US08202843B2
The present invention provides macrocyclic compounds useful as therapeutic agents of the formula: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester, N-oxide, or prodrug thereof, wherein T, R1, R2, R3, D, E, F, and G are as defined herein. More particularly, these compounds are useful as anti-infective, antiproliferative, anti-inflammatory and prokinetic agents.
US08202840B2
Use of topically applied cyclosporine to enhance corneal sensitivity restoration rate in an eye of an individual after ocular surgery such as laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in which nerves are severed.
US08202829B2
There is provided a lubricating composition having a major amount of a lubricating oil having less than about 40% by weight alkylcycloparaffins and a minor amount of at least one diarylamine, and processes for making and using thereof.
US08202819B2
A catalyst system to be used in an automobile exhaust gas purification apparatus which exerts excellent purification capability to a nitrogen oxide, even when hydrocarbon concentration varies, by subjecting exhaust gas discharged from an automotive internal engine to contacting with a catalyst, an exhaust gas purification apparatus using the same, and an exhaust gas purification method.A catalyst system etc. to be used in an automobile exhaust gas purification apparatus, composed by using two or more exhaust gas purification catalysts, containing a first catalyst supported on an inorganic structural carrier and a second catalyst other than this, characterized by having the first catalyst supported on apart of the inorganic structural carrier positioned at the upstream side, when arranged in an exhaust gas passage; on the other hand having the second catalyst supported on a part of the inorganic structural carrier, positioned at the downstream side, when arranged in an exhaust gas passage; and containing a cerium-zirconium-type composite oxide (A) having a pyrochlore phase in the crystal structure.
US08202817B2
A nanocarbon aggregate including a graphite aggregate including a graphene sheet having a petal shape and a nanohorn. The petal-shaped graphite aggregate achieves a reduction in the particulate size and a higher dispersibility by allowing the edge of the petal shape to locally absorb a metal, a metal complex and a metal oxide. The nanocarbon aggregate is used for a catalyst support.
US08202812B2
This invention relates to lead free, cadmium free, bismuth free low melting high durability glass and enamel compositions. The compositions comprise silica, zinc, titanium, and boron oxide based glass frits. The resulting compositions can be used to decorate and protect automotive, beverage, architectural, pharmaceutical and other glass substrates.
US08202808B2
Embodiments of the current invention include methods of forming a strontium titanate (SrTiO3) film using atomic layer deposition (ALD). More particularly, the method includes forming a plurality of titanium oxide (TiO2) unit films using ALD and forming a plurality of strontium oxide (SrO) unit films using ALD. The combined thickness of the TiO2 and SrO unit films is less than approximately 5 angstroms. The TiO2 and SrO units films are then annealed to form a strontium titanate layer.
US08202806B2
A method of fabricating an integrated circuit having reduced threshold voltage shift is provided. A nonconducting region is formed on the semiconductor substrate and active regions are formed on the semiconductor substrate. The active regions are separated by the nonconducting region. A barrier layer and a dielectric layer are deposited over the nonconducting region and over the active regions. Heat is applied to the integrated circuit causing the barrier layer to anneal.
US08202805B2
A method for processing a substrate including a processing target layer and an organic film, include: a deposition/trimming process of forming a reinforcement film on a surface of the organic film and, at the same time, trimming a line width of a line portion of the organic film constituting an opening pattern. The deposition/trimming process includes an adsorption process for allowing a silicon-containing gas to be adsorbed onto the surface of the organic film and an oxidation process in which the line width of the organic film is trimmed while the adsorbed silicon-containing gas is converted into a silicon oxide film. A monovalent aminosilane is employed as the silicon-containing gas.
US08202803B2
A method for patterning an insulation layer and selectively removing a capping layer overlying the insulation layer is described. The method utilizes a dry non-plasma removal process. The dry non-plasma removal process may include a self-limiting process.
US08202799B2
A method of manufacturing a microelectronic device including forming a dielectric layer surrounding a dummy feature located over a substrate, removing the dummy feature to form an opening in the dielectric layer, and forming a metal-silicide layer conforming to the opening. The metal-silicide layer may then be annealed.
US08202797B2
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit system includes: providing a substrate with a face surface having a via therein and a back surface having a trench therein; filling the via with a conductive pillar; forming a recessed contact pad in the trench; filling the recessed contact pad partially with solder; and forming an under-bump metal having a base surface in electrical contact with the conductive pillar, and having sides that extend away from the face surface of the substrate and further extend beyond the base surface.
US08202793B2
In a method for making an inclusion-free uniformly semi-insulating GaN crystal, an epitaxial nitride layer is deposited on a substrate. A 3D nucleation GaN layer is grown on the epitaxial nitride layer by HVPE under a substantially 3D growth mode, wherein a surface of the nucleation layer is substantially covered with pits and the aspect ratio of the pits is essentially the same. A GaN transitional layer is grown on the nucleation layer by HVPE under a condition that changes the growth mode from the substantially 3D growth mode to a substantially 2D growth mode. After growing the transitional layer, a surface of the transitional layer is substantially pit-free. A bulk GaN layer is grown on the transitional layer by HVPE. After growing the bulk layer, a surface of the bulk layer is smooth and substantially pit-free. The GaN is doped with a transition metal during at least one of the foregoing GaN growth steps.
US08202790B2
A semiconductor device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention can include a semiconductor substrate having a groove, a bit line, a pocket implantation region, a bottom insulating membrane, and a charge accumulation region. The bit line is formed on a side of the groove in the semiconductor substrate and acts as a source and a drain. The pocket implantation region is formed to touch (or contact) the bit line, has a similar conductivity type as the semiconductor substrate, and has a dopant concentration higher than that of the semiconductor substrate. The bottom insulating membrane is formed on and touches (or contacts) a side surface of the groove. The charge accumulation layer is formed on and touches (or contacts) a side surface of the bottom insulating membrane.
US08202789B2
Various masks for use with ion implantation equipment are disclosed. In one embodiment, the masks are formed by assembling a collection of segments and spacers to create a mask having the desired configuration. This collection of parts is held together with a carrier or frame. In another embodiment, a panel is formed by machining open-ended slots into a substrate, so as to form a comb-shaped device. Two such panels may be connected together to form a mask. In other embodiments, the panels may be used sequentially in an ion implantation process to create interdigitated back contacts. In another embodiment, multiple masks are overlaid so as to create implant patterns that cannot be created effectively using a single mask.
US08202788B2
Disclosed is a method for fabrication of a semiconductor of gallium nitride arsenide antimonide (GaNAsSb) on a substrate wherein the fabrication is performed at a fabrication temperature followed by annealing at an annealing temperature for an annealing time; wherein at least one of: the fabrication temperature, annealing temperature and annealing time, is controlled for controlling defect formation in the semiconductor so as to achieve predetermined performance characteristics of the semiconductor.
US08202783B2
An interconnect structure is provided that includes at least one patterned and cured low-k material located on a surface of a patterned graded cap layer. The at least one cured and patterned low-k material and the patterned graded cap layer each have conductively filled regions embedded therein. The patterned and cured low-k material is a cured product of a functionalized polymer, copolymer, or a blend including at least two of any combination of polymers and/or copolymers having one or more acid-sensitive imageable groups, and the graded cap layer includes a lower region that functions as a barrier region and an upper region that has antireflective properties of a permanent antireflective coating.
US08202779B2
Methods for fabricating a semiconductor memory cell that has a spacer layer are disclosed. A method includes forming a plurality of source/drain regions in a substrate where the plurality of source/drain regions are formed between trenches, forming a first oxide layer above the plurality of source/drain regions and in the trenches, forming a charge storage layer above the oxide layer and separating the charge storage layer in the trenches where a space is formed between separated portions of the charge storage layer. The method further includes forming a spacer layer to fill the space between the separated portions of the charge storage layer and to rise a predetermined distance above the space. A second oxide layer is formed above the charge storage layer and the spacer layer and a polysilicon layer is formed above the second oxide layer.
US08202778B2
Forming a gate stack of a non-volatile memory (NVM) over a substrate having an NVM region and non-NVM region which does not overlap the NVM region includes forming a select gate layer over the substrate in the NVM and non-NVM regions; simultaneously etching the select gate layer in the NVM and non-NVM regions; forming a charge storage layer over the substrate in the NVM and non-NVM regions; forming a control gate layer over the charge storage layer in the NVM and non-NVM regions; and simultaneously etching the charge storage layer in the NVM and the non-NVM regions. Etching the select gate layer in the NVM region results in a portion of the charge storage layer over a portion of the select gate layer and overlapping a sidewall of the select gate layer and results in a portion of the control gate layer over the portion of the charge storage layer.
US08202777B2
In a transistor, a strain-inducing semiconductor alloy, such as silicon/germanium, silicon/carbon and the like, may be positioned very close to the channel region by providing gradually shaped cavities which may then be filled with the strain-inducing semiconductor alloy. For this purpose, two or more “disposable” spacer elements of different etch behavior may be used in order to define different lateral offsets at different depths of the corresponding cavities. Consequently, enhanced uniformity and, thus, reduced transistor variability may be accomplished, even for sophisticated semiconductor devices.
US08202775B2
A process of forming an electronic device can include providing a workpiece comprising a substrate, including an underlying doped region, and a semiconductor portion overlying the underlying doped region, wherein the semiconductor portion has a primary surface spaced apart from the underlying doped region. The process can further include forming a vertically-oriented conductive region extending from the primary surface towards the underlying doped region, forming a horizontally-oriented doped region adjacent to the primary surface, and forming a conductive electrode over, spaced-apart from, and electrically insulated from the vertically-oriented doped region. The process can still further include forming a gate electrode after forming the conductive electrode. The electronic device can include a transistor that includes the underlying doped region, the vertically-oriented conductive region, the horizontally-oriented doped region, and the gate electrode.
US08202766B2
A method for fabricating through-silicon via structure includes the steps of: providing a semiconductor substrate; forming at least one semiconductor device on surface of the semiconductor substrate; forming a dielectric layer on the semiconductor device, in which the dielectric layer includes at least one via hole; forming a first conductive layer on the dielectric layer and filling the via hole; performing an etching process to form a through-silicon via in the first conductive layer, the dielectric layer, and the semiconductor substrate; depositing a second conductive layer in the through-silicon via and partially on the first conductive layer; and planarizing a portion of the second conductive layer until reaching the surface of the first conductive layer.
US08202755B2
Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a photodiode module including a structure configured to selectively couple light to a dielectric-surface mode of a photonic crystal of the photodiode module. In one embodiment of the present invention, a photodiode module includes a semiconductor structure having a p-region and an n-region. The photodiode module further includes a photonic crystal having a surface positioned adjacent to the semiconductor structure. A diffraction grating of the photodiode module may be positioned and configured to selectively couple light incident on the diffraction grating to a dielectric-surface mode associated with the surface of the photonic crystal. In another embodiment of the present invention, a photodiode apparatus includes multiple, stacked photodiode modules, each of which is configured to selectively absorb light at a selected wavelength or range of wavelengths.
US08202753B2
A light emitting diode (LED) having a vertical structure and a method for fabricating the same. The light emitting diode (LED) having a vertical structure includes a support layer; a first electrode formed on the support layer; a plurality of semiconductor layers formed on the first electrode; a conductive semiconductor layer formed on the plurality of semiconductor layers, and provided with an outer surface having a tilt angle of a designated degree; and a second electrode formed on the conductive semiconductor layer.
US08202746B2
Provided is a method of manufacturing an LED package, the method including preparing a mold die which includes an upper surface and a lower surface having an outer circumferential surface and a concave surface surrounded by the outer circumferential surface, the mold die having an outlet extending from the upper surface to the lower surface; preparing a base having a light emitting section formed therein; forming an inlet formed in a predetermined region of the base excluding the region where the light emitting section is formed; positioning the mold die on the light emitting section; forming a mold member by injecting a molding compound into the inlet of the base; and removing the mold die.
US08202736B2
A method of extracting hormones from a biological sample using digital microfluidic arrays is provided. Biological samples containing hormones are dried on a digital microfluidic array, lysed by a lysing solvent, dried, subsequently dissolved in a polar solvent, and further purified in an extraction step in which droplets are transported through a volume of non-polar solvent. The method disclosed herein provides the distinct advantage of an automated sample preparation method that is capable of extracting hormones from low sample volumes with excellent precision and recovery.
US08202733B1
A system and method for obtaining hydrodynamic focusing of a first fluid. The method includes pressurizing the first fluid and a second fluid at a pre-defined pressure from a pressure source. Further, the method includes controlling the first flow rate of the first fluid by passing it through a first flow circuit. Furthermore, the method includes controlling the second flow rate of the second fluid by passing it through a second flow circuit. Moreover, the method includes passing the first and the second fluid though a converging section and hydrodynamically focusing the first fluid.
US08202731B2
Novel fluorescent dyes are disclosed for use in analyte detection. In particular, mono- and bis-substituted HPTS dyes and methods of making them are provided.
US08202726B2
The present invention provides novel serum-free cell culture medium and methods for cultivating MDCK cells. In particular, non-tumorigenic MDCK cells. The present invention also provides methods for producing influenza viruses (e.g., particularly cold-adapted, and/or temperature sensitive, and/or attenuated influenza viruses) that eliminate the need for a cell culture medium exchange step. The novel medium and methods are useful to grow influenza viruses, in cell culture to high titer. The present invention further provides purification methods for purifying influenza viruses with high overall recovery of live virus and result in levels of host cell DNA (HCD), host cell protein (HCP) and non-specific endonuclease (e.g., Benzonase), which are below the specifications required by regulatory agencies. The immunogenic compositions can be used to actively immunize subjects or to generate antibodies for a variety of uses, including passive immunization and diagnostic immunoassays.
US08202725B2
Tissue engineering methods and biochamber apparatus are provided for making tissue grafts for implantation into a patient. The methods include applying a sustained low magnitude pressure gradient transmurally across a permeable scaffold material using a media containing cells, preferably microvascular epithelial cells, to be deposited on the scaffold for the production of tissue grafts, preferably vascular grafts, to promote accelerated adhesion and maturation of cells on the scaffold material. Biochambers for preparing tubular tissue grafts are provided which contain connectors for holding a graft substrate, proximal and distal tubing for connection to an optional perfusion system, and structure for switching between transmural flow of a cell suspension across the graft substrate and translumenal flow through the lumen of the graft.
US08202724B2
A method of ex-vivo expanding a population of stem cells, while at the same time inhibiting differentiation of the stem cells. The method comprises ex-vivo providing the stem cells with conditions for cell proliferation and with at least one copper chelator in an amount and for a time period for permitting the stem cells to proliferate and, at the same time, for reducing a capacity of the stem cells to differentiate.
US08202720B2
The present invention provides an apparatus for evaluating a drug effect enabling on-chip evaluation of the effect of a drug while the drug is acting on hERG-expressing cells. The present invention also provides a myocardial toxicity test apparatus and method therefor enabling in vitro myocardial toxicity testing that has previously been performed in vivo. A pulsating cell population and hERG-expressing cells (target model cells) are suitably isolated and arranged on a transparent substrate so that the two form gap junctions. The hERG-expressing cells are arranged on transparent electrodes provided on the transparent substrate. The hERG-expressing cells are exposed to a flow of a liquid containing a drug such that the drug acts thereon. The difference between the normal pulsation of hERG-expressing cells and the pulsation when a drug is acting thereon is captured via electric signals obtained from electrodes, and the properties of the change in potential are evaluated.
US08202712B2
A process for producing triglycerides which comprises: (a) subjecting a first triglyceride comprising at least 40% by moles of oleic acid residues, based on total acyl groups in the triglyceride, to an alcoholysis reaction with an alcohol having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms to obtain a composition comprising 2-oleoyl monoglyceride and at least one acyl ester of said alcohol; (b) reacting the 2-oleoyl monoglyceride with an acylating agent comprising at least one C12 to C24 saturated fatty acid, at least one ester of said fatty acid or a mixture thereof, to obtain a 1,3-saturated fatty acid acyl 2-oleoyl glyceride; and (c) separating at least a part of the at least one acyl ester after or during step (a) or step (b); (d) reacting the acyl ester with a second glyceride to form 1,3-dioleoyl 2-palmitoyl glyceride.
US08202709B2
A process for the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose to produce a hydrolysis product comprising glucose from a pretreated lignocellulosic feedstock and enzymes for use in the process are provided. The process comprises partially hydrolyzing an aqueous slurry of a pretreated lignocellulosic feedstock with cellulase enzymes, one or more than one β-glucosidase enzyme and a binding agent for binding the β-glucosidase enzyme to fiber solids present in the aqueous slurry. The unhydrolyzed fiber solids are then separated from the hydrolyzed slurry. The separated fiber solids thus obtained are then re-suspended in an aqueous solution to produce a re-suspended slurry. The hydrolysis is then continued to produce the hydrolysis product comprising glucose.
US08202704B2
Described herein are novel gene sequences isolated from Trichoderma reesei. Two genes encoding proteins comprising a cellulose binding domain, one encoding an arabionfuranosidase and one encoding an acetylxylanesterase are described. The sequences, CIP1 and CIP2, contain a cellulose binding domain. These proteins are especially useful in the textile and detergent industry and in pulp and paper industry.
US08202701B2
Compositions and methods for producing encapsulated cells having an average diameter of less than about 200 μm are provided. Methods for using the disclosed encapsulated cells are also provided.
US08202700B2
A mutant hydrolase optionally fused to a protein of interest is provided. The mutant hydrolase is capable of forming a bond with a substrate for the corresponding nonmutant (wild-type) hydrolase which is more stable than the bond formed between the wild-type hydrolase and the substrate and has at least two amino acid substitutions relative to the wild-type hydrolase. Substrates for hydrolases comprising one or more functional groups are also provided, as well as methods of using the mutant hydrolase and the substrates of the invention. Also provided is a fusion protein capable of forming a stable bond with a substrate and cells which express the fusion protein.
US08202691B2
The invention provides a method for preparing and analysing a population of fragmented polynucleotide sequences having a substantially uniform size. The method can include steps of (a) binding at least one protection molecule to at least one polynucleotide sequence; (b) cleaving the at least one polynucleotide sequence to generate a plurality of polynucleotide fragment sequences of substantially uniform size; (c) amplifying the polynucleotide fragments; and (d) determining a sequence characteristic of a plurality of the polynucleotide fragments.
US08202689B2
The invention relates to processes and devices for the controlled fabrication of nanostructures from starting components that have high fidelity recognition properties and multiple binding groups. In one embodiment, the invention relates to the formation of nanostructures using controlled sequential addition of nanocomponents at regular intervials via sequential formation of binding pairs or other chemical binding reactions.
US08202681B2
A hybrid mask set for exposing a plurality of layers on a semiconductor substrate to create an integrated circuit device is disclosed. The hybrid mask set includes a first group of one or more multi-layer masks (MLMs) for a first subset of the plurality of layers. Each MLM includes a plurality of different images for different layers, the images being separated by a relatively wide image spacer. The hybrid mask set also includes a first group of one or more production-ready masks for a second subset of the plurality of layers. Each production-ready mask includes a plurality of similar images for a common layer, each image being separated by a relatively narrow scribe street.
US08202677B2
There is disclosed a chemically-amplified positive resist composition comprising, as main components, (A) a base polymer, which contains one or more kinds of a monomer unit represented by the following general formula (1) and the like, and is an alkali-insoluble polymer whose hydroxyl group is partly protected by an acetal group while alkali-soluble when deprotected by an acid catalyst, (B) a sulfonium salt containing a sulfonate anion, (C) a basic component, and (D) an organic solvent. In a lithography technology by a photo resist, an extremely high temporal stability is necessary. In addition, it must give a good pattern profile not dependent on a substrate and have a high resolution power. There can be provided a chemically-amplified positive resist composition which can solve these problems simultaneously, a resist patterning process using the same, and a method for producing a photo mask blank.
US08202675B2
An electrophotographic photoreceptor is provided with a conductive support; a photosensitive layer provided on the conductive support; and a surface layer provided on the photosensitive layer, wherein the surface layer contains a reaction product of surface-treated inorganic fine particles which are applied with a surface treatment with a metal oxide and a surface treatment with a compound having a polymerizable functional group.
US08202668B2
A fuel cell device includes a housing containing a fuel processor that generates fuel gas and a fuel cell having electrodes forming an anode and cathode, and an ion exchange electrolyte positioned between the electrodes. The housing can be formed as first and second cylindrically configured outer shell sections that form a battery cell that is configured similar to a commercially available battery cell. A thermal-capillary pump can be operative with the electrodes and an ion exchange electrolyte, and operatively connected to the fuel processor. The electrodes are configured such that heat generated between the electrodes forces water to any cooler edges of the electrodes and is pumped by capillary action back to the fuel processor to supply water for producing hydrogen gas. The electrodes can be formed on a silicon substrate that includes a flow divider with at least one fuel gas input channel that can be controlled by a MEMS valve.
US08202661B2
A fuel cell system for receiving input fuel, input water and input oxidant comprising a humidifying assembly for combining the input fuel with input water to produce humidified fuel, a fuel cell having an anode for receiving the humidified fuel and a cathode for receiving the input oxidant, and a power load controller for controlling a power load on the fuel cell system based on a power output set point and changes in the detected load. If the load drops from a high load to a low load and ability to ramp to a high target power output is thereafter restored, the controller is adapted to perform a rapid load recovery procedure by controlling the power output of the fuel cell system to increase from a power output corresponding to the low load to the high target power output corresponding to the high load at a first predetermined rate if all of one or more predetermined conditions are satisfied, and is also adapted to perform a standard load recovery procedure by controlling the power output to increase at a second predetermined rate which is lower than the first predetermined rate, if at least one predetermined condition is not satisfied.
US08202660B2
A fuel cell system including a fuel processor, and a method of operating the fuel cell system, the fuel cell system includes: a reformer that reforms a hydrocarbon group fuel source into a reformed gas; a burner that heats the reformer; a CO remover unit that removes CO from a reformed gas generated by the reformer; a stack to generate electricity using the reformed gas; a first burner fuel supply line to supply the hydrocarbon group fuel source to the burner; and a second burner fuel supply line to supply the reformed gas from the CO remover unit to the burner.
US08202659B2
A method for producing sodium carbonate monohydrate, according to which an aqueous sodium chloride solution (5) is electrolyzed in a membrane-type cell (1) from which an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (9) is collected, and carbonated by direct contact with carbon dioxide (15) to form a slurry of crystals of a sodium carbonate monohydrate (16), and the slurry or its mother liquor is evaporated (3) to collect sodium carbonate monohydrate (18).
US08202658B2
A hydrogen generator includes: a reformer configured to generate a hydrogen-containing gas by a reforming reaction between a raw material and water; a heater configured to combust at least a part of the hydrogen-containing gas to supply heat necessary for the reforming reaction to the reformer; a combustion detector configured to detect a combustion state of the heater; a raw material supplier configured to supply the raw material; a water supplier configured to supply the water; and an operation controller. When stopping the hydrogen generator, the operation controller causes the raw material supplier to stop operating, the water supplier to stop operating in a case where the combustion detector detects extinction of flame, and the raw material supplier to start operating to supply the raw material to the hydrogen generator in a case where the reforming temperature detector detects a temperature equal to or lower than a reference temperature.
US08202656B2
A thermally integrated fuel cell system includes a stack zone, a burner zone and a low temperature zone. The fuel is combined with steam and passed sequentially through a primary reformer and a secondary reformer or a radiative fuel heat exchanger. Air may be passed sequentially through an afterburner heat exchanger and a radiative air heat exchanger such that the radiative heat exchanger may be used to heat the stack zone. The stack exhaust is combusted in an afterburner. Afterburner exhaust heats the primary reformer, the high temperature air heat exchanger, the low temperature air heat exchanger and steam generator. The stack zone includes the stacks, the secondary reformer and the radiative heat exchanger. The burner zone includes the afterburner which includes a start burner, the primary reformer and the high temperature air heat exchanger. The low temperature zone includes the low temperature air heat exchanger and a steam generator.
US08202650B2
A negative electrode material for a nickel-metal hydride battery containing a hydrogen-absorbing alloy represented by a general formula: Mm1-aT1aNixAlyMnzCobT2c, in which: Mm is at least one of light rare earth elements; T1 is at least one selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba; T2 is at least one selected from the group consisting of Sn, Cu and Fe; and 0.015≦a≦0.5, 2.5≦x≦4.5, 0.05≦y+z≦2, 0≦b≦0.6, 0≦c≦0.6 and 5.6≦x+y+z+b+c≦6 are satisfied.
US08202640B2
Design of a rapidly rechargeable gas battery is disclosed. In one embodiment, a rapidly rechargeable gas battery is constructed of a plurality of high surface area, gas adsorbing electrodes and an electrolyte, wherein, during charging operation, gases are formed and adsorbed at the plurality of electrodes such that they generate an electrochemical potential for discharge of the cell formed by electrodes and electrolyte until the state-of-charge has become negligible (deep discharge). The rapidly rechargeable gas battery is designed such that it can withstand high charging current and a deep discharge without irreversible changes in the electrode materials.
US08202638B2
A fuel processing method for a solid oxide fuel cell stack comprising the steps of: (a) supplying a feed stream comprising ethanol to a methanation reactor containing catalytic material for the methanation of ethanol; (b) processing the feed stream in the methanation reactor under adiabatic conditions to produce an effluent fuel comprising methane; (c) transferring the effluent fuel comprising methane to the anode of a solid oxide fuel cell stack comprising at least one solid oxide fuel cell; (d) providing the cathode of the solid oxide fuel cell stack with an oxygen-containing gas; and (e) converting the fuel comprising methane and the oxygen-containing gas to electricity in the solid oxide fuel cell stack.
US08202636B2
A method is described for improving recording performance of a perpendicular media. The method includes controlling the anisotropy levels in different sublayers of the magnetic recording layers of the perpendicular media. Further, the different sublayers thicknesses can be altered to match the media to a particular head.
US08202631B2
An organic electroluminescent device having a pair of electrodes and at least one organic layer including a light-emitting layer interposed between the pair of electrodes, in which the organic layer contains at least one platinum complex compound having a quadridentate ligand containing a partial structure represented by formula (I): wherein Z1 represents a nitrogen-containing heterocycle coordinated to the platinum through a nitrogen atom; L1 represents a single bond or a linking group; R1, R3 and R4 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a substituent; and R2 represents a substituent.
US08202630B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a light emitting element having slight increase in driving voltage with accumulation of light emitting time. Another object of the invention is to provide a light emitting element having slight increase in resistance with increase in film thickness. In an aspect of the invention, a light emitting element includes first, second and layers between mutually-facing first and second electrodes. The first layer is provided to be closer to the first electrode than the second layer. The third layer is provided to be closer to the second electrode than the second layer. The first layer contains a bipolar substance and a substance exhibiting an electron accepting ability with respect to the bipolar substance. The second layer contains a bipolar substance and a substance exhibiting an electron donating ability with respect to the bipolar substance. The third layer contains a light emitting substance.
US08202616B2
A dark color, resin sheet-like body having light reflective properties in a near-infrared region, the body comprising a surface layer (A) receiving solar radiation and a reflection layer (B). Surface layer (A) exhibits a dark color with a solar radiation absorption ratio of 90% or more in a wavelength region of 380 to 720 nm, a ratio of less than 30% in a near-infrared region of 720 to 1500 nm, and ratio of 50% or more in a near-infrared region of 720 to 1500 nm. Reflection layer (B) has a solar radiation reflection ratio of 85% or more in a wavelength region of 380 to 1500 nm. A ratio in a near-infrared region of 720 to 1500 nm of a sheet-like body formed by laminating surface layer (A) and reflection layer (B) is 70% or more.
US08202611B2
Films especially suitable for the packaging of fresh foodstuff, like salad and vegetables, due to their high permeability to oxygen, carbon dioxide and water vapor, are obtained from polyolefin composition comprising (percentage by weight): A) 5% to 80% of a butene-1 polymer or polymer composition containing from 0% to 25% of one or more comonomers selected from ethylene and alpha-olefins different from 1-butene, provided that, when ethylene only is present as comonomer, the amount of ethylene is higher than 4% and a copolymer fraction (i) containing at least 6.2% of ethylene is present, said polymer or polymer composition having a content of fraction soluble in xylene at 0° C. of from 50% to 100% and a Flexural Modulus (measured according to ISO 178) from 15 to 300 MPa; B) 20% to 95% of a propylene homopolymer or copolymer having a content of fraction insoluble in xylene at room temperature of 93% or more.
US08202609B2
An absorbent material for use in a disposable absorbent product exhibiting enhanced wet strength characteristics includes a blend of cellulosic fibrous material and superabsorbent polymeric material, with a wax applied to the blend in a preferably discontinuous or non-uniform distribution for enhancing wet strength characteristics of the material, without unacceptably diminishing its absorbency. Notably, the absorbent material includes regions of relatively high densification, which can exist about particles of superabsorbent material, with application of wax in a molten form resulting in the spontaneous flow and migration of the wax to the regions of higher densification. The material can be formed with a pattern of regions of relatively high and low densification, with the wax preferentially distributed in those regions of high densification. It is believed that the wax acts to maintain the strength of hydrogen bonds formed within the absorbent material, by minimizing the effect of wetting the bonds when liquid is absorbed by the structure.
US08202608B2
A printing method and composition that is constructed from an electrostatically charged sheet having a top and bottom surface and a backing sheet. The backing sheet includes a sheet of paper having top and bottom surfaces. The top surface includes a binding material preferably having a dielectric constant greater than that of the paper. The top surface of the backing sheet is in contact with the bottom surface of the electrostatically charged sheet and retained by an attractive force. The binding material is preferably chosen to provide an electrostatic attraction between the electrostatically charged sheet and the backing sheet of approximately between 4 g/inch and 80 g/inch. The charged sheet can be constructed from plastic polymers, while the binding material can be constructed from a mixture of polymers, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyurethane.
US08202606B2
An insulation board for a resistor grid and a method of constructing the same are disclosed. The insulation board includes one or more longitudinal voids. Longitudinal structural members are disposed within the longitudinal voids, wherein the cross section of the longitudinal structural members conforms to the profile of the longitudinal voids. The insulation board also includes one or more rows of transverse pin holes for engaging one or more resistive elements of the resistor grid, disposed along the length of the insulation board.
US08202602B2
A honeycomb segment 10 is provided with a spacer(s) 11 in each of predetermined regions from both the end face toward inside along the axial direction on one end side and the other end side in the axial direction of the outer peripheral surface 7s of the outer peripheral wall 7 so that the spacer(s) occupies(y) 30 to 80% of a route length through the center from a long side 7x to the other long side 7x of the outer peripheral surface. Since spacers are aligned in the direction along the short side 7y, the spacers are formed in such a manner that the length b1+b2 in the short side direction of the spacers 11 occupies 30 to 80% of a length a of the short side 7y, thereby a honeycomb structure having practically no misalignment between segments upon bonding, with little dimensional deviation can be obtained.
US08202601B2
A honeycomb structure includes at least one honeycomb unit having opening ratio (P) of at least approximately 50% and at most approximately 65% and a cell density ρ of at least approximately 31/cm2 and at most approximately 93/cm2. The honeycomb unit includes an inorganic binder and at least approximately 230 g/L of zeolite in which L represents an apparent volume. The honeycomb unit further includes and a plurality of cell walls extending from a first end to a second end of the honeycomb unit along a longitudinal direction of the honeycomb unit to define cells. The cell walls have a surface roughness Ra of at least approximately 1 μm and at most approximately 30 μm.
US08202599B2
To provide a cost-effective, stable vacuum insulation panel (10) having at least one lead-through (20) in a main surface (16) of an insulating material supporting body (14) and having a vacuum-tight film envelope (17), it is proposed that the lead-through (20) is formed as a bush (30) with an outer side (32) facing the insulating material supporting body (14) and that on the first bush end (36) is provided a first, preformed collar (37) extending radially away from the bush (30) into the main surface (16) and, opposite said collar, is provided a second collar (39) formed by thermal deformation of the second bush end (38), wherein the vacuum-tight film envelope (17) is welded to the collars (37, 39). A corresponding method for producing the panel is also described.
