US08252133B2
A PU composite and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The fabrication method includes: (a) providing a release paper; (b) coating a fabric layer on the release paper, the fabric layer containing a PU resin, an abrasion resistant, and a colorant; (c) drying the fabric layer; (d) coating a first laminated layer on the fabric layer; (e) drying the first laminated layer; (f) laminating a wet PU foam layer on the first laminated layer; (g) releasing the release paper to form a semi-product; (h) providing a plastic layer, which is of a thermoplastic; (i) coating a second laminated layer on the plastic layer; (j) drying the second laminated layer; and (k) laminating the semi-product of Step (g) on the second laminated layer, so as to form a PU composite. Compared with conventional PU composites, the PU composite of the present invention has better UV resistance, solvent resistance, and abrasion resistance.
US08252131B2
A method for reworking a ceramic structure. A number of holes are formed in a portion of the ceramic structure in which a rework of the ceramic structure is desired. The ceramic structure has a plurality of layers in the portion in which the rework is desired. A ceramic bonding material is introduced into the number of holes formed in the portion of the ceramic structure. The ceramic bonding material is cured in the portion of the ceramic structure.
US08252129B2
The invention relates to a method for transforming steel blanks. The invention in particular relates to a method for transforming a steel blank comprising kneading in order to obtain very good mechanical properties. The obtained products may notably be used for forming a pressure device component.
US08252125B2
The present invention, among other things, relates to a method for producing a workpiece by press hardening a semi-finished product, which is distinguished by the fact that the semi-finished product consists of a steel which has a high content of silicon of at least 0.9 wt. %, with a simultaneously small content of manganese of less than 0.9 wt. %, a small carbon content of less than 0.25 wt. %, and a high chromium content of more than 1.20 wt. %, and which by heating is brought to a state in which the structure of the steel that is used is at least partially transformed to austenite, also optionally fully transformed to austenite, and the thus-heated semi-finished product is hot shaped so that after the hot deformation shaping, a structure is present in the workpiece that has a complex phase structure with predominantly martensite and ferrite fractions. In addition, a workpiece is described, which is produced according to this method, as well as uses of such a workpiece.
US08252116B2
A seal-protected perimeter partition valve apparatus defines a vacuum and pressure sealed space within a larger space confining a substrate processing chamber with optimized geometry, minimized footprint, and 360° substrate accessibility. A compact perimeter partitioned assembly with seal protected perimeter partition valve and internally contained substrate placement member further provides processing system modularity and substantially minimized system footprint.
US08252109B2
A process for the production of cement which includes the calcination of calcium carbonate-containing raw meal in a calciner heated by combustion of a carbon-containing fuel with a gas including oxygen and from 0 to 80% by volume of carbon dioxide, and substantially free of nitrogen, and isolating the gas produced by combustion and calcination in the calciner.
US08252108B2
An application for a pre-mixed mortar, stucco or masonry composition includes a approximately 75% sand and 25% of a light-weight cement mix comprising a cement (either Portland cement or hydraulic cement), fly ash, sodium tall oil, sodium stearate, sodium C14-16 Alpha Olefin, linear alkyl benzene; and silicon dioxide.
US08252099B2
An air purifier has a housing with an inlet for receiving air and an outlet for exhausting air. The housing provides an air flow path for the flow of air in a downstream direction, from the inlet towards the outlet. Particulate pre-filtration is located within the housing downstream from the air inlet. VOC pre-filtration is located within the housing downstream from the particulate pre-filtration. UV filtration is located within the housing downstream from the VOC pre-filtration. VOC post-filtration is located within the housing downstream from the UV filtration. Final particulate filtration is located within the housing downstream from the VOC post-filtration.
US08252090B2
A system and method is presented for reducing a concentration of ambient air used in a feed stream to form an inerting gas in a pressure swing adsorption system. The method includes introducing ambient air into a pressure swing adsorption system to form an inerting gas, introducing the inerting gas to a large volume of atmosphere, thereby inerting at least a portion of the large volume of atmosphere to form an inerted atmosphere, and removing a portion of the inerted atmosphere and introducing the portion of inerted atmosphere to the pressure swing adsorption system to form the inerting gas, thereby reducing an amount of ambient air utilized to form the inerting gas in the pressure swing adsorption system.
US08252089B2
The present invention relates to a method and device for compressing and drying a gas flow rich in carbon dioxide, for example containing more than 50 mol % of carbon dioxide.
US08252088B2
Concentrating particles in a turbulent gas flow may include receiving, in a receptacle, a turbulent gas flow that includes particles. The concentration of particles in a gas flow exiting the receptacle at a first port is increased as compared with a concentration of the particles in the gas flow received by the receptacle. The increased concentration of particles is accomplished by removing a portion of the gas flow by using a second port, and fluidly communicating the gas flow through a tube in the receptacle. The tube has a smaller diameter at the end of the tube at which the gas flow exits the tube than diameter at the end of the tube at which the gas flow is received.
US08252087B2
Apparatus, process and article for treating a gas containing one or more of a chemical and/or biological contaminant. The process includes contacting the gas with an aggregate composition comprising an insoluble rare earth-containing compound to form a gas depleted of chemical and active biological contaminants. The insoluble rare earth-containing compound can include one or more of cerium, lanthanum, or praseodymium. The composition comprises no more than two elements selected from the group consisting of yttrium, scandium, and europium when the aggregate has been sintered. A suitable insoluble cerium-containing compound can be derived from cerium carbonate. In one embodiment, the aggregate composition consists essentially of one or more cerium oxides, and optionally, a binder. Although intended for a variety of fluid treatment applications, such applications specifically include the treatment of breathing gases such as air that may contain chemical and/or biological contaminants.
US08252086B2
Nickel entrained in the sulphide mineral pyrrhotite is engineered to dissolve in leaching acid in a two step procedure. First, a slurry of the mineral and the acid is activated by oxidation. This is done in a time T1 by electrolysis; or alternatively chemically, by adding e.g an oxidizing acid to the mineral. After activation, the slurry is then kept under anoxic conditions for a time T2. During T2, the sulphide starts to dissolve much more rapidly, and the rapid breakdown of the sulphide enables the nickel to dissolve and thus to be leached out of the mineral. The dissolved nickel is extracted from the leaching acid e.g by electro-winning.
US08252083B2
The present invention is intended to provide a filter-holding object that allows air permeable filters to be peeled from a carrier tape in a satisfactory manner without increasing a tension applied to the carrier tape.A filter-holding object (1) includes: a carrier tape (2) extending in a specified direction; and a plurality of air permeable filters (3) held on the carrier tape (2) so as to be arranged in the specified direction. The air permeable filters (3) are shaped so that an end portion of each of the air permeable filters (3) on one side of the specified direction is sharpened toward the one side of the specified direction at an angle of 90 degrees or more. Preferably, the end portion of each of the air permeable filters (3) on the one side of the specified direction is sharpened at an angle of 135 degrees or less.
US08252062B2
An artificial cement-less hip prosthesis stem comprises an inner construct 7 which reacts with a load acting on a hip joint and an outer construct 8 for transmitting the load acting on the inner construct to a femur 1. The inner construct has an inner body 7B which reacts with the load transmitted from a neck 7A. The outer construct has both an outer body 8A which is bell mouth-shaped toward an epiphysis so as to surround the inner body 7B and a leg 8B extending toward a medullary cavity. The torsional rigidity given to the proximal end and the distal end of the outer body 8A and the leg 8B is regulated so as to be lower than the torsional rigidity given to an intermediate portion 18 of the outer body 8A.
US08252061B2
A femoral stem including a stem member having a distal part of the stem member which is inserted in a medullary cavity of a femur and fixed therein and a proximal part of the stem member which has a neck for fixing an artificial head and is positioned at a proximal end of the distal part. The distal part and the proximal part are integrated or separable. Also, a plate fixing portion is detachably attached at a top of the proximal part, and a greater trochanter plate is provided for depressing the greater trochanter. The greater trochanter is fixed to the plate fixing portion at a certain angle or is fixed to the plate fixing portion so as to adjust an angle of the trochanter plate.
US08252059B2
A flexible element that may be configured, among various uses, as an intervertebral implant for insertion into an intervertebral disc space between adjacent vertebral bodies or between two bone portions. The flexible element includes one or more struts extending from superior and inferior endplates and bending towards one another for connection with one or more internal beams.
US08252056B2
Methods of repairing a joint formed by at least two bone sections are provided wherein a biocompatible osteogenic band fabricated from an osteogenic biological material such as bone, tendon, ligament and collagen is affixed to two or more bone sections.
US08252047B2
A radially expandable, endovascular stent designed for placement at a site of vascular injury, for inhibiting restenosis at the site, a method of using, and a method of making the stent. The stent includes a radially expandable body formed of one or more metallic filaments and a liquid-infusible mechanical anchoring layer attached to or formed in outer surface of the filaments. A drug coating in the stent is composed of a substantially polymer-free composition of an anti-restenosis drug, and has a substratum infused in the anchoring layer and a substantially continuous surface stratum of drug that is brought into direct contact with the vessel walls at the vascular site. Thus, the rate of release of the anti-restenosis drug from the surface stratum into said vascular site is determined solely by the composition of said drug coating.
US08252045B2
A device delivers a chemical or biological agent, the device comprises an imprint molecule (IM) to be delivered by the device; an electroactive molecularly imprinted polymer (EMIP) imprinted with the imprint molecule, the EMIP having a plurality of binding sites capable of binding the imprint; and an electric potential producing member (EPM), the EPM being capable of producing an electric potential between the EPM and the EMIP; whereby when the EMIP has a predetermined density of imprint molecule bound at the binding sites, and whereby when a sufficient potential is produced between the EPM and the EMIP, the imprint molecule is released from the binding site and thereby delivered by the device.
US08252043B2
The disclosure relates to medical devices for implantation in a body vessel, and methods of using and making the same. A medical device can include a frame with one or more projections each having at least one edge extending from the surface of the frame, and a biocompatible, water-soluble removable material coated over at least a portion of the at least one edge. The projections can be barbs positioned to engage the interior wall of a body vessel or to attach a material, such as a valve leaflet or graft, to the frame. The removable material can be dissolved within a body vessel upon implantation, thereby exposing the at least one edge. Methods of making an implantable medical device and methods of treating a subject are also disclosed.
US08252041B2
Stent designs for use in peripheral vessels, such as the carotid arteries, are disclosed. The stents consist of a plurality of radially expandable cylindrical elements generally aligned on a common longitudinal stent axis and interconnected by one or more interconnecting members placed so that the stent is flexible in a longitudinal direction. The cylindrical elements are generally serpentine wave pattern transverse to the longitudinal axis between alternating valley portion and peak portions, the valley portion including alternating double-curved portions and U-shaped portions. The interconnecting members are attached to the double-curved portions to connect a cylindrical element to an adjacent cylindrical element and interconnecting members are attached to the U-shaped portions to connect the cylindrical element to the other adjacent cylindrical element. The designs include an eight crown and six crown stent which exhibit flexibility and sufficient radial strength to support the vessel.
US08252037B2
This device comprises a tubular endoprosthesis (11) of axis (X-X′) and a stent (13) of axis (Y-Y′) defining a distal retention opening (23A) and a proximal retention opening (23B). The device comprises a distal wire-like tie (33A) and a proximal wire-like tie (33B). Each tie (33A, 33B) forms a retaining loop (43) running around the endoprosthesis (11). Each retaining loop (43) can stretch between a configuration in which the endoprosthesis (11) is kept in a contracted state against the stent (13) and a configuration in which the endoprosthesis (11) is released. When each retaining loop (43) is in its releasing configuration, the axis (X-X′) of the endoprosthesis (11) is inclined with respect to the axis (Y-Y′) of the stent (13) when no external stresses are applied. The axis (X-X′) of the endoprosthesis (11) intersects the axis (Y-Y′) of the stent in the internal line (18) defined by the endoprosthesis (11).
US08252026B2
An apparatus (10) and method are provided for supporting an adjacent pair of vertebra (14, 16) relative to each other by anchoring a support frame (30) to the superior spinous process (24) and the inferior spinous process (28) of two adjacent vertebra (14, 16); and anchoring the support frame (30) to either the superior facets (34) or inferior facets (32) of the two adjacent vertebrae (14, 16).
US08252022B2
A closure device to be inserted at least partially through a blood vessel wall aperture in a blood vessel wall. The closure device includes at least two parts, an internal part and an external part. The internal part is adapted to be extended at least partially through the blood vessel wall aperture and into the lumen to at least partially block the blood vessel wall aperture. Each of the internal part and the external part consists essentially of a metal that biodegrades within a living being in a period of time that permits biological repair of the blood vessel wall in and around the blood vessel aperture.
US08252021B2
A surgical tool assembly includes a pair of opposing jaws pivotally connected to each other. Further, at least one viewing opening may be provided in at least one of the opposing jaws. In this regard, the at least one viewing opening may extend from an upper to a lower surface of the opposing jaw in which the viewing opening is provided. Additionally, the at least one viewing opening may include a material retainer provided proximate the lower surface of the opposing jaw in which the at least one viewing opening is provided. Further, the material retainer may include an inclined surface inclined towards a central axis of the at least one viewing opening. Further, a grasping insert may be molded onto a lower surface of the opposing jaw in which the viewing opening is provided and an elastomeric material of the grasping inserts may within the at least one viewing opening, the material of the grasping inserts covering the inclined surface of the first material retainer.
US08252013B2
An expandable surgical access device can include an elongate member comprising an expansion lumen between a proximal end and a distal end, and an expandable body operably attached to the distal end of the elongate member. The expandable body can be inserted to an internal location in a body in a collapsed configuration. When in a desired position, the expandable body can be expanded outward to an expanded configuration. In the expanded configuration, the expandable body can be adapted to protect adjacent anatomical structures and can have an internal diameter defining an operating lumen sufficient to allow passage of a cannula through the operating lumen. The expandable body may be further expanded inward to a constricting configuration whereby the expandable body can be adapted to constrict about and anchor the cannula in the operating lumen.
US08252012B2
A surgical instrument includes a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. An end effector is adapted to couple to the transducer and extends along the longitudinal axis. The end effector includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer. A drive module is coupled to the transducer to generate a modulated drive signal. The distal end of the end effector is movable in response to the vibrations produced by the transducer in response to the modulated drive signal.
US08252011B1
A surgical instrument includes a clamp having a handle with a pair of substantially parallel prongs or tines extending from the handle, all formed as a unitary body or article of manufacture. The handle and prongs define a channel to receive a knife. The knife includes a handle, a scalpel, and an extension arm coupling the scalpel to the handle. The clamp defines a minor image about a central axis. In this way, the surgeon need not concern himself with whether the knife is oriented properly within the channel. Also, the extension arm of the knife includes graduations to assist the surgeon in predetermining precisely the distance of cut in using the instrument. The upper prong of the clamp includes a downwardly extending capture pad having a bottom surface substantially parallel to the inner surface of the lower prong. The upper and lower prongs define a mouth, having a continuously increasing distance between upper and lower prongs so that the clamp is guided onto the tissue target of choice in a non-invasive manner.
US08252009B2
Devices and methods for tissue acquisition and fixation, or gastroplasty, are described. Generally, the devices of the system may be advanced in a minimally invasive manner within a patient's body to create one or more plications within the hollow body organ. A tissue treatment device attached to a distal end of a flexible elongated member and has a cartridge member opposite an anvil member. The cartridge member and the anvil member are movable between a closed position and an open position relative to one another, and the cartridge member is re-loadable with a removable staple cartridge to form multiple plications within the organ with the same tissue treatment device.
US08251993B2
The present invention is directed to a method and system for less invasive surgical procedures on animals. In accordance with various embodiments, electromagnetic energy is applied in a controlled application and projected into the tissue of an animal. The controlled application of the electromagnetic energy heats the targeted tissue causing cell necrosis, collagen shrinkage or scar tissue production, often without requiring a surgical incision.
US08251988B2
An ultrasonic treatment apparatus includes an ultrasonic instrument, a fluid irrigation unit, a fluid suction unit, an ultrasonic driving control unit, and an irrigation/suction control unit. The ultrasonic instrument treats a living-body tissue through ultrasonic vibrations. The fluid irrigation unit supplies a cooling fluid for cooling the ultrasonic instrument to the ultrasonic instrument. The fluid suction unit sucks a cooling fluid irrigated by the fluid irrigation unit to the ultrasonic instrument. The ultrasonic driving control unit controls the driving of ultrasonic vibrations of the ultrasonic instrument. The irrigation/suction control unit sequentially controls the driving of the fluid irrigation unit and the driving of the fluid suction unit in accordance with the output of the ultrasonic driving control unit.
US08251983B2
A laser tissue fusion device is optimized for particular surgical applications to join tissue layers. The device has two opposed arms that engage and disengage to clamp and release layers of tissue therebetween. The distal end of the first arm is disposed opposite the distal end of the second arm. A laser energy source generates therapeutic laser energy is either integrated within the device is a separate unit. An energy pathway transmits the laser energy to the distal end of the first arm to deliver the laser energy to tissue layers clamped between the distal ends of the arms. An actuator decreases the separation distance between the distal ends of the arms to clamp the tissue layers and activates the laser energy source upon engagement. The laser energy source delivers a burst of energy at a predetermined wavelength for a predetermined period of time sufficient to spot weld the tissue.
US08251974B2
Various methods and devices are provided for cutting tissue using a high pressure fluid jet. In one exemplary embodiment, a high pressure fluid jet delivery device is provided having a nozzle adapted to direct fluid to a tissue site. A heating element is disposed on the nozzle and is adapted to heat fluid surrounding a high pressure fluid jet flowing from the nozzle to form at least one vapor bubble. The vapor bubble can reduce the interaction between the high pressure fluid jet and the fluid surrounding the high pressure fluid jet.
US08251971B2
A self standing bag having two side wall sheets and a bottom sheet. To flatten the bag, the bottom sheet is sandwiched between the two side wall sheets and symmetrically folded along a line parallel to its bottom edge, separating the bag into a four-layer part and a two-layer part. In the two-layer part, the bag includes first sloped sealing lines extending between a first two points on the top edges of the side wall sheets and spaced from the vertical side wall edges by a first distance, to a second two points spaced from the vertical edges of the side wall sheets by a second distance less than the first distance. The four-layer part includes second sloped sealing lines extending between the second two points and a third two points on the bottom edges of the side wall sheets.
US08251966B2
Provided is an absorptive article having absorption elements capable of following the body of a user. This absorptive article (1) comprises a generally rectangular base absorption element (2), a top absorption element (3) disposed on one surface of the base absorption element (2) at substantially lateral center of the base absorption element (2) and along the longitudinal direction of the base absorption element (2), and a fixing part (4) for fixing the base absorption element (2) to the top absorption element (3) so that at least one end of the top absorption element (3) in the longitudinal direction thereof is made to be a free end (31). A temporary locking part (5) for restricting the movement of the top absorption element (3) is provided on the top absorption element (3) near a free end part (32) thereof at least before application of the absorptive article to the body of the user.
US08251951B2
The invention provides a cartridge-type injection needle and injector. The injection needle cartridge has a substantially columnar retaining member for retaining the injection needle penetrating therethrough and a pair of holder members forming a containing space for containing the retaining member. The paired holding members are formed by a first holder member having a first bottom plate and a first slider section and a second holder member having a second bottom plate facing to the first bottom plate and a second slider section. The containing space is axially extendable and retractable in the state in which the slider sections are alternately displaced along the outer periphery of the retaining member and is not axially retractable in the state in which the extreme end faces of the slider sections face to each other.
US08251950B2
A needle guard includes a clip with a canting wall to grip the needle shaft and a distal wall to block the tip thereof, wherein the canting and distal walls may be interconnected by an angled strut, a spring member, such as a leaf spring, may have a portion extending past an edge of the strut to bias the clip to grip the needle shaft, and the distal wall may be or include a stylus and have an L-shape to define a lip to help block the needle tip. The clip may have a depending heel to help pivot the clip about a ledge to grip the needle shaft. A needle support may be provided to limit flexure of the needle which might otherwise allow the needle to come loose from the clip. Arrangements for limiting rotation of the needle hub and needle guard housing are provided, as is a protective shroud to reduce the risk of inadvertent activation of the needle guard. Further, the needle guard may be used with a catheter assembly. Also provided is an improved duckbill release mechanism.
US08251948B2
A catheter for delivering an agent to an area of treatment is presented. The catheter includes a catheter body, a balloon assembly coupled to the catheter body, a first lumen, and a second lumen. The balloon assembly has spaced-apart balloons that define an area between the balloons. The first lumen extends along the catheter body to pass an inflation material to the balloons to control an inflation level of the balloons. The second lumen extends along the catheter body and having an outlet in the area between the balloons. There may be a third lumen for bypassing a biological fluid such as blood while the catheter is being used. The method of using this catheter is also presented. The method entails simultaneously inflating the balloons to isolate a treatment area and adding an agent to the treatment area through one of the lumens.
US08251946B2
A method for constructing an instrument with a two-part plunger for subcutaneous implantation is provided. An incising body is formed by defining a non-circular coaxial bore and sharpening a distal bottom edge. A two-part plunger including a tongue blade assembly and a plunger assembly is constructed. The tongue blade assembly is constructed by sharpening a beveled end of a flat thin tongue blade and by affixing a straight tongue blade shaft to an end of the tongue blade opposite the beveled end. The tongue blade assembly has a length exceeding the coaxial bore. The plunger assembly is constructed by affixing a plunger to a plunger shaft on a distal end. The plunger assembly has a length exceeding the coaxial bore and is oriented adjacent to the tongue blade assembly. The two-part plunger is inserted through an end of the incising body.
US08251931B2
A casting or splinting device comprises a plastic casting body formed into various configurations for immobilizing a bone fracture or the like. The casting body is filled with small spherical granules having a smooth and slippery surface. The casting body is sealed and provided with an outlet port for aspirating air from within the casting body. Aspiration of air from the casting body results in a rigid casting or splint.
US08251922B2
Analysis system for automatically performing a skin prick analysis by pricking the skin for producing a sample of body liquid and detecting an analyte contained in the sample. The analysis system comprises a magazine with a plurality of compartments each containing a lancing element and an analysis element, and a reusable hand-held instrument having a drive assembly. The drive assembly is adapted for driving at least the following movements by manually generated mechanical force: a coupling movement by which one of the lancing elements is coupled to the drive assembly; a puncturing and sample collection movement of one of the lancing elements contained in the magazine and coupled to the drive assembly; and a remaganizing movement by which the test element is transported back into the compartment of the magazine.
US08251914B2
A method of sampling one or more respiratory profile characteristics and monitoring a variety of respiratory profile parameters. The sampled respiratory characteristics include respiratory flow rate, respiratory pressure, and partial pressure of at least one constituent of a patient's respiration. The method detects patient breaths, determines whether each breath is a spontaneous breath or a ventilator-induced breath and calculates various respiratory profile parameters based on the sampled measurements. The method displays the respiratory profile parameters in graphic and numeric forms. Preferably, the method allows a user to select the displayed respiratory profile parameters.
US08251912B2
A method and system for assessing blood volume within a subject includes generating a cardiovascular waveform representing physiological characteristics of a subject and determining blood volume of the subject by analyzing the cardiovascular waveform. The step of analyzing includes generating a first trace of the per heart-beat maximums of the cardiovascular waveform, which is representative of the systolic pressure upon the cardiovascular signal, generating a second trace of the per heart-beat minimums of the cardiovascular waveform, which is representative of the diastolic pressure upon the cardiovascular signal, and comparing the respective first trace and the second trace to generate an estimate of relative blood volume within the subject. In accordance with an alternate method of analyzing harmonic analysis is applied to the cardiovascular waveform, extracting a frequency signal created by ventilation and applying the extracted frequency signal in determining blood volume of the subject.
US08251904B2
A device and method of providing instruction to a patient regarding the dosing of insulin is provided.
US08251901B2
A surgical retractor comprises an elongate member having a coupling region disposed at one end thereof. The retractor is adapted to engage a base of a head of a pedicle screw. The coupling region of the elongate member has a filament-receiving hole adapted to receive a filament which captures the head of the pedicle screw. During surgery, a physician may retract muscle and soft tissue by simply pressing the elongate member against such tissue.
US08251899B2
Surgical release apparatuses, systems and methods are provided. The apparatuses, systems and methods can include one or more cannulas having a base and an insertion body extending from the base with a chamber passing through the base and the insertion body. The cannula can have a movable retractor attached thereto. The retractor configured to facilitate creation of space between the insertion body of the cannula and the retractor. An obturator can be used and can provide a support body configured for insertion into the chamber of the cannula to facilitate the guidance of the cannula. A blade can be provided with a handle, a blade body, and a cutting edge. The blade configured for engaging and being guided by the cannula for the cutting edge to make an incision. One or more spatulas can also be provided. The spatulas can be configured to provide guidance to the blade.
US08251892B2
An action display system includes an action instruction signal generating portion configured to generate an action instruction signal for instructing an action of an acting portion in response to an input to an input portion, an action control portion configured to control a drive portion such that the acting portion acts in accordance with the action instruction signal, the action control portion switchable between a regular mode to enable an action of the acting portion with the first and second degrees of freedom and an action disabled mode to disable an action of the acting portion with one degree of freedom, an image obtaining portion configured to obtain an image associated with an action state of the acting portion, and a display portion configured to display an index associated with the regular mode and the action disabled mode of the action control portion together with the image.
US08251885B2
Embodiments include applying or generating an alternating magnetic field near an affected area of a subject to be treated. When magnetic nanoparticles are located in the affected area, the magnetic nanoparticles are oscillated by the alternating magnetic field, which causes the magnetic nanoparticles to be dispersed within the affected area, break up the affected area, and/or heat the affected area.
US08251884B2
The disclosure describes devices and methods for asymmetrical irradiation at a body cavity or site, such as after removal of tissue, e.g. biopsy or cancer. One device includes a lumen which is off-set or off-settable from a longitudinal axis to increase the intensity of radiation received from a radiation source by a first tissue portion surrounding the body cavity and to reduce or minimize radiation received by a second tissue portion (e.g. healthy tissue) surrounding the body cavity.
US08251871B2
A method for operating a semi-automatic or automatic mechanical transmission of a heavy truck when driving at idle speed is provided. The method includes supplying fuel to the engine of the heavy truck at a rate that facilitates engine-idle operation. In another step, the method engages the automatic or semi-automatic transmission in a gear higher than the starting gear of the transmission and permits the truck to operate at a first substantially uniform driving velocity under engine-idle power. Depending upon traffic and environmental requirements which require a higher speed, the driver upshifts the semi-automatic or automatic transmission by depressing a control device for manual gear selection arranged on a gear shift lever of the truck and then drives the truck at a second substantially uniform driving velocity under engine-idle power. The second substantially uniform driving velocity is greater than the first substantially uniform driving velocity.
US08251869B2
A driver operates a shift pedal to perform shift change of a transmission via a shift mechanism provided in a vehicle. An operation of the shift pedal is detected by a load sensor. When a sliding gear and a fixed gear of the transmission continue to be separated from each other for a predetermined period of time or longer after a shifting operation by the driver is detected by a load sensor, the rotational speed of the engine is maintained within a target range by an ECU.
US08251868B2
A travel operation structure of a work vehicle, comprising a pair of left and right side brake pedals disposed on either the left or right of a steering wheel; a hydro static transmission for changing the speed of travel; and a stop operation pedal disposed on the other of the left and right of the steering wheel; wherein the corresponding left or right side brake is applied when one of the pair of left and right side brake pedals is depressed, and when both the left and right side brake pedals are depressed, both the left and right side brakes operate, and travel is stopped; and when the stop operation pedal is depressed, operating oil of the continuously variable speed change device is directed into an oil tank, and the continuously variable speed change device is switched to a neutral stop position for blocking transmission of power to the travel device.
US08251857B1
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes.
US08251845B2
An arrow, arrowhead and method of shooting an arrowhead are disclosed. In one example embodiment, a plurality of blades extend outwardly from the body of an arrowhead and a sharpened tip extends forwardly. A front laser diode is disposed in the arrowhead and is arranged so that a laser beam emitted by the diode projects forward from the arrowhead through an aperture in the tip and is coaxial with the tip's center axis. In another example embodiment, the housing includes a rear facing light source to selectively light the nock. The method includes drawing the arrow back on a bow until a forward facing laser beam in an arrowhead of the arrow turns on in response to a hall effect sensor sensing the presence of a magnet on the bow.
US08251841B2
This disclosure relates to a method for analyzing a golf swing, and an associated apparatus for use in the method. More specifically, this disclosure relates generally to a method of analyzing a golf swing by impacting a deformable medium with a golf club head. In the method, a club head impacts the deformable medium, causing the deformable medium to change shape. The change in shape may then be correlated to the value of a swing profile characteristic. Alternatively, the deformable medium may include a sensor, such that the sensor senses a measurement that is correlated to a value of a swing profile characteristic. Also disclosed are a deformable medium and a kit for use in the method.
US08251840B2
A golf ball formed from a single piece of material, the ball having an outer surface and a plurality of dimples formed on the outer surface, the outer surface being divided into plural areas, a first group of areas containing a plurality of first dimples and a second group of areas containing a plurality of second dimples, each area of the second group abutting one or more areas of the first group, the first and second groups of areas and dimple shapes and dimensions being configured such that the golf ball is spherically symmetrical as defined by the United States Golf Association (USGA) Symmetry Rules and such that the first and second groups of areas produce different aerodynamic effects, the first dimples being of different dimensions from the second dimples.
US08251839B2
The present invention is directed to multi-layer golf balls having at least three core layers, at least one cover layer, and at least one intermediate layer between the core and the cover layer that acts as a vapor barrier. Advantageously, the at least three core layers have a hardness gradient that either increases or decreases toward the at least one intermediate vapor barrier layer.
US08251837B2
A golf ball includes an inner layer, a cover layer, and a cavity. The cavity includes a conduit connecting the cavity with an exterior of the golf ball. The cavity contains a matrix comprising particles of a first material bound together by a second material. The first material has a density greater than water and the second material is water soluble. Upon prolonged submersion in water, the matrix dissolves allowing the first material particles to exit the cavity. The removal of the mass of the first material particles lowers the density of the golf ball, allowing the golf ball to float to the surface of the water.
US08251829B2
A constant velocity ball joint is disclosed. The constant velocity ball joint may be a counter track joint, and may include first and second track pairs that form an opposite opening angle. The first track pairs may be provided with a track inflection point. The second track pairs may each form a second track centerline that has a path other than a singular circular path in a section between the central joint plane and the connection side.
US08251816B2
A gaming system comprises a first gaming device displaying a first primary wagering game in response to receipt of a first wager from a first player and a second gaming device displaying a second primary wagering game in response to receipt of a second wager from a second player. The system further comprises a community display having a plurality of display regions thereon, and at least one controller operative to (i) detect activation of a first supplemental feature by the first player, (ii) detect activation of a second supplemental feature by the second player, (iii) determine in which of the plurality of display regions to display the first and second supplemental features in accordance with at least a first rule set, and (iv) display the first and second supplemental features on the community display.
US08251807B2
A disclosed gaming machine is designed to execute a modular gaming software architecture. A plurality of gaming software modules may be loaded into RAM on the gaming machine and executed to play a game of chance. Many of the gaming software modules are designed to communicate via application program interfaces so that the logic in many of the gaming software modules may be designed independently of each other. In particular, the modular gaming software architecture allows a game flow software module used to generate a game of chance on the gaming machine to be decoupled from a game presentation software module used to present the game chance. Thus, a group of games may be designed where the games share a common game flow software module but use different game presentation software modules to change the look and feel of the game.
US08251804B2
A linked progressive wagering system, comprises a first progressive wagering subsystem comprising X jackpots, each of the X jackpots displayed on a first meter. The system further comprises a second progressive wagering subsystem having Y jackpots, each of the Y jackpots displayed on a second meter. The system further comprises at least one wager input device, a progressive pool, and at least one controller. The at least one controller is operative to (i) receive a signal from the at least one wager input device of receipt of a first wager on the first progressive wagering subsystem, (ii) generate an increment, the increment comprising a portion of the first wager, (iii) transfer the increment into the progressive pool, (iv) add a first increase equal to the increment to the X jackpots, and (v) add a second increase equal to the increment to the Y jackpots.
