US08182506B2
The present invention provides for implant delivery devices and methods of use. The delivery devices and methods of the present invention include a delivery pusher, an implant, a tether connected therebetween and a heater. Activation and application of the heater to the tether allows quick release of an implant into the vasculature of a human patient.
US08182501B2
An ultrasonic surgical shears includes an ultrasonic surgical blade, a clamping arm operable to open and close toward the blade, and a tissue pad attached to the clamping arm. A method for sealing a blood vessel of a patient includes obtaining an ultrasonic surgical shears and positioning the blood vessel between the blade and the tissue pad. The clamping arm is operated to exert an average coaptation pressure on the blood vessel between and including 60 psi and 210 psi. The blade is ultrasonically vibrated to transect and seal the blood vessel.
US08182487B2
A device (12) for implanting a tissue prosthesis comprises an elongate support member (14) having a proximal end (16) and a distal end (13), the support member (14) defining a recessed receiving zone 20 at a distal region for receiving at least a part (22) of the implant in a collapsed configuration. A cover member (24) having a proximal end (26) and a distal end (28) is arranged on the support member (14) to over at least the receiving zone (20) of the support member (14), the cover member (24) being removably arranged relative to the support member (14) to provide access to the receiving zone (20), the cover member (24) and the support member (14) together defining an insertion assembly (32). An insertion formation is defined at the distal end (18) of the insertion assembly (32) for facilitating insertion of at least a distal part of the insertion assembly (32) into position relative to a site in a patient's body in which the implant is to be located, in use, so that, upon removal of the cover member (24), the part (22) of the implant is positioned at the site.
US08182478B2
The invention relates to a bipolar electrosurgical instrument comprising a handle and a tool head. In the case of bipolar instruments, at least two mutually separate conducting paths must be provided within the instrument to supply the bipolar tool head. Reliable electrical insulation of these conducting paths relative to one another is often associated with a high cost in known electrosurgical instruments, such as scissors and clamps, since these instruments have a crossed joint. The present invention solves this problem in that the tool head is connected to the handle without crossing over itself.
US08182477B2
A system for heat ablation of tissue in a patient comprises a plurality of electrodes operatively connected to a source of radiofrequency energy and configured to apply RF energy to tissue at a patient site, a plurality of RF current restricting circuits, each circuit coupled between one of the plurality of electrodes and the source of radiofrequency energy, and configured to restrict RF energy to the electrode when the current restricting circuit is enabled and not restrict RF energy to flow to the electrode when the current restricting circuit is disabled, at least one return electrode adapted to contact the patient and configured to return RF energy to the RF source; and a switching mechanism configured to selectively enable each of the plurality of RF current restricting circuits, in one of a sequential and non sequential fashion, wherein the switching mechanism is isolated from each of the current restricting circuits.
US08182465B2
A medical device including a shaft having an elongated inner member and an elongated tubular reinforcing member disposed over at least a portion of the inner member. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the outer surface of the inner member is spaced from the inner surface of the reinforcing member, defining a space substantially free of any other structures of the device. In some embodiments, the shaft can include a tip structure disposed on a distal portion of the inner member. In some such embodiments, the reinforcing member has a distal end, and the tip structure is disposed on the distal portion of the inner member adjacent the distal end of the reinforcing member. Additionally, in some embodiments, the reinforcing member can include a plurality of apertures defined therein, for example, to enhance the flexibility or other such characteristics of all or portions of the reinforcing member.
US08182459B2
The present invention provides devices and methods for attachment of an endolumenal gastrointestinal device, such as an artificial stoma device, a gastrointestinal bypass sleeve or other therapeutic or diagnostic device, within a patient's digestive tract. In one application of the invention, an endolumenal bypass sleeve is removably attached in the vicinity of the gastroesophageal junction to treat obesity and/or its comorbidities, such as diabetes. The bypass sleeve may be at least partially deployed by eversion.
US08182458B2
An absorbent article including a front waist region having an inner surface, and outer surface, a first lateral end portion and a second lateral end portion, a back waist region having an inner surface, and outer surface, a first lateral end portion and a second lateral end portion, a crotch portion longitudinally connecting the front and back waist regions, and at least one fastener disposed at each of the first and second lateral end portions of the back waist region or the front waist region. The at least one fastener includes a backing layer having a first end portion permanently attached to the back waist region or the front waist region and a second end portion opposite the first end portion, an adhesive layer disposed over at least a portion of the backing layer, a fastening material layer disposed over the adhesive layer at the second end portion of the backing layer, and an outer surface that is free of adhesive to form an adhesive-free region, wherein a fold is formed in the adhesive-free region.
US08182454B2
A breast milk absorbent pad includes side flaps of a breast milk absorbent pad having first portions facing the wearer's skin and second portions facing away from the wearer's skin. The second portions are provided with elastically stretchable/contractible members along transversely opposite outer edges of these second portions.
US08182453B2
An access portal is provided including a housing, a body defining a fluid reservoir, and a septum enclosing the fluid reservoir. A stem in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir extends from the fluid reservoir. The access portal also includes a reservoir insert disposed within the fluid reservoir, in which the reservoir insert decreases the fluid fill volume of the reservoir.
US08182452B2
A medical connector is described which is formed by a body having an inlet port, an outlet port through a male luer portion of the body, and a fluid path between the inlet port and the at least one outlet ports. A retractable post extends through the fluid path in the male luer sealing a tip of the male luer thereby closing the fluid path when the connector in not activated. Barbs extending along the exterior of the male luer and connected to the retractable post, wherein when the connector is activated, the barbs force the retractable post away from the tip of the male luer thereby opening the fluid path through the medical connector. A retention member applies force to the post to force the post to seal the tip of the male luer with the medical connector is not activated.
US08182451B2
A safety needle assembly has a needle hub and a needle cannula projecting from the hub. Wings project transversely from the hub to facilitate manipulation and positioning of the needle assembly. A shield is hingedly attached to the needle hub and can be rotated from a first position where the needle cannula is exposed to a second position where the needle cannula is shielded. At least one latch may be disposed on the shield for secure locked engagement with the hub, the wings and/or the tubing extending from the hub. A spring may also be provided for propelling the shield into the second position.
US08182448B2
An intravenous catheter system having a retractable needle system and a body system is disclosed. The retractable needle system includes a housing, a needle, a docking feature, and an optional anti-shearing mechanism. The body system includes a body, at least one hub, a catheter connector, at least one plug, a plug recoil mechanism, a locking mechanism, a flash chamber, and a flash window.
US08182441B2
Disclosed herein are systems and methods for attaching or maintaining the position of a therapeutic or diagnostic device in a body lumen, such as the GI tract without necessarily requiring any penetrating attachments through any body walls. The system can include at least two elements: a proximal orientation element and a distal support element. The proximal orientation element can be configured to reside at least partially within the esophageal lumen and the distal support element can be configured to reside in the stomach, such as along the greater curve of the stomach. An intragastric support system can have a first configuration in which the long axis of the proximal orientation element is substantially parallel and/or substantially coaxial with the long axis of the distal support element, and a second configuration in which the long axis of the proximal orientation element is not substantially coaxial with the long axis of the distal support element. The second configuration can thus advantageously retain the intragastric support system in place and prevent unwanted proximal migration of the distal support element into the esophagus or distal migration into the intestine.
US08182422B2
An endoscope assembly with a main imaging device and a first light source is configured to provide a forward view of a body cavity, and further includes a detachable imaging device with an attachment member engageable with the distal end region of the endoscope, a linking member connected to the attachment member, and an imaging element with a second light source, wherein the detachable imaging device provides a retrograde view of the body cavity and the main imaging device. Light interference is reduced by using polarizing filters or by alternating the on/off state of the main imaging device, the first light source, the imaging element and the second light source so that the main imaging device and first light source are on when the imaging element and second light source are off and the main imaging device and first light source are off when the imaging element and second light source are on.
US08182410B2
A system for and method of applying non-invasive brachytherapy to a targeted volume within a protruding organ of a patient, employs an applicator constructed so as to be positioned relative to the organ so that an enhanced dose of divergent radiation is deliverable from at least two locations at or very near the periphery of the organ transcutaneously to the targeted volume of the protruding organ from at least two directions so that a higher dose is delivered to the targeted volume than to tissue surrounding the targeted volume. The treatment planning, and image guidance techniques are also described.
US08182389B2
A technique that makes it possible to switch high-torque power transmission with a compact and simple configuration is provided. A driving force transmitting device that transmits driving force received by one of a first rotating body and a second rotating body to the other includes: the first rotating body; a first engaging section that is provided in the first rotating body; the second rotating body that rotates around a rotating shaft the same as that of the first rotating body; elastically deforming sections that are arranged in the second rotating body; and a second engaging section that is provided in the second rotating body and elastically supported by the elastically deforming sections to engage with the first engaging section and is disengaged from the first engaging section by centrifugal force involved in the rotation of the second rotating body.
US08182387B2
A planetary carrier, formed of a cylindrical body, that receives a drive torque from a drive power source and differentially distributes the drive torque to a pair of output shafts, the planetary carrier including a gear holding portion that rotatably holds a planetary gear having two large and small gear portions, of which pitch circle diameters differ from each other. The gear holding portion has a first supporting surface that slidably supports tooth tip surfaces of the gear portion, of which the pitch circle diameter is larger, on a portion except on the radially inner side with respect to the carrier, and a second supporting surface that slidably supports tooth tip surfaces of the gear portion, of which the pitch circle diameter is smaller, on a portion except on the radially outer side with respect to the carrier.
US08182379B2
A sport ball may include a casing, an intermediate layer, and a bladder. In manufacturing the sport ball, a panel element of the casing and the bladder may be located in a mold, and a polymer foam material of the intermediate layer may be injected into an area between the bladder and the panel element. In addition, edges of panel element may be heatbonded to each other to join the panel elements and form seams of the casing.
US08182371B2
The invention relates to a tether tennis game apparatus which includes a hollow pole that has a helix formation extending externally therefrom along an operative top segment of the pole. The helix formation defines a helical guide path within which a loop formation, that is formed at one end of a flexible line which has a ball connected at its other end and that can be located around the pole, is displaceable. An indicator arrangement including an elongate indicator element, located for axial displacement within the pole, and a trigger arrangement is operable on the pole to indicate a winner of a game played with the apparatus and which occurs when the loop formation, at the end of a flexible line, reaches an end of the helical guide path.
US08182370B1
A method and apparatus for providing golf instruction includes an alignment rod and an instruction flag removably secured to the alignment rod. The alignment rod may be positioned on a ground surface to indicate a target path or otherwise provide a visual cue. The instruction flag includes instructional markings thereon to provide additional visual cues relating to one or more aspects of a golf swing.
US08182363B2
A golf club head and a removable weight that is received in a receptacle of the golf club head. The weight includes a cap and a slug. The cap is removably coupled to the receptacle and includes a recess that slidably receives a portion of the slug so that the cap and slug are able to rotate relative to each other. The slug includes an anti-rotation feature that prevents relative rotation between the slug and the receptacle.
US08182359B2
A set of iron-type golf clubs includes long irons with channel back configurations and short irons with cavity back configurations. The rear face configurations transition from channel backs through to pure cavity backs for increased performance continuum for the set. Additional design parameters for the set may also be systematically varied through the set, such as groove type and depth, loft angle, cavity volume, hitting face roughness, and sole width. At least one of the clubs of the set includes a sandwich-type construction for the hitting face having a dampening element disposed between a hitting face insert and a lightweight reinforcing core. In one embodiment, at least one club head is oversized.
US08182350B2
A lip portion consists of two cylindrical axial lips 421, 422 extended in parallel to an axial direction of a seal 4 and in different lengths (a radial lip is obviated). A neck 22 of a cross shaft 2 is formed with a neck slant portion 221 defined by a conical surface inclined at 45° relative to an axis thereof. The two axial lips 421, 422 are pressed against the neck slant portion in the axial direction.
US08182347B2
According to one aspect of the present invention, a gaming machine for conducting a wagering game comprises a gaming cabinet having a front door, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a rear wall. The rear wall is adjacent to at least one of the first side wall and the second side wall. The gaming machine further comprises at least one structural member located between the rear wall and at least one of the first side wall and the second wall within the gaming cabinet for providing structural reinforcement.
US08182346B2
A distributed computer system is provided for collecting player information. Further, a scoring system is provided that rates a player based on one or more elements of the collected information. Players may be rated with respect to a number of characteristics. Responsive to a determined rating or score, action may be taken by the distributed system with regard to the player. For instance, the player may be provided a complimentary offer, provided an award, and invitation to come to a gambling location, presented an advertisement, or other action may be performed involving the player. Further, the distributed computer system may permit a player to manage their frequent player accounts and receive complimentary offers based on a set of criteria specified by the player.
US08182341B2
A formation information storage unit (240) stores formation information regulating a formation which characters should form. A character control unit (250) turns off assessment of contact between allies when the characters are to formate and, based on formation information, assembles the respective characters in respective positions. Then, after the characters are assembled, the character control unit (250) turns contact assessment back on. Further, when the characters are to attack, the character control unit (250) moves front row characters toward enemy characters and makes back row characters follow the front row characters, while maintaining a certain amount of space therebetween. Then, when a front row character is destroyed, a back row character replaces the destroyed character.
US08182333B2
A gaming system including an input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game. The gaming system also includes a display for displaying a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game and a touch-screen input device in association with the display. In response to a predetermined criterion, a pop-up window is displayed on the display that allows the player to enter data into a field on the display. The pop-up window preferably includes keys to enter the data, such as an image of a standard keyboard for entering alpha-numeric data.
US08182327B2
A method and system is provided for managing the outcomes of games of chance while maintaining the game's integrity.
US08182324B2
A method for providing a payout based on a scattered combination of game cards is described. A plurality of hands of cards is displayed, including at least a first hand of cards and a second hand of cards. Each hand of cards includes one or more card positions. In each hand of cards, a card is placed in each of the one or more card positions. Characteristics associated with each card in the each displayed hand of cards are analyzed. A first card in a first card position in the first hand of cards is combined with a second card in the second hand of cards. A determination is made whether a winning combination of cards is formed by at least the first and second cards in the first and second hands of cards. A payout award is provided based on the winning combination of cards.
US08182316B2
The invention discloses an oscillatingly driven machine tool, having an oscillatory drive for driving a drive shaft about its longitudinal axis, having a flange provided on the drive shaft against which an oscillatory tool can be clamped by spring force via a counter flange, and having a displacing mechanism for displacing the counter flange between a working position in which the oscillatory tool is clamped by a spring between the flange and the counter flange and a released position in which the counter flange can be detached from the flange.
US08182308B2
A toy vehicle playset is disclosed herein the playset having: a vessel configured to define a receiving area; an object being located proximate to the vessel, the object having a pair of body portions configured for movement between a first position wherein the pair of body portions are next to each other and a second position wherein the pair of body portions are moved away from each other; first and second track segments disposed proximate to the vessel such that a gap is formed between the first and second track segments and across the vessel; a trigger disposed on the second track segment; a toy vehicle having a thermochromic paint thereon that is configured to travel along the first and second track segments, wherein the thermochromic paint on the toy vehicle changes from a first color to a second color in response to a temperature change of the thermochromic paint; wherein the pair of body portions are moved from the first position to the second position when the toy vehicle travels along the second track segment and actuates the trigger; and wherein the object has at least one spray nozzle fluidly coupled to a tank of fluid wherein a user operated pump sprays fluid from the tank towards the receiving area, the fluid being capable of changing the temperature of the thermochromic paint.
US08182306B2
Provided are flying devices and methods of manufacturing and launching same, in particular flying toys or other recreational items that are designed to be thrown through the air by a user participating in any one of a variety of throwing (i.e. “catch”) games. In particular, the concept is directed toward a flying disc having rotatably attached non-rotating (a.k.a. “gliding”) portions that are attached to the disc and provide an optical illusion, wherein the user (and, similarly, an observer) does not notice the spinning of the flying disc, but instead sees a flying craft that appears to have no propulsion, yet flies. While the non-rotating portions alter the airflow associated with a typical flying disc, they do not negatively affect the flight characteristics of the disc itself. Indeed, in certain embodiments, the non-rotating portions (e.g., ailerons) have been observed to improve the flight characteristics of typical flying discs. The non-rotating portions (a.k.a. “gliding”) also provide surfaces upon which to place advertising that remains legible during flight. In this manner, the non-rotating portions of the flying device serve both a functional and an aesthetic purpose.
US08182304B2
An EL device with low manufacturing costs and improved yield due to simplified structure and use of an organic light emitting transistor and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The EL device includes: a first organic light emitting transistor including a first source electrode; a first drain electrode opposing the first source electrode; a first intermediate layer including at least an emission layer formed between the first source electrode and the first drain electrode; and a first gate electrode which is insulated from the first source electrode, the first drain electrode, and the first intermediate layer and surrounds the first intermediate layer; and a second organic light emitting transistor including a second source electrode; a second drain electrode opposing the second source electrode; a second intermediate layer including at least an emission layer formed between the second source electrode and the second drain electrode; and a second gate electrode which is insulated from the second source electrode, the second drain electrode, and the second intermediate layer, surrounds the second intermediate layer, and is connected to the first drain electrode.
US08182299B2
The invention relates to an electrical connection device for transmitting high current levels, comprising at least one flat contact having a tulip contact and a contact blade having a prescribed blade thickness, wherein the flat contact is suitable for receiving the contact blade having the prescribed blade thickness. A contact force for contacting is applied by an upper spring in the contact area. The tulip contact comprises a free entry width in an unloaded state that approximately corresponds to the prescribed blade thickness.
US08182295B2
A communication jack has a housing with a face having a plug receiving aperture. A plurality of conductive path pairs extends from corresponding plug interface contacts located at the plug receiving aperture to corresponding output terminals. A first circuit board is connected to the plug interface contacts and a second circuit board is connected to the plug interface contacts and the output terminals. The first circuit board has a first single stage of crosstalk compensation with opposite polarity of the crosstalk of a plug for a first combination of the conductive path pairs. The second circuit board includes a second single stage of opposite polarity crosstalk compensation for some of the conductive path pairs not compensated on the first circuit board. The stages cancel substantially all of the crosstalk caused by the plug, for the signal operating frequencies, for corresponding combinations of the conductive path pairs.
US08182294B2
Connector assemblies for use in wiring/cabling applications are disclosed. The connector assemblies include first and second jack openings that facilitate interaction between plugs that feature contact layouts according to the IEC 60603-7-7 standard. Cable/plug combinations are also provided wherein the cable features shielded twisted pair (STP) fully shielded twisted pair (FTP) and unshielded twisted pair (UTP) wires. The cable/plug interface includes a housing wherein individual wires are brought into electrical communication with electrical contacts that are exposed relative to the exterior of the housing. The electrical contacts are positioned in quadrants of the plug housing, when viewed in cross-section, such that the plug complies with the contact geometry set forth in the IEC 60603-7-7 standard. The cable/plug is generally a preterminated assembly, whereby the plug is pre-mounted to the cable before shipment to an installation location or distribution channel. A pulling eye assembly may be provided that defines a cavity sized and configured to receive the plug housing and a portion of the cable.
US08182293B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for connecting together two audio components that have different size connectors and/or a different configuration of electrical contacts between them. In one embodiment of the present invention, an audio adaptor is designed having an audio plug of one size to mate with a first electrical device, such as an integrated mediaphone such as the iPhone™, and an audio jack having a different size to mate with a second electrical device, such as a conventional cell phone headset having a single earpiece. In that instance, the plug would be a four-prong, 3.5 millimeter stereo device, while the jack would be a three-prong, 2.5 millimeter monaural device. The adaptor includes circuitry that takes one audio channel (i.e., the left or right channel), and couples it to the audio input on the monaural jack.
US08182290B2
A shielding cage for receiving a plurality of electronic modules includes a bottom cage portion and a plurality of independent upper cage portions each one of which comprising a top wall and two lateral walls adapted to cooperate with the bottom cage portion. Furthermore, each of said upper cage portions defines with the bottom cage portion a respective compartment having an inner cavity for receiving an electronic module, and a subdivision of said bottom cage portion provides for a bottom wall of said compartment.
US08182285B2
The present invention concerns a connection assembly comprising: an elbow coaxial electric connector (2) configured to be mounted on a coaxial cable, the connector comprising: a central contact (7) provided with at least one crimping portion (11) configured to be crimped with a central conductor of the coaxial cable, an insulating element (8) comprising a bearing portion (15) having an upper face (16) on which the crimping portion of the central contact is applied at least in part, and a body (9) receiving the insulating element. Also included is an elbow sleeve (5) comprising a first tubular portion extending along a first axis of the sleeve and configured to be received inside the casing, and a second portion (31) extending along a second axis of the sleeve and comprising a housing (38) configured to receive the coaxial connector mounted on the coaxial cable. A hollow casing (4) and a pivotal cover (6) are to be mounted on the elbow sleeve (5). The casing includes a latch tab (47).
US08182283B2
A build-in USB 3.0 receptacle connector is disposed for a main board located within a computer, the build-in USB 3.0 receptacle includes an insulated housing, a plurality cavities, a plurality set of circuit boards, a plurality set of connective terminals and a plurality of conductive terminals. The cavities are recessed from a front-end surface of the insulated housing, the circuit boards disposed and suspended in the cavities and having a first surface, a second surface and multiple golden-fingers disposed on the front fringe of the first surface. Each set of the connective terminal is connected to the rear fringe of the second surface and electrically connected to the golden-fingers disposed on the first surface. The conductive terminals are disposed in the cavities, respectively, and each of the conductive terminals has a contact segment disposed on the front fringe of the first surface which is behind the golden-fingers. Therefore, the insulated housing has a plurality of stocking USB 3.0 sockets is used for inserting USB devices.
US08182282B2
The present invention relates generally to a lever bypass plug-in meter socket. More particularly, the invention encompasses a lever bypass plug-in meter socket for electric watt-hour meters. The present invention is also directed to a novel plug-in meter socket for electrical watt-hour meter with a quick bypass. A lever may be used to rotate a bypass blade to short selected contacts through the blade when the watt-hour meter needs to be changed or tested.
US08182277B2
A connector has a housing, an insertion slot, an actuator and a biasing member. Into the insertion slot, a connection target is inserted along an insertion direction. The actuator has a pusher. The actuator is held on the housing so as to be turnable between an open position and a close position. The actuator allows the connection target to be inserted into the insertion slot when the actuator is positioned at the open position. The pusher pushes the inserted connection target along a thickness direction of the connection target when the actuator is turned to the close position after the connection target is inserted into the insertion slot. The thickness direction is perpendicular to the insertion direction. The biasing member is operable to bias the pusher toward the inserted connection target when the actuator is located at the close position.
US08182264B2
A sheet of material having a central body portion with attached wings capable of folding towards each other on either side. The wings of the bite block fold toward each other along fold lines adjacent the central body portion and provide a structure for biting down upon for propping the mouth of a patient open during a dental procedure. A mirrored surface may be placed on the central body portion for improving visibility in the mouth. In a unilateral bite block embodiment, the unilateral bite block is placed in only one side of the mouth. The bite block may be made inexpensively and is disposable.
US08182263B2
The invention provides a heat treatment apparatus, in which an intake valve (91a) is mounted on an ambient gas feed pipe (91) connected to a heating chamber (12), an exhaust valve (131a) is mounted on an exhaust pipe (131), and a pressure sensor (150) is provided on the heating chamber (12). Through the control of a control unit (80) connected to the pressure sensor (150), to the intake valve (91a) and to the exhaust valve (131a), the intake valve (91a) and the exhaust valve (131a) are opened or closed, thus supplying ambient gas into the heating chamber (12) or exhausting ambient gas from the cooling chamber (13) depending on an internal pressure of the heating chamber (12). Thus, the amount of ambient gas used in heat treating workpieces (1) is minimized and thus operational costs are reduced. It is possible to prevent accidents such as gas explosions as well as to reduce environmental contamination caused by the combustion of ambient gas.
US08182249B2
There is disclosed a sealed type scroll compressor which decreases a sliding loss between a thrust ring and a orbit scroll and improves the efficiency of the sealed type scroll compressor while preventing the leakage of a refrigerant between a fixed scroll and the orbit scroll, and the compressor provides a relation of F1
US08182248B2
A vane pump comprises: a drive shaft that passes through the pump frame; a rotor coupled to the drive shaft that has multiple vanes and rotates within the pump frame in an axial direction about an axis of rotation with an outer rotor surface that has a radius that extends from the axis of rotation; a cam ring within the pump frame that circumscribes the rotor and vanes with a cam ring inner surface; multiple radial tilting pad bearings that support the cam ring; a bearing support ring coupled to the pump frame that generally circumscribes the cam ring and mounts the radial tilting pad bearings; side plates that radially extend from the drive shaft to the pump frame to enclose the rotor and the cam ring with at least one side plate having an inlet port and an outlet port; and means for initiating rotation of the cam ring from rest.
US08182247B2
In at least some embodiments, a pump includes a turning member and a reciprocating member coupled to the turning member, the reciprocating member performing a pumping motion as the turning member turns. The pump also includes at least one stabilization component in contact with the reciprocating member to stabilize the pumping motion.
US08182246B1
A high-pressure cam driven open discharge pump system is provided, wherein a high-pressure output at a relatively constant pressure is formed. The pump system includes a plurality of pressurizing subassemblies, each subassembly including a cam follower retained by a cam follower support guided by guide bearings to induce linear motion of a connected piston rod. The piston rod is slidably received within a removable high-pressure cylinder assembly which retains a high pressure cylinder.
US08182245B2
A boot capacitor that functions as an operating power supply for a high-arm-side transistor provided in an inverter has to be charged prior to normal operation of a motor. This operation of charging the boot capacitor is performed at a carrier frequency that is lower than a carrier frequency for the normal operation.
US08182241B2
A peristaltic pump includes a pumping mechanism cover releasably coupled to a pumping mechanism base or gear case cover and configured to enshroud components including a roller assembly and tube. Removal of the pumping mechanism cover exposes the components to facilitate maintenance. The pumping mechanism cover may be locked into a closed position using a threaded bushing or a pivoting latch. A plurality of engagement studs may be provided to secure the pumping mechanism base to the gear case housing cover. The pumping mechanism base or gear case cover is configured for releasably engaging tubing inlet and outlet fittings. Thus, tubing may be installed or removed without having to disassemble or remove any other portion of the pumping mechanism base.
US08182238B2
A system for controlling fluid flow rates in a transmission includes a pump having variable displacement and providing a pressurized fluid source, a regulating valve communicating with the fluid source and a pressure sensor, the pressure sensor producing a variable control signal whose magnitude represents a degree to which fluid flow requirements of the transmission are being provided by the fluid source, and an actuating valve producing a pressure that changes the pump displacement in response to the magnitude of the control pressure.
US08182233B2
A component (10) and method for manufacturing a component. The component comprises first and second panels (16, 18) spaced apart from each other, the first panel (16) having at least one protrusion (20) extending therefrom towards the second panel (18). The protrusion (20) extends partially across the space (19) between the first and second panels so as to define a free end of the protrusion. The free end is surrounded by damping material (24).
US08182229B2
Embodiments of the invention can provide methods and apparatus to repair a rotor disk for a gas turbine. In one embodiment, a method to repair a rotor disk for a gas turbine is provided, wherein the rotor disk can include a base and at least one dovetail slot between a pair of dovetail walls. The method can include identifying one or more cracks on the base of the rotor disk, and removing one or more cracks by providing one or more fillets on the base of the rotor disk. Further, the method can include providing one or more conic cuts on the base of the rotor disk between the pair of dovetail walls of at least one dovetail slot.
US08182223B2
A turbine blade with a generally hollow airfoil having an outer wall that defines at least one radially extending chamber for receiving the flow of a coolant, the airfoil including a leading edge that resides in an upstream or forward direction, a trailing edge that resides in a downstream or aft direction, a convex suction side, and a concave pressure side, the turbine blade comprising: a plurality of inserts disposed within the chamber that are configured to initially receive at least a portion of the coolant entering the chamber and direct a substantial portion of the coolant through a plurality of insert apertures toward the inner surface of the outer wall; wherein the inserts are configured to form at least one inward bleed channel and a central collector passage into which the inward bleed channel flows.
US08182221B1
A turbine rotor blade with a tip region cooling and sealing circuit that includes a squealer tip with a continuous tip rail, the pressure side tip rail being offset from the pressure side wall, the pressure ad suction side tip rails both include concave shaped deflector surfaces on the forward side walls and a row of air jet passages opening onto a top surface of the tip rails, and with radial near wall cooling channels formed within the pressure side and suction side walls to provide near wall cooling, and where the pressure side radial cooling channels supplies the cooling air to the tip rail deflectors to form a vortex flow on the forward side wall of the tip rails, and the suction side radial cooling channels supplies cooling air to the tip rail air jet passages to discharge cooling air to block the on-coming leakage flow across the blade tip. Tip floor cooling passages connect the pressure side radial cooling channels to the suction side deflector surface that alternate with tip floor cooling passages that connect the suction side radial cooling channels to the pressure side tip rail air jet passages.
US08182187B2
An article for use in a torque transmitting system which has a drive surface configuration having side and end surfaces is disclosed. The end surface tapers upwardly and outwardly from a lowermost point provided along a longitudinal axis to the side surface. The end surface defines a plurality of identically configured lobes that extend from a first point to a second point. The first point of one lobe is identical to the second point of an adjacent lobe. The first and second points of each lobe are provided along an imaginary circle having its center along the longitudinal axis. Each lobe extends from the first point to the second point by a series of edges that are straight, concave and/or convex. Two of the edges are tangential to the imaginary circle. The side surface extends upwardly from the edges defining the plurality of lobes.
US08182184B1
Repeated inserting, tightening, loosening, and removing of external threads to internal threads can increase the likelihood of cross threading and thread damage. A spring loaded gear bolt assembly, which promotes alignment of mating threads before applying torque, is described. A spring is disposed on the back end of a bolt shaft to promote alignment of lead mating threads before twisting to engage external to internal threads. A gear chain translates a single hand rotation to thread two bolts into respective affixed internal threaded holes, simultaneously. A spring loaded gear bolt assembly and method described herein promote increased thread life and ease of use ease for test plate securing. Efficient single handed manipulation of multiple bolts simultaneously can be achieved using a test plate assembly, which included spring loaded gear bolt assemblies, as described herein. Applications of a spring loaded gear bolt include infrared adapter test plate assemblies.
US08182177B2
Reinforced stabilizing strip (10) intended for use in reinforced earth structures, comprising a longitudinal part (12), said longitudinal part (12) comprising along at least part of its length, at least one cord (14) arranged approximately longitudinally and encased in the bulk of said longitudinal part.
US08182174B2
A drainage system includes: at least one first drainage pipe to be disposed within the ground and including a single-piece first porous pipe wall that has a top open end, a bottom open end for extending to a level distant from the ground surface, and a plurality of first through holes to permeate the surface water into adjacent soil areas; and at least one second drainage pipe transversely connected to the first drainage pipe, and including a single-piece second porous pipe wall that has two opposite open ends, and a plurality of second through holes disposed between the two opposite open ends of the second porous pipe wall to permeate the surface water into adjacent soil areas.
US08182169B2
A non-lethal energy absorbing vehicle barrier for decelerating an impacting vehicle a gate member disposed between first and second gate receivers that is deformable from a pre-impact configuration to an impact configuration. The gate member may include a first deformable energy absorption member having a first end coupled to the first gate receiver and a second end extending inward toward a center of the gate member; a second deformable energy absorption member having a first end coupled to the second gate receiver and a second end extending inward toward the center of the gate member; and a deforming member connecting the first and second deformable energy absorption members in an overlapping configuration. The deforming member is configured to engage and deform the first and second deformable energy absorption members as the gate member is deformed from the pre-impact configuration to the impact configuration.
US08182168B2
A machine element is provided that includes, but is not limited to a clamping element without a slit, which is incorporated into a receiving area of the machine element. The clamping element has an opening for accommodating a shaft, and can be twisted against the machine element. A support sleeve is arranged radially outside relative to the clamping element. This makes the machine element easy to manufacture, convenient to use, and allows the absorption of high levels of force.
US08182163B2
A label roll positioning device is provided for a barcode printer and includes at least one slide rail, at least one positioning rail, and at least one pair of roll retainers. The slide rail and the positioning rail are arranged in a parallel manner inside a housing of the barcode printer. The positioning rail forms teeth on a surface thereof. At least one of the roll retainers has a bottom forming a mounting portion that is slidably fit and mounted to the slide rail for being slidable along the slide rail. The roll retainers are spaced to receive a roll of label therebetween in a securely held manner. The roll retainer is provided therein at least one positioning plug having an end forming a locking section. The positioning plug can be downward driven to have the locking section downward projecting out of the roll retainer, and the positioning plug can be upward driven to have the locking section back into concealment inside the roll retainer. Thus, with the roll of label received between the roll retainers, the positioning plug is downward driven and the locking section engages the teeth of the positioning rail to effect positioning and fixing for securely holding the roll of label between the roll retainers. A positioning device with movable and adjustable locking engagement can be realized.
