The invention relates to a guide-vane arrangement (1) for deviating the flow present in the by-pass flow channel (2) of an engine (3), said arrangement comprising an outer ring (4) and an inner ring (5) and guide vanes (6) arranged therebetween in a substantially radial manner, wherein the outer ring (4) has elements (7) for connecting to an outer engine structure (8), and the inner ring (5) has elements (9) for connecting to an inner engine structure (10), with a plurality of segments (11) being provided. In order to create a guide-vane arrangement (1) which is sufficiently stable and has optimum aerodynamic properties, each segment (11) is integrally produced from at least one guide vane (6) with a part (12) of the outer ring (4) having at least two flanges (14) for fixing to the outer engine structure (8), and with a part (13) of the inner ring (5) having at least two flanges (15) for fixing to the inner engine structure (10), the segments (11) preferably being made of fiber-reinforced plastic composite material, preferably by an RTM (resin transfer molding) method.

Blade insert arranged inside the blade walls so that the joint between the insert and composite (1) is a double shear joint. The insert is made up of two defined parts, the head (3, 3′) and the body, which are joined together by joint elements (5) that define a double wall body (6, 6′). The joint between the insert and pultruded material (2) is made with an adhesive chemical joint (9). After making the joint, the assembly made up by the inserts and pultrusion profiles (2) is fitted into the blade walls during its manufacturing process and material curing.

A vertical axis wind turbine has a plurality of main blades each of which is relatively thin. The blades each have a thickened portion extending along the trailing edge of each blade. Furthermore, each blade is fabricated in at least two sub-sections, wherein at least one strut extends between a central support column and a junction where the blade sub-sections abut.

An actuation system includes a pump assembly configured to form a pump chamber, an actuator having first and second chambers and a movable member and configured to convert pressures applied to the first and second chambers into a movement of the movable member, and a valve section. The valve section has a plurality of positions set by a controller, and the plurality of positions includes a first position in which the valve section opens the first flow path and closes the second flow path, a second position in which the valve section closes the first flow path and opens the second flow path, and a neutral position in which the valve section closes the first and second flow paths.

Method and impeller cover for protecting an impeller from damage. The impeller cover includes a removable body having a first face and a second face opposing the first face, the second face being configured to match a front face of the impeller of the compressor, and further having a frontal portion covering an entire frontal portion of the impeller of the compressor, and a fixing mechanism connected to the removable body and being configured to fix the impeller cover to the impeller of the compressor. The impeller cover is disposable.

Assemblies and methods for a booster pump used in a pool cleaning/filtration system are provided. An exemplary booster pump assembly is adapted to increase the water pressure of water flow for use in a pool cleaning system. The booster pump includes a front housing defining a substantially circular geometry having an inlet positioned substantially in the center of the front housing and extending axially outward with respect to the front housing. The booster pump also includes an outlet extending substantially laterally with respect to the front housing. The front housing and the rear housing form an enclosure for positioning of an impeller. The inlet and the outlet are each coupled to conduits having substantially similar flow diameters, and the water passing through the outlet at an increased water pressure is sufficient to make operable a positive pressure pool cleaner. Advantageous support structures and drain plug configurations are also provided.

A fan includes a fan frame, a front impeller and a rear impeller. The fan frame has a frame body and a plurality of connecting elements. The front impeller has a first bushing disposed at the central portion of the frame body. Two ends of each connecting element are respectively connected with the frame body and the first bushing. The rear impeller has a second bushing partially telescoped into the first bushing.

Various fluid turbine systems and methods are described. The turbine can be a vertical axis wind turbine configured to generate power from wind energy. The turbine system can have a blade assembly. The blade assembly can have a plurality of blades rotatable about an axis. The turbine system can have a concentrator positionable upwind and in front of a return side of the blade assembly. The concentrator can define a convex surface facing the wind. The turbine system can also have a variable concentrator positionable upwind of a push side of the blade assembly. The variable concentrator can be adjustable between a first position and a second position, the variable concentrator being capable of deflecting more wind toward the turbine in the first position than in the second position.

A fastening device for a nut comprises a fastening part configured to engage in a screw element, a securing part configured to engage in the nut, and an intermediate part providing a non-positive connection between the fastening part and the securing part, wherein the intermediate part is made of a restorable material and is designed to apply a restoring torque directed at the original state during a rotation of the securing part in relation to the fastening part.

The invention relates to a method for operating an actuation device (20), which is used to clamp and loosen a clamping device which comprises a tie bolt which can be adjusted in an axial manner in a machine spindle (3), for actuating a clamping head (6) which co-operates with clamping claws (5). Initially, force is exerted upon the tie bolt (4) by means of an actuation device (20) which is used to clamp in an axial clamping direction, until the axial length thereof is fixed in relation to the machine spindle (3) by means of self-locking. According to the invention, after self-locking is obtained, the effect of the force in the direction of clamping of the actuation element (20) on the tie bolt is stopped and remains blocked while the clamping device is being used, and to release clamping, the tie bolt (4) is displaced by the actuation device (20) in the direction of release which is counter to the clamping direction. The invention relates to a device for carrying out said method.

The invention relates to a cutter support (11) for fastening to a cutter head, comprising a shaft-like pin (11) and a head, having a soldered-in cutter (12) with a minor cutting edge formed by a face (27) and a free surface (28). According to the invention the minor cutting edge has a rounded area (25), the radius of which continuously increases from a minor cutting edge end (25a) at least to the cutting edge center, or to the other minor cutting edge end (25b).

The present invention relates to a rotor box for a ground and/or road milling machine such as, in particular, for a road miller or a trench cutter which surrounds at least one milling rotor for removing ground material (B). It is provided that the wall of this rotor box is configured at least in one section with an enlarged distance from the milling rotor in order to allow a specific guiding of the milled material away from the milling rotor in this region of the rotor box and that at least one separating device is disposed between this section of the wall and the milling rotor, which prevents contact of the guided-away milled material with the milling rotor in this region. The present invention further relates to a ground and/or road milling machine such as in particular a road miller or trench cutter having at least one such rotor box.

A road building machine for road surface paving is provided. The machine comprises an automotive travelling mechanism with a steerable front axle of the undercarriage comprising at least one support wheel and two rear support wheels, a working device which is mounted in or on the machine frame and is approximately flush with said machine frame on one side, which is the so-called null side, a swivel unit having an articulation area formed by the machine frame and a swivel arm which carries the rear support wheel on the null side at its one end and is pivotably linked at its other end to the articulation area of the machine frame, with the swivel unit being arranged in the manner that it can be pivoted between an “outwardly pivoted position” in which the rear wheel which is on the null side is pivoted outwardly to an outer end position parallel to the longitudinal direction of the machine frame and an “inwardly pivoted position” in which the rear support wheel which is on the null side is inwardly pivoted to an inward end position which is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the machine frame, and a pivot gear which controls the adjustment of the swivel unit between the “outwardly pivoted position” and the “inwardly pivoted position” around a swivel axis.

A packaging and applicator device for applying at least one cosmetic composition, the device including: a reservoir containing the composition to be dispensed; an applicator head that is secured to the reservoir at least during application, the head presenting an application face for coming into contact with the region to be treated, and including at least one cavity that opens out into the application face; and at least one feed channel for supplying composition to the application face; the applicator head including at least one portion that is cantilevered-out as far as the periphery of the applicator head, and that defines the application face at least in part.

A container for a viscous cosmetic, in which upper and lower sections respectively positioned above and below an inner tray are air-tightly sealed off from each other so as to reduce leakage of a viscous cosmetic received in a receiving body from the upper section to the lower section.

A pouch comprising a top pouch layer, a bottom pouch layer sealed to the top pouch layer to form a reservoir, wherein the reservoir is configured to hold contents, and an actuator formed from a portion of the top pouch layer, wherein the portion of the top layer is sealed with a corresponding portion of the bottom layer, wherein the actuation of the actuator releases the contents from the reservoir is provided. Furthermore, an associated method is also provided.

An image forming apparatus and a method to control the same. The image forming apparatus variably outputs the PWM signal until the printing medium reaches the target position, accelerates the printing medium-feeding motor, and decelerates the printing medium-feeding motor in multi-stages. If the printing medium reaches the target position, the image forming apparatus decreases the PWM signal value to a predetermined value, maintains a current level, and stops the printing medium-feeding motor without rotating the printing medium-feeding motor in the reverse direction, such that the printing medium-feeding motor may instantaneously rotate in a reverse direction. As a result, the image forming apparatus can prevent the printing medium from stopping the feeding operation without reaching the printing medium to the target position due to the instantaneous reverse rotation of the printing medium-feeding motor, such that the printing medium can be maximally/correctly transferred to the target position.

A printing method is provided for printing on a medium with a color material by a printer including a cartridge accommodating section that removably accommodates a cartridge to which an advance payment information storage section for storing therein advance payment information is attached and which contains the color material. The printing method includes the steps of: reading/writing the advance payment information to/from the advance payment information storage section of the cartridge accommodated in the cartridge accommodating section; outputting a print driving signal for controlling to print; printing by using the color material in the cartridge based on the print driving signal outputted by the print controlling step; acquiring the print driving signal outputted by the print controlling step and converting the print driving signal to accounting information; and settling the advance payment information read by the advance payment information reading/writing step by the accounting information converted by the print driving signal converting step.

An electro-optical module includes an optical lens block, a fiber connector, and a metal latch member adapted to hold the assembly of the optical lens block and the fiber connector together and on a printed circuit board. The latch member includes a metal sheet substantially covering the assembly, depending legs for snap-locking to the printed circuit board, springs at a rear end of the assembly and compress during insertion of the fiber connector, and latching arms with hooks for latching onto two opposite end portions of a front end of the assembly after the insertion and release of the springs.

An optical connector device has a first connector including a ferrule for holding an optical fiber and a guide portion projecting longer than the ferrule. The optical connector device also has a second connector for receiving an end of the ferrule along an optical axis of the optical fiber. The second connector includes a receiver for receiving the guide portion and a shutter having a cover part. The shutter is movable between a cover position at which the optical axis intersects the cover part and an open position at which the optical axis does not intersect the cover part. The guide portion is operable to move the shutter from the cover position to the open position when the guide portion is received into the receiver.

An inner ring is formed with an oil hole extending through a part between an inner ring raceway surface and an inner peripheral face thereof, and configured to force out grease, which has been supplied to an area between the inner ring raceway surface and an outer ring raceway surface, to the inner peripheral face in accordance with rolling of cylindrical rollers. The inner peripheral face of the inner ring is formed with a plurality of V-shaped inclined grooves configured to guide the grease, which has been forced out to the inner peripheral face of the inner ring through the oil hole, to opposite end portions of the inner peripheral face in an axial direction of the inner ring.

The magnetic encoder (17) includes a slinger (18) fixed to a rotation-side raceway ring of a bearing and including an outer side surface (22) opposed to the side of a sensor to detect rotation speed of the rotation-side raceway ring and having a surface roughness Ra: 0.3 to 3.0 μm, and an inner side surface (23) opposed to the side of a sealing member (16) to seal the bearing; a multipolar magnet (19) bonded to the outer side surface (22) through an adhesive; and a film (25b) formed on the inner side surface (23), having a surface roughness Ra of 0.3 μm or less, and being in sliding contact with the sealing member (16).

A flexible package is defined by an inner package layer and a surrounding outer package layer. The inner and outer layers define a tubular body and opposing end portions. A first region of weakness is provided within the outer package layer and is spaced from one end of the package. The region of weakness within the outer packaging layer forms an opening mechanism for the outer layer to expose the inner packaging layer. A second region of weakness is provided within the inner package layer and is spaced from the end of the inner package. The second region of weakness positioned offset from the first region of weakness, to permit the two opening mechanism to be separately activated.

Assembly for securing the outer end of the balance-spring (1) of a sprung balance device for a timepiece that includes a balance-spring stud holder (2) for housing a balance-spring stud (10), against which the balance-spring (1) can be locked, a screw (11) for locking the stud, for securing the balance-spring (1) by insertion between the stud (10) and a back face (7), the locking screw (11) including a tip (15) in the extension of the threaded body (12) at the opposite end to the screw head, and the stud (10) including a housing (16) in which the tip (15) can be inserted. The corresponding watch and method of securing the outer end of the balance-spring are also provided.

A process for producing polyamide which comprises directly melt polymerizing a diamine component, which comprises 70% by mole or more of xylylenediamine comprising 20% by mole or more of para-xylylenediamine, and a dicarboxylic acid component in the substantial absence of solvents in a reaction apparatus of the batch type, wherein a stirring apparatus disposed in the reaction apparatus and used for stirring the melted polymer in the apparatus comprises: (1) a rotating shaft connected to a driving member for stirring, (2) two or more stirring rods disposed in the substantially vertical direction which are cylinder-shaped members or plate-shaped members moving along the circumference of a circle having the center at the rotating shaft, and (3) a connecting member which connects the rotating shaft and the stirring rods; distances between the center line of the rotating shaft and center lines of the two or more stirring rods are each 15% or greater of the inner diameter of the reaction apparatus; the connecting member and the rotating shaft are disposed above the liquid surface of the melted polymer; and stirring is conducted in a manner such that the circumferential speed of the stirring rods is 30 m/minute or greater.

The present invention relates to a device for producing a hardenable mass, preferably bone substitute and/or bone reinforcing material or bone cement or similar material. A mixing container (3) has a mixing space (4) in which at least one powder and at least one liquid component (5, 6) are mixed to provide the hardenable mass (2). A piston means (7) is provided in the mixing space (4) of the mixing container (3). At least one means (8) which is rotatable relative to the mixing container (3) cooperates with the piston means (7) for, in a retaining position (P1), retaining said piston means (7) relative to the mixing container (3) and, by rotation to a release position (P2), releasing the piston means (7) such that said piston means can move in a direction (U) towards at least one opening (49) through which said mass (2) can pass out of the mixing space (4). The rotatable means (8) is provided such that it in its release position (P2) can follow the piston means (7) in the mixing space (4) in the direction (U) towards said opening (49).

A backlight module includes a light guide plate having a light incident surface, a light source module, at least one catch member, and a cushion member. The light source module is disposed adjacent to the light incident surface and has at least one light-emitting element, wherein a light beam emitted by the light-emitting element is capable of entering the light guide plate through the light incident surface. The catch member engages with one end of the light source module, wherein the catch member has at least one extension part extending towards the light incident surface of the light guide plate, and the extension part has an end surface facing the light incident surface. The cushion member is disposed between the light guide plate and the light source module and is adjacent to the light incident surface of the light guide plate and the end surface of the catch member.

A vehicle headlamp includes a first light source configured to emit first light that is projected to form a first irradiation region, a second light source configured to emit second light that is projected to form a second irradiation region joined to the first irradiation region to extend in a transverse direction with respect to an optical axis, a movable shade configured to move between a position at which light irradiation to a joined region of the first irradiation region and the second irradiation region is shielded, and a position at which the light irradiation to the joined region is permitted, and a controller configured to select one of light distribution patterns that are determined by combinations of turning on and off of the first light source, turning on and off of the second light source, and the positions of the movable shade.

An illumination device includes an adjusting apparatus including a gear wheel element and a rotation element rotatably connected to the gear wheel element. A support portion is configured for supporting the adjusting apparatus, and comprises at least a driving pole which is moveable. At least one pair of illumination portion is rotatably connected to the adjusting apparatus via the two opposite sides of the gear wheel element. The rotation element is rotatably connected to the at least one driving pole. When at least one driving pole is driven to move up or down relative to the support portion, the gear wheel element is driven to rotate relative to the rotation element by the at least one driving pole, thereby driving at least one illumination portion to rotate.

A lamp (10) has a cup-shaped body (12) with a planar bottom (14) with an up-standing, peripheral sidewall (16) defining a top (18). The body (12) is thermally conductive and preferably is a metal such as aluminum. A reflective coating (20) is provided on the inside surface of the planar bottom (14) and side wall (16) for reflecting light generated by a single, side emitting LED (22) that is mounted on a thermally conductive, electrically insulating coupling (24) and is positioned substantially in the center of the planar bottom (14). A lens (26) for directing a beam of light emitted from the LED (22) in a desired direction is provided and preferably is a Fresnel optic. The lens (26) can close the opening (18) as shown in FIG. 1 or it can be formed as an integral part of bottom (14) or it can be added to the bottom (14), as shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively, the lens (26) can be solid with the lens elements either external (FIG. 4) or internal (FIG. 5). Electrical connections (28, 30) to the LED extend through the cup-shaped body (14).

An lighting fixture includes a reflector, a pedestal, and a lighting module. The reflector includes an opening formed therethrough and the pedestal is positioned in communication with the opening. The lighting module is coupled to the pedestal. In certain embodiments, the reflector is organically shaped and includes four parts, where each part is substantially S-shaped. The lighting module includes a frame and indirect LEDs that emit light toward the interior surface of the reflector. The indirect LEDs are positioned below the lowest portions of the reflector a are positioned at an angle with respect to a horizontal axis. The frame includes a cut-off wall that provides for a cut-off angle for the indirect LEDs and one or more fins. The frame and the pedestal provide thermal management for the LEDs. In certain embodiments, the lighting module also includes one or more of direct LEDs and an active cooling module.

A lighting apparatus is broadly disclosed and embodied herein. The lighting apparatus may include a heat sink, a first reflector provided over the heat sink, a light emitting module provided at the first reflector, an enclosure provided over the heat sink to surround the light emitting module, and a second reflector provided over the light emitting module. At least a portion of the light emitted from the light emitting module may be reflected at least in a direction a prescribed angle below a horizontal plane of the light emitting module.

An LED lamp with adjustable projection angle is installed to a lamp pole and includes a fixture, a pivot element, a pressing element, a heat dissipating lamp holder and an LED module. The fixture includes a transverse pipe and a cut groove formed at the transverse pipe. The pivot element is passed through the transverse pipe and pivotally coupled to the fixture. The pressing element is installed to the transverse pipe and provided for reducing the cut groove to press and clamp the pivot element. The heat dissipating lamp holder is mounted to the pivot element. The LED module is installed at the heat dissipating lamp holder, and the transverse pipe is used for adjusting the angle of elevation of the heat dissipating lamp holder and the LED module. Therefore, the road lamp can be adjusted to a required projection range to enhance the use efficiency of the road lamp.

A lamp device is provided. The lamp device may include a substrate, a light emitting device provided on a first side of the substrate, a light guide having one end thereof optically connected to the light emitting device and a coupler binding the other end of the light guide, and a heat sink that is thermally connected to a second side of the substrate to radiate heat generated by the light emitting device.

An LED light assembly includes a plurality of LED printed circuit boards (PCB), with each LED PCB having at least one LED bulb and electrical connector pads configured at each opposite end of the boards. At least one electrical connector is configured to connect one end of a first LED PCB to an end of a second said LED PCB such that the first and second LED PCBs are electrically connected end-to-end. The connected LED PCBs may be configured in a light tube that includes connector end caps for mounting the light tube in a light fixture.

A backlight assembly includes a plurality of lamps, a multi-plate diffusion member, optical sheets and a receiving container. The lamps have a rod shape extended in a first direction, and are arranged along a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The diffusion member is disposed above the lamps and has at least two optical plates. Each of the optical plates includes a plurality of optical patterns on a surface facing away from the lamps. The optical patterns are extended in the first direction and aligned along the second direction. The optical sheets are disposed above the diffusion member to improve optical characteristics of passed through light. The receiving container includes a reflective bottom plate and a sidewall formed on an edge of the bottom plate to receive the lamps, the diffusion member and the optical sheets.

A lighting module includes a light output window, at least one side wall that defines a cavity and a mounting plate, and at least one light source, and at least one reflector that is within the cavity. The light output window may be one of the side walls in a side-emitting configuration. The spectral distribution of the light coming out of the light output window may be changed by manipulating the relative position of the side wall to the at least one reflector that is within the cavity.

An illumination device is including an illumination body and a hollow sleeve. A light emitting element and a transparent sheet is disposed in the illumination body. A first convex lens is disposed in the hollow sleeve. The light emitting element, the transparent sheet, and the first convex lens are arranged sequentially along a moving direction. When the hollow sleeve is operated to move along the moving direction, the first convex lens is moved with respect to the light emitting element and the transparent sheet, and the projection facula is changed from presenting a light source pattern of the light emitting element to a predetermined pattern of transparent sheet.

An image forming apparatus including a body, a print head including a nozzle part having a length corresponding to a width of a printing medium, and a regulator provided separately from the print head and mounted to the body, the regulator serves to adjust a negative pressure of ink which is to be supplied into the print head.

Provided herein is a functional liquid supply apparatus having: a plurality of sub tanks, a tank unit which replenishes the functional liquid to the plurality of sub tanks, an upstream side functional liquid channel of which an upstream side thereof is connected to the tank unit and a downstream side thereof is connected to each of the sub tanks, and a plurality of third opening and closing valves which replenish the functional liquid to each of the sub tanks by its' opening and closing operations. The tank unit 122 has a pair of main tanks, nitrogen gas supply units connected to the pair of the main tanks respectively, and a switching device which is capable of switching a pressurized liquid of the functional liquid fed from the pair of the main tanks alternatively.

The liquid ejecting heads are arranged on the head carrying member such that each pair of nozzles that are next to each other in terms of first-direction positions of adjacent ones of the liquid ejecting heads are shifted relative to each other by an offset length δ corresponding to a relative displacement in the first direction between the liquid ejecting heads due to thermal expansion during liquid ejection with reference to a specified pitch at which nozzles included in a single nozzle row are provided.

A printhead for a printer in which a print medium advances in a media advance direction, said printhead being static when printing and having an adjustable length in a width direction that is perpendicular to said media advance direction, such that the length of the printhead in said width direction can be adjusted to the width of the image to be printed.

An ink jet recording apparatus may include a recording head that extends in a direction perpendicular to a recording-medium-conveying direction. In some embodiments, the recording head may eject ink to a recording medium. An embodiment may include a recovery device that performs recovery processing of the recording head, the recovery device having a cap portion that covers an ink ejection surface of the recording head, and a wiping portion that wipes the ink ejection surface. In some embodiments, the recovery device may move along the recording-medium-conveying direction. When the recovery device moves along the recording-medium-conveying direction, the wiping portion wipes the ink ejection surface while moving along the recording-medium-conveying direction.

A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharge head (120) having ink discharge nozzles (203) for discharging droplets of inks, and a head controller (162) for controlling the liquid discharge head to discharge droplet from liquid discharge units onto the surface of recording paper (P), wherein the liquid discharge head includes the plural liquid discharge heads in a direction perpendicular to movement direction of recording paper where the recording paper is relatively moved with respect to the liquid discharge head. The head controller serves to allow discharge timings of droplets in movement direction of the recording paper to be different every one pixel in movement direction of the recording paper to eliminate stripes apt to take place when a portion or the entirety of image is printed by one scanning operation to obtain image having less defect.

A printing device includes heads that eject electromagnetic wave hardened inks toward a medium and irradiation sections respectively corresponding to the heads. The irradiation sections irradiate the electromagnetic wave hardened inks. A controller controls the heads and the irradiation sections. The controller, when printing, sequentially performs a method that includes the following operations. One head ejects a first ink in a first ejecting operation. An irradiation section corresponding to the head irradiates first electromagnetic ink in a first irradiation operation. A different head ejects another ink toward a pixel on the medium such that the other ink overlaps the first ink, in a second ejecting operation. An irradiation section corresponding to the other head irradiates the other ink in a second irradiation operation. The controller performs the operations such that a contact angle of the other ink relative to the first ink is greater than 90 degrees.

A rubber crawler for a tracked vehicle involves an endless rubber belt body for revolving around first and second members that are spaced from each other, which belt body has an outer peripheral face including a plurality of lugs that protrude outwardly from the belt body, each of which lugs has a ground-contacting surface and a sidewall extending outwardly from the belt body to the ground-contacting surface, the sidewall having a groove extending transversely to the length direction of the belt body, and each of which lugs is at least partially made of material that is deformable, at the groove of the sidewall, when the belt body bends to facilitate removal of soil from the groove.

The present disclosure relates to various computer-implemented methods of line-locking a hydraulic vehicle braking system. A method includes performing a preliminary system check and controlling the distribution of fluid between a hydraulic module and an individual wheel-end brake component when the preliminary check is satisfied. The system continues to monitor predetermined vehicle inputs during activation.

A hand brake control system for a rail vehicle hand brake having a release trigger. The system includes a cylinder for activating the release trigger of the hand brake and a source of pressure. A first valve selectively connects either the source of pressure at a first input or a second input to the cylinder at an output. A second valve selectively connects either the source of pressure or exhaust to the second input of the first valve at the output of the second valve. The first valve is a manually operated valve and the second valve is an electro-pneumatic valve. Linkage allows actuation of the first valve from at least two location about the vehicle.

A movable support leg contains a base, a column disposed on the base, a holding surface fixed on the column. The holding surface is fixed and capable of adjusting its height and angle by using first and second rods and the column. A top end of each of the first and the second rods is axially connected with the holding surface by using one screw, and a bottom end of each of the first and the second rods adjusts its height to be fixed on the column.

The invention relates to vehicle seat comprising a seat part and to a restraint device and a corresponding method of manufacture. The vehicle seat comprises an anti-submarining restraint device for preventing an occupant from slipping through on the vehicle seat when decelerated due to a crash, said restraint device being settable to an extended inactive position and said restraint device being settable to an extended active position. The seat part, in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, has a padding defining a seat area, and a padding support below said padding. The restraint device is arranged between the padding support and the padding and spaced apart from the lateral parts by means of a locking element (e.g. detent recesses (28) or the like) provided for locking the restraint device in the active position.

A lockable latch system includes an anchor bar rigidly connected to a vehicle and a rigid hook operably engaged with the anchor bar. A springboard is disposed on the rigid hook. The springboard is operable between an obstructing position, wherein the springboard prevents disengagement of the rigid hook from the bar and an unobstructing position, wherein the springboard does not prevent disengagement of the rigid hook from the bar. A lock assembly includes a cam operable between an interference position, wherein the cam prevents the springboard from entering the unobstructing position and a non-interference position, wherein the cam does not prevent the springboard from entering the unobstructing position.

A snap closure suitable for a thin-walled cabinet such as a sheet-metal cabinet, particularly for drawers, plug-ins, doors, or the like which can be pushed into or swiveled into a sheet-metal cabinet, comprises a housing which can be mounted in an opening of the cabinet sheet metal. One side (the outer side) of the housing has a handle and a closure actuating element, while a closure hook proceeds from its other side (inner side) so as to be swivelable against spring force. The closure hook is connected to the actuating element by a freewheeling coupling. According to the invention, the actuating element is formed by the handle which is mounted in the housing so as to be swivelable around an axis, and this axis is parallel to or coaxial to the axis of the closure hook.

A pipe fitting, useable in the installation of a sprinkler head, includes (a) a body having an open upstream end and an open downstream end, the downstream end having internal threads capable of accepting a threaded male fitting, the body defining a gasket retention area located upstream of the internal threads; and (b) an gasket disposed within the gasket retention area. The gasket retention area and the gasket are chosen so that a threaded male fitting threadedly disposed within the downstream end of the body can be rotated within the downstream end of the body 360° while remaining liquid tight for pressures in excess of 300 psig.

In-line roller skate (1) comprising in-line wheels (2) around which travels an endless rolling support (4) of the belt type, having regular transverse notches (40). At least the rear wheel (24) is mounted in such a way as to allow horizontal sliding, and at least the front wheel (9) is mounted in such a way as to allow inclined forward sliding along an elongate slot opening (12) formed in the side walls (13, 14) of the frame (6), so that the tension in the rolling belt keeps the axis of rotation (5) of the wheel at the bottom end of the slot. At least one element (27) is in rolling bearing contact with the lower portion of the rolling belt. This belt is preferably cylindrical in section, with its inner surface (28) housed in mating grooves (3) around the perimeter of the wheels. The skate may include a stone guard (45).

