US08283142B2
Disclosed herein is a method for stabilization of the perhydrolase activity of the CE-7 esterase in a formulation with a carboxylic acid ester that employs the addition of a buffering agent, substantially undissolved, to the mixture of the CE-7 esterase and the carboxylic acid ester. Further, disinfectant and laundry care formulations comprising the peracids produced by the processes described herein are provided.
US08283140B2
Knot rejects from chemical pulping processes are subjected to acid hydrolysis or an enzymatic hydrolysis treatment. The resultant hydrolysate is enriched with glucose, representing a value-added raw material for products using hexoses. The residue, separated from the said hydrolysate after the acid hydrolysis or enzyme treatment, consists of mainly knots or chips. The residue has a much improved aesthetic appearance which can be readily used as value-added raw materials for mulch or similar applications. The residue could also be extracted to obtain high value antioxidants and other nutraceutical chemicals such as lignans or can be utilized according to currently known practices including recooking, burning and depositing.
US08283137B2
When genes encoding three kinds of proteins constituting fibrinogen, an α chain (or variant of α chain), a β chain and a γ chain (or variant of γ chain) are incorporated into an animal cell, a constitutional ratio of respective genes is such that a α chain (and/or variant of γ chain) gene is an equal amount to a 1000-fold amount relative to an α chain (and/or variant of α chain) gene and a β chain gene and, further, by using a baculovirus P35 gene, a recombinant fibrinogen highly producing cell is prepared.
US08283136B2
This invention relates to Micrococcus luteus containing compositions useful for controlling skin disorders in which bacteria are a causative component. The invention also provides for a new strain of Micrococcus luteus useful in these compositions.
US08283133B2
The disclosed technology relates to a sterilization indicator, including a carrier, the carrier having a first surface and a second surface; a support, the support having a first section and a second section, the carrier overlying the first section of the support, the second surface of the carrier being adhered to the first section of the support; and a biological indicator supported by the carrier; the sterilization indicator being formed by applying the biological indicator to the carrier and then adhering the carrier to the support, the carrier being adhered to the support using sonic welding, in which the sonic welding, when applied to the carrier with the biological indicator applied, exhibits no significant difference in viability of the biological indicator following the sonic welding as compared to prior to the sonic welding.
US08283110B2
A method for fabricating an image sensor device is disclosed. The method for fabricating an image sensor device comprises forming a photosensitive layer on a substrate. The photosensitive layer is exposed through a first photomask to form an exposed portion and an unexposed portion. The unexposed portion is partially exposed through a second photomask to form a trimmed part, wherein the second photomask comprise a first segment and a second segment that has a transmittance greater than that of the first segment. The trimmed part is removed to form photosensitive structures. The photosensitive structures are reflowed to form a first microlens and a second microlens having different heights.
US08283106B2
Disclosed is a fluorinated sulfonic acid salt or fluorinated sulfonic acid group-containing compound having a structure represented by the following general formula (A). In the formula, n indicates an integer of 1 to 10; R indicates a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C20 linear, branched or cyclic alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C20 linear, branched or cyclic alkenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C6-C15 aryl group, or a C4-C15 heteroaryl group; and a indicates 1 or 0. A photoacid generator containing the above fluorinated sulfonic acid salt or fluorinated sulfonic acid group-containing compound shows high sensitivity to an ArF excimer laser or the like, presents no concerns about human body accumulation, can generate an acid (photoacid) of sufficiently high acidity, and exhibits high solubility in a resist solvent and good compatibility with a resist resin.
US08283098B2
A preparation method of a toner comprising a binder resin and a colorant is disclosed, comprising forming resin particles containing a resin formed by allowing a styrene monomer, a (meth)acryl monomer and a polymer represented by the formula (1) to react, and mixing the resin particles with colorant particles which were dispersed and allowing the resin particles and the colorant particle to coagulate and fuse to form toner particles, X—(Y)n—X formula (1) wherein X is at least one of an acryloyl group and a methacryloyl group, Y is a radical polymerizable monomer unit and n is an integer of 25 to 1000.
US08283097B2
To provide a process for efficiently producing a toner for developing an electrostatic charge image, which is scarcely susceptible to aggregation of the toner and free from blocking during the storage or from soiling the image forming apparatus and which is excellent in image characteristics. A process for producing a toner for developing an electrostatic charge image, characterized by supplying a monomer into a dispersion containing wax and a polymerizable monomer having a C8-100 hydrocarbon group, carrying out the polymerization, followed by flocculation treatment.
US08283096B2
An electrophotographic photoreceptor comprising: a conductive substrate; a photosensitive layer formed on the conductive substrate; and an outermost surface layer that is a layer made of a cured material of a composition including at least one compound represented by the following formula (I) and at least one compound having charge transportability and an azo group: wherein in formula (I), F represents an n-valent organic group having a hole transporting property, R represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, L represents a divalent organic group, n represents an integer of 1 or more, and j represents 0 or 1.
US08283094B2
In the field of semiconductor production using shaped charged particle beam lithography, a method and system for fracturing or mask data preparation or proximity effect correction is disclosed, wherein a plurality of shots of circular or nearly-circular character projection characters, having at least two shots that overlap, can form a non-circular pattern on a surface. Methods for manufacturing a reticle and for manufacturing a substrate such as a silicon wafer by forming non-circular patterns on a surface using a plurality of circular or nearly-circular character projection shots, where at least two shots overlap, is also disclosed.
US08283092B2
A photomask blank has a light-shielding film composed of at least two layers on a transparent substrate. The light-shielding film includes a light-shielding layer made of a material mainly containing tantalum nitride and containing less than 62 at % nitrogen. The material is capable of being dry-etched with a chlorine-based gas containing no oxygen. The light-shielding film further includes a front-surface antireflection layer formed on the light-shielding layer and made of a material not capable of being dry-etched with a chlorine-based gas, but capable of being dry-etched with a fluorine-based gas.
US08283091B2
Provided is a carbon nanofiber, wherein the carbon nanofiber has a surface oxygen content of at least 0.03 calculated by the formula: Oxygen content=[atomic percentage of oxygen/atomic percentage of carbon] using atomic percentages of oxygen and carbon, respectively calculated from an area of an oxygen peak having a binding energy of 524 to 540 eV, an area of a nitrogen peak having a binding energy of 392 to 404 eV, and an area of a carbon peak having a binding energy of 282 to 290 eV in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The nanofibers have high surface oxygen content and may have metal catalyst nano particles densely and uniformly distributed on the outer wall of the carbon nanofibers, thereby having high electrochemical efficiency.
US08283090B2
An electrochemical cell is described that includes (a) a first electrode; (b) a second electrode; and (c) a channel contiguous with at least a portion of the first and the second electrodes. When a first liquid is contacted with the first electrode, a second liquid is contacted with the second electrode, and the first and the second liquids flow through the channel, a parallel laminar flow is established between the first and the second liquids. Electronic devices containing such electrochemical cells and methods for their use are also described.
US08283082B2
A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell, a battery, and a DC/DC converter capable of connecting the fuel cell and the battery on a power feeding circuit. A method of starting operation of the fuel cell system includes the steps of connecting a bypass line connected to a battery for bypassing the DC/DC converter to the power feeding circuit, and directly supplying electrical energy from the battery to an air compressor of an oxygen-containing gas supply apparatus through the bypass line in a state where the fuel cell is disconnected from the power feeding circuit.
US08283080B2
A fuel cell system includes at least one electricity generating unit for generating electric energy through an electrochemical reaction between oxygen and hydrogen, a reformer for reforming fuel to generate hydrogen gas to be supplied to the electricity generating unit, a fuel supply apparatus for absorbing a liquid fuel stored in a fuel reservoir and supplying the fuel to the reformer and an oxygen supply source for supplying oxygen to the electricity generating unit. The fuel supply apparatus employs an absorber with capillary channels in which osmotic pressure is produced due to a concentration differential caused by thermal energy. The osmotic pressure allows the fuel to flow.
US08283078B2
A system for preparing particulate carbon fuel and using the particulate carbon fuel in a fuel cell. Carbon particles are finely divided. The finely dividing carbon particles are introduced into the fuel cell. A gas containing oxygen is introduced into the fuel cell. The finely divided carbon particles are exposed to carbonate salts, or to molten NaOH or KOH or LiOH or mixtures of NaOH or KOH or LiOH, or to mixed hydroxides, or to alkali and alkaline earth nitrates.
US08283077B1
Porous substrates and associated structures for solid-state electrochemical devices, such as solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), are low-cost, mechanically strong and highly electronically conductive. Some preferred structures have a thin layer of an electrocatalytically active material (e.g., Ni—YSZ) coating a porous high-strength alloy support (e.g., SS-430) to form a porous SOFC fuel electrode. Electrode/electrolyte structures can be formed by co-firing or constrained sintering processes.
US08283073B2
The present invention provides a microporous polyolefin membrane having a porosity of 45% to 85% wherein the microporous polyolefin membrane easily absorbs the strain produced when the membrane undergoes compression, and retains excellent permeability and excellent electrical insulation performance even after compression by setting the maximum pore diameter at 0.1 μm to 0.23 μm, the MD elastic modulus at 400 to 2,000 MPa, and the ratio MD elastic modulus/TD elastic modulus at 1.5 to 9.
US08283072B2
An electric storage device has positive and negative electrode systems. The positive electrode system includes a positive electrode having a current collector and a positive-electrode mixture layer. The negative electrode system includes a negative electrode having a current collector and a negative-electrode mixture layer. The negative electrode system further includes a first negative-electrode mixture layer and a second negative-electrode mixture layer, which are connected to each other and which include at least one different material or have different material composition ratios. The first negative-electrode mixture layer and the second negative-electrode mixture layer have different charge/discharge characteristics. A through-hole is formed in the current collector arranged between the first negative-electrode mixture layer and the second negative-electrode mixture layer.
US08283070B2
An anode active material and a lithium battery employing the same are provided. In one embodiment of the anode active material, a —(CH2CH2O)— repeating unit is bonded to the surface of metal particles that contain metals that can be alloyed with lithium. The repeating unit prevents reactions between the metal particles and the electrolyte solution. Also, due to its elasticity, the repeating unit absorbs part of the volume expansion of the metal particles. The repeating unit also prevents the metal particles from condensing, thereby enhancing dispersion properties. Accordingly, the inventive anode active material has high capacity and excellent capacity retention during repeated charging and discharging, thereby providing a lithium battery with a long cycle life.
US08283061B2
A releasing pressure and a pressure releasing position, when enclosing films are expanded by gas produced at an abnormal time, are easily and positively configured. A film-enclosed battery (1) has a battery element (2) and two enclosing films (4, 5) for sealing the battery element (2). The enclosing films (4, 5) include heat-sealable resin layers and air-impermeable layers, and the heat-sealable resin layers and air-impermeable layers, and the heat-sealable resin layers that are face each other hold the battery element (2) and seal the battery element (2) when their peripheral edges are thermally fused. A cross-linking structure (8) formed by cross-linking heat-sealable resin layer is formed in one of the enclosing films (4, 5) so that a region in part of a heat-sealed area (6) has a position exposed to a battery element housing unit and another portion in contact with outside air.
US08283056B2
Disclosed is an organic compound that easily dissolves in an organic solvent, and that is applicable as a host material of an emission layer of an organic photoelectric device since it emits fluorescence and phosphorescence at a red wavelength through a blue wavelength. The organic compound according to one embodiment of the present invention is represented by Chemical Formula 1. In the above Chemical Formula 1, X1 to X24, Ar1 to Ar3, and Ar′ to Ar′″, and Chemical Formulae 2 to 5, are as described in the specification. The organic compound easily dissolves in an organic solvent, and is applicable as a host material of an emission layer of an organic photoelectric device since it emits fluorescence and phosphorescence at a red wavelength through a blue wavelength.
US08283054B2
A white-light-emitting tandem OLED device having spaced anode and cathode including: first and second light-emitting units disposed between the anode and cathode; an intermediate connector including an n-type layer and a p-type layer disposed between the first and second light-emitting units; and a fluoranthene-containing electron-transporting layer adjacent to the n-type layer of the intermediate connector and including at least 25% of a 7,10-diaryl-substituted fluoranthene compound having no aromatic rings annulated to the fluoranthene nucleus.
US08283048B2
A thermally sprayed coating, coating system and coated article are disclosed. The disclosed embodiments of the thermally sprayed coating, coating system and coated article use a customized ceramic powder comprising ceramic powder particles having an average particle size of about 25 to about 75 microns. In particular, the ceramic powder particles contain from about 70 to about 95 percent by weight of a zirconia-based component, with the balance being an (alumina+silica)-based component and wherein said ceramic powder particles comprise micronized sub-particles of the zirconia-based component and the (alumina+silica)-based component.
US08283033B2
Provided is a ceramic ball, comprising a core portion and a sphere portion; wherein said core portion is made of clinkers and raw materials; said clinkers are made of kaolinite and feldspar, industrial waste ceramics or a combination thereof; said raw materials are made of kaolinite and feldspar; a weight ratio between the clinkers and the raw materials in said core portion is 1-2:2-3; and a weight ratio between said kaolinite and said feldspar is 5-7.5:1-2.5. A method for producing a ceramic ball is also provided. The invention features low energy consumption, good pressure resistant performance, shock resistance property and long lifetime.
US08283030B1
A method of reshaping an article comprising a polyelectrolyte complex, the polyelectrolyte complex comprising an intermolecular blend of a predominantly positively-charged polyelectrolyte and a predominantly negatively charged polyelectrolyte by controlling the salt doping level.
US08283029B2
Embodiments of a breathable multilayer microporous film comprise a first outer film layer, a second inner film layer, and a third outer film layer, wherein each film layer comprises at least one pore-forming filler and one thermoplastic polymer. Each film layer is rendered microporous and breathable by stretching each film layer having the pore-forming filler therein, wherein the first and third outer film layers have first and third maximum pore sizes, respectively, and the second inner film layer has a second maximum pore size different than the respective maximum pore sizes of the first and third outer film layers of the multilayer film. The multilayer microporous film passes ASTM F 1671-03 test.
US08283028B2
Scaffold comprises a polymer defining macropores and comprising hydroxypropylcellulose partially substituted by a substituent comprising a self-crosslinkable group, which is crosslinked through the self-crosslinkable group. The macropores have an average pore size larger than 50 microns and are at least partially interconnected. In one method, bicontinuous emulsion comprising a continuous aqueous phase and a continuous polymer phase is formed. The polymer phase comprises hydroxypropylcellulose partially substituted by a substituent comprising a self-crosslinkable group, and is crosslinked through the self-crosslinkable group to form a polymer defining at least partially interconnected pores. In another method, phase separation is induced in a solution comprising a polymer precursor and water to form a bicontinuous emulsion comprising a continuous polymer phase and a continuous aqueous phase. The polymer precursor comprises a self-crosslinkable group and is crosslinked through the self-crosslinkable group in the emulsion to form a polymer defining at least partially interconnected macropores.
US08283019B2
A honeycomb structured body including a plurality of cells that are placed in parallel with one another in a longitudinal direction with a cell wall therebetween, and a sealing portion sealing either one of the end portions of the cells. The honeycomb structured body has a porosity of at least about 70% and at most about 95% and having a length about 0.2 to about 0.9 times a diameter thereof, where the length is in the longitudinal direction of the honeycomb structured body, and the diameter is of a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the honeycomb structured body.
US08283017B2
The present invention pertains to carpet and method of making it. In one aspect, the carpet includes (a) a primary backing which has a face and a back surface, (b) a plurality of fibers attached to the primary backing and extending from the face of the primary backing and exposed at the back surface of the primary backing, (c) an adhesive backing, (d) an optional secondary backing adjacent to the adhesive backing, and (e) at least one homogeneously branched linear ethylene polymer. The method includes extrusion coating at least one homogeneously branched linear ethylene polymer onto the back surface of a primary backing to provide an adhesive backing. The method can include additional steps or procedures, either separately or in various combinations. Additional steps and procedures include preheating the primary backing prior the extrusion step, multilayer adhesive backings, washing or scouring the primary backing prior the extrusion step, and utilizing adhesive polymeric additives, high heat content fillers, blowing agents and/or implosion agents. The constructions and methods described herein are particularly suited for making carpet tile.
US08283008B2
A container having a surface including at least one high friction surface region having a coefficient of friction of between about 0.63 and about 2. Optionally, the at least one high friction surface region includes a coating layer, which may include fibers. The surface of the container may further include at least one low friction surface region having a coefficient of friction of less than 0.5, or preferably less than 0.3.
US08282998B2
The present invention relates to a method of realizing an optical function on a component of a motor vehicle indicating or lighting device. This method is more particularly suited to producing a mask for a headlamp or light and/or to treating reflective surfaces. The method comprises a step of forming said component in a predetermined material and a step of exposing at least one surface of said component to laser radiation.
US08282995B2
A selenium/Group Ib/Group 3a ink is provided, comprising, as initial components: (a) a selenium/Group Ib/Group 3a system which comprises a combination of, as initial components: a selenium; an organic chalcogenide component; a Group Ib containing substance; optionally, a bidentate thiol component; a Group 3a containing substance; and, (b) a liquid carrier component; wherein the selenium/Group Ib/Group 3a system is stably dispersed in the liquid carrier component. Also provided are methods of preparing the selenium/Group Ib/Group 3a ink and for using the selenium/Group Ib/Group 3a ink to deposit a selenium/Group Ib/Group 3a material on a substrate for use in the manufacture of a variety of chalcogenide containing semiconductor materials, such as, thin film transistors (TFTs), light emitting diodes (LEDs); and photoresponsive devices (e.g., electrophotography (e.g., laser printers and copiers), rectifiers, photographic exposure meters and photovoltaic cells) and chalcogenide containing phase change memory materials.
US08282987B2
Aluminum-plated components of semiconductor material processing apparatuses are disclosed. The components include a substrate and an optional intermediate layer formed on at least one surface of the substrate. The intermediate layer includes at least one surface. An aluminum plating is formed on the substrate, or on the optional intermediate layer. The surface on which the aluminum plating is formed is electrically-conductive. An anodized layer can optionally be formed on the aluminum plating. The aluminum plating or optional the anodized layer comprises a process-exposed surface of the component. Semiconductor material processing apparatuses including one or more aluminum-plated components, methods of processing substrates, and methods of making the aluminum-plated components are also disclosed.
US08282980B2
A nozzle for use in a coating apparatus for the application of a coating substance to a stent is provided. Method for coating a stent can include discharging a coating composition out from a needle of a nozzle assembly, and atomizing the coating composition as the coating composition is discharged. The needle can be positioned in a chamber of the nozzle assembly, and gas can be introduced into the chamber for atomizing the coating composition.
US08282979B2
An apparatus for coating medical devices at the point of care with a polymer and/or therapeutic agent comprising an environmentally controlled device coating chamber in which the device may be delivered by the manufacturer as the device packaging, or the device may be placed into the chamber at the point of care. The environmentally controlled chamber can provide a sterile enclosure in which the polymer and/or a therapeutic agent can be applied to an uncoated or previously coated device and converted to another form (such as a liquid to a film or gel) if desired, under controlled and reproducible conditions. The environmentally controlled chamber can accommodate and provide for coating the device by immersion, spray and other methods of covering the device surface with a liquid or powder. The chamber can provide for energy sources, both internally, such as heat produced by film heaters, and externally, such as UV light or microwave passing through the enclosure. The chamber may allow for changes in atmosphere to affect the coating, such as the introduction of certain gases and introducing pressure or vacuum.
US08282957B2
The present invention features a tablet including particles containing a pharmaceutically active agent, wherein the particles are coated with (a) a first film layer containing a modified release polymer; and (b) a second film layer containing (i) a first polymer, wherein the first polymer is a polymer of ethyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate and (ii) a second polymer, wherein the second polymer is a polymer of methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate and methacrylic acid.
US08282954B2
The present invention provides a process for making an edible film having a substantially uniform distribution of components, which includes the steps of combining a water-based film polymer solution and a slurry-type mixture comprising a water-active component and a solvent; mixing the polymer solution and slurry-type mixture for about 10 minutes or less; dispensing the mixed solution and slurry-type mixture to form a film; and drying the film to evaporate the water and solvent. Films made by the process are also provided.
US08282950B2
Homogenous and stable adjuvants in the form of microemulsions for use in agriculture containing: a) a mixture of surfactants comprising i) one or more anionic derivatives of an alkylpolyglycoside; ii) one or more alkylpolyglycosides; iii) one or more anionic derivatives of a fatty alcohol; b) one or more methyl esters of fatty acids deriving from the transesterification of vegetable oils, one or more vegetable oils, or mixture thereof; c) one or more nonionic surfactants; d) water.
US08282945B2
A cosmetics applicator includes a material surface (210) and a cosmetic preparation (220) provided on the surface. In one aspect, the cosmetics preparation is retained on the surface at least in part with the assistance of electrostatic attraction between the surface and the cosmetics preparation. In another aspect, a waxy or oily underlay is provided between the surface and the cosmetics preparation, and the material of the surface is selected to facilitate retention of the cosmetics preparation and the underlay while allowing a major proportion of the cosmetics preparation retained thereon to be transferred to a human skin surface in a single wiping pass of the cosmetics preparation across the skin surface.
US08282936B2
The object of the present invention is to provide an edible vaccine which is effective for human papilloma virus (HPV) type 16 and available in large amounts inexpensively. An edible human papilloma virus vaccine obtained by culturing a transformant of an avirulent fission yeast host, wherein the transformant carries a gene encoding an antigenic protein of human papilloma virus introduced therein and accumulates the expressed antigenic protein in it.
US08282934B2
The present invention concerns methods and compositions for forming cytokine-antibody complexes using dock-and-lock technology. In preferred embodiments, the cytokine-MAb DNL complex comprises an IgG antibody attached to two AD (anchor domain) moieties and four cytokines, each attached to a DDD (docking and dimerization domain) moiety. The DDD moieties form dimers that bind to the AD moieties, resulting in a 2:1 ratio of DDD to AD. The cytokine-MAb complex exhibits improved pharmacokinetics, with a significantly longer serum half-life than either naked cytokine or PEGylated cytokine. The cytokine-MAb complex also exhibits significantly improved in vitro and in vivo efficacy compared to cytokine alone, antibody alone, unconjugated cytokine plus antibody or cytokine-MAb DNL complexes incorporating an irrelevant antibody. In a most preferred embodiment the complex comprises an anti-CD20 IgG antibody conjugated to four IFN-α2b moieties, although other antibodies and cytokines have been used to form effect DNL complexes.
US08282932B2
Disclosed are split-core carrier substance which, as separate polypeptide, have the core N domain and the core C domain of the core protein of a hepatitis B virus and at least one foreign molecule against which an immune response is to be induced. According to the invention, the foreign molecule, especially the heterologous foreign amino acid sequence, is fused to the C terminus or the core N domain or to the N terminus of the core C domain and the core protein can form capsid-like particles. The invention also relates to the associated production method.
US08282931B2
Provided are purified and isolated VEGF-C polypeptides capable of binding to at least one of KDR receptor tyrosine kinase (VEGFR-2) and Flt4 receptor tyrosine kinase (VEGFR-3); analogs of such peptides that have VEGF-C-like or VEGF-like biological activities or that are VEGF or VEGF-C inhibitors; polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides; vectors and host cells that embody the polynucleotides; pharmaceutical compositions and diagnostic reagents comprising the polypeptides; and methods of making and using the polypeptides. Methods of inhibiting endothelial cell proliferation are also provided.
US08282920B2
This invention relates to a bacteriophage MPK6 (deposit number: KCCM 11044P) having a lytic activity to Pseudomonas aeruginosa, or a progeny bacteriophage thereof having a RFLP (Restriction fragment length polymorphism) DNA profile substantially equivalent to the bacteriophage MPK6. The present invention provides a bacteriophage MPK6 or a progeny bacteriophage thereof capable of treating a Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection disease, and suggests an anti-bacterial activity of MPK6 and its progeny bacteriophage using a mammalian and non-mammalian infection model. According to the present invention, the present bacteriophage MPK6 or progeny bacteriophage thereof represents very effective efficacy on treatment of P. aeruginosa-induced peritonitis-sepsis.
US08282918B2
Disclosed are polynucleotides and polypeptides that are useful for assessing and modulating cell proliferation. The polynucleotides may comprise coding regions for RPA4 and RPA4/RPA32 hybrid polypeptides. The polynucleotides may be used in gene vectors for modulating cell proliferation in a patient in need thereof. Diagnostic methods related to assaying RPA4 expression in test samples in order to detect proliferating or cancerous cells also are disclosed.
US08282909B2
The present invention provides a formulation which contains a poorly water soluble pharmaceutically active compound at a concentration of 50 mg per 100 g formulation or above. The solubility is achieved by a mixture of solvents as described herein. Moreover the formulation as described herein may be used as a base formulation to generate a cream, an ointment, a spray, a foam or an oleogel.
US08282904B2
A cylindrical vessel made of carbon is used in the production of silicon. The inner surface of the vessel comes into contact with a silicon melt, wherein the permeation with silicon melt is reduced, formation of SiC is suppressed, and the vessel is resistant to deformation even when volumetric expansion ascribable to silicon is brought about. The carbon-made cylindrical vessel is made of a carbon material having a bulk specific gravity of 1.8 or more. The thermal expansion coefficient of the carbon material at 350 to 450° C. is preferably 3.5×10−6/° C. to 6.0×10−6/° C. A process for producing silicon uses said vessel wherein a chlorosilane is reacted with hydrogen.
US08282903B2
A processes for the regeneration of a silver nitrate and nitric acid based electrolyte as used in certain silver refining processes is based on the hydrolytic removal of undesired metal-based compounds such as water insoluble hydrolysable base metal cations and water insoluble hydrolysable base metal nitrates from which the soluble silver nitrate and nitric acid based electrolyte may be separated. Water is added slowly to a dewatered electrolyte melt held at a predetermined, elevated, temperature while allowing nitric acid thereby formed to evolve and be separated from the melt while the water insoluble base metal salts are formed. The melt is then diluted with water to dilute the silver nitrate contained therein and the insoluble base metal salts are separated from the mixture by filtration.
US08282887B2
A reactor design and process for the dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons is presented. The reactor design includes a multibed catalytic reactor, where each of the reactor beds are fluidized. The catalyst in the reactor cascades through the reactor beds, with fresh catalyst input into the first reactor bed, and the spent catalyst withdrawn from the last reactor bed. The hydrocarbon feedstream is input to the reactor beds in a parallel formation, thereby decreasing the thermal residence time of the hydrocarbons when compared with a single bed fluidized reactor, or a series reactor scheme.
US08282878B2
Embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein include a sintering aid composition that has a material useful for sintering, an amine, and optionally a carboxylic acid.
US08282875B2
Process for manufacturing a fuel tank equipped with an internal accessory and having a plastic wall produced from a parison, said process comprising, in order, the following steps: a) the accessory and the molten parison are introduced into a mould so that the accessory is surrounded by the parison, said mould comprising cavities equipped with at least one moving part; b) a pressurized gas is introduced inside the parison to carry out a pre-blow moulding of said parison; c) the pre-blow-moulded parison is pressed locally against the accessory using the moving part in order to firmly attach the two without piercing the parison; d) the mould is closed and the final blow moulding of the parison is carried out by flattening it against the mould cavities using the pressurized gas; and e) the tank is removed from the mould.
US08282874B2
A method for manufacturing a composite is provided. A first fibre mat is laid onto an inner surface of a mould. Suction is applied between the inner surface of the mould and the first fibre mat. A second fibre mat is laid over the first fibre mat, wherein the second fibre mat is covered with a vacuum bag. Vacuum is introduced between the vacuum bag and the mould and resin is injected under vacuum between the vacuum bag and the mould. After the resin is set, the mould will be removed.
US08282864B2
There is provided a water-resistant polarizing film including an organic dye having at least two anionic groups, and an alicyclic structure-containing compound having at least two nitrogen atoms in a molecule. Examples of the organic dye typically include an azo compound represented by the following general formula (2):
US08282863B2
Microstructured films comprising surface modified inorganic oxide particles, surface modified inorganic nanoparticles having a high refractive index, and polymerizable resins are described.
US08282853B2
A novel NiMnZn-based ferrite which can reduce magnetic loss (core loss) at a high frequency of about 2 MHz or higher and achieve higher saturated magnetic flux density while forming high sintered density is provided. The NiMnZn-based ferrite contains a main component comprising 54.0 to 57.5 mol % of iron oxide in terms of Fe2O3, 2.0 to 7.0 mol % of zinc oxide in terms of ZnO, 0.5 to 4.7 mol % of nickel oxide in terms of NiO, and a remainder of manganese oxide (in terms of MnO); and an accessory component comprising 100 to 1000 ppm by weight of Si in terms of SiO2, 800 to 3000 ppm by weight of Ca in terms of CaCO3, and 520 to 1000 ppm by weight of Nb in terms of Nb2O5 with respect to the main component; while having an average ferrite crystal particle size of 2.1 to 8.5 μm.
US08282850B2
An apparatus for controlling a plasma etching process includes plasma control structure that can vary a size of a plasma flow passage, vary a speed of plasma flowing through the plasma flow passage, vary plasma concentration flowing through the plasma flow passage, or a combination thereof.
US08282833B2
A method for recovering thallium in a cement production facility according to the present invention includes: a collecting process of collecting dust from combustion gas at a passage of the combustion gas, which is downstream of a gas outlet of a suspension preheater or a gas outlet of a demineralizer of a cement kiln of the cement production facility; a water-cleaning process of producing slurry or a water solution by cleaning the collected dust using water; and a filtering process of separating the slurry or water solution into a solid and a liquid and recovering thallium, wherein thallium is recovered from the combustion gas exhausted from the cement production facility.
US08282832B2
A regeneration circuit for the in situ regeneration of an inline adsorbent filter, said filter being part of a normal circuit that is configured to remove one or more contaminant from a fluid circulated through a machine; the regeneration circuit includes a regeneration unit configured to remove one or more contaminant from a contaminated fluid creating a regenerated fluid, such that in operation the regenerated fluid is pumped from the regeneration unit and through the filter extracting the or each contaminant from the filter creating the contaminated fluid, this contaminated fluid then returns to the regeneration unit for contaminant removal, the pressure and flow rate of the regenerated fluid through the filter are maintained at a level that ensures minimal damage to the filter; said machine is isolated from the inline filter during regeneration.
US08282819B2
Disclosed is a filter device (10), particularly a liquid filter, comprising a filter element (16) that is disposed in a filter housing (12, 14) and a heater (28) for heating medium flowing through the filter device (10). The inventive filter device (10) is characterized in that the heater (28) is designed with at least one heating circuit (30) that is molded into the filter housing (12, 14). Alternatively or additionally, the heater (28) is designed with at least one heating circuit (30) which is provided with an electrical contact (34) in at least one of the final zones thereof, said electrical contact (34) being riveted to the heating circuit (28).
US08282818B1
A single submerged attached growth bioreactor interconnected to an equalization tank and a clear well. The equalization tank receives raw wastewater and provides primary settling of solids from the waste water. The output from the equalization tank is sent into the bioreactor. The wastewater flow path through the bioreactor biofilter is serpentine. Wastewater enters the first cell of the biofilter and flows downward to an opening at the biofilter bottom that hydraulically connects the first cell to a biofilter second cell. In the second cell the wastewater flows up from the bottom to an opening above the media within the cell, which connects the second cell with a third biofilter cell. Wastewater then flows downward through the third cell to the bottom and exits the biofilter through a pipe connected to a pump in the clear well. The hydrostatic pressure created by the differential liquid levels drives forward flow through the cells and into an effluent pipe at the bottom of the third cell.
US08282816B2
One exemplary embodiment can be a process for minimizing a solvent in a raffinate stream of an extractive distillation column. The process can include providing sufficient separation in the extractive distillation column between a reflux stream having an effective amount of water and a stream having an effective amount of solvent. Usually, the reflux stream has no more than about 2,000 ppm, by weight, solvent based on the weight of the reflux stream.
