US08298418B2

Method for bringing ozone into contact with a flow of liquid in which a fraction of the liquid flow is tapped off, a carrier gas laden with ozone is injected into the tapped-off flow, forming gas bubbles, the gas bubbles and the liquid are mixed so as to form a two-phase tapped-off flow, and the tapped-off flow is reintroduced into a descending vertical stream of the main liquid flow, this vertical stream undergoing, at the bottom, a change of direction to essentially the horizontal, the reintroduction of the tapped-off flow being carried out at the lower end of an injection tube immersed in the descending vertical stream of the main flow. The descending vertical stream (3a) forms a continuous liquid column, static mixing is provided in the injection tube (16) as far as the vicinity of its outlet, and the two-phase tapped-off flow is reintroduced into the descending vertical stream (3a) in the form of at least one jet having a vertically downward velocity component, this reintroduction taking place below a height (H) of liquid and with a vertically downward velocity component that are sufficient for the gas bubbles to be entrained downwards, without rising.
US08298417B2

An apparatus for treating greasy waste fluids comprises a fluid inlet which receives the waste fluids, and a waste filtering device positioned downstream from the fluid inlet; the waste filtering device is so configured as to retain at least a portion of the particulate matters contained in the waste fluids. The apparatus further comprises a compartment which is so configured as to receive a slow-releasing grease treating formulation. Also, the apparatus comprises a fluid outlet positioned downstream from the compartment. Furthermore, the compartment is so positioned in a flow path defined between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet as to contact the waste fluids.
US08298415B2

A wastewater treatment ship is provided which is capable of purifying and treating oil bearing wastewater collected from a ship or the sea, wastewater such as domestic water and of reusing the purified water on the ship and easily discharging it. The wastewater treatment ship has a hull able to navigate by being towed or being self-propelled and a purification treatment unit disposed on the hull and configured to collect, purify, and treat wastewater. The purification treatment unit includes a floated oil collecting tank to collect floated oil collected from raw wastewater tank, a stirring tank having a cylindrical straight drum and a funnel-shaped bottom to stir wastewater taken out from the raw wastewater tank together with a coagulant and a collecting path to discharge precipitates, a plurality of filter treatment tanks to be used in multistage filtering treatment of wastewater in the stirring tank, and purified water tanks.
US08298411B2

A system and method reducing pollution in a body of water using biological processes is provided. The system includes a hydraulic dam generated by an induced downwelling of effluent water from a plurality of water circulating devices. A series of linearly arranged treatment sub-systems are disposed upstream of the hydraulic dam. The treatment sub-systems include a water sterilization sub-system for neutralizing harmful and undesirable micro-organisms using an ultrasonic energy generating unit. The ultrasonic energy generated, is of a frequency that disrupts cellular structures in targeted micro-organisms.
US08298410B2

A filter- and sterilizing apparatus comprising a gravity filter device with a liquid supply (L1), a downpipe filter (F) and a clean liquid drainage (L3) as well as a sterilizing device (U) hydraulically connected to the downpipe filter, is characterized in that the sterilizing device connected to the clean liquid circuit (L3) of the downpipe filter (F), is adjustable in height and has the shape of a supply channel to the overflow weir (Y), wherein the liquid level in the supply channel (K) before starting the filtration is approximately adjustable to the same height with the water level in the downpipe filter (F) above the filter medium (M). The sterilizing device (U) is an ultraviolet sluice.
US08298406B2

An apparatus and method for achieving improved throughput capacity of indirectly heated rotary kilns used to produce pyrolysis products such as shale oils or coal oils that are susceptible to decomposition by high kiln wall temperatures is disclosed. High throughput is achieved by firing the kiln such that optimum wall temperatures are maintained beginning at the point where the materials enter the heating section of the kiln and extending to the point where the materials leave the heated section. Multiple high velocity burners are arranged such that combustion products directly impact on the area of the kiln wall covered internally by the solid material being heated. Firing rates for the burners are controlled to maintain optimum wall temperatures.
US08298399B2

A method of microanalyzing ions, which includes: placing in a cavity having an internal volume, a volume of an ionic liquid that is smaller than the internal volume; placing in the cavity a solution containing the ions that are to be analyzed, a solvent of the solution and the ionic liquid being selected so as to be immiscible and so as to enable the ions to be transferred from the solution to the ionic liquid; and detecting a presence of the ions in the ionic liquid with an analyzer that analyzes at least one of cations or anions of the ions in the ionic liquid, in a free state or in a complexed state, the analyzer being in contact with the ionic liquid.
US08298396B2

The invention is directed to processes and apparatuses for the production of chemical compounds, in particular fermentation products. According to the invention there is provided a process for the production of one or more chemical substances, which process comprises a fermentation step, wherein said substances are formed; and a separation step, wherein at least one pair of electrodes is used to induce a precipitation of said substances, which pair comprises at least one precipitation electrode and at least one counter electrode, through which an electric current is directed is used to precipitate said one or more substances.
US08298386B2

A gas-inputting device for a vacuum sputtering apparatus includes at least one tapered tube. Each tapered tube includes a open end, a closed end, and a conical surface. The small end is configured for introducing gas into the tapered tube. The large end opposes to the open end. Each of the at least one tapered tube tapers from the closed end to the open end. The conical surface connects the open end to the closed end. A plurality of gas holes of a same size are defined in the conical surface and equidistantly arranged along the center axis of the tapered tube from the open end to the closed end.
US08298383B2

The disclosure is directed to the area of electrochemical processing of liquids and production of gases, and is used for anolyte and catholyte synthesis. The electrolytic cell comprises an assembled anode and a diaphragm. Elements of the anode and the diaphragm are assembled in axial alignment with help of sleeves, and free ends of the anode and the diaphragm are fixed in a coaxial manner with solid of electrolyte input and output covers. The cathode is made solid from a single pipe with current terminals on each side. The cathode is the internal electrode of the electrolytic cell, while the anode is the external one. The anode is may be provided with a visual indicator as a positive electrode.
US08298380B2

Example embodiments of this invention relate to a method of making a thermally tempered coated article including a transparent conductive oxide (TCO) film in a color compression configuration supported by a tempered glass substrate. A coated article, that is thermally tempered and made by such a process, is also provided. Coated articles according to certain example non-limiting embodiments of this invention may be used in applications such as solar cells, oven doors, electrostatic discharge glass, solar control windows, defrosting windows, or other types of windows in certain example instances.
US08298375B2

The invention concerns a paper comprising (a) 40 to 70 parts by weight of polypyridobisimidazole fiber, polypyridobisimidazole pulp, or mixtures thereof and (b) 30 to 60 parts by weight of friction modifiers, structural resins, wet-strength resins, processing aids, fillers, and mixtures thereof; the parts by weight being based on the total amount of a) and b) in the paper.
US08298368B2

A composition for and method for bonding a substrate. In general, applied to a substrate will be a primer composition that includes an adhesion promoter, which is an adduct prepared by the reaction of at least one aromatic polyisocyanate compound, with an active hydrogen containing moiety of an organofunctional silane, and a prepolymer derived from the reaction of at least one aliphatic polyisocyanate and a polyol, and is at least partially reacted with an active hydrogen containing moiety of an organofunctional silane.
US08298360B2

A process for obtaining pipes and connections from a polymeric composite is provided. An internal pipe is formed using a fiberglass and epoxy resin matrix. Made in a mold by filament winding a roving wire, the internal pipe is impregnated with epoxy resin and catalyzed with a heat curing agent. The pipe extremities are formed through a mold using a composite of epoxy resin and carbon fiber base. The external face of the internal layer is sanded. A second layer is formed by filament winding a roving wire, impregnated with polyester resin with an added silica base, and catalyzed with cold-cured cobalt and polyester. Charge is added to the silica base. The polyester resin is deposited in an intercalated manner between the layers of winding filament. A third layer of polyurethane is deposited over the second layer and cold cured.
US08298358B1

A metastable intermolecular composite (MIC) and methods for forming the same includes a first material and a second material having an interfacial region therebetween. The first and second material are capable of an exothermic chemical reaction with one another to form at least one product and are in sufficiently close physical proximity to one another so that upon initiation the exothermic reaction develops into a self initiating reaction. At least one of said first and second materials include a metal that is reactive with water vapor at room temperature. The interfacial region averages <2 nm thick, such as <1 nm thick. In one embodiment, the first material is Al and the second material is CuOx.
US08298356B2

The ultrahigh-strength steel sheet contains, in mass %, C: 0.05-0.25%, Si: 1.00-2.5%, Mn: 2.0-4.0%, P: 0.1% or below (not inclusive of 0%), S: 0.05% or below (not inclusive of 0%), Al: 0.01-0.15%, Ti: 0.003-0.10%, N: 0.01% or below (not inclusive of 0%), the balance comprising iron with inevitable impurities, and is a composite structure steel sheet comprising 10-50 area % ferrite and 50 area % or above martensite, in which the average circle-equivalent grain diameter of ferrite grains is 2.0 μm or below, the average aspect ratio of ferrite grains is 2.0 or below, and the tensile strength is 1,100 MPa or above. Accordingly, the ultrahigh-strength steel sheet is excellent in hydrogen embrittlement resistance and workability.
US08298349B2

A fluid nozzle for use in a high pressure water jetting system includes a housing to be fixed to a source of high pressure water. The housing receives a rotating member and an inner peripheral bore. The rotating member includes a shaft received within the housing, and a nozzle extending outwardly of the housing, the nozzle having openings extending along a direction having a component both forwardly along an axis of rotation of the shaft and the nozzle, and radially outwardly relative to the central axis. A central passage within the shaft communicates high pressure fluid to the nozzle. The shaft includes leakage paths to provide leakage fluid from the central passage to an interface between an outer peripheral wall of the shaft and an inner peripheral wall of the bore in the housing. The leakage paths communicate fluid to a forward fluid pressure chamber, and to a rearward fluid pressure chamber. A pressure loss to the rearward fluid pressure chamber is greater than a pressure drop at the forward pressure chamber.
US08298348B2

A dish washer is provided. In the dish washer, a tub forms a cleaning chamber, and a sump is disposed at a lower portion of the tub and stores wash water. An injection nozzle injects the wash water stored in the sump into the cleaning chamber. A water guide guides the wash water from the sump to the nozzle. A first coupling mechanism is used to couple a portion of the water guide to the sump. A second coupling mechanism is used to couple another portion of the water guide to the sump.
US08298346B2

A substrate processing method includes: supplying a fluid to a resist on a substrate after an ion implantation in which the resist is used as a mask; and supplying a stripping liquid to the resist for stripping the resist after the supplying the fluid. A cured layer is formed in a surface of the resist in the ion implantation. The fluid is purified water or a mixed fluid of purified water and an inert gas. A volume flow rate of the purified water is not less than 1/400 of a volume flow rate of the inert gas when the mixed fluid is supplied as the fluid.
US08298344B2

A lid 81 included in a processing vessel 30 is held by a simple mechanism to prevent the leakage of an atmosphere in a processing space 83 formed in the processing vessel 30 into an environmental space. A low-pressure space 84 surrounds the processing space 83 formed in the processing vessel 30. The processing vessel 30 is provided with a first sealing member 101 sealing a joint between a part of a vessel body 80 and a part of the lid 81 to separate the low-pressure apace 84 from the processing space 83, and a second sealing member 102 sealing a joint between a part of the vessel body 80 and a part of the lid 81 on the outer side of the first sealing member 101 to separate the low-pressure space from an external space surrounding the processing vessel 30. Pressure in the low-pressure space 84 is adjusted such that pressure in the processing space 83 is equal to or lower than pressure in the external space outside the processing vessel 30 in an internal leakage state where the first sealing member 101 permits leakage and the second sealing member 102 is in a sealing condition.
US08298343B2

A method and apparatus for removing ice from overhead utility power lines which includes a tool having an extendable pole with an ice removing roller having an annular outer channel rotatably supported on the pole. The pole is extendable for enabling a user to place the roller over an ice-laden utility power line while standing on the ground, and then is movable along the power line by the workmen while standing on the ground or walking along a line parallel to the power line for removing ice from the line.
US08298337B2

The invention relates to a gas inlet element (2) for a CVD reactor with a chamber (4), which has a multitude of bottom-side outlet openings (23), via which a process gas introduced into the chamber (4) via edge-side access openings (10) exits into a process chamber (21) of the CVD reactor (1). In order to homogenize the gas composition, the invention provides that at least one mixing chamber arrangement (11, 12, 13) is situated upstream from the access openings (10), and at least two process gases are mixed with one another inside this mixing chamber arrangement.
US08298334B2

The present invention provides a method of crystallizing of enzymes. The method is for rapidly crystallizing enzymes from impure mixtures. The method is simple and cheap, and it is compatible to industrial requirements. T1 lipase was able to form crystals at low protein concentration (2.5 mg/ml) in a day. High temperature crystallization was obtained from the method. The present invention also relates to a composition of a crystallized lipase produced from the said method.
US08298330B2

The present invention provides a composition for use in the production of a construction element, said composition comprising a vegetable oil and a graded aggregate having a maximum aggregate particle size of around 15 mm and/or an aggregate porosity of greater than 5%. Construction elements produced using the composition are described. There is further provided a structural element comprising at least partially cured vegetable oil and an aggregate. A method for producing a construction element is provided comprising mixing partially cured vegetable oil with an aggregate and then further curing said vegetable oil within said mixture.
US08298327B2

A method for forming a mark on a substrate is disclosed. The method includes: (a) heating an edible hot melt ink including a colorant to a temperature sufficient to liquify the ink; and (b) transferring the ink to a substrate to provide a mark on the substrate.
US08298320B2

Preferred embodiments of the invention relate to systems for removing dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) or related compounds, or odors associated with same. The systems include adsorbents, odor adsorbing fabrics, masks, clean air members and clean air supply assemblies.
US08298317B2

A steelmaking process is disclosed. The process includes producing molten steel and molten steelmaking slag in a steelmaking process, the steelmaking slag including iron units and flux units, and thereafter producing molten iron in a molten bath based direct smelting process using a substantial portion of the steelmaking slag as part of the feed material requirements for the direct smelting process. A direct smelting process is also disclosed. The process includes pre-treating ferrous material including steelmaking slag and thereafter direct smelting molten iron using the pretreated ferrous material as part of the feed material for the process.
US08298311B2

Porous ceramic honeycomb bodies and methods of making them, wherein the ceramic body has a total porosity (% P) defined by a median pore size (d50) greater than or equal to 10 microns; a pore size distribution d-factor less than 0.8, wherein d-factor=(d50−d10)/d50, and a submicron pore fraction characterized by less than 5% of the total porosity being comprised of pores having a pore diameter less than 1.0 micron.
US08298303B2

The use of polyoxymethylene di(alkyl polyglycol) ethers of the general formula RO(CH2CH2O)n(CH2O)m(CH2CH2O)nR is described, wherein R is an alkyl radical, n is ≦3 and m is ≦6, as additives to diesel fuels to reduce the particulate emission in self-ignition engines.
US08298300B2

The invention relates to a continuous process for preparing large crystal products of a crystalline product in a fluid bed crystallizer, said fluid bed crystallizer comprising a crystallization vessel and means for mechanically impacting of crystals; and connected to the crystallization vessel (i) a feed line; (ii) an external circulation circuit comprising means for determining properties of the slurry in the external circulation circuit and a heat exchanger; and (iii) a product withdrawal line, wherein—for any specific crystalline product and at any flow rate chosen in the external circulation circuit—the weight percentage of crystals of the crystalline product in the slurry in the external circulation circuit, ECCWPC, is controlled by said means for determining properties of the slurry within a specified and predetermined narrow range having a maximum and minimum value not more apart than at most 25% by weight and falling within the range of from 1 to 50% by weight. Preferably, the crystalline product is ammonium sulphate, and the ECCWPC is controlled within a range of from 3 to 20% by weight, preferably of from 5 to 15% by weight, more preferably of from 8 to 12% by weight. The product obtained may be further subjected to size classification by screening.
US08298293B2

Systems and methods are disclosed for sensing forces, moments, temperature, inclination, acceleration and other parameters associated with prosthetic limbs. The system is capable of measuring forces in three designated axes, and moments about the same designated axes, for a total of six possible degrees of freedom. The system can be readily fitted onto a conventional prosthetic limb with no, or relatively minor, modification thereto. A plurality of sensor arrays are disposed on a support member, each array including a plurality of strain gauge sensors, each sensor outputting an electrical signal responsive to loading imposed on the support member through the prosthetic limb. Electronic circuitry in communication with the gauges is operative to receive the electrical signals from the strain gauges and provide a signal useful in the form, fit or function of the prosthetic limb.
US08298288B2

A recess-ramp knee joint prosthesis comprising a femoral and a tibial component is configured to reproduce normal kinematics and function. Asymmetric condular surfaces and a cupola of the femoral component interact with corresponding dished surfaces and a ramp of the tibia thereby duplicating the behavior of the anatomical knee.
US08298280B2

The present invention is directed to a stent for use in a bifurcated body lumen having a main branch and a side branch. The stent comprises a radially expandable generally tubular stent body having proximal and distal opposing ends with a body wall having a surface extending therebetween. The stent also comprises a branch portion that is deployable outwardly from the stent body into a branch vessel.
US08298279B2

A tubular stent includes cylindrical rings disposed adjacent to each other and coupled to each other by a plurality of longitudinal segments. Each cylindrical ring includes circumferentially oriented toggle lock struts. The toggle lock struts include a first arm and a second arm coupled together at an elbow. When the stent is in a compressed configuration for delivery, the toggle lock struts are bent at the elbow such that the first arm is disposed at an angle of less than 180 degrees relative to the second arm. Upon radial expansion of the stent, the toggle lock struts are unbent to a straight configuration and permitted to relax slightly beyond the straight configuration to a locked configuration such that the angle between the first arm and the second arm changes from less than 180 degrees to more than 180 degrees.
US08298267B2

A dynamic stabilization, motion preservation spinal implant system includes a deflection rod system implant. The system is modular so that various constructs and configurations can be created and customized to a patient.
US08298265B2

A spinal screw assembly providing an adjustable securement of a fixation rod across at least two vertebrae. The assembly includes a pedicle screw having a spherical head portion, a threaded shaft portion and a tool engagement surface in the head portion for use in driving the screw into a vertebrae. The head portion of the screw is positioned in a body member adjacent a curvilinear surface disposed about an aperture in the end of the body member such that the shaft portion of the screw extends therethrough and the curvilinear inner surface abuts and mates with the head portion of the screw so as to define a ball joint therewith. The body member additionally defines a pair of opposed parallel slots therein adapted to receive a portion of the fixation rod and a locking cap bears against the fixation rod to releasably secure the rod within the assembly.
US08298260B2

