US08317286B2
A method for performing duplex printing enables increased throughput in an indirect printing system. The method includes measuring a coverage parameter for image data to be printed, and transforming operation of the printer from a first printing process timing sequence to a second printing process timing sequence in response to the coverage parameter exceeding a predetermined threshold.
US08317282B2
An image forming apparatus includes a head to eject liquid droplets, a sub-tank having a container to store an amount of liquid supplied to the head, a negative pressure generator unit generating a negative pressure and an air introducing mechanism to introduce air, a main-tank to supply the amount of liquid into the sub-tank, a pressure detector unit to detect a pressure inside the sub-tank, and a controller to control an image forming operation using a remaining amount of liquid in the sub-tank while the main-tank is at an end status, where the controller determines whether the pressure inside the sub-tank is within a normal range, causes, if the detected pressure is not within the normal range, the air introducing mechanism to introduce air to raise the pressure inside the sub-tank, and causes the head to eject non-image forming liquid to cause the pressure to fall within the normal range.
US08317271B1
A support vest, for limiting movement of a person in a chair, has a body that includes a central section adapted to fit against an anterior portion of the trunk of the person. A pair of shoulder straps project upward from the central section to fit against the person's shoulders. The body is formed by a resilient perforated core pad and layers a mesh fabric that abut the major surfaces of the core pad. A outer cover abuts one of the second layer of a mesh fabric layers and is formed by a resilient perforated nucleus pad encased is a breathable fabric. This layered body is breathable and has materials that wick perspiration away from the person.
US08317267B2
An ergonomic chair comprising a saddle seat, frame, and shin supports that are adjustable in position and orientation with respect to the saddle seat. The saddle seat is adjustable in terms of the width of the portion of the seat supporting the user's thighs. The shin supports are adjustable with respect to the position of the saddle seat in three degrees of freedom and freely rotate in a fourth degree of freedom. In one embodiment, the frame comprises a rocking mechanism allowing the seat to rock forward and back.
US08317265B2
A car seat includes a seat member on which the child is transported and a separable base member that is mounted to the vehicle seat via the vehicle seat belt which is passed through side openings in the base member and trapped in a belt latch apparatus to secure the base member to the vehicle seat. The seat member is mounted on the base member in either a forward-facing orientation or a rear-facing orientation. The base member includes a pair of upper and lower recline slots that receive latch pins securing the seat member to the base member. A recline apparatus carried by the seat member engages a central control rack on the base member to lock the seat member in a selected recline position. In the rear-facing position, the seat member is positionable in different orientations to compensate for the angle at which the vehicle seat is formed.
US08317258B2
A frame body comprises a first face portion on which a compressive force acts in case a load is applied, a second face portion on which a tensional force acts, and third and fourth face portions which connect the first and second face portions. The third and fourth face portions are respectively equipped with a reinforcing member which comprises a base portion which is away from the frame body and plural base portions which project from the base portion and are joined to the frame body. The convex portions have plural convexities which are arranged so as to extend both in the longitudinal and sectional directions of a frame.
US08317244B1
An offset hoisting apparatus comprises a rigid boom having a hook at a distal end thereof. The offset hoisting apparatus further includes a front mount having a front boom aperture and a rear mount having a rear boom aperture, each being adapted for confining the boom to slidably move therethrough. The invention has a slip collar having a slip collar boom aperture therein for receiving the boom therethrough and an offset hoisting apparatus attachment having a flexible linkage fixed at a distal end thereof with the slip collar. The boom is selectively slid between a retracted and an extended position and the load is secured to the hook. The crane apparatus then lifts and positions the load to a building.
US08317233B2
A coupling apparatus that may have a first component having a first sealing surface and a second component having a second sealing surface. The first and second sealing surfaces are in facing relationship with one another when the first and second components are coupled together. One of the first and second sealing surfaces has a metallic film layer that transforms into a liquefied metal layer when the metallic film layer is exposed to a temperature that exceeds a melting temperature of a metal from which the metallic film layer is formed. The liquefied metal layer forms a seal between the sealing surfaces.
US08317228B2
A belt tensioner of a vehicle occupant restraint system, especially a belt buckle tensioner, comprises a coupling member (12) to the vehicle seat belt, a drive unit (18), a flexible tension transmitting means (14) and a deflector (26). The flexible tension transmitting means (14) is connected at least indirectly to the coupling member (12) and is moved via the drive unit (18) in the event of tensioning. The deflector (26) deflects the tension transmitting means (14) in the direction of the coupling member (12). The tension transmitting means (14) is moved along the deflector (26) in the event of tensioning. According to the invention, the drive unit (18) is coupled in terms of drive to the deflector (26) such that the drive unit (18) moves the deflector (26) upon activation and thus displaces the coupling member (12) in the tensioning direction (R).
US08317227B2
A car body is provided for a motor vehicle that includes, but is not limited to a structural unit including a rear frame structure with a rear axle and mountings for a fuel tank or an electric accumulator. The structural unit is fixed on a bottom plate of the car body. A correspondingly designed rear frame structure makes it possible to selectively equip the motor vehicle for drives with an internal combustion or purely electric drives or hybrid drives.
US08317225B2
A semi-trailer landing gear, in particular to support trailers, with a support element which includes an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve and which can be displaced in a telescopic manner in relation to the height. The outer sleeve includes a securing flange which can be applied to a vehicle. The aim of the invention is to develop a semi-trailer landing gear which is economical to produce and can also withstand high loads. The aim is achieved by virtue of the fact that the outer sleeve and the securing flange are made of a single piece of flat steel by edge rolling.
US08317219B2
A rolling cart for transporting items commonly used at outdoor gatherings in a secure and convenient manner. The cart comprises a frame having two or more tires 20, an open-ended bag connected to the frame, and a strap that holds one or more items of equipment against the frame. The strap is positioned near the open end of the bag and is used to cinch equipment that extends outside the bag against the frame.
US08317217B2
A ski skin includes a directionally oriented flock applied to a carrier surface. The flocked textile material may be further processed directly (glue application, assembly) as skin, or it may be laminated onto other, additional carriers. The fibers of the directionally oriented flock extend at an acute angle relative to the carrier layer.
US08317209B2
A wheel axle suspension for suspending a round hollow axle (10) from a vehicle comprises on both sides of the vehicle a trailing arm (1,41,51) to which the axle (10) is attached. The trailing arm is hingedly connected at the front to a bearing bracket (42) which is arranged on the vehicle chassis (43). A pneumatic spring (44) is operational between the trailing arm and the chassis. The axle body bears directly against a contact region (5,45,55) of the trailing arm. The contact region is essentially complementary to the outer contour of the axle body, wherein, on that side of the axle body opposite the contact region, a support part (20,46,56) is provided with a recess (21) for accommodating the axle. The support part is clamped against the axle by means of clamping means (23,24,47,48). At the location of the contact region, the trailing arm is wider than in the region (2,41a, 52) which is situated immediately in front thereof.
US08317204B2
A dolly according includes a deck and a plurality of casters extending downward below the deck. A connector is pivotably connected to the deck and is selectively pivotable between a retracted position and a connecting position. The deck also includes a receiver for receiving the connector of a similar dolly adjacent thereto to connect the dolly to the similar dolly.
US08317201B2
The present invention relates to a machine arranged to operate in explosive environments, comprising a rotatable shaft (16) extending through a stationary part (10) of said machine, a gland (20) which is mounted in said stationary part (10) and which is provided with a through hole in order to accommodate said rotatable shaft (16) such that a flame path is provided between the rotatable shaft (16) and the gland (20). The invention is characterized in that the machine comprises dampening means (42) arranged between and separates the gland (16) and the stationary part (10) in the axial and radial directions such that a flame path (50, 56) is provided, the dampening means (42) maintaining the flame path (50, 56) and permitting axial and radial movement of the gland (20) in relation to the stationary part (10) upon rotation of the rotatable shaft (16).
US08317200B2
Precompressed sealing tape for sealing a joint has a foam strip and a foil-type wrapping, which completely surrounds the foam strip and thus holds it in a precompressed state. A first transverse surface of the foam strip is pressed against a strip-like element, which is arranged inside the wrapping and has a certain resistance to bending in the transverse direction of the foam strip. A second transverse surface of the foam strip, which is arranged opposite to the first transverse surface, is firmly connected to the foil-type wrapping.
US08317194B2
There is described an apparatus for guiding a value document along a portion of a transport path in a specified transport direction, having a film forming device which is configured for respectively forming on mutually opposing sides of the transport path portion a film of gas flowing in the transport direction, the film extending at least over the total width of the transport path portion and thus the total width of value documents transported along the transport path, so that the value documents are guided between the gas films.
US08317192B2
A sheet conveyance unit includes first and second conveyance rollers facing each other, a first stopper provided at an axial end portion of the first conveyance roller, projecting radially beyond a circumferential surface of the first conveyance roller, downstream rollers positioned downstream from the first and second conveyance rollers in a sheet conveyance direction, an engaging and disengaging unit to disengage the first and second conveyance rollers from each other, and a controller. The first stopper rotates to a contact position projecting into the sheet conveyance path and to a non-contact position away from the sheet conveyance path as the first conveyance roller rotates. The first stopper moves to the non-contact position after stopping a sheet. The first and second conveyance rollers are disengaged from each other after a leading end of the sheet reaches the downstream rollers, before the first stopper moves to the contact position.
US08317178B2
A bookbinding system includes an image forming apparatus, a plurality of post-processing apparatuses, a controller, and an operation-and-display unit. The image forming apparatus forms images on recording media and outputs the recording media. The plurality of post-processing apparatuses is connected to the image forming apparatus and includes at least a folding apparatus and a ring-binding apparatus. The folding apparatus folds the recording media according to a plurality of folding types including at least Z-shape folding and double folding. The ring-binding apparatus binds the recording media with a ring. The controller is communicatively connected to the image forming apparatus and the plurality of post-processing apparatuses and prevents simultaneous selection of ring binding and a folding type incompatible with ring binding. The operation-and-display unit displays an indication that ring binding and the folding type incompatible with ring binding are not simultaneously selectable.
US08317175B2
A manipulator includes a driving member, a sliding rod and a sleeve. The sliding rod includes an expanding portion on an end thereof. The sleeve includes at least two expanding sections on an end thereof. The driving member drives the sleeve to slide along the sliding rod. The two or more expanding sections are elastically bent outward via pressing against the expanding portion, and are resumed to their original shape and positions via detaching from the expanding portion.
US08317173B2
A vibration damping system includes a laminated body (3) formed by alternately laminating rigid hard plates (4) and viscoelastic soft plates (5), and pair of shoe plates (1, 2) at both ends in the laminating direction of the laminated body (3), to form a vibration damping body (6). The show plates (1, 2) are connected to each other by a displacement restriction member (7), so as to applying a pre-compression to the laminated body. The vibration damping body (6) is divided into a plurality of segments (3A, 3B, 3C) in the laminating direction, for allowing the vibration-proof main body (6) to be separated and displaced at the parting faces (8), without causing an excessive tensile force in the vibration damping system, even if the displacement restriction member (7) has worn to degrade the pre-compression function and a tensile force is applied due to a prying deformation. Thus, the soft members (5) of the laminated body (3) are effectively protected from isostatic fracture, to provide a significantly improved durability of the vibration damping system.
US08317166B2
A liquid collection and distribution device is provided to support a bed of packing material and to collect liquid exiting the bed and redistribute it to an underlying bed of packing material with improved compositional and volumetric flow uniformity. The liquid collection and distribution device includes a liquid collector, a liquid distributor, and a lattice-type framework positioned between and supporting the liquid collector and the liquid distributor. In addition to supporting the liquid collector and liquid distributor, the framework has internal fluid passages that convey the liquid from the liquid collector to the liquid distributor while shielding the liquid from ascend vapor or gas flow.
US08317151B1
A bracket is provided for mounting an antenna onto a well disposed on a gun turret. The antenna (for receiving GPS signals) has an exposed dome and a connector extending underneath the dome. The bracket includes a substantially cylindrical housing that contains an internal chamber. The housing has proximal and distal ends along a longitudinal axis. The distal end has a first surface for attaching to the well. A flange disposed at the proximal end provides a surface onto which the antenna mounts. The connector can be inserted into the chamber. A male-threaded boss extends from the distal end to insert into a female-threaded well disposed on the turret.
US08317150B2
A shipping base shaped like a square, truncated pyramid for use with a washing machine of the type having an undercarriage suspended below the wash tub. The shipping base has an opening in the top of the truncated pyramid into which the washing machine undercarriage is lowered until the undercarriage is suspended within the space defined by base, and an integrally formed frame-like pallet for supporting the washing machine. The opening is only slightly larger than the dimensions of the undercarriage so that the shipping base prevents any significant lateral movement of the undercarriage or the washing machine tub.
US08317147B1
A solar light stick holder comprising a single wire having a first end and a second end, a first extension arm and a second extension arm, a connecting base, a first holder-loop and a second holder-loop. The first end and second end each forms a loop for holding the solar light stick. The connecting base comprises at least one screw-loop to secure the holder to a fixture.
US08317146B2
A supporting device is installed between an auxiliary display unit and a main display unit to variously change the position and pose of the auxiliary display unit and a dual display unit having the same are disclosed. The dual display unit includes a main display unit which displays an image, a supporting device which is coupled to the main display unit, and an auxiliary display unit which is installed on the supporting device. The supporting device is configured to adjust the distance between the main display unit and the auxiliary display unit.
US08317143B1
An accessory for suspending pots for flowers having a band assembly and at least one suspending assembly. The band assembly has a sidewall extending between a top edge and a bottom edge. The sidewall has at least one set of outwardly protruding sidewalls a predetermined distance from the sidewall to define a cavity. The at least one set of outwardly protruding sidewalls are connected by a front wall having a notched cutout. The band assembly is at a first predetermined angle when mounted. The at least one suspending assembly has an exterior wall, a neck, and a head. The neck fits within the notched cutout and the head fits within the cavity. The suspending assembly suspends a container having greenery. The at least one suspending assembly remains approximately in a second predetermined angle, which is approximately in a horizontal orientation regardless of the first predetermined angle.
US08317142B2
A mounting bracket connects a water pipe fastened to an eared fitting to a support bar in a building. The bracket has an isolator made of a material selected to substantially reduce the transmission of noise and wrapped around the support bar. The bracket has a stiff shell wrapped around a periphery of the support bar and has two opposing ends. The shell is sized to clamp the isolator against the support bar during use as the ends are moved toward each other with sufficient force that there is a tight clamp resulting in little relative movement between the shell and the support during use. The shell has a mounting portion for the eared fitting. The bracket also has a fastening mechanism to hold the ends together and to fasten the eared fitting to the mounting portion during use of the bracket. The fastening mechanism clamps the ends together to restrain relative movement of the shell and support bar. For telescoping support bars an adaptor is interposed between the isolator and the smaller, inner telescoping member of the support bar to make the support bar a uniform size at the location of the bracket.
US08317129B1
Apparatus and methods provide for an engine nozzle having a universal convergent nozzle and a distinct nozzle aperture. Aspects of the disclosure provide a universal convergent nozzle that includes a nozzle throat and is attachable at a first end to an aircraft engine and at a second end to a distinct nozzle aperture. While the distinct nozzle aperture may include features that are specific to the corresponding engine mounting location, the universal convergent nozzle may be interchangeably used with any engine and distinct nozzle aperture at any engine mounting location. The configuration of the universal convergent nozzle ensures consistent engine performance and engine exhaust plume conditioning across all engine mounting locations, irrespective of the distinct nozzle aperture features downstream of the universal convergent nozzle.
US08317127B2
A drip pan apparatus for a “M” model BLACK HAWK® helicopter and the like includes an expanded corner structure for accommodating an access port also positioned further outwardly in the corner than in prior drip pan apparatuses, facilitating filter viewing while retaining peripheral o-ring seal. An expanded corner of the airframe skirt is accommodated by the expanded corresponding corner of a frame, which also defines a small radius internal curve. The removable pan has a small radius curve cooperating with the small radius curve of the frame and is sealed thereto by the peripheral o-ring seal sealing the entire pan to the frame. Physical access to the filter is enhanced.
US08317124B2
A film packing device has a handle. The handle is pivotally connected with a film packing unit and a roller unit. The film packing unit has an axle tube, a first rolling member and a second rolling member. A roll of film is fitted on the axle tube with the axle tube to provide a support effect for the user to pack an object in a quick, simply and convenient way.
US08317112B2
A valve seat (16′) for a fuel injector (10) includes a main body (27) having a proximal and a distal end with at least one orifice (24) extending through the main body. A seating surface (22) is provided on the main body to receive a closure member (20) of a fuel injector such that when the closure member engages the seating surface, the at least one orifice is closed. A guide surface (36) is provided on the main body to guide movement of the closure member. An annular wall (26) extends in a cantilever manner from the main body at the distal end thereof and defines an outer peripheral portion of the valve seat. The wall is constructed and arranged to deform during welding at the wall so as to isolate effects of the welding from the seating surface and the guide surface.
US08317110B2
A water-and-hot-water mixing device includes a mixing valve unit which mixes hot water and water and discharges mixed water therefrom, an operation part which sets a predetermined temperature, a mixed water thermistor which detects a temperature of mixed water, a hot-water thermistor which detects a temperature of hot water supplied to the mixing valve unit, and a controller which performs a feedback control of a discharge water temperature by controlling the mixing valve unit. The controller starts the feedback control when the controller determines that a change amount of the temperature of the hot water per unit time detected by the hot-water thermistor is not more than a fixed value and the temperature of the hot water detected by the hot-water thermistor is not lower than the predetermined temperature.
US08317105B2
A method of unlocking restricted extended classes of features and functionalities embodied within an optical scanning system having an extended programming mode. The method involves providing an optical scanning system supporting baseline classes of features and functionalities, and having an extended feature class programming mode for programming extended classes of features and functionalities, in addition to the baseline classes of features and functionalities. A license key is assigned to the optical scanning system, for unlocking at least one of the extended classes of features and functionalities, and programming the optical scanning system to operate with at least one of the extended classes of feature and functionalities, in addition to the baseline classes of features and functionalities. A license is procured to unlock and use at least one of the extended classes of feature and functionalities, and obtaining said license key assigned to the optical scanning system. The said optical scanning system is caused to operate in the extended feature class programming. While the optical scanning system is operating in the extended feature class programming, the license key is used to unlock at least one of the extended classes of features and functionalities, and program the optical scanning system to operate with at least one of the extended classes of feature and functionalities, in addition to the baseline classes of features and functionalities.
US08317096B2
A data and management framework of a smart card terminal functions to provide interoperability between the smart card terminal and a smart card, and in particular between applications of the terminal and the card. An application program interface (API) is written to the data and management framework, which is part of a smart card terminal infrastructure that accesses and processes, by the smart card terminal, a smart card application contained on the smart card. The API provides information related to the smart card application to the terminal in order to allow a corresponding terminal application to incorporate the information for communication between the two applications. Additionally, a security model and policies related to the smart card may be enforced by the smart card terminal.
US08317094B2
A method for displaying loyalty program information on a payment card using a computer coupled to a database is described. The payment card includes a processing device coupled to a display screen. The method includes receiving, at the computer, a loyalty program request message that includes payment card identification data. The payment card identification data is associated with the payment card. The method also includes determining that the payment card is registered in a loyalty program based on the payment card identification data and cardholder account data stored in the database. The method also includes electronically generating a loyalty program response message that includes loyalty program update data. The method further includes transmitting the loyalty program update data from the computer to the payment card for displaying as loyalty program information on the display screen.
US08317091B2
A sheet processing machine transmits information indicating a degree of contamination or damage for each sheet detected by a discrimination unit to a teller PC as a discrimination result. The teller PC saves the discrimination result received from the sheet processing machine in a data storage unit. A CPU of the teller PC decides reference levels that can attain good bill ratio designated by the user for respective items required to discriminate good/bad states of a sheet based on the previous discrimination results saved in the data storage unit. The CPU of the teller PC sets the reference levels that can attain the good bill ratio designated by the user in the discrimination unit of the sheet processing machine. The discrimination unit set with such reference levels discriminates good/bad states of sheets based on the reference levels set by the teller PC.
US08317090B2
A system and computer-based method for performing a financial transaction using an interchange computer coupled to a database, the interchange computer and database associated with an interchange network, the transaction initiated by a cardholder with a merchant. The method includes receiving, at the interchange computer, a payer authentication request message from the merchant, the payer authentication request message associated with the cardholder and including data representing at least one of transaction card brands supported for payment, a response time limit, and item purchase information. The cardholder is prompted to enter access credential information. The entered access credential information is verified at the interchange computer. The cardholder is prompted to select a transaction card from one or more transaction cards associated with the cardholder. A payer authentication response message including transaction card data associated with the selected transaction card is transmitted from the interchange computer to the merchant.
US08317087B1
An automatic banking machine includes a card reader for reading user cards, and a cash dispenser. The automated banking machine carries out banking transactions related to user accounts based on information read from cards. The automated banking machine provides a printed receipt for transactions conducted. The machine carries out transactions when operatively connected to a source of AC power and a transaction network. The machine also carries out certain exception instructions when disconnected from its power source and/or network connection.
US08317080B2
A method is taught for creating a hollow sphere that is created by joining two cylinders together that have a semispherical hollow formed in the ends being joined together, wherein a metallic reinforcing disk is inserted at an interface between the two ends of the cylinders, wherein the two cylinders and reinforcing disk are joined using friction stir welding to create an inner sphere from the two hemispherical hollows that is bisected by the metallic reinforcing disk, and wherein the joined cylinders and reinforcing disk are machined to thereby create an outer spherical surface that is centered around the inner sphere.
US08317076B2
A minute ball array apparatus includes: an array jig including insert parts, into which minute balls are to be inserted, and which are formed in a predetermined pattern; a ball moving unit, which comprises a thrust surface, and which moves the thrust surface along an upper surface of the array jig so as to move the minute balls supplied onto the upper surface of the array jig to drop the minute balls into the insert parts of the array jig; a collapsing member, which is provided in a vicinity of the thrust surface, and which collapses a buildup of the minute balls rising along the thrust surface when the thrust surface is moved by the ball moving unit; and a motion imparting unit that imparts the collapse member with motion for collapsing the rising buildup of the minute balls.
US08317074B2
Methods and devices are provided for actuating and/or articulating a circular stapler. In one exemplary embodiment, a circular stapler is provided having an elongate shaft with a stapling apparatus coupled thereto. An electrically expandable and contractible actuator, such as an electroactive polymer actuator, can be used to pivotally or angularly adjust a position of the stapling apparatus relative to the elongate shaft by delivering energy to the electroactive polymer actuator. In another embodiment, an electroactive polymer actuator can be used to actuate the stapling apparatus, thereby driving one or more staples, preferably in a substantially curved pattern, into tissue. The actuator can alternatively or additionally drive a blade distally to cut tissue being stapled.
US08317055B2
A trash bag receptacle with trash bag dispenser system has an open top, a bottom floor, and a front wall. The front wall of the container has a slotted opening which extends from the bottom floor upwards along substantially the entire length of the front wall. A channel member with an open top and bottom extends inward into the container, enclosing the slotted opening within the container. A base section supporting the container has an interior space in which a roll of trash bags is rotatably mounted. A single trash bag from the roll is threaded from the interior space and through the channel. The trash bag exits from the open top of the channel where its perforation is separated from the roll of trash bags. The adjacent, next trash bag on the roll remains in the channel member. A new, clean trash bag is thus easily accessible to the user by simply pulling the next trash bag which is exposed through the open top of the channel member.
US08317043B2
A beverage container comprises a receptacle (2) which has a central axis (3) and is sealed by a lid (6) of resilient material. The receptacle includes a neck (8) defining an opening and the lid includes a closure plate (30, 32), integral with which is a depending skirt (18) extending around the outer surface of the neck. The inner surface of the skirt (18) carries a continuous annular flange (20), which is in sealing engagement with the underside of a continuous downwardly directed annular shoulder (14) on the outer surface of the neck and thus prevents movement of the lid in the axial direction away from the receptacle. The annular flange (20) on the lid is connected thereto by a resilient hinge connection (22). The annular flange (20) is elongate in axial sectional view. The end surface of the free end of the flange (20) is in sealing engagement with the underside of the shoulder (14) and the resilience of the resilient hinge connection (22) urges the side surface of the free end of the annular flange (20) into sealing engagement with the external surface of the neck.
US08317039B2
A display system is provided having a base and a plurality of trays supported by posts. The base includes a pallet having a plurality of wheels extending from a lower surface. The base supports a first tray formed from a corrugated material. A plurality of posts extending from an upper surface of the pallet support a second tray formed from a corrugated material. Subsequent trays can be supported by additional posts. The trays support a plurality of goods for sale. Corrugated spacer pieces can be positioned in the trays as necessary depending on the size and shape of the goods supported in the tray.
US08317034B2
The present invention relates to separating one or more of sand and other particulate matter from a mixture of animal waste and water. The present invention can help to control the discharge of noxious odors while processing material containing animal waste. An exemplary apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a cylindrical housing and a non-rotating collection table. An exemplary apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes optional shield provided inside the cylindrical housing that can help to capture the particulate matter and that can also help to reduce the discharge of noxious gas and odors from the apparatus.
US08317033B2
A method for concentrating a particulate matter, comprising at least two constituents of different densities, in which a slurry of particulate matter is subjected to centrifugation and to centripetal pulses in a centrifugation chamber. A dense fraction of the slurry and a light fraction of the slurry are drawn off separately from the centrifugation chamber. In order to produce the centripetal pulses, a fluid is injected into the slurry, in a direction oblique or tangential to the direction of centrifugation. The fluid is injected substantially continuously into the slurry.
US08317026B2
A child-resistant package including two panels having one or more blister apertures and a particular manner of accessing the product within the blister apertures. One manner of accessing the product involves applying pressure to punch tabs defined by staggered perforations. Another manner of accessing the product uses tooled access slots designed to receive a tool to peel away tab strips to facilitate product access. Yet another manner of accessing utilizes tab strips, one or more folding lines and one or more crevice forming lines where the crevice forming lines are designed to receive a tool used to obtain access to the tab strips, and thus, facilitate access to the products. Still another uses dual tabs that need to be sequentially peeled away from the child resistant package housing to facilitate access to the product contained.
US08317020B2
A method for disposing of suture needles. The method includes attaching the needle storage receptacle to a mounting surface by positioning a first adhesive surface against the mounting surface, peeling back a strip of protective material from a second adhesive surface of a needle storage unit and placing a suture needle between the protective material and the second adhesive surface, removing the protective material from the second adhesive surface and a third adhesive surface adjacent the second adhesive surface, and folding the second adhesive surface into contact with the third adhesive surface to permanently trap the needle.
US08317015B2
A locking apparatus for locking a magazine configured to receive a printed circuit board (PCB) may include an actuator, a rotating block, and a locking member. The actuator may be installed on the magazine. The rotating block may be connected to the actuator. The rotating block may be rotated about a vertical axis. The locking member may be rotatably connected to the magazine about the vertical axis. The locking member may be selectively combined with the rotating block to block a front face of the magazine, thereby preventing breakaway of the PCB from the magazine.
US08317014B2
Belt reversing mechanisms configured to reverse a belt at an upstream portion and a downstream portion of a return belt of a belt conveyor, includes two sets of pinch rollers spaced apart from each other in a belt movement direction and configured to support the belt, and two sets of guide roller mechanisms spaced apart from each other in the belt movement direction and are configured to guide the belt in a tubular shape from outside between the pinch rollers such that the belt is reversed 180 degrees and twisted to cause a center portion of a span between the pinch rollers so as to form a tubular open cross-section with a dirty surface facing inward; and the belt between the two sets of pinch rollers forms a catenary curve or a curve close to the catenary curve.
US08317009B2
According to some preferred embodiments, a clutch housing (46) of a clutch (2) has a bottom portion (46a) in a closed-end cylindrical shape, a plurality of arms (46d) extending along an axial direction from the bottom portion (46a) and provided along a circumferential direction centering on an axial center (C) of the clutch shaft (33), and a plurality of gaps (46e) formed between adjacent arms (46d). Off-springs (71) are arranged in the gaps and extend along the axial direction.
US08317002B2
An apparatus includes a damper, a source of magnetic field coupled to the damper, a colloidal ferro-fluidic damping medium disposed in the damper, a sensor installed on the host structure to measure vibrations, and a vibration control circuit. The output of the sensor is fed back to the control circuit, which outputs a command signal to the source of the magnetic field applied to the damper to change the magnetic field in the damper as well as its damping curve so that the dynamic performance of the host structure installed with the damper is changed automatically to yield maximum vibration mitigation.
US08317001B2
The invention provides an electromechanical actuator for a vehicle brake, the actuator comprising: a motor; a screw-and-nut system having a first element, the screw or the nut, rotated by the motor; and an antirotation member preventing rotation of the second element of the screw-and-nut system, the nut or the screw, so that the second element moves linearly in response rotation of the motor so as to exert compression selectively on friction elements of the brake. According to the invention, the actuator is subdivided into a first portion comprising the screw-and-nut system, and a second portion comprising the motor, the portions being designed to be separable while the actuator is mounted on a brake.
US08316998B2
The invention relates to an elevator car which is suitable for elevators in which all of the elements which are to be maintained and checked are arranged outside the elevator car, opposite only one side of the elevator car. The elevator car comprises, on said side, one part (3) that is arranged more than 85 cm above the elevator base (1) on the elevator wall (2) and that can be removed from inside the elevator. The part (3) is as least 95 cm in height and, after being removed, can rest vertically on the base of the elevator (1), against the elevator wall (2), in order to form a balustrade (4). At least one spacer (5,19) is arranged between the removable part (3) and the lower part (6) of the elevator wall (2) so that the distance from the inner side of the side wall part (3) that is placed on the base (1), facing the elevator, to the elements (7, 8) of the elevator drive moving past the travelling elevator car is at least 10 cm.
US08316995B2
A hydraulic machine includes a support structure and a rotating group rotatably mounted relative to the support structure. The rotating group includes a shaft and a cylinder barrel with a plurality of circumferentially spaced cylinder bores. Reciprocal pistons extend from the shaft with each one of the pistons extending into an associated one of the cylinder bores. A joining assembly joins the shaft and the cylinder barrel so that the shaft and the cylinder barrel rotate together. The hydraulic machine further includes at least one oil dam associated with the rotating group and adapted to trap hydraulic fluid used for lubricating portions of the joining assembly.
US08316992B2
An anchoring system for securing a scaffold to a building includes a connection member configured to attach to a scaffold component and an anchor member. The anchor member includes a base configured to attach to at least one structural component of a building and a coupling fixedly connected to the base. The coupling is configured to receive a connection member to rigidly join the connection member to the anchor member, and thus, the scaffold to a building.
US08316989B2
The present invention provides a universal belay device for providing safety to mountain and rock climbers. The belay device allows a belayer to selectively operate the device in any of a plurality of modes. In an auto-locking mode, a fall by a climber automatically stops the rope without requiring the belayer manually apply any holding or stopping force. In a frictional mode, a fall by a climber is stopped by the belayer applying a minimal amount of pressure. The belay device includes a housing in which a rope pin and cam are contained. The cam is rotable to a first position which allows the rope pin to frictionally secure the rope against the housing and stop the rope. The cam is rotable to a second position which substantially prevents the rope pin from fully securing the rope and requires the user to apply a stopping force to stop the rope.
US08316986B2
A sound attenuation canopy for reducing levels of sound passing through an opening comprises a sound absorbing member. The member is comprised of a flexible sound absorbing material and has a first end, a second end and an intermediate portion extending therebetween. The first end is configured to attach to the opening's periphery at a first location, the second end is configured to attach to the periphery at a second location and the intermediate portion is configured to be spaced apart from the opening. When the first end and the second end are attached to the periphery of the opening, at least one side opening is at least partially defined by the intermediate portion and the perimeter of the opening, and a sound transmission flow path through open space between the opening and the side opening comprises at least one change of direction greater than 45 degrees.