US08182160B2
A lens barrier apparatus which includes a barrier base; an interlocking ring configured to rotate with respect to the barrier base; a pair of driving vanes, each of which is configured to be rotatably mounted to the barrier base, and each of which is configured to be rotatably moved from an open position to a closed position by movement of the interlocking ring; and a pair of reacting vanes each of which is rotatably mounted to the barrier base, and each of which is configured to rotate from the closed position to the open position by movement of a respective driving vane of the pair of driving vanes.
US08182156B2
A gas turbine engine bearing cage assembly includes: a first bearing cage having: an annular first bearing support ring; an annular first mounting flange; and an annular array of axially-extending first spring arms interconnecting the first bearing support ring and the first mounting flange, the first spring arms defining an outer diameter; and a second bearing cage having: an annular second bearing support ring; an annular second mounting ring, the second mounting ring defining an inner diameter greater that the outer diameter; and an annular array of axially-extending second spring arms interconnecting the second bearing support ring and the second mounting ring, the second spring arms defining spaces therebetween. The bearing cages are sized such that the first bearing cage can be received within the second bearing cage. The spaces are positioned to receive the first spring arms, permitting independent flexing motion of the first and second spring arms.
US08182150B2
A method of calibrating a mechanical model of behavior and movement of an interventional radiology table by moving the table over at least one degree of freedom, acquiring at least one set of images corresponding to different positions of the table and C-arm, obtaining at least one set of images of a test object from different positions, using the images of the test object to determine parameters of the mechanical model of table behavior and movement, and combining these parameters with data given by table movement sensors so as to deduce the true relative positions of the table with respect to the medical imaging system.
US08182147B2
A portable radiographic imaging device includes an operation unit, a controller, and an execution unit. The operation unit is operated when a target function is selected from plural different functions relating to radiographic image capturing. When a first condition, that expresses that a predetermined region has been placed at a predetermined placement portion, is established, the controller carries out control such that a function that should be effective when the first condition is established is selected. When a second condition, that expresses that the predetermined region is not placed at the placement portion, is established, the controller carries out control such that a function that should be effective when the second condition is established is selected. When the operation unit is operated, the execution unit executes a function that is controlled by the controller to be selected.
US08182146B2
A temperature measurement tube is composite and comprises a rigid shaft (1), which is cooled so as to shield it from corrosion and from the melt, and an end-fitting (15) housing a thermocouple (9) on the end of the tube and constructed from a noble metal, which is resistant to corrosion and to the high melting point. An alumina coating (13) is placed between the two metals in order to prevent any corrosion-inducing electrochemical exchange between them.
US08182144B2
A contactless temperature-measuring device especially for a respiration humidifier with a flow channel for breathing gas, which is improved in respect to handling and reliability of measurement. The device includes: a hollow body (1), which is closed towards the flow channel (2, 6), extends into the flow channel (2, 6) for assuming the temperature in the flow channel (2, 6); and an infrared detector (3, 7) is directed toward the inner surface of the hollow body (1) extending into the flow channel (2, 6) for the contactless detection of the temperature of the hollow body (1).
US08182131B2
In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a light guide plate includes a first light incident surface receiving a first external light, a second light incident surface receiving a second external light and opposite to the first light incident surface, a light exit surface connecting the first and second light incident surfaces to output the first and second external lights, a reflective surface reflecting the first and second external lights in opposition to the light exit surface, and optical path changing portions each of which having a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface. The optical path changing portions are provided on the reflective surface with a predetermined interval and recessed toward the light exit surface to reflect the first and second external lights to the light exit surface.
US08182127B2
A light source is provided. The light source includes: an elliptical reflection mirror having first and second focal points; a discharge chamber in which a luminescent substance is enclosed and which is disposed on the first focal point; a laser light generator which emits the laser light; and a laser light guide which guides the laser light from an opening side of the elliptical reflection mirror into the discharge chamber. The luminescent substance is excited by providing the laser light to the luminescent substance so as to emit light, and the light is reflected by the elliptical reflection mirror. The laser light guide is disposed in a shade area in which the light reflected by the elliptical reflection mirror is blocked by the discharge chamber.
US08182121B2
The present invention relates to a device for covering an area, which device comprises an attachment portion and a body. Said body is designed partly spherical made of a flexible material and designed as a cover with a wall essentially extending around the entire cover which has an open end portion. Said wall extends from an end point to said end portion, which end portion is configured to assume a first position with regard to a plane in said end point of said cover and a second position by folding said wall and displacing said end portion past said plane.
US08182120B1
A lighting fixture can dispose a light source in a recess of a ceiling or another surface while providing at least one of three adjustments that facilitates installation or post-installation setup. The first adjustment can support mounting the fixture to surfaces of differing thicknesses while maintaining the light source at a uniform recess depth. The second possible adjustment can facilitate rotating a visible portion of the fixture, typically an aperture or hole through which light transmits from the light source into a room or some other illuminated space. After the lighting fixture is attached to the ceiling, a user can rotate the aperture for alignment with another fixture or another object. The third possible adjustment can provide an illumination pattern that can be tilted to various angles or oriented in various directions according to user preference or to establish a desired lighting effect.
US08182119B2
A lighting device, comprising a housing and at least one mounting clip. The housing comprises an electrical connection region engageable in an electrical receptacle. The mounting clip is pivotable from a first position, where an end region of the mounting clip does not extend beyond a periphery of the housing, to a second position, where the end region extends beyond the housing periphery. Also, a lighting device, comprising a housing, a trim element and at least one mounting clip. The mounting clip is pivotable, such that if the mounting clip is in a second position and then the trim element is rotated, the mounting clip will pivot to a third position, where the mounting clip engages the housing such that the trim element is biased toward a ceiling or other structure in which the lighting device is mounted. Also, methods of installing housings and/or trim elements.
US08182117B2
A light emitting includes a bump-shaped slug having a support plane at the top of the bump-shaped slug. The slug includes side planes arranged to function as optical action planes arranged to receive and reflect a portion of the light from the light emitting chip.
US08182113B2
An accessory that can be mounted over a mailbox has a base with a pair of sidewalls that are spaced to straddle the mailbox. A frame assembly mounted on at least one of the sidewalls has one or more indicia bearing members removably attached thereto. These indicia bearing members are installed and arranged to supply address information. A light mounted at the frame assembly is powered by a power supply that has a solar powered charger for charging a battery in order to illuminate the indicia bearing members at night.
US08182111B2
A cable lighting assembly (10) comprising a flexible electrical cable (14, 47) and an LED (43). The electrical insulation of the electrical cable has a portion that is removed to expose at least one surface mounting area on the surface of an electrical conductor (45) of the flexible electrical cable (47). Two lengths of the electrical conductor (59, 61) are electrically isolated so as to form at least two electrically isolated surface mounting areas that are electrically isolated from each other. The LED (43) is surface mounted to the electrical conductor (45). A solder joint (67) is formed between the anode lead (55) of the light emitting diode and one of the electrically isolated surface mounting areas (61). Another solder joint (69) is formed between the cathode lead (57) of the light emitting diode and the other electrically isolated surface mounting area (59). The 15 LED (43) and at least a length of the flexible electrical cable (47) on which the LED is surface mounted are encapsulated by a polymeric molding material (49).
US08182105B2
An optical member, a light source device, and a display device, which can prevent or reduce luminance irregularity on the screen of a display panel, include a sheet or plate shaped optical member located between the display panel which displays an image and a plurality of light sources including a region provided in an area corresponding to an area in which the arrangement intervals between the light sources are wider (an end portion of the screen of the display panel) and has light reflectance higher than light reflectance in a region provided in an area in which the arrangement intervals between the light sources are narrower (a center portion of the screen of the display panel).
US08182099B2
A method and apparatus for bitstream modulation of an infrared light source used by an optical sensor in a stereoscopic projection system, combined with a bitstream filter on the receiver electronics.
US08182092B2
An image display apparatus includes a light source, a color separation unit configured to separate light from the light source into colored light beams, liquid crystal display devices each configured to modulate a corresponding one of the colored light beams in accordance with an image signal, light-shielding members each configured to block light that enters an area outside an effective display area of a corresponding one of the liquid crystal display devices, a color combination unit configured to combine the colored light beams that have been modulated by the liquid crystal display devices, and a projection unit configured to project light produced by combining the colored light beams with the color combination unit, wherein the liquid crystal display devices are fixed to a heatsink, and wherein the light-shielding members each include a base member fixed to the heatsink and a mask member detachably mounted on the base member.
US08182089B2
The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for determining the orientation of ophthalmic lenses (20, 22). The apparatus includes a recording device and a reference-frame unit that can be fitted onto a frame (14) while a patient is wearing it. Said frame has two half parts (11, 13) and a central bridge (15). The reference-frame unit includes a first element forming an arch (24) that has a central portion (26) indicated by a first reference mark (54), and a second element (56) indicated by a second reference mark (58), mounted on said frame. According to the disclosure, the apparatus includes two cameras (60,62) separated vertically from each other and pointing at the eyes from two angles of view (64, 66); and the two cameras (60, 62) enable two images of said reference-frame unit (24, 56) to be recorded simultaneously in order to evaluate the relative positions of the two reference marks (54, 58) and provide a value that represents the slope of said half parts (11, 13).
US08182086B2
An eyeglass frame is provided that includes a lens retaining part including first and second lens retaining sections connected by a bridge. One of the sections includes a lens receiving opening defined by a rim having a groove into which an edge of a lens is adapted to be received, and a second opening proximate the lens receiving opening and spaced apart from the bridge. The section also includes a channel extending between the lens receiving opening and the second opening. The channel is adapted to be enlarged to expand the rim such that the edge of the lens can be situated in the groove in the rim. The one section may be formed from a flexible material. The section may be formed from a single piece of molded plastic. The bridge may be substantially non-expandable. An eyewear system is provided, and a method of assembling eyewear is provided.
US08182062B2
A maintenance apparatus for a nozzle surface in which a plurality of nozzles ejecting a liquid are formed, in an ejection head having a nozzle row in which the nozzles are aligned in a main scanning direction, has: a liquid storage member which is disposed in a position opposing the nozzle surface of the ejection head at a prescribed distance from the nozzle surface, and which has a liquid holding surface which has a length, in a sub-scanning direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction, corresponding to a length in the sub-scanning direction of a region in which the plurality of nozzles are provided; a liquid supply device which supplies a liquid to the liquid holding surface; a movement device which moves the liquid storage member through a whole length of the nozzle row in the main scanning direction, while bringing the liquid held on the liquid holding surface into contact with the nozzle surface; and a wiping device which wipes the nozzle surface that has been wetted by the liquid supplied to the liquid storage member, while moving subsequently to the liquid storage member, to remove adhering material attached to the nozzle surface.
US08182060B2
An ink supply device includes an ink cartridge and a cartridge mounting portion including a first detector, a second detector, and a determiner. The ink cartridge includes a first detectable portion, a second detectable portion, and a third detectable portion. The determiner is configured to execute a first determination process in which it is determined whether or not the second detector detects the second detectable portion when the first detector initially detects the first detectable portion during an insertion of the ink cartridge into the cartridge mounting portion, and the determiner is configured to execute a second determination process in which it is determined whether or not the second detector detects the second detectable portion when the first detector stops detecting the first detectable portion during the insertion of the ink cartridge into the cartridge mounting portion.
US08182055B2
Disclosed is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a body, a refrigerator door for opening/closing a front surface of the body, with the refrigerator door having an opening, an auxiliary door for opening/closing the opening of the refrigerator door, and a damping unit coupled to a hinge shaft of the auxiliary door to control an opening/closing speed of the auxiliary door. The damping unit includes a case, a rotating member rotatably installed in the case, oil filled in the case to apply resistance against rotation of the rotating member, a fixing member coupled to an end portion of a rotating shaft of the rotating member to rotate together with the rotating member, and an elastic member provided between the case and the fixing member to apply elastic force to the fixing member in a direction opposite to an opening direction of the auxiliary door. It is possible to stably rotate the auxiliary door while controlling the rotational speed of the auxiliary door.
US08182047B2
A spoke for a wire wheel of the type including a rim and a hub interconnected with one another by a plurality of spokes, each of which includes an end portion arranged to be retained at least in one direction in a seat associated with the rim. The spoke has a bush associated with the end portion for receiving same to define the seat. The bush is arranged to be inserted in a through-hole of the rim.
US08182043B2
A seatbelt retention device with a base located on the upper seat surface of a vehicle seat and a seatbelt catch mounted on the base to retain the waist section of a seatbelt. The seatbelt retention device receives a passenger on the base in use, such that the catch is accessible between the legs of the passenger. A vehicle seat assembly can incorporate the seatbelt catch mounted in the seat and projecting through the upper seat surface so as to be accessible between the legs of a passenger seated on the seat.
US08182041B2
A seat assembly for an automotive vehicle having a rear actuated release mechanism is provided. The seat assembly includes a seat frame, and a seat back pivotally mounted to the seat frame about a pivot axis for movement between a seated position and a stowed position. The seat assembly further includes a release mechanism capable of locking, releasing, and moving the seat back from a seated position to a stowed position. The release mechanism is actuated by a release handle having an elongated slot formed therein. An egress mechanism operable to actuate the release mechanism from the rear of the seat assembly, includes a bracket pivotally attached to the seat frame and having a pin engaged within the slot of the release handle. The rotation of the bracket from a first position to a second position rotates the release handle to actuate the release mechanism to pivot the seat back from the seated position to the stowed position.
US08182034B2
A portable, collapsible child booster seat for a vehicle comprises a collapsible seat member that removably rests on a vehicle seat with collapsible arm rests extending upwardly from opposite sides of the seat member. The seat member includes an upper seating surface supported on a collapsible scissors frame seat base. The seat base is raisable to a deployed position and collapsible to a storage position. The arm rests comprise horizontal arms pivotably mounted on raisable legs. The arm rests have a deployed position, wherein the legs extend upwardly from the seat base and the arms extend forwardly, and a collapsed position, wherein the legs and arms are in a generally horizontal position adjacent the sides of the seat base. The arm rests and seat base are operably interconnected, such that raising or lowering the arm rests between their deployed and collapsed positions causes deployment and collapse of the seat base.
US08182033B2
Improvements for child restraint systems are directed specifically to the covers, handles, and harnesses thereof. A child restraint cover is readily removed without having to detach the harness from the seat. A soft and semi rigid child restraint handle includes members that are tied together in a crossover fashion. Another handle of the invention spans above the restraint in a head to foot direction. A further handle design includes dual integrated handles. 5-point and 7-point harnesses that do not require threading a child's limbs through harness loops are also provided. A harness height adjuster is also described.
US08182032B2
A rolling table and seating system includes a first assembly folding between a first position with the first assembly forming a seat bottom, and a second storage position. A second assembly moves between a first position with the second assembly forming a table and a second position at which the second assembly forms a seat back complementary to the seat bottom. A frame has laterally spaced apart first and second upright frame portions, the first upright frame portion supporting the first assembly and the second upright frame portion supporting the second assembly. A lower frame portion extends laterally outward including a first lateral portion extending toward a first side beyond the first upright frame portion, and a second lateral portion extending toward a second side beyond the second upright frame portion. First linkages fold the first assembly and include a leg supporting the seat bottom at the first position, and lift and pivot the leg at the second storage position. Second linkages fold the second assembly and include a leg supporting the table at the first position and move the leg to a position with a lower end of the leg laterally outward from an upper end of the leg.
US08182025B2
A method of constructing a reinforced closure panel assembly for a vehicle roof assembly includes providing a substantially planar panel having two opposite surfaces, providing a reinforcement having a circumferential flange fitting on one of the surfaces of the panel, providing adhering material, positioning the reinforcement on said surface of the panel with interposition of the adhering material at least temporarily adhering the reinforcement to the panel such that an enclosed space is formed between the reinforcement and the panel, sealed by the adhering material, and injecting fluid encapsulating material into the space so as to substantially completely fill the space, allowing it to solidify and forming adherence of the reinforcement to the panel.
US08182024B2
A system is disclosed for connecting a cab to a machine supporting frame. A sub-frame is secured to the machine supporting frame and is configured to tilt relative to the machine supporting frame. A plurality of vibration damping mechanisms is configured to at least partially inhibit transmission of shocks and vibrations between the sub-frame and the cab. A plurality of dead stop mechanisms is configured to limit movement between the sub-frame and the cab. A rigid connection between the machine supporting frame and the sub-frame is configured to be selectively disconnected. A pivot connection between the machine supporting frame and the sub-frame is configured to permit the sub-frame and the cab to be tilted relative to the machine supporting frame upon disconnection of the rigid connection.
US08182022B2
A power supply apparatus for sliding door, comprising a body-side fixing unit fixed to a vehicle body, a door-side fixing unit fixed to a sliding door, and a flat cable having a connector on both ends thereof respectively, arranged to run from the vehicle body through the body-side fixing unit and the door-side fixing unit to the sliding door, wherein the flat cable is used in such a manner that a longitudinal direction in a cross sectional area in at least a bent portion of the flat cable is in accordance with a height direction of the vehicle body.
US08182009B2
An apparatus for transporting a substrate is provided. The apparatus includes an upper portion housing an electric motor, the electric motor having a drive shaft. A motor housing encloses the electric motor. A pivot bracket having a first end and a second end, where the first end of the pivot bracket is coupled to the drive shaft. The apparatus includes a lower portion having a top surface affixed to the second end of the pivot bracket. The lower portion includes a plurality of paddle assemblies each having support extensions extending though a bearing assembly of the lower portion. Each of the paddle assemblies has an independent drive assembly disposed between corresponding support extensions, wherein the lower portion translates between a vertical and horizontal orientation by pivoting around an axis of the driveshaft.
US08182007B2
The present invention is directed to a shovel attachment that is designed to reduce the stress incurred on an operator's muscles, back, joints, spine, and heart during shoveling. The shovel attachment is designed to attach a second handle to a shovel so that an operator may distribute the weight of a shoveled load between both handles and therefore reduce the stress incurred while shoveling. The attachment includes an auxiliary handle having two ends, a first flexible member wherein a portion of the first flexible member extends from both ends of the auxiliary handle, a length adjuster that is attached to the free ends of the first flexible members, and a second flexible member that is attached to each length adjuster and where each end extends to a different coupling member for coupling each end of the second flexible members to either end of the leading edge of a shovel blade.
US08182006B2
A cylinder lock includes an outer rose disc having a middle opening, two locking holes, and an annular lateral rim formed with opposite engagement elements, a reinforcement structure having a first plate section that has a central hole aligned with the middle opening, and two passage holes aligned with the respective locking holes, two second plate sections extending transversely from two opposite ends of the first plate section, and two support sections respectively extending from the second plate sections to the lateral rim to engage the engagement elements. An outer drive tube extends through the middle opening and central hole. The reinforcement structure provides enhanced stiffness and robustness to two securing rods extending through the locking holes and the passage holes.
US08181998B2
Conventional box and pin threads are machined with equal thread pitches and radial interference so when they are assembled, the pin elongates and the box contracts axially, causing a mismatch in the thread pitch which in turn, reduces sealing and best load transfer capacities between mating threads. This invention teaches how to improve both sealing and load transfer capacities.
US08181996B2
A rotating union (10) comprises a housing (12), a bushing (14), a fluid conduit (16), an annular seal (18) and a cap (20) secured to the housing and having a fluid inlet. The bushing is received within a cylindrical recess (32) in the housing, and the fluid conduit is rotatably received by the bushing and passes through the bushing and a bore (40) in the housing. The annular seal is received within the housing recess, and sealingly engages a cylindrical outer surface (80) of the fluid conduit and the cylindrical wall (46) of the housing recess. The cap has a circular recess (104) and surrounding annular projection (106) which receives the input end of the fluid conduit. The annular seal is sandwiched between the bushing and the annular projection. When the fluid conduit rotates, its outer surface rotates under friction against the annular seal to maintain the seal.
US08181989B2
An airbag 40 includes a pair of fabric main portions 43, 44, which are laid on top of each other in the width direction of a vehicle. The fabric main portions 43, 44 are joined to each other at the periphery. An inflator 31 incorporated in the airbag 40 jets inflation gas G through gas outlet 33, thereby inflating and deploying the airbag 40 forward in a space between an occupant P and a body side portion. A third reinforcing fabric sheet 55 includes a reinforcing fabric portions 57, 58. The reinforcing fabric portions 57, 58 extend to a position forward of a center portion C of the fabric main portions 43, 44 in a front-rear direction from the rear ends of the fabric main portions 43, 44, which are located outside of the reinforcing fabric portions 57, 58. The front ends of the reinforcing fabric portions 57, 58 are joined (sewn) to the fabric main portions 43, 44 by front joint portions 66. The outer reinforcing fabric portion 58 has a hole 67 in a part between a rear end 58R and the front joint portion 66.
US08181982B1
An adjustable motorcycle foot rest assembly for providing improved foot support and comfort to a user includes an arm member and an arm attachment assembly coupled to a first end of the arm member. The arm attachment assembly is designed for coupling to a motorcycle. A foot rest attachment assembly is pivotally coupled to a second end of the arm member. A foot rest member is coupled to the foot rest attachment assembly.
US08181977B1
A bicycle arm-drive apparatus includes a stationary mounting structure, an arm drive input mechanism, a drive motion transmission mechanism, and a plurality of connectors. One end of the mounting structure attaches to the front-center portion of the bicycle. The arm drive input mechanism includes a pair of control arms that pivotally attach to the other end of the mounting structure and generally extend rearward and outward from there. The operator grips each control arm, inputting arm power by driving them fore-and-aft. The drive motion transmission mechanism includes a pair of connecting rod assemblies running down opposite sides of the bicycle frame between the control arms and bicycle pedals. A plurality of connectors link the connecting rod assemblies to the pedals and control arms in order to transmit control arm fore-and-aft movement via the connecting rod assemblies to the pedals to enable the arm power to assist with bicycle pedaling.
US08181974B1
The cleaning caddy apparatus provides compact portability for cleaning equipment and for a plurality of easily accessed tools, pivoting uprights, a downwardly disposed bucket with dual ringer/holders, front double wheels with pivot and larger rear wheels, and extendable handle. Compact portability and stability of the apparatus is further aided by the uprights and extensions being slightly inward of each of the opposed sides. The outwardly curved arms then enable the trailing axle supports with wheels to be outwardly positioned. The twin ringer/holders provide for dual squeegee insertion, as well as use of more than one mop or any other given tools. The forwardly disposed name plate on the bucket provides for easy recognition for workers, especially in situations wherein a plurality of the apparatus are used.
US08181972B2
A sealing material in a closed circular shape for a dovetail groove formed on the surface of one member and to be abutted to the surface of the other member to seal a space between the both members, the sealing material for a dovetail groove in a cross-sectional shape includes: a bottom portion that comes into contact with the bottom face of the dovetail groove and that has corner portions formed slightly narrower than the narrowest width of the opening portion of the dovetail groove; a side protruding portion that is formed continuously from the bottom portion; an overhanging shoulder portion that is formed continuously from the side protruding portion; and a sealing protrusion that is formed continuously from the overhanging shoulder portion and that is protruded upward from the opening portion of the dovetail groove to seal a space between the both members in the case in which the sealing protrusion is abutted to the surface of the other member.
US08181966B2
A gas seal for aerospace engines has a stationary seal housing, a rotating seal plate mounted on the engine drive shaft and a carbon ring seal movably supported in the housing with a face which mates with the face of the seal plate to create a gas seal therebetween. A plurality of flexible pins have first ends supported on the housing and second ends slidably connected with the carbon ring seal to permit the latter to shift axially. A plurality of compression springs bias the two seal faces together. The housing has a first twist lock which selectively engages a second twist lock on the carbon ring seal to movably retain the latter in the housing. The second ends of the spring pins resiliently deflect during mutual rotation of the carbon ring seal and the housing to facilitate engagement and disengagement of the first and second twist locks.
US08181963B2
There is provided a game having a number of game pieces, each of which has a game piece level value. The game has a game level value, and players select game pieces such that a total of the game piece level values is less than or equal to the game level value.
US08181960B2
An assembly comprising three or more elements; each element comprises a shape with an opening completely through the element; and each element comprises a plurality of edges, the edges being joined together at angular junctions. Each element links all of the other elements, and each element links the other elements in the same way. The link is formed by a portion of the shape passing through the openings in the other elements, so that the elements form a nested structure, and the elements are interchangeable in the nested structure without altering the nested configuration of the assembly.
US08181953B2
A printing system includes a first media holder configured to hold a plurality of sheets of media, and a second media holder configured to hold a different plurality of sheets of media. A contacting component is configured to selectively contact an individual sheet of media within the first media holder or within the second media holder. Additionally, a member, having a measurable property that is sensed by a sensor in correlation with a position of the individual sheet of the media in either the first or second media holder, provides a signal selectively indicative of the position of the individual sheet of media in either the first media holder or the second media holder.
US08181950B2
A sheet processing apparatus that allows to accelerate a punching process while executing a sheet ejection offset certainly. A conveying unit conveys a sheet. A first moving unit moves the sheet conveyed by the conveying unit in a width direction that crosses a conveying direction of the sheet. A punching unit punches a hole in the sheet. A second moving unit moves the punching unit in the width direction. A control unit controls the first moving unit so as to change positions of sheets ejected to a sheet stack unit in the width direction by turns for every sheet bundle sorted. The control unit controls the second moving unit and the punching unit so as to execute a punching operation by the punching unit while moving the punching unit in synchronization with the movement of the sheet by the first moving unit.
US08181949B2
A micro-adjustable parallel bench vise includes a slide holder having a top dovetail rail, a vise body having a bottom dovetail groove coupled to the dovetail rail of the slide holder and holding a fixed jaw member, a screw holder slidably mounted in the top side of the vise body, a screw rod threaded into the screw holder and rotatable to move the screw holder relative to the vise body. When multiple vise bodies are mounted on the slide holder in parallel, they are micro-adjustable to hold a workpiece or multiple workpieces precisely in position.
US08181947B2
To provide a spring assembly whose production cost is low.It includes a coil spring 1, and a pair of retainers 2 disposed respectively at opposite end portions of the coil spring 1, and the retainer 2 includes a plate member 3 abutting against the end portion of the coil spring 1 and depressed at a central portion thereof toward the inside of the coil spring 1, and a hook member 4 fixed to the plate member 3 so as to hold a free length of the coil spring 1 shortened. The hook member 4 includes a pillar portion 4b depending from the plate member 3 and extending into the inside of the coil spring 1, and a turned-back portion 4c turned back at a distal end of the pillar portion 4b so as to be engaged with the other turned-back portion 4c, and the turned-back portion 4c is disposed at a region offset from a center axis of the coil spring 1 in parallel relation thereto, and the pillar portion 4b and a distal end of the turned-back portion 4c are disposed along the center axis of the coil spring 1 in opposed relation to each other.
US08181943B2
A humidifier (1), including at least one housing (2), in which multiple fibers (3) constructed as water-permeable hollow fiber membranes are arranged, wherein a first air stream (4) is passed inside the fibers (3) and a second air stream (5) is passed outside the fibers (3), and wherein the housing (2) is of flattened design.
US08181942B2
A liquid distribution device is presented for the collection and distribution of liquid between reactor or adsorbent beds. The device includes a liquid collection tray, a mixing chamber in fluid communication with the liquid collection tray, a rough distribution tray in fluid communication with the mixing chamber, a liquid distribution tray in fluid communication with the rough distribution tray, and a plurality of vapor pipes.
US08181938B2
A humidification chamber (10) for use in a breathing circuit to humidify gases before inhalation is disclosed. The humidification chamber (10) is adapted to contain a volume of liquid (20), and comprises a gas inlet port (16), a gas outlet port (16) and a fluid inlet (30) for introducing liquid into the humidification chamber (10). The fluid inlet (30) is provided with a filter member (60) including a plurality of exit apertures for enabling flow of liquid through the filter member (60). The filter member (60) also defines a collection chamber (69) that is disposed below the exit apertures, in use, such that foreign objects in the liquid that are unable to pass through the exit apertures fall under the influence of gravity into the collection chamber (69).
US08181937B2
An anodized aluminum hydraulic leveling cylinder 10 for a vehicle includes an extruded hollow body 20 having a vehicle attachment portion 24 for attaching the body to the underside of a vehicle. A piston 80 is slidably fitted into the interior of the body. The piston is formed of ductile aluminum capable of being machined to a desirable shape and dimensions. The piston is hard anodized and PTFE coated for durable and silent operation. Hydraulic oil passage means 23a, 23b is formed in the body, and a cap 50 with a pair of dual flow-through passages 53 is attached to the top end 30 of the body for permitting the flow of pressurized hydraulic oil into and out of the interior of the body to effect axial movement of the piston. Hydraulic fluid may be transferred through one or more hollow mounting bolts.
US08181931B2
A wellhead assembly includes a valve with a valve actuator. The valve actuator linearly moves a valve stem and valve member assembly to selectively open and close the valve. The valve actuator moves the valve stem by reciprocatingly moving a piston that is attached to the valve stem. The piston is moved by applying pressurized hydraulic fluid to a piston surface. Piston direction is controlled by a selector valve that selectively diverts a hydraulic flow to either side of the piston. The actuator further includes a piston assembly for pressurizing a hydraulic flow, where the piston assembly reciprocates in response to engagement by a profiled rotating cam member.
US08181920B2
Apparatus and methods for a drive thru terminal equipment stand comprising a base, a vertical support having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is connected to the base, a framework connected to the second end of the vertical support, and a plurality of equipment supporting surfaces connected to the framework. The vertical support is operable to adjust the height of the framework along a vertical axis of the vertical support relative to the base. The framework and the plurality of equipment supporting surfaces are operable to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the vertical support. The plurality of equipment supporting surfaces are operable to support a plurality of employee equipment selected from the group consisting of a monitor, a keyboard, a computer mouse, a printer, a scanner, and a telephone.
US08181918B2
A device for supporting a flexible hose extending between an individual and a stationary base unit nearby, is disclosed. The support device flexibly supports the hose generally above the individual yet readily accommodates movement by the individual while maintaining communication between the individual and the base unit through the hose. The device is particularly adapted for use by individuals suffering from sleep apnea and who use units to assist in breathing while sleeping or resting. The device can be easily placed into one or more configurations so that it is hidden from view or transportable.
US08181914B2
This invention provides an improvement in a control stick (e.g., joystick, side-stick, etc.) (20) adapted to control the movement of an object (e.g., an airfoil surface). The improvement includes: a support (21); an intermediately-pivoted upper member (23) mounted on the support, the upper member having an upper portion (24), and lower portion (25); an intermediate member (26) having an upper portion pivotally connected to the upper member lower portion, and having a lower portion; and a lower member (29) having a lower portion pivotally mounted on the support, and having an upper portion; and wherein the intermediate member lower portion is movably mounted on the lower member such that pivotal movement of the upper member upper portion relative to the support will produce pivotal movement of the intermediate and lower members relative to the support; and a resilient member (31) arranged to bias the direction of relative movement between the intermediate and lower members. The various pivotal connections may be provided by gimbals such that the various members are mounted for compound pivotal movement about two mutually-perpendicular axes.
US08181911B1
The present invention provides a method, system and apparatus for robotic refueling of satellites. The system may include a dedicated refueling satellite launched directly from either earth, or alternatively it could be launched from another larger mother spacecraft or space station in which the refueling satellite is ferried into space in the case of the larger space craft or it may be stored on the space station until needed from which it can be launched. The system includes a robotic arm, suitable tools which can be affixed to the end effector of the robotic arm required for accessing, opening and closing the fuel fill valve on the satellite being serviced, storage and retrieval stations on a tool caddy on which the tools and various fuel fill valve caps are stored. The system is under teleoperation by a remotely located operator, for example located on earth, in the mother station or in the space station. Cameras are included focussed on the robotic arm and end effector and images are transmitted to the operator to allow the operator to direct and control the refueling procedure. The system may also be configured to be operated autonomously under computer control.
US08181908B2
An aircraft control surface failsafe hinge configuration is disclosed. The arrangement comprises a drop link configuration which is adapted to attach a control surface to an aircraft structure where the drop link additionally incorporates a failsafe hinge means which provides a backup hinge connection between the control surface and the aircraft structure to which it is attached. The improved failsafe hinge construction may be applied to any aircraft control surface such as an aileron, elevator, vertical tail plane and the like.
US08181905B2
A nacelle for a turbofan aircraft engine having a fan case with a fan case forward edge includes an inlet inner barrel having an inner barrel forward edge and an inner barrel aft edge. The inner barrel aft edge is configured to be affixed to the fan case forward edge in a stationary position on the engine. The nacelle also includes a translating inlet cowl having an inlet lip with an aft inlet lip edge and an outer skin with rear edge. The translating inlet cowl is configured to be movably attached to one or more stationary portions of the engine such that the inlet cowl is selectively movable between a stowed flight position and an extended service position.