Monofilament sutures are disclosed, which are formed of complaint, segmented, polyaxial, absorbable copolyesters. The sutures are capable of retaining at least 50 percent of their initial breaking strength after 6 weeks following placement in animal or human tissues.
US08298256B2

The apparatus for deployment of an intravascular therapeutic device, includes an elongated, flexible pusher member and a therapeutic device connected to a severable portion of a first connector member mounted to the flexible pusher member with an elongated second connector member connected to the therapeutic device. The first connector member or second connector member may be capable of being broken by heat, and a heat source is provided for heating and breaking the first connector member or the second connector member to release the therapeutic device.
US08298254B2

Various medical devices and methods for cutting and/or evacuating tissue are provided. The devices and methods may utilize a reciprocating mechanism or motor powered by suction from a vacuum source. The medical devices and methods may be used on tissue in various regions of a patient's body and for treating various conditions, e.g., for performing a polypectomy or discectomy.
US08298247B2

A device for tensioning suture which includes a cannulated tube that allows a suture to be fed through at least a portion of the tube. An adjustment device (for example, a wheel or a knob) is actuated to turn a threaded post on the end of the tube. A length of suture passes through at least a portion of the cannulated tube and is secured into a forked pin attached to the adjustment device. Turning the adjustment device draws against the suture, increasing therefore the tension on the suture. The suture tensioning device may be employed in conjunction with a tensiometer.
US08298245B2

A three-dimensional positioning device for minimally invasive surgery includes a base, two angle adjustable assemblies, an arc, a sliding assembly, a first positioning assembly, a second positioning assembly and a third positioning assembly. The base includes two first frames and two second frames. Two ends of each second frame are connected to the first frames respectively. Each first frame has a pivotal member. The angle adjustable assemblies are pivotably connected to the pivotal member of the first frame respectively. The arc includes a hollow track member. The angle adjustable assemblies are connected to two ends of the arc. The sliding assembly is mounted on the track member of the arc according to a predetermined position of a nidus. Therefore, the three-dimensional positioning device can effectively improve precision and operation more precisely in minimally invasive surgery to increase surgery success rate.
US08298231B2

A bipolar electrosurgical instrument is disclosed for use in excising tissues. The disclosed bipolar electrosurgical instrument includes a pair of jaws or legs having shearing surfaces, one of which is electrically nonconductive. The disclosed bipolar surgical instrument also includes conductive surfaces on the legs which allow energy flux to flow through tissue on a plane other than that defined by the relative shearing surfaces.
US08298229B2

A cutter for a blood vessel tissue harvesting instrument is disposed at the distal end of an insertion member. A cutter body projecting from the distal end of the insertion member includes a slit that extends from the distal end toward a base edge. High-frequency electrodes are disposed along the sides of the slit. A feeding mechanism has rotating surfaces which are rotated as a result of being pressed by the tissue, and which feed the tissue toward the base edge of the slit. The rotating surfaces are provided by two rotary members disposed opposite each other along the two side edges of the slit, respectively, so that the first and second rotating surfaces move in a direction from the opening of the slit toward the base edge of the slit.
US08298222B2

A method is disclosed for disrupting capillary blood flow and trapping materials such as chemotherapeutic agents in undesirable tissue, including cells of a cancerous or non-cancerous tumor. The method involves the placement of electrodes into or near the vicinity of capillary vessels supplying blood to capillaries in the undesirable tissue, and application of electrical pulses causing capillary blood flow disruption. In some cases, the electric pulses irreversibly permeate the cell membranes, thereby invoking cell death. The irreversibly permeabilized cells are left in situ and are removed by the body's immune system. The process may further comprise monitoring blood flow and/or infusion of a material such as a chemotherapeutic agent or marker into the blood.
US08298216B2

Medical devices, systems, and methods for pain management and other applications may apply cooling with at least one probe inserted through an exposed skin surface of skin. The cooling may remodel one or more target tissues so as to effect a desired change in composition of the target tissue and/or a change in its behavior, often to interfere with transmission of pain signals along sensory nerves. Alternative embodiments may interfere with the function of motor nerves, the function of contractile muscles, and/or some other tissue included in the contractile function chain so as to inhibit muscle contraction and thereby alleviate associated pain. In some embodiments, other sources of pain such as components of the spine (optionally including herniated disks) may be treated.
US08298214B2

A vision correction system and an operating method thereof are provided. The vision correction system includes an evaluation device and a correction device. The evaluation device scans an eyeball of a person and records a spherical curvature of a cornea of the eyeball as an evaluation data. The correction device includes an operation unit for receiving the evaluation data recorded by the evaluation device, and operating on and converting the evaluation data into a correction data. The correction device further includes a laser unit controlled by the operation unit for respectively forming a correction area and a prevention area on the cornea of the eyeball of the person according to the correction data. The prevention area is formed as multiple convex arcs outwards from the correction area of the cornea of the eyeball, and each of convex arcs has a different radius.
US08298212B2

The invention relates an implantable access device for a catheter for supplying an active substance to an active site. The inventive access device comprises a chamber which is arranged in a housing for receiving the active substance and is closed with a piercable membrane. A connecting piece, to which the catheter is connectable, is fluidly connected to the chamber. The catheter is fixed by clamps that are fixable to the housing preferably by means of elastic fixing arms. The chamber receiving the active substance is embodied in an insertion element that is arranged in a recess of the housing by an intermediate clamping of the intermediate layer of the membrane in such a way that the insertion element produces a pressure force to said membrane.
US08298210B2

Catheters for aspiration of thrombotic, atherosclerotic or other particulate embolic debris from a blood vessel. An elongate flexible aspiration tube has an aspiration lumen defined by a reinforced tube wall. A guidewire tube is secured alongside the aspiration tube extending proximally from a distal end thereof to define either over-the-wire or single operator catheter configurations. The portion of the aspiration tube alongside the guidewire tube has an oval transverse cross section with a minor axis extending transversely through the guidewire tube. The oval cross section of the aspiration tube improves the catheter's efficient use of cross sectional space by making the overall catheter transverse cross section nearly equal in orthogonal dimensions. Methods of making aspiration catheters are also disclosed, including permanently deforming the portion of the aspiration tube into an oval transverse cross section.
US08298209B2

A seal member for assembly within, or a seal zone portion of, a lumen of a medical instrument/device includes a slit segment and a bore, wherein the slit segment intersects with a funnel-like segment of the bore.
US08298208B2

Methods for installing a flexible spinal needle assembly and methods of delivering a fluid may include inserting a distal end of a flexible spinal needle assembly into a subject and, thereafter, disposing an anti-restriction member at least partially within an inner flow path of the flexible spinal needle to substantially prevent fluid occlusion caused by bending or kinking of the flexible spinal needle.
US08298205B2

An elastically stretchable laminate (1) includes a first non-elastic nonwoven web (2), a second non-elastic nonwoven web (4) and an elastic film (6) between the first and the second nonwoven webs (2,4). The laminate (1) has been rendered elastic in a first direction (MD) by incremental stretching and partial tearing of the first and second nonwoven webs (2,4). The laminate (1) includes a reinforcement layer (8) arranged between the first and second non-elastic nonwoven webs (2,4) and comprising unbroken reinforcement fibers or filaments (9) extending in a second direction (CD), generally perpendicular to the first direction (MD). Also described is a pant-type article including the elastically stretchable laminate.
US08298202B2

A urinary device for use on a penis of a male suffering from urinary incontinence. The device comprises a body having a closed distal end and an open proximal end and defining a cavity therein. The body has an inner layer made of a moisture absorbent material and an outer layer made of a moisture resistant material. A malleable material encircles a portion of the proximal end of the body wherein the proximal end is adapted to conform to the shape of the malleable material.
US08298199B2

A pressure bandage includes a banding portion having opposite first and second sides. A chamber is formed in the first side of the banding portion. The second side of the banding portion includes a hole in communication with the chamber. A bladder is received in the chamber and receives a fluid. The bladder includes an infiltratable surface permeable to the fluid. The infiltratable surface of the bladder and the first side of the banding portion face the same direction. The fluid received in the bladder is permeable out of the bladder via the infiltratable surface. A control member is engaged with the hole of the banding portion and imparts a pressure to the bladder. The hole can be a screw hole, and the control member includes a knob threadedly engaged with the screw hole such that the knob is rotatable to adjust the pressure imparted to the bladder.
US08298183B2

Medical liquid injection device comprising the following distinct elements: a container (1), an outlet channel (14) and a pumping unit (5); said container (1) comprising a rigid wall on which said pumping unit (5) is rigidly fixed; said rigid wall furthermore including a passage (4) which forms a direct fluid connection between said pumping unit (5) and said container (1); said outlet channel (14) being directly connected to said pumping unit (5) in such a way that a fluid initially kept in said container (1) may first flow through said pumping unit (5) and then reach said outlet channel (14), said medical liquid injection device furthermore comprising an inlet (16), distinct from said outlet channel (14), and disposable elements.
US08298176B2

Drug solutions (or other combinations of vehicle with entrained drug) are prepared by removing drug from one or more masses of a solid form of the drug. The solid form of the drug may be sparingly soluble or insoluble in water. Examples of devices for holding solid drug and facilitating delivery of such drug to targeted regions are also described.
US08298174B2

An apparatus for connection to a bottle to assist with pill ingestion includes a generally cylindrical hollow base portion manufactured from a first predetermined material and having a first predetermined size for insertion into a mouth of such bottle. A mechanism is disposed at a predetermined location on such base portion for sealingly engaging such base portion to an interior surface of such mouth of such bottle. A generally cylindrical hollow top portion is operably connected to such base portion closely adjacent an upper end of such base portion, such top portion is manufactured from a second predetermined material and has a second predetermined size and includes an open top end. A mesh material is fixedly disposed at a predetermined location within one of such base portion and such top portion for supporting at least one pill thereon.
US08298166B2

A dorsal night splint has dynamic adjustable features that allow the patient to adjust the splint while in use to control the stretching of the plantar fascia and Achilles. A semi-rigid flexible frame is included along with a tightening strap that is anchored to the frame and by which the patient can tension the strap and adjust the structure of the frame to fit the patient's desired therapeutic or prophylactic needs.
US08298165B2

A resuscitation device for automatic compression of a victim's chest using a compression belt operably attached to a platform upon which a patient rests. In use, the compression belt is wrapped around the patient and at least one spindle operably attached to the platform.
US08298158B2

The present disclosure provides electrode structures and integrated electrode structures having one or more conductive materials coextruded with one or more dielectric materials. The disclosed electrode structures can be configured for use as analyte sensors. Also provided, are methods of making and using the electrode structures and integrated electrode structures described herein.
US08298153B2

A system and method are provided for the detection of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) using a staged approach for accurate and rapid detection. Physiological signals in a patient's body are sensed and corresponding physiological parameters are derived in a staged approach in order to determine the probability that AMI is occurring in a patient in a first detection stage. If the computed probability from physiological signals indicates the possibility of AMI, then the patient is prompted, such as through a patient-wearable device, to answer specific AMI-related questions to assist in diagnosis of AMI in a second stage. AMI is detected when the computed probability in the second stage exceeds a predefined detection threshold. A patient or physician alert may then be generated, which may further include the transfer of data via a communication link or network, in response to an AMI detection signal.
US08298150B2

A method of monitoring pressure within a medical patient, includes measuring an actual pressure in a medical patient in a first time period; measuring an indicator of the actual pressure in the first time period, wherein the indicator is derived from an electrical signal of the patient's heart; determining a correlative relationship between the actual pressure and the indicator, wherein both the actual pressure and the indicator are obtained in the first time period; measuring the indicator in a second time period; and determining the actual pressure in the second time period based on the correlative relationship obtained in the first time period and the indicator obtained in the second time period.
US08298140B2

Features indicative of hypoglycaemia in EEG signals are detected by: —dividing EEG signals into a sequence of time segments, —for each time segment determining whether a pattern of EEG signals is present which is indicative of hypoglycaemia and, where a pattern of EEG signals indicative of hypoglycaemia is determined to be present in a time segment, recording this as an event, —integrating the number of events recorded during a selected number of preceding time segments which together constitute a selected time period, optionally in a time weighted manner, and—determining that the EEG signals are indicative that hypoglycaemia is present based on said integration when the said integrated number of events exceeds a preset threshold number and/or when there exists a threshold level of matching between a curve of said integration over time and a previously established ideal model of said curve indicative of hypoglycaemia.
US08298135B2

A medical device for examination or treatment based on a reference point A1, including: a virtual endoscopic image generation section configured to generate a virtual endoscopic image from a plurality of different sight line positions using three-dimensional image data of a bronchus that is obtained in advance; an image retrieving section configured to retrieve a virtual endoscopic image highly similar to a real image; a reference-point setting section configured to set the reference point A1 based on a line-of-sight position A0 of the highly similar virtual endoscopic image; a relative-position calculation section configured to calculate a relative position of a treatment instrument to the reference point A1; a movement detection section configured to detect a movement of the reference point A1 or the bronchus; and a position correction section configured to correct the relative position in response to the movement of the reference point A1 or the bronchus.
US08298134B2

The dilation balloon of the subject invention preferably comprises a balloon portion mounted about a shaft that, when inflated, produces a configuration comprising a tapered distal end and a proximal end or butt that is substantially flat (preferably truncated) and is adapted to generally conform with the outer contours of an endoscope through which it is introduced when the balloon is pulled back against the endoscope face. The close engagement of the subject balloon catheter and endoscope, when forming a balloon-scope train, enables the scope to more readily navigate strictures and tortuous body lumen, as well as allows the balloon to act as a lens for viewing anatomical structure within the body lumen, such as tumors, strictures, and the inner luminal wall surface itself.
US08298130B2

A mobile isolation unit which forms a chemical and biological barrier that is has a substantially rectangular-parallelepiped shaped enclosure and a frame system configured to support the enclosure in the suspended position so as to create and internal and external environment. The enclosure may also be equipped with at least one opening for access into and out of the enclosure, a zipper for opening and closing the access port, at least one biomedical port, and a plurality of support points configured to support the enclosed in the suspended position when the frame is in an open position so that a patient can be placed in and out of the enclosure. A method for isolating and treating a patient using the mobile isolation unit is also provided.
US08298122B2

A method for controlling brakes of an automatic transmission including a first brake arranged in parallel with an overrunning brake between a planet pinion carrier and a housing, includes using the overrunning brake to provide brake torque equal to or less than a reference brake torque under positive torque conditions, increasing a torque capacity of the first brake when brake torque is greater than the reference brake torque, and fully engaging the first brake.
US08298119B2

The transmission controller changes the gear position of the subtransmission mechanism and varies the speed ratio of the variator in an opposite direction to a speed ratio variation direction of the subtransmission mechanism when the actual through speed ratio passes a predetermined mode switch line. When the improvement in the shift response of the continuously variable transmission is determined to be required and the actual through speed ratio passes the mode switch line from a Low side to the High side, the transmission controller increases a shift speed of the subtransmission mechanism compared with a normal coordinated shift.
US08298108B2

In a planetary bearing structure equipped with a slide bearing mounted to a shaft hole of a planetary gear, the planetary gear rotating about the outer periphery of a planetary pin fixed to a carrier via the slide bearing, one or a plurality of oil supply grooves are formed in the outer peripheral surface of the planetary pin so as to extend in the axial direction. An oil supply port of a lubricant oil channel opens in the oil supply groove so as to forcedly supply lubricant oil. Furthermore, a discharge groove for trapping foreign matter, which is shallower than the oil supply groove, communicates from the oil supply groove to the wake flow side in the rotating direction of the planetary gear.
US08298105B2

A hybrid drive device, which has a motor generator on a power transmission path between an engine and an automatic transmission apparatus, includes a fluid clutch having a pump impeller, to which a rotational force generated by the engine is inputted, and a turbine impeller being rotated when receiving a fluid from the pump impeller and outputting a rotational force to the automatic transmission apparatus, a clutch mechanism connecting the pump impeller and the turbine impeller to establish a power transmission therebetween and disconnecting the pump impeller and the turbine impeller to interrupt the power transmission therebetween, and an oil pump arranged on a power transmission path between the turbine impeller and the automatic transmission apparatus, integrally rotating with the turbine impeller and generating a hydraulic pressure for actuating the automatic transmission apparatus and the clutch mechanism, wherein the motor generator is integrally rotated with the turbine impeller.
US08298103B2

A sprocket and hub assembly for use with a mechanical drive assembly of an agricultural implement includes a generally flat disc having an outer edge and a generally center mount portion. A series of teeth are radially defined around the outer edge of the disc. The assembly further includes a hub removably mounted to the generally center mount portion of the disc. The hub has a shaft engagement portion for removably coupling the hub to a driven shaft of the mechanical drive assembly. In one embodiment, the agricultural implement includes a retainer designed to hold a set of differently sized sprockets that can be interchangeably coupled to the driven shaft by the hub.
US08298102B2

A ball bat includes a barrel in which one or more stiffening elements or damping elements, or both, are located. The stiffening or damping elements may be positioned at a variety of locations, and may have a variety of configurations, for selectively reducing the barrel's performance without appreciably increasing the bat's moment of inertia.
US08298089B2

In one aspect a switch can be placed on any existing video gaming machine. A player can be informed that they have the option to play other games on the video gaming machine. The switch can be either an icon on the video gaming machine's video or a physical switch. Once the player touches the icon or presses the physical switch as an indication of his or her interest to play other games a server can take control of the video display and its touch screen. Similarly, when the player is playing any of the additional games available on video gaming machine, there will be an icon or a switch button to offer the option to go back to the slot's original game.
US08298080B2

A setting unit sets a position of a viewpoint arranged in a virtual space, and a direction of a visual line extending from the viewpoint. A moving unit moves a player character in the virtual space according to an operation by a player. A generating unit generates an image representing the way the virtual space is viewed from the viewpoint toward the direction of the visual line. A display unit displays the generated image on a screen. Moreover, the setting unit sets a position of the viewpoint so that a relative position of the viewpoint to an object is fixed, sets a position of a target point included in a surface of a predetermined shape fixed relatively to the object at random, and sets a direction of the visual line so that an intersection point between the surface and the visual line gradually comes closer to the target point.
US08298068B2

A method of gaming comprises providing a jackpot game in addition to a main game, the jackpot game being displayed independently of the main game. Play of the jackpot game affects at least one of the awarding of a jackpot prize and value of a jackpot prize pool from which the jackpot prize is awarded.
US08298065B2

A gaming activity involves a plurality of gaming reels each having a plurality of first symbols that are randomly arranged in response to a gaming event. The gaming apparatus also includes a plurality of second symbols that are each randomly arranged so that each of the second symbols adjacent to an associated one of the first symbols. A payout device of the apparatus determines a payout based on the arrangement of the first symbols in combination with a payline formed by the associated second symbols in response to the gaming event.
US08298064B2