US08251801B2
A system for playing a live game of chance using electronic wagering and enabling player-initiated change of denomination of virtual chips is disclosed. The system uses a gaming table equipped with a card-reading apparatus and multiple dual mode player/dealer displays, each with a player interface. Physical playing cards are electronically read and delivered to the casino table. Electronic information of at least one of rank and count is provided to a game processor. The game processor also sends and receives player information to and from a player display. The player display is divided into two segments, the first segment displaying player information and a second segment displaying dealer information. The player enters wagers and other play decisions through the player interface. The system displays information useful to the player on the first segment and information useful to the dealer on the second segment at appropriate intervals.
US08251792B2
Methods and systems for assigning addresses to peripheral devices in wagering game machines are described herein. In one embodiment, a method includes transmitting a first request in a wagering game machine, wherein the first request is addressed to a configuration address, and wherein the wagering game machine is configured to present wagering games upon which monetary value can be wagered. The method can also include detecting a first response to the first request, the first response originating from a first of a plurality of peripheral devices of the wagering game machine. The method can also include assigning a first address to the first of the plurality of peripheral devices and notifying the first of the peripheral devices about the first address.
US08251781B2
A clamp device for a sander includes: a clamp body slidable on a plate between a clamping position and an unclamping position at which positions a clamp strip contacts with or is away from a side surface of the plate; a support shaft provided on the plate close to the clamp body; an operating member having a first and second ends and rotatably connected to the support shaft, the first end being a connecting end connected to the clamp body, and the second end being an operating end extending above the clamp body, so that the operating member is elastically deformable in an expanding and contracting directions between the connecting end and the operating end; and an engagement member provided on the plate opposite to the support shaft and engageable with the operating end of the operating member while an intermediate portion of the operating member is being compressed.
US08251780B2
A grinding head unit mountable in a planetary disk of a surface grinding machine generally including a housing mountable on the planetary disk, a holder supported on the housing and a surface grinding member detachably connectable to the holder wherein the holder is provided with a recess and the holder is provided with a portion receivable within such recess.
US08251770B2
A simulated eye capable of being changed between a normal and a dilated state. The simulated eye includes an eyeball, a receiving member, at least one first electromagnets, at least one second electromagnets, and magnetic powder. The receiving member includes a translucent portion and a cylindrical portion. The at least one first electromagnets is received in the cylindrical portion and is adjacent to the translucent portion. The at least one second electromagnets is fixed to the cylindrical portion and engages with the translucent portion to close the cylindrical portion to form a closed receiving space. The magnetic powder is received in the closed receiving space. When the first and second electromagnet operates to move the magnetic powder toward and away from the translucent portion, a size of a color area of the translucent portion is changeable, whereby the simulated eye is changed between the normal state and the dilated state.
US08251763B1
The beacon for increasing the visibility of a person floating in water. The beacon includes a flotation core constructed of a buoyant material, an outer cover and an attachment mechanism. The attachment mechanism allows the beacon to be attached to a user, user's clothing or life jacket worn by the user. The beacon floats in an essentially vertical position when the bottom end of the beacon is submerged in water.
US08251761B2
A connector member is formed with first slides (22F, 22R) and first locks (23). A cover (70) is formed with second slides (76F, 76R) and second locks (79). The cover (70) is mounted on the connector member slidably between a standby position and a mount position. The first and second slides (22F, 22R) and (76F, 76R) slide on each other to guide a sliding movement of the cover (70) from the standby position to the mount position. At the mount position, the first and second locks (23, 79) engage to prevent a returning movement of the cover (70) to the standby position. The connector member is formed with guide paths (55) for positioning and guiding the cover (70) to the standby position.
US08251756B2
A device connector has a housing to be mounted on a device. Busbars are held in the housing. The housing includes nut holding portions, each of which has two nut holding legs at positions facing a device connecting portion of the corresponding busbar. A space between the nut holding legs is open sideways. Connecting nuts are sandwiched between the nut holding legs from lateral sides. Nut insertion holes are formed in the device connecting portions of the busbars and communicate with threaded holes of the nuts. Protecting walls are formed integrally to the housing and extend between the nut holding legs of the nut holding portion and cover the leading end of the bolt screwed into the nut.
US08251753B2
An electrical connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1) and at least one contact (4) assembled to the insulative housing. The insulative housing defines an insertion hole (15) along a mating direction and a passageway (131) opening at an upper face (10) thereof. The passageway has a first slot (132) at a side face of the insulative housing and a second slot (133) positioned between the first slot and the insertion hole along a transverse direction which is perpendicular to the mating direction. The second slot communicates with the insertion hole. The insulative housing includes a supporting part (134) between the first slot and the second slot. The at least one contact is assembled to the insulative housing from the upper face. The at least one contact includes a curved portion (40) crossing over the supporting part, a first arm portion (41) extending downwardly from the curved portion and retained in the first slot of the passageway, a second arm portion (42) extending downwardly from the curved portion and received in the second slot of the passageway, and a contacting portion (44) extending from the second arm portion into the insertion hole.
US08251748B2
A connector assembly includes an outer housing, an electromagnetic shield, and a plug. The outer housing includes an interior chamber and an opening. The electromagnetic shield is disposed within the outer housing and includes a conductive body having an interior compartment with an aperture. The plug is disposed in the opening of the outer housing and is engaged with the shield around the aperture of the shield. The plug seals the opening in the outer housing and the aperture in the shield to prevent ingress of contaminants into the interior chamber of the outer housing. The plug also restricts emission of electromagnetic interference from the interior compartment of the shield.
US08251741B2
An electrical connector includes a plurality of terminals and an insulating housing loading terminals and defining a pair of mounting portions. Each of mounting portions has a screw hole extending along an upper to lower direction in which the electrical connector is mounted. The hole is divided into at least a first segment and a second segment below the first segment. The first segment and the second segment are tapped with a plurality of threads thereinside and open in opposite directions along a front and rear direction respectively.
US08251738B2
An electrical connector for connecting the bare end of an insulated conductor with an electrical contact, including a connector housing containing a chamber in which are mounted a bus bar connected with the contact, and a clamping spring normally biased toward the bus bar. A retaining device maintains the spring in a retained open condition spaced from said bus bar, thereby to permit the conductor bare end to be introduced into the chamber toward a clamping position adjacent the bus bar. An operating member is displaced in a controlled manner to release the spring from its retained condition, whereby the spring biases the conductor toward electrical engagement with the bus bar. To remove the conductor, the operating member is operated again to displace the spring toward its open condition.
US08251731B2
A multiple contact connector interfaces between an implanted medical device and an implanted cable or lead. A connector connects between multiple implanted leads, each of which has multiple independent conductors. The connection system is a planar array of male connector pins on one portion, and a matching array of female connector receptacles on a second portion. Alignment via alignment features and pressing together the portions allows pins to engage with the receptacles providing a secure electrical connection. Sealing features on the connector apparatus seal out external fluids and isolate fluid present in the connector apparatus prior to mating, which electrically isolates each pin and its corresponding receptacle from other pin and receptacle pairs. Latching features retains the relative position of the pins, receptacle, and the positioning of the fluid seals, and is reversible for removal of the connector.
US08251730B2
An electrical connector assembly includes an insulative housing defining at least two mating cavities arranged side by side in a widthwise direction and extending in a front and rear direction; two PCB modules received in each mating cavity in a stacked manner; a platform fitly attached to a top surface of the insulative housing and includes a pair of supporting sections disposed at a front edge thereof and a pair of connecting portion at a rear edge thereof; a pair of latches associated to the top surface of the insulative housing and comprising a locking portion for retaining a complementary connector and a pressed portion extending rearwards and disposed above the supporting portion ; and a driver rotatably retained on the pair of connecting portions of the platform and comprising a pair of contacting portions pressing against the pressed portions of the latches to urge the pressing portion downwards movement.
US08251728B2
A card edge connector includes an elongated housing defining a mating cavity extending along a longitudinal direction and a pair of arms disposed at opposite ends of the mating cavity. Each arm has a locking arm and a stopping arm spaced from each other while commonly extending forward from the housing. A receiving space is defined between the pair of locking arms for receiving said electrical card while the stopping arm is located at a lateral side of the locking arm beyond said receiving space. A pair of retaining devices, each comprises a base plate attached to the locking arm and a retaining portion extending toward the housing and secured in the housing. A blocking portion extends outwardly from the base plate of the retaining device and stands at an exterior side of the stopping arm for preventing the locking arm from moving inwardly overly.
US08251725B2
An electrical connector comprising: a conductive housing that contains within an interior of the housing a conductive inner barrel; a low insertion force connector positioned within the inner barrel and having a bore concentrically aligned with a bore of the inner barrel, the housing further comprising: one or more conductive springs disposed circumferentially about the inner barrel and in contact engagement with an interior recessed surface of the inner barrel and the interior of the housing so as to be in electrical contact therewith, wherein the bore of the inner barrel is adapted to receive a conductive pin, the inner barrel being movable both axially and radially via said spring in response to insertion of the conductive pin through the bore and into the low insertion force connector to accommodate off axis orientation of the conductive pin into the connector.
US08251723B2
An electrical connector assembly includes a first connector and a second connector each defining a mating end of a regular polygon mating with each other. Each regular polygon defines a center, an imaginary circle around the center and a plurality of vertices at the imaginary circle. A plurality of pins are located at the mating ends which composed of one first pin at the center of the first connector, two second pins at least fulfilling with one half of the vertices and arranged at adjacent vertices in turn, one third pin at the center of the second connector and two forth pins at the vertices respectively in a condition that said two forth pins spaced from each other with a largest distance.
US08251721B2
An active connector is provided that allows for simple designing of devices for high-speed wideband pulse signal transmission without specialized technical know-how in the use of connectors. A connector base has a first connection terminal and a second connection terminal, and houses a first matching circuit, a second matching circuit, and a buffer circuit. The first connection terminal and the second connection terminal can be used as an internal port electrically coupled to a device circuit and an external port electrically coupled to a transmission line, respectively. An input signal inputted into the first connection terminal is supplied to the first matching circuit. The second matching circuit supplies an output signal to the second connection terminal. A buffer circuit between the first matching circuit and the second matching circuit inhibits mutual influences between the input signal and the output signal.
US08251714B2
An electrical connector is adapted for electrically connecting an electronic package (3) to a circuit board. The electrical connector includes an insulative housing (11), a stiffener (13) supporting the insulative housing and formed with a stopper (137), a clip (30) formed with a depressing portion (34), and a leaf (50) formed with an anchor (52). The clip is mounted on the stiffener and is pivotable between a first position and a second position. The leaf is mounted on the clip and is pivotable between the second position and a locked position. When the leaf is positioned at the locked position, the anchor is blocked by the stopper and the depressing portion of the clip depresses the electronic package.
US08251711B2
A method and device for electromagnetic shielding is disclosed. An example arrangement includes a first and a second printed circuit board arranged adjacently and having an electromagnetic shield cover. An electrically conductive plug electrically provides an interconnection of the electromagnetic shielding.
US08251707B2
A structure for use with data network management systems uses a plurality of cables interconnecting patch panels, network devices and end-user devices and further utilizes integrated circuits to monitor the status of these end-user devices. The structure includes respective primary (36) and secondary (45) circuit boards. A plurality of connective jacks (31) are mounted on the primary circuit board and these jacks are interconnected to switches and other patch panels within the network. Wires from the jacks extend to and connect with end-user devices and a secondary circuit board is spaced apart from the primary circuit board so as to define a hollow nest (42) within the patch panel assembly that houses and protects integrated circuits (45, 52) and the like.
US08251703B2
A healthcare simulation system includes a mannequin with active physiological characteristics, a display monitor adapted for displaying physiological parameters and a computer for controlling the mannequin and the monitor. A healthcare simulation method includes the steps of programming the computer with healthcare scenarios, operating active characteristics of the mannequin and dynamically displaying physiological parameters corresponding to patient vital signs.
US08251693B2
Disclosed is an injection mold, comprising a moving half, a fixed half and a plurality of bearing plates positioned therebetween. The moving half comprises a moving half plate and a moving half core positioned thereon. The fixed half comprises a fixed half plate and a fixed half cavity positioned thereon. The bearing plates are positioned on one of the fixed half plate and the moving half plate and a bearing surface is formed thereon. The moving half core and the fixed half cavity contact with each other partially to form an arrangement surface. With the bearing plates positioned therebetween, the bearing surface and the arrangement surface can undertake the closing mold pressure generated by an injection molding machine together for reducing the arrangement surface area. The molding is easy and cost drops to improve productivity. The closing mold balance of the entire injection mold can be preferably ensured.
US08251692B2
A sprue bushing includes a head, and a main body. The main body is connected to an end of the head. The main body defines at least one lateral channel. The at least one lateral channel extends through a sidewall of the main body. The sprue bushing defines a sprue and at least two longitudinal channels. The sprue extends through the head and the main body along a center axis of the sprue bushing. The at least two longitudinal channels extend through the head into the main body. One of the at least one lateral channel communicates with two of the at least two longitudinal channels.
US08251687B2
Process for the production of a long hollow cellulose body, where cellulose-forming organisms are cultivated in an interior space formed by a hollow mold, said space substantially having the shape of the long hollow body, in order to allow the long hollow body to grow in the interior space, wherein the direction of growth of the hollow body runs substantially from a first longitudinal side of the interior space to a second longitudinal side substantially opposite the first.
US08251686B1
An apparatus for forming a plastic molded collated fastener assembly includes a conveyor for carrying a plurality of fasteners in a horizontal plane defining an upper surface and a lower surface, a preheater for preheating the plurality of nails and a plastic collation molding station. The molding station includes injection nozzles for applying molten plastic to the upper surface of the fasteners and to the lower surface of the fasteners. The station further includes forming wheels including a holding section to, in cooperation with the conveyor, secure the fasteners. The wheels include a forming section to mold the molten plastic to the fasteners to form a collation having a collar encircling the fasteners' shanks and a connecting portion extending between the collars. The apparatus includes at least one cooling spray nozzle to spray a cooling vapor onto the fasteners and collations and at least one cooling spray nozzle to spray a cooling vapor onto the forming wheels. An air chiller further cools the collations.
US08251679B2
A medical pump for use in water jet surgery which provides ease of connection between a pump unit and a pump actuating device. The medical pump includes a pump unit and a pump actuating device. The pump unit has at least one piston. The pump actuating device includes a holding device and at least one coupling device, the combination of which is configured to connect the pump unit and pistons to the pump actuating device. The pump actuating device includes a drive device controlled by a control system to actuate the pump unit, to open/close the holding device, and to open/close the at least one coupling device. The pump actuating device includes a detection device in communication with the control system that detects a relative position between the pump unit and the pump actuating device and transmits detection signals to the control system.
US08251673B2
A displacement control valve of a variable displacement compressor opens and closes a communication passage extending between a portion of the compressor on which discharge pressure acts and a crank chamber of the compressor. The displacement of the compressor is controlled, such that discharge chamber pressure does not act on the valve body in the opening and closing direction, and pressures acting on the opposite ends of the valve body are maintained at the same level.
US08251672B2
An electrokinetic pump and fluid delivery system is provided that may include any of a number of features. One feature of the fluid delivery system is that it can deliver a fixed volume of fluid with each stroke of the electrokinetic pump. Another feature of the fluid delivery system is that it can accurately deliver fluid at a target flow rate over time. Methods associated with use of the electrokinetic pump and fluid delivery system are also covered.
US08251668B2
A method for assembling a rotating machine and a blade attachment mechanism are provided. A first dovetail slot having a first axial length and a second dovetail slot having a second axial length are each formed in the attachment mechanism such that the second dovetail slot is radially outboard of the first dovetail slot. First axial length is greater than the second axial length and each slot is substantially parallel to an axial centerline of the rotating machine. A first dovetail lobe having a third axial length that is shorter than the first axial length and a second dovetail lobe having a fourth axial length, shorter than the first axial length and longer than the third axial length, are each formed in the attachment mechanism and positioned to correspond with first and second dovetail slot, respectively, such that the second dovetail lobe is radially outward from the first dovetail lobe.
US08251662B2
In one aspect, a wind turbine blade assembly includes a central shaft defining an axis of rotation and a plurality of helically twisted blades supported on the central shaft. The helically twisted blades have an inner edge and an outer edge, and at least a portion of the helically twisted blades is radially spaced apart from the central shaft. In another aspect, a wind turbine apparatus employing the wind turbine blade assembly is provided.
US08251656B2
Actuation system for a wind turbine blade flap.A method of actuating a flap (9) in a wind turbine rotor blade (1) is provided wherein a fluid is used for reversibly expanding an actuating element (16, 17, 19) acting a movable part (13) of the flap by varying the fluid pressure in the actuating element (16, 17, 19). Further, a wind turbine rotor with a rotor blade (1) comprising a flap (9) and a flap actuating system, where the flap comprises a fixed part (12) that is fixed to the rotor blade (1) and a movable part (13) that is movable relative to the fixed part (12), is disclosed, in which the flap actuating system comprises an actuating element (16, 17, 19) with a reversible changeable volume located between the movable part (13) of the flap and the fixed part (12) of the flap, a fluid within the actuating element (16, 17, 19) the pressure of which is settable and a pressure setting device which is designed to press fluid into or release fluid from the element (16, 17, 19) as to change its volume.
US08251650B2
The present invention provides a compressor housing capable of reducing the weight of a compressor without leading to an increase in the size and a reduction in the efficiency of the compressor. The compressor housing includes: an inner cylinder made of a plastic material and extending in an axial direction and in a circumferential direction to surround blade tips of the blades; and an outer cylinder made of a plastic material and extending in the axial direction and in the circumferential direction to surround the inner cylinder. The inner cylinder and the outer cylinder are bonded or jointed at the first end, opposite the second end where the volute is formed.
US08251645B2
A fan with concealed oscillating mechanism includes a main housing, a first driving motor, a second driving motor and a curved link gear all located inside the main housing, and a set of blades located outside the main housing and connected to a rotating shaft of the first driving motor. The first driving motor has a connecting rod rotatably received in a receiving tube provided in the main housing. The second driving motor is located behind and connected to the first driving motor, and has a rotating shaft being perpendicular to that of the first driving motor. The curved link gear is connected at an end to the second rotating shaft and at another end to the main housing, such that when the second driving motor operates, the first driving motor is brought to oscillate while the set of blades stably rotates to thereby change the direction of produced airflow.
US08251643B2
A steam turbine and a rotor are disclosed having steam extending internally along at least part of the rotor. The rotor includes an interface and a steam passage system formed in the rotor, the passage system including a first inlet flow passage to the interface, the first inlet flow passage configured to receive steam from a first region of an outer surface of the rotor, a first outlet flow passage from the interface, the first outlet flow passage configured to pass steam to a second region of the rotor, a second inlet flow passage to the interface, the second inlet flow passage configured to receive steam from a third region of the outer surface of the rotor, a second outlet flow passage from the interface, the second outlet flow passage configured to pass steam to a fourth region of the rotor.
US08251636B2
Provided is a method of detecting whether or not a lid is fixed to a pod appropriately when performing an operation of closing an opening of the pod by the lid in an FIMS system. Determination is made whether or not a door is present at a predetermined position when the lid is attached to the pod and whether or not the pod is displaced from a position of opening/closing the lid, and determination is made again, after the lid engages with the pod, whether or not the door is present at the predetermined position and whether or not the pod is displaced from the position of opening/closing the lid. When it is confirmed in both the determinations that the door is present at the predetermined position and the pod is not displaced, determination that fixation of the lid is appropriate is made.
US08251635B2
An article supply apparatus includes a container storage rack for storing containers, and an article storage rack for storing articles taken out of the container. The article supply apparatus includes a transfer apparatus for transporting the articles between the container of the container storage rack and the article storage rack. The article supply apparatus includes a transportation apparatus for transporting the container between the transfer apparatus and the container storage rack, and a supply apparatus for taking required articles out of the article storage rack, and supplying the articles to a processing tool and supply the articles from the processing tool to the article storage rack.
US08251631B1
A rotatable chassis receives first and second racks, with inverted glasses in one of the racks, such that the rotation of the chassis results in the inverted glasses sliding into an empty one of the racks in an upright position.
US08251622B2
Devices for restraining tubular segments and methods for storing and accessing tubular segments may include a frame arrangement that has a plurality of parallel cradles for holding tubular segments and movable restraining handles for securing the tubular segments. A spring retention assembly may also be provided that has a spring force to hold the restraining handles against the tubular segments. A vehicle can be equipped to have a device for storing and accessing tubular segments, wherein the device is movable between a storage position and an access position.
US08251611B2
A preassembled drainage line element is fabricated with one or more flaps. In one embodiment, the drainage line unit is made from a webs of net material and a web of water permeable material and has two flaps at diametric points. The webs are formed about a barrel and the longitudinal edges are secured together, as by sewing a seam, to form a flap. The seam can be sewn at one of a plurality of spacings from the barrel to form a drainage line element of a different diameter from a standard diameter without need to adjust or replace other components of the fabricating machine.
US08251607B2
Systems and methods for a porous pavement system are described. The porous pavement system includes paver blocks designed to facilitate water seepage between the paver blocks and to permit water storage within the blocks. The paver blocks may be cabled together to create paving units that facilitate installation and maintenance of the pavement system. The porous pavement system provides improved management of stormwater, reducing runoff and facilitating infiltration of stormwater into the subgrade below the paving system.
US08251603B2
A squeegee apparatus for coating mixed materials on a surface is used in combination with a source of pressurized activator and resin in fluid communication with a mixing tube having an outlet. The squeegee apparatus includes a manifold in fluid communication with the outlet of the mixing tube. The squeegee is held by either the manifold or a handle. At least one distribution tube is provided to distribute the coated material, where the tube has a length with a plurality of holes to dispense the mixed materials during use. The distribution tube is fluid communication with the outlet of the mixing tube, with the distribution tube being fastened to the manifold. Moreover, an elongated squeegee is fastened to the manifold. The squeegee has an edge configured to spread the mixed materials during use. The distribution tube and the squeegee edge are aligned along substantially parallel axes and held in fixed relationship to each other by the manifold.
US08251598B2
A camera holder includes a supporting frame, a sliding block, and an adjustable assembly. The supporting frame includes a receiving cavity. The sliding block is received in the receiving cavity and slidably attached to the supporting frame. The sliding block and the supporting frame cooperatively support a camera. The adjustable assembly includes a shaft, a gear, a gear rack, a base, and a revolving head. The shaft is attached to the supporting frame. The gear is mechanically coupled to the shaft. The gear rack is meshed with the gear rack. The base is arranged on a horizontal plane and attached to an end of the gear rack to support the supporting frame. The revolving head is attached to the gear, and the revolving head is configured for rotating the gear such that the gear and the gear rack cooperatively raise or lower the camera relative to the horizontal plane.
US08251597B2
An aerial support structure for capturing an image of a target via a camera mounted thereon includes a support platform, a frame mounted to the support platform and a beam movably attached to the frame. A camera platform suspends and is axially spaced from the support platform by a plurality of support cables. An actuator is mounted to one of the support platform and the frame, and the actuator is associated with each of the plurality of support cables. Operation of the actuator causes the beam to move with respect to the frame, thereby moving the camera platform relative to the support platform.
US08251590B2
A bearing component and bearing assembly are disclosed. The bearing component includes structure for providing a hard rotation stop, in one embodiment, the anti-rotation structure includes a slot formed in at least one bearing component having a surface for supporting a bearing shell. The slot has a longitudinal axis at an oblique angle to a plane perpendicular to the surface for supporting the bearing shell. In other embodiments, a groove extends radially outward from a surface of at least one component for supporting a bearing shell to a side of the component. The groove has a depth that increases as a function of distance in a direction parallel with a center axis of the component.
US08251578B1
An infrared temperature sensing device with projecting function is using for sensing temperature of a measured body. The infrared temperature sensing device includes a temperature-sensing element, a Fresnel lens, a microprocessor and a projecting module. The temperature-sensing element is used for sensing infrared radiation and deriving at least a temperature signal. The Fresnel lens is located between the measured body and the temperature-sensing element for focusing the infrared radiation on the temperature-sensing element. The microprocessor is electrically connected to the temperature-sensing element. The projecting module is electrically connected to the microprocessor and projecting at least a body temperature value corresponding to the temperature signal.
US08251565B2
A display device has at least one light source for emitting light and a light guide plate having a first surface for inputting light emitted from the at least one light source, a second surface for outputting illumination light, and a third surface opposite to the second surface. A display element having dots for displaying image information is arranged over the second surface of the light guide plate for receiving the illumination light. At least two microprisms are arranged on the third surface of the light guide plate in areas overlapping the dots of the display element. Each microprism has a height in the range of from 1 μm to 10 μm and a mirror surface for reflecting light emitted from the at least one light source. Each mirror surface has a base disposed perpendicular to a light path of the light emitted from the at least one light source.
US08251556B2
The present invention relates to a rear-end element (1) for a motor vehicle encompassing an illumination unit (2) for the illumination of a number plate, where the illumination unit (2) illuminates the rear side of the number plate and the illumination unit (2) has a translucent body (3) and an illuminant (4), where the translucent body of the illumination unit (2) has been introduced by way of the side area (5) into the rear-end element (1). The present invention moreover describes a motor vehicle which encompasses a rear-end element described above.
US08251550B2
An illumination device is adopted for lighting a road and includes a light source, a power storage device, a solar panel, and a light pervious encapsulant. The light source includes an LED and an optical element optically coupled to the LED, light emitted from the LED is redirected to one side of the light source by the optical element at an angle θ in respect to the road surface, wherein, −30°≦θ≦+30°. The power storage device is electrically connected to the LED. The solar panel is electrically connected to the power storage device for converting energy of sunlight directly into electricity, and the converted electricity is stored in the power storage device. The light source and the solar panel are packaged in the light pervious encapsulant.
US08251549B2
An LED module includes an LED and a lens fixed with the LED for refracting light emitted by the LED. The lens has a center axis and a concaved inner face for incidence of the light and an opposite convex outer face for the light refracting out thereof. A peak intensity for light generated by the LED occurs within 52-67 degrees off the center axis when the light leaves the outer face.
US08251548B2
An LED module includes an LED and a lens fixed with the LED for refracting light emitted by the LED. The lens has a center axis and a concaved inner face for incidence of the light and an opposite convex outer face for the light refracting out thereof. The lens is symmetric to a first plane and a second plane perpendicularly intersected with the first plane at the center axis. In the first plane, a peak intensity for the LED occurs within 68-78 degrees off the center axis. In the second plane, a peak intensity occurs within 0-22 degrees off the center axis.
US08251545B2
A lighting device and a display apparatus are disclosed. The lighting device includes at least one light source installed on a substrate, spaced apart a predetermined distance from each other, and a filter member provided over the at least one light source having a variable thickness. Light emitted from the at least one light source transmits through the filter member. The display apparatus includes a panel that displays an image, a front cover that supports a front edge portion of the panel, and a lighting device mounted in an open portion formed at the front cover, the lighting device being exposed outside.
US08251543B2
A mounting module for a rope light system which easily attaches to the surfaces of an interior corner of a structure that can retain and support a rope light without the need of a junction or brake in the rope light by holding the rope light in a flexure curve that does not stress the LEDS or electrical conductors of the rope light.
US08251542B1
A light system includes a housing configured to resemble any seasonal or other desired image, i.e., a star, a pumpkin, an Easter egg, a firecracker, etc. The housing includes a rear face, a front face and a peripheral frame with a light-refracting chamber formed therebetween. The peripheral frame includes a plurality of tricolor LED's mounted therein. The rear face of the housing includes a completely-reflective front surface that deflects 100% of all impacting light beams inwardly toward the front face. However, the rear surface of the front face is only partially-reflective so that only a portion of impacting light is reflected back toward the rear face; a remaining portion of impacting light exits the front face and is visible to those nearby. Accordingly, the light generated by the limited number of LED's will create an illusion that an infinite number of light beams are emanating from the housing.
US08251540B2
A low profile, streamlined, lamp for use as a side-marker and/or a clearance light on a vehicle which directs a substantial amount of its light output at an angle left and right of the perpendicular axis, and along the longitudinal axis through the agency of an optical element positioned between the light source and the outer cover.
US08251538B2
The invention relates to a lighting device (101) comprising a blue light source, e.g. an LED (102), combined with a wavelength converting ceramic (106) and a collimating optical component (110). The ceramic (106) is mechanically carried by the optical component (110), for example by a glue or by insert moulding. Intermediate gaps between the light source (102) and the converter (106) are preferably filled with a material like silicone.
US08251524B2
A projection display apparatus for displaying an image on a projection plane by projection, includes: an image capturing unit capturing an image; an angle calculator calculating an angle of the projection plane relative to the projection display apparatus; a straight line detector detecting at least one reference line segment in the captured image; a line segment complementing section setting at least one complementary line segment in the captured image on the basis of the calculated angle so that an area on the projection plane corresponding to an area defined by the reference line segment and the complementary line segment is rectangular; and a keystone corrector correcting a keystone distortion of an image displayed on the projection plane on the basis of the reference line segment and the complementary line segment.
US08251517B2
A encoded image projection system (100) is configured to determine the proximity of the system to a projection surface (106). The encoded image projection system (100) includes a light encoder (105) that scans a non-visible light beam (115) on the projection surface (106) selectively when scanning visible light to create an image. A detector (118) is then configured to receive reflections of the non-visible light beam (115) from the projection surface (106). A control circuit (120) is configured to determine the distance (124) between the projection surface (106) and the system from, for example, intensity data or location data received from the detector (118). Where the distances (124) are below a threshold, the control circuit (120) can either reduce the output power of the system or turn the system off.
US08251514B2
A rear projection image display device according to an aspect of the present invention for projecting an image from a projection device onto a screen from a rear side, includes a plane reflection mirror for changing an optical path of the image from the projection device, fixing members for fixing more than one points on the periphery of the reflection mirror, rod-shaped reinforcement members fastened along the periphery and arranged inside the periphery in the rear side of the reflection mirror, support members being movable in a direction perpendicular to a surface of the reflection mirror, for supporting predetermined points between the fixing members on the periphery of the reflection mirror.
US08251513B2
The present invention provides a projector apparatus capable of ensuring stable operation, which is configured to efficiently cool an optical device by circulating air cooled by a cooling part of a refrigeration unit, and further to prevent moisture resulting from evaporation of dew adhered to the cooling part from adversely affecting the optical device when stopping the operation of the refrigeration unit. The optical chamber and the cooling chamber are enclosed respectively by adiabatic walls, the cooling chamber and the optical chamber are connected to each other through a cold air inlet port and a cold air outlet port, and the cold air inlet port and the cold air outlet port are provided with opening and closing mechanisms. In a cooling operation mode, the optical device is cooled with cold air by opening the opening and closing mechanisms, and upon stoppage of the cooling operation, the opening and closing mechanisms are closed to prevent the inflow of the moisture in the cooling chamber to the optical chamber.
US08251508B2
A method and a system of enhancing ganglion cell function using a gaming environment corresponding to a physical activity. The method and system may be used to implement one or more processes to improve a person's visual processing profile. In particular, the method and system may be used to improve a player's skill in the corresponding physical activity.
US08251505B2
A recording apparatus includes a transport belt that transports a target, a record head that performs recording by adhering liquid to the target that is loaded on the transport belt so as to be transported, a heating unit that heats the transport belt so as to accelerate drying the liquid that is recorded on the target by the record head, and a cooling unit that forcedly cools a portion of the transport belt that is heated by the heating unit in a position located in the middle in moving the portion of the transport belt to a position corresponding to the record head.