US08181901B2
A hybrid helicopter (1) includes firstly an airframe provided with a fuselage (2) and a lift-producing surface (3), together with stabilizer surfaces (30, 35, 40), and secondly with a drive system constituted by: a mechanical interconnection system (15) between firstly a rotor (10) of radius (R) with collective pitch and cyclic pitch control of the blades (11) of the rotor (10), and secondly at least one propeller (6) with collective pitch control of the blades of the propeller (6); and at least one turbine engine (5) driving the mechanical interconnection system (15). The device is remarkable in that the outlet speeds of rotation of the at least one turbine engine (5), of the at least one propeller (6), of the rotor (10), and of the mechanical interconnection system (15) are mutually proportional, the proportionality ratio being constant.
US08181897B2
A winding device with a planetary-roller tear-off mechanism is disclosed, comprising a first winding roller which is driven to rotate in a predetermined direction and a plurality of core support plates that are arranged at a predetermined distance below the first winding roller, wherein an interval between the core support plates and the first winding roller is defined as a curved channel. A web material is conveyed through the curved channel to a winding zone to be wound as a roll. The planetary-roller tear-off mechanism includes a plurality of rotary arms and a plurality of planetary rollers. Each rotary arm is set at a predetermined location below the first winding roller, and having a driving end and a free end. Each planetary roller is rotatable, and mounted to the free end of the respective rotary arm. When the free end of the rotary arm is driven to rotate to a position facing a circumferential surface of the first winding roller, the web material is subjected to a drag force acting thereon to break the web material.
US08181896B1
A marking off tape assembly includes an elongated and flexible panel that is comprised of a plastic material. The panel is wound upon a cylinder to form the panel into a cylindrical shape having a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. At least one melt line is formed in the first lateral edge and melting together the layers of the panel. The melt line extends from the cylinder to an outer edge defined by the cylindrical shape. The melt line prevents the panel from unwanted unwinding from the cylinder.
US08181890B2
The present disclosure provides a system and method for a cleaning apparatus that includes a swash assembly for allowing independent control of the nozzle pitch from the nozzle rotation, and further includes supplying a cleaning fluid through the same apparatus used to rotate the nozzle. The method and system allows cleaning with spray patterns of substantially 360 degrees spherical ranges of motion. The nozzle angle can be controlled by hydraulic cylinders that can reversibly translate a rack along a longitudinal axis of a nozzle assembly to engage a pitch gear coupled to the nozzle. The system is automatically resettable to a default position upon failure of hydraulic pressure. Generally, a plurality of nozzles are used to balance the side forces on the main mast. A remote control system allows an operator to design and control an optimal cleaning procedure, and to adjust the nozzle rotation, angle, and cleaning regime.
US08181886B2
The invention provides a thermostatic mixing valve for use within a water discharge fixture. The mixing valve comprises a cover defining an interior region, a stationary lower disk residing within the interior region, and a moveable upper disk. The lower and upper disks each have a central opening and at least one peripheral groove, wherein the grooves are alignable to form a peripheral water outlet. The mixing valve also includes a spindle assembly extending through the cover region and operably connected to the upper disk to enable alignment of the grooves and formation of the water outlet. A pressure relief cavity is formed between the spindle assembly and the cover, and wherein water flows through an opening in the spindle assembly and into the relief cavity. In order to reduce friction during operation of the valve, the water in the pressure relief cavity applies downward pressure to the spindle assembly which counter-balances upward pressure applied to the spindle assembly by water flowing through the lower and upper disks. The mixing valve further includes a slide bolt and a mixer, wherein depending upon the selected discharge water temperature, water from the cold and hot water cavities flows through the slide bolt into the mixer for subsequent discharge through the fixture.
US08181880B2
The present invention relates to a combi-card which can be used in a contact-type or noncontact-type fashion and a method for manufacturing the same. More particularly, this invention relates to a combi-card and a method for making the same, in which an inlay layer on which an antenna terminal made of a coil or conductive fiber is formed and a COB (chip on board) on which ACF (anisotropic conductor film) is applied, are pre-treated by a heating head and the like, the COB is attached to an antenna coil insertion layer, and an upper printing sheet with a protection film, and a lower printing sheet with a protection film, which are cut out to be suitable for the COB shape, are stacked to construct a combi-card.
US08181875B2
The wireless tag includes a circuit which receives an AC signal from the outside and detects an envelope, a detection circuit which detects the level of electric power supplied from the outside and outputs a potential corresponding to the detected electric power, a protection circuit which changes an impedance of a circuit receiving the electric power in accordance with the electric power output from the detection circuit, a selection circuit portion which selects whether the electric power output from the detection circuit is input to the protection circuit.
US08181873B2
A portable information reading apparatus includes: a first antenna which has a loop or spiral like shape and is provided in a plate-like manner on one surface of an outer shape; a second antenna which is provided in a plate-like manner on a side face of the one surface, has a loop or spiral like shape, and has a smaller size in a short axis than that in a short axis of the first antenna; and a control part adapted to communicate with a non-contact type IC chip by using the first or second antenna and obtain the information recorded on the IC chip, in which when the information is obtained from the IC chip via the second antenna, the control part determines whether the information obtained via the second antenna is a search condition for searching for the information recorded on the IC chip.
US08181867B1
A system is provided for transit card credit authorization. An authorization component on a mobile device determines whether a balance on a transit card application on the mobile device is below a threshold, and determines whether a communication signal is too weak to request an approval for a balance increase from a server in response to a determination that the balance on the transit card application is below the threshold. The authorization component also determines whether credit data on the mobile device authorizes increasing the balance in response to a determination that the communication signal is too weak to request the approval for the balance increase from the server, and authorizes increasing the balance in response to a determination that the credit data authorizes increasing the balance. A fare gate enables access for the mobile device at the fare gate in response to the authorization component authorizing increasing the balance.
US08181865B2
The invention relates to a self-checkout system that selectively activates an alarm when an item is determined to be stolen, engages the user regarding the purchase of the item, and informs the user of the purchase status of the item. When an item is determined to be stolen, and a number of occurrences of the item in the database indicating it is stolen is greater than a predetermined amount over a predetermined period of time, a theft detection module does not transmit a security signal to activate an alarm. The invention can also include a touch-screen display including a first portion dedicated to displaying POS transactions and online shopping and a second portion dedicated to displaying interactive digital media related to the item. Furthermore, the invention can include indicators on the touch screen display to indicate the status of an item.
US08181864B1
Non-negotiable credits earned from previous interactions with an entity can be identified. A quantity of the non-negotiable credits can be converted to a quantity of negotiable funds. The converting can be performed by a different legal entity than the entity. Access to the quantity of negotiable funds can be permitted. The quantity of negotiable funds are able to be applied to one or more purchases with at least one vender that does not accept the non-negotiable credits in absence of the converting. The identifying of non-negotiable credits, the converting, and the permitting of access to the negotiable funds can be performed by computing equipment having at least one processor executing program instructions that are digitally encoded in at least one storage device.
US08181863B1
Non-negotiable credits can be identified that are from a game associated with an entity with which previous interactions have occurred. The previous interactions can earn the non-negotiable credits. A quantity of the non-negotiable credits can be converted to a quantity of negotiable funds. The converting can be performed by a different legal entity than the entity. Access to the quantity of negotiable funds can be permitted for purchases with at least one vender that does not honor the non-negotiable credits. The identifying, the converting, and the permitting can be performed by computing equipment having at least one processor executing program instructions that are digitally encoded in at least one storage device.
US08181854B1
A cash recycler or other currency handling device includes an integrated wireless modem. The wireless modem may be located within a housing of the cash recycler. The wireless modem may connect to a network via a network service provider account held by a retail store or other venue at which the cash recycler is located. Additionally or alternatively, the wireless modem may connect via a network access account held by the financial institution with which the cash recycler is communicating. The wireless modem may include various settings that may be configured and adjusted via the user interface of the cash recycler.
US08181851B2
An online system uses, in various embodiments of the invention, credit report information, loan affordability screening and credit approval and management functionality to facilitate the purchase and finance of products online. The online system may include both sellers of products and lenders that offer financing to buyers seeking to purchase the products. The system may automatically obtain a buyer's credit report information and use that information to determine if the buyer is pre-approved, for example, to obtain financing for a particular product or products. The system also enables use of buyer credit information to identify only those of a seller's products for which the buyer is pre-approved, for example, to finance using one or more loans. The system then enables selection of an identified product or products for purchase, and selection of a loan, for example, for financing of the selected product or products. Credit approval (or pre-approval) may be performed automatically, and along with credit processing, may be performed completely online.
US08181849B2
A system for identifying a reservoir used with a fluid delivery device. The system includes a reservoir comprising a housing for holding fluid and a colored marking located on a surface of the housing. A fluid delivery device includes a compartment for receiving and operatively coupling with the reservoir. A light source shines light on the colored marking of the reservoir. A color sensor detects wavelengths reflected and/or refracted from the colored marking due to the light shined on the colored marking. A processor of the delivery device determines a color of the colored marking from the detected wavelengths and ascertains information related to the reservoir or the fluid in the reservoir corresponding to the determined color, wherein the processor operates the fluid delivery device according to the ascertained information, wherein the information may include a reservoir type and/or medication type.
US08181834B1
A backpack comprises a load carrying section with a forwardly facing front panel. A pair of mutually spaced sleeves are joined to and border the sides of the front panel. An injection molded generally U-shaped partial perimeter frame has a base bordering a bottom of the front panel, with arms projecting from the base and into the sleeves on the sides of the panel. The load carrying section of the backpack is comprised principally of fabric. The front panel is flexible and has a stiffness greater than the stiffness of the fabric forming other portions of the backpack. In one embodiment, the front panel is integrally stiffened. In another embodiment, the front panel forms a pocket configured and dimensioned to accept a flexible stiffening plate.
US08181833B2
A harness (10) for a backpack vacuum cleaner (100) includes a back plate (20) mounted to a vacuum cleaner body (102). The back plate (20) includes an intermediate portion (22) and two flexible sections (24) on opposite sides of the intermediate portion (22). A waist strap (90) is fixed to the back plate (20) between the flexible sections (24). The flexible sections (24) are flexible to respectively pivot about two spaced vertical pivot axes (72). Upper ends (82) of two shoulder straps (80) are attached to a mounting plate (50) slideably mounted to the back plate (20), and lower ends (84) of the shoulder straps (80) are attached to the flexible sections (24). Relative positions between the upper and lower ends (82 and 84) of the shoulder straps (80) can be adjusted by moving the mounting plate (50). When a user moves his or her shoulders, the connection points (32) of the flexible sections (24) flex to respectively pivot about the pivot axes (72).
US08181832B2
A garment hanger having a slide-in sizer. The hanger includes a sizer-receiving frame defining at least one sizer-receiving slot for sliding receipt of a substantially flat and planar sizer. In one preferred embodiment, the sizer is formed from paper. The sizer-receiving frame may be positioned within a notch defined between the junction of the body and the base portion of the hook. Alternatively, the sizer-receiving frame may be positioned at the upper portion of the hook.
US08181830B2
A powder dispenser includes a substantially hollow open top housing. A first cover is engageable with such housing and includes a first aperture. A measuring member including a cavity is slidably connected to an interior of such first cover and moveable between a first position within such first cover and a second position substantially outside thereof. When such first aperture and such cavity are substantially aligned, and such housing inverted, such cavity receives powder from within such housing. A second cover fits over such first cover and has a second aperture for allowing such powder from within such cavity to pass there through and into a container when such cavity and second aperture are aligned and inverted. A sidewall extending downward from such second cover includes an opening for such measuring member to pass partially there through. Such second cover member is rotatable around such first cover member.
US08181829B2
A suction and dispensing tool (1) comprises: a cylinder (10) storing the fluid; a nozzle (20); a piston moving forward and backward in the cylinder (10); a piston rod (40) for driving the piston; and two ratchet type driving mechanisms (60) for driving the piston rod (40) forward and backward. The driving mechanism (60) comprises: a frame (50) having a handle (52), mounted to the cylinder (10), and two triggers (80) rotatably attached to the frame (50) at the front and rear sides of the handle (52). By rotating each of the triggers (80) to the handle (52), the piston rod (40) can be moved forward or backward. The rotating operation of the trigger (80) requires power smaller than an operation for directly pushing and drawing the piston rod by hand. Accordingly, it becomes possible to refill and dispense a high viscosity oil easily.
US08181828B2
A powder dispensing container is provided, the container divided into a powder storage chamber and a powder dispensing chamber with an opening between the two controlled by a valve mechanism. A cap or closure member is disposed over an upper open end of a powder dispensing chamber and when opened, causes a closure of the valve mechanism. When the cover is returned to its closed position, the valve will automatically open allowing for new charge of powder form the storage chamber to enter into the dispensing chamber. The closure member is provided with an actuator that extends through the powder dispensing chamber and engages and causes operation of the valve mechanism.
US08181825B2
The present invention is directed to a beverage dispenser and more specifically to an assembly within the dispenser for mixing beverage components and optionally whipping the beverage product into a foam. The assembly includes a cleaning system that provides for cleaning of the surfaces that contact the beverage product or its components.
US08181820B2
A mechanism for opening and closing an opening portion is disclosed. The mechanism can simply and reliably open and close the opening portion without requiring a spring but using a simple mechanism and can stably maintain the closed state of the opening portion. When the opening portion is closed by a lid, with the head end side of the opening and closing member being protruded from the opening portion, the head end of the opening and closing member makes contact with the surface of the lid which faces the inner side of the opening portion, causing the lid to rotate about one end thereof which is rotatably supported by a rotation supporting shaft. This changes the state of the opening portion from the closed state to the opened state. When the head of the opening and closing member retracts into the opening portion from the state in which the opening and closing member is protruded from the opening portion, the protrusion of the opening and closing member will be made to engage the head end of a wound section of the lid, causing the lid to rotate about the one end of thereof which is rotatably supported by the rotation supporting shaft. This changes the state of the opening portion from the opened state to the closed state.
US08181817B2
Apparatus and methods for the individual controlled preparation of a beverage from one or more beverage bags within a variety of containers and the quick and sanitary storage of the bag or bags once the beverage preparation has been completed. Preferably, the beverage preparation and bag storage apparatus is sized and shaped to be seated on the lip of a container to cover the mouth of the container. The apparatus includes a raised container lid bag retention structure that is openable or open such that at least a portion of the beverage bag may be drawn within and thereby retained in a position elevated above the beverage so that the beverage can be sampled and consumed even with the apparatus in place on the container and the bag or bags retained within the apparatus. One embodiment of such apparatus includes a rounded raised area having a patterned area, such as weakenings formed in or perforations or incisions cut through the flexible cover panel, that can be opened partially or completely to provide a string/tag securing aperture or completely to provide a bag retention aperture by the application of respectively increasing amounts of pressure at the patterned area.
US08181816B2
A drinking cup usable by persons having limited physical faculties includes a vessel portion having one or more walls and being closed at a bottom end to define a bottom surface, the vessel portion being configured to retain a liquid; a drinking portion having one or more walls and an open top end from which the liquid located in the vessel portion can be removed, the open top end defining a rim; and a flexible member connecting the vessel portion and the drinking portion. The flexible member facilitates movement of the drinking portion relative to the vessel portion.
US08181815B2
A shrink-film seal (101, 201, 301, 401) is described having at least one stamped portion (102, 402, 602, 702) which is arranged along the circumference of a container (203, 303) which is to be sealed. The regions which are defined by the stamping lines are designed in such a way that at least one contiguous window is produced by a shrinking process. This achieves a situation where the opening of the sealed container can be immediately detected simply, without aids or expert knowledge and therefore a considerable increase in the product security is ensured. A method is also described for sealing containers with a shrink-film seal (101, 201, 301, 401).
US08181814B2
To ensure sealing ability of a resealable can container formed of a welded can body between a curled portion of container mouth and a resin sealing liner, without degrading productivity and easiness to open the closure.The can body 2 is prepared by rolling a steel sheet and welding overlapped longitudinal edges of the steel sheet. In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, a level difference of a welded portion 2a on the surface of a curled portion 21a is reduced smaller than that on the trunk portion 22, specifically, kept within the range of 15 to 100 μm, and a durometer hardness of the resin sealing liner is kept within the range of HDA 30 to 70 according to ISO 868 (or JIS-K7215).
US08181804B2
A blow-molded plastic container comprising a base portion having a flexible standing ring radially extending therefrom. The flexible standing ring is disposed about a lowest most portion of the container and operable to support the container on a surface. The flexible standing ring defines an annular groove thereabout that collapses in response to internal vacuum forces and/or external loading forces. The container further comprises a body portion that extends from an upper portion to the base, such that the upper portion, the body portion and the base cooperate to define a receptacle chamber within the container into which product can be filled.
US08181800B2
According to a first embodiment, a nipple for a feeding bottle or a soother comprises a base portion, a teat portion, an areola portion and a flex region allowing flexing of the teat portion towards and away from the areola portion. According to a second embodiment, a nipple for a feeding bottle or soother is provided with a helical flow formation on the inner face of the teat, which allows continuous flow of liquid even when the teat is collapsed via the helical flow path which allows extension at the teat, in particular rotational or torsional extension.
US08181789B1
Retail packaging for a transaction card includes a carrier for retaining the transaction card, a transparent encasement enclosing the carrier, literature containing information associated with the transaction card placed within the encasement, and means for hanging the packaging within a retail environment. The encasement may take on a variety of forms, including having a curved outer surface forming a cavity within the encasement. The carrier may also take on a variety of forms, including forms having a main surface and a device for elevating the transaction card off the main surface to create a visual effect that the transaction card is floating within the encasement. The packaging may further include a panel that at least partially obscures the transaction card from view.
US08181788B2
Some embodiments disclose a folding box configured to hold a product. The folding box can include: (a) an enclosure base configured to form a cavity and having: (1) a first back panel; (2) a first left-side panel; (3) a first right-side panel; (4) a first bottom panel; and (5) a first top panel; (b) an enclosure door coupled to the enclosure base, the enclosure door having: (1) a front panel having a second top panel; (2) a second left-side panel; (3) a second right-side panel; and (4) a second bottom panel; (c) a box insert blank configured to be received within and fixedly attached within the cavity of the enclosure base and comprising a second back panel; and (d) a product mounting blank configured to receive the product and configured to be fixedly attach to the box insert blank. A portion of the second top panel of the enclosure door can be hingedly coupled to a portion of the first top panel of the enclosure base such that the enclosure door can be moved between a first position, in which the enclosure base and the enclosure door substantially enclose the cavity, and a second position, in which the cavity is exposed. The front panel, the second left-side panel, the second right-side panel, and the second bottom panel can be configured to enclose the enclosure base when the enclosure door is in the first position. Other embodiments are disclosed herein.
US08181782B2
The carton of this invention is capable of carrying the plurality of containers stacked upon their ends in two tiers with a unique dispenser that permits the dispensing of containers on their sides. The dispenser is formed in a top side wall and extends into the end wall with most of the end wall being torn open but leaving a portion near the bottom side wall to prevent the bottom layer of containers from rolling out. Angled projections in the dispensing end of the carton near the top panel and bottom panel prevent the top layer of containers from rolling out. A divider may be inserted between the two tiers of containers to facilitate loading the carton and preventing the containers from accidentally rolling out when the dispenser is open.
US08181775B2
The sports equipment hanger is a receptacle for storing and transporting sports gear or equipment. The receptacle includes a member fabricated from duck cloth. The member has opposed planar surfaces. A plurality of pockets, each constructed from open mesh material, is disposed on the opposed surfaces. Barrel locks are provided to close the pockets. A structure is attached to the top of the receptacle for hanging the receptacle when desired.
US08181773B2
Container for a medical instrument or implant, in particular a dental instrument or a dental implant
Container for a medical instrument or an implant, in particular a dental instrument or a dental implant (14), the container having an outer housing part (16), and an inner housing part (18) which is movable relative to the outer housing part (16) from a closed position to an open position. The inner housing part (18) has a grip element (44) accessible from the outside. The container has a locking mechanism (22), which acts between the outer housing part (16) and the inner housing part (18), and an actuation of the grip element (44) causes an unlocking of the locking mechanism (22).
US08181765B2
The application relates to money item dispensing apparatus (1, 123) having a money item acceptor (10, 124) and a hopper arrangement (23, 126). The application further relates to money item dispensing apparatus (1) having sorting means (15, 16, 17) operable to selectively direct a money item (12) to one of a first money item store (27) and a second money item store (142), to money item dispensing apparatus (139) having two hopper arrangements (23, 150), to a money item acceptor (10) having a self-clearing mechanism (37, 38), to a money item conveyor (160), to a method of purging the money items in a money item dispensing apparatus, to money item dispensing apparatus (1, 123, 139) having means for ejecting a money item from a receptacle through an outlet via a first path to a return tray and via a second path into a cashbox, to a method of filling a money item dispensing apparatus (180) and filling apparatus (170) for filling a money item dispensing apparatus (180).
US08181758B2
A damping device includes a cylinder in which a resilient member and a piston are received. A cover assembly and a seal member seal the cylinder and damping medium is filled in the cylinder. The piston includes a piston body, a connecting portion connected with one end of the resilient member, and a neck portion connected between the piston body and the connecting portion. The piston body has an opening penetrating through the piston body. A control valve is movably mounted to the neck portion to control the opening during operation. A piston rod has one end connected with the piston body and another end extending out from the cylinder. A damping member is located between the piston and the cover assembly. The traveling velocity of the piston is controlled by the control valve to close or to open the opening through which the damping medium passes.
US08181755B2
A damper has a piston having an axis, an outer surface, and opposing ends. Elastomeric seals are in sealing contact with the outer surface of the piston, the seals being coaxial with the piston and limiting movement of the piston to a path along the axis of the piston. The seals also define fluid chambers adjacent the ends of the piston. A primary passage communicates the fluid chambers, and a selectively switchable valve for controls a flow of fluid from one of the chambers to another of the chambers through the primary passage. When the flow of fluid through the primary passage is permitted, movement of the piston is resisted by a first spring rate due to a shear force required to cause shear deflection of the seals. When the flow of fluid through the primary passage is restricted, movement of the piston is resisted by a second spring rate due to a fluid force required to cause bulging deflection of the seals.
US08181746B2
An assembly for holding a fluid includes an auxiliary reservoir inside a main reservoir. The auxiliary reservoir includes an auxiliary reservoir shell with a fill passage at or near its bottom. The auxiliary reservoir shell also has a vent passage at or near its top. The fill passage and the vent passage fluidically connect the auxiliary reservoir to the main reservoir. A fluid inlet is located inside the main reservoir and outside of the auxiliary reservoir. A fluid outlet located inside the auxiliary reservoir between the fill passage and the vent passage.
US08181738B2
A laminated panel is provided including a first layer of material having external and internal surfaces; a second layer of material having external and internal surfaces; a layer of viscoelastic glue in contact with the internal surface of said first layer of material and with the internal surface of said second layer of material; said glue including an acrylic polymer in a concentration between 10% and 60% by weight, or a tackifier in a concentration between 1% and 70%; or a plasticizing compound in a concentration between 0% and 15%; or a material with Tg greater than 0° C. in a concentration between 0% and 30%. A soundproof assembly is also provided including a first and second panel; at least one spacer between the panels, and a gap between the panels, wherein at least one of the panels comprises a laminated panel as provided above.
US08181735B2
The invention relates to a submersible loudspeaker, comprised of a sound-diffusion element associated with a coil (3) consisting of an insulating support (4) and of an electrical coil (5) being connected to a peripheral magnet (6) in such a manner as to effect the transduction of an electric voltage to a musical frequency, characterized in that the sound-diffusion element is a diaphragm (2) consisting of a plastic circular planar wall of a predetermined thickness, and assigned to a bell-shaped bell (7), also made out of plastic.
US08181734B2
A motor vehicle steering system includes a transmission ratio variable mechanism capable of changing a transmission ratio, and a steering-assist-force imparting mechanism. The transmission ratio variable mechanism is provided with an input member and an output member capable of rotation about a first axis, a first bearing ring for differentially rotatably coupling to each of the input and output member, a second bearing ring for rotatably supporting the first bearing ring via a rolling element, and an electric motor for rotation-driving the second bearing ring. A second axis that is a center line of the first bearing ring and the second bearing ring is inclined relative to the first axis.
US08181732B1
A Y-pipe splitter for use on race cars, such as stock cars which race on oval tracks and sports cars which race on road course tracks, mounts to the lower frame or chassis of the car, and routes exhaust gasses from a Y-pipe assembly to a pair of tail pipes extending to the side of the car while providing improved ground clearance. The Y-pipe splitter includes first and second splitter tail pipe sections of a generally flattened oval cross-section with a longitudinally beveled inlet portions connectable to an outlet of the Y-pipe assembly and an outlet portion connectable to one of the tail pipes. The beveled inlet portions of the splitter tail pipe sections are affixed together along a respective edge of each thereof so as to merge together with respective centerlines thereof at an oblique angle to a single inlet opening which is connectable to the outlet opening of the Y-pipe assembly by affixing thereto.
US08181715B2
A power tool according to the invention includes a dynamic vibration reducer having a body, a weight and elastic elements. The body is formed by a plurality of cylindrical members which are coaxially disposed to face each other. The elastic elements exert biasing forces on the cylindrical members such that the cylindrical members are held apart from each other. The cylindrical members are fixed to the tool body side under the biasing forces of the elastic elements. Venting members for forced vibration are provided on the cylindrical members and protrude radially outward from the cylindrical members, respectively. The venting members are mounted by inserting into venting member mounting parts on the tool body side in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the cylindrical members. At least one of the venting members can move with respect to the cylindrical member in the longitudinal direction.
US08181711B1
A tiller with a removable tine rotor is provided. The tiller comprises a cavity formed by a top deck and end plates. The end plates comprise rotating spindles rotatably attached to the end plates. A gearbox translates rotation from a tractor to one of the rotating spindles. A tine rotor extends between the spindles and rotates to till soil. The tine rotor is releasably connected to the spindles within the cavity, such that the tine rotor is removable from the tiller without disassembly of the end plates.
US08181710B2
A tube-end device for fire extinguishment jets and sprays pressurized and fed water, seawater, or aqueous fire-extinguishing agent from a tube end. The tube-end device for fire extinguishment is provided with: an induction electrode unit disposed in an emission space side of a nozzle unit positioned inside the tube end; a water-side electrode unit disposed at a position of the interior of a tube main body in contact with fire-extinguishing water; a voltage applying device which applies an external electric field, which is generated by applying a voltage between the induction electrode unit and the water-side electrode unit, to the water, seawater, or fire-extinguishing agent in the process of jetting from the nozzle unit, electrically charges jetted particles, and emit the particles; and a battery which supplies power to the voltage applying device.
US08181708B2
Through the combination of at least two polymer families, and the optimization of other components, a rubber compound has been developed for use in downhole applications that will swell in water-based fluids. A cellulose component, such as carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC), is used together with an acrylate copolymer (AC) that can increase the swelling capacity of an acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) in water. The amount of swelling achieved depends on physical boundaries and limitations, the salinity of the water, and the temperature.
US08181698B2
A multi-function multi-hole rig including multiple machines for accomplishing various rig functions, e.g., drilling machine(s), tripping machine(s), casing machine(s), cementing machine(s), workover machine(s), etc., for drilling, completing and/or working over multiple wellbores without moving the rig. Rig functions may be performed one after the other and/or simultaneously, while allowing other functions related to completion and production to continue simultaneously.
US08181692B2
A system for producing cast components from molten metal. One form of the present invention includes a system for the precision pouring of molten metal within a casting mold. The precision pouring system is driven by a pressure differential.
US08181684B2
The problem of damage sustained to a traction device and the extendable traction elements thereof due to tire-roadway interaction forces exerted on the traction elements while extended over the tire tread area is solved by resiliently coupling a traction assembly within a tire rim to permit movement and repositioning of the traction assembly relative to the rim and biasing back to the original position. Preferably the traction assembly is mounted to a traction hub through a resilient coupling, and with the traction hub permitted to rotate relative to the rim. Also preferably, the invention provides for full retraction of the curved traction elements. This inventive device delivers increased traction in slippery conditions while protecting the traction device and surrounding mechanics from damage due to the impact of various roadway forces, and the device is effectively stowed within the rim when not in use.
US08181682B2
In a tire, a phase difference L1 of transverse grooves 2 is within 25% of the length L of blocks 3, the projected portions 11 are alternately on both sidewalls 10, L2 of the portion 11 is 20% to 45% of L, and in the cross-section of the width direction of the main groove 1, the edge 15 of the portion 11 at the groove bottom is more of a sidewall 10 side than a center line 19 of the groove 1, the outline of the portion 11 is at least on a virtual surface 17 that connects the edge 13 of the groove 1 at the tread surface and the edge 15. The tire also has one or a plurality of sub-projected portions 21, 22 projected from the surface 17.
US08181656B2
This relates to treating an asthmatic lung and more particularly, relates to advancing a treatment device into the lung and treating the lung with the device. This also includes additional steps of treating the airway wall, applying energy or heat to the airway wall in an asthmatic lung.
US08181649B2
The invention relates to a three-arm tube system for a ventilation appliance suitable for invasive ventilation. Such a ventilation appliance includes an active inhalation valve and an active exhalation valve. The tube system also includes an inhalation tube arm, an exhalation tube arm and a ventilation tube arm for attachment to a mask, and also a flow sensor. A defined leakage is established in the ventilation tube arm, and the flow sensor is arranged between the leakage and the mask. The invention further relates to a ventilation appliance having such a tube system, and to a method for operating the ventilation appliance.
US08181643B2
A method for repairing pulmonary air leaks in a lung residing in a chest cavity and having an intake air stream and an outer surface is disclosed. An exemplary method comprises: introducing a first component of a biphasic sealant component as a liquid into the intake air stream of the damaged lung; ensuring that there is a pressure differential between the intake air stream and the outer surface of the lung; and introducing a second component of a biphasic sealant component into the chest cavity. The first sealant component collects at the air leak site and forms a sealant in combination with the second sealant component.
US08181641B2
A solar concentration plant which uses water/steam as a heat-carrying fluid, in any thermodynamic cycle or system for the exploitation of process heat, which is comprised of an evaporation subsystem, where saturated steam is produced under the conditions of pressure of the system, and a superheater subsystem through which the steam reaches the required conditions of pressure and temperature at the turbine inlet, and in which an attemperation system (10) may be incorporated, these being physically separated and interconnected by means of a drum (5) in which the separation of water and steam takes place, and in which a strategic control of the pointing of the field of heliostats (1) towards either of the subsystems (evaporator or superheater) may be carried out, with individual or group pointing of the heliostats, in such a way that they jointly control both the pressure within the drum (5) and the outlet temperature of the superheated steam (11).
US08181639B2
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a cooking apparatus is provided. The cooking apparatus comprises a cooking surface, at least one grate, and a guard. The cooking surface includes at least one heat source and a control panel. The at least one grate is provided over a portion of the cooking surface. The guard is coupled to the at least one grate. The guard includes a first side and a second side. The first side of the guard is configured to deflect heat radiating from the at least one heat source. The second side of the guard corresponds with a sidewall of the cooking surface to form a channel between the guard and the sidewall. The channel is configured to create a thermal barrier between the at least one heat source and the control panel.
US08181636B2
A method is disclosed for making a transition from fueling an engine with hydrogen to another fuel. That other fuel may be gasoline, a gasoline and alcohol mixture, or gaseous fuels, as examples. The other fuel has the capability of providing higher BMEP than the hydrogen because of better air utilization and because the other fuel occupies less volume of the combustion chamber. Because a desirable equivalence ratio to burn hydrogen is at 0.5 or less and a desirable equivalence ratio to burn other fuel is at 1.0, when a demand for BMEP that leads to a transition change from hydrogen fuel to the other fuel, the amount of air supplied to the engine is decreased to provide more torque and vice versa. During a transition in which liquid fuel supply is initiated, it may be desirable to continue to provide some hydrogen, not leaner than 0.1 hydrogen equivalence ratio.
US08181632B2
A supercharger includes a housing, and a turbine shaft supported in a center hole in the housing through rolling bearings. Lubricating oil for the rolling bearings exists only within the housing. A cooling water jacket is provided within a body portion of the housing over a region from one axial end portion of the body portion to the other axial end portion thereof.
US08181624B2
A Brayton cycle internal combustion engine of the open, or constant pressure type, in which rotary power is produced by the pressure of hot gasses against confined, rotor protrusions.
US08181617B2
An ignition device for the ignition of a gas mixture in a main combustion chamber (1), in particular of an internal combustion engine, is proposed, wherein the absorber body (5) is heated by means of a laser (8). A prechamber (10) is located upstream of the absorber body (5) on the combustion chamber inner side (6) in order to improve the ignition behavior.