US08202598B2
A method of changing a functionality of an optical article is provided. The method includes exposing the optical article to an external stimulus. The optical article includes an electrically responsive layer being configured to transform from a first optical state to a second optical state upon exposure to the external stimulus. The electrically responsive layer is configured to transform from a first optical state to a second optical state upon exposure to an external stimulus, and is capable of irreversibly transforming the optical article from the pre-activated state of functionality to the activated state of functionality. The electrically responsive layer includes an ion-conducting polymeric material, an electrically responsive material dispersed in the ion-conducting polymeric material, an electrolyte and at least one pair electrodes in electrical communication with the electrically responsive layer, wherein the electrodes are in electrical communication with the same surface of the electrically responsive layer. Also provided is an activation system for transforming an optical article from a pre-activated state of functionality to an activated state of functionality.
US08202595B2
A shielding material includes a non-conductive sheet, an elongated adhesive strip and a conductive sheet. The elongated adhesive strip is disposed on a first side of the non-conductive sheet. The adhesive strip is spaced apart from a first edge of the non-conductive sheet and includes a removable cover film that protects the elongated adhesive strip until it has been removed. The conductive sheet is adhered to a second side of the non-conductive sheet. A first end of the conductive sheet is spaced apart from the first edge of the non-conductive sheet so that a first portion of the conductive sheet extends beyond the first edge of the non-conductive sheet. The conductive sheet is also disposed relative to the non-conductive sheet so that the second end is parallel to a second edge and so that a second portion of the non-conductive sheet extends beyond the second end.
US08202594B2
The present invention provides a double-sided adhesive tape for fixing a decorative sheet for speaker, which includes a nonwoven fabric substrate, an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer A disposed on one side of the nonwoven fabric substrate and an acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive layer B disposed on the other side of the nonwoven fabric substrate, in which the adhesive tape has a tensile strength in the tape flow (MD) direction of 8 N/10 mm or more and a tensile length in the width (TD) direction of 8 N/10 mm or more. The double-sided adhesive tape is excellent in the adhesion performance to a housing and a decorative sheet for speaker and at the same time, has excellent releasability ensuring that when separating the decorative sheet portion, smooth separation can be attained without leaving a residue of tape or pressure-sensitive adhesive on the housing portion.
US08202592B2
A housing includes a plastic substrate, a supporting layer, a hair line layer, a decorative layer, and a transparent protection layer. The supporting layer, the hair line layer, the decorative layer, and the transparent protection layer are formed on the substrate in that order.
US08202591B2
A polyethylene terephthalate resin which is obtained by melt polymerization at a reduced pressure or in an inert gas atmosphere and has the following properties (A) to (F): (A) the intrinsic viscosity [η] is 0.4-2.5 Dl/g; (B) the content of carboxy groups present at polymer ends is 30 meq/kg or lower; (C) the acetaldehyde content is 10 ppm or lower; (D) a hexafluoroisopropanol solution of the resin, when analyzed by the transmission method, has a hue which has an L value of 99 or larger and a b value of 0.4 or smaller; (E) the Mw/Mn is 1.8-2.3; and (F) the cyclic trimer content is 5 wt. % or lower.
US08202584B2
Disclosed are a dielectrically negative, liquid-crystalline medium which contains a (first) dielectrically negative component (component A), which contains one or more dielectrically negative compounds of formula I and a further (second) dielectrically negative component (component B), and the use thereof in an electro-optical display, particularly in an active-matrix display based on the VA, ECB, PS-VA, FFS or IPS effect, and displays of this type.
US08202583B2
A method of manufacturing a nozzle plate including: a step for forming the nozzle hole on a plate to become the nozzle plate; a first photocurable resin injection step for (i) coating with a photocurable resin a first surface of the plate and (ii) injecting the photocurable resin into an area inside the nozzle hole; a first curing step for applying light to the plate, so as to form a first cured resin part including a columnar part and an annular part; a first uncured resin removing step for removing an uncured portion of the photocurable resin; a base film formation step for forming a base film on the first surface; a cured resin removing step for removing the first cured resin part; and a water-repellent film formation step for coating with a water-repellent film a surface of the base film and a portion of the first surface of the plate exposed from the base film.
US08202573B2
Presently described are self-assembling antireflective (“AR”) coating compositions comprising high refractive index surface modified nanoparticles. Also described are various articles such as protective films, optical displays, and windows, comprising such (e.g. dried and cured) AR coating.
US08202572B2
A method of forming a high performance magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) is disclosed wherein the tunnel barrier includes at least three metal oxide layers. The tunnel barrier stack is partially built by depositing a first metal layer, performing a natural oxidation (NOX) process, depositing a second metal layer, and performing a second NOX process to give a MOX1/MOX2 configuration. An uppermost metal layer on the MOX2 layer is not oxidized until after the MTJ stack is completely formed and an annealing process is performed to drive unreacted oxygen in the MOX1 and MOX2 layers into the uppermost metal layer. In an alternative embodiment, a plurality of metal oxide layers is formed on the MOX1 layer before the uppermost metal layer is deposited. The resulting MTJ stack has an ultralow RA around 1 ohm-μm2 and maintains a high magnetoresistive ratio characteristic of a single metal oxide tunnel barrier layer.
US08202571B2
The method for manufacturing a magnetic recording medium in a shape of a disk includes forming convex sections repeating on the upper surface of an intermediate layer in the radial direction of the disk, and each having an upper surface that repulses magnetic particles; and filling the magnetic particles into concave sections sandwiched by the convex sections in a self-assembling way to form a magnetic recording layer with the magnetic particles.
US08202563B2
A baking additive for enhancing the shelf-life and maintaining the volume of a baked product, and methods for producing and using the same. The baking additive comprises a blend of an non-encapsulated acidulate and an acidulate having a fat-based encapsulating coating that is degradable by heat. The combination of the encapsulated and non-encapsulated provides strategic release of the acidulates throughout the baking process such when the baking additive is added to a dry dough mix, the acidulates can sufficiently decrease the pH of the dry dough mix to prevent microbial contamination without interfering with glutton elasticity or the chemical leavening system.
US08202561B2
The present invention relates to tomato-based concentrates and tomato-flavored alcoholic compositions, which include the concentrates. More specifically, in some embodiments, the present invention provides a concentrate including tomato solids and one or more flavoring agents. The present invention also provides methods of preparing ready-to-drink beverage compositions.
US08202557B1
The present invention relates to a bio-pesticide comprising a mixture of natural spices that kills insects through direct contact. Piper Nigrum, Cuminum Cyminum, Cinnamomum Verum, Allium Sativum, Coriandrum Sativum, Curcuma, Foeniculum Vulgare, Trigonella Foenum Graecum, Syzygium Aromaticum, Capsicum, Zingiber Officinale, Murraya Koenigii, Brassica Nigra, and Sodium Chloride are mixed with potting soil and applied to a plant. The bio-pesticide works through the processes of repellency, digestive inhabitancy, paralysis and suffocation. The bio-pesticide can be applied as a dust or liquid spray to the plants, and can eliminate the pests within 48-72 hours.
US08202556B2
A topical cosmetic composition for increasing skin whitening or lightening is described. The composition includes a pomegranate extract in an amount effective to reduce melanin composition. The pomegranate extract may be standardized to about 20% punicalagin. The composition may also include an extract from the genus larix, such as Larix sibirica. The larix sibirica may be standardized to 80% taxifolin. A method for using the compositions is described.
US08202552B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods for controlling plant pests. In particular, the present invention provides plant extracts with insecticidal activity.
US08202550B2
Pharmaceutical compositions are for administration to the nasal tract. In particular, dry powder compositions are cellulose, and in particular hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), and one or more therapeutic agents. It has been shown that administration of HPMC to the nasal cavity is capable of enhancing natural mucus. These powders, and the gel that forms when they are administered to the nasal tract, have now surprisingly been found to be a very effective way of intranasally administering therapeutic agents, and in particular, herbal or homeopathic agents.
US08202545B2
A composition comprising vegetable/herbal based dietary ingredients, or extracts, which contains vitamins and nutrients that provide a novel nontoxic treatment for liver cancers, hepatitis, and liver cirrhosis. The composition can be taken as a daily dietary supplement to enhance normal physiological functions of the body. The said composition, or extracts thereof, are useful and effective in the treatment and prevention of liver and possibly other cancers. The compositions are also useful for administration to patients with pre-existing hepatitis and/or liver cirrhosis. The compositions or extracts thereof may be useful for treating other cancers and other disorders, diseases, or conditions.
US08202538B2
The present invention is directed to multi-layered compositions for oral administration having at least one orally disintegrating layer and capable of maintaining layer cohesion. The present invention is also directed to methods of manufacturing such compositions.
US08202537B2
A solid dose composition containing a mixture of a cured, modified release-barrier coated methylphenidate-ion exchange resin complex-matrix and an uncoated methylphenidate-ion exchange resin complex is described. The barrier coated methylphenidate-ion exchange resin complex-matrix comprises methylphenidate complexed with a pharmaceutically acceptable ion-exchange resin to form the complex which is admixed with a polymer to form a methylphenidate-ion exchange resin complex-matrix, which is subsequently coated with a modified release coating. The modified coating contains polyvinyl acetate polymer and a plasticizer and is cured.
US08202529B2
An implantable drug delivery medical device with alternating hydrophilic and amphiphilic polymer layers and methods of using for the treatment of vascular disease are disclosed.
US08202522B1
Methods of using clostridial toxins and other biological agents to treat skin cosmesis in humans is provided. The disclosed methods provide beneficial effects in humans.
US08202520B2
This invention relates to conjugates of the Vi polysaccharide of S. typhi with the carrier Pseudomonas aeruginosa recombinant exoprotein A (rEPA), and compositions thereof, and to methods of using of these conjugates and/or compositions thereof for eliciting an immunogenic response in humans, including responses which provide protection against, or reduce the severity of, S. typhi bacterial infections. The conjugates, and compositions thereof, are useful as vaccines to induce serum antibodies against S. typhi and are useful to prevent and/or treat illnesses caused by S. typhi.
US08202516B2
The present invention provides methods and compositions to reduce growth of microbial colonies, including infections, and includes therapeutic compositions, methods for treatment of infections, and methods for identifying additional such compositions.
US08202493B2
The present invention includes a harvesting and irrigation device, a method and a kit for the collection of viable fat cells and/or adipose tissue with decreased handing and improved yield and viability.
US08202491B2
The invention relates to a cartridge for processing a sample and methods for aligning a cartridge. The cartridge includes a processing device for processing a sample, a body having a surface and bounded by at least one edge, and a plurality of positioning members defined by the surface for aligning the processing device relative to a conduit defined by the body between a cartridge input and a cartridge output.
US08202485B2
Process for providing a flow of particulate matter to a reactor, by intermittently adding the particulate matter and a diluent to a mixing tank, and continuously withdrawing a slurry of particulate matter in diluent from the mixing tank for introduction into the reactor. Prior to each addition of particulate matter and diluent to the mixing tank, the concentration of particulate matter in the diluent already in the mixing tank is measured or calculated, and the amount of particulate matter and diluent subsequently added is measured so as to achieve the same concentration at the end of the addition as that measured or calculated prior to the addition.
US08202481B2
Provided are an exhaust gas treatment catalyst capable of reducing ammonia leakage rate while keeping a sufficient NOx removal efficiency, said catalyst comprising a coating layer and a catalyst base material, wherein said coating layer has a decreased thickness relative to that of a catalyst base material; and an exhaust gas treatment system using the same. In the exhaust gas treatment catalyst for catalytically removing nitrogen oxides from an exhaust gas by using ammonia as a reducing agent and simultaneously decomposing and removing unreacted ammonia, a coating layer comprising platinum supported on titania is formed on a surface of a porous catalyst base material comprising titania and at least one compound selected from oxides of vanadium (V), oxides of tungsten (W) and oxides of molybdenum (Mo).
US08202479B1
The present teachings provide a detection cell for a biological material and methods for detecting biological material including a photosensitive material optically coupled to an interior volume containing the biological material so to avoid optical components or an external light source.
US08202467B2
A method for extruding transparent and/or translucent article is provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a propylene-based polymer comprising propylene derived units and one or more dienes, the propylene-based polymer having a triad tacticity of from 50% to 99% and a heat of fusion of less than 80 J/g, extruding the propylene-based polymer in the absence of processing oil into an article; and then crosslinking the extruded article.
US08202463B2
An imprint method includes contacting a template on a first substrate. The template includes a pattern to be transferred on the first substrate. The first substrate includes a first semiconductor substrate, and a first light curable resin coated on the first semiconductor substrate. The method further includes separating the template from the first substrate, and removing particles adhered on the template. The particle removal includes: pressing the template on an adhesive member which is distinct from the first substrate. The adhesive member includes a dummy substrate, a particle removing film formed on the dummy substrate and configured to remove the particles, and a second light curable resin coated on the particle removing film. The second light curable resin is thicker than the first light curable resin.
US08202457B2
A tensile stress is applied to solidified resin. The tensile stress is so small that the solidified resin formed in the sprue by solidification of molding material does not break and is so large that the solidified resin formed in the sprue is separated from the inner surface of the sprue due to a reduction in the diameter of the cross sectional area thereof. For the application of such a tensile stress, the runner stripper plate holding the solidified resin is moved away from the nozzle and sprue bushing. This state is maintained for a predetermined time to separate the solidified resin from the inner surface of the sprue.
US08202455B2
The invention relates to a press for pressing glue-coated wood chips for forming a beam having at least one substantially U-shaped cross-sectional portion. The press comprises a master tool (6), in which an elongate groove with parallel side surfaces is provided, and an elongate forming tool (7) which is vertically displaceable in the groove of the master tool. The side surface of the forming tool (7) and the groove (9) are located at a distance from another for forming a gap (10) between them and comprise each at least one carrier surface (11, 12) which is oriented in the pressing direction of the forming tool, a forming insert (13) which during pressing of the glue-coated wood chips, will move with the carrier surface (11) of the forming tool and contribute to pressing together the wood chips. During retraction of the forming tool, the forming inserts will be obstructed by the carrier surface (12) of the master tool, thereby disengaging the beam from the forming tool. The invention further relates to a method for pressing a beam having a U-shaped cross-sectional portion.
US08202454B2
A mold and method for vacuum assisted resin transfer molding of a fiber reinforced laminated structure are provided. The mold includes a first mold part and a second mold part. The first mold part defines a negative impression of the laminated structure, being structurally stable and forming a support for fiber reinforcement layers of the laminated structure. The second mold part connectable to the first mold part for closing the mold and defines together with the first mold part an enclosed space which can be evacuated. The mold further includes a flow duct for guiding a liquid polymer which is formed as a recess in the first mold part and/or a recess in the second mold part that is open towards the enclosed space and extends along a section of the periphery of the first mold part and/or the second mold part.
US08202453B2
Method for making an interior covering element, and interior covering element with no central defect
The invention concerns a method for making an interior covering element, and an interior covering element with no central defect. The invention concerns a method which consists in providing a soft skin (14) and a support (10), placing the skin (14) and the support (10) on parts of the mould, closing the parts of the mould for completely delimiting a moulding cavity (16) between the skin and the support, and introducing a fluid material designed to form a foam. The making of the support (10) includes placing a catching member (24) proximate the orifice, and the method includes, prior to closing the mould, causing the catching members (26, 24) of the mould and the support to co-operate, such that the support (10) is not spaced apart from the mould. The invention is applicable to motor vehicle interior covering.
US08202444B2
The present invention relates to an aqueous antifreeze composition comprising 10 to 50% by weight of one or more dicarboxylic acids, preferably aliphatic dicarboxylic acids having 4 to 12 carbon atoms in the form of the alkali metal, ammonium or alkaline earth metal salt. Preferably, these salts are used in combination with at least one further substance.This gives antifreeze compositions with a good frost protective action, good heat conductivity and good protection against corrosion.
US08202428B2
The invention relates to a filter device, preferably for hemodialysis, that consists of a cylindrical filter housing and a bundle of curled hollow fibers. The bundle is arranged in the filter housing. According to the invention, the curled hollow fibers are provided with an essentially sinusoidal texture and a wavelength that is defined by means of certain limits. The invention also relates to a curled hollow fiber and a method for filling a hollow fiber dialyser.
US08202426B2
A method of removing phosphonates from water includes directing the water into a first settling zone. The water is then directed to a membrane filtration zone and is filtered therein to produce a concentrate containing phosphonates. The concentrate containing phosphonates is then contacted with sludge such that at least some of the phosphonates in the concentrate are adsorbed onto the sludge. Flocculant is added to the sludge and the concentrate to form a floc-mixture which is directed to a second settling zone to form treated concentrate.
US08202419B2
A tank is proposed for appliances which use water, in particular domestic appliances or appliances for preparation of foodstuffs and/or drinks, such as automatic drinks machines, in particular automatic coffee machines, drinking water dispensers, cooking and baking appliances, steam appliances, in particular steam irons, steam cleaners, high-pressure cleaners, air cleaners and conditioners or the like, with a connection being provided on the tank for supplying water from the tank to the appliance and with a filter connection being provided for connection of a filter cartridge in the interior and/or outside the tank, while providing assurance that only the permitted filter type can be used. A tank according to the invention is distinguished by mechanical coding structures on the filter connecting element, in order to preclude the use of a filter cartridge which does not correspond to the tank.
US08202388B2
A machine cell for the forming and joining of a first sheet material to a second sheet material includes an upper gate and a lower nest. The lower nest includes a vacuum pad having a recessed channel defined therein. A vacuum system is fluidly connected to the recessed channel to hold the first sheet material to the lower nest during the joining of the first and second sheet materials. The machine cell further includes an arrangement for aligning the first sheet material to the second sheet material.
US08202384B2
A method for forming a porous PTFE layer includes steps of: combining one or at least two unburned porous PTFE films and a support body that can withstand a heating condition in the following process (a rod or plate shaped support body made of mesh or the like is preferable) by using a predetermined means in such a manner that a slip can be prevented in a heating treatment in the following process; and heating the matter resulted from the above process at a temperature of at least 150° C. and less than the melting point of the PTFE film for the range of 5-120 minutes (preferably at a temperature in the range of the melting point of a thermoplastic resin fiber to 320° C. for the range of 10-60 minutes in the case in which the thermoplastic resin fiber or the like is used in the process).
US08202382B2
A method for manufacturing a micro movable element includes: forming a movable section, a frame, and a connecting section connecting the movable section with the frame on a substrate; bonding a film to a surface of the substrate in forming the movable section, the frame, and the connecting section; and patterning the film to form a support structure being bridged between the movable section and the frame.
US08202379B1
Natural fiber welding is a process by which individual fibers are swollen by an appropriate ionic liquid-based solvent system to form a congealed network. Manipulated fibrous materials may be either composed of natural polymers such as cellulose, hemicellulose, silk, et cetera, or synthetic polymers, or mixed materials. The process is principally controlled by the composition of the solvent system which includes an ionic liquid solvent plus additives such as water, methanol, et cetera. Other conditions such as the amount and placement of solvent, as well as time, temperature, and pressure control the extent to which neighboring fibers are fused. Only the material at the outer surface of fibers need be sufficiently mobile to merge with that of neighboring fibers. Material in the fiber core may be left in the native state by controlling process variables. Fibers form a congealed network upon removal of the ionic liquid-based solvent.
US08202365B2
In a process for producing an oriented inorganic crystalline film, a non-monocrystalline film containing inorganic crystalline particles is formed on a substrate by a liquid phase technique using a raw-material solution which contains a raw material and an organic solvent, where the inorganic crystalline particles have a layered crystal structure and are contained in the raw material. Then, the non-monocrystalline film is crystallized by heating the non-monocrystalline film to a temperature equal to or higher than the crystallization temperature of the non-monocrystalline film so that part of the inorganic crystalline particles act as crystal nuclei.
US08202364B2
By controlling the average size of matrix grains of polycrystalline bodies to more than a critical size at which an abnormal, exaggerated or discontinuous grain growth ends, and less than twice the critical size, large single crystals enough for practical use may be made even without occurring abnormal grain growth in polycrystalline bodies only through a heat treatment process without using a melting process and a special apparatus, thereby allowing the mass production of the large single crystals at low costs with high reproduction possibility.
US08202349B2
A method for processing pre-combustion syngas includes, in an exemplary embodiment, providing an absorber unit having a membrane contactor having a plurality of micro-pores, channeling pre-combustion syngas along a first surface of the membrane contactor, channeling an amine based solvent along a second opposing surface of the membrane contactor, and contacting the solvent with the syngas such that the solvent and the syngas contact at gas-liquid interface areas, defined by the plurality of micro-pores in the membrane contactor, to separate CO2 from the flue gas by a chemical absorption of CO2 into the solvent to produce a solvent containing CO2.
US08202341B2
A filter is disclosed that includes a filter cup, a filter insert inserted into the filter cup and having a substantially cylindrical shape and a terminal disk arranged at an end face of the filter insert and connected to an end of the filter cup. The terminal disk includes a circumferential rim configured to engage the end of the filter cup and is provided with locking means that positive-lockingly connects the terminal disk and the filter cup.
US08202338B2
The invention relates to a cyclone separator for blast furnace gas including: a cyclone vessel having a central axis and including a side wall, a top wall and bottom wall; a first inlet duct connected with an end to the side wall of the cyclone vessel at a predetermined position intermediate the top and bottom wall; and a central outlet duct which traverses through the top wall of the cyclone vessel and extends into the cyclone vessel, and a further inlet duct connected with an end to the side wall of the cyclone vessel in circumferentially spaced relationship to the first inlet duct.
US08202337B2
Embodiments of the invention generally provide a containment system having integrated bubble tight-dampers. In another embodiment, the containment system includes an integral auto-scan mechanism disposed in the housing of the containment system so that a filter element, disposed in the housing, may be leak tested without accessing the interior of the housing. In yet another embodiment, a method for testing a filter disposed in a containment system includes challenging an upstream side of a filter element disposed in a housing of the containment system with a test aerosol, and automatically moving a probe disposed within the housing to obtain samples for leak testing.
US08202336B1
A system for capturing and separating solids, liquids, and gases, such as during air drilling of a well, can include a cylindrical vessel with an inlet for receiving an input. A target plate can impact the input, remove solid and liquid therefrom, and direct flow from the inlet, forming a vortex. A first chevron baffle, a second chevron baffle, and a demister baffle can further remove solid and liquid from the input, forming a cleaned gas. The cleaned gas can be burned, the solid can be dried, and the liquid can be recycled for reuse in drilling operations.
US08202332B2
Methods for fractional catalytic pyrolysis which allow for conversion of biomass into a slate of desired products without the need for post-pyrolysis separation are described. The methods involve use of a fluid catalytic bed which is maintained at a suitable pyrolysis temperature. Biomass is added to the catalytic bed, preferably while entrained in a non-reactive gas such as nitrogen, causing the biomass to become pyrolyzed and forming the desired products in vapor and gas forms, allowing the desired products to be easily separated.
US08202330B2
A method for gasifying solid fuel in a co-current gasifier having a fuel silo and a combustion chamber. The method includes a pyrolysis phase in which the fuel decomposes into pyrolysis products, and a gasification phase in which the pyrolysis products are gasified into product gas. Heat transfer from the combustion chamber to the fuel silo is restricted to ensure that the fuel does not dry and pyrolysis does not take place in the fuel silo. The beginning of the pyrolysis is intentionally transferred as close to the gasification phase as possible, and an attempt is made to make the duration of the pyrolysis phase as short as possible. The rise of the fuel temperature is slowed down by transferring heat generated in the gasification phase to a medium, such as gasification air. In the co-current gasifier between the fuel silo and the combustion chamber, there is a cooling channel, which restricts heat transfer and also functions as a preheater for the gasification air.
US08202329B2
A triacylglycerol-based wax, which can be used in candle making, is provided. The triacylglycerol-based material is predominantly includes a triacylglycerol stock which has a fatty acid profile has no more than about 25 wt. % fatty acids having less than 18 carbon atoms. In addition, the fatty acid profile of the triacylglycerol typically includes at least about 50 wt. % 18:1 fatty acid and no more than about 25 wt. % 18:0 fatty acid. In another embodiment, the triacylglycerol-based material is characterized in part by an Iodine Value of about 60 to about 75. For applications such as candles, the wax commonly includes a hydrogenated vegetable oil and palmitic acid. Candles formed from triacylglycerol-based material and methods of producing the candles are also provided.
US08202328B2
A battery part such as a battery terminal and method of making the same with the battery part having a sealing region or sealing bead located on a lateral face of the acid ring with the beveled sealing region increasing the resistance to leakage therepast as the container shrinks. Another embodiment of the invention comprises a battery part with a bifurcated acid ring end and a beveled end face. The invention further includes the method of forming a battery terminal with an end face of the acid ring having a bifurcated end lip and a beveled face that permits one to either use the battery terminal in an as is condition or in a flared condition wherein a lip on the acid ring is flared to form a beveled sealing region on the lateral face of the acid ring.
US08202315B2
The present invention relates to a minimally invasive method of performing annuloplasty. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for performing annuloplasty includes accessing a left ventricle of a heart to provide a discrete plication element to the left ventricle, and engaging the plication element to tissue near a mitral valve of the heart. Engaging the plication element includes causing the plication element to gather a portion of the tissue to create a plication. In one embodiment, accessing the left ventricle of the heart to provide the plication element includes accessing the left ventricle of the heart using a catheter arrangement.
US08202302B2
A pedicle screw and rod system that has particular application for spinal fusion surgery. The system includes pedicle screws having ball-shaped heads that are threaded through pedicles of adjacent vertebra into the vertebral body. The system also includes two cannulated posts having a head portion with a planar portion and an opening for accepting the head of the pedicle screw in a secure and multi-axial engagement. The system further includes a tube portion that is coupled to the head portion and extends above the patient's skin. The system also includes a lordotic slotted rod that is slid down the tube portions to be positioned on top of the head portions of the posts so that the planar portions are locked within the slot. Bolts are then slid down the tube portions and are threaded to a threaded portion on the planar portion.
US08202299B2
Devices, tools and methods for minimally invasive implantation of a dynamic interspinous implant device for distracting between spinous processes and providing dynamic stabilization. One exemplary device includes a main body including a shaft having a longitudinal axis; a first clamping mechanism having first and second jaws configured to clamp a spinous process of a first vertebra, and a second clamping mechanism having third and fourth jaws configured to clamp a spinous process of a second vertebra. The first, second, third and fourth jaws extend transversely from the shaft and at least two of two of the jaws are releasably mounted to the shaft and are mountable to and removable from the shaft by relative movement between the respective jaw and the shaft in a direction normal to a longitudinal axis of the shaft. The shaft has sufficient columnar strength to maintain distraction between the first and second vertebrae via the clamps, while also allowing at least one of the relative movements between the first and second vertebrae selected from the movements including lateral bending, flexion, extension and axial rotation.
US08202296B2
A method and device for knotless fixation of tissue. The method utilizes a push-in type anchor (for example, a self-punching anchor) and a suture chain that includes a plurality of loops. A first portion of the suture chain is secured to the tissue to be fixated. The suture chain is next secured to the push-in type anchor (for example, by passing the suture chain through an eyelet of the anchor). The anchor is then advanced along the suture chain to bring a tip of the anchor above a chosen loop or link of the suture chain. The tip of the anchor is pushed through the chosen loop so that the tip locks the chosen loop in place (for example, by capturing both sides of the link above a shoulder of the anchor). With the captured link, the anchor is advanced into a pilot hole or socket formed in the bone to fixate the tissue. The captured link provides a hard stop that does not slip, in addition to frictional interference between the anchor and the bone socket.
US08202295B2
A surgical instrument having an anchor and a plug is capable of anchoring a suture. The suture anchor has an anchor body having a top surface, a bottom surface distal to the top surface, a transverse bore and a well, the well having an outer surface, an inner surface, and an inner bottom surface. The plug has a post, a head, and a bottom face. The anchor body and the anchor plus form a suture anchor. The suture anchor may be used during surgical procedures and can be used in the re-tensioning of a suture.
US08202293B2
An apparatus for delivering a closure element can include a splittable carrier tube and a splitter to split the tube. The carrier tube can have an outer surface retaining a closure element in a tubular configuration and can be split into radially-expandable flaps. A closure element has can have shape-memory body having a relaxed configuration with a planar-annular body defining a lumen with tines directed inwardly from the body. The clip can be held in a retaining configuration having a substantially asymmetrically-elongated tubular shape with a trapezoidal longitudinal cross-sectional profile and a proximal end having the tines being longitudinally directed with a first tine being more distally oriented compared to a substantially opposite second tine being more proximal, and retracting to a deploying configuration having a tubular shape with a rectangular longitudinal cross-sectional profile with the first tine being even with the second tine when being delivered.
US08202292B2
An occlusive coil delivery device includes an occlusive coil having a plurality of windings with the proximal end having a plurality of open pitched windings, and a delivery wire assembly having a proximal tubular portion and a distal coil portion with a lumen extending at least partially through the assembly, the assembly including a delivery wire forming a first conductive path extends through the lumen from a proximal end of the delivery wire assembly to a location distal with respect to the distal coil portion, the distal extension including a sacrificial detachment zone. The delivery wire assembly further includes a second conductive path formed by the proximal tubular portion and distal coil portion, with the delivery device further including a delivery wire adapter having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the adapter comprising a plurality of fingers configured to interface between adjacent open pitched windings of the proximal end of the occlusive coil, with the proximal end of the delivery wire adapter secured to a distal portion of the delivery wire.
US08202289B2
A tracheostomy dilator moulded from a plastics material is formed with an S shape having a flexible, tapered patient end region for insertion to the trachea. A handle region at the opposite end has a substantially constant diameter along its length. A passage along the dilator receives a guide member, the tip of the patient end of the dilator making a stepless transition with the surface of the guide member.
US08202288B2
An angled tissue cutting instrument includes an outer member having an elongate body with a bend and a forward end, and a distal tip rotatably mounted on the forward end. The distal tip and body are rotatable relative to one another about a central longitudinal axis of the tip to variably position a cutting window of the tip in a selected directional position about the axis. Relative rotation between the distal tip and the body about the axis is prevented to lock the cutting window in a selected directional position when the outer member is maintained in a longitudinally extended position by an inner member of the instrument disposed within the outer member. An indexing tool for the angled tissue cutting instrument has a socket for receiving the distal tip to effect rotational indexing. A method of variably positioning a cutting window of an angled tissue cutting instrument involves rotationally indexing a distal tip of an outer member of the instrument and maintaining the distal tip in a selected rotationally indexed position.
US08202284B2
An assembly for joining two vessel segments of a patient comprises a coupler formed of adjoining coupler halves, and a cuff having a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion. Each of the coupler halves includes an aperture for receiving an end of one of the vessel segments. One of the coupler halves comprises a connector element sized and shaped for connection to the other coupler half. The vessel segments are alignable in the respective coupler halves such that a path for fluid flow is formed therebetween upon connection of the coupler halves. The large diameter portion of the cuff is positioned over at least a portion of the coupler, and the small diameter portion of the cuff is positioned over one of the vessel segments. The cuff further includes a probe positioned at the small diameter portion. The probe is positioned within the cuff in a manner such that a signal is receivable therein corresponding to fluid flow through the vessel segment.
US08202282B2
A hand instrument for retrieving suture and advancing a suture knot within a patient. The instrument has a shaft with proximal and distal ends. A hinged jaw in the form of a crabclaw disposed on the distal end of the shaft captures suture within a closed aperture formed by the jaws or is used to pinch the suture between the jaws. A hand mechanism disposed on the proximal end of the shaft opens and closes the jaw.
US08202275B2
A cap for use during the insertion of a prosthesis comprising: an impaction plate; an least one cable loop for connecting the impaction plate to a prosthesis; clamping means for attaching the at least one cable means to the impaction plate; and cutting means for severing the at least one loop at one point along its length.
US08202273B2
An orthopedic fixator for positioning a first element relative to a second element with precision and with controlled compliance which can be adjusted during the healing process. One embodiment comprises a first frame for attachment to the first element, a second frame attached to the first frame through a plurality of adjustable effective length struts, and a third frame for attachment to the second element, wherein the third frame is compliantly attached to the second frame. A preferred embodiment comprises adjustable length preload elements to apply unidirectional forces between the first and second frames so as preload the adjustable effective length struts and substantially reduce the positional tolerance. An alternative embodiment comprises adjustable spring elements allowing the compliance of the attachment of the third frame to the second frame to be adjusted at various points in the healing process.
