US08052259B2
Ink cartridge (10) which is insertable (insertion direction 11) into an inkjet printer, or cartridge receptacle associated therewith, and which has a housing (13) on at least one wall (12) of which there is arranged a plate (21) comprising electrical contacts (20) and an element for storage of cartridge-specific and/or printer-specific data. The housing (13) is delimited by two side walls (17, 18), a top wall (15), a base wall (16) and a front and rear (end) wall (12, 14). At least that portion (12′) of the housing wall, especially of an end wall (12), which is associated with the plate (21) has a smaller width than the plate (21). The latter is, in addition, mounted to allow its movement transversely to the longitudinal extent of the associated housing wall (12), or transversely to the insertion direction (11) of the cartridge (10) (double-headed arrow 24).
US08052256B2
A liquid discharge device may be provided with a transferring device, a discharge head, a tank, a liquid replenishment device, and a member. The transferring device transfers a recording medium along a feeding path. The discharge head is capable of moving along a movement path. The movement path is disposed above the feeding path. The discharge head comprises a nozzle for discharging liquid toward the recording medium transferred by the transferring device. The tank is capable of moving along the movement path with the discharge head. The tank comprises a liquid inlet hole and a liquid outlet hole. The tank is capable of storing liquid replenished from the liquid inlet hole. The liquid within the tank is to be supplied to the discharge head via the liquid outlet hole. The liquid replenishment device is capable of being connected to and disconnected from the tank. The liquid is supplied to the tank when the liquid replenishment device is in a connected state with the tank. The member is disposed between the feeding path and the movement path along a vertical direction. The member is configured to receive liquid falling from the liquid inlet hole of the tank.
US08052254B2
A printhead assembly is described including multiple printheads, a manifold and multiple inlet tubes. The printheads each include: a fluid inlet to receive fluid into the printhead; and a set of one or more nozzles to deposit fluid on a substrate. The manifold is connected to the printheads and includes: a fluid inlet duct configured to receive fluid for delivery to the printheads; multiple fluid inlet channels for connecting the fluid inlet duct to the printheads; and multiple fluid inlet valves configured to control a flow of fluid from the fluid inlet duct to each of the fluid inlet channels. The inlet tubes each have a proximal end integral to either the manifold or one of the printheads, and a distal end connected to either the manifold or said printhead with a single fluid-tight connection.
US08052248B2
Disclosed is a liquid ejection head that includes a flow path member having provided therein plural liquid chambers respectively in communication with plural nozzles that eject a liquid droplet and are arranged side by side; a vibration plate member that forms at least a part of wall surfaces of the liquid chambers; plural piezoelectric element columns that deform the vibration plate member at positions corresponding to the liquid chambers; a supporting column that corresponds to a partition wall sandwiched between the liquid chambers; and a base member on which the plural piezoelectric element columns and the supporting column are arranged. The supporting column is arranged so as to be sandwiched between a group of two or more of the consecutive piezoelectric element columns in a nozzle arrangement direction.
US08052234B2
A slide adjusting device for a drawer includes a first rail member having a first opening; a fixture secured to the first rail member; a supporting member including a connecting portion, a supporting portion, and a guiding portion, the connecting portion being connected to the fixture, the supporting portion corresponding in position to the first opening, the guiding portion comprising a guiding surface, the fixture or the supporting member being provided with a plurality of first engaging portions; an adjusting member including an adjusting portion and a connecting rod driven by the adjusting portion, the connecting rod being provided with a plurality of second engaging portions. When the adjusting portion is turned, the second engaging portions will be driven to move and mesh with the first engaging portions and the supporting portion will move in relation to the first opening with the connecting portion as a fulcrum to hold against the bottom of the drawer.
US08052233B2
A spring buffer for a furniture item has a furniture body and a furniture part movable from a closed position in or on the furniture body. The spring buffer can be arranged relative to the furniture body and the furniture part such that the movable furniture part in its closed end position can be moved against the force of the spring buffer towards the direction of the furniture body. The spring buffer includes a buffer element for the movable furniture part and the buffer element is acted upon by a spring. The buffer element is movably arranged such that the distance covered by the buffer element against the force of the spring can be changeably adjusted.
US08052227B2
A brake apparatus for a vehicle has a master cylinder (11) having a front pressure chamber (R1) and a rear pressure chamber (R2) defined by a drive piston (13) in a cylinder (12). The brake apparatus also has a pressure control valve (44) which can output a control pressure obtained by adjusting a hydraulic pressure from an accumulator (42) to the rear pressure chamber (R2) and wheel cylinders (21RR and 21RL) by coupling wheel cylinders (21FR and 21FL) to the front pressure chamber (R1) and moving a drive valve (56) by an electromagnetic force based on a target control pressure, and which can output a control pressure obtained by adjusting a hydraulic pressure from the accumulator (42) by moving the drive valve (56) by an external piston (58) that is moved by an external pressure from the front pressure chamber (R1), to the rear pressure chamber (R2) and wheel cylinders (21RR and 21RL).
US08052223B2
A multi-piece vehicle wheel retention system includes a wheel disc, a first wheel cover and a second wheel cover. The first wheel cover is secured to the wheel disc and includes a generally U-shaped outer end, a first leg which extends generally parallel with respect to the axis, and a second leg which extends generally perpendicular to the first leg. The first wheel cover covers the entire portion of the outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the wheel disc. The second wheel cover is secured to the first wheel cover and covers at least a portion of the outboard facing wheel surface of the wheel disc. The second wheel cover includes an outboard surface and an inboard surface. At least a portion of the second leg of the first wheel cover extends behind the second wheel cover so as to be adjacent the inboard surface of the second wheel cover and such portion of the second leg is at least secured to the second wheel cover by such portion of the second leg being disposed within a surface feature provided only on the inboard surface of the second wheel cover.
US08052222B2
A bristle cluster stuffing tool ram is used for pressing a strip-shaped holding element, preferably an anchor, into a borehole that is arranged in a brush head and serves for accommodating a bristle cluster. The end face of the ram comprises a pressing surface for pressing in the holding element. The pressing surface is defined by longitudinal sides and face sides. The rain has end face regions that penetrate into the material of the brush head when the holding element is pressed in. The cross section of the ram that lies outside the end face regions and penetrates into the borehole is wider than the end face regions.
US08052218B2
A seat plate assembly that is secured without the use of tools or special skill to the bottom of a seat of a home or office chair that is sold disassembled. The no-tools seat plate assembly includes a seat plate housing that is connected to and slidable along the seat relative to a catch and a cam lock that is pivotally connected to and rotatable relative to the seat plate housing. The seat plate housing has a gas cylinder receiver in which to receive a gas lift cylinder. When the seat plate housing is first connected to the seat, the cam lock is rotated over top the gas cylinder receiver to block receipt of the gas cylinder. During installation, the seat plate housing slides axially along the seat, and the cam lock is rotated into locking engagement with the catch. The gas cylinder receiver is now unblocked to accept the gas cylinder therewithin.
US08052217B2
An ergonomic task chair having a front and a rear, including a laterally extending seat having a front and a rear, a back brace disposed above the rear of the seat, and a knee support disposed in the front of the chair, wherein the back brace and the knee support have a first position where there is a first minimum distance between the back brace and the knee support and a second position where there is a second minimum distance between the back brace and the knee support, the second minimum distance being less than the first minimum distance, wherein movement from the first minimum distance to the second minimum distance is triggered by a downward movement of the seat.
US08052214B2
A seat structure capable of dealing with both a normal posture and a resting posture and providing sufficient relaxation in the resting posture while ensuring excellent comfortableness of an occupant.According to the present invention, a back frame 20 itself is fixed to a frame support 10 but a cushion frame 30 shifts from a first position A to a second position B according to an occupant's movement and an inclination angle of a pelvis support 31 increases accordingly. The occupant's pelvis portion and a portion lower than the pelvis portion is moved forward but a part of his or her back above his or her breast is not varied. With this structure, the same effect of the resting posture, that is, the posture in which the back frame is reclined in a conventional seat structure, can be obtained. Since the back is not tilted backward, a leg room (footrest) space in a rear seat is not limited.
US08052205B2
A floor structure for a vehicle body whereby vertical vibration in the floor panel can be minimized. The floor structure for a vehicle body comprises a floor panel having a tunnel part provided laterally centrally of the vehicle body and extending longitudinally of the vehicle body. A ridge is formed in the tunnel part. An inner cross member provided inside the tunnel part and a first cross member on the floor panel are linearly bonded via the ridge.
US08052203B2
The invention relates to a modular, replaceable side panel (1) for a vehicle, in particular for an omnibus. The side panel comprises in this case a pivotable cover plate (10) which is connected to a vehicle chassis (3) by an upper fastening and a lower fastening (2, 18). In this case a frame of the CO-BOLT® system is suitable, in particular, as a vehicle chassis (3). The upper fastening (2) comprises in this case a joint (7), in particular a film hinge (7). A securing device of the joint (7) is also present and the lower fastening (18) comprises a releasable locking device, the cover plate (10) being held in a closed position by the upper fastening and the lower fastening. The securing device comprises a lever (13) attached to the cover plate (10) with a spring clip (16) articulated thereto, the lever (13) and clip (16) together forming a toggle joint. A spring catch (17) is also present such that the toggle joint, with the cover plate (10) pivoted at a predetermined angle, is located behind a dead center position and at the same time the spring clip (16) is engaged in the spring catch (17) so that the cover plate (10) is secured at a predetermined angle.
US08052200B2
The present disclosure is directed to a protection system for a vehicle cab. The protection system includes a first structure and a second structure. The first structure is disposed between a floor of the vehicle cab and a vehicle tire. The second structure of the protection system is disposed between the first structure and the cab floor. Further, the second structure includes a non-metallic laminate and an air gap disposed between the first structure and the second structure.
US08052195B2
Device for energy absorption in particular for an automotive vehicle seat upon impact, said device comprising a first element substantially in the form of a plate with a hole and a second element inserted in the hole, said first element comprising a series of cutouts that are successive along a deformation direction and define a series of yokes between each other extending along a direction of elongation transversal to the direction of deformation, said yokes having each a length along the direction of elongation, said length increases strictly from one yoke to the next according to the distance of the yokes in relation to the second element and the yokes having an overall concavity turned towards the second element.
US08052194B2
There is provided a stowable vehicle seat that can be stowed and restored with improved operability. The stowable vehicle seat has a seat support part for supporting a seat cushion so that the seat cushion is rotatable in the front and rear direction, a seat back having a reclining mechanism that folds over the seat cushion, a stowage recess provided on the vehicle body floor side, a front leg provided on the front side of the seat cushion, a leg locking element that engages and disengages the front leg with and from the vehicle body floor side, a link mechanism connected to the reclining mechanism and the leg locking element, and a strap that operates the reclining mechanism and the leg locking element via the link mechanism.
US08052191B2
A hinged vapor wall for use in mobile living quarters having a main living area and a secondary area such as a garage. The vapor wall has a first and second section that overlap to form a barrier between the garage and the main living area. When the sections of the vapor wall are in their closed position, the main living area and the garage area are divided into separate airtight compartments. Typically, small vehicles such as motorcycles and ATVs are placed in the garage, and the fumes from their fuel may spread into the main living space in the absence of a barrier. A permanent barrier sacrifices space within the main living area. The hinged vapor wall of this invention is movable to an open position when small vehicles are not being stored in the garage, enabling the garage to be used as living space as well.
US08052187B2
An installation tool may include an extension member, a body portion disposed on the extension member, and a plurality of fingers flexibly protruding from the body portion. The plurality of fingers are adapted to releasably engage a cover assembly. The plurality of fingers and the body portion cooperate to retain the cover assembly in a first direction and allow disengagement of the cover assembly in a second direction.
US08052183B2
The present invention provides a bumper structure for an automatic moving device which directs the moving device to change directions when bumping into an obstacle. The bumper structure of the present invention comprises a base, an elastic housing and a conductive terminal. A plurality of conductive sheets is formed over the base, wherein the conductive sheets are coupled to the control circuit of a moving device via the base. The elastic housing is formed over the base, with a protruding actuator section formed within the elastic housing, and the actuator section is parallel to the conductive sheets. The conductive terminal is formed at the bottom of the actuator section but is not in contact with the conductive sheets. The elastic housing may provide buffer when bumping into an obstacle, and the force generated by the impact presses the actuator section downwards, allowing conductive terminal of the actuator section to couple with the plurality of conductive sheets, thereby connects the plurality of conductive sheets and sends a signal to the control circuit of the moving device, directing the moving device to change directions.
US08052181B2
A push-push type latch device includes a cam member and a pin member provided respectively on a movable body and a main body for coupling and decoupling with the cam member. The latch device locks the movable body in a first position on the main body via a coupling of the pin member and the cam member, and releases the coupling by pushing from the first position and releasing a pushing force to switch to a second position. The cam member includes a divided body including a locking part for coupling with the pin member. When the divided body receives a load above a predetermined value through the pin member in a state when coupled with the pin member, the divided body rotates to release the coupling with the pin member with accompanying movement toward a direction to absorb the load.
US08052169B2
A gas generator for inflating a gas bag of a vehicle occupant restraint system is provided. The gas generator includes an igniting means for producing gas and/or heat upon activation by a control signal of the vehicle. The gas generator also includes a first chamber comprising a propellant ignitable by gas and/or heat produced by the igniting means, and a second chamber comprising pressurized inflation gas. An outlet opening through which the inflation gas can flow out of the second chamber and into the gas bag is provided. The gas generator also includes a sealing means sealing the outlet opening. The gas generator is configured in such a way that after activation of the igniting means gas and/or heat produced by the igniting means ignites the propellant and a pressure wave is created under the direct or indirect impact of gas produced by the igniting means.
US08052162B2
A vehicle step includes a step member and first and second extending and retracting devices connected to the step member for moving it between extended and retracted positions. Each of the extending and retracting devices includes a mounting bracket adapted to be fixed to a vehicle body, a step bracket connected to the step member, first and second arms each defining a lower end rotatably connected to the step bracket and an upper end, and a third arm defining an upper end rotatably connected to the mounting bracket and a lower end rotatably connected to the upper end of the first or second arm. The upper end of the other of the first or second arm is rotatably connected to the mounting bracket. The vehicle step includes also driving devices that drive respectively the extending and retracting devices to move the step member between the extended and retracted positions.
US08052145B2
A document handling apparatus is disclosed which is particularly well adapted for counting documents of value, such as banknotes. The document handling apparatus comprises an input module for receiving a stack of documents and feeding them one by one into the apparatus, a detector box which houses a series of detectors for detecting characteristics of the documents, a transport system for conveying documents within the apparatus, a doubles detector for sensing the passage of each document therethrough and a stacker module for stacking the output documents and presenting them to the user. The apparatus is based on a metal framework in a plastics housing.
US08052142B2
A turn guide is disposed between a first transport surface and a second transport surface on which a sheet is transported while being sucked. The turn guide has a plurality of guide ribs. The plurality of guide ribs have curved inverting transfer surfaces from an inversion start point corresponding to a first transport surface to an inversion end point corresponding to a second transport surface.
US08052136B2
A sheet conveyance relay unit, including: a convergence unit, including: a convergence section, in which a plurality of sheet receiving sections are respectively connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses, to receive recording sheets, wherein the convergence section makes the recording sheets, conveyed from the plurality of the sheet receiving sections, to merge into a single sheet conveyance path; and a first common sheet-conveyance section, which conveys the recording sheets from the convergence section to a sheet feeding outlet, and a divergence unit, including: a second common sheet-conveyance section, which conveys the recording sheets, conveyed from the convergence unit; a plurality of sheet feed-out sections, which are combined to a plurality of post-finishing apparatuses; and a divergence section, which sorts the recording sheets, conveyed by the second common sheet-conveyance section, onto the plurality of the sheet feed-out sections.
US08052135B2
While a book block (P) is nipped between a pair of clamping plates (1a, 1b) and passes through processing units (B to D) in succession, perfect book bind processing is carried out. Two or more of the processing units (B to D) have pairs of members (2b, 2c; 3c, 3d; 4a, 4b) which engage or come into contact with both sides of a back surface of the book block A thickness of the book block is measured by a measuring unit (6) before the book binding processing is started. When a thickness of next book block is measured by a measuring unit during the book bind processing of a previous book block, a control section (7) stores a measured value of the thickness of the next book block in a memory (8). When the previous book block reaches a predetermined position on a conveying path, a gap between the pair of members of the processing unit located upstream of a position of the previous book block is adjusted based on the measured value stored in the memory. Thereafter, a gap between the pair of members of the processing unit located downstream of the predetermined position is adjusted based on the measured value stored in the memory when the previous book block passes through the processing unit. After the book bind processing of the previous book block is completed, a gap between the pair of clamping plates is adjusted based on the measured value stored in the memory.
US08052132B2
An arrangement and method for producing an adhesive-bound, printed item composed of a number of printed products. A circulating conveyor includes a conveying track and a plurality of space-apart conveying units driven along the conveying track, wherein along a first conveying section of the circulating conveying printed products are gathered into loose book blocks in the conveying units which are positioned transverse to the conveying direction and in a reclined position that is inclined counter to the conveying direction. The circulating conveyor includes an additional conveying section to which the book blocks are supplied from the first conveying section for being conveyed to an adhesive binder. The additional conveying section is operative to accelerate the conveying units so that a divisional spacing between the book blocks is increased, and to pivot the conveying units so that the book blocks are moved to an upright position.
US08052130B2
A power-actuated vise apparatus includes a first jaw which is disposed on a base, and a second jaw which is supported by a carrier to be movable in a longitudinal direction by an angular force in an initial course. The carrier is further pressed by a linear force in a subsequent course to bring the second jaw into tightened engagement with a workpiece against the first jaw. A servo control mechanism is disposed to drive a torque transmitting member so as to transmit a torque force. A force coupler unit is configured to couple the torque transmitting member to the carrier and to take up the torque force from the torque transmitting member to result in generation of the angular force and the linear force.
US08052125B2
A motor drive for camper jacks or screw jacks that rapidly operates the screw jack between a retracted position and an extended no load position. A manual operator then operates the screw jack between the extended no load position and an extended loaded position. The motor drive and manual operator share a right angle gear mechanism.
US08052116B2
A fluid power system includes a hydraulic machine. A pilot-controlled supply valve controls high-pressure fluid to the machine. The valve is coupled between the hydraulic machine and a high-pressure fluid source, and includes a control port for an actuation signal. The supply valve allows passage of fluid from the machine to the fluid source, but blocks passage of fluid from the fluid source to the machine while closed, or permits passage of fluid from the fluid source to the machine while open. The supply valve biases toward closed or open according to an actuation signal at the control port. A pressurization valve is also coupled between the hydraulic machine and the high-pressure fluid source. The pressurization valve blocks passage of fluid from the fluid source to the machine while in a first position, and allows a restricted passage of fluid between its input and output ports while in a second position, to allow pressure to equalize on either side of the supply valve before the supply valve opens.
US08052113B2
A seat slide apparatus for a vehicle includes a cushioning member provided at one of an operational lever and a lock lever. The cushioning member is configured to contact the other of the operational lever and the lock lever for restricting a contact of an end portion of the operational lever with the lock lever at an initial stage of the rotational operation of the operational lever and is configured to allow a contact of the end portion of the operational lever with the lock lever when canceling the restriction of the movement of an upper rail relative to a lower rail by the lock lever in response to the rotational operation of the operational lever.
US08052112B2
A fore-aft positioning adjuster adapted for use with an object, such as a seat, includes a locking mechanism, and an actuator employing an active material element operable to undergo a reversible change when exposed to or occluded from an activation signal, and configured to selectively cause the mechanism to release, so that the object can be repositioned, as a result of the change.
US08052109B2
A cooling stand includes a base and a top plate made of a crystal glass material. At least one support member is provided on an upper face of the base for supporting the top plate above the base. One face of the top plate facing away from the base is an inclined supporting face, and the top plate and the base together define a rearward expanded space between them. A heat-producing article can be positioned on the inclined supporting face of the top plate, allowing a user to operate the heat-producing article in a position meeting the ergonomics. Meanwhile, heat produced by the heat-producing article can be highly efficiently absorbed by and then dissipated from the crystal glass material of the top plate through air convection at the rearward expanded space.
US08052107B2
The present invention provides a satellite receiver comprising a base, a rotation stand, an adjusting mechanism, and a positioning device. The base has an axis aperture and a first slot. The rotation stand is rotatably attached to the base through the axis aperture. The adjusting mechanism has a connection end and an adjusting end. The connection end is coupled with the rotation stand and is movable together with the upper stand to generate displacement relative to the base. The positioning device is coupled with the adjusting end and passes through the first slot. When the upper stand rotates relatively to the base, the adjusting mechanism drives the positioning device to move along the first slot. The first slot limits the angular rotation of the rotation stand and the positioning device and selectively constrains the relative displacement between the connecting unit and the base.
US08052105B2
A holder for a loudspeaker box onto which the loudspeaker box can be slipped. The holder includes a control handle and a clamping device actuatable without tools via the control handle.
US08052102B2
A foldable supporting stand with stoppers in two directions includes a base, a support, a sliding body, a positioning means, a first swinging piece and a second swinging piece. The support is rotatably connected to the base. The sliding body is slidably provided on the support and is further connected to a screen. The first swinging piece and the second swinging piece are swingably connected to the positioning means. The positioning means is connected on the support. When the support is folded on the base, the first swinging piece and the second swinging piece are subjected to their gravitational forces to swing toward the sliding body and thus lock the sliding body. The locked sliding body is restricted from sliding on the support in two directions.
US08052101B2
The invention provides a rotating table for a display device which can rotate around the horizontal shaft by a manual operation in addition to a small motor drive. A rotating table for a display device includes a rotating member arranged so as to be rotatable around a horizontal shaft, and in which the display device is arranged, a balancing device balancing with a gravity moment around the horizontal shaft in the display device, and a first motor-driven rotating mechanism rotating the rotating member around the horizontal shaft, and the first motor-driven rotating mechanism includes gear trains converting a rotation of an electric motor into a rotation of the rotating member, and a rotation allowing device allowing a rotation of the gear trains only in a case of a rotation having a torque not less than a predetermined torque with respect to the rotation from the rotating member side.
US08052098B1
The present invention is a device that can be used to hold cables, cords, hoses, ropes, and similar objects that are used during work on a roof top. The cable holding device is comprised of a body for holding the cables, a mounting bracket for mounting the invention to a roof, and an arm that serves to extend the body beyond the terminal edge of a roof. The body and the mounting bracket are respectively attached to the arm by any conventional means. The mounting bracket cooperates with the arm to extend the body a suitable distance beyond the terminal edge of a roof top, allowing cables held within the body to drape over the edge of a building without touching the terminal edge of the roof.
US08052097B2
The invention relates to a rotorcraft cockpit having a left seat and a right seat placed side-by-side, a console extending between the seats, two side sticks, one situated to the right of the right seat and the other situated to the left of the left seat, enabling the pilot to control roll and pitch; a flight control system comprising sensors associated with the side sticks and a computer connected to the sensors serves to convert the orders applied by the pilot to the side sticks into signals for controlling actuators in order to vary roll and pitch; a piloting relationship integrated in the computer stabilizes the response of the rotorcraft in roll and in pitch when a side stick is actuated, and maintains the attitudes in roll and pitch at reference values when neither side stick is actuated.
US08052095B2
Systems and methods for providing supplemental drag to an aircraft are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes detecting changes in at least one throttle resolver angle (TRA). Deflections are determined for one or more flight control surfaces based on the changes in TRA, and accordingly, the one or more flight control surfaces are deflected automatically to generate supplemental drag. The one or more flight control surfaces include at least one at least one of an aileron, a spoiler, and an elevator. Additionally, in one instance, the deflections of the one or more flight control surfaces is implemented as a rated limited time lag function of the changes in TRA.
US08052088B2
A window panel adapted for installation relative to a structure. The panel includes a single piece of generally transparent injection-molded material configured to span one or more openings in the structure. The panel has panel attachment inserts for attaching the panel relative to the structure. The inserts are embedded in the material alongside at least one edge of the panel. The panel has a curvature that essentially continues a curvature of the structure surrounding the opening(s) when the panel is installed relative to the structure. This panel can be single-pane and can provide an essentially continuous window along an aircraft fuselage.
US08052082B1
An optimized lighter-than-air vehicle or airship incorporating a frame 104, internal propulsion 124, perforated covering 102 and lifting-gas cells 110 is disclosed. Optimization features include variations on a Stratford Ramp, means to control the boundary layer 210, absence of unnecessary protuberances and means to reduce the bow wave. A transportable version utilizing a flexible frame 310 and keels 314 is also disclosed along with a means for rapid descent and landing. The operating concept reduces velocity requirements which, in turn, reduce weight and size requirements.
US08052079B2
A swivel machine for wire processing includes a coiler arranged between a cutting-off/insulation-stripping unit and a second swivel arm. The cut length of wire whose leading wire-end has been processed is coiled by means of a coiling disk of the coiler. After the leading wire-end of the cut length of wire has been processed, it is grasped by the coiler. A belt drive then advances the wire by the desired length of the cut length of wire, and simultaneously the coiler coils the advancing wire into a coil. After the coiling operation, a linearly movable stacker unit grasps the coil, and the coiling disk releases the coil. After the trailing wire-end has been processed, the placement unit moves further in the wire advance direction to the deposit. While the trailing wire-end is being processed, and while traveling to the deposit, the coil is provided with a bind.
US08052078B2
A wire dispensing device for containing a roll of wire having a free end. The device includes a plurality of enclosure walls connected to each other and forming an enclosure, where at least one of the walls is operable between an open position, thereby providing access to an internal area of the enclosure, and a closed position, thereby substantially enclosing the roll of wire positioned therein. At least one dispensing orifice extends through at least one surface of the enclosure and permits passage of the free end of the wire therethrough for use in dispensing the wire from the device. A method of dispensing wire from a roll of wire, and a method of manufacturing a dispensing device are also provided.
US08052076B2
A sterilizable particle-size reduction apparatus, component parts thereof and a method of sterilizing and validating sterility thereof are provided. Also provided is use thereof to prepare sterile suspensions of drugs.
US08052075B2
A process of forming a semiconductive carbon nanotube structure includes imposing energy on a mixture that contains metallic carbon nanotubes and semiconductive carbon nanotubes under conditions to cause the metallic carbon nanotubes to be digested or to decompose so that they may be separated away from the semiconductive carbon nanotubes.
US08052069B2
The present invention comprises a high performance, vertical, zero-net mass-flux, synthetic jet actuator for active control of viscous, separated flow on subsonic and supersonic vehicles. The present invention is a vertical piezoelectric hybrid zero-net mass-flux actuator, in which all the walls of the chamber are electrically controlled synergistically to reduce or enlarge the volume of the synthetic jet actuator chamber in three dimensions simultaneously and to reduce or enlarge the diameter of orifice of the synthetic jet actuator simultaneously with the reduction or enlargement of the volume of the chamber. The jet velocity and mass flow rate for the present invention will be several times higher than conventional piezoelectric synthetic jet actuators.
US08052066B2
A hybrid vehicle can be driven using both of respective driving forces from an engine and a motor. A heating mechanism of an air conditioning apparatus uses thermal energy from cooling water of the engine to heat the interior of a passenger compartment. An ECU takes into consideration engine efficiency from the standpoint of fuel economy enhancement to primarily determine the driving force share ratio between the engine and the motor. Further, the ECU calculates a preset temperature corresponding to a cooling water temperature necessary for desired heating as well as a control target temperature in which the preset temperature is reflected, and corrects the primarily determined driving force share ratio to increase the share of the driving force of the engine by an amount according to a deviation between the cooling water temperature measured by a water temperature sensor and the control target temperature. Heating performance can thus be ensured promptly without deterioration of fuel economy.
US08052063B2
An air-conditioning system operable at different states employs a control unit including a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver is connected electrically to a switching device for a compressor of the air-conditioning system. The compressor is installed at a remote location exterior to a building. The receiver is responsive to an encoded radio signal to provide an electronic control signal for actuating the switching device. The transmitter is installed within the building and is electrically connected to a thermostat within the building that responds to temperature changes to provide a temperature control signal. The transmitter upon receipt of the temperature control signal transmits to the remote location the encoded radio signal for operating the air-conditioning system at one of the different states.
US08052057B2
A method of illuminating objects on a countertop surface using an automatically-triggered digital image capture and processing system having a single array of LEDs disposed near and behind the upper edge portion of its imaging window, which is provided with an illumination-focusing lens structure integrated therein. During object detection, illumination and imaging operations on the countertop surface, typically at a retail point of sale (POS) station, visible illumination generated by the LEDs is focused and projected by the illumination-focusing lens structure so that the system maintains its illumination rays substantially within the field of view (FOV) of said system, and above which the field of view (FOV) of human operator and spectators are positioned, so that the field of illumination extends substantially across the working distance of the FOV of the system, and in a way to illuminate objects located anywhere within the working distance of said system, while minimizing annoyance to the system operator, as well as others in the vicinity thereof during system operation.
US08052047B1
An automated banking machine operates responsive to data read from data bearing records to cause financial transfers. The machine includes a card reader that operates to read card data from user cards. The card data corresponds to financial accounts. The automated banking machine includes a cash dispenser and the machine carries out transaction functions for consumers including dispensing cash. The automated banking machine may also include a button in a chest that is operative to establish secure communication with the cash dispenser.
US08052043B1
An automated banking machine is controlled responsive to data bearing records. The machine operates using data read from user cards by a card reader. The machine includes a housing, a fascia connected with the housing and movable between a secure closed position adjacent a housing opening and a released away position, wherein the fascia is a least partially separated from the housing opening, a pair of latches operable to releasably secure the fascia to the housing and movable between a fascia-securing position and a fascia-releasing position, and an access panel mounted to the fascia and including a lock, and movable between a closed panel position, wherein the access panel blocks access to the latches, and an open panel position, wherein the latches are accessible to be released.
US08052035B2
A method for forming solder bodies on a substrate includes: positioning a first mask plate, which is formed with at least one first through-hole, on the substrate; filling the first through-hole with a first solder paste so as to form a first solder body on the substrate; positioning a second mask plate, which is formed with at least one second through-hole and at least one recess spaced apart from the second through-hole, on the substrate in such a manner that the first solder body is received in the recess; and filling the second through-hole with a second solder paste so as to form a second solder body on the substrate.
US08052027B2
An apparatus for attaching the lid and body portions of a metallic container includes a base to support the body, a support assembly to support a flange of the body, and a sonotrode for contacting a flange of the lid, wherein the flanges of the lid and body are held together between the support assembly and the sonotrode. A motor reciprocally rotates the sonotrode relative to the support assembly, thereby moving the flanges relative one another to generate frictional heat and create a friction weld therebetween.
US08052025B2
A hollow tissue inosculation apparatus is to inosculate two hollow tissues to each other with a staple having a plurality of elastically deformable bent staple pins. The hollow tissue inosculation apparatus includes a staple holder to hold the staple, a curvature control mechanism to control curvature of the staple pins of the staple held in the staple holder, and a gap control mechanism to control gaps of the hollow tissues with respect to the staple holder. The curvature control mechanism substantially straightens the staple pins. The gap control mechanism reduces the gaps to cause the substantially straightened staple pins to penetrate through the hollow tissues. The hollow tissue inosculation apparatus also includes a detector to detect the staple pins of the staple that have penetrated through the hollow tissue.
US08052024B2
A surgical apparatus has a clamp and a stapling mechanism. The clamp has a first jaw and a second jaw to clamp on a body tissue at a desired location for a stapling operation. The stapling mechanism is controlled by a trigger handle or a switch assembly. The surgical apparatus has a controller for providing a delay between clamping and actuating of the firing mechanism of the stapling mechanism. The delay provides for a desired amount of time for tissue compression producing a more uniform staple formation. The surgical apparatus also has an indicator. The indicator provides feedback about the status of the stapling mechanism and also displays a time of tissue compression by the clamp.
US08052021B2
A braking mechanism for empty nail cartridge of a nail gun includes a guiding plate, a cover plate, a punch rod, a securing slide rod and a nail cartridge. A nail hole and an end hole are defined in the guiding plate having a connecting groove. A nail pusher and a pushing arm are arranged in the nail cartridge to provide resilient force along a nail firing direction. The pushing arm is pivotably placed on the nail pusher adjacent the brake portion for affording the resilient force. The pushing arm allows the brake portion of the nail pusher to go through the end hole and move into the end hole to block the stopper of the securing sliding rod when the nails are used up. The pushing arm moves into the connecting groove to improve the yield rate of the brake of the empty nail cartridge of the nail gun.