US08181616B2
An internal combustion piston engine comprising at least one cylinder head, said cylinder head closing at least one cylinder, inlet and outlet channels of said cylinder head being regulated, each one, by at least one inlet and outlet valve that is loaded by a closing spring, said inlet and outlet valves being activated by roller tappets (1) driven by cams of a camshaft and, if appropriate, by further transmission elements, said roller tappets (1) comprising at ends oriented away from rollers (7) of the roller tappets, two flattened portions (2) that are arranged substantially parallel to each other while being operatively connected to two matching inner surfaces (9) of an anti-rotation bridge (10) made typically of plastic, a spacing dimension of said flattened portions (2) at least partially overlapping a distance between said inner surfaces (9) and, starting from a mounting position of the roller tappet (1) in the anti-rotation bridge (10), an adjustment between the flattened portions. (2) of the roller tappets (1) and the inner surfaces (9) of the anti-rotation bridge (10) is varied with a tendency to adjustment with lash in direction of an operating position of the roller tappet (1).
US08181608B2
A leg-mounted pouch and coil-up leash that allows hands-free managing of a dog or other animal. A leg pouch can contain a bottom opening through which the leash can be threaded to the animal or a removable leash coil otherwise attached or a separate leg brace removable from the pouch can hold the leash coil. This allows the wearer to control the animal without having to take the hands or eyes off of a weapon or other equipment or stop to change hand or arm positions. In some embodiments, there is a water bottle that can supply liquid to the animal. Also, in other embodiments, a remote-controlled release can free the dog wirelessly for an attack or other purpose. A preferred embodiment can separate into four parts, a leg-worn pouch or pouches, a belt or leg-worn attachment that holds a coil-up leash, a separable water bottle with a delivery hose, and an animal collar with a wirelessly controlled release.
US08181603B2
An apparatus and method for changing laboratory animal cages wherein the apparatus includes at least one seat, of which receives a cage having a lid. The seat is provided with a mechanical system configured to pick and lift the lid.
US08181599B1
An improved pet bed for a pet such as a small dog or a cat includes a seat cushion for the pet to rest on, much like the owner's lap, and a connected back cushion much like the owner's torso. A pair of arm cushions extend from the back cushion, the arms moveable from a spread-apart open position, and a closed portion where the ends may be locked together. While in the open position the arms may receive a shirt of the pet owner, much like a mannequin. Then the arms may be moved to the closed position, and the small pet inside enjoys the feeling of being held by the pet bed and the scent of the owner's clothing. Advantageously, the shirt may be laundered, worn by the owner and replaced onto the pet bed.
US08181596B2
An apparatus for processing substrates using a multi-chamber processing system (e.g., a cluster tool) that has an increased system throughput, increased system reliability, a smaller system footprint, and a more repeatable wafer history. Embodiments provide for a cluster tool comprising first and second processing racks, each having two or more vertically stacked substrate processing chambers, a first robot assembly able to access the first processing rack from a first side, a second robot assembly able to access the first processing rack from a second side and the second processing rack from a first side, a third robot assembly able to access the second processing rack from a second side, and a fourth robot assembly able to access the first and second processing racks and to load substrates in a cassette.
US08181588B2
An automatic reversing-reposition rocker arm includes a rocker arm body, and the rocker arm body is a steel box beam. A rocker arm pivoting shaft is attached on a middle of the body. The rocker arm body has a ballast tank, a water inlet, and a water outlet. The ballast tank is located in a back end of the rocker arm body. The water inlet is located in an upper edge of the ballast tank. The water outlet is located in a lower edge of the ballast tank. A left side and a right side of a lengthwise forth end of the rocker arm pivoting shaft match each other, and a plurality of connecting devices are attached on the forth end of the rocker arm body. A plurality of gas-liquid buffers connects with the rocker arm body via the connecting devices.
US08181583B2
In one aspect, an improved locking mechanism for a mobile folding table is provided, permitting convenient access near the top of the folded table to a manual actuator for unlocking the table from a folded configuration. In another aspect, an improved lift-assisting mechanism for a mobile folding table is provided, with a clutch that engages the lift-assisting mechanism only when the table top halves are at an angle from the vertical that is equal to or larger than a predetermined angle. These two aspects may be advantageously and synergistically combined in the same mobile folding table.
US08181579B2
A tabletop with a plastic surface board, a fiberboard and a frame. The plastic surface board has a top portion covering the top of the fiberboard, and a side portion covering the sides of the fiberboard. The end of the side portion and an edge of the bottom of the fiberboard defines a seam. The frame is continuous and supports the bottom of the fiberboard. The frame surrounds the plurality of sides, covers and protects the seam.
US08181571B2
A printing device capable of improving the printing accuracy by preventing positional displacement of a stencil applies paste on a stencil onto a substrate by spreading the paste by sliding a squeegee along a surface of the stencil disposed on the substrate. Outer attracting means for holding the stencil by attracting an undersurface side thereof is provided on the outside of a squeegee sliding region in which the squeegee slides over the stencil.
US08181554B2
An eyebrow embroidery machine includes a connecting sleeve, an eyebrow embroidery bushing, an anti-backflow plastic cover, an eyebrow embroidery needle module and a transmission mechanism. At least one circular flange is formed at an end of the eyebrow embroidery bushing and embedded into another end of the connecting sleeve. An end of the anti-backflow plastic cover is fixed onto the periphery of the eyebrow embroidery needle module and another end is connected to the connecting sleeve. The eyebrow embroidery needle module installed in the connecting sleeve includes a core link rod at an end and an eyebrow embroidery needle at another end and passed out of the eyebrow embroidery bushing. The transmission mechanism is screwed with the connecting sleeve, and provided for moving the core link rod, the anti-backflow plastic cover and the eyebrow embroidery needle reciprocally along the central axis of the eyebrow embroidery machine.
US08181551B2
The invention relates to a device for displacing and positioning an object in a space, having at least three actuating arms that can pivot about a transmission axis. Each arm is connected to a motor unit/transmission unit. A carrier element is provided in order to arrange at least one gripping element for gripping the object. Each actuating arm, on the free ends thereof, has a first articulated axis that is parallel to the transmission axis with first articulated parts arranged at a distance from each other, of a first ball joint. The carrier element has a second articulated axis associated with each actuating arm with first articulated parts that are arranged at a distance in relation to each other, of a second ball joint. The first articulated axis is connected to the second articulated axis by a pair of connecting bars which include terminal second articulated parts. The terminal second articulated parts of the connecting bars form the first and second ball joints with the first articulated parts on the first articulated axis and the first articulated parts on the second articulated axis. The connecting bars for stabilizing the ball joints are connected together. The actuating arms, the connecting bars, the articulated parts of the ball joint and the carrier element form electrically conductive parts of an alarm circuit.
US08181544B2
Preparation methods for introducing liquid samples to gas analysis instruments include 1) complete evaporation of a liquid sample in a sample chamber, and 2) allowing the sample vapor in the sample chamber to equilibrate for a predetermined time. An inert carrier gas (e.g., dry nitrogen or zero air) is also admitted to the sample chamber. After equilibration, the sample vapor is admitted as a conditioned sample to an analysis instrument. Preferably, the predetermined equilibration time is sufficiently long that the sample vapor in the sample chamber becomes substantially homogeneous with respect to both concentration and isotopic ratio. Vapor derived from a liquid calibration standard in this manner can be employed as an accurate gas-phase calibration reference.
US08181542B2
A pullout mechanism for a biosensor, wherein the pullout mechanism includes a permanent seat, a sliding seat, a resetter and a push type brake seat. The sliding seat is set into the sliding seat space of the permanent seat in a sliding state. A resetter is arranged between the permanent seat and the sliding seat, enabling resetting of the sliding seat. A push type brake seat is arranged laterally onto the casing. The push type brake seat includes a pushing portion and a driving end. The driving end can penetrate the threading portion of the permanent seat. When the pushing portion is pressed, said driving end can push the driven end of the sliding seat to control the state of the sliding seat, allowing for automatic pullout of the specimen in the specimen inserting portion, and improving the ease of operation with stronger applicability.
US08181538B2
Magnestostrictive torque sensor and manufacturing method thereof, and electric power steering system
A magnestostrictive torque sensor detects rotating torque applied to a rod-shaped rotating shaft to work around the rotating shaft based on a change in magnetic characteristics of a magnetostrictive film formed on a surface the rotating shaft so as to extend around a full circumference thereof in a circumferential direction. The magnetostrictive film is formed continuously in an axial direction at a portion on the rotating shaft in the axial direction thereof. The magnetostrictive film has on the continuously formed area a first magnetostrictive film portion and a second magnetostrictive film portion having magnetic anisotropies which are opposite to each other and a third magnetostrictive film portion which is formed between the first and second magnetostrictive film portions. A first detection coil, a second detection coil and a third detection coil are provided for the first magnetostrictive film portion, the second magnetostrictive film portion and the third magnetostrictive film portion, respectively.
US08181533B2
In an embodiment, an ultrasonic flow meter comprises a spool piece including a throughbore and a transducer port extending from the outer surface of the spool piece to the throughbore. In addition, the ultrasonic flow meter comprises a transducer assembly disposed in the transducer port. The transducer assembly has a central axis and comprises a transducer holder having a first end proximal the throughbore of the spool piece, and a second end distal the throughbore of the spool piece. Further, the transducer assembly comprises a piezoelectric capsule including a piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric capsule is coupled to the transducer holder and extends generally axially from the first end of the transducer holder. Still further, the transducer assembly comprises a transformer capsule including a transformer. The transformer capsule is coupled to the transducer holder and is axially spaced apart from the piezoelectric capsule.
US08181526B2
An acoustic emission test sensor fixing device, comprising a radial positioning mechanism, supporting mechanisms, bases, acoustic emission test sensor mounting mechanisms, and parallelism adjusting members, wherein the supporting mechanism comprises a main supporting arm and an auxiliary supporting arm, with one end of the auxiliary supporting arm is fixedly connected to or hinged with the main supporting arm and the other end is provided with kink shaft members which are symmetrical about the auxiliary supporting arm; and the bases are provided with plugholes which form revolute pairs with the auxiliary supporting arm. The above components are assembled as follows: the main supporting arms of the two sets of supporting mechanisms are connected to the two free ends of the radial positioning mechanism respectively in the way that the auxiliary supporting arms of the two sets of supporting mechanisms are located at the inner sides of the main supporting arms respectively and are arranged axis symmetrically with respect to the central line of the radial positioning mechanism, and the kink shaft members of the two auxiliary supporting arms are respectively inserted into the plugholes of the two bases to form revolute pairs, the two sets of acoustic emission test sensor mounting mechanisms are respectively mounted at the two bases, and the two sets of parallelism adjusting members are respectively mounted on the two main supporting arms and correspond to the positions of the bases.
US08181521B2
A yaw rate sensor has two sets of exciting electrodes, perturbative weights and two sets of detecting electrodes on a surface of a piezoelectric substrate. The exciting electrodes excite first surface acoustic waves transmitted through the surface of the substrate in a propagation direction. The weights are oscillated by the waves and excite a second surface acoustic wave, transmitted through the surface of the substrate in a detection direction orthogonal to the propagation direction, in response to a yaw applied to the weights. The detecting electrodes measure an intensity of the second surface acoustic wave to detect the yaw rate. The sets of exciting electrodes are symmetrically placed with respect to a driving axis extending straight along the propagation direction. The group of weights is symmetric with respect to the driving axis.
US08181520B2
A training device measures, after its robot arm is mounted on a trainee, a change in angle of the joint axles of a limb of the trainee with angular sensors. Based on the angular change measured, a controller calculates an angular rate in the direction in which a load is applied, stores as the maximum muscular force a load at the time when the angular rate has exceeded a predetermined value, and stops applying the loads.
US08181519B2
In an apparatus for resistance-based muscular force evaluation and training, elasticity at the distal end of a robot arm is made to follow changes caused in the force exerted by the muscles of praxis as a result of changes in angle at the first and second joints. Even when the trainee changes his or her position, he or she may be indicated of and may positively comprehend the direction in which he or she is to exert the force. The robot arm have its distal end secured to the distal end of the link mechanism has elasticity variable with directions. The elasticity is varied to follow changes caused in the force exerted on the distal end of the link mechanism by a set of antagonistic mono-articular muscles and a set of antagonistic bi-articular muscles, as a result of changes in angle at the first and second joints.
US08181516B2
Process for measuring a liquid level in a tank and a system suitable for such process that consists in: positioning, in the tank, two substantially identical reference capacitors and two substantially identical measurement capacitors so that, when the tank is full, the four capacitors are submerged and so that, when the liquid level in the tank falls, a measurement capacitor/reference capacitor pair (Cmeas2, Cref2) emerges before another pair of capacitors (Cmeas1, Cref1); measuring the four capacitors Cmeas1, Cref1, Cmeas2, Cref2 in air when they are in air; and when at least one capacitor is at least partly immersed in the liquid, measuring the value of the four capacitors, and calculating the liquid level in the tank from the measured value of the capacitor partly immersed in the liquid, its value previously measured in air, and the measured values of the other capacitors.
US08181505B2
A method is proposed for characterizing a totality of particles. The method can be used in particular for characterizing microparticular or nanoparticular aerosols. The method comprises the following steps: a) in a classification step, a class of the totality is selected, wherein the particles of the selected class have a prespecified mobility dm; b) in a counting step, a number N of the particles of the selected class is determined; c) in a charge determination step, a charge Q of the particles of the selected class is determined; and d) in an evaluation step, at least one morphological parameter is determined from the charge Q, the number N and the mobility dm, wherein the morphological parameter comprises at least one item of information about an agglomerate state of the particles.
US08181500B2
A die 10 has a die case 20 arranged with a pressure receiving surface 22 of a pressure receiving portion 21 facing rearward so as to oppose to an extrusion direction, a male die 30 and a female die 40 mounted in the die case 20. The pressure receiving portion 22 is formed into a rearwardly protruded convex shape. A plurality of metal material introducing portholes 24 are formed in an external periphery of the pressure receiving portion 21. It is configured such that the metal material pressed against the pressure receiving surface 22 is introduced into the die case 20 via the portholes 24 and passes through the extrusion hole 11. B/A is adjusted to 1.8 to 6.0 and D/B is adjusted to 0.15 to 0.4, where “A” is a product circumscribed circle diameter, “B” is a pressure receiving surface external diameter, “C” is a between-hole-wall inlet side minimum thickness size, “n” is the number of the between-hole-walls, and “D” is a between-hole-wall inlet side total thickness size obtained by “C”דn.”
US08181498B2
Method for shaping a rim of a three dimensionally arched sheet metal, wherein the sheet metal is placed on a female die provided with a chamfer which follows the contour of a peripheral edge of the rim, the rim spanning the chamfer, and a male roller die is rolled on the sheet metal following the course of the chamfer while being pressed against the rim, thereby plastically deforming the rim locally into the chamfer while advancing along the chamfer in rolling contact.
US08181496B2
A cross brace for securing on a U-lock having a U-shaped shackle with the cross brace comprising first and second engaging members and a connecting member therebetween. The first engaging member defines a first through bore having a first opening and a first central axis. The second engaging member defines a second through bore having second opening and a second central axis. The connecting member extends between and connects the first and second members relative to one another such that an opening plane extending between the first and second openings and intersecting the first and second central axes is at an acute angle relative to the first and second central axes.
US08181495B2
An anti-theft device and method for securing and preventing access to components within an interior of a fuel dispenser cabinet having an access door located on one side of the cabinet. The device includes structure for securing the anti-theft device to the periphery of the cabinet, structure for preventing the anti-theft device from being laterally and vertically removed from the cabinet, and a releasable assembly for selectively allowing and preventing access to the interior of the cabinet through the door.
US08181480B2
A refrigeration device includes a compression mechanism, a radiator, a first expansion mechanism, a second expansion mechanism, an evaporator, a first internal heat exchanger, a branch pipe a third expansion mechanism, and a second internal heat exchanger. The first internal heat exchanger causes heat to be exchanged between refrigerant that flows from the radiator to the inflow side of the first expansion mechanism, and refrigerant that flows from the evaporator to the compression mechanism. The branch pipe branches from a third refrigerant pipe for connecting the radiator and the second expansion mechanism, and merges with the second refrigerant pipe. A third expansion mechanism is provided to the branch pipe. The second internal heat exchanger causes heat to be exchanged between refrigerant that flows out from the first expansion mechanism, and refrigerant that flows out from the third expansion mechanism.
US08181479B2
An inlet guide vane is installed at a suction port into which a fluid is sucked by the rotation of an impeller so as to be rotatable about an axis, and is comprised of a rod-like shaft supported by an inner peripheral surface of the suction port so as to be rotatable about the axis, and a plate-like vane body connected to the shaft and provided so as to protrude from the inner peripheral surface of the suction port. The vane body includes a tapered portion formed such that both side surfaces approach each other toward an outer edge of the vane body in its width direction and an outer edge thereof at a tip in the direction of the axis, and a parallel portion arranged on the axis and formed such that both the side surfaces are parallel to each other along the direction of the axis.
US08181475B2
A system and method for automatically operating an HVAC fan for an automotive vehicle is provided where the vehicle includes an occupant detection system and an HVAC system including an HVAC computer. The user sets the heating/cooling temperature of the HVAC system to maximum and then sets the HVAC system to an automatic mode. The occupant detection system determines if there is at least one occupant inside the vehicle. The HVAC computer then automatically operates the HVAC fan based on a response from the occupant detection system.
US08181469B2
A refrigerating method and a refrigerating system utilizing a large decomposition heat absorbed at the time of decomposition of the gas hydrate and building up, by a pump, the pressure of liquid components generated due to the decomposition of gas hydrate and compressing only gas components by a compressor, the refrigerating method comprising the steps of generating the gas hydrate (H) by a hydrate generating reactor (11), decomposing the gas hydrate (H) into the liquid components (L) and the gas components (G) after depressurization to absorb heat, separating the decomposed liquid components (L) and gas components (G) from each other, building up the pressure of the liquid components (L) by the pump (16) and transferring to the hydrate generating reactor (11), and pressurizing and compressing only the gas components (G) by the compressor (17) and transferring to the hydrate generating reactor (11).
US08181468B2
Apparatus and methods for dispensing small amounts of a viscous material onto a workpiece. The narrow-profile dispensing apparatus includes a fluid chamber, a nozzle, and a valve seat disk representing individual components that are removable from a main body of the dispensing apparatus for cleaning and/or replacement. The nozzle is coupled with the fluid chamber by a heat transfer body that may be cooled by, for example, a cooling fluid routed through an air pathway defined in the heat transfer body. The main body of the dispensing apparatus may be cooled by air exhausted from an air cavity of a pneumatic actuator regulating the movement of a needle to control the flow of viscous material in the dispensing apparatus.
US08181465B2
The positioning arrangement comprises at least one pair of complimentary rounded recesses, each recess being provided on the mating face of the corresponding component. One ball is positioned between each pair of complementary recesses.
US08181457B2
A hydraulic power steering system that maintains proportional pressure control between an input side of a gear and assist pressures internal to the steering gear by relying upon a control valve. A pressure differential is maintained between the input side of a gear and assist pressures internal to the steering gear throughout certain events. Those events include running the pump to fully charge the accumulator, idling the pump after fully charging the accumulator, discharging pressure from the fully charged accumulator at an onset of a steering event having a demand for steering load, recovering the discharged pressure of the accumulator by running the pump after turning on the pump at the onset of the steering event, and opening the relief valve in the valve manifold during the steering event.
US08181454B2
A transmission includes a torque converter and an oil pump for providing fluid. The transmission has a stator shaft and a torque converter hub mounted on the stator shaft, defining an annular chamber between the stator shaft and the torque converter hub. A pump rotor for the oil pump is mounted on the torque converter hub. The torque converter hub extends beyond the pump rotor to fluidly seal the pump rotor from the annular chamber between the torque converter hub and the stator shaft.
US08181451B2
A method of controlling the feeding of a reducing agent, such as urea or ammonia, to a selective catalytic reduction reactor, which is operative for removing NOx from a process gas of a process plant, comprising the steps of estimating a present value of at least one predetermined parameter which is indicative of the amount of NOx that needs to be removed from said process gas in the selective catalytic reduction reactor. The rate of increase of said at least one predetermined parameter is then estimated. When said estimated rate of increase of said at least one predetermined parameter is found to be positive, the amount of said reducing agent being supplied is increased to a higher value than would be the case if said at least one predetermined parameter were to be kept constant at the estimated present value thereof.
US08181450B2
Various embodiments of an apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for reducing NOx emissions using ammonia storage on an SCR catalyst. For example, according to one representative embodiment, an apparatus for reducing NOx emissions in an engine exhaust includes a NOx reduction target module that is configured to determine a NOx reduction requirement. The apparatus also includes an ammonia storage module that is configured to determine an ammonia storage modifier. An ammonia target module of the apparatus is configured to determine an ammonia addition requirement. The ammonia target module is communicable in data receiving communication with the ammonia storage module to receive the ammonia storage modifier, which is added to the ammonia addition requirement. The apparatus also includes a reductant target module that is configured to determine a reductant injection requirement that includes an amount of reductant added to the exhaust gas stream to achieve the ammonia addition requirement.
US08181439B2
A gas turbine is driven by a combustion gas produced when BFG compressed by a gas compressor and air compressed by a compressor are burned in a combustor. Steam is generated from a waste heat boiler by utilization of heat of an exhaust gas from the gas turbine, and a steam turbine is driven by this steam. An electric generator generates electricity upon driving of the turbines. A condensing heat exchanger is disposed in an air intake duct, and part of steam from the waste heat boiler flows through the heat exchanger to heat intake air. The amount of steam that flows through the heat exchanger is adjusted by adjusting the degree of opening of a steam control valve by a control device. By so doing, the ignition performance of the gas turbine in a BFG-fired gas turbine combined cycle plant is enhanced even in an extremely cold district.
US08181433B2
A method of sealing a non-wax-coated film pouch contained within an enclosure includes forming an enclosure, positioning a piece of non-wax-coated film within the enclosure to form a floor and side walls of a pouch within the enclosure, dispensing a flowable dairy-based product into the pouch, overlapping portions of the film onto one another to produce a top wall over the dairy-based product, and heat sealing the overlapping portions of the top wall to each other.
US08181425B2
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for sealing telescopically joined hard shell capsules. The method includes i. placing the capsule in a static sealing position in a capsule carrier assembly; ii. in the sealing position, applying a sealing fluid uniformly to the gap of the capsule; iii. rotating the capsule into a static suction position angularly spaced from the sealing position; and iv. in the suction position, providing an area of low pressure around the capsule so as to remove excess sealing liquid from the capsule. The apparatus includes a frame, a capsule carrier, a sealing device, and a suction device. The capsule carrier including a cavity configured to accommodate a capsule. The sealing device being configured apply a sealing fluid. The suction device being configured to provide an area of low pressure around a capsule in a cavity of the capsule carrier.
US08181418B2
A system for the placement of modular fill material forming co joined assemblies that promotes increased efficiency in fill material building methods by utilizing the capabilities of aerial conveyance devices, the pre-assembly of forms, the rapid bracing of forms, and the sequential placement of enclosure forms.
US08181413B2
A roofing shingle is provided. The roofing shingle includes an overlay sheet including a headlap portion and a tab portion and an underlay sheet secured to the overlay sheet such that a region of the underlay sheet overlaps a region of the headlap portion of the overlay sheet. Said underlay sheet has a substantially uniform thickness. A reinforcement member is secured to the headlap portion. The reinforcement member is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of paper, film, scrim, woven, and non-woven material. The reinforcement member and the portion of the headlap portion to which the reinforcement member is secured to improve nail pull-through. At least some of the reinforcement member does not overlap the overlapping regions of the headlap portion and the underlay sheet. Said reinforcement member provides said overlay sheet with a non-uniform thickness.
US08181400B2
The gas fill device for multiple pane windows includes a tube installed through the peripheral spacer bar between two glass panes in an insulated glass assembly for a window, door glass, skylight, or the like. An elbow is pivotally attached to the external end of the tube. A supply of an inert, insulating gas may be attached to the elbow to refill the space between the two panes with the insulating gas, as needed. Two such tubes may be installed in each multiple pane window assembly, one to refill the space with insulating gas and the other to vent air from the space to the atmosphere as the space is refilled with the insulating gas. When the multiple pane window has more than two panes, the tube may be branched and supplied through a common elbow.
US08181389B1
The invention provides methods for improving the germination of manufactured seeds. The methods comprise the step of subjecting a manufactured seed to at least one change in ambient pressure for a period of time sufficient to generate a conditioned manufactured seed.
US08181388B2
A method of dressing seeds is disclosed. The method utilizes a seed treatment slurry which is applied to seed by subjecting the seed and seed treatment slurry to a dual asymmetrical centrifugal mixing motion. The method provides uniformly dressed seeds and is suitable for dressing small seed lots.
US08181385B2
An insect destroying device is battery operated and shaped somewhat like a squash or tennis racquet in order to provide a wide opening to enable insects to make contact with one of two outer grids and an inner grid. Both a manual and static technique is provided for enabling contact with insects while destroying them. An uppermost portion of the housing includes an open area in which a narrow strip of central grid is exposed adjacent two ground grids to enable exposure to an insect discovered along the corner between the wall and the ceiling, or where the wall meets a wall at a 90 degree angle, or between the wall and the floor where it is very difficult to have the insect make contact with the center grid or ground grids through the main openings of the grid support area.
US08181384B2
A device for interrupting the gestating cycle of a mosquito includes a container having a bottom wall and side walls. A generally porous sheet of material is placed over the upper opening thus formed in the container by securing it to the periphery of the container. Double sided tape, mechanical clips, etc. may be used to attach the porous material to the periphery of the container to cover the open area. The porous sheet of material is farametis and contains apertures that are small enough to prevent an adult mosquito from passing through it but yet allow evaporation of water placed into the container and water molecules through the apertures. A sticky substance is placed on the outer surface of the porous sheet. Water is evaporated from the container and water molecules are released through the apertures into the atmosphere above the porous sheet. Gestating mosquito's are attracted to the device and attempt to enter the container to lay there eggs in the water within the container but can not. Instead, the mosquitoes are immobilized on the surface of the porous material when retained by contact with a sticky substance and prevent it from laying eggs in the container or any other body of water. This breaks the reproductive cycle of the mosquito.
US08181378B2
A wraparound gun grip comprises a substantially flat continuous flexible sheet, the substantially flat continuous flexible sheet having a first side and a second side, the first side for adhering to a grip of a gun and the second side for providing improved gripping to a user of the gun, the substantially flat continuous flexible sheet cut to fit the gun's model. The wraparound gun grip is capable of being placed onto the gun by wrapping the wraparound gun grip around the factory grip of the gun. The wraparound gun grip includes one or more finger strips which can either be cut to size or tucked in. The second side can achieve increased friction by including abrading particles thereon (e.g., using sandpaper or grip tape). Alternatively, the grip side can be made from an elastomer, such as a synthetic rubber, or other material with the property of viscoelasticity.
US08181373B2
A “pop up” portable display apparatus includes a flexible frame and a tensioned fabric having a perimeter hem, such that the tensioned fabric is maintained by the flexible frame and integrated with the perimeter hem in order for the tensioned fabric to expand with the flexible frame to produce a display area and reduce with the flexible frame for ease of transport.
US08181369B2
The invention relates to an iron (1) comprising a soleplate (3) having a garment-contact surface (5) and having a means for accommodating an antimicrobial agent. By contacting the garment-contact surface with the piece of garment, as is being done during ironing, the antibacterial agent is transferred to the garment. The antimicrobial agent is disposed on the garment by simply placing the iron on the garment and moving it over the garment surface. The garment stays fresher for a longer period of time. The invention further relates to a soleplate, a steam ironing device and methods of manufacturing an iron and a soleplate, respectively.
US08181368B2
The invention relates to a steam iron that comprises a housing including a tank (5) above a heating body and a safety device that protects the tank (5) against overpressure, the heating body (3) comprising a vaporization chamber supplied with liquid from the tank (5) by a supply circuit, characterized in that said supply circuit includes a member (93) extending inside the tank (5) and having an opening (12) blocked by a valve (94A), said valve (94A) opening a passage through said opening (12) when the pressure inside the tank (5) reaches a predetermined value.
US08181362B2
Improved shoe inserts (22, 56, 63) are provided which are designed for placement within the toe regions (37, 52, 64) of shoes (34, 50, 62) to provide enhanced comfort to the shoe wearers. The inserts (22, 56, 63) are preferably cut from initial pillow-shaped bodies (20) to give the custom-designed inserts (22, 56, 63). The inserts (22, 56, 63) are designed to substantially occupy the distal end of the shoe toe region and present a proximal toe-engaging face that substantially spans the cross-sectional dimension of the toe-region. The inserts (22, 56, 63) are preferably formed of heat-sensitive, viscoelastic, polyurethane foam material.
US08181360B2
A sole structure 1 for a shoe comprises an upper plate 2 that is disposed on the upper side of the structure 1 and that has upraised portions 20 projecting upwardly form opposite side edge portions of the upper plate 2, a lower plate 3 disposed below the upper plate 2, and a plurality of longitudinally separated connecting portions 4, 5 and 6 that are disposed between the upper plate 2 and the lower plates 3 to form voids 10 therebetween and that elastically connect the upper plate 2 with the lower plate 3. The upper end of the connecting portion 5 extends upwardly to the side surface of the upraised portion 20 of the upper plate 2 and a projecting portion 5b that projects in the longitudinal direction is provided at the extension 5a. The extension 5a and the projecting portion 5b are fixedly attached to the side surface of the upraised portion 20.
US08181347B2
The invention relates to a geometrical conformation unit (1) for a vehicle, including: a frame (2) for receiving the vehicle body (5); two pairs of conformers ((12, 14), (13, 15)) to be attached on the frame symmetrically relative to the vehicle symmetry plane, each conformer (12, 14, 13, 15) including holding means (16) for maintaining the portion of the body opposite which said conformer (12, 14, 13, 15) is attached, each pair of conformers ((12, 14), (13, 15)) including a front conformer (12, 13) maintaining the front portion of the body (5) and a rear conformer (14, 15) maintaining the rear portion of the body (5).
US08181336B2
A xerographic micro-assembler system, method and apparatus that includes a sorting unit that is adapted to receive a plurality of micro-objects. The micro-objects can also be sorted and oriented on the sorting unit and then transferred to a substrate. The system, method and apparatus can also include a device for detecting errors in at least one of the micro-objects on the sorting unit and a protection means for preventing an improper micro-object from being transferred to the substrate. The system, method and apparatus can also include an organized micro-object feeder assembly that can transfer at least one of a plurality of micro-objects to the sorting unit or directly to the substrate.
US08181334B2
A method is provided for producing windings for a dry-type transformer with in each case one winding for the low voltage (LV winding) and one for the high voltage (HV winding). The LV and HV windings are each electrically insulated from one another and have layers which are electrically insulated from one another by virtue of, initially, the winding for the low voltage being produced from electrically conductive wire or tape material and an insulating layer including resin-impregnated fibre material. Prior to the application of the HV winding, the maximum insulating thickness for the layer insulation and the number of fiber rovings corresponding to this insulating thickness can be determined, and each winding layer and the associated insulating layer can be produced simultaneously with a physical offset with respect to one another. To produce the winding, fiber polymer layers can be applied, as layers of insulation, simultaneously with the winding conductor between the individual winding layers of the winding, and the finished winding is subjected to a curing operation.
US08181333B2
A method of manufacturing a squirrel-cage rotor includes: providing a laminated stack; attaching a plurality of rotor bars to the laminated stack, wherein the plurality of rotor bars each include opposite longitudinal ends; and die-casting a pair of end rings at the longitudinal ends of the plurality of rotor bars.
US08181328B2
There is provided a fixing method for fixing components together in which two components in the form of a first component and a second component are positioned such that they are mutually superimposed in predetermined relative positions, and are then fixed together, wherein the first component has at least two portions for engagement that are recessed in a contact surface thereof which is placed against the second component towards a surface thereof which is located on an opposite side from the contact surface, and the second component is formed from thermoplastic resin and has at least two protruding portions that protrude from positions that correspond to the portions for engagement of the first component on a surface of the second component which is located on the opposite side from a contact surface thereof which is placed against the first component, and wherein the fixing method for fixing components together includes: a first step in which the contact surfaces of both the first component and the second component are placed against each other, and the positions of the portions for engagement and the protruding portions are matched together; and a second step in which, by pressing a transmitting component that transmits ultrasonic waves against the protruding portions of the second component, the second component is softened by the ultrasonic waves and forms engaging portions that are protrude into the portions for engagement of the first component and become engaged with these portions for engagement.
US08181326B2
An apparatus and method are provided for installing a seal into a part. A main body of the apparatus has two wings, and a raised shoulder that extends along the main body and two wings. A bracket is attached to the main body, and has an internally threaded hole for engagement with a threaded knob. An installation member is attached to the main body, and includes an insertion wheel attached to a wheel carrier. The wheel carrier is configured to be slidably attached to the main body. The main body is mounted on a first portion of the part and the seal is at least partially installed in a second portion of the part, such that upon relative rotation between the first portion of the part and the second portion of the part the installation member installs the seal.
