage capacity is allocated to another tier that is organized using a networked RAID configuration. The storage cluster monitors the frequency at which data in the storage cluster is accessed. Frequently used data that is stored in the network RAID-configured tier is promoted to the chained declustered-configured tier. Infrequently used data that is stored in the chained declustered-configured tier is demoted to the network RAID-configured tier. The zone size for zones stored in the chained declustered-configured tier may be different than for zones stored in the network RAID-configured tier.
US08001350B2
A main memory and a hard disk include predetermined serial numbers. A flash memory registers the main memory and hard disk together with their serial numbers. A BIOS reads the serial numbers from the main memory and hard disk. When a read-out serial number is not registered in the flash memory, the BIOS places the information processing apparatus in an unusable state.
US08001344B2
Disclosed are a storage control apparatus, a storage control program, and a storage control method that collect the backup of storage data in units of generation at low cost.A storage control apparatus that creates a generation backup of a storage, comprising: a first copy section that creates a snapshot of at least one of all data stored in the storage at an indicated time point and difference data stored in the storage in an indicated time period; a second copy section that creates a mirror of at least one of all data stored in the storage and difference data stored in the storage in an indicated time period; and a controller that causes one of the first and second copy sections to copy all data stored in the storage and causes the other to copy difference data between generations stored in the storage.
US08001339B1
A virtual data storage system stores data as data objects to a plurality of storage devices in accordance with storage management policies. The system manages multiple copies of stored data objects on multiple media types over time. Storage pools define groups of media that are to be treated in a uniform manner. A policy is composed of a series of policy copy/delete rules that direct movement of data objects into the storage pools. A rule defines a destination storage pool, a length of time that the data objects are to remain in the destination storage pool, and a data source for the data objects. Copy and delete actions are performed to manage copies of data objects among the storage pools in accordance with the policy.
US08001329B2
A system and method for partitioning a data stream into tokens includes steps or acts of: receiving the data stream; setting a partition scanner to a beginning point in the data stream; identifying likely token boundaries in the data stream using the partition scanner; partitioning the data stream according to the likely token boundaries as determined by the partition scanner, wherein each partition of the partitioned data stream bounded by the likely token boundaries comprises a chunk; and passing the chunk to a next available token scanner, one chunk per token scanner, for identifying at least one actual token within each chunk.
US08001326B2
A management apparatus including a portable terminal identifying module to receive card information from a non-contact IC card processing unit having a module to communicate with an IC card without contact.
US08001319B2
A semiconductor storage apparatus is coupled with a system bus to receive a write request accompanied with first and second blocks of data, which are stored in nonvolatile semiconductor memories. A control device sends a first erase command to one of the nonvolatile memories to initiate a first internal erase operation of data within the nonvolatile memories. After the first erase command has been sent, the control device sends a second erase command to another one of the nonvolatile memories, to initiate a second internal erase operation of data within the other nonvolatile memory.
US08001318B1
Described herein are method and apparatus for performing wear leveling of erase-units of an LLRRM device that considers all active erase-units. Wear counts of all active erase-units (containing client data) and free erase-units (not containing client data) are tracked. Wear counts are used to determine low-wear active erase-units having relatively low wear counts and high-wear free erase-units having relatively high wear counts. In some embodiments, data contents of low-wear active erase-units are transferred to high-wear free erase-units, whereby the low-wear active erase-units are converted to free erase-units and may later store different client data which may increase the current rate of wear for the erase-unit. The high-wear free erase-units are converted to active erase-units that store client data that is infrequently erased/written, which may reduce the current rate of wear for the erase-unit. As such, wear is spread more evenly among erase-units of the LLRRM device.
US08001316B2
A controller for one type of NAND flash memory device that emulates another type of NAND flash memory device. The controller may include a host NAND interface to receive host data from a NAND host device, and a data aggregator for aggregating the host data with complementary data, to thereby create device data that is storable in a device page of an array of NAND flash memory cells of the NAND flash memory device. After creating the device data the controller writes the device data into a device page of the NAND flash memory cells. The controller also includes a data parser to parse host data from device data when data read operations are executed by the controller. If required, the controller uses the data parser to parse complementary data from device data to create device data when data writing operations are executed by the controller.
US08001306B2
An interface unit is provided for a communication system comprising a master unit and a plurality of slave units serially connecting the master unit via a double ring structure comprising a first communication path and a second communication path. The interface unit comprises a first switching unit, which is configured to output information signals received by the master unit as a first information signal to the first communication path and as a second information signal to the second communication path; and a second switching unit, which is configured to forward the first information signal circulating on the first communication path and second information signal circulating on the second communication path to the master unit.
US08001304B2
A non-volatile storage device has first and second controllers that provide external access to non-volatile memory using different protocols. In response to a request from the first controller, the second controller retrieves parameters from the non-volatile memory and provides the retrieved parameters to the first controller. In one embodiment, the device parameters are USB descriptors, which may include a vendor ID, a product ID, a product string, and/or a serial number. The first controller may be a Universal Serial Bus (USB) card reader controller. Examples of the second controller include a Secure Digital (SD) controller, a CompactFlash (CF) controller, a MemoryStick controller, or a different type of controller that is able to provide external access to the non-volatile memory. The first controller provides the device parameters to a host during enumeration of the non-volatile storage device. The device parameters may be used to establish settings for the first controller.
US08001299B2
Two or more electronic devices are connected via a bus system, wherein one of the network devices controls other network devices. A first control application is uploaded from a first controlled device to the control device and a second control application is uploaded from a second controlled device into the first control application. The first and second controlled devices can be operated simultaneously using a single user interface shown on a display of the control device. The user interface of the first device is displayed as main user interface and the user interface of the second device is rendered within the main interface as reduced user interface, which includes only operation elements necessary for operation of the second device in combination with the first device. The generation of combined user interfaces is also possible when the second controlled device comprises features, which are not known at the production of the first controlled device.
US08001290B2
A vehicle computer system has an audio entertainment system implemented in a logic unit and audio digital signal processor (DSP) independent from the host CPU. The audio entertainment system employs a set of ping/pong buffers and direct memory access (DMA) circuits to transfer data between different audio devices. Audio data is exchanged using a mapping overlay technique, in which the DMA circuits for two audio devices read and write to the same memory buffer. The computer system provides an audio manager API (application program interface) to enable applications running on the computer to control the various audio sources without knowing the hardware and implementation details of the underlying sound system. Different audio devices and their drivers control different functionality of the audio system, such as equalization, volume controls and surround sound decoding. The audio manager API transfers calls made by the applications to the appropriate device driver(s). The computer system also supports a speech recognition system. Speech utterances are picked up by a microphone and sampled at an internal sampling rate. However, the speech recognition system employs a lower sampling rate. The computer system converts microphone data from the higher internal sampling rate to the desired sampling rate by piggybacking the microphone data on command/message streams to an SPI (serial peripheral interface) of the audio DSP. The DSP performs normal low-pass filtering and down sampling on the data stream and then uses the SPI to send out the microphone data at the lower sampling rate.
US08001289B2
An audio/video (AV) apparatus such as a digital television set and a digital set-top-box device, which can perform additional operations such as an electronic album, MP3 and FIMS, and an additional operation performing apparatus appropriate for the digital AV apparatus. The digital AV apparatus can include an AV decoder to output video and audio data, a scaler to adjust resolutions of video data output from the AV decoder and additional information video data provided from an external video source and to output the adjusted resolution, an audio processor to process audio data output from the AV decoder and additional information audio data provided from an external audio source, and a controller to receive a command provided from an external commander and to control a selection operation of the scaler and the audio processor based on the command.
US08001288B2
A method and system for enabling personal digital assistants (PDAs) and protecting stored private data. Specifically, one embodiment in accordance with the present invention includes a removable expansion card about the size of a postage stamp which plugs into a slot of a personal digital assistant. The removable expansion card, referred to as a personality card, is capable of storing all of a user's private information and data which is used within their personal digital assistant. By removing the personality card from the personal digital assistant, all of the user's private information and data may be removed from the personal digital assistant. Furthermore, the personal digital assistant may also be rendered totally or partially useless once the personality card is removed from it. There are several advantages associated with a personality card system in accordance with the present invention. For example, one of the advantages is that a user is able to restrict access to their stored private information and data by simply removing their personality card from their personal digital assistant. Furthermore, as personal digital assistants equipped with personality card slots become increasingly more common, a user will be able to continually carry around their personality card and enable a spare and locally available personal digital assistant with their private information when desired.
US08001285B1
Method and apparatus for reducing host processor activity during interaction with peripheral devices
A system includes first memory for storing data and a processing core for executing software instructions on the data that is received from the first memory. The system also includes a peripheral device configured to communicate with the processing core through a peripheral control module. The peripheral control module, also referred to as a peripheral control device, includes second memory. The peripheral control module also includes a comparator for governing data transfer transactions, without interrupting the processing core, based on a comparison. The comparator therefore compares expected responses to command sequences and received responses to the command sequences. The command sequences and responses to command sequences are associated with data packets to be exchanged between the first memory and the peripheral device.
US08001281B1
A customization program for use in customizing a baseboard management controller used for monitoring operation of various computer system components is disclosed. A user interacts with the customization program to customize the baseboard management controller based on a configuration of components specified for the baseboard of the computer system. The customization program provides a user interface having a repository of icons and a design page. The icons represent various components that may be connected, directly or indirectly, to the baseboard. The design page is used for constructing a model representing the specified configuration of components. As a user drags icons onto the design page, the model is updated to reflect selection of the components corresponding to these icons. Further, the customization program creates a configuration file that identifies and describes each of the selected components. The configuration file is loaded into the baseboard management controller to effectuate the aforementioned customization.
US08001278B2
Methods and apparatus relating to network packet payload compression/decompression are described. In an embodiment, an uncompressed packet payload may be compressed before being transferred between various components of a computing system. For example, a packet payload may be compressed prior to transfer between network interface cards or controllers (NICs) and storage devices (e.g., including a main system memory and/or cache(s)), as well as between processors (or processor cores) and storage devices (e.g., including main system memory and/or caches). Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US08001274B2
An accessory device (33) to a mobile device (31) is described that enables enhanced internet content viewing experience, where internet content is enhanced using data from accessory device (41). This is achieved by combining an embedded web proxy server (37) into the accessory device (33) with enhancements that support merging data from the accessory device (41) into internet content. This enables accessory devices (33) to be used with both closed and open mobile devices (31).
US08001271B1
A system is provided that polls one or more caching nameservers and compares their results to a trusted or standard set of data. The set of data may be, for example, stored in a computer system or distributed among several computer systems. In one aspect, the system comprises a discrepancy detector that detects discrepancies between one or more copies of mapping information. Mapping information may be, for example, mapping stored on a Domain Name System (DNS).
US08001269B1
Redundant gateway methods, apparatus and systems using more than one gateway device in a gateway device group for communications directed outside of a LAN. Failover services are thus provided in the event that an active router or other gateway device fails. Network address translation (NAT) services are provided simultaneously by having all gateway devices in the redundancy group create and maintain IP aliases and static NAT mappings, while disabling all gateway devices operating in a non-active mode from replying to address resolution protocol requests from hosts. A gateway device may be configured to operate in a redundancy group in an active operating mode or a non-active operating mode. The gateway device handles transmissions into and out of the network to which it is connected only when the gateway device is in the active operating mode so as to avoid system corruption due to ARP activity and message transmissions by non-active gateway devices.
US08001265B2
A method for transmission of a user data record to a user station. The method features the following steps: (i) transmitting the user data record as a broadcast data record via a network system including at least two networks capable of data transmission, of which at least one is designed as a broadcast network in which a network identification of the broadcast network used for transmission is added to the broadcast data record prior to transmission in the respective broadcast network; (ii) extracting at least the network identification last added to the broadcast data record at reception of the last used broadcast data records from this broadcast data record; and (iii) forwarding at least the last network identification to the user station for allowance of at least the last network identification in connection with the user data record usage.