US08251500B2
A fluid storage container enables the easy removal of recovered fluid and reuse of the container without incurring the added costs of disassembly and replacing an absorbent material. In one exemplary embodiment, an ink cartridge 17 can have an ink storage unit 45 that stores waste ink, an ink inlet/outlet 55 disposed in a frame part 52 that can be the outside wall of the ink storage unit 45, an ink path 53 of which one end 53a communicates with the ink inlet/outlet 55 and the other end 53b is disposed opening into the ink storage unit, wall parts 54 that divide the ink storage unit 45 into an upper air chamber 61 and a lower fluid chamber 62 that communicate with each other through a communication path 58, and an outside air channel 87, of which one end 87a communicates with the air chamber 61 and the other end 87b enables communication with the outside at a position further from the air chamber 61 than the fluid chamber 62. Other embodiments of fluid storage containers are also disclosed.
US08251497B2
The present invention relates to a fluid ejection assembly that includes an injection-molded mounting substrate that is formed by a two-shot injection molding process, wherein a housing portion of the mounting substrate is formed by a first shot molding, and a die-attach portion of the mounting substrate is formed within the housing portion by a second shot molding.
US08251496B2
The invention provides, between a discharge element substrate and a supply member, a support member containing a mixture that contains: a material having an affinity for a material forming the supply member; and another material.
US08251494B2
A printed wiring member includes a dielectric substrate; a patterned copper layer formed on the dielectric substrate. The patterned copper layer includes i) contact pads for wire bonding; ii) connector pads for making electrical connection with an electrical connector; and iii) conductor traces between contact pads and corresponding connector pads. A nickel coating is formed on the contact pads and the connector pads, and a gold layer is formed on the nickel coating on the contact pads and the connector pads. A palladium deposit is formed on the gold layer on at least the connector pads.
US08251493B2
A recording apparatus which can prevent a drop of a recording head upon attachment of the recording head to a carriage is provided. When a head cartridge is attached/removed to/from a carriage, the carriage is moved to an overlapping position with a head supporting base and stopped there. Projection supporting portions to guide and support rough guide projections on both side surfaces of the head cartridge so as to be properly received to guides provided for the carriage are provided for the head supporting base.
US08251488B2
A hand-held printer that includes an inkjet array having a plurality of inkjets is disclosed. The hand-held printer may include an inkjet cap sized to cooperatively engage the inkjet array, wherein the inkjet cap is movable between and open position and a closed position, and a plurality of wipers carried by the inkjet cap, wherein each of the plurality of wipers is configured to engage one of the plurality of inkjets as the inkjet cap moves from the open position to the closed position; and wherein each of the plurality of wipers includes a gasket configured to form a seal adjacent to one of the plurality of inkjets.
US08251483B2
A fluid ejector includes a plurality of fluid ejector units, each fluid ejector unit characterized in part by a pumping actuator that includes an electrode. Whether one or more of the plurality of fluid ejector units is a shorted fluid ejector unit is determined, and the shorted fluid ejector unit is trimmed.
US08251481B2
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a liquid ejecting head provided with nozzle orifices which eject liquid; a heater provided facing a liquid ejecting face of the liquid ejecting head; a transport section which transports an ejection-receiving medium between the liquid ejecting head and the heater; and a suction section which sucks the ejection-receiving medium toward the opposite side to the liquid ejecting head; wherein the suction section is provided so as to be able to change suction power in a plurality of regions along one direction of the ejection-receiving medium, and the liquid ejecting apparatus further includes a suction controller which controls the suction power in a plurality of regions of the suction section along one direction on the basis of the width in one direction of the ejection-receiving medium.
US08251479B2
The present invention aims to obtain preferable correction values to correct the conveying error of a conveying roller in accordance with the size of a printing medium, even when the conveying error caused by the eccentricity of the roller varies from a point to another in the longitudinal direction of a roller, depending on the amount and the state of eccentricity of the roller. To achieve this object, correction values are acquired using the whole part of or only a part of plural test patterns formed in the longitudinal direction of the roller. The correction values thus acquired correspond to the respective zones where the test patterns are formed.
US08251474B2
A droplet ejector includes: at least one head unit each having a droplet ejection surface; a conveyor mechanism which conveys, an ejection target in a conveyance direction in parallel to the ejection surface, the ejection target being an object on which a droplet from the at least one head unit impacts; at least one pushing component which is arranged to be movable with respect to the at least one head unit in a direction orthogonal to the ejection surface, the at least one pushing component pushing the ejection target in a direction of droplet ejection from the nozzles while protruding from the ejection surface; a pushing drive mechanism which moves the at least one pushing component in the direction orthogonal to the ejection surface; and a control unit.
US08251469B2
A printhead provides selective heating to a supply of molten ink within an ink flow channel. The printhead is adapted to be in electrical communication with a controller and programmed to determine ink required by a print job. Based on the determined ink required by the print job, the controller accordingly provides selective heating to the printhead. The printhead includes an ink inlet, a nozzle in fluid communication with the ink inlet, and an ink flow channel having a length and extending between the ink inlet and the nozzle. A molten ink supply from a solid ink supply retaining device is received by the ink inlet and ejected from the nozzle on a print medium. A plurality of heating zones is also disposed along the length and adjacent to the ink flow channel to provide heating to the molten ink supply adjacent to each of the plurality of heating zones.
US08251464B2
A brake fluid pressure control device for vehicles is provided capable of adjusting with a simple control a brake fluid pressure applied to a wheel brake. The control device includes for each system of an X-pipe arrangement: a cut valve as a linear solenoid valve provided to a first fluid pressure path; a pump capable of pressurizing brake fluid on a side toward the wheel brakes than the cut valve on the first fluid pressure path; and a control valve provided on the second fluid pressure path. The control device further includes: a target fluid pressure setting portion for setting a target fluid pressure for each of the wheel brake; and a valve actuating portion for drive-controlling the cut valve and the control valve, based on the target fluid pressure. The valve actuating portion performs for each of the systems the operations of drive-controlling the cut valve by using a higher one of the target fluid pressures of the wheel brakes as a target fluid pressure of the first fluid pressure path, to control the wheel brake having the higher target fluid pressure by driving only the cut valve, and of controlling a wheel brake having a lower target fluid pressure by driving the control valve corresponding to the wheel brake having the lower target fluid pressure.
US08251460B2
Device including an inner shaft and an outer body rotatably mounted about an axis with respect to the shaft via at least one rolling bearing, the rolling bearing including an inner ring mounted on the inner shaft and an outer ring mounted in a housing of the outer body, the device including an automatic backlash elimination mechanism. The automatic backlash elimination mechanism includes a first washer having a tapered surface, and an elastic element in contact with the tapered surface of the first washer, the elastic element structured and arranged to generate a radial return force that is converted, by means of the tapered surface, into an axial force in order to eliminate the backlash related to the mounting of the rolling bearing. The first washer can be mounted on the shaft, in which case the elastic element generates a centripetal return force, or it can be mounted in the bore of the outer body, in which case the elastic element generates a centrifugal return force. A second washer can be provided so that the elastic element is positioned between the first washer and the second washer. The angle formed by the tapered surface and a plane perpendicular to the aforementioned axis is smaller than 12°. The invention also includes a wheel for a cycle, such as a bicycle, and a hub therefore which includes such device.
US08251458B2
Device used to free a vehicle that is stuck in terrain or to reduce such risk through the use of an additional tread disposed parallel to each wheel of the vehicle. The additional tread can be an air chamber (2 or 10a and 10b) covered or not with a tire (11) or a band comprising different coupling profiles (13, 14 or 15). The tread is mounted onto an anti-sink rim comprising a conical profile (1.2) and a flange (1.1) centered in and applied against the outer side of the wheel disc by special bolts (6) inserted in respective openings in the flange and rim. The diameter of the system is smaller than that of the wheel to facilitate mounting and to avoid interference with the vehicle body. The conical shape of the rim profile (1.2) lends stiffness and enables the rims to be stacked for reduced storage volume in trunk.
US08251453B2
The chair armrest support includes a hollow upper pillar for connecting an armrest and a lower pillar mounted on a chair. The lower pillar penetrates into the upper pillar for form a slidable connection. The lower pillar includes a main body, a sleeve, a positioning board, a T-shaped frame and a linking board. The main body has a hollow portion accommodating the positioning board, T-shaped frame and linking board. The main body is put in the sleeve. There is a positioning slot in the positioning board. A vertical portion of the T-shaped frame penetrates in the main body, and a horizontal portion is fixed atop the upper pillar. A spring is disposed between the horizontal portion and linking board. The linking board is provided with an inclined hole corresponding to a limiting hole of the vertical portion. A bolt penetrates the limiting hole, positioning slot and inclined hole. A handle beside the upper pillar is fixed to the linking board.
US08251443B1
The vehicle armrest straddling apparatus for support of objects thereon includes a storage compartment under which a plurality of expandable legs attach. The apparatus is an accessory that straddles atop an armrest of a vehicle, and of which provides a place upon which objects maybe stored. The expandable legs extend and retract via a slot to accommodate armrests of different sizes.
US08251438B2
Forward structure of a motor vehicle includes a frame structure, a bumper beam disposed forward of and connected to the frame structure, and a radiator frame disposed forward of the frame structure and behind the bumper beam. First and second swing arms are connected to the radiator frame at respective first and second forward pivot axes and are connected to the frame structure at respective first and second rear pivot axes. The four pivot axes are substantially parallel to one another and substantially transverse to the vehicle, such that a frontal impact urging the bumper beam rearward against the radiator frame causes the radiator frame to pivot about the swing arms. Forward-most portions of the frame structure, immediately adjacent to the bumper beam, may take the form of deformation elements or crush cans that are designed to yield in a manner to absorb crash energy.
US08251433B2
The motor vehicle windshield and window kit includes a plurality of insulated panels for covering respective interior surfaces of a windshield and at least one window of a motor vehicle to prevent sunlight and environmental noise from entering the motor vehicle, and for further providing privacy for the occupants of the motor vehicle. At least one privacy flap is substantially centrally formed through at least one of the plurality of insulated panels. Additionally, a plurality of releasable fasteners are provided for releasably securing the plurality of insulated panels to the interior surfaces of the motor vehicle windshield and the at least one motor vehicle window, so that the insulated panels cover the motor vehicle windshield and the at least one motor vehicle window to provide privacy, thermal insulation and acoustic insulation for the interior of the motor vehicle.
US08251423B1
A truck bed handle assembly is formed from a handle formed from an elongated handle body having an upper end and lower end. The truck bed handle assembly further includes a handle receiver assembly that is configured for mounting to a sidewall of a truck bed. The handle receiver assembly has a handle receiving portion that engages the lower end of the elongate handle body to hold the handle body in a generally upright orientation. The handle may be a collapsible or non-collapsible handle.
US08251421B1
A panel carrying device includes a flexible strap having a first end and a second and a panel receiving mechanism attached adjacent the second end of the flexible strap. The panel receiving mechanism includes a panel receiving platform for supporting a panel, the panel receiving platform having a proximal end and a distal end, and a counterbalancing portion connected to the distal end of the panel receiving platform for assisting in balancing the panel receiving platform during placement and carrying of the panel.
US08251415B2
An air retriever, such as a bellows (24) is used in an end effector (18) for lifting work products (22) in prearranged configurations, and delivery to a container (20) in a predetermined pattern. An air flow control valve (50) is positioned in each bellows (24) for individually controlling the flow of air through each bellows so that the bellows in a pick zone may draw air for picking up work products while air flow is not applied to the other bellows out of the pick zone.
US08251410B1
Methods and apparatus are provided for a hold-down assembly for attaching an armor panel to the floor of a vehicle utilizing an existing integrated tie-down feature. The assembly includes a base member positioned underneath the tie-down feature and aligned with a through-hole in the panel. A top positioned over both the base member and the hole in the panel at least partially overlaps the panel around the hole. A fastener extending through the top and into the base is adapted to pull the top down onto the panel, holding the panel against the floor of the vehicle.
US08251406B2
A discharge elbow provided with guide vanes includes an elbow of rectangular cross section and magnification f of 1
US08251401B2
A personal transport cart is disclosed. The cart is provided with a collapsible steering mechanism to lock the steered wheels for allowing alignment of the cart during the loading and unloading of the cart on a transport vehicle. Furthermore, the rear wheel can be locked against movement during the transportation of the cart on the transport vehicle.
US08251397B2
An advanced restraint system for a vehicle comprises a weight-sensing unit mounted to one or more seats positioned between the seat mounting frame and the floor means of the vehicle for sensing the weight of a sitting occupant and classifying the occupant accordingly, a computerized system for calculating an operating weight value corresponding to classified weight value, and an airbag system comprising one or more airbags and a deployment unit configured to inflate the airbags with a deployment force acceleration proportionate to the operating weight value when a sufficient collision force is sensed above a predetermined collision force value by a collision sensor.
US08251396B2
In an airbag module arrangement, an airbag module is arranged on a vehicle component, in particular a seatback, the airbag module including an airbag carrier, an airbag and a gas generator, which are jointly attached to a support structure in an installation space of the vehicle component, from which the airbag exits in the event of a triggering and subsequently opens at least one material layer situated over the airbag module and inflates in a passenger compartment, etc.There is a provision for the installation space of the airbag module to be surrounded by a foam part that is closed at least in the direction of inflation, and a fleece-like layer to be situated on the inner side of foam part at least in the desired exit region of the airbag module from the foam part, which has a specifiable perforation in the desired exit region of the airbag module.
US08251388B2
The teachings of the present disclosure relate to a bicycle child seat. The bicycle child seat may include a seat sized for a child, a safety harness configured to secure the child in the bicycle child seat, a bicycle frame attachment mechanism, and a seat post attachment mechanism. The seat may include a hole configured to slide over the seat post of the bicycle.
US08251374B2
In a power-operated chuck (1) with radially adjustable clamping jaws (5) that are attached so as to swivel and be axially adjustable on an articulation lever arranged in a chuck body (2), each of the articulation levers (10) is pivotably mounted on an articulation pin (21) that passes through the articulation levers (10) and the articulation pins (21) are supported in the chuck body (2) so as to prevent rotation and are guided to permit limited axial movement.This embodiment makes it possible not only to carry out precise clampings of workpieces (W) over a long period with a consistently high level of rigidity, but also to avoid wear to a large extent. As a result, workpieces can always be clamped precisely whilst a high level of repeat accuracy is provided.
US08251371B2
A labyrinth sealing ring for a labyrinth seal of a turbine disk 1 of a gas turbine includes a metallic annular element 3 with at least one annular sealing lip 4. The sealing lip 4 is provided with at least one groove 5 on its circumference which is essentially arranged in the radial direction.
US08251370B2
A game machine comprises a housing, a user access panel having a controller, a money acceptor, a rotating field having a surface for receiving a plurality of objects situated thereon, a retriever that is movable along a track that is supported by the housing for enabling movement of the retriever relative to the rotating field, an object receiving area, and an outlet for access to the object received within the object receiving area.
US08251366B1
A cylindrical puzzle mechanism comprising a central shaft member, with at least two wheels mounted on the shaft member, and a plurality of puzzle components disposed along the outer circumference of each wheel. Each of the wheels is independently rotatable about the shaft member. A cylindrical frame is positioned concentrically around the wheels. The frame is rotatable about the wheels and shiftable along the axial direction of the shaft member. The frame comprises at least one driving element at each longitudinal end for shifting a longitudinally aligned row of puzzle components along an axial direction. Two rotatable stoppers for preventing each of the wheels from shifting axially along the shaft, is mounted on the shaft. The stoppers comprise at least one track for receiving a puzzle component thereon. A cap at each end of the shaft member prevents the stoppers from shifting axially along the shaft and for regulating the axial movement of the cylindrical frame.
US08251361B2
In a sheet processing apparatus that, for example, sorts or staples sheets after image formation, when preceding finishing is not completed on a processing tray, a third sheet fed anew into awaiting tray of a sheet placing member configuring a sheet waiting unit, which temporarily puts a sheet conveyed thereto on standby, is stacked to be shifted such that leading ends of second and third sheets are located further on a conveying direction upstream side than a leading end of a first sheet. Consequently, longitudinal alignment in the processing tray after that is surely performed.
US08251359B2
A spine formation device includes a sheet conveyer to convey a bundle of folded sheets with a folded portion of the bundle forming a front end of the bundle, a clamping unit disposed downstream from the sheet conveyer in a sheet conveyance direction for squeezing a folded portion of the bundle in a direction of thickness of the bundle, a contact member against which the folded portion of the bundle is pressed, disposed downstream from the clamping unit, an elevation unit to move the contact member vertically, and a controller. The clamping unit includes multiple pressure rollers arranged in a single line along the folded portion of the bundle, a planar clamping member disposed facing the multiple pressure rollers vertically, to press the bundle against the multiple pressure rollers, and a unit to move the pressure rollers and the clamping member close and away from each other.
US08251358B2
Accessory (1) for a holding device, such as a vise, a clamp or the like intended for use in conjunction with the temporary attachment of at least one object with the aid of the holding device, in which the accessory (1) includes a body (2) having at least one groove (3) and at least one attachment device (4). The invention is distinguished by the groove (3) having at least one arch-shaped contact surface (5).
US08251354B2
A gas spring includes a rod body that has a base end side movable into and out of a cylinder body. The rod body is urged in a direction outward of the cylinder body by pressure from a gas sealed inside the cylinder body. A cylindrical cover body includes a base end portion connected to a distal end portion of the rod body that projects outside of the cylinder body. An end portion of the cover body receives a head end portion of the cylinder body inside a cylindrical cover member at an end portion of the cylinder body. The cover member covers a portion of the spring that would otherwise be exposed to the air between the end portion of the cover body and the end portion of the cylinder body when the cylinder body is contracted inside the cover body.
US08251348B2
The present invention relates to valve plugs for reducing erosion of the valve plug head and/or seat. More specifically, this invention comprises a valve plug incorporating a choke transfer trim that reduces the time of exposure of the plug head and/or seat to high velocity and high pressure drop at the interface of the plug head and seat when the valve is in the closed position. The choke transfer trim transfers the flow control area of the valve away from the plug head/seat interface to a location downstream, thereby reducing erosion at the interface between the valve plug head and/or seat that is typically used for fluid throttling and shut off.
US08251347B2
A high pressure diaphragm gas valve comprises a removable seat assembly (32), including a mounting ring (34) and a synthetic seat ring (36), which is fitted in a central seat hole of a mounting ring (34). A nozzle (60) penetrates in a sealed way into a central through hole (38) of the synthetic seat ring (36). A first gas port (28) is arranged in a front face (62) of the nozzle (60). A second gas port is formed by a gas collecting ring channel (30) incorporated into the valve body (12), wherein it surrounds a nozzle shoulder surface (64) of the nozzle (60) and is itself surrounded by an outer shoulder surface (102) of the valve body (12). The mounting ring (34) is supported with an inner ring flange (82) on the nozzle shoulder surface (64) and with an outer ring flange (84) on the outer shoulder surface (102), so that peripheral gas passages (86) open into the ring channel (30).
US08251346B2
Valves are provided for controlling flow along a fluid line that includes an outer shell and an inner housing slidably disposed therein that includes connector threads surrounding a boss on one end and a passage including a tapered region within the boss. A shaft within the valve includes a base coupled to the outer shell, a tapered sealing pin disposed within the tapered region, and a fluid passage extending through the base to outlets in the sealing pin. A connector may be threaded into the one end of the inner housing, thereby slidably engaging the connector threads, camming elements on the inner housing causing the inner housing to move helically from a closed position wherein the sealing pin engages the boss to seal the outlets and an open position wherein the inner housing is directed away from the sealing pin to open a fluid path through the valve.
US08251337B2
A tree stand for supporting a cut tree in an upright position by its trunk features a sheet of flexible resilient material cut to form a plurality of retaining flaps extending inwardly from a perimeter portion of the sheet toward a centre thereof such that the retaining flaps will flex away from the perimeter portion of the sheet under forcing of a cut end of the tree's trunk against the center of the sheet to allow passage of a portion of the trunk therethrough while resiliently biasing back toward the perimeter portion of the sheet to engage a periphery of the tree's trunk. A support structure defines a base and supports the sheet at a distance upward from a plane of the base such that the tree's trunk passing through the sheet is held by the retaining flaps in a position projecting upwardly away from the plane of the base.
US08251332B2
A support stand includes a bracket and a base connected with the bracket. The bracket includes a main body, a movable member, and a resilient member. The main body defines a receiving slot therein, and the movable member is partially received in the receiving slot, with opposite ends of the resilient member resisting the main body and the movable member. The base includes a latching member sleeved on the main body of the bracket. The latching member includes a latching portion for impelling and guiding the movable member to be received in the receiving slot of the main body, and the movable member to contact the resilient member. After the movable member passes over the latching portion, an elastic force created by the resilient member extends the movable member from the receiving slot of the main body, and the movable member is latched in the base.
US08251326B2
A clamp described herein can secure a solar cell array to a seam of a standing seam metal roof. The clamp has a cam that is rotated by the tightening of a bolt to cause the cam to engage the seam. The clamp also has a receiver for receiving the seam and the rotated cam. By installing the clamp on the seam, the solar cell array can be secured to the standing seam metal roof without drilling into the roof. Because no screws are required to be drilled into the rooftop, the damage to the rooftop is substantially reduced. Also, by reversing the process described above, the clamp can be uninstalled in a similar fashion.
US08251319B2
This invention relates to a method and system (10) for controlling the boundary layer of an airfoil (12) to reduce profile drag during flap deflection. The system (10) comprises first means for blowing air from a lower surface (14) of the airfoil (12) to trip airflow from laminar flow to turbulent flow during positive flap deflection; and second means for applying a suction force at the lower surface (14) of the airfoil (12) to preserve laminar flow during negative flap deflection.
US08251304B2
Disclosed is an improved reel assembly for use in conjunction with an occupant restraint system. The assembly employs a dual locking arrangement whereby an occupant can be restrained during both major and minor incidents. After a major incident, the reel assembly remains locked until the occupant disengages the reel via a push button. After a minor incident, the reel assembly can be conveniently unlocked, without the need for accessing the push button, by applying counter tension to the webbing.
US08251302B2
The present invention provides an attachment for emitting water from a water source. The attachment comprises an inlet end, a transitional section connected to the inlet end an outlet end connected to the transitional section opposite from the inlet end, and a reinforcement member attached to the transitional sectional and the outlet end to support the transitional section. The inlet end includes an external cover and an internal sleeve disposed within and spaced from the external cover.
US08251298B2
With an installation construction method for boiler facilities, the boiler facilities comprise a boiler building configured of a steel structure, and a boiler main unit suspended within the boiler building from the upper portion of the boiler building. A portion of the boiler building is constructed, a portion of the boiler main unit is suspended from the upper portion of the partially-constructed boiler building, and while the remaining steel structure portions are being added to the partially-constructed boiler building so as to construct the boiler building, the remaining portions of the boiler main unit are added to complete the boiler main unit.
US08251294B2
An identification token includes a plastic body and an RFID IC embedded or contained in the body. An antenna is also embedded or contained in the body and is coupled to the RFID IC. A metallic coating is formed on the plastic body and is sufficiently thin so as permit wireless RF communication between the RFID IC and a proximity reader via the antenna. A clear protective coating is formed on the metallic coating so as to allow the metallic coating to be visible to a holder of the identification token.
US08251293B2
A card apparatus for use with a card may include a front bezel, a cart inlet slot placed in the front bezel, a card path continuously extending from the card inlet slot, a shutter installed between the card inlet slot and the card path for opening and closing the card path, a case body closely contacting the front bezel and internally including the card path, a tilted part that is tilted so as to become further away gradually from the card path in a direction from an inner part of the case body toward the front bezel to guide a liquid infiltrated through the card inlet slot, and liquid drain holes positioned at the front side of the front bezel to go through continuously to a side of the case body for draining the liquid.
US08251291B2
A rotational bar code is presented. The rotational bar code includes a structure at least a portion of which includes a cylindrical surface having at least one of an outward-facing surface and an inward-facing surface, and a plurality of vertically-oriented symbols horizontally abutted in a non-periodic unique pattern on one of the outward-facing surface or the inward-facing surface. The surfaces are radially disposed about a rotational axis of the cylindrical surface. The vertically-oriented symbols are unique for at least a predefined segment of an arc of the cylindrical surface. An angular orientation of the cylindrical surface is identifiable based on the plurality of vertically-oriented symbols.
US08251270B2
A plastic bag dispenser with side panels and guide bar includes: a) a base frame with a back and bottom section with open front adapted to hold a plastic bag roll; b) a swing arm and core rod adapted to receive a plastic bag roll for rotation and to move downwardly as the plastic bag roll is depleted; c) a first and second set of opposing side panels located on the base frame for stabilizing the movement of the plastic bag roll; d) an elongated open guide bar having a top and sides located on the open fronted bottom section for movement of bags from the plastic bag roll; and, e) a rip tongue located on the open fronted bottom section with an upward taper adapted to catch and separate a passing bag when pulled forward through the guide bar and over the rip tongue. Mounting mechanisms for the present invention are also detailed.
US08251263B2
Caps and container systems suited to dispensing products like cosmetics. Some of the caps include two portions that can be coupled together and that include a dispensing system that has at least two open positions and at least one closed position.
US08251257B2
The compressed CO2 gas source is an insert that can be fixed in a sealed manner in an opening of the vessel. The insert has a high-pressure CO2 cartridge, a pressure-regulating valve for discharging CO2 therefrom and a control element that is accessible from the outside and that can be actuated to pierce the high-pressure CO2 cartridge. The control element can be automatically interlocked and blocked against further actuation after it has first been actuated.
US08251253B1
An electrical device cover comprises a base with an opening in a back wall of the base sized to receive an electrical device and a lid coupled to the base at a first base end through a hinge, the lid pivotable between and open position and at least one closed position. The base comprises a notch on a base wall extending away from the first base end. A first lid end is hingedly coupled to the first base end such that the first lid end is selectively adjustable with respect to the base toward and away from the second base end. A lid pin extends from the lid towards the notch when the lid is in at least one closed position wherein the lid pin seats in the notch when the first lid end is selectively adjusted toward the second base end.
US08251252B2
A child-resistant lift-top container is disclosed. The container includes a vessel, a lift-off inner cap and an outer locking cap. The outer locking cap engages the lift-off inner cap and is rotatable about the inner cap. The vessel includes a generally downwardly-facing abutment that engages an upwardly-facing abutment on the locking cap to lock the container and prevent the lift-off inner cap from opening. The container is opened by rotating the outer locking cap to disengage the abutments, permitting the lift-off inner cap to be lifted to open the container. The outer locking cap includes at least one spring that engages a spring-engaging surface on the vessel as the outer locking cap is rotated to assist in disengaging the abutments and to allow the outer locking cap to return to its closed and locked position.
US08251245B2
A releasably sealable container is disclosed. The container includes a container body, a lid, a gasket and a retaining arm. The container body includes a lip defining an opening. The lid is configured to engage the opening. The lid includes a body and a frame. The gasket is configured to cooperate with the lid and the lip to seal the opening.
US08251238B2
A closure device includes a door carrying a series of interconnected shear blocks and a keystone shear block designed to transfer stresses created by pressure acting on the door to a surrounding hub. Each interconnected shear block has a limited rotation relative to its adjacent blocks. A holding band operating handle is in communication with a driving link which, in turn, is in communication with the keystone shear block. Actuating the handle causes the keystone shear block to move in an upward vertical direction. The linear movement of the keystone shear block allows the limited rotation of the interconnected shear blocks to occur, thereby causing the circumferential holding band to collapse within itself from an expanded-engaged position to a contracted-removed position relative to said hub. A pressure warning lock provides a safety device and prevents actuation of the holding band operating handle when the pressure chamber is under pressure.
US08251230B2
A notched wire 4 that is disposed in layers in a filtration apparatus. First projection stripes 4d are formed on the top surface 4b of a base 4a at prescribed intervals in the longitudinal direction of the base 4a so as to extend in the width direction of the base 4a. Second projection stripes 4e are formed approximately at the centers of the first projection stripe 4d so as to extend between the first projection stripes 4d•4d. The second projection stripes 4e are projection stripes having an approximately semicircular cross section, for example. The second projection stripes 4e is smaller in height than the first projection stripes 4d, and the width of the second projection stripes 4e is shorter than the length of the first projection stripes 4d.
US08251229B2
In one embodiment, a system for removing a plastic wrap from a cylindrical module includes a conveyor transporting the cylindrical module toward a disperser with the cylindrical axis of the module parallel to the direction of conveyor movement. In another embodiment, the disperser is a travelling head disperser thereby providing relative movement between the modules and the disperser. The direction of the wrap around the module is determined and the cover is removed during rotation of the module, either by unwrapping the plastic or by slitting the plastic and then rotating the module. The equipment used to handle a cylindrical module is moved out of the path of movement of a conventional rectangular module so an installation can handle both rectangular and wrapped cylindrical modules.
US08251215B2
An inflatable device with air bag includes an air bag, two first assembly portions and two second assembly portions. The two first assembly portions are respectively fastened at two sides of the air bag, and the two second assembly portions are respectively fastened at another two sides of the air bag. The two second assembly portions correspond to the two first assembly portions. Thereby, by utilizing the assembly portions to repeatedly assemble the air bags, the dimension of the inflatable device with air bag is quickly expanded to a proper size to wrap the objects with different sizes. It prevents the object from being impacted, and achieves the waterproof effect and the moisture-proof effect. A packaging method by using the inflatable device with air bag is also disclosed.
US08251207B2
A footwear customization kit is disclosed. The kit comprises a container including an article of footwear, a stand, a steaming bag and a set of instructions. The article of footwear includes a customizable portion that can be deformed when heated. The stand and the steaming bag can be used to heat the article of footwear in a steam environment.
US08251202B2
An apparatus for distributing goods delivered on one or more feeding conveyor belts onto two or more removal conveyor belts, wherein the feeding conveyor belts as well as the removal conveyor belts are subdivided into a plurality of individual conveyor belts which are arranged in parallel side by side and are driven jointly. A rotary table having an essentially circular contour and also comprising a plurality of parallel individual conveyor belts which are also allocated to a joint drive is positioned between the feeding and the removal conveyor belts, wherein the feeding and the individual removal conveyor belts each closely reach up to the individual conveyor belts of the rotary table and are, in essence, adjusted in their length to the circular contour of the rotary table.
US08251189B2
A railway brake cylinder includes a body (11′); a piston (13′) mobile relative to the body (11′) to act on a brake linkage and delimiting with the body (11′) a pressure chamber (10′) adapted to be supplied by a pneumatic pressure agent source; an auxiliary actuating member (26′) mobile relative to the body (11′) and the piston (13′), mechanically connected to manual operating elements to cause it to occupy either a rest position in which it is away from the piston (13′) or a pushing position in which it is in contact with the piston (13′); two orifices (73′, 51′) in fluid communication with the chamber (10′) and the atmosphere, respectively; and selective connecting elements (28′) between the two orifices (73′, 51′), the elements (28′) being mechanically connected to the auxiliary actuating member.
US08251183B2
In an electricity generating device by applying vehicle weight, a rolling vehicle wheel is weighting down on a pressure receiver to actuate a driving mechanism having a restoring function. It is then able to provide a unidirectional rotating torque to drive a generating device to produce electrical power. The mechanical power transmission is performed by a transmission gear unit composed of a driving wheel and a follower wheel interconnected each other with a transmission means therebetween. When the vehicle weight is applied to the driving mechanism by pressing the vehicle wheel on the pressure receiver, the driving mechanism is forced to downwardly urge a ratchet wheel and a driving wheel to rotate that in turn causes the rotation of the follower wheel through the transmission means thereby driving the generating device to operate to produce electricity. The driving mechanism can recover its initial state with the aid of a balancing weight as soon as it has been liberate from the exerted pressure of the vehicle wheel. The device is to be installed flush with the road surface to work.
US08251182B2
An automatic lubricant dispenser is detachably mounted on a bearing of a machine to continuously supply lubricant to the bearing. The dispenser includes a housing for storing the lubricant inside, a piston upwardly compressing the lubricant inside the housing, a spring installed at a bottom of the piston, for compressing and elastically supporting the piston, and a flow pipe installed vertically by extending through both the housing and the piston. The flow pipe is formed with an inflow hole on a top portion thereof and an inside hollow channel so that the lubricant compressed by the piston flows into the flow pipe and is then discharged into a bottom of the housing. An operator can voluntarily control the accurate flow amount of the fluent lubricant.