US08052016B2
A dual tube container with one way valves comprises an outer tube and a cap, wherein, the tube head of the outer tube is provided with a base plate; the base plate is provided with a left through hole and a right through hole connecting the outer tube and the inner tube; a connector extends downwards from the right through hole, and the inner tube body in the outer tube body is connected to the connector to form the inner tube; a pair of one way valves are fixed in the tube head; an applicator with a orifice is inserted into the tube head; when the cap is put on to close the tube head, the pintle or elastic gasket in the cap sealing the orifice on the daub part of the applicator to prevent the leaking of liquid contents. It is provided with a pair of one way valves, and the inner tube is fixed in the outer tube; via the opening or closing of the pair of one way valves, the contents of the outer tube and the inner tube are permitted or forbidden to flow out. By using the dual tube container to make a cosmetic apparatus, etc., the technology of filling two kinds of pastes can be implemented via the big holes in the tube head, so as to avoid adopting expensive special equipment for filling and sealing; the operation is greatly simplified, and the cost is reduced.
US08052015B2
A holder apparatus includes a handhold formed on an end thereof for holding and a barrel section extending from another end thereof. A clamping section is formed from the front end of the barrel section opposite to the handhold and includes two jaw portions joined together, two limited grooves respectively formed in and extending along the two jaw portions, two inner rim portions respectively defined against the two limited grooves and two clamping edges respectively formed on the inner wall of the two jaw portions related to the two limited grooves. The clamping edges grip a neck of a sprayer and support the bottom of a rim of a sprayer. A trigger element is pivotally connected to the barrel section. A C-shaped spring is disposed in the two limited grooves and grips the inner rim portions related to the two clamping edges.
US08052012B2
A device and method are provided for dispensing a beverage from a pressurized container. The dispensing device includes an integral source of compressed gas for maintaining the beverage within the container at a desired pressurized state. The dispensing device also includes a regulator for controlling the flow of gas from the compressed gas source to the interior of the container, as well as a pressure relief mechanism that accounts for potential over pressurization of the container. The beverage is selectively dispensed by actuation of a tap handle. Delivery is achieved through the device by a resilient delivery tube, and the delivery tube is either pinched closed or allowed to decompress by the actuation of the tap handle. In another embodiment, a check valve is used to control flow of the beverage in which the tap handle activates a transfer rod to seat and unseat a check element.
US08052004B2
A releasably locking lid for a beverage container is disclosed. More specifically, lid embodiments include an outer surface, an inner surface, and a lip, the lid including a center piece and an outer ring that is configured to rotate relative to the center piece to releasably lock the container within a receiving space in the lid.
US08051992B2
A water transfer device can include first and second flow paths separated by a water transfer membrane and a hydrophilic diffusion medium. The hydrophilic diffusion medium is disposed between the water transfer membrane and the first flow path. Water content of a first fluid stream flowing through the first flow path is transferred through the diffusion medium and water transfer membrane and into a second fluid stream flowing through the second flow path. The hydrophilic diffusion medium is operable to absorb liquid water in the first fluid stream and hold the absorbed liquid water in contact with the water transfer membrane. The hydrophilic diffusion medium is also operable to diffuse water vapor in the first fluid stream and transport the water vapor to the water transfer membrane. The water transfer membrane transfers the water in contact therewith to the second fluid stream flowing through second flow path.
US08051984B1
A seed envelope having a window formed with an aperture extending not only through and entirely across the front panel of the envelope from one side edge to the laterally opposite side edge but also further extending beyond the side edges and onto the back of the envelope. A transparent sheet of window material extends beyond the aperture so as to overlap the sheet of envelope material in a peripheral overlap area around the aperture. The transparent sheet is folded along the laterally opposite side edges and bonded to the front panel and envelope panels connected to the sides of the front panel. Preferably, the aperture also extends beyond the bottom fold crease and into the panel that is connected to the bottom of the front panel and is folded onto the back of the envelope. The seed content is visible from the sides of the envelope and even the rear of the envelope adjacent its side and bottom edges. The bottom corners are strengthened by gussets and by downward extensions of the laterally opposite side panels.
US08051976B2
A track frame assembly is provided having a frame member formed from an elongated channel, a pair of track rail members each fixed in place on a predetermined surface of the frame member, and a plurality of rail fixtures with which the pair of track rail members can removably be fixed to the frame member. Each of the track rail members includes a retaining projection having a retaining recess, the retaining recesses of the track rail members are opposite each other and each chain element of the conveyor chain has a pair of engaging projections which are formed to slide in contact in the respective retaining recesses in the track rail members so that the conveyor chain can be move smoothly. Thus, the track frame assembly can be formed from a reduced number of parts and designed lightweight because of its structural simplicity.
US08051975B2
A workpiece conveying apparatus for conveying a workpiece disposed in a through hole in a conveying table allows the workpiece to be reliably dismounted from the through hole using compressed gas, suppresses the workpiece from unintentionally jumping out because of residual pressure of the compressed air, and increases the conveying efficiency. In an electronic-component conveying apparatus, a conveying table is arranged to face a conveying surface of a conveying stage, with an electronic component disposed in a through hole in the conveying table. When the conveying table is rotated, the electronic component is conveyed. The conveying surface has an exhaust hole at a position where the electronic component is to be dismounted. The total area of the opening of the exhaust hole in the conveying table is larger than the area of the surface of the electronic component facing the conveying surface of the conveying stage.
US08051973B2
A device for transferring objects from a printing machine chuck to a support and distancing pin, the chuck and the pin being moved on two independent paths, at a point of which paths they are parallel to one another and at a predetermined reciprocal distance, the device comprising a carriage which is mobile in a parallel direction to the chuck and to the pin, between a distant position from the chuck and the pin to a close position to the chuck and the pin, means for gripping and releasing the objects being provided on the carriage, which means for gripping and releasing are mobile along a trajectory in a perpendicular plane to the carriage in order to be placed alternatively in front of the chuck and the pin, the trajectory including at least a tract in which it is parallel to the path of the pins.
US08051972B1
The present invention is a conveyor using a non-uniform pulsating movement created by multiple interactions between a solenoid and switch to move parts along a transporting tray.
US08051937B2
A pedaling assistance device for a light vehicle, in particular a bicycle, equipped with pedals and a ratio-changing transmission, this device comprising a heat engine (1; 101; 201) equipped with a reducing gear mechanically coupled with an element receiving muscular pedaling power from a user of the light vehicle, the mechanical coupling being effected upstream of said ratio-changing transmission so that the heat engine benefits from said changes of ratio, wherein the assistance device comprises a torque limiter (6; 106; 206), placed on the kinematics of the reducing gear of the heat engine between said heat engine and the mechanical coupling.
US08051924B2
A braking device for drilling operations in a borehole includes a brake retainer having a plurality of brake connector openings defined therein, a body member having a tapered surface having a first diameter and a second diameter, the second diameter being larger than the first diameter, at least one brake element positioned at least partially between the brake retainer and the body member and in communication with the tapered surface and at least one of the brake connector openings, and a bias member configured to exert a biasing force on the body member to move the body member toward the brake retainer to move the brake element from contact with the first diameter of the tapered surface toward contact with the second diameter.
US08051923B2
A rotary drill bit having blades with gage pads disposed on exterior portions thereof to improve steerability of the rotary drill bit during formation of a directional wellbore without sacrifice of lateral stability. One or more of the gage pads may include radially tapered exterior portions and/or cut out portions to assist with reducing wear of the associated gage pad. For some applications, a rotary drill bit may be formed having blades with gage pads having a relatively uniform exterior surface. Hard facing material and/or buttons may be disposed on exterior portions of the gage pad to form a radially tapered portion to improve steerability, reduce wear of the gage pad and/or improve ability of the rotary drill to form a wellbore having a generally uniform inside diameter, particularly during directional drilling of the wellbore.
US08051914B2
Annular packer (2) arranged on the outside of a production tubing (4) said packer comprises a core (12) comprising elastic polymer swelling by absorption of hydrocarbons. The core (12) may be surrounded by an external mantle of rubber (10), which is permeable to hydrocarbons and may be equipped with a reinforcement (11). The core (12) swells by absorption of hydrocarbons and the packer (2) expands thus in order to seal the annular space (5) between the production tubing (4) and the well wall (6).
US08051912B2
Measurement and/or control units located within a borehole are inductively coupled to a flat three phase power cable segment without piercing the armor around the cable. For drawing power from the cable, C-shaped, L-shaped or straight core(s) with winding(s) around at least a portion thereof are positioned proximate to one or both end conductors, outside the armor, with significantly overlapping the center conductor. For impressing or detecting signals on the cable, straight core(s) with winding(s) around at least a portion thereof are disposed on one or both sides of the cable, outside the armor, across all three conductors with the core oriented transverse to the cable conductors.
US08051906B2
The assembly includes a pair of heat exchangers, each including an upper and lower manifold, parallel and spaced relative to one another. Tubes extend between each set of upper and lower manifolds with fins disposed between each of the tubes. A valve system controls fluid flow between the upper manifolds and the lower manifolds. The valve system is movable between a maximum cooling mode with fluid flow form the first upper manifold through both of the tubes and to said first lower manifold. A temperate mode allows fluid to flow from the first upper manifold to the first lower manifold and from the second upper manifold to the second lower manifold to prevent flash fogging. A maximum cooling mode allows fluid to flow from the second upper manifold through both of the first and second tubes to the lower manifolds.
US08051903B2
A cooling and/or heating device (10, 60) for use in the cooling and/or heating of one or more units (8a to 8c) includes a conduit network containing flow and return conduits (14, 16; 68, 70), with several circuits (12a to 12c; 32 to 38, 74 to 78) connected to the flow and return conduits (14, 16; 68, 70). Valves (28, 88, 96) are located in each circuit and used to regulate or control the volumetric flow through the circuits (12a to 12c; 32 to 38; 74 to 78). A heat transfer medium or coolant circulates through the conduit network, with at least one consuming device disposed in each circuit. Sensors (38) are provided in each circuit (12a-12c; 32-38; 74-78), the sensors (38) sending signals to a control unit and forming part of a control circuit. The control unit adjusts the valves (28, 88, 96) of each circuit as a function of the signals transmitted from the sensors (38) so as to hydraulically balance the individual circuits.
US08051900B2
This invention relates to an internal jet impingement type shell and tube heat exchanger in which the jet cooling tubes and the heating tubes in shell and tube heat exchanger are formed either as a staggered tube bundle or as a square tube bundle, and the orifices on each jet cooling tube are provided according to the arrangement of tube bundle. Thus, the heat transfer performance of jet impingement type shell and tube heat exchanger is remarkably enhanced.
US08051895B2
An operation to acquire a strip with less thickness even if arcuate worn steps are formed on side weirs is disclosed. During an operation of a twin-roll casting machine with arcuate worn steps developing on side weirs due to rotational sliding contact of chilled rolls, the thickness of a steel strip from a nip is reduced, and the center-to-center distance between the rolls is increased with the side weirs in contact with ends of the rolls being displaced upward. This prevents interference of outer peripheries of the rolls with boundary surfaces adjacent to the arcuate worn steps of the side weirs.
US08051892B2
A method of manufacturing a metal-carbon nanocomposite material in which aluminum is used as the matrix is disclosed. The manufacturing method comprises mixing a Si-coated carbon nanomaterial (30) and a powdered Mg material (33), heating the mixture to a melting point of the Mg material or higher, and thereafter cooling the mixture to obtain an Mg-carbon nanomaterial (34). A metal-carbon nanomaterial in which Al is used as the matrix is provided by cooling the Mg-carbon nanomaterial and molten Al (40) in a mixed state.
US08051884B2
The invention relates to a device for combining two components. A first container accommodates the first component, which is liquid, and a second container accommodates a second, solid or liquid component under negative pressure. A body is provided with a first holder for the first container, in the region of the closure of the latter, and with a second holder for the second container, in the region of the closure of the latter. Displaceable means for piercing the closures are provided within the body. In the case of such a device, the invention provides that the body has two slides mounted in a displaceable manner in it, wherein each slide accommodates a cannula for piercing the respective closure, the cannulas are connected, in the region of their ends directed away from the closure, to an element which connects the cannulas in a liquid-tight manner, and actuating means are provided for moving the slides in the direction of the closures for the purpose of piercing the closures.
US08051882B2
A system and method is provided to monitor a tanker truck. The system includes a plurality of sensors, each of the plurality of sensors configured to detect an event. The system also includes a monitoring unit electrically coupled with the plurality of sensors to detect the event. The monitoring unit includes a processing unit, a time module, and a memory, and is operable to time stamp data about the sensed event with information from the time module and store the detected and time stamped event in the memory. The system further includes a handheld data terminal configured to communicate with the monitoring unit. The handheld data terminal is operable to retrieve and display the stored event, and includes a processing unit, a memory, a user interface, a time module, and a display.
US08051879B2
An open ended cap for a pipe is provided comprising a flexible tubular body wherein one end has an inwardly-extending radial rim extending in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the tubular body of the end cap. The tubular body may include a finger grip member extending inwardly from an inner periphery of the rim and connected to a tear strip extending across the rim and downwardly along at least a portion of the tubular body. In another embodiment, the tubular body has an interior wall surface having multiple compressible longitudinal fit beads extending from the interior wall surface and spaced about the circumference of the interior wall surface and which are configured to provide contact with the external surface of a pipe upon being inserted into the end cap. Both a tear strip and longitudinal fit beads may also be provided in combination.
US08051867B2
A tent and method of assembling a tent is provided. The tent includes a connecting strip for connecting first and second panels of a fabric shell of the tent. The connecting strip slides axially along sides of the adjacent panels during assembly to connect them together. In a preferred embodiment, the connecting strip and sides of the connected panels utilize cooperating keder strips and keder channels to cooperatingly connect the two panels. In a preferred embodiment, the connecting strip is flexible to permit using connecting strips that are longer than the legs of the tent.
US08051865B1
A canopy system for increasing the coverage of multiple umbrellas has been disclosed. The canopy system includes a canopy portion and at least one fastener for removeably attaching the canopy portion to a first and second umbrella. The fastener can attach to unmodified portions of an umbrella so that the canopy system may be used with existing umbrellas and umbrellas not especially manufactured to couple with a canopy. The canopy system may advantageously include a support structure for supporting the canopy portion in a desired shape. The length of the canopy system can be adjustable and the system can be easily collapsed for storage and portability.
US08051864B1
A combination trekking pole and blind is disclosed. When in a collapsed configuration, the trekking pole facilitates a user traversing challenging terrain. The combination can quickly be expanded into a blind configuration with an expanding camouflaged umbrella arrangement for concealing the user from the view of hunted game.
US08051862B2
A liquid treatment device having a rotatable substrate holding section (2) for horizontally holding a wafer (W), an annular-shaped rotation cup (4) which surrounds the wafer (W) which rotates with the wafer (W), a rotation mechanism (3) for integrally rotating the rotation cup (4) and the substrate holding section (2), a nozzle (5) for supplying a treatment liquid for the wafer (W) at a treatment position and a cleaning liquid for the rotation cup (4) at its external surface, a liquid supply section (85) for the nozzle (5), and a nozzle movement mechanism for moving the nozzle (5) between the wafer treatment position and the external portion of the rotation cup (4).
US08051847B2
A toy gun gas intake control mechanism includes a holder frame, an impact member having an elongated pivoted with its bottom end to the holder frame, a striking block, a pivot axle that pivotally connects the striking block to the top end of the elongated base and a spring member for revering the striking block, a retaining block supported on a spring member in the holder frame and having a retaining notch for retaining the outer end of the pivot axle. When firing a bullet, the bolt body of the toy gun moves forwards, the striking block strikes a seal member to open a gas inlet, and the pivot axle is moved out of the retaining notch of the retaining block for allowing upward displacement of the retaining block. When the bolt body moves backward after firing, the retaining block is forced downwards to the inside or the holder frame by the bolt body, the outer end of the pivot axle is engaged into the retaining notch, and the striking block is returned, causing the seal member to close the gas inlet again.
US08051845B2
A housing has an intake passage extending substantially in a vertical direction of a vehicle. A valve is configured to open and close the intake passage. A shaft supports the valve. A bearing supports the shaft. A hose is connected with an upper side of the housing in the vertical direction and configured to lead intake air into the intake passage. A communication passage configured to communicate an inside of an internal combustion engine of the vehicle with the hose. The communication passage has an opening in the vicinity of a point directly above the bearing. The hose has a wall surface defining a condensate passage, which connects the opening with a target location from which condensate is to be dropped.
US08051843B2
Exhaust gas inlets for introducing exhaust gas from an EGR pipe, on the right bank side, and exhaust gas inlets for introducing exhaust gas from the EGR pipe, on the left bank side, are both formed in low-pressure regions. The exhaust gas inlets are formed at positions where the pressure of the intake air flowing through branch pipes on the right bank side and the pressure of the intake air flowing through branch pipes on the left bank side are both low and substantially equal. Accordingly, exhaust gas is introduced evenly into cylinders in the right and left banks. These inlets are not formed at positions in a common intake passage from which branch paths branch off, that is, positions upstream of a surge tank. Accordingly, the response to introduction of exhaust gas is not deteriorated but is maintained.
US08051838B2
A high-pressure pump section pumps fuel in a fuel tank into a delivery pipe. An injector injects the fuel in the delivery pipe directly into a combustion chamber of an engine. An ECU calculates fuel injection quantity based on an operation state of the engine and calculates fuel injection time based on the fuel injection quantity and pressure of the fuel in the delivery pipe. The ECU calculates fuel injection start timing based on the operation state of the engine. The ECU sets the fuel injection time and the fuel injection start timing as a base injection period. When a fuel inflow period, in which the high-pressure fuel flows into the delivery pipe with the fuel pumping by the high-pressure pump section, overlaps with the base injection period, the ECU changes the base injection period to eliminate or reduce the overlap.
US08051831B2
A control device for a variable valve timing apparatus that changes valve timing of at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine includes an actual valve timing computing unit and a valve timing controlling unit. The actual valve timing computing unit computes actual valve timing. The valve timing controlling unit controls the variable valve timing apparatus to maintain present valve timing during starting of the internal combustion engine before the actual valve timing computing unit becomes capable of computing the actual valve timing. The valve timing controlling unit controls the variable valve timing apparatus such that the actual valve timing becomes target valve timing during the starting of the internal combustion engine after the actual valve timing computing unit becomes capable of computing the actual valve timing.
US08051820B2
A gasket provided in a gasket groove, receives the force that acts in the direction in which two pressure-adjusting oil passages are aligned in line, and the magnitude and direction of this force change as the difference between the hydraulic pressures in the pressure-adjusting oil passages varies. However, because the opening of a hydraulic oil supply passage is located on an imaginary line extending through between the openings of the two pressure-adjusting oil passages, pressure is applied from the hydraulic oil supply passage to the gasket, whereby constant and large frictional force occurs between the gasket and the side wall of the gasket groove. Thus, the gasket is firmly retained in the gasket groove, whereby the vibration of the gasket is suppressed.
US08051817B2
The present invention provides a variable valve mechanism which includes a camshaft having a drive cam, a rocker shaft provided parallel to the camshaft, and a variable mechanism that is provided on the rocker shaft and interposed between the drive cam and a valve, and that changes an opening/closing amount of the valve. The variable mechanism includes a main arm that engages with the drive cam, a cam arm that has a cam surface pressing the valve, a control cam that is provided on the rocker shaft, and has an outer peripheral surface whose distance from a shaft center of the rocker shaft varies gradually, and a displacement member whose distance from the shaft center is changed by turning of the control cam. A relative phase between the main arm and the cam arm is displaced as the distance between the displacement member and the shaft center changes.
US08051816B2
A V-type engine for a vehicle is provided with front and rear banks including intake and exhaust valves exposed to a combustion chamber, a valve operating device for operating the engine valves, a valve stop mechanism for stopping the operation of the engine valves according to an operational condition of the vehicle, and an actuator for driving a throttle valve. A valve stop mechanism is provided in either the front bank or the rear bank. An actuator provided in one of the front bank and the rear bank excluding the valve stop mechanism is lower in height than the actuator provided in the other of the front bank. By reducing the height of one of the front bank or the rear bank, an adequate capacity of an air cleaner and a fuel tank can be ensured
US08051808B2
A harness for a quadruped animal including a chest strap which in use of the harness lies across the chest of the animal in front of the forelegs, the harness including an attachment for a leading strap, the attachment being slidably mounted on the chest strap for movement therealong. Each end of the chest strap is attached to a trunk loop which in use of the harness passes around the trunk of the animal behind the forelegs. The trunk loop includes a back strap which in use of the harness lies across the back of the animal affixed to a lower strap which in use of the harness passes under the animal behind the forelegs.
US08051807B2
A vertically moveable immobilizing sow chute to allow hoisting and holding horizontally of a sow for foot treatment is described. The unit avoids the use of slings, can be operated electrically, and has numerous fail safe features as well as mobility and stability.
US08051799B2
An apparatus includes a housing defining a chamber in which an electric field is generated, and an internal member provided in the chamber. At least one part of the internal member is formed of a dielectric material. A process is executed in the chamber so that a dielectric deposit is formed on the at least one part of the internal member. An m1(d∈1/dm1) value of the dielectric material and an m2(d∈2/dm2) value of the dielectric deposit are set so that production of particles from the deposit is properly controlled. The term m1 is a mass density of the dielectric material, ∈1 is a permittivity of the dielectric material, m2 is a mass density of the dielectric deposit, and ∈2 is a permittivity of the dielectric deposit.
US08051795B2
A semi-automated food processing station, system and method is provided that allows food to be dispensed, stored and packaged in a suitable container, which may be an individual portion-sized container for serving to a customer. In one embodiment, the system includes an automated salting device, and may include a pivotable food receiving tray that automatically transfers the food items to one or more storage bins, where an infrared heater maintains the temperature of the food items by directing infrared radiation thereon. In a preferred embodiment, the infrared radiation passes through a filter that filters out the wavelengths of infrared radiation that may be irritating to an operator.
US08051788B2
A sewing machine includes upper and lower beams. A thread hooking mechanism is mounted in the lower beam. A needle plate base is mounted to an end of the lower beam. A transmission shaft rotatably extends in the lower beam and has an end extending into the needle plate base. The transmission shaft can be driven by a power source. A driving device is mounted to the end of the lower beam and includes a transmission gear fixed on the end of the transmission shaft, a driven shaft rotatably received in the needle plate base and having an end coupled to the thread hooking mechanism, and a driven gear fixed on the driven shaft and connected to the transmission gear, with the driven shaft and the thread hooking mechanism rotating at a speed higher than the transmission shaft.
US08051777B2
In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a switch for a powered pallet conveyor is provided. The switch comprising (a) a turntable and (b) rail portions which are arranged upon the turntable and define at least a first travel pathway and a second travel pathway, whereby the first travel pathway is defined by straight rail portions and a second travel pathway is defined by curved rail portions, so that the central line of the first travel pathway and the departure lines of the second travel pathway respectively pass through the fulcrum of the turntable.
US08051760B2
A microtome for producing thin sections for microscopy is suggested that has a high level of automation and can be operated ergonomically. The microtome has a sectioning knife, a specimen holder, a first and a second motor unit operating the knife, a control system and an operating unit comprising a first and a second operating element. The first operating element controls the relative displacement between the sectioning knife and specimen holder, while the second operating element adjusts the advance rate of the displacement. The first operating element is a rotating ring and the second element is a rotary knob, concentrically within the rotating ring.
US08051750B2
A guiding device includes a connecting member, a first clamping arm, and a second clamping arm. The first clamping arm defines a first restricting groove and a first receiving groove in an end, and the first restricting groove communicates with the first receiving groove. The second clamping arm defining a second restricting groove and a second receiving groove in an end, and the second restricting groove communicates with the second receiving groove. The first clamping arm and the second clamping arm are rotatably connected to the connecting member. When the first clamping arm resists the second clamping arm, the first restricting groove and the second restricting groove cooperatively form a guiding portion. The first receiving groove and the second receiving groove cooperatively form a receiving portion. The receiving portion is substantially perpendicularly to the guiding portion to form a T-shaped groove.
US08051746B2
A ratchet wrench has a handle and a ratchet housing that both extend along a first axis. A drive body is connected for rotation relative to the ratchet housing about a second axis, perpendicular to the first axis. A yoke substantially encircles the body and is connected to the ratchet housing and a direction selector is coupled to the drive body and extends along the second axis. The direction selector is rotatable about the second axis with respect to the drive body between a first position, in which the yoke is fixed for counterclockwise rotation with the drive body about the second axis, and a second position, in which the yoke is fixed for clockwise rotation with the drive body about the second axis. A direction actuator is connected to the direction selector for rotation about the first axis to move the direction selector between the first and second positions.
US08051740B2
An actuating device is provided for selecting gears of an automatic transmission. The actuating device includes a rotatable actuating element as well as a crank arrangement (9) with stop elements (Mn) for limiting the rotation angle of the actuating element to a total switching angle. The actuating element may assume n switching positions within the total switching angle. The crank arrangement (9) has a separate stop element (Mn), which can be activated in a controlled manner, and a crank area (12, 13) for each of the n switching positions. The crank area (12, 13) comprises at least one crank segment (A, B, C, . . . ), between the end stops of which a stop element (Mn) can assume one of n relative positions, which correspond to the n switching positions. The crank segments (A, B, C, . . . ) are arranged distributed over the total crank angle such that all n relative positions are occupied by the n stop elements (Mn) for each relative switching position (1, 2, 3, . . . ). The actuating device makes possible, analogously to purely mechanical actuating elements with discrete locking position, the reliable actuation of complex technical systems. At the same time, intuitively detectable and especially tactile feedback, which is unambiguous under all operating conditions, is achieved for the actual state of the system.
US08051733B2
A transmission for a vehicle in which changing a shift position is achieved by sliding a shifter. In sliding the shifter to change the established condition of gear trains respectively corresponding to a plurality of shift positions, the transmission of power from an engine to a main shaft is cut off. A feed mechanism for sliding the shifter is configured to reduce the sliding speed of the shifter in a neutral condition, or to cause the sliding operation of the shifter to have a single stopping action in the neutral condition during the sliding operation of the shifter in changing the established condition of the gear trains. The resulting configuration reduces the engagement noise when changing the shift position.
US08051730B2
A lubrication apparatus is for a ball screw unit in which the grease state lubricant is used. There is formed a helical guide track in the lubrication apparatus. When the ball screw unit operates, a guide member rotates with the bolt, the grease stored in the guide track will flow ahead to the front terminal of the guide track and ooze out of the grease outlet to lubricate the bolt with the aid of a pressure produced due to the inertia of the flowing fluid, and the quantity of the oozed grease is determined by the size of the grease outlet. The lubrication of the ball screw unit can be performed automatically without relying on the external force.
US08051727B1
A pore-water profiler and method for sampling pore water. The pore-water profiler includes a sample intake probe that receives the fluid to be sampled. A clog-resistant first filter filters the fluid as it enters the sample intake probe. A second filter, which has a pore size less than the pore size of the first filter, filters the fluid a second time before the fluid enters a sample container. A sample triggering system connected to the sample container initiates sampling by causing the fluid to be drawn into the sample intake probe. The profiler provides high-resolution (centimeter-scale) vertical pore-water profiles. The sequential filtration of the pore water avoids the problem of sample-circuit clogging, even in sediments dominated by fine or organic-rich particles. The profiler has all non-metallic, acid-washable components that contact the fluid sample, making the profiler suitable for trace-inorganic studies.
US08051725B2
A soil collection device can be used to collect soil samples from a harvester that excavates soil while harvesting a ground crop. The soil collection device can include a collection area for collecting soil that is excavated from the ground by the harvester and discarded from the harvester. A storage device can receive and store at least a portion of the discarded soil in individual containers. A location marking device can being configured to mark the individual containers of discarded soil with information concerning the location of the soil collection device at or about the time the discarded soil was received in the individual containers.
US08051723B2
An encoder-type register for an automatic meter reader to be interfaced with a visual read-only register of the kind found in a water meter that measures water consumption. The water meter register has a rotatable sweep hand that carries a magnet and rotates around a register plate in relation to the speed and volume of water moving through the water meter. A plurality of (e.g., three) magnetic (e.g., Hall effect) sensors are fixedly positioned one-after-another in the path of the magnet carried by the rotating sweep hand. The magnetic sensors measure the magnetic field produced by the rotating magnet and generate corresponding output signals. A microprocessor receives the output signals generated by the magnetic sensors whenever the magnet rotates therepast. The microprocessor stores information concerning the number of rotations of the magnet carried by the sweep hand depending upon the direction in which the magnet is being rotated as an indication of water consumption. The microprocessor provides the stored information to a meter interface unit connected to a set of output terminals of the encoder register so that such information can be transmitted from the meter interface unit to a remote data collector over a wireless communication path.
US08051722B2
An apparatus for measuring volume- or mass-flow of a medium in a pipeline. Included is a measuring tube, through which the medium flows in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the measuring tube; a magnet system, which is embodied in such a manner, that it produces a magnetic field passing through the measuring tube essentially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the measuring tube; at least one measuring electrode coupled with the medium, which is arranged in a bore in the wall of the measuring tube in a region lying essentially perpendicular to the magnetic field. The measuring electrode has an elongated electrode shaft having a first widened end region, which is so dimensioned, that its diameter larger is than the diameter of the bore in the wall of the measuring tube, in which the measuring electrode is placed; and a control/evaluation unit, which, on the basis of a measurement voltage induced in the at least one measuring electrode, delivers information concerning volume- or mass-flow of the medium in the measuring tube. In the opposing, second, end region of the electrode shaft of the measuring electrode, at least one radial recess or at least one radial protrusion is arranged. Furthermore, a binding-element is provided, which is so embodied, that it fixes the measuring electrode in the bore of the measuring tube in the axial direction by engaging with the at least one radial recess or protrusion.
US08051721B2
A surface-mountable shock sensor configuration having substantially eliminated field calibration, comprising: a housing assembly; and a shock sensor replaceably mountable within the housing assembly, wherein the shock sensor configuration yields a repeatable shock response for a plurality of shock sensors, in response to shocks applied to a surface upon which the sensor configuration is mounted.
US08051720B2
Method and device for determining the local mechanical resistance inside of a porous body having a variable density and/or porosity, in particular inside of a porous bone structure comprising the following steps: selecting a site of said porous body destined to receive a fixation element, in particular a screw or a bone implant; drilling a hole into said porous body; and measuring a mechanical parameter of the porous structure surrounding said drilled hole by inserting a suitable tool (1) into said drill hole.
US08051714B2
In a sensing instrument using a quartz sensor on whose front surface an adsorption layer for adsorbing a substance to be sensed is formed and which changes in natural frequency by the adsorption of the substance to be sensed, the present invention has an object to quickly detect a trouble of the quartz sensor to prevent an operator from recognizing an incorrect measurement result. In the present invention, a level detecting circuit detecting a signal level of an oscillation output of an oscillator circuit is provided, and after the time for stabilization passes after the power-on time, a computer takes a level detection value therein to compare the signal level and a threshold value. Then, when the signal level is lower than the threshold value, the signal level is determined as abnormal and, for example, the abnormality notification is displayed on a display unit, whereby an operator is notified of the occurrence of the abnormality.
US08051708B2
A value of a line-to-line resistor (24) is determined by subtracting a resistance value determined as a product of a voltage ratio based on divided voltages and a value of a reference resistor in a non-conductive state between a second electric wire (26) and a third electric wire (27) from a resistance value determined as a product of a voltage ratio based on the divided voltages and the value of the reference resistor in a conductive state therebetween. Once the value of the line-to-line resistor (24) is determined, it becomes possible to determine a compensated resistance value related to temperature.
US08051703B2
Methods are provided for testing a honeycomb body comprised of a core portion comprising honeycomb cell walls and a circumferential skin portion overlying at least some outer honeycomb cell walls. The circumferential skin portion includes a cement mixture layer. The method comprises the step of directing a fluid stream from a pressurized fluid source at the honeycomb body. The fluid stream is capable of separating at least part of the skin portion from the outer honeycomb cell walls when the adherence between at least part of the skin portion and the outer honeycomb cell walls is below a minimum threshold. In one example, the method further comprises the step of inspecting at least part of the interface between the honeycomb body and the skin portion during or after directing the fluid stream at the honeycomb body. In further examples, an apparatus is provided for testing the honeycomb body.