To provide a clip for an airbag, the pin member of which can be easily removed from a grommet by a simple operation even in a state in which a garnish is furnished. A clip 1 for an airbag includes: a grommet 10; and a pin member 20. The grommet 10 includes: a supporting hole 12 into which the pin member 20 is inserted from the surface side the back side; and an engaging portion 15 for preventing the pin member 20 from coming out from the supporting hole 12. The pin member 20 includes a pair of sidewalls 22 opposed to each other which are extended from a head portion 21 in the axial direction and inserted into a supporting hole 12 of the grommet 10 and freely, relatively moved in the axial direction with respect to the grommet 10. In a state in which the second engaging portion 26 of each sidewall 22 is engaged with the engaging portion 15 of the grommet 10, when a flexible region 25, which is exposed from the supporting hole 12 onto the surface side of the grommet 10, is deflected, this state of engagement can be released.

A method and to a system for controlling a sliding device for a fifth wheel coupling arranged on a towing vehicle, wherein the sliding device includes a substructure having at least one guide rail oriented in the driving direction, a movable slide, which supports the fifth wheel coupling and engages on the guide rail, and a control unit, to which a motorized drive unit for moving the slide and an actuator for fixing the slide relative to the guide rail are connected. The aim was to provide a method and a control system with which a sufficiently large gap width (W) can be set between the towing vehicle and the trailer in a timely manner. This is achieved, among other things, by a method in which a distance measurement is performed to detect an obstruction in front of the towing vehicle, the signal of the measurement is processed into a control signal in the control unit, and a start-up of the motorized drive unit and/or the actuator is initiated therewith.

A watercraft trailer has a watercraft receiving portion and a lower frame adapted to support a watercraft in the watercraft receiving portion. The lower frame has at least one longitudinally extending lower frame member. The trailer also has a hitch coupler connected to a front of the lower frame, a first wheel and a second wheel operatively connected to the lower frame, and a walk board connected to the lower frame.

A wheel hub joint unit is provided that includes, but is not limited to a constant velocity rotary joint and a wheel bearing. The constant velocity rotary joint has a joint outer part. The wheel bearing supports a wheel hub with a double-row bearing, and the double-row bearing is disposed on the joint outer part.

A seal for sealing a cardan shaft housing, particularly at a contact surface between an outer ring and a housing lid, has a first sealing element that at least partially covers the contact surface plane to be sealed, as well as a first shape-stabilizing element that is at least partially firmly connected with the first sealing element. A second sealing element is at least partially firmly connected on the shape-stabilizing element.

The invention relates to a sealing device for a swivel, an improved attachment device and a method for improving a seal in a swivel, where a sealing medium is composed according to the viscosity and chemical composition of the application concerned and has a viscosity substantially over 500 cst and where the sealing medium is pressurized by a pressure transmission unit.

There is provided a game kit comprising (i) a plurality of game pieces, the pieces comprising at least two faces and the faces comprising at least one symbol thereon; and (ii) a holder comprising at least one holding section for holding the game pieces in such a manner that when at least one of the game pieces is inserted in the holding section, the holding section is effective for hiding at least one symbol of the at least one of the game pieces.

The sheet processing apparatus is provided with: an apparatus main body that performs processing for a sheet; a sheet stacker on which a sheet transported from the apparatus main body is stacked in a first state where the sheet stacker is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane, and that is downwardly movable; and a moving-down unit that moves the sheet stacker down. The sheet stacker is provided so as to be detachable from the apparatus main body, and so as to change posture from the first state to a second state where the sheet stacker is less inclined relative to the first state.

A recording apparatus includes a cassette having a stacking region for stacking recording materials mounted to main assembly of the recording apparatus; a feeder for feeding the recording material stacked to the cassette; a sheet discharge portion for sheet discharging the recording material having been subjected to a recording operation; a tray movable between a first position where the recording material is incapable of being discharged from the sheet discharge portion and a second position where the recording material is capable of being discharged from a main assembly of the recording apparatus; a holding portion, disposed on the tray, for holding the recording material discharged when the tray is at the second position; an auxiliary portion disposed on the tray and capable of stacking the recording material with the stacking region when the tray is at the second position.

A plastic spring having a corrugated tubular body with connection surfaces at its ends for transmitting force between two structural component parts which are movable relative to one another. A connection surface of the plastic spring is constructed as a tubular body which engages in a cup element of one of the supporting structural component parts. The cup element can be filled with a displacement mass, and the tubular body accordingly carries out a displacing movement within the cup element for axially adjusting the preloading of the plastic spring.

A manually operated prying tool includes a prying head and a handle. The head is defined at its end with an assembling hole in which are disposed a head portion of a handle of the prying tool, a ratchet wheel, a C-shaped ring, a central shaft, a spring and a stopping piece. By pushing the central shaft, the prying tool can be switched into a fixing mode, an adjustment mode, or a rotation operation mode, which allows the user to unidirectionally rotate the tool to perform a micro-angle adjustment between the prying head and the handle of the prying tool, making it convenient to use the tool.

A valve for pressurized or liquefied gas comprises a valve body (12) with a gas flow channel (16) and in this channel a sealing seat (30) for an open/close element (32) having a free end (60) where a shoulder (62) is provided. An annular seal (64) is mounted on the free end (60) of the open/close element (32), the annular seal (64) having a front end face (66) facing the sealing seat (30) and a rear end face (68) resting on the shoulder (62) of the open/close body. A holding ring (70) surrounds the annular seal (64) circumferentially and comprises a radial lip (72) that bears on the outer edge of the front end face (66) of said annular seal (64). The annular seal (64) includes an outer annular shoulder (74) on the edge of its front end face and the radial lip (72) with the holding ring (70) has an annular bead (76) facing this outer annular shoulder (74) of the annular seal (64). The holding ring (70) is fixed to the open/close element (32) by a leaktight outer circumferential weld (77), so that the annular bead (76) passes axially into the outer annular shoulder (74) of the annular seal (64) to compress it.

Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to methods for sealing a processing chamber with a slit valve door. The door initially raises from a position below the opening for the processing chamber to a raised position. The door then expands until an O-ring that is on the door just touches the sealing surface. Then, the door expands again to compress the O-ring against the sealing surface. The door expands by flowing a gas into the interior volume of the door. By controlling the pressure buildup within the door, the speed with which the door expands is controlled to ensure that the door gently contacts the sealing surface and then compresses against the sealing surface. Thus, the door may be prevented from contacting the sealing surface with too great a force that may jolt or shake the processing chamber and produce undesired particles that may contaminate the process.

The present invention thus relates to a mounting device having a metallic base plate, on which multiple fastening elements are provided, from each of which at least a partial area projects above the base plate. The mounting device is obtainable by incising fastening element blanks into the surface of the metallic base plate while leaving one connection edge per blank in such a way that they each have a web-shaped base area, which comprises the connection edge on one end, and a head area adjoining the base area, which projects laterally beyond the neighboring base area on at least one side. At least one partial area of the blanks is bent out of the base plate around at least one bending edge located in the base area. The projecting edge of the head area adjoining the base area runs at an angle between 0° and 70° in relation to the plane of the base plate after the fastening elements are bent out of the base plate. In addition, the present invention relates to a method for producing this mounting device.

A standard and shelf support are provided for supporting one or more shelves at selected elevations from a vertical surface. The standard has a rear wall, and first and second mounting walls being spaced apart and extending from the rear wall. The first and second mounting walls define a channel that is open to the front of the standard. At least one of the first and second mounting walls defines a plurality of spaced apart notches which are not visible from the front of the standard, and the notches are adapted to receive a retention member on a shelf support.

An apparatus for insertion into a board having a slot to enable items to be hung thereon and its method of use is disclosed. The apparatus has a body; an arm that extends for a desired length from the body; and an upper and a lower leg each having an arcuate distal edge. The upper leg and lower leg extending generally longitudinally outwardly from the body in an opposite direction from the arm and are in spaced relation. The upper leg comprises an upwardly extended finger located at the distal end of the upper leg having a shoulder spaced from the longitudinal length of the upper leg.

Merchandising support system of the type having a holding member (12) adapted for engagement of a cantilevered accessory arm (14) thereto. The holder is adapted for mounting on a surface of a display panel (30) or the like and comprises a mounting platform (16) with a throat (18) extending therethrough. The accessory arm is supported in the throat in. cantilevered fashion and includes a first magnetic material that engages a second magnetic material (52) with the latter disposed in the throat proximate to a rear surface thereof.

A stabilization device is provided that includes a resilient body that has an upper surface and a lower surface. The body includes a first set of teeth located on the upper surface and distributed about a first axis. The teeth are spaced apart from one another by a selected pitch. The body also includes a second set of teeth located on the upper surface and distributed about a second axis. Like the first set the second set of teeth are spaced apart a selected second pitch. The first and second sets of teeth are offset from each other along either the first or second axis. The lower surface of the body preferably includes a similar arrangement of teeth.

A mounting platform for removable attachment between tunnel segments of parallel webbing, including at least one accessory attachment portion; at least one primary coupling portion extending from the accessory attachment portion; a hook extending from a portion of the primary coupling portion, wherein the hook allows the primary coupling portion of the primary coupling portion to be removably secured to a portion of webbing when the primary coupling portion has been positioned within a tunnel segment of the parallel webbing.

A line-management assembly has a base, a collating device and a connecting device. The base has a bottom board, a linking panel and a linking frame. The linking frame is rotatably connected to the linking panel and has a mounting tube, an outer casing, multiple storing spaces and two linking arms. The collating device is pivotally connected to the base and has multiple extending frames. The extending frames are detachably connected each other, the lowest one of the extending frames is detachably attached to the linking frame of the base and each extending frame has a central tube, an outer cover, multiple collating spaces and two extending arms. The connecting device is detachably connected to the collating device and has a connecting frame. The connecting frame is detachably connected to the uppermost extending frame of the collating device.

A railroad crossing gate height adjustment assembly and method for reestablishing a height of the crossing gate of a railroad crossing gate apparatus. An elongated externally threaded pipe has a reducer threadably engageable at a lower, smaller end thereof onto, and is adjustably positionable along a length of the threaded pipe. A larger, upper end of the reducer is threadably lockable with a coupling previously secured at a lower end of a wiring conduit of the gate apparatus whereby the length of the wiring conduit is adjustably increased by an exposed length of the threaded pipe. A bushing having an external thread is lockably engageable onto a top surface of a gate base of the gate apparatus after the coupling and connected wiring conduit are removed, the bushing also having an external thread thereon for supportively receiving a lower end of the threaded pipe.

A window element for insertion in a window cutout in an outer skin of an aircraft, with a window frame for accommodating a window package and a press-on frame. The window frame can be attached to the inside of the outer skin in the region of the window cutout and can be riveted to the external skin, wherein for attaching the press-on frame at least one press-on frame fitting is connected to the window frame and to the outer skin, in particular is riveted to the window frame and to the outer skin, and the window frame comprises an essentially L-shaped or rectangular cross-sectional geometric shape.

The airplane comprises a fuselage having frames, and at least two undercarriages each comprising a support and at least one wheel, the support being carried directly by the fuselage and being hinged to the fuselage about an axis that lies outside the frames.The undercarriage is movable between an operational position in which the or each wheel is vertical, and a rest position.The support and the wheel have a configuration such that, in the rest position, the undercarriage extends circumferentially relative to the fuselage and outside the frames.

A leak-proof perfume bottle spray head assembly includes a bottle cap having a tubular holder block and a rotating shaft rotatably mounted in said tubular holder block, a positioning block having a base coupled to the rotating shaft and a sound-making unit extending along the periphery of the base, the sound-making unit having a positioning face and a retaining rib, and a spray head coupled to the rotating shaft and having a deformable rail which will be rubbed against the sound-making unit to make click sound during rotation of the rotating shaft with the spray head from the open position to the close position and a retaining portion for engagement with the retaining rib when the rotating shaft is rotated to the close position.

The present invention pertains to a shower switch with adjustable device comprising a main body, a water divided device, a cover, a driving device and a handle. Particularly, the water divided device contains a water divided plate with water divided holes for operating with a sealing plate, which is further positioned inside the main body, and the driving device has one end thereof connecting to the sealing plate and the other end thereof pivoted to the handle. In this manner, the driving device pivoted to the main body and the handle synchronically rotates the sealing plate against the water divided plate by one hand so as to conduct the water from the sealing plate into different water divided holes for the purpose of water switching and of preventing from wetting the hands, hence increasing the convenience.

A sprinkler includes a riser having an inlet end and an outlet end and a nozzle rotatably supported at the outlet end of the riser. The nozzle has a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending stream forming channels. A gear drive is coupled for rotating the nozzle. A stationary arc plate has an upper surface adjacent a lower surface of the nozzle and includes a first aperture that directs water into terminal ends of the stream forming channels. A manually adjustable orifice plate is mounted in overlapping relationship with the stationary orifice plate. The adjustable orifice plate has a second aperture shaped and aligned with the first aperture so that manual rotation of the adjustable orifice plate increases or decreases an arc of an arc shaped water distribution pattern. A ratchet mechanism including radially deflectable tabs releasably locks the position of the adjustable orifice plate.

A spray nozzle assembly that utilizes ultrasonic atomization techniques to atomize a liquid into a cloud of small or fine droplets is disclosed. The nozzle assembly also can use various air or gas atomizing technologies to propel the generally directionless droplet cloud toward a surface or substrate to be coated. The propelled droplet cloud may at this state have a conical or cone-shaped spray pattern. Additional air or gas atomizing technologies can be utilized to shape the propelled droplet cloud into a flattened fan-shaped spray pattern that can be usable in various industrial applications. The shape of the spray pattern and the distribution of droplets within the pattern can be adjusted by manipulation of the gas pressure used in gas atomization.

A device is disclosed that uses a flow-control methodology to control sprays at very high precision and frequency. The device is based on an enhanced Coanda effect. The control flow is selectively applied to the region in which we desire the jet to vector and control the profile (width) of the jet. The control flow is introduced through multiple control flow ports surrounding the primary nozzle and adjacent to the Coanda surface. By selectively opening and closing different control flow ports the motion and profile of the jet can be controlled.

A rail mount secures a longitudinally extending rail having a foot to a sleeper of a track system. The mount has a rail base plate on the sleeper underneath the rail foot and unitarily formed with a pair of upwardly projecting holders transversely flanking the rail and each formed with at least one vertically throughgoing bore. Respective anchor bolts engaged vertically downward through the bores have heads bearing downward at least indirectly on the respective holders and are seated in the sleeper to hold the base plate down on the sleeper. Respective elastically deformable clips fitted to the holders below the respective anchor-bolt heads bear upwardly on the holders and downwardly on the rail foot to press the rail downwardly toward the sleeper.

A train system includes a track and at least one train component. Connectable and detachable segments join to form the track. Each segment includes a main body with an upper running surface upon which train components run. A receiving chamber is formed within the main body. A pair of track members extend outwardly from opposed sides of the main body. A connector component, with a neck portion and a distal portion, extends outwardly from the main body opposite the receiving chamber and engages the receiving chamber of another segment. The segments move in up-down and side-to-side directions. Each train component connects to the track by a pair of rail guides that engage the opposed sides of the main body. A spring element connected between the rail guides operates a switch element to drive a drive member, which engages the upper running surface to move the train component along the track.

A graphically represented, machine-readable code having a first abstract part and a second part comprises a contrived code having pre-associated data, wherein the first and second parts are associated electronically in a storage medium, such that the association is verifiable by a machine reading the code by reference to the storage medium, in order to authenticate the second part.

The present invention relates to a flexible packaging arrangement for use with security devices. The flexible packaging may include an packet or sleeve in which a plurality of overlapping perforations or cuts may be used to break or render the security device inoperable after repeated bends or application of force to the flexible package to thereby protect the privacy of the consumer and to prevent inadvertent triggering of an alarm system after a legitimate purchase of the device.

Although a product having such the IC chip has been diffused, information on the product may be capable of being perceived, abstracted, falsified, or the like by a third person with his external device during distribution of the product or after purchase of the product. Further, privacy may be seriously infringed. Paper money, various products, and the like are disclosed according to the present invention with an integrated circuit device having a switching memory for controlling reading and writing of information (lock/unlock of information) in order to protect the information recorded and stored in the integrated circuit such as an IC chip installed to the product or the like.

Without using a component such as a chip coil, a winding pattern is formed with a wire with which a main wiring pattern is formed. This enables to deal with the flexibility by realizing a thin product using a coil antenna. Further, the wiring pattern is designed such that the winding pattern is provided and distributed to the main wiring pattern forming a loop, and is formed with the wire so as to have a wound shape small enough compared with the main wiring pattern. In this way, the ratio of the self-inductance to the mutual inductance is appropriately made further large, so that the mutual inductance is made comparatively small.

A method for producing a portable card-shaped data carrier with a high embossing. The method comprises the steps of supplying a planar circuit carrier, integrating the circuit carrier in a card-shaped data carrier body of the data carrier and high embossing the data carrier body. At least one surface area of the circuit carrier and at least one through opening is produced and the data carrier body is high embossed in an embossing area overlapping with the at least one surface area of the circuit carrier. In this fashion an easy high embossing of a corresponding data carrier is rendered possible.

A method and system for determining the presence and identity of a game piece placed at a sensing location by attaching one or more conductive rings at fixed concentric locations on the bottom of the game piece and sensing the presence or absence of the conductive rings by means of sensors that are insensitive to the rotational orientation of the game piece.

The system includes a first receiver that, when information has been printed on the medium using a printing apparatus, receives, from the printing apparatus, an electronic tag ID of an electronic tag in the printed medium and a plurality of recipient IDs specified by a user, a second receiver that, when the printed medium has been stored in a repository, receives, from the repository, an electronic tag ID of an electronic tag in the stored medium and an ID in association with the repository (hereinafter called the repository ID), and an associating unit that, when the electronic tag ID sent from the printing apparatus agrees with the electronic tag ID sent from the repository, associates a recipient ID corresponding to the repository ID sent from the repository, out of the plurality of recipient IDs sent from the printing apparatus, with the agreed electronic tag ID.

A consumer tenders a transaction card to a merchant to purchase a good or service. A merchant payment device, such as a payment terminal or mobile communication device, processes the payment utilizing a risk assessment system. Card data received by the payment device is sent to the risk assessment system, which processes card data and generates an indicator representing risk associated with accepting payment using the card. The indicator is sent to the payment device to provide the merchant input regarding risk associated with using the card (e.g., likelihood of fraud or chargeback) in a seamless manner. If the risk level is too high, the merchant may reject the card. The risk indicator may be based on different types of data from different sources, e.g., data from a first source related to the consumer's credit history and data from a second source related to the consumer's identity.

An automatic identification system for communicating identifying information by coupling signals through the human body is provided. The system includes a battery powered identification device that transmits an identifying signal via a modulated carrier. The identification device is coupled to the body of the user via a coupling plate. The signal from the identification device is received by a reading device that is also coupled to the body of the user via a coupling plate. The reading device may display and/or enunciates the identifying information to the user. The coupling technique, carrier frequency, and construction of the devices are such that the identification information is not inadvertently radiated or coupled to unintentional users or receivers.

A height adjustable tower and cargo rack apparatus for wakeboard boats and the like, the apparatus including: a tower base rigidly attached to a boat gunwale, the tower base having a powered actuator; vertical supports extending from the tower base and pivotally operated by the powered actuator; a pivotally adjustable cargo rack apparatus supported by the vertical supports; and, a height adjustable upper tower section which is pivotally supported by the vertical supports and which adjustably supports the cargo rack apparatus. The multiplicity of adjustable and pivotal features work in conjunction with each other to maximize the unique functionality of the instant apparatus.

An air-pump type discharger capable of discharging a dose of contents, such as toothpaste, using pneumatic pressure and a dispenser for daily necessaries including the same are disclosed. The air-pump type discharger includes a housing inserted in a dispenser body, and provided with a plurality of air vent holes around a piston receiving portion formed on a bottom surface of the housing; a piston having a pushing part with an opened lower portion and inserted in an upper opening of the housing, and a connector extending from a bottom surface of the pushing part, inserted in the piston receiving portion, and contacting the bottom surface of the housing, in which an air passage is formed in the pushing part and the connector, through which air passes; and a spring, installed within the housing, for resiliently supporting the piston upwards. Since the discharger is easily detached from the dispenser body, the assembling workability and the recycle of resources can be improved.

The embodiments provide a hinge assembly for a trash can assembly that allows the lid to be conveniently removed from the hinge assembly. The trash can assembly, can comprises: a shell having an upper, open end; a lid configured to cover the upper, open end of the shell; a hinge assembly coupled to the shell and the lid and configured to provide pivotable movement of the lid between an open position and a closed position, wherein the hinge assembly comprises, a mounting bracket provided on the lid and having at least one through hole, a housing provided at the upper end of the shell and defining a bore, and a pivot bar that is received inside the at least one through hole and the bore to allow pivotable movement of the mounting bracket relative to the housing, and engaged by a locking mechanism into position within mounting bracket and housing to prevent withdrawal of the pivot bar from inside the at least one through hole and the bore.

A container for housing an object having a housing with an insert movably disposed within the housing to define a receptacle to receive the object. A lid is removably located on the housing to enclose the insert, with an object engaging portion of the lid being in contact with the object. The lid is rotatable on the housing from a first removal position, to a second locking position in which a locking projection on the lid engages a first counter structure on the housing. A driving projection on the lid engages a second counter structure on the insert to rotate the insert with the lid, so that the lid and insert do not move relative to the object as the lid moves to the locking position.

A filter includes a membrane having a plurality of nanochannels formed therein. Functionalized nanoparticles are deposited through self assembly onto surfaces defining the nanochannels so as to decrease the final diameter of the membrane. Methods for making and using the filter are also provided.

A dual-side cleaning traversing screen filtration system which generally comprises a main trough water containment housing, a traversing manifold having a multitude of top and bottom disposed spray heads, flexible plumbing, a substantially planar, rectangular supported screen which is disposed over, and spans the opening of, the main trough water containment housing which, in the preferred embodiment, has a rectangular box like shape, with the combined assemblage functioning as a filter to separate unwanted debris from the water that passes through the screen into the slightly inclined main trough water containment housing where it can be continually removed and re-used.

A screen basket with replaceable profiled bars is described herein. The screen basket includes profiled bars evenly spaced circumferentially to form a plurality of continuous slots that covers the whole basket length. The profiled bars are fixed in place by a backing structure, including support rings. The support rings are made of at least two sections.

A light-weight stackable beverage crate includes a bottom plate, four side walls forming an interior space for placement of objects, and four vertically extending columns interconnecting the side walls and bottom plate. Each side wall includes a pattern of outer and inner arches interconnected by lateral beams, vertical support beams, and cross-beams. Side walls may include handle recesses. A lateral beam defines an upper edge of the side wall and another lateral beam defines a lower edge of the side wall. An upper end of the column extends above the upper edge of the side walls, and a lower end of the column extends below the lower edge of the side walls. The upper and lower ends of the column are capable of distributing a load force. When stacked, the only load-bearing points of contact between crates above are the upper and lower ends of the columns.

A protection sleeve for a drug blister, includes a horizontal drawer holding the blister, a sheath inside which the drawer is mounted so as to be capable of sliding between a closed position and an open position, and first locking elements for locking the drawer in a closed position, that include at least a first transverse face for blocking the drawer and to be arranged against a second transverse face for blocking the sheath when the drawer is in the closed position, the first blocking face being provided on a segment of the drawer mounted so as to pivot about a longitudinal axis between a locking angular position and a release angular position, characterized in that at least one of the blocking face is supported by an elastically deformable locking tab so that the locking can be achieved by the elastic engagement of the tab behind the other blocking face.

The unit (1) A unit (1) for conveying products (2), in particular blister packs (2), comprises includes a first conveyor (4), and a second conveyor (5). The unit (1) comprises a disc (6) has a disc (6) located between the first conveyor (4) and the second conveyor (5), activatable in rotation about an axis (K) for performing transfer of the products (2) from the first conveyor (4) to the second conveyor (5) and for effecting a change in direction from a change in direction thereof from the first advancement direction (A1) to the to a second advancement direction (A2), and further comprises guide means (8, 80) of the products (2) which guide means. Guides for the products (8,80) are positionable on the disc (6) such as to identify at least so as to define a linear guide advancement tract (L1) of the for the products (2), thereby aligning for aligning and guiding the products (2) in transfer as they transfer onto the rotating disc (6) and move towards the second conveyor (5).

A sorting device for sorting products, for example pieces of luggage, including a removing mechanism moving the product to be sorted off the supporting surface at a desired sorting location, wherein the removing mechanism includes a pusher element and a moving mechanism moving the pusher element laterally at a sorting location so as to have the pusher element push the product to be sorted off the supporting surface. The removing mechanism further includes two guides each sorting unit for guiding two respective guide members of the pusher element during the lateral movement of the pusher element.

A conveyance section positioning method has carrier pallets on which workpieces are fixed, a conveyer, a heating furnace for heating the workpieces, and a positioning mechanism for positioning the carrier pallets, and the method stops the carrier pallets at predetermined positions. The heating furnace has halogen heaters for heating the workpieces. The carrier pallets each have projections and output grooves. Comb tooth-shaped stopper projections engaging with the projections are formed on a carrier stopper. When the carrier stopper is moved forward, the stopper projections and the projections are engaged with each other. In this one operation, the carrier pallets are positioned at places corresponding to the halogen heaters, and then the workpieces are heated.

In an elevator device, movement of a car is braked by a brake device in a state in which driving of a hoist is stopped. While the drive of the hoist is stopped, braking force of the brake device is controlled by a brake control device based on a signal from a movement detector that generates a signal corresponding to movement of the car. The brake control device generates a target pattern for at least one of speed and acceleration of the car and controls braking force of the brake device such that the movement of the car follows the target pattern.

The movement of a plurality of elevator cars (12, 14) in an elevator hoistway (16) is coordinated for situations in which the regions of the hoistway that are serviceable by the cars (12, 14) at any given time are configured to overlap. A car stop plan for each elevator car (12, 14) is generated that includes a sequence of stops for servicing demand assigned to the elevator car (12, 14). Operation of the elevator cars (12, 14) is then coordinated based on the car stop plans such that each elevator car (12, 14) services its assigned demand without interfering with the car stop plans of any other of the plurality of elevator cars (12, 14).

A stabbing basket, for a rig and for supporting a worker while stabbing joints of tubular members together during running operations, comprises a frame member for mounting the stabbing basket to the rig, a platform to support the worker, a carriage to slidably mount the platform to the frame member, vertical power means for moving the carriage vertically with respect to the frame member, an articulating boom, interconnecting the platform with the carriage, said articulating boom comprising a first segment and a second segment, and at least one pivoting actuator positioned between the first segment and the second segment.

A motor vehicle (2) has a roof (3) with two longitudinal roof members (4, 5). Side windows (9) are under longitudinal roof members (4, 5) and fins (12, 13) extend rearward of the longitudinal roof members (4, 5). An outer skin (16) of a rear deck lid (17) is arranged between the fins (12, 13). Air inlet openings (20, 21) are formed in outer sides of the fins (12, 13) adjacent to the side window (9) are connected by a two-channel air duct (23, 24) to an air outlet opening (25, 26) adjacent the outer skin (16) of the lid on the inner side (15) of the fin (12, 13) and to an assembly compartment (RA) for an assembly (AG) of the motor vehicle (2). A rear air deflection device (32) is arranged behind the air outlet opening (25, 26).

A motor driving system with a pair of units connected in series to form a DC power supply with an intermediate potential connection point, positive and negative electrode lines connected to the positive and negative sides of the power supply through positive and negative electrode side switching circuits, an intermediate potential line with one end connected to the intermediate potential point, a DC to DC converter unit having two switching devices connected in series between the positive and negative electrode lines, a DC link circuit connected in parallel to the DC to DC converter unit between the positive and negative electrode lines, and a DC to AC converter unit driving an AC motor, the other end of the intermediate potential line connected to the connection point between the switching devices with a reactor in the intermediate potential line or in each of the positive and negative electrode lines.

