US08303137B2
A lighting apparatus is disclosed herein that may illuminate a space with light emitted from a light source or to concentrate the emitted light on a certain object. The lighting apparatus may include a lens and a main body that may house a light source. One or more connectors may be formed on the lens and the main body to connect the lens to the main body such that the connectors are not visible once the lighting apparatus is assembled. The lighting apparatus may facilitate mass production and enhance design characteristics owing to a simplified coupling configuration of the connectors provided therein.
US08303128B2
A cold cathode tube 15 includes an elongated glass tube 18, which has a primary-seal-side end portion 31 as one end portion thereof and a secondary-seal-side end portion 33 as the other end portion thereof. An electrode 19 is enclosed in each end portion 31, 33 of the glass tube 18. A ferrule 20 is attached to the outer side of each end portion 31, 33, and is connected to the corresponding electrode 19. The ferrule 20A-1 attached to the primary-seal-side end portion 31 and the ferrule 20B-1 attached to the secondary-seal-side end portion 33 differ in color of the entire surface from each other. A plurality of cold cathode tubes are arranged and mounted in a chassis 12, so that adjacent cold cathode tubes 15 lie in the opposite orientation to each other.
US08303126B2
The present invention is a cell phone stand to secure a cell phone or a camera with video recording capability that includes a plurality of support legs with a plurality of front support legs, a plurality of side support legs and a plurality of back support legs, a cell phone base plate or a camera base plate with a raised perimeter to secure the cell phone or camera that is supported by the support legs. There is also a plurality of rotator cuffs disposed around the base plate to rotate the front support legs and the back support legs under the base plate, a built-in light and one or more batteries housed in a battery casing to provide electric power to the built-in light.
US08303124B2
A reflector (e.g., mirror) for use in a solar collector or the like is provided. In certain example embodiments of this invention, a reflector is made by (a) forming a reflective coating on a thin substantially flat glass substrate (the thin glass substrate may or may not be pre-bent prior to the coating being applied thereto), (b) optionally, if the glass substrate in (a) was not prebent, then cold-bending the glass substrate with the reflective coating thereon; and (c) applying a plate or frame member to the thin bent glass substrate with the coating thereon from (a) and/or (b), the plate or frame member (which may be another thicker pre-bent glass sheet, for example) for maintaining the thin glass substrate and coating thereon in a desired bent orientation in a final product which may be used as parabolic trough or dish type reflector in a concentrating solar power apparatus or the like.
US08303119B2
In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for marking an image projected onto a surface includes capturing a second image from the surface, detecting the existence of a marking point in the second image, and modifying the first image by placing a graphic element at a location corresponding to a location of the marking point in the second image.
US08303111B2
The pair of eyeglasses includes at least a lens, at least a frame, at least a pair of catching elements and at least a pair of temples. The lens is provided with at least a pair of extension portions respectively disposed in the left and right opposite ends, and each extension portion is provided with at least a pair of fixing pillars. The frame is provided with at least an upper groove in the upper elongated rim, at least a lower groove in the nose portion and at least a pair of inlaid blocks respectively disposed on the left and right opposite ends. One end of each catching element is coupled to each extension portion of the lens for each pair of fixing pillars in each extension portion to be caught in, and an opposite end is connected with one end of each temple, so as for the assembly of the lens, frame and temples to be completed in a simpler and fast way.
US08303107B2
A method of printing includes providing a printhead and providing a roller positioned downstream from the printhead. The printhead is used to selectively moisten at least a portion of the web of print media as the web of print media is guided through the printing system. The print media is caused to contact and wrap around a portion of the roller as the print media moves past the roller. The roller, having an axis of rotation, includes a pattern of recesses and ridges positioned along the axis of rotation of the roller. A second section of the roller is located between a first section of the roller and a third section of the roller as viewed along the axis of rotation. The roller includes a profile as viewed along the axis of rotation in which the diameter of the ridges located in the first section of the roller and the diameter of ridges located in the third section of the roller are greater than the diameter of the ridges located in the second section of the roller.
US08303101B2
A roller assembly for use in a printer includes a shaft with two ends and a pair of conical rollers. Each of the conical rollers is disposed on the shaft near each of the ends. The roller assembly guides a medium within the printer without damaging a freshly-printed surface of the medium. A printer including the roller assembly and a belt in contact with the roller assembly is also described and claimed.
US08303098B2
A system and method is provide for delivering molten ink to a printing mechanism including receiving molten ink in a receiving reservoir, and alternating which of a plurality of reservoirs is opened to the receiving reservoir to receive molten ink while at least one other of the plurality of reservoirs is opened to dispense molten ink to the printing mechanism, in response to the level of ink in a reservoir dispensing molten ink to the printing mechanism.
US08303095B2
An ink supply assembly includes at least one inlet port. At least one outlet port is connected to the inlet port via an ink cavity and is adapted to be connected to an ink discharge unit of an ink jet device. The ink supply assembly has a sandwich structure formed by at least two plate members and a foil that is interposed therebetween and has a part forming a wall of said ink cavity. At least one of the plate members defines a pressure equalization chamber adjacent to the ink cavity and separated therefrom by the foil.
US08303083B2
A liquid ejection head includes a nozzle formation member having a liquid repellent layer disposed on a droplet ejection face of a nozzle substrate in which one or more nozzle orifices is formed to eject droplets. The liquid repellent layer includes a first sub-layer and a second sub-layer. The first sub-layer contains a higher proportion of low-molecular-weight molecules than the second sub-layer. The second sub-layer contains a higher proportion of high-molecular-weight molecules than the first sub-layer. Both the first sub-layer and the second sub-layer are exposed on a surface of the nozzle formation member.
US08303081B2
A backbone for a printer is formed from a single piece of material. The single piece of material includes an integrated carriage rod. When a carriage assembly is mounted on the integrated carriage rod, the carriage assembly is enabled to slide across the integrated carriage rod into position for printing.
US08303077B2
An image forming apparatus includes a carriage, an image forming unit, a storage unit, a vibration absorber, and a controller. The carriage reciprocally moves in a main scan direction. The image forming unit is mounted on the carriage. The storage unit stores a speed profile of the carriage. The vibration absorber has controllable vibration reduction characteristics to reduce vibration. The controller controls the vibration reduction characteristics of the vibration absorber in accordance with the speed profile.
US08303069B2
A determination is made, throughout one page, of whether a unit region is to be printed chromatically or achromatically, or nothing is to be printed; a determination is made of whether or not, in the one page, there is at least one unit region determined to be printed achromatically between two unit regions where nothing is to be printed; when it is determined that there is at least one such unit region, a determination is further made of whether or not there is at least one unit region determined to be printed chromatically between the two unit regions where nothing is to be printed; when it is determined that there is at least one such unit region, the determination results of the unit region determined to be printed achromatically are changed to chromatic printing; and printing is performed according to the changed results.
US08303057B2
An opening and closing support mechanism includes: a main body; an opening and closing member; and a support member includes: a first joint support portion that curves to deform when the opening and closing member is closed, and extends straight when the opening and closing member is opened; and a projection portion that projects to an opposite side of a curving side of the first joint support portion at a side of either one end portion or the other end portion of first joint support portion when the opening and closing member is closed, and is elastically deformed in a direction of approaching the first joint support portion while pressed against a portion of the main body or opening and closing member when the opening and closing member is opened, and the support member being fitted between the main body and the opening and closing member.
US08303056B2
A cabinet door collapses and slides into a concealed position inside a door compartment of a cabinet. The door has a first wing which is pivotally connected to a second wing and to a vertical door-supporting bar which travel insides the door compartment. The second wing is guided by carriages running in upper and lower continuous guideways that extend inside the door compartment. A device for moving the door-supporting bar includes a stationary toothed belt inside the door compartment, a toothed wheel and guide pulleys carried by the door-supporting bar. The toothed wheel is operatively connected to a torsion spring inside the door-supporting bar. A locking device locks the toothed wheel, when the door wings are in a coplanar closed position, and releases the toothed wheel, when they are in a parallel open position.
US08303053B2
A basket apparatus includes a basket positioned in a cabinet, a motor to drive the basket from a rearward lowered position in the cabinet to a forward directed raised position outside of the cabinet and a driver connecting the basket to the motor. In one embodiment, the driver has an extendable drive portion to allow manual movement of the basket from the rearward lowered position to a forward lowered position and a rigid drive portion to transmit force from the motor to the basket to drive the basket between the rearward lowered position and the forward directed raised position so that the basket may be pulled by a user from a rearward lowered position to a forward lowered portion and the driver enables the motor to drive the basket to the forward directed raised position outside of the cabinet.
US08303052B2
An elastic mechanism for a slide assembly includes a first rail having an opening. The elastic mechanism includes a first elastic section, a second elastic section, and a connection section connected between the first and second elastic sections. The first elastic section, the second elastic section and the connection section define an elastic space. The first elastic section includes two first sidewalls and a first recess is defined between the first elastic section and the two first sidewalls. The second elastic section includes two second sidewalls and a second recess is defined between the second elastic section and the two second sidewalls. The elastic mechanism is connected to the opening of the first rail to provide an elastic force by the first and second recesses.
US08303051B2
A computer enclosure includes a bottom surface, a sidewall connected to the bottom surface, and a cover. A flange is located on a top edge of the sidewall. A plurality of elastic fingers is formed on the flange. Each of the plurality of elastic fingers includes a free end from which a contact point protrudes. The cover covers the flange. The elastic fingers are elastically pressed by the cover, and the contact point contacts the cover.
US08303042B2
A seat belt guide includes a housing defining an interior region, and a guide member at least partially disposed within the interior region. The guide member defines a channel for receiving and guiding a webbing of a seat belt. The guide member is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position, with the channel concealed when in the stowed position, and the channel exposed when in the deployed position. The guide member includes a base portion and a guide portion, with the guide portion rotatable relative to the base portion to allow for automatic withdrawal of the webbing from the channel when the seat is moved into a position that does not require the use of the seat belt guide.
US08303037B2
A vehicle seat (1), in particular a commercial vehicle seat, is provided with a scissor-type stand (3) with a seat frame (10) that is articulated thereto by a pivoting axis (B), the seat frame being able to incline in relation to the scissor-type stand (3), and a back rest (20) that is attached to the seat frame (10). The seat frame (10) is articulated directly to the scissor-type stand (3) and is connected in an articulated manner to the scissor-type frame (3) by at least one three-hinged element.
US08303034B2
A seat assembly having a front and a back and adapted to be attached to a floor comprises a seat base and a seat back attached to the seat base, a seat belt mechanism attached to the seat base and free of the floor, a blast mitigation device attached to the seat base and adapted to be secured to the floor, wherein the blast mitigation device has a crumple zone which absorbs energy in the event of a blast, and a front impact dislocation resistance device mounted on the blast mitigation device with a pair of brackets. The front impact dislocation resistance device acts to resist separation of the seat base from the blast mitigation device.
US08303023B2
A rear pillar of an automotive vehicle housing a power tailgate assembly and a garnish covering the rear pillar. The garnish includes an opening through which a tailgate rod extends and interconnects the power tailgate assembly and the tailgate of the automobile. A cover closes the opening and comprises an elongated body of a resilient material including an upper region having a passage sized to accommodate the tailgate rod and lower region having a “T” shaped slot intersecting the passage.
US08303020B1
An enclosure assembly (20) for enclosing a cargo compartment of an open-air cart having a cap (30) shaped to mate with a rear section of a roof (200) of a cart for the secure fitting of cap (30) over the rear section of the roof of the cart, brackets (40) attachable to the cart using the cart's existing structure, and a cover (25) one edge of which is to be attached to cap (30) and its side portions to brackets (40), so when cover (25) is attached to cap (30) and brackets (40), assembly (20) is formed and ready for installation on the cart. Installation is achieved when cap (30) is positioned over the rear section of the roof and brackets (40) are attached to the cart using only attachments that exist on the cart, providing for a two-step installation without altering or drilling any holes in the cart.
US08303014B2
A pick-up style utility vehicle having a front seat, a rear seat, a cargo bed, a cabin frame surrounding a riding space, and a screen shield partitioning the cargo bed and a rear riding space in front of the cargo bed. The cargo bed can be changed between an expanded state in which the cargo bed is expanded in a front direction into the rear riding space and a non-expanded state not occupying the rear riding space. A backrest for the rear seat is attached to the screen shield. The screen shield can be shifted between a position in the expanded state and a position in the non-expanded state when a seat bottom and the backrest of the rear seat are changed between a retracted state in which the seat bottom and the backrest are erected on the same straight line and a seatable used state.
US08303009B2
A gripping element for gripping plastic containers with mouths, and in particular performs, includes a carrier on which there is arranged a gripping head which can be introduced at least partially into a mouth of the plastic container. Arranged on the gripping head is at least one holding element which is at least partially movable in a radial direction in relation to the gripping head to secure the container relative to the gripping head.
US08303006B2
An apparatus for gripping and lifting objects such as construction castings has a T-shaped frame comprising elongate horizontal and vertical frame members. The vertical frame member is slidably received in one end of a hollow sleeve member which is connected to its upper end to a loop or hook. A pair of articulated pivot arms are each connected at one end to the hollow sleeve member and at the other end to the horizontal frame member, with a joint being provided between the ends of each pivot arm. Carried at the ends of the horizontal frame member are a plurality of contact members which are adapted to contact and grip the sidewall of a construction casting. In use, the apparatus is placed over a construction casting with the horizontal frame member resting on the upper surface and with the contact elements in position facing the side wall of the casting. The apparatus is then lifted, for example by a backhoe or loader, which causes the sleeve member to slide upwardly along the vertical frame member. This causes the pivot arms to lift, and brings about an inward and upward pivoting movement of the contact elements, causing them to engage and grip the side wall of the casting. The gripping force increases with the weight of the casting.
US08303003B2
The invention relates to a latch that comprises a lock and a closing part that engages with the latter. Said lock comprises a catch (10) and a clink and said catch (10) comprises a receiving element (19) for the closing part and has a stepped profile in the direction of the periphery, said stepped profile having a prestop (13) and a main stop (14) for a locking point on the clink. Said catch (10) can be adjusted at least between three rotational positions which are an open position, a stop position and a main stop position. In order to prevent problems with the latch, the prestop (13) and the main stop (14) are placed on the catch (10) at a radial distance (47, 48), that is different from each other, in relation to the rotational axis (11). A sensor determines the different radial distance that is obtained in the prestop position and the main stop position, and informs the control device. In accordance with the information provided to the sensor, the control device performs the functions defined by vehicle.
US08302990B2
A vehicle air bag device in which gas leakage prevention is achieved via mounting of a bracket on an inflator. The vehicle air bag device includes an air bag that is formed integrally with an inflator insertion portion into which an inflator is inserted. The air bag device also includes a bracket that is formed to attach the inflator to a vehicle body side, and that includes an inflator side mounting portion mounted onto an outer side of the inflator insertion portion so as to partially cover the inflator insertion portion. A strip-form body surrounds and integrates the inflator side mounting portion and the inflator disposed in the inflator insertion portion.
US08302989B2
An airbag having an inflator therein and an airbag system equipped with the airbag are provided, the inflator having a harness taken to the outside through a harness through opening, and the airbag having high inflation durability. An airbag has an inflator therein. Three stud bolts project from an inflator holder attached to the inflator. The bottom of the airbag has three bolt insertion holes through which the stud bolts are passed. A harness through opening is provided between adjacent bolt insertion holes, the harness through opening being for taking a harness for passing electric current to the initiator of the inflator out of the airbag. The harness through opening is shaped like a slit, which extends in the direction substantially orthogonal to the line connecting the bolt insertion holes.
US08302988B2
A tie-plate comprising a lower mounting flange that is removably attachable to a first frame hanger and to a second frame hanger, wherein the lower mounting flange includes a first set of attachment holes that correspond to a set of attachment holes at the first frame hanger, wherein the lower mounting flange includes a second set of attachment holes that correspond to a set of attachment holes at the second frame hanger, an extending member having a first end that extends at an angle from the lower mounting flange; and an upper mounting flange extending from a second end of the extending member, wherein the upper mounting flange has one or more mounting holes adapted for attachment of the tie-plate to an undercarriage of a vehicle.
US08302986B1
An aquatic storage trailer and carrier provide storage and transport of items by a personal watercraft and land transport of both the aquatic trailer and personal watercraft. The aquatic trailer and carrier include a container having a lid portion hingedly coupled to a hull portion. The hull portion and the lid portion form an interior space configured for item storage. A tow arm has a U-shaped portion having free ends coupled to the container. An extension portion of the tow arm is configured for coupling to a watercraft to tow the container on a water surface using the watercraft. A carrier is provided having a watercraft cradle configured for supporting the watercraft. The carrier also has a pair of cradle arms selectively couplable to the container to support the container on the carrier during transport.
US08302977B1
A Flexible Skateboard Truck intended to provide improved shock absorption and maneuverability consists of a monocoque and an axle whereby a connection is made between a mass and a device capable of moving across a surface. Said monocoque consists of flexible material which can be repeatedly deformed and returned to its original, constructed shape. Applied pressure and shock is absorbed and momentarily stored as energy by said monocoque whose instantaneous, controlled release by the rider steers said Flexible Skateboard Truck. The mounting points are configured to allow for stability and flexibility. Additional compressive support can be introduced by the insertion of a pneumatic bladder or bladders. An optional slit or slits and rib or ribs can be introduced in order to facilitate steering.
US08302975B2
The present invention relates to a transport system (1) comprising a trolley (5) and a goods carrier (100), which can be detachably connected to each other via a coupling (65, 154). A remarkable characteristic of the transport system (1) is a platform (11), which extends over all parts (5, 100) of the transport system (1) and coincides with a platform (13) of the trolley (5) so that as a result both a delimiting connecting member (15) is provided between individual parts (67, 69) of the trolley (5) and also individual goods can be disposed on the goods carrier (100).
US08302973B2
An active geometry control suspension, may include an assist link of which a wheel is connected to one end portion thereof to guide a movement of the wheel, a moving member, one portion of which is pivotally fixed to the other end portion of the assist link, a guide formed in the moving member and including a slot to slidably receive the moving member therein so as to guide a movement of the moving member, a body that is fixed to a vehicle body to connect the guide thereto, and a driving portion coupled to the other portion of the moving member and moving the moving member along the slot to vary a position of the assist link and thus to vary an alignment angle of the wheel.
US08302969B2
This invention describes a game of inverse chess, with a pre-identified start position, and end position and arbitered moves chosen amongst a set of possible moves, played between two opponents on a chess board. This differs from normal chess in that it is played backwards in time where the objective is to reconstruct the pre-identified start position, from the pre-identified end position. While the pieces used in the game are essentially the same as that of regular chess, the moves they make are reversed. Since the state-space of this game is much larger in the potential moves, an arbiter is used to validate possible moves that one player might choose to make. Using either a regular or modified chess board, the pieces on the board move backwards. Three such moves are described in the I-castle, spawn and I-check moves. A variant of the game is the two-knight game wherein two knights play each other and the piece reaching the pre-identified start position, win.
US08302968B2
A method of playing a multiplayer game comprises steps of providing a plurality of blocks and providing a plurality of viewable images. Each of the images represents a configuration of at least two of the plurality of blocks oriented in a particular manner with respect to each other. The method also comprises designating at least one game player of a first team to serve as an instructor of the first team. The instructor of the first team views the configuration of a first one of the images and then provides instructions regarding how to assemble the configuration shown in the first one of the images while at least one other of the game players of the first team attempts to construct at least part of the configuration out of the blocks using the instructions.
US08302967B2
A puzzle assembly which can be adjust the degree of difficulty is disclosed. The disclosed puzzle assembly comprises a rotation shaft, a plurality of rotation plate members having slide grooves on the outer circumference and inserted into the rotation shaft, a plurality of puzzle pieces engaged with the slide grooves movably, wherein at least two of the rotation plate members are coupled together and rotate simultaneously.
US08302966B1
A game is disclosed that is played with coins to deliver a prize to a player. A coin delivery mechanism is adapted to deliver the coins proximate at least one coin platform via a sloped playing field having a plurality of apertures vertically aligned with each coin platform. A plurality of prize platforms each support a prize and are each mechanically coupled with one of the coin platforms to dispense the prize thereon when the weight of the plurality of coins retained by the coin platform reaches a critical weight. A prize chute is situated below each prize platform and delivers the prize to the player when the prize falls from the prize platform. A profit chute is situated below each coin platform and the playing field and is adapted to deliver the coins not retained by the coin platform into a coin storage receptacle.
US08302956B2
A sheet feeding apparatus, in which a drive motor rotates a pickup roller, and a drive transmission portion provided between the drive motor and the pickup roller transmits a drive from the drive motor to the pickup roller. During sheet feeding, one of the drive motor and the drive transmission portion causes the pickup roller to perform an intermittent drive of iterating the drive and a stop, so that a sheet is gradually deflected between the pickup roller and separation claws.
US08302953B2
A sheet separating and feeding unit incorporable in an image forming apparatus includes an image forming device, a sheet container, a sheet feeding unit including an endless, dielectric belt and an electric potential pattern forming unit, a belt supporting mechanism including a first supporting roller and a second supporting roller, and a moving unit. The first supporting roller rotates to rotatably move the second supporting roller between a sheet attracting position and a sheet feeding position so that the flat portion of the dielectric belt moves between the sheet contact position and the sheet pick-up position.
US08302949B2
An apparatus for producing book blocks includes a station to dispense a sheet web that moves in longitudinal direction and can be imprinted. A printing station has two cylinders that rotate with a circumferential speed corresponding to the movement speed of the web and function to support in a contacting manner the web with their circumferential surfaces over a specified angle. Contactless printing heads are assigned to each cylinder, arranged at a distance to the circumferential surface of the associated cylinder, and positioned side by side and at least essentially transverse to the circumferential and rotational direction of the associated cylinder. The printing head faces are oriented substantially tangential to the associated cylinder and the center lines of the printing heads are oriented to project substantially radially to the circumferential surface of the associated cylinder. The web is guided so that when it rests on one cylinder, one side of the web is imprinted and when it rests on the other cylinder, the other side of the web is imprinted. A desired web tension is created in the printing station. A cutting station is arranged downstream of the printing station to cut the printed web in longitudinal and transverse directions to form sheets having a predetermined height and width. An overlapping station arranges the cut sheets into an overlapping formation. A station collects the sheets to produce stacks that form book blocks.
US08302948B2
A test fixture for making an electrical connection with electrical contacts of a circuit board includes jaws made of conductive material. The jaws may be monolithic pieces of copper, with a pair of sections that pivot along a thin hinged portion at one end. The jaws float freely within a test fixture housing, allowing the jaws to reposition themselves within the housing to adjust to variations in position of the electrical contacts. A clamping mechanism pushes free ends of the jaw sections toward one another, causing engagement between the sections and the electrical contacts. The test fixture provides a way to provide good contact area and good contact pressure, allowing large-current flows between the jaws and the electrical contacts, while at the same time providing substantially no force on the circuit board in a direction perpendicular to the circuit board.
US08302945B2
A cover assembly for an air spring for vehicles includes a cover (1) and a buffer (2) in the cover (1). The cover (1) is made from plastic and has reinforcing ribs (3) on the inside. The stop buffer (2) has slots on the side thereof facing the cover (1) in a manner corresponding to the reinforcing ribs (3) of the cover (1). The ribs (3) of the cover (1) are inserted into the slots (8). Damage to the buffer (2) by impact of the ribs (3) on the buffer (2) is thus avoided.
US08302932B2
A sprinkler valve test and control device that is used to test and control a sprinkler valve having a solenoid plunger without the need for electricity. The sprinkler valve test and control device includes a cup shaped yoke body having a cavity and an opening, a magnet positioned in the cavity, and the magnetic having a magnetic field directed towards the opening of the cavity, and an epoxy fill sealing and securing the magnet in the cavity. When the device is placed over a solenoid plunger, the magnetic field actuates the solenoid plunger of the sprinkler valve to turn the sprinkler valve on. The device allows efficient and effective determination of the reasons for the malfunctioning of sprinkler valves.
US08302929B2
A hanger for sheet material and method of hanging sheet material. An embodiment of the hanger for sheet material includes a base, a magnet assembly support member adjacent the base, and a magnet assembly. The magnet assembly may include one or more holding members and one or more magnets. Each magnet may be attached to a holding member. Each holding member may be hinged to the magnet assembly support member.
US08302923B2
A merchandise display hook includes a display rod and a locking base pivotally attached to the display rod for locking the display hook on a display support. The locking base is configured to pivot relative to the display rod inwardly towards the display support from an unlocked position to a locked position and outwardly from the display support from the locked position to the unlocked position. The display hook includes a first attachment member configured to engage a front surface of the display support and a second attachment member configured to engage a rear surface of the display support. The locking base defines a contact surface configured to engage the front surface of the display support in the locked position. When the locking base is in the locked position, the locking base and the display rod define a first angle therebetween. When the locking base is in the unlocked position, the locking base and the display rod define a second angle therebetween that is less than the first angle.
US08302920B2
A dual vacuum mount type support device includes a support arm, two vacuum mount assemblies pivotally connected to the two distal ends of the support arm for securing to the flat surface of a support wall and the flat surface of an object to be supported on the support wall, and two pivot locks for locking the vacuum mount assemblies to the support arm in the respective adjusted position.
US08302915B2
A control mechanism for a railroad switch machine, the mechanism including a hydraulic circuit operable to move a rail end point of a switch point assembly of the railroad switch machine, a pump to hydraulically operate the hydraulic circuit, and a motor to operate the pump, wherein the only electromechanical parts of the control mechanism are within the motor.
US08302907B2
A hybrid torque box comprising a plurality of composite tubes and metal fittings attached together in alternating succession and configured to attach a thrust reverser to an engine fan case of an aircraft. The hybrid torque box may be substantially hollow and may comprise two V-blades for attaching the torque box to the engine fan case. The hybrid torque box may also be attached to or integral with a bull nose fairing configured for attachment with a cascade of the thrust reverser. Furthermore, the hybrid torque box may comprise and/or attach to a cowl interface flange configured for interfacing with an outer cowl of the thrust reverser.
US08302904B2
Systems and methods for providing dynamic control to a surface immersed in a dynamic fluid. The systems and methods of the invention relate to one or more morphable surfaces that can be control in an active manner to provide asperities that interact with a fluid moving across the morphable surfaces. By controlling the size, shape and location of the asperities, one can exert control authority over the motion of the surface relative to the fluid. Examples of materials that provide suitable morphable surfaces include ionic polymer metal composites and shape memory polymers, both of which types of material are commercially available. Useful morphable surface systems have been examined and are described.
US08302896B2
In a printer that uses a roll paper being a printing medium, when a 2-inch roll paper is used, as a flange member coaxially fixed to each central portion of both ends of a paper tube of the roll paper in its axial direction, a flange member with a smaller outer diameter than that of the flange member used for a 3-inch roll paper is used.
US08302895B2
A reel with a rotatable spool. The reel includes a motor coupled to a drive shaft and configured to rotate the drive shaft in a first direction and a second direction opposite the first direction. A drive assembly is disposed on the drive shaft and rotation of the drive shaft in the first direction moves the drive assembly along the drive shaft and into engagement with the spool. Rotation of the drive shaft in the second direction moves the drive assembly along the drive shaft and out of engagement with the spool. When the drive assembly is engaged with the spool, the drive assembly rotates the spool in a windup direction. When the drive assembly is out of engagement with the spool, the spool may be rotated manually in an unwind direction without encountering resistance from the motor.
US08302893B2
An impact mill including a base portion on which is disposed a rotor rotatably mounted in a bearing housing, the rotor having an upwardly aligned cylindrical surface portion coaxial with the rotational axis. The impact mill is provided with a mill casing within which is located a conical track assembly which surrounds the rotor to form a conical grinding path. The mill casing is provided with a downwardly aligned cylindrical collar which may be axially adjusted to set a grinding gap between the rotor and the mill casing. The rotor is provided with a plurality of impact knives complementary with a plurality of impact knives disposed on the inside top surface of the mill casing. The conical track assembly can be a series of assembled conical sections or one unit with varied number of serrations in either a vertical or sloped configuration. This flexibility allows for greater compatibility with the feedstock being milled.
US08302892B2
An impact mill including a base portion on which is disposed a rotor rotatably mounted in a bearing housing, the rotor having an upwardly aligned cylindrical surface portion coaxial with the rotational axis. The impact mill is provided with a mill casing within which is located a conical track assembly which surrounds the rotor to form a conical grinding path. The mill casing is provided with a downwardly aligned cylindrical collar which may be axially adjusted to set a grinding gap between the rotor and the mill casing. The rotor is provided with a plurality of impact knives complementary with a plurality of impact knives disposed on the inside top surface of the mill casing. The conical track assembly can be a series of assembled conical sections or one unit with varied number of serrations in either a vertical or sloped configuration. This flexibility allows for greater compatibility with the feedstock being milled.
US08302890B2
A modular ore processing system for concentrating ores includes a plurality of separate modules constructed so as to be serially arranged to form a feed processing system for concentrating a desired material in the ore, wherein the modules are individually transportable to a processing site to be operationally coupled to form the modular ore processing system.
US08302877B2
The first object of the present invention is to provide a derailment prevention guard which can be easily shunted outside the range of the ballast tamping work, the rail grinding work and the rail maintenance work, and has no problem on safety.A derailment prevention guard comprises a guard member installed within a gauge and a support member fixed to a sleeper or a concrete slab track, and the guard member is held by a hold member which can turn around a central axis supported by the support member as turning center between a main rail and the inside of the gauge on the sleeper or the concrete slab track, and the support member is engaged with the hold member by means of a bolt through turning the hold member toward the main rail around the central axis as turning center on the sleeper or the concrete slab track, and the guard member can be shunted inward within the gauge by turning the hold member toward the inside of the gauge around the central axis as turning center on the sleeper or the concrete slab track after loosening the bolt.
US08302876B2
A preferred embodiment supplemental heating system is fluidly connectable to a vehicle cooling system and includes a liquid heat generator operable for heating a cooling fluid delivered to the supplemental heating system from the vehicle's cooling system. The liquid heat generator includes a discharge passage connectable to a heater core of the vehicle and a inlet passage connectable to the vehicle's cooling system. The supplemental heating system further includes a control valve having an inlet connectable to an exit passage of a heater core of the vehicle, a discharge passage fluidly connected to the liquid heat generator, and a second discharge passage connectable to the vehicle's cooling system. The control valve is operable for controlling the proportion of cooling fluid exiting the heater core that is returned to the vehicle's cooling system and recirculated back to the liquid heat generator.
US08302862B2
According to one embodiment, a code reading apparatus includes an image pickup section, a reading section, and a storage control section. The image pickup section picks up an image including an image of a commodity to be subjected to sales registration. The reading section reads commodity information indicating the commodity to be subjected to the sales registration from the picked-up image. The storage control section causes a commodity master file, which stores commodity information indicating a commodity and a commodity image of the commodity indicated by the commodity information in association with each other, to store the picked-up image as the commodity image in association with the read commodity information.
US08302860B2
A read head is positioned in a housing and configured to be coupled to a mobile device. The read head has a slot for swiping a magnetic stripe of a financial transaction card. The slot is utilized to complete a financial transaction between a buyer and seller. The read head reads data on the magnetic stripe and produces a signal indicative of data stored on the magnetic stripe. The read head device includes an output jack adapted to be inserted at least one of the audio jack or microphone input port of a mobile appliance for providing a signal indicative of data stored on the magnetic stripe to the mobile device. The slot is configured to maintain contact between the read head and the magnetic stripe of the financial transaction card during a swipe and decoding of the signal is performed in the mobile device. The decoding includes determining pulses in the signal and converting at least some of the pulses to characters.
US08302850B2
A method is disclosed with which a terminal (3) can retrieve information associated to an EPC code from an EPC network (4, 5, 6, 7). The EPC code is virtual, is generated independently of RFID tags and is stored permanently and is not—or not permanently—associated to an RFID tag. A terminal (3) sends a message with the EPC code over a telecommunication network (4) to an object name server (6), the server (6) replies with the address of the desired PML page and the terminal (3) access the content of said PML page. The invention also relates to a corresponding device.
US08302848B2
A system and method configures a scanner. The method comprises generating an object using an output arrangement of a host device. The object includes configuration data which corresponds to a peripheral device. The method comprises scanning the object using a scanner of the peripheral device to obtain the configuration data. The method comprises configuring the peripheral device as a function of the configuration data. The method comprises coupling the peripheral device to the host device.
US08302843B2
A process for producing a semiconductor device, includes: first melting by heating only a superior portion of a bump formed on an electrode on one principle surface of a semiconductor substrate; and second melting the entire bump by also heating an inferior portion of the bump.