US08181322B2
A tool for removing a chisel, in particular from a chisel holder, having a base element which receives an actuating member, wherein the actuating member has an expeller mandrel. The actuating member is adjustable along a displacement direction. In order to be able to perform the removal simply and rapidly, the actuating member of this invention is indirectly or directly coupled to a piston of a fluid-charged cylinder, or to an electric motor unit.
US08181319B2
A buckle and catch used to couple webbing together is provided. The buckle includes a connecting portion, a slide and locking member. The connecting portion is configured to selectively engage an engaging portion of a first webbing. The slide of the buckle is configured to engage a second webbing and the locking member is configured to selectively press the second webbing on the slide.
US08181316B2
A fastening member used for, e.g., a disposable absorbent article is disclosed. The fastening member extends in a longitudinal direction and in a lateral direction and has a lateral centerline. The fastening member comprises a base panel and a shaped tab extending laterally from the base panel. The shaped tab has a longitudinal centerline, a lateral centerline, a distal portion and a proximal portion. The shaped tab has a contour edge comprising a shaped upper edge and a shaped lower edge. The shaped upper edge and the shaped lower edge are symmetric with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the shaped tab when relatively shifted in the longitudinal direction and are asymmetric with respect to the lateral centerline of the fastening member.
US08181315B2
An interbox connector having a body with upper and lower cone portions and a flexible handle extending from the body for operating the cones. The flexible handle includes a continuous section of flexible wire and a plurality of sleeves which surround and are secured about the wire.
US08181313B2
A retrofittable hook protection device for use with a hook comprises a first member and a second member. The hook includes an intermediate portion interconnecting a hook portion and an end having an aperture, a gate for opening and closing an opening proximate the hook portion, and a lanyard operatively connected to the end proximate the aperture. The first member is configured and arranged to receive a first portion of the lanyard and a second portion of the end proximate a first side of the hook. The second member is configured and arranged to receive a third portion of the lanyard and a fourth portion of the end proximate a second side of the hook. The first and second members are connectable to sandwich the portions of the lanyard and the end therebetween.
US08181309B2
An upright vacuum cleaner for cleaning a surface includes an upper body having a dust collection container received therein, a base unit and a carriage configured to provide movement of the base unit at the surface. A motor-fan unit is disposed in the upright vacuum cleaner outside the upper body and is unit configured to create a partial vacuum on the surface. The upper body and base unit are connected with a tilting joint such that the upper body is tiltable relative to the base unit about a tilt axis that extends horizontally when the upright vacuum cleaner is in a position of use. A swivel joint is disposed between the upper body and the base unit. The swivel joint is configured to change a direction of travel of the upright vacuum cleaner in response to twisting of the upper body. The swivel joint includes a tubular section articulated to the base unit and a bearing housing disposed rotatably about the tubular section. The bearing housing is received in a receiving structure of the upper body.
US08181300B1
A ramp assembly includes a ramp portion coupled for rotational movement between a stowed position and a deployed position. A first panel is rotatably coupled about a first axis to the ramp portion. A second panel is movable between a lowered position and a raised position. A curbside end of the second panel rotatably associated with a roadside end of the first panel. An actuator drives the ramp assembly through a deployment motion having a first phase and a second phase. During the first phase, the actuator rotates the ramp portion about the first axis. During the second phase, the actuator moves the first axis from a raised position to a lowered position.
US08181297B2
A washing machine that performs a washing operation using eat high-temperature steam and a washing method of the same are disclosed. The washing method includes (a) driving a washing heater (40) mounted in a tub (56) to increase the interior temperature of the tub (56), and (b) driving a steam heater (74) mounted in a steam generation unit (70), such that high-temperature steam is generated and the high-temperature steam is supplied into the tub (56), to increase the interior temperature of the tub (56). A washing operation including the (a) step and the (b) step, which are combined either in the order of the (a) step->the (b) step->the (a) step or in the order of the (b) step->the (a) step->the (b) step, is carried out such that the interior temperature of the tub (56) is increased to a target temperature level. Consequently, the present invention has the effect of increasing the decomposition of detergent or contaminants by the provision of a washing algorithm, in which a washing water heating operation and a high-temperature steam injecting operation are combined, efficiently removing contaminants that are not removed only by heating the washing water, and, furthermore, increasing the sterilization efficiency.
US08181294B1
A mattress has a central section. The central section has horizontal upper and lower surfaces. The central section has parallel first and second side faces. The central section has parallel first and second end faces. The side and end faces are vertically oriented. The side and end faces each have a rectangular configuration. The central section has four corner faces located between the end and side faces. The mattress has four similarly configured corner sections. Each corner section has a hypotenuse face positionable in facing contact with an associated corner face of the central section during use. Each corner section has two similarly configured leg faces positionable as planar extensions of contiguous side and end faces.
US08181292B1
A semi-active seat cushion is disclosed that comprises a plurality of chambers for containing a pressurized fluid, wherein each chamber is connected to at least one other chamber by an orifice that provides a fluid connection; a supply conduit for supplying a pressurized fluid to each of the plurality of chambers; and at least one relief valve that permits rapid and controlled deflation of the plurality of chambers.
US08181286B2
A prefabricated, polyurethane reaction injection molded, leak-proof shower module suitable for use in constructing a tiled shower includes a plurality of sidewalls, a floor bounded along at least one peripheral edge by at least one sidewall extending substantially vertically from the edge, and a drain wall defining a drain aperture and having an outer surface and an inner surface. The floor slopes toward the drain wall at a pitch equal to or greater than ⅛ inch per foot. The drain aperture has a diameter of at least one inch, and is enclosed within a prefabricated drain assembly integrated into the floor and the drain wall, or integrated directly into the floor and drain wall. In one embodiment, the maximum thickness of the drain wall, measured from the outer surface to the inner surface, is equal to or less than 1½ times the smallest inner diameter.
US08181281B2
A protective helmet, which includes a motion restrictor device, is disclosed which has at least one strut member associated with the helmet and a harness assembly, and the at least one strut member includes a locking assembly associated with the strut member, which upon a predetermined force being sensed by a force sensor or a predetermined amount of or rate of acceleration being sensed by an acceleration sensor, stops substantially all relative motion between the ends of the strut member and the predetermined force is substantially transferred from the helmet to the harness assembly.
US08181269B2
A helmet mount for night vision apparatus including a night vision goggle rotatable between operative and inoperative positions. Retractable stop means are included on the mount for obstructing the rotation of the goggle from its inoperative to operative position without obstructing the rotation of the goggle from its operative to its inoperative position.
US08185962B2
A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions including instructions that when executed by a processor enable a service provider to track and enforce policy requirements associated with a provided service of the service provider. The application software configured to provide notification of the policy requirements and to trigger an intentional degradation of the provided service as a function of time when a user fails to comply with at least one of the policy requirements.
US08185959B2
When captured content is detected, the captured content is analyzed to determine whether any portion of the content is subject to digital rights management protection specified for content captured, where captured content is content captured independent of distribution of the content by an owner of at least one restricted element within the captured content. In response to determining that a portion of the captured content is subject to digital rights management protection, a database is queried to select at least one digital rights management rule associated with the portion and comprising at least one location based criteria. At least one relevant location is associated with the captured content. At least one digital rights management rule is applied to restrict usage of the captured content, with the at least one location based criteria specified by the at least one relevant location. In response to determining that the captured content is not subject to digital rights management protection, a certification is applied to the captured content designating a particular system that determined no portion of the captured content is subject to digital rights management protection.
US08185952B2
A system comprising control logic adapted to activate multiple security levels for the system. The system further comprises a storage coupled to the control logic and comprising a stack, the stack associated with one, but not all, of the multiple security levels. The system also comprises security logic coupled to the control logic and adapted to restrict usage of the system if the control logic attempts to fetch an instruction op-code from the stack.
US08185948B2
Image forming apparatus capable of allowing easy operation of data while maintaining confidentiality
An image forming apparatus which requests authentication for login processing based on user information when a user requests specific processing includes a communication interface for receiving data, a print mechanism for performing printing processing on data, a registration mechanism for registering a plurality of user information, a storage mechanism for storing an access control list and an administration mechanism. The administration mechanism administers login processing of a plurality of users based on hierarchy information of the registered users and registered contents of the access control list, and to administer permission of the operation processing requested by the user. When the user instructs specific processing of data which is a guest job having no authentication information, the processing of the data is carried out.
US08185932B2
In a network computing environment, a user-centric system and method for controlling access to user-specific information maintained in association with a web-services service. When a web-services client desires access to the user-specific information, the client sends a request. The request identifies the reasons/intentions for accessing the desired information. The request is compared to the user's existing access permissions. If there is no existing access permission, the request is compared to the user's default preferences. If the default preferences permit the requested access, an access rule is created dynamically and the client's request is filled, without interrupting the user. If the default preferences do not permit the request to be filled, a consent user interface may be invoked. The consent user interface presents the user with one or more consent options, thereby permitting the user to control whether the client will be given access to the user-specific information.
US08185928B2
A system and method for providing adaptive backoff including one or more transmitters configured to transmit a first data request to a media module at a scheduled time, poll the media module to determine accessibility of the media module, and transmit a second data request to the media module at a rescheduled time determined by the one or more processors. The system and method may also include one or more processors configured to determine that the media module is inaccessible and set the rescheduled time for the media box to transmit a second data request to the media module when the media module is accessible, wherein the rescheduled time is based at least in part on optimizing system capacity of the media module. The system and method may also include one or more receivers configured to receive one or more responses to the polling indicating accessibility of the media module and receive data from the media module based on the second data request. The system and method may also include an output configured to output the data to one or more output devices.
US08185924B2
Request information 3 is transmitted from a transmission means 1a of a communication device 1 to a server 2. Then, related information 4a corresponding to the request information 3 and an identification code 4b are obtained and transmitted to the communication device 1 by a transmission means 2c. The related information 4a and identification code 4b are stored in a storage means 1c of the communication device 1. Thereafter, purchase request information 5a is transmitted to the server 2 by the transmission means 1a. This purchase request information 5a is added with an identification code 5b and user identification information 5c. Then, content data 6a corresponding to the purchase request information 5a and additional data 6b corresponding to the identification code 5b are transmitted to the communication device 1 by the transmission means 2c of the server 2.
US08185915B2
A method for dynamic manipulation of a multi-tiered enterprise software application comprises providing a meta-architecture in a presentation tier of a multi-tiered enterprise software application. The meta-architecture comprises at least screen content associated with the software application. The meta-architecture is capable of tying at least two tiers of the multi-tiered enterprise software application together, and allowing the dynamic manipulation of the multi-tiered enterprise software application without at least one of reprogramming the multi-tiered enterprise software application and recompiling source code for the multi-tiered enterprise software application. The method concludes by storing the meta-architecture in a database repository.
US08185913B1
An unified system that comprises a host system platform that includes a host operating system, a host processor that operates to execute host system applications within the host OS. The unified system also includes a manageability platform dedicated to performing manageability operations to manage the host system platform and includes, a manageability OS, a manageability processor dedicated to execute the manageability operations within the manageability OS, wherein the manageability processor is a general-purpose processor, an automation engine integrated in the manageability platform and executed by the manageability processor to perform the manageability operations, and a plurality of interfaces that provide the manageability processor with access to the host system platform to support the performance of the manageability operations.
US08185898B2
A method of streaming remote procedure invocation for multi-core systems to execute a transmitting thread and an aggregating thread of a multi-core system comprises the steps of: temporarily storing data to be transmitted; activating the aggregating thread if the amount of the temporarily stored data is equal to or greater than a threshold and the aggregating thread is at pause status; pausing the transmitting thread if there is no space to temporarily store the data to be transmitted; retrieving data to be aggregated; activating the transmitting thread if the amount of the data to be aggregated is less than a threshold and the transmitting thread is at pause status; and pausing the aggregating thread if there is no data to be retrieved.
US08185895B2
A method, apparatus and program storage device for providing an anchor pointer in an operating system context structure for improving the efficiency of accessing thread specific data is provided. A kernel thread context structure is maintained in memory. A thread accesses a pointer memory in the kernel thread context structure and sets a value within the pointer memory that addresses data specific to the thread.
US08185894B1
To train a virtual machine placement controller, the placement controller determines a new layout of virtual machines that is different from an existing layout of the virtual machines, according to criteria. The placement controller transmits the information relating to the new layout to a user interface. The placement controller receives feedback from the user interface, the received feedback indicating a user response to the new layout. The placement controller then modifies the criteria in response to the received feedback.
US08185881B2
Pointer analysis is used for different applications, e.g., compilers, debugging tools and programs understanding tools, each having different requirements. A framework for pointer analysis is provided that defines a multidimensional space, for example a three-dimensional space, containing an order sensitivity dimension, a predicate sensitivity dimension and a value persistence dimension. A point in the three-dimensional space is identified. This point yields values for order sensitivity, predicate sensitivity and value persistence. Pointer analysis is then conducted on a computer program in accordance with the identified values for order sensitivity, predicate sensitivity and value persistence.
US08185879B2
A method for tracing a multi-tasking embedded pipelined processor includes executing compiled code including trace controls. Tracing is initiated when the execution of the compiled code is initiated. Tracing is stopped when execution of the compiled code is completed. A trace record is formed during tracing. The trace record includes a processor mode indication, application space identity value and an instruction architecture set mode indication.
US08185874B2
A library or application is selected comprising one or more functions or methods. An interesting subset of the functions or methods is created. A plurality of multi-threaded test cases are generated from the subset of interesting functions or methods, with each test case comprising a unique pair or triple of functions or methods from the subset. The resulting set of test cases may then be filtered of thread safe test cases using static analysis techniques. The filtered set of test cases is then used as an input to a specialized application that executes each of the multi-threaded test cases to detect atomicity violations and race conditions. The results of the execution of each of the test cases by the specialized application are then aggregated and presented to a user or administrator in a report, for example.
US08185872B2
A method and apparatus for cross-platform generation of new software packages. The method may include generating a list of software packages having a first format associated with a first operating system, generating new support files for entries on the list, and generating new software packages from the new support files and code of corresponding software packages. The new software packages are generated in the format associated with a second operating system.
US08185869B2
A system for modifying an existing standard-based system at runtime can include a computer having an annotation framework layer configured to execute in conjunction with the standard-based system. Responsive to a user request, the annotation framework layer can associate a constraint with a selected message type. The constraint can specify a limitation on information that is requested within a service request type of message. The annotation framework layer can intercept a message exchanged between a client and a Web-based service and apply the constraint. When the intercepted message is a service request type of message, at least one parameter of the intercepted message can be modified to conform with the limitation after the service request is sent from the client and prior to the service request being received by the Web-based service. The message can be stored.
US08185868B1
A mechanism for the rapid prototyping of code whereby a user selects a subsection of code and runs multiple evaluations on the selected code and altered versions of the code without first saving and naming the code subsection is disclosed. The selected subsection of code, referred to as a code cell, groups multiple lines of code together and evaluates them together. Output from the analysis is displayed to a user. Algorithms may be altered and variable values may be modified in-place as required to achieve an optimal result for the user. Once a desired version of the code is established, the code may be saved and then published in multiple user-selected formats with a single command. Each code cell in the program code may be used to generate a separate publication thus creating a narrative effect when sequentially viewing a grouping of the publications in the user-selected format.
US08185865B2
Methods for generating a biased layout for making an integrated circuit are disclosed. One such method includes obtaining a nominal layout defined by one or more cells, where each cell has one or more transistor gate features with a nominal gate length. Then, obtaining an annotated layout. The annotated layout contains information describing gate-length biasing of one or more of the transistor gate features in one or more cells of the nominal layout. A biased layout is produced by modifying the nominal layout using the information from the annotated layout. The biasing modifies a gate length of those transistor gate features identified by the information of the annotated layout.
US08185862B2
Systems and methods are disclosed to automatically synthesize a custom integrated circuit by receiving a specification of the custom integrated circuit including computer readable code and generating a profile of the computer readable code to determine instruction usage; automatically generating a processor architecture uniquely customized to the computer readable code, the processor architecture having one or more processing blocks to implement one or more instructions; determining an instruction execution sequence based on the code profile and reassigning the instruction sequence to spread operation to different blocks on the IC to reduce hot spots; and synthesizing the generated processor chip specification into a computer readable description of the custom integrated circuit for semiconductor fabrication.
US08185858B2
A layout-wiring-congestion prediction apparatus. The layout-wiring-congestion prediction apparatus includes: a circuit-data providing section providing circuit data; a conversion processing section converting the provided circuit data into directed graph data; a node-placement-coordinate calculation processing section calculating individual node placement coordinates of the directed graph data produced by the conversion processing section; a node-placement-density calculation section calculating a node-placement density on the basis of the individual node placement coordinates calculated by the node-placement-coordinate calculation processing section; and a node-placement-density error determination processing section determining the node-placement density calculated by the node-placement-density calculation section to be an error if the node-placement density is higher than an error-determination threshold value.
US08185855B2
A capacitor-cell is in an integrated circuit that is configured by disposing a plurality of cells on a site that is on a chip and that is provided between a power line and a grounding line in a direction of the power line and grounding line. The capacitor cell is disposed in a remaining region on the site, after the plurality of cells are disposed on the site. The capacitor-cell includes a gate poly for accumulating capacitance extending up to at least one of positions of the power line and the grounding line in a planar quadrangular cell-frame that is set for disposing the plurality of cells on the site.
US08185851B2
The memory building blocks can be used in conjunction with ASIC automatic design tools to generate a memory macro (e.g., a memory array) using a known ASIC design flow including, for example, register transfer level (RTL), synthesis, automatic place and route (APR) and timing analysis.
US08185846B2
The present invention provides a teaching box configured such that an operator can optionally change a coloration and a size of a text displayed on a display area. The teaching box includes a main menu area, a pulldown menu area, a status area, a general-purpose area, and a message area, for monitoring and controlling an operation of an industrial robot which is operated in a plurality of modes including a teaching mode and an operation setting mode. The main menu area includes a customization portion operable to change a size and a coloration of a text, and a display portion operable to display the text set by the customization portion.
US08185843B2
A computer-implemented method includes displaying a user interface on a display device, the user interface displaying a content item, in response to receiving input, displaying a user interface control panel including a user interface control, the user interface control configured to enable modifying one or more attributes of the content item, and in response to detecting a first selection of the user interface control, displaying a portion of the user interface control panel and hiding a portion of the user interface control panel, the displayed portion of the user interface control panel including the user interface control.
US08185840B2
System and method implementing an integrated interface for multiple instruments for signal analysis, including two or more virtual instruments. The method includes a) receiving user input specifying an operation implementing at least a portion of a signal analysis function; b) performing the operation utilizing at least one of the instruments to perform the operation; c) displaying an icon comprising a graphical representation of the operation in response to the specifying; d) storing information specifying the operation; and repeating a)-d) multiple times to specify the function, thereby producing stored information representing the operations in the function, and after which multiple icons are displayed representing the operations and visually indicating the function. The operations in the function include 1) generating signals displayed in a graph, and/or 2) modifying one or more signals displayed in the graph. After each respective operation is specified, the operation is performed substantially continuously during said repeating.
US08185838B2
A universal computer event translator, which can be implemented as a computer program for execution on a personal computer, handheld device, or other computer processing platform, provides configurable event translation to map essentially any type of computer input event into essentially any other type(s) of computer input event. The program detects occurrences of desired types of input events, which may be generated via a particular input device, a timer, or another program or processing running on the computer, and provides rules-based translation processing of those events. For example, the program can translate mouse events into keyboard events, MIDI or other port events into mouse or keyboard events, or into custom events. One incoming input event can spawn one or more translated input events of one or more types; conversely, different types of incoming input events can be mapped to a single type or multiple types of translated input events.
US08185832B2
A system and method for creating and using configuration diagrams for configuring distributed systems. The methods described herein may be used for various types of operations in configuring distributed systems, including creating programs, managing programs in the distributed system, deploying programs to various distributed devices, configuring remote execution or inter-operation of distributed programs, and executing distributed applications. Embodiments of the invention utilize graphical iconic-based techniques for performing the above operations. The configuration diagram may include device icons which represent devices and program icons which represent programs. Device icons and program icons may be associated with each other to accomplish various program creation and deployment operations. Device icons and program icons may also interact with graphical program nodes or icons. Context sensitive device connections and/or program connections are displayed. An asynchronous data flow node may be used to facilitate asynchronous data flow between two graphical programs. The distributed system may also support distributed graphical debugging.
US08185829B2
A method, system and computer-readable medium are disclosed for rating exchangeable gestures in a virtual world application. The method includes making a gesture owned by a first user of the virtual world application available to a second user of the virtual world application; in response to the second user providing a rating of the gesture, storing the rating in a repository of the first user, determining a rating metric of the gesture using at least the rating received from the second user, and communicating the rating metric to a third user of the virtual world application.
US08185826B2
Methods and computer-readable media are provided for rendering a document view with supplemental information. A view of a document is rendered such that the document fills a canvas. The client receives a request to view a supplemental information area associated with the document. In response to the request to view the supplemental information area, a view of the document is rendered at the client such that the document does not fill the canvas. The supplemental information area is then rendered in a portion of the canvas that is not occupied by the document.
US08185814B2
More particularly, methods, systems, and computer program products are disclosed for differential dynamic content delivery. Typical embodiments include providing a session document for a presentation, wherein the session document includes a session grammar and a session structured document; selecting from the session structured document a classified structural element bearing a preview designation; presenting the selected structural element to a prospective user participant; and receiving from the prospective user participant an indication of interest in the selected structural element. Typical embodiments also include recording the indication of interest in association with the selected structural element.
US08185812B2
An integrated circuit 2 includes logic circuitry 10 and sequential storage elements 8. Both the logic circuit 10 and sequential storage elements 8 can be subject to particle strikes giving rise to single event upset errors. These single event upset errors can be detected by detecting a transition in the stored value stored by the sequential storage elements 8 occurring outside of a valid transition period associated with that sequential storage element 8.
US08185808B2
A receiving system and a method of processing broadcast signal are disclosed herein. The receiving system includes a signal receiving unit, a signaling decoder, a block decoder, and an RS frame decoder. When a parade change command ordering parade change from a first parade to a second parade is generated, the signal receiving unit receives a broadcast signal including data groups of the second parade starting from a generation point of the parade change command. The signaling decoder decodes signaling information included in the data groups and outputting RS frame-related information. The block decoder performs turbo-decoding in block units on data of a portion included in the data groups. And the RS frame decoder inserts null data in data positions of a portion included in non-received data group within an RS frame of the second parade, while configuring the RS frame of the second parade by collecting data of the turbo-decoded portions based upon the RS frame-related information. The RS frame decoder also performs CRC-decoding by indicating the existence of errors on CRC error flags of each row including the null data within the RS frame, and performs RS-decoding on the CRC-decoded RS frame.
US08185807B2
A method of encoding data using low density parity check (LDPC) code defined by a m×n parity check matrix is disclosed. More specifically, the method includes encoding input source data using the parity check matrix, wherein the parity check matrix comprises a plurality of z×z sub-matrices of which row weights and column weights are ‘0’ or ‘1’.
US08185803B2
A method and apparatus for providing error correction capability to longitudinal position data are disclosed. Initially, data are encoded via a set of even LPOS words and a set of odd LPOS words. The encoded data are then decoded by generating a set of syndrome bits for each of the LPOS words. A determination is then made as to whether or not there is an error within one of the LPOS words based on its corresponding syndrome bits.
US08185801B2
A system to improve error code decoding using historical information. An example system includes storage partitioned into memory ranks, and a table to record symbols having failures for each memory rank. The system generates a memory rank score for each memory rank. The system also includes an error control decoder that uses the memory rank score when each memory rank is accessed in order to determine whether an error should be corrected or not.
US08185799B2
A receiving system and a method of processing data are disclosed herein. The receiving system includes a receiving unit, an equalizer, a block decoder, and an RS frame decoder. The receiving unit receives and demodulates a broadcast signal. Herein, the broadcast signal includes at least a mobile service data and a data group including a plurality of known data sequences. The equalizer channel-equalizes the data group included in the demodulated broadcast signal by using the plurality of the known data sequences. The block decoder performs turbo-decoding in block units on data of portion allocated to the channel equalized data group. And, the RS frame decoder configures an RS frame by gathering data of the turbo decoded M number of portions, wherein M is an integer greater than 1 (M>1). And, when a number of contiguous CRC errors is equal to (a maximum number of errors that can be corrected by RS erasure decoding)+1, wherein the number of contiguous CRC errors is determined by performing CRC decoding on each row of the RS frame, the RS frame decoder sets up erasure points in all data of the rows including the CRC errors, so as to perform RS erasure decoding on all columns of the RS frame in the column direction.
US08185797B2
The invention relates to a base matrix, a encoder/decoder of Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) codes and a generation method thereof. The encoder/decoder is determined uniquely by the parity check matrix of the LDPC codes. With different code sizes, said parity check matrix can be obtained by expanding different base matrixes, and also can be obtained by expanding a unique base matrix after correction. Elements of said base matrix must meet an inequation in which the girth value is up to the standard, e.g. when girth≧6, for any element i, j, k, l in the matrix which forms the short loop having a length of 4 in anticlockwise, there are always mod(i−j+k−l, z) unequal to 0. By this invention, the girth of the constructed base matrix is made as large as possible, the amount of the shortest loops is as few as possible when it is the same girth, thus the curve of bit error ratio (BER) is dropped quickly, the error floor of the LDPC codes is eliminated effectively, and the optimal performance of the LDPC codes is obtained.
US08185794B2
The invention teaches a media container file comprising media data organized into media source blocks. The media source blocks are partitioned into source symbols that can be processed by a forward error correction (FEC) algorithm for generation of FEC redundancy data. Information of this source block partitioning is included in the file in addition to the source blocks. The container file also comprises meta data providing an association between the media source blocks and the partitioning information. The container file can be employed by a media server in a media session for compiling media data packets to be transmitted to requesting clients without the need of extensive data processing before calculating FEC data.
US08185790B2
An integrated circuit or circuit board includes functional circuitry and a scan path. The scan path includes a test data input lead, a test data output lead, a multiplexer, and scan cells. A dedicated scan cell has a functional data output separate from a test data output. Shared scan cells each have a combined output for functional data and test data. The shared scan cells are coupled in series. The test data input of the first shared scan cell is connected to the test data output of the dedicated scan cell. The combined output of one shared scan cell is coupled to the test data input lead of another shared scan cell. The multiplexer has an input coupled to the test data output, an input connected to the combined output lead of the last shared scan cell in the series, and an output connected in the scan path.
US08185789B2
Scan and Scan-BIST architectures are commonly used to test digital circuitry in integrated circuits. The present disclosure improves upon low power Scan and Scan-BIST methods. The improvement allows the low power Scan and Scan-BIST architectures to achieve a delay test capability equally as effective as the delay test capabilities used in conventional scan and Scan-BIST architectures.
US08185782B2
A test device for a hierarchical test architecture is disclosed. The architecture includes cores for plural test layers, a top-level data register, and a top-level test controller. Cores for each test layer are hierarchical test circuits. The top-level test controller retrieves plural control signals, controls the top-level data register based on first type control signals in the control signals, and controls each core based on second type control signals in the control signals.
US08185776B1
Various systems and methods for monitoring an application or service group within one cluster as a resource of another cluster are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method involves detecting an error indication generated by a first cluster (e.g., the error indication can be generated by a cluster controller or service group within the first cluster). The first cluster is implemented on a cluster resource (e.g., a virtual machine) of a second cluster. In response to detecting the error indication, restart of the cluster resource is initiated.
US08185775B2
When a failure occurs in an LPAR on a physical computer under an SAN environment, a destination LPAR is set in another physical computer to enable migrating of the LPAR and setting change of a security function on the RAID apparatus side is not necessary. When a failure occurs in an LPAR generated on a physical computer under an SAN environment, configuration information including a unique ID (WWN) of the LPAR where the failure occurs is read, a destination LPAR is generated on another physical computer, and the read configuration information of the LPAR is set to the destination LPAR, thereby enabling migrating of the LPAR when the failure occurs, under the control of a management server.
US08185774B2
The present invention is an electronic device comprising a counter driven by an input clock signal for counting clock cycles and providing most significant bits of a count. A clock signal generating stage provides a first set of phase shifted clock signals having m different phases. The electronic device determines n least significant bits of the count of the counter from the logic states of the first set of m phase shifted clock signals.
US08185773B2
A processor system having a processor core configured to control an external apparatus in accordance with a control algorithm; a signal acquisition managing device configured to receive state signals provided by the apparatus, perform corresponding actions, and generate corresponding synchronized command signals; and a peripheral module structured to receive the synchronized command signals and generate output signals to be processed by the processor core in accordance with the control algorithm.
US08185769B2
A recording medium, method and apparatus for managing data are discussed. According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of reproducing main data and additional data. The method includes receiving the additional data associated with the main data, the additional data being divided into a plurality of segment units; and reproducing the additional data in a synchronous manner with the main data using time information if indication information indicates a presence of the time information. The time information indicates a presentation time of the additional data with respect to the main data. The main data and the additional data are reproduced according to management data, the management data including link information for linking the main data and the additional data.
US08185762B1
A low power display device capable of receiving display information on a wireless network and powered by environmental power, without requiring a battery or a wired power connection, is described.
US08185758B2
A method and system for determining an energy-efficient operating point of the platform or system. The platform has logic to dynamically manage setting(s) of the processing cores and/or platform components in the platform to achieve maximum system energy efficiency. By using the characteristics of the workload and/or platform to determine the optimum settings of the platform, the logic of the platform facilitates performance guarantees of the platform while minimizing the energy consumption of the processor core and/or platform. The logic of the platform identifies opportunities to run the processing cores at higher performance levels which decreases the execution time of the workload and transitions the platform to a low-power system idle state after the completion of the execution of the workload. Since the execution time of the workload is reduced, the platform spends more time in the low-power system idle state and therefore the overall system energy consumption is reduced.
US08185756B2
An electronic device capable of controlling a power state of an external device from a first power state (ex. “Standby”) to a second power state (ex. “ON”) includes a determination unit operable to determine whether information indicating linkage is stored in a storage unit when it is detected that communication between the electronic device and the external device is enabled, and a transmitting unit operable to transmit a control signal for controlling power state of the external device. When the information indicating linkage is not stored in the storage unit, the transmitting unit stores the information indicating linkage and transmits the control signal for controlling power state of the external device to the second power state to the external device. When the information indicating linkage is stored in the storage unit, the transmitting unit refrains from transmitting the control signal to the external device.
US08185752B2
An approach is provided for securely storing and managing sensitive data. A system and method are provided that include a central device that receives an actual data value from a requester, encrypts the actual data value, obtains a replacement value for the encrypted actual data value, obtains a secondary replacement value based on the encrypted actual data value, and transmits the replacement value to the requester for storage by the requester. The system and method also includes a storage device for storing the secondary replacement value in association with the encrypted actual data value at a secure location. The requester can later use the replacement value to retrieve the actual data value from the central device.
US08185743B1
Methods and systems for locking an application are described. A method includes receiving, over a communication network from a remote applicant, a signature for an application. The signature includes a date and time, an indication of agreement to the terms of the application, and verification information personal to the applicant and capable of confirming the applicant's identity. Based on the application and signature an internal checksum can be generated. The internal checksum is sent to a third party for generation of a second, external checksum. The external checksum is based on the internal checksum and the date and time the external checksum was generated. The internal and external checksums are associated with the application and then stored along with the application and signature.
US08185731B2
A method for configuring functional capabilities in a data processing system. An intermediate link record and a System Anchor record containing the unchangeable hardware ID are used. All entitlement records are then linked to the System Anchor record. Only the System Anchor record links to the unchangeable hardware ID. It contains a system unique ID. The entitlement records link to the System anchor record via the system unique ID. The repair (or upgrade) situation with the exchange of a hardware component now becomes much simpler. There is no exchange of any asset protection record (neither System Anchor record nor entitlement record) required as long as the hardware component comprising the asset protection record is not exchanged. In case the hardware component comprising the asset protection record needs to be exchanged, the System Anchor record only must be exchanged but all the entitlement records can stay unchanged.
US08185729B2
A system repurposes a personal computer operating with a conventional personal computer operating system, such as Windows® operating system, into a thin client computer system without requiring that the hard drive of the personal computer be re-formatted to remove the previous operating system. The personal computer has its boot loader configuration file edited to include a call to a thin client boot loader file to execute the thin client operating system stored on the personal computer hard drive instead of the previous operating system of the personal computer. The repurposed personal computer can be returned to the previous operating system by electing to bypass the thin client operating system. As a thin client computer, the repurposed personal computer is managed from a central server and can access applications and data on remote servers instead of using the application programs on the hard drive or the capability of storing data on the personal computer hard drive.
US08185725B2
In a processor executing instructions in at least a first instruction set execution mode having a first minimum instruction length and a second instruction set execution mode having a smaller, second minimum instruction length, line and counter index addresses are formed that access every counter in a branch history table (BHT), and reduce the number of index address bits that are multiplexed based on the current instruction set execution mode. In one embodiment, counters within a BHT line are arranged and indexed in such a manner that half of the BHT can be powered down for each access in one instruction set execution mode.