Casing shoes comprise a nose portion having an inner profile and an outer profile. At least one cutting structure is on the outer profile. A stem section extends longitudinally from the nose portion. At least one of a float valve mechanism, a cementing stage tool, a float collar mechanism, and a landing collar structure is disposed within the stem section. Methods of installing sections of casing within wellbores comprise advancing the at least one section of casing into contact with subterranean formation material with a casing shoe attached thereto. At least one of a float valve mechanism, a cementing stage tool, a float collar mechanism, and a landing collar structure is carried within the casing shoe into the wellbore. The wellbore is drilled or reamed using at least one cutting structure on the casing shoe as the at least one section of casing is advanced into the wellbore.

According to one embodiment, a system for accessing a subterranean zone from the surface includes a well bore extending from the surface to the subterranean zone, and a well bore pattern connected to the junction and operable to drain fluid from a region of the subterranean zone to the junction.

A releasing control panel (RCP) for use with residential fire protection systems and methods. The RCP provides a primary communication between a liquid supply source and a network of pipes and sprinklers using a series of three control valves. The RCP also encloses a pressure source providing pressurized gas to an auxiliary line that is isolated from the pipe network and sprinklers, with pressurized gas being provided in response to a pressure in the isolated auxiliary line. The RCP also encloses a secondary communication between the series of the control valves and a drain without the use of a bypass system for the primary communication. The RCP further encloses a power supply and a controller that communications with a fire detector disposed in a dwelling at a defined spacing to a sprinkler.

A telescopic member includes, at least a central component and a barrier disposed within the central component, the barrier has a selectively tailorable dissolution rate curve and has structural properties enabling the containment of high pressure prior to structural failure of the barrier through dissolution.

An apparatus and method for supplying natural gas from a well operating under vacuum conditions by extracting, storing and communicating it to a natural gas-fired piece of oil field equipment is provided. The apparatus has a pump associated with a pump jack for extracting natural gas. The apparatus communicates natural gas to a volume tank and stores it until it needed by a natural gas-fired piece of oil field equipment.

The present invention relates to a method and system for producing hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon containing hydrate reservoir. The method includes providing at least one producer well in fluid communication with a producing facility and with a hydrocarbon containing hydrate reservoir. The hydrate reservoir is in fluid communication with a head space disposed above the hydrate formation. The head space contains disassociated hydrocarbons and water. A sweep gas is swept through the head space to remove the disassociated gas and water from the hydrate reservoir and to transport the disassociated gas and water to the at least one producer well. The additional pressure and/or heat provided by the sweep gas may help inhibit the reformation of disassociated gas and water into hydrates allowing for enhanced production rates. The additional heat will also help increase the disassociation rate of the upper part of the hydrate formation adjacent to the head space.

The invention pertains to new processes and apparatuses which can effectively and efficiently convert heat contained in wellhead fluids comprising hydrocarbons to a useful energy source like electricity. The process generally comprises first producing a heat containing fluid comprising one or more hydrocarbons from a wellhead and then passing the heat containing fluid to one or more heat exchangers. The one or more exchanger exchange at least a portion of the heat contained in the heat containing fluid to a working fluid thereby producing a heated working fluid capable of converting energy.

A method of servicing a wellbore, comprising placing a plurality of Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) sensors in at least a portion of a sealant composition, placing the sealant composition in an annular space formed between a casing and the wellbore wall, and monitoring, via the MEMS sensors, the sealant composition and/or the annular space for a presence of gas, water, or both. A method of servicing a wellbore, comprising placing a plurality of Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) sensors in a wellbore composition, placing the wellbore composition in the wellbore, and monitoring, via the MEMS sensors, the wellbore and/or the surrounding formation for movement.

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a method for controlling the torque applied to a tubular connection. In one embodiment, a method of connecting a first threaded tubular to a second threaded tubular supported by a spider on a drilling rig includes engaging the first threaded tubular with the second threaded tubular; making up the connection by rotating the first tubular using a top drive; and controlling unwinding of the first tubular after the connection is made up.

Load bearing assembly for suspending a load from a wellhead assembly, having a connector for suspending jointed production tubing therefrom and a fluid-to-air connector seals around an electrical conductor extending therethrough. The assembly has a jointed production tubing section with a first connector for connecting the tubing to the wellhead assembly connector. The assembly has a second connector for connecting the jointed production tubing section to a load bearing part of an electrical conduction section of the assembly. The load bearing part suspends the weight of the electrical conduction section and a load in a well from the second connector. The electrical conduction section includes an electrical conductor part for supplying electrical power to the load. The electrical conductor part is connected to an electrical cable which extends outside and along the jointed production tubing section away from the second connector and towards the well head in use.

A heat sink assembly including a first member having a heat transfer surface adapted to directly contact a device to be cooled; a second member including coolant channels and a separate fluid channel; and a connection which at least partially mechanically connects the first member to the second member. The connection includes three bellows forming three conduits between the channels in the second member and the first member. A second one of the bellows and a third one of the bellows are located inside a first one of the bellows.

In the sand core 10, the tar reducing agent is included in at least the second coating layer 13, which is the outermost layer, of the coating layers 12 and 13. Thus, the tar, which may be generated from the core body 11 and the coating layers 12 and 13 which are positioned thereinside, can be decomposed into low molecular gases (carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, water, and the like) by heat of the molten metal. As a result, generation of the tar from the sand core 10 to the outside can be prevented. In this case, since the layer which includes the tar reducing agent is the second coating layer 13 which directly contacts the molten metal, the second coating layer 13 can directly receive the heat of the molten metal, and the tar generation prevention effects can be thereby remarkably obtained. Therefore, generation of defects in cast products which may be caused by clogging in the gas drain can be prevented, and structures of the gas drain of the die and the surroundings thereof can be simplified.

An integrated management system for molten aluminum includes a melting process management system, which melts aluminum raw material, taps molten aluminum, and extracts information related to the molten aluminum; a recording medium attached to a high-heat-retention ladle, which is for carrying the molten aluminum, wherein the extracted information is recorded into the recording medium; a portable terminal, which reads the information from the recording medium; and a casting process management system, which manages delivery confirmation and inspection by receiving the information from the transported high-heat-retention ladle via the portable terminal and performs a casting process based on the information. The integrated management system and method ensures improved and efficient process management based on correct molten aluminum information, thereby reducing management costs and time.

A sliding panel includes multiple connecting/adjacent carrier tracks such as two/three/four carrier tracks while connectors of each carrier track are disposed in opposite directions or at intervals. Thus the multiple connecting/adjacent carrier tracks slide in parallel under the same channel. Moreover, the positions of each connector on top surface of respective carrier track are in alternating arrangement so as to allow runners of multiple connecting/adjacent carrier tracks being mounted inside the same channel simultaneously. The runners of the connecting/adjacent carrier tracks move inside the channel of a rail at the same time and the connecting/adjacent carrier tracks slide in parallel under the same channel. Therefore, the number of channels of the rail is decreased and the amount of material used for producing the rail is reduced. Furthermore, the rail can be designed to have two-step inner and outer rails for adjusting length of the rail. Moreover, each rail is disposed only with one channel and then a plurality of rails such as one/two/three rails are arranged in parallel to form a rail set for easy assembling.

An auto winding mechanism for a window blind includes two guide rollers pivotally mounted between an upper seat and a lower seat and connected by an elastic winding tape, and two pull cords wound around the pull cords. Each of the guide rollers has a gear and a bottom disk. The upper seat has a covering edge surrounding the gear of each of the guide rollers. The lower seat has a surface provided with two annular grooves to receive the bottom disk of each of the two guide rollers. Thus, each of the pull cords is protected by the bottom disk of each of the guide rollers so that when the pull cords swing or bump during movement, each of the pull cords will not be jammed between the lower seat and each of the guide rollers.

A machine for the preparation of pharmaceutical products is provided with a gripping and carrier device to transfer at least one container between a magazine and a dosage station for the preparation of a pharmaceutical product, and a box-type holding frame defining a chamber for the housing of magazine, gripping and carrier device, and dosage station; the chamber displaying an access aperture to magazine and being crossed by a sterile air flow adapted to avoid the entry of air from the external environment through aperture itself.

A portable one-to-many control device for a sprinkler pipeline including a plurality of control valves at the sprinkler pipeline. The control valve has a main body; a memory and drive unit positioned within the mounting body; and a portable control instrument movably and electrically connected to the memory and drive unit of the different control valve. According to the data saved in the microprocessor and the different requirements of the control valves, the preset instructions can be saved in the memory and drive unit for controlling the activation time of the electromagnetic solenoids, respectively. In this way, many control valves can be set and controlled by only one portable control instrument. Accordingly, the cost can be saved and it is not necessary to be placed outside for the protection from damage. Meanwhile, it is easy to connect to the personal computer for a mutual data transmission, thereby achieving a more convenient and accurate control of the sprinkling process.

A fluid regulator that has excellent flow-rate-control response for not only pressure fluctuations at the primary side but also pressure fluctuations at the secondary side and that realizes highly accurate flow-rate control is provided. A fluid regulator 10 includes a first diaphragm chamber 16 in which a working force obtained from a gas, such as air, is received by a first diaphragm 14 to generate a force for adjusting a valve opening, a second diaphragm chamber 17 in which pressure fluctuations of a fluid introduced from a secondary side are received by a second diaphragm 15 to generate a force for adjusting the valve opening, a shaft 12 that receives the adjusting forces generated in the first diaphragm chamber 16 and the second diaphragm chamber 17 and slides in the shaft direction, a valve 13 that operates together with the shaft 12 to adjust the valve opening, a partition wall 11a that isolates the first diaphragm chamber 16 from the second diaphragm chamber 17 so as not to interfere with each other, and a bellows 22 that blocks the circulation of the fluid between the first diaphragm chamber 16 and the second diaphragm chamber 17.

A valve assembly is disclosed providing a disk valve, a retaining clip configuration, and a bonnet nut. The disk valve comprises a moveable disk having a pair of recesses that is rotatable relative to a stationary disk to regulate the flow of a fluid through two ports in communication with the disks. The retaining clip configuration comprises a hose clip engaging a retaining segment on a valve housing and two hoses to connect the two hoses to two ports on the valve housing. The bonnet nut provides a tactile resistance to an applied torque when a portion of the valve cartridge assembly is rotated in relation to the valve housing.

The storage container for a liquid chlorosilane of the present invention comprises, a tank which stores the liquid chlorosilane, a valve which is connected to the tank and to which an external pipe can be connected detachably, and a closing lid which seals the valve when the external pipe is detached from the valve. The valve comprises a housing and a valve body provided in the housing. The closing lid has a lid body having a sealing surface contacting the connecting surface of the connecting flange, a supply pipe which supplies an inert gas to a space between the closing lid and the valve body in the housing, a supply valve which opens or closes the supply pipe, a discharge pipe which discharges a gas in the space, and a discharge valve which opens or closes the discharge pipe.

A compressed air supply system and method of operating same for a commercial vehicle includes a compressed air inlet that can be coupled to a compressor, a filter unit that can be coupled to the compressed air inlet via a supply line, a discharge valve element that is coupled to a discharge outlet and the supply line, a first valve element and a second valve element. A control inlet of the discharge valve element is controllable by the first valve element and the second valve element is arranged in a regeneration air path for regenerating the filter unit. At least one pneumatically lockable overflow valve via which a consumer circuit coupled to the compressed air supply system is supplied with compressed air. The at least one pneumatically lockable overflow valve can be controlled by the second valve element.

A flush valve diaphragm of a flush valve includes a body having a segmented insert within a flexible body portion and a central passageway. The body further includes a peripheral sealing portion with the flexible body portion within the peripheral sealing portion. The peripheral sealing portion can include an integral filter, an exit chamber and a bypass arrangement, such that water flowing through the filter flows through the bypass arrangement. The integral filter version will retard clogging of the bypass arrangement. The segmented insert includes a plurality of trapezoidal members with outward protrusions. The plurality of trapezoidal members are connected to each other on their outermost edge by a runner.

A process of manufacturing a reconstituted tobacco material is provided which includes: preparing a heated mixture of water and sugar; providing a liquid flavorant such as menthol; mixing tobacco particles, water and a gum binder with the mixture of water and sugar and with the flavorant to form a reconstituted tobacco mixture; and forming the reconstituted tobacco mixture, such as by casting or extruding the reconstituted tobacco mixture, into a reconstituted tobacco material. Exemplary menthol reconstituted tobacco products provided herein enable high levels of menthol to be retained in a tobacco product.

An Inhaler for delivering an aerosolised dose of a powdered drug for inhalation by a user is disclosed. The inhaler comprises a drug entreinment device to a receive a package having a piercable lid containing a dose to be delivered, the device including a drug outlet tube terminating with a primary piercing element to pierce an opening in said lid when a package is located in the inhaler, a secondary piercing member to pierce a plurality of peripheral openings in said lid and, an airflow path to enable the supply of a charge of gas into the package via said peripheral openings to scour the interior of a pierced package such that all or substantially all of the dose is entrained in the gas and flows out of the package via the drug outlet tube. A medicament pack is also disclosed.

A device and system for increasing the safety of portable stoves or stoves used in unstable conditions. The device includes at least one support member and at least one retaining member slidably disposed on the support member. The retaining member has an anchoring mechanism movably disposed on it that is used to lock it into place with respect to the support member. The retaining member contacts the sides of a pot or other cooking vessel when in an active position and may be moved into a stowed position.

This invention provides a portable combustion device that provides a cleaner combustion, reduces the kindling period, and provides a more efficient overall combustion through the use of a fan that directs a predetermined volume of airflow over the combustible fuel—typically wood or similar cellulose-based biological solids. The combustion device has a combustion chamber into which the fuel source is placed for combustion. Mounted to the side of the combustion chamber is a housing that encloses the TEG, which generates an electrical output based on a difference in temperature on opposing sides. Mounted onto the TEG housing and protruding into the combustion chamber through a small passageway is a heat-conducting probe and heat-conducting probe base unit. The opposing side of the TEG is also in contact with a heat sink to remove heat from the TEG device through interaction with ambient air that passes over the vanes from a port located along the side of the TEG housing. A motor and fan near the heat sink to draw air away the heat sink and aid in the cooling of the heat sink, and force air onto the combusting fuel through a plurality of peripheral ports that connect with an air space located between the inner and outer walls of the combustion chamber.

A speed cooking oven is disclosed comprising a cooking cavity, thermal heating source, air movement and directing means, air delivery means, and a vent assembly. Hot gas is circulated to and from the oven cavity via air delivery means such that turbulently mixed glancing, conflicting and colliding gas flow patterns mix at and about the surfaces of the food product. The turbulently mixed gas flows are spatially averaged over the surface area of the food product producing high heat transfer, thereby optimizing speed cooking of the food product.

A unit for fastening a bowstring of a throwing device the containing a first pulley mounted with a possibility of rotation about the axis of rotation of the first pulley and having the first and the second peripheral surfaces, the second pulley mounted with a possibility of rotation about the axis of rotation of the second pulley, spaced apart from the axis of rotation of the first pulley and having the first and the second peripheral surfaces, a bowstring for throwing a projectile having one end fixed to the first pulley, and other end fixed to the second pulley so the bowstring for throwing a projectile is, at least, partly wrapping the first peripheral surfaces of the first and the second pulleys, the first tension bowstring having one end fixed to the axis of rotation of the first pulley, and other end fixed to the second pulley so the first tension bowstring is, at least, partly wrapping the second peripheral surface of the second pulley, the second tension bowstring having one end fixed to the axis of rotation of the second pulley, and the other end fixed to the first pulley, so the second tension bowstring is, at least, partly wrapping the second peripheral surface of the first pulley and intersects the first tension bowstring, thus when rendering the throwing device in the cocked position the bowstring for throwing a projectile intersects the first and the second tension bowstrings.

Methods and systems are provided for controlling exhaust emissions by adjusting a fuel injection into an engine cylinder from a plurality of fuel injectors based on the fuel type of the injected fuel and further based on the soot load of the engine. Soot generated from direct fuel injection is reduced by decreasing an amount of direct injection into a cylinder as the engine soot load increases.

A valve drive assembly for selectively actuating a pair of valves of an internal combustion engine generally consisting of a pairs of cam supports rotatably fixed an axially displaceable on a camshaft, each provided with at least two cam profiles; means rotatably fixed and axially displaceable relative to the cam shaft, interposed between the cam supports; and means for selectively axially displacing the cam supports and the interposed means as a unit.

A hydraulic actuator (1) comprising a body (2), in which a control arm (5) and a lift means (6) provided with a piston surface (22) are arranged, which lift means is arranged to follow the reference movement of the control arm (5), and an inlet port (3) and an outlet port (4) for hydraulic medium. The body (2) encloses a pressure chamber (10) delimited by the piston surface (22) of the lift means (6), and the movement of the control arm (5) provides a flow connection between the inlet port (3) and the pressure chamber (10) in order to move the lift means (6), and the movement of the control arm (5) in the opposite direction provides a flow connection between the pressure chamber (10) and the outlet port (4) in order to move the lift means (6) in the opposite direction.

A high inertance liquid piston engine-compressor that is lightweight, portable and for use with pneumatically actuated devices that may have periods of inactivity between periods of pneumatic use. The engine-compressor provides a power generation system that is for use with mobile or portable devices which need a portable long lasting energy source.

A modular leash system including a flexible lead having a first and second rigid end portion. A first end cap is removably attachable to the first rigid end portion via set screw configured to be received through cooperating holes in the first end cap and the first rigid end portion. The first end cap includes a loop for coupling the first end cap to a collar connector. A second end cap is removably attachable to the second rigid end portion via a set screw configured to be received through cooperating holes in the second end cap and the second rigid end portion. The second end cap configured to be coupled to a handle portion.

A radial-shaped wireless fence system is provided that contains one or more dogs in a user-defined area without the need for a physical fence or underground wire. The system includes a base unit and at least one collar, and is easy to set up and use. Through improved filtering of consecutive distance measurement values taken between the base unit and the collar, errant measurement values are discounted in terms of their contribution to the current estimate of the dog's distance from the base unit. These filtering techniques, in combination with improved signal strength and antenna diversity in the communication between the base unit and the collar, improve the accuracy and consistency with which the dog's distance from the base unit is tracked so that unwanted corrections are not administered to the dog.

A brush may be mounted on a typical flap-style pet door. As the pet uses the pet door, the brush may automatically sweep dirt, loose hair, leaves, grass, allergens, or other debris off the pet. The result may be both a cleaner pet and a cleaner house, as the debris may be brushed off the pet prior to the pet entering the house. The pet owner need not be present for the brush to reap its benefits.

A system and method for tracking the health of a group of livestock. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the vital signs of a small number of sentinel animals is tracked and used to assess the existence and/or progress of a disease in the group. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the vital signs are assessed using a vitality sensor, for example, an accelerometer which provides signals indicating the type and/or other properties of movements made by the sentinel animals.

This disclosure pertains to a method and apparatus to permit changing a filter on the input line to a vacuum deposition chamber without breaking or reducing the vacuum for the deposition chamber and other components in the deposition system. Isolation valves are provided at the inlet and outlet of the filter so the filter can be isolated from the source of vacuum and the deposition chamber for removal and replacement of the filter.

The forever flyer flag and flagpole supports a flag in an unfurled position via a spring-loaded support arm that fully extends the top, side of a flag via a support arm pocket. The spring-loaded support arm is connected to a flag tube lift that rises up and down upon the flagpole via a rope that runs within the flagpole via a pulley. The side of the flag nearest the flagpole is fully extended via flag attachment grommets that are based upon the flag tube lift. The flag and flag tube lift can rotate about the flagpole irrespective of the flag height.

Installation to be applied to self-propelled or tow-type agricultural seeders that comprises a general command central unit (5) fed from an electric power source and controls a corresponding individual control unit (10) that regulates the operation of the electro-pneumatic unit (6) associated to the seed dosing devices within the seeder to perform the pneumatic action. Electro-pneumatic unit may be a motor suction or a motor compressor unit. The invention envisages the association of these units to all the dosing devices in a seeding body of the seeder, to pairs of dosing units in the seeder, or else, on an individual basis, to each seed dosing device of the seeder.

An adjustable table system featuring a table, a brace slidably attached to the bottom of the table, and a pedestal extending downwardly from the brace. A wall plate for attaching to a wall is slidably attached to a side edge of the table such that the table can slide in a with respect to the wall. A portion of the wall plate with protrusions extends downwardly below the bottom of the table. A shaft mounted to the table via a mount can move between a first position wherein the first end of the shaft is inserted into a protrusion and a second position wherein the first end of the shaft is out of the protrusion. The spring-loaded mount biases the shaft in the first position. When the first end of the shaft is out of the protrusions the table can slide side to side with respect to the wall.

To join vertically and horizontally arranged frame members to the interior face of an outer panel, the horizontal frame members are disposed on the outer panel so as to take precedence over the vertical frame members and are weld-joined to the outer panel. The vertical frame members are placed on the horizontal frame members from the interior side and are weld-joined to the horizontal frame members. The vertical frame member includes a standard-width frame member and a wide-width frame member having a width greater than the width of the standard-width frame member. The vertical frame members are joined to and in contact with the outer panel at a reduced number of points, so that the appearance of the outer panel is maintained in a good condition. With this configuration, a low cost vertical and horizontal frame structure is achieved, which has sufficiently high joint strength that provides the required strength of the outer panel.

A seal is provided that restricts movement of adjacent parts when in a high pressure environment while allowing relative movement of adjacent parts when in non-high pressure environment.

The invention relates to so-called fuze damping in projectiles, in particular, those provided with a built-in firing delay. Thus, a projectile (1) is provided having a rear part (1a) and a fuze (2), wherein at least one damping element (7) is inserted between a fuze base (5) and the projectile (1) and/or between a fuze shoulder (6) and a possible threaded ring (4), or similar attachment element. The damping element (7) is in the form of a disc, ring or pot, and is composed of a material with a lower acoustic impedance than the material of the projectile (1).

The invention relates to a roller press having two rollers rotatably supported in a frame. In order to mount or dismount the rollers, at least one head piece of the frame can be removed from its operating position by being displaced outwards in the transverse direction. Such an embodiment is distinguished by inexpensive manufacture of the roller press and a time-saving mounting and dismounting of the rollers.

Apparatuses, methods and systems for liquid flow control and beverage preparation are disclosed. The apparatuses, methods and systems of the present invention include liquid flow control and beverage preparation capsules, pods, cartridges, pouches, systems, and modules for controlling and directing flow streams of liquid through a beverage preparation process. The apparatuses, methods and systems of the present invention may be used in combination with or included as an integral assembly of any apparatus, method or system for liquid dispension.

A rifle with an upper receiver and a barrel attached to the upper receiver and including a bolt carrier, and operating, buffer, and cooling systems. The operating system includes a cylinder and a piston coupled to receive propelling gases from the barrel. As the piston moves between retracted and extended positions the bolt carrier is moved between closed and open positions. The bolt carrier includes a weight movable within a guide frame between rearward and forward limits. The buffer system includes a compression spring in a tube attached to the upper receiver in abutting engagement with the bolt carrier. A partially fluid filled cylinder is attached to a coil of the spring and includes a piston and shaft. The piston is formed so that fluid in the cylinder restricts movement in one direction and allows free movement in a second direction.

An improved modular video display system for a weapon having a video display module that can accommodate multiple camera inputs. The video display module contains a video control panel and human-viewable display screen, which enables the operator to switch between viewing and controlling a thermal sight and a left and right rotating camera. The video display module and cameras are powered by a power supply, which is electrically coupled to the weapons accessory devices, once each device is mounted on the modular rails. The cameras are connected to the video display module and the weapons operator may select either a thermal display using the thermal sight or an image display of the left or right using the left and right rotating camera. The control panel enables the operator to personalize the display screen in order to best suit their current situational needs with controls for camera select, reticle style, reticle color, reticle intensity, bore sight keys, black hot/white hot image select, digital zoom, and display brightness. In conjunction with the modular video display system additional accessory devices may be used, such as laser sights, spotting scopes, and handgrip units.

The invention embodies the turret (10) as a protected cell (1) with its own protective plates (7) and then provides this with an additional casing of protective plates (9) so that both together implement a modular protective construction with different levels of protection. Outside the protected cell (1), assemblies (2) can be arranged that do not need to be within the direct reach of the operator. This can be in addition to the ammunition, the electronics for the ammunition feed, and also the electronics of the turret control or the like. These assemblies (2) are again encased by a lattice structure (8) that serves as an accommodation possibility for other protective elements (9) that form the outer skin of the turret (10).

A reciprocally-cycled, externally-powered weapon may include a rotative driver connected via a crank and connecting rod to the operating group of the weapon. The connecting rod may be connected to a pinion that meshes with a translating rack and a stationary rack. The translating rack may be connected to the operating group, and the stationary rack may be fixed to the receiver of the weapon. The energy needed to fire the weapon may be supplied by an energy generator. The minimum amount of energy supplied by the energy generator may be independent of the speed of translation of the operating group and may be sufficient to reliably result in cartridge ignition, thereby providing an infinitely adjustable firing rate.

A remotely operable machine gun charger is provided for selectively controlling the forward-to-rear movement of a machine gun bolt pin. When the bolt pin is released from its safe position the charger permits the bolt pin to be spring-driven back to its armed position substantially instantaneously by the bolt spring without waiting for pin engagement and drive structure portions of the gun to be returned to their forwardmost positions. The charger permits the gun to be fired during such movement of the engagement and drive structure back to their forwardmost positions, and the charger may be mounted on and removed from the machine gun without the use of tools, or the necessity of removing or adjusting any of the internal components of the machine gun.

A method of identifying and optionally neutralizing an undersea object (1, 1′) that might be an undersea mine and that is of known geographical position, in which an undersea intervention robot (4, 4′) is used suspended under an aircraft capable of stationary flight, such as a helicopter (7) or a drone, serving to bring the robot (4, 4′) into register with the object (1, 1′) for identification and possibly for being neutralized, the object is identified, and optionally it is neutralized.

A combination wrench includes a shank, a first driving member mounted on a first end of the shank, and a second driving member mounted on a second end of the shank. The shank has different cross-sectional profiles and areas from the first driving member to the second driving member so that the shank has different thickness from the first driving member to the second driving member so as to correspond to different forces. Thus, the mediate portion of the shank has a uniform thickness and has greater strength and torque so as to withstand a larger force so that when a stress is concentrated on the mediate portion of the shank, the mediate portion of the shank can tolerate the stress, thereby preventing the shank from being deformed or broken due to an excessive force.

A mounting and dismounting device for cylindrical bodies comprises a fixing element, a moving element, and a buckling element. The fixing element connects to the moving element on both sides to form a hole. The cylindrical body is then inserted into the hole. A buckling part of the buckling element pivotally connects to the fixing element. One lifts a lifting part for the buckling element to urge against the cylindrical body in the hole. By lifting the lifting part, the cylindrical body can be mounted or dismounted.

The Modular Adjustable Handlebar Kit contains a center mounting segment and linking units of varying degrees of angles, curves and/or segments with differing shapes both radius and straight and/or compounded curves with straights. Each of the linking units have a male and female end and are attached to adjoining linking units and center mounting segment via means of a plurality of aligning openings spaced about the circumference of each end of the linking units and a securing mechanism. The openings on the male end of the linking units form inner and outer rows, in which the openings are offset from each other. The female ends of the linking units have front and rear openings which are generally parallel to each other. The securing mechanism may be a clamping device and may utilize a dowel which extends through the aligned openings on the adjoined linking units. The clamping device is then secured to prevent disengagement of the pin.

A bicycle control device is basically provided with a base member, a shift control unit and a first shift operating lever. The base member includes a pair of lateral side walls. The shift control unit is mounted to the base member. The shift control unit has a main pivot shaft defining a shift unit operating axis. The first shift operating lever is operatively coupled to the shift control unit to operate the shift control unit when the first shift operating lever is pivoted about a first shift operating axis at a lever pivot point. The main pivot shaft of the shift control unit is disposed closer to one of the lateral side walls than the lever pivot point of the first shift operating lever.

