US08043274B2
A disposable incontinent underwear product can comprise areas having different stretch characteristics and thereby fit persons of varying body shape in a more comfortable and/or visually appealing manner. Additionally, in some embodiments, the different areas of stretch can aid in positioning absorbent components, such as an absorbent insert or core that is included in the undergarment to absorb body exudates. For example, a garment may feature at vertical stretch in an area above the crotch and below the waist while featuring horizontal stretch at the hip areas at its front and back sides. As another example, a garment may feature horizontal stretch across the front of the garment and vertical stretch across the back of the garment in areas above the crotch and below the waist. In some embodiments, the crotch also features horizontal, vertical, or biaxial stretch.
US08043273B2
A disposable undergarment includes a body panel and an absorbent insert having a back sheet connected to a top sheet and a retention portion disposed between the back sheet and the top sheet. At least one of the back sheet and the top sheet is stretchable and includes an elastic material. At least one of the back sheet and the top sheet is connected to the body panel. A method of using a disposable undergarment includes stretching at least one of the back sheet and the top sheet. A method of instructing a user on the use of the disposable undergarment is also provided.
US08043272B2
A collection insert for use in a diaper for the testing of the urine of a baby is generally disclosed. The collection insert is configured to collect and temporarily retain the urine, allowing the urine to be later tested for the presence of absence of an analyte. The collection insert is fluidly isolated from the absorbent core of the diaper, and can be positioned between the bodyside liner and the outer cover or located in a pocket defined by the bodyside liner. The collection insert can include an insert cover and a collection core, such as a sponge, cellulosic material, polymeric nonwoven material, and the like. Additionally, the collection insert can be substantially free of superabsorbent material.
US08043269B2
A dispenser head for mounting on a fluid dispenser, said dispenser head comprising a body (1) provided with a dispenser orifice (10), said head being provided with a cap (2) that is displaceable between a closed position, in which it covers said dispenser orifice (10), and an open position, in which it does not cover said dispenser orifice, said cap (2) being connected in permanent manner to said body (1), regardless of the position of said cap.
US08043267B2
The prefilled syringe filled with a drug in advance, leaking of liquid from the cap is prevented, gas barrier properties are given to the whole of the barrel filled with the drug and the shoulder section so that degradation of the drug is prevented, permeation of microbial contaminants is prevented to a high extent, and efficiency of packing as a compact container can be increased. The prefilled syringe includes a guard-shaped extension projecting from the outer periphery of a shoulder section of the syringe barrel on the nozzle side, and a range from a part where a gasket of the plunger is positioned on the outer surface of the syringe barrel filled with the drug to the guard-shaped extension is covered with barrier packaging.
US08043266B2
An indwelling needle assembly has an inner needle having a sharp point at its tip, an inner needle hub fixed to a base section of the inner needle, a hollow outer needle into which the inner needle is inserted, an outer needle hub fixed to a base section of the outer needle, and a tube inserted into the inner needle hub and connected to the base section of the outer needle hub such that the inner cavity of the tube communicates with the inner cavity of the outer needle. The center axis of the outer needle and the center axis of the tube at its head section are substantially parallel with each other with the inner needle inserted into the outer needle.
US08043265B2
An indwelling needle is provided which has a simple structure and is capable of securely mounting a needle tip protective tool on the tip portion of an internal needle. The indwelling needle A consists of an external needle 10 including a cannula 11 and a housing 12, an internal needle 20 including a metal needle 21 and a hub 22 and a needle tip protective tool 30. The needle tip protective tool 30 is mounted on the housing 12 with the metal needle 21 inserted into an inner section so that the metal needle 21 can be removed together with the internal needle 20 from the external needle 10. A main body 31 of the needle tip protective tool 30 has a cylindrical shape. Window sections 34a, 34b are provided on opposing circumferential surfaces of the main body 31. On a rear end marginal section of window section 34a, a movable gripped section 32 is provided whose outer section 32b extends toward the outside of the main body 31 and whose end consists of a grip section 32c. The gripped section 32c and the grip section 33c are latchable with each other within main body 31.
US08043262B2
An injection device, in some embodiments an autoinjector, which includes a housing, an actuating sleeve carried by the device to be movable relative to the housing and which can be placed at a point of injection in a position of insertion, an injection needle extendable from the end of the injection device when the injection device is in the position of insertion and moveable into the interior of the injection device, and an actuating cam arranged in an axially fixed manner relative to the injection needle and engageable in a locking recess when the injection device is in the position of insertion to prevent the injection needle from being moved into the interior of the injection device, said actuation cam being releasable from engagement with the locking recess by the actuating sleeve, thereby releasing the injection needle for movement into the injection device.
US08043257B2
An agent delivery catheter having two or more axially spaced balloons and an inflation bridge providing fluid communication between the two balloons. The catheter generally has a proximal balloon, a distal balloon, and a tube defining an inflation bridge lumen which is located in part within the inflatable interiors of the balloons, and which extends therebetween, and which has a proximal port within the proximal balloon interior and a distal port within the distal balloon interior to thereby provide for inflation of the distal balloon by placing the distal balloon interior in fluid communication with the proximal balloon interior of the shaft.
US08043251B2
Ultrasound catheter devices and methods provide enhanced disruption of blood vessel obstructions. Generally, ultrasound catheters include an elongate flexible catheter body with one or more lumens, an ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally through the catheter body lumen and, in some embodiments, a guidewire tube extending through the lumen. A distal head for disrupting occlusions is coupled with the distal end of the ultrasound transmission member and is positioned adjacent the distal end of the catheter body. Some embodiments include improved features such as a bend in the catheter body for enhancing positioning and/or advancement of the catheter.
US08043248B2
A method is disclosed for creating an anchor within the gastrointestinal tract for supporting a barrier device therein. The gastrointestinal tract has a first wall, a second wall and a body lumen. The method comprises advancing an anchoring device through the first wall and the second wall, threading the barrier device over the anchoring device and advancing the barrier device into the body lumen, and forming a closed loop with the anchoring device for supporting the barrier device.
US08043245B2
An orthopedic device includes a strut assembly having a resilient shell defining opposed first and second sides, and a patient compliance system. The patient compliance includes a tightening strap connecting the first and second sides of the shell. The tightening strap has first and second end portions arranged for incremental uni-directional adjustment relative to at least one of the first and second sides of the strut assembly. The tightening strap is arranged to bend the shell and draw the first and second sides thereof toward one another.
US08043239B2
A method and system for treating a patient having an acute myocardial infarction. Such system may comprise at least one tank having a pressurized gas contained therein, at least one housing having a shell and being adapted to at least partially surround a body segment of the patient, a hose/valve device for supplying the compressed gas from the tank to the housing; and a control device for controlling the flow of compressed gas from the tank to the housing in accordance with cardiac systole and cardiac diastolic of the patient to vary the pressure in synchronization with the patient's heart function. The system may be arranged within a moving vehicle, such as an ambulance, an airplane, or a ship.
US08043235B2
A method of treating glaucoma is described herein. The method includes the steps of providing an ultrasonic device that emits ultrasonic energy, holding the ultrasonic device at a location external to the trabecular meshwork, transmitting the ultrasonic energy at a frequency to a desired location for a predetermined time, causing biochemical changes to be initiated within the eye that may include triggering a presumed integrin response that initiates biochemical changes typified by but not limited to cytokines, enzymes, macrophage activity and heat shock proteins, and dislodging material built up in the trabecular meshwork.
US08043231B2
A lancing unit (U1) includes a lancing member (2), an auxiliary part (3) which is separate from the lancing member (2), and a supporter (1) detachably supporting these. Preferably, the lancing unit (U1) further includes a cap (29) which covers a needle (21) of the lancing member (2) and which is detachable from the lancing member (2), and the lancing member (2) is supported by the supporter (1) via the cap (29).
US08043225B2
An active implantable medical device comprising circuits for measuring trans-thoracic impedance and delivering an impedance signal varying with respiratory activity of a patient. A signal representative of the respiratory activity of the patient is delivered starting from the impedance signal, and circuits for diagnosing respiratory disorder analyze variations of the respiratory signal on a plurality of successive cycles to detect there a profile of predetermined variation in relation to a given respiratory disorder. The device also includes circuits for automatically controlling respiratory cycles with artifacts, able to identify in the impedance signal a jump of static impedance, and/or to identify in a respiratory cycle or in a sequence of respiratory cycles a predetermined singularity representative of a cycle with artifact.
US08043223B2
A method and system for use in measuring the endothelial dysfunction utilizing flow mediated dilation and determining arterial health of a patient. The system includes a non-invasive blood pressure monitor, an ultrasound system and a pulse oximeter monitor that all communicate with each other to perform the flow mediated dilation. Initially, the ultrasound transducer, blood pressure cuff and pulse oximeter sensor are positioned on an arm of the patient. The blood pressure cuff is inflated to occlude an artery for an occlusion period. Following the occlusion period, the ultrasound system is automatically signaled to begin determining a parameter of the artery, such as diameter, and the flow rate of blood through the artery without any operator intervention. At the same time, the pulse wave velocity PWV is calculated between the ultrasound transducer and the finger probe of the pulse oximeter following the occlusion period. Based upon the detected characteristics of the artery before and after occlusion, as well as the PWV, the system can determine the endothelial dysfunction and arterial health of the patient.
US08043216B2
To carry out objective or definitive diagnosis on the basis of an elastic image regardless of experience and proficiency, a method of displaying an elastic image includes the steps of measuring ultrasound cross-section data of a cross-section region of a subject by applying pressuring to the subject, determining a physical value correlating with the elasticity of tissue in the cross-section region on the basis of the ultrasound cross-section data, generating an elastic image of the cross-section region on the basis of the physical value and displaying the elastic image on a display device, determine compression state information relating to the compression state of the cross-section region on the basis of the pressure applied to the subject, and displaying the compression state information together with the elastic image on the display device.
US08043212B1
A method for providing treatment at or near a cervical region of the spine of a patient is provided. An incision is formed in the skin of a patient above the cervical region. An elongate body is inserted into the patient through the incision, the elongate body having a distal portion, a proximal portion, an outer surface, and an inner surface, the inner surface defining a passage extending through the elongate body. The elongate body is advanced until a distal end thereof resides at or near the cervical region of the spine. The size of the passage in the distal portion is increased relative to the size of the proximal portion.
US08043211B2
This endoscope device includes: an LED adaptor that has a plurality of LED chips and that can be removably fitted onto a distal end of an insertion portion that is inserted into a body cavity of an endoscopy subject; an LED supporting block that is provided on the LED adaptor and that supports the plurality of LED chips; and a heat removal portion that removes heat from the LED supporting block.
US08043210B2
An endoscope tube having at least one image inversion system consisting of two rod lenses, in which the first rod ends, pointing to an intermediate image plane, have a marginal cylinder, which is mounted in the endoscope tube, in which the second rod ends, which lie symmetrical to an aperture plane, have a diameter that is smaller than the inner diameter of the endoscope tube, so that the end surfaces associated with the first rod lenses are convex in configuration, the end surfaces associated with the second rod ends can be cemented together with a lens element, and a distance holder that defines the aperture area is inserted between the two rod lenses, is characterized in that the rod diameter in each case continually decreases from the marginal cylinder toward the second rod end.
US08043209B2
A method and system for in-vivo sensing includes transmitting data that relates to data stored in a memory area located in the sensing device. The data that relates to data stored in a memory area may be transmitted in a data block, and the data block may include sensory data. The data that relates to data stored in a memory area may be received, recorded, displayed, processed or used in any suitable way, for example, to generate commands to the sensing device.
US08043196B1
A jump rope assembly includes a rope body having two ends each connected with a connecting unit and a handle unit. The rope body has an inner portion provided with a through hole. The connecting unit includes a connecting sleeve mounted on the rope body, a fixing plug inserted into the through hole of the rope body, and a retaining ring mounted in the connecting sleeve and compressing the rope body to press the rope body toward the fixing plug so that the rope body is fixed between the fixing plug and the retaining ring. The handle unit includes a handle having an enlarged end portion mounted in the connecting sleeve, and a locking ring mounted on the enlarged end portion of the handle and locked onto the connecting sleeve.
US08043187B2
An automatic transmission for vehicles, whose weight, length, and manufacturing cost are reduced as a consequence of simplifying a structure thereof by removing a torque converter. The automatic transmission for vehicles may include a first shift portion outputting three intermediate rotational speeds of a same rotational speed as an input rotational speed, an increased rotational speed, and a reverse rotational speed by using torque received through first and second variable input pathways, and a second shift portion including first, second, third, and fourth gears that respectively achieve first, second, third, and fourth gear ratios, changing each intermediate rotational speed received from the first shift portion into four final rotational speeds, and outputting the same.
US08043179B2
A drive chain adjustment mechanism for simplifying the tension adjustment work of a drive chain of an all terrain vehicle. The drive chain is wound around a driven sprocket connected to the rear wheels of the vehicle. The mechanism includes a case to which the driven sprocket is coupled; a cam which moves the case in a fore and aft direction with respect to a vehicle body frame; and a bolt which is located rearward of a shaft portion of the driven sprocket, and which attaches the cam and the case to the vehicle body frame. When the case is moved in the fore and aft direction of a vehicle body, the tension of the drive chain is adjusted.
US08043170B2
The present invention is directed to golf balls having at least one layer formed from a saturated polyurethane composition. The polyurethane is the product of a reaction between an H12MDI/PTMEG-based prepolymer and a polycaprolactone curing agent. Golf balls of the present invention include one-piece, two-piece, multi-layer, and wound golf balls. The composition may be present in any one or more of a core layer, a cover layer, or an intermediate layer.
US08043165B2
The present invention discloses an iron-type golf club head in which the sole portion has a main surface and a stepped surface. Further, the sole portion comprises a chromium coating. The invention creates a unique combination of head shape and surface friction coefficients that minimize the bad effects of turf impact.
US08043163B2
A practice aid (22) for golfers (10), which is formed by a jacket-shaped textile upper part (24) with at least one tubular-shaped sleeve (26, 28). The sleeve (26, 28) comprises a stiffening and follows the motion sequence of the golfer (10) when hitting with the golf club (14). The stiffening is formed as a frame (30) and is provided in the tubular sleeve (26, 28). Furthermore, the invention relates to a practice aid (22) for golfers (10) designed as a stiffening frame (30).
US08043160B2
This disclosure describes embodiments of a wagering game machine that includes a wager gaming operating system including downloadable components. This disclosure also describes methods for downloading such components. In one embodiment, the method includes booting the wagering game machine for operation, wherein the booting is performed in-part by core operating system components. The method can also include downloading, over a network, a non-core operating system component, wherein the downloading is performed with assistance from the core operating system components. The method can also include installing the non-core operating system component on the wagering game machine, wherein the installing is performed by the core operating system components. The method can also include presenting a wagering game upon which monetary value can be wagered, wherein the presenting is performed in-part by the non-core operating system component.
US08043158B2
To provide an image processing device, image processing method, and data processing method for a game device providing novel game features. In a multiple-player game device 1 comprising mutually coupled input mechanisms 31, it is possible for a game to be played by fewer people than the aforementioned number of players, by using a portion of the input mechanisms 31, the coupling of the input mechanisms other than the input mechanisms used by the fewer number of players being disengaged in cases where a game is played by a fewer number of players.
US08043156B2
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to systems for providing an interactive experience to game participants.
US08043136B2
Arrangement for providing cooling energy to a cooling medium circuit of a marine vessel having a storage of liquefied gas, the arrangement having a gas feeding system being provided with gas evaporation/heating apparatus. The gas evaporation/heating apparatus is arranged in heat transfer connection with the cooling medium circuit of the vessel through an intermediate flow circuit.
US08043134B2
A watercraft having a deck is configured with a first rocker having graspable input arm above-deck and a lower output arm, the first rocker being pivoted to the craft, the output arm connecting a push-bar at a first end and the push-bar having a second end connecting a second rocker, the second rocker having input and output arms, the output arm of the second rocker having a propelling fin, the second rocker being pivoted to the watercraft. The watercraft may have a third rocker, fin, and pivot, and more. Users stand upon deck, grasp the first rocker's input arm and vertically thrust the rocker to propel.The invention further comprises a device for human powered propulsion remove-ably attachable to watercrafts, especially small boats, and surfboards, and for propelling them from a standing position by human power.
US08043133B2
A wave-powered water vehicle includes a surface float, a submerged swimmer, and a tether which connects the float and the swimmer, so that the swimmer moves up and down as a result of wave motion. The swimmer includes one or more fins which interact with the water as the swimmer moves up and down, and generate forces which propel the vehicle forward. The vehicle, which need not be manned, can carry communication and control equipment so that it can follow a course directed by signals sent to it, and so that it can record or transmit data from sensors on the vehicle.
US08043116B2
A socket having a replaceable module includes a socket panel and a replaceable module. The socket panel is provided with socket units. The replaceable module is detachably provided on the socket panel. The replaceable module is provided with socket subunits. The edge of the replaceable module is provided with a trough located between the replaceable module and the socket panel. The present invention further provides a replaceable module for a socket. The replaceable module can be replaced according practical demands, which makes it more versatile. Further, the replaceable module has a better safety.
US08043111B2
Either of first and second corrugated tubes having different groove (or ridge) pitches can be mounted on a connector 10. In this case, the distance between a first retaining projection 32 and a second retaining projection 34 is a common multiple of these pitches, and therefore either of the two different corrugated tubes can be properly retained on both of the first and second retaining projections 32 and 34. Furthermore, either of the first and second corrugated tubes 50 and 52 of different diameters can be properly fixed to a tube insertion portion 20 by a binding band passed through binding band passage holes 30.
US08043108B2
A high voltage plug-connector for the detachable electric connection of high voltage components, particularly an electric drive system of a motor vehicle, has a plug with electric power contacts, a socket with a mating contacts for mating with the power contacts, and a signal plug that interacts with signal contacts for activating the high voltage. The signal plug locks the plug and the socket mechanically in their plug-in position. The mechanical plug-connector has a pre-latching position in which the signal plug is guided to a releasing position and the electric contact between the power contacts and mating contacts can be released. The mechanical lock is released only when the electric contact between the power contacts and the mating contacts is opened and the signal plug is guided to a cover position in which the signal plug covers the power contacts.
US08043093B2
To provide a dental root canal-filling composition which is generally formed in a point shape, has high strength, is properly deformed so as to afford easy operativity for filling in a root canal, has improved wetting and adhering properties with a root canal-filling sealer and is less deteriored by sterilization or chemical disinfection, the dental root canal-filling composition comprises one or more kinds of polyolefin resins selected from the group of polyethylene, polypropylene, and a copolymer of polyethylene and polypropylene, a styrene block copolymer, one or more kinds of thermoplastic resins selected from the group of ester gum, rosin, an alicyclic saturated hydrocarbon resin, a terpene resin, and an aliphatic petroleum resin, and one or more kinds of inorganic fillers selected from the group of zinc oxide, barium sulfate, zirconium oxide, titanium oxide, ytterbium fluoride, a barium glass, and an aluminosilicate glass.
US08043092B2
A dental prosthesis or template (10) simulates the front surfaces of a patient's teeth and is positioned to overlay over a patient's natural teeth (40) to provide an indication of what a dental porcelain overlay may look like once applied to the patient's teeth. A matching temporary veneer overlay (110) with simulated matching teeth sized and shaped to the template is constructed to be installed over the patient's prepared teeth.
US08043089B2
The specification describes one-piece dental implants comprising a threaded shaft, optionally a non-circular abutment and a head having a shape which is capable of accepting a keeper cap or an O-ring, or which is capable of accepting and retaining a dental wire. The implants have dimensions that permit their use in a non-surgical method of insertion into bone, and are useful in both prosthodontic and orthodontic applications.
US08043087B2
Methods and apparatus to rotate a sample about first and second axes in a heat chamber to obtain a desired homogeneous modification of properties of the sample and maintain a surface figure.
US08043083B2
An injection molding machine is provided with a linear guide block configured to be guided on a linear guide rail and a guide mounting block which is secured to the linear guide block and supports the movable platen. Two mounting bolts and two adjust bolts are disposed individually at two positions, spanning between the movable platen and the guide mounting block. The size of a gap between the movable platen and the guide mounting block is adjusted by independently tightening the adjust bolts, whereby the horizontal tilt of the movable platen is adjusted.
US08043077B2
A micropump that includes: a tube frame including an elastic tube, and a tube guide groove; a cam drive wheel which moves in response to a motor that can be rotated in forward and reverse directions; a first cam is provided with a finger depression section at a circumferential portion thereof; a second cam is provided with a finger depression section at a circumferential portion thereof; and a plurality of fingers provided between the tube and the respective finger depression sections of the first and second cams. The micropump can be in a first state of continuously feeding a fluid by when the first cam is rotated in the forward direction, the first cam pushing and rotating the second cam in the same direction, a second state of rotating only the first cam in the reverse direction, and a third state of stopping the first cam from rotating.
US08043075B2
A pump is provided that includes a body made at least partially of an elastomeric material and an inlet port and an outlet port, with each port being coupled to the body. The pump further includes a flow passage formed in the body and extending between the inlet port and the outlet port, with at least a portion of the flow passage being normally closed and with the inlet port being fluidicly uncoupled with the outlet port when the pump is in a free-state condition. An actuating device is coupled to the body and is operable for sequentially deforming the body to create a cavity within the normally closed portion of the flow passage, the cavity being in fluid communication with the inlet port, thereby drawing a packet of fluid from the inlet port into the cavity and propagating the cavity and the packet of fluid contained therein toward the outlet port.
US08043069B2
A water removal system for removing water from an elevator pit that includes a sump, a pump, a pump input tube, a pump output tube and a switching mechanism. The sump at least partially extends below a lower surface of the elevator pit. The plump mounted outside of the elevator pit. The pump input line is operably connected to the sump and the pump. The pump output line is operably connected to the pump. The switching mechanism is mounted outside of the sump and is operably connected to the pump and the sump.
US08043067B2
A wind turbine blade is provided with an outer skin layer formed of fiber-reinforced plastic, and a plurality of main structural members formed of fiber-reinforced plastic integrally with the outer skin layer to extend in a blade length direction. The main structural members include a plurality of main dorsal structural members positioned on a dorsal side of the wind turbine blade, and a plurality of main ventral structural members positioned on a ventral side of the wind turbine blade.
US08043058B1
A turbine blade with single tip rail located on the suction side of the tip, and a plurality of curved diffusion holes to discharge cooling air onto the pressure side wall and the tip floor or tip corner of the blade to provide cooling and to limit leakage of the hot gas flow through the tip gap. The curved diffusion holes are curved in an upward direction toward the tip, and each includes a metering hole with an inlet axis normal to the cooling supply cavity surface. A suction side tip rail is flush with the backside wall and slants outward toward the front edge on the inner side. A first curved diffusion hole opens onto the pressure side wall just below the tip corner, a second curved diffusion hole opens adjacent to the tip corner, and a third curved diffusion holes opens onto the tip floor adjacent to the tip corner and at a midpoint between the tip corner and the tip rail. The second diffusion hole provides a layer of film cooling air to the forward side of the tip corner where the first layer of film cooling air does not come into contact so that the entire tip floor is covered by layers of film cooling air.
US08043048B2
A method for monitoring a structural health of a wind turbine. The method includes transmitting, from a sensor to a controller, at least one monitoring signal indicative of a structural discontinuity, the sensor operatively coupled to a structural component of the wind turbine. A first notification signal is transmitted from the controller to a user computing device upon receiving the monitoring signal.
US08043045B2
Actuators utilising shape memory alloy materials are known with regard to gas turbine engines. Such shape memory alloys have been used with respect to deformation provided in vanes and blades as well as nozzle elements in order that variations can be made in engine configuration dependent upon thermal cycling. Unfortunately, pedestals in order to provide spacing between the shape memory alloy and an antagonistic bias has resulted in uneven stress distribution as well as a higher thermal mass for the shape memory alloy. An uneven stress distribution will limit operational life whilst a higher thermal mass will result in slower reaction times. By separation of the shape memory alloy or material from its antagonistic bias through use of a slide element, a reduction in thermal mass is achieved and, more importantly, stress differentiation across the actuator is reduced.
US08043044B2
A load pin has an end portion, and a vane has a base with a cutout in the base, wherein the end portion of the load pin engages a wall portion of the cutout in the base of the vane, thereby inhibiting any movement of the vane in a particular direction.
US08043038B2
A pin having a head and a plurality of legs extending from that head, and a bushing having a flange and a shank extending from that flange, are comprised. In the flange, holes for accepting a plurality of legs are provided in a plurality corresponding to the number of legs, and in the shank, corresponding spaces for accepting each of the legs which have passed through the holes are provided in a plurality corresponding to the number of legs. The cross-section of the shank is polygonal, spaces are disposed on the surfaces of the shank capable of forming that polygon, and elastic latching pieces extending outward in lateral directions are provided at positions adjacent to the flange in a plurality corresponding to the spaces. By inserting the legs into the spaces, the elastic latching pieces are prevented from being displaced in directions whereby they would approach the spaces.
US08043035B2
The present invention relates to a drill comprising a cemented carbide or high speed steel substrate and a coating wherein the coating comprises: a first layer system having a multilayered structure covering substantially the whole active part of the drill, a second layer system having a multilayered structure covering only the tip area of the drill.Drills according to the present invention have good wear resistance and improved properties when reconditioning the drill.The present invention also relates to a method of making a drill according to the present invention.
US08043031B2
A multi-function cutting tool is disclosed. The multi-function cutting tool includes a cutting insert (200) and a cutter body (300). The cutting insert has an upper surface (201), a lower surface (205), and first and second cutting edge corner parts (210) and (220), which are provided on the upper surface such that the upper surface has a symmetrical structure with respect to a diagonal direction. The cutting insert further has a major cutting edge part (230), a first minor cutting edge part (240), and a lowered cutting edge part (250). The major cutting edge part has a downwardly inclined angle ranging from 3° to 10°, and extends from the first cutting edge corner part towards the corresponding second cutting edge corner part. When seen in the front view of the cutting insert, the major cutting edge is defined by a convex curved line, which has a curvature radius of 1000 mm or more.
US08043025B2
A paving mat for use in a paved surface includes a fibrous mat in the form of a paving mat. The fibrous mat includes a fibrous matrix containing a mixture of polymer fibers, first mineral fibers having a first median length, and second mineral fibers having a second median length that is different from the first median length. In another embodiment, the paving mat includes a fibrous mat including a fibrous matrix which is bonded together by a binder. In one embodiment, the binder is a mixture of different binders. The fibrous matrix includes a mixture of mineral fibers in an amount within a range of from 61 wt % to 85 wt % and polymer fibers in an amount within a range of from 15 wt % to 39 wt %. The polymer fibers have a melting point greater than 320° F. (160° C.). The mat has a stiffness in the machine direction within a range of from 65 g-cm to 110 g-cm. The mat has a load-elongation behavior such that when the mat is subject to tensile stress, the mat achieves at least 90% of its ultimate load at an elongation not greater than 5% of the specimen length in the direction of applied stress. Another embodiment of the paving mat is made with a carboxy-modified acrylic binder.
US08043017B2
The cosmetic unit has two partial units, each including a receptacle for receiving a cosmetic substance and a closure cap for allowing the closure of the receptacle. The two partial units are inter-connectable by a coupling member engaging with the two closure caps. Each closure cap has a cap recess, extending in the direction of a central axis, on the axial front end facing away from the receptacle of the corresponding partial unit. The coupling member including a central portion with two axial coupling projections being formed thereon wherein each coupling projection engages with one of the two cap recesses when in an assembled state.
US08043014B2
A printer includes a supporting device, a cantilevered first guide arm, a second guide arm, and a printer head. The supporting device is configured to support a material to be printed. The cantilevered first guide arm has a longitudinal direction. The second guide arm is connected to the first guide arm to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the first guide. The second guide arm extends along a lateral direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The printer head is configured to print on the material supported by the supporting device and provided on the second guide arm to be movable along the lateral direction.
US08043013B2
Provided is a spliced-on connector system which includes a connector body, an incoming fiber which is spliced to the connector body, a splice sleeve which covers a splice point at which the incoming fiber is spliced to the connector body, and an extender tube which covers the splice sleeve. Also provided is a method of producing the spliced-on connector system; a holder including a depression which holds a connector body in a position in which the connector body is spliced to an incoming fiber, the holder being disposed inside a splicer which splices the connector body to the incoming fiber; and a splicer including a tube heater which heat-shrinks a splice sleeve over a splice point at which a connector body is spliced to an incoming fiber, the tube heater accommodating the connector holder which holds the connector body.
US08043006B2
An axial piston machine of swashplate construction is provided. The axial piston machine has two pivot bearing parts. In order to improve the guiding of a cage segment mounted within a gap between the two pivot bearing parts, a guide element, in the region of its rotary bearing connected to the cage segment is displaceably connected to the cage segment by an elongated guide in a longitudinal direction. The guide member, in the region of its end region connected to the other pivot bearing part, is rotatable by an associated rotary bearing and rigidly connected in the longitudinal direction to one of the two pivot bearing parts.
US08042998B2
A method for detecting a fault of an oil temperature sensor of an automatic transmission by using a determining means for detecting the fault of the oil temperature sensor. The method includes any one or more of the steps of 1) determining the fault of the oil temperature sensor by comparing minimum and maximum output values of the oil temperature sensor in every driving mode, 2) determining the fault of the oil temperature sensor by detecting abnormal excessive increase and decrease of the oil temperature for a specific duration, 3) determining the fault the oil temperature sensor in the stuck state in the driving mode when transmission oil temperature increases, and 4) determining the fault of the oil temperature sensor by detecting the oil temperature exceeding a predetermined temperature based on the time when the engine is left at a stopped state.
US08042996B2
The present invention is drawn to a non-contact thermometer that is operable to emit a first light having a first color to create a spot of a first color at a reference target and to detect the temperature of the reference target. The non-contact thermometer is additionally operable to establish a temperature difference threshold. In use, once a temperature difference threshold is selected and once the temperature of the reference target is detected, the non-contact thermometer may detect a temperature of another target. Further, if the detected temperature of the other target is outside of the temperature difference threshold as compared to the temperature of the reference target, the non-contact thermometer is operable to emit a second light having a second color to create a spot of a second color at the other target.
US08042989B2
A method for processing a fluidic mixture in a multi-stage hydrodynamic cavitation device is disclosed. The fluidic mixture is introduced to an inlet and passed through a flowpath having at least ten cavitation zones. The fluidic mixture is exposed to cavitation inducing features in each of the at least ten cavitation zones to induce cavitation bubbles, which bubbles are then collapsed between every two adjacent of the at least ten cavitation zones. The multi-stage hydrodynamic cavitation device for processing the fluidic mixture has a generally cylindrical housing with an inlet, an outlet, a flowpath therebetween, and a plurality of cavitation zones along the flowpath. Two or more of the cavitation zones along the flowpath comprise a disk multi-jet nozzle having a plurality of through channels disposed across the surface thereof, wherein each channel includes expansions and contractions of its cross-sectional area along its length.
US08042980B2
A vehicle headlamp is provided with semiconductor-type light sources, lenses, a reflector, light shading members, prism members, and a switching device. When the light shading members are positioned in a first location by means of the switching device, a light distribution pattern LP for low beam, having one or more cutoff lines, is illuminated. In addition, when the prism members are positioned in the first location by means of the switching device, a light distribution pattern HP for high beam is illuminated. As a result, the vehicle headlamp can achieve downsizing, weight reduction, power saving, and cost reduction.
US08042977B1
A troffer luminaire having a continuous appearance when connected in aligned fashion within a suspended ceiling. The luminaire has first and second faux reflector assemblies which pivot from within the housing of the troffer luminaire. The troffer luminaire further comprises a removably connected lamp shield which may come in various designs and which therefore makes the lamp shields interchangeable.