A gaming machine has a display and a game controller arranged to control images displayed on the display. The game controller is arranged to play a spinning reel game wherein one or more random events are caused to be displayed on the display and, if a predefined winning event occurs, the machine awards a prize. When at least one special symbol appears on the display, the special symbol is held in a superimposed representation in that position for at least one further game while at least that reel carrying the special symbol is re-spun for the at least one further game.
US08298061B2

One possible embodiment of the invention could be a playing card and methodology of playing a game with the playing card comprised of the following steps, but not necessarily in the order shown, selecting from a set of gaming symbols, one or more winning gaming symbols for the play of the game, the selecting of one or more winning gaming symbols occurs prior to providing at least one playing card; and the selecting of one or more winning gaming symbols is preformed anew for each game; providing a playing card presenting gaming symbol(s) for the play of the game; and comparing the gaming symbols of the distributed playing card with the selected one or more winning gaming symbols to determine if the distributed playing card has any gaming symbols that match the one or more winning gaming symbols to establish the playing card as a winning game card.
US08298060B2

A system and method of providing a digital jigsaw puzzle game is disclosed. The puzzle pieces exhibit game-play characteristics of physical jigsaw puzzle pieces, such as friction, inertia, and angular momentum. The digital jigsaw puzzle may be implemented on a variety of multiple electronic formats including, but not limited to, websites, mobile devices, home computers, handheld gaming devices, and game consoles. Digital jigsaw puzzles can be used as an advertising format where the image of the puzzle is an advertisement.
US08298036B2

A dynamo powered amusement device is provided that has multiple amusement functions integrated into a housing. The amusement functions include two or more of a movement, a light emitting diode illumination, an auditory output and a video presentation. The electrical power source for the amusement functions is a manually powered dynamo. The direct current generated by a dynamo is provided to a printed circuit board in electrical communication with the amusement functions so as to provide power directly from the manually powered dynamo or, if a chargeable battery is present, to supply power from the chargeable battery. The amusement device provides enhanced performance relative to mechanical amusement devices while avoiding costs and environment problems associated with disposable battery containing amusement devices.
US08298035B2

A track set for toy vehicles is provided, the track set having: a platform defining a receiving area; a first track member being pivotally secured to the platform for movement about at a first axis, and a second track member being pivotally secured to the platform for movement about the first axis, the first and second track members each having a launcher for launching a toy vehicle towards the receiving area, the first track member defining a first movable path towards the receiving area and the second track member defining a second movable path towards to the receiving area; and an actuator configured to simultaneously activate the launcher of each of the first and second track members to propel at least one toy vehicle along at least one of the first and second movable paths toward the receiving area.
US08298032B2

A multifunctional optical film for enhancing light extraction includes a flexible substrate, a structured layer, and a backfill layer. The structured layer effectively uses microreplicated diffractive or scattering nanostructures located near enough to the light generation region to enable extraction of an evanescent wave from an organic light emitting diode (OLED) device. The backfill layer has a material having an index of refraction different from the index of refraction of the structured layer. The backfill layer also provides a planarizing layer over the structured layer in order to conform the light extraction film to a layer of an OLED lighting device such as solid state lighting devices or backlight units. The film may have additional layers added to or incorporated within it to an emissive surface in order to effect additional functionalities beyond improvement of light extraction efficiency.
US08298029B2

A method by which negative electron affinity photocathodes (201), single crystal, amorphous, or otherwise ordered, can be made to recover their quantum yield following exposure to an oxidizing gas has been discovered. Conventional recovery methods employ the use of cesium as a positive acting agent (104). In the improved recovery method, an electron beam (205), sufficiently energetic to generate a secondary electron cloud (207), is applied to the photocathode in need of recovery. The energetic beam, through the high secondary electron yield of the negative electron affinity surface (203), creates sufficient numbers of low energy electrons which act on the reduced-yield surface so as to negate the effects of absorbed oxidizing atoms thereby recovering the quantum yield to a pre-decay value.
US08298019B2

A housing for connecting a plurality of branch lines to the insulated conductors of an intermediate portion of a cable from which the outer sheath layer has been removed, comprising a rectangular base member containing an open-topped base chamber, and a pair of opposed end walls containing openings for receiving spaced insulated portions of the cable on opposite sides of the cable intermediate portion. A plurality of insulation-piercing electrical devices are arranged in the base chamber in electrical engagement with the insulated conductors, respectively, and a plurality of interchangeable cover members are each adapted for seating on the base member to close the base chamber, with each of the cover members containing an electrical component arranged for connection with at least one of the electrical devices.
US08298017B2

A connector including: a housing having an opening into which a plug is detachably inserted and an insertion member other than the plug can be inserted; and a plurality of contacts that includes a power contact and a ground contact and is configured to contact a plurality of contacts of the plug in the opening, wherein the power contact is arranged on a first surface and the ground contact is arranged on a second surface, a position of the first surface being different from a position of the second surface.
US08298008B2

In a cable assembly including signal lines formed by core wires, inner insulating bodies, outer conducting bodies, and outer insulating bodies, respectively, the signal lines in the cable assembly are formed in a manner of exposing respective outer conducting bodies from respective outer insulating bodies in an area at least including respective distal edges, an array block fixes the signal lines in a state where side surfaces of neighboring outer conducting bodies among the exposed outer conducting bodies are in contact, and a core wire electrode part and an outer conducting body electrode part which is connected to a part of edge faces of the plurality of outer conducting bodies fixed in the state where the side surfaces are in contact are formed on a circuit board to be connected to the cable assembly.
US08298000B2

A wire containment cap for reducing horizontal strain on a cable terminated at a communication jack. The wire containment cap is part of the communication jack and includes a strain relief clip that may be actuated to apply pressure to the cable. The applied pressure holds the cable in place and helps prevent wire pairs of the cable from pulling out of terminals in the communication jack.
US08297998B2

An electrical connector includes: an insulating base with a perforation; an insulating cover with a through hole and two slots recessed from a top surface, covered on and capable of sliding relative to the insulating base; a thrust member, disposed on the top surface of the insulating cover, has a body accommodated in the through hole, the body comprises an axial pushing hole, a plate portion respectively extending from two sides of the body and accommodated in the corresponding recessed slots; and a cam, having a driving portion above the body and a shaft extending downwards from the driving portion, at least one interference portion projects from a periphery at a lower end of the shaft and fixed near a bottom of the insulating base, the shaft passes through the axial pushing hole and the perforation.
US08297992B2

An electrical connector assembly includes first and second connectors connectable to each other. The first connector has a first housing and a locking lever detachably and movably coupled thereto. The second connector has a second housing and a pair of protuberances formed on external surface of the second housing. When the locking lever is at an open position, first and second connectors are ready to be connected together. When the locking lever moves away from the open position towards a close position, the first and second connectors are guided by the locking lever to connect together and are prevented from being separated. A pair of stoppers are formed on the locking lever which engages the first housing to lock the lever at the open position. When the second connector is inserted into the first connector, the stoppers are released to allow the locking lever to move towards the close position.
US08297991B2

The present invention provides a highly controllable device for exposure from the back side and an exposure method, and also provides a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device using the same. The present invention involves exposure with the use of the back side exposure device of which a reflecting means is disposed on the front side of a substrate, apart from a photosensitive thin film surface by a distance X (X=0.1 μm to 1000 μm), and formation of a photosensitive thin film pattern in a self alignment manner, with good controllability, at a position a distance Y away from the end of a pattern. The invention fabricates a TFT using that method.
US08297982B2

A physical model representing an anatomic model of the abdominal wall that provides for the option of: tactile feedback, the option for photo realism, the inclusion of various pathologies (including, but not limited to, abdominal wall defects such as hernia), and the customizability to mount the model to various training boxes or frames. This medical/anatomic simulation model is composed of various material layers including, but not limited to, non-elastomeric and elastomeric materials such as papers, fabrics, metallic sheets, metallic meshes, rubber-like foams, and other materials. This is a physical/mechanical model that simulates skin, tissue, and organs associated with abdominal wall morphology and pathology.
US08297981B1

The invention provides a three dimensional problem solving and learning apparatus for modeling and teaching exemplary problem solving and thinking.
US08297978B2

A method for learning scripts of Chinese character-based languages includes forming a list of user-recognized symbols in a Chinese character-based language, each of the symbols having an associated key with a respective bridge. A complex Chinese multi-character to be learned and added to the recognized list is identified. A set of the user-recognized symbols within the multi-character is recognized. A mnemonic in a language known to the user is formed for recalling the written form of the multi-character. The mnemonic is based upon the keys and bridges associated with the recognized set of symbols within the multi-character. The mnemonic is used to remember the multi-character and, thereby, add the multi-character to the recognized list. Chinese radicals can be sources associated with icons having a logical similarity thereto. The source has the bridge in upper case and three icons use two combinations of lower/upper case and two lower case letters.
US08297977B2

Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for automatic driver evaluation of a person's driving capabilities and render an outcome of pass, fail, or pass with restrictions without the need for a trained observer to evaluate driver's performance. In one embodiment, the automatic driver evaluation system facilitates the display of a predetermined driving route designed for a predetermined demography, observe simulated driving performance of a user on the predetermined driving route, record errors made by the user while performing the simulated drive, and compare the performance errors to at least one threshold value and generate a score based on the comparison.
US08297976B2

A dental adhesive composition comprising (i) at least one non-acidic polymerizable monomer having at least one ethylenically unsaturated group, (ii) optionally one or more acidic compounds, (iii) at least one photoinitiator, (iv) at least one solvent, and (v) about 0-40% by weight of one or more fillers; wherein the weight ratio of non-acidic polymerizable monomers/acidic compounds in the adhesive composition is more than about 4.5; the viscosity of the adhesive composition is less than about 350 centipoise (cP) at 25° C.; and the adhesive composition excluding solvent and filler has an acid number of less than about 0.75 mmol NaOH/g. The dental adhesive composition is used with a dental primer composition, which may be provided together in a kit.
US08297972B2

A combination retractor includes an operational unit, a neck region and a handle region. The operational unit further includes a tongue retractor and a flap retractor. The tongue retractor may be concave to provide for a natural area to encapsulate the tongue. The tongue and flap retractors may also be provided as part of a continuous planar extension of the operational unit or may be disposed on different planes. The flap retractor may be formed of a tapered extended edge or tab, which can be made in various lengths and include a beveled edge. A suction mechanism may be added for eliminating fluids. The neck region may contain an S-shaped bend or lateral bends for better operative functionality and ergonomics. The proximal end of the handle region, opposite the operational unit, may further include any useful apparatus, such as a periosteal elevator or periosteal retractor.
US08297970B2

The orthodontic bracket according to the present invention is provided with ligating means having a simple configuration, has additional functions for improving therapeutic effect and improving aesthetic appearance and enables maintenance to be carried out easily. A movable slider portion 2 for pinching an upper portion and a lower portion of an archwire to hold the archwire is provided in order to hold the archwire with respect to a bracket body 1 that has a slot 5 for holding the archwire. This slider portion 2 is inserted into the bracket body 1 to thereby hold the archwire 6. An orthodontic bracket composed of the bracket body 1 and the slider portion 2 has aesthetic properties by having a rounded shape with few surface irregularities. The slider portion 2 can be readily moved with an operating tool 14 and can be easily attached and detached.
US08297965B2

Disclosed is a touch roll (211) including: a center rotary shaft (20); fixed end plates (28, 29) concentrically disposed in two places which are away from each other in an axial direction of the center rotary shaft; an external cylinder (40) made of a metal-made thin film and rotatably supported, at two ends thereof, by the respective fixed end plates, the external cylinder being concentric with the center rotary shaft; and multiple rolling rubber rolls (70) each rotatably supported, at two ends thereof, by the respective fixed end plates, the plurality of rolling rubber rolls being in sliding contact with an outer peripheral surface of the center rotary shaft, and being in sliding contact with an inner peripheral surface of the external cylinder. In the touch roll, the rolling rubber rolls divide an annular space between the external cylinder and the center rotary shaft into multiple heating medium chambers arranged in a circumferential direction of the touch roll; and the rolling rubber rolls are configured in a way that each of the multiple heating medium chambers is filled with a heating medium.
US08297960B2

To provide a reliable solid-liquid separating method and apparatus for a slurry, even though the solid component of the slurry is finely divided particles and/or of a shape difficult to entangle, without exudation through gaps in processed portions and, also, with no need to exercise a maintenance work such as replacement of filters, a solid-liquid separating apparatus includes a mold having a cylindrical inner peripheral surface, a gate for opening and closing a second open end of the mold, and a pressing rod slidable into the mold to compress the slurry. Sheet-like fibrous filters are placed on a leading end face of the pressing rod and an inner surface of the gate to seal gaps between the mold and the pressing rod and between the gate and mold. With the filters so placed, the slurry within the mold unit is compressed to provide a solidified product, thereby accomplishing solid-liquid separation.
US08297957B2

A compressor having a casing to which a gas suction pipe is connected; a driving motor provided in the casing; a cylinder; a valve supporting plate (210) covering the cylinder (300), the valve supporting plate (210) having a suction hole (212) for sucking gas into the cylinder (300) and two discharge holes (211) for discharging gas compressed in the cylinder (300); a piston (100) having two protrusions (101) at a pressure surface in correspondence to the two discharge holes (211) of the valve supporting plate (210), the protrusions (101) having different sized cross-sections, the piston being linearly reciprocal in the cylinder (300) by receiving a driving force of the driving motor; a suction valve coupled to the valve supporting plate (210) to open and close the suction hole (212); a discharge valve coupled to the valve supporting plate to open and close the two discharge holes (211).
US08297948B2

An arrangement for dissipating heat from components producing high heat flux densities, such as computers, features a combination fan and fluid pump with a magnetic coupling (93) which acts across a fluid-tight partitioning can (52). The pump has a pump wheel (90) connected to a first permanent magnet (92), and an electronically commutated internal-rotor motor (ECM 70) to drive it. The motor has a stator (68) inside which is rotatably arranged a rotor (60) equipped with a second permanent magnet (64). Interaction between the first and second permanent magnets creates the magnetic coupling (93). The stator (68) of the internal-rotor motor (70) is arranged radially outside the magnetic coupling (93). A first shaft (54), arranged on the outer side of the can (52), serves for rotatable journaling of the rotor (60) of the internal-rotor motor (70) and a second shaft (50) inside the can serves for journaling the pump rotor.
US08297944B2

An air compressing device includes a piston slidably engaged in a cylinder housing and driven by a motor to generate a pressurized air, the cylinder housing includes an outlet tube, and an outlet port extended from the outlet tube, and an anchor plate extended from the outlet port, and a facility includes a coupler for engaging with the outlet port and the anchor plate and for quickly and detachably securing the coupler and the facility to the outlet port of the outlet tube and for allowing the pressurized air to be supplied to the facility. The facility is selected from a hose, a relief valve, a pressure gauge, or a cover, and the coupler includes a C-shaped structure.
US08297939B2

A method of pumping an agglomerative liquid includes providing a diaphragm pump defined herein and pumping the agglomerative liquid using the diaphragm pump, the diaphragm has an annular thickened portion in the peripheral portion thereof as defined herein, the pump head has at least one channel communicating the inner peripheral edge of the clamping surface and the pump chamber, the diaphragm is reciprocally movable in opposite directions perpendicular to the diaphragm plane to increase and decrease the volume of the pump chamber so as to pump the liquid, the thickened portion of the diaphragm, the holding member, and the pump head are configured to satisfy the relation A
US08297934B2

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.
US08297932B2

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.
US08297930B2

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.
US08297924B2

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.
US08297922B2

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.
US08297920B2

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.
US08297914B2

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.
US08297910B2

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.
US08297898B2

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.
US08297893B2

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.
US08297890B2

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).
US08297877B2

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.
US08297876B2

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.
US08297869B2

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.
US08297867B2

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.
US08297866B2

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.
US08297862B2

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.
US08297859B2

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.
US08297856B2

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.
US08297853B2

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.
US08297849B2

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.
US08297848B2

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).
US08297841B2

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.
US08297833B2

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.
US08297832B2

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.
US08297831B2

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).
US08297827B2

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.
US08297814B2

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.
US08297808B2

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.
US08297801B2

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).
US08297798B1

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.
US08297797B2

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.
US08297792B1

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.
US08297790B2

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.
US08297788B2

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.
US08297772B2

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.
US08297766B2

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.
US08297756B2

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.
US08297745B2

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.
US08297744B2

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.
US08297741B2

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.
US08297735B2

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.
US08297733B2

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.
US08297730B2

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.
US08297729B2

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.
US08297718B2

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.
US08297717B2

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.
US08297716B2

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.
US08297707B2

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.
US08297697B2

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.
US08297667B2

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.
US08297665B2

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.
US08297663B2

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.
US08297656B2

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).
US08297646B2

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.
US08297639B2

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.
US08297637B2

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.
US08297631B2

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.
US08297625B2

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.
US08297623B2

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.
US08297619B2

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.
US08297615B2

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.
US08297614B2

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.
US08297600B2

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.
US08297596B2

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.
US08297593B2

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.
US08297591B2

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.
US08297581B2

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.
US08297575B2

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.
US08297572B2

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.
US08297569B2

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.
US08297567B1

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.
US08297562B1

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.
US08297560B2

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.
US08297557B1

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.
US08297556B2

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.
US08297551B2

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.
US08297539B2

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.
US08297538B2

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.
US08297533B2

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.
US08297530B2

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.
US08297529B2

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.
US08297528B2

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.
US08297527B2

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.
US08297523B2

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.
US08297519B2

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.
US08297518B2

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.
US08297516B2

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.
US08297515B2

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.
US08297513B2

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.
US08297504B2

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.
US08297501B1

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.
US08297499B2

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.
US08297484B2

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.
US08297480B2

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.
US08297470B2

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.
US08297465B2

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.
US08297449B2

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.
US08297447B2

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.
US08297445B2

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.
US08297442B1

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.
US08297436B2

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.
US08297434B2

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).
US08297430B2

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.
US08297429B2

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.
US08297411B2

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.
US08297409B2

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).
US08297405B2

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.
US08297393B2

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).
US08297389B2

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.
US08297380B2

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.
US08297377B2

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.
US08297370B2

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.
US08297364B2

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.
US08297362B1

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.
US08297356B2

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.
US08297355B2

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.
US08297353B2

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.
US08297347B2

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.
US08297346B2

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.
US08297342B2

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.
US08297338B2

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.
US08297337B2

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.
US08297334B2

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.
US08297332B2

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.
US08297320B2

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.
US08297312B2

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.
US08297306B2

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.
US08297305B2

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.
US08297304B2

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.
US08297297B2

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.
US08297296B2

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.
US08297288B2

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.
US08297278B2

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.
US08297272B2

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.
US08297271B2

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.
US08297270B2

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.
US08297267B2

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.
US08297255B2

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.
US08297247B2

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.
US08297241B2

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.
US08297237B2

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.
US08297234B2

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.
US08297233B2

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.
US08297232B2

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.
US08297231B2

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.
US08297223B2

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.
US08297216B1

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.
US08297209B2

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.
US08297204B1

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.
US08297202B2

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.
US08297191B2

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.
US08297189B2

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).
US08297183B2

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.
US08297180B2

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.
US08297175B1

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.
US08297173B1

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.
US08297170B2

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).
US08297167B2

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.
US08297164B1

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.
US08297162B2

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.
US08297154B2

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.
US08297153B2

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.
US08297148B1

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.
US08297146B2

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.
US08297142B2

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.
US08297138B2

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.
US08297135B2

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.
US08297131B2

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.
US08297126B2

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.
US08297121B2

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.
US08297120B2

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.
US08297118B2

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.
US08297113B2

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.
US08297108B2

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.
US08297106B2

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.
US08297104B2

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.
US08297095B2

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.
US08297093B2

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.
US08297086B2

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.
US08297082B2

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.
US08297079B2

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.
US08297078B2

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.
US08297070B2

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.
US08297057B2

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.
US08297052B2

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.
US08297049B2

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.
US08297048B2

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.
US08297044B2

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.
US08297043B2

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.
US08297032B2

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.
US08297031B2

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.
US08297030B2

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.
US08297029B2

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.
US08297021B2

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.
US08296998B2

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.
US08296995B1

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.
US08296965B2

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.
US08296952B2

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.
US08296941B2

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.
US08296938B2

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.
US08296927B2

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.
US08296923B2

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.
US08296915B1

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.
US08296913B2

A ferromagnetic latching support system for positioning a surface is disclosed. The latching support system includes a mechanical support and a ferromagnetic device.
US08296908B2