US08001249B2
The present system uses dynamic assignment of key codes to select options of response content in request messages prior to transmission from an application server to a communication device. Dynamic assignment of key codes to selection options can occur according to a list of key codes having a predefined order also known as a predefined key code series. A key code series could be ordered according to ergonomic considerations or other considerations such as according to an alphabetic or numeric ordering. Communication occurs between one or more server applications running on an application server and a particular communication device, such as a cell phone. Dynamic key code assignment addresses problems raised when one communication device is concurrently carrying on more than one session with one or more server applications since the communication device identifier, such as a phone number, will be the same for all sessions.
US08001248B1
A method and system provides quality of service in a DSL network interfaced with the Internet. A connection engine determines whether a connection from an internet endpoint has an associated IP layer 3 quality of service or ATM layer 2 quality of service and provides the internet network quality of service parameters to a mapping engine. The mapping engine references a quality of service map to associate the layer 3 or layer 2 quality of service with a DSL layer 1 quality of service. The mapping engine provides the DSL quality of service parameters to the DSL network which establishes the DSL connection between a DSL endpoint and the internet endpoint with the appropriate quality of service. To provision services to a DSL network, the quality of service map is updated to associate quality of service parameters for the service, including its association with other network quality of service parameters.
US08001247B2
Computing resources are dynamically provisioned to virtual and physical systems. In one embodiment, a control system manages the provisioning of computing resources for multiple client systems. A request for resource provisioning can be sent to the control system as a trigger. The control system converts the information in the trigger into a demand curve that specifies the rates at which resources are to be provided to a client system. The control system then causes the resources to be provisioned to the client system based on the demand curve and a dynamic provisioning profile. The dynamic provisioning profile can be created by a system administrator based on the amount and characteristics of the resources available for provisioning the client system. The dynamic provisioning profile can also specify one or more gate points that indicate the thresholds at which dynamic provisioning can be stopped.
US08001239B2
A web host intrusion prevention system includes a filter engine [302] and comparison tables [303]. The comparison tables [303] are populated with the set of valid commands that are to be received at a server. The filter engine [302] looks up received commands in the comparison tables [303]. Received commands that are not in the comparison table are rejected.
US08001235B2
A system for managing patient medical data derived from at least first and second medical devices acquiring respective medical data from a patient includes a proximity detector, for use by the first medical device, for detecting proximity of the second medical device. A command processor responds to the detection of proximity, by initiating generation of signals: (a) to associate patient medical data acquired by the second medical device with patient medical data acquired by the first medical device, and (b) to process patient medical data acquired by the second medical device together with medical data acquired by the first medical device to provide a composite representation of patient medical data.
US08001233B2
There is disclosed a method of providing subscription services, the method comprising: establishing a subscription dialog to activate a subscription; terminating said subscription dialog upon establishment of said subscription; and establishing a notification to a subscriber by the steps of: determining the location of the subscriber; establishing a notification dialog to notify the located subscriber; and terminating said notification dialog upon completion of the notification.
US08001229B2
A management apparatus has a control unit for realizing a management function through a comprehensive process of characteristic information of a storage apparatus, a connecting apparatus and a computer. The management apparatus also has an interface for receiving characteristic information from the storage apparatus, connecting apparatus and computer, depending on the standard protocol among the management apparatus, storage apparatus, connecting apparatus and computer. Moreover, an integrated management apparatus is also provided for integrated management based on the result of realization of a plurality of management functions. This integrated management apparatus includes an interface for receiving the result of realization of the management function from the management apparatus, depending on the standard protocol between the management apparatus and integrated management apparatus.
US08001218B2
The present invention, generally speaking, provides a broad-based solution for acquisition, processing and distribution of media objects including pictures (images), movies, videos, graphics, sound clips, etc via the Internet or the like. And specifically, it is a solution to such systems for use in applications wherein there are multiple originators of media objects that will be viewed in multiple web sites having different viewing requirements. A browser-based prepare and post tool prepares and submits media objects from inside a standard browser to a remote server. A Media Acquisition, Processing and Distribution (MAPD) system receives these media objects, processes them to meet specific requirements, and delivers them for integration into remote databases. MAPD system services include media object submission, processing, hosting and mirroring. The hosting service delivers a media object URL to a remote database, allowing the media object to be requested and served by the media object server. The mirroring service delivers the actual media object to multi-point remote databases to be stored and served by the customer.
US08001214B2
A method for processing a request sent over a network. The method includes receiving a first request sent by a client over the network at a physical server hosting a first application. The method further involves processing the first request using the first application to generate a second request. The method further involves the addressing and sending of the second request to a software-implemented distributed service delivery controller (SDC) on the physical server, where a loopback interface Internet Protocol (IP) address and a port associated with the distributed service delivery controller (SDC) are used to address the second request. The method further involves determining, using the distributed SDC, an IP address for a destination server hosting the second application. The method further involves processing the second request on a network layer of a network protocol stack of the physical server and sending the second request to the destination server.
US08001211B2
A system integrates standards-defined multimedia storage system and an Internet browser. In one example, Universal Resource Locator (URL) information corresponding to web sites accessible by the browser is stored in fields within the DVD data. When a user actuates a DVD element that has a corresponding URL, the web browser displays information from that site. When the user actuates an HTML menu or other browser-implemented feature, the DVD system accesses a portion of the DVD data specified in the menu. This arrangement provides for two-way communication, i.e., HTML in the browser is able to control DVD content and vice-versa. Having WWW information embedded in the DVD brings a number of benefits, the foremost of which is the ability to write a “one size fits all” template web page that can interrogate the DVD for URL information and present WWW content corresponding to the URL synchronized with the DVD information.
US08001210B2
A cellular phone does not store information unnecessary for displaying a screen and transmits a screen display request including an identifier of a screen to be displayed next to a server apparatus. In response to the screen display request, the server apparatus reads a display information file including screen elements for configuring the screen from a database and sends the file to the cellular phone. The cellular phone generates a screen using the screen elements included in the display information file and displays the generated screen on a display device. The display information file is prepared as one file for each screen displayed on the cellular phone. The file includes information of all screen elements necessary for the screen and does not include information of any screen elements unnecessary for the screen.
US08001208B2
A device manager (2205f) of a broadcast receiving apparatus includes a device basic information management unit (3201) operable to hold a type and the number of devices handled by the device manager (2205f), and information regarding the individual devices, a device object management unit (3202) operable to manage one-to-one correspondences of objects representing devices, a device physical connection management unit (3203) operable to manage hardware configuration physical connection information of devices, a device logical connection management unit (3204) operable to manage logical connection statuses of devices, a device logical connection unit (3205) operable to logically connect devices, and a device logical connection cancellation unit (3206) operable to perform cancellation of a logical connection of devices.
US08001206B2
Methods, apparatus, and products for broadcasting data in a hybrid computing environment that includes a host computer, a number of accelerators, the host computer and the accelerators adapted to one another for data communications by a system level message passing module, the host computer having local memory shared remotely with the accelerators, the accelerators having local memory for the accelerators shared remotely with the host computer, where broadcasting data according to embodiments of the present invention includes: writing, by the host computer remotely to the shared local memory for the accelerators, the data to be broadcast; reading, by each of the accelerators from the shared local memory for the accelerators, the data; and notifying the host computer, by the accelerators, that the accelerators have read the data.
US08001201B2
Based on user configuration, a main messaging user interface screen on a messaging device either presents a list of references to messages stored on the device based on a complete index of references to the stored messages or based on a filtered index of references to the stored messages. References to stored messages of a predetermined type are not maintained in the filtered index.
US08001199B2
An electronic message may be reconfigured to effect an enhanced notification using an input interface to receive at least one electronic message created by or on behalf of a message source for delivery to an intended recipient. A matching engine determines whether the electronic message corresponds to a predetermined definition of an enhanced notification. An enhancement engine reconfigures the electronic message to the enhanced notification if stored information related to the intended recipient indicates that the intended recipient is subscribed to receive the enhanced notification. Reconfiguring the electronic message may include reconfiguring the message to provide special handling, routing or presentation.
US08001193B2
A data communications system which communicates data via a data communications network, includes: an information extraction unit configured to extract an extraction target from received data; an comparison information generator/transmitter unit configured to generate and transmit comparison information including the extraction target extracted by the information extraction unit; a comparison unit configured to compare the received comparison information with the received data; and a cancellation processor unit configured to delete the received data, when the received comparison information agrees with the received data.
US08001187B2
A system and method to allow chat modules in a peer network to share active content. A sender peer includes an application module to activate a media content file from a content repository. The sender peer also includes a chat module to detect active content on the common peer and send information about the active content for display at a recipient peer. The recipient peer includes a chat module to receive active content information and an application module to active the media in substantially synchronous to active media at the sender peer. A content enhancement server provides supplemental active content information for display at the recipient peer and previews of the active content. The content enhancement server also enables a transaction related to the active media content file such as a purchase of an MP3 copy of the active content.
US08001181B2
Method, system and apparatus for messaging between wireless mobile terminals and networked computers
A system is disclosed for messaging between wireless mobile terminals operating on wireless carrier networks and networked computers. The mobile terminals and computers include client applications for communicating messages to one another using push-to-talk modality. A server, located on a packet network outside the wireless carrier networks, forwards messages between the mobile terminals and the computers. The messages consist of text or streaming voice. The server can also include gateways for forwarding messages from the mobile terminals and computers to external email and instant messaging (IM) users. By placing the server outside wireless carrier networks and using conventional packet network protocols such as the Internet protocol (IP), the system provides seamless inter-carrier push-to-talk and/or instant messaging between mobile terminal, networked computers, and users of third-party email and IM services.
US08001179B2
A computationally implemented method includes, but is not limited to: acquiring a first inference data indicative of an inferred mental state of a first authoring user in connection with a particular item of an electronic document, acquiring a second inference data indicative of an inferred mental state of a second authoring user in connection with the particular item of the electronic document; comparing the first inference data with the second inference data; and presenting data indicative of an extent of congruity between the inferred mental state of the first authoring user and the inferred mental state of the second authoring user based, at least in part, on said comparing. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
US08001176B2
The invention concerns a device, method, and program for exposing one or more Web Services via a Web Service access protocol. Each Web Service comprises multiple Web Service actions for accessing the functionality of a device. The Web Service access protocol allows the exchange of information in a decentralized, distributed environment and encompasses multiple Web Service actions and multiple different communication protocols. Each listening endpoint exposes a grouping of Web Service actions, such that a first endpoint exposes a first grouping of actions and a second endpoint exposes a second grouping of actions. Each request handler handles requests at a respective endpoint, and each request handler is specifically configured to handle requests received at that endpoint. Because the invention can handle requests encompassing each message type differently, it can achieve improved performance when handling any message type.
US08001174B2
An application process to process communication system is provided in which seamless communication between onboard processes and off-board processes are provided. The off-board processes are typically remote and/or mobile relative to the onboard processes in which a central process maintains communication between the processes.
US08001173B2
An information processing apparatus includes a code converting portion that converts a scan code output from a keyboard into a corresponding key code, a data converting portion that converts the key code into packets, and a changing portion that changes an output destination of the scan code from the code converting portion to the data converting portion, when an application software to operate a server apparatus remotely located is activated in the information processing apparatus, which is in connection with the server apparatus over a network.
US08001163B2
When performing access relating to a first type storage device among a plurality of storage devices in the storage system, the database management system specifies a second type storage device that stores a backup of data that are stored in the first type storage device if an error relating to the access is detected and issues a power conservation cancellation instruction to cancel the power conservation of the second type storage device.