US08042975B2
A plano-Fresnel LED lens and a LED assembly thereof are revealed. The lens is a Fresnel lens whose optical surface on the forward side thereof is a plano surface having saw teeth with vertical taper (draft with vertical shape) so that the lens in the LED assembly concentrates light emitted from a LED chip to generate light whose peak intensity is an elliptic distribution pattern. Moreover, the lens and the LED assembly thereof satisfy certain conditions. Thereby, light from the LED chip is gathered by a single lens to form a preset specific distribution pattern and is satisfying requirement of the ratio of the luminous flux that is larger than 85%. The plano-Fresnel LED lens and a LED assembly thereof are applied to lights and flashlights in mobile phones or cameras.
US08042971B2
Lighting systems for emitting light in multiple directions including one or more light emitting devices (LEDs) and a housing configured to receive the one or more LEDs are provided. The one or more LEDs are configured to generate light in a first direction to illuminate a first area proximate to the lighting system. The housing is configured to reflect a portion of the generated light so as to allow a remaining portion of the generated light to pass through the housing in a second direction, different from the first direction, and illuminate a second area proximate to the lighting system. Related methods are also provided herein.
US08042970B2
An LED illuminator has a seat and multiple LED modules mounted on the seat. The seat has multiple chambers, each of which has two opposite sidewalls, a bottom, two through holes and an opening. The two through holes are respectively defined on the sidewalls and the opening is defined the bottom. The LED modules are respectively mounted on the sidewalls of the chambers on the seat and standing on the seat at an inclined angle to allow lights pass through the openings of the chambers. Therefore, each chamber has two light sources from two opposite sidewalls and the lights of the two lights source pass through the opening of the chamber. The LED illuminator provides a wide illuminating angle.
US08042961B2
In one embodiment, this invention discloses a device that is a lamp on the one hand, and also a speaker on the other, comprising a light-emitting element, a surface that acts as a sound-emitting element, and a base socket that can fit to an ordinary household lamp socket. The surface can be translucent and act as a lamp cover at the same time. There is also an electronic assembly in the lamp that controls both the light-emitting and sound-emitting elements, as well as communicates with an external host or other devices. In another embodiment, the lamp cover can also couple with an acoustic-wave transducer unit so that the audio lamp device becomes a light and a microphone. Various sensors can also be equipped within the audio lamp, and the results can be sent to the external host through the electronic assembly.
US08042947B1
The invention relates to an information system comprising a signal detection device (1751) which detects signals reflected back by at least one eye having a retina; a visual field detection device which detects visible light in a visual field associated with the retina, without detecting a ghost image of the retina; an information device; and an output device which co-operates with the information device to provide information according to the detected light and in correlation with the detected signals.
US08042927B2
An ink storage and supply assembly includes at least one ink reservoir configured to hold a quantity of liquid ink and to communicate the ink to at least one printhead of an imaging device. A housing at least partially encloses the at least one ink reservoir and includes a top, a bottom, and a plurality of side walls extending vertically between the top and the bottom of the housing. The plurality of side walls are spaced from the at least one reservoir to define a first air gap between each of the side walls and the at least one reservoir. At least one the side walls includes an inner wall and an outer wall spaced from each other to define a second air gap therebetween.
US08042926B2
A cartridge (11) used as a container for a compound that can be ejected by an ejection device, has two receptacles (12, 16) and a head part (21), each receptacle (12, 16) having a receptacle chamber (13, 17) for components of the compound with the head part (21) having a base plate (22) with an outlet opening (23) for the compound and, at a contact surface (24) of the base plate (22), two guide portions (25, 26) for joining to an end (14, 18) of the corresponding receptacle (12, 16), a guide element for the receptacle (16) arranged adjacent to the guide portion (26) at the contact surface (24) of the head part (21).
US08042925B2
An ink cartridge includes a case, an ink supply portion positioned at a front face of the case, a movable member configured to move relative to the case, and at least one resilient member coupled to a rear face of the case and the movable member. The at least one resilient member is configured to expand in an expansion direction and to contract in a contraction direction to move the movable member relative to the case, and a shape of the case in the expansion and contraction directions is unaltered. The entire moveable member is configured to substantially simultaneously move relative to the case when the at least one resilient member expands and contracts.
US08042922B2
A dispenser unit for dispensing ink to refill a supply of printing fluid in a printing unit includes a body assembly; a plurality of ink outlets provided on a bottom side of the body assembly, the plurality of ink outlets each for engaging with respective ink inlets of the printing unit; a compressible ink storage volume provided within the body assembly, the compressible ink storage volume having a sealed end and an outlet end connected to no more than one of the plurality of ink outlets; a plunger provided within the housing and abutting the sealed end of the compressible ink storage volume; and a compressing actuator for compressing the plunger against the sealed end of the compressible ink storage volume, thereby facilitating a dispensing of ink from within the compressible ink storage volume into the printing unit via the ink outlet to which the outlet end of the compressible ink storage volume is connected.
US08042900B2
An inkjet recording apparatus includes: a treatment liquid deposition device which deposits on a recording medium a treatment liquid that insolubilizes or aggregates an ink; a recording head having nozzles which eject the ink; a non-uniformity correction amount storage device storing non-uniformity correction amount data which are prepared with respect to each of the plurality of nozzles and determined according to ejection characteristics of each of the plurality of nozzles; a data acquisition device which acquires density data of an image; a non-uniformity correction amount revision device which revises the non-uniformity correction amount data according to the density data related to another nozzle which ejects the ink that overlaps on the recording medium with the ink ejected by each of the plurality of nozzles, in such a manner that the non-uniformity correction amount data are determined; a non-uniformity correction device which corrects the density data according to the non-uniformity correction amount data; and an image forming device which controls the recording head according to the density data in such a manner that the image is formed on the recording medium.
US08042899B2
A system enables surrounding inkjets to be used to compensate for missing, intermittent, or weak inkjets without requiring additional passes of the image substrate or slowing the printing process. The system includes a printhead firing signal generator configured to generate a plurality of inkjet firing signals with reference to a set of predetermined firing signal parameters, and a firing signal adjustment circuit configured to modify at least one predetermined firing signal parameter to increase a first mass of liquid ink ejected by an inkjet proximate a defective inkjet in response to a signal identifying the defective inkjet.
US08042894B2
An apparatus is provided that uses a consumable item, of given type, requiring occasional renewal. The apparatus has a first operating mode in which it only works with a subset of consumable items of the given type; the apparatus also has a second operating mode in which it is not restricted to working with consumable items of the aforesaid subset. The apparatus is changed from its first mode to its second mode following a determination that the apparatus has reached a predetermined time or usage threshold for being in its first mode. The change to the second mode is preferably effected in response to a release code generated either by the apparatus itself or by a remote system following the determination that the predetermined time or usage threshold being reached. Advantageously, the consumable items can be used to pass usage data to a remote system.
US08042892B2
A refrigerator that includes at least one vertical support that has a vertical guiding groove with a recess and a plurality of vertically staggered steps provided therein, and a horizontal support provided with a peg engaged into the recess of the guiding groove. In the interlocked position of the horizontal support, the peg rests on one of the steps and presses against a first wall of the vertical support from which the steps protrude. A contact surface of the horizontal support presses against a second wall of the vertical support, the second wall being arranged opposite to the first wall. The contact surface and the steps are staggered in the direction of the width of the walls, the steps being located in a lower position in the recess than the contact surface.
US08042891B2
A dishwasher is provided, comprising a door pivotably attached to a body and having a counterbalance assembly coupled therebetween for facilitating pivoting of the door, wherein the counterbalance assembly includes a biasing member coupled to the body and serially engaged with a flexible element coupled to the door, and a guide member secured to the body and including a fixed arcuate member defining a first guide track, and a pulley rotatable about an axis and defining a second guide track, wherein the flexible element is at least partially wrapped about each of the fixed arcuate member and the pulley so as to serially engage the first and second guide tracks, and wherein the first guide track of the fixed arcuate member is offset from the second guide track of the pulley along the axis thereof.
US08042888B2
A wheel position identification apparatus includes: braking force fluctuation generating means controlling the braking force-applying means to generate a braking force fluctuation of the wheel independently. The apparatus further includes response probability obtaining means for obtaining a presence, or an absence, of a response of the wheel relative to the braking force fluctuation based upon a wheel rotational speed fluctuation of the wheel. The wheel rotational speed fluctuation is obtained from a rotation state sensor mounted on each wheel. The apparatus still further includes associating means for associating the wheel with the braking force-applying means respectively. The association is based upon a combination of a presence, or an absence, of the braking force fluctuation at each braking force-applying means and the presence, or the absence, of the response obtained by the response probability obtaining means.
US08042882B2
A braking system for a combined tractor-trailer assembly wherein a leading trailer is coupled to a towing tractor and a trailing trailer is coupled to the leading trailer. All of the wheels of the trailers are provided with brakes which may be applied and released in response to the operation of a brake control pedal operated by a driver in the tractor. The brakes also may be applied to the trailing trailer whenever the latter is parked. The brakes of the trailing trailer normally are maintained in applied condition by a spring assisted mechanism when such trailer is parked. Such mechanism normally is disabled by pressurized fluid when the trailer is in service and the pressured fluid is accessible via a valve which simultaneously enables the parking brakes and service brakes simultaneously to be coupled to and uncoupled from the pressure fluid system.
US08042879B2
The invention relates to a vehicle wheel, in particular a hybrid vehicle wheel, composed of a wheel disc, which is fabricated from lightweight metal as a cast part, and a rim ring, which is made from steel, is connected to the wheel disc in a rotationally fixed fashion and has at least one rim horn and a drop base edge, and a method for manufacturing such a hybrid vehicle wheel. In order to be able to manufacture the hybrid vehicle wheel at low cost and to ensure sufficient force flow between the rim ring and the wheel disc, the wheel disc has, on the disc edge, a contour which is matched to the profile of the rim horn and drop base edge and extends over the distance between them and on which the rim ring bears in the mounted state of the wheel disc and rim ring while clamping the wheel disc between a first pressure zone on the drop base edge and a second pressure zone on the rim horn. Fitting is carried out by folding over or rolling over a rim ring blank onto the edge of the disc.
US08042877B1
An apparatus for attaching hydraulic cylinders to a vehicle chassis. A plurality of vertical, parallel, spaced apart plates having first apertures through which stub shaft pins are disposed for attaching hydraulic cylinders, and second apertures below the first apertures through which a separate, tubular shaft is disposed. The stub shaft pins may be removed and replaced without removing the rest of the assembly or the tubular shaft from the apparatus or the vehicle.
US08042867B2
A chair having an adjustable seat pan is disclosed. The chair includes a seat frame having a front end and a rear end, a seat back attached to the rear end of the seat frame, a seat pan pivotally connected to the seat frame, and a seat drop down link having a first end attached to the seat frame and a second end in contact with a catch member located beneath the seat pan so that the seat pan can be raised and lowered from a flat position to approximately a 6° angle with respect to the seat frame.
US08042863B2
A vehicle roof bow assembly includes a roof bow member and a pair of telescoping mounting brackets. The roof bow member is configured to extend in a lateral side-to-side direction along an underside of a vehicle roof panel. The telescoping mounting brackets each have a first end and a second end with the first end having a side rail attachment flange configured for rigid attachment to a first vehicle roof side rail and a roof panel attachment flange configured for rigid attachment to the vehicle roof panel and the second end being attached to the roof bow member. The telescoping mounting brackets are disposed at opposite ends of the roof bow member.
US08042858B2
A retractable roof includes a roof member 2 including a front roof panel 21, a back roof panel 22, and a linkage mechanism 4 for alternately chaining the position of the roof member 2 between an in-use position and a storage position. The back roof panel 22 is pivotally connected to the front roof panel 21 and a car body side member 42 to function as a first link of a four-bar link constituted by the first link and a second link.
US08042856B2
A tri-fold convertible top is disclosed that is stowed in a storage compartment with a five bow oriented at an angle of between 30° and 60° relative to the vehicle belt line. The top may be tensioned by a power cylinder and linkage that raises both a one bow and the five bow when the top is initially retracted. A main power cylinder is connected to the top stack and a main pivot bracket that lifts a rear rail above the belt line during the extension and retraction cycle.
US08042850B2
A flexible skewer system for providing versatile cooking upon a grill. The flexible skewer system includes an elongated flexible member, a loop extending from an end of the flexible member and a piercing implement extending from an opposite end of the flexible member. The flexible member is preferably comprised of a stainless steel cable. In use, the user is able to manipulate the shape of the flexible member about other food items on the grill while allowing the loop and piercing implement to be exterior of the grill. Alternatively, a second piercing implement may be utilized instead of a loop.
US08042848B2
A telescopic clipping apparatus includes a handle, a lever, a telescopic unit, a clipping unit, a reel, a pulley and a cable. The lever is movably connected to the handle. The telescopic unit is connected to the handle. The clipping unit is pivotally connected to the telescopic unit. A reel is located in the telescopic unit. A pulley is connected to the clipping unit. The cable is wound around the pulley, and includes a first end tied to the lever and a second end tied to the reel.
US08042846B2
A wedge apparatus includes a first wedge member and a second wedge member. A pivot pin is interconnected between a front end of the first wedge member and a front end of the second wedge member. A compressible spring is interconnected between the first wedge member and the second wedge member at a location distal from the pivot pin. The first wedge member can be substantially U-shaped and can include upwardly oriented first flange portions. Similarly, the second wedge member can be substantially U-shaped and can include downwardly oriented second flange portions. The U-shaped second wedge member is nested within the U-shaped first wedge member when the compressible spring is fully compressed between the first wedge member and the second wedge member. Preferably, a quantity of high friction material is bonded to the first wedge member bottom surface, and a second quantity of high friction material is bonded to the second wedge member top surface.
US08042844B2
A profiled section includes a first surface and a second surface, such that the second surface has an opening to at least partially receive an element of a locking member. The wing is structured and arranged parallel to the second surface. Further, an element is coupled to the first and second surfaces and to the wing. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
US08042835B2
A belt tensioner for a safety belt system has a drive unit and a power transmission element, which engages on a drive element when the drive unit is activated. The power transmission element is a non-rigid medium.
US08042820B1
A device is added to or built into a subject large vehicle, such as a large motorhome. The device provides for the driver's use either one or two retracting steps to facilitate the driver's entrance into or exit from the subject vehicle. Since these steps retract for travel, they are able to extend far enough beyond the side of the subject vehicle to allow the driver's weight to be directly above each step in stair step fashion rather than vertical ladder fashion. The device makes motorhome driver's side doors safer and more usable for less athletic people and the elderly.
US08042817B2
A self-propelled, dirigible agricultural vehicle includes a height-adjustable chassis with an axle and a driven wheel hub. The axle is shiftable between a normal clearance position above the wheel hub and a relatively higher elevated clearance position. The chassis further includes a kingpin and a spacer section that is removably connectable to the kingpin. The axle is in the normal clearance position when the spacer is removed from the kingpin and is in the elevated clearance position when the spacer is connected to the kingpin.
US08042807B2
A transport system for cut sheet media has a first and second cylinder to form a nip, a support subsystem to transport edges of cut sheets having at least one image into and out of the nip, and an array of contact points on each cylinder to make contact with the cut sheets without marking the image. A wheel for a print medium transport system has an outer rim having a series of contact points, an inner hub supporting a means to accommodate a drive shaft, and an internal spring connecting the outer rim to the inner hub. A method of transporting cut sheets in a printing system forms a nip between at least one pair of cylinders, each cylinder having an array of contact points, guides a first edge of a cut sheet into the nip, and uses the arrays of contact points to transport the cut sheets through one of either a fusing or drying process.
US08042806B2
An image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention includes a registration roller and a control portion. The registration roller is disposed on an upstream side of an image forming portion in a sheet conveying direction to convey a sheet to the image forming portion. The control portion controls to convey the sheet toward the registration roller at predetermined timing after temporarily stopping the sheet at a plurality of stop positions. The plurality of stop positions is set on an upstream side of the registration roller in the sheet conveying direction. The control portion conveys the sheet at predetermined timing from one of the plurality of stop positions when the plurality of sheets is continuously conveyed to the image forming portion. One of the plurality of stop positions does not become continuously identical.
US08042796B2
A sheet finishing apparatus includes a moving mechanism to move a puncher for boring punch holes in a sheet between a penetrate position and standby position, a detection section which is disposed upstream of the puncher in a sheet conveyance direction and detects a leading edge of the sheet, and a control section to control a moving mechanism based on a detection timing of the detection section and according to a size of the sheet and a movement speed of the sheet, so that a front corner of the sheet does not coincide with a position of a punching blade of the puncher when the sheet passes through the puncher.
US08042793B2
A mounting scheme for attaching a power train to a motor vehicle frame includes a plurality of mounts. At least one of the mounts is a solid engine mount having a metal housing and an elastomeric bushing. The elastomeric bushing contains no voids other than a central bore used to attach the mount to a bracket. The elastomeric bushing includes frustoconical portions, where one end of each of the frustoconical portions is unconstrained by the metal housing. The stiffness of the mount may be tuned to reduce noise and improve handling. The stiffnesses of any of the axes may be adjusted so that the power train roll center aligns with the power train center of gravity.
US08042792B2
A hydraulic engine bearing for motor vehicles has a fluid-filled working chamber (4) surrounded by a rubber-elastic circumferential wall (3). A compensating chamber (7) is provided which is in connection with the working chamber (4) via an overflow duct (6) in a baffle plate (5) between the working chamber (4) and the compensating chamber (7). Another compensating chamber (10) is connected to the working chamber (4) via a bypass duct (9). The additional compensating chamber (10) is formed from an elastic bellows (11), which is surrounded on its outside by a fixed wall (12) and wherein an intermediate space (13) is arranged between the bellows (11) and the wall (12). The intermediate space can be filled with a compressible medium, preferably air, and the medium can be emptied by means of a switching device, wherein the switching device is formed from at least one non-return valve (14) and at least one on-off valve (15). The non-return valve (14) is arranged in a vent duct as a connection path of the intermediate space (13) to the outside of the fixed wall (12) such that only a flow of the medium present in the intermediate space (13) to the outside of the wall (12) is possible. The on-off valve (15) is arranged at a vent duct (17) as an additional connection path of the intermediate space (13) to the outside of the engine bearing and can close or open the vent duct (17).
US08042785B2
Display stand for displaying products, which comprises a support structure (2) which extends from a support base (3) with one or more columns (4), each of which is formed by at least two modular profiles (6) which can be assembled together in succession by means of first fixing means (7). Fastening means are envisaged, said means being able to be mechanically associated with the support structure (2) so as to form an overstructure with a configuration which can be modified, where required, in order to support directly or indirectly the products or services to be displayed or publicised. The fixing means (7) comprise at least one male part (13) which is mechanically constrained to a first modular profile (6) and at least one female part which is mechanically constrained to a second modular profile (6), said parts being able to be removably coupled together by means of fast-fit engaging means.
US08042782B2
Loudspeaker wall holder and method of mounting a loudspeaker box. The loudspeaker wall holder includes a base mountable on a wall surface, an arm coupled to the base, and a holder comprising a clamping device. The holder is mounted on the arm and is structured and arranged to receive a portion of a loudspeaker box. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
US08042779B2
The present disclosure is directed to a panel for secure display of articles. In one embodiment, a panel is formed of recyclable material and configured to display an article on a holder, the article having a receiving loop integrally formed thereon. The panel includes an internal tab coplanar with the panel and extending into an opening in the panel, the tab having a narrow section defining at least one hook portion extending from the tab, the hook portion abutting an interior edge of the panel, the hook portion cooperating with the interior edge of the panel to allow the loop to be received over the tab and to retain the loop in engagement with the narrow section.
US08042778B2
A flat panel display mounting device for securing a flat panel display, such as an LCD or plasma television, to a support surface, such as a wall, is disclosed. The flat panel display mounting device comprises a plurality of members in the form of support panels pivotally connected together and a rotation control mechanism connected thereto so that the flat panel display mounted on the device can be rotated to a desired angle and the center of gravity of the flat panel display during rotation can be maintained as close to the support surface as possible, so as not to generate additional burden to the flat panel display mounting device.
US08042774B2
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a control panel mount having one or more strain relief features. The mount has a base and a tether. The tether has a first end and a second end. The first end of the tether is rotatably connected to the base. The second end of the tether is adapted to receive a cable tie.
US08042771B2
A method and apparatus are disclosed for treating fuel to temporarily reduce its combustibility, and thereafter restore its combustibility. As used in an aircraft, the method comprises the following steps: (a) treating aircraft engine fuel to substantially reduce its combustibility in open air; (b) carrying the treated fuel in a fuel tank of an aircraft; (c) increasing the combustibility of a portion of the treated fuel, as needed by the aircraft engine; and (d) supplying the increased restored combustibility fuel to the aircraft engine. Using this method, the preponderance of the fuel on board the aircraft is maintained at low combustibility for safety.
US08042762B2
A vertical take-off aircraft having a main power plant at the top of the aircraft to provide lift and an additional power plant to force air to travel in a horizontal direction to counteract the rotational force exerted on the main body of the aircraft by the main power plant. The additional power plant is connected to the aircraft such that tilting of the main power plant relative to the main body of the aircraft is able to cause the additional power plant to move relative to the main body of the aircraft.
US08042757B2
A wire guiding device includes a base and a guide portion for streamlining the flow of coiled wire from a storage container. Side walls may be included to bridge the distance between the device and the storage container to prevent wire from rising upward around the outside of the wire guiding device. As the amount of wire in the bin decreases, the wire guiding device will float downward maintaining constant downward pressure on the coil of wire. Wire in the storage container will therefore be drawn out in a smooth manner limiting or substantially preventing tangles.
US08042755B2
A refiner plate for a mechanical refining system, the plate including: a refining surface including bars and grooves, wherein the bars have a leading edge defined by an interior angle of between 150 degrees to 175 degrees.
US08042754B2
A laboratory vibration grinding mill comprising a circular oscillating drive that operates in at least two dimensions, at least one support, and a respective elongated grinding bowl held in each support. The grinding bowl has a filling of grinding bodies and is provided with frontal grinding bowl bases. The support for a grinding bowl is configured such that a longitudinal axis of the grinding bowl forms an angle of less than 90° with a plane of movement of the circular oscillating drive such that due to movement paths of the grinding bodies in the grinding bowl caused by the inclined position of the grinding bowl relative to the plane of movement of the circular oscillating drive, the frontal grinding bowl bases are incorporated into a size-reduction process as abutment and grinding surfaces.
US08042750B2
1. Release agent spray device for a casting machine.2.1. The invention relates to a release agent spray device for a casting machine, having one or more spray nozzles (1) and discharge means for the controlled discharge of release agent from the respective spray nozzle.2.2. According to the invention, the discharge means comprise at least one dosing unit (3) which is assigned to at least one spray nozzle (1) and which defines, in advance, a release agent quantity to be discharged by the at least one associated spray nozzle in an impending spray burst and which provides said release agent quantity, separated from a release agent supply, for discharge in the impending spray burst.2.3. Use for example for metal pressure-die-casting machines.
US08042746B2
When there arises a need to change an air conditioner capability, a vehicular air conditioner capable of easily meeting this need is achieved. Also, even if some of a plurality of air conditioner units break down, a vehicular air conditioner capable of properly air conditioning a vehicular space using other air conditioner units, is achieved.This vehicular air conditioner includes a controller 20 for calculating a total heat supply amount, based on a target temperature and an actual room temperature; at least one heater 5 and/or at least one cooler 6; a controller 20 that sets generated heat amounts of the heater 5 and/or the cooler 6 of each of the air conditioner units 30, based on a calculated total heat supply amount and the number of used air conditioner units 30; and a drive controller that controls operations of the heater 5 and/or the cooler 6, based on the generated heat amounts that have been set.
US08042743B2
The IC Card includes a main device having a microprocessor and a memory unit, and an I/O contact pad for a connection between the main device and a read write device, also referred to as a main interconnection. The IC card also includes additional device connectable to the main device via a secondary interconnection including the I/O contact pad, and a switch control for selectively switching between the main interconnection, for a transmission of data between the read write device and the main device, and the secondary interconnection, for a transmission of data between the main device and the additional device.
US08042741B2
A synthetic barcode module detects the presence of a barcode reader and emits light pulses that emulate light reflected from a scanned barcode. Decoded output from a conventional barcode optical scanner that receives the light pulses will be the same as the decoded output generated by scanning the emulated barcode. One or more light pipes may be utilized to facilitate receipt and transmission of an incident scanning beam to an optical sensor/emitter. A sensor/emitter, which may be an LED, may sense input light and emit light pulses to emulate a scanned barcode. A microcontroller governs sensing and emitting. The module may be programmable to emulate various barcodes.
US08042732B2
A method of transferring funds to a personalized portable storage medium using a kiosk, includes the acts of receiving funds comprising a batch of loose mixed coins in a coin receiving area of the kiosk, processing the coins in a coin processing module, determining a total value of the funds using a controller, displaying the total value of the funds to a user of the kiosk, and permitting the user to select a desired graphic from amongst a plurality of available graphic selections using via a user input device. The method also includes the acts of printing, using a printing device, the user-selected graphic on a portable storage medium print area, the portable storage medium comprising a storage medium bearing data to which a value relating to the total value is associated and dispensing the portable storage medium bearing the user-selected graphic to the user, the portable storage medium having a first value relating to the total value.
US08042730B2
A food menu having electronic labels is disclosed. The food menu comprises at least one ordering page and at least one electronic label. Each ordering page has at least one product data. The electronic label is installed on the ordering page, and each electronic label includes an IC data, a first sensing unit, a second sensing unit and a fixed pad. The IC data is corresponding to the product data. The fixed pad is provided for fixing the first sensing unit and the second sensing unit, and enabling the first sensing unit to rotate. When the customer rotates the first sensing unit till the first sensing section of the first sensing unit corresponds to the second sensing section of the second sensing unit, the electronic label is triggered to generate a sensing signal for transmitting the IC data of the product so as to select the product data corresponding thereto.
US08042720B2
A device for affixing a tubular medical accessory to a wall of a body passage is disclosed. The said device comprises a handle portion, a barrel portion and a working head portion, said barrel portion is fitted with a pushing rod displaceable along the barrel portion upon actuating the handle portion. The working head portion is fitted with a plurality of wings and levers and said wings are preloaded with a plurality of staples. Upon initial displacement of the pushing rod in a distal direction the wings are swiveled towards the medical accessory such that they abut it and stretch it together with the body passage in a radial direction. Upon still further displacement of the pushing rod the levers are swiveled and cause the staples to exit from the wings such that the staples pierce the accessory and the wall of the body passage and affix the accessory to the body passage.
US08042718B2
A combustion nailer includes a tool housing, a combustion source disposed at least partially in the housing and including a valve sleeve reciprocating relative to a cylinder head along a tool axis between a rest position and a pre-firing position, a fuel cell chamber in the housing in operational proximity to the combustion source and dimensioned for accommodating a fuel cell, at least one pivot point associated with the fuel cell chamber transverse to the tool axis for facilitating movement of the fuel cell between a non-activated position and an activated position, and at least one actuator pivotable about the pivot point and engaging the valve sleeve at a point closer to the tool axis than to the fuel cell chamber such that movement of the valve sleeve from the rest position to the pre-firing position causes movement of the fuel cell from the non-activated position to the activated position.
US08042713B2
An aerosol texturing system for applying a layer of texture material on an uncoated portion of a substrate substantially to match a coated portion of the substrate. The aerosol texturing system comprises an aerosol assembly, texture material, and bi-phase propellant material. The texture material comprises a base portion and a particulate portion, where the particulate portion is made of at least one of urethane foam and melamine foam. The propellant material acts on the texture material to force the texture material out of the aerosol assembly onto the uncoated portion of the substrate such that the layer of texture material on the uncoated portion of the substrate substantially matches the portion of the substrate coated with stucco material.
US08042710B2
The invention relates to a dispensing device for dispensing a foam, comprising a manually compressible container (2) for storing a liquid and air, which container comprises an opening (3), a rigid housing to be fitted in or on the opening, the housing comprising an air passage (11) and a liquid passage (9) and a valve body (6) which, in a rest position, covers a mouth of the liquid passage and a mouth of the air passage in a sealing manner (4a, 4c) and which, during dispensing, opens the mouth of the liquid passage and the mouth of the air passage in order to allow mixing of air and liquid to take place in the dispensing passage (13). The invention is characterized in that the housing comprises a first housing part (4) and a second housing part (20), the first and the second housing parts being mountable in several position with respect to each other, the ratio between the amounts of liquid and air to be dispensed upon compressing the container being dependent on the position in which the first and second housing parts are mounted with respect to each other.
US08042708B2
A dispenser for a refrigerator is provided that increases a usable space of a storage compartment of the refrigerator. The dispenser includes a chute which receives contents from an inside of the refrigerator and discharges the contents to an outside through an opening provided on an end of the chute. A cover selectively opens or shuts the opening. A first unit causes the cover to slide relative to the opening so as to open or shut the opening.
US08042706B2
A profile (2) comprises a rounded upper portion (6) and a lower portion (7) and is suitable for being fastened onto an edge (3) of a panel (4a) by means of fastening means (5). The lower portion (7) comprises a first wall (7a) suitable for mating with the panel (4a) and a second wall (7b) joining said first wall (7a) to said upper portion (6), thus defining a chamber (8) that is comprised between the first wall (7a) and the second wall (7b) and is suitable to enclose one end (10) of said fastening means (5). Thus, the profile accomplishes an anti-catching function. The present invention also relates to a method for fastening said profile (2) town edge (3) of a panel (4a).
US08042686B2
A merchandise storage container having a sleeve and a pair of pull out merchandise holders that are both stored in the same sleeve but may be pulled out to extended positions from opposite sides of the sleeve. The sleeve is configured to allow the two holders to be pulled out to their extended positions simultaneously. The sleeve is also configured to allow the holders to be pushed back to their retracted positioned simultaneously without interfering with one another. The sleeve is configured to prevent the holders from jamming during the operation of the container.
US08042674B2
A clutch device is described comprising a first clutch element, a second clutch element that is disposed in a coaxial manner in relation to the first clutch element, a first engagement means, a second engagement provided for engaging with the first engagement in a positively interlocking manner for transmitting a torque between the first clutch element and the second clutch element, and a spring biasing the first engagement element and the second engagement element in a circumferential direction against each other. The spring comprises a leg spring with a ring part and two legs, wherein the ring part is disposed in a substantially coaxial relation to the first and second clutch parts and the legs extend in a radially outward direction.
US08042670B2
A selectable one-way clutch assembly (SOWC) includes a first race, a second race, a plurality of rockers, and a selector ring. The first race and the second race each surround the first axis. Each of the rockers selectively hold torque in a rotational direction to establish a clutch operating mode. The selector ring defines a plurality of windows and is configured to rotates about the first axis to align at least one of the windows to establish one of the plurality of different clutch operating modes. The SOWC is engaged by rotating the selector ring about the first axis to align at least one of windows in a predetermined manner. Alignment allows at least one of the rockers to engage the second race in a radial direction to hold torque in at least one rotational direction.
US08042669B2
A SOWC for use with a vehicle transmission is provided. The clutch includes outer and inner elements, also referred to as races, with the latter oriented concentrically within the former about an axis of rotation. A selection mechanism, which may be annular plates operatively connected with the side of the races and with one another, is selectively rotatable with respect to the inner and outer elements between different positions. Pivotable rocker elements are positioned between the races and are movable along cammed slots of the annular plates when the annular plates are rotated to establish a forward, a reverse, and a neutral operating mode corresponding with the different positions of the annular plates. In some embodiments, in the neutral operating mode, none of the rocker elements are in contact with the inner race.
US08042660B2
A rotary damper comprises a casing fixable to a structure and which comprises a wall which surrounds a chamber filled with a viscous fluid and has an inner surface facing the chamber. A cover is mounted and welded on a shoulder surface of the wall of the casing in such a way as to close the chamber in a sealed manner. A rotor which is mounted rotatably on the casing and comprises a disc portion, adapted to rotate within the chamber, and has a shaft portion extending axially from the disc portion and emerging through the cover so as to be operationally associable with a movable member. The cover has peripherally a collar-like protuberance, extending along the entire perimeter of the cover and coupled to the inner surface of the wall of the casing in such a way as to oppose the infiltration of the viscous fluid between the collar-like protuberance and the inner surface of the wall.