US08051691B2
A lock mechanism is disclosed, the lock mechanism having a rotary latch configured for rotation between a locked position and an unlocked position, the rotary latch rotating in a first plane and the rotary latch is retained in the locked position after it has been rotated into the locked position from the unlocked position, the rotary latch being spring biased into the unlocked position by a biasing member; and a first lock mechanism for releasing the rotary latch from the locked position after actuation of the first lock mechanism, the biasing member rotating the rotary latch into the unlocked position, the rotary latch being capable of being manipulated back into the locked position from the unlocked position after release by the first locking mechanism and the first locking mechanism must be reset in order to once again release the rotary latch.
US08051686B2
A security device for use in association with a security pin includes a tag body, a spring lock and a magnetic lock. The tag body has a body aperture formed therein adapted to receive the security pin. The spring lock is situated within the tag body and has a spring lock aperture formed therein in registration with the body aperture. The spring lock is adapted to engage the security pin when in an engaged position and release the security pin when in a released position. The magnetic lock is within the tag body and has a magnetic lock aperture. The magnetic lock is adapted to engage the security pin when in an engaged position and to release the security pin when in a release position. The spring lock and the magnetic lock need to both be in the released position to successfully remove the security pin form the security device. A detaching device to move the spring lock and the magnetic lock into the released such that they are both in the release position at the same time is also shown.
US08051684B2
A knitted tulle is disclosed, the tulle comprising a plurality of wales, each with a pillar stitch and at least two pairs of weft threads, each pair of weft threads interconnecting and tying-in at least four wales. Also disclosed is a method of knitting the tulle, preferably using a Raschel machine and an embroidered fabric comprising the tulle. The tulle according to the invention is robust and even and has properties similar to bobbinet tulle.
US08051683B2
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a preform for optical fibers via a vapor deposition process in which the position of the reversal point near the substrate tube's supply side shifts along the longitudinal axis of the substrate tube during at least part of the deposition process.
US08051672B2
An electronic equipment cabinet is provided, which includes an enclosure defining an interior space. A support is disposed with the interior space and is configured to receive electronic equipment. The bottom portion defines a base plenum configured for at least one heat exchanger, which is in fluid communication with a low temperature fluid supply and a high temperature fluid return. A closed loop gas flow distribution pathway includes a first plenum communicating with the base plenum and configured to direct a low temperature gas to the support, and a second plenum configured to receive a high temperature gas flow from the support and direct the high temperature gas flow to the base plenum. A temperature sensor is disposed with the enclosure to sense the temperature of the high temperature gas flow within the enclosure.
US08051666B2
A microporous graphite foam, comprising a matrix of graphite fibers joined by a graphitized graphite-forming precursor, wherein the foam comprises irregular interstitial spaces having an average pore size in the range from about 0.1 to about 10 microns and a void fraction in the range from about 80% to about 95%. A process for producing a microporous graphite foam including a matrix of graphite fibers joined by a graphitized graphite-forming precursor. In its various embodiments, the graphite foam has one or more of pore sizes less than about ten microns, low bulk density, high physical strength and good machinability, while also having the desirable characteristics of graphite, including high thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity and solderability. A cryogenic cooling system including the graphite foam. In one embodiment, the graphite foam is a component of a cooling interface in the cryogenic cooling system.
US08051664B2
A system for mounting an internal fuel manifold within a gas generator case of a gas turbine engine includes at least one fastener support assembly having a fastener pin and at least one receiving element, respectively engaged to either the internal fuel manifold or the gas generator case. A biasing member is located between the fastener pin and the receiving element to axially preload the joint between the fastener pin and the receiving element, such as to constrain relative movement between the two parts in an axial direction while allowing relative movement in a radial direction.
US08051662B2
Transition duct assemblies and gas turbine engine systems involving such assemblies are provided. In this regard, a representative a transition duct assembly for a gas turbine engine includes: an impingement sheet having cooling holes formed therethrough, an inlet end and a non-flanged outlet end, the impingement sheet being operative to be positioned about an exterior of a transition duct such that cooling air is directed to flow about the transition duct; the non-flanged outlet end of the impingement sheet being operative to attach the impingement sheet to the transition duct such that the inlet end is positioned adjacent to an intake end of the transition duct and the outlet end is positioned adjacent to an exhaust end of the transition duct.
US08051661B2
The purpose of the present invention is providing a supercharging system which uses both of a mechanism such as VN or the like and an electric motor generating an assist force while making the supercharger operate smoothly when the assist by the electric motor is stopped. The system controls the electric motor in a feedback manner so that enough assist force is generated (FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B) while controlling the VN in an open manner (FIG. 2D) until status of the supercharger reaches target status (time t1) when an accelerator requirement arises in a low revolution region. The control of the electric motor is changed to an open control, and the control of the VN is changed to a feedback control, respectively, at time t1. The open control of the electric motor is continued so that necessary complement torque occurs until time t2. After time t2, the system maintains the target status only by the feedback control of the VN.
US08051657B2
According to the plunger-typed master cylinder of the invention, because deformation of seal cups fitted in the hydraulic pressure chambers with the pistons (primary piston and floating piston) inserted is minimized, that is, the deformation of the inner flange being in contact with pistons does not substantially affect the outer flange being in contact with hydraulic pressure chambers when the master cylinder is in operation, it is possible to prevent deterioration in the performance of passing or stopping oil due to the deformation of seal cups and durability.
US08051648B2
An engine includes exhaust manifold integrally formed with a cylinder head. The engine may include an exhaust manifold having at least one single exhaust outlet for exhausting exhaust gas that is exhausted from at least two cylinders that are not adjacent with each other, wherein periods during which exhaust valves are open are not overlapped with each other between the at least two cylinders.The exhaust manifold is integrally formed with the cylinder head such that costs can be reduced. Also, the water jacket is formed between the exhaust passages of the exhaust manifold such that the durability of the turbocharger that is affected by a heat load can be improved.Also, the twin scroll turbocharger is directly connected to the exhaust outlet of the manifold such that the compression ratio of the intake air can be effectively improved. Further, the exhaust passages at which pulsation interference occurs with each other are separately disposed and the exhaust passages at which pulsation interference does not occur are combined together to form a single passage such that the torque is improved at low rpm and the remaining gas is effectively scavenged.
US08051646B2
Disclosed is a particulate filter regenerating system which comprises a fuel injection device (7) adapted to inject fuel into a combustion chamber of an engine body (1), and an exhaust gas temperature-adjusting device (33) adapted, when a PM deposit amount which is an amount of particulate matter (PM) deposited in a DPF (particulate filter) 13 provided in an exhaust passage of an engine, reaches a predetermined value X, to cause the fuel injection device (7) to perform a post-injection for injecting fuel into the combustion chamber during an expansion stroke of the engine, so as to execute a filter regeneration process of raising a temperature of exhaust gas flowing into the DPF 13 to burn the deposited PM. The exhaust gas temperature-adjusting device (33) is operable to cause the fuel injection device (7) to stop performing the post-injection in a stage where a PM burning amount which is an amount of PM burned through the filter regeneration process, is less than an initial PM deposit amount which is the PM deposit amount X at a timing of initiation of the filter regeneration process, by a predetermined amount. The particulate filter regenerating system of the present invention can adequately burn and remove PM deposited in a particulate filter, by means of a post-injection of fuel, while effectively suppressing a fuel consumption due to the post-injection.
US08051645B2
Methods for updating the PF soot load of an engine are provided herein. In one example, a soot storage estimate is based on processing operations that occur at different timings. The method can improve soot estimation during some conditions.
US08051640B2
A solid propellant thrust control system, method, and apparatus for controlling combustion of solid propellants in an opposing grains solid propellant rocket engine (OGRE) is provided. In particular, an opposing grains rocket engine and propulsion system is provided, in which actuator means connected are connected to solid propellant grains disposed in the pressure vessel of the engine. The actuator means are operable to selectively move the solid propellant grains together or apart relative to one another, such that the burning ends of the solid propellant grains decrease or increase relative to one another. This action controls the rate of combustion of the solid propellant grains by varying spacing distance between the burning ends of the solid propellant grains, and enables extinguishment and reignition of the OGRE. Further, a method is providing for controlling the burn rate of solid propellant grains undergoing combustion in an opposing grains rocket engine.
US08051630B2
A device is provided for shrinking shrinkable packages by heating by utilizing a liquid and/or gaseous heating medium, which reduces the amount of energy required. The novel device and method achieves its advantages by recovering heat by a recirculation apparatus (8, 9) for recovering heating medium which has evaporated from the liquid heating medium. The method relates to an operational process utilizing such a device.
US08051626B2
The beam has end terminals which can be connected to one another, such that one of the terminals is provided with front projections for guiding in vertical displacement of the other terminal, which has guides with a form which mates with the said projections, one of the terminals also having projecting lower arms to support the other terminal after it has been put into position, thus determining a single area of contact in order to permit disconnection of the supported terminal during dismantling, by turning on the said area of contact.
US08051625B2
The invention relates to a wind-power unit having a turbine having a vertical turbine shaft (3), an electrical generator (6) connected to the turbine and a vertical hollow supporting pillar (2) supporting the turbine. According to the invention the material of the supporting pillar is in all essentials wood. The invention also relates to a supporting pillar for such a wind-power unit, an electric mains connected to the wind-power unit, a use of the wind-power unit and a method for the manufacture of such a supporting pillar.
US08051622B2
An uninsulated section comprising a first section element and a second section element is described; the first section element comprises a first cavity for housing a portion of a first heat-insulating body and a second cavity for housing a portion of a second heat-insulating body; the second section element comprises a third cavity for housing another portion of the first heat-insulating body and a fourth cavity for housing another portion of the second heat-insulating body. The uninsulated section also comprises a partition connecting the first section element and the second section element. Advantageously, the partition may be situated between the first and the second cavity and between the third and the fourth cavity.
US08051618B2
A clip for suspending ceiling panels from a horizontal channel having a C-shape formed by a vertical web and integral opposed horizontal upper and lower flanges, the clip comprising a sheet metal body, the body including a vertical web extending between upper and lower portions, the upper portion being configured to overlie the horizontal upper flange of the channel when installed thereon, the lower portion being configured to lie below the horizontal lower flange of the channel, the lower portion including a generally upstanding hook section adapted to be received in a downwardly open channel on the ceiling panel beneath the C-shaped channel to enable the clip to support the panel by transferring the weight of the panel to the C-shaped channel, the hook section being fixed against horizontal movement relative to the body vertical web.
US08051612B2
Wall system having biasing members retaining panels to posts that are secured by anchoring structure
A wall system suitable for use in applications such as a fence or a wall of a building which comprises posts and panels which are interconnected or interengaged so that the wall may comprise a series of inline panels or corners formed by two panels and a single post, the interconnection or interengagement of the panels being effected without use of mechanical fasteners, glue, welding, or similar modes of attachment.
US08051602B2
System for conditioning crops e.g. in a greenhouse, comprising climate control means which are arranged for providing a local microclimate area around the relevant crop, which climate control means comprising first means at a first location close to the crop, which are arranged for local humidification and simultaneous cooling or heating the local microclimate area, as well as second means at a second location close to the crop, which are arranged for dehumidification and simultaneous cooling or heating the local microclimate area.
US08051601B2
A device for attracting and capturing or otherwise disabling insects includes a fan mechanism structured and arranged to provide an outflow of air out of the device to atmosphere, and to draw an inflow directed counter the outflow from atmosphere into the device, the outflow being substantially within the inflow outside of the device. The flow mechanism is also structured and arranged to provide an insect attractant in the outflow. The device can include mounting structure being adapted to position the device with the outflow directed in a substantially downward direction. The outflow attracts insects to the vicinity of the device, and the inflow urges the insects to enter the device. An insect disabling structure is arranged with the flow mechanism to capture or otherwise disable insects being urged into the device by the inflow.
US08051599B2
A percussive rodent trap has an activation mechanism and a hammer for striking a percussive device when the activation mechanism is activated. A first safety moves the hammer mechanism to a cocked position and prevents it from being released from this cocked position. A second safety can be engaged after the first safety is engaged to prevent the activation mechanism from being activated when the first safety is removed. The second safety is easily removed after the trap is put in place without inadvertently activating the activation mechanism.
US08051596B1
A hands-free firearm stabilizer device comprising a means for securing a firearm to perpendicularly to the shoulder of a hunter. The fully adjustable device can be adjusted to accommodate any gunstock and hunter, allowing the hunter to wait for game in a relaxed hands-free position or utilize game calls without sacrificing firearm stability. Additionally, hunters can position themselves in a seated position allowing fine aiming adjustments using his/her knee preventing unwanted noise and movement that could be detected by the game and providing a viable option for hunters with disabilities that may limit their ability participate in the sport of hunting.
US08051593B2
A stock assembly for attachment to the receiver of a shotgun is described. The assembly includes a pistol grip; a stock; a connector tube slidable within a conduit in the stock, the stock and connector being selectively lockable to each other; an attachment member slidable within the tube conduit between fully inserted and fully extended positions; a first elongated connector attached to the attachment member and extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube into attachment with the pistol grip; a second elongated connector extending from the pistol grip into engagement with the receiver, the second member being at an angle to the first member; and a compression spring in the tube conduit urging the attachment member toward its fully extended position.
US08051577B1
An apparatus for positioning of fasteners normal to a surface through which the fasteners are to be inserted is described. The apparatus includes a sheet of material comprising a plurality of holes therethrough, where the holes are positioned to correspond with bores through the surface through which the fasteners are to be inserted, and a plurality of grommets. The grommets are operable for mounting in the holes in said sheet. Each grommet includes a hole centered therein and sized such that the grommet will support a fastener placed therein, and a plurality of radial keyways extending from the centered hole, the keyways having a specific radial depth to provide finger tabs at the centered hole to maintain support of the corresponding fastener normal to the sheet.
US08051575B2
A scale-bar artifact can include a base, a structural component, at least two nests disposed on the structural component and configured to receive a spherically shaped object having a center, and at least three mounting assemblies, each mounting assembly including a first portion and a second portion. The second portion of each mounting assembly is coupled to the base. The first portion of each mounting assembly is coupled to the structural component. The first portion and second portion of each mounting assembly are in mutual contact. Each mounting assembly has a center of rotation. The centers of rotation of the three mounting assemblies share a common plane with the centers of the spherically shaped objects.
US08051574B1
A third axis level for an archery sight incorporating a bubble level mounted on an assembly that may be rotated independently about a vertical axis and horizontal axis and wherein adjustment in either axis is independent of the other and both adjustments are independent of any other adjustment of the bow sight or any other accessory that may be mounted on the bow.
US08051570B1
The multi-use kitchen utility knife includes a handle containing a compartment for storage of a material that is distributed onto a side opposite of the knife blade. The contents of the compartment being advanced via a threaded advance knob that can be removed to provide access to the compartment for refilling or cleaning.
US08051565B2
A method of reducing crack propagation in an airfoil includes: providing an airfoil having a root spaced apart from a tip, spaced-apart leading and trailing edges, a suction side extending from the leading edge to the trailing edge, and an opposed pressure side extending from the leading edge and the trailing edge, supporting the airfoil against bending loads; and burnishing the airfoil using a burnishing element, so as to create at least one burnished section of residual compressive stress, the at least one burnished section being located adjacent the leading edge and spaced from the leading edge by an offset distance selected so as to avoid deformation of the leading edge.
US08051559B2
A method of manufacturing a multi-layer board is disclosed. The method may include forming a detachable separation layer over a support; forming a first solder resist layer over the separation layer; stacking a metal foil over the first solder resist layer; forming a circuit pattern over the metal foil; forming an insulation part over the first solder resist layer such that the circuit pattern is covered; forming a second solder resist layer over the insulation part; and separating a circuit stack unit, which includes the first solder resist layer, the metal foil, the circuit pattern, the insulation part, and the second solder resist layer, from the support by disconnecting the separation layer and the support. This method uses a simple process to reduce manufacture costs and shorten manufacture times.
US08051556B2
An apparatus for control of a temperature of a substrate has a temperature-controlled base, a heater, a metal plate, a layer of dielectric material. The heater is thermally coupled to an underside of the metal plate while being electrically insulated from the metal plate. A first layer of adhesive material bonds the metal plate and the heater to the top surface of the temperature controlled base. This adhesive layer is mechanically flexible, and possesses physical properties designed to balance the thermal energy of the heaters and an external process to provide a desired temperature pattern on the surface of the apparatus. A second layer of adhesive material bonds the layer of dielectric material to a top surface of the metal plate. This second adhesive layer possesses physical properties designed to transfer the desired temperature pattern to the surface of the apparatus. The layer of dielectric material forms an electrostatic clamping mechanism and supports the substrate.
US08051551B2
A method for fabricating a magnetic head having multiple readers includes forming a plurality of generally laterally positioned lower shields; forming a lower gap layer above each lower shield; forming a sensor above each lower gap layer; forming an upper gap layer above each sensor; and forming an upper shield above each upper gap layer; wherein an overall gap thickness is defined between vertically aligned pairs of the upper and lower shields, wherein the overall gap thickness between one of the pairs of upper and lower shields is thicker than the overall gap thickness between another of the pairs of upper and lower shields.
US08051550B2
A tridimensional antenna includes a radiating body, a feeding foot, a grounding foot, and a supporting foot. The feeding foot and the grounding foot are connected to the radiating body. The supporting foot includes a supporting portion, at least one groove and a bent portion. The bent portion connects the radiating body and the supporting portion. The groove is defined in the supporting portion and adjacent to the bent portion. The tridimensional antenna is mounted on a substrate by surface mounted technology (SMT). The feeding foot and the grounding foot are soldered on the substrate. The supporting foot is bent to break away the supporting portion at the groove after mounting of the tridimensional antenna.
US08051549B2
To realize a plasma display panel having display performances of high precision and high brightness with low power consumption, after formation of base film (91), a metal oxide paste made of metal oxide particles, an organic component including a photopolymerization initiator, a water-soluble cellulose derivative, and a photopolymerization monomer, and a diluting solvent is applied. By exposing, developing, and firing the paste film, agglomerated particles as a plurality of metal oxide particles agglomerated are formed so as to be attached on base film (91). The content of the metal oxide particles included in the metal oxide paste is 1.5% by volume or less.
US08051544B2
A method of replacing an electrical insulator on a conductor-supporting tower includes the steps of providing an elongate beam spanning the tower between a work site and a helicopter accessible site, a trolley movable on the beam between the sites and an insulator cradle detachably supported by the trolley for supporting the insulator during transport between the sites and to and from the tower via helicopter. The cradle is a partially peripherally enclosed, open-topped structure having a floor, an upstanding rear wall, peripheral walls sloping downwardly from the rear wall to a front wall, an opening in the front wall, an elongate slot in the floor extending rearwardly from the opening, the slot having a width greater than the diameter of an insulator shank but less than the diameter of an insulator skirt, the dimensions of the floor allowing an insulator skirt to lie flat thereon.
US08051540B2
The present disclosure provides embodiments of a releasable fastening arrangement that can include a first fastening strip secured to and extending over a substrate surface and having a first surface carrying first fastening elements extending from the surface. The releasable fastening arrangement can also include a second fastening strip having a second surface carrying second fastening elements that are engageable by the first fastening elements to form a releasable fastening. The first surface can include a flexible flap that is formed therein, and that is surrounded by other portions of the first surface. The flap can carry at least one of the first fastening elements, and can flap have a distal edge that is displaceable from the substrate surface under peel loads applied to the at least one first fastening element carried by the flap.
US08051531B2
A cleaning appliance such as a vacuum cleaner includes a main body housing a motor and fan unit for generating a fluid flow. The main body also houses a removable pre-motor filter located upstream of the motor and fan and a removable post-motor filter located downstream of the motor and fan. It is beneficial to permit the user to be able to monitor the condition of both the pre-motor filter and the post-motor filter, and to remove and replace them as required, and so access to both filters may be provided. It is more important that the user checks the pre-motor filter as it gets dirtier than the post-motor filter. Therefore, the post-motor filter is not accessible or removable from the main body until the pre-motor filter is removed from the main body, by removing its housing.
US08051526B2
A covered windshield wiper includes a hub, a wiper arm having spaced apart side walls, and a pivot pin connecting the wiper arm to the hub. A pair of abutments coaxial with the pivot pin space the side walls of the wiper arm from the hub. A one-piece molded cover has a u-shaped cross section providing a base wall overlying the entire length of the wiper arm and the wiper blade, and laterally spaced side walls depending from the base wall and concealing from view both the wiper arm and the wiper blade. A hook molded on the cover engages the end of the wiper arm. A pair of snap tabs molded on the cover reach into the space between the side walls of the wiper arm and the hub to snap onto the pair of abutments and thereby removably attach the cover onto the wiper.
US08051518B2
A combination tool is described that has a housing that includes a first side and an opposed second side, a third side and an opposed fourth side. The sides connect together to define the housing. The housing includes a first end portion and an opposed second end portion that define a longitudinal axis. The combination tool includes a razor mechanism that is connected to the housing. The razor mechanism receives and moves a cutting blade between a first position in the cavity and a second position wherein the cutting blade extends through the housing. The housing defines a channel that includes a floor, a first sidewall and a second sidewall. The first sidewall and the second sidewall have first edges that are connected to the floor and second edges that connect to the first side of the housing. The first sidewall includes a first slot and the second sidewall includes an opposed second slot. The first slot and second slot are positioned in fixed spaced relation from the floor and the second edge. The slots are configured to receive a rasp. The slots are positioned to recess a cutting surface of the rasp in the channel such that at least a portion of the sidewalls extend between the cutting surface and the second edges. A claw is defined in the housing that includes a first tong and a second tong. The claw extracts fasteners from soft materials.
US08051516B2
The present disclosure includes methods, devices, and systems associated with clinical support. In one embodiment, a clinical support pad includes a plurality of support cells formed in a first film layer of material sufficiently impermeable to a fluid contained in the cells such that each cell is configured to be alternately and repeatedly inflated and deflated with respect to one or more adjacent cells. Each cell is in fluid communication with at least one of a number of channels formed in the first film layer, is configured such that a surface of each cell has a continuous curvature across a length direction and across a width direction of the cell, and are spaced such that a distance between a center of each cell and a center of at least one adjacent cell is not more than a two-point discrimination threshold distance associated with a patient.
US08051513B2
The present invention relates to ambulance cots, cot systems and methods of using the same. In particular, the present invention provides an ambulance cot comprising a hydraulic system and a tip angle monitoring, recording and alert system, and methods of using the same (e.g., to transport subjects and/or to detect and/or record operational data related to cot usage).
US08051512B2
A patient treatment device includes a patient supporting table supported above a platform and having an auxiliary table segment pivotally coupled to a primary table segment, and a back support segment pivotally coupled to the primary table segment, an anchor assembly adjustably anchors the auxiliary table segment to the primary table segment at selected angular positions, and an anchoring mechanism adjustably anchors the back support segment to the auxiliary table segment at required angular positions. A frame is pivotally coupled to the primary table segment, and a latch mechanism adjustably anchors the frame to the primary table segment at the required angular positions.
US08051507B2
A faucet includes a mounting unit and a valve unit. The mounting unit includes a fixed seat and a rotatable seat rotatable relative to the fixed seat. The fixed seat is formed with a plurality of inverted L-shaped retaining hooks. The valve unit includes a housing, a coupling member disposed in the housing, a valve seat, an electromagnetic valve, and an infrared sensor. The coupling member includes a plurality of L-shaped retaining grooves engaging respectively the retaining hooks. The retaining hooks can be removed from the retaining grooves to allow for maintenance and replacement of the valve unit.
US08051506B2
The present invention is an article for storing shower and bathroom supplies comprising a rectangular unit with at least one cavity positioned between the center line of the bottom portion of the article and each terminal end of said bottom portion and a mounting whereby said mounting secures the article into place above a shower header.
US08056141B2
A method for monitoring stored procedures is disclosed. The method performs on-line and inline monitoring of stored procedures for detecting table access operations performed by the procedures. This allows the enforcing of access control policies, correlation rules and audit rules on stored procedures. The monitoring is performed using mapping information gathered about each stored procedure that can be executed by a database server. The method comprises parsing an incoming transaction submitted by a client; determining whether the incoming transaction includes an invocation of a stored procedure; obtaining a query group corresponding to the stored procedure; applying an access control policy on the query group; and asserting an unauthorized event if the query group is not compliant with the access control policy.
US08056137B2
A communication terminal device includes a wireless communication unit, an integrity measurement request unit, a cryptographic processing unit, a pointing unit. The integrity measurement request unit generates a command to request another computer device to measure integrity. The cryptographic processing unit performs cryptographic processing concerning communication with the another computer device. The pointing unit acquires positional information when a result of the integrity measurement satisfies a predetermined condition.
US08056135B2
A method of updating a content detection module includes obtaining content detection data, and transmitting the content detection data to a content detection module, wherein the transmitting is performed not in response to a request from the content detection module. A method of sending content detection data includes obtaining content detection data, selecting an update station from a plurality of update stations, and sending the, content detection data to the selected update station. A method of building a content detection system includes establishing a first communication link between a central station and an update station, the central station configured to transmit content detection data to the update station, and establishing a second communication link between the update station and a content detection module.
US08056131B2
Apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture are disclosed for intercepting, examining and controlling proscribed or predetermined code, data and files and their transfers. A preprocessing component, code decomposition component, valuation component and comparison component are used to process code. The methods of valuation used include numerical valuation so as to obtain a numerical value for the code. Additional features may include a decryption feature, code alteration component and other components.
US08056129B2
Systems, methods and program codes are provided wherein an analyzer analyzes input from a terminal device; ascertains human-like behavior; and terminates an active session, generates a time-out warning, manipulates an idle session timer or presents a challenge in response to a humanness likelihood determination or to a challenge result. In one aspect a keystroke analyzer and a command sequence analyzer determine whether the terminal device input is likely from a human user or from an automaton. In another aspect a Completely Automated Public Turing Test to tell Computers and Humans Apart challenge is presented. Timing characteristics include maximum generation rate, burstiness, and keystroke sequence delays, and command characteristics include a no-action-required characteristic and a query characteristic. A command sequence analyzer may have an affinity for a command line interface. Weighting algorithms or artificial intelligence routines may be applied to humanness likelihood outputs.
US08056123B2
A method, apparatus and program storage device for providing service access control for a user interface is disclosed. A service secret is combined with a user access code, such as a user ID/password. A system can extract the service secret and determine whether access to service functions should be allowed to provide authentication and authorization for service interface access in secure manner.
US08056121B2
A protection mechanism(s) for a virtual universe account maintains integrity of the virtual universe account as well as the virtual universe. An avatar associated with a virtual universe account may be misappropriated and/or used inappropriately by a non-comporting user against the wishes or without the knowledge of the virtual universe account owner. A non-comporting user (i.e., a user not authorized to use the virtual universe account, an authorized user who misuses a virtual universe account, etc.) can use an avatar to perform potentially damaging and/or damaging activities in the virtual universe (e.g., destroy property, impact reputation associated with the virtual universe account, reduce value of the virtual universe account, etc.) Embodiments of the inventive subject matter detect when a user misappropriates and/or misuses a virtual universe account (i.e., detects a non-comporting user), and attempts to restore state of the virtual universe prior to the misuse and/or misappropriation.
US08056120B2
A monitoring unit monitors a client terminal used by a user, and when there is a predetermined access operation to a resource from the client terminal, acquires identification information from the client terminal. A verifying unit verifies whether the identification information matches stored identification information. When it is verified that the identification information matches the stored identification information, a referring unit refers to an access management system to check an entry status of the user to a facility. A determining unit determines whether to allow the access operation based on a check result from the referring unit.
US08056108B2
A system for transmitting digital data representing an original over plural transmission links, at least some of which have limited bandwidth, including a digital data source storing digital data representing the original, a digital data receiver receiving the digital data representing the original via one of the plural transmission links having limited bandwidth and a digital data transmitter operative to transmit the digital data representing the original to the receiver over a transmission link having a limited bandwidth in plural blocks which are sequentially transmitted at a rate determined by the limited bandwidth, each block being an incomplete collection of data which includes parts of multiple frames, each frame being viewable in a selectable order by the receiver even when less than all of the plural blocks have been received, receipt of subsequent blocks by the receiver being used to cumulatively improve the quality of the digital data viewed by the receiver.
US08056107B2
Disclosed is a method of retrieving video frames over a network for subsequent display. A user interaction (303) with a timeline (202) represented by a client (103) coupled to the network (105) is detected. From the detected interaction, a request (304) for video to be retrieved from a server (101) across the network is formed. A series of non-contiguous (scattered) sample frames (FIGS. 13-16) received in response to the request are then cached (104) for subsequent display. This method permits efficient handling of video scrubbing requests for streamlining video as only selected ones of the cached sample frames close to a GUI play head position (203) need be reproduced. Since the frames are non-contiguous, the scope of the source video is quickly sampled permitting improved user response and, where desired, adjustment of the play head position.
US08056102B2
There is provided a channel selection device receiving a multi-channel video including plural videos and video configuration information on each video from a head end. The channel selection device includes a first screen display unit editing the multi-channel video based on the video configuration information and searching view configuration information to generate a channel searching view and displaying the channel searching view on a sub-screen of a television; and a second screen display unit displaying on a main screen of the television a video selected by a viewer out of the videos included in the channel searching view.
US08056100B2
A system and method for scheduling the receipt of desired movies and other forms of data from a network which simultaneously distributes many sources of such data to many customers, as in a cable television system. Customer profiles are developed for the recipient describing how important certain characteristics of the broadcast video program, movie or other data are to each customer. From these profiles, an “agreement matrix” is calculated by comparing the recipient's profiles to the actual profiles of the characteristics of the available video programs, movies, or other data. The agreement matrix thus characterizes the attractiveness of each video program, movie, or other data to each prospective customer. “Virtual” channels are generated from the agreement matrix to produce a series of video or data programming which will provide the greatest satisfaction to each customer. Feedback paths are also provided so that the customer's profiles and/or the profiles of the video programs or other data may be modified to reflect actual usage. Kiosks are also developed which assist customers in the selection of videos, music, books, and the like in accordance with the customer's objective profiles.
US08056096B2
An optical disc drive includes a main body, a cover, an extension, and an elastic element. The cover includes a pivoting portion and is pivotably connected to the main body via the pivoting portion. The extension is connected to the pivoting portion. The cover is adapted for pivoting relative to the main body to drive the extension to move along a movement path. The elastic element is disposed on the main body and includes two first limiting portions opposite to each other. The movement path extends through a gap between the two first limiting portions. A distance between the two first limiting portions is smaller than an outer diameter of the extension.
US08056094B2
An optical disc drive including an outer casing, a supporting base, a main shaft motor and a position-limiting element is provided. The outer casing has an optical disc entry. The supporting base is disposed in the outer casing. The main shaft motor is disposed on the supporting base. The position-limiting element has a first pivot portion, a position-limiting part and a second pivot portion located between the first pivot portion and the position-limiting part. The first pivot portion is connected to the supporting base, and the position-limiting element is able to be swung about the second pivot serving as a fulcrum. When the supporting base is located at an upper position, the position-limiting part is located at a first position, and when the supporting base is located at a lower position, the position-limiting part is located at a second position, wherein the first position is under the second position.
US08056090B2
A communication method for collective operations is provided which eliminates the need for a three layered structure. Instead, the method of the present invention employs a control structure which is specifically designed to keep track of the progress of the collective communication operations and the facilities for the handling of asynchronous message passing. The method of the present invention thus eliminates the need for an intermediary, point-to-point communication layer that is required to follow message matching semantics for sending messages, receiving messages and for awaiting message arrivals. Application layer tasks and user defined programs running in the communication layer share access to the control structure as a mechanism for synchronizing and scheduling the progress of the collective communication operation.
US08056088B1
The invention sets forth an approach to context switching that utilizes scan chains modified to perform context switching operations. The design requires substantially less additional silicon area and design engineering effort than existing context switch approaches, while operating substantially faster and providing additional debug observability during context switching operations.
US08056086B2
A method and system for load balancing the work of NP processors (NP≧3) configured to generate each image of multiple images in a display area of a display device. The process for each image includes: dividing the display area logically into NP initial segments ordered along an axis of the display area; assigning each processor to a corresponding initial segment; assigning a thickness to each initial segment; simultaneously computing an average work function per pixel for each initial segment; generating a cumulative work function from the average work function per pixel for each initial segment; partitioning a work function domain of the cumulative work function into NP sub-domains; determining NP final segments of the display area by using the cumulative work function to inversely map boundaries of the sub-domains onto the axis; assigning each processor to a final segment, and displaying and/or storing the NP final segments.