US08302822B2
Pressure regulators for beverage dispensers of the type using a high pressure gas cartridge such a CO2 cartridge. The regulators provide a simple, low cost, easily assembled and reliable regulator of particularly small size, facilitated in part by the fact that the invention allows the use of a diaphragm of a particularly small size without necessitating the use of expensive and bulky diaphragm clamps, such as threaded clamps, yet is able to provide a more than adequate seal at both the inner and outer portions of the diaphragm.
US08302809B1
A product dispensing system including a container defining an internal volume and an opening into the internal volume, the container including a weakening feature, the opening and the weakening feature defining an access panel, and a dispenser including a frame having longitudinally opposed first and second ends, and including a support deck and a product display area, the support deck extending at least partially between the first and second ends, the product display area being positioned below the support deck, and a catch element connected to the frame proximate the first end, the catch element protruding away from the second end such that the catch element engages the opening in the container and at least partially separates the access panel from the container as the container longitudinally moves along the support deck from the first end toward the second end.
US08302805B2
A closure has a body and a lid is molded with the body. A utensil, such as a scoop or spear, is integrally formed with the closure body, and connected to the closure body via frangible connections. The lid includes a utensil-receiving structure for releasably holding the utensil, once it is initially broken away from the closure body, such that the utensil can be attached to the closure lid for storage.
US08302800B2
A protective device attached to a pressure release valve of a lid of a pressure cooker, including a dome-shaped mesh casing body, a ring-shaped reinforcing frame fixed to the upper edge of the mesh casing body, a bridge plate provided on the reinforcing frame with both ends thereof fixed to the reinforcing frame so that the bridge plate diametrically crosses the ring-shaped reinforcing frame keeping distance from the bottom of the mesh casing body, and an attachment member of substantially a hollow cylinder provided at the center of the bridge plate.
US08302797B2
A floating roof and emergency overflow drainage system for water accumulated on the floating roof covering liquid in a storage tank, including: a. a water collection sump formed as a downward extending recess in the top surface of the roof, b. a first drainage duct having an inlet within the water collection sump, an outlet for draining water below the sump, and an intermediate portion, c. a second drainage duct having an inlet above the top surface of the roof, an intermediate portion, and an outlet in fluid communication with the intermediate portion of the first duct in the sump, and d. an emergency overflow duct including: (1) an inlet in fluid communication with the second duct, and (2) a distal portion extending downwardly and terminating in an outlet below the sump and in the stored liquid.
US08302795B2
Caps for bottles with a box of powder material for preparation of beverages. The cap is applied to a basic box with a basic substance enclosed, as e.g. drinking water. The cap contains the other box with the other liquid or powder substance. The box is closed on the bottom-side with aluminum foil and a slant damper and on an upper side by a cover. The damper may be twisted around a hinge and have on an upper surface a one-arm vertical flexible lever arranged above the aluminum foil. The cover has on an internal plane bottom tangs, as well as a barrier, by which during winding up and winding off the cover acts on the lever. By winding off the cover a free end of the lever is elastically bent, creating in it a moment of force, which twists the damper and breaks through and removes the aluminum foil. Upon finishing mixing substances, the blend may be drank through the opening of the box.
US08302788B2
A demountable shelving unit with welded crossbar supports, open-channel upright supports, and channel support features. The welded crossbar supports and diagonal supports are slidably received within open-channel upright supports. Upper and lower crossbar supports include upright insertion blocks that are captured within the upright supports and horizontal connectors that extend through slots in the upright supports to connect two upright supports together to form an end unit. Shelf units are connected between two end units to create an assembled shelf. For a typical shelving unit, only eight bolts are needed to assemble each end unit and the shelf units attach to the end units with rivet-type quick disconnect fasteners that fit within teardrop shaped sockets in the upright supports. This results in a demountable shelf that can be assembled quickly and easily with only sixteen bolts per shelving unit.
US08302784B2
A tray for the display and dispensing of products in blister packages. Side guide elements, of wire or sheet material, are provided in forward portions thereof with retaining elements formed integrally and in one piece therewith. The retaining elements engage side margins of a forwardmost package well below the tops of the packages and preferably below the tops of the blisters thereof. A forwardmost package is gripped by its exposed and unobstructed upper portions and pulled forwardly to remove a package. Integral, one-piece construction of the side guide elements and the retaining elements provides for economical manufacture with superior performance. Optionally, space may be provided in front of the retaining portions to accommodate return of packages by a customer who has changed his or her mind. In one embodiment, a wire retaining portion of inverted U-shaped configuration is positioned with wire ends concealed and protected by the tray side.
US08302770B2
A universal bottle cap capable of threadably engaging two or more bottles of a different thread arrangement having a substance retained therein. The universal bottle cap threadedly engages a bottle containing a beverage therein. Such universal bottle cap includes a cylindrical member closed at a first end thereof and open at a second end thereof. There is a threaded portion disposed on an inner surface of the cylindrical member for engaging a threaded end of such bottle. A capsule like device is disposed inside the cylindrical member adjacent the closed end for retaining a substance to be dispensed into a beverage in such bottle. A device for piercing the capsule engages each of the threaded portion of the bottle cap and the capsule for piercing the capsule as the universal bottle cap is threaded onto such bottle thereby releasing contents of the capsule into such beverage for mixing therewith.
US08302759B2
To provide a product accumulation device with superior general-purpose capabilities, being able to cope with the modified specification of target products only by partially altering the structure thereof.An accumulation means of a product accumulation device includes: a rotary member having a product contact surface relative to products supplied from the product supply means, and a guide member that is provided with the rotary member and that shifts the products from the product contact surface to an approximately perpendicular direction relative to the product contact surface by means of the rotation of the rotation member, thereby being able to cope with the modified specification of target products only by partially altering its structure.
US08302743B2
A support for supporting a structure on a surface, comprising at least one support element, each support element comprising a piston, a cylinder in which the piston is moveable, and a brake for maintaining the piston in a position that is stable relative to the cylinder, wherein the piston and the cylinder are arranged so that a loading associated with the structure effects an adjustment of the support element, and wherein an increase in hydraulic pressure within the cylinder, effected by the loading associated with the structure, activates the brake.
US08302739B2
A lift car with a brake device which is arranged in the region of the lift car for holding and braking the latter; the brake device includes a brake unit which can interact with a brake rail, an actuating device which can generate an actuator force, and a connector which connects the actuating device to the brake unit in a force-active manner in order to transmit the actuator force, wherein the brake unit is in its open position in the unloaded position.
US08302731B2
The present invention provides a hearing protector comprising two ear cups which are designed to cover the ears of the wearer of the hearing protector, and sealing rings (2) which are secured along the peripheries of the ear cups, the sealing rings each displaying at least one circumferential lamella (5, 6, 7), being manufactured from a resilient, possibly elastic material, and being formed to sealingly abut, around the wearer's ears, against the wearer's head, wherein the lamella (5,6, 7), at least along its edge regions located most proximal the wearer's head, display portions (13, 14, 15) which, in a direction towards the wearer, are arched from a central region (3) in the sealing ring (2) out towards its periphery (1).
US08302720B2
An energy storage system for a hybrid vehicle, including an internal combustion engine having an output shaft and a transmission operably coupled to the output shaft, includes a reservoir containing working fluid, a first reversible pump/motor in fluid communication with the reservoir and selectively drivably coupled to the output shaft of the engine, a second reversible pump/motor in fluid communication with the reservoir and selectively drivably coupled to an output shaft of the transmission, and an accumulator containing working fluid and gas. The accumulator is in selective fluid communication with at least one of the first and second reversible pump/motors to deliver pressurized working fluid to the one of the first and second reversible pump/motors when operating as a motor, and to receive pressurized working fluid discharged by the one of the first and second reversible pump/motors when operating as a pump.
US08302716B2
A structure for installing a fan as an electrical part includes a battery case having a top surface and provided to a vehicle, and a battery cooling fan installed at a prescribed position on the top surface. The battery case and the battery cooling fan have a guide, grooves and guides which guide the battery cooling fan toward the prescribed position while the battery cooling fan is slid on the top surface. By such a configuration, the structure for installing the electrical part with good workability at the time of installation is provided.
US08302708B1
A drill wrench for driving drill steels, drill bits, and bolts during drilling and bolting operations is disclosed. The drill wrench may include an internal driver for driving a drill steel. The internal driver may be inserted in an internal-drive recess defined within an end of the drill steel. When the drill wrench is rotated, the internal driver may drive the drill steel by engaging at least one surface within the end of the drill steel. The drill wrench may also include an external support member that supports the drill steel during drilling. The external support member may also drive the drill steel by engaging an outer peripheral portion of the drill steel when the drill wrench is rotated.
US08302687B2
Earth formations are characterized by using an array of electrodes which can measure streaming potentials in the formation, and by interpreting the data obtained by the electrodes. The electrodes are placed on a wireline tool, a LWD tool, or in a fixed manner about a completed wellbore. The measured streaming potentials are generated by drilling with an overbearing pressure, slitting the mudcake in a borehole, acid injection, or any of various other manners which causes fluid movement. The data obtained is interpreted to locate fractures, measure formation permeability, estimate formation pressure, monitor drilling fluid loss, detect abnormal pressure, etc. Particularly, a streaming potential voltage transient having a double peak profile signifies the presence of a formation fracture.
US08302686B2
A method of servicing a wellbore, comprising placing at least one piece of equipment in the wellbore comprising micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) sensors, wherein the MEMS sensors are disposed in one or more composite or resin portions of the equipment, and gathering wellbore data from the MEMS sensors. A method of servicing a wellbore, comprising placing at least one piece of equipment in the wellbore comprising a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) sensor data interrogation unit, wherein the data interrogation unit is disposed in one or more composite or resin portions of the equipment, and gathering wellbore data from MEMS sensors located in the wellbore via the data interrogation unit.
US08302685B2
A technique for communicating data within a wellbore is provided. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving digital data and encoding the digital data into symbols each representative of one or more data bits of the digital data. In this embodiment, the method also includes modulating the phase of an acoustic wave within the wellbore to represent the plurality of symbols, wherein modulating the phase of an acoustic wave includes changing the phase of the acoustic wave such that the acoustic wave includes smooth phase transitions between successive phases representative of the plurality of symbols. Various additional methods, systems, and devices are also provided.
US08302683B2
A method of increasing biogenic production of a combustible gas from a subterranean geologic formation is described. The method may include extracting formation water from the geologic formation, where the extracted formation water includes at least a first species and a second species of microorganism. The method may also include analyzing the extracted formation water to identify the first species of microorganism that promotes the biogenic production of the combustible gas. An amendment may be introduced to the formation water to promote the growth of the first species of microorganism, and the biological characteristics of the formation water may be altered to decrease a population of the second species in the geologic formation.
US08302671B2
Provided is a heat exchanger, heat sink or coldwall having a machined manifold for receiving a plurality of individual, modular micro-channel heat exchanger elements. The manifold further includes a parallel flow network or flow distribution network for distributing a cooling fluid uniformly to all micro-channel heat exchanger elements. Each micro-channel heat exchanger element is individually manufactured and tested prior to integration with the manifold. The design of the micro-channel heat exchanger elements may include a straight fin, a high density fin, lanced offset fin, and perforated offset layers fin configurations.
US08302667B2
The present invention provides tough cast iron and cast iron semi-finished products excellent in workability without heat treatment requiring massive heat energy and long time and a method of production enabling these to be efficiently produced, that is, cast iron of ingredients of white cast iron where particles of spheroidal graphite or flattened graphite are dispersed, cast iron where the ingredients of the white cast iron satisfy, by wt %, (% C)≦4.3−(% Si)÷3 and C≧1.7% and where the particles of spheroidal graphite are dispersed at a density of 50 particles/mm2 or more, or cast iron where the particles of flattened graphite have a width of 0.4 mm or less and a length of 50 mm or less.
US08302665B2
The present invention provides a casting roll of a twin-roll strip caster, including: a nickel plating layer formed on an outer circumferential surface and an end surface of the casting roll; a nickel-boron alloy plating layer formed on the nickel plating layer located on the end surface of the casting roll; and a hard plating layer formed on the nickel plating layer located on the outer circumferential surface of the casting roll and an outer circumferential surface of the nickel-boron alloy plating layer located on the end surface of the casting roll. The present invention improves durability of the casting roll.
US08302653B2
A blind system has a horizontally positioned tilt rail having a longitudinal axis and a plurality of slats suspended from the tilt rail via at least one connecting member. The tilt rail includes a reinforcing member and a tensioning member. The blind system also has a divided slat that is divided lengthwise into a first sub-slat and a second sub-slat and has a longitudinal axis with each of the first and second sub-slats configured to be movable with respect to each other so that when each of the plurality of slats are in an angular position with respect to the corresponding slat longitudinal axis that restricts at least a portion of light passing between the slats, either the first sub-slat or the second sub-slat has an angular position with respect to the divided slat longitudinal axis that is substantially the same as the angular position of each slat depending on a direction of rotation of the plurality of slats.
US08302645B2
A pneumatic tire comprises main grooves 1 extending in the tire circumferential direction formed in a tread, wherein there are provided with a plurality of oblong holes 11 extending in the depth direction of the main groove 1 and communication grooves 12 extending diagonally with respect to the tread surface to communicate the oblong holes 11, a width w1 and a depth d1 of the oblong hole 11 are at least not less than 0.2 mm and 0.01 to 0.25 times a width W of the main groove 1, a height h of the oblong hole 11 is 50 to 80% of a depth D of the main groove 1, a space p1 between the oblong holes 11 is at least not less than 0.4 mm and 0.04 to 1.0 times the width W of the main groove 1, a width w2 and a depth d2 of the communication groove 12 are at least not less than 0.2 mm and 0.01 to 0.25 times the width W of the main groove 1, and two or more communication grooves 12 are present within the contact ground length L of the main groove 1.
US08302639B2
A portable blending system that blends cleaner burning additives such as ethanol with unblended gasoline. Its portability enables locating the system at a user's site thereby enabling fuel blending at selected locations. The portable blending system includes a modular platform having a skid base that includes at least two longitudinally extending channels sized to accommodate a fork lift truck's forks, at least one feedpipe releasably attached to a user's storage tank that stores a selected liquid component such as ethanol or biodiesel, a loading arm assembly for transferring the selected liquid component to a tanker truck that stores a second liquid component such as a base gasoline, and electrical means having at least one conduit that connects the blending system to an external power source. The blending system can also includes a programmable logic controller, a vapor recovery adapter and an overfill monitor and overfill alarm.
US08302634B2
The invention relates to a method of producing a flexible pipe comprising a metal carcass and an internal sealing sheath extruded onto the carcass, said 5 method comprising providing a metal carcass; heating an application section of said carcass, preferably using induction heating, to an application section temperature of at least 150° C.; extruding a non-cross-linked polyethylene material comprising a peroxide having an activation temperature above 150° C. onto said application section of said carcass; cross-linking the extruded 10 polyethylene in a cross-linking zone by raising its temperature to at least the activation temperature of said peroxide by exposing the extruded polymer material to electromagnetic waves, with a wavelength of between 0.5 μm to 0.5 m, preferably infrared radiation; and cooling said cross-linked polyethylene material to obtain the internal sealing sheath. 15 In a preferred embodiment the method comprises heating the application section to an application section temperature of between 30 and 5° C. below the activation temperature of the peroxide. 20 Preferred peroxides include butylcumyl peroxide, dicumyl peroxide, 2,5-Dimethyl-2,5-di(tert-butylperoxy)hexyne-3,3,3,5,7,7-Pentamethyl-1,2,4-trioxepane, hydroperoxide, 2,5-dimethyl hexane 2,5-di-t-butyl peroxide, bis(t-butylperoxy isopropyl)benzene, t-butyl cumyl peroxide, di-t-butyl peroxide, 2,5-dimethyl hexine-3 2,5-di-t-butyl peroxide and butylhydroperoxide. 25 A foil may be applied onto the metal carcass prior to the step of heating the metal carcass, the polyethylene material being extruded onto said foil. 30
US08302622B2
A pressure regulator (10) includes a fuel tube (30) having an inlet end (35), an outlet end (180), and a fuel chamber (40). The outlet end defines a valve seat (70). A valve element (80) engages the valve seat in a closed position to prohibit flow of fuel from the inlet end to the outlet end. The valve element moves to an open position when pressurized fuel builds in the fuel chamber. A valve biasing member (90) biases the valve element towards the valve seat in opposition to the pressurized fuel in the fuel chamber. The fuel tube includes pressure differential creating structure (170) at the outlet end thereof to create a pressure differential around the valve element and cause unbalanced fuel flow at the outlet end to promote the valve element to move towards a certain location at the outlet end when the valve element moves to the open position.
US08302613B2
An integrated hair drying and hair treatment system is provided, including an attachment for a heated hair styling device, including a supply of hair conditioner disposed on the attachment so that the conditioner is dispensed upon said attachment contacting the hair.
US08302611B2
This invention relates to a device which functions as a cigarette holder and can reduce the intake of cigarette smoke into the lungs of a user. The holder is substantially tubular and has a first end (14) for mounting a cigarette, the first end having an annular wall (12) with an internal dimension larger than the diameter of the cigarette, the annular wall carrying a plurality of inwardly-directed longitudinal ribs (20) adapted to engage and support the cigarette. Between the ribs are passageways which can allow the flow of air along the outside of the cigarette into the mouth of the user, so that the volume of smoke breathed in by the user can be reduced.
US08302594B2
An air control regulator regulates the amount of air flowing into the inlet of a combustion chamber by causing flowing air to support a disc located in the air passage against the force of gravity. Air passes around the edges of the disc and is channeled into a plurality of airflows by ovoid depressions in the inner surfaces of the regulator forming a venturi chamber. By regulating the airflow into the combustion chamber, combustion efficiency is improved.
US08302585B2
A combined snowball forming and launching device is described. The device includes a portion for gathering snow, a mechanism for compacting the snow, and a handle to swing the scoop and launch a snowball. In one embodiment the compacting mechanism is a press at one end of an elongated portion. In another embodiment, the elongated portion is a curved channel that may be used for gathering and launching a snowball. A method for forming and launching snowballs is also described.
US08302583B2
Exhaust gas recirculation system and exhaust gas recirculation method for internal combustion engine
First, an amount of external EGR gas is adjusted so that an amount, by which an amount of internal EGR gas is adjusted, falls within a predetermined range (S102 to S104), and, then, the amount of internal EGR gas is adjusted when the amount, by which the amount of internal EGR gas is adjusted, falls within the predetermined range (S105 to S109) in order to execute a feedback control so that an EGR rate, which indicates a proportion of EGR gas including the external EGR gas and the internal EGR gas to intake air that is supplied to the internal combustion engine, matches a target EGR rate.
US08302574B2
A fuel pump lubrication apparatus for lubricating a fuel pump including a tappet and the fuel pump operating the tappet, may have a cylinder head including an oil gallery wherein a camshaft is disposed, an oil supply line communicated to the oil gallery, a lubrication cam cap slidably encompassing the camshaft, and a cam cap oil hole formed in the lubrication cam cap and ejecting oil received from the oil supply line to a contacting portion between the pump cam and a plunger of the fuel pump.
US08302571B2
An air-fuel ratio control device of an internal combustion engine is provided. The control device includes a learning section, a correction section, and an inhibiting section. When an execution condition is met, the learning section learns, as a deviation amount learned value, a constant deviation amount between a correction amount and its reference value in different manners between a case in which the lift amount of the intake valve is in a first lift amount region used only when the execution condition is not met and a case in which the lift amount is in a second lift amount region used only when the execution condition is met. The learning section computes and stores the relationship between the deviation amount and the lift amount based on the deviation amount learned value. A correction section computes the deviation amount correction value from the stored relationship based on the lift amount, and corrects the fuel injection amount command value using the deviation amount correction value. When there is no record of completing learning of the deviation amount when the lift amount is in the first lift amount region, an inhibiting section inhibits the lift amount from being shifted from the first lift amount region to other lift amount region.
US08302558B2
There is described an apparatus (1) for coating a cylinder (C), in particular a wiping cylinder of an intaglio printing press, with a plastic composition comprising inter alia heating means (6) for applying radiant heat to the cylinder throughout its length as the cylinder is rotated, the heating means including a plurality of discrete heating elements (60) distributed along the length of the cylinder and around at least part of the peripheral surface of the cylinder, the heating elements being arranged at least in separate columns (60a to 6Oh) disposed parallel to one another along the length of the cylinder. The apparatus further comprises a temperature sensing system (9) for measuring the surface temperature of the cylinder along the length of the cylinder and a processing unit coupled to the temperature sensing system (9) for controlling operation of the heating elements (60) as a function of the measured surface temperature and a desired temperature setting (tc). The temperature sensing system (9) is adapted to output a temperature measurement profile (Tm) representative of the surface temperature of the cylinder measured along the length of the cylinder, the temperature measurement profile being subdivided into a plurality of zones (Z1 to Z8) each associated to one corresponding column of heating elements (60a to 6Oh). Operation of each column of heating elements (60a to 6Oh) is controlled by the processing unit on the basis of the surface temperature measured within at least one of the zones (Z1 to Z8).
US08302554B2
The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for rapid cooling of a large substrate in a vacuum environment. A first cooled plate is brought into close proximity with one surface of a flat substrate. The spatial volume between the first cooling plate and the substrate is sealed and brought to a higher pressure than the surrounding vacuum level to increase the cooling efficiency. A second cooled plate is brought into close proximity with the opposite surface of the flat substrate. A second spatial volume between the second cooling plate and the substrate is sealed and the gas pressure is equalized to the gas pressure in the first spatial volume. The equalization of the gas pressure on both sides of the flat substrate eliminates deflection of the substrate and bending stress in the substrate.
US08302549B2
A boat stabilizer that is attachable to the anti-cavitation plate or other structure of the lower drive unit of a boat motor without permanently modifying the structure of the anti-cavitation plate or other structure is provided. The shape and size of the boat stabilizer causes the stabilizer to effectively harness and control the thrust energy generated by the propeller resulting in improved thrust and fuel efficiency. Due to various features, the drag associated with the boat stabilizer is kept to a minimum. Finally, decals and other decorative elements are integrally embedded into the top surface of the inventive boat stabilizer using in-mold decoration (“IMD”) technology which makes the elements resistant to ultra-violet light, virtually indestructible and highly appealing. A boat motor, a method of attaching a boat stabilizer to a boat motor and a method of molding a boat stabilizer having at least one decorative element integrally embedded in the top surface thereof are also provided.
US08302546B2
A tufting gripper (16) comprises a pocket (26) with an insert (25) that is associated with a spring means (34) in order to at least temporarily clamp and secure said insert in place in the pocket in a prespecified position. The spring means (34) pushes the insert (25) preferably in the direction of the tip of the gripper and creates a particularly smooth transition at this location between the base body (19) of the tufting gripper (16) and the insert (25), in particular the tip (33) of said insert.
US08302545B2
A combustion system for combusting air and fuel includes a primary combustion zone configured to produce combustion gases from the air and the fuel and an intermediate air zone downstream from the primary combustion zone. The intermediate air zone is configured to inject an intermediate air stream into the combustion gases. The combustion system further includes a burnout zone downstream from the intermediate air zone, wherein the burnout zone is configured to inject an overfire air stream into the combustion gases, and at least one hybrid-boosted air injector within at least one of the intermediate air zone and the burnout zone. The at least one hybrid-boosted air injector is configured to substantially simultaneously inject a boosted air stream and a windbox air stream into the combustion gases.
US08302540B1
An improved folding table includes an extension table having a pair of frame members, a top member, a pair of foldable legs, a slide, a corner bracket and a corner hinge. One top member is attached to one side of its frame member and the top members are stacked when the table is unextended. The legs are carried by each frame member and are located at a frame joint. The slide connects the frame members and includes a plurality of interlocking and movable members. The corner bracket and corner hinge are located at a frame joint and the corner hinge foldably connects the leg to the frame and bracket. The invention is also considered a corner bracket for use in an extension table having foldable legs and a frame with the corner bracket mountable at each frame joint and a method of making an extendable folding table.
US08302536B1
A rail system for a powered pallet conveyor, which comprises alternative pathways having an electric cable provided on at least one of n parallel rails defining a travel pathway, wherein n≧2, whereby the rail system includes a switch for switching between m alternative travel pathways, wherein m≧2, and allowing the vehicle to continuously move across the switch after switching. The switch comprises a first actuator for selectively positioning (m*n) rigid rail portions bridging the distance between rail ends at (i) n joining points where the n parallel rails of each of the m alternative travel pathways subject to switching converge, and (ii) (m*n) continuation points where each alternative pathway subject to switching diverges downstream from the joining points A second actuator selectively positions [m(n−1)] rigid rail portions bridging the distance between rail ends, where each alternative pathway is discontinued downstream from the corresponding continuation points.
US08302532B2
A printing machine in which substantial automation of the replacement procedure is achieved, and thus significant simplification of replacement procedure, and reduction of time required for the procedure are achieved is provided. The printing machine comprises an ink fountain member 2, an ink fountain roller 3, a strip of sheet 39 of which middle part is placed over the ink fountain member 2, a sheet moving device 40, a pair of barrier plates 53 attracted to the ink fountain member 2 under the sheet 39 and attracted to the outer peripheral surface of the ink fountain roller 3 by a permanent magnet, a cleaning tank 56, a cleaning blade 57, a reciprocating device 58, a barrier plate replacing device 85, a plurality of ink containers 65 accommodating different types of ink and being stored in a container storage unit 66, and an ink supply device 86 for holding the desired ink container 65 and supplying the ink therein to the ink fountain 1.
US08302530B2
The invention relates to a stamp (1) comprising a first housing part (3) with a second housing part (4) which can be pivoted relative to the first housing part (3) and with a stamp plate (5) which can be pivoted about an axis (13) disposed in a first end region (12) of the first housing part (3) from a non-operating position into an operating position (10), which stamp plate (5) is disposed between the first housing part (3) and the second housing part (4) in the non-operating position, and when the first housing part (3) is in the operating position (10), the second housing part (4) and the stamp plate (5) form what is approximately a triangle. The second housing part (4) has a guide track (25) locating with the stamp plate (5) and a cam track (18) is disposed on the stamp plate (5) which locates with or can be moved to locate with an operating element (6). Also described is a stamp (1) with a first housing part (3), with an operating element (6) which can be pivoted relative to the first housing part (3) and with a stamp plate (5).
US08302522B2
A composite material comprising a plurality of fiber tape strips woven or braided together. Each of the plurality of fiber tape strips is made of a single layer of unidirectional fibers. The fibers are at least partially embedded in a thermoplastic matrix. A tubular composite part is made from this composite material and of an internal film. A method of manufacturing the composite material comprises weaving or braiding the fiber tape strips, especially in the form of a tube. A method of manufacturing a composite part comprises pressurizing the film inside the tube while heating both the tube and the film up to their forming temperature so as to bond the film to the woven fiber tape strips.
US08302518B2
A laminate flooring saw system which can be used for both rip cuts and miter cuts in one embodiment includes a base, a support arm extending above the base, a saw movable along the support arm, and a first power switch, a second power switch, and a third power switch, the first power switch and the second power switch configured such that in a first switch configuration, the saw is energized independent of the position of the third power switch and configured such that in a second switch configuration the saw is energized dependent on the position of the third power switch.
US08302505B2
A sensing mechanism of pedaling assistant system, including a crank and a sensing element. The crank includes an elongated first crank member and an elongated second crank member connected therewith. A first axial end of the first crank member is connected with a pedal component of a bicycle. A first axial end of the second crank member is connected with an axle of the bicycle. An end face of a second axial end of the second crank member abuts against an end face of a second axial end of the first crank member. The sensing element is disposed between the second axial end of the first crank member and the second axial end of the second crank member for detecting a force transmitted from the pedal component through the first crank member to the second crank member.
US08302500B2
A transmission includes an input member, an output member, first and second shafts, first and second countershafts, a plurality of co-planar gear sets, and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. The torque transmitting devices include a plurality of synchronizer assemblies and a dual clutch assembly. The transmission is operable to provide at least one reverse speed ratio and a plurality of forward speed ratios between the input member and the output member.
US08302499B2
A transmission system with a lubrication device is disclosed. The lubrication device is defined with an accommodation trough and an oil hole. In the accommodation trough is disposed a guiding assembly. The guiding assembly cooperates with the accommodation trough to define an oil storage space for accommodation of lubricating grease. The oil storage space is in communication with the oil hole. A power module is connected to the guiding assembly to drive the guiding assembly at regular intervals to make the lubricating grease overflow to the linear transmission system through the oil hole to perform the lubrication.
US08302494B2
A sensor for quantitative testing electromechanical properties and microstructure of nano-materials and a manufacturing method for the sensor are provided. The sensor comprises a suspended structure, pressure-sensitive resistor cantilevers, support beams, bimetallic strip and other components. When the bimetallic strip produces bending deformation, one of the pressure-sensitive resistor cantilevers is actuated and then stretches the low-dimensional nano-materials which drive the other pressure-sensitive resistor cantilever to bend. Through signal changes are outputted by the Wheatstone bridge, the variable stresses of low-dimensional nano-materials are obtained. Meanwhile, the variable strains of low-dimensional nano-materials are obtained by the horizontal displacements between two cantilevers, so the stress-strain curves of low-dimensional nano-materials are worked out. When the low-dimensional nano-materials are measured in the power state, the voltage-current curves are also obtained. In addition, by the help of high resolution imaging system in the transmission electron microscopy, the mechanical-electrical-microstructure relationship of the nano-materials can be recorded in situ and in atomic lattice resolution.
US08302491B2
A vibratory flow meter (5) for determining a derived fluid temperature Tf-derive of a flow material is provided according to the invention. The vibratory flow meter (5) includes a flow meter assembly (10) including one or more flow conduits (103), a meter temperature sensor (204) configured to measure a meter temperature Tm, an ambient temperature sensor (208) for measuring an ambient temperature Ta, and meter electronics (20) coupled to the meter temperature sensor (204) and to the ambient temperature sensor (208). The meter electronics (20) is configured to receive the meter temperature Tm and the ambient temperature Ta and determine the derived fluid temperature Tf-deriv of the flow material in the vibratory flow meter (5) using the meter temperature Tm and the ambient temperature Ta.
US08302489B2
A vibratory flow meter (5) for measuring flow characteristics of a three phase flow is provided according to the invention. The vibratory flow meter (5) includes a meter assembly (10) including pickoff sensors (105, 105′) and meter electronics (20) coupled to the pickoff sensors (105, 105′). The meter electronics (20) is configured to receive a vibrational response from the pickoff sensors (105, 105), generate a first density measurement of the three phase flow using a first frequency component of the vibrational response, and generate at least a second density measurement of the three phase flow using at least a second frequency component of the vibrational response. The at least second frequency component is a different frequency than the first frequency component. The meter electronics (20) is further configured to determine one or more flow characteristics from the first density measurement and the at least second density measurement.
US08302485B2
The present disclosure provides a testing method for stress corrosion testing of materials, e.g., a test specimen, in corrosive materials. The method comprises: providing a test device having: a base configured to house a reservoir for containing the corrosive media and a holder configured to secure the test specimen, the holder includes at least a sleeve to secure the test specimen in place and apply compressive stress against the test specimen, the holder is rotatably connected to the base to lower the test specimen into the reservoir; mounting the test specimen onto the holder; pivoting the holder towards the reservoir to lower at least a portion of the test specimen in the reservoir; adjusting the sleeve to apply a sufficient amount of stress on the test specimen; and filling the reservoir with a sufficient amount of the corrosive media for stress corrosion testing.
US08302480B2
An optical-acoustic transducer structure includes at least one metal or semiconducting film in which a part of a pump light pulse is absorbed to generate a sound pulse; and at least one dielectric film. The thicknesses and optical properties of the at least one metal or semiconducting film and the at least one dielectric film are selected so that a returning sound pulse results in a measurable change in the optical reflectivity and/or some other optical characteristic of the transducer structure. The transducer structure includes a resonant cavity, and an output surface that is shaped so as to provide no significant focusing of generated sound waves when the sound waves are launched towards a surface of the sample.
US08302478B2
There is provided a method of detecting the presence of a substance comprising providing a cantilever (30) comprising a magnetostrictive material (34) and having an original resonant frequency. The method also comprises receiving the substance on the cantilever (30, 36) causing the resonant frequency of the cantilever (30) to change. The method also comprises applying a magnetic field to the cantilever (30) causing the resonant frequency to change to a reference resonant frequency and sensing when the resonant frequency becomes the reference resonant frequency.
US08302477B2
A system incorporating a balanced mechanical resonator and a method for vibration of a sample composed of granular material to generate motion of a powder sample inside the sample holder for obtaining improved analysis statistics, without imparting vibration to the sample holder support.
US08302473B2
The electro-optic liquid level sensing system detects a level of liquid in a container having an upper opening, such as for a server container of a beverage maker for a transport system, such as for aircraft, trains, trucks, buses and the like. A support housing mates with the upper opening of the container, and a primary liquid level sensor is mounted in the support housing for non-intrusively measuring the liquid level. A secondary liquid level sensor may be mounted in the support housing to sense a predetermined liquid level to prevent accidental overflows. Protective lenses may be placed in front of the primary liquid level sensor.