US08042659B1
A system for reducing vibrations in a rotating system uses a variable viscosity medium that is redistributed in a housing connected to the rotating system. Specifically, the medium is responsive to a control signal that is generated as a function of rotational speed of the rotational system. The control signal activates a triggering device that promotes a change in viscosity of the medium such that it is distributed within the housing in a manner that reduces vibratory loads.
US08042653B2
An adjustable work platform includes a first ladder section and a second ladder section, each of which is adjustable in height. The platform includes a deck assembly adjustable in length supported by the first and second ladder sections. The deck assembly includes a first deck half and a second deck half that slide relative to each other and fit together. A method for using an adjustable work platform including the steps of extending the height of a first ladder section and a second ladder section. There is the step of sliding a first deck half relative to a second-half that fit together of a deck assembly to a desired length. The deck assembly supported by the first and second ladder sections.
US08042646B2
A cover for a stethoscope to prevent microbes from transferring from a patient to a stethoscope is disclosed. In one embodiment, a stethoscope cover comprises an antimicrobial barrier having a first and second surface, image forming material disposed on the antimicrobial barrier first surface, and an adhesive layer disposed on the second surface of the antimicrobial barrier to attach the antimicrobial layer to a stethoscope. In some embodiments, the image forming material is configured to depict an image of a product. In some embodiments, the image forming material is configured to depict an image of an animal or character to evoke feelings of happiness in a young patient.
US08042640B2
A vehicle-body structure for a motorcycle which is capable of suppressing the reduction of a contact load of a rear wheel by reducing a load applied to a vehicle-body frame at an application of an excessive load from the front of a vehicle. In a vehicle-body structure for a motorcycle including a head pipe supporting a front wheel in front of a vehicle-body frame, a guide member guides the front wheel obliquely rearwardly during an application of an excessive load to the front wheel. The guide member is disposed rearwardly of the front wheel and at the front portion of the vehicle-body frame.
US08042637B2
A vehicle-mounted battery cooling structure of the present invention includes a battery a cooling fan for cooling the battery, a cooling-medium channel connecting the battery and the cooling fan, and mounting areas located at a front seat side and a rear seat side, respectively, in a vehicle compartment. The battery is disposed in one of the mounting areas, and the cooling fan is disposed in the other one of the mounting areas.
US08042632B2
A control module including a traffic determination module that determines when a vehicle is in traffic and that selectively generates a traffic signal. The control module also having a creep enable module that generates a creep enable signal based on the traffic signal. The control module further including a power control module that selectively generates an internal combustion engine (ICE) disable signal. The power control module also commands a motor generator unit to produce power based on the creep enable signal as a driver reduces brake pedal pressure.
US08042624B2
A method for generating corrected geologic depth information is disclosed. The method includes: estimating a depth of each of a plurality of different locations along a length of a drillstring disposed in a borehole; measuring at least one environmental factor at each of the plurality of different locations and determining a deformation of the drillstring at each of the plurality of different locations from the measured environmental factor; and generating a non-linear model of the deformation along the length relative to a reference point. A system and computer program product for generating corrected geologic depth information is also disclosed.
US08042614B2
The present invention relates to aqueous oilfield treatment fluids containing a gas component and fibers, wherein the fluids may further include a viscosifying agent and/or proppant. The fluids have good proppant suspension and transport properties as well as excellent gas phase stability. Use of fluids comprising an aqueous medium, a gas component, viscosifying agent, and fibers for hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation, cleanup operations, and gravel packing a wellbore, are also disclosed.
US08042609B2
The present invention provides an apparatus for improving the fuel economy of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a transmission having a transmission sump that contains transmission fluid, and a heat exchanger disposed within said sump and at least partially submerged in the transmission fluid. The apparatus also includes an engine having a plurality of engine coolant channels. An engine pump is operatively connected to the engine. The engine pump is configured to transfer engine coolant through the plurality of engine coolant channels and then through the heat exchanger. Heat from the engine coolant is transferred to the transmission fluid when the engine coolant passes through the heat exchanger. The heat transferred to the transmission fluid decreases transmission fluid viscosity such that transmission spin losses are reduced and fuel economy is improved. A corresponding method for improving the fuel economy of a vehicle is also provided.
US08042607B2
A conducting device, such as a corrugated fin, for a heat exchanger, has at least one surface with an increased microscopic roughness. A method increases the microscopic roughness of at least one surface of a conducting device such as a corrugated fin. A heat exchanger, such as an evaporator for an air-conditioning system of a motor vehicle, has tubes through which a medium flows and between which conducting devices are arranged, the conducting devices having a further medium, such as moist air, flowing around them.
US08042604B2
A temperature regulating member capable of avoiding deterioration in heat dissipation efficiency of a heat-accumulating material, and deterioration in a buffer function thereof, due to ununiformity in heat distribution inside the heat-accumulating material. With the use of a churning flow occurring by disposing one piece of stirrer or plural stirrers inside the heat-accumulating material, and by causing a relative position of the stirrer, inside the heat-accumulating material, to be changed during transportation, it is possible to eliminate ununiformity in heat distribution inside the heat-accumulating material. The temperature regulating member has a feature in that a phenomenon of a peripheral part of the heat-accumulating material being first cooled to be subsequently solidified is avoided, thereby enabling the heat dissipation efficiency and the buffer function to be maintained.
US08042601B2
A side dam for use in a continuous twin roll caster system includes a body of refractory material having opposed outer surfaces with one outer surface adapted to contact molten metal and casting rolls in a continuous twin roll caster system and retain molten metal, and an opposite outer surface having fastening portions of refractory material adapted to attach the side dam to a side dam holder to hold the side dam in place during casting; an aperture in the outer surface of the body positioned adjacent a nip of the continuous twin roll caster system and adapted to receive a side dam insert; and a side dam insert of a second refractory material harder than the refractory material of the body having a first surface adapted to contact molten metal and form with the outer surface of the body the outer surface of the side dam.
US08042595B2
The invention relates to an awning case assembly including a housing for a winding tube for winding the canvas, a load bar fixed to a front edge of the canvas, and foldable arms hingedly connected to the housing and to the load bar. The load bar including a second longitudinal coupling configuration which can be coupled to a second longitudinal coupling edge of the housing to form a fulcrum line about which the load bar can rotate under the action of a pulling force exerted by the canvas until a first longitudinal coupling configuration of the load bar is coupled to a first longitudinal coupling edge of the housing, the first longitudinal coupling configuration being disposed at a distance from the second coupling configuration and adjacent to a canvas fixing configuration.
US08042591B2
A paper beading apparatus, includes a hopper having a body defining a chamber for holding a quantity of joint compound, and having an open upper end, an upper rim, and a lower end; a lid pivotally secured to the body for movement between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position, the lid engages the open upper rim, the lid having a releasably sealable air port; and a base configured for and accommodating the hopper lower end, for receiving joint compound, and for applying the joint compound to a corner paper bead.
US08042590B2
A protection mechanism for dry film laminator includes a lower member, and an upper member located above the lower member. The upper member moves downwardly/upwardly relative to the lower member. The upper member has a plurality of through holes defined therein and extending therethrough. An air supply device communicates with the through holes for feeding air into the through holes. A film guide device is disposed above the upper member and includes a supply spool and a take-up spool disposed thereon. A continuous release film movably connected to the film guide device. The continuous release film which is wound on the supply spool is routed from the supply spool to flatly pass between the upper member and the lower member, and is sequentially collected by the take-up spool.
US08042588B2
A press is described having an upper platen. The press includes a support arm adapted to selectively move the upper platen between an open position, a partially open position and a closed position with respect to a lower platen. An electromagnet is disposed proximate the support arm and configured to selectively secure the upper platen in the closed position. Another electromagnet, which may be disposed proximate a base member, is configured selectively to secure the upper platen in a partially open position.
US08042587B2
A tape cutting device that cuts off an empty tape, which is discharged from a tape feeder after supplying components to a component mounting apparatus by pitch-feeding a tape containing the components, by opening and closing two cutting blades actuated by a pneumatic actuator driven by a supply of a pressurized air from a pneumatic pressure source controlled by a control valve, comprising: a blade closing mechanism which closes said two cutting blades when the supply of the pressurized air from the pneumatic pressure source to the pneumatic actuator is stopped.
US08042580B2
An apparatus and method are provided for capturing and containing SF6 gas leakage from a gas enclosure. The apparatus includes a portage flexible gas storage container of material which is substantially impermeable to SF6 gas. The container includes a gas inlet which is adapted to be coupled in a sealable manner to a surface surrounding a leakage source thereby capturing the SF6 gas in the container. The container inflates under pressure from the captured gas in order to accommodate up to a predetermined capacity of SF6 gas. The apparatus can be adapted to act as a container for transporting SF6 gas from a gas source to an enclosure.
US08042567B2
A gas meter is mounted between vertical and horizontal branch tubes of a gas canister valve and has an indication pointer driven by a magnetic block that is movable inside the valve to indicate a residual quantity of gas inside the canister. The gas meter includes a casing that is magnetically non-conductive and forms at a top edge of a back thereof an inverted slope surface, an upper clamp extending from opposite sides of the inverted slope surface in an upward direction to clamp the vertical branch tube, and a side clamp engageable with the horizontal branch tube. The back of the meter casing is recessed at a location opposite to and interfering with an outer top edge of an enclosure for the magnetic block to form a fitting groove that corresponds to the top edge of the enclosure.
US08042566B2
Disclosed herein are devices, methods and systems for ex-situ component recovery. The ex-situ recovery can be performed by desorbing or outgassing components of a processing system in a recovery system, rather than in the processing system itself. The recovery system can include a docking station and/or a heated vacuum chamber. The heated vacuum chamber can be used to desorb or outgas components that will be located inside the processing system, while the docking station can be used to desorb or outgas components that will be connected to the processing system. The processing system components can be placed under pressure by the recovery system to desorb or outgas contaminants and remove virtual leaks. The recovery system pressure can include a vacuum roughing pump, a turbomolecular pump, and/or a cryogenic pump to apply a pressure necessary to desorb or outgas the components.
US08042564B2
A fuel cutoff valve is furnished with a casing defining a valve chamber, and a float mechanism housed to be able to rise and fall in the valve chamber. The casing is furnished with a closure plate situated in the space above the valve chamber and in a facing arrangement with a connecting passage. The closure plate is furnished with a vent hole that has been formed so as to divert the passage from the connecting passage to a second pipe line, and with a barrier wall that is situated in opposition to a first pipe line and that has been formed so as to divert the passage from the first pipe line to the second pipe line.
US08042560B2
A substrate processing apparatus includes a rotary cup disposed outside a substrate holding member to surround a substrate held on the substrate holding member and to rotate along with the substrate holding member, and having a wall portion that receives a process liquid thrown off from the substrate being rotated. Further, this apparatus includes an exhaust and drain cup disposed outside the rotary cup to surround the rotary cup and the substrate holding member, and including an annular liquid receptacle that receives the process liquid thrown off from the substrate being rotated and an inner annular space formed on an inward side from the annular liquid receptacle. An exhaust mechanism is connected to the inner annular space of the exhaust and drain cup.
US08042558B2
A high-pressure water cleaning system includes a cleaning main body, a support frame member having a length which is larger than a width of an object, the support frame member being supported at extended end portions thereof at both sides by bearing units and eccentric rotational shafts such that the support frame member is eccentrically rotatable, the eccentric rotatable shafts being configured to rotate to cause the support frame member to perform rotational motion, a plurality of high-pressure water ejecting nozzles which are arranged on the surface of the support frame member to be equally spaced apart from each other and are directed to face the object, and a drive device configured to cause the eccentric rotational shafts to rotate. The high-pressure water ejecting nozzles are supplied with the high-pressure water and eject the high-pressure water to the object being moved at the constant speed while performing the rotational motion.
US08042557B2
Multitank conveyor-type dishwasher (2) for washing items (10) to be washed, comprising at least two wash zones (6, 8) which are arranged in succession in the conveying direction (4); a liquid forward-flow apparatus (26) between in each case two successive wash zones (6, 8) for transferring liquid between these wash zones (6, 8) in a forward-flow direction (28) counter to the conveying direction (4); characterized in that a liquid recirculation apparatus (60) is provided for transferring sprayed liquid of a front wash zone (8), as seen in the conveying direction (4), into a rear wash zone (6) which is arranged downstream of the front wash zone (8), as seen in the conveying direction (4), counter to the forward-flow direction (28).
US08042556B2
A dental hygiene apparatus for enabling a flossing of teeth. The apparatus can include a dispensing member and an accumulating member. The dispensing and accumulating members can each comprise a ring with an aperture for receiving a finger. Activating switches can selectively enable a dispensing of dental floss from the dispensing member and a retraction of dental floss relative to the accumulating member. A bobbin within the accumulating member can be rotated by a coil spring that can be rewound. The apertures in the rings can be varied. A floss retaining member can alternatively be retained by a ring, an opposed hook arrangement, or any other arrangement coupled to the dispensing member. Dental floss can be dispensed from a distal end of a post. The dental hygiene apparatus can further include as part of a unified system a finger shield arrangement, which can comprise first and second tubular members.
US08042546B2
A nasal assembly for delivering breathable gas to a patient includes a frame having an integrally formed first connector portion. A nozzle assembly includes a gusset or base portion and a pair of nozzles. At least one inlet conduit is structured to deliver breathable gas into the frame and nozzle assembly for breathing by the patient. A pair of second connector portions are removably and rotatably connected to respective first connector portions of the frame and are in communication with respective inlet conduits, e.g., directly or via angle connectors. A headgear assembly is removably connected to the pair of second connector portions and/or the angle connectors so as to maintain the frame and the nozzle assembly in a desired adjusted position on the patient's face.
US08042540B2
A mask for delivery of oxygen to a patient is disclosed, including a body having a peripheral portion, a central portion, and bridge portions extending between the central portion and the peripheral portion. The central portion has an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface to be oriented towards the patient's face when the mask is in position, the inner surface of the central portion being provided with a wall circumscribing a base. The wall and base circumscribe a centrally positioned oxygen delivery aperture or oxygen diffuser to direct the flow of oxygen generally towards the patient's nose and mouth when the mask is in use. An element associated with the aperture and the central portion releasably receives and secures in position an oxygen delivery tube.
US08042538B2
A mask system is provided to fit pre-adult patients, or patients having facial features that are very small or child-like, e.g., patients having dimensions in the lower 5%-10% of the population. For example, the headgear and/or cushion are dimensioned to accommodate this range of patients.
US08042522B2
A fuel rail vent system for evacuating air from a fuel rail includes a first fuel reservoir and a first fuel line extending between the first fuel reservoir and the fuel rail. A fuel pump is configured in fluid communication with the first fuel reservoir to pump liquid fuel from the first fuel reservoir to the fuel rail through the first fuel line. A second fuel line separate from the first fuel line extends between the first fuel reservoir and the fuel rail. A primer system is configured for fluid communication with the first fuel reservoir to pump liquid fuel from the first fuel reservoir to the fuel rail through the second fuel line. A second fuel reservoir separate from the first fuel reservoir is configured for fluid communication with the fuel rail downstream of the fuel rail to receive any excess liquid fuel and/or fuel vapor upstream therefrom.
US08042520B2
A fuel pressure control system for a vehicle comprises a pressure regulator module and a pressure increasing module. The pressure regulator module regulates a fuel pressure supplied to an engine to a first predetermined pressure during an engine running period. The pressure increasing module selectively increases the fuel pressure to a second predetermined pressure during the engine running period when a counter value is one of greater than and less than a predetermined final value. The second predetermined pressure is greater than the first predetermined pressure, and the counter value is set to the predetermined final value after the engine is started for a first time after being assembled.
US08042519B2
An internal combustion engine includes a fuel system having a first fuel rail with an integrated diverter portion coupled to a high-pressure pump and separated from a common rail portion by a flow restriction device. The first fuel rail includes a pressure sensor coupled to the diverter portion at one end and a control valve coupled to the common rail portion at the other end of the same fuel rail. In V-engine embodiments, a second fuel rail communicates with the integrated diverter portion of the first fuel rail. In one embodiment, components including the first and second fuel rails, a pressure sensor, and a pressure or volume control valve are externally mounted outside the engine valve cover.
US08042518B2
A method adjusts fuel injection to account for fuel puddling in the engine intake. The fuel is adjusted based on the ethanol content of the fuel in the puddle, and the make-up of the various fuel components in the puddle. In this way, it is possible to better account for the effects of these parameters on puddle evaporation.
US08042517B2
A fuel property detector for an internal combustion engine determines a cetane number with high accuracy even when a high-cetane fuel is used.The fuel property detector includes a cylinder pressure detection device; ignition delay time calculating device for calculating ignition delay time in accordance with the cylinder pressure; a high-cetane fuel judgment device for judging based on the ignition delay time whether the cetane number of an employed fuel is high; an ignition delay time extension device that increases the ignition delay time by correcting a control parameter for the internal combustion engine; an ignition delay time recalculation device for recalculating the ignition delay time based on cylinder pressure after the ignition delay time is increased by the ignition delay time extension device; and a cetane number calculation device for calculating the cetane number of the employed fuel based on the recalculated ignition delay time.
US08042511B2
In a method for priming a fuel metering device for an internal combustion engine with a piston arranged in a combustion chamber and driving a crankshaft that is rotatably supported in a crankcase, with a fuel pump that conveys fuel from a fuel tank to a metering valve that opens into a metering chamber at alternating operating pressure, and with a control unit that calculates and controls timing for the metering valve for metering a fuel quantity corresponding to a load situation of the internal combustion engine, the metering valve is kept open, independent of the calculated timing for the metering valve, for a priming duration in a starting phase of the internal combustion engine when the alternating operating pressure of the metering chamber at the mouth of the metering valve is negative and when a fuel system pressure in the fuel metering device is below a target pressure.
US08042508B2
A cylinder head of an internal combustion engine is fitted with rocker arms. Camshafts are disposed so that the rocker arms and cams will be brought into contact with each other. The camshafts are rotatably supported by lower bearings, which supports the camshafts from below, and by upper bearings integrated with a head cover. The head cover is provided with visual observation windows that make it possible to see valve system parts through the head cover. A visual observation window covers for covering the visual observation windows are fixed to the head cover.
US08042500B2
A valve train of an internal combustion engine is provided with a plurality of camshaft supports arranged on a support member of the engine, and a camshaft is supported on the camshaft supports. The camshaft has valve operating cams thereon for opening and closing engine valves of engine. A torque reducing mechanism is provided to apply a counter torque to the camshaft to suppress torque fluctuation of the camshaft caused by reaction forces applied to the cams by the engine valves. The torque reducing mechanism has a rotating member that rotates together with the camshaft, and a counterforce applying member for applying a counterforce to the rotating member to apply a counter torque to the camshaft. The counterforce applying member is supported on a connecting member connecting adjacent ones of the camshaft supports. The torque reducing mechanism suppresses torque fluctuation of the camshaft, suppresses increase in the weight of the camshaft, and suppresses increase in the size of the engine, ensuring a necessary supporting rigidity for supporting a counterforce applying mechanism included in the torque reducing mechanism.
US08042499B2
A coolant circulation circuit for an engine includes a first coolant line through which coolant heated in an engine and circulated in a radiator passes, a second coolant line through which coolant heated in the engine and circulated in additional elements passes, a bypass coolant line through which coolant heated in the engine passes, a coolant outlet where the coolant flows into the engine, a first chamber where the coolant having passed through the bypass coolant line flows in, a second chamber where the coolant having passed through the second coolant line flows in, a partition formed between the first chamber and the second chamber and a thermostat selectively blocking the first chamber from the second chamber.
US08042488B2
A current sensor for detecting a full return current is connected to a high voltage generator. A leakage current detector including current sensors for detecting a leakage current is provided at the surface of the cover of a coating machine, air passages and a paint passage. Based on current detection values obtained by the current sensors, a high voltage control unit controls a power supply voltage control unit and a high voltage to be output from the high voltage generator can be raised or dropped. By employing the current detection values, the high voltage control unit can identify and provide notification of a location where the leakage current is increased and the insulation is deteriorated, and can request an operator to perform maintenance for the pertinent location. Further, upon occurrence of the insulation being deteriorated, the high voltage control unit can stop the high voltage supply.
US08042487B2
A system for coating implantable medical devices, such as stents, and a method of coating stents using the system is also disclosed. The system includes a barrier or barriers for isolating an area of the stent on which a composition for coating a stent is applied. Two coating compositions can be applied simultaneously to a stent by separate nozzles on different sides of a barrier. Cross-contamination of the compositions is prevented by the barrier.
US08042484B2
A device for coating surface portions of a board material with a liquid material. The device includes a wheel which transfers the coating material and compressed air which positions the coating material. A method for surface coating and a floorboard with a finished surface portion.
US08042481B2
A steering unit for a small watercraft, which can positively prevent jolting of a steering shaft relative to a bearing section for allowing smooth rotation of the steering shaft, and makes for improving the installing characteristic of the steering shaft and a collar into the bearing section. A steering shaft is rotatably supported with respect to a watercraft body through a cylindrical bearing section in which the steering shaft is inserted. A plurality of ribs are provided around an inner surface of the cylindrical bearing section and extend in an axial direction of the steering shaft. The steering shaft is rotatably supported by the bearing section with a collar, formed from an elastic material, being provided interposedly between the ribs and an outer surface of the steering shaft. The cylindrical bearing section includes at least three or more ribs are provided.
US08042471B2
A safe and arm (S&A) device is disclosed. The device utilizes a no-fire separation distance and a mechanical configuration of primary explosive/booster explosive and secondary explosive to establish a safe mode. While in safe mode, the device would allow no more than 1 in 1 million detonation transfers to occur from primary to secondary. In armed mode, the no-fire separation distance is taken away, allowing reliable detonation transfer. Two arming environments, which occur after launch and safe separation, are used to move the S&A device to armed mode. The first environment is the release event of the projectiles from their packed state in a dispenser. The second environment is a target sense mechanism. If either arming environment returns to its original state, the mechanism returns to safe mode. The S&A device will not allow inadvertent packing into the dispenser of explosive devices in the armed state.
US08042461B2
A pneumatic compressor for the compression of waste comprising a cylinder (1) with a piston (2), which via a piston rod (4) activates a compression plate (3), which is slidably mounted in a compression chamber (5) which has a top door (6) through which waste paper is thrown into the compressor, and a bottom door (7) through which a finished bale can be taken out, which compression takes place in a series of compression cycles, which each time is charged with a new portion of waste, until the waste offers a counter pressure corresponding to the pressure which the piston (2) can exert at a pressure of 8 bars. In 80-90% of the compression cycles necessary for the compression of a bale, the piston (2) reaches its bottom position in the cylinder, and each time the pressure reaches a pressure of 8 bars in the cylinder (1).
US08042451B2
A hydraulic control apparatus 1 includes a switch valve 11, an adjustment valve 12, and a valve control device 13. The adjustment valve 12 has a fluid chamber 15, a valve body 14, and a back pressure chamber 17. A restrictor is formed between the valve body 14 and a wall defining the fluid chamber 15 and connects the cylinder line 32 to the switch valve line 33. The opening degree of the restrictor changes in correspondence with movement of the valve body 14. When the switch valve 11 is located at a neutral position or a supply position, the valve control device 13 applies the fluid pressure in the cylinder line 32 to the back pressure chamber 17. When the switch valve 11 is located at a drainage position, the valve control device 13 applies a pilot pressure lower than the fluid pressure in the cylinder line 32 to the back pressure chamber 17.
US08042446B2
An object of the present invention is to improve durability of a pressure vessel for blasting an article to be treated such as hazardous substance or explosive therein. The pressure vessel 10, means for achieving the object, has an external vessel 31 and an internal vessel 32 installed in the external vessel 31. The external vessel 31 has a strength for retaining pressure caused by blasting the article. The internal vessel 32 receives fragments of the treated article 100 to protect the external vessel 31 against the fragments. The internal vessel 32 preferably covers almost entire internal surface of the external vessel 31.
US08042433B2
A ratchet wrench includes a parts replacement structure that ensures effort-saved and smooth operation and prevents parts from getting lost. The wrench has a handle having an end forming a head portion that rotatably receives therein a driving collar. A lid plate is fixed to the head portion to retain a pawl member that engages and controls the rotation of the driving collar. The pawl member includes a pusher pad positioned on and movable along a top of the lid plate. A retention block is set at the side of the pawl member opposite to the driving collar to apply a biasing force to the pawl member through a push bar. In this arrangement, the push bar will not get lost when the pawl member disengages from and thus releases the driving collar for replacement.
US08042425B2
A multi-axis robot for high-speed applications comprises a first and a second guide rail arranged substantially parallel to each other for defining a first axis of motion. A crossbar having a first end and a second end is moveably supported on the guide rails. A carriage is moveably coupled to the crossbar for moving along a second axis of motion. A first drive system having first and second drives and a first belt running along a first H-shaped belt path provides for a movement of the carriage along the first and second axis of motion. Second and third belts extend at least partially along the crossbar and the guide rails. The second and third belts run along different second and third belt paths, with one of the second and third belts entering the crossbar with a right-hand turn and leaving the crossbar with a left-hand turn, and the other one of the second and third belts entering the crossbar with a left-hand turn and leaving the crossbar with a right-hand turn.
US08042423B2
At least some of the uniformly distributed teeth of one of the antibacklash partner toothed wheel units, of this backlash-compensating gear train for a horological mechanism, have elastic parts (DR) that are flexible in the direction of the respective thicknesses of the teeth. Some of the teeth are capable of temporarily transmitting a torque considerably greater than the normal drive torque. Two adjacent teeth (D1, D2) capable of temporarily transmitting a torque considerably greater than the normal drive torque each comprise one flank (D1a, D2a) integral with a more rigid part (D12), and one flank (D1b, D2b) integral with a more flexible part (D1R, D2R), the two more rigid parts (D12) of the two teeth (D1, D2) being adjacent.
US08042411B2
A vortex flowmeter and method includes a conduit for process fluid flow and a shedder disposed within the central bore of the conduit. First and second diaphragms are mounted in inner wall portions of the conduit, on opposite sides of the shedder. A sensor is disposed externally to the conduit, and is coupled to each diaphragm with fill tubes. The diaphragms respond to pressure variations generated by vortex shedding, and transmit pulse trains through the fill tubes to a sensor. The pulse trains, which are substantially out of phase with one another, are effectively synchronized with one another by reversing phase of one pulse train.
US08042403B2
An apparatus provides a linearly decreasing force. The apparatus includes a plurality of links, which can be referred to as swing, seat, fixed, and input/output links. A spring is coupled to each of the seat links, and a rod is positioned in proximity to each spring and through each of the seat links. A load applied to the input/output link will experience a linearly decreasing resistance.
US08042394B2
A driving mass of an integrated microelectromechanical structure is moved with a rotary motion about an axis of rotation, and a sensing mass is connected to the driving mass via elastic supporting elements so as to perform a detection movement in the presence of an external stress. The driving mass is anchored to an anchorage arranged along the axis of rotation by elastic anchorage elements. An opening is provided within the driving mass and the sensing mass is arranged within the opening. The elastic supporting and anchorage elements render the sensing mass fixed to the driving mass in the rotary motion, and substantially decoupled from the driving mass in the detection movement. The detection movement is a rotation about an axis lying in a plane. The sensing mass has, in plan view, a non-rectangular shape; in particular, the sensing mass has a radial geometry and, in plan view, the overall shape of a radial annulus sector.
US08042389B2
A hydrometer, hydrometer kit, and method of measuring the salinity/density or the salinity/specific gravity of a liquid are provided. The hydrometer may include a box structure comprising side walls and a bottom. At least a portion of one of the side walls may be substantially transparent. A buoyant indicator member may be pivotably disposed about an axis within the box structure. The indicator member may pivot about the axis when the box structure is filled with a liquid. A salinity/density scale or salinity/specific gravity scale may be disposed on a surface of the box structure or a dial member. At least one adhesive member may be removably adhered to the indicator member by a user so that the hydrometer can be calibrated based on a reference solution having a predetermined salinity. The at least one adhesive member may increase or decrease the buoyancy of the indicator member. The kit may include the hydrometer and a container of the reference solution having a predetermined salinity.
US08042382B1
Device for measuring physical characteristics of a porous sample by performing successive drainage and imbibition phases in the presence of a first electricity-conducting fluid and of a second fluid of lower density than the first fluid, by means of a centrifuge whose speed is successively increasing and decreasing. The sample saturated with the first fluid is placed in a vessel (13) fastened to the end of an arm (9) driven in rotation by a motor (10) and communicating, by means of a rotating electro-hydraulic connector (17), with a stationary measuring signal control and acquisition unit (E) including hydraulic fluid displacement means and an acquisition device connected to a capacitive sonde in the vessel, which delivers signals indicative of the position of the interface between the two fluids. The device can be applied for analyzing rocks taken from an underground reservoir for example.
US08042381B2
A knocking judgement method for an internal combustion engine, in which an engine ECU executes a program judging whether or not such ones of integrated values calculated by integrating the output of a knock sensor at every five degrees of a crank angle are larger than a tentative knock judgement value, in vibrations of a fourth frequency band containing the resonance frequency of the engine, tentatively judging that a knocking has occurred, in case the integrated value larger than the tentative knock judgement value is a predetermined number or more, and judging that no knocking has occurred, in case the integrated value larger than the tentative knock judgement value is not more than the predetermined number.
US08042375B2
A die-cushion controlling device includes: a position-command-signal outputting section for outputting a position command signal of a die-cushion pad; a position detecting means for detecting a position of the die-cushion pad; a position comparing section for outputting a position deviation signal corresponding to a deviation between the target position value based on the position command signal and a position detection value based on a position detection signal; a position controlling section for outputting a position-speed command signal based on the position deviation signal; a speed controlling section for outputting a motor-current command signal based on the position-speed command signal from the position controlling section; a servo amplifier for generating a current corresponding to the motor-current command signal; and an output switching section that, based on a press signal output when a slide has reached a bottom dead center, switches the position detection signal from the position detection means to the position command signal from the position command signal outputting section.
US08042365B2
A security device includes a cable securing member defining a slot between an open first end and a closed second end. A channel is provided in the slot and a rib adjacent the channel protrudes into the slot. The open first end includes a tab receiver and a lock receiver. The tab receiver engages a tab attached to a chassis. A cable extending through the channel is not removable due to a lock inserted into the lock receiver and blocking the open first end.
US08042364B2
The present invention has disclosed a washing machine with improved waterway system, said waterway system is comprising softening-electrolysis waterway, modifier-liquid waterway and ion-exchange-resin regeneration waterway, when this washing machine is at work, modifier-liquid combined with alkaline-electrolysis water could replace detergent for washing; meantime, said ion-exchange-resin regeneration waterway could greatly prolong the service life of softening-electrolysis system, and avoid the refluence of wastewater to cause pollution in the washing machine in prior art.
US08042362B2
A plant for producing inorganic fibers from rocks includes a furnace for obtaining a melt connected to a feeder, working aperture and a warmed feeder with draw dies located below a working aperture. A transition chamber is installed on the feeder exit, the transition chamber intended for creation of a thin layer melt flow. An enclosure contains the working aperture. The transition chamber has a heater, a threshold installed at an entrance of the transition chamber and a plate rigidly fixed to an adjustable damper located over the threshold and adapted to move up and down together with the adjustable damper, with the plate surface being parallel to the bottom of the transition chamber. The plant is intended for obtaining the melt flow of a desired thickness and quality.