US08056082B2
A method, computer readable medium and system for capacity management and predictive planning includes monitoring one or more factors related to an overall load on at least one of one or more server systems and trending a rate of change of at least one of the one or more monitored factors. A determination on when to at least one of increase capacity in at least one of the servers systems and add one or more additional server systems is made based on the monitoring and the trending. A notification is output when the determination determines at least one of increasing capacity to at least one of the servers systems and adding one or more additional server systems is needed
US08056079B1
The present invention provides a method and system wherein additional tasks can be added to a dynamic job after the job has been submitted to a scheduler. The added task can then be given the same priority as the tasks of the previously submitted dynamic job it is being added to. That is, the task added to the dynamic job is given priority over tasks and jobs submitted after the dynamic job the task is being added to. In one embodiment, a method is provided for distributing the processing of tasks in a distributed technical computing environment. The method involves the steps of creating tasks at a client, packaging the tasks into a dynamic job, and forwarding the dynamic job to a scheduler for distribution to a plurality of workers in the distributed technical computing environment. An additional task can then be created and added to the previously submitted dynamic job.
US08056077B2
An apparatus and method for performing a task, which can modify a task depending on devices connected through a network, are provided. The apparatus includes a task information storage unit, a device information determination unit, and a task information modification unit. The task information storage unit stores task information including at least one operation. The device information determination unit determines information about devices which are connected to the apparatus through a predetermined network and which support respective operations included in the stored task information. The task information modification unit modifies the stored task information when modification of a specific operation is required as a result of determination by the device information determination unit.
US08056073B2
A method, computer program product, and system for enabling the merging of a plurality of instance variables into a new composite same-class instance having the same instance variables with values determined by a user. Same-class instances are arranged in tabular format and are provided with selection buttons to allow the user to make selections of the desired instance variable values.
US08056070B2
An embodiment provides a system and method for updating a speech recognition program. The system provides a speech recognition program, an update website for updating a speech recognition program, and a database for storing data that may be used to update a speech recognition program. A user may utilize an update website, to add, modify, and delete speech recognition program information that may include: speech commands, dll's, multimedia files, executable code, and other information. Speech recognition program may communicate with update website to request information about possible updates. Update website may send a response consisting of information to speech recognition program. Speech recognition program may utilize received information to decide what speech commands, dll's, multimedia files, executable code, and other information it may want to download. A speech recognition program may send one or more requests to update website to download speech commands, dll's, multimedia files, executable code, and other information. Update website may respond by transmitting, requested speech commands, dll's, multimedia files, executable code, and other information, to a speech recognition program. Speech recognition program may overwrite speech commands, dll's, multimedia files, executable code, and other information, with newly received speech commands, dll's, multimedia files, executable code, and other information.
US08056065B2
Mechanisms for stable transitions in the presence of conditionals for an advanced dual-representation polyhedral loop transformation framework are provided. The mechanisms of the illustrative embodiments address the weaknesses of the known polyhedral loop transformation based approaches by providing mechanisms for performing code generation transformations on individual statement instances in an intermediate representation generated by the polyhedral loop transformation optimization of the source code. These code generation transformations have the important property that they do not change program order of the statements in the intermediate representation. This property allows the result of the code generation transformations to be provided back to the polyhedral loop transformation mechanisms in a program statement view, via a new re-entrance path of the illustrative embodiments, for additional optimization. In addition, mechanisms are provided for ensuring code stabilization in the presence of conditions such that code bloat is not encountered during re-entrance.
US08056060B2
A software product is tested by first obtaining a performance matrix for the software product, the performance matrix containing the profile results of a plurality of tests on the software product, and an expected result vector for the plurality of tests. A test sequence is then executed for the software product, the sequence comprising selecting a subset of the plurality of tests, running the test subset to obtain a new result vector for the test subset, comparing the new result vector entry with the expected result vector entry for the same test, selecting a test (which may be one of the subset or may be a new test) according to the outcome of the result vector comparison and the performance matrix, and running the selected test under profile.
US08056057B2
Systems and methods are provided for generating business process test elements for automated testing of business process application configurations. A business process application executes business processes, which are typically automated operations involving users and information systems, and are typically specific to a type of business. A business process test is a set of instructions for invoking a business process. The test invokes one or more test elements, which are building blocks that codify interactions with business processes. Each element includes a description of the input data accepted by an associated transaction or screen of the business process. The element can receive input from a user or simulated user via an input interface of the application, and can invoke the associated business process with the input. The element is generated based upon metadata information retrieved from the business process application. The element provides input to and retrieves output from the application for the associated business process. The element refers to fields of the business process transactions or screens by names associated with the fields. The names may be internal application names, which are independent of a particular language.
US08056054B2
A method for use with an information (or data) warehouse comprises managing the information warehouse with instructions in a declarative language. The instructions specify information warehouse-level tasks to be done without specifying certain details of how the tasks are to be implemented, for example, using databases and text indexers. The details are hidden from the user and include, for example, in an information warehouse having a FACT table that joins two or more dimension tables, details of database level operations when structured data are being handled, including database command line utilities, database drivers, and structured query language (SQL) statements; and details of text-indexing engines when unstructured data are being handled. The information warehouse is managed in a dynamic way in which different tasks—such as data loading tasks and information warehouse construction tasks—may be interleaved (i.e., there is no particular order in which the different tasks must be completed).
US08056052B2
A method, apparatus, architecture and computer program product for populating a service request is disclosed. A service request is modeled to determine the steps involved. The data is missing from a service request for each step of the request is assessed. The data sources for the modeled request are identified. The relevant data is extracted from the identified data sources. The service request is populated with the extracted data. A service request is executed by executing at least one process step acting on the populated service request.
US08056043B2
A method of modeling capacitance for a structure comprising a pair of long conductors surrounded by a dielectric material and supported by a substrate. In particular, the structure may be on-chip coplanar transmission lines over a conductive substrate operated at very high frequencies, such that the substrate behaves as a perfect dielectric. It is assumed that the surrounding dielectric material is a first dielectric with a first permittivity (∈1) and the substrate is a second dielectric with a second permittivity (∈2). The method models the capacitance (C1) for values of the first and second permittivity (∈1, ∈2) based on known capacitance (C2) computed for a basis structure with the same first permittivity (∈1) and a different second permittivity (∈2). Extrapolation or interpolation formulae are suggested to model the sought capacitance (C1) through one or more known capacitances (C2).
US08056041B2
An apparatus of preventing congestive placement is provided. The apparatus comprises a judging module, a pattern generating module, and a placement module. The judging module judges whether a circuit layout comprises a congestive region according to a judging rule. When a judgment result of the judging module is affirmative, the pattern generating module generates a redistribution pattern with a density distribution of blockages. The density distribution gradually decreases outward. The placement module regards the congestive region as the center redistributes the blockages and electronic cells according to the redistribution pattern.
US08056032B2
Methods of measuring a mean-to-target (MTT) based on pattern area measurements are provided including providing a design pattern. A plurality of design pattern measurements are measured for calculating an area of the design pattern based on a shape of the design pattern. A series of calculation measurements are calculated by continuously substituting a same variation into the design pattern measurements, and calculating a series of calculation areas corresponding respectively to the calculation measurements to generate a database including the calculation measurements and the calculation areas. An actual pattern is formed using the design pattern and an area of the actual pattern is measured. A calculation area corresponding to the area of the actual pattern is selected from the database and calculation measurements corresponding to the calculation area are selected. A difference between the design pattern measurements and the calculation measurements is calculated and the difference is set as an MTT. Related methods of correcting a photomask are also provided herein.
US08056028B2
A model-based tuning method for tuning a first mask writer unit utilizing a reference mask writer unit, each of which has tunable parameters for controlling mask writing performance. The method includes the steps of defining a test pattern and a mask writing model; generating the test pattern utilizing the reference mask writer unit and measuring the mask writing results; generating the test pattern utilizing the first mask writer unit and measuring the mask writing results; calibrating the mask writing model utilizing the mask writing results corresponding to the reference mask writer unit, where the calibrated mask writing model has a first set of parameter values; tuning the calibrated mask writing model utilizing the mask writing results corresponding to the first mask writer unit, where the tuned calibrated model has a second set of parameter values; and adjusting the parameters of the first mask writer unit based on a difference between the first set of parameter values and the second set of parameter values.
US08056018B2
Conflict resolution of web application keyboard shortcuts implementation includes a web application being loaded in a web browser and application keyboard shortcuts for the web application are registered with the web browser. The web browser identifies application keyboard shortcuts for the web application that conflict with keyboard shortcuts for the web browser. Then the web browser resolves each conflict.
US08056016B2
Disclosed is a mobile communication terminal and a method for changing modes of the terminal, which changes a mode of the mobile communication terminal according to a location of a changed menu bar if a menu bar displayed on a touch screen is dragged and dropped.
US08056010B2
A system for conveniently removing recipients from a message being added to a message thread that enables a user to filter people from a recipient list of a message being added to a message thread. The system advantageously enables a user to filter out potential recipients based on a) their previous non-participation in the thread, b) their lack of registered interest in a topic of the thread, and/or c) their being listed only as recipients by way of their being contained in a group indicated in the recipient list.
US08056009B2
A method is disclosed for instructing a user interface (UI) in communication with a first of vision processor (VP) to establish communication with a second (VP). The invention is useful in a machine vision system having a plurality of VPs and at least one UI. The method includes the steps of providing each VP with a link function for establishing communication between a VP and a UI; and activating the link function so as to issue instructions to the UI to establish communication with another VP. The link function enables local dynamic display of a remote VP on the UI, and a dynamic connection that provides a continually updated display representing a current state of the VP connected to the UI. An operator may observe results and alter parameters on any of the VPs in the system without having to first understand the architecture of the machine vision system.
US08056006B2
Systems that employs an adaptable front end for determining a file-type to associate with the output from a source application and for processing the output, as a function of the file type, to generate a display list that is representative of objects and shapes that represent components within the visual presentation of the data. The display list is then processed by a rendering engine, which may be located on an embedded device. The rendering engine processes the components contained within the display list to render an image of the source application's output that may be presented on the display of the device. As will be described below, the adaptable front end determines the file structure of the source being processed, thereby providing a device that may operate with a plurality of different file types, and source applications.
US08055989B2
The present disclosure provides a system for providing a security and method of providing an enhanced security booting environment. The system and method includes a basic input/output system (BIOS) stored in memory. The system and method also includes a counter embedded in the memory configured to monitor the number of times each block of the memory has been written. This information could be used with existing error detection mechanisms to improve the ability to detect unintended write operations.
US08055986B2
The present invention relates to a decoder for tail-biting convolution codes and a method thereof. The decoder receives an encoding bit sequence in a convolutional encoding method from a channel, generates an expanded encoding bit sequence, Viterbi decodes the expanded encoding bit sequence, and generates decoded data. In addition, the decoder selects a central bit sequence of the decoded data, rearranges the central bit sequence, and generates final decoded data. Accordingly, the decoder has a simplified configuration for decoding the bit sequence encoded in the tail biting convolutional encoding method, and the decoder also decodes a bit sequence encoded in a zero-tail convolutional encoding method.
US08055973B2
An interleaver is constructed based on the joint constraints imposed in the channel and the code domains. A sequentially optimal algorithm is used for mapping bits in the inter-symbol interference (ISI) domain to the code domain by taking into account the ISI memory depth and the connectivity of the nodes within the parity check matrix. Primary design constraints are considered such as the parallelism factor so that the proposed system is hardware compliant in meeting high throughput requirements.
US08055972B2
Memory cells are programmed and read, at least M=3 data bits per cell, according to a valid nonserial physical bit ordering with reference to a logical bit ordering. The logical bit ordering is chosen to give a more even distribution of error probabilities of the bits, relative to the probability distributions of the data error and the cell state transition error, than would be provided by the physical bit ordering alone. Preferably, both bit orderings have 2M−1 transitions. Preferably, the logical bit ordering is evenly distributed. The translation between the bit orderings is done by software or hardware.
US08055969B2
A multi-strobe circuit that latches a signal to be tested, an evaluation target, at each edge timing of a multi-strobe signal having a plurality of edges. An oscillator oscillates at a predetermined frequency in synchronization with a reference strobe signal. A latch circuit latches the signal to be tested at an edge timing of an output signal of the oscillator. A gate circuit is provided between a clock terminal of the latch circuit and the oscillator, and makes the output signal of the oscillator pass therethrough for a predetermined period. A clock transfer circuit loads the output signal of the latch circuit at an edge timing of the output signal of the oscillator and performs retiming on the output signal of the latch circuit by using a reference clock.
US08055961B2
A semiconductor device test circuit includes a data producing unit to produce first test data to be fed into a semiconductor device, and expected value data; a first data retaining unit to retain the first test data, and feed the first test data into the semiconductor device; a second data retaining unit to retain the expected value data; a comparison unit to compare output data outputted through the first data retaining unit and the expected value data outputted from the second data retaining unit to supply data indicating comparison result between the output data and the expected value data; and a switching unit to switch the data fed into the second data retaining unit between the expected value data and the output data, wherein the first data retaining unit and the second data retaining unit form parts of a scan chain into which second test data may externally be fed.
US08055954B2
Storage systems and methods for distributed support ticket processing are disclosed. An exemplary method may include accessing at least one storage device in a storage system by an interface manager to retrieve raw support ticket data from the at least one storage device. The method may also include analyzing the raw support ticket data at the interface manager to generate a support ticket for the storage system. The method may also include decoding the support ticket to an intermediate format at a management station. The method may also include presenting the converted support ticket to a user at the management station.
US08055952B2
A computer-implemented method for triggering a software rejuvenation system and/or method includes receiving a request for resources, determining an estimated response time to the request for resources, determining that the estimated response time is greater than a first threshold, determining that a number of estimated response times greater than the first threshold is greater than or equal to a dynamic second threshold, and triggering the software rejuvenation system and/or method.
US08055946B2
A semiconductor IC capable of debugging two or more processors at the same time using a single debugger and a semiconductor IC test system. The semiconductor IC includes processors operating at different frequencies, a trigger circuit which causes all of the processors to be in a debugging state when one of the processors is in the debugging state, and a JTAG circuit applying a boundary scan operation to the processors connected to a JTAG pin in series.
US08055945B2
A method for reporting error resolution information according to one embodiment includes identifying an error; tracking information output to a user when attempting to resolve the error; and sending error resolution data to a remote system, the error resolution data comprising at least a representation of the error and at least a representation of some of the information output to the user. Additional systems, methods, and computer program products are also presented.
US08055943B2
A method, system, and computer program product for providing continuous data protection for write data supplied from a host incorporating a processor device to data storage in accordance with write input/output (I/O) of an owning application is provided. The write data is identified as one of a synchronous candidate and an asynchronous candidate. The write data identified as the one of the synchronous candidate and the asynchronous candidate is transferred to at least one sidefile. The write data transferred to the at least one sidefile is secured in a nonvolatile storage journal. The nonvolatile storage journal is preset with a timeout limit applicable to write data identified as the synchronous candidate. If the timeout limit is exceeded, a loss mitigation operation to safeguard the write data identified as the synchronous candidate is performed.
US08055931B2
A method is provided for switching between two oscillator signals within an alignment element. In accordance with the method, one of the two oscillator signals one is selected as a first master signal in order to provide an output stepping signal at an output of the alignment element. The method comprises introducing a virtual stepping signal when a switch between the two oscillator signals occurs or when a failure in the first master signal is detected. The method further comprises sending the virtual stepping signal to the output of the alignment element in the event of a switch until an alignment with a new master signal is completed.
US08055929B2
A computer system is arranged with a circular buffer that includes a piecewise linear map from a high-resolution counter arranged to maintain International Atomic Time. The piecewise linear map includes a current leg that is currently being used and also a future leg that will be used in the future. The future leg is computed while the current leg is still being used.
US08055919B2
A system and method for efficient power management of peripheral port connections. A USB hub core is configured to detect the presence of a legacy peripheral device on a downstream port when a corresponding USB host is in a non-operational state. The USB hub core chooses a battery charger signature for the peripheral device and subsequently directs an external port power controller to simulate disconnection/reconnection of the peripheral device. The chosen signature is presented to the peripheral device. If the signature matches the expected value of the peripheral device, then the peripheral device charges its battery. Otherwise, the process of choosing a different signature and simulating disconnection/reconnection is repeated.
US08055914B2
A computer system has a controller and a voltage regulator. The controller generates a power consumption state signal for one or more components of the computer system to the voltage regulator. The voltage regulator supplies a first voltage level for the one or more components when the one or more components are at a first power consumption state. The voltage regulator increases to a second voltage level for the one or more components when the one or more components enter a second power consumption state.
US08055912B2
Multiple trusted platform modules within a data processing system are used in a redundant manner that provides a reliable mechanism for securely storing secret data at rest that is used to bootstrap a system trusted platform module. A hypervisor requests each trusted platform module to encrypt a copy of the secret data, thereby generating multiple versions of encrypted secret data values, which are then stored within a non-volatile memory within the trusted platform. At some later point in time, the encrypted secret data values are retrieved, decrypted by the trusted platform module that performed the previous encryption, and then compared to each other. If any of the decrypted values do not match a quorum of values from the comparison operation, then a corresponding trusted platform module for a non-matching decrypted value is designated as defective because it has not been able to correctly decrypt a value that it previously encrypted.
US08055911B2
The present invention allows creation of a backup key for backing up an encryption key inside a source trusted chip, encrypting the encryption key with the backup key, exporting the encrypted encryption key from the source trusted chip and storing it in a storage device, encrypting the backup key for transmission to a trusted third party. If the encrypted encryption key needs to be restored inside a destination trusted chip, the backup key and the encryption key encrypted with the backup key are imported to the destination trusted chip, where the encrypted encryption key is decrypted with the backup key inside the destination trusted chip to obtain the encryption key of the source trusted chip.
US08055909B2
An information reproducing apparatus of the present invention includes a secure module and a main memory. The information in the secure module can not be accessed from outside. The secure module reads, using a direct access method, information relating to software stored in the main memory. The secure module checks a falsification of the software by comparing the information read with the information stored in advance in the secure module.
US08055898B2
An authentication method is disclosed that makes the identification information of an object public and performs authentication in referring, from the identification information, to the information of the object corresponding to the identification information. The method includes generating a third value through a predetermined operation of a temporary first value generated every time the identification information is referred to and a temporary second value generated for a referrer to the identification information; encrypting the third value by first and second different encryption methods; decrypting the third value encrypted by the first encryption method in a tag device attached to the object; and decrypting the third value encrypted by the second encryption method in an apparatus managing the information of the object, and comparing the third value decrypted in the apparatus with the third value decrypted in the tag device, thereby verifying the relationship between the object and the referrer thereto.
US08055895B2
Methods and associated systems provide secured data transmission over a data network. A security device provides security processing in the data path of a packet network. The device may include at least one network interface to send packets to and receive packets from a data network and at least one cryptographic engine for performing encryption, decryption and/or authentication operations. The device may be configured as an in-line security processor that processes packets that pass through the device as the packets are routed to/from the data network.
US08055888B2
A data processing apparatus is disclosed that comprises a pipelined processor, said pipelined processor comprising a processing pipeline for processing instructions in a plurality of stages, at least some of said plurality of stages each comprising storage elements for storing an instruction or decoded instruction being processed in said stage, said storage elements in at least one of said stages comprising settable elements, each of said settable elements being adapted to store a predetermined value in response to a wake up event, said settable elements being arranged such that in response to said wake up event said values stored in said settable elements form an instruction or decoded instruction.
US08055882B2
Disclosed is a multiprocessor apparatus including a plurality of processors connected to a common bus, a co-processor provided in common to the processors, an arbitration circuit that arbitrates contention among the processors with respect to use of a resource in the co-processor through a tightly coupled bus by the processors and a multiplexer coupled to the arbitration circuit, coupled to the processors through a local buses, and coupled to the co-processor through the local buses to transfer the commands received from the respective processors to the co-processor in accordance with a permission signal output by the arbitration circuit.
US08055879B2
Methods, apparatus, and product for tracking network contention on links among compute nodes of an operational group in a point-to-point data communications network of a parallel computer are disclosed. In embodiments of the present invention, each compute node is connected to an adjacent compute node in the point-to-point data communications network through a link. Tracking network contention according to embodiments of the present invention includes maintaining, by a network contention module on each compute node in the operational group, a local contention counter for each compute node, each local contention counter representing network contention on links among the compute nodes originating from the compute node; and maintaining a global contention counter, the global contention counter representing network contention currently on all links among the compute nodes in the operational group.
US08055878B2
A method and structure of distributing elements of an array of data in a computer memory to a specific processor of a multi-dimensional mesh of parallel processors includes designating a distribution of elements of at least a portion of the array to be executed by specific processors in the multi-dimensional mesh of parallel processors. The pattern of the designating includes a cyclical repetitive pattern of the parallel processor mesh, as modified to have a skew in at least one dimension so that both a row of data in the array and a column of data in the array map to respective contiguous groupings of the processors such that a dimension of the contiguous groupings is greater than one.
US08055874B2
Provided are a system and method for providing an Application Program Interface (API) program of a mobile terminal. A system for providing an API program of a mobile terminal to a program terminal includes: a program terminal for building a memory according to information about a memory size allocated by a mobile terminal and receiving an API program having a size corresponding to the memory size; and a mobile terminal for allocating a memory in response to a request of the program terminal, copying the API program to the memory according to the information about the allocated memory size, and transmitting the copied API program to the program terminal.
US08055873B2
A data writing method for a flash memory is provided. The data writing method includes following steps. First, a block is selected as a substitute block from a spare area of the flash memory, wherein the substitute block is used for substituting a data block in a data area for writing a new data. Next, the new data is directly written into the substitute block starting from a start page, wherein there is valid data in the data block before the address for writing the new data. Thereby, meaningless data moving can be reduced, system performance can be improved, and overlong waiting time for writing the new data can be prevented.
US08055861B2
One embodiment is directed to the deletion of content units from a storage system. When a content unit is deleted, a reflection may be created and stored on the storage system. The reflection identifies the deleted content unit and may include additional information, such as a portion of the content of the content unit and audit information regarding the deletion of the content unit.
US08055845B2
An embodiment of a method of cooperative caching for a distributed storage system begins with a step of requesting data from storage devices which hold the data. The method continues with a step of receiving any cached blocks and expected response times for providing non-cached blocks from the storage devices. The method concludes with a step of requesting a sufficient number of the non-cached blocks from one or more particular storage devices which provides an expectation of optimal performance.
US08055841B2
A method for caching data on a hard disk drive. The method begins by identifying at least one track residing on the hard disk drive to devote to caching. The method continues with determining an average for each data value both residing on the hard disk drive and not residing in random access memory. The average value being the average number of times a given data value was read into memory before being the given data value was overwritten. Next the method detects a period of hard disk activity and in response to detecting, the method concludes by copying to each cache track each data value not residing in random access memory and having an average which exceeds a first threshold.
US08055837B2
A data writing method for a non-volatile memory is provided, wherein the non-volatile memory includes a data area and a spare area. In the data writing method, a plurality of blocks in a substitution area of the non-volatile memory is respectively used for substituting a plurality of blocks in the data area, wherein data to be written into the blocks in the data area is written into the blocks in the substitution area, and the blocks in the substitution area are selected from the spare area of the non-volatile memory. A plurality of temporary blocks of the non-volatile memory is used as a temporary area of the blocks in the substitution area, wherein the temporary area is used for temporarily storing the data to be written into the blocks in the substitution area.
US08055825B2
A simple clock source synchronous DDR data transfer mechanism may be combined with static bus state signaling to replace a complex bus (e.g. USB) with an easy to implement digital serial interconnect bus. This may eliminate various pull-up/pull-down resistors required in USB, and enable the interconnect bus to operate with little or no leakage current when the bus is in an idle state, or data transmission state. All required functionality may be implemented using only two signal pins. The interconnect bus may also enable silicon solutions for high speed USB that do not require a PLL, since the clock may be provided by the transmission source and may thus not need to be recovered from the serial data stream. The digital serial interconnect bus may provide an easy reuse mechanism for USB silicon by enabling a designer to remove the analog PHY and replace it with a serial digital I/O transfer mechanism, while retaining the IP's USB timers, and other protocol specific features.
US08055823B2
Provided are a method and an apparatus for compression transmission of bus data including a plurality of bytes including upper bits and lower bits. The apparatus includes a comparator and an aligner. The comparator compares upper bits of a previous byte with upper bits of a current byte among the plurality of bytes. If the upper bits of the previous byte are identical to the upper bits of the current byte, the aligner compresses the bus data in a combination of a full-byte and a half-byte, by allowing the previous byte to be constituted with the full-byte having bits corresponding to the number of bits of the previous byte and allowing the current byte to be constituted with the half-byte excluding the upper bits of the current byte. Then, the aligner arrays the compressed bus data in a preset bus bandwidth to transmit to a slave device.
US08055815B2
The present disclosure is directed to a method for communication between an initiator system and a block storage cluster. The method may comprise receiving an initial data request from the initiator system to a first storage system, a portion of the data requested in the initial data request is not stored by the first storage system, but is stored by a second storage system; retrieving the portion of the data that is stored by the second storage system; forwarding the portion of the data to the initiator system; and transmitting a referral list comprising at least one referral from the first storage system to the initiator system, wherein the initiator system is configured for maintaining a referral cache based on the referral list, and a subsequent data request initiated by the initiator system is directed to the block storage cluster based on the referral cache.
US08055814B2
A safety control block interfaces to one or more devices utilizing one or more communication protocols wherein a network interface receives and/or transmits data directly from a network. A backplane interface receives and/or transmits data from a backplane. A backplane extension receives and/or transmits data from a backplane. A processing component receives data from at least one of the network interface, backplane interface and backplane extension and determines if the received data is related to safety or non-safety. A safety I/O circuitry receives safety data from the processing component; wherein the safety data is utilized to communicate to at least one control device.
US08055813B2
In a system for communicating data from a processor to a plurality of register groupings that includes a plurality of registers and a plurality of register decoding logic entities, each register is associated with one of the plurality of register groupings. The plurality of register decoding logic entities is arranged in a data communication ring and is assigned to a register grouping. Each register decoding logic entity is configured to: receive a data packet that includes a data unit intended for a set of the registers in communication with the register decoding logic entity; write the data unit to each of the set of registers; determine if the register decoding logic entity is set to a relay mode; and if the register decoding logic entity is set to the relay mode, then update the data packet to reflect an address corresponding to a next register decoding logic entity in the data communication ring and then transmit the data packet to the next register decoding logic entity for which the data packet is intended.
US08055800B1
A method and system for enforcing host routing settings in a network device comprises network devices having enforcement logic for extracting host routing settings from a DHCP packet issued by a DHCP server to a DHCP client connecting to a network. The network devices generate enforcement rules based on the host routing settings and apply those rules to ports through which the DHCP client connects to the network. The enforcement rules include access control lists having one or more match conditions generated based on the host routing settings.
US08055795B2
Systems and methods are provided for resolving domain name services (DNS) queries for address information about hosts on a network. The queries are posited from remote users across a satellite or other remote link to a network. In response to a domain name services request from the client containing a name of the server, a placeholder address is generated and provided in response to the client. After a subsequent request for a connection to the server is received, the name of the server is re-associated with the placeholder address and the connection request containing the proper host name is forwarded across the data link. A hub processor receives the request for connection, resolves the name of the server to an address on the network, and establishes a connection between the client and the server using the address on the network.
US08055794B2
An isolation switch blade Fiber Channel switch presents F_ports to form a first Fiber Channel fabric and N_ports to a second Fiber Channel fabric to appear as node devices. The isolation switch blade may be used to connect a plurality of blade servers to a Fiber Channel fabric. Fabric events engendered by the insertion or removal of hot-pluggable devices are handled by the isolation switch blade and “event storms” on the Fiber Channel fabric are avoided. The isolation switch blade presents the blade servers to the FC fabric as a virtualized N_port.
US08055791B2
A connection between network nodes in a communication network is backed up. A failover label-switched path (LSP) is created starting at a first network node of a connection and ending 5 at the second node of the connection, while bypassing the protected connection. In the event of connection failure, data is transmitted through the failover LSP. A network operator can selectively protect different types of data by using filters that bind one or more types of traffic received over one or more interfaces to different failover LSPs.
US08055788B1
An efficient person search method utilizing human communications characteristics such as close social network, user-dependent hot list, and high skewness in access popularity. This method makes use of hot lists in the routing process and clusters people of the same community together in the search graph, thereof creating a “small-world” effect to minimize the hop counts routing would have to go through in a Peer-to-Peer environment.
US08055782B2
Generating exception delay messages when messages communicated between asynchronous messaging applications are delayed and for forcibly retaining the original message. Specifically, the invention provides methods and systems for generating an exception delay message after a time threshold has expired without deleting the original message. The exception delay message may be sent once when the time threshold first expires or each time that the time threshold expires.
US08055773B2
Orders are processed within an Order Processing Environment which includes an Order Processing Container, Relationship Registry, and Factory Registry. The Order Processing Environment is extended by a Reference Resolvement Function Component. The RRFC provides the basic functionality for resolving References defined in the Order Document at runtime and make the referenced data available as a usual input parameter for the resources involved in the Order Processing. Each Task in the Order may contain Resource Property References and Resource Property Relationship References which are pointers to properties of resources. These references are resolved by the RRFC during the Order Processing before the Order Document is delegated from one resource to the next. When resolving a Reference, the value of the referenced Resource Property is determined and the Reference is replaced by this value so that it can be used by the resource having it defined in its Task section as a usual input parameter. Hence, by using References, resources are able to get access to the properties of other resources that participate in the Order Processing or are contained in the Resource Topology tree and use them as an input parameter for executing their own Task without having to know where the data is gathered from.
US08055770B2
A method and apparatus for providing network virtualization on a packet network are disclosed. For example, the method receives a request from a user, wherein the request comprises at least one of: a feature of a network component or a network component for a virtual network. The method determines if the request can be instantiated over one or more real network resources, and then instantiates the request via the one or more real network resources, if it is determined that the request can be instantiated.
US08055768B2
An apparatus includes: a logic circuit with electronic memory to: monitor signal traffic with at least one client and a computer network to determine, without changing the signal traffic, for each client, a network address and a port to which that client is connected; provide to a first dynamic table the network address and port for each said client; access an authentication server that has a second table of user names and corresponding passwords for network login, in which the second table also includes for each user name and password a corresponding virtual local network (VLAN) membership and/or VLAN tag and/or Quality of Service (QoS); and add to the first dynamic table the user name, VLAN membership, VLAN tag and QoS information learnt from the authentication server in the second table.
US08055762B2
A method and system for generating location information for a network space is provided. Generating location information for a network space involves maintaining location profiles for spaces familiar to a client device, and performing location detection for the client device in a current space utilizing a signature of the current space and the location profiles. Location detection for the client device in a current space can also be performed utilizing information indicating the probable presence of familiar resources in the current space.
US08055757B2
Techniques for implementing a log message buffering system are disclosed. To this end, a computer implemented method includes receiving log messages. The computer implemented method also includes associating log messages with items of work and organizing the received log messages according to the items of work. Each item of work contains one or more log messages. The computer implemented method also includes outputting organized log messages according to items of work to a logging subsystem.
US08055755B2
A system and method make quality measurements in a network to determine if a Service Level Agreement is breached. The system includes a plurality of routers for routing traffic through the network, means for taking measurements on a path between a first router and a second router, and means for charging at least one of the plurality of routers when data related to the measurements falls below a target value.
US08055753B2
A solution for improved monitoring and control of jobs in grid and batch computing systems provides a centralized server's batch manager which is only responsible for workload balancing and job initiation and completion, all other command and status information are communicated directly between the plurality of submitter's systems and the plurality of client systems that are processing their respective workloads. The computing system and communication process utilizes event-driven peer to peer communications between submitter's systems and client systems and enables more detailed status and control information to be passed without overloading the centralized server, and by avoiding polling also provides more immediate feedback of results. Multiple process threads are employed on both the submitter's and client systems, and a user interface consolidates and displays results to the submitter allow commands to be sent to processes running on client batch systems.
US08055748B2
An information management system and the like capable of managing communication processing by an internal system mounted on a mobile apparatus such as a motor vehicle to ensure efficient use of information processing resources for packets distributed from an external system are provided. According to the information management system (100), a first processing section (110) determines necessity/unnecessity of a file for an information processing device (12) mounted on the motor vehicle based on file information about the content of the file distributed or transmitted from an external system (20). If the first processing section (110) determines that the file is necessary for the information processing device (12), a second processing section (120) causes the internal system (10) to execute “relay processing” of the file including collection and accumulation of packets, decoding of the packets to restore the file, and others.