US08302454B2
Usually, a sniffing leak detector must be calibrated for each tracing gas. The calibration comprises ranging of the spectral positions into the mass spectrum and the amplitude height. At least one mass line is determined with a calibrating gas. The mass lines lying between two mass lines and/or between a zero point and a line are determined by interpolation and/or extrapolation. In this manner, a sniffing leak detector can be used for such tracing gases which have not previously been used for calibration purposes.
US08302439B1
A pin setting key for setting rotational orientations of pins of a lock. The key includes a bow portion and a blade portion for inserting into a keyway. The blade portion has a longitudinal axis and a bow end and a tip end, with a plurality of bitting positions located between the bow and tip ends. Each of the bitting positions corresponds to one of the pins of the plug such that insertion of the blade portion into the keyway aligns the bitting position with one of the pins. Each bitting position includes at least one bitting surface configured to rotate a pin when the contact surface of the pin contacts the bitting surface. Each bitting surface is offset from a central location of the respective bitting position. Each bitting surface has an axis extending generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the blade.
US08302432B2
A washing machine having an improved structure in circulation and drain of washing water are disclosed. The washing machine includes a main body, a water tub which is disposed in the main body, a drain line in which washing water drained from the water tub flows, a circulation line in which washing water returning to the water tub flows, a discharge line in which washing water discharged out of the main body flows, a pump which flows the washing water such that the washing water drained from the water tub returns to the water tub or is discharged out of the main body, a flow path switching device having a single reciprocating member which opens and closes the circulation line or the discharge line, and an operating unit which operates the flow path switching device.
US08302423B2
The present invention relates to an ice-making device for a refrigerator and a refrigerator having the same. The ice-making device of the present invention comprises a water tank detachably mounted to a rear surface of a refrigerator door; an ice-making housing detachably mounted to the rear surface of the door below the water tank and provided with a predetermined installation space therein; an ice tray mounted into the installation space and formed with a plurality of ice-making grooves in which water supplied from the water tank is frozen into ice; a valve assembly operating to selectively supply water stored in the water tank to the ice tray when the water tank is installed or withdrawn; and an ice bank for storing ice made in the ice tray, wherein the ice bank is installed in the installation space to be received in or withdrawn out of the installation space. According to the present invention, there are advantages in that ice can be more simply and easily taken out, can be made and stored in a more sanitary way and can be made more rapidly, and power consumption can be minimized while the ice is taken out.
US08302419B2
An improved computer cooling apparatus includes: at least one evaporator installed on a surface of at least one heat generating source which is a central processing unit in a computer system unit; a compressor, connected to the evaporator; a condenser, connected to the compressor; an expansion valve, connected between the condenser and the evaporator; a fan, installed on a side of the condenser; and a coolant, circulating among the evaporator, the compressor, the condenser and the expansion valve. The evaporator, compressor, condenser, fan, expansion valve and coolant are used for achieving the effect of quickly dispersing a heat generating source in the computer system unit.
US08302416B2
A system for cooling components comprises a composite of a sponge or sponge-like material with liquid refrigerant absorbed thereon and encased in a containment material configured to rupture or otherwise release evaporating refrigerant when internal composite pressure reaches a threshold ΔP from the outside pressure and/or at a pre-selected composite temperature, and thermal conduction means in thermal contact with the composite and one or more components for directing thermal energy to cool the components.
US08302414B2
A refrigerant system detection method for detecting refrigerant systems in an air conditioning system includes a drive step, an operation inhibition step and a recording step. The air conditioning system includes a plurality of indoor units having temperature sensors respectively connected to a plurality of outdoor units. The drive step puts the plurality of outdoor units into a driven state after a start-up time. The operation inhibition step stops or weakens the outdoor units one unit at a time after the drive step. The recording step correlates and records the outdoor units in which operation has been inhibited and the indoor units in which detection values of the temperature sensors have changed as a result of the outdoor units being inhibited. A refrigerant system detection system includes the connected indoor and outdoor units and a management component configured to perform the method. A storage component includes a program to perform the method.
US08302410B2
An inertance tube and a surge volume for a pulse tube refrigerator system may be integrally coupled together, such as by the inertance tube being at least in part a channel in a wall of the surge volume. The surge volume may have a helical channel in an outer wall that forms part of the inertance tube. The surge volume tank may be surrounded by a cover that closes off the channel to form the inertance tube as an integral part of the surge volume. The inertance tube may have a non-circular cross section shape, such as a square shape or non-square rectangular shape. The channel may be tapered, perhaps changing aspect ratio. Alternatively, the inertance tube may be a separate tube having a non-circular shape, which may be wrapped around at least part of the surge volume.
US08302405B2
A gas turbine engine is disclosed that has with two or more compressors. A first one of the compressors include a compressor variable geometry mechanism that may be in the form of adjustable vanes, bleed valves, or the like. A first one of the compressors is turned at a first speed and the second one of the compressors is turned at a second speed. The first speed is maintained approximately constant while the second speed varies and position of the compressor variable geometry mechanism is modulated in accordance with the second speed of the second one of the compressors to regulate surge margin for the first one of the compressors.
US08302394B2
A pressure sensor (17) is provided for detecting the discharge pressure of a hydraulic pump (11). An abnormality detection section (23) of a controller (21) detects a dry operation of the hydraulic pump (11) when the discharge pressure detected by the pressure sensor (17) becomes equal to or lower than a judgment reference pressure determined in advance according to the driving rotation speed of the hydraulic pump (11).
US08302390B2
A valve for controlling a wastegate actuator of a turbocharger. The valve includes a bobbin having a coil for generating a magnetic field and a stator having a top portion and an internal channel. The valve also includes a housing having a compressor port, a wastegate actuator port and an atmospheric port. The housing also includes a pair of walls for enabling movement of a permanent magnet between a first position wherein a magnetic attraction is formed between the top portion and the magnet to seal the internal channel to enable substantially equal boost pressure levels in the compressor and the wastegate actuator ports. The magnet is also movable to a second position wherein a magnetic field is generated by the coil for repelling the magnet to unseal the internal channel to enable a portion of the boost pressure level to be vented to atmosphere.
US08302386B2
Each time a starting process for a diesel engine 2 is conducted and before the diesel engine 2 is started, any differences of the pressures P1 and P2 detected by first and second pressure sensors 21 and 22, respectively, with respect to a predetermined reference pressure value Pref, are computed and stored as first and second correction values ΔP1 and ΔP2, and then a differential pressure P12 across a particulate filter in the diesel engine 2 is computed using the pressure detection results of the first and second pressure sensors 21, 22 and the first and second correction values ΔP1, ΔP2. Thus, use of simply constructed and highly durable sensors during the detection of the differential pressure existing across the filter allows accurate measurement of this differential pressure.
US08302385B2
Various embodiments of an apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for controlling engine exhaust temperature. For example, according to one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for controlling the temperature of engine output exhaust of an internal combustion engine during a regeneration event on a particulate matter filter includes a regeneration module and an exhaust temperature manager. The regeneration module is configured to determine a desired diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) inlet exhaust temperature during a regeneration event. The exhaust temperature manager is configured to determine an air-to-fuel ratio strategy for achieving a desired air-to-fuel ratio within the combustion chamber for producing an engine output exhaust temperature approximately equal to the desired DOC inlet exhaust temperature. The air-to-fuel ratio strategy includes a first mode and a second mode. The first mode includes varying the position of an air intake throttle valve while maintaining a VGT device in a fixed position. The second mode includes varying the position of the VGT device while maintaining the air intake throttle valve in a fixed position.
US08302378B2
A temperature increasing degree of the catalytic outflow exhaust temperature at the time the exhaust air-fuel ratio is changed to the rich side is found in respect to each of a plurality of the catalytic inflow exhaust temperatures. A grade (S) of the temperature increasing degree is found based upon the inflow exhaust temperature and the temperature increasing degree to determine degradation of the catalyst based upon at least one of a maximum value (Smax) of the grade and the inflow exhaust temperature (Tinmax) corresponding to the maximum value. An accurate catalyst degradation diagnosis can be carried out since not only the temperature increasing degree but also the inflow exhaust temperature are taken into account.
US08302372B1
An auxiliary trimmer for a lawnmower includes a mounting plate removably fastened to a lawnmower deck. Attached to the mounting plate is a trimmer housing having a shaft extending therefrom. At a distal end of the shaft is a trimmer spool that is driven by the lawnmower blade with a series of belts and pulleys. On the rear surface of the trimmer housing is an adjustment ring having a plurality of notches thereon. A spring-biased latch on an end of the shaft releasably fits within any one of the notches on the adjustment ring to position the trimmer spool at a select angular orientation. A pivotal handle raises and lowers the trimmer spool to a desired elevation.
US08302371B2
A horse blanket allowing freer movement of a horse in use, comprising a generally rectangular piece of material with a front edge, a rear edge and two side edges. The blanket is split, from each side edge to the center line thereof, into a front section and a rear section, the front and rear sections being connected together at the center line of the blanket to define a flexible joint therebetween, about which the blanket articulates. The flexible joint extends to a position to each side of the center line. The flexible joint is positioned, in use, at a location to the rear of the horse's withers where the pommel of a saddle would be properly positioned. The articulation of the blanket about the flexible joint facilitates up and down movements, side to side movements, as well as twisting movements of the front section relative to the rear section in response to movements of the horse.
US08302367B2
Floor covering comprising a plurality of unit panels (1) laid in a pattern, these panels being provided on their head sides (2, 3) and on their longitudinal sides (4, 5) with locking strips (6, 7) which engage with one another in the assembled position in which unit panels (1) are arranged adjacently within a covering, wherein grooves (19, 20) are provided in the head sides (2, 3) and wherein the grooves (19, 20) of two abutting head sides (2, 3) correspond and form a locking channel (21) intended to accommodate a head tongue (22, 22a-k). The head tongue (22) is preassembled in the groove (20) and projects beyond an end of the groove (20) that faces the longitudinal side (5) of the unit panel (1). At the same time, the head tongue (22) in the preassembled state is embedded completely within the groove (20) and can be displaced at least partially from one groove (20) into the corresponding groove (19) of the adjacent unit panel (1) by sliding the projecting end (24) of the head tongue (22) into the groove (20).
US08302366B2
The installation system and method for installing an architectural covering material to a substrate surface utilizes an adhesive mat having layers of adhesive and release layers arranged to allow the covering material to be initially positioned, and later repositioned to be permanently set. The adhesive mat includes a planar carrier member, one or more adhesive layers on at least one planar side of the planar carrier member, and at least one release layer of material removably covering the one or more adhesive layers. In one form, the adhesive mat includes a carrier sheet, first and second adhesive layers on opposing planar sides of the carrier sheet, and first and second release layers of material removably covering the two adhesive layers.
US08302364B2
A weatherproofing backer for installing windows and doors is described as having a foam layer and an adhesive layer. The adhesive is pressure-activated and is self-sealing about attaching hardware. The foam is self-setting and, in use, molds to the flange of the window unit. When installed, the foam layer is compressed between the inner window frame and rough opening and between the window flange and the wall surface adjacent the rough opening. The weatherproofing backer is designed to extend beyond the flange of the window unit and thereby receive the weatherproofing membrane thereover. The weatherproofing backer, then acts as a sealed bridge between the membrane and the window unit precluding entry of air and water. Both the foam and the adhesive have fire retardants in the formulation thereof. A tape form with a self-skinned foam layer and a sheet form, with polymeric covering web are provided.
US08302360B2
A roof truss is provided comprising a bottom chord, a first top chord, and a second top chord forming a triangle with an apex at a distance A above the bottom chord. At least a web member is disposed between the top chords and the bottom chord such that, in a first state of operation, the at least a web member is capable of transmitting at least one of a tension force and a compression force between the top chords and the bottom chord. The roof truss further comprises at least an expandable interface for expandable interfacing at least one of the at least a web member with one of the chords for enabling, in a second state of operation, expansion of the distance A to an extent that uplift of the bottom chord is substantially reduced.
US08302358B2
A shingle layer of shingle is provided having an increased thickness adhesive coating on at least a portion of its rear surface, with granules embedded therein, with the granules being of a size range that is larger than the fine particles normally applied to the rear surface of a shingle layer.
US08302357B1
Blast-resistant foundations are presented that can be used to support a tower, a building, a building supporting a tower, and a tower supporting a building. These foundations can be transported to an installation site and rapidly deployed. They are comprised of one or more precast foundation blocks that do not penetrate the ground beneath them, do not require adjacent foundation blocks to be bound to one-another at their sides with interconnecting steel, and do not require the buildings and/or towers they support to use guy-wires. They can include protected cavities that contain utility equipment and supplies, and they can include conduits from these cavities that can be extended upward through one or more legs of a tower.
US08302356B2
A support pedestal that is adapted to support surface tiles to form an elevated building surface. The support pedestal can include a base member that is adapted to be placed upon a fixed surface and a support plate that is disposed over the base member for supporting a surface tile. An anchoring washer is fastened to the support plate and anchors adjacent surface tiles to the support pedestal. The anchoring washers can be rotated to selectively disengage from at least one of the adjacent surface tiles. By rotating an anchoring washer in each corner of a surface tile to disengage the anchoring washers, the surface tile can be easily and rapidly removed from the building surface without necessitating the removal of adjacent surface tiles.
US08302353B2
A method and device are presented that creates a channel adjacent a nailing flange of a window in between the window and the rough opening that receives the window. The channel is created by establishing a barrier that prevents foam insulation inserted into the space between the window and the rough opening from reaching the nailing flange. The channel then ensures proper drainage of water that enters the window cavity down to the window sill. A gasket is presented that can be attached to the window or the rough opening to create the barrier. Alternatively, a disintegrating object or a wicking object can be used to impede the flow of insulation foam and to create the appropriate channel. The present invention is equally applicable to doors or other framed objects received into the exterior shell of a building.
US08302350B2
A fixing structure of an opening weather strip for a vehicle may include a door frame molding having a variable cross-sectional width and installed at a front end portion of a door frame, an opening weather strip fixing molding having a cross-sectional height, which varies according to the variable width of the door frame molding and installed at a top end portion of the door frame, and the opening weather strip mounted between the opening weather strip fixing molding and the door frame molding and supported upwards by the opening weather strip fixing molding with a predetermined height to match a vehicle body, thus sealing a space between the vehicle body and the door frame.
US08302342B2
Embodiments of systems and methods for improved cleaning of a firearm barrel are provided. Generally, a system according to the present invention includes a cleaning head having a cleaning implement coupled to a shank, which provides at least one radial engagement surface and at least one longitudinal engagement surface. The system may further include a cleaning rod adapted to engage the cleaning head in an at least partially overlapping or surrounding engagement. A method according to the present invention includes the steps of inserting a cleaning head into the breech end of a firearm barrel, engaging the head with a cleaning rod, pushing the head through the barrel and retracting the cleaning rod from the barrel, wherein during the retracting step, the head is disengaged from the rod.
US08302338B2
A marketing sign is constructed of a sheet material. The sheet material includes a free portion, a base portion and a connecting portion that couples the base portion to the free portion. The base portion includes an engaging piece and a support piece. The engaging piece is coupled to the support piece at a base bend line and configured to engage with a portion of a product display structure having a price holder. The connecting portion is defined between a first connecting bend line spaced apart from a second connecting bend line by a first distance. The first connecting bend line is adjacent the support piece of the base portion and the second connecting bend line is adjacent the free portion. The first distance substantially corresponds with a top edge thickness of the price holder.
US08302335B2
A manual banner roll-up mechanism has a first tube, a second tube, a foldable material, a securing base, a washer, a linking member, a rope, a securing cylinder, a first plug and two mounting supports. The first tube is rolled up with a foldable material. Another end of the foldable material is connected to a second tube. One end of the first tube is jacketed by a securing base, and the washer, the triggering member and the rope are locked onto the securing cylinder by a bolt. Another end of the first tube is jacketed by the first plug that has a base, a positioning member, a spring, and a cover. A first positioning member of the securing base and a second positioning member of the first plug enable the first tube to be hung between the two mounting supports.
US08302333B2
A fastening method and adapter configuration for mounting an excavation tooth to an excavation implement lip. A fastening system for the adapter can include a retainer which is receivable in an opening formed through the implement lip. The retainer cannot be removed from the opening while the adapter remains fully engaged with the lip. A method of fastening an adapter to an excavation implement lip can include: installing a retainer in an opening formed through the lip; then engaging the adapter with the retainer and the lip; and then securing the adapter to the lip by biasing the retainer forward. Another fastening system can include a retainer which is receivable in an opening formed through an excavation implement lip, with the retainer including one or more movable teeth and one or more stationary serrations. A wedge biases the retainer forward when the retainer teeth displace relative to the retainer serrations.
US08302329B2
A heel cup formed from a flexible material is located under the heel region of an upper portion of an article of footwear. Lateral and medial counters extend upward from the heel cup on the lateral and medial sides, with the medial counter having a height less than that of the lateral counter, and with a rear edge of the heel cup being lower than the lateral and medial counters. A rear strap extends upward around the lateral counter and around the Achilles tendon of the wearer, and is secured to a location on the upper that is forward of the wearer's ankle. During cutting movements in which the article is worn on the outside foot, tilting of the wearer foot and ankle toward the medial side pulls the strap and causes the lateral counter to conform to and support the wearer heel.
US08302328B2
An article of footwear is disclosed that includes an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper. The sole structure incorporates a support element that includes a fluid-filled chamber, a first insert, and a second insert. The chamber defines a first surface, an opposite second surface, and a sidewall extending between the first surface and the second surface. The first insert is secured to the first surface and at least partially recessed into the polymer material of the chamber, and the second insert is secured to the second surface. In addition, the chamber may be pressurized to deform the first insert or the second insert.
US08302324B1
A hair dryer includes a housing, a fan unit, a heating element, a motor and a handle. The housing is the body of the hair dryer and has an inlet end and an outlet end. The motor rotates the housing relative to the handle in an oscillating manner. The fan unit is mounted in the housing so that air from vents at the inlet end pass through the fan unit to be blown out through the outlet end of the housing. As such, the housing moves without requiring any movement of the user's hand, wrist, or arm. The handle also has a controller for activating operation, adjusting speed, and setting temperature.
US08302317B2
The invention relates to a scraper structure, which is generally comprised of a long handle for handgrip and a scraping section in its front. Basically, the scraping section of the scraper is comprised of a jaw plate, a blade, a fastener and a fastening button. The front end of the scraping section extends downward or forward to form a blade slot and has a jaw base at the bottom to connect to the blade slot. The jaw plate has identical shape to the clamp jaw in the front of the jaw base. The fastener and the fastening button are combined to provide tightening and enable the clamp jaw in the front of the jaw plate to exert great pressure onto the blade and achieve quick blade replacement and assembly. Further, the fastening button can exert more force by the front hand in grasping the handle and achieve powerful scraping.
US08302316B2
Battery operated appliances are provided. Some appliances include a housing defining a chamber having an interior wall, electronics within the chamber, a battery cover, and a closing system including (a) a first electrically conductive member secured to the battery cover, and (b) a second electrically conductive member secured to the interior wall of the housing and configured to engage the first electrically conductive member and thereby mechanically secure the battery cover to the housing while also establishing electrical contact between the first and second electrically conductive members.
US08302314B2
In a method for manufacturing internally and/or externally profiled rings from pipe material or solid material, machine-cutting processes and forming processes are combined with one another sequentially, parallel, or sequentially and parallel, wherein one of the forming processes is roll forming. During roll forming a counterforce is generated relative to a flow direction of the starting material so that a material flow in at least one of an axial direction and a radial direction of the starting material is controlled such that flowing material is integrated into a profile to be shaped on the ring.
US08302298B2
A process for fabricating a circuit substrate is provided. A patterned conductive layer having an inner pad is provided on a base layer, a dielectric layer is disposed on the base layer and covers the patterned conductive layer, and a covering layer is disposed on the dielectric layer. A part of the covering layer is removed by dry etching to form a first opening. A part of the dielectric layer exposed by the first opening is removed to form a dielectric opening exposing a part of the inner pad. A patterned mask having a second opening to expose a part of the inner pad is formed on the covering layer. A conductive structure including a conductive block filling the dielectric opening, an outer pad filling the first opening and a surplus layer filling the second opening is formed. Finally, the patterned mask, surplus layer and covering layer are removed.
US08302294B2
A method for making a coaxial cable including an inner conductor, an outer conductor, and a dielectric material layer therebetween may include forming the inner conductor by at least forming a bimetallic strip into a tubular bimetallic layer having a pair of longitudinal edge portions at a longitudinal seam. The bimetallic strip may include an inner metal layer and an outer metal layer bonded thereto and coextensive therewith. Each of the longitudinal edge portions may be folded over. The method may also include forming a welded joint between adjacent portions of the folded over longitudinal edge portions and defining surplus material at the welded joint. The method may further include removing the surplus material at the welded joint and forming the dielectric material layer surrounding the inner conductor. The method may also include forming the outer conductor surrounding the dielectric material layer.
US08302283B2
An application for a clamp tool that has stop edges and ear edges. In one embodiment, stop edges close against each other while the ear edges, being cut deeper than the stop edges, do not touch each other and provide a space between which an ear of a clamp is position and closed by the clamp tool without cutting or nicking unnecessarily into the ear of the clamp. In some embodiments, the width of the stop edges is made to provide an alignment tool for proper alignment of the clamp on a hose over features of a fitting.
US08302279B1
A doorframe removing apparatus includes an end wall. A pair of legs each has a first end a second end. The first ends are attached to the end wall. The legs are orientated substantially parallel to each other. An end wall coupler is attached to the first side of the end wall. A frame coupler is removably attached to a doorframe attached to a perimeter edge of a door orifice in a wall. An urging member is removably attached to and extends between the end wall coupler and the frame coupler. The urging member is configured to urge the frame coupler toward the end wall coupler. The second ends of the legs are positioned on opposite sides of the doorframe and supported against the perimeter edge. The urging member is actuated to pull the doorframe away from the perimeter edge of the door orifice.
US08302277B2
A method of manufacturing a module is provided that can alleviate a decrease in cutting yield. This method includes: a step of mounting, on a wiring board having a plurality of mounting regions enclosed by cutting lines on its upper surface, an electronic component in each of the mounting regions; a step of cutting the wiring board along the cutting lines; a step of forming a sealing resin layer so as to seal the electronic component to cover at least part of upper and side surfaces of the cut wiring board; and a step of cutting the sealing resin layer along cut portions (cutting lines) of the cut wiring board.
US08302275B2
An apparatus for manufacturing an iron core comprising: a plate thickness measurement unit for measuring a thickness of the strip as an intermediate product of the iron core; an inlet guide for positioning the strip in a widthwise direction thereof; a mil roll unit for performing a rolling-bending process to the strip fed out of the inlet guide; a restraint jig for shaping the strip fed out of the mil unit and holding a curvature thereof constant; and a curvature measurement unit for measuring a curvature of the strip to which the rolling-bending process has been performed by using said mill roll. Position control of the inlet guide, the pressure roll unit, and the restraint jig is performed based on at least one of the plate thickness and the curvature of the strip.
US08302273B2
A joining unit contains a spindle drive in the form of a hollow shaft motor that encloses a spindle. The hollow shaft motor serves to achieve a linear movement of a joining tool for the execution of a joining process. The joining unit contains instruments for the presetting and/or determination of the forces exerted and/or the movement of the joining tool during the joining process.
US08302272B2
A manually held hydraulically and pneumatically powered swaging tool for swaging a collar (35) onto a grooved or threaded bolt (36) includes jaws (39) having internal grooves (40) which match the groove (20) on the bolt. The jaws (39) are openable to receive the projecting portion of the bolt (36) and are closable to engage the bolt. An anvil (26) outside the jaws is axially movable by hydraulic means forwards over the jaws to lock them into engagement with the bolt, and then to force the anvil over the collar (35) to swage it to the bolt. The tool includes a detection rod (40) for detecting when the bolt (36) has been fully inserted into the open jaw (39). Thereby to initiate closure of the jaws by pneumatic means. Also, initial forwards movement of the anvil (26) is arranged to move the jaws axially forwards by an appropriate small distance, if this is necessary to axially align the grooves (40) on the jaws correctly in relation to the groove (20) on the bolt to enable closure of the jaws.
US08302267B2
There is provided a load fixing device capable of effectively preventing collapse of burdens stacked in multiple stages by wrapping with a sheet, providing excellent work efficiency, providing large binding force, and excellently stabilizing the fastened burdens.A load fixing device according to the present invention includes a belt-like sheet having a predetermined length to be wounded around an outer periphery of loads; a first fastening section provided at an upper part in a width direction of a first end of the belt-like sheet and having an engagement means; a first-fastening-section passing section provided at the upper part in the width direction of a second end of the belt-like sheet; a second fastening section provided at a lower part in the width direction of the second end of the belt-like sheet and having an engagement means; and a second-fastening-section passing section provided at the lower part in the width direction of the first end of the belt-like sheet.
US08302266B2
A resilient rotation buckle includes a decoration plate and the belt coupling structure having an end coupled to a belt. The decoration plate and the belt coupling structure form a rotation shaft and a rotation assembly that cooperate each other. The rotation assembly includes a receptacle compartment having a wall forming a through hole for receiving the rotation shaft therethrough, springs, and retention blocks. An accommodation channel is defined in the receptacle compartment in a direction normal to the through hole. When the rotation shaft is inserted, the retention blocks are in contact engagement with an outer circumference of the rotation shaft. The springs have first ends in biasing engagement with the retention blocks and second ends supported by walls of the accommodation channel. The rotation shaft and the rotation assembly allow for relative rotation therebetween for switching between a locked position and a released position.
US08302263B2
A rectangular partial door cover, specifically design to cover the doorknob, surface locks, deadbolt locks, and chain locks of an entrance door to an apartment or house. The base of the rectangular device is attached to the entrance door with a set of screws. The device has four sides, and a sliding door with a knob. The door slides open when the knob is pulled back, and it closes when the knob is pushed forward.
US08302260B2
A hinge assembly has a pintle, a stationary leaf, a rotating leaf, a rotating pressing disk, a stationary pressing disk, a biasing assembly and a fastener. The rotating pressing disk is mounted rotatably around the pintle, is attached non-rotatably to the rotating leaf and has a track face, an inner track and an outer track. The stationary pressing disk is mounted securely around the pintle and has a protrusion face, an inner protrusion and an outer protrusion. The inner and outer protrusions respectively contact slidably with the inner and outer track on the rotating pressing disk. With the arrangement of the inner and outer tracks on the rotating pressing disk and the inner and outer protrusions on the stationary pressing disk, the resistance provided by the hinge assembly is variable.
US08302259B2
A spring hinge for spectacles includes a housing, a hinge element, at least one spring element, and a blocking body. The housing has a recess which at least partially accommodates the hinge element, the at least one spring element, and the blocking body. The spring element and the blocking body are coupled directly to one another. At least one spring element subjects the blocking body to a prestress force on account of which the blocking body can be displaced out of an unlocking position into a locking position in which it interacts with a locking surface.
US08302258B2
A method and apparatus for reducing the torque of a compound balance in order to substantially cancel out the torsional force of the torsion spring acting on the spiral rod by creating an equal and opposing torsional force on the extension spring. The apparatus is an assembly connector that is non-permanently engaged with the extension spring, with the spiral rod being tensioned by the torsional force of the torsion spring. Alternatively, the extension spring may be turned in a direction to apply more torque than is required for operation of the compound balance. It is then engaged with a non pre-tensioned spiral rod sub-assembly to transfer the excess torque to the torsion spring of the spiral rod sub-assembly. In this manner, the opposing torsional forces of the torsion spring and the extension spring acting on the spiral rod substantially cancel out each other.
US08302257B2
A double-pedal double-wheel truckle with independent braking and releasing functions is a truckle for a precision instrument and comprises a body, a rotating & locking device, a truckle body device, a braking device and a bottom cover body. The body is provided for disposing a rotating & locking device, a truckle body device, a braking device and a bottom cover body. With the independent braking and releasing functions of the braking device of the body, the user can easily operate and stably block the rotating & locking device and the truckle body device. The bottom cover body is provided for preventing foreign matters from entering the truckle body device, so that the truckle can be locked from rotation. By such arrangements, it can achieve the objectives, such as easy operation, easy to distinguish braking state, stable braking, reducing noises, strengthening structure and safe usage, etc.
US08302252B2
A dust separator for a vacuum cleaner including a body having a pair of spaced apart ends, a first air inlet formed in the body and being configured to receive an air flow containing dust, and a dust outlet formed inwardly of the spaced apart ends and apart from the first air inlet to discharge dust separated in the body, is provided. In addition, a cross-sectional area of the body at the dust outlet is greater than a cross-sectional area of the body at the first air inlet.
US08302243B2
A multi-layer surface treating pad is disclosed. It has an upper layer suitable to serve as one part of a hook/loop type fastener system, a bottom layer which comprises an abrasive or polishing material, and a cleaning or other surface treating formulation positioned between the upper and bottom layer in the form of a bump which is positioned mostly in a central region of the pad. The bump of the formulation causes the upper layer to bulge upwardly so as to provide a visual indication as to where one optimally should attach a motorized device thereto.
US08302235B1
A ramp assembly for a vehicle generally includes a ramp platform having a top substantially planar tread surface and first and second ends, and an extension section movably coupled to the first end of the ramp platform at an interface, wherein the extension section is configured to move between a first extension section orientation and a second extension section orientation.
US08302233B2
A method of making a sole for an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes steps of attaching a double sided acrylic adhesive film to a composite plate. The composite plate is then attached to an outer member of the article of footwear using the acrylic adhesive film.
US08302228B2
The present inventive subject matter is the method of use as well as a device or fixture for positioning and manipulating a patient's lower extremity for surgical and diagnostic procedures where alignment is critical and minute adjustments may be required. Once firmly attached to the operating table, the device prevents the patient's extremity from moving after the physician has selected the precise position for the elected procedure. This is achieved by a combination of a fracture reduction plate, posts, shimming blocks and an articulating and rotating frame or cradle with an adjustable and lockable rack and gear configuration and pivot joints attached to a foot assembly which acts as a leg and foot splint. The cradle is attached to the patient via a series of adjustable straps preventing the extremity from moving independently of the cradle.
US08302225B1
A swaddle garment to calm and comfort an infant has two panels and a leg pouch. One panel that is both wide and long enough to wrap entirely both of the infant's arms and a second panel to then wrap around the infant's torso and secured arms. The bottom portions of the back and front panels form a leg pouch to contain the infant's legs. Hook and loop fasteners are used to secure the arm restraints, and the bottom of the leg pouch has an opening for easy access for diaper changes.
US08302224B2
A bed covering made of a substantially rectangular fabric having a head end, a foot end and an unfolded width. A first series of fastening elements, proximate to the foot end, is arrayed on one side of a center line of the bed covering. A second series of fastening elements, proximate to the foot end and complementary to the first series, is arrayed on an opposing side of the center line. The first and second series of fastening devices allow the bed covering to be placed in a fastened configuration where the width of the foot end of the bed covering is less than the width of the head end of the bed covering.
US08302218B2
The present invention relates to a tub for bathing infants or children. The tub includes a receptacle for containing water and for receiving an infant. The tub also includes a selectively removable insert or positioning member that can be used to change the bathing area inside of the tub. When the positioning member is locked to the tub, the positioning member defines two separate infant seating positions within the tub. The positioning member is removable from the tub to allow the entire receptacle to be used.
US08302215B2
A glove which can ensure flexibility thereof and can prevent peeling-off of a resin film formed on a surface of a glove base body is provided. Also provided is a manufacturing method of the glove. The glove (G) includes a glove base body (1) constituted of a knitted glove, a first resin film layer (2) formed on a surface of the glove base body (1), and a second resin film layer (3) formed on the first resin film layer (2). The first resin film layer (2) and the second resin film layer (3) cover a palm portion and side portions of the glove base body (1), a palm side and side parts of respective fingers, and areas ranging from fingertip portions to a back portion of the glove base body (1) including the fingertip portions. An uncovered back portion (4) where a resin film layer is not present is formed on a remaining portion of the back portion. The second resin film layer (3) is formed on the first resin film layer (2) in an overlapping manner. A peripheral portion (31) of the second resin film layer (3) extends beyond a peripheral portion (21) of the first resin film layer (2) and is brought into direct contact with the glove base body (1), and the resin liquid in contact with the glove base body (1) permeates into the inside of the glove base body (1) and forms a peeling-off preventing portion.