US08042353B2
A refrigerator door is provided. The refrigerator door has an outer case forming a shape of the refrigerator door, an inner case provided within the outer case to configure a backside of the refrigerator door wherein a space between the inner case and the outer case is charged with a foaming liquid, an ice making unit provided to one side of the inner case to make ice, a fixing unit provided to the space charged with the foaming liquid between the inner case and the outer case and fixing the ice making unit to the refrigerator door, and a dispenser provided to one side of the outer case to discharge the ice supplied by the ice making unit.
US08042351B2
An air conditioning system provides air to an enclosure associated with a satellite antenna that houses an amplifier or other electronic component. The air conditioning system supplies conditioned air to the bottom of the enclosure and receives return air from the top of the enclosure for improved airflow. Various implementations may also provide redundancy through the use of common supply and return plenums, or other features. In some embodiments, the air conditioning system may be conveniently retrofit onto existing satellite antenna installations to provide improved efficiency and redundancy.
US08042348B2
A cooling system is provided in which an integrated controller 10 controls the compressor for compressing a refrigerant and at least one constituent device which is a separate device from the compressor and that constitutes a refrigerant circulation circuit together with the compressor. The integrated controller 10 has a control data generation unit 16 that controls the compressor using a compressor sensor for detecting a first physical value, which is a physical value of the refrigerant at the time of normal operations, and an abnormality detection unit 13 for detecting an abnormality of the compressor sensor. The control data generation unit 16 controls the compressor using a constituent device sensor for detecting a second physical value that is a physical value having a close correlation with the first physical value in place of the compressor sensor when the abnormality was detected by the abnormality detection unit 13.
US08042347B2
A compressor inlet pressure estimation apparatus for a refrigeration cycle system is disclosed. An electronic control unit 14 uses Tefin_lag(N) as an actual corrected temperature Tefin_AD(N) during a period Tp1 included in the timing t1 to t2. During a period Tp2 included in the timing t1 to t2, Tefin_fwd(N) is used as the actual corrected temperature Tefin_AD(N). Thus, a highly accurate corrected temperature Tefin_AD(N) can be determined over the on period (t1 to t2) of a compressor 2. In addition, Tefin_fwd(N) is used as the actual corrected temperature Tefin_AD(N) during the off period (t2 to 3) of the compressor 2. As a result, a highly accurate corrected temperature Tefin_AD(N) can be determined over the whole period including the on and off periods of the compressor 2. In this way, a highly accurate estimated value Ps_es(N) of the refrigerant inlet pressure of the compressor 2 can be determined.
US08042344B2
To restrict the deposition of stain on an ice making unit, and prevent damage to resin components or the like. The above problems are solved by the followings. Ice making water is supplied to the front surface of an ice making plate cooled by refrigerant supplied to an evaporation tube during an ice making cycle to produce ice blocks. During a deicing cycle, deicing water is supplied by opening a water feed valve WV to the rear surface of the ice making plate to be heated by hot gas supplied to the evaporation tube. When a water feed time has elapsed, the water feed valve WV is closed to temporarily stop deicing water supply. After the water feed time elapsed, a cycle, in which the water feed valve WV is opened as much as an intermittent water supply time every time an intermittent stopping time has elapsed to intermittently supply deicing water, is repeated until a deicing cycle completes.
US08042342B2
An aircraft engine assembly including an engine and a mount device for the engine. The mount device can be positioned between a wing of the aircraft and the engine, and includes a rigid structure and a mechanism to mount the engine on the rigid structure, the mounting mechanism including a first attachment and a second attachment. The first attachment includes two side semi-attachments each fixed to a fan case of the engine, and the second attachment is fixed onto a forward part of a central case of the engine.
US08042338B2
This invention consists of a process for utilizing the atmospheric temperature variation with height to produce useful energy. It is accomplished by the use of a lighter than air condensable fluid or mixture of fluids circulating between heat exchangers at different altitudes, with a two phase flow return.
US08042328B2
The present invention provides an exhaust gas purifier capable of appropriately purifying harmful components discharged even from an internal combustion engine or a combustion instrument operated mainly in excess-air conditions. Particularly, the exhaust gas purifier is capable of appropriately removing nitrogen oxides, particulate matters including soot, etc. and in addition, capable of maintaining its purification capability without reduction. the exhaust gas purifier has, in the exhaust passage (2) of an internal combustion engine (1), a nitrogen oxide adsorbent (4) for temporarily adsorbing nitrogen oxides and desorbing the adsorbed nitrogen oxides in a temperature-increased environment or a reducing environment, an adsorbed substance desorbing means (3) being disposed on an exhaust gas upstream side of the nitrogen oxide adsorbent (4), the adsorbed substance desorbing means (3) heating the exhaust gas or air or converting the exhaust gas or air into a reducing atmosphere, a combustion apparatus (5) being disposed on an exhaust gas downstream side of the nitrogen oxide adsorbent (4), the combustion apparatus (4) including air supply means (15), fuel supply means (6), and ignition means (7); and a filter apparatus (40) being disposed on an exhaust gas downstream side of the combustion apparatus (5) to be able to capture a particulate substance contained in the exhaust gas.
US08042327B2
An engine with an exhaust passage in which a catalyst purifying NOx and an NOx adsorbent adsorbing NOx in an exhaust gas are arranged successively from the upstream side. After engine startup until the catalyst is activated, the NOx in the exhaust gas is adsorbed at the NOx adsorbent. NOx adsorbed at the NOx adsorbent is removed by dissolution by supplying a solvent from an injector. After the catalyst is activated, the solvent containing the NOx removed by dissolution is sprayed from an injector and the NOx contained in the sprayed solvent is purified by the catalyst.
US08042326B2
An apparatus and a method for enhancing diesel engine performance is provided. At low engine load and cold ambient temperatures, an intake air heater increases the engine load via an engine alternator, which in turn, enables the engine to burn more fuel by the process of combustion. The combusted fuel elevates exhaust gas temperatures, which thereby accommodates cold start, controls white smoke, and aids DPF regeneration.
US08042322B1
A vehicle comprising a frame with an electric power source secured to the frame. The vehicle further comprises an electric motor driven by the electric power source and secured to a deck and having at least a first side and a second side formed opposite the first side. The vehicle has a first shaft located within the electric motor housing and driven by the electric motor, the first shaft has a first end, which extends from the electric motor housing first side, and a second end, which extends from the electric motor housing second end. The vehicle further comprises a first output assembly driven by the first end of the first shaft and a second output assembly driven by the second end of the first shaft.
US08042319B2
A vacuum packaging system includes a vacuum room, a delivery apparatus, a discharge device, a second heating apparatus. The delivery apparatus transport the pre-packaged container into the vacuum room. The discharge device discharges a sealing material to seal an exhaust through hole of the pre-packaged container. The discharge device includes a vessel configured for containing sealing material, a transport pipeline, a first heating, and a controlling element. The first heating apparatus softens the sealing material into viscous liquid. The second heating apparatus is mounted on the inner wall of the vacuum room between the second hatch and the transport pipeline.
US08042307B2
Head curtains for dock shelters or dock seals are disclosed. An example head curtain assembly for a vehicle loading dock includes a retractable curtain stiffened by a resiliently compressible foam panel that is more flexible about a horizontal axis than about a vertical axis. The difference in directional flexibility can be created by sewing the foam panel to a pliable cover using a series of parallel horizontal thread lines. The thread lines create in the foam a series of compressed indentations that run horizontally across the curtain so that the curtain tends to bend more easily along those lines. The relative stiffness in the horizontal direction enables the curtain to exert an appreciable sealing force against two lateral dock seal members, and the vertical flexibility makes the curtain easy to retract to accommodate vehicles of various heights. Touch-and-hold fasteners make many of the individual components of the head curtain readily replaceable.
US08042302B2
A window pane for a motor vehicle including plastic for closing a pane opening of a motor vehicle and which is moveable with a window lifter out of the pane opening includes a pane element enclosed by an outer edge and a device provided on the pane element for coupling the window pane to an adjusting mechanism of the window lifter. For coupling the window pane to the adjusting mechanism of the window lifter, a guide region is formed on a surface of the pane element via which the window pane is engageable with a guide device of the adjusting mechanism, displaceable in a direction of adjustment. The guide region forms at least one stop, which counteracts a pivoting of the window pane about an axis extending perpendicular to a plane of the window pane.
US08042301B2
A drive train for a pivotable flap of a motor vehicle includes a holding device which can hold the flap in at least one open position, a first element which can be driven by a drive motor, and a second element connected to the pivotable flap to pivot the flap in response to movement of the first element. When the second element is moved along a path of motion relative to the first element counter to a specific spring force, a sensor generates a signal indicating relative motion of the elements, and a control device releases the holding device in response to the signal, whereby the flap can be moved manually by applying a force counter to the spring force.
US08042295B2
An apparatus and method for sealing the barrel of an underwater gun between firings is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an adapter that attaches to the barrel and includes a physical adaptation that is capable of sealing the barrel. In some embodiments, the physical adaptation is actuated to un-seal the barrel via combustion gases from firing of a round.
US08042276B2
A folding knife with thumb release opening includes a knife blade, a first liner plate, a second liner plate, a first handle plate and a second handle plate. The knife blade includes a cutting edge and a point formed on a first end. A second end of the knife blade is pivotally retained by a first end of first and second liner plates. A push button is retained in the knife blade. A liner lock is formed in the second liner plate. A lock pin is pressed into an end of the liner lock and a lock hole is formed in the second end of the knife blade to receive the lock pin. The first and second handle plates cover the first and second liner plates. The push button may be replaced with a thumb disc. A second embodiment includes spring assisted opening and a third embodiment includes automatic opening.
US08042275B2
A blade guard for a hedge trimmer that can cut trimmings from a hedge includes a cutting arm member with a first set of the cutting blades that extends laterally from the cutting arm member. The blade guard generally includes a first housing member and a second housing member movable between an open condition and a closed condition. A connecting member on the blade guard member that is operable to releasably couple to the cutting arm member. The first housing member and the second housing member in the open condition establish an opening between the first housing member and the second housing member. The blade guard in the open condition is operable to catch the trimmings in the opening between the first housing member and the second housing member. The blade guard in the closed condition is operable to cover the first set of the cutting blades.
US08042272B2
A thrust bearing assembly includes an upper thrust bearing and a lower thrust bearing for an engine assembly of a vehicle and which, are preferably, identically configured. The thrust bearings each include an arcuate bearing shell with a concave inner surface and a convex outer surface, and each includes a pair of axially spaced flanges extending radially outwardly of the bearing shells. The flanges may be formed as one piece with the bearing shell, and one flange is thicker than the other flange. The thicker flanges are load bearing and preferably contoured, whereas the thinner flanges are not. The bearings are installed with the thick flange of each bearing matched radially opposite the thin flange of the companion bearing to minimize fatigue and failure normally attributed to repeated seating and unseating of bearing assemblies having flanges of equal thickness caused by changing bending loads imparted by a shaft.
US08042269B2
A nozzle plate component manufactured by forming a layer of photoresist on a substrate and selectively exposing and removing material to define an array of distinct bodies. Nickel is then electroformed around the bodies to form a plate, with nozzles subsequently formed by ablation through the photoresist. The process can essentially be repeated to form a guard structure around each nozzle.
US08042261B2
A method for fabricating the embedded thin film resistors of a printed circuit board is provided. The embedded thin film resistors are formed using a resistor layer built in the printed circuit board. In comparison with conventional discrete resistors, embedded thin film resistors contribute to a smaller printed circuit board as the space for installing conventional resistors is saved, and better signal transmission speed and quality as the parasitic capacitive reactance effect caused by two contact ends of the conventional resistors is also avoided. The method for fabricating the embedded thin film resistors provided by the invention can be conducted using the process and equipment for conventional printed circuit boards and thereby saving the investment on new types of equipment. The method can be applied in the mass production of printed circuit boards and thereby reduce the manufacturing cost significantly.
US08042260B2
The claimed invention pertains to methods of forming one or more inductors on a semiconductor substrate. In one embodiment, a method of forming an array of inductor core elements on a semiconductor substrate that includes integrated circuits is disclosed. A first set of spaced apart metallic core elements are formed over the substrate. Isolation sidewalls are then formed on side surfaces of the core elements. Afterward, a second set of metallic core elements are formed over the substrate. The first and second sets of core elements are substantially co-planar and interleaved such that only the isolation sidewalls separate adjacent core elements. Particular embodiments involve other processing operations, such as the selective electroplating of different types of metal to form core elements and/or the deposition and etching away of an isolation layer to form isolation sidewalls on the core elements.
US08042258B2
A method for producing a superconducting acceleration cavity having a stabilized quality, by which production cost is reduced by reducing the number of welding points. A dumbbell-shaped dumbbell cell (3) is formed by forming a recessed iris portion (3b) around the central part of a cylindrical pipe made of a superconducting material, a cup-shaped half cell (2) is formed by enlarging one opening and reducing the other opening of the cylindrical pipe made of a superconducting material, a plurality of dumbbell cells (3) are coupled by welding, and the each half cell (2) is welded to the opposite ends of the plurality of dumbbell cell (3), thus producing a superconducting acceleration cavity (1).
US08042253B2
A club head manufacture method has steps of: (a) providing a sole base, a crown cover and a striking face plate; (b) assembling a club head; (c) fore-welding the club head; (d) post-welding the club head; and (e) grinding an outer surface of the club head. When the club head is fabricated, the sole base and the crown cover are respectively mounted on the striking face plate and aligned precisely to save the fabricating time of the club head and increase fabricating accuracy. Therefore, the method can save manufacturing cost. Furthermore, it can increase the accuracy and constancy for the manufacturing processes.
US08042250B2
A method subsequently reinforces injection-molded transporters such as plastic pallets, which have support feet disposed on their underside, at least at the corners, and a groove for inserting a reinforcement profile between two support feet that stand diagonally opposite one another, and the two ends of the groove are formed by pockets shaped to correspond to the profile cross-section, disposed in the region of the support foot assigned to the groove end, in each instance. After completion of the pallet, the distance between the two pockets is increased via elastic deformation of the pallet. Afterwards, the reinforcement profile is laid into the groove, and one end of the profile is laid into one of the pockets. Thereafter, the deformation is canceled out and the pallet returns to the relaxed original state, and in this connection the other end of the reinforcement profile also dips into the corresponding pocket.
US08042227B2
Disclosed are apparatus for a block and tackle window balance to be incorporated in single and double hung window assemblies. In one embodiment the block and tackle window balance includes a roller secured within a bottom guide to increase range of travel of a window sash.
US08042226B2
The invention consists of a caster comprises a yoke having a weight transferring tab and a wheel with groove for receiving the tab. Preferably, the yoke and wheel are made out of plastic, and in some embodiments two different types of plastic. A tab and groove helps transfer the weight of the load on the castor away from the arms of the yoke and onto the wheel. In a preferred embodiment the plastic wheel is molded so as to include a shaft on either side that snap into receiving holes in the yoke, thus avoiding the need for separate axel and rivets.
US08042225B2
The present invention relates to a grommet for sealing a conduit to be passed through an opening against said opening. The grommet comprises a sealing body defining an opening therethrough for receiving the conduit as well as at least one sealing collar radially surrounding said sealing body in an unfolded state. The grommet further comprises a retaining means, which is configured for fixing said sealing collar in a folded state.
US08042223B2
The air-powered rotary rake is an attachment for a leaf blower or the like, providing the user with air-powered rotary blades to dislodge or agitate debris which, ordinarily, could not be moved easily with air blowing alone. The air-powered rotary rake includes a housing defining an open interior region and having opposed open front and rear ends. The rear end is adapted for releasable attachment to the leaf blower. An internal wall is mounted within a front portion of the housing and divides the housing into an upper passage and a lower passage. A spindle is rotatably mounted within the upper passage and a plurality of vanes are mounted on the spindle. When the pressurized air is diverted into the upper passage, the pressurized air impinges upon the vanes mounted on the spindle, causing the spindle to rotate and driving rotation of a plurality of blades also annularly mounted thereto.
US08042217B2
A toothbrush that provides enhanced cleaning and oral care to a user. The toothbrush has a head with cleaning elements that create a contoured cleaning profile. The cleaning elements have different depths of insertion relative to a reference plane to define a contoured cleaning profile without post-fixing trimming of the cleaning elements. Accordingly, tapered bristles can be used to define a contoured cleaning profile. Alternatively, tapered bristles of different lengths can also be used to form a contoured cleaning profile.
US08042212B2
The present invention relates to a manufacturing system of an assembled shoe or moccasin. The system incorporates a shock-absorbing insert inserted in a space obtained inside a false-heel. The false heal is formed by a special rigid frame that basically includes a horseshoe collar.
US08042205B2
A compact foundation unit kit and a method of making a foundation unit from the kit. The kit comprises at least three elongated, generally flat truss rails, four generally flat end caps and a plurality of generally flat cross slats, with the truss rails, end caps and cross slats oriented together with their longitudinal dimensions aligned in a generally parallel orientation and with their flat sides in contact. A binding maintains the truss rails, end caps and cross slats in that orientation. The method includes providing the kit, opening the kit and orienting the truss rails in a parallel, spaced position, then affixing one of the end caps to each end of the truss rails, inverting the partially formed foundation, and affixing the last two end caps to opposite ends of the truss rails, then finally affixing the cross slats to the truss rails in a spaced, parallel orientation. The foundation can then be finished in a conventional fashion.
US08042200B2
The wave-generating apparatus in accordance with the invention has a pool (11) having a deeper area (12) surrounding a substantially central area (13); a pool edge (15) bounding the pool; a body (16) having a wave-generating shaped surface (22) located within the pool adjacent the pool edge and moveable along the pool edge relative thereto to generate a wave (17) in the water in the pool, and impeller means (18) generating a current in the water in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the body.
US08042199B2
Swimming goggles are provided which have a frame unit, buckle units and a head strap assembled on the buckle units. The frame unit includes a left frame and a right frame respectively around a user's eyes, a connecting member detachably connecting the left frame and the right frame, and lenses assembled on the left frame and the right frame. First connecting portions are provided on sides of the left frame and the right frame. Each buckle unit includes at least a base, and a second connecting portion for engaging to or disengaging from the first connecting portion. The base defines directing holes therein for guiding the head strap. The connecting member, the first connecting portions and the second connecting portions are able to be assembled and disassembled such that the connecting member and the buckle units are assembled to or disassembled from the left frame and the right frame.
US08042196B1
Camouflage apparel for a hunter or solder or the like comprising a cape or sheet composed of camouflage material. The cape may be separate or attached to a pouch or hood of camouflage material. The cape and hood may be separate or attached to a portion of a vest which extends across the back of the neck of the wearer thereof such that the cape is receivable in the hood for stowage and such that the cape may be removed from the hood to drape across the front of the wearer. The vest has a seat which is stowably securable to the rear of the vest by straps which are fastened by buckles which are manipulatable at locations in front of the vest.
US08046843B2
An instrument includes a probe having a porous tip, a tip positioning apparatus to position the tip with respect to a sample material, a probe positioning apparatus to position the probe and sample material with respect to each other, and a controller. The controller controls the probe positioning apparatus in positioning the probe over the sample and controls the tip positioning apparatus in lowering the tip into the sample material to produce an interaction between the porous tip and the sample material.
US08046830B2
The present invention is generally directed towards a remote access architecture for providing peer-to-peer communications and remote access connectivity. In one embodiment, the remote access architecture of the present provides a method for establishing a direct connection between peer computing devices via a third computing device, such as a gateway. Additionally, the present invention provides the following techniques to optimize peer-to-peer communications: 1) false acknowledgement of receipt of network packets allowing communications via a lossless protocol of packets constructed for transmission via a lossy protocol, 2) payload shifting of network packets allowing communications via a lossless protocol of packets constructed for transmission via a lossy protocol, 3) reduction of packet fragmentation by adjusting the maximum transmission unit (MTU) parameter, accounting for overhead due to encryption, 4) application-aware prioritization of client-side network communications, and 5) network disruption shielding for reliable and persistent network connectivity and access.
US08046821B2
Described are methods and mechanisms for controlling data access to a service provider. The method includes receiving an instruction at a proxy from a service provider to initiate a session and the instruction. The instruction includes service provider authentication data. The method further includes initiating the session at the proxy responsive to the received instruction. The session provides communication between the proxy and a customer device. The method additionally includes receiving a request for service from the customer device. The request includes customer identification data and customer transaction data. The method further includes producing protected data based on the service request, providing the protected data to a transaction buffer, and passing the protected data from the transaction buffer to the service provider.
US08046818B2
A stream of time-ordered data, such as a movie, is divided into multiple fragments of equal length, which are repetitively transmitted at different respective repetition rates. The fragments are reordered for transmission so that those which occur near the beginning of the original data stream are transmitted more frequently than those which occur later in the data stream. When a user enters a request to utilize the data, the individual fragments are stored upon receipt at the user's premises, and reassembled into a contiguous stream. The ordering of the fragments is such that the wait time required before utilization of the data can begin is limited to a predetermined maximum, and at least one copy of every fragment becomes available by the time it is needed.
US08046817B2
A content reproduction method is provided. First, a broadcast program having a program content is received and electronic program guide data including program information on the broadcast program is received. Then, a content corresponding to the program content of the broadcast program is retrieved from a network based on the electronic program guide data. Finally, identification information identifying the content is displayed with the program information.
US08046810B2
A subscriber or other user is provided with access to a subscription service of a signal distribution system at a roaming location remote from a home location of the user. The home and remote locations are serviced by respective first and second head ends of the system. The subscription service comprises a plurality of selectable channels available to the user at the home location. The second head end obtains content for at least one channel of the subscription service available to the user at the home location, and inserts the content into a program stream utilizable for delivery of content to an interface device at the remote location to thereby make the channel accessible to the user at the remote location. In one embodiment, responsive to a channel change command initiated by the user via an interface device at the remote location, the second head end first determines if content for the newly-selected channel is already available in the second head end as a result of subscription services provided to any other user serviced by the second head end. If the content for the newly-selected channel is already available in the second head end, the second head end immediately makes that content accessible to the user at the remote location without obtaining it from the first head end.
US08046808B2
A method of creating an audio-video stream comprises multiplexing a video component, an audio component, a content reference identifier, and a semantic data packet containing information on the relationship between the video component and the content reference identifier. Apparatus for receiving the audio-video stream, and apparatus for transmitting the audio/video stream are disclosed.
US08046797B2
The method and system for TV user profile data prediction and modeling allows accurate and narrowly focused behavioral clustering. A client-side system classifies television consumers into representative user profiles. The profiles target individual user advertising and program preference category groups. A contextual behavioral profiling system determines the user's monitor behavior and content preferences, and the system may be continually updated with user information. A behavioral model database is queried by various system modules. The programming, including targeted advertising for television and interactive television is based on the profile data prediction, modeling and preference determination. The system is enabled to present a complete program sequence to the viewer based on the preference determination and stored programming. The latter is referred to as automatic program sequence (virtual channel) creation and the virtual channel can be presented as a separate channel in an electronic programming guide (EPG).
US08046796B2
A table creating unit receives program information and an upper limit bit rate of EPG data, creates a table of EIT [current/next] on the basis of the information and upper limit bit rate, and determines the frequency of transmission of the table in consideration of the upper limit bit rate and the lower limit of the frequency of transmission of the table. A stream transmitting unit receives the table and the frequency of transmission, converts the table to stream information, and transmits a stream at a frequency determined based on the transmission frequency. Therefore, data transmission is carried out satisfying both the limit of the upper limit bit rate and the limit on the transmission frequency.
US08046794B2
A method for transmitting/receiving a broadcasting signal and a broadcasting signal receiver are disclosed. An identifier of a burst period is obtained from program table information of the broadcasting signal including mobile data and only the burst period in which a broadcasting program desired by a user is transmitted is received. Accordingly, when the broadcasting signal is received, only a desired burst period is received such that power consumption of the broadcasting signal receiver can be reduced.
US08046769B2
A load monitoring apparatus is provided to monitor a load state of one or more information processing apparatuses in a network and to control the load of such an information processing apparatus based on the monitoring result. Such a load monitoring apparatus comprises a measured value storage unit which stores both measured values and measurement time of performance information (for example, a queue length, a response time and the like) of each information processing apparatus; a fluctuation calculation unit which reads a plurality of measured values measured in a given time from the measured value storage unit for each information processing apparatus, and calculates a fluctuation of the plurality of measured values; and a load state judgment unit which compares the fluctuation calculated with a given threshold to judge the load state of each information processing apparatus. Using a fluctuation, the load state of an information processing apparatus in the network can be detected more accurately.
US08046766B2
A system and method is provided for assigning a plurality of executable processes to a plurality of physical processors in a multi-processor computer system using a minimum processor share and a maximum processor share defined for each executable process. In an embodiment, the method can include allocating shares of total processor time to each executable process in proportion to the minimum processor shares up to the maximum processor shares to form target share allocations. The target share allocations can be used to map processes to the physical processors.
US08046764B2
A computer resource control system for running business applications on virtual computers within a business computer by using computer, virtual computer, network, and storage resources, the system comprises a collection process section for periodically collecting the dynamically changing information about the use of each resource when business applications run on the virtual computers within the business computer; a resource recovery process section for calculating the amounts of resources required for the operations of the business applications periodically in accordance with the dynamically changing information about the use of each resource, which is gathered by the collection process section, allocating the calculated amounts of resources to the resources of each virtual computer, and recovering any extra resources; and a resource allocation process section for allocating the extra resources, which are recovered by the resource recovery process section, to the virtual computers in accordance with the priorities of the business applications.
US08046747B2
The present invention comprises apparatus and systems for measuring, monitoring, tracking and simulating enterprise communications and processes. A central message repository or database is constructed, comprised of monitoring messages sent from process messaging systems. The database may then be accessed or queried as desired. A simulation tool assists in reviewing present and proposed processes and sub-processes before modifying existent systems or creating new systems.
US08046745B2
The present invention relates to compiler generated code for parallelized code segments, wherein the generated code is used to determine if an expected number of parallel processing threads is created for a parallel processing application, in addition to determining the performance impact of using parallel threads of execution. In the event the expected number of parallel threads is not generated, notices and alerts are generated to report the thread creation problem. Further, a method is disclosed for the collection of performance metrics for N threads of execution and one thread of execution, and thereafter performing a comparison operation upon the execution threads. Notices and alerts are generated to report the resultant performance metrics for the N threads of execution versus the one thread of execution.
US08046739B2
A system and method for creating a graphical program. A function block may be displayed in a graphical program. The graphical program may include a plurality of interconnected blocks which visually indicate the functionality of the program. Additionally, the function block may be operable to perform a first function and may include one or more inputs and one or more outputs. User input specifying an attribute behavior for the function block may be received, e.g., via a menu which allows selection or definition of attribute behaviors, a graphical wizard, or another graphical program, among other methods. The attribute behavior specified for the function block may be usable to determine at attribute of at least a subset of the one or more outputs of the function block based on an attribute of at least one of the one or more inputs to the function block.
US08046738B2
A development environment tracks code sections which have been copied and pasted into a code module from a source code section which has not been subjected to certain verifications. In one aspect, if an error in a copied section is later found during a verification process, the programmer is allowed to perform a multi-edit operation, whereby an edited change to a single copy is automatically propagated to multiple copies. In another aspect, the programmer is warned when copying and pasting a code section which has not been verified. Preferably, verification is performed in the process of compiling source into executable object code.
US08046737B2
The present invention relates to an XML application framework (XAF). XAF applications are data driven such that all operations with the computer system are data focused. In addition, the components used in the XAF application are instantiated and connected according to how the data is displayed and what type of data is used. Applications within XAF comprise a user interface (UI) connector, an action module, and a data connector. UI connectors receive UI events and connect the UI event to an action module. The action module generates a standard format action from the UI event and sends it to the data connector. The data connector translates the standard format action into a data-specific action that changes data in a data store. A data connector then sends a standard format data representation corresponding to the changed data back to the UI connector to provide the changed data to the UI.
US08046735B1
In a graphical modeling environment, one of a selection of transformation operations is performed on a graphical object by first selecting the graphical object. A user may select a particular transformation operation to be executed on the graphical object from a list of transformation operations displayed to the user. A transformed graphical object derived from the selected graphical object may be then automatically created without retrieving the transformed graphical object from a library or other source.
US08046734B2
Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for workflow decision management. Embodiments typically include maintaining a device state history; identifying a device usage pattern in dependence upon the device state history; identifying a derived scenario in dependence upon the device usage pattern; and selecting a heuristic in dependence upon the derived scenario. In typical embodiments, the heuristic has a tolerance. Embodiments also include identifying a workflow in dependence upon the selected heuristic and executing the workflow in dependence upon the tolerance.
US08046731B2
A method and apparatus for a timer service for program components. An embodiment of a method includes receiving a request for a timer for a program component. The method further includes establishing the timer for the program component, where the program component timer is implemented as a shared session. A timeout is received for the generated program component timer, and the timeout is resolved for the program component.
US08046730B1
Systems and methods to enable a user to edit subMaster content of selected instances of an electronic layout design, including editing the contents of selected instances of an existing subMaster of an EDA design, generating a new subMaster to incorporate the modified contents of the selected instances, and binding the new subMaster to the selected instances without losing the design hierarchy of the layout design.
US08046729B1
A logic device includes a low-skew network that feeds a subset of elements on the logic device. The low-skew network includes a selector that can select from a plurality of signal sources which includes a first signal source and a second signal source, wherein the second signal source can reach at least one element outside of the subset.
US08046725B2
Provided is a method of incremental SSTA (statistical static timing analysis) of a digital circuit, the method including a first step in which, when a gate is replaced in the digital circuit, delay propagation is performed from a node of a replaced gate to a virtual sink node based on SSTA; a second step in which, if a changed value of a gate timing yield at each gate which propagates delay toward the virtual sink node is smaller than a predetermined threshold value, delay propagation with respect to a fanout gate of the corresponding gate is stopped; and a third step in which, when a delay with respect to the node of the replaced gate is propagated to the virtual sink node, a new timing yield is calculated at the virtual sink node.
US08046719B2
The present invention is concerned with a method and computer-based system for configuring, monitoring and/or operating a graphical user interface in two or three dimensions. In particular it is concerned with a graphical user interface used for controlling, monitoring and/or operating equipment in a control system of an industrial process or an installation for oil and gas or for an installation for electrical power generating, transmission and/or distribution.
US08046717B1
A system and method for automatically generating the most relevant thumbnail of a document. Every page of a multi-page document is analyzed for rich content. Based on this analysis, a score is assigned to every page of the document depending on certain parameters such as the amount of rich content and number of occurrences of rich content on each page. The page with the highest score is identified and this page is selected as the thumbnail of the document.
US08046708B1
A method includes performing an analysis or synthesis operation on a graphical model representation, producing a report from the analysis or synthesis operation and generating associations representing elements of the graphical model representation with corresponding elements in the report and using these associations as a way to reposition viewer based on actions to the graphical model representation.
US08046707B2
A medical imaging apparatus for generating medical information includes an input unit, a processor, and a display. The input unit is operated by a user and is configured to input an instruction. The processor is configured to process a first part of display information relating to the medical information based on the instruction so that the first part is displayed in a differentiable manner from others of the display information. The display is configured to display the processed first part and the others of the display information.
US08046698B1
A visual server system (10) includes a visual server (12) that provides graphics images through execution of a graphics application (20). A local terminal (16) may interact with the graphics application (20) through a server application (30) in response to possession of input control. A remote client terminal (14) may interact with the graphics application (20) through a session application (22) in response to possession of the input control. The input control is passed between the local terminal (16) and the remote client terminal (14) in order to provide collaboration of a graphics session. The local terminal (16) and the remote client terminal (14) receive the same view of the graphics application (20). Interactions with the graphics application (20) performed by either the local terminal (16) or the remote client terminal (14) are viewable by the other terminal. Interactions with the graphics application (20) by either the local terminal (16) or the remote client terminal (14) that does not have the input control are blocked.