US08282813B2
A biosensor measurement device for providing accurate measurement results within a short period of time by using only a very small amount of sample. The biosensor measurement device includes a power source, which is connected to a voltage regulator, a measurement instrument, and a controller for supplying power. When the biosensor chip is connected to the biosensor measurement device and a voltage is applied, the measurement instrument begins the measurement of a current value for the biosensor. When the measured current value or a measured charge value is greater than a reference value, the measurement is terminated in accordance with an instruction issued by the controller, and when the value is smaller than the reference value, the measurement is continued in accordance with a controller instruction.
US08282810B2
A variety of methods and systems are disclosed herein, including, in one embodiment, a method comprising: providing a stream comprising halogenated alkanes; forming synthesis products comprising hydrocarbons and hydrogen bromide from synthesis reactants comprising at least a portion of the halogenated alkanes; and recovering at least a portion of the bromine, the recovering comprising electrolysis.
US08282808B2
The present invention relates to the use of phosphinic acids and/or phosphonic acids and salts thereof, preferably as surface-active compounds, in redox processes, in particular in electroplating technology, particularly preferably in electroplating baths, and to electroplating baths comprising these compounds.
US08282786B2
Device for burning coking gas in a coking chamber of a coke oven of the “non-recovery type” or “heat-recovery type”, a multiplicity of inlet openings for primary air being arranged in the roof of each oven chamber in such a way that the coking gas produced during the coking is brought into uniform contact with the desired quantity of primary air for the partial combustion of the coking gas, these inlet openings for primary air being combined above the oven for each chamber separately by an air feed system, the air feed systems of the individual oven chambers being connected to an air feed system common to many oven chambers, and a respective control member for varying the primary air quantity over the carbonizing time being provided between the common air feed system and the air feeds of the individual oven chambers. A slight, constant positive pressure can be applied to the common air feed system.
US08282782B2
A wet paper web transfer belt (1) has a wet paper web-side layer (31) including a resin and a hydrophilic fibrous body (30) and a machine-side layer (32). A basic fabric (33) disposed in the belt comprises a first woven fabric (34) disposed on a wet paper web (W) side and a second woven fabric (35) disposed on a press roll (10) side. The first woven fabric (34) and the second woven fabric (35) are stacked together. At least a portion of the hydrophilic fibrous body (30) is exposed on a surface (37) of the wet paper web-side layer (31). The basis weight of the first woven fabric (34) is greater than the basis weight of the second woven fabric (35). The structure is effective to improve a first function to cause the wet paper web (W) to stick thereon and to transfer the wet paper web (W), and a second function to allow the wet paper web (W) to be smoothly released from the belt for transferring the wet paper web (W) to a next process. The belt (1) has opposite edges (E) prevented from being curled while the belt (1) is traveling.
US08282770B2
A substrate processing apparatus capable of preventing the abnormal discharge from being generated on a substrate. A housing chamber houses the substrate. A mounting stage arranged in the housing chamber, is configured to enable the substrate to be mounted thereon. A disc-like electrode structure is connected to a high-frequency power supply, and connected to a gas supply apparatus via at least one gas supply system. The electrode structure has therein at least one buffer chamber and a plurality of connecting sections connected to the gas supply system. The buffer chamber is communicated with the inside of the housing chamber via a number of gas holes, and is communicated with the gas supply system via the plurality of connecting sections. The plurality of connecting sections for the buffer chamber are arranged on the circumference of a circle centering around the center of the electrode structure at equal intervals.
US08282762B2
This invention relates to liquid crystal (LC) displays comprising cells of well-defined shape, size and aspect ratio which cells are filled with a liquid crystal composition preferably containing dichroic dye(s), and novel processes for their manufacture. The invention also relates to a process for forming a liquid crystal display, which process comprises forming a plurality of cells followed by filling each of said cells with a liquid crystal composition and said process is carried out continuously or semi-continuously.
US08282746B2
A mechanical structure is provided with a crystalline superelastic alloy that is characterized by an average grain size and that is characterized by a martensitic phase transformation resulting from a mechanical stress input greater than a characteristic first critical stress. A configuration of the superelastic alloy is provided with a geometric structural feature of the alloy that has an extent that is no greater than about 200 micrometers and that is no larger than the average grain size of the alloy. This geometric feature is configured to accept a mechanical stress input.
US08282733B2
The manufacturing method of a semiconductor apparatus has a step for carrying in the substrate into the processing chamber; a step for heating the processing chamber and the substrate to the predetermined temperature; and a gas supply and exhaust step for supplying and exhausting desired gas into and from the processing chamber, wherein the gas supply and exhaust step repeats by the predetermined times a first supply step for supplying silicon-type gas and hydrogen gas into the processing chamber; a first exhaust step for exhausting at least said silicon-type gas from the processing chamber; a second supply step for supplying chlorine gas and hydrogen gas into the processing chamber; and a second exhaust step for exhausting at least the chlorine gas from the processing chamber.
US08282732B2
A method includes adding in a concrete composition at least one cellulose ether having either, a degree of substitution of methoxy radicals (DSM); or a degree of substitution (DS) comprised from 1.17 to 2.33 to reduce plastic shrinkage and/or reduce plastic cracking in concrete.
US08282705B2
A method is provided for recovering metals from a spent catalyst composition containing an organic contaminant and catalytically active metals on a catalyst support. The metals are leached from the spent catalyst composition by adding under stirring an ionic liquid. The ionic liquid containing the leached metals is separated from the organic contaminant and the catalyst support by adding under stirring an anti-solvent. After removing the organic contaminant and the catalyst support, the leached metals are separated from the ionic liquid for example by selective precipitation, ion exchange, solvent extraction, electrodeposition, chromatographic, or pyrometallurgical methods.
US08282704B2
A method for introducing a cored wire into a bath of molten metal includes extracting the cored wire from a reel, and making it run into the molten metal bath, one part of the path traveled by the cored wire being formed in a guide tube with a distal end at a defined height above the metal bath's surface. The cored wire is driven and straightened under conditions practically not altering its substantially circular cross section and allowing it to be vertically introduced and penetrate into the depth of the bath. Elements for driving the cored wire from a reel, a guide tube for guiding the cored wire, and elements for straightening the cored wire are placed in front of its entry into the guide tube, the straightening elements giving the cored wire a straight direction without altering its circular cross section.
US08282700B2
A filter device has a filter housing of connected housing parts with an inlet for unfiltered fluid and an outlet for filtered fluid. A filter element arranged in the filter housing separates the inlet seal-tightly from the outlet. A releasable anchoring device connects the housing parts. The anchoring device has a rotary insert having a guide and anchoring section and an interacting receptacle with an insertion/removal section. The rotary insert of the first housing part is arranged in the receptacle of the second housing part. The guide and anchoring section has a first rotary state in which it is positively guided for gliding in the insertion/removal section to guide the housing parts when being connected or separated. In a second rotary state the guiding and anchoring section is secured in an anchoring section of the receptacle for securing the housing parts. The insertion/removal section passes into the anchoring section.
US08282692B2
The present invention relates to a biofuel composition comprising distilled technical cashew nut shell liquid (DT-CNSL) and atleast one petroleum product optionally alongwith plant oils and fuel additive(s). It also relates to a process for preparation of biofuel composition and a method of fueling biofuel composition.
US08282690B2
The process of the invention deals with significant improvements in salt purity and whiteness brought about through treatment of brine with alum prior to charging into crystallizers for solar salt production. The improvements realized are partly on account of elimination of suspended impurities like gypsum and clayey matter in the brine, which may otherwise be carried along with the brine in the crystallizer and finally end up in the salt, and partly due to the improved crystal size and morphology that minimizes embedded impurities in the salt. Rain washing of the heaped salt has resulted in a salt with greatly reduced calcium and sulphate impurity levels hitherto not achieved in solar salt production. Alum treatment by the process of the invention requires no additional time or infrastructure and the cost of the treatment works out to <3 U.S. cents per ton of salt. The process can be implemented in any solar salt works.
US08282677B2
The variable stiffness heating catheter includes a heating catheter shaft including at least one electrically conductive member, a reinforcing tube with apertures formed around the surface of the reinforcing tube, and at least one coaxial outer layer of a polymer, metal, or both for providing desired variations in stiffness along at least a portion of the length of the shaft. The apertures can be formed as axial or helical slits in the surface of the reinforcing tube, and the reinforcing tube can also be formed to be tapered at the point where the apertures are formed in the reinforcing tube to provide a heating catheter that is torqueable and pushable at the proximal end, yet soft and flexible at the distal end.
US08282670B2
A delivery device for delivering a plurality of individual surgical anchors is disclosed. The delivery device includes a housing, a delivery tube, having a distal and a proximal end, an actuator, flexible anchor reaction members, a reciprocating anchor carrier, having a distal and a proximal end, the distal end terminating in a tissue penetrator. The device further includes at least one surgical anchor located in juxtaposition with the anchor carrier. Each of the surgical anchors has a penetration section and a head section. The surgical anchors are preferably made from an absorbable polymer. The actuator is connected to the anchor carrier and has at least two states. The first/home state, includes a position such that the surgical anchor is proximal the distal end of the tube. The second state is such that the penetrating section of the surgical anchor is exposed beyond the distal end of the delivery tube.
US08282665B2
An expansible tunneling apparatus and associated methods for creating an anatomic working space for a surgical procedure. Various apparatus permitting observation during tunneling and balloon dissection are disclosed. In one embodiment, a tubular member has a bore extending therethrough and an open distal end. A lip is formed in the distal end of the tubular member to capture the distal tip of a laparoscope inserted into the tubular member to permit observation of the procedure during tunneling to a desired location and balloon inflation. An elongated neck of the balloon is secured to the tunneling member, and permits the tubular member to be withdrawn slightly from the balloon after inflation to facilitate observation. After the balloon has been advanced to the desired location in the body it is inflated to dissect tissue and create an operating space. Various balloon constructions and a reusable design are also disclosed.
US08282659B2
An implement for manipulating a knotted suture during a surgical procedure, includes an elongated shaft having a proximal end engageable by the user for manipulating the instrument, and a distal end engageable with the knotted suture to be manipulated. The distal end of the elongated shaft has an end face formed with a recess for receiving the knot of the suture. The distal end of the elongated shaft is formed with an open slot starting from a location spaced from the end face and leading to the recess in the end face, such as to enable the knotted suture to be introduced into the slot and the recess by effecting a sidewise movement. The implement further includes a tubular cutter member enclosing the elongated shaft and formed with an annular cutting edge engageable with a suture in the open slot of the shaft upon movement of the elongated shaft with respect to the tubular cutter member, or by vice-versa.
US08282658B2
A member of a rigid flexible elastic material, the member including a body portion and an aperture portion with the member adapted for delivery through an axial longitudinal channel of a percutaneous delivery subsystem, the aperture portion including an expanded mode having a lateral dimension greater than an inner diameter of the channel when the aperture portion extends outside the channel and a collapsed mode wherein the lateral dimension is not greater than the inner diameter of the channel when the aperture portion is within the channel, the channel including a first axial opening and a second axial opening with the aperture portion transitioning from the expanded mode to the collapsed mode when inserted into the openings and the aperture transitioning from the collapsed mode to the expanded mode when exiting from the openings.
US08282657B2
A suturing assembly configured to place suture in tissue includes a handle having an actuator, a shaft coupled to the handle, and a head coupled to the shaft. The head includes a proximal portion housing a needle movable through a needle exit port and a distal end spaced apart from the proximal portion by a throat, the distal end defining a cavity. The actuator is configured to move the needle out of the needle exit port formed in the proximal portion of the head and across the throat to engage a capsule disposed in the cavity formed in the distal end of the head, the capsule attached to the suture.
US08282654B2
A clip for closing blood vessels which branch off from a main blood vessel during an intervention of the main blood vessel has a base body via which the clip can be placed on an inside face of the opened main blood vessel. At least three limbs protrude from the base body and are able to be bent in the direction towards the base body in order to clamp tissue in the area of the branch between the base body and the bent-back limbs thereby closing said branch.
US08282646B2
An orthopedic apparatus including a patient-specific alignment guide attachable to a surface of a bone being prepared for receiving a prosthetic implant. The guide includes at least first and second components and a coupling mechanism connecting the first and second components to one another. The first component has a first bone engagement surface and the second component has a second bone engagement surface, the first and second bone engagement surfaces anatomically matching corresponding first and second portions of the surface of the bone. At least one of the first and second components defines at least one alignment formation.
US08282643B2
Methods are described wherein bone constructs of a patient are used to arthroscopically attach sutures to torn or dysfunctional tissue. A suture or multiple sutures are passed through intersecting/bisecting tunnels formed in the bone. An end of the suture extends from each of the tunnels, and the ends are used to secure the tissue to the bone, such as by arthroscopic tying of the ends, and pulling the tissue against the bone. Devices for performing the methods are also described.
US08282632B2
A microwave ablation system includes a generator operable to output energy and an antenna coupled to the generator via a coaxial cable. The antenna delivers energy to tissue and includes a proximal radiating section and a distal radiating section. The antenna also includes a feedpoint section defined by the portion of the distal radiating section that underlaps the proximal radiating section.
US08282629B2
A method for determining control information for controlling laser radiation irradiated onto the cornea of an eye to be treated photorefractively comprises correcting a corneal ablation profile, obtained by measuring optical properties of the eye, with the aid of correction information, the control information being formed on the basis of the corrected ablation profile thus produced. According to the invention, the correction of the ablation profile is performed in the spatial frequency domain. To this end, the ablation profile is transformed into a spatial frequency spectrum. Corrected amplitude or/and phase values are then determined for various discrete spectral components of the ablation profile on the basis of stored amplitude or/and phase correction information. Subsequently, the spatial frequency spectrum with the amplitude or/and phase corrected spectral components is backtransformed into the geometric spatial domain. The result is the corrected ablation profile. The amplitude and phase correction information in this case respectively represent for a number of spatial frequencies differing at least by the frequency value a predetermined relationship between values of the amplitude or/and phase at the relevant spatial frequency and corrected amplitude or/and phase values at this spatial frequency.
US08282625B2
An implantable medical device for producing a variable therapeutic output to a patient. A therapeutic output delivery module requires replenishment following delivery of a predetermined amount of the therapeutic output. A calculator is responsive to a measure of an amount of the therapeutic output actually delivered to the patient for determining a parameter representative of a time at which the therapeutic output delivery module of the implantable medical device should be replenished with the therapeutic substance based at least in part upon the amount obtained from the measure. A method determines a parameter representative of a time at which a therapeutic output module of an implantable medical device should be replenished following delivery of a predetermined amount of therapeutic output. An amount of the therapeutic output actually delivered to the patient is measured. The parameter is calculated based at least in part upon the amount obtained in the measuring step.
US08282624B2
A catheter assembly allowing for non-contaminated insertion of the catheter into the urinary canal. The catheter assembly includes a urinary catheter, a catheter package and a sealing member. The urinary catheter defines a conduit and has a proximal end adapted for insertion into the urinary canal and an opposite distal end. The catheter package has a hose with a cavity for accommodation of the catheter, and a catheter outlet adapted to dismantle the proximal end of the catheter from the catheter package. The sealing member is adapted to provide a substantially liquid-tight seal between the catheter package and the urinary catheter while the catheter is being dismantled.
US08282621B2
Various embodiments of bulking or cushioning agents or material and related medical devices and methods are disclosed. For example, a method of performing a medical procedure in a tract of a body may include injecting a material in a liquid phase proximate a target site between a first tissue layer and a second tissue layer, allowing the material to transition from the liquid phase to the gel phase in response to a raise in temperature of the material to approximately at or above the predetermined temperature, and performing a surgical procedure on the target site. The material may have the liquid phase at temperatures below a predetermined temperature and a gel phase at temperatures approximately at or above the predetermined temperature.
US08282608B2
A bubble free, self-priming IV set for use in the administration of liquids includes a coupling assembly for attaching the delivery system to a source of liquid and includes a coupling membrane for controlling the flow of liquid and air through the coupling assembly. The system also includes a drip chamber for receiving liquid through the coupling assembly, the drip chamber having a membrane for preventing air from leaving the drip chamber. A self leveling port is disposed within a wall of the drip chamber, the port being permeable to air, but impermeable to liquid. Finally, a patient conduit is in fluid communication with the drip chamber and further comprises a flow control plug disposed at the distal end of the conduit. The flow control plug is permeable to air but impermeable to liquid. Use of this system allows a clinician to attach a source of fluid to a patient without significant intervention, while the system self primes.
US08282606B2
An anchoring system includes a simply-structured device which permits a portion of a catheter or similar medical article to be easily anchored to a patient, desirably without the use of tape or needles and suturing. The anchoring system desirably includes a retainer and an anchor pad. The retainer is sized and configured to accept and retain a section of a catheter within the anchoring system and desirably includes a pair of posts and a clip. The posts are sized and configured to releasably accept holes formed in the catheter or catheter fitting. The clip is sized and configured to releasably accept a portion of the catheter. The anchor pad secures the retainer to a patient's skin.
US08282603B2
A surgical access device includes a surgical sleeve defining a central longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal passageway to permit passage of a surgical object, and a diameter reduction assembly operably couplable to the surgical sleeve. The diameter reduction assembly includes a structure foundation and at least three stand-off elements mounted to the structure foundation. Each stand-off element is positioned to engage the surgical object and is independently movable relative to the remaining stand-off elements. The at least three stand-off elements are normally biased to a first position which urges the surgical object into general alignment with the central longitudinal axis, and are adapted for distal pivotal movement from the first position to a second position to facilitate passage of the surgical object, and for proximal pivotal movement from the first position to a third position to facilitate withdrawal of the surgical object.
US08282586B2
Device for preventing skin sag and wrinkles, formed by two main parts, i.e. a tuning fork and pyramid-shaped stone which are permanently joined together by means of cold-soldering. The device is configured so that the vertex of the pyramid is inserted inside the free end of the bored base of the tuning fork. The tuning fork may have two, three or four arms. For professional use it may have a cylinder at the end of each arm. Joining together of the two main parts may be performed by means of a hollow middle part which at one end is inserted inside the tuning fork and at the other end is joined to the pyramid. The device is used in the cosmetics sector in order to remedy skin sag, smooth skin wrinkles and rejuvenate and brighten up the face and other parts of the body.
US08282585B2
A massager system includes one or more gear trains coupled to a motor to rotate at least a pair of shafts that each supports a pair of nodules for rotation about the associated shaft. A pillow-shaped outer housing surrounds the motor and number of coupled gear trains with the nodules protruding above the outer housing to facilitate contact with a selected bodily region to knead or otherwise stimulate surface skin in a bodily region.
US08282584B2
A massage chair is adapted to give a massage to a user using a massaging element attached to a massaging unit. The massage chair comprises a body-shape-information acquisition section for acquiring body-shape information of the user based on loads imposed on the massaging element from respective regions of the user, a shoulder-position detection section for detecting a shoulder position of the user based on the body-shape information, and a shoulder-position identification section. The shoulder-position identification section is operable to thrust the massaging element in a direction for a target protrusion distance at the detected shoulder position while measuring a load imposed on the massaging element. Then, the shoulder-position identification section is operable, based on the measured load, to determine whether the detected shoulder position is a true shoulder position. Further, when the detected shoulder position is determined to be mismatched with the true shoulder position, the shoulder-position identification section is operable to vertically move the massaging unit while re-measuring a load imposed on the massaging element, so as to identify the true shoulder position based on the re-measured load.
US08282579B2
A goniometer for use in measuring the range of motion of a patient is provided. The goniometer includes a first arm and a second arm that are pivotally attached. A scale is present and is used in determining the angular orientation between the first arm and the second arm. Also, a level member is included and is carried by one of the first arm and second arm. An associated method is also provided.
US08282574B2
The present invention provides for exemplary embodiments of a single-insertion, multiple sampling biopsy device. Exemplary embodiments of a single-insertion, multiple sampling device with integrated marker release.
US08282570B2
A sidestream sampling system includes a sidestream gas measurement assembly and a sample cell configured to be assembled therewith. The sidestream gas measurement assembly includes a receptacle for removably receiving at least a portion of the sample cell. The sample cell is coupled to a sampling tube that is configured to communicate with an airway of an individual. When the sample cell is assembled with the sidestream gas measurement assembly, a window of the sample cell is oriented toward a corresponding source and/or detector of the sidestream gas measurement assembly to facilitate monitoring of an amount of at least one gas or vaporized material in an individual's respiration.
US08282555B2
An apparatus and method for indicating locus of an ultrasonic probe configured to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves toward a part of a subject wherein a position or movement of the ultrasonic probe is detected, and a locus of the ultrasonic probe on an image of the part of the subject is indicated according to the detected position or movement.
US08282553B2
An ultrasound machine processes ultrasonic data according to acoustoelastic properties of the materials to obtain strain information without specific assumptions with respect to the material properties of the measured material or a variety of different material properties normally not obtained by ultrasound machines.
US08282539B2
A bag can include walls formed of a material having multiple layers, which can include two polyolefin layers and a paper layer. The bag can be formed into a sewn-open-mouth configuration in which a stitching element extends through a wall of the bag. The bag can include a grease-resistant seal that substantially prevents grease from escaping from the bag via an opening in the wall through which the stitching element extends.
US08282538B2
An adjustable pouch machine comprises a vertical sealer module forms transverse seals between two plies of a pouch web to partially define a plurality of pouches. Rollers selectively tension and relax the web on the vertically oriented wheel, allowing them to drop away from heated lands on emergency and cycle stops. A filler wheel has a plurality of adjustable gripper units mounted directly thereon for transporting independent separate pouches cut from the pouch web. An adjustable knife is selectively provided with changeable knife hub sets to handle a variety of pouch sizes where a filler wheel alternately first fills and seals pouches in a train. Gear linkage accommodates variation in distance between hubs of different sets. Various embodiments, apparatus and methods are described.
US08282536B2
A therapeutic body strap having a first loop and a second loop. Each loop is made of a strip of material. A central strip having a fixture point such that the first and second loops are connected to the central strip at the fixture point. The strap further includes an attachment portion extending from the central strip for attachment to an attachment point on a stationary object. The first and second loops are configured to snugly surround a user's body parts to allow the user to stretch by creating a tension in the attachment portion.
US08282527B2
A control apparatus of hybrid vehicle having a first clutch which is in a disengaged state by being supplied with hydraulic fluid and a second clutch which is in an engaged state by being supplied with the hydraulic fluid, has a line pressure controller controlling a line pressure of the hydraulic fluid, and a drive mode controller changing a drive mode between HEV mode in which the first clutch is engaged and the vehicle travels with the engine and the motor/generator being a power source and EV mode in which the first clutch is disengaged and the vehicle travels with only the motor/generator being the power source. The line pressure controller sets the line pressure in HEV mode to a pressure level required for the engagement of the second clutch, and sets the line pressure in EV mode to a higher line pressure than the line pressure in HEV mode.
US08282523B2
The planetary roller reducer, which is directly coupled to a motor, is provided with a casing (6), an input shaft (3) accommodated inside the casing and directly coupled to an output shaft (2) of the motor (1), an input shaft bearing (20) set between the casing and the input shaft to support the input shaft so as to rotate with respect to the casing, a sun shaft (4) installed on the input shaft, a carrier (8) accommodated in the casing, a plurality of planetary rollers (13) supported on the carrier so as to rotate and in external contact with the sun shaft, an elastic ring (5) accommodated in the casing and in internal contact with a plurality of the planetary rollers, and a first elastic member (25a) installed between the input shaft bearing and the input shaft to elastically support the input shaft.
US08282520B2
In a chain tensioner, an expansible ring is disposed in an internal groove formed in the inner wall of a plunger-accommodating hole near an open end thereof. The ring cooperates with grooves formed on the plunger to exert a ratchet action. The relationship between the angles of the surfaces of the internal groove and the grooves on the plunger allows the plunger to protrude, restricts retraction of the plunger on start-up of a chain transmission, but allows retraction when chain tension becomes excessive. In one embodiment, in which the ring is a C-ring, the tensioner housing can be formed with external threads for mounting in a threaded hole on a timing chain cover or other engine part. In other embodiments, the ring can have externally protruding levers for manipulation of the ring.
US08282517B2
An apparatus is configured for inclusion in an arrow. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a sensor configured to provide data concerning one or more flight characteristics of the arrow in flight and a communication link coupled to the sensor, the communication link configured to communicate the data to a device external to the arrow.
US08282514B2
A sports racquet for impacting a game ball and for facilitating the opening of a cap on a bottle. The sports racquet includes a head portion and a handle portion. The handle portion has a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is coupled to the head portion. The proximal end defines a recess, and includes a projection spaced apart from a fulcrum. The recess is sized to removably receive a portion of the cap. The projection is configured to catch a portion of an underside of the cap and the fulcrum is configured to bear against the top of the cap as one or both of the handle portion and the bottle serve as a lever for prying the cap off of the bottle.
US08282513B2
The invention relates to a racket for ball games, in particular a tennis or squash racket, comprising a head region for receiving a stringing as well as at least one joint which is provided in the head region and the joint axis of which is arranged essentially perpendicularly with respect to a stringing plane formed by the stringing.
US08282509B1
A foldable device for use in supporting sports nets or the like, the foldable device including: a) a selectively foldable support ring including pivotally secured substantially arcuate sections; and b) a foldable support stand for engaging the ring and having a first open position and a second closed position; and c) at least a part of the ring forming at least one handle when said support stand is in the second position.
US08282507B2
Golf ball 2 has spherical core 4, and cover 6 provided so as to cover this core 4. The core 4 has spherical center 8, and mid layer 10 provided so as to cover this center 8. The resilience coefficient Ec of the center 8, the resilience coefficient Em of the core 4, and the resilience coefficient Eb of the golf ball 2 satisfy the following formulae (1) and (2): Eb≧Ec≧Em (1); Eb−Ec≧Ec−Em (2). The difference (Eb−Ec) between the resilience coefficient Eb and the resilience coefficient Ec is equal to or greater than 0.004. The difference (Ec−Em) between the resilience coefficient Ec and the resilience coefficient Em is equal to or greater than 0.004.
US08282498B2
A play swing system includes a safety harness attached to each seat, as well as other features for interactive and competitive throwing and tossing games. The safety harness may incorporates various games features, and thus encourage use in activities that require at least one free hand, or otherwise increase the risk of slippage and falling from the play swing seat. Various embodiments accommodate as well as challenge the spatial perception, dexterity and reflexes of players of different ages. For examples, younger players might compete by throwing objects at a fixed target mounted on the ground. In other embodiments, the target is moving in synchronization with the oscillatory motion of the adjacent players swing by a physical coupling or attachment. Interactive play is encouraged at the higher skill levels by configuring the targets associated with adjacent seats to face each other. In this embodiment, the players oscillate in opposite directions so that they are closest to the target when the relative velocity is highest. The objects of the associated games can be building a higher score, as well as soaking the other player(s) with water supplied by an external source and actuated by instantaneous or accumulated contact of a throwing object with a target.
US08282497B2
An amusement ride system and method are described. In some embodiments, an amusement ride system may be generally related to water amusement attractions and rides. An amusement ride system may include a system for conveying a participant from a first source of water to a second source of water. A system for conveying a participant from a first source of water to a second source of water may include a belt and a belt movement system. A system for conveying a participant from a first source of water to a second source of water may include a support structure which functions to provide support for the belt and belt movement system, one or more coupling mechanisms functioning to releasably couple one or more ends of the support structure to a portion of a water amusement park, and/or one or more spatial adjustment mechanisms coupled to the support structure.
US08282479B2
A gaming machine includes a display device and a processor coupled to the display device. The processor is configured to cause the display device to display a game using a first frame. The processor is also configured to divide the first frame into a plurality of second frames during play of the game in the first frame, cause the display device to display the plurality of second frames, and enable continued play of the game separately within each second frame. In addition, the processor is configured to merge the plurality of second frames into the first frame, cause the display device to display the first frame, and enable continued play of the game within the first frame.
US08282477B2
Systems and methods include determining a hardware configuration in accordance with the detection of the presence or absence of hardware modules on a wagering game machine. Various services are selected base on the hardware configuration, where the service selected provides an interface to a wagering game. The services provide an abstraction of various functions provided by various hardware platforms upon which the wagering game may execute, and take into account differences in the platforms.
US08282472B2
A gaming system and method of providing a virtual drawing or drawing promotion including a central server, one or more location servers, and a plurality of gaming devices. A player is provided with a drawing account voucher, which is associated with a drawing account. Based on game play, the drawing account is credited with drawing entries or virtual tickets for a drawing promotion. In one embodiment, the gaming system provides a number of drawing entries when a wager placed by a player meets at least a wager threshold amount, wherein the number of drawing entries provided is based on a ticket award amount. The gaming system, upon expiration of a drawing period, selects a winner of the drawing promotion by selecting a drawing entry. In one embodiment, the gaming system progressively increases the drawing prize based on the number of drawing entries provided or wagers placed by the players.
US08282467B2
An innovative approach is provided to cashless gaming providing extra security already offered by a gaming console. On a player withdrawing stored credits on a first gaming console, the value of credits are stored in a non-playable account on the first gaming console, while dispensing a ticket with information on the ticket linking the ticket to the non-playable credit account and the stored credit amount. A player may then insert or scan the ticket into a second gaming console which, using information on the ticket, queries the first gaming console to transfer the stored non-playable credits to the second gaming console for the player to continue using the credits.
US08282463B2
A gaming system comprises a wager input device and at least one display for displaying a primary wagering game, the primary wagering game comprising a first portion and a second portion. At least one controller is operative to (i) detect receipt of at least two wagers from a first player via the wager input device, (ii) in response to detecting the at least two wagers, determine and display at least two respective partial outcomes of the first portion of the wagering game, (iii) store the respective partial outcomes, (iv) upon the occurrence of a triggering event, determine and display a secondary outcome of the second portion of the wagering game, and (v) combine each of the respective partial outcomes with the secondary outcome to determine and display a plurality of final outcomes.
US08282461B2
A system, apparatus and method for presenting payouts in primary and/or secondary gaming activities. A plurality of concentric wheels, rings, or other shapes are provided, where each includes a plurality of different symbols, numbers, or other indicia that can be used as a part of a collective payout award. The wheels, rings, or shapes are rotated, and at least one segment designator is provided to demarcate segments of each wheel, ring, or shape as an active segment when the wheels, rings, or shapes stop spinning. The payout amount is based on the aggregate of the symbols, numbers, and/or other indicia presented via the segment designator(s) when the spinning wheels, rings, or shapes have come to rest. In an alternate embodiment, the segment designators are rotated, and demarcate segments of each wheel, ring, or shape as an active segment when the segment designators stop spinning.
US08282453B1
A method and system for use with the combine to modify tailings conveyed to a cleaning system grain bed. Methods and systems are provided that utilize one or more sensors to detect uneven distribution of crop material in the grain bed, which provides information for a controller to determine whether adjustments to a tailings distribution system is needed to encourage even distribution of crop material in the grain bed. Elements in the tailings distribution system can be adjusted to alter direction of tailings conveyed to the grain bed to encourage even distribution of crop material on the grain bed. The system may also inform an operator of suggested manual adjustments to mitigate the non-uniformity.
US08282450B2
A tool has a first member cooperatively associated with a second member. The first member has a first gripper integral at an end thereof The first member has an internal longitudinal groove in communication with a plurality of internal spaced locking grooves. The second member has a second gripper attached at a first end. The second member has a projection at a second end. The projection of the second member is received by the longitudinal groove. The second member is moveable with respect to the first member between a fully contracted position and a plurality of extended positions. In one of the plurality of extended positions, the protrusion is selectively received in one of the plurality of locking grooves to lock the members in one of the plurality of extended positions.