US08001162B2
A computer identifies a first candidate document at a first data source and a second candidate document at a second data source in response to a request from a user, wherein the request includes one or more keywords. The computer generates a first node stream for the first candidate document and a second node stream for the second candidate document using data packets received from the respective first and second data sources. The computer alternatively processes the first node stream and the second node stream until a candidate chunk matching at least one of the keywords is identified therein, wherein the matching chunk includes a set of nodes within a respective data source.
US08001160B2
A system for managing construction projects includes at least one processor and electronic data storage device containing a database, the database having construction information saved therein and being in data communication with the processor. The system includes an input device for inputting contractor information, manager information, and job information into the database and associating respective job information with respective manager information. The processor includes programming to select particular contractor information from the contractor information and associate the particular contractor information with respective job information, to output the particular contractor information, to select particular construction information from the construction information and associate the particular construction information with respective job information, and output the particular construction information. The processor includes programming to allow communication between at least one contractor corresponding to the particular contractor information and a manager corresponding to the manager information associated with the job information.
US08001154B2
Methods and computer-readable media are provided for performing a federated search using a library description file to locate multiple data sources. For a federated search, a library description can be used to describe a set of data sources searched, and may further be used to describe how search results should be presented to a user. The format of such a library description file can include multiple elements, some of which provide information on how to display the library and others that define which data sources are included in the library. The library description file can be created according to library description template.
US08001146B2
A vast amount of information currently accessible over the Web, and in corporate networks, is stored in a variety of databases, and is being exported as XML data. However, querying this totality of information in a declarative and timely fashion is problematic because this set of databases is dynamic, and a common schema is difficult to maintain. The present invention provides a solution to the problem of issuing declarative, ad hoc XPath queries against such a dynamic collection of XML databases, and receiving timely answers. There is proposed a decentralized architectures, under the open and the agreement cooperation models between a set of sites, for processing queries and updates to XML data. Each site consists of XML data nodes. (which export their data as XML, and also pose queries) and one XML router node (which manages the query and update interactions between sites). The architectures differ in the degree of knowledge individual router nodes have about data nodes containing specific XML data. There is therefore provided a method for accessing data over a wide area network comprising: providing a decentralized architecture comprising a plurality of data nodes each having a database, a query processor and a path index, and a plurality of router nodes each having a routing state, maintaining a routing state in each of the router nodes, broadcasting routing state updates from each of the databases to the router nodes, routing path queries to each of the databases by accessing the routing state.
US08001145B1
State information for a page can be stored and restored using a component state manager to extract and set state information for various components on a page. Each appropriate component can register with the state manager, such that when a user requests to store state information, the state manager can extract state information for each registered component and store the state information accordingly. The user can be provided with a tag or other identifier that allows the user to subsequently request recreation of that state. In response to receiving the identifier, the state manager retrieves the stored state information and sets the state of each respective registered component on the page. The identifiers can be shared with other users to allow those users to also quickly access the same state.
US08001144B2
Disclosed are embodiments of a system and a method for detecting relationships described in unstructured text-based electronic documents. The system and method incorporate the use of an input file that contains one or more text patterns that represent particular relationships. The text patterns each include regular text expressions that describe the particular relationship and slots for the location of each entity in that relationship. Document(s) are selected by a user and scanned by a proper noun tagger that identifies and tags every occurrence of proper names within the document(s). Then, a pattern matcher scans the document(s) to match text patterns. If a text pattern is matched within a document a relationship detector extracts all pairs of proper names found in the slots for each matched text pattern. The output from the relationship detector includes the names for each entity in the relationship, the type of relationship, and the identity of the document and the location of the sentence describing the relationship in the document.
US08001143B1
A method includes receiving characteristic information pertaining to respective portions of content from each of a plurality of users. Aggregate characteristic information is updated based on the received characteristic information. The aggregate characteristic information is communicated to a user to assist the user in navigation of the content.
US08001141B1
Methods and systems for configuring the display of items in a network-based merchandising environment are provided. In one embodiment, the present invention identifies items within a catalog of items, computes a browse relevance score for each item, and configures the display of a Web page such that items with the highest browse relevance score are prominently displayed. In at least one embodiment, browse data, such as category fit data, popularity data, newness data, etc., are used to compute the browse relevance score for each item.
US08001137B1
A method of identifying connected data in relational database by receiving relational database, receiving data components from relational database, initializing a first table and a second table with data identifiers and connection information, initializing a third table with data identifiers, initializing a transition table; replacing each entry in the third table with a user-definable relationship of its corresponding identifier in the second table, its corresponding connected data component identifier in the second table, and the identifier to which an equivalent identifier transitioned in the transition table; updating the transition table, updating the second table, returning to the replacement step if the third table changed, and, otherwise, identifying the received data components as connected that correspond to entries in the third table that are equal.
US08001120B2
The present invention provides a method and system of displaying items that gives the user the ability to easily access recently accessed items. The recent items list includes both incoming and outgoing correspondences that are attempted to be matched to the corresponding contact stored in the device. The user can access the recent contact list and reply using any communication method available. For instance, the user could reply by phone, email, send an instant messenger message, send an SMS message, and the like. The recent items list may also include items such as communications, contacts, folder, files, messages, applications, and the like. A coalesced list of the recently used items is shown so that an item is only shown once in the recent list. Any matched item in the recent list may also be shown in the alphabetical list that appears below the recent list.
US08001116B2
A method and apparatus for retrieving information relevant to tracked objects appearing in a display of a video signal is disclosed. The method is performed by a viewing computer having stored thereon an augmented display tool. In response to a user requesting the video signal, a content directory storing content information relevant to the tracked objects is acquired from a video-overlay server. The augmented display tool causes the viewing computer to acquire and display the video signal and record a time measurement and spatial coordinates of each point selected by a viewer using a pointing device. The augmented display tool uses the content directory to find an object identifier corresponding to each selected point and extracts relevant information from a global object directory maintained at the video-overlay server.
US08001110B2
An obtaining request requesting that information is obtained from a structured database by using multiple loops is received. A unique identifier is assigned to each of records in element tables each having been created for a different one of the loops. A cross product joined table is created by performing a cross product joining process on the element tables, so that the information specified as an obtained target in the obtaining request is obtained from the element tables. For each of the loops, a single-loop table storing therein records in which the obtained information, the identifiers, and the elements are brought into correspondence is created. An inter-loop joined table is created by joining the plurality of single-loop tables. A correspondence between the records in the cross product joined table and in the inter-loop joined table are controlled, based on the identifiers contained in the cross product joined table and the inter-loop joined table.
US08001102B2
Techniques for integrating instant messaging with Internet search features are provided. An instant messaging (IM) application allows users to launch a search of the Internet or the World Wide Web for information about another IM user or another topic. If an IM user wishes to locate information relating to a friend, a search is performed through a database of registered IM members to locate a user profile for the friend. If the friend's profile is found, the profile is displayed to the IM user. An IM application can link to an Internet search engine to search the Internet for web sites relating to the topic or person. Search results from an Internet search can be sorted based on information about a friend that is stored in the friend's user profile.
US08001086B2
A system for sharing files among different virtual machine images includes a processor, a memory, and an input/output subsystem. The processor is configured for: a) creating a first virtual image; b) determining whether there exists a second virtual image similar to the first virtual image; c) comparing the files of the first and second virtual images to determine a set of common files; d) creating a common file collection; f) creating a second version of the first virtual image with files in the first virtual image that are not in the common file collection; g) creating a second version of the second virtual image with files in the second virtual image that are not in the common file collection; h) receiving a request for modification of the file within one of the virtual images; and i) determining whether the file to be modified is in the set of common files.
US08001085B1
A method, system, and computer-readable medium to maintain consistent, up-to-date copies of primary data. Primary data is maintained on a primary node, and point-in-time snapshots of the primary data are maintained on a secondary or remote node. Read operations can be directed to read some or all data from the remote node. When part of the data on the primary node becomes unavailable due to corruption, device failure, or communication failure, unavailable data can be read from the secondary node. When the determination is made that an unavailable portion of the data exists, a third data storage accessible by the first host can be created. Each subsequent change to the data in the first data storage can be written only to the third data storage. If an updated portion of the data is to be read, the updated portion can be read from the third data storage.
US08001080B2
Real-time execution of transactions can be managed between network devices. A method for managing real-time execution of transactions can comprise receiving one or more transactions, storing details associated with the one or more transactions, and synchronizing the details from a first network device to a second network device. Synchronizing details can comprise checking network connectivity between devices. Synchronization middleware can comprise a command engine, a synchronization engine, and a request-response engine. Synchronization middleware can be configured to process transactions, comprising checking network connectivity and determining whether transactions have expired. A method for managing real-time execution of transactions can comprise receiving real-time transactions from applications running on a network device, determining whether a network connection to a second network device is operational, if the connection is operational synchronizing the transactions, and if the connection is not operational delaying synchronization.
US08001079B2
The invention generally describes a system and method for data backup and recovery, in particular for backing up an entire server (i.e., system state and data) in substantially real-time. The invention provides high availability by failing a source server over to a target server if the source server fails, where the target server is reconfigured nearly identically to the source server. The invention does not require the source and target servers to have identical hardware or operating system versions. The invention further allows for rapid, automatic, restoration of a source server.
US08001075B2
Log file amnesia detection is accomplished by associating a unique identifier with each record in a log file, where each record receives a unique log sequence number. Multiple time intervals are associated with the log file with different events triggering the beginning of a new time interval. The log file implementation marks the beginnings of these multiple time intervals with a unique identifier. Every time an event occurs that triggers a new time interval a new unique identifier is generated. This unique identifier will be associated with the records in the log file that are created thereafter until the next unique identifier gets generated, marking the beginning of a next time interval. Log file amnesia can be identified when a log client requests information about a record and then comparing the unique identifier and log sequence number of the record with all records in the log file.
US08001073B2
A semantic network includes a number of nodes are interconnected to one another through links (e.g., in a subject/verb/target form) representing relationships between the nodes and one or more of the links have one or more variants representing qualifications of the relationships between the nodes. For each link having one or more variants, the variants may be ordered in configurations. Such ordering of the variants in the configurations may be self-described within the semantic network and may determine precedence of those links belonging to the variants. Some of the links of the network may be nodes of others of the links. The interconnection of at least some of the nodes may define a meta-meta model that defines terms in which particular meta models can be defined, each meta model comprising meta facts regarding the nodes of the semantic network.
US08001063B2
In one embodiment, the present invention is a method for reward-based learning of improved systems management policies. One embodiment of the inventive method involves obtaining a decision-making entity and a reward mechanism. The decision-making entity manages a plurality of application environments supported by a data processing system, where each application environment operates on data input to the data processing system. The reward mechanism generates numerical measures of value responsive to actions performed in states of the application environments. The decision-making entity and the reward mechanism are applied to the application environments, and results achieved through this application are processed in accordance with reward-based learning to derive a policy. The reward mechanism and the policy are then applied to the application environments, and the results of this application are processed in accordance with reward-based learning to derive a new policy.
US08001061B2
A data processing apparatus includes first and second unsupervised learning process units and a supervised learning process unit. The first unsupervised learning process unit classifies data of a first data group according to unsupervised learning, to perform dimension reduction for the first data group and to obtain first classified data. The second unsupervised learning process unit classifies data of a second data group according to the unsupervised learning, to perform dimension reduction for the second data group and to obtain a second classified data group. The supervised learning process unit performs supervised learning using, as a teacher, the first classified data group obtained by the first unsupervised learning process unit and the second classified data group obtained by the second unsupervised learning process unit to determine a mapping relation between the first classified data group and the second classified data group.