US08251180B1
The ladder stabilizer apparatus provides for removable attachment to two rungs of a ladder. The case provides pivoting sleeves that may be indirectly or directly controlled by the apparatus crank, whereby either the sleeves or the sleeves with arms with optional vertical rollers are moved toward and away from the ladder. Rollers are provided for a given surface contact with the apparatus. Movement of the sleeves and the sleeves with arms provides for the contact devices to be positioned partially around a structure or object corner, within a corner, or any position between. The contact devices may be positioned outside boundaries of a window, for example, to provide a user best access to a window or other area that is not designed to have a ladder rested against it. The apparatus may be adjusted while in use.
US08251179B2
A portable safety ladder assembly having safety extensions to permit safe and easy access to landing areas, working platforms, scaffolds, etc. The safety extension members have a plurality of horizontal handgrips ergonomically designed to prevent falls from the ladder assembly when a user is ascending upward or descending downward thereon.
US08251178B2
A movable step apparatus that includes a mounting frame, at least one step, and a rotary drive mechanism is provided. The movable step apparatus also includes a drive link and a follower link. The drive link is operatively connected to the drive mechanism to move the at least one step between retracted and extended positions. The follower link is pivotally connected to the drive link and pivotally connected to the at least one step. The follower link drives the at least one step to extend and retract the at least one step. The movable step apparatus further includes at least one link pivotally connecting the at least one step to the mounting frame to move between the retracted and extended positions.
US08251176B2
A self-retracting lifeline includes a replaceable lifeline and comprises a housing, a drum rotatably operatively connected to the housing, a lifeline, and a locking member operatively connected to the drum and moveable from an unlocked position to a locked position for locking the drum relative to the housing to assist in replacing the lifeline.
US08251168B2
An electric drive machine includes an axle assembly having a central axle housing. An electric drive motor, having a motor housing, is oriented along an axis and disposed within the central axle housing. An air cooling system includes a blower fluidly connected to and positioned upstream of an opening of the central axle housing. An airflow path through the central axle housing includes an upstream segment and a downstream segment. The upstream segment extends from the opening to an airflow deflector, and is configured for airflow in a first direction along an axial path. The downstream segment extends from the airflow deflector to the motor housing, and is configured for airflow in a second direction, which is opposite the first direction, along a helical path.
US08251165B2
When a predetermined change speed state shift condition is satisfied while the transmission connects a carrier with a drive shaft, a hybrid vehicle performs a rotational speed adjustment process of conforming a rotational speed of a motor to a target rotational speed based on a gear ratio of the transmission and a rotational speed of the drive shaft, a connection a sun gear with the drive shaft by a gear train of the transmission corresponding to a target speed, a power transfer process of transferring power between the motors in a simultaneous engagement state to make the motors output power required in a post-change speed state corresponding to a target speed, and a disconnection the carrier from the drive shaft.
US08251158B2
A power tool with a housing, a transmission and a switch mechanism. The switch mechanism has an actuator, a rail, a switch and first and second springs. The actuator is non-rotatably but slidably coupled to the housing for movement along a longitudinal axis of the transmission between a plurality of positions to selectively engage one or more members of the transmission at each of the positions such that the transmission operates in one of a plurality of different overall speed ratios. The rail is fixedly coupled to the actuator and is received through the switch such that the switch is slidably mounted on the rail. The first and second springs are configured to bias the switch relative to the actuator in different directions.
US08251155B2
A method of performing a wellbore operation at an oilfield comprises providing a bottom hole assembly comprising a backpressure valve on coiled tubing, deploying the bottom hole assembly into the wellbore with the coiled tubing, operating the backpressure valve to control a flow of fluid thereabove, and performing distributed temperature sensor measurements above the valve.
US08251153B1
A clamping apparatus allowing a downhole line to be fed between downhole tubular members. The clamping apparatus can include a first and second half, each including: support arms with inner surfaces, connecting walls, and grips. The first and second halves can be selectively connectable. The clamping apparatus can include handles, hinges, and latches. A system for feeding a downhole line between an outer tubular member and an inner tubular member can include an outer tubular member disposed about an inner tubular member, wherein the clamping apparatus is disposed about the inner tubular member.
US08251150B2
A radial flow valve includes a plurality of flow openings, a first piston and a second piston, the first and second pistons being independently actuable relative to one another, and a sleeve operatively coupled to the second piston, the sleeve adapted to be positioned so as to cover the plurality of flow openings. A method includes positioning a radial flow valve in a subterranean well bore having an upper zone pressure and a lower zone pressure, increase a pressure within the valve to a value above the upper zone pressure to release a first piston within the valve and, after releasing the first piston, reducing the pressure within the valve to a value that is less than the lower zone pressure to thereby cause a second piston within the valve to move and thereby permit fluid flow through the valve.
US08251148B2
A system for active heave compensation of the running block in a drilling derrick on board a floating off shore platform comprises a double-acting hydraulic cylinder (1) which is connected to a hydraulic power unit (3) for the supply of hydraulic pressure fluid to the hydraulic cylinder (1), a control unit (6) which regulates the supply conditions of the pressure fluid to the at any time active side (A, B) of the hydraulic cylinder, the hydraulic fluid concurrently being permitted to leave the passive side (B, A) of the hydraulic cylinder. The hydraulic power unit (3) comprises a pump unit (4) which via respective conduits (9a, 9b) are directly connected to the two sides (A, B) of the hydraulic cylinder (1) in order to form a generally closed hydraulic system therewith. The hydraulic fluid delivered by the pump unit (4) to the conduits (9a, 9b) to the active cylinder side is drawn from the conduit (9b, 9a) to the passive cylinder side, while the control unit regulates the output of the pump unit. The hydraulic system further comprises an accumulator (11) which equalizes the volumetric difference between the two sides of the hydraulic cylinder when it is a common double-acting cylinder. The system may also be provided with a hydraulic transformer (23) for regeneration of hydraulic power during passive operation of the compensation system.
US08251145B2
A method of completing a wellbore having a branch wellbore extending outwardly from a window in a parent wellbore comprises positioning a tubular string in the window, wherein the positioning comprises deflecting the tubular string from the parent wellbore into the branch wellbore. The method also comprises providing a particulate barrier outside and against the tubular string proximate the window, the particulate barrier substantially excluding transport of particulate matter from the branch wellbore into the parent wellbore outside of the tubular string through the window. The method also comprises the tubular string passing fluid into the tubular string proximate the window from a formation proximate to the window while substantially excluding transport of particulate matter from the formation proximate to the window into the tubular string.
US08251143B2
A cement slurry composition comprises a plugging agent with a glass-transition temperature lower than about 150° C. The plugging agent is preferably an including polyethlene wax, polypropylene wax, carnauba wax or scale wax. After the cement slurry sets, it may be heated to a temperature sufficient to melt the wax. The molten wax may then flow into pores in the set cement. Upon cooling, the wax solidifies. As a result, the porosity and permeability of the set cement are reduced.
US08251132B2
A heat sink assembly includes a base, a fin group and a heat pipe connecting with the base and the fin group. The fin group includes a plurality of fins. Each of the fins defines a recess at a lower portion thereof. The heat pipe includes an evaporating portion extending through the base and a condensing portion extending through the fin group. The base is interferentially fitted into the recesses of the fins. The base, the fin group and the heat pipe directly and intimately connect with each other. The recess and the base have correspondingly T-shaped profiles. Each fin forms a bended flange defining the recess. The bended flange intimately contacts with the base and the evaporating portion of the heat pipe.
US08251129B2
In an operation of continuous casting of steel grade such as aluminum-killed steel where a nozzle clogging phenomenon is particularly likely to occur, it is intended to prevent adhesion of inclusions (typically, Al2O3) on a nozzle used in the casting operation, and clogging of the nozzle due to the inclusions. A refractory material 10 is arranged to define a part or an entirety of a molten steel-contacting surface of a continuous casting nozzle, wherein the refractory material 10 contains: a CaO component in an amount of 0.5 mass % or more; one or both of B2O3 and R2O (R is one selected from the group consisting of Na, K and Li) in an amount of 0.5 mass % or more; Al2O3 in an amount of 50 mass % or more; and free carbon in an amount of 8.0 to 34.5 mass %, and wherein a total amount of CaO, B2O3 and R2O is in the range of 1.0 to 15.0 mass %, and a mass ratio of CaO/(B2O3+R2O) is in the range of 0.1 to 3.0.
US08251128B2
Provided is a method of continuously producing a phosphorus-containing copper alloy wire by adding phosphorus or an element which is less soluble than phosphorus to molten copper. The method includes: adding an element less soluble into a heating furnace for maintaining molten copper sent from a melting furnace at a predetermined high temperature; transferring the molten copper sent from the heating furnace to a tundish; adding phosphorus to the molten copper after decreasing the temperature of the molten copper in the tundish; supplying the molten copper from the tundish to a belt wheel-type continuous casting apparatus; and rolling a cast copper material output from the belt wheel-type continuous casting apparatus, thereby continuously producing a phosphorus-containing copper alloy wire.
US08251127B2
An apparatus for casting metal strip includes a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls having casting surfaces laterally positioned to form a nip therebetween through which cast strip can be cast, and on which a casting pool of molten metal can be formed supported on the casting surfaces above the nip, a pair of molten metal delivery nozzles disposed above the nip and capable of discharging molten metal to form the casting pool supported on the casting rolls, a pair of side dams adjacent ends of the pair of casting rolls capable of confining the casting pool, a pair of delivery nozzle actuators capable of positioning the delivery nozzles independently of the side dams and a pair of side dam actuators capable of positioning the side dams independently of the delivery nozzles during casting, and a control system capable of controlling desired distance between the delivery nozzles and the side dams.
US08251125B2
In a state in which an insert is fitted to an inner portion of a main mold, a hole passing through from an outer portion of the main mold to a cavity of the insert is provided in the main mold to the insert. An extrusion pin bush is inserted into the hole from a side of an opening portion facing the outer portion of the main mold in the hole. A stopper, which is loosely inserted into an outer periphery of a base end side protruding to the outer portion of the main mold from an inner diameter portion of the extrusion pin bush of the extrusion pin, is attached by screw to a thread portion provided in the opening portion facing the outer portion of the main mold. The extrusion pin bush abuts on a locking portion provided on the side of the opening portion facing the outer portion of the main mold in the hole by the stopper.
US08251120B2
The present invention relates to a cordless blind structure including a blind body further comprising a batten and a shade having an end disposed at an outer edge of the batten; a first end holder movably disposed at a first end of the batten; a second end holder movably disposed at a second end of the batten; and a limiting mechanism disposed between the blind body and the second end holder, the limiting mechanism including a resilient unit and an axial unit, the resilient unit being movably disposed at the second end holder, and the axial unit being movably disposed at the second end holder, controllably coupled to the resilient unit, and coupled to the second end of the batten. The shade is lifted or lowered by exerting a force thereon in conjunction with the limiting mechanism so as to ensure ease of use and enhance user safety.
US08251119B2
A reversible control rod mechanism adapted for selectively and repeatedly rotating a shaft bidirectionally and thereby moving an attached load bidirectionally.
US08251116B2
An apparatus for upturning a tire-building component on a tire-building drum has a roller lever. To provide an apparatus which is capable of upturning a tire-building component on a tire-building drum, and which achieves the upturn of the tire-building component without defects, in particular unintended creasing in the side wall, it is proposed that, during the procedure of preparation for upturning, a spacer provides separation between the roller and the segment in such a way that the roller is in essence in contact exclusively with the tire-building component. The roller therefore rolls along the tire-building component.
US08251113B2
A handbag, a system and a method interchange storage containers which hold personal items and/or professional items. The handbag may have an outer shell that may have walls defining a cavity. The handbag has an insert with portions defining three or more containers. The handbag has a purse insert with sides defining an inner volume of the purse insert. The handbag has a purse shell with sections defining a chamber. The purse insert fits within the insert, and the insert fits within the outer shell. The purse insert may be transferred into an alternate insert, placed in a purse shell or carried independently. The insert is transferrable between the outer shell and an alternate outer shell. Moreover, the purse insert fits within the purse shell and is transferrable from the insert to the purse shell.
US08251112B1
A cutterhead for a peripheral milling machine including a cutterhead body including a generally cylindrical portion and a plurality of circumferential, spaced and offset blade unit mounting cavities extending into the cutterhead body from the periphery of the cylindrical portion for receiving a blade unit. The cutterhead further includes a plurality of blade units each having at least one cutting edge and means for removably securing each of the removable blade units in the corresponding blade unit mounting cavity. The cutting edge of each of the blade units is disposed to align with the cutting edge of each of the other blade units in adjacent mounting cavities to form a substantially helical, stepped blade row when the blade units are secured to the cutterhead body.
US08251111B2
A balloon inflator includes a nozzle adaptor configured to fit over an outlet of an inflation nozzle. A nozzle receipt is provided by the balloon inflator housing to selectively receive the nozzle adaptor and a switch is provided at the nozzle receipt. The nozzle adaptor is adapted to trigger the switch when received at the nozzle receipt. The switch controls the power supplied to the motor, such that different motor operating parameters are realized when the switch is triggered and when the switch is not triggered. In a particular embodiment, the nozzle adaptor includes vent channels that exhaust a portion of the air to the atmosphere when a balloon is fitted over the alternate outlet.
US08251109B2
The invention relates to a filler neck (1) for a fuel tank of a motor vehicle which has at least one tubular section (3) provided in the area of the filler inlet to receive the outlet pipe (4) of a fuel delivery nozzle. The filler neck (1) according to the invention has the distinguishing feature of at least one insert forming a constriction as a flame barrier, which encloses the outlet pipe (4), forming at least one gas passage gap (7), the gap dimension being selected so that any flashback is prevented.
US08251102B2
A heddle frame (1) is driven via drive rods (15), which pass through its lateral sampsons (13). To that end, the lateral sampsons (13) each have a corresponding channel (19). The play between the circumferential face (22) of the drive rods (15) and the channel wall face (21) of the respective channel (19) has an intermediate layer (24), which extends over the full length, or portions, of the drive rod (15). The intermediate layer (24) preferably comprises an impact-proof, permanent-elastic, damping material. A slight residual play allows the introduction of the drive rods (15) and the intermediate layer (24) into the channel (19) without force.
US08251085B2
The present invention provides failsafe system for cutting gas off gas flow in response to electrical insults that may damage gas tubing. The invention uses an inductive sensor to detect electrical surges along a ground conductor that provides a ground path for gas tubing. The sensor is coupled to control circuitry that provides a continuous pulse train to a solenoid that forms part of a valve that controls gas flow through the gas tubing. The pulse train from the control circuitry keeps the valve open. In response to an electrical surge detected along the ground conductor (e.g., from lightning), the control circuitry stops the pulse train to the solenoid, which in turn causes the gas valve to close and stop the gas flow through the tubing.
US08251077B2
A liquid processing apparatus and method capable of separately collecting first and second processing liquids from each other, and preventing a formation of a defect (such as watermarks and particles) on a target substrate are disclosed. In one embodiment, the liquid processing apparatus includes a substrate holding device, a processing liquid supply device to supply a first processing liquid and a second processing liquid, a rotating cup, an outer discharge portion and an inner discharge portion to respectively discharge the first processing liquid and the second processing liquid received from the first receiving surface of the rotating cup, and a discharge portion switch device to open/close the outer discharge portion. The lower end of the first receiving surface of the rotating cup extends to a lower position than the position of the substrate held by the substrate holding device. The first processing liquid is discharged toward the outer discharge portion when the discharge portion switch device moves up, and the second processing liquid is discharged toward the inner discharge portion 16 when the discharge portion switch device moves down.
US08251076B2
Oral hygiene case with dental floss lid compartment, refers to the present invention an improved case with lid compartment to hold dental floss or ribbon, and for keeping a toothbrush or toothpaste in its body that presents constructivity and advanced design with access to the cases body (1) interior concomitant with opening the dental floss lid compartment (2) for use, presents also length and intern volume flexibility, accessories to hang, allowing change of its shape, saving the use of pollutant materials, showing excellent cost-benefit ratio.
US08251069B2
A combination bite block, tongue elevator/retractor and airway for establishing and maintaining an open airway while preventing emergence clenching and the resulting dental and soft tissue damage associated with emergence clenching in procedures where anesthesia and/or sedation are used, or when the patient is not in control of their own airway, regardless of the cause. The inventive subject matter includes a tongue elevator/retractor component in both right and left conformations; and a bite block component. The bite block component is a wedge shaped, compressible component that is inserted between the upper and lower molars on either the right or left side of the mouth. The tongue elevator component is comprised by a flat portion of that is inserted into the side of the bite block, and an optional curved portion that retracts the tongue off of the posterior pharynx when in place.
US08251065B2
The present invention relates to a four-sided dustproof mask including: an upper filter adapted to surround a wearer's nose area; a lower filter adapted to surround the wearer's chin area; and a protruded center filter adapted to attach the upper filter and the lower filter thereto in such a manner as to make the both ends of the upper filter and the lower filter correspond to center points formed at the both ends of a curved folding line dividing the protruded center filter into two sides, the curved folding line having a straight line portion having a predetermined length protrudedly extended from the center points thereof, whereby while the upper filter and the lower filter are being developed, the protruded center filter is protruded to a dome-like shape.
US08251058B2
Various embodiments of the invention may provide a breathing and/or anesthetic unit that is portable, compact, inexpensive, and convenient, and which may expedite medical procedures by allowing a health care provider to quickly sedate a patient. Such a unit may be ideal for minor medical procedures needing mild or moderate analgesia/sedation (e.g., <30 minutes) in various fields. Such a unit may include (i) a handheld gas supply container including a therapeutic amount of anesthetic gas; (ii) a mask; (iii) a single-use, uninterruptable flow coupler to couple the mask to the supply container; and (iv) a handheld, self-contained, recovery gas container, including a negative pressure, coupled to the mask.
US08251057B2
In a first aspect, a monoplace hyperbaric chamber providing Venturi induced gas circulation and ventilation is disclosed. The chamber includes a control and monitoring system that offers reduced oxygen consumption, duplex pressure gauges, referenced flow control, a patient activated stop function, an independent pressure time recorder, and/or a precise pressure control circuit that uses a 1:1 forced-balanced volume amplifier adapted to supply gas to and exhaust gas from the chamber through different penetrators and/or use flow-control check valves supplied with static reference or set pressures. A computer control and monitoring subsystem is also disclosed. Numerous other aspects are provided.
US08251050B2
A drive system for a regulating the rotation of a drive system or agitator in a paintball loader is disclosed. It is designed to regulate the rotation of a feeder, especially during a jam or when projectiles in a hopper become misaligned. This allows a user to quickly and effectively clear a jam and resume or continue rapid fire without damaging projectiles, the loader or the paintball marker.
US08251047B2
A fuel rail includes an elongated tube having an inlet and a plurality of outlets. The elongated tube defines a fuel passageway for directing fuel toward the plurality of outlets. The fuel rail also includes a plurality of baffles positioned within the elongated tube to divide the fuel passageway into a plurality of chambers such that each outlet is positioned in one of the plurality of chambers. The plurality of baffles restricts fluid flow between adjacent chambers. A majority of the plurality of outlets are located essentially at an acoustic node of each corresponding chamber to reduce noise generated by the fuel rail.
US08251036B2
A connection between an expansion chamber outlet and a rubber cuff that accommodates an inlet portion of a throttle body exhibits an overmolded, hot plate or spin weld type of connection between an expansion chamber wall outlet portion and the rubber cuff. The rubber cuff may have a bellow in it to absorb shock and force from the throttle body. The rubber cuff may be insert molded around the expansion chamber outlet such that the joined interface between the rubber cuff and the expansion chamber is from the molding. The molded interface prevents separation due to air forces through the chamber and cuff. A cuff recession on a cuff inside diameter receives a protuberance of the throttle body inlet portion. A band clamp fits around the outside diameter of the cuff, adjacent the throttle body inlet protuberance, to prevent movement relative to the throttle body.
US08251019B2
Can the Barking Dog is an audible device that individuals can use to train their dogs to refrain from barking uncontrollably. This item comprises a small metal aluminum container that has loose material (media) inside to create a jarring audible noise. Users simply shake the device creating a noise that stops a dog from barking. The container may be coated in rubber for increased durability. The device may have a wrist loop attached to the top making it easy for users to carry the device while walking a dog. The loose materials may be metal marbles or other items that create a metal-on-metal sound that is effective in capturing a dog's attention. The device may be designed with a button-operated component that compresses the loose material allowing users to silence the device in between uses. Further, the dog-bark inhibiting and training device includes a kit and a method of use.
US08251018B2
Apparatus for use with a slatted floor comprises a floor covering apparatus for placement on the individual slats of a slatted floor. Each floor covering apparatus includes an elongated elastomeric mat (410) adapted to be fitted to a floor slat. The mat has a rigid fixing base (411), a flexible core (11) and an outer skin (415). The rigid fixing base (411), the flexible core (11) and the outer skin (415) are integrally formed together. The mat has a longitudinal leg (413) at each side to locate the mat. Also a flap valve (412) is mounted on each leg and protrudes into the gap between adjacent slats.
US08251012B2
Disclosed is a substrate processing apparatus, including: a processing container; a gas supply section to supply a desired processing gas to the processing container; a gas exhaust section to exhaust a surplus of the processing gas from the processing container; a substrate placing member to place a plurality of substrates thereon in a stacked state in the processing container; and an electrode, to which high frequency electric power is applied, to generate plasma for exciting the processing gas, the electrode including two thin and long linear sections disposed in parallel and a short-circuit section to electrically short-circuit one ends of the linear sections, and the linear sections extending beside the substrates in a direction substantially perpendicular to main faces of the substrates.
US08250999B2
A sewing machine includes a feed dog which transfers workpiece cloth, a needle plate having a first hole through which a needle is passed and a second hole through which a feed dog is movable upward and downward, a bed to which the needle plate is detachably attachable, a feeding mechanism which drives the feed dog in a front-back direction and in an up-down direction, an engaged portion formed in the needle plate, an engaging portion formed in the feed dog or the feeding mechanism, and a switching unit which switches the feed dog or the feeding mechanism between a transfer position where the feed dog transfers the workpiece cloth and a needle plate adjusting position which differs from the transfer position and where the engaging and engaged portions are engaged with each other thereby to determine a fixing point of the needle plate on the bed.
US08250998B2
A sewing machine includes a sewing machine bed, an auxiliary table detachably attachable to the bed, a guide member guiding the table between a first position where the table is held in parallel to an upper surface of bed and a second position where the table is detachably attached to the bed, and an engaging member mounted on the table so as to engaging the guide member. The guide member and the engaging member are engaged with each other, so that a tilt of the table to the upper surface of bed is limited within a predetermined angular range when the table is positioned between the first and second positions. The guide member has a bearing portion and a side plate having a groove guiding the engaging member from the first to second positions. The engaging member has a sliding contact portion brought into sliding contact with the bearing portion.
US08250993B2
A storage assembly adapted to be secured to a work surface includes an enclosure defining an interior, wherein the enclosure is adapted to be secured around an opening in the work surface. A platform is disposed within the enclosure, and a cover is connected to the enclosure and configured to enclose the interior of the enclosure. The cover is movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the cover in the closed position forms a top wall for the enclosure, and wherein the cover in the open position exposes the platform. A movement control arrangement is connected between the enclosure, the platform and the cover. The movement control arrangement and the enclosure have cooperating guide slot structure for receiving and guiding the platform, and enabling raising and lowering of the platform within the enclosure in response to movement of the cover between the open and closed positions.
US08250989B1
A system and method for optimally managing the inventory of railroad freight cars and for transporting and processing the unladen cars to reloading points. The system provides a means for returning unladen cars at one or more strategically located yards or aggregation facilities where the cars are cleaned, inspected, repaired/maintained, stored and blocked for ultimate delivery. After such processes the cars may be treated as generic, and used for the transport of any materials within the constraints of the car type, rather than being dedicated to specific products and returned to a specific production facilities as in current practice. As well, the method provides a means by which multiple car operators may pool their collective rail car assets to further optimize the rail car supply chain. The method provides a means to determine candidate locations for such aggregation facilities/processing yards, and for optimal inventory control, sorting by next destination, and transit scheduling to deliver unladen cars to their next reloading points. The system and method are particularly useful in transporting specific polymer resins to a manufacturing region and returning the rail car through the aggregation/processing facility such that the cleaned, repaired, inspected, stored and blocked car may be used at any resin production facility.
US08250974B2
The invention relates to an apparatus for applying oscillating magnetic fields, particularly for treating liquid, pasty, semi-solid or granular products, to a method of use of such apparatus, and to a system incorporating it. The apparatus comprises at least one pipe of an electrically insulating material for conveying the products to be treated, at least one plurality of electrodes around the periphery of the pipe, and means for generating one high frequency oscillating electric voltage. Each of the electrodes has a substantially annular shape, with an inner surface having a minimum radial distance from the outer cylindrical surface of the at least one pipe, which is sufficient to prevent electric currents from passing to the product to be treated. The inner surface has at least one substantially conical edge with a predetermined conicity angle to allow use of relatively high voltages with no risk of discharges to air.
US08250973B2
A steam peeling system has a rotatable pressure vessel (1) for steam treating and peeling product. The vessel is substantially spherical, having an oblong configuration with opposed flattened side surfaces. The pressure vessel has at least one internal lifter (51a, 51b, 51c) for entraining and lifting the product relative to the axis of rotation of the pressure vessel (1) when it is rotated. The pressure vessel also at least one internal region (53) that is closed-off against ingress of steam during product treatment. This region (53) defines a steam saver. The system can include a batcher for delivering the product to be peeled to the vessel. The pressure in the vessel can be released on completion of a peeling operation. Arrangements can be included to minimize release of entrained solid matter or odors in the exhaust steam. A controller minimizes unproductive displacement of the pressure vessel and can control the rotation speed and direction.
US08250966B2
Method for producing at low cost bellows which show high durability even when used in a quite reactive atmosphere. The method for manufacturing bellows includes the steps of: I: forming an untreated bellows from a flat base plate, the base plate including 15 to 30 wt % of Cr, 5 to 40 wt % of Ni, 0.9 to 6 wt % of Al, less than 1 wt % of Mo, less than 0.1 wt % of Mn, less than 0.1 wt % of C, less than 0.1 wt % of S, less than 0.1 wt % of P and a balance of Fe and an unavoidable impurity (relative to 100 wt % of the base plate); and II: heating the untreated bellows at a temperature of 750 to 895° C. in an atmosphere which contains water and hydrogen and in which the volume ratio of hydrogen to water (H2/H2O) is in the range of 2×103 to 1×1012, thereby forming an Al2O3 passivation film on a surface of the untreated bellows.
US08250965B2
A jack system provided with a cylinder provided with a first stopper. The jack system also includes: a body hinged about an end of the piston, the body including a second stopper and being able to occupy a first angular position authorizing the extraction of the piston, as well as a second angular position uniquely allowed when the piston occupies a position such that the second stopper is located beyond the first stopper in an extraction position, the body occupying the second position providing the facing of the first and second stoppers; and an electromagnetic attraction/repulsion device designed to provide the displacement of the body from the first position to the second position, and inversely.
US08250964B2
A piston assembly is provided for a gas-operated firearm of the type having a chamber and a barrel. The piston assembly includes a gas expansion housing and a piston mounted within the gas expansion housing. An annular recess is formed in the outer wall of the piston to receive exhaust gases diverted from the barrel upon firing of the firearm. At least one longitudinally extending groove extends from the annual recess to the head of the piston and forms a pathway for diverting the exhaust gases to the head of the piston. During firing, pressurized gases are diverted into the annular recess and expand longitudinally from the annular recess to the piston head, whereupon the pressurized exhaust gas drives the gas piston rearwardly along the housing.
US08250963B2
A vehicle-mounted personnel access platform assembly with ballistic protection is designed for mounting on a tactical vehicle. The platform assembly includes at least one mounting brace, and at least one access platform carried by the mounting brace. The access platform defines a raised horizontal surface for supporting personnel at an elevated location adjacent a body of the tactical vehicle. A ballistic wall adjacent the access platform is adapted for residing a spaced distance from the body of the tactical vehicle to protect personnel staged on the access platform.
US08250960B2
Systems and methods for cutting, or trimming, a catheter at a specified location along the length of the catheter. The catheter preferably includes a stop feature which interacts with an elongate member of the cutting system to determine the catheter is in a proper position to be cut.
US08250957B2
A table saw in one embodiment includes a swing arm assembly movable along a swing path between a first swing arm position whereat a portion of a shaping device supported by the swing arm assembly extends above a work-piece support surface and a second swing arm position, a first link arm with a first tracking component and a first slot, the first tracking component slidingly engaged with the swing arm assembly, a second link arm with a second tracking component engaged with the first slot, an actuator configured to pivot the second link arm from a first position whereat force from the first link arm acting on the tracking component is directed at a second link arm pivot toward a second position whereat the force is not directed at the second link arm pivot, and a control system configured to actuate the actuator in response to a sensed condition.
US08250949B2
A tool assembly includes a body having a receptacle. An adapter includes a shoulder, a head, and a neck interconnecting the head and the shoulder. The head engages with an inner periphery of the receptacle, allowing joint rotation of the adapter and the body. The head is slideably received in the receptacle between first and second positions. A C-clip is received in a retaining groove in the inner periphery of the receptacle. When the head is in the first position, the shoulder is received in the receptacle, the C-clip distends and clamps the shoulder to keep the adapter to be coaxial to the body. When the head is in the second position, the shoulder is outside of the receptacle, the C-clip abuts an outer periphery of the head, and the head is rotatable to a position such that the adapter is at an angle to the body.
US08250947B2
A ratchet wrench includes a head having a compartment. The compartment includes a first compartment section rotatably receiving a drive member and a second compartment section slideably receiving two pawls releasably engaged with the drive member. A switch is rotatably received in a switch groove formed in a side of the head and in communication with the second compartment section. A reversing plate is rotatably mounted to an engaging portion of the drive member extending beyond the head. The reversing plate includes a control section having a guiding groove. The switch includes a pin slideably engaged in the guiding groove. The switch pivots in the switch groove with the pin sliding in the guiding groove when the reversing plates pivots to control engagement between the drive member and the first and second pawls for controlling a driving direction of the ratchet wrench.
US08250938B2
An automatic powershift vehicle transmission comprising an input shaft; an output shaft; first and second intermediate shafts parallel to the input shaft; a lay shaft parallel to the output shaft; gearing providing first, second, third and fourth forward driving paths from the input shaft to the output shaft; a first clutch and a second clutch between the ends of the input shaft to establish driving connections; a third clutch for establishing the first or third forward driving path when the first clutch is operative; and a fourth clutch for establishing the second or fourth forward driving path when the second clutch is operative.
US08250934B2
There is provided a multi-axis force sensor including first and second bridge circuit groups detecting resistances of respective first and second groups of strain resistance elements provided at respective strain producing portions. The strain producing portions are formed on two axes intersecting with respect to each other at a right angle. The first group of strain resistance elements are arranged on one axis across an action portion so as to face with respect to each other, and the second group of strain resistance elements are arranged on another axis across the action portion so as to face with respect to each other. The first bridge circuit groups respectively output a positive voltage when receiving tensile force, and the second bridge circuit groups respectively output a negative voltage when receiving tensile force.
US08250920B2
An angular rate sensor and an acceleration sensor are sealed at the same sealing pressure. The sealing pressure at this time is put into a reduced pressure state below the atmospheric pressure in view of improving a detection sensitivity of the angular rate sensor. Even in the reduced pressure atmosphere, to improve the detection sensitivity of the acceleration sensor, a shift suppressing portion (damper) for suppressing shifts of a movable body of the acceleration sensor is provided. This shift suppressing portion includes a plurality of protruding portions integrally formed with the movable body and a plurality of protruding portions integrally formed with a peripheral portion, and the protruding portions are alternately disposed separately at equal intervals.