US08316976B2
In one embodiment, the invention is a frame for a ride-on vehicle having at least one front wheel, at least one rear wheel, and a plurality of substantially similar battery packs. The frame defines a central plane and includes a front end located adjacent to the front wheel(s), a rear end located adjacent to the rear wheel(s), and a lattice structure that extends substantially between the front end and the rear end. The lattice structure includes a first portion that includes battery pack mounts that secure a first subset of the battery packs arranged in two layers, and includes a second portion that includes battery pack mounts that secure a second subset of the batter packs arranged in a single layer. The lattice structure also defines a truss that mechanically couples the front wheel(s) to the rear wheel(s).
US08316969B1
Methods of manufacturing sintered superabrasive structures are disclosed. For example, a plurality of agglomerated granules comprising at least one superabrasive material may be provided and exposed to a pressure and a temperature sufficient to sinter the at least one superabrasive material. In another example, a plurality of agglomerated granules comprising diamond may be provided and exposed to a pressure and a temperature sufficient to form polycrystalline diamond. Articles of manufacture including at least one superabrasive material are disclosed. For example, a polycrystalline diamond compact may comprise a volume of polycrystalline diamond bonded to a substrate, wherein the volume of polycrystalline diamond includes a plurality of agglomerated granules which have been sintered. A drill bit comprising at least one cutting element including a volume of polycrystalline diamond bonded to a substrate wherein the volume of polycrystalline diamond includes a plurality of agglomerated granules which have been sintered is disclosed.
US08316967B2
Earth-boring tools comprise a body including a face at a leading end thereof and a shank at a trailing end. At least one primary blade may extend radially outward over the face and may comprise a plurality of cutting elements disposed thereon. At least one secondary blade may also extend radially outward over a portion of the face and the at least one secondary blade may comprise a plurality of cutting elements disposed thereon only over at least a portion of an area of greatest work rate per cutting element. Methods of forming earth-boring tools and methods of designing earth-boring tools are also disclosed.
US08316965B2
Drilling tool (1) for drilling a well downhole where fluid is surrounding the tool and where the tool has a housing (15) and is connected to an electrical conducting means, such as a wireline. The drilling tool has a drilling head (2) and a fluid cleaner (3) for removal of elements, such as debris and formation pieces, from the fluid while drilling downhole. The fluid cleaner has a chamber (4) and a filter (5) within the chamber for separation of the elements from the fluid. The tool further comprises a pump (8) for pumping the fluid into the chamber through an inlet (11) in the drilling head (2) and through the filter before entering the well again. Furthermore, the tool comprises a driving unit for driving the pump and the drilling head.
US08316959B2
The invention is based on a hand-held power tool, in particular a cordless power tool, having a torque-limiting device that is provided for setting a maximum torque that a motor output is able to transmit to a tool-driving element. A spring mechanism equipped with at least one first disk spring is provided such that the at least one disk spring acts on at least two detent mechanisms arranged in a circumferential direction.
US08316956B2
A grader-blade retainer assembly affording side-to-side movement of the blade that provides a compliant attachment of an upper retainer assembly to the grader-blade assembly. An embodiment facilitates adjustment of the retainer assembly, as in the case of wear, without the necessity of hand tools.
US08316952B2
A technique enables an improved filtering of sand, a desired distribution of produced or injected fluid, and a reduction in erosion of completion components positioned in a production or injection well. The technique employs a base pipe and a sand screen surrounding the base pipe. The base pipe comprises a plurality of flow restriction elements arranged in a selected pattern along the base pipe to provide a desired distribution of the fluid flowing into or out of the sand screen. The pattern of flow restriction elements also maintains a flow rate of the flowing fluid below an erosive flow rate across the entire sand screen.
US08316950B2
A method for removing fluids from a commingled well comprises positioning a fluid removal system in the well. In addition, the method comprises sealing a first formation from a second formation, shutting in the annulus, and closing off an inner flow passage of a tubing string. Further, the method comprises allowing the pressure of the first and second production zones to build up naturally. Still further, the method comprises flowing a fluid from the first production zone through a first of a plurality of check valves into the inner flow passage, and flowing a fluid from the second production zone through a second of the plurality of check valves into the inner flow passage. Moreover, the method comprises re-opening the inner flow passage of the tubing string and lifting the fluid in the inner flow passage to the surface.
US08316947B2
A method, system and apparatus for deploying a subsea well intervention system from a surface vessel to a subsea tree, including connecting a spoolable compliant guide (SCG) to a subsea intervention package; testing the connection; lowering overboard the intervention package into a water column using a primary lifting device; gradually paying out the SCG from a reel thereof as the intervention package is lowered to a seabed; transferring the weight of the intervention package to a secondary lifting device, wherein the intervention package functions as a dead weight to overcome a positive buoyancy of the SCG, a distance between the primary and secondary lifting devices creates and controls a shape of the SCG; and once landed onto a subsea tree with heave compensation, disconnecting the secondary lifting device from the intervention package, and hanging the SCG off at the vessel at deck level.
US08316946B2
A subsea completion assembly for a subsea well including installed casing and a wellhead. The assembly includes a production casing forming a B annulus between the outside of the production casing and the installed casing. The assembly also includes an annulus access adapter installed in the wellhead, the adapter including a manipulatable valve controlling fluid communication with the fluid in the B annulus across the annulus access adapter. A property of the fluid in the B annulus can be monitored by fluid communicated across the annulus access adapter.
US08316943B2
An apparatus and method for operating a packer and a fracture valve. The packer may include a tubular mandrel having a longitudinal bore with an annular packing element and a first piston disposed around the mandrel, wherein the first piston is operable to set the packing element, and a second piston operable to isolate fluid communication between the first piston and the mandrel bore. The fracture valve may include a tubular mandrel having a longitudinal bore and a port, a piston operable to close fluid communication between the bore and the port, and a latch disposed between the piston and the mandrel operable to resist movement of the piston.
US08316941B2
In a method of treating a sandstone-containing formation penetrated by a wellbore, a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous fluid containing a Bronsted acid, a hydrogen fluoride source and an organic acid or salt thereof that is substantially soluble in the aqueous fluid is formed. The treatment fluid contains less than about 2% of fluoride (F−) by weight of the fluid and from 2% or less of sodium (Na+) by weight of the fluid. The treatment fluid is introduced into the formation through the wellbore as a single-stage without introducing an acid-containing fluid preflush into the formation prior to introducing the treatment fluid.
US08316935B1
A method for the controlled delivery of a fracturing fluid to a well bore comprises formulating an aqueous base fluid such that it meets or exhibits desired physical and chemical characteristics for an optimal fracturing fluid. The formulation of the aqueous base fluid max involve commingling one or more sources of waste water with a source of fresh water followed by controlled injection of one or more additives. This process is substantially completed prior to delivering the aqueous base fluid to the well site. This allows the delivery of an optimal volume of the aqueous base fluid with homogeneously blended additives to the well bore.
US08316933B2
Efficient, economical and environmentally safe microbial methods to enhance oil recovery in existing oil reservoirs, as well as microorganisms useful in such methods. The microorganisms are capable of growing in an environment of high salinity, and are deficient in their ability to degrade short chain hydrocarbons of about 12 carbons or less.
US08316930B2
A hydraulic connector to provide a fluidic connection between a fluid supply and a downhole tubular, the connector comprising: a body; an engagement assembly comprising an extendable portion selectively extendable from the body, the engagement assembly being configured to extend and retract a seal assembly disposed at a distal end of the extendable portion into and from a proximal end of the downhole tubular; and a valve assembly operable between an open position and a closed position, the valve assembly being configured to: allow a fluid to communicate between the fluid supply and the downhole tubular through the seal assembly when in the open position; and prevent fluid communication between the fluid supply and the downhole tubular when in the closed position.
US08316920B2
A metal strip casting apparatus and method of casting metal strip include assembling a pair of counter-rotatable casting rolls positioned laterally forming a nip between for casting, and assembling a pair of brush rolls, each of the brush rolls associated with one of each of the casting rolls. Each brush roll includes at least one spaced apart brush line extending substantially along the axial length of the casting roll. The brush lines may form a spiral, zigzag, wave or crisscross array about the brush roll. The brush roll may include one or more staggered rings with regularly or irregularly spaced apart bristles which form the brush lines. The brush lines may be between 10 to 50 mm apart and separated by between 2 mm to 45 mm of open space. The brush lines may be one line per 10 mm to 90 mm of axial length of brush roll.
US08316916B2
A method for producing a pipe, a carrier element being coated by means of a thermal spraying method, the material of the pipe formed later being selected as the coating material, and the coating forming the pipe being detached from the carrier element, the spraying angle, at which the coating material is sprayed onto the carrier element, being selected such that a low level of adhesion of the coating on the carrier element is achieved.
US08316913B2
A sliding screen door includes a net formed to be capable of expansion and contraction, and capable of freely opening and closing by horizontal pulling, a net guide is formed to be able to form the net guide into a straight line shape, and a movement of a net holding member that follows the net guide is made smooth, and many of the guiding elements form the net guide for guiding the lower end of the net into an approximately U-shape composed of a bottom portion and rising wall portions, and a mutually and flexibly connected by means of inserting a series of wire members into through holes that follow tip end portions of the rising wall portions, and are formed into a series of guides rails that are serially in contact with each other and a net holding member is provided in the aforementioned guide rail.
US08316912B2
In a screen device, a pair of vertical rails 24 arranged on the front and back sides of a screen 8 so as to oppose to each other are connected by connecting members 30 and are fixed between a pair of sliding guide frames 10a and 10b with the intermediary of the screen. The connected vertical rails are integrally slidable in the direction parallel to the direction of sliding movement of a screen mounting frame, so that the screen is restrained from being deflected even when it receives a wind pressure in the closed state when the width in the opening and closing direction is large.
US08316906B2
The invention relates to a device and a method for impregnating filaments, wherein the filaments form a roving. The device comprises a barrel (10) having at least one groove (12) formed in circumferential direction of the barrel, an inner space formed along the center axis of the barrel, and at least one recess (16) which forms a connection between the inner space and the groove. The recess includes a cylindrical section (16a), a conical section (16b) and a pocket section (16c). By means of said device and according to the method, a polymer material can be pressed successively from the inner space through at least the cylindrical section and the conical section into the groove to impregnate the filaments of the roving which is drawn through the groove.
US08316902B2
A tire tread includes a circumferential row of blocks disposed between first and second circumferential grooves, wherein each of the blocks is delimited by a section of the first circumferential groove and by first and second transverse grooves that extend from the first circumferential groove and terminate at a common vertex spaced from the second circumferential groove. The common vertex is separated from the second circumferential groove by a continuous circumferential tread rib. The second transverse groove delimits a first one of the blocks and is separated from the first transverse groove that delimits a circumferentially adjacent block by a solid tread portion. The solid tread portion extends from the first circumferential groove to the continuous circumferential tread rib, and the solid tread portion forms a single body with the continuous circumferential tread rib, spacing the first block and the circumferentially adjacent block from each other.
US08316900B2
Described herein are several embodiments and implementations of a fluid receiver with a removable sleeve. According to one representative embodiment, an apparatus for receiving a fluid from a fluid source includes a base having an inlet and an outlet. The base defines an interior cavity through which fluid is flowable from the inlet to the outlet. The apparatus also includes a valve that is movable relative to the base between a closed and open position. In the closed position, the valve is in sealing engagement with the base to prevent fluid flow through the inlet. In the open position, the valve allows fluid flow through the inlet. The apparatus further includes a removable sleeve that is removably securable about a portion of the base. The valve remains in the closed position as the removable sleeve is removed from and secured about the base.
US08316897B2
A toy water gun assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a water gun and a filling station. The filling station connects to a water source such as a hose. The gun connects to the filling station such that, when connected, the trigger is secured in a locked stated, preventing the user from discharging the gun while mounted on the station. In operation, the gun is connected to the filling station until the water reservoir on the gun is filled. The gun is then released from the filling station by engaging a release lever or button. The gun is fully charged, with the water being pressurized during the filling process.
US08316888B2
A hydraulic control valve is provided having a solenoid body, an energizable coil, and an armature positioned adjacent the coil. A valve stem extends from the armature. The coil is energizable to move the armature and the valve stem from a first position to a second position. The valve body, the armature and the valve stem are configured so that the armature and the valve stem are biased to the first position by pressurized fluid, allowing the armature to operate without a biasing spring.
US08316885B2
A fluid supply system is provided, especially for delivering liquid hydrocarbon to a fuel-operated vehicle heater or to a reformer. The system includes a fluid reservoir (12), a first fluid line (28) from the fluid reservoir (12) to an on-off valve (30), a second fluid line (32) from the on-off valve (30) to a first system area (14) to be fed with fluid, and a third fluid line (34) from the on-off valve (30) to the reservoir (12). The on-off valve (30) establishes a connection between the first fluid line (28) and the second fluid line (32) in a first valve position and establishes a connection between the second fluid line (32) and the third fluid line (34) in a second valve position. A first fluid delivery arrangement (26) is provided for delivering fluid from the reservoir (12) into the second fluid line (12). A second fluid delivery arrangement (20, 24) is provided for delivering fluid from the third fluid line (34) into the reservoir (12).
US08316880B2
A bypass valve assembly for a generator includes a spring cover with a flange which extends in a radial direction from a spring cover body. The spring cover body defines an overall length dimension, the overall length dimension to an end of the spring cover body to the flange dimension defines a ratio between 1.6:1-1.2:1. The bypass valve assembly also includes a valve sleeve with a multiple of windows. Each of the multiple of windows includes a longitudinal edge which defines a longitudinal edge radius and corner radius.
US08316878B2
A single chamber two-way servo-operated valve includes: a valve body presenting an inlet aperture, an outlet aperture, and an access; a cover to close the access of the valve body; a port dividing the valve body interior into an inlet section and an outlet section; a valving element including a disc for closing the port; and an actuating chamber at least partially defined by the cover. The disc and a flexible diaphragm are connected to the valving element. The disc of the valving element includes a rigid central core which is at least partially covered by a rubber layer adhering to the central core. The rubber layer extends from the edge of the disc to form the flexible diaphragm.
US08316872B1
A blowout preventer with a block having a channel and one or more plates to close the channel. The block is placed over a pipe through which oil or other fluid is escaping, so that the pipe is in the channel. Alongside the channel are one or more circular plates, having diameters somewhat larger than the diameter of the channel. Explosive charges propel the plates into the channel to seal it off and stop the leak. The explosive charges may be ignited by radio, electric or sonic signals or other suitable means. There are passages for the plates that are orthogonal to the cylindrical channel, that allow the plates to move into place to block the channel, while preventing them from moving too far and overshooting the channel. Ratchets keep the plates from moving back after they have blocked the channel. Vents allow gas from the explosive charges to escape.
US08316863B2
An applicator nozzle may comprise an attachment portion configured to attach the nozzle to a receptacle configured to contain a product and an arrangement of at least two teeth disposed so as to form at least one row comprising first and second end teeth. At least one of the teeth of the arrangement may define a channel configured to be placed in flow communication with product contained in the receptacle. The channel may open on an exterior of the at least one tooth via at least one outlet aperture facing substantially in a direction of at least one adjacent tooth. The nozzle may further define at least one groove and the outlet aperture may open into the groove. The groove may extend from the outlet aperture substantially to a free extremity of the at least one tooth. The arrangement may be formed by a single molded piece and may be configured so as to present an obstacle to product flowing from the at least one outlet aperture beyond the first and second end teeth.
US08316859B2
An interocclusal appliance is formed from a single polymer material composition as one unitary piece or from multiple polymer material compositions as a two-piece preform. The two-piece preform includes a base material and an impression material that has a softening point lower than the base material. Teeth are received into the heat-softened impression material, so as to contour the impression material. A portion of the impression material also may contour to a portion of the user's palate. In certain embodiments, substantially no polymeric material contacts the front surfaces of the front teeth, leading to greater comfort and better air flow between front teeth. In still another embodiment, the appliance fits over front teeth only and no polymeric material contacts the maxillary molars.
US08316858B2
In certain embodiments, an apparatus for treating a breathing condition includes an oral appliance, a mask, and a tensioning device. The oral appliance is configured to receive at least some of a wearer's teeth and a mask. The mask is configured to deliver gas to the wearer. The mask includes a chamber configured to cover the wearer's mouth. The chamber is at least partially enclosed by an interior of the mask. The tensioning device couples the mask to the oral appliance and includes a flexible tension element at least partially disposed between the oral appliance and the mask and within the chamber. The flexible tension element is configured to apply a tensile force between the mask and the oral appliance.
US08316855B2
A meditation pillow using craniosacral therapy is disclosed. The meditation pillow includes a columna vertebralis supporting part formed in a user's neck direction to support a part of a columna vertebralis located thereon, an occipital region supporting part formed at a rear of the columna vertebralis supporting part to support an occipital region of a head located thereon, and an occipital region acupressure part protrudingly formed along a superior nuchal line between an atlas and an occipital bone to stimulate nerve fibers of the occipital region.
US08316853B2
The present invention comprises systems, methods and devices for the delivery of compositions for occluding or of means for opening conduits. The implantable occlusive material may be delivered pre-formed or in situ cured and, may be a resorbable material that supports tissue ingrowth that eventually replaces the material leaving little or no original material in place. The delivery system is positioned to allow for placement of the occlusive material into the body conduit. Use of delivery systems, methods and devices for re-opening an occluded body conduit are also included.
US08316851B2
An anesthetic gas intermediate storage unit is provided having a first gas duct for passing through inspiration gas, a second gas duct for passing through expiration gas and an adsorption material (2), which can be influenced electrically, for an anesthetic, which is carried by a gas. The adsorption material is arranged in at least one gas duct for passing through breathing gas, and with a device for admitting expiration gas and inspiration gas alternatingly to the adsorption material (2), at least at an identical area for the intermediate storage of the anesthetic from the expiration gas to the inspiration gas. The device has openings, which divert the expiration gas and inspiration gas flowing in and out such that expiration gas and inspiration gas are admitted to the stationary adsorption material (2) alternatingly at an identical area.
US08316848B2
A CPAP system includes a flow generator, a patient interface, an air delivery conduit that interconnects the flow generator and the patient interface, and a packaging arrangement including at least one storage facilitating member to allow storage of the air delivery conduit. The at least one storage facilitating member may be provided to the flow generator, a cradle, and/or the air delivery conduit.
US08316840B2
The invention discloses a novel and efficient drive mechanism for use in a variety of applications. This novel mechanism replaces traditional stepper motors or another analogous art with shape memory alloys. The drive mechanism so disclosed provides substantial operational benefits over conventional motors and other such traditional drive mechanisms that would be used in similar applications. The drive mechanism includes a high gear-ratio worm gear and worm drive which further provides precise, controlled movement of an output shaft. In the illustrative use elaborated upon herein, the motor is used to drive a photovoltaic panel so that the panel may remain in appropriate alignment with the sun throughout the day.
US08316838B2
A cooking device is provided. The cooking device includes a cavity and a burner. The cavity provides a cooking chamber. The burner is at the cooking chamber in the cavity and heats food in the cooking chamber. The burner includes a supply part and a combustion unit. A gaseous fuel mixed with air flows in the supply part. The combustion unit is connected to the supply part to receive the mixed gaseous fuel and to burn the received mixed gaseous fuel flowing within the combustion unit. The combustion unit has a single loop shape.
US08316826B2
An electrically controlled fuel injector includes an armature that is movable between a first armature position and a second armature position inside an armature cavity containing fuel. By reducing the size of the armature cavity to a squish film drag gap, the armature experiences a squish film drag phenomenon when the armature moves from the first armature position to the second armature position reducing the armature travel speed but also reducing the settling time of the armature after an injection event. By reducing the armature travel speed, the armature experiences a reduction in magnitude of armature bounce allowing the armature to settle down quicker and produce minimum controllable injection events with shorter dwell times than predecessor fuel injectors, especially for close coupled post injection events.
US08316822B2
A vehicle speed limiter is described, for use with, and for example fitted to, a vehicle throttle system (1) comprising a mechanically actuatable throttle member (3), an engine (10) speed controller (7), and a throttle signal unit in data communication with an engine speed controller and operably coupled to the throttle member so as to generate an electronic throttle signal in functional response to the degree of actuation of the throttle member, and to transmit a throttle signal to the engine speed controller whereby the engine speed is controlled. The speed limiter has a vehicle speed sensor (15) to obtain a signal indicative of vehicle speed; a limit speed data register to include a data store (17) for a data item indicative of at least a first predetermined limit speed; a comparator to compare the speed sensor output with the limit speed data item stored in the limit speed register; a throttle signal modifier unit acting on the output of a throttle signal unit in use when fitted in conjunction with a vehicle throttle system to modify a generated throttle signal so that a transmitted throttle signal is produced such as to tend to limit the vehicle to the applied limit speed. A method of fitment is also described.
US08316819B2
There is provided, in one aspect of the present description, a method of controlling a spark ignited internal combustion engine having a fuel injector which injects fuel directly into its combustion chamber. The method comprises stopping the fuel injection if a desired torque for the engine is a predetermined torque or less and a speed of the engine is a predetermined speed or greater. The method comprises resuming the fuel injection by injecting a first amount of fuel directly into the combustion chamber during a negative pressure period and injecting a second amount of the fuel into the combustion chamber during an intake period. The method further includes resuming the fuel injection by injecting a third amount of the fuel directly into the combustion chamber during the negative pressure period and injecting a fourth amount of the fuel into the combustion chamber during the intake period.
US08316811B1
A fuel priming device comprising: means for establishing releasable fluid communication with an interior volume of a fuel conveying system of an engine; a first conduit affixed to the releasable communication means for conveying diesel fuel from an engine; a pressurizable reservoir in fluid communication with the fuel conveying conduit, the device located external to the automotive vehicle associated and at least on pneumatic system controlling the removal of fuel from the diesel fuel filter.
US08316807B2
An improvement is disclosed for an engine valve system with variable lift and duration of the type that includes two cams mounted coaxially, a summation rocker coupled to cam followers in contact with both cams and movable in proportion to the instantaneous sum of the lifts of the respective cams, and a valve actuating rocker pivotably coupled to the summation rocker and serving to open an engine valve in dependence upon the movement of the summation rocker. In the invention, at least one of the couplings of the summation rocker with the cam followers and with the valve actuating rocker incorporates an adjustable eccentric which is rotatable to enable the clearance within the valve system to be set.
US08316796B2
A film coating system for coating an object includes a working station and an isolating device. The object is disposed on the working station, and the isolating device is utilized to isolate the object. The isolating device includes a body generating a first power, a first working fluid, a second working fluid, a first guiding portion and a second guiding portion. The first guiding portion guides the first working fluid to pass through the body, thereby forming a first working region to coat the object thereon. The second guiding portion guides the second working fluid excited by the first power of the body to pass through the body, thereby forming a second working region to separate the first working region from the object.
US08316794B2
The present invention concerns a system and device for self-tanning of the type comprising a booth (2) in which two lateral walls (5) have one or more lamps (52) protected by gratings (51) arranged to warm the area inside the booth and to radiate the skin of a person in the booth. The booth is provided with a spraying device (11) for nebulizing a tanning substance. The device comprises a Second control panel (6) connected to a means of management envisaged for activating and governing the diverse functions of the device under the control of an operator or of a user. The system comprises a series of operative phases which envisage, for a person who undergoes a self-tanning session: entering the booth; pressing start on the control panel; the lamps switching on for a preset time and switching off; a tanning solution being sprayed, followed by the lamps being switched on a second time to dry the tanning solution; the lamps being switched off; the person leaving the booth.
US08316790B2
A durable medical task status indicator comprises a panel having a front face and a rear face, at least an indicium disposed on one or more lines on the panel, at least one two-status indicator disposed to the left or right of the at least one indicium which corresponds to the indicator, the indicator comprises a first elongated slot formed in the front face of the panel, a second elongated slot formed in the rear face of the panel, two status labels, an elongated tab having a centrally disposed finger hold, an elongated backing plate is configured to slide within the second elongated slot, wherein the elongated backing plate is fixedly attached to the elongated tab such that the movement of the elongated backing plate is coordinated with the movement of the elongated tab and the elongated tab substantially covers the first elongated slot to avoid dirt collection and facilitate cleaning.
US08316789B2
A temperature sensing device includes a casing having top and bottom walls with at least one wall connecting the top and bottom walls so that the casing is sealed, the top, bottom, and side walls being constructed of a heat resistant material. The sensing device includes a probe having a first portion attached to the casing bottom wall and extending downwardly and a second portion situated inside the interior space, the first and second portions being operatively connected to one another to transfer thermal energy therebetween. The probe second portion is coated with a thermochromic material that is color responsive to temperature. At least one wall of the casing defines an aperture that is covered by a material that is heat resistant, the probe second portion being viewable through the aperture for determining a temperature of an article of meat.
US08316786B2
A lift assembly is provided for a platform such as used on a ship. The platform can have four spaced apart hitch points. In one embodiment, the lift assembly includes four trolley drive assemblies, each trolley drive assembly including a trolley guidable along a guide rail, and a drive configured to displace the trolley along the guide rails, each trolley being coupled to at least one hitch point. In a second embodiment, a tension leveling assembly is provided in a trolley drive assembly and is configured to couple each of the wire ropes to the trolley and maintain substantially the same amount of tension in each wire rope. In a third embodiment, the lift assembly can be provided on a ship that also includes a vessel for holding water. The lift assembly includes an electric drive that operates as generator and generates current during lowering of the platform, A resistive device is disposed in the vessel and connected to the drive to receive current, the resistive device being configured to dissipate heat into the vessel.
US08316779B2
Formable pallets that are easy to construct into a generally stably product receiving state and easy to collapse into a storage/transport state. The pallet includes one or more display elements which may be integrated with the supporting platform to achieve point of purchase objectives. The display element may be a separate component that is removeable from the pallet or the display element may be configurable from the pallet such as by unfolding and/or folding portions of the supporting platform.
US08316777B1
An overbed table wherein a pedestal is attached to one end of a single support member and the other end of the support member is connected to a table assembly that includes a table surface. The center axis of the support member is located closer to a first edge of the table surface than the oppositely disposed edge of the table surface and arm supports connected to the table assembly are extendable past the first edge of the table assembly.
US08316765B2
A marker carrier device has carrier elements for carrying respective markers, the device being re-configurable between a compact configuration and a selection configuration in which the markers are accessibly presented for selection. Carrier devices loaded with markers are received at a receiving station of a marking unit. The markers are selected from the carrier individually whilst in the marking unit and marked by a marking device with a predetermined indicium.
US08316762B2
A juice extractor comprises a body, a filtering apparatus, and a shattering apparatus. The body has an inner space. The filtering apparatus is disposed within the body and divides the inner space into a shattering chamber and a collecting chamber. The shattering apparatus is disposed within the shattering chamber and comprises at least a first cutting blade and a second cutting blade configured to shatter a comestible. The comestibles shattered by the first cutting blade can reach the second cutting blade and be shattered by the second cutting blade.
US08316758B2
A pneumatic actuator is provided for an active hood and includes, but is not limited to a cylinder and a piston, which is movable in the cylinder between a lower terminal position, in which the volume of a chamber delimited by piston and cylinder, which may be impinged using compressed gas, is minimal, and an upper terminal position, in which the volume of the chamber is maximal. The piston is lockable in the lower terminal position by a detent body engaging in first recesses of the cylinder and the piston. A slider is displaceable by impingement using the compressed gas out of an idle position, in which it fixes the detent body in the first recesses, into a triggering position, in which a second recess of the slider overlaps with one of the first recesses and is capable, together with a single one of the first recesses of accommodating the detent body.
US08316756B1
A gas control mounted in an upper receiver of a weapon. A valve communicates with a gas tube of the weapon to receive gas under pressure from the barrel of the weapon. The valve has a first orifice and a second orifice. The position of the valve is selectable between the first orifice and the second orifice by rotation of a knob positioned on an exterior surface of the upper receiver of the weapon. The orifices are of different sizes to allow regulation of the volume of gas flow to the receiver of the weapon.
US08316750B2
An apparatus and method for launching incendiary projectiles is provided. The apparatus includes a support adapted to being mounted to a vehicle, a pneumatic launcher connected to the support and operable to launch a projectile that has been delivered to the launcher, a gas delivery system operable to deliver a volume of pressurized gas to the launcher for launching the projectile, a projectile delivery system operable to deliver projectiles to the launcher, an injector cooperating operable to receive projectiles from the projectile delivery system and to inject the projectiles with an amount of reactant suitable to produce a delayed exothermic reaction with the incendiary material to prime the projectile, and thereafter convey the primed projectile to the launcher; and a controller operable to operable to regulate the launching of the projectiles.
US08316746B2
A trimming apparatus comprises a conveying device, a movable upper knife, an immovable lower knife, a movable press crosshead, a first drive, and a control unit. The print product is pressed down with the press crosshead. The pressed down print product is trimmed with the upper and lower knives. The press crosshead is lifted following the step of trimming operation. Subsequent to lifting the press crosshead, the upper knife is lifted. The trimmed print product is conveyed with the conveying device.
US08316744B2
A dicing method includes the step of cutting a substrate with a blade along a scribe line free from metal before an inclination of the blade surface reaches a predetermined critical value. The blade surface becomes inclined when the blade cuts into a scribe line having metal thereon. The critical value is determined on the basis of the inclination of the blade surface which leads to a breakage of the blade.
US08316742B2
A system manages a machine tool operation. The system includes a cutting tool, which includes a tool body; an integrated circuit chip securely mounted within the tool body and capable of being read and written upon; and a read/write device for communicating with the integrated circuit chip. The integrated circuit chip is an RFID chip. The tool body may be a mounting chuck, adapter, twist drill, thread tap, indexable drill, milling cutter or a square shank lathe tool.
US08316732B2
A roller screw structure comprises a nut, a screw and a rolling assembly. The rolling assembly is movably disposed between the nut and the screw and includes at least one rolling cone. The slantwise rolling surface of the rolling cone contacts the spiral groove surfaces of the nut and the screw in a line-to-line manner, and the angle between the rolling surface and the self-rotation axis of the rolling cone is from 0 degree to 6.3 degrees. Thereby, making the distance between the self-rotation axis and the rolling surface of the rolling cone of the rolling assembly different can prevent the occurrence of speed difference caused at different rolling paths of the rolling assembly.
US08316726B2
A method of measuring biaxial stress in an object of a ferromagnetic material in which material in a region (10) in the vicinity of a surface of the object is subjected to a conditioning method by application of a conditioning magnetic field that is at least initially at a high field strength. Values of biaxial stress within the said region are measured with an electromagnetic measuring probe (14) in at least two different orientations, the electromagnetic measuring probe (14) using an alternating measuring magnetic field that is at a field strength well below saturation. The conditioning may subject the region (10) to a low frequency alternating magnetic field (38, 58) initially at a high field strength, and gradually reducing the strength to zero over a decay time period at least equal to the time for many cycles of the low frequency magnetic field. Conditioning the material enables the stress to then be measured more accurately, and enables ambiguities in biaxial stress to be resolved.
US08316719B2
A pressure sensor for measuring the location and intensity of an applied pressure, including an elastomeric sheet; and a plurality of micro-channels embedded in the elastomeric sheet.
US08316709B2
A method and device for measuring force, torque and output on an ergometer or bicycle. When the ergometer or bicycle is used as intended, a torque is transmitted via a shaft onto a flexible drive and further onto the flywheel of an ergometer or the rear wheel of the bicycle by two pedal cranks. The flexible drive has a pulley or a sprocket wheel which is non-rotatably connected to the shaft in at least one direction of rotation. Elastic torsions of the shaft that result independently from the torque transmission are detected at both sides of the pulley or of the sprocket wheel as a measure of the forces applied to the shaft to determine the torque and output both of the left and right leg of the user of the ergometer or bicycle. Corresponding electrical sensor signals are generated and supplied to a memory and/or evaluation unit for further processing.