US08001055B2
According to one aspect, the invention provides a system for validating an identity of a user to enable or prevent an occurrence of an event. In one embodiment, the system includes a first device including a wireless transmitter which is configured to transmit validation information, a second device including a wireless receiver, where the second device is configured to receive the validation information and further transmit the validation information; and a secure system in communication with the second device. According to one embodiment, the secure system includes a database. In a further embodiment, the secure system is configured to receive the validation information transmitted from the second device, and to transmit additional information to the second device following a receipt of the validation information to assist the second device in either enabling or preventing the occurrence of the event.
US08001048B2
An electronic fund transfer system is disclosed wherein commissions for point-of-sale purchase transactions are determined and distributed to members of an organizational network for promoting use of a non-cash payment device that is tangible for effecting purchase transactions. Purchase data is electronically transmitted from the point-of-sale to an automated clearing house for effecting fund transfers to prepare the purchase, and also to a commission management system. The commission management system maintains an electronic database reflecting the structure of the organizational network, and further determines the distribution of purchase commissions according to a predetermined schedule of proportions relating to the position and business volume of each member of the network. The commission management system further comprises a payment processor for effecting commission payments to the members or to a designated sponsor on a scheduled basis.
US08001031B2
Systems and methods of capital-adequacy filing and assessment for determining compliance with capital-adequacy rules include an authorized-entity computer and a processing computer in electronic communication with the authorized-entity computer. Such systems and methods can include an analysis-rule-configuration component, a data-reception component and a rules engine.
US08001026B2
A method and system for creating a stock index for a group of investment management companies is disclosed. The method may include obtaining first trade information for each security representative of the group of investment management companies during a first time period, aggregating the first trade information for a predetermined time period, storing the aggregated first trade information, calculating from the aggregated first trade information an index for the group of investment management companies, determining a standardized measure of the index based on the aggregated first trade information obtained in the first time period, and periodically recalculating the index based on second trade information for each security representative of the group of investment management companies during a second time period.
US08001018B2
Automated mapping of part numbers associated with parts in a bill of materials (BOM) submitted by a BOM originator to internal part numbers assigned to those parts by a BOM receiver is performed by one or more computers connected to one or more networks through one or more network interfaces. A first receive component receives one or more data sets containing historical data on bills of materials received in the past by the BOM receiver. A second receive component receives one or more data sets containing known mappings between internal part numbers used by the BOM receiver, and part numbers used by various BOM originators. A third receive component receives one or more data sets containing information of various parameters and their values describing the parts to which the BOM receiver has assigned internal part numbers. A fourth receive component receives one or more methods of automatically learning models for predicting internal part numbers from the above mentioned historical BOM data, mapping data and part parametric data. A learning component learns the models from the data. A fifth receive component receives a BOM from a requesting process. The BOM has one or more parts with a missing internal part number. A mapping component applies the learned models to the received BOM to automatically determine internal part numbers for all unmapped BOM originator part numbers. A release process assigns internal part numbers to all unmapped parts in the BOM and releases the BOM to the requesting process.
US08001017B1
An Internet-based computer-assisted supply-chain management system (SCMS) replaces the archaic commerce systems presently in use. It coordinates just-in-time distribution of items purchased by consumers from a plurality of merchants whereby the inventory in the distribution pipeline is reduced to inventory in transport. It uses regional distributions centers and neighborhood order aggregation facilities for an efficient transfer of items to consumers. Consumers can pick up aggregated orders at an order aggregation facility or have them delivered at a residence. The SCMS phases out conventional checkout registers in favor of web browsers with automatic transaction execution. Retailers can operate with little or no inventory. Window shops facilitate promotion of items and help consumers make selections and decisions with respect to purchases they may be contemplating. The SCMS provides real-time consumption monitoring and forecasts, significantly reduces supply-chain costs and retail prices, promotes economic growth, and minimizes undesirable cyclic economic fluctuations.
US08001016B2
A method of verifying the authenticity of a product includes reading data from a data storage device which forms part of the packaging of the product, determining from the data an identity code for the data storage device, a random first identifier allocated to the data storage device by the product manufacturer and a digital signature of a parameter which is based on at least a second identifier not derivable from the data, communicating with the product manufacturer or an entity associated therewith using the random first identifier as a reference, receiving from the product manufacturer or the entity associated therewith the second identifier, and verifying the digital signature using the second identifier.
US08001015B2
Systems, methods, and computer-readable mediums, consistent with principles of some embodiments of the present invention provide for dynamically generating a document including storing a plurality of static content, information related to a user of the document, and a plurality of dynamic content associated with each of a plurality of categories associated with user information, storing a template including predetermined areas for static content and dynamic content, selecting at least one of the stored dynamic content based on the user of the document, and dynamically generating the document including the plurality of static content and the selected at least one dynamic content, wherein the dynamically generated document is displayed on a display.
US08001014B2
A system and method for enabling a user to transact an anonymous on-line transaction, wherein a form of on-line payment is requested at a transaction interface is disclosed. The method may include providing an anonymous user interface that enables a user to initiate an on-line payment, accessing a first profile comprising user data when the user activates the form of on-line payment, generating a second profile linked to the first profile wherein, the second profile comprises anonymous data, and communicating the anonymous data from the second profile to the transaction interface to enable completion of the transaction.
US08001006B1
Embodiments of a computer system, a method, a graphical user interface and a computer-program product (e.g., software) for use with the computer system are described. These embodiments may be used to present income-tax information to a user. In particular, the user can provide aggregate values for one or more parameters in an income-tax return for the user by adjusting user-adjustable icons in the graphical user interface. In response to these user inputs, the computer system updates the displayed user-adjustable icons and determines summary information for the income-tax return which is associated with the user inputs. This summary information is displayed using a qualitative-tax-estimator icon in the graphical user interface and/or by displaying a numerical value for the summary information in a quantitative-tax-estimator window in the graphical user interface.
US08000990B2
An automated system uses a decisioning system to schedule service attendants to service events at patron locations. The decisioning system schedules the events for servicing using various factors to establish the priority of different events. Service attendants are paged by the system to inform them of a service to be provided.
US08000986B2
Methods and systems are provided for processing claims. A hierarchy is created including a claim management case level and a policy level. The claim management case level includes a claim management case node. The claim management case node relates to a designee under a first insurance policy. The policy level includes one or more policy nodes. Each of the policy nodes is associated with an insurance policy relating to the designee. At least one process for the claim management case is performed at the claim management case level. The process applies to at least one insurance policy relating to the designee.
US08000984B2
An apparatus for communicating health care data from a sender to a receiver is provided. The apparatus has a first computer system, a second computer system, and a rules engine. The first computer system has health care data stored therein. The second computer system is in operable communication with, and is configured to extract the health care data from, the first computer system. The rules engine normalizes the extracted health care data to a predefined format. The rules engine defines a plurality of health care data fields in the predefined format, as well as a plurality of relationships between fields of normalized data.
US08000979B2
A system for making the process of registering at and receiving treatment in a healthcare facility more efficient and safe has been developed. The system utilizes computer communications network-based systems, software, various input and output stations, and a patient identification card (e.g., Loyalty Card) that work together to allow (a) providers to direct, track, and optimize the efficiency of patient activity and (b) patients to have ready access to their status and, in some cases, control of the healthcare process.
US08000974B2
According to the present invention, a method for integrating processes with a multi-faceted human centered interface is provided. The interface is facilitated to implement a hands free, voice driven environment to control processes and applications. A natural language model is used to parse voice initiated commands and data, and to route those voice initiated inputs to the required applications or processes. The use of an intelligent context based parser allows the system to intelligently determine what processes are required to complete a task which is initiated using natural language. A single window environment provides an interface which is comfortable to the user by preventing the occurrence of distracting windows from appearing. The single window has a plurality of facets which allow distinct viewing areas. Each facet has an independent process routing its outputs thereto. As other processes are activated, each facet can reshape itself to bring a new process into one of the viewing areas. All activated processes are executed simultaneously to provide true multitasking.
US08000970B2
The present invention can include a method of call processing using a distributed voice browser including allocating a plurality of service processors configured to interpret parsed voice markup language data and allocating a plurality of voice markup language parsers configured to retrieve and parse voice markup language data representing a telephony service. The plurality of service processors and the plurality of markup language parsers can be registered with one or more session managers. Accordingly, components of received telephony service requests can be distributed to the voice markup language parsers and the parsed voice markup language data can be distributed to the service processors.
US08000966B2
A word prediction method and apparatus improves precision and accuracy. For the prediction of a sixth word “?”, a partial analysis tree having a modification relationship with the sixth word is predicted. “sara-ni sho-senkyoku no” has two partial analysis trees, “sara-ni” and “sho-senkyoku no”. It is predicted that “sara-ni” does not have a modification relationship with the sixth word, and that “sho-senkyoku no” does. Then, “donyu”, which is the sixth word from “sho-senkyoku no”, is predicted. In this example, since “sara-ni” is not useful information for the prediction of “donyu”, it is preferable that “donyu” be predicted only by “sho-senkyoku no”.
US08000965B2
An information-processing device and method that attains speech-recognition to recognize data input via speech. The information-processing device and method includes analyzing speech-recognition-grammar data, generating data on a template used to input data by speech based on the analysis results, and displaying the generated speech-input-template data.
US08000963B2
The sound reproducing apparatus includes a replay section receiving unit that receives a request for reproducing a specific part of sound file from a user, a replay section determining unit that determines a replay section based on the request and conversation structure information stored in a sound data holding unit, and a reproducing unit that reproduces the replay section determined by the replay section determining unit.
US08000962B2
A method and system for using input signal quality in an automatic speech recognition system. The method includes measuring the quality of an input signal into a speech recognition system and varying a rejection threshold of the speech recognition system at runtime in dependence on the measurement of the input signal quality. If the measurement of the input signal quality is low, the rejection threshold is reduced and, if the measurement of the input signal quality is high, the rejection threshold is increased. The measurement of the input signal quality may be based on one or more of the measurements of signal-to-noise ratio, loudness, including clipping, and speech signal duration.
US08000960B2
A technique is described for concealing the effect of a lost frame in a series of frames representing an encoded audio signal in a sub-band predictive coding system. In accordance with the technique, a first synthesized sub-band audio signal is synthesized, wherein synthesizing the first synthesized sub-band audio signal comprises performing waveform extrapolation based on a stored first sub-band decoded audio signal. A second synthesized sub-band audio signal is also synthesized, wherein synthesizing the second synthesized sub-band audio signal comprises performing waveform extrapolation based on the stored second sub-band decoded audio signal. The first synthesized sub-band audio signal and the second synthesized sub-band audio signal are combined to generate a synthesized full-band output audio signal corresponding to a lost frame.
US08000957B2
The present invention relates to a methodology to translate exact interpretations of keyword queries into meaningful and grammatically correct plain-language queries in order to convey the meaning of these interpretations to the initiator of the search. The method includes the steps of generating at least one grammatically valid plain-language sentence interpretation for a keyword query from a generated sentence plain-language sentence clauses, wherein the grammatically valid plain-language sentence is based upon differing matching elements, and presenting at least one grammatically valid plain-language sentence interpretation for the keyword query to a keyword query system user for the user's review.
US08000955B2
Embodiments are disclosed for automatically generating a banner given a first scroll sentence and a second scroll sentence of a Chinese couplet. The first and/or second scroll sentence can be generated by an automatic computer system or by a human (e.g., manually generated and then provided as input to an automated banner generation system) or obtained from any source (e.g., a book) and provided as input. In one embodiment, an information retrieval process is utilized to identify banner candidates that best match the first and second scroll sentences. In one embodiment, candidate banners are automatically generated. In one embodiment, a ranking model is applied in order to rank banner candidates derived from the banner search and generation processes. One or more banners are then selected from the ranked banner candidates.
