US08317636B2
Methods of forming a golf club head having improved aerodynamic characteristics are disclosed herein. A preferred method is the largest tangent circle method, which utilizes a Cartesian coordinate system. The method results in identification and measurement of certain club head features, which can be adjusted to improve aerodynamic properties of the golf club head. One method of the present invention lowers the drag of the club head by specifying dimensional relationships of the driver head based on location of apex and nadir points, while another method lowers the drag of the club head by improving overall face design.
US08317634B2
To provide a golf club grip in which torsional deformation is suppressed without impairing a grip feeling.A grip 10 has en inner layer portion 23, an intermediate layer portion 24, and an outer layer portion 25. Resin films 26 and 27 are disposed between the respective layer portions. The outer layer portion 25 is formed of sort rubber and the intermediate layer portion 24 and the inner layer portion 23 are formed of hard rubber. The resin sheets 26 end 27 are constituted as a nonwoven fabric formed of aramid fibers. The Young's modulus Es of the resin sheets 26 and 27 is adjusted to be larger than the Young's modulus (Ei, Ec, Eo) of the inner layer portion 23, the intermediate layer portion 24, and the outer layer portion 25, and a relationship of Eo
US08317631B2
A merry-go-round includes: a body where the body includes an upper tubular sleeve, an upper beam with a set of chair braces at each end on top of the body, a set of horizontal supports between the body and the set of chair braces; a base including a lower tubular sleeve, a plurality of legs and a plurality of feet; a base support bar connected to the plurality of legs beneath the base; a rotating bar with an upper portion and a lower portion. The merry-go-round also includes a set of chairs; a propelling mechanism; a propelling bar fastened to the rotating bar at an end and attached to the lower connection points at an opposing end, wherein the propelling mechanism enables the merry-go-round to turn when the rider pushes and pulls the handles and thrusts and relaxes against the foot bar.
US08317628B2
A coupling assembly that provides rotational shaft couplings or connections. The aforementioned coupling assembly pertains to such connections or couplings which can transmit rotational torque between two shafts and/or hubs, while accommodating center-line misalignment between the shafts on both sides of the coupling wherein the coupling assembly may be provided at each end of a shaft or the like.
US08317626B2
The disclosed system and method provide a dynamic and scalable gaming system in which a plurality of gaming machines are connected to a network switch. The gaming switch has two sets of data ports configured into two virtual local area networks (VLANs). The gaming machines are connected through their network interfaces to a first set of data ports of the network switch to form a first VLAN. The gaming machines are connected through their serial interfaces and serial-to-network adapters to a second set of data ports of the network switch to form a second VLAN. The gaming machines are configured to communicate with devices external to the gaming network through their network interfaces. The gaming machines are configured to communicate with each other through their serial interfaces. External and internal communications within the gaming network are segregated both at the device and network levels.
US08317625B2
The present invention aims at providing a game such that even when player uses predetermined characters for a long time to proceed the game as in the case of the RPG, there is no possibility that player may become weary of motion patterns of characters used. The present invention is essentially based on the finding that there is employed a scheme to store motion information of characters every title data obtained when specific conditions of the game are attained to permit a player to set an arbitrary title data with respect to a character so that the player can change motion information of each character as occasion demands also in the progress of the game.
US08317618B2
A system, method and computer program enable an interactive game. A game server, in response to a user request, provides a unique identifier associated with an instance of the interactive game. The game server forwards one or more invitations to join the interactive game in accordance with the user request. Thereafter, the game server registers one or more wireless communication devices to be used as data controllers for use by participants that join the game.
US08317616B2
A system, method, and article of manufacture are disclosed that comprise receiving, from one or more client terminals, two or more purchase requests, wherein each of the purchase requests identifies a wager for one or more multi-player games. A wager result is then determined for each wager at the time of purchase and stored in a database. Once all the wagers for an instance of a game are received, an outcome, such as a set of cards, is determined for each player and, if appropriate, the house (the host of the game). The outcome for each player is based on the previously determined wager result(s) and the type of game played. The outcome(s) are then stored with the wager(s) and wager result(s) in a transaction history file corresponding to each of the game's patrons (players) and in a game status file. A patron may then submit a request at a client terminal to reveal the results of the wager(s) and, optionally, the outcome of the game at either the gaming facility where the wagers were placed or at an off-site location.