Since centers of a second gear, a fourth gear and a sixth gear coincide with each other and are disposed rotatably round a circumference of the same long shaft, a compact configuration can be realized while using a gear train of five gears to obtain a reduction gear ratio of a high gear ratio. The configuration in which the three gears have the same rotational center shaft in the way described above in an actuator which incorporates a plurality of gears is advantageous in that the number of center shafts is reduced and that the number of supporting holes in a housing which support center shafts is reduced.

A torque converter comprises a stationary mount, input and output shafts, a primary frame (301) supported by the stationary mount for rotation about a primary axis and coupled for rotation with one of the input and output shafts (302,303), a secondary frame (50) supported by the primary frame (301) for rotation about a secondary axis perpendicular to the primary axis and coupled for rotation with the other of the input and output shafts, a plurality of flywheels (10) supported by the secondary frame (50) with their spin axes disposed at an angle to one another in the same plane, or in mutually parallel planes, and torsional springs acting between the flywheels and the secondary frame to cause the flywheels to oscillate in use, so as to effect a gyroscopic torque coupling between the primary and secondary frames. An excitation system (110) is mounted on the primary frame (301) for applying to each flywheel (50) a periodic torque that varies with the angular velocity of the secondary frame and the angular position of the axis of the flywheel relative to the secondary axis, so as to cause each flywheel to oscillate at its natural frequency in response to relative rotation between the primary and secondary frames.

The invention relates to a method for substance mixtures, particularly complex chemical and/or biochemical substance mixtures. According to said method, a substance mixture that is to be analyzed is fed to a separating device, the substances of the substance mixture that is to be analyzed are separated from each other in the separating device by means of a chemically and/or physically induced conveying process, and the separated substances are detected in an evaluation unit. The invention further relates to methods and devices for producing pulsed substance mixtures, particularly complex chemical and/or biochemical substance mixtures. In order to improve the analysis of substance mixtures especially regarding the duration of the analysis, the throughput, and the resolution, the substance mixture that is to be analyzed is fed to the separating device in pulses having an unique binary sequence.

A flow rate meter that includes a container of known and fixed volume. Electrodes, or sensors, are placed inside the container at several different heights. An electronic circuit uses the electrodes, or sensors, to measure the time it takes this container of known and fixed volume to fill a certain distance with water or water-based solution. The electronic circuit calculates the flow rate in engineering units from this elapsed time by knowing the volume of the container between the fixed electrodes.

A high pressure tank that has particular application for storing hydrogen gas on a vehicle for a fuel cell system. The tank includes a gas tight inner liner layer and a fiber bundle outer composite structural layer. A first strain gauge is provided in the outer layer and a second strain gauge is provided in the inner liner layer both proximate a transition between the layers. The strain gauges are calibrated relative to each other to identify the pressure where the inner liner layer begins to shrink and separate from the outer composite layer.

A micromachined accelerometer in a flat plate includes a base and at least two resonator measuring cells provided with a common mobile seismic element, the two measuring cells being placed one on each side of the common mobile seismic element along the sensitive axis of the accelerometer, such that under the effect of an acceleration, the resonator of one measuring cell undergoes a traction while the resonator of the other measuring cell undergoes a compression, the measuring cells respectively configured to amplify the acceleration force generating the translation of the common mobile seismic element provided with a respective anchoring foot-piece. The common mobile seismic element includes at least two mobile seismic masses able to be displaced in translation along the sensitive axis of the accelerometer and/or in rotation with respect to a respective axis of rotation substantially orthogonal to the sensitive axis under the effect of an acceleration along the sensitive axis.

An angular velocity signal detection circuit includes: a first current-voltage conversion circuit that converts, into a voltage, a current outputted from a first detection electrode of a gyroscope, and amplifies the voltage, thereby outputs a first conversion signal; a second current-voltage conversion circuit that converts, into a voltage, a current outputted from a second detection electrode of the gyroscope, and amplifies the voltage, thereby outputs a second conversion signal; an arithmetic operation unit that performs arithmetic operations by using the first conversion signal and the second conversion signal, and outputs a first processing signal and a second processing signal; and a third difference arithmetic operation circuit that amplifies a difference between the first processing signal and the second processing signal.

A tire pressure gauge includes a holder, an air intake seat, and a detection device coupled with the air intake seat. The holder and air intake seat have respectively a first positioning ring and a second positioning ring. A fastening and unfastening tool of the tire pressure gauge includes an outer barrel and an inner barrel held in the outer barrel. The outer barrel has a first anchor portion to latch the first positioning ring. The inner barrel has a second anchor portion to latch the second positioning ring. The outer barrel and inner barrel respectively drive the holder and air intake seat to be fastened to an air nozzle of a vehicle tire, and the holder and air intake seat are butted tightly to allow the tire pressure gauge to be securely installed on the air nozzle of any type of vehicles through the fastening and unfastening tool.

A glide head with a slider body that has a leading edge, a trailing edge and an air bearing surface is disclosed. The glide head also has an array of thermal proximity sensing elements connected in a bridge circuit that are adjacent both the trailing edge and the air bearing surface, a heating element mounted to the glide body for elevating the temperature of the thermal proximity sensing elements in relation to the temperature of an inspected surface, and a controller coupled to the array of thermal proximity sensing elements. The controller receives signals from the thermal proximity sensing elements, and determines the existence of a surface variation in the inspected surface based upon differences in the signals received from the thermal proximity sensing elements.

The present invention provides a surgical device including an elongate body defining a fluid flow path therethrough. An expandable element may be coupled to the elongate body and placed in fluid communication with the fluid flow path. Moreover, the surgical device may include a first leak detection element at least partially surrounding a portion of the expandable element, and a second leak detection element may be provided in fluid communication with the fluid flow path. In addition, a console may be provided, where the console may be in communication with the first and second leak detection elements. Further, a supply of cryogenic fluid as well as a vacuum source may be provided in fluid communication with the fluid flow path.

The invention relates to a gas chromatography system for the direct coupling of liquid chromatography and gas chromatography or for the introduction of large sample volumes, which is configured to operate selectively in a retention mode. The inventive system includes a tube (2) having a first inlet part (21), a second inlet part (22) and a retention part (3) between said two inlet parts. The system also includes two gas delivery subsystems (6, 7) and a sample introduction conduit (101) which is connected to the first inlet part (21). The system further includes a discharge conduit (9) and a gas chromatography column (300), both of which are connected to the second inlet part (22). The invention also relates to a gas chromatography method.

A device for the measurement of the influence of friction force on the wear characteristics of a material surface comprises a frame with a cover. A shaft is installed in the frame. A moveable element of a friction pair is fixed on the shaft. A holder of a pressed element of the friction pair and a clamp which applies a regulated load on the holder with the pressed friction element are installed in the cover. The holder of the pressed friction element is installed in a holder frame with first membranes which allow the motion only perpendicular to the axis of holder frame. The holder-frame is installed in the cover also with second membranes that allow it to move only in its axial direction. The system of the membranes damps the impact of inertial forces on the friction pair.

A method for improving mechanical properties of a magnetically activatable material for reducing ripples in the magnetically activatable material. The method includes conveying the magnetically activatable material using at least one conveying device through a processing region, and applying a force on the magnetically activatable material in the processing region to deform the magnetically activatable material. The force is contactlessly applied by a plurality of magnet groups that form a plurality of magnetic fields, and which are arranged in a material flow direction side by side or one behind another. The plurality of magnetic fields are applied in or opposite to the material flow direction, and travel along one of the plurality of magnet groups or between two of the plurality of magnet groups.

A tip tool guide apparatus 1 includes a swivel supporting unit 20 that is supported in a water chamber 100 of a steam generator by being stretched while pressing a stationary structural member provided in the water chamber 100 and that swivels around a pivot TL, a tip tool that is connected to the swivel supporting unit 20 with a slide table 30, i.e., a movable member, and a manipulator mounted on the slide table 30 interposed therebetween and that performs processing on a surface to be processed, and a pressing member 10A that reinforces the swivel supporting unit so as to withstand the force applied to the swivel supporting unit 20 in the swiveling direction of the swivel supporting unit 20, and that is provided in the water chamber 100.

A loop connector and a cable lock having the loop connector are provided. The cable lock includes a cable, a lock body, and the loop connector. The lock body has a lock unit and a restricting unit. The lock unit can restrict or release the restricting unit to allow the restricting unit to movably restrict or release the cable. The cable thereby extends or retracts in this manner. The loop connector has a connector body that includes a first through hole and a second through hole. The first through hole and the second through hole are adjacent to each other, wherein the normal direction of the cross section of the first through hole is perpendicular to the normal direction of the cross section of the second through hole. When the cable passing through the lock body passes through the loop connector, the cable forms a plurality of loops at the lock body with the loop connector and the lock body to secure and protect one or more articles from being stolen.

A laundry machine includes a first laundry treatment space configured to receive laundry therein, a second laundry treatment space configured to receive laundry therein and an air supply unit configured to supply air to the second laundry treatment space, the air supply unit comprising a fan, a heater and a housing, and wherein the housing accommodates the fan, the heater, an inlet and an outlet.

The method of manufacturing porous glass base material for optical fiber includes that flame-hydrolyzing raw materials for glass in oxyhydrogen flame, depositing the generated glass fine particles on a rotating target to form porous glass base material, dehydrating and sintering the porous glass base material to transform into clear glass. The method features, in terms of the surface temperature of said porous glass base material, which changes as the burner used for depositing glass fine particle is moved relatively to said target, the temperature difference between the surface temperature of the porous glass base material touching the burner flame Ta and the surface temperature of the porous glass base material before touching the flame Tb, that is Ta−Tb, is adjusted to be within the range from 200 to 700 degrees centigrade.

A float bath for manufacturing a float glass includes a brick assembly composed of a plurality of bricks to store a molten metal so that a float glass is capable of moving forward while floating on the molten metal, a bottom casing for forming an outer side of the brick assembly, and an air blower installed away from the bottom casing to supply a cooling air toward the bottom casing. The air blower is disposed so that the cooling air is injected toward gaps between the bricks.

A portable, self-contained race car cooler comprises an enclosure divided interiorly by vented baffles into separate cooling and fan compartments. A removable top covers the enclosure. Air is drawn through the enclosure and between adjacent cooling compartments by an electric fan. A plurality of removable canisters, frictionally fitted through orifices in the top, store “dry ice” for cooling. Each canister is peripherally restrained by a plurality of radially spaced-apart J-hooks emanating from the top that are biased inwardly by an elastic band. The J-hooks peripherally grasp the canisters and provide a detent for snappingly engaging or releasing the canisters. A heat-exchange standoff is secured beneath each canister upon the enclosure floor and comprises a plurality of spaced-apart, parallel rails with air passageways defined between them. Cooler lids removably coupled to the canisters are externally serviceable. Carbon dioxide venting is provided.

A fuel injector head for a gas turbine engine the head having a pilot injector and a main injector located radially outwardly of the pilot injector. A concentric splitter separates the pilot injector from the main injector and has a toroid chamber which is supplied with air in use to generate a toroidal flow which delays mixing of the pilot and main air flows.

A hydraulic electricity generator has a drive device, a hydro-generator and a recovering tank. The drive device has at least one compressing unit, and each compressing unit has a storage tube and a compressor. The storage tube has a chamber, an inlet pipe, an outlet pipe and a nozzle. The pipes are connected to the storage tube. The compressor is connected to the storage tube. The hydro-generator is connected to the at least one compressing unit and has a casing, a hydraulic turbine, a windmill and a draining pipe. The hydraulic turbine is rotatably mounted in the casing and has a spindle and multiple blades. The spindle has an outer end extended out of the casing. The windmill is mounted on the outer end of the spindle. The recovering tank is connected to the draining pipe of the hydro-generator and the inlet pipe of the drive device.

An exhaust heat recovery device with which a coolant medium in a heat exchanger can be prevented from reaching high temperatures is provided. An exhaust heat recovery system 10 is provided with an heat exchanger 18 that performs heat exchange between exhaust gas and a coolant medium; and a natural convection water pipe 56 whose one end is connected to an upper portion in the direction of gravity of an engine coolant water pipe 42 in the heat exchanger 18 and whose other end is connected to a lower portion in the direction of gravity of the engine coolant water pipe 42, and whose intermediate portion is positioned at the outer side of the heat exchanger 18.

Mounting close-coupled catalysts for internal combustion engines. In one aspect, supporting a catalyst in an internal combustion engine includes a mounting bracket coupled to a base surface of an engine block. One or more support rods are coupled between the mounting bracket and a housing of the catalyst, such that the catalyst is coupled to and supported by the base surface of the engine block.

In an internal combustion engine, a pair of NOx storing catalysts are arranged in series in an engine exhaust passage. When causing the upstream NOx storing catalyst to release NOx and store the released NOx in the downstream NOx storing catalyst, the oxygen concentration in the exhaust gas is temporarily reduced in a state where the exhaust gas is maintained at a lean air-fuel ratio. As opposed to this, when releasing NOx from the upstream NOx storing catalyst and the downstream NOx storing catalyst and reducing the NOx, the air-fuel ratio of the exhaust gas is temporarily switched from lean to rich.

The present invention provides systems and methods to improve the performance and emission control of internal combustion engines equipped with nitrogen oxides storage-reduction (“NSR”) emission control systems. The system generally includes a NSR catalyst, a fuel processor located upstream of the NSR catalyst, and at least one fuel injection port. The fuel processor converts a fuel into a reducing gas mixture comprising CO and H2. The reducing gas mixture is then fed into the NSR catalyst, where it regenerates the NSR adsorbent, reduces the NOx to nitrogen, and optionally periodically desulfates the NSR catalyst. The fuel processor generally includes one or more catalysts, which facilitate reactions such as combustion, partial oxidation, and/or reforming and help consume excess oxygen present in an engine exhaust stream. The methods of the present invention provide for NSR catalyst adsorbent regeneration using pulsed fuel flow. Control strategies are also provided.

A walk-behind lawnmower is provided with a height-adjusting mechanism for adjusting the height of a housing above the ground. The walk-behind lawnmower further comprises an operating button for switching an adjustment operation of the height-adjusting mechanism from a restricted state to a permissive state; and a height-adjusting grip capable of being grasped by a hand so as to raise or lower the housing when the operating button is operated, and the adjustment operation of the height-adjusting mechanism is thereby permitted. The height-adjusting grip is provided to the housing in the vicinity of a left or right lateral part. The operating button is positioned in an area allowing operation by a finger of the hand grasping the height-adjusting grip.

Pouches (2) of cohesionless material, typically a smokeless tobacco product, are manufactured on a machine equipped with feed components (101) by which the material is supplied to a conveyor (4) at a delivery station (8), then transferred by the conveyor (4) from this station (8) to a transfer station (9) where a forcing mechanism (14) directs measured portions (100) of the material from the conveyor into at least one duct (12) connecting with a form-fill-and-seal wrapping station (10) where the portions (100) are enclosed in a continuous succession (21) of pouches (2). Before being separated one from the next at a downstream cutting station (23), the single pouches (2) pass through an in-line quality control station (105) at which their weight is checked individually.

Packaged systems for implanting a marker in a patient and methods for manufacturing and using such systems. In one embodiment, a packaged system comprises an introducer having a cannula and a stylet configured to be received in the cannula, a marker in the cannula, and a package having a sterile compartment. The marker can have a casing configured to be implanted in a patient and a resonating circuit in the casing. The resonating circuit can comprise a coil configured to wirelessly transmit a target signal in response to a wirelessly transmitted excitation signal. The introducer is contained within the sterile compartment. In another embodiment, the marker is not loaded in the introducer within the compartment of the package.

In an apparatus for folding cardboard boxes, an area of each of four top portion flaps of a corrugated cardboard box is locked by a locking member having an elastic member, and an area of each of the four top portion flaps of the corrugated cardboard box is pushed down by an overlapping folding member.

An apparatus for and method for constructing and reinforcing modular block construction comprising placing on one or more modular blocks a plurality of separators which are connected via one or more connectors, and aligning modular blocks placed in a layer above the connectors. Also a method and apparatus for constructing and reinforcing multiple concentric modular block walls.

An actuator includes an inner member that defines an inner space within which a motor is supported. An outer member is supported for rotation about the inner member. A drive slot in the inner member is shaped to cause rotational movement responsive to axial movement of a motor without relative axial movement of the outer member relative to the inner member. A drive pin moved by the motor moves within the drive slot and is engaged to a drive channel of the outer member to facilitate rotation of the outer member about the axis.

A water-saving device includes a frusto-conical housing having a wide lower end that overlies a ground surface. A lip is integrally formed at the upper end, extending radially inwardly. A vertical cut is formed in the housing with a flange adjoining each edge of the cut. The flanges are spaced apart to admit a tree trunk into the hollow interior of the housing and are attachable to one another to enclose a tree trunk. A first pair of apertures is formed in the lip. A conduit has a first end in fluid communication with a row hose and extends upwardly from the row hose, through a first aperture, and downwardly through the second aperture. A water emitter is in fluid communication with a second end of the conduit and is positioned within the hollow interior of the housing below the lip and above the ground surface.

In addition to other aspects disclosed, a caliper is configured to measure at least one physical dimension. The caliper has a display configured to present a first representation and a second representation of a measurement provided by the caliper. The format of the first representation is different from the format of the second representation, and the first representation is approximately simultaneously displayed with the second representation.

A system and method for orthodontic alignment includes a radiographic template. The radiographic template has a plurality of metallic markers. A negative impression of a patient's dental arch is made. At least one orthodontic treatment aligner is produced. The aligner is manufactured based in part on a computed axial tomography (CT) scan of a patient wearing the radiographic template and a separate scan of the radiographic template, wherein the data is processed by superimposition of the orthodontic aligner on the CT images of the patient including a jaw in axial and panoramic views. In this manner, the tooth above the gum line, represented by the negative impression as well as the tooth below the gum line, represented by the CT data is used to design the orthodontic aligner.

A meta-module having circuitry for two or more modules is formed on a substrate, which is preferably a laminated substrate. The circuitry for the different modules is initially formed on the single meta-module. Each module will have one or more component areas in which the circuitry is formed. A metallic structure is formed on or in the substrate for each component area to be shielded. A single body, such as an overmold body, is then formed over all of the modules on the meta-module. At least a portion of the metallic structure for each component area to be shielded is then exposed through the body by a cutting, drilling, or like operation. Next, an electromagnetic shield material is applied to the exterior surface of the body of each of the component areas to be shielded and in contact with the exposed portion of the metallic structures.

In one embodiment, a meta-module having circuitry for two or more modules is formed on a substrate, which is preferably a laminated substrate. The circuitry for the different modules is initially formed on the single meta-module. Each module will have one or more component areas in which the circuitry is formed. A metallic structure is formed on or in the substrate for each component area to be shielded. A single body, such as an overmold body, is then formed over all of the modules on the meta-module. At least a portion of the metallic structure for each component area to be shielded is then exposed through the body by a cutting, drilling, or like operation. Next, an electromagnetic shield material is applied to the exterior surface of the body of each of the component areas to be shielded and in contact with the exposed portion of the metallic structures.

A permanent magnet rotor for an electrical generator includes a rotor shaft and a rotor core mounted coaxially upon the rotor shaft. The rotor core defines a plurality of longitudinal core passages which include a segment of a rotor cooling circuit, and further includes a permanent magnet outer core component mounted on an inner core component and including a plurality of permanent magnets. A cooling liquid containment mechanism for the permanent magnet rotor includes a first liquid containment cover coupled to the inner core component and a second liquid containment cover coupled to the inner core component. The liquid containment covers are configured to contain cooling liquid passed from an inlet segment of the rotor cooling circuit defined by the rotor shaft into the plurality of longitudinal core passages, and thenceforth into an outlet segment of the rotor cooling circuit also defined by the rotor shaft. The liquid containment covers are mounted on the inner core component at locations radially inward of a cylindrical outer surface thereof.

A reconfigurable system having at least one detachable component and at least one detachable head assembly. The reconfigurable system may be a numerically controlled (NC) machine for manufacturing processes, such as milling or automatic fiber placement (AFP). The reconfigurable system may further comprise a gantry structure comprised of movably attached beams on which detachable components may be movably attached. The detachable components may include a concave component and a convex component. At least one detachable head assembly may be movably attached to at least one of the detachable components. The detachable components and head assemblies may be at least one of physically, electrically, and pneumatically connected to a connecting assembly attached to the gantry structure.

A method for external repair of a leak in an in-service fluid containment vessel in which a fluid venting device is affixed to the outer surface of the fluid containment vessel so as to enable venting of the leaking fluid to the atmosphere during the remainder of the method steps. A composite repair material is applied over the fluid venting device and the fluid containment vessel and allowed to cure. During the curing period, fluid leaking from the fluid containment vessel is vented to the atmosphere. After curing of the composite repair material, a sealant is provided to the leak by way of the fluid venting device.

A ferromagnetic latching support system for positioning a surface is disclosed. The latching support system includes a mechanical support and a ferromagnetic device.

A light flexible hand grip and method of making with an inner tubular core of flexible rubber with apertures formed therein and an outer tubular cover disposed over the core with a lighter weight annular flexible foam spacer between the core and outer cover. The spacer may be formed by injecting curable material through the apertures. The apertures may be formed by inserting a mandrel in the core, punching the holes and removing the mandrel.

A surface cleaning apparatus comprises an air flow passage extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet. A suction motor positioned in the air flow passage. A cyclone is removably mounted to the surface cleaning apparatus and positioned in the air flow path. The cyclone has a cyclone air inlet and a cyclone air outlet. The cyclone is mountable to the surface cleaning apparatus in a mounting direction. An air inlet seal is positioned in a first plane and seals the cyclone air inlet to the airflow passage. An air outlet seal is positioned in a second, non-orthogonal plane and seals the cyclone air outlet to the airflow passage. The air inlet seal and the air outlet seal are concurrently sealed by movement of the cyclone in the mounting direction.

The present invention relates to a central vacuum cleaning system for vehicles. The unit comprises a vacuum generating alternating current motor, a built-in direct current to alternating current inverter and a removable dirt cup containing a filter and screen. The unit has a built-in in-take port, which has an auto switch that turns the unit on when the vacuum hose is plugged in and shuts the unit off when the vacuum hose is unplugged. The unit also has a remote in-take and remote auto switch capability so you can plug the vacuum hose into a more convenient location in the interior of the vehicle. The unit can be mounted horizontally or vertically. The unit can be installed in any vehicle consisting of a 12-volt direct current battery. The vehicle does not need to have an alternating current inverter installed separately to operate.

Provided is a wiper driving apparatus for an automobile. The wiper driving apparatus includes: a housing; a driving motor; a worm wheel installed in the housing to be rotated by the driving motor, connected to a wiper arm, and having protrusions formed on a surface thereof; and a clutch member eccentric with respect to the center of the worm wheel to be rotatably installed in the housing such that power supply to the driving motor is selectively turned on or off according to the position of the rotating clutch member relative to the housing, wherein the clutch member has an engagement unit which is caught by the protrusions of the worm wheel when the worm wheel is rotated in a first direction, and is not caught by the protrusions of the worm wheel when the worm wheel is rotated in a second direction. Accordingly, the wiper driving apparatus enables the clutch member to be disposed within the radius of rotation of protrusions without deviating from its normal track although the protrusions are rotated in a reverse direction.

A kit for cleaning clogged conduits and thruhole fitting valves in water intake systems of pleasure boats, fishing boats and yacht marine craft includes a hollow, substantially cylindrical male hose coupler connected to a nipple or elbow joined with the valve, and an open-end cap having a flexible, resilient press-fitted inner gasket configured with a central orifice to receive a shaft of larger diameter able to be force-fitted through the cap, the coupler and the valve when opened, and of a strength sufficient to force-free any matter clogging the input hose to the valve from acceptable performance usage.

The present disclosure generally relates to a cloth treating apparatus, such as a laundry treating machine, and methods of control and operation which sanitize the machine. The laundry treating machine can include an accommodating space which supplies air and moisture in order to remove unpleasant odors, wrinkles, or dampness from the laundry. The laundry treating machine may further include a circulation duct to circulate, dehumidify, or heat air inside the accommodating space. Operation of the laundry treating machine can use steam-sanitizing to remove odors, moisture, bacteria from the accommodating space and circulation duct. Steam-sanitizing can be performed based on a user's selection or the occurrence of a condition, such as unloading of laundry from the accommodating space after treatment.

Side barrier retractable bed made up of parallel bars (e.g. 14, 15, 16) that may be retracted to a low position along the length of the bed. To minimize the height of the barrier when in the low position, at least two of the bars (15 and 16) have profiles and positions to allow that they fit together lengthwise.

A suspended patient-carrier/transport apparatus of the type including an overhead rail forming a horizontal track terminating at a track-end, and a carrier device supported by a carriage having a plurality of aligned rollers rideable along the track. The inventive suspended transport apparatus has a locking safety mechanism including the carriage having a main carriage portion and a forward carriage portion. A track-end detector is at the forward carriage portion and movably secured with respect thereto such that the track-end detector moves downwardly when it runs beyond the track-end. A locking device is operatively connected with respect to the track-end detector such that downward movement thereof causes the locking device to engage the rail thereby stopping the carriage on the track.

The toilet water tank refilling system includes an inlet pipe adapted for installation within the toilet water tank and adapted for connection to a water supply, a valve connected to the pipe, a float operably connected to the valve to open the valve when the water level falls below a predetermined level and to close the valve when the water level in the tank reaches the predetermined level, and a valve outlet discharging water from the water supply into the tank when the valve is open. The system does not have a valve outlet discharging water from the water supply through the overflow tube directly into the toilet bowl. The only paths for discharging water from the water supply to the toilet bowl in the toilet water tank refilling system are through the tank's flush valve when the toilet is flushed and through the overflow tube when the water level in the tank exceeds the predetermined level.

A method and a system for a secure distributed item-level discovery service using secret sharing. The discovery service publishes a plurality of uniform resource locators that correspond to a resource identification key on a plurality of servers in a P2P ring. A uniform resource locator (URL) is split in a plurality of shares applying a secret sharing algorithm. For each share of the URL is generated share identifier by applying a hash function to the resource identification key. A share identifier is sent to a target node through a first proxy node applying Peer-to-Peer (P2P) routing. A share of the URL, corresponding to the share identifier is sent to the target node through a second proxy using a network address of the target node. Access rights for reading the share of the URL from the target node are published in an access control node.

In a CP server, when a copyright determination unit determines that requested content is copyrighted content, a set up unit sets up a copyrighted content public URL comprising information that can specify a memory region where copyrighted content is stored, and corresponding to a content delivery request by a cellular phone, a transmission unit transmits the copyrighted content public URL together with the copyrighted content, to the cellular phone. Then, a cellular phone acquires the copyrighted content public URL together with the copyrighted content, and attaches the copyrighted content public URL to an electronic mail message which is transmitted to another cellular phone. The other cellular phone can use the received copyrighted content public URL to request the CP server to deliver the copyrighted content.

Described are techniques for processing a data storage configuration request for an application. The data storage configuration request is received from a requester. A first user level of a plurality of user levels at which the data storage configuration request is made by the requester is determined. Each user level is associated with a different level of abstraction with respect to processing performed in the data storage system for implementing the data storage configuration request. The data storage configuration request is serviced. Servicing the request includes determining whether to perform the data storage configuration request in accordance with security criteria defining, for each of the plurality of user levels, permitted operations that may be performed for different requesters in connection with the data storage configuration request.

A tampering-prevention-process generation apparatus generates an output process instruction group to be executed by an execution processing apparatus in order to protect a first process instruction which causes the execution processing apparatus to assign a value to an assign-target variable. The tampering-prevention-process generation apparatus includes a branch-process-instruction-group generating unit configured to generate, as a part of the output process instruction group, a branch process instruction group which causes a processing route to branch to the first process instruction. The tampering-prevention-process generation apparatus also includes a dependent-process-instruction-group generating unit configured to generate, as a part of the output process instruction group, a dependent process instruction group which causes the execution processing apparatus to execute a process dependent on the value of the assign-target variable.

A method and apparatus that establish secure communications between two stations. The apparatus includes a low power communication processor and a host processor in a sleep mode. The low power communication processor receives a protocol message to initiate a communication. The protocol message includes an encrypted cryptographic identity token and triggers a wake-up event in order to wake up the host processor according to a result of identity a freshness checks performed by the low power communication processor.