US08000954B2
This invention features an FPGA emulation system including an FPGA device under test having a plurality of pins. A bus functional model circuit responsive to signals representing predetermined input characteristics of the FPGA device under test and configured to apply one or more signals to the FPGA device under test corresponding to the predetermined input characteristics and configured to receive one or more signals representing output characteristics of the FPGA device under test to emulate the operation of the FPGA device under test in a predefined selectable and flexible electrical operating environment. This invention also features an FPGA emulation system including an FPGA device under test having at least one component and a plurality of pins operating in a predetermined native target environment, a bus functional model engine for simulating and capturing output characteristics of the at least one component of the FPGA device under test and simulating and releasing input characteristics of the at least one component of the FPGA device under test, and a bus functional model circuit embedded in the FPGA device under test configured to receive one or more signals representing the input characteristics of the at least one component and configured to release one or more signals representing the output characteristics of the at least one component such that the bus functional model engine emulates the operation of the at least one component of the FPGA device under test in the predetermined native target environment.
US08000950B2
Latches in a net of a simulated integrated circuit design are initialized to known logical states prior to application of a reset signal at the beginning of the simulation. The logical states may be set by generating a list of the latches, sorting them in random order, and then dividing them into two groups based on the random order with high and low logical states respectively assigned to the two groups. In a specific implementation the latch states are set using an HDL force command prior to applying the reset signal, and the force command is removed after applying the reset signal using an HDL release command. If the circuit description is a gate-level netlist, then logical states of gates within the storage elements are also set.
US08000949B2
The process of System Reconstruction is used to integrate sequence data, clinical data, experimental data, and literature into functional models of disease pathways. System Reconstruction models serve as informational skeletons for integrating various types of high-throughput data. The present invention provides the first metabolic reconstruction study of a eukaryotic organism based solely on expressed sequence tag (EST) data. System Reconstruction also provides a method for the identification of novel therapeutic targets and biomarkers using network analysis. The initial seed networks are built from the lists of novel targets for diseases with the high-throughput experimental data being superimposed on the seed networks to identify specific targets.
US08000945B2
A computer-implemented inversion method for determining characteristics of a bottom roughness field using a numerical wave model is provided. Measured wave heights over an area of interest are compared to predicted wave heights calculated by a wave model using an estimated bottom roughness parameter. If the error between the measured wave heights and the predicted wave heights is within a specified tolerance level, the analysis ends and the value of the bottom roughness parameter used in the wave model is retrieved. If the error is not within the specified tolerance level, an Influence Matrix IM is used to obtain a revised estimated bottom roughness parameter. The wave model is re-run using the revised roughness parameter and the resulting predicted wave heights are compared to the measured wave heights. The inversion continues until the wave height error is within the specified tolerance level. When the inversion ends, the bottom roughness field that produced those predicted wave heights is retrieved.
US08000936B2
A data analysis program operable for displaying at least one representation of a buried pipeline in a geographical area and associated on-pipe current values at various locations along the pipeline. The data analysis program is storable in a memory device and executable by a processor to generate a display on a display device. The data analysis program includes instructions for displaying a digital map representing at least a portion of the buried pipeline extending across the geographical area being surveyed. The program further includes instructions for displaying a current plot of current values associated with the various locations in the geographical area, and instructions for displaying a table having a plurality of fields including the leakage current values and associated geographical coordinates where the current values were measured in the geographical area being surveyed.
US08000930B2
The present disclosure is concerned with the identification of fault origins of slowly degrading systems such as industrial gas turbines. Following the initial input of some parameter values, exemplary procedure comprises a number of steps which are repeated periodically during the operation of the gas turbine. First, for each potential fault such as e.g. a contamination of compressor blades, erosion of turbine blades or corrosion of machine parts, a pre-symptom fault probability, characteristic of the specific gas turbine considered, and a symptom-conditional fault probability are calculated. In a second step, on-line data from the monitoring devices are loaded in order to update information about symptoms such as e.g. reductions in polytropic efficiency and in flow capacity, changes in vibration spectrum, or other machine condition indicators, and a post-symptom fault probability is calculated. In a third step, the calculated fault probabilities are displayed and transmitted to a planning system for scheduling of gas turbine operation or maintenance actions.
US08000920B2
Procedure to diagnose an electrical circuit for the operation of actuators of an internal combustion engine, in which the circuit is checked for electrical errors, and whereby information from a misfire recognition is additionally taken into account.
US08000919B2
A method useful for the characterization of a fixture splits a partially symmetric THRU structure into portions which may then be mathematically removed from both ports of a 2-port measured structure, leaving only the desired device under test (DUT).
US08000918B2
A method for compensating for a temperature-related error in an electrochemical sensor without using separate sources of temperature measurement by measuring sensor current, temporarily lowering sensor voltage to a first level below a reaction-sustaining threshold, measuring a first offset current, adjusting sensor voltage to a second level below the threshold, measuring a second offset current, calculating a difference between the offset currents, deriving a temperature compensation value from the difference based on empirical data, and adding the value to the measured sensor current. A computer system may execute the method as an algorithm stored in memory, provide automatic control of the sensor, and provide continuous display of corrected output values.
US08000910B2
A voltage analysis algorithm for automatically determining anomalous voltage conditions in an electrical system monitored by a plurality of intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) and automatically making recommendations for ameliorating or eliminating the anomalous voltage conditions. The electrical system hierarchy is determined automatically or manually, and the algorithm receives voltage data from all capable IEDs. The voltage data is temporally aligned or pseudo-aligned to place the voltage data in both spatial and temporal context. The algorithm determines anomalous voltage conditions systemically by comparing measured voltage values against nominal or expected ones across the system. Based on the spatial and temporal context of the IEDs, the algorithm automatically identifies a source of the voltage deviation in the hierarchy, and recommends a modification associated with the source for mitigating the anomalous voltage condition. The algorithm checks its recommendation to determine any adverse effects on the electrical system and adjusts the recommendation accordingly.
US08000909B2
Methods, systems, and programs for monitoring operation of one or more pressure relief valves, each relief valve containing an internal flow passage with a valve seat and valve plug disposed therein. The temperature of a fluid is sensed in the internal flow passage downstream of the valve seat. A valve temperature signal is generated representative of the temperature of the fluid downstream of the valve seat. The valve temperature signal is monitored to detect a rate of change in the temperature of the fluid downstream of the valve seat. The internal pressure of an inlet pressure line is sensed, connected to the internal flow passage upstream of the valve seat. A line pressure signal is generated representative of the internal pressure of the inlet pressure line. The line pressure signal is compared against at least one expected line pressure value to determine a line pressure status. Operational status of the pressure relief valve is determined based at least in part on the detected rate of change of the fluid temperature downstream of the valve seat and at least in part on the determined line pressure status.
US08000906B2
A controller for a flowmeter includes an input module operable to receive a sensor signal from a sensor connected to a vibratable flowtube. The sensor signal is related to a fluid flow through the flowtube. The controller also includes a signal processing system operable to receive the sensor signal, determine sensor signal characteristics, and output drive signal characteristics for a drive signal applied to the flowtube. An output module is operable to output the drive signal to the flowtube and a control system is operable to modify the drive signal and thereby maintain oscillation of the flowtube during a transition of the flowtube from a substantially empty state to a substantially full state.
US08000903B1
Methods for using modified single wall carbon nanotubes (“SWCNTs”) to detect presence and/or concentration of a gas component, such as a halogen (e.g., Cl2), hydrogen halides (e.g., HCl), a hydrocarbon (e.g., CnH2n+2), an alcohol, an aldehyde or a ketone, to which an unmodified SWCNT is substantially non-reactive. In a first embodiment, a connected network of SWCNTs is coated with a selected polymer, such as chlorosulfonated polyethylene, hydroxypropyl cellulose, polystyrene and/or polyvinylalcohol, and change in an electrical parameter or response value (e.g., conductance, current, voltage difference or resistance) of the coated versus uncoated SWCNT networks is analyzed. In a second embodiment, the network is doped with a transition element, such as Pd, Pt, Rh, Ir, Ru, Os and/or Au, and change in an electrical parameter value is again analyzed. The parameter change value depends monotonically, not necessarily linearly, upon concentration of the gas component. Two general algorithms are presented for estimating concentration value(s), or upper or lower concentration bounds on such values, from measured differences of response values.
US08000901B2
The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.
US08000898B1
A method of collecting weather data includes determining probable occurrences of weather events. Contact information corresponding to a plurality of users is maintained. Weather collection devices are sent to the plurality of users prior to the occurrence of the probable weather event. Data is collected by the weather collection devices upon the actual occurrence of the probable weather event.
US08000888B2
Disclosed is a system and a method for collecting various road traffic information, road image information, and position information of a position information generation device carried by an object, the position of which is to be tracked, by interworking with an information provision means and using the collected information to provide service subscribers with real-time traffic information, traffic prediction, or position information of the object via wireless Internet, satellite broadcasting, DMB, or cable data broadcasting. The system and method can provide detailed traffic information service regarding a specific region or location on a nationwide scale, predict traffic to properly deal with it, and easily provide position information of an object to be tracked.
US08000887B2
A method of directing and/or alert vehicles during an emergency or other event. The method may include providing messages and other information to the vehicles through wireless communications. The message may detail the emergency and/or an evacuation strategy for avoiding the emergency. Different vehicles may receive different messages and instructions depending on vehicle location and other parameters.
US08000878B2
An exemplary controller includes one or more processors, memory and control logic to individually control at least one of two exhaust valves of a cylinder of an internal combustion engine to either provide exhaust from the cylinder to a single exhaust turbine or to provide exhaust from the cylinder to two exhaust turbines where the two exhaust valves are mounted in a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine. For example, such a controller may call for operation of one exhaust valve to provide exhaust to a single exhaust turbine and call for operation of two exhaust valves to provide exhaust to two exhaust turbines. Various other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed.
US08000873B2
A braking system, including a brake control arrangement in operational communication with a braking arrangement for braking a vehicle, and a penalty power source to deliver current or power to the brake control arrangement through a brake interface circuit. The brake interface circuit includes a main positive current switch urged to a closed position and configured to open upon loss or interruption of a penalty hold-off signal, and a main negative current switch urged to a closed position and configured to open upon loss or interruption of a penalty hold-off signal. Upon opening of either of the main positive current switch or the main negative current switch, the braking arrangement will automatically brake the vehicle as controlled by the brake control arrangement.
US08000872B2
An anti-skid brake control system and its control method for vehicle has a signal collection unit and an electronic control unit. The electronic control unit includes a data receiving module, a data processing module and a data control module. The data receiving module receives the data collected by the signal collection unit. The data processing module calculates sideslip angles and slip rates for wheels. The data control module sets target slip rates based on the slip rates corresponding to the friction coefficient μ for different sideslip angles. The device emits control commands after comparing the calculated slip rate to the set target slip rate, so that the ABS control is real time.
US08000854B2
A system for transitioning navigation data on a mobile platform (such as a train, ship, aircraft or automobile) is provided. The system includes a source of navigation display data and an image control module. The image control module generates image data from the navigation display data based on a position of the mobile platform. The image data includes at least one first navigation display data at a first opacity and at least one second navigation display data at a second opacity. The second opacity is computed based on the position of the mobile platform. The system also includes a display device disposed within the mobile platform that displays the image data.
US08000850B2
An electric vehicle is described herein which includes a microprocessor based interface module which is used to control electric motors coupled to drive wheels. The interface module is configured to include a backup communications link to allow an operator to control the vehicle in situations where control information is unavailable over a primary communications network.
US08000839B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system actively cancels vibrations in a computer system. During operation, the system monitors vibrations in the computer system. Next, the system analyzes the vibrations to identify one or more harmonics in the vibrations. The system then actively cancels one or more of the identified harmonics.