US08317612B2
A net or barrier has strategically located pocket(s) attached to the net over holes(s) in the net/barrier in order to catch a ball or projectile that passes through the hole(s). A computer-assisted method displays information, more particularly advertisement, onto a net or barrier. The computer-assisted display is viewable by a TV or video audience.
US08317611B2
A video game adapter interface apparatus has a user input device and an associated video display. The user selects a distinguishable visual image representation for association into a video game's audiovisual presentation, such as where that user is identified. For example, color, size graphics or shape can be used to distinguish users. In one embodiment a digitized image of each user's face is used as the distinguishable representation. Alternatively, the user can create an original image or select one of a predetermined set of visual images as the user's identification for use in the video game audiovisual presentation. In a preferred video game embodiment, the video game adapter interface system is coupled to a video game system and a storage card containing User Images. The video game adapter interface system then integrates a selected User Image from the Storage Card into the video game's audiovisual presentation, and can also integrate the User Image into the video game play. For non-User Image video game software and for non-video game and audiovisual presentations, an Intercept Adapter Interface Systems permits the integration of User Images into the audiovisual presentation in place of and/or in addition to predefined character images otherwise present in the audiovisual presentation.
US08317600B2
A game device of a computer game includes plural unit games, each of which can be completed when a requirement for completion is satisfied. The game device includes: a rule storage unit for storing rules of the computer game, in which the rules include rules stipulating the requirement for completion of each of the plural unit games and rules stipulating a content of play of each of the plural unit games; a difficulty changer for rewriting a rule stored in the rule storage unit so as to change a level of difficulty for completion of at least one unit game among the plural unit games; and a play processor for conducting a unit game selection process for enabling a player to select one from among the plural unit games, a play execution process for executing play of the selected unit game in accordance with the rule stipulating the content of play stored in the rule storage unit, and a decision process for deciding whether or not the unit game is completed on the basis of the rule stipulating the requirement for completion stored in the rule storage unit.
US08317589B2
A gaming method includes receiving a wager from a player, displaying an image representative of a primary game, determining if a bonus event trigger has occurred, displaying an image representative of a bonus game, the bonus game including a representation associated with the player and a representation associated with an opponent, the representations each having at least one attribute associated with the bonus game, if the bonus event trigger occurs, and determining a payout associated with an outcome of the bonus game. The method also includes offering the player at least one advantage option, the at least one advantage option affecting at least one of the at least one attribute of the representation associated with the player and the at least one attribute of the representation associated with the opponent. A gaming machines and system may be provided to carry out such a method.
US08317588B2
Certain non-limiting exemplary embodiments are taught which include a game comprising, a digital processor, digital storage coupled to the digital processor for storing instructions, a display coupled to the digital processor displaying a first plurality of indicia arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns such that there are a plurality of paylines through a contiguous plurality of indicia, a user interface coupled to the digital processor to select a subset of the first plurality of indicia taken along at least one column and to initiate a display of a second plurality of indicia which includes the selected subset of the first plurality of indicia on the display, and an award dispenser providing an award which is at least as large as the largest award associated with the plurality of paylines.
US08317576B2
A desirably close clearance between outer edges of the flights of a conveying screw and the inside surface of a separator housing and screen can be obtained by offsetting the axis of the screw within the screen and by rotating the axis of the screw about the axis of the separator housing. Adjustments to the amount of such offset of the screw axis can be made in steps as the outer edges of the flights on the conveying screw wear.
US08317574B2
A power-driven hand tool is disclosed comprising a housing, a work spindle for driving a tool, which tool can be located between a tool end of the work spindle and a fixing mechanism, further comprising a displacing mechanism with a clamping lever, adapted to pivot about a pivot axis for displacing the fixing mechanism between a releasing position, in which the fixing mechanism can be released from the work spindle, and a clamping position in which the fixing mechanism is clamped on the work spindle by a spring. An impeding mechanism is provided that interacts with the clamping lever for impeding the pivoting movement of the clamping lever between the releasing position and the clamping position.