A method for securing communications between a server and an application downloaded over a network onto a client of the server is disclosed. A first request is received from the client, and in response a session credential security token is generated and sent to the client. A second request is received from the client to download the application and includes the value of the session credential security token. The server verifies that the value of the session credential security token is valid and, if so, generates a second security token that is tied to the session credential security token. The second token is embedded in application code and then the application code is sent to the client. A subsequent request for data from the application running on the client includes the value of the session credential security token and the value of the embedded security token. Verification of validity of the values of the session credential security token and the second security token received with the data request then occurs at least in part by determining that the values are cryptographically tied to one another. Upon verification, the requested data is sent to the client.

An offline trust system establishes a trust relationship between a trust authority computer system and a target computer system without relying on an active network connection between the computer systems. The offline trust system separates the trust establishment operation into a provisioning phase and a configuration phase. The provisioning phase can be performed entirely on the trust authority, while the configuration phase can be performed entirely on the target computer system requesting trust. The two phases can be performed at different times and do not assume any connection between the two computer systems. An administrator may perform the provisioning phase for many target computer systems at the same time. Thus, the offline trust system provides a way to establish trust between computer systems that is more reliable and less prone to failure.

Techniques are presented for anonymous Internet access. Internet requests are intercepted within a firewalled environment before being routed over the Internet to destination sites. Each Internet requests is evaluated in view of policy and one or more anonymizers are selected in response to that evaluation. The Internet requests are then routed through the appropriate anonymizers for processing to the destination sites. A relationship between an Internet Protocol (IP) address associated with the firewalled environment and IP addresses of the destination sites is masked and hidden via the anonymizers from Internet observers. Moreover, a secure communication between the firewalled environment and the anonymizers is maintained.

A method and apparatus for generating user group identifiers using a permissions matrix is disclosed. The permissions matrix includes an entry that is associated with a row and a column of the permissions matrix. The row of the permissions matrix is indexed with a first role and the column of the permissions matrix is indexed with a second role. A data structure implementing such a method can include, for example, a user group identifier matrix. Alternatively, a method is disclosed in which the expiration of a user group identifier is detected. In such a case, the user group identifier is updated by accessing a user group identifier matrix.

A distributed security system is provided. The distributed security system uses a security policy that is written in a policy language that is transport and security protocol independent as well as independent of cryptographic technologies. This security policy can be expressed using the language to create different security components allowing for greater scalability and flexibility. By abstracting underlying protocols and technologies, multiple environments and platforms can be supported.

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to manage a library of pointers to altered media content, and enable a network element of an interactive media network to access additional media content responsive to detecting a selection of the watermark at the network element. The altered media content is created by embedding a watermark in media content presentable at the network element. Other embodiments are disclosed.

A system for preparing data and video sequences to enable a viewer to scroll content in a plurality of directions including a first and second direction, the content including at least one element in motion, the system including a video sequence preparation module to prepare the video sequences including a first and second video sequence, each video sequence including still images, each still image including at least part of the content, at least some of the still images including the at least one element, the video sequences being prepared such that playing the first and second video sequence effects scrolling the content in the first and second direction, respectively, and a switchover determination module to prepare the data including corresponding switchover points in the video sequences for switching between the video sequences and therefore for switching the direction of scrolling by the viewer. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Provided are an apparatus and method for providing en electronic program guide (EPG) and a terminal and method for displaying the EPG. The apparatus includes an information extracting unit extracting the information about the electronic program guide, which specifies broadcasts according to time and channel, from a broadcast signal, a document creating unit converting the extracted information about the electronic program guide into a document in a data format permitted in a user's terminal, and a command processor processing a service command regarding a broadcast selected based on the converted document. Accordingly, it is possible to make an EPG based on a user's favorite broadcasts and provide the EPG to the user's terminal.

An interceptor detects command signals from a TV remote control and logs the signals. The signals can be correlated not just to channel number but also to programs by accessing a program/channel database. A log of channels/programs that have been viewed by, e.g., a child can thus be obtained and viewed by a parent.

Methods and apparatus to monitor advertisement exposure are disclosed. An example method includes determining via a meter that a media content segment was presented at a media content presentation device and determining via an activity monitor different than the meter that a computing resource related to the media content segment was accessed by outputting an indication of an association between the computing resource access and the media content presentation after the presentation of the media content segment.

The recording/reproducing quality of a multilayer optical information recording medium deteriorate not only due to interference from other layers caused by light converging on other information layers but also due to stray light converging on the surface of a protective layer and stray light that does not converge on other information layers but rather returns to an optical head through the same optical path as the reproducing signal. The thickness composition of intermediate layers (106, 107, and 108) and the protective layer (109) in a four-layer optical information recording medium are set so as to eliminate the influence of interference caused by stray light from other layers reflected up to three times.

To simplify the structure and improve the performance of virtualization software. There is provided virtualization unit for capturing a configuration access to a physical device from a virtual CPU, identifying a partition to which the physical device belongs from a device address of the physical device accessed by the virtual CPU, and if the physical device does not belong to the virtual CPU's own partition, replacing a content of a configuration register that identifies the physical device with information on a nonexistent dummy device, and notifying the resultant to the virtual CPU. The physical device not belonging to the virtual CPU's own partition is recognized as a named valid device by using a dummy device driver corresponding to the dummy device. The dummy device driver rejects execution of processing common to all physical devices that is requested by the virtual CPU and disturbs operation of a physical device belonging to another partition.

A synchronization optimized queuing method and device to minimize software/hardware interaction in network interface hardware during an end-of-initiative process, including network adapter queue implementations for network interface hardware for optimized communication in a computer system. An end-of-initiative procedure to ensure that the network interface hardware has received an interrupt enable and to recheck the interrupt queue is unnecessary in the present invention.

A method of managing resources related to a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and an application executed in the JVM is provided. The method includes defining a resource identifier uniquely identifying an arbitrary resource to be; generating a resource consumer for each thread, wherein the resource consumer uses a resource; generating at least one resource manager per resource identifier, wherein the resource manager manages a resource, and storing the at least one resource manager in a resource manager registry; calculating a quantity of resource usage by resource managers generated for all applications and threads in the applications, and storing the calculated quantity of resource usage, wherein the calculating and storing of the quantity are performed by each of the resource managers; and informing about the quantity of resource usage.

In a method for accessing, by application programs, resources provided by an operating system, a process receives a request for a resource and an identifier associated with the resource. It is determined that the requested resource resides in a location outside the application isolation environment. The request for the resource and the identifier associated with the resource is redirected to the determined location. The request for the resource is responded to using an instance of the resource residing in the determined location.

A system for distributing incoming client requests across multiple servers in a networked client-server computer environment processes all requests as a set that occur within a given time interval and collects information on the attributes of the requests and the resource capability of the servers to dynamically allocate requests in a set to the appropriate servers upon completion of the time interval. Preferably, a request table collects at least two requests incoming within a predetermined time interval, a request examiner routine analyzes each collected request with respect to at least one attribute, a system status monitor collects resource capability information of each server in a resource table and an optimization and allocation process distributes collected requests in the request table across the multiple servers upon completion of said time interval based on an optimization of potential pairings of the requests in the request table with servers in the resource table.

The present invention allows for storing new document data immediately after the details of processing associated with a box are changed. The present invention provides a workflow processing apparatus executing processing procedures in sequence for data existing in a storage location based on setting information, where the workflow processing apparatus includes a data registration unit changing the setting information, a data acquisition unit determining whether or not data exists in the first storage location when the setting information is changed, and a box operation unit that changes the original name of the first storage location to a new name and that generates the second storage location having the original name when it is determined that the data exists in the first storage location.

One embodiment is a virtualized mobile device including virtualization software that supports one or more virtual machines and further includes: (a) device emulation software that communicates with device driver software in the one or more virtual machines; (b) device driver software that communicates with one or more physical devices of the mobile device; and (c) transformer stack software that interacts with the device emulation software and the device driver software.

Systems and methods that facilitate deployment of server applications via employing a deployment system that declaratively defines deployment actions. Such system is extensible to enable user customization, and includes a deployment document that declaratively defines deployment terms. The deployment document can further describe what the tasks accomplish, and also what tasks are to be forwarded to the task handler at execution time.

An apparatus for monitoring and/or controlling a fluid system includes a housing having at least one display mounted thereon and a sensor interface that includes at least one sensor configured to output signals corresponding to a sensed fluid characteristic. A computer readable memory is disposed within the housing and stores user configurable program parameters in a stored menu configuration partitioning the program parameters among a plurality of discrete menus. The apparatus further includes a user interface having an input device configured via outputting a menu reconfiguration command to adjust the stored menu configuration, and a processor disposed within the housing and configured to display the program parameters in the plurality of discrete menus according to the stored menu configuration. In an exemplary application, the apparatus is a differential pressure indicator having optional control/output features, internally or externally sourced 4-20 mA current output and infrared communication for uploading and/or downloading programming and data.

A method for demand-driven symbolic analysis involves obtaining a section of code comprising an instruction from a source code file and determining a critical variable in the section of code and data dependencies related to the critical variable. The method further involves iteratively computing a symbolic value representing a range of values of the critical variable according to the data dependencies, determining a set of control predicates relevant to the critical variable at the instruction, refining the range of values according to the set of control predicates to generate a second range of values for the symbolic value, and reporting an error when the second range of values exceeds a predetermined value.

A method (1) of developing software code for executing on a target digital processor uses a memory in which it maintains data structures having elements, each of the elements storing data which is represented by a label, and at least some links between the elements are created by the target processor as data is being processed. The method comprises the step (3) of writing the software code with data structure processing operations which comply with random structure preservation rules (2). A static analysis timing tool automatically parses (4) the code developed in step (2) to identify all operations. It determines (7) from an operation and all possible input states for that operation an average time value for execution of the operation by a target data processor, and stores (9) said average time value. It determines (8) from the operation and all possible input states all possible output states for that operation. The timing tool repeats steps (7 and 8) for each next operation, using the all possible output states determined in step (8) as all possible input states. It generates (11) an output total average time which is a sum of all average times stored in step (9).

Apparatus and methods of managed runtime in an embedded partition are disclosed. An example processor system has a general partition having a central processing unit (CPU) to run a first operating system. An embedded partition has a second central processing unit (CPU) to run a second operating system. An inter-partition bridge exchanges an instruction between the general partition and the embedded partition. The first operating system includes a managed runtime environment filter to evaluate the instruction and determine whether the embedded partition can process the instruction.

This description provides tools for lazy evaluation of geometric definitions of objects within procedural programming environments. Computer-based methods provided by these tools may parse input program code that includes statements that are syntactically consistent with a procedural programming language. These statements may also include defined functions that are not syntactically consistent with the procedural programming language. The defined functions may be associated with a given function that is defined according to the procedural programming language. The given function may relate to a geometric design of an object. The methods may identify inputs and outputs to this given function, and may build a dependency graph that relates this given function to other functions, based on the inputs and/or outputs of the given function. The methods may delay evaluating the given function until a triggering event occurs, at which time the methods may evaluate the given function to produce the output.

The present invention provides a method and computer program product for designing an on-wafer target for use by a model-based design tool such as OPC or OPC verification. The on-wafer target is modified by modifying a critical dimension so as to improve or optimize an electrical characteristic, while also ensuring that one or more yield constraints are satisfied. The use of an electrically optimized target can result in cost-effective mask designs that better meet the designers' intent.

A pin out designation method for package board codesign has steps of defining pin characteristics and requirements, generating multiple pin patterns, pin blocks construction and grouping and pin blocks floorplanning. Designers may use an EDA tool to generate multiple pin patterns and may use the pin patterns to construct multiple pin blocks, to group the pin blocks around four sides of a chip and to adjust the pin blocks into a minimized package size of the chip.

Device features, such as gate lengths and channel widths, are selectively altered by first identifying those devices within a semiconductor die that exhibit physical attributes, e.g., leakage current and threshold voltage magnitude, that are different than previously verified by a design/simulation tool used to design the devices. The identified, non-conforming devices are then further identified by the amount of deviation from the original design goal that is exhibited by each non-conforming device. The non-conforming devices are then mathematically categorized into bins, where each bin is tagged with a magnitude of deviation from a design goal. The mask layers defining the features of the non-conforming devices are then selectively modified by an amount that is commensurate with the tagged deviation. The selectively modified mask layers are then used to generate a new semiconductor die that exhibits improved performance.

The invention relates to a method and a system for placing macros of a multilevel hierarchical description of a design unit on a chip. The method starts off by repartitioning the macro structure of the design unit into a set of latch macros and a set of combinatorial macros. By definition, a combinatorial macro is constructed in such a way that it contains no latches, and a latch macro contains latches and is constructed in such a way that each primary input/output of the latch macro coincides with an input or an output of a latch within said latch macro. After repartitioning the macro structure, the latch macros are synthesized within temporary boundaries and placed on the chip. Subsequently, the combinatorial macros are sequentially placed within a temporary boundary and synthesized one by one.

Methods and apparatuses for retiming of multirate system for clock period minimization with a polynomial time without sub-optimality. In an embodiment, a normalized factor vector for the nodes of multirate graph is introduced, allowing the formulation of the multirate graph retiming constraints to a form similar to a single rate graph. In an aspect, the retiming constraints are formulated to allowed the usage of linear programming methodology instead of integer linear programming, thus significantly reducing the complexity of the solving algorithm. The present methodology also uses multirate constraints, avoiding unfolding to single rate equivalent, thus avoiding graph size increase. In a preferred embodiment, the parameters of the multirate system are normalized to the normalized factor vector, providing efficient algorithm in term of computational time and memory usage, without any sub-optimality.

Disclosed are a method, a system, and a computer program product for implementing hotspot detection, repair, and optimization of an electronic circuit design, which, in some embodiments, defines, identifies criteria for hotspots/metrics or optimization objective function; performs the initial hotspot or metric prediction; identifies correction candidate(s); applies a correction candidate to the electronic circuit design; and determines whether the outcome of applying the correction candidate is acceptable. The method or the system identifies custom correction candidate(s) or custom command(s) and identifies one or more hints for the predicted hotspots or metrics; provides a single architecture to use a first model for hotspot identification/correction and a second model for design check; and provides the capability to apply a correction for a hotspot or metric, evaluate the effectiveness of the correction on the fly, and revert any changes made to the electronic circuit design by the correction.

A parasitic element extracting system includes: a classifying section configured to classify each of interconnection layers of a layout structure of a semiconductor device into one of an upper interconnection layer and an lower interconnection layer based on a predetermined criterion; and a marker producing section configured to generate a marker to indicate a via-contact connecting the upper interconnection layers and the lower interconnection layers. An upper layer parasitic element list producing section is configured to generate an upper layer parasitic element list by extracting parasitic elements in the upper interconnection layers based on a first criterion, and a lower layer parasitic element list producing section is configured to generate a lower layer parasitic element list by extracting parasitic elements in the lower interconnection layers based on a second criterion which is different from the first criterion. A parasitic element list producing section is configured to generate a parasitic element list of the layout by combining the upper layer parasitic element list and the lower layer parasitic element list by using the markers.

A computerized method of characterizing a DUV includes executing in a verification environment (VE) a set of verification tests to stimulate the DUV to collect test results from the DUV. The method further includes collecting a set of failure data for the test results; and generating sets of common failures based on clusters of features of interest in the set of failure data. The method further includes generating a set of hints from the common failures; wherein the hints indicate a potential failure mode or a potential root cause failure of the DUV for the test results for the simplified set of tests; and generating a set of debug data from the clusters of features of interest. The method further includes transferring the set of hints and the set of debug data to a user computer for storage, display, and use in an interactive debug session of the DUV.

Systems, apparatus, and methods of timing analysis with a multi-operating region gate model are disclosed, including modeling a logic gate with a constant direct current (DC) voltage source during a steady state region of operation; in response to a transition from the steady state region of operation, modeling the logic gate with a time-varying voltage dependent current source during a varying current region of operation; and, in response to a transition from the variable current region of operation, modeling the logic gate with a time-invariant voltage dependent current source during an asymptotic region of operation. Instantaneous output current provided by the time varying voltage dependent current source in the VCR region is responsive to time and the instantaneous output voltage of the logic gate. Instantaneous output current provided by the time-invariant voltage dependent current source in the AR region is responsive to the instantaneous output voltage of the logic gate.

Some embodiments of the present invention provide systems and techniques for checking a livelock in a circuit design. During operation, the system can identify a finite state machine (FSM) in the circuit design, wherein the FSM comprises a first set of state variables. The system can then construct an abstract machine of the circuit design, wherein the abstract machine includes the FSM and a second set of state variables. Next, the system can search for one or more livelocks in the abstract machine. If a livelock is found in the abstract machine, the system can verify that the livelock is a livelock in a concrete machine of the circuit design, wherein the concrete machine includes the FSM and a third set of state variables, wherein the second set of state variables is a subset of the third set of state variables.

A method and system for verifying a logic circuit design using dynamic clock gating is disclosed. The method comprises choosing at least one master seed to determine initial values as initialization for said logic circuit and/or stimuli data for at least one interface of said logic circuit, choosing at least two different dynamic clock gating configurations for every chosen master seed, executing a functional simulation with said logic circuit for every chosen dynamic clock gating configuration by using said determined initialization and/or stimuli data based on a corresponding master seed, comparing simulation results of functional simulations against each other executed with said logic circuit for at least two different chosen dynamic clock gating configurations, and reporting an error if said at least two simulation results are not identical.

A computer-implemented method of implementing a circuit design that includes an initial network within a programmable logic device can include generating a first choice network from the circuit design according to a first synthesis technique and determining a placement for the first choice network. At least a second choice network can be generated from the first choice network according to a second synthesis technique. A placement for the second choice network can be determined. The placement for the first choice network can be compared with the placement for the second choice network. A placement and corresponding choice network can be selected according to the comparison, and output.

A touch screen device and operating method thereof are provided. The touch screen device includes a screen including a display configured to display images thereon and a detector configured to detect a user touch and movement thereof, a storage device configured to store image information corresponding to the movement, and a controller configured to retrieve and display an image corresponding to the detected drag. The image may include at least one of a trace image representing a moving trajectory, an icon image, or a text image.

Certain exemplary embodiments disclosed herein relate to paging systems and methods that help users navigate through large or small datasets. For example, in certain exemplary embodiments, paging control elements are provided according to either a binary subdivision approach or a serial progressive approach. Paging control elements are displayed according to either the binary subdivision approach or the serial progressive approach in dependence on a determination as to which approach is more advantageous based at least in part on factors such as, for example, total number of pages, current page location, distance to end points, screen size, etc.

An application displays a user interface (UI) component. A client can apply customizations to this UI component. After the client applies customizations to the UI component, the client modifies a solution set containing solutions that modify the UI component. After the client modifies the solution set, the application displays a new version of the UI component. Modifications provided by the solutions in the solution set are applied to the new version of the UI component. In addition, the customizations remain applied to the UI component without the client manually re-applying the customizations to the UI component.

Methods and apparatus, including computer-program products, for providing a portal-based desktop. A computer-implemented method for providing status of portal content includes identifying at least one element of portal content to which a user is subscribed. The method includes monitoring a state of the one element of portal content. The method includes indicating status of the one element of portal content, the indication being included as portal content. A computer program product, for providing status of portal content, includes instructions operable to cause a processor to identify at least one element of portal content to which a user is subscribed. The product includes instructions to monitor a state of the one element of portal content. The product includes instructions to indicate status of the one element of portal content, the indication being included as portal content. The product is tangibly stored on machine-readable medium.

A transcript editor enables text-based editing of time-based media that includes spoken dialog. It involves an augmented transcript that includes timing metadata that associates words and phrases within the transcript with corresponding temporal locations within the time-based media where the text is spoken, and editing the augmented transcript without the need for playback of the time-based media. After editing, the augmented transcript is processed by a media editing system to automatically generate an edited version of the time-based media that only includes the segments of the time-based media that include the speech corresponding to the edited augmented transcript.

A method of assigning tasks is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes displaying, on a user interface, one or more representations of tasks and a calendar of dates, each representation being indicative of a task to be completed. The method also includes receiving a user input indicative of a selected date from the calendar of dates and receiving a user input indicative of a selected representation of the one or more representations. The selected representation corresponds to a selected task. The selected date is assigned to the selected task. Further, the method also includes displaying on the user interface a list of constituents as a function of the selected date, receiving a user input indicative of a selected one or more constituents from the list, and assigning the selected one or more constituents to the selected task.

A computer-readable storage medium stores media content in one or more formats and a media engine. The media engine includes a media player and a plurality of execution modules. Each execution module is specific to a different platform of multimedia device, such that the computer-readable storage medium is usable in a plurality of different multimedia device platforms.

A document processor includes a unit which receives document information including plural document elements as a target document, a unit which detects each of the document elements from the received target document, a unit which generates an element image enlarged by a specified ratio, of each image of the detected document elements, and a display control unit which controls display so that an element image of the corresponding document element is displayed in a range occupied by the document element in the target document.

Methods, systems, and computer program products which enhance the use of digitized content by users are described. The methods, systems, and computer program products include causing portions of the content to be adjusted in size according to dimensions which would best facilitate electronic review of the content. The methods, systems, and computer program products include preparing illustrated content for navigation, specifying dimensions for areas within content collections such as pages and orders for viewing the areas, and correlating the specified dimensions and the specified order with instructions for rendering an enhanced view of the content areas. In some embodiments, the illustrated content comprises a digitized comic book.

Disclosed is a novel framework by which the sources of data objects and/or formatting functions can be easily requested and managed. More specifically, the invention provides a system for and method of serving multiple data objects and/or formatting functions to a subscribing client via a single request. The system comprises a catalog with entries referencing components used to generate data objects and formatting functions, each of which has a unique identifier; and an engine for receiving requests from the subscribing client, wherein each request includes one or more catalog identifiers. This engine, for each identifier in each received request, executes any prerequisite components, sets the appropriate parameters, and executes the component referenced by said component identifier to obtain the requested data object or formatting function. The engine aggregates the data objects and/or formatting functions into a script library, which is returned to the subscribing client.

A decoder is disclosed that can reduce power consumption at different stages of a decoding process. At a first stage where the decoder calculates residual values, the decoder can reduce power consumption by calculating residual values using less than a full set of division circuits. A reduced number of division circuits may be sufficient to successfully calculate residuals associated with the codeword to complete the decoding process. Division circuits that are not used may be disabled to reduce power consumption. At another stage of the decoding process where the decoder generates coefficients that are used to identify locations of errors in the codeword, the decoding process can limit power consumption by reducing the number of iterations of a polynomial generator by incorporating termination decision circuitry.

A DTV transmitter includes a pre-processor pre-processing enhanced data, a data formatter generating enhanced data packets including the pre-processed enhanced data, and a multiplexer multiplexing the enhanced data packets with main data packets. The transmitter further includes an RS encoder RS-coding the multiplexed packets by adding systematic RS parity data to each main data packet and by adding non-systematic RS parity place holders to each enhanced data packet, and a data interleaver interleaving the RS-coded packets. The non-systematic RS parity place holders are placed after the enhanced data within each interleaved enhanced data packet, and a sequence of known data place holders is periodically included in the interleaved enhanced data packets.

One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for protecting data with an error correction code (ECC). The data is accessed by a processing unit and stored in an external memory, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM). Application data and related ECC data are advantageously stored in a common page within a common DRAM device. Application data and ECC data are transmitted between the processor and the external common DRAM device over a common set of input/output (I/O) pins. Eliminating I/O pins and DRAM devices conventionally associated with transmitting and storing ECC data advantageously reduces system complexity and cost.

Data stored in memory is decoded using iterative probabilistic decoding and multiple decoders. A first decoder attempts to decode a representation of a codeword. If the attempt is unsuccessful, a second decoder attempts to decode the representation of a codeword. The second decoder may have a lower resolution than the first decoder. Probability values such as logarithmic likelihood ratio (LLR) values may be clipped in the second decoder. This approach can overcome trapping sets while exhibiting low complexity and high performance. Further, it can be implemented on existing decoders such as those used in current memory devices.

Incremental redundancy retransmission method suited to the transmissions of packets that can be fragmented into N packets of index i.

A method and an arrangement enables an efficient radio resources utilization in a communication network system comprising a communication network node communicating with one or more user equipments over a radio interface on uplink and downlink channels. The user equipment provides the communication network node with information about a power shortage problem in the user equipment by using a pre-determined field, such as the E-TFCI field, of the uplink channel, whereby the communication network node is allowed to take a pre-determined action regarding available radio resources.

A TAP linking module (21, 51) permits plural TAPs (TAPs 1-4) to be controlled and accessed from a test bus (13) via a single TAP interface (20).

In an embodiment, a clocked storage device such as a pulse flop is provided. The pulse flop includes a latch coupled to receive a scan data input to the pulse flop. The latch receives the scan data input during one of the phases of the clock, and retains the received input during the other phase. The other phase is the phase in which the pulse to the pulse flop occurs. Thus, when scan data is captured in the pulse flop, the latch at the next pulse flop in the chain may be closed and may prevent a race condition in propagating the scan data.

Methods, systems, and circuits for implementing multi-clock designs in asynchronous logic circuits are described. A method may include associating one or more data tokens with a clock domain of a multi-clock domain netlist. A durational relationship between a clock period associated with the clock domain and one or more other clock domains of the multi-clock domain netlist may be determined. Data tokens used in other clock domains may be transformed based on the determined relationship.

A method is described that involves storing active sleep mode software instructions to be executed by a low end central processing unit into an on chip cache that caches normal active mode software instructions executed by a high end central processing unit. The active sleep mode software instructions are to be executed by the low end central processing unit during an active sleep mode. The normal active mode software instructions are executed by the high end central processing unit during a normal active mode. The active sleep mode consumes less power than the normal active mode.

The present invention enables a power-supply voltage terminal and an internal circuit to be isolated from each other in a noncontact operation without largely increasing a chip area in a semiconductor integrated circuit device for an IC card. A semiconductor integrated circuit device comprises: a first power supply circuit for rectifying and smoothing an AC signal supplied from an antenna to an antenna terminal, thereby obtaining a DC voltage in a first power-supply line; a second power supply circuit comprising a voltage control circuit for controlling gate terminal voltage of a first MOS transistor disposed between a power supply terminal to which power is input from the outside and the first power supply line; a substrate potential control circuit for forming source voltage of the first MOS transistor as a substrate voltage; and a second MOS transistor which makes substrate voltage and gate voltage of the first MOS transistor conductive in the case of using the voltage generated by the first power supply circuit as a power supply, and which makes the substrate voltage and the gate voltage nonconductive in the case of using a power supply from an external terminal.

Data scrambling techniques implemented externally to a flash memory device are disclosed which can be used in concert with flash memory on-chip copy functionality operating internally to the flash device, thus supporting high performance copying operations. All the data stored in the flash may be scrambled, including headers and control structures. Robust file system operation may be achieved, including the capability to tolerate a power loss at any time, and yet be able to relocate data internally within the flash without having to de-scramble and then re-scramble the data. An exemplary hardware based solution has little or no impact on overall system performance, and may be implemented at very low incremental cost to increase overall system reliability. The data scrambling technique preferably uses a logical address, such as logical block address or logical page address, rather than a physical address, to determine a seed scrambling key.

Enhanced network data transmission security and individualized data transmission processing can be implemented by intermediaries in a communication path between two endpoint peers individually having the capability to identify and authenticate one or both of the endpoint peers. Communication session establishment, endpoint peer identity processing and authentication and data traffic encryption protocols are modified to allow intermediaries to track the communications between endpoint peers for a particular communication session and obtain information to authenticate the endpoint peers and identify data traffic transmitted between them. Intermediaries can use the identities of one or both of the endpoint peers to enforce identity based rules for processing data traffic between the endpoint peers for a communication session.