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.
US08296900B2

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.
US08296897B2

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.
US08296896B2

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.
US08296892B2

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.
US08296888B2

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.
US08296883B2

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.
US08296878B2

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.
US08296871B2

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.
US08302208B1

A method, system, and computer program product for detecting and enforcing compliance with access requirements for a computer system in a restricted computer network. A compliance validation configuration file is created for the computer system. A maintenance service utility is configured to launch a compliance validation executable file at a specified time during operation of the computer system. A digital hash is generated for the compliance validation executable file and for the compliance validation configuration file. A determination is made if the computer system or a computer system user is a member of a configured restricted group. If the computer system or the computer system user is a member of a configured restricted group, a determination is made if a directory site code for a subnet of the restricted computer network to which the computer system is connected corresponds to a configured and allowed site. If the directory site code does not correspond to a configured and allowed site, compliance with access requirements are enforced. Enforcement actions can include a forced logoff of the computer system user, and/or a forced shutdown of the computer system.
US08302206B2

An access right management system is provided, which appropriately controls an access right, to access a document, when the number of executable times is set for each kind of processing on the document managed by a policy server. The management system includes the policy server which saves the access right showing permission or inhibition of access to the document in a first file and a document management server which saves the number of accessible times in a second file. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, the document management server instructs the policy server to update the access right, and the policy server which receives the instructions executes an update of the access right such as changing a permission of access to an inhibition of access.
US08302200B2

Embodiments including protected paths for digital rights management of digital objects are disclosed. Some embodiments disclosed herein may comprise processes or apparatus for transferring data from one or more peripherals to one or more computers or digital data processing systems for the latter to process, store, and/or further transfer and/or for transferring data from the computers or digital data processing systems to the peripherals. Some embodiments disclosed herein may comprise processes or apparatus for interconnecting or communicating between two or more components connected to an interconnection medium a within a single computer or digital data processing system.
US08302197B2

A method for identifying data related to a software security issue is provided. The method includes accessing a software security issue and determining one or more attributes associated with the software security issue. The method also includes accessing aggregated software security data retrieved from a plurality of on-line sources and searching the aggregated software security data for the attributes associated with the security issue. The method further includes associating a portion of the aggregated data with the security issue based on matching the attributes associated with the security issue with contents of the portion of the aggregated data.
US08302194B2

The prevalence rate of a file to be subject to behavior based heuristics analysis is determined, and the aggressiveness level to use in the analysis is adjusted, responsive to the prevalence rate. The aggressiveness is set to higher levels for lower prevalence files and to lower levels for higher prevalence files. Behavior based heuristics analysis is applied to the file, using the set aggressiveness level. In addition to setting the aggressiveness level, the heuristic analysis can also comprise dynamically weighing lower prevalence files as being more likely to be malicious and higher prevalence files as being less likely. Based on the applied behavior based heuristics analysis, it is determined whether or not the file comprises malware. If it is determined that the file comprises malware, appropriate steps can be taken, such as blocking, deleting, quarantining and/or disinfecting the file.
US08302192B1

A method and system for integrating anti-virus in a clustered storage system. A clustered storage system provides anti-virus scanning with third-party software components. Specifically, the clustered storage system receives a request to access data from a client, retrieves the data from storage, and scans the data for viruses with third party software components that have been previously provided any one of a number of third party software vendors. If the data is free of viruses, the clustered storage system communicates the data to the client. Otherwise, the clustered storage system attempts to apply remedial actions to the infected file. For example, the clustered storage system may attempt to repair the file by removing the virus. If remedial action successfully removes the virus, the clustered storage system communicates the requested data to the client. Otherwise, the clustered storage system communicates an access denied message to the client.
US08302190B2

A method and an apparatus for defending against Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) spoofing attacks are disclosed. When a network device receives an ARP message, the network judges whether the MAC address of the received ARP message is the same as the MAC address in an ARP entry, if the MAC addresses are different, the network device determines the received ARP message as an ambiguous ARP message and starts an ARP verification process, and makes further process according to the result of the ARP verification process. In this way, when no address spoofing attacks occur, no verification messages are generated, and thus reducing signaling interactions and saving network resources; besides, spoofing attacks possibly happening at any time are avoided, which effectively prevents address spoofing attacks via random scanning and protects the normal application of the real host.
US08302187B1

Various embodiments of a system and method for preventing large-scale account lockout are described. The system and method for preventing large-scale account lockout may include an account access control component configured to prevent fraudulent individuals from locking access to user accounts. The account access control component may lock access to an account after a lockout threshold is tripped. To prevent an account from being locked by fraudulent individuals, the account access control component may utilize a warning threshold. When the account access control component detects a number of incorrect authorization attempts equal to the warning threshold, the control component may perform various actions to prevent a fraudulent individual from locking an account holder's account, including, but not limited to, contacting the account holder through a registered communication channel to inform the user that the warning threshold has been reached or placing the account holder's account in a particular hold state.
US08302186B2

A device may measure a first performance, associated with legitimate traffic without attack traffic, of a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-based protection device implementing authentication; measure a second performance, associated with legitimate traffic and attack traffic, of the SIP-based protection device implementing authentication; and measure a third performance, associated with legitimate traffic and attack traffic, of the SIP-based protection device implementing authentication and return routability filtering. The device may also measure a first performance associated with legitimate traffic of a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-based protection device implementing rate-limiting filtering; measure a second performance associated with legitimate traffic and attack traffic of the SIP-based protection device implementing scheme filtering; and measure a third performance associated with legitimate traffic of the SIP-based protection device not implementing rate-limiting filtering without attack traffic.
US08302185B2

A system and method of owner control of an electronic device are provided. Owner identification information, such as data integrity and source authentication information, is stored on the electronic device. Received owner control information is stored on the electronic device where the integrity of the received owner control information is verified and/or the source is authenticated using the owner identification information. In one embodiment, owner identification information comprises an owner signature private key.
US08302174B2

A system for secure provision of key credential information is provided. The system comprises secure logic circuitry for being disposed in a host computer. The secure logic circuitry detects a message received from a remote computer connected to the host computer and indicative of a request for provision of the key credential information; generates a message for prompting a user for provision of the key credential information; receives the key credential information; and provides the key credential information to the remote computer absent processing using circuitry of the host computer. The system further comprises a secure user interface connected to the secure logic circuitry for receiving the key credential information from the user and providing the same to the secure logic circuitry.
US08302173B2

A method for providing a user device with a set of access codes comprises, in the user device, storing an encryption key a an identification code, and sending a message containing the identification code to a server via a communications network. In the server, an encryption key is stored corresponding to the key stored in the user device, allocating the set of access codes on receipt of the identification code from the user device. A look up function is performed based on the identification code received in the message to retrieve the key from storage. The set of access codes is encrypted using the retrieved key to produce an encrypted set. A message containing the encrypted set is sent to the user device via the network. In the user device, the encrypted set received from the server is decrypted using the key in storage, and storing the decrypted set of access codes for use by a user of the user device.
US08302163B2

A secure communication module is provided for securing communication between a client application and a network service. The secure communication module comprises an authentication identifier provider for providing the client application a pool of authentication identifiers for use in subsequent communication with the network service, and an authentication identifier validator for checking the validity of an authentication identifiers from the pool of authentication identifiers sent with the subsequent communication.
US08302160B2

A system may include a sender computing system, an intermediary service component, and a receiver computing system. The sender computing system may transmit a message and authentication data, and the intermediary service component may receive the message and the authentication data from the sender computing system, process the message, and transmit the authentication data and the processed message. The receiver computing system may receive the authentication data and the processed message.
US08302156B2

The present invention relates to a computer information security system and method, the system includes a connection device and a sensor. When the connection device plug in to the predetermined computer, the sensor and the connection device are conjoint, a first identification code can be stored to the computer through the connection device, and generated an initialization setting of the second identification code to the sensor through the connection device. Therefore, when the sensor is out of the predetermined range of the connection device, the connection device will control the computer for encoding to prevent unauthorized user to use the computer; when the sensor is located within the range of the predetermined range of the connection device, the connection device will automatically input the first identification code to the computer to enable the user to directly use the computer without inputting the first identification code to avoid the complicated procedure of inputting the first identification code when the user return to work on the computer, thus to reinforce the security to the information in the computer and to make the operation more convenient.
US08302154B2

A system and method for database security provides multiple choices of security mechanisms for enabling access to a database through a database driver. A security mechanism that is compatible with a database is selected and the security mechanisms between an application and a database server are automatically determined using the selected security mechanism.
US08302153B1

The systems and methods described herein relate to secure extranets which utilize certificate authentication to mediate access, transactions, and user tracking. Such extranets may be employed to provide an interface accessible over a network, such as the Internet, capable of authenticating and recording transactions for business, medical, or other purposes.
US08302140B2

In certain embodiments, a method carried out in a digital television receiver device incapable of full two way communications, of receiving switched digital television programs involves storing a virtual channel table in the digital television receiver device, the virtual channel table having entries for each available channel and having a channel type indicator that identifies switched digital channels; receiving a command indicative of selection of a switched digital channel having the switched digital channel type indicator in the stored virtual channel table; sending a request from the television receiver device for the switched digital channel; responsive to the request, receiving a response that either grants the request or denies the request; and if the response grants the request, receiving an updated virtual channel table having updated table entries. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US08302139B2

A method and apparatus for aggregating the data for a plurality of individualized programs into a single channel, and allocating the channel bandwidth as-needed for provision of short video programs on an “on demand” basis, so that the total bandwidth required to provide the individualized channels and associated video clips is substantially reduced. Also provided is a real-time, single-user-targeted individualized advertising associated with the viewer selection that personalizes the user's iTV experience. The advertisements are targeted in real-time based on an immediate interest revealed by the user in a search request for content. Short duration videos are provided so as not to over-tax the individualized “on demand” channel's limited bandwidth.
US08302134B2

A system and method for controlling a television antenna includes an amplifier circuit mounted with the television antenna. The amplifier circuit is connected to the television antenna and a control line. The control line is used for controlling the gain of the amplifier circuit.
US08302131B2

A method of receiving and processing a Non-Real Time (NRT) service and a broadcast receiver are disclosed herein. A method of processing a Non-Real Time (NRT) service in a broadcast receiver includes receiving a first signaling information table including signaling information of the NRT service and a second signaling information table including announcement information of the NRT service, detecting a duplicate of the signaling information included in the first signaling information table and a duplicate of the announcement information included in the second signaling information table, acquiring the signaling information after processing the first signaling information table if the signaling information included in the first signaling information table is not a duplicate and acquiring the announcement information after processing the second signaling information table if the announcement information included in the second signaling information table is not a duplicate, and receiving and processing NRT service data based on the acquired signaling information and announcement information.
US08302124B2

High-speed programs review is described. In embodiment(s), a television client device can initiate a high-speed review of a group of programs that have been recorded together. A content distributor may record a group of television programs that have been previously broadcast for a particular television channel, and then maintain the programs for on-demand viewing when selected by a viewer. The client device can receive program information from the content distributor, and the program information can identify each of the progress when reviewing the group of programs at high-speed. The program information that corresponds to a program can then be rendered for display when the program becomes selectable for on-demand viewing while reviewing the programs at high-speed.
US08302116B2

An optical disc drive including a chassis, a circuit board and a traverse is provided. The traverse includes a carrier, a pick-up head module, a spindle motor module and a flexible flat cable. The carrier has an opening. The pick-up head module is movably disposed in the opening. The spindle motor module disposed on the carrier is located at one side of the pick-up head module. The flexible flat cable disposed in the opening has two connection ends respectively connected to the pick-up head module and the circuit board. The pick-up head module located at a first position enables the flexible flat cable to have a bending portion protruding towards a direction opposite to the position of the spindle motor module. The pick-up head module located at a second position extends the bending portion. The first position is closer to the spindle motor module than the second position is.
US08302113B2

A disk drive mechanism includes a bracket and a tray slidably received in the bracket. The bracket includes a bottom wall, two sidewalls protruding from the bottom wall, two guiding rails fixed to the sidewalls respectively, and two sliding rails slidably coupled to the guiding rails respectively. The bottom wall and the sidewalls cooperatively define an entrance. Each guiding rail includes an end maintaining a distance from the entrance. The tray is slidably coupled to the sliding rails and is capable of being inserted into and ejected out of the bracket from the entrance via the sliding rails. A supporting member is arranged between the end of each guiding rail and the entrance. The supporting member is used to support the sliding rails in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the tray inserted into the bracket. An electronic device using the disk drive mechanism is also provided.
US08302112B2

An optical disc player includes a case, a tray received in the case, and a decelerating member. The tray is adapted to hold an optical disc. The decelerating member integrates with the case, and is capable of stopping the rotating optical disc by friction generated between the decelerating member and edge of the rotating optical disc.
US08302107B2

Provided is a method, system, and program for providing an object discovery agent (ODA) client. There is one object discovery agent (ODA) client and at least one ODA, wherein each ODA is associated with one application and includes: (i) application programming interfaces (APIs) to communicate with the associated application to discover definition information on objects maintained by the application and (ii) code to communicate with the ODA client. The ODA client communicates with one of the at least one ODA to cause the ODA to gather definition information on at least one object used by one application. The gathered object definition information is provided to an integration server to integrate the object in an environment including heterogeneous objects from different applications.
US08302102B2

Improving system resource utilization in a data processing system is provided. A determination is made as to whether there is at least one ceded virtual processor in a plurality of virtual processors in a shared resource pool. Responsive to existence of the at least one ceded virtual processor, a determination is made as to whether there is at least one dedicated logical partition configured for a hybrid mode. Responsive to identifying at least one hybrid configured dedicated logical partition, a determination is made as to whether the at least one hybrid configured dedicated logical partition requires additional virtual processor cycles. If the at least one hybrid configured dedicated logical partition requiring additional virtual processor cycles, the at least one ceded virtual processor is deallocated from the plurality of virtual processors and allocated to a surrogate resource pool for use by the at least one hybrid configured dedicated logical partition.
US08302091B2

Systems and methods for remotely installing software on a computing system while the computing system is running on a first bootable image, so that the computing system is not removed from operation during the installation of a second bootable image. The method comprises constructing the second bootable image on a storage medium accessible to the computing system while the computing system is operating in a first operating environment in association with the first bootable image, customizing the second bootable image so that the computing system can operate in a second operating environment in association with the second bootable image, disassociating the computing system from the first bootable image, and associating the computing system with the second bootable image.
US08302088B2

Embodiments of the invention provide a method, a system and a computer program product for analyzing the effect of a software maintenance patch on configuration items of a CMDB. One embodiment, directed to a method, is associated with a CMDB containing information that relates to configuration items (CIs) included in one or more managed configurable systems. The method includes the step of generating a manifest that defines a target system, and contains a description of a maintenance patch disposed to update one or more specified software components. The method further includes using information contained in the manifest to search the CMDB, in order to detect each configurable system in the CMDB that corresponds to the definition of the target system, and contains at least one CI that includes at least one of the specified software components. For a given CI that includes at least one of the specified software components, an identification is made of every other CI in the CMDB that would be affected, if the maintenance patch was used to update each specified software component of the given CI.
US08302087B2

A system and method for automatic code generation includes parsing source code in a source program to automatically generate reliability, accessibility and serviceability (RAS) code in response to the source code. The automatically generated code is executed in a check in stage. All, a portion or none of the automatically generated code is selectively removed during a check out stage to keep the source program clean and focused.
US08302084B2

A technique is disclosed for correcting inconsistent language model parameters associated with a compiled computer readable project. One or more compiled units are analyzed to identify compiler commentary therein. Based on the debugging information, it is determined whether inconsistent language model parameters exist. If so, a user is allowed to apply a correction strategy to correct the one or more inconsistent parameters.
US08302083B2

An architecture includes a controller. The controller is configured to receive a microprogram. The microprogram is configured for performing at least one of hierarchical or a sequence of polynomial computations. The architecture also includes an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) communicably coupled to the controller. The ALU is controlled by the controller. Additionally, the microprogram is compiled prior to execution by the controller, the microprogram is compiled into a plurality of binary tables, and the microprogram is programmed in a command language in which each command includes a first portion for indicating at least one of a command or data transferred to the ALU, and a second portion for including a control command to the controller. The architecture and implementation of the programmable controller may be for cryptographic applications, including those related to public key cryptography.
US08302074B1

Systems and methods for graphical user interfaces and for presenting content to a user of a graphical user interface are provided. In one implementation, a method for providing a graphical user interface component for a web page is disclosed. The method includes positioning a graphical user interface component on a web page layout, defining one or more conditions associated with the graphical user interface component, and determining content to be displayed at run time if the conditions are satisfied.
US08302072B2

A user may utilize a prototyping environment to create a sequence of motion control, machine vision, and/or data acquisition (DAQ) operations, e.g., without needing to write or construct code in any programming language. For example, the environment may provide a graphical user interface (GUI) enabling the user to develop/prototype the sequence at a high level, by selecting from and configuring a sequence of operations using the GUI. The prototyping environment application may then be operable to automatically, i.e., programmatically, generate graphical program code implementing the sequence. For example, the environment may generate a standalone graphical program operable to perform the sequence of operations.
US08302071B2