US08046695B2
A system for incorporating at least one window from a first desktop environment having a first themed graphical display into a second desktop environment having a second themed graphical display includes a first virtual channel, a second virtual channel, and a local agent. The first virtual channel conveys graphical data associated with a window in the first desktop environment comprising a client area and a window rectangle. The second virtual channel conveys window attribute data associated with the window and including screen coordinates for the client area. A local agent forms a corresponding window in the second desktop environment, the corresponding window displaying the graphical data received from the first virtual channel in a local client area displayed at screen coordinates in accordance with the received window attribute data, the corresponding window having a local window rectangle displayed according to a second graphical theme.
US08046686B2
In a method of setting a function to an operation control provided in a signal processing apparatus, a display step is carried out to display a block diagram that depicts functions of the signal processing apparatus used for processing or mixing of a plurality of input signals. Then, a selection step is carried out to select a specific function out of the functions depicted in the block diagram. Thereafter, an assignment step is carried out to assign the selected specific function to an operation control of the signal processing apparatus. Practically, an operation control display step is carried out to display a plurality of operation controls of various types provided in the signal processing apparatus for selection of one operation control, so that the assignment step assigns the selected specific function to the operation control selected from the plurality of the operation controls displayed by the operation control display step.
US08046685B2
An information display device having a large display screen which enables a user to operate an object displayed at a position distant from a user operation position is provided. The information display device has the display screen with a touch sensor, and enables a remote control of the display screen through a touch operation on the small screen area which is set to display a demagnified version of an image displayed on the display screen, by shifting a touch operation position in the small screen area to a position on the display screen. Hence an operation on the display screen and that on the small screen can be executed as the operations corresponding with each other.
US08046676B2
A Sheet Set Manager for a computer-implemented graphics program allows drawings to be organized logically as a Sheet Set comprising a collection of Sheets and Subsets of Sheets, wherein each Sheet comprises a drawing, layout or view. The Sheet Set Manager is a graphical user interface for displaying, accessing and managing the Sheet Sets, Subsets and Sheets, as well as editing components of the Sheet Sets, Subsets and Sheets.
US08046674B2
An apparatus for Internet browsing and other Internet-interactive activities, comprises: a camera focusing on a printed hypertext document for generating video signals representing an image of the printed hypertext document in electronic form: A processor linked to the camera processes images of the printed hypertext document captured by the camera and a finger or other pointing implement within the camera field of view pointing to a region of the printed hypertext document and determines from the image the identity of a linked web page or a linked multi-media, i.e. audio and/or video sequence, data file referred to on that hypertext document in the region pointed to, and then fetches from the Internet or a local cache of web pages data comprising the linked web page or linked multimedia data file referenced in the printed hypertext document. A receiver receives and displays or plays the fetched data.
US08046667B2
There is provided an apparatus for enabling recovery of missing information in a digital communication system. The apparatus includes a Forward Erasure Correction (FXC) encoder for computing FXC parity superpackets across information superpackets for subsequent recovery of any entire ones of the information superpackets that have been at least partially comprised due to synchronization loss.
US08046656B2
Rendering and correcting data. Data is received. The data is stored at a memory. The data is rendered for presentation at an output device. Defects in the data stored at the memory are determined. The defects in the data stored at the memory are corrected, wherein at least a portion of the correction of the defects is performed after transmitting the data.
US08046649B2
An integrated circuit carries an intellectual property core. The intellectual property core includes a test access port 39 with test data input leads 15, test data output leads 13, control leads 17 and an external register present, ERP lead 37. A scan register 25 encompasses the intellectual property core and ERP lead 37 carries a signal indicating the presence of the scan register.
US08046645B2
A bad block identifying method for a flash memory, a storage system, and a controller thereof are provided. The bad block identifying method includes determining whether a programming error occurs in a block of the flash memory after the block is programmed and marking the block as a bad block when the programming error successively occurs in the block. Since the block is determined to be a bad block only when the programming error repeatedly occurs in the block, misjudgment of bad block in the flash memory can be avoided and accordingly the lifespan of the flash memory storage system can be prolonged.
US08046637B2
One embodiment provides a system that analyzes telemetry data from a computer system. During operation, the system periodically obtains the telemetry data from the computer system. Next, the system preprocesses the telemetry data using a sequential-analysis technique. If a statistical deviation is found in the telemetry data using the sequential-analysis technique, the system identifies a subset of the telemetry data associated with the statistical deviation and applies a root-cause-analysis technique to the subset of the telemetry data to determine a source of the statistical deviation. Finally, the system uses the source of the statistical deviation to perform a remedial action for the computer system, which involves correcting a fault in the computer system corresponding to the source of the statistical deviation.
US08046631B2
A system comprising a first memory, a second memory, and a controller. The first memory may be configured to store a first firmware. The second memory may be configured to store a second firmware similar to the first firmware stored on the first memory. The controller may be configured to (i) operate the first firmware stored on the first memory, (ii) discontinue operating the first firmware in response to a failure of the first firmware, and (iii) begin operating the second firmware after discontinuing operation of the first firmware.
US08046612B2
A system and a method for power control are provided. In the present invention, a control switch is disposed in a power adapter, which is turned on/off by a monitoring device disposed in a portable electronic device. As a result, the power inputted into the power adapter can be controlled, and thus the power consumption during the portable electronic being shut down is reduced. In addition, the present invention controls the power providing for a battery according to a detected power on/off signal and the electric quantity of the battery. The control switch is turned off to stop the power adapter from providing power when the electric quantity of the battery reaches a reference value. Therefore, the overheating situation of the portable electronic device or the battery that may shorten their service life because of continuing receiving power can be avoided.
US08046611B2
A network includes nodes that transmit information to each other. Some nodes operate intermittently; other nodes operate continuously. Information is transmitted to an intermittently operating node by a handshaking protocol in which the intermittently operating node indicates that it is ready to receive. Information is transmitted to a continuously operating node without such handshaking, thereby saving time and power. Each transmitting node has a memory storing information indicating which other nodes require handshaking.
US08046609B2
A semiconductor device includes a plurality of circuits each independently conducting a predetermined process, and a circuit operation control part controlling operation start timings and operation suspend timings so as to mutually interfere with power voltage fluctuations caused by a state transition between an operation start and an operation suspend for each of the plurality of circuits.
US08046606B2
A host computer formed of a motherboard, a power supply unit with a power switch, a data storage device and an external interface is disclosed to have a transfer switch switchable between a first switch position and a second switch position, the transfer switch having three contacts in the first switch position for electrically connecting the motherboard to the power supply unit and the data storage device to the power supply unit and the motherboard to the external interface, and two contacts in the second switch position for electrically connecting the data storage device to the external interface through a data transmission interface and the data storage device to said power supply unit respectively. This design allows access to the data storage device, achieving the effect of sharing the data storage device without booting the computer system.
US08046601B1
Controlling a power supply which supplies a voltage to target circuit of an integrated circuit. An adjustable delay line powered by the supply voltage is co-located on the IC with the target circuit. The adjustable delay line is subjected to substantially the same operating conditions as the target circuit. A control unit measures a delay time of the adjustable delay line. Based on the measured delay time, the control unit outputs a control signal by which the power supply adjusts the supply voltage. The adjustable delay line comprises multiple distinct delay elements, each with delay properties and responsivity to changes in operating conditions. Each delay element emulates delay properties of physical elements (e.g., gates and wires) in the target circuit. In this manner, power consumption may be reduced, while still maintaining proper operation of the target circuit.
US08046598B2
A device capable of controlling a supply voltage and a supply frequency using information of a manufacturing process variation includes a data storage device storing data indicating performance of the device, a decoder decoding the data stored in the data storage device and outputting decoded data, and a frequency control block outputting a frequency controlled clock signal in response to the decoded data output from the decoder. The device further includes a voltage control block outputting a level controlled supply voltage in response to the decoded data. The voltage control block outputs a body bias control voltage controlling a body bias voltage of at least one of a plurality of transistors embodied in the semiconductor device in response to the decoded data. The performance is operational speed of the device or leakage current of the semiconductor device.
US08046589B2
The present invention relates to a method of authenticating an individual (321) at an authenticating device (311) and an authenticating system for authenticating an individual. A basic idea of the present invention is to store, at a device or a system with which an individual wishes to authenticate herself, one or more data structures each comprising a value based on an identifier pertaining to the individual and an encrypted copy of the identifier. When the individual wants to authenticate herself, she contacts the authenticating device whereby a request is made to attain the encrypted identifier included in a specific data structure stored at the authenticating device. The individual subsequently provides proof to the authenticating device that she actually knows the identifier.
US08046583B2
A wireless terminal stores shared information, which is shared in authentication processing executed between the wireless terminal and an authentication device when the wireless terminal logs on to a first base station. When the connection destination is to be switched from the first base station to another base station (a second base station), a new shared key is created from the shared information which has been stored, and is sent to the authentication device via the second base station. In the case where the authentication device judges the new shared key as valid through validity judging processing with the use of the shared information, a new shared key is created to be sent from the authentication device to the second base station. An encryption key that is encrypted with this new shared key to be used in wireless communications between the wireless terminal and the second base station is received from the second base station. The encrypted encryption key is decrypted with the new shared key and, using this encryption key, the wireless terminal executes wireless communications with the second base station.
US08046579B2
A secure gateway includes a TLS server for authenticating connecting devices, a connection manager for routing requests from the TLS server to service provider adapters, and a key management system for providing key management functions, wherein when a device provides a manufacturing certificate to one or more servers of the gateway, servers identify the device as authentic by validating that the manufacturing certificate provided is signed by the same root that has signed the servers its own certificate.
US08046578B1
A system and method for granting access to a computer network. The method may include, for example, receiving at an access controller a request by a user to access the network using a computing device; providing the user with the option to retrieve a login page if authentication is required prior to network access being granted; using the access controller to verify user credentials provided by the user on the login page, the using the access controller to verify user credentials comprising: comparing a source IP address of a transmission control protocol connection request with a locally defined list of authorized user credentials stored in the access controller; and determining whether a White List associated with the access controller comprises a destination IP address; and granting the user access to the network if the user credentials are verified.
US08046572B2
A booting system, a boot program, and a method therefor are provided. A boot source device and a boot target device are connected to each other via a transfer interface. The transfer interface is an interface where booting is supported by a BIOS of the boot target device. The boot source device transfers a first object corresponding to booting data which allows the boot target device to establish and use a connection including an interface other than the transfer interface, which is not supported by the BIOS, via the transfer interface. After the boot target device is enabled to use the interface other than the transfer interface, the boot source device transfers a second object corresponding to booting data for booting up an OS of the boot target device or the like via the transfer interface and transfer interfaces and to the boot target device to boot the boot target device.
US08046569B2
Embodiments involve an embedded processing element that fetches at least two possible next instructions (control words) in parallel in one cycle, and executes one of them during the following cycle based on the result of a conditional branch test. Embodiments reduce or avoid branch penalties (zero penalty branches).
US08046564B2
Techniques, systems and apparatus are described for providing a processing element (PE) structure forming a floating point unit (FPU)-processing element. Each processing element includes each of two multiplexers (MUXes) to receive data from one or more sources including another PE, and select one value from the received data. The processing element includes an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) in communication with the two multiplexers to receive the selected value from each multiplexer as two input values, and process the received two input values to generate results of the ALU.
US08046561B1
Some embodiments are directed to a technique for storing and/or locating content units stored on an object addressable storage (OAS) system, wherein each content unit is identified by an object identifier. The OAS system may comprise a plurality of zones, each of which stores content units. A mapping process may be defined that maps object identifiers for content units to zones on the OAS system. Thus, the storage location for a content unit on the OAS system may be the zone on the OAS system to which the object identifier for the content unit maps.
US08046554B2
The storage system includes a storage subsystem including a plurality of storage units and a storage control device coupled to a computer and the storage subsystem, the storage control device providing the host computer with a logical unit assigned to a storage unit of the storage subsystem. The storage control device receives a first access request from the computer to the logical unit and sends a second access request to the storage unit of the storage subsystem according to a relation between the storage unit of the storage subsystem and the logical unit assigned to the storage unit. Performance information relating to the second access request by the storage control device is obtained so that the storage control device determines performance relating to the logical unit assigned to the storage unit of the storage subsystem.
US08046545B2
Providing continuous backup of a storage device includes subdividing the storage device into subsections, providing a time indicator that is modified periodically, and, in response to a request to write new data to a particular subsection of the storage device at a particular time, maintaining data being overwritten by the new data according to the particular subsection and according to a value of the indicator at the particular time. The subsections may be tracks. Maintaining the data being overwritten may include constructing a linked list of portions of data for each of the subsections. The portions of data may have variable sizes. In response to two data write operations to a particular subsection at a particular value of the indicator, data being written for each of the two data write operations may be combined if data for the second data write operation is a subset of data for the first data write operation. Providing continuous backup of a storage device may also include restoring the storage device to a state thereof at a particular point in time by writing the maintained data to the storage device. Writing the maintained data to the storage device may include constructing subsections of the data by combining separate portions thereof corresponding to the same subsection.
US08046543B2
A method and program product to selectively retain or discard subpool expansions. When a subpool has been tuned to its limit (a maximum extension size is established), then a subsequent expansion allocation of this tuned expansion is queued on top of a memory subpool. Otherwise, expansions are queued on the bottom of the subpool. All expansions other than the topmost one, which is retained by the system, are rapidly returned to the system when their storage is no longer needed by the various processes that have finished. The topmost expansion is retained as long as the subpool remains tuned to the maximum extension size. By permitting the topmost expansion to remain available to the subpool for storage allocation, the topmost expansion is retained beyond a short term period typical of expansions, which allows the topmost expansion to stay around for a sufficient time to prevent subpool thrashing.
US08046538B1
A method and mechanism are managing caches. A cache is configured to store blocks of data based upon predictions of future accesses. Each block is partitioned into sub-blocks, and if it is predicted a given sub-block is unlikely to be accessed, the sub-block may not be stored in the cache. Associated with each block is a mask which indicates whether sub-blocks of the block are likely to be accessed. When a block is first loaded into the cache, the corresponding mask is cleared and an indication is set for the block to indicate a training mode for the block. Access patterns of the block are then monitored and stored in the mask. If a given sub-block is accessed a predetermined number of times, a bit in the mask is set to indicate that the sub-block is likely to be accessed. When a block is evicted from the cache, the mask is also transferred for storage and only the sub-blocks identified by the mask as being likely to be accessed may be transferred for storage. If previously evicted data is restored to the cache, a previously stored mask is accessed to determine which of the sub-blocks are predicted likely to be accessed. The lower level storage may then transfer only those sub-blocks predicted likely to be accessed to the cache.
US08046536B2
A storage system including a memory unit having a disk management program, plural disk controllers each having a SAS port which can be attached to either a SAS disk drive or a SATA disk drive, and a LAN port which communicates with a user interface program in a management console. Upon receiving a request from the user interface program requesting what kinds of disk drives are attached to the disk controllers, the disk management program communicates with each disk controller to determine what kind of disk drive is attached to the disk controller, selects based on a result an appropriate protocol for the disk drive, sends a request to the disk controller to retrieve detailed information of the disk drive using the selected protocol, and sends the detailed information received from the disk controller back to the user interface program for display on a monitor of the management console.
US08046526B2
A wear leveling method for a non-volatile memory is provided. The non-volatile memory is substantially divided into a plurality of blocks, and these blocks are grouped into at least a data area, a spare area, a substitute area, and a temporary area. The wear leveling method includes selecting blocks from the spare area according to different purposes and executing a wear leveling procedure.
US08046520B2
A resource management module of a management server for controlling a multi-root I/O manager connected to a PCI switch for connecting a plurality of I/O devices and a plurality of computers with each other includes: failure handling content information indicating, for each computer sharing a multi-root I/O device, a content of a failure handling at an occurrence of a failure in the multi-root I/O device; and failure handling availability status information indicating whether a hardware reset of the multi-root I/O device is possible and updates, upon reception of a notification of the occurrence of the failure in the multi-root I/O device, the failure handling availability status information, and instructs, based on the failure handling availability status information, the multi-root I/O manager to restrain or cancel the hardware reset of the multi-root I/O device.
US08046517B2
A first device is provided with a communicator having a first interface function and a second interface function defined in an asymmetric interface standard. A second device is connected to the first device. The first device detects whether the second device has at least one of the first interface function and the second interface function. Data is transmitted from the first device to the second device, through use of the first interface function, in a case where it is detected that the second device has the second interface function. A signal for processing the data is transmitted from the first device to the second device, through use of the second interface function, in a case where it is detected that the second device has the first interface function.
US08046513B2
An operating method applied to an out-of-order executive bus system includes: according to dependency constraints, linking requests using the bus system to form dependency request links having an order; and processing the order of the requests according to the dependency request links. In addition, a bus system is provided. The bus system includes a request queue and a dependency request link generator. The request queue receives and stores a newly received request including at least a link tag. The dependency request link generator generates N dependency request links according to dependency constraints of N link tags of the newly received request, where N is any positive integer. Each link tag of the newly received request is implemented to indicate a link relation with respect to an order of the newly received request and a plurality of unserved requests preceding the newly received request.
US08046501B2
An integrated system to control peripherals in a vehicle includes a control and interconnection system having a supervisory processor and/or supervisory control. The control and interconnection system is responsive to feedback from peripherals associated with the vehicle. Moreover, the supervisory processor supervises a plurality of peripherals in communication with the control and interconnection system, where at least one of the plurality of the peripherals includes a controller and is associated with at least one of the: vehicle dynamics, vehicle power train and vehicle body, of a corresponding vehicle. Still further, the supervisory processor provides control information to each of the plurality of peripherals to coordinate performance characteristics based upon at least one operating condition that is determined by the control and interconnection system.
US08046498B2
Among other things, techniques and systems are disclosed for syncing data between a client device and a server. Synchronizing data includes initiating a sync session by negotiating a sync mode between a client device and a server for each of one or more dataclasses. A status code is generated based on a result of the negotiating. Based on the generated status code, the client device and the server exchanges one or more data items to be updated for the one or more dataclasses using the negotiated sync mode for each dataclass. The exchanged one or more data items are updated at the client device or the server The updated one or more data items are committed at the client or the server.
US08046494B2
Within one embodiment of the present invention, the rules for transcoding web content are abstracted from the transcoding functionality of a transcoding proxy server. Specifically, within the transcoding proxy server, the functions that perform the transcoding of web content for a device having limited display capabilities is completely separate and distinct from the transcoding rules, e.g., extensible transcoder annotation (XTA), that provide the order, manner, and/or what web content should be transcoded for the requesting device. Therefore, when the transcoding proxy server receives a web page request from a device, its transcoding software accesses an XTA file to find a rule set that pertains to the web page request. Upon finding a corresponding XTA rule set, the transcoding proxy server follows the instructions of the rule set in order to transcode the requested web page for the device having limited display capabilities.
US08046492B1
A device facilitates offset independent message filtering, and receives a filter registration request from a control software element, where the filter registration request includes at least a field name and a filter value. The device also identifies an offset value associated with the received field name, and filters a message based on the filter value and the identified offset value.
US08046480B2
Techniques are described for managing communications between multiple computing nodes, such as computing nodes that are separated by one or more physical networks. In some situations, the techniques may be used to provide a virtual network between multiple computing nodes that are separated by one or more intermediate physical networks, such as from the edge of the one or more intermediate physical networks by modifying communications that enter and/or leave the intermediate physical networks. In some situations, the computing nodes may include virtual machine nodes hosted on one or more physical computing machines or systems, such as by or on behalf of one or more users (e.g., users of a program execution service). The managing of the communications may include using substrate network addresses that are configured to embed virtual network addresses for a virtual network that is overlaid on the underlying physical substrate network.
US08046477B1
A rule engine applies storage area network configuration validation rules to verify whether a proposed storage area network configuration includes compatible resources for use in a storage area network environment. The storage area network configuration validation rules enable a proposed combination of storage area network resources to be validated against compatibility data in a repository even when one or more of the resources in the proposed combination ambiguously maps to multiple possible resources and each of other resources in the proposed combination specifically maps to a single respective known component type. Accordingly, an advisory system herein can provide notification whether a proposed or existing storage area network configuration is qualified for use even though one or more of the resources in the combination is ambiguously mapped to multiple possible storage area network resource types.
US08046469B2
A management interface for a virtualized storage system including a virtualized logical disk object representing a virtual storage container, wherein the logical disk is an abstract representation of physical storage capacity provided by plurality of physical stores. A virtual disk object represents a virtual storage container. The virtual disk object is an abstract representation of one or more logical disk objects, the virtual disk object including an exposed management interface. Wherein the virtual disk object is managed through the management interface to select the one or more logical disk objects represented by the virtual disk object.
US08046466B2
A resource management system including a plurality of computer systems and providing services through operations of task applications by combining the plurality of the computer systems, which comprises: a storage which is included in at least one of the computer systems for storing information for identifying the computer systems which execute the task applications, respectively, and resource utilization rate information which includes utilization rates of resources configuring the respective computer systems; and an effected range investigation unit which is included in at least one of the computer systems and obtains utilization rates of additional resources required by a task application from the resource utilization rate information when the effected range investigation unit obtains information that the task application requires the additional resources of the computer systems; and sums utilization rates of resources configuring newly configured computer systems.
US08046457B2
Network elements and resources associated with the network elements are manageable by multiple management systems. A request for network element resource management information is transmitted to at least two network management systems, and a reply identifying the network elements that are managed by the respective network management systems from the at least two network management systems is received.
US08046447B2
A computer system for and method of requesting networked device information is described. The computer system comprises a processor and a data store. The data store comprises one or more data identifier groups hierarchically specifying data available from one or more networked devices and a data retrieval tool comprising a set of instructions executable by the processor to obtain data from a network device. The data retrieval tool is arranged to request the data from the network device based on a data identifier group.
US08046444B2
A universal network adapter for a control system provides an appliance receiving a user selection of network cards for different proprietary network types and an internal interpreter running custom scripts downloadable to the appliance to map the network protocols of the different networks to a single common network communicating with the programmable controller. A buffer table interposed between the networks provides for a consistent ordering of data transfer in separate input and output sessions. Configuration data may be held by the appliance to configure the networks and the devices using the same scripting translation.
US08046440B2
The present invention relates to managing the administration of electronic resources accessible in an electronic network. Grid resources or services are enhanced with a presentation interface that provides an administration user-interface for configuring them. Resource-located logic configures the resource according to user inputs and actions imparted on user controls, which are sent from a respective resource to a portal server. On the portal server, a second user-interface software is implemented, able to aggregate the fragments or controls of different resources, to display such multiple controls to a user, to process user inputs imparted on those controls, and to send user control data entered via the user-interface fragments to a resource configuration interface of a respective one of the resources to perform the configuration of a respective resource via the respective resource configuration-interface.
US08046439B2
A method for installing EXT (extended) file system from a server to at least a client, the method includes the following steps. The super blocks of original files in a server are read to obtain subarea basic parameters of original files which are then packed into an image file. The reserved nodes and the first data pointing to the reserved nodes are analyzed in sequence. Whether the reserved nodes point to directory files is judged. A directory sequence is created according to the judge result. The nodes and the first data pointing to the nodes is reviewed. A client receives the image file and separates the subarea basic parameters of original files and data blocks from the image file, and calculates the basic data and data blocks for storing them in the client.
US08046437B2
An improved system and method for supporting web system services is provided for storing data and context of client applications on the web. A client application may include a web system services interface for invoking web system services to support web applications to operate over the web using different devices that may store data and context of web applications as a web application document onto a web server. A web application document may be represented by components that may include view information, content, and context information. The application may also include a web system services user interface for providing a graphical user interface for a user to invoke web system services that may include a new document system service, a store document system service, and a restore document system service. A schema for context scope may be implemented for collecting context information relevant to the web application document.
US08046436B2
An improved system and method for supporting web system services is provided for storing data and context of client applications on the web. A client application may include a web system services interface for invoking web system services to support web applications to operate over the web using different devices that may store data and context of web applications as a web application document onto a web server. A web application document may be represented by components that may include view information, content, and context information. The application may also include a web system services user interface for providing a graphical user interface for a user to invoke web system services that may include a new document system service, a store document system service, and a restore document system service. A schema for context scope may be implemented for collecting context information relevant to the web application document.
US08046435B1
A technique in which content is supplied to an electronic reader device is described. A time at which to send content to the electronic reader device is stored in a content server based on user preferences, user electronic reader device interaction or network conditions. The content is transmitted to the electronic reader device at the time for later display. Additional content may be securely supplied to the electronic reader device for purchase. The additional content may be in a format such that when a user later enters a request to purchase the content, the content can be instantly displayed.
US08046417B2
A rating of the quality of the presence information of a user at a communication device is determined by an aggregation client by determining a direct indicator of presence of a user at the communication device, determining a presence likelihood at the communication device, determining a time delay characteristic related to input on the communication device, and determining a quality of presence rating based on these factors. A graphical or numerical indication of the quality of presence rating is sent to other users' communications devices.
US08046416B2
According to some embodiments a system and a method are provided to determine a correct mail recipient are disclosed. The method comprises receiving an incorrectly addressed mail piece from a sender, scanning the mail piece, analyzing the scanned mail piece to produce analysis results, determining a correct address for the mail piece based at least in part on the analysis results, printing a correctly addressed label based on the determination, adhering the correctly addressed label to the mail piece, sending the mail piece comprising the correctly addressed label to a mail recipient, and transmitting a notification of the correct address to the sender.
US08046409B2
Communications methods, collaboration session communications organizers, collaboration sessions, and articles of manufacture are described. According to one aspect, a communications method includes accessing scalable media data for communication to a plurality of participants, wherein the scalable media data is configured to convey information regarding a subject, accessing a plurality of respective configuration parameters corresponding to respective ones of the participants, first modifying the scalable media data using a configuration parameter for a first recipient of the participants, the first modifying providing a first data stream having a first quantity of data to convey information for the subject, second modifying the scalable media data using a configuration parameter for a second recipient of the participants, the second modifying providing a second data stream having a second quantity of data to convey information for the subject and different than the first quantity of data, and directing the first and the second data streams to respective ones of the first and the second recipient participants.
US08046393B2
A method of organizing data items in an n-dimensional space comprises, for each of a plurality of iterations, the step of generating a relative displacement of position for each data item within the n-dimensional space in accordance with a similarity value between each data item and respective other data items, the distance between each data item and respective other data items in the n-dimensional space, and the difference in position within the n-dimensional space between each data item and at least one reference point.
US08046389B2
In a computing system, a value that a user enters under guidance of a graphical user interface may be received for association with a field of a document. The received value is used to determine a value to be automatically associated with at least another field of the document. Information indicating the value received in the input field and a rule used in determining the value for the at least another input field are stored in one or more fields of the document associated with the at least another input field.
US08046384B2
Disclosed herein is an information processing apparatus including, a user group identification section, a first content analysis section, a second content analysis section, and a metadata setting section.
US08046363B2
Provided are a system and method of clustering documents. The system includes a document DB, a document feature writing unit storing documents, a document retrieving unit, a clustering unit, and a cluster DB. The document DB stores documents. The document feature writing unit extracts attribute information of documents stored in the document database, and writes indexes with respect to the respective documents on the basis of the attribute information. The document retrieving unit retrieves documents including a query input by a user, using the indexes. The clustering unit includes a representative vector calculator calculating feature vectors and a representative vector of the retrieved documents, and a similarity calculator calculating similarities between the documents using the feature vectors and the representative vector. The cluster database stores documents clustered by the clustering unit.
US08046358B2
In accordance with aspects of the present technique, a method of retrieving information of interest is presented. The method includes parsing data based upon a predefined context definition. Further, the method includes interpreting the parsed data based on the predefined context definition. In addition, the method includes adding contextual attributes to the interpreted data to generate meta-data. Systems and computer-readable medium that afford functionality of the type defined by this method is also contemplated in conjunction with the present technique.
US08046355B2
A word is split into one or more first substrings. A morpheme is applied to the one or more first substrings to create one or more second substrings. The one or more first and second substrings are selected as one or more splittings, and a score is generated for each of the one or more splittings. One of the one or more splittings with a score higher than the other one or more splittings is selected as a keyword.
US08046352B2
Techniques are described herein for replacing a part of an expression in a query to a database with a virtual column. A virtual column is defined by the database to contain results of a defining expression. A part of an expression in a query is replaced with a virtual column whose defining expression is equal to the part of the expression in the query. The part of an expression in a query can be the entire expression. When an expression in a query can be replaced with more than one replacement expression involving virtual columns, the replacement expression with the least cost of query processing is selected.
US08046350B1
A system processes user queries. The system may generate a list of query patterns of a first type. The system may also receive a user query and determine whether the received query is a query of the first type based at least in part on the list of query patterns.
US08046339B2
Example-driven creation of record matching queries. The disclosed architecture employs techniques that exploit the availability of positive (or matching) and negative (non-matching) examples to search through this space and suggest an initial record matching query. The record matching task is modeled as that of designing an operator tree obtained by composing a few primitive operators. This ensures that record matching programs be executable efficiently and scalably over large input relations. The architecture joins records across multiple (e.g., two) relations (e.g., R and S). The architecture exploits the monotonicity property of similarity functions for record matching in the relations, in that, any pair of matching records have a higher similarity value than non-matching record pairs on at least one similarity function.
US08046338B2
File formats systems and methods are disclosed that provide a framework that integrates concepts, such as objects based audio-visual representation, meta-data and object oriented programming, to achieve a flexible and generic representation of the audiovisual information and the associated methods to operate on the audiovisual information. A system and method are disclosed for storing data processed from presentation data. The data is stored according to a method comprising coding input presentation data by identifying objects from within the presentation data, coding each object individually and organizing the coded data into access layer data units. The access layer data units are stored throughout a plurality of segments, each segment comprising a segment table in a header portion thereof and those access layer data units that are members of the respective segment, there being one entry in the segment table for each access layer data unit therein. A plurality of extended segments are also stored, each of the extended segments further comprising one or more of the access layer data units that include protocol specific data, the extended segments each represented by a extended segment header. The data of an accessible object is also stored, including an accessible object header and identifiers of the plurality of extended segments, each of the extended segments being a member of the same object.
US08046337B2
A computer based method for the preservation of a digital information in a data set includes receiving a data set to be preserved, the data set including a plurality of preservation objects; creating a fixity table, the fixity table including one or more data types corresponding to preservation data types contained in the preservation objects, each data type being assigned an importance rank and one or more fixity function; for each preservation object, creating a Merkle tree corresponding to the preservation object and based on the fixity table.
US08046336B1
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for managing the distribution and synchronization of data across multiple locations. The invention uses a static, rule-based mechanism that results in fast, successful data updates in a consistent and controlled manner and without the requirement for manual reconciliation. In one embodiment the data relates to financial transactions.
US08046332B1
A method and system for generating and restoring a backup image are disclosed. A server receives a request, which includes a backup path, to generate a backup image. The server generates a backup image offset map that indicates a relative location where a file is stored in the backup image before file data has been written to the backup image. The server stores the backup image offset map in a portion of the backup image on a storage device. The backup image offset map comprises an array having a number of elements equal to a number of inodes on a file system that hosts a backup path, an element of the array representing an inode on the file system, and indicates the relative location where a file that is associated with a number of the inode is stored in the backup image.
US08046319B2
The methods disclosed comprise the linehaul optimization algorithm which is a hybrid algorithm incorporating the basic structure of the Hungarian Assignment algorithm or equivalent and an improvement heuristic. However, in this particular case there is not a direct application of the existing, well-known Hungarian Assignment algorithm or equivalent in conjunction with a heuristic. The structure of the assignment model being used here is based on the Hungarian Assignment algorithm or equivalent but has been revised and enhanced to identify systematically (by using grouping) a number of equivalent optimal solutions (that give the same optimal, minimum cost for a particular iteration). A heuristic is then used to identify the ‘best’ optimal solution, of the many identified, that would contribute the most incremental cost reduction in future iterations of the heuristic.