US08250906B2
A leak detector for use with a piping system, where the leak detector includes a housing configured to be attached to a conduit and a valve configured and arranged for axial movement with respect to the housing. Additionally, there is a magnet attached to the valve for movement therewith. Embodiments of the invention also preferably include a magnetically-actuated switch positioned within the leak detector along an axial flow path of a fluid such that axial movement of the magnet triggers the switch, which indicates fluid flow through the leak detector. In certain embodiments, there is also a leak passageway that permits a relatively small amount of fluid to pass to an outlet side of the valve even when a diaphragm is in seating contact with the valve if fluid pressure on the outlet side of the valve is slightly lower than fluid pressure on an inlet side of the valve.
US08250905B2
For the processing of a knock sensor signal during the detection of knocking in a combustion engine, in order to allow for inexpensively designed, efficient, and accurate bandpass filtering, a signal processing device (10) has an analog filter (20), a sigma-delta modulator (30) designed for analog-digital conversion, a CIC filter (40) designed to decimate the sampling rate, and a digital filter (50).
US08250904B2
The present invention generally recites a method, system and apparatus for fluid analysis and more specifically recites a method system and apparatus for multistage injection of a fluid to be analyzed into a fluid analysis instrument.
US08250900B2
The present invention describes a replaceable breath alcohol sensor module that can be replaced with a new pre-calibrated breath alcohol sensor module or re-calibrated. The breath alcohol sensor module requiring calibration can be removed from the body of a Breath Alcohol Testing Device (commonly called “breathalyser” or “breathalyzer”). The breath alcohol sensor module can be separately calibrated for accurate calculation of “percent blood alcohol concentration” (% BAC) based on breath air samples and then re-installed into the breath alcohol tester or the old breath alcohol sensor module can be replaced with a new pre-calibrated breath alcohol sensor module. The present invention improves upon and/or replacing the current method of re-calibration at a breathalyzer service center.
US08250884B2
A method of forming fibers from molten mineral material is provided. The method comprising the steps of: rotating a spinner having an orificed peripheral wall, the orificed peripheral wall having a top row of orifices, introducing molten mineral material to the spinner to create a fan of primary glass fibers, creating an annular combustion flow of heated gas and directing the annular combustion flow of heated gas substantially through the primary fibers, creating an annular flow of attenuating air with an annular blower, the annular flow of attenuating air being sufficient to attenuate the primary fibers into secondary fibers, directing the annular combustion flow of heated gas and the annular flow of attenuating air so that they are radially spaced apart at the level of the top row of orifices, and directing the annular combustion flow of heated gas and the annular flow of attenuating air so that they are brought together at a position below the top row of orifices.
US08250879B2
A dual refrigeration circuit, watercooled chiller has its respective evaporators and condensers interconnected by waterboxes, with each waterbox having an inlet flow and outlet flow connection, and with three passages interconnected with the respective evaporators/condensers of the first and second circuit, and with each of the condensers/evaporators having return bends at their ends to provide a two-pass flow arrangement. The flow in the condenser waterbox passes into a first passage and then in one direction to the condenser of one circuit while the flow into the evaporator waterbox passes into a first passage and then in the opposite direction to one of the circuit evaporators. In this manner, a series counterflow arrangement with two water passes is achieved.
US08250864B2
A method is for controlling the torque of a hybrid drive unit, which includes a combustion engine and at least one electric machine capable of being operated alternatively as a motor or as a generator. The electric machine, when operated as a motor, is powered by an energy storage device and supplies a positive electric motor torque which together with a combustion engine torque of the combustion engine produces a total drive torque of the hybrid drive unit. A hybrid drive unit includes a respective torque control. In the event that a desired torque is greater than a consumption-optimized combustion engine maximum torque, the electric machine is operated as a motor having an electric motor torque. An electric motor maximum torque is specified as a function of at least one state parameter of the energy storage device.
US08250859B2
An exhaust emission control device is disclosed. The exhaust emission control device includes a particulate filter incorporated in an exhaust pipe to capture particulates in exhaust gas, a selective reduction catalyst arranged downstream of the particulate filter to selectively react NOx with ammonia, even in the presence of oxygen, and urea water addition means capable of adding urea water as reducing agent between the catalyst and the filter. The urea water addition means is arranged at an upstream end of a longest linear portion. At least one bend is formed in a passage which guides the exhaust gas from the urea water addition means to the selective reduction catalyst.
US08250852B2
A pre-cooler having an annular cross-sectional shape about the axis of a pod and arranged inside the rear part of an inner shroud in external contact with a cold flow exiting a fan duct channel and in close contact with a cooling air stream drawn from the cold flow.
US08250847B2
A power generation system that comprises a first power generator; a first turbine operable to drive the first power generator; a vaporizer operable to vaporize a working fluid, wherein the vaporized working fluid turns the first turbine; and a condenser operable to condense the vaporized working fluid exiting the first turbine, wherein the condenser is coupled to the vaporizer such that the condensed working fluid is vaporized in the vaporizer. The power generation system also comprises a second power generator; a second turbine operable to burn a fuel to drive the second power generator; a switch to selectively operate the second turbine independently of the first turbine; and a heat exchanger coupled to the second turbine to receive flue gas from the second turbine when operated, wherein heat is transferred in the heat exchanger from the flue gas to the vaporized working fluid after the vaporized working fluid exits the vaporizer and prior to the vaporized working fluid entering the first turbine.
US08250844B2
A cable includes a first layer of wire helically wound to define a lumen having a lumen diameter. A second layer of wire is helically wound over the first layer. A first end segment of the second layer is configured with a plurality of strands that are fused together. A second end segment of the second layer is configured with a plurality of strands that are fused together.
US08250841B1
An output for use with a vehicle and having an electric motor powered by an electric power source. The output includes a motor shaft driven by and extending from opposite sides of the electric motor, and first and second output shafts driven by the motor shaft at opposite ends thereof. The first and second output shafts are perpendicular to the motor shaft and both have a first end driven by the motor shaft and a second end which extends through a deck. A first mower blade is driven by the first output shaft and a second mower blade is driven by the second output shaft. The first and second mower blades are meshed and have a fixed orientation with respect to each other.
US08250840B2
A support structure for agricultural implements having at least one floating head with a work tool. The support structure permits the work tool to be folded. The work tool of the agricultural implement is supported near its outer end by the support structure in a cantilevered fashion.
US08250836B2
An apparatus and method for automatically loading drums into a drum container, in which, when the drums filled with radioactive waste are loaded into the drum container, the drums are fed to a designated position, and placed at a fixed position, reducing loading time and manpower as well as minimizing radiation exposure risk associated with radioactive waste treatment. The apparatus includes a drum feeder having conveyor modules transferring the drums and a turntable rotating a drum transferred to an orientation where the drum can be gripped, for sequentially loading the drums, a support frame on which a lid of the drum container is placed when the drums are being loaded, and a crane that grips and transfers the drum or the drum container lid.
US08250833B2
A wind turbine tower is provided, which comprises a number of segments with a polygonal cross section, each segment comprising a number of flat plates which are connected to each other so as to form the polygonal cross section. Further, a method for constructing a wind turbine tower which comprises segments assembled of flat plates is disclosed, wherein the flat plates are connected to each other so as to form segments with a polygonal cross section and the segments are connected to each other so as to form the tower.
US08250814B2
A bird repellent apparatus having an integral base member and a plurality of prongs. The base member, by means of a plurality of tabs having holes for receiving screws or other fasteners, can be affixed to virtually any desired surface. The plurality of prongs with sharp tips presents an impossible barrier to birds that would otherwise land or perch on the surface to which the present invention is affixed. The combined base member and prongs are formed from injection molded plastic structure that also provide the tabs having holes to secure the base member to the underlying surface.
US08250806B2
Microbial blend compositions and method for their use are provided. The subject compositions comprise a plurality of distinct microbial species that all share the following characteristics: (i) are antagonistic against a plurality of microbial pathogens; (ii) are non-pathogenic towards plants and animals; (iii) are tolerant of high temperatures; (iv) grow rapidly; and (v) proliferate on a complex substrate. In many embodiments, the compositions further include a carrier, e.g., a liquid or solid carrier medium. In practicing the subject methods, the compositions are applied to at least one of soil and plant tissue, and in certain embodiments are applied in conjunction with a complex substrate. Also provided are methods of preparing the subject compositions.
US08250798B2
A frame back retainer for a multi-use frame includes a tab-like structure and a fastening structure. The tab-like structure defines an aperture at a first end and defines a graduated ramp portion at a second end. The tab-like structure includes at least one securing arm depending from the tab-like structure near the aperture. The fastening structure is positioned through the aperture of the tab-like structure and mounted to the multi-use frame. The fastening structure defines a raised pedestal profile from a surface of the multi-use frame for allowing rotation of the tab-like structure relative to the fastening structure. The at least one securing arm engaging an outer edge of the fastening structure to rotatably attach the fastening structure to the tab-like structure. In operation, the user rotates the tab-like structure relative to the fastening structure about an axis to engage or disengage the graduated ramp portion within the multi-use frame.
US08250793B1
A multi-image license plate assembly having a series of horizontally disposed rotating display members operably controlled by a rotational drive mechanism. The drive mechanism can be a series of gears, pulleys, belts, chains, a worm gear assembly, or other means. The horizontally disposed rotating display members rotated about a horizontal axis. The rotating display members preferably have three image surfaces. An image is segmented, with each segment applied to a respective image surface of each of the display members, such that when the image surfaces are aligned, the complete image is displayed. The image can be applied directly to the rotating member or applied to an insert. An adapter mount is provided for fastening the multi-image license plate assembly to a vehicle.
US08250791B2
A visual notification device comprising a clip having a visual presentation may be attached to a food or drink container to indicate that a consumer who has temporarily left their seating or standing location, or food or drink container unattended, will return thereby avoiding the loss of a seating or standing location, or the disposal of unconsumed food or drink. The clip includes head with a front and rear face for displaying visual information such as text, an image, a logo, a trade name, an emblem, etc., an elongated body, a clip leg extending from the back of the clip behind the body, and a cap for connecting the assembly to a key ring or other attachment device.
US08250785B2
A dragline bucket includes a bottom wall, a pair of sidewalls and a rear wall that collectively define a cavity. The sidewalls each have a large downward taper of at least about 7 degrees in at least its forward area. In an alternative embodiment, the sidewalls each have an upward taper in its rearward area which alleviates the need for a spreader bar. The dragline bucket collects earthen material with minimal disruption of the material.
US08250762B2
Projections of a bevel gear or a vibrating body are formed by bending a metal-made plate member having a plurality of projections so as to direct them in the same direction and make their projecting direction include a component of out-of-plane direction and subsequently applying a load to the bent plate member to crush the projections so as to reduce the height thereof and increase the plate thickness.
US08250752B2
A connector assembly for a medical device includes at least one contact assembly, and each of the at least one contact assembly includes a mounting member, a first contact clip and a second contact clip. A method for assembling the connector assembly includes mounting the first contact clip to one of a first pair of opposing mounting sidewalls, on a first side of a shoulder of the mounting member, and mounting a second contact clip to one of a second pair of opposing mounting sidewalls of the mounting member, on a second side of the shoulder. The mounting member includes a bore, to receive axial insertion of a medical electrical lead connector therein, and the first and second pairs of opposing mounting sidewalls extend about the bore, such that opposing curved legs of each of the mounted connector clips bend into and out from the bore.
US08250743B2
The processing system (10) serves for processing a moving workpiece (12) by means of an industrial robot (16) that can be rigidly coupled, intermittently, to the workpiece (12) and/or to a movable workpiece carrier unit (14), the industrial robot (16), when in a decoupled operating position (42), being carried by a carrier device (18) that is movable, independently of a workpiece, by means of a drive unit (20) acting with active drive, and, when in a coupled operating position (44), being floatingly mounted relative to the carrier device (18) by means of a floating bearing system (22).Provision is made in this case whereby, in a coupled operating position (44) of the industrial robot (16), the drive unit (20) does not act with active drive upon the carrier device (18), the carrier device (18) being moved concomitantly, at least intermittently, by the moving workpiece (12) and/or by the moving workpiece carrier unit (14), by means of the floating bearing system (22), when the industrial robot (16) has been coupled.Further provided is a positioning method for an industrial robot (16) of such a processing system (10), which industrial robot (16) can be coupled to a moving workpiece (12).
US08250738B2
A method of manufacturing a field coil member having first and second edgewise coils to be respectively fitted on first and second pole cores mounted on a circumferential surface of a yoke. Each of the first and second pole cores has an outer periphery, the outer periphery having at least one rounded corner. The method includes providing a rectangular wire strap having a pair of opposing major sides and a thickness therebetween substantially less than a width of the major sides and providing first and second coil forms, the first coil form having an outer periphery identical in shape to the outer periphery of the first pole core, the second coil form having an outer periphery identical in shape to the outer periphery of the second pole core.
US08250729B2
The present invention provides a method for creating a beveled needle or a blade. The method employs a side wall surface of an angled post as a base to control beveled tip geometry. The invention provides needles, microneedle arrays, blades and microblade arrays with sufficient sharpness and toughness.
US08250726B2
A pipe includes a base body (8) of metal, defining an outer surface (10) of the base body and an inner surface (12) of the base body, and an inner coating (14) which is applied to the inner surface (12) of the base body. The inner coating (14) includes a thermoplastic material or a polyamide. The pipe may be used in the transport of drinking water.
US08250723B2
This system and method for mounting lenses in lens cells a lens with an annular groove around its peripheral edge and a polygonal mounting clip formed from spring wire with at least two contiguous apexes and a non-contiguous apex such that it is biased towards closure. The mounting clip is nested in the annular groove, forcing the non-contiguous apex open. The lens is firmly held by the mounting clip and transversely extending mounting extensions at each apex are inserted into properly spaced wells in a face of a lens cell body to hold the lens in position over an aperture. An alignment chuck with a lens rest positionable with respect to a lens cell body rest is used to position the lens at the proper height above the lens cell body. The alignment chuck is then spun to align the lens optical axis with the alignment axis of the cell body. After this, the wells serve as reservoirs for a cement or other bonding materials to firmly affix the lens in its clip in perfect position with respect to the lens cell body.
US08250716B2
A cable tie is disclosed. The cable tie includes a strap with an extended tab and a locking head secured to the strap. The locking head has a top and a bottom. The bottom of the locking head includes at least one relief slot that enables the locking head to deform when the cable tie is installed around a bundle of objects. The bottom of the locking head also includes at least one tab that extends away from the locking head. The extended tab of the strap, the at least one front tab of the locking head and the at least one relief slot in the bottom of the deforming locking head enable the cable tie to provide a 360 degree seal around the bundle of objects.
US08250712B2
A hinge having a plurality of movable axes enabling eccentric movement of an object connected to the hinge, and a connection member with a first hinge axis for enabling a first object to rotate about the first hinge axis, the connection member including a plurality of movable axes enabling eccentric movement of the object. The plurality of movable axes includes a central axis, a second hinge axis and a third hinge axis, and when the hinge or connection member moves with respect to the second hinge axis and the third hinge axis, the central axis moves. The hinge or connection member can be used in a portable terminal having a main body housing, where the folder rotates with respect to the first hinge axis towards or away from the main body housing, and the folder can rotate with respect to the first hinge axis.
US08250711B1
A space-saving slide cover lifting structure consisting of a pair hinges, a pair of sliding rail holders, a pair of plastic slide guides, a pair of sliding rails, a pair of gears and a pair of gear racks is disclosed. The gear racks are respectively accommodated in the sliding rails to reduce space occupation, minimizing the width of the assembly of the gear rack and the respective sliding rail. The arrangement of the plastic slide guides prohibits direction contact between the metal sliding rails and the sliding rail holders, avoiding friction noise.
US08250709B2
A rotating mechanism for an electronic device has a stationary seat with a limiting recess, a limiting ring mounted through the stationary seat with inner and outer limits, a shaft mounted through the stationary seat and the limiting ring with a limiting protrusion. With the limiting protrusion pushing the inner limit and the outer limit sliding in the limiting recess, the shaft achieves two stages of rotation to enhance the rotating angle in both directions. Moreover, with the adjusting of the sizes of the components, the rotating mechanism may provide rotating angle by 360 to 700 degrees.
US08250702B2
A cyclone separator useable in a surface cleaning apparatus comprises a cyclone casing defining a cyclone chamber and a dirt collection chamber exterior to the cyclone chamber. The cyclone chamber and the dirt collection chamber are openable such that the entire cross sectional area of the cyclone chamber and the dirt collection chamber may be exposed.
US08250697B2
A cable processing system includes a conveyor that holds cables and conveys the cables in a specified direction. The operation stretches the cables and allows them to be packaged or otherwise coiled. The cable processing system may wash the cables as they pass thereby.
US08250694B2
The head of a toothbrush includes a first tuft block having bristles and a second tuft block having bristles. The first and second tuft blocks are mounted for counter-rotational or counter-rotational oscillating movement in a direction parallel to the outer surface of the head. The toothbrush head also includes a third section having bristles extending outwardly from the head to provide an extended field of bristles to support an elongated ribbon of toothpaste and for enhanced cleaning.
US08250693B1
A ramp assembly provides a transition surface from a vehicle floor to an alighting surface. The ramp assembly includes a ramp portion that rotates between a stowed position and a deployed position. A panel is rotatably coupled to the ramp portion about a first axis. The ramp assembly further includes an actuator that provides a rotational force to the ramp portion that drives the ramp portion through a deployment motion. The deployment motion includes a first phase during which the rotational force rotates the ramp portion about the first axis. The deployment motion further includes a second phase during which the rotational force moves the first axis in a downward direction.
US08250689B2
The support characteristics within a foam mattress body may be varied by inserting reinforcements into channels cut or otherwise formed within the foam.
US08250685B1
A body wrap for quick lifting and transport of a patient's body or provide assistance to a patient or accident victim in standing or securing an injured limb during transport in a wheelchair, comprising a flexible canvas wrap that is placed and secured around parts of the body and where the supporting wrap has flexible handles that permit the wrap to be grasped and lifted by one or more attendants.
US08250683B2
A baby bathing apparatus comprising an easily stored, relatively planar expanse of material configurable into a relatively concave configuration for deployment at least partially within a basin, and a method of forming the same. A material and configuration of a deployed bathing apparatus comfortably and securely retain a baby during bathing. One or more fastening means can be employed to securely yet detachably retain the expanse in a deployed configuration, while also allowing the bathing apparatus to resume a non-deployed, relatively planar configuration.
US08250675B2
A leg garment comprising a garment insert having a first material, a front portion, an inseam portion, and a seat portion adapted to cover at least a portion of a wearer's right hip and a portion of a wearer's left hip. Included in the garment insert is a fastening system coupling the garment insert to a garment's leg section. The leg section comprises a second material and may have at least one hip extension and a waistband.
US08250669B2
Protective helmet of the type comprising a first outer visor to intercept the viewing aperture of the helmet mounted rotatably on said helmet, a second visor mounted, inside said first outer visor, rotatably on the cap of the helmet, and a device for actuation and mounting of said second visor on said cap, said second visor including a shielding portion and two ends at the sides of said shielding portion and being at least partly elastically deformable. The inner visor comprises, at least at one side end thereof, a fork and, at or in proximity of one or other of the side ends thereof, at least one externally projecting tooth. Correspondingly, said device for actuation and mounting comprises at least one pin for engaging, directly or indirectly, with said fork and at least one circular guide inside which said projecting tooth of said second visor is removably coupled in a sliding manner, said at least one pin and said at least one circular guide being integral and/or integrated with said cap.
US08256015B2
Methods, components, and systems for efficient authentication, either through a digital signature or message authentication codes, and verification of a digital stream sent from a source to a receiver via zero or more intermediaries, such that the source or intermediary (or both) can remove certain portions of the data stream without inhibiting the ability of the ultimate receiver to verify the authenticity and integrity of the data received. According to the invention, a source may sign an entire data stream once, but may permit either itself or an intermediary to efficiently remove certain portions of the stream before transmitting the stream to the ultimate recipient, without having to re-sign the entire stream. Applications may include the signing of media streams which often need to be further processed to accommodate the resource requirements of a particular environment. Another application allows an intermediary to choose an advertisement to include in a given slot.
US08256007B2
A system is provided for managing security rights of protected data having a plurality of security groups. The system comprises a client configured to generate the protected data, wherein a user of the client is a member of a subset of the plurality of security groups. The client comprising a key generator configured to generate a plurality of security group keys, wherein each membership key is associated with a security group selected by the user of the client and a combination key generator configured to generate a combination key based on the plurality of security group keys, wherein the client is configured to encrypt the protected data with the combination key.
US08256006B2
A system and method of providing identity theft security is provided. The system and method utilizes a computer program that identifies, locates, secures, and/or removes from computers, computer systems and/or computer networks personally identifying and/or other sensitive information in different data formats. The computer program utilizes a multi-tiered escalation model of searching/identifying sensitive information. The computer program of the instant invention utilizes a self-learning process for fine-tuning a level of scrutiny for identifying potentially sensitive information.
US08256001B2
One or more techniques and/or systems are disclosed for providing recommendations for an add-on to a base program operating on a computing device, thus allowing a user to make a more informed decision as to whether to allow the add-on to be installed or not. To make the recommendation, collection software is queried for information about an add-on when installation or instantiation of the add-on is detected on the computing device. Information about the add-on is collected by the collection software, which comprises one or more add-on detection programs. A recommendation for applying the add-on (or not) is generated using the collected information, where the recommendation comprises a ranking based on detection program prioritization.
US08255994B2
A method, system, and medium are provided for suppressing a Short Message Service (SMS) induced Denial of Service (DoS) attack on a telecommunications network. A register is updated to include information relevant to SMS messages that are requested to be communicated by way of a wireless telecommunications network. The register includes information of the location where the target devices of SMS messages are located. The register is utilized to detect an SMS induced DoS attack. A trigger is communicated to an SMS router to enable a DoS mode that restricts the communication of SMS messages. In an exemplary embodiment, only those SMS messages identified as part of the DoS attack are restricted.
US08255992B2
A system and method for detecting dependent pestware objects on a computer is described. One illustrative embodiment detects a primary pestware process in an executable memory of the computer, the primary pestware process including an associated check value by which the primary pestware process can be identified; locates, at a predetermined offset in the executable memory relative to the check value, a pointer to a string, the string comprising an address of a secondary pestware object stored on the computer; and follows the pointer to the string to ascertain the address of the secondary pestware object.
US08255986B2
A method of securely controlling through a private network a computer protected by a hardware-based inner access barrier or firewall and optionally configured to operate as a general purpose computer connected to the Internet, comprising: two separate network connections separated by an inner hardware-based access barrier or inner hardware-based firewall protecting a private network connection configured for connection to a private network of computers but not protecting a public network connection configured for connection to a public network configured to include the Internet, the method including the step of controlling at least one operation of the computer, the control being provided through the private network and the operation involving data and/or code transmitted to the public network. Another method includes the step of controlling an operation of a second or third private protected unit of the computer, the control being provided through a second or third private network, respectively.
US08255985B2
Recommending a security policy to a firewall, includes receiving a request from a firewall for a recommendation as to whether the firewall should allow or block a detected present communication for which the firewall does not have an existing security policy. Information about past blocked and allowed communications at other firewalls on a network is searched to identify past communications that are similar to the present communication. The identified past communications are assigned a respective positive or negative vote. A positive vote indicates a past communication was allowed and a negative vote indicates a past communication was not allowed. A positive recommendation is sent to the requesting firewall to allow the present communication if the positive votes outnumber the negative votes, and a negative recommendation is sent to the requesting firewall to block the present communication if the negative votes outnumber the positive votes.
US08255975B2
Machine-readable media, methods, apparatus and system for a community-based trust are provided. In an embodiment, it may be determined whether a requesting node obtains a trust from a targeting node through an endorsement from an intermediate node. If the requesting node obtains the trust through the endorsement from the intermediate node, an intermediate trust level that indicates how much the targeting node trusts the intermediate node may be obtained; and a new trust level that indicates how much the targeting node trusts the requesting node may be calculated based upon the intermediate trust level.
US08255970B2
A personal information generation apparatus 1 encapsulates personal information together with a transmission policy to generate a personal information capsule which is transmitted to personal information utilization apparatus 2. Personal information utilization apparatus 2 receives and holds the personal information capsule for utilization. In this event, personal information generation apparatus 1 transmits a transmission policy defined by the personal information producer. Personal information utilization apparatus 2 in turn transmits a reception policy defined by a personal information user. Then, personal information generation apparatus 1 and personal information utilization apparatus 2 determine a contractual coverage in regard to personal information to be distributed, and generate contract information. Eventually, the personal information is distributed from personal information generation apparatus 1 to personal information utilization apparatus 2 based on the generated contract information.
US08255965B2
A method, mobile terminal and computer program product for automatically accessing a specific URL, and a mobile terminal thereof. The method comprises outputting a broadcasting screen by receiving a broadcasting signal; when the broadcasting screen is not displayed, automatically accessing a preset specific URL; displaying a broadcasting list including one or more URL lists; selecting one or more URLs included in each item of the broadcasting list; and accessing a web site or a server of the selected URL.
US08255964B2
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set-top box operating from an interactive television (iTV) communication system having a controller to receive from the iTV communication system media content with metadata, record the media content, detect in the metadata a description of the media content correlating with one or more preferences in a preference profile, present at a media presentation device a first prompt requesting an acceptance or rejection of the media content, present at the media presentation device a second prompt requesting a selection of one or more communication devices to direct in whole or in part the media content thereto, detect the selection of at least one of the one or more communication devices, and transmit in whole or in part the media content to the at least one communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08255962B2
A video processing system and method of operation transports a video stream between a video source and a remote wireless device and includes a communication interface and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry couples to the communication interface, establishes a reception verified communication link with the remote wireless device via the communication interface, and establishes a non-reception verified communication link with the video source via the communication interface. The processing circuitry further receives the video stream (and an audio stream) from the video source via the communication interface using the non-reception verified communication link and transmits the video stream (and audio stream) to the remote wireless device via the communication interface using the reception verified communication link.
US08255928B2
A process registers a system management event in an application configuration database. Responsive to detecting the registered system management event during execution of one application of the set of applications, the process identifies applications of the set of applications associated with the registered system management event that are executing. The process then terminates the applications of the set of applications associated with the registered system management event that are executing. Responsive to terminating the applications of the set of applications associated with the registered system managing event that are executing, the process then executes a handler that processes the registered system management event.
US08255920B2
In a time management control method of a computer system for managing each individual time of a plurality of virtual systems, a service process or retains an overall system time and a difference time between the overall system time and a virtual system time for each virtual system, and a firmware in the virtual system acquires the overall system time and the difference time, calculates a difference time between the overall system time and the change time of the virtual system, adds the both difference times, and informs the service processor. Accordingly, the virtual system time can be changed without time management hardware in each virtual system. Further, since service processor performs update processing only, it is also possible to prevent a time set error caused by delayed calculation processing etc.
US08255919B2
A method is disclosed that receives a function call at an application program interface. The method selects a first processor of a plurality of processors to execute the function call. The method further executes a first transmit function associated with a bus coupled to the first processor. The first transmit function includes a function parameter associated with the function call.
US08255914B1
A technique retrieves information from an electronic object source. The technique involves receiving a user command from a user. The user command requires data from the electronic object source. The technique further involves generating object requests in response to the user command. The object requests have (i) respective task identifiers and (ii) respective priority identifiers. The task identifiers identify tasks to be performed by the electronic object source. The priority identifiers identify priorities of the object requests. The technique further involves processing the object requests based on the priority identifiers of the object requests to obtain objects from the electronic object source, the objects including the data required by the user command, and the data resulting from the electronic object source performing the tasks identified by the task identifiers of the object requests. Such a technique is well-suited for data storage system applications, among other things.
US08255910B2
A method comprises scheduling, by a weighted proportional-share virtual time processor scheduler, processor access to a first consumer during a time period in which a second consumer is blocked from processor access. When the second consumer becomes unblocked from processor access, the weighted proportional-share virtual time processor scheduler determines whether the length of the time period over which the second consumer was blocked from processor access exceeds a predefined time threshold. When determined that the length of the time period over which the second consumer was blocked from processor access does not exceed the predefined time threshold, then scheduler does not update the virtual time of the second consumer before scheduling processor access for the second consumer.
US08255906B2
An interactive virtualization management system provides an assessment of proposed or existing virtualization schemes. A Virtual Technology Overhead Profile (VTOP) is created for each of a variety of configurations of host computer systems and virtualization technologies by measuring the overhead experienced under a variety of conditions. The multi-variate overhead profile corresponding to each target configuration being evaluated is used by the virtualization management system to determine the overhead that is to be expected on the target system, based on the particular set of conditions at the target system. Based on these overhead estimates, and the parameters of the jobs assigned to each virtual machine on each target system, the resultant overall performance of the target system for meeting the performance criteria of each of the jobs in each virtual machine is determined, and over-committed virtual machines and computer systems are identified.
US08255904B2
A system, method, and computer program product for generating a distributable software package, including loading a template/profile; loading at least one module; receiving configuration options over a network connection; and assembling a distributable software package according to the profile, template(s), modules, and the configuration options.
US08255902B1
A computer-implemented method for determining whether an application impacts the health of a system may comprise detecting an application, performing a first system-health evaluation, allowing the application to install on the system, performing a second system-health evaluation after the application is installed on the system, and comparing the second system-health evaluation with the first system-health evaluation to determine whether the application impacted the health of the system. Exemplary methods for determining the potential impact of an application on the health of a system and for calculating a system-health-impact score for an application based on information gathered from a plurality of systems are also disclosed. Corresponding systems and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US08255896B2
A fire detection system includes at least one existing fire detection unit, at least one replacement fire detection unit, control circuitry associated with the at least one existing fire detection unit, control circuitry associated with the at least one replacement fire detection unit, a graphical user interface associated with the at least one replacement fire detection unit, and communication media connecting the at least one existing fire detection unit and the at least one replacement fire detection unit. The replacement unit is configured to be compatible with the at least one existing unit, and the graphical user interface controls the configuration of the replacement panel. The control circuitry associated with the replacement unit and the control circuitry associated with the existing unit execute the configuration of the replacement panel.
US08255891B2
A computer-implemented method and system for improved data flow analysis and optimization are disclosed. The method and system generates data flow analysis information from vectorized processing components, the data flow analysis information including an input information set and an output information set, generates hole information from the vectorized processing components, selects needed holes based on the input information set, the output information set, and the hole information, and modifies a portion of the data flow analysis 10 information by retaining needed holes and removing holes not identified as needed holes from the vectorized processing components.
US08255875B2
A control system development platform is provided. The platform includes a shell component adapted to support development of a control systems application. An abstract model is associated with the shell component to facilitate development of the control systems applications.
US08255867B1
Methods and systems are provided for generating a wiring diagram based on a wiring configuration stored in a memory device. The wiring configuration is deconstructed, a new wiring configuration is constructed on a grid that includes a plurality of fields. The new wiring configuration is based on the wiring configuration. The wiring diagram is generated based on the plurality of fields.
US08255856B1
A computer implemented method is provided for use in evaluating a hierarchical representation of a circuit design encoded in a computer readable medium comprising: traversing a circuit path within a higher level circuit that includes a reference potential connection, to identify a port of a call to a first lower level circuit that is DC path connected to the reference potential; identifying a first DC port group that includes each port of the call to the first lower level circuit that is DC path connected to the identified port of the call to the first lower level circuit; automatically marking as DC path connected to the reference potential, each port of the call to the first lower level circuit that is a member of the first DC port group; and traversing a circuit path within the first lower level circuit to identify a circuit path within the first lower level circuit that is DC path connected to a marked port of the first lower level circuit.
US08255855B2
Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that routes nets over circuit blocks in a hierarchical circuit design. During operation, the system can receive a set of circuit blocks. At least some terminals of the circuit blocks may be desired to be electrically linked together using a net which is expected to be routed over one or more circuit blocks. The system may divide an area associated with a block (e.g., an area in a metal layer which is situated above the block) into a set of tiles. Next, the system may assign costs to at least some of the tiles in the set of tiles. The system can then use the costs during routing. Note that using the costs of the tiles during routing makes it more likely that buffers can be used wherever required to meet slew and timing requirements.