US08316708B2
A sight assembly may include a body portion configured to couple between a first fluid transport segment and a second fluid transport segment. The body portion may define an aperture configured for fluid flow through an interior of the body portion. The sight assembly may also include a light source disposed within the body portion. The light source may be configured to provide illumination of the interior of the sight assembly. The light source may be disposed within the body portion approximately between an outer edge of the body portion forming the aperture and an external surface of the body portion.
US08316698B2
Determining a repairing form of a defect at or close to an edge of a substrate. The defect may be scanned with a scanning probe microscope to determine a three-dimensional contour of the defect. The defect may be scanned with a scanning particle microscope to determine the shape of the at least one edge of the substrate. The repairing form of the defect may be determined from a combination of the three-dimensional contour and the shape of the at least one edge.
US08316695B2
An apparatus for detecting a leak in a conduit line includes a housing in fluid communication with the line, a valve including a valve seat and a valve element movable relative to the seat between opened and closed positions, a bypass line around the valve, a flow detector coupled to the bypass line for detecting fluid flow therethrough, and a first mechanism configured to urge the valve element toward the closed position. The apparatus may further include a second mechanism separate from the first mechanism for maintaining the valve element in the closed position until a threshold pressure drop is reached. The first mechanism may operate on the principle of buoyancy and the second mechanism may operate on the principle of magnetism.
US08316693B2
Provided is a surface analysis and measurement method based on the flow resistance of a fluid. The method comprises: spraying a fluid on the surface of a sample; identifying and determining if a flow resistance value of the fluid colliding with the sample surface is optimal for the measurement of the surface topography of the sample; setting the determined optimal flow resistance value to a reference value and moving the sample in the X-Y axes to allow the entire surface of the sample to be scanned; varying the position of the sample in the Z axis together with the X-Y axis movement to adjust varying flow resistance values of the fluid along the irregular surface topography of the sample to the set flow resistance value during scanning; and expressing the movement ranges of the sample in the X, Y and Z axes as numerical values and representing the numerical values as brightness values on a computer screen to display the surface topography of the sample. Further provided is an atomic force microscope using the method.
US08316692B2
A particle monitor (1) including a module (3) for measuring a particle content of a sample, the module including an analysis chamber (4) for receipt of the sample and a heating unit (24) for maintaining an operating temperature of the chamber (4) and for heating the air used for purging the sample from the chamber (4). The invention also relates to a particle monitor (1) with a vibrator assembly (6) and to a particle monitor (1) with a valve assembly (8) for effecting a fast purge mode, for clearing a sample tube (5), and a slow purge mode.
US08316689B2
Provided is a method for quantitative evaluation of mar- and scratch-induced surface damage on polymeric and coating materials. The method for quantitative evaluation of scratch-induced damage on polymeric and coating materials includes: preparing a test specimen of polymeric and coating materials; inducing a scratch damage on the surface of the test specimen; representing the scratch damage formed on the test specimen as corresponding color coordinates; and calculating a quantitated scratch damage index from a combination of a load applied to the surface of the test specimen and the color coordinates corresponding to the scratch damage.
US08316686B2
A press tool arrangement for use in hot creep forming, a method of hot creep forming a component of titanium alloy, and a resilient urging arrangement usable at elevated temperatures are described. The press tool arrangement includes a die, a holder member engageable with a blank of material in the die, and a resilient urging arrangement engageable with the holder member to urge same against a blank of material in the die.
US08316678B2
A method of pre-stressing a component comprises providing an electrically conducting sheet adjacent to a component within a medium. An electrical discharge is supplied from an electrical discharge circuit to the electrically conducting sheet to produce vaporization of the electrically conducting sheet. The vaporization of the electrically conducting sheet produces a planar pressure pulse in the medium adjacent to the component. The planar pressure pulse impacts on a surface of the component to produce a region of residual compressive stress within the component.
US08316664B2
A fluid machine (10) includes a closed casing (11) in which an oil reservoir (16) for holding oil is formed in a bottom part. Disposed in the closed casing (11) are: a main compression mechanism (3), for compressing a working fluid, to which the oil held the oil reservoir (16) is supplied; a rotary electric motor (8) disposed above the oil reservoir (16) in the closed casing (11); a main compressor shaft (38) for coupling the main compression mechanism (3) and the rotary electric motor (8) to each other; a power recovery mechanism (5) for recovering motive power from the working fluid by performing a suction process for drawing the working fluid and a discharge process for discharging the drawn working fluid; a sub compression mechanism (2), which is driven by the power recovery mechanism (5), for compressing the working fluid and discharging the working fluid to the main compression mechanism (3) side; and a power recovery shaft (12) for coupling the power recovery mechanism (5) and the sub compression mechanism (2) to each other.
US08316662B2
The present invention is an apparatus, method and system to thermally package an item having at least one container (100) substantially filled with an alcohol, wherein said alcohol undergoes a phase change.
US08316658B2
A management center is configured to communicate with a controller for an energy consuming system at a remote location, to receive ambient temperature data corresponding to an ambient temperature at the remote location, to calculate a projected energy consumption value for at least one component of the energy consuming system based on the ambient temperature data, to receive an actual energy consumption value for the at least one component from the controller, to compare the actual energy consumption value with the projected energy consumption value, and to generate an output based on the comparison.
US08316657B2
A refrigerant system is configured to alternatingly run in an economized mode and a standard mode. A control system shifts the refrigerant system between the economized mode and standard mode responsive to a determined efficiency reflecting a combination of at least two of: compressor isentropic efficiency; condenser efficiency; evaporator efficiency; efficiency of hardware mechanically powering the compressor; and a mode-associated cycling efficiency. In a bypass mode, a bypass refrigerant flow from an intermediate port may return to the suction port. Shifting into the bypass mode may be similarly controlled based upon the determined efficiency.
US08316655B2
Method for converting thermal energy at a low temperature into thermal energy at a relatively high temperature by means of mechanical energy, and vice versa, with a working medium which runs through a closed thermodynamic circulation process, wherein the circulation process has the following working steps: —reversible adiabatic compression of the working medium, —isobaric conduction away of heat from the working medium, —reversible adiabatic relaxing of the working medium, —isobaric supply of heat to the working medium, and wherein the increase or decrease in pressure of the working medium is produced during the compression or relaxing, increasing or decreasing the centrifugal force acting on the working medium, with the result that the flow energy of the working medium is essentially retained during the compression or relaxing process.
US08316652B2
The present invention relates to a system, and to a method for installation of the system, for whole-body cryotherapy applicable to humans or animals at a temperature of the order of −110° C. According to the invention, the treatment chamber and the refrigerating elements, or at least one of these two elements, are mounted on at least one mobile or transportable self-supporting structure, in a way that permits use from the self-supporting structure. It also relates to a whole-body cryotherapy system equipped with pre-chambers at intermediate temperatures, defining a modifiable or removable two-way path between the treatment chamber and the outside, and including elements for local cryotherapy. It also relates to such a system divided into several separable modules.
US08316634B2
A method and control system for a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalytic converter and a diesel particulate filter (DPF) includes a DPF control module that determines a particulate matter (PM) load progress of the DPF and generates a DPF regeneration request based on the PM load progress. The control system also includes an SCR control module that selectively adjusts an ammonia load of the SCR catalytic converter prior to regeneration of the DPF based on a storage capacity of the SCR catalytic converter and the PM load progress.
US08316612B2
An apparatus and method for constructing pre-insulated structural panels is disclosed that has a tongue and groove assembly arrangement. Each panel may include one or more c-channels or profiles embedded in expandable polystyrene (EPS) foam to provide structural integrity to the panels, and resulting wall. The panels may be covered with siding, stucco, or similar materials. A chase may be formed horizontally in the panels to provide a wiring conduit through the panel. The panel may also provide when assembled, a vertical chase formed between the mated panels along the length of the panel for wiring. Acoustical properties may be formed in the surface of the EPS portions to provided added acoustical damping measures.
US08316610B2
A plastic construction block for storage of water, food, medicine, staples, construction materials, or any other item that needs to be contained for storage and shipping. The construction block can also be used in the construction of a bunker, wall, or the like structure through conventional building construction by filling of the block with sand or dirt. The construction block is substantially rectangular in shape having an enlarged fill port on one end with a resealable cap. The interior of the block is hollow and sized to hold about 3.4 fluid gallons. Apertures extend through the block and are used for receipt of anchoring posts. Each aperture further having a raised protrusion formed integral along one surface and a receptacle placed around each aperture on the rear surface. The raised protrusion interlocking with a receptacle on a rear surface of an adjoining construction block for aligning similar shaped construction blocks. The construction block further including at least one anchoring pipe retaining socket, said pipe retaining socket having a depth of approximately one half the diameter of an anchoring pipe allowing retention for use in storage and shipping.
US08316609B2
A panel unit (2) for constructional purposes has at least two joining flanges (10, 12) on opposite surfaces (4, 4′) located at, or adjacent to, a common edge of the panel unit, and projecting in mutually opposite directions. Two such panel units (2) may be juxtaposed end to end and secured by a two-part connector (17) having a base portion (18) that is adapted for attaching to a fixed structural element (20) and for anchoring to the flanges (12) on a first surface (4′) of the panel units 2, and a cap (19) adapted for anchoring to the flanges (10) on an opposite surface (4) of the panel units (2) and for anchoring to the base portion.
US08316605B2
An insulated roof deck or wall system which can be used in installing roofs and wall is set forth. The system includes a plurality of metal purlins (10), a plurality of outer panels (2), a plurality of thermal insulation blocks (4), cleats (14), fasteners (12), a first insulation layer (6) and a second insulation layer (7). The metal purlins (10) can form a parallel array of purlins. The outer panels (2) can be attached to the metal purlins (10) in the parallel array. The thermal insulation blocks (4) can be disposed between the metal purlin (10) and the outer panel (2). The cleat (14) can be disposed between the thermal insulation blocks (4) and the outer panel (2) and has a protrusion which is capable of securing the thermal insulation block (4) and inhibits lateral movement between the thermal insulation block (4) and the cleat (14). The first and second insulation layers can be placed on either side of the thermal insulation blocks.
US08316602B2
Disclosed herein is a portable table having numerous favorable characteristics. The table comprises a tabletop, a column connection, and a column. The tabletop includes a core, a thickness, a perimeter section, and a bottom surface. The column connection is positioned within the thickness of the core and within the tabletop, and includes a flange and a cylindrical sleeve having a first fastener. The column includes an insertion end that includes a second fastener shaped to removably engage the first fastener and secure the column to the column connection. The insertion end is shaped to removably fit within the cylindrical sleeve of the column connection.
US08316600B2
A wall molding for a suspended ceiling comprising a roll-formed sheet metal body having a generally upright component to be fixed to a wall and a projecting component extending generally transversely to the upright component and adapted to underlie and support the edges of ceiling tiles and ends of grid runners, the projecting component in a free state extending across a plane defined by the upright component to a line adapted to abut the wall when the upright component is drawn towards the wall.
US08316593B2
An apparatus and method for connecting solar panels to a roof system surface. The solar panels can be formed flexible or non-flexible solar panels that are at least partially attached to a roofing surface by use of a fastener.
US08316590B2
An array of photovoltaic panels is supported in rows and columns spaced from one another using a foldable bi-directional span of support members. The support members include a plurality of support joists and support rails braced at an incline. Each support rail is tubular and generally rectangular, having a lower wall section with a T-slot channel for acceptance of the head of a bolt for adjustable attachment with the support joist. Also, the support rail may have a C-slot channel for retaining electrical wires. Clips are used to secure each panel to upper wall portions of underlying support rails. Each clip has a generally U-shaped gasket and is retained to a corresponding support rail through a threaded hole in a top wall of the support rail that receives a bolt or similar threaded fastener.
US08316584B2
The invention relates to a fireproofing element comprising a fireproof glazed element (1) which forms a window or door leaf (8). A bulkhead frame (3) is arranged around the door leaf (8), inserted in the building (2). A deformable component (28) is built in between the bulkhead frame (3) and the building (2). At least one telescopic element (15) is arranged between a lateral edge (10) of the door leaf (8) and the bulkhead frame (3). Said telescopic element (15) is displaceable relative to the bulkhead frame (3) in the direction of the arrows (20). The telescopic element (15) can compensate for changes in the joint (50) between the door leaf (8) and the bulkhead frame (3) and/or also seal said joint (50). Changes in length as a result of heating of the components during a fire can thus be accommodated and the door leaf (8) and fireproofing glazed element (1) hence not destroyed.
US08316574B1
A modular hand guard assembly serves both as a hand guard system and as an integrated interface system for mounting various weapon accessories and attachments thereto. The modular hand guard assembly includes a removable forward rail section that can be removed from the forward portion of the hand guard to provide for the installation of additional weapon accessories such as lights, optics or lasers in highly a desirable forward location adjacent to the barrel of the weapon. The modular hand guard assembly further includes an integrated modular switching and control system for use in connection with the various powered accessories mounted thereto.
US08316573B2
A device for adjusting a gun sight disposed in a dovetail groove on a gun slide is presented. The device includes a pushing member having a protrusion and an opening formed for receiving the gun sight therethrough, where the pushing member is movable in a first direction. The device further includes a pressure plate moveable in the first direction and a tail assembly opposing the pressure plate and movable in a second direction, where the tail assembly and the pressure plate are for securing the gun slide therebetween. When the gun slide is secured between the tail assembly and the pressure plate, moving the pushing member moves the gun sight.
US08316572B2
The suspended gun rest includes a pivoting arm adjustably mounted to a rigid support by a mount. The mount comprises an L-shaped bracket having a mounting hole and three holes for adjustment screws. A cradle is provided, the cradle including two strings, a string routing system, a locking mechanism and a spindle. A hook is connected to one end of the pivoting arm. The two strings are connected to the spindle and routed through the cradle by the routing system and attached to the hook on the pivoting arm.
US08316570B2
Bipods and mounting devices for attaching to and supporting firearms, more specifically, bipods which allow independent tension-adjustable movement around two axes. For example, the bipod assembly can be tension-adjusted with a first cam lock for cant movement and can be tension-adjusted with a second cam lock for pivotal movement. Accordingly, independently tension-adjustable and lockable pivot and cam adjustments are provided by this bipod assembly.
US08316568B2
A chamber reinforcement for composite firearm barrel and method for forming the same. In one embodiment, the barrel includes an inner tube defining a bore that provides a bullet path and an outer sleeve preferably made of a material lighter in weight than the tube. In some embodiments, the inner tube is made of a material that preferably has a greater density and strength than the outer sleeve. The reinforcement in one embodiment may be in the form of an end cap disposed on a portion of the sleeve. The reinforcement preferably is made of a material comparable to the inner tube in density and strength to reinforce the area where a chamber is formed for receiving a cartridge. In the preferred fabrication, the reinforcement, tube, and sleeve are forged together to provide a strong and unitary structure for withstanding combustion pressures and forces associated with discharging the firearm.
US08316540B2
A method of producing a land grid array (LGA) interposer structure, including an electrically insulating carrier plane, and mounting at least one interposer on a first surface of said carrier plane. The interposer possesses a hemi-toroidal configuration in transverse cross-section and is constituted of a dielectric elastomeric material. At least one sidewall of the interposer is slitted to facilitate the venting of gases and pressure therethrough. The method includes arranging a plurality of electrically-conductive elements about the surface of the at least one hemi-toroidal interposer and extending them radically inwardly and downwardly from an uppermost end thereof into electrical contact with at least one component located on an opposite side of the electrically insulating carrier plane.
US08316539B2
The present invention is to provide an apparatus for crimping a terminal to an electrical wire, which have respective part numbers, and allows miniaturization of the apparatus. The apparatus includes a base, a drive portion, a plurality of applicators, a plurality of connection/disconnection portions and a control device. The drive portion drives the associated applicator to crimp the terminal to the electrical wire. The connection/disconnection portions each are disposed in one-to-one relation ship against the respective applicators. The each connection/disconnection portion is positionable at a connection and a disconnection position, where a driving force is transmitted to or released from the associated applicator. The control device controls the associated connection/disconnection portion so that the applicator corresponding to the part numbers of the electrical wire and the terminal can achieve crimping with the driving force from the drive portion.
US08316537B2
An implantable, substantially isodiametric, low resistance implantable lead having at least one electrode positioned in a stimulation/sensing portion of the lead as well as a method of manufacturing the same. At least the stimulation/sensing portion is unitized through partially surrounding and supporting insulation and conductive element(s) of the stimulation/sensing portion with a fused matrix of material having mechanical properties consistent with a body of the lead.
US08316534B2
A method for packaging an airtight multi-layer array type LED is disclosed. The method includes: integrally forming a metal substrate with an airtight metal frame surrounding an accommodating space; forming a light outlet platform surrounding a light outlet opening on a bottom of the accommodating space; forming two horizontal sealing through holes in the airtight metal frame, wherein each sealing through hole has one lead frame inserted therethrough, and all interstitial space in the two horizontal sealing through holes is completely sealed with a sealing material; disposing the optical units and optical components in the accommodating space; sequentially forming a dice protection layer, a fluorescent layer, and a silicone layer on the LED dices; and installing an optical glass cover on the top surface of the airtight metal frame to seal the packaging structure of the present invention.
US08316515B2
An interface system for hook and loop engagement structures comprises a first interface patch and a second interface patch. The first interface patch has a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface thereof. Hook engagement structures extend from the first major surface of the first interface patch. A first magnetic element is embedded within the first interface patch between said first and second major surfaces thereof. The second interface patch has a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface thereof. Loop engagement structures extend from the first major surface of the second interface patch. A second magnetic element is embedded within the second interface patch between said first and second major surfaces thereof.
US08316514B2
A trim clip includes a tether, a main clip body, and a pin. In the assembled condition, a body securing part and a trim securing part of the main clip body are directly connected. The trim securing part has a leg formed as a hollow tubular member. Flexible first latching pawls are formed in the leg and protrude radially outward from the leg. When the pin is inserted into the leg of the body securing part, then second latching pawls on the inside of the leg engage a latching shoulder on the pin, and pulling up on the pin is limited and inward movement of the first latching pawls is prevented, thus securing of the body securing part to a body panel is strengthened.
US08316511B2
A belt-tightening apparatus includes a frame, a handle, a shaft, two ratchet wheels, two spring-biased detents and a connector. The shaft is used to rotationally connect the handle to the frame and wind a first belt. The ratchet wheels are connected to the shaft. The first spring-biased detent is movably connected to the handle for engagement with the ratchet wheels. The second spring-biased detent is movably connected to the frame for engagement with the ratchet wheels. The connector includes a tube and a reinforcement strip. The tube is connected to the frame on one hand and connected to the second belt on the other hand. The reinforcement strip is inserted in the tube for reinforcing the tube.
US08316508B2
The removable track and hanger system is mounted on horizontal tent frame members. The tent frame includes horizontal and vertical frames for supporting the overlaid tent fabric. The track and hanger system includes a track bar removably hung from a horizontal frame member by a complementary shaped inverted J-shaped hangers. The track bar includes a track bar channel, an open mouth and an interior cavity. A eyelet hangers protrude from the track bar because a capture element (roller wheel, ball or glide element) is located in the cavity and a downward eyelet extender has an eyelet hole into which is clipped a clip hook from the tent sidewall. When clipped onto the hanger track, the tent sidewall can move horizontally along the track. The throw or horizontal movement of the tent sidewall is limited by stops at one or more predetermined stop locations.
US08316500B2
A bidirectional bristle pig provides a means for collapsing or restraining the bristles so that the pig may be used in a reciprocating manner or, when the pig becomes stuck, the pig may be easily retrieved in a direction opposite that of the initial direction of travel. The bristle pig has at least one set of outwardly projecting cleaning wires or bristles located toward one end of the pig body and a sliding collar. The sliding collar moves between a first position and a second position to restrain the bristles at the desired leading end of the pig and forces the bristles downward and away from the inner wall surface of the pipeline. In the restrained state, the bristles no longer interfere with the movement of the pig in the desired direction. The sliding collar may move in response to pipeline pressure or may include a tether line.
US08316492B2
An apparatus includes a frame having an opening, a gate mechanism partially bounding the opening, at least one tool receiving section, and a power source. The apparatus includes at least one electronic device configured to be received in the at least one tool receiving section. The frame is configured to provide electrical power to the electronic device via the power source when the electronic device is received in the at least one tool receiving section, and the gate mechanism comprises a gate coupled to the frame, the gate being movable relative to the frame to permit access to the opening.
US08316491B2
A support structure, such as a mattress, is provided for the placement and removal of a human waste container, such as a bedpan, with minimal exertion by the attendant and minimal movement of the person. The mattress is provided with a cavity equipped with a controllable expandable cushion operatively coupled with the cushion to control an expansion and contraction of the cushion, wherein the control system includes a fluidic pump arranged to pump fluid into the expandable cushion, a fluid relief mechanism arranged to allow fluid to escape the expandable cushion, a fluid pressure reservoir for maintaining a relatively constant pressure in the fluidic system, and a fluid pressure switch operable to automatically activate and deactivate the fluidic pump to maintain a defined pressure level in the expandable cushion.
US08316486B2
A plurality of hollow tubular frame members interconnected by a single internal elastic retaining member that ensures each frame member aligns relative to each remaining frame member in a manner that only one arrangement of frame members is possible when assembled. To assemble, the frame members interconnect forming a three-dimensional frame suitable for supporting a bed cover. The frame members are held in tension by the internal retaining member. The frame members interlock via an insert device between adjacent frame members. The entire assembly interlocks and selectively decouples for disassembly. When disassembled, the entire assembly lies relatively flat, which enables a compact design suitable for packaging, transport or storage.
US08316474B2
The present invention relates to a drainage apparatus for a sink, in which it is possible to drain wash water rapidly without having residue substances such as foreign substances and the like caught thereon, and prevent leakage of malodor in advance, thereby achieving excellent cleanliness, facilitating an operation and maintenance of the drainage apparatus due to its simple configuration and structure. Thus, according to the drainage apparatus for a sink of the invention, residue substances, foreign substances and the like are not caught on the drainage apparatus, the female screw-shaped grooves induce vortex of wash water, thereby rapidly draining the wash water, and the float ball made of positive buoyancy material is insertingly mounted inside of the tubular drainage body so as to ascend or descend by means of the wash water, thereby preventing leakage of malodor in advance, achieving excellent cleanliness, and facilitating an assembling operation and maintenance/repair of the drainage apparatus due to its simple configuration and structure.
US08316473B2
The present invention relates to a toilet seat cover for covering and sanitizing a toilet seat comprising: a top edge; a bottom edge; two side edges, where the side edges include two curved portions on each side; and two seat ridge edges above the curved portions, where seat cover includes an antibacterial agent or a disinfectant that allows a user to wipe the seat prior to use. The toilet seat cover according to the present invention may be used to cover a portion of the toilet seat, where the seat cover drapes over a portion of the toilet seat while the bottom end lies within the toilet bowl. The toilet seat cover may be made of a biodegradable material and suitable for flushing into a sewage system.
US08316467B2
A cap, hat or other head covering, with pockets for carrying an MP3 player or other portable audio device and the wires and other related accessories. One of the pockets is structured to secure an audio device and the other pocket is structured to secure the headphone wires therein. By disposing the pockets on the headgear, the audio device is in close proximity to the wearer's head, thereby minimizing the length of wire extended between the audio device and the headphones or earplugs and allowing the wearer to perform a desired activity without the wires getting in the way.
US08321956B2
An access control device can be communicationally coupled to a storage device and can control access thereto. The access control device can comprise information, such as identities of authorized entities, to enable the access control device to independently determine whether to provide access to an associated storage device. Alternatively, the access control device can comprise information to establish a secure connection to an authorization computing device and the access control device can implement the decisions of the authorization computing device. The access control device can control access by instructing a storage device to execute specific firmware instructions to prevent meaningful responses to data storage related requests. The access control device can also comprise storage-related cryptographic information utilized by the storage device to encrypt and decrypt data. In such a case, the access control device can control access by not releasing the storage-related cryptographic information to the storage device.
US08321954B2
According to an aspect of the invention, a content class of a data set for a message to be transmitted to the recipient device is defined. A network element transferring messages to the recipient device specifies at least one information element in a message to the recipient terminal such that the information element comprises an indication of the content class. The message is transmitted to the recipient device.
US08321950B2
To prevent theft of protected content when IPTV services are provided, a conditional access device (CAD) is connected to a personal computer (PC). An application is launched on the PC from the CAD over universal serial bus (USB) interface. The application configures the PC to allow a user to receive secure internet protocol television (IPTV) services. The conditional access device and an IPTV service provider determine user access to the IPTV services via a network by using a trusted computing base (TCB) on the CAD and keys stored on the CAD. The application decrypts and decodes the IPTV services using the processing and storage capability of the PC. The CAD also receives and processes remote control signals received from a remote control interface. The remote control signals are requests or responses from the user interacting with the application. The application displays content requested by the user or indications of responses by the user via a user interface on the PC.
US08321947B2
A dynamic watermarking capability is implemented in an enterprise rights management (ERM) or similar system that comprises a central server to which end user client machines are connectable. The central server has a database in which watermark definitions created by authorized entities are centrally stored. An end user client machine is provided with a client component that typically includes wrapper code, and watermarking rendering code. The wrapper and rendering code are instantiated when a given calling application is started, or when the application initiates a given rendering function such as a print or display operation. When the calling application begins the rendering operation, the wrapper code intercepts a given rendering function call, connects to the central server and then retrieves a watermark definition. Alternatively, the watermark definition is retrieved when a document to be rendered is first accessed on the client machine. The watermark definition is then applied by the watermark rendering code, preferably using local rendering resources.
US08321944B1
A computer system method includes receiving a network topology and associated configuration data, wherein the network topology indicates a host location and a threat location, determining a vulnerability associated with the host location, determining a security exposure for the host location with respect to the threat location from the configuration data, the network topology, and to incomplete configuration data for the host location, determining a first vulnerability certainty for the host location with respect the vulnerability in response to incomplete configuration data, thereafter receiving updated network data selected from a group consisting of: updated configuration data, updated network topology, determining an updated security exposure for the host location with respect to the threat location from the updated network data, and to the incomplete configuration data, and displaying a difference between of the first security exposure and the second security exposure on the display.
US08321943B1
A distress signal sender and a distress signal receiver receive beacon-name generation parameters and generate a beacon name based at least in part on the received parameters, the beacon name representing a network location. Responsive to detecting an unexpected lack of access to network communications, the distress signal sender sends a beacon message to the generated beacon name, the beacon message describing a security state of the client. The distress signal receiver detects the beacon message sent by the distress signal sender, and responsive to receiving the beacon message, performs a remedial action.
US08321936B1
A system and a method for detecting malicious content associated with an electronic message are described. An electronic message, such as an e-mail, a chat request, a torrent file or a text message is initially received. The electronic message can then be compared to known viruses using pattern or signature matching techniques. The electronic message is then transmitted to a virtual machine which executes the electronic message in an environment simulating the destination computing system of the electronic message. The virtual machine monitors execution of the electronic message to identify one or more malicious actions and classifies the electronic message accordingly. For example, message component execution is monitored for attempts to access system files, attempts to access user information, attempts to transmit system configuration data or attempts to transmit user information.
US08321931B2
In some embodiments, the invention involves a system and method for invoking a series of hypervisors on a platform. A hardware-based secure boot of a chained series of virtual machines throughout the life of the pre-operating system (OS) firmware/BIOS/loader/option ROM execution, with component-wise isolation of the pre-extensible firmware interface (PEI) and driver execution environment (DXE) cores is utilized. In an embodiment, a Cache-As-RAM (CAR) based hypervisor, executing directly from Flash memory manages sequential invocation of a next hypervisor. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08321923B2
The invention relates to an authentication and/or rights containing retrievable token such as an IC card comprising at least one physical channel of communication to at least one apparatus and at least two logical channels of communication with said at least one apparatus wherein each logical channel of communication is associated with a different execution environment.
US08321900B2
A method includes at a first customer premises equipment (CPE) device coupled to a multimedia distribution network, generating a first request for multimedia content. The method also includes sending the first request to a network node of the multimedia distribution network. The method further includes receiving the multimedia content from a virtual peer located at the network node and storing the multimedia content at the first CPE device. The method also includes receiving a message via the multimedia distribution network, the message indicating a transmission of a second request for the multimedia content by a second customer premises equipment (CPE) device. The method further includes transmitting at least a portion of the stored multimedia content to the second CPE device.
US08321899B2
A system for delivering video products to a subscriber unit includes: (a) at least one subscriber unit equipped for processing video signals; (b) a telecommunication network coupled with the at least one subscriber unit; and (c) at least one video provider station coupled with the telecommunication network. Each respective video provider station is responsive to a predetermined call code for providing a predetermined video product to a particular subscriber unit via the telecommunication network.
US08321898B2
A content display-playback system includes a content providing apparatus, a content display-playback apparatus, and an operation control apparatus for controlling the apparatuses. On the basis of operation control by the control apparatus, content is transmitted from the providing apparatus to the display-playback apparatus for display and playback through a network. The control apparatus includes an input operation receiving unit for receiving an operation input, a control signal generating unit for generating a control signal for transmitting and receiving the content among the providing, display-playback, and control apparatuses in response to the operation input, and a storage unit for storing selection-history information. When the receiving unit receives an operation input for transmitting the content from the providing apparatus to the display-playback apparatus, the generating unit generates a control signal for selecting a display-playback apparatus on the basis of the selection-history information and transmitting the content to the selected display-playback apparatus.
US08321895B2
The invention relates to an apparatus for selecting at least one program item to be stored on the basis of user preferences. The apparatus comprises a receiver (110) for obtaining program schedule data related to at least one program item, and a timer (150) arranged to ascertain a period of time in which at least one program item is to be stored, a user preference module (130) arranged to obtain user preferences for at least one program item to be stored in the ascertained period of time, and a selection unit (140) arranged to select, using the program schedule data and the user preferences, at least one program item to be stored over a long period of time which is substantially longer than regular periods of nonusage of the apparatus. The invention takes into consideration that the user preferences for storing the program items may depend on the period of time in which the program items are to be selected.
US08321894B2
A transmission apparatus and a reception apparatus have improved characteristics such as entertainment and convenience for a user who receives content received by a digital satellite broadcast receiver. A broadcasting side, along with a first content (video/audio content), broadcasts content (second content) as data for forming a GUI related to a broadcast content as the video/audio signal. A reception apparatus side receiving the content executes a process for outputting a GUI together with a picture of the first content in accordance with the description in a script of the second content. Further, a process is executed to generate use history information in accordance with the user's use of the first content in the reception apparatus and to change the content of a service provided on the GUI based on the use history information. According to this structure, the service content provided on the GUI varies in accordance with the operation and behavior of the user in response to a screen picture/audio of the first content.
US08321891B2
In a subscriber television system, assigning categories to a channel as an entity reduces the searching requirements associated with searching a database of thousands of individual program records, identifying the channel on which an identified program will be displayed, and then sorting the resultant information. The channel information is searched for the assigned category information and the associated program information for just those channels is retrieved. This reduces the processor requirements for searching the thousands of records in the program records database. With the reduced processor requirements and the increased efficiency of information organization for searching, a single machine state change is possible between viewing full screen video and a browse banner or between viewing full screen program information and video with a browse banner.
US08321889B2
A personalized and localized TV Ad delivery method and system comprise of Ad Center (1), Intelligent Control Module (2), and Display (3) and/or TV (4). Ad Center (1) collects and processes information for ads, ad agencies, advertisers, and TV users. TV user information includes subscriber information associated with a user and public and/or purchasable user information like demographic data, user age group, family group, profession, credit history, etc. Intelligent Control Module (2) interfaces with Ad Center (2) and Display (3) and/or TV (4), collects user viewing program content preference, user ad preference, and user viewing patterns, which, at the discretion of users and based on local rules and regulations, can be uploaded to Ad Center (1). Intelligent Control Module (2) and/or Ad Center (1) also utilize artificial intelligence, mathematical, and statistical techniques for decision processing to produces a user personalized and localized ad schedule and/or ad set pertaining to channels and time, which governs the appropriate ad display during commercial times for certain or all channels. Application of the present invention enables ad agencies and/or advertisers directly and accurately personalize and localize their advertisements to potential buyers and/or locations that might have the interests or needs for the advertised products or services, and greatly enhance the effectiveness of TV advertisements.