US08000834B2
A method using a computer for generating a spiral-like tool path for milling a region of a workpiece is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: creating a family of concentric indexed circular arcs at each of two or more separate and distinct selected points within the region; determining parameters of a first set of blends to connect together the circular arcs of adjacent families of the circular arcs having an identical index to form a plurality of isoloops; determining parameters of a second set of blends for blending between adjacent isoloops to form the spiral-like tool path, and generating instructions for controlling the milling cutter in accordance with the generated tool path.
US08000830B1
A method of manufacturing multi-color hosiery comprises at least the steps of: a. providing a pattern knitter which has a main control computer to process color differentiation and set up yarn feeding commands according to a knitting color layout of hosiery; b. selecting total number of colored yarns and color types of pattern color yarns, and mounting the colored yarns on yarn racks, and arranging all knitting sets of a feeder support of the pattern knitter to match the colored yarns up to forty six different color types; and c. controlling yarn fingers through the main control computer according to sequence of the yarn feeding commands to perform knitting operation to finish a hosiery body. Any pattern color on the hosiery can be knitted to one row of the hosiery body. Up to nine to eleven color types can be deployed through the yarn fingers of each knitting set by adopting knitting operation without changing colored yarns on the same row, and up to twenty to forty six color types can be deployed through the yarn fingers of each knitting set for knitting the entire hosiery body by adopting knitting operation with changed colored yarns on the same row, thereby enhance aesthetic appeal and color diversity of the hosiery.
US08000829B2
An apparatus, method and simulation program for performing a realistic loop simulation of a knitted fabric using empirical rules during a loop simulation while keeping the calculation load within a feasible range to express three-dimensional bulges, curls and so on of a knitted fabric.
US08000821B2
An audio communication unit comprises a receiver for receiving an audio signal, a sigma-delta modulator operably coupled to the receiver and arranged to modulate the received audio signal, and a class-D amplifier stage operably coupled to the sigma-delta modulator and arranged to amplify the modulated received audio signal. One or more feedback path(s) is/are arranged from an output of the class-D amplifier stage to the sigma-delta modulator. The provision of one or more feedback path(s) from the output of the class-D audio amplifier to the sigma-delta modulator facilitates smaller die size; higher power efficiency and power supply rejection ratio/intermodulation cancellation performance.
US08000815B2
The invention relates to an arrangement and a method for the directed supplying and installation of device specific functionalities and/or data for field devices that are disposed in a distributed system. At least one device-specific component is provided which cooperates with at least two functional units that are linked thereto. Said at least one device-specific component comprises means that automatically cause device-specific functionalities and/or data for the field devices, which are stored in the functional units, to be supplied and installed.
US08000806B2
Methods and equipment used to regenerate sensory, motorial, or visceral signals of injured, broken or diseased nerves of mammalia, such as humans, are provided. In some embodiments, a lineup of downward and upward channels to bridge injured neural channels is disclosed. The downward or upward channels can be connected to electrodes which are in contact with upper or lower nerve stumps. The channels can be used to detect, amplify, and recognize the motorial or sensory signals, to generate related Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) signals, and to supply the FES signals to the electrodes on the lower or upper nerve stumps. Neural signals can thus be regenerated and the injured motorial or sensory channels can be bridged.
US08000802B2
An implantable lead for a medical device with a coplanar coupling for connecting a conductor to a contact reduces conductor bending moments to improve lead reliability. The implantable lead comprises a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end, at least one conductor, at least one contact carried on the proximal end, at least one contact carried on the distal end, and at least one coupling. The lead body has an exterior surface. The conductor is contained in the lead body and extends from the lead proximal end to the distal end. The conductor is also electrically insulated. The contact carried on the proximal end is electrically connected to the conductor. The coupling has a conductor coupling and a contact coupling. The conductor coupling is placed over the conductor and attached to the conductor. The contact coupling exits the lead body and has a weld to connect the contact coupling to the contact. The contact coupling is configured to exit the conductor lumen and mate with the contact while retaining the conductor coplanar to the lead body.
US08000798B2
An electrode array (30) which is able to be inserted to a desired depth within the cochlea to provide useful percepts for the recipient which will also preferably not cause damage to the sensitive structures of the cochlea. The electrode array (30) is insertable through an opening in the cochlea and into at least the basal region of the cochlea and comprises an elongate carrier (31) having a proximal end, a distal end, and a plurality of electrodes (32) supported by the carrier at respective spaced locations thereon in a region between the proximal end and the distal end. A stabilising collar (35) extends outwardly from the elongate carrier (31) at or adjacent a proximal end thereof and has an abutment surface adapted to abut a portion of the cochlea surface around the cochleostomy and at least substantially prevent movement of the carrier (31) following completion of insertion of the array (30) into the cochlea.
US08000792B1
A body-worn device for a fast healing of incontinence by building up the necessary durable behavioral conditioning, which provides the brain with the necessary proper control over the respective sphincters. The device is based on two different nerve mechanisms: a first electrical pulse stops the release of bodily wastes by a simple local reflex, arousing simultaneously the brain and preparing it to respond to a second, behavioral conditioning causing electric pulse, which follows within two seconds (i.e. still during the phasic period of the cortical learning process), strong enough to cause an unpleasant sensation, which the brain connects with the just begun incontinent release of bodily waste and acquires after only a few applications as a durable adversive behavioral conditioning. This shortens the healing period from many months to only a few days. The device is easily adjustable to the individual sensitivity of the involuntarily wetting or soiling person.
US08000780B2
A system including a plurality of implantable sensors, a processor, and a response circuit. Each sensor produces an electrical sensor signal related to physiologic cardiovascular events of a subject. The processor includes an event sequence detector to permit real-time detection of a time-wise sequential cascade of physiologic cardiovascular events related to myocardial ischemia of a subject and a decision module. The time-wise cascade includes at least first, second, and third physiologic cardiovascular events. The decision module declares whether an ischemic event occurred using at least one rule applied to a temporal relationship of the first, second, and third physiologic cardiovascular events. The response circuit provides a specified response if the ischemic event is declared.
US08000779B2
An improved method and system for measuring and reporting heart valve activity combines information obtained from independent signals with information obtained from ICG signals, such that signals derived from heart valve activity may be used as confirmation that the ICG system is accurately identifying heart valve activity. The method and system of the present invention also provide improved accuracy in reported values such as PEP, LVET, STR, SV, and CO. In addition, the method and system of the present invention provide improved accuracy of graphical representations of heart activity where the graphical representations include identifying heart valve activity.
US08000775B2
Optical tomography systems that provide light of multiple distinct wavelengths from a plurality of sources are described. The systems direct light into mammalian tissue, and light from the mammalian tissue is collected at a plurality of reception points. Collected light from each reception point is separated according to its wavelength, and received by a photodetector to produce path attenuation signals representing attenuation along paths between the source locations and the reception points. An image construction system generates a tomographic image of the mammalian tissue from the path attenuation signals. One embodiment of an optical imaging system includes an optical coherence tomography-near infrared probe. The systems and methods may utilize a spectral derivative approach that provides insensitivity to the boundary and boundary artifacts in the signal, thereby improving the quality of the reconstructed images.
US08000774B2
A method for detecting a complete or partial obstruction in a vessel through an intervening fluid includes receiving spectroscopic responses at different locations of a vessel wall, e.g., a vein or artery, through an intervening fluid, preferably blood. Spectroscopic responses are generated by irradiating the vessel wall at different locations and detecting spectra at those locations. In preferred embodiments, the radiation used is in the near infrared (NIR) region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The thrombus is located by determining whether fluctuations, spatial and/or spectral, of the spectral responses are indicative of thrombus.
US08000772B2
A method for tracking an object includes fixing to the object a transmitter for transmitting a position-indicative magnetic field and providing a map of distortion of the position-indicative magnetic field caused by the object. A distorted magnetic field transmitted from the object is sensed. The distorted magnetic field includes the position-indicative magnetic field subject to the distortion caused by the object. Estimated coordinates of the object based on the sensed, distorted magnetic field are determined. The estimated coordinates and the map are used to compute corrected coordinates.
US08000760B2
Embodiments of the present invention include systems and methods that relate to pulse oximetry. Specifically, one embodiment includes an oximeter sensor comprising a light emitting element configured to emit light, a light detector configured to detect the light, and a memory storing an optical shunting measurement for the oximeter sensor.
US08000748B2
The described embodiments involve use of a mobile communication device in the context of facilitating contact from within a telephone application. The described embodiments are primarily concerned with enabling quick and efficient access to contact methods other than by telephone from within the telephone application. This is done by generating a contact list, which may have one or more contacts, using an integrated dialing field provided by the telephone application and then displaying all available contact types or methods available for contacting a particular contact selected from the list.
US08000736B2
The various methods and devices described herein relate to devices which, in at least certain embodiments, may include at least one mechanical switch for user to select a user profile interface setting and at least one processor for causing the device to respond to the mechanical switch. The mechanical switch may be dedicated for the purpose of switching profiles and may allow for a selection of a plurality of profiles. Further, in conjunction with an optional shift key, the user may select preferences programmed within a profile.
US08000735B1
A wireless communications device includes a host processing unit, a modem processing unit, and a memory transport interface. The wireless communications device typically runs a variety of software tasks, some of which require considerably more memory than others. By processing the memory intensive tasks with the host processing unit and assigning tasks requiring high computing power but relatively smaller memory to the modem processor unit, a smaller on-chip memory can be used for the modem processor unit tasks. In addition, by using a messaging transport interface to transfer data between tasks running on different processing units, smaller local memories can be used in place of a shared memory. For example, by allocating and storing L1 tasks at the modem processing unit and allocating/storing L2 and L3 tasks at the host processing unit, duplicate memory components may be reduced or removed, thereby lowering system costs and improving system efficiency.
US08000725B2
In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a method for locating a mobile terminal in a communication network. The method includes: receiving a request data frame for locating the mobile terminal; uniquely encoding at least a portion of the request data frame (at an LCS client); determining the location of the mobile terminal (by a PDE); communicating the location information of the mobile terminal in a response data frame having an encrypted portion; and decrypting the location information of the mobile terminal (at the LCS client).
US08000701B2
A system and method is disclosed that correlates the MSISDN of a target mobile by performing an out of band request using a IMSI. The correlation between the MSISDN and the IMSI of IMEI is cashed at a database for retrieval. The correlation of the MSISDN allows the position of a mobile device to be determined using a CoPL and/or SUPL location determination sessions.
US08000693B2
Controlling access to a facility includes sending a program and profile for facility services to a user's portable device. The services have telephones connected via a local area network (“LAN”), so a call originating on the LAN to such a telephone may be completed on the LAN without accessing a wide area telephone network (“WAN”). The program is executed on the user's portable device so that the device operates in a facility mode. In this mode, the device displays services from the profile, so that the user can select a service and easily place telephone calls to it solely over the LAN. Responsive to the user's service selection, in a normal operating sub-mode the user's portable device places a call via the WAN using a longer telephone number and in a local operating sub-mode the user's portable device places the call via the LAN using a shortcut number.
US08000688B2
Embodiments described herein provide for improving quality of service in a cellular network. A group of cellular devices is identified. Quality of service mechanisms are identified. A quality of service plan for coordinating an execution of quality of service mechanisms by the group is determined. The quality of service mechanisms are applied to the group of cellular devices in accordance with the quality of service plan.
US08000681B2
A system and method for managing communication records of a communication device include setting a phone number of an authorized user, transmission options, and a transmission period, and generating communication records according to recorded communication information of the communication device. The system and method further include transmitting the communication records to the authorized user according to the transmission options and the transmission period.