A method of automatic pattern based editing of business models on a canvas of business model editing application includes receiving a request to automatically edit a business model, constructing an initial current set C of elements from the business model, constructing an initial next set N of elements from the business model, and connecting elements between the initial current set C and the initial next set N until all elements in both the initial current set C and the initial next set N have been connected. The connecting is based on at least connecting elements sequentially if the elements exist from left to right on the canvas, and connecting elements in parallel or using a decision and merge combination if the elements exist from top to bottom on the canvas.
US08302070B2

A method of formatting source code in an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) environment includes the steps of: selecting a source statement in an IDE; associating a style sheet definition with a selected source statement; applying the style sheet definition to the selected source statement to format a display of the selected source statement; and in response to the style sheet definition being applied to the selected source statement, displaying content from the selected source statement in a visual style that is defined by the style sheet definition.
US08302061B2

Some embodiments of the invention provide a process for designing and manufacturing an integrated circuit (“IC”). The process selects a wiring configuration and an illumination configuration. The process uses the selected wiring configuration to design an IC layout. The process then uses the selected illumination configuration to manufacture the IC based on the designed IC layout. Some embodiments concurrently select an optimal pair of wiring and illumination configurations. Other embodiments select an illumination configuration based on the selected wiring configuration. Yet other embodiments select a wiring configuration based on the selected illumination configuration. In some embodiments, selecting the illumination configuration entails selecting at least one stepper lens for the IC layout, where the stepper lens illuminates at least one mask for at least one particular layer of the IC layout. In some embodiments, this selection entails selecting a stepper lens for each particular layer of the IC layout. Also, in some embodiments, selecting the wiring configuration entails defining the width and/or spacing of the routes along different directions on at least one particular wiring layer of the IC layout. In some embodiments, this selection entails selecting width and/or spacing of routes along different directions on each particular layer of the IC layout.
US08302059B2

A method of designing a power switch block (200) for an integrated circuit layout in a predefined integrated circuit technology is disclosed. The power switch block (200) includes a segment (710) comprising a plurality of spaced parallel conductors (110, 120, 130, 140) each having a predefined height in said technology, a stack of a first power switch (115) of a first conductivity type and a pair of drivers (152; 154) for respectively driving the first power switch (115) and a second power switch (135), said drivers having predefined dimensions in said technology, and the second switch (135) of a second conductivity type. The method comprises providing respective predefined width/length ratios for said power switches (115; 135); determining a total height of the segment (710) from the sum of the predefined heights of the individual conductors (110; 120; 130; 140) and respective spacings (310; 320) between said individual conductors, determining the height of the first transistor (115) from the difference between the total height and the predefined driver height; determining the width of the first transistor (115) from the combined predefined widths of the pair of drivers (152; 154); optimizing the first power switch layout within its determined height and width based on its predefined width/length ratio; and optimizing the second power switch layout based on its predefined width/height ratio.
US08302045B2

An electronic device and method for inspecting electrical rules of circuit boards includes selecting at least two design files that record electrical rules of the circuit boards and searching the electrical rules in the selected design files using preset parameter keywords. Same electrical rules of the selected design files are acquired by comparing the electrical rules in the selected design files. The same electrical rules and corresponding parameter values are input to a comparison table, and the comparison table is output.
US08302029B2

A method for presenting at least a part of an object is shown, including at least partially dividing at least one object into a plurality of sub-objects, presenting the plurality of sub-objects in a first representation, making at least one sub-object of the plurality of sub-objects an active sub-object, and in response to a user operation on the at least one active sub-object, presenting at least one of the at least one active sub-objects in a second representation. The at least one object may be a 2D object, e.g. a Hypertext Markup Language HTML page or a page of a text document, or a 3D object, e.g. a Virtual Reality Markup Language VRML object, and the display may be integrated in a portable electronic device. A device, a system, a computer program and a computer program product for performing such methods are also provided.
US08302028B2

A system, method and computer-readable medium are disclosed for providing improved display of a host terminal application interface. A host application translator reads characters stored in a character buffer of a computer host terminal application that is displayed to a user as a table of horizontal rows and vertical columns of characters. The host application translator receives a preference that determines which vertical columns are to be displayed and a second preference that determines the order in which the vertical columns are to be displayed. The host application translator reconfigures the display of the characters by displaying the vertical columns indicated by the first preference in the order indicated by the second preference and displaying information corresponding to the vertical columns that are not indicated by the first preference, thus providing user-selectable controls to expand or collapse this information.
US08302027B2

A graphic user interface management system displays all shortcuts on surfaces of a first three-dimensional (3D) graph displayed on a desktop background. The first 3D graph streams objects during rotating. On projection paths of the objects, a first preset number of objects forms system time to be displayed on the desktop background, a second preset number of objects forms a process wall, which displays running processes of shortcuts invoked by a user from the first 3D graph. The shortcuts dragged from the first 3D graph to other positions of the desktop background are represented by second 3D graphs. A rotation speed and direction of the first 3D graph change according to an operation speed and direction on the first 3D. The system further performs corresponding desktop display actions according to manipulated operations on the first 3D graph, the process wall, or the second 3D graphs.
US08302018B2

A method and apparatus assigns a quantative variable to each object (or set of objects) in a collection available to a user. The quantative variable is referred to as the Interest Priority Value (IPV). The IPV defines a range of states of the object, between ‘accessed’ and ‘unaccessed’, and is calculated based on one or more attributes of the object. A object with the highest IPV is the most ‘unaccessed,’ and the object with the lowest IPV is the least ‘unaccessed.’ The IPV may be used in a visual representation of the collection of objects, thereby permitting a user to readily identify and obtain those objects of greatest interest to the particular user.
US08302016B2

A portable terminal includes a page storage section, in which a Web page is temporarily stored while the Web page is being browsed. Thus, when the same Web page is browsed the next time, a control section compares the Web page with the previously stored page contents and moves the display range of the page, so that the updated portion is displayed at a predetermined position on a display section.
US08302013B2

A system, a method, and a user interface for providing content by using several modules for displaying the content within a single page. A first module within the page is for presenting content from a first source and a second module is for presenting content from a second source. The first module is stacked on top of the second module within a window for presenting the page. The content presented by the first module is independent of the content presented by the second module such that a user interacts with the content of each module independently and without the need for navigation to a location external to the single page.
US08302011B2

A technique is described for facilitating a display of markup document content retrieved from a host server on a computer network including a client system and a server system. A first portion of content relating to a first markup document may be displayed to a user of the client system, wherein the first markup document has a URL associated therewith. Information relating to the first portion of content is stored at the server system. An action to display a current version of the first markup document on the client system is received. A current version of content for the first markup document is retrieved from the host server. The stored information relating to the first portion of content may be used to identify a third portion of content associated with the first markup document which has not previously been displayed to the user. The display of markup document content associated with the first markup document may then be modified in a manner which facilitates the user in identifying the third portion of content.
US08301996B2

A method described herein includes the acts of receiving an image captured by a mobile computing device and automatically annotating the image to create an annotated image, wherein annotations on the annotated image provide instructions to a user of the mobile computing device. The method further includes transmitting the annotated image to the mobile computing device.
US08301995B2

Annotations are associated with individual digital pictures that represent a characteristic of the pictures, such as their content, place of taking, etc. An annotation is directly entered into a digital camera and selected for association with pictures to be taken after that. The association of the selected annotation occurs automatically within the camera until another annotation is selected. An annotation is preferably entered into the camera by the voice of the user prior to taking pictures that are characterized by the annotation. The pictures may then be conveniently sorted by subject matter through use of the annotations. The same technique may be used to annotate audio segments.
US08301991B2

LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) coded modulation symbol decoding. Symbol decoding is supported by appropriately modifying an LDPC tripartite graph to eliminate the bit nodes thereby generating an LDPC bipartite graph (such that symbol nodes are appropriately mapped directly to check nodes thereby obviating the bit nodes). The edges that communicatively couple the symbol nodes to the check nodes are labeled appropriately to support symbol decoding of the LDPC coded modulation signal. The iterative decoding processing may involve updating the check nodes as well as estimating the symbol sequence and updating the symbol nodes. In some embodiments, an alternative hybrid decoding approach may be performed such that a combination of bit level and symbol level decoding is performed. This LDPC symbol decoding out-performs bit decoding only. In addition, it provides comparable or better performance of bit decoding involving iterative updating of the associated metrics.
US08301984B1

A QC-LDPC decoding system employing a trapping set look-up table is provided. The QC-LDPC decoding system includes an iterative decoder that utilizes a message-passing algorithm to decode a received codeword. If the iterative decoder fails to produce a valid codeword, additional processing is performed to decode the received codeword. The additional processing includes the steps of computing the syndrome pattern of the received codeword, searching the look-up table for a trapping set class that is responsible for the iterative decoder's failure, retrieving from the look-up table a syndrome pattern and an error pattern of a member of the responsible trapping set class, and calculating the error pattern of the received codeword based on its syndrome pattern and the information retrieved from the look-up table. The received codeword is then corrected based on its error pattern.
US08301981B2

A data access method for accessing data in a flash memory is provided, wherein the data has a plurality of sub-data. The data access method includes generating an error correction code (ECC) for the data and writing the data and the ECC into the flash memory. The data access method also includes generating a corresponding bit checking code for each of the sub-data and writing the bit checking codes into the flash memory. When the sub-data subsequently is read from the flash memory, whether the sub-data contains any error is determined only according to the bit checking code corresponding to the sub-data. Thereby, the data access efficiency is improved.
US08301976B1

A system including a data detection module, a reconstruction filter module, a first correlation module, and a second correlation module, The data detection module detects data bits from input signals. The reconstruction filter module generates reconstructed signals using the data bits. The first correlation module correlates the input signals and the reconstructed signals and generates first correlation values. The second correlation module self-correlates the reconstructed signals and generates second correlation values. In response to at least one of the input signals and the reconstructed signals including a B-bit floating number having a sign bit, at least one of the first correlation module and the second correlation module generates the first correlation values and the second correlation values based on the sign bit and K most significant bits (MSBs) of the B-bit floating number, where 0
US08301975B2

A method for constructing a low-density parity-check (LDPC) code using a structured base parity check matrix with permutation matrix, pseudo-permutation matrix, or zero matrix as constituent sub-matrices; and expanding the structured base parity check matrix into an expanded parity check matrix. A method for constructing a LDPC code using a structured base parity check matrix H=[Hd|Hp], Hd is the data portion, and Hp is the parity portion of the parity check matrix; the parity portion of the structured base parity check matrix is such so that when expanded, an inverse of the parity portion of the expanded parity check matrix is sparse; and expanding the structured base parity check matrix into an expanded parity check matrix. A method for encoding variable sized data by using the expanded LDPC code; and applying shortening, puncturing.
US08301974B2

A system and method for encoding symbols in a wireless communication is provided. The system and method includes a transmitter configured to encode data transmissions. The transmitter includes a raptor encoder configured to perform a coding operation. The raptor encoder generates intermediate symbols without using a half-code such that the intermediate symbols consist of precoded symbols and parity symbols. Thereafter, the intermediate symbols are encoded using a Luby Transform to produce and output encoded symbols. The transmitter further is configured to transmit one or more of the source symbols, parity symbols or encoded symbols.
US08301972B2

This application discloses a message format including a data payload of N bits and a corrector component encoding a checksum to correct the checksum of single bit slipping noise, where the checksum is the sum of each data payload bit by its position modulo N+1. The corrector component may encode a second checksum derived from the checksum that may also be included in the message and so on. Apparatus embodiments may include a transmitter generating a transmitted message of this format and/or a receiver using a received message that may be corrupted from the transmitted message through bit slipping in the form of bit insertion or bit deletion.
US08301963B2

An accumulative repeat encoder facilitates encoding data written to memory, such that parity data is generated in accordance with a low-density parity-check (LDPC) code. The original data and associated parity data is stored in memory. During a read operation, a decoder component utilizes the parity data based on the LDPC code to facilitate decoding the data being read from memory. The decoder component is iterative and provides one or more decoding results based on probabilities that symbols or bits comprising the data have correct values. The decoder component analyzes a decoding result and references a parity-check matrix structured in accordance with the LDPC code to determine the accuracy of the decoding result. If the decoding result attains a desired accuracy, the decoding result is determined to represent the original data and is provided as an output.
US08301962B2

An apparatus for generating a linear code according to the present invention includes a coding unit for coding input bits with a second coding scheme which is different from a first coding scheme for generating the linear code; and a rearrangement unit for generating the linear code by rearranging the bits coded with the second coding scheme. The present invention can provide a coding apparatus and method capable of reducing complexity by adaptively applying it to various coding scheme.
US08301960B2

An approach is provided for interleaving low density parity check (LDPC) encoded bits in 32APSK modulation systems. By assigning the bits determining modulation symbols based on different bit degrees, one can efficiently find the desirable tradeoff between error performance and error floor provided by the LDPC codes in use.
US08301952B2

A resource allocation method for a HARQ is disclosed. This resource allocation method includes, transmitting an MAP message having specific information indicating whether or not a differential allocation is supported, storing MAP information contained in the MAP message during a predetermined frame, and upon receiving an NACK message during the predetermined frame, transmitting sub-burst information having differential allocation information related to sub-bursts to be retransmitted. If there are a large amount of HARQ traffic, each embodiment of the present invention transmits only differential information on the basis of MAP information of the initial MAP message when HARQ sub-bursts is retransmitted.
US08301948B2

A method for adaptively applying an error-correcting code to a storage device is disclosed. A determination is made that a system is in an idle state of input/output requests. First data symbols are copied into a first location within a buffer. First data symbol errors corrected using a first error-correcting code. Second data symbols including corrected bits are written in a second location on the recording media with a second error-correcting code. An error number for the second data symbols in the second location is determined. If the error number is below a first threshold error number, the first data symbols are deleted. If the error number is above the first threshold error number, the second data symbols are deleted.
US08301947B1

A method and apparatus for dynamic scan chain grouping is disclosed. In one embodiment, an integrated circuit (IC) includes a number of scan partitions. Each scan partition includes a number of scan input ports and a number of corresponding scan output ports. Each scan input port and each scan output port includes a number of scan paths. Additionally, each scan partition includes a number of scan chains. Each scan partition is programmable to couple the scan paths of one of the scan input ports to each of the scan chains. Similarly, the corresponding output port may also be coupled to the scan chains. The scan paths of the remaining scan input ports may be selected to bypass the scan chains of the scan partition, having their respective scan input ports connected directly to their respective scan output ports. Each scan partition may be reconfigurable.
US08301946B2

The disclosure describes a novel method and apparatuses for allowing a controller to select and access different types of access ports in a device. The selecting and accessing of the access ports is achieved using only the dedicated TDI, TMS, TCK, and TDO signal terminals of the device. The selecting and accessing of device access ports can be achieved when a single device is connected to the controller, when multiple devices are placed in a daisy-chain arrangement and connected to the controller, or when multiple devices are placed in a addressable parallel arrangement and connected to the controller. Additional embodiments are also provided and described in the disclosure.
US08301941B2

An apparatus may include an interconnect; at least one processor coupled to the interconnect; and at least one memory controller coupled to the interconnect. The memory controller may be programmable by the processor into a loopback test mode of operation and, in the loopback test mode, the memory controller may be configured to receive a first write operation from the processor over the interconnect. The memory controller may be configured to route write data from the first write operation through a plurality of drivers and receivers connected to a plurality of data pins that are capable of connection to one or more memory modules. The memory controller may be further configured to return the write data as read data on the interconnect for a first read operation received from the processor on the interconnect.
US08301940B2

A method, system, and product for monitoring the availability of a data processing system are proposed. The system runs a management application involving the periodic transmission of blocks of data from multiple local computers to a central computer. Whenever a block of data must be transmitted by a generic local computer, an expected transmission delay of a next block of data (with respect to the current one) is estimated and attached to the block of data. The central computer receiving the updated block of data can calculate an expected receiving time of the next block of data accordingly. If the next block of data is not received in due time, the central computer determines a failure of the local computer. The central computer also scans a subset of ports of the local computer, to ascertain whether the problem is due to a temporary unavailability of the application.
US08301939B2

Disclosed are redundant data path(s) for transmission of graphical data between components in a graphical display system. The redundant data path(s) are used to transmit graphical data by at least two independent means, so that if a failure in one data path occurs, a data transmitted via a separate data path can be used for display. The system is particularly advantageous for multiple-serial-module configurations. The redundant data path(s) minimize disruption of data display and make repair and maintenance of the display system more efficient. The invention includes apparatus for graphical display systems, and also includes methods of data transmission for graphical display systems, and methods of maintenance of graphical display systems.
US08301938B2

Systems, methodologies, media, and other embodiments associated with managing memory health are described. One exemplary system embodiment includes logic for detecting and correcting single bit memory errors. The example system may also include logic for selectively making unavailable a memory location associated with single bit memory errors.
US08301934B1

A base table temporal row affected by a transaction is timestamped. The temporal row has a row ID. The temporal row in the base table is modified according to the transaction. The row ID for the modified temporal row is associated with an identifier for the transaction in a temporal work table. Upon committing the transaction: the temporal work table is searched to determine the row ID of the temporal row modified by the transaction, and a commit-time is saved into the temporal row identified by the row ID.
US08301925B2

A system and method for establishing and dynamically controlling energy consumption in large-scale datacenters or IT infrastructures. The system including a primary configuration server, a router coupled to the primary configuration server, and a plurality of power-managed domains/clusters coupled to the router. The primary configuration server distributes an energy target to each of the power-managed domains/clusters over a predetermined interval to enable each of the power-managed domains/clusters to manage the power consumption for each of the power-managed domains/clusters to meet the energy target.
US08301922B2

A system and method for policing bad powered devices in power over Ethernet. Degradation of components within powered devices can lead to noise and ripple that exceed specified thresholds. This noise and ripple can adversely impact the operation of the power sourcing equipment. A noise detector implemented in the power sourcing equipment can detect the presence of such noise and ripple and modify the application of power to the particular port.
US08301919B2

A system and method for implementing fairness in the powering of computing devices in a power over Ethernet (PoE) application. Power supplies in a power sourcing equipment are often oversubscribed. This oversubscription can lead to starvation of certain computing devices that have power requests that are not granted relative to competing requests. A fairness consideration can be implemented to ensure that starvation conditions are avoided.
US08301917B2