US08046318B2
A method (400) for automatically checking proposed adjustments by an individual to at least one parameter at a manufacturing plant includes (401) creating a proposed vector including at least one proposed entry from the individual. The proposed vector represents a proposed adjustment to the parameter. A database of historical vectors including the parameter is searched relative to the proposed vector, wherein a number ≧0 of similar stored vectors is identified in the searching based on respective distances (d) relative to the proposed vector (402). If the number ≧1, a distance measure R is calculated from the (d) for the similar stored vector(s) to indicate of how far or close the said proposed vector is to the similar stored vector (403). An alert is provided if the number=0 or R is above a predetermined threshold value (405). The method can be used for validation of proposed production planning parameters or process control parameters.
US08046302B2
A Digital Rights Management (DRM) method and system for content copyright protection protect right information on DRM content and effectively manage the right information. The DRM system for content copyright protection includes: a time security module for providing time change information when a user arbitrarily changes time; and a time security list management module for providing the right information on content and the time change information.
US08046300B2
An automated banking machine (12) is operative to conduct transactions in response to HTML documents and TCP/IP messages exchanged with a local computer system (14) through an intranet (16), as well as in response to messages exchanged with foreign servers (20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 96) in a wide area network (18). The banking machine includes a computer (34) having an HTML document handling portion (76, 80, 82). The HTML document handling portion is operative to communicate through a proxy server (88), with a home HTTP server (90) in the intranet or the foreign servers in the wide area network. The computer further includes a device application portion (84) which interfaces with the HTML document handling portion and dispatches messages to operate devices (36) in the automated banking machine. The devices include a sheet dispenser mechanism (42) which dispenses currency as well as other transaction devices.
US08046299B2
Systems and methods are configured to facilitate the distribution of transaction accounts through distributors. An exemplary method includes the steps of: issuing a transaction account to a distributor, receiving information from the distributor via the MICR protocol used by the banking and financial services industries, wherein the information reports the distribution of the transaction account, and processing the information via a Travelers Cheque infrastructure. The transaction account may be a pre-paid card and the distributor may be a seller of pre-paid cards. Distribution of the transaction account may be facilitated by use of a sequential number, such as a Travelers Cheque number. Thus, the system may be configured to be compatible with existing Travelers Cheque communication systems already in place. Furthermore, a financial transaction device may include a card that bears a serialized number, such as a Travelers Cheque number, in a manner that can be read by MICR technology.
US08046296B2
The invention that is the subject of this Disclosure is a computerized method for valuing and transferring interests in property (whether real or personal, tangible or intangible) or goods. The method involves having parties that hold ownership interests in property or goods disclose to a processor that is administered by a third-party (but not disclose to each other) a price at which they would be willing to either sell their interests to the other side, or buy out the other side's interests, submitting binding offers to the third party obliging them either to buy or sell at their stated price (in the unlikely event that the stated prices are the same), or, alternatively, at some other price in between the ones set forth in their offers that is more favorable to each of them and that is identified by the third party. The processor then makes a binding determination as to who shall buy, and who shall sell, and makes a binding determination as to the sale price, by following certain protocols and applying a formula, agreed to by the parties in advance, with respect to the numerical values submitted by the respective parties. The invention allows each party to always arrive at an agreed upon outcome, and allows each party always to arrive at an outcome that is either equal to or more favorable to that party than the outcome that that party proposed.
US08046292B2
A method in a computer system for a user to speculate on a financial market, comprises presenting a prompt to the user requesting parameter(s) defining a custom contract on future characteristic(s) of the financial market, presenting to the user a calculated value, such as a price, payout, or odds, for the custom contract determined based on the parameter(s) and data regarding the financial market, and presenting a prompt to the user requesting the user to purchase the custom contract based on the calculated value. The method thereby allows the user to define the custom contract, a bookmaker to offer the custom contract to the user based on the calculated value, and the user to purchase the custom contract from the bookmaker so that the bookmaker has an obligation to pay a payout amount upon the occurrence of the future characteristic(s) of the financial market satisfying the one or more parameters.
US08046288B1
A system for processing transaction data and payment data is provided. The system includes a front-end system that receives transaction data from one or more merchants, such as an employee identifier. A back-end system receives payment data from one or more payment systems, such as fraud data. A reporting system that is connected to the front-end system and the back-end system correlates the transaction data the payment data, such as to show employee identifier data and fraud data in a single record.
US08046287B1
In an embodiment, an asset allocation mutual fund comprises assets invested, at any one time, substantially 100% in one of stocks, bonds or cash equivalents. As market conditions change, as indicated by changes in the output of stock and bond models, substantially all of the assets may be shifted from one of these three asset classes to another. A method for allocating assets in a mutual fund, among the three asset classes, according to one embodiment includes, first determining whether a buy signal has been given on stocks using a stock model. If a buy signal has been given on stocks, substantially all assets of the mutual fund may be invested in stocks. If a buy signal on stocks is not indicated, it is determined whether a buy signal has been given on bonds using a bond model. If a buy signal has been given on bonds, substantially all assets of the mutual fund may be invested in bonds. If a buy signal on bonds is not indicated, substantially all assets of the mutual fund may be invested in cash equivalents. The method may be repeatedly queried over time to consider re-allocation of assets.
US08046286B2
An exchange-traded financial instrument having a price that tracks an underlying benchmark, the underlying benchmark being a security or commodity that is itself traded. A contract for the financial instrument between a buyer and seller is not contingent upon the delivery of the underlying benchmark. A net carrying charge (credit or debit), defined as the difference between the investment yield of the underlying benchmark and a cost of financing ownership of the underlying benchmark using the generally accepted industry standard financing rate for that benchmark, is credited or debited, accrued, or built into the price of the derivative for both buyer and seller of the financial instrument, typically nightly. In one embodiment, the underlying benchmark is a U.S. Treasury security, and preferably a specific U.S. Treasury security such as the on the run (OTR) 10 Year Treasury note. Other single contract spread and ratio instruments are also disclosed.
US08046275B2
A system and method for synchronizing an allocation table with a purchase order in a computerized system. The method comprises generating a purchase order having purchase order data, and using the purchase order data in the purchase order to generate an allocation table having allocation table data. The method further comprises detecting a change in at least one of the purchase order data and the allocation table data, and automatically updating the other of the purchase data and the allocation table data to reflect the change.
US08046273B2
A computer-implemented system for managing purchasing orders for a plurality of items to be purchased is shown. The system includes a computer implemented purchase order management interface, the purchase order management interface configured to display data associated with a plurality of purchase orders, a purchase order generation application configured to allow a user to generate a new purchase order or modify an existing purchase order, a purchase order procurement application configured to allow a user to obtain financing for purchase order that has failed a budget check, and an event-driven purchase order controlling application configured to allow a user to review existing purchase orders for event-driven information related to the purchase order.
US08046270B2
A system and method for obtaining photographic products and/or services comprises bundling image capture and printing technologies into products and/or services that are paid for by a consumer with monthly or yearly subscription fees. The system and method involves selecting a camera and selecting a photographic products/service plan which designates photographic products and/or services which are to be associated with the selected camera. The system and method gives the consumer the option of selecting a specific camera from a menu of cameras, and a specific photographic product/service plan which is to be associated with the selected camera from a product/service menu. As a further option, the consumer can customize his/her product/service plan in accordance with his/her preference. The plan can provide for products and/or services for images captured and/or film exposed by the camera for a predetermined amount of time at a predetermined fee. At the end of the plan, the consumer could have the option of returning the camera, exchanging the camera for a different camera, or keeping the camera at no cost or for a reduced price. The photographic products and/or services provided by the plan could be products and/or services such as film developing, printing, image products, scanning, photo CDs, image storage, etc.
US08046265B2
A method is provided to facilitate a transaction between a seller and a buyer. Buyer information regarding a desired product is received. A controller then searches through a plurality of seller database records associated with products offered for sale by sellers, for a seller database record that corresponds to the buyer information. Based on the searching a determination is made that no seller database record corresponds to the buyer information. Upon determination that no seller database record corresponds to the buyer information the buyer submits additional information defining a commitment to purchase the product. This information indicating a quality associated with the desired product and a maximum price that the buyer commits to pay. After receiving this information a new seller database record is created with a specific product offered for sale by a specific seller that corresponds with the additional buyer information, and the buyer is automatically charged for the specific product. According to other embodiments, an appropriate item price is determined based on the seller offer information. According to another embodiment, a subsidy is determined, the subsidy being associated with a benefit from a subsidy provider to be applied to the transaction. In this case, it is arranged for the seller to provide the item to the buyer in accordance with the benefit. A seller offer and or a buyer offer may be binding, and a penalty may be applied if a seller and or a buyer does not complete a transaction.
US08046258B2
A software based system and method of displaying location based information from an information site on a network by determining location data of a user of the location based information on the network. The location based information is generated based on the determined location data of the user; and generated location based information is provided to the user over the network.
US08046257B2
In a method of executing a transaction using an electronic coupon, coupon campaign information is provided to an engine. The coupon campaign information defines a discount value, a product family and a number of coupons to be distributed. Each coupon within the coupon campaign has a coupon identification (ID). Coupon publications are provided including a machine-readable portion that encodes coupon data describing the coupon campaign information. The coupon data is retrieved from the machine-readable portion of the coupon publication using a personal electronic device. The coupon data is used to retrieve a coupon ID that is stored in the personal electronic device. The coupon ID is transmitted to a point of sale (POS) system using the personal electronic device. The POS system communicates with the engine to verify a validity of the coupon ID. A discount is applied to a transaction in accordance with the discount value.
US08046255B2
A method of generating a personalized offer for a user through an information gathering system disposed on the Internet includes storing a plurality of user profiles for a plurality of registered users in a profile database associated with the information gathering system, receiving an information request message at the information gathering system sent in response to the user activating a hyperlink presented on a participating web site, such that the participating web site is operated independently from the information gathering system and where the user activates the hyperlink in order to access an original intended destination distinct from the information gathering system, determining whether the user is one of the plurality of registered users, and retrieving the user profile from the profile database and sending a redirection message if the user is one of the plurality of registered users.
US08046249B2
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide for a system and method for computer network scheduling and communication. In an embodiment, a computer network scheduling and communication system includes a settings module for selecting one or more preferences. The system also includes a calendar module adapted to generate one or more schedules based on the one or more preferences. In addition, the system includes a communication module for sending and receiving one or more messages. The system also includes a database for storing the one or more preferences, the one or more schedules and/or the one or more messages.
US08046247B2
A seller, having previously sold a product to an original purchaser subject to a buyout-provision condition, determines if the buyout-provision condition is satisfied. If the buy-out provision condition is satisfied, the seller retakes the product from the original purchaser and resells the product to a subsequent purchaser.
US08046244B1
Systems and methods provide customizable insurance according to consumer preferences. Demand simulators may be used to guide the creation of optimized packages of features, which consumers may select from to form an insurance product appropriate for their particular needs. Packages may be formed with a particular appeal to consumers with common characteristics. In addition, methods are provided for selling insurance products formed through an optimization process and providing corresponding insurance services.
US08046239B2
For rationalizing medical treatments in the hospital setting, particularly for improving the utilization rate of examination and therapy equipment and to avoid long waiting times, a time management system (1) is disclosed having at least one treatment station (2a-2c) coupled with an appointment-scheduling module (3) for storing appointments (T1, T2) in memory, each of which is assigned to a medical procedure (8a-8c) specified with a view to the treatment station, or a defined treatment station, (2a-2c) and to a predetermined duration (tv). The treatment station (2a-2c) is operative to output a check-back signal (R) to the appointment-scheduling module (3) once a procedure (8a-8c) has been completely performed. The appointment-scheduling module (3) is embodied for dynamically adapting subsequent appointments (T2) on the basis of the check-back signal (R).
US08046238B2
A method and system of managing business transactions includes receiving at least one business transaction, determining whether the business transaction satisfies at least one configurable business rule, and establishing a subsequent business transaction based on the results.
US08046235B2
An apparatus and method encode audio data, and an apparatus and method decode encoded audio data. An audio data encoding apparatus includes: a scalable encoding unit dividing audio data into a plurality of layers, representing the audio data in predetermined numbers of bits in each of the plurality of layers, and encoding a lower layer prior to encoding an upper layer and an upper bit of each layer prior to encoding a lower bit of each layer; an SBR encoding unit generating spectral band replication (SBR) data that has information with respect to audio data in a frequency band of frequencies equal to or greater than a predetermined frequency among the audio data to be encoded, and encoding the SBR data; and a bitstream production unit generating a bitstream using the encoded SBR data and the encoded audio data corresponding to a predetermined bitrate.
US08046232B2
A combined mirror and presentation medium includes a presentation member (24) for displaying an image, a presentation body (23) inserted into the presentation member to display an image, a light-emitting unit (25) disposed on one side of the presentation member, a transparent member (21) disposed on one side of the presentation member, and a reflection member (22) deposited between the transparent member (21) and the presentation member (24); a body unit (10) for supporting the presentation medium; a speech recognition drive unit (40) installed inside the body unit (10), configured to detect speech frequencies from a user's speech signals, and driving the system; a control unit (50) installed inside the body unit (10) and configured to control the presentation medium (20) and the speech recognition drive unit (40); and a power source unit (60) for supplying power to the presentation medium, a speaker (70), and the control unit (50).
US08046223B2
To improve the accuracy of the voice recognition system for an AV system, the present invention includes a reflected sound remover having a plurality of filters, the reflected sound remover being configured to receive an input sound signal including a reflected AV system audio, a user's voice, and a noise, and being configured to remove the reflected audio from the input sound according to user's voice information; a voice detector detecting the user's voice from a signal outputted from the reflected sound remover and obtaining the user's voice information based on the detected user's voice; and a voice recognition unit comparing the detected user's voice with voice patterns that belong to at least one model.
US08046219B2
A system, method, and apparatus for separating speech signal from a noisy acoustic environment. The separation process may include directional filtering, blind source separation, and dual input spectral subtraction noise suppressor. The input channels may include two omnidirectional microphones whose output is processed using phase delay filtering to form speech and noise beamforms. Further, the beamforms may be frequency corrected. The omnidirectional microphones generate one channel that is substantially only noise, and another channel that is a combination of noise and speech. A blind source separation algorithm augments the directional separation through statistical techniques. The noise signal and speech signal are then used to set process characteristics at a dual input noise spectral subtraction suppressor (DINS) to efficiently reduce or eliminate the noise component. In this way, the noise is effectively removed from the combination signal to generate a good qualify speech signal.
US08046215B2
A method and apparatus to detect voice activity by using a zero-crossing rate includes removing noise included in an audio signal, adding a random signal having energy of a predetermined size to the audio signal from which noise is removed, extracting predetermined voice detection parameters from the audio signal to which the random signal is added, and comparing the extracted predetermined voice detection parameters with a threshold value and determining voice and non-voice activities.
US08046209B2
A circuit design is simulated in a simulation environment. When a simulation model in the simulation environment transfers state information to a second simulation model, the simulation environment receives the state information and makes it available to the second simulation model without simulating the transfer through the simulated circuit design.
US08046205B2
A system and method for receiving and displaying simulated movement data on a graphical display in real-time is provided. Simulated movement data from a simulation is received. The type and location of each object to be displayed on a graphical display for a time step is extracted from the simulated movement data. The extracted data is transferred to an application for determining an appropriate three-dimensional representation to associate with each type of object in the first point in time. Each three-dimensional representation is displayed according the location of each object for the first point in time of the simulation.
US08046204B2
A system and method for collecting and modeling simulated movement data on a graphical display is provided. Simulated movement data from a simulation is accessed from a database. The simulated movement data comprises each location of an object on a graphical display for multiple points in time of the simulation. A three-dimensional representation is associated with the object and the three-dimensional representation is displayed at each location on the graphical display for each point in time of the simulation.
US08046203B2
Methods and a system for simulating a weapon system are provided. The weapon system may be modeled using a detailed-error-source description (DESD), with an error term for each error source in the weapon system. A target for the weapon system may be determined. For each simulated shot, each error term in the DESD may be perturbed using a Monte Carlo technique and an impact location of the simulated shot determined. The perturbation of each error term, additional system parameters, and the impact location of each simulated shot may be stored in a system-state data structure. A performance result of the weapon system may be determined. After firing all simulated shots, analysis of the system-state data structure may be performed. Performance results and/or an error-weighting function of the weapon system may be determined based on the analysis.
US08046193B2
A sensor network collects time-series data from a process tool and supplies the data to an analysis system where pattern analysis techniques are used to identify structures and to monitor subsequent data based on analysis instructions or a composite model. Time-series data from multiple process runs are used to form a composite model of a data structure including variation. Comparison with the composite model gives an indication of tool health. A sensor network may have distributed memory for a more simplified configuration.
US08046184B2
A calibration manager comprises means for receiving information relating to the calibration of at least one component. Means for setting a trigger condition for executing a calibration in dependence on said received information is provided. Means are provided for executing said calibration in dependence on said trigger condition.
US08046183B2
Pre-trigger and post-trigger acquisition for a no dead time acquisition system, where the data being displayed does not include a related trigger event, has a variable record length buffer having a maximum record length equal to a maximum desired pre-trigger interval, and has a trigger FIFO and timer for delaying the related trigger event. The record length of the buffer is determined by the desired pre-trigger interval, and fast rasterizers access the oldest data that encompasses the desired pre-trigger data. A first trigger event in the trigger signal may be delayed by a desired post-trigger interval before the fast rasterizers begin drawing the waveform data that encompasses the desired post-trigger data.
US08046179B2
A power electronics device with an improved IGBT protection mechanism is provided. More specifically, systems and methods are provided for shortening the duration of a shutdown test pulse, such that the power output to the load is substantially unaffected.
US08046177B2
Detection of damage in armor structures, using networks of piezoelectric transducers. In particular, piezoelectric transducers can be placed at various points on the armor structure, effectively creating a number of paths between pairs of transducers. Each of these paths can be queried by transmitting an ultrasonic stress wave from one transducer to the other, and analyzing changes in the stress wave. The signal from the received stress wave can be time gated to remove crosstalk, and the resulting time gated signal can be analyzed for characteristics of damage. For instance, if the time gated signal is sufficiently attenuated, it can be determined that the armor structure has sustained damage to at least that region traversed by this particular path.
US08046172B2
The present invention is a system and method for performing real-time infection control over a computer network. The method comprises obtaining a sample of a microorganism at a health care facility, sequencing a first region of a nucleic acid from the microorganism sample, comparing the first sequenced region with historical sequence data stored in a database, determining a measure of phylogenetic relatedness between the microorganism sample and historical samples stored in the database, and providing infection control information based on the phylogenetic relatedness determination to the health care facility, thereby allowing the health care facility to use the infection control information to control or prevent the spread of an infection.
US08046169B2
A method and apparatus for estimating a location of a device. For each of a plurality of locations of a device, a set of positional data is determined from signals received from a plurality of satellites. The positional data is filtered and compared with data from a road network database. This comparison may be a function of a distance from at least one point defined by a set of the filtered positional data to a road in the road network database and an angle between a line representing a best fit for plural points defined by corresponding plural sets of the filtered positional data to a line defined by a road in the road network database.
US08046162B2
Systems and methods are provided for prioritizing traffic information and broadcasting the traffic information in a prioritized order. The method generally comprises receiving data regarding traffic conditions on various roads, wherein each road can be characterized as being a major, medium, or minor road. In one approach, traffic data regarding major roads are broadcast to vehicles first, followed by traffic data regarding medium roads, while traffic data regarding minor roads are either broadcast last or not at all, depending on the traffic information handling capacities of the vehicles and the traffic information system in general.
US08046160B2
A navigation system uses a dead reckoning method to estimate an object's present position relative to one or more prior positions. In some embodiments, the dead reckoning method determines a change in position from the object's heading and speed during an elapsed time interval. In embodiments suitable for use with wheeled objects, the dead reckoning method determines the change in position by measuring the heading and the amount of wheel rotation. Some or all of the components of the navigation system may be disposed within a wheel, such as a wheel of a shopping cart.
US08046154B2
A method for controlling a continuous variable valve timing apparatus that can control a phase angle of a camshaft quickly and precisely according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include: calculating a difference between a target phase angle and a current phase angle of a camshaft; determining whether the difference between the target phase angle and the current phase angle of the camshaft is larger than or equal to a predetermined value; calculating a base torque Tb based on the target phase angle if the difference between the target phase angle and the current phase angle of the camshaft is larger than or equal to the predetermined value; calculating an effective torque Teff by modifying the base torque Tb corresponding to engine speed and temperature of engine oil; and calculating an effective current Ieff corresponding to the effective torque Teff.
US08046145B2
A vehicle drive control device includes a target driving torque value control means, a target braking torque value control means, and an automatic drive control means for controlling the target driving torque value control means and the target braking torque value control means through a control signal, for executing an automatic drive control by sending the control signal to the target driving torque value control means and the target braking torque value control means in order to execute a feedback control on a present vehicle speed and for continuously executing the automatic drive control, wherein the target driving torque value control means controls the target value of an actual driving torque to be smaller than an presumed target value of the driving torque calculated by presuming the target value of the braking torque to be zero, for a predetermined time after the cancellation of the braking operation.
US08046144B2
The present disclosure utilizes Non-linear Proportional and Derivative (NLPD) control on a duty cycle of an applying clutch for stationary and rolling vehicle garage shifts. The applying clutch can be engaged by as electrically activated solenoid valve, and the present disclosure utilizes NLPD control to adjust the duty cycle of the solenoid to provide a smooth vehicle garage shift engagement. The present disclosure utilizes a control algorithm based on turbine speed, turbine acceleration, and output speed. The present disclosure can utilize an existing vehicle control unit, such as an engine control unit (ECU), transmission control unit (TCU), or the like, to receive turbine speed measurements, to calculate the solenoid duty cycle using NLPD control on the turbine speed acceleration error, and to adjust the solenoid driver on the solenoid valve.
US08046138B2
A braking control apparatus for a vehicle includes four wheel braking apparatuses for applying a braking torque to wheels, a first hydraulic pressure generating apparatus generating a hydraulic pressure, a vacuum booster generating an assist force for assisting a breaking operation, a first hydraulic circuit, a second hydraulic circuit, a second hydraulic pressure generating apparatus generating an assist hydraulic pressure that is added to the hydraulic pressure, a detecting portion for detecting a braking operation variable, a target value determining portion for determining a first assist hydraulic pressure target value and a second assist hydraulic pressure target value to be both greater than zero over a range where the braking operation variable is greater than a predetermined value at which the assist force by the vacuum booster is started, and a pressure regulating portion for regulating the assist hydraulic pressure to match the assist hydraulic pressure target value.
US08046134B2
A steering system for a machine having at least one steerable traction device is disclosed. The steering system may have a steering actuator operatively connected to the at least one steerable traction device, and a travel speed sensor configured to generate a signal indicative of a travel speed of the machine. The steering mechanism may also have an operator input device having a deadzone. The deadzone may vary in response to the signal. The steering system may also have a controller in communication with the steering actuator, the operator input device, and the travel speed sensor. The controller may be configured to affect operation of the steering actuator in response to operation of the operator input device only when the operation of the operator input device deviates from the deadzone.
US08046133B2
This steering apparatus is capable of changing and controlling a ratio of a turning angle of a steered wheel to an operation amount of an operation member, wherein the ratio is reduced when an operation speed of the operation member is higher than a predetermined operation speed; and if the operation speed is reduced thereafter, then the reduced ratio is maintained.
US08046121B2
A watercraft steering device can include at least one of steerage status detection device configured to detect a steerage status following an operation of the steering wheel, running status detecting device configured to detect a running status of the watercraft, watercraft propulsion unit status recognition device configured to recognize a status of an outboard motor such as an installation number thereof, and electric motor status detection device configured to detect a status of an electric motor, and can further include a lower unit turning force characteristic computation device configured to compute a lower unit turning force characteristic based on a detection value from at least one of the device, and an ECU configured to control at least one of a reaction force to the steering wheel, a limit lower unit turning angle, and a propulsive force based on a computed lower unit turning force characteristic and/or selecting the electric actuator to operate.
US08046120B2
A method for automatically selecting a take-off thrust setting for an engine of a jet powered mobile platform that has a flight management computer (FMC) that makes use of a configuration code. The configuration code is provided from a first set of information relating to operational parameters of the mobile platform. A database in communication with the FMC stores information pertaining to different locations from which a take-off operation can be performed. The FMC accesses the configuration code and the database to determine a take-off thrust setting to apply during the take-off operation at a specified one of the locations. The FMC also determines if an operator has overridden an automatic selection of the take-off thrust.
US08046115B2
An adjustable bed is associated with a second system and both the bed and the second system are controlled by a common control system. In one embodiment the control system is integrated, in another it is distributed, in yet another it is a programmable logic controller. The common control system accesses preferences that are associated with the adjustable bed and the second system from a plurality of memory locations that are associated with the control system.
US08046114B2
Aspects of this invention relate to an adjustable bed that may include one or more articulating portions, and may include one or more components, including an air inflatable mattress associated with the adjustable bed frame, a programmable logic controller, a remote memory storage facility, a remote storage location of user preferences, a cell phone remote control, a modular control device, an air purification facility, a power outlet controller, a Bluetooth remote control, an ultra wide band remote control, a wireless USB remote control, and the like.
US08046113B2
A method for cooling a heat-generating device, comprising setting a reference surface temperature of the heat-generating device, measuring a temperature of a surface of the heat-generating device, measuring a temperature gradient based on temperature measurements of two or more different locations on the heat-generating device, implementing a closed-loop control based on the reference surface temperature, the measured surface temperature, and the measured temperature gradient of the heat-generating device to compute a rate of application of a cooling material to the surface of the heat-generating device, and providing a command to apply the cooling material to the surface of the heat-generating device at the calculated rate to cool the heat-generating device.
US08046110B2
A method and system of active power reserve regulation in a wind farm with a communication network having a plurality of wind turbines that provide an active power reserve in order to support eventual power grid contingencies and to deliver an increase of power in case it is needed.
US08046095B2
A substrate processing system (100) includes a main transfer line (20) configured to transfer wafers (W) over the entire system, and an auxiliary transfer line (30) configured to transfer wafers (W) inside a photolithography process section (1a). The photolithography process section (1a) is arranged such that a resist coating process apparatus (2) and a developing process apparatus (5) are disposed separately from each other, a first light exposure process apparatus (3a) and a first PEB process apparatus (4a) are disposed adjacent to each other, and a second light exposure process apparatus (3b) and a second PEB process apparatus (4b) are disposed adjacent to each other.
US08046094B2
An audio reproducing apparatus includes: a decoding module configured to perform a decoding process on a digital broadcast signal demodulated by a demodulating module and generate an audio signal; a generating module configured to generate suspension audio data based on the audio signal of a first given time period, the audio signal being output from the decoding module; a switching module configured to switch a source of the audio signal to be output from the audio output module between the decoding module and a storage module; and a control module configured to control the switching module to switch the source to the storage module for causing an audio output module to output selected suspension audio data to be faded-out when a suspension of the decoding by the decoding module is occurred, the selected suspension audio data being the suspension audio data stored immediately before the suspension.
US08046093B2
A system and method for enhancement and management of streaming audio is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system provides a client-side decoder that is compatible with numerous audio formats, so that a user can enjoy relatively high-quality audio from various sources, even from sources that do not provide multi-channel or high-quality audio data. The system and method also include a management system for managing and controlling the use of licensed signal processing software to further enhance an audio stream. In one embodiment, the management system is used to manage a signal processing module that provides psychoacoustic audio processing to create a wider soundstage, an acoustic correction process to increase the perceived height and clarity of the audio image, and bass enhancement processing to create the perception of low bass from the small speakers or headphones typically used with multi-media systems and portable audio players.
US08046091B2
An optimum control parameter in control of an internal combustion engine and the like is searched. In a plurality of search cycles, a control parameter that maximizes an output of an object to be controlled which shows an output realized by a given control parameter is searched using control parameters. The control parameters are provided at each search cycle by a predetermined algorithm. A periodic function of a predetermined period and a correction value obtained in a previous search cycle are added to the control parameters to obtain an input parameters to the object. An output obtained from the object with the input parameters is multiplied by the periodic function to obtain a correction value for correcting the control parameters such that the search converges.
US08046084B2
A lead assembly includes a flexible lead body extending from a proximal end to a distal end, and the lead body includes two or more conductors disposed therein. The second conductor is disposed within the first conductor, and the first conductor has a coating of insulation disposed on a portion thereof. In another option, a sleeve of insulative material is disposed between the first conductor and the second conductor.
US08046071B2
A system and method for passively testing a cardiac pacemaker in which sensing signal amplitudes and lead impedance values are measured and stored while the pacemaker is functioning in its programmed mode. The amplitude and impedance data may be gotten and stored periodically at regular intervals to generate a historical record for diagnostic purposes. Sensing signal amplitudes may also be measured and stored from a sensing channel which is currently not programmed to be active as long as the pacemaker is physically configured to support the sensing channel. Such data can be useful in evaluating whether a switch in the pacemaker's operating mode is desirable.
US08046070B2
Described herein are methods and apparatus for treating hypertension with electrical pre-excitation pacing therapy. Electrical pre-excitation of a hypertrophic region advances the timing of the regional contraction and reduces its contribution to the overall contraction. Such pre-excitation pacing therapy may be beneficial to hypertensive patients with an abnormal distribution of ventricular wall stress/strain.
US08046069B2
A cardiac rhythm management (CRM) system includes a non-invasive hemodynamic sensing device and an implantable medical device to sense a hemodynamic signal and derive one or more cardiac performance parameters from the hemodynamic signal. The non-invasive hemodynamic sensing device includes at least a portion configured for external attachment to a body in which the implantable medical device is implanted. The one or more cardiac performance parameters are used for various diagnostic, monitoring, and therapy control purposes.
US08046060B2
Methods, systems, and computer program products differentiate between arrhythmic events having different origins. An implantable medical device detects the arrhythmic events. At least one method involves receiving electrograms representing arrhythmic events and sorting the arrhythmic events into groups based on similarities between the electrograms and/or differences between the electrograms. The method also involves identifying an exemplary arrhythmic event from each group to represent the group from which the exemplary arrhythmic event is identified and distinguishing each exemplary arrhythmic event via an interface display.
US08046057B2
A method and apparatus for identifying tissue structures in advance of a mechanical medical instrument during a medical procedure. A mechanical tissue penetrating medical instrument (22) has a distal end for penetrating tissue in a penetrating direction. An optical wavefront analysis system (32-50) provides light to illuminate tissue ahead of the medical instrument and receives light returned by tissue ahead of the medical instrument. An optical fiber (30) is coupled at a proximal end to the wavefront analysis system and attached at a distal end to the medical instrument proximate the distal end of the medical instrument. The distal end of the fiber has an illumination pattern directed substantially in the penetrating direction for illuminating the tissue ahead of the medical instrument and receiving light returned therefrom. The wavefront analysis system provides information about the distance from the distal end of the medical instrument to tissue features ahead of the medical instrument.
US08046051B2
To observe a catheter (43) advancing in a vessel system, a 3D model of the vessel system is reconstructed with the help of differently oriented X-ray projections (P1A, . . . ) generated by a C-arm system (20) during the injection of a contrast agent. Next, a movement corridor (M) of the catheter (43) is determined from the 3D model. During an examination procedure, current projections (P) are generated showing an image (43′) of the catheter that can be registered with the reconstructed 3D model and/or the movement corridor (M). Based on the registered catheter image and 3D model of the vessel geometry or the movement corridor (M), an optimal projection direction (dopt) is determined and the C-arm system (20) is controlled to orient the next projections in the optimal projection direction.
US08046047B2
Extended-coverage magnetic resonance imaging coils with optimized homogeneity in longitudinal sensitivity are described. One exemplary coil includes four elements, where two of the elements are opposed-solenoid imaging elements and two of the elements are single loop imaging elements.
US08046040B2
According to some embodiments of the present invention, a display is used to show an indication of the signal's quality. This indication of the signal's quality may be provided in a number of ways, including one or more audio and/or visual alarms.