US08185719B2
Each possessor node in an array of nodes has a respective local node address, and each local node address comprises a plurality of components having an order of addressing significance from most to least significant. Each node comprises: mapping means configured to map each component of the local node address onto a respective routing direction, and a switch arranged to receive a message having a destination node address identifying a destination node. The switch comprises: means for comparing the local node address to the destination node address to identify a the most significant non-matching component; and means for routing the message to another node, on the condition that the local node address does not match the destination node address, in the direction mapped to the most significant non-matching component.
US08185714B1
A source-synchronous capture unit includes a data register unit to register data synchronized to a strobe or non-free running clock. The source synchronous capture unit also includes an asynchronous first-in-first-out (FIFO) unit to store the data from the data register unit in response to the strobe or non-free running clock and to output the data stored, in response to another clock.
US08185701B2
A method, system, and computer program product are provided for retrieving records into a main memory. A first number of gaps and a first total gap size are received for a list of records from a database subsystem. A determination is made of a first average gap size using the first number of gaps and the first total gap size. A determination is made as to whether the first average gap size is greater than a prestaging threshold value. Responsive to the first average gap size being equal to or less than the prestaging threshold value, a prestaging flag is set for the list of records. Then, the list of records is retrieved into the main memory using prestaging.
US08185700B2
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for receiving a bus message in a first cache corresponding to a speculative access to a portion of a second cache by a second thread, and dynamically determining in the first cache if an inter-thread dependency exists between the second thread and a first thread associated with the first cache with respect to the portion. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08185690B2
A memory system including ROM and RAM in which reading and writing are enabled. A memory system includes a non-volatile memory (FLASH), DRAM, a control circuit, and an information processing device. Data in FLASH is transferred to SRAM or DRAM in advance. Data transfer between the non-volatile memory and the DRAM can be performed in the background. The memory system including these plural chips is configured as a memory system module in which each chip is mutually laminated and each chip is wired via a ball grid array (BGA) and bonding wire between the chips. Data in FLASH can be read at the similar speed to that of DRAM by securing a region in which the data in FLASH can be copied in DRAM and transferring the data to DRAM in advance immediately after power is turned on or by a load instruction.
US08185685B2
An electronic memory module according to the invention provides non-volatile memory that can be used in place of a DRAM module without battery backup. An embodiment of the invention includes an embedded microprocessor with microcode that translates the FB-DIMM address and control signals from the system into appropriate address and control signals for NAND flash memory. Wear-leveling, bad block management, garbage collection are preferably implemented by microcode executed by the microprocessor. The microprocessor, additional logic, and embedded memory provides the functions of a flash memory controller. The microprocessor memory preferably contains address mapping tables, free page queue, and garbage collection information.
US08185680B2
A system may comprise multiple master/slave devices coupled to a common bus, where one of the devices may operate as the current master device and the other devices may operate as current slave devices. Current slave devices may embed bus ownership request information within response packets transmitted in response to standard bus operations, such as reads and writes, issued by the current master device. When the current master device is idle, its bus interface may continually poll the current slave devices at regular intervals, according to a specified protocol, to ascertain whether any of them are requesting bus ownership. A response to a request for bus ownership received by the current master device may be configured according to desired system functionality. In one system, ownership may always be transferred to the requesting device. In other systems, the current master device may transmit a subsequent standard bus operation request packet, or a unique response packet, either comprising embedded information indicating whether ownership of the bus has been granted.
US08185677B2
A data reproducing apparatus comprises: a reproducing unit adapted to read out data from a plurality of recording media; a list generating unit adapted to generate a content list which describes storage location information in association with contents stored in the plurality of recording media; and a communication unit adapted to communicate with an external device and sending the content list to the external device, wherein the list generating unit checks if the contents stored in the plurality of recording media include identical contents, and if the identical contents are detected, the list generating unit generates the content list including information indicating that the storage location information of the identical contents are integrated.
US08185667B2
A storage system constituted such that power saving to an administrator-desired storage device can be performed from a management device. That is, the storage system comprises a power-saving indication receiving section for receiving from a management console a power-saving indication specifying at least one storage device of a plurality of RAID groups, a plurality of logical units, and a plurality of physical storage devices; and a power-saving controller for saving on power to one or more physical storage devices corresponding to the storage device specified in this power-saving indication.
US08185666B2
A processor executes an instruction that causes a comparison to be performed between contents of a first register and contents of a second register and between the contents of the first register and a predetermined value. The instruction is particularly useful for determining whether an attempted access (either a load or write) to an array improperly targets a location outside the boundary of the array. In some embodiments, a system (e.g., a communication device such as cellular telephone) includes a processor capable of executing the instruction as described above.
US08185665B2
A computing system architecture is based upon a peer-to-peer, asynchronous model. The architecture specifies a set of infrastructure facilities that comprise an inter-prise operating system. The inter-prise operating system provides all the facilities that make application coding as easy in the peer-to-peer asynchronous model as it is in a hierarchical, synchronous model. Services, which reside in containers, are linked asynchronously by an inter-prise bus and use data from a virtual data store.
US08185663B2
A mirroring device includes an interface capable of coupling a primary storage array and a secondary storage array to a network. The interface further includes a logic that monitors traffic for a network packet destined for the primary storage array and selectively identifies a storage array write operation and associated data in the network packet, constructs a network packet targeted to the secondary storage array, and transmits the packet to the primary storage array and the secondary storage array.
US08185660B2
A method for inter-working between an alternative network address type (ANAT) endpoint and an interactive connectivity establishment (ICE) is provided. The method may include identifying one or more network addresses operable to be used to communicate with a alternative network address type (ANAT) endpoint. One or more candidates operable to be used for interactive connectivity establishment (ICE) traversal may also be identified. A preferred network address may be determined from the one or more network addresses based on an ANAT endpoint preference. A corresponding candidate may be determined based on the ANAT endpoint preference. The corresponding candidate may use a candidate address to communicate. A media stream may be established between the preferred network address and the corresponding candidate address.
US08185656B2
A recording medium storing a program for performing collective communication of unique-messages by a computer. According to the program, a space in which nodes are arranged is equally split into regions according to directions from the origin of a relative coordinate system, and a region to which each node belongs is determined on the basis of the relative coordinates of the node. When the computer receives an instruction to execute collective communication of unique-messages, messages are submitted to nodes in turns so that the numbers of messages addressed to the respective regions and submitted per predetermined unit time are equated, and each message submitted to one of the nodes contains data unique to the node.
US08185654B2
Improved load balancing techniques are disclosed. For example, in one illustrative aspect of the invention, a method of satisfying requests in a system comprised of a plurality of servers comprises the following steps. At least one load balancer is provided for routing requests to the plurality of servers. At the at least one load balancer, a request sent from a client is obtained. At the at least one load balancer, the request is examined. Costs of satisfying the request by at least two of the plurality of servers are estimated. The estimation is based on at least one of a number and a cost of at least one remote access for satisfying the request. The request is routed to a server of the plurality of servers with a low estimated cost of satisfying the request.
US08185653B2
Packets are routed in a wireless mesh network by assigning a probability of packet retransmission based on certain factors which may include the number of hops the packet has made, whether the destination is within a certain number of known hops of the receiving node, the number of nearby nodes, whether the receiving node is a member of a past known route to the destination and/or whether a nearby neighbor of the receiving node is a member of a past known route to the destination. Once a probability is assigned, a random number generator may be used to make a decision between retransmitting the packet and dropping the packet. Signal quality may also be used as a factor in the probability of retransmission. In a preferred embodiment, Bloom filters are used to store information in the header of a data packet containing the identifiers of forwarding nodes and the identifiers of nodes on a previously-successful route from the source to the destination.
US08185645B2
To reduce time to point a directional wireless portable terminal (WPT) to an access point (AP) when data is downloaded from the AP to the WPT, a user points the WPT to the AP, performs a first operation and transmits a request of authentication and download to the AP. The AP requests a server to perform the authentication and the download. The server transmits information on a current situation to the AP. The AP calculates time required until the download can be started based on content capacity and the like and transmits information on the calculated time to the WPT. The WPT displays countdown until the download can be started. During that time, the server performs the authentication and, if successful, delivers content to the AP. When the download can begin, the user performs a second operation and transmits a request of re-authentication and download to the AP.
US08185642B1
A device is configured to receive authorization information from a first network device and to receive a request that data units sent to a destination device contain authorization information, where the request is received from a second network device. The device is configured to assemble authorized data units by associating the authorization information with content intended for a destination device, where the content can be exchanged with the destination device during authorized communication. The device is configured to provide at least one of the authorized data units to the second network device so that the second network device can establish the authorized communication between the device and the destination device.
US08185641B2
In at least one embodiment of the disclosure, a computing device comprises a network interface that receives terminal information corresponding to a terminal connected to a network. A storage device stores profile information defining that the terminal is permitted to connect to the computing device. A central processing unit refers to the received terminal information and the stored profile information and determines that the terminal is permitted to connect to the computing device. A display displays a participant display area. The display area shows a client name that corresponds to the terminal. An input mechanism accepts a user operation selecting the client name displayed in the participant display area to designate the terminal. The terminal provides image data to the computing device. The computing device supplies the image data provided by the terminal to an image display apparatus connected to the network.
US08185638B2
A sender's degrees of separation from a recipient may be used to aid in spam filtering or to otherwise handle a communication. The “degrees of separation” represent a metric used to quantify whether/how the recipient is linked to the sender through intermediary people or other entities. For example, a recipient may know a first user (first degree of separation) and the first user may know a second user (second degree of separation) who knows the sender of an e-mail. In this case, the sender is separated from the recipient by two degrees of separation (by two other contacts). A level of “trust” or “legitimacy” about a sender's communication can be inferred by looking at whether the sender is linked to an intended recipient. Typically, user contact lists (e.g., address book, buddy list, and/or white list) are evaluated to determine the number of degrees (or hops) are required to link or relate two users.
US08185631B2
A controller for use at a node of a clustered computer apparatus includes an exception detection component for detecting an exception raised by a service component at the node; a quiesce component responsive to the exception detection component for quiescing lease-governed activity by the service component prior to termination of a lease; a lease control component responsive to the quiesce component for pre-expiry relinquishing of the lease; and a communication component responsive to the lease control component for communicating the pre-expiry relinquishing of the lease to one or more further nodes of the clustered computer apparatus. The controller may further include a second communication component for receiving a communication indicating the pre-expiry relinquishing of a lease; a second lease control component responsive to the communication to control failure processing; and a second service component to perform a service in place of the service component at the node.
US08185630B2
One example embodiment includes a method for constructing a unified namespace carried out by a domain manager service executing on a domain node in a domain network comprised of domain nodes. The method includes establishing a single, hierarchical domain tree that encompasses digital computers in a distributed data service network, wherein the domain manager service sends a request to all domain nodes requesting that each domain node export the root of its sub-domain to the domain manager service. The method also includes receiving the exported sub-domain roots. The method further includes grafting onto a domain root of the domain manager service the received exported sub-domain roots.
US08185627B2
A method and system are provided for facilitating interaction between a device and a device environment. The system may include a detection module for automatically detecting proximity of a participant within the device environment. The system may additionally include a user-configurable authorization module for authorizing the device to adjust a device user interface in a pre-determined manner in response to the detection of the participant. The system may also provide for sharing resources among multiple participating devices, wherein each of the multiple participating devices has a device specific set of application resources. The system may additionally include a configurable resource regulation mechanism for making the device specific application resources from the second participating device available to the first participating device.
US08185626B2
The invention is directed to a method of transmitting a file having an advertising portion and a requested portion different from the advertising portion. The method includes receiving a request to transmit the file, via a streaming protocol allowing non-sequential access, transmitting the advertising portion of the file, receiving a request to transmit a portion of the requested portion of the file prior to completing transmitting the advertising portion of the file, completing the transmission of the advertising portion of the file, and transmitting the requested portion of the file.
US08185617B1
A system, apparatus, and method for managing TCP over TCP communications using multiple TCP network connections. A plurality of tunneled network connections may be established between network devices. The network devices may employ one of the tunneled network connections over which to establish a plurality of application sessions. If congestion is detected on the employed tunneled network connection that exceeds a threshold, then a reset flag may be sent to abort that tunneled network connection. At least some of the application sessions are also transferred to another one of plurality of tunneled network connections, without terminating the moved application sessions. In one embodiment, at least one more tunneled network connection may be established between the network devices.
US08185615B1
In a network access system including an external processor and a programmable access device, the external processor transmits a control message to the programmable access device to establish a configuration of the programmable access device. The programmable access device then communicates messages to the external processor for service processing in accordance with the configuration. For example, the control message may be a filter control message that establishes a configuration of a packet header filter in the programmable access device. The packet header filter then communicates network messages filtered from a packet flow in accordance with the configuration established by the control message. To limit the communication of network messages from the programmable access device to the external processor, the external processor can send a message setting message interface flags in the programmable access device. The external processor may also transmit a monitor control message to the programmable access device to establish a configuration of a monitor in the programmable access device. The programmable access device then communicates reporting messages to the external processor in response to the configuration of the monitor.
US08185612B1
A computer-implemented method of caching multi-session data communications in a computer network, includes: (a) receiving, intercepting, or monitoring data sessions between a client and metadata services; (b) analyzing queries and responses exchanged between the client and the metadata services to discover metadata for a desired content object; (c) receiving or intercepting subsequent data sessions between the client and content sources; (d) identifying a data protocol used by the client and identifying data queries within the data sessions; (e) identifying the content object requested by the client in the data queries; and (f) determining if the content object is stored in cache and, if so, sending the content object stored in cache to the client, and, if not, sending the data queries to the content sources, storing data responses from the content sources, and sending the data responses to the client.
US08185610B2
A method, system, and computer program product for efficiently fulfilling java server page (JSP) requests for dynamic web content, in a computer network system. An asynchronous processing (AP) utility pre-defines a number of custom classes to enable the asynchronous processing of requests. A JSP which contains a custom “async:include” tag indicates an asynchronous request for dynamic content. When a set of asynchronous requests are received by an application server, an “AsyncRequestDispatcher” is called to handle the asynchronous processing of each associated request dispatcher include fragment. For each fragment, a separate request thread is initiated. A placeholder corresponding to each “async:include” request is written to a servlet response buffer. HyperText Markup Language (HTML) content, which includes the placeholders, and a number of javascripts are then written to the client browser. The original thread is closed. The Javascripts enable the retrieval of all response fragments which replace the corresponding placeholders.
US08185600B2
In a signal processing system, a programming system and method for a video network are provided. An event may trigger an RDMA controller to execute current instructions in a register update list. The triggering event may be a start-of-field signal from a live source or an end-of-frame signal. The current instructions may be used to modify the mode of operation of at least one of the network elements in the video network. The modification to the mode of operation may depend on whether the current video field is top field originated or bottom field originated. An interrupt may be used to initiate an interrupt handler that generates at least one new instruction and that updates the new instructions in the register update list. When a trigger occurs prior to an update of the register update list, the RDMA controller may execute the current instructions in the register update list.
US08185594B2
A real-time messaging system for an image display device is provided. One disclosed embodiment includes an image display device including a light source and an image-generation device configured to receive light from the light source, and in response, generate an image. The image display device may further include a projection lens configured to display the image on a viewing surface. The image display device may also include memory and a processor operatively coupled with the memory to receive a command message sent to a select group of image display devices in real-time via a network, and upon recognizing the command message, display an alert image.
US08185593B2
A system, method, and program product is provided that operates during an instant messaging session conducted between a first participant and a second participant. During the session, message sent to or from each participant are displayed in a first instant messaging session window. The two sets of instant messaging messages are displayed in a time-based order in the first instant messaging session window. A notification is received corresponding to one of the displayed instant messaging messages that is displayed in the first instant messaging session window. In response to receiving the notification, the selected instant messaging message is displayed in a second instant messaging session window while still including the selected instant messaging message in the first instant messaging session window.
US08185589B2
The present invention extends to methods, systems, data structures, and computer program products for organizing electronic mail messages into conversations. Electronic mail conversation items store attribute values representing attributes of corresponding electronic mail conversations and included electronic mail messages. Attributes of an electronic mail conversation can be changed by changing stored attribute values. Receiving an electronic mail message can cause an existing electronic mail conversation to be updated or a new electronic mail conversation to be created. When it is indicated that an operation is to be performed on an electronic mail conversation, a corresponding related operation can be performed on all electronic mail messages included in the electronic mail conversation. Attribute values of an electronic mail conversation can be presented along with portions of included electronic mail messages at a user-interface.
US08185582B2
In order to provide support for a system to operate in a manner appropriate for system requests desired by a user, a management server acquires functions corresponding to system requests acquired using a user interface using a second table for storing a correspondence relationship of functions provided by one or more managed storage devices and system requests occurring at the storage system, simulates whether or not implementation of the system requests is possible from the acquired functions and functions corresponding to the system requests occurring at the current storage system acquired using a third table for storing information for functions provided by the one or more storage devices, and notifies the one or more storage devices of instructions to set functions corresponding to the system requests to valid based on the simulation results of this simulation.
US08185581B2
Systems and methods for providing a local device with computing services are disclosed. One embodiment includes, identifying one or more file types of files stored on the local device which is not associated with a local application that is installed on the local device and detecting a request to access a file stored on the local device having one of the one or more file types. The remote host can generate an offer to provide access to a remote application which is able to open the file for a fee such that the file is accessible via the local device. A selected service model can determine the fee and whether the remote application is provided for use by the local device when offline.
US08185574B2
A system for posting web logging (blog) messages, retrieving blog messages, and being notified of the posting of blog messages by way of dispatch communications. The system includes a wireless communication system capable of setting up dispatch communications links between subscriber units and a dispatch server. The dispatch server interfaces with a blog server. Using dispatch communications, subscriber units may send messages to the blog server for posting by way of the dispatch server, may receive notification of the posting of messages from the blog server by way of the dispatch server, and may retrieve messages from the blog server by way of the dispatch server.
US08185553B2
A computer implemented method for generating a report that includes latent information, comprising receiving an input data stream that includes latent information, performing one of normalization, validation, and extraction of the input data stream, processing the input data stream to identify latent information within the data stream that is required for generation of a particular report, wherein said processing of the input data stream to identify latent information comprises of identifying a relevant portion of the input data stream, bounding the relevant portion of the input data stream, classifying and normalizing the bounded data, activating a relevant report template based on said identified latent information, populating said template with template-specified data, and processing the template-specified data to generate a report.
US08185549B1
A facility for navigating within a body of data using one of a number of distinct browse graphs is described. Initially, a navigation request is received. Based upon information contained in the received navigation request, the facility selects one of the plurality of browse graphs. In response to user input, the facility browses the body of data using the selected browse graph. The browse graphs may each correspond to a collection of the body of data, such as a website.
US08185542B1
An apparatus for and method of utilizing an Internet terminal coupled to the world wide web to access a legacy data base management system having a dialog-based request format to prepare, modify, and execute stored procedures. The user request is passed to the legacy data base management system via the Internet. The command type is determined whereby list, parameter, column, and execute commands are defined. In response to the user request, the scripted procedure is accessed, prepared, modified, or executed, as appropriate. Invalid and/or undefined requests result in an error response. Valid and defined requests result in performance of the requested command and transfer of an appropriate response to the user terminal.
US08185540B2
Providing visual structuring of multivariable data sets in records includes: defining a key field for sorting the records; sorting the records by the key field to find patterns; grouping equivalent field values of the key field in an equivalent field value group; forming corresponding blocks for each equivalent field value group, displaying only one field value for each block, and masking all other field values of the block.
US08185530B2
Method and system for web documents clustering are provided. The method for web documents clustering includes: inputting a plurality of web documents, collecting information of the links and the directory structure of the inputted web documents, extracting, according to the collected links and directory structure, a hierarchical structure for the plurality of web documents and generating and outputting, based on the extracted hierarchical structure, one or more clusters of the plurality of web documents.
US08185523B2
The present invention is directed to methods of and systems for ranking results returned by a search engine. A method in accordance with the invention comprises determining a formula having variables and parameters, wherein the formula is for computing a relevance score for a document and a search query, and ranking the document based on the relevance score. Preferably, determining the formula comprises tuning the parameters based on user input. Preferably, the parameters are determined using a machine learning technique, such as one that includes a form of statistical classification.
US08185514B1
A visitor of a network site is provided information about previously viewed content from that site. One or more internal pages of the network site that the user selects to view during one or more visits to the network site is recorded. At least one of the one or more internal pages is associated with a heading or category that is displayed on the network site. A user-activity is detected corresponding to the visitor directing attention to the heading or category. In response, a dynamic display is generated that provides a link to the at least one internal page that is associated with the category or heading.
US08185513B2
A method, apparatus, article of manufacture for generating a media program database having a plurality of media programs is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method is comprises the steps of receiving first media program metadata from a first source, searching the Internet to find second media program metadata from a second source distinct from the first source, determining if the first media program metadata and the second media program metadata are associated with the same media program, merging the first media program metadata and the second media program metadata if the first media program metadata and the second media program metadata are associated with the same media program, and storing the merged first media program metadata and second media program metadata in the media program database.
US08185490B1
A method is provided for calculating a class-specific iterated subspace for a classification system utilized in a computing system. Training data in the specific class for the class-specific iterated subspace is collected. A linear orthogonal transform is applied transforming the data into at least one bin. Magnitude squared bins are calculated and used as columns of a matrix. Orthonormal vectors of this matrix are selected and a J function is calculated. The J function and orthonormal starting vectors are used to obtain the class-specific iterated subspace for each class. The method further applies these class-specific iterated subspaces in a classification system for determining the most likely class of a data signal of interest.
US08185485B2
A device for providing improved classification of breast tissue wherein the tissue is classified as one of cancerous and non-cancerous tissue includes sensors for sensing temperature of a subject breast tissue over a predetermined period and generating signals in response thereto and a computer operatively connected to the sensors for receiving and manipulating the signals operatively associated with a normalizer for applying a normalization to each the signal by a function of X/Y where X is one temperature reading of one of the signals for a particular subject and Y is the maximum temperature obtained from a predetermined number sets of temperature readings obtained a plurality of subject breast tissue from the subject to provide a set of normalized signals used by a trained artificial classifier to produce a signal indicative of cancerous and non-cancerous tissue of the subject.
US08185484B2
Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to predicting and using search engine switching behavior. In aspects, switching components receive a representation of user interactions with at least one browser. The switching components derive information from the representation that is useful in predicting whether a user will switch search engines. The derived information and information about a user's current interaction with a browser is then used by a switch predictor to predict whether the user will switch search engines. This prediction may be used in a variety of ways examples of which are given herein.
US08185478B2
Systems and methods are provided for managing the transfer of electronic files. In one embodiment, a sender transfers an encrypted version of a file (such as a digitally encoded audio track, movie, document, or the like) to someone who wishes to receive it. The receiver computes a hash of the encrypted file, and sends it to a trusted third party. The trusted third party compares the hash that was computed by the receiver with another hash computed by the sender. If the two hashes match, the third party sends the file decryption key to the receiver. In some embodiments, the receiver may also send the third party payment information so that the sender, the content owner, and/or the third party can be paid for their role in the transaction. In a preferred embodiment, the payment information is only sent to, and/or used by, the third party once the third party has confirmed to the satisfaction of the receiver that the encrypted file in the receiver's possession will decrypt correctly. In some embodiments, the sender computes a hash of the encrypted version of the file and sends it directly to the third party. In other embodiments, the sender encrypts this hash using a key associated with the third party and sends the encrypted hash to the receiver, who then forwards it to the third party.
US08185475B2
A device initialization method includes generating a license request for a personal media device. A timeout indicator may be obtained for a subscription associated with the personal media device. The license request and the timeout indicator may be combined to form a device license for the personal media device. The device license may be digitally-signed to form a signed device license.
US08185457B1
Methods and systems are disclosed for automatically identifying and managing potentially fraudulent transactions without adversely impacting legitimate customers. In one implementation, the methods and systems provide a transaction risk analyzer for analyzing a risk associated with a financial transaction. The transaction risk analyzer quickly and automatically evaluates a number of factors in connection with each transaction to determine the risk associated with the transaction. The factors may include, for example, the relationship of the customer to the financial services company, the identity of the customer, and the behavior pattern of the customer. A set of business rules may then be applied to these factors to help distinguish between potentially fraudulent transactions and legitimate transactions. Based on the business rules, the transaction risk analyzer may recommend certain actions to mitigate loss potentially resulting from the transaction. Such an arrangement helps lower the risk of fraudulent activity without penalizing legitimate customers.
US08185453B1
Systems and methods provide access to features of a business management application at a contextually relevant locations within a global workflow. The system gathers data from various application features and user preferences and generates a global workflow diagram reflecting these data. The system and method provide contextual access to various features of the business management application, by way of nodes associated with their contextual location within the global workflow, allowing the user to view the information in its relevant context.
US08185447B2
A text message order processing system includes: means for receiving text messages from consumers purchasing products from one or more merchants, each of the text messages being addressed to an address selected by the consumer and including an identification of the product being purchased and an identification of a device from which the text message was sent; means for parsing each text messages to extract the identification of the product and the identification of the device from the text massage; means for selecting based upon each received text message a payment instrument to be used to pay for the purchase; means for establishing payment information related to the selected payment instrument and delivery information indicating where the purchased product is to be delivered; means for generating for each received text message an order including the established payment information, delivery information and identification of the product being purchased; and, means for submitting the generated order to an order management system of the merchant.
US08185446B1
Disclosed are various embodiments for generating automobile parts bundles associated with maintenance events. A maintenance schedule is retrieved and various maintenance events are identified. Various maintenance tasks associated with maintenance events are also identified. Parts associated with these maintenance tasks are placed into parts bundles associated with the maintenance event and a unique identifier within a parts catalog.
US08185437B2
Methods and apparatuses to provide user interfaces dynamically customized according to partners through which the user interfaces are accessed in a customer acquisition process. One embodiment includes providing to a plurality of entities a platform, configured to assign references for embedding in listings for presentation and configured to connect people for real time communications according to the references embedded in the listings, the references to be used to request the platform to provide the connections; responsive to a request received via a first entity of the plurality of entities, presenting a user interface of the platform in a first format to identify the first entity; and responsive to a request received via a second entity of the plurality of entities, presenting the user interface of the platform in a second format to identify the second entity.
US08185431B2
A system and method for identifying whether certain web-based media or web-based videos are likely to become popular is provided. Videos that are identified as having a strong likelihood of becoming popular with a particular demographic group are paired to advertisements or other media appropriate for the particular demographic group. Videos that are likely to be popular are identified by measuring early input rates such as request rates, replay rates, comment rates, forwarding rates and reply rates. Input rate patterns including pattern segments correlated to inputs from a particular demographic group are identified.
US08185429B2
A database navigation system simplifies the navigation and use of sales target information in a database. The salesperson, i.e., the user, begins navigating and using the database by logging into the secured system using a computer. Once logged in, the system displays a Leads Worksheet that lists the sales targets, or “suspect”, from the database assigned to that user and the name of a prospecting process, i.e., a prospecting cycle, that the user will follow with that target. The prospecting cycle comprises of several management-defined steps. Once the user creates a To-Do list of the targets to pursue that workday, the user goes to an Action Page. Here, the user completes the actions in the step of the prospecting cycle for each selected sales target using the tools provided. The system creates a log, i.e., a history, of the user's actions including phone calls, e-mails, video transmissions, and the like as related to the target. The history of user interaction with target data creates metrics used by the salesperson and management to evaluate performance and generate performance reports. All the above is achieved by navigating two screens with a computer mouse and with no input of information (save the optional comment) into the database by the salesperson. Thereby, this essentially automates the “cold call” sales prospecting process.
US08185427B2
A method of representing user tasks to be performed by one or more of a plurality of electronic devices in a task orchestration system. Each device includes therein a function description specifying a function that the device can perform. The function descriptions are obtained from one or more of the devices, task descriptions that describe device functionalities required for certain tasks are obtained, and task suggestion are generated based on the obtained device function descriptions and task descriptions. Each task suggestion represents a user task as an abstraction of on or more of the obtained device descriptions and task descriptions. The tasks suggestion are displayed on a display for the user to select from, wherein the user selected task suggestion is to be performed by orchestration (automation) of one or more of the devices based on task descriptions that use device functionalities described in the device function descriptions.
US08185425B2
Disclosed are apparatus and methods for locating one or more dates. Specific embodiments include a dates locator that is operable to analyze a date request in the form of natural language words or phrases and determine that such words or phrases correspond to a specific date or range of dates. In one natural language example, a date request may be in the form of a specified holiday or specified period of time before and/or after such specified holiday (e.g., Thanksgiving week) and the corresponding date or range of dates are retrieved by the dates locator. That is, dates locator embodiments receive a date request that uses date contextual information as input to thereby retrieve a specific date or range of dates. The retrieved date or range of dates may then be displayed based in the date request's contextual information. Additionally, a dates locator may include a learning mechanism to learn new associations between particular contextual information and a specific date or range of dates.
US08185421B2
Multi-Objective Optimization (MOO) is integrated with a Constraint Management System (CMS) so as to rapidly and flexibly search large design spaces and focus on “interesting” designs as determined by user-specified criteria. A method embeds a trade space and its trade-off envelope within the same CMS network used to calculate the values of the points in the trade space itself. The method supports automatic variation of the resulting trade-off analyses in response to variations in upstream parameters, assumptions, and/or requirements. When feasible, the CMS can back-solve for values of upstream parameters so that selected attributes of the trade-off envelope achieve user-specified values. The coupled use of a CMS with multi-objective optimization avoids having to generate a large set of permutations of inputs and factors and then restricting the analysis to those having desired outputs or of having to manually “reformulate” the equation set so that it solves in the desired direction.
US08185416B1
An insurance program that provides improved health care and longevity by emphasizing health improvement and maintenance for members of a group. After a predetermined waiting period from the time insurance is purchased by the group, during which the health status of the members is maintained or improved, the insured group may link the insurance policy with one or more other types of insurance policies, such as; disability, nursing home, etc. Throughout the life of the policy, portions of the premiums may be deposited in an account for the benefit of the group or for each member of the group, provided that the overall health of the group or the member is maintained or improved. The account may be utilized to pay or help pay for the linked insurance and may also be utilized for retirement benefits.
US08185412B1
A method and apparatus to record and track patient's estimation of arbitrary factor types, to analyze response errors utilizing discrete measurements, to isolate errors in various factor types and their response correlations, to enable patient in refining factor mix to reduce estimated outcome variations, and to improve patient estimation with corrections using a continuous feedback system. The input factors for the treatment in case of a Diabetic patient may be food intake, medication, activity, stress level etc, while the treatment outcome or response may be blood glucose level that the patient needs to keep within specific limits. Present invention enables a chronic care patient, such as a Diabetic patient, to make better and informed decisions about their treatment, reduce input factor estimation errors, reduce outcome parameter variations, and improve the patient well being by better treatment control.
US08185411B2
A method of permitting controlled access to medical information can include establishing a storage means for containing medical information and establishing a means for accessing the medical information. The method further can include controlling the means for accessing the medical information according to a type of entity accessing the medical information, wherein access is limited according to the type of entity.
US08185407B2
A method for electronically managing patient referrals includes, in a network of interconnected computers, submitting a referral request by a first provider, accepting the referral request by a second provider, obtaining an insurance approval of the referral request, importing a medical record for a patient from a external system, exporting the imported medical record to the external system, updating the medical record with diagnostic information, and updating a status of the referral request.
US08185406B2
A computer implemented method, apparatus and program product analyze medical waste processes by determining waste cost information for a number of waste streams. The waste cost pricing information is organized, formatted, associated or otherwise processed for presentation in a manner that facilitates waste cost analysis.
US08185400B1
A method, system and machine-readable medium are provided. Speech input is received at a speech recognition component and recognized output is produced. A common dialog cue from the received speech input or input from a second source is recognized. An action is performed corresponding to the recognized common dialog cue. The performed action includes sending a communication from the speech recognition component to the speech generation component while bypassing a dialog component.
US08185399B2
The invention relates to a system and method for gathering data for use in a spoken dialog system. An aspect of the invention is generally referred to as an automated hidden human that performs data collection automatically at the beginning of a conversation with a user in a spoken dialog system. The method comprises presenting an initial prompt to a user, recognizing a received user utterance using an automatic speech recognition engine and classifying the recognized user utterance using a spoken language understanding module. If the recognized user utterance is not understood or classifiable to a predetermined acceptance threshold, then the method re-prompts the user. If the recognized user utterance is not classifiable to a predetermined rejection threshold, then the method transfers the user to a human as this may imply a task-specific utterance. The received and classified user utterance is then used for training the spoken dialog system.