A processing system may include a first processing unit for a legacy partition and a second processing unit for a sequestered partition. In one embodiment, a first interrupt handler in the legacy partition may support power management for the first processing unit. A second interrupt handler in the sequestered partition may cause the sequestered partition to take control of power management hardware in the processing system when the legacy partition enters reduced power mode. For example, the second interrupt handler may program the power management hardware to route interrupts to the second processing unit. The sequestered partition may relinquish control of power management hardware to the legacy partition when the legacy partition exits reduced power mode. A power policy manager in the sequestered partition may support features such as wake for incoming communications, wake to record, etc. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08301911B2

The present invention relates to a method and a system for allowing multiple applications to manage their respective data in a device (100, 200) having a secure environment (104, 204, 211) to which access is strictly controlled. The idea of the invention is that a storage area is allocated (301) within the secure environment (104, 204, 211) of a device (100, 200). The storage area is associated (302) with an identity of an application, the associated identity is stored (303) in the secure environment (104, 204, 211) and access to the storage area is controlled (304) by verifying correspondence between the associated identity and the identity of an accessing application. This is advantageous, since it is possible for the accessing application to read, write and modify objects, such as cryptographic keys, intermediate cryptographic calculation results and passwords, in the allocated storage area.
US08301907B2

Systems and methods for enabling Reliability, Availability & Serviceability features after launching a secure environment under the control of LaGrande Technology (LT), or comparable security technology, without compromising security are provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises adding at least one specific capability to a processor to enable at least one of CPU hot-plug, CPU migration, CPU hot removal and capacity on demand.
US08301899B2

A method of and apparatus for allowing a user to access an electronic device by entering a password from a first device having alphabetic letter keys and numerical digit keys and a second device having primarily numerical digit keys comprising creating an alphabetic letter conversion relationship between the alphabetic letter keys of the first device with the numerical digit keys of the second device, creating a numerical digit conversion relationship between the numerical digit keys of the first device with the numerical digit keys of the second device, receiving a first password entered from the first device having alphabetic letter keys and numerical digit keys, converting the first password to a second password that can be entered from the second device having primarily numerical digit keys by using the alphabetic letter conversion relationship and the numerical digit conversion relationship, and allowing a user to access the electronic device if the user enters the first password or the second password.
US08301898B2

The object is to enable a user to efficiently set a function for an image processing apparatus using a display medium he carries. When a user operates his mobile phone to activate a function setting information input program, an input screen for setting a function is displayed. When the user inputs function setting information, the mobile phone performs a code conversion for the function setting information to create a code image, and displays it on a display section. The user holds up the code image displayed on the mobile phone to a reading section of an image processing apparatus. The reading section reads the code image. The image processing apparatus performs authentication of the user, and then, it extracts the function setting information from the code image and sets a function. The image processing apparatus performs image processing in accordance with the function.
US08301894B2

A method (100) and a system (300) for applying digital signatures (206, 216, and 222) to translated content (and other content) can include a presentation (309) and a user interface presented on the presentation device. The system can further include at least one processor (307) that operates to create (102) the user interface in a first language as part of an application, enables (104) the entering of data into the user interface and the digital signing of the data by a first user, translates (106) the user interface to at least a second language, and presents (108) the data to at least a second user using the application. A recipient device can verify (110) the digital signatures where a verification of the digital signatures independently verifies a data signature (222), a user interface signature (206), and a translated user interface signature (216).
US08301883B2

A method for managing a conference between two or more parties comprises an identity based authenticated key exchange between a conference management element and each of the two or more parties seeking to participate in the conference. Messages exchanged between the conference management element and the two or more parties are encrypted based on respective identities of recipients of the messages. The method comprises the conference management element receiving from each party a random group key component. The random group key component is computed by each party based on a random number used by the party during the key authentication operation and random key components computed by a subset of others of the two or more parties seeking to participate in the conference. The conference management element sends to each party the random group key components computed by the parties such that each party can compute the same group key.
US08301880B2

A system may protect against Sybil attacks on a peer-to-peer (P2P) network based on each one the nodes in the P2P network being identified by a corresponding certificate. In particular, a node may receive a license key, where the license key is evidence of a purchased product license. The node may transmit a message included in the license key to a certificate authority. The node may receive a certificate from the certificate authority in response to authentication of the message. The node may be identified in the P2P network with a node identifier included in the certificate.
US08301879B2

Conversation rights for multi-modal communications are managed and enforced in an enhanced communication system. Through physical and/or software components, rights are assigned to a communication session and related components upon user request. Permitted participants of the session are provided access tools such as decryption keys. Restrictions based on the assigned conversation rights are extended to preserved recordings and associated documents of the communication session.
US08301865B2

A system and method for servicing translation lookaside buffer (TLB) misses may manage separate input and output pipelines within a memory management unit. A pending request queue (PRQ) in the input pipeline may include an instruction-related portion storing entries for instruction TLB (ITLB) misses and a data-related portion storing entries for potential or actual data TLB (DTLB) misses. A DTLB PRQ entry may be allocated to each load/store instruction selected from the pick queue. The system may select an ITLB- or DTLB-related entry for servicing dependent on prior PRQ entry selection(s). A corresponding entry may be held in a translation table entry return queue (TTERQ) in the output pipeline until a matching address translation is received from system memory. PRQ and/or TTERQ entries may be deallocated when a corresponding TLB miss is serviced. PRQ and/or TTERQ entries associated with a thread may be deallocated in response to a thread flush.
US08301853B1

A method and computer program product for a multicast data mirroring method including defining a multicast group within a local area network. The multicast group includes a first synchronous storage target and one or more asynchronous storage targets. The synchronous storage target is a member of a synchronously-mirrored storage group including at least a second synchronous storage target and a storage initiator device. A write request for storing a data segment within the synchronously-mirrored storage group is received on the storage initiator device. The data segment is written to the first synchronous storage target and the second synchronous storage target. The data segment is multicast to the asynchronous storage targets included within the multicast group.
US08301850B2

According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a first memory chip includes a first temporary memory and a first block, a second memory chip includes a second temporary memory and a second block, and a memory controller that controls writing of logical pages to the first and second memory chips. The memory controller forms a second unit having the same page number as the first unit by the first temporary memory and the lowermost physical page in the first block, forms a third unit having the same page number as the first unit by the second temporary memory and the lowermost physical page in the second block, and writes the logical pages by an interleave operation in order of the second unit, the third unit, the first unit in the first block, and the first unit in the second block.
US08301847B2

Various embodiments of the present invention manage concurrent accesses to a resource in a parallel computing environment. A plurality of locks is assigned to manage concurrent access to a plurality of parts of a resource. A usage of at least one of the plurality of parts of the resource is monitored. The assignment of the plurality of locks to the plurality of parts of the resource is modified based on the usage that has been monitored.
US08301846B2

An integrated memory control apparatus including a first interface decoder, a second interface decoder and an interface controller is provided. Wherein, the first interface decoder is coupled to a control chip through a first serial peripheral interface (SPI), the second interface decoder is coupled to a micro-processor unit through a general transmission interface, and the interface controller is coupled to a memory through a second SPI. When the interface controller receives the request signals from the control chip and the micro-processor unit, the control chip may correctly read data from the memory through the first and second SPI. On the other hand, the micro-processor unit may stop reading data from the memory through the general transmission interface. Therefore, the control chip and the micro-processor unit may share the same memory.
US08301842B2

An apparatus for allocating entries in a set associative cache memory includes an array that provides a first pseudo-least-recently-used (PLRU) vector in response to a first allocation request from a first functional unit. The first PLRU vector specifies a first entry from a set of the cache memory specified by the first allocation request. The first vector is a tree of bits comprising a plurality of levels. Toggling logic receives the first vector and toggles predetermined bits thereof to generate a second PLRU vector in response to a second allocation request from a second functional unit generated concurrently with the first allocation request and specifying the same set of the cache memory specified by the first allocation request. The second vector specifies a second entry different from the first entry from the same set. The predetermined bits comprise bits of a predetermined one of the levels of the tree.
US08301841B2

A method for caching terminology data, including steps of: receiving a terminology request; determining that the terminology request is related to at least one uncached terminology concept; retrieving a complete concept set of the terminology concept as a cache unit, wherein the complete concept set includes the terminology concept, all other terminology concepts which are directly correlated or indirectly correlated through a non-transitive relationship to the terminology concept, properties of each terminology concept, and the non-transitive relationship between each terminology concept; retrieving transitive relationship information for the complete concept set, the transitive relationship information at least including identifiers of terminology concepts which are correlated through the transitive relationship to each terminology concept in the complete concept set; and caching the cache unit and the transitive relationship information of the cache unit. A corresponding device caches terminology data.
US08301833B1

Certain embodiments described herein include a memory system which can communicate with a host system such as a disk controller of a computer system. The memory system can include volatile and non-volatile memory and a controller which are configured such that the controller backs up the volatile memory using the non-volatile memory in the event of a trigger condition. In order to power the system in the event of a power failure or reduction, the memory system can include a secondary power source which is not a battery and may include, for example, a capacitor or capacitor array. The memory system can be configured such that the operation of the volatile memory is not adversely affected by the non-volatile memory or the controller when the volatile memory is interacting with the host system.
US08301827B2

A data read method for reading data to be accessed by a host system from a plurality of flash memory modules is provided. The data read method includes receiving command queuing information related to a plurality of host read commands from the host system, each of the host read commands is corresponding to one of a plurality of data input/output buses coupled to the flash memory modules. The data read method also includes re-arranging the host read commands and generating a command giving sequence according to the data input/output buses corresponding to the host read commands. The data read method further includes sequentially receiving and processing the host read commands from the host system according to the command giving sequence and pre-reading data corresponding to a second host read command. Thereby, the time for executing the host read commands can be effectively shortened.
US08301825B2

For recording or replaying in real-time digital HDTV signals very fast memories are required. For storage of streaming HD video data NAND flash memory based systems can be used. However, NAND flash memories have a slow write access, and they have unmasked production defects. Write or read operations can be carried out on complete physical data blocks only, and defect data blocks must not be used by the file system. Logical file system blocks are used which are larger than the physical data blocks. According to the invention the error reporting mechanism of the NAND flash memories is exploited. The video data is not only written to the non-volatile flash memories, but is also written to corresponding buffer slots (LFSB) of a volatile SRAM or DRAM memory operating in parallel. The video data are kept in the volatile memory until the flash memory holding the respective data has reported that its program or write operation succeeded. Once this has taken place, the data within the volatile memory can be overwritten in order to save memory capacity. If the flash memory has reported an error, the respective block (FSBD) of data is marked bad and will not be overwritten until the end of the entire recorded take has been reached. At this time, the marked video data from the volatile memory are copied to spare flash-blocks within the flash memories.
US08301819B2

Methods and systems for docking a laptop with Ethernet A/V bridging to guarantee services are disclosed and may include interfacing a portable computing device with a docking station using an Ethernet interface, and utilizing audio/video (AV) bridging for communicating data between the portable computing device and one or more devices coupled to the docking station. AV bridging may be utilized based on latency requirements of the data communication. The interfacing may include directly coupling an Ethernet port of the docking station to an Ethernet port of the portable computing device. Alternatively, the interfacing may include coupling an Ethernet port of the docking station to an Ethernet port of the portable computing device via an Ethernet cable. The portable computing device may be powered via the Ethernet interface, and may utilize power over Ethernet protocol. The docking station may include a passive or active docking station.
US08301814B2

Improves ease of operation by making it easier for the operator to view and select storage media devices connected to a computer unit. Provides a computer unit with a USB root hub and running an operating system that has the function of managing a storage media device connected to the root hub directly or indirectly via a hub. The unit includes a topology configuration portion that, when the hub is connected to a port of the root hub and the storage media device is connected to the hub, configures the hub as a virtual drive and sets up a connection whereby a folder corresponding to the storage media device is placed in the virtual drive; and a display controller that displays on a display device a directory list DP of the connections that were configured by the topology configuration portion.
US08301811B1

A technique migrates data from a source array to a target array while preserving SCSI reservation compliance. The technique involves providing an active-to-passive instruction to the source array while a first SCSI reservation enables hosts to access data on the source array using MPIO software. The active-to-passive instruction directs the source array to transition devices from active mode to passive mode and, upon receipt of a next SCSI instruction, output an indicator indicating that the first SCSI reservation has been cleared. The technique further involves transitioning devices of the target array from passive mode to active mode and beginning a data transfer operation which transfers data from the source array to the target array. The technique further involves automatically effectuating formation of a second SCSI reservation in place of the first SCSI reservation, the second SCSI reservation providing host access to the data on the target array using MPIO software.
US08301808B2

The view language of a specific application can be adaptively switched in response to a language switching request from a user. If the user selects the specific application via a user interface on a peripheral device management screen, it is determined whether view language information having been set matches view language information designated and received as an argument when the specific application is selected. If it is determined that the view language information having been set does not match the view language information designated and received as the argument, view language information set beforehand in a storage unit is replaced by the view language information designated and received as the argument.
US08301804B2

According to one embodiment, an apparatus comprises one or more hub interfaces and one or more processors. A hub interface is coupled to an access network element of a ring network comprising a number of access network elements. The ring network comprises a pair of rings: a first ring traveling in a first direction and a second ring traveling in a second direction. The processors perform the following for each access network element: facilitate establishing a pair of point-to-point logical connections to couple a access network element to a hub interface at a corresponding dedicated bandwidth, a first connection traveling along the first ring, a second connection traveling along the second ring; facilitate establishing a pair of tunnels on the pair of point-to-point connections; and utilize the tunnels to protect the ring network.
US08301789B2

Techniques for port hopping are presented. A sender and a receiver engage in a communication session with one another and dynamically switch ports during that communication session. A decision to switch ports is based on a data length or packet count of a given transaction occurring during the communication session. The data length and packet count randomly and dynamically change during the communication session and varies from one transaction to another transaction. Any particular port to switch to during the communication session is also randomly and dynamically generated and varies from one transaction to another transaction.
US08301788B2

A computer-readable instruction is described for traversing deterministic finite automata (DFA) graphs to perform a pattern search in the in-coming packet data in real-time. The instruction includes one or more pre-defined fields. One of the fields includes a DFA graph identifier for identifying one of several previously-stored DFA graphs. Another one of the fields includes an input reference for identifying input data to be processed using the identified DFA graphs. Yet another one of the fields includes an output reference for storing results generated responsive to the processed input data. The instructions are forwarded to a DFA engine adapted to process the input data using the identified DFA graph and to provide results as instructed by the output reference.
US08301780B2

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, the presence of an added layer of intelligence effectively traverses and is agnostic to the various standards layers.
US08301776B2

A method for allocating content requests to a server pool includes directing a stream requesting a novel title to one of a least-busy server in a server pool and a least-miss-traffic server in the server pool; setting the server to which the novel title was directed to the requested title's preferred server; directing a stream requesting a familiar title to the title's preferred server; and directing a stream requesting a crowded title to one of a least-busy server and the least-miss-traffic server.
US08301773B2

A server management program, a server management method, and a server management apparatus that allows an environment for providing a service corresponding to a server group for executing processing in cooperation with a server computer to be formed automatically in a standby server computer added to the server group. An image data collector collects disk image data from server computers and stores the data in an image data storage section. When an instruction to add a server computer to a server group is received, an image data addition section obtains the disk image data from the image data storage section and copies the data onto a disk of the server computer to be added. A configuration setup section sets up unique information of a mating server computer having a processing request relationship, in the server computer to be added, in accordance with processing request relationships among the server computers included in the different server groups.
US08301772B2

Method and apparatus for allocating resources among backup tasks in a data backup system is described. One aspect of the invention relates to managing backup tasks in a computer network. An estimated resource utilization is established for each of the backup tasks based on a set of backup statistics. A resource reservation is allocated for each of the backup tasks based on the estimated resource utilization thereof. The resource reservation of each of the backup tasks is dynamically changed during performance thereof.
US08301767B1

A policy management system, method and computer program product are provided. In use, information is received over a network relating to at least one subset of computers that are at least potentially out of compliance with a policy. Further, such information is sent to a plurality of the computers, utilizing the network. To this end, network communication involving the at least one subset of computers is capable of being controlled utilizing the information.
US08301765B2

A server device may receive a notification indicating that an event has occurred, where the notification specifies an area associated with the event. The server device may further send a request for network content in response to the notification; receive the network content for each of a group of user devices, where the network content includes a location for each of the group of user devices and incident information for each of the group of user devices; generate geo fence information based on the area associated with the event, the geo fence information including boundaries for a geo fence that surrounds the location of the event; generate state information, associated with the geo fence, for a user device, of the group of user devices, located within the boundaries for the geo fence, where the state information includes the location for the user device; and send, to another server device, the state information for the user device.
US08301751B2

A plurality of user defined schedules are received for collecting data on a plurality of resources. A schedule is generated for data collection on at least one resource, based on processing the plurality of user defined schedules to eliminate redundant data collection on the at least one resource. Operations are executed on the at least one resource in accordance with the generated schedule.
US08301750B2

An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for assuring delivery of an Enterprise Information System (EIS) event to a client. An adapter apparatus polls at least one EIS for an event. The event is staged to a staging table, consisting of an XA-compliant database, in preparation for delivery to the client. The status of the event is marked and the event is delivered to the client. Events delivered to clients that are unresponsive or otherwise unavailable are held until the clients become responsive and then the events are delivered. Delivery of events is confirmed using a transaction service.
US08301745B1

An apparatus includes a network port and a switch management processor. The network port receives packets over a network, where the packets include a management packet and a trigger packet. The switch management processor executes a command in selected management packets received over the network when a trigger pattern generated based on the trigger packet matches a bit pattern stored in memory. The bit pattern is stored in the memory during a predetermined period after the management packet is received. The predetermined period is selected based on a desired security level.
US08301740B2

In general, this disclosure describes techniques of managing resources in a service-oriented distributed computing system. As described in this disclosure, one or more control nodes provide for the efficient and automated allocation and management of resources within the distributed computing system. In order to provide automated allocation and management of computing functions and resources, a control node uses a set of governors. This set of governors includes a set of service governors to govern services used in the distributed computing system. The set of governors also includes a set of resource governors that govern individual resources of the services in the distributed computing system. The service governors and the resource governors may be implemented using finite state machines.
US08301728B2

A technique is provided for providing a trust indicator for a particular webpage. The trust indicator may indicate whether publishers of web content and/or end-users trust the content of the particular webpage and whether the particular webpage is popular. A user requests, via a web browser a webpage to be displayed. A process associated with the webpage requests a value to be displayed along with the webpage. The value may indicate 1) a number of links that link to the webpage, 2) a number of user-created tags that have been associated with the webpage, or 3) a trust rank that a web crawler associates with the webpage. A trust rank may be based, at least in part, on user-created tags that have been associated with the webpage. A value may also be associated with an advertisement that is displayed along with a particular webpage.
US08301723B2

A method on a handheld device is provided. The method comprises sending a request from the handheld device to initiate an application on a host computer, receiving data related to the application from the host computer at the handheld device, and displaying the data in a view of the application appearing on the handheld device.
US08301716B2