A secure instant messaging (IM) system integrates secure instant messaging into existing instant messaging systems. A certificate authority (CA) issues security certificates to users binding the user's IM screen name to a public key, used by sending users to encrypt messages and files for the user. The CA uses a subscriber database to keep track of valid users and associated information, e.g. user screen names, user subscription expiration dates, and enrollment agent information. A user sends his certificate to an instant messaging server which publishes the user's certificate to other users. Users encrypt instant messages and files using an encryption algorithm and the recipient's certificate. A sending user can sign instant messages using his private signing key. The security status of received messages is displayed to recipients.

A method and apparatus for ingress filtering using security group information are disclosed. The method includes performing access control processing on a packet and sending access control information to an ingress node of the packet in response to the access control processing. The access control information includes security group information and an address of a network node. The security group information identifies a security group. The network node is a member of the security group and is a destination of the packet.

A method and system for configuring a valid duration period for a digital certificate. The method includes assigning a positive numeric value for each certificate term. The positive numeric value assigned to each certificate term is representative of the valid duration period. The method continues by prompting a user of the client device to request one certificate term. The method may include transmitting the requested certificate term to a server. The certificate term requested is sent via a certificate request. The server is configured to convert the positive numeric value associated with the requested certificate term into a duration counter. The method may also include a certificate server receiving from the server, the certificate request including the duration counter. The certificate server is configured to digitally sign the certificate request. The method may conclude with the client device generating the digital certificate having the valid duration period correspond to the positive numeric value associated with the requested certificate term.

Techniques for secure network communication are provided. Credentials for a user along with a transparently generated secret are sent to a resource that the user desires to establish a secure communication session with. After successful authentication of the user, an initial sequence number for a first transaction of the session is set on a client of the user. Thereafter, with each transaction of the session the client supplies a new and unique sequence number to a server of the resource and uses the secret to encode and validate that transaction. The server of the resource does not permit any transaction that includes an invalid or previously used sequence number.

There is provided an IPsec setting server apparatus capable of preventing inconsistency of setting among communicating apparatuses. An IPsec processing section subjects a data communication packet received from an interface section to IPsec processing. An SPD is referred to from the IPsec processing section and records policies for applying the IPsec. An SAD is referred to from the IPsec processing section and records an SA necessary for subjecting an individual kind of communication to the IPsec processing. A request processing section receives a setting request message from the IPsec processing apparatus and returns a distribution message. IPsec policies necessary for determining a requested setting are stored in a distribution policy storage section. Information on respective kinds of SA communication requested to be set is stored in a management table.

An automatic thermal throttling protection method is described. a computer system executes a main BIOS for initializing an embedded controller when the computer system is power on or boots. And the sub BIOS of the embedded controller is also executed. The sub BIOS of the embedded controller obtains an upper temperature limit and a lower temperature limit set by the main BIOS, and obtains a temperature of the CPU through a thermal sensor. The sub BIOS of the embedded controller compares the temperature of the CPU with the upper temperature limit. When the temperature of the CPU is higher than the upper temperature limit, the sub BIOS sends a system control interrupt event to the main BIOS through the embedded controller. When receiving the SCI event, the main BIOS enables a throttling function to perform a throttling operation on the CPU or shuts down the computer system.

Method, apparatus, and system for monitoring performance within a processing resource, which may be used to modify user-level software. Some embodiments of the invention pertain to an architecture to allow a user to improve software running on a processing resources on a per-thread basis in real-time and without incurring significant processing overhead.

Mechanisms are provided for detecting changes in virtual storage device configurations. The mechanisms detect an event corresponding to a change in configuration of a virtual storage device. The virtual storage device is comprised of a plurality of portions of a plurality of physical storage devices. The mechanisms further, in response to detecting the event, determine if the change in configuration of the virtual storage device results in a change in the types of physical storage devices that are part of the virtual storage device. Moreover, the mechanisms further transmit a notification, in response to a determination that the change in configuration of the virtual storage device results in a change in the types of physical storage devices that are part of the virtual storage device, of the results of the change in configuration of the virtual storage device to one or more registered recipients registered to receive such notifications.

Techniques for launching a VM with memory automatically adjusted based on a memory configuration of a client hosting the VM are described herein. According to one embodiment, a control server dynamically determines an amount of memory in view of a memory configuration of a client at the point in time, in response to a request for launching a VM for the client over a network. The amount of memory is allocated to be associated with the VM. Thereafter, the control server launches the VM for the client having the determined amount of memory allocated to the VM, where the VM is to be hosted by the client. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Multiple application threads write to the same file in parallel. The file is written to on a file cluster-by-file cluster basis. For each file cluster of a number of file clusters of the file, a block of a memory cluster is allocated to an application thread, where the memory cluster corresponds to the file cluster, and the block is written to by the application thread until the block is finished, until all the blocks of the memory cluster are finished. A block may be finished where the application thread has completely written to the block, or the application thread has no further data to write to the block. Thereafter, the memory cluster is registered within a queue, from which it is read by a file writer thread, which writes the memory cluster to the file cluster. Each application thread that is to write to the file performs this process.

A method for data storage, including configuring a first logical volume on a first storage system and a second logical volume on a second storage system. The second logical volume is configured as a mirror of the first logical volume, so that the first and second logical volumes form a single logical mirrored volume. The method also includes receiving at the second storage system a command submitted by a host to write data to the logical mirrored volume, and transferring the command from the second storage system to the first storage system without writing the data to the second logical volume. On receipt of the command at the first storage system, the data is written to the first logical volume. Subsequent to writing the data to the first logical volume, the data is mirrored on the second logical volume.

A redundant array of independent disk (RAID) stack determines a first number of processor cycles to reload first data from a first memory address of a main memory into a processor of a data processing system. The RAID stack loads second data from a second memory address of the main memory into the processor, where the second memory address is configured to be an address offset from the first memory address. The RAID stack reloads the first data from the first memory address of the main memory and determines a second number of processor cycles to reload the first data from the first memory address of the main memory. An alias offset of a cache memory associated with the processor of the data processing system is determined based on the first number of processor cycles and the second number of processor cycle.

A system is provided to ensure a timely secure data erase by determining whether allocating an additional tape drive would improve secure data erase performance by evaluating a quantity of physical volumes to be secure data erased, a maximum queued threshold, an average time to an erasure deadline and a minimum expiration threshold. An additional tape drive is allocated for the secure data erase process when it is determined that allocating an additional tape drive would improve secure data erase performance.

A storage device with a memory, a controller, a storage device interface and a host interface, and a method of data transfer to and from a storage device are provided. The storage device is operative to connect with a host device and the storage device interface is operative to couple with an add-on memory. When the host interface is connected to a host device, the controller is configured to receive a data transfer command specifying a memory address from the host interface; and if the memory address is beyond the address space of the memory, to route the data transfer command to the storage device interface for access to the add-on memory. The address space of the memory and an address space of the add-on memory are addressed as one integral address space transparently to the host.

A bridge includes a host interface via which data/commands are received from and transferred to a host, and a storage device interface via which data/commands are received from and transferred to a storage device. The bridge also includes one SDPC, a controller and a switching system that is configurable by the controller to connect the protocol converter to the host interface and the storage device interface if the storage device protocol used by the host device differs from the storage device protocol used by the storage device, and to connect the host device interface to the storage device interface, not via the bi-directional protocol converter, if the two storage device protocols are the same. The bridge may include two SDPCs, each for converting a different protocol to the host protocol and vice versa, with the switching system being configurable to switch between the two SDPCs. The bridge may omit the SDPC altogether, with the switching system being configurable to switch between connecting (1) the host device interface to the storage device interface, and (2) bypassing the storage device interface.

In a logically partitioned host computer system comprising host processors (host CPUs) partitioned into a plurality of guest processors (guest CPUs) of a guest configuration, a perform topology function instruction is executed by a guest processor specifying a topology change of the guest configuration. The topology change preferably changes the polarization of quest CPUs, the polarization related to the amount of a host CPU resource is provided to a guest CPU.

Media content improved playback quality is described. In embodiments, a media content playback system stores segments of a media asset in a memory device, where the segments are stored as non-consecutive data that correlates to at least some of the media asset when the segments are downloaded from one or more media content sources. A data load manager is implemented to project when a content navigation input will be received that causes non-linear playback of the media asset. The data load manager can then estimate, for each segment of the media asset, when each segment will be played back based on the projected content navigation input. The data load manager determines a next segment of the media asset to download and store based on estimates of when each segment will be played back.

An embodiment is a method and apparatus to provide a network-attached media plug-in. A network interface interfaces with a client and a server. The network interface receives an input from the client requesting content from the server. The client has a network plug-in interface. A network processor extracts a media stream from the requested content. A multimedia processor dynamically modifies the media stream according to the input from the client.

In a method of transferring data in a data interoperable environment, a secure authenticated channel is established with a receiving entity corresponding to receiver information included in a received control message, when the control message is received form a control entity, a plurality of data designated by the control entity are transmitted to the receiving entity through the established secure authenticated channel, and an event message for representing a transmission status of the transmitted data is transmitted to the control entity. Accordingly, it is possible to transmit the plurality of data through a single transmission session and provide a transmission status of each data through an event.

Methods, systems, and machine readable media are disclosed for managing bandwidth usage of a content provider. According to one embodiment, a system for managing bandwidth usage of a content provider can comprise a content provider system adapted to maintain and provide content and a first affiliate system comprising an affiliate network, an affiliate server communicatively coupled with the affiliate network, and a client. The client can be adapted to selectively request the content from either the content provider system or the affiliate server of the first affiliate system based on bandwidth costs for the content provider system.

A method for delivering resources to clients in a distributed computing environment. At least a first resource associated with a first content provider and maintained on an origin server references a second resource. The second resource is associated with a network formed by a plurality of repeater servers operable to serve the second resource to clients on behalf of the first content provider, the origin server being distinct from the plurality of repeater servers. Responsive to a request that causes the first resource to be served to a client from the origin server, at least one of the plurality of repeater servers is selected to serve the second resource to the client. If a copy of the second resource is available on the selected repeater server, the copy of the second resource is served to the client from the selected repeater server; otherwise, if a copy of the second resource is not available on the selected repeater server, the second resource is replicated on the selected repeater server.

Disclosed are methods, systems, and computer program products for identifying sensitive application-layer data and controlling transmission of the data in a network. According to one method, sensitive data in a system resource is identified at an application layer. A packetization of the identified sensitive data is detected. A flag indicative of the presence of sensitive data is inserted in a packet having at least a portion of the identified sensitive data in response to identifying the sensitive data and detecting the packetization. The flag is inserted in a portion of the packet corresponding to a layer other than the application layer. Transmission of the packet is controlled in a network based on the flag.

A method for providing automatic, personalized information services to a computer user includes the following steps: transparently monitoring user interactions with data during normal use of the computer; updating user-specific data files including a set of user-related documents; estimating parameters of a learning machine that define a User Model specific to the user, using the user-specific data files; analyzing a document to identify its properties; estimating the probability that the user is interested in the document by applying the document properties to the parameters of the User Model; and providing personalized services based on the estimated probability. Personalized services include personalized searches that return only documents of interest to the user, personalized crawling for maintaining an index of documents of interest to the user; personalized navigation that recommends interesting documents that are hyperlinked to documents currently being viewed; and personalized news, in which a third party server customized its interaction with the user. The User Model includes continually-updated measures of user interest in words or phrases, web sites, topics, products, and product features. The measures are updated based on both positive examples, such as documents the user bookmarks, and negative examples, such as search results that the user does not follow. Users are clustered into groups of similar users by calculating the distance between User Models.

An air conditioning system includes one or plural device group monitoring targets including one or plural indoor units and an outdoor unit, one or plural connection devices configured to be communicably connected to the indoor unit/units and the outdoor unit and have a unique ID, and a monitoring device configured to be communicably connected to the connection device/devices and have a monitoring memory that stores data received from the connection device/devices. When power supply is started respectively, the connection device/devices respectively performs communication with the indoor unit/units and the outdoor unit to collect configuration type information representing at least the configuration and the type of the device group monitoring target corresponding to the connection device, and respectively transmits the configuration type information to the monitoring device together with the ID of the connection device corresponding to the configuration type information.

A system provides service grouping in network reporting. A data retriever retrieves router configuration data from data stores for routers in a service provider network. A data analysis tool parses the router configuration data to create port data for each port on each router in the service provider network and integrates the port data with customer data to create an integrated database. The data analysis tool identifies ports associated with a customer, identifies the ports associated with the customer which are bundled into bundled logical ports, and identifies the ports associated with the customer which are partitioned into partitioned logical ports. The data analysis tool creates a hierarchy of port information based on the ports associated with the customer, the bundled logical ports, the partitioned logical ports, and a service provided to the customer. A user interface displays the hierarchy of port information to promote troubleshooting ports.

A method, computer program product, and system for determining a number of users corresponding to a server load including simulating one or more virtual users on a test computer system on coupled to network. One or more client requests are sent from each of the one or more virtual users to a server application executed on a server computer system coupled to the network. A metric indicative of a load on the server computer system is measured. The metric is compared to a predetermined value; and the number of the one or more virtual users is changed based on the difference between the metric and the predetermined value until the metric is within a predetermined range of the predetermined value.

The ability to identify a specific machine associated with activity taking place on the Internet is provided. This involves recording the association between MAC addresses, which are uniquely associated with endpoints, and local IP addresses, the recording of the association between local IP addresses and port numbers with public IP addresses and port numbers, and the recording of public IP addresses and source port numbers associated with public activity. By recording this information and correlating it, in real-time or in a post-processing step, the specific machine associated with public activity can be determined.

Real time provisioning and management of fabric-backplane enterprise servers includes monitoring system status and configuration, displaying monitoring results, accepting user commands, and providing hardware and software management and configuration commands to the system. In one embodiment, an event is generated when a pluggable module is inserted into the system. In response to the event, the availability of the pluggable module is displayed to a system operator, and the operator enters a command to provision a server that includes the pluggable module. The server provisioning command is processed, resulting in a hardware configuration command being issued to the system, and an event indicating a status associated with processing the command is returned. The recognition of the inserted module, the display to the operator, and the processing of the server provisioning command occur in real time.

A system and method for allocating resources in a cloud environment includes providing an abstraction layer between a cloud environment and one or more data centers by generating a virtual hypervisor as an application programming interface. Responsive to a workload request by the one or more data centers, resources are partitioned and virtual machines are instantiated in the one or more data centers using the virtual hypervisor such that non-functional requirements of the workload are addressed at the abstraction level using the virtual hypervisor.

Methods of the present inventions allow for generating and providing an enhanced domain name. An exemplary method may comprise providing an enhanced domain to a second party. The enhanced domain may comprise a domain name, a web space automatically enabled and associated with the domain name, and at least one application automatically enabled and associated with the domain name.

Systems and methods are provided for dynamically controlling application placement and server resource allocation in a distributed system wherein a performance manager and power manager collaborate during run-time execution of data processing tasks to coordinate management and control of workload placement and server usage and dynamically determine a tradeoff between performance level and power usage that meets power and performance objectives.

A packet data serving node (PDSN) may manage sessions between mobile devices and a packet-based network. The PDSN may send requests to and receive responses from an authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) server. The PDSN may include a packet session manager configured to create, maintain, and terminate the sessions between the mobile devices and the packet-based network. The PDSN may include a global AAA manager. The global AAA manager may be configured to determine a latency in communication between the PDSN and the AAA server based on latencies in responses from the AAA server to at least two requests which the PDSN sends to the AAA server. The global AAA manager may be configured to determine an adjustment in a load which may be imposed on the AAA sever based on the determined latency and to cause the determined adjustment in the load which may be imposed on the AAA server to be implemented.

A client-based solution for seamless access to applications across networks is agnostic to the inter-network mix of application architectures with or without IMS. In one embodiment, an application client registers in either an integrated mode or a standalone mode based whether an application availability notification is received within a predetermined period of time.

Systems and methods for dynamically chunking for delivery instances are provided that automatically implement chunking strategies based on one or more chunking considerations related to a request for a media file. These systems and methods may be part of a larger media servicing network that can be used to, among other things, process uploaded media content, provide it for streaming/downloading, and collect metric information regarding the streaming/downloading. The disclosed systems and methods provide for receiving a request having a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) and providing an index file to implement chunking strategies based on chunking considerations associated with the request.

In general, this disclosure describes techniques of determining a backset for client devices attempting to download data of a live transmission. A backset is an amount of temporal delay that the client devices are delayed by when viewing the live transmission. As described herein, a media content provider may determine a recommended backset for each client devices based characteristics of the client device. Each client device may then be backset by the determined value, or may calculate its own backset based on the recommended backset. Establishing a backset for each client device may avoid rebuffering of live transmission data.

The present invention utilizes the main Java package (javax.jcr.binary) for saving the node property path and other relevant retrieving information within the serialized XML node files so that the intended large binary data remains inside the content repository while the corresponding node is being serialized. A data centric application which requires processing of the serialized XML node file can then deal with a much reduced sized XML file. This can improve the performance greatly in terms of memory usage and processing speed for XML processors such as DOM. During the consuming phase of the data centric applications, the binary data property is streamed from its source JCR repository into the target repository by looking up its original property path and other retrieving information.

A network device and method are directed towards detecting and blocking image spam within a message by performing statistical analysis on differences in edge pixel distribution patterns. An image spam detection component receives a message with an image attachment. Physical characteristics of the image are examined to determine whether the image is a candidate for further analysis. If so, then the image may be converted to a grayscale image, and then performing edge detection, followed by the elimination of non-maxima and thresholding of weak edges. Edge pixels and then employed to determine a normalized pixel density distribution (PDD). Various statistical analyses are applied to the resulting normalized PDD to determine a likelihood that the image is spam. A signature based exemption may be applied to images improperly identified as spam, based on trusted user feedback.

An electronic mail (email) communications system may include a mobile wireless communications device, a wireless communications network connected to the Internet, and an Internet Service Provider (ISP) server connected to the Internet for receiving emails for a given user. The system may further include an email proxy server connected to the Internet for pushing emails from the ISP server to the mobile wireless communications device via the wireless communications network. A user computer may be connected to the Internet and may include a client email application for periodically polling the ISP server to detect new emails. The client email application may also send new email notifications to the email proxy server upon detection of new emails to cause the email proxy server to push the new emails to the mobile wireless communications device.

In a communication system (1), a communication server (20) determines whether to allow or disallow each of communication apparatuses (10) to send message data and send the communication apparatuses (10) a notice indicating the determination result. A communication apparatus (10) that is allowed to send accepts an input of message data from a user and sends the message data to the communication server (20), and the other communication apparatuses (10) that are disallowed do not accept the message data. When all the communication apparatuses (10) are allowed to send message data, the communication server (20) receives message data from all of them and sends the message data thereto. When some of the communication apparatuses (10) are allowed to send message data, the communication apparatus (20) receives message data only from the allowed communication apparatuses (10) and send the message data to all the communication apparatuses (10).

A web service is correlated. One implementation involves correlating requests for Web services in an information technology network by automatically correlating a request to a Web service by: searching in said network for Web services that can satisfy the request, selecting among the Web services a Web service satisfying the request and providing the selected Web service in response to the request.

A method of enhancing multimedia data contained on an information carrier includes reading the carrier and communicating with a remote unit via a network. The information carrier contains additional data. The method includes reading from the information carrier a user file containing user data defining user's previous actions in a storage unit of a recording and/or reproducing device, providing the additional data as a function of the user data, and updating the user data to reflect the user's latest actions.

A random signal generator includes a differential noise generation circuit, an amplification circuit and a single-ended amplifier. The differential noise generation circuit includes a pair of input nodes and a pair of output nodes, and is configured to receive noise signals at the pair of input nodes and to generate differential noise signals at the pair of output nodes. The differential noise generation circuit is self-biased such that the pair of input nodes is coupled to the pair of output nodes. The amplification circuit is configured to amplify the differential noise signals output from the differential noise generation circuit to generate amplified differential signals. The single-ended amplifier is configured to generate a random signal based on the amplified differential signals, the random signal having irregular transition time points.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, methods and apparatus for providing information for use in generating or modifying an expression are disclosed. Input from a user is received within an expression. A list of one or more suggestions is provided in response to the input. A selection of one of the suggestions in the list is received. The expression is then built to include the selection.

There are provided a storage device and a computer-readable medium capable of efficiently storing keywords contained in description information and efficiently retrieving the keyword. A list producing portion (6) extracts the keywords from the description information and produces a keyword list correlating the keywords with the scene information containing the keywords. A description information converter (8) converts the keywords contained in the keyword list received from the list producing portion (6) among the keywords contained in the externally received description information into reference information for specifying the keywords in the keyword list received from the list producing portion (6). A storage (10) stores the converted description information provided from the description information converter (8) and the keyword list provided from the list producing portion (6).

Techniques described herein enable searching for multimedia content and for downloading or scheduling the recording of the multimedia content. The multimedia content may have been previously stored on one or more databases. The client device may download or schedule the recording of multimedia content in one step, for example, in one touch. When desired multimedia content is not available, the multimedia content is added to the client device's wish list. When the client device's does not have a wish list, the client device's wish list may be created on the spot. During the scheduling of the recording, a tag associated with the multimedia content is checked to determine whether the multimedia content is live or delayed. When the tag indicates the multimedia content is live or delayed, the client device prompts with a suggestion to add extra time to the end of the recording of the multimedia content.

Embodiments of the invention allow structured data to be transferred between a source application and target applications that process structured data in different formats. For example, structured data may have associated rules which transform the structured data based on some variables. The source application may register variable definitions for each variable in a registry. Each target application may read the registry and register values for the variables. Once values are registered, the source application transfers the structured data to a transformation engine that applies the rules, using the registered values for the variables, to transform the structured data into a format compatible with the target applications. The transformation engine may also determine distinct sets of variable values and transform structured data based on each distinct set. In doing so, the number of transformed data generated is limited to the number of distinct sets, thereby avoiding generating duplicate transformed data.

An apparatus for driving a loadable device component, the apparatus including: the loadable device component providing an application with a loading mechanism that is classified according to a load type property; a core framework module component defining a kind of the load type property; at least one eXtensible Markup Language (XML) data component containing configuration information and generation information of the loadable device component; and a device manager component driving a corresponding loadable device component after parsing the XML data component.

The present invention can include a data processing system-implemented method or a data processing system readable media having software code for carrying out the method. The method can comprise formulating queries, searching for a plurality of information objects, or a combination thereof. In a specific embodiment, an original query with at least one keyword can be automatically expanded to an expanded query that includes at least one keyword that is not in the original query. The expanded query may be used to search for information objects that are relevant to the expanded query.

A system and method for rating an essay writing using a statistical system so it can be applied on any language with very few changes. The system comprising multiple modules capable of providing a style score, a punctuation score, a spelling score, a quotation score, an enrichment score, a syntax analysis score, a focus score, an idea score and a cohesion score. The scores are then combined to provide a final overall rating of the essay.

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for suggesting search queries based on location. One of the methods includes determining a current location of the user. A selection of the user's past search queries is generated, where each past search query in the selection is associated with a query location related to the query. A respective score is assigned to each past search query in the selection. The score for each query is based at least in part on the proximity of the current location to the query location of the query. One or more of the past search queries in the selection are provided for presentation to the user on the user's electronic device based on the assigned scores.

A distributed, object-oriented database engine utilizing independent, intelligent processing nodes as a cooperative, massively parallel system with redundancy and fault tolerance. Instead of using traditional methods of parallelism as found in most distributed databases, the invention utilizes a messaging system and a series of message processing nodes to determine where objects and data associated with objects are stored. The architecture is loosely coupled, each node independently determining if it manages or routes storage and retrieval requests.

A set of item-item affinities for a plurality of items is determined based on collaborative-filtering techniques. A set of an item's nearest neighbor items based on the set of item-item affinities is determined. A set of user feature-item affinities for the plurality of items and a set of user features is determined based on least squared regression. A set of a user feature's nearest neighbor items is determined based in part on the set of user feature-item affinities. Compatible affinity weights for nearest neighbor items of each item and each user feature are determined and stored. Based on user features of a particular user and items a particular user has consumed, a set of nearest neighbor items comprising nearest neighbor items for user features of the user and items the user has consumed are identified as a set of candidate items, and affinity scores of candidate items are determined. Based at least in part on the affinity scores, a candidate item from the set of candidate items is recommended to the user.

A recommendations system uses probabilistic methods to select, from a candidate set of items, a set of items to recommend to a target user. The methods can effectively introduce noise into the recommendations process, causing the recommendations presented to the target user to vary in a controlled manner from one visit to the next. The methods may increase the likelihood that at least some of the items recommended over a sequence of visits will be useful to the target user. Some embodiments of the methods are stateless such that the system need not keep track of which items have been recommended to which users.

Content and metadata associated with the content may be provided to a number of users. The content may be displayed on a display device while the metadata may be transmitted to a remote device corresponding to a receiving user. The user may further request desired information or metadata pertaining to the content and the requested information or metadata may be transmitted to the user's remote device. Different users may request different information on the same or different objects being displayed or presented on a display device. Each requesting user may receive requested information on the same or different objects via corresponding remote devices.

Opportunistically locked files are accessed in real-time from a kernel mode file system filter driver without breaking opportunistic locks. A file system is monitored, and the granting of an opportunistic lock to a specific file object referring to a specific underlying file is detected. The granting of the detected opportunistic lock results in both the file object and the underlying file being opportunistically locked. A reference to the opportunistically locked file object is cached. The file system filter driver filters a request to access the opportunistically locked file via a second file object which is not opportunistically locked. The kernel mode file system filter driver uses the cached reference to access the opportunistically locked underlying file. This enables access of the opportunistically locked file from the kernel mode file system filter driver without breaking the opportunistic lock.

Disclosed is a system in which an index registration unit registers an index, which will be used for search processing, as a partitioned index which is partitioned on a time series basis, and a search means reads indexes older than a specified point in time, which is used as a search base point, to perform search processing, thereby searching for information based on a point in time in the past.

Described are techniques for correcting at least some inconsistencies in a file system accessed by at least one client, while maintaining the file system online. A file system checking utility is executed on the file system to detect and create corrections for inconsistencies in the file system. The file system is updated to include at least some corrections. Also described is a computer system comprising a file system accessed by a client. A file system checking utility is executed on the file system to detect at least some inconsistencies in the file system, and to create a corrected version of the file system that includes corrections to correct for at least some of the detected inconsistencies. A report is created. The file system is not updated with the corrected version unless the proposed corrections are approved. The file system checking utility may be periodically scheduled for execution.

Disclosed herein are systems, computer-implemented methods, and computer-readable storage media for tagging a known signal of interest. Initially, the system classifies the data from an input signal using a short-term classifier, wherein there are at least two classifications available, a first classification of the data as having no identified outputs and a second classification of the data as at least one potential signal of interest, wherein the short-term classifier also bypasses data that is known to be of no interest. After the short-term classifier classifies the inputs, it collapses the input data that is classified as having no identified outputs. This allows the short-term classifier to create time-variant data. Finally, the system will tag a known signal of interest in the time-variant data that was classified as having at least one potential signal of interest. Therefore, a system for tagging a known signal of interest is described.

A system and method of processing paper checks that divides into two independent paths the processing of a data file representing a check and the digital image of the check. The data files and image files are separated both in time and in space, with the data files being used to promptly initiate the transfer of funds to and from appropriate accounts, while the paper checks, at a remote location and typically lagging in time, are scanned to create digital image files and deposited as an image or substitute check if deemed ACH ineligible. The method provides for the comparison of data files to image files, based on MICR information, to find any unmatching or mismatched items for exception processing and a process to manage ACH-ineligible items as an image or substitute check. The system and method further provides for sorting exceptions according to transaction type (ACH eligible versus ACH-ineligible) and prioritizing the further processing of the exceptions based on transaction type.

A method and system for structuring a life settlement with a paid-up policy transaction. An existing insurance policy holder exchanges an existing insurance policy for a paid-up insurance policy or life insurance group certificate purchased by a buyer on a secondary market. The policy could also exchange their policy for being named as a beneficiary of a second insurance policy purchased by a buyer on a secondary market.