US08055741B2
A modem includes a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) module, a point-to-point protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) module, and a network monitor module. The DHCP module automatically establishes a DHCP connection over a communication network, and generates a first notification signal after the DHCP connection is established. The PPPoE module automatically establishes a PPPoE connection over the communication network and automatically configures parameters of an Internet access service over the communication network and generates a second notification signal after the PPPoE connection is established. The network monitor module determines current network properties of the communication network upon receipt of the first notification signal and/or the second notification signal, and selectively configures parameters of the Internet access service and a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) service.
US08055740B2
A wireless sensor network system and a cluster management method thereof. The wireless sensor network system includes at least one cluster having at least one sensor node for collecting sensing data, and a cluster head for aggregating the sensing data from the at least one sensor node. A sink node collects the aggregated sensing data from the at least one cluster, wherein the cluster head of a first cluster determines a cluster size of the first cluster, and when the first cluster is a master cluster and the cluster size of the first cluster is less than a threshold size, merges, the first cluster into a second master cluster, and switches the first cluster to a slave cluster. In each cluster, management efficiency can thereby be maintained within a specified range, and the lifetime of a wireless sensor network can be prolonged by reducing energy consumption.
US08055735B2
A system and a method for automatic cluster formation by automatically selecting nodes based on a selection criteria configured by the user is disclosed. During a cluster re-formation process, a failed node may automatically get replaced by one of the healthy nodes in its network, which is not part of any cluster avoiding cluster failures. In case of a cluster getting reduced to a single node due to node failures and failed nodes could not be replaced due to non-availability of free nodes, the single node cluster may be merged with a existing healthy clusters in the network providing a constant level of high availability. The proposed method may also provide an affective load balancing by maintaining a constant number of member nodes in a cluster by automatically replacing the dead nodes with a healthy node.
US08055732B2
A device, method, computer program product, and network subsystem are described for signaling a first application relating with a first core and with a second core, and for aggregating information in response to data received after signaling the first application relating with the first core and with the second core, transmitting at least a portion of the information aggregated in response to the data received after signaling the first application relating with the first core and with the second core, or signaling via a third core a partial service configuration change at least in the first core in response to data received after signaling the first application relating with the first core and with the second core.
US08055710B2
A method, system, and computer program product is provided for automatically searching and injecting a multi-person chat history into a chat session, and allowing users to inject a multi-person chat history into a new chat session. After comparing new chat session participants with chat history participants stored in a chat log within a predetermined temporal window to determine a number of similar participants after the new chat session is created, there is performed one of injecting the chat history into the new chat session automatically when the number of similar participants is at least as great as a first predetermined threshold; or prompting a user response to inject the chat history into the new chat session when the number of similar participants is at least as great as a second threshold, where the chat history is injected into the new chat session when the user affirmatively responds to the prompt.
US08055703B2
Identification servers are small, perhaps embedded, systems that can be used as subsystems of a tracking and verification system. An identification server can obtain identification data when a trigger, called an identification event, occurs. The identification server can store the identification data in a database module with a key. The identification server can send a message containing the identification data or the key to a set of subscribing clients. Subscribing clients, such as a central database or a graphical user interface, are clients that subscribe to receive messages from the identification server. An identification server can trigger off of an identification message sent by another identification server.
US08055699B2
Disclosed is a method for interfacing in a communication system. The method includes receiving an event, which should be processed using information managed by a second system providing a second service, from a first system providing a first service; and performing an interface so that the second system performs an operation corresponding to the event by using the information.
US08055696B2
Provided are a modular multiplication method with an improved arithmetic operation, a modular multiplier and a cryptograph calculating system having the modular multiplier. The modular multiplication method comprises performing a first arithmetic operation including a first multiplication on a first bit string of a multiplicand and a first bit string of a multiplier and a first reduction for eliminating partial bits of the first multiplication result, performing a second arithmetic operation including a second multiplication on a second bit string of the multiplicand and a second bit string of the multiplier and a second reduction for eliminating partial bits of the second multiplication result, and calculating a modular multiplication result using the result of the first arithmetic operation and the result of the second arithmetic result. The first arithmetic operation and the second arithmetic operation are independently performed.
US08055685B2
A system and methodology for real-time content aggregation and syndication is described. In one embodiment, for example, a method is described for assisting a user with extracting items relevant to search queries from documents including items of various types, the method comprises steps of: receiving a search query specifying a search phrase and a particular item type; identifying documents matching the search phrase; for each matching document, determining whether the document includes an item having the particular item type; and extracting items having the particular item type from the matching documents for display to the user. The solution enables a user to aggregate and syndicate content without a professional content manager or complicated content management software tools.
US08055679B2
Multiple users generate separate websites, which are compiled into an approved list of websites for an organization. This list of approved websites is saved in a database location. When a user desires to access the communication network, this method of this invention detects and intercepts the access attempt and determines whether the website identified in the access attempt is accessible by the particular user. The determination of whether the desired website is accessible to the user will depend on certain defined criteria such as time of workday or length of a connection session of the user with the communication network.
US08055676B2
Disclosed is a method or an operation for providing a personalized TV-Anytime metadata service. According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing a table field element using a get_Data operation in the TV-Anytime metadata service. In the table field element provision method, a requested fields type element (RequestedFieldsType) required to designate a field of a metadata table is included in a query result value type in the SOAP query operation. A request message of the SOAP query operation is received. When the request message includes the requested fields type element for designating the query result value, a query result value corresponding to the table field designated from the requested fields type element included in the request message is extracted, and the query result value is transmitted using a response message of the SOAP operation.
US08055671B2
In most of the Internet search operations, unwanted search results can be eliminated to reduce the high volume of the Internet traffic, and make the search operation highly efficient, according to the present invention. The present invention proposes a two step approach. The first step is to achieve the high relevance of the search results by search region restricted search operation. The second step, further adds high degree of relevance to the search results by the contact address correlation with a reliable reference address or the legitimate contact address eliminating the spurious and unwanted sites from the search result list. The region restricted search does searching in a selected geographical region. Thus the region restricted search operation minimizes the search time and huge volume of Internet traffic, which is likely to impair the overall Internet performance.
US08055669B1
A search query for a search engine may be improved by incorporating alternate terms into the search query that are semantically similar to terms of the search query, taking into account information derived from the search query. An initial set of alternate terms that may be semantically similar to the original terms in the search query is generated. The initial set of alternate terms may be compared to information derived from the original search query. One example of such information is a set of documents retrieved in response to a search performed using the initial search query. One or more of the alternate terms may be added to the original search query based on their relationship to the information derived from the original search query.
US08055663B2
Systems and methods for measuring behavior characteristics. For at least one specific user, a first concern score for respective key terms is calculated according to use frequency of respective key terms of network content corresponding to the specific user and all users. A first relation matrix for at least one specific key term is calculated according to at least two users corresponding to respective interaction behaviors between the key terms and a type weighting corresponding to respective interaction behaviors. A first interaction score for the specific user regarding the specific key term is calculated according to the first relation matrix. A first characteristic score for the specific user regarding the specific key term is calculated according to the first concern score and the first interaction score.
US08055662B2
Our invention describes a method and a system for matching securely an unknown audio recording with known audio recordings. A plurality of known audio recordings, each known audio recording associated with an index to information uniquely identifying the known audio recording is stored on a server. An unknown audio recording cross-correlated securely with each of the plurality of known audio recordings to determine a best matching known audio recording, in which the unknown audio recording and the plurality of known audio recordings are encrypted with a public key. A best matching known audio recording is determined securely according to the cross-correlation. Next, the index of the best matching known audio recording is determined securely. Finally, the information associated with the index of the best matching known audio recording is provided securely to a user of the unknown recording.
US08055653B2
An edge-covering based greedy method for shared filter ordering includes receiving a plurality of queries, wherein each query is a conjunction of filters, and each filter is shared across multiple queries of the plurality of queries, evaluating a unit price of each filter, evaluating, sequentially, each filter in order of a lowest to a highest unit price, to determine a value for each filter, and changing an ordering of the filters according to the values. An edge-covering based harmonic method for shared filter ordering includes receiving a plurality of queries, wherein each query is a conjunction of filters, and each filter is shared across multiple queries of the plurality of queries, evaluating a weight of each filter, evaluating, randomly, each filter having a probability inversely proportionally to its weight, to determine a value, and changing an ordering of the filters according to the values.
US08055646B2
A method and system for preventing redundant indexes in a database management system (DBMS). A received create-index command specifies a new index to be created for retrieving data from a table created by the DBMS and a redundancy check to be performed for the new index in conjunction with an action parameter in the create-index command. If the action parameter includes a REPORT value, each redundant index is stored and/or displayed and the new index is created. If the action parameter includes a PREVENT value and an existing index is redundant in view of the new index and the new index is not redundant in view of the existing index, the existing index is deleted and the new index is created. If the action parameter includes a PREVENT value and the new index is redundant in view of an existing index, the new index is not created.
US08055636B2
A method of managing medical images is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a plurality of images corresponding to a plurality of modalities, displaying to a user at a client computer a selection comprising images associated with at least two different modalities, and, in response to the user selection, simultaneously displaying at the client computer images corresponding to at least two different modalities.
US08055635B2
A correctness verification system receives a query, executes the query using a query logic, and produces a query result. The query result comprises data records that satisfy the query, data verification objects associated with the data records, index segments accessed during the execution of the query, index verification objects associated with the index segments, and the query. The system transfers the query result to a verification system. The verification system verifies correctness of the query result by executing the query using the query logic. The verification system uses the data verification objects to verify integrity of the data objects, uses the index verification objects to verify the integrity of the index segments, and uses the index verification objects and the data verification objects to verify the completeness of the query result.
US08055634B2
The present invention relates to systems, methods, and user interfaces for browsing a collection of content items saved by a user or by one or more buddies associated with a given user. The method of the present invention comprises saving one or more content items and one or more associated keywords as specified by a user. An interface is generated that displays the one or more saved content items and the one or more associated keywords, as well as the one or more buddies associated with a given user. A user indication of the selection of a given keyword or the selection of a given buddy by the user is received. The one or more displayed content items are filtered according to the selected keyword, buddy, or combination of selected keyword and buddy.
US08055633B2
A method of duplicate detection for data items in a stream of data items, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a data item from the stream of data items; applying at least two different hashing algorithms to the data item to generate hash keys that identify elements in a first bloom filter data structure having a plurality of elements; checking a state of each of the identified elements to determine if the data item is a potential duplicate, the determination depending on whether the identified elements are indicated as having been also identified for a previous data item received from the stream; and in response to the determination that the data item is a potential duplicate, checking an index of hash keys to determine if at least one of the generated hash keys exists in the index to identify the data item as an actual duplicate.
US08055626B1
A system obtains multiple signals associated with first and second hostnames or subtrees. The system uses the multiple signals to determine whether the first hostname or subtree is a mirror of the second hostname or subtree. The multiple signals may include, for example, a same link structure and/or sitemap for the first and second hostnames or subtrees, duplicate content associated with the first and second hostnames or subtrees, a same Internet Protocol (IP) address or subnet for the first and second hostnames or subtrees, a same owner for the first and second hostnames or subtrees, nearly duplicate content associated with the first and second hostnames or subtrees, similarity between the hostnames of the first and second hostnames or subtrees; and/or an indication that one hostname or subtree of the first and second hostnames or subtrees redirects to the other hostname or subtree.
US08055624B2
An agent installed on a server reclaims one or more reclaimable off-site copy storage volumes and one or more reclaimable on-site copy storage volumes. To this end, the agent identifies each reclaimable off-site copy storage volume, runs a plurality of threads to collectively copy each data object of the identified reclaimable off-site copy storage volume(s) that is stored within one or more primary storage volumes to one or more one on-site target copy storage volumes, identifies each reclaimable on-site copy storage volume, and runs the plurality of threads to collectively transfer each data object of the identified reclaimable on-site copy storage volume(s) to the on-site copy target copy storage volume(s).
US08055600B2
The present invention relates to methods and systems for applying evolutionary algorithms to generate robust search strategies for problems including decision variables. In one aspect, the invention encodes genomes of at least one triplet comprising a variable, assignment priority, and assigned value. The genome may later be decoded to determine a partial or complete assignment of values to variables. If a partial assignment is reached, a search strategy may be applied to generate a complete or more complete assignment. The genomes may also be evolved to produce offspring genomes.One type of evolutionary operator, called the Lamarckian operator is introduced, wherein the similarities, differences, and unbound variables resulting from the decoding of two or more parent genomes are collected. These collections are then used to encode an offspring genome, building upon the strengths of the parents.
US08055598B1
An adaptable graphical user interface is provided. The interface may include a setup region to display a group of available solvers to a user and to display parameters for at least one of the group of solvers to the user. The interface may include an options region to display a first group of active options to a user without requiring a user input for the first group of active options, where the first group of active options is determined based on a selected one of the group of solvers. The options region may further display a second group of active options to the user when another one of the solvers is selected by the user, where the second group of active options differs from the first group of active options.
US08055596B2
A technique is provided for developing a propensity model for customer behavior. Multiple biased samples of customer characteristics and results from past activities are established. Initial propensity models are created for each biased sample. The propensity models established for each biased sample are processed separately from the propensity models established for the other biased samples. A genetic algorithm is used to evolve the propensity models. A select number of propensity models that best fit their respective biased samples are compared to a validation sample that is unbiased. A select number of these propensity models that best fit the validation sample are cross-bred into the propensity models established for each biased sample. The propensity models for each biased sample are then processed again using the genetic algorithms. However, a number of elite propensity models are maintained in their original form and not evolved using the genetic algorithm. This cycle continues until a stopping criterion is reached.
US08055593B2
A method for multiple-label data analysis includes: obtaining labeled data points from more than one labeler; building a classifier that maximizes a measure relating the data points, labels on the data points and a predicted output label; and assigning an output label to an input data point by using the classifier.
US08055591B2
A computationally implemented method includes, but is not limited to: acquiring data indicative of an inferred mental state of an authoring user; and associating the data indicative of the inferred mental state of the authoring user with an electronic message. In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
US08055587B2
A method for constructing a secure Internet transaction, the method includes: receiving a user identification (userid) and user password on a client device for filling out a form generated by a secure web site; concatenating the user's Internet Protocol (IP) address with a separate password that is maintained on the secure web site that the user is authenticating to; encrypting the concatenated user IP and separate password to form an Internet Protocol password (IPPW); wherein the encrypting is carried out with a client device linear feedback shift register (LFSR) with a defined cycle count; building a transaction consisting of the IPPW, defined cycle count, and userid; transmitting the transaction and form via a network towards the secure web site; wherein in response the secure website performs the following: decrypts the IPPW, and determines if the IP portion of the decrypted IPPW is equal to the user's IP address.
US08055580B1
A method for providing a customer one or more options for increasing a line of credit includes communicating to a customer one or more solicitations offering the customer a credit account and providing the customer one or more options for increasing a line of credit associated with the credit account. The method also includes receiving a response to the one or more solicitations from the customer requesting the credit account and selecting at least one of the one or more options. The method also includes storing data associated with the credit account to book the credit account according to the response from the customer. At least some of the data reflects the one or more options selected by the customer and an increase of the line of credit provided as a result of the selection of the at least one option by the customer.
US08055576B2
An electronic trading marketplace (ETM) communicates with interfacing modules interfacing directly with order management systems (OMS's) at trading institutions. The interfacing modules automatically transmit orders from the OMS databases to the ETM and update the OMS databases in response to orders executed at the ETM. Traders can communicate with the ETM to anonymously negotiate trades of securities.
US08055574B2
A method, system and computer program to monitor securities market activity to seek out imbalances in market activity that could lead to a price change in a particular security. Level 1 and/or level 2 data is analyzed to track the activity of market makers and to derive indicators of momentary upward or downward price pressure. The indicators can be displayed to a user.
US08055573B2
A system and method of marketing commodity products over an internet connection, in which the product price is continuously correlated to a publicly traded exchange price and in which a customer may be notified if the product price reaches a previously selected target price set by the customer.
US08055572B2
An anonymous computerised trading system matches orders by conducting auctions at specified times. As well as entering orders, participants assign credit limits for the duration of the auction, thus minimizing the time for which credit is allocated to the system.
US08055569B2
The present invention is a method, system and investment product for allocating or structuring investment assets (such as marketable securities, bonds, mortgages, or other property interests, options or derivatives). The system, method or product enables selecting or grouping a number of individual financial instruments together into a portfolio (e.g., a fund or trust) and assigning weight coefficients to the selected financial instruments based upon a predetermined scale. After assigning the weight coefficients, the system or method purchases the selected instruments based on the allocated total purchase for each instrument (i.e., the total price of each instrument reflects is the price per unit×number of units, which correspond the predetermined weight coefficient). Then, the purchased individual financial instruments are allowed to fluctuate and perform for a predetermined time period (i.e., a number of years and months) without any further significant adjustments to the initial portfolio.
US08055559B2
In at least one embodiment of the present invention, a computer implemented method for Account Receivable (AR) accounting for a multi-company accounting system is provided. The method comprises creating an invoice with the system. An interface user enters input invoice detail lines into the system. The input invoice detail lines are associated with at least two distinct companies of the multi-company group. The multi-company accounting system automatically adds at least a pair of multi-company generated balancing lines associated with the invoice for balancing money owed to each of the distinct companies to define an outstanding balance for each company. A payment is applied to the invoice to reduce the outstanding balances and system automatically adding at least a pair of multi-company generated “Due To/Due From” lines as “Due To/Due From” entries to balance the money owed between the distinct companies.
US08055558B2
The present invention discloses a method and a system for authentication via a communication terminal using short messages, in order to solve the problems that the content of a short message is easy to be leaked out by a proxy SP and that the loss and delay of a short message may lead to repeating user payments. The method includes: sending, by the communication terminal to a payment system via an SP1, a short message payment request including a payee's account identifier and a payment amount; creating, by the payment system, a payment record corresponding to the request and sending verification information to the communication terminal via an SP2, the verification information including the payee's account identifier and the payment amount; replying, by the communication terminal, confirmation information to the payment system via the SP2, upon confirming that the payee's account identifier and the payment amount in the verification information are correct; and performing, by the payment system, a payment operation. The present invention uses a dual channel (SP1and SP2) asynchronous transmission mechanism. The situation where any one of the channel is illegally controlled and thus short message information is leaked out can be prevented and the user can cancel a repeated payment in confirmation of the payment.
US08055552B2
Rules-based commerce system or marketplace that proactively acquires and purchases, on behalf of consumers, works submitted by creators. In one implementation, the system involves a rules engine which makes current and future purchases of electronic content and code based on the positive fulfillment of specific pre-created criteria. Some particular implementations of the invention can be implemented to create a net of income from a large quantity of sources in order to support one or more social media activities. Other implementations of the invention can be configured to create forms of sponsorship whereby a consumer can create rules to automatically acquire and pay for a future work that meets one or more criteria. On the creator side, implementations of the invention can be configured to assist creators to develop an audience and corresponding income streams to support social media creation activities.
US08055550B2
An order processing system includes an order structure in which an order includes multiple objects representing items being purchased, shipping methods, payment parameters, and other parts of an order. The order can include one or more of each of the types of objects. Items in the order can be divided among shipping methods and payment mechanisms using a relationship model to describe the relationships between the different types of objects. Shipping methods and payment mechanisms also can be related. The order may be represented as an order object, which represents the order and can be related to particular shipping methods and payment mechanisms. Relationship objects describe the relationships between objects. Relationship objects can use different relationship types to characterize the extent of the specified relationship.
US08055544B2
An inventory manager processes and assigns data from data records for a product in accordance with rule set that correspond to a source and venue associate with the product. The inventory manager may delete, modify, and create data within a data record. The data may be selectively made available for use by a venue based on the rule set. The inventory manager may include a style identification manager to determine a product style value for the venue based on the data currently available for possible use by the venue and on instructions and logic within the rule set.
US08055541B2
A transaction method and system. The system comprises a computing apparatus, a plurality of transceivers connected to the computing apparatus, and a plurality of transponder devices. Each transponder device comprising a customer data segment associated with a different customer from a plurality of customers for an entity. The computing apparatus receives from a first transponder device through a first transceiver, a first customer data segment. The first customer data segment is associated with a first customer of the plurality of customers. The first transponder device is possessed by the first customer. The first customer is located within a specified proximity of the first transceiver. The computing apparatus performs a first specified function for the first customer. The first specified function is based on the first customer data segment and a location of the first transceiver.
US08055540B2
A radio broadcast system includes a vehicle-based radio system that receives radio broadcasts via digital satellite transmission from a transmitting facility and provides two-way communication with a vehicle communications central facility. The transmitting facility broadcasts a number of different channels of programming content (music, news, etc.) along with one or more separate streams of radio advertisements. The advertisements are received by the vehicle radio system which selects and stores certain advertisements targeted to the vehicle user based on user or vehicle data. The broadcasted radio streams received by the vehicle radio system contain intermittent advertising slots and the system monitors the channel selected by the vehicle operator for markers that identify these advertising slots. Once a marker is detected, one of the stored advertisements is accessed and inserted into the advertising slot for playback as a part of the selected broadcast stream.
US08055538B2
A method and apparatus are provided for preparing ad-books over a communications network. The method includes preparing an advertisement at a user terminal connected to the communications network. The method further includes processing the advertisement at a server connected to the communications network for placing the advertisement in an ad-book.
US08055532B2
A method of thresholding of a database of customer purchasing history using a computer, includes providing a customer purchase history database including data regarding customer satisfaction, awareness of vendor brands, previous purchasing history, and size of customer budget, providing a predetermined threshold regarding the data, establishing, in the computer, boundaries surrounding the predetermined threshold, splitting the data, in the computer, to maximize the differences in the data across the split; generating, in the computer, a model of the data, in the computer, based upon the split, and allocating marketing resources based upon the model.
US08055522B2
A method and storage medium for utilizing excess inventory of parts that are used in end products and having part identifiers are provided. The method includes identifying an excess inventory of parts including part identifiers and a quantity associated with each part identifier. The method also includes identifying potential end products for manufacture comprising a Bill of Materials (BOM) for each end product and where each BOM calls out at least one part identifier in the excess inventory of parts. The method further includes determining a build plan including one or more of the potential end products, the build plan optimized to specific criteria and utilizing an amount of the excess inventory whereby the specific criteria include maximizing the quantity of the excess inventory utilized without exceeding a specific dollar value of additional parts purchased to produce the build plan.
US08055518B2
An insurance program for entities in the mortgage industry that provides coverage for financial loss as a result of material inaccuracies in the financial information provided by or on behalf of the borrower. The insurance program preferably includes the initial insurance application and establishment of an insurance agreement, periodic issuing of individual insurance coverages for particular loans handled by the lender, training and consulting on improved controls for lenders, maintaining an ineligible database of entities and a database of loan information, and handling of claims. Handling of claims includes attempting to minimize the potential loss suffered as a result of a misrepresentation of information in a loan file when coverage under the insurance policy exists.
US08055515B2
An information processing apparatus and a method for managing dispensing information associated with a prescription for medicine, the apparatus and method including inputting acquiring information for acquiring dispensing status information associated with a prescription for medicine, sending the input acquiring information to at least one other device, and receiving the dispensing status information acquired based on the acquiring information from the at least one other device.
US08055514B2
A contextually sensitive, user-centric database navigation and accessing software methodology controls navigation through and access to database domains of a medical (e.g., cardiovascular) image and information management system in accordance with the specific role of the user. Being user-centric, rather than patient-centric, the routine is operative to display to a user, upon logging on, a homepage that specifically pertains to the user's area of responsibility, with the information being displayed containing a contextual list of options that are germane to the user's workflow. This facilitates the ability of the user to rapidly navigate through and access one or more data domains specifically relevant to responsibilities and functions of the user, thereby improving the user's efficiency and reducing the time to complete a task.
US08055508B1
A system for processing and classifying articles that classifies a set of articles based at least upon the locations of the articles within a structure. The system provides a notification over a computer network to a user, wherein the notification informs the user that the user has a time period within which to select a first article from the set of classified articles to add to a pre-existing order by the user, wherein the time period is based at least in part on the anticipated time to transfer at least one article in the set of articles to a different location within the structure.
US08055507B2
In one embodiment, the method includes receiving an audio data frame having at least one channel. The channel is subdivided into a plurality of blocks, and at least two of the blocks are capable of having different lengths. The embodiment further includes obtaining indicator information indicating whether determining of a prediction order for each block is allowed, and determining the prediction order from the audio signal indicating the prediction order for each block if the indicator information indicating that determining of the prediction order for each block is allowed. The channel is decoded using the prediction order.
US08055506B2
Provided is an audio encoding and decoding apparatus and method for improving a compression ratio while maintaining sound quality when sinusoidal waves of an audio signal are connected and encoded. The audio encoding method includes connecting sinusoidal waves of an input audio signal, converting a frequency of each of the connected sinusoidal waves to a psychoacoustic frequency, performing a first encoding operation for encoding the psychoacoustic frequency, performing a second encoding operation for encoding an amplitude of each of the connected sinusoidal waves, and outputting an encoded audio signal comprising the encoding result of the first encoding operation and the encoding result of the second encoding operation.
US08055501B2
A speech synthesizer generating system and a method thereof are provided. A speech synthesizer generator in the speech synthesizer generating system automatically generates a speech synthesizer conforming to a speech output specification input by a user. In addition, a recording script is automatically generated by a recording script generator in the speech synthesizer generating system according to the speech output specification, and a customized or expanded speech material is recorded according to the recording script. After the speech material is uploaded to the speech synthesizer generating system, the speech synthesizer generator automatically generates a speech synthesizer conforming to the speech output specification. The speech synthesizer then synthesizes and outputs a speech output at a user end.
US08055499B2
The present invention relates to a transmitter and a receiver for speech coding and decoding by using an additional bit allocation method. The transmitter and the receiver according to the present invention realize a voice communication service of high quality by using additional bits permitted in system requirements while using a conventional speech coder as it is. In addition, the transmitter and the receiver according to the present invention have an advantage in that they enable insertion of additional quantization blocks while not changing the structure of the conventional standard speech coder, since they allocate additional bits by applying a multi-stage quantization procedure not in a speech signal domain but in a parameter domain.
US08055496B2
A language package system that prevents undesirable behaviors resulting from an incompatibility between a core package of a software product and its language packages is provided. The language package system executes when a user starts the execution of the core package on a computing device. The language package system retrieves a language package version number from the core package that indicates the version number of compatible language packages and an indication of the preferred language of the user. The language package system then determines whether the computing device has a compatible language package that is available. When the computing device has a compatible language package, the software product uses that language package. When the computing device has no compatible language package, the language package system then performs processing that factors in the unavailability of a compatible language package.
US08055493B2
Sizing an infrastructure configuration optimized for a workload mix includes: receiving the workload mix; identifying demand estimates for the one or more predefined benchmarks; applying a predictive model to identify an initial infrastructure configuration having a size anticipated to meet the demand estimates; instructing a virtualized-aware testing service (VATS) test controller to perform a test of the initial infrastructure configuration in a virtualized environment, where performance of the test generates at least one test result; determining whether the at least one test result satisfies a predetermined requirement as identified in the workload mix; and outputting the determination of whether the at least one test result satisfies the predetermined requirement.
US08055486B2
A computer program product is provided for power delivery analysis and design for a hierarchical system. The product includes a storage medium, readable by a processing circuit, for storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for facilitating a method. The method includes building a model corresponding to each element of the hierarchical system, and compiling a repository that contains models corresponding to each element, where the repository includes a net list, a domain list, a component list, a pin list, and a layer list. The method also includes performing optimized gridding for each element, the net list, the domain list, the component list, the pin list, and the layer list; assembling a system model from the models contained in the repository; flattening the system model by converting the system model to a flattened system model that consists entirely of resistors; and running a simulation on the flattened system model.
US08055484B1
Graphical programming or modeling environments, such as a block diagram environment, are disclosed in which graphical programs or models are configured using handshaking communication between entities of the graphical programs or models. The graphical programming or modeling environments provide mechanisms for the handshaking configuration of graphical programs/models before the graphical programs/models are executed in the graphical programming/modeling environments.
US08055479B2
Systems and methods are provided for detecting abnormal conditions and preventing abnormal situations from occurring in controlled processes. Statistical signatures of a monitored variable are modeled as a function of the statistical signatures of a load variable. The statistical signatures of the monitored variable may be modeled according to an extensible regression model or a simplified load following algorithm. The systems and methods may be advantageously applied to detect plugged impulse lines in a differential pressure flow measuring device.
US08055478B2
The present invention includes a frame that is quickly and easily assembled and disassembled. The frame may be used for supporting a portable forced air heater, or other similar equipment. Handles, supports, and optionally a wheel assembly is assembled to two core members using snap lock buttons. In a preferred embodiment, the portable forced air heater includes a maintenance clock for measuring and recording operational parameters of a portable forced air heater, and for notifying a user that maintenance is required.
US08055473B2
Detecting and recording events in a processor with a performance monitor in the processor that samples events. The performance monitor in the processor receives performance event signals generated by the processor that indicate the current full event state of the processor. A limited number of counters are provided in the performance monitor for counting only a selected subset of the performance event signals. An event register is provided in the performance monitor that intercepts the performance event signals prior to the subset of the performance event signals being counted. The performance event signals are stored together as a single unit in the event register. The unit is a full set of available performance event signals that indicate the current full event state of the processor.
US08055468B1
An electronic instrument having in its circuitry a specific solid state switch that exhibits detrimental current leakage at elevated temperatures, a variable voltage device in the instrument connected to the specific switch, the variable voltage device being capable, at an experimentally determined voltage setting, of zeroing out the leakage current in the specific switch, the variable voltage device being set at a voltage setting determined experimentally using said specific switch at an elevated temperature thereby temperature compensating said specific switch.
US08055462B1
A system for counting electrons including a power supply producing a current, a fuel gauge in communication with the power supply, a reader with a reader processor and display, wherein the reader is in communication with a microprocessor of the fuel gauge, and wherein the microprocessor transmits to the reader the established standard engineering unit of capacity, and wherein the reader processor displays the established standard engineering unit of capacity on the display; and a modem in communication with the fuel gauge, wherein the modem provides a communication signal over power lines of the fuel gauge.
US08055455B2
A method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for identifying change indices for a structure. In one advantageous embodiment a method receives a response signal in response to a transmission of an interrogation signal into the structure. The response signal is decomposed into a first plurality of modes. The first plurality of modes is compared to a second plurality of modes for a comparison signal to form a comparison. A change index is assigned to the response signal using the comparison.
US08055452B2
A method provides an index that is indicative of the state of a subject, as to a biological condition, based on a sample from the subject. An embodiment of this method includes: deriving from the sample a profile data set, the profile data set including a plurality of members, each member being a quantitative measure of the amount of a distinct RNA or protein constituent in a panel of constituents selected so that measurement of the constituents enables evaluation of the biological condition; and in deriving the profile data set, achieving such measure for each constituent under measurement conditions that are substantially repeatable; and applying values from the profile data set to an index function that provides a mapping from an instance of a profile data set into a single-valued measure of biological condition, so as to produce an index pertinent to the biological condition of the subject.
US08055450B2
A method is disclosed. The method includes determining an amount of energy needed to change a first sample temperature of a first sample to a target temperature when a temperature changing element that changes the sample temperature is at the target temperature. Data associated with the amount of energy needed to change the sample temperature of the sample to the target temperature is then stored. The stored data may thereafter be used to quickly change a second sample temperature of a second sample to the target temperature, without having the second sample temperature exceed the target temperature.
US08055449B2
To determine fault transmissivity in a subterranean reservoir, fault structures in the subterranean reservoir are identified, and elastic impedance data is computed from well log data and seismic data. Normalization parameters that have a predetermined orientation with respect to the identified fault structures are computed, and elastic impedance flux values are normalized with respect to the normalization parameters, where the normalized elastic impedance flux values are indicative of transmissivities of fault structures in the subterranean structure.
US08055448B2
A downhole acoustic logging tool is used for generating a guided borehole wave that propagates into the formation as a body wave, reflects from an interface and is converted back into a guided borehole wave. Guided borehole waves resulting from reflection of the body wave are used to image a reflector.
US08055441B2
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for a supplemental powered information receiver. A system includes a processor linked to a memory, the memory including at least a Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation process, a clock and internal timer linked to the processor, a programmable power source linked to the processor, and an information receiver module linked to the processor, the information receiver module receiving information when programmed to power up into a standby mode.
US08055434B2
A fuel injection control system for a motorcycle includes an ECU (Engine Control Unit) which calculates the amount of fuel to be injected by an injector based on data detected by various sensors. The fuel injection control system also includes a generator which supplies electric power to the injector and the ECU, and is driven in accordance with the engine, and a kick pedal for manually starting the engine by manually driving the generator with a user's foot. The ECU is configured to acquire data detected by the sensors at shorter intervals during a predetermined period before starting the engine than after the engine is started.