US08046036B2
A mobile terminal including a first body, a second body slidably moveable with respect to the first body such that the first body is moved between a closed position and an open position, a connector electrically connecting the first body to the second body, and a slide module connecting the first body to the second body to allow the second body to move with respect to the first body between the closed position and the open position is provided. The slide module includes a cover unit to prevent exposure of the connector when the first body is in the open position.
US08046034B2
Disclosed is a sliding-type portable terminal including a first housing; a second housing coupled to the first housing so as to slide while facing the first housing; and a sliding module for slidably coupling the first and second housings to each other. The sliding module includes a sliding guide mounted on the first housing, the sliding guide having at least one slit extending in a longitudinal direction; a sliding plate mounted on the second housing, the sliding plate being slidably coupled to the sliding guide and facing the sliding guide; and a hook extending from the sliding plate so as to slide in the slit, the hook extending into the first housing via the slit, an end of the hook being bent so as to face an inner surface of the sliding guide.
US08046032B2
A computing device includes a housing, a front housing segment, a keypad assembly and a rigid panel. The front housing segment includes a void. The keypad assembly includes a substrate and a key structure layer. The key structured layer includes a plurality of key structures. The keypad assembly is configured to extend the key structure layer at least partially through the void so as to enable user access to the individual key structures of the key structure layer. A rigid panel is structured to secure to the front housing segment so as to combine with the key structure layer. The panel includes an arrangement of cross-members that define openings, where each opening is dimensioned to fit around at least one key structure of the key structure layer.
US08046027B2
A wireless communication base station sharing apparatus for sharing one antenna between a main system and a subsystem is provided. In the wireless communication base station sharing apparatus, a first signal combiner/distributor is connected to a transmission/reception signal line of a main system duplexer through a first port, distributes a signal received through the first port to second and third ports, combines the signals received through the second and third ports according to the phases of the signals, and provides the combined signal through the first port or a fourth port. A second signal combiner/distributor is connected to a transmission/reception signal line of a subsystem duplexer through a fifth port and the antenna through an eighth port, distributes a signal received through the fifth port to sixth and seventh ports, combines the signals received through the sixth and seventh ports according to the phases of the signals, and provides the combined signal through the fifth or eighth port. A first filter is provided in a signal path between the second port of the first signal combiner/distributor and the sixth port of the second signal combiner/distributor. A second filter is provided in a signal path between the third port of the first signal combiner/distributor and the seventh port of the second signal combiner/distributor.
US08046024B2
Embodiments of a multi-radio platform with longer-range and shorter-range radio modules and method are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed. In some embodiments, a transmit power level is set for transmissions by a shorter-range radio module during a reception by a longer-range radio module to a lesser of a maximum allowed power level or a next requested power level when transmit step-down mode is enabled. The transmit power level is set to the next requested power level when the longer-range radio module is not transmitting. The shorter-range radio module refrains from transmitting when a transmit-kill mode is enabled during the reception by the longer-range radio module.
US08046020B2
A control method and device for uplink access transmission power are provided that can control inter-cell interference in a radio communications system. In a radio communications system including a plurality of radio communication devices which control a plurality of cells respectively, each radio communication device detects an uplink access delay in its own cell, compares the uplink access delay with a target delay, and, based on the result of this comparison, controls a value related to uplink access transmission power.
US08046019B2
A method for determining transmission power for a user in a network. The method includes receiving a plurality of interference indicators by a user which is associated with a sector. The plurality of interference indicators corresponds to a plurality of sectors respectively each associated with one of a plurality of users and a base station. The method further includes processing at least information associated with the plurality of interference indicators and selecting an interference indicator based on at least information associated with the plurality of interference indicators. The selected interference indictor corresponds to one of the plurality of sectors. Additionally, the method includes determining a gain indicator corresponding to both the user and the one of the plurality of sectors, and processing information associated with the gain indicator. Moreover, the method includes determining a transmission power of the user based on at least information associated with the gain indicator and the selected interference indictor.
US08046013B1
A system provides Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) to mobile stations through a wireless communication network for person-to-person traffic and traffic to/from an application. The network may include a plurality of Multimedia Messaging Service Centers (MMSCs) coupled to the wireless communication network for MMS communication between two mobile stations, and between a mobile station and an application during call origination mode operations. A second MMSC coupled to the wireless communication network, provides MMS communications between mobile stations and one or more applications during call termination mode operations. In a mobile origination mode operation, the second MMSC concentrates signaling from the first MMSCs and forwards received MMS data, and in a mobile termination mode operations, the second MMSC delivers MMS data to a destination mobile station without forwarding the MMS data to one of the first MMSCs.
US08046009B2
A method and apparatus for providing a user inbox on an multi-media service center (MMSC), the user inbox using a central repository for storing multimedia content on the MMSC.
US08046008B2
Disclosed is a method for transmitting a common schedule message to a plurality of mobile terminals using a short message service (SMS) in a mobile terminal having an SMS function and a schedule function, and enabling a mobile terminal receiving the schedule message to record the received schedule message therein as a schedule. If a user selects a schedule transmission for transmitting a schedule registered in the mobile terminal to another mobile terminal, the mobile terminal converts a data format for the schedule into a data format of a schedule-recordable SMS message, and then transmits the schedule-recordable SMS message. To record a schedule, the mobile terminal receiving a schedule message converts a data format of the received SMS message into a format of schedule-recordable data and records the converted data therein as a schedule, if schedule recording is selected by the user.
US08046007B2
The present invention discloses in one embodiment a mobile telephone capable of communicating with a home base station through radio signals. The mobile telephone registers with a home base station before beginning to communicate with the home base station. The home base station is capable of sensing the presence of the mobile telephone in its coverage area and subsequently establishing contact with the mobile telephone, if the mobile telephone is registered with the home base station. The home base station can support a plurality of telephone devices, including corded and cordless telephone devices, and provides call placement and answering services to these telephone devices if there is a registered mobile telephone within its coverage area.
US08046006B2
The invention relates to a method for carrying out paging in a cellular mobile communication system. A terminal is operated in a first radio cell of the mobile communication system which is in an idle state, data is provided in a data transmission device of the mobile communication system for transmission to the terminal. According to the invention, the information is first transmitted to a radio transmission device supplying the first radio cell with radio signals, whereupon a paging is carried out or initiated by the radio transmission device in order to activate the terminal and to be able to transmit the data.
US08046005B2
A novel and improved method and system for paging a cellular telephone or other wireless terminal using two paging channels that reduces standby mode power consumption described. In one embodiment of the invention, a minimally encoded quick paging channel is established over which short, quick page messages are transmitted during one of a set of quick paging slots. The quick page message indicates that a communications request has been received, and that the receiving communication terminals should process a highly encoded full paging channel over which more detailed, full page messages are transmitted during the next full paging slot. A terminal monitors full paging channel only after a quick page message has been received on the quick paging channel.
US08046002B2
A system is described herein to broadcast real time information to a particular area. An area of interest is defined by a geographic locale and a remote station monitors activity within the area of interest The remote station includes a monitoring component that monitors events within the area of interest. A protocol converter receives data from the monitoring component to invert data received into one or more standards or protocols. A broadcast element receives data from the protocol converter and emits data within a broadcast radius that is proximate to the area of interest.
US08045999B2
According to an embodiment, a location based notification method in a H-SLP (Home-SUPL Location Platform) includes receiving, by the H-SLP, a request for positioning of a roaming terminal; transmitting, a session initialization message including a notification mode parameter to the roaming terminal if one or more of location-based notification and verification are required as a result of checking a privacy of the roaming terminal; transferring a positioning start message to a V-SLP (Visited-SUPL Location Platform) if the H-SLP receives the positioning initialization message from the roaming terminal; receiving a calculated location of the roaming terminal from the V-SLP; and transmitting a session notification message including a notification element to the roaming terminal if the H-SLP receives the calculated location of the roaming terminal.
US08045996B2
Techniques for using measurements made by UEs to improve network performance are described. In one aspect, RF parameters of cells may be determined by taking into account mobility of the UEs. Mobility information for the UEs may be determined based on measurement report messages (MRMs) sent by these UEs for handover. RF parameters such as antenna down-tilt, antenna orientation, antenna pattern, and/or pilot power of the cells may be determined based on the mobility information for the UEs. In another aspect, the RF parameters of cells may be dynamically adjusted based on loading conditions of cells. In yet another aspect, the location of a UE may be determined based on an MRM sent by the UE for handover. The MRM may include timing measurements for multiple cells. The location of the UE may be determined based on the timing measurements.
US08045994B2
The invention is directed towards a method and transmission attempt determining device for adjusting the targeted number of transmission attempts in uplink communications between mobile stations and a cell in a wireless network handled by a cell handling device. According to the invention measurement data (RC) of radio conditions and service requirement data (SR) of the uplinks for mobile stations are obtained (36, 38, 40). Based on this data a determination (42) is made if the targeted number of transmission attempts should be adjusted. If a change should be made (42) an increase or a decrease is then determined (44) and the targeted number of transmission attempts are adjusted in the selected direction (46).
US08045993B2
Fair usage of working channels in a wireless network is disclosed. A base station associated with a cell within a wireless community monitors the congestion of the working channel of neighboring communities. Upon determining that the congestion of the working channel of a neighboring community is less than that of its existing working channel, the base station initiates a switch to the neighboring community's working channel. Upon joining the new community, the frame structure and other networking parameters and attributes are adjusted.
US08045976B2
A mobility call management service is disclosed that provides enhanced call management functionality for a wireless mobile terminal (MT). Incoming and/or outgoing calls are managed based on an assessment of the degree of motion of the MT, or other available data pertinent to the MT's physical situation, such as but not limited to it's location, movement, or rate of movement. The degree of motion or other assessment may be used to determine whether a communication can safely terminate on, originate from, or continue safely on the MT, so as to reduce or remove driver distraction.
US08045973B2
A mobile device and associated methods are disclosed that allow a mobile device subject to a communication restriction from a wireless network to respond to a priority call. If a call in the wireless network is destined for the mobile device, then the mobile device receives a paging request message for the call from the wireless network. The mobile device then determines if the call is a priority call. If the call is a priority call, then the mobile device determines that it is exempt from the communication restriction. The mobile device may be exempt for this particular call, for a defined time period, etc. The mobile device may then transmit a response message to the wireless network to initiate the setup of the priority call to the mobile device.
US08045970B2
Embodiments of the present invention disclose a gateway for remote control and system as well as a method for implementing remote control. The user side calls a telephone number to which the gateway for remote control corresponds, and the gateway for remote control puts through the call and controls a controlled device according to the information from the user side. It is possible to know and control the controlled device of the local network through the gateway for remote control that need not be online all the time. The voice prompt is defined by the own internal device of the local network, so as to enhance the expansibility and compatibility of the gateway. The user can directly control the device of the network through dialing a phone number. Embodiments of the invention are not restricted by the area, and the expense thereof is very low.
US08045969B2
A mobile device detects whether its temperature is within a first or second range of values, and operates in a full communication state within the first range and a limited communication state within the second range. The mobile device receives a communication request for establishment of a voice call or for communication of a user data message. In the full communication state, the mobile device permits an emergency or non-emergency voice call to be established, and permits a user data message to be communicated. In the limited communication state, the mobile device inhibits a non-emergency voice call from being established, but permits an emergency voice call to be established.
US08045968B2
In the invention, an audiovisual call identifier including image and sound is formed for a mobile communication device. The call identifier is repeated on the display and in the loudspeaker of the communication device when a call comes in, i.e. it functions in the same way as an ordinary ring tone when it is used. The first step in the method is to take a shot including moving image and sound by a video camera. The shot taken is saved in the memory of the communication device as a video clip and set as a call identifier of the communication device. The video clip can be taken either by a video camera belonging to the communication device or by a separate device. The call identifier can be set as a general notification sign or it can be associated with a certain phone number or numbers in the phone memo of the communication device, in which case the video clip is repeated on the display and in the loud-speaker of the communication device when a call comes from the phone number(s) in question. The call identifier or a part thereof can also be used as a notification of a phone call arrived in the communication device, which has not been answered.
US08045967B2
A multi-function customer satisfaction survey device, system, and method. A restaurant management system includes a plurality of electronic tip trays and a base unit. Each of the tip trays electronically obtains and stores customer contact information, customer payment information, and responses to a customer satisfaction survey. A data transceiver wirelessly transmits the information to the base unit. The base unit collects the information and sends the contact information to a correspondence server such as an e-mail server. The payment information is sent to an external authorization network and/or the restaurant's POS system. The survey responses are sent to an analysis unit. Particularly adverse or positive responses may be matched through the POS system to a food server and a food order.
US08045963B2
Irrespective of the current situation of a recipient, a message storing service can be actively used by an originator's will, and the recipient can know without a delay that a message addressed to the recipient has been stored. A service for message originator can be specified so that even if a mobile communication terminal device on a recipient side is in a state where it can immediately perform communication when a message is transmitted from a mobile communication terminal device on an originator side, the message is temporarily stored in a message storing box of a telephone answering service subscribed to by a subscriber A as the originator of the message, and the message is delivered to the mobile communication terminal device on the recipient side at timing intended by the originator A.
US08045962B2
A railcar asset management system proactively issues an alert or task when a pre-determined event occurs. The system may receive information regarding the location and status of a railcar from sensors on the railcar that may include a telematics sensing unit. A database in the railway telematics system stores the data regarding the railcar location and status information. The system determines whether an event has occurred and issues the proactive alerts and/or task. The system may communicate the proactive alert via e-mail, paging, PDAs or by cell phone and may provide interactive preconfigured web pages.
US08045955B2
A method for providing an implicit emergency registration set is disclosed. The method can include initiating an identifier selection procedure. The method can also include identifying whether a user has a dedicated emergency telephone uniform resource identifier (tel URI), and, if so, selecting it. The method can further include identifying, when the user does not have a dedicated emergency tel URI, whether the user's internet protocol (IP) multimedia private identity (IMPI) is known. The method can additionally include identifying, when the user's IMPI is known, whether the user's IMPI has a non-shared tel URI, and, if so, selecting it, but otherwise selecting a tel URI of the user's IMPI. The method can also include identifying, when the user's IMPI is not known, whether a shared tel URI is available, and selecting it if it is, otherwise selecting a tel URI from a non-shared set.
US08045954B2
A method of providing emergency related information to and from a centralized location over a wireless network. The method utilizes cellular phones in emergency communications and entails two embodiments that employ location-aware technologies, in portable form, in security applications. One embodiment serves as a modern high-tech “neighborhood watch,” enabling law enforcement access to the many “eyes and ears” of the public simultaneously via available cell phones. Cell phones with embedded digital cameras allow the instant capture and remote submission of suspicious circumstances to law enforcement through pictures or video.
US08045953B2
A method and apparatus for the selection of an emergency number in a mobile station having a geographic indicator, the method comprising the steps of and the apparatus characterized by means for: determining whether a user is attempting to reach an emergency service provider; and if the user is attempting to reach an emergency service provider, connecting to a network if the mobile station is not already connected to a network; looking up an emergency dial string in a look-up table based on the geographic indicator and the network connected to and the underlying service; and sending the emergency dial string.
US08045942B2
A waveform reconstruction circuit receives an rf signal from an antenna, digitizes it, and then generates an undistorted reconstructed waveform. The reconstructed waveform can then be conventionally mixed and demodulated to extract useful signal information with enhanced receiver fidelity and sensitivity.
US08045941B2
Methods and apparatus to implement receiver linearity enhancement are described. One example method includes controlling receiver gain by determining a level of a received signal that is to be provided to a radio frequency component; determining if the level of the received signal would cause the radio frequency components internally generated noise to increase; and when the level of the received signal would cause the radio frequency components internally generated noise to increase, reducing the level of the received signal prior to providing the received signal to the radio frequency component.
US08045937B2
A feedback loop is used to determine phase distortion created in a signal by directly extracting the phase distortion information from a feedback signal using original frequency modulation information.
US08045935B2
A high-speed transmitter and receiver are provided. In one embodiment, a transmitter comprises a baseband processor structured to receive data and to convert the data into a multiplicity of high and low signal values, with each high and low signal value having a first timing interval. A local oscillator generates a clock signal at a second timing interval and a digital circuit combines the high and low signal values with the clock signal to produce a transmission signal directly at a transmission frequency. A receiver is configured to receive the signal. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.
US08045927B2
A signal detection scheme is provided. According to the provided signal detection scheme, a received signal is correlated in a frequency domain with a reference signal. Additionally, the reception power of the received signal is calculated and the correlation value is normalized with the reception power. Therefore, a single threshold value may be used regardless of the reception power of the received signal when comparing the correlation between the received signal and the reference signal with the threshold value in order to determine whether the received signal is a desired signal or noise.
US08045924B2
An apparatus and method for scheduling users in a mobile communication system are provided, in which a Base Station (BS) calculates scheduling utility values of each Mobile Station (MS) for a plurality of cases of interference from neighbor BSs, forms a candidate MS list by selecting a predetermined number of MSs in a descending order of utility value for each of the cases of interference from the neighbor BSs, transmits the candidate MS list to the neighbor BSs, receives candidate MS lists from the neighbor BSs, calculates the channel transmission rates of candidate MSs included in the candidate MS lists, and selects an MS to be serviced according to the channel transmission rates.
US08045915B2
An apparatus for decurling an advancing sheet, which contains an endless carrying belt, and multiple rollers for guiding said carrying belt, said rollers including a decurling roller, wherein the mutual orientation between the carrying belt and the decurling roller is adjustable. A printing device is also provided to include such a decurling apparatus.
US08045914B2
An image forming apparatus includes: a fixing unit which fixes toner image on a sheet by heat; a first portion in which the sheet on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit is fed; a second portion in which the sheet on which the toner image is fixed by the fixing unit is fed; and a fan provided between the first portion and the second portion and for cooling the sheet in the first portion and the sheet in the second portion.
US08045910B2
Disclosed are a light absorption device, a fixing unit including the same and an image forming apparatus including such fixing unit. The light absorption device includes a plurality of dielectric layers containing nano-rods. Surface plasmon resonance generated in response to certain wavelengths corresponding to the dielectric constants of the dielectric layers can result in an improvement in the light absorption efficiency. Further improvements can be realized by adjusting the dielectric constants of the dielectric layers.
US08045909B2
A surface treatment device includes a belt member having a surface layer in which plural kinds of rubbers having a different hardness mixedly exist. In the device, a press/heat unit presses a recording medium with a toner image formed against the belt member such that the toner image contacts with the surface layer, and heats the recording medium to melt at least a surface of the toner image.
US08045899B2
A developer supply cartridge supplies a developer into a process cartridge, and is detachably mountable to a main assembly of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The process cartridge includes a drum, a developing roller, a receiving-side shutter portion opening and closing a developer receiving opening, a receiving-side movable portion to move the receiving-side shutter portion, and a regulating member for regulating movement of the receiving-side movable portion. The developer supply cartridge includes a supplying-side developer accommodating portion, a developer supply opening supplying the developer from the supplying-side developer accommodating portion into the process cartridge through the developer receiving opening, a supplying-side shutter portion opening and closing the developer supply opening, and a supplying-side movable portion to open the supplying-side shutter portion when the developer supply cartridge enters the main assembly and the process cartridge is set in the main assembly, by engagement with the receiving-side movable portion.
US08045893B2
A developing device that can discharge developer by an amount of developer in the developing device increased by a carrier supplemented into the developing device includes a supply transport screw and a receiving transport screw in a top and bottom positional relationship, the rotational axes of the supply transport screw and the receiving transport screw are mutually parallel in relation to an image support member. The developing device also includes an inclined transport screw arranged at an incline between one end of the supply transport screw and an other end of the receiving transport screw. The developing device also includes a supply unit for supplying new carrier into a casing and a discharge port and discharge unit for discharging part of the developer housed in the casing to the outside, the discharge port provided on a part of the casing corresponding to an upper part of the inclined transport screw.
US08045891B2
In a rotary type image developing apparatus that has a rotary rack accommodating a plurality of developer units and drives the rotary rack to rotate in a predetermined rotational direction so as to bring a targeted one of the developer units to a developing position, each developer unit includes a toner storage in which a first slope is disposed. As the rotary rack rotates, toner that remains upstream of a toner supply opening in a toner flowing direction in the toner storage is guided by a slope surface of the first slope, which enables the toner to be smoothly supplied to a developing chamber. Thus, even when the toner gets low, the toner can be efficiently supplied from the toner storage to the developing chamber with the aid of the first slope.
US08045886B2
An image forming apparatus and a cartridge for use therewith are provided. The image forming apparatus includes a main body; a cartridge that stores a developer; and a supporting member that receives the cartridge, the supporting member being rotatably supported by the main body. The supporting member pivots between a reception position at which the cartridge is received into the main body and an exposure position at which the cartridge is exposed from the main body. The cartridge includes an inner chassis; an outer chassis comprising a shutter member; a first protrusion provided at one of the inner and outer chassis; and a second protrusion provided at the other chassis, wherein the first and second protrusions engage with the image forming apparatus, such that one is moved and the other is regulated, based on a position of the cartridge with respect to the image forming apparatus.
US08045877B2
A history information management device 100 includes an operation panel 5 having a touch panel 5a, first storage unit 44a, storage operation control unit 45d, and display operation control unit 45e. The operation panel 5 receives a functional configuration. The first storage unit 44a stores the functional configuration as the history information, and the touch panel 5a displays it. The storage operation control unit 45d controls a storing operation for history information in the first storage unit 44a based on a first condition judging whether or not the storage operation control unit 45d controls the first storage unit 44a to store the history information. The display operation control unit 45e controls a displaying operation of the history information on the touch panel 5a based on a second condition judging whether or not the display operation control unit 45e controls the touch panel 5a to display the history information.
US08045875B2
An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier for carrying a toner image and a transfer device. In the transfer device, a voltage applier applies a predetermined voltage to a transfer electric field generator. A potential measurement device measures a surface potential of the transfer electric field generator when a predetermined time period elapses after the voltage applier applies the predetermined voltage to the transfer electric field generator. A controller determines a transfer bias to be applied by at least one transfer member to the transfer electric field generator based on the measured surface potential of the transfer electric field generator. The at least one transfer member applies the transfer bias to the transfer electric field generator to generate a transfer electric field. The toner image is transferred from the image carrier onto a toner image receiver by the transfer electric field generated by the transfer electric field generator.
US08045871B2
An image forming apparatus for performing an image forming operation is disclosed that includes an image carrier on which a toner image is formed, an intermediate transfer member configured to transfer the toner image to a recording medium, the intermediate transfer member having a toner image forming area including an output image forming area and a non-output image forming area located outside of the output image forming area, the toner image forming area being wider than the output image forming area, and a detecting part configured to measure a physical quantity regarding an image quality of a first reference image formed in the output image forming area and a second reference image formed in the non-output image forming area.
US08045867B2
Embodiments of an image forming apparatus, developer supplying apparatus and methods thereof may control a developer conveying speed in accordance with image print conditions, environmental status and/or developer amount to substantially maintain a stable amount or supply amount of developer. The developer may include bi-component developer having toner and carrier.
US08045861B1
A method and system for spectral suppression of a noise in a communication signal. The method includes transmitting a communication signal through a plurality of rejection filters to create a plurality of spectral holes over a spectrum of the communication signal. The communication signal with an acquired noise is received. Noise intensities of the acquired noise at the plurality of spectral holes are measured, and the acquired noise over the spectrum of the communication signal is calculated. The acquired noise is subtracted from the communication signal with the acquired noise.
US08045860B2
An optical transceiver stores an output A/D value which is A/D-converted from reference voltage in an EEPROM as correction data in preparing the optical transceiver. The optical transceiver, receiving a request for outputting a monitored value from an external device connected therewith, calculates a variation based on difference between the output A/D value which is A/D-converted from the reference voltage at the timing when the request for outputting the monitored value is received and the correction data stored in the EEPROM. Then, the optical transceiver uses the calculated variation to convert current of light-input power which is input thereinto into voltage, amplify the voltage, and A/D-convert the voltage to thereby correct the output A/D value. The optical transceiver outputs the corrected A/D value to the connected external device as the monitored value.
US08045859B2
An underwater data transmission system including arrays of nano-meter scaled photon emitters and sensors on an outer surface of an underwater platform. For the emitters, a laser is pulsed to correlate with data packets, providing a beam of photons at a prescribed frequency. Nano-scaled collecting lenses channel the incoming photons to photo-receptors located at a focal plane for the frequency at the base of each lens. A coating on the lenses absorbs photons at the frequency that are not aligned with the longitudinal axes of the lenses or tubes. Nano-wires connect the photo-receptors to a light intensity integrator. The integrator integrates the intensity over a surface area. The output of the integrator is fed to a signal processor to track and process the arriving digital packets.
US08045858B2
A method for transmission of multiple, independent data packages across a single optical fiber utilizing both time division multiplexing and wavelength division multiplexing is described. The method includes transmitting a first data package across the single optical fiber at a first wavelength and transmitting a second data package across the same optical fiber at a second wavelength, in either the same direction or in a direction opposite as the first data package, wherein the second data package transmission may be concurrent with the first data package transmission. the method further includes separating the data package transmissions into two optical paths, filtering the second wavelength from a first of the two optical paths, detecting the first data package at the first wavelength, filtering the first wavelength from a second of the two optical paths, and detecting the second data package data at the second wavelength.
US08045841B2
A method of performing time-shift function and television receiver having a tuner and a personal video recorder for storing broadcast programs of at least one channel enables a broadcast program of a currently tuned channel to be continuously and efficiently stored to enable time-shifting, regardless of an interruption by switching channels or changing input sources or even in the case of an inadvertent power-off condition. The method includes steps of setting a time-shift lock function; storing in the personal video recorder the broadcast program of a first channel that is currently viewed; storing in the personal video recorder the broadcast program of a second channel and the broadcast program of the first channel, if the currently viewed first channel is switched to the second channel; and supplying power only to the tuner and the personal video recorder, if a power-off condition occurs, wherein the supply of power to the tuner and the personal video recorder causes a continuous storing of the broadcast programs of the first and second channels in the personal video recorder.
US08045840B2
A video-audio recording and reproducing apparatus (101) has a built-in stereo microphone (21a, 21b) and an external microphone connection terminal (32). The external microphone connection terminal (32) is connected to a binaural microphone (3) to be attached to the ears of a photographer (300). When the binaural microphone (3) is used to collect ambient sounds, an audio signal to be recorded on a recording medium is switched from an audio signal from the built-in stereo microphone (21a, 21b) to a binaural audio signal from the binaural microphone (3). The photographer (300) puts the binaural microphone (3 (31a, 31b)) on his or her ears and collects ambient sounds around the photographer (300) including a sound emanating from an object. The object is photographed with a camera unit (11). The recording medium records the binaural audio signal, a photographed video signal, and a binaural flag signal.
US08045833B2
Shear thickening compositions can function in an energy or communications transmission cable to provide enhanced protection against externally applied forces, e.g., cutting or puncture from a shovel. As a free or bound layer, or when used via impregnation into a substrate used for an internal component or wrap, the shear thickening composition provides protection against mechanical damage that far surpasses conventional technologies. In foamable compositions for cable components, the shear thickening composition provides enhanced integrity of the polymer melt for enhanced foam performance. As a flame retardant component, the shear thickening composition provides an enhanced char formation mechanism for superior flame retardance.
US08045832B2
A process for forming a mode size converter with an out-of-plane taper formed during deposition with a shadow mask is disclosed. Mode-size converters according to the present invention can have any number of configurations. Measured coupling efficiencies for waveguides with mode size converters according to the present invention show marked improvement.
US08045818B2
Background images are removed and only desired payment information is extracted from a grayscale image of a check or similar financial instrument. A density distribution improvement process applied to grayscale raw image data 40 acquired by scanning a check corrects the density distribution of the raw image data 40 to separate the density range of the desired payment information from the density range of the background image. A threshold level 44 for clearly separating the payment information from the background image is then calculated from the characteristics of the density distribution of the grayscale improved image data 42 acquired by the density distribution improvement process. Histograms of the density distributions are used to determine the characteristics of the density distribution. The improved image data 42 is then converted to binary image data 46 using the threshold level 44.
US08045807B2
A pattern edge detecting method includes: detecting edge points in an image of an inspection pattern acquired from an imaging device; generating a plurality of edge lines from the edge points using a grouping process; generating a plurality of edge line group pairs, each composed of a combination of first and second edge line groups to be a candidate of any of one and the other of an outside edge and an inside edge of the inspection pattern, the generated edge lines being divided into two parts in different manners; performing shape matching between the first and second edge line groups for each edge line group pair; and specifying, as an edge of the inspection pattern, one of the first and second edge line groups constituting the edge line group pair whose matching score is best of matching scores of the edge line group pairs obtained during the shape matching.
US08045805B2
A system and method for identifying objects of interest in image data is provided. The present invention utilizes principles of Iterative Transformational Divergence in which objects in images, when subjected to special transformations, will exhibit radically different responses based on the physical, chemical, or numerical properties of the object or its representation (such as images), combined with machine learning capabilities. Using the system and methods of the present invention, certain objects that appear indistinguishable from other objects to the eye or computer recognition systems, or are otherwise almost identical, generate radically different and statistically significant differences in the image describers (metrics) that can be easily measured.
US08045798B2
An image partitioner is configured to find a partition point that divides a received image into four sub-images each having a pre-selected activated pixel count. A recursion processor is configured to (i) apply the image partitioner to an input image to generate a first partition point and four sub-images and to (ii) recursively apply the image partitioner to at least one of the four sub-images for at least one recursion iteration to generate at least one additional partition point. A formatter is configured to generate a features representation of the input image in a selected format. The features representation is based at least in part on the partition points. The features representation can be used in various ways, such as by a classifier configured to classify the input image based on the features representation.
US08045778B2
A potential region of interest segmentation device segments an image data into regions of potential interest. From the regions of potential interest, an identifying device identifies a region of interest including an object of interest based on a set of rules. A recognizing device differentiates among the identified objects of interest and selects at least one particular object of interest.
US08045773B2
The present invention relates to a method for segmenting a myocardial wall with the following steps: recording a first data record and a second data record in the same cardiac phase by means of x-ray radiation with differing radiation intensities, reconstructing the myocardial wall from the first and second data record. To generate a detailed and complete reconstruction of the myocardial wall, it is proposed that the method be supplemented by the following steps: separating an inside and an outside of the myocardial wall from the data record recorded with higher radiation intensity, and separating tissue interspersing the myocardial wall between the inside and the outside, in particular fatty tissue, from the data record recorded with lower radiation intensity.
US08045768B2
The invention relates to a method for the recognition of natural skin (5), wherein the skin surface (4) is illuminated at an irradiation point (1) with light from the visible spectrum or the adjacent spectrum, wherein that part of the light entering through the skin surface (4) at the irradiation point (1), scattered in the skin (5), and exiting from the skin surface (4) again, is detected at a detection point (9), using a detector (20), and wherein the signal determined by the detector (20) is passed to a comparator and compared with stored data. Furthermore, a device for carrying out the method is an object of the invention.
US08045766B2
A sleep prevention system captures a facial image of a driver, determines a sleepiness level from the facial image and operates warning devices including neck air conditioner, seatbelt vibrator, and brake controller if necessary based on the sleepiness determination. A sleepiness determination device determines sleepiness from facial expression information such as distances between corners of a mouth, distance between an eyebrow and eye, tilt angle of a head, and other facial feature distances. The facial distances are calculated from captured images and from reference information gather during wakefulness. The sleepiness degree is determined based on the determination results including combinations thereof.
US08045761B2
A method for determining the presence and location of static shadows and other ambient conditions (such as glare, snow, rain, etc.) in a series of time-successive images is provided. Each image comprises a series of image elements locatable on a plane, with each element being associated with a color defined by three chromatic elements. Furthermore, each image is partitioned into a set of elements, with each element comprising one or more pixels. According to the process of the present method, the ambient conditions are detected using a mixture of processes which utilize the chromatic elements, luminance qualities and temporal characteristics of the series of images.