US08302214B2
The breast-cancer recovery system comprises a breast cancer recovery garment, an organizational subsystem and a needs kit. The breast cancer recovery garment comprises a body portion defining an opening, positioned, configured and dimensioned to allow the performance of a breast cancer treatment procedure and a closure device suitable for closing the opening when a procedure is not being performed. The body portion of the garment defines the elongated pocket proximate the bottom edge, extending along the bottom edge and defines slits in at least one of the sleeves. The body portion of the recovery garment comprises of a warm material and/or of decorative pattern. The organizational subsystem comprises a frame configured to support a plurality of color-coded files, and marked with identification tabs which relate to breast cancer patient needs, and customized medical information. A breast cancer patient needs kit comprises a basket-like container, a canvas tote bag, a canvas tote bag with a zipper closure, or a basket and clear wrap around it, at least one drug and/or medication and at least one edible item.
US08302213B2
Disclosed is an assembly which can include a hardened outer shell and an inner surface comprising a polymeric gel. The polymeric gel is enclosed within an envelope having opposed layers and is attached to the outer hardened surface cover. The hardened outer surface cover may be comprised of most any material known within the art. The sporting or shooting vest comprises a garment including gel-filled pockets or envelopes whereby impact can be absorbed and dissipated. Additionally, the outer layer of the shooting vest may be comprised of a Kevlar material wherein the vest would become a ballistic vest.
US08302212B1
An athletic pants having a body joined to a waist band and legs. A cup pouch accommodating a jock cup is releasably connected to the waist band for adjusting the location of the cup pouch relative to the parts. Knee supports secured to the legs have cushions to protect a person's knees.
US08307461B2
A microwave probe having a metal tip on the free end of a microcantilever. In one embodiment, a pyramidal pit is isotropically etched in a device wafer of monocrystalline silicon. Oxidation may sharpen the pit. Deposited metal forms the metal tip in the pit and a bottom shield. Other metal sandwiched between equally thick dielectric layers contact the tip and form a conduction path along the cantilever for the probe and detected signals. Further metal forms a top shield overlying the conduction path and the dielectrically isolated tip and having equal thickness to the bottom shield, thus producing together with the symmetric dielectric layers a balanced structure with reduced thermal bending. The device wafer is bonded to a handle wafer. The handle is formed and remaining silicon of the device wafer is removed to release the cantilever.
US08307458B2
A handheld device is configured to be connectable to a storage media that holds a unique media identifier and holds a content key data used to decrypt an encrypted content data. A content data delivery system is provided that is configured to be able to deliver various data to the handheld device and to make a content data available to the handheld device. The system includes a member-registration information database that holds member-registration information including a data pair of a handheld-device identifier related to the relevant handheld device and the relevant media identifier. The media identifier held by the storage media is verified with the member-registration information database. When it is determined that the media identifier corresponds to the member-registration information, the content key data held in the storage media is read, and it is determined whether an encrypted content data corresponding to the read content key data is stored in the storage media or other storage media coupled to the storage media. The encrypted content data is transferred to the storage media or the like depending on the user's specification.
US08307457B2
Disclosed is a method of receiving by a terminal a rights object (RO) from a rights issuer (RI) on behalf of a memory card, the method including, receiving, by the terminal, a trigger message for RO acquisition from the rights issuing server, comparing, by the terminal, trust anchor and ID of the memory card in a list included in the trigger message with a trust anchor and ID of the memory card within a context of the terminal, transmitting, by the terminal, a RO request message to the rights issuing server if the trust anchor and the ID of the memory card within the context are consistent with those within the list according to the comparison result, and receiving, by the terminal, a RO response message including a protected RO from the rights issuing server.
US08307447B2
A method and a terminal device for making multi-system constraint of a specified permission in a digital rights. A rights object related to content object is obtained by an executing device. The specific permission descriptions of the rights object include system constraint descriptions of a plurality of systems of the same type. The executing device obtains a corresponding system information in the device according to the system constraint descriptions and compares the system information in the device with the system information in the system constraint descriptions, so as to judge whether there is any system permitted in system constraint descriptions. If yes, it determines to permit executing the specific permission for the content object; otherwise, it determines not to permit executing said specific permission for the content object.
US08307436B2
Apparatus and method for transforming internet resources into safely rendered versions of the same. The invention provides transformative rendering of internet resources to remove malicious code before displaying in a browser or its associated application. Malicious code blockage is accomplished by re-writing all code that is to be transferred to the client browser. Since malicious code is often disguised (or obfuscated), the invention will not attempt to rewrite the entire code set on the page but will still make available the functionality of that code through frequent interaction between the invention's rendering processor and the client browser.
US08307433B2
A method of protecting username/password (U/P) credentials operates on a client computer that cooperates with an anti-phishing scheme that generates a client warning at the client computer when a suspected phishing website issues a U/P request. At the client computer, a set of S fake U/P credentials is generated when the client warning is heeded, or a set of (S−1) fake U/P credentials are derived from a client-supplied U/P credential provided after the client warning is ignored. The client computer then transmits to the suspected phishing website one of (i) the set of S fake U/P credentials, and (ii) the client-supplied U/P credential along with the set of (S−1) fake U/P credentials.
US08307427B1
System and method for keeping inventories of sensitive data that has been shared with external entities. The system and method may be used particularly for identifying a source of an unauthorized release of sensitive data.
US08307425B2
User accounts, authentication information and user home directories are stored on an external storage media that can be transferred from one device to another. Measures are included for detecting tampering of stored information and for preventing possibly conflicting or damaging account and file information from entering a host device.
US08307421B2
End-to-end authentication capability based on public-key certificates is combined with the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) to allow a SIP node that receives a SIP request message to authenticate the sender of request. The SIP request message is sent with a digital signature generated with a private key of the sender and may include a certificate of the sender. The SIP request message my also be encrypted with a public key of the recipient. After receiving the SIP request, the receiving SIP node obtains a certificate of the sender and authenticates the sender based on the digital signature. The digital signature may be included in an Authorization header of the SIP request, or in a multipart message body constructed according to the S/MIME standard.
US08307418B2
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for an application layer firewall function including an integrated deep packet inspection function for providing early intrusion detection and intrusion prevention at an edge networking device are disclosed. According to one method, steps are performed at a session controller configured to operate at the border of a first network and a second network. The steps include receiving, at an intrusion protection system (IPS) module of the session controller interfacing with modules associated with layers 2 and above of a protocol stack of the session controller, information gathered by modules located at lower layers and associated with an intrusion attempt, vulnerability, or other security policy violation. In response to receiving the information, the IPS module provides at least one of a security policy and a rule to a module located at the most appropriate layer for securing the intrusion attempt, vulnerability, or other security policy violation.
US08307412B2
End users of a multi-factor authentication service can utilize an account management service, and third-party website can register to utilize the multi-factor authentication service. Registering a third-party website can comprise the multi-factor authentication service receiving a valid digital identity certificate for the third-party website, and receiving an agreement to terms of use of the multi-factor authentication service for the third-party website. Once received, the multi-factor authentication service can enable the third-party website to utilize the service (e.g., switch the service on, or send an authorization key to the third-party website). Further, registering a user to the multi-factor authentication service can comprise determining availability of service, and providing a location-specific access code. Additionally, registering the user can comprise registering the user's mobile device, for example, to provide multi-factor authentication. Also, an Internet-based user account management user interface can be provided that allows a user to view transactions on their account, and an ability to shut off a designated mobile device's ability to authenticate.
US08307410B2
According to one aspect of the subject matter described herein, a method for registering wireless smart devices for secure offline data transfer is provided. The method includes, for an application configured to execute on a wireless smart device and that requires access to information regarding an account that does not reside on the wireless smart device, register, at a server having access to the information regarding the account, a first wireless smart device has an account owner device (AOD) for operating in an online mode for obtaining the information regarding the account from the server and for operating in an offline mode for transferring the information regarding the account to at least one additional device via a secure offline data transfer using near field communications (NFC). The method further includes registering, at the server, at least one second wireless smart device as an account sharer device (ASD) for operating in an offline mode for receiving the information regarding the account from the first wireless smart device via the secure offline data transfer using NFC.
US08307408B2
A cipher processing system for allowing file access while maintaining the integrity without a user being aware of the difference between files when the user accesses a file in a folder containing both a ciphertext file and a plaintext file. If a folder stores both a ciphertext file and a plaintext file, the ciphertext file is attached with identification information (preferably, footer information) indicating that the file is a ciphertext file, so that a plaintext file and a ciphertext file can be differentiated from each other when the files are read. A deciphered file gained by removing identification information from a ciphertext file and deciphering the file is delivered to an upper-level application. If the read file is a plaintext file, decipher processing is not executed on the plaintext file but the plaintext file is passed to the upper-level application program.
US08307403B2
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed that relate to providing interactive television by synchronizing content to live and/or recorded television shows. Content is synchronized without the use of in-band triggers. A broadcast stream is received, and search/action pairs are received from a transmission path, such as from the Internet or user. When the search criteria are found in the broadcast stream, the associated action is performed and the content is synchronized with the show. An application programming interface is used to facilitate synchronization, and includes a set search method, a search function template method, and a clear search method. The set search method initiates searching of the broadcast stream and registers one or more callback methods for performing the associated action when the match is found. The search function template serves as the template for registering the callback methods. The clear search method clears the system resources from the search.
US08307401B1
A method for operating conflicting source devices communicating over the same self-configurable asymmetric link, comprising: transmitting uncompressed video from a first source device to a first sink device over a first direction of a self-configurable asymmetric link; receiving a request to transmit uncompressed video from a second source device to a second sink device over the opposite direction of the self-configurable asymmetric link; locating an accessible rendering device able to receive compressed video from the second source device and to transmit uncompressed video to the second sink device without flipping the direction of the self-configurable asymmetric link; and transmitting compressed video from the second source device to the rendering device, whereby the rendering device renders and transmits the video to the second sink device.
US08307400B2
A method of processing data in a transmitter includes separating ensembles including mobile service data; building a Reed-Solomon (RS) frame including the mobile service data, dividing the built RS frame into RS frame portions; encoding signaling data including fast information channel (FIC) data including cross layer information for mobile service acquisition and transport parameter channel (TPC) data including FIC version information for identifying an update of the FIC data, wherein the TPC data is RS-encoded at a first code rate, and the FIC data is block-interleaved after being RS-encoded at a second code rate; forming a data group including data of an RS frame portion and the signaling data; and transmitting a broadcast signal including the formed data group.
US08307395B2
Systems and methods for obtaining key frames of video content items being viewed by first users and publishing the key frames of the video content items to second users are provided. In general, either prior to playback of a video content item by a first user or during playback of the video content item by the first user, key frame information providing, referencing, or identifying key frames of the video content item is obtained. Each key frame is representative of a segment of the video content item. The key frame information for the video content item is then published such that each key frame is presented to one or more second users while the first user views the corresponding segment of the video content item.
US08307384B2
A slot-in optical disk drive with lifting ejection device is disclosed. A sliding device which has a first guiding slot and a second guiding slot is driven by a transmission unit. A sliding bolt protruded from a traverse is inserted into the first guiding slot, and the traverse connects with the sliding device. A lifting ejection device has a column vertically set in a housing and a sleeve which covers the column. A guiding pin protruded from the sleeve is inserted into the second guiding slot and is driven by the sliding device to disengage an optical disk.
US08307376B2
A method for switching from an OS of a portable computer to another OS of an auxiliary output device, and the portable computer containing the auxiliary output device, are discussed. According to an embodiment, the auxiliary input/output device includes a control unit configured to control a data storage unit of the portable computer once an OS switching signal is generated in a main device of the portable computer; and an interface unit configured to enable communication between the main device and the auxiliary input/output device, wherein in response to the OS switching signal, the control unit is configured to execute a task that a main controller of the main device has been executing.
US08307374B2
Service and network management events are correlated, enabling a user to correlate all the application and network events that stem from a common fault without requiring repeated and exhaustive capturing of detailed knowledge of the network assets, the topological relationships and all possible events.
US08307370B2
An apparatus and method to balance a load in a multi-core processor system. The apparatus includes a data channel module which includes a queue, and which transmits data between a plurality of threads and transmits queue state information regarding the queue, and a data channel management module which periodically analyzes data traffic between the plurality of threads by determining a state of the queue based on the queue state information, and which generates information used to adjust a load of each of the plurality of threads based on a result of the analysis.
US08307368B2
A computer system establishes an execution environment for executing activities in a continuation based runtime including instantiating an activity scheduler configured to perform the following: scheduling activities for execution in the CBR. The activity scheduler resolves the scheduled activity's arguments and variables prior to invoking the scheduled activity using the activity's unique context. The activity scheduler also determines, based on the activity's unique context, whether the scheduled activity comprises a work item that is to be queued at the top of the execution stack and, based on the determination, queues the work item to the execution stack. The computer system executes the work items of the scheduled activity as queued in the execution stack of the established execution environment in the CBR.
US08307365B2
An apparatus and method for managing the execution of ActiveX control are provided. The apparatus includes a server list managing module for managing an approved server list for allowing the execution of predetermined ActiveX control and a disapproved server list for disallowing the execution of predetermined ActiveX control, an API hooking module for detecting installation or execution of ActiveX control in a HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) document while visiting a web site, and a process module for reading the approved and disapproved server lists if the API hooking module detects the execution of the ActiveX control, allowing the execution of each ActiveX control only within approved web sites, and interrupting the execution of ActiveX control in disapproved web sites.
US08307362B1
In a virtualized environment, provisioned virtual machines may be migrated between different servers as needed and, accordingly, may be clustered according to particular configurations and requirements. The system described herein provides techniques for controlling the provisioning of users' virtual machines among clusters based on determined requirements obtained from users' service level agreements (SLAs) and in accordance with an optimized allocation of resources to service the processes corresponding to the virtual machines. The provisioning of virtual machines according to the system described herein may be dynamically controlled and allow for over-provisioning of virtual machines to a cluster beyond that which would normally be supported at the cluster absent the provisioning control techniques provided by the system described herein. The over-provisioning may be controllable according to specific requirements identified in each user's SLA.
US08307359B1
Described are a system and method of embedding a virtual storage area network on an electronic device. A virtual machine runs on the electronic device. The virtual machine provides a virtual storage target for responding to block storage requests from storage initiators. A virtual fabric is coupled between the virtual machine and an external storage area network (SAN). The virtual fabric routes a storage request from a storage initiator to the virtual storage target.
US08307358B1
A method and system for an unattended installation of any type of a guest operating system (GOS) on a Virtual Machine (VM). Proposed method and system allow users to create an executable script, which provides automation of any GOS installation on the VM. User actions, such as mouse clicks and keyboard strokes, performed during GOS installation are recorded. The delays, time periods between clicks and strokes are recorded as well. All of this information is incorporated into an executable script. The script, when executed, simulates/reproduces GOS action sequence. This sequence reflects the behavior of GOS itself executed on a VM. The executable script is OS-independent and runs on top of system OS.
US08307357B2
Techniques for altering application user-interface controls are provided. More particularly the customization of a new or existing user-interface control in an application user-interface is provided. In one aspect of the invention, a method for customizing user-interface controls of an existing application comprises the recording of a procedure description performed by a user in the application user-interface. A new or modified application user-interface control relating to the procedure description is then installed in the existing application.
US08307342B2
An apparatus and methods for generating a plurality of output test vectors from a statechart are provided. The statechart may specify requirements of a system function to be executed by a system-performing device. The statechart comprises a plurality of states, a plurality of transitions, and a plurality of variables. A forward-propagation pass through the statechart may be performed to generate a plurality of forward-reached-transition environments. A backward-propagation pass through the statechart may be performed to generate a plurality of backward-reached-transition environments. The plurality of output test vectors is generated from the plurality of forward-reached-transition environments and/or the plurality of backward-reached-transition environments. A test driver may execute a plurality of tests on the system-performing device, wherein the plurality of tests are based on the plurality of output test vectors.
US08307335B2
A code assistance feature provides a user with a set of suggested program code insertions at a given point in the program code being edited. For example, in response to a user command, the feature identifies syntactically correct possible insertions derived from a search for insertions of a compatible type. The feature identifies members in the set of possible code insertions that can be expanded via a field dereference or subroutine call to provide further possible code insertions for selection by the user.
US08307334B2
A method for assisting a user in creating software code. In one implementation, the method includes receiving user input editing software code through a code editor, in which the software code is associated with a programming language having a plurality of software constructs. The method further includes receiving user input invoking a code assistant associated with the code editor. The code assistant comprises a plurality of panels that correspond to the plurality of software constructs. One or more of the plurality of panels contain a set of user-selectable options associated with a given software construct to assist the user in editing the software code.
US08307330B2
A system and method for creating and using type generic graphical programs. The method may include storing a first graphical program on a memory medium. The first graphical program may have been created based on user input. The first graphical program may include a plurality of nodes and interconnections between the nodes, and the plurality of nodes and interconnections between the nodes may be type generic. User input may be received specifying one or more data types of at least one input and/or at least one output of the first graphical program. The data types may be associated with the first graphical program in response to said user input specifying the one or more data types.
US08307324B2
One aspect provides a method of standardized data creation and analysis of semiconductor technology node characteristics. In one embodiment, the method includes: (1) designing representative benchmark circuits for a clock path, a data path and a flip-flop path, (2) establishing at least one standard sensitization and measurement rule for delay and power for the representative benchmark circuits and across corners in the technology nodes, (3) performing a simulation by sweeping through a range of values and at predetermined intervals across the corners, (4) extracting data from the simulation, (5) writing the data to a databank and (6) parsing and interpreting the data to produce at least one report.
US08307323B2
A method for analog placement and global routing considering wiring symmetry performs a layout for a circuit which is described by a netlist having a set of devices and wires. First, the method inputs the netlist, and each device thereof has a design constraint and a corresponding priority. Based on the priorities, it performs a sorting on the devices to establish a constraint library. Then, based on the design constraint and corresponding priority of each device, the method establishes a hierarchical constraint tree. According to the hierarchical constraint tree, the method performs placement of each device, wherein possible shape of each device is represented by a shape curve. For each placement of the device, the method calculates a corresponding cost function. Then, it selects an optimum placement of the device according to the cost functions. The method establishes an RSMT for each wire and then performs an analog routing.
US08307317B2
A statistical on-chip variation approach to timing analysis permits the automated or semi-automated selection of design-specific margins without requiring complex statistical libraries. By separately addressing the impact of random and systematic variations on timing, a design-specific margin can be obtained and used in downstream OCV analysis. In addition, where statistical libraries are available for some portions of a design, these can be incrementally included in the timing analysis to obtain more accurate results.
US08307315B2
In one aspect of an embodiment, a method implemented on a data processing system for circuit design, includes: identifying one or more first portions (e.g., islands) of a design of a circuit, where each of the one or more first portions contains a set of elements interconnected via timing critical nets; and reporting inter-dependency between portions of the circuit in view of the one or more first portions. In one aspect of an embodiment, a method implemented on a data processing system for circuit design, includes: identifying a first portion (e.g., island) of a design of a circuit, the first portion containing a set of elements interconnected via timing critical nets; and performing a synthesis transformation of the first portion to isolate timing dependency of the first portion on a non-critical net connected to an element of the first portion.
US08307308B2
A virtual world controller receives an identifier of a detected interaction by a user within another world, separate from a particular virtual world environment accessible by the user, from a device that detects and reports user interactions within the other world. The virtual world controller identifies at least one particular trigger tag name assigned to the identifier of the detected interaction from among a plurality of separate detectable user interactions in a trigger tag database. The virtual world controller identifies at least one particular asset class from among a plurality of asset classes specified with the particular trigger tag name within a particular trigger asset coupling from among at least one trigger asset coupling in a trigger asset coupling database. The virtual world controller accesses at least one particular asset assigned to the at least one particular asset class in an asset class database. The virtual world controller renders the at least one particular asset within the particular virtual world environment in a virtual location within the particular virtual world triggered by the particular trigger asset coupling.
US08307307B2
Prompting user confirmation of an action in a display window on a display of a mobile electronic device including displaying a pair of soft key icons, receiving a request to initiate an action from a user and displaying a confirmation message to confirm that a user wishes to proceed with the action. When the confirmation message is displayed, the pair of soft key icons are modified to create a pair of updated soft key icons. The receiving of the request may include detection of a soft key event. The updated soft key icons provide a first response and a second response to the confirmation message for selection by the user. The soft key icons and updated soft key icons may be displayed at the bottom portion of the display in a manner that does not obstruct the display window.
US08307304B2
A storage unit stores an item to be displayed on a display screen and a display order indicating a screen transition until a display of the display screen in a hierarchical structure. An input processing unit inputs screen definition data including an additional item to be added to the display screen and a display order for the additional item. A registering unit registers the display order and the additional item included in the screen definition data in the storage unit. A creating unit creates a display screen including a display order for the display screen and the item and the additional item associated with the display order in the storage unit.
US08307301B2
The invention makes it possible to select an element from a list of elements represented by icons. A first element is selected by affixing a graphics distinction on its icon. When the user activates and holds a command, said graphics distinction moves from the first icon to a second icon. A second element is selected when the graphics distinction occupies at least one determined area of the second icon representing this second element. According to an improvement, the graphics distinction moves from icon to icon, totally overlapping only a single icon at a time.The invention also relates to a device able to execute the method of selecting an element by moving a graphics distinction.
US08307300B1
The present invention relates to systems and methods for content resizing and caching in multi-process browser architecture. An embodiment includes initiating a rendering engine process and a browser process, receiving a request to resize content, providing the request to the rendering engine process, waiting to allow the rendering engine process to render an updated bitmap associated with the content and displaying the updated bitmap synchronously if the updated bitmap is produced during the waiting step. Another embodiment includes, receiving an input associated with the status of a tab, determining if the tab is a background tab or a foreground tab based on the receiving step, checking a cache for a bitmap of content associated with the tab if the tab has changed status to a foreground tab; and displaying the contents of the cache in the tab if the cache includes the bitmap of content previously associated with the tab.
US08307298B2
A computer program for outputting a user interface to a computer. The computer outputs a voice message and the user interface consecutively informs a progress of a process executed by the computer. The program determines whether or not the user interface consecutively informs the progress of another process with a voice message. A first user interface consecutively informs the progress of the specific process with a first voice message that includes start, ongoing, and end messages, if the first determining step determines that the user interface does not consecutively inform the progress of the another process with the voice message. A second user interface informs the progress of the specific process with a second voice message that includes start and end messages while omitting the ongoing message, if the first determining step determines that the user interface consecutively informs the progress of the another process with the voice message.
US08307297B2
One embodiment may be practiced in a computing environment and includes method acts for creating a new component model from an existing component model. The method includes accessing an existing component definition. The existing component definition is included in an existing component schema, which includes definitions of configuration parameters defined for the existing component including defining that one or more parameters are further configurable. Definitions of the one or more parameters that are defined as being further configurable are refined. The refined definitions for the one or more parameter values are stored in a refined schema defining refinements of the component definition, without including the existing component schema. The refined schema is stored separately from the existing component schema.
US08307296B2
Techniques are provided to improve communication through selective display of attention shifting display elements. A focus of attention is determined, display events located and attention shifting display elements displayed. The attention shifting display elements suggest display events as candidate foci of attention based on the display event, the display event location and the distance from the focus of attention. Attention shifting display elements are composed of attention directing portions, and optional attention attracting and informing portions. The attention directing portions help direct attention across distances and help attract attention to a point. The informing portions indicate availability of information associated with the display event occurring outside the focus of attention. The attention directing, attention attracting and informing portions of an attention shifting display element are associated with dynamic or periphery of attention based display attributes, static or focus of attention based display attributes or a combination of the two.
US08307295B2
A user interface allows an operator to control the visual focus of digital, CG characters and/or physical robotic characters. An interface with one or more tiered shapes is overlaid on a video feed of the digital or physical character's surrounding environment. An operator can move the overlaid tiered shapes around the video feed with a standard input device like a mouse, stylus, or joystick to control the visual focus of the digital or physical character.
US08307282B2
It is an object of the invention to provide a character string display system, a character string display method, and a storage medium that can determine a display time according to character string display times in the past to thereby determine a display time corresponding to speed of reading and understanding a character string of an individual who reads the character string. The character string display system is characterized by including: a display time determining unit for determining a display time for a display character string on the basis of a reference value; a display unit for displaying the display character string for the display time determined by the display time determining unit; an operation unit for detecting predetermined operation performed by an operator while the display unit displays the display character string; and a reference value changing unit that, when the operation unit detects operation of the operator, extends or reduces a time, during which the display unit displays the display character string, and changes the reference value according to the extension or the reduction of the time for displaying the display character string.
US08307273B2
The present invention provides electronic methods and apparatus for interactively authoring, sharing and analyzing digital video content. Methods for authoring include displaying visual data, defining each traversal as a time-based sequence of frames and annotating and storing a record of the traversal and its associated audio records. Defining the traversal includes interactively panning the visual data by positioning an overlay window relative to the visual data and zooming in or out by resizing the overlay window. In alternative embodiments, the visual data may be displayed in a rectangular layout or a cylindrical layout. The methods are practiced using an integrated graphical interface, including an overview region displaying the visual data, a detail region displaying current data within the overlay window, and a worksheet region displaying a list of previously stored annotated traversal records. In a further aspect, the worksheet region list of annotated traversal records is published in a web document accessible via network using a standard HTML browser, and further annotations may be added by a community of network users. Analytical methods are also provided in which data markers corresponding to traversal records are plotted against an interactive abstract map enabling users to shift between levels of abstraction in exploring the video record.
US08307246B2
A system is disclosed for identifying one or more causes of a computer executing one or more processes running slowly, the system includes: apparatus for detecting states of one or more threads of the one or more processes; apparatus for identifying one or more of said one or more processes that have one or more threads with wait states that occur above a threshold to indicate which modules within a process or processes is causing said computer to run slowly. In one embodiment the system as the apparatus for detecting states periodically polls the one or more threads of the processes. The system can also include a data structure to store the states of each of said one or more threads each time said thread is polled. The system can be one in which one or more threads are UI threads.
US08307245B2
A scenario creating apparatus which creates a scenario for verifying operation of an information processing system in which a plurality of servers including a database server are connected, includes a collector that collects messages transmitted and received between the plurality of servers, when operation of the information processing system is being verified by a terminal apparatus that performs verification of operation; an association unit that associates the collected messages with each other; a sorter that sorts work models in ascending order of time at which access is made to the database server, the work models each being a group of the associated messages; and a scenario creating unit that creates the scenario on the basis of the sorted work models.
US08307241B2
In a nonvolatile memory array, data is stored in multi-level cells (MLC) as upper-page data and lower-page data. Safe copies of both upper-page and lower-page data are stored in on-chip cache during programming. If a write fail occurs, data is recovered from on-chip cache. The controller does not have to maintain safe copies of data.
US08307232B1
A system including an integrated circuit (IC) and a power supply regulator external to the IC. The IC operates in accordance with an active mode and a lower power mode, and is configured to retain a logical state during the low power mode. The power supply regulator is configured to i) supply a first voltage potential to a first pin of the IC during the active mode, and ii) disable the first voltage potential during the low power mode. The IC is configured to provide a first feedback signal from an internal supply of the IC to the power supply regulator via the first pin.
US08307231B2
A method for adaptive Bluetooth low power wake up and discovery is provided whereby wake-up triggers are uploaded to Media Access Control (MAC) firmware. A data stream representing a trigger arrives as either an interpretable binary stream of instructions, or as a concatenation of events listed in a preset table. Various parameters allowing flexible wake-up triggering, such as Service Set Identifiers (SSIDs) to scan for probability likelihoods, are also uploaded. Both table-based and interpretable instructions are designed to ensure the security of the trigger by limiting the functionality of the trigger to only trigger-related events (e.g., scanning, pre-reserved memory). Both the table and the instruction set are designed in a minimalistic fashion to allow a slim and fast firmware-side implementation. Insignificant modifications to existing computer or Operating System (OS) architecture take advantage of the already existing MAC processor in many 802.11 interfaces, offering enormous flexibility.
US08307217B2
In one embodiment, a method for authenticating access to encrypted content on a storage medium, wherein the encrypted content is encrypted according to a full disk encryption (FDE) key, the storage medium including an encrypted version of the FDE key and an encrypted version of a protected storage area (PSA) key, and wherein the encrypted version of the FDE key is encrypted according to the PSA key, the method comprising: providing an authenticated communication channel between a host and a storage engine associated with the storage medium; at the storage engine, receiving a pass code from the host over the authenticated communication channel; hashing the pass code to form a derived key, wherein the encrypted version of the PSA key is encrypted according to the derived key; verifying an authenticity of the pass code; if the pass code is authentic, decrypting the encrypted version of the PSA key to recover the PSA key; decrypting the encrypted FDE key using the recovered PSA key to recover the FDE key; and decrypting the encrypted content using the FDE key.
US08307216B2
In a device authentication control method and device, when a connection device is connected to a network mounted on a boat, it is determined whether or not the connection device corresponds to an authentication-free device. If the connection device does not correspond to an authentication-free device, an authenticating action is performed on the connection device. If the connection device does correspond to an authentication-free device, the connection device is exempted from the authenticating action. In this way, when a connection device does not correspond to an authentication-free device, an authenticating action is performed, but when the connection device corresponds to an authentication-free device, the connection device is exempted from an authenticating action. As a result, it is possible to handle specific connection devices as authentication-free.
US08307213B2
A method for applying a digital watermark to a content signal is disclosed. In accordance with such a method, a watermarking key is identified. The watermarking key includes a binary sequence and information describing application of that binary sequence to the content signal. The digital watermark is then encoded within the content signal at one or more locations determined by the watermarking key.
US08307212B2
Electronic steganographic techniques can be used to encode a rights management control signal onto an information signal carried over an insecure communications channel. Steganographic techniques ensure that the digital control information is substantially invisibly and substantially indelibly carried by the information signal. These techniques can provide end-to-end rights management protection of an information signal irrespective of transformations between analog and digital. An electronic appliance can recover the control information and use it for electronic rights management to provide compatibility with a Virtual Distribution Environment. In one example, the system encodes low data rate pointers within high bandwidth time periods of the content signal to improve overall control information read/seek times.
US08307210B1
A method for validating a cryptographic token includes (a) operating the cryptographic token to generate a pseudo-random number for authentication purposes by using a cryptographic seed uniquely associated with the cryptographic token, the cryptographic seed having been cryptographically generated using a precursor value, (b) receiving a first value from the cryptographic token, the first value being the pseudo-random number generated by the cryptographic token, (c) inputting the first value and the precursor value into a trusted computing platform, and (d) operating the trusted computing platform to generate a validation signal if the first value can be derived using a specified algorithm from the precursor value, but to generate a failure signal if the first value cannot be derived using the specified algorithm from the precursor value. Accompanying methods and apparatus are also provided.
US08307208B2
In SSL encryption communication in which a client and a server share a password, the client generates random number data, encrypts the random number data with a public key and a password, and transmits the encrypted random number data to the server, so that the client and the server safely share the random number data having a bit length longer than that of the password. Safe cryptographic communication is performed without intermediaries by using the random number data or by mutually presenting a hash value of the random number data.
US08307207B2
A biometric key (10) which has an interface or electrical connection to a receptor body (11) which functions as an external power source a biometric sensor, a CPU, a nonvolatile memory unit incorporating a database of authorized biometric signatures or biocodes along with associated firmware required for comparison between data received from the biometric sensor and to provide acceptance or rejection of said data upon electrical connection to the receptor body (11) whereby a signal is sent to a facility (12, 13, 15, 16, 17) accessible by the key (10) advising of said acceptance or rejection.
US08307206B2
Objects can be extracted from data flows captured by a capture device. In one embodiment, the invention includes assigning to each captured object a cryptographic status based on whether the captured object is encrypted. In one embodiment, the invention further includes determining whether the object violated a cryptographic policy using the assigned cryptographic status of the object.
US08307197B2
A processor including a Boolean logic unit, wherein the Boolean logic unit is operated for performing the short-circuit evaluation of a Normal Form Boolean expression/operation, a plurality of input/output interfaces in communication with the Boolean logic unit, wherein the plurality of input/output interfaces are operated for receiving a plurality of compiled Boolean expressions/operations and transmitting a plurality of compiled results, and a plurality of registers coupled to the plurality of input/output interface circuits, wherein the plurality of multi-bit registers include an instruction register, a first address register and a second address register.
US08307188B2
An information handling system (IHS) loads an application that may include startup code and steady state operation code. The IHS allocates one region of system memory to the startup code and another region of system memory to the steady state operation code. A programmer inserts a memory release call command at a location that marks the end of execution of the startup code. After executing the startup code, the operation system receives the memory release call command. In response to the memory release call command, the operating system releases or de-allocates the region of memory to which the IHS previously assigned to the startup code. This enables the released memory for use by code other than the startup code, such as other code pages, library pages and other code.
US08307180B2
Methods, systems and devices for configuring access to a memory device are disclosed. The configuration of the memory device may be carried out by creating a plurality of access profiles that are adapted to optimize access to the memory device in accordance with the type of access. Accordingly, when an application with specific memory access needs is initiated, the memory access profile that is most optimized for that particular access need is utilized to configure access to the memory device. The configuration may be effected for a portion of the memory device, a partition of the memory device, or even one single access location on the memory device.