US08000680B2
A security management method in multimedia middleware of a terminal that can download a multimedia service provided from an external entity. The security management method includes if there is an access request for a particular multimedia service, determining whether there is a corresponding multimedia service; if the access-requested multimedia service does not exist in middleware of the terminal, performing negotiation for secure session setup with the external entity; setting up a secure session to the external entity using a security parameter selected as a result of the negotiation; and receiving information for the download from the external entity through the secure session, and determining whether to execute the download.
US08000678B1
An emergency service system receives a call transmitted from a calling device to an emergency service to obtain assistance for a person, receives from a responder device a personal information request for personal information associated with the person, wherein the personal information request includes a personal identification read by the responder device that identifies the person, determines if the responder device is authorized to request the personal information, and transfers the personal information to the responder device if the responder device is authorized.
US08000673B2
It is a theme of the present invention to provide a diversity receiving device and a receiving scheme switching method, capable of attaining a power saving by executing a switching between a diversity reception and a single reception with high accuracy. A receiving scheme switching portion (112) switches a receiving mode between a single reception and a diversity reception based on a receiving scheme switching threshold, updates the receiving scheme switching threshold based on the receiving rate calculated by a receiving rate calculating portion (110), switches the receiving mode into the single reception in which respective ones of antennas (101, 105), radio demodulating portions (102, 106), and decoding portions (103, 107) are employed respectively and also turns OFF respective power supplies of the remaining antenna (101 or 105), the remaining radio demodulating portion (102 or 106), and the remaining decoding portion (103 or 107) when the received quality calculated by the received quality calculating portion (111) exceeds the receiving scheme switching threshold, and switches the receiving mode into the diversity reception in which the antennas, the radio demodulating portions, and the decoding portions are employed in both branches when the received quality is below the receiving scheme switching threshold.
US08000672B2
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a receiver having two complementary input sense amplifiers to receive, amplify and latch a differential signal and to output complementary stage differential output signals to a latch coupled to receive and combine the n− them into a latched differential output signal. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08000666B2
A wireless connection apparatus which scans radio frequency bands for local quiet unused, vacant, or unassigned frequencies which the apparatus can use, on a temporary basis, to establish a link for communicating between a portable multimedia device and a nearby RBDS/RDS configured receiver or source. The apparatus does not interfere with or utilize frequencies actively in use by an assigned user.
US08000665B2
Systems and methods are provided for controlling headroom of an amplifier (e.g., in a transmitter). A method comprises obtaining a target output power for a current interval and obtaining a target headroom for a subsequent interval. The method continues by adjusting, during the current interval, the power output capability of the amplifier based on the target headroom and adjusting the input power of an input signal based on the target output power, such that the output power of the amplifier is substantially constant during the current interval as the power output capability of the amplifier is adjusted.
US08000663B2
Methods and apparatus for aligning output power levels of a transmitter having a power amplifier adapted to operate in first and second operational modes. According to an exemplary embodiment, the transmitter includes a power alignment circuit configured to execute a power alignment algorithm. The power alignment algorithm is operable to align an output power level of the power amplifier when configured in the first operational mode with an output power level of the power amplifier when configured in the second operational mode. When the power amplifier is switched from the first operational mode to the second operational mode, the power alignment circuit references a power table having power entries that ensure that the output power level in the second operational mode is aligned with the output power level in the first operational mode. So that power control tolerances are satisfied for changes in power levels before and after a mode switch, one or more additional power control settings can be inserted in the power table.
US08000660B1
Elimination of intermodulation interference in a wireless communication system by removing a portion of the spectrum of transmitted signals. According to a received indication of an occurrence of intermodulation interference experienced by a narrowband receiver, mappings are performed between the predetermined narrowband channel frequency on which the narrowband receiver operates and the occupied channel frequencies of at least one broadband transmit signal. Narrowband candidate frequency ranges that linearly combine into frequencies that overlap the predetermined narrowband channel frequency are determined based on the mappings. The narrowband candidate frequency ranges that potentially contribute to the intermodulation interference are then selectively filtered by at least one notch filter until the intermodulation interference is substantially eliminated.
US08000655B2
A node (e.g., base station, signal processing unit) is described herein that includes a symbol detector and a method which are capable of suppressing interference caused by one user device (which may be in softer handoff mode) to reduce performance degradation to other intra-cell user devices and/or other inter-cell user devices (which may not be in softer handoff mode).
US08000645B2
A productivity module for increasing duplex throughput of a first print engine includes a second print engine, a controller, and an inverter. The controller is configured to receive one or more timing signals from the first print engine and synchronize timing of the second print engine with the first print engine based at least in part on the timing signals received from the first print engine. The inverter has an input paper path having an entrance configured to accept one or more receiver sheets from the first print engine; an output paper path having an exit configured to supply the one or more receiver sheets to the second print engine; and an inversion paper path having an entrance coupled to an exit of the input paper path and an exit coupled to an entrance of the output paper path.
US08000639B2
A developing device is disclosed that is capable of preventing the hysteresis phenomenon, and which contains a toner and a carrier. The toner and the carrier are charged to different polarities by frictional contact thereof. The developing device has a first conveyance member and a second conveyance member which faces an electrostatic latent image bearing body via the second region. An electric field forming device forms a first electric field between the first conveyance member and the second conveyance member to move the toner in the developer retained by the first conveyance member to the second conveyance member, and forms a second electric field between the second conveyance member and the electrostatic latent image bearing body to move the toner retained by the second conveyance member to an electrostatic latent image of the electrostatic latent image bearing body.
US08000628B2
An image forming apparatus includes: an image forming unit having a plurality of photoconductor drums arranged in tandem; an intermediate transfer belt arranged opposite to the photoconductor drums and configured to receive developer images formed on the photoconductor drums and to transfer the developer images onto a recording sheet; a cleaning unit comprising a cleaning member positioned in contact with the intermediate transfer belt and configured to collect substance adhering to the intermediate transfer belt, and a receptacle configured to store the substance collected by the cleaning member, wherein the cleaning unit is arranged on the same side as the image forming unit with respect to the intermediate transfer belt; and a support member configured to support the image forming unit and the cleaning unit and to be pulled out from a main body.
US08000621B2
An image forming apparatus is configured to reduce follow-up delay in impedance fluctuation and to reduce an accuracy fall in power supply control. The image forming apparatus includes a transfer element, a supply element, a detection element, a modification element, and a switch element. The supply element supplies electricity that depends on a set value to the transfer element. The detection element detects the control object value supplied to the transfer element. Depending on a difference between the control object value detected by the detection element and a target value, the modification element operates modification of the set value. The switch element switches between a short interval mode and a long interval mode. In a short interval mode, an execution time interval for modification of the set value is shorter, while, in a long interval mode, the execution time interval for modification of the set value is longer.
US08000618B2
An image formation device, which can properly execute an image formation process even if at least any one of plural fixing units included in the image formation device cannot be used due to a breakdown or the like, is provided. In the image formation device, if a first fixing unit cannot be used, a CPU controls not to execute a first transportation process of using the first fixing unit and a second fixing unit and a second transportation process of using the first fixing unit. Further, if the second fixing unit cannot be used, the CPU controls not to execute the first transportation process but to execute the second transportation process.
US08000610B2
This application describes optical monitoring devices and applications in optical systems for monitoring various optical parameters of light, including the signal to noise ratio, the degree of polarization, and the differential group delay (DGD).
US08000609B2
The present invention relates to the communication or reproduction of sound, in particular audible sound. There is provided a method of communicating a sound, including the steps of: transmitting, onto an optical link, pairs of signal copies, the signal copies of a given pair having a time offset relative to one another; applying the audible sound to the optical link, such that the audible sound causes a phase modulation to the transmitted signal copies; receiving modulated signal copies previously transmitted onto the link; and, for received pairs of signal copies, causing one signal copy of a pair to mix with the other signal copy of that pair so as to produce a signal representative of the sound. The sound is an audible sound. It has been found that a delay of at least 75 micro seconds allows for a better reproduction of audio sounds, since these have a relatively low frequency content.
US08000599B2
In an optical transmission system, a transmitting transceiving node generates a multiplexed optical-packet signal by performing optical wavelength multiplexing on a plurality of optical packets, and transmits the multiplexed optical-packet signal to a receiving transceiving node. The receiving transceiving node transmits the multiplexed optical-packet signal back to the transmitting transceiving node. The transmitting transceiving node detects a skew amount of the optical packet allocated to each wavelength band of the multiplexed optical-packet signal received from the receiving transceiving node, and adjusts a delay amount of the optical packet based on the detected skew amount.
US08000595B2
An optical receiver including a demodulator to convert an in-phase signal of a received differential phase modulated optical signal into a first electrical signal, and to convert a quadrature signal of the received differential phase modulated optical signal into a second electrical signal; a decision member deciding logic states of the first and second electrical signals; a logic controller using the decision result of the decision member to control logic states of the first and second electrical signals; and a memory storing information relating to the decision result. The logic controller controls the logic state using the information relating to the decision result stored in the memory.
US08000592B2
A driving circuit for a photographing module includes a load comprising three coils and four signal input ends; a power source configured to drive the coils and capable of providing an intermediate level between a supply voltage level and a ground level; and a set of electronic switch elements. The driving circuit controls the magnitudes and directions of the electric currents flowing through the coils by switching the set of electronic switch elements, thereby enabling the photographing module to perform auto-focusing and compensate for an angle of inclination.
US08000591B2
An automatic focusing apparatus includes: a focus detector photoelectrically converting at least a part of a photographing beam; a defocus computer calculating a defocus amount based on an output of the focus detector; a driver driving a focus lens based on the defocus amount; and a unit setting a maximum time period for charge accumulation in the focus detector. If the accumulated charge in the focus detector reaches a threshold within the period, when the accumulated charge in the focus detector reaches the threshold, the defocus computer calculates a defocus amount using an output of the focus detector and outputs the defocus amount to the driver. If the accumulated charge in the focus detector does not reach the threshold within the period, when the period lapses, the defocus computer calculates a defocus amount using an output of the focus detector and outputs the defocus amount to the driver.
US08000570B2
Disclosed are multi-stage optical amplifiers that propagate higher-order mode (HOM) signals. One embodiment, among others, comprises a first segment of optical fiber in which a first HOM signal propagates, a second segment of optical fiber in which a second HOM signal propagates, and a mode converter that converts the first HOM signal into the second HOM signal.
US08000566B2
A suspension board with circuit includes a metal supporting board; an insulating base layer formed on the metal supporting board; a conductive pattern formed on the insulating base layer; an insulating cover layer formed on the insulating base layer so as to cover the conductive pattern; and an optical waveguide. The optical waveguide is adhered on the metal supporting board, the insulating base layer, or the insulating cover layer.
US08000564B2
Provided are a photoelectric conversion module for direct optical interconnection and a method of manufacturing the same, wherein an optical element array is bonded to a side surface of an IC board having a semiconductor chip mounted thereon and an optical waveguide array is bonded to one end of the optical element array having the other end bonded to the IC board to be optically connected to the optical element array, thereby improving the efficiency of optical coupling between optical elements and optical waveguides, and wherein since the optical coupling between the optical elements and the optical waveguides is realized on the same plane between the optical waveguides having the same array as the optical elements, multi-channel optical coupling can be facilitated to enable easy implementation of an optical design.
US08000556B2
A method for estimating noise according to a multiresolution model is applied to an imaging device and comprises steps of: using an imaging sensor of the imaging device to capture a series of images of a scene under different imaging conditions; processing the images with a multiresolution transformation process to obtain a series of sub-images corresponding to different frequency layers; processing a series of the sub-images of the images that are in a same frequency layer to generate an averaged image; determining a difference between each of the sub-images in the same frequency layer and the averaged image corresponding to that frequency layer, and calculating the differences and the averaged image to obtain noise level functions of the imaging sensor in the different frequency layers under the different imaging conditions; and defining the noise level functions of the imaging sensor as noise samples for establishing an a priori model database.