US08202271B2
An electrosurgical generator is disclosed. The generator includes an RF output stage configured to generate a sinusoidal waveform for a selected electrosurgical mode. The RF output stage includes first and second connections, the first connection including a first switching component and a first parallel inductor-capacitor resonant circuit and the second connection including a second switching component and a second parallel inductor-capacitor resonant circuit. The first parallel inductor-capacitor resonant circuit is configured to produce a first half-sinusoidal waveform and the second parallel inductor-capacitor resonant circuit is configured to produce a second half-sinusoidal waveform. The first and second switching components are in a 180 degree out-of-phase relationship and are configured to operate at a predetermined frequency based on a phase-correlated dual drive signal.
US08202269B2
An electrical surgical cautery device for delivering thermal energy to cauterize and provide hemostasis to a bleeding tissue comprises an electrically powered flexible thermal delivery element having a substantially planar resistive coil embedded in a thermally conductive material. The thermally conductive material comprises a tissue contact surface and a non-tissue contact surface. A power source is connected to the resistive coil of the thermal delivery element and provides an electrical current to heat the thermal delivery element being pressed against the tissue. A method for providing hemostasis to a bleeding tissue surface comprises providing and pressing an electrical cautery device having a thermal delivery element, against the hemorrhaging tissue at a predetermined temperature for an interval sufficient to cauterize the tissue and provide hemostasis.
US08202267B2
A system for infusing liquid to a body includes an infusion device, a network interface with a cell phone and wireless link and a network server system capable of communication with the infusion device through the network interface. The server system has access to a file of information specific to the controller for the infusion device. The infusion device includes a source of infusion fluid, a delivery port, a pump between the source of infusion fluid and the delivery port and a controller capable of programmable pump rate and sequence. A method for infusing liquid to a body includes controlling infusion using a programmable controller, establishing a file of information specific to the controller accessible to an extended area network server system and remotely transmitting commands to the controller. The information specific to the controller in the file is amended from a control terminal remote from the body. Operating instructions responsive to the updated information in the file are provided over an extended area network to a programmable two-way communication device. The device is capable of communication with the controller to forward operating commands. Requests for a bolus or a basal rate change are made through input to the two-way communication device which responds with commands transmitted over the wireless link to the controller consistent with the operating instructions from the server system. Network access through a monitoring terminal to the incidents of amending information specific to the controller is used for generating payments for the incidents of amending information specific to the controller accessed by the monitoring terminal.
US08202265B2
An endoscope or other medical device includes a number of lumens positioned in an outer shaft. The lumens are formed as a multiple lumen assembly. In one embodiment, individual lumens are connected to each other with a sheet or webbing material. The lumen assembly is rolled or folded along its length for incorporation into the outer shaft of the medical device. The sheet or webbing material may be notched or perforated to facilitate folding the lumen assembly and/or separating individual lumens from the lumen assembly.
US08202263B2
The vaginal barrier and female urethral catheterization assisting device system may include a semi-rigid member that is configured for positioning within a vagina. The system may include a generally longitudinal base member that is affixed to the semi-rigid member. The generally longitudinal base member may define a recessed portion distal to the semi-rigid member. The recessed portion may be configured to allow a catheter to be inserted into a urethra.
US08202262B2
A wound closure apparatus to promote tissue healing at a wound is provided and includes a porous pad positioned at the wound and a suction pump in fluid communication with the porous pad to provide a negative pressure to the porous pad. The suction pump is disposed within a housing. A canister is fluidly connected between the porous pad and the suction pump to collect fluids drawn from the wound by the suction pump, and the canister is removably received by a recess in the housing. A wound cover is positioned over the porous pad to secure the porous pad at the wound, and a switch provides a signal indicating that the canister properly resides within the recess when the switch is pressed.
US08202260B2
An apparatus for use with a fluid cartridge is disclosed. The apparatus includes a percutaneous port including an interior configured to receive the fluid cartridge, an implantable operative portion operably connected to the percutaneous port, a cartridge sensor configured to sense movement of the fluid cartridge relative to the percutaneous port, and a controller.
US08202259B2
An access port for subcutaneous implantation is disclosed. Such an access port may comprise a body for capturing a septum for repeatedly inserting a needle therethrough into a cavity defined within the body. Further, the access port may include at least one feature structured and configured for identification of the access port subsequent to subcutaneous implantation. Methods of identifying a subcutaneously implanted access port are also disclosed. For example, a subcutaneously implanted access port may be provided and at least one feature of the subcutaneously implanted access port may be perceived. Further, the subcutaneously implanted access port may be identified in response to perceiving the at least one feature. In one embodiment, an identification feature is engraved or otherwise defined by the access port, so as to be visible after implantation via x-ray imaging technology.
US08202249B2
An injection device with a puncture function includes, in a single casing, a cylindrical cartridge in which insulin is enclosed, a cartridge holder to which the cartridge is inserted, a needle inserted at a front end of the cartridge, a reciprocation unit for reciprocating the cartridge toward the needle, and an extrusion member for extruding the insulin from a rear end of the cartridge toward the needle, and the motion speed and the motion amount of the reciprocation unit are made variable.
US08202247B2
A capsule medical apparatus includes a living tissue drawing portion in which a space for drawing the living tissue into a body of the capsule medical apparatus is formed; a movable unit that includes an engaging unit, which can be engaged with the living tissue of the subject, and that moves on a surface of the body of the capsule medical apparatus and in the living tissue drawing portion; an injection needle that has an ejection port for a drug and that protrudes such that the ejection port is positioned in the living tissue drawing portion; and an injection needle driver that drives the injection needle such that the injection needle protrudes.
US08202246B2
The present disclosure is directed a method of facilitating treatment via a vascular wall defining a vascular lumen containing an occlusion therein. The method may include providing a first intravascular device having a distal portion and at least one aperture and positioning the distal portion of the first intravascular device in the vascular wall. The method may further include providing a reentry device having a body and a distal tip, the distal tip having a natural state and a compressed state and inserting the distal tip, in the compressed state, in the distal portion of the first intravascular device. The method may further include advancing the distal tip, in the natural state, through the at least one aperture of the first intravascular device.
US08202243B2
A pressure sensing chamber having a tubing extension extending through the chamber. The tubing contains a plurality of ports so as to allow the purging of air from the chamber, but the ports are sized so that bubbles entering the tubing cannot easily flow into the chamber.
US08202235B2
A single-motor massager has a housing, a carriage and a lead threaded rod mounted in the housing, a guiding assembly, two transmission assemblies and a driving assembly mounted in the carriage, and two massage assemblies respectively driven by the transmission assemblies. The lead threaded rod has a right-handed thread and a left-handed thread so the carriage moves back and forth along the lead threaded rod and the massage assemblies can massage a large area of an operator's back. One of the transmission assembly has a one-way bearing so the carriage is able to stop at any position of the lead threaded rod and the massage assemblies are able to focus on a massage function at a specific position.
US08202231B2
A tissue penetrating system includes a plurality of penetrating members each having a tip. A penetrating member driver is coupled to the plurality of penetrating members. A support is provided with a plurality of openings. Each opening receives a penetrating member. Each tip of the penetrating member is uncovered during launch of the penetrating member by the penetrating member driver. A user interface is configured to relay at least one of, skin penetrating performance or a skin penetrating setting.
US08202224B2
Various techniques are provided for calibrating and estimating left atrial pressure (LAP) using an implantable medical device, based on impedance, admittance or conductance parameters measured within a patient. In one example, default conversion factors are exploited for converting the measured parameters to estimates of LAP. The default conversion factors are derived from populations of patients. In another example, a correlation between individual conversion factors is exploited to allow for more efficient calibration. In yet another example, differences in thoracic fluid states are exploited during calibration. In still yet another example, a multiple stage calibration procedure is described, wherein both invasive and noninvasive calibration techniques are exploited. In a still further example, a therapy control procedure is provided, which exploits day time and night time impedance/admittance measurements.
US08202217B2
One embodiment includes a healthcare base for the health of a user. The base includes an area to receive a bottle that carries a health-related substance for the user to take. The base includes a detector, an input mechanism, an output mechanism and a storage medium. The detector can electronically detect information from the bottle. The input mechanism can allow the user to input information into the base. The output device can allow the user to receive output from the base. The storage medium can electrically store a piece of information regarding the user. In addition to electronically detect information from the bottle, the base provides electronic assistance regarding taking the health-related substance. In another embodiment, the base includes a space to receive a sensor. The sensor can measure an attribute of the user with the health-realted substance affecting the results of the measurements.
US08202215B2
A pharyngeal intubation guiding device includes lengthwise extending tongue-side and palate-side walls that cooperatively define a guiding duct. The tongue-side wall is configured to conform to the rear end of a patient's tongue to permit the guiding duct to confront the opening of the patient's larynx. The palate-side wall has an outer contour which establishes a guideway towards the opening of the patient's esophagus. A lengthwise extending laryngoscope guiding channel and a lengthwise extending endotracheal tube guiding groove are disposed in the guiding duct. A viewing window is disposed to define a terminal end of the laryngoscope guiding channel. The endotracheal tube guiding groove has a lead-in port to permit an endotracheal tube introduced therein to be removable laterally. A lengthwise extending conduit is disposed in the guiding duct to permit an aspirator tube to reach the patient's trachea to suck out phlegm.
US08202214B2
There is provided an endoscope capable of observing cells at a desired position existing in the depth direction with a simple structure as compared to the conventional configuration. The endoscope includes an insert unit to be inserted into a biological body, a low-scaling observation system for observing an observation position in a biological body with a low scaling, and a high-scaling observation system for observing a target position of the aforementioned observation position as a local position with a high scaling. The high-scaling observation system includes a plurality of illumination units for applying illumination light for high-scaling observation of the target position. The illumination units are arranged at predetermined positions of the end face of the insert unit.
US08202210B2
In the preferred embodiment, bovine semen is mixed with a suitable solution to form an insemination medium which is injected into the reproductive organs of a female bovine to flood the uterine horns in a nonsurgical AI procedure. The invention includes an AI instrument having a disposable, single use pipette that may be used with this nonsurgical procedure. The AI instrument does not include a balloon and is referred to as “catheter free”. Preferably, the uterine horns are flooded concurrently, but in the alternative, they may be flooded sequentially.
US08202208B2
There are provided an airbag folding device, and an airbag folding method, for mechanically folding an airbag to form a doughnut-shaped airbag. The airbag folding device is characterized in comprising a support member (62) columnar in shape, rising while supporting a tubular tether belt (11a), an outer cylinder (63) coaxial with the support member (62), for containing the airbag body (10a) on the outside of the support member (62), by rising, a work table (61) having the support member (62), and the outer cylinder (63), and a clamping member (64) positioned straight above the support member (62), for clamping the tubular tether belt (11a) between the clamping member (64) and the support member (62), wherein a pair of plates (65) in such a state as to cover an upper end of the outer cylinder (63), and to be fitted to a lower end of the clamping member (64) cause the support member (62), the outer cylinder (63) and the clamping member (64) to concurrently descend.
US08202207B2
The invention relates to a blank (1), a method and a machine (11) for realising the blank (1). The blank (1) is constituted by four lengths (5) which are consecutively joined to form a structure (2) or frame (6) which can be folded around one or more flat articles (4) or tiles to be packed. The machine (11) and the method for realising the blanks (1) include supplying identical panels of cardboard which are joined to constitute a continuous strip (10) and which are subsequently cut to correspond to lengths of sides of the tiles. Each length (5) is joined to a consecutive length (5) by deposits (7a) of glue.
US08202205B2
This disclosure describes, generally, an omni-directional exercise device. The device includes a platform base, and resistance bands coupled to the platform base. The device further includes at least two enclosures coupled to the plurality of resistance bands. The two enclosures are positioned on top of the platform base at a home position. The two enclosures are configured to slide on top of the platform base in a 360-degree range of motion such that the plurality of resistance bands provide resistance at any point on the platform base and are configured to return to the home position.
US08202204B2
A method and a device are disclosed for improving performance in sports where a swinging motion is needed. In some embodiments, a swing resistance device may be attached to or be built into elongated sport apparatus, such as racquets, clubs, bats, sticks, and the like, configured to resist a swinging motion of the sport apparatus by capturing air and utilizing a force of air resistance, similar to a parachute. The swing resistance device is generally attached to the elongated sport apparatus by coupling components that allow the swing resistance device to freely rotate around the effective longitudinal axis of the elongated sport apparatus. During a swing, air resistance creates dynamic forces that over time may improve swing power and path.
US08202193B2
An automatic transmission includes a first planetary gear set; a second planetary gear set; a third planetary gear set; an input shaft; an output shaft; and five friction elements. A first ring gear is constantly locked. A third carrier is connected with a second ring gear to define a rotating member. The input shaft is constantly connected with a second carrier, and the output shaft is constantly connected with the rotating member. The five friction elements include a first friction element adapted to selectively connect a first carrier with a third ring gear; a second friction element adapted to selectively connect a first sun gear with the second carrier; a third friction element adapted to selectively connect the first sun gear with a second sun gear; a fourth friction element adapted to selectively connect the first carrier with the second carrier; and a fifth friction element adapted to selectively connect the first carrier with the second sun gear. Each of at least seven forward speed-ratios and one reverse speed-ratio is achieved by an engaged state of two friction elements selected from the five friction elements.
US08202191B2
A front wheel drive transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes a sun gear member, a planet carrier member, and a ring gear member. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes arranged within a transmission housing. Each of the clutches and the brakes are located within specific areas defined by the planetary gear sets and the housing walls.
US08202155B2
The game system includes a plurality of game machines and at least one server device, in which the server device includes: an acquiring means for, among a predetermined number of character cards each associating a game character with an ability value indicating an ability in fighting motion, acquiring use information on the type of a character card presently used in a two-person game for each game; a conversion-value calculating means for calculating a conversion value as result data for narrowing the difference of the ability values corresponding to the types of character cards according to the type of the character card depending upon the amount of the acquired use information; and a transmitting means for associating the conversion value according to the type of the character card with each character card and transmitting the conversion value to each game machine.
US08202154B2
A method of gaming comprising: (a) defining a target outcome to be achieved in respect of a game, the target outcome having an associated award; (b) allocating a number of game rounds to achieve the target outcome; (c) conducting the allocated game rounds, each of which can result in a contribution to the target outcome; (d) accumulating any contributions during the one or game rounds; and (e) making the associated award if the target outcome is achieved based on the accumulated contributions before the allocated game rounds are exhausted.
US08202153B2
In one primary embodiment of the present invention, the player must wager a number of paylines to qualify for one of a plurality of bonus games. The highest required number of paylines qualifies the player to play the main or most elaborate bonus game. The main or first bonus game preferably has the highest average payout per credit wagered. This provides an incentive to the player to play the highest required number of paylines. In an embodiment, any number of paylines less than the highest required number or max lines qualifies the player to play a second bonus game. The second bonus game has an average payout per credit wagered that is slightly less than the main bonus game. This allows the incentive or disparity between payouts to be set by the game designer so that the player not wagering max lines or the highest required number is not overly disadvantaged.
US08202152B2
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for facilitating play of multi-round lottery games. In one embodiment, a player may be allowed to change one or more of various aspects of a wager in a multi-round lottery game.
US08202149B2
A fantasy league model comprises at least one competitive affiliation having a plurality of affiliation members, at least one historical competitive season associated with the at least one competitive affiliation, the at least one historic competitive season formed from a plurality of individual competitions between affiliation members. The model further includes a plurality of rosters, each one of the rosters associated with one of the affiliation members in one of the historic competitive seasons, a plurality of competitors forming the plurality of rosters of one of the historic competitive seasons, and a plurality of statistical sets, each one of the statistical sets associated with a competitor identified on one of the rosters from at least one of the historic competitive seasons. Each one of the statistical sets is formed by the actual performance of one of the competitors from the individual competitions between affiliation members for the historical competitive season selected.
US08202148B2
The present invention relates to a machine and method used to capture, analyze, score, archive, track and communicate real-time relevant golf data specific to individual golfers: 1) during practice/lessons; or 2) for every shot on every hole of an entire recreational golf round; and 3) archive all such practice sessions or rounds during which the invention is in use. Additionally it could be used to support a foursome or an entire tournament for those participants using the invention.
US08202147B2
A game apparatus detects a path inputted by a player, and moves an object placed in a virtual game space along the path. Moreover, the game apparatus controls the object, which is moving along the path, to perform a predetermined action, and determines a return position when the predetermined action is finished. The return position is a position at which the object having finished the predetermined action returns to the path, and is determined from among positions along the path. The game apparatus resumes the movement of the object along the path after returning the object, having finished the predetermined action, to the return position.
US08202146B1
A packaged system for selectively (a) exhausting moist air from a shower stall while the shower stall is in use, and (b) drying the ceiling, walls, and floor of the shower stall after use. The system reduces the build-up of mold, mildew, and soap scum in the shower stall, and also reduces excess moisture in the building. A blower moves air through passages opened and closed by dampers driven by an electric damper actuator through a linkage of crank arms and connecting rods. The positioning of the dampers determines the air flow direction, and thereby the operating mode. A control switch starts and stops the system and also selects the damper position. A diffuser, connected to a duct, receives air from the shower stall in the exhaust mode, and alternatively directs drying air from a room air intake onto the surfaces of the shower stall in the drying mode.
US08202141B2
A tool for machining composite material parts and a machining machine including such a tool. The tool has a substantially cylindrical main body. The main body includes a polishing part with a diameter D1, with a main axis and an abrasive part with a diameter D2, with D2
US08202128B2
Methods and systems for compensating for crosstalk in a telecommunications jack are disclosed. One method includes manufacturing a circuit board having a zone of crosstalk compensation between a first wire pair and a second wire pair, the zone of crosstalk compensation including a capacitive coupling connected between the first wire pair and the second wire pair and a second capacitive coupling selectively connectable in parallel with the capacitive coupling. The method further includes determining a crosstalk value generated by the jack including the manufactured circuit board. The method also includes, upon determining that the crosstalk value is outside of a crosstalk pass band, adjusting the zone of crosstalk compensation by altering an electrical connection between the second capacitive coupling and the capacitive coupling after the circuit board has been manufactured.
US08202125B2
A card connector includes a first inserting slot (151) for insertion of a first memory card (200) with first terminals (3) extending thereinto; a second inserting slot (152) for insertion of a second memory card (300) with second terminals (4) extending thereinto; and a partition wall (14) located between the first and second inserting slots for separating the first and second inserting slots. The partition wall has one spring arm (142) integrally extending therefrom and located between the first and second inserting slots, when one of the first and second memory cards (200, 300) is inserted into the corresponding one of the first and second inserting slots (151, 152), the spring arm (142) protrudes into the other one of the first and second inserting slots (151, 152) so as to prevent the other one of the first and second memory cards from being inserted into the other one of the first and second inserting slots.
US08202122B2
A cable connector assembly includes a conductive housing, a pair of PCBs, two cables and a metal shell assembled to the housing. The housing defines a receiving cavity. The PCBs are received in the receiving cavity at different levels. The two cables are located at a rear wall of the housing and electrically connect to the PCBs. The metal shell is assembled to the housing and includes a frame portion, and an extension portion extending forwardly from an upper wall of the frame portion. The frame portion encloses a rear portion of the housing and the extension portion has a pair of first position holes. The housing has a pair of second position holes are aligned with first position holes respectively. Two bolts penetrate through the first position holes and are locked in the second position holes respectively.
US08202121B2
A connector includes signal pins having a mating end and a wire end. The wire end is configured to be electrically coupled to a wire of a cable. The mating end is configured to be inserted into a via of a substrate. A pin retainer is provided having apertures emending therethrough. The signal pins are inserted through the apertures of the pin retainer such that the mating ends of the signal pins extend from the pin retainer. A ground frame is provided having a wire end and a mating end. An opening extends between the wire end and the mating end. The pin retainer is positioned within the opening of the ground frame such that the mating ends of the signal pins extend from the mating end of the ground frame. The wire end of the ground frame is configured to contact a shield of the cable.
US08202114B2
Mobile phone cradle with three-point retention of portable electronic device installed in the cradle
A cradle for receiving a portable electronic device installed in the cradle includes a housing, a top clamp slidably installed in the housing for permitting the top clamp to move up and down in the housing, the top clamp securing a top of the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is installed in the cradle, and the portable electronic device making contact with the housing at two or more points for securing the portable electronic device within the cradle, and a height-adjust release button installed on the housing for permitting the top clamp to be raised when the height-adjust release button is actuated.
US08202110B2
A block-out cover is installed in a jack module to prevent entry of undesirable objects. The block-out cover includes at least one window and at least one locking arm. The locking arm secures the cover to the jack module. The window receives a removal tool designed to remove the cover from the jack module. The removal tool includes a body, a lever secured to the body to engage the cover and a prong with a cam surface. The cam surface of the prong deflects the cover from locking engagement with the jack module allowing the removal tool to remove the block-out cover.
US08202109B2
An electrical connector includes an insulative base, a cover mounted on the base, a number of conductive terminals secured to the base, and a cam actuator extending through said cover and base to actuate the cover to slide on the base. The cam actuator includes a retention disk, a central disk, a cam disk, a transition disk, and a driving disk from down to up. The retention disk and the central disk are coaxial and located in the base. The cam disk, the transition disk, and the driving disk are coaxial and located in the cover. The cam actuator rotates on axis of the central disk. The axis of the cam disk is parallel to but offset from the axis of the central disk. The diameter of the transition disk is less than the diameter of the driving disk and more than the diameter of the cam disk.
US08202105B2
An electrical connector is provided for mounting on a printed circuit. The electrical connector includes a housing having a mating face, a mounting face, and an interior cavity. The mounting face is configured to be mounted on the printed circuit. A port extends through the mating face into the interior cavity. The interior cavity is defined by an interior wall of the housing. An electrical contact is held by the housing. The electrical contact includes a mating segment and a mounting segment. The mating segment extends within the interior cavity of the housing. The mating segment includes an exterior surface and a mating interface positioned proximate the port. At least a portion of the mounting segment extends along the mounting face of the housing for engagement with the printed circuit. A clearance exists between the exterior surface of the mating segment and the interior wall of the housing. The mating segment is movable within the interior cavity relative to the housing via the clearance.
US08202103B2
An electrical connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1) having a base portion (11) and a tongue portion (12) extending forwardly from the base portion along a mating direction, a number of contacts (2) assembled in the insulative housing, and an ejector (4) comprising a slider (41), a pin member (43), and at least one spring element (42) for cooperatively ejecting a mating component. The slider has a rear lengthwise portion (411) extending along the mating direction and a front transverse portion (412) perpendicular to the mating direction. The lengthwise portion is moveably assembled on the base portion, and the transverse portion is positioned upon the tongue portion for being pushed by the mating component.
US08202100B2
An electrical connector includes a lengthwise insulating housing defining a central axis along a lengthwise direction and two groups of terminals disposed in the base portion. The housing includes a base portion and two mounting portions at opposite ends of the base portion. Each conductive terminal includes a retaining portion retained in the base portion, and a first and a second contacting portion extending oppositely from the retaining portion. The two groups of terminals are located at two sides of the central axis and the first contacting portions expose to a first surface of the base portion and the second contacting portions expose to a second surface opposite to the first surface of the base portion.
US08202097B1
A computerized method and system for creating test items by generating variants from a test item model, comprising the steps of creating a new test item model by identifying elements of an initial test item or test item model to be variabilized, variabilizing the elements thereby creating test item variables, indicating values the variables can assume, defining the variables, and generating test item variants utilizing a simultaneous constraint solver. The initial test item can be a pre-existing test item or test item model, a newly created test item or even a conceptual template in the mind of the test item creator. The generated test item variants are displayed to the test item creator. The test item creator can store and forward acceptable test item variants for later use as test items. Test item models can be stored for later use in generating new test item variants.
US08202092B2
The present invention relates generally to methods of performing periodontal surgeries, and instruments for performing said surgeries. A method of performing periodontal surgery to correct a gingival defect of a patient according to a general embodiment comprises the steps of making an incision at or near a fornix of the patient near the gingival defect, inserting an instrument into the incision to detach a flap, advancing the flap horizontally without enlarging the incision, elevating a papilla within the flap, stretching the flap to cover the gingival defect, and pressing against the flap to promote fibrin formation. An instrument for performing periodontal surgery according to one general embodiment comprises a handle, a first shank connecting to and extending from the handle, a connector section, and a blade section. The connector section further comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end connects to the first shank at a first angle, and the second end connects to the blade section at a second angle. Further, the blade section is approximately perpendicular to a plane formed by the handle and the connector section, and a cutting surface of the blade section is parallel to the second end of the connector section.
US08202083B2
A process and an installation for increasing the burning energy of a natural fuel gas upon burning the same for domestic or industrial purposes. The process includes the step of supplying the natural gas into a treatment chamber confined by a cylindrical-shaped wall made up of a diamagnetic material, in front of which electromagnetic units are placed in a spiral shape to create a rotating magnetic field which acts on the gas with only one polarity. The installation has a reactor equipped with electromagnetic units and with a heat circuit, with an oil tank, where a number of electric resistors are placed in order to heat the oil, a pump, an oil cooler and a circuit for the transport of oil from the tank to the electromagnetic units of the reactor, an electric panel, and conduits for the transport of the natural gas.
US08202082B2
A nozzle body defines an upstream channel. A downstream bracing portion has a lateral bore. A nozzle tip extends laterally through the lateral bore of the bracing portion and has a sealing surface for engaging a gate component that defines a mold gate. The runnerless nozzle further includes a securing component inserted into the bracing portion to hold the nozzle tip against the bracing portion. The bracing portion or the securing component defines a lateral channel in communication with the upstream channel for delivering molding material to the nozzle tip. The nozzle tip can be removed by removing the securing component.
US08202081B2
A cavity member for a mold cavity structure for the production of hollow body moldings, wherein the cavity member has a substantially hollow-cylindrical element, wherein a cooling passage is provided at the outside of the hollow-cylindrical element. To provide a cavity member which is simple to manufacture and which permits more effective cooling of the cavity member it is proposed in accordance with the invention that there are provided one or more guide elements for forming the cooling passage, wherein the guide elements and the hollow-cylindrical element are in the form of separate parts.
US08202080B2
A blow molding machine having the valves integrated into the valve block is disclosed. The valve pistons form annular rings stacked vertically along the stretch rod axis. The valve pistons activate by moving up/down along the stretch rod axis. The valve seat for each vertically stacked valve is formed radially around the stretch rod.
US08202077B2
A Styrofoam densification machine for melting used Expanded Polystyrene (Styrofoam) products. It includes a hopper for holding the disposed Styrofoam and a hopper discharge area for melting the used Styrofoam. The Hopper discharge area contains a heated tray compartment which holds a receiving tray for collection of melted Styrofoam. The compartment shall have two or less access area doors for the retrieval of the collection tray. The discharge and compartment tray areas have silicone heating pads on the outside of the panels for heat. The hopper is surrounded by a paneled cabinet which includes up to two inches of installation. The machine is loaded by way of mechanical hopper lid(s) which includes up to two lid panels, high temperature seals, hinges and handles for ease of opening. The machine sits on up to four (4) casters along with anchoring plates. The machine operates on 120 volts, 208 volts and 240 volts.
US08202072B2
A lubricant-tight vane rotary vacuum pump, includes a pump stage (17) having a pump stage housing (10) with a gas inlet, compression chamber (11), and a gas outlet (51), a channel (50) connecting the compression chamber (11) with the gas outlet (51), and a groove (54) at least partially surrounding a mouth of the connecting channel (50) that opens into the gas outlet (51), so that lubricant, which is tossed out of the compression chamber, is collected in the groove (54) and re-entry of the lubricant back into the compression chamber (11) is prevented.
US08202062B2
A compressor comprises a suction passage; an oil reservoir for storing a lubricating oil which is separated from a refrigerant gas having a discharge pressure; and a throttle valve provided in the suction passage and having a valve body for adjusting an opening degree of the suction passage based on a differential pressure applied to the valve body. The suction passage has an upstream suction passage which is located upstream of the throttle valve. The compressor comprises a lubricating oil passage connecting the oil reservoir to the upstream suction passage for the lubricating oil in the oil reservoir to flow to the upstream suction passage therethrough.
US08202058B2
A variable displacement axial piston machine. The variable displacement axial piston machine includes a cylinder block with at least one main cylinder and main piston, a swash plate, a plunger arrangement with a plunger and auxiliary cylinder, and a sensor. The swash plate is arranged to effect movement of the main piston in the main cylinder upon rotation of the swash plate relative to the cylinder arrangement. The plunger is arranged to tilt the swash plate relative to the cylinder arrangement and to control a stroke of the main cylinder in the main piston. To provide a simple and reliable measurement of displacement of the main piston in the main cylinder, the invention provides a sensor element which is fixed in the auxiliary cylinder and which is adapted to sense movement of the plunger therein.
US08202054B2
A main body is provided for a gas turbine engine comprising an outer structure, a first internal partition and a second internal partition. The outer structure and the first internal partition may define an entrance leg of a cooling circuit for receiving a cooling fluid. The second internal partition may include a metering slot. The outer structure, the first internal partition and the second internal partition may define an intermediate leg of the cooling circuit. The intermediate leg may communicate with the entrance leg. The second internal partition and the outer structure may define an exit leg of the cooling circuit. The metering slot meters cooling fluid as it passes from the intermediate leg into the exit leg.
US08202049B2
A system and method are provided to increase efficiency of turbines in wind farms. A sensor is configured to generate a wind map of an inflow of wind. A controller is configured to generate a control signal based the wind map. A pitch adjustment device configured to adjust pitch of a blade of the turbine based on the control signal.
US08202040B2
A header body for use in fluid circulation systems such as a hydronic heating system is provided in which the header body is configured to couple fluid flow to individual fluid circuits of the system. In one embodiment, the header body comprises a suction chamber with a fluid passage through which fluid flows as between one or more header bodies coupled together to form a manifold. A valve is disposed in the suction chamber, wherein in one example the valve comprises a valve body that is supported by portions of the suction chamber on opposite sides of the fluid passage. The valve body is configured with an aperture that is aligned with the fluid passage in a first and second operating state, one of which decouples the fluid circuit from the system.
US08202039B2
A fluid flow machine includes a main flow path in which at least one row of blades (3, 4) is arranged, and a blade shroud (2) which forms a confinement of the main flow path in the area of a blade row (3, 4) and is arranged in a recessed cavity (10) of a surrounding physical structure (11). The cavity (10) so formed between the shroud (2) and the surrounding physical structure (11) is provided with an annular connection (14) to the main flow path at least on the outflow side of the blade shroud (2), and with the blade shroud (2) being penetrated by at least one secondary flow path (16) which, commencing at a location of high pressure on the shroud (2), issues at a surface wetted by the main flow.
US08202031B2
A fastener assembly (1) includes a screw (2) and a bush (3). The screw (2) includes a head (4), a shank portion (6) and a threaded portion (7) including a thread (8). The shank portion (6) is arranged to face the head (4) and the threaded portion (7) is arranged to face away from the head (4). The shank portion (6) has a diameter and the thread (8) has an outer diameter, the diameter of the shank portion (6) being smaller than the outer diameter of the thread (8). The bush (3) includes a first narrowing location (10) having a diameter being smaller than the outer diameter of the thread (8). The bush (3) is captively connected to the screw (2) by the first narrowing location (10). The bush (3) includes a second narrowing location (11) including at least one resilient element (15) being designed and arranged to elastically engage the thread (8). The bush (3) includes a slot (17) or a gap (19) being designed and arranged to continuously extend over the bush (3) in an axial direction.
US08202026B2
A tangential cutting insert has three pairs of surfaces. A first pair has upper and lower surfaces, a second pair has front and rear surfaces, and a third pair has two side surfaces. The upper and lower surfaces and the side surfaces extend between the front and rear surfaces. A main cutting edge is formed at the intersection of the front surface with the upper surface. A front portion of the upper surface extends rearwardly from the main cutting edge and upwardly toward a central portion of the upper surface as seen in a side view of the cutting insert. The main cutting edge associated with the upper surface is curved and slopes downwardly toward each of the auxiliary cutting edges as seen in a front view of the cutting insert.
US08202023B2
A water-borne vessel for deploying a self-standing riser system is provided, wherein the vessel hull is configured to receive, transfer and deploy components of a self-standing riser system. The vessel hull includes at least a landing platform, a component transfer means, and a deployment platform suitable for deploying the riser components into associated surrounding waters. Various means of assisting the process whereby self-standing riser components are loaded onto the vessel and stored; transferred from receiving to deployment platforms; and deployed from the vessel into surrounding waters are also considered.