US08045753B2
A method of authenticating the identity of an item bearing or associated with a printed security marker, the method comprising: a. printing the security marker with a pattern that encodes at least one of a unique product identifier, a batch identifier, and positional information about a portion of the marker; b. scanning and storing an image of the security marker as printed, said image being taken at sufficiently high resolution to capture artifacts of the printing process; and authentication steps comprising: c. imaging a portion of the marker at sufficiently high resolution to capture the artifacts, and d. querying a data store by providing the image of the portion of the marker or a compressed or parameterized version of the image and data derived from the pattern.
US08045752B2
A system for and method of assessing fluid spray using image processing techniques of a calibration and one or more as-sprayed witness cards. Calibration and as-sprayed witness cards are exposed to a backlight sufficient to make a plurality of stains thereon electronically visible. At the same time an image of the stains is captured by, e.g., a digital camera. Resulting image data is processed to assess characteristics of the stains of the fluid on the as-sprayed witness card(s) and thereby assess characteristics of the spray, e.g., volume of fluid delivered. In one embodiment, the witness card is a chemically coated semiopaque plate.
US08045747B2
A thin and cost-effective bi-directional loudspeaker which can reproduce high quality sound toward contrary directions simultaneously, arranged from bottom to the top, consists of a frame (2), a U-yoke (3), a first magnet (4), a washer (5), a copper cap (6), a second magnet (7), a voice coil (8), a diaphragm (9), a spacer (12), a spider (15), a dust cap (18) and a connector (1) disposed on lateral side of the frame (2). Said loudspeaker is characterized in that: said diaphragm (9) is in a cone shape whose an inner edge (10) of said apex is fixed with top of said voice coil (8). A periphery (16) of the spider (15) is fixed with an upper edge (14) of the supporting ring (12) and a bottom edge (13) thereof is fixed with an exterior (11) of the diaphragm (9). Said spider (15), spacer (12) and diaphragm (9) are coupled by adhesive and fixed on top of said frame (2).
US08045746B2
It is an object of the present invention to use a simplified structure to improve a strength of a neck portion of a conical diaphragm in the vicinity of a voice coil fixing section, thereby inhibiting an undesired dividing vibration in a speaker device. The speaker device of the present invention comprises: a generally conical diaphragm having an opening formed in a generally central position thereof; a voice coil bobbin fixed in the inner circumferential portion of the foregoing opening of the diaphragm; and a diaphragm reinforcing annular member disposed near a fixing section fixing together the diaphragm and the voice coil bobbin. The annular member includes, in the form of an integrally formed body, a diaphragm reinforcing portion having an inclined surface which contacts an inclined surface of the diaphragm close to the inner circumferential portion thereof and is fixed to the inclined surface of the diaphragm by virtue of an adhesive agent, and a cylindrical portion having a liquid holding portion which is formed between the voice coil bobbin and the annular member and is filled with the adhesive agent.
US08045740B2
A hearing device opening in a housing of an in-the-ear hearing device is to be able to be sealed in a simple manner. To this end, an elastic band is provided, which is attached to a second housing part and/or faceplate and to a first housing part or inside the second housing part. The band pulls the second housing part into the corresponding opening of the first housing part. The second housing part is herewith automatically brought into position and retained. An electrical component can be mounted on the elastic band if necessary.
US08045736B2
The present invention is directed to providing a sound field reproduction system that can enhance the sound separation between the front and rear seats or left and right seats of a vehicle. The sound field reproduction system includes a control unit for creating a first sound signal and a second sound signal from one or a plurality of sources, a narrow-directional speaker mounted on the front seat side of the vehicle, a speaker mounted on the rear seat side of the vehicle, and a signal processing unit for driving the narrow-directional speaker based on the first sound signal that has been processed according to frequency range, and for driving the speaker based on the second sound signal.
US08045732B1
Mapping a plurality of external control signals to values for one or more internal parameters is disclosed. Each external control signal is mapped to a control signal-specific set of internal parameter values corresponding to the level of the signal. The resulting signal-specific sets of internal parameter values are combined to generate a combined set of internal parameter values. The combined set of internal parameter values includes a single value for each internal parameter for which a value was included in at least one signal-specific set of internal parameter values. For each internal parameter for which a value is included in more than one of the signal-specific sets of internal parameter values, the combined set of internal parameter values includes a combined value based at least in part on the values included in the signal-specific sets of internal parameter values.
US08045731B2
LPF and HPF extract bass and treble ranges, respectively, from an input sound signal, and bass and treble boost circuits perform dynamic range expansion/contraction on the extracted bass- and treble-range sound signals in accordance with input levels of the sound signals. The input sound signal and the sound signals output from the boost circuits are added together. There may also be provided coefficient calculation sections for calculating filter coefficients on the basis of the levels of the sound signals extracted by the LPF and HPF. In this case, the bass and treble boost sections perform, in accordance with the filter coefficients calculated by the corresponding coefficient calculation sections, filter processes for increasing/decreasing the levels of the bass and treble ranges, respectively.
US08045730B1
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods and systems that reduce acoustic echoes in audio signals in accordance with changing conditions at first and second locations that are linked together in a communication system. In one embodiment of the present invention, a first digital signal encoding sounds produced at the first location is output from the first location, and a second digital signal encoding an acoustic echo and sounds produced at the second location is output from the second location. The method computes a control state that depends on the signals transmitted between the first and the second locations and computes an approximate acoustic echo based on the control state.
US08045727B2
The invention relates to an energy saving headset 100. The headset 100 comprises a power management unit 150 that is operable to reduce the power consumption of the headset 100 when a user 110 is not present. The power management unit 150 uses capacitive sensing to detect the presence of the user 110. Capacitive sensing is advantageous since it provides a flexible and reliable sensor that can accurately detect the presence or absence of a user 110 either by detecting user proximity or user contact. Moreover, in various embodiments, the sensitivity of a capacitive sensor may be adjusted to account for user movement or changes in environmental conditions, such as, for example, the presence of water, or sweat, on the headset 100 to further improve sensing reliability. The invention further relates to headsets using user presence signals based on capacitive sensing to control other functions of the headset or to control external devices to which the headset is connected, either wirelessly or by wires.
US08045726B2
A noise-cancelling headphone includes a cancel signal generator that receives ambient noise via an electro-acoustic transducer and generates and outputs a cancel signal eliminating the noise and a speaker unit that outputs an audio signal and a cancel signal, and connects the cancel signal generator to a first terminal of two input terminals of the speaker unit and connects a sound source of an audio signal to a second terminal thereof, whereby obtaining the noise-cancelling headphone with which one can enjoy music with high quality without the change in the sound quality and volume between when a noise-cancelling function is activated and when deactivated.
US08045723B2
An active sound effect generating apparatus includes a controller (a fourth acoustic adjuster and a fifth acoustic adjuster) which determines the amplitude of a control signal by adjusting the amplitudes of reference signals (intermediate signals) depending on an engine rotational frequency change [Hz/second] calculated by an engine rotational frequency change calculator and an accelerator opening [%] detected by an accelerator opening sensor.
US08045722B2
Provided are a method and apparatus for controlling a sound field through an array speaker. The method includes calculating a coefficient of a filter that controls sound pressure of an input signal, based on a sound pressure ratio of a suppression area that suppresses sound emitted from an array speaker and an emphasis area that emphasizes the sound, and sound pressure efficiency in the emphasis area, generating a plurality of output signals that focuses the sound to the emphasis area by filtering the input signal based on the calculated coefficient of the filter, and outputting a sound field controlled sound based on the generated plurality of output signals. Accordingly, a listener in a predetermined direction and distance from the array speaker can clearly hear sound, without wearing an earphone or a headset so as to focus the sound only to the listener.
US08045719B2
An audio upmixer, such as a two-channel to three-channel upmixer, employs a difference in a measure of sound at the ears of a listener in accordance with first and second models, one based on a reproduction of the original channels and the other based on a reproduction of the upmixed channels. The difference is minimized while simultaneously causing a, portion of one or more of the stereophonic channels to be applied to the center loudspeaker under some conditions of the signals in the stereophonic channels, the portion being commensurate with the value of a weighting factor, such that the weighting factor controls a balance between two opposing conditions, one in which no signals are applied to the center loudspeaker and another in which no signals are applied to the left and right loudspeakers.
US08045715B2
A method of handling security key change for a user equipment in a wireless communication system includes applying a radio resource control procedure to activate key change, where the radio resource control procedure covers two conditions where the key change is accompanied with an authentication and key agreement run and without an authentication and key agreement run.
US08045711B2
An embodiment includes a first system for computing a contribution to a greater-than comparison of a first private value and a second private value. The first system includes: an accessing unit configured to access the first private value; a processor unit configured to compute a first encrypted value by encrypting the first private value, compute a decrypted value by decrypting a third encrypted value, and compute a contribution to a result of the greater-than comparison by checking a relation between the decrypted value and a modulus value; and a communication unit configured to send the first encrypted value to a second system and to receive the third encrypted value.
US08045706B2
A method of completing the Secure Hash Algorithm (SHA-1) computation in exactly 81 clock cycles with digital hardware. The general implementation techniques include: using a combination of synchronous storage elements to store the required computation values and asynchronous circuits to perform all the logic and mathematic operations of each step of the 81-step SHA-1 computation within a single clock cycle; using a quad-output-channel 16×32-bit circular queue memory to store the 512-bit message segment (block), as a computation buffer of the Wt parameter, and to supply the Wt-3, Wt-8, Wt-14, and Wt-16 data parameters simultaneously; using a combination of a counter circuit and a decoder/encoder circuit to control selecting data parameters and sequencing the 81-step SHA-1 computation; and using an automated controller to control internal units that perform SHA-1 and allowing external systems to access the SHA-1 computation service. The robust architecture allows for a highly efficient digital hardware implementation.
US08045699B2
A method for performing automated telemarketing is disclosed. The method includes receiving potential customer data that includes a telephone number; initiating a telephone call to the telephone number using an auto-dialing technology; receiving notification that the potential customer has answered the telephone call; sending a verbal greeting to the potential customer in response to receiving the notification; conversing with the potential customer using speech recognition technology, the conversing including receiving a message from the potential customer; and updating the potential customer data responsive to the message received from the potential customer.
US08045692B2
A system for determining whether to request additional telephone number resources for a telecommunications carrier. The system may include a first database operated by a telecommunications carrier and configured to store data indicative of telephone number usage of telephone numbers assigned to the telecommunications carrier. A computing device may be in communication with a second database via a network, the second database may contain telephone number usage information associated with multiple telecommunications carriers. The computing device may execute software to query the first and second databases to retrieve information associated with the telecommunications carrier (i) to determine current utilization of telephone numbers of a rate center and (ii) to determine months to exhaust of telephone numbers.
US08045688B2
A method and a system for presenting customized caller options via a communication device (104) are disclosed. The method includes receiving (404) an incoming call from a calling party at the second communication device. The method further includes comparing (406) a caller Identification (ID) information associated with the incoming call to a pre-defined stored list of caller ID information. Further, the method includes presenting (408) the calling party with customized caller options. The customized caller options are presented as a function of the comparison between the incoming call caller ID information and the pre-defined stored list of caller ID information.
US08045687B2
A server system includes a database having an identification number and a contact destination number as associated information; a storage device for containing the database; a call-accepting unit for accepting a call designating an advertised telephone number from a user's telephone as well as for extracting the identification number therefrom; a contact destination-extracting unit for extracting the contact destination number associated with the identification number from the database; and a connection-processing unit for connecting the call from a user's telephone to the telephone of an advertiser corresponding to the contact destination number according to the extracted contact destination number.
US08045671B2
A feeding system for an absorber liquid containing a neutron poison, in particular for a quick shut-down of a nuclear reactor, has a storage container for the absorber liquid and is configured for high operational reliability with simple construction. In particular, a chemical decomposition of the absorber liquid or corrosion of the container wall of the storage container is to be excluded. For this purpose, the storage container is connected to a pressure container via an overflow line, wherein the pressure container is filled with a motive fluid.
US08045663B2
A data transmission/reception system can lessen a skew between data and clock signal by substantially reducing a data reception error. The data transmission/reception system using a first clock signal and a second clock signal having a phase difference corresponding to a half of data bit period as compared with the first clock signal includes a skew information extracting unit and a timing control unit. The skew information extracting unit obtains and outputs skew edge information data necessary for a skew removal by sampling data transmitted in a training operating mode as one of the first and second clock signals in a receiving side. The timing control unit receives the skew edge information data through a transmitting side, and compares its phase with a phase of the transmitted data and controls a timing between transmission data and a transmission sampling clock signal applied to a transmission output unit according to the phase comparison result. Time taken in a training operation can be relatively shortened, and circuits of the receiving side can be simplified and power consumption can be relatively reduced.
US08045659B2
An OFDM receiver includes: a variable gain amplifier controlling a signal level of an intermediate frequency signal that is obtained from a reception signal by frequency-conversion; and an automatic gain controller controlling a gain of the variable gain amplifier means. The automatic gain controller includes: a clip detector comparing a clip number threshold value with a detected number of transient clips in which a signal level of the intermediate frequency signal exceeds a parameter clip level, so as to detect a period where the detected number exceeds the clip number threshold value; an accumulator accumulating a detection output of the clip detector; and a target value decision circuit to which an accumulation output of the accumulator is supplied.
US08045653B2
Detection method and device for a receiver in a digital communication system designed to process a frame comprising a periodic sub-set of length n, said method comprising the following steps:—determining a first vector u having a length n;—determining a second shifted vector v;—calculating a correlation function between said first and second vectors;—calculating a quadratic error function between said first and second vectors;—calculating a first cost function that is a linear combination of both preceding functions and, according to the sign of the result,—calculating a second cost function of frame beginning estimate; and—starting the communication system receiver.
US08045643B1
A system and method for detecting both the forward and reverse power of a power amplifier are provided. The power amplifier is a quadrature power amplifier including an in-phase amplifier circuit and a quadrature-phase amplifier circuit. A radio frequency (RF) input signal is split and phase-shifted to provide an in-phase RF input to the in-phase amplifier circuitry and a quadrature-phase RF input to the quadrature-phase amplifier circuitry, where the quadrature-phase RF input is +90 degrees out-of-phase with the in-phase RF input. In one embodiment, a power detection system operates to downconvert quadrature output signals from the in-phase and quadrature-phase amplifier circuits based on quadrature local oscillator signals. The outputs of the quadrature downconversion are then selectively combined to provide a quadrature signal indicative of forward power, a quadrature signal indicative of reverse power, or both a quadrature signal indicative of forward power and a quadrature signal indicative of reverse power.
US08045638B2
A wireless communication receiver improves signal impairment correlation estimation in MIMO/MISO systems by considering different transmit power allocations and different transmit antenna power distributions in its impairment correlation calculations. The receiver may be implemented in according to a variety of architectures, including, but not limited to, Successive Interference Cancellation (SIC) Generalized RAKE (G-RAKE), Joint Detection (JD) G-RAKE, and Minimum Mean Squared Error (MMSE) G-RAKE. Regardless of the particular receiver architecture adopted, the improved impairment correlations may be used to calculate improved (RAKE) signal combining weights and/or improve channel quality estimates for reporting by receivers operating in Wideband CDMA (W-CDMA) systems transmitting HSDPA channels via MIMO or MISO transmitters. A transmitter may be configured to facilitate impairment correlation determinations by wireless communication receivers operating in MIMO/MISO environments, by signaling one or more values, e.g., data-to-pilot signal transmit power ratios and/or transmit antenna power distributions for the data and pilot signals.
US08045630B2
A detector of patterns corresponding to pilot symbols is capable of detecting patterns of SP symbols promptly without using a TMCC signal. The SP location detector includes a multiplier which multiplies received signals generated by demodulating OFDM modulation signals in which pilot symbols are dispersively disposed in accordance with four types of patterns and which are transmitted periodically by a pseudo-random number bit sequence, four arithmetic circuits which are respectively provided corresponding to the four types of patterns and which respectively extract pilot symbols corresponding to respective patterns from results of multiplication by the multiplier and calculate sums of phase differences between the extracted pilot symbols, followed by outputting absolute values thereof, and a pattern detection circuit which detects the corresponding arithmetic circuit maximum in the calculated absolute value from within the four arithmetic circuits.
US08045629B1
Information is sent by a DSL system component using a non-disruptive operational data parameter. One or more bits of the non-disruptive operational data parameter are used to send other information. In some instances the selected parameter will be an unused parameter, such as an unused fast operational mode or interleaved operational mode parameter used to report operational data in a DSL system. In one embodiment of the invention, a remote modem provides a unique equipment identifier that can be paired with the telephone number on which the modem is operating. Verification of and/or searching for the correct pairing of telephone number and unique equipment identifier can be performed as well.
US08045628B2
Embodiments are directed to binary phase shift key modulating a first pilot symbol according to a reference sequence, and differentially binary phase shift key modulating a second pilot symbols. The original reference sequence and the delayed differentially modulated sequence are then combined before performing an Inverse Fast Fourier Transform and inserting a guard interval. Receiver operations are an inverse of the transmitter operations, which were just discussed. The receiver does not have to know the reference sequence. Embodiments are directed to specifying a plurality of seeds that are bit patterns each having r bits not all of which have a value of zero, extending the seeds into respective sequences by applying to each seed a recurrence formula; and using one of the sequences as a comb sequence and using the sequences other than the comb sequence as binary phase shift keying patterns.
US08045619B2
A motion estimation apparatus and method is disclosed. The apparatus includes a block error calculator to calculate a specified block error based on a candidate motion vector previously estimated and spatiotemporarily neighboring on a present block; a motion estimation mode decider to decide a motion estimation mode for the present block to be processed based on the calculated block error; and a motion vector estimator to estimate a last motion vector in the decided motion estimation mode.
US08045617B2
An image decoding apparatus is capable of decoding coded bit streams with different coding schemes. The image decoding apparatus includes a coding scheme decision section for deciding a coding scheme from coding scheme identification information multiplexed into a coded bit stream, a setting unit for setting header information on a second coding scheme in accordance with header information in a first coding scheme, and a decoder for decoding image coded data in the first coding scheme in response to the header information on the second coding scheme, which is set.
US08045612B1
In video decoding using the H.264/AVC standard, the computation of an inverse 4×4 integer transform of a coefficient matrix derived by variable length decoding may be carried out using data reduction techniques to reduce the computation load. If the index value of the highest-indexed nonzero coefficient in the matrix is three or higher, the transform is computed conventionally, using two 1D transform operations separated by a transpose operation, and followed by rounding and shifting. If the index value of the highest-indexed nonzero coefficient in the matrix is zero (including the case where there is no nonzero coefficient), the inverse integer transform operation includes only rounding and shifting of that coefficient. If the index value of the highest-indexed nonzero coefficient in the matrix is one or two, then the inverse integer transform operation can be performed using a single integrated 2D transform followed by rounding and shifting.
US08045609B2
In described embodiments, an adaptive equalizer employed by a receiver in a communication channel, such as Fiber Channel, employs pattern recognition. When a repeating pattern, such as an IDLE or ARBFF pattern, is employed by a standard to, for example, maintain a communication link, an equalizer of the receiver might adaptively set its equalizer parameters based on characteristics of the signal energy of the repeating pattern rather than adaptively set its equalizer parameters based on characteristics of the signal energy of generally random user data carried on the link. Pattern recognition by the receiver allows for maintaining adaptive equalizer parameters at settings preferred for data detection of the typical random data, improving data detection performance of the receiver when the channel transitions from a preset or synchronization repeating pattern to a user random data pattern.
US08045607B2
A method applied to an equalizer includes receiving an input data-stream having a training sequence component with a first number of symbols and a data component with a second number of symbols, wherein the first number plus the second number equals a third number; when a symbol number is not greater than the first number, training the training sequence component to generate a first trained coefficient set; when the symbol number is between the first number and the third number, recycling the training sequence component to generate a recycled training sequence component, and training the recycled training sequence component to generate a second trained coefficient set; storing the input data-stream to generate a delayed input data-stream when the symbol number is not greater than the third number; and applying the second trained coefficient set to the equalizer when the symbol number is greater than the third number.
US08045600B2
Method and apparatus for compensating for processing timing misalignment in a communication receiver
According to the teachings presented herein, a wireless communication apparatus compensates for timing misalignment in its received signal processing. In at least one embodiment, the apparatus estimates a set of path delays for a received signal and sets processing delays on the estimated path delays. The apparatus jointly hypothesizes combinations of fractional timing offsets for two or more paths, and computes a decision metric for each joint hypothesis that indicates the accuracy of the joint hypothesis. As non-limiting examples, the decision metric may be a signal quality metric, or a distance metric (such as between a measured net channel response and an effective net channel response reconstructed as a function of the combination of fractional timing offsets included in the joint hypothesis). The apparatus evaluates the decision metrics to identify a best estimate of timing misalignment, and correspondingly compensates coherent processing of the received signal.
US08045599B2
A cellular communication system comprises a Multiple-In Multiple-Out, MIMO, transmitter (101) and receiver (103). The MIMO transmitter (101) comprises a message generator (303) for generating MIMO messages comprising selected training sequences and transceivers (305, 307, 309) transmitting the messages on a plurality of antennas (311, 313, 315). The training sequences are selected by a midamble selector (317) from a set of training sequences in response to an associated antenna on which the message is to be transmitted. The set of training sequences is associated with the cell of the MIMO transmitter and comprises disjoint subsets of training sequences for each of the plurality of antennas. The receiver (103) comprises a transmit antenna detector (419) which determines which antenna of the MIMO transmitter the message is transmitted from in response to the training sequence of the received message.
US08045597B2
A method of multi-path searching in a cellular network is provided. The method carries out a correlation process over a predetermined integration period in relation to a first pilot signal received in connection with a first cell of the cellular network to generate first multiple correlation measurements corresponding to a plurality of time delays in the signal, analyzing the first multiple correlation measurements in relation to the time delays to identify multi-path positions in the signal. Information of the multi-path positions over a first predetermined integration period is stored as a first set of candidate multi-path positions and compared with a second set of candidate multi-path positions derived from second multiple correlation measurements corresponding to the time delays over a second predetermined integration period in relation to the first pilot signal, so as to confirm or reject candidate multi-path positions and define modified candidate multi-path positions.
US08045596B2
An apparatus for transmitting/receiving a signal in a communication system is provided. A Mobile Station (MS) spreads a transmission signal to generate a spreading signal, receives, from a Base Station (BS), information on a second spreading signal transmission region, extended from a first spreading signal transmission region, and maps the generated spreading signal to a subcarrier in the second spreading signal transmission region. A Base Station (BS) transmits information on a second spreading signal transmission region extended from a first spreading signal transmission region, for reception of a spreading signal, receives a spreading signal mapped to subcarriers over the second spreading signal transmission region, from an Mobile Station (MS), detects a spreading signal from the spread signal mapped to the subcarriers, and despreads the detected spreading signal to restore a transmission signal.
US08045588B2
Provided are a method and an apparatus for providing three-dimensional (3D) digital content by using a conventional system for providing two-dimensional (2D) digital content. The method includes generating an elementary stream (ES) regarding first data of 2D digital content, generating an ES regarding second data of 3D digital content, packetizing the ESs of the first data and the second data, and recording) the packetized second data and content information of the second data within header information of multiplexed stream of the packetized first data.
US08045583B2
A communication system which has a plurality of mobile terminals and a base station, each of the mobile terminals and/or base station comprising a medium access control sub-layer, upper layers of the medium access control sub-layer, and a lower layer of the medium access control sub-layer, wherein the medium access control sub-layer is configured to perform self-basic functions in response to basic function execution requests or functions associated with the upper layers or lower layer in response to requests therefrom. According to the present invention, the communication system can provide a compatible multimedia communication service even if an originating terminal and a terminating terminal employ different communication manners, they are available from different manufacturers or they are operated by different communication service operators.
US08045566B2
One embodiment disclosed relates to a method of load balancing between a plurality of routers. A packet is received at a router from a source host to be forward to a destination host. An algorithm is applied at the router to select a gateway for the source host for packets destined to the destination host. An ICMP redirect message is then sent from the router to the source host to reset the gateway of the source host for packets destined to the destination host. An ARP request is received at the plurality of routers from a requesting host from a source IP address in relation to a destination IP address. An algorithm is applied at each router to determine which single router is to respond to the request. The responding router sends an ARP reply to the requesting host.
US08045560B2
Exemplary embodiments are directed to a system and method for managing a network having multiple domains. An exemplary method includes identifying a router interface connected with a switch; assigning a Layer 2 identifier to the interface, wherein the identifier uniquely identifies a Layer 2 domain within the network; and assigning the Layer 2 identifier to the switch.
US08045557B1
Methods, media, and systems are provided for optimizing the use of broadcast channels for group communication streams on a wireless telecommunications data network. Transmission proxy servers associated with base stations are used to determine whether a broadcast channel or unicast channel is most efficient for transmission of a group communication stream. Transmission proxy servers examine factors such as number of users, movement, duration and bandwidth required to make the channel determination. A contact management server coordinates the authentication across multiple access networks in coordination with the transmission proxy servers. Delivery can be more flexible, higher service levels can be more easily guaranteed, and secure but seamless handoffs are possible utilizing the claimed embodiments.
US08045552B2
Pairing information is automatically exchanged over a temporary cable in a wireless high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) system. Subsequently, the cable is disconnected and a source of HDMI (such as a disk player) wirelessly sends HDMI A/V to a sink (such as a HDTV).
US08045548B1
A transaction is sent over a communication link to a receiving node. The transaction includes data along with a tag identifying a data type of the data. The receiving node either forwards or processes the data according to whether the data type matches the type of data type processed by circuitry associated with the receiving node. Thus, a destination is determined for data transported on the communication link using a data type identifier sent with the data.
US08045546B1
A plurality of processor tiles are provided, each processor tile including a processor core. An interconnection network interconnects the processor cores and enables transfer of data among the processor cores. An extension network connects input/output ports of the interconnection network to input/output ports of one or more peripheral devices, each input/output port of the interconnection network being associated with one of the processor tiles such that each input/output port of the interconnection network sends input data to the corresponding processor tile and receives output data from the corresponding processor tile. The extension network is configurable such that a mapping between input/output ports of the interconnection network and input/output ports of the one or more peripheral devices is configurable.
US08045545B2
The present invention relates to systems and methods for eliminating unnecessary link state database exchanges and processes when two OSPF routers are forming a full adjacency. In particular, the invention provides methods and mechanisms for deducing information about unreachable routers from link state changes received, recording the information about the unreachable routers for a given period of time, constructing a neighbor database summary list that does not contain the LSAs that the neighbor has through using the information about the unreachable routers and reachable routers, and determining whether the neighbor router is restarted after it becomes unreachable. In addition, the present invention provides a few of options to deduce and use the information about the unreachable routers and the information in the link state database for eliminating unnecessary link state database exchanges and processes.
US08045537B2
The present technology relates to protocols relative to utility meters associated with an open operational framework. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to protocol subject matter for advanced metering infrastructure, adaptable to various international standards, while economically supporting a 2-way mesh network solution in a wireless environment, such as for operating in a residential electricity meter field. The present subject matter supports meters within an ANSI standard C12.22/C12.19 system while economically supporting a 2-way mesh network solution in a wireless environment, such as for operating in a residential electricity meter field, all to permit cell-based adaptive insertion of C12.22 meters within an open framework. Cell isolation is provided through quasi-orthogonal sequences in a frequency hopping network. Additional features relate to apparatus and methodology subject matters concerning Traffic Load Control in a Mesh Network.
US08045535B1
A wireless device includes a transceiver that receives packets via a wireless channel. A measurement circuit measures a channel condition of the wireless channel when the measurement circuit is in an active state. A controller identifies a request for a channel condition of the wireless channel in a first packet received by the transceiver, transitions the measurement circuit from an inactive state to the active state in response to the request, and transitions the measurement circuit to the inactive state in response to the measurement circuit having completed measuring the channel condition of the wireless channel during processing of a second packet received by the transceiver.
US08045533B2
Systems and methods according to the present invention provide arbitration methods, systems and devices which enable a WLAN transceiver (30) and a Bluetooth (BT) transceiver (32) to share the transmission medium. Various arbitration signals (BT, WL, RXIND and PRI) enable the transceivers to indicate a seizure of ownership of the medium as well as to accommodate special arbitration cases, e.g., priority packet transmission/reception. Some arbitration features are hardware programmable to provide design flexibility.
US08045524B2
A method for switching group assignment of an access terminal (AT) includes receiving a control message indicating a current group to which the AT is assigned and an assigned group to which the AT is to be switched, and decoding data in a next-received group interlace which corresponds to the assigned group.
US08045522B2
Method and system for performing handoff in wireless networks. According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for wireless communication. The method includes providing an access terminal that is configured to perform wireless IP communication. The method also includes providing a first wireless connection for the access terminal by a first access node. The method further includes providing a first network access for the access terminal by a first connectivity node. Additionally, the method includes obtaining a plurality of addresses for the access terminal. The plurality of address includes a first address and a second address. The first address is associated with a first priority level. The second address is associated with a second priority level. The method additionally includes storing the plurality address by a home agent. The method also includes initiating a handoff process for switching from the first connectivity node to a second connectivity node.
US08045519B2
A method in a wireless communication network (100) wherein information is communicated in a frame structure wherein each frame includes multiple sub-frames, including grouping at least two wireless communication terminals in a group, assigning the group to less than all sub-frames constituting a communication frame, and assigning a radio resource assignment control channel of one or more assigned sub-frames to the group. The control channel is used to assign radio resources to one or more terminals of the group.
US08045505B2
The invention provides a set of mechanisms by which a wireless mobile mesh node equipped with a directional antenna may self form and self adapt its steady-state communications schedule. A link establishment handshake is carried out over an ongoing subtemplate-based discovery scan. During time not reserved for steady-state communications with previously discovered neighbors, nodes continue to search for an establish links with new neighbors. Initial and subsequent bandwidth allocation protocols may be utilized to allow peer nodes to coordinate communication opportunities between the peer nodes without impacting or having knowledge about reservations for communications with other peers. The link establishment and initial bandwidth allocation protocols may be piggy-backed for readily establishing an initial steady-state schedule with a peer upon link establishment without impact on previous steady state reservations by other nodes or on ongoing link establishment attempts elsewhere.
US08045504B2
Various embodiments are described for facilitating network mobility in communication networks with an aim toward enhancing the scalability of MIP. Generally, in most of these embodiments, a network node (121) sends a message to a network device (131) to establish a data path for a remote unit (101) served by the network node. This message comprises a source link layer address which is associated with the remote unit. The message may or may not be sent in response to receiving signaling to facilitate wireless connectivity of a remote unit via the network node. In addition, the network device to which the message is sent may be an access router (AR) or a foreign agent (FA) of the remote unit.
US08045500B2
A communication system and method of communicating signals to a plurality of different types of receivers is provided. The communication system includes at least one transmitter that transmits high priority and low priority signals as a single frequency network. At least one satellite receives and re-transmits at least one of the high priority and low priority signals. At least one terrestrial repeater is in communication with the at least one transmitter, and receives from the at least one transmitter and re-transmits at least one of the high priority and low priority signals. A plurality of receivers includes at least a first receiver configured to process the high priority signal to emit an output signal based upon the high priority signal, and a second receiver configured to process the high priority and low priority signals to emit an output signal based upon the high priority and low priority signals.
US08045484B2
A method for problematic station detection featuring problematic station detection algorithm based on calculating the amount of time a station is wasting.
US08045477B2
Techniques are provided for detecting at a controller associated with a physical layer of a network an occurrence of a failure within the physical layer of the network. In response to detecting the failure, the controller sends messages to at least first and second nodes in a transport layer of the network, where the messages are configured to indicate normal operations in the physical layer so as to prevent execution of transport layer protection processes for a period of time.