US08255851B1
Aspects of the disclosure provide a hold violation correction method that can save design time. The method can be integrated into early stages of electric circuit design instead of correcting hold violations during the final stages of circuit design prior to tape-out. The method can include constructing block-level input/output (IO) timing models for a plurality of circuit blocks that are interconnected, detecting one or more paths between the circuit blocks, adding one or more delay elements on the paths to cause that delays on the paths are within a predetermined delay target range.
US08255847B1
A method for designing a system on a target device is disclosed. The system is synthesized. The system is partitioned into a plurality of logical sections utilizing information derived from synthesizing the system and prior to performing placement of the system on the target device. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08255842B2
A thin-film transistor circuit includes a crystallized semiconductor thin film two-dimensionally partitioned into crystal-grain-defining areas each of which accommodates a crystal grain larger than a predetermined size, thin-film transistors each of which has a channel region placed at the center position of a corresponding one of the crystal-grain-defining areas, and wirings which interconnect the thin-film transistors.
US08255836B1
Aspects of the disclosure may relate to detecting, by a computing device, a first user input comprising a first gesture to interact with a touch-sensitive screen of the computing device. Aspects may also include detecting a second user input comprising a second gesture using the touch-sensitive screen of the computing device. Aspects may also include, responsive to detecting the first user input, initiating a hover mode of interaction in a graphical user interface.
US08255831B2
When registration operation for a new place is performed, the client terminal sends registration information along with a user ID to the file management server. The file management server extracts the number of layers and the number of places from the place map information. The file management server computes a layer close to the center of the place map information from the extracted number of layers. Next, the file management server retrieves a place of which the place name is not registered. Moreover, the file management server computes and acquires the distance of the retrieved place, and registers the registration information for the new place in the place having the shortest distance.
US08255830B2
In some embodiments, a device displays content on a touch screen display and detects input by finger gestures. In response to the finger gestures, the device selects content, visually distinguishes the selected content, and/or updates the selected content based on detected input. In some embodiments, the device displays a command display area that includes one or more command icons; detects activation of a command icon in the command display area; and, in response to detecting activation of the command icon in the command display area, performs a corresponding action with respect to the selected content. Exemplary actions include cutting, copying, and pasting content.
US08255828B2
An improved user interface is provided for displaying selectable software functionality controls and for presenting logical groupings of particular functionality controls associated with a selected top-level functionality. Underneath a row of top-level functionality tabs, functionalities controls associated with a given top-level functionality tab are presented in logical groupings. Selection of a particular tab switches modes of the user interface to present controls for functionalities associated with the selected tab.
US08255824B2
Methods and other embodiments associated with a web browser extension are described. One example browser extension includes a toolbar logic to provide a toolbar. The toolbar may include, for example, a set of graphical user interface elements displayed in connection with a browser window. The browser extension may also include a sidebar logic to provide a sidebar. The browser extension may also include a coordination logic to coordinate the presentation and functionality of a combination of the toolbar and the sidebar to be provided to a browser. The presentation and functionality may be based, at least in part, on a selectable presentation mode and a selectable attachment mode.
US08255819B2
A computer-implemented method of providing information for a web notebook is disclosed. The method can include displaying a web document in a content area of a browser window, receiving a user selection of content from the document initiated by a first user mouse click, and displaying a selection icon in the content area upon completion of the user selection, wherein the selection icon is displayed without the need for a second user mouse click.
US08255817B2
A computer-implemented method of displaying information about first and second pluralities of time-based events, the method involving: displaying perspective representations of each of a plurality of timelines including a first timeline and a second timeline, wherein the perspective representation of the first timeline is made up of perspective images of representations of the events of the first plurality of events arrayed along the first timeline at locations in time corresponding to those events and the perspective representation of the second timeline is made up of perspective images of representations of the events of the second plurality of events arrayed along the second timeline at locations in time corresponding to those events; enabling a user to select a current time; and in response to the user selecting the current time, displaying perspective representations of a portion of each of the first and second timelines as determined by the user selected current time.
US08255813B2
A method for building wizard-style user interfaces (UIs) for a business task is disclosed. The method includes receiving metadata at a computer system, where the metadata comprises information regarding the business task, generating an analysis by analyzing the metadata, generating user guidance information, and executing flow and business logic of the business task. The user guidance information is with regard to the business task, and the user guidance information is based on the analysis.
US08255811B2
A system for auto-sorting of lists based on most frequent component access or partner collaboration. The elements in the lists may represent collaboration partners (e.g. instant messaging contacts), and/or collaboration components such as Web addresses, events, collaborative documents, activity objects, and/or desktop applications. The system monitors component accesses and/or partner collaborations over a configurable time period to determine the frequency of collaborations with specific collaboration partners, and/or the frequency of accesses to collaboration components. The disclosed system then determines a set of collaboration partners and/or components that are most frequently collaborated with and/or accessed, and moves the list elements representing those collaboration partners and/or components into a top-located sub-list within a list of elements representing a larger number of collaboration partners and/or components in a user interface provided to a local user. The size of the top-located sub-list is user configurable, and the user may further indicate that certain collaboration partners and/or components are to be added to the sub-list, removed from the sub-list, always excluded from the sub-list, or always included in the sub-list. The local user may also be provided with a configurable set of alert notifications through the user interface communicating when collaboration partners and/or components have been added to and/or removed from the sub-list.
US08255810B2
In some embodiments, a computer-implemented method performed at a portable electronic device with a touch screen display includes simultaneously displaying a character input area operable to display text character input and emoji character input selected by a user, a keyboard display area, and a plurality of emoji category icons. In response to detecting a gesture on a respective emoji category icon, the method also includes simultaneously displaying: a first subset of emoji character keys for the respective emoji category in the keyboard display area and a plurality of subset-sequence-indicia icons for the respective emoji category. The method also includes detecting a gesture in the keyboard display area and, in response: replacing display of the first subset of emoji character keys with display of a second subset of emoji character keys for the respective emoji category, and updating the information provided by the subset-sequence-indicia icons.
US08255799B2
A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture obtain user input during a playback of a macro. A series of user actions are recorded in the form of a macro. A representation of the user actions is displayed. The representation provides nodes that each represent the user actions. One of the nodes is selected and configured by the user to request additional user input relating to a parameter of the selected node during playback of the macro. The macro is played back and automatically pauses at the selected node. User input is obtained and the macro automatically continues execution utilizing the user input for the parameter of the selected node. Additionally, one or the user actions includes a selection of objects. As part of the recorded macro, references to the selected objects are stored in a non-graphical manner. During playback, objects are selected based on the stored references.
US08255791B2
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing information in an easily customizable, interactive and collaborative format. The invention can be looked at as the combination of one or more functional components in one aspect, the invention features aggregating raw data on at least one DataServer connected to a communication network; performing analysis of that data using at least one AnalyticalServer that is connected to the network; maintaining a cache of the most recent data and analysis of that data from the AnalyticalServers on at least one ViewServer connected to the network; maintaining communications with the network for accessibility by users over the network; and maintaining an ApplicationServer on the network that, based either on requests of the user through the web server, or through an automatic refresh, generates display data using, for example, the cached information on the ViewServer. Various manipulations of the data, including, for example, flexibly sorting, movement, aggregation, filtering, charting/graphing, etc. of rows and columns of a display can be effected. The system can also provide redundancy and views of the data can be shared among plural sites.
US08255789B2
Heuristic based feature degradation and/or restoration is disclosed. In some embodiments, a feature is provided with respect to a set of spreadsheet cells. The feature consumes processing power. If a degradation threshold associated providing the feature is satisfied, the feature is at least partially degraded so that an expected latency of providing the feature is at least in part avoided. If a restoration threshold associated with providing the feature is satisfied, the feature is at least partially restored for the set of cells.
US08255788B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates substitution of a full bitmap version of a graphical image with a line drawing version of the graphical image in a graphical presentation. The system operates by displaying a page in the graphical presentation, which includes the line drawing version of the graphical image. Next, the system allows a user to input a command to display the full bitmap version of the graphical image. If the user inputs the command, the system retrieves the full bitmap version of the graphical image, and displays the full bitmap version of the graphical image. Note that displaying the line drawing version of the graphical image requires less data to be retrieved than displaying the full bitmap version of graphical image. Consequently, loading the line drawing version of the graphical image takes less time than loading the full bitmap version. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates substitution of a full bitmap version of a graphical image with a line drawing version of the graphical image in a graphical presentation. The system receives the full bitmap version of the graphical image, and then produces the line drawing version of the graphical image from the full bitmap version of the graphical image. Next, the system inserts the line drawing version of the graphical image into a page in the graphical presentation, and then links the full bitmap version of the graphical image into the graphical presentation so that selecting the line drawing version of the graphical image causes the full bitmap version of the graphical image to be displayed.
US08255780B2
An application specific processor to implement a Viterbi decode algorithm for channel decoding functions of received symbols. The Viterbi decode algorithm is at least one of a Bit Serial decode algorithm, and block based decode algorithm. The application specific processor includes a Load-Store, Logical and De-puncturing (LLD) slot that performs a Load-Store function, a Logical function, a De-puncturing function, and a Trace-back Address generation function, a Branch Metric Compute (BMU) slot that performs Radix-2 branch metric computations, Radix-4 branch metric computations, and Squared Euclidean Branch Metric computations, and an Add-Compare-Select (ACS) slot that performs Radix-2 Path metric computations, Radix-4 Path metric computations, best state computations, and a decision bit generation. The LLD slot, the BMU slot and the ACS slot perform in a software pipelined manner to enable high speed Viterbi decoding functions.
US08255779B2
A system and method are provided for accelerating forward error correction (FEC) synchronization in a communicating receiver. On the transmitter side, the method accepts an energy waveform representing a packet of data symbols, encodes the packet, and creates an FEC block. Prior to transmitting the FEC block, an electromagnetic waveform is transmitted representing an FEC flag character. Then, an electromagnetic waveform representing the FEC block is transmitted a predetermined first period of time after the transmission of the FEC flag character. For example, the first time period may be immediately following the FEC flag character transmission or a predetermined number of idle characters following the transmission of the FEC flag character.
US08255773B2
Systems and methods of tracking error data are disclosed. A method includes receiving a first checksum associated with error locations of a first error correction code operation and receiving a second checksum associated with error locations of a second error correction code operation. The first checksum is compared to the second checksum and an action is initiated on a region of a memory array based on a result of the comparison.
US08255749B2
Topology discovery of a target system having a plurality of components coupled with a scan topology may be performed by driving a low logic value on the data input signal and a data output signal of the scan topology. An input data value and an output data value for each of the plurality of components is sampled and recorded. A low logic value is then scanned through the scan path and recorded at each component. The scan topology may be determined based on the recorded data values and the recorded scan values.
US08255748B2
A clock signal is received at a clock node of a latch module, and a data signal is received at a data node of the latch module. The data signal including information to be latched at a first latch of the latch module and at a second latch of the latch module. A first representation of the data signal to a first data node of the first latch is delayed relative to a second representation of the data signal to a corresponding first data node of the second latch to obtain a first timing requirement between the data signal and the clock signal relative to the first latch that is substantially different than a second timing requirement. An error signal is generated in response to different data being latched at the first latch than at the second latch.
US08255745B2
Embodiments include a computing system, a device, and a method. A computing system includes a processor subsystem having an adjustable operating parameter. The computing system also includes an information store operable to save a sequence of instructions. The computing system further includes a controller module. The controller module includes a monitor circuit for detecting an incidence of an operating-parameter-caused error corresponding to an execution of an instruction of the sequence of instructions by the processor subsystem. The controller further includes a control circuit for adjusting the adjustable operating parameter based upon an error-tolerant performance criterion.
US08255743B2
Techniques are generally described for addressing computation errors via coordinated computation on two computing platforms are disclosed. In some embodiments, one or more cuts may be taken of a computation to observe variables, and the observations may be analyzed to detect errors. Corrections may be created for the detected errors. The disclosed techniques may be employed in power and/or energy minimization/reduction, and debugging, among other goals. Other embodiments may be disclosed and/or claimed.
US08255740B2
Embodiments of the present invention include computer-implemented methods for selectively applying remedial actions, according to a predefined order, for reducing the error rate in a computer memory system. In one embodiment, an ordered set of remedial actions are sequentially invoked in response to a single-bit error (SBE) in a DIMM reaching successive error thresholds. For example, in an air-cooled system, the remedial actions may include dynamically increasing a DIMM refresh rate, dynamically increasing a rate of airflow used to cool the DIMMs, and dynamically throttling the DIMMs. The remedial actions may be layered as they are successively invoked, to provide a cumulative remedial effect. At least two of the remedial actions may be simultaneously invoked in response to a multi-bit error rate reaching an associated threshold.
US08255739B1
Technologies are described herein for achieving data consistency during a failover from a primary node to a secondary node in a storage cluster with a shared RAID array in a degraded mode. When the primary storage node receives a write I/O operation, a volume module on the primary node reads the missing data strip data from the failed disk belonging to the stripe targeted by the write I.O operation. The primary storage node communicates the missing data strip to the secondary storage node, which writes the missing strip data to an outstanding strip log. Upon the failure of the primary node, the secondary storage node reads the missing data strip from the outstanding strip log and writes the missing data strip to the shared RAID array, thus restoring data consistency to the stripe of the RAID array containing the missing data strip.
US08255737B1
The techniques introduced here include storage systems including a storage controller configured to access data and a storage subsystem including a storage device having n ports, where n is an integer greater than one, and where the storage device is configured to store the data and to make the data available to the storage controller via each of the n ports. The storage systems also include a communication fabric configured to couple the storage controller to each of the n ports of the storage device via m paths, where m is an integer greater than n, so that the storage system is configured to tolerate failure in up to m−1 paths through the communication fabric, such that the data in the storage device remains accessible to the storage controller even in the presence of failure in up to m−1 paths of the m paths.
US08255732B2
Systems and methods for rapid Byzantine-fault-tolerant self-stabilizing clock synchronization are provided. The systems and methods are based on a protocol comprising a state machine and a set of monitors that execute once every local oscillator tick. The protocol is independent of specific application specific requirements. The faults are assumed to be arbitrary and/or malicious. All timing measures of variables are based on the node's local clock and thus no central clock or externally generated pulse is used. Instances of the protocol are shown to tolerate bursts of transient failures and deterministically converge with a linear convergence time with respect to the synchronization period as predicted.
US08255730B2
A power management unit for controlling power supply voltages of first and second power domains to which first and second CPUs belong respectively includes a power IC which supplies first and second power supply voltages to the first and second power domains respectively; a clock generating portion which generates first and second clocks and supplies the first and second clocks to the first and second CPUs respectively; and a power and clock control portion which is connected both to the power IC and to the clock generating portion.
US08255727B2
An interface card is capable of communicating with an external device and includes a power supplier; a non-volatile memory which stores executable instructions to operate in an active-mode and a sleep-mode; a small-capacity volatile memory which is supplied with power in the sleep mode; a transmitter-receiver which transmits and receives packet data to/from the external device; and a controller which retrieves sleep-mode instructions stored in the non-volatile memory and loads the sleep mode instructions in the small-capacity volatile memory to transition the interface card into the sleep mode if the transmitter-receiver does not receive the packet data for predetermined time period in an active mode. The interface card processes certain packet data in the sleep mode and transitions back into the active mode when sleep mode operations determine that the packet data cannot be processed in the sleep mode. The non-volatile memory, and other components of an external circuit, is powered down when the interface card is in the sleep mode.
US08255721B2
A method and apparatus for seamless frequency sequestering is herein described. In response to a frequency throttle event, controlling software, such as an OS, is provided access to a throttled amount of frequency associated with the frequency throttle event, while another amount of frequency is transparently sequestered for performance of non-controlling software tasks.
US08255706B2
A dual usage smart card of CPU and logical encryption and its data synchronization method. Said method comprises that a CPU command processing module controls an accessing control module for the logical encryption storage region to read the data in the logical encryption storage region to a data format conversion module; said data format conversion module transmits the data to the CPU control storage region; the CPU command processing module controls the CPU control storage region again to transmit the data of CPU card to the accessing control module for the logical encryption storage region through the data format conversion module; and said accessing control module for the logical encryption storage region writes the data of CPU card into the logical encryption storage region.
US08255703B2
A method for performing a hash operation, including providing an atomic hash instruction that directs a microprocessor to perform a the hash operation and to indicate whether the hash operation has been interrupted by an interrupting event; translating the atomic hash instruction into first and second micro instructions; via a hash unit, first executing the first micro instructions to accomplish the hash operation according to the hash mode; and via an integer unit, second executing the second micro instructions in parallel with the first executing to test a bit in a flags register, to update text pointer registers, and to process interrupts during execution of the hash operation. The atomic hash instruction has an opcode field, configured to prescribe the hash operation, and a hash mode field, configured to prescribe that the microprocessor accomplish the hash operation according to a one of a plurality of hash modes.
US08255693B2
A portable device uses a microphone to listen to ambient audio, derives data from captured audio signals, and uses the derived data to request delivery of the audio or related information to the user's home or other location. The device is desirably pocket-sized, or suitable for carrying on a key-ring. The device may also detect a watermark signal that is present in the user's environment (e.g., played through a public address speaker system) to aid the user in recalling the context from which the audio was requested.
US08255690B2
A method and apparatus for group session key and establishment using a certified migration key are described. In one embodiment, the method includes exporting of a protected certified migration key (CMK) to a target platform. In one embodiment, exporting of the protected CMK requires that the target platform is authorized for participation in a group and has a storage key, including attributes that comply with the group security policy. Once the protected CMK is exported, in one embodiment, a group master key is encrypted with a public portion of the CMK to form a protected group master key. Subsequently, the protected group master key is transmitted to the target platform. In one embodiment, possession of the group master key enables the target platform to participate in a secure group communication session. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08255687B1
Systems and methods are described herein for enabling users to select from available secure service providers (each having a Trusted Service Manager (“TSM”)) for provisioning applications and services on a secure element installed on a device of the user. The device includes a service provider selector (“SPS”) module that provides a user interface for selecting the secure service provider. In one embodiment, the SPS communicates with a key escrow service that maintains cryptographic keys for the secure element and distributes the keys to the user selected secure service provider. The key escrow service also revokes the keys from deselected secure service providers. In another embodiment, the SPS communicates with a central TSM that provisions applications and service on behalf of the user selected secure service provider. The central TSM serves as a proxy between the secure service providers and the secure element.
US08255685B2
To validate a received certificate issuance notification message, a device may verify that the certificate issuance notification message conforms to expected norms or authenticate a signature associate with the certificate issuance notification message. Upon validating, the device may then transmit a uniform resource locator, extracted from the certificate issuance notification message, to a network entity configured for processing certificate issuance.
US08255684B2
A method and system for authentication of a plurality of sites in a land mobile radio (LMR) system and for encryption of messages exchanged by the sites. The plurality of sites are connected by a data network (e.g., IP network). The method includes transmitting by a first site its certificate. The certificate is created by a trusted authority by applying a selected function to the public key, the ID and other relevant information of the first site with the trusted authority's private key to generate a reduced representation and then encrypting the reduced representation with the trusted authority's private key. The method further includes receiving, by the other sites in the LMR system, the certificate transmitted by the first site. The method further includes decrypting, by the other sites, the certificate transmitted by the first site and authenticating the first site, wherein the certificate is decrypted using the trusted authority's public key. The method further includes generating a session key, encrypting the session key with the public key of the first site, and transmitting the encrypted session key to the first site. The method further includes decrypting, by the first site, the encrypted session key with the first site's private key, and transmitting, by the first site, a message encrypted with the shared session key. The method further includes multicasting the encrypted message over the data network. The method further includes receiving, by the other sites in the LMR system, the encrypted message transmitted by the first site, and decrypting the message with the session key.
US08255683B2
An e-mail firewall applies policies to e-mail messages between a first site and second sites in accordance with administrator selectable policies. The firewall includes a simple mail transfer protocol relay for causing the e-mail messages to be transmitted between the first site and selected ones of the second sites. Policy managers enforce-administrator selectable policies relative to one or more of encryption and decryption, signature, source/destination, content and viruses.
US08255673B2
Apparatus for processing data is provided comprising processing circuitry and monitoring circuitry for monitoring write transactions and performing transaction authorizations of certain transactions in dependence upon associated memory addresses. The processing circuitry is configured to enable execution of a write instruction corresponding to a write transaction to be monitored to continue to completion while the monitoring circuitry is performing monitoring of the write transactions and the monitoring circuitry is arranged to cause storage of write transaction data in an intermediate storage element for those transactions for which an authorization is required. Storage of write transaction data in an intermediate storage element enables the write transaction to be reissued in dependence upon the result of the transaction authorization although the corresponding write instruction has already completed.
US08255656B2
A storage device, a memory controller, and a data protection method are provided. The method includes when receiving a read command sent by a host, adopting a corresponding output flow rate limit to determine an operation that is executed on read data corresponding to the read command by the host according to location information included in the read command or a type of a transmission interface between the host and the storage device. The method also includes executing an interference procedure by the storage device to prevent the read data from being copied to the host or slow down the speed of copying the read data to the host when identifying that the operation is a copy operation.
US08255652B2
A storage device system includes an information processing device, a first storage device equipped with a first storage volume, and a second storage device equipped with a second storage volume. The information processing device and the first storage device are communicatively connected to one another. Also, the first storage device and the second storage device are communicatively connected to one another. The information processing device is equipped with a first write request section that requests to write data in the first storage device according to a first communications protocol, and a second write request section that requests to write data in the second storage device according to a second communications protocol. The information processing device creates first data including a first instruction to be executed in the second storage device.
US08255647B2
A computer system includes a first volume that is read and written from a first computer and in which write data is written, a second volume that stores journal data in the first volume with the journal data delimited at each predetermined point, a third volume as a virtual volume, a virtual-volume creating unit that creates, when a backup instruction for the first volume at a predetermined point is received, the third volume from which a second computer can read the journal data and in which the second computer can write the journal data, a mapping unit that maps the journal data to the third volume, and a backup unit that transfers the write data to a storage device via the second computer or transfers, through the third volume to which the journal data is mapped by the mapping unit, the journal data to the storage device via the second computer and backs up the write data and the journal data.
US08255643B2
A method of processing data of a nonvolatile memory includes performing a randomization operation on a data unit including page data to be programmed into the nonvolatile memory and page metadata corresponding to the page data and generating a random seed; and programming the randomized data unit, and the random seed into the nonvolatile memory, the randomized data unit including the randomized page data and the randomized page metadata. The random seed is programmed within the page metadata and a position at which the random seed is programmed is based on a characteristic of the page data.
US08255641B2
A filter between a filesystem and a storage device in a storage stack can be configured to modify a delete notification, such as by modifying an existing delete notification or creating a new delete notification. A storage stack filter can receive an existing delete notification and determine a modified range of deleted data in response to receiving the existing notification, where a modified delete notification indicates the modified range of deleted data. A new delete notification can be created with a storage stack filter positioned below a filesystem in a storage stack, where the new delete notification indicates a range of deleted data. The new or modified delete notification can be passed down the storage stack.
US08255636B2
A messaging protocol that facilitates a distributed cache coherency conflict resolution in a multi-node system that resolves conflicts at a home node. The protocol may perform a method including supporting at least three protocol classes for the messaging protocol, via at least three virtual channels provided by a link layer of a network fabric coupled to the caching agents, wherein the virtual channels include a first virtual channel to support a probe message class, a second virtual channel to support an acknowledgment message class, and a third virtual channel to support a response message class.
US08255631B2
A method, processor, and data processing system for implementing a framework for priority-based scheduling and throttling of prefetching operations. A prefetch engine (PE) assigns a priority to a first prefetch stream, indicating a relative priority for scheduling prefetch operations of the first prefetch stream. The PE monitors activity within the data processing system and dynamically updates the priority of the first prefetch stream based on the activity (or lack thereof). Low priority streams may be discarded. The PE also schedules prefetching in a priority-based scheduling sequence that corresponds to the priority currently assigned to the scheduled active streams. When there are no prefetches within a prefetch queue, the PE triggers the active streams to provide prefetches for issuing. The PE determines when to throttle prefetching, based on the current usage level of resources relevant to completing the prefetch.
US08255630B1
The present invention includes storing in a main memory data block tags corresponding to blocks of data previously inserted into a buffer cache memory and then evicted from the buffer cache memory or written over in the buffer cache memory. Counters associated with the tags are updated when look-up requests to look up data block tags are received from a cache look-up algorithm.
US08255628B2
A design structure for controlling computer-readable memory includes a plurality of memory locations, a usage frequency of a data unit stored in a first memory location is determined. The data unit is moved to a second memory location, different from the first memory location that is selected based on a correspondence between a known latency of the second memory location and the usage frequency of the data unit, in which the second memory location is the primary data storage location for the data unit.
US08255625B2
Embodiments of systems and methods for a storage system are disclosed. More particularly, in certain embodiments locations of storage devices may be allocated to store data when commands pertaining to that data are received. Specifically, in one embodiment a distributed RAID system comprising a set of data banks may be provided where the different performance characteristics associated with different areas of disks in the data bank may be taken into account when allocating physical segments to corresponding logical segments of a volume by allocating certain physical segments to a particular logical segment based upon a location of the physical segment or criteria associated with the logical segment.
US08255621B2
[PROBLEMS] To provide a portable terminal designated for speeding up the startup time of a multiprocessor system which is configured to be started up by a program being transferred from a specific processor to another processor. [MEANS OF SOLVING PROBLEMS] As a storing pattern of a program to a memory (ROM) transferred to another processor, a header is given to each code section. The header stores information as to whether or not the section needs to be transferred in each startup mode and size information of the corresponding code section. The startup time for each mode is shortened by enabling to transfer only the necessary portion from the transfer source processor to the transfer destination processor for each startup mode.
US08255614B2
An information processing device of an example of the invention comprises an address generation section that generates a write address indicating a write position in a nonvolatile memory so that the write position is shifted in order to suppress each number of times of overlapped writing for each position of the nonvolatile memory when a write operation to the nonvolatile memory from a processor is performed, an order generation section that generates order information indicating a generation order of the writing operation, and a write control section that stores write information to the write address, and stores the order information to the nonvolatile memory so that the order information is related to at least one of the stored write information and the write address.
US08255613B2
Performing wear-leveling and bad block management of limited lifetime memory devices. A method for performing wear-leveling in a memory includes receiving logical memory addresses and applying a randomizing function to the logical memory addresses to generate intermediate addresses within a range of intermediate addresses. The intermediate addresses are mapped into physical addresses of a memory using an algebraic mapping. The physical addresses are within a range of physical addresses that include at least one more location than the range of intermediate addresses. The physical addresses are output for use in accessing the memory. The mapping between the intermediate addresses and the physical addresses is periodically shifted. In addition, contents of bad blocks are replaced with redundantly encoded redirection addresses.
US08255611B1
One embodiment of the invention relates to the transfer of content between a host computer that issues OAS access requests and a block I/O storage system. Specifically, a host computer may issue an access request for a content unit that identifies the content unit is an object identifier. The request may be received by a second server, which may determine the block address(es) on the block I/O storage system at which the content unit is stored. A request may then be sent to the block I/O storage system to retrieve the content stored at the requested block address(es) and the block I/O storage system may return the content.
US08255608B2
An exemplary motherboard includes a substrate, a first CPU socket provided on the substrate for receiving a first CPU, a second CPU socket provided on the substrate for receiving a second CPU, a switching circuit connected to the first CPU and the second CPU, at least one quick path interconnect (QPI) bus connecting the first CPU to the second CPU, a number of first peripheral component interconnect express (PCI-e) interfaces connected to the first CPU via a number of first wires, a number of second PCI-e interfaces connected to the second CPU via a number of second wires, and a activating chip connected to the first CPU and the second CPU via the switching circuit and configured for starting a peripheral device connected to the first PCI-e interfaces or the second PCI-e interfaces.
US08255600B2
Certain aspects of a method and system for interlocking data integrity for network adapters are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include executing a plurality of interlocking checks within a network adapter. Each interlocking check may comprise receiving a plurality of input check values associated with a plurality of input data packets corresponding to a first protocol. A plurality of check values may be generated which are associated with the plurality of input data packets and a plurality of output data packets corresponding to a second protocol. The data integrity of the plurality of input data packets and the plurality of output data packets may be validated based on one or more comparisons between one or more of the generated plurality of check values and one or more of the received plurality of input check values.
US08255592B2
A cell broadband engine processor includes a memory a power processing element (PPE) coupled with the memory, and a plurality of synergistic processing elements. The PPE creates a SPE as a computing SPE for an application. The PPE determines idles ones of the plurality of SPEs, and creates an idle one of the plurality SPEs as a managing SPE. Each of the plurality of SPEs is associated with a local storage. The managing SPE informs the computing SPE of a starting effective address of the local storage of the managing SPE and an effective address for a command queue. The managing SPE manages movement of data associated with computing of the computing SPE based on one or more commands associated with the application. A computing SPE sends the one or more commands to the managing SPE for insertion into the command queue.
US08255591B2
A method and apparatus for managing cache injection in a multiprocessor system reduces processing time associated with direct memory access transfers in a symmetrical multiprocessor (SMP) or a non-uniform memory access (NUMA) multiprocessor environment. The method and apparatus either detect the target processor for DMA completion or direct processing of DMA completion to a particular processor, thereby enabling cache injection to a cache that is coupled with processor that executes the DMA completion routine processing the data injected into the cache. The target processor may be identified by determining the processor handling the interrupt that occurs on completion of the DMA transfer. Alternatively or in conjunction with target processor identification, an interrupt handler may queue a deferred procedure call to the target processor to process the transferred data. In NUMA multiprocessor systems, the completing processor/target memory is chosen for accessibility of the target memory to the processor and associated cache.
US08255588B2
A signal processing apparatus and method for processing an input signal. A first signal processing unit processes the input signal, and an expansion unit adds a second signal processing unit. A detecting unit detects whether the one or more additional second signal processing units has been added on to the expansion unit. A communication unit performs data transfers between the first signal processing unit and second additional signal processing unit via wireless communication, and a control unit coordinates the first signal processing unit and the one or more additional signal processing units.
US08255582B2
The present invention discloses an optical communication module comprising a second mode supporting a data transfer of USB 3.0 standard and a third mode supporting a data transfer of USB 2.0 standard, and the second mode comprises A mode and B mode with a different power consumption and supported data rate, and a detect unit operative to detect idle state of the data traffic on the data path of USB 3.0 standard to determine to stay on the A mode or enter to the B mode automatically during operation in the second mode. The control circuitry can work in different modes to support different status of devices attachment and removal, different data rate of USB 2.0 and 3.0 standards; and it can real time monitor the data traffic to switch different modes to save power consumption. The present invention also discloses a USB cable and a processing method of data transfer for an optical communication module.
US08255570B2
Systems and methods of storing previously transmitted data and using it to reduce bandwidth usage and accelerate future communications are described. By using algorithms to identify long compression history matches, a network device may improve compression efficiently and speed. A network device may also use application specific parsing to improve the length and number of compression history matches. Further, by sharing compression histories, compression history indexes and caches across multiple devices, devices can utilize data previously transmitted to other devices to compress network traffic. Any combination of the systems and methods may be used to efficiently find long matches to stored data, synchronize the storage of previously sent data, and share previously sent data among one or more other devices.
US08255555B2
A reception apparatus receiving a stream delivered by multicast through a network includes: a stream receiving a stream of a first channel as a viewing stream and one or more streams of second channels as viewing candidate streams; a buffer section storing the streams of the channels received by the stream reception section; a reproduction processing section performing processing for viewing the stream stored as the viewing stream in the buffer section; and a channel causing, when an instruction to switch over, as a viewing target, from the first channel to any one of the second channels of the streams being received as the viewing candidate streams is input, the reproduction processing section to process as the viewing stream the stream corresponding to the second channel and stored in the buffer section, and the stream to receive the stream as the viewing stream.