US08202019B2
A vehicle arresting device comprises a net intended to be laid flat on the ground in the path of an oncoming vehicle to be arrested. Two rows of barbed spikes are attached to the net along its leading edge. When a vehicle runs over the device the spikes lodge in its front tires and the net is caused to wrap around the front wheels, eventually being pulled tight under the vehicle so that the tension in the net prevents further rotation of the wheels and the vehicle is brought to a stop. The net is manufactured such that in its deployed condition it has sufficient lateral stretch to allow it to become fully wrapped around the front wheels before the tension builds up to a level at which there might otherwise be a risk of the spikes being pulled from the tires.
US08202013B2
Provided herein is a printer, including a printing head that executes printing in units of columns of dots; a feed roller that feeds a print medium in synchrony with driving of the printing head; a motor that constitutes a drive source for the feed roller; a memory section that memorizes a predicted idling amount, which is the amount of idling predicted to occur when motor drive starts; and a drive control section that controls driving of the printing head and the motor, wherein when printing operation is halted and restarted, the drive control section drives the motor by a first idling amount that is smaller than the predicted idling amount, implements printing based on data for a first dot column to be printed at printing restart, further drives the motor by a subtraction amount that equals the predicted idling amount minus the first idling amount, and then starts printing from first dot column data.
US08202007B2
A multiple-row and axially biased angular ball bearing with a one-piece outer ring and an inner ring that has two inner ring halves. In order to facilitate an easy and precise setting of the desired pretensioning force and to produce a transport-safe mount cartridge, it is intended that the axial distance of at least two close-end contact surfaces of the angular ball bearing should be equal to zero in the pretensioned state, and that the axial distance of at least two close-end contact surfaces of the angular ball bearing should be greater than zero in a nonpretensioned state.
US08202003B2
A gas turbine engine bearing assembly for a portion of a shaft that rotates around an axis, including a substantially cylindrical bearing having a length extending between a first end and a second end along the axis of the rotating shaft. A plurality of segmented damper springs are positioned around an exterior perimeter of a portion of the cylindrical bearing. Each spring has a width along the axis of the rotating shaft and a portion of each spring defines an outer spherically contoured joint. The width of each spring is less than the length of the bearing.
US08202001B1
Disclosed herein is a self-opening bag pack comprising a plurality of bags comprising or obtainable from a polymer composition comprising an effective amount of medium density polyethylene. Each of the bags may include a front wall, a rear wall, a bottom portion integrally connected with both the front wall and the rear wall, and a bag mouth opposed to the bottom portion, wherein the front and rear walls being integrally joined at their sides; and at least a portion of the outer surface of the front and rear walls of each of the bags having been surface-treated. The process of making the self-opening bag pack is also disclosed.
US08201998B2
A method for determining a temperature of a measurement sensor for determining an oxygen concentration in gas mixtures. In particular, the measurement sensor may be used in exhaust gases of internal combustion engines. A detection voltage which corresponds to the oxygen concentration and is provided by a Nernst measuring cell is evaluated, and the measurement sensor is regulated to an operating temperature using a heating device. The internal resistance of the Nernst measuring cell is determined in a first temperature range and is used to infer the temperature of the Nernst measuring cell, and the internal resistance of the heating device is determined in a second temperature range and is used to infer the temperature of the Nernst measuring cell.
US08201989B2
A fluid mixing system capable of quickly stabilizing flow rates of a plurality of fluids to be mixed is arranged to mix the fluids and deliver a mixture thereof to a container. The system includes a plurality of on-off valves for the respective fluids and delivering the fluids to the container. The on-off valves are caused to open and close in order according to respective duty ratios each indicating an opening/closing ratio in a cycle.
US08201987B2
A kitchen shaking apparatus includes a housing, a controllable oscillating actuator contained in the housing, a platform mechanically coupled to the controllable oscillating actuator, and a plurality of adjustable coacting restraining arms operably coupled to the housing. Each of the restraining arms including a vertical segment and a horizontal segment and is positioned and configured to allow the vertical segment to contact an object on the platform. A speed control is configured to control frequency of oscillation of the actuator. A timer control is configured to control duration of operation of the actuator. A locking mechanism releasably locks at least one adjustable restraining arm at a user-selectable position. A removable pad is attached to the top surface of the platform. After shaking mixed ingredients using the apparatus, the ingredients are devoid of substantial air pockets and the consistency is improved for an enhanced processed food product.
US08201985B2
The present invention is a light bulb featuring a removable LED light source. The preferred source being a lighting source with a three dimensional lead frame as disclosed in the parent applications to this application. Control circuitry is included to convert electrical power into power usable by the LEDs.
US08201984B2
A backlight module includes a light guide plate, micro-structures, at least one light source, and a first prism sheet. The light guide plate includes a first surface, a second surface, and a light incident surface connecting the first surface and the second surface. The micro-structures are disposed on at least one of the first surface and the second surface. The light source is disposed beside the light incident surface and capable of emitting a light beam. The first prism sheet includes a first transparent substrate and first prism structures. The first surface is located between the second surface and the first transparent substrate. The first transparent substrate is disposed among the first surface and the first prism structures. Each first prism structure has a first vertex angle protruding away from the first transparent substrate, and the first vertex angle falls within a range of 67 degrees to 83 degrees.
US08201973B2
A flame detector is provided. A circuit board is disposed in a housing. A first light source emits first light. A light guide member comprised of translucent material guides the first light from the first light source to a light emission portion of the light guide member. A first light receiving element detects second light having a predetermined wavelength unique to the flames. A second light source emits third light to a translucent cover which is disposed between an opening of the housing and the first light receiving element. A second light receiving element detects the third light passed through the translucent cover to test the translucency. The first light source, the second light source and the second light receiving element are mounted on the circuit board. The light emission portion is formed into a substantially annular shape which encloses the first light receiving element at a front side of the housing to limit a field of view of the first light receiving element to a predetermined range. And the light guide member has a light entrance portion and a light exit portion for the third light to form a light path from the second light source to the second light receiving element through the translucent cover and the light guide member.
US08201966B2
The present invention relates to an illumination device, comprising a white LED, a red LED and a color filter. A hight color rendering index (CRI, Ra) and a high value of R9 (for strong red) can be obtained. One application is medical lighting, for example for surgical lights.
US08201954B2
A mirror assembly for a carbon dioxide (CO2) slab laser resonator includes a center section having a rectangular cross-section and a pair of thermal balancing bars. A concave reflecting surface formed on a front edge of a center section. The side-bars are attached to either side of the center section and extend forward of the reflective surface. Dimensions of the center section and side bars are selected to position the thermal neutral plane of the assembly close to the reflective surface. This minimizes changes the radius of curvature of the reflective surface due to heating by circulating radiation in the resonator.
US08201949B2
A projection-type image display apparatus that projects an image onto a screen and includes a laser light source, an optical engine, a projection lens, and a control unit. The laser light source includes a plurality of light source units that respectively emit laser beams of different wavelengths. The optical engine combines the laser beams received from the light source and forms an image. An optical sensor is arranged in the optical engine to detect a physical property of a uniformly-scattered laser beam and outputs a physical property signal indicative of the detected physical property to the control unit. The control unit controls output powers of the light source units based on the physical property signal.
US08201947B2
A wavelength converter includes a supporting substrate and a ferroelectric substrate, the ferroelectric substrate includes at least one waveguide facing the supporting substrate and at least one wavelength-filtering pattern positioned between the waveguide and the supporting substrate, the waveguide includes a plurality of inverted domains and non-inverted domains configured to convert an infrared light into a green light, and the infrared light emitted from the semiconductor laser enters the waveguide of the wavelength converter. For example, the wavelength-filtering pattern includes a Bragg grating.
US08201934B2
An inkjet recording method recording on an inkjet recording medium having an ink receiving layer containing at least inorganic microparticles, a water-soluble resin and a crosslinking agent, by ejecting(1) an inkjet ink containing at least a dye, water and a water-soluble organic solvent, wherein 50% by weight or more of the water-soluble organic solvent is a solvent which gives a swelling ratio of 3% or less for the water-soluble resin crosslinked by the crosslinking agent, using (2) an image forming apparatus equipped with an ink circulating apparatus including: (i) a plurality of liquid droplet ejecting elements, (ii) a common flow channel, and (iii) a common circulation channel, wherein the inkjet ink is supplied from the common flow channel to the plurality of liquid droplet ejecting elements, and circulates to the common circulation channel. The inkjet recording method gives a sharp and high-density printing, and is excellent in ejection stability.
US08201917B2
An inkjet recording apparatus may include a flow path unit including a discharge port, an actuator configured to supply discharge energy and non-discharge energy to the ink, a drive controller configured to cause the actuator to supply the discharge energy, and a cap moving unit configured to move a cap between the open position and the covering position. After the supply of the image data is started, the drive controller may cause the actuator to supply the non-discharge energy in both a first period and a second period. The first period begins at starting of the supply of the non-discharge energy. The second period begins at the end of the first period and ends when the supply of the discharge energy is started. A frequency of the supply of the non-discharge energy during the first period is greater than that of the non-discharge energy during the second period.
US08201909B2
An inkjet printing system and method for printing comprising a printhead having two columns of nozzles, and the printhead is in fluid communication with an ink source and in electrical communication with a controller. In response to the print control signals transmitted from the controller, the printhead ejects ink from the two columns in alternating succession to print images having a checkerboard pattern.
US08201904B2
The invention relates to a method of providing board containers (V) with prints and a printing machine that applies the method. According to the invention, the printing machine comprises a turret head (2), with uniformly spaced radial arms (3) diverging from its rotational axis, each arm ending in a mandrel (4) that carries a container (1); and stationary stations (5, 6, 8) that are located on the path of the turret head for gripping a container, printing it by a printhead (7, 13), and removing the printed container (V). At the printing station (6), the container (1) is digital-printed by the printhead (7), past which the surface of the container is conveyed by means of a rotational motion. The container can be a conical drinking cup (1), which is ink-jet printed by the stationary printhead (7) by rotating the cup by 360° by means of the mandrel (4) that is pushed inside the cup. The cups (1) can be produced at a plant in mass-scale production runs and divided into smaller lots, which are delivered to customers and which the customers then print according to their own individual needs.
US08201894B2
A vehicle wheel assembly includes a vehicle wheel having an outer surface, and a wheel cladding having an outer surface, an inner surface facing the outer surface of the wheel, and at least one aperture extending between the outer surface and the inner surface. The vehicle wheel assembly further includes a trim insert assembly that includes a first member that abuts the outer surface of the wheel cladding substantially proximate the at least one aperture of the wheel cladding, and at least one first portion of a coupler, and a second member including an outer surface having an aesthetic outer appearance, and at least one second portion of a coupler, wherein the first portion of the coupler and the second portion of the coupler are coupled with one another, thereby securing the trim insert within the aperture of the wheel cladding.
US08201886B2
Lumbar support for a seat backrest, comprising a support basket (10) extending in the longitudinal direction of the seat backrest, a frame (12) to which the support basket (10) is mounted and an adjustment device (11) which changes the position of the support basket relative to the frame, the adjustment device including a plurality of adjustment members (60) some of which are movable with respect to one another.
US08201879B2
A high chair is equipped with a tray system incorporating a multiple tray structure that is positionally adjustable relative to the high chair structure. The tray system includes a smaller lower tray formed with rearwardly extending, horizontal posts that are received within horizontally aligned sockets in the high chair structure. The distal ends of the tray posts are provided with rollers, and the high chair sockets have rollers, to provide for a smooth insertion of the posts into the sockets. The larger upper tray is detachably mounted on the lower tray for positional adjustment with the lower tray by releasing the tray posts for movement within the high chair sockets. The larger tray is formed with a depression to allow access to the position adjustment actuator. A third tray can be supported on the larger tray to facilitate cleaning of the tray system.
US08201874B2
An integral box-like vehicle body, characterized in that it comprises a three-dimensional truss framework, the framework of the vehicle body includes two lateral trusses, which are connected to each other at the points of an upper longeron (1) of the lateral trusses by a plurality of vaulted crossbeams (7) to form a vault top, and the points of a lower longeron (2) of the lateral trusses are connected to each other to by a plurality of bottom inclined beams 5 and bottom crossbeams 6 to form a bottom truss. The deadweight of the vehicle body is 5-7 tons lower than that of the box-like semi-trailer or the box-like full trailer of the same weight. The vehicle body improves strength, rigidity and stability, and reduces the cost.
US08201871B1
The disclosure includes a cargo vehicle. The cargo vehicle includes a cargo compartment, which in turn is defined by a floor, a plurality of adjoining walls extending upwardly from the floor, and a ceiling attached to an upper end of the plurality of adjoining walls, wherein the walls, floor and ceiling cooperate to form the cargo compartment and a first vertical opening having a width defined by first and second sides for accessing the interior of the cargo compartment. The vehicle further includes a first segmented retractable door proximate the first vertical opening of the cargo compartment. The first door is displaceable from a first vertically-oriented closed position in which the door covers the first vertical opening to a second open position in which the door is substantially disposed below the first vertical opening.
US08201864B2
A puck retriever has a hollow interior of diameter larger than that of a puck for use in the game of hockey. A ring of rubber or similar resiliently deformable material is located adjacent to the lower end of the tube. The ring has an inner edge which defines a circular inlet of diameter smaller than that of a puck. The ring flexes upward when pressed downward against a puck which is resting on a flat surface with resulting bending upward of the edge and enlargement of the inlet sufficient to allow the puck to pass through the inlet. The ring is of sufficient strength to resist flexing downward under the weight of any pucks within the tube such that the ring prevents pucks within the tube from exiting through the inlet. The ring may be continuous and unbroken throughout its circumference or it may be cut into a number of flaps.
US08201861B2
A bumper system includes a crossbeam having ends constructed to form attachment zones, and two crash boxes which are secured to side rails of a motor vehicle and coupled to the attachment zones, respectively. The crossbeam has a front wall, a rear wall, and an inner wall which extends between the front and rear walls along a major length of the crossbeam. The inner wall is hereby recessed to leave a gap in the area of the attachment zones.
US08201856B2
A latch assembly for a door is provided. The latch assembly includes a force actuated locking mechanism having a depressable actuator, a sleeve coupled to an inside surface of the door, wherein the sleeve includes a cylindrical opening configured to receive at least a portion of the force actuated locking mechanism therein and maintain the force actuated locking mechanism with respect to the door. The latch assembly also includes a flexible membrane oriented such that the depressable actuator is operable through the flexible membrane.
US08201853B2
A female coupling element for releasably joining pipes and which receives a male element along a longitudinal axis thereof, and which includes a body, a locking ring secured in translation relative to the body and provided with at least one slot for receiving at least one radially projecting portion of the male element, and at least one locking notch for receiving the projecting portion in a configuration in which the projecting portion is locked axially along the longitudinal axis, a safety ring superposed, at least in part, on the locking ring, and the safety ring including at least one elastic member that is deformable between a first configuration in which the member prevents the projecting portion of the male element moving out of a locking notch and a second configuration in which the member allows the projecting portion to move from the locking notch.
US08201829B2
This invention, stack and avoid game, presents a method of playing a tag game with stackable figures, a projectile and three or more players. The method of playing this tag game requires at least three players; the suggested number being two teams composed of two members each. One team tries to tag all members of the other team before all the stackable figures are stacked up. The opposing team tries to stack up the stackable figures before all team members are tagged out. If at least one member of the tagged team finishes stacking up the stackable figures while avoiding being tagged, s/he will be able to bring back tagged team members back in the game. If the tagger's team has achieved tagging everyone before all stackable figures are stacked-up, the teams will change roles. Using three players will exclude the capacity of players bringing back tagged team members.
US08201824B2
An apparatus and method for transporting substrate media including a nip assembly having a drive wheel operably connected to a drive mechanism for rotating the drive wheel, and an idler member disposed adjacent the drive wheel. The idler wheel and drive wheel forming a nip. The drive wheel and idler wheel are displaceable from each other to form a nip gap therebetween. A nip force generator is operably connected to the nip assembly. The nip force generator develops a first nip force upon entry of the substrate media into the nip and formation of the nip gap and develops a second nip force subsequent to the first nip force. The second nip force is greater than the first nip force.
US08201817B1
A media advance system includes a media input holder; a pick assembly for moving sheets of media from the media input holder, the pick assembly includes a pick roller including an axle and a face, the face including an arc-shaped groove; and a gear including a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the first side including a projection that extends into the arc-shaped groove in the face of the pick roller; and an intermediate roller for receiving a sheet of media from the pick roller and advancing the sheet further along a media advance path.
US08201813B2
The present invention provides a fixture and method for mounting a head window to a frame for use in a submarine periscope system. The fixture supports the head window during the potting of the head window to the frame. A spring-loaded clamping plate is mountable to a baseplate for relative movement therebetween. The clamping assembly has an oval recessed portion. A plurality of spaced apart feet are formed within the oval. The feet support and are bonded to the head window. Shim stock are placed between the feet to define a critical gap.
US08201808B1
A stake pulling device for removing a metal or a wood stake from concrete comprising a base plate for placing on a ground surface; a first support attached to the base plate extending upwardly; a pivot arm pivotally and slidably attached to the top end of the first support arm; a handle component disposed on a first end of the pivot arm; a grip plate attached to the second end of the pivot arm, wherein a stake cavity is disposed in an outer surface of the grip plate, the stake cavity is adapted for receiving the stake; and a pair of jaws pivotally attached to the grip plate above the stake cavity, the pair of jaws comprising teeth for gripping the stake, wherein the pair of jaws can pivot towards each other such that the teeth face each other or face away from each other.
US08201804B2
The apparatus for uninterrupted flushing a well bore being drilled with a jointed drill string comprises a continuous flushing valve (CFV) and a connector for temporarily attaching a bypass line to the valve. The CFV is a ball-type three way valve in a housing adapted for including in the drill string. Inside the housing there are two axial and two side sealing seats which provide for flow only through designated paths. The plug is prevented from loosening by a spring. An operating stem is mounted to operate the valve by a wrench from outside the housing. A connector facilitates fast tying a hose of a bypass line to the side port. A securing mechanism keeps a valve ball in full open position while a CFV is in the well.
US08201801B2
A sign bracket for over-road highway signs and other signs. The bracket is comprised of a first assembly attached to the sign and a second assembly attached to a support structure. A shear pin prevents relative movement between the first assembly and second assembly in its normal state. When sufficient pressure is exerted on the sign the shear pin shears and the first assembly is freed to rotate the sign approximately ninety degrees. The sign is essentially laid flat either face up from wind force striking the face of the sign or face down from wind striking the rear of the sign. When the sign is laid flat it produces substantially reduced wind resistance and the support structure remains intact. The sign may then easily re-erected by insertion of a new shear pin.
US08201798B2
A seat slide apparatus for a vehicle includes a first rail, a second rail slidably movable relative to the first rail, a lock member restricting a movement of the second rail relative to the first rail, a memory member movably supported within an inner void between the first rail and the second rail and prevented from moving, a holding member fixed to the second rail, holding the memory member so that the memory member is movable along with the second rail, and holding the memory member so as to maintain the engagement between the memory member and the first rail, a first stopper member positioned at one side of the memory member, and a second stopper member positioned at the other side of the memory member and preventing the second rail from moving in a condition where the memory member is sandwiched between the first and second stopper members.
US08201795B2
A portable manway cover handling apparatus comprises a lightweight support unit having a mounting tab secured to a manway stub flange within stub flange bolt holes by stud bolts projecting from expandable mandrel sleeves. A structural support beam is cantilevered from the mounting tab for attachment of a force line pulling machine. A force line from the pulling machine is attached to the manway cover and all manway flange bolts removed except a single loose hinge bolt proximate of the flange bottom. The pulling machine is operated to control the rotation of the manway cover about the hinge bolt to a stable suspension position whereat the manway portal is open.
US08201785B2
A camera mounting system with a ball swivel mechanism that joins a camera mounting plate to a bracket arm. The bracket arm is joined to a grip plate that can be secured to an object, such as a tree. The bracket arm is optionally joined to a monopod that can be secured to the ground. The camera mounting plates are configured to secure to multiple types of game-security cameras.
US08201782B2
A height adjustable stand comprises a base, a connecting member, a height extender, and a positioning mechanism. The base includes a support member protruding therefrom. The connecting member comprises a first surface and a first end frictionally and rotatably connected to the support member. The height extender is slidably connected to the connecting member and comprises a second surface and an upper connecting end for connecting with a flat panel display device. The positioning mechanism comprises a plurality of recessed portions formed in one of the first surface and the second surface, and a compressed elastic member slidably received in a receiving hole defined in the other one of the first surface and the second surface, one end of the elastic member being biased to be received in one of the plurality of recessed portions to locate the height extender in a desirable position.
US08201780B2
A garbage bag holder includes a base frame and a pair of side frames extending upwardly at spaced apart positions from the base frame to receive a paper bag or a plastic bag between the side frames. Depending frames are suspended from the top ends of the two side frames so as to be arranged to extend downwardly only partway into a paper bag so that the particular size of the frame is not required to be critically matched to the bags being used nor does the frame become soiled by the contents of the bag. Outward biasing force can be applied to the depending frames by the side frames along the full height of the depending frames to prevent any tearing at the top edges of a paper bag. Alternatively, a plastic bag can be held under tension between the top ends of the side frames.
US08201773B1
A composite flexible and aerodynamic load bearing wing structure suitable for compact unmanned vehicles, is described. Flexible printed circuitry and micro fuel cells can be incorporated as, or part of, the flexible aerodynamic structure. Accordingly, the overall system configuration can be optimized with respect to weight, space and size requirements. The flexible aerodynamic structure for the unmanned vehicle may be configured with a flexible dielectric substrate having an electrical contact on at least one surface of the substrate, and a flexible printed circuit disposed upon the substrate. The printed circuit can flex with the substrate and the substrate, with the printed circuit, to form a load lifting aerodynamic wing configuration when unfolded from a folded position.
US08201760B2
An articulating flexible overhead boom disposed on one aggregate processing plant and configured to pivot so as to hold a power cable connecting two adjacent aggregate processing plants at an elevation above the ground so as to permit walking and/or driving a vehicle between the adjacent plants while the connection power cable remains overhead.
US08201759B2
A control mechanism for a spreader incorporating a movable material control gate comprises a first limit switch having a fixed position, a linear actuator having a positional member which moves in response to operation of the linear actuator. Movement of the positional member in a first direction causes the positional member to contact the first limit switch to define a closed position of the control gate. The control mechanism also includes a second limit switch mounted to the positional member and an adjustment system comprising a user adjustment device engaged with a linear adjustment member adjustable through a positional linear range. Movement of the adjustment device by a user causes the adjustment member to move within the linear range. Additionally, movement of the positional member in a second direction causes the second limit switch to contact the adjustment member to define an adjustably open position of the control gate.
US08201752B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for the low energy flash-like vaporization of liquids and the release of the resulting vaporized liquid into the atmosphere in the form of a visible plume, mist or cloud. Vaporization is occasioned in a geometrically small device capable of producing vaporized liquid that varies little in composition in comparison to the starting liquid feed to the device. The apparatus and method are primarily directed towards the treatment of small areas for residential air fragrancing, odor elimination, treatment of insects or pests, air sanitization, air and surface antibacterial or antimicrobial treatment, administration of personal pharmaceuticals or medicaments, as well as other ambient air or surface modification by way of gas, vapor or droplet distribution.
US08201743B2
An exemplary imaging based barcode reader has an imaging system that includes a photosensitive array, a focusing lens fixed with respect to the light detecting array which creates an image of a target object on the light detecting array; and an aperture stop fixed in relation to the focusing lens having an opening that allows light from the target object to impinge upon the lens for focusing onto the light detecting array. The focusing lens has a surface facing the aperture stop that is toroidal and in one exemplary embodiment approximates a cylinder that balances or optimizes. Astigmatism of the lens in the imaging plane located in the close proximity to the photosensitive array.
US08201738B2
Disclosed herein is an electronic voting system and methods, which, among other things, provides increased transparency to the public and verification for the individual voters regarding the tallying of their respective votes. A business method involves the use of general purpose computer hardware together with a software platform, made up of one or more open-source or proprietary certified software programs, including a voting software program. A voting record can be made available electronically, thereby eliminating the need to provide a voter with a paper ballot. A voting record identifier is generated without use of, or reference to, voter identity. The voting record identifier is provided to the voter, such that the voter can access a record of his ballot selections and vote number sequence. In addition, a biometric authentication mechanism is provided to reduce, or eliminate, the potential that a voter is able to vote more than once. Novel business methods further include supplying the general purpose computers to voting administrators, processing them and re-purposing the machines by placing them in the hands of eleemosynary institutions or organizations which promote or manage educational services, particularly for children.
US08201737B1
Disclosed are various embodiments for validating item placement. An item is placed on a platform. A load cell is configured to measure weight applied to the platform. Placement of the item in a correct one of a plurality of container positions on the platform is verified. The verification is based at least in part on a positional requirement associated with the item, a weight associated with the item, and the weight detected by the load cell.
US08201721B2
A surgical instrument including a handle assembly, a first endoscopic portion, a motor, and a first end effector is disclosed. The first endoscopic portion is selectively connectable to a distal portion of the handle assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The first endoscopic portion includes a housing adjacent its proximal portion and includes an actuation member. The motor is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the housing of the first endoscopic portion and is operatively connected to the actuation member for moving the actuation member substantially along the longitudinal axis. The first end effector is selectively connectable to a distal portion of the first endoscopic portion and is configured to perform a first stapling function.
US08201720B2
An anvil assembly for a circular stapling device includes an anvil head configured to support an anvil plate thereon, a shaft extending from the anvil head and configured to selectively engage a rod member of the circular stapling device, an anvil plate operatively connected to the anvil head, wherein the anvil plate includes an inner diametral edge, and wherein the anvil plate defines a plurality of staple forming pockets therein at a location radially outward of the inner diametral edge, a recess formed in the anvil head, wherein the recess is defined by the inner diametral edge of the anvil plate and a rear surface of the anvil head, and a wound treatment material disposed substantially within the recess.
US08201715B2
A refrigerator, in which a dispensing unit moves between a received position and a dispensing position and a driving unit is configured to move the dispensing unit from the received position to the dispensing position and is configured to move the dispensing unit from the dispensing position to the received position. The refrigerator also includes a state return unit that is configured to detect a force applied to a cover unit when the dispensing unit is oriented in the dispensing position and that is configured to, in response to detecting the force applied to the cover unit, cause the driving unit to move the dispensing unit from the dispensing position to the received position.
US08201703B2
An apparatus for receiving and storing a plurality of nestable articles comprising an elongate tubular receptacle for receiving and storing the plurality of articles as a nested stack of articles. The receptacle has an open article-receiving end and a partially open other end for retaining the nested stack of articles in the receptacle. Attachment means are provided on an exterior surface of the receptacle for pivotally suspending the receptacle from a waste container for rotation relative to the waste container about a pivot point. In use, the receptacle is held on the waste container with the open article-receiving end positioned above the partially open other end. Upon rotation of the receptacle about the pivot point so that the article-receiving end is positioned below the partially open other end, the nested stack of articles are removable under gravity from the receptacle through the open article-receiving end.
US08201700B2
Provided is a container 1 for inspection which stores and pours out contents therein, and the container is provided with a container main body 2 having a mouth portion 22 formed thereon, a cover portion 3 attached to the mouth portion 22 to seal the container main body 2, and an opening cap 4 attached to the cover portion 3. The cover portion 3 has a closing wall 34 for closing the mouth portion 22, and the opening cap 4 is provided with an pouring outlet 421, and a cutting portion 431 for cutting the closing wall 34. When the opening cap 4 is attached to the cover portion 3, the cutting section 431 cuts the closing wall 34 to enable pouring out the contents.Thus, in the provided container 1 for inspection, sealing properties of the container main body 2 are ensured by the cover portion 3, and the closing wall 34 of the cover portion 3 is cut by the opening cap 4 attached to the cover portion 3 without removing the cover portion 3, whereby the contents can be poured out.
US08201699B2
The present invention consists of a water or soda bottle or vessel which is designed to allow for the bottle to interconnect with other bottles of similar design and standard dimensions to form useful second use products. A recess in the lower surface of the bottle receives the neck of another storage bottle. There are recesses perpendicular to the vertical axis of the bottle capable of receiving the mating side recess of another storage bottle. There are two such recesses on each storage bottle, one on each side of the bottle, parallel to each other. This allows for a bottle positioned on its side perpendicular to a vertically positioned bottle to be used to connect two vertically perpendicular storage bottles.
US08201697B2
A variety of improved hydroclone based fluid filtering systems are described. The hydroclones generally include a tank having an internal chamber and a filter (preferably a surface filter) that is positioned within the internal chamber. The filter defines a filtered fluid chamber within the internal chamber of the tank. The hydroclone may be operated such that a vortex of flowing fluid is formed between the chamber wall and the filter with the filter being located in the center of the vortex. With this arrangement, the filter acts as a cross-flow filter. In one aspect of the invention, the filter is a stepped filter. In another aspect of the invention, the filter is an surface filter, as for example, an electroformed metal surface filter. In some preferred embodiments, the openings in the filter are arranged as slots that extend substantially vertically so that they are oriented substantially perpendicular to the flow path of fluid flowing in the adjacent portion of the vortex. In another aspect of the invention, a circulating cleaning assembly is provided in the hydroclone region. The cleaning assembly is arranged to help clean the filter and is driven by the vortex of flowing fluid formed in the hydroclone region of the internal chamber. In yet another aspect of the invention, improved hydroclone intake structures are described. The described hydroclones may be used to filter water and other fluids in a wide variety of applications.
US08201693B2
An apparatus and method for separating solids from a solids laden drilling mud (14), the method comprising the steps of introducing solids laden drilling mud to a first side of a screen (13), the drilling mud passing through the screen (13) and screened drilling mud located the other side of the screen (13) characterized in that an oscillating tray (18) is located in the drilling mud and spaced from the screen, the oscillating tray imparting motion to the drilling mud to facilitate screening of said solids laden drilling mud in the screen (13).
US08201688B2
The flexible fluid-carrying pouch for use with a personal hygiene device includes a front panel portion, a rear panel portion and two side edge gussets connecting the front and rear panel portions. The pouch is sealed along a bottom edge. The pouch includes a top edge which has a central portion which is sealed against a spout element, which permits exit of the fluid from the pouch, and further has two sealed side wing portions which extend upwardly alongside the spout element, providing a jogged arrangement for the top edge of the pouch.
US08201683B2
A cigarette package according to the present invention has a thin outer case (10) and an inner tray (14) inserted into the outer case (10) in a manner allowing the inner tray to be pulled out, the inner tray (14) having a head (16) functioning as a grip to pull the inner tray (14) out from the outer case (10) and a plurality of grooves (22) holding filter-tipped cigarettes (F) along the direction that the inner tray (14) is pulled out.
US08201682B2
Spring tensioner devices are provided for biasing scraper blades toward a conveyor belt. The spring tensioner devices generally are constructed to be easily reconfigurable between a push-up and pull-up configuration while minimizing their space requirements.
US08201681B2
The invention provides a method which minimizes the gaps between packages to the minimum required by the sorter. The gapping required to allow scanning the identification label(s) will be done first, then another gap adjustment (to reduce gaps) is done immediately after scanning. The induction control system requires inputs from additional sensors which are necessary to obtain certain package dimensions. This information (dimensions of the packages) is used by the control algorithm to calculate or select from a table based on package geometry, the minimum (or optimum) gaps required for scanning and by the sorter.
US08201679B2
An actively closed friction clutch actuated by a lever actuator and having an adjusting means, the lever actuator taking the form of a roller displaced radially by a spindle, which roller acts on a unilaterally suspended lever, the latter being displaced axially and acting axially on a clamping means such as a lever, lever spring or diaphragm spring. The adjusting means for compensating friction lining wear is enabled by an end stop position widened axially relative to a stop position of the lever, which end stop position is enabled by means of an engageable/disengageable stop. To distinguish the two stop positions, the force/travel characteristic line of the lever actuator is detected by the controller of the lever actuator.
US08201678B2
An automatic variable transmission with normally engaged disc clutches includes a main transmission pump connected to the transmission and at least one clutch located within the transmission. The clutch is in an engaged position when the main transmission pump is not operating. The clutch assembly includes a piston moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position and at least one spring is operably connected to the piston. The piston is operable to move the at least one spring between the engaged position and a disengaged position. A plurality of clutch plates may transfer torque when the at least one spring is in the engaged position.