US08321885B2
A system, method and device for providing communications with an in-home system at a residence of a user are provided. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving digital television programming content from a television service provider, receiving a first user input of a selected digital television programming content, in response to receiving the first user input, causing the selected digital television programming content to be displayed on a television, receiving a message from an in-home system, in response to receiving the message, causing a notification to be displayed on the television as an overlay over the displayed television programming content, receiving a first user command, determining a first control message to transmit to the in-home system in response to receiving the first user command, transmitting the first control message to the in-home system, wherein the in-home system may comprise a video camera, an entry way security system, an HVAC system, a lighting system, an alarm system, or other in-home system. User inputs may be received via a remote control to a set top box or from a computing device at a remote computer system through the internet and/or a mobile telephone network.
US08321883B2
A disk drive is disclosed. The disk drive can include includes a spindle motor, which can rotate a disk; an encoder, which can detect the rotational speed of the disk; an encoder holder, which secures the encoder; and a base plate, which supports the spindle motor, and in which a holder indentation is formed for inserting the encoder holder in. Certain embodiments of the invention allow easy height adjustments for the encoder holder, so that the encoder may maintain a particular distance from the disk, and also allow the encoder to be fitted onto the base plate, even in cases where the base plate has a limited mounting area.
US08321876B2
Provided are a system and method for allocating a specific job or application to a specific slave core by using an inter-core-communication (ICC) channel and executing the job or application in a multicore system environment including the master core and a plurality of slave cores. The method of a master core, includes: initializing message transmission times; generating an event for processing a instruction received from an application program and generating a channel event message from the event; checking a process for transmitting the generated channel event message, and if a channel event message queue corresponding to an event transmitting request is not “FULL” of a previously-stored channel event message, transmitting the channel event message to a specific slave core to request for storing the channel event message; and returning a response of processing status to the request for storing the channel event message to the application program.
US08321869B1
The present specification describes techniques and apparatus that enable synchronization using agent-based semaphores. In one or more implementations, a semaphore is used for a first agent to notify a second agent that the first agent has completed a particular task of a set of tasks and has completed using a shared resource for the particular task.
US08321865B2
A keyed delay is used in the processing of streaming data to decrease the processing performed and the output provided. A first event, within a particular window, having a particular key starts a delay condition. Arriving events with the same key replace the previous arrival for that key until the delay condition is satisfied. In response thereto, the latest event with that key is output.
US08321850B2
Computer code from an application program comprising a plurality of modules that each comprise a separately loadable file is code cached in a shared and persistent caching system. A shared code caching engine receives native code comprising at least a portion of a single module of the application program, and stores runtime data corresponding to the native code in a cache data file in the non-volatile memory. The engine then converts cache data file into a code cache file and enables the code cache file to be pre-loaded as a runtime code cache. These steps are repeated to store a plurality of separate code cache files at different locations in non-volatile memory.
US08321839B2
Various embodiments provide a testing infrastructure that abstracts test cases from APIs in a manner that allows for round tripping between production and consumption and APIs.
US08321838B2
Techniques for debugging a computer program that includes multiple modules executing on multiple machines include receiving, at a unifying component, first data from a first machine. The first data indicates debugging information generated by the first machine. Second data is also received at the unifying component from a second machine. The second data indicates debugging information generated by the second machine. Based on the first data and the second data, third data is formed indicating a single integrated representation of debugging information for the computer program. The unifying component allows debugging information from several machines to be integrated and then presented to a user through a single debugger client.
US08321836B2
Programmatic assistance is provided for dynamic typing within an integrated development environment (IDE). Types associated with late bound constructs can be inferred from static information and/or determined from design time execution. Assistance can then be provided as a function of a precise and/or speculative type. Furthermore, dynamic type assistance can be employed in conjunction with static type assistance to facilitate development of a program that supports both late and early binding, for example.
US08321833B2
The subject disclosure relates to a syntax for a scripting language that allows data intensive applications to be written in a compact, human friendly, textual format. The scripting language can be a declarative programming language, such as the “D” programming language, which is well suited to the authoring of data intensive programs. A compact query syntax is provided for D that simplifies the expression of complex and data intensive programs. In another non-limiting aspect, conventional operator precedence is modified to accommodate the compact syntax and other unique features of a general purpose declarative programming language.
US08321827B2
In one embodiment, there is provided a method for a computer aiding a design of a power supply that includes extracting data of one of a plurality of power supplies of an apparatus from product data about the apparatus, extracting data of a power supply system from power supply system data, the one of the plurality power supplies system is not allocated to any of the plurality of power supplies of the apparatus and associating the extracted data of the power supply with the extracted data of the power supply system in power supply allocation result data.
US08321823B2
Computer-implemented systems and methods that provide an efficient technique for performing a large class of permutations on data vectors of length 2n, n>1, implemented with streaming width 2k (where 1≦k≦n−1). The technique applies to any permutation Q on 2n datawords that can be specified as a linear transform, i.e., as an n×n bit matrix (a matrix containing only 1s and 0s) P on the bit level. The relationship between Q and P is as follows: If Q maps (dataword) i to (dataword) j, then the bit representation of j is the bit-matrix-vector product of P with the bit representation of i. Given such a permutation specified by the matrix P and given the streaming width (k), an architectural framework (or datapath) is calculated to implement the permutation.
US08321822B2
A method optical proximity correction includes the following steps. First, a layout of an integrated circuit with an exposure intensity specification is provided. The integrated circuit includes a plurality of patterns and each pattern has an exposure intensity distribution. Second, a quadratic polynomial equation of each exposure intensity distribution is approximated. Third, a local extreme intensity of each exposure intensity distribution is computed by fitting the quadratic polynomial equation. Fourth, the local extreme intensity is determined whether violating the exposure intensity specification or not. Then, the layout is corrected when the local extreme intensity violates the exposure intensity specification.
US08321820B2
A method to compensate optical proximity correction adapted for a photolithography process includes providing an integrated circuit (IC) layout. The IC layout includes active regions, a shallow trench isolation (STI) region and ion implant regions overlapped with a part of the STI region and at least a part of the active regions. Subsequently, at least a photoresist line width compensation region disposed in the STI region is acquired in a photoresist covering region outside the ion implant regions according to the IC layout. Afterwards, the IC layout is corrected according to a width of the photoresist line width compensation region, a length of a side of the active region facing a side of the photoresist line width compensation region and a distance from the side of the photoresist line width compensation region to the active region facing the side. Then, the corrected IC layout is transferred to a photomask.
US08321817B2
Various aspects of this disclosure relate to increasing pattern density in a circuit layout design of a circuit layer so as to control the thickness of material in a manufactured integrated circuit. For example, a layer in circuit design may be divided into separate areas, and a target thickness range may be established for all of the tiles in the integrated circuit design. Each area may be analyzed to determine if it has a sufficient pattern density for a thickness estimation model to accurately estimate its expected material thickness upon manufacture. Each tile may be analyzed to determine if the expected thickness for that tile is within the target thickness range.
US08321815B2
To calculate data of an original, a computer is caused to execute the following steps of converting data regarding an intended pattern to be formed on a substrate into frequency-domain data, calculating a two-dimensional transmission cross coefficient using a function representing an effective light source that an illumination device forms on a pupil plane of a projection optical system when the original is absent on an object plane of the projection optical system and using a pupil function of the projection optical system, calculating a diffracted light distribution from a pattern that is formed on the object plane using both the frequency-domain data and data of at least one component of the calculated two-dimensional transmission cross coefficient, and converting data of the calculated diffracted light distribution into spatial-domain data to determine the data of the original.
US08321812B2
A method and apparatus for an interactive catalog includes presenting a portion of a database. The method includes presenting a first tier of selectable graphics images. Each selectable graphics image in the first tier of selectable graphics images represents a first collection of data structures corresponding thereto. The method also includes presenting a second tier of selectable graphics images, in response to a selecting of a selectable graphics image of the first tier to produce a first tier selected graphics image. Each selectable graphics image in the second tier of selectable graphics images represents a second collection of data structures. Each data structure in the second tier also belongs to the first collection of data structures corresponding to the first tier selected graphics image.
US08321805B2
Scorecard associated content is provided to limited user interfaces of desktop visualization applications on a user's computing device (e.g. a mobile computing device, an ultra-mobile computing device, a personal digital assistant, an in-car computing system, and a tablet computing device) for delivery of personalized and scalable metrics. Users are enabled to set up personalized metric views based on predefined or user-defined desktop visualization applications employing indicators, partial report views, audio, video, and the like. Data delivery attributes from local or remote data sources can be set for deployment of the desktop visualization applications in a service based architecture. Computing device visualization applications may also be used to activate local or remote applications for various scorecard operations.
US08321798B2
A container browser or a super browser stores browsers and enables a user to launch any stored web browser and display a designated web page from a preferred browser. This container browser can track and bookmark the browsers such that the browsers could be easily selected and initiated. The container browser could present the content in tabbed form, meaning that a tab that the user can click on will represent every open window. Once the user has designated a particular browser to display particular web page, then this information is stored in the container browser. Further accesses to that web site would be displayed using the designated web browser. Other designated web pages would be displayed on other designated web browsers.
US08321794B2
Systems and methods that enable conference attendee(s) to invite others to the conference and provide a rich set of contextual information about the conference upfront to the invitee(s). A communicator component enables document related to the conference to be automatically shared and can further supply the name of the document and the location of the document. Hence, an invitee can make an informed decision about joining the conference and evaluate relevance of the conference up front (e.g., prior to joining).
US08321782B1
A jigsaw puzzle and associated web site which provides an entertaining and novel way to give a gift and relay information to select individuals. The puzzle has a code, in addition to the puzzle picture itself, which is displayed when completed. This code gives the puzzle solver access to a web page previously created by the sender of the puzzle. The web page can contain any type of information and data including pictures, videos, music, web links, or items for purchase, for example.
US08321781B2
Configuration of an interactive chart is performed by user interactions with a user interface in a satellite pane, which is distinct from a chart pane used to display the data fields present on an interactive chart. Upon entry of a configuration selection, a query is executed to retrieve data to be displayed by the interactive chart.
US08321772B1
A technique for decoding information, including a Viterbi decoder configured to decode (1) Front-end processed ADC data and (2) an output of an iterative error correction decoder in the event error correction decoding fails. The iterative error correction decoder is configured to decode Viterbi decoded data generated by the Viterbi decoder.
US08321770B2
A path comparison unit is disclosed for determining paths in a trellis that compete with a survivor path. The disclosed path comparison unit comprises a first type functional unit comprising a multiplexer and a register to store one or more survivor bits associated with the survivor path; and at least two second type functional units, wherein each second type functional unit comprises a multiplexer and a logical circuit to compute at least one equivalence bit indicating whether the bit for a respective path and the bit for the survivor path are equivalent. Generally, the respective path is one or more of a win-lose path and a lose-win path.
US08321766B2
An IP-data transmitting apparatus performs an error correction coding by classifying data into a layer indicative of the priority order of the data based on importance and vulnerability of information included in the data, and combining a plurality of data components into combination patterns. The number of the combination patterns is specified with respect to each layer with predetermined priority order.
US08321763B1
Reproduction of encoded data which includes a split-mark. FIR data corresponding to split-mark and FIR data affected by the split-mark due to inter-symbol-interference are identified. FIR data corresponding to the split-mark is removed from the received FIR data. Recovered data is created by removing incorrect inter-symbol-interference from the FIR data due to the split-mark, and adding correct inter-symbol-interference from codeword bits. The recovered data is stitched together with data unaffected by split-mark data.
US08321756B2
An error detection code (EDC) memory module coupled via a bus to a data memory module. In response to a request for data words from a specified memory address within the data memory module, the data memory module provides a predetermined number of data words and the EDC memory module provides a corresponding EDC word.
US08321752B1
An encoding system includes a first low density parity check (LDPC) module and a second LDPC module. The first LDPC module is configured to generate a first encoded codeword by encoding a first codeword using a first LDPC code. The second LDPC module is configured to generate a second encoded codeword by encoding a second codeword using a second LDPC code. Signals based on the first encoded codeword and signals based on the second encoded codeword are transmitted over a communications channel. The first LDPC code is defined by a first parity check matrix and the second LDPC code is defined by a second parity check matrix. The second parity check matrix includes the first parity check matrix, a zero matrix, and a supplementary matrix.
US08321747B2
An efficient general QC-LDPC code decoder includes a general-purpose processor for distributing the storage storage space of the data memory block, and establishing an index for data addressing; a data memory block for storing the information used during decoding; a hardware accelerator for conducting part or all of the information processing operations including parity check, check node updating and variable node updating. A corresponding QC-LDPC code decoding method includes initializing the variable node information and performing parity check on the check matrix row block by row block; updating the check node row block by row block and updating the variable node column block by column block if any check equation is not met.
US08321737B2
A data transfer apparatus in which, in a failure state such that an error packet is received at a reception end, the error packet is returned and is recorded in the transmission end, the error packet is analyzed and an error bit is identified at the transmission end, and data transmission/reception units are initialized and restarted in order to recover from the failure state.
US08321735B2
A length Nd≧2 of a vector is determined, the vector indicating a type of data non-associated control signaling (e.g., CQI+ACK, CQI+NACK, or CQI-only). The length Nd may be sent individually to UEs or broadcast in the cell. The network decodes a received message using a sub-code word from its memory having the determined length Nd. From the sub-code word the network determines what type of data non-associated control signaling is in the received message, and may jointly decode CQI and the ACK/NACK. Varying the length Nd achieves an error performance: longer Nd deteriorates CQI performance and increases ACK/NACK performance. The UE receives the indication of the length Nd, determines a channel quality vector and also a type-vector from its memory having the length Nd, and multiplexes and jointly encodes the vector of length Nd with the channel quality vector.
US08321731B2
Built-in-self-test using embedded memory and processor in an application specific integrated circuit
A test method for an ASIC uses an embedded processor in the ASIC to execute test routines from an embedded memory or an external memory. During ASIC production, the test routines can comprehensively test of the blocks of the ASIC without a complicated test pattern from test equipment. The test routines can also perform power-up tests in systems or end products containing the ASIC. Test selection, activation, and result output can be implement using a few terminals of the ASIC.
US08321728B2
The present disclosure describes a novel method and apparatus of using the JTAG TAP's TMS and TCK terminals as a general purpose serial Input/Output (I/O) bus. According to the present disclosure, the TAP's TMS terminal is used as a clock signal and the TCK terminal is used as a bidirectional data signal to allow serial communication to occur between; (1) an IC and an external controller, (2) between a first and second IC, or (3) between a first and second core circuit within an IC.
US08321724B2
A device includes a taxonomy schema; a display link base; a calculation link base; an XBRL document memory unit which stores an instance; an error inference unit which compares a calculated value of an input value of the instance corresponding to an item element of the calculation value in accordance with the calculation link base with the input value of the instance corresponding to the calculated value based on the display link base, detects a discrepancy between the calculation value and the input value, specifies a calculation tree structure of the calculation link base including the item element in which the discrepancy is detected and a display tree structure of the display link base including the item element in which the discrepancy is detected, and infers that a state of too many or too few item elements is regarded as a discrepancy error in the case that such an item element is set only in either one of the trees and that the item element has an input that is consistent with an absolute value of the difference between the input value and the calculated value; and an inference result display processing unit which outputs the error inferred result.
US08321723B2
Methods and apparatus for logging, analysis, and reporting of events such as reboots in a client device (e.g., consumer premises equipment in a cable network) using applications. In one aspect, an improved event logging and monitoring system is provided within the device with which the application(s) can interface to record event or error data. In one exemplary embodiment, the client device comprises a digital set-top box having Java-enabled middleware adapted to implement the various functional aspects of the event logging system, which registers to receive event notifications (including resource exhaustion data) from other applications running on the device. The network operator can also optionally control the operation of the logging system remotely via a network agent. Improved client device and network configurations, as well as methods of operating these systems, are also disclosed.
US08321717B2
A system and method for dynamic frequency adjustment for interoperability of differential clock recovery, including one or more of the following: a frequency generator for receiving a frequency reference clock signal and generating a plurality of frequency signals by operating on the frequency reference clock signal, the plurality of frequencies signals being output from the frequency generator and each having a different frequency; a flexible distributor for receiving the plurality of frequency signals from the frequency generator and selecting ones of said plurality of frequency signals and transmitting said selected ones of said plurality of frequency signals; and a plurality of differential units, each for receiving one of said selected ones of said plurality of frequency signals, each for applying a differential signal to said selected ones of said plurality of frequency signals, and each for adding time stamps to the selected ones of said plurality of frequency signals and outputting respective time stamped differential selected frequency signals.
US08321707B2
A main computer for vehicle includes a central processing unit and a programmable logic device. The central processing unit is configured for controlling operations of the main computer. The programmable logic device is coupled to the central processing unit and includes a built-in power state machine for managing power statuses of the main computer. The power state machine includes a turn-off status, an operating status, and a predetermined status located between the turn-off status and the operating status.
US08321702B2
According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus having a power-saving function includes a monitoring module and a power-saving setting presenting module. The monitoring module monitors a usage pattern of the information processing apparatus, and stores log information indicative of the usage pattern in a storage device. The power-saving setting presenting module determines recommended values of power-saving parameters for specifying content of the power-saving function, based on the stored log information, and to display the determined recommended values.
US08321701B2
Methods and a processing device are provided for monitoring a level of power in a power supply of a processing device and changing a data flushing policy, with respect to data to be written to a non-volatile storage device, based on a predicted amount of time until power loss. When the predicted amount of time until power loss is higher than a threshold, as defined by a flushing policy, requests from applications for data flushes of data to a non-volatile storage device may be discarded. When the predicted amount of time remaining until power loss drops below the threshold, the requests from the applications for data flushes of the data to the non-volatile storage device may be honored and the data may be flushed to the non-volatile storage device. In some embodiments, the flushing policy may define additional thresholds.
US08321697B2
A memory card 100 having a NAND type flash memory connectable to a host device 200, capable of transmitting/receiving a signal to/from the host device 200 at a first voltage (3.3 V) or a second voltage (1.8 V) and safely changing a signal voltage of a transmission/reception signal that mutually checks a signal voltage through handshake processing with the host device 200 when the signal voltage is switched.
US08321695B2
A system and method for physical layer device enabled power over Ethernet (PoE) processing. A digital PoE control module is included within a physical layer device and is designed to complement an analog PoE control module within a power sourcing equipment. The inclusion of the digital PoE control within the physical layer device reduces the complexity of the power sourcing equipment without sacrificing PoE control features.
US08321689B2
A method of embedding information in a computer program code, including a plurality of program statements. The method comprises: parsing the computer program code to identify at least one program statement that includes a first mathematical expression, wherein said first mathematical expression includes at least a first algebraic expression adapted to produce at least one numeric result; generating a modified mathematical expression by performing a predetermined transformation of the first mathematical expression, wherein the modified mathematical expression includes a transformed algebraic expression instead of the first algebraic expression, such that the modified mathematical expression is adapted to produce the same result as the first mathematical expression, and wherein the modified mathematical expression is indicative of at least a part of said information; replacing said first mathematical expression in the identified program statement by the modified mathematical expression.
US08321677B2
A method, apparatus, and system are directed towards generating a public/private key pair prior to registration. The generation of the public/private key pair is performed by the entity to which the key pair is to be associated. The entity may then complete n application. The entity may then employ the generated public/private key pair to digitally sign the application. In one embodiment, the public key is provided with the application to a registration authority. Upon request, the public key and at least some of the application information may be provided to requester for use in identification, authentication, integrity, and/or non-repudiation of the registered entity. In another embodiment, the registration authority or other entity may verify the identity of the registering entity using the application. In one embodiment, the registration authority may select to digitally sign the application to indicate that the information has been verified.
US08321674B2
An information processing device includes: a receiving unit that receives a first random number from another information processing device; a generating unit that generates a second random number; a time-variant-key generating unit that generates a time variant key for encryption according to the second random number; an encrypting unit that encrypts the first random number with the time variant key; and a transmitting unit that transmits the first random number encrypted by the time variant key and the second random number to the other information processing device.
US08321671B2
A technique for allowing client-driven profile updates in a wireless network uses a shared character password and a shared image that is known by both a client device and a network server. In some embodiments, a random character table is generated by a client device and is used, along with the shared character password and shared image, to calculate a one-time password (OTP). The OTP is then used to both encrypt and sign a new security profile to be delivered to the network server in a profile update request. The server may then generate the same OTP using information within the request and the shared character password and shared image. The new profile may then be decrypted and validated within the server.
US08321665B2
An apparatus and method for determining contents information corresponding to a Rights Object (RO) by transmitting information on contents together when the RO is moved from a mobile device to a memory card or a smart card or when the RO is moved from the memory card or the smart card to the mobile device are provided. The apparatus includes a meta information manager for determining information on contents corresponding to the RO when the RO is moved, and for generating meta information containing the determined contents information, and a controller for providing control to transmit the RO and the meta information generated by the meta information manager to a portable storage device. Accordingly, the conventional problem can be solved in which information on contents cannot be determined by using a Contents IDentifier (CID) if the RO does not exist together with the contents.
US08321654B2
Methods and devices for initial bootstrap of a user terminal are provided. The user terminal transmits at least one first message to an initial bootstrap server. The first message includes device management capability information for the user terminal. The initial bootstrap server selects a device management protocol to be used by the user terminal and sends the selected device management protocol to the user terminal in at least one second message.
US08321641B2
A recording medium has a real data area built from a plurality of clusters and a fat (File Allocation Table) built from a plurality of entries showing usage conditions of the corresponding clusters. A control unit previously divides the fat into a plurality of blocks and creates, in RAM, a search table, at each block, showing presence or absence of an entry (unassigned entry) corresponding to an unassigned cluster. When data are written into the recording medium, the position of a block including an unassigned entry is located on the basis of the search table. Subsequently, the block is read in RAM, thereby locating the position of the unassigned cluster. Data are written in the thus-located cluster.
US08321631B2
A data storage device is provided. The data storage device may include a buffer memory, a storage medium, and a controller. The buffer memory may be configured to sequentially store written data blocks received from a host. The storage medium may be configured to include at least one drive. The controller may be configured to calculate first parity data for data selected from the written data in the buffer memory, generate journaling data, and control the generated journaling data to be stored in the storage medium. The data storage device may decrease a number of inputs/outputs used for a parity calculation to thereby reduce overhead.
US08321618B1
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a mechanism to schedule read data transmissions and write data transmissions to/from a cache to frame buffer logic on the L2 bus. When processing a read or a write command, a scheduling arbiter examines a bus schedule to determine that a read-read conflict, a read-write conflict or a write-read exists, and allocates an available memory space in a read buffer to store the read data causing the conflict until the read return data transmission can be scheduled. In the case of a write command, the scheduling arbiter then transmits a write request to a request buffer. When processing a write request, the request arbiter examines the request buffers to determine whether a write-write conflict. If so, then the request arbiter allocates a memory space in a request buffer to store the write request until the write data transmission can be scheduled.
US08321617B1
In an information system, for I/O migration, the migration management module detects a first I/O function associated with a first I/O device to which the OS is connected, selects a second I/O function associated with a second I/O device which is the same type of the first I/O device, and instructs to hot-add the second I/O function to the OS. And the OS sets a teaming for a first virtual MAC address of a first virtual NIC corresponding to the first I/O function and a second virtual MAC address of a second virtual NIC corresponding to the second I/O function, and disconnects the first virtual MAC address of the first virtual NIC corresponding to the first I/O function.
US08321615B2
An embodiment of the invention includes (i) receiving a core identifier that corresponds with a processor source core; (ii) receiving an input/output request, produced from the source core, that is associated with the core identifier; (iii) and directing an interrupt, which corresponds to the request, to the source core based on the core identifier. Other embodiments are described herein.
US08321614B2
Technologies are generally described herein for handling interrupts within a multiprocessor computing system. A priority level associated with a current task for each processor of the multiprocessor computing system can be maintained. Cache state information associated with each processor can also be maintained. Upon receiving an interrupt to the multiprocessor computing system, a cache locality score for each processor can be determined based on the maintained cache state information. A value can be computed that balances, for each processor, the priority level and the cache locality score. A processor for servicing the interrupt can be determined based on the computed value. The determined processor can be signaled to service the interrupt. Tracking state information related to processor cores can support rapid allocation of an arriving interrupt to a processor core without collecting processor core state information at interrupt time.
US08321607B2
Disclosed here is a semiconductor memory device including: a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of pads formed on the semiconductor substrate and configured to permit data input and output; and a memory core block and an I/O block integrated on the semiconductor substrate. The data items are input and output to and from the plurality of pads at twice a maximum access rate in effect.
US08321602B2
A device management apparatus may include, but is not limited to, a device controller that controls a device, a communication controller, a management unit, and a monitoring unit. The communication controller controls a communication between the device and the device controller. The management unit manages the device controller and the communication controller. The monitoring unit is disposed between the device controller and the communication controller. The monitoring unit formats data that is transmitted between the device controller and the communication controller so as to create formatted data. The monitoring unit supplies the formatted data to the management unit.
US08321599B2
A license issue system includes a user terminal and a license information issue server that are connected to a network. In the case in which there is a transfer source device in which license information issued by the license information issue server has been installed, and there is a transfer destination device that is to take over the license information installed in the transfer source device, the license issue system has the feature that the user terminal transmits, to the license information issue server, information regarding the transfer source device and the transfer destination device, and a license period during which the license can be used simultaneously in the transfer source device and the transfer destination device, and the license information issue server issues time-restricted license information to the transfer source device.
US08321593B2
Systems, methods, devices that enable the efficient synchronization of timing information from first time-based process to a second time-based process using periodic or event-driven synchronization messages are provided. In one aspect, the invention includes a media processing system having a first process for processing media based, at least in part, on first timing information derived from a first timing source and a second timing source. The system may also include a second process for processing the media based, at least in part, on second timing information derived from the first timing source. The first process may send one or more timing synchronization messages, generated based at least in part on the first timing source and the second timing source, to the second process to synchronize the second timing information with the first timing information.
US08321588B2
A system, method, and computer-readable medium for request routing based on client location information are provided. A content delivery network service provider receives a DNS query from a client computing device. The DNS query corresponds to a resource identifier for requested content from the client computing device. The content delivery network service provider transmits an alternative resource identifier in response to the client computing device DNS query. The alternative resource identifier is selected as a function of client location information. The client location information is obtained from information corresponding to a mapping of at least partial IP addresses to known locations. The client computing device then issues a second DNS query to the same content delivery network service provider. The content delivery network service provider can then either resolve the second DNS query or transmit another alternative resource identifier.
US08321585B2
A method for processing a message routing in a communication network system having a bus network structure includes connecting a plurality of brokers in a mesh topology; connecting each of the service terminal nodes to one of the brokers via a connector; allocating a network address to each of the connected service terminal nodes; maintaining at least some of the allocated network addresses and socket addresses of the connected brokers in a routing table; and routing a message between the service terminal nodes by using information contained in the routing table. A network communication system having a bus network structure includes service terminal nodes; at least one connector connected to at least one of the service terminal nodes; and a plurality of brokers, each of the brokers having a routing table.
US08321577B2
The invention relates to a low latency transport of an Internet message over a connection from an Internet message-sending node to an Internet Message-receiving node. Said Internet Message-sending node determines the size of the Internet message (40) and compares the size of with a pre-determined single-packet threshold (42). Thereafter, the Internet Message-sending node performs a TCP Internet message-transport (44) over said connection if the size of the Internet message is larger than said single-packet threshold, and a single-packet (UDP) Internet message-transport (45, 46) if the size of the Internet message is smaller than said single-packet threshold.
US08321575B2
A relay server can collectively copy a plurality of shared resources separately held by client terminals to a terminal that belongs to the relay server by performing a simple operation. The relay server includes a shared resource information registration unit. The shared resource information registration unit stores shared resource information when a resource is shared among a plurality of client terminals. The shared resource information includes resource information, hierarchical structure information regarding a hierarchical structure of the resources, and account information of a resource sharing terminal that is a client terminal that shares the resource. When the shared resource information is specified by the resource sharing terminal such that the resource included in the prescribed shared resource information may be output to an output destination in accordance with the hierarchical structure information, the relay server transfers the resource that is included in the specified shared resource information and that can be handled by another resource sharing terminal to the resource sharing terminal.
US08321560B1
A computer-implemented method for data loss prevention may include intercepting a packet sent by an application of an endpoint. The computer-implemented method may also include extracting file-identification information from the packet. The computer-implemented method may further include identifying a list of opened files and matching the file-identification information to a file in the list of opened files. The computer-implemented method may additionally include identifying a data-loss-prevention policy that applies to the file. The computer-implemented method may moreover include filtering the packet based on the data-loss-prevention policy. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US08321559B2
A method, system, apparatus, and signal-bearing media for provided discovering a target device via one port of a plurality of virtual ports, creating a target data structure associated with the target device, and allocating a second port of the plurality of virtual ports to a host if the second port is available. In an embodiment, an initiator identifier for the host may be created based on a port number of the second port and a media access control address and sent to the target device to identify the host.
US08321558B1
Techniques are described for managing distributed execution of programs. In some situations, the techniques include dynamically monitoring the ongoing distributed execution of a program on a cluster of multiple computing nodes, and may include automatically determining the status of execution of the program on each of the multiple computing nodes and/or automatically determining the aggregate usage of one or more types of computing resources across the cluster of multiple computing nodes by the distributed program execution. The information obtained from the dynamic monitoring may be used in various manners, including to facilitate dynamically modifying the ongoing distributed program execution in various manners, such as to temporarily throttle usage of computing resources by the distributed program execution (e.g., to remove or reduce one or more bottlenecks).
US08321554B2
A system, method and computer program product for determining one of a plurality of servers on which to install and execute an application. First program instructions obtain information from each of the plurality of servers as to amounts of availability of their respective CPUs, RAMs and storage. Second program instructions determine one or more of the servers which have sufficient CPU, RAM and storage to execute the application. Third program instructions determine a weight for each of the amounts for the one or more servers. Fourth program instructions sum together, for each of the one or more servers, the weights for their respective amounts of availability of the CPUs, RAMs and storage. Fifth program instructions determine which of the one or more servers has a highest sum, whereby the server with the highest sum is recommended to execute the application.
US08321549B2
A system for managing execution of actions corresponding to service configuration items in accordance with embodiments of the invention may include a discovery section for discovering information regarding a configuration item, and a repository for storing a set of data for each configuration item. The set of data may indicate at least one predetermined attribute of the configuration item, and a relation between the configuration item and other configuration items. An associating section may associate a service configuration item with one or more other configuration items that are objects of actions corresponding to the service configuration item. Finally, a determining section may determine whether execution of an action corresponding to a service configuration item is allowed. Such a determination may be made when a request for an action corresponding to a second configuration item is issued during execution of an action corresponding to a first service configuration item, or when a configuration item that is the object of the action corresponding to the second service configuration item is included in a configuration item that is the object of the action corresponding to the first service configuration item.
US08321541B1
Methods are provided for assigning a static IPv6 address to a mobile device by accessing a database to determine whether a static IPv6 address is stored in the database for that mobile device. A mobile device communicates a request for a static IPv6 address, and it is then determined that a static IPv6 address is defined in a customer-profile database in association with the mobile device. The network portion and the host portion of the static IPv6 address are sent to the mobile device so that the mobile device is able to communicate by way of a communications network.