An interface for a multi-processor gateway apparatus and method for using the same. A user device communicates with a multi-processor gateway apparatus over a wired or wireless path. A first processor within the multi-processor gateway apparatus provides the user device a user interface. The user interface allows the user to select a function that is managed by one of the multiple processors. If the selected function is assigned to the first processor, the function is performed by the first. However, if the selected function is performed by one of the other processors, the first processor executes calls to an API layer associated with the processor assigned to perform the requested function. The requested function is performed by the processor to which it is assigned and the results reported to the first processor. The first processor then provides the results of the request to the user device via the path.
US08301714B2

A method of wirelessly networking a system of at least first and second communication nodes includes obtaining a common power source for the at least first and second communication nodes, switching on the common power source, and establishing a power-up time. Each of the first and second communication nodes is capable of tracking the time since the power-up time. The method includes sending a start signal from one of the first and second communication nodes, wherein the start signal occurs after the power-up time and includes at least information of the elapsed time since the power up time. The method includes networking the other of the first and second communication nodes with the one of the first and second communication nodes sending the start signal, if the elapsed time of the other of the first and second communication nodes approximately matches the elapsed time provided in the start signal.
US08301713B2

An improved handheld electronic device and an associated method are provided in which time data regarding certain aspects of a messaging conversation on a handheld electronic device are made available to a user. Such time data is provided, for instance, in situations where an interruption has occurred during a messaging conversation. Time data can also be provided to a user on demand in certain circumstances.
US08301700B1

A system for event-driven live migration of applications between two or more servers. Primary applications runs on primary hosts and one or more replicated instances of each primary application run on one or more backup hosts. Event driven live migration is provided through a combination of process replication, logging, barrier synchronization, reliable messaging and message playback. The event driven live migration is transparent to the application and requires no modification to the application, operating system, networking stack or libraries.
US08301698B2

A method, system and graphical user interface for a chat system is disclosed. One aspect of certain embodiments includes receiving from respective users feedback data regarding the received messages or authors of the received messages and providing the feedback to the respective authors.
US08301697B2

A distributed system for distributing conferencing data such as video, audio, and other conference data. The distributed system includes a conference data dispatch system, multiple conference participant computing systems, and a network distribution path through which conference data may be distributed from the conference data dispatch system to the various conference participant computing systems. The conference data is segmented. Each segment is encoded to be suitable to a particular class of participant computing systems. The encoded segments may be cached in an intermediary computing system to thereby avoid a strict unicast model for distributing conference data.
US08301691B2

Disclosed is a server apparatus including a registration means for associating a first apparatus with a plurality of second apparatuses as the control targets thereof, and registering the first apparatus and the plurality of second apparatuses associated, a constant connection session establishment means for establishing a constant connection session with each of the plurality of second apparatuses, a request reception means for receiving from the first apparatus a first request to transfer data between the plurality of second apparatuses, and a request transmission means for transmitting a second request to directly transfer data between the plurality of second apparatuses to one of the plurality of second apparatuses through the constant connection session in response to the received first request.
US08301688B2

A service server can be operated in a more practical rate structure by extending the storage period and/or reducing the recording fee for information having a high utilization factor, or increasing the recording fee for information with a low utilization factor among the information stored in the service server. The service server includes a receiving device which receives the image information from a communication device on the information supplier side and records a recording fee of the received information, a transmitting and receiving device which transmits the information recorded in the recording device to a communication device on the information demander side upon an information service request from the information demander side, a counting device (information processing device) which counts an information service number from the information demander side, a recording device which records the counted information service number to be associated with the information supplier, and a recording fee calculating device (information processing device) which calculates a recording fee by reducing or increasing the recording fee recorded in the recording device.
US08301685B2

A communication device is arranged to transmit data segments over an interface, wherein the communication device comprises transmission management logic. In response to receipt of a data segment for transmission over the interface, the transmission management logic is arranged to determine a sequence number of a data segment to be transmitted and compare the sequence number of the data segment to be transmitted with at least one pending sequence number of a previous data segment. Based on the comparison, the transmission management logic either discards the data segment to be transmitted if the sequence number of the data segment to be transmitted matches the at least one pending sequence number of the previous data segment; or adds the sequence number of the data segment to be transmitted to the at least one pending sequence number and transmits the data segment over the interface if the sequence number of the data segment to be transmitted does not match the at least one pending sequence number.
US08301684B2

Example embodiments of methods and apparatus for challenging an online user. In an example embodiment, a method includes receiving, at an online service provider, a request from a user to access one or more features of an online service running on a host server and also receiving an indication of a geography associated with the user. The example method further includes sending, to the user, information associated with the indicated geography in combination with information not associated with the indicated geography and a request that the user select the information associated with the indicated geography from the combined information or select the information not associated with the indicated geography from the combined information. The example method still further includes receiving, at the online service provider, a selection from the user and, in the event the selection correctly corresponds with the request, allowing the user access to the one or more features.
US08301681B1

A specialized processing block for a programmable logic device includes circuitry for performing multiplications and sums thereof, as well as circuitry for performing floating point operations. The floating point circuitry preferably includes rounding and normalization circuitry. To perform mantissa multiplications, the floating point circuitry preferably relies on the aforementioned multipliers of the specialized processing block.
US08301678B2

The field of the invention is that of the reception of a radionavigation signal originating from a satellite positioning system such as the GPS system. The present invention concerns a method for calculating correlations between a first sequence and a second sequence, said first sequence and said second sequence having a duration DCode, the first sequence being extracted from a digital signal comprising a code, said code comprising elementary time divisions, called chips, of mean duration Dchip, said chips being synchronized with pulses delivered by an NCO oscillator at the mean frequency 2/Dchip, the second sequence resulting from a sampling at a frequency Fe of an analog signal, the frequency Fe being greater than 2/Dchip. According to the invention, the method comprises a step of aggregating samples of the second sequence, over consecutive integration intervals of duration equal on average to Dchip/2, starting at each pulse of the NCO oscillator, so as to determine results of elementary aggregates.
US08301672B2

A system and method for efficient garbage collection. A general-purpose central processing unit (CPU) sends a garbage collection request and a first log to a special processing unit (SPU). The first log includes an address and a data size of each allocated data object stored in a heap in memory corresponding to the CPU. The SPU has a single instruction multiple data (SIMD) parallel architecture and may be a graphics processing unit (GPU). The SPU efficiently performs operations of a garbage collection algorithm due to its architecture on a local representation of the data objects stored in the memory. The SPU records a list of changes it performs to remove dead data objects and compact live data objects. This list is subsequently sent to the CPU, which performs the included operations.
US08301670B2

Various embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus and a method of managing a snapshot storage pool (SSP) associated with a storage unit of a distributed data storage system. According to some embodiments of the invention, the apparatus may include a logic module and a processor. The logic module may be adapted to provide a threshold corresponding to a ratio between a current amount of storage resources used for storing snapshots in the SSP and a total storage capacity defined for the SSP. The processor may be adapted to trigger an action that may be effective for managing the SSP in response to the amount of storage resources used for storing snapshots in the SSP crossing the threshold.
US08301665B2

A method, system and computer program product for processing data relating to transactions that enables, for example, performing a Drill-Through on a given association rule for a large number of transactions in a short period of time. A Drill-Through (DT) Preparation, which generates the prefix tree and the transaction group information, and the DT Execution, which determines the transactions supporting an association rule, may be carried out in order to extract hidden information from input data.
US08301655B2

A wireless sensing system and a method thereof are provided. The wireless sensing system includes: a data processing center; and a first sensor module for processing a first source data into a first dynamic counting sketch data structure. The first dynamic counting sketch data structure has a bit length determined based on the first source data. The data processing center estimates the first source data based on the first dynamic counting sketch data.
US08301652B2

A method executed by a plurality of processors in a database system to implement temporal aggregate queries. The database system has a temporal table. A plurality of consecutive temporal partitions are defined and allocated to the respective processors. A query is received to aggregate at least one attribute of the temporal table. In response to the query, a plurality of timestamps are identified in the temporal table, the respective timestamps are allocated to the respective temporal partitions, the value changes in the at least one attribute at the plural timestamps are computed within each partition using the respective processors to which each partition is allocated, and the value changes within each partition are aggregated using the respective processors to which each partition is allocated to produce an aggregate value for the query.
US08301650B1

Systems and methods for Bloom filter compaction are described herein. A method embodiment includes reading a data corpus, inserting a plurality of data items from the data corpus into a Bloom filter, determining a number of the data items inserted, calculating a desired filter size based on the number, and constructing a compact Bloom filter based on the desired filter size. Another method embodiment includes generating a second bit vector from a first bit vector associated with a first Bloom filter, generating an empty second Bloom filter of a size based on the first bit vector, dividing the first Bloom filter's bit vector into a plurality of slices, and setting the second Bloom filter's bits based on an evaluation of the corresponding bits in each slice of the first Bloom filter's bit vector.
US08301643B2

Near clones for a set of targeted computing systems are provided by determining a highest common denominator set of components among the computing systems, producing a pseudo-clone configuration definition, and realizing one or more pseudo-clone computing systems as partially configured backups for the targeted computing systems. Upon a planned failover, actual failure, or quarantine action on a targeted computing system, a difference configuration is determined to complete the provisioning of the pseudo-clone system to serve as a replacement system for the failed or quarantined system. Failure predictions can be used to implement the pseudo-clone just prior to an expected first failure of any of the targeted systems. The system can also interface to an on-demand provisioning management system to effect automated workflows to realize pseudo-clones and replacement systems automatically, as needed.
US08301641B2

A method of collecting data for a geographic database for use with a navigation system is disclosed. A feature visible from a road segment is identified. A guidance feature point object is defined at a location at the road segment where the identified feature is most visibly prominent. Additionally, an importance rating and a preferred name for the identified feature are determined. Data representing the guidance feature point object, importance rating and the preferred name are stored in the geographic database on a computer readable medium.
US08301638B2

A method using a RankBoost-based algorithm to automatically select features for further ranking model training is provided. The method reiteratively applies a set of ranking candidates to a training data set comprising a plurality of ranking objects having a known pairwise ranking order. Each round of iteration applies a weight distribution of ranking object pairs, yields a ranking result by each ranking candidate, identifies a favored ranking candidate for the round based on the ranking results, and updates the weight distribution to be used in next iteration round by increasing weights of ranking object pairs that are poorly ranked by the favored ranking candidate. The method then infers a target feature set from the favored ranking candidates identified in the iterations.
US08301633B2

Systems and methods for semantic search are provided. A corpus of information grouped into passages are indexed by semantic key terms generated from packed knowledge representations that document the semantic relationships of information within those passages. When a search is conducted, a query is similarly transformed into a packed knowledge representation that documents the semantic relationships from which semantic key terms are also generated. An inverted index relating the semantic key terms associated to the passages is searched using the semantic key terms generated from the query. A set of candidate passages is selected and refined by analysis of the semantic key terms and other information. The semantic representations associated with the set of candidate passages are then matched to the semantic representation of the query to determine a search result set.
US08301626B2

Techniques are disclosed for maintaining and processing provenance data in such data stream processing systems. For example, a method for processing data associated with a data stream received by a data stream processing system, wherein the system comprises a plurality of processing elements, comprising the following steps. A portion of data associated with the data stream is maintained. The maintained data comprises inputs to each processing element that contributed to an output of each processing element. In response to an alert generated by one of the processing elements, a scheduler is triggered to determine when a pre-calculation of a prospective query related to the alert should be executed. In response to the scheduler, at least a portion of the maintained data is used to determine a set of data that contributed to the alert such that the alert-contributing set of data can be used to respond to the prospective query upon arrival thereof.
US08301622B2

An identity analysis and correlation service system can include a summary manager service for generating identity correlation summaries pertaining to a persona, wherein the generated identity correlation summaries are based on discovered content corresponding to the persona and analyzed content corresponding to the discovered content. The system can include a content search manager service for generating the discovered content based on search criteria and a semantic analysis service for generating the analyzed content. The system can also include a data store for storing the generated identity correlation summaries and a notification service for providing a notification based on the generated identity correlation summaries.
US08301609B1

A method for identifying a set of records in a database for relocation during an on-line database reorganization (ODBR) process. The relocating includes, for each of the records in the set: requesting a record reorganization lock (RRL) on the record, receiving the RRL, retrieving data from the current location of the record, storing the data in the new location of the record, and releasing the RRL. A request is received to update a target record in the set of records with updated data. The receiving of the request is from an application and overlaps in time with at least a portion of the relocating. Independent of the application, a RRL is received on the target record and the target record is updated by writing target data to the target record in the current location and writing the target data to the target record in the new location.
US08301606B2

In a data management method using a hierarchical folder structure where an item such as data or a folder can be registered in multiple folders, attribute information is appended to each relational data piece that represents a pair of a child item that is either data or a folder registered in a folder and a parent folder in which the child item has been registered. This attribute information is referred to when a single child item has been registered in multiple parent folders, in order to select one of the multiple parent folders. By selecting a relational data piece based on the attribute information so that each child item can be registered in a single parent folder, at least part of the hierarchical folder structure is converted into a tree structure where a single child item belongs to a single folder.
US08301599B2

A cluster arrangement having a first network, at least two data processing systems which each form an application node and which each have an operating system, and an application agent on each application node, which application agent is operable to monitor and identify entities executed on the application node; start a new entity or restart an entity which has been terminated prematurely on the application node; assess and decide whether it is possible to execute a new entity on the application node; send a request for execution of an entity to application agents at application nodes connected to the network; and report to application agents at application nodes connected to the network following an acceptance of the request for execution of an entity.
US08301595B2

A message-based replication system hosted by a first directory server receives update data describing an update to be made to a lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP)-based database that is coupled to the first directory server and determines whether the data is received from an advanced message queuing protocol (AMQP) server. The message-based replication system converts the update data into LDAP data format based on a determination that the update data is received from the AMQP server and updates the database using the LDAP update data. The message-based replication system updates the database using the received update data based on a determination that the update data is not received from the AMQP server, converts the update data into wire level data format, and publishes the wire level update data to the AMQP server to allow a second directory server that subscribes to the AMQP server to obtain data representing the update.
US08301575B2

This method uses two sets of sensors to estimate certain characteristics of the movement of a device or a person or states, especially postures, they adopt. A first, abundant, set of sensors (1) is removed after a learning phase where it records with certainty the states obtained by interpreting first decisional rules. The measurements of a second set of sensors (2), much more restricted than the first, are correlated to the states reached during the learning period by second decisional rules automatically obtained by supplying a classifier. They are then interpreted to determine the new states reached by the wearer just by means of the second sensors. The results are good in spite of the low number of second sensors, thanks to the accuracy of the second decisional rules.
US08301563B2

A process (and corresponding system) that defines sequential steps for the introduction, validation, and testing of business applications of emerging technologies, for example mobile banking services, is provided. The innovation provides a definable model and process for rapid innovation with a quality emphasis through efficient pipeline management and performance measurements. For example, the innovation can adhere to an enterprise's e-commerce requirements for a formalized and measurable structure to efficiently and diligently manage new ideas that have the potential to become new products and services that positively impact business.
US08301555B2

In general, embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for producing a financial offer that is specific to a customer and storing the electronic acceptance and authentication of the acceptance in a digital medium. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to identifying a customer, providing a financial offer that is specific to that customer, and electronically storing both the authentication of the identity of the customer and the accompanying acceptance of the financial offer.
US08301551B2

A method of and system for terminating or assigning outstanding OTC derivative transactions between a plurality of financial institutions (banks). The system comprises: a processing station arranged to receive transaction data describing a plurality of transactions from a plurality of banks via the Internet. The processing station comprises: a linking module for linking different versions of the same transaction received from different parties to that transaction; an analysis module for determining a set of linked transactions between a plurality of different banks, wherein each bank has debts and claims towards other banks in the set; a calculation module arranged to calculate an aggregated value of each set of linked transactions and select the set of linked transactions which has an aggregated value within bank-specified tolerance limits acceptable for executing a termination; and an execution module for executing a termination or assignment of the selected set of linked transactions.
US08301549B2

A data distribution system and method are described herein to improve the distribution of market information to subscribing client devices. Market information updates are provided to subscribing devices over a communication link every time a change in the market occurs. If a bandwidth limitation is reached on the communication link, the preferred embodiments switch to a second mode of transmission such that the market information updates are provided only at predetermined intervals. The preferred embodiment monitors the bandwidth consumption to determine what mode of transmission to apply, and in response, it can dynamically change between modes of transmission. By dynamically adjusting the mode of transmission to comport with the current network bandwidth, the preferred embodiments may provide a network friendly, data intensive, and fast response market information feed.
US08301548B1

One exemplary aspect comprises: (a) receiving data describing an executed trading order in a market traded security and related trade execution data; (b) estimating a price of the market traded security if the executed trading order had not been executed, based in part on the data describing the executed trading order; and (c) transmitting the impact-free price estimate. At least one other aspect comprises: (a) receiving data describing a potential trading order and related market data; (b) calculating an impact-free price estimate which estimates an execution price of the potential trading order if the potential trading order were to be executed without market impact, wherein the impact-free price estimate is based in part on the data describing the potential trading order; and (c) transmitting data sufficient to describe the impact-free price estimate.
US08301545B1

In general, the present disclosure includes a system, method and architecture for use in analyzing content of a social network data to identify a financial market trend, e.g., a trend associated with a financial market instrument.
US08301540B2

Electronic trading systems and methods are provided that permit traders to submit price improvement orders that are traded at predetermined pricing increments and that maintain a position in a trading stack based on the size of other orders already existing in the stack at the time the order is submitted. This type of price improvement relates to neutral price improvement according to the invention. Neutral price improvement represents an option that permits a trader to opt out of being subjected to the trading rules and/or scheme governing a particular feature (e.g., price improvement), yet still permit traders to engage in competitive trading. In such a system, the trading rules may be applied generally to all orders in the system, except for orders submitted with the neutral price improvement option.
US08301538B2

Methods and systems for selecting and weighting securities for an actively managed exchange-traded fund. An initial selection of stocks includes domestic or international stocks, which are selected based at least in part on market capitalization. Each stock is scored using a plurality of growth and value factors to generate one or more growth scores and one or more value scores. A selection score is determined for each stock, and the stocks are ranked according to selection scores. A predetermined amount of stocks are eliminated from the stock portfolio based on selection score ranking, and the remaining stocks are split into a plurality of sub-groups. A stock portfolio is generated by weighting the remaining stocks according to the sub-groups they are in, with each stock being equally weighted within its sub-group. An exchange-traded fund is offered to consumers based on the stock portfolio.
US08301528B2