US08201677B2
A clutch hydraulic system for a vehicle wherein it is possible to independently operate two systems, to increase the degree of freedom in designing, and to achieve a reduction in cost. A seesaw member for transmitting motive power is provided between a second release cylinder and a first master cylinder, the first master cylinder and a second hydraulic oil pipe communicate with each other through a large diameter hole and a small diameter hole provided as communicating passages through which oil flows. A reservoir tank is provided for reserving the oil for controlling the amounts of the oil in the hydraulic oil passage on the side of the first master cylinder and the amount of the oil in the hydraulic oil passage on the side of the second release cylinder is connected to a second master cylinder.
US08201667B2
Braking system for a stroller utilizes an actuator to move two brakes close to an axis to unlock the rear wheels of the stroller and away from the axis to lock the rear wheels. Each brake comprises a long arm. The brakes are disposed at the opposite sides of the axis. When the actuator is driven to rotate about the axis, the brakes move around the axis to have axial movement close to or away from the axis.
US08201659B2
The present invention provides a recoilless speaker system capable of reducing adversely affecting vibration and generating an accurate and strong sound, and contributing to the realization of lighter weight, miniaturization and lower cost related to manufacturing, and also capable of being installed in a suspended state and generating sound even under zero gravity as long as air exists.The present invention includes a symmetrical and tubular resonance wall and a pair of or two or more pairs of vibration units symmetrically arranged on both left and right sides of the resonance wall, where the vibration units that form a pair are configured to vibrate synchronously with each other, the resonance wall is made from a flexible material so as to resonate to the vibration, a sound absorbing member is arranged in a tubular form along the inner wall of the resonance wall, and vibration suppressing materials are held at the sound absorbing member and/or the vibration unit.
US08201658B2
An electric power steering system includes a steering wheel, a rack-and-pinion type steering gear box connected to the steering wheel, a steering torque sensor, a pinion shaft, and a steering actuator mounted on the pinion shaft to assist a steering operation conducted by a driver. An overload preventing control is conducted so that a sum of a torque conversion value of an assist current and a steering torque detected by the steering torque sensor equal a predetermined threshold value. When the steering gear box has reached a stroke end, and the assist current or the steering torque is smaller than a predetermined threshold value, the overload preventing control is conducted using a threshold value that is less than the predetermined threshold value.
US08201649B2
A modular mobile robot with a chassis including a power source housed therein. Right and left hand track modules are each removeably coupled to the robot chassis. Each track module includes a side plate, at least one drive wheel rotatable with respect to the side plate, a motor for driving the drive wheel, at least one idler rotatable with respect to the side plate, and a track extending around the drive wheel, the side plate, and the idler. A turret assembly with its own turret drive subsystem is removeably coupled to the robot chassis via a quick release mechanism.
US08201644B2
A dual pipe drill string system having increased fluid flow. The dual pipe system comprises a plurality of pipe sections, each pipe section having an inner rod and an outer pipe. The inner rod and the outer pipe of each pipe section may be coupled to the inner rod and outer pipe of an adjacent pipe section. An annulus between the inner rod and the outer pipe defines a fluid flow path through the dual pipe system. The outer pipe defines a shoulder at each end of an individual pipe section. The inner rod defines at least one stop for maintaining the inner rod within the outer pipe. A spacing assembly disposed around the circumference of the inner rod defines paths for fluid flow and maintains a minimum distance between the stop and the shoulder at one end of outer pipe of the pipe section.
US08201643B2
A system and method for enabling longitudinal and radial drilling in a wellbore is described. The system and method enable an operator to perforate the casing of a wellbore with an under-reamer at the end of a drill string and, without removing the drill string from the wellbore, initiate and complete lateral jetting of the wellbore into the surrounding formation. The system utilizes a perforation tool having a ball seat, which upon seating a drop ball in the ball seat enables the perforation tool to move from a closed position to an open position thereby allowing access to the formation using a jetting tool. Prior to seating the drop ball, an under-reaming operation may be performed using a hydraulic pressure activated under-reaming tool.
US08201634B2
A subsea cementing system that includes a first wiper plug having a central bore releasably connected to a launching mandrel, and a second wiper plug having a central bore releasably connected to the first wiper plug. The system includes a first dart that is adapted to seal the central bore of the second wiper plug. A first increase in pressure releases the second wiper plug from the first wiper plug and a second increase in pressure breaks a burst disc of the first dart allowing cement to flow past the second wiper plug. A second wiper dart is adapted to seal the central bore of the first wiper plug. A third increase in pressure releases the first wiper plug from the launching mandrel. A fourth increase in pressure releases a sealing member from the second dart, which is adapted to seal the central bore of the second wiper plug.
US08201627B2
A double swivel for use with a top drive power unit supported for connection with a well string in a well bore to selectively impart longitudinal and/or rotational movement to the well string, a feeder for supplying a pumpable substance such as cement and the like from an external supply source to the interior of the well string in the well bore without first discharging it through the top drive power unit including a mandrel extending through double sleeves which are sealably and rotatably supported thereon for relative rotation between the sleeves and mandrel. The mandrel and sleeves have flow passages for communicating the pumpable substance from an external source to discharge through the sleeve and mandrel and into the interior of the well string below the top drive power unit.
US08201611B1
A method for centrifugal casting using a sand core having a refractory coating applied in a dry state, without the use of a liquid carrier, said coating sufficient to withstand the adverse forces of the centrifugal casting environment and yield a finished cast surface with a consistent, smooth surface. The coating may be applied by pressing the coating into a mixture of refractory material and impacting media fluidized in a vibratory bed such that the core floats in the mixture, and then rotating the core to coat the surfaces that will be in contact with the molten metal in the casting process.
US08201608B2
A product sheet of composite material can be made by disposing composite materials of composite material in adjacent (side-by-side) relation with each other. The composite materials comprise fibers in a thermoplastic matrix material. The adjacent composite materials are bonded together to provide a product sheet of composite material. Preferably, a cross ply of composite material is disposed on the composite materials. The cross ply may be a unidirectional sheet and the fibers in the cross ply may be disposed in transverse relation to the fibers in the composite materials.
US08201607B2
A sanitary absorptive article producing device and method, particularly suitable for producing interlabial pads, which are small-sized sanitary absorptive articles having a mini-sheet piece. The method comprises a main-section assembly step for disposing an absorptive body between a face-side sheet continuous-member and a back-side sheet continuous-member, joining the face-side sheet continuous-member to the back-side sheet continuous-member to form a main-section continuous-body having a portion continuous therewith which becomes the main section of the sanitary absorptive article, and a mini-sheet assembly step for joining the mini-sheet piece to the back-side sheet continuous-member of the main-section continuous-body to form a sanitary absorptive continuous-body. The sanitary absorptive article continuous-bodies have their unnecessary potions removed by a round-cutting step to become individual sanitary absorptive articles.
US08201606B2
A device (10) and a method for transverse sealing of a tube (12) of thermoplastic coated packaging material are provided. The tube is formed by sealing of an overlapping joint (14) between two mutually opposing edge sections (26, 28) of a sheet of packaging material. The device comprises first and second opposing jaws (16, 18) having first and second main sealing surfaces (20, 22), respectively. The tube is arranged to be flat-laid and squeezed between these main sealing surfaces to heat the thermoplastic there between and obtain a transverse seal along a main sealing line (24) of the tube. The device is characterized in that it is arranged to penetrate the outer edge section (28) of the overlapping joint along the main sealing line prior to sealing to allow the first main sealing surface (20) to contact the inner edge section (26) of the overlapping joint.
US08201598B2
A cutting tool for use with a stump cutting apparatus of the type utilizing a cutting wheel or drum rotating about a rotational axis wherein the cutting tool is removably attached to the cutting wheel or drum. The cutting tool includes a tool holder removably secured to the cutting wheel typically through a plurality of fasteners extending through a plurality of apertures located in the base portion of the tool holder. The tool holder includes a tool portion having a boss and a neck extending from the base portion of the tool holder to the boss. The boss being a generally annular member having an aperture extending between first and second ends wherein a cutting tool is secured within the aperture. The cutting tool generally includes a head portion, a shank and a cutting tip.
US08201587B2
A portable pumping apparatus for concurrently pumping liquid from a source container to a destination container and pumping vapor from the destination container to the source container comprises a liquid and vapor pump having a liquid inlet, a liquid outlet, a vapor inlet and a vapor outlet. There is a selectively controllable actuation mechanism for actuating the liquid and vapor pump to thereby concurrently pump liquid from the liquid and vapor pump through the liquid outlet and vapor into the liquid and vapor pump through the vapor inlet, and concurrently pump vapor from the liquid and vapor pump through the vapor outlet and liquid into the liquid and vapor pump through the liquid inlet.
US08201585B2
According to the present invention, even though the paint is filled or discharged repetitively to or from the paint bag (5), so that bursting of a coating bag (5) or lack of coating material during coating are not caused by accumulation of error between the filling amount and the using amount.That is, before a predetermined amount of the coating material is supplied to the coating material bag (5), the remaining coating material in the coating material bag (5) is extruded to empty it, since the coating material bag (5) is squashed by the pressure of fluid which was supplied to the hydraulic fluid chamber (6) outside of the bag.
US08201583B2
The invention relates to a support for the building industry, comprising a pipe (10), which has an axial profile in at least one end section, which is accessible from the outside when in use. The outside and/or inside diameters and/or the wall thickness in at least one end region of the pipe are enlarged compared to the remainder of the pipe (10). During production of a pipe or support in the building industry, the outside and/or inside diameters and/or the wall thickness is increased in that at least one end section, which is assessable from the outside when in use, compared to the remainder of the pipe and the pipe has an axial profile.
US08201580B2
A valve positioner for controlling a valve closure element is provided. The positioner includes a positioner housing with a plurality of fluid flow passageways in fluid communication with a fluid supply source and the valve closure element. The positioner housing is configured to receive a detachable spool manifold assembly. The spool manifold assembly is positioned adjacent the plurality of fluid flow passageways. The spool manifold assembly includes a reciprocally moveable spool configured to selectively port fluid flow from the plurality of fluid flow passageways. The spool manifold assembly includes a diaphragm connected to the spool via a flexible shaft. The diaphragm is in fluid communication with a transducer for receiving a fluid causing the diaphragm to expand or contract and thereby displacing the spool. The flexible shaft is radially elastic in order to minimize axial backlash between the diaphragm and the spool. The flexible shaft configuration minimizes the spool stroke.
US08201578B2
An oil pan includes a bottom portion, a side wall portion standing upward form an edge portion of the bottom portion, a cylindrical lubricating oil amount adjusting wall structure standing upward from substantially the central portion of the bottom portion and formed, to an inner peripheral portion thereof, with a lubricating oil amount adjusting passage which communicates with an external portion, the lubricating oil amount adjusting wall having a lubricating oil drain port formed to a lower portion thereof, a cylindrical lubricating oil adjusting plug assembled detachably to the lubricating oil amount adjusting passage so that the lubricating oil adjusting plug closes the lubricating oil drain port, the lubricating oil amount adjusting plug being formed with a communication port communicating with the lubricating oil amount adjusting passage, and a drain plug fitted detachably to the communication port.
US08201577B2
An arrangement is provided for feeding a liquid additive from a receptacle into a fuel pipe or into an exhaust line of an internal-combustion engine of a motor vehicle. The receptacle is fillable with additive from a larger storage tank that is also accommodated in the motor vehicle by way of a connection line that can be blocked by a shut-off element. A pump is installed in the receptacle or in the connection line. A heating device for heating at least a partial volume of the additive is present in the receptacle. A blockable return line branches off into the receptacle from the connection line between the pump and the shut-off element.
US08201576B2
A check valve assembly installable in a valve body comprising an elastomeric hinge that includes an elastomeric member and a hinge member around which the elastomeric member can bend. The elastomeric member is coupled to the hinge member. At least one rigid valve plate is coupled to the elastomeric member. At least one layer of reinforcement material is coupled to the elastomeric member and extends at least between the hinge member and the at least one rigid valve plate. The reinforcement material is sufficiently flexible to bend over the range of movement of the elastomeric member, substantially unstretchable, and capable of resisting abrasion forces encountered while the check valve is in operation.
US08201573B2
A tapping tee assembly (10) comprises an integrally moulded saddle (12), body (14) and socket (16). The tapping tee assembly can be mounted on a pipeline thereby enabling a cutter to travel through the body of the fitting in order to cut a hole in the pipeline. The saddle (12) is provided with a saddle-shaped electrofusion element mat (18) and the socket (16), which is integral with the body (14) and in fluid connection with the axial bore (20) of the body, is provided with a second electrofusion element (22). The electrofusion elements (22,30) are connected by an integrated anvil-shaped connector (26) and connecting pin (28) such that both electrofusion elements (22,30) can be energized simultaneously using two electrical terminals (24,38), and the device can be manufactured with relative ease.
US08201570B2
A cover assembly for sealing a dishwasher drawer includes a rigid, movable cover casing that frames a flexible sealing cover which is capable of receiving and covering tall dishes extending beyond a height of the drawer. Rocker arms are placed on each perimeter edge of the cover casing, and pivot to raise and lower the casing onto the drawer so that the sealing cover seals a wash chamber therein. A seal adhered to a bottom of the cover casing presses against a lip of the drawer to prevent leakage of wash fluid circulated therein.
US08201559B2
A method for repairing a vaginal wall (35) which has been damaged by one or more prolapsed pelvic organs said method including: (a) mobilizing the vaginal epithelium off the underlying fascia of at least a portion of the damaged vaginal wall; (b) positioning a prosthetic material (36) over the exposed fascia; (c) re-fixing the vaginal epithelium over the prosthetic material (36) and the fascia; and thereafter (d) locating an intra-vaginal splint into the vagina.
US08201549B2
A heating device for a gas bottle includes a conduction heat shaft having a first end adjacent to a heat source and a second end, a conduction heat plate including a plate body and a pivoting portion formed on the plate body and pivotally connected to the second end of the conduction heat shaft, and a connector provided with the conduction heat plate and coupling with the second end of the conduction heat shaft to attach the gas bottle with the plate body of the conduction heat plate.
US08201548B2
A power tool stand includes a guide carriage (4), and a tool coupling (1) for a portable power tool (3) and including a carriage coupling member (1a) provided on the guide carriage (4), having a clamping surface (5a), two hooks (7a, 7b) spaced from each other along the clamping surface (5a) with at least the first hook (7a) being displaceable along the clamping surface (1a), and connectable with a tool coupling member (1b) for the power tool (3) and having a clamping surface (5b the tool coupling member (1b) having two free-lying, arranged at least partially circumferentially, bolts (6) which can be hanged behind the two associated hooks (7a, 7b) of the carriage coupling member (1a).
US08201543B2
A piezoelectric-actuated fuel injector for injecting fuel into a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine is provided which includes a piezoelectric actuator movable to expand in a first direction and movable to contract in a second direction opposite the first direction, and a hydraulic link assembly disposed within said injector cavity. The hydraulic link assembly includes a hydraulic link barrel having an inner bore, a hydraulic link outer plunger positioned to slidably move in the inner bore, and a hydraulic link operatively connected to a needle valve to move the needle valve in the second direction toward the open position in response to movement of the piezoelectric actuator in the first direction. A hydraulic link inner plunger is attached to the needle valve and extends into a center bore of the hydraulic link outer plunger. Leakage control features and hydraulic link refill valves are also provided.
US08201542B2
A safety device for the throttle operation includes a shaft, a linking plate having an end connected and moving with the shaft and another end provided with an projecting bent wing, a pulling plate having one end formed with a shaft hole for combining with the shaft and located at a side of the bent wing and another end resting on an end surface of the bent wing and connected with a throttle line. The bent wing moves the throttle line to move the pulling plate for an angle for opening the throttle. The safety device further includes a contact switch for contacting the linking plate so an engine control system may be electrified by the contact switch to reduce its speed to a slow condition even if the throttle line is stuck immovable and unable to return to its original position after pulling open the throttle, keeping safe a vehicle.
US08201541B2
The invention relates to a method for operating at least one rotating closure element in a flow channel; alternately opening and blocking the flow channel relative to a reference variable and with an adjustable phase position; flowing through a cross-section; changing a phase position; and utilizing at least one of a flow force and a flow torque to act on the closure element for at least one of temporarily accelerating and temporarily decelerating the closure element.
US08201537B2
Proposed is a multi-part cooled piston (1) for an internal combustion engine, which piston (1) is composed of an upper piston part (2) and a lower piston part (6). The upper piston part (2) forms an inner annular cooling duct (11) with the lower piston part (6), which cooling duct (11) is covered by an upper region (31) of the lower piston part (6). The region (31) is of thin-walled design in such a way that it can be deformed in the manner of a plate spring. Simple and fast assembly of the upper piston part (2) on the lower piston part (6), and a fixed and secure screw connection between the two piston parts, result in that the upper piston part (2) is provided on its underside with a blind bore (26) which is arranged centrally and coaxially with respect to the piston axis (25) and has an internal thread (28), and in that the upper region (31) of the lower piston part (6) has a threaded bolt (29) which is arranged centrally and coaxially with respect to the piston axis (25), points upward and has an external thread (30), with the internal thread (28) matching the external thread (30), such that the upper piston part (2) can be screwed to the lower piston part (6) by means of the blind bore (26) and the threaded bolt.
US08201515B1
An improved anchor (20) for securing the floatation units (12) of marker buoys (10), waterfowl decoys (36), and the like at selected locations on a body of water. The anchor (20) has an anchor weight (24) portion of non-lead material and a pair of clamping arms (30) extending outwardly from the anchor body (22), and configured and adapted to springably spread apart to open, to close about, and to releasably clamp onto the floatation unit (12), thus preventing the release and tangling of anchor line (14). This provides convenient storage for the marker buoy (10) or the waterfowl decoy (36) with its wound anchor line (14) and the attached anchor (20). Currently, marker buoy anchors and waterfowl decoy anchors frequently consist of a thin lead strip capable of being bent around a portion of the floatation unit (12) of the marker buoy (10) or the waterfowl decoy (36) for secure storage. For use, the lead strip can be unbent to release it from the floatation unit (12). My present invention is uncomplicated, easy to use, and easy to manufacture. It provides a superior alternative to the current technique of using bendable lead anchors, thus eliminating the need for this particular use of lead, a potential source of pollution.
US08201514B2
A hydrofoil craft, particularly a method of economically modifying a conventional hull with cambered foils to obtain and calculate increased lift from dense spray and to achieve enhanced craft performance is disclosed. The present invention improves speed, fuel efficiency and rough water stability, reduced pitch and vertical accelerations. A catamaran or V-bottom hull is modified with chine mounted airfoils, flexible dihedral cambered foils positioned beneath the water line and on either side of the bow so as to create turbulence in the forward end of a tunnel(s). Tunnels are created on the V-bottom hull by the chine mounted airfoils. Fixed forward tunnel cambered foil(s) and/or fixed or adjustable center tunnel cambered foils at the stern end of the tunnel to generate lift from pressure caused by dense spray in the tunnel(s) may also be provided. Adjustable cambered stern foils are mounted on the transom end of the tunnels.
US08201512B2
A steering system for hydroski-borne watercraft eliminates the need for conventional steering mechanisms such as rudders or thrust vectoring from propulsion units. Complete steering and navigable control is achieved by rolling or otherwise banking individual hydroskis thereby creating a side force on each hydroski. This force is proportional to the sine of the bank angle or roll angle. The sum of the forces and moments from the individual hydroskis are of sufficient magnitude and can be appropriately balanced to effect coordinated watercraft steering and navigable control.
US08201509B2
A yarn feed system, enabling the control of individual yarns to the needles of a tufting machine, and which system can be manufactured as a substantially standardized unit or attachment that can be removably mounted to a tufting machine. The yarn feed unit includes a series of yarn feed devices each including a drive motor for feeding one or more selected yarns to the needles of the tufting machine, and a series of yarn feed controllers integrated with each yarn feed drive motor for monitoring and controlling the operation of the yarn feed devices to control the feeding of the yarns to the needles according to programmed pattern instructions.
US08201508B2
The present invention provides a needle thread feeding device for a multi-needle embroidery sewing machine which includes a drive roller having a length that extends across the plurality of needle threads, a needle thread guide mechanism that arranges the needle threads side by side in an axial direction of the drive roller and guides the needle threads, a pressure roller that presses the selected needle thread onto the drive roller, and a thread distributing mechanism that relatively moves the needle thread guide mechanism and the pressure roller in the axial direction of the drive roller in synchronization with movement of the sewing machine head. The thread distributing mechanism interposes the selected needle thread between the drive roller and the pressure roller.
US08201505B2
A counterbalance apparatus for use in a workstation to raise and lower a work surface of the workstation. The counterbalance apparatus compensates for the load on the work surface. The counterbalance apparatus includes an inner column telescopingly mounted in an outer column. A base member is positioned at one end of the outer column. A grooved member positioned between the inner column and the base member and a force mechanism between the grooved member and the inner column or the work surface. The grooved member moves in and out of the inner column and base member to raise and lower the work surface.
US08201501B2
A dual path kiln is provided that includes a kiln having one or more chambers and at least two lumber charge paths adapted to convey lumber through the kiln in opposite directions by means of a track having two rails in which a pusher device pushes the lumber through the kiln and comprises a variable output electric motor to effect a high degree of accurate control of the movement speed of the pusher device and the lumber it's pushing and wherein the pusher device includes a faceplate having two side walls extending from said faceplate to engage the side of the lumber in order to greatly enhance stability of the lumber while it is being transported and minimize the risk of spillage.
US08201499B2
A plate inserting apparatus includes a plate cylinder, press roller, and braking unit. A plate is to be mounted on the outer surface of the plate cylinder. The press roller is rotatably supported to oppose the outer surface of the plate cylinder, and inserts the leading edge bent portion of the plate, supplied to the plate cylinder upon rotation of the plate cylinder, into a groove portion formed in the outer surface of the plate cylinder. The braking unit is arranged in a plate storing portion for storing the plate supplied to the plate cylinder, and brakes the plate with the leading edge bent portion inserted in the groove portion of the plate cylinder.
US08201495B2
A pre-separator for a screw press separator wherein the pre-separator increases the concentration of solid material in a water solid material mixture. The pre-separator is configured to have a frustoconical screen surface where a plurality of wiper blades engage the interior portion of the surface to provide de-watering action, and the plurality of blades are configured to reposition with respect to the center axis of the frustoconical surface to allow for engagement between the interior surface of the frustoconical screen, and the wiper blades.
US08201494B1
A nut cracking apparatus includes a rotatable turret mounted to a frame. An endless conveyor delivers nuts to a pickup point at which nut cracking units engage nuts carried by the endless conveyor. The endless conveyor has a generally horizontal carrying portion for carrying nuts from the hopper to the pickup point.
US08201487B2
Various techniques are provided for firing blanks from firearms. In one example, a blank firing adapter includes a mount assembly operatively configured to be attached to a muzzle of a firearm. The blank firing adapter also includes a main body having an interior chamber. The blank firing adapter also includes an escape port positioned longitudinally forward of the interior chamber and not in communication therewith. The blank firing adapter also includes a barrier interposed between the escape port and the interior chamber. The blank firing adapter also includes a projectile receiving area positioned longitudinally forward of the escape port and configured to slow down a projectile from the muzzle therethrough.
US08201485B2
A tubular braid and a composite hollow fiber membrane using the same are disclosed. The tubular braid is made by braiding yarns, the yarn made by combining thin filament and thick filament, wherein the thin filament is comprised of a plurality of monofilament having a fineness of 0.01 to 0.4 denier, and the thick filament is comprised of at least one monofilament having a fineness of 3 to 50 denier. Also, the composite hollow fiber membrane using the tubular braid of the present invention can realize excellent water permeability, high mechanical strength, good filtration reliability, great peeling strength, low dope permeation, and high stiffness.
US08201484B2
A blade housing for an electronic cutting apparatus includes an outer housing having a distal end, an inner housing coupled to the inner housing and longitudinally selectively adjustable relative thereto and a blade rotatably coupled to the inner housing with a sharpened distal end. Adjustment of the inner housing relative to the outer housing adjusts an amount of the blade that protrudes from the distal end of the inner housing.
US08201480B2
A rotary drive mechanism is used to insert a pallet into the workzone of a machine tool past the plane the guard doors. Cam barrels are mounted one each on the opposite ends of a pair of opposed drive shafts that are driven by a pair of drive hubs. The cam barrels engage cam followers mounted on the underside of the pallet to drive the pallet into the workzone of the machine tool. The connection between the drive shafts and the drive hubs is separable, allowing the drive shafts to be uncoupled from the drive hubs when desired. The drive hubs are mounted on a hub carrier that is rotatable about a vertical axis to uncouple the drive hubs from the drive shafts and swing the drive hubs out of the plane of the guard doors, allowing the doors to close.
US08201479B2
A drive conversion mechanism includes a rotatably mounted output shaft, a pair of output gears mounted on the output shaft so as to rotate independent of one another and relative to the output shaft and being displaced from each other axially along the output shaft, and a pair of one-way clutches arranged about the output shaft. Each clutch is connected to one of the output gears and extends about the output shaft in respective orientations that are the reverse of each other such that the one-way clutches can only drivingly engage the output shaft at alternate times, and thus not at the same time, so as to cause the output shaft to rotate in a same single direction as the output gears are driven in opposite directions relative to each other by an input train of constantly meshed input drive and idler gears.
US08201477B2
A bicycle component operating device is basically provided with a rider operating member, a ratchet member, a positioning pawl and a winding pawl. The ratchet member is rotatably mounted about a pivot axis. The positioning pawl prevents rotation of the ratchet member in a releasing direction when the positioning pawl is in a holding position. The positioning pawl releases the ratchet member for rotation in the releasing direction in response to a releasing operation of the rider operating member. The winding pawl rotates the ratchet member in a winding direction in response to a winding operation of the rider operating member. The winding pawl contacts the positioning pawl and moves the positioning pawl radially outward relative to the pivot axis as the winding pawl moves radially outward relative to the pivot axis in response to the releasing operation.
US08201471B2
In a gear (G1) according to the present invention, which is provided with a plurality of teeth (1) to be mated with teeth of a mating gear to thereby transmit a rotational motion, a predetermined region (A) in at least one tooth flank (7) of each tooth (1) is formed in a configuration such that, from at least one place in a tooth width direction on a crossing (8) of the tooth flank (7) and a tooth tip surface (3), the mating with the teeth of the mating gear is started with the point contact or the line contact shorter than the total tooth width, and thereafter, is gradually shifted to the line contact so that the length of contact line (10) thereof is sequentially increased as the line contact moves from a tooth tip surface (3) side toward a tooth root side.
US08201470B2
A vehicle transmission can comprise a plurality of gears, and a shift cam coupled to the gears to at least partly control shifting of the gears. The shift cam comprise a plurality of grooves each with respective positions corresponding to gear speeds, and further including a neutral position, wherein the neutral position is below a position corresponding to a lowest gear speed in a view of at least a portion of the shift cam. A rotation angle of the shift cam between the neutral position and a lowest step corresponding to the lowest gear speed can be different from that between any adjacent shift steps, respectively corresponding to other gear speeds.
US08201460B2
A magnet assembly includes: a magnetic field delivering, especially rod-shaped, permanent magnet; a retaining assembly fixedly connected with the permanent magnet and having a retaining head facing the permanent magnet and serving for holding the permanent magnet, and a retaining bolt affixed to the retaining head; and a magnet cup having a cup floor and a cup wall extending from the cup floor. The retaining head of the retaining assembly is at least partially accommodated in a passageway provided in the cup floor, so that an outer contact surface of the retaining head and an inner contact surface of the passageway contact one another to form a force-based interlocking between magnet cup and retaining assembly. The magnet assembly is, especially, provided for application as an oscillation transducer and/or for use in a measuring transducer of vibration type.
US08201458B2
A method, system, apparatus and computer program product for determining values of flow rates of components of a liquid hold up of a gaseous and liquid (water and oil) multiphase flow in an oil well. Including measuring total quantities of flow (Qtot), gas (Qgas) and liquid phase (Qliq) with a multiphase flow meter. Disposing an inlet of a core sampler inside a main pipe of the oil well at a place where a concentration of the liquid phase is greater than an average concentration of the liquid phase in the main pipe, to obtain a derived sample having a greater concentration of oil and water than the average concentration. Measuring quantities of water (Qwater) and oil (Qoil) of the derived sample. And calculating from Qwater, Qoil and Qliq, quantities of water and oil in the flow.
US08201452B2
The present invention relates to a housing for one or more micromechanical and/or micro-optic components, wherein the housing exhibits a supporting substrate having at least one micromechanical and/or micro-optic component and at least one cap substrate, which is joined to the supporting substrate. The supporting substrate and the at least one cap substrate form at least one cavity, which at least partially encloses the at least one micromechanical and/or micro-optic component, wherein the side of at least one cap substrate facing the at least one micromechanical and/or micro-optic component exhibits at least one optical window and at least one mechanical stop.Furthermore, the object of the present invention is a method for producing such a housing, wherein the method is particularly usable for encapsulation at the wafer level.
US08201450B2
An angular velocity sensor comprising a fixed part, a weight coupled with the fixed part via a flexible part having a bending part, a first electrode disposed outside the bending part, and a second electrode disposed inside the bending part, in which the first electrode and the second electrode have an upper electrode and a lower electrode interposed by a piezoelectric layer, respectively, and the width of the first electrode is smaller than the width of the second electrode, and the difference of the amounts of electric charges generated at the first electrode and the second electrode can be suppressed thereby improving the accuracy of detection.
US08201449B2
A sensor includes detecting element (28) with an acceleration sensor, which is formed of weight (18) coupled to rigid section (14) via flexible section (16), substrate (10) confronting weight (18), and an electrode section including opposed electrodes (20, 22, 24, 26) placed on respective opposed faces of weight (18) and substrate (10). This structure prevents weight (18) from moving along Z-axis, so that a detection accuracy of acceleration occurring along X-axis or Y-axis can be improved.
US08201446B2
A method of measuring the level of a fluid in a tank of an aircraft, the method comprising: moving an ultrasonic transducer to a predetermined measurement position; measuring the level of the fluid by: transmitting ultrasound from the transducer into the fluid via an external surface of a wall of the tank, receiving an ultrasonic echo at the transducer, and deducing the fluid level based on the time of arrival of the ultrasonic echo; and removing the transducer from the measurement position.A fluid tank comprising a bottom wall having an internal surface which is inclined to the horizontal; and an ultrasound guide surface which is located in the interior of the tank and oriented to direct ultrasound substantially vertically.
US08201443B2
Systems and methods for monitoring catalyst presence, reverse and damage in an aftertreatment device. The disclosed systems and methods involve calculating the heat capacity of the catalyst device based on information received from sensors for measuring temperatures at the inlet and outlet of the SCR device and the exhaust mass flow.
US08201438B1
A method of detecting leaks and measuring volumes as well as an apparatus, the Power-free Pump Module (PPM), that is a self-contained leak test and volume measurement apparatus that requires no external sources of electrical power during leak testing or volume measurement, where the invention is a portable, pneumatically-controlled instrument capable of generating a vacuum, calibrating volumes, and performing quantitative leak tests on a closed test system or device, all without the use of alternating current (AC) power. Capabilities include the ability is to provide a modest vacuum (less than 10 Torr), perform a pressure rise leak test, measure the gas's absolute pressure, and perform volume measurements. All operations are performed through a simple rotary control valve which controls pneumatically-operated manifold valves.
US08201421B2
To obtain an optical component having excellent secondary optical nonlinear properties by irradiating a surface and/or inside of glass having at least one member selected from Ni, Fe, V, Cu, Cr and Mn as a heat source material for absorbing and converting a laser beam to heat, incorporated to a glass matrix comprising at least one glass-forming oxide-selected from SiO2, GeO2, B2O3, P2O5, TeO2, Ga2O3, V2O5, MoO3 and WO3 and at least one member selected from alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, rare earth elements and transition elements, with a laser beam with a wavelength to be absorbed by the heat source material, to convert the irradiated portion to a single crystal or a group of crystal grains comprising components contained in the glass matrix and not containing the heat source material, thereby to form a pattern.