US08055426B2
The tire driving optimization system may include a first tire that is disposed at one side of a vehicle to transmit driving torque from an engine to a road surface, a second tire that is disposed at the other side of the vehicle to transmit driving torque from the engine to a road surface, an accelerator pedal that is operated by a driver so as to control a fuel injection amount that is injected into the engine, and a control portion configured to determine a first consumption energy value that is consumed through the first tire and a second consumption energy value that is consumed through the second tire, and to adjust engine output based on the first consumption energy value and the second consumption energy value if the vehicle is unstable.
US08055420B2
A main controller calculates permissible driving forces of individual wheels from a road-surface friction coefficient, ground loads of the individual wheels, and lateral forces of the individual wheels. The main controller then calculates a permissible engine torque on the basis of the calculated permissible driving forces so as to limit engine output. In addition, based on the calculated permissible driving forces, the main controller calculates a transfer-clutch torque for front-rear driving-force distribution control, a rear-wheel torque shift amount for left-right driving-force distribution control, and a steering-angle correction amount for steering-angle control.
US08055418B2
A method and system for hybrid automated manual transmission and non-hybrid automated manual transmission shift methodologies for tanker trucks are disclosed. A request is received to change a transmission gear ratio of a vehicle transporting a liquid. The request is rejected if a condition indicative of liquid sloshing is detected, and the gear ratio is changed from a current gear ratio to a target gear ratio if the condition indicative of liquid sloshing is not detected. A trigger may enable the detection of liquid sloshing. A transmission controller selects a current gear ratio of the transmission, detects a condition indicative of sloshing of the liquid transported by the vehicle, disables a selection of a select a target gear ratio of the transmission if the condition indicative of liquid sloshing is detected, and selects a target gear ratio of the transmission if the condition indicative of liquid sloshing is not detected.
US08055417B2
A method and control system for a transmission in communication with an engine includes a pedal input interpreter module determining a power demand signal from a pedal position and a vehicle speed. The system also includes a real time gear selection module determining an engine speed of each gear in response to the vehicle speed and power demand signal, determining an engine torque of each gear in response to the vehicle speed and power demand signal, determining a transmission component speed of each gear in response to the vehicle speed and power demand signal and determining a gear selection for the transmission from the power demand signal, the engine speed, the engine torque, and the transmission component speed. The system may also use the cost signal of each gear and penalty signal of each gear for determining the gear selection.
US08055415B2
The invention essentially relates to a method for blocking wheels of a vehicle when stopped in which a transmission device (1) is placed between an output (2) of a heat engine (3) and a wheel (5) axle shaft (4). This device (1) comprises an input shaft (13) connected to the output (2) of the engine (3), an output shaft (31) connected to the wheel axle shaft (4), and at least one electrical machine (6, 7). The device also comprises a mechanical assembly (12) interconnecting the input shaft (13), the output shaft (31) and the shaft (8, 9) of the machine. This assembly (12) is connected to a bridge (15) that, in turn, is connected to the wheel (5) axle shaft (4). The invention provides that, in order to block the wheels when the vehicle is stopped and to limit an observable torque on the elements of the assembly (12), the wheel axle shaft is blocked by the mechanical assembly.
US08055412B2
Vehicle control information is displayed to a vehicle operator in a central display area. In one embodiment, a sensor associated with a vehicle control is configured to detect an approaching operator. A graphical representation of the vehicle control may be displayed in a central display area and, in one embodiment, is displayed with a varying physical characteristic representative of the distance between the vehicle operator and the vehicle control itself. A second graphical representation of the vehicle control may be displayed in the central display area in response to detecting that the vehicle operator has contacted the vehicle control. In one embodiment, the second graphical representation includes a current control value for the vehicle control.
US08055397B2
As embodied and broadly described herein the invention includes a system for computing a preferred sequence in which cars in a switching queue of a railway switchyard are to be sequentially switched to classification tracks. The system has a processing entity for determining within a given set of cars at least two possible sequences in which the cars in the set can be switched and applying logic rules for identifying among the sequences a preferred sequence. The system also has an output for releasing data describing the preferred sequence.
US08055393B2
A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for managing a software aircraft part. A computer implemented method identifies an aircraft from a set of target aircraft to form a target aircraft. Software for use in the aircraft is identified. A determination is made as to whether compatibility exists between the software and the target aircraft. The software aircraft part is created comprising the software and metadata relating usability of the software aircraft part in the target aircraft in response to a determination that compatibility exists between the software and the target aircraft.
US08055389B2
The invention comprises devices and methods for providing operational power to a solar-powered irrigation control system. In one aspect, a method includes producing electrical energy from light, storing the electrical energy in a capacitive module, and operating an irrigation controller using the stored electrical energy independent of another power source. In another aspect, a device includes a control system comprising a computer having a programmed irrigation schedule which operates at least one irrigation device, a photovoltaic power module, and a capacitive module connected to said photovoltaic power module to store the electrical energy provided by the photovoltaic power module, where the capacitive module provides power for the control system to operate the at least one irrigation device independent of another power source.
US08055388B2
Ground support equipment for servicing an airplane includes a ground support equipment cart upon which are mounted at least two equipment modules and a control module. A first equipment module mounted upon the cart contains ground support equipment for servicing an airplane and also has a network connection, and at least one additional equipment module mounted upon the cart contains additional ground support equipment and also has a network connection. The control module has a user display and user controls that are connected to a control processor which has a network connection. The user display and the user controls serve as a shared control panel for the ground support equipment contained in the modules mounted upon the cart. In response the control processor sends over the network to one or more of the other modules information defining what particular services the selected type or class of airplane requires of the modules.
US08055378B2
A processing system includes process modules, load lock modules, an equipment controller, and a machine controller. The equipment controller controls transfer and processing of wafers in the processing system. A transfer destination determining portion determines the transfer destination of each wafer such that each wafer is sequentially transferred to a normally operating process module. When an abnormality occurs in a process module, an evacuation portion temporarily evacuates to a cassette stage the wafer determined is to be transferred to the abnormal process module and that has not yet been transferred to the abnormal process module. When a new transfer destination of the evacuated wafer is determined, if a process that is performed immediately before processing the evacuated wafer in the processing module as the new transfer destination satisfies a predetermined condition, a transfer inhibition portion inhibits the transfer of the evacuated wafer to the new transfer destination.
US08055377B2
A computer-implemented method of controlling picking operations of a number of users in a warehouse, wherein goods are located at source locations, each picking operation comprising: an operation of preparation, wherein, at the source location, the good is introduced in a handling unit, HU, an operation of placing the HU on a picking equipment, the picking equipment being a tool for transferring the HU, an operation of transferring the HU to the destination location, wherein a sequence of picking instructions are presented online individually to the number of users via instruction presenting means which are associated with the respective users, each picking instruction specifying the HU to be transferred, the equipment to be used, and the first and second position, whereby execution of each of the picking operation steps is controlled by online data verification such that a subsequent picking operation instruction may be changed, and presented to the users via the instruction presenting means depending upon result of the verification.
US08055376B2
In a substrate processing system for processing a substrate, such as a wafer W, held by a substrate holding device rotatable about a vertical axis, such as a spin chuck, a jig is placed on the substrate holding device, and centrifugal acceleration imparted to a predetermined measuring position on the jig and an eccentricity of the measuring position from the rotation center of the spin chuck are determined. The position of the rotation center is determined on the basis of centrifugal accelerations imparted to the measuring position when the jig is placed at three different positions and eccentricities of the measuring position from the rotation center when the jig is placed at the three different positions. Data on a substrate placing position, the center of the substrate placed at which coincides with the rotation center, is stored as data of a substrate placing position at which a substrate is to be placed.
US08055371B2
An apparatus for monitoring performance of an industrial process includes a service portal for collecting, transmitting and analyzing parameter data from process field devices that includes a network connection that connects to a process control system of the industrial process, a remote collector that collects parameter data from process field devices, a processor that identifies, sorts, and stores the collected parameter data and a communications module for transmitting the stored parameter data to a remote monitoring station for analysis.
US08055369B2
A method for deploying parts is disclosed. Locations that include supply locations and demand locations are defined. A supply location supplies parts to a demand location. A demand is computed for each part at each location. An availability lead-time is estimated for each part at each location. A lead-time demand is computed for each part at each location using the availability lead-times for the part. A stock level is computed for each part at each location. A completely filled demand is determined from the lead-time demands and the stock levels, and a partially filled demand is determined from the lead-time demands and the stock levels. A coverage function for the parts at the locations is generated from the completely filled demand and the partially filled demand.
US08055358B2
A system and method for controlling a process includes simulating the process and producing a simulated output of the process, developing a set of target values based on measured inputs from the process and based on the simulated output from the process simulator, and producing multiple control outputs configured to control the process based on the set of target values during each operational cycle of the process control system. The simulated outputs include one or more predicted future values up to the steady state of the process.
US08055353B2
Medical carriers that include a low-impedance conductor are provided. The low-impedance conductors are configured to provide electrical conductivity along a length of the medical carrier. An aspect of the low-impedance conductors is the presence of a longitudinally extended region configured as a non-coiled repetitive pattern that imparts fatigue resistance to the longitudinally extended region. Also provided are systems and methods of making the medical carriers, as well as methods of using the medical carriers.
US08055349B2
The present invention involves systems and methods for determining nerve proximity, nerve direction, and pathology relative to a surgical instrument based on an identified relationship between neuromuscular responses and the stimulation signal that caused the neuromuscular responses.
US08055348B2
A system includes one or more sensors and a processor. Each of the sensors generates a signal as a function of at least one physiological parameter of a patient that may discernibly change when the patient is asleep. The processor monitors the physiological parameters, and determines whether the patient is asleep based on the parameters. In some embodiments, the processor determines plurality of sleep metric values, each of which indicates a probability of the patient being asleep, based on each of a plurality of physiological parameters. The processor may average or otherwise combine the plurality of sleep metric values to provide an overall sleep metric value that is compared to a threshold value in order to determine whether the patient is asleep. In addition, an electroencephalogram signal may be used to identify sleep states of the patient.
US08055343B2
One aspect of this disclosure relates to a system for dynamic battery management in implantable medical devices. An embodiment of the system includes two or more devices for measuring battery capacity for an implantable medical device battery. The embodiment also includes a controller connected to the measuring devices. The controller is adapted to combine the measurements from the measuring devices using a weighted average to determine battery capacity consumed. According to various embodiments, at least one of the measuring devices includes a coulometer. At least one of the measuring devices includes a capacity-by-voltage device, according to an embodiment. The system further includes a display in communication with the controller in various embodiments. The display is adapted to provide a depiction of battery longevity in units of time remaining in the life of the implantable medical device battery, according to various embodiments. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.
US08055342B2
A method and apparatus for automatically adjusting the sensing threshold of cardiac rhythm management devices. The invention is particularly suited for implementation in devices such as implantable cardiac pacemakers and implantable cardioverter/defibrillators. A method and apparatus are provided in which a noise level and signal level for a sensing channel are determined for each cardiac cycle with the sensing threshold of the channel being adjusted in accordance therewith.
US08055338B2
An implantable medical device such as a cardiac pacemaker or implantable cardioverter/defibrillator with the capability of storing body temperature measurements taken periodically and/or when triggered by particular events.
US08055336B1
A method of removing an implantable electronic microdevice by an integral removal loop or circumferential ring to facilitate removal of the implanted microdevice without additional surgery. The device is removed by pulling it along the surgically created implantation path. Optionally a radio-opaque tether provides a method of locating the implantable microdevice without additional surgery and attachment of one end of the tether to a radio-opaque marker provides a method of locating the end of the tether to facilitate removal of the implantable microdevice from living tissue.
US08055309B2
A method and device for activating a media player enables efficient and convenient access to media files. The method includes determining that a wireless communication device (100) is not operatively coupled to a network. An operative coupling of a speaker system (205) to the wireless communication device (100) is detected. The media player is then activated automatically in response to detecting the operative coupling of the speaker system (205) to the wireless communication device (100).
US08055304B2
Provided is a mobile communication terminal and more particularly a mobile communication terminal for easily executing a memo function and a method thereof, whereby the memo function can simply be executed according to a state of the mobile communications terminal to thusly easily compose a memo or easily confirm memo contents, the composed memo can be displayed on a standby screen to thus allow a user to recognize the memo being composed and also allow the user to confirm the memo contents directly on the standby screen without undergoing complicated menu selection procedures, the memo can automatically be stored upon ending a call or occasionally, and the composed memo can immediately be sent in a text message format.
US08055302B2
An adjusting method for a smart antenna is provided. The adjusting method divides all possible reading directions of the smart antenna into a plurality of scanning directions and a plurality of idle directions by a first form. In searching for the optimal parameters of each of a plurality of communication channels, the adjusting method firstly adjusts the reading direction according to the plurality of scanning directions, and then adjusts the reading direction according to the plurality of idle directions. Further, the first form remain updated in accordance the process of searching for the optimal parameters of each of the communication channels, thus effectively saving the time spent on the full frequency scanning process. Further, the optimal parameters of each of the communication channels are recorded in a second form, so that the smart antenna is regulated according to the second form.
US08055301B2
A method and system selects antennas in a wireless network including a base station and user equipment (UE) transceivers. The base station specifies times and frequencies to transmit sounding reference signals (SRSs), and antennas to use to transmit the SRSs for the specified times and frequencies. The transceivers transmit the SRS according to the specified times, frequencies, and antennas. The stopping and starting of the SRS are specified implicitly. The base station selects subsets of the set of available sets of antennas, and indicates the selected subset of antennas to the transceiver.
US08055296B1
A system is provided for communication between mobile devices. The system includes an audio device, a transparent display, and a mobile device in communication with the audio device and the transparent display. The mobile device receives a request for information associated with other mobile devices, and determines a location of the mobile device. The mobile device also outputs a spatial map of the information to the transparent display, wherein the information includes locations of the other mobile devices relative to the location of the mobile device. Additionally, the mobile device communicates with at least one of the other mobile devices.
US08055285B2
A user of a wireless device, such as a mobile phone, can make purchases or obtain information via a network, such as the Internet, using both voice and non-verbal methods. Users can submit voice queries and receive non-verbal replies, submit non-verbal queries and receive voice replies, or perform similar operations that marry the voice and data capabilities of modern mobile communication devices. The user may provide notification criteria indicating under what conditions a notification should be sent to the user's wireless device. When purchasing opportunities matching the selected notification criteria become available, the user is notified. The user can respond to the notification, and immediately take advantage of the purchasing opportunity if he so desires. Mixed-mode interactions can also be used by sellers to more advantageously control the marketing of distressed, time sensitive, or other merchandise/services.
US08055282B1
Common search queries can be provided that are associated with a predicted path of movement of a mobile device. A location of a mobile device can be determined, along with a destination or direction of movement. Common search queries associated with the path of movement and locations along the path can be transmitted to the mobile device. A user of the mobile device is able to execute the common search queries from the mobile device.
US08055277B2
Provided is a method in which a tracker configures a notification condition on the basis of an authorization policy predetermined by a trackee so that a location information server provides a customized location tracking service according to the notification condition. The method includes: (a) registering an authorization policy of a trackee in order to determine whether a location tracking service requested by a tracker will be accepted; (b) configuring a customized location information notification condition by a tracker; (c) requesting the customized location tracking service by the tracker; and (d) providing the customized location tracking service by a location information server on the basis of the configured authorization policy and the customized location information notification condition.
US08055270B1
A system that facilitates determination of a location of a mobile handset. The system includes three or more location measurement units that each correspond to a sector of the cell site. The location measurement units transmit location related information to a computation component. The computation component receives the location related information and performs a triangulation calculation on the information o define the location of the mobile handset.
US08055269B2
A method and system for receiving and processing in a wireless device a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device generated signal and a sensor generated signal. Receiving and processing a data signal into a processed ultra narrowband (UNB) and a processed ultra wideband (UWB) signal and providing processed UNB and UWB signal to a selector for selection of UNB or UWB signal and for providing selected UNB or UWB signal to a transmitter for transmission. A transmitter and receiver having a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) antenna system. Processing a signal into a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) and a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Constrained Signal (TCS) waveform shaped and Long Response (LR) filtered signal. Receiving and processing a Fiber Optic Communication (FOC) network provided signal and processing a UNB processed signal into a processed spread spectrum signal. Processing and modulating a UNB signal into a missing cycle (MCY) processed modulated signal and into a phase reversal keying (PRK) modulated signal. Processing a signal into a clock shaped signal and processing and modulating a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) processed signal into a processed UNB phase reversal keying (PRK) modulated signal and an infrared (IR) signal processor for receiving and processing an IR generated signal used in wireless device.
US08055268B2
A method of requesting resources, a method of allocating resources, and an apparatus therefor by using bandwidth request ranging in a mobile communication system are provided. The method of allocating uplink resources to a subscriber station by using bandwidth request ranging in a mobile communication system includes: transmitting an uplink channel descriptor (UCD) including code group information to the subscriber station, wherein the code group information is obtained by dividing a bandwidth request code into a plurality of groups and mapping the groups to predetermined data block sizes; receiving a bandwidth request code selected in the subscriber station; determining a code group including the selected bandwidth request code; and allocating a bandwidth through which a data block size corresponding to the determined code group can be transmitted, to the subscriber station. Accordingly, bandwidth request codes are divided into code groups of which bandwidth request codes represent specific block sizes, and the base station that receives the bandwidth request code allocates uplink resources corresponding to the bandwidth request code, so that it is possible to decrease a transmission delay of the uplink traffic.
US08055266B1
A method and system for monitoring data rate requests (DRRs) transmitted from an access terminal (AT) to an access network (AN). Each DRR includes a parameter indicating whether it is a null or non-null DRR. Upon the AT transitioning to a null-DRR state, the AT and AN determine an average parameter of a given number of DRRs and compare the average to a threshold. The AT selects a time duration based on the average and starts a timer. When the timer counts to the selected duration, the AT transitions from a mode in which the AT transmits data channel traffic and other traffic to a mode in which the AT prevents transmission of data channel traffic but allows transmission of other traffic. The AN compares the average to another threshold and determines whether it should transmit forward-link traffic channel data to the AT at a null or non-null data rate.
US08055265B2
The radiation diagram of an antenna for serving a cell in a cellular communication network is selected from a plurality of available radiation diagrams by: classifying the plurality of available radiation diagrams in terms of a related radiation gain value; identifying for each one of the sectors a plurality of variations of the radiation gain value associated with the available radiation diagrams; estimating for each sector an initial value of at least one indicator of network operative functionality; estimating for each sector at least a desiderate value of variation of the related radiation gain value; and selecting at least one configuration that approximates the variation of the radiation gain value involving the desiderate value.
US08055264B2
Disclosed is a method for controlling handoff by a network infrastructure, which includes collecting channel information and transmitting the channel information to a Mobile Terminal (MT) and a method for controlling handoff by a MT, which includes receiving channel information collected by a network infrastructure and making a handoff decision according to the channel information. The present invention also discloses apparatuses for controlling handoff. Applying the present invention, the handoff decision will be made based on both the information collected by the network infrastructure and the information collected by the MT, therefore blind handoff is reduced, the network workloads are balanced and the QoS is assured before and after the handoff.
US08055263B2
A cell setting apparatus is provided for scheduling a packet data service in a mobile communication system supporting the packet data service. A signaling receiver receives information on a cell to be added to an active set and information on a change in a best cell, from a terminal. A signaling transmitter transmits configuration information for the packet data service and the packet data to a source base station or a target base station. A memory stores information on the active set. A data path decision unit allows the terminal to update the active set and to set configuration information newly set for the packet data service, transmits the information on the cell to be added to the active set to the target base station in response to the information on the cell to be added to the active set, and allows the target base station to perform the packet data service scheduling for the terminal in response to the information on the change in the best cell.
US08055261B2
Disclosed is a method for efficiently scanning a frequency of a new broadcasting area when a DVB-H receiving terminal moves. To this end, the DVB-H terminal stores in advance in a table DVB-H frequency changes according to the broadcasting area based on each cell whenever it moves. Then, the DVB-H receiving terminal preliminarily scans the DVB-H frequency previously stored in response to the current cell when the DVB-H receiving terminal moves in the future. If there exist one or more DVB-H frequencies stored in response to each cell, the DVB-H receiving terminal scans the stored DVB-H frequencies one by one in order to find a DVB-H frequency having an intensity higher than a predetermined intensity. The DVB-H receiving terminal quickly and efficiently scans the DVB-H frequencies according to the priority without scanning within all the DVB-H frequency ranges so that it can effectively minimize power consumption.
US08055260B2
The unnecessarily increase of the information amount of subscriber information retained by a local subscriber information management device is prevented even if the number of subscribers increases, so that the limit of the number of subscribers is extended to support the increasing number of subscribers without increasing the capacity of subscriber information retaining means in the local station (local subscriber information management device). Based on information contained in subscriber management information 211, 221 including information representing each mobile terminal 310, 320 acquired by local stations 210, 220 of a mobile communication system 100 and subscriber information corresponding to each mobile terminal 310, 320, the relevant subscriber management information 211, 221 are selected and processed to be prevented from being retained after call control is performed according to the acquired subscriber management information.
US08055256B2
A method and system for selecting scanning rates in a multi-mode communication device is disclosed herein. The method can include the step of—at a multi-mode communication device—measuring at least one parameter associated with an interaction between a first network and the multi-mode communication device. The method can further include the step of—in response to measuring the parameter—selecting a scanning rate of the multi-mode communication device for a second, different network that interacts with the multi-mode communication device. In the method, the first network and the second network can have independent synchronization procedures.
US08055254B2
Systems and methods for measuring the performance of a provider of communications service are described. A plurality of mobile communications devices measure average power received, signal to noise ratio, voice quality, blocked and dropped calls, or any combinations of such measurements. The device may also receive a set of data identifying the location of the device. The device may transmit one or more communications signals to a server computer system with such measurements and location data. The measurements and location data may be stored in a database, and new data may be created and transmitted illustrating a subset of the measurements and location data.
US08055251B2
A terminal including a wireless communication unit configured to perform data communication with at least one other terminal, a display configured to display a screen for selecting a communication application for executing the data communication and a screen for selectively selecting a communication quality of service corresponding to the communication application, and a controller configured to apply the selected communication quality of service to the communication application for executing the data communication.
US08055250B2
An apparatus and method for a function setting event in a mobile terminal according to user position information are disclosed. According to the apparatus and method, a character agent function is added to a mobile terminal, and when an event occurs in the mobile terminal, the event occurrence and process is expressed by corresponding character User Interfaces (UIs). When user position information confirming event and function setting related event occur, they can be expressed through the character agent function.
US08055249B2
A system and method for automatically managing connections between a mobile device and one or more available networks (including dedicated connections), as a user changes locations, is disclosed. The connection manager determines the connection profiles and assigns an availability and priority to each available connection profile. As is well known, mobile devices have a lot of possibilities to connect to different networks and there are many protocols that dictate such connections. The connection manager feature determines the most appropriate profile to connect to an available network. In the event that an initial attempt to connect fails, the connection manager attempts a connection based on the next available profile with the highest priority, until a connection is established or there are no more available profiles. The connection manager uses algorithms for searching for a connection profile that fits criteria or search string that is specified and other parameters such as availability, priority, and usability. The system and method uses a format for connection profile representation that facilitates easy manipulation at the application level. By this format, connection profiles may be easily exchanged between remote devices. Also, the connection manager facilitates remote configuration and administering of connection profiles.
US08055247B1
A method, system, and media provide audio services for mobile users. The system includes a mobile computing device, a content management server and a network over which the mobile device and server communicate. The method includes receiving a voice-based and/or gesture-based request for playback of content from the user of a mobile device and searching a local data store on the mobile device for the requested content. If the requested content is contained in the local data store, the method renders the requested content in a format for audible reception at the mobile device for the mobile user. If the requested content is not contained in the local data store, then the method queries a remote data service for the requested content. Upon receiving the requested content from the remote data service, the method audibly plays back the requested content at the mobile device for the mobile user.
US08055242B2
Disclosed is a method, apparatus and system for processing a broadcast application in digital broadcasting. The system includes a digital broadcasting server for generating guide data, including content genre information corresponding to respective programs, and transmitting the guide data and digital broadcasting data corresponding to the respective programs; and a portable terminal for receiving and storing the guide data, receiving digital broadcast data corresponding to a requested program if a user requests digital broadcasting viewing/listening, analyzing the received guide data to thereby retrieve content genre information corresponding to the requested program, retrieving and executing a special broadcasting application corresponding to the retrieved content genre information, and outputting the received digital broadcasting data by means of the executed special broadcasting application. Various broadcasting applications and broadcasting applications specific to respective content genres can be provided to a user.
US08055236B2
Radiocommunication terminals are disclosed. A radiocommunication terminal includes a power supply, a power amplifier configured to receive and amplify a signal using power drawn from the power supply, and a control unit configured to control the power amplifier to amplify the signal by an amount of amplification based on a requested amount of amplification and a level of a voltage provided on an output terminal of the power supply.
US08055228B2
A received signal strength indicator according to an aspect of the invention may include a gain calibration section including a calibration limiter, a calibration load unit and a comparison and adjustment unit. The calibration load unit is connected to output terminals of the calibration limiter, and generating an output differential voltage whose gain is a unit gain when a predetermined input differential voltage is input to the calibration limiter, and a comparison and adjustment unit comparing the input differential voltage with the output differential voltage, and adjusting an output of a variable current source included in the calibration limiter so that the input differential voltage becomes identical to the output differential voltage.
US08055223B2
A radio receiver includes a down-converter 110 for receiving a radio multiplexed signal containing a first signal and a second signal, multiplying the first signal and the second signal by a mixer 104 to thereby down-convert the radio multiplexed signal and generate an intermediate frequency signal 5e. The mixer 104 has a control section for controlling an operating bias of the mixer 104 in response to a signal strength of at least either one of the first signal or the second signal. Thus, the dynamic range of the mixer can be widened so that stable image characteristics can be obtained over a wide range of transmission distance.
US08055221B2
Improving the audio QoS of a video call service in a weak signal environment is accomplished. To do this, even if data is damaged in a weak signal environment during a video call using a mobile station in the weak signal environment, an audio call is preferentially processed such that a minimum audio QoS can be secured. If a transmitting mobile station enters into a weak signal environment while transmitting audio data and video data together during a video call, the transmitting mobile station transmits only audio data, and in response to this, a receiving mobile station processes the audio data transmitted during a set time interval and continuously reproduces the audio data. Audio interruption can be reduced, thereby securing a minimum audio QoS.
US08055218B2
This invention provides a wireless transmitter circuit for mobile communication apparatus and this circuit can be configured with fewer components and is suitable for downsizing. A single PLL synthesizer serves as both RF frequency band PLL and IF frequency band PLL among three oscillators for TX, RX and IF frequency bands, which have been required in conventional mobile communication apparatus. The number of necessary oscillators occupying a large area within a chip is reduced and the number of components is decreased. Specifically, circuitry is arranged to generate local oscillation signals for RF and IF frequency bands by frequency dividing the output of a VCO of the RF frequency band PLL.
US08055217B2
Symbols are transmitted in a Cartesian transmitter by pre-distorting an input signal X having in-phase and quadrature components using a first compensation lookup table operable to hold complex valued entries to carry out in-phase and quadrature compensation pre-distortion with respect to the input signal to form a pre-distorted signal Z. The pre-distorted signal Z is processed to form an output signal Y using a nonlinear element. A complex gain normalization parameter adaptively updated to reflect varying gain of a linear region of the nonlinear element. A normalized feed back signal {tilde over (Y)} is formed using the adaptively updated complex gain normalization parameter. The first compensation lookup table is updated based on the pre-distorted input signal Z and the adaptively normalized feedback signal {tilde over (Y)}.
US08055215B2
Provided is a transmission circuit capable of operating with high linearity and with low noise. An AM variable fc filter uses an AM cutoff frequency to remove a high frequency component from an amplitude signal. An amplifier supplies a power amplifier with a voltage which is a result of amplifying the amplitude signal outputted from the AM variable fc filter. A PM variable fc filter uses a PM cutoff frequency to remove a high frequency component from a phase signal. A phase modulator phase-modulates the phase signal outputted from the PM variable fc filter to output a high-frequency phase-modulated signal. The power amplifier amplifies the high-frequency phase-modulated signal by using the voltage supplied from the amplifier, and outputs a resultant signal as a transmission signal. The AM variable fc filter and the PM variable fc filter respectively control the AM cutoff frequency and the PM cutoff frequency such that the AM cutoff frequency and the PM cutoff frequency each have an opposite characteristic to that of an output power of the transmission signal.
US08055210B2
A transceiver for radio-frequency communication comprises a waveguide, a transmitting port, a receiving port and a receiver load termination. The waveguide receives and transmits radio-frequency signals. The transmitting port is connected to the waveguide and transmits the radio-frequency signals to the waveguide. The receiving port is connected to the waveguide and receives the radio-frequency signals from the waveguide. The receiver load termination is connected to the waveguide and removes the vertical polarization components of the receiving radio-frequency signals. The receiver load termination includes a filtering unit to reduce the energy of the transmitting radio-frequency signals entering the receiver load termination.
US08055205B2
A method of assessing the performance of a radio transmitting means of, or intended for use in, a user terminal of a mobile telecommunications network, the transmitting means having a plurality of correction factors that are adjustable for improving the performance of the transmitting means and whose values together define a point in a correction space, the method comprising allocating values to the factors to specify a point in the space, measuring the performance of the transmitting means to determine as an error distance the distance of said point from an optimum point in said space that gives best performance of the transmitting means in terms of said factors and using said distance in the identification of said optimum point. Corresponding program code and apparatus is also envisaged.
US08055178B2
A cleaning device capable of reducing the apparatus and prolonging the service life of the cleaning blade is disclosed. The cleaning device includes a cleaning blade including an elastic blade, a pressing member disposed near the downstream side of the image carrier with respect to the elastic blade, and a driving mechanism for driving the pressing member so as to be in contact with and press the elastic blade. The driving mechanism operates so as to press the elastic blade in the upstream direction to separate the elastic blade from the surface of the image carrier for a while. Then, the driving mechanism operates to move the pressing member to be separated from the elastic blade so that the elastic blade is in contact with the surface of the image carrier.
US08055163B2
A toner replenishing apparatus is provided. The toner replenishing apparatus includes a toner replenishing container for replenishing toner stored therein to a developing section by a rotation of the container itself, a toner scraping member provided to be movable without being fixed in the toner replenishing container and to rub against an inner wall surface of the container, including a plurality of magnetic bodies arranged in a predetermined direction and a support section that extends in an arranging direction of the magnetic bodies and supports an one end portion of each of the magnetic bodies, and a magnet for attracting the magnetic bodies with a magnetic force, disposed along an outer peripheral surface of the toner replenishing container.
US08055159B2
Provided are a liquid developing apparatus and an image forming apparatus, wherein a high-viscosity liquid developer layer is transferred sequentially from a developer supply member to a developer coating member and to the developer carrying member among rollers, and the developer supply width of the developer supply member is made smaller than the width of the developer coating member and greater than the width of the developer carrying member, whereby an occurrence of the area, at the end portions of the developer carrying member, where the volume of developer is uneven is reduced, and the liquid developer is prevented from wrapping around the end faces of the developer coating member, without making the apparatus complicated.
US08055149B2
A charging device is provided. The charging device includes a shield, a discharging part disposed inside the shield, a grid formed at an open end of the shield. The charging device further includes a power supply unit supplying charging power while maintaining the voltage difference between the discharging part and the grid at a predetermined level.
US08055148B2
Embodiments relate to an image forming apparatus including a print job input unit; an image data storing unit that stores the image data by dividing the image data into a band basis; a job managing unit that outputs a primary sheet supply numerical order of the band and an image data delivery numerical order of the band; an image data output control unit that acquires the image data on the band basis from the image data storing unit, outputs primary sheet supply permission information and delivery permission information to a print engine control unit, and outputs the image data to the printing engine; and the printing engine control unit that outputs the primary sheet supply permission information and the delivery permission information to the printing engine, and controls the primary sheet supply and the delivery of the image data.
US08055137B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for producing a phase coded non-return-to-zero (PC-NRZ) optical signal. The method includes providing an input optical signal; providing first and second drive signals, the first drive signal having a first data pattern of first and second signal levels, the second drive signal having a second data pattern, the second data pattern having third and fourth signal levels that toggle at least when the first drive signal changes from the first signal level to the second signal level; and modulating amplitude of the input optical signal with the first drive signal and modulating phase of the input optical signal with the second drive signal to produce the PC-NRZ optical signal. A PC-NRZ optical transmitter and an optical transmission system applying the PC-NRZ optical transmitter are also provided.