US08307179B2
Copy pair monitoring is provided for a storage system having plural host computers, at least one storage subsystem, and a management computer. The storage subsystem including volumes storing data requested by the host computer, the management computer being accessible to the host computer and the storage subsystem. The copy pair monitoring includes obtaining every piece of copy pair definition information that is stored in the host computer, removing duplicate copy pair definition information from the whole copy pair definition information obtained, and collecting the copy pair status based on the obtained copy pair definition information from which duplicate copy pair definition information has been removed. Each host computer is assigned a priority level, and, when more than one host computer includes the same copy pair, the host computer with the lowest priority obtains the copy pair information to reduce the load on the higher priority host computers.
US08307178B2
A copy source storage controller received write data added with a time and issued from a host computer transfers the write data with the time to a copy destination storage controller. If there are a plurality of copy destination storage controllers, a representative copy destination storage controller compares times of write data copied to the plurality of copy destination storage controllers, and writes the write data in copy destination logical volumes in the sequential order of time. The representative copy destination storage controller judges that integrity of the write data is established, if a communication procedure is established with the copy destination storage controller and if the statuses of the copy source/destination logical volumes are coincident. In remote copy which guarantees integrity of write data and traverses a plurality of storage controllers, it is possible to judge at an optional time point whether integrity of write data can be guaranteed.
US08307177B2
Described in detail herein is a method of copying data of one or more virtual machines being hosted by one or more non-virtual machines. The method includes receiving an indication that specifies how to perform a copy of data of one or more virtual machines hosted by one or more virtual machine hosts. The method may include determining whether the one or more virtual machines are managed by a virtual machine manager that manages or facilitates management of the virtual machines. If so, the virtual machine manager is dynamically queried to automatically determine the virtual machines that it manages or that it facilitates management of. If not, a virtual machine host is dynamically queried to automatically determine the virtual machines that it hosts. The data of each virtual machine is then copied according to the specifications of the received indication.
US08307174B1
This invention is a system and method for managing sessions and memory resources used for replication of data in a data storage environment. In one embodiment, a methodology is provided that inspecting a plurality of copy sessions forming a copy session group operating in the data storage environment to determine the size and number of buffers each session is using, and determining whether to abort a session of the group and reallocate its buffers by redistributing its memory for use by itself and another session based on the inspection. In other embodiments, implementations include a system, a computer program product, or an apparatus, wherein each embodiment is configured for carrying out the steps involved in the methodology.
US08307173B2
A technique for reducing reader overhead when referencing a shared data element while facilitating realtime-safe detection of a grace period for deferring destruction of the shared data element. The grace period is determined by a condition in which all readers that are capable of referencing the shared data element have reached a quiescent state subsequent to a request for a quiescent state. Common case local quiescent state tracking may be performed using only local per-reader state information for all readers that have not blocked while in a read-side critical section in which the data element is referenced. Uncommon case non-local quiescent state tracking may be performed using non-local multi-reader state information for all readers that have blocked while in their read-side critical section. The common case local quiescent state tracking requires less processing overhead than the uncommon case non-local quiescent state tracking.
US08307165B1
One embodiment of the invention sets forth a mechanism for increasing the number of read commands or write commands transmitted to an activated bank page in the DRAM. Read requests and dirty notifications are organized in a read request sorter or a dirty notification sorter, respectively, and each sorter includes multiple sets with entries that may be associated with different bank pages in the DRAM. Read requests and dirty notifications are stored in read request lists and dirty notification lists, where each list is associated with a specific bank page. When a bank page is activated to process read requests, read commands associated with read requests stored in a particular read request list are transmitted to the bank page. When a bank page is activated to process dirty notifications, write commands associated with dirty notifications stored in a particular dirty notification list are transmitted to the bank page.
US08307164B2
Read-ahead of data blocks in a storage system is performed based on a policy. The policy is stochastically selected from a plurality of policies in respect to probabilities. The probabilities are calculated based on past performances, also referred to as rewards. Policies which induce better performance may be given precedence over other policies. However, the other policies may be also utilized to reevaluate them. A balance between exploration of different policies and exploitation of previously discovered good policies may be achieved.
US08307160B2
There is provided is an interface apparatus including: a stream converter receiving write-addresses and write-data, storing the received data in a buffer, and sorting the stored write-data in the order of the write-addresses to output the write-data as stream-data; a cache memory storing received stream-data if a load-signal indicates that the stream-data are necessarily loaded and outputting data stored in a storage device corresponding to an input cache-address as cache-data; a controller determining whether or not data allocated with a read-address have already been loaded, outputting the load-signal instructing the loading on the cache memory if not loaded, and outputting a load-address indicating a load-completed-address of the cache memory; and at least one address converter calculating which one of the storage devices the allocated data are stored in, by using the load-address, outputting the calculated value as the cache-address to the cache memory, and outputting the cache-data as read-data.
US08307159B2
The present invention is a method for implementing a storage system. The storage system may include a disk array having a disk drive pair which includes a solid-state disk drive and a hard disk drive. The method may include the step of copying a data subset of a data set from the hard disk drive to a spare solid-state disk drive during a solid-state disk drive rebuild process. The data subset includes a first amount of data and the data set includes a second amount of data, where the first amount of data is less than the second amount of data. The method may further include the step of receiving a read request from a host server requesting the data subset. The method further includes the step of directing the read command to the spare solid-state disk drive.
US08307158B2
There is provided a storage control system and a method in which various controls to a plurality of storage controllers connected to each other can be effectively performed. The storage control system and method controls first and second storage controllers, in which a second storage controller is connected to a first storage controller to which a host system is connected. With reference to a memory in which a table defining correspondence relationships between internal logical volumes and a host logical volume of the second storage controller is stored, a channel adapter of the first storage controller controls power supplies of driving mechanisms of storage devices corresponding to the internal logical volumes.
US08307156B1
A rotating media storage device (RMSD) that adaptively modifies pre-read operations is disclosed. The RMSD schedules a pre-read data segment on a second track of disk, commands a movable head to seek to the second track, and if an on-track condition is not met for the scheduled pre-read data segment, modifies the pre-read operation. In one example, modifying the pre-read operation includes canceling the pre-read operation and then performing a read data operation.
US08307152B2
In one or more embodiments, a memory device is disclosed as having an adjustable programming window having a plurality of programmable levels. The programming window is moved to compensate for changes in reliable program and erase thresholds achievable as the memory device experiences factors such as erase/program cycles that change the program window. The initial programming window is determined prior to an initial erase/program cycle. The programming levels are then moved as the programming window changes, such that the plurality of programmable levels still remain within the program window and are tracked with the program window changes.
US08307146B2
A host device and an accessory exchange information (e.g., commands and data) via an intermediate device. The host device and accessory can each connect to the intermediate device through a direct wired path and can exchange commands and data with the intermediate device. The host device and the accessory can also “tunnel” information to each other through the intermediate device, by packaging the tunneled information as a payload of a command recognizable by the intermediate device; the intermediate device can repackage and forward the payload. In some embodiments, the tunneled information relates to configuring a wireless link (e.g., a Bluetooth pairing) between the host device and the accessory.
US08307135B2
A method for operating a storage system, including storing data redundantly in the system and measuring respective queue lengths of input/output requests to operational elements of the system. The queue lengths are compared to an average queue length to determine respective performances of the operational elements of the storage system. In response to the average queue lengths and a permitted deviation from the average an under-performing operational element among the operational elements is identified. An indication of the under-performing operational element is provided to host interfaces in the storage system. One of the host interfaces receives requests for specified items of the data directed to the under-performing element, and in response to the indication, some of the requests are diverted from the under-performing operational element to one or more other operational elements of the storage system that are configured to provide the specified items of the data.
US08307131B2
A system and method to control a device having at least one configurable parameter. Enumerating the device as a first peripheral device and as a second peripheral device wherein the first peripheral device corresponds to a first microcontroller connected to a storage medium and the second peripheral device corresponds to a second microcontroller. Controlling the at least one configurable parameter of the first microcontroller with respect to the storage medium by the second microcontroller. On initialization of the device, transmitting the at least one configurable parameter from the second microcontroller to the first microcontroller. Other systems and methods are disclosed.
US08307121B2
The present invention discloses a method for data synchronization and the transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) ends used. The data synchronization method applies to distributed systems that comprise a Tx end and at least one Rx end, wherein the Tx end (i) uses one or more bulk data channels to transmit bulk data and a real-time data channel to transmit real-time data, (ii) before a continuous bulk data transfer, sends a message through the real-time data channel to instruct the Rx end(s) to switch to the bulk data channel(s), and (iii) after a continuous bulk data transfer, sends a message through the bulk data channel(s) to instruct the Rx end(s) to switch to the real-time data channel. This invention can guarantee data synchronization for distributed systems with a simple implementation.
US08307120B2
Resource information is managed chronologically even in a large-scale distributed system or an information terminal network where time synchronization is not established. A resource information collection device confirms if time synchronization is established with a resource information generation device when resource information is collected from the resource information generation device and, if time synchronization is not established, records a generation time, corrected based on the time of the resource information collection device, in the resource information. A resource information reference device confirms time synchronization with the resource information collection device when resource information in the resource information collection device is referenced and, if synchronization is not established, records a generation time, corrected based on the time of the resource information reference device, in the resource information.
US08307119B2
A distributed spreadsheet application executes at a server and a client in a network. The networked spreadsheet application can generally be used without requiring a user to install any specific spreadsheet software prior to using the application. In one implementation, the spreadsheet application may include a client engine that executes within browser programs of a plurality of client computing devices and server logic. The server logic may be configured to distribute the client engines to the plurality of client computing devices of the spreadsheet application when requested through the browser programs of each of the plurality of client computing devices. The server logic synchronizes a single spreadsheet document that is simultaneously open at the plurality of client computing devices.
US08307116B2
The present disclosure generally relates to systems for routing data across a multinodal network. Example systems include a multinodal array having a plurality of nodes and a plurality of physical communication channels connecting the nodes. At least one of the physical communication channels may be configured to route data from a first node to two or more other destination nodes of the plurality of nodes. The present disclosure also generally relates to methods for routing data across a multinodal network and computer accessible mediums having stored thereon computer executable instructions for performing techniques for routing data across a multinodal network.
US08307114B2
A system, method, apparatus, and computer program product uses a plurality of message transmitters to achieve high availability message transmission. The plurality of message transmitters are each operable to transmit a message to a subscriber. In accordance with a determination, for example, of the value of the connections, the message is copied and transmitted to the plurality of the message transmitters so that at least one of the plurality of message transmitters transmits the copy to the subscriber. The at least one message transmitter may be selected by analyzing the message and determining an associated rule based on characteristics of the message.
US08307107B2
The present invention provides several methods and apparatuses for transmitting multimedia data using streaming media protocols such as real-time transfer protocols (RTP) and real-time streaming protocols (RTSP) in a computer network environment. In one exemplary embodiment, a request for RTP data and its associated extension is sent from the caching proxy server to the server. The request may be for one specific type of data or multiple unrelated types of data. The server responds to the request indicating its support for the requested RTP extension data. The caching proxy server determines whether to proceed or terminate the data transmission process based on the response provided by the server. If it is determined to proceed with the data transmission process, the caching proxy informs the server to send the requested and supported RTP data. The server sends the requested data in a variable and extendible header format.
US08307103B2
Systems, methods and computer readable media are disclosed for reducing the tearing of display data received across a communications network. A server determines at least two logically related drawing orders in an order heap and warps those orders with a begin marker and an end marker. It sends those wrapped orders across the communications network to a client. The client receives those orders and renders them to a shadow buffer. When the client processes the end marker, it moves the drawing orders in the shadow buffer to a client display surface.
US08307102B2
A method and arrangement for providing updated information on the availability of multimedia options to terminal users. A first terminal (A) is initially engaged in a voice call with a second terminal (B) by using a first access (100) admitting simultaneous multimedia communication. At least one available multimedia option (104,106) is indicated based on capabilities of the first and second terminals. A change of connection is then detected from the first access to a second access (200) not admitting simultaneous multimedia communication. In response thereto, a multimedia disabling notification is sent to the second terminal, and said at least one multimedia option is indicated as being no longer available (204,206). Preferably, the multimedia disabling notification is sent as an SMS message.
US08307089B1
A system for media content storage and delivery. The system includes a server that has a receiver and a processor. The receiver receives media data that indicates media content to be stored. The processor is in communication with the receiver. The processor determines media content characteristics that correspond to the media content to be stored. The processor determines a length of time to store the media content based on the media data and determines a cost amount based at least in part on the determined media content characteristics and length of time to store the media content.
US08307084B1
Methods and systems are described for providing a lock-down community. In one aspect, a system comprises an indication handler component in a host node device managing a lock-down community of a computer node device, the lock-down community comprising a plurality of resources where the computer node device is configured to communicate only with a resource in the lock-down community via a network. The host node device hosts an operating system that maintains an approved resource list that identifies the plurality of resources in the lock-down community of the computer node device. The indication handler component is configured to receive an indication to update the approved resource list, wherein the indication identifies a target resource. The system also includes an update handler component configured to update the approved resource list based on the received indication, thereby modifying the lock-down community of the computer node device.
US08307080B2
A method and system of monitoring computer network activity including determining a first phase frequency estimate, associated with a first frequency vector, determined in response to receiving first bits from a first plurality of remote computer network devices. The first bits received from the first plurality of remote devices in response to satisfying a first activity threshold. Also, determining a second phase frequency estimate associated with a second frequency vector and determined in response to receiving second bits from a second plurality of remote devices. The second bits received from the second plurality of remote devices in response to a second activity threshold being satisfied. The second phase frequency estimate determined in response to the first phase frequency estimate exceeding a global threshold. Further, providing a frequency moment Fp in response to the second phase frequency estimate exceeding a refined threshold.
US08307078B2
A system and method for monitoring the performance associated with fulfilling resource requests and determining optimizations for improving such performance are provided. A processing device obtains and processes performance metric information associated with processing a request for an original resource and any embedded resource. The processing device uses the processed performance metric information to determine a set of service providers for alternatively hosting, processing, and/or transmitting at least a portion of the original resource and/or any embedded resources. In some embodiments, in making such a determination, the processing device assesses performance metric information collected and associated with subsequent resource requests for the original resource and any embedded resources using each of a variety of alternative set(s) of service providers. The processing device may also consider service provider selection criteria obtained from the original content provider. Aspects of systems and methods for generating recommendations associated with monitoring the operation and performance of service providers with respect to specific resource requests are also provided.
US08307070B2
Provided is a resource allocation method performed in a wireless network formed of a plurality of nodes, the resource allocation method including the operations of forming clusters and electing cluster heads respectively for the clusters; determining whether a node from among the plurality of nodes forming the wireless network is an edge node; if the node is not the edge node according to a result of the determining, collecting link information related to other nodes in a cluster that comprises the node, and delivering the link information to a cluster head of the cluster; and if the node is the edge node according to a result of the determining, otherwise, obtaining link information and scheduling information from an edge node of another cluster within a communication range with the cluster comprising the edge node, and delivering the link information and scheduling information to the cluster head. The resource allocation method decentralizes a load of calculations to several nodes, wherein the load may be centralized to one node in a large ad-hoc network, so that an energy efficiency of the node may be increased, and since the several nodes sequentially perform simple calculation, a total of the resource allocation time may be reduced.
US08307063B2
A method and processing device for controlling the communication of data associated with a user on a network 1 is described, in which the communication of data to and from a user is controlled according to user profile information. In a preferred embodiment, the user profile information is maintained in a database 9 accessible to processing devices 5 providing access to the network 1, and includes a volume allowance for a predetermined time period, a maximum transmission rate and current usage information for the user. Each time a user connects to the network 1, the method determines whether the user is within the volume allowance, and if so, permits access to the network 1. The communication of data is controlled according to the maximum transmission rate. The method may be implemented in software.
US08307057B1
A method includes issuing a retrieval instruction, such as a database query, to retrieve from a database system a datum associated with a network circuit established outside of the United States. Upon receiving the datum from the database system, it is determined, based on the datum retrieved, whether the network circuit is incurring a charge. It is further determined, based on the datum retrieved, an amount of revenue generated by the network circuit. When the amount of revenue generated by the network circuit is below a predetermined threshold, a termination instruction to terminate a service associated with the network circuit is issued.
US08307051B2
A method and system for communicating serialized data provides a mechanism for ordering the data in response to a priority. In an embodiment, a server sending the data uses the priority to order the data in a message send queue for sending the data to a requesting device. The server may comprise a gateway and the second device a wireless device communicating with the gateway. The wireless device may send a priority indication in association with a request for the data to facilitate the ordering.
US08307049B2
A method and device for obtaining media description information of Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) services are provided. The method includes: receiving, by a network device, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) request for obtaining media description information, where the SIP request is sent by a User Equipment (UE) through a core IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) and carries a content identifier; sending, by the network device, a SIP response that carries the media description information corresponding to the content identifier to the UE through the core IMS. According to the present disclosure, a SIP message is used to obtain media description information, so that a session of the Content on Demand (CoD) service is set up.
US08307035B2
The Virtual Aggregation Processor enables end user devices to share a common wireless forward path of a multicast communication architecture in which the forward path delivered content is dynamically changed or modified based on a real-time, near-real-time, or delay-time basis via aggregated reverse path feedback from at least one of a plurality of end user devices. The Virtual Aggregation Processor periodically or continuously aggregates the feedback input received via the reverse path (having wired and/or wireless connectivity), modifies the forward path multi-media content, and delivers this dynamically modified multi-media content to the then connected population of end user devices via a wireless forward path multicast in a repetitive closed loop fashion.
US08307032B2
A computer readable storage medium includes executable instructions to receive from a user a request related to an area of interest. A group is generated for the user based on the request. Generating the group includes identifying domain users knowledgeable in the area of interest and combining the user and the domain user to form the group. The group is delivered to the user. In particular, user information posted by the group is displayed to the user.
US08307020B2
A computer system is used to distribute an application using a data resource. An application using a data resource is created using an authoring environment. The application is converted into a certified master application template. The certified master application template is used to create a certified application and certified data resource. The certified application and certified data resource are distributed. During the distribution of the application, the certified master application template is modified and a new certified data resource is created. The new certified data resource is distributed.
US08307018B2
A computer file management system allowing at least one of one file (F1) and/or one directory (D3) to belong to two or more directories (D1, D2). The file management system is characterized in that a file or directory specified by an operator of the computer or the program operating on the computer as an object to be operated has all the directories present on the directory path as parent directories. This system is a novel file management system capable of classifying/organizing files and directories more easily and naturally in the conventional system without requiring additional operation.
US08307016B2
A common data type structure can be used to correlate access requests between applications that implement data in accordance with different types or type structures. In one implementation, a common data structure includes schemes for operations, sequences, records, and atoms (i.e., undefined). The system can then map any type structure to the schemes of the common data structure. In operation, a request for data by an application can involve identifying one or more proxies used by an application to map the data to the common data structure. The proxies map the data to the common data structure based on the shape of the data (to the extent it can be identified). The proxies then can return one or more data structures that comprise the identified mapping information. The application can then perform operations directly on the received data structures.
US08307011B2
The present disclosure is directed to a method and system for determining overall utilization. In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present disclosure, utilization metrics are received from at least one entity. Each utilization metric indicates resource availability for the entity. The utilization metrics are converted to mapped values by comparing the utilization metrics to configured thresholds. The mapped values are converted to percentage values. An overall utilization is calculated for the entity by identifying an average value of the percentage values. A graphical representation of the overall utilization is generated.
US08307005B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for determining a resource's reachability score. In one aspect, a method includes identifying one or more secondary resources reachable through one or more links of a primary resource wherein the secondary resources are within a number of hops from the primary resource; determining an aggregate score for the primary resource based on respective scores of the secondary resources wherein each one of the respective scores is calculated based on prior user interactions with a respective secondary resource; and providing the aggregate score as an input signal to a resource ranking process for the primary resource when the primary resource is represented as a search result responsive to a query.
US08307000B2
The Common Point Authoring system functions to provide Livestock Informational Objects via the use of a centralized repository of uniquely identified, immutable Livestock Informational Objects. This system automates the authoring, maintenance, and distribution of the Livestock Informational Objects by using an Internet-based paradigm and a centralized repository of uniquely-identified, immutable Data Elements. The Common Point Authoring system provides a set of software modules that the manufacturers can use to author, maintain, and distribute Livestock Informational Objects and their customers, as Members of the system of Livestock Informational Objects, can use to retrieve, maintain, and distribute the Livestock Informational Objects. The system's interconnectivity allows for the use of an Internet-based paradigm for the purchase and sale among Members of the system of Livestock Informational Objects as commodities, and for reducing the burden costs among Members of compliance with government regulations.
US08306992B2
A system for determining content topicality comprises a feature value extracting means which extracts feature values of a plurality of contents from the contents; a content grouping means which compares the feature values of the plurality of contents extracted by the feature value extracting means, obtains identical contents and derived contents created using the contents, both of which are included in the plurality of contents, and groups the identical/derived contents, thereby computing identical/derived content grouping information; and a topicality determining means which totals viewing frequencies of the contents determined to be the identical/derived contents from viewing history information and the identical/derived content grouping information relating to the plurality of contents, computes total viewing frequencies of each of the identical/derived contents, and determines the topicality of the identical/derived contents according to the total viewing frequency.
US08306985B2
A system for increasing search ranking of a community Website includes a link code application module residing on and executable from a digital medium, a link verification module residing on and executable from the digital medium, and a member feedback module residing on and executable from the digital medium for providing feedback about link quality and for distributing rewards to persons using the system.
US08306984B2
A system, method, and data structure for storing and accessing interrelated data pertaining to a given subject is disclosed. The system includes a user module and a service module, wherein said service module contains a data storage component. The system facilitates reviewing sources of information that relate to particular subject. Where there sources of information can or must be understood in the context of other sources of information, the present invention also comprises a data structure and method of populating said data structure that facilitates searching and access to any related sources of information. The disclosed invention includes embodiments wherein the sources of information can consist of many different formats. Whereas many user modules can access the service module from any location, searching and accessing of any of said information sources can be reviewed in their full context, as defined by the related sources of information, from any location that has access to the communication medium connecting the user and service modules.
US08306982B2
A non-transitory computer-readable medium adapted to store thereon computer-readable instructions that, when executed with a computer, provide a method for managing information elements in relation with an object on a display of a computer, the method comprising providing an information element, providing a visual distinctive element associated with the information element, providing an object, associating a visual distinctive element at a location on the object and displaying the object on the display, with the associated visual distinctive element thereon, to provide a graphical reference at a location on the object, the visual distinctive element being adapted to draw a link with the information element.
US08306981B2
A method of enabling the selection of an item of content data based on an expected physiological response of a user, each item of content data being associated with at least one recording of a perceptible content element, includes storing a first set (18) of data representative of a relation between at least one variable for characterizing an aspect of a perceptible content element and a physiological response of at least one first user when the perceptible content element is rendered. The first set (18) of data representative of the relation is adapted on the basis of a measured physiological response of the at least one first user to a rendition of a perceptible content element and values of the at least one variable for characterizing an aspect of the perceptible content element. An expected physiological response is associated with an item of content data using a further set (20,21) of data representative of a relation between at least one variable for characterizing an aspect of a perceptible content element and a physiological response of a user, which further set (20,21) is based on the physiological response of at least one other user than the first user.
US08306980B2
A method, a system and a computer program product for defining manageable component objects to an application utilizing data roots. A manageable component engine creates a bridge manageable component model utilizing the data roots. Data roots, or root data, are retrieved and stored in a manageable component persistent index of an application. The manageable component persistent index is processed for one or more root objects during an initialization of a manageable component engine. The manageable component engine queries one or more data sources, and accesses data required for creating a manageable component object instance. One or more manageable component objects are registered in a manageable component repository. The manageable component bridge model is created and displayed via a graphical user interface.
US08306976B2
Systems and methods of generating and modifying a playlist using contextual information are disclosed. For example, a user may provide an input seed such as a song name or artist name. The input seed is compared to database items and a playlist is generated as a result. In some examples, the contextual information is used to enhance the comparison and to select better content objects for a user's playlist. Meanwhile, in some examples the content objects in the playlist may be arranged in an enhanced order using ranking and/or contextual information.
US08306975B1
An electronic processing system for generating a partially personalized electronic data display that contains a combination of recommended and expanded interest items. The system retrieves a first set of data describing an area of user interests and retrieves a first set of items corresponding to the area of user interests. The system retrieves a second set of items in an expanded area of interest that is not directly included in the area of user interest. The first and second set of items are combined and the combined set of recommended and expanded interest items is displayed.
US08306973B2
Location-specific content is automatically generated for a particular entity having a plurality of physical locations. Database entries that contain identifying data associated with the particular entity are searched for to obtain location information of each of the plurality of physical locations. The location information, in correlation with one or more keywords associated with the particular entity, is stored in a computer-readable electronic database such that a user-generated query that includes at least one of the keywords and a search location causes a processor to execute operations that initiates a search of the computer-readable electronic database for the location information of the physical locations that are in proximity to the search location. At least one result that is displayable to the user is provided.
US08306966B2
Computer-implemented system and methods are disclosed for optimizing the relative positions of sponsored and organic search results on a search results page displayed to a user, including calculating, by a search engine, a degree of commerciality of a search query; receiving the search query from a user by the search engine; and delivering, by the search engine to a browser of a user, a plurality of sponsored search results in at least two columns and a plurality of organic search results in at least a third column of one or more search results pages, wherein a layout of the at least three columns depends on the degree of commerciality of the search query.
US08306943B2
In one embodiment, we describe a method that generates seasonality rules for anomaly detection for a hierarchical/tree based data structure. A new algorithm for processing nodes in hierarchy, as well as business rules for nodes, is described. Variations and examples are given to describe different scopes and embodiments of the invention. Exclusion criteria and children nodes are used as some examples for the implementations, with flow charts to describe the methods of application, as examples.
US08306939B2
Electrophoresis waveform data and a prediction equation for predicting the amount of a substance in an analyte or the presence of a disease in the living body from which the analyte was obtained are recorded. The prediction equation is a regression equation in which the explanatory variable is an absorbance value corresponding to a mobility in corrected waveform data generated as a result of electrophoresis waveform data on a plurality of analytes, and the criterion variable is the amount of the substance or the presence of a disease. The test value prediction method includes a step of generating corrected waveform data by performing normalization and area correction on the electrophoresis waveform data recorded in the recording unit, and a step of calculating a prediction value of the amount of the specific substance by substituting the absorbance value from the mobility, with an absorbance value from the corrected waveform data.
US08306938B1
A hybrid probabilistic/deterministic planning system including a hybrid planning engine responsive to a null hybrid contingency plan including user defined probabilistic problem including goals, possible effect actions, and the initial state of one or more possible worlds configured to extract a deterministic planning problem therefrom. A deterministic planning engine responsive to the hybrid planning engine configured to generate one or more deterministic partial plans. The d hybrid planning engine converts the one or more deterministic partial plans into one or more hybrid partial plans and splices the one or more hybrid partial plans into selected null hybrid contingency plans to generate one or more hybrid contingency plans for each agent in each of the one or more possible worlds.
US08306935B2
Systems and methods of the present invention allow for the discovery of physical location information about network assets and the delivery of that information to network administrators. In addition, environmental and other information about network asset locations can be provided to an administrator. Intelligent patch panels and power outlet units are installed in network cabinets to facilitate the acquisition and reporting of physical infrastructure information, including information about network resource availability.
US08306932B2
A method for adaptive data masking of a database is provided. The method comprises extracting data from a first database and providing one or more predefined rules for masking the extracted data. The method further comprises masking a first portion of extracted data using a trained Artificial Neural Network (ANN), where the ANN is trained for masking at least one database having properties similar to the first database. The masked and unmasked data is aggregated to arrive at an output structurally similar to the extracted data. The method furthermore comprises determining a deviation value between the arrived output and expected output of the extracted data, and adapting the trained ANN automatically according to data masking requirements of the first database, if the deviation value is more than a predefined value.
US08306926B2
The present invention provides systems and methods for data storage. A hierarchical storage management architecture is presented to facilitate data management. The disclosed system provides methods for evaluating the state of stored data relative to enterprise needs by using weighted parameters that may be user defined. Also disclosed are systems and methods evaluating costing and risk management associated with stored data.
US08306922B1
In one implementation, a computer-implemented method includes receiving at information related to users of a social network site, and determining a social network graph for at least a portion of the social network, the graph including a plurality of nodes connected by links, each node corresponding to a user that has a profile page on the social network. The method can also include identifying first nodes from the plurality of nodes as including content associated with a particular subject of interest, and seeding the identified first nodes with first scores. The method can additionally include determining second scores for second nodes based on propagation of the first scores from the first nodes to the second nodes using the links of the social network graph; and providing the determined second scores for the second nodes.
US08306917B2
An image commercial transactions system and method that are able to implement sales to the purpose of the seller. An e-commerce system for selling a picture and a handling condition specific to the picture, both being recorded on a predetermined recording medium in a predetermined format. The picture to be sold and the handling condition are accepted by an acceptor in a digital format. When a transaction is established, an accounting company carries out an accounting electronically for a purchaser of the picture and the e-commerce condition, thereby both of the picture to be sold and the handling condition are sold as digital data so that the purchased picture is used in a handling manner as intended by the seller. Consequently, the selling of the picture can be made so as to satisfy the intention of the seller.
US08306913B2
The present disclosure may include, for example, a method for establishing a remitting arrangement between a provider and a vendor to create between the provider and the vendor an electronic process for remitting a portion of a transaction amount billed to at least one billing account of at least one customer associated with the provider for products or services purchased by the at least one customer from the vendor. The method can further include enabling, by way of equipment of the provider, equipment of the at least one customer to communicate with equipment of the vendor, and receiving at the equipment of the provider transactional information indicating that the at least one customer initiated an order for a product or service from the vendor for a transactional amount. The method can also include initiating with equipment of the provider the remittance of the portion of the transaction amount by way of the account of the vendor according to the remitting arrangement. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US08306911B1
A computer-automated system analyzes payment options by acquiring usage information from a resource utilization measurement monitor executing in a system and accessing current financial information relating to a plurality of payment options from a financial database. Financial effect is evaluated for the plurality of payment options that result for the acquired usage information.
US08306899B2
A method of managing an investment of a policyholder which corresponds to a sum assured is described. The invention has particular application to life insurance. The policyholder selects a basic sum assured, and a periodic basic premium corresponding to the basic sum assured is calculated. The basic sum assured is linked to one or more financial indices so that the value of the total sum assured increases or decreases with changes in the value of the indices. An additional premium is calculated based on the cost of the linking, and a composite periodic premium is calculated. By using derivative instruments, the policyholder's investment corresponds to the actual sum assured from inception of the policy, compared with conventional schemes which involve the periodic investment of the policyholder's contributions.
US08306890B2
Commercial size of spending wallet (“SoSW”) is the total business spend of a business including cash but excluding bartered items. Commercial share of wallet (“SoW”) is the portion of the spending wallet that is captured by a particular financial company. Commercial SoW is a modeling approach that utilizes various data sources to provide outputs that describe a company's spend capacity. These outputs can be appended to data profiles of customers and prospects and can be utilized to support decisions involving prospecting, new account evaluation, and customer management across the lifecycle. Company financial statements are utilized to identify and calculate total business spend of a company that could be transacted using a commercial credit card. A spend-like regression model may then be developed to estimate annual commercial SoSW value for customers and prospects within a credit network.
US08306888B2
The described embodiments of the invention include a method for maintaining accounting records for a portfolio of investments, comprising accounting records stored on a computer readable medium and providing a table for each event type affecting an investment for generating an account entry, each line of the table designating which accounting record receives the account entry and at least one key designating a data source for the account entry and an operation on the data source to determine the amount of the account entry. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, a data processing system for maintaining accounting records for a portfolio of securities comprises a plurality of accounting records stored on a computer readable medium, the accounting records including tax accounts, a plurality of defined security types and, for each security type, a plurality of tables for each transaction affecting a security for generating an account entry, each line of the table designating which accounting record receives the account entry and a key designating a data source for the account entry and an operation on the data source to determine the amount of the account entry.
US08306882B1
A method and system for differential billing based on the access network through which data traffic flows between a subscriber and a service provider. The service provider may measure the amount of data traffic that flows to and from the subscriber and may determine which access network the traffic flows through on its way between the subscriber and the service provider. Based at least in part on the identity of the access network used, the service provider may determine a fee to charge the subscriber for handling the measured data flow.
US08306880B1
A method for determining foreign paid taxes involves receiving an identification (ID) value linked to an account; requesting a financial record associated with a foreign tax jurisdiction from the account; obtaining a total price of a purchase associated with the financial record; extracting a foreign paid tax from the total price; calculating a tax sum based on the foreign paid tax; and populating a section of a form based on the tax sum.