US08201419B2
An apparatus for manufacturing a float glass, including a float bath for strong a molten metal on which a molten glass flows, wherein the molten metal flows in the float bath, comprises a plurality of discharge slits formed through a wall of a downstream end of the float bath to discharge a molten metal crashing against the wall and dross floating on the molten metal; a flow-back channel formed in a widthwise direction of the float bath and communicated with the discharge slits; and a dross collecting member for collecting the dross flowing through the flow-back channel.
US08201418B2
The invention concerns a method for preparing glass from raw materials in powder form in a furnace comprising three side walls, a roof, an upstream pinion and at least one air injector associated with a gas or liquid fuel injector, at least one of said injectors being arranged in said side walls, in said roof or in said upstream pinion. Said method includes the following steps: injecting air and gas or liquid fuel through said injectors, at least one flame being generated immediately proximate the zone where said raw materials in powder form cover the glass solution.
US08201410B2
A high-temperature steam turbine plant is of the top turbine type and structured as follows. It comprises a boiler building including a vertical boiler on the top of which a VHT turbine is installed; and a turbine building installed on the ground as a base. The VHT turbine and a generator connected with it are installed on the top of the boiler. The material for the portion of the steam pipe between the boiler building and the turbine building which is exposed to highest steam pressure is austenite steel which contains 50 weight % or more of ferrite steel or Fe. The inlet temperature of the VHT turbine is 675° C. or more and its outlet temperature is 550° C. or more and 650° C. or less.
US08201404B2
A motor control device for construction machinery includes a hydraulic pump; a hydraulic motor driven by pressure oil from the hydraulic pump; a control valve that controls a flow of the pressure oil from the hydraulic pump to the hydraulic motor; a pair of main conduit lines that connect the hydraulic motor and the control valve on a delivery side and a return side thereof; an operation member that operates a spool of the control valve to either a neutral position that does not allow the pressure oil for driving from the hydraulic pump to pass through control valve to the hydraulic motor or a non-neutral position that allows the pressure oil for driving to pass through the control valve to the hydraulic motor; a braking pressure generating device that generates braking pressure in the main conduit lines on the return side in a state where the spool of the control valve is positioned in the neutral position as a result of being operated by the operation member, the braking pressure opposing rotation of the hydraulic motor; and a flow control device for allowing the pressure oil from the hydraulic pump to flow into the pair of main conduit lines while the braking pressure is generated by the braking pressure generating device.
US08201400B2
A connection of an exhaust manifold section to an opening of an internal combustion engine block generally consisting of an end portion of the exhaust manifold received in a recess of the engine block opening in engageable and sealing relation with a surface thereof, and portions received in diametrically opposed undercuts of the recess; a threaded bolt having an axis disposed in a plane of and at an acute angle to a centerline of the exhaust manifold section, and an end portion engaging the exhaust manifold section; a bearing element in which the bolt is threaded having an arcuate surface disposed radially relative to an axis disposed at a right angle to the axis of the bolt and a section of the engine block having a recess in which the bearing element is disposed, having an arcuate bearing surface engaged by the arcuate surface of the bearing element.
US08201396B2
An exhaust gas cleaning apparatus includes a combustion mode shifter that shifts combustion in a cylinder of an engine from a lean-burn mode to a rich-burn mode for enabling a LNT to reduce NOx contained in the exhaust gas. The combustion mode shifter is configured to: estimate a torque-producing fuel quantity for a fuel injection made by a fuel injector when the combustion is in the lean-burn mode; estimate an excess oxygen ratio for an upcoming fuel injection during the shifting of the combustion from the lean-burn mode to the rich-burn mode; estimate a fuel burning percentage for the upcoming fuel injection based on the excess oxygen ratio; set a command injection quantity for the upcoming fuel injection based on the torque-producing fuel quantity and the fuel burning percentage; and control the fuel injector to inject the command injection quantity of fuel into the cylinder in the upcoming fuel injection.
US08201392B2
An emissions reduction system includes an emissions control module that selectively controls fuel injection at a lean A/F ratio based on a first temperature of a catalytic converter and that selectively turns on an electrically heated catalyst (EHC) based on the first temperature. A fuel injection module selectively injects fuel into an engine cylinder during an expansion stroke based on a second temperature of the EHC.
US08201391B2
A method for operation of an internal combustion engine, comprising an exhaust treatment device in the exhaust system thereof, with application of a reagent under given operating conditions of the internal combustion engine and/or the exhaust treatment device and a device for carrying out the method are disclosed, wherein a correction parameter is determined for a reagent signal, describing the amount of reagent to be introduced into the exhaust system and the correction parameter is determined by means of a comparison of a measure of the actual amount of the reagent in the exhaust system, which should be introduced based on a measure of a pre-determined set amount and the measure of the set amount. The above method permits a particularly exact maintenance of the amount of reagent introduced into the exhaust system in accordance with the pre-determined measure for the set amount.
US08201390B2
A thrust reverser for a jet engine comprises a translating wall section moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The translating wall section is adjacent an annular fan duct wall or other fixed portion of the jet engine when in the stowed position and is separated from the annular fan duct wall when in the deployed position, thereby creating an aperture through which a fluid stream passes. A fluid flow reverser element directs the fluid stream in a direction generally forward relative to the jet engine when the translating wall section is in the deployed position. The fluid flow reverser element extends only partially into the fluid stream such that only a first portion of fluid of the fluid stream engages the fluid flow reverser element. A second portion of the fluid stream is entrained in the first portion and is thereby directed forward relative to the jet engine.
US08201387B2
The invention relates to an automatic device which is used to envelope small items and which can be used to perform very-high-speed enveloping. The inventive device comprises a frame (11) having the following components mounted thereto, namely: a storage bin (12) containing a pile of stacked envelopes (15) which are disposed such that they can be removed one by one from the base of the bin, and a control drum (13) which is associated with a rotary cam (14). The aforementioned control drum (13) is arranged such as to move the envelopes (15) individually and successively from the storage bin (12) towards an area where a document is inserted therein and such as to open the envelope when the rotary cam (14) has unfolded the flap of same. The documents (30) to be inserted into the envelopes (15) are conveyed by way of cogs (32) which are solidly connected to a continuously-moving transport chain (31).
US08201381B2
A concrete deck insert has an upper portion and a lower portion that are connected by a threaded coupling. The upper and lower portion are drawn together to clamp onto a portion of a perimeter of a hole.
US08201369B2
A conduit adapter system enables routing of conduit through one or more structural members of width W with minimal weakening of the structural member or members, and includes a first section of conventional round conduit on one side of the structural member or members, and a second piece of round conduit on an opposite side of the structural member or members, and a bridge conduit section of sufficient length to pass through the structural member or members, the bridge conduit section having a symmetrical cross-section with a first dimension significantly less than a second dimension, and an area at least as large as the area of the round conduit sections. The bridge conduit section passes through an opening through the structural member or members of substantially the shape of the cross-section of the bridge conduit section such that the first, smaller dimension of the opening is in the direction of width W of the structural member, and is joined by adapter sections to the round conduit on each side of the structural member or members.
US08201366B2
A glass locking system of locking a glass panel within a base shoe having side walls, comprising a first tapered plate having a first end and a second end. The first plate is tapered such that the first end is thinner than the second end. A second tapered plate has a first end and a second end, the second plate being tapered such that the first end is thinner than the second end. The first and second plate are insertable between a side wall of the base shoe and a glass panel in overlapping relation. Moving the second tapered plate laterally towards the first plate serves to generate a compressive force on the glass panel, and moving the plates laterally apart serves to reduce the compressive force on the panel.
US08201362B2
The present invention provides a foldable enclosure intending as a building or portion of a building that may be transported to a desired site in a folded configuration and then expanded into its intended form. The enclosure has a floor and two wall or roof support section extending upwardly from opposed sides of the floor section. A first roof section spans across the gap between the wall or roof support sections. At least a second roof section in provided that is pivotally mounted to the structure to overlie the first roof section in transit and fold out to extend outwardly substantially in plane with the first roof section in the expanded form. Similarly, second floor sections may be pivotally mounted to lie adjacent the wall/roof support sections in transit and extend outwardly substantially in plane with the first floor section when expanded. A further wall section may be pivotally connected to the end of the second floor section so that it may lie parallel and adjacent the second floor section in transit and extend upwardly from the second floor section when expanded to interconnect with the expanded roof and complete the enclosure. In the preferred form the structure includes a third roof section pivotally mounted to the second roof section to further extend the roof in the expanded configuration to meet and connect with the further wall section.
US08201361B2
A combination through-wall masonry flashing/drainage device having a flashing membrane with at least one reinforcing cloth adhered to at least one side of the flashing membrane. A wicking cloth made of a synthetic wicking material is then adhered to the device. The wicking cloth material is selected for wicking ability, life expectancy, mildew resistance, and strength characteristics.
US08201337B2
A reciprocating cutting tool configured for orbital cutting, includes a housing, a power source disposed in the housing, a main linkage connected to the power source and to a blade for driving the blade in a vertically reciprocating motion, a foot plate connected to the housing and including a portion in operational relationship to the blade, a swivel bracket connected to the foot plate and disposed to exert an orbital force to a rear edge of the blade. A plunger is secured within the housing and connected to the linkage for reciprocating, pivotal and rotational movement, and has an end configured for receiving a blade. A selector mechanism for selecting at least between pivotal and rotational movement of the plunger, wherein the pivotal movement relates to orbital blade motion, and the rotational movement relates to scrolling blade motion.
US08201335B2
A portable cutting apparatus. The apparatus includes a motor and a cutting blade driven by the motor. A protective housing encloses at least a portion of the cutting blade. A vacuum impeller is disposed in a vacuum housing to generate airflow to move dust and debris created by the cutting blade into a removable vacuum bag. At least one vacuum tube directs the airflow from the protective housing to the vacuum housing. The motor operates both the cutting blade and the vacuum impeller. A bellows interconnects the protective housing and a lower platform. The lower platform pivots relative to the cutting blade about a pivot axis that is outwardly spaced from and parallel to a cutting plane defined by the cutting blade.
US08201324B2
An electronic component embedded printed circuit board and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The method includes: providing a first carrier having a first circuit pattern formed on one surface thereof; providing a second carrier having a second circuit pattern formed on one surface thereof; flip-chip bonding an electronic component to the first circuit pattern; stacking one side of an insulator on one side of the first carrier to cover the electronic component; compressing the second carrier having the second circuit pattern formed on one surface thereof on an other side of the insulator; and removing the first carrier and the second carrier. The method can improve the degree of conformation for an electrical component by embedding the electrical component using a flip-chip bonding method and can improve the yield by simplifying the production process.
US08201319B2
A method for a slider pad that allows for contact to be mitigated without plastic deformation. Various embodiments of the present disclosure are generally directed to a slider that presents a transducer and has at least one air bearing surface (ABS) feature. The ABS feature comprises a pair of sidewalls spaced a distance X apart. A pad is deposited on the ABS feature so that the pad comprises a hemispherical cross-section and has a circumferential diameter greater than X. As configured, the pad may mitigate contact between the pad and a media surface with elastic deformation.
US08201318B2
A method of manufacturing an inductor includes a lamination step, a division step, a firing step, and a plating step. In the lamination step, a laminate including an insulator, a coil body, and external electrodes is formed. That is, in the lamination step, insulating layers having wide filling conductors, insulating layers having narrow filling conductors, and conductor patterns having external electrode patterns are laminated. As a result, the conductor patterns form the coil body, and the wide filling conductors, the narrow filling conductors, and the external electrode patterns form the external electrodes. The narrow filling conductors have a width that is less than the widths of the wide filling conductors and the external electrode patterns, and recesses and projections are provided in the external electrodes.
US08201317B2
A method of replacing a generator rotor shaft into a generator includes the steps of moving the rotor shaft such that a central portion supports a main winding section of the generator, and such that smaller diameter portions are supported by bearings, and utilizing a wire that extends through slots in the rotor shaft to connect a rectifier assembly to an exciter rotor.
US08201316B2
An electric motor, transformer or inductor having a cooling system. A stack of laminations have apertures at least partially coincident with apertures of adjacent laminations. The apertures define straight or angled cooling-fluid passageways through the lamination stack. Gaps between the adjacent laminations are sealed by injecting a heat-cured sealant into the passageways, expelling excess sealant, and heat-curing the lamination stack. Manifold members adjoin opposite ends of the lamination stack, and each is configured with one or more cavities to act as a manifold to adjacent passageway ends. Complex manifold arrangements can create bidirectional flow in a variety of patterns.
US08201308B2
A strap for a mechanical closure device is disclosed. The strap includes a wire disposed along a longitudinal axis of the strap. The wire maintains the strap in a desired geometry that is different from a previous geometry of the strap. In other embodiments, a wire-core strap can include transverse ridges, holes, or other types of grooves or apertures.
US08201302B2
An upright vacuum cleaner for cleaning a surface includes an upper body with a dust collection container received therein, and a base unit. A carriage is configured to provide movement of the base unit on the surface. A motor-fan unit is disposed in the base unit and configured to provide a partial vacuum at the surface. The upper body is connected to the base unit by a tilting joint such that the upper body and base unit are tiltable relative to each other about a tilt axis extending horizontally when the upright vacuum cleaner is in a position of use. An air conduit is disposed rotatably with respect to the motor-fan unit and communicates with a suction side of the motor-fan unit.
US08201300B2
A cleaning implement is disclosed for effectively removing not only liquid and solid food debris from plate or dish surfaces, but also dirt and other debris accumulated on other surfaces without the use of water, thereby conserving water consumption.
US08201276B2
A protection device, system and/or method including a protection body portion adapted to be one or both of connected to or disposed on the lower edge of a wearer's headgear. In some implementations, the protection body portion may be triangular and the connecting of the device to headgear may include a removable connective component is located at the apex of a second edge and a third edge of the protection body portion at the farthest point from the headgear.
US08201270B2
A protective skirt for use in martial arts provides leg protectors for providing protection to the thighs of the user in the event of a full-forced attack to the thighs. The leg protectors are removable elements allowing the skirt to be used with out the leg protectors. Alternatively, the leg protectors can be integrated with the skirt.
US08201269B2
A protective jaw pad for equipment having a shell includes a first resilient shock absorbing member having a sheet portion with a plurality of hollow protrusions, tapering side walls of the protrusions being compressible for absorbing shocks applied to the shell. The pad includes a second resilient shock absorbing member that is either a monolithic block of foam or is made up of a second sheet portion with a plurality of hollow protrusions that are interleaved with the first protrusion. A cover covers either the first or the second shock absorbing member and a plurality of fasteners removably connect the jaw pad to the shell.
US08205268B2
Improved actuation device useful in direct-write nanolithography and imaging including use of a pivot point for downward deflection of a cantilever with long travel path. A device comprising at least one holder, at least one cantilever, an extension of the said cantilever wherein the extension is integrated with an actuator, wherein the cantilever is adapted for actuated movement. The actuator can be electrostatic, thermal, or piezoelectric. The cantilever can comprise a tip, and material can be transferred from the tip to a surface.
US08205265B2
Techniques to pollute electronic profiling are provided. A cloned identity is created for a principal. Areas of interest are assigned to the cloned identity, where a number of the areas of interest are divergent from true interests of the principal. One or more actions are automatically processed in response to the assigned areas of interest. The actions appear to network eavesdroppers to be associated with the principal and not with the cloned identity.
US08205244B2
The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for generating, managing, and displaying alarms associated with monitoring a wireless network. Advantageously, the present disclosure provides one alarm per security event, and the ability to see an event in context over time and aggregate information. This results in a significant reduction in alarm volume for wireless monitoring which increases manageability and reduces storage requirements. Further, this provides better security by avoiding the “needle in the haystack” problem where you see few actionable alarms rather than being flooded by multiple copies of the same event over time. Finally, the present disclosure provides improved system scalability with large deployments by managing alarms through lesser alarm volume, and through visual representation.
US08205241B2
A method and a processing device are provided for detecting a hardware-based virtual machine environment. An execution time of a privileged instruction may be measured and an execution time of a nonprivileged instruction may be measured. The execution time of the privileged instruction may be compared with the execution time of the nonprivileged instruction. When the execution time of the privileged instruction exceeds the execution time of the nonprivileged instruction by at least a threshold or a threshold factor, then a hardware-based virtual machine environment is detected. In some embodiments, a well-known technique for detecting a software-based virtual machine environment may be used in conjunction with a technique for detecting a hardware-based virtual machine environment. A licensing policy of a software product may be accessed and the software product may be prevented from executing when a detected machine environment is in violation of the licensing policy.
US08205234B1
A recording reservation data comprised of text data indicating the information that the text data is the recording reservation data, the information specifying the date and time of starting the recording, the information specifying a channel for recording, the information specifying the date and time of start of the recording and the information specifying the time of end of the recording is transmitted.
US08205229B2
There is provided a broadcasting receiving apparatus. The broadcasting receiving apparatus includes: a receiver which receives a broadcasting signal of a broadcasting channel; a UI generator which generates a data broadcasting UI; and a controller which controls the UI generator to generate a channel data broadcasting UI including a data broadcasting item corresponding to broadcasting contents of a tuned broadcasting channel if data broadcasting is received through the receiver.
US08205228B2
An apparatus and method for dynamically managing a user's favorite channels are provided. The apparatus includes a user input unit receiving a channel change input from the user, a channel list storage unit storing an entire channel list comprising channels receivable using a tuner and channel preference information regarding the user's preference degrees for channels, a control unit calculating a preference degree for a channel selected in response to the channel change input received by the user input unit and analyzing a pattern of channel change inputs, and an output unit providing content of the selected channel according to calculation and analysis results of the control unit.
US08205219B2
A disk player includes a body, a tray having a first seating recess and a second seating recess to load disks of a first size and a second size and slidably inserted into or ejected from a replay unit of the body, a single sensor disposed in the body to detect loading or unloading of a disk on the tray, size of the loaded disk, and insertion or ejection of the tray, and a plurality of slits penetratingly formed on the tray with different lengths to correspond to the sensor when the tray is inserted or ejected.
US08205214B2
A method includes executing a web script by a browser element to access a web service executing on a web server and providing access to a web application, subscribing to the web service by the browser element so that data will be sent from the web service without requiring the browser element to initiate a request for the data, receiving the data from the web service by a communicator module executing on the client computing device, and sending the data to the browser element by the communicator module. A system includes a browser having at least one browser element configured to subscribe to data from an external web service.
US08205207B2
A method, system and program are disclosed for automatically adjusting the allocation of a plurality of information processing system (IPS) resources among a plurality of logical partitions (LPARs). An LPAR is created on a first central processor complex (CPC) and a first LPAR identifier is generated. A configuration change manager is implemented on the LPAR to communicate changes in the LPAR's identifier to an automated resource manager (ARM). IPS resources are automatically allocated to the LPAR. If the LPAR is migrated a second CPC, a second LPAR identifier is similarly generated, resulting in an LPAR configuration change event. The ARM is notified that the migrated LPAR's identifier has changed and receives the changed LPAR identifier. Comparison operations are performed to determine whether the second LPAR identifier matches the first CPC. If not, resources allocated to the migrated LPAR are released for automated allocation to other LPARs comprising the first CPC.
US08205200B2
Method, apparatus and system embodiments to schedule user-level OS-independent “shreds” without intervention of an operating system. For at least one embodiment, the shred is scheduled for execution by a scheduler routine rather than the operating system. The scheduler routine may receive compiler-generated hints from a compiler. The compiler hints may be generated by the compiler without user-provided pragmas, and may be passed to the scheduler routine via an API-like interface. The interface may include a scheduling hint data structure that is maintained by the compiler. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08205196B2
A mobile phone that uses OS virtualization for minimizing power consumption in mobile phones is provided. A mobile phone according to the invention may include a plurality of application stacks and a plurality of processor cores. Each of the application stacks preferably corresponds to one of the plurality of processor cores. The mobile phone also includes a hypervisor. In a first state, the hypervisor allocates tasks from each of the application stacks to the processor core that corresponds to the respective application stack. In a second state, the hypervisor allocates selected tasks from the plurality of application stacks to a single processor core. The second state may be an idle state and the tasks that are allocated to the single processor core may be periodic tasks.
US08205183B1
Methods, computer program products, and systems for interactively configuring the display of connectivity of a schematic diagram based on an integrated circuit (“IC”) design are provided. Using a set of criteria, the schematic diagram can be configured to reduce visual congestion caused by interconnections among circuit elements in the IC design. The criteria include interconnections having a specific number of fan-outs, interconnections connecting ports of specific types, interconnections connecting selected types of circuit elements, and interconnections connecting circuit elements with specific names. The amount of clutter caused by individual nets can also be reduced based on the total congestion score associated with each net. The total congestion score is calculated based on the number of bends that a net makes, the number of crossovers that a net makes, and the number of pixels required to draw the net. Configuration of the connectivity in a schematic diagram is performed through a graphical user interface on a display device, which is connected to a computer system.
US08205182B1
In one embodiment of the invention, a method for designing an integrated circuit is disclosed. The method includes automatically partitioning clock sinks of an integrated circuit design into a plurality of partitions; automatically synthesizing a clock tree from a master clock generator into the plurality of partitions to minimize local clock skew within each of the plurality of partitions; and automatically synthesizing clock de-skew circuitry into each of the plurality of partitions to control clock skew between neighboring partitions.
US08205170B2
A portable electronic apparatus arranged to be able to perform a plurality of functions, one or more of a plurality of functions being selectively performable when the apparatus is placed in a corresponding functional mode, the apparatus having a user interface to allow user operation of the plurality of functions, each of the functions being user operable using a particular region of the electronic apparatus user interface, the apparatus comprising a user moveable cover arranged to be moveable into a plurality of positions, wherein each of the cover positions is associated with a particular functional mode of the apparatus and is arranged to cover one or more regions of the user interface not associated with the particular functional mode and to reveal one or more regions of the user interface associated with the particular functional mode.
US08205164B2
An image display system for controlling automatic leveling of heavy equipment is provided. The image display system includes the leveling means for adjusting horizontal levels of a lower frame provided with a traveling means and an upper frame having a cab and installed on an upper part of the lower frame, a sensor unit for sensing posture information of the heavy equipment, a leveler electronic control unit for generating an image signal from the posture information, and an image display unit for displaying the image signal on a display screen. The posture information includes inclination angles of the upper frame and the lower frame sensed on the basis of a horizontal surface against a direction of gravity, an azimuth angle of the heavy equipment sensed against a forward direction of the upper frame, and a swing angle of the upper frame sensed on the basis of a front direction of the lower frame. According to the image display system, the leveling state of the heavy equipment is easily recognized, and the control performance of the heavy equipment is improved.
US08205158B2
An Entertainment System including a website, in combination with a commercially purchased product, wherein the system allows a product user to register a primary product online using a registration code, allowing the user access to various activities and scenarios in a “virtual world” including a virtual representation of the product, via a computer connected to the Internet. Additional ancillary products are also provided that may be related to the primary product or the virtual world, with these ancillary products also being provided with one or more codes to provide additional content, bonus items, and/or bonus access in the virtual world.
US08205151B2
Some embodiments of a publishing tool to provide syndication in increments have been presented. In one embodiment, a set of documents in different formats and/or different natural languages has been generated from a master document. In response to a change in the master document, a corresponding part in each of the plurality of documents is synchronously generated without regenerating an entirety of each of the plurality of documents. Then each of the set of documents is updated using the corresponding part generated.
US08205137B2
An apparatus for improving the reliability of host data stored on Fiber Channel attached storage subsystems by performing end-to-end data integrity checks. When a read or write operation is initiated, an initial checksum for data in the read/write operation is generated and associated with the data, wherein the association exists through a plurality of layers of software and attached storage subsystems. The initial checksum is passed with the data in the read/write path. When a layer of software in the read/write path receives the initial checksum and data, the layer performs an integrity check of the data, which includes generating another checksum and comparing it to the initial checksum. If the checksums do not match, the read/write operation fails and the error is logged. If the checksums match, the integrity check is repeated through each layer in the read/write path to enable detecting data corruption at the point of source.
US08205131B2
Provided are a method for producing a parity check matrix for low complexity and high speed decoding, and an apparatus and method for coding a Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) code using the same. The method includes: calculating a cyclic shift value of a subblock to a matrix; and when the calculated cyclic shift values of the subblock are arrayed in the matrix, producing a parity check matrix by arraying the cyclic shift values of the subblock except ‘0 matrix’ without duplication to any one column.
US08205128B2
An apparatus and a method for Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) in a wireless communication system are provided. A receiver includes a Media Access Control (MAC) layer part for error-checking each MAC Packet Data Units (PDUs) extracted from a physical layer burst, and generating HARQ combination control information according to a result of the error check; a receiving part for receiving a retransmit burst; and a combiner for selecting one or more Forward Error Correction (FEC) blocks from the retransmit burst according to the HARQ combination control information, and HARQ-combining the selected one or more FEC blocks.
US08205127B2
The present invention relates to automatic repeat request (ARQ) in wireless communication systems wherein a coded message block is spread over a plurality of sub-carriers or components. According to the invention an equalizing HARQ method is introduced. The equalizing HARQ identifies (215) and retransmits (230) the most distorted parts of a received coded message block. In addition, the retransmitted parts can optionally be relocated (225) to components of higher quality, which ensures good retransmission quality for those badly distorted parts in the prior transmission. After a soft-bit combination in a receiving node, the final received codeword experience an equalized quality variation with low multi-state performance loss.
US08205126B2
A system and method for wireless communication of data are disclosed. One embodiment of the system includes a transmitter configured to transmit a data packet including a plurality of displayable elements over a wireless channel. Each displayable element includes a plurality of portions including a most significant portion and a least significant portion. The data packet is divided into a plurality of data groups including a first data group and a second data group. The first data group includes the most significant portions of the displayable elements while the second data group includes the least significant portions of the displayable elements. The system also includes a receiver configured to receive the data packet over the wireless channel and to determine whether any of the data groups is in error. The transmitter is further configured to transmit to the receiver: a retransmission packet including a selected data group in error according to a quality of service associated with the displayable elements. One or more of the data groups can be included in the retransmission packet.
US08205124B2
Built-in self-test (BIST) microcontroller integrated circuit adapted for logic verification. Microcontroller includes a plurality of hardware description language files representing a hierarchical description of the microcontroller, the plurality of hardware description language files including a library of circuit design elements, a plurality of library design circuit elements adapted to store a uniquely defined set of input and output signals to enable a logic BIST, and a plurality of latches adapted to store a plurality of values corresponding to a behavioral profile of a test clock.
US08205117B2
A method and system of migratory hardware diagnostic testing is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes performing a diagnostic test of a hardware component of a first partition of a server using a first test module embedded in the first partition in response to a receipt of a test command, and storing context data associated with the diagnostic test of the hardware component in a memory associated with the hardware component, where the context data indicates a current state of the diagnostic test of the hardware component. Further, the method includes analyzing the context data upon a receipt of an instruction for a migration of the hardware component to a second partition of the server, and continuing the diagnostic test of the hardware component using a second test module embedded in the second partition based on the context data if the migration is performed.
US08205114B2
An approach is provided for fast processing of data files. A plurality of records are received from a source system. The records are validated against a predetermined data source. An error notification is generated based on the validation. The validated records are partitioned based on a unique parameter. The partitioned records are transformed according to a format specified by a target system. The transformed records are selectively corrected.
US08205107B2
A system includes a dual in-line memory module and a system board. The dual in-line memory module includes a plurality of dynamic random access memory devices, and a system management interface. The system management interface is configured to measure a first voltage provided to the dynamic random access memory devices, and configured to digitize the first voltage. The system board includes a test module and a voltage regulator. The test module is configured to receive the digitized first voltage via a connector pin between the dual in-line memory module and the system board, and configured to compare the first voltage to a first threshold voltage. The voltage regulator is configured to adjust a remote sense target voltage for the system management interface when the first voltage is less than the first threshold voltage.
US08205104B2
A power supply control circuit for a motherboard of a computer is provided. The power supply control circuit includes a south bridge chip and a voltage output control circuit connected to the south bridge chip. The south bridge chip includes a control pin and a detecting pin. The voltage output control circuit has a voltage input terminal and a voltage output terminal. The voltage output control circuit includes a transistor connected to the voltage input terminal and also connected to the voltage output terminal via a switch component. The voltage output terminal is connected to the detecting pin of the south bridge chip via a super I/O chip. The transistor is capable of controlling the switch component to transmit a high level voltage to the super I/O chip when the computer is shut down. A method is also provided.
US08205101B2
A power supply for providing power to devices in a network is described as incorporating an integral coupling feature that terminates the provision of power from an upstream power supply while maintaining connectivity of communications signals and ground from an upstream portion to a downstream portion of the network relative to the power supply. The power supply includes a logic feature that monitors a power status of an upstream power supply and/or its own power status. When the logic feature detects a power cycle, it initiates a coordinated power cycle of the associated power supply and/or other networked power supplies.
US08205100B2
A method for power managing hardware. The method includes determining hardware to power manage, sending a tracing request from a power management control to a tracing framework to obtain usage data of the hardware, and identifying a first probe to obtain first tracing data corresponding to the usage data in a first hardware control software component, where the first hardware control software is configured to interact with the hardware. The method further includes enabling the first probe, obtaining the first tracing data from the first probe, where the first tracing data is obtained when the first probe is encountered during execution of the first hardware control software, and modifying operation of the hardware using the first tracing data.
US08205097B2
A Microprocessor (1) in a security-sensitive computing system for processing an operand according to an instruction is for improving its security provided with a modulo-based check hardware (2) to perform operations in parallel to the microprocessor (1) and for comparing both results regarding congruence.
US08205093B2
Technologies are presented herein for restricting access to information. According to various embodiments described herein, an authorization device is provided that includes functionality for detecting other proximately located authorization devices. When an authorization device detects another proximately located authorization device, authorization data stored in the detected device is retrieved. The retrieved authorization data is compared to stored authorization data and a determination is made as to whether a person associated with the detected device is authorized to receive information. The authorization device provides an indication as to whether the person is authorized to receive information. The authorization device may also provide an indication of the particular information that the person is authorized to receive. The authorization device may also be utilized to ensure that only authorized individuals participate in a meeting and that each participant is authorized to receive the information that is the subject of the meeting.
US08205090B2
Systems and methods for secure file writes after a catastrophic event are allowed over an unauthenticated channel in a serverless distributed file system if an authenticator accompanies the secure file writes. The authenticator can be a power-of-attorney certificate with time limitations, a vector of message authenticated code, or a single message authenticator with secured with a secret shared among members of the serverless distributed file system. The serverless distributed file system includes at least 3f+1 participating computer members, with f representing a number of faults tolerable by the system. The group requires at least one authenticator for file creation and file uploads. Any changes to files stored among the members can be made over an unauthenticated channel if the file changes are secured by the authenticator and the group is able to verify the authenticator.
US08205072B1
A method of providing endpoint security for a session on an untrusted computer accessing data on a networked server is disclosed. A virtual secure desktop is created on the untrusted computer that protects the user's applications running in the virtual secure desktop from malicious code and encrypts all data. Data to be written to the hard drive is stored in a secure vault. The secure vault is completely encrypted and erased at the end of the virtual secure desktop session. The virtual secure desktop may be created by creating a separate user session on the untrusted computer and linking the separate user session to the secure vault. Alternatively, the virtual secure desktop may be created by intercepting calls the Native API and redirecting requests from the virtual secure desktop session to the secure vault.
US08205069B2
A computer system including a first memory unit, a second memory unit and a switch unit is provided. The first memory unit stores a first BIOS. The second memory unit stores a second BIOS. The switch unit has a first configuration and a second configuration. Upon the computer system being started, the switch unit receives an enable signal. When the switch unit is in the first configuration, the enable signal is provided to the first memory unit to start the first basic input/output system. When the switch unit is in the second configuration, the enable signal is provided to the second memory unit to start the second basic input/output system.
US08205068B2
A data processing system and method are provided for allocating an entry in a branch target buffer (BTB). The method comprises: receiving a branch instruction to be executed in a data processor; determining that the BTB does not include an entry corresponding to the branch instruction; identifying an entry in the BTB for allocation, the identified entry in the BTB comprising a target identifier and a first prediction value for a previously received branch instruction; determining whether to allocate the branch instruction to the identified entry in the BTB based on a comparison of the first prediction value to a second prediction value, wherein the second prediction value is generated from a branch history table (BHT); and allocating the branch instruction to the identified entry if the second prediction value indicates a more strongly taken prediction than the first prediction value.