US08255553B2
A client module includes a client transceiver module that receives and demodulates a link signal from a multimedia server module over the communications link to produce a received encoded signal, the link signal including a multimedia signal from a multimedia device. A decoder module decodes the received encoded signal into a decoded output signal that is formatted for the at least one client device. A remote receiver module receives remote control signals from a remote control device wherein the remote control signals are formatted for reception by the multimedia device. A remote control signal encoder module encodes the remote control signals into encoded control signals for transmission to the multimedia server module by the client transceiver module.
US08255547B2
A communication system and method for operating the same includes a group of user devices and a content delivery network in communication with the group of user devices. The content delivery network selects a plurality user devices from the group of user devices, divides the content into a crucial portion and a non-crucial portions, and encrypts the crucial portions differently for each of the user devices in the group using conditional access encryption. The content delivery network communicates the non-crucial portions to the plurality of user devices, communicates the encrypted crucial portion to the plurality of user devices separately from the non-crucial. The plurality of user devices assembles the crucial portion and the non-crucial portions to form the content.
US08255540B2
In an access network which supports a mobile IP protocol, a mobile station may perform several handovers between access nodes during a long session which may cause inefficient mobile IP routing. In the present invention, an access node, which is the target of a handover during an IP session, is arranged to check the preferred mobility agent in respect of the optimal routing on the mobile IP level, and if a more preferred mobility agent is available and not the same as a current mobility agent, the connection to the current mobility agent is closed, and a new connection to the preferred mobility agent of the respective access node is opened. In merit of the new connection established by the access node to the preferred mobility agent, the agent advertisement messages sent by the new mobility agent can be received by the mobile node, and thereby the mobile node is able to detect the change of the attachment point (i.e. mobility agent) and to initiate standard mobile IP registration.
US08255539B2
A system and method of managing computer sessions are provided. The preferred method opens a session (such as for access to a database) and creates a token that includes a session opening time and a measure of the session duration. If the token is used within a predefined time window before the end of the session, the session is extended by updating the token to reflect a new session duration. The time window and duration of a session extension may be adjusted according to usage patterns of the system. The session may be extended recursively. The token expires when the last of the session extensions expires.
US08255538B1
A target world wide port name of a target port of a storage system is identified, by a device located in a path between a switch port of a switch and the target port of the storage system. A first port of the device is registered with the switch based on the target world wide port name, in a first registration procedure. Registration information relating to an initiator port of a server that is associated with the target port is received, in a second registration procedure. An initiator world wide port name of the initiator port of the server is determined, based on the registration information. A storage volume in the storage system that is associated with the initiator port is identified, based on the initiator world wide port name of the initiator port.
US08255516B1
A method for server consolidation is provided. The method includes accessing performance data of a plurality of source servers, receiving multiple consolidation parameters for a desired target server, receiving selected configurations for a new target server, computing a minimum number of target servers required to consolidate the plurality of source servers based at least on the performance data, the selected configurations for the desired target server, and the multiple consolidation parameters, and deriving a bin-packing solution to the server consolidation based at least on the performance data, the selected configurations for the new target server, and the minimum number for the one or more performance metrics.
US08255513B2
A topology information system, comprising a topology collection sub-system, a topology database, a topology query sub-system and a topology correlation sub-system. The topology collection sub-system includes at least one topology discovery agent. The topology collection sub-system automatically collects topology information from at least one topology layer of at least one managed world. The topology database is adapted to store the topology information collected by the topology collection sub-system. The topology query sub-system is adapted to query the topology information stored in the topology database using a topology pattern query created by a user. The topology correlation sub-system operates in parallel to the topology query sub-system, constantly monitoring the managed world for events and updating the Information Base accordingly.
US08255502B2
The Weblogic Tuxedo Connector is used to provide interoperability between Tuxedo and applications such as Weblogic Server. In one embodiment, WTC may implement operations such as list, start, or stop WTC Tuxedo session connections. In WTC, the configuration is set up so that multiple WTC-Tuxedo connections are defined as part of a WTCServerMBean. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a feature for providing WTC with the ability to individually perform actions to connections, such as start or stop a WTC-Tuxedo connection, without affecting other connections defined in the MBean.
US08255497B2
A method, a computer-readable medium, a software application, and a computer-based apparatus for initially establishing communication with a device on a local area network (LAN) in a substantially automated manner. A broadcast discovery request is transmitted over the network and the network is monitored for responses from devices connected to the network. A responding device is selected and a determination is made as to if a primary IP address of the selected device is within a predetermined subnet. Otherwise, a determination is made as to if a current alternate IP address of the selected device is within the predetermined subnet. Otherwise, a new alternate IP address is generated and may be conditionally assigned to the selected device. One of the primary IP address, the current alternate IP address, or the new alternate IP address is used to connect to the selected device for the purpose of communicating with the selected device.
US08255493B2
A portlet from a portal server is received at a computing device. A second server is queried for an initial portlet visibility rule for the portlet. The initial portlet visibility rule is received from the second server. A determination is made as to whether to render the portlet based upon the initial portlet visibility rule. The portlet is rendered in response to determining that the initial portlet visibility rule indicates to render the portlet.
US08255492B2
Machine-readable media, methods, and apparatus are described for dynamic content play control. In some embodiments, a client device (11) may receive a mark associated with a content piece from a remote system (10) connecting with the client device (11) through a network. The client device (11) may determine whether to play the content piece by checking the mark with a policy table comprising a plurality of marks. The policy table may indicate whether each of a plurality of content pieces associated with each of the plurality of marks is acceptable for play.
US08255470B2
A method and system for managing messages in a unified messaging (UM) platform to enable message recall is disclosed. The UM platform deposits a message from a sender into a UM mailbox of a recipient. It is then determined whether the sender of the message is a UM subscriber. If the sender is a UM subscriber, a copy of the message or a link to the message is deposited into a UM mailbox of the sender. The UM platform then provides a message recall option with the copy of the message or the link to the message in the UM mailbox of the sender. If the sender is not a UM subscriber, a recall message including a randomly generated message recall URL is sent to the sender. This allows the sender to select the randomly generated message recall URL to send a message recall request to the UM platform, which deletes the message from the mailbox of the recipient in response to the message recall request.
US08255465B2
Methods and systems for communicating information between computer networks in which the information to be communicated is required at one location (e.g. for processing) but only available at another location. The information may be absent deliberately (for privacy reasons) or may simply be unavailable as an artifact of the computer network(s) involved. The required information, such as the internal client IP address, is inserted into the outgoing network communication in a manner that does not to materially affect the normal transit or utility of the network communication (e.g. as custom headers). The information is preferably inserted in an encrypted form, so that it may pass over a public network and be invulnerable to unauthorised scrutiny.
US08255457B2
Adaptive content load balancing is described. In an embodiment, client requests for media content are received and service node(s) are determined that can provide the requested media content to a client. Each client request is registered to correlate client sessions with requested media content provided from a service node, and a determination is made as to whether to replicate the requested media content for each received client request to optimize session capacity over the service node(s).
US08255454B2
A method of optimizing a first set of graphical display elements on a client device. The method also includes coupling a first server to the client device by a first connection; coupling a second server to the client device by a second connection; and generating the first set of graphical display elements on a first server, wherein the first set of graphical display elements further comprises a first graphical display element and a second graphical display element. The method further includes generating a second set of graphical display elements on a second server; transmitting the first set of graphical display elements from the first server to the client device; and transmitting the second set of graphical display elements from the second server to the client device, wherein a third set of graphical display elements is created in a first window comprising the first set of graphical display elements and the second set of graphical display elements.
US08255452B2
Systems and methods are provided for controlling access via a computer network to a subscriber server. A log-in server receives a query to connect through the computer network to the subscriber server, and the log-in server receives registrant identification data. A first session is established between the log-in server and the subscriber server to validate the registrant identification data, and to generate a session password. A second session is established between the log-in server and the subscriber server. The second session is configured to authorize, based in part on the registrant identification data, access to at least a portion of a website associated with the subscriber server.
US08255450B2
A device may include a client. The client may be configured to send a request for a physical view about network devices that connect two end points of a network path. In addition, the client may be configured to receive information about the network devices of the network path in response to the request, the information including a complete list of physical devices in the network path in accordance with the request for the physical view. Further, the client may be configured to display the complete list of the physical devices in order the physical devices connect the two end points.
US08255447B2
The present invention provides an eigenvalue decomposition apparatus that can perform processing in parallel at high speed and high accuracy. The eigenvalue decomposition apparatus comprises a matrix dividing portion 14 that repeatedly divides a symmetric tridiagonal matrix T into two symmetric tridiagonal matrices, an eigenvalue decomposition portion 15 that performs eigenvalue decomposition on the symmetric tridiagonal matrix after the division, an eigenvalue computing portion 17 that repeatedly computes eigenvalues of the symmetric tridiagonal matrix that is the division origin and matrix elements of the symmetric tridiagonal matrix that is the division origin, based on eigenvalues and matrix elements obtained by eigenvalue decomposition performed by the eigenvalue decomposition portion 15, the matrix elements being part of elements of orthogonal matrices constituted by eigenvectors, until an eigenvalue of the symmetric tridiagonal matrix T is computed, and an eigenvector computing portion 19 that computes an eigenvector of the symmetric tridiagonal matrix T based on the symmetric tridiagonal matrix T and the eigenvalue thereof using twisted factorization.
US08255446B2
An apparatus and method are provided for performing rearrangement operations and arithmetic operations on data. The data processing apparatus has processing circuitry for performing Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) processing operations and scalar processing operations, a register bank for storing data and control circuitry responsive to program instructions to control the processing circuitry to perform data processing operations. The control circuitry is arranged to responsive to a combined rearrangement arithmetic instruction to control the processing circuitry to perform a rearrangement operation and at least one SIMD arithmetic operation on a plurality of data elements stored in the register bank. The rearrangement operation is configurable by a size parameter derived at least in part from the register bank. The size parameter provides an indication of a number of data elements forming a rearrangement element for the purposes of the rearrangement operation. The associated method involves controlling processing circuitry to perform a rearrangement operation and at least one SIMD arithmetic operation in response to a combined rearrangement arithmetic instruction and providing the scalar logic size parameter to configure the rearrangement operation. A computer program product is also provided comprising at least one combined rearrangement arithmetic instruction.
US08255444B2
The invention relates to a method of filtering a multidimensional digital signal comprising a plurality of samples, and comprises the following steps applied to each of the samples to filter, simulating the filtering of the sample to filter by applying at least one filter in a plurality of geometric orientations in the digital signal (S52), the simulation resulting in a plurality of simulated filtering values of the sample, and obtaining a filtering value of the filtered sample on the basis of the plurality of simulated filtering values of the sample according to at least one predetermined criterion (S58).
US08255439B2
A steam-based document storage and retrieval system accepts documents that are in diverse formats and come from diverse application, automatically creates document model objects describing these documents in a consistent format and associating time stamps with the documents to automatically create a main stream in chronological order. The stream, or sub-streams meeting selected search criteria, are displayed in a variety of forms, including a receding, partly overlapping stack with aids that facilitate user interaction.
US08255437B2
There is provided a multimedia data decoding method and apparatus. The decoding method includes generating a data area comprising a first media data area, a second media data area, and a third media data area, and generating a media information area comprising first, second, and third track areas each corresponding to the first, second, and third media data areas. The multimedia data decoding method and apparatus has an effect of being capable of constructing a slide show by only a small amount of multimedia data. Thus, a time taken to process and transmit the multimedia data can reduce.
US08255433B2
A recorder according to the present invention is designed to record data files, including video data and/or audio data, on a storage medium. The recorder includes: a status detecting section for determining whether or not the recorder is in a non-recording status in which the recorder is performing no recording operations; and a processing section for performing, as soon as the non-recording status is detected, processing to get ready to transmit at least one data file, which was recorded on the storage medium at or after a predetermined reference time, toward a server and generating at least one data file to transmit. The processing section performs at least one of format conversion processing and aggregation processing of aggregating multiple data files together.
US08255410B2
Query expressions, such as LINQ (language integrated queries) queries, are enabled to be translated to URIs (uniform resource indicators) that may be used to query data sources at REST (representational state transfer) interfaces. A compiler is configured to convert a query into an expression tree. An expression tree normalizer is configured to normalize the expression tree into a normalized expression tree. A resource bound expression tree generator is configured to transform the normalized expression tree into a resource bound expression tree. A URI generator is configured to translate the resource bound expression tree into a URI.
US08255408B1
A system, a method, an apparatus, and a computer-readable medium are provided. Each of a group of documents is segmented. Categories are assigned to each segment of the group of documents. A categorization series for each one of the group of documents is formed, based at least in part, on the categories assigned to each of the segments of respective ones of the plurality of documents. A pattern is found based, at least in part, on the plurality of categorization series corresponding to the plurality of documents. Each of the group of documents is categorized based, at least in part, on the pattern.
US08255406B2
A data management device includes a memory including a multistage Bloom Filter, a first stage being divided into filter parts of which the number is same as that of data blocks, and a pth stage being divided into filter parts of which a size is a combination of filter parts of a (p−1)th stage; a registration unit registering an entry of data in a filter part of the first stage corresponding to a data block where the data is stored, and the entry of the data to a filter part of the pth stage corresponding to the filter part of the first stage where the entry of the data is registered; and a search unit determining which filter part of the first stage an entry of data being searched is registered in by narrowing down filter parts from the Bloom Filter of which a stage number is large.
US08255393B1
A computer-implemented method and system of building a user reputation database for use in a user location data system. The method and system receive user location information containing personally identifiable data of a user and user position data. The user position data may or may not represent one or more actual geographic positions of the user. The user location information is temporarily stored and analyzed to provide a spam score associated with the user position data indicative of whether the user position data represents the actual geographic positions of the user. Data indicative of the spam score is also provided to user reputation database to store a user reputation score associated with the user.
US08255390B2
In one embodiment, access one or more query-resource pairs, wherein for each one of the query-resource pairs comprising one of one or more search queries and one of one or more network resources, the one search query is recency-sensitive with respect to a particular time period, and the one network resource is identified for the one search query, and a resource-view count and a resource-click count associated with each one of the query-resource pairs; and construct one or more first click features using the resource-view counts and the resource-click counts associated with the query-resource pairs. To construct one of the first click features in connection with one of the query-resource pairs comprises determine a only-resource-click count associated with the one query-resource pair; and calculate a ratio between the only-resource-click count and the resource-view count associated with the one query-resource pair as the one first click feature.
US08255388B1
A database system is capable of processing a query and providing a progress indicator of the processing of the query based on at least a first cost factor. Initially, an estimate is set for the first cost factor. During processing of the query, the estimate of the first cost factor is updated to enable refinement of the progress indicator.
US08255384B2
In one embodiment, a method includes accessing and crawling a dynamic web application that comprises a client tier. In one embodiment, the crawling includes one or more instances of guided crawling that each initiate when a preceding instance of automatic crawling reaches a state in the dynamic web application that meets one or more predetermined criteria for the instance of guided crawling and, when initiated, perform one or more predetermined actions with respect to the dynamic web application. The method further includes generating, based on the crawling, a screen transition model of the dynamic web application. In a particular embodiment, the screen transition model includes a hierarchical finite state machine (FSM). In one embodiment, after the generation of the screen transition model has completed, the method further includes performing model checking on the screen transition model to validate the client tier of the dynamic web application.
US08255371B2
Methods and apparatuses for data protection against corrupted write operations. In one embodiment, a technique of crash protection uses an atomically updated global transaction indicator to switch a set of data structures from one set of versions to another set. In one embodiment, the storage space for multiple versions of a data structure is allocated at the time the data structure is created on the storage device so that the multiple versions of the data structure can be kept close by. Between two consistent points, some data structures are modified to create new versions without changing the corresponding previous versions; and unmodified data structures are not copied. At a consistent point, the global transaction indicator is updated to indicate a set of consistent versions of the data structures, such as metadata of a file system.
US08255370B1
A method and apparatus for scanning structured data from a data repository having an arbitrary data schema and for applying a policy to the data of the data repository are described. In one embodiment, the structured data is converted to unstructured text data to allow a schema-independent policy to be applied to the text data in order to detect a policy violation in the data repository regardless of the data schema used by the data repository.
US08255368B2
A computer readable storage medium comprises executable instructions to receive user-created data for user-specified positions in an OLAP hierarchy. The OLAP hierarchy is reorganized according to the user-created data. Data manipulation statements are generated to evaluate a set of members of the OLAP hierarchy according to the user-specified positions.
US08255366B1
Various embodiments of a system and method for restoring a file are described herein. A previous version of the file may be split into segments and backed up to a server computer system. In response to a subsequent request to restore the file to the previous version, the current segments of the file may be compared to the backup segments stored on the server computer system. The segments that have changed may be retrieved from the server computer system and used to restore the corresponding segments of the current version of the file to their previous states. Segments that have not changed do not need to be transferred across the network from the server computer system. In further embodiments, one or more of the segments that have changed may be obtained locally from other files, thus further reducing the amount of data transferred across the network.
US08255365B2
A system, method, and computer program product for backing up data from a backup source to a central repository using deduplication, where the data comprises source data segments is disclosed. A fingerprint cache comprising fingerprints of data segments stored in the central repository is received, where the data segments were previously backed up from the backup source. Source data fingerprints comprising fingerprints (e.g., hash values) of the source data segments are generated. The source data fingerprints are compared to the fingerprints in the fingerprint cache. The source data segments corresponding to fingerprints not in the fingerprint cache may not be currently stored in the central repository. After further queries to the central repository, one or more of the source data segments are sent to the central repository for storage responsive to comparison.
US08255361B2
A method and system of validating a differential update to a computer system. One method includes comparing a list of files in a new computer system image with a list of files in a former computer system image to construct a manifest list of files comprising a subset of the new computer system images and the former computer system images. The method further includes associating information with the manifest list to facilitate determining whether a differential update comprising differences between the new computer system image and the former computer system image is valid. The method also includes comparing a list of files in a computer system to receive the differential update against the manifest list of files and using the associated information to determine if the differential update is valid for the computer system.
US08255360B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for synchronizing database changes among multiple devices. In one aspect, a method includes determining one or more primary differences between a primary database and a local synchronization database; receiving, from a secondary device, one or more secondary differences associated with a secondary database; merging the primary differences and the secondary differences to generate a set of merged differences; providing the set of merged differences to the secondary device; receiving, from the secondary device, an acknowledgment indicating receipt of the set of merged differences; and updating the primary database in accordance with the set of merged differences after receipt of the acknowledgment. Further, at least one conflict can be detected between the primary differences and the secondary differences, and can be resolved prior to generating the set of merged differences.
US08255358B2
A system and method for providing asset management information to a customer is disclosed. The method receives information from a first reporting source about an asset. In addition, information from a second reporting source about an asset is also received. A database is then populated with the information from the first reporting source and the information from the second reporting source such that information from the first reporting source and information from the second reporting source can be collected from the database. An asset information report is then provided to a customer application from the database.
US08255353B2
The present invention disclosed a method constructing an intelligent system processing uncertain causal relationship information. It can express, monitor and analyze the causal logic relationship among the different variables in complex systems directly, implicitly or in both way of them under the circumstance of unsure, dynamic, having a logic loop, lacking of statistical data, unclear evidence, mixture of discrete and continuous variables, incomplete knowledge, multi-resource of knowledge. It gave effective bases to solve the problems in the domain of production, monitoring, detection, diagnosis, prediction, et al.
US08255352B2
Embodiments of the invention provide an RBE that uses a logical abstraction for a set of application rules that allows the rules to be implemented, presented and modified efficiently. For one embodiment, rules logic for implementing a set of application rules is stored. The rules logic is specified by a processing sequence using one or more application factors, each of which has one or more application factor values. A plurality of entries corresponding to each application factor is separately stored. Each entry contains a data point set having one or more data points and a result corresponding to the data point set. Each of the one or more data points of a data point set corresponds to a distinct factor value.
US08255351B2
A system for fault prediction in a home network includes: a context generator for generating context information based on status data collected in real time about components of the home network; a specification interpreter for generating knowledge rules for fault detection by using specifications of the components of the home network; a context analyzer for analyzing if the context information meet the knowledge rules to classify the context information into normal situation contexts and abnormal situation contexts; a context pattern learner for generating new knowledge rules based on the abnormal situation contexts and fault rules corresponding to the abnormal situation contexts; a knowledge rule database for storing and managing the knowledge rules and the new knowledge rules; and a fault predictor for analyzing a correlation between the knowledge rules or the new knowledge rules and the generated context information, thereby predicting faults to be generated.
US08255346B2
A “variable group selection” system and method in which constructs are based upon a training data set, a regression modeling module that takes into account information on groups of related predictor variables given as input and outputs a regression model with selected variable groups. Optionally, the method can be employed as a component in methods of temporal causal modeling, which are applied on a time series training data set, and output a model of causal relationships between the multiple times series in the data.
US08255340B2
A method and apparatus for analyzing risk associated with published logs are described. In one embodiment, the method comprises accessing a first log published to one or more logs. In one embodiment, the method may also comprise estimating a probability that an entry within the first log will not be verifiable from a second entry selected from one o the one or more logs.
US08255338B1
A method for designing and estimating the cost of constructing a food equipment area that uses a computer with a specifically designed software program loaded into its memory that provides a visual interface showing the layout of a food preparation area in which food equipment will be installed. The program allows the user to drag and drop various pieces of food equipment into the layout. As the different pieces of food equipment are added, the layout area is immediately updated along with the accompanying technical and quotation data sheets. The layout can be changed to show many variations of the same project. During use, the rough dimensions and the locations of the existing water, gas, electrical, and drain connections can be imputed enabling the customer to identify what change, if any, must be made in order to install the equipment. The software program also provides a list of additional components that must be used in order for the selected equipment to be use.
US08255332B1
A certified distribution stored on a computer-readable medium for use in a stochastic information system includes stochastic data providing a series of trials for at least one uncertain variable such that the series of trials maintains the relationship between the trials of each of the at least one uncertain variable, and a digital imprimatur associated with the stochastic data to certify the stochastic data. A distribution database includes a database stored on a computer-readable medium and a communications interface operable to receive a database query, to determine a result set of the at least one stochastic models satisfying the database query, and to respond to the database query. The database includes at least one stochastic model providing a series of trials for at least one uncertain variable such that the series of trials maintains the relationship between the trials of each of the at least one uncertain variable.
US08255328B1
The invention provides a system, method, and computer readable medium for conducting micropayment transactions between consumers and merchants. A merchant offers micropayment transactions to a consumer. The micropayment transaction is authorized, and the micropayment transaction is executed between the merchant and the consumer. A value parameter associated with a prepaid instrument, such as a prepaid calling card, is decremented by an amount corresponding to the value provided by the merchant. A payment is transferred to the merchant to settle the micropayment transaction. In a system of the invention, at least one prepaid calling card is issued to a consumer in exchange for a payment from the consumer. A merchant site conducts micropayment transactions and accepts the prepaid calling card as payment. A clearinghouse receives data associated with the prepaid calling card from the merchant site and processes the data to settle the micropayment transaction.
US08255326B2
A bill-paying system includes a customer deposit account which receives periodic payroll deposits of an individual or a couple. A bill-paying service enrolls the individual or couple for a fee, and is authorized to transfer money from the deposit account to the accounts of various creditors. An originating depository financial institution, such as a bank, handles the transfers of money, and such transfers are preferably done electronically. The automated clearing house (ACH) network supports such electronic money transfers. The various bills and debts of the individual or couple come due at times that are asynchronous to their income structure. The bill-paying service is authorized to debit the deposit account for more than the basic minimums due the creditors each month. Such excess is used to accelerate the repayment of various loans and debts according to what particular application at that time will have the greatest long-term beneficial effect.
US08255322B2
Bank float is assigned using a dual source bank float system by first determining which of a plurality of checks will be processed via a paper route and which will be processed via an image route. For the checks that will be processed via the paper route, a set of rules will be determined. For the checks that will be processed via the image route, a different set of rules will be determined. A bank float is applied to the paper checks using the paper set of rules and bank float is assigned to the image checks using the image set of rules.
US08255320B1
Systems, methods, and computer program products are provided for creating and using a common, generic, data/object model to represent information grids or lookup tables, such as a mortgage asset pricing information grid, mortgage asset re-pricing grid, and credit risk pricing grid. The common model allows a common software representation for logically different attributes.
US08255317B2
A trading system such as an anonymous trading system for trading financial and other instruments can vocalize trading data to trader workstations as well as display it on a screen. Where a trader selects to receive vocal announcements, a trading floor identifier unique to his trading floor is also announced at random intervals.
US08255316B2
An integrated business decision-making system is provided. The system comprises a data processing component, a prediction component and an optimization component. The data processing component is configured to process observational data related to one or more members of a target population. The prediction component is configured to predict a business measure based on one or more selected combinations of marketing actions and the observational data related to one or more of the members of the target population. The optimization component is configured to determine an optimal marketing action based on one or more of the selected combinations of marketing actions and the predicted business measure associated with each of the marketing actions. The optimization component is further configured to determine an optimal predicted business measure for the members of the target population, based on the optimal marketing action.
US08255305B2
A method for matching orders is provided. The method includes receiving a first order for a product, the first order specifying a first volume, receiving a second order for the product, the second order specifying a second volume, wherein the first volume is different than the second volume, generating an implied order based on a ratio spread defined between the first order and the second order, and matching a third order with the implied order.
US08255302B2
Computer-implemented methods for valuing a derivative based on the BMA rate: the methods may comprise generating a model of the BMA/LIBOR ratio as a function of the LIBOR index, a stochastic noise function, and a seasonality process. The methods may also comprise solving the model for at least one value of the LIBOR index, and estimating a value of the derivative given the solution of the model. The value of the derivative may then be stored.
US08255301B1
A method of debt cancellation is described. Occurrence data representative of an occurrence of a triggering event on a customer is received. A current benefit amount associated with the customer is determined, and a current amount of debt in the account of the customer is determined. A determination is made as to whether the current amount of debt in the account of the customer is less than the current benefit amount associated with the customer. The current amount of debt in the account of the customer may then be canceled to zero, and a new current benefit amount associated with the customer is maintained as the difference between the current benefit amount and the current amount of debt in the account of the customer prior to canceling.
US08255293B1
Systems and methods for media-oriented product catalog creation are disclosed herein. Media content displayed or otherwise selected by a content consumer can be identified. Accordingly, products or services depicted by the media content can be compiled into a dynamic product catalog. The catalog can include a description of the products or services as well as associated contextual references to the media content, such as a screen capture or video clip that depicts one or more portions of the media content in which the product or service was featured.
US08255291B1
A method and system allows a user to aggregate product information or compare multiple products by a single query. A sales representative or end consumer is provided quick access to accurate detailed product information and comparison information, which can make shopping less confusing. The method involves generating a comparison report of two or more products, including detailed product information.
US08255282B2
A system, apparatus and method for facilitating the selection, purchasing and ordering glass products, which is informative to guide a novice user in selecting a glass product, even where the glass is comprised of glass panels of more than one manufacturer, the present invention providing an apparatus with a processor which is controlled by software to facilitate a selection process which integrates the comparison of glass products and their properties, as well as, including particular properties of particular components of a glass product, the apparatus can work with a user input device, such as a keyboard or mouse, and is programmed to display graphics associated with selections and potential selections for glass products. The system and method providing selection menus for display on a display device and an animation graphic associated with a selection presented to the user. The system, apparatus, and method integrates the glass product selection information which the user chooses, and preferably the invention makes selections for the user, based on the user's previous choices and specified target performances to present to the user potential glass products.
US08255280B1
A computer-implemented method includes providing an online marketplace to developers of web applications that may be downloaded from the marketplace to a client computing device for execution by a browser executing on the client device and receiving a request from a party to the marketplace to list a proposed web application for sale in the marketplace. One or more processors of a computer system automatically determine the permissions requested by the proposed web application and automatically determine if the permissions match one or more predetermined permissions. If the permissions match one or more predetermined permissions, then the proposed application is flagged for a manual vetting process before listing the proposed application in the marketplace, and if they do not match, then the proposed application is listed in the marketplace without manual review of the application.
US08255274B2
A device receives, from a user device, a request for qualified offers for a particular customer, and retrieves, based on the request, profile information associated with the particular customer. The device generates a call to a backend database based on the profile information, and receives, from the backend database, offer qualification indicators based on the call. The device determines qualified offers based on the offer qualification indicators, and provides the qualified offers to the user device for display.
US08255270B2
Lead distribution systems and methods distribute consumer business leads received from lead sources for routing to one or more destinations that will use the lead and/or will forward the lead to another destination. The system identifies a set of most profitable destinations for each lead, while complying with business rules associated with the lead source and the destinations. For each lead, the system identifies a set of candidate destinations, each with associated business rules. The candidate destinations may include destinations with which the system has established business rules, destinations with which the lead source has established business rules, or both. For leads that may be multi-distributed, different business rules may apply to each time the lead is distributed. When both the lead distribution system and the source have different business rules established with a destination, the rules established by the source may take precedence over those of the lead distribution system.
US08255265B2
A computer-implemented method transforms transactional data and supply data into a forecast of demand for controlling a commerce system. Goods move between members of a commerce system. Transactional data related to movement of goods between the members of the commerce system is recorded. The transactional data includes customer store, product, time, price, promotion, and merchandizing. Supply data related to movement of goods between the members of the commerce system is recorded. The supply data includes inventory, product, store, and merchandising readily available for purchase. Model parameters are estimated based on the transactional data and supply data using a model to generate a forecast of demand for the goods. The forecast of demand for the goods is provided to a member of the commerce system to control the movement of goods in the commerce system. The forecasts of demand takes into account an out-of-stock condition, price promotion, and promotional lift of the product.
US08255259B2
A computer-implemented method for resource management includes storing in a memory a set of resource consumers, resources for allocation to the resource consumers, and initial binary constraints applying to the allocation of the resources. Respective variables are associated with the resource consumers, and the resources are identified as values applicable to the variables. A non-binary scoring criterion is applied to generate scores on a graded scale for proposed assignments of one or more of the resources to respective ones of the resource consumers. One or more additional binary constraints are defined based on the graded scale of the scores. An assignment is found of the values to the variables that satisfies the initial and additional binary constraints using a constraint satisfaction problem (CSP) solver running on a processor that is coupled to the memory. The resources are assigned to the resource consumers responsively to the assignment of the values to the variables.
US08255258B1
Techniques are described for facilitating interactions between task requesters who have tasks that are available to be performed and task performers who are available to perform tasks, such as by an intermediary electronic marketplace or other task fulfillment facilitator system. In some situations, task performer users and/or other users may create task subscriptions for use in automatically identifying tasks of interest to the users about which the users desire to receive notification. The users may be notified of the identified tasks in various ways, such as by sending electronic messages of various types to the users that include indications of the tasks identified for those users based on their subscriptions. Tasks of interest may be identified in various ways, such as based on task attributes of interest specified for a subscription that are later matched against tasks that are available at the time of the matching.
US08255246B2
Methods and apparatuses for computing a variance between two business metrics is described. In one embodiment, the method computes a variance for each of a first set of activities based on the corresponding reference state of that activity, wherein the variance for an activity is the change in contribution for that activity between the first and second business metrics and with each of the first set of activities having a reference value. Furthermore, the method computes a variance for each of a second set of activities based on the corresponding start and end values of that activity with each of the second set of activities having a start and end value.
US08255245B2
Among other disclosed subject matter, a computer-implemented method for determining a value for an indicator includes identifying an indicator for which a value is to be determined. The method includes identifying parameters to be used in determining a specific time interval for determining the value, the identified parameters including at least: (i) a first offset parameter; (ii) a second offset parameter; and (iii) a third offset parameter. The method includes determining the specific time interval using at least the identified parameters and the reference time point. The method includes determining the value for the indicator using at least the determined specific time interval. The method includes recording the determined value.
US08255244B2
An apparatus and method for underwriting and/or rating an insurance policy, and for generating information for underwriting and/or rating an insurance policy, are provided. The system and method may include identifying a vehicle, determining a value of at least one vehicle history data variable or a group of variables, and underwriting and/or rating the policy based on the value of the at least one vehicle history data variable or a group of variables. The system and method may also include generating a score based on the value of the at least one vehicle history data variable or group of variables.