US08185397B2
A speech processing apparatus, medium, and method recognizing speech and responding to the speech. The speech processing apparatus may includes an entity extracting unit which extracts entity information and an upper entity corresponding to the entity information from input speech, a focus determination unit which determines a focus using the extracted entity information requiring a response, a mapping unit which maps lower entity corresponding to the focus with the extracted entity information, and a recognition unit which recognizes a result of arranging the extracted entity information according to semantic association among the lower entities as the input speech. Thus, the speech processing apparatus can accurately recognize grammatically correct speech as well as grammatically incorrect speech and then respond to the speech.
US08185394B2
A method for providing access to data via a voice interface. In one embodiment, the system includes a voice recognition unit and a speech processing server that work together to enable users to interact with the system using voice commands guided by navigation context sensitive voice prompts, and provide user-requested data in a verbalized format back to the users. Digitized voice waveform data are processed to determine the voice commands of the user. The system also uses a “grammar” that enables users to retrieve data using intuitive natural language speech queries. In response to such a query, a corresponding data query is generated by the system to retrieve one or more data sets corresponding to the query. The user is then enabled to browse the data that are returned through voice command navigation, wherein the system “reads” the data back to the user using text-to-speech (TTS) conversion and system prompts.
US08185390B2
The invention comprises a method for lossy data compression, akin to vector quantization, in which there is no explicit codebook and no search, i.e. the codebook memory and associated search computation are eliminated. Some memory and computation are still required, but these are dramatically reduced, compared to systems that do not exploit this method. For this reason, both the memory and computation requirements of the method are exponentially smaller than comparable methods that do not exploit the invention. Because there is no explicit codebook to be stored or searched, no such codebook need be generated either. This makes the method well suited to adaptive coding schemes, where the compression system adapts to the statistics of the data presented for processing: both the complexity of the algorithm executed for adaptation, and the amount of data transmitted to synchronize the sender and receiver, are exponentially smaller than comparable existing methods.
US08185388B2
The invention presents a method to improve the recovering from packet loss, frame erasure or jitter concealment during signal communication, especially for VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) applications. A variable delay concept (instead of constant delay) is introduced to guarantee the continuity and periodicity of signal after recovering lost frames, adding frames or removing frames. During the recovering of lost frames or the adding of extra frames, the copy of previous signal from history buffer into missing frame(s) is based on the frame length, onset, and offset information.
US08185378B2
A method and system for determining text coherence in an essay is disclosed. A method of evaluating the coherence of an essay includes receiving an essay having one or more discourse elements and text segments. The one or more discourse elements are annotated either manually or automatically. A text segment vector is generated for each text segment in a discourse element using sparse random indexing vectors. The method or system then identifies one or more essay dimensions and measures the semantic similarity of each text segment based on the essay dimensions. Finally, a coherence level is assigned to the essay based on the measured semantic similarities.
US08185376B2
The language of origin of a word is determined by analyzing non-uniform letter sequence portions of the word.
US08185364B2
A process and device for simulating a product printed by a virtual press. The process implemented by the device includes creation of a three-dimensional object page, selection of at least one fold among a set of predetermined folds, with the selected folds corresponding to the folds produced on the product to be simulated, for each fold produced and selected, a modification of the three-dimensional object page by the addition of at least one fold line at a given position on the three-dimensional object page, construction of the simulated product starting from the modified three-dimensional object page, and a display of the simulated product constructed in this manner.
US08185358B2
A method of measuring a power quality index. A total current waveform of an ingress from a customer, and a current waveform and a voltage waveform of each of at least one load installed at the customer are measured. A load composition (LC) of the customer using the total current waveform of the ingress and the current waveform of each of the at least one load is computed. A total harmonic distortion (THD) of each of the at least one load using the current waveform and the voltage waveform of each of the at least one load is computed. Thereafter, a distortion power quality index (DPQI) of each of the at least one load using the LC and the THD is computed.
US08185356B2
An insulation monitoring system, functioning as a remote monitoring system, comprises a plurality of insulation monitoring terminals, functioning as remote monitoring terminals, for monitoring facilities and a terminal management server controlling the insulation monitoring terminals. The insulation monitoring terminals and terminal management server are connected each other to bidirectionally transmit and receive information therebetween. The terminal management server includes collective input unit for accepting collectively input configuration information pieces to be set in the insulation monitoring terminals, storage unit for storing the plurality of configuration information pieces input by the collective input unit, and distribution unit for distributing the plurality of configuration information pieces stored in the storage unit to the insulation monitoring terminals respectively associated with the configuration information pieces.
US08185355B2
Techniques for collecting and displaying sensor data captured by a spatially and temporally representative sample of sensors requested in a search query are described. The sensors are represented in an index structure (e.g., a data tree) having a plurality of leaf nodes and internal nodes. The leaf nodes are associated with sensors and the internal nodes are allotted with caches having cache slots for storing sensor data with various expiry times. In response to a query, the index structure is leveraged to identify a set of nodes associated with sensors of a user selected spatial region. Sensor data having an expiry time greater than a user specified expiry time is then collected from one or more cache slots of the set of nodes. In this manner, the number of sensors to be probed to collect the sensor data is reduced.
US08185330B2
A method and apparatus is provided for setting time positions of measurement gates on a signal under test. Signal transition data is calculated by a processor for multiple signal transitions. Measurement gate start and end positions are set relative to the multiple signal transitions based on the received signal transition data.
US08185318B2
The present invention provides assays and methods of compensating for changes in an assay where such changes are due to variations in a perturbing variable. This is achieved by a two-step method, the first step of which involves measurements of the dose-response curve, and thus the individual assay parameters, at different values of the perturbing variable. In the second step, unknown samples are assayed simultaneously with a standard. During this measurement, the value of the perturbing variable is unknown and the dose-response curve is therefore also unknown. The dose-response curves from the first step are used to determine a mathematical relationship between the assay parameters and the assay signal of the standard. Assay parameters that are valid for the unknown value of the perturbing variable can be obtained by substituting the value of the assay signal from the standard into the mathematical relationship and solving for the assay parameters.
US08185313B2
A probabilistic method for classifying observed CSEM response for a resistive anomaly to classify the response into multiple geologic categories indicative of hydrocarbon production potential. Each category is assigned a prior probability (301). For each category, conditional joint probability distributions for observed CSEM data in the anomaly region are constructed (303) from rock property probability distributions (302) and a quantitative relationship between rock/fluid properties and the CSEM data (304). Then, the joint probability distributions and prior probabilities for each category (305) are combined with observed data (307) and used in Bayes' Rule (306) to update the prior category probabilities (308). Seismic data may be used to supplement CSEM data in the method.
US08185305B2
A rewrite apparatus calculates a risk of destruction of data due to data retention in each file. It is determined whether a refresh start condition is satisfied. The refresh start condition is provided in accordance with the calculated risk. When the refresh start condition is satisfied, it is determined that the possibility to completely execute the refresh is high. The refresh is thereby executed. The rewrite apparatus can thus reduce the possibility to interrupt the refresh of the data stored in the storage medium such as a flash memory.
US08185304B2
A method of controlling a navigation system is provided which builds up historical information of routes taken by a vehicle and uses this information to provide an appropriate route for the vehicle based upon deviations from suggested routes stored upon a mobile computer unit of the navigation system of the vehicle.
US08185298B2
Hybrid-heuristic optimization of competing portfolios of flight paths for flights through one or more sectors of an airspace represented by an air traffic system. In one embodiment, a hybrid-heuristic optimization process (100) includes one or more heuristic based processes (110), a genetic optimization process (120), an evaluation process involving an approximation model (130), an optimal portfolio selection process (140) and a validation process involving simulation (150) of the air traffic system.
US08185290B2
A data acquisition system for an excavation machine having a power source configured to drive a tool through a work cycle is disclosed. The data acquisition system may have a first sensor associated with the power source to generate a first signal indicative of a performance of the power source, and a second sensor associated with the tool to generate a second signal indicative of a performance of the tool. The data acquisition system may also have a controller in communication with the first and second sensors. The controller may be configured to record the first and second signals, and partition the work cycle into a plurality of segments. The controller may be further configured to link the performance of the power source and the performance of the tool together with one of the plurality of segments during which the associated first and second signals were recorded.
US08185285B2
A control system of a vehicle includes a pressure sensor that generates a pressure signal based on a pressure in a transmission of the vehicle. A control module determines atmospheric pressure based on the pressure signal. The control module controls operation of at least one of the transmission and an engine of the vehicle by generating a control signal based on the atmospheric pressure.
US08185284B2
ECU executes in-neutral control in a case where a first clutch is brought into a half-engagement state on the basis of execution of neutral control. During the in-neutral control, ECU detects engine speed and input-shaft rotating speed, and detects differential rotation before an oil pressure change. Subsequently, in a case where the differential rotation before an oil pressure change detected by ECU has exceeded a first differential rotation threshold value, the operating oil pressure for a hydraulic servo is reduced by the first oil pressure.
US08185277B2
A vehicle for removing and hauling waste has a waste bin located above a baseline. The waste bin has a chamber and an emptying site for receiving waste into the chamber. A waste receptacle transfer means is driven from a first position associated with the baseline to a second position associated with the emptying site of the waste bin and back to the first position. A waste receptacle is temporarily retainable to the waste receptacle transfer means and transferrable by the waste receptacle transfer means from the first position to the second position to spill contents of the waste receptacle into the waste bin at the emptying site and back to the first position. A first receiver is associated with the first position for receiving a signal generated by the waste receptacle at a first moment in time when the waste receptacle transfer means is in the first position and at a second moment in time when the waste receptacle transfer means has returned to the first position from second position.
US08185270B2
A vehicle steering device (1) has a steering actuator (14) for steerable wheels (5) to be steered according to operation of a steering member (2), a transmission mechanism (18) including cables (22, 23), a connection mechanism (19) for allowing and interrupting mechanical connection between the steering member (2) and the wheels (5), and control unit (9). When the steering actuator (14) is normal, the control unit (9) causes the connection mechanism (19) to release mechanical connection between the steering member (2) and the wheels (5) and drives and controls the steering actuator (14) according to operation of the steering member (2). The control unit (9) includes a fail detecting section (29) for detecting, when the steering actuator (14) is normal, a fail of the transmission mechanism (18) based on a load on the steering actuator (14).
US08185267B2
The present invention is applied to, for example, a multimedia terminal having a function of navigation equipment and a function of playing back video and switches a display from a map display to a source display also with source switching operators 13P, 13R. In addition, menus of upper and lower hierarchies are simultaneously displayed to accept operations through a touch panel and a remote commander. In addition to a press-operable main rotary operator, a press-operable sub rotary operator is provided on a side surface. Among operations accepted through the main rotary operator, only a specific operation relating to content processing is accepted through the sub rotary operator.
US08185261B2
Computer-based systems and methods for determining attitude of a moveable object. Attitude is determined by a transformation matrix {right arrow over (U)} from a body coordinate frame of the moveable object to an inertial reference frame. The transformation matrix is determined by: (i) determining a slew rate vector, {right arrow over (α)}, for time tN for the moveable object that represents a change in direction of an angular rate vector, {right arrow over (ω)}, for the moveable object over the time interval from tN−1 to tN in the body coordinate frame; (ii) determining an update to the transformation matrix for time tN that is based on a product of two matrices, the first matrix being related to a sum of {right arrow over (ω)} and {right arrow over (α)}, and the second matrix being related to −{right arrow over (α)}; and (iii) multiplying a transformation matrix for time tN−1 and the update to the transformation matrix for time tN to obtain the transformation matrix for time tN.
US08185260B2
A prognostic and health accuracy maintenance system and method for a system following on-site replacement of a component in the system is provided. A system characterization model of at least portions of the system is generated and embedded within a controller in the system. The system characterization model is adapted to receive a plurality of signals that are each representative of an operational parameter within the system and is responsive to each of the signals to generate simulation response data and determine system health based, at least in part, on the simulation response data. When a component within the system is replaced, a determination is made as to whether the replacement component exhibits one or more operational performance characteristics that differ from the component it replaced. If so, the embedded system characterization model is updated in-situ.
US08185258B2
A system may generate a modified flight plan for an aircraft based on an original flight plan. The system may provide an automatic strategic offset function that includes an autoflight system; a sensor system including at least one of a global positioning system, an inertial reference unit, or an air data computer; and a flight management computer. The flight management computer may be operably coupled with the autoflight system and/or the sensor system. The flight management computer may process a flight plan of the vehicle and generate a non-uniform offset value in the vertical and/or lateral orientation between the flight plan and a boundary. The offset value may be used to create an offset flight plan for navigating an aircraft.
US08185256B2
A method for prioritizing threats to an aircraft is disclosed. The method can include providing threat attribute information including a threat engagement timeline and a threat lethality metric and obtaining a threat track indication that indicates a threat is tracking the aircraft. The method can also include determining a historical position estimate of the aircraft at which the threat track began, a time estimate at which the threat track began and determining a period of time during which the threat track has been possible. The method can also include determining a time to engagement based on the threat attribute information and the time period and calculating a priority value for the threat based on the time to engagement and the threat lethality metric. The method can include outputting a prioritized threat list including the priority value calculated for the threat.
US08185253B2
A first microcomputer in an ECU outputs a CID of the ECU in response to a request from a scan tool when the ECU has multiple microcomputers implemented therein. Each of the multiple microcomputers has an additive value stored therein for counting an update of the software. The additive values from the multiple microcomputers are added as a sum total of the ECU that is further added to a CID base value. The sum total of the ECU added to the CID base value is then output as the CID of the ECU from the first microcomputer to the scan tool. Therefore, information stored in the first microcomputer is not necessarily changed for outputting an updated CID (e.g., software product number information) from the ECU.
US08185247B2
In the present invention, a method and a system for controlling a compressor are provided. The method includes the steps of: providing a condenser connected to the compressor, and at least one evaporator connected to the condenser; measuring an inlet pressure and an outlet pressure of the compressor to obtain a flow rate of the condensate; determining a secure flow rate and a demanding flow rate based on a total number of the at least one evaporator; comparing at least two of the flow rate, the demanding flow rate and the secure flow rate with each other to obtain a compared result; and controlling the compressor based on the comparing result.
US08185241B2
A tracked robotic crawler capable of multiple movement moves is disclosed. In one embodiment, the tracked robotic crawler includes at least one frame unit, the frame unit having a continuous track rotatably coupled thereto. Disposed on the at least one frame unit is at least one articulated arm, the arm being movable relative to the frame unit in at least one dimension. The articulated arm helps to improve mobility of the tracked robotic crawler in various environments.
US08185227B2
A first linear combination of a local moving aggregated quantity derived from a WIP distribution and a global aggregated quantity derived from the WIP distribution is calculated for each range for a given product type in a manufacturing line. The first linear combination serves as a first throughput target for the range and product. A second linear combination of a standard deviation of the non-zero portion of the WIP distribution and the global aggregated quantity is calculated for the product type in the manufacturing line. The coefficients of this second linear combination are predetermined. This second linear combination serves as a second throughput target. A throughput target for each range is determined by determining the minimum of the first throughput target, which can be different for each range, and the second throughput target, which is common across all ranges.
US08185226B2
By defining a section-related WIP limit or a throughput-related WIP limit, an efficient “look ahead” characteristic may be established to efficiently control the WIP in a complex manufacturing environment, such as a semiconductor facility. The respective critical WIP values may enable efficient reduction of priority of products moving towards an increased WIP queue, thereby reducing or substantially avoiding the release of products that are expected to run into the WIP queue. In this way, the efficiency of shared tools may be increased, since process capacity no longer required for the processing products running into WIP queues may be allocated for other operations.
US08185201B2
Systems and methods for estimating caloric expenditure. The systems can include a physiological sensor to measure a patient's physical activity, and a posture sensor to measure the patient's posture. An estimated caloric expenditure can be calculated based on data from the physiological sensor and the posture sensor. For example, the estimated caloric expenditure can be calculated at least in part based on the posture data. For example, the estimated caloric expenditure can be validated based on the posture data.
US08185195B2
Different types of cardiac arrhythmia are classified based on the morphology of the arrhythmic beats. Cardiac beats associated with an arrhythmic episode are compared to a plurality of representative beat morphologies, each representative beat morphology characterizing a type of arrhythmia of the heart. An arrhythmic episode may be classified as a particular type of arrhythmia if the morphology of the arrhythmic cardiac beats matches a representative beat morphology characterizing the particular type of arrhythmia. An appropriate therapy for the particular type of arrhythmia may be selected based on the arrhythmia classification. A particular type of arrhythmia may be associated with one or more therapies used to treat the arrhythmia. The therapy used to treat the arrhythmia may comprise a therapy identified as a previously successful therapy.
US08185192B2
A volume of a patient can be mapped with a system operable to identify a plurality of locations and save a plurality of locations of a mapping instrument. The mapping instrument can include one or more electrodes that can sense a voltage that can be correlated to a three dimensional location of the electrode at the time of the sensing or measurement. Therefore, a map of a volume can be determined based upon the sensing of the plurality of points without the use of other imaging devices. An implantable medical device can then be navigated relative to the mapping data.
US08185189B2
A pulsed radiation beam is directed toward a body structure having a configuration or physical characteristic that changes over time, the radiation being pulsed at a pulse modulation frequency. A detector detects acoustic oscillations set up in the body resultant from the incident pulsed radiation and produces an output signal representative of one or more parameters of the acoustic oscillations. A control system controls operation of the radiation delivery and a processor to process the detector output signal. The pulse modulation frequency of the pulsed radiation is changed over a predetermined range of modulation frequencies and the processor determines the structure resonant frequency from the detector output.
US08185176B2
The invention provides methods and systems for neurovascular imaging (150).
US08185175B2
A low-cost superconducting coil which can generate a high magnetic field at comparatively high temperature is provided. The superconducting coil is formed in a pancake shape by winding a superconducting conductor that is made by electrically connecting a tape-shaped (Bi,Pb)2223 superconducting wire and a tape-shaped RE123 superconducting wire in series such that the tape-shaped (Bi,Pb)2223 superconducting wire is arranged in the outer circumferential part and the tape-shaped RE123 superconducting wire is arranged in the internal circumferential part.
US08185164B2
A method of controlling a mobile terminal and includes displaying on a display of the mobile terminal a list having a plurality of items, identifying a selected item of the plurality items of the list, and detecting movement of the mobile terminal. The method further includes displaying on the display a menu having a plurality of items that are each associated with a function which can be performed based upon information associated with the selected item, wherein the displaying of the menu is in response to the detecting of the movement of the mobile terminal.
US08185159B2
A wireless communication system including a wireless terminal, a plurality of base stations and a call processing control unit is disclosed. The wireless terminal, upon reception of the notification information from any of the base stations, judges whether the area included in the notification information is contained in the location registration area list stored in a storage unit, and in the case where the particular area is not so contained, sends a location registration request to the call processing control unit. On the other hand, the call processing control unit creates a new location registration area list based on the area included in the notification information and the neighboring areas, and sends the location registration area list to the wireless terminal thereby to execute the paging process.
US08185150B2
Embodiments of an apparatus and methods for selecting a communication line from two or more lines on a communication device are described herein. The communication device comprises a display module, an input module, a line selection module, and a communication module for making a call over a network to a target recipient. In one broad aspect, a determination of which of the communication lines is the communication line associated with the selected one of at least two appointment categories for an appointment is made in the selection of a communication line accessible at the communication device on which an outgoing call may be placed.
US08185147B2
An electronic device has a display in which the casing of the display includes a plurality of recessed cavities into which radio and antenna modules can be inserted to provide the electronic device with a wireless communication capability. The display can have cavities for one or more radios and one or more antenna modules. A radio electrically connects to one or more antenna modules via conductor(s) contained within the display and connects to the host electronic device via a serial bus (e.g., USB). Accordingly, the display can have a plurality of radio/antenna combinations thereby concurrently providing the electronic device with multiple wireless communication capabilities.
US08185145B1
Disclosed herein are methods and systems for dynamically adjusting power allocated for overhead communications in a sector of a radio access network (RAN). An exemplary method involves (a) detecting a switch to RC4 for resource allocation in a given sector; (b) in response to detecting the switch to RC4: (i) determining the location of each access terminal located in the sector; and (ii) based at least in part on the locations of the access terminals, determining mobility of access terminals in the sector; (c) making a determination as to whether or not the mobility is below a threshold level; and (d) if the determined mobility is below the threshold level, then: (i) based at least in part on the determined locations of the access terminals, determining an amount by which to reduce the power allocated for overhead communications in the sector; and (ii) reducing the power by the determined amount.
US08185142B2
A dispatch communication and management system method is provided, allowing a dispatcher and remote service technicians to exchange messages over a network in a prescribed format to notify the technicians of new dispatch orders, and to update status information for dispatch orders in corresponding customer service records in a database.
US08185134B2
A method and device of geographically tagging images by capturing an image, determining a position based on detection of satellite signals and a wireless network signal, and tagging the image with the determined position is provided.
US08185133B2
Providing a map and/or directions to a visitor to a facility may include and/or involve a wireless communication device signaling its presence at a location in a facility, and communicating to the wireless communication device a map of the facility indicating the location. This may include and/or involve communicating to the wireless device directions to and/or from the location to a destination within the facility.
US08185130B2
Location-blocking and identity-blocking services that can be commercially offered by a service promoter, e.g., a cellular service provider or a web advertiser. In the identity-blocking service, the service promoter may disclose the current physical location of a mobile subscriber (i.e., a cellular phone operator) to a third party (e.g., a web advertiser) subscribing to the identity-blocking service. However, the service promoter may not send any identity information for the mobile subscriber to the third party. On the other hand, in the location-blocking service, the service promoter may disclose the mobile subscriber's identity information to the third party, but not the current physical location of the mobile subscriber. Blocking of the mobile subscriber's identity or location information may be desirable for privacy reasons, to comply with a government regulation, or to implement a telecommunication service option selected by the mobile subscriber. However, in the case of the mobile subscriber requesting emergency help, the service promoter may not block identity and/or location information. Instead, the service promoter may send all such information to the emergency service provider (e.g., the police or a hospital).
US08185128B2
Techniques for supporting location services with roaming are described. A mobile station interacts with a home mobile positioning center (H-MPC) in a home network for location services even when roaming. The mobile station communicates with a visited network for a data session and receives a request for its location. The mobile station sends first information (e.g., SID and NID) indicative of its current network location to the H-MPC. The H-MPC determines a serving mobile positioning center (S-MPC) in the visited network based on the first information. The S-MPC determines a serving position determining entity (S-PDE) in the visited network based on the first information. Depending on the selected positioning method, the H-MPC may receive an S-PDE address or a position estimate of the mobile station from the S-MPC and may forward this information to mobile station. The mobile station may communicate with the S-PDE for positioning using the S-PDE address.
US08185125B2
A transmission rate control method according to the present invention includes: selecting, at the radio base station NodeB, increase-allowed mobile stations whose uplink user data transmission rate can be increased at a predetermined TTI; equally dividing, at the radio base station NodeB, an available radio resource at the predetermined TTI, based on the number of increase-allowed mobile stations or the number of E-AGCHs that can be transmitted in the cell; and adding, at the radio base station NodeB, the radio resource equally divided by a radio resource allocating unit 13A, to each radio resources allocated to each mobile stations to which a transmission rate control channel (E-AGCH) can be transmitted and is one of the increase-allowed mobile stations.
US08185123B2
Provided is a method and apparatus for managing radio resources in a mobile communication system. The method includes periodically detecting a current radio resource availability state with in a cell, and broadcasting information about the current radio resource availability state to a mobile terminal.
US08185121B2
A method for optimizing RF coverage includes dividing a floor plan according to a plurality of grids. Radio frequency coverage for each of the plurality of grids is calculated to render a plurality of coverages. First data representative of the plurality of coverage grids is provided to a client. Second data representative of an incremental change in radio frequency coverage for a first grid of the plurality of grids is provided to the client.
US08185118B2
The present invention concerns a method for obtaining a context of a mobile terminal (30) which is expecting to be served by a first base station (10b) of a wireless telecommunication network comprising a plurality of base stations (10) linked together by a telecommunication network. The first base station which is expected to serve the mobile terminal, receives a first message from the mobile terminal (30) through a wireless interface, the message comprising at least an identifier of the mobile terminal (30) and an identifier of a second base station (10a), transfers through the telecommunication network (50) a second message to the second base station (10a) of which the identifier is comprised in the received message, receives through the telecommunication network a third message from the second base station, the third message message comprising the context of the mobile terminal.
US08185114B2
Disclosed are a system and a method for optimizing a handover process in a mobile broadband wireless access system. The method performs handover in a mobile communication system including a mobile subscriber station, a serving base station currently providing service to the mobile subscriber station, and at least one neighbor base stations adjacent to the serving base station. The method includes the steps of receiving a handover request from the mobile subscriber station by the serving base station; instructing the mobile subscriber station to perform handover by the serving base station in response to the handover request from the mobile subscriber station and performing by the mobile subscriber station a network reentry process for fast handover in accordance with information included in a handover instruction from the serving base station.
US08185110B2
A method and apparatus of optimizing transitioning between EVDO and CDMA 1× systems in a hybrid access terminal, the method having the steps of: preventing a reconnect data call from being sent from the hybrid access terminal. The preventing step including checking whether a transition between an EVDO and a CDMA 1× system is successful; and if not blocking the data call, and/or checking whether an EVDO received signal strength indication is greater than or equal to a receiver sensitivity on the hybrid access terminal; and if yes, allowing the hybrid access terminal to connect to the EVDO system, and/or delaying a connection timer for connecting to the EVDO system and/or applying fast dormancy to the hybrid access terminal in an EVDO state.
US08185105B2
A method, system and apparatus for using an IMS communication service identifier is provided. The method includes getting, by an HSS, arrival of information related to a user subscribed IMS communication service identifier, and sending information of a user subscribed IMS communication service identifier to a SID-requiring network entity according to the information related to the user subscribed IMS communication service.
US08185097B2
There is disclosed a system and method for locking and branding a generic mobile communication device to a carrier network. In an embodiment, the method comprises: inserting in the device a subscriber or user identification module specifying a selection of a carrier network to which the mobile communication device is to be wirelessly connected; issuing from the device a request to lock and brand the device to the selected carrier network; in response to the request, receiving a customized configuration file for the selected network containing a device locking command, and one or more branding commands to brand the device to the selected carrier network; executing the device locking command to lock the device to the selected carrier network; and executing the one or more branding commands to brand the device to the selected carrier network with one or more customized features specific to the selected carrier network.
US08185093B2
A communication apparatus is provided. A first subscriber identity card is with a first address and camps on a first cell. A second subscriber identity card is with a second address and camps on a second cell. A processor determines whether a first communication status of the first subscriber identity card reaches a first limitation, determines whether a second communication status of the second subscriber identity card reaches a second limitation, and determines whether to activate a service instructing the first wireless network to transfer a first apparatus terminated communication request of the first subscriber identity card to the second subscriber identity card according to determination results for the first communication status and the second communication status, wherein the first apparatus terminated communication request is initiated from a peer communication entity to request for establishing wireless communication with the first subscriber identity card.
US08185077B2
A system includes an antenna to receive a communications signal, an amplifier coupled to the antenna to amplify the communications signal, and a processor coupled to the amplifier to process the communications signal using high-order statistics to suppress noise in the communications signal. The processor may use a bispectrum function to remove at least a portion of the noise, and at least one of the phase of the bispectrum and the amplitude of the bispectrum to reconstruct the communications signal.
US08185070B2
A broadcast system and a channel setting method therein are provided. The broadcast system includes a channel searching unit for setting a center frequency for at least one broadcasting channel, and a searching frequency of n-th and (n+1)-th channels according to each center frequency, and storing channel information obtained from broadcast information received through the n-th or (n+1)-th channel when a broadcast signal is detected at the searching frequency.
US08185062B2
A configurable antenna assembly includes an antenna structure and a configurable antenna interface. The antenna structure is operable, in a first mode, to provide a first antenna structure and a second antenna structure, wherein the first antenna structure receives an inbound radio frequency (RF) signal and the second antenna structure transmits an outbound RF signal. The configurable antenna interface is operable in the first mode to provide a first antenna interface and a second antenna interface, wherein the first antenna interface is configured in accordance with a receive adjust signal to adjust at least one of phase and amplitude of the inbound RF signal, and wherein the second antenna interface is configured in accordance with a transmit adjust signal to adjust at least one of phase and amplitude of the outbound RF signal.
US08185061B2
A wireless terminal includes an antenna which comprises an antenna element and at least one frequency switching circuit to control an operating frequency of the antenna element in accordance with a frequency control signal, a plurality of RF circuits to perform an RF signal processing, an antenna switch to connect the antenna to one of the plurality of RF circuits in accordance with a connection control signal, and a generation unit configured to generate the frequency control signal and the connection control signal in accordance with switching between a plurality of wireless communication systems or switching between transmission and reception.
US08185058B2
A device has a radio transmitter for a first radio link such as a Bluetooth link, having a coexistence controller arranged to communicate with a co-located other radio transmitter for another radio link, to enable both radio links to use potentially conflicting transmission frequencies. A link monitor monitors the first radio link, according to an output from the coexistence controller. By making the link monitor dependent on the coexistence controller, it can distinguish between transmission losses caused by the coexistence interface, and those caused by other effects, to reduce the risk of a data rate controller unnecessarily reducing a transmission rate if transmission losses caused by the coexistence control are misinterpreted as a drop in link quality.
US08185057B2
Operating a user equipment in a mobile communication system includes generating a measure of reliability of a predicted channel estimate and of impairment stability, wherein the predicted channel estimate is a predicted estimate of a channel between the user equipment and a node of the mobile communications system. Transmission of a channel quality report to the node of the mobile communication system is controlled as a function of the generated measure of reliability of the predicted channel estimate and of impairment stability. Transmission control includes inhibiting transmission of the channel quality report to the node of the mobile communication system for a duration of time corresponding to the measure of reliability of the predicted channel estimate and of impairment stability.
US08185055B2
An interference determination apparatus, including a signal receiver to receive a first signal of a primary network and a second signal of a secondary network; a correlator to compute a correlation value of a first cyclic prefix included in the first signal and a correlation value of a second cyclic prefix included in the second signal; and an interference determination unit to determine an interference level or whether the interference occurs between the primary network and the secondary network, using the correlation value of the first cyclic prefix and the correlation value of the second cyclic prefix.
US08185051B2
A pinging electronic device, a pingable electronic device and a network for the devices are disclosed. The ping electronic devices comprising a ping function and a transmitter wherein the ping function is adapted to generate and the transmitter is adapted to transmit over an ad hoc wireless network at least one associated ping control message to at least one pingable electronic device paired to the pinging electronic device for actuation of at least one indicator element of the at least one pingable electronic device.
US08185050B2
Coexistance device communication between a Bluetooth device and a wireless local area network device
The present invention provides a system and a method for transferring data between a Bluetooth device (BTD) and a wireless local area network (WLAN) device which uses packet traffic arbitration (PTA). The method of the present invention includes encoding data using a plurality of control lines between the BTD and WLAN, transmitting the data and acknowledging the data reception using the existing control lines. The method according to the present invention allows BTD and WLAN device to transmit additional scheduling information, schedule the medium access, and reduce the number of collisions between the two devices.
US08185046B2
The present application relates to a wireless communication system and related methods and apparatuses for transmitting a signal from a source apparatus to a destination apparatus, via at least one intermediate apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to techniques which seek to improve the throughput of data in multi-hop communication systems.
US08185036B2
The medium transport apparatus is provided with: a transport unit that transports a recording medium continuing in a direction, in the direction where the recording medium continues; a detection unit that detects a mark formed on the recording medium transported by the transport unit, by using a detection effective range smaller than a dimension of the mark in a direction crossing a transport direction of the recording medium; a positional relationship identification unit that identifies a relative positional relationship between the detection unit and the mark in the direction crossing the transport direction, from a detection result obtained by the detection unit; and a move unit that moves the detection unit in the direction crossing the transport direction, on the basis of the relative positional relationship identified by the positional relationship identification unit.
US08185033B2
An image forming apparatus having an improved photosensitive body unit capable of efficiently utilizing an inner space of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a photosensitive body unit having a photosensitive body housing and a photosensitive body mounted in the photosensitive body housing. The photosensitive body housing includes a first developer storage part to store a developer collected from the photosensitive body, a second developer storage part to store a developer conveyed from the first developer storage part, and a light window provided so that light can be scanned to the photosensitive body. The light window is positioned between the first developer storage part and the second developer storage part. Developer paths are provided on outer side portions of the light window to connect the first developer storage part and the second developer storage part.
US08185027B2
The image forming apparatus includes: an apparatus body including a drive source; a driven member detachably attachable to the apparatus body; a first transmission member in the apparatus body, including a base rotatable around a rotation axis, and transmitting drive force from the drive source to the driven member; and a second transmission member in the driven member, including a base rotatable around the rotation axis, and transmitting drive force from the first transmission member to the driven member. Any of the first and second transmission members includes a projection, and the other includes a receiving port. The receiving port receives the projection when a rotation angle between the first and second transmission members is an angle set in advance while not receiving the projection when the rotation angle is out of the angle, at the time of mounting the driven member on the apparatus body.