US08282447B1
An adaptive dust shield for rotary grinders having a bearing housing and an axial groove around the bearing housing. The dust shield has a cover and a plurality of upstanding flexible fingers, in multiples of four, which extend upward from and around the top of the cover. These flexible fingers have a defined width and are separated apart from each other defining a space between each one of the flexible fingers. The width of the space is less than the defined width of the flexible fingers.A stretchable fitting ring fits onto the bearing housing of the grinder and into the flexible fingers. The flexible fingers are secured onto the stretchable fitting ring by a securing fastener. Tightening the securing fastener over the flexible fingers compresses them into the stretchable fitting ring and the stretchable fitting ring into the groove of the bearing housing of the grinder forming a secure attachment.
US08282446B2
The invention is based on a protective hood fastening device having a fastening element (12a-12n) for fastening a protective hood (14a-14n) which is intended for partly enclosing a rotating application tool on a body (16a-16n) of an electric tool (10a-10n). It is proposed that the fastening element (12a-12n) comprise at least one latching element (18a-18n) for locking the protective hood (14a-14n) against rotation relative to the body (16a-16n) of the electric tool (10a-10n).
US08282435B2
A plasma lamp. The lamp includes a housing having a spatial volume defined within the housing. In a specific embodiment, the spatial volume has an inner region and an outer region. The lamp also has a support region coupled to the inner region of the spatial volume and a support body having an outer surface region slidably inserted and disposed within or partially disposed the support region. In a preferred embodiment, the support body has a support length, a support first end, and a support second end. The plasma lamp has a gas-filled vessel coupled to the support first end of the support body. In a preferred embodiment, the gas filled vessel has a transparent or translucent body, an inner surface and an outer surface, a cavity formed within the inner surface. In a preferred embodiment, the cavity is sealed and includes a fill material, which is capable of discharge. The lamp has an rf source operably coupled to at least the first end of the gas-filled vessel. In a specific embodiment, the rf source is configured to cause a discharge of one or more gases in the gas filled vessel.
US08282426B2
An electrical contact (10), in particular for an electronic control unit (50), includes a number of contact pins (56) and at least one electrical cable (14) which has a connector lug (28). The connector part (12) is accommodated in an interference fit (44) in a receiving chamber (40) of a housing part (36) that includes at least one contact strip (64).
US08282425B2
An electrical connector including a connector body that is configured to mate with a plug connector and a contact sub-assembly that is held by the connector body. The contact sub-assembly includes a plurality of mating conductors that are configured to transmit signal current along an interconnection path. The contact sub-assembly also includes a plurality of open-ended conductors. Each of the open-ended conductors is electrically connected to a corresponding mating conductor of the plurality of mating conductors. The open-ended conductors are configured to capacitively couple select mating conductors thereby providing a compensation region that is electrically parallel to the interconnection path.
US08282415B1
A multi-port connector assembly includes a housing that has a front end and a back end. The housing has a plurality of openings therethrough that extend between the front end and the back end. The housing has a shelf that extends from the back end. The shelf has a plurality of channels formed therein. A plurality of contact subassemblies are received in corresponding openings. The contact subassemblies have center conductors and outer shells surrounding the center conductors. The outer shells have rails that extend outward therefrom. The rails are received in corresponding channels to orient the contact subassemblies with respect to the housing.
US08282407B1
A card connector for receiving a card includes an insulating housing, a plurality of conductive terminals received in the insulating housing, a first switch terminal, a second switch terminal and a shielding shell covered on the insulating housing. The insulating housing defines a first switch groove, a second switch groove, a first fastening groove and a second fastening groove. The first switch terminal includes a first fastening portion fastened in the first fastening groove, a first locating portion located in the first switch groove, and a first contact portion hung over the insulating housing. The second switch terminal includes a second fastening portion fastened in the second fastening groove, a second locating portion located in the second switch groove, and a second contact portion hung over the insulating housing to electrically contact with the first contact portion under the pressure of the card.
US08282402B2
A card-edge connector may provide a physically secure attachment to a substrate without the use of removable hardware. The card-edge connector may include a straddle-mount card-edge connector housing and a retention assembly that extends from the connector housing. The retention assembly configured to releasably secure the connector to the substrate.
US08282399B2
An electrical connector includes a housing having an opening portion in an upper surface thereof including a width edge in a short side direction and a side edge in a long side direction; a terminal disposed in the housing; and a suction member detachably attached to the housing. The suction member includes a plate portion for covering the housing and an attachment portion for attaching to the housing at a middle portion of the side edge. The plate portion includes an attachment region between both end portions of the attachment portion in the long side direction and a non-attachment region outside the attachment region extending to a distal end portion of the plate portion in the long side direction. The non-attachment region includes a deformable portion with a free end portion to be deformable.
US08282392B2
A clip for a self-ligating orthodontic bracket assembly has a lifting element between the labial surface of the bracket and the labial portion of the clip that can be rotated to provide a range of adjustability in lifting the labial portion of the clip with respect to the bracket. The lifting element thereby controls the range of motion of the tongue of the clip in its closed position. This limits the forces applied by the clip to an archwire held in the archwire slot of the bracket, and also allows an archwire to slide freely in the slot. A threaded shaft or camming mechanism can be employed as the lifting element.
US08282386B2
An injection molding apparatus includes an inlet component, a plurality of nozzles, and a plurality of hoses, each of which is not heated. The hoses are connected between outlets of the inlet component and respective molding material inlets of the nozzles for conveying molding material from the inlet component to the nozzles. Hoses may also be connected between a rail plate and the nozzles for delivering cooling fluid or actuation fluid for an actuator to and from the nozzles. The nozzles may be fastened to a mold plate of the injection molding apparatus, such as by a threaded bushing. A heated insert may at least partially define the mold cavity to heat molding material in the mold cavity.
US08282385B2
A die comprising molding grooves arranged in a lattice pattern and moldable-material-supplying holes communicating with the molding grooves for molding a ceramic honeycomb structure, the molding grooves having width of 0.05-0.5 mm, the moldable-material-supplying holes being arranged in every intersecting portions of the molding grooves, or in every other intersecting portions of the molding grooves in a checkerboard pattern, and an average distance between the centers of the intersecting portions of the molding grooves, at which the moldable-material-supplying holes are arranged, and the center axes of the moldable-material-supplying holes being 10-100 μm.
US08282384B1
An apparatus for continuous curing of a plurality of extruded strands can include a rigid frame structure formed by interconnecting a plurality of rigid frame members. A rigid top plate member and a rigid bottom plate member are attached to the rigid frame structure. A plurality of upper spindle units is rotatably attached to the rigid top plate member and a plurality of lower spindle units is rotatably attached to the rigid bottom plate member. A pair of drive motors is attached to the rigid frame structure. A gear assembly attached to the rigid frame structure is operably engaged to the pair of drive motors and a chamber is supported on the rigid frame structure for curing the plurality of extruded strands. The pair of drive motors drives the gear assembly to continuously pass the plurality of extruded strands through the chamber for continuous curing and post-curing.
US08282376B2
There are provided a mold for forming a golf ball, which allows a dimple formed near the equator of golf ball corresponding to the partition surface of upper and lower molds to be formed so as to have the same shape as that of a dimple formed in other regions, and a golf ball manufactured using this mold. The mold for forming a golf ball in accordance with the present invention includes at least two body parts, a cavity is formed within the mold by the joining of the at least two body parts, and in at least one of the body parts, a groove for forming a projecting land part which is ground after the formation of the golf ball is provided in a cavity wall surface adjacent to the whole circumference of a parting line formed by the joining.
US08282373B2
In a tire vulcanizer of the present invention, a locking mechanism which secures a top mold and a bottom mold in a closed condition comprises tie rods disposed alongside the top mold, and each having a top end part fixed to a top mold mounting member and a lower end part on which a plurality of grooves are formed one above the other in a vertical direction; through holes formed in a bottom mold mounting member for allowing each of the tie rod to pass through each of the through holes; lock plates capable of engaging and disengaging, along a horizontal direction, with the groove on each tie rod having passed through each through hole, and lock plate shifting mechanisms each opening and closing the lock plates only in a horizontal direction relative to each tie rod. With the configuration as described above, adjustment based on a height of a mold is simplified, while reducing an overall height of the tire vulcanizer.
US08282372B2
Provided are a apparatus and a method for vulcanizing a pneumatic tire, where are capable of: smoothly releasing a vulcanized pneumatic tire from multiple sectors separated from one another in a circumferential direction in each of an upper mold and a lower mold; and thereby lightening load on each mold. In addition to springs for biasing the sectors to always move into a smaller diameter, respectively, pushpins for moving the sectors into larger and smaller diameters are actuated by the respective cylinder rods of drive cylinders, and thereby the movements of the individual sectors into the larger and smaller diameters are controlled. Accordingly, even though the sectors would otherwise move abruptly into the smaller diameter due to biasing forces of the springs after the vulcanized tire is released from the sectors at the larger diameter, a radius-reducing movement speed of the sectors is control led by the cylinder rods in contact with rear ends of the push pins.
US08282361B2
A method of controlling a motor operating a pumping apparatus of a fluid-pumping application. The pumping apparatus includes a pump having an inlet to receive a fluid and an outlet to exhaust the fluid, and the motor coupled to the pump to operate the pump. The method includes the acts of controlling the motor to operate the pump and monitoring the operation of the pump. The monitoring act includes monitoring a power of the motor, and determining whether the monitored power indicates an undesired flow of fluid through the pump. The method further includes the act of controlling the motor to cease operation of the pump when the determination indicates an undesired flow of fluid through the pump and zero or more other conditions exist.
US08282342B2
A vane for a duct, such as an exit guide vane for an exhaust duct of a gas turbine engine, includes a vane plate, an interior strut and an internal wall disposed between the vane plate and the strut. The vane further includes a fluid inlet in the form of a scoop arranged to direct bypass fluid from outside the duct into a gap between the vane plate and the internal wall.
US08282340B2
A turbo-machine including a volute casing, a rotating shaft, an impeller, seals, an axial thrust control member and a bellows unit. The volute casing defines therein a fluid passage. The rotating shaft is rotatably provided in the volute casing. The impeller is coupled to the rotating shaft to draw fluid using centrifugal force. The seals are provided around the front and rear ends of the impeller to prevent leakage of fluid. The axial thrust control member is installed in the volute casing behind the impeller. The bellows unit includes the piston installed in the volute casing in a shape surrounding a circumferential outer surface of the axial thrust control member; and a bellows connected with one surface of the piston, the bellows having the predetermined elasticity; and an internal space, between the piston and the volute casing, isolated from the fluid drawn behind the impeller.
US08282338B2
An underwater generator for generating electricity including: a casing, a turbine propeller assembly configured within the casing; a platform, where the platform provides a mechanism to hold the casing; a cover member, where the cover member protects the turbine propeller assembly; and a power cable for transmitting electrical energy from the underwater generator to a user thereof. The casing may include a slit at a bottom portion, where the slit allows the removal of sediments, sand particles and similar materials. The turbine propeller assembly includes a plurality of blades. In one exemplary embodiment, the blades may turn in two directions.
US08282337B2
An instability mitigation system is disclosed, comprising a stator stage located axially proximate to a rotor, the stator stage having a row of a plurality of stator vanes arranged around a centerline axis, and a mitigation system comprising at least one plasma actuator mounted on the stator vane that facilitates the improvement of the stability of the rotor, and a control system for controlling the operation of the mitigation system. An instability mitigation system further comprising a detection system for detecting an onset of an instability in a rotor and a control system for controlling the detection system and the mitigation system are disclosed.
US08282336B2
An instability mitigation system is disclosed, comprising a detection system for detecting an onset of an instability in a rotor during the operation of the rotor, a mitigation system that facilitates the improvement of the stability of the rotor when the onset of instability is detected by the detection system, a control system for controlling the detection system and the mitigation system.
US08282335B2
The present invention provides a method and system of installing a liftgate under a vehicle bed. In one implementation, the system includes a liftgate and a mounting device. The mounting device comprises at least one mounting bracket having a group of multiple substantially horizontal slots vertically stacked relative to one another so as to be at different heights relative to ground when the bracket is installed under a vehicle bed essentially parallel to ground. The slots are vertically spaced on the bracket relative to one another to accommodate different vehicle bed heights so as to maintain the liftgate within a desired vertical ground clearance when mounted in a slot on said bracket under a vehicle bed.
US08282317B2
A method and apparatus for buoyancy distribution along a substantially vertical submarine structure (100), the structure being provided with multiple modules (110), slidably mounted to the structure such that when vertically deployed at sea the modules are may adjust their positions along the structure by sliding, the force of each module acting upon the module above it rather than locally along the structure, resulting in the cumulative force (460) from the modules acting substantially against the top of the structure. Forces between modules may be evenly distributed by use of compliant intermediaries (310).
US08282316B2
Subsea oilfield equipment (2), such as an oil and/or gas production template, is installed at the water bottom (16) by means of a submerged installation vessel (1) from which hoisting lines (3A, 3B) are deployed to support the equipment during the installation procedure, which lines (3A,3B) are reeled from at least one hoisting line reeling winch (3A,3B) mounted at the submerged installation vessel (1) to lower the equipment (2) at a desired speed and in a substantially horizontal position onto the water bottom (16).
US08282311B2
A hollow paving block comprises a substantially planar member having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first surface of the planar member is a textured surface which functions as a top of the paving block. A side wall extends along and away from a periphery of the second surface of the planar member to define a cavity in the paving block. The side wall has a bevelled edge which extends about a mouth of the cavity. At least one protrusion extends along the second surface of the planar member. The paving block is formed in part from crumb rubber and polyolefin.
US08282309B2
An inertial barrier includes a standard size plastic container and a single size insert that is supported by a ledge inside the container for supporting different amounts of sand or other dispersible granular energy absorbing material thereon to achieve different barrier weight configurations. The insert has an axially upwardly, radially inwardly extending top wall that permits some downward flexing of the insert inside the container as the weight of the material that is placed on the insert builds up, causing the sides of the insert to expand and push radially outwardly against the container side wall, preventing the material from leaking past the insert inside the container. Axially extending ribs may be provided in the container side wall for increased strength and rigidity.
US08282305B2
A ball sleeve joint is provided, especially for chassis assembly units and steering assembly units of motor vehicles. The ball sleeve joint includes a joint housing with two housing halves and a ball sleeve provided with a rounded bearing surface. The bearing surface is accommodated in a joint housing, which is manufactured from an elastic plastic and is fixed in a recess of the joint housing, as well as a process for manufacturing such a ball sleeve joint. The two housing halves (3a, 3b) are pressed together with defined pressing forces during the mounting of the ball sleeve joint (1) in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the ball sleeve joint (1). The two housing parts are held in the installed position predetermined by the pressing forces by means of at least one connection (14) in substance between the housing parts (3a, 3b).
US08282304B2
A fishing swivel, such as a barrel, snap or three-way swivel, is comprised of a plastic material that exhibits a high degree of transparency in water, density greater than that of water, and adequate rigidity to withstand appreciable deformation while loads are exerted. Materials such as Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) and Nylon 6 (Polyamide 6) copolymers with a refractive index less than 1.55, a luminous transmittance greater than 75%, a specific gravity greater than 1.0, an ultimate tensile strength greater than 1,000 psi, and a tensile elastic modulus greater than 10,000 psi are preferred.
US08282303B2
A liquid applicator 1 is provided with a liquid pressing mechanism (liquid pressing means) 6 for pressurizing an application liquid 4 within a main body 2, and supplies an applying part 10 at a front end of the main body with the application liquid 4 by pressing of the liquid pressing mechanism 6, wherein the applying part 10 is made of an elastic material, is formed with a communication channel 24 for connecting inside and outside of the main body, and is provided with an application portion 10a so as to further protrude to the front side from an ejection port 24a of the communication channel 24, and in the application portion 10a, a portion 3 (mm) from a front end thereof has a vertical-direction repulsion force of 0.01 to 1.40 (N), resulting that it is possible to provide a liquid applicator with an appropriate hardness and bending elastic force, having no application unevenness and good application characteristics.
US08282300B2
A damp telescopic tube and a damp writing pen are disclosed. The damp telescopic tube has at least two metallic tubes in different diameters to be fitted together, which can change the total length of the damp telescopic tube by a small tube slipped over a big tube telescopically. This can solve the questions of controlling handle feeling, quality instability and fricative bad voice between metallic tubes. The damp telescopic tube has at least two metallic tubes in different diameters. A small diameter tube is fitted in a big diameter tube in the two adjacent tubes. A limited location member is provided between the small diameter tube and the big diameter tube. A plastic piston is provided in the end of the small diameter tube which located inside of the big diameter tube and keeps in touch with the inside wall of the big diameter tube.
US08282298B2
An oral care implement includes a handle, a head mounted to one end of the handle that includes a first face having plurality of tooth cleaning elements extending therefrom and a second face, a store of dentifrice retained at the head, and a film matrix retained at the head containing at least one rapidly releasable agent. A soft tissue cleaner can be included on the second face. The at least one rapidly releasable agent can be provided to the first and/or second faces during use from the film matrix. In addition, dentifrice can be provided to the first and/or second faces during use from the store of dentifrice. The at least one rapidly releasable agent can include, for example, a flavoring agent, a dentifrice, or a therapeutic agent. The toothbrush can be small in size and lightweight so as to be readily portable for use away from the home.
US08282293B2
A mirror brake mechanism of an SLR camera for applying a brake to a mirror pivoted about a mirror rotational shaft to be swingable between a viewing position and a retracted position. The mirror brake mechanism includes a brake shaft which is independent of the mirror rotational shaft and positionally aligned along an extension line of the mirror rotational shaft; an interlocking rotating member disposed on one of laterally opposite sides of the mirror and rotatable about the brake shaft; a mirror drive shaft which connects a mirror seat, on which the mirror is mounted, and the interlocking rotating member to each other in a rotational direction about the mirror drive shaft; a brake drum which rotates in association with the interlocking rotating member; and a mirror brake member which is brought into contact with and disengaged from the brake drum.
US08282286B2
A retainer of a crossed roller bearing has a retainer body plate of rectangular profile corresponding to a rectangular cross-section of a race. Rectangular side surfaces on either side of the retainer body plate are inclined planes that slant in a direction of approaching one another from one corner to another corner along a diagonal line of the surfaces, and extend towards a bearing center in a state of having been installed in the race. Recesses for accumulating grease are formed in center portions of the rectangular side surfaces, the recesses communicating via a through-hole. The rectangular side surfaces are in linear contact with the circular external circumferential surfaces of adjacent rollers and hold the rollers at a fixed spacing. There is obtained a retainer for an uncomplicatedly configured crossed roller bearing that allows adjacent rollers to be held at a fixed spacing and is provided with a grease accumulator.
US08282282B2
A motion guide device is able to damp a moving block from vibrating in a direction perpendicular to an axis of a raceway rail. A damping plate with a surface facing a surface of a raceway is provided at a moving block body. The surface of the damping plate is set to be in contact with the raceway rail or is set such that a gap between its surface of the raceway rail is as close to zero as possible. When vibration occurs from the raceway rail or the moving block, the surface of the raceway rail and the surface of the damping plate come into contact with each other. This brings about change in a spring constant of the motion guide device in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the raceway.
US08282281B2
A vertically and horizontally effective air bearing comprising a base, an interface part that is movably arranged on the base, a piston that is movably arranged inside the interface part and supports a load, and a coupling element that couples the piston with the load. The load is supported in a manner to be isolated from vibration in the horizontal and vertical directions with respect to the base, and the coupling element preferably comprises a pin that is coupled to the piston. The coupling element is spaced from the load by at least one quarter of the length of the piston.
US08282267B2
Mixing system comprising: a flexible bag with a mixing device comprising a magnetic impeller; and an alignment facilitation device adapted to facilitate alignment between the magnetic impeller and a magnetic driver located external to the system. Specific flexible bag and hardware therefore.
US08282263B2
An apparatus and a method for adding wet ash to cement which make it possible to fed wet ash to a cement mill without generating cost for drying the wet ash and new setting space at the neighboring area of the entrance portion of the cement mill. The apparatus comprises a dewaterer for dewatering wet ash, a mixer 7 for mixing the wet ash with one of materials that are mixed with clinker and ground together, and a feeder 11 for feeding the mixture to a cement mill 14. After dewatered, the wet ash with predetermined quantity is mixed with the one of the materials that are mixed with clinker and ground together and fed to the mill. The water content of the wet ash after dewatered is adjusted to 20 mass percent or below, preferably to 15 mass percent or below. A centrifugal separator can be used as the dewaterer, and a pug mill may be used as the mixer. Modified ash (fly ash slurry) from fly ash decarbonization facilities can effectively be used as the wet ash by feeding it to the cement mill.
US08282261B2
There are provided systems, devices and methods for operating a light source to match a white point of ambient light. In one embodiment, a light control system is provided. The light control system includes a light source and a light sensor. The light sensor is configured to operate in conjunction with the light source to provide a visual effect. A controller is electrically coupled to the light source and the light sensor and configured to determine the intensity and color of light to which the light sensor is exposed and dynamically adjust the output of the light source to match the determined intensity and color of light to which the light sensor is exposed.
US08282254B2
An aerodynamic cargo box configuration includes a bottom portion hinged to a lid. The lid has a receptacle for receiving a photovoltaic light device substantially flush with, and below, the outer surface of the lid. A photovoltaic light assembly may include a cup portion and a top portion, the top portion containing a photovoltaic cell and the bottom portion containing electronics and an array of one or more light elements configured to provide optimal illumination to an interior space of an elongate rectangular cargo box.
US08282252B2
A vehicle interior light source unit for being disposed at an installation hole formed in a panel of a vehicle interior. The light source unit includes a connector portion that is disposed on a back side of the panel and includes a tubular main body extending parallel to the panel, a substrate that is mounted on the connector portion and mounts a light emitting element thereon, and a case to be inserted into the installation hole. The case includes an upper wall including an opening for radiating light emitted from the light emitting element to the vehicle interior, a pair of sidewalls including a connector engagement portion to be engaged with a side portion of the main boy of the connector portion.
US08282251B2
According to embodiments of the present invention, a flameless candle includes a slide member including a protrusion and a nose. The flameless candle also includes a base including a radial aperture in a horizontal plane. The radial aperture is configured to receive the protrusion and permit a movement of the slide member in a corresponding radial direction. The slide member has an ON position when the protrusion is located at an inwards position along the radial direction. The slide member also has an OFF position when the protrusion is located at an outwards position along the radial direction. The flameless candle also includes a battery contact including a rotatable portion and a mechanical contact portion. In an embodiment, the rotatable portion is configured to rotate in a vertical plane. The nose of the slide member is configured to rotate the rotatable portion as the slide member moves between the ON position and the OFF position, and cause the mechanical contact portion to contact a battery when the slide member is in the ON position.
US08282247B2
A method of forming a LED-based light for replacing a conventional fluorescent bulb in a fluorescent light fixture includes forming a heat sink by shaping an elongate sheet of highly thermally conductive material to increase a surface area to width ratio thereof mounting LEDs in thermally conductive relation with the heat sink, and enclosing the LEDs within a light transmitting cover.
US08282243B2
Provided is a bulb-type LED lamp 10 configured to diffuse light outward through a globe. The bulb-type LED lamp 10 includes LED modules 22, 24, 28, 30, each having a mounting substrate and LEDs mounted on the mounting substrate, and a base 14 through which power is supplied to the LEDs for light emission. The LED lamp 10 also includes a light diffusing member 58. Among the LED modules 22, 24, 28, 30, the LED module 22 is positioned on an imaginary extension of a central axis X of the base 14, and the light diffusing member 58 is positioned inside the globe 16 to receive light emitted from the LED module 22. The other LED modules 22, 28, 30 are positioned in a vicinity of the LED module 22, tilted to face the light diffusing member 58.
US08282240B2
An LED lamp comprises a supporting base, a number of heat dissipation structures, a number LEDs and a transparent envelope covering the heat dissipation structures and the LEDs therein. Each heat dissipation structure comprises a bottom plate and a lateral plate extending upwardly from the bottom plate. The bottom plates are mounted on a top surface of the supporting base and surround a regular shaped zone on the top surface of supporting base. The lateral plates spacingly surround the regular shaped zone. The lateral plates each comprises an inner surface facing the regular shaped zone and an outer surface facing away from the regular shaped zone. The LEDs each are mounted on the outer surface of the lateral plate of each heat dissipation structure.
US08282237B2
A signaling or emergency light-emitting device comprises a shell (1) that is made of a watertight transparent material and is provided with a crush resistant structure, containing a LED illumination circuit which is provided with a battery (16) rechargeable through a coil (19) that can be linked in its magnetic flux with an inductive power source, with a microprocessor (22) and a radiofrequency transceiver (23). The shell (1) comprises a base (5) and a cover (6) that are joined together by means of a series of fixing screws (10), a seal (2) that extends radially and enlarges the rest surface for the base (5) is interposed peripherally between the base (5) and the cover (6).
US08282232B2
The invention discloses an illuminating textile article including a diode-based lighting device and a textile body. The diode-based lighting device has M contact points where M is an integer equal to or larger than 2. The textile body is constituted by N conductive yarns and at least one non-conductive yarn where N is an integer equal to or larger than 2, and provides M′ conductive exposed portions of the conductive yarns which are separated by the at least one non-conductive yarn from one another. Each of the M contact points corresponds to one of the M′ conductive exposed portions and is fixed to the corresponding conductive exposed portion. The conductive yarns provide terminals for electric connection of a power supply.
US08282228B2
A display device capable of driving a scanning backlight is disclosed. The display device forms a conductive pattern on a balance printed circuit board (PCB) and sequentially controls the on/off time of light sources without assigning driving units to each of the light sources. As such, the display device can drive the scanning backlight and reduce manufacturing costs.
US08282227B2
In one embodiment, this invention discloses a device that is a lamp on the one hand, and also a speaker on the other, comprising a light-emitting element, a surface that acts as a sound-emitting element, and a base socket that can fit to an ordinary household lamp socket. The surface can be translucent and act as a lamp cover at the same time. There is also an electronic assembly in the lamp that controls both the light-emitting and sound-emitting elements, as well as communicates with an external host or other devices. In another embodiment, the lamp cover can also couple with an acoustic-wave transducer unit so that the audio lamp device becomes a light and a microphone. Various sensors can also be equipped within the audio lamp, and the results can be sent to the external host through the electronic assembly.
US08282226B2
An interior rearview mirror system for a vehicle includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having a mirror casing, a reflective element and an application specific integrated compass chip. The application specific integrated compass chip includes at least two magnetoresponsive sensing elements established on a semiconductor substrate, and further includes associated circuitry commonly established with the magnetoresponsive sensing elements on the semiconductor substrate. Processing of an algorithm by a microprocessor of the interior rearview mirror system determines a directional heading of the vehicle responsive to a sensing of a magnetic field by the magnetoresponsive sensing elements and automatically compensates for a deviating magnetic field. An information display of the interior rearview mirror assembly displays the directional heading of the vehicle. The application specific integrated compass chip may have an area of less than approximately two square centimeters.
US08282224B2
Anisotropic film laminates for use in image-preserving reflectors such as rearview automotive mirror assemblies, and related methods of fabrication. A film may comprise an anisotropic layer such as a light-polarizing layer and other functional layers. The film having controlled water content is heated under omnidirectional pressure and vacuum to a temperature substantially equal to or above a lower limit of a glass-transition temperature range of the film so as to be laminated to a substrate. The laminate is configured as part of a mirror structure so as to increase contrast of light produced by a light source positioned behind the mirror structure and transmitted through the mirror structure towards a viewer. The mirror structure is devoid of any extended distortion and is characterized by SW and LW values less than 3, more preferably less than 2, and most preferably less than 1.
US08282223B2
A LED light source module and a projection device comprising the same are provided. The LED light source module comprises an optical element assembly, a LED assembly and a compartment structure. The compartment structure extends from at least one side edge of the LED assembly to at least one side edge of the optical element assembly, so that the LED assembly, the optical element assembly and the compartment structure form an enclosed space corporately.
US08282214B2
A display system for use in winter and other low temperature venues. The system includes a projection screen generation assembly that includes a snow making machine. The snow making machine receives an input flow of a liquid, such as water plus one or more additives to increase opacity and/or reflectivity of the snowflakes. The machine forms snow from the input flow and discharges a volume of flowing snow as a sheet or curtain providing a projection screen. The system includes a high-brightness projector directing light onto the projection screen to provide an image on surfaces of the flowing snow. In some embodiments, the snow making machine includes a nozzle configured such that the flowing snow is output in a substantially planar sheet, e.g., with the use of a diffuser or the like for increasing the laminar nature of the flow and the sheet may be relatively thin.
US08282213B2
An adapter for a steering handle of a camera dolly includes a first part and a second part attached to the first part in a way that allows for angular adjustment between them. This allows the steering handle to be aligned or squared up relative to the dolly chassis. The first part may be an adapter base and the second part may be a riser. The adapter base may have a flange with slotted holes alignable with holes in the riser. Fasteners, such as cap screws, extending through the slots and holes, may be loosened to allow angular movement between the adapter base and the riser. Once properly aligned, the fasteners are tightened. Grooves, openings, pins, or similar engagement features may be provided at the top end of the adapter base, to allow a steering handle to attach to, and to rotate with, the adapter base. A bore may extend through the adapter base and the riser, with a fitting on the riser adapted to engage with a steering system in the camera dolly. When installed on a camera dolly, the adapter allows the steering handle to align as desired. The adapter also raises the steering handle up, to allow for ergonomic use by a taller dolly operator.
US08282210B2
The invention relates to a method for producing a novel progressive glasses lens intended for a presbyopic wearer, which takes into account the postural habits of the wearer, acquired through prior conditions of ophthalmic correction. A design for the novel progressive lens is established by modifying a reference lens in compliance with an aptitude of the wearer to modify his/her postural habits. To this end, variations in a postural parameter are determined using measurements of said parameter, which are carried out on the wearer. The invention enables the reduction of a period of habituation by the wearer to the novel progressive glasses lens.
US08282200B2
A liquid supplying reservoir enabling preventing overflow of liquid from a supply opening when a cap covering the supply opening is removed is provided. The ink supplying reservoir includes: a reservoir main body which is filled with a liquid, and at which a supply opening, from which the liquid is supplied to the outside, is formed; a cap which is fixed to the reservoir main body so as to cover the supply opening, and which is separated from the reservoir main body when a force of a predetermined value or greater acts thereon; and a flexible closing member, which is accommodated within the cap at a position or an orientation where the supply opening is not closed by the closing member and so as to be separable from the cap, and which is moved to close the supply opening when the cap is separated from the reservoir main body.
US08282194B2
A liquid ejecting head includes nozzles that eject liquid, pressurizing chambers communicating with respective nozzles, and liquid supply channels that supply the liquid to the pressurizing chambers. The liquid ejecting head ejects the liquid when a pressure generating unit changes the pressure within the pressurizing chambers. A cylindrical nozzle straight portion, in which the opening cross-sectional area is narrower than at other areas of the nozzle, is formed toward the pressurizing chamber from the nozzle opening in each nozzle. The opening cross-sectional area of the nozzle straight portion is Sn; the length thereof is Ln; the channel cross-sectional area of the liquid supply channel is Ss; the length from a common liquid chamber-side connection opening in the liquid supply channel to a pressurizing chamber-side connection opening is Ls. The ratio (Ln/Sn) is less than or equal to ½ of the ratio (Ls/Ss).
US08282187B2
A liquid discharging apparatus discharges liquid onto a target, thereby forming dots. The apparatus includes a discharge head, a capping unit for moisturizing, a lifting and lowering unit, and a lid member. The discharge head has a discharge surface from which liquid is discharged. The capping unit is disposed substantially just below the discharge head when the discharge head is located at a predetermined reference position. The capping unit has an opening that comes into contact with the discharge head and seals the discharge surface. The lifting and lowering unit lifts and lowers the capping unit, thereby bringing the capping unit into contact with the discharge head and taking the capping unit out of contact with the discharge head. The lid member rotates around a rotating shaft using the lifting and lowering of the capping unit, thereby opening and closing the opening of the capping unit.