US08321538B2
An embodiment of the present invention comprises a method of configuring one or more target network devices for operation, that further comprises the steps of creating an object for deployment to a predetermined target network device, the object having configuration data for configuring the target network device, and at least one of identification data identifying the object, an autonomous encapsulated agent for executing necessary steps for installing the configuration data, identification data identifying the predetermined target network device, and authentication data for authenticating at least one of the predetermined target network device identification data and object identification data, transporting the object to the predetermined target network device, and the autonomous encapsulated agent begins an on-site process of installing the configuration data in the predetermined target network device.
US08321537B1
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates sharing gadgets. The system allows a sender to specify a gadget to share with a recipient and how a set of configuration parameters are to be shared with the recipient. The system further receives an identifier for the recipient. The system also communicates the gadget to the recipient, thereby allowing the recipient to use the gadget in accordance with the configuration parameters.
US08321536B2
Provided are a method and apparatus for receiving remote control key data in a home network and requesting a server to perform an operation corresponding to the remote control key data. The method includes converting the remote control key data to a code which can be referred to in a web document received from the server, determining an operation corresponding to the code by referring to the web document, and requesting the server to perform the determined operation. Accordingly, even when an item corresponding to a function supported by the server is not displayed on a menu screen, a user receiving a service from the server using a client device in the home network can use the function by instinctively pressing a remote control key corresponding to the function.
US08321527B2
A system and method are described for monitoring user location and activity over a period of time and intelligently scheduling content distributions to the user's mobile device. For example, one embodiment of a system for intelligently scheduling a content distribution to a mobile device comprises: a location database to store a plurality of different locations including event facilities and points of interest, the location database associating each of the different locations with a Global Positioning System (GPS) location or range of GPS locations; a data collection module for collecting user location data over a period of time, user location data specifying a user's mobile device's location throughout the period of time, the data collection module to store the user location data within a database; a predictive scheduler module to analyze the user location data over the period of time and responsively schedule content distributions to the user's mobile device based on the analysis of the user location data.
US08321524B2
A method for obtaining an electronic Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) from a vehicle. According to one embodiment, an electronic VIN request is generated at the vehicle through a vehicle user interface, such as a visual display, a microphone, a speaker, a keypad, or an electronic control or button. According to another embodiment, the electronic VIN request is generated at an entity, such as a remote call center, that is remotely located from the vehicle. In either case, the electronic VIN request causes the vehicle hardware to query one or more vehicle electronic module(s) for electronic VIN(s) stored therein, so that output related to the electronic VIN(s) can be provided.
US08321520B2
A method and system for sending a message are disclosed. The method involves receiving a message at a mail server and determining that a load of the mail server exceeds a threshold. If it is determined that the load of the mail server exceeds a threshold, then the method involves determining whether the message needs to be sent immediately. If it is determined that the message does not need to be sent immediately, then the method involves delaying sending the message.
US08321517B2
The present invention provides a method and system for processing emails. The method comprising: receiving a correction request including an identifier of an original email and an incorrect recipient; in response to the correction request, creating a correction record including the identifier of the original email and the incorrect recipient; in response to receiving relevant emails of the original email, determining whether recipients of the relevant emails include the incorrect recipient; and in response to determining that recipients of the relevant emails include the incorrect recipient, processing the relevant emails based on the correction record.
US08321516B2
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method is provided for generating a reputation record and filtering electronic messages, each reputation record including a reputation score and a reputation key. The method includes receiving at least one incoming event notification, including a reputation key; determining, based on the reputation key, whether a corresponding reputation record exists; creating a new reputation record if the corresponding reputation record does not exist; determining a trust determination function based on the incoming event notification; calculating a reputation score based on the determined trust determination function, the incoming event notification, and an attribute associated with the reputation key; storing the calculated reputation score along with the reputation key in either the new reputation record or the corresponding reputation record; and filtering one or more electronic messages based on the calculated reputation score.
US08321513B2
A computer network-based messaging system includes a multiple-layer chat filtering system for controlling the content of messages sent by users. A computer receives a message including a plurality of words entered by a sender. A word database includes a plurality of permitted words which are allowed to be transmitted. A phrase database includes a plurality of prohibited phrases which are not allowed to be transmitted. At least one of the plurality of prohibited phrases consists of a plurality of individual words that are each included in the word database. A message sending part that transmits the message over a computer network only if all of the plurality of words entered by the sender are contained in the word database and none of the plurality of prohibited phrases are contained in the message.
US08321511B1
A system is disclosed in which a data processing device is completely synchronized with a messaging service. One embodiment of the system comprises a wireless data processing device; a messaging service to maintain messages and other information on behalf of a user; and synchronization logic for maintaining synchronization of the messages and other information between the wireless device and the messaging service.
US08321506B2
An architecture for an extensible real-time collaboration system is provided. The architecture presents a unified application program interface for writing application programs that use communications protocols. The architecture has activity objects, endpoint objects, and multiple media stacks. These objects may use various communications protocols, such as Session Initiation Protocol or Real-Time Transport Protocol to send and receive messages. The activity objects, endpoint objects, and multiple media stacks may each have one or more APIs that an application developer can use to access or provide collaboration-related functionality. These objects map the API to the underlying implementation provided by other objects. Using the activity objects enables a developer to provide less application logic than would otherwise be necessary to provide complex collaboration services.
US08321499B2
A method for controlling a user station configured for communications with a multiplicity of independently-operated data sources via a non-proprietary network includes steps for providing a user interface to enable a user at the user station to select multiple ones of the multiplicity of independently-operated data object sources to be polled; automatically polling each of the selected data object sources in order to determine availability of desired data at each of the selected data object sources; and automatically transporting desired data determined to be available from each of the selected data object sources to the user station. Software and a user station for implementing the method are also described.
US08321491B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for computing a power spectral density of a signal. One such method computes a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) of a first signal segment and an FFT of a second signal segment. The first and second segments are adjacent and non-overlapping in time, and the second segment follows the first. The first FFT is multiplied by a complex conjugate of the second FFT. A first complex value is computed from this first product. An FFT of a third signal segment is computed. The second and third segments are adjacent and non-overlapping in time. The third segment follows the second segment. The second FFT is multiplied by a complex conjugate of the third FFT. A second complex value is computed from this second product. The first and second complex values are added, and the power spectral density of the sum is computed.
US08321478B2
A method of translating a relational database into an XML document comprises generating an Extended Entity Relationship model from relational schema associated with the relational database and applying a schema translation process to the Extended Entity Relationship model to map the relational schema into a Document Type Definition (DTD) of an XML schema. An XML Tree Model is then generated from the Document Type Definition, the XML Tree Model being representative of one or more data semantics of the relational schema which are preserved as one or more data semantics in the XML document. Relational data from the relational database is then converted into the XML document using the relational schema and the XML schema from the Document Type Definition and/or the XML Tree Model. There is also described a method of translating an XML database into a relational database which comprises the reversal of the steps of the disclosed method, and a system for implementing both methods.
US08321474B2
The invention relates to a system for generating evaluation data with a data base for storing original data, a memory for storing an evaluation program for the evaluation of original data stored in the data base and a control. In order to achieve rapid and reliable provision of evaluation data, an evaluation order for evaluating original data is generated upon the occurrence of a pre-specified event. It is checked by the control whether an evaluation order has been generated. In the event of an evaluation order being present, the evaluation program stored in the memory is started dependently upon the evaluation order, the evaluation program accessing original data stored in the data base dependently upon the evaluation order and the evaluation data being generated from this.
US08321469B2
The present invention is generally directed to systems and methods for gathering information about nonnative data, comparing nonnative data elements to information defining nonnative data, comparing native data elements to information defining native data, establishing transformation rules, and integrating the nonnative and native data.
US08321461B2
Management roles in a role-based framework may be upgraded by updating existing management roles, updating derived roles, and deprecating or reducing existing and derived roles in the role-based framework. The existing management roles may include a set of existing role entries for defining an action using parameters, scripts, application program interface calls, and a special permission for enabling performance of tasks defined by the management roles. The derived roles may include custom management roles derived from the existing management roles in the role-based framework.
US08321454B2
A method, apparatus, system, article of manufacture, and data structure provide the ability to perform a sorted map-reduce job on a cluster. A cluster of two or more computers is defined by installing a map-reduce framework onto each computer and formatting the cluster by identifying the cluster computers, establishing communication between them, and enabling the cluster to function as a unit. Data is placed into the cluster where it is distributed so that each computer contains a portion of the data. A first map function is performed where each computer sorts their respective data and creates an abstraction that is a representation of the data. The abstractions are exchanged and merged to create complete abstraction. A second map function searches the complete abstraction to redistribute and exchange the data across the computers in the cluster. A reduce function is performed in parallel to produce a result.
US08321451B2
A computer-implemented method includes receiving a selection of a particular logical field via a database query interface. The method includes querying a discovery registry associated with a data abstraction model of a database to discover one or more web services that are resolvable based on the particular logical field. The data abstraction model includes a plurality of logical fields, where each logical field corresponds to a particular data structure of the database. A web service input and a web service output of a particular discovered web service are associated with particular logical fields of the data abstraction model via the discovery registry. The method further includes automatically initiating execution of the discovered web services and displaying one or more values resulting from execution of the discovered web services.
US08321450B2
Techniques for facilitating communication between one or more client applications and an event processing server. In one set of embodiments, a framework is provided that enables a client application to communicate with an event processing server via a standard database connectivity API, such as Java Database Connectivity (JDBC).
US08321439B2
File system methods and systems enabling efficient detection that a filename exists, by executing a hash function on the file name to reduce the overall computational complexity of determining that a directory entry might match the target filename, prior to performing the string comparison to determine the entry does match the target filename. A cross-device extensible means of providing a conversion function, such as uppercasing the filename, occurs prior to the hash. Methods of creating, deleting, and modifying the directory entries is further provided, as well as details of an embodiment of the file system described.
US08321432B2
Disclosed are systems and methods for use in filtering electronic messages using business heuristics. In one aspect, a method includes determining whether the electronic message is associated with a desirable business, and adjusting the likelihood of delivering the electronic message to an intended recipient of the message if the electronic message is determined to be associated with the desirable business. In a more specific embodiment, the method further includes assigning a spam-score to the electronic message based on a likelihood that the electronic message is not unwanted by the intended recipient, blocking delivery of the electronic message to the intended recipient when the spam-score does not cross an overall threshold, and delivering the electronic message to the intended recipient based on the adjusted likelihood when the electronic message is determined to be associated with the desirable business.
US08321428B1
Embodiments of this invention allow a user to navigate through previously viewed documents. These documents may be associated with a key, e.g. a search or a document. In response to re-entering the search or detecting subsequent interaction with the document, the navigation may be provided. In certain embodiments, the navigation is provided through a button on a toolbar or through a menu listing.
US08321422B1
A covariance matrix associated for a set of spatial and/or temporal sub-portions of a media object is populated based on a lookup table of relative displacements and sums of covariance values generated from pairs of data elements in the media object. The lookup table is generated in linear time, providing an efficient method of generating the covariance matrix.
US08321420B1
A method, computer program, and database system for performing a request on a table associated with an index are disclosed. A database contains a table, an index, and a partition elimination list and accepts a query. A table has one or more rows stored in one or more partitions. The index contains index entries, each of which references a row in a partition, where the row is in the table. The query has a first and a second condition. The partition elimination list is populated with partitions based on the first condition of the query. Only index entries that are identified by the request because of the second condition and that reference partitions that are not eliminated by the partition elimination list are read.
US08321417B2
A computerized method of visualizing the collective opinion of a group regarding one or more qualitative issues. The group initially selects N issues from the universe of potential issues and often assigns the issues images and titles. The system presents each user with graphical user interface screens wherein individual users vote on the relative importance and degree of relationship between the N aspects (Data Points) and issues, often using drag and drop methods. The software computes N×N similarity matrices based on users voting input and clusters various aspects into groups of greater and lesser similarity and importance, and presents results of users qualitative ranking in easy to read relationship tree diagrams where the relative importance and qualitative relationship of the issues may be designated by size and other graphical markers. The software may reside on a network server and present display screens to web browsers running on users computerized devices.
US08321416B2
Time-related properties may be modeled independent of a base object. Rather than storing time properties with the object, they may be stored independently. A given object may be stored once, even if it has a recurrent time property. The description of a “meeting,” for example, may be stored once. Each occurrence of that object over time may be stored in a “timeslot” (object
US08321414B2
Meta-data (tags) for an audiovisual file can be generated by prompting a user to input certain tags (meta-data) descriptive of the audiovisual file, to serve as an initial estimate of the tags, and then revising the initial estimate (notably to expand it and/or render it more precise) based on the assumption that the relationships which hold between the different tags for a set of manually-tagged training examples will also hold for the tags of the input file now being tagged.
US08321410B1
A search engine for searching a corpus improves the relevancy of the results by classifying multiple terms in a search query as a single semantic unit. A semantic unit locator of the search engine generates a subset of documents that are generally relevant to the query based on the individual terms within the query. Combinations of search terms that define potential semantic units from the query are then evaluated against the subset of documents to determine which combinations of search terms should be classified as a semantic unit. The resultant semantic units are used to refine the results of the search.
US08321409B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for scoring documents. A plurality of documents with an initial ordering is received. Local term relationships between terms in the plurality of documents are identified, each local term relationship being a relationship between a pair of terms in a respective document. Relationships among the documents in the plurality of documents are determined based on the local term relationships and on the initial order of the documents. A respective score is determined for each document in the plurality of documents based on the document relationships.
US08321408B1
Access to hierarchical data stored in a database is facilitated by using an ordered flat file that maintains the hierarchical organization of the data. Queries against the hierarchical data are processed by accessing the ordered flat file rather than the underlying database. The speed of accessing the ordered flat file is increased by using memory mapping the ordered flat file. Changes to the data in the underlying database are reflected in real-time without regenerating the ordered flat file by employing an overflow area for storing changes to elements that cannot be made within the ordered flat file.
US08321400B2
There is disclosed a method, device, and software for presenting search results in a response to an end-user query. Search results are combined from results from a plurality of indexes, each of the search results having an associated key field. Index entries of each of the plurality of indexes are queried using an index-specific search algorithm to obtain a set of matching search results for each index, each matching search result having a quality of match specific to its index. A relative priority is determined for each of the plurality of indexes and the matching search results from the plurality of indexes are combined into a merged list of ordered search results based on the determined priority. A search result from a lower priority index is discarded in favor of any matching search result from a higher priority index.
US08321398B2
The present invention provides a corpus-independent method for determining relevancy of terms to content of text appearing in a document by analyzing the document itself. Conventional information extraction, or other methods, may be applied to a document to generate a list of terms. The invention analyzes the document using relevancy scoring algorithms to determine a term relevancy score representing the term's relevance to the text contained in the document. The scores, including an aggregate score, may be normalized in the process. Based on relevancy scoring, terms are then ranked and further processed. In this manner relevancy is determined based on the subject document itself and by analyzing the occurrences and locations of the terms within the document. Additional techniques may be applied to relate the relevancy scores generated by the present invention to a corpus or collection of documents.
US08321397B2
A storage medium including metadata, which provide an extended search function using a variety of search keywords on audio-visual data, and a reproduction apparatus and a reproduction method of reproducing the storage medium. The storage medium includes: audio-visual data; and metadata to provide an extended search function on the audio-visual data, wherein the metadata include a predefined search keyword and a search keyword which may be additionally defined by an author. Accordingly, by using a variety of search keywords additionally defined by an author as well as predefined search keywords, providing an extended search function is possible. In addition, by recording only portions of the metadata relative directly to supporting multiple languages in an additional text-based file, providing an extended search function using a plurality of languages is also possible.
US08321393B2
Embodiments of systems and methods for comparing attributes of a data record are presented herein. In some embodiments, a weight is based on a comparison of the name (or other) attributes of data records. In some embodiments, an information score may be calculated for each of two name attributes to be compared to get an average information score for the two name attributes. The two name attributes may then be compared against one another to generate a weight between the two attributes. This weight can then be normalized to generate a final weight between the two business name attributes. Comparing attributes according to embodiments disclosed herein can facilitate linking data records even if they comprise attributes in languages which do not use the Latin alphabet.
US08321386B1
A system and method are provided for estimating compressibility of data in a storage device. This is accomplished by actually running a compression algorithm on at least one data element in a storage device, without necessarily storing the compressed data. By this feature, the results of the compression may be compared with the original data element, to gauge an extent to which a compression algorithm is effective in compressing data in the storage device. To this end, in various embodiments, a user may be better able to estimate compression algorithm effectiveness before actually implementing the same.
US08321384B2
In a storage device, an information acquisition unit acquires and stores information in an information memory unit. A data acquisition unit acquires data. A deduplication unit divides the acquired data by a smaller division size than that indicated in additional information included in the information stored in the information memory unit, performs deduplication, and stores the resulting data in a data memory unit. The information memory unit stores the information including the additional information that indicates the division size used for dividing data in deduplication of another device.
US08321383B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method of automatically generating weights for matching data records. Each field of a record may be compared by an exact match and/or close matches and each comparison can result in a mathematical score which is the sum of the field comparisons. To sum up the field scores accurately, the automatic weight generation process comprises an iterative process. In one embodiment, initial weights are computed based upon unmatched-set probabilities and default discrepancy weights associated with attributes in the comparison algorithm. A bulk cross-match is performed across the records using the initial weights and a candidate matched set is computed for updating the discrepancy probabilities. New weights are computed based upon the unmatched probabilities and the updated discrepancy probabilities. Test for convergence between the new weights and the old weights. Repeat with the new weight table until the weights converge to their final value.
US08321380B1
At least certain embodiments disclose a method and apparatus for replicating a file system at the logical block level in an unordered stream of individual data units. In at least certain embodiments, the replication operations include creating a snapshot of a file system of a source storage system, identifying changes in the file system since a previous replication operation by comparing the snapshot with a previous snapshot created during the earlier replication operation, and asynchronously transferring the identified changes to a destination storage system in an unordered stream of individual data units.
US08321364B1
Examples disclose a method and system for including robots into social networks. The method may be executable to receiving information associated with a first party, wherein the first party is connected to a second party by a social-network. Based on the received information, the method may be executable to query a behavioral database to obtain a behavioral expectation associated with the first party and to compare the behavioral expectation associated with the first party to a stored behavioral expectation associated with the second party. Based on the comparing, the method may be executable to modify the stored behavioral expectation associated with the second party based on the behavioral expectation associated with the first party and provide instructions, which are executable to perform an action associated with the modified behavioral expectation, to a device associated with the second party.
US08321361B1
In an embodiment, a method for distributed discussion collaboration is provided. The computer-implemented method includes selecting a featured discussion item for each of one or more collaborators based on information associated with each respective collaborator. The method also includes providing selected featured discussion items for display to respective one or more collaborators. The method further includes receiving voting information for the featured discussion items displayed to the respective one or more collaborators. In another embodiment, a system for distributed discussion collaboration includes a selection module configured to select a featured discussion item for each of one or more collaborators based on information associated with each respective collaborator. The system also includes a view controller and a voting module.
US08321354B2
A system, computer-implemented method, and software for automatically planning and scheduling ocean-going vessels for oil distribution is provided. The scheduling of the vessels is based on a filtered beam search and greedy heuristic. A server can be used for receiving a schedule request and one or more constraints for scheduling one or more vessels from one or more users. An optimization engine can be used for generating a schedule based at least in part on the one or more constraints using a beam search algorithm.
US08321352B1
Various techniques for software license inventory and asset management are disclosed. A fingerprint may be generated and associated with various copies of software applications installed on a software licensee's computer systems. Upon generation, each fingerprint may be stored in a license information database system along with relevant license information for that copy of the software application. A software inventory tool may then be used to collect fingerprints on installed copies of software applications and provide these fingerprints to the license information database system to obtain the corresponding license information. The output of the software inventory tool may be used by a licensee to comply with software license agreements and/or efficiently allocate information technology resources. Methods and systems that provide and process secured, dynamic and persistent tagging of software deployments and usage are also disclosed.
US08321346B2
Using a portable device, a method of conducting commerce can include executing within the portable device an application configured to communicate with an automated teller machine by displaying graphic symbols. A user input specifying transaction information which can include at least a personal identification code for a transaction can be received. The method further can include generating a graphic symbol specifying the transaction information and displaying the graphic symbol upon a display screen of the portable device. Accordingly, a graphic symbol reader of an automated teller machine can read the graphic symbol and process the transaction.
US08321344B2
A self-service terminal (12) for connection to a network (30) is described. The terminal (12) has means for receiving payment from a user (58), such as a check deposit module and/or a cash receiving module. The terminal (12) also includes an electronic payment mechanism (82) for creating an electronic financial instrument for paying for an item purchased via the network (30). The electronic financial instrument created is independent of the payment from the user. The terminal (12) may use a credit card for the electronic financial instrument, and the terminal may have a credit card number associated with it, so that the terminal uses this credit card number as part of the electronic financial instrument. The terminal may be an ATM.
US08321338B2
Methods and systems are described for processing transactions. The methods and systems enable a consumer to present a customer identifier, such as a merchant loyalty or membership card or other identifier as a payment device at a point of sale. In one implementation, a personal account number is generated by appending a proprietary routing code to a customer registration account number so that the personal account number is formatted for transmission as a payment device number over an electronic funds transfer network. In another implementation, the customer registration account number comprises the proprietary routing code. A preferred payment account identifier is accessed, based on the personal account number, from a database, and a transaction approval message is constructed comprising the preferred payment account identifier. The account from which payment is made may be a credit account, a demand deposit account, a stored value account, or another kind of account.
US08321328B2
Systems and methods are provided for providing a credit default futures market. A system providing the credit default futures market includes a processor, memory and an interface. The interface is configured to display credit default futures contracts that subscribe to a set of standard terms and conditions. The processor is configured to settle certain credit futures contracts in kind and other in cash, depending on, at least in part, the maturity date of the futures contract. A method is presented for electronically clearing and settling probability of default futures contracts.
US08321325B2
In certain embodiments, a computer system and process for use in a trading system are provided that allow trading entities to compress trade records while simplifying the reconciliation process. Advantageously, compressed trade records are processed by a custodian firm, while uncompressed reconciliation data are processed by a central counterparty. In some embodiments, a computer system and process are provided that allows trading entities to compress trade records across markets. Advantageously, compression across markets provides a larger pool of eligible trade records for compression, increasing the number of compressible trades, and thus reducing fees paid by the trading firm and the amount of data transmitted.
US08321312B2
A method includes providing to a user a set of computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a user's electronic device, generate a user interface displayable on a display device coupled to the user's electronic device, presenting to the user via the user interface a plurality of solicitations for a set of personal information describing characteristics of the user, receiving via the user interface the personal information set, and, based on the personal information set, generating to the user interface a checklist of tax return preparation information to be compiled by the user.
US08321303B1
The invention includes a method of detecting out-of-stock conditions for retail products, and for dynamically updating associated replenishment plans, sales forecasts, and event scripts for product stocking events such as turn stock products, promotional products, new product introductions and modular resets. The invention accesses RFID data associated with product stocking events for identifying product movements in a retail supply chain and within a retail store. The invention optionally accesses point-of-sale and perpetual inventory data for detecting out-of-stock conditions. The invention also includes a method for dynamically improving product layout and optimized planograms based on out-of-stock velocity detection.
US08321297B2
Systems, methods, and devices for the automated, community-based exchange of procurement documents. In some embodiments, there may be different sets of rules for each of a number of different communities of trading partners. Each set of rules may be made up of rules data for direct peer-to-peer exchange and/or transformation of procurement documents in respective communities. By way of example, a host trading partner may select the rules for exchange of procurement documents for a community. Invited trading partners may register for the community, and rules for the community may then be distributed to the registered trading partners.
US08321293B2
Computer-implemented systems and methods for generating marketplace listings using a camera enabled mobile device are described in which a request is received via a camera enabled mobile device to list one or more sale items. An image taken by the camera enable mobile device and depicting the one or more sale items is received. Image recognition is performed on the received image to identify the one or more sale items. Based on the identification of the one or more sale items depicted in the image, a set of descriptive data is automatically generated. The one or more sale items are listed on a marketplace using the image and the automatically generated set of descriptive data.
US08321289B2
Provided are a method and a system for applying site activity indexes by a site activity index applying system connected to a plurality of user terminals through the Internet. In one embodiment, the method includes checking whether a user who is connected to a web site through the Internet desires to buy a game item, checking whether to use the user's site activity indexes so as to buy the game item, checking whether the user possesses site activity indexes, and exchanging the site activity indexes with game items when the user possesses the site activity indexes. With the method and system for applying site activity indexes user loyalty and game participation may be increased.
US08321288B1
An asset management system is described that tracks in real-time any metric that a carrier requires pertaining to media assets within a network. In addition to tracking per-asset information relating to usage and air time, the system tracks information pertaining to individual object types (e.g., document, digital image, audio file, streaming media, or the like) as well as specific objects themselves (e.g., individual documents, photos, and the like, on a per-file or named basis). This information can be tracked against the various users and their individual devices (used to access a network). In this manner, the system can provide metrics relating to not only data size and air time, but also metrics about object types (e.g., digital image type) and specific objects (e.g., specific file transferred) that have passed through the network. Based on these various metrics that the asset management system can track, the system generates reports that are transmitted back in real-time to carriers and their e-commerce partners for implementing the various pricing schemes required for supporting their business or revenue models.
US08321287B2
A receipt printer, a control method for a receipt printer, and a program whereby producing counterfeit printout is not possible. A receipt printer 20 has a storage unit 61 that stores encrypted information obtained by encrypting registered information, a specific information acquisition unit 62 that acquires specific information from a POS terminal 10, a comparison unit 63 that compares the specific information with the registered information decrypted from the encrypted information, a printing permission unit 64 the permits printing when the comparison unit 63 confirms a data match, and a printing unit 65 that prints when printing is permitted by the printing permission unit 64.
US08321280B2
A computer implemented system includes a computer readable storage medium which includes historical demand data for a plurality of advertising inventories, and a processor connected to the computer readable storage medium. The processor is configured for generating a first demand forecast for a first predetermined period of time and a second demand forecast for a second predetermined period of time. The processor is configured for adjusting the first demand forecast by removing an existing demand for each of the plurality of advertising inventories, and for generating a net forecasting demand for each of the plurality of inventories for a third predetermined period of time by combining the second demand forecast and an adjusted first demand forecast. The third predetermined period of time is based on the first and second predetermined periods.
US08321276B2
Disclosed are systems, methods and devices, including a method that includes receiving information about one or more transactions, each transaction including a respective sale of at least one first item selected by a customer and an offer of cross-sale of at least one second item offered to the customer, the information about each of the transactions including information about an outcome of the respective offer of cross-sales. The method further includes determining effectiveness measures based on the received information, with each of the effectiveness measures being associated with at least one of a plurality of combinations of at least one purchasable item and a corresponding offer of cross-sale of at least another purchasable item. The effectiveness measures are representative of a likelihood of the corresponding offer of the cross-sale being accepted when offered in combination with the respective at least one purchasable item.
US08321264B2
The invention relates to methods and apparatus for displaying toll charging parameters of vehicles by means of a roadside display. In one embodiment, parameters are sent from an onboard-unit of the vehicle to the roadside display. In an alternative embodiment, parameters are registered under a vehicle identification in a database and retrieved therefrom for displaying on the roadside display by a detection of the identification of the vehicle.
US08321258B2
Embodiments of the invention include a system for scheduling the shipment of a set of products. The shipment may be loaded into a set of vehicles and further configured to fit a set of compartments on those vehicles. The system may include attempts to fill each vehicle and the compartments of each vehicle. The system may include evaluating a set of constraints on the shipment. The constraints may include a complex logical statement.
US08321250B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for implementing a software architecture design for a software application implementing sell from stock software useful to process quotations, capture orders, process delivery and invoice. The application is structured as multiple process components interacting with each other through service interfaces, and multiple service operations, each being implemented for a respective process component. The process components include an Accounting process component; a Financial Accounting Master Data Management process component; an Outbound Delivery Processing process component; a Site Logistics Processing process component; an Inventory Processing process component; a Customer Requirement Processing process component; a Supply and Demand Matching process component; a Logistics Execution Control process component; a Due Item Processing process component; a Balance of Foreign Payment Management process component; a Payment Processing process component; a Customer Invoice Processing process component; a Customer Quote Processing process component; and a Sales Order Processing process component.
US08321230B2
Hierarchical coding of a source audio signal in the form of a data stream including a base level and at least two hierarchical enhancement levels, each of the levels being organized in successive frames. At least one frame of at least one enhancement level has a duration less than the duration of at least one frame of the base level. At least one indication representative of an order used for a set of enhancement level frames corresponding to the duration of at least one frame of the base level is inserted into the data stream.
US08321224B2
A text-to-speech system adapted to operate on text in a first language including sections in a second language, includes a grapheme/phoneme transcriptor for converting the sections in the second language into phonemes of the second language; a mapping module configured for mapping at least part of the phonemes of the second language onto sets of phonemes of the first language; and a speech-synthesis module adapted to be fed with a resulting stream of phonemes including the sets of phonemes of the first language resulting from mapping and the stream of phonemes of the first language representative of the text, and to generate a speech signal from the resulting stream of phonemes.
US08321221B2
This invention realizes a speech communication system and method, and a robot apparatus capable of significantly improving entertainment property. A speech communication system with a function to make conversation with a conversation partner is provided with a speech recognition means for recognizing speech of the conversation partner, a conversation control means for controlling conversation with the conversation partner based on the recognition result of the speech recognition means, an image recognition means for recognizing the face of the conversation partner, and a tracking control means for tracing the existence of the conversation partner based on one or both of the recognition result of the image recognition means and the recognition result of the speech recognition means. The conversation control means controls conversation so as to continue depending on tracking of the tracking control means.
US08321197B2
System and method for electronically identifying and analyzing the type and frequency of errors and mismatches in a stenographically or voice written text against a stored master file and dynamically creating personalized user feedback, drills, and practice based on identified errors and mismatches from within the context of the stored master file. The system provides the user with a plurality of methods to enter a text file for error identification and analysis including both realtime and non-realtime input. The text input is then compared to a stored master file through a word-by-word iterative process which produces a comparison of writing input and stored master wherein errors and mismatches are identified and grouped in a plurality of pre-defined and user-selected categories, each of which is color-coded to facilitate pattern recognition of type and frequency of errors and mismatches in the submitted writing.
US08321186B2
Techniques for providing synthetic air traffic management in a fast-time environment are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of providing a closed-loop air traffic management simulation gateway between a decision support tool (DST) and an airspace modeler includes receiving airspace simulation data from an airspace modeler. The airspace simulation may be converted to emulated radar signals at an update interval. The emulated radar signals may be transmitted to a decision support tool for analysis. A recommendation may be received from the decision support tool based on the emulated radar signals, which may be used to generate a synthetic actor response based on the recommendation. The synthetic actor may provide the response to the airspace modeler to enable updating the airspace simulation data. In this manner the design of more efficient airspace routes, arrival and departure routes and procedures may be more quickly achieved.
US08321185B2
There is provided a model that can evaluate properties of viscoelasticity and also rubber elasticity of an elastic material. A correlation equation between stress and strain that is calculated from: a correlation equation between stress, strain, elastic modulus and relaxation time, calculated based on a Maxwell model in which an elastic element and a viscous element are placed in series; and a correlation equation between strain and elastic modulus, including different moduli depending on properties, the correlation equation between stress and strain including different moduli depending on said properties as parameters is output as a stress-strain curve formula. There is one feature in finding a correlation between the strain and the elastic modulus, and this allows a large deformation behavior of an elastic material having properties of both rubber elasticity and viscoelasticity to be expressed with high quantitative characteristics on simulation.
US08321184B1
Methods for describing the shape of a lens are disclosed comprising mathematically dividing said shape into substantially two halves and providing at least one mathematical function comprising mathematically linear combinations of polynomials, wherein at least one half is described by said mathematical function, and wherein said method is applicable to a surface of at least one half selected from the group consisting of rotationally symmetric surfaces and non-rotationally symmetric surfaces.