US08306878B2
Disclosed is a method and a system for automatically outputting documents based on at least a user's credentials. A highest billing tier for processing the image data from a plurality of billing tiers and which is based on credentials for the specified user is selected, and the image data is processed and output. Alternatively, if the highest billing tier selected is not authorized by a user's credentials, then a next highest billing tier is selected in accordance with the credentials, and the job is automatically processed and then output. The credentials may be based on an available amount of credit in a user's account (e.g., to print at billing cost) or a user's authorization (e.g., to print color documents), for example. The tiers may be based on one or more thresholds, such as a percentage of color content in a document.
US08306872B2
In a database, product image data is accumulated. A search portion acquires product image data having the image characteristics information that is the same as or similar to the image characteristics information that indicates the characteristics of the image of input image data from the database for the input image data. A search server outputs information on another product that is different from the product corresponding to the product image data together with the product image data acquired by the search portion.
US08306870B2
A system and method that facilitates e-commerce volume pricing is provided. According to one aspect of the present invention, the system includes an offers and orders component that receives and aggregates orders for a product from a plurality of buyers. The system also includes a logistics component that determines a shipping price for the product for a subset of the plurality of buyers. The shipping price is determined at least in part upon the subset of buyers sharing a shipping method. According to another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided in which buyers within an aggregated purchasing group may be subject to different pricing structures for the same product.
US08306861B2
Patrons at a restaurant or bar can pay at their table using credit cards, without involving the restaurant or bar cashier and/or wait staff. Patrons are assisted using this system in dividing the bill by displaying the amount due (including tax) and allowing each patron to enter the amount they wish to pay. When the initial bill is presented, a balance due will be displayed and the indication will be provided that the bill has yet to be paid in full. As each transaction is entered, a running total will be displayed indicating the remaining balance due. When the running total reaches zero, the bill is paid in full, and an indication will be provided, such as by illuminating a green indicator light or by displaying a balance due of $0.00.
US08306859B2
Systems and methods for dynamically sizing, structuring and operating advertisements that include a variety of content, including interaction prompts and other elements, which enable an engagement-based revenue generation model. According to one embodiment, a computer implemented method comprises storing advertising content, serving an XML file from an advertising server to an advertisement manager in order to control a player on a user computer, dynamically generating the advertisement through the player based on directions from the advertisement manager and the stored content, and tracking and reporting a user's engagement with the advertisement in order to determine compensation for the publisher.
US08306851B2
A price management system that is capable of automatically or manually determining price adjustments based on current competitor pricing, retail site sales and other price related factors, such as cost of the product, freight charges, state and federal laws and state and federal taxes. Once price adjustments are determined they are able to be instantaneously and automatically implemented at the point of sale. In one of the most relevant applications, retail automotive fuel pricing, the system is able to automatically adjust and display prices on the fuel pumps as well as the advertising signs in the vicinity of the retail site. This system and methods provide for a comprehensive and efficient means of determining price adjustments and implementing the price adjustments in real-time fashion at the point-of-sale.
US08306844B2
Methods and apparatus to generate smart text are disclosed. An example computer implemented method includes receiving at an input module a query input associated with at least one of a product of interest or a market of interest during a time-frame of interest and identifying at least one candidate external application based on the query input. The example method also includes retrieving volume information from the at least one candidate external application, the retrieved volume information associated with a current time-frame and the time-frame of interest, calculating a change associated with the retrieved volume information, and assigning a market change descriptor to the at least one of the product of interest or the market of interest related to a magnitude of the calculated change, the assigned market change descriptor output to a user via an output module.
US08306832B2
A computerized method allowing insurance customers to enter details of their individual risk factors like age, as well as various customer designed risk scenarios, and receive information on the payout amounts that various insurance plans will deliver based upon both the individual risk factors and the customer designed risk scenario. In one embodiment, a method for allowing travelers going to a foreign country, where the traveler may be unaware of prevailing costs for various medical contingencies, to enter the traveler's risk factors like age and various adverse medical scenarios, and be informed both as to the costs of medical treatment in that country and the benefits that a variety of travel medical insurance plans will provide under these scenarios. These plans may then be evaluated according to different user selected parameters. The method can be implemented using computerized servers and client devices communicating using standard internet protocols over the internet.
US08306830B1
A system and method of preparing medical care instructions for an individual in an emergency situation. The system and method includes obtaining patient information, providing a mechanism to educate the individual on medical and legal terms and procedures, to create medical care instructions, applying the patient information to applicable legal and medical standards and providing a mechanism for updating and maintaining the medical care instructions. The system and method further includes storing the medical care instructions in electronic format, such as on a central computerized database, and allowing immediate and secure access to the stored medical care instructions by medical personnel. The stored medical care instructions may also be outputted when necessary.
US08306828B2
An audio signal expansion and compression method for expanding and compressing an audio signal in a time domain, includes the steps of setting an initial value of a signal comparison length of a first comparison interval and a second comparison interval, used for detection of two similar waveforms in the audio signal, equal to or larger than a minimum waveform detection length, determining an interval length of the two similar waveforms while changing a shift amount of the first comparison interval and the second comparison interval so that the shift amount does not exceed the signal comparison length, and expanding or compressing the audio signal in the time domain on the basis of the interval length of the two similar waveforms.
US08306826B2
A method and apparatus for displaying bi-directional text using a browser program on a computer (20) coupled to drive a display (22) and having an operating system such that the computer normally writes text to the display in a default language in a first, default direction. The computer opens a window (44) on the display and receives a string of codes, each code corresponding to a character in a passage of text (54), at least a portion of which is in a non-default language that is written in a second direction, opposite to the default direction. The computer displays the characters 10 corresponding to the codes in the window such that the passage of text is displayed with all portions thereof arranged in respectively-appropriate directions, substantially without reference to language support provided by the operating system or browser.
US08306824B2
An apparatus and method of creating a face character which corresponds to a voice of a user is provided. To create various facial expressions with fewer key models, a face character is divided in a plurality of areas and a voice sample is parameterized corresponding to pronunciation and emotion. If the user's voice is input, a face character image corresponding to divided face areas is synthesized using key models and data about parameters corresponding to the voice sample to synthesize an overall face character image using the synthesized face character image corresponding to the divided face areas.
US08306812B2
An audio playback speed control method and apparatus to control an audio playback speed using an optimal frame length with a small amount of calculation. The audio playback method includes extracting an audio sampling frequency and audio playback speed information from an audio signal which is reproduced, determining a length of an input frame, a length of an output frame, and a length of an overlapping region between frames, on a basis of the audio sampling frequency and the audio playback speed information and performing different overlapping and adding methods, according to the audio playback speeds, on a basis of the length of the input frame, the length of the output frame, and the length of the overlapping region between the frames.
US08306811B2
A method of embedding data into an audio signal provides a data sequence for embedding in the audio signal and computes masking thresholds for the audio signal from a frequency domain transform of the audio signal. The masking thresholds correspond to subbands of the audio signal, which are obtained from a masking model used to compress the audio signal. The method applies the masking threshold to the data sequence to produce masked data sequence and inserts the masked data sequence in the audio signal to produce an embedded audio signal. A method of detecting data embedded in an audio signal analyzes the audio signal to estimate the masking threshold used in embedding the data and applies the estimated masking threshold to the audio signal to extract the embedded data.
US08306808B2
Methods and systems for selecting a language for text segmentation are disclosed. In one embodiment, at least a first candidate language and a second candidate language associated with a string of characters are identified, at least a first segmented result associated with the first candidate language and a second segmented result associated with the second candidate language are determined, a first frequency of occurrence for the first segmented result and a second frequency of occurrence for the second segmented result are determined, and an operable language is identified from the first candidate language and the second candidate language based at least in part on the first frequency of occurrence and the second frequency of occurrence.
US08306803B2
The invention concerns a method for verifying, prior to fabrication, the proper operation of integrated circuit electronic systems using analog signals. It comprises the following steps: identifying (22) the noise-sensitive circuits, setting an acceptable sensitivity template for these noise-sensitive circuits, identifying (34) the noise-generating circuits, modeling the noise, determining (50) the function for transferring noise to the sensitive circuits, and comparing (58) the level of noise reaching the sensitive circuits to an acceptable sensitivity threshold template for the sensitive circuits.
US08306798B2
In some embodiments, the Navier-Stokes matrix A may be developed on the fly using arrays of Dirichlet and von Neumann boundary conditions. As a result, the storage requirements are dramatically reduced and hardware accelerators or single instruction multiple data processors may be used to solve the Navier-Stokes equations.
US08306796B2
A system to simulate pyrotechnic shock may include a pulse or signal generator to generate a predetermined signal waveform. A signal conditioning device may be included to condition the predetermined signal waveform to produce a predetermined shock simulation for a shock test. The system may also include a power amplifier to amplify the conditioned predetermined signal waveform to a chosen amplitude to produce a selected level of shock. A shaker system produces the selected level of shock in response to an amplified signal waveform from the power amplifier. A shock measuring device measures a shock imparted to the test specimen, and an output device presents a result of the shock test on the test specimen.
US08306794B2
Techniques for modeling a data center are provided. In one aspect, a method for modeling a data center is provided. The method comprises the following steps. Spatially dense three-dimensional thermal distribution and air flow measurements made in the data center using a mobile off-line surveying system are obtained. A temperature and air flow model for the data center is created using the spatially dense three-dimensional thermal distribution and air flow measurements. The temperature and air flow model is used to make thermal distribution and air flow predictions of the data center. The thermal distribution and air flow predictions are compared with the thermal distribution and air flow measurements made using the mobile off-line surveying system to produce a validated model for the data center.
US08306785B2
To solve a leakage problem in a box, it is proposed to provide the box with an electronic circuit for measurement of its specific humidity. It is shown that by comparing this current specific humidity to an initial specific humidity and by evaluating the difference found in relation thereto, one has a reliable tool for measuring the permanence of tightness.
US08306780B2
Systems and methods for operating, particularly in the field, a Raman spectroscopy device that includes a laser, a spectrograph, an intensified charge coupled device (ICCD), and an autofocus subsystem. Before spectral data acquisition commences a series of ancillary data checks is performed to monitor operating conditions of at least the laser, the ICCD, and the autofocus subsystem. Further, after each Raman spectrum acquisition, a series of data quality checks is performed to enhance confidence in the just collected data. Only spectral data that passes the data quality checks are further processed. However, all spectral data are stored in a log file. When the log file reaches a predetermined capacity, the log file is closed, and a new round of ancillary data checks is performed to again monitor the status of the Raman spectroscopy device.
US08306779B2
Predicting the probability of detection of major and minor defects in a structure includes simulating a plurality of N defects at random locations in a region specified by an array of transducers. Defect size is incremented until it intersects one path between two transducers. The defect size is again incremented until it intersects two or more adjacent paths between pairs of transducers. The number of major defects up to a selected size is determined by the total number of single path intersections by defects up to the selected size. The number of minor defects up to a selected size is determined on the basis of the total number of defects intersecting two or more paths up to the selected size. The probability of detection up to a selected size is the cumulative number of major or minor defects up to the selected size normalizing by N.
US08306770B2
A method for testing output of an electrical device includes the following steps: a device being tested transmits a first signal to a test platform through a channel being tested. A signal received through the channel being tested by the test platform is compared with the first signal to determine if the received signal corresponds to the first signal. The channel being tested is determined to be normal if the received signal corresponds to the first signal. The channel being tested is determined to be abnormal if the received signal does not correspond to the first signal.
US08306769B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide not only a technical solution for calibrating a positioning device but also a technical solution for characterizing an area of interest in a space. Specifically, there is provided a system, which may include: a tag capable of emitting ranging signals, placed at location points which are selected as space feature points in the space; a positioning device in the space, configured to obtain relative coordinates of the space feature points in relation to the positioning device based on the ranging signals from the tag; and a server, configured to determine location parameters of the positioning device in the space based on said relative coordinates, so as to calibrate the positioning device. The positioning device can be calibrated automatically, fast and accurately using the system.
US08306764B2
A battery analysis interface enables measurement of a performance of an internal battery while the battery powers an electronic device. The battery analysis interface is configured to connect an analysis device to the battery located within a battery compartment of the electronic device and enclosed by a battery cover. In this way, the battery analysis interface may enable testing of the battery's performance while the electronic device is fully assembled (i.e., the battery cover is secured to electronic device). The battery analysis interface may be connected to directly to terminals on the battery and/or electronic device or connected to the terminals via wires or strips of conductive material.
US08306752B1
The invention relates to computer-implemented methods and systems for identifying regulatory relationships between expressed regulating polypeptides and targets of the regulatory activities of such regulating polypeptides. More specifically, the invention provides a new method for identifying regulatory dependencies between biochemical species in a cell. In particular embodiments, provided are computer-implemented methods for identifying a regulatory interaction between a transcription factor and a gene target of the transcription factor, or between a transcription factor and a set of gene targets of the transcription factor. Further provided are genome-scale methods for predicting regulatory interactions between a set of transcription factors and a corresponding set of transcriptional target substrates thereof.
US08306748B2
A method for enhanced location sensing based on topology constraints. A potential position value and a corresponding probability value with respect to an observed position data of an object within a structure can be calculated utilizing a normal probability distribution function. Thereafter, an optimal route between adjacent observed time periods may be calculated utilizing a heuristic search algorithm. The potential position value and the optimal route can be calculated by accessing a pre-installed topology data associated with the structure. An optimization problem can then be solved to refine the observed position data. The position between a pair of observed time periods can be interpolated and the position of the object before a next observed time can be predicted by interpolation based on the spatial constraints.
US08306747B1
A mobile platform, sensors mounted on the mobile platform, computers, data storage devices, power system, data acquisition hardware, and software form a Travel Way Measurement System. The mobile platform with sensors mounted within and upon it, moves along a surface travel way and records data to determine an accurate location and geometry of the travel way surface, surface features, transverse profile and features along side the travel way surface, structures, signs, and other features above the travel way surface, and utilities, pavement thickness and properties, pavement condition, and bridge deck properties and condition below the travel way surface. The mobile platform and sensors can travel and collect data at up to 60 miles per hour or more. The data acquisition hardware and software protocols permit the synchronization of all the sensor outputs in the temporal and spatial domain or in any other domain resulting from numerical transformation of sensor outputs.
US08306736B2
A method for route simulation operation on a navigation system is able to complete the route simulation operation within a short period of time. The method includes the steps of: calculating a route from a starting point to a destination; determining a first route simulation speed for a preset number of first turns from the starting point; determining a second route simulation speed for a preset number of last turns before the destination; determining a third route simulation speed for a remaining part of the calculated route; and displaying a progression indicator on the calculated route to the destination on a map image on the screen of the navigation system and moving the progression indicator based on the simulation speeds determined in the above steps.
US08306735B2
A method is provided for managing map data for intersections having stop sign indicators. A request is initiated for turn-by-turn navigation instructions for a destination from a vehicle to an infrastructure. A turn-by-turn navigation maplet is transmitted from the infrastructure to the vehicle. A geographical region associated with the received turn-by-turn navigation maplet is identified. A determination is made whether stop sign locations already retained within a memory of the vehicle relate to the identified geographical region. The vehicle on-board device requests stop sign maplets for the identified geographical regions from the infrastructure if the stop sign locations retained within the memory of the vehicle do not relate to the identified geographical region. The stop sign maplets are transmitted for the identified geographical region from the infrastructure to the vehicle. The stop sign maplets relate to stop sign intersection data within the identified geographical region.
US08306732B2
Methods and systems for assessing the effect of road curvature on the travel time and the comfort level of a path determined by a ground based route planning system. The methods and systems identify a path and determine an allowable speed profile of the path, wherein the allowable speed profile satisfies a cross track acceleration constraint. Thereafter, the methods and systems determine an optimal speed profile of the path, wherein the optimal speed profile satisfies both an along track acceleration constraint and a speed constraint. Using the optimal speed profile, the road curvature of a path may be factored into a determination of the traversal time of the path. Additionally, using the optimal speed profile, the road curvature of a path may be used to derive a comfort level of the path and/or to provide driver assistance.
US08306728B2
Primary and secondary keys are adapted to be associated to primary and secondary drivers. A key ignition device is positioned on each of the primary and secondary keys and is configured to generate a driver status signal indicative of whether the driver the primary driver or the secondary driver. A controller is operably coupled to the key ignition device. The controller is adapted to determine whether the driver is the primary driver or the secondary driver. The controller is adapted to generate a position notification signal indicative of the position of the object with respect to the vehicle. The controller is adapted to notify the primary and secondary drivers of the position of the object. The controller is adapted to selectively control the operation of generating the position notification signals based on whether the driver is the primary driver or the secondary driver.
US08306725B2
Provided is directed to reduce unnecessary fuel consumption due to unnecessary rapid acceleration when a vehicle drives between intersections, and it is an object to allow for economical driving by reducing the fuel cost, and minimize environmental pollution by minimizing the exhaust gas of vehicle, by providing an economical speed for drivers such that vehicles that have passed through an intersection in accordance with the present traffic light economically drives to the next intersection.
US08306719B2
A learning device changes each of multiple parameters to an increased side and to a decreased side with respect to a reference value set for each of the multiple parameters. The learning device calculates an approximation degree for each combination of the changes of the multiple parameters. The learning device performs update by using the combination of the changes providing the highest approximation degree among the approximation degrees as the combination of the updated reference values when an update end condition is not satisfied. The update end condition is a condition that the approximation degree at the reference values is higher than any of the approximation degrees after the change. The learning device decides the reference values as learning values of the multiple parameters when the update end condition is satisfied.
US08306717B2
When a target vehicle speed setting unit switches from a target vehicle speed to a higher target vehicle speed, a reaction force controller of a reaction force apparatus lowers, at the same ratio, a reaction force applying characteristic, which corresponds to the target vehicle speed before being switched to the higher target vehicle speed.
US08306708B2
A control device for a vehicular automatic transmission which can realize a shifting with quickened response with suppressing a turbine blow-up during the shifting is provided. When a response in hydraulic pressure control by a hydraulic pressure control circuit 42 fails to satisfy a preset predetermined determining criterion, a shifting response is prevented from improving, in comparison to a case where the determining criterion is satisfied. Under a relatively low response of the hydraulic pressure control by the hydraulic pressure control circuit 42 due to air mixture to working oil, a control to inhibit a high-response shifting or the like is performed, so that a turbine blow-up caused by a delayed response of hydraulic pressure can be prevented. Thus, the control device for the vehicular automatic transmission can be provided, which can realize the shifting with quickened response, with suppressing the turbine blow-up during the shifting.
US08306704B2
This engine control device of a self-propelled working vehicle is an engine control device of a self-propelled working vehicle that includes a working machine hydraulic pump for driving a working machine, and includes a vehicle velocity detection section configured and arranged to detect a vehicle velocity and a traction force control section. The traction force control section is configured to reduce the traction force by limiting the maximum throttle amount when the vehicle velocity is less than or equal to predetermined velocity based on the result detected by the vehicle velocity detection section.
US08306697B2
An integrated stability control system using the signals from an integrated sensing system for an automotive vehicle includes a plurality of sensors sensing the dynamic conditions of the vehicle. The sensors include an IMU sensor cluster, a steering angle sensor, wheel speed sensors, any other sensors required by subsystem controls. The signals used in the integrated stability controls include the sensor signals; the roll and pitch attitudes of the vehicle body with respect to the average road surface; the road surface mu estimation; the desired sideslip angle and desired yaw rate from a four-wheel reference vehicle model; the actual vehicle body sideslip angle projected on the moving road plane; and the global attitudes. The demand yaw moment used to counteract the undesired vehicle lateral motions (under-steer or over-steer or excessive side sliding motion) are computed from the above-mentioned variables. The braking control is a slip control whose target slip ratios at selective wheels or wheel are directly generated from the request brake pressures computed from the demand yaw moment.
US08306696B2
A method and system for positioning a vehicle chassis in approximate alignment with a predetermined datum are provided. The vehicle includes a first longitudinal end adapted to be pivotally connected to a substantially fixed point and a second longitudinal end including at least one axle and an operatively associated two-corner fluid suspension system. According to the method, the fluid suspension system controls the alignment of the vehicle chassis to be aligned with an artificial horizon represented as the predetermined datum.
US08306694B2
In a navigation apparatus having a navigator installed on a vehicle and calculating a routing path from a detected current location to a designated destination and a display connected to the navigator to display the calculated routing path on a map, an event such as door unlocking that happens before starting of the vehicle is detected as a trigger, opening of a door of the vehicle is detected, and the navigator is activated when the trigger is detected to operate the display to show an indication that activation of the navigator is started on the display when the opening of the vehicle door is detected. With this, it becomes possible to activate the navigator early and readily enables the user to check or recognize the activation condition of the navigator.
US08306692B2
An input/output control device for a secondary battery mounted on a vehicle includes a current estimating unit estimating a battery current input to or output from the secondary battery based on an input/output power of the secondary battery and outputting an estimated value (estimated current (Is)), a current sensor measuring the battery current and outputting a measured value (measured current (It)), and an input/output control unit controlling the input/output power based on the estimated value and the measured value. The input/output control device controls the input/output of the secondary battery, using the measured current (It) as well as the estimated value (Is), and therefore can suppress more reliably significant increase in heating value of the secondary battery and its peripheral parts.
US08306684B2
An autonomous moving apparatus arranged to travel autonomously in a surrounding environment preferably includes: a distance measuring sensor arranged to output detection waves, detect a distance between the apparatus and an object which has reflected the detection wave based on a reflection state of the detection wave, and acquire information about the distance between the apparatus and the object which exists in the surroundings of the apparatus; an inclination sensor arranged to detect an inclination of the distance measuring sensor; and a control unit arranged to estimate the self-position in the surrounding environment and generate the global map of the surrounding environment based on the distance information. When the distance measuring sensor is determined to be inclined based on a detection result of the inclination sensor, the control unit stops estimating the self-position based on the distance information and stops generating the global map based on the distance information.
US08306660B2
A device for restoring positional information of a robot provided with a first member and a second member; a motor moving the second member; and a sensor outputting a sensor signal. The device includes an imaging section obtaining an image signal in a region including a first mark and a second mark; a mark position computation section computing a first positional relationship between the first mark and the second mark at a first time and a second positional relationship at a second time, based on an image signal obtained by the imaging section at the first time and at the second time; and a correction section correcting positional information depending on a sensor signal, based on the first and second positional relationship, a first sensor signal output by the sensor at the first time and a second sensor signal output by the sensor at the second time.
US08306657B2
A control device for a legged mobile robot has a first motion determiner which sequentially determines the instantaneous value of a first motion of a robot by using a first dynamic model and a second motion determiner which sequentially determines the instantaneous value of a second motion of the robot by using a second dynamic model, and sequentially determines a desired motion of the robot by combining the first motion and the second motion. A low frequency component and a high frequency component of a feedback manipulated variable having a function for bringing a posture state amount error, which indicates the degree of the deviation of an actual posture of the robot from a desired posture, close to zero are fed back to the first motion determiner and the second motion determiner, respectively.
US08306656B1
The present application describes a method and system for performing medical procedures. The system includes a robotic arm assembly, an end effector assembly and a set of transducers. The system further includes a cable element that is used to control the movement of the robotic arm assembly and the end effector assembly. The cable element is also connected to the set of transducers, which measure the force imparted on the robotic arm assembly and the end effector assembly during the medical procedures.
US08306651B2
A pharmacy will-call and prescription order article management system and method for managing articles selected to fulfill patient prescription orders awaiting patient pick-up from the pharmacy. An exemplary system includes a storage module including a plurality of separate spaced-apart storage locations for storing containers containing the articles. The containers may be stored at any of the storage locations, thereby maximizing storage density. A visual indicator is provided to indicate each storage location and each storage location has a unique machine-readable identification code identifying that storage location. A code reader is provided to read a unique identification code associated with each container and the unique code at each storage location. Control apparatus controls system operation by locating each container at a storage location and operating the indicator to indicate the relevant storage location when a pick-up request for the prescription order articles is made. Hanging bags may be utilized and exemplary storage apparatus may include hanging rack apparatus.
US08306639B2
A networked device is disclosed comprising means for controlling a state of the networked device, means for connecting to a network, means for allowing a user to select a color from a plurality of colors, the plurality of colors having at least one locking color and one or more non-locking colors, and means for generating a selected color code corresponding to the color selected by the user, each color of the plurality of colors having a corresponding color code. The networked device submits the selected color code over the network for use by the network controller in configuring the device and changes the state of the networked device in response to a command from the network only if the color selected by the user is one of the one or more non-locking colors. In some embodiments the networked device also responds to requests for status information from the network independent of the color selected by the user. In some embodiments, the networked device further comprises means for allowing the user enter a local control command wherein the means for controlling the networked device changes the state of the networked device in response to the local control command only if the color selected by the user is one of the one or more non-locking colors. And in some embodiments that means for controlling the networked device controls the On/Off state.
US08306636B2
An operator interface terminal receives individual data points from a machine at individual time points. The operator interface terminal correlates the individual data points to the individual time points as the data points are received. The operator interface terminal transfers the data points correlated to the time points to a central information system. The operator interface terminal receives a control instruction from an operator. The operator interface terminal processes the control instruction to transfer a control signal to the machine, wherein the control signal drives the machine to operate based on the control instruction.
US08306634B2
An adaptive, user-centric system and network for controlling power consumption by an appliance is described. The appliance may be any type of powered apparatus, such as A/C units, heaters, computers, lights, kitchen appliances, home media centers, and so on. The power to these appliances is based on an estimated arrival time of the user to the destination where the appliance is located. It may also be based on previous performance data for the particular appliance, that is, given the current conditions (e.g., various environment temperature readings), how long has it taken in the past for the appliance to reach a certain level of operation. The location of the user is determined by a device that has some location-based services and is able to transmit this location/position data in a message to a power-control server. The server applies rules contained in the message to derive an estimated arrival time for the user which is used to power appliances at the user's destination.
US08306633B2
A lead system has an elongate body, an active fixation assembly movable relative to the elongate lead body, including a non-stationary electrode. The lead system further includes a non-stationary electrode member and an electrical interconnect electrically connected between the non-stationary electrode member and the stationary electrode member. The electrical interconnect provides a reliable electrical interconnection between the stationary electrode and the non-stationary electrode, while allowing the non-stationary electrode to move relative to the stationary electrode.
US08306631B2
An implantable lead for a medical device with a coplanar coupling for connecting a conductor to a contact reduces conductor bending moments to improve lead reliability. The implantable lead comprises a lead body having a proximal end and a distal end, at least one conductor, at least one contact carried on the proximal end, at least one contact carried on the distal end, and at least one coupling. The lead body has an exterior surface. The conductor is contained in the lead body and extends from the lead proximal end to the distal end. The conductor is also electrically insulated. The contact carried on the proximal end is electrically connected to the conductor. The coupling has a conductor coupling and a contact coupling. The conductor coupling is placed over the conductor and attached to the conductor. The contact coupling exits the lead body and has a weld to connect the contact coupling to the contact. The contact coupling is configured to exit the conductor lumen and mate with the contact while retaining the conductor coplanar to the lead body.
US08306628B2
A hyperthermia treatment system for heating a selected region within a target body that includes a power source and a plurality of electromagnetic applicators that are in electrical communication with the power source and arranged in a surrounding array around a focal region to concentrate their combined radiation output onto the focal region. The treatment system also includes a support mechanism that is adapted to support a target body within the surrounding array of applicators, and a positioning mechanism adapted to move the support mechanism and align the selected region within the target body with the focal region. Furthermore, the positioning mechanism is adapted to compensate for movement of the focal region in response to an interaction between the combined radiation output and the target body.
US08306622B2
A method and device to detect and compare changes in atrial rate and morphology can be used to identify left atrial sense and capture, such as from a quadripolar or other lead located in or around the coronary sinus.
US08306621B2
A cardiac rhythm management device for obtaining transthoracic impedance. The device comprises a sensor for obtaining a signal indicative of an action of a heart, an impedance measurement circuit adapted to measure transthoracic impedance and a processor for utilizing the signal indicative of the action of the heart to sample the transthoracic impedance at sampling intervals commenced by fiducial markers in the signal indicative of the action of the heart, where the sampling of the impedance signal removes the component of a stroke volume of the heart from the signal and thereby provides lung ventilation information.
US08306619B2
A system and method for selectively treating a ventricular tachycardia based on sensed atrial and ventricular intervals from the patient's heart. A detection window of the ten most recent atrial and ventricular intervals are analyzed for the occurrence of either tachycardia or fibrillation. When a majority of the sensed intervals are satisfied, the apparatus starts a duration time interval. Ventricular intervals and atrial intervals are compare, ventricular interval greater than the atrial interval by a bias factor the system delivers tachycardia therapy to the heart. Alternatively, the method withholds tachycardia therapy to the heart when the atrial rate is classified as atrial fibrillation and the ventricular response is unstable.
US08306613B2
The invention provides an ocular iontophoresis device for delivering medication, the device comprising a medication reservoir suitable for being positioned on the eye, at least one medication in solution in the reservoir, an active electrode disposed in the reservoir, and a passive electrode, the device including at least one medication dissolved in non-saline water, the said solution having a pH lying in the range 6.5 to 8.5, the medication having a pKa lying in the range about 5.5 to about 9.5 and includes an active principle which is associated with an additive, such as a dendrimer, a polymer, a nanoparticle, a microsphere, a liposome, or an emulsion, and having an ionic form of valency greater than or equal to 1.
US08306611B2
A method and system are presented for use in determining a patient's heart condition. First and second data are provided, where the first data is indicative of the patient's heart rate, and the second data is indicative of bioimpedance peak value during a cardiac cycle. A relation between a certain predetermined value and a product of the first and said second data is determined, where such relation is indicative of the patient's left ventricular condition, enabling to identify a left ventricular dysfunction.
US08306599B2
A process and a device are provided for monitoring the status of the body fluids of a person. The device includes a piece of clothing with ventilating ducts, a first temperature sensor (6) and a first moisture sensor (11) for measuring the inlet flow (7) into the piece of clothing and a second temperature sensor (17) and a second moisture sensor (12) for measuring the outlet flow (10) from the piece of clothing. A pressure sensor (13) is provided sensing pressure in the inlet flow. A fan (5) or a compressed-air source is provided for transporting the cooling air into the piece of clothing. A measuring and analyzing unit (14) is connected to the sensors and the fan (5) or the compressed-air source.
US08306593B2
An apparatus noninvasively measures blood sugar concentration. The apparatus includes: a tissue modulation unit applying a pressure to a tissue; a hemoglobin (Hb) concentration measurement unit analyzing an amount of absorption of electromagnetic waves on a first portion of the tissue before and after the applying of the pressure by the tissue modulation unit, and measuring Hb concentration of the tissue; and a photoacoustic module unit analyzing photoacoustic signals to measure blood sugar concentration, and correcting the measured blood sugar concentration based on the measured Hb concentration to output a final blood sugar level, the photoacoustic signals being created from the tissue by emitting a pulse laser ray towards a second portion of the tissue before and after the applying of the pressure by the tissue modulation unit.
US08306592B2
A capsule casing of a capsule medical device has a chemical sensor inside, used for sensing operation. The chemical sensor has a recovery device which resets the chemical sensor to an initial state thereof so as to use the chemical sensor for the sensing operation a plurality of times or continuously.
US08306591B2
A superconducting cable terminal connection device connecting a terminal of a superconducting cable for power transmission to an external power system, includes: an electric field relaxation shield disposed inside an insulation housing; a horizontal conductor fixed to an end portion of a core of the superconducting cable drawn into the electric field relaxation shield; an insulator which coats an outer periphery of the horizontal conductor; a vertical conductor which is drawn into the electric field relaxation shield and has a through-hole through which the horizontal conductor and the insulator pass so as to be slidable in a lengthwise direction; and a flexible electrical conduction member which electrically connects an end portion of the horizontal conductor to the vertical conductor.
US08306590B2
Disclosed is a three layer process for making contact points to a high transition temperature superconductor (HTSC), particularly to (Bi,Pb)2 Sr2 Ca2 CU3019+x with and without silver in the superconductor. The contact structure is a three layer configuration with a perforated silver foil (3) sandwiched between two metal spray gun deposited silver layers (2,5) and subsequent heat treatment in air. The contact has been made on tubes and rods (1). The silver contacts are capable of carrying a continuous current of 200 Amps without adding any substantial heat load to the cryogen used to cool the HTSC. The contact resistance at 4.2 K is in the range of 1.5×10 (hoch−8) to 8.5″ 10 (hoch−8) OHM in zero applied filed.
US08306585B2
A mobile terminal is provided. The mobile terminal includes an upper body, a lower body, and a slide module connecting the upper and lower bodies, where the slide module is configured to slidably move the upper body in a first linear motion relative to the lower body and to tilt the upper body at an angle relative to the lower body in a second motion. The slide module includes an upper slide member fixed to the upper body, a lower slide member fixed to the lower body, and at least one cam portion formed on the upper slide member such that the at least one cam portion is configured to contact the lower slide member when the upper slide member is moved toward an open configuration using the first motion, wherein the contact causes the upper slide member to tilt when the upper slide member is moved to the open configuration using the second motion.