US08282186B2
There is provided a liquid ejecting method using a liquid ejection head including a first ejection port for ejecting an ink containing a color material, a first energy generating element for generating energy utilized for ejecting the ink from the first ejection port, a second ejection port for ejecting an improvement liquid for improving recording property of the ink, and a second energy generating element for generating energy utilized for ejecting the improvement liquid from the second ejection port. The method includes ejecting the ink from the first ejection port by driving the first energy generating element, and ejecting the improvement liquid from the second ejection port by driving the second energy generating element, in a state where a liquid level of the improvement liquid in the second ejection port has moved forward in a liquid ejection direction than a liquid level of the ink in the first ejection port when the first energy generating element is driven.
US08282185B2
A print engine assembly includes an elongate chassis; a pair of bearing moldings operatively mounted to either end of the chassis; a rotatable platen supported by a rotary shaft extending between and mounted in the pair of bearing moldings; and a printhead assembly mounted to the chassis, the printhead assembly including an elongated pagewidth printhead having a plurality of ink printing integrated circuits. The rotatable platen includes an extruded material shaped to define a cavity in which a blotting material is disposed, and the rotatable platen defines an aperture extending along a length thereof through which aperture the blotting material is exposed.
US08282184B2
A print engine controller for a pagewidth inkjet printhead having a plurality of abutting printhead modules mounted on a carrier. The print engine controller is configured to: (a) receive data identifying a rotational yaw displacement of an erroneously displaced printhead module; (b) determine a correction factor that compensates for ink dot displacement by nozzles in the erroneously displaced printhead module; (c) use the correction factor to determine an accumulative Y-offset for each printhead module in the printhead; and (d) alter the output of the ink dots from nozzles in each printhead module having a non-zero accumulative Y-offset to compensate for the rotational yaw displacement of the erroneously displaced printhead module.
US08282176B1
A locking mechanism of a slide assembly is connected between a first rail and a second rail, and includes a top, a locking member, a release member and a resilient member. The stop is connected to the first rail and the locking member is pivotably connected to the second rail. The release member has a window to accommodate the locking member. The window includes an inclined surface which is located corresponding to the locking member. The resilient member contacts between the locking member and the inside of the window to keep the locking member to be located corresponding to the stop. When the second rail is retracted relative to the first rail, the locking member is engaged with the stop. When the operation portion of the release member is pulled outward, the locking member is guided by the inclined surface and pivoted toward another direction to disengage from the stop.
US08282175B2
An opening device including an elongate ejector ram mounted in a longitudinally displaceable manner in a housing and pretensioned at one end by a spring into a position in which it protrudes out of the housing and pushable back into the housing counter to the pretensioning. A releasable locking device locks the ejector ram in a position retracted in the housing. A tensioning device is provided forcibly displaces the ejector ram. When the movable furniture part is completely opened, a tensioning device forcibly displaces the ejector ram into the locking position retracted within the housing. The tensioning device converts the opening movement of the movable furniture part in the interior of the housing via a tensioning member having one end guided out of the housing into a movement pulling the ejector ram back into the retracted position.
US08282167B2
Disclosed is an adjustment fitting for a motor vehicle component, especially a vehicle seat. Said adjustment fitting comprises a first part and a second part which is rotatable relative to the first part about a rotational shaft by means of a gear unit. The gear unit encompasses a first gear on the first part of the fitting and a second gear on the second part of the fitting, the second gear being disposed eccentric to the first gear. Two wedge segments are provided for securing the eccentric arrangement of the first gear relative to the second gear. The inventive adjustment fitting is characterized in that the wedge segments have an inner radius and an outer radius while the adjustment fitting further comprises a decelerating element which is fitted with an extension that starts at the rotational shaft, runs in an axial direction, and corresponds approximately to the outer radius of the wedge segments.
US08282163B2
A seat system for a mass transit vehicle configured to provide at least one seating position, which includes a seat cushion configured to support at least one occupant; a seat back configured to support at least one occupant; one seat belt device for each seating position configured to provide restraint to an occupant, which includes a first sensing mechanism to detect and output a first signal indicating whether the seat belt device is configured in one of two positions, a first unbuckled position and a second buckled position; an electronic control unit, coupled to a vehicle voltage source, having at least one input connection, at least one output connection, a microprocessor to process data received through any input connection, and a memory device to store data processed by the microprocessor; at least one communication means coupled to the electronic control unit for communicating externally to the seat system; and a second sensing mechanism to determine whether the seat is configured in one of two positions, a first unoccupied position and a second occupied position.
US08282160B2
A combination pivoting armrest and seatback assembly incorporated into a vehicle including a base secured to the vehicle and exhibiting an extending edge profile. A sector is pivotally secured to the base, with a first cam pivotally secured to the sector and contacting a first edge location of the base when the sector is in an upright position. A second cam is also pivotally secured to the sector in inter-engaging fashion with the first cam such that, upon the first cam being rotated out of contact with the base and the sector rotating to a forward dump position, the second cam subsequently contacts a second edge location of the base.
US08282153B2
A device for concealing a seam between a first and second surface includes a seam concealment body having a body surface, the body overlaying and attached to a first surface and a second surface, the body surface being substantially co-planar with a portion of the first and second surfaces, the seam concealment body configured to transition between a first shape and a second shape, wherein the transition permits movement of one or both of the first surface and the second surface such that the seam concealment body forms a hinge. The device also includes an active material in operative communication with the seam concealment body, wherein the active material is configured to undergo a change in at least one property upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in at least one property is effective to transition the seam body from the first shape to the second shape.
US08282151B2
A stopper includes an attachment portion and a pair of flanges. The attachment portion contacts an outer surface of a bottom wall portion of a lower rail and is attached to the bottom wall portion. The flanges extend from the attachment portion to be passed through insertion holes in the bottom wall portion. The flanges are located in an inner space of the lower rail. The flanges are engaged with second cut-and-raised pieces formed in an upper rail, thereby limiting the range of movement of the upper rail relative to the lower rail.
US08282150B2
A fold flat seat and more specifically a cable control system for engaging and disengaging various actuators and latches to allow a vehicle seat to move between an upright position and various stowed or folded positions, as well as a method for stowing a vehicle seat with a single motion by the operator of the vehicle.
US08282145B2
Embodiments of interior vehicle panel assemblies are disclosed herein. One embodiment disclosed herein comprises a first panel having an exterior surface, an interior surface and a first edge and a second panel having an exterior surface, an interior surface and a second edge. The second edge of the second panel is aligned with the first edge of the first panel to define a gap having a height between the first edge of the first panel and the second edge of the second panel. A projection extends from one of the first and second panels in a position inward from the exterior surface and toward the respective edge of other of the first and second panels to span at least a portion of the height of the gap.
US08282143B2
A positioning device for a cylindrical component includes a main body defining a cylindrical channel; at least two positioning assemblies are rotatably fixed to an end of the main body; and a push rod movably fixed in the cylindrical channel of the main body to rotate the at least two positioning assemblies outwards to position the cylindrical channel of the cylindrical component.
US08282133B1
A printable form with a printable face ply and a wristband releasably bonded to the printable form. The wristband may be detached from the printable form and secured around a body part for use in identification.
US08282125B2
An inflatable cushion for a side of a vehicle is provided, the inflatable cushion, having at least one inflatable cell proximate to an end of an inflatable portion of the inflatable cushion, the least one inflatable cell being defined by a first layer of cushion fabric secured to a second layer of cushion fabric; a single sheet of fabric secured to either the first layer or second layer of cushion fabric defining the at least one inflatable cell, the single sheet of fabric defining a non-inflatable portion of the inflatable cushion and wherein a substantial portion of the single sheet of fabric traverses the at least one inflatable cell and is tangent to a face of the at least one inflatable cell when it is inflated such that upon inflation of the at least one inflatable cell tension is created in the single sheet of fabric.
US08282116B2
The suspension comprises, for each rear wheel, a trailing arm (16), a wheel-carrying structure (18) fixed to a length (24) of the trailing arm (16) and an axle (44) fixed to the wheel-carrying structure (18). The wheel-carrying structure (18) is made as a single piece forming an upper support portion (38) having a seat (42) into which the wheel axle (44) is inserted and fixed, and a lower attachment portion (40) including a pair of vertical flat walls (34) which are parallel to each other, are arranged astride of said arm length (24) and have a plurality of through holes (46) aligned in pairs. The arm length (24) forms a pair of vertical walls (26) to which three spacers, each having a through hole (30), are fixed, and a pair of end flat surfaces (32). The spacers (28) project beyond the vertical walls (26) of the arm length (24) in such a manner that their end flat surfaces (32) form two abutment flat surfaces for the vertical flat walls (34) of the wheel-carrying structure (18). The wheel-carrying structure (18) is fixed to the arm length (24) by means of three fixing screws (48) inserted into the through holes (46, 30) of the vertical flat walls (34) of the wheel-carrying structure (18) and of the spacers (28).
US08282114B2
A skateboard deck formed of laminated layers having increased twisting resistance around its center axis provided by fiber reinforced polymer matrix composite members running along the center axis and cross members extending toward side edges. Side members positioned between pairs of cross members provide additional torque resistance and energy storage for use in springing the board.
US08282113B2
Rideable luggage that can be used as either a rolling suitcase or as a baggage scooter for carrying a rider, or additional baggage. The rideable luggage has a suitcase and a platform that can be selectively deployed for holding additional baggage or a person. The deployable platform has at least one scooter wheel at an outboard end and a pair of suitcase wheels at its inboard end. A center steer wheel is connected to an extendable handle to provide steering control. When the platform is deployed, the suitcase wheels retract so that only the steer wheel and scooter wheel are in contact with the floor. When the platform is retracted, the suitcase wheels extend and are in contact with the floor along with the steer wheel.
US08282112B2
A vehicle has first and second rear drive wheels that are driven independently of each other and a pair of front wheels that freely rotate about a vertical axis wherein the rear drive wheels and the front wheels are rotatably mounted to a frame. A locking mechanism is operatively connected to the pair of front wheels to restrain the rotation of the front wheels about the vertical axis and maintain the pair of front wheels in a forward position while the operator engages the locking mechanism. When the operator releases the locking mechanism, the locking mechanism is removed from the pair of front wheels and the pair of front wheels are free to rotate about the vertical axis.
US08282102B2
A board game based on the sport of fishing having a board surface having various features and players are given special privileges in order to catch fish according to a set of rules and steps.
US08282089B2
The present invention concerns a device for transporting substrates through vacuum chambers, especially coating machines with a substrate carrier on or at which the substrates can be arranged, wherein the substrate carrier has at least one guide rail which extends along at least one side of the substrate carrier, and wherein the guide rail is kept spaced apart from the substrate carrier by one or just a few spaced bearings.
US08282088B2
An apparatus for securing a workpiece is provided. In one form, the apparatus is configured such that the clamping jaws of the apparatus lie flush against the workpiece and the pressure from the pressure application mechanism is distributed substantially equally over the surface of the workpiece in contact with the jaws of the apparatus. Additionally, the apparatus is provided with a brake mechanism which allows at least one of the clamping jaw members to be secured in a desired position on the elongated member without having to tilt the jaw member connected thereto. In another form, the apparatus may have two brake release mechanisms to account for the various positions the apparatus may be placed in with respect to a workpiece. The apparatus may also have mating structures which allow the apparatus to be connected to a work surface. In addition, the apparatus may also include a pivoting pressure application member handle to assist the user in applying or removing pressure to the workpiece.
US08282082B2
Disclosed is an impact absorbing barrier assembly. The assembly includes a support having a pipe configuration and installed at the center line or the side of a road, an impact absorbing cylinder combined to the support and including a cylinder having a penetrating through-hole and being made by using one of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and soft polyurethane, and including a rotation support pipe corresponding to the outside circumference of the support and inserted into the through-hole, a fence guide horizontally installed at upper and lower portions of the impact absorbing cylinder and at front and rear portions of the support to connect the supports, a fence guide combining device, and a rotation support device to support the rotation of the impact absorbing cylinder. The impact from a car collision with the impact absorbing barrier assembly may be reduced.
US08282081B2
Disclosed is a guiding device of a hauling rope, in more detail, a guiding device of a hauling rope that installed at the top of casing, which controls inserting/withdrawing a hauling rope connected with a Sonde, measuring instrument, which probes, observes, and examines an underground structure, geological features, or soil conditions within borehole.
US08282080B2
A system, method and apparatus for guiding and installing cables in a building provides automated release of cables that are temporarily retained by the cabling apparatuses to allow the once retained and now bundled cables to be permanently mounted in the building. The cabling apparatus has a frame supporting four elongated rollers so as to define a rectangular cable retention area bounded by the four elongated rollers. The cable retention area allows for the accumulation and retention of a number of cables fed through the cable retention area. A lower elongated roller of the four elongated rollers is pivotally connected to the frame such that pivoting of the lower elongated roller releases the accumulated cables. A remote controlled actuation system is connected to the pivoting lower elongated roller to provide automated pivot control thereof. A closed-looped pulley system may used in conjunction with the cabling devices to pull the cables through the cabling devices. The system of a plurality of cabling apparatuses allows the stringing and temporary holding of one or more cables during a cabling installation and the simultaneous or individual release of the accumulated cables from the cabling apparatuses.
US08282063B2
A holder includes a base, a first carriage, a first elastic module, a second carriage, a second elastic module, and two clamping mechanisms. When a handheld electronic device is installed in the holder, the second carriage is driven towards the first carriage, and the second elastic module between the second carriage and the first carriage and the first elastic module between the first carriage and the base are both compressed. At this time, the first carriage drives the two clamping mechanisms to clamp the handheld electronic device so that the handheld electronic device is reliably fixed onto the second carriage.
US08282056B2
The present invention relates to an end stop bracket for a longitudinal mobile shelving track adapted to moveably support a mobile shelving unit thereabove, the end stop bracket including a main body shaped to cap an end of said longitudinal track, a means of attachment to the end of the longitudinal track, and a means of reducing impact loads resulting from contact between the mobile shelving unit and the end stop bracket.
US08282054B2
A stand for a portable electronic device includes: an annularly-formed stand body having a first end face and a second end face apart from each other in a direction vertical to a face forming an annular circle of the stand body, the stand body holding therein the portable electronic device to be inserted from a side of the first end face; and a leg portion having side surfaces projected radially outside the stand body so as to reduce the width dimension between the side surfaces. A grounding surface of the stand to be grounded when the stand is mounted is selected from the second end face of the stand body and one of the side surfaces of the leg portion.
US08282051B2
An armrest assembly for use with a first control device and a second control device arranged generally in a tandem configuration is disclosed herein. The armrest assembly includes, but is not limited to, a base member configured for mounting to the horizontal surface proximate the first control device in a position aligned with the first and the second control devices. The armrest assembly also includes an arm support member movably mounted to the base member. The arm support member is configured to move between a first position and a second position. The arm support member is configured to steady a user's arm when accessing the first control device when the arm support member is in the first position. The arm support member is further configured to steady the user's arm when accessing the second control device when the arm support member is in the second position.
US08282040B1
A composite aircraft wing that includes a core, a first composite material disposed over the upper surface of the core, and a second composite material over the lower surface of the core. The second composite material is a different composite material than the first composite material. In addition, a first wood veneer layer is disposed over the first composite material and a second wood veneer layer disposed over the second composite material. The wing is lightweight, has an airfoil shape, and is easy to construct without using molds, while also being strong enough to support the weight of the aircraft. When used on a UAV-type aircraft having a wing-mounted antenna, the wing construction has little or no RF impact on the antenna.
US08282036B2
A multi-wing, airfoil fuselage aircraft that is capable of flying in a ground-effect mode includes a main airfoil fuselage wing, a fin that extends vertically from this wing, a pivot mount that is affixed to the fin, an auxiliary wing that connects to the pivot mount so as to allow its angle of attack to be adjusted and changed during different flight conditions, a main landing gear, an adjustable-length, stabilizing landing gear, assorted control surfaces that are movably affixed to the auxiliary wing and fin, and a ground-effect control system that is adapted to control the operation and movement of these control surfaces when the aircraft is flying in a ground-effect mode of flight.
US08282031B2
This invention relates to the art of methods and apparatuses for grinding various materials into smaller particles; particularly, to those known in the art as pulverizing systems and devices. This invention provides methods and apparatuses for an improved disc mill assembly that utilizes a tapered flywheel and water jacket in conjunction with planar grinding disk cutting devices to create a tapered grinding channel.
US08282013B2
O-ring or other fluid seal member (10) and method of making such member. The member has a body (12) provided as a preform of a curable elastomeric polymeric material. A radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder (50) is inserted into the preform. The preform is then cured to form the body and to embed the RFID transponder (50) therein.
US08282012B2
Method and system for expanding the memory capacity of devices that use flash memory cards. In one aspect, a memory card expander assembly includes an adaptor shaped to be connected to a memory card slot of a host device, and a receptacle assembly in communication with the adaptor and operative to be attached to the host device. The receptacle assembly includes an expanded memory card slot operative to connect to a memory card such that the host device can communicate with the connected memory card when the adaptor is connected to the memory card slot.
US08282005B2
A mobile device comprising: an indicia reader for reading information bearing indicia; a communication module for sending and receiving radio communications; a display for displaying information; a processor for controlling software and firmware operation; a keypad for entering data to the processor; an illuminator for providing an operator with illumination under low ambient lighting conditions; and, a housing supporting the communication system, display, image processor and keypad configured to facilitate an operator holding the mobile device in one hand and keypad data entry with the other hand.
US08282002B2
Scanning multiple barcodes, storing different code types, in a single scanning operation and automatically recording the data derived from the barcodes. The data can be stored in a form or database having designated locations for each different code type. In some embodiments, the present technology is useful in conducting a retail transaction and facilitates a simplified transaction when the product for purchase has multiple barcodes printed thereon.
US08282001B2
A method for data interchange includes summing up data associated with an electronic document to provide summed up data, representing the summed up data as one or more bar codes, and returning the one or more bar codes for display and data capture via a bar code scan from either a video display or a printed version of the one or more bar codes. The electronic document may be of any number of formats. The summing up may include taking data from multiple information fields to create the summed up data. The data may include data tags or a step of adding data tags to the data to assist in data interchange may be performed.
US08281995B2
Disclosed embodiments, as well as features and aspects thereof, are directed towards providing a system, device and method for calculating comprehensive ballistic solutions, or portions thereof, via a varying magnification optical range determining and ballistic trajectory calculating apparatus referred to as a ballistic solutions device. Advantageously, embodiments of a ballistic solutions device may drastically reduce marksman error in milling targets by employing a measurement component configured to measure angular movement of a projectile launching device, such as a rifle, thus delivering consistently accurate distance to target estimations. Additionally, embodiments of a ballistic solutions device may also comprise features and aspects that enable a user to leverage available real-time field data such that error associated with the measurement of those variables is minimized prior to calculating and rendering a comprehensive ballistic solution derived from stored DOPE.
US08281992B2
A method for managing a resource is provided. A personal card recording, thereon, a user identification code for identifying a user is issued to the user. A registration card recording, thereon, a registration code is prepared. The user identification code is stored in a temporary user storage portion when the user identification code and the registration code are read out, for user registration, from the personal card and the registration card respectively during a predetermined period. If the user identification code is read out from the personal card in order for the user to use the resource and the user identification code is stored in the temporary user storage portion, then the user is allowed to access the resource. If such user identification code is not stored in the temporary user storage portion, then the user is forbidden to access the resource.
US08281991B2
To secure communications in an untrusted environment for a commercial transaction on an account between the account's holder and a merchant, an identifier and a signature can be derived from a token. The identifier is associated by use of a directory with an application context that identifies the account's issuer. The merchant will provide the signature to the account's issuer, or agent thereof, to be verified. In practice, a merchant to the identified issuer of an account an authorization request message for a transaction that includes a signature and an identifier for the account upon which the transaction is to be conducted. The account's issuer responds with an authorization response message that includes an indicator that the signature has been verified. After notice of the signature's verification, the transaction on the account is deemed authorized and the merchant can proceed.
US08281990B2
An implementation of a system and method for processing transfer rides associated with at least one public transit network is provided. The system and method preprocess transactions to consolidate or eliminate unnecessary transactions with a financial institution clearing and settlement network.
US08281985B1
A card activated cash dispensing automated banking machine operates responsive to data included on user cards. A system and method for producing the automated banking machine incorporating a plurality of hardware devices in the automated banking machine responsive to order data associated with a purchase order for the automated banking machine. The hardware devices include a card reader, a cash dispenser, at least one processor, at least one hard drive, and at least one output device. The order data includes at least one hardware part number corresponding to at least one of the devices, at least one software part number corresponding to at least one software component, and at least one customization part number corresponding to at least one customization file. The system and method include installing the software component and the customization file on the at least one hard drive of the machine, through operation of the at least one server responsive to the order data.
US08281984B2
Systems and methods for constructing a combined tracking address and reporting tracking information using the combined tracking address are described. A code resolution response may be received from a first entity involved in resolving a mobile code. The code resolution response may include a first tracking address from the first entity and a second tracking address of a second entity involved in resolving the mobile code. The first tracking address may be combined with the second tracking address, thereby providing a combined tracking address.
US08281981B2
A container and a blank for making it. The container is constructed from a single sheet of foldable material and has a bottom wall, a top wall, first and second front wall panels, a back wall, and side flaps extending from opposite ends of the bottom, top, and back walls, and from the first and second front wall panels. The top wall is secured to the container by a tear-out panel extending from the top wall into the back wall and by frangible side flap portions in the side walls, whereby the tear-out panel may be grasped and lifted to lift the top wall and break the frangible side flap portions, completely freeing the top wall from the container by the single step of grasping and tearing out and lifting the tear-out panel to pivot the top upwardly. A blank and method of assembling and erecting the blank to form the container also are disclosed.
US08281975B2
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for forming an anastomosis between adjacent sections of tissue is provided. The apparatus includes a body portion; an actuation assembly operatively supported at a proximal end of the body portion; an anvil assembly movably mounted at the distal end of the body portion for movement toward and away from the body portion; an approximation assembly extending between the body portion and the anvil assembly for moving the anvil toward and away from the tubular body portion; a dispersion assembly operatively associated with the approximation assembly, the dispersion assembly including at least one angled surface defining at least one channel interposed between the anvil assembly and the body portion and being configured to dispense a fluid therefrom; and at least one conduit for conducting wound treatment material to the dispersion assembly.
US08281974B2
An anvil assembly comprising an anvil shaft and an anvil head, the anvil head having anvil depressions for forming surgical staples, and the anvil head mounted to the anvil shaft. The anvil shaft has a longitudinal axis and a helical slot formed therein. A disc is movable along the slot to a selected position to selectively adjust the positioning of a purse string suture.
US08281973B2
A surgical stapling device few sequentially applying a plurality of fasteners to body tissue and simultaneously incising tissue is provided. The device is adapted to receive disposable loading units having staples in linear rows whose surgical stapling length can be Between about 30 mm and 60 mm. The disposable loading unit includes a proximal body portion, a mounting assembly and a tool assembly. The mounting assembly is secured to the proximal end of the tool assembly and pivotally mounted about a pivot axis to the distal end of the proximal body portion. A support member or blow-out plate assembly is positioned on opposite sides of the pivot axis and extends between the proximal body portion and the mounting assembly.
US08281968B2
A lightweight cargo carrying structure mounted upon arms which cantilever rearward from tow eyes mounted at the rear of a vehicle. This invention provides an efficient way to expand the cargo-carrying capacity of a vehicle.
US08281962B2
A tongue and groove arrangement guides an outer cap in an axial direction with respect to an inner cap. When a cap is fixed to a mouth of a container body, the outer cap is located in a direction of separating from the inner cap in the axial direction, and an inner face of a top wall of the outer cap is separated from a valve to urge the valve in a direction of projecting from a discharge hole of an inside plug, causing the discharge hole to close. When the cap is detached and removed from the mouth, the outer cap is moved in a direction of approaching the inner cap in the axial direction, and the inner face abuts the valve urged in a direction of separating from the discharge hole while resisting against an urging member, causing the discharge hole to open.
US08281958B2
One aspect of the invention is a foaming component for use in association with a foam dispenser. The foaming component includes an air sparging element, a mixing chamber, and an air chamber. The mixing chamber is on one side of the air sparging element and it defines a portion of the mixing chamber. The air chamber is on the other side of the air sparging element and it defines a portion of the air chamber. The air chamber has an air inlet. The mixing chamber has a liquid inlet and an outlet, and the outlet is down stream of the inlet. The foaming component also forms part of a new foam dispenser. The foaming component and the foam dispenser are for use in the production of foam with a plurality of particles suspended therein. Another aspect of the invention is a dispenser with a foaming component therein.
US08281957B2
A device for holding containers and warming their contents. The containers are removably attached to the cover of the device by a neck which accommodates a dispenser pump. The containers hold substances such as creams, pastes, gels, lotions and the like especially, shaving cream liquid solution. The temperature of the device can be preset or adjustable. Timers can select the time of day to begin and end the heat cycle. Visual and/or audio indicators can be activated to indicate the substances are at the desired temperature. The device cover may include a scupper ledge contain any spillage from the dispenser pump.
US08281949B2
Systems and methods include unfolding a product bin from a flat configuration to vertical configuration to define a portion of a product enclosure. The product bin comprises a plurality of sections hinged end-to-end in a chain. A free end of a first one of the sections in the chain is releasably connected to a free end of a last one of the sections in the chain with a support member. The support member is fastened to an object such that the plurality of sections and the object combine to define a product enclosure. A plurality of products is placed in the product enclosure.
US08281947B2
A fuel storage system includes a tank, a check valve having an inlet tube, an anti-siphon device and a fuel intake tube. The anti-siphon device includes a ring defining an interior opening having a diameter. The ring abuts an upstream end of the inlet tube of the check valve, which includes an inner diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the interior opening of the ring. The ring includes and supports a plurality of fins within the inlet tube without narrowing the inlet tube to maximize fluid flow through the inlet tube. The anti-siphon device is rotatable relative to the check valve and the fuel intake tube. The shape, size and orientation of the fins are optimized to minimize flow interruption through the anti-siphon device and minimize vaporization of the fluid.
US08281942B2
A frame which can be moved between a folded-in position and a folded-out position includes suspension means for suspending the frame from a vertical element, an arm assembly having at least three arms and a rod assembly which cooperates with the arm assembly. The arm and rod assemblies are designed such that the arms may extend between a folded-in position and a folded-out position. The suspension means cooperate with a section of the arm assembly and/or with a section of the rod assembly which is/are at the periphery of the planes defined by the assemblies.
US08281941B2
A holder or rack for storing and displaying a plurality of flat box-shaped articles in a substantially vertical and mutual parallel arrangement, comprising at least two mutual parallel and laterally extending rigid beams spaced one above the other in the vertical direction by at least one rigid spacer member, the upper of the beams has a downward extending flange portion providing an upper abutment stop and the lower of the beams has an upward extending flange portion providing a lower abutment stop, each of the beams has on its front side a substantially horizontal and laterally extending projection defining a vertical gap between itself and the other projection, the lower horizontal projection has a substantially smooth and planar horizontal top surface defining a support ledge and the upper horizontal projection has an underside provided with a laterally extending groove adapted to receive and retain an elongated rubber-elastic member having in cross section a wedge-shaped lip portion projecting substantially vertical downwards from the underside of the upper horizontal projection when inserted and retained in the groove so as to form a grip or barb, which holder is characterized in that the at least one rigid spacer member is provided with a member for adjusting the vertical distance between the upper and lower horizontal projections.
US08281930B2
A child-resistant medicate container includes a housing having a top segment fixedly attached to and extending from a bottom segment. Each of the bottom segment and the top segment include a generally flat first sidewall and an opposing generally flat second sidewall that define the storage cavity. Each sidewall defines a plane and each plane extends generally parallel with respect to the remaining planes. The planes defined by the first and second sidewalls of the bottom segment are spaced-apart a greater distance than a distance between the planes defined by the first and second sidewalls of the top segment. A cover is movably attached to the housing and surrounds at least a portion of the first and second sidewalls of the top segment of the housing. One of the cover and the top segment of the housing include an aperture formed in a sidewall thereof.
US08281928B2
The present invention is an inflatable box which can come in any shape or size and be made up of any rigid material. The box is uniquely designed to allow for a simple one step process using a box with an integrated inflating tube and bottom liner to expand internally by inflation which cushions the article to be shipped 3 dimensionally thus completely protecting the article and removing the need for peanuts, paper or other fillers in boxes used for shipping goods once the box is closed.
US08281920B2
The invention provides contact lens packages in which removal of the lens is facilitated by providing a means for elevating the lens when the package is opened.
US08281918B2
Products are transferred in an automatic manufacturing machine by a unit (1) equipped with multiple transport heads (8), and a drive system (10) comprising at least two transmission assemblies (11a, 11b) by which the heads (8) are set in motion. The transport heads (8) are divided operationally into a first group (12) and a second group (13), in which motion is induced by a respective first transmission assembly (11a) and a respective second transmission assembly (11b).
US08281915B2
An automatic transmission including a first clutch selectively connecting a first rotary member and a second rotary member disposed coaxially with the first rotary member, a second clutch selectively connecting the first rotary member and a third rotary member disposed coaxially with the first rotary member, a first drum in which a first piston of the first clutch is axially slidably received, a second drum disposed coaxially with the first drum, to accommodate the first drum, and in which a second piston of the second clutch is axially slidably received, an abutting portion abutting contact of the first and second drums with each other in an axial direction of the first and second drums, and a fitting portion at which the first drum is fitted in the second drum and that inhibits relative rotation of the first and second drums about a common axis of the first and second drums.
US08281910B2
A brake operating device for bicycles includes a hydraulic fluid cylinder secured to a housing, a parallel cylindrical member on the cylinder and comprising a hollow threaded fastener at one end, a rod in a right portion of the cylinder and having one end connected to a brake lever; a spring biased magnet in the right portion of the cylinder; a plunger interconnecting the magnet and the rod; a spring biased conductor in the cylindrical member and urged by the fastener; and an electric wire interconnecting the conductor and a connector which is connected to a brake lamp. For decreasing a turn-on time of the brake lamp a loosening of the fastener will push the conductor away from the brake lever to decrease a current generated on the conductor due to a movement of the conductor relative to the magnet. Tightening of the fastener can increase the turn-on time.
US08281907B2
A brake disk (10) includes an annular core (12, 60, 82) formed from a plurality of non-annular pieces (40, 66, 68, 84), a first friction disk (14) mounted on a first side of the annular core (12, 60, 82), a second friction disk (14) mounted on a second side of the core (12, 60, 82) opposite from the first friction disk (14), and at least one fastener (58) connecting the first and second friction disks (14, 14) to the core (12, 60, 82). Also a method of assembling a brake disk from a core and friction elements.
US08281905B2
A caliper disc brake includes a caliper housing having a cylinder, a piston moving forward and backward within the cylinder, a dust seal mounted at a front end of an opening of the piston, first and second sealing members provided between an inner surface of the cylinder and an outer surface of the piston. The first sealing member is provided at the rear of the dust seal. The second sealing member is separated from the first sealing member by a designated interval. Oil channels to communicate a space around the outer circumferential surface of the piston, formed by the first sealing member and the second sealing member, and a space around the rear surface of the piston, formed by the second sealing member and the cylinder, with each other to operate a rollback function of the second sealing member are formed in the piston.
US08281898B2
A lubrication cartridge includes a cartridge body. A cartridge coupling is located on the cartridge body and defines a first passage and a second passage. A lubricant reservoir is housed in the cartridge body and comprises a pressurized fluid inlet coupled to the first passage and a lubricant outlet coupled to the second passage. A metering insert is located between the lubricant outlet and the second passage and comprises a density that controls lubricant flow between the lubricant reservoir and the second passage.
US08281895B2
The present disclosure relates to a stop element for a securing device, with a contact element. A locking device is shiftable between unlocked and locked states. The stop element is attachable to and releasable from the securing element in the unlocked state and not releasable from the securing element in the locked state. The locking device has an actuating device which is shiftable between an active position and a passive position and when in its active position blocks the locking device in its unlocked state and is transferable into its passive position, in which the locking device is shiftable into its locked state, when the stop element is attached to the securing element. The contact element may form part of the actuating device such that the actuating device can be shifted into its passive position when the securing element contacts the contact element.