US08321183B2
In a computer-implemented method of designing at least one system to achieve a target goal, an inventory of a plurality of variables that affect the design of the at least one system is created, where the inventory includes a feasibility range for each of the plurality of variables contained in the inventory is created. In addition, initial values are assigned for the plurality of variables in the inventory and a model of input to output correlations of the plurality of variables is created by commissioning the plurality of variables from the initial values. Moreover, a design of the at least one system to achieve the target goal is optimized by manipulating one or more of the plurality of variables through application of the model.
US08321179B2
A three dimensional radiation measurement scanning system includes a circular drive operable with horizontal and vertical drives for moving a radiation detector through first, second and third orthogonal axes in a three dimensional scanning of the detector in a water tank. Motor are coupled to the drives and activated by a controller for providing the movement of the radiation detector which providing radiation field sensing signals for locations of the detector throughout the tank. A reference detector is fixed for comparing its radiation field measurements with those of the scanned radiation detector. An offset mount carries the radiation detector allowing it to be extended beyond the circular ring gear during horizontal movement of the radiation detector and thus position the radiation detector at wall surfaces of the water tank.
US08321174B1
A system and method for measuring capacitance of a capacitive sensor array is disclosed. Upon measuring the capacitance, position information with respect to the sensor array may be determined. A column, a first row, and a second row of a capacitive sensor array may be selected. The first row and the second row intersect with the column of the capacitive sensor array. A differential capacitance between the first row and the second row may be measured. The differential capacitance may be utilized in determining a location of an object proximate to the capacitive sensor array.
US08321170B2
An integrated circuit includes a transducer and transducer circuitry and additional elements useful in testing the transducer and transducer circuitry. A first power supply terminal and a second power supply terminal are for being directly connected to an external power supply terminal. A power bus is connected to the first power supply terminal. A logic function is for determining if the second power supply terminal is receiving power and if an automatic calibration test of the transducer and transducer circuitry has been run. An automatic calibration is for running an automatic calibration test on the transducer and transducer circuitry if the logic means determines that the second power supply terminal is receiving power and the automatic calibration test of the transducer and transducer circuitry has not been run.
US08321169B2
Aspects of a method and system for compensating temperature readings from a temperature sensing crystal integrated circuit are provided. An electronic device may digitize a temperature indication received from a temperature sensing circuit, digitize one or more calibration voltages received from said temperature sensing circuit, and calculate a compensated temperature indication utilizing the digitized calibration voltage(s), and the digitized temperature indication, and data from a table that characterizes behavior of the temperature sensing circuit as a function of temperature. One or more circuits in the electronic device may be controlled based on the compensated temperature indication. The compensated temperature indication may compensate for a gain error and/or offset error of a digital to analog converter that digitizes the temperature indication and the calibration voltage(s). There may be two calibration voltages.
US08321166B2
Wireless platform attitude information such as pitch, roll and heading are disclosed. Attitude estimates can be made by using orthogonally mounted gyroscopes. Attitude estimates can be also made by determining the direction of arrival of signals and comparing the direction of arrival of the signals with the position of the transmitters and the position of the receiver. The attitude estimates can be then combined to determine “real time” attitude information.
US08321161B1
The invention as disclosed is an autonomous magnetic measurement system for monitoring the background magnetic fields associated with power lines, electronic devices, electronic vehicles and the Earth's background magnetic field. The components of the autonomous magnetic measurement system include a series of three axis analog magnetic sensors, a fluxgate compass, and a programmable micro-controller. The micro-controller receives data from the sensor and compass and is programmed to autonomously detect magnetic signals having particular characteristics of interest.
US08321157B2
A dummy junction which will break earlier than a target junction is arranged on a board. A history of load applied to the dummy junction until the dummy junction actually breaks is recorded, and an estimated lifetime of the target junction is calibrated when a lifetime of the dummy junction estimated by the history of the load is largely different from an actual lifetime of the dummy junction. The calibration is performed by subtracting a value of an unmeasurable load from the estimated lifetime of the target junction based on load ever applied to the target junction, and the unmeasurable load is calculated based on the difference of the actual lifetime and estimated lifetime of the dummy junction.
US08321148B2
The method for modeling a dosing regimen for a medicament includes providing a system having at least two biocompartments. The method determines steady state levels in each of the biocompartments. After that, the method provides for modifying values to calculate an amount of at least one protein in one of the biocompartments to which the protein is being transported. Next, the method calculates and integrates a weighted value of the protein to find a weighted area under the curve. Then, the method calculates and integrates a non-drug value of the protein to find a non-drug area under the curve. Finally, the method evaluates one or more dosing regimens by comparing the weighted area under the curve and the non-drug area under the curve of the protein to determine a net effect of the drug over the time period.
US08321138B2
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for determining the quality of a CGH array, including calculating a spread of the derivative of log ratio value differences between consecutive probes representing consecutive positions along a chromosome, wherein ratio values are calculated from probe signals from a CGH array.
US08321134B2
Seismic image filtering machines, systems, program products, and computer implemented methods are provided to generate a filtered seismic image responsive to filtered seismic image data generated by attenuating coherent seismic noise from surface waves of an unfiltered wavefield constructed from unfiltered seismic image data through a single downward extrapolation of the unfiltered wavefield using a plurality of nonstationary convolution operators to perform localized filtering at each of a plurality of spatial locations of the unfiltered wavefield. Various embodiments, for example, can beneficially handle strong lateral velocity variations thus making various embodiments effective tools to remove complicated coherent seismic noise which is typically in the form of exponentially decaying evanescent waves. Embodiments of the present invention, for example, can use, as a part of the filtering mechanism, specially designed nonstationary convolution operators that are implemented in the space-frequency domain as nonstationary filters.
US08321124B2
A security and tracking apparatus includes at least a first signaling unit and a second signaling unit, wherein the apparatus is adapted for transmitting the location of each signaling unit when the first and second signaling units are separated by more than a preselected distance. A method to locate a person, animal, or object, includes providing in contact with or at least in close proximity to the person, the animal, or the object, at least a first signaling unit and a second signaling unit, wherein each respective signaling unit is adapted for identifying the location of the signaling units and for transmitting the location of the signaling units when the first and second signaling units are separated more than a preselected distance; and activating the signaling units to transmit the location of the signaling units.
US08321120B2
A system and method are provided for controlling the start-up of a gas turbine engine having an exhaust gas temperature (EGT) sensor. A determination is made as to whether the EGT sensor is available or unavailable. The gas turbine engine is commanded to accelerate at a nominal acceleration rate during the start-up operation if the EGT sensor is available, and to accelerate at an off-nominal acceleration rate during the start-up operation if the EGT sensor is unavailable. The off-nominal acceleration rate is lower than the nominal acceleration rate.
US08321111B2
A pedal system to realize an intended vehicle output in response to pedal depression is provided. The pedal system provides hysteresis in the relationship between the pedal effort and the vehicle output, taking into account a pedal effort in a depressing motion or in a releasing motion, employing a relationship including a straight line or a folded line. A vehicle output command may be delivered by changing the vehicle output relative to the pedal effort depending on the vehicle speed. An appropriate vehicle output command may be delivered by providing a maintaining motion in addition to the depressing motion and the releasing motion with a different pedal effort and vehicle output command relationship, and by changing the sensitivity of the vehicle output command relative to the pedal effort in the maintaining motion depending on the pedal effort-increasing/decreasing direction, vehicle information, and the vehicle output command or the pedal effort.
US08321106B2
A method for determining an error in engine torque, wherein at least before and after a predetermined change in the engine torque the change in engine speed is registered, and this is compared with the engine torque before and after the change in the engine torque.
US08321104B2
A control system provides an aggregate driven quantity demand signal for controlling an actuatable component. The system has a summing junction which generates the aggregate driven quantity demand signal by summing a first output signal, which converges on a steady state driven quantity requirement value, and a change in driven quantity demand signal. The system further has a feedback loop which generates the first output signal in response to the aggregate driven quantity demand signal. The system also has a first variable gain which tunes the change in driven quantity demand signal in response to a reference demand signal. The feedback loop includes a second variable gain which tunes the rate at which the first output signal converges on the steady state driven quantity requirement value. Typically, the reference demand signal corresponds to a desired value or desired change in value of a parameter which is itself varied or controlled by actuation of the actuatable component.
US08321099B2
When an accelerator pedal opening angle is large, a target vehicle speed is calculated using a read-ahead vehicle speed and, when the accelerator pedal opening angle is small, the target gear shift ratio is calculated using an actual vehicle speed.
US08321090B2
A steering mechanism control system is provided with a steering angle ratio varying device, a steering angle determining section, a steering state determining section, a steering reaction force control device and a characteristic setting section. The steering angle ratio varying device controls a ratio of a steered angle of a steerable wheel with respect to a steering input angle in accordance with a steering angle characteristic. The steering angle determining section determines the steering input angle resulting from a steering operation. The steering state determining section determines a steering state based on the steering input angle. The steering reaction force control device controls a steering reaction force in accordance with a reaction force characteristic. The characteristic setting section selectively sets the steering angle characteristic and the reaction force characteristic based on the steering state determined by the steering state determining section.
US08321085B2
A working vehicle of the present invention achieves more stabilized constant speed traveling. A vehicle speed control section 20A of a controller 2 calculates a target drive force required for constant speed traveling on the basis of a preset standard traveling resistance (S1). And, on the basis of an output rotational speed (S2) and the target drive force (S1) of a torque converter 14, the vehicle speed control section 20A determines a target input rotational speed (S3) to be inputted to the torque converter 14, and sets a clutch pressure (S5) so as to eliminate a difference between the target input rotational speed and an actual input rotational speed (S4). A standard traveling resistance correction section 20B corrects a standard traveling resistance according to state of a road surface, long term change of components, and so on. Due to this, it is possible to perform stabilized constant speed traveling.
US08321079B2
An anti-collision control system for one or more vehicles fitted with an onboard automatic pilot (self-guiding) allowing for bi-directional movements on a single track under the control of a ground-based automated traffic control unit of the CBTC (Communication Based Train Control) type. The system includes: a signaling control unit of the AWS (Auxiliary Wayside System) type for controlling ground signals on a section of a single-direction circulation lane; a first default control means based on which the signaling control unit imposes a single-direction movement to the vehicle running on the section of a single-direction circulation lane in order to avoid any collision with another vehicle controlled solely by the signaling control unit of the AWS type, i.e. independently from the ground-based automated traffic control unit.
US08321071B2
A method and systems for controlling a speed of a vehicle are provided. The control system includes an input device configured to receive a required time of arrival (RTA) at a waypoint and a processor communicatively coupled to said input device, said processor programmed to automatically determine a dynamically adjustable range for an autothrottle control using an RTA error and a speed control tolerance, the RTA error representing a difference between an estimated time of arrival (ETA) and the RTA, the speed control tolerance representing a tolerance range about the vehicle speed profile. The control system also includes an output device communicatively coupled to said processor, said output device is configured to transmit at least one of a thrust control signal and a drag control signal to a speed control system of the vehicle.
US08321066B2
A method and system for determining free spaces in the vicinity of a motor vehicle, in particular a vicinity relevant to the vehicle operation, is provided. A method and system for determining an evasion trajectory for a driver assistance system of the motor vehicle is provided in which information from at least one object detection sensor of the motor vehicle about at least one detected object is used while taking the characteristics of the physical measuring principle of the at least one object detection sensor into account. A method and system is provided in which it is taken into account that the at least one object detection sensor has the capability of directly detecting a plurality of objects by a single measurement.
US08321063B2
An electronic control apparatus is provided in which a supervisory control circuit part capable of mutual communication with a main control circuit part, which is operated by a high speed clock signal of high precision, is operated by a medium speed clock signal, which is low in cost and precision, such that they can operate mutually independently of each other. The main control circuit part supplies a medium speed communication synchronization signal frequency divided to the supervisory control circuit part. The supervisory control circuit part is operated by the medium speed clock signal to supervise the control operation of the main control circuit part. An error measuring circuit calculates an error correction coefficient which is the ratio of the signal cycle of the communication synchronization signal to that of the medium speed clock signal. The value of the error correction coefficient is reversely supervised by the main control circuit part.
US08321060B2
One method of obtaining an initial adjusted mass flow controller valve start position comprises obtaining a mass flow controller delay period and setting a mass flow controller valve to an initial valve opening position that is less than an expected optimal valve opening position. An initial desired flow rate and initial operating conditions are input into a control system that is in communication with the valve, and the control system is initiated. The control system is adapted to adjust the valve opening position to achieve the initial desired flow rate, while taking into account flow rate and valve position feedback to the control system. During operation of the MFC and control system, the valve position and the flow rate are recorded in one embodiment and a flow rate that one of meets and exceeds a threshold is detected. An initial-flow time-period extending from the time of control system initiation to detection of the threshold being one of met and exceeded is determined and the mass flow controller delay period from the initial flow time period is subtracted from the initial-flow time-period to obtain an adjusted start time. The valve opening position at the adjusted start time is set as the initial adjusted mass flow controller valve start position.
US08321054B2
A method for adjusting a program including program instructions for controlling an industrial robot to carry out work at a plurality of target points on a work object. The robot includes a tool having two arms adapted to clamp the work object and at least one of the arms is arranged movable relative the other arm in an opening and a closing direction, a manipulator adapted to hold the tool or the work object, and a controller controlling the movements of the manipulator and the tool arm and configured to switch between a normal control mode and a compliant control mode in which the manipulator has a reduced stiffness in at least one direction. The method includes moving the manipulator and the tool according to the program instructions until one of the target points is reached.
US08321051B2
A workpiece pickup apparatus is provided. The workpiece pickup apparatus includes: a gripping unit which sucks a workpiece so as to lift up the workpiece; a lowering unit which lowers the gripping unit from a waiting position towards the workpiece; a detecting unit which detects a physical amount which corresponds to a force with which the gripping unit presses the workpiece; a comparison unit which compares the detected physical amount with a reference physical amount; and a controller which controls a movement of the gripping unit based on a comparison result of the detected physical amount and the reference physical amount.
US08321042B2
In one aspect of the present invention, an audio system connectable to a portable audio player for playing audio contents includes an audio content narrowing unit for narrowing the audio contents stored in the connected portable audio player down to a processing target audio content according to an attribute of the audio content selected by a user, a preset information registering unit for registering, in response to a user preset registration operation, a procedure of the narrowing performed by the audio content narrowing unit as preset information, and a preset playback controlling unit for performing, in response to a user preset playback operation, a narrowing procedure equivalent to the procedure of the narrowing that is registered as the preset information, and causing the portable audio player to play back the audio content narrowed down from the audio contents stored in the connected portable audio player.
US08321039B2
Apparatus for managing a residential wastewater treatment system includes an in situ control unit that monitors an individual system. The control unit provides local control and alarms, and also sends status reports and/or alarms to a remote monitoring center via a telemetry device. The remote monitoring center makes information concerning the individual system available through a website.
US08321032B2
An RFID tag is associated with an implantable lead, its sensing or therapy delivery electrode, or a patient, for identifying the MRI compatibility of the implantable lead and/or the presence of a bandstop filter and its attendant characteristics. An RFID-enabled AIMD external telemetry programmer transmits an electromagnetic signal to establish a communication link with the RFID tag.
US08321029B2
An improved external charger for charging the battery within or providing power to an implantable medical device is disclosed. The improved external charger includes circuitry for detecting the temperature of the external charger and for controlling charging to prevent exceeding a maximum temperature. The external charger in some embodiments includes a user interface for allowing a patient to set the external charger's maximum temperature. The user interface can be used to select either constant maximum temperatures, or can allow the user to choose from a number of stored charging programs, which programs can control the maximum temperature to vary over time. Alternatively, a charging program in the external charger can vary the maximum temperature set point automatically. By controlling the maximum temperature of the external charger during charging in these manners, the time needed to charge can be minimized while still ensuring a temperature that is comfortable for that patient.
US08321027B2
The transcutaneous power supply and/or recharger device of the present invention enables a precise centering of the device with a receiver coil in an implant. In one embodiment, the power supply device includes a plurality of satellite sensors or coils disposed around the transmitter coil. A voltage value detected in the receiver coil is transmitted to the power supply or recharger device via a telemetric channel and indicates the amount of power being transferred, and, therefore, the accuracy of the reciprocal positioning of the power supply terminal with the receiver coil.
US08321025B2
An apparatus, a system and methods for modulating and monitoring tissue have an elongate member with proximal and distal ends and a plurality of annular stimulating electrodes axially arranged along the elongate member. The stimulating electrodes are disposed near the distal end and are adapted to pass current into tissue. At least one of the annular stimulating electrodes has at least three independent stimulation points on the electrode. The apparatus also includes a plurality of recording electrodes that are adapted to measure local tissue potentials and a plurality of conductors are coupled with the recording and stimulating electrodes. An optional multiple contact connecting terminal may be coupled with the conductors and is disposed near the proximal end of the elongate member.
US08321019B2
A working end of a catheter includes at least one therapeutic element, such as a resistive heating element, usable to deliver energy for ligating, or reducing the diameter of, a hollow anatomical structure. In certain examples, the catheter includes a lumen to accommodate a guide wire or to allow fluid delivery. In certain embodiments, a balloon is inflated to place resistive element(s) into apposition with a hollow anatomical structure and to occlude the structure. Indexing devices and methods are also disclosed for successively treating portions of the hollow anatomical structure. In certain examples, marks along the catheter shaft provide visual verification to the physician of the relative position of the therapeutic element of the catheter. Embodiments of indexing devices may include pairs of rings and/or hinged arms that move a catheter a desired indexed position between successive treatments.
US08321017B2
Implantable systems, and methods for use therewith, enable the monitoring of a patient's electromechanical delay (EMD) and arterial blood pressure. Paced cardiac events are caused by delivering sufficient pacing stimulation to cause capture. A cardiogenic impedance (CI) signal, indicative of cardiac contractile activity in response to the pacing stimulation being delivered, is obtained. One or more predetermined features of the CI signal are detected, and a value indicative of the patient's EMD is determined by determining a time between a delivered pacing stimulation and at least one of the detected one or more features of the CI signal. The value indicative of EMD can be used to more accurately determine metrics indicative of pulse arrival time (PAT), which can be used to estimate arterial blood pressure.
US08321015B2
An implantable medical device measures an AV delay in connection with measurement of N physiological patient parameters. The parameters are used for identifying a sub-space of an N-dimensional parameter space. An expected AV delay is assigned to the identified sub-space based on the measured AV delay, where the parameter space with expected AV delays constitute decision support information to be used by the device for performing a selective heart pacing. This selective pacing is performed based on a priori probability determined using the support information and a measured set of N parameters. The a priori probability represents the probability of successful AV conduction at a current patient condition determined based on the measured parameters.
US08321008B2
A device for electrokinetic delivery of medicament to a treatment site includes a cartridge having an active electrode and a membrane overlying the active electrode and a medicament or a medicament and an electrically conductive carrier therefor, carried by the membrane in electrical contact with the electrode. The electrode opens through a surface of the cartridge remote from the membrane for connection with an electrical connector carried by the device. An locking element releasably couples the cartridge to the housing.
US08321003B2
Various method embodiments of the present invention concern sensing patient-internal pressure measurements indicative of physiological exertion, identifying one or more steady state periods of physiological exertion based on the patient-internal pressure measurements, sensing extra-cardiac response data and cardiac response data corresponding to the one or more physiological exertion steady state periods, respectively comparing the extra-cardiac response data and the cardiac response data to extra-cardiac response information and cardiac response information associated with equivalent levels of physiological exertion intensity of the one or more steady state periods, and determining the likelihood that myocardial ischemia occurred during the one or more steady state periods based on the comparison of the extra-cardiac response data to the extra-cardiac response information and the cardiac response data to the cardiac response information.
US08321000B2
The invention relates to a method for determining a pathology in a subject, said method comprising: a) correlating N-N intervals with rate dependent fluctuations of electrocardiographic parameters derived from an electrocardiogram (ECG) of said subject or other recordings reflecting cardiac activity of said subject to derive electrocardiographic parameters correlation values, wherein said pathology is determined based on said correlation values.
US08320998B2
An imaging element of a vein imaging apparatus includes a vein image data generation region generating image data of a vein based a near-infrared light that was condensed by a lens array and that was scattered in a living body and transmitted through the vein and a positional displacement detection data generation region that includes a shielded section in which pixels are shielded from the light and an opening section in which pixels are not shielded from the light, and generates data for detecting positional displacement that is used to detect, based on the light received via the opening section, variation in an image focus position according to an imaging temperature. The vein imaging apparatus detects the image focus position of the light and estimates the amount of positional displacement occurred in the apparatus. The vein imaging apparatus selects a pixel based on the obtained amount of positional displacement.
US08320994B2
These are biopsy cavity marking devices and methods. More particularly, upon insertion into a body, the cavity marking device and method enable one to determine the center, orientation, and periphery of the biopsy cavity by radiographic, mammographic, echogenic, or other non-invasive imaging techniques. Also, the device contains a detectable marker. The device may be combined with various substances enhancing the radiopaque, mammographic, or echogenic characteristics of the marker or the body allowing it to be observed by any non-invasive imaging techniques. This is further a method of marking a biopsy cavity using a bioabsorbable material and a detectable marker in conjunction with the material. The method also may combine any of the features as described with the device.
US08320992B2
A system for video based registration between images during a skeletal medical procedure includes a stereoscopic camera, a two dimensional image detector and a registration processor. The camera is associated with a stereoscopic coordinate system, the camera acquires a stereoscopic image pair of fiducial marks fixed onto a skeletal structure. Fiducial representations of the fiducial marks appear on the stereoscopic image pair, and a skeletal representation of the skeletal structure appears on two different 2D images. The registration processor registers a stereoscopic coordinate system with a 3D coordinate system associated with a volumetric image detector, and superimposes 3D information on at least one volumetric image. The registration processor registers the stereoscopic coordinate system with the 3D coordinate system by registering the stereoscopic coordinate system with the 2D coordinate system and by registering the 2D coordinate system with the 3D coordinate system.
US08320989B2
A region of interest is identified by user selection of a single point. Multiple regions of interest may be identified by selection of multiple points. Region growing is then used to define the boundary of the region of interest.
US08320987B2
Electric potential mapping and electrode attachment device comprises: a main cylinder; a center piece having a center piece passage for receiving a catheter with its electrode running from a center piece inlet to a center piece outlet; a cylinder cap for closing main cylinder; a second cylinder which fits inside of and is allowed to rotate relative to main cylinder; and at least two electromechanical connections used to connect the device to at least two connectors on an electrode lead, where the device facilitates rotation and movement of each connector relative to the other while retaining continuous electrical connection with heart tissue or other body cavity tissue. The device offers continuous recording of electrical potentials of a body cavity during full rotation of collars, connectors, or connections on a laparoscopic device during HIS bundle mapping, pacemaker electrode anchoring, post anchoring, pacemaker programming, and afterwards.
US08320986B2
The present invention provides a method for calculating the resolution of blood glucose which corresponding with the peak value of the rising curve. The average peak value is obtained from calculating the plurality of peak value, which determined after the pre-setting sampling time. Then, the average peak value is calculated with the resistance of the measuring circuit, reference resistance, and reference voltage to obtain the resolution of the blood glucose. Furthermore, the mapping table can be fabricated by the different height of maximum peak value and outputted voltage in different presetting sampling time, such that the resolution of blood glucose can be obtained in different outputted voltage values.
US08320982B2
Multi-wavelength optical apparatus includes an optical emitter, and an energy transition layer positioned adjacent to the optical emitter. The energy transition layer generates multi-wavelength electromagnetic radiation when monochromatic light from the optical emitter passes therethrough. The energy transition layer includes a plurality of luminescent films, and each film is configured to luminesce at a respective different wavelength range when monochromatic light from the optical emitter passes therethrough. The plurality of luminescent films may be arranged in contacting face-to-face relationship or may be arranged in an array. The luminescent films may include rare-earth doped oxides, phosphors, metal-doped oxides, rare-earth doped nitrides, nanostructures, and/or nanostructured films, etc. The optical emitter may be a light emitting diode (LED), a laser diode (LD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), a resonant cavity light emitting diode (RCLED), and/or an edge-emitting diode (EELED).
US08320972B2
A mobile communication terminal including a wireless communication unit configured to receive a call; a touch screen display configured to display indication information that the call is being received and to display a first soft touch item and a second soft touch item on the touch screen display when the call is being received; and a control unit configured to connect the call being received if the first soft touch item is selected, and to control the touch screen display to continue to display the indication information indicating that the call is being received if the second soft touch item is selected.
US08320966B2
System, method and indoor antenna for reducing power consumption of base stations providing indoor coverage. The system comprises a base station (1), at least one indoor antenna (2) connected to the base station (1) providing coverage in an indoor coverage area and means for detecting human presence in a detection area. The base station (1) is configured to: receive (40) the information provided by the means for detecting human presence; check (42), according to said information, if human presence has been detected in the detection area, and in that case switch on (44) the base station (1); if human presence has not been detected in the detection area: check (45) if there is no traffic in the base station (1) during a predetermined period of time, and in that case switch off (46) the base station (1).
US08320960B2
A docking station includes a casing, a socket and a plurality of peripheral interface devices. The casing includes a base and a cover, wherein the cover is pivotingly disposed on the base, openably and coverably, to form an appearance of a notebook computer. The socket is formed in a surface of the base for receiving a mobile communication device, and a high speed transmission interface is formed in a bottom of the socket. The plurality of peripheral interface devices is disposed on the casing and electrically connected with the high speed transmission interface. When the mobile communication device is placed in the socket, the mobile communication device is electrically connected with the high speed transmission interface and transmits signals with the plurality of peripheral interface devices. Basing on the structure, the present invention can ensure that mobile communication devices are convenient for operation.
US08320957B2
A method and system suitable for supporting wireless medical telemetry services (WMTS) on a Distributed Antenna System (DAS). A DAS can provide wireless services including voice and data services using the same equipment. WMTS systems can include one or more active antenna units controlled by the MTS access point. The DAS includes control channels for transferring the MTS control and status information between the MTS access point and the antenna. The control channels can be transferred over a separate cable, or transferred using one or more intermediate frequency signals transferred over existing cables DAS between the MTS access point and the antenna. The control channels can be used to configure and control and receive status from the managed components of the DAS including active antennas, control the amplifiers used to process TDD signals, and control the switching of the diversity antenna systems.
US08320955B2
An integrated circuit (IC) includes a baseband processing module and a radio frequency (RF) section. The baseband processing module is coupled to convert outbound data into amplitude modulation information and phase modulation information when the IC is in a cellular data mode and to convert an outbound radio frequency identification (RFID) signal into RFID amplitude modulation information when the IC is in an RFID mode. The RF section is coupled to generate an outbound RF data signal in accordance with the amplitude modulation information and the phase modulation information when the IC is in the cellular data mode and to generate an outbound RF RFID signal in accordance with the RFID amplitude information when the IC is in the RFID mode.
US08320948B2
A system and method for probability-based resource allocation in a wireless communications system is provided. A method for centralized resource allocation includes coordinating spectrum sensing information with a set of cognitive radio (CR) user pairs, computing probability-based information for CR user pairs in the set of CR user pairs, computing adjustment values for each channel available for allocation, assigning a CR user pair to an unassigned channel in a set of channels available for allocation, the assigning based on the probability-based information, updating the adjustment values, repeating the assigning a CR user pair and the updating the adjustment values if the adjustment values have not converged, and transmitting a message to the set of CR user pairs, wherein the message comprises information regarding CR user pair to channel assignments.
US08320946B2
A mobile user terminal includes a receiver which receives a signal, and a processor which measures downlink channel quality based on the signal and does not transmit downlink channel quality information and an uplink pilot signal simultaneously at a period which the mobile user terminal is a state of transmission off in an intermittent fashion.
US08320944B1
A method and system for creating customer lists and customer profiles using mobile computing systems whereby A mobile computing system based marketing device, such as a Short Message Service (SMS) message, is created by the merchant and/or product marketer through a mobile application that includes one or more “hooks” that are presented to the mobile customers to inquire about a given mobile customer's interest level in the mobile computing system based marketing device and/or the specific offer made through the mobile computing system based marketing device. The mobile computing system based marketing device is then distributed to selected mobile customers and one or more of the selected mobile customers who receive the mobile computing system based marketing device respond, or fail to respond, to the mobile computing system based marketing device. Response data is then generated and stored in a mobile customer database and is used to create and/or update mobile customer profiles associated with the respective selected mobile customers in the mobile customer database.
US08320936B2
A method in a mobile communication system for determining a distance between a first mobile terminal and a second mobile terminal. Based on a trigger distance between the first and the second mobile terminal, a triggered location server defines an area surrounding the first mobile terminal and optionally defines an area surrounding the second mobile terminal. The trigger distance may be provided by an application e.g. for providing a location based service. If the first mobile terminal determines that it has moved outside of its area, it sends a trigger to the triggered location server. If the trigger distance between the first and the second mobile terminal is reached, the triggered location server may report this to the application as an event.
US08320934B2
A system and method of dynamically updating an almanac of base stations with wireless phones that are controlled by end users. First, second, and third location information are received respectfully from a first, second, and third wireless phones. A position of each wireless device is known. The distance between each wireless device an uncooperative base station is determined while accounting for an uncertainty factor. A location of the uncooperative base station is calculated using the first, second, and third location information and the distances. The almanac is updated with the location.
US08320932B2
A system (100) and method (300) of using a context vector and database (202) for location applications can include a transceiver (104), a plurality of environmental sensors (114, 116, 118, 120, 121) including at least two location technology devices (110, 112), and a processor (102) coupled to the transceiver and the plurality of environmental sensors. The processor can be programmed to sense (302) an environmental condition for a given location, define (310) a context vector for the given location, detect (312) a context transition corresponding to a change in the environmental condition, and modify (314) an operation of the at least two location technology devices based on the context transition detected. The processor can be further programmed to form (320) a new context vector based on the context transition and attempt to match the new context vector with a pre-stored context vector.
US08320927B2
Devices, methods and computer-readable media for providing broad quality of service optimization using policy-based selective quality degradation. Data associated with a quality of service for customers and QoS policy rules are stored. Customers are grouped for potential degradation. Levels of degradation are defined for each type of user device. Degradation for the group of customers is optimized using policy rules. Degradation is adjusted to account for variations in user treatment within the group. The adjusted degradation is then implemented.
US08320923B2
A method for validating radio resource control (RRC) messages begins by receiving a RRC message at a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU) from a radio access network. A determination is made at the WTRU whether the message is valid by applying a predetermined validation rule. The WTRU accepts the message if the message is valid. The WTRU rejects the message if the message is not valid. The message is rejected unless a new transport format combination set (TFCS) is provided, until the WTRU enters a CELL_DCH state, or both.
US08320921B2
In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus comprises a transceiver configured to receive beacons from a plurality of access points; a processor configured to estimate an expected bit-rate for the plurality of access points based at least in part on a frequency spectrum use resourcing, select an access point from the plurality of access points based at least in part on a target expected bit-rate and cause the transceiver to connect to the selected access point.
US08320912B2
Upon receiving a beacon, a terminal B sends a RTS control message to a terminal A before sending a registration request message to the terminal A. Upon receiving the RTS control message, the terminal A sends a CTS control message. The terminal B measures the time from when the RTS control message is sent to when the CTS control message is received so as to calculate the distance with the terminal A. If the distance with the terminal A is within a predetermined distance X1, the terminal B sends a registration request message to the terminal A. Similarly, the terminal A measures the distance with the terminal B, and sends a registration request acknowledgement message to the terminal B when the distance with the terminal B is within a predetermined distance X2.
US08320911B2
A cellular communications system may include at least one base station and at least one mobile cellular communications device. More particularly, the at least one mobile cellular communications device may include a controller, at least one user input device connected to the controller, and a wireless transceiver cooperating with the controller for attempting to establish a wireless communications link with at least one base station, and if the wireless communications link cannot be established, then continuing to attempt to establish the wireless communications link at a first attempt rate. Moreover, if a user provides a request to access the at least one base station via the at least one user input device, then the controller may continue to attempt to establish the wireless communications link based upon a second attempt rate greater than the first attempt rate.