A user selects a product to be liquidated from a product provider and then designates to the transacting entity that reward points are to be used towards the purchase of the liquidated product. The transacting entity acts to decrease the number of reward points in the user's reward account by the required number of points. The reward account holder conveys consideration to the transacting entity equivalent to the par value of the reward points consumer obtains the product in exchange for reward points having a retail value equivalent to what he would have otherwise paid for the product, while the reward account holder is required to convey only the par value of the points. The product provider is able to liquidate the product and obtain payment equivalent to what it would otherwise have obtained in a prior art liquidation process, auction or trading environment.

A control center receives, from the first bank, a first request with a first set of requirements for placement of reciprocal deposits. A second request with a second set of requirements is received from a second bank. The control center determines whether the first set of requirements matches the second set of requirements, which include maturity and interest rate. In response to a match, the control center performs an exchange of on-balance sheet deposits meeting the first set of requirements from the first bank to off-balance sheet deposits to the second bank. The first bank receives reciprocal deposits meeting the second set of requirements as new on-balance sheet deposits.

Electronic documents corresponding to executed paper documents are certified. A certifying agent receives an electronic document and a corresponding paper document that had been executed pursuant to some transaction. The certifying agent compares the information contained in the paper to that in the electronic mortgage document. If the paper adequately corresponds to the electronic document and is otherwise sufficient, then the certifying agent certifies the electronic document so that other parties can reliably engage in transactions involving the electronic document without having to possess or otherwise inspect the executed paper document. Certification involves application of some form of indicia of certification to the electronic document, such as updating the value of a field corresponding to certification in the electronic document and/or applying a digital or electronic signature corresponding to the certifying agent to the electronic document.

A system and method are provided for modifying how market updates are provided in an electronic trading environment upon detecting one or more triggering events. One example method includes defining an event to be used to trigger modification of how market updates are provided to a client entity, receiving a market update from an electronic exchange, and, when the event is detected, modifying how the market update is provided to the client entity. As an example, the modification of how the market update is provided to the client entity may include providing less data in relation to market updates, and sending the market updates less frequently.

A reprice-to-block order and related market center and process are disclosed which automatically reprice a posted limit order to the price of a block trade executed at an inferior price on a market away from the market center that posted the limit order.

Market depth information pertaining to the hedging side is utilized to intelligently break a non-hedging order into multiple orders, such that the orders rest at cascading price levels. This way, the trader can benefit from sweeps in the book and still properly account for the market depth on the hedging side. Further, there is a greater probability of receiving “partials” on the spread order. In addition, hedge orders may be sent at multiple price levels, or sent to the market in pieces over time. By applying a more intelligent process to hedge orders (as opposed to “fire and forget”) an alternative beyond limit orders that can be leged or market orders is provided.

A manually-assisted computer and communications apparatus is provided for periodically fixing a price of a currency or commodity. Successive rate samples of said currency/stock/commodity are received from a plurality of sources (80) over a period of time, recorded and filtered automatically (90) by reference to said historical record and predetermined validation criteria so as to categorize certain samples as valid or erroneous. The received & filtered samples are combined periodically (105-115) so as to derive a fixed rate, which is then released (120) to users. The filtering means distinguishes between rate samples of different contributors within the samples received from a given source, and also receives (OTR1) trading rates generated by an online trading system, in addition to rates quoted by other contributors. Trading rates are applied in said fixed rate in preference to quoted rates. Traders and clients contract (450, 455) to buy and sell currency at rates to be fixed by the apparatus at a future time.

An accounting apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes an accounting unit, an occupancy time counting unit and a charge discounting unit. The accounting unit is configured to impose a charge for use of a device that is an object of accounting on the basis of the number of operations and/or an operation time of the device. The occupancy time counting unit is configured to count an occupancy time that the device has been exclusively used by a user. The charge discounting unit is configured to discount the charge for use of the device on the basis of the occupancy time.

A system and method in which a buyer registers for a buyer's shipping account and uses the shipping account to pay shipping costs associated with purchases made over the Internet. When a buyer purchases merchandise over the Internet from either a retailer's website or from an individual through an online auction, the buyer is capable of controlling the shipping process by logging on to their buyer's shipping account. Among other things, the buyer can use their shipping account to select the desired type of shipping service (overnight air or ground) and populate a shipping label with shipping information such as delivery address, return address, and preferred delivery time windows. Once the shipping label has been populated and verified, the shipping label is electronically transferred to the seller for use in shipping the package. The system and methods of the present invention allow the buyer greater control over the shipping process. In many cases, the present invention will also help buyers/receivers control costs by eliminating the shipper's shipping and handling fee.

A computer system and method carried out by the system for assisting parties in negotiation the sale price of real estate or personal property is disclosed wherein a web server receives a property listing from a seller at an asking price, receives a bid from a buyer at an offer price, compares the asking price to the offer price and determines whether the difference between the offer price and asking price is within a first, second, or third predetermined % value and notifies the parties whether they are cold, warm, hot, or matched. If there is a match, an agreement of sale may be generated.

An aspect of the present invention includes a protocol for conveying data during an e-commerce session with a polymorphic response, comprising initiating a session with a message from a buyer application to a broker application and a session identifier assigned by the broker application; conducting the session between the buyer application and a supplier application; and concluding the session with a additional message which includes a schema identifier for the additional message, resolvable in a context of a system identifier; and a polymorphic response comprising a type and a version, wherein the polymorphic response includes additional data elements corresponding to values assigned to the type and version.

A content purchaser can freely and fluidly zoom into and out of content at a continuous range of resolutions. The price for the viewed content is calculated using a price function, such as a binary price function, a discrete price function, or a continuous price function. Payment can be made automatically without interrupting the process of viewing the content. If payment cannot be made automatically, various user interfaces may be provided that are integrated with the viewing process for allowing a would-be purchaser to buy the content at any desired resolution.

A personalized consumer to business matchmaking apparatus and its related method correlate and quantify a personalized match between a business offering products or services to a searching consumer looking for the reviewed products or services. In one embodiment of the invention, the personalized consumer to business matchmaking is based on requirements, traits, and profiles of the business, the searching consumer, and business evaluators who have reviewed the business. Whereas conventional consumer reviews such as star-ratings merely give an average rating based on inputs from the business evaluators, the personalized consumer to business matchmaking apparatus and its related method generate a personalized match score based on individual traits, requirements, and profiles of the business, the searching consumer, and the business evaluators.

A method and system of generating an analytical tool for use in assessing a state of an entity is described. The method comprises retrieving source data relating to a state of a community of which the entity forms a part, the source data resulting from a data collecting and analysis mechanism and the source data relating to at least one variable and the, or each, variable comprising a plurality of drivers; performing cluster analysis on the source data to produce an array of reference data; and organizing the array of reference data into a form to be used in analyzing data collected from the community. An analytical tool for use in assessing the state of an entity is also described and comprises an array of cells, each cell containing a subset of reference data which provides a measure of each driver related to the state of a community of which the entity forms a part, and the positioning of the cells relative to one another being governed by the inter-relationship of the reference data contained in the cells.

A system and method for modeling demand for a configurable product or service and then forecasting demand for said product or service based on the statistical associations of options across features within said product or service. By use of this method a manufacturer, for example, would be able to produce product combinations in advance with an increased probability that they would meet customer demand or project parts inventory needs and build fewer unwanted combinations.

The invention discloses a system and method for collecting over time significant amounts of low-level data about automated devices used by the users, and for analyzing these data over time in order to achieve insight into what improves the users' ability to perform their activity and what hinders their performance. Such analysis may relate to a single user, to a group of users, to the effect of a user's habits on his/her performance, to the effect of one user's actions on other users' performance, etc. The results of such analysis can help users, managers and organizations to improve their competitive position in their respective fields.

A system and method in accordance with exemplary embodiments may include storing telephone number inventory data using a database associated with a network, receiving, from a user system, a request for telephone number forecast data, forecasting future telephone number usage based on at least a history of telephone number inventory data, and providing, to the user system, telephone number forecast data based on at least the forecast of future telephone number usage.

Method and computer-readable medium for administering an insurance policy premium payment deferral plan are disclosed. According to one embodiment of the disclosure, a method for administering an insurance policy premium payment deferral plan that maintains an insurance policy in effect while permitting deferment of premium payments owed under the policy includes determining whether a policy is eligible for a premium deferral. The method also includes automatically producing a notification for the policy if the policy is eligible for the premium deferral. The method further includes determining whether the premium deferral has been selected if the insurance policy is eligible for the premium deferral. The method also includes automatically deferring an insurance premium payment if the insurance policy is eligible for the premium deferral and the premium deferral is selected.

A medical support system and method for performing at least one medical support process relating to diagnosis and treatment of a medical condition and that includes or employs medical records relating to patients and medical support databases including medical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of a medical condition. A medical support process includes one or more process phases. Each process phase includes one or more process operations wherein each of the process operations of a process phase includes one or more process forms providing interfaces between a user and the process operations. The medical records and the guidelines are to execute an interactive dialogue between the medical support process and the user to provide guidance to the user in performing the medical support process according to the guidelines and dependent upon the user inputs and the medical record.

A method of formulating a medical order for a patient includes transmitting a medical order interface to a healthcare provider interface device. The medical order interface includes a plurality of selectable medical order items. The method further includes, in response to receiving a selection of a medical order item of the plurality of selectable medical order items, transmitting an authorization request interface to the healthcare provider interface device. The authorization request interface includes a set of selectable findings controls. Each selectable findings control of the set of selectable findings controls is associated with a set of medical findings associated with the patient. The authorization request interface includes a send control. In addition, the method includes, in response to receiving a selection of a select findings control and receiving selection of the send control, sending an electronic authorization request. The electronic authorization request includes the set of medical finding associated with the select findings control and order data associated with the medical order item.

Associated information is prepared and stored in a support information DB, the information being such that elements belonging to a plurality of element items respectively forming medical information on at least one patient are associated with each other between the items. Then, on a medical-support-information presenting screen displayed at a display unit, a selecting condition selecting one or more elements and an output target item are specified and input in response to user control. As a result, with respect to information that satisfies the selecting condition out of the associated information, the display unit visibly outputs statistical information about the output target item.

An apparatus, method, and medium for dialogue speech recognition using topic domain detection are disclosed. An apparatus includes a forward search module performing a forward search in order to create a word lattice similar to a feature vector, which is extracted from an input voice signal, with reference to a global language model database, a pronunciation dictionary database and an acoustic model database, which have been previously established, a topic-domain-detection module detecting a topic domain by inferring a topic based on meanings of vocabularies contained in the word lattice using information of the word lattice created as a result of the forward search, and a backward-decoding module performing a backward decoding of the detected topic domain with reference to a specific topic domain language model database, which has been previously established, thereby outputting a speech recognition result for an input voice signal in text form. Accuracy and efficiency for a dialogue sentence are improved.

Hidden Markov Model (HMM) parameters are updated using update equations based on growth transformation optimization of a minimum classification error objective function. Using the list of N-best competitor word sequences obtained by decoding the training data with the current-iteration HMM parameters, the current HMM parameters are updated iteratively. The updating procedure involves using weights for each competitor word sequence that can take any positive real value. The updating procedure is further extended to the case where a decoded lattice of competitors is used. In this case, updating the model parameters relies on determining the probability for a state at a time point based on the word that spans the time point instead of the entire word sequence. This word-bound span of time is shorter than the duration of the entire word sequence and thus reduces the computing time.

The invention involves the loading and unloading of dynamic section grammars and language models in a speech recognition system. The values of the sections of the structured document are either determined in advance from a collection of documents of the same domain, document type, and speaker; or collected incrementally from documents of the same domain, document type, and speaker; or added incrementally to an already existing set of values. Speech recognition in the context of the given field is constrained to the contents of these dynamic values. If speech recognition fails or produces a poor match within this grammar or section language model, speech recognition against a larger, more general vocabulary that is not constrained to the given section is performed.

The present invention relates to creating a phonetic index of phonemes from an audio segment that includes speech content from multiple sources. The phonemes in the phonetic index are directly or indirectly associated with the corresponding source of the speech from which the phonemes were derived. By associating the phonemes with a corresponding source, the phonetic index of speech content from multiple sources may be searched based on phonetic content as well as the corresponding source.

A tokenization platform and method is described for accurately tokenizing character strings, including but not limited to non-delimited character strings of the type commonly used in Internet domain names and computer filenames, to accurately identify words and phrases occurring therein. In one embodiment, a phased tokenization approach is used in which the final phase is a lexical analysis-based tokenization using a dictionary. The dictionary may be advantageously created and updated based upon one or more query logs associated with respective information retrieval systems, thereby ensuring that the dictionary accurately reflects currently-used terminology and captures alternative spellings and presentations of words and phrases submitted by users.

A instructions of a Guest program to be emulated by a Host computer occupy one or more Guest cells of Guest memory, each Guest cell having a corresponding Host cell in Host memory. The emulator selects a Host cell for emulating a Guest instruction. When the Host cell corresponds to a Guest cell other than a cell aligned with the beginning of the Guest instruction, a wild branch handling routine is executed.

A software behavior modeling apparatus includes: a stack information recording unit, a termination information recording unit, a stack difference information generating unit configured to generate, as stack difference information, information formed by combining information being located from an uppermost stack frame until the termination information is detected, by using the termination information recorded by the termination information recording unit, and a model generating unit configured to generate a software behavior model based on the stack difference information.

A method of representing and using fractures in a model of a subterranean reservoir is described including the partitioning the fracture network into a discretely modeled part and a remaining statistically described part from a statistical description of all fractures, the determination of the correlation effects caused by fractures with dimensions exceeding dimension of the local grid cells and the determination of petrophysical properties while allowing for arbitrary distribution of fracture orientations, with all three aspects being combinable to improve the modeling of fractures and the simulation of fractured reservoirs.

Systems and methods for dynamically developing a wellbore plan with a reservoir simulator. The systems and methods develop a plan for multiple wellbores with a reservoir simulator based on actual and potential reservoir performance.

A method and apparatus for producing hydrocarbons is described. In the method, a failure mode for a well completion is identified. A numerical engineering model to describe an event that results in the failure mode is constructed. The numerical engineering model is converted into a response surface. Then, the response surface is associated with a user tool configured to provide the response surface for analysis of another well.

Control points needed to generate a curve becoming the route of a deformable linear structure from respective pieces of passing point information defined at two passing points are arranged and the initial arrangement of control points needed to generate a curve is determined by performing re-arrangement of the control points, on the basis of a positional relation between the control points thus arranged. The curve between two points is re-generated from the initial arrangement thus determined while modifying the arrangement of one or more control points, the re-generated curves are then evaluated and a curve meeting a predetermined condition is extracted from among the curves.

A method and apparatus are present for managing information for parts. Information for a part is identified. The information comprises a plurality of features for the part, a number of levels of details for each of the plurality of features, and a history associated with the plurality of features. The plurality of features for the part, the number of levels of detail for each of the plurality of features, and the history associated with the plurality of features are associated with each other to form a plurality of associations. The information and the plurality of associations are stored in a repository.

A method is for calculating an optical noise index of a signal light extraction apparatus that extracts signal light in a polarization plane by inputting signal light and a sampling pulse, different from the signal light in polarization plane by a given angle, to a nonlinear optical medium, and by passing light output from the nonlinear optical medium through an orthogonal polarizer having a polarization plane orthogonal to that of the signal light. The method includes calculating an output optical noise of the signal light extraction apparatus using a parametric gain of the nonlinear optical medium, a power of a quantum noise of the light having passed through the orthogonal polarizer, and a ratio of a power of the signal light and a power of the signal light sampled by the sampling pulse; and calculating an optical noise index using the output optical noise.

A system is used to test a 3D image processing capability of a video card. The system includes a 3D model engine module, a 3D model module, a test parameter module, and a check module. The 3D model module is capable of building a 3D model engine. The test parameter module is capable of setting test parameters. The check module is capable of checking a test result. The 3D model is processed by the video card within the test parameters and a running environment which is set by the 3D model engine under the test parameters, and the check module checks if the video card processes the 3D model properly.

A method includes defining a hierarchy associated with a test system including a plurality of test units for testing integrated circuit devices. At least some of the test units have a plurality of sockets. The hierarchy includes a first level including a first plurality of entities each associated with one of the sockets and at least a second level including a second plurality of entities each associated with a grouping of the sockets. State data associated with operational states of the sockets is received. A set of state metrics is generated for each entity at each level of the hierarchy based on the state data. Each set of state metrics identifies time spent in the operational states.

A method includes supplying current to at least one photovoltaic device via a current source and detecting emitted photon radiations from the at least one photovoltaic device via a radiation detector. The method also includes outputting a signal corresponding to the detected emitted photon radiations from the radiation detector to a processor device, and processing the signal corresponding to the detected emitted photon radiations via the processor device to generate one or more two-dimensional photon images. The method further includes analyzing the one or more two-dimensional photon images to determine at least one defect in the at least one photovoltaic device.

An in-plane compressive strength evaluation device (10) provided with a memory unit (21) into which, when an in-plane compressive strength evaluation is actually performed using a test piece, an evaluation result is stored as first information; a first analysis unit (22) that obtains second information that is an evaluation result related to the load and a displacement of the structural model; an adjustment unit (23) that adjusts an elemental factor of the structural model that influences the in-plane compressive strength such that the second information approaches the first information; and a second analysis unit (24) that, in a state where the elemental factor used when the second information approaches the first information most closely expands the structural model into the structural form of the actual tube support plate, and that performs the in-plane compressive strength evaluation using the expanded structural model.

A method for determining optimal locations of a plurality of sensors for damage detection in a structural health monitoring system includes providing a one or more signal performance characteristics, spatial parameters describing a layout of a structure, and generating a layout for the plurality of sensors according to the signal performance characteristics and the spatial parameters. An estimated largest critical damage size that may not be detected by sensors arranged according to the first layout is determined. The layout is edited so as to reduce the estimated largest critical damage size to be less than or equal to a selected maximum size requirement.

In a method for predicting the lifetime of a photo-semiconductor device that has a maximum light output value restricted by thermal saturation, the maximum light output value is extracted by measuring the characteristic of light output from the photo-semiconductor device with respect to drive current. The decrease tendency of the maximum output values with respect to drive time is predicted to predict the lifetime of the photo-semiconductor. Further, the predicted lifetime is updated as time passes. Therefore, in this method, even if drive condition changes, or an individual difference of the photo-semiconductor per se is present, it is possible to substantially accurately predict the lifetime of the photo-semiconductor.

Theory and design of a new electrical-mobility based instrument for measurement of aerosol particle size distributions in real time is presented. Miniature Electrical Aerosol Spectrometer has a rectangular cross-section with two main regions: the Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP) and Classifier sections. The ESP section enables charged particle injection into the classifier section in a narrow range of streamlines at the desired location. The injected charged particles are then segregated based on their electrical mobility in the classifier section and collected on a series of plates that are connected to electrometers. Real-time particle size distribution measurements can be inferred from the electrometer signal strengths with the knowledge of the instrument transfer function. A theoretical approach is developed to calculate Miniature Electrical Aerosol Spectrometer transfer function considering the non-uniformity in the electric and flow fields inside the instrument, and accounting for the instrument dimensions and its operating conditions. The theoretical predictions of size classification characteristics are seen to compare well with numerical results. The modeling results suggest that an optimal operational domain exists for Miniature Electrical Aerosol Spectrometer.

Processes, systems and databases are provided for plant selection. The processes may include providing a database of plant species and eliminating a portion of the plant species based on at least two search criteria including a user's desired climate zone or location plant cultivation, plant size, plant type, plant leaf type/shape, plant form/habit, plant primary attributes, parcel growing conditions, and desired characteristics. At least one image of the plant species meeting the search criteria may be displayed wherein the image has sufficient resolution to distinguish among different plant species.

This application pertains to construction of pooled biological material such as DNA, RNA, proteins and the like that are able to be screened by a wide variety of methods such as PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), DNA/DNA hybridization, DNA/RNA hybridization, RNA/RNA hybridization, single strand DNA probing, protein/protein hybridization and a wide variety of additional methods. Our new method for construction of pools and superpools for screening differs in that the complete set is systematically divided into a variety of smaller subsets which are then re-pooled to make the final screening pools. This pooled material can be from individual samples or a population of samples. In order to reduce the analysis time, materials and expense, the pooling of high resolution small pools in a matrix allows for a lower number of user experiments to have higher resolution (as if the researcher had analyzed the complete set of small pools).

Disclosed are techniques for acquiring, processing and presenting data produced by one or more devices and meters in the field. One or more servers, such as Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) servers, gather and store data from one or more field devices. Remote polling interfaces (RPI) provide a secure transport from the SCADA servers to processing and storage elements of the present embodiments. Data gathered from a plurality of heterogeneous SCADA servers are normalized and consolidated into one or more databases for subsequent processing and presentation, thereby collecting and unifying data from a plurality of heterogeneous sources into a device-agnostic and unified presentation for user viewing and interaction.

A method and apparatus for locating position of a GPS device is described. In one example, a method for provisioning a mobile device with a model for determining a position of the mobile device in at least one geographic area is provided. The method includes obtaining an estimate of the position of the mobile device, forming one or more satellite orbit models from the estimate and a wide area model, and sending the at least one satellite orbit model to the mobile device. The wide area model is formed from measurements from a plurality of satellites of a Global Positioning System, and the measurements are obtained by a plurality of reference stations.

A method and a control module for diagnosing an engine component function includes a comparison module comparing an in-cylinder pressure signal to a threshold and a fault indication module generating a diagnostic signal for an engine component in response to comparing.

A microprocessor controlled automated, multi-fuel apparatus to blend hydrogen, bio-fuel and/or natural or propane gases. This novel multi-stage apparatus first converts cooking oils into bio-fuel. The system automatically blends the bio-fuel with at least one of or both hydrogen gas, generated by a self-contained on-board hydrogen electrolyzer, and/or natural or propane gases. This blended “Hyenrich” gaseous fuel drives various processes including, but not limited to, cogeneration systems and electrical generators to produce “green” electricity by utilizing an adaptive and predictive learning algorithms to significantly reduce cost per kilowatt and lessen dependency on the over taxed utility grid, while simultaneously reducing emissions of CO, CO2 and NOx, making the method and apparatus an environmentally-friendly energy device.

A Method for estimating NOx creation in a combustion process of a four-stroke internal combustion engine includes monitoring engine sensor inputs, modeling parameters descriptive of said combustion process based upon said engine sensor inputs, and estimating NOx creation with an artificial neural network based upon said parameters.

A control method and system for a vehicle transmission that incorporates gradient road resistance in selecting an appropriate gear ratio for an automatic manual transmission or an automatic transmission are disclosed. The traction resistance of a vehicle is calculated in order to determine the traction force required for maintaining, increasing, or decreasing vehicle speed in response to operator input. Traction resistance may be a function of rolling resistance, air resistance, and the component of the gravitational force acting parallel to the road surface. The change in traction resistance is also determined. The calculated traction resistance and change in traction resistance may advantageously be used to calculate an offset to a shift point motor speed in order to delay or advance a transmission upshift when climbing a grade.

In vehicular control method and apparatus for a shift-by-wire device, a selected shift position is modified to at least one of a vehicular parking position, a neutral position, and a traveling position, the selected shift position is modified to the vehicular parking position when a power switch is switched to an OFF position, and the modification of the shift position to the vehicular parking position is inhibited when an operation pattern of an operation input section while the power switch is in the ON position is made coincident with the operation pattern prescribed as a cipher code which inhibits the shift position modification to the vehicular parking position, the operation patterns being constituted by a combination of operation patterns which would not be carried out in the operation section during an ordinary traveling.

A device and a method for transmitting an activation decision for an actuator system from a first to at least one second control unit is provided, the second control unit activating the actuator system as a function of at least two messages from the first control unit.

A method and a device for warning following vehicles in a group of several sequential vehicles, including at least a leading vehicle, a middle vehicle and a following vehicle, wherein a warning is transmitted from the middle vehicle to the following vehicle. A total distance and a total relative speed between the leading vehicle and the following vehicle are calculated based on measurements made by the middle vehicle. The total distance and total relative speed are used to determine whether a critical approach of the following vehicle to the leading vehicle is occurring, and if so, an automatic warning is transmitted from the middle vehicle to the following vehicle.

A system using a number of portable or wrist-worn remote controller units that communicate with a number of sensor units or sensor head sets for vehicle or automotive testing. An optional central communications controller can coordinate communications between the wrist-worn units and the sensor sets. A particular remote unit can associate with particular sensors or a particular sensor set and thus receive and transmit data only with that sensor set. Mechanics or technicians can run tests and take data completely from the remote units. The remote units generally contain a display screen that can show all parts and results of any vehicle test procedure. Various wireless communications techniques can be used to establish this communication.

Until a vehicle system is activated, a switching circuit outputs a pilot signal to an OR circuit. As a result, lowering of the potential of the pilot signal caused by a resistance circuit is avoided, and the pilot signal is provided in a non-pulsed manner. A power supply CPU is activated in accordance with any one of a connector signal and the non-pulsed pilot signal. When the vehicle system is activated, the switching circuit switches an output destination of the pilot signal to the resistance circuit.

A control device corrects the alignment of wheels of a vehicle during travel to improve fuel consumption performance. Operating conditions of a suspension device (alignment adjustment device) are controlled by alignment control while the vehicle is traveling, and when the alignment of the wheels is adjusted, travel resistance of the vehicle increases or decreases. The control device detects the travel resistance of the vehicle based on the value of an electric current supplied to a wheel drive device (electric motor), and the alignment of the wheels is adjusted so that the travel resistance of the vehicle decreases. As a result, the alignment of the wheels during travel is adjusted to a correct state to improve fuel consumption performance.

Disclosed is a method of defining control angles to use a limit cycle in order to balance a biped walking robot on a three-dimensional space. In order to balance an FSM-based biped walking robot right and left on a three-dimensional space, limit cycle control angles to balance the robot according to states of the FSM-based robot are set on the three-dimensional space, and the limit cycle control angles on the three-dimensional space are controlled using a sinusoidal function to allow relations between the control angles and control angular velocities to form a stable closed loop within a limit cycle.

A fully automated method is performed on a structure having a confined space. The structure has a location that is identifiable from within the confined space and from outside the confined space. A first robotic system moves a first end effector inside the confined space such that the first end effector is positioned over the location. A first vector corresponding to the location is generated. A second robotic system moves a second end effector outside the confined space such that the second end effector is positioned over the location. A second vector corresponding to the location is generated. The first and second vectors are used to move the first and second end effectors to a new location such that the first and second end effectors are in working opposition. The first and second end effectors perform a synchronous operation at the new location.

A method of identifying transportation items which are physically different from one another, particularly for identifying automatically sortable passenger luggage in air, rail, or ocean travel, using electronically readable information associated with the transportation item. To be able to automatically identify transportation items, particularly luggage items, even when information storage media fitted to them cannot be read or can be read only imperfectly, it is proposed that, before or when the transportation item is surrendered to a transport and/or sorting system, special sensors be used to ascertain specific physical features of the respective transportation item and that these specific physical features be stored in a database as an electronic feature data record (signature) together with an identification code associated with the transportation item, the stored feature data records being compared with a subsequently produced feature data record for a transportation item as required, in order to identify the transportation item using its associated identification code when there is at least a sufficient match between the subsequently produced feature data record and one of the feature data records stored in the database.

Method and apparatus for multi-destination pick using motes. In embodiments, each receptacle may be assigned to a destination and may have a sensor that detects when an item is placed in the receptacle to deactivate the indicator and/or to verify that the item was placed in the correct receptacle. The sensor may be coupled via a wired or wireless connection to a mote that may include a communication interface for communicating with a control system and with other motes in an ad-hoc network. In some embodiments, each mote may also include an indicator that may be activated by a control system to indicate to the agent that the receptacle is the destination receptacle for a picked item. The agent may then place the item in the indicated destination receptacle. In one embodiment, the mote on the destination receptacle may be activated when the picked item is scanned by the agent.