US08255239B2
In an access controller and method for controlling access to medical data, the medical data being provided as at least one first file and a second file independent of the first file with findings regarding patients that are generated by medical personnel being stored in the first file and measurement results of patients that were acquired by means of a medical-technical apparatus being stored in the second file, with at least one subset of the measurement results stored in the second file forming the basis of at least a subset of the findings stored in the first file, the access controller is configured to detect the measurement results forming the basis of a stored finding. Links to the measurement results forming the basis of a respective finding are stored at the findings in the first file and the access controller is configured to automatically detect measurement results stored in the second file and form the basis of a finding, the automatic detection ensuing using the link stored at the respective finding in the first file.
US08255231B2
An encoder (109) comprises a receiver (201) which receives a time domain audio signal. A filter bank (203) generates a first subband signal from the time domain audio signal where the first subband signal corresponds to a non-critically sampled complex subband domain representation of the time domain signal. A conversion processor (205) generates a second subband signal from the first subband signal by subband processing. The second subband signal corresponds to a critically sampled complex subband domain representation of the time domain audio signals. An encode processor (207) then generates a waveform encoded data stream by encoding data values of the second subband signal. The conversion processor (205) generates the second subband signal by direct subband conversion without converting back to the time domain. The invention allows an oversampled subband signal typically generated in parametric encoding to be waveform encoded with reduced complexity. A decoder performs the inverse operation.
US08255230B2
An audio encoder and decoder use architectures and techniques that improve the efficiency of multi-channel audio coding and decoding. The described strategies include various techniques and tools, which can be used in combination or independently. For example, an audio encoder performs a pre-processing multi-channel transform on multi-channel audio data, varying the transform so as to control quality. The encoder groups multiple windows from different channels into one or more tiles and outputs tile configuration information, which allows the encoder to isolate transients that appear in a particular channel with small windows, but use large windows in other channels. Using a variety of techniques, the encoder performs flexible multi-channel transforms that effectively take advantage of inter-channel correlation. An audio decoder performs corresponding processing and decoding. In addition, the decoder performs a post-processing multi-channel transform for any of multiple different purposes.
US08255229B2
An audio decoder provides a combination of decoding components including components implementing base band decoding, spectral peak decoding, frequency extension decoding and channel extension decoding techniques. The audio decoder decodes a compressed bitstream structured by a bitstream syntax scheme to permit the various decoding components to extract the appropriate parameters for their respective decoding technique.
US08255224B2
The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes receiving geographical information derived from a non-verbal user action associated with a first computing device. The non-verbal user action implies an interest of a user in a geographic location. The method also includes identifying a grammar associated with the geographic location using the derived geographical information and outputting a grammar indicator for use in selecting the identified grammar for voice recognition processing of vocal input from the user.
US08255221B2
Disclosed is a system and method for generating a web podcast interview that allows a single user to create his own multi-voices interview from his computer. The method allows the user to enter a set of questions from a text file using a text editor. (Answers may also be entered from a text file although this is not the more preferred embodiment.) For each question, the user may select one particular interviewer voice among a plurality of predefined interviewer voices, and by using a text-to-speech module in a text-to-speech server, each question is converted into an audio question having the selected interviewer voice. Then, the user preferably records answers to each audio question using a telephone. And a questions/answers sequence in a podcast compliant format is generated.
US08255212B2
A filter compressor for generating compressed subband filter impulse responses from input subband filter impulse responses corresponding to subbands, which include filter impulse response values at filter taps, includes a processor for examining the filter impulse response values from at least two input subband filter input responses to find filter impulse response values having higher values and at least one filter impulse response value having a value being lower than the higher values, and a filter impulse response constructor for constructing the compressed subband filter impulse responses using the filter impulse response values having the higher values, wherein the compressed subband filter impulse responses do not include filter impulse response values corresponding to filter taps of the at least one filter impulse response value having the lower value or include zero-valued values corresponding to filter taps of the at least one filter impulse response value having the lower value.
US08255211B2
Certain types of parametric spatial coding encoders use interchannel amplitude differences, interchannel time differences, and interchannel coherence or correlation to build a parametric model of a multichannel soundfield that is used by a decoder to construct an approximation of the original soundfield. However, such a parametric model does not reconstruct the original temporal envelope of the soundfield's channels, which has been found to be extremely important for some audio signals. The present invention provides for the reshaping the temporal envelope of one or more of the decoded channels in a spatial coding system to better match one or more original temporal envelopes.
US08255205B2
Described are computer-based methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for automation of auditing claims. Data indicative of an insurance company name is received, the data comprising one or more words. The data is processed through one or more processing steps to generate processed data comprising one or more processed words. One or more candidate word strings are selected based on the one or more processed words. Matching information is associated with each of the one or more candidate word strings. Analysis information is generated for each of the one or more candidate word strings based on the associated matching information. An insurance company identifier is associated with received data based on the analysis information and one or more matching rules.
US08255203B2
A method of debugging an executable computer application comprising instructions of a first computer architecture instruction set and instructions of a second computer architecture instruction set. The method comprises determining whether an instruction being debugged is from the second architecture instruction set; and obtaining debug information from an emulator of the second architecture in a first architecture environment when the instruction being executed is from the second architecture instruction set. The debug information results from emulation of the instruction being debugged.
US08255201B2
Disclosed is a method of recognizing a process in a full-system Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) emulator, comprising the steps of: recognizing a process based on a base address of a page table thereof, recognizing the switch between the processes when said base address of the page table has changed, recognizing the termination of a recorded process when the base address of the page table of the process which tries to modify the page table is not equal to the base address of the page table of the recorded process in the page table. With the recognized process, the binary translation results indexed based on content can be saved into a corresponding process repository, thereby achieving the permanent saving of the translation results and the reuse of translation and optimization on the basis of a previously executed program. Consequently, the overall performance of the full-system Industry Standard Architecture emulator is enhanced.
US08255200B2
A power circuit protection and control device simulator emulates in real time identical circuit protection and control functions performed by the actual device being simulated and generates real time simulated operational information concerning at least one of the device or the power circuit. A human-machine interface, such as through a web browser, allows a user to input power circuit operational parameters, such as motor current and load, and device variable circuit protection and control operational parameters, such as trip class, ground fault detection or phase unbalance protection. The simulator displays in real time simulated operational information on the human-machine interface. The simulator may be used to simulate operation of an electronic overload relay and an electric motor controlled by the relay.
US08255197B2
A servo driven mechatronic system simulator and analyzer utilizing preconfigured motion equipment profile databases to predict the behavior of a motion system based on a user selected configuration. The user can adjust the parameters and rerun the simulation and analysis many times in an efficient manner until the optimum operating conditions of the desired system are reached. The user can then archive the system design and implement the system with a greater level of confidence in the ability of the design to meet the requirements of the application.
US08255195B2
In an exemplary embodiment, a method is disclosed for developing an N-phasic finite element model for performing fully coupled analyses of multi-phase compositional fluid flow and heat flow in nonlinearly deforming porous solid media with time-dependent failure. The method can include formulating a finite element model of the behavior of a coupled solid-fluid formation, having complex geometry and behavior, and applying the model to derive the response of the formation in the form of one or more displacement fields for the solid phases and one or more pressure fields for the fluid phases in a zone of interest in a formation. In an exemplary embodiment, a system is disclosed for estimating the uncertainties in the derived displacement and pressure field solutions for the response of the fully coupled solid-fluid phases.
US08255192B2
Visual map items may each be constructed and placed in position using logic defined by a map view component corresponding to each visual item, where that logic may depend on one or more values populated into parameter(s) of the map view component. Some of those parameter values may correspond to known map model parameter values. Others, however, may have been solved for using a model that defines analytical relationships between the map model parameters. In one embodiment, which of the map model parameters are input variable, and which are output model variables, may not be predetermined. Accordingly, a solver might be prepared for multiple solve operation paths even using a single model. The map view composition process may be entirely data-driven, and may include a mechanism for canonicalizing input data, and binding canonicalized input data to the model parameters.
US08255189B2
A method for operating a service oriented architecture (SOA) based wire harness system, a corresponding system, and a machine readable medium. The method includes storing wire harness data in a wire harness data model in a wire harness data processing system, interactively communicating the wire harness data with an electronic computer aided design (ECAD) system and a mechanical computer aided design (MCAD) system through the SOA interface, and storing the wire harness data in the wire harness data model.
US08255187B2
Disclosed is a remote monitoring diagnostic system in which a center and monitoring diagnostic units of a number of objects to be monitored are connected by a network. The center includes an algorithm forming unit for forming algorithms for monitoring, diagnosing, and operating each object to be monitored, a program group formation unit for forming monitoring, diagnostic, and operational programs from these algorithms, a transmitter for transmitting the programs in response to a request from the monitoring diagnostic unit, and a unit for forming information concerning prevention/maintenance form a diagnostic result and monitoring data from the monitoring diagnostic unit of each object to be monitored. The monitoring diagnostic unit of each object to be monitored includes a mobile program execution processor for executing the corresponding object to be monitored, and a transmitter for transmitting monitoring data to the center.
US08255181B2
Correcting tilt-induced cyclic variations in signals from radially arrayed spectrophotometer sensors
A correction algorithm may be applied for correcting misalignment of a radially-aligned array of sensors. Due to the tilt, signals from sensors that are further away from the media, may become slightly attenuated, while signals from sensors that are closer to the media are slightly increased. The error appears periodic and largely sinusoidal in nature around the array given the circular nature of the array of sensor elements. The algorithm determines the magnitude and phase of a sinusoidal function that best fits the wavelength data. In one embodiment, a discrete Fourier transform may be performed at the ‘frequency’ equivalent to one period around the array to determine the magnitude and phase estimate thereof. Then, a sinusoidal correction function may be generated using the magnitude and the phase in order to correct the reflectance data.
US08255179B2
A time qualified frequency mask trigger triggers on signals that violate a frequency mask for at least a specified time duration. A frame of digital data representing an input signal is transformed into a frequency spectrum having at least one frequency bin, with each frequency bin having a power amplitude value. A trigger signal is generated when any of the power amplitude values violates an associated reference power level for at least a specified time duration.
US08255177B2
A system and method for calibrating oscillograph channels assigns the same value to a drawing parameter of each channel. Each channel receives a signal sent by a signal generator. The oscillograph calculates a voltage difference between a standard signal voltage of a standard channel defined by a user and a signal voltage of each of the other channels. A sequence relationship between each of the other channels and the standard channel is determined. The oscillograph adjusts a deskew value of each of the other channels until each voltage difference is in an allowable range according to the sequence relationship.
US08255174B2
A method and device for determining critical buffeting loads on a structure of an aircraft is disclosed. The device (1) comprises means (2, UC) implementing a semi-empirical method for determining the critical loads generated by some buffeting on the structure of the airplane.
US08255166B2
The invention is a method of constructing an image representative of a heterogeneous medium by a procedure of joint inversion of seismic data represented on different time scales having an application for underground reservoir exploration. Sequential inversion of the seismic data is performed so as to determine a first model from the seismic data expressed in a first time scale, and a second model from the seismic data expressed in the second time scale. A scale factor t1(t0) allowing synthetic data described in a first time scale to be expressed in a second time scale is defined by a differential equation relating the traveltime variations of a seismic wave to the models resulting from the sequential inversion. Finally, joint inversion wherein a cost function using the scale factor is minimized is carried out so as to evaluate a difference between the synthetic data and the seismic data expressed in another time scale.
US08255164B2
Methods and systems for determining reservoir parameters of subterranean formations. A tool is configured or designed for deployment at at least one depth in a borehole traversing a subterranean formation. The tool comprises at least one sensor configured or designed for sensing rotational components of a seismic wavefield deployed in an array comprising at least one sensor configured or designed for sensing translational components of a seismic wavefield. A computer is in communication with the tool and a set of instructions executable by the computer that, when executed, process the seismic measurements and derive parameters relating to the formation based on the seismic measurements.
US08255162B2
A route searching method is provided which allows drivers having mutually similar traveling purposes and preferences to find highly convenient routes by sharing their route searching know-how. A center apparatus (1) collects probe data received from an in-vehicle terminal apparatus (5). A preference parameter creating unit (14) calculates, based on the probe data, road usage frequencies according to preference items such as vehicle type, driver age and gender, and travel purpose which can be factors for route selection and stores the calculated road usage frequencies as preference parameters in a preference parameter database (15). A route searching unit (513) included in the in-vehicle terminal apparatus (5) requests the center apparatus (1) to transmit a preference parameter similar to user attribute information (519), adjusts link costs according to the preference parameter received from the center apparatus, and determines a minimum-cost route to a destination.
US08255153B2
This invention provides a system and method for automatically inferring when a target that is being tracked by an aerial vehicle is doing something significant (e.g. stopping suddenly, changing direction quickly or getting out of track view), and consequently alerting an operator. The alerting system also provides a classification of what the target is doing. It frees the operator from continuously monitoring the imagery stream so the operator can perform other tasks.
US08255152B2
The disclosure relates to vehicle navigation systems. More specifically, the disclosure relates to vehicle navigation systems that utilize fuel use and emissions criteria as a parameter to determine directions between two locations.
US08255149B2
A geographic tracking system with minimal power and size required at the mobile terminal collects observation data at the mobile terminal, forwards the data to a processor, which calculates the position. The mobile terminal needs only to gather a few milliseconds of observation data, and to relay this observation data to the processor. In one embodiment, the observation data is communicated to the processor using either a satellite communication network or through a mobile telephone network.
US08255141B2
A method for reducing energy consumption of a motor vehicle having an internal combustion engine and a vehicle electric system, to which at least a first electric consumer is connected. To achieve an efficient vehicle electric system with a reduced energy consumption, the internal combustion engine is operated in a first operating mode with a first injection quantity and a first ignition timing. In a second operating mode, the internal combustion engine is operated with a second injection quantity that is higher than the first injection quantity and with a second ignition timing. A driving situation detection device recognizes an imminent specific driving situation on the basis of the previous behavior of the driver in controlling the vehicle and/or the behavior of the vehicle in advance and initiates a switch in the operating modes of the internal combustion engine from the first operating mode to the second operating mode.
US08255139B2
An engine control system comprises a pedal torque determination module, a driver interpretation module, and an actuation module. The pedal torque determination module determines a zero pedal torque based on a desired engine torque at a zero accelerator pedal position and a minimum torque limit for an engine system. The driver interpretation module determines a driver pedal torque based on the zero pedal torque and an accelerator pedal position. The actuation module controls at least one of a throttle area, spark timing, and a fuel command based on the driver pedal torque.
US08255125B2
Earth moving equipment and other heavy machinery for environmentally harsh conditions are controlled by a control panel supplied with a lock, and such panels are frequently removable to prevent theft or unauthorized operation. The interface is in the form of a plug-and-socket, the parts of which have to be sealed against dust and humidity when not interfacing. In order to prevent wear and to assure reliable control, according to the invention, no part of the connection between the control panel and a receptable is galvanic, the power supply for the control panel is wireless, such as inductive or optical, while communications may occur by means of a two-way radio protocol or by optical means.
US08255118B2
A control system (11) for a vehicle (10) includes vehicle dynamics sensors (35-47) providing a vehicle dynamics signal. Tire monitoring system sensors (20) in each wheel generate tire signals including temperature, pressure and acceleration data. A controller (26) communicates with the tire monitoring system sensors (20) and at least one vehicle dynamics sensor, and generates a brake signal as a function of the multi-axis acceleration data of the tire signals. The brake signal is transmitted to a brake system (64) to apply a brake torque in response to the brake signal.
US08255117B2
A control system (11) for a vehicle (10) includes vehicle dynamics sensors (35-47) providing a vehicle dynamics signal. Tire monitoring system sensors (20) in each wheel generate tire signals including temperature, pressure and acceleration data. A controller (26) communicates with the tire monitoring system sensors (20) and at least one vehicle dynamics sensor, and generates a suspension value as a function of the multi-axis acceleration data of the tire signals. The suspension value is transmitted to a suspension control system (33) to adjust the vehicle suspension characteristics in response to the suspension value.
US08255115B2
In a method for controlling an external control type fan coupling device 3, arithmetic processing to determine the rotation speed of fan 4 with a quick acceleration detection signal used as a parameter is carried out at a high frequency than that in arithmetic processing to determine the rotation speed of fan 4 using signals other than the quick acceleration detection signal as a parameter.
US08255109B2
A Relay connection unit connects networks connected to ECUs via multiple communication lines and relays signals transmitted/received between the ECUs belonging to the different networks. The relay connection unit comprises a recording part that records the relationship between ECUs that currently transmit/receive signals to/from each other; a buffer part that records transmission completion times at which the relay connection unit transmits signals received from ECUs to the networks to which other ECUs of relay destination belong; and a communication abnormality determining part that determine a time difference (T) between the transmission completion time corresponding to a network, for which the signal transmission has been completed the earliest, and each of the transmission completion times corresponding to the other networks for which signal transmissions have been completed and that determines that the signal transmission to a network for which the corresponding time difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined time is a communication delay.
US08255105B2
Steering device, boarding type moving body with steering device, and steering method for moving body
A steering device for steering a moving body has: an operating part; a detecting part that detects a physical quantity based on a magnitude and direction of a force applied to the operating part; and a controller that drives the moving body based on the physical quantity detected by the detecting part and controls an amount of movement and a direction of movement of the moving body. The controller has a dead zone for controlling the amount of movement without receiving influence of the magnitude of the physical quantity until the physical quantity detected by the detecting part exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and determines the threshold value in accordance with a moving speed of the moving body.
US08255104B2
A vehicle drive control apparatus is capable of setting characteristics of a target drive torque so as to provide a vehicle operation that is extremely smooth and comfortable for an operator. The control apparatus individually determines individual critical torque values of a plurality of drive sources and determines a total critical torque on the basis of the total of the individual critical torque values, whereby a combined critical torque capable of being output by the drive sources as a whole is determined. A ratio of the target drive torque to the combined critical torque is set by a target drive torque setting part, thereby setting the target drive torque as a whole for the vehicle corresponding to an action of the operator and behavior of the vehicle.
US08255103B2
A vehicle is provided having a brake pedal with a detectable travel position and apply force, an electronic braking system component, and a controller having a stored threshold braking force and an algorithm. The algorithm determines a first braking torque request corresponding to the apply force, and a second braking torque request corresponding to the travel position. The first request applies when the apply force is greater than the threshold, and the second request applies when it is not. A calculated third request transitions linearly to the second request when apply pressure drops below the threshold upon pedal release. A method is also provided that includes recording the apply force, travel position, and force and travel-based tables, comparing the apply force to the threshold, applying the braking system component using the force-based table when the apply force exceeds the threshold, and otherwise using a calculated braking torque and travel-based table.
US08255095B2
A modular avionics system includes several cabinets arranged at various locations in an aircraft and interconnected in a network. The cabinets are used for controlling or processing signals from and to sensors, actuators and other systems of the aircraft. The system includes parallel processors, for example transputers. The cabinets comprise at least two core processor modules (CPM1, CPM2) and at least two input/output modules (IOM1, IOM2). The input/output modules (IOM1, IOM2) serve as interfaces to the systems to be controlled, and serve for the control and intermediate storage of the data flowing into and out of the cabinet. Each core processor module (CPM1, CPM2) communicates independently with each IOM module and CPM module by way of links; and in each core processor a number of independent system programs works under the control of an operating system.
US08255090B2
The invention generally concerns systems and methods for monitoring and controlling the power consumption of a power-consuming device. The system and method may connect to a power source and a power-consuming device, connecting the power-consuming device to the power source. The power usage of the power-consuming device may then be measured and monitored. This monitoring data may then be stored and optionally sent to a controlling device on a data network. The location of the power-consuming device may also be determined, recorded, and sent to a controlling device. The system may also control the power usage of the power-consuming device. In some cases, a remote server may connect multiple energy monitoring systems in order to gain additional efficiencies and foster a community-based social network.
US08255083B2
The invention relates to an industrial robot (1) having a control apparatus (8), and to a method for controlling the movement of the industrial robot (1). For the purposes of the method, an instruction which is intended for controlling the industrial robot (1) is checked, an interpreted instruction is produced by interpretation of the checked instruction by means of an interpreter (13), and the interpreted instruction is stored in a temporary store (10). This process is repeated until a first keyword is detected. A data record (15) is then produced from the interpreted instructions stored in the temporary store (10), wherein the data record (15) has information relating to at least one path element of a path on which the industrial robot (1) is intended to be moved. The data record (15) is loaded into a buffer store (11), is checked by the buffer store (11) and is interpolated by means of an interpolator (14), in order to move the industrial robot (1) on the path element.
US08255080B2
This invention provides an improved method to deliver large amounts of digital content to portable electronic devices at low cost, without requiring the users of such devices to download such content from the Internet. Neither do the users have to purchase or manipulate data storage media such as CDs, DVDs, or memory cards. Moreover, the digital content delivery system of this invention can facilitate digital rights management, a major concern of content publishers.
US08255074B2
During operation of a rolling mill, a rolling product running through the mill is machined by a machining device which is controlled by a controller, to which a target and an actual value of the roll product are fed after machining. The controller determines based on the target and the actual value, in conjunction with controller characteristic, a controlled variable for the machining device and outputs the controlled variable to the machining device which machines the roll product according to the output controlled variable. A detection device receives the actual value after machining and a corresponding actual value of the mill product before machining. Based on the temporal profiles of the actual values, the device dynamically determines the controller characteristic such that the variance of the actual value at least tends to be minimized after machining. The device also parameterizes the controller according to the determined control characteristic.
US08255059B2
Apparatus and method for at least partially fitting a medical implant system to a patient is described. These apparatuses and methods comprise executing a genetic algorithm to select a set of parameter values for the medical implant system. This genetic algorithm may comprise executing a tabu search wherein value sets that are determined to be bad are added to a tabu list that may be consulted to exclude tabu value sets from successive generations of the genetic algorithm.
US08255053B2
A cardiac rhythm management (CRM) system includes a programming device that identifies the device type of an implantable medical device, selects a predetermined questioning sequence based on the device type, and interacts with a user through a user interface screen by conducting a question-and-answer session according to the predetermined questioning sequence. After displaying a question and receiving an answer to the question, the programming device sets one or more programmable parameter values and/or displays a follow-up question in response to the answer. The programming device also allows the user to enter one or more programmable parameter values directly during or after the question-and-answer session. The implantable medical device is programmed to operate in one or more operational modes based on at least the answers received from the user during the question-and-answer session and the parameter values entered by the user, if any.
US08255047B1
There is provided an implantable cardiac pacing system or other cardiac monitoring system having an enhanced capability to classify intracardiac signals through a combination of DSP techniques and software algorithms. The implantable device has one or more DSP channels corresponding to different signals which are being monitored. Each DSP channel most preferably amplifies the incoming signal, converts the signal from analog to digital form, digitally filters the converted signals to provide a filtered signal, operates on the filtered signal to provide a slope signal, determines from the filtered and slope signals when an intracardiac event has been detected, signal processes the filtered and slope signals for a predetermined analysis interval after threshold crossing, and generates a plurality of wave parameters corresponding to the signal. The generated wave parameters are further operated on by a programmable algorithm to classify the detected event based upon DSP-generated parameters, and then monitor or detect the onset, development or presence of an undesired heart condition in a patient. The system may further provide for the delivery of treatment, storage of intracardiac data, or provision of a warning to a patient or physician in response to the detection of such a heart condition.
US08255037B2
According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a cardiac roadmapping technique is provided, in which a static roadmap is built onto which a view of the intervention device is projected at the correct location. This new viewing mode combines the advantages of both roadmapping, i.e. accurate localization, and the advantages of a motion-free view, i.e. maximum readability.
US08255029B2
A physiological measurement system is disclosed which can take a pulse oximetry signal such as a photoplethysmogram from a patient and then analyse the signal to measure physiological parameters including respiration, pulse, oxygen saturation and movement. The system can be used as a general monitor, or more specifically, to for infant or adult apnea, and to guard against sudden infant death syndrome. The system comprises a pulse oximeter which includes a light emitting device and a photodetector attachable to a subject to obtain a pulse oximetry signal; analogue to digital converter means arranged to convert said pulse oximetry signal into a digital pulse oximetry signal; signal processing means suitable to receive said digital pulse oximetry signal and arranged to decompose that signal by wavelet transform means; feature extraction means arranged to derive physiological information from the decomposed signal; an analyser component arranged to collect information from the feature extraction means; and data output means arranged in communication with the analyser component.
US08255027B2
A physiological sensor has emitters configured to transmit optical radiation having multiple wavelengths in response to corresponding drive currents. A thermal mass is disposed proximate the emitters so as to stabilize a bulk temperature for the emitters. A temperature sensor is thermally coupled to the thermal mass. The temperature sensor provides a temperature sensor output responsive to the bulk temperature so that the wavelengths are determinable as a function of the drive currents and the bulk temperature.
US08255025B2
The disclosure provides a sensor system for detecting bronchial tissular water content including at least a sensor, a connector, and a monitor. The sensor generates a signal, which may be carried by the connector to the monitor, which generates an output corresponding to the signal. The disclosure additionally provides a sensor for detecting bronchial or tracheal tissular water content including at least a signal generator. The sensor may also include at least a segment of a connector. The disclosure also provides a method of measuring bronchial or tracheal tissular water content by inserting a sensor into an airway of a subject, such as a human, until it becomes lodged in a bronchus or the trachea, then measuring bronchial or tracheal tissular water content using the sensor.
US08255021B2
A rotating mechanism includes a lower plate defining a first guiding groove and a second guiding groove, the first guiding groove including a sliding groove section and a rotating groove section, the sliding groove section mirror-image symmetrical with the second guiding groove, the rotating groove section extending from an end of the sliding groove section toward the second guiding groove; an upper plate defines a first track and a second track; an elastic element assembly having two opposite retaining portions; a first pin located at one of the retaining portions, the first pin slidably received in the first guiding groove and the first track; and a second pin located at the other retaining portion, the second pin slidably received in the second guiding groove and the second track.
US08255020B2
A rotatable cell phone includes a display unit, a main unit, a connecting unit, and a signal transmitting unit. The display unit includes a top housing defining a top recess. The main unit includes a bottom housing defining a bottom recess. The connecting unit includes a top assembly module detachably mounted in the top recess, a bottom assembly module detachably mounted in the bottom recess, and a pivot shaft rotatably connecting the top assembly module to the bottom assembly module. The pivot shaft defines an axial hole. The signal transmitting unit is received in the axial hole of the pivot shaft, and is configured for transmitting signals from the main unit to the display unit.
US08255019B2
A slidable portable electronic device comprising a first cabinet and a second cabinet slidably coupled on a surface of the first cabinet, the first cabinet comprising at least one of an operating unit and a display unit provided on a surface of the first cabinet to be exposed when the second cabinet is slidingly moved in the opening direction, a through-hole formed extending to an inner space from a surface of the first cabinet that remains unexposed when the second cabinet is slidingly moved in the opening direction, a microphone having a sound collecting face and provided on the inner space side of the first cabinet, with the sound collecting face facing the through-hole, and a gap formed between the first cabinet and the second cabinet and communicating with the through-hole.
US08255011B2
A mobile communication device includes a processor; a data acquisition device for acquiring data and providing it to the processor; a transceiver for transmitting at least some of the acquired data to an external device; and a low-power clock. The low-power clock counts down a random delay time period and temporarily shifts the processor and the transceiver from low-power sleep modes to active wake modes so that the processor and transceiver can transmit at least some of the acquired data to the external device while in their active wake modes.
US08255002B2
A mobile information terminal has: an operating position detecting part 37 that detects an operating position of a user on the basis of an output of an electrostatic capacitance sensor 30 that includes a thin film having a plurality of electrodes and detects an electrostatic capacitance of each of the electrodes; a direction input control part 31 that senses movement of the operating position on the basis of an output of the operating position detecting part, and generates a direction input signal; a key input part 32 that detects a pressing operation of the user on a pressing face of an operation key, and generates a key input signal; a display 22 having a display screen; and a display control part 34 that controls a display position of image information in the display screen on the basis of the direction input signal. A part of the thin film of the electrostatic capacitance sensor 30 is formed with overlapping with at least a part of the pressing face of the operation key, and upon sensing of the movement of the operating position, the direction input control part 31 determines whether or not to generate the direction input signal on the basis of an operating position upon start of the movement. Upon operation of the operation key that is arranged with overlapping with an electrostatic pad, a direction input for moving a screen display can be suppressed from being erroneously provided.
US08254996B2
Systems and methods for maintaining base stations are provided. In this regard, a representative system, among others, includes a base station that is configured to receive transmitted signals from one or more mobile stations, calculate one or more data rates based on the transmitted signal associated with the one or more mobile stations, respectively, and generate data rate signals based on the calculated one or more data rates. The base station includes a dithering unit that is configured to apply dithering noise to the data rate signals, and memory that includes channel assignment logic configured to assign access channels to the one or more mobile stations based on the dithered signals, respectively.
US08254986B2
A method for automatically adapting a multi-protocol wireless device to facilitate a seamless multistage handoff according to various embodiments can include initiating a seamless multistage handoff process using a multi-protocol wireless device when the multi-protocol wireless device crosses a boundary area into an overlapping region where the multi-protocol wireless device is capable of simultaneously accessing a plurality of networks; and implementing the seamless multistage handoff process by performing at least a two-stage handoff process comprising a homogeneous handoff and a heterogeneous handoff without interrupting a communication call session conducted using the multi-protocol wireless device. A multi-network client device according to various embodiments can include a controller configured to support multiple independent call sessions, wherein the independent call sessions are concurrently conducted on a single wireless device through the use of parallel communication sessions and simultaneously connect the wireless device to a plurality of different networks hosting different content services.
US08254979B2
A communication system includes a first radio communication apparatus and a second radio communication apparatus that includes multiple antennas. The first radio communication apparatus receives transmission signals transmitted from multiple antennas as reception signals, acquires a predetermined parameter for each antenna based on the reception signals, creates control information for causing the second radio communication apparatus to control transmission signals so that the parameter becomes a predetermined target value for each antenna, compares absolute values of differences between each acquired parameter and the target value, and transmits control information corresponding to the reception signal for which the absolute value is large to the second radio communication apparatus with priority over control information corresponding to the reception signal for which the absolute value is small. The second radio communication apparatus receives control information from the first radio communication apparatus and controls transmission signals for each antenna according to the control information.
US08254969B1
A communication network (100) includes a two-way communication system (101) having a number of base stations (102-108) providing corresponding coverage areas (110-116) for one or more mobile terminals (148 and 150). In order to minimize congestion of the two-way communication system (101) a broadcast system (118) is included which allows for messages to be transmitted to the mobile terminals (148 and 150). Provision of such a broadcast system frees-up network resources that would otherwise be required to support the transmission of such messages. In one embodiment, the communication network (100) includes a number of information gathering devices such as traffic cameras (126-136) that collect information on traffic conditions within the communication network (100). By determining the location of the mobile terminals (148 and 150) and their intended journey routes, or based upon travel information previously provided to the network, the communication network (100) can transmit via the broadcast system (118) images of traffic conditions along one or more particular travel routes to the mobile terminals (148 and 150). The mobile terminals (148 and 150) include receiver sections for receiving both the messages transmitted by the two-way communication system (101) and the one-way broadcast system (118).
US08254962B2
Systems, methods, and computer program products for automatically scheduling and rescheduling tasks based on predictable, observable, or measurable events, and on conditions occurring in the vicinity of the user's location. A plurality of tasks are defined by the user. Events or conditions depending on the user's location and affecting the opportunity or the feasibility of the tasks are associated with these tasks. Task schedules are assigned, merged, or permuted to dynamically provide the user with a feasible and convenient agenda.
US08254961B2
A system identifies a location of a user based on a location of a mobile device associated with the user, associates the location of the user to a location having a collection of attractions relating to shopping or entertainment, retrieves layout information associated with the location having the collection of attractions, and provides the layout information to the user on the mobile device.