US08281892B2
The working vehicle includes an axle unit that has a differential gear device, an axle case, an axle input shaft and first and second main output shafts, and an HST unit that has a hydraulic pump main body, a hydraulic motor main body, a capacity adjustment mechanism, an HST case, a pump shaft and a motor shaft, an HST input shaft, and an HST output shaft, wherein the axle unit is directly or indirectly supported by the vehicle frame so as to be positioned close to a first main driving wheel in a state where the axle input shaft extends in a vehicle widthwise direction, wherein the HST unit is directly or indirectly supported by the vehicle frame at a position away from the axle unit in a state where the HST output shaft extends in the vehicle widthwise direction, and wherein the HST output shaft and the axle input shaft are operatively connected to each other through an endless type transmission member.
US08281891B2
A four-wheel drive vehicle includes a crankshaft that obtains the power of the engine. The rotation driving force of the crankshaft is transmitted to a secondary shaft through a belt type continuously variable transmission. The rotation driving force of the secondary shaft is transmitted to a rear wheel by a second drive shaft. A cam chain is arranged between the crank web of the crankshaft and the driving pulley of the belt type continuously variable transmission. The second drive shaft is arranged between the crank web and the driving pulley and under the cam chain. The second drive shaft is arranged to at least partly overlap the rotation trajectory C1 of the driving pulley when seen in a side view.
US08281885B2
A powertrain includes an electro-mechanical transmission mechanically-operatively coupled to an internal combustion engine and an electric machine to selectively transmit mechanical power to an output member. Powertrain operation includes monitoring operator inputs, and determining input speeds and changes in input speeds for the internal combustion engine and the electric machine. The input speeds are compared to threshold input speeds, and the changes in input speeds are compared to threshold changes in input speeds. Input torques of the internal combustion engine and the electric machine are reduced when any one of the input speeds and changes in input speeds exceeds the corresponding threshold.
US08281875B2
A well drilling system for use with a drilling fluid pump includes a flow control device regulating flow from the pump to a drill string interior; and another flow control device regulating flow through a line in communication with an annulus. Flow is simultaneously permitted through the flow control devices. A method of maintaining a desired bottom hole pressure includes dividing drilling fluid flow between a line in communication with a drill string interior and a line in communication with an annulus; the flow dividing step including permitting flow through a flow control device interconnected between a pump and the drill string interior; and the flow dividing step including permitting flow through another flow control device interconnected between the pump and the annulus, while flow is permitted through the first flow control device.
US08281870B2
A fire apparatus includes a housing, a water tank mounted in the housing, a support unit mounted on the housing, a spray gun mounted on and supported by the support unit, a hose having a first end connected with the water tank and a second end connected with the spray gun, a drive motor mounted in the housing and electrically connected with the spray gun to pressurize the spray gun, and an electric storage unit mounted in the housing and electrically connected with the drive motor to supply an electric power to the drive motor. Thus, the spray gun injects atomized water outward to extinguish the fires easily and quickly.
US08281865B2
A tubular valve system includes, a tubular, a primary valve actuatable to control occlusion of at least one port fluidically connecting an inner bore of the tubular with an outside of the tubular, and a contingency valve actuatable to control occlusion of at least one port fluidically connecting the inner bore with the outside of the tubular.
US08281856B2
A torque sub for use with a top drive is disclosed. A method of connecting threaded tubular members for use in a wellbore includes operating a top drive. The top drive rotates a first threaded tubular member relative to a second threaded tubular member. The method further includes measuring a torque exerted on the first tubular member by the top drive. The torque is measured using a torque shaft rotationally coupled to the top drive and the first tubular. The torque shaft has a strain gage disposed thereon. The method further includes wirelessly transmitting the measured torque from the torque shaft to a stationary interface; measuring rotation of the first tubular member; compensating the rotation measurement by subtracting a deflection of the top drive and/or the first tubular member; determining acceptability of the threaded connection; and stopping rotation of the first threaded member when the threaded connection is complete or if the threaded connection is unacceptable.
US08281852B2
A bottom hole assembly supported by coiled tubing has components attached to each other with quick connections that do not require threading to provide the integral connection capable of supporting the BHA's required, torque, tensile and pressure loads. This quick connect feature provides torque transmission capability and does not need rig equipment such as tongs for makeup. Connecting the components is faster and safer particularly when the connections have to be made well above a rig floor. The lower end of the coiled tubing connector can also be provided with a quick connection half to mate with the uppermost tool in the bottom hole assembly.
US08281844B1
The disclosed door and method for manufacturing the same allows a door manufacturer to more easily fabricate custom sectional overhead doors. The disclosed door and method for manufacturing the same eliminates the expense of having a skilled craftsman hand mill and fit each trim hoard. The disclosed door and method for manufacturing the same enables fabricating infinite designs and infinite sizes without the constraint of being limited to preset, expensive platens/dies for fabrication. The disclosed door and method for manufacturing the same provides for routing typical depth panels into a door without having to penetrate various layers of the door. The disclosed door and method for manufacturing the same provides a solid core of insulation which is not subject to routing which decreases thermal resistively of the door.
US08281840B2
Methods, apparatus and computer programs for correcting a buff of tread from a crown of a tire, the steps of the method including measuring the distance between the tire crown surface and the belt at each of the plurality of locations; calculating a projected distance between the crown surface and the belt at each of the plurality of transverse locations across the crown using proposed buff radii, choosing a new position of the buffing radius origin from the one or more proposed origin positions; and buffing the tread from the tire crown along the arc described by the buff radius having the buffing radius origin at the new position.
US08281833B1
A pneumatic tire assembly is disclosed. The tire assembly includes a tire body having an interior surface covered with a low-friction material and a tire rim having an interior surface. The tire body is attached to the tire rim such that the interior surface of the tire body and the interior surface of the tire rim define an inner space of the pneumatic tire assembly. The inner space is filled with a gas and the covering of the low-friction material reduces friction between the gas and the interior surface of the tire body.
US08281830B2
A pneumatic tire has a tread pattern which comprises at least three circumferential grooves with a groove width of 6 to 18 mm and a groove depth of 6.0 to 16.0 mm extending in a tire circumferential direction, wherein, on groove walls on both sides forming the at least three circumferential grooves, first inclined walls inclined by an inclination angle of 5 to 20 degrees with respect to the tire circumferential direction and second inclined walls inclined by an inclination angle of 0 to 45 degrees with respect to a tire width direction are provided so as to be successively connected in the tire circumferential direction so that positions of groove ends in the tire width direction vary in the tire circumferential direction.
US08281829B2
A pneumatic tire (10) has an inner shoulder (11), an outer shoulder (12) and a tread (13) therebetween. The tread has a central axis (A) and includes a plurality of first grooves (14). Each first groove has a first end (15) disposed near the outer shoulder and a second end (17) disposed near the inner shoulder so that each first groove crosses the central axis. The first end is spaced circumferentially from the second end. A plurality of second grooves (16) is provided with each second groove connecting the second end of a first groove to a first end of another first groove. The first and second grooves define a cascading repetition of tread blocks (18). Chamfers (20) are defined on certain corners of the tread blocks that are adjacent to the first grooves.
US08281826B2
A sharp edged knife stop can secure the position of knife blades in a cutting or chipping system and prevent the separation of knife blades. The sharp edged knife stops can also assist in the cutting or chipping and lower the amount of debris build up that would occur with the use of traditional knife stops. The sharp edged knife stop has the same inclination angle as the knife blades and the same difference in knife edge height as the knife blades above that of a retaining ring height.
US08281819B2
The apparatus and method of the subject invention facilitates the filling of an air-permeable casement or shell with feather down material. The apparatus of the subject invention includes two chambers which are selectively connected to one another by means of a passageway. The subject invention further includes a mechanism for selectively inducing a partial vacuum in either chamber to facilitate the filling of article casements with feather down. By inducing a partial vacuum in the first chamber and connecting a supply hose to its access port, feather down may be conveyed from a supply container into the first chamber. By selectively opening the passageway and inducing a partial vacuum in the second chamber, the feather down is conveyed from the first chamber to the second chamber in a clean, efficient and controlled manner where it is contained within an air permeable casement formed over the passageway.
US08281817B2
A laminar flow tool is for channeling water, air or other fluids through a down drill pipe or tubing for pressurization of other tools or other purposes. The tool provides a flow divider having an 180 degree twist separating a driven fluid chamber from a buffer fluid pocket. Fluid in the tool is calmed as it travels and loses some of the spin (“turbulence”) inherent in the water or other fluid. A buffer pocket on one side absorbs shocks and stabilizes the driven side. Ports in the buffer side help equalize pressure.
US08281801B2
A device for reusing greywater includes: a water feed for supplying greywater; a collecting reservoir for collecting the supplied greywater; a storage tank for storing water; a siphoning device for siphoning water from the collecting reservoir to the storage tank; a water discharge for discharging stored water to a water user; a sewer outlet; and a control system.A method of siphoning water includes: supplying water to a collecting reservoir; detecting a predetermined water level in the collecting reservoir; operating a filling valve subject to the detected water level; and siphoning water via a siphon connection from the collecting reservoir to the storage tank.
US08281799B2
A valve set includes a valve body which includes a central hole and multiple passages are located around the central hole. A tubular portion extends from the valve body a flexible plate has an insertion inserted into the central hole of the valve body and the flexible plate seals the passages from an underside of the valve body. A core member is securely engaged with the tubular portion has an inlet tube. Multiple releasing probes extend from an underside thereof. A spring is mounted to the inlet tube and biased between a shoulder on the inlet tube and an inner surface of the valve body. A bottom cap is connected to the underside of the valve body. Air is introduced into the valve set via the inlet tube and released by pushing the core member and the releasing probes push the flexible plate away from the passages.
US08281797B2
A control valve includes a valve body, a valve stem, and a control element. The valve body receives the stem and includes a packing box housing a packing set. A packing follower includes a bore sized to receive the stem and includes an upper portion, a lower portion, and a bearing surface, the lower portion sized to extend into the valve bonnet to engage the packing set to apply a first compressive force to the packing set, the upper portion including threads and having an upper counterbore housing a secondary seal ring. A nut operatively engages the threads of the upper portion of the packing follower, the nut positioned to apply a second compressive force to the secondary seal ring, and a spring is positioned between the packing flange and the bearing surface of the packing follower, wherein the first compressive force is independent of the second compressive force.
US08281791B2
Disclosed is a method and article for protecting an ear by reducing intensity of sound audible to an individual using the article and/or by preventing foreign objects from entering an ear canal of the ear. The article includes a surface configured for removably securing the article to a tragus of the ear and urging the tragus to at least partially cover the ear canal, thereby protecting the ear.
US08281777B2
An archery peep sight is disclosed that combines integrally a bowstring dampener and a peep sight.
US08281772B2
Methods and systems for operating a glow plug are disclosed. In one example, current supplied to a glow plug can be controlled to promote combustion stability of a cylinder after an engine start. Engine feedgas hydrocarbons may be reduced during conditions where combustion stability may be otherwise reduced in order to reduce tailpipe emissions.
US08281769B2
An evaporative venting system for use in an internal combustion engine and a method for venting fuel vapors are disclosed. The evaporative venting system includes a containment chamber at least in indirect communication with a fuel tank and a passageway defined within the containment chamber and having an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The inlet opening is at least indirectly in communication with the fuel tank and the outlet opening is at least indirectly in communication with an evaporative chamber such that the passageway provides a vent path between the fuel tank and the evaporative chamber such that the vent path allows for both the venting of fuel vapors from the fuel tank and the intake of air into the fuel tank during all angles of positioning of the fuel tank.
US08281753B2
A cooling apparatus that cools with coolant a subject of cooling, which is a heat source. The cooling apparatus includes a cooling circuit, an electric pump, a switching section, and a control section. Through circulation of the coolant, air in the cooing circuit is caused to flow to an air bleeding portion and is discharged from the cooling circuit through the air bleeding portion. The switching section is capable of switching the operation mode of the electric pump between a normal mode and an air bleeding mode for collecting air in the cooling circuit to the air bleeding portion. During the air bleeding mode, the control section is capable of controlling the electric pump to change a coolant displacement from the electric pump according to a change pattern that allows stagnant air in sections of the cooling circuit to flow to the air bleeding portion.
US08281749B2
A pet accessory pendant is provided. The pet accessory pendant houses components for a pet accessory, such as a bark control device, a containment fence receiver, a remote trainer, a pet locator, and the like. The pet accessory pendant is mountable to animal collars of various sizes, lengths, widths, and thicknesses. Specifically, the pet accessory pendant is attachable to an animal collar such that the pet accessory pendant comfortably hangs in a pendant fashion and minimizes pressure points on the animal. Additionally, the pet accessory pendant is readily attachable to and detachable from the collar without removing the animal collar from the animal, thereby reducing the need to adjust the fitment of the pet accessory pendant for each use. Thus, the pet accessory pendant allows a single animal collar to be easily converted between a general-purpose animal collar and an animal collar with attached pet accessory. Furthermore, the ease of attachment and detachment allows for quickly changing pet accessories, leashing the animal without removing the animal collar to detach the pet accessory, replacing the battery, or modifying the pet accessory controls.
US08281736B2
Bookbinding-unit adhesive application device that does not interrupt the unit to replenish adhesive when consecutively applying adhesive to sheet bundles, and can shorten the time the system is interrupted. An adhesive storage container (10) that stores adhesive; an applicator roller (30) rotatably disposed in the adhesive storage container (10); an adhesive supplier (55) that refills hot-melt adhesive to the adhesive storage container (10); heater (20) that melts the adhesive in the adhesive storage container (10); and refill volume controller (62) that controls the amount of refill adhesive of the adhesive supplier (55) are provided. The refill volume controller (61) is configured to set the adhesive refill volume based on information from adhesive detector (22a) disposed in the adhesive storage container (10); and remaining sheets determiner (62) that determines the number of sheets to coat for the sheet bundles to be coated with adhesive.
US08281734B2
An apparatus for treating a travelling web of material in a predetermined gaseous atmosphere comprising a chamber (1) through which a moving web of material (2) is transported from an inlet at a first end of the chamber (1) to an outlet at a second end and a means for introducing and controlling gas (5) intended to provide said predetermined gaseous atmosphere within said chamber (1), wherein said inlet and outlet each comprise a sealing means (4a, 4b) designed to enable passage of said web of material (2) therethrough whilst minimising the ingress of an external gas boundary layer (3) around said web of material (2) characterised in that said apparatus also comprises one or more re-circulation channels (7, 8) adapted to re-circulate gases within said chamber (1) from the second end of the chamber to the first end of the chamber thereby negating or substantially negating any pressure difference within the chamber (1) between said inlet and outlet. Said apparatus is preferably s part of a non thermal equilibrium plasma generating apparatus or corona discharge assembly.
US08281733B2
The present invention is a dosage reminder device that serves as a regular and constant reminder of when a medication was last taken as well as when a medicine should next be taken. The device is attached to any medicine box or bottle using a self-adhesive or strap style backing element and, owing to its relative simplicity and low cost, can be disposed of once the medication has been used or is no longer needed. The dial portion includes an opposed raised annular rim with radially inwardly oriented detents. By being mechanically engaged in multiple locations, the dial indicator resists movement, even with inadvertent patient dropping or scraping of the medication receptacle, thusly clearly and securely showing dosage timing.
US08281723B2
A vehicle for a rail-borne transportation system includes an eddy current brake that contains a large number of magnetic poles and a mechanism for activating the magnetic poles for braking. The magnetic poles are formed by movably supported permanent magnets, and the activation mechanism switches the permanent magnets from an inactive position into an active position.
US08281722B2
The invention relates to a solid track comprising a concrete strip on a supporting structure that consists of individual, successively arranged segments (2) and comprising rails (6) for a rail-guided vehicle that are located on the concrete strip. The concrete strip is continuous and spans the individual segments (2) and an anti-friction layer (10) is located between the concrete strip and the segments (2). The solid track according to the invention is characterized in that the concrete strip is a profiled concrete strip (7), in which the course of the solid track in terms of curvature and lateral inclination are reflected and in that in the region of adjacent end faces (13) of two neighboring segments (2), the track is equipped with a device (200) that spans both end faces (13) and absorbs any alteration in the position of the adjacent end faces (13). This prevents the forces acting on the profiled concrete strip (7) from having a critical effect and does not impair the action of the anti-friction layer (10).
US08281721B2
The invention relates to a device for unloading and placing rails in a track parallel to another existing track, which is assembled in the rear of the rail carrier train (Tc), which runs on the existing main track (Vd), coupled in a series of auxiliary wagons (V1, V2, V3), and formed by a series of metal structures (P1, . . . , P9) fixed in said auxiliary wagons added in the rear of the rail carrier train, which determine several fixed guiding points longitudinally distributed in a suitable manner along these auxiliary wagons, both in the transverse and in the vertical direction, in a smooth transition and according to the standards in relation to the radii and buckling of the rail, from its transport position on the rail carrier (Tc) to its definitive position on the bearing plate of the crossties previously positioned in an also definitive place on the subgrade of the parallel track (Vp).
US08281717B2
A printing cylinder cleaning cylinder in one embodiment includes a base and a module reversibly attaching to the module. The module includes a housing, a module engagement-disengagement assembly, a reciprocating wiper and brush assembly, a spray discharge assembly and a discharge assembly. The reciprocating brush and wiper assemblies produce a advantageous multi-dimensional scrubbing action. The module engagement-disengagement assembly may displace the module in to an operational position. The spray assembly may deliver cleaning fluid toward the cylinder being cleaned. The discharge assembly may convey cleaning fluid away from the module after the cleaning fluid. A control system allows for automatic or semiautomatic operation is some embodiments.
US08281706B2
A sealing device for a swivel motor includes an outer part and an inner part as well as at least one working chamber located between them. The sealing device seals the working chamber and comprises at least two rectangular sealing elements housed in a groove enclosed in the outer and/or inner part running essentially parallel to the swivel axis of the swivel motor. Each of the sealing elements comprises at least one rectangular sealing part and at least one gasket.
US08281705B2
A method is disclosed for detecting the drive type of an actuator, e.g., a pneumatic actuator, having a positioner for operating a final control element in a process engineering plant. The actuator is connected to the positioner by a mounting set, the positioner comprising an electronic control unit, which uses a microcontroller to receive one or more input signals, and to output actuating signals to control the flow of gas to or from the chambers of a single-acting or double-acting pneumatic drive. The position feedback sensors are equipped with a rotational measuring system. During commissioning of the actuator, the relationship between the drive volumes and the position signal is found and compared with transfer characteristics of known drive types. Where there is a match between the transfer characteristic defined by the value pairs of the given actuator and one of the transfer characteristics of the known drive types, the identified drive type is assigned to the given actuator.
US08281701B2
A method of providing a defense against a shaped charge uses an outer and an inner armor layer provided with a medial space between these outer and inner armor layers. One or more defensive shaped charges are positioned in the medial space. If the outer armor layer is attacked by ordnance having an offensive shaped charge, one or more of the defensive shaped charges positioned in the medial space is detonated so as to degrade the effectiveness of the offensive shaped charge and prevent penetration of the inner armor layer.
US08281695B2
A vacuum system and apparatus extracts metal chips and cuttings away from the cutting area of a sawing machine. The system and apparatus is located on the previously cut surface end of the saw and includes rotatable bracketry to engage and disengage a vacuum nozzle from the end of a cut piece to extract metal chips and cuttings from the inside of hollow metal stock as the stock is being cut. Rotation of the bracketry is actuated by means of an electronic controller or other control circuitry.
US08281691B2
A tong assembly includes a case assembly having an enclosure defining an interior. A bearing assembly is disposed in the interior of the enclosure. The bearing assembly includes a first bearing member defining a first cavity and a second bearing member defining a first cavity. A tong head assembly is disposed in the interior of the enclosure of the case assembly. The tong head assembly includes a tong head engaged with an outer ring gear. The outer ring gear includes a first axial end portion, an oppositely disposed second axial end portion and a central portion. The first axial end portion is disposed in the first cavity of the first bearing member. The second axial end portion is disposed in the first cavity of the second bearing member.
US08281688B2
A wave gear device is proposed having an anti-ratcheting mechanism having a simple configuration, wherein a center through-hole is formed in a cylinder hub of a wave generator, a small-diameter shaft end portion of a rotating input shaft is concentrically inserted in the center through-hole, and the two members are fastened by a fastening bolt, and a friction ring is concentrically sandwiched between the small-diameter shaft end portion and the cylinder hub and pressed in the radial direction with a prescribed force, whereby when transmission torque from the rotating input shaft to the wave generator 4 becomes excessive, slippage occurs in the rotational direction between the two members, transmission torque is limited, ratcheting generated between the two gears can be prevented.
US08281684B2
A steering column arrangement includes a steering spindle, which rotates about its longitudinal axis and serves to transfer a torque, generated by a steering wheel, to a steering gear, and a blocking device, which prevents the rotational motion of the steering spindle, especially in the event of a collision. The blocking device includes a stator, which is stationary in relation to the rotational motion of the steering spindle, and against which a blocking element is mounted in a relatively moveable manner. To prevent, in a reliable manner, an undesired twisting of the steering wheel, especially in the event of a collision, the blocking element is moveable into a locked position in a radial direction toward the steering spindle.
US08281672B2
An aseptic sampling system includes substantially sealed sampling lines connecting one or more sample container to a vessel containing the fluid to be sampled. A flow control system includes valves and/or clamps placed strategically along the sampling lines and filtered vent lines are provided at strategic locations relative to a reversible fluid pump in communication with the sampling lines. The clamps are selectively actuated, the vent lines are selectively opened or closed, and the pump is operated in a forward or reverse direction to permit a volume of sample fluid to be drawn from the vessel and into a sample container and to permit fluid to be purged from the sampling lines either into the sample container or back into the vessel. Thus, sampling and purging can be accomplished without opening the system to potentially contaminating agents and without wasting or having to properly dispose the fluid.
US08281671B2
A load measuring device for measuring a load acting on an elastically deformable member, has a distance sensor for measuring a length change in response to a deformation of the deformable member under a load. The sensor has a sensing element and a reference element arranged such that a portion of the elastically deformable member is interposed between the sensing element and the reference element. For paper manufacturing or finishing, two members between which the load is measured are cooperating rolls, at least one of which is provided with an elastic cover. One of the rolls includes the sensing element and the other roll includes the reference element. Alternatively, the two members are a roll and a cooperating belt, one having an elastic cover. Also, the sensing element and the reference element may be formed in one and the same member.
US08281666B2
The present invention relates to a Test apparatus (10) for testing the interaction between through-thickness compression and shear in a test piece (16). The apparatus comprises first and second chocks (12, 14) arranged in use to securely retain a test piece, and first and second races (18, 20) which can be controllably urged towards each other to transmit a known force to the first and second chocks. The first and second chocks and the test piece together form a substantially cylindrical body of a first diameter and. The first and second races define therebetween a substantially cylindrical space of a second diameter for accommodating the chocks, and wherein the second diameter is greater than the first diameter.
US08281663B2
A driver for applying an oscillating stress to a subject undergoing a medical imaging procedure, such as with magnetic resonance elastography (MRE), includes a passive driver located in the bore of the magnet and in direct contact with the skin of the subject. A remotely located active driver includes a linear motor and a sealed diaphragm that produces acoustic pressure waves in response to an applied current. The pressure waves are directed through a tube and into a chamber formed within the passive driver. Vibrations produced in response to the pressure waves create shear waves that are directed into the subject to aid in the imaging procedure.
US08281661B2
A method of detecting a fracture as it occurs in a component during a manufacturing process includes positioning an acoustic sensor in acoustic communication with the component. A manufacturing process is performed while the acoustic sensor remains in acoustic communication with the component. A signal indicative of acoustic emissions from the component during the manufacturing process is provided to a controller where it is determined whether the component has fractured based on the signal.
US08281660B2
A MEMS microbalance that includes a substrate made of semiconductor material with a cavity, and a resonator, which is suspended above the cavity of the substrate and is formed by a mobile body, by at least one first arm connected between the substrate and the mobile body, which has a first thickness and which enables oscillations of the mobile body with respect to the substrate, by an actuation transducer connected to the mobile body for generating the oscillations at a resonance frequency, and by a detection transducer for detecting a variation of the resonance frequency, wherein the mobile body possesses at least one thin portion having a second thickness smaller than the first thickness of the first arm.
US08281639B2
The present invention provides a detector for a chromatograph capable of obtaining the accurate retention time, even if there is a frequency deviation of the clock signal for determining the timing of data sampling, by conforming the progress of the detector internal time accompanied with the repetition of the sampling to that of real time. In the detector, consecutive data sampling intervals are defined to be a time adjustment period, and in one time adjustment period, each of the sampling intervals whose number is given as the interpolation value M is elongated by a predetermined number of clock counts compared to each of the other sampling intervals. If the clock signal has a positive frequency deviation, the apparatus internal time determined by the clock signal progresses faster than real time. However, providing the interpolation value M corresponding to the amount of the frequency deviation elongates the time adjustment period on the basis of the apparatus internal time, to be conformed to the time adjustment period on the basis of real time which is determined by the sampling period.
US08281638B2
The present invention relates to a method and a device for producing a planar implant (I) for a human or animal body, which planar implant (I) is preformed corresponding to a desired anatomical shape. The method comprises the following steps: making available a blank of the planar implant; making available a preforming device (V) that comprises a plurality of discrete adjustable support elements (STE) for adjusting an associated plurality of support points in accordance with the desired anatomical shape; defining the desired anatomical shape and determining corresponding settings for the support elements; adjusting the support elements in accordance with the settings determined for the desired anatomical shape; and producing the preformed implant by bending the blank onto the adjusted support elements.
US08281630B2
The invention has as its object to perform hydroforming so that no buckling or wrinkles remain at a hydroformed product with a long expanded region and comprises performing a first step of raising the internal pressure in a state with the metal tube fixed in position at the two ends or a state applying axial pushing actions of 10% or less of the total amount of axial pushing action, then applying axial pushing actions while holding the internal pressure at a constant pressure so as to expand the metal tube near the ends, then performing a second step of raising only the internal pressure without applying any axial pushing action so as to thereby expand a center of the metal tube, then performing a third step of lowering only the internal pressure to the value of the constant pressure without applying any axial pushing action, then repeating the first to third steps one or more times, then raising the internal pressure in the state not applying any axial pushing action or applying an axial pushing action of 10% of the total axial pushing action amount or less.
US08281624B2
There is disclosed an anti-shoplifting device for projecting holders (4), in particular for the display of blister packs, comprising a first (1) and a second body (2), which are mutually movable between a locked position, in which they define an opening (21) for the passage of a hooked projecting holder, ensured by locking assembly (8, 9, 10), and an unlocked position achieved by unlocking assembly (12, 13, 14, 15) acting on the locking assembly (8, 9, 10). The locked and unlocked positions are such that the device is respectively hooked or removable from the projecting holder (4). Further, the first and second bodies (1, 2) are rotateably coupled in a separable manner by a rotating structure.
US08281622B2
A drum washing machine and a washing method of the drum washing machine wash clothes to be dry-cleaned, without water, using microfiber. The drum washing machine includes a tub; a drum rotatably provided in the tub; and a cleaning member contacting laundry in the drum to perform the dry-cleaning of the laundry. The drum washing machine washes clothes to be dry-cleaned, without water, using a cleaning member made of microfiber, thereby minimizing the deformation or shrinkage of the clothes.
US08281619B2
A method for forming shaped articles (28′) includes preparing a stack (26) having at least an adjacent set (27) of preformed material (28) and forming mold (30), where the preformed material (28) has an edge portion (34) that extends beyond a periphery of the forming mold (30), and the forming mold (30) has an external surface (32) with a desired surface profile of a shaped article. The stack (28) is heated. The stack (28) is advanced through a constriction (56) that has an internal surface configured to fold the edge portion (34) of the preformed material (28) into contact with the external surface (32) of the forming mold (30) as the edge portion (34) passes through the constriction (56), thereby forming a shaped article (28′) from the preformed material (28). The shaped article (28′) is then separated from the forming mold (30).
US08281613B2
A refrigerator includes a refrigerator main body having a storage chamber, a door coupled to the refrigerator main body to be opened or closed, a cool air supplying device which generates cool air, an ice maker including an ice making tray having ice making cells to produce ice and a cool air guide member installed in the door, coupled to the ice making tray and having a cool air line that guides the cool air supplied from the cool air supplying device to flow around the ice making tray. The cool air line disposed on the cool air guide member to supply the ice making tray guides the cool air supplied from the cool air supplying device to move along the surrounding of the ice making tray, thereby uniformly cooling down the ice making tray.
US08281608B2
The tubular conduit system of this invention allows modules requiring utilities to be positioned at any desired location within a cabinet, such as a refrigerator. The conduit is mounted to the cabinet of a refrigerator/freezer or the doors thereof and includes at least one electrical conductor positioned between the outer and inner walls and at least one fluid conduit within the inner wall. The conduit can be made of joined sections using connectors to also couple a module to the conduit such that modules can be installed at consumer selected locations prior to delivery of the refrigerator/freezer to the consumer.
US08281604B2
A turbine nozzle includes a row of vanes extending radially in span between inner and outer bands. The vanes include opposite pressure and suction sidewalls and opposite leading and trailing edges. Each vane includes an inner pattern of inner cooling holes and an outer pattern of outer cooling holes distributed along the leading edge. The inner and outer holes diverge toward the corresponding inner and outer bands to preferentially discharge cooling air.
US08281603B2
A sliding connection between components of dissimilar materials includes a first mating surface formed on a first component and a second mating surface formed on a second component and configured to mate with the first mating surface. The first component is connected to the second component at the first and the second mating surfaces by a fastener including a shank, a sleeve received by the shank, and a resilient member received by the shank and contained by the sleeve. The resilient member is configured to press the first mating surface and the second mating surface against one another and to permit the first mating surface to slide against the second mating surface.
US08281600B2
A method for cooling a combustor assembly having a cooling passage. The method includes providing at least one thimble including an inner surface that defines a first opening, a second opening that is downstream from the first opening, and a flow channel that extends between the first opening and the second opening. The flow channel has a converging portion and a recovery portion that is downstream from the converging portion. The method also includes inserting the at least one thimble into at least one inlet that is defined in at least one sleeve such that cooling air is discharged from the flow channel into the cooling passage.
US08281592B2
A direct heat exchange method and apparatus for recovering heat from a liquid heat source is disclosed, where the method includes contacting a liquid heat source stream with a multi-component hydrocarbon fluid, where the hydrocarbon fluid compositions has a linear or substantially linear temperature versus enthalpy relationship over the temperature range of the direct heat exchange apparatus.
US08281590B2
A system, apparatus and method for generating electricity from renewable geothermal, wind, and solar energy sources includes a heat balancer for supplementing and regulating the heat energy fed to a turbine generator; a hydrogen-fired boiler for supplying supplementary heat; and an injection manifold for metering controlled amounts of superheated combustible gas into the working fluids to optimize efficiency.Wind or solar power may be converted to hydrogen in an electrolysis unit to produce hydrogen. A phase separator unit that operates by cavitation of the geothermal fluids removes gases from the source fluid. A pollution prevention trap may be used to remove solids and other unneeded constituents of the geothermal fluids to be stored or processed in a solution mining unit for reuse or sale. Spent geothermal and working fluids may be processed and injected into the geothermal strata to aid in maintaining its temperature or in solution mining of elements in the lithosphere.
US08281584B2
In a wood-pellet cogeneration unit comprising a pellet feed, a combustion chamber, an ash removal device and a stirling engine, in order to achieve an optimum efficiency, provision is made for an exhaust gas recuperator (11) to preheat combustion air (10) and for wood pellets to be gasified with a portion of this hot air (13), for this portion (13) of the hot combustion air (10) to be directed above a grate (4) into a gasification combustion chamber (3a) and for the fuel gas (18) thus produced to be sucked downwards through the grate (4) together with the ash by a side channel blower (7), for the fuel gas (18) under the grate (4) to be displaced with a flow impulse of the rest (14) of the hot combustion air (10) in such a way that, firstly, a low lambda value close to the CO limit is maintained and, depending on the temperature of the combustion chamber (3b), the combustion at a central nozzle (19) is stabilized, or, with increasing temperature of the combustion chamber (3b), the state of flameless combustion increasingly appears, wherein a potential vortex (20) is produced in the combustion chamber (3b), said potential vortex (20) intensively mixing exhaust gas (6), fuel gas (18) and hot combustion air (14), such that fuel gas (18) and ash particles burn completely.