A sewing machine that includes a body, an embroidery frame moving mechanism, an image capture device, a specifying device, a determining device, a setting device, a positioning device, and an acquiring device. The image capture device is provided with a function to capture a plurality of images of the sewing object under a plurality of image capture conditions, respectively. The plurality of the image capture conditions correspond to different effective image capture ranges. The specifying device specifies, as a specific range, a range on the sewing object. The determining device determines a combination of a specific image capture condition and a positioning condition. The setting device sets the specific image capture condition as an actual image capture condition. The positioning device positions the embroidery frame in accordance with the positioning condition. The acquiring device acquires image data that corresponds to a specific effective image capture range.

An effective method for managing product segments of product production rules within a manufacturing execution system adapted for providing a final product includes the following steps: a) each one of a plurality of sets of product segments are associated within one of a set of product production rules which are stored in a database under a reference standard product production rule (like a simple “manufacture of a car”); b) a command (e.g. from an operator) is inputted to the database for performing one of following selectable operations: i) add a new product segment; ii) remove one of previous product segment; iii) replace a previous product segment by a new one; c) a further set of new product production rules comprising previous product segments and a further product segment (related to the selectable operation and automatically detected in each product production rule) are introduced in the database; d) an indicator related to the selected operation (i, ii, iii) is inserted in said new product production rule. Finally, e) an algebraic operation is performed on all product segments of both the reference standard product production rule and the new product production rules (for example it performs an addition of the product segments), so that the algebraic operation delivers a final standard product production rule resulting from one of the selected operations of adding i), removing ii), replacing iii).

Systems and methods for communicating with or powering implantable medical devices using a direct inductive/acoustic telemetry link are disclosed. An illustrative system includes an interrogator device located outside of the patient's body, an implantable medical device including an energy translator circuit adapted to convert inductive or RF signals received from the interrogator device into an acoustic signal for driving an acoustic transducer, and a remote device adapted to sense one or more parameters within the body.

In one embodiment, a method of treating hearing loss in a patient, comprises: creating a first channel in osseous tissue at or immediately adjacent to the promontory of the patient; creating a second channel through the first channel to the scala tympani or the scala vestibuli; and implanting a hearing device in the first channel, the hearing device being in fluid communication with cochlear fluid through the second channel, the hearing device being adapted to drive cochlear fluid to activate auditory receptor cells in the cochlea of the patient.

A method is provided, including physically contacting a gastric implantation site of a stomach via a transluminal approach, physically contacting the site via a transabdominal approach, stabilizing the site, and implanting an electrode at the site based on the physical contact provided by the transluminal and transabdominal approach. Other embodiments are also described.

An ambulatory monitoring device includes a sensor to monitor a physiological signal and a battery power source. The device also includes a wireless receiver adapted to monitor a first frequency band having frequencies below 1 MHz and configured to detect and receive, using less than 10 micro-amps of current from the battery power source when operating, wireless communications within the first frequency band from a remote device at least one meter away. The device further includes a wireless transmitter adapted to transmit—after receipt from the remote device of a first wireless communication within the first frequency band that includes an invitation for further communication—a second wireless communication in a second frequency band having frequencies above 10 MHz, the second wireless communication comprising data indicative of the physiological signal as sensed by the sensor.

A cardiac rhythm management system selects one of multiple electrodes associated with a particular heart chamber based on a relative timing between detection of a depolarization fiducial point at the multiple electrodes, or based on a delay between detection of a depolarization fiducial point at the multiple electrodes and detection of a reference depolarization fiducial point at another electrode associated with the same or a different heart chamber. Subsequent contraction-evoking stimulation therapy is delivered from the selected electrode.

Systems, devices and methods for defining, identifying and utilizing composite parameter indices from health-related parameters are disclosed. One aspect is a programmable device having machine executable instructions for performing a method to assist with managing a patient's health. In various embodiments, a first set of at least two health-related parameters is acquired. A first composite parameter is generated using the first set of at least two health-related parameters. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.

Systems and methods are provided for reducing heating within pacing/sensing leads of a pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator that occurs due to induced radio frequency (RF) currents during a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedure, or in the presence of other sources of strong RF fields. For example, bipolar coaxial leads are described wherein the ring conductor of the lead is disconnected from the ring electrode via a switch in response to detection of MRI fields to convert the ring conductor into an RF shield for shielding the inner tip conductor of the lead so as to reduce the strength of RF currents induced therein and hence reduce tip heating. Other exemplary leads are described wherein a band stop filter is instead used to block RF signals to likewise convert the ring conductor into an RF shield. The switches and band stop filters also help to prevent MRI-induced stimulation.

A patient's ejection fraction is maximized through simultaneous sensing and stimulating across multiple electrodes. In one exemplary embodiment, a catheter or lead having multiple electrodes connected to a pulse generator is used. The pulse generator provides individual current control of the stimulus applied to each electrode, and further includes the ability to sense intrinsic and evoked depolarization through multiple electrodes. In another exemplary embodiment, a multiplicity of individual implantable microstimulators, each having its own current source and/or sensor and electrodes, cooperate in concert to provide multi-site stimulation and sensing.

One example includes a battery that includes a stack of at least one substantially planar anode and at least one substantially planar cathode, wherein the stack defines a contoured exterior, and a battery housing enclosing the stack, the battery housing defining a battery housing exterior, wherein the contoured exterior of the stack is shaped to conform to a contoured interior of the battery housing that approximately conforms to the battery housing exterior, the battery produced by the process of modeling, using fluid dynamics, an exterior of a biocompatible housing and shaping the battery housing to conform to at least some of the exterior of the biocompatible housing.

A switch operated therapeutic agent delivery device is described. The device comprises two parts, which are assembled by a user prior to use. A first part contains a power supply and circuitry for the device; and a second part comprises electrodes and reservoirs containing the therapeutic agent to be delivered. The action of combining the two parts of the device causes the two parts to be irreversibly coupled together, completes an electrical connection between the two parts, and closes one or more switches, thereby connecting a power source, such as a battery, into the device's circuitry, thereby powering the device on so that it is ready for use. The device can then be attached to a patient, who can operate the device by pressing a button in a proper sequence.

Alarm tests are disclosed which use alarm test signals to assess alarms provided by medical devices. Especially relevant are implanted devices that monitor cardiac activity and provide notification in response to medically relevant events. Alarm tests can occur periodically, or in response to a patient, doctor, or remote party initiating the alarm test. Alarm tests can also occur during the actual alarms issued to detected medical events. Alarm tests lead to pass or fail results, which in turn may cause operations to contingently occur. Alarm test failure in the auditory, visual, or tactile modality, may cause an alternatively defined alarm signal to be used as back-up. Alarm test logs can store alarm test results, including quantification of the measured alarm signal. Rapid alarm tests are described, as are various methods of accurately measuring characteristics of the test signal in ambulatory patients, which are especially relevant to a vibration alarm.

A system, apparatus, and method for determining a position of an orthopedic prosthesis includes a patient support platform, a sensor array coupled to the patient support platform, and a controller electrically coupled to the sensor array. The sensor array is configured to generate data signals in response to an output signal of a signal source(s) coupled to the orthopedic prosthesis and/or a bone of the patient. The controller is configured to determine a position of the orthopedic prosthesis and/or the bone of the patient based on the data signals.

A physiological sensor is adapted to removably attach an emitter assembly and a detector assembly to a fingertip. The emitter assembly is adapted to transmit optical radiation having multiple wavelengths into fingertip tissue. The detector assembly is adapted to receive the optical radiation after attenuation by the fingertip tissue. The sensor has a first shell and a second shell hinged to the first shell. A spring is disposed between the shells and urges the shells together.

An electronic device includes an outer case having a sound hole, an acoustic unit included in the outer case in a position corresponding to a position of the sound hole, a sheet member provided between the acoustic unit and the outer case in a position corresponding to the position of the sound hole, and placed over the acoustic unit to cover an outside of an outer edge of the acoustic unit, a mounting portion circumferentially provided on an outer peripheral portion of the sheet member and mounted to the outer case, and an extension portion that extends the mounting portion toward an inner periphery thereof on a side of the sheet member facing the acoustic unit and to which the acoustic unit is mounted.

A portable wireless apparatus includes a casing, an antenna and another electronic component. The antenna is contained in an end portion of the casing. The antenna includes a first and second antenna element, an antenna board and a antenna connector. The antenna board has a mounting face on which the first and second antenna elements are mounted. The antenna connector is formed on the antenna board and connects the first antenna element to the second antenna element. A predetermined space is provided between the first and second antenna elements. The other electronic component is disposed so as not to overlap the antenna connector in a direction orthogonal to the mounting face of the antenna board, and at least part of the other electronic component is disposed in the predetermined space.

An in-vehicle handsfree apparatus establishes concurrent connection between a BT interface device and a cellular phone with respect to a handsfree profile (HFP) for realizing a handsfree phone call, a message access profile (MAP) for realizing a mail transfer, and an audio video profile (AVP) for realizing an audio data transfer. During a duration of the concurrent connection being established, a disconnection request of HFP or MAP occurs. In such a case, MAP is disconnected in conjunction with having disconnected HFP, or HFP is disconnected in conjunction with having disconnected MAP.

A mobile handset includes a processor configured with software to automatically synchronize the phone book records stored on a smart card and internally in memory. The synchronization process determines if duplicate contact records exist in the target phone book, and whether the synchronization copies records from the smart card to internal memory, or vice versa, before copying contact records. If a duplicate contact record exists, then the copying process is cancelled. The synchronization process may be automatically initiated any time the contact records in the internal memory and the smart card differ.

A reconfigurable wireless modem adapter is provided. The reconfigurable wireless modem adapter includes a control board and a radio frequency switch. The control board includes at least two user-data interfaces for respective at least two modems, the modems including at least one diversity/multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) modem. The control board is configured to communicatively couple to at least one onboard system in a vehicle and to activate one of the at least one diversity/MIMO modem interfaced to one of the at least two user-data interfaces. The radio frequency switch is communicatively coupled to the control board via a modem-select interface and the selected one of the at least one diversity/MIMO modem. The radio frequency switch communicatively couples one of at least one diversity/MIMO antenna on the vehicle to the selected one of the at least one diversity/MIMO modem based on a control signal.

The communication device comprising a voice communication implementer, an auto time adjusting implementer, a camera image displaying implementer, a calculation implementer, a bold font displaying implementer, an italic font displaying implementer, a stereo audio data output implementer, a photo quality setting implementer, a multiple language implementer, a caller's information displaying implementer, and an icon displaying implementer.

Whenever, there occurs a predetermined event which occurs periodically, a host section which includes a host processor 31, makes a judgment of whether or not it is an engine-mode state in which an engine section 40 is executing an engine application, and whether or not it is estimated that the engine-mode state will be continued. When this judgment result is affirmative, the host section notifies to the engine section 40, information which the host section has collected after the previous notification, and which is to be notified periodically to the engine section. As a result of this, at a periodic timing called as an occurrence of a predetermined event, periodic notification data is notified from the host section to the engine section 40. Therefore, in a configuration which includes a host section including a host processor, and an engine section including an engine processor, which executes a predetermined function under a control of the host section, an increase in a load on the engine section 40 is suppressed.

Provided is a power control method and resource management method of a femtocell base station in a wideband wireless access system. A macrocell base station receives received signal strength from a femtocell base station in a macrocell of the macrocell base station, compares it with received signal strength reported by a terminal in the macrocell, and when a difference between the two received signal strength is less than a threshold value, it receives received signal strength on a signal received by the terminals in the macrocell from the corresponding femtocell base station. Further, the macrocell base station determines whether the corresponding macrocell terminal is located in the coverage of the femtocell base station based on the reported received signal strength of the femtocell base station, and transmits information for controlling power of the femtocell base station or managing a radio resource to the femtocell base station according to the determination result.

The present disclosure describes a wireless user equipment (UE) device that can receive a communication signal that may be transmitted along a wireless channel. The wireless user equipment device can include a sleep deactivator that periodically activates wireless user equipment from a sleep mode periodically in advance of a periodically transmitted message, such as a paging indicator or a control message that is expected to be received within a slot of time. The wireless user equipment device can also include an element that can extract the message during multiple sub-intervals, a signal quality assessor that can a) assess the quality of the indicator in the sub-intervals and b) assign a signal quality metric for the sub-intervals. The wireless UE device can also include a channel estimator that can estimate a physical channel over which the communication signal is transmitted. The wireless UE device can also assign a quality metric to the extracted message at each sub-interval to select a sub-interval that is most consistent with timing of the paging indicator or control message.

A method of controlling paging flow in a network for cellular communications is described, which comprises the steps of: at a control node, receiving a request for paging a mobile station; determining a location area in which the paging shall be performed; checking whether the number of paging transactions which are ongoing for the location area is lower than at least one maximum number of ongoing paging transactions allowed for the location area; after a determination that the number of ongoing paging transactions is lower than the maximum number, updating the number of ongoing paging transactions for the location area and processing the paging request. Preferably, if the number of ongoing paging transactions is not lower than the maximum number, it is checked whether the paging request is a particular LCS transaction and, if so, the request is placed in a buffer and served with priority as soon as the number of ongoing paging transactions returns to be lower than the maximum number.

A multimedia message service method and a server therefor are disclosed. In one embodiment, the server i) allows a broadcast transmitting server to receive a request of transmitting a position-based multimedia message from a content providing server, ii) collects information related to a base station covering an area to which the requested position-based multimedia message is desired to be transmitted, iii) transfers the position-based multimedia message to a multimedia transmitting equipment, iv) collects address information of the position-based multimedia message from the multimedia transmitting equipment and v) transmits the collected address information in a form of a cell broadcast service message to a receiving mobile communication terminal according to the information related to the base station. According to one embodiment, a large-sized multimedia message can be easily provided to a plurality of mobile communication terminals located in an area by using a cell broadcasting service.

The invention provides a method, device, and system for obtaining user equipment (UE) location information. The method includes: an interworking entity (IWF) receives UE location information reported by a mobility management entity (MME); the IWF determines trusted UE location information according to the UE location information reported by the MME; and the IWF interacts with a UE or a mobile switching center (MSC) according to the trusted UE location information. With the method, device, and system, it is ensured that the MSC can obtain trusted and accurate UE location information in a circuit switched over packet switched (CSoPS) architecture.

There is provided a method for locating a terminal device in a network system, at least one network having several cells that are combined to form one or more tracking areas. The one or more tracking areas are combined to form an equivalent area. An exemplary method comprises transmitting a locating message from the terminal device to a network when the terminal device enters an equivalent area. Locating messages are also transmitted from the terminal device to the network at predetermined time intervals. The method also comprises indicating via the locating messages a sub-area of an equivalent area in which the terminal device is located during the transmission of a locating message. The method additionally comprises storing at least the sub-area indicated in a most recently received locating message by the network. The method further comprises transmitting at least a first terminal device tracking call by the network within the stored sub-area in order to locate the terminal device.

A method, system and device for reducing volume of data transmitted between a base station and a control unit in a mobile communications network in which there is inserted into a communication channel between the base station and the control unit a device are provided. Voice data transmitted in each communication channel and associated with a plurality of connections is analyzed. Each connection also includes signaling data a signaling channel, and the connections originating from a base station and terminated in the same or a different base station connected to the device are identified and interconnected, and following the interconnection of the voice channels the transmission of the associated voice data to the control unit is prevented. Thereby, the data volumes transmitted on the voice channels are no longer forwarded to the rest of the mobile communications system and consequently the data volumes transmitted are reduced.

In a radio communication system, a common channel is provided which is allocated to a plurality of subscribers at the same time for data transmission between a base station and a subscriber station. Measurements regarding the transmission quality are carried out on the common channel and their results are available in the base station. If the transmission quality does not meet a defined criterion, the base station transmits a first message to a controlling radio network controller associated therewith, the first message containing information about the transmission quality and about subscriber stations for which a bad transmission quality was measured. The controlling radio network controller sends a second message which informs serving radio network controllers, associated with the subscriber stations having bad transmission quality and responsible for the configuration of the subscriber stations, about the bad transmission quality.

Technologies are described herein for improving call quality and coverage of cells within a mobile wireless communication network. Such improvements can be accomplished by adjusting various radio access network parameters. The adjustments may be made at the cell level or at the neighbor level. An iterative process can periodically collect key performance indicator (KPI) statistics from the mobile wireless network. System improvements may derive from one or more rules applied in parallel. Each rule can have a unique combination of minimum or maximum KPI thresholds. System issues may be identified when a cell correlates with one or more of the rules which may then suggest one or more parameter changes to reduce the identified system issue. System capacity policies may be provided as limits to the coverage and call quality triggers.

A mobile station according to the present invention includes: a dedicated signaling reception unit (12) configured to receive a dedicated signaling including a priority for a frequency or a group of frequencies of each radio access network; and a camp-on processing unit (13) configured to select a camp-on cell based on the priority or a radio quality in each cell, wherein when a predetermined flag is set to the dedicated signaling received by the dedicated signaling reception unit (12), the camp-on processing unit (13) is configured to select the camp-on cell based on the radio quality in each cell, from a plurality of cells that use a different frequency but reside within an identical radio access network, and to select the camp-on cell based on the priority included in the dedicated signaling, from a plurality of cells within a different radio access network.

A method for performing roaming in a dual mode terminal, which includes a first wireless communication module corresponding to a first communication network and a second wireless communication module corresponding to a second communication network, is disclosed. The method comprises acquiring a public land mobile network (PLMN) identifier by camping on the first communication network; determining whether connection to the first communication network is roaming by comparing roaming decision information included in the PLMN identifier with roaming decision information stored in the dual mode terminal; turning off the second wireless communication module if it is determined that connection to the first communication network is roaming; and transmitting and receiving a signal to and from the first communication network.

Embodiments relate to a system for conducting hearing aid compatibility testing of a mobile communication device. The system comprises: a simulated hand for supporting the mobile communication device during the testing; a probe; and a processor. The processor is configured to cause the probe to be positioned in a sequence of positions in proximity to the mobile communication device relative to an audio output component of the mobile communication device during the testing and to determine a field strength of a field radiated by the mobile communication device at the sequence of positions based on an output of the probe at each position.

Provided are a method, a device, and a system for displaying at least one character for identifying a caller, together with the caller's phone number, on a recipient's mobile phone when an incoming call is received. The system includes a caller's mobile phone for allowing the caller to input a recipient's phone number and at least one character desired to be added after the phone number, generating an outgoing call message including the caller's phone number, recipient's phone number and input word or phrase for an outgoing call, and sending the generated message; a base station for receiving the outgoing call message, and changing the outgoing call message to an incoming call message which will be sent to the recipient's mobile phone; and the recipient's mobile phone for receiving the incoming call message and outputting any word or phrase included in the incoming call message.

The invention relates to means of communication between drivers and vehicle users, namely, to establishing connection between drivers and users going in the same direction.The objective of the invention is to establish a voice connection between the driver and vehicle user, taking into account their relative position, relative routes, as well as other reasons for the driver and the user to share additional information with the aim of jointly going along the route.The goal is reached in the following way: the driver's coordinates are registered, messages from users are received; together with receiving and recording the user's message the coordinates of the user are recorded; the driver individually receives messages from the list prepared for them, with the list of messages broadcasted to the driver being formed using the driver and the user's location coordinates and the voice communication is established between the driver and the user selected by the driver from the broadcast list. There are other differences from the prototype. The method allows receiving, storing and sending voice messages based on an individual list. The method allows to automatically establish a selective connection between the driver and the user, located within the reach area. The method saves both the user's and the driver's time, also it reduces the costs of transportation for the users.

Aspects relate to authorizing mobile devices for PBX-based voice services. A mobile device calls a PBX over a voice channel, and phone number identifier information is obtained and matched to identifier information for devices that known (authorizeable) to use the PBX. If there is one incoming call that matches to a given device, and an authentication token provided over a data channel matches an authentication token associated with that device, then the device is authorized for voice services. Where there are multiple matching calls, those devices are instructed to provide authentication tokens over their voice channels. The devices can detect absence of a data channel and provide authentication tokens over the voice channels; the devices also can wait to receive a call connected response and in the absence of such provide their authentication tokens over the voice channel. Tokens can be requested and downloaded for storage at the devices.

Spoofing is prevented in an authentication technique using a portable terminal and the like. A portable telephone includes an authentication unit for performing personal authentication of the user, a moving distance calculating unit for calculating a linear moving distance the portable telephone has moved from a position of the portable telephone at the time the authentication unit succeeds in the personal authentication of the user; and a post-authentication communication control unit for disabling the settlement process communication if the linear moving distance calculated by the moving distance calculating unit exceeds a predetermined distance.

A system and method for determining the historical density of 911 calls from wireless devices. This determination is made over a certain geographical area for a statistically significant amount of time. Once the historical density of these wireless 911 calls has been determined, further determining the most efficient routing of future 911 calls in order to improve the delivery of the wireless 911 call to the responding emergency service provider. The system and the method further provides a method for use by public safety officials, communication providers and other governmental or private entities to manage and control approval and actual changes to the routing of wireless 911 calls.

The primitives between an upper management layer and the MAC layer within a mobile station and a base station are defined in order to specify and clarify the operations within the protocol stack layers in a broadband wireless access system to allow a mobile station to perform a method of connecting to the network. Media Independent Handover (MIH) procedures can be achieved because the NCMS and MIH layer can communicate through use of these primitives.

A low-power receiver front-end includes a transconductance amplifier that produces a single-ended current signal in response to a single-ended voltage signal. An output of the transconductance amplifier is provided to an LC tuned circuit. At resonance, the LC tuned circuit generates a differential current signal in response to the single-ended current signal. Single-ended current signals corresponding to the resonant frequency of the LC tuned circuit are converted into differential signals. Further, the LC tuned circuit amplifies the differential current signals by an associated quality factor. Further, a mixer is coupled to an output of the LC tuned circuit. The mixer generates IF signals in response to the differential current signals.

A plurality of directional patterns are classified into groups and stored in a directional pattern memory, such that among the plurality of directional patterns, the directional patterns strongly correlated with each other are classified into the same group, while the directional patterns weakly correlated with each other are classified into the different groups. One directional pattern is selected from each group in the directional pattern memory. One directional pattern is determined from the selected directional patterns, in accordance with a communication quality of signals each received when each one of the selected directional patterns is set for steerable antenna element. The determined directional pattern is set for the steerable antenna element.

Circuits, systems, and methods are disclosed for controlling multiple antenna receive paths in a wireless communication device. In some embodiments, the circuit may include a pair of receiving antennas, a first receive path including a VCO coupled to receive a PLL signal and a first mixer coupled to receive a first signal from the VCO and a signal from one of the antennas, and a second receive path integrated separately from the first receive path including a second mixer coupled to receive a second signal from the VCO and a signal from the other antenna. By utilizing the output of the VCO to tune the first and second mixers in the first and second receive paths to the same phase and frequency, control of the multiple antenna receive paths may be optimized.

A system comprises a first clock module configured to generate a first clock reference that is not corrected using automatic frequency correction (AFC). A global position system (GPS) module is configured to receive the first clock reference. An integrated circuit for a cellular transceiver includes a system phase lock loop configured to receive the first clock reference, to perform AFC, and to generate a second clock reference that is AFC corrected.

A mobile terminal having multiple antennas and an antenna information display method of the mobile terminal are disclosed. Downlink signals are received through the multiple antennas, a channel state of each antenna is measured, and whether or not each antenna needs to be adjusted or an actual channel measurement value are displayed based on the measured channel state information and an antenna setting mode. Thus, a user can check an antenna with a poor reception performance by using the antenna adjustment information or the actual channel measurement value for antenna adjustment, and easily adjust the direction of the antennas.

A device for interfacing with multiple different types of network access points includes multiple power amplifiers, a switch and a power detecting circuit. The power amplifiers are configured to provide corresponding signals associated with the different types of network access points, each signal having at least one parameter different than a corresponding parameter in another signal. The switch is configured to select one of the signals to provide an output signal. The power detecting circuit is configured to detect power of the output signal, and includes multiple states corresponding to the multiple different types of network access points. The power detecting circuit outputs a voltage level within the same voltage range for the signals in response to the multiple states corresponding to the different types of network access points with which the signals are associated.

A digital pre-distortion system which can provide the flexibility to model the highly non-linear distortion associated with High Efficiency RF Power Amplifiers while through a novel implementation of a least squares estimation process allows an implementation well suited for an FPGA application where limited resources and in particular memory resources are available.

A mobile station communicates with an access point (AP). The mobile station includes a low noise amplifier (LNA) path, a power amplifier (PA) path, a switch to select the LNA path or the PA path, and a controller directing the switch. The controller estimates amplifying power of the LNA, transmitting power and a sensitivity threshold of the PA. The controller receives a current received signal strength indication (RSSI) value of the AP. The controller determines whether amplifying power of the LNA path exceeds the PA sensitivity threshold. The controller transmits a selection signal directing the switch to select the LNA path if the amplifying power of the LNA path exceeds the sensitivity threshold of the PA.

A wireless transceiver includes: (a) a low power radio frequency (LPRF) communications component capable of powering down to conserve energy and capable of powering up in response to an electronic signal, the LPRF communications component including a transmitter and a first receiver; and (b) a second receiver that is configured to screen a radio frequency broadcast and provide, on the basis of specific data identified therein, the electronic signal to the LPRF communications component in order to power up the LPRF communications component. The second receiver is adapted to draw less current than the LPRF communications component while awaiting receipt of and listening for a radio frequency broadcast.

Systems and methods of producing image products using printing are provided. The printed image products can include stereoscopic and/or color shifting images. These images can be formed by a sequential application of a base image, a clear toner layer and a barrier image layer in a single pass through a printer. The barrier image layer can include opaque barriers (for stereoscopic or color shifting images) or can include translucent or transparent barriers (for color shifting images).

An image forming apparatus includes plural image holders that hold an image; plural development devices that produce an image on the plural image holders; an intermediate transfer body supported by plural support members; plural first transfer devices that transfer images that are present on the plural image holders to the intermediate transfer body; a second transfer device that transfers a composite image from the intermediate transfer body onto a recording medium; a fixing device that fixes the composite image onto the recording medium; an ejection device that ejects the recording medium having the composite image transferred thereto out of the image forming apparatus main body; and a recording medium stacking part where ejected recording media are stacked.

An image forming apparatus having a fixing unit fixing a developer image formed based on image data received onto a medium includes a target fixing temperature determination unit, a fixable temperature range computing unit, and a fixing temperature control unit. The target fixing temperature determination unit determines fixing temperature arranged based on the medium as target fixing temperature. The fixable temperature range computing unit computes a fixing temperature range fixable the developer image on the medium by using medium information of the medium while using the target fixing temperature as reference temperature. The fixing temperature control unit controls the fixing unit based on the fixable temperature range computed by the fixable temperature range computing unit.

The invention relates to a method and a device for controlling the circumferential register in a digital multi-color printing machine for printing sheets during a printing process, whereby, for each sheet, at least one register mark per color printing unit of the multi-color printing machine is produced, assigned to said sheet and defined with respect to its position, and whereby, based on the determination of the position of the register marks of a sheet, the circumferential register of at least one sheet, which follows the sheet associated with said determined register marks downstream of the printing process, is controlled. In duplex printing a sheet by recto and verso printing with the invention, register marks are applied for each side and, in order to control recto and verso printing of at least one subsequent sheet, said register marks are analyzed.

An image forming apparatus includes an image carrier, a developer carrier, a runout measurement information storage unit to store runout measurement information of the image carrier and the developer carrier, including runout amounts on the circumference of the image and developer carriers in a development area, a development gap measurement information storage unit to store information obtained by measuring a development gap when runout measurement points of the image and developer carriers face each other, and a development electric field strength control unit to obtain each development electric field strength based on the runout measurement information and the development gap measurement information, and determine control contents of development electric field strength control to cause the entire development electric field strengths to fall within an acceptable range of a target electric field strength to perform the control contents.

Provided is an image forming apparatus including an image forming section forming images on image forming faces of a recording medium, a condition setting section individually setting an operating condition of the image forming section for forming the image on a first image forming face of a recording medium and another operating condition of the image forming section for forming the image on a second image forming face of the recording medium opposite to the first image forming face in the manual duplex mode, and a control section controlling the image forming section on the basis of each operating condition set by the condition setting section.