US08205065B2
A system for deduplicating data comprises a card operable to receive at least one data block and a processor on the card that generates a hash for each data block. The system further comprises a first module that determines a processing status for the hash and a second module that discards duplicate hashes and their data blocks and writes unique hashes and their data blocks to a computer readable medium. In one embodiment, the processor also compresses each data block using a compression algorithm.
US08205063B2
A method and system writes data to a memory device including dynamic assignment of logical block addresses (LBAs) to physical write blocks. The method includes receiving a request to write data for a logical block address within an LBA range to the memory device. The method assigns the LBA range to a particular write block exclusively or non-exclusively, depending on the existence of previously assigned write blocks and the availability of unwritten blocks. A data structure may be utilized to record the recent usage of blocks for assigning non-exclusive write blocks. An intermediate storage area may be included that implements the dynamic assignment of LBA ranges to physical write blocks. Data in the intermediate storage area may be consolidated and written to the main storage area. Lower fragmentation and write amplification ratios may result by using this method and system.
US08205055B2
A system and method for decoding command signals that includes a command decoder configured to generate internal control signals to perform an operation based on the command signals and an operating state. The same combination of command signals can request different commands depending on the operating state. A command is selected from a first set of operations according to the command signals when the memory system is in a first operating state and a command is selected from a second set of operations according to the command signals when the memory system is in a second operating state.
US08205046B2
A system and method for maintaining coherency in a symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) system are disclosed. Briefly described, in architecture, one exemplary embodiment comprises a first crossbar coupled to a plurality of local processors; a second crossbar coupled to at least one remote processor; and at least one crossbar directory that tracks access of information by a remote processor in a symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) system, the remote processor in communication with at least one of the local processors via the crossbars, such that a most current location of the information can be determined by the crossbar directory.
US08205044B2
A method and system for dynamic distributed data caching is presented. The system includes one or more peer members and a master member. The master member and the one or more peer members form cache community for data storage. The master member is operable to select one of the one or more peer members to become a new master member. The master member is operable to update a peer list for the cache community by removing itself from the peer list. The master member is operable to send a nominate master message and an updated peer list to a peer member selected by the master member to become the new master member.
US08205035B2
The present invention is directed towards systems and methods for integrating cache managing and application firewall processing in a networked system. In various embodiments, an integrated cache/firewall system comprises an application firewall operating in conjunction with a cache managing system in operation on an intermediary device. In various embodiments, the application firewall processes a received HTTP response to a request by a networked entity serviced by the intermediary device. The application firewall generates metadata from the HTTP response and stores the metadata in cache with the HTTP response. When a subsequent request hits in the cache, the metadata is identified to a user session associated with the subsequent request. In various embodiments, the application firewall can modify a cache-control header of the received HTTP response, and can alter the cookie-setting header of the cached HTTP response. The system and methods can significantly reduce processing time associated with application firewall processing of web content exchanged over a network.
US08205028B1
An adaptive bus profiler is described. In embodiment(s), data traffic that is communicated on an adaptive bus can be monitored, and projected data traffic that is scheduled for communication via the adaptive bus can be determined. An adaptive bus profile can be determined based on the data traffic and the projected data traffic. A reconfiguration of a bus width of the adaptive bus can be initiated based on the adaptive bus profile.
US08205021B2
Provided are a memory system and an integrated management method for a plurality of direct memory access (DMA) channels. The memory system includes a memory controller exchanging data with a memory and having a plurality of channels physically separated from each other, and a DMA controller having a plurality of DMA channels physically separated from each other and in contact with the plurality of channels of the memory controller, and exchanging data with the memory via the plurality of DMA channels and the memory controller.
US08205015B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for coordinating storage requests in a multi-processor/multi-thread environment. An append/invalidate module generates a first append data storage command from a first storage request and a second append data storage command from a second storage request. The storage requests overwrite existing data with first and second data including where the first and second data have at least a portion of overlapping data. The second storage request is received after the first storage request. The append/invalidate module updates an index by marking data being overwritten as invalid. A restructure module updates the index based on the first data and updates the index based on the second data. The updated index is organized to indicate that the second data is more current than the first data regardless of processing order. The modules prevent access to the index until the modules have completed updating the index.
US08205013B2
A method of aggregating control in a first network and a second network, the first network having first devices and the second network having second devices. A communication channel is established between the first and second networks; from the first network the second devices in the second network are discovered through the communication channel; and from the first network one of the second devices in the second network is controlled through the communication channel. The first and second network can be connected but isolated. Further, the first and second networks can implement different network protocols, or the same network protocol.
US08205007B2
Systems and techniques are disclosed for transmitting a message through an application integration system without having to convert the message from a format that native to both a sending application and a receiving application. A computer-implemented method for transmitting a message from a sending application through an application integration system can include determining a receiving application of the message, and determining a file format used by the receiving application. If the file format used by the receiving application is substantially identical to a file format used by the sending application, the method can include wrapping the message in a markup language file envelope according to a markup language used by the application integration system. The message can then be routed in the markup language file envelope to the receiving application.
US08204998B1
A method, system, and medium are provided for determining whether a persistent or non-persistent connection should be given to a device that requested a web page. In one embodiment, upon receiving a request for the web page, the characteristics of the web page are evaluated to determine whether a persistent connection will be efficiently used when accessing with the web page. In another embodiment, the requesting user's behavior may be evaluated to determine whether, based on past behavior, the user will effectively use a persistent connection to the requested web site. A persistent connection is granted to requesting browsers most likely to make efficient use of the persistent connection based on the characteristics of the requested web site and/or the requesting user's browsing habits.
US08204990B1
A power cycler apparatus monitors a computer network for internet connectivity and cycles the power to connected networking devices when a loss of internet connectivity is detected. The power cycler may comprise remote power switches for resetting power to networking devices in remote locations. The power cycler may comprise a manual reset button for manually triggering a power reset cycle, which may be connected via a wired or wireless connection. The power cycler may restore power to the power outputs in a staggered fashion to allow each connected network device time to initialize before the next network device is powered on. The power cycler may feature a battery backup or uninterruptible power supply.
US08204989B2
A LDAP collision detection mechanism and a method are described herein that allow a LDAP client to detect and avoid an update operation collision on an entry within a LDAP directory. The method includes the steps of: (a) reading data from the entry in the directory; (b) processing the retrieved data; (c) sending a request to modify the data in the entry in the directory, wherein the client is assured that the requested modification will not be performed by the directory if another client had previously performed a modification on the data within the entry that was originally read by the client. There are several different embodiments of the LDAP collision detection mechanism and the method described herein.
US08204984B1
Methods and systems for detecting encrypted bot command and control communication channels are provided. In the exemplary method, the presence of a communication channel between a first network device and a second network device is monitored. Active and inactive periods of the network device are detected and a reverse channel is determined based on the detection. The first network device may then be flagged as potentially infected or suspected based on the reverse channel determination.
US08204982B2
A computer-implemented system and method to detect and characterize middleboxes is disclosed. Embodiments of the system and method include a middlebox detection engine to provide a plurality of middlebox detection modules, and to use at least one middlebox detection module of the plurality of middlebox detection modules to determine if a middlebox exists on a path between a first communicating entity of a network and a second communicating entity of the network.
US08204978B2
Methodology, systems, and media associated with client-side auto-rediscovery for networked devices are described. One exemplary method may include discovering a connection to a service providing networked device, client-side associating the connection, validating the connection before initiating a service request to the service providing networked device, selectively rediscovering the service providing networked device, and selectively client-side reassociating the connection.
US08204976B2
A method and apparatus for serving content requests using global and local load balancing techniques is provided. Web site content is cached using two or more point of presences (POPs), wherein each POP has at least one DNS server. Each DNS server is associated with the same anycast IP address. A domain name resolution request is transmitted to the POP in closest network proximity for resolution based on the anycast IP address. Once the domain name resolution request is received at a particular POP, local load balancing techniques are performed to dynamically select the appropriate Web server at the POP for use in resolving the domain name resolution request. Approaches are described for handling bursts of traffic at a particular POP, security, and recovering from the failure of various components of the system.
US08204971B2
The present disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods for controlling sensor networks. A sensor network has a plurality of sensor nodes, which have sensors for monitoring operational parameters of devices within an application-specific system. A wireless communication module is provided for each node to enable the node to wirelessly communicate with other nodes of the network. A user defines various scripts for controlling the behavior of one or more nodes, and the network distributes the scripts, as appropriate, to various nodes thereby implementing the behavior defined by the scripts. Accordingly, a user can easily and dynamically configure or re-configure the behavior of any node without having to physically access the node that is being configured or re-configured.
US08204967B2
A method is disclosed for dynamically creating encapsulation and decapsulation chains and segmenting the packet-forwarding plane. A distributed router may comprise multiple cards, each exposing a subset of the router's physical interfaces. Some physical interfaces may be configured to send/receive only certain types and destinations of data packets. Some cards might not expose any physical interfaces configured to send/receive a particular type and destination of packet, making encapsulation and/or decapsulation chains for virtual interfaces that process data packets of the particular type useless on those cards. Therefore, instead of always creating both encapsulation and decapsulation chains for a virtual interface on a card, an aspect of the method dynamically determines which of the encapsulation and decapsulation chains are useful for a virtual interface on that card, and creates only those chains that are useful on that card. Thus, the packet-forwarding plane is segmented into independent encapsulation and decapsulation segments.
US08204966B1
Map tile data for displaying graphic elements of a web-based mapping system in a smart phone or other mobile computing device may be pre-fetched to the device based on device activities. For example, a user activity system may receive user activity data from the mobile device. The user activity system may then extract geographic location data from the user activity data and send the geographic location data to a mapping system via a network connection. The mapping system may then match map tile data to the geographic location data extracted from the user activity data and send the matched map tile data to the mobile computing device for cache storage at the mobile computing device. The user activity system may also analyze the user activity data to determine whether the extracted geographic location data is relevant enough to warrant pre-fetching the tile data.
US08204965B2
A method, performed using one or more servers under the control of an ISP, comprises: (a) receiving an electronic transmission from a requesting server of an IP address and a time and date; (b) automatically determining to which subscriber of the ISP the received IP address was allocated at the received time and date; and (c) automatically transmitting an electronic communication that causes delivery to the requesting server of offline data originating from an offline data provider. The delivered offline data concern the subscriber determined to have been allocated the received IP address at the received time and date. The communication does not convey to the offline data provider the subscriber's history of online activity, and the delivery does not convey to the requesting server a personal identity of the subscriber.
US08204962B2
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a system and method for prequeuing of files predicted to be desired by a user, through a telecommunications link, into a local cache, based on a list, wherein the prequeuing system is responsive to any change in the sequence of user review, such that predicted latencies for sequential file review from any given starting point are minimized. A system and method for reducing latency in a sequential record browser are provided, for defining a sequential list of records; selecting a record from the list for review; downloading the selected record, and records sequentially thereafter until interrupted; interrupting the downloading by selecting a non-sequential record; and downloading the a non-sequential record and records sequentially thereafter until interrupted.
US08204961B2
A system for providing XML syndication content to an Internet advertisement panel rendered in a web browser is disclosed. The system includes a web content server, an Internet advertisement server, and a XML syndication content feed site server. Both the web content server and the Internet advertisement servers are in communications with the web browser. The web content server is configured to respond to requests from the web browser for a web page and to deliver the web page to the web browser. The Internet advertisement server is configured to choose and deliver an Internet advertisement panel, having embedded XML syndication content, to the web browser. The XML syndication content feed site server is in communications with the Internet advertisement server and is configured to send XML syndication content updates to the Internet advertisement server.
US08204959B2
A method of transferring content between at least two devices, the devices being capable of outputting said content, and a device itself is disclosed. First, the devices are connected via associated interfaces. Then, there is a detection or negotiation which of the devices is currently outputting content. Finally, content, which is currently being output, is transferred from the corresponding outputting device or devices to the other device or devices via the interfaces.
US08204956B2
A computer-implemented voice application indexing method and system for supplying voice applications that provide telephony services to users. The method and system include receiving voice application data over the network regarding the voice applications. The voice application data contains location data to indicate where the voice applications are located on the network. The voice application data are stored in a database in accordance with a predetermined voice application taxonomy. A request is received for a voice application based upon a user requesting a telephony service. The request includes search criteria for selecting a voice application from the database. The location data of at least one voice application (whose stored voice application information substantially satisfies the search criteria) is retrieved from the database. The voice application located at the retrieved location data is used to perform the user-requested telephony service.
US08204953B2
Systems and methods for cache defeat detection are disclosed. Moreover, systems and methods for caching of content addressed by identifiers intended to defeat cache are further disclosed. In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure include a system for optimizing resources in a mobile network, by for example performing one or more of, identifying a parameter in an identifier used in multiple polling requests to a given content source; means for, detecting that the parameter in the identifier changes for each of the polling requests; determining whether responses received from the given content source are the same for each of the multiple polling requests; and/or caching the responses on the mobile device in response to determining that the responses received for the given content source are the same.
US08204951B2
A system and method for enabling deterministic or time-triggered data exchange between a first graphical program and a second graphical program. A first variable is assigned to a first time slot in a network cycle. A first graphical program may be configured to write data to the first variable. A second graphical program may be configured to read data from the first variable. The first graphical program may be executed on a first computer system, where executing the first graphical program comprises writing data to the first variable. Writing data to the first variable may cause the data to be delivered over a network to a second computer system when the first time slot occurs. The second graphical program may be executed on the second computer system, where executing the second graphical program comprises reading from the first variable the data sent from the first computer system.
US08204950B2
Systems, methods, and machine-readable media are disclosed to provide a search of contents of a webpage, where the search feature is provided as part of the webpage. In one embodiment, a method of providing such an in-page search of contents of a webpage can comprise reading a user's search criteria through an element of the webpage. The contents of the webpage can be searched to identify text matching the search criteria. Formatting instructions can be inserted into the webpage to change the appearance of the identified text relative to other text on the webpage. The webpage can be redisplayed with the inserted formatting instructions.
US08204946B2
An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for processing IM information. The method includes: obtaining hyperlink information contained in IM information; obtaining original content information of a webpage corresponding to the hyperlink information; generating content abstract information of the webpage according to the original content information of the webpage; and displaying the content abstract information of the webpage. An embodiment of the present invention further provides an apparatus for processing IM information. According to embodiments of the present invention, when a user receives the IM information containing the hyperlink information, the user can obtain webpage contents corresponding to the hyperlink information contained in the IM information.
US08204934B2
An embodiment of the present invention provides a method, comprising enabling firewall bypass for open mobile alliance device management (OMA DM) server-initiated notifications in wireless networks by requiring that a certain OMA DM packet is captured by a modem associated with a OMA DM client and routed via a predetermined driver interface, wherein the OMA DM server initiates connection with the OMA DM client by sending a UDP packet to the OMA DM client inside a wireless device, and wherein the OMA DM packet is transferred over RF channel into a the modem, and through the wireless device OS's IP stack delivered to an application of the OMA DM client.
US08204933B2
A method for determining a type of content includes receiving a first packet, determining a state of classification for the first packet or for a session with which the first packet is associated, receiving a second packet, and determining a content type for the second packet based at least in part on the determined state. A method for determining a type of content includes receiving a packet associated with a session, determining whether a content type has been determined for the session or for an other packet associated with the session, and classifying the packet to be the content type based at least in part on a result from the act of determining. A method for determining a type of content includes receiving a first packet from a first port, the first port adapted for receiving at least two types of content, and determining a content type for the first packet or for a session with which the first packet is associated. A method for determining a type of content includes receiving a packet associated with a session, and determining a state of classification for the packet or the session.
US08204931B2
A system and method are described in which session objects are organized and managed within a structured hierarchy of session object storage units, referred to herein as “session domains.” The session domains store session objects sharing one or more related characteristics. In one embodiment, a separate hierarchy of session domains is implemented within each layer of an enterprise application server. For example, in a Java 2 Enterprise Edition (“J2EE”) environment, a separate set of hierarchically-arranged session domains are generated for the EJB container, the Web container and the portal container. In addition, in one embodiment of the invention, the lifecycles of each of the session objects are managed based on the relationships between each of the session objects. The relationships may either be explicit or implicit. In the latter case, one embodiment of the invention detects the relationship, automatically declares the relationship, and uses the relationship to manage the lifecycle of the related sessions.
US08204930B1
A method and system for controlling provisioning and access to cache servers with an application programming interface (API). The API includes components for performing various actions including: (i) prepopulating content on at least one cache server from a content server; (ii) expiring content on at least one cache server; (iii) pinning content in a memory of at least one cache server; (iv) assigning resources on at least one cache server in accordance with a quota; (v) retrieving content from at least one cache server; and (vi) flushing deleted content from at least one selected cache. The API may include a security layer. The security layer determines whether a requestor has permission to cause the requested action to be performed.
US08204926B2
A computer executable method of performing a modal interval operation, and system for performing same is provided. The method includes providing representations of first and second modal interval operands. Each modal interval operand of the operands is delimited by first and second marks of a digital scale, each mark of the marks comprises a bit-pattern. Each bit-pattern of the bit-patterns of the marks of each of the modal interval operands are examined, and conditions of a set of status flags corresponding to each bit-pattern of the bit-patterns of the marks are set. A bit-mask is computed wherein the mask is based upon the set condition of the status flag sets and a presence/absence of an exceptional arithmetic condition, and a presence/absence of an indefinite operand are each represented by a bit of said bits of said bit mask.
US08204921B2
A computer readable storage medium tangibly embodying machine-readable digital data arranged to facilitate expedited searching. The data includes a plurality of words residing in a table having rows and columns, each word residing in a different row and each letter of the word occupying a different column in that row. Each continuous run of same letters in a column forms an interval. The words are positioned relative to each other to maximize lengths of the intervals, and/or optimize efficiency of compression of the columns by run length encoding.
US08204920B2
A method for generating a system and, the system itself, which allows the selective access to and retrieval of data from a number of data resources. The system comprises a host system via which a user can make a request for data, and with reference to the request, the host system selects, using a series of activators held therein, those data resources, referred to as target systems, which are required to be accessed. The interface between the host and target systems and the generation and display of the retrieved data is controlled so as to provide the data to the user in the contextual format.
US08204919B2
A file generating apparatus for improving the usability of recording media and providing efficient read and write processes. A header control portion generates a header arranged at the beginning of a file. A footer control portion generates a footer arranged at the end of the file. A filler control portion generates a filler so that the data amount of a body, the header, or the footer of the file corresponds to an integral multiple of an ECC block on an optical disk by adding the filler to the body, the header, or the footer. A KLV encoder KLV-encodes a filler for the body according to the KLV structure. The present invention can be applied to a disk apparatus that records video data or audio data on optical disks.
US08204917B2
An intermediary apparatus, an intermediary method, and a computer program product thereof for storing data in a storage apparatus, and a data storage system comprising the same are provided. The storage apparatus has a storage zone with a signature field, and the signature field stores a first signature value. The data has index information and a data signature value. After searching out the storage zone according to the index information, the intermediary apparatus extracts the first signature value from the storage zone, and then determines if the data has been stored in the storage zone according to the first signature value and the data signature value. If not, the intermediary apparatus writes the data into the storage zone; otherwise, ignores the data.
US08204904B2
A network's evolution is characterized by graph evolution rules. A graph, formed by merging multiple graphs representing the multiple snapshots of the network, that represents an evolutionary network is mined to identify evolutional patterns of the network. A pattern is selected from the identified patterns. Graph evolution rules are generated using identified evolutional patterns. The generated graph evolution rules represent the evolutional patterns of the network, the rules indicating that any occurrence of a child pattern of the selected pattern implies a corresponding occurrence of the selected pattern.
US08204900B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a metrics library system (MLS) for creating and storing complex search queries in a searchable repository. Embodiments of the present invention provide an MLS comprising a user interface for entering a user login, a defined metric query store, a metric definition interface, at least two disparate data stores, a query execution function, a metric library interface, and a user interface for directing data retrieved by the query execution function to a location specified by the user. In some embodiments, the MLS further provides a metrics usage history.
US08204898B2
A common directory and method are described herein that maintains and accesses multiple subscriber profiles by using a directory service logic, a search/index database (which contains subscriber search keys for all of the subscribers in a communication network) and a local profile database (which contains the subscriber profiles for only the local subscribers in the communication network).
US08204897B1
The subject matter of this specification can be implemented in, among other things, a computer-implemented method including receiving from a user a portion of a query. The method further includes providing the portion of the query to multiple data provider modules nearly simultaneously. The method further includes receiving, from ones of the data provider modules, a set of search suggestion items resulting from searching the data sources, each of the search suggestion items including a rank and a relevance value. The method further includes determining a score for each of the search suggestion items by combining the rank and the relevance value for each of the search suggestion items. The method further includes sorting the search suggestion items using the scores. The method further includes presenting the sorted search suggestion items to the user.
US08204896B2
In an image processing apparatus according to the present invention, a scanning unit reads out image information regarding original document; an analyzing unit extracts layout information regarding character regions and character addition information added to characters within the character regions from the image information; an OCR processing unit converts the character regions included in the layout information extracted by the analyzing unit into character information; an extracting unit extracts one or more keywords comprised of a plurality of characters from the character information; a searching unit obtains meta-information by use of the extracted keywords; and an electronic document generating unit generates an electronic document according to description of a predetermined format by adding the meta-information to the character information. According to the present invention, it is possible to properly add secondly available information to electronized information.
US08204895B2
A method of receiving a report includes submitting a search query, receiving a proposed abstract query and report search results, and accepting a choice between submitting the proposed abstract query to generate a report and designating an existing report from the report search results. A report is then received in accordance with the choice.
US08204890B1
Methods, systems, and apparatuses, including computer programs encoded on computer-readable media, for receiving a plurality of metadata associated with a plurality of media items. Each metadata includes a ranking score and a resource locator of the media item. Queuing media item identifiers based on the plurality of metadata and ordering the queue based on the ranking scores. Retrieving a portion of a highest-ranking unplayed media item and providing the portion to a content playback device. Receiving vote indications for an unplayed media item. The ranking score of the unplayed media is updated item based on the received vote indications. The unplayed media items are reordered in the queue based upon the updated ranking score of the unplayed media item. Retrieving a portion of a highest-ranking unplayed media item in the reordered queue and providing the portion to a content playback device.
US08204884B2
An apparatus and methods for capturing and analyzing customer interactions the apparatus comprising interaction information units, interaction meta-data information units associated with each of the interaction information units, a rule based analysis engine component for receiving the interaction information, an adaptive database, an interaction capture and storage component for capturing interaction information, a multi segment interaction capture device, an initial set up and calibration device and a pre processing and content extraction device.
US08204875B2
A computer is programmed to accept a command to create a new aggregation defined by a user during execution of continuous queries on streams of data. The computer is further programmed to thereafter accept and process new continuous queries using the new aggregation, in a manner similar to built-in aggregations. The user typically writes a set of instructions to perform the new aggregation, and identifies in the command, a location of the set of instructions. In response to such a command, the computer creates metadata identifying the new aggregation. The metadata is used to instantiate one aggregation for each group of data in a current window, grouped by an attribute identified in a new query.
US08204871B1
A file server has an extent cache of pointers to leaf-level indirect blocks containing file mapping metadata. The extent cache improves file access read and write performance by returning a mapping for the data blocks to be read or written without having to iterate through intermediate level indirect blocks of the file. In addition, the extent cache contains pointers to the leaf-level indirect blocks in the file system cache. Therefore, in most cases, the time spent looking up pointers in the extent cache is offset by a reduction in the time that would otherwise be spent in locating the leaf-level indirect blocks in the file system cache. In a preferred implementation, the extent cache has a first least recently used (LRU) list and cache entry allocation for production files, and a second LRU list and cache entry allocation for snapshot copies of the production files.
US08204854B2
A file I/O operation is initiated to store a result of a file I/O operation in a destination file. In response to the file I/O operation being in progress, an amount of the file I/O operation currently completed is monitored. In response to determining that the amount of the file I/O operation currently completed is less than a threshold amount, another destination file is specified through a user interface, in which to store a result of file I/O operation not yet completed. The file I/O operation stores the remaining result of the file I/O operation at the another destination file. A single file handle is updated for the result of the file I/O operation to reference the destination file comprising the portion of the result and the another destination file comprising the remaining result.
US08204844B2
A computer implemented data processor system shifts a semantic network topology to increase efficiency in disambiguating a contextual meaning of natural language symbols.
US08204833B2
Various aspects of the present system provide methods and systems for identifying an individual who operates a remote computer. One aspect provides a technique to generate fingerprint of computer and its user based on the information collected through the actions a user conducts on internet. Another aspect of the system provides a technique to compute the fingerprints and find relations between users and computers. Another aspect of the system provides a trust ranking to a user based on the consistency of information collected from the user's various actions.
US08204832B2
A remote maintenance system for medical image diagnostic apparatuses capable of preventing leak of personal information on the patient attached to a medical image.The system comprises an MRI apparatus (100), a server (300) installed in a service center of a company performing the maintenance service on the MRI apparatus (100), and a network facility (200) for interconnecting the server (300) and the MRI apparatus (100).The server (300) transmits a permission request for remote connection to the MRI apparatus (100) through the network facility (200).If the remote connection is permitted, a VPN control unit (8a) of the MRI apparatus (100) converts the personal information on the medical image into a concealed mark and transmits it along with the medical image to the server (300).
US08204827B1
Various embodiments of a system and method for personalized commands are described. The system and method for personalized commands may include a payment service including a command management component. Such payment service may be responsive to one or more base commands. The command management component may be configured to generate a user interface for specifying personalized commands that correspond to the base commands. The command management component may be configured to generate mapping information from the information received via the user interface. The command management component may be configured to receive one or more messages that may include commands for the payment service, including personalized commands. From the personalized commands, the command management component may be configured to determine a corresponding base commands (e.g., based on the mapping information). Once the base command is determined, the payment service may perform the base command.
US08204825B2
A payment processor for providing a payment service includes a transaction processor to process a transaction request. An application programming interface links a merchant to the transaction processor based on an identifier. A merchant center, located between a gateway and a point of sale device of the merchant, queries a database for information associated with a buyer and the merchant based on information received from the point of sale device, to generate the transaction request based from merchant transaction data received from the point of sale device and the information associated with the buyer and the merchant received from the database, and to communicate the transaction request to the transaction processor. The transaction processor also communicates information associated with the transaction request with the merchant based on the identifier.
US08204810B2
Described is a system and method that satisfies offers from customers with quotes from suppliers in a way that increases the likelihood of achieving an acceptable match. The system of the present invention is configured to receive from a customer an offer for a product. The system queries in parallel multiple suppliers for rate quotes on the desired product. Each of the suppliers is ranked according to the lowest rate quoted by each supplier. The supplier quoting the lowest rate is selected as the winner of the offer. The system may then evaluate any other rate quotes provided by the winning provider. The system may satisfy the customer's offer with the winning provider at a higher rate (if one was provided) than the winning rate quoted, up to the customer's offer (perhaps adjusted for a reasonable profit). In this way, even though the provider provides low rate quotes to win the offer, the provider may still realize a much higher rate for the goods or services by quoting additional, higher rate quotes as well.
US08204809B1
A finance function high performance capability assessment model helps a business meet the challenges of the global marketplace. As a result, businesses can achieve the clarity, consistency, and well-defined execution of a finance functions improvement program. In addition, the finance function high performance capability assessment model helps the business to identify specific areas in which cost reductions and improvements to key areas that impact finance functions may be made and understand how to make the improvements.
US08204805B2
A method involves generating a partially completed tax return based on basic user information without needing to obtain other user inputs through an extensive user interview. A list of simple and concise interview questions are generated or selected from an interview question collection based on the partially completed tax return to finalize the tax return. The method further involves using an inference engine to allow data collection at any time and in any order via specific, personalized questions geared toward completion of the tax return. Therefore the taxpayer spends time reviewing rather than preparing his or her tax documents.
US08204802B2
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for fuel accounting that enables an organization to verify that fueling being paid for has in fact been dispensed into their aircraft. In particular, various embodiments provide systems and methods to verify whether a particular fueling event occurred. In addition, various embodiments provide systems and methods to facilitate the front-end data capture of a fueling event by the organization operating the aircraft via a data pathway not under control of a fueling agent. Furthermore, various embodiments provide for systems and methods to allow an organization operating aircraft to verify fuel uplifted and fuel inventory over a selected period of time.
US08204801B2
A system and method for interactive, computer-assisted object presentation in which object information is displayed in one more arrays. In some embodiments, object information is displayed in a two dimensional array wherein displayed object information can be selected by a user. In response to the selection, in some embodiments additional information is displayed about an object corresponding to the selected information. In some embodiments, the additional information includes one or more of a link to permit a user to buy the object (e.g., from an e-commerce web site) and a link to bid on the object (e.g., in an on-line auction). In some embodiments, at least a subset of the two arrays scrolls without user interaction. In some embodiments, object information is displayed in an first array from which a user can select multiple elements. In response to the selection, in some embodiments a second array is displayed with information about the multiple selected elements from the first array. In some embodiments, the information displayed in the second array includes status information about the selected elements, such as price changes.
US08204774B2
The spend capacity of a consumer typically increases as the number of consumers in the household increases, since the consumer can draw on the spending power of other consumers in the household. The size of wallet of the household is thus a better indicator of the consumer's spend capacity than an individual size of wallet. All consumers in a given household can be aggregated based on, for example, their address of record. Duplicate tradelines within each household are removed from consideration in a size of wallet estimate. A spend capacity is then estimated for each tradeline using calculations derived from a consumer behavior model. The spend capacities for all tradelines in the household are combined to determine a household size of wallet. Each consumer in the household is then tagged with the household size of wallet, rather than their individual size of wallet.
US08204772B2
A capability assessment system provides a tailored evaluation with clear distinction between progressive companies and companies that offer more basic services. The system scores and rates the company across multiple categories according to a which capabilities are applicable to the company, and which of the applicable capabilities the company actually utilized. The system applies a unique rating and point mapping approach to the capabilities utilized by the company. The point mapping approach is configured to facilitate clear delineation between average and above average companies, as well as an identification of which capabilities, if utilized, can put a company ahead of its competition. This information assists a company in efficiently prioritizing and identifying which improvements to its rendered services will have the greater overall impact, benefiting both the customer and the company itself, and allowing the company to effectively recognize, meet, and exceeding customer expectations.
US08204770B2
Systems and methods are described for processing queue data and for providing queue messaging over a network. An illustrative queuing system includes a first queue configured to hold resource requests from a plurality of users, and program code stored in computer readable memory configured to determine or estimate whether a resource requested by a first resource request submitted by a first requester will be available when the first resource request will be serviced, and to transmit a message over a network to the first requester indicating that the requested resource will not be available when the queued request is serviced if it is estimated or determined that the requested resource will not be available when the first request is serviced.
US08204766B2
A system for the adjudication of insurance claims, such as automobile repair claims, by an insurance provider is provided. A claim submitted by a policyholder is received is received by the insurance provider. The claim is assigned to an insurance adjuster. The insurance provider receives a determination of a dollar value of the claim from the adjuster, and uses this information to determine how much money to disburse to the policyholder. The insurance provider then issues an account funded with the dollar value of the claim to the policyholder, accessible by the policyholder through a card. As the card is used, the insurance provider collects purchase information, such as information relating to the date, place, and amount of each purchase made on the account. The insurance provider may then collate the purchase information in a database and analyze the data for mathematically significant trends and relationships.
US08204757B2
Creating a dynamic food order for a traveler is provided. A food order is received from the traveler. A determination is made as to whether a real-time itinerary for the traveler has changed. In response to a change in the real-time itinerary, the food order is adjusted based on the real-time itinerary and preferences stored in the traveler's profile to form an adjusted food order.
US08204756B2
An audio decoding method and apparatus and an audio encoding method and apparatus which can efficiently process object-based audio signals are provided. The audio decoding method includes receiving a downmix signal, which is obtained by downmixing a plurality of object signals, and object side information, extracting metadata from the object-side information and displaying an information regarding the object signals based on the metadata.
US08204752B1
The portable translation apparatus provides a plurality of cases, each with a unique device code. Any case can be in communication with any other case at any time, including multiple cases at once. Directional controls allow a user to push the first directional control, then a language choice followed by a push of a second directional control, followed by a second language choice. This procedure can be repeated for simultaneous communication with many cases at once. Pushing both directional controls simultaneously uses the internal cell phone technology to communicate with the remote data base, which updates the case with any needed updates and also allows cell phone communication with the case. Transceivers in both the case and the earpiece provide for earpiece use, and the case microphone can be used along with or instead of the earpiece. The computer port provides for direct computer communication.