A procurement system permits routine purchases through approved vendors in a catalog as well as off-catalog purchases via the web, the latter using a web access program that captures product information from the web to invoke the approval process normally used for catalog purchases.
US08301526B2

The present invention provides a method for maximizing retirement income using bridge annuities and deferred Social Security income. Financial information about a client is gathered, in addition to financial information about the client's spouse, if applicable. A variety of income scenarios are modeled using the financial information and a plurality of income models, each model including income from a bridge product and deferred Social Security income. Alternate funding approaches are projected using the financial information, and the modeled scenarios are compared to the alternate funding approaches to determine the optimal scenario for maximizing retirement income. The client can then purchase a bridge product in accordance with the optimal scenario.
US08301525B2

A method and system of managing communication of information to a destination utilizes computer hardware and software and a client-server architecture. The system receives information in file form, such as ASCII file form, via a file transfer service and/or in message-based form, such as SWIFT and/or ISITC messages, via a message network. The information that is received in message-based form is converted to file form by a message to file converter and translated by a message format library to an intermediary file format, and the information that is received in file form is also translated to the intermediary format by a message format library. The intermediary file format information can be aggregated and sorted, and is then translated to a preferred file format of the destination and sent to the destination.
US08301521B2

A method, system and computer program product for generating variable price billing whereby a customer may balance its data traffic in response to such billing. A subsystem in an edge gateway may extract the packet header from a copy of a received packet of data associated with a session between a customer and a server and generate a key based on the extracted packet header. The key may be used to index into a table that may store pointers to particular statistics records associated with particular sessions. Once the subsystem identifies the statistics record associated with the current session, the subsystem may execute a per packet statistics update for the statistics record associated with the session. A per packet statistics update may include one or more of the following: time stamping arrival of the packet, updating packet count, updating byte count, determining transfer rate, determining distance packet traveled.
US08301520B1

The present invention is integrated tax return preparation systems and methods that provide a taxpayer with options related to review and signing of a tax return by a tax professional. The integrated systems and methods are computer-based and web-based online tax return preparation systems and tax software used by taxpayers to prepare their own electronic tax returns. Communications with a tax professional and various forms of automated electronic communications are supported so that taxpayers that prepare their own tax returns using a self-preparation tax product may have them reviewed and signed by a tax professional. Signature and review service options that are available from a retail tax preparation service and typically available to only customers of the tax preparation service are also provided to taxpayers who prepare their own tax returns using an online tax preparation system or tax software.
US08301514B1

Purchase phrases can be analyzed to infer user interests. A purchase phrase can include one or more user-defined textual words that a user employs to purchase items in an expedited manner. Many users' purchase phrases may include words that reflect the users' interests, such as “golf” or “rose.” Users with similar purchase phrases may therefore be interested in purchasing similar items. A recommendation system can therefore find items purchased with similar phrases to a target user's purchase phrase and then recommend these items to the target user.
US08301508B2

A computerized system and method for conducting electronic online auctions, which creates a perception of scarcity in the marketplace enhancing the demand for and marketability of the goods while minimizing the exposure time of the goods in the marketplace. The present invention improves the efficiency for conducting the liquidation sale of goods by directing the goods to auction venues having specific market parameters that will generate the highest bid. The present invention also provides suppliers with a dynamic market for expeditiously liquidating merchandise without undue exposure of their goods to the general market. The present invention is easily scalable on both its supply and demand end. The liquidation sale of merchandise is controlled by limiting the amount of available merchandise supplied to each auction venue. Furthermore, the metering of the auction merchandise is controlled as a function of both the product characteristic and the auction parameters.
US08301497B2

A method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium estimate media performance on advertising space inventory. The method selects at least one media cell that shares one or more common attributes with a target media cell. The method subsequently estimates mean revenue per impression (RPI) of the selected media cell, and then defines an initial estimate of a RPI of the target media cell based on the estimated RPI of the selected cell. The method computes the RPI of the target media cell by combining the initial RPI estimate for the target media cell with performance data associated with the target media cell.
US08301488B2

In relation to an entity such as a business having customers, a determination is made of at least one incremental satisfaction improvement value associated with increasing customer satisfaction of at least one customer by a fixed increment relative to a satisfaction scale. Based on the at least one incremental satisfaction improvement value, decision support data corresponding to a plurality of customer satisfaction improvement techniques is then determined, which decision support data may be presented in any desirable manner such as on a display device.
US08301485B2

Tracking and management data for a survey distribution and response lifecycle is disclosed. The system generates and links tracking data for both the distribution and the response, generates indicators that include the tracking data, and encodes the indicators so that the indicators are detectable as the indicators traverse various events and locations throughout the lifecycle. A detailed audit trail of each event in the distribution and response lifecycle is constructed using data matching methods and various statistics regarding the lifecycle, such that the response habits of customers are formulated enabling an operation to more efficiently forecast, plan and conduct operations.
US08301477B2

Harmonizing business process tasks comprehends comparing descriptors associated with each of a plurality of business process tasks in response to a process variation input and identifying tasks as a candidate task pair for consolidation. Input and output attributes of the candidate pair tasks are compared and consolidation confirmed if the compared input and output attributes are similar. Consolidating the confirmed candidate pair tasks includes merging the confirmed candidate pair into a new merged task or replacing one with the other, and an output from the consolidated candidate pair is generated as a common harmonized output for the first and second tasks. Identifying the candidate task pairs for consolidation may be a function of similarity of task descriptors, of input/output business process relationships to other candidate task pairs, and also of both.
US08301467B2

A system and method for computerized medical self-diagnosis is disclosed. Beginning with direct interactive dialog between a patient and a computing device to obtain patient health items, the system automatically obtains a differential self-diagnosis using active and passive strategies based on an analysis of the patient health items in conjunction with known disease properties. In one embodiment, each strategy differential self-diagnosis is obtained with different analysis criteria of the patient health items. At least a portion of the strategy differential self-diagnoses are compared and a consensus self-diagnosis based on the compared differential self-diagnoses is determined and communicated to the patient.
US08301463B2

Automatically establishing a connection with an emergency services server is provided. In response to receiving an emergency signal from a mobile communication device, a connection with the mobile communication device is established by a communications server. Location data, audio input data, and visual input data from the mobile communication device is received by the communications server. Personal data for an owner of the mobile communication device is retrieved by the communications server from a storage device connected to a network. A connection with an emergency services server for a current locale of the mobile communication device is automatically established by the communications server. Then, the emergency signal, location data, audio input data, and visual input data received from the mobile communication device, along with the retrieved personal data, is transmitted by the communications server to the emergency services server for use by emergency service personnel.
US08301459B1

A system and method for forecasting a price of a property in a first housing sub-market based on data related to a second housing sub-market are described. A price index is derived for the second housing sub-market, and an error correcting function is calculated for the first housing sub-market. A price index for the first housing sub-market is derived from the second sub-market price index and the error correcting function. An estimate of the price of the price of the property in the first housing sub-market is then provided. The estimate of the price can be used as the basis for an economic decision.
US08301456B2

An electronic information access system and associated methods. In one exemplary embodiment, the system comprises an antenna adapted to receive electromagnetic energy, the electromagnetic energy encoding first data associated with at least one person; and processing apparatus in signal communication with the antenna. The processing apparatus is configured to: access a first database containing second data relating to the one or more certain persons; analyze at least portions of the first data and the second data to determine if the at least one person is authorized to access the information; and if the at least one person is authorized access, facilitate download of the information to a personal electronic device (PED) of the at least one person.
US08301446B2

Feature space variation associated with specific text elements is reduced by training an acoustic model with a phoneme set, dictionary and transcription set configured to better distinguish the specific text elements and at least some specific phonemes associated therewith. The specific text elements can include the most frequently occurring text elements from a text data set, which can include text data beyond the transcriptions of a training data set. The specific text elements can be identified using a text element distribution table sorted by occurrence within the text data set. Specific phonemes can be limited to consonant phonemes to improve speed and accuracy.
US08301444B2

A method of generating demographic information relating to an individual is provided. The method includes monitoring an environment for a voice activity of an individual and detecting the voice activity of the individual. The method further includes analyzing the detected voice activity of the individual and determining, based on the detected voice activity of the individual, a demographic descriptor of the individual.
US08301443B2

A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer program product for generating audio cohorts. An audio analysis engine receives audio data from a set of audio input devices. The audio data is associated with a plurality of objects. The audio data comprises a set of audio patterns. The audio data is processed to identify attributes of the audio data to form digital audio data. The digital audio data comprises metadata describing the attributes of the audio data. A set of audio cohorts is generated using the digital audio data and cohort criteria. Each audio cohort in the set of audio cohorts comprises a set of objects from the plurality of objects that share at least one audio attribute in common.
US08301439B2

A method of encoding a low bit-rate audio signal includes quantizing and encoding a plurality of low frequency sub-bands of an audio signal in a frequency domain, generating a codebook of codevectors using sub-bands of the audio signal spectrum, detecting an envelope of another frequency sub-band of the audio signal and quantizing and losslessly-encoding the detected envelope, selecting a codevector most similar to the higher frequency sub-band spectrum from the generated codebook's codevectors and determining its codebook codevector index, and generating a bit stream. Decoding the low bit-rate audio signal includes restoring and dividing a bit stream into a plurality of first frequency sub-bands and at least one second frequency sub-band and inversely quantizing the first frequency sub-bands in the bit stream, restoring codebook codevector index information and envelope information for the second frequency sub-band, generating a codebook of codevectors using the inversely quantized first frequency sub-bands, and restoring the second frequency sub-band using the restored codevector index information and the envelope information.
US08301438B2

A method and an apparatus for selecting an answer to a natural language question. The method includes: detecting a named entity in the natural language question; extracting information related to an answer from the natural language question; searching in linked data according to the detected named entity; generating a candidate answer according to a search result; parsing the candidate answer according to the information related to the answer; and obtaining a value of a feature of the candidate answer; and evaluating each candidate answer by synthesizing the value of the feature of the candidate answer.
US08301429B2

Computer-implemented iterative multi-scale methods and systems are provided for handling simulation of complex, highly anisotropic, heterogeneous domains. A system and method can be configured to achieve simulation of structures where accurate localization assumptions do not exist. The iterative system and method smoothes the solution field by applying line relaxation in all spatial directions. The smoother is unconditionally stable and leads to sets of tri-diagonal linear systems that can be solved efficiently, such as by the Thomas algorithm. Furthermore, the iterative smoothing procedure, for the improvement of the localization assumptions, does not need to be applied in every time step of the computation.
US08301423B1

A verification tool in a graphical modeling environment allows the components in the graphical modeling environment to be used to define error or exceptional conditions without adverse affects on the ultimate implementation of the model. In one example, a system presents a graphical interface to facilitate design of a model constructed from graphical blocks; receives an association of a plurality of blocks with a verification subsystem; and performs an operation to verify that the blocks in the verification subsystem do not affect operation of the model external to the verification system.
US08301421B2

The specification and drawings present a new method, system and software product for and apparatus for generating a robotic validation system for a robot design. The robotic validation system for the robot design of a robotic system is automatically generated by converting a robot design into a generic robotic description using a predetermined format, then generating a control system from the generic robotic description and finally updating robot design parameters of the robotic system with an analysis tool using both the generic robot description and the control system.
US08301420B2

A product lifecycle management system cannot interact with 3D models and data representing a product or process that lacks information for creating a three-dimensional model in a seamless and uniform manner. Such incompatible data includes legacy and conceptual data. Accordingly, a method and corresponding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention are provided to create from such data, an intermediary representation that is compatible with the three-dimensional model domain but differs from a three-dimensional model that has real-world geometry of the product or process. The intermediary structure is formed in a manner that enables the product lifecycle management system to interact with the intermediary representation and three-dimensional models in a seamless and uniform manner, and is capable of being updated with real-world geometry of the product or process.
US08301413B2

Embodiments of the invention relate to systems, methods, and computer program products for testing analytics. Embodiments herein disclosed provide for automating the collection and storage of test data, automating test performance calculations across a multitude of segments within the test group and automating test result information delivery.
US08301408B2

A system and method is pro vided for predicting a physical quality such as temperature, the measurement of which tends to be hindered by a time-related impediment. A single sensor is configured to detect, in real time, the physical quality Qdetect, and one or more infinite impulse response filters are configured with time constants correlated to the time-related impediment. The infinite impulse filter(a) are configured to filter Qdetect to output a filtered quality measurement (Qfiltered). A processor is configured to calculate, in real time, the estimated or predicted quality Qestimate using Qdetect and Qfiltered.
US08301403B2

The present invention is a hand held gauge for use with refrigeration systems. The gauge includes a service port connector, a display screen, and user interfacing buttons. The gauge also includes electronic storage of the pressure-to-saturation temperature data for different refrigerants. The gauge allows for the measuring of temperature and pressure of refrigeration systems. After a user inputs a refrigerant type, the gauge uses the pressure and the saturation data to determine the saturation temperature. The saturation temperature is compared to the measured temperature to get the superheat or subcooling. These results may all be displayed on the display screen.
US08301398B2

The present invention relates to the crystal structure of the insulin receptor ectodomain, to the nature of its N-linked glycans and to methods of using the crystal and related structural information to screen for and design compounds that interact with or modulate the insulin receptor and/or the closely-related insulin-like growth factor receptors or variants thereof.
US08301394B2

An embodiment of method for correcting an error associated with phasic synchrony of sequence data generated from a population of substantially identical copies of a template molecule is described that comprises (a) detecting a signal generated in response to an incorporation of one or more nucleotides in a sequencing reaction; (b) generating a value for the signal; and (c) correcting the value for the phasic synchrony error using a first parameter and a second carry forward parameter.
US08301391B2

A computer system (2) is provided which is arranged to receive network data (1) identifying nodes and links between nodes. The computer system (2) processes the input network data (1) to utilize the network topology to identify nodes and links having high importance for network integrity. A report (4) identify the critical components can then be output.
US08301377B2

A novel Parametric Systematic Error Correction (ParSEC) system is disclosed which provides improved system accuracy for image navigation and registration (INR). This system may be employed in any suitable imaging system and, more specifically, to all imaging systems that exhibit systematic distortion. The ParSEC system may be employed to any such system regardless of sensing type (remote or in situ) or imaging media (photon or charged particle) and is further applicable to corrected imaging of any celestial body currently detectable to remove distortion and systematic error from the imaging system employed. The ParSEC system of the instant invention comprises a software algorithm that generates at least about 12 correction coefficients for each of the INR system measurements such as stars, visible landmarks, infrared (IR) landmarks and earth edges. An iterative estimation algorithm such as, for example, least squares or Kalman filters may be employed to determine the at least about 12 correction coefficients from each set of measurement residuals. The improved image products provide more accurate weather forecasting such as wind velocity and temperature.
US08301374B2

A landmark-based method of estimating the position of an AGV (autonomous ground vehicle) or conventional vehicle, which has an onboard database of landmarks and their locations coordinates. During travel, the AGV looks for and identifies landmarks. It navigates according to position estimations that are based on measured yaw rate and speed. When a landmark s encountered and recognized, its true location coordinates are looked up from the database. These true coordinates are then used to enhance position estimation accuracy between landmarks.
US08301373B2

The invention provides a navigation device and a facility image display method, whereby a user can recognize various types of information about a facility from the image corresponding to the facility. The navigation device includes road information, etc., used for drawing map images; facility information including the nodes of the facilities and a plurality of attributes of the facilities; a buffer memory that stores data of icon images corresponding to each of the plurality of attributes of the facilities; a map drawing unit that draws a map image on the basis of the road information, etc., and draws any of the icon images corresponding to the plurality of attributes of the facilities contained in the facility information, at a position in the map image corresponding to the node identified in the facility information; and an image synthesizing unit that causes a display unit to display the drawn image.
US08301368B1

The Electronic Kit Bag (EKB) is a computerized, portable pilot “kit bag” that accepts input data, manipulates said data, and outputs solutions. The EKB has standard and state-of-the-art computer parts and peripherals, interfaced for maximum utility. The central operating program of the device assesses the relationships of input data through logic based, three-dimensional decision-making algorithm. Data output is utilized either directly by the user, by the user through an aircraft system, or directly from the EKB to an aircraft system or autopilot.
US08301365B2

An ECU executes a program including a step of detecting a present location using a GPS system; a step of reading out data of a geographical map proximate to the present location and presenting in the geographical map charging installations including a charging installation employing solar light, together with the location of its vehicle; a step of, if a presentation switching request is made and a real-time solar radiation correction request is made, detecting a solar radiation amount and correcting a charge amount per unit time provided by the power generation installation employing solar light, based on the detected solar radiation amount; and a step of detecting an SOC in the battery to calculate an amount of discharge done until arrival at the charging installation, calculating time required for charging up to a fully charged state, and presenting the time required for charging in the geographical map.
US08301352B2

A cubic metric calculator performs a calculation of a time average of power of the amplitude of a transmission signal when a cubic metric value is calculated as a product-sum operation between a transmission power-dependent term including an amplitude value depending on the transmission power of a transmission signal and a time average term including only a modulation parameter not depending on the transmission power of the transmission signal. When the transmission signal is transmitted, the operator inputs the amplitude value to calculate the transmission power-dependent term, reads the value of the time average term from coefficient memory, and performs the product-sum operation using an operation result of the transmission power-dependent term and the read value of the time average term, thereby calculating a time average of the power of the amplitude of the transmission signal.
US08301342B2

In an electric power steering apparatus including a charge-discharge circuit 16 that selectively configures a first output mode in which only a main power supply including a battery 9 is used to supply an electric power to a motor 4 or a second output mode in which the main power supply and an auxiliary power supply 14 are used to supply the electric power to the motor 4, and a control circuit 6 that selects the output mode of the charge-discharge circuit 16 according to the electric power required for steering assist, the control circuit 6 selects the second output mode when the electric power required for steering assist in the first output mode becomes equal to or higher than an upward threshold value P1 or selects the first output mode when the electric power required for steering assist in the second output mode becomes equal to or lower than a downward threshold value P2 that is lower than the upward threshold value P1.
US08301335B2

A system for controlling air-conditioning of a vehicle includes an input, an offset generator module, and an evaporator temperature control module. The input receives an input temperature. The offset generator module receives a psychrometric parameter of air inside the vehicle and generates offsets based on the input temperature and the psychrometric parameter. The evaporator temperature control module generates a target evaporator temperature based on the offsets.
US08301310B2

Operation method for a variable speed wind turbine which comprises control methods for blade pitch in cases of extreme gusts of wind, characterized by the fact that it is comprised of the following steps: a) detection of the presence of an extreme gust of wind; b) performance of a sudden increase in pitch within the range of 6 to 14 degrees at the maximum speed permitted by the wind turbine blade pitch control mechanisms. The method also includes an additional step; c) vary the generator speed to avoid an increased acceleration of the generator which could make a subsequent step b) necessary.
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