US08281576B2
Methods and systems are provided for managing particulate emissions in an engine including a particulate filter and a CO2 sensor downstream of the filter. A CO2 sensor may be used to infer the presence of particulate matter in the exhaust, downstream of the filter. By sensing particulate matter in the post-filter exhaust, filter degradation may be identified.
US08281570B2
A method of introducing a reducing agent into an exhaust stream may include injecting the reducing agent into the exhaust gas stream using a reducing agent injector. The method may further include selectively heating a nozzle of the reducing agent injector to reduce residue on the nozzle.
US08281566B2
A propulsion system may be operated by determining pressure in a cryogenic liquid tank storing a fluid and cooling the cryogenic liquid tank in response to determining that the pressure is greater than a predetermined value. The cryogenic liquid tank may be pressurized by admitting a gaseous form of the fluid into the cryogenic liquid tank in response to determining that the pressure in the cryogenic liquid tank is less than a predetermined value.
US08281557B2
Described herein are packaging systems for nasal devices, and methods of packaging and/or dispensing nasal devices. A packaging system may include one or a plurality of nasal devices removably secured to a support backing, and a dispenser. In some variations an applicator may also be included. Methods of using and methods of assembling packaging systems and dispensers are also described.
US08281546B2
A wind turbine is formed of a concrete tower which is erected by slip forming. A primary lifting device is erected onto the tower by being lifted together with the slip form and being subsequently transferred onto the tower from the slip form after the tower has been formed. The nacelle, generator, and rotor of the turbine are then lifted onto the tower using the primary lifting device. A secondary lifting device supported on the tower is used to lower the primary lifting device to the ground after the nacelle, generator and rotor are assembled. The height of the tower is therefore not limited by the availability of suitable cranes so that a greater height of tower can be erected to take advantage of winds at greater elevation.
US08281537B2
The invention relates to a masonry support system and method, suitable for bearing the load of a course of brick-work or defined brickwork panels, comprising a horizontal support section (2) in the X-plane for supporting said load; a vertical support section (3) in the Y-plane for affixing to a support structure; characterized in that there is provided integrated Z-axis adjustment means (61) for adjusting said relieving angle system forward or backwards relative to the support structure. The advantage of the present invention is that the system provides integrated Z-axis adjustment. This feature provides a unique level of tolerance compensation for unforeseen site variances. The invention provides a uniquely adjustable and easy to install angle brick masonry support system.
US08281532B2
A three-dimensional edge cladding for an architectural opening that includes a forward facing portion having a substantially constant first profile along a longitudinal axis. The forward facing portion includes a plurality of spaced apart nailing flanges, stepped surface topography projecting generally forward and away from the flanges. A longitudinally extending channel receives a side facing portion having a substantially constant second profile that include a portion that is generally orthogonal to the nailing flanges. A joint cover portion for covering the section where two or more edge cladding members meet.
US08281519B2
A sliding door or window (1) comprises: a fixed frame (2); a sash (3) which slides horizontally and which has a perimeter groove (C); a pair of carriages (4, 4a) on which the sash (3) slides and which rest on a track (5); a controlling member (6) mounted on the sash (3), connected to operating means (7) which, when actuated by the controlling member (6), lift the sash (3) from the carriages (4, 4a) so that it can be slid open, and then lower the sash (3) when the sash (3) is returned to the closed position; a first slider (8) slidably fitted in the groove (C) made in an upper horizontal member (9) of the sash (3) and connected to the operating means (7); a first contact element (10) located in the proximity of the first slider (8) and rotatable between a lowered, non-operating position and a raised operating position; drive means (11) acting between the first slider (8) and the first contact element (10) and designed to allow a first position of lifting and stable positioning of the first contact element (10) when the sash (3) moves from the raised configuration to the lowered configuration in such a way as to prevent the sash (3) from being lifted off the fixed frame (2).
US08281518B2
A shutter having a rectangular frame with side members and end members, and in which at least one of the side members is hollow, and a plurality of louvres extending from one side member to the other side member, and being rotatably mounted in the side members, and a control linkage within at least one of the side members, the control linkage having at least one control element, and each louvre having at least one control member engaging the respective control element, the control members being located spaced radially from the rotation axes of the louvres.
US08281506B2
A tool coupler assembly for a machine. The tool coupler assembly may have a coupler frame, a first latch, a second latch, and a hydraulic actuator connected to move the second latch relative to the first latch and the coupler frame. The hydraulic actuator may have a first chamber, a second chamber, and a pressure valve with a check element movable to allow a flow of fluid into the first chamber based on a pressure of fluid in the first chamber, and a pressure regulating element movable to allow a flow of fluid out of the first chamber based on a pressure of fluid in the second chamber. The tool coupler assembly may additionally have a first pilot passage configured to communicate fluid from the second chamber with the pressure-regulating element, and a second pilot passage configured to communicate fluid from the first chamber with the pressure-regulating element.
US08281505B2
A wear part for a bucket to a loading or digging machine, which bucket has at least one front edge plate with a forwardly directed engagement edge, and the wear part has a forward direction and a rearward direction and is provided with a hook portion for fixing of the wear part to the bucket, and the fastening portion has a spanning surface portion for co-operating in a contact surface area with a clamping surface portion on a fastening unit which is positionable through a hole in the front edge plate. The spanning surface portion extends at an angle against the forward direction such that, in use, when tightening the fastening unit, a force effecting the wear part in the rearward direction will occur. A fastening unit for the wear part and a wear part system, a bucket and a loading or digging machine are also provided.
US08281503B2
A multi-position heel assembly is structured and arranged to be integrally formed with or mechanically connected to a shoe. The assembly includes: a chassis; a heel connected to the chassis and rotatable relative to the chassis about an axis; and a locking mechanism including an actuator that is axially translatable along the axis. The locking mechanism selectively allows rotation of the heel relative to the chassis.
US08281502B2
Shoe upper having a lower end of the upper, an outer material with a lower end (19) of the outer material, a waterproof functional layer (16), which has a lower end region of the functional layer with a functional layer zone (20) not covered by outer material, and a connecting band (17), which extends in the direction of the periphery of the upper, has a upper longitudinal side (23) of the connecting band, joined to the end (19) of the outer material, and a lower longitudinal side (25) of the connecting band, at least partially overlaps the functional layer zone (20) and consists of liquefiable sealing material or of material through which liquid sealing material (37; 41) can flow, the connecting band (17) having at points of curvature of the lower end (19) of the outer material an arcuate shape corresponding to the local radius of curvature, with different degrees of curvature of the two longitudinal sides (23, 25) of the connecting band, in such a way that, for an arc sector lying in the respective curvature, with a predetermined unitary sector angle, the arc lengths belonging to this arc sector of the two longitudinal sides (23) of the connecting band differ from each other all the more the greater the curvature in the arc sector respectively being considered.
US08281500B2
A drying container insert that manages the evaporation rate of liquid solutions when subjected to blow-down gas flows. Certain gas flow separator baffles or framed inserts with vanes may be especially effective to enhance evaporation when combined with aggressive blow-down flow rates and centrifugal force. The centrifugal force applied to the evaporating liquid protects sample integrity by preventing the solution(s) from splashing out of the drying container. Such splashing, when high blow-down gas flow rates are directed into the sample containers, affects yield and purity.
US08281486B2
A method for machining a gas turbine rotor which is provided with a cooling air slot which concentrically extends around the axis of the gas turbine rotor and is supplied with compressed cooling air via axial cooling air holes which at the side lead into the slot base of the cooling air slot, and the opening of which is covered by bridges which are arranged in a distributed manner over the circumference and spaced apart from each other by gaps. A crack-resistant slot shape is achieved without intervention into the configuration of the bridges by a material-removing tool, particularly a milling tool, being lowered in the gaps between the bridges one after the other into the cooling air slot and in this way the slot base of the cooling air slot being machined and widened over the entire circumference.
US08281478B2
A method forming a fastener in-situ for fastening two parts at abutting surfaces. A through hole may be formed on each of the first and second parts such that the diameters of the through holes at the abutting surfaces are smaller than the diameters at opposing surfaces. The first and second parts are abutted with the through hole on the first part in fluid communication with the through hole on the second part. A flowable and hardenable material is injected into the first through hole while closing flow out of the second through hole. The flowable and hardenable material contained within the through holes is allowed to harden, thus forming a unitary fastener that fastens the parts.
US08281474B2
A tool and method of use directed to the extraction of a wheel bearing's outer ring. When a tractor or trailer's wheel bearing fails and is in need of replacement, the present invention provides for a quick and easy means of extracting the remaining wheel bearing component residing in the wheel rim, the outer ring. The tractor wheel bearing extraction tool of the present invention is comprised of two pieces. The first piece is inserted into the wheel cylinder within the wheel rim and locks to the wheel bearing outer ring. The tool's first piece thus provides for a punching back for the second piece of the tractor wheel bearing extraction tool. The second piece is a hammering rod and is inserted into the opposite end of the wheel cylinder within the wheel rim. The hammering rod locks into the first piece and allows the user to hammer out the outer ring wheel bearing component with one strike.
US08281473B2
A method of making a wearable surface for a device configured for material comminution includes positioning inserts adjacent to a first metal structure positioning a second metal structure adjacent to the inserts and the first metal structure such that there is a gap between the second metal structure and the first metal structure, and positioning at least one explosive adjacent to the second metal structure. The one or more explosives are ignited adjacent to the second metal structure to cause a portion of the first metal structure to deform to attach the inserts to the first metal structure. The wearable surface may be, for example, a semi-autogenous layer of a roller or may be a wearable surface of a crushing body of a crushing device configured to impact, crush, or grind material such as rock, minerals, ore or agglomerated material. Devices that include such a wearable surface are also disclosed.
US08281471B2
This invention provides for a ceiling radiation damper fusible link tool and method of inserting a fusible link for a ceiling radiation damper. The fusible link tool has a holder capable of holding a fusible link and a handle connected to the holder so that the holder may be inserted into a ceiling radiation damper by a user.
US08281468B2
Providing a method for manufacturing a package capable of improving production efficiency. Providing a method for manufacturing a package including: a base board and a lid board which are bonded to each other; an accommodated article which is sealed in a cavity formed between the base board and the lid board; and a penetration electrode which is disposed in a penetration hole penetrating through the base board so as to electrically connect the accommodated article to the outside, the method including: a penetration hole forming step of forming a penetration hole for the penetration electrodes 30b, 30b in the base board; a penetration electrode alignment step of inserting a core portion 7 of a conductive rivet member 9 into the penetration hole of the base board; a glass frit filling step of applying a paste-like glass frit 6a onto the other surface of the base board and filling the glass frit into the penetration hole; and a baking step of baking and curing the glass frit, wherein the glass frit filling step involves forming a glass frit filling portion 41 having a larger diameter than the penetration hole and filling the glass frit also into the glass frit filling portion.
US08281451B2
Cleaning sheets are provided, which attach to known wet and/or dry cleaning devices such as a mopping device. The cleaning sheets are reusable and have material and/or a geometric configuration that provides efficient cleaning performance, while maintaining a predetermined cleaning force during use.
US08281448B2
An oral care implement is provided having a head frame and a cleaning elements assembly attached thereto with tooth cleaning elements extending from one or more carriers. One or more central carriers can be suspended via a flexible bridge between a pair of support carriers attached to the head frame. The bridge may be formed from an elastomer and permit the one or more central carriers to move from an initial position toward the head frame during use. The bridge may include rigid supports and flexible elastomeric supports. The carriers and the bridge can be formed as a unitary assembly attached to the head frame, such as via mechanical connections. The mechanical connections could include snap-fit connections.
US08281434B2
A localized patient support comprises a base, an annular ring supported above the base and defining a cavity, and a gel pad having a plurality of sections located in the cavity. In some embodiments, the localized patient support includes a plurality of inflatable bladders located in the cavity between the base and the gel pad. At least some of the sections of the gel pad are vertically movable substantially independently of adjacent sections of the gel pad due to inflation or deflation of at least one of a corresponding bladder of the plurality of inflatable bladders. In some embodiments, the base and the annular ring comprise foam elements. In some embodiments, a cover is provided and has a stretchable anti-shear portion over situated above the gel pad.
US08281429B2
Viewing device comprised of two or more mirrors and an illumination component for self-viewing the anal-genital region while seated on a toilet bowl. The preferred embodiment comprises a forward mirror and a rear mirror positioned within a toilet bowl at angles with respect to each other, to the user's eye and to the user's anal-genital region such that when the user peers between slightly spread legs into the forward mirror an upward directed image of the user's anal-genital region is visible. The device preserves the region of the toilet bowl directly below the anal-genital region free of mirrors and all supportive apparatus.
US08281427B2
The drain apparatus of the present invention is designed and configured to prevent the entrapment of a person by the suction or vacuum forces of a drain in a swimming pool, spa, or any other large body of water with a recirculation system. The drain apparatus of the present invention has a spring biased plunger that immediately closes the drain of a swimming pool, spa, or any other large body of water when a substantial portion of the drain cover is blocked or restricted. By closing the drain, the drain apparatus of the present invention eliminates any vacuum or suction pressure at or underneath the drain cover that entraps a person thus allowing the person to break free easily and immediately without any time delays.
US08281424B2
A flush toilet for prevention of reverse flow and uses a reduced number of parts. The flush toilet includes a toilet body having a bowl, a rim water outlet, a jet water outlet, and a discharge water trap piping; a water storage tank. A flush water supply mechanism is provided for supplying flush water to the rim water outlet and the water storage tank and a pressurizing pump pressurizes the flush water in the water storage tank. A jet-side water supply path supplies the pressurized flush water to the jet water outlet. An overflow path is provided having a lower end connected to the downstream side of the highest position of the jet-side water supply path and an upper end opened in the upper part in the water storage tank with a flapper valve provided in the overflow path.
US08281420B2
A hinge assembly for a toilet seat, the hinge assembly comprising a hinge post for pivotally supporting the toilet seat on a toilet bowl, and a bolt embedded in the hinge post and configured to extend through an opening in the toilet bowl, the bolt having thereon a plurality of projections extending into the hinge post to distribute to the hinge post forces applied to the bolt.
US08281416B1
A device used while cooking to retain utensils and protect a user's hand and forearm from grease splatters is herein described. The device comprises a glove body made of a flexible fire-resistant material with individual finger and thumb appendages for increased dexterity. The device extends from the hand portion toward a wearer's elbow where an elastic strap provides a seal which prevents heated grease from splattering inside of the glove. A pair of straps is located within the palm area to help retain spatulas, spoons, tongs, whisks, or other similar food preparation utensils. The straps are secured together with fasteners thereby allowing the straps to adjust to any size utensil handle.
US08281415B2
A glove closure system having an opening dividing the glove into a lateral portion (thumb side) and a medial portion (pinky side). The opening allows for easy access of the user's hand. The system consists of a rectangular or oval flap attached to the lateral portion and pulled over the access opening. A push button is mounted on the flap and movably connected to a slide bar attached to the medial portion. The slide bar includes a notched surface for engaging and stationing the button at any point along the bar. The button includes a release tab which when depressed allows the button to move along the slide bar therein allowing for the closure to either be tightened or loosened. The further the button moves toward the lateral portion the tighter the closure. When the button is engaged and locked, a simple press on the release tab disengages to allow the glove to be opened.
US08286260B2
A system and method for analyzing and imaging a sample containing molecules of interest combines modified MALDI mass spectrometer and SNOM devices and techniques and includes: (A) an atmospheric pressure or near-atmospheric pressure ionization region; (B) a sample holder for holding the sample; (C) a laser for illuminating said sample; (D) a mass spectrometer having at least one evacuated chamber; (E) an atmospheric pressure interface for connecting said ionization region and said mass spectrometer; (F) a scanning near-field optical microscopy instrument; (G) a recording device for recording topography and mass spectrum measurements made during scanning of the sample with the near-field probe; (H) a plotting device for plotting said topography and mass spectrum measurements as separate x-y mappings; and (I) an imaging device for providing images of the x-y mappings.
US08286259B2
The present invention aims to provide a network projector which has a simple security function via a network. The network projector comprises a power source unit which supplies power to the network projector and a display signal control unit which, when confirming that a connection confirmation signal which is transmitted at a fixed period from a host computer via a network is not inputted for more than a predetermined time, outputs a supply stop signal to the power source unit indicating that the supply of power should be stopped.
US08286257B2
A method for collaborating a first computer with a second computer. The method includes sending an invitation from the first computer to the second computer, and sending a list of permissions from the first computer to the second computer upon acceptance of the invitation. The list of permissions allows the second computer to access a limited portion of one or more data on the first computer. The method further includes performing an analysis on the limited portion of the data stored on the first computer by the second computer, and sending a notification from the second computer to the first computer, wherein the notification indicates that the analysis has been performed on the limited portion of the data.
US08286256B2
A system, method, and user device for restricting access to the content of media over a network. Biometric information is collected and compared against pre-stored biometric information of a user to authenticate the identity of the user. The user then requests access to the content of a medium. Access is permitted to the requested content if the content is identified as content, or indicia identifying the content, that the user previously uploaded to the server. Access is denied to the requested content if the content is not identified as content, or indicia identifying the content, that the user previously uploaded to the server.
US08286252B2
A method of moving a rights object according to the present invention includes the following steps. First, a rights object in the memory card is disabled. Then, the rights object is copied from the memory card in response to a retrieval request and installed to a content player. After the installation, a removal request is transmitted to the memory card and the rights object in the memory card is removed (deleted). After transmitting the removal request, second state information is generated and held in the content player to indicate that the removal of the rights object in the memory card has not yet been completed and that the rights object installed in the content player is conditionally enabled. When the memory card receives the removal request, the memory card removes the rights object from the memory card and transmits a removal response for notifying completion of the removal to the content player.
US08286251B2
A computer-implemented method of tamper-protecting a computer program, the method comprising: processing an input representation of the computer program to identify a function call for causing a data processing system to continue execution of the computer program at a predetermined entry point memory address when said computer program is executed by a data processing system; replacing the identified function call with a modified function call, wherein the modified function call includes an algebraic expression for causing the data processing system to compute the entry point memory address when said computer program is executed by the data processing system.
US08286245B2
A method of scanning data for viruses in a computer device, the device having a browser for rendering the data for use. The method comprises storing the data in a buffer memory accessible to said browser and creating an instance of a browser plugin, said plugin providing a virus scanning function or providing a route to a virus scanning function. The data is scanned for viruses using the instance of the plugin and, if no viruses are detected in the data, it is returned to the browser for rendering. If a virus is detected in the data, rendering of the data is inhibited.
US08286235B2
An apparatus and method for managing a rights object by backing up and restoring the rights object between a host device and a multimedia card are provided. The apparatus includes an input unit that receives an order signal from a user, a rights-object-managing unit that determines whether the rights object can be backed up and restored based on rights object information when the order signal is input, and backs up and restores the rights object according to a result of the determination, and an information-managing unit that manages information related to movement and removal of the rights object and information on the backed up and restored rights object.
US08286234B2
In order to improve operability by decreasing the number of times of switching between screens, an MFP includes an authentication portion which authenticates a user using authentication information input into one of first to third user I/Fs, a process executing portion which executes processes according to settings input, a first association data storing portion which stores first association data associating input data with the authenticated user, a second association data storing portion which stores second association data associating processes executed for the input data with the respective user I/Fs, and a determining portion which determines, in response to authentication by the authentication portion, a screen for the process associated by the second association data with one of the first to third user I/Fs that accepted the authentication information used for the authentication, if data associated with the authenticated user by the first association data is stored.
US08286230B2
A method and apparatus for associating session ticket includes a ticketing authority server. The ticketing authority server receives a ticket generation request and information about a client node. It identifies a master session ticket associated in a storage element with the client node. The ticketing authority server then generates a derivative session ticket for the client node and associates the derivative session ticket with the master session ticket. Finally, the ticketing authority server stores information about the client node and the derivative session ticket in the storage element.
US08286225B2
A method and apparatus for detecting cyber threats using reinforced cookies, which include HTTP cookies, history cookies, cache cookies and/or other types. A history cookie comprises an entry for a particular web page in a browser's navigation history. A cache cookie comprises an entry for a particular object (e.g., an image file) within a browser's cache. Upon a client's first visit to a web server, an identifier record is generated comprising data such as a user ID, a client device ID, an age (e.g., a counter), a cookie type, an authentication field, etc. From the unique identifier, one or more types of reinforced cookies are generated and stored with the client browser. On a subsequent visit, the client's cookie configuration is examined to determine whether the client may be the perpetrator or victim of a cyber attack. Cookies may be updated or replaced on some or all visits.
US08286223B2
Software for managing access control functions in a network. The software includes a host that receives access control commands or information and calls one or more methods. The methods perform access control functions and communicate access control results or messages to be transmitted. The host may be installed in a network peer seeking access to the network or in a server controlling access to the network. When installed in a peer, the host receives commands and exchanges information with a supplicant. When installed in an access control server, the host receives commands and exchanges information with an authenticator. The host has a flexible architecture that enables multiple features, such as allowing the same methods to be used for authentication by multiple supplicants, providing ready integration of third party access control software, simplifying network maintenance by facilitating upgrades of authenticator software and enabling access control functions other than peer authentication.
US08286222B2
A method for authenticating a pharmaceutical product, the pharmaceutical product being associated with packaging having disposed thereon or therein coded data including a number of coded data portions, each coded data portion being indicative of an identity of the pharmaceutical product and at least part of a digital signature of at least part of the identity. The method includes, using a sensing device to sense at least one coded data portion. A processor then determines the identity at least one determined signature part, and uses these to authenticate the pharmaceutical product. The coded data is arranged in accordance with at least one layout having n-fold rotational symmetry, where n is at least two. The layout includes n identical sub-layouts rotated 1/n revolutions apart about a centre of rotation. At least one sub-layout includes rotation-indicating data that distinguishes that sub-layout from each other sub-layout
US08286216B2
Method and system for transmitting data between a central radio station and at least one transmitter
First data is transmitted between a central radio station and at least one transmitter, where the first data is in first data fields of data packets and useful data is in second data fields of the data packets. The first data fields in this context are pre-reserved by the central radio station for the transmission of second data between the transmitter(s) and the receivers.
US08286215B2
A time sequential signal comprising audiovisual content and network addresses is received and displayed on a display device by the systems of the invention in a time sequential manner. The display of the time sequential signal is paused whenever a displayed network address is selected. While pausing the display, data corresponding to any selected network address is accessed and displayed on the display device. The corresponding data may comprise a web page accessed through the Internet or an interval page that is transmitted within the vertical blanking intervals of the time sequential signal. While pausing the display of the time sequential signal, the time sequential signal is recorded so that it can be viewed in the order it was recorded as soon as a resume display command is received by the system.
US08286214B2
Provided is a method and system for receiving and displaying video from both an Internet and a broadcast video source. Also provided is a frame controller for receiving video data from an Internet video stream and from a cable broadcast video stream, the frame controller further in communication with a television display and causing the Internet video stream and the cable broadcast video stream to each be displayed in a separate frame on the television display.
US08286213B2
An HTTP based video streaming apparatus and method of a mobile communication system is disclosed. A memory, such as a storing disk, stores content files received from a server of a transmitting party, a random access searching unit searches the random access point in the memory and transmits a content file request message to the transmitting server if the random access point does not exist in the memory, and a display unit displays the files from the random access point. Therefore, HTTP streaming service from a random point required by a user can be provided when the streaming has begun, and the random access function can be supported by even if the part required by the user has not yet been transmitted to receiving party.
US08286211B1
A wireless audio and video signal transmitting and receiving system includes a transmitting assembly including having a first logic circuit, an input for receiving a plurality of channel signals electrically coupled to the first logic circuit and at least one signal transmitter electrically coupled to the first logic circuit. The signal transmitter transmits all of the channel signals on a discrete channel frequency. Each of a plurality of receiving assemblies includes a second logic circuit and signal receiver electrically coupled to the second logic circuit. The signal receiver receives the channel signals from the at least one signal transmitter. An output electrically coupled to the second logic circuit is electrically couplable to a monitoring device to monitor the channel signals received by the signal receiver.
US08286201B2
A digital broadcasting system and a data processing method are disclosed. A data processing method of a digital broadcasting receiver comprises receiving a mobile/handheld (MH) broadcasting signal including mobile service data and main service data; generating a RS (Reed-Solomon) frame from the received MH broadcasting signal; extracting control data from the RS frame, the control data including charge adjustment information required to use a service provided by at least one service provider, the service being encrypted; determining whether the service is available, by comparing the extracted charge adjustment information with balance information written in the smart card; controlling the second RS frame using the control data so that an encrypted service of the second RS frame is decrypted, if the service is available; and mapping the extracted charge adjustment information with a corresponding service provider and storing the information.
US08286195B2
A computing device has two or more software stacks, each stack simultaneously running a different operating system. Only one enabled operating system at a time has control of hardware resources of the computing device. Each disabled operating system has its device drivers disabled. The drivers may be disabled by stopping device driver messages to devices at a firmware layer unassociated with any operating system. The drivers may be disabled by having their associated operating system dynamically unload them when the operating system is disabled. In some instances, the drivers may be modified to include a “stop” control that tells the driver to stop communicating with its associated device, and a “resume” control that tells the driver to resume communication. When an operating system is disabled, the operating system may send a “stop” message to its device drivers. Drivers associated with messages passed between operating systems may remain enabled.
US08286188B1
An interprocess memory controller is described that may be used to provide multiple processes within a multi-process device with access to a shared physical memory. The described interprocess memory controller may enforce access rights to shared memory that has been allocated to the respective processes, thereby guarding the multi-process device from instability due to the unauthorized overwriting and/or unauthorized freeing of allocated memory. The described interprocess memory controller approach may streamline interprocess communication by allowing data associated with an interprocess communication to be passed from a first process to a second process by passing a pointer as well as access rights to a buffer in shared memory that contains the message data. In this manner, the described interprocess memory controller approach may avoid the inefficiency of interprocess communication approaches that copy message data from a shared memory controlled by a first process to a shared memory controlled by a second process.
US08286178B2
A system, method, and computer program product for managing processor entitlement of virtual processors in logical partitioned data processing system. One embodiment of the invention provides a method of managing processing resources in a data processing system. The method involves creating a resource set comprising a grouping of virtual processors, and allocating a processing resource entitlement the resource set. The method also includes assigning the resource set to a workload, receiving a request by the workload for utilization of processing resources, and in response to receiving the workload request dispatching the assigned resource set. The method further includes determining whether the dispatched virtual processors of the resource set have exceeded the assigned processing resource entitlement, and in response to determining that the processing resource entitlement has been exceeded, undispatching the resource set.
US08286173B2
A system provides a task scheduler to define a priority queue with at least one window and a queue-window key. Each window is an ordered collection of tasks in a task pool of the priority queue and is identified by the queue-window key. The task scheduler sets a task-window key equal to a user-window key when the user-window key is greater than the minimum queue-window key. The task scheduler can further set the task-window key equal to the minimum queue-window key when the user-window key is less than the minimum queue-window key. A maximum task limit per user for each window and a priority increment for the user-window key are further applied to ensure fair scheduling.
US08286172B2
Implementations of the present principles include Best-effort computing systems and methods. In accordance with various exemplary aspects of the present principles, a application computation requests directed to a processing platform may be intercepted and classified as either guaranteed computations or best-effort computations. Best-effort computations may be dropped to improve processing performance while minimally affecting the end result of application computations. In addition, interdependencies between best-effort computations may be relaxed to improve parallelism and processing speed while maintaining accuracy of computation results.
US08286171B2
The present invention provides methods and systems to enable fast, efficient, and scalable means for fingerprinting textual information using word runs. The present system receives textual information and provides algorithms to convert the information into representative fingerprints. In one embodiment, the fingerprints are recorded in a repository to maintain a database of an organization's secure data. In another embodiment, textual information entered by a user is verified against the repository of fingerprints to prevent unauthorized disclosure of secure data. This invention provides approaches to allow derivative works (e.g., different ordering of words, substitution of words with synonyms, etc.) of the original information to be detected at the sentence level or even at the paragraph level. This invention also provides means for enhancing storage and resource efficiencies by providing approaches to optimize the number of fingerprints generated for the textual information.
US08286169B2
In some embodiments, the invention involves a platform-based firmware to provide a programmable scheduling timer interval. Dynamic scheduling intervals for non-interrupt driven device drivers and services utilize polling to determine device activity. In at least one embodiment, the disclosed subject matter reduces power consumption of a platform by decreasing the frequency of the system timer-tick when the platform is running in a lower power state. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08286162B2
Embodiments of apparatuses, methods, and systems for delivering an interrupt to a virtual processor are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes an interface to receive an interrupt request, delivery logic, and exit logic. The delivery logic is to determine, based on an attribute of the interrupt request, whether the interrupt request is to be delivered to the virtual processor. The exit logic is to transfer control to a host if the delivery logic determines that the interrupt request is not to be delivered to the virtual processor.
US08286158B2
According to the invention, a first executable environment is provided. The first executable environment is for execution within an operating system environment of a host computer system. The first executable environment is not an emulator for emulating any of another processor and another operating system. A software application is provided for installation and execution within the operating system environment. The software application is for fixed installation and not for installation in a portable fashion for being ported from one host computer system to another. The software application is then installed within the first executable environment, the installed software application installed within a removable peripheral memory storage device for execution within the first executable environment.
US08286155B1
A method of distributing a software upgrade to user computer systems having a software application installed thereon is disclosed. A determination is made as whether the software upgrade is to be a forced upgrade or a recommended upgrade for a first user based on a parameter related to the first user or the software upgrade. A determination is made as to whether a software upgrade file is to be downloaded to a user computer using a trickle mode or a burst mode.
US08286154B2
A method includes comparing a first layout of data elements associated with a first version of a class and a second layout of data elements associated with a second version of the class. The first and second versions of the class are associated respectively with first and second versions of assembly code. The method also includes updating method information in an existing object instance associated with the first version of the class if the first and second layouts are identical. In addition, the method includes creating a new object instance associated with the second version of the class and transferring one or more values of one or more data elements from the existing object instance to the new object instance when the first and second layouts are not identical.
US08286153B2
A system and method are provided for optimizing component composition in a distributed stream-processing environment having a plurality of nodes capable of being associated with one or more of a plurality of stream processing components. The system includes an adaptive composition probing (ACP) module and a hierarchical state manager. The ACP module probes a subset of the plurality of stream processing components to determine the optimal component composition in response to a stream processing request. The hierarchical state manager manages local and global information for use by said ACP module in determining the optimal component composition.
US08286150B2
A computer is caused to function as a parsing unit, a macroblocking analyzing unit, a junction-node restructuring unit, an identical portion merging/restructuring unit, a similar portion merging/restructuring unit, and an intermediate language restructuring unit. The parsing unit performs syntax analysis of a source code. The macroblocking analyzing unit segments the program written in the source code into blocks and appends a virtual portion representing a unique number in a statement, to a number for identifying a variable for the statement in each block to virtualize a calculation pattern. The junction-node restructuring unit extracts a node directly related to a subroutine block. The identical portion merging/restructuring unit merges pre-processing together and post-processing together for a subroutine called up at a multiple portions in the program. The similar portion merging/restructuring unit integrates subroutines having similar structures into a related subroutine.
US08286148B2
Software managing long names in an application programming interface receives a request to perform a requested operation on one or more fields, the application comprising a first operation operable to perform the requested operation on at least one field type. The software determines whether the field type of any of the fields is incompatible with the first operation. If the field types of the one or more fields are compatible with the first operation, then the software performs the requested operation on the one or more fields using the first operation. If the software determines that the field type of at least one of the fields is incompatible with the first operation, then it converts the request into a call for a second operation operable to perform the requested operation on the one or more fields and performs the requested operation using the second operation.