US08055133B2
A time division multiplex (TDM)/wavelength division multiple access (WDMA) passive optical network (PON) device includes a base station terminal, a wavelength splitter, and a subscriber terminal optical transceiver. The base station terminal includes a transmitter, an optical circulator transmitting the optical signals output from the transmitter to an optical distribution network, and a receiver demultiplexing wavelength division multiplexed upstream signals from the optical distribution network through the optical circulator. The wavelength splitter splits the downstream signals from the base station terminal to subscriber ports corresponding to wavelengths and multiplexes the optical signals received from each of the subscriber ports to the base station terminal. The subscriber terminal optical transceiver receives the downstream signals from the wavelength splitter and reuses the received downstream signals as optical sources for upstream signals.
US08055132B2
Optical remote node (NR) device which is situated at a remote point in a fiber-optic metropolitan or access network, carries out the functions of connecting, and transmitting information between, various sections of the network in a passive manner without a power supply using various optical components which extract the necessary optical signals and optical pumping power from the network to which the remote node is connected, and introduces the optical signals from the sections which it connects into said network, and support equipment which is situated at a point in the network with a power supply, uses the network to provide the pumping power required by the remote nodes and has the electronics needed to carry out functions of monitoring the operation of the remote nodes and regulating their activity.
US08055131B2
A route inquiry method in ASON for implementing the route inquiry by the network element NE1 which has a protocol controller (PC) and a connection controller (CC) but without a route controller (RC) or routing database (RDB) having no enough information includes: NE1 sends a protocol message of Route Request to the remote NE2, then the NE2 obtains the route result according to the Route Request, and returns the result to NE1 which launches the Route Request by protocol message of Route Response; the PC of NE1 sends the route result to the CC of local network element after receiving the Route Response protocol message.
US08055130B2
Systems and devices for use as optical transceivers and amplifiers in optical networks. An optical transceiver/amplifier has two optical signal circulators, each of which receives one incoming signal and transmits one outgoing optical signal. Each circulator combines its incoming and outgoing signals on to a bidirectional optical connection internal to the transceiver amplifier. Between the two circulators are a pump laser, an optical coupler to couple the pump laser's power into the bidirectional connection, and an amplifying medium for amplifying the bidirectional signals internal to the transceiver amplifier. The amplifying medium may be an Erbium doped fiber which would amplify any optical signal passing through it. In one embodiment, the transceiver amplifier is in a self-contained package that is pluggable into existing equipment using pre-existing ports and interfaces.
US08055129B2
An algorithm is disclosed for performing alien-wavelength channel balancing on channels between optical network elements within an optic-fiber communications system. The algorithm determines initial values of various optimization parameters for each of the channels, such as the input launch power and operating conditions of optical amplifiers in the optical path, and calculates an initial total optimization offset for the channels based on the initial values of the optimization parameters for each of the channels. The algorithm then adjusts the optimization parameters to new values and calculates a new total optimization offset based on the new optimization parameter values. The algorithm repeats this process until the relative channel launch powers and optical amplifiers are optimized.
US08055120B2
The time necessary for dubbing of a bit stream is reduced.A high speed dubbing apparatus includes: a read section (20) for reading a bit stream conforming to a DVD-VR standard from a first storage device (10), and outputting the bit stream; a first buffer (30) for storing an output from the read section (20) and outputting a bit stream; a navigation pack generator (40) for replacing a real time data information pack in the bit stream output from the first buffer (30) with a navigation pack, and outputting a resultant bit stream; a second buffer (50) for storing an output from the navigation pack generator (40) and outputting a bit stream; and a write section (60) for converting the bit stream output from the second buffer (50) into a bit stream conforming to a DVD-video standard, and writing the resultant bit stream in a second storage device (70). At least two of the read section (20), the navigation pack generator (40) and the write section (60) operate in parallel.
US08055114B2
A cable sleeve for the structured storage and handling of optical waveguides guided in optical waveguide cables is disclosed. The cable sleeve comprises a covering body, which defines an interior. The cable sleeve also comprises a sealing body comprising two dimensionally stable end pieces and a compressible gel element arranged between the end pieces. The sealing body is adapted to be inserted into an opening of the covering body and is operable for feeding optical waveguide cables into the interior and/or for feeding optical waveguide cables out of the interior. The sealing body bears against a stop with an inner one of the two dimensionally stable end pieces. A locking body can be screwed to an outer one of the two dimensionally stable end pieces of the sealing body while compressing the gel element. At least one compensation element is operable for storing the force applied via the locking body and exerting a compression force onto the gel element.
US08055105B2
A manufacturing method of an opto-electric hybrid module which is capable of suppressing losses in cost, and an opto-electric hybrid module obtained thereby. An optical waveguide portion W1 including protrusions 4 for the positioning of an electric circuit portion E1, and the electric circuit portion E1 including through holes 8 for fitting engagement with the protrusions 4 are produced individually. An optical element 11 is mounted on the electric circuit portion E1. Thereafter, an inspection is performed to verify the mounting state of the optical element 11. When the appropriate mounting is verified, the through holes 8 in the electric circuit portion E1 are brought into fitting engagement with the protrusions 4 for the positioning of the electric circuit portion E1, whereby the electric circuit portion E1 with the optical element 11 mounted thereon and the optical waveguide portion W1 are integrated with each.
US08055103B2
The present invention discloses an object-based image search system and method, whereby a user may visually specify query objects for retrieving relevant images without using any image-segmenting software tool. The method of the present invention comprises: specifying target feature points from sample images which are displayed in an image query interface and determining logic relationships of the target feature points; utilizing a feature-point checking program to correlate the target feature points with target objects; utilizing a feature-similarity calculating program to find out the images relevant to the target objects via the image feature parameters stored in a feature database; arranging and presenting the relevant images in sequence.
US08055099B2
An exposure method capable of performing accurate exposure without using a large photomask. The exposure method performs exposure while relatively moving a photomask above a substrate and includes a step of performing position correction of the photomask by performing, on a front side of the photomask relatively moved in a moving direction, image recognition of a pattern prearranged on the substrate such as a line and a black matrix and by correcting deviation of the photomask with respect to the pattern, and a step of checking the position correction of the photomask by performing image recognition of a reference mark arranged on the photomask and by determining whether or not the position correction of the photomask is accurately performed in the step of performing the position correction of the photomask.
US08055098B2
An embodiment of a method for resolving features on a probe array is described that, comprises acquiring a plurality of micro-shifted images of a region of a probe array; reconstructing an image of the probe array using the micro-shifted images; and deriving intensity values for one or more probe features disposed on the probe array from the reconstructed image.
US08055093B2
A system determines the noise level of image data by high pass filtering image data. Absolutes values of the high pass filtered image data are determined. Thereafter, multiple mean values for absolute values less than a predetermined number of threshold values are determined. Based upon the determined mean values, a plurality of estimated mean values is calculated, each estimated mean value being calculated from a combination of two determined mean values. The noise of the image is determined from a combination of the minimum estimated mean value and the maximum estimated mean value. This noise can be optionally used by a sigma filter, at Step S740, to sigma filter the image data.
US08055091B2
A method and apparatus, particularly suited to SIMD instruction sets, to filter streaming video information encoded under a predictive encoding algorithm specified under video encoding standards, such as MPEG 4 or H.264/AVC. The filtering operation de-blocks or removes unwanted borders in the perceived video. During the filtering process, a series of filtering mask is generated based on temporal and spatial statistics of predictive encoded video information, which is then recursively applied to the video in order to gate filtered or unfiltered video to an output channel according to coefficients of the masks. The filtering mask effectively yields a decision or rule-based map that transforms the video on a pixel-by-pixel basis thereby avoiding complex and processor-intensive decision tree logic customarily required to process individual pixels of successive macroblocks that may have different filtering requirements.
US08055089B2
Provided are an apparatus for and method of restoring an image, by which when the focus of an image is blurred, an image can be restored using the characteristic of a lens. The apparatus includes: an estimation unit estimating field information and focus blur of an input signal, a weight applying unit applying a plurality of weights according to the optical characteristic of a lens to the input image, and a generation unit generating an output image using the input image to which the plurality of weights are applied.
US08055087B2
A method for performing a sample level variation on an irregular sample is described herein. An initial sample level value for the sample is determined. An area of influence of the sample including pixels for which the sample is a factor in the prediction thereof is computed. Prediction errors of pixels in the area of influence are computed, along with a prediction error of the sample based on the prediction errors of the pixels. If the prediction error of the sample exceeds a prediction error threshold, a sample level change for the sample is computed based on only the prediction errors of the pixels. If the sample level change is less than a level change threshold, a new sample level value is assigned to the sample based on the sample level change.
US08055082B2
A photo classifying method for digital photo frame (DPF), includes recording a creating date of the photo and a current date of the DPF, and presetting at least one reference browsing rate, calculating the total browsing time of the photo, calculating the browsing rate of the photo by dividing the difference between the creating date of the photo and the current date of the DPF into the total browsing time of the photo, comparing the calculated result of the browsing rate of the photo with the reference browsing rate and classifying the photo into a corresponding photo grade according to the compared result, and recording the photo grade in a property information of the photo.
US08055077B2
A realtime display compression for a waveform image uses a priority basis for combining groups of pixels when producing a compressed waveform image in order to preserve intensity information. As an example successive lines of data for the waveform image are demultiplexed into line buffers in a circulating manner, the number of line buffers being a function of the maximum desired integer compression ratio. The outputs from the line buffers are aligned and the corresponding pixels are combined according to a desired compression ratio, one output line for each integer compression ratio. The appropriate compressed line is selected as the output line according to the desired compression ratio, with the totality of the output lines forming the compressed waveform image.
US08055072B2
The invention provides image display panels. The image display panel comprises a histogram generator, a tone slope generator, and an image transformer. The histogram generator receives an original image, counts the pixels of different gray levels to generate a histogram distribution of the original image, and compares the pixel counts at every gray level with a first threshold count to identify the peaks of the histogram distribution. The tone slope generator generates a tone slope based on the histogram distribution and peaks of the histogram distribution. The image transformer transforms the original image into a modified image based on the tone slope.
US08055068B2
An image processing apparatus includes a reading unit, a color value calculation unit, a reading period measurement unit, a color value storage unit, a color value creation unit and a color value output unit. The reading unit reads a color of each of plural objects. The color value calculation unit calculates a color value of the color of each read object. The reading period measurement unit measures a time period during which the reading unit reads each object. The color value storage unit stores the color value calculated and time period information indicating the time period measured, for each object. The color value creation unit creates a new color value based on the color values of the plurality of objects and the time period information stored in the color value storage unit. The color value output unit outputs the new color value created.
US08055067B2
A method of skin segmentation of a digital image is operable in an acquisition device. An image is acquired. A value indicative of a redness of a pixel of said image is compared with a face skin pixel redness criterion. The pixel is identified as a face skin pixel if said criterion is satisfied.
US08055049B2
A method of correcting for motion of a patient during a CT scan includes observing positions of radio-opaque markers in a series of two dimensional x-ray projections taken by a scanner. The markers are positioned on a patient in a fixed and rigid relationship, a CT scan is performed to obtain a three dimensional CT image, and an actual projected position of each of the markers in each two dimensional projection is determined. A motion data set is obtained based on the actual projected positions of the plurality of the markers. A final three dimensional CT image is reconstructed employing the motion data set.
US08055046B2
A method for generating a three-dimensional model of a structure based on at least one two-dimensional image of the structure includes obtaining a general three-dimensional model of the structure; determining at least one image feature from the at least one two-dimensional image; determining an orientation of the general three-dimensional model of the structure relative to the at least one two-dimensional image of the structure so that at least one image feature of a two-dimensional projection of the three-dimensional model match or at least approximate the at least one two-dimensional image feature; and after determining the orientation of the general three-dimensional model, morphing a form or shape of the general three-dimensional model to fit the at least one two-dimensional image.
US08055039B2
In dual energy CT, through basis material decomposition (BMD), a pair of density images can be reconstructed. The noises in this image pair are negatively correlated due to the BMD process. A technique is presented for obtaining the monochromatic images at desired energy levels with reduced correlation noise. The technique includes obtaining a plurality of optimum attenuation coefficients for an energy level, selecting a desired energy level, obtaining a plurality of desired attenuation coefficients for the desired energy level, computing a scaling factor for a corresponding noise component based on the optimum attenuation coefficients and the desired attenuation coefficients, and generating a monochromatic image based upon the scaling factor.
US08055038B2
An image processing method of performing an imaging process on an original image having a connection figure including a first figure and a second figure connected to the first figure to generate an extraction image of the first figure extracted, includes the steps of: obtaining a first image in which the connection figure in the original image is selectively extracted by performing a segmentation process on the original image; obtaining a second image including a third figure separated from the second figure and a fourth figure separated from the first figure in the connection figure by sequentially performing an erosion process and a dilation process in a morphologic operation so as to separate the first and second figures from each other, in the connection figure included in the first image; obtaining a third image by performing a segmentation process so as to selectively extract the third figure in the second image; obtaining a fourth image by performing a process of obtaining the difference between the first image and the third image; obtaining a fifth image by determining whether the size of a figure included in the fourth image obtained in the fourth image processing step is equal to or larger than a reference value, and when the size is equal to or larger than the reference value, eliminating the figure from the fourth image and, when the size is less than the reference value, processing the fourth image so as to leave the figure in the fourth image; and obtaining the extraction image by adding the third image and the fifth image.
US08055037B2
Methods and systems for reconstruction of an image from parallel Magnetic Resonance Image (pMRI) data are disclosed. A reconstructed pMRI image may suffer from noise and aliasing. A method for reducing aliasing by applying a bounded error function is disclosed. A method for reducing noise in a reconstruction by applying an error term is also disclosed. Error terms are included in an expression that can be solved as a minimization problem. Creating a solution in an iterative way is also disclosed. Examples of specific solutions are provided. A system applying the methods is also provided.
US08055035B2
A spectral image processing method is capable of reducing noise while maintaining necessary information. The spectral image processing method performs processing on a spectral image of a specimen, including a step of normalizing spectra (=spectral brightness curves) of respective pixels constituting the spectral image such that their brightness levels become equal, a step of smoothing the normalized spectra in spatial directions of the respective pixels, and a step of denormalization of multiplying spectra of the respective pixels obtained by the smoothing by either one of brightness levels of the pixels corresponding the spectra and values corresponding to the brightness levels. Consequently, the noise can be reduced while information on brightness distribution on the image is maintained.
US08055031B2
An authentication device enabling access from multiple directions, comprises a biometric information acquirer that acquires biometric information from a biometric target; a detector that detects direction of access by the biometric target; a memory that stores in advance therein a template for authentication; and an authenticator that authenticates the biometric target on the basis of the detected access direction information of the biometric target, biometric information acquired from the biometric target, and the template. The authenticator performs authentication using access direction information for the biometric target by carrying out conversion of acquired biometric information or the template, so that the access direction at the time of biometric information acquisition matches the access direction at the time the authentication template was acquired.
US08055027B2
A computer-implemented method for directionally characterizing an image element within an image is disclosed. The method includes obtaining an image segment and determining a directional representation value that corresponds thereto. The directional representation value is then utilized to directionally identify an image element other than the image segment.
US08055026B2
A method of extracting desired features from a cellular image including the steps of: (a) selecting an initial cell within the image; (b) selecting an additional cell, near the initial cell, appearing to be associated with a desired feature; (c) repeating step (b) for further cells, near at least one of the previously selected cells, appearing to be associated with said feature, until selection termination criteria are satisfied; and (d) repeating steps (a) through (c) for other initial cells. The method is particularly adept at extracting relatively weakly defined features in relatively noisy images, such as extracting faults or geologic horizons from 2D or 3D seismic data. A method of editing/filtering the features utilizing a stereo net is also disclosed. Related computer system and computer program products for implementing the method are also described.
US08055018B2
The present invention discloses an object image detection method, which uses a coarse-to-fine strategy to detect objects. The method of the present invention comprises steps: acquiring an image and pre-processing the image to achieve dimensional reduction and information fusion; using a trained filter to screen features; and sequentially using a coarse-level MLP verifier and a fine-level MLP verifier to perform a neural network image detection to determine whether the features of the image match the features of the image of a target object. The present invention simultaneously uses three mainstream image detection methods, including the statistic method, neural network method and adaboost method, to perform image detection. Therefore, the present invention has the advantages of the rapidity of the adaboost method and the accuracy of the neural network method at the same time.
US08055017B2
There is provided a monitoring system including an image capture module for capturing an image, an object detecting unit for detecting an object from the image, a monitoring range setting unit for setting a monitoring range in a side of the object on the image, a determining unit for determining the existence of a light source within the monitoring range, and an adjusting unit for adjusting one of an exposure amount of the image capture and a luminance of a pixel output from the image capture when the determining unit determines the existence of the light source.
US08055012B2
The present invention relates to steganographically hiding messages in media signals such as video and audio signals. In one implementation, a method of decoding an encoded media signal to extract a plural-bit auxiliary signal therefrom is provided. The media signal includes a plurality of intervals, with the plural-bit auxiliary signal being steganographically encoded in at least some of the intervals. Once encoded in the media signal the plural-bit auxiliary signal is generally imperceptible to a human observer of the encoded media signal. The encoding includes subtle changes to at least some portions of the media signal to thereby represent the plural-bit auxiliary signal. The method includes receiving the encoded media signal; and decoding the received encoded media signal to extract the plural-bit auxiliary signal therefrom. The decoding analyzes a plurality of intervals of the media signal with greater or lesser confidence in the extracted multi-bit auxiliary data signal being obtained by processing more or less intervals of the encoded media signal, respectively.
US08055008B1
A sound amplifying guitar stand, the combination comprising a stand having a guitar back supporting panel extending upright, support legs, and a sound amplifier supported proximate to and at the rear of the panel, the panel configured to pass amplified audio sound forwardly, when a guitar is lifted off the stand.
US08055006B2
A foldable headphone set in which the earphones of the headphone set may rotate between a folded (or closed) position and an unfolded (or open) position due to a torsion- or spring-loaded hinge associated with each earphone. The headphone set may be held in the folded position by way of a magnetic latch. Also the user may adjust the amount of rotation by the respective hinges so that the earphones rotate to the user-defined limit position. The user could set the user-defined limit position to a comfortable position for the user. That way, the earphones will unfold to the user-defined limit position every time (until the user-defined limit is readjusted). In addition, a friction grommet in the hinge may provide for a slow, controlled, smooth opening of the hinge. In at least one embodiment, a hinge is provided for use in a variety of applications.
US08055003B2
A portable electronic device may have acoustic ports such as microphone and speaker ports. Acoustic devices such as microphones and speakers may be associated with the acoustic ports. An acoustic port may have an opening between an interior and exterior of the portable electronic device. The opening may be covered by a metal mesh. An acoustic fabric may be interposed between the metal mesh and the opening. The opening may be formed from a hole in a glass member having outer and inner chamfers. A microphone boot may be provided that forms front and rear radial seals with a housing of the device and a microphone unit respectively. The microphone boot may also form multiple face seals with the microphone unit. A speaker for the speaker port may be enclosed in a sealed speaker enclosure. The speaker enclosure may have a pressure-equalizing vent slit covered with an acoustic mesh.
US08054996B2
An external speaker control apparatus causes only one of an internal speaker and an external speaker to output audio when a power supply of the external speaker control apparatus which controls the external speaker changes from an off state to an on state, the external speaker being a speaker outside a video and audio output apparatus. The external speaker control apparatus includes a microcomputer for detecting the change of the power supply of an amplifier from an off state to an on state and a HDMI/CEC communication unit or outputting an instruction requesting output of information which indicates the audio output mode to the video and audio output apparatus while at the same time receiving the information indicating the audio detects the change of the power supply from an off state to an on state, wherein the microcomputer controls the output of the audio from the external speaker according to the information indicating the audio output mode.
US08054993B1
A system for boosting the bass of an audio signal to closely match or mirrors a plurality of Robinson-Dadson loudness curves by interpolating coefficients from a table of values representing the Robinson-Dadson loudness. The system having a controller that interpolates the coefficients from the loudness curves and then uses the coefficients in a shelf filter that makes adjustments to the audio signal. The result of the adjustments to the audio signal is the introduction of bass boost slowly through a diminuendo or lowering of level through volume adjustment and to removes the bass boost rapidly during a crescendo or increase in level through user volume adjustment.
US08054990B2
A speech recognition method includes the steps of receiving a location-specific command from a vehicle occupant, and adjusting either the shape or magnitude of a pick up pattern of at least one microphone in response to the location-specific command. The microphone adjustment can be carried out by electronically or physically steering the pick-up pattern.
US08054989B2
Disclosed herein is an acoustic correction apparatus and method for vehicle audio systems which is capable of providing optimal sound at a reference level to a listener even though the acoustic spatial response characteristics in the room of a vehicle vary due to a change in the material of seat covers or the like. A first acoustic analysis unit obtains target frequency characteristic data at a specific listening location based on generated acoustic signals played from an audio system. A second acoustic analysis unit obtains measured frequency characteristic data at the listening location based on measured acoustic signals collected by the microphone unit. An acoustic correction unit adjusts the equalizer of the audio system based on the target and measured frequency data.
US08054988B2
A communications device is for transmitting acoustic signals in a motor vehicle. The communications device includes at least two transmitters and at least two receivers for transmitting and emitting acoustic signals. One transmitter and one receiver are each allocated to a spatial position. The device further includes a control unit for activating or deactivating at least the transmitters. The control unit is associated with at least one actuator element by which at least one transmitter may be selectively deactivated irrespective of a prevailing signal level.
US08054986B2
An acoustic communication device includes a computer device having an acoustic transmitter and/or an acoustic receiver. A signal processing module processes sound signals such that the transmitter and/or receiver are employed to permit acoustic communication between computer devices using sound signals.
US08054985B2
A hearing protection device including a sound attenuating portion configured to be disposed within an ear canal of a user to obstruct a passage of sound, a channel formed through the sound attenuating portion configured to allow sound to pass through the sound attenuating portion when the portion is disposed within the ear canal, a tube disposed in the channel and configured to allow the sound in the channel to pass therethrough, and a filter disposed at one end of the tube and positioned at an interior of the sound attenuating portion, where the filter attenuates some of the sound passing through the tube.
US08054984B2
A sound altering apparatus for altering predetermined sound levels of a sound producing device, the sound altering apparatus includes at least one piezoelectric foil sensor disposed relative to the sound producing device with the at least one piezoelectric foil sensor being operable to convert such sound wave energy into an electric sound signal one or more electric circuits in electrical communication with the at least one piezoelectric foil sensor for receiving the electric sound signal and shunting the electric sound signal to a ground connection, or to produce cancelling sound wave energy in the vicinity of the sound producing device, thereby reducing sound heard outside the sound producing device.
US08054979B2
An audio system performing a class-D amplification includes a first pulse width modulation (PWM) signal generation unit and a second PWM signal generation unit. The first PWM signal generation unit generates a first switching signal based on a first audio signal. The second PWM signal generation unit generates a second switching signal based on a second audio signal. The second switching signal has a frequency difference with respect to the first switching signal such that a harmonic frequency component generated by interference between the first switching signal and the second switching signal is removed. Accordingly, the audio system performing the class-D amplification may improve a signal to noise ratio by minimizing influence of the harmonic frequency components on the first and second switching signals.
US08054977B2
In a monitoring apparatus adapted to monitor an image forming apparatus, a data acquisition module acquires monitoring information from at least one image forming apparatus. An HTTP server module produces a new encryption key pair including a public key and a private key. The public key is used to encrypt notification information in the user-site centralized monitoring apparatus. The private key is incorporated together with a bunch of private keys produced in the past into a data reading program. Preparations are made so that the data reading program can be downloaded.
US08054971B2
A communication system and device that enables free-hand drawn SMS (Short Messaging Service) messages to be transmitted and received from/to various user devices. A buffer device is inserted within a GSM compatible handset providing a buffer for both conventional SMS messages created by typing a message on the keypad of the handset and for free-hand drawn SMS messages created by drawing or writing the free-hand message on a data entry device. An optional OCR (Optical Character Recognition) facility can be provided in either the buffer device inserted within the handset or in a network server that receives the transmitted message and processes it for proper routing to the intended recipient.
US08054964B2
The system and method establish a communication with a first party. A first emotion is detected during a first step during the communication. Steps in the communication can include: establishing a call, waiting in a queue, talking with an agent, communicating with an IVR system, and the like. A second emotion is detected at a different step in the communication. Alternatively, the first and second emotions are detected in two different but related communications. The detection of the first and/or second emotion determines how to process the communication. Examples of processing a communication can include routing the communication differently, selecting a different script for an agent, selecting a different agent, and the like. In addition, the communication can also be processed differently based on other additional parameters.
US08054962B2
The patent application describes techniques for managing calls. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method comprises detecting a call to a target phone; determining a source of the call; determining one or more patterns of talk time for calls between the source and the target phone, wherein the patterns indicate one or more call durations for the calls between the source and the target phone; determining an amount of talk time a battery in the target phone can sustain; determining that at least one of the call durations for the calls between the source and target phone is greater than the amount of talk time the battery in the target phone can sustain; and sending the call to a voice mail associated with the target phone.
US08054957B2
A trusted telephone network, including at least one service provider, receives a request for service from an origin device. The origin device is associated with a line number to be billed for according to a line subscriber billing plan. An identity of a caller requesting the service from the origin device is authenticated. Then, a billing plan associated with the authenticated caller identity is accessed and utilized to replace or supplement the line subscriber billing plan, such that billing for service provided at an origin device is specified according to the caller currently utilizing the origin device.
US08054955B2
According to one embodiment, a telephone system which realizes voice communication by using a packet network comprises an exchange which accommodates a telephone terminal as its extension and a call processing server which processes calls on the packet network. The exchange comprises a first trunk connected to the packet network, a second trunk connected to a public network having a different protocol from that of the packet network, a monitoring module which monitors the call processing server, and when a failure occurs in the call processing server, deactivates the first trunk, and a call control module which transfers a transmission request which is made from the telephone terminal to the packet network to the second trunk when the transmission request is made and performs a detour transmission to the public network in a status where the first trunk is inactive.
US08054947B2
In a PBX environment, a middleware module abstracts communication cards so that the plurality of channels associated therewith are grouped for efficiency. The middleware module recognizes unoperational channels, and restarts the hardware associated with the channels as well as allowing conferencing and transferring calls when the PBX switch does not support same. Preferably, for outgoing calls, the middleware adapter controls the state of interfaces for all hardware adapters and tries to deliver calls over active interfaces. In case of failure, the middleware adapter investigates and makes a decision if the call should be delivered over another adapter. In this way, redundant and highly available solutions are implemented transparent to application and interface drivers. For incoming calls, the middleware adapter accepts calls from all hardware adapters and presents these calls to applications as if these calls are issued by one adapter.
US08054945B2
In one example, an x-ray tube includes an evacuated enclosure and an anode disposed with the evacuated enclosure. The anode is configured to receive electrons emitted by an electron emitter. The x-ray tube also includes an evacuated enclosure window disposed within a port of the evacuated enclosure. The evacuated enclosure window includes first and second axes, the first axis being relatively shorter than the second axis. The x-ray tube also includes means for directing coolant flow. The means for directing coolant flow causes coolant to flow across an exterior surface of the evacuated enclosure window in a direction substantially parallel to the first axis.
US08054938B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a radiation inspection system, such as an X-ray system, that can operate efficiently even in inclement weather conditions while being highly mobile. Thus the improved inspection system of the present invention is capable of operating in high temperature and corrosive environments and is designed to withstand moisture, dirt and/or dust from the articles of inspection as well.
US08054935B2
A shift register comprising a plurality of shift register stages {SN}, N=1, 2, . . . , M, M being a nonzero positive integer. Each of the plurality of shift register stages, SN, comprises a first input, a second input, a third input for receiving a first clock signal CK, a fourth input for receiving a second clock signal XCK, an output for providing an output signal OUT(N), therefrom. The plurality of stages {SN} is electrically connected to each other in serial such that the first input of the shift register stage SN is electrically connected to the output of the (N−1)-th shift register stage SN−1 for receiving an output signal OUT(N−1) therefrom, the second input of the shift register stage SN is electrically connected to the output of the (N+1)-th shift register stage SN+1 for receiving an output signal OUT(N+1) therefrom, and the output of the shift register stage SN is electrically connected to the first input of the (N+1)-th shift register stage, SN+1 for providing the output signal OUT(N+1) thereto.
US08054932B2
A filter medium for strainers used in the emergency sump of a nuclear power plant ECCS. The filter medium is employed with double wall, concentric tube type strainer modules. The filter medium is preferably constructed of a woven or knitted stainless steel wire material and is shaped in a cylinder so that it can be inserted between two concentric strainer walls, concentric tube type strainer in such a manner that water that passes through the strainer must pass through and be filtered by the filter medium before the water can be pumped to the reactor core. The filter medium is inserted through the bottom of the strainer module and is held in place by an x-shaped retainer. The filter creates varied approach velocity of the fluid and results in non-uniform fibrous debris accumulation on the strainer, insuring acceptable strainer debris hydraulic head loss.
US08054929B2
A system and method are provided for auto-squelching digital communications. The method receives digital information from a source node. If the receive channel is corrupted, an alarm condition is detected that is associated with the received digital information. The method transmits an alarm-condition signal to a destination node, and in response to transmitting the alarm-condition signal, maintains a valid link to the destination node. For example, detecting the alarm condition may include: comparing a frequency associated with the recovered clock signal, with a reference frequency; and, detecting a variance between the recovered clock signal frequency and the reference frequency. Alternately, loss of signal, loss of lock, out of band, and run length alarm conditions may be detected. The alarm-condition signal that is transmitted may be a serial data stream of information such as all “0”s data, all “1”s data, or alternating “0”s and “1”s data for example.
US08054927B2
The present invention includes: a synchronous-word detecting unit receives a baseband received signal including a synchronous word and data for each frame, and detects whether or not the synchronous word is coincided with an expected value in the baseband received signal by using an N-(N is an integer of 2 or larger) phase sampling clock; a phase information retaining unit retains phase information accumulatively including results detected for a plurality of frames by the synchronous-word detecting unit, and determines a phase to be sampled on the basis of the retained phase information; a phase selecting unit selects and determines a phase of the sampling clock on the basis of determination by the phase information retaining unit; and a FIFO buffer samples the data from the baseband received signal, and outputs the sampled data.
US08054925B2
Various embodiments generally relate to a method for synchronizing a receiver, said method including receiving a stream that includes a cyclic extension, estimating a size of the cyclic extension, extracting an amount of the stream according to the estimated size, and comparing the extracted amount to the stream to determine thereby a portion of the stream likely to include a symbol start point.
US08054921B2
A platform to mitigate noise caused by spread spectrum clock signals. The platform may comprise a noise mitigation block, which may include a first set of analog-to-digital converters, a second analog-to-digital, and a noise canceller. The first set of analog-to-digital converters may generate clock samples by digitizing the plurality of spread spectrum clock signals, which are provided as inputs to the noise mitigation block. The second analog-to-digital converter may generate data samples by digitizing the data signal. The noise canceller coupled to the first set of analog-to-digital converters and the second analog-to-digital converter may identify an interference portion in the data signal using the clock samples and the data samples and remove the interference portion from the data signal.
US08054914B2
A method and system for estimating noise variance. A method for noise variance estimation comprises receiving a first multi-sample symbol and receiving a second multi-sample symbol. The first multi-sample symbol is subtracted from the second multi-sample symbol to produce a set of noise samples. The set of noise samples is used to produce a noise variance estimate. The noise variance estimate is applied in various tasks (e.g. channel estimation, log-likelihood ratio computation, and/or minimum mean squared error equalization) to process data provided to a user.
US08054911B2
A method is provided for edge formation of signals and transmitter/receiver component for a bus system. A transmitter/receiver component for a bus system comprises a driver transistor, which is to be looped between a bus line of the bus system and a reference potential and is used to output signals on the bus line, a control unit for the driver transistor, a high-frequency interference detector, which is configured in such a way that it detects a high-frequency interference level on the bus line of the bus system, whereby the control unit is configured in such a way that it controls the driver transistor, depending on the detected high-frequency interference level, in such a way that an edge steepness of the output signals increases when the high-frequency interference level on the bus line increases, and an edge steepness of the output signals decreases when the high-frequency interference level on the bus line decreases.