US08306583B2
A variable configuration apparatus has components or sub-systems. At least some components (200 and 201) have mechanical coupling elements (101 and 102 and 103) that enable the configuration of the apparatus to be varied by changing at least one of the relative orientation and position of those components or subsystems. These mechanical coupling elements (101 and 102 and 103) incorporate wireless signal coupling elements (205 and 206) that cooperate to provide a wireless coupling which enables wireless coupling between the components. The wireless coupling may be used to transfer at least one of data and power between the components. The wireless signal coupling elements may be capacitive coupling elements that provide capacitive coupling between the components or sub-systems. In an example, the apparatus is a video camera and one component or sub-system is a display screen (201) and another component or sub-system is the main body (200) of the video camera (200).
US08306579B2
A vehicular adapter (100) provides an interface to accommodate a variety of contacts located on different surfaces of a portable radio (200). The vehicular adapter includes a rotating pocket (116), pivot arms (136, 150, 152) and a locking mechanism (126). The rotating pocket (116) provides a first set of contacts (124). One pivot arm (136) provides an antenna probe (120) on one surface of the vehicular adapter while another pivot arm (152) provides connector side contacts (122) to a side surface of the vehicular adapter. The pivot arms (136, 150, 152) pivot in response to the rotating pocket (116) being rotated thereby moving their respective contacts into position for mating with the portable radio (200).
US08306574B2
The present invention relates to a method and system for adapting a wireless communication system to support a desired functionality of the wireless communication system at an optimized performance and economic benefit. The desired functionality can be determined by defined criteria such as a maximum range of communication with the wireless communication system, quality of a transmission link in the wireless communication system, capacity of the wireless communication system, power consumption of the wireless communication system, protocols supported in the wireless communication system, modulation techniques used in the wireless communication system and processing techniques for combining signals in the wireless communication system. The system can be adapted by varying one or more of the number of components or processing techniques used in the wireless communication system.
US08306568B2
Technology is provided for a plurality of people that are waiting for a service/meeting with information relating to the queue. A registration unit is arranged to place people waiting for a service/meeting in a queue. At least one radio transmitter is arranged to transmit information relating to the queue to unidentified radio receivers so that the people may receive the information via the unidentified radio receivers.
US08306560B2
A method and system for configuring a telematics device is constructed so as to use two-way short message service (SMS) to provide improved configuration execution. Mobile identification number (MIN), Mobile Directory Number (MDH), Home System Identification (SID) number, SID/NID pairs, NAI/password for packet data, over the air service provisioning (OTASP) number, and Preferred Roaming List (PRL) flag can be easily updated with no manual or voice channel configuration actions. In addition, other system settings such as button behavior, language, call barring, adding units to hands-free calling, etc. may be updated as well. In an example, a series of binary SMS messages configures the telematics device, with a subset of the messages being used specifically for configuration while the remaining message initiates a packet data session to complete additional configuration.
US08306552B2
Examples disclosed herein may relate to filtering one or more signal attribute patterns from use in position estimation for a mobile station based at least in part on an error value associated with an initial estimated position of the mobile station.
US08306547B2
An apparatus for resource sharing between a plurality of communication networks (103, 107, 111) each having a nominal resource allocation of a shared air interface resource and a resource exchange allowance is provided. The apparatus (201) comprises a sharing instigation processor (205) which initiates a temporary resource allocation of a first air interface resource from a nominal resource allocation of a first network (103). A network interface (201) receives offer messages from a plurality of networks (107, 111). Each offer message comprises a resource exchange offer value for at least part of the first air interface resource. A selection processor (207) selects a second network (107) for example by selecting the highest offer value for a given resource. An allocation message generator (211) transmits a resource allocation message to the second network (107) indicating a temporary allocation of at least part of the first air interface resource. The resource exchange allowance of the second network (107) is then reduced by a value corresponding to the resource exchange offer value from the second network (107).
US08306546B2
A method and apparatus of providing a machine-type communication (MTC) service in a wireless communication system is provided. The method include transmitting information of an MTC group, to which an MTC device belongs, to the MTC device, wherein the MTC group is a group of MTC devices that share one or more MTC features, and wherein the information of the MTC group includes an identifier (ID) of the MTC group.
US08306543B2
In a communication system providing services with different quality of service requirements to a plurality of user equipment sharing resources of the communication system, resources of the communication system are allocated for service requests. The allocating of resources includes dividing the resources into at least two groups of resources, the different groups of resources being dedicated to different types of service.
US08306537B2
A method in user equipment (UE) associated with a first network cell in a wireless telecommunications system includes performing idle mode measurements of one or more network cells other than the first network cell when the UE is operating in an idle mode, receiving a request to access a first service unavailable through the first network cell, communicating with an access device associated with the first network cell based on results of the idle mode measurements, receiving from the access device an identification of a second network cell, and accessing the first service through the second network cell.
US08306536B2
Methods and apparatus for providing manual selection of a communication network for a mobile station
Techniques for use in a mobile station for use in manually selecting a communication network are described. The mobile station identifies a plurality of communication networks available for communications. The mobile station retrieves from a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) a plurality of network names identified by a plurality of address pointers corresponding to the plurality of available communication networks. The plurality of address pointers are stored in a first file of the SIM, and the plurality of network names are stored in a second file of the SIM. The mobile station then displays the plurality of network names.
US08306529B2
This invention provides an innovative way of providing voice and data registration of multimode (voice and data) handset subscribers at a common place. The unified subscriber data server provides a flexible mechanism to provide concurrent registration for voice and data on the same platform, to store the subscription data (for voice and data subscribers) at a common place, and to perform call-processing on the same box where the data is stored.
US08306526B2
In order to improve the reduction of interference among cells such as pico cells and ease operations of arranging and controlling the cells, a wireless communication area measuring apparatus includes: a signal measuring unit for calculating wireless environment indicators at measuring points based on measured data of received signal strength indicators of a plurality of base stations; a transmission power determination unit for adjusting transmission power of the base stations based on margins of the received signal strength indicators; and a display unit for outputting adjustment results of the transmission power of the base stations.
US08306523B2
Methods and apparatuses are provided for supporting multiple positioning protocol versions within wireless communication networks.
US08306518B1
A system is provided comprising a computer with processor, memory, and an application establishing a communication link with a mobile device provisioned with a first service on a wireless network. At least a portion of the link is provided by a wireless link over infrastructure of the network. The system also instructs the device to deactivate a key guard of the device, maps a first service indicator for a first network to a second indicator for a second network, instructs a provisioning system to remove the first service indicator from a service configuration of the device, and instructs the provisioning system to add the second service indicator to the service configuration of the device. The system also instructs a voice mail server to migrate a first voice mail data structure for the device based on the first service to a second structure for the device based on a second service, deprovisions the first service, and provisions the second service.
US08306511B2
In one embodiment, a method for processing queries initiated by users of mobile devices includes receiving an incoming message containing a query initiated by a user of a mobile device, and extracting the query from the received message. The message further includes obtaining a result of the query and creating an outgoing message with the result of the query for delivery to the mobile device.
US08306509B2
A method (400) for creating and managing a distribution list can include creating a distribution list (410) at a voicemail system. The distribution list can include at least one recipient and at least one language preference for one or more of the at least one recipients. The method can further include selecting the created distribution list (504) and recording an audio message (508) to be sent to the at least one recipient. Translating the audio message (510) into the at least one language preference for one or more of the at least one recipients thereby creating at least one translated audio message and sending the at least one translated audio message (512) to the at least one recipient.
US08306498B2
Provided is a wideband receiver that has a smaller area and consumes less power and can prevent harmonic mixing occurring due to an increase in the number of communications systems using wideband. A wideband receiver according to an aspect of the invention may include: an front-end unit receiving and performing low-pass filtering on a wideband input signal in a continuous-time domain; and a down-conversion unit sampling and holding an output signal of the front-end unit according to a local oscillator signal and performing low-pass filtering on the output signal in a discrete tie domain.
US08306495B1
A semiconductor device includes a p-type semiconductor layer and an n-type semiconductor layer that are joined by sandwiching a depletion layer with a thickness that allows transmission of a plurality of electrons and holes by direct-tunneling.
US08306490B2
A high frequency power amplifier maintains an excellent linearity regardless of a fluctuation of a load impedance and is downsized. The high frequency power amplifier detects an AC voltage amplitude at an output terminal of a final amplification stage transistor, and suppresses an input signal amplitude of a power amplifier when the voltage amplitude exceeds a predetermined threshold value.
US08306486B2
Methods and apparatus for reducing the average-to-minimum power ratio (AMPR) of communications signals in communications transmitters. An AMPR-reducing method includes detecting a sample of a baseband signal having a magnitude less than a predetermined low-magnitude threshold. The magnitude and/or angle of the baseband signal is modified in the temporal vicinity of the detected low-magnitude sample, to form a modified baseband signal having a reduced AMPR. The baseband signal is modified by scaling an insertion pulse by a complex pulse insertion vector and combining the resulting scaled complex insertion pulse with the baseband signal in the temporal vicinity of the detected low-magnitude sample. The pulse insertion angle may be set to any angle within a pulse insertion vector range determined by a vector defining the detected low-magnitude sample and a vector that is orthogonal to the trajectory of the baseband signal.
US08306480B2
A full duplex transceiver has cancellation circuitry that includes an auxiliary receiver and an auxiliary transmitter. More specifically, an analog received signal that includes transmission signal leakage is provided to a low noise amplifier (LNA), which then provides its output to a main receiver and the auxiliary receiver. The auxiliary receiver includes a portion operable to convert the received signal from the analog domain to the digital domain. The auxiliary receiver additionally includes a cancellation processor that determines the transmission signal leakage and generates a signal based on the determined leakage. This signal generated by the auxiliary receiver is provided to the auxiliary transmitter, which converts the digital signal back to the analog domain and generates a cancellation signal. The analog cancellation signal is fed back and added to the received signal at the input of the LNA. As a result of the feedback system including an auxiliary receiver and an auxiliary transmitter, transmission signal leakage of many types may be canceled from a received signal.
US08306470B2
A cleaning device includes a cleaning blade member that has a tip abutting a surface of an image carrier so as to remove a residue remaining on the surface of the image carrier; an attaching member that includes a first attachment piece to which a base end of the cleaning blade member is attached, and a second attachment piece which is provided so as to intersect the first attachment piece at a predetermined angle; a housing member to which one of the first attachment piece and the second attachment piece is fixed at both ends along a longitudinal direction thereof; and an external force exerting member that exerts an external force in a direction which intersects a surface of the other one of the first attachment piece and the second attachment piece, which is not fixed to the housing member.
US08306469B2
A belt unit including an endless belt that is stretched over a plurality of rollers, a drive roller, and a tension roller. The belt unit also includes a cleaning apparatus which includes a rotary unit and a cleaning member configured to clean a surface of the endless belt. The tension roller is arranged at a position opposing the cleaning apparatus and configured to transmit a driving force to the rotary unit.
US08306467B2
A heating device includes: a heating member including a heat generation layer that generates heat by electromagnetic induction, and heating a recording medium by electromagnetic induction heating of the heat generation layer; and a pressure member configured to be movable in a direction approaching or away from the heating member, and forming a nip portion with the heating member therebetween, through which the recording medium passes, the pressure member being configured to include: a nip forming portion that forms the nip portion with the heating member therebetween in a state where the pressure member is set at a position in contact with the heating member while pressing; and a driving force transmission portion that is in contact with the heating member in a state where the nip forming portion is set at a position separated from the heating member and transmits a rotational driving force to the heating member.
US08306458B2
An image forming device includes a heat member and a pressure member in pressed contact with the heat member, forming a nip part therebetween. A cover member of a main casing is movable between a first closed position for covering the heat member and a first open position for exposing the heat member. A flapper disposed between the cover member and the nip part is movable between a second closed position for covering the heat member and a second open position for exposing the heat member. The flapper toggles between conveying paths. A regulating member is capable of regulating movement of the flapper to the second open position when the cover member is in the first open position so as to maintain the heat member covered by the flapper.
US08306456B2
A belt device is provided with an endless belt, a plurality of rollers on which the belt is mounted and including a drive roller connected to a specified drive source and rotating the belt and a belt meandering correction roller correcting the meandering of the belt in a width direction of the belt, a sensor detecting the position of an end surface of the belt in a sensor detection area divided into a plurality of zones adjacent in the belt width direction, a roller position adjusting mechanism adjusting the position of the belt meandering correction roller to correct the meandering of the belt, and a controller controlling the roller position adjusting mechanism based on the position detection of the belt end surface by the sensor, the controller controlling the roller position adjusting mechanism to keep the belt end surface in a specific one of the plurality of zones.
US08306452B2
An image forming apparatus may include: a main body having an accommodation chamber and a moving unit configured to slide between an accommodated position and a drawn position. First unit electrodes may be disposed on a second outer side surface of the moving unit. Each of the first unit electrodes may be configured to connect to a corresponding first main body electrode, upon the moving unit moving downward after moving to the accommodated position. Inner and outer side surfaces may be spaced to avoid contact between the moving unit and the first main body electrodes when the moving unit is moving to the accommodated position. At least one of the first unit electrodes may be arranged to move in a path to overlap with one or more of the first main body electrodes as the moving unit is moving to the accommodated position, when viewed from a top/bottom direction.
US08306450B2
A toner recovery machine comprising: a first roller having a radius and rotatable about a first axis, the first axis along a first direction; a cleaner touching the first roller; a container for accommodating toner, the container comprising: a first conveyer movable along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; and a second conveyer rotatable about a second axis and having a radius defined by the rotation about the second axis, the second axis along the first direction, wherein the second conveyer, the first roller, and the first conveyer are positioned in this order along the second direction, wherein the sum of the radius of the first roller and the radius defined by the second conveyer is smaller than a distance in the second direction between the first axis and the second axis.
US08306449B2
In a roller to affect a temperature of a print substrate in a digital printer, a hollow roll is mounted to a shaft. Channels are provided for a heat transport medium in the hollow wall. A roller shell of the hollow roll is comprised of arc-shaped segments extending over a width of the hollow roll. The segments end laterally in arms designed so that the arms of adjacent segments are connected to each other. The channels extend over the width of the hollow roll and are assembled respectively from the segments of the roller shell. A respective covering plate is clamped between the arms of the respective segments.
US08306436B2
A receiver including a fiber optic first input element, through which a signal carrying information circulates, a local laser block, a photo-detection block, and a block of differential demodulation is disclosed. The information-carrying signal of the optical fiber input and the beam of light generated by the local laser block provided in the receiver are coupled and detected in a block of optical detection, which converts the optical signal that carries information into an electrical signal that carries information, which is processed in a block of electrical demodulation, which performs a differential demodulation of its in-phase and quadrature components, combining them later. An optical receiver is obtained, featuring optical homodyne detection, being coincident the wavelengths of the input signal and the tuned beam of light, with a high tolerance to the phase noise, generated by the optical communications lasers, and with no need to use an optical phase-locked loop.
US08306418B2
A distortion compensation system and method may be used to compensate for data pattern dependent signal distortion in a signal received in a coherent optical signal receiver. In general, the distortion compensation system and method compares a received signal field with stored distorted signal waveforms associated with known data patterns and selects a compensation value associated with the distorted signal waveform that corresponds most closely with the received signal field. The distortion compensation system and method compensates the received signal using the selected compensation value and thus mitigates the effects of data pattern dependent signal distortion.
US08306405B2
A system records an AV stream composed of a plurality of record units (RUs) containing independently reproducible video units (VUs) of at least video or audio and program information (Movie atom) managing the AV stream, onto a recording medium. The program information contains a piece of information (Edit list atom) that manages a point of junction between the record units or between AV streams. In decoding the AV stream, decoding is halted or decoders are switched at the point of junction, based on the management information on the points of junction, for example.
US08306401B2
Optical disc device with integrated hard disk drive includes HDD recording and reproducing portion, DVD recording and reproducing portion, and record restriction process portion that decides whether DVD is disc supporting CPRM and discriminates copy protection information of television broadcasting signal. If “copy once” signal is detected from the copy protection information when it is started to record contents of television broadcasting on DVD that does not support CPRM, recording by hard disk drive is performed instead of recording on DVD. If “copy free” signal is detected from copy protection information while contents are recorded by HDD, recording by hard disk drive is stopped, and recording on DVD is performed. If “copy once” signal is detected from copy protection information while contents are recorded on DVD, recording on DVD is stopped, and recording by HDD is performed.
US08306396B2
A system for video compositing is comprised of a storage device for storing a composite timeline file. A timeline manager reads rendering instructions and compositing instructions from the stored file. A plurality of filter graphs, each receiving one of a plurality of video streams, renders frames therefrom in response to the rendering instructions. 3D hardware is responsive to the rendered frames and the compositing instructions for creating a composite image. A frame scheduler is responsive to the plurality of filter graphs for controlling the frequency at which the 3D hardware creates a new composite image. An output is provided for displaying the composite image. Methods of generating a composite work and methods of generating the timeline file are also disclosed. Because of the rules governing abstracts, this Abstract should not be used to construe the claims.
US08306395B2
A video signal input-output circuit and a recording-reproduction apparatus in which a digitally compressed video signal input in packet form can be recorded and reproduced efficiently and in stable fashion. In this apparatus, a clock reference is detected from a packet signal containing the clock reference and a digitally compressed video signal, a time stamp for a packet is generated using a clock signal in phase with the clock reference and added to the particular packet, and the packet signals with the time stamp added thereto are recorded closely to each other in a data storage element such as a magnetic recording medium. At playback, the packet interval is output by being restored to the original length on the basis of the time stamp added to the packet in store.
US08306387B2
The playback apparatus realizes stereoscopic viewing by overlaying planar or stereoscopic graphics over stereoscopic video in a way that reduces eye strain using following method in abstract: A graphics plane holds therein data composed of graphics data. A shift engine shifts, in a case when a composition unit composites the graphics data with a left-view video frame, coordinates of each of the pixels is shifted in a first horizontal direction, and in a case when the composition unit composites the graphics data with a right-view video frame, coordinates of each of the pixels is shifted in a second horizontal direction that is opposite to the first direction.
US08306385B2
The present invention prevents data stored in memory cards from being damaged while maintaining the operability of inserting and ejecting memory cards. A device has a connection section to which a memory card 11 is connected. The memory card 11 is different from an optical disc 10 on which image data are recorded. The device checks whether the memory card 11 is connected to the connection section. When the device starts performing certain processes to the memory card 11 after detecting that the memory card 11 is connected, the device performs mount processes. When the device stops performing the certain processes, the device immediately performs unmount processes to the memory card 11. The memory card 11 is unmounted while the device is not performing the certain processes. Unmounting the memory card 11 prevents data stored in the memory card 11 from being damaged even if a user accidentally ejects it.
US08306383B2
To provide a data structure contributing to managing a moving picture and a still picture efficiently and also provide an apparatus for performing recording and/or playback using such a data structure.A data processor includes: a drive unit for writing at least one still picture file on a level that is lower in hierarchy than a still picture folder of a storage medium; and a control section for generating file specifying information that specifies the storage location of each still picture file in the level and identification information for identifying each still picture file uniquely and for compiling a table that associates the file specifying information and the identification information with each other. The drive unit writes the table as a table file on the storage medium.
US08306382B2
Methods, cleavers, and packagings for cleaving an optical fiber using an abrasive medium are disclosed. The abrasive medium may be placed into contact with an optical fiber to induce a flaw in the optical fiber. The optical fiber is broken about the induced flaw to create an end face for fiber optic termination preparations. In one embodiment, a method for cleaving an optical fiber without employing a blade is provided. The method includes providing an optical fiber. A flaw is created in a portion of the optical fiber using a bladeless cleaver comprised of a body and a cleaver structure attached to the body. The cleaver structure is configured to actuate to place an abrasive medium in contact with the portion of the optical fiber to create a flaw in the optical fiber. The method further includes breaking the optical fiber at the flaw to create an end face.
US08306379B2
A hollow core photonic crystal fiber (HCPCF) having a wavelength of operation, the HCPCF comprising: a core region having a first refractive index; a cladding region surrounding the core region and comprising a plurality of microcapillaries arranged in a transverse structure having a pitch, the pitch of the structure being at least five times larger than the wavelength of operation, the cladding region having a second refractive index higher than the first refractive index.
US08306371B2
A novel technique is provided, which can manufacture an optical nonreciprocal element constituted of an Si waveguide layer and a magneto-optical material layer without using wafer bonding. A magneto-optical material layer is deposited on a substrate, an Si layer is deposited on the aforesaid magneto-optical material layer, a waveguide is formed on the aforesaid Si layer, and the aforesaid magneto-optical material layer is magnetized so as to be able to cause a light propagating in the aforesaid waveguide to generate a nonreciprocal phase change.
US08306364B2
In a method for color interpolation between two colors, each interpolated color between a first color having at least two color components and a second color having at least two color components, is defined by copying at least one color component from a corresponding color component of a neighboring color and calculating at least one other color component.
US08306361B2
A singular value decomposition method according to the present invention is a method for performing a singular value decomposition on an arbitrary matrix A using a computer, the method including the steps of: performing an upper bidiagonalization on the matrix A so as to obtain an upper bidiagonal matrix B of the matrix A; obtaining at least one singular value σ of the matrix B as singular values of the matrix A; and obtaining a singular vector of the matrix A for the σ. The step of obtaining a singular vector of the matrix A includes a step of performing a Twisted decomposition on a matrix BTB−σ2I (where I is a unit matrix) by using a Miura inverse transformation, an sdLVvs transformation, an rdLVvs transformation and a Miura transformation so as to diagonalize a matrix BTB.
US08306354B2
A shadow region extraction method capable of extracting a shadow region from contrast enhanced three-dimensional images obtained at different time points in an improved manner. The method includes the steps of detecting a first shadow region from a contrast enhanced two-dimensional image constituting a contrast enhanced three-dimensional image obtained at a first time point among a plurality of contrast enhanced three-dimensional images of a subject obtained at different time points, detecting, by the use of position information of a point in the first shadow region, a second shadow region corresponding to the first shadow region from a contrast enhanced two-dimensional image constituting a contrast enhanced three-dimensional image obtained at a second time point different from the first time point, and displaying the first shadow region and the second shadow region.
US08306348B2
A method and apparatus for adjusting the effect of applying a kernel to a signal is provided. The adjustment may be based on the magnitude of an effect that a kernel matrix is intended to have on the signal matrix. The adjustments can be based on factors including, but not limited to, a signal-to-noise ratio of the signal data, properties of a device (e.g., lens) used to capture the signal data, or a metric that is derived based on an analysis of the signal data. Processing image data in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is aimed at regaining lost contrast that may be due to properties of optics that are used to capture the image data.
US08306335B2
Analyzing an input image, the input image being one of a digitized image stored in a memory or a scanned image from a scanner. Forming a feature image from the input image by dividing the input image into a plurality of blocks of pixels, thus associating each block of pixels in the input image with a single pixel in the feature image, and outputting the feature image for further analysis or storage in a memory. Example embodiments extract and analyze features from a document image to detect particular characteristics associated with the page area, the distortion area, and the book spine area. Extracted features can be further analyzed to detect document characteristics at the paragraph, line, word, and character levels.
US08306333B2
A method for achieving segmentation of a picture according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: determining a first foreground of a picture based on a predetermined mask; applying Gaussian Mixture Models with weighted data (GMM-WD) to the first foreground to generate a second foreground; determining a first background of the picture based on the second foreground; applying the GMM-WD to the first background to generate a second background; and determining an unknown region based on the second background and the second foreground.
US08306329B2
A language-neutral method for searching online handwritten notes is provided. The different algorithms contained in this method enable querying online multilingual handwritten documents with substrings of words rather than just whole words. More particularly, two approaches are presented —one based on partial Fréchet distance calculations and the other based on a pair hidden Markov models. The partial Fréchet distance is adapted from the traditional Fréchet distance concept to match a subcurve or prefix of a query word. The pair hidden Markov model used in the present application is adapted from pair hidden Markov models used in bioinformatics as generative models of local and global alignment of biological sequences.
US08306327B2
A method and system for recognizing a character affected by a noise or an obstruction is disclosed. After receiving an image with characters, a character being affected by a noise or an obstruction is determined. Then, areas in the character where the noise or obstruction affected are precisely located. Templates representing every possible character in the image are updated by removing equivalent areas to the areas in the character being affected by the noise or obstruction. Then, the character is classified in a template among the updated templates by finding the template having the highest number of matching pixels with the character.
US08306321B2
An image processing apparatus executes an area dividing process on color image data that have been divided into blocks of a prescribed size, and for each block, selects a three-color mode when tone gradation is of higher priority and a four-color mode when resolution is of higher priority, as a color mode for an area averaging process. The image processing device executes a compression process in the selected color mode block by block, and outputs image data in a data format of 256 bit length, regardless of the color mode for compression.
US08306317B2
An image processing apparatus includes an image acquiring unit that acquires image data about a plurality of subject images of a subject picked up under a plurality of exposure conditions different from each other; a pixel value acquiring unit that acquires, as a pixel value of a pixel position to which a spectral characteristic is to be estimated, a pixel value of the image data about any one of the subject images; an estimation operator calculator that calculates an estimation operator corresponding to the exposure condition of the subject image corresponding to the image data with the pixel value acquired by the pixel value acquiring unit; and a spectral characteristic estimating unit that estimates the spectral characteristic of the subject corresponding to the pixel position to which the spectral characteristic is to be estimated using the estimation operator calculated by the estimation operator calculator.
US08306314B2
A pose for an object in a scene is determined by first rendering sets of virtual images of a model of the object using a virtual camera. Each set of virtual images is for a different known pose the model, and constructing virtual depth edge map from each virtual image, which are stored in a database. A set of real images of the object at an unknown pose are acquired by a real camera, and constructing real depth edge map for each real image. The real depth edge maps are compared with the virtual depth edge maps using a cost function to determine the known pose that best matches the unknown pose, wherein the matching is based on locations and orientations of pixels in the depth edge maps.
US08306312B2
With the objective of achieving defect kind training in a short period of time to teach classification conditions of defects detected as a result of inspecting a thin film device, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a visual inspection method, and an apparatus therefor, comprising the steps of: detecting defects based on inspection images acquired by optical or electronic defect detection means, and at the same time calculating features of the defects; and classifying the defects according to classification conditions set beforehand, wherein said classification condition setting step further includes the steps of: collecting defect features over a large number of defects acquired beforehand from the defect detection step; sampling defects based on the distribution of the collected defect features over the large number of defects; and setting defect classification conditions based on the result of reviewing the sampled defects.
US08306306B2
An examination method of a unique object including: forming a coherent radiation beam using a coherent source, illuminating the object by the coherent radiation beam, focussed using a focussing mechanism positioned directly in contact with the object or in a very close position to the object, and forming, using a detection mechanism, the optical Fourier transform image of the light diffracted by the object.
US08306303B2
A method, a computational unit and a CT system are disclosed for improving the quality of CT image series. In at least one embodiment, the method includes scanning an examination object over a period of time which permits the acquisition of at least two temporally offset projection data records of an identical recording region; generating at least two temporally offset tomographic image data records, each having a multiplicity of pixels, by reconstructing the projection data records; transforming the image data records into transformation data records of at least two spatial frequency ranges; calculating temporal fitted values of the transformation data records for some of the spatial frequency ranges, and replacing the values of the transformation data records which were fitted by the calculated fitted values; performing an inverse transform of the transformation data records with the fitted values to form new image data records; and displaying the new image data records.
US08306297B2
A method for precision registration of X-ray images to cone-beam CT scan for image-guided radiosurgery includes acquiring 2-D pre-treatment X-ray images of a region of interest, acquiring a 2-D X-ray image of the region of interest at approximately a time of treatment, registering the 2-D X-ray image with a corresponding 2-D pre-treatment X-ray image to obtain a 2-D registration result at approximately the time of treatment, and converting the 2-D registration result into a 3-D tracking result to track the region of interest.
US08306287B2
A biometrics authentication system includes: a light source applying light to a living body; a detection section on which the living body is to be placed; a microlens array section configured so that a plurality of microlenses each condensing light from the living body are arranged at intervals; a light shielding section arranged on at least one of a light incidence side and a light exiting side of the microlens array section and having apertures each facing a region where each of the microlenses is arranged; an image pickup device obtaining image pickup data of the living body on the basis of the light condensed by the microlens array section; and an authentication section performing authentication of the living body on the basis of the image pickup data obtained in the image pickup device.
US08306284B2
The present method relates to the manual assistance for the automated indexing (100) of a collection of images using facial recognition. In a first automated indexing step, automated indexing of faces within a collection of images is performed, creating sets of faces each of which comprises faces that are determined by the automated process to be representative of the same person. In a second splitting step (200), sets are displayed to an operator, who determines whether there are false-positive associations within a set. If false-positive associations are found, the faces representing different people are manually split into different sets, hi this way, there will be no false-positive associations within the collection of images, hi a third merging step (300), sets that have some degree of similarity are presented to the operator, who determines whether the two sets comprise representations of the same person. If so, the two sets are manually merged, thereby eliminating false-negative errors. In this way, all of the faces in the image collection can be completely and accurately indexed.
US08306282B2
A hierarchical face recognition training method and a hierarchical face recognition method thereof for performing a face feature recognition on an image under detection. The method includes a training process and a recognition process. The recognition method includes the steps. A plurality of training samples is obtained. The training samples are subdivided into a plurality of sub-image categories according to a plurality of angle intervals, and the training of a plurality of face features performs on a corresponding sub-image detector of each of the sub-image categories. The training measures performed repeatedly to generate sub-image categories at a sub-level of the sub-image categories. The training method includes the steps. An image under detection is loaded. A similarity of each of sub-image detectors compares according to the image under detection, and the sub-image detector having the highest similarity is selected. The face recognition measures performed repeatedly on the selected sub-image detector.
US08306279B2
A primarily hand-held or adjustable-mount iris recognition device wherein feedback to the operator is provided by visible illumination or imagery projected onto the face of the subject, as well as an audio signal, while infra-red illumination is projected onto the face of the subject as an illumination source for an iris recognition process. When the device is pointed in the direction of the subject, the infra-red illumination is directed to illuminate primarily the eye region whereas the visible illumination is directed to illuminate primarily other regions including the cheeks. The visible illumination is configured such that the position of the visible illumination on the face indicates to the operator whether the iris recognition device is pointed in the correct direction and at the correct distance for optimal iris recognition. The brightness of the visible illumination is modified in response to the result of an eye detection process performed on the iris recognition device, and the brightness, color and other attributes of the visible illumination or the audio signal are modified in response to the result of eye-finding or other process, including the results of an iris recognition process.
US08306266B2
The present invention relates to a method for determining the extension of a trajectory in a space-time volume of measure images. The space-time volume of measure images is generated by a measuring method utilizing a measuring system comprising a first light source and a sensor. The measuring method comprises a step of, in a predetermined operating condition of the measuring system, moving a measure object along a first direction of movement in relation to the measuring system while the first light source illuminates the measure object whereby the sensor generates a measure image of the measure object at each time instant in a set of at least two subsequent time instants, thus generating said space-time volume of measure images wherein a feature point of the measure object maps to a trajectory in the space-time volume.
US08306260B2
The present invention relates to a system for the 3-D monitoring and analysis of motion-related behavior of test subjects. The system comprises an actual camera, at least one virtual camera, a computer connected to the actual camera and the computer is preferably installed with software capable of capturing the stereo images associated with the 3-D motion-related behavior of test subjects as well as processing these acquired image frames for the 3-D motion parameters of the subjects. The system of the invention comprises hardware components as well as software components. The hardware components preferably comprise a hardware setup or configuration, a hardware-based noise elimination component, an automatic calibration device component, and a lab animal container component. The software components preferably comprise a software-based noise elimination component, a basic calibration component, an extended calibration component, a linear epipolar structure derivation component, a non-linear epipolar structure derivation component, an image segmentation component, an image correspondence detection component, a 3-D motion tracking component, a software-based target identification and tagging component, a 3-D reconstruction component, and a data post-processing component In a particularly preferred embodiment, the actual camera is a digital video camera, the virtual camera is the reflection of the actual camera in a planar reflective mirror. Therefore, the preferred system is a catadioptric stereo computer vision system.
US08306258B2
A system and method for assessing a condition of property for insurance purposes includes a sensor for acquiring a spectral image. In a preferred embodiment, the spectral image is post-processed to generate at least one spectral radiance plot, the plot used as input to a radiative transfer computer model. The output of the model establishes a spectral signature for the property. Over a period of time, spectral signatures can be compared to generate a spectral difference, the difference attributed to a change in the condition of the property, such as a fire or flood. In response to the change, an insurance company initiates an insurance-related action such as processing a claim.