US08286146B2
A method for automatic generation of schema mapping application code. The method includes loading a code generation tool with source and target schemas. The method further includes defining the mapping specification between the source and the target. The method proceeds by triggering the code generation tool. Afterwards, the method proceeds by compiling the generated code. Furthermore, the method includes executing the generated code to transform input data files.
US08286127B2
Mounting and populating a mirrored version of at least a portion of a file system of a recruiter machine at a volunteer machine performing one or more data processing tasks for the recruiter machine is disclosed. In some embodiments, an input stored in such a dedicated file system for the recruiter machine at the volunteer machine may be locally retrieved and reused, if still consistent with a corresponding input stored in a file system at the recruiter machine, when performing a data processing task for the recruiter machine at the volunteer machine. In some embodiments, if an input required by the volunteer machine to perform a data processing task for the recruiter machine is not cached in such a dedicated file system for the recruiter machine at the volunteer machine in a state that is consistent with a corresponding input stored in a file system at the recruiter machine, the input is obtained from the recruiter machine.
US08286126B1
Systems and methods which implement declarative language for specifying states within imperative code are shown. According to embodiments an application program developer declaratively identifies one or more states within the imperative code of the application program. Declarative language identifying a particular state of an application program may both operate to identify the state and to describe the state so that the state may be selected or “jumped to” without a user having to navigate the application program flow to arrive at the state. Particular states may be described using a difference or “delta” between the particular state and another state, such as a base state. Transitions may be implemented between states, such as to provide animation, fading, color change, et cetera.
US08286108B2
A method of synthesis of multiple implementations of a design is provided comprising: translating a model of the design to a first output model compliant with first constraints; and translating the model of the design to a second output model compliant with second constraints.
US08286105B2
A mobile terminal and idle screen display method for the same are provided. The mobile terminal includes a memory unit for storing an idle screen image, a display unit for displaying the idle screen image, an input means for generating a selection signal to select a zone of the idle screen image, and a control unit for controlling transmission of the idle screen image from the memory unit to the display unit, for zooming-in, and for displaying a selected zone of the idle screen image.
US08286098B2
A mobile terminal and a method for displaying executable functions are disclosed. A plurality of rotatable three-dimensional polyhedral icons is displayed on a touch screen display. Executable functions are assigned to the faces of the three-dimensional polyhedral icons, and at least two faces are visible. A polyhedral icon may be selected and continuously rotated about its horizontal and vertical axes to display other faces, and the executable function on the face parallel to the plane of the display may be executed, thereby providing a convenient way to access executable functions of a mobile terminal.
US08286096B2
The display apparatus is provided with a generating unit that generates a menu image in which selection items of a menu are geometrically arranged; and a controller that makes the menu image displayed on a screen of a display and that makes positions of the selection items in the menu image dynamically changed.
US08286092B2
Embodiments of the present invention generally provide a goal-based graphical user interface for managing business solutions and more particularly, a user interface that helps a user manage and achieve the user's goals across multiple platforms for the solutions utilized by the goals. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention provide a system for managing goals that allows a user to create/customize specific user goals and/or modify existing goals to meet the user's needs.
US08286090B2
Certain embodiments of the present technology provide a method of displaying and visualizing information in accordance with the amount of screen space available. Other embodiments provide a system for displaying and visualizing information in accordance with the amount of screen space available. Yet other embodiments provide a computer-readable medium having a set of instructions for execution by a computer, the set of instruction capable of displaying and visualizing information in accordance with the amount of screen space available.
US08286086B2
A system and method are directed towards enabling control of widgets using on-widget data controls. A visitor may enter selective personal information and determine what information is made available on a social networking webpage. A visitor to a social networking website may select to not have their information displayed at a social networking website, while still being displayed at another social networking website. A visitor's information may be displayed within a reader roll, an association listing, a visitor comment page, or the like. An owner of a social networking website may also select not to have a visitor's information displayed on the website. In one embodiment, selecting not to display information may be performed by ‘mousing’ over the information and selecting a display option. Social networking websites may look to a centralized registration system to determine whether to display the visitor information.
US08286075B2
Transforming source data in a source markup language to target data in a target markup language using transformation rules mapping source tags to corresponding target tags. In an embodiment, the transformation rules (e.g., in an XSL) are preprocessed to identify and store source tags (“referenced tags”), which need to be processed to apply the transformation rules of other source tags. The source tags in the source data (e.g., XML) are retrieved sequentially (e.g., by SAX parser) and the contents are stored in memory if the source tag is one of the identified referenced tags. The target tags are generated (e.g., as XML) using the contents stored in memory for another source tag matching a transformation rule immediately upon reading the source tag. Only a few of the contents of source tags and the identifiers of the referenced tags may need to be stored in memory. As a result, the memory requirements may be reduced.
US08286064B2
Provided is a transmission device which improves the error rate characteristic upon decoding when performing error correction encoding by using a self-orthogonal code or an LDPC-CC in a communication system using a communication path having a fading fluctuation, multi-value modulation, or MIMO transmission. In the transmission device, the self-orthogonal encoding unit (110) encodes a self-orthogonal code having a constriction length K and an interleave unit (130) rearranges a code word sequence so that the same modulation symbol includes an information bit of a moment i and a non-correlated bit of the information bit of the moment i in a multi-value modulation unit (150).
US08286061B2
Error detection using parity compensation in binary coded decimal (BCD) and densely packed decimal (DPD) conversions, including a computer program product having a tangible storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method. The method includes receiving formatted decimal data in a first format, the formatted decimal data consisting of a DPD format data or a BCD format data. One or more first parity bits are generated by converting the received data into a second format of the formatted decimal data, and by determining the parity of the data in the second format. One or more second parity bits are generated directly from the received data. An error flag is set to indicate an error in the data in the second format in response to the first parity bits not being equal to the second parity bits.
US08286055B2
A nonvolatile memory device includes a memory cell array configured to comprise memory cells coupled by bit lines and word lines, a page buffer unit configured to comprise page buffers and flag latches, wherein the page buffers, coupled to one or more of the bit lines, each are configured to comprise a plurality of latches for storing logic operation results for error correction and configured to store data read using a read voltage, and the flag latches each are configured to classify the page buffers into some page buffer groups each having a predetermined number and to store flag information indicating whether an error has occurred in each group, and an error detection code (EDC) checker configured to determine whether an error has occurred in each of the page buffer groups.
US08286054B2
In a write operation, an error of regular data read from a regular memory cell is detected and corrected using parity data. A part of the corrected regular data is replaced with write data, to thereby generate new parity data. When write commands are supplied, the parity data starts to be read from a parity memory cell after the read of the regular data is started and while the regular data is read. Further, while the new parity data is supplied to the parity memory cell, the regular data starts to be read from the regular memory cell in response to a following write command. Accordingly, an access cycle time of a semiconductor memory can be reduced.
US08286052B2
A wireless communication method and apparatus for detecting and decoding enhanced dedicated channel (E-DCH) hybrid automatic repeat request (H-ARQ) indicator channel (E-HICH) transmissions are disclosed. A wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) receives E-HICH transmissions and detects an H-ARQ indicator transmitted via the E-HICH by performing a binary hypothesis test. The WTRU then generates an acknowledgement (ACK) message or a non-acknowledgement (NACK) message based on the detected H-ARQ indicator. A reliability test may be further performed to improve performance, whereby the binary hypothesis test may be performed only if the reliability test is passed.
US08286045B2
A test apparatus testing a device under test includes a main pattern generating section that generates a main pattern, a plurality of sub-pattern generating sections each of which generates a sub-pattern corresponding to a different one of segment cycles based on a main pattern, the segment cycles formed by dividing a test cycle period, a test signal supplying section that supplies, to the device under test, a multiplexed test pattern formed by switching sub-patterns generated by the plurality of sub-pattern generating sections at each of the segment cycles, and a plurality of delay selecting sections each of which selects one of a main pattern that is from the main pattern generating section and a delayed main pattern that is formed by delaying the main pattern from the main pattern generating section by a test cycle, to supply the selected one to the corresponding sub-pattern generating section.
US08286044B2
A method for self-contained testing within a DRAM comprises the DRAM receiving an instruction from an external processor to test a memory core on the DRAM, and the DRAM self-testing the memory core with one or more BIST pattern stored in a multipurpose register on the DRAM. Optionally, the step of self-testing may include writing the BIST pattern into all locations of the memory core, reading each location of the memory core, and comparing the content read from each location of the memory core with the BIST pattern, wherein a negative comparison indicates a failure has occurred. In a further option, the method may further comprise, after testing the DRAM, initializing the DRAM with an INIT pattern stored in the multipurpose register on the DRAM.
US08286043B2
A system for testing a logic circuit which has two or more test routine modules. Each module contains a set of instructions which is executable by (a part of) the logic circuit. The set forms a test routine for performing a self-test by the part of the logic circuit. The self-test includes the part of the logic circuit testing itself for faulty behavior, and the part of the logic circuit determining a self-test result of the testing. The system includes a test module which can execute a test application which subjects the logic circuit to a test by performing the self-test on at least a part of the logic circuit by causes the part of the logic circuit to execute a selected test routine, and determining, by the test module, an overall test result at least based on a performed self-tests. The test module includes a control output interface for activates the execution of the a selected test routine. A second test module input interface can receive the self-test result from a selected test routine. At a test module output interface the overall test result may be outputted. The test routine includes instructions for outputting, by the part of the logic circuit, data to a test routine output interface which is not connected to the second test module input interface, for outputting information about the self-test result by the test routines without passing the information through the test module.
US08286040B2
A device having testing capabilities, the device includes: a tested circuit that includes multiple scan chains; a compactor adapted to compress scan chain test responses; a mask unit, connected between the multiple scan chains and the compactor, wherein the mask unit is adapted to mask scan chain test responses outputted by the multiple scan chains during a masking period; and an mask prevention unit, adapted to prevent masking of scan chain test responses during a mask prevention period that at least partially overlaps a mask unit configuration period.
US08286025B1
Methods and apparatus are provided for allowing efficient clock domain crossing management in programmable chip systems. Components associated with different clock domains can be analyzed. Clock domain crossing components are automatically selected from a library of clock domain crossing components to allow connection between disparate clock domains. Clock domain crossing components can be shared, chained, and intelligently selected for increased efficiency.
US08286024B2
A memory card includes a memory controller configured to perform control for sending and receiving a command signal, a response signal, a data signal, and a status signal in synchronization with a clock signal, and a memory-side pattern signal storage unit configured to store a tuning pattern signal to be sent to a host device. The tuning pattern signal is used by the host device to adjust the phase of the clock signal for use as a sampling clock signal. The memory card sends a first tuning pattern signal through a command line and a second tuning pattern signal through a data line concurrently.
US08286018B2
A power management circuit is provided for a data storage device that is adapted for communicating with a host via an interface circuit. The power management circuit is responsive to a utilization of a control circuit of the data storage device, determined independently of the communication between the data storage device and the host, in providing a supply power to the data storage device. A method is provided comprising connecting a data storage device with a host via an interface circuit; sending data transfer commands from the host to the interface circuit; and monitoring the utilization of a control circuit of the data storage device in terms of the rate at which commands are processed by the control circuit for use in selectively providing a supply power to the data storage device.
US08286017B2
A network interface including: a medium access control device configured to operate at a first power state during an inactive power mode, and operate at a second power state during an active power mode; a physical layer device including (i) an energy detect module configured to detect energy on a medium during the inactive power mode, and (ii) an energy save module configured to time a first pre-determined period subsequent to the energy detect module detecting energy on the medium. The medium access control device is further configured to, subsequent to the energy detect module detecting energy on the medium, transition to the second power state of the active power mode, and communication with the medium access control device via the medium is enabled subsequent to expiration of the first pre-determined period.
US08286015B2
A multi-device storage system can be arranged into power saving systems by placing one or more storage devices into a reduced power consuming state when the storage activity associated with the system is sufficiently reduced that an attendant decrease in throughput will not materially affect users of the storage system. Where data redundancy is provided for, a redundant storage device can be placed into the reduced power consuming state and its redundancy responsibilities can be transitioned to a partition of a larger storage device. Such transitions can be based on specific parameters, such as write cycles or latency, crossing thresholds, including upper and lower thresholds, they can also be based on pre-set times, or a combination thereof. Lifecycle information, including lifecycle information collected in real-time by storage devices on a block-by-block basis, can be utilized to obtain historical empirical data from which to select the pre-set times.
US08286010B2
A system includes a high-current junction, a voltage sensor, and a controller. Power connectors of two components are electrically connected at the high-current junction, where a high current passes between the two components at the high-current junction. The voltage sensor detects a voltage at the high-current junction. The controller performs a predetermined action in response to the voltage sensor detecting the voltage at the high-current junction being greater than a predetermined threshold voltage. The system may be a data center rack. The high-current junction may be the junction at which an alternating current (AC) input receives AC power from AC mains. The high-current junction may alternatively be the junction at which a power supply receives the AC power from the AC input to generate direct current (DC) power to provide to data center rack components insertable within the data center rack.
US08286006B2
Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for producing and delivering packetized power within a DC computing environment. Within the DC computing environment a power requirement or request is communicated to a power router. The power router then determines a power source capable of fulfilling the power requirement and then causes the power to be delivered in packetized form. The packetized power is appended to a message header which allows the power packet to be received by the requesting device.
US08286004B2
Described embodiments provide encryption/decryption of data transferred between a media controller and a storage device. The media controller provides encryption/decryption based on a root key (RK). Storage in a one-time programmable (OTP) memory is provided as a plurality of un-burned slots. The OTP memory is initially provided without the RK, which is generated with a random number generator. A control module performs the steps of i) burning the RK to an initial slot of the OTP memory, and ii) validating the burned RK (bRK) stored at the initial slot based on a comparison of the RK and the burned RK. If the control module validates the burned RK, the burned RK is employed by the media controller. Otherwise, one or more subsequent slots of the OTP memory are burned with the RK until the control module validates the corresponding burned RK.
US08286002B2
The invention includes a method and apparatus for providing secure remote access to enterprise networks. An apparatus includes a network interface module adapted for maintaining a secure network connection with a network device independent of a power state of a host computer associated with the apparatus a storage module for storing information associated with the secure connection, and a processor coupled to the network interface and the memory where the processor is adapted for automatically initiating the secure connection without user interaction.
US08285999B1
With the widespread use of the distributed systems comes the need to secure such systems against a wide variety of threats. Recent security mechanisms are grossly inadequate in authenticating the program executions at the clients or servers, as the clients, servers and the executing programs themselves can be compromised after the clients and servers pass the authentication phase. A generic framework is provided for authenticating remote executions on a potentially untrusted remote server—essentially validating that what is executed at the server on behalf of the client is actually the intended program. Details of a prototype Linux implementation are also described, along with some optimization techniques for reducing the run-time overhead of the present scheme. The performance overhead of this technique varies generally from 7% to 24% for most benchmarks, as seen from the actual remote execution of SPEC benchmarks.
US08285996B2
A database management system (1) comprises up to fifty or more workstations (2), each for a user. The environment may, for example, be a hospital and the system manages medical records in a secure manner. Each user has a private key issued by a KGC (5). A database controller (3) updates a secure database (3) with data and associated signatures generated by the user workstations (2). Thus every record of the secure database (3) has a signature to provide full traceability and non-repudiation of data edits/updates. It is important for the system (1) that the signatures are verified on a regular basis, say every hour. Such a task would be extremely processor-intensive if the database (3) is large. However this is performed by a verification processor (4) of the system (1) in a much shorter time than heretofore, t1+n(&Dgr;), where t1 is the time for one verification, n is the number of signatures, and &Dgr; is a time value which is a very small proportion of t1 (less than 1%).
US08285994B2
Two-way authentication between two communication endpoints using a one-way out-of-band (OOB) channel
Techniques for two-way authentication between two communication endpoints (e.g., two devices) using a one-way out-of-band (OOB) channel are presented. Here, in embodiments, both communication endpoints may be securely authenticated as long as the one-way OOB channel is tamper-proof. Embodiments of the invention do not require the one-way OOB channel to be private to ensure that both endpoints are securely authenticated. Since providing a two-way or private OOB channel adds to the cost of a platform, embodiments of the invention provide for a simple and secure method for two-way authentication that uses only a non-private one-way OOB channel and thus helping to reduce platform cost. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08285991B2
An electronic signature device includes a processor, a memory, a user input device including a first biometric input device, and a device interface, all communicatively connected by at least one bus. A method of personalizing the electronic signature device to a user includes receiving a digitized biometric signature of the user via the first biometric input device. A cryptographic key is generated. A biometric electronic template is generated based on the digitized biometric signature. The cryptographic key and the biometric electronic template are stored in the memory.
US08285987B1
A method of emulation-based page granularity code signing comprising the steps of: copying guest operating system instructions and associated hash message authentication codes and/or digital signatures of each guest operating instruction from an untrusted guest operating system memory into a trusted host operating system memory; recomputing the hash message authentication codes using a secret key in the trusted host operating system memory; maintaining the secret key in the trusted host operating system memory and inaccessible by the untrusted guest operating system instructions; translating each guest operating system instruction that has a valid hash message authentication code to a set of host operating system instructions; executing the decrypted guest operating system instructions in the trusted host operating system; and modifying the guest operating system memory and registers when the set of translated host operating instructions executes in the trusted host operating system, such that it appears as if the original guest operating system instructions had been executed in the untrusted guest operating system.
US08285984B2
A network extension device comprising a CPU, memory, protected I/O connectable to local controls and peripherals, external communications port, a trusted device connected to the CPU such that it can provide attestation of the network extension device's trusted operation to a connected known external network, and a protected interface connected to at least one network extension module that includes a local network communications port. Optionally, a traffic encryption module may be provided, and the trusted device's attestation may include a check of its operation. Also, a method comprising connecting the network extension device to an external network, performing an operating mode check, causing the network extension device to operate in a mode and perform a security check that correspond to the result, causing the trusted device to attest trusted operation to the external network and thereafter causing the CPU to function fully and permitting access to the external network.
US08285982B2
A plug-in is provided to existing electronic message programs, such as electronic mail message programs, to provide a virtual toolbar therein. The virtual toolbar includes one or more virtual buttons that allow a user to select multimedia content to be added to an electronic message. The multimedia content may include, without limitation, any one or more of: graphics, audio, animation, video and text selections. The multimedia content may further include customizable templates in which business messages may be generated. The virtual buttons may be each be assigned to one category of related content, such as: Backgrounds for providing graphic backgrounds to a message, Holiday Themes for providing multimedia content associated with particular holidays, Animations for including FLASH animations or the like to a message, and Text for including pre-formatted text to a message. The content, appearance and number of virtual buttons may automatically be changed or updated by a content provider from time to time when the installed plug-in accesses a content server over a computer network, such as the Internet.
US08285981B2
Various embodiments are disclosed relating to remote network device provisioning. A method is disclosed, the method comprising discovering a network address associated with a device on a network based on a discovery response received in response to a discovery request provided to the device. One or more configurable boot options associated with the device may be determined based at least in part on the discovery response. One or more of the configurable boot options may be configured on the device, wherein, upon reboot of the device using the configured boot options, a software image is provided to the device.
US08285978B2
A storage medium storing a master boot record, a computer system having the same, and a booting method of the computer system, the storage medium including: a first sector to store a first master boot record including an execution code for grasping command information and implementing a preset control according to the command information; a first data storage region to store a first data file for booting; a second sector to store a second master boot record to implement booting based on the first data file; a second data storage region to store a second data file for booting; and a third sector to store a third master boot record to implement booting based on the second data file.
US08285973B2
A method, processor and processing system provide management of per-thread pipeline resource allocation in a simultaneous multi-threaded (SMT) processor by counting indications of instruction completion for each of the threads. The indication may be the commit phase of the pipeline, which indicates results of the pipeline instruction execution are ready for write-back. The completion counts are used in a relative or absolute form to control the pipeline resource allocation. The decode or fetch rates of instructions for the threads can be controlled from the relative or absolute completion counts, providing control of scheduling instructions among the threads for execution by execution pipeline(s). Alternatively, or in combination, the thread priority registers in any thread priority management scheme can be controlled by comparison and/or scaling of the completion counts.
US08285969B2
Disclosed is an apparatus to reduce broadcasts in multiprocessors including a plurality of processors; a plurality of memory caches associated with the processors; a plurality of translation lookaside buffers (TLBs) associated with the processors; and a physical memory shared with the processors memory caches and TLBs; wherein each TLB includes a plurality of entries for translation of a page of addresses from virtual memory to physical memory, each TLB entry having page characterization information indicating whether the page is private to one processor or shared with more than one processor. Also disclosed is a computer program product and method to reduce broadcasts in multiprocessors.
US08285966B2
An automated monitor monitors one or more resource parameters in a logical partition running a database application in a logically partitioned data processing host. The monitor initiates dynamic logical partition reconfiguration in the event that the parameters vary from predetermined parameter values. In particular, the monitor can initiate removal of resources if one of the resource parameters is being underutilized and initiate addition of resources if one of the resource parameters is being overutilized. The monitor can also calculate an amount of resources to be removed or added. The monitor can interact directly with a dynamic logical partition reconfiguration function of the data processing host or it can utilize an intelligent intermediary that listens for a partition reconfiguration suggestion from the monitor. In the latter configuration, the listener can determine where available resources are located and attempt to fully or partially satisfy the resource needs suggested by the monitor.
US08285965B2
A method of aligning a partition of a data storage device to a boundary of a physical data sector is disclosed. The data storage device comprises a non-volatile memory comprising a plurality of physical data sectors, wherein each physical data sector comprises a plurality of logical data sectors. A partition map is read from the non-volatile memory, wherein the partition map identifies a partition comprising a number of logical data sectors. A number of logical data sectors in each physical data sector is determined. Whether at least part of the partition aligns with a boundary of a physical data sector is determined. When at least part of the partition does not align with a boundary of a physical data sector, at least part of the partition is moved to align at least part of the partition to a boundary of a physical data sector.
US08285958B1
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for copying a modified page table entry to a translation look aside buffer. In use, a page table entry corresponding to an original page associated with original code is identified. In addition, a page mapping in a translation look aside buffer is invalidated by calling a processor instruction that invalidates the page mapping. Further, the page table entry is modified to correspond to a different page associated with different code. Still yet, an instruction of the different code is accessed for prompting a processor to copy the modified page table entry to the translation look aside buffer. Moreover, the modified page table entry is restored to correspond to the original page associated with the original code.
US08285957B1
The technique introduced here includes a system and method for preprocessing a data set to improve deduplication, and more specifically for reducing latency. The technique illustratively utilizes one or more preprocessing steps, including a “skipping” step and a “folding” step, which can be applied to a data set prior to deduplication to reduce the time consumed by deduplication. The folding step is applied to segments of the data set to reduce the length of the segments. The skipping step can be applied to the data set prior to the folding step to remove particular segments of the data set, to further improve deduplication performance in certain circumstances. The overall effect of the skipping and folding steps of this technique is to produce a data set of reduced total length for consideration in identifying duplicate data, which aids in reducing the time required for deduplication.
US08285947B2
In one embodiment, a processor implements a store hit load predictor. The store hit load predictor is configured to monitor fetched ops in the processor, and is configured to detect stores that may have previously caused store hit load events. The store hit load predictor is configured to predict that the store will cause a store hit load event again, and is further configured to monitor subsequent fetched ops for the load. The store hit load predictor may locate the load using, e.g., an offset from the store to the load in the code sequence. In response to locating the load, the store hit load predictor may create a dependency of the load on the store, preventing the load from executing out of order with respect to the store. A store hit load event may be avoided in this fashion, at least in some cases.
US08285940B2
An invention is provided for performing flush cache in a non-volatile memory. The invention includes maintaining a plurality of free memory blocks within a non-volatile memory. When a flush cache command is issued, a flush cache map is examined to obtain a memory address of a memory block in the plurality of free memory blocks within the non-volatile memory. The flush cache map includes a plurality of entries, each entry indicating a memory block of the plurality of free memory blocks. Then, a cache block is written to a memory block at the obtained memory address within the non-volatile memory. In this manner, when a flush cache command is received, the flush cache map allows cache blocks to be written to free memory blocks in the non-volatile memory without requiring a non-volatile memory search for free blocks or requiring erasing of memory blocks storing old data.
US08285934B2
A method of configuring a storage device is disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of (A) receiving a single data unit over a communication network, the data unit (i) being transferred via the communication network using a standard communication protocol, (ii) defining both (a) a plurality of new configuration items that define a new configuration of the storage device and (b) a command to be performed by the storage device and (iii) having a standard markup language format, (B) calculating at least one configuration change from a plurality of current configuration items to the new configuration items, the current configuration items defining a current configuration of the storage device, (C) adjusting the storage device into the new configuration based on the at least one configuration change and (D) performing a requested operation with the storage device in the new configuration in response to the command.
US08285925B1
Systems and methods for managing mapping information for objects maintained in a distributed storage system are provided. The distributed storage system can include a keymap subsystem that manages the mapping information according to object keys. Requests for specific object mapping information are directed to specific keymap coordinators within the keymap subsystem. Each keymap coordinator can maintain a cache for caching mapping information maintained at various information sources. To manage the cache, the keymap system can utilize information placeholders that replace previously cached keymap information while a request to modify keymap information is being processed by the information sources. Each keymap coordinator can process subsequently received keymap information read requests in the event an information placeholder is cached as the current cached keymap information.
US08285922B2
The address generator has a hash network for producing hashed Y1, which is obtained by hushing X1, to an input vector X=(X1, X2), a tentative address generator Y1 for making an address generation function f(X) to a tentative address A′ when no hash collision occurs and otherwise making one of unique addresses A to A′, a data regenerator for producing X″=f−1(A′), a unique address generator for producing A′ when X″ coincides with X and otherwise producing “invalid value”, a complementary address generator for producing (X) to X, to which the unique address generator produces “invalid value”, and otherwise producing “invalid value”, and an output combiner which produces, when the outputs of the unique address generator and the complementary address generator have values other than the “invalid value”, the values as a unique address A and otherwise produces “invalid value” as A.
US08285920B2
An apparatus includes a processor and a memory that includes computer program code. The memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus at least to send information from a host device to a mass storage memory device that is connected with the host device, the information including an indication of at least one default logical address range for a mass memory of the mass storage memory device. The memory and the computer program code are further configured, with the processor, to cause the apparatus, during operation of the host device with the mass storage memory device, and in response to at least one trigger condition being satisfied, to initiate a load of a portion of a logical-physical address conversion table that is stored in a memory of the mass storage memory device to another memory of the mass storage memory device as a local logical-physical address conversion table, where the portion corresponds to the at least one default logical address range. Also disclosed are corresponding methods and computer-readable storage medium, as well as a mass memory device or module that operates and is constructed in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of this invention.
US08285913B2
Degradation of data transfer performance is restrained during data transfer for mirroring between first and second controllers.The first and second controllers are connected with a first path for connecting a second port of a first switch unit on the first controller to a second port of a first switch unit on the second controller, and with a second path independent of the first path, for connecting a second port of a second switch unit on the first controller to a second port of a second switch unit on the second controller.
US08285906B2
A module is provided for installation in a drive bay of a computer and is adapted to accommodate expansion circuitry rather than the electromechanical devices conventionally installed in drive bays. A system interface board is provided for insertion into an expansion socket on the computer's motherboard and is connected to the module, thus interfacing the expansion circuitry to the computer. The expansion circuitry can be greater in volume and is more accessible and more easily cooled than expansion circuitry installed in expansion sockets on the motherboard.
US08285905B2
A single main unit manages information on hardware resources and the like of all main units connected to a network in an integrated fashion. A slot management module, a slot control module, and a physical slot/managed slot comparison table are provided between an input/output control module and a slot interface subordinate thereto. The input/output control module accesses the slot interface by using virtual slot identification information. The slot management module refers to the physical slot/managed slot comparison table, converts the virtual slot identification information into physical slot identification information, and accesses a slot control module corresponding to the physical slot identification information obtained by the conversion, thereby realizing a physical access of the input/output control module to the slot interface.
US08285902B2
A data transfer apparatus performing data communication by transmitting a bus use request to an arbiter between a plurality of nodes coupled in a tree shape through a bus is provided. The data transfer apparatus includes a request generation circuit which generates a highest priority request indicating that a priority level for using the bus is the highest, a determination circuit which determines the priority level of the highest priority request, and a priority level setting circuit which determines the highest priority request which takes priority based on a result of the determination circuit when a plurality of highest priority requests conflicts in a node.
US08285901B2
An interface and protocol allow a media player to communicate with external accessories over a transport link. The protocol includes a core protocol functionality and a number of accessory lingoes. Examples of accessory lingoes include a microphone lingo, a simple remote lingo, a display remote lingo, an RF transmitter lingo, and an extended interface lingo.
US08285900B2
The present disclosure relates to an example of a method for a first router to adaptively determine status within a network. The network may include the first router, a second router and a third router. The method for the first router may comprise determining status information regarding the second router located in the network, and transmitting the status information to the third router located in the network. The second router and the third router may be indirectly coupled to one another.
US08285898B2
Methods and systems for creating, reading, and writing compressed data for use with a block mode access storage. The compressed data are packed into a plurality of compressed units and stored in a storage logical unit (LU). One or more corresponding compressed units may be read and/or updated with no need of restoring the entire storage logical unit while maintaining a de-fragmented structure of the LU.
US08285896B2
A data conversion system for converting data outputted from an information processor into data in a different format in real time while preventing any defect of an image such as frame missing or frame repetition of moving image data by synchronizing data transfer with converted data output. One of first and second nodes on an IEEE1394 bus functions as a cycle master, and first data is transferred from the first node to the second node in synchronism with a cycle start packet outputted from the cycle master. Second data generated by converting the first data by the second node is outputted in synchronism with a reference signal inputted from outside. The system comprises an external synchronizing signal receiving section provided at least in one of the first and second nodes and adapted to receive the reference signal inputted from outside and a synchronism control section for synchronizing the frequency of a cycle start packet outputted from the cycle master with the reference signal received by the external synchronizing signal receiving section.
US08285891B2
A host device, POD (point of deployment) and a method of identifying an operation mode are disclosed, by which data received via internet can be processed. The present invention includes an interface unit including CD#1, CD#2 , VS1#, VS2#, VPP1, VPP2 and IPDET ports and a controller controlling a mode confirmation signal to be outputted to the POD via the IPDET port, the controller recognizing that the POD supports an IP (internet protocol) card M-mode if the outputted mode confirmation signal is inputted to the VS1# port.
US08285883B2
A network-connected device may receive specific software configuration settings based on geophysical location information known about the device. The geophysical location information may come from a global positioning system (GPS) receiver or any other mechanism for determining a location for the device. The software settings may be stored in a volatile memory so that when the device is disconnected from a power source, it does not contain the specific settings required for the device to operate. In another embodiment, localization settings to meet regulatory requirements or other local configuration may be downloaded to the device based on the geophysical location information.
US08285876B2
The present invention is a method, system, and computer program product enabling multiple versions/releases of a J2EE application to be served to clients from a single application server. One or more JNDI proxies are situated between each client and the application server. The JNDI proxies allow a same public “service name” to be utilized by different clients to access different programs/services on the application server. The JNDI proxies do this by translating the service name into a non-public “alias name” on behalf of the client. The alias name is a private name that the service provider who administers the application server understands and uses to locate the specific version of programs/services that the clients need.
US08285875B2
In general, techniques are described for synchronizing resource bindings within computer networks. An intermediate network device comprising an interface card and a control unit may implement these techniques. The interface card receives a message from a server that allocates a network address for use by a client device identified by a unique identifier. The control unit stores data defining a binding between the unique identifier and the network address. The control unit includes a binding synchronization module that determines, based on a determination to release the binding, whether the binding release occurs in response to receiving a release message from the client device, and automatically generates a release message on behalf of the client device upon determining that the binding release did not occur in response to receiving a release message. The binding synchronization module outputs the automatically generated release message to the server that reserved the L3 network address.