US08185023B2
A developer container for an image forming apparatus includes a developer accommodating chamber, provided with an opening, for accommodating a developer to be supplied to the opening; a feeding member, provided in the developer accommodating chamber and having an elasticity, for feeding the developer by rotation thereof; a deforming portion, provided in the developer accommodating chamber and contactable to the feeding member, for deforming the feeding member against the elasticity with the rotation of the feeding member; and a restoration portion for permitting the feeding member deformed by the deformed portion to restore elastically, thereby to throw the developer toward the opening, wherein a boundary portion between the deformed portion the restoration portion is disposed below a lower end of the opening.
US08185015B2
An image forming apparatus includes: a main body; a process frame that is removably installed into the main body; and a process cartridge that is detachably installed in the process frame; the process cartridge including: a photosensitive member; and a shutter member that is configured to be movable between a closed position where the photosensitive member is covered and an open position where the photosensitive member is exposed, wherein the shutter member moves from the closed position to the open position as the process frame is operated to be installed into the main body.
US08185010B2
Cleaning performance of a cleaning pad for cleaning a charging wire is maintained so that the charging voltage of an image carrier by a charging wire is stabilized. A charging wire cleaning apparatus is provided with a cleaning pad for cleaning a charging wire which charges an image carrier, a slider which is a supporting body for supporting the cleaning pad, and a screw shaft which is a moving mechanism for reciprocating the slider in parallel to the charging wire. When the slider is at a predetermined position of the reciprocation range, the cleaning pad and the charging wire are separated, and the cleaning pad is adapted to be shifted with respect to the charging wire in this state.
US08185006B2
A magnetic material detecting device, in which a concentration of magnetic material can be correctly detected, even when the magnetic material with unevenness in its density distribution flows. A magnetic field generating device is arranged in a two-component developer composed of magnetic carrier and non-magnetic toner and generates a magnetic field. A signal output device is arranged in the developer and outputs a signal depending on a magnetic permeability of the developer due to the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generating device. An agitating unit agitates the developer and makes the developer flow between the magnetic field generating device and the signal output device. A detecting unit detects a proportion of the toner in the developer based on a result of multiple times sampling of the signal outputted from the signal output device after the agitating unit starts to operate.
US08185004B2
In a method or system to set a dot size of toner images, at least one latent raster image is generated that is not to be inked with toner particles in at least one region to form a first toner image. At least one additional latent raster image is generated that is to be inked with toner particles over its entire surface, the additional latent raster image being inked with toner particles to form an additional toner image. With a sensor unit a first toner particle quantity is determined which is used to ink at least one toner image and a second toner particle quantity is determined which is used to ink the at least one additional toner image. A ratio of the first toner particle quantity and the second toner particle quantity is determined. The determined ratio is used as a measure representing a real value for an areal coverage of the first toner image and the real value is compared with a desired value. An electrical field is set, depending on a result of the comparison, to transfer toner particles to regions of the at least one latent raster image that are to be inked.
US08184999B2
An image forming apparatus and a control method thereof, the control method including applying a minimum current to a light emitting element, and applying one or more higher currents, up to a maximum current, to the light emitting element, if a light receiving element fails to detect light emitted by the light emitting element.
US08184997B2
An information processing apparatus is configured to communicate with an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a toner supply unit having a stationary toner container and a replaceable toner container. The information processing apparatus includes a first receiving unit configured to receive from the image forming apparatus a toner-low notification with respect to the stationary toner container, a second receiving unit configured to receive from the image forming apparatus a replaceability notification with respect to the replaceable toner container, and a management unit configured to manage a stock quantity of the replaceable toner containers based on the toner-low notification received by the first receiving unit and the replaceability notification received by the second receiving unit.
US08184995B2
A diagnostic system made part of or for use with a document handling device in which a customer is guided toward performance of at least one comparison means in a diagnostic routine analysis. The comparison means is selected from a group comprising (1) a first comparison comparing a fused print media and an unfused print media for presence of a defect, (2) a second comparison comparing an output print media and at least one image on a screen for a type of defect, and (3) a third comparison comparing a low-charged print media and a no-charged print media for qualities of the defect. The customer enters a selection based on results of the first, the second, or the third comparisons. The diagnostic system can identify a part causing a defect in the print media based on results of the comparisons.
US08184994B2
An optical receiving circuit receives and demodulates an optical signal subjected to phase modulation and wavelength division multiplexing. The optical receiving circuit includes an interfering unit that causes a reference signal to interfere with the optical signal to output resulting signals as positive-phase signals and negative-phase signals; and a wavelength separator having input ports receiving the positive-phase signals and the negative-phase signals, the positive-phase and negative-phase signals being adjacent to each other. The wavelength separator separates according to wavelength, the positive-phase signals and the negative-phase signals, and from output ports, outputs for each wavelength, a separated positive-phase signal and negative-phase signal in a state of being adjacent to each other. The optical receiving circuit further includes balanced receivers respectively provided for each wavelength, where a given balanced receiver for a given wavelength performs balanced reception and demodulation of the separated positive-phase signal and negative phase signal of the given wavelength.
US08184992B2
An optical field receiver comprises an optical brancher that branches a received optical multilevel signal into first and second optical signals; an optical delayed detector that performs delayed detection on the first optical signal by a delayed detector with a delay time of T/2 (where T is equal to a symbol time) and a phase difference of 90 degrees; a balanced optical receiver that converts the optical signal outputted from the first delay detector to an electric signal; and an optical intensity receiver that converts the second optical signal to an electric signal; and an electric field calculating part that generates, from the output signals of the first and second optical receivers, first and second reproduced signals indicative of the phase angle and amplitude value of the received symbol represented by the complex signal in each symbol time T.
US08184987B2
A method, a device, and a system for realizing data transmission extension in a passive optical network (PON) are provided. Between a burst-mode clock and data recovery (BCDR) module and an electrical-optical (E/O) amplification module, the device includes a delimiter matching module and a preamble buffering and compensating module. The delimiter matching module is adapted to receive a data frame sent by the BCDR module and determine a location of a delimiter in the data frame. An optical-electrical (O/E) amplification module performs O/E conversion, amplification, and shaping on the data frame. The BCDR module then performs clock and data recovery processing on the data frame. The preamble buffering and compensating module is adapted to receive and buffer the data frame output from the delimiter matching module, insert a compensation preamble in the data frame according to the location of the delimiter in the data frame determined by the delimiter matching module, and send the data frame to the E/O amplification module according to a retiming clock of a downstream direction. Therefore, the data transmission extension is realized in an optical-electrical-optical (OEO) manner.
US08184958B2
An audio-video player, which automatically determines an event corresponding to the current state and displays a preferred message associated with the event, is provided. A DVD player includes: a massage table which stores prescribed messages in advance by associating them with a plurality of events having prescribed priorities; an event determination unit which sequentially determines whether the current state corresponds to an event, starting from an event of higher priority; and a message display control unit which reads out, when the event determination unit found the corresponding event, a prescribed message associated with the corresponding event from a message table and displays it.
US08184956B2
A large amount of appreciation data such as image data exceeding capacity of a recording medium is easily managed. Image data are recorded in a recording medium by a digital camera. When a user requests storage of the image data from a DPE store, the image data are read from the recording medium and stored in a storage system. The image data are deleted from the recording medium and thumbnail image data are generated. The thumbnail image data are recorded in the recording medium and provided to the user. In this manner, free space in the recording medium can be saved. By referring to the thumbnail image data, the image data that have been stored at the DPE store can be easily confirmed, which leads to easy management of the image data.
US08184954B2
An optical disc (100) is provided with a recording region where prescribed clock information (WBL) is preformatted for recording. The clock information is (i) included in a first frequency band that is definable by a first reference frequency (Fstd) (that is impossible for a conventional reproducing device to detect by a detecting method based on a self-correlation) and is (ii) defined by a frequency that is integer times the first frequency.
US08184950B2
Arrangements including a specifying unit for specifying a local recording time in a location where the data has been recorded, in accordance with in accordance with the data recording time information (REC_TM), the time zone information (TM_ZONE), and the recording time zone information (REC_TM_ZONE) at the data recording time, and wherein the specifying means specifies the local recording time in the location where the data has been recorded, at only a case where the flag indicates that the recording time zone information (REC_TM_ZONE) at the data recording time specifies the time difference from the world standard time (Greenwich Mean Time) in the location where the data has been recorded.
US08184949B2
A reproduction apparatus includes a specifying unit for specifying a local recording time in a location where the data first or last recorded on the data group has been recorded while the data is reproduced, and wherein the specifying means calculates, by (REC_TM)−(TM_ZONE)+(REC_TM_ZONE), a recording time at the local time of the data first recorded on the data group in accordance with the first data recording time information (REC_TM), the time zone information (TM_ZONE) and the recording time zone information (REC_TM_ZONE) at the data recording time; and a recording time at the local time of the data last recorded on the data group in accordance with the second data recording time information (REC_TM), the time zone information (TM_ZONE) and the recording time zone information (REC_TM_ZONE) at the data recording time, respectively.
US08184948B2
Data management information includes: recording time zone information (REC_TM_ZONE) at a time of recording data, indicating a time difference between the world standard time (Greenwich Mean Time) and a standard time in a location where the data of the group data for managing the data management information; first data recording time information indicating a recording time of data first recorded on the data group; and second data recording time information indicating a recording time of data last recorded on the data group, and wherein the reproduction apparatus further includes a unit for specifying respective local recording times in locations where the first recorded data and the last recorded data has been recorded, respectively, while the data is reproduced, in accordance with the first and second data recording time information, the time zone information (TM_ZONE), and the recording time zone information (REC_TM_ZONE) at the data recording time.
US08184944B2
A recording medium having recorded thereon one or more pieces of playlist information each of which includes a stream table including multiple stream entries. Each audio stream has been encoded in one of a mandatory format that is an encoding format decodable by a playback apparatus with any version number, and an optional format that is an encoding format decodable by a playback apparatus with a predetermined or higher version number. In a first-type stream table, a stream entry corresponding to an audio stream encoded in the optional format is immediately subsequent, in the order of the stream entries, to a stream entry corresponding to an audio stream encoded in the mandatory format, the audio stream encoded in the optional format and the audio stream encoded in the mandatory format having been encoded from a same audio source and having a same language code and a same number of channels.
US08184943B2
A method of scanning content comprises receiving an input signal indicating that content being displayed is to be scanned, sensing a duration of the received input signal, and scanning the content at a rate based at least in part on the sensed duration of the received input.
US08184929B2
An optical transmitter comprises a monolithic transmitter photonic integrated circuit (TxPIC) chip that includes an array of modulated sources formed on the PIC chip and having different operating wavelengths approximating a standardized wavelength grid and providing signal outputs of different wavelengths. A wavelength selective combiner is formed on the PIC chip having a wavelength grid passband response approximating the wavelength grid of the standardized wavelength grid. The signal outputs of the modulated sources optically coupled to inputs of the wavelength selective combiner to produce a combined signal output from the combiner. A first wavelength tuning element coupled to each of the modulated sources and a second wavelength tuning element coupled to the wavelength selective combiner. A wavelength monitoring unit is coupled to the wavelength selective combiner to sample the combined signal output. A wavelength control system coupled to the first and second wavelength tuning elements and to said wavelength monitoring unit to receive the sampled combined signal output. The wavelength control system adjusts the respective wavelengths of operation of the modulated sources to approximate or to be chirped to the standardized wavelength grid and for adjusting the optical combiner wavelength grid passband response to approximate the standardized wavelength grid.
US08184923B2
In the case where a digital camera is used for evaluating a display quality of an image display panel, moire is generated due to a shift of a pixel pitch between a pixel of a panel and a pixel of a digital camera, and thus, a great influence is given as measurement deviation. The present invention carries out a panel display quality evaluation at low cost and short time with relieved influence of moire by treating a value, which is obtained by recognizing a coordinate of a panel pixel in a shot image based on an image for detecting a coordinate and positional information thereof with high accuracy and by calculating average luminance by panel pixel unit based on a center position of a coordinate, as representative luminance in each pixel of the panel, in a panel evaluation method of shooting an image display panel with a digital camera.
US08184917B2
The image processor processes each pixel of a halftone image by sequentially setting each pixel as a target pixel. A converting unit converts a pixel density of the target pixel into a first output value. An error data calculation unit calculates error data of the target pixel. The error data corresponds to a difference between the first output value and the pixel density. A compression unit irreversibly compresses the error data of the target pixel. Partial data of the pixel density is lost from the error data when irreversibly compressing the error data. An error buffer stores the compressed error data of the target pixel and a plurality of sets of compressed error data for a plurality of processed pixels. A decompression unit reads and decompresses a plurality of sets of compressed error data for a plurality of peripheral pixels with respect to a next target pixel from the error buffer. A density correction unit corrects a pixel density of the next target pixel based on the decompressed error data sets for the plurality of peripheral pixels. The converting unit converts the corrected pixel density of the next target pixel into a second output value. A data compensating unit compensates the partial data.
US08184916B2
An image file for storing a still digital image and metadata related to the still digital image, the image file including digital image data representing the still digital image, and metadata that categorizes the still digital image as an important digital image, wherein the categorization uses a range of levels and the range of levels includes at least three different integer values.
US08184913B2
Described is a technology in which video shots are clustered based upon the location at which the shots were captured. A global energy function is optimized, including a first term that computes clusters so as to be reasonably dense and well connected, to match the possible shots that are captured at a location, e.g., based on similarity scores between pairs of shots. A second term is a temporal prior that encourages subsequent shots to be placed in the same cluster. The shots may be represented as nodes of a minimum spanning tree having edges with weights that are based on the similarity score between the shots represented by their respective nodes. Agglomerative clustering is performed by selecting pairs of available clusters, merging the pairs and keeping the pair with the lowest cost. Clusters are iteratively merged until a stopping criterion or criteria is met (e.g., only a single cluster remains).
US08184904B2
A method and apparatus for dynamically, adaptively and/or concurrently enhancing and diminishing of colors in digital video images is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes dynamically computing a saturation gain, adaptive to slow or fast moving image sequences, for each user chosen color of a substantially current video frame, dynamically computing a saturation dependent value gains, adaptive to slow or fast moving image sequences, for each user chosen color of the substantially current video frame, determining which of the dynamically computed saturation gain and a saturation dependent value gains associated with each user chosen color or no gain is to be applied on a per-pixel basis by comparing Hue, saturation and value (HSV) components of each pixel with predefined HSV ranges of various user chosen colors, respectively, and applying the determined saturation and/or saturation dependent value gain on the per-pixel basis, in the substantially current or next video frame.
US08184897B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides techniques and systems for determining modeling parameters for a photolithography process. During operation, the system can receive a layout. Next, the system can determine an iso-focal pattern in the layout. The system can then determine multiple aerial-image-intensity values in proximity to the iso-focal pattern by convolving the layout with multiple optical models, wherein the multiple optical models model the photolithography process's optical system under different focus conditions. Next, the system can determine a location in proximity to the iso-focal pattern where the aerial-image-intensity values are substantially insensitive to focus variations. The system can then use the location and the associated aerial-image-intensity values to determine an optical threshold and a resist bias. The optical threshold and the resist bias can then be used for modeling the photolithography process.
US08184892B2
A method of image processing in a radiological apparatus includes reconstructing a 3D image of a body from a set of radiography projection images, locating structures presumed to be representative of 3D radiological signs within the 3D image, determining a set of 2D candidate particles corresponding to projections of the presumed 3D radiological signs, assigning, through a fuzzy logic description, to the 2D candidate particles a degree of membership in 2D membership classes of a set of membership classes, each membership class being relative to a type of radiological sign, considering a 2D fuzzy particle being formed by the set of the 2D candidate particles and by their respective degrees of membership in a class, making an aggregate of the 2D fuzzy particles to obtain 3D fuzzy particles in a digital volume, and determining a degree of confidence for each 3D radiological sign from the 3D fuzzy particles.
US08184889B2
A method for iterative reconstruction of tomographic images of an object of interest includes obtaining data corresponding to a field of view of a detector, processing the data to prepare a reconstruction support region corresponding to a region within the field of view encompassing the object, and reconstructing a tomographic image using the reconstruction support region. Preferably, the data corresponding to the field of view includes at least one of a projection image of the object, an orbit location of a detector relative to a center of rotation of the detector, or an attenuation coefficient map of the object, which data can be used to describe a reconstruction support region corresponding to the object.
US08184883B2
Cardiac CT imaging using gated reconstruction is currently limited in its temporal and spatial resolution. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an examination apparatus is provided in which an identification of a high contrast object is performed. This high contrast object is then followed through the phases, resulting in a motion vector field of the high contrast object, on the basis of which a motion compensated reconstruction is then performed.
US08184879B2
In a method for magnetic resonance imaging, k-space is sampled using density weighted data acquisition or acquisition weighted data acquisition, with at least one region of k-space being intentionally undersampled with respect to the Nyquist criterion. Reconstruction of the MR image is performed using a parallel imaging method, with the influence in the reconstructed image of the missing k-space data, as a result of the undersampling, being reduced.
US08184867B2
The invention relates to a method for the biometric identification or verification of people. According to said method, biometric characteristics are detected by means of an imaging device and the identification or verification is carried out by means of the detected image data, especially by comparison with known data records and/or original images. The invention also relates to a system for carrying out the method. The aim of the invention is provide one such method and system which significantly improve the anti-violation security in a simple and secure manner. To this end, the retina of the eye is used as a biometric object for detecting the biometric characteristics, and movements and/or the immobility of the eye are detected and taken into account.
US08184860B2
An image processing device of the present invention performs a task to execute an image processing This image processing device comprises a picture frame assigning unit that assigns an identification number to the image data to be collected by a picture collection device, an image capture requested picture of checking unit that checks whether the image data to which the identification number is assigned is identical with the image data that is requested by the task, an requested picture frame image collection notification unit that notifies the task of the image data having been collected which the task requests, if the image data to which the picture frame number is assigned is identical with the image data which the task requests, and an image capture requested picture frame receiving unit receives an image collection request from the task.
US08184857B2
The moving object recognizing apparatus includes a data acquisition unit for acquiring image data obtained in time series by an imaging device, a recognition unit for recognizing a moving object by executing a plurality of image processing operations on two of the image data obtained at different times, the plurality of image processing operations including an operation of calculating correlativity of a same recognition target pattern, and a reliability calculation unit for calculating recognition reliability indicative of reliability of recognition of the moving object, based upon at least one of the results of the respective image processing operations by the recognition unit.
US08184850B2
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to techniques for detecting tampering of digital image data.
US08184849B2
A form of error processing is used to decode steganographic messages embedded in image and audio signals in the presence of distortion, which tends to introduce errors in steganographic data communication. Content signals with auxiliary embedded data are analyzed to detect embedded message signals. Confidence values are assigned to the message signals and used to ascertain whether a message has been accurately detected. Error processing enables accurate message extraction in the presence of “soft errors” in the embedded message signal. This error processing enables more effective recovery of the steganographic message from content signals that undergo distortion and/or loss transformations after being embedded with steganographic data.
US08184841B2
The invention regards an ear canal device and a retainer strip, whereby the ear canal device has a distal part for extending into the ear canal and facing the tympanic membrane and a proximal part extending towards the ear canal opening, wherein the proximal part of the ear canal device comprises an opening extending transversely through the ear canal device, and where a retaining strip is arranged with a first end thereof arranged to be fastened in the opening and a second end arranged to lie resiliently against the inside of the concha for exerting a retaining force on the ear canal device.
US08184840B2
A combined set including a vibration actuator and an implantable device provided to be implanted in an inner ear part is disclosed. The implantable device has a surface in contact with an inner ear fluid when inserted in said inner ear part. The implantable device includes a frame having an inner wall and a slidably movable member having an outer wall which is connected to the vibration actuator. The slidably movable member is provided for transferring energy supplied by the vibration actuator from and towards the inner ear fluid by means of a translational movement. The slidably movable member is at least partially mounted inside the frame in such a manner that a gap extending between the inner wall of the frame and the outer wall of the member is less than or equal to 0.1 mm.
US08184833B2
A speaker is integrally formed with a multi-layered printed circuit board. The printed circuit board includes a flexible membrane layer with a conductive pattern thereon. Positive and negative elements are disposed on opposing sides of the flexible membrane. A drive circuit connects to the flexible membrane layer and applies current to the flexible membrane layer responsive to an audio signal to generate audible sounds.
US08184830B1
A power amplifier that can provide electrical isolation between an input signal and an amplified output signal avoids isolation between the amplifier output and the load to reduce complexity, component count, cost and size over prior power amplifiers. The power amplifier avoids the use of a power transformer to provide electrical isolation, while maintaining electrical isolation between the amplifier and the input signal to satisfy regulatory requirements. A power converter in the amplifier may be directly connected to input power lines, and provide power factor correction and voltage bus regulation to supply appropriate power to the amplifier. The input signal may be electrically isolated from the amplifier through any suitable isolation including optical isolation or magnetic isolation.
US08184827B2
Provided is a sound source localization device which can detect a source location of an extraction sound, including at least two microphones; an analysis unit (103) which (i) analyze frequencies of the mixed sound including the noise and received by each microphone, and (ii) generates frequency signals; and an extraction unit (105) which, for each source location candidate, (a) adjusts time axes of the frequency signals corresponding to the microphones, so that there is no time difference between when the mixed sound reaches one microphone from the source location candidate and when the mixed sound reaches another microphone from the source location candidate, and (b) determines frequency signals having a difference distance equal to or smaller than a threshold value, from among the frequency signals corresponding to the microphones with the time axis having been adjusted, the difference distance representing a degree of a difference in the frequency signals between the microphones, and (c) extracts the source location of the extraction sound from among the source location candidates, in accordance with a degree of matching of the determined frequency signals between the microphones.
US08184821B2
A noise attenuation device comprising a first tube for receiving an acoustic signal, a first housing defining a first cavity between a first surface and a second surface, the first tube being coupled to the first housing at the first surface for conducting the acoustic signal into the first cavity, wherein one end of the first tube contacts the first surface at a first region with a first area, a second housing defining a second cavity between a first surface and a second surface, and a second tube coupled between the second surface of the first housing and the first surface of the second housing for conducting the acoustic signal between the first cavity and the second cavity, wherein one end of the second tube contacts the second surface of the first housing at a second region with a second area, wherein the first tube, the first housing and the second tube form a filter structure and the area of the first surface of the first housing is greater than the first area and the area of the second surface of the first housing is greater than the second area.
US08184816B2
A method for detecting wind noise is described. At least two audio signals are received. The at least two audio signals are filtered to reduce higher frequencies and to reduce lower frequencies to provide at least two filtered audio signals. The cross correlation of the at least two filtered audio signals is computed for multiple delays. A maximum cross correlation is determined from the cross correlations computed for the multiple delays. Wind noise is detected by comparing the maximum cross correlation with a threshold.
US08184813B2
A scramble key generation unit generates scramble keys (individual encryption keys) which are different from one another and which are for encrypting and decrypting distributing data, by subjecting a predetermined initial encryption key at least once to a unidirectional reverse replacement and at least once to a trapdoor-equipped unidirectional replacement. A time key generation unit generates a time key (master encryption key) for regenerating the scramble keys, by subjecting any of the scramble keys generated by the scramble key generation unit at least once to the unidirectional reverse replacement. Thus, it is possible to efficiently and flexibly generate the individual encryption keys for encrypting and decrypting the distribution data, and master encryption key capable of regenerating some of the individual encryption keys.
US08184806B2
Tables are defined to permit output masking for table look-ups to be carried out to resist power analysis attacks on cryptographic operations. A set of individually defined random values is used to mask each entry in a substitution table, defining a masked substitution table. A mask table is also defined such that the values of each entry, masked with the corresponding random value, is the value of a fixed mask. The masked substitution tables and the mask tables may be used in cryptographic operations to permit the output of table look-ups to be masked, without directly using the fixed mask value in the computations of the cryptographic operations.
US08184805B2
A program converter (1) converts a program (P) which performs arithmetic addition processing to execute encryption, into a converted program (tP) which performs processing equivalent to the processing of the program (P). The program converter (1) includes: a key data extraction unit (10) which extracts key data from the program (P); an addition table generation unit (11) which generates an addition table from the extracted key data; a conversion table extraction unit (12) which extracts a conversion table from the program (P); a table merger unit (13) which generates a merger table by merging the generated addition table and the extracted conversion table; a random number generation unit (14) which generates a random number; a table randomization unit (15) which generates a randomized merger table by randomizing the merger table using the generated random number; and a converted-program generation unit (16) which generates the converted program (tP) according to the generated randomized merger table.
US08184803B2
The hash functions using elliptic curve cryptography are hash functions that are produced using both an elliptic curve and a twist of the elliptic curve. Hash points are assigned values that either correspond to points on the elliptic curve or to points on the twist, depending upon whether the scalar value of the corresponding message block produces a quadratic residue or a quadratic non-residue when substituted as the x-value into the elliptic curve equation. The corresponding hash point x-coordinates are concatenated to form the hash bit string. The hash points may be doubled, and the hash functions may be applied to multimedia data by applying a media compression method to the message data before computing the hash points.
US08184793B2
Network architectures, methods, and operations for routing telephone calls are disclosed. A customer premise includes a conventional POTS dedicated communication line to a central office switch and a broadband connection to a data network. The central office switch and the data network are connected by a communication link. A first telephone call originated at the customer premise may be connected via the dedicated communication link. A second or subsequent call originated at the customer premise may be connected via the data network. Optionally, the same call identifier may be assigned to the first and second or subsequent calls.
US08184792B2
A method and apparatus for providing access to teleconference services using voice recognition technology to receive information on packet networks such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Service over Internet Protocol (SoIP) networks are disclosed. In one embodiment, the service provider enables a caller to enter access information for accessing a conference service using at least one natural language response.
US08184791B2
An approach is provided for compensating audio signals during a communication session by receiving audio signals from parties to the communication session, sampling the audio signals to determine signal level and noise floor, and compensating the audio signals to bring each signal to approximately an equal level based on the determination.
US08184790B2
A method enables a participant in a conference call to monitor, as he is speaking, whether his speech is getting through to the other participants. A teleconference bridge receives audio signals from a group of telecommunications endpoints that are involved in a conference call. The bridge generates audio signals to be transmitted, which are based on one or more of the received audio signals. During the ongoing process of minimizing the presence of acoustic echo, the bridge might exclude one or more of the received audio signals from the transmitted audio signals. When this occurs, particularly when an active talker is being excluded, the bridge transmits an indication to one or more of the endpoints as part of one of the transmitted audio signals. The indication can be audible such as a tone or a voice, visual such as a flashing light, or tactile such as vibration.
US08184769B2
At least three radiation-detection views are used to facilitate identifying material as comprises an object being assessed along a beam path relative to that object. This comprises developing a first radiation-detection view (101) as corresponds to the material along the beam path, a second radiation-detection view (102) as corresponds to the material along substantially the beam path, and at least a third radiation-detection view (103) as corresponds to the material along substantially the beam path. At least one of the source spectra and detector spectral responses used for these radiation-detection views are different from one another for each view. One then uses (104) these radiation-detection views to identify the material by, at least in part, differentiating the material from other possible materials.
US08184762B2
A digital phase lock loop circuit provides an output with reduced jitter. The digital phase lock loop circuit includes a phase frequency detector that determines a phase difference between a feedback signal and a reference frequency signal to generate an error signal indicative of the phase difference. A numerically controlled oscillator generates a first oscillator output signal with a frequency proportional to the error signal and a second oscillator output signal indicative of jitter of the first oscillator output signal in reference to the reference frequency signal. A phase accuracy extender determines a delay amount from the second oscillator output signal and delays the first oscillator output signal by the delay amount to generate a phase-enhanced output signal with edges aligned with one of a plurality of reference clock signals.
US08184754B1
Spurs cause significant problems with signal detecting, amplifier gain adjustment, and signal decoding. Various techniques can be used to mitigate the effects of spurs on a received signal. Generally, these techniques work by either canceling or ignoring the spurs. For example, a pilot mask can be used to ignore pilot information in one or more sub-channels. A Viterbi mask can determine the weighting given to bits in a sub-channel based on spur and data rate information. Channel interpolation can compute a pseudo channel estimate for a sub-channel known to have a spur location can be computed by interpolating the channel estimates of adjacent good sub-channels. Filtering of the received signal using a low-pass filter, a growing box filter, or a low-pass filter with self-correlation can be used to cancel a spur.
US08184749B2
A sphere decoding method applied to a MIMO channel is provided. Multiple constellation points of an nth detection layer corresponding to a MIMO channel matrix are enumerated based on an enumeration rule, and at least one nth sub-set of the nth detection layer is defined. The candidate range of the constellation points of the at least one nth sub-set is determined according to a predetermined number K of the preferred points of the at least one nth sub-set. K constellation points are obtained from the at least one nth sub-set as the preferred points according to partial Euclidean distances of the constellation points. The at least one nth sub-set includes at least K constellation points. Kn preferred points are selected from all K preferred points of the at least one nth sub-set. An optimal solution is determined according to the Kn, preferred points.
US08184744B2
A receiver and associated method estimates a channel impulse response of the communications signal. A communications signal is received as a burst of transmitted symbols, including a known training sequence. The joint estimation of timing offset and initial channel impulse response is determined based on the cross-correlations of the known transmitted symbols and received communications signal. A constant modulus interference removal iteration is applied to improve the initial channel impulse estimation.
US08184742B2
A preprocessing unit samples and digitalizes analog signal. A differential operation unit delays digitalized signal for a predetermined period and differentiates delayed signals. A correlation unit correlates differentiated signal with a plurality of predetermined PN code sequences. A setting unit includes a shift register having a plurality of storage locations for shifting the correlation values and sequentially storing shifted correlation values at the storage locations, respectively, a detector including the determination slots for detecting the storage location of the maximum value, and a slot setter for comparing the storage location of the maximum value from the detector with the predetermined reference storage location and shifting the determination slots by the difference therebetween. A demodulation value estimation unit estimates, as a demodulation value of the received analog signal, a symbol of a PN code sequence corresponding to the maximum value from the shifted determination slots.
US08184740B2
Test signal generator (3) generates test signals represented, by four points, which comprise two sets of two points positioned in point symmetry with respect to the origin of an I/Q orthogonal coordinate system. Envelope detector (8) detects the amplitude of an envelope of the output signal from an orthogonal modulator when the test signals represented by four points are generated, and outputs a signal proportional to the square of the amplitude. Comparing unit (9) calculates an average value of output signals from envelope detector ( ) when the test signals represented by the two points of each set are generated. Controller (10) adjusts the amplitudes and/or phases of the test signals so that the average values produced when the test signals represented by the two sets of the two points are generated are equal to each other, and calculates an I/Q mismatch quantity based on the adjusted results.
US08184738B2
A common mode of a waveform of a duobinary transmission signal (IN) is set to 0 and the size of a data eye is set to Veye; and reference potentials Vref_H and Vref_L are set to the following values: Veye/√{square root over (3)}≦Vref—H≦Veye/√{square root over (2)} (1) −Veye/√{square root over (2)}≦Vref—L≦−Veye/√{square root over (3)} (2) More particularly, effect becomes remarkable by setting the reference potentials Vref_H and Vref_L to central values in ranges shown in Equations (1) and (2), respectively. In the central values, fluctuation (jitter) of transition data becomes the smallest, and a jitter characteristic of a reproducing clock becomes the best. Consequently, a clock reproducing apparatus in which a received clock from duobinary transmission data is reproduced with high accuracy is provide.
US08184737B2
Disclosed herein is an echo cancellation and echo channel estimation system that can relay transmit signals without interference with echo signals by canceling the undesired echo signals received by a relay. The echo cancellation and echo channel estimation system is designed to relay signals between a transmitter and a receiver through a relay using multiple antennas. The echo cancellation and echo channel estimation system includes a receive antenna, a preprocessing vector generation module, an echo cancellation module, and a transmit array antenna. The receive antenna receives a transmit signal from the transmitter and an echo signal via an echo channel. The preprocessing vector generation module generates a preprocessing vector and applies the preprocessing vector, the transmit signal and the echo signal, received from the receive antenna, to the echo cancellation module. The echo cancellation module cancels only the echo signal by multiplying the preprocessing vector, the transmit signal, and the echo signal. The transmit array antenna receives a retransmit signal from the echo cancellation module and resends the retransmit signal to the receiver.
US08184735B2
A sphere decoding method applied to a MIMO channel is provided. Multiple constellation points of an nth detection layer corresponding to the MIMO channel matrix are enumerated based on an enumeration rule, and at least one nth sub-set of the nth detection layer is defined. The constellation point with the least PED is obtained as a preferred point. Another constellation, not in the nth sub-set, of the nth detection layer is selected to substitute for the preferred point as one of the nth sub-set. If other preferred points are needed to be obtained, the nth sub-set is updated repeatedly according to the least PED. An optimal solution is determined according to Kn preferred points of the nth detection layer.