US08000555B2
A method for detecting a defective image of the present invention includes obtaining an edge image by performing an edge tracking process on an original image, detecting an isolation point whose size is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size from a processed image obtained by performing an erosion process after an expansion process on the edge image, and detecting a defective image in the original image based on the isolation point.
US08000554B2
A method of performing non-linear transformation of a digital image for contrast modification. The original video input is compared to a linear transformation with gain and offset; and, the differential of the change in gain or slope and the input image Δ is multiplied by a factor m obtained from a look-up table and the product of m and Δ added to the original input to obtain the output video.
US08000552B2
An apparatus for scaling an input image is disclosed. The apparatus includes a resolution determining circuit and a scaler. The determining circuit determines the resolution of the input image. The scaler includes a scaling filter with an adjustable number of filter taps and scales the input image to output scaled pixels, wherein an amount of taps of scaling filter corresponds to the resolution of the input image.
US08000543B2
Auxiliary information (150) representing binary or multi-level (M≧2) logical values is embedded into successive segments (110) of an audio, video or other data signal in response to a user request to download the data signal via an on-line distributor (350) on a computer network such as the Internet. To avoid unnecessary delays in providing the data signal to the user, the data signal is pre-processed to provide two sets or copies of data (230, 235). One set (230) of the data contains segments with an embedded binary “0”, while the other set (235) contains corresponding segments with an embedded binary “1”. Successive segments are selected from one of the two sets to provide a time-multiplexed composite data signal (230) that has the desired content, but with an embedded binary data sequence that identifies the user.
US08000530B2
A system and process for recognizing documents by type and understanding at least a portion of the contents thereof. The process includes the steps of providing a document in electronic form, determining a set of facts, data and information about the document, providing the set of facts, data and information to a reasoning management unit, receiving formatted knowledge from a rule verification, validation and management unit, using the formatted knowledge to prepare an expert system having an inference engine, matching the facts, data and information against formatted knowledge using the inference engine and determining a set of applicable rules and executing actions of applicable rules.
US08000529B2
Embodiments of the present invention recite a system and method for creating an editable template from a document image. In one embodiment of the present invention, the spatial characteristics and the color characteristics of at least one region of a document are identified. A set of characteristics of a graphic representation within the region are then determined without the necessity of recognizing a character comprising the graphic representation. An editable template is then created comprising a second region having the same spatial characteristics and the same color characteristics of the at least one region of the document and comprising a second graphic representation which is defined by the set of characteristics of the first graphic representation.
US08000521B2
To mitigate binocular rivalry involved in stereoscopic vision, and to alleviate the fatigue of an observer. In binocular vision, a fused point corresponding to a point b in a left visual image 320 is a point a of a right visual image 321. Since the left eye 200 and right eye 201 look at different objects, the binocular rivalry occurs when looking at the point b with the two eyes. Although the point b on the left visual image 320 is a sharp image, the point a on the right visual image 321 is an out-of-focus image. As a result, the image of the sharp point b is perceived first, and a subject B at the same distance is also perceived first. Thus, the out-of-focus point a and the image of the peripheral subject A become a removed image.
US08000504B2
Systems and methods for classifying content as adult content and, if desired, blocking content so classified from presentation to a user are provided. Received content is analyzed using a sequential series of classification techniques, each successive technique being implemented only if the previous technique did not result in classification of the content as adult content. In this way, adult content may be identified across a variety of different media types (e.g., text, images, video, etc.) and yet processing power may be reserved if one or more techniques requiring less power is sufficient to determine that the received content is, in fact, adult content. Content classification may be performed in-band (that is, in substantially real-time such that content may be identified and/or blocked at the time results of a user query are returned) or out-of-band (that is, prospectively as new content is received but not in association with a user query).
US08000499B2
Systems and methods are provided for determining the cross-stream component of wind velocity near a target location. A modal-decomposition of a first series of images is conducted to obtain a plurality of contribution functions representing the first set of images. A second series of images is mapped to a selected subset of the plurality of contribution functions to create a set of reconstructed images. At least one characteristic of the set of reconstructed images is measured to estimate the cross-stream component of the wind velocity near the target location.
US08000490B2
An earphone structure including one or more composite chambers is described. Each of the composite chambers includes sub-speakers. The sounds generated by these sub-speakers are uniformly distributed in the composite chamber and a composite sound field is generated by these sub-speakers. The sound field generated by each of these sub-speakers can be adjusted by re-locating the position of the sub-speaker, for example, by re-locating the sub-speaker, or by re-locating the sub-speaker in different angles, to generate the composite sound field. The sound field generated by the main speaker and the composite sound field generated by these sub-speakers can form a spatial sound with very good quality. By using of its physical characteristics of locations of these sub-speakers, the sound generated by the earphone has an uniformly diffusion sound pressure and a surround effect, which allows a user of the earphone to enjoy a sound field similar to that in a theater.
US08000488B2
In regard to an ear mold for a hearing aid, there are provided the ear mold which a metal bush is settled in a tube for joint of the hearing aid, the metal bush has been used on account of settlement of said tube for joint of the hearing aid, and which a tube is adhered by an adhesive, the adhesive has been used on account of settlement of said tube. However, said ear mold has disadvantages that said tube is easily moved for the reason of instability, said tube drops out from the ear mold, and the ear mold has the problem of a phenomenon of a howling by sound leak-out.An ear mold E based on custom-made impression 1 and joined the ear hook hearing aid, also, in said ear mold E, a hub 12 having an elbow-loading-hole 121, a sound-leading tube loading hole 122 and an introductory-hole of a ear mold forming material 123 were embedded into an ear mold 17, a sound-leading tube 14 was loaded the sound-leading tube loading hole 122 of the hub 12, an elbow 13 was joined (loaded) with said elbow-loading hole 121 of the hub 12, the elbow 13 was loaded a tone tube 21, the hub 12 was fixed the body portion of the ear mold forming material 17 through the introductory-hole of the ear mold forming material 123, and a method of preparing of thereof.
US08000486B2
Headsets (20, 50, 60, 71) provide surround sound and full 3 dimensional effects to a user to simulate the effects of direction and sound source. Advantages include: surround sound effect without the limitations of Head-Related Transfer Functions, and pinna effect customized to each user's ears; horn shape tube outlets (32) to create an efficient transmission of sound; ability to space the headset speakers (22, 24) away from the user's ear and to maintain sound quality by addition of a chamber (28) behind the speakers (22, 24), with the aid of tube sound guides (23, 25) and the horn shaped outlets; and, no need for electronic hardware to process the electrical signals to create desired effects as placement of the speakers creates the correct timing, and damping material (34) in the tubes between speakers creates a desired intensity drop. Head tracking capability is also provided.
US08000485B2
There are provided methods and an apparatus for processing audio signals. According to one aspect of the present invention there is included a method for processing audio signals having the steps of receiving at least one audio signal having at least a center channel signal, a right side channel signal, and a left side channel signal; processing the right and left side channel signals with a first virtualizer processor, thereby creating a right virtualized channel signal and a left virtualized channel signal; processing the center channel signal with a spatial extensor to produce distinct right and left outputs, thereby expanding the center channel with a pseudo-stereo effect; and summing the right and left outputs with the right and left virtualized channel signals to produce at least one modified side channel output.
US08000483B2
Embodiments of an electrostatic loudspeaker utilize first and second stators and a diaphragm disposed therebetween, each of the stators and the diaphragm having an electrically conductive portion, wherein the conductive portions of the first stators are electrically coupled to each other; the conductive portions of the second stators are electrically coupled to each other; and the conductive portions of the diaphragms are electrically isolated from each other. The first stators and the second stators may be realized by common first and second stators may be mounted obliquely with respect to one another, so as to achieve differentially greater spacing between stators of the first one of the speaker elements than between stators of the second one of the speaker elements. Protective circuitry is also provided.
US08000482B2
Apparatus and a corresponding method for processing speech signals in a noisy reverberant environment, such as an automobile. An array of microphones (10) receives speech signals from a relatively fixed source (12) and noise signals from multiple sources (32) reverberated over multiple paths. One of the microphones is designated a reference microphone and the processing system includes adaptive frequency impulse response (FIR) filters (24) enabled by speech detection circuitry (21) and coupled to the other microphones to align their output signals with the reference microphone output signal. The filtered signals are then combined in a summation circuit (18). Signal components derived from the speech signal combine coherently in the summation circuit, while noise signal components combine incoherently, resulting in composite output signal with an improved signal-to-noise ratio. The composite output signal is further processed in a speech conditioning circuit (20) to reduce the effects of reverberation.
US08000476B2
A method of enciphering data which is applicable to cipher-transmission of digital information data, in which the HD-SDI signal DHS is subjected to enciphering process using common key data DEY which is common to encipherment and decipherment to produce enciphered HD-SDI signal DHSE, the common key data DEY are subjected to enciphering process using open key data DOY to produce enciphered common key data DXY, and the enciphered HD-SDI signal DHSE accompanied with the enciphered common key data DXY are send to be transmitted, so that such a fear that the common key data DEY are eavesdropped on the transmission thereof can be effectively reduced.
US08000470B2
A potential bias in the generation of a private key is avoided by selecting the key and comparing it against the system parameters. If a predetermined condition is attained it is accepted. If not it is rejected and a new key is generated.
US08000468B2
A method for transmitting sensed data in a wireless sensor network including multiple sensors and a database, the method includes: automatically dividing the multiple sensors into sensor groups, each of the sensor groups including at least one sensor; determining a lead sensor in each of the sensor groups; encrypting the sensed data to generate encrypted data in ones of the multiple sensors excluding the determined lead sensors; and transmitting the encrypted data.
US08000463B2
A telephone system comprising a first phone terminal belonging to private communication network, a second phone terminal belonging to public communication network, a transit device connects the private communication network to the public communication network, and a call control device controls a call between the first phone terminal and the second phone terminal, wherein the private communication network includes, a certification processing unit performs certification processing to certificate whether or not the first phone terminal should be connected to the public communication network, and a notification processing unit notifies the result of the certification processing to the call control device when a call connection request to form a communication link between the first phone terminal and the second phone terminal occurs, and the call control device forms the communication link in response to the call connection request if the notified result of the certification processing shows a success.
US08000462B2
In a remote management messenger system (RMMS), a method for screening a packet-based call originated from a caller via a caller telecommunication device (CTD) to a receiver telecommunication device (RTD) via the RMMS. The method includes activating, if a receiver associated with the RTD does not respond to the packet-based call within a predetermined time period, an answering-and-recording function (ARF) associated with the RMMS to enable the ARF to receive and record packets pertaining to the packet-based call while permitting the receiver to continue to hear the caller. The method also includes, if the receiver responds to the packet-based call after the ARF is activated, permitting the receiver to continue the packet-based call with the caller.
US08000449B2
It is described an emitter (26, 40) for X-ray tubes comprising: a flat foil with an emitting section (30, 46); and at least two electrically conductive fixing sections (31-34; 41-44); wherein the emitting section (30, 46) is unstructured.
US08000448B2
An electron beam detection device (34) is arranged on an electron beam passing path so that a beam delay time tB from a passing moment of an electron beam (1) to a moment when the beam reaches a predicted collision point (9a) is longer than a laser delay time tL from a moment when a command for generating laser light (3) is issued to the moment when the laser light reaches the predicted collision point (9a) by at least a predetermined delay time Δt. The device (34) may detect passing therethrough without affecting the electron beam and output a laser light generation command from a laser light command delay circuit (36) when the predetermined delay time Δt (=tB−tL) has elapsed after the detection.