US08204750B2
Disclosed are Multipurpose Media Players that enable users to create transcriptions, closed captions, and/or logs of digitized recordings, that enable the presentation of transcripts, closed captions, logs, and digitized recordings in a correlated manner to users, that enable users to compose one or more scenes of a production, and that enable users to compose storyboards for a production. The multipurpose media players can be embodied within Internet browser environments, thereby providing high availability of the multipurpose players across software platforms, networks, and physical locations.
US08204747B2
An emotion recognition apparatus performs accurate and stable speech-based emotion recognition, irrespective of individual, regional, and language differences of prosodic information. The emotion recognition apparatus includes: a speech recognition unit which recognizes types of phonemes included in the input speech; a characteristic tone detection unit which detects a characteristic tone that relates to a specific emotion, in the input speech; a characteristic tone occurrence indicator computation unit which computes a characteristic tone occurrence indicator for each of the phonemes, based on the types of the phonemes recognized by the speech recognition unit, the characteristic tone occurrence indicator relating to an occurrence frequency of the characteristic tone; and an emotion judgment unit which judges an emotion of the speaker in a phoneme at which the characteristic tone occurs in the input speech, based on the characteristic tone occurrence indicator computed by the characteristic tone occurrence indicator computing unit.
US08204742B2
An adaptive audio system can be implemented in a communication device. The adaptive audio system can enhance voice in an audio signal received by the communication device to increase intelligibility of the voice. The audio system can adapt the audio enhancement based at least in part on levels of environmental content, such as noise, that are received by the communication device. For higher levels of environmental content, for example, the audio system might apply the audio enhancement more aggressively. Additionally, the adaptive audio system can detect substantially periodic content in the environmental content. The adaptive audio system can further adapt the audio enhancement responsive to the environmental content.
US08204732B1
In an embodiment, a graphical model may include a functional portion and a architectural portion. The architectural portion may describe a multiprocessor system. Inter-process communication blocks may be defined that describe the connectivity of functional blocks in the deployed version of the model. The IPC blocks may describe the connectivity of the blocks independent of the communication channel(s) that connect the processor nodes in the multiprocessor system.
US08204726B2
A multi-scale method to efficiently determine the fine-scale saturation arising from multi-phase flow in a subsurface reservoir is disclosed. The method includes providing a simulation model that includes a fine-scale grid defining a plurality of fine-scale cells, and a coarse-scale grid defining a plurality of coarse-scale cells that are aggregates of the fine-scale cells. The coarse-scale cells are partitioned into saturation regions responsive to velocity and/or saturation changes from the saturation front. A fine-scale saturation is determined for each region and the saturation regions are assembled to obtain a fine-scale saturation distribution. A visual display can be output responsive to the fine-scale saturation distribution.
US08204724B2
A model of at least one rheological characteristic of a fluid is provided. According to the model, a behavior of the tool that includes an actuator that uses the fluid is predicted. The behavior of the tool is predicted for at least one expected condition in a well.
US08204720B2
Graph-based modeling apparatus and techniques are disclosed. Based on a model including model nodes that represent components of a modeled system, operational dependencies between model nodes, and model edges that interconnect the nodes and represent relationships between the components in the modeled system, subset computations are performed to compute subsets of the model nodes that can impact operational dependencies between other model nodes. When the model changes, a determination is made as to whether an incremental subset computation should be performed for one or more particular operational dependencies between model nodes in the changed model, and if so, an incremental subset computation is performed. Otherwise, a full subset computation or no subset computation might be performed. In this manner, model changes are considered on a case-by-case basis to determine an extent, if any, to which subsets should be re-computed.
US08204715B1
A method allows for determining the quality of a vessel's moment estimate and track information derived from a suite of sensors measuring the local magnitude of the magnetic field. A Bayesian treatment, employing a Markov Chain Monte Carlo approach with Gibbs sampling is applied with reduced magnetic noise spatio-temporal correlation models and implied whitening procedures. Vessel moment parameters are handled with a Gaussian prior leading to conditional densities that are Gaussian and posterior marginal densities that are mixture-Gaussian. Other conditional quantile functions for track parameters are computed with a grid procedure. From these, the Markov chain is determined and the resulting joint density of all variates is constructed. The method allows for determining posterior marginal densities and dependencies associated with magnetic moment and track parameters. The method may be stored in a storage device in a sensor and may be executed by a processor within the sensor.
US08204714B2
Disclosed are embodiments of a method and an associated computer program product for finding the statistical bounds, the corresponding parameter corners and the probability density function of one or more performance targets for a circuit without requiring Monte Carlo simulation runs. To accomplish this, a joint probability density function for independent parameters that affect the performance target can be constructed. Then, based on the joint probability density function, the statistical bounds of the performance target can be found by constructing an equal-probability-density surface of the joint probability density function and solving a constrained optimization problem on that equal-probability-density surface. Once the statistical bounds are determined, the corresponding parameter corners for the performance target can also be determined. After obtaining multiple statistical bounds corresponding to different accumulated probability density, the probability density function of the performance target can also be obtained.
US08204713B2
A results reporting system can generate test results at one or more laboratory sites. Each of the generated test results can be in a conventional unit of measurement. The results reporting system can then convert each of the testing results to a normalized decimal equivalent unit system of measurement. The normalized decimal equivalent unit of measurement can be a unit of measurement that is normalized to an associated reference range of the test result. Once converted to normalized decimal equivalent unit, the test results can be stored in a mass storage device for later reporting. A triggering event (e.g., a request from a reviewing entity) can then trigger the reporting system to generate a results report using the stored test results. The results report can convey the test results to a reviewing entity using the normalized decimal equivalent unit of measurement in graphs, tables or other methods of conveying data. In some embodiments, result reports can be displayed on a computer display and can include selectable icons that, when selected, display additional information related to the displayed results.
US08204702B2
A method for estimating an operating life for an electrical energy storage system electrically connected to transmit power to a hybrid powertrain system includes monitoring temperature state-of-charge and electric current of the electrical energy storage system, calculating a battery life metric for a time interval based upon the temperature, the state-of-charge, and the electric current discharge, determining a total battery life metric therefrom and determining the remaining operating life of the electrical energy storage system.
US08204701B2
The Aeroelastic Model using the Principal Shapes of modes (AMPS) is a method used to predict flutter in gas turbine engines. Modern gas turbine engines often include rotors with flexible disks and/or significant blade geometry variations. The AMPS method accounts for the varying blade mode shapes associated with flexible disks as well as changing blade geometry, providing accurate flutter predictions for a large number of modes from a relatively small number of CFD (computational fluid dynamics) simulations. The AMPS method includes determining a smaller set of principal shapes that approximates a larger set of structural modes of interest. Using linear superposition, aerodynamic forces associated with the vibration of the principal shapes can be used to construct the full aerodynamic coupling matrix associated with the structural modes of interest. An eigenvalue equation is solved to determine a damping distribution associated with the structural modes of interest. The damping distribution is predictive of flutter.
US08204695B2
Systems and methods for identifying, confirming, mapping, and categorizing sample polymers, such as nucleic acid sequences, are provided. An estimation of the fraction of first and second polymers in a sample of polymers can be calculated by inputting a first hybridization value indicative of hybridization affinity of the sample of polymers to polymers probes that are complementary to the first polymer and inputting a second hybridization value indicative of hybridization affinity of the sample of polymers to polymers probes that are complementary to the second polymer. The estimation of the fraction of the first and second polymers in the sample of polymers can then be calculated by dividing the first hybridization value by a sum of the first and second hybridization values. Estimations of the fractions of alleles in a sample can be clustered to form a fraction pattern usable for identifying, confirming, mapping, and genotyping sample nucleic acids.
US08204694B2
In one embodiment the present invention relates to a method for automatically tracking blood product administration in a computerized healthcare environment. Information regarding a blood product unit received by the blood bank department is documented in a database. An indication that the blood product unit has been administered to the patient by a healthcare provider is received and the database is automatically updated to reflect that the blood product unit has been administered to the patient. The present invention also relates to a method for automatically notifying a blood bank database of administration of a blood product to a patient in a computerized healthcare environment is provided.
US08204690B2
A machine, method and computer-usable medium for modeling an average flow of a substance through a composite material. Such a modeling includes an analytical calculation of an effective tensor Kå suitable for use with a variety of media. The analytical calculation corresponds to an approximation to the tensor K, and follows by first computing the diagonal values, and then identifying symmetries of the heterogeneity distribution. Additional calculations include determining the center of mass of the heterogeneous cell and its angle according to a defined Cartesian system, and utilizing this angle into a rotation formula to compute the off-diagonal values and determining its sign.
US08204683B2
A method of providing augmented Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation can include detecting movement of a GPS enabled mobile device along a navigational route and displaying a photographic image on a display of the GPS enabled mobile device responsive to detecting movement of the GPS enabled mobile device along the navigational route provided by the GPS enabled mobile device. Related devices and computer program products are also disclosed.
US08204681B2
A navigation device provides route guidance only by voice guidance even if route guidance by a display screen is impossible. A navigation device displays on a display device a navigation screen including a map about a current position. The display device can enter a no-display state. In the navigation device, regardless of the state of the navigation screen, a route guidance method is performed. More particularly, in the display state, a guidance route is determined by a normal mode and route guidance is performed by both voice and display. In the no-display state, a guidance route including fewer movement methods is determined and route guidance is made only by voice guidance. Thus, in the no-display state where the navigation screen is not displayed, a guidance route is determined so as to enable route guidance only by voice.
US08204679B2
A mobile apparatus capable of moving while avoiding contact with an object by allowing the object to recognize the behavioral change of the mobile apparatus is provided. The robot and its behavioral state and the object and its behavioral state are recognized as a first spatial element and its behavioral state and a second spatial element and its behavioral state, respectively, in an element space. Based on the recognition result, if the first spatial element may contact the second spatial element in the element space, a shift path is set which is tilted from the previous target path by an angle responsive to the distance between the first spatial element and the second spatial element. With the end point of the shift path as a start point, a path allowing the first spatial element to avoid contact with an expanded second spatial element is set as a new target path.
US08204674B2
In an apparatus for controlling an engine, an input switching unit switches an input signal to be inputted to an input path from a crank signal to a cam signal when it is determined that the crank signal is abnormal. An event signal generating unit generates a crank-input event signal while it is determined that the crank signal is abnormal by an abnormality determining unit. The crank-input event signal has a level that repetitively changes in a predetermined direction. Each level change of the crank-input event signal is synchronized with a corresponding level change of the crank signal. A monitoring unit monitors a level change of the crank-input event signal while it is determined that the crank signal is abnormal by the abnormality determining unit.
US08204668B2
An air brake monitoring system for monitoring a pressure of the system and providing various alarms and/or warnings to a user. The air brake monitoring system configurable to function with the existing wiring of the vehicle and including an air brake monitoring device to be positioned in the vicinity of a brake valve. The air brake monitoring system is further provided to monitor the electrical stoplight power transmitted to the ABS brakes as well as the vehicle static/dynamic condition.
US08204666B2
Factor information is acquired that indicates at least one factor that imposes a psychological effect on a driver of a host vehicle when the host vehicle is traveling on a road with a descending slope ahead of the host vehicle. An overall psychological effect that is imposed on the driver when the host vehicle is traveling on the road with the descending slope is acquired based on the factor information. The vehicle speed is controlled in a vehicle speed control section in accordance with the overall psychological effect.
US08204665B2
A deceleration start point where a driver performs a deceleration operation of a vehicle before entering a curve when the vehicle is to travel on a curve is identified from a vehicle operation history in the past, and an acceleration start point where the driver performs an acceleration operation of the vehicle when exiting a curve is identified from the vehicle operation history in the past. While these items are comprehended as driving tendencies of the driver, deceleration control and acceleration limit control to a target limiting vehicle speed are performed when the vehicle reaches the deceleration start point. Thereafter, when the vehicle reaches the acceleration start point, acceleration permission control to release the acceleration limit is performed.
US08204664B2
A vehicle includes a friction braking system and a powertrain system including a torque machine operative to react tractive torque input from a wheel of the vehicle. A method for controlling braking in a vehicle includes monitoring operation of the powertrain system, determining a driver intended total brake torque, determining a regenerative braking capacity based upon the operation of the powertrain system, determining a regenerative braking request based upon a time-rate change in the regenerative braking capacity, and determining a motor torque command for the torque machine based upon the regenerative braking request.
US08204663B2
A vehicle control apparatus controlling a driving force or a braking force to be applied to a vehicle and conducting a vehicle control based on wheel speeds includes a detecting means detecting the wheel speed of each wheel provided at the vehicle, a storing means storing a predetermined valid wheel speed for each wheel, a determining means determining whether a difference between the detected wheel speed and a maximum wheel speed of the wheel speeds lies in a predetermined range, and an updating means updating the valid wheel speed based on the detected wheel speed of the wheel, when the detected wheel speed is lower than the predetermined valid wheel speed which is currently stored, in case that a result determined by the determining means is positive.
US08204657B2
A method of regulating an axle disconnect device that is operable in an axle assembly of a vehicle drivetrain includes monitoring a plurality of parameters, determining whether an occurrence of at least one of a traction event and a stability event is imminent based on at least one of the parameters, the stability event being determined based on a first set parameters, and the traction event being determined based on a second set of parameters that includes less parameters than the first set of parameters, and regulating the axle disconnect device to an engaged position if the occurrence of the at least one of the traction event and the stability event is imminent.
US08204651B2
According to the present invention, a power supply control device for an electric power steering device used for a power supply system comprises a main battery 40 connected to the electric power steering device via a first power supply line and a sub-battery 50 connected to the electric power steering device via a second power supply line, wherein when detecting the state of the sub-battery, said power supply control device restricts or disconnects power supply from the main battery to the electric power steering device while it permits power supply from the sub-battery to the electric power steering device, characterized in that said power supply control device prevents the detection of the state of the second battery if a vehicle speed is higher than a predetermined reference value.
US08204646B2
A system and method for safely slowing or controlling a vehicle's speed or engine speed by selectively replacing a genuine engine control signal with a spoofed engine control signal to slow or control the vehicle. The operator is allowed control of the vehicle (e.g. genuine engine control signal) if the speed is below a threshold speed and the operator is denied control of the vehicle (e.g. spoofed engine control signal) if the speed is above the threshold speed; similarly, a maximum idle engine speed and time to idle before shut-down is enforced by selectively replacing a genuine engine control signal with a spoofed engine control signal, responsive to a set threshold for each. The threshold is set over the air (OTA).
US08204645B2
Disclosed is an apparatus and methodology for identifying tire locations associated with a vehicle (10). Sensed variations in tire related parameters are measured as a vehicle traverses a known or ascertainable travel path (FIG. 3). Data accumulated over one or more measurement windows may be analyzed to determine the location of each individual tire (20) associated with a vehicle (10). Measurements and accumulation of data may be initiated upon detection of a stationary vehicle state exceeding a predetermined time, a predetermined lateral acceleration, and/or a predetermined vehicle speed.
US08204644B2
A vehicle communication apparatus has a main battery, and the main battery is switched to a supplemental battery when voltage of the main battery falls to a second threshold. Further, prior to voltage fall of the main battery to the second threshold, vehicle information at least including position of a vehicle is prepared for transmission from a report unit. By adapting the above voltage monitoring scheme, the removal of the main battery is appropriately detected, and the position information of the vehicle is appropriately reported wirelessly to an information center by the report unit, and working time of the report unit that is operated by the supplemental battery is extended without increasing the capacity of the supplemental battery.
US08204640B2
Past limit electric power generation costs and past limit electric assist costs are stored as pieces of planning information, based on each of which a fuel consumption amount is estimated assuming that a vehicle travels according to a past traveling pattern. An average estimated fuel consumption amount is computed by averaging the fuel consumption amounts estimated for the pieces of planning information. The piece of planning information including the lowest average estimated fuel consumption amount is selected for the next traveling. An improvement amount during electric power generation and an improvement amount during assistance are computed based on the selected piece of planning information (limit electric power generation cost), the limit electric assist cost, and the present generating and electric assist costs required actually while the vehicle is traveling. An engine and a motor/generator of the vehicle are controlled based on the two improvement amounts.
US08204639B2
In a hybrid vehicle 20, an engine 22, motors MG1 and MG2 are controlled so that the engine 22 is operated at a target operation point set at Step 120 based on a torque demand Tr* and the motor MG2 outputs lower power for driving in comparison with a turn-off condition of an ECO switch 88 when the ECO switch 88 is turned on upon driving with power from both the engine 22 and the motor MG2 (Steps S130-S150 and S170-S200).
US08204638B2
A control apparatus for a hybrid vehicle computes estimated energy and external charge energy. The estimated energy is required to drive a vehicle to travel a planned travel route and an EV priority mode, in which drive power for the vehicle is generated with priority by a motor/generator by supplying electric power from a battery to the motor/generator. The external charge energy is supplied from an electric power source. The control apparatus checks whether the estimated required energy will be supplied fully by the external charge energy. If the full supply is not possible, the control apparatus causes electric power generation by the motor/generator at some point in the planned travel route, where the efficiency of electric power generation is good, thereby to supplement insufficiency of energy.
US08204635B2
An aircraft inertial system comprises at least two inertial reference units (IRU) that provide a first set of inertial signal data for an aircraft and at least two attitude heading reference systems (AHRS) that provide a second set of the inertial signal data for the aircraft. At least one primary flight display receives the first and the second sets of the inertial signal data, and a standby flight display receives at least the second set of the inertial signal data from at least one of the AHRS. When a single fault condition occurs, the primary flight display continues to operate with fail-operational redundancy from at least three independent sources of the inertial signal data comprising one or more IRU and AHRS combinations. The standby flight display will operate using a different source of the inertial signal data than the source of the inertial signal data for the primary flight display.
US08204633B2
A system for shifting energy demand from on-peak time windows to off-peak time windows by using hot water heater load shifting, while providing the end user with the level of service (i.e., availability of hot water) according to the user's customary use described by service quality criteria. The shift is accomplished by a controller located at the end user establishment and in communication with a central control server. The controller monitors local water heater upper and/or lower temperature and controls upper and/or lower water heater heating elements in accordance with a demand shift process commanded by the central control server. The controller may determine usage and remaining capacity for reporting back to the central control server. A volumetric capacity and usage determination is disclosed. The control server may select water heaters according to use patterns and/or measured capacity. One embodiment is adapted for use with existing water heaters without disrupting safety features of the existing water heater.
US08204622B2
An entertainment media rental and return system comprises a rental terminal at which a customer can either rent entertainment media or return entertainment media which has been previously rented from the rental terminal, a return terminal at which a customer can only return entertainment media which has been previously rented from the rental terminal, and a removable storage bin interchangeable between the terminals and arranged to (i) receive entertainment media which has been returned by a customer at the return terminal when the bin is installed in the return terminal, (ii) receive entertainment media which has been returned by a customer at the rental terminal when the bin is installed in the rental terminal, and (iii) provide entertainment media which is available to be rented to a customer at the rental terminal when the bin is installed in the rental terminal.
US08204617B2
Systems, tools, and methods are provided in which a first signal is transmitted from a tool to a Fab indicating that all substrates to be processed have been removed from a specific carrier and that the specific carrier may be temporarily unloaded from a loadport of the tool. A second signal is transmitted from the tool to the Fab indicating that the specific carrier may be returned to the tool. While the carrier is unloaded from the tool, other carriers may be loaded on the vacated loadport. Numerous other features and aspects of the invention are disclosed.
US08204615B2
An information processing device for reproducing content data is provided. The information processing device includes a reproducing unit for reproducing content data; a sound image localization processing unit for sound image localization processing the content data to be reproduced by the reproducing unit so that a sound image by the content data localizes at an arbitrary localization position; and a control unit for moving the localization position of the sound image in response to change in reproduction state of the content data by the reproducing unit.
US08204609B2
Systems and methods are provided that enable high-level and abstract business engines to affect and influence plant-floor or industrial operations via dynamic and flexible operator interfaces. In a similar manner, actions directed from the operator interfaces can be communicated to higher level decision components of an enterprise to facilitate automated control and dynamics of the enterprise. In one aspect, an industrial automation system is provided. The system includes one or more controllers to process transaction events in an industrial automation environment. One or more operator interface components are provided that automatically adapt interface control functionality based on the transaction events.
US08204600B2
Some embodiments of a mapping device may be capable of passing through cerebral veins and other cerebrovascular spaces to provide electrophysiological mapping of the brain. These embodiments of the device may also be capable of providing, simultaneously or separately, ablation energy or other treatments to targeted brain tissue. In such circumstances, a user may be enabled to analyze an electrophysiological map of a patient's brain and, at the same time or within a short time period before or after the mapping process, may be enabled to apply ablation energy for treatment of a central nervous system disorder. Such treatment may be accomplished without the use of invasive surgery in which the brain is accessed through an opening in the patient's cranium.
US08204598B2
Methods and devices for treating anaphylaxis, anaphylactic shock, bronchial constriction, and/or asthma include providing an electrical impulse to a selected region of the vagus nerve of a patient suffering from anaphylaxis to block and/or modulate nerve signals that would regulate the function of, for example, myocardial tissue, vasodilation/constriction and/or pulmonary tissue.
US08204593B2
An implantable medical device and associated method provide atrial pacing and measure intervals between atrial pacing pulses and subsequently sensed ventricular events. A decreasing trend in the intervals indicative of a pre-junctional rhythm is detected. The atrial pacing pulse is delivered at a shortened atrial pacing pulse interval in response to detecting the decreasing trend to reduce the likelihood of a junctional rhythm.
US08204589B2
A device for assisting a caregiver in delivering therapy to a patient, the device comprising a user interface configured to deliver prompts to a caregiver to assist the caregiver in delivering therapy to a patient; at least one sensor configured to detect the caregiver's progress in delivering the therapy, wherein the sensor is other than an electrode in an electrical contact with the body; a memory in which a plurality of different prompts are stored; a processor configured to determine which of the different prompts should be selected for delivery based on the progress detected by the sensor.
US08204587B2
The present invention relates to an iontophoresis apparatus, and more particularly, to an iontophoresis apparatus detachable from a mask or patch, wherein after skin condition is previously diagnosed before an iontophoresis is performed, the amount of current is adjusted according to the skin condition to absorb effective components contained in functional cosmetics or medicines into the skin, and a plurality of electrode pairs are applied to use interference current generated between the electrode pairs thereby accelerating absorption of the effective components and improving the skin condition.
US08204584B2
A device for detecting electrical potentials in the forehead area of a patient has a transverse member adapted to rest against the forehead of the patient, a vertical member extending crosswise to the transverse member and a mask on the vertical member. Electrodes are provided on the transverse members at least at its ends and at the center at which the vertical bar crosses the transverse member.
US08204583B2
Systems and methods for the detection of pathological conditions in a brain analyze signal properties of the brain electrical activity recordings. The pathological conditions to be detected include the occurrence of a seizure event. The systems and methods calculate a seizure susceptibility index (SSI) for real time brain function monitoring and for a pre-screening process of seizure detection.
US08204582B2
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for generating a trigger from the R wave of an electrocardiogram (ECG) waveform using a threshold that adapts to the slope of the R wave while still within the leading edge of the R wave.
US08204577B2
What is described here is a process and a device for deep-selective detection of spontaneous activities and general muscle activities in biological tissue. In this process, photons of a coherent and monochromatic electromagnetic radiation of the wavelength λ1 penetrate the tissue in the range between 600 and 1,200 nm and re-emerge from the tissue at differently distanced areas, then being detected with regard to frequency and number or intensity. By means of an evaluation program or algorithm, this information in connection with the respective area as point of emergence of the photons allows conclusions to be drawn about the muscle activity and/or number of active muscles and/or the physical position of the active muscles in the tissue. In order to improve the preciseness, it is intended to insert photons into the tissue of at least one further coherent and monochromatic electromagnetic radiation of another wavelength λ2 and to detect them after emergence from the tissue with regard to frequency and number or intensity. The wavelengths λ1 and λ2 are selected in such a way that there will not occur any interference fringes.
US08204563B2
A superconducting magnet system for generating high homogeneity and high magnetic field consists of a main coil, an outer coil, a quench protection circuit, a quench heater and a power supply. The main coil is composed of many concentric solenoid coils which are arranged from inside to outside. The outer coil out of the main coil includes a first back roll coil, a second back roll coil, a first superconducting coil for compensating sixth harmonic component, a second superconducting coil for compensating sixth harmonic component, a shielding ring and a shielding coil from inside to outside. Every loop circuit of the quench protection circuit is composed of a corresponding protection resistor, a diode and coil which is connected in series each other, and each coil has a corresponding quench protection heater. The classification linear diameter difference of the superconducting coils which contact each other in main coil is less than 0.05 mm. The homogeneity of the magnetic field in the 50 mm diameter working space is 0.15 ppm, because the high order harmonic component of the field is compensated by back roll method.
US08204557B1
A method and system are provided for assembling a monolith wireless mobile device in a manner that provides users with a highly fashionable and comfortable device while reducing associated manufacturing costs through a simpler assembly technique. The wireless mobile device utilizes a main housing having a plurality of generally channel-shaped sidewalls, each having one or more locking tabs for engagement with respective slots in an inner core. The sidewalls of the main housing each have a surface free of parting lines. The inner core, which is locked into the main housing, contains the hardware and software components of the wireless mobile device.
US08204556B2
A hinge device for a portable terminal that includes a first housing and a second housing is provided. The first and second housings are connected by a hinge device at one end of the first housing, and they rotate so that the front and back faces may be reversed. The hinge device includes a first hinge base combined with one side of an end portion of the first housing, a second hinge base combined with one side of an end portion of the second housing and rotating in opposition to the first hinge base, and an elastic member providing an elastic force in a direction that the first hinge base and the second hinge base are adhered closely to each other. The hinge device facilitates a user's viewing of video, such as DMB video, and contributes to the diversification of the design of the portable terminal.
US08204555B2
A method is provided for carrying out a power saving procedure in a wireless subscriber terminal which is operative to receive at least two different services, each of which is characterized by one or more characteristics related to traffic demands associated with that service. The method comprises the following steps: classifying each of the at least two different services based on their traffic demand related characteristics into corresponding power saving classes, where there are at least two different power saving classes associated with the at least two different services; for each of the power saving classes, determining required listening windows and required sleep windows; exchanging messages between the base station and the subscriber's device for synchronizing parameters for carrying out the power saving procedure.
US08204550B2
While an in-vehicle handsfree apparatus establishes a connection of a handsfree profile (HFP) with a first cellular phone, an audio visual profile (AVP) connection with a second cellular phone is requested. In such a case, the handsfree apparatus once cuts the HFP connection with the first cellular phone, and then connects the AVP with the second cellular phone. This can prevent the handsfree apparatus from connecting the HFP with the first and second cellular phones at the same time.
US08204549B2
A portable terminal including a terminal body having an earpiece mounting portion, and an earpiece detachably mounted at the earpiece mounting portion. The earpiece includes an earpiece body configured to communicate with the terminal body, and a speaker portion configured to output sound transmitted from the earpiece body, the speaker portion having a controllable length so as to reduce a thickness of the earpiece when the earpiece is detachably mounted at the earpiece mounting portion.
US08204541B2
A holding base for removably holding an electronic device has a holding base body, a signal terminal provided in the holding base body, and connected to the electronic device in a holding position in which the electronic device is held, and a first connector attached to a surface of a printed circuit board, connected to the signal terminal, and connected to another electronic device. The printed circuit board is held by a bottom of the holding base body with the first connector held underneath the printed circuit board, such that a connecting port of the first connector faces a back side of the holding base body, and with an end edge of a front side of the holding base body positioned lower than an end edge of the back side thereof by an offset amount. The offset amount is set to be less than a thickness of the first connector.
US08204540B2
The present invention relates to a mobile device for recording data that includes recording unit that records data, a memory that stores the recorded data, a detecting unit that detects a server that receives the recorded data via a wireless communication system, and a transmitting unit that automatically transmits recorded data to a detected server via the wireless communication system without any user interaction when the detecting unit detects the server.
US08204537B2
A wireless device includes processing circuitry and a Radio Frequency (RF) receiver section. The processing circuitry determines a set of information signals for receipt, the set of information signals carried by a RF Multiple Frequency Bands Multiple Standards (MFBMS) signal having a plurality of information signal frequency bands. The processing circuitry determines a shift frequency based upon the determination. the RF receiver section receives the RF MFBMS signal and down-converts the RF MFBMS signal by the shift frequency to produce a baseband/low Intermediate Frequency (BB/IF) MFBMS signal. The processing circuitry then extracts data from the set of information signals of the BB/IF MFBMS signal.
US08204525B2
Systems and methods for providing alerts to end users of networked enabled portable devices are provided so that the end users are made aware when broadcast emergency alerts are issued. In various embodiments, a portable device is enabled to receive information about an emergency alert broadcast of which the user should be aware, e.g., from the EAS, and to notify the user of the emergency alert. The user can be automatically taken to the emergency alert information by having the portable device automatically tune to the emergency broadcast information, the user can optionally retrieve the emergency information by tuning to the emergency broadcast channel, and/or the user can otherwise be presented with a reference to the emergency data, such as a link to the information.
US08204523B1
A first notification indicating a change on an account of a mobile station is generated and sent to an account holder of the mobile station via a first delivery procedure, when the change on the account of the mobile station occurs. The first notification is sent to the account holder only if a destination for the first delivery procedure has not changed for at least a predetermined period. A second notification of the change on the account of the mobile station is sent to the account holder via a second delivery procedure, if the first notification is not successfully sent to the account holder. Additional notifications of the change on the account of the mobile station may be sent to the account holder via respective different delivery procedures consecutively until any of the notification is successfully sent to the account holder. The first, the second and the various delivery procedures are among a Short Message Service (SMS) message, an Enhance Messaging Service (EMS), a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), an email, a fax, a voice call and a letter. Order of the delivery procedures to be sent may be determined based on cost for sending the notifications.
US08204521B2
A system and method are provided for communicating calendar appointment acknowledgements to a sender from a recipient device, in particular a mobile communication device capable of receiving SMS messages. The sender creates a calendar object comprising calendar event data, designates a recipient, and selects a transport method for delivering the calendar event data. If the transport method is SMS, then a calendar object message in plaintext SMS format is prepared, comprising a unique identifier, and transmitted to the recipient. The recipient's mobile communication device receives the SMS message and parses the message to extract the calendar event data, and transmits an acknowledgement to the sender including the unique identifier.
US08204517B1
An access network may identify paging areas based on a reference location (e.g., a mobile station's last known location), where each paging area includes at least one coverage area. The access network may then determine paging-channel occupancies for coverage areas in at least identified paging area. In turn, the access network may adjust a given identified paging area based on the determined paging-channel occupancies, resulting in an adjusted paging area. For example, the access network may add coverage areas to the given identified paging area and/or remove coverage areas from the given identified paging area based on the paging-channel occupancies for those coverage areas. Thereafter, the access network may page a mobile station associated with the reference location in the adjusted paging area.
US08204512B2
A wireless node location mechanism that defines a search region to optimize the computations associated with estimating the location of a given wireless node. According to one implementation, a coverage map associated with each radio receiver that records signal strength data is defined out to a threshold signal strength level. Before computing the estimated location of a given wireless nodes, a search region is defined based on the intersection of the coverage maps associated with each radio receiver that detects the wireless node. Some implementations use information provided by the fact that certain radio receivers did not detect the wireless node to further optimize the location estimate. By defining a search region, which is a generally small area relative to the space encompassed by an entire RF environment, the present invention provides several advantages, such as reducing the processing time and/or power to compute estimated locations for wireless nodes.
US08204498B1
A system, method, and computer-readable media are provided for automatically evaluating the download of content retrieved from a content catalog to one or more mobile communications devices. The specific mobile communications devices and content that will be downloaded to the mobile communications devices may be identified by way of a web interface. This download information may be sent to an automatic test script, executed on a computing device that instructs various components throughout the download process. A remote device may receive instructions and download information from the automatic test script to initiate the download process, such that the content, retrieved from a wireless communications network, may be downloaded to the identified mobile communications device. After the download process has completed, a report that includes an indication of download results may then be generated and stored in a memory of the computing device.