US08320910B2
This invention addresses a method of whereby a cellular base station can scan the radio band to identify radio channels that are not in use, then claim those un-used radio channels for use to transmit and receive radio signals. A plurality of such radio base station could then comprise a cellular radio network, which channel planning and frequency re-use has become autonomous and self organizing. The present disclosure aims to further expand the utility and function of such self organizing cellular networks by including a user interface to the base station by which the operator can define the radio spectrum boundaries that the base station is authorized to operate within and to further set operational rules for the use of sub-sections of that defined spectral boundary.
US08320901B2
A communication device such as a smart phone is enabled for remotely controlling set-top boxes (STBs) over Internet protocol networks using an applet running on the communication device. Authentication from within a multimedia content distribution network may be achieved by verifying that a network identifier associated with the communication device is associated with an account that has granted access to the smart phone and that is associated with the controlled STB. A viewing pane on the communication device permits a user to remotely view content received on or available to the controlled STB.
US08320898B2
Systems and methods for optimizing performance scaling algorithms designated for operation on a mobile device are disclosed. A system memory includes program, use case, and results stores in addition to test logic. The program store contains a set of programs defined by the combination of a performance scaling algorithm and a set of parameters. The use case store contains information that identifies expected tasks to be performed by end users of the mobile device over time. The results store organizes a respective merit value determined after each of the set of programs has been executed for tasks defined by each use case. When executed, the test logic adjusts the mobile device and associates a select program for each of the use cases in response to the stored merit values. The merit values are determined as a function of a performance metric and a power metric.
US08320897B2
A method and device enables programming inter-subsystem interface (ISSI) identity data, which identifies at least one of units or groups operating in a communication network, into at least one unit associated with a first radio frequency subsystem. The method includes receiving the ISSI identity data at the first radio frequency subsystem from an ISSI communication node, wherein the ISSI identity data identifies at least one of unit information or group information associated with a second radio frequency subsystem operating in the communication network. At least a portion of the ISSI identity data is then programmed into the at least one unit associated with the first radio frequency subsystem.
US08320893B2
The disclosed system and method provide a mechanism for facilitating a conference call between a telematics subscriber and third parties through a call center. In one aspect, vehicle data may be uploaded data from the telematics unit while maintaining the conference call. The uploaded data may contain GPS location of the vehicle to assist a requester in locating and assisting the vehicle occupant.
US08320888B2
A method and system of the present invention delivers a voice mail notification to a subscriber of a voice mail system to indicate that a voice mail message is waiting in the subscriber mailbox. The voice mail system cellular phone network. The voice mail notification typically includes the calling party number and the name of the calling party if available, and an index. This is forwarded through the cellular phone network to the subscriber to indicate that a voice mail message is waiting in a subscriber mailbox. Subscribers can retrieve a specific message from the Voice Mail System.
US08320883B2
The present invention provides a secure, dynamic and customizable system and method for authenticating a mobile device in a wireless network, in accordance with the security policies associated with the wireless network. The system and method involve a trusted authentication and device management application stored on the SIM card of the mobile device in a memory space that is protected and only accessible by the network operator. Moreover, authentication is based, at least in part, on information that relates to the environment of the mobile device, the information being available to the authentication application through the operating system of the mobile device.
US08320881B2
A security protocol may be implemented on a processor-based system by providing a wireless signal to a handheld device normally carried by the user. If a response is not received, it may be determined that the user is not sufficiently proximate to the device being accessed and that, therefore, the person accessing the device is not authorized. An appropriate security protocol may be implemented as a result.
US08320873B2
An emergency alert gateway configured for receiving an emergency alert message wherein the alert message includes a text message and one of an audio message, a video message, an audio-video message and a multi-media message; storing an audio, video or multimedia portion of the alert message to form a first stored portion and for determining a subscriber base to receive the alert message. There is a database in communication with the alert gateway and an emergency alert server configured to broadcast the alert message to the subscriber base, and if the first stored portion of the alert message is not available, then broadcasting only the text message as the alert message.
US08320871B2
A system and method for providing information associated with public safety answering points may include storing a set of records including information associated with a plurality of PSAPs, each record may include (i) an identifier indicative of a PSAP available to service emergency communications, (ii) at least one cell code identifier indicative of cell sites in which the associated PSAP services, and (iii) at least one network address capable of receiving certain emergency data message types. In response to receiving a request, a PSAP local to a wireless communications device of a user who sent an emergency data message may be identified, and a network address associated with the identified local PSAP may be provided.
US08320862B2
When the first switching circuit outputs the output signal of the first selection filter, the receiver switches the output signal of the second switching circuit to the output signal of the delay compensator, and when the first switching circuit outputs the output signal of the second selection filter, the receiver switches the output signal of the second switching circuit to the output signal of the third selection filter.
US08320859B2
In one embodiment, a mobile communication device comprises a plurality of antennas, the antennas operable in at least one frequency band, is operable to automatically optimize the best antenna or antenna combination in reaction to the mobile communication device's immediate environment. The antennas are disposed substantially coplanar and have varying degrees of polarity. The mobile communication device further comprises logic structure for determining which of the antennas are optimal for operation of the mobile communication device and logic structure for selecting the optimal antenna for operation of the mobile communication device.
US08320857B2
Methods and systems for loop-through for multi-band TV tuners and set-top box and/or TV set applications are disclosed and may include generating master and slave output signals from one or more low-noise amplifiers including master and slave stages. The master and slave stages may include parallel-coupled gain paths. Gate terminals and source terminals of input transistors for the master and slave stages may be directly coupled. The input transistors for the master and slave stages may share an inductor coupled to the source terminals and to ground. The master and slave stages may include cascode stages. VHF and UHF signals may be amplified in the multi-band receiver. The generated master output signal may be processed in the multi-band receiver, and may be utilized to generate I and Q output signals. A plurality of the slave output signals may be summed and communicated to a receiver external to the multi-band receiver.
US08320850B1
The present disclosure relates to combining tunable antenna matching circuit adjustments and RF power amplifier output power adjustments of a first RF terminal in response to output power adjustment commands received from a second RF terminal. The output power adjustment commands may be part of an output power control loop between the first RF terminal and the second RF terminal to control the output power from the first RF terminal. The first RF terminal may include an RF receiver, an RF power amplifier, and a tunable antenna matching circuit coupled between an output of the RF power amplifier and an antenna. The tunable antenna matching circuit adjustments may be impedance adjustments of the tunable antenna matching circuit and the RF power amplifier output power adjustments may result from adjustments to one or more input signals to the RF power amplifier.
US08320845B2
A radio transmitter includes a transmitter circuit which produces a signal at a first frequency, and has digital divider circuitry, for dividing the first frequency to produce a signal at a second frequency. The noise performance of the digital divider is adjusted, depending upon the transmitter output power. Specifically, the digital divider is operated with a relatively good noise performance when the gain of the power amplifier is high, and is operated with a worse noise performance at low output powers. This can ensure that a specified noise requirement is met, without excessively increasing the power consumption or the size of the device.
US08320844B2
A configurable radio frequency (RF) transceiver integrated circuit (IC) includes an RF input/output (IO) module, a plurality of switching modules, and a plurality of components. The RF IO module and selected components of the plurality of components are inter-connected via the at least some of the plurality of switching modules based on a configuration instruction to produce at least one of: at least a portion of a receiver and at least a portion of transmitter.
US08320841B2
An integrated circuit radio transceiver and method therefore include circuitry for generating and power amplifying an outgoing RF signal to produce a power amplified outgoing signal, conducting the power amplified outgoing signal down a transmission path that is disposed substantially parallel to a directional coupler formed on a metallization layer of the integrated circuit, producing a sensed signal level sensed in the directional coupler to a power detector and determining the forward output power based upon the sensed signal level.
US08320837B2
Provided is a radio communication device including a communication unit, a memory unit capable of storing first audio data, a distance estimation unit that estimates a distance from an external device serving as a transmission source which transmits a radio signal based on a predetermined condition related to a field intensity and a noise component of the radio signal received by the communication unit, a communication control unit that controls the communication unit to transmit an audio data transmission request addressed to the external device serving as the transmission source based on the estimated distance estimated by the distance estimation unit, when the first audio data is being reproduced, and a reproduction control unit that adjusts a reproducing volume of the first audio data and a reproducing volume of second audio data, when the first audio data is being reproduced and the communication unit receives a radio signal corresponding to the second audio data transmitted from the external device serving as the transmission source in response to the transmission request.
US08320834B2
An inter-cell interference mitigation signaling method for controlling the use of a plurality of inter-cell interference mitigation methods during wireless communications between a first wireless communications apparatus and a second wireless communications apparatus, the method comprising performing a system configuration procedure to select one or more of the inter-cell interference mitigation methods for use during the wireless communications between the first wireless communications apparatus and the second wireless communications apparatus; performing an initiation procedure to start the use of the one or more selected inter-cell interference mitigation methods in response to the meeting of the predetermined initiation criteria; and performing a termination procedure to end the use of the one or more selected inter-cell interference mitigation methods in response to the meeting of predetermined termination criteria.
US08320829B1
A system and method for enabling on-demand inter-spacecraft resource sharing and coordination are disclosed involving at least one wireless device and a payload. At least one wireless device transmits and receives communications to at least one access point and at least one user. In one or more embodiments, spacecrafts are employed for the access points and/or the users. The payload comprises at least one transponder and at least one processor. At least one transponder transmits and receives the communications to at least one access point and at least one user. The processor provides channelized communication and regenerative communication to at least one user. Also, the processor monitors signal quality of the communications received from at least one user. In one or more embodiments, the wireless device is a radio frequency (RF) omni-directional antenna. In some embodiments, the wireless device is a diffuse optical emitter and receiver.
US08320827B2
Techniques for performing a handover in a network with a relay node (RN) are disclosed. The RN is a node deployed between an eNodeB (eNB) and a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU). The RN receives data from one of the eNB and the WTRU and forwards it to the other. The RN receives a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) protocol data unit (PDU) from a serving donor evolved Node-B (DeNB) and transmits it to the WTRU. The RN makes a handover decision based on the measurement report received from the WTRU. After making a handover decision, the RN sends a handover request or a control message to the serving DeNB including a first unsuccessfully transmitted PDCP sequence number (SN). The serving DeNB then discards a PDCP PDU with an SN older than the first unsuccessfully transmitted PDCP SN.
US08320826B2
A wireless network includes a base station and a relay station for extending wireless coverage of the base station. Downlink data is sent by the base station and relayed through the relay station to a mobile station, where the downlink data is associated with a preamble that is sent directly from the base station to the mobile station. A transmit power of the relay station is adjusted for transmitting the downlink data from the relay station to the mobile station to reduce a difference between a first power level of the preamble received at the mobile station and a second power level of the downlink data received at the mobile station. The uplink transmit power of the mobile station for the data sent to the relay station is adjusted to compensate for the difference in path loss from mobile station to base station and mobile station to relay station and to compensate for the difference in noise_plus_interference level at relay station compared to that of the base station.
US08320823B2
For each audio and data service, a table of contents (TOC) specifies which logical channel may carry data. The TOC may be transmitted over the NRSC-5 transmission system using a pre-defined protocol, which is received and decoded at an NRSC-5 receiver apparatus that extracts the TOC. When a user or an application requests a specific service from the receiver, the receiver logic may examine the TOC and may identify which LC may carry the requested service data. The receiver may only decode the LCs that are needed for the requested service, and may not decode other unneeded LCs thereby conserving power and memory.
US08320820B2
A system supports communications of video and data to hand held devices located within a public venue (e.g., sports stadium). At least one pod includes wireless communications electronics and an integrated antennae deployed as a communications node within the public venue and provides data including video through a data network from at least one server to hand held wireless devices located in the public venue. The pod can include a rechargeable power source sustaining self-contained operation of the wireless communication electronics. An optional solar cell can provide electrical power to charge the rechargeable power source. A pod can be embedded in the wall or floor surface of said public venue and can be provided in the form of a core hole plug.
US08320819B2
Provided are apparatuses and methods for transmitting and receiving ESG fragments containing identification information. In one example, the identification identifies a mobile operator. For example, the identification information may include a Mobile Network Code (MNC), Mobile Country Code (MCC), or name corresponding to the mobile operator. In another example, the identification information may also contain a web address corresponding to a web page associated with the mobile operator. For example, the identification information received in the ESG fragment may be compared to stored identification information at a receiver. Based on the identification information in the ESG fragment and stored identification information, a corresponding web page may be provided. Also, a program or service corresponding to the ESG fragment may be filtered based on the identification information in the ESG fragment and stored identification information.
US08320808B2
A fixing device comprises a fixing roller that fixes a toner image onto a sheet, plural rollers including the fixing roller, and an endless fixing belt driven and wound around the plural rollers. A pressing member is provided to press against the fixing roller via the fixing belt. The pressing member creates a fixing nip on the fixing belt. A slip supporting member is provided to press against the inner surface of the fixing belt at an exit section on a sheet conveyance path downstream of the fixing nip. Plural separation members are provided to separate the sheet ejected from the fixing nip. The plural separation members are arranged with their leading ends being distanced from the exit section.
US08320807B2
An image forming apparatus includes: a first rotary body; a second rotary body provided to face the first rotary body, wherein the first rotary body and the second rotary body form a nip portion by coming in contact with each other to rotate, at which a sheet bearing a toner image is conveyed while being heated and pressed, thereby fixing the toner image onto the sheet; a first nozzle which blows air to a first air blowing position established on a circumferential surface of the first rotary body and on a side of an outlet of the nip portion; and a second nozzle which blows air to a second air blowing position established on a circumferential surface of the second rotary body and established downstream of the first air blowing position in a traveling direction of the sheet.
US08320806B2
An elastic layer and a top layer of an intermediate transfer belt are configured such that an elastic modulus in a sub-scanning direction is larger than an elastic modulus in a main-scanning direction. Accordingly, when a toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt, a pressure applied to and affect on a toner is reduced as well as deformation at a sliding-contact portion between the intermediate transfer belt and a cleaning blade can be suppressed.
US08320804B2
The image forming apparatus is provided with: a toner image carrying member that moves while carrying a toner image; a transferring member that transfers, on a recording medium, the toner image that the toner image carrying member carries; a transporting unit that transports the recording medium along a transport path that passes through a transfer region where the transferring member transfers the toner image onto the recording medium; and a controller that controls a movement speed of the toner image carrying member. The controller changes the movement speed of the toner image carrying member in accordance with a position, on the transport path, of the recording medium that the transporting unit transports.
US08320803B2
A developing device includes a developing container for accommodating a developer; a developer carrying member, provided rotatably in the developing container, for carrying and feeding the developer to develop an electrostatic image; a developer feeding member, including an elastic feeding portion and being rotatably provided in the developing container, for feeding the developer in the developing container toward the developer carrying member; and a circulation changing member for changing circulation of the developer in the neighborhood of the developer carrying member. In a plane perpendicular to a rotational axis of the developer carrying member, the circulation changing member is provided in a maximum rotation area of the developer feeding member so as to create a gap between itself and an entire inner surface of the developing container and a gap between itself and the developer carrying member.
US08320795B2
Provided is a printer cartridge having a resilient pliable body. The resilient pliable body of the printer cartridge conforms to obstructions located in different positions inside the printer cartridge receiving cavity of different models and brands of printers. When the resilient pliable front of the printer cartridge contacts an obstruction in the cartridge receiving cavity of a printer, it is displaced in that area so that it is not an obstruction any longer, allowing the printer cartridge to fit and operate in multiple brands and families of printers.
US08320789B2
In an image formation state, to cool a recording sheet on a route from a fixer to a paper ejection roller, a blast fan assumes a first position restrained by a first fixture. Also, in another state, to cool a recording sheet on the catch tray, the blast fan assumes a second position restrained by a second fixture. To transition from the image formation state to another state, the blast fan sends a strong blast in a reverse direction from the normal blast direction. A bias is generated on the blast fan due to the resulting reactive force, the blast fan becomes free from the restraint of the first fixture, and shifts from the first position to the second position. Conversely, to transition from another state to the image formation state, a strong blast is sent in the same direction as the normal blast direction, and the blast fan shifts from the second position to the first position.
US08320788B2
An image forming apparatus, which has a plurality of operation modes with different power supply conditions, includes an electric-energy accumulating unit for calculating electric energy consumption in a current operation mode; a return-time calculating unit for calculating a return time taken for the image forming apparatus to return from an energy reduction mode, which is the operation mode in which part of the image forming apparatus is supplied with electric power, to a normal mode, which is the operation mode in which the whole image forming apparatus is supplied with electric power, on the basis of the calculated electric energy consumption and an upper limit of electric energy, which is predetermined as maximum electric energy consumption in a certain period of time; and a mode control unit for making the image forming apparatus return from the energy reduction mode to the normal mode on the basis of the calculated return time.
US08320779B2
A receiver includes wavelength demultiplexer for demultiplexing a received WDM light into light signals at respective central frequencies thereof, delay interferometer for converting a light signal output from wavelength demultiplexer into an intensity signal, and light detector for converting an output signal from delay interferometer into an electric signal. The interval between interferential frequencies of delay interferometer is 2/(2n+1) times the interval between the central frequencies of the WDM light. Logic inverting circuit outputs the output signal from the light detector while non-inverting or inverting the logic level thereof depending on the received central frequency.
US08320777B2
An interferometer includes an optical beam splitter that splits an input optical signal into a first optical signal propagating in a first optical path comprising free space and a second optical signal propagating in a second optical path comprising a dielectric medium. A differential delay delays the second optical signal relative to the first optical signal by a differential delay time that is proportional to at least one of a temperature and a refractive index of the dielectric medium. A temperature controller in thermal contact with the dielectric medium changes the temperature of the dielectric medium to control at least one of thermal expansion/contraction and a temperature dependent change in the refractive index of the dielectric medium, thereby changing the differential phase delay. An optical beam splitter/combiner optically coupled to the first and second optical paths generates a first and second interferometric optical signal having an amplitude and phase that is related to the differential delay.
US08320775B2
The present invention discloses a method and device for the bias control of an MZ modulator. The method comprises: during startup of an MZ modulator, inputting a linearly changing bias control voltage to the bias electrode of the MZ modulator and obtaining the output optical power of the MZ modulator so as to determine a bias control voltage corresponding to a preset operating point; then enabling a communication electrical signal to be input to the radio frequency electrode of the MZ modulator, carrying out an amplitude modulation on the communication electrical signal by a low-frequency sinusoidal pilot signal, and inputting the determined bias control voltage to the bias electrode simultaneously; and sampling the output optical signals of the MZ modulator, comparing the sampled optical signal with the pilot signal, and adjusting the bias control voltage input to the bias electrode according to the result of the comparison.
US08320771B2
A repeater includes a variable optical attenuating unit that collectively attenuates WDM optical signal input, an optical-attenuation adjusting unit that adjusts attenuation in the variable optical attenuating unit, and an optical amplifying unit that collectively amplifies and outputs the WDM optical signal collectively attenuated, to a downstream side. An optical-attenuation adjusting unit includes an input level detector; an output level detector; an output-level transmitting unit that receives information of a signal level of WDM optical signal output by a repeater at an upstream side and transmits information of a signal level of the WDM optical signal detected by the output level detector to a repeater at a downstream side; and an attenuation amount controller that controls the variable optical attenuating unit by calculating an attenuation amount thereof based on information of a signal level detected by the input level detector and a signal level received by the output-level transmitting unit.
US08320768B2
A system and method for continuing a communication link while maintaining visibility in visible light communication. A frame is transmitted by a sender for establishing a communication link before data transmission to a receiver by a sender. A receiver sends a response frame that reports on establishment of the communication link prior to data transmission by the sender. A data frame containing information is transmitted by the sender to the receiver. An acknowledgment frame is transmitted to the sender in response to the data frame. A disconnect frame is transmitted by the sender which is acknowledged by the receiver. A visible sequence is transmitted during a time period when the sender and the receiver do not transmit respective frames for communication to maintain visibility between two devices that may be communicating otherwise by, for example, infrared communication.
US08320762B2
Systems and methods for bandwidth doubling in an Ethernet passive optical network (EPON) enable an optical line terminal (OLT) to transmit downlink to at least one double rate optical network unit (ONU). The double rate transmission is preferably facilitated by use of single rate devices (OLT and ONU) functionally connected to provide the double rate capability. The methods include packet-by-packet multiplexing, bit-by-bit line code interleaving, doubling an inter-packet gap (IPG) length, defining windows of transmission for different transmission rates, using the 8B/10B code, removing the 8B/10B code from just the downlink transmission and symbol-by-symbol multiplexing is downlink transmissions from the double rate OLT.
US08320749B1
Methods, systems and computer-readable medium for changing video playback speed are disclosed. Video playback speed may be changed by determining a first frame rate and a second frame rate for which a frame rate transition is to be made. An instantaneous frame rate is calculated to produce a calculated instantaneous frame rate, wherein the calculated instantaneous frame rate is between the first frame rate and the second frame rate. A timestamp of a frame is adjusted based on the calculated instantaneous frame rate to produce an adjusted timestamp. Graphical data for the frame is provided in accordance with the adjusted timestamp to enable display of the frame. Thereafter, the frame may be displayed in accordance with the adjusted timestamp.
US08320744B2
The present invention relates to a video signal processing apparatus and video signal processing method, a video signal encoding apparatus and video signal encoding method, and a program which can solve an EPB problem involved when an encoded video signal is subjected to smart rendering editing. In an extraction process, if EPB problem occurrence prevention countermeasures have been taken in an H.264/AVC stream, smart rendering editing is performed without monitoring the occurrence of an EPB problem. If the countermeasures have not been taken, smart rendering editing is advanced while monitoring the occurrence of an EPB problem. And, in a case where an EPB problem of insertion of an EPB has occurred, a filler or a predetermined parameter corresponding to the inserted EPB is deleted. In a case where an EPB problem of deletion of an EPB has occurred, a filler corresponding to the deleted EPB is inserted. The present invention can be applied to a device that processes a video signal using the H.264/AVC scheme.
US08320739B2
A recording and playback apparatus includes a recording unit configured to download a content stored in a server and to record the content in a recording medium, an instruction receiver configured to receive a stop instruction for stopping download of the content done by the recording unit, and a controller configured to control the recording unit. The controller controls the recording unit so as to stop the download of the content when the instruction receiver receives the stop instruction for stopping download of the content, and to restart the download of the content when a predetermined time elapses in which the recording unit is in a stop state of the download.
US08320738B2
Systems and methods for video management facilitate operations on a video file based on a transcript or other annotations about the video file. On a stand-alone DVD player, DVD menu components facilitate navigation of a video file in increments corresponding to a portion of a transcript of the video file, for example one page of the transcript at a time. Transcript text may be presented as part of the DVD menu components to enable a user to read the transcript in increments and navigate the video file accordingly.
US08320730B2
The present invention relates to an I/O device capable of collectively managing and easily editing AV data recorded by a plurality of video cameras with transfer bit rate between devices kept constant, and an I/O management system. The I/O management system according to the present invention comprises: a storage device having a non-linear accessible recording medium; a control unit for controlling output of externally supplied data with respect to the storage device, or input of data from the storage device; and one or more I/O device having a record information management unit for managing, through a file system, record information acquired at the time when data is recorded onto the recording medium, and controls input of data from the storage device on the basis of the record information managed by a file system at the time of reproduction.
US08320727B1
A three-dimensional (3D) composite structure and a method of making the same. In one embodiment, the 3D composite structure includes a 3D ordered microstructure and a second continuous material. The 3D ordered microstructure includes first truss elements defined by first self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a first direction, second truss elements defined by second self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a second direction, and third truss elements defined by third self-propagating polymer waveguides and extending along a third direction. The first, second, and third truss elements interpenetrate each other at nodes to form a first continuous material with the three-dimensional ordered microstructure. In addition, the second continuous material has different physical properties than the first continuous material and shares an interface with the three-dimensional ordered microstructure, and wherein the interface is everywhere continuous.
US08320725B2
In general, in one aspect, the disclosure features a system that includes a flexible waveguide having a hollow core extending along a waveguide axis and a region surrounding the core, the region being configured to guide radiation from the CO2 laser along the waveguide axis from an input end to an output end of the waveguide. The system also includes a handpiece attached to the waveguide, wherein the handpiece allows an operator to control the orientation of the output end to direct the radiation to a target location of a patient and the handpiece includes a tip extending past the output end that provides a minimum standoff distance between the output end and the target location.
US08320724B2
The present invention relates to an optical communication system or the like, which comprises a multicore fiber with a plurality of cores that are two-dimensionally arrayed in a cross-section thereof. In the optical communication system, an arrangement converter, provided between a multicore fiber and an Optical Line Terminal (OLT) having light emitting areas arrayed one-dimensionally, comprises first and second end faces, and a plurality of optical waveguides. The optical waveguides are disposed such that one of the end faces coincides with the first end face and the other end face coincides with the second end face. In particular, the optical waveguide end face array on the first end face and the optical waveguide end face array on the second face are different, contributing to an optical link between network resources of different types.
US08320721B2
An optical mode transformer comprises a first waveguide including a first core, a first cladding and an end facet configured to be coupled to an optical fiber. The transformer further includes a second waveguide comprising a second core, a second cladding and an end directly coupled to an end of the first waveguide. A third waveguide comprises a third core and a third cladding, and is arranged with respect to the second waveguide so as to realize an evanescent optical coupling with the second waveguide. The third core includes a tapered region wherein evanescent coupling takes place, and wherein a refractive index contrast of the first waveguide is less than a refractive index contrast of the second waveguide, the refractive index contrast of the second waveguide is less than a refractive index contrast of the third waveguide, and the refractive index contrast of the third waveguide is not less than 18%.
US08320700B2
An apparatus and method for estimating scale ratio and noise strength of an encoded image includes an edge detection unit, a projection histogram calculation unit, a distance histogram calculation unit, a scale ratio estimation unit, a block boundary determination unit, and a noise strength estimation unit. Compressed noise, such as a block effect, included in an image can be efficiently reduced without prior information about the image.
US08320698B2
A system and method for denoising using signal dependent adaptive weights includes an imaging device that captures image data corresponding to a photographic target. A denoising manager identifies similar pixels from said image data that are located within a pre-defined processing window around the pixel to be denoised. The denoising manager computes signal-dependent weighting values that correspond to respective ones of the similar pixels. The denoising manager then calculates the denoised pixel value by utilizing the weighting values in conjunction with raw pixel values of the similar pixel set. In this manner all pixels in the image are denoised.
US08320684B2
An image compressing apparatus carrying out code amount control upon JPEG2000 coding, in which the number of coding passes and a code amount for each code block generated by a MQ (arithmetic) coder are input, and the number of coding passes and the code amount are determined based on a first code amount control standard and a second code amount control standard given for each code block. For a specific code block, the second code amount control standard is used to determine the number of coding passes and the code amount, while, for the other code blocks, the first code amount control standard is used to determine the number of coding passes and the code amount.
US08320681B2
Disclosed is a method and an apparatus for recognizing characters using an image. A camera is activated according to a character recognition request and a preview mode is set for displaying an image photographed through the camera in real time. An auto focus of the camera is controlled and an image having a predetermined level of clarity is obtained for character recognition from the images obtained in the preview mode. The image for character recognition is character-recognition-processed so as to extract recognition result data. A final recognition character row is drawn that excludes non-character data from the recognition result data. A first word is combined including at least one character of the final recognition character row and a predetermined maximum number of characters. A dictionary database that stores dictionary information on various languages using the first word is searched, so as to provide the user with the corresponding word.
US08320668B2
Noise does not occur even if an image of an object region extracted from an input image and a background image are stored separately, and then displayed or printed, at a boundary portion of the object region. A boundary region is set at the inner side of the object region of the input image, and a pixel value of an adjacent pixel at the outer side of the boundary of the object region is written to a corresponding pixel in the boundary region. Even if a difference occurs between the background image and the object image, when a document file is displayed or printed, since the pixel value of the pixel at the outer side of the object region is assigned to the pixel in the boundary region, noise due to average color does not occur.
US08320667B2
In a method for automatically and scalably selecting images from an image collection for inclusion in a photo album, an initial pagination arrangement containing a subset of all of the images contained in the image collection is identified. In addition, a determination as to whether the initial number of pages of the initial pagination arrangement is equivalent to a desired number of pages is made and the initial pagination arrangement is modified in an automatic and scalable manner in response to the initial number of pages differing from the desired number of pages.
US08320663B2
A method for providing an intensity or brightness measurement using a digital image-capturing device comprising: selecting a target area within a field of view of the image-capturing device, the target area containing pixels; determining the brightness of pixels in the target area; accumulating the brightness values of the pixels in the target area; and determining a pixel value representative of the pixels in the target area. A device for making color measurements comprising an image-capture device, a processor or logic device, and a memory location for accumulating color data, and the processor or logic device is programmed to perform color measurements by accumulating the data for pixels located in the target area in memory, and determining a representative color value.
US08320662B2
System and method for distinguishing colors of illuminated objects using machine vision. A color-balanced image that includes at least one lit area is received, as well as an indication of a region of interest that includes one of the one or more lit areas. A mask image is generated based on the region of interest. A color-balanced image of the region of interest is generated by masking the color-balanced image with the mask image, and a plurality of image attributes for the region of interest is determined by analyzing the color-balanced image of the region of interest. A color is determined based on the plurality of image attributes using a trained classifier, and the determined color stored, e.g., in a memory medium.
US08320659B2
A method and system of inspecting baggage to be transported from a location of origin to a destination is provided that includes generating scan data representative of a piece of baggage while the baggage is at the location of origin, and storing the scan data in a database. A rendered view representative of a content of the baggage is provided where the rendered views are based on the scan data retrieved from the database over a network. The rendered views are presented at a destination different from the origin.
US08320650B2
In vivo endoscopic methods an apparatuses for implementation of fluorescence and autofluorescence microscopy, with and without the use of exogenous agents, effectively (with resolution sufficient to image nuclei) visualize and categorize various abnormal tissue forms.
US08320646B2
An MRI system produces a three-dimensional image by acquiring NMR signals that fully sample a central region of k-space and partially sample peripheral k-space as a set of asymmetric radial sectors. The NMR signals are acquired with a plurality of receive channels and coils. An image is reconstructed using a homodyne reconstruction combined with SENSE processing.
US08320640B2
In a biometrics authentication system inputting biometric information and outputting a user ID, speedup of 1:N matching on the side of server is achieved when cancelable biometrics authentication is realized in which matching is carried out. During registration, similarity of a feature to a dummy feature is searched and the feature is transformed by using a transform parameter corresponding to a nearest neighboring dummy feature. The transformed feature and a group ID are transmitted to the server and the server registers the transformed feature at the group in a DB. During authentication, like the registration process, similarity search of a feature is carried out and the feature is transformed by using transform parameter corresponding to a nearest neighboring dummy feature. The transformed feature and group ID are transmitted to the server. The server executes 1:1 matching between a template a the group in the DB and the transformed feature.
US08320637B2
The present disclosure provides for a method for analyzing treated fingerprints on a document. A sample document is provided. A digital image of the sample document is obtained. The sample document is treated with a reagent and a hyperspectral image of the document is obtained. The hyperspectral image of the document is analyzed to determine a region of interest and a hyperspectal image is obtained of the region of interest. The present disclosure also provides for a system comprising a carrier frame, an imaging station for obtaining a digital image of the sample document, a first processing station for treating the document and a second processing station for developing the treated document, a second imaging station for obtaining a hyperspectral image of at least one of the document and a region of interest of the document, and a robotic subsystem for transporting the document through the system.
US08320632B2
Methods, apparatus and computer program code for terrain correction for geophysical surveys, in particular potential field surveys. A method of terrain correction for a geophysical survey involves capturing a multi- or hyperspectral image of a region to be surveyed; determining a surface geological composition of the surveyed region using the captured image multi- or hyperspectral image; determining terrain correction data for the geophysical survey using the determined surface geological composition; and using the terrain correction data for performing the terrain correction for the geophysical survey.