US08285873B2
Techniques are provided to discover and integrate applications in an application router framework. The discovery operation includes receiving a registration notification for an application on a network, adding information describing the application to a repository into a data structure and publishing the data structure onto an application router. Association operations include querying one or more application routers on an application network for meta-data and other information on applications, exchanging the meta-data and other information between the application routers and associating the applications together automatically using their respective application protocols. Routing operations include receiving application information in an application protocol format, converting the application information in the application protocol format into a neutral protocol format and forwarding the application information in the neutral protocol format along with state information to other application router devices on the network.
US08285867B1
Representative embodiments are disclosed of a real-time priority-based communication system and method for communicating media streams made up of multiple media message sub-streams, the communication system comprising a chunk configurator for dividing media message sub-streams into chunks, a state machine configured to translate between information regarding the media message sub-streams and the chunks and state associations to the information, the state associations written into a header for each of the chunks, a queue for holding the chunks waiting to be transmitted, and a processor for executing a scheduling algorithm, wherein the scheduling algorithm determines ones of the chunks in the queue to transmit next.
US08285862B2
The functionality of communications standards and protocols that are application-layer specific are overlaid on an IP-based infrastructure, by employing an IP DNS server as the registration host for IP and other communications standards based and protocol based communications. Communication can occur at either the IP layer or the communications standards or protocol application layer. At the IP layer, a host application can interrogate network nodes. To extend this service to other communications standards or protocol communications, device registration and resolve services are implemented on the DNS server. Similar to the manner in which an IP-based service uses a native, IP-based DNS resolve request, a host can utilize a resolution request against the communications standards and protocol-enabled DNS server for standards and protocol application-layer interrogation of endpoints.
US08285860B2
Techniques for discovering and/or advertising services are described herein. A first bitmask is received from a remote device over a wireless network, the first bitmask having one or more bits that have a predetermined logical value. Each bit represents a particular service provided by the remote device. A logical operation is performed between the first bitmask and a second bitmask locally generated within a local device, where the second bitmask represents a service being searched by the local device. It is determined whether the remote device is potentially capable of providing the service being searched by the local device based on a result of the logical operation.
US08285855B2
A method and user interface for informing a user of the status of a network connection are provided. Conventionally, the “connected” icon in the system tray only informs the user that the computer is linked to a network medium, such as an Ethernet or wireless access point. This icon does not indicate whether a routable IP address has been obtained. In this invention, an icon is used to inform the user that the network connection is disabled, connecting, connected (routable IP address obtained), or in a warning state. The warning state indicates that a non-routable IP address (e.g. autonet address) has been obtained, which will likely be unsatisfactory to the user. However, when connected to an 802.11 ad-hoc network, or when IP status checking is disabled, a non-routable IP address is deemed acceptable, and thus the “connected” icon is displayed.
US08285851B2
A system for use in presenting media content includes a media server configured to provide media content and a media client configured to obtain the media content from the media server and to present the media content on a device. The media client is configured to generate a first code and to transmit information to the media server. The information identifies the media client and the information indicates that the media client is available for pairing. The media server is configured to reply to the information with a second code that corresponds to the first code in order to enable pairing between the media server and the media client.
US08285848B2
A network access server (NAS) provides a connection to a user in a data communications network, where the NAS is capable of communicating with a home gateway server (HGS) maintaining a pool of IP addresses for allocation to authorized users associated with the NAS. The NAS includes a first memory for storing an identification of a user, an requester for asking the HGS for an IP address on behalf of the user; and a second memory associated with the first memory for storing the IP address of the user received from the HGS. The NAS may further include a detector for periodically detecting connection of the user to the NAS and a keep-alive sender for periodically informing the HGS that the user is still connected to the NAS, a receiver for receiving periodic queries from the HGS about the status of the user connection to the NAS and a responder responsive to said periodic queries for informing the HOS that the use is still connected to the NAS, and/or a receiver for receiving periodic signals from the user and a forwarder responsive to said receiver for forwarding information to the HGS that the user is still connected to the NAS. A home gateway server (HOS) provides mechanisms to assign an IP address to a user via a NAS, and to monitor the status of the IP address after assignment.
US08285839B2
A communication attempt directed towards a recipient device can be identified. At least one proximate device geographically proximate to the recipient device can be automatically detected. Responsive to the determining of the proximate devices, a digitally encoded message can be wirelessly conveyed to one or more of the determined proximate devices. In various embodiments the message can be a text message, an instant message, and/or a voice message. The digitally encoded message can direct a user of the proximate device to inform a user of the recipient device of the communication attempt.
US08285835B1
A system and method for visually depicting component states in a computing system. A graphical analysis tool includes a graphical user interface for use in viewing the history of a selected component. A user selects a system component for viewing and then using a timeline “drags” the state of the selected component to various points on the timeline in order to view states of the component at the selected point in time. States of the selected component may also be played forward or backward in a continuous manner. Logging agents in the system are configured to log data corresponding to detected events and forward the log data to a central repository. The analysis tool may access the data in the repository for use in creating visual displays. Point-in-time snapshots of a component may also be stored in the central repository and used to reproduce the history.
US08285822B2
Techniques for policy configuration and simulation are presented. A graphical user interface (GUI) permits a user to visualize network resources and their relationships to one another. The user can select a resource and receive another view within the GUI to see policies for that resource and relationships between the policies. The user can also select a particular policy and alter its configuration. The altered configuration can then be simulated within the network and the results presented back to the user within the GUI.
US08285816B2
The invention provides methods for efficiently registering a domain name and issuing a certificate without a Subscriber submitting a separate request for the certificate. In some embodiments, a notice may be provided to the Subscriber, after requesting to register a domain name, that a certificate may be issued for the domain name. The certificate may be saved in a Subscriber's account to enable the Subscriber to use the certificate at a later time. In yet other embodiments, a single vetting process may be used to facilitate one or more of: creating a Subscriber's account; registering a domain name; and issuing a certificate.
US08285814B2
A method of providing data associated with reception of media content is presented. In the method, a communication device receives media content from a media content receiver via a communication network. The received media content is output to a user of the communication device. Data is then generated in the communication device which includes information identifying a channel selected by the user over which the media content receiver receives the media content. The data further includes information identifying a time period during which the communication device receives the media content. The data is transferred via the communication network to a communication node.
US08285810B2
Systems and methods are provided for aggregating a local media collection of a user with one or more shared media collections shared with the user to provide an aggregate media collection for the user. In general, one or more shared media collections shared with the user are first discovered. Optionally, the user may select one or more of the shared media collections for aggregation with the local media collection of the user. The shared media collections selected by the user, or alternatively all of the shared media collections, are then aggregated with the local media collection of the user to provide an aggregate media collection for the user. In one embodiment, bridging of users is provided to expand the sharing of media collections beyond those having direct relationships with the sharing user.
US08285789B2
A multiprocessor computer system comprises a folded butterfly processor interconnect network, the folded butterfly interconnect network comprising a traditional butterfly interconnect network derived from a butterfly network by flattening routers in each row into a single router for each row, and eliminating channels entirely local to the single row.
US08285787B2
Embodiments relate to systems and methods for managing a collaboration space having application hosting capabilities. A collaboration space, such as a wiki site, can host a set of collaboration tools and resources, including, for example, content tools, communication tools, and other resources for the users of the space. The collaboration space can also incorporate a set of executable application resources, such as application programming tools to permit users to program, invoke, and execute applications directly from the wiki site or other collaboration space. The set of executable application resources can in turn be embedded or incorporated in a Web framework, for instance to permit the set of hosted applications to be served/run to remote clients as Web applications. Applications generated outside the collaboration space can in embodiments be migrated into the collaboration space and hosted and/or executed from within the collaboration space, even if not originally generated there.
US08285784B2
A system, method and computer readable medium for service creation via presence messaging comprising assigning an information exchange state associated with a presence message and directing the presence message to at least one of a service provider from a predetermined set of service providers.
US08285782B2
The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of making a hypermedium page interactive. Responsive to a user selecting a hyperlink on a hypermedium page displayed on a client node, a client agent located on the client node establishes a communications link from the client agent to an application execution server agent on an application server using information located in a hyperlink configuration file, corresponding to the hyperlink displayed on the client node, obtained from the network server node. Responsive to the creation of the communications link between the application execution server agent and the client agent, the application executes on the application execution server and the user is capable of interactively using the application running on the application execution node from the client node. Data input and display occurs at the client node under the control of the client agent.
US08285781B1
Perceived domain name service (DNS) lookup latency can be reduced for the user of a browser program. A server determines domain names that the user is likely to request in the future. In one implementation, a list of these domain names is transmitted to the browser program as a separate command. The browser program may then lookup up the domain names in the background before the user selects a link corresponding to the domain names. In another implementation, the domain names are transmitted to the browser program by embedding the domain names in a web document, in which the embedded information is not visible in the rendered version of the web document.
US08285777B2
A manufacturing method, software product, system for optimizing information flow within a manufacturing facility based upon the use of a network, a structured data exchange, and a browser allowing access to a plurality of servers, themselves containing software data, thereby presenting an uniform look and feel for the interface serving that information to each employee. Administrators grant employees access to data according to predefined constellations of roles within the manufacturing facility.
US08285773B2
A signal separating device includes an iterative estimator, a repeating calculator, a result output unit, and a repetition controller. The repeating calculator repeatedly causes the iterative estimator to iteratively perform independent component analysis on an observed signal matrix, and to further perform independent component analysis on the source signal matrix obtained as a result. The result output unit outputs the product of the respective mixing matrices obtained during each repetition as a mixing matrix with respect to the observed signal matrix, while also outputting the source signal matrix obtained during the final repetition as a source signal matrix with respect to the observed signal matrix. The repetition controller causes the repeating calculator to repeat the calculation control until all mixing matrices and all source signal matrices satisfy a convergence condition. The iterative estimator may perform a fixed number of iterations, or perform iterations until convergence is obtained.
US08285772B2
A device for allocating a number of taps of a designated finite impulse response filter is disclosed. The device comprises a plurality of designated finite impulse response filters having fixed number of taps, a plurality of allocation finite impulse response filters having fixed number of taps, a control unit and an estimate unit. Depending on intensities of responses to interferences, at least one of the allocation FIR filters may be coupled in series to any one of the designated finite impulse response filters, thereby to provide a signal having excellent quality.
US08285770B1
A method of generating parameters for a predistortion circuit in an integrated circuit using a matrix is disclosed. The method comprises storing a first column of a first matrix; generating the remaining columns of the first matrix based upon the first column of the matrix; generating a plurality of rows of a second matrix by performing a first set of calculations; and generating the remaining rows of the second matrix by selectively shifting the first rows of the second matrix.
US08285768B2
An apparatus for evaluating a mathematical function at an input value is provided. The apparatus includes a device for selecting a mathematical function, a device for inputting a value at which to evaluate the function, a device for identifying an interval containing the input value, the interval being described by at least one polynomial function, a device for retrieving at least one control point representing the polynomial function from at least one look up table, a device for deriving the polynomial function from the control points, a device for evaluating the function for the input value and a device for providing data representing the evaluated function at an output.
US08285765B2
A system and method for implementing arithmetic logic unit (ALU) support for value-based control dependence sequences. According to a first embodiment of the present invention, an ALU generates a carry-out signal designating one of a first and second value as a larger value. In response to the carry-out signal, the ALU updates a storage location with a third value, which is the larger value. According to a second embodiment of the present invention, an ALU generates a carry-out signal designating one of a first and second value as a larger value. In response to the carry-out signal, the ALU updates a storage location with a third value. The third value is a fourth value, if the carry-out signal designates the first value as the larger value or the third value is a fifth value, if the carry-out signal designates the second value as the larger value.
US08285764B2
Method for finding the probability density function type and the variance properties of the noise component N of a raw signal S of a machine or a system, said raw signal S being combined of a pure signal component P and said noise component N, the method comprising: (a) defining a window within said raw signal; (b) recording the raw signal S; (c) numerically differentiating the raw signal S within the range of said window at least a number of times m to obtain an m order differentiated signal; (d) finding a histogram that best fits the m order differentiated signal; (e) finding a probability density function type that fits the distribution of the histogram; (f) determining the variance of the histogram, said histogram variance being essentially the m order variance σ2(m) of the noise component N; and (g) knowing the histogram distribution type, and the m order variance σ2(m) of the histogram, transforming the m order variance σ2(m) to the zero order variance σ2(0), σ2(0) being the variance of the pdf of the noise component N, and wherein the histogram type as found in step (e) being the probability density function type of the noise component N.
US08285763B2
A system and program code are provided for marking a file. Responsive to a file being received, the file is stored in a directory in a file system. An indicia is associated with the file and the directory. The file is displayed using the indicia as a marked file and the directory is displayed using the indicia as a marked directory.
US08285758B1
Storage tiering uses file system awareness of storage class for storage allocation or migration of a storage object from one class of storage to another. For example, the storage object is a production file system, a logical unit number (LUN) of storage, or a snapshot copy of the production file system or LUN. Each storage class may comprise a different back-end disk type, such as Fiber Channel, ATA, etc. Storage allocation or migration is based on storage class to implement a storage policy, such as: (a) move snapshots off the class of storage of the production object and onto a different class of storage; (b) direct new writes to a specified class of storage; or (c) writes targeting a particular storage object are targeted to a particular class of storage.
US08285756B2
An operation support program is stored in a storage medium. The operation support program includes a support database or a plurality of support program components for supporting a plurality of tasks that are different from one another and are carried out as a result of execution of a plurality of device control programs that are different from one another. The operation support program causes a computer to function as constituent sections including: an update data acquiring section; an updating section; and a graphical user interface configuring section.
US08285753B2
A proxy directory server discovers the topology of distributed directory server immediately after starting up and before accepting client requests. Immediately after starting up, the proxy server executes queries to extract the structured data corresponding to directory distribution information from the distributed directory servers. Dynamic topology reconfiguration of the distributed directory is achieved by any dynamic configuration changes made to the topology information directly at the proxy during operation being propagated by means of directory update operations to the distributed directory servers.
US08285745B2
Systems and methods to determine relevant keywords from a user's search query sessions are disclosed. The described method includes identifying search session logs of a user, segmenting the search session logs into one or more search sessions. After the segmentation, the search sessions are analyzed to compose a list of semantically relevant keyword sets including at least a first keyword set and a second keyword set. The described method further includes determining a semantic relevance between the first and second keyword sets according to the frequency at which the first and second keyword sets are reported in the query results and displaying one or more semantically high relevant keyword sets after being filtered by a threshold.
US08285737B1
Among other disclosed subject matter, a computer-implemented method relating to selecting content for publication includes receiving a term to be used in selecting content for publication. The method includes obtaining information from a record using the received term, the information reflecting a correspondence between contents in a repository and the received term. The method includes determining, using at least the obtained information, a query to be performed on the repository for selecting at least part of the content.
US08285734B2
Techniques for comparing a first document to one or more second documents are provided. At least one weight is assigned to one or more elements in the first document. A weighted document is generated in accordance with the at least one assigned weight. One or more comparison scores are computed by comparing each of the one or more elements in the first document to each of one or more elements in a given second document in accordance with one or more comparison rules. The one or more comparison rules determine if a given element in the first document and a given element in the given second document are compared using one or more language hierarchies and/or one or more similarity ranges. A similarity score is generated in accordance with the generated weighted document and the one or more computed comparison scores. The one or more second documents are retrieved in accordance with the generated similarity score.
US08285727B2
A method and apparatus are disclosed for searching for a media content related to a selected media service. A selected media service, as selected by a user operable indicator, has related metadata that is used as the basis of a search query. Once the search query is formulated, the query is submitted to a search engine that returns search results of media content related to the selected media service. Media content then may be selected from the returned search results for rendering in a rendering environment.
US08285724B2
Disclosed is a system and program for processing anchor text for information retrieval. A set of anchors that point to a target document is formed. Anchors with same anchor text are grouped together. Information is computed for each group. Context information is generated for the target document based on the computed information.
US08285716B1
Methods, apparatuses, and systems for identifying and ranking digital resources relating to places. A keyword included in a search query that is received, is determined to be a name of a place. A database of names of distinct places that uniquely identifies distinct places that have a same name is searched. It is determined that the database associates the keyword with a first and a second place. First and second resources, determined to be relevant to the first and the second place, respectively, are identified from the database. In response to receiving the search query, search results directed to the first place and separate search results directed to the second place are provided. The search results include one or more links to the provided one or more resources.
US08285710B2
A database query comprising a logical table definition and at least one route tracing indicator is forwarded to at least one distributed database node within a distributed network of databases. At least one query response is received including distributed route tracing information associated with each distributed database node that processed the database query along a path associated with the at least one query response. The received distributed route tracing information is processed to characterize query route propagation within the distributed network of databases. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US08285702B2
A system and method including a simulator operating in conjunction with a search-engine, for improving document and site findability. Users input their content (pages or sites) and the simulator will analyze the site in terms of structure and content. It will then give the user a ranked list of suggestions about how the user might improve his/her site's findability. The user will then be able to apply some or all of these suggestions, or any other changes, by virtually modifying the site, and then immediately receive feedback both on how the pages look and a sense of the degree of findability improvement. The interactive process allows users to simulate modifications in their site structure and content in order to improve its findability. When the user completes the modifications and is satisfied with the new findability of his site, the user will be able then to replace his/her current site in the repository with the modified one.
US08285687B2
A system and method for transparently compressing file system data using compression group descriptors is provided. When data contained within a compression group be compressed beyond a predefined threshold value, a compression group descriptor is included in the compression group that signifies that the data for the group of level 0 blocks is compressed into a lesser number of physical data blocks. When performing a read operation, the file system first determines the appropriate compression group that contains the desired data and determines whether the compression group has been compressed. If so, the file system decompresses the data in the compression group before returning the decompressed data. If the magic value is not the first pointer position, then the data within the compression group was previously stored in an uncompressed format, and the data may be returned without performing a decompression operation.
US08285682B2
Techniques for establishing a files system that exposes a virtual file system for backup operations are presented. Changes to files of a file system are maintained separately or collected and presented as a VFS. The VFS is then used to perform backup operations. Moreover, the files identified in the VFS can be customized based on search parameters, criterion, and/or criteria supplied by a user or supplied as parameters to backup and VFS mount operations.
US08285676B2
A technique for annotating and synchronizing on a device is provided. A client root model of fragments is marked with annotations in response to triggers received by an application of the device. Marking the client root model of the fragments with annotations includes at least: in response to the any of the fragments being extracted out and flagged, marking the client root model with annotations; in response to binding any of the fragments to a source, marking the client root model of the fragments with annotations and marking the client root model as flagged; and in response to sharing in any the of fragments, marking the client root model with annotations.
US08285675B2
A method of managing storage of data at an electronic device includes provisioning a new PIM service account including address book functionality on the electronic device, and updating address book data records stored on the electronic device and not associated with another PIM service account to associate the address book data records with the new PIM service account provisioned on the electronic device.
US08285662B2
A Delta Framework program (DF) automatically detects and prevents breaking scenarios during an automated software build by identifying a build artifact from a list of build artifacts in a repository; comparing the build artifact to a current software build; identifying a delta between the build artifact and the current software build; determining whether the delta has a link to a rule in the rules database; responsive to the artifact having a link to a rule, determining whether the rule identifies a breaking scenario; responsive to the rule identifying the breaking scenario, taking an action specified by the rule.
US08285651B1
A system and method for high-speed processing of mail pieces is disclosed. The high-speed system includes client server that forms and prints a reduced Information-Based Indicia (RIBI) on each piece of mail. The client server provides funds to the system server and reports the RIBI usage to the system server. The system server issues tokens to the client server that allow the client server to the print RIBI indicia for a certain value of postage.
US08285636B2
A cooperative arrangement and method to monitor behaviors and other activities by an individual in an organization are disclosed. A personal financial disclosure statement, personal financial records, and other relevant financial data associated with an individual who is associated with, or to be associated with, the organization are obtained. Information is extracted from the personal financial disclosure statement, the personal financial records, and the other relevant financial data and input into a risk assessment algorithm. The risk assessment algorithm operates on the input information and generates risk assessment data. The risk assessment data is evaluated to make a determination of certification with respect to the individual. A decision to certify means that the risk associated with the individual, with respect to committing fraud or some other improper act with respect to the organization, is acceptable. Risk assessment data on a plurality of key individuals within the organization may be generated and evaluated to make a determination of certification with respect to the organization as a whole.
US08285634B2
An embodiment of the present invention provides a system, method, process, software and standards that enable a unified trading and control process utilized by sponsoring organizations and asset managers (money managers) for sub advised or externally managed investment portfolios as to increase control over the trading process by a sponsoring organization, enhance regulatory compliance, substantially lower trading costs and improve investment performance on a recurring basis for the shareholders and beneficiaries investing in registered and non registered mutual funds and institutional investment portfolios.
US08285631B2
A method of structuring ownership of an invention including the steps of receiving an investment commitment and a capital contribution from at least one investor, investing the capital contribution in a portfolio company, assigning a set of securities to the at least one investor based upon the capital contribution, the set of securities comprising a plurality of strips, and providing one or more of the plurality of strips to the at least one investor, wherein each of the plurality of strips is defined as a portion of the capital contribution and wherein at least one of the strips is dedicated for donation by the investor to at least one charity.
US08285617B1
A computer implemented method for automated content-based processing of FIX messages to facilitate the selective delivery of Financial Information eXchange (FIX) messages, includes: receiving a FIX message; for each of a plurality of subscription filters received from a client computer, calculating a True/False (T/F) value indicating whether the FIX message satisfies the subscription filter, where each subscription filter indicates FIX message content of interest; storing the T/F values for the plurality of subscription filters in a T/F array; and returning the T/F array to the client computer. The T/F array is an array of elements, where each element corresponds to a subscription filter. Once the client computer receives the T/F array, the client computer uses the array to determine to which subscribers the FIX message is to be sent. In this manner, the method facilitates the selective delivery of FIX messages by the client computer.
US08285612B2
Systems and methods are provided for data processing. In one implementation, a data processing system includes storage means for storing sets of account identifiers, each of the sets of account identifiers being assigned a set of control parameters. The data processing system may also include an account management system that stores account data of accounts that are identified by the account identifiers, interface means coupled to the account management system, and one or more sets of application programs that are adapted to process account data of accounts identified by at least one of the one or more sets of account identifiers using the set of control parameters assigned to the at least one of the one or more sets of account identifiers. The interface means may obtain the account data from the account management system on request of one of the application programs.
US08285608B2
A system, method and computer program product for inventory filtering includes filtering one or more inventory items offered for sale. A primary list of the inventory items from a primary logistics information database may be obtained. A first restriction requirement based on the primary list may be generated. A second list may be generated pertaining to the inventory items and may include a list of one or more internally generated second restriction parameters different than any parameters used to establish the first restriction requirement. A second restriction requirement may be generated based on the second list. A combined restriction requirement may be generated based on any combination of the first restriction requirement and the second restriction requirement. The sale of the item may be restricted based on the combined restriction requirement.
US08285595B2
An archiving system is provided for archiving a user's media collection and refining recommendations made to the user by an e-commerce service, such as an e-commerce website, based on the archive of the user's media collection. In general, a central archiving system interacts with a user system to archive a user's media collection. Thereafter, while the user is interacting with the e-commerce service, a list of recommended media for the user is generated and provided to the archiving system. The archiving system refines the list based on the archive of the user's media collection. Optionally, the list of recommended media may be further refined based on a user profile and play history of the user. The refined list of recommended media is returned to the e-commerce service and presented to the user.
US08285593B2
Identifying one or more source units for one or more food items may include assigning a sequence of numbers to a plurality of source units received at a processing entity and assigning a sequence of numbers to a plurality of end product units processed from the plurality of source units at the processing entity. A production rate associated with the end product units may be determined from a bill of materials associated with the end product units. A probability distribution function may be generated using at least the production rate. The probability distribution function maps a range of the sequence numbers associated with the plurality of source units to a range of sequence numbers associated with the end product units. A conversion algorithm may be generated that uses the probability distribution function to determine a source unit associated with a selected end product unit.
US08285589B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for analyzing actions performed by users referred to a target site from particular referring sites or groups thereof, and for using the results of such analyses to select particular items to recommend to users. The referring sites may, for example, be affiliate sites that refer users to a merchant site in accordance with an affiliate marketing program.
US08285587B2
The current invention is a viral group greeting cards Internet service. It is a method and process that is an electronic greeting card service that utilizes the distributed access afforded by the Internet or local area networks (LANs) to enable the collection of greetings from multiple users on a single greeting card and its delivery to a recipient. It also allows for the pledges and collection of funds from multiple parties for a gift.
US08285582B2
A forecast response factor (RF) determines how quickly product demand forecasts should react to recent changes in demand. When a product sales pattern changes (e.g., a sudden increase in product demand), RF is adjusted accordingly to adjust the forecast responsiveness. The present subject matter provides automatic calculation of the RF, based at least in part on the nature of the product sales (autocorrelation) and the status of recent forecasts (bias).
US08285577B1
The present invention applies a novel iterative algorithm to the problem of multidimensional optimization by supplying a strict, nonlinear mathematical solution to what has traditionally been treated as a linear multidimensional problem. The process consists of randomly selecting a statistically significant sample of a prospect list, calculating the value of the utility function for each pair of an offer and selected prospects, reducing the original linear multidimensional problem to a non-linear problem with a feasible number of dimensions, solving the non-linear problem for the selected sample numerically with the desired tolerance using an iterative algorithm, and using the results to calculate an optimal set of offers in one pass for the full prospect list.
US08285576B2
A computer-implemented method, system and program product for creating a physical information environment for a specific industry type are presented. A candidate industry type is selected to describe a customer's operations. A set of information environment components, which is modeled and simulated in software and is specific for the candidate industry type, is selected. Inherent constraints, from the candidate industry type and the set of information environment components, are identified. The set of information environment components are then recursively optimized in order to comply with the inherent constraints and to meet the specific information environment requirements. Based on optimized information environment components, construction of a information environment is simulated in order to define an architecture of a simulated information environment for the candidate industry type. A physical information environment that comports with the architecture of the optimally simulated information environment is then constructed and deployed.
US08285574B2
Implementation of resource management services is provided. A method includes setting a price, per unit of a resource, for a defined time period and based upon a collective projected resource demand corresponding to resource consumption entities (RCEs). For the duration of the time period, the method includes iteratively performing: monitoring actual usage of the resource for each of the RCEs. If, in response to the monitoring, it is determined that a projected shortage exists for an RCE and a projected surplus exists for another RCE, the method includes re-allocating a number of projected surplus units of the resource from the RCE having the projected surplus to the other RCE having the projected shortage. If, in response to the monitoring, it is determined that a projected shortage exists for an RCE and no projected surplus exists for any of the other RCEs, the method includes acquiring additional units of the resource.
US08285572B2
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art with respect to solution order processing and provide a novel and non-obvious method, computer system and computer program product for processing solution orders using solution records. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for solution ordering across disparate order and contract management systems in a manufacturing environment can be provided. The method can include receiving a request for a solution from a customer, identifying a solution that satisfies the request for a solution, determining a solution order for the identified solution, generating a solution record for the solution order and assigning a solution record number to the solution record. The method can further include populating the solution record with product identification numbers received from multiple product lines in the manufacturing environment.
US08285568B1
A Home Resale Price Protection Plan provides a payment to a homeowner should the homeowner have to sell his or her house at a loss. In exchange for an upfront fee, the homeowner would receive a payment for the lesser of their actual loss or the loss calculated by multiplying their original purchase price by the proportional drop in an appropriate housing price index.
US08285566B2
Disclosed is a system and method for administering a life insurance policy to provide increased interest based on specifically weighted linkage to multiple equity indices that typically may include Standard & Poor's 500 Composite Price Index, Dow Jones EURO STOXX 50, the Hang Seng Index, and/or derivatives thereof wherein the leading-performing index during a look back period is weighted more heavily than any other index. Also disclosed is a computer system using at least one administration component to implement a series of steps associated with administering an equity indexed-interest universal life insurance policy.
US08285565B2
The system and method of the invention describes a unique approach to gathering patient treatment information in summary form from a universe of health care providers, each using any form of patient information management; converting that information to pointers that can be searched by a healthcare provider before or during treatment to determine if further information needs to be acquired from the original provider; and a variety of methods to provide access to detailed healthcare treatment and diagnosis information from the original healthcare provider through an access and display method provided by the healthcare provider housing the records, if available. The system and method envisages one or more providers of repository services, each offering various ways for healthcare providers to update and maintain summary information, and each providing for continual exchange of information among them to ensure complete access to all available information.
US08285564B2
The present invention provides a solution to determining an interaction between objects through wireless tracking. The present invention utilizes communication devices attached to objects that transmit signals for reception by sensors stationed throughout a facility which forward the signals to an information engine for analysis.
US08285552B2
A system and a method for simulating expression of a message are provided. The system comprises a network platform end and at least one user end. The network platform end comprises a message capturing module for capturing a user message; a feature analyzing module for performing a characteristic analysis on content of the user message, so as to mark at least one simulation action tag on the message content; and a simulation message generating module for acquiring simulation instructions corresponding to the at least one simulation action tag and combining the same with the message content to generate a simulation message. The user end comprises a user device for receiving the simulation message and outputting the message content and simulation instructions contained in the simulation message to a simulation device; and the simulation device for playing the received message content and executing corresponding simulation instructions.
US08285547B2
An audio font output device is disclosed that is able to effectively convert characters or text into an audio signal recognizable by the acoustic sense of human beings. The audio font output device includes a font data base that stores a character corresponding to a symbol code or picture data of a symbol, first audio data corresponding to the symbol code, a symbol display unit that displays the character corresponding to the symbol code or the symbol based on the picture data, and an audio output unit that outputs an audio signal based on the first audio data corresponding to the symbol code.
US08285536B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for language translation are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes accessing a translation hypergraph that represents a plurality of candidate translations, the translation hypergraph including a plurality of paths including nodes connected by edges; calculating first posterior probabilities for each edge in the translation hypergraph; calculating second posterior probabilities for each n-gram represented in the translation hypergraph based on the first posterior probabilities; and performing decoding on the translation hypergraph using the second posterior probabilities to convert a sample text from a first language to a second language.
US08285529B2
According to an aspect of an embodiment, a high-speed operation method for directing a computer to process a coefficient matrix constituting simultaneous equations generated by modeling an analysis target into a mesh by using the finite element method and the boundary element method, said method includes obtaining two edges that are not on a same plane and that are the closest to each other from among edges defined in a mesh of a boundary modeled by the boundary element method, and ordering, in a vicinity of on-diagonal elements of the coefficient matrix, matrix elements in the coefficient matrix of simultaneous equations obtained for the two edges that are the closest to each other.
US08285528B1
A method and a computer program product for estimating and predicting the performance of fragmentation devices such as, for example, warheads that are often incorporated as part of a weapon system.
US08285521B1
A computer-implemented subsystem and method is disclosed for receiving user qualification data, comparing that data to certification criteria, and providing user certification according thereto, in the context of a system for designing a structure. A variety of users may be certified, including architects, designers, component and service providers, permitting authorities, builders, financers, future tenants, etc. A wide variety of certifications may be provided including by trade, by attributes of the structure, by intended use of the design system, etc. Certification may be based on general experience, references, time spent with the design system, training completed, examination passed, other certifications, etc. Certification may be stand-alone or may be part of an ongoing continuing education process. The design system may limit actions a user may perform on a design based on certification and certification level. Certified users may be connected with clients and other opportunities through the design system or otherwise.
US08285518B2
A two-part sensor composed of a sensor head and a sensor-head counterpart, testing is performed as to whether a correct sensor head is connected with the sensor-head counterpart.
US08285513B2
The present invention is a method and system for detecting an abnormal on-line analysis or laboratory measurement and for predicting an abnormal quality excursion due to an abnormal process condition.