US08054896B2
Provided is a control information transmission/reception method and apparatus for providing a packet data service in an OFDM based mobile communication system. The method includes transmitting a first maximum number of control channel blocks transmissible by using a first modulation scheme and a second maximum number of control channel blocks transmissible by using a second modulation scheme, the first modulation scheme having a lower modulation order from among modulation orders of multiple modulation schemes usable for control information within a frame, the second modulation scheme having a modulation order higher than the modulation order of the first modulation scheme within the frame; and transmitting first control channel blocks determined based on the first maximum number through the first modulation scheme within the frame and transmitting second control channel blocks determined based on the second maximum number through the second modulation scheme within the frame.
US08054895B2
The invention concerns a method for performing adaptive subcarrier allocation to a mobile terminal (T1-T4) for OFDM or FDM transmission in a multi cell network (CN), whereby transmit powers of base stations (BS1-BS8) are estimated, channel transfer functions are calculated based on measurements in the mobile terminal (T1-T4) of pilots transmitted from base stations (BS1-BS8), the transmit powers are weighted with the channel transfer functions, a signal power and an interference power received in the mobile terminal (T1-T4) are estimated based on said weighted transmit powers, a signal to interference ratio is estimated based on the estimated signal and interference power received in the mobile terminal (T1-T4), and the adaptive subcarrier allocation is based on the signal to interference ratio of the subcarriers experienced by the mobile terminal (T1-T4), a base station (BS1-BS8), a mobile terminal (T1-T4) and a multi cell network (CN) therefor.
US08054893B2
Not only pilot channel symbols but also control channel symbols can be flexibly decreased in a radio communication system, which includes a transmission side apparatus transmitting a data frame where a plurality of continuous or discontinuous frequency areas are assigned to one transfer time block and a frame is formed of a predetermined number of transfer time blocks; and a reception side apparatus receiving a data frame from the transmission side apparatus, The transmission side apparatus transmits to the reception side apparatus a data frame which has a common pilot channel and a control channel in the beginning of the frame, the reception side apparatus measures a received quality of the data frame, decides a frame type based on the measured received quality and notifies the decided frame type to the transmission side apparatus. The transmission side apparatus sends subsequent frame data to the reception side apparatus in use of a frame format corresponding to the notified frame type.
US08054892B2
Described embodiments provide a method and system for signal compensation in a SERDES communication system that includes monitoring the quality of a data signal after passing through a transmission channel. The quality of the data signal is monitored with at least one of a BER calculation algorithm and a received eye quality monitoring algorithm. Variations in channel length of the transmission channel are compensated for by i) adjusting a length of transmission line delay of the data signal from the transmission channel, ii) comparing the data signal quality with a threshold for the adjusted data signal; and iii) repeating i) and ii) until the data signal quality meets the threshold.
US08054889B2
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.
US08054887B2
In MPEG, most video frames are encoded in inter mode. Every now and than a video frame is encoded in intra mode in order to limit error propagation and to enable access points for starting decoding of the video sequence. According to the invention, however, it is sufficient to encode in an intra frame only those pixel blocks in intra mode of which at least one pixel is used for predicting some future picture content information, whereas the other blocks can be encoded in inter mode. In order to check which blocks in the intra frame can be encoded in inter mode, a motion compensation pre-analysis of the following P-frame is performed, in order to find those blocks that need not be encoded in intra mode because no pixel in such blocks is used for the prediction of that following P-picture.
US08054882B2
A segment of a B picture is encoded using motion estimation based prediction according to a determination as to whether motion vectors corresponding to a number of already constructed reference pictures of the B picture are acceptable for use in a direct prediction mode without further refinement or whether refined motion vectors are needed. In response to a determination that refined motion vectors are needed, refined motion vectors are computed through a motion estimation process and are used to encode a temporal direct mode. The coded segment of the B picture does not include refined motion vectors in an encoded bit stream. Decoding the encoded bit stream involves identifying the mode selected for coding the segment of the B picture. Where the temporal direct mode using refined motion vectors was selected for encoding, local motion estimation refinement is used to generate local motion vectors, which are used to reconstruct the segment of the B picture.
US08054880B2
A method of operating a multi-processor video encoder by determining a target size corresponding to a preferred number of bits to be used when creating an encoded version of a picture in a group of sequential pictures making up a video sequence. The method includes the steps of calculating a first degree of fullness of a coded picture buffer at a first time, operating on the first degree of fullness to return an estimated second degree of fullness of the coded picture buffer at a second time, and operating on the second degree of fullness to return an initial target sized for the picture. The first time corresponds to the most recent time an accurate degree of fullness of the coded picture buffer can be calculated and the second time occurs after the first time.
US08054867B2
An apparatus is provided for transmitting data signals and additional information signals having partially overlapping frequency bands simultaneously within a wire based communication system over the same wired medium using a spread spectrum technique for modulating the additional information signals.
US08054859B2
A reception device is able to receive packets in a communication network comprising at least two stations. The device is capable of receiving packets containing samples of the network which originate from data sampled every period Tsmp, where Tsmp emanates from a time base synchronized on all the stations of the said network; regenerating a counting ramp with the aid of a loop receiving the samples and furthermore delivering local samples every period Tsmp and a clock. The phase-locked loop comprises: a samples comparator comparing the samples and the local samples and delivering an error signal; a corrector receiving the signal and delivering a corrected error signal, the corrector having a static gain equal to 1; a digital oscillator receiving the corrected error signal and delivering the clock, which has a frequency dependent on the signal and is proportional to a gain. According to the invention, the phase-locked loop comprises, furthermore, a gain adjustment device which determines a gain value as a function of the error signal.
US08054856B2
A supervisory communications node monitors and controls communications with a plurality of remote devices throughout a widely distributed network. A method is provided to convey and maintain information used to synchronize the packetization and burst operations within the network. During session setup, jitter constraints indirectly are used to explicitly communicate a synchronization timing reference. The timing reference is set at the beginning of a phase/period boundary used to service the session. In an embodiment, the announcement of the first grant is used as an explicit indication of the synchronization timing reference value. In another embodiment, the synchronization timing reference value is inferred if a remote device receives contiguous voice grants meeting certain conditions. In an embodiment implementing periodic scheduling, the actual arrival of the first grant is used to infer the synchronization timing reference value. In an embodiment, the present invention enables the synchronization timing reference value and/or the periodicity to be modified if network conditions indicate that packetization and burst operations are out-of-synchronization.
US08054850B2
A communication control system is provided that satisfies the needs of industrial applications in terms of real time properties, scalability and flexibility. For this purpose, the invention causes a communication station performing communications in accordance with a standard protocol to perform multiplex communications based on time division of a communication band. Communication is performed by dividing a communication cycle into time slots, and assigning a set of communication stations and a type of a communication section to each of the time slots.
US08054848B2
Methods and arrangements of data communications are discussed. Embodiments include transformations, code, state machines or other logic to provide data communications. An embodiment may involve receiving from a protocol stack a request for a buffer to hold data. The data may consist of all or part of a payload of a packet. The embodiment may also involve allocating space in a buffer for the data and for a header of a packet. The protocol stack may store the data in a portion of the buffer and hand down the buffer to a network device driver. The embodiment may also involve the network device driver transferring the entire packet from the buffer to a communications adapter in a single direct memory access (DMA) operation.
US08054847B2
Buffer management in a network device. A new data packet is received at a packet buffer queue of the network switch, wherein the new data packet is a portion of a burst block. If the packet buffer queue is full, a data packet from within the packet buffer queue that is not a last sequential data packet of a burst block is dropped.
US08054843B2
A method of securing an invited Push-To (PT) user's privacy in an automatic answer mode of a PT service is discussed. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for performing a PT (Push-To) service setting procedure, includes transmitting PT service setting information of a PT client to a PT server during a PT service setting procedure, the PT service setting information including answer mode setting information and privacy information, the answer mode setting information indicating if an answer mode of the PT client is an automatic answer mode or a manual answer mode, the privacy information indicating whether or not an identity of the PT client is to be kept private in the answer mode; and storing the PT service setting information of the PT client in the PT server, whereby the PT server can selectively inform identification information of the PT client to another PT client based on the privacy information.
US08054838B2
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus of transmitting data via a multi-protocol single-medium network. The method includes initializing a network; transmitting messages in the network; setting up the size and the protocol of the messages and assigning the messages to a multi-protocol stack of the PHY layer based on a network time sharing multitasking principle; assigning each of the messages to a proper time slot; checking whether or not all messages are assigned to the proper time slots; if yes, transmitting the messages; and receiving the messages by a network device and transmitting the messages to another network device via a single-medium network.
US08054828B2
In one embodiment, a system identifies an Internet Protocol (IP) device as a calling party for calls from either a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) portion or a cellular portion of a multi-protocol phone. As a result, return calls to the multi-protocol phone are always sent through an IP device to allow call handling or Single Number Reach (SNR) functionality for the return calls.
US08054823B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a transmitter, a receiver and methods of operating a transmitter and a receiver. In one embodiment, the transmitter includes a synchronization unit configured to provide a primary synchronization signal and a secondary synchronization signal having first and second segments. The transmitter also includes a secondary scrambling unit configured to provide a scrambled secondary synchronization signal, wherein scrambling agents for the first and second segments are derived from a primary synchronization sequence of the primary synchronization signal. The secondary scrambling unit is further configured to provide an additional scrambling of one of the first and second segments, wherein a second scrambling agent is derived from the remaining segment of a secondary synchronization sequence of the secondary synchronization signal. The transmitter further includes a transmit unit configured to transmit the primary synchronization signal and the scrambled secondary synchronization signal.
US08054814B2
Disclosed is an interworking device for interworking with a first network and supporting signaling between a terminal and a second network. The interworking device sets a first wireless data path with the first network. The interworking device sets a first radio link with the terminal, receives an authentication message through a first radio link, and transmits the authentication message to an authentication server of the second network through the first wireless data path. When the authentication server finishes authentication, the interworking device sets a second wireless data path with the terminal. Accordingly, the interworking device provides an Internet service to the terminal during movement.
US08054812B2
A system and method for transmitting data in a wireless local area network (WLAN) are provided. The data transmission system in the WLAN includes: an access point for periodically transmitting beacon frame information; and a wireless terminal for determining the number of data frames depending on a transmission rate of a current data frame, producing a setting frame containing duration information determined depending on the number of data frames, transmitting the setting frame, and then consecutively transmitting as many data frames as the determined number during a duration time when it is determined that a communication environment is an overlapping legacy BSS condition (OLBC) environment based on the beacon frame information received from the access point.
US08054810B2
The present invention exploits the benefits obtainable from using transmit diversity by designing the size of the interleaver matrix to avoid the case where most or all of the bits in a row are transmitted on a single antenna (110 or 112). This can be accomplished, for example, by specifying the interleaver matrix based on the type of modulation (308) used. A symbol scrambler can also be used to exploit the benefits obtainable from using transmit diversity.
US08054799B2
Systems and techniques for routing frames in one or more radio access networks based on a physical addressing scheme involve assigning a unique identifier to a virtual local area network that includes a path connecting an access point to a radio network serving node. For each of multiple nodes in the radio access network, the virtual local area network is associated with a port for routing frames towards the radio network serving node and/or a port for routing frames towards the access point. Frames that include a destination address associated with a mobile station associated with the access point are unicast from the radio network serving node towards the access point using the virtual local area network.
US08054792B2
A disclosed transmitting apparatus includes a paging indicator information generating unit generating paging indicator information including a group ID of users who are to receive a paging channel and information indicating a radio resource in which the paging channel is transmitted; and a multiplexing unit multiplexing the paging indicator information.
US08054787B2
A first base station is adjacent to one or more second base stations, and the second base stations are adjacent to one or more third base stations. One or more frequency channels or subframes used by the third base stations are identified by the second base stations, which notify the first base station of the frequency channels or subframes used by the third base stations. The second base stations also notify the first base station of the frequency channels or subframes used by the second base stations. The first base station selects a working frequency channel or subframe based on this information. For example, the first base station may ignore any frequency channels or subframes used by the adjacent second base stations. The first base station may also give priority to the frequency channels or subframes used by the non-adjacent third base stations.
US08054786B2
A technique for receiving multi-frequency data in a high speed downlink access service is disclosed. In this manner, one or more deficiencies of current HSDPA technology are mitigated, such as where user equipment (UE) can merely be scheduled by the network side at a single frequency. Among other things, a control channel set and a list of frequencies for user equipment (UE) are exchanged between a network side and UE accessing the network.
US08054784B2
An apparatus and method of a gateway selecting transmission channels of a cluster of a wireless mesh network is disclosed. The cluster includes the gateway and a plurality of access nodes. The method includes the gateway cycling through a plurality of available transmission channels, evaluating channel each of the available transmission channels, and selecting a cluster transmission channel based on the channel evaluations. An apparatus and method of a node within a wireless mesh network selecting a transmission channel is also disclosed. The method includes the node cycling through a plurality of available transmission channels, measuring a persistence of successfully received routing packets from upstream devices at each of the available transmission channels, evaluating noise of each of the available transmission channels, and selecting one of the available transmission channels based on the persistence of successfully received routing packets and the noise.
US08054782B2
A method of delivering services in a wireless communications system comprising a radio access network and a core network, the method comprising the steps of: establishing a radio access bearer for delivering one of a set of services to an end user via a signalling channel, each service having certain delivery requirements; determining in the radio access network that the delivery requirement for one of said services cannot be met; advising the core network that the delivery requirement for the said one service cannot be met; and providing a radio access bearer to allow at least one other service in the set to be delivered to that end user.
US08054781B2
Wireless networks in ISM bands are usually established by placing access points that link terminals to each other and to networks. This situation may pose problems when networks are established individually without coordination, for example, in different apartments of apartment buildings. According to the present invention, access points establish a communication channel, linking each other, to cooperatively coordinate and optimize the use of frequencies/channels. Advantageously, interferences occurring in such networks may be reduced.
US08054778B2
A gateway adapted to establish a connection between itself and a WWAN, wherein the gateway has a WWAN interface adapted to receive data from and transmit data to the WWAN on behalf of devices of a LAN, is described herein. The gateway may further determine whether the WWAN interface is associated with a service agreement that provides for use of the gateway. If so, the gateway may operate the WWAN interface in accordance with the service agreement.
US08054773B2
A method of selecting application and a hand-held electronic device are provided. The method of selecting application is used in a hand-held electronic device, wherein the hand-held electronic device is installed with several applications corresponding to several channel codes. The method of selecting application includes the following steps. Firstly, a selecting signal outputted from an input unit of the hand-held electronic device is received for choosing one of the channel codes. Next, the application corresponding to the chosen channel code is driven. Then, the driven application is displayed on a display unit of the hand-held electronic device.
US08054772B1
Disclosed herein is a method for data communication between a wireless-communication system and one or more wireless-communication devices. The wireless-communication system broadcasts a standard pilot signal over a pilot channel. The method comprises (a) the wireless-communication system transmitting a first broadcast-mode message in a coverage area of the wireless-communication system, wherein the first broadcast-mode message indicates that the wireless-communication system will be operating in an alternative broadcast mode, and (b) the wireless-communication system operating in the alternative broadcast mode. Operating in the alternative broadcast involves (i) generating a modified pilot signal comprising the standard pilot signal and a data message inserted in the standard pilot signal and (ii) broadcasting the modified pilot signal via the pilot channel, which enables a wireless-communication device receiving the modified pilot signal to extract the data message therefrom.
US08054765B2
The systems and methods maintain varying protection levels of related objects, such as when nodes of a data structure are protected at the same or greater protection level as their children nodes. In one embodiment, the nodes store data to track protection levels of their children nodes.
US08054764B2
A method for sending information regarding an event in a critical table in a database. A receiver receives information regarding an event from a trigger corresponding to the event. The event may be one of an insert row, delete row or update row. Thereafter, a processor prepares one or more datagram packets containing the information regarding the event. Then, an event dispatcher sends the one or more datagram packets to a multicast group over a network. Finally, the multicast group forwards the datagram packets to a destination host device subscribed to the multicast group, without storing the datagram packets.
US08054757B1
Systems and methods are provided for evaluating an effect of a simulated communication network to media data. The method includes encoding media data to produce a plurality of packets, each packet being associated with a packet index number, a packet size and a packet transmission time. The packet index number, packet size and packet transmission time for each of the plurality of packets can be input to a communication network simulator to create trace packets corresponding to the plurality of packets. The communication network simulator output indicates at least one effect of the simulated communication network to input trace packets.
US08054756B2
A solution is provided that efficiently tracks user paths within a large network. Raw node visit data may be received that indicates which users visited which nodes in the network at which time. This data may then be organized into sessions. Unique pathviews may be calculated for each session of the nodes visit data as well as the frequency of occurrence of each unique path view. This information may then be used to understand how users are progressing through a network.
US08054755B2
A test packet transmitting apparatus transmits respective test packets including different pieces of identification information to a repeating installation. The repeating installation makes a predetermined number of copies of each test packet received from the test packet transmitting apparatus to be transmitted to a test packet receiving apparatus, and determines the predetermined number of copies as a population to measure a communication quality. The test packet receiving device counts the received test packets according to each type of identification information.
US08054746B2
A method and apparatus are disclosed for measuring the usage of a communications network, based on a two level sampling and measuring technique. A sampling interval, T, represents the intervals at which the network resource is observed. In addition, during each sampling interval, a measurement window of length, τ, is utilized. Generally, while the values for the sampling interval, T, and the measurement window, τ, are calibrated, actual measurements are only taken for the smaller measurement window, τ, and the actual measurements are extrapolated to estimate the usage over the larger sampling interval, T. The sampling interval, T, and measurement window, τ, values may be periodically recalibrated. An extrapolation process consists of two phases: (i) a “learning period” (LP) during which both exact and extrapolated measurements are performed, the error is determined, and, if necessary, adjustments are made to the values of the sampling interval, T, and the measurement window, τ; and (ii) a “measurement and extrapolation period” (MEP) during which only measurements during the sampling interval, T, continue and the sampled measurements are extrapolated without performing the exact measurements. Several learning periods, LPs, may be interleaved during a communication session with larger measurement and extrapolation period, MEP, intervals.
US08054744B1
Packets are received from a network, and for each received packet, it is determined whether the packet belongs to one of a plurality of previously identified flows using a plurality of existing flow rules. For each received packet determined to belong to one of the previously identified flows, a flow identifier is assigned to the packet to indicate the previously identified flow to which the packet belongs and the packet or a packet descriptor corresponding to the packet is directed to a next location in a packet forwarding pipeline. Additionally, for each received packet determined not to belong to one of the previously identified flows, it is determined whether the packet belongs to a currently unknown flow. If a received packet is determined to belong to a currently unknown flow: the packet is sent to a processing unit associated with the packet forwarding pipeline; the packet is analyzed using the processing unit; an additional existing flow rule corresponding to the packet is determined using the processing unit; and based on the analysis of the packet; and the additional existing flow rule is added to the plurality of existing flow rules.
US08054742B2
A system and method for sidelobe suppression in OFDM communications systems is provided. A method for transmitting an information symbol having a plurality of information sub-carriers and a plurality of active interference cancellation (AIC) sub-carriers includes generating AIC sub-carrier data based on the information to be transmitted, populating the plurality of information sub-carriers with the information, populating the plurality of AIC sub-carriers with the AIC sub-carrier data, applying baseband processing to the information symbol, thereby producing a processed symbol, and transmitting the processed symbol.
US08054730B2
A method is disclosed to store information in a holographic data storage medium. The method provides a hologram comprising an alignment pattern, and disposes that hologram into a holographic data storage medium during manufacture.
US08054727B2
An information recording medium of the present invention is an information recording medium characterized by and including a substrate; and a recording unit capable of recording three-dimensionally a recording pit on the substrate; in which the recording unit has n number of recording layers (n is an integer equal to or larger than 4) and a plurality of intermediate layers laminated with the recording layers one on another; the recording is performed by the condensed recording light using a two photon absorption phenomenon; each of the plurality of intermediate layers is substantially transparent at a wavelength λ1 of the recording light and at a wavelength λ2 of the reproduction light, respectively; the light intensity of the recording light incident into the recording layer nearest to the substrate is more than 0.707 fold as much as the light intensity of the recording light incident into the recording layer farthest from the substrate. The information recording medium is an information recording medium capable of maintaining a precise and good recording accuracy at the recording layer positioned lower away from the objective lens while it secures the focus servo reflected light.
US08054725B2
An optical disk apparatus for writing signals on a recording medium by irradiating the recording medium with a laser beam modulated based on the signals includes a first converting unit for converting a first reflected laser beam component from the recording medium into electrical signals; a second converting unit for converting a second reflected laser beam component into electrical signals; a first sample-and-hold unit for sampling and holding the electrical signals from the first converting unit; a second sample-and-hold unit for sampling and holding the electrical signals from the second converting unit; and transmitting devices for transmitting the held signals from the first and the second sample-and-hold units. The sampled signals are averaged, and the averaged signal is held in each of the first and the second sample-and-hold units during signal writing.
US08054721B2
A method and apparatus for determining an optimal writing power for recording data on a recording medium such as an optical disk, are discussed. The method according to an aspect of the present invention includes (a) performing a plurality of OPC operations on a plurality of areas of the recording medium, the plurality of OPC operations being performed in mutually different manners, the plurality of areas being areas within a power calibration area (PCA) allocated in the recording medium; and (b) determining an optimal writing power for recording data on the recording medium based on writing powers detected via the plurality of OPC operations.
US08054719B2
A comparator includes a variable-gain amplifier circuit configured to vary an amplitude of an input signal by changing a gain in accordance with a control signal, and a comparison section configured to compare a slice level interlocked with a signal level received from the variable-gain amplifier circuit with an output signal received from the variable-gain amplifier circuit and generate an output signal in accordance with a comparison result.
US08054699B2
A semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array divided into a plurality of areas, a common data bus connected to an input/output circuit, a plurality of individual data buses connected to different areas of the memory cell array through different paths respectively, and a bidirectional buffer connected to the common data bus and the individual data buses. In the semiconductor memory device, the bidirectional buffers transmit data bidirectionally between the common data bus and a selected one of the individual data buses.
US08054696B1
A method and apparatus are disclosed for improving reliability in a memory circuit. The method includes coupling a pull-down element to a word line, the pull-down element coupled distal to a word line driver. The method further includes, when the word line exhibits a defect causing a first portion of the word line to be electrically isolated from a second portion of the word line, holding the second portion of the word line at a logically low value using the pull-down element. A memory device is disclosed that includes a word line coupled to a memory cell, a word line driver coupled to one end of the word line, and a pull-down element coupled proximate the other end of the word line. The pull-down element is operable, when the word line exhibits a defect causing a first portion of the word line to be electrically isolated from a second portion of the word line, to hold the second portion of the word line at a logical low value.
US08054690B2
There is provided a non-volatile memory which enables high accuracy threshold control in a writing operation. In the present invention, a drain voltage and a drain current of a memory transistor are controlled to carry out a writing operation of a hot electron injection system, which is wherein a charge injection speed does not depend on a threshold voltage. FIGS. 1A and 1B are views of a circuit structure for controlling the writing. In FIGS. 1A and 1B, an output of an operational amplifier 103 is connected to a control gate of a memory transistor 101, a constant current source 102 is connected to a drain electrode, and a source electrode is grounded. The constant current source 102 and a voltage Vpgm are respectively connected to two input terminals of the operational amplifier 103.
US08054686B2
A flash memory storage apparatus including a multi level cell (MLC) NAND flash memory, a flash memory controller, and a host transmission bus is provided. The MLC NAND flash memory includes a plurality of blocks for storing data, wherein each of the blocks has an upper page and a lower page, and the writing speed of the lower page is faster than that of the upper page. The flash memory controller is electrically connected to the MLC NAND flash memory and is used for executing storage mode switching steps. The host transmission bus is electrically connected to the flash memory controller and is used for communicating with a host. The flash memory storage apparatus provided by the present invention can provide multiple storage modes in order to store different data.
US08054685B2
A method of sequentially performing a LSB program operation and an MSB program operation of a nonvolatile memory device, wherein the nonvolatile memory device comprises multi-level memory cells each configured to store two pieces of bit information and page buffers each coupled to a bit line coupled with the memory cells and configured to comprise a first latch coupled to first and second nodes and a second latch coupled to third and fourth nodes, the method including inputting data of MSBs to the second and fourth nodes and setting data of the second and fourth nodes according to a state of data of LSBs stored in the memory cells, and precharging the bit line according to a combination of data stored in the first and second latches and performing the MSB program operation according to a state of a LSB program operation stored in the memory cells.
US08054683B2
A semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of memory cells, signal lines, and a control unit. Each of the plurality of memory cells includes a charge storage layer. Each of the plurality of memory cells includes a control gate and is configured to hold two-or-higher-level data. Each of signal lines is electrically connected with a gate or one end of a current path of each of the memory cells. Each of signal lines has a line width which differs depending on each interval between the memory cells adjacent to each other. The control unit controls a voltage applied to each of the signal lines in accordance with the line width of each of the signal lines.
US08054680B2
Memory cells in which an erase and write operation is performed by injecting electrons from a substrate and extracting the electrons into a gate electrode constitute a semiconductor nonvolatile memory device. That is a gate extraction semiconductor nonvolatile memory device. In that device, if an erase bias is applied in a first process of an erase and write operation, memory cells in an overerase condition occur and the charge retention characteristics of such memory cells are degraded. The present invention provides a semiconductor nonvolatile memory device using means for writing all the memory cells in an erase unit before applying the erase bias, and then applying the erase bias.
US08054675B2
Variable write and read methods for resistance random access memory (RRAM) are disclosed. The methods include initializing a write sequence and verifying the resistance state of the RRAM cell. If a write pulse is needed, then two or more write pulses are applied through the RRAM cell to write the desired data state to the RRAM cell. Each subsequent write pulse has substantially the same or greater write pulse duration. Subsequent write pulses are applied to the RRAM cell until the RRAM cell is in the desired data state or until a predetermined number of write pulses have been applied to the RRAM cell. A read method is also disclosed where subsequent read pulses are applied through the RRAM cell until the read is successful or until a predetermined number of read pulses have been applied to the RRAM cell.
US08054667B2
A multilevel one-time programmable memory device includes a plurality of memory cells, wherein each of the plurality of memory cells includes: a first electrode to which a first voltage is applied, a second electrode to which a second voltage is applied and a plurality of fuse lines performing a fusing operation according to a voltage difference between the first electrode and the second electrode. The plurality of fuse lines are connected to each other between the first electrode and the second electrode. In addition, at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is formed such that the first electrode and the second electrode have different valid line lengths from each other therebetween so that the plurality of fuse lines have different resistances from each other.
US08054664B2
The present invention provides a novel wiring method for LR-DIMM of VLP type that conforms to LR-DIMM technology. The LR-DIMM comprises a plurality of DRAMs mounted on a board, two connectors mounted on the board for receiving data, and a buffer device mounted on the board for redriving data applied to the two connectors to supply the data to the plurality of DRAMs. The buffer device is located near the center of the board on which the two connectors are arranged at both ends thereof, and supplies data from each connector to DRAMs arranged on the opposite side to the connector.
US08054662B2
A memory device for storing one or more addresses includes a match line and first and second memory cells that form a 2-bit memory cell. Each memory cell includes two memory elements coupled to a match line and selection lines coupled thereto. The selection lines provide a signal representative of a logical combination of at least two different inputs.
US08054661B2
An AC adapter including an AC-side plug module and a DC-side connector module coupled to each other is provided. A first voltage-reducing element and a relay are electrically coupled to an AC power supply. An AC-to-DC converter is electrically coupled to the relay. The DC-side connector module has a mechanical switch element electrically coupled to the relay and the first voltage-reducing element. When the DC-side connector module is connected to a device socket, the mechanical switch element is turned on and the relay is enabled, so that the electrical power of the AC power supply is transmitted to the AC-to-DC converter through the enabled relay. When the DC-side connector module is disconnected from the device socket, the mechanical switch element is turned off and the relay is disabled, so that the electrical power of the AC power supply is not transmitted to the AC-to-DC converter.
US08054660B2
Systems and apparatus are provided for an inverter module for use in a vehicle. The inverter module comprises a first electrical base and a second electrical base each having an electrically conductive mounting surface, wherein the electrical bases are physically distinct and electrically coupled. A first semiconductor switch has a surface terminal that is coupled to the electrically conductive mounting surface of the first electrical base. A second semiconductor switch has a surface terminal that is coupled to the electrically conductive mounting surface of the first electrical base. A first semiconductor diode and a second semiconductor diode each have a surface terminal, the surface terminals are coupled to the electrically conductive mounting surface of the second electrical base. The first semiconductor switch and first semiconductor diode are antiparallel, and the second semiconductor switch and second semiconductor diode are antiparallel.
US08054657B2
A static converter includes a current converter on the three-phase side and a current converter on the single-phase side, which are electrically conductively linked to one another on the DC voltage side, and which are respectively electrically conductively connected on the AC voltage side to a feeding three-phase network and a single-phase receiving network. According to an embodiment of the invention, one network-commutated current converter is provided as the current converter on the three-phase side, wherein the current converter on the single-phase side has two phase modules which are connected in parallel on the DC voltage side and whose current converter branches each have at least one two-pole subsystem. This results in a static converter which is simpler and costs less than a known static converter.
US08054655B2
An inventive isolated converter which exempts the auxiliary isolation devices with accurate voltage regulation is disclosed. The converter includes the primary side circuit with a primary controller controlling the on and off of the primary switch and a secondary side circuit with a secondary controller controlling the on and off of the secondary synchronous rectifier. The isolated converter uses the secondary controller to turn on the secondary synchronous rectifier after the secondary current decreases to zero to generate a negative tail current and turns off the secondary synchronous rectifier at a reference tail current peak value to generate a reflected negative current at the primary side circuit for turning on the primary switch.
US08054651B2
An inductive power transfer system for coupling a power source to a load across an air gap is provided, including a primary unit and a secondary unit separable from the primary unit and arranged to receive power inductively from the primary unit when placed proximate thereto. The system includes a multi stage comparator for monitoring operating conditions within the secondary unit and feedback loop for transmitting a feedback signal to the primary unit when predetermined operating conditions are detected within the secondary unit. The primary unit is arranged to operate in a low power mode where power is applied to the primary winding for a minimal period during each switching cycle when no feedback signal is received and a high power mode where power is applied to the primary winding for the majority of each switching cycle when a feedback signal is received. The power transfer system functions by applying bursts of power from the primary to the secondary unit, the bursts becoming more frequent and of longer duration as the load on the secondary unit increases or the air gap increases, so as to transfer more power or maintain power as air gap losses increase. The bursts of power will also change their duration and frequency in correspondence with variations of the input power supply to the primary unit, so as to maintain the voltage regulation of the power delivered to the secondary unit.
US08054648B2
A battery cover includes an outer panel, an inner panel, a resilient member and a chassis. The inner panel is disposed on the outer panel. The resilient member is located on the inner panel and includes two elongated arms. Each elongated arm includes a contact at the distal end thereof. The chassis is disposed on the resilient member and the inner panel, and is fastened to the outer panel. The chassis defines two openings configured for the two contacts to extend out correspondingly.
US08054643B2
A semiconductor module includes a plurality of rectangular shaped semiconductor devices which are arranged in two rows such that each pair of adjacent semiconductor devices is in orientations differed by 90 degrees from each other. A plurality of wirings connect the semiconductor devices included in one of the two rows to the semiconductor devices included in the other row such that the semiconductor devices arranged in the same orientations are connected to each other.
US08054641B2
An electronic unit includes a first circuit board having a power semiconductor device and an electrolytic capacitor and a second circuit board having an electronic component to control the power semiconductor device. The second circuit board is arranged perpendicular to the first circuit board and along the surface of the electrolytic capacitor. The electronic unit further includes a connecting member being jointed at one end thereof to the first circuit board and jointed at the other end thereof to the second circuit board for electrical connection between the first and second circuit boards.
US08054636B2
A mounting structure is used for mounting a first data storage device or a second data storage device. A first guiding tab is formed on a side surface of the second data storage device. A second guiding tab is formed on a side surface of the second data storage device. A height of the first guiding tab from a bottom surface of the first data storage device is different than a height of the second guiding tab from a bottom surface of the second data storage device. The mounting structure includes a bracket and a sliding member. The bracket includes a side wall. A flange is formed on an edge of the side wall. A first guiding slot is defined in the side wall and extends to the flange to define a first guiding entry. A second guiding slot is defined in the side wall and extends to the flange to define a second guiding entry. The sliding member is slidably attached to the flange.