US08306257B2
An active appearance model is built by arranging the training images in its training library into a hierarchical tree with the training images at each parent node being divided into two child nodes according to similarities in characteristic features. The number of node levels is such that the number of training images associated with each leaf node is smaller than a predefined maximum. A separate AAM, one per leaf node, is constructed using each leaf node's corresponding training images. In operation, starting at the root node, a test image is compared with each parent node's two child nodes and follows a node-path of model images that most closely matches the test image. The test image is submitted to an AAM selected for being associated with the leaf node at which the test image rests. The selected AAM's output aligned image may be resubmitted to the hierarchical tree if sufficient alignment is not achieved.
US08306256B2
Users of an online system are authenticated based on signatures of cameras that were used to capture images uploaded to the online system. Users of an online system upload photos taken from their cameras. The online system extracts characteristic information about the camera that captured the photos. This information includes a mapping of faulty pixels, metadata included with the photos, a naming convention, and the like. The online system stores an association between the user and the camera. This association is used for authentication of the user. For authentication, the user is asked to upload new photos taken from the camera that the user used previously. The information extracted from the newly uploaded photos is matched against stored information of cameras used previously by the user. The user is successfully authenticated if the camera used for the newly uploaded photos matches a previously stored camera.
US08306255B1
A method is provided for scraping information from a web page or other page of electronic content. As opposed to existing methods in which an entire page's HTML (HyperText Markup Language) code or DOM (Document Object Model) tree is parsed and pattern-matched, in the provided method only specific regions of interest are examined closely. An image snapshot of the page is created and investigated using routines for identifying regions of interest (e.g., paragraphs of text, faces). Regions comprising text are then converted into text using OCR (Optical Character Recognition) technology or a similar tool, and the resulting text can then be scanned for symbols, words or phrases of interest.
US08306250B2
First, in a state where a pair of earphones 110 are worn in both ears of a listening person, a measurement signal generated by a measurement signal generating section 101 is outputted from the earphone 110. The signal (wearing-state signal) which is reflected by an eardrum and returns to the earphone 110 is measured, and stored in an analysis section 108. Next, in a state where the pair of earphones 110 are not worn in both ears of the listening person, a signal measured (unwearing-state signal) in the same manner as described above is stored in the analysis section 108. The analysis section 108 calculates an ear-canal correction filter based on a difference between the wearing-state signal and the unwearing-state signal. An ear-canal correction filter processing section 109 convolves a sound source signal with the calculated ear-canal correction filter.
US08306247B2
The invention provides an electronic device and an electro-acoustic transducer thereof. The electronic device includes a main body and an electro-acoustic transducer carried by the main body. The electro-acoustic transducer includes a first electret diaphragm, a second electret diaphragm and a plate. The first electret diaphragm generates vibrations according to a first electrical signal and the second electret diaphragm generates vibrations according to a second electrical signal. The plate includes a plurality of holes formed thereon and is disposed between the first electret diaphragm and the second electret diaphragm. Additionally, the electronic device further includes a decorative layer formed on the first or the second electret diaphragm.
US08306244B2
A digital sound system suitable for a digital speaker device for directly converting analog sound by a circuit using a ΔΣ modulator and a mismatch shaping filter circuit to output a plurality of digital signals and a plurality of speakers driven by the plurality of digital signals. A digital speaker driving device includes a ΔΣ modulator, a post filter, s driving circuits, and a power supply circuit to supply power to the ΔΣ modulator, the post filter and the s driving elements and the s driving circuits are adapted to s digital signal terminals.
US08306242B2
A method of operating a loudspeaker includes providing a digital audio signal and identifying a target transfer function to be applied to the signal. At least one coefficient of an FIR filter is generated. The generating includes performing Heyser spiral curve fitting, and fitting a three-dimensional curve based on a magnitude and phase of a target transfer function. The digital audio signal is filtered through the FIR filter. The filtered signal is inputted into the loudspeaker.
US08306229B2
A method for managing network key and updating session key is provided. The step of the key management includes: constructing key request group, constructing key negotiation response group, and constructing key negotiation acknowledgement group. The step of multicasting key management method includes multicasting main key negotiation protocol and multicasting session key distribution protocol. The multicasting main key negotiation protocol comprises key updating informs group, constructing encryption key negotiation request group, constructing key negotiation response group and constructing key negotiation acknowledgement group. The multicasting session key distribution protocol comprises multicasting session key request and multicasting session key distribution.
US08306212B2
A contact center is described and systems, methods, and devices for processing work items within the contact center are provided. An Estimated Contact Handling Time (ECHT) is computed for one or more work items in the contact center and work items are distributed within the contact center at least partially based on the ECHT calculations. Thus, a time-based contact routing mechanism is provided to increase the efficiency with which a contact center operates.
US08306210B2
In one embodiment, method can include: receiving an address in a call agent, the address being associated with a call; triggering a trunk group selection algorithm in response to at least a portion of the received address, the trunk group selection algorithm providing a selection result from among a trunk group placeholder and a plurality of trunk groups; and forwarding the call to a trunk group determined by a caller-associated attribute when the selection result comprises the trunk group placeholder.
US08306206B2
Callback system, transmitting terminal, telephone relay server, callback method and callback program
The callback system comprises: a transmitting terminal which comprises a storing section configured to store an attribute data which is uniquely determined and given, and a transmission request processing section configured to transmit a callback request including the attribute data for starting a callback communication; a database configured to relate and store a callback transmission source telephone number used in the callback communication for each attribute group prepared by collecting a plurality of the attribute data; a charging target judging section configured to receive the callback request and extract the callback transmission source telephone number which corresponding to the attribute data included in the callback request, as a selection callback transmission source telephone number from the database; and a transmission processing section configured to carry out the callback communication with the transmitting terminal, with the selection callback transmission source telephone number as a transmission source telephone number.
US08306204B2
An interface allows a simple control to be shared by one or more conference participants. One exemplary embodiment maps complex techniques associated with conference control into a simple control. The control may be a single slider to adjust both the amount of control and the level of aggressiveness to get the best quality in a dynamic and changing environment. Another exemplary type of control would be to use two sliders—one to select and/or aggregate conference control mechanisms, and the other to adjust the aggressiveness of the selected conference control mechanism or aggregated mechanisms. Another exemplary type of control could be a simple rotary dial to emulate the two-dimensionality of two or more sliders. These controls could have the techniques associated with each position dynamically chosen and/or updated, for example, throughout a conference.
US08306202B2
A system and method for customized caller identification and call routing are disclosed. A disclosed method of providing customized caller identification information for a phone call includes associating a first phone number in a database with a plurality of user specified identifications, selecting one of the plurality of user specified identifications in response to the phone call placed from the first phone number to a second phone number as a function of the second phone number, and providing the selected one of the plurality of identifications to a device associated with the second telephone number.
US08306199B2
An accounting function in a network between originating and terminating networks is disclosed. A transit network node is provided with an appropriate indication regarding its role in inter-operator accounting, for example if it should act as an intermediary node or not. A transit network node configured to function in an appropriate manner to function in an intermediary role in the inter-operator accounting is also disclosed. The intermediary role can be optional.
US08306196B2
The invention is to enable a secure sharing of an internet resource with a partner in conversation by the IP telephone, in simple and inexpensive manner and not requiring cumbersome operations, by a communication terminal only, not relying on another equipment. Internet resource sharing means is provided for a shared utilization of a same internet resource (WEB data, FTP file etc.) among the communication terminals (200, 220) in conversation. The sharing of the internet resource is executed by transmitting/receiving URL information of the desired internet resource by FTP or by an E-mail protocol, or by transmitting/receiving the internet resource itself by an HTTP proxy procedure with the partner communication terminal, in which either of the communication terminal and the partner terminal functions as an HTTP proxy server and the other functions as an HTTP client.The sharing of the internet resource can also be achieved by accessing to a server providing a desired internet resource, and changing the transmitting address of the packet transmitted in such operation to an IP address of the partner in conversation, in such a manner that a response packet of the server is transmitted to the partner in conversation.
US08306178B2
The present invention discloses a vMOS based multi-valued counter unit. The counter unit includes a vMOS source follower and at least a control gate connected the vMOS source follower. The control gate includes a first dual-value D flip-flop, a second dual-value D flip-flop, an AND gate, and an OR gate. The present invention utilizes the vMOS to replace the complicated threshold value operations of the multi-value logic. The current invention implements the true multi-value logic and a multi-base multi-value counter by increasing the number of the dual-value D flip-flop, and connecting the dual-value D flip-flop to the input control gate of the vMOS follower. The present invention applies the asynchronous carry-over concept to implement the multi-digit multi-value counter, and it also has been verified by the simulation of P Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis (SPICE).
US08306145B2
Systems and methods are presented for transmitting additional data over preexisting differential COFDM signals by modulating existing data carriers with a phase and an amplitude offset. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, additional data capacity can be achieved for an COFDM signal which is completely backwards compatible with existing satellite broadcast communications systems. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention additional information can be overlayed on an existing signal as a combination of amplitude and phase offset from the original QPSK symbols, applied for each information bit of the overlay data. With two additional levels of modulation, a receiver can demodulate the information from each of the previous stages and combine the information into a suitable format for soft decoding. The first stage of demodulation will be recovery of overlay data from the amplitude modulated D8PSK. Because other amplitude variations due to multi-path are also expected, the data gathered from the FFT in the receiver must be equalized to the channel conditions. After channel equalization has been performed, soft overlay data can then be derived from the distance off the unit circle. In order to recover the phase modulated overlay data, the equalized symbols must first be differentially demodulated and corrected for any common phase error offset. After common phase removal, overlay phase information can be obtained.
US08306141B2
A method for determining shifting parameters p1 and p2 to be used by a first and a second telecommunication devices for mapping symbols on sub-carriers. The method comprises the steps of: allocating to the first and the second telecommunication device sub-carriers, at least a part of the sub-carriers allocated to the first telecommunication device being allocated to the second telecommunication device, determining the shifting parameter p2, the shifting parameter p2 being even and at least equal to the number of overlapping sub-carriers allocated to both the first and the second telecommunication devices or the shifting parameter p2 being even and at most equal to M2 minus the number of overlapping sub-carriers allocated to both the first and the second telecommunication devices.
US08306137B2
A data processing apparatus maps input symbols to be communicated onto a predetermined number of sub-carrier signals of an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) symbol. The data processor includes an interleaver memory which reads-in the predetermined number of data symbols for mapping onto the OFDM sub-carrier signals. The interleaver memory reads-out the data symbols on to the OFDM sub-carriers to effect the mapping, the read-out being in a different order than the read-in, the order being determined from a set of addresses, with the effect that the data symbols are interleaved on to the sub-carrier signals. The set of addresses are generated from an address generator which comprises a linear feedback shift register and a permutation circuit.
US08306136B2
An orthogonal linear frequency modulation (OLFM) communications system has an OFDM transmitter and receiver communcating data on a series of multiplexed sub-carriers over a communications medium. A linear frequency modulator provided at the transmitter subjects the sub-carriers to linear frequency modulation to produce a series of sub-sweeps for transmission over the communications medium. A linear frequency demodulator at the receiver produces the sub-carriers from the received sub-sweeps for subsequent demodulation to recover the data.
US08306121B2
A method to generate super-resolution images using a sequence of low resolution images is disclosed. The method includes generating an estimated high resolution image, motion estimating between the estimated high resolution image and comparison images from the sequence of low resolution images, motion-compensated back projecting, and motion-free back projecting that results in a super resolved image. A corresponding system for generating super-resolution images includes a high resolution image estimation module, a motion estimating module, a motion-compensated back projection module, a motion-free back projection module, an input interface, and an output interface.
US08306116B2
An image predicting apparatus used in an image encoding apparatus or decoding apparatus and performing encoding or decoding of an image while performing image prediction processing for each macroblock, the image predicting apparatus comprises: a characteristic amount image extracting unit extracting characteristic amount image data from predicted image data obtained as a result of the image prediction processing; a characteristic amount image adjusting unit adjusting the characteristic amount image data according to the predicted image data; and a predicted image combining unit combining the adjusted characteristic amount image data obtained from the characteristic amount image adjusting unit and the predicted image data and outputting the composite predicted image.
US08306114B2
Provided are a method and apparatus for determining coding for coefficients of a residual block, an encoder and a decoder. The method includes generating a residual block by subtracting a motion-compensated prediction block from the current block; frequency-converting coefficients of the residual block into frequency coefficients; frequency-converting coefficients of the motion-compensated prediction block into frequency coefficients; and determining coding for each of the coefficients of the frequency-converted residual block based on the coefficients of the frequency-converted prediction block. Accordingly, the amount of information transferred to a decoder can be reduced by not coding some coefficients of the residual block.
US08306113B2
There is provided a moving picture encoding method based on hierarchical encoding. The method includes the step of encoding a time filtering lower hierarchical signal belonging to a lower hierarchy among signals of respective hierarchies which have been subjected to time-direction filtering and then to hierarchical division and an upper hierarchy time filtering signal obtained by performing time-direction filtering on a signal corresponding to the upper hierarchy of the aforementioned lower hierarchy signal. Thus, decoded signals of all the hierarchies can have image quality equivalent to the decoded image when encoding is performed with a single hierarchy.
US08306108B2
An adaptive canonical Huffman decoder including a symbol index generator, a content selector, and a symbol table buffer circuit is illustrated. The content selector outputs a content selection signal. The symbol table buffer circuit reads a corresponding symbol table from a plurality of symbol tables stored in an external memory according to the content selection signal and stores the corresponding symbol table. The symbol index generator stores decoding information of a plurality of encoding tables and selects a corresponding decoding information among all the decoding information according to the content selection signal. Then, the symbol index generator receives a bit stream and decodes the bit stream according to the corresponding decoding information to obtain a symbol index. After that, the symbol table buffer circuit obtains an output symbol from the corresponding symbol table according to the symbol index.
US08306098B1
A method for displaying a plurality of error measures for an error-containing digitally modulated signal formed of a first and a second orthogonal component includes: determining for each digital value a value for an error-free version of the modulated signal; determining for each digital value a value for the error-containing version of the modulated signal; determining for each digital value a vector difference between the value for the error-containing version of the modulated signal and the respective value for the error-free version of the modulated signal; and displaying the vector differences on a two-dimensional display, each difference being displayed with respect to the respective value for the error-free version of the modulated signal, the display providing the plurality of error measures.
US08306094B1
A device can include a module configured to: receive one or more frames, at least one frame including a training sequence; determine a fine frequency offset using the training sequence; and perform frequency offset compensation on the at least one frame using the fine frequency offset.
US08306091B2
An arrangement (90) for noise rise estimation in a wireless communication system comprises a power measuring means (45) for measuring received total wideband power. A means (52) for computing estimates of a noise floor measure bases its computation on a number of the measured received total wideband powers. A means (80) for calculating values of a biased noise rise measure bases its calculations on a number of received total wideband powers or an estimation derived therefrom and a respective one of the estimates of a noise floor measure. A means (91) for providing a measure representing a long term behaviour of the values of the biased noise rise measure is provided. A means (93) for obtaining a value of a present, unbiased noise rise measure, bases its function on the measure representing a long term behaviour of the values of the biased noise rise measure. A corresponding method is also disclosed.
US08306086B2
A process for fabricating AlGaInN-based photonic devices, such as lasers, capable of emitting blue light employs etching to form device waveguides and mirrors, preferably using a temperature of over 500° C. and an ion beam in excess of 500 V in CAIBE.
US08306073B2
A fiber laser device includes a pumping light source configured to output pumping light having a wavelength λ, and a rare earth-doped fiber, wherein when the intensity change rate of the pumping light with respect to the temperature is denoted by ΔP dB/° C., the wavelength change rate of the pumping light with respect to the temperature is denoted by Δλp nm/° C., the pumping light absorption change rate of the rare earth-doped fiber per unit wavelength change at the wavelength of λ nm when the wavelength of the pumping light changes is denoted by A′(λ) dB/nm, and the pumping light absorption change amount of the rare earth-doped fiber per unit temperature change at the wavelength of λ nm when the temperature of the rare earth-doped fiber changes is denoted by ΔA(λ) dB/° C., the wavelength λ of the pumping light is such a wavelength λ that ΔP, Δλp×A′(λ) and ΔA(λ) compensate with each other.
US08306070B2
Certain aspects of a method and system for speed negotiation for twisted pair links using intelligent elastic first-in-first-out (E-FIFO) in fiber channel systems are disclosed. Aspects of a method may include determination of a priority level based on amount of data in at least one elastic FIFO (E-FIFO) buffer communicatively coupled to at least one of the fiber channel host devices. The E-FIFO buffer may be modified either by insertion or deletion of IDLE words or words from an order set based on the determined priority level. The data may be synchronously communicated between fiber channel host devices communicatively coupled via the twisted pair link based on the modified elastic buffer.
US08306069B2
The invention relates to synchronization applied to a data stream structured as super-frames. Each block in a super-frame comprises a slow synchronization part and at least one traffic frame. The slow synchronization parts in the super-frame result at least from a decomposition of a synchronization management word. Additional synchronization parts similar to the slow synchronization parts and distributed in place of traffic frame bits in the super-frame are inserted in the super-frame. The invention provides for fast synchronization coexisting with a pre-existing slow synchronization without increasing the bandwidth. The invention is particularly applicable to cryptographic synchronization between fixed and/or mobile terminal equipments operating in interconnected dissimilar networks whose synchronization time constants differ.
US08306065B2
A distribution apparatus includes a packet divider which divides contents data into multiple contents data and packetizing each of the divided contents data to generate a transfer packet. A priority degree setter assigns a phase to each transfer packet generated by the packet divider according to each position in contents data and sets, for each transfer packet to which the phase has been assigned, a priority degree indicating the degree of priority of being transmitted to a transmission destination. A packet transmitter transmits the transfer packets to which the priority degrees have been set by the priority degree setter, beginning with the top of the contents data. A phase controller, when one round of transmission of all the transfer packets by the packet transmitter ends, performs control so that the phase assigned to each of the transfer packets is changed.
US08306060B2
A system and method for efficiently communicating uncompressed video and for efficiently communicating corresponding acknowledgements in a system for wireless communication of uncompressed video are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes aggregating multiple subpackets of different types of data into a composite packet. The different types of data may include video, audio, control data, extraneous data files, and others. A robust composite packet configuration can provide for more flexible and more efficient transmission of data on the high rate channel as well as more efficient transmission of acknowledgements on the low rate channel.
US08306054B2
Provided is an apparatus and method for providing and updating PDG information. In a method for updating PDG information in a terminal, an instruction indicating an update of PDG information is received from a network apparatus. PDG information is received from the network apparatus and the received PDG information is stored in a storage unit to perform an update operation.
US08306052B2
A packet-switched WDMA ring network has an architecture utilizing packet stacking and unstacking for enabling nodes to access the entire link capacity by transmitting and receiving packets on available wavelengths. Packets are added and dropped from the ring by optical switches. A flexible credit-based MAC protocol along with an admission algorithm enhance the network throughput capacity.
US08306051B2
A communication protocol for a lighting control system having a plurality of control devices coupled to a communication link uses a polling technique to coordinate the transmission of digital messages between the control devices. When the control devices are powered up, one of the control devices is established as a “master” device. During normal operation, the master device transmits a standard poll message to each of the control devices in succession using a unique semi-permanent Poll ID for each of the control devices. The master device periodically transmits a Poll-ID-Request poll message to the control devices allow those devices that do not have a Poll ID to request a Poll ID. If a control device determines either that the master device is not transmitting poll messages to it, or that another control device has the same Poll ID, the control device drops its Poll ID and acquires another Poll ID.
US08306049B2
Embodiments are disclosed herein that relate to multicast subscription based on forward error correction. One disclosed embodiment comprises a network-accessible server having a data-holding subsystem holding instructions executable by a logic subsystem to receive a content item, and form a first version of the content item having a first level of forward error correction and a second version of the content item having a second level of forward error correction. The instructions are further executable to stream the first version of the content item to a first multicast address, and while streaming the first version of the content item, stream the second version of the content item to a second multicast address.
US08306034B2
A method for communicating additional network information using a synchronization identifier is presented. A synchronization identifier is defined. The synchronization identifier is used for the purpose of synchronizing communication between a Mobile Station (MS) and a network. In addition, the synchronization identifier is used to define additional functionality in the wireless network. As such, the synchronization identifier may be used to communicate information about wireless services and/or wireless components between the MS and the network.
US08306031B2
A method of performing wireless communications. The method receives at a receiving unit a sequence of data blocks from a transmitting unit. The method also identifies at the receiving unit a first number of invalid sequential data blocks in the sequence and a second number of valid sequential data blocks in the sequence. The method also communicates from the receiving unit a wireless message to the transmitting unit. The wireless message comprises a first field that specifies the first number and a second field that specifies the second number—the encoding of the first field is operable to specify a different maximum than an encoding of the second field.
US08306030B1
A communication system comprises an origination system configured to transmit session traffic, a traffic processing system configured to receive the session traffic from the origination system, multiplex the session traffic to virtual channels based on a plurality of vectors, transmit the plurality of vectors to a destination system, and transmit the session traffic over the virtual channels to the destination system, and a destination system configured to receive the session traffic and de-multiplex the session traffic based on the plurality of vectors.
US08306027B2
A method for multicast load balancing in a wireless network having a plurality of access points. The method includes setting a maximum Internet protocol multicast bandwidth for the access points, receiving an admissions control request from a client at one of the access points, and determining whether the admissions control request from the client is for an admitted or unadmitted multicast stream at the access point. The access point is responsive to the admissions control request for the admitted multicast stream by servicing the admitted multicast stream and to the admissions control request for the unadmitted multicast stream by servicing the unadmitted multicast stream where the bandwidth required for the unadmitted multicast stream, plus that portion of the access point bandwidth currently used for all existing downlink multicast streams, does not exceed the maximum internet protocol multicast bandwidth for the access point.
US08306022B1
The present invention is directed to mechanisms for content-aware redirection and content exchange/content discovery that permit a request for content to be redirected to a particular advantageous server that can serve the content.
US08306014B1
A first network device including: a first clock module configured to generate a first clock signal; and a first clock control module configured to control the first clock signal to have a first frequency. The first clock control module includes a report reception and analysis module configured to: analyze a first signal, received from a second network device, to determine whether a second frequency of a second clock signal associated with the second network device requires adjustment in order to be synchronized with the first frequency of the first clock signal; and in response to the second frequency of the second clock signal requiring adjustment, generate a second signal to be transmitted via the antenna to the second network device, wherein the second signal is useable by the second network device to synchronize the second frequency of the second clock signal to the first frequency of the first clock signal.
US08306011B2
A device includes a processor and a time slot assigner, connected to a communication line via a physical layer unit. The physical layer unit is adapted to generate a communication line clock signal and a multi-frame synchronization signal. The device also includes a transmit media access controller (MAC) adapted to receive the multi-frame synchronization signal and the communication line clock signal and in response to scan, during a single multi-frame transmission period, multiple transmit MAC memory entry groups such as to retrieve transmission instructions and in response to enable access to the communication line. During a single multi-frame transmission period the transmit MAC accesses at least twice at least one transmit MAC memory entry group. The processor receives a processor clock signal that differs from the communication line clock signal. The MAC also performs reception operations using receive clock and sync signals.
US08306006B2
A resource allocation method based on block repeat division multiple access, involves the steps of: distributing the usable BRBG according to the service requirement of a user; distributing RC series for the said distributed BRBG. The present invention also provides a resource management method based on block repeat division multiple access, which involves the steps of: detecting the operation environment in a district for a period of time; adjusting the number of the BRB in the BRBG of the district, according to the operation environment of the district. The present invention also provides the resource allocation/management device based on block repeat division multiple access.
US08305992B2
A method supporting relocation of an Internet Protocol session during a network layer handover is provided. Application context information is sent to a device. The application context information indicates activities to be executed pro-actively before a network layer handover and includes a requested communication requirement. A first message is received from the device that includes a first indicator indicating whether or not the device can satisfy the requested communication requirement. If the first indicator indicates that the device cannot satisfy the requested communication requirement, the application context information is sent to another device, and a second message is received from the other device. The second message includes a second indicator indicating whether or not the other device can satisfy the requested communication requirement. If the second indicator indicates that the other device can satisfy the requested communication requirement, the other device is selected as a target access router for the network layer handover.
US08305991B1
A method and apparatus for handing off packet-transmission between sectors of a wireless communication system is disclosed herein. During transmission of a packet from an access network to an access terminal, the access terminal determines that the packet should theoretically be transmitted to the access terminal in fewer timeslots in another sector than the number of allowed timeslots remaining for the packet transmission in a current sector. In response, the access terminal abandons packet transmission in the current sector and hands off to the other sector, in an effort to increase throughput and save air interface resources.
US08305990B2
The high quality PCS communications are enabled in environments where adjacent PCS service bands operate with out-of-band harmonics that would otherwise interfere with the system's operation. The highly bandwidth-efficient communications method combines a form of time division duplex (TDD), frequency division duplex (FDD), time division multiple access (TDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), spatial diversity, and polarization diversity in various unique combinations. The method provides excellent fade resistance. The method enables changing a user's available bandwidth on demand by assigning additional TDMA slots during the user's session.
US08305983B2
A method and apparatus for enabling registration of an endpoint device that is incapable of supporting a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) based Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) registration are disclosed. For example, the method performs a static registration of the endpoint device in a plurality network elements associated with an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network by provisioning that is initiated by a service provider of the IMS network. The method processes an originating call request or a terminating call request associated with the endpoint device by an Application Server (AS) using the static registration, wherein the application server is one of the plurality network elements.
US08305977B2
Apparatuses of a base station and terminal in a wireless communication system and their operating methods are provided. An operating method of a base station in a broadband wireless communication system includes determining whether to relocate at least one persistently allocated resource, when it is determined to relocate the at least one persistently allocated resource, relocating the at least one persistently allocated resource, generating a resource relocation Information Element (IE) indicative of the resource relocation using an offset of a Resource Block (RB), and transmitting the resource relocation IE.
US08305967B2
Provided is a subframe scheduling method in which a relay may transmit interval information of a service to a base station, and the base station may modify a location of a subframe based on the interval information, and thereby preventing a quality deterioration occurring due to a retransmission failure. The subframe scheduling method may include: setting and transmitting, by a base station, subframe information; setting and implementing, by a relay, a service based on the subframe information; transmitting, by the relay, interval information of the service to the base station; modifying, by the base station, the subframe information based on the interval information; and transmitting, by the base station, the modified subframe information to the relay.
US08305958B2
A method and system for advanced media access control delegated from a host device, such as a WiFi device, to a smart wireless communications module. In an embodiment, the host signals to the wireless module a list of one or more preferred networks. The wireless module offloads from the host the processing required to scan for the preferred network(s), as well as possibly other management tasks. The wireless communications module may automatically reassign the network connection from an existing network to a preferred network, or may report to the host when a preferred network is discovered. In either case, the wireless communications module may monitor the wireless environment, and scan for preferred networks, in parallel with maintaining an existing connection. The method and system allows rapid adaptation to a changing network environment, and enables lower system power consumption by distributing management functions between the host and the lower-powered wireless communications module.
US08305957B2
Apparatus, computer program products and methods operate an electronic device to determine an operating mode of a controlled electronic device operating in the wireless communications network; to generate a control signal in dependence on the operating mode of the controlled electronic device; to configure the control signal in a pre-determined manner in dependence on the operating mode of the controlled electronic device, wherein the pre-determined manner is known to both the electronic device and to the controlled electronic device; and to operate the radio apparatus to transmit the control signal to the controlled electronic device. In a variant, apparatus, computer program products and methods operate an electronic device to receive a control signal from a controlling electronic device operative in the wireless communications network, the control signal configured by the controlling electronic device in a predetermined manner known to both the controlling electronic device and the electronic device in dependence on an operating mode of the electronic device; and to decode the control signal using knowledge of the predetermined manner in which the control signal was configured by the controlling electronic device.
US08305955B2
Aspects of a method and system for communication are provided. In this regard, a femtocell may receive messages from a plurality of different sources comprising one or more other femtocells, one or more cellular enabled communication devices, and one or more non-cellular network nodes. The femtocell may select, based on the received messages, a master clock within one of the plurality of different sources as a master clock for synchronization of the plurality of different sources. A femtocell clock, a global navigational satellite signal (GNSS) clock, a cellular base station clock, or a cellular enabled communication device clock may be selected as the master clock. The femtocell may transmit and/or receive synchronization messages to and/or from the one or more cellular enabled communication devices and the one or more non-cellular network nodes.
US08305949B2
A method of OFDM transmission/reception comprising: transmitting broadcast/multicast signals on a first antenna and unicast signals on a second antenna; segregating broadcast/multicast sub-channelization from unicast channels sub-channelization based on FDM (frequency division multiplexing)/TDM (time division multiplexing) sub-channelization.
US08305947B2
A network interface device (NID) may determine whether the received data units of a computer system are to be compressed before transmitting the data units. The NID may determine the compression energy value consumed to compress the first K1 data units and a second transmission energy value to transmit the compressed first K1 data units. The NID may then estimate a first transmission energy value that may be consumed by the NID to transmit uncompressed first K1 data units using the second transmission energy value. The NID may then use the first and second transmission energy value and the compression energy value to determine if the remaining (N-K1) data units of the first data stream should be compressed.
US08305946B2
An intermittent operation communication device periodically repeats beacon transmission, data reception or data reception wait, and sleep to transmit data to any of reception side communication devices. The intermittent operation communication device includes a data transmitter for performing transmission when receiving a beacon from any of the reception side communication devices and having data traffic generated meant for a reception side communication device, a transmission announcer for intermittently transmitting a transmission announcement beacon while waiting for reception when having the data traffic generated, and an adjuster for monitoring a transmission announcement beacon from any other of the intermittent operation communication devices to adjust the transmission of the data traffic.
US08305944B2
A method for transmitting control information includes receiving a control information request, transmitting primary control information responding the control information request through a primary control channel and transmitting secondary control information responding the control information request through a secondary control channel, wherein the primary control channel uses data subcarriers and the secondary control channel uses pilot subcarriers.
US08305940B2
A telephone service, particularly a telephone supplementary service communication system having an IP telephone control apparatus and an IP telephone terminal. A telephone supplementary service communication control system for the service communicate system is comprised of a specified voice terminal and a plurality of telephone supplementary service terminals registered to link with the same and including a communication control apparatus registering linking of the specified voice terminal and the plurality of telephone supplementary service terminals as a single virtual terminal and managing and controlling the running and termination of these linked terminals, wherein the communication control apparatus comprises a supplementary service starting unit monitoring the communication start state of the voice terminal and starting the supplementary service by the telephone supplementary service terminal linked with the voice terminal.
US08305939B2
A system and method for controlling a peer-to-peer, unmoderated conference call, which allows a non-talking conferee to send an in-band interrupt request signal which is detected by the conference bridge, which automatically determines which conferee is currently talking, and continuously sends an alert signal to the talking conferee, but prevents transmission of alert signal and interrupt request signal to all other, non-speaking conferees. When the talking conferee quits talking, or acknowledges the interrupt request, or a timeout occurs, alert signal is discontinued, and the request conferee (or another conferee) may speak. Optionally, after a timeout occurs, the voice of the currently speaking conferee is removed from the conference summation, effectively muting the non-yielding conferee.
US08305933B2
A method, apparatus, and system for discovering devices on a local area network. The method comprises sending a DNS request from a host networking element, receiving the DNS request at one or more devices, and responding to the host networking element with one or more DNS responses. The DNS request comprises one or more particular domain names. The one or more DNS responses comprise local network address information for the one or more VoIP devices. The apparatus comprises means for filtering a set of network traffic for a DNS request, means for responding to a DNS request with a local network address, and means for forwarding the DNS request to another device. The system comprises a computer for generating a DNS request for a particular domain, and one or more VoIP devices for receiving the DNS request and sending a DNS response to the computer with a local network address for the VoIP device.
US08305931B2
A method and/or system is configured to improve the results of an auto-detection of network devices based on the causes of detection failures in preceding runs of the auto-detection process. As each device that is believed to be in the network is found to be undiscovered, the identification of the device and information regarding the cause(s) of non-discovery are stored. Prior to the next auto-detection run, one or more of the discovery parameters are modified, based on the causes associated with the undiscovered devices. The extent to which the discovery parameters are modified is preferably based on the apparent stability of the network, or upon the detection of changes to the network.
US08305927B2
A wireless network construction system includes: first wireless nodes being previously installed in a wireless network; a wireless node installation support terminal carried in a location capable of conducting wireless communication, the wireless node installation support terminal serving as a wireless node being previously installed in the wireless network; and a second wireless node being newly installed in the wireless network and adjacent to the wireless node installation support terminal. The second wireless node performs a procedure of participation in the wireless network via the wireless node installation support terminal using the wireless communication. The wireless node installation support terminal allocates and distributes a network address to the second wireless node upon performing the procedure of participation in the wireless network. The second wireless node performs a path search and establishes a wireless line between the first wireless nodes and the second wireless node.