US08320626B2
An image processing accuracy estimation unit estimates an image processing accuracy by calculating a size of an object by which the accuracy of measurement of the distance of the object photographed by an on-vehicle camera becomes a permissible value or less. An image post-processing area determination unit determines, in accordance with the estimated image processing accuracy, a partial area inside a detection area of the object as an image post-processing area for which an image post-processing is carried out and lattices the determined image post-processing area to cells. An image processing unit processes the image photographed by the on-vehicle camera to detect a candidate for object and calculates a three-dimensional position of the detected object candidate. An image post-processing unit calculates, in each the individual cell inside the determined area the probability as to whether the detected object is present and determines the presence/absence of the object.
US08320613B2
A system for detecting and tracking targets captured in images, such as people and object targets that are captured in video images from a surveillance network. Targets can be detected by an efficient, geometry-driven approach that determines likely target configuration of the foreground imagery based on estimated geometric information of possible targets. The detected targets can be tracked using a centralized tracking system.
US08320611B2
A text watermarking method embeds an auxiliary message in an original electronic text document to form a watermarked text document. The method applies a spreading function to message symbols to spread the symbols over a carrier, which forms a modulated carrier. It maps elements of the modulated carrier to corresponding inter-word spaces in the electronic text document, and applies an embedding function to modify the corresponding inter-word spaces according to elements of the modulated carrier signal such that the modified inter-word spaces hide the modulated carrier signal in the watermarked text document. The message symbols are automatically decodable from the watermarked document without the original electronic text document. A compatible decoder extracts the auxiliary message from a printed or electronic watermarked text document. The decoder automatically measures inter-word spaces in the watermarked text document. It estimates elements of a modulated carrier signal embedded in the inter-word spaces to form an estimated modulated carrier signal, and applies a de-spreading function to the estimated modulated carrier signal to extract message symbols.
US08320606B1
In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a system that includes a user interface device; and one or more computers operable to interact with the user interface device and to perform operations including: receiving video data; applying a one dimensional watermark pattern to each of multiple one dimensional data lines in the video data to create watermarked video data; receiving the watermarked video data including the multiple one dimensional data lines; combining the one dimensional data lines to form a one dimensional array of numbers; analyzing the one dimensional array of numbers to detect the one dimensional watermark pattern previously applied to each of the one dimensional data lines; and outputting an indication of a match, to trigger further processing with respect to the watermarked video data, when the analyzing indicates the watermark pattern has been detected.
US08320601B2
An external inserting meatus of user is closed with an insert earphone device in use so that it is hard that external sound penetrates into the external inserting meatus; not only an internal sound propagation path but also an external sound propagation path are formed in an inserting body of the earphone device, and an active diaphragm is provided in the inserting body so as to make the external sound propagation path closed therewith and block the external auditory meatus from the external sound; the active diaphragm is formed from electroactive polymer layer sandwiched between electrodes, and the active diaphragm is deformed in the presence of voltage so as permit the user easily to control it.
US08320597B2
An accessory for a portable electronic device having a speaker uses an acoustic wave guide to passively amplify and direct the output of the device's speaker. The accessory has a housing with a docking cavity formed therein. The docking cavity has supportive sidewalls that are adapted to receive and support the portable electronic device in an upright position. A cable access channel is formed in the docking cavity that allows a connector and cable to be coupled to the portable electronic device when the portable electronic device is mounted in the docking cavity. An acoustic waveguide having a spiral shaped acoustic chamber is positioned in the housing such that an entrance to the acoustic waveguide corresponds to a hole in the docking cavity that is positioned to correspond to the location of the speaker of the device when the device is mounted in the docking chamber. The exit of the acoustic chamber corresponds to an exterior opening in a sidewall of the housing and the hole in the docking cavity. The housing can be provided with charging circuitry to charge the device when the device is mounted in the dock.
US08320595B2
A Wireless Acoustic SPeaker mount, or WASP, is disclosed that serves as both a wireless speaker adapter and a speaker mount. Some embodiments include a separate transmitter that obtains wired acoustic signals from an acoustic source and transmits them wirelessly to the WASP. WASP's can include a digital and/or analog wireless receiver, digital-to-analog converter, amplifier, and/or equalizer or other sound quality adjuster. WASP's can rest on a horizontal surface or be mounted to or embedded within a wall, ceiling, or other structure. Speakers can rest on or attach to a WASP or be mounted inside of a WASP. In various embodiments the horizontal and/or vertical positioning of the speaker is adjustable, WASP's can be used outdoors, WASP's can extend a wireless transmission range by relaying signals to other WASP's, and the transmitter and WASP's can send on/off and other command signals to each other.
US08320590B2
In an audio signal processing device, a signal input part receives a plurality of audio signals to be provided to a plurality of speakers, respectively, arranged so as to surround a listener, the speakers including a center speaker, a left speaker and a right speaker. A signal processing part adds a processed audio signal to an audio signal to be provided to the center speaker, the processed signal being obtained by attenuating a summation of audio signals to be provided to the left speaker and the right speaker. The signal processing part attenuates the summation of the audio signals by an attenuation rate which is set between 0 and 1. The signal processing part sets the attenuation rate to an appropriate value effective to suppress crosstalk between sound emitted from the left speaker and sound emitted from the right speaker.
US08320586B2
A system and method for reducing volume spike during switching of audio output devices of an electronic device is provided. The system and method adjusts a volume level of a first audio output device currently adopted by the electronic device for audible output to a muted level, and switches the audible output from the first audio output device to a second audio output device with the muted level. The system and method further receives a desired volume level input by a user, and adjusts the second audio output device from the muted level to the desired volume level.
US08320584B2
A method and system for performing audio signal processing is provided. A phase of a signal may be shifted between 0° and 360° for all frequencies of the signal, without any significant delay distortion. The phase shift can be accomplished through the use of two signal outputs (which are each shifted in phase by 90° relative to the other), inverters and an analog summing circuit. Selective use of the inverter on one or both of the 90° phase shifted outputs, and their linear combinations, allows the phase of the audio signal outputs to be shifted between about 0° and about 360° by a recording engineer, for example.
US08320583B2
A noise reducing device includes: a sound-signal input unit that inputs a sound signal; a time-to-frequency converting unit that converts the input sound signal obtained by being input by the sound-signal input unit into a frequency signal; a patterning unit that calculates, for each of divided frequencies of the frequency signal, an nth order polynomial (n is a natural number) as a polynomial for interpolating sampling points and acquires a coefficient pattern including a set of values of coefficients of respective orders of the polynomial; a matching-data storing unit that stores, in association with the divided frequencies, matching data indicating a matching range as a range of a coefficient pattern regarded as noise; and a noise determining unit that determines, on the basis of a result obtained by comparing the coefficient pattern acquired by the patterning unit and the matching range indicated by the matching data, at least presence or absence of noise occurrence at a divided frequency corresponding to data of the compared coefficient pattern.
US08320567B2
In one embodiment, a method for processing encrypted wireless station data at a network device includes receiving from an access point, one or more frames comprising wireless station data fragmented into a plurality of encrypted protocol data units. The frames are configured to identify the encrypted protocol units associated with the wireless station data. The method further includes decrypting the encrypted protocol data units and forwarding the wireless station data. An apparatus for processing encrypted wireless station data, a method for transmitting encrypted multicast data for a wireless client, and a method for processing encrypted wireless station data at an access point are also disclosed.
US08320563B2
An interface adapter device consistent with certain embodiments has a first electrical connector adapted to connect to a conditional access service card to receive encrypted television signals therefrom. A second electrical connector is adapted to connect to a television receiver device in order to provide the encrypted television signals to the television receiver device. An interface circuit receives the encrypted television signals from the first electrical connector and adapts the signals for transmission to a television receiver device over the second electrical connector. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US08320556B1
An improved architecture is disclosed of a crypto engine, such as a Janus Crypto Engine (JCE) having a Programmable Cryptographic Channel (PCC) using a Programmable Cryptographic Processor (PCP). The architecture of the crypto engine does not require zeroizing between messages received by the PCC. Consequently, using the new architecture of the present invention, the crypto engine can allocate PCC resources based on throughput and algorithm needs, reducing latency, and employing fewer PCCs.
US08320552B2
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for finding an estimate of the delay of a signal travelling between two points. A quantity is evaluated from the signal at a final number of time instants, at both a reference point and a reception point. The values are quantized by comparison with a threshold adapted to a typical magnitude of the quantity. If the quantized values from the reception point are shifted back by the true delay with respect to the quantized values from the reference point, then certain co-occurrences of quantized values have very low probability. Hence, the best delay estimate is that shift which yields the least number of low-probability co-occurrences.
US08320551B2
A method and system for processing application logs describing transactions in a computer telephony integration (CTI) environment is disclosed. The CTI environment includes a plurality of CTI servers configured to execute CTI applications. Numerous instances or types of CTI applications may be executed. A user may request information for a transaction performed in the CTI environment. The relevant application logs indicating the transaction may be determined and output. Information indicating the relevant application logs may be output to the user.
US08320546B2
A data store associates a first identity recognizable in a first network with a second identity recognizable in a second network for both a user and a calling entity. Both identities for the calling entity are provided to the receiving device via the second network. A node receives the communication event with the second identity for the calling entity, the communication event being addressed with the second identity of the user. The data store is queried with the second identities of the calling entity and user to determine the first identities of the calling entity and user. The receiving device receives the communication event with the first identity for the calling entity via the first network, the communication event being addressed with the first identity of the user. The receiving device determines the second identity of the calling entity using the first identity of the calling entity.
US08320544B2
Systems and method for processing orders for telecommunications services are disclosed. Generally a telecommunications transaction set of an electronic data interchange standard is received, the telecommunications transaction set corresponding to a telecommunications product or service for a customer. An order for the telecommunications product or service is then generated based on processing of the telecommunications transaction set.
US08320530B2
A method for realizing a multimedia call includes the following steps. A call request initiated by a calling terminal is received. An indication of the multimedia negotiation capability of the calling terminal is acquired, in which the indication of the multimedia negotiation capability identifies whether the terminal has the capability of supporting multiple multimedia negotiations or not. It is determined, according to the indication of the multimedia negotiation capability, whether the calling terminal has the capability of supporting multiple multimedia negotiations or not. A multimedia call connection is performed according to the multimedia negotiation capability of the calling terminal. It is determined, according to the factor whether the calling terminal has the capability of supporting multiple multimedia negotiations or not, how to perform the multimedia call connection, so as to flexibly realize the multimedia call connection accordingly.
US08320529B2
A first call is received at a reserved address and is forwarded based on the reserved address. A second call is placed to a designated address, and a message is played to the designated address.
US08320526B2
The embodiments of the present invention disclose a spectrum optimization method and device and digital subscriber line system, the method comprising: calculating according to acquired information of each of respective subcarriers on the DSL line to be optimized to obtain optimized transmission power of a subcarrier to be optimized in a DSL line to be optimized; calculating a transmission rate of the DSL line to be optimized according to the optimized transmission power; and comparing the transmission rate with a target rate of the DSL line to be optimized, and if the transmission rate is less than the target rate, updating the information of an optimized subcarrier, and performing a recalculation. The embodiments of the present invention can overcome the problem of the conventional art that it is difficult to converge the rate weighted coefficient, and improve the rate of a given subscriber line while reduce power loss caused by the given subscriber line to other subscriber lines in the same bundle of cables.
US08320523B2
Disclosed are a method and a device for security-inspection of liquid articles with dual-energy CT imaging. The method comprises the steps of obtaining one or more CT images including physical attributes of liquid article to be inspected by CT scanning and a dual-energy reconstruction method; acquiring the physical attributes of each liquid article from the CT image; and determining whether the inspected liquid article is dangerous based on the physical attributes. The CT scanning can be implemented by a normal CT scanning technique, or a spiral CT scanning technique. In the normal CT scanning technique, the scan position can be preset, or set by the operator with a DR image, or set by automatic analysis of the DR image.
US08320517B2
A method for generation of a scan path for an x-ray source and/or an x-ray detector of an x-ray system is provided. CT-type imaging on the x-ray system is enabled by traversing the scan path upon simultaneous acquisition of a series of x-ray images. An original scan path of the x-ray source and/or of the x-ray detector is provided, where the scan path is defined by a series of original acquisition points. A viewing axis from the x-ray source to the object and/or the detector is identified for at least one acquisition point on the scan path. A modified scan path is generated by displacement of the at least one acquisition point at least partially along the viewing axis so that the scanning movement upon traversing the modified scan path can be reproduced as in the original scan path.
US08320510B2
Aspects of the disclosure provide unbiased channel equalization applied in a MIMO OFDM system with spatial multiplexing. According to certain embodiments, a MMSE receiver can be implemented with the QR decomposition (QRMMSE detection) instead of direct inversion of channel matrix by exploiting an augmented channel matrix. A simple and efficient bias removal technique is presented herein, whereby unbiased QRMMSE equalization may provide identical detection accuracy as a conventional unbiased MMSE approach. For certain embodiments, multiple access interference may be further reduced if the VBLAST version of the unbiased QRMMSE detection is applied.
US08320508B1
A system including an estimation module, a processing module, and a control module. The estimation module is configured to generate a first set of channel estimates for a plurality of subcarriers of a received signal. The processing module is configured to generate a second set of channel estimates for the plurality of subcarriers, in which the second set of channel estimates are generated based on the first set of channel estimates. The control module is configured to estimate a preamble sequence in the received signal based on each of (i) the first set of channel estimates and (ii) the second set of channel estimates.
US08320505B2
Detection apparatus and method for achieving performance close to a Maximum Likelihood (ML) detection having optimal performance and reducing computational complexity in a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) system including a plurality of transmit antennas and receive antennas are provided. The apparatus includes a hard decision part for confirming an initial hard decision value of a receive symbol vector; a candidate symbol selector for selecting candidate symbols restricted to neighbor values of the initial hard decision value; and an interference canceller for canceling interference in the selected candidate symbols and selecting a final candidate symbol from the received symbols using a result of the interference cancellation.
US08320498B2
A digital television receiving system includes a first known data detector, a second known data detector, and a selector. The first known data detector detects a location of a first known data sequence in a broadcast signal by calculating a first correlation value between the broadcast signal and a first reference known data sequence. Similarly, the second known data detector detects a location of a second known data sequence in the broadcast signal by calculating a second correlation value between the broadcast signal and a second reference known data sequence. The selector selects the location information detected by one of the first and second known data detectors with a greater correlation value.
US08320497B2
An integrated circuit radio transceiver and method therefor includes an integrated circuit radio transceiver operable to provide specified gain levels and transmit path filter responses to correspond with a selected power spectral density mask. Changes in gain may be provided solely digital gain changes or may include analog gain module gain changes. A transmitter selects from one of at least three masks to reduce or eliminate spectral regrowth out of band to satisfy EVM requirements. Non-symmetric masks may also be selected for special circumstances to prevent out of band spectral regrowth. Additionally, pre-distortion settings are applied to in-band frequencies to correspond to the selected PSD mask.
US08320496B2
An encoding method and apparatus are provided. In the encoding method: encoding input information bits with an encoding matrix G and a linear combination formula. The encoding matrix G is an encoding matrix obtained by performing row permutation on an encoding matrix H having a plurality of successive zeroes in one or more columns of the encoding matrix H. Encoding control information with the encoding matrix provided by aspects of the present disclosure, each bit of the control information is distributed on all encoded output bits as uniformly as possible. Thereby, the bits of the control information obtain sufficient frequency diversity and time diversity after channel mapping, so as to improve transmission performance of the control information effectively.
US08320484B2
A data processor 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.
US08320481B2
A synchronization method used in a receiving terminal of an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system is illustrated. The synchronization method includes following steps: (a) receiving an OFDM training symbol at the receiving terminal, wherein the OFDM training symbol includes many sample points; (b) calculating first function values according to the sample points by using a first function; (c) selecting D timing points from many timing points corresponding to the first function values, wherein D first function values of the D timing points are larger than a first threshold value; (d) calculating D second function values of the D timing points by using a second function; and (e) selecting a first timing point from the D timing points, and setting the first timing point as a timing synchronization point, wherein the second function value of the first timing point is a first one greater than a second threshold value.
US08320478B2
A method for generating a signal with a random low peak to average power ratio waveform for an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing system involves processing a complex vector to generate a processed complex vector and performing an inverse fast Fourier transform on the processed complex vector to generate a signal with a random low peak to average power ratio waveform for an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing system.
US08320475B2
A system for measuring inter-carrier interference (ICI) in an OFDM system includes a test symbol generator coupled to a transmitter of the OFDM system to generate an N*N orthogonal matrix having N*N test symbols, and to send the test symbols in a test symbol stream via the transmitter to a receiver of the OFDM system. The N*N test symbols are arranged by the test symbol generator into an N*N orthogonal matrix before being sent to the receiver. The system also includes an ICI measuring module coupled to the receiver to detect the N*N test symbols received in the receiver and to arrange the test symbols as a receiving matrix in the same way as the orthogonal matrix in the transmitter. The ICI measuring module outputs the receiving matrix as an ICI matrix of the OFDM system, wherein an element on the kth row, lth column of the ICI matrix represents interference from the lth sub-carrier on the kth sub-carrier, wherein k≠l.
US08320474B2
A transmitter configured for generating a frequency-hopped OFDM signal comprises a digital Fourier transform circuit, a variable bandpass filter, and a frequency-hopping controller. The digital Fourier transform circuit comprises a plurality of input frequency bins and is configured to modulate complex data symbols onto a plurality of OFDM subcarriers. The variable bandpass filter selects sets of the plurality of input frequency bins for frequency hopping the OFDM subcarriers over a plurality of subbands. The frequency-hopping controller controls the variable bandpass filter with respect to at least one predetermined frequency-hopping pattern. A receiver configured for processing a received frequency-hopped OFDM signal comprises a digital Fourier transform circuit configured to convert a received digital baseband signal into a frequency-domain signal comprising a plurality of OFDM symbols, a variable bandpass filter configured to select sets of the OFDM symbols with respect to predetermined subbands, and a frequency-hopping controller configured to control the variable bandpass filter with respect to a predetermined frequency-hopping pattern.
US08320455B2
Systems and methods to process motion vectors of video data are disclosed. According to an embodiment, an intra-block in a video frame of the video data is identified. At least a first set and a second set of inter-blocks that neighbor the identified intra-block are identified, where each inter-block in a set of inter-blocks has a motion vector associated therewith. Data of the first and second set of inter-blocks is evaluated to determine an error associated with each of the first and second sets. A motion vector associated with motion vectors of the inter-blocks of the set with the least error is determined. The determined motion vector may be associated with the identified intra-block.
US08320448B2
An encoder is disclosed that is partitioned into discrete hardware modules. The discrete modules include multiple re-entry and exit points that allow enhanced control by software. The software can control the discrete modules during the encoding process and make adjustments according to CPU bandwidth and/or user requirements allowing for enhanced quality control and seamless hardware/software operations. In one embodiment, a media stream is received into an encoder that includes a pipeline of multiple hardware stages for encoding. An intermediate result is provided from at least one of the hardware stages to an encoding control module that processes the intermediate result to determine configuration instructions for a next hardware stage in the pipeline. Thus, the encoding process can be modified dynamically through hardware and software interactions as the media stream progresses through the pipeline of the encoder.
US08320446B2
The present invention overcomes limitations of conventional synchronous signal transmission systems. The present invention provides apparent low latency synchronous signal transmission between devices, even if the transmission channel has impairments, and, allows for asynchronous transmission of signals between a transmitters and receivers that are located between the devices. Compression is preferably used for reducing the bandwidth of the transmitted data which results in asynchronous transmission of signals between a transmitter and a receiver.
US08320444B2
A transmission apparatus includes a modulating section configured to modulate a baseband signal by using a carrier wave; a determining section configured to determine a pattern of the carrier wave, in accordance with a characteristic of a transmission channel on which a waveform represented by a signal value of a specific symbol is stationarily distorted according to a value of a symbol transmitted before or after the specific symbol; and a transmitting section configured to transmit a modulation signal through the transmission channel, the modulation signal being obtained by modulation using the determined carrier-wave pattern.
US08320442B2
A decision feedback equalizer is operated by making first symbol decisions from an output of the decision feedback equalizer such that the first symbol decisions are characterized by a relatively long processing delay, by making second symbol decisions from the output of the decision feedback equalizer such that the second symbol decisions are characterized by a relatively short processing delay, and by determining tap weights for the decision feedback equalizer based on the first and second symbol decisions. The first symbol decisions may be derived from the output of a long traceback trellis decoder. The second symbol decisions may be derived either from the output of a short traceback trellis decoder or from shorter delay outputs of the long traceback trellis decoder.
US08320430B2
This disclosure relates to method, device and system for determining transmit power in a communication system. A node receives an access point interference signal from an access point. The access point interference signal is measured by the access point based in part on an inference from an external system. The node determines a transmit power based in part on the access point interference signal. The node then transmits an uplink signal at the transmit power.
US08320425B1
Systems, apparatus, devices and methods for pumping rod shaped solid state lasers with interchangeable arrays of diode laser pump sources that allows for rapid change of the diode laser array pump source without affecting or altering the solid state laser resonator. An embodiment includes a roof top structure having a light scattering reflection roof-top portion, sides with an interior specular reflecting surface and base opposite the top portion. The cavity includes a laser rod within the top portion of the structure positioned between opposing side walls, laser rod optics, and a pump source connected with the base plate to pump the laser rod. The pump cavity can include a mechanism for automating the rapid interchangeability of the pump source.
US08320424B2
Preferred embodiments of a purge gas port, laser beam attenuating input window, and laser shutter constitute subsystems of a UV laser optical system in which a laser beam is completely enclosed to reduce contamination of the optical system components. Purge gas is injected through multiple locations in a beam tube assembly to ensure that the optical component surfaces sensitive to contamination are in the flow path of the purge gas. The input window functions as a fixed level attenuator to limit photopolymerization of airborne molecules and particles. Periodically rotating optical elements asymmetrically in their holders reduces burn damage to the optics.
US08320394B2
A radio communication system includes a plurality of radio communication terminals, in which a first radio communication terminal stores, in a first field contained in a header of a radio communication packet, address information indicating at least one radio communication terminal to which the radio communication packet is directly transmitted, and a second terminal relays the radio communication packet with reference to the address information stored in the first field. The header of the radio communication packet includes a second field which stores address information indicating a final destination terminal and a third field which stores address information indicating the first terminal as a sending source.
US08320393B2
An electrical signaling system is disclosed. A modulator is arranged to accept information and encode that information in an alternating signal containing repeated rising and falling edges, by way of the time between consecutive rising or consecutive falling edges. A transmission path transmits the signal from the modulator to a demodulator. The demodulator is arranged to detect a signal edge and store a record of the signal around that edge and compare a subsequent part of the signal with that record thereby to detect a like edge and detect the time difference between like edges.
US08320386B2
Disclosed is a method for aggregating parallel data links connecting two end-point devices into a logical link. If one of the parallel data links is a multi-point link, then an end-point device can still access that link to route traffic to an end station on the link (that is, to a device other than the other end-point device of the logical data link). In the terminology of this disclosure, the logical aggregated link is accessed through an “aggregated port” on an end-point device, while the constituent multi-point link is accessed directly through a “singleton port.” By assigning a smaller cost to the aggregated port than to the singleton port, embodiments avoid creating routing loops. In some embodiments, the aggregation is performed at Layer 2 of the Open System Interconnection seven-layer protocol model. Then, the methods of the present invention work well with existing IEEE 802.1 bridging architectures and protocols.
US08320373B2
A packet-based processing system suitable for various applications, such as for a base station or a terminal in a wireless communication system, is described. The packet-based processing system may include multiple processing modules and at least one transport module. The processing modules may send packets to one another via a common packet interface and may operate asynchronously. The transport module(s) may forward the packets sent by the processing modules and may operate asynchronously with respect to the processing modules. Each processing module may include a network interface, at least one buffer, a packet parser, a packet builder, and at least one processing unit. Each processing module may support at least one service. Each packet may include a header and a payload. The header may include a source service address for a source service sending the packet and a destination service address for a recipient service receiving the packet.
US08320370B2
The present invention is related to a method for routing data packets in a routing device connecting a first network and a second network, and to a corresponding routing device. The method comprises the steps of receiving a frame from a device connected to the first network; forwarding the frame to an internal bridge module of the device; checking whether the frame contains a multicast group management message and in the affirmative, creating a new frame comprising as destination address the destination address of an internal multicast group management module and as payload at least the multicast management data of the received frame; and forwarding this new frame to the internal bridge function.
US08320365B2
A device is provided including a processor and a display configured to list more than one presence enabled contact. A user agent is configured to indicate an availability status of the device to a presence server. The user agent is at least partially executed by the processor. Moreover, at least one input is configured to enable a device user to request a communications session with at least one of the plurality of presence enabled contacts. The request is initiated by the user agent when the requested presence enabled contact is available.
US08320357B2
A wireless telecommunications system for stationary or semi-stationary equipment includes a main node and a first plurality of terminals belonging to the same access subset and arranged to receive from and transmit to the main node. The main node transmits in at least one beam and receives in at least two beams, and the system indicates to the terminals that they may or may not transmit to the central node. Based upon certain criteria, two or more terminals located in different receive beams of the main node may be given permission to transmit to the central node simultaneously. Suitably, two or more terminals which are given permission to transmit simultaneously do so using the same frequency, or the same code, or the same time slot.
US08320355B1
Certain exemplary embodiments provide a method for providing multiple access to a communication channel, the method comprising: sending a reservation request of a first type into a first selected minislot of a selected frame of an uplink channel when information of a first type is to be sent, the uplink channel having a plurality of frames, each frame having a first selectable number of minislots and a second selectable number of slots, the reservation request of the first type requesting an assignment of at least one slot for transmitting information of the first type in at least one frame that is subsequent to the selected frame.
US08320350B2
A means for determining a channel for communication in a wireless communication system is provided. A method includes receiving one or more sub-frames of a beacon signal on a beaconing channel until a legitimacy condition of the beacon signal is met. The beacon signal is transmitted by a beaconing device. The method further includes determining a suitability of the channel for communication in the wireless communication system based on the legitimacy condition.
US08320337B2
A technology enabling a base station to transmit acknowledgement (ACK)/negative ACK (NACK) information about data received from a terminal is provided. A cyclic shift value difference of each terminal may be maximized and a radio resource for transmitting the ACK/NACK information may be assigned without collision.
US08320331B2
The present invention describes a method for estimating a position of an Access Point in a wireless communications network. The Access Point, used for connecting wireless networks to a core network, is being equipped with a User Equipment module, UE module. The UE module is used for scanning, for example upon a triggering event, a surrounding environment of the Access Point to identify neighbor Radio Base Stations. The Access Point then creates a neighbor list including information relating to neighbor Radio Base Stations. The Access Point forwards the neighbor list to the Network Control Node, wherein the Network Control Node uses the information in the neighbor list to estimate a position of the Access Point.
US08320330B2
There is provided a method of switching a zone through which services are provided to subscriber stations (SS) in an environment using an FRF-1 zone and an FRF-3 zone based on traffic load of each zone in order to reduce the inter-cell interference in 802.16/WiBro systems. The service zone switching method based on load considering inter-cell interference in 802.16/WiBro systems may be useful to minimize the inter-cell interference, enhance the capacity of cells and improve users' transmission quality in the cells by determining whether the services are provided through one out of an FRF-1 zone (a zone where users in 3 sectors of one cell can use all subchannels) and an FRF-3 zone (a zone where users in each of 3 sectors of one cell can use one third of all subchannels; 3 sectors of one cell use 3 channel group, respectively), which are present in one frame, based on the distribution and traffic load of subscriber stations (SS) present in one cell, which consists of 3 sector units, under the environment of the 802.16/WiBro systems, and providing services through the selected zone.
US08320325B2
A method and apparatus for mapping and detecting control channel are provided. The method for mapping a control channel includes: for the same aggregation level, according to a signaling length of a control channel corresponding to a component carrier, determining a corresponding search space for at least two control channels that have the same signaling length, so as to enable the at least two control channels that have the same signaling length to use the same search space, and mapping the at least two control channels that have the same signaling length to the determined corresponding search space. Therefore, conflicts between the control channels are reduced, and the number of times of blind detection of the control channels is also reduced.
US08320324B2
In one embodiment, a method for a wireless communication includes generating a first time-frequency reference signal pattern at a first base station. The first time-frequency reference signal pattern includes a modified version of a mother pattern of time-frequency of a fixed size. The method further includes transmitting a first reference signal using the first time-frequency reference signal pattern.
US08320318B2
The present invention relates to a method for requesting access to a resource, said method comprising a secondary station transmitting an access preamble to a primary station, upon failure of correct transmission of the access preamble, the secondary station starting a first power ramping scheme for transmitting the access preamble, upon failure of correct transmission of the access preamble with the first power ramping scheme, the secondary station transmitting a second access preamble with a second power ramping scheme being different from the first power ramping scheme.
US08320308B2
Data service transmission interruption is minimized by initially setting up a cluster of channels to transmit data services. As the need arises to switch channels due to the detection of an incumbent signal, the data services can be switched with substantially no delay. A group of channels from those available in a wireless network are chosen to form a cluster of channels. Each channel within the cluster is set up to convey data services with channel parameters being stored. A first operating channel is chosen from among the cluster of channels to transmit the data services. While the data services are being transmitted on the first operating channel, out-of-band spectrum sensing occurs on the other channels. Upon predetermined criteria a channel switch occurs. As each channel has already been set up the necessary channel parameters are retrieved from storage and restored without data service interruption.
US08320295B2
To suppress communication delay and data loss caused by the radio type of a mobile terminal and the radio communication band when a communication packet is sent to the mobile terminal in a mobile IP system. A mobile IP control system includes: a radio base station (40A) which provides a radio connection link to a mobile terminal (50); a home agent (20) which transfers a communication packet transmitted from a partner terminal (60), to the mobile terminal (50); and a foreign agent (30A) which relays mutual communication between the foreign agent (30A) and the radio base station (40A). The foreign agent (30A) notifies the home agent (20) of the communication band of the radio communication performed between the radio base station (40A) and the mobile terminal (50). The home agent (20) performs band control for packet transmission to the mobile terminal (50) in accordance with the notified communication band.
US08320290B2
The present invention provides an Evolved Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (EMBMS) access gateway supporting network multicast, comprising: receiving/responding means for receiving a Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS) Session Start message from a Broadcast/Multicast-Service Center (BM-SC) and for returning a response message to the BM-SC after receiving the MBMS Session Start message; storage means for storing a mapping relationship between respective MBMS service areas (SAs) and respective base stations; determining means for determining base station(s) associated with the MBMS based on the stored mapping relationship when the receiving/responding means receives the MBMS Session Start message; and transmitting means for transmitting the MBMS Session Start message to the determined bases station(s).
US08320282B2
In general, this disclosure describes techniques that may allow detection of a missing control node on a ring network and selection of a single node on ring network to act as the control node. In one example, a method includes receiving, at a first node in a ring network, a data unit transmitted by a second node in the ring network, the data unit including an identifier that identifies the second node. The method further includes comparing the identifier of the second node to an identifier that identifies the first node, and automatically selecting one of the first node and the second node as a control node for the ring network based on the comparison.
US08320281B2
Methods, systems, and computer readable media for utilizing a standard spanning tree protocol to designate an active switching device in a network node are disclosed. In one example, the method includes generating a virtual network topology representation that includes a payload processing device connected to each of a first switching device and a second switching device, transmitting, from each of the first and second switching devices to the payload processing device, a standard spanning tree protocol signaling message that contains the virtual network topology representation and a bridge root priority identifier that has been derived using an algorithm that considers whether the transmitting switching device is a preferred active switching device or a preferred standby switching device, and signaling messages at the payload processing device to select the preferred active switching device as a root bridge of a logical spanning tree based on comparing bridge root priority identifiers.