US08317571B2
A grinding assembly is described, for a grinding head for a grinding machine of glass slabs, comprising: a first (and possibly a second) grinding wheel adapted to tangentially work on the glass edge and whose rotation axis A is parallel to the glass edge to be ground; and a handling system for the grinding wheel for adjusting the removal of glass in an oscillating way or in parallel with the plane of the slab to be ground. A grinding head equipped with the above grinding assembly is further described.
US08317565B2
A portable, lightweight, water-resistant, multi-colored toy for placement in a bathtub, either supernatant or stationary, and which can be used with small toy cars of various models includes a base member having a multi-storied superstructure on which toy cars are placed with the base member having pivotal flip-down and flip-up legs for supporting the toy in the bathtub and the legs having suction cup for adhering to the bathtub bottom and one of the floors—the top floor—including a car wash, a gas station and a convenience store with water for the car wash being provided by a conduit that extends from the water up to the car wash and the upper side of the base member including an island and a boat ramp extending to the water.
US08317557B2
An anti-ingestion system is provided for a marine drive with a submerged exhaust outlet. An anti-ingestion valve is operated by differential pressure thereacross to a closed condition when the engine is operating in an on state and cooling water is being pumped through a water conduit to an exhaust mixing point, with the anti-ingestion valve blocking passage of cooling water therepast in the noted closed condition. The anti-ingestion valve is operated by differential pressure thereacross to an open condition when the engine is in an off state, and permits passage of air therethrough and communicates atmospheric pressure through the water conduit to the exhaust mixing point to relieve vacuum in the exhaust system.
US08317551B2
The invention relates to an electrical contact arrangement for high pulsed currents and for connection with a polygonal socket. The electrical contact arrangement includes first contact, arm, a second contact arm, an intermediate space provided between the first and second contact arms, and a third contact arm. The second contact arm positioned apart from the first contact arm in a deflection direction extending perpendicularly to the plug-in direction. The first contact arm and second contact arm extend substantially in a plug-in direction, and one of the first contact arm or second contact arm resiliently deflectable relative to the other contact arm in the deflection direction. The third contact arm extends in the plug-in direction and is positioned apart from the first contact arm and the second contact arm in a transverse direction extending perpendicularly to the plug-in and deflection directions. The third contact arm movable in the deflection direction and into the intermediate space.
US08317542B2
Connectors to connect optional or daughter cards or boards to main or motherboards. One example provides a connector that is capable of supporting high-speed data rates by employing contacts that provide short signal paths and a ground plane to improve signal quality. The space consumed in electronic devices may be reduced by providing a connector having a low profile, while another example may provide a connector having mechanical stability. Another example provides a connector having an increased manufacturability.
US08317534B2
A charging connector (10) is provided to be connected to a vehicle-side connector (50) to charge a battery. The charging connector (10) has a main body (11) including a fitting (13) connectable to the vehicle-side connector (50), a lever (14) accommodated in the main body (11) and adapted to hold the vehicle-side connector (50) and the fitting (13) in a connected state by being engaged with a lock projection (55) provided on the vehicle-side connector (50). A lock release (14B) is provided in the lever (14) and for canceling a locked state of a lock (31) and the lock projection (55), and a lock release accommodating portion (25) is formed at a position of the main body (11) corresponding to the lock release (14B) and includes two sidewalls (25A) arranged to face opposite side surfaces of a pressable portion (14D) to be pressed at the time of an unlocking operation.
US08317532B2
A connector includes a connector protrusion to be inserted into a connector socket and including a locking lever provided on a first surface and a connecting terminal provided on a second surface opposing the first surface or on a front surface; and a connector frame surrounding the connector protrusion and having an opening in a surface opposing the first surface of the connector protrusion. When the connector frame is moved in a direction opposite to the direction where the connector protrusion is inserted while the connector protrusion is in the connector socket, an end of the locking lever fits into the opening and the locking lever is unlocked.
US08317531B2
The invention relates to a plug-type connector with a cable, which has at least one line, a contact carrier, which has at least one contact element, which is connected to the at least one line of the cable, and an encapsulation, which is injected around the cable and the contact carrier, wherein a sealing element for sealing the encapsulation off from the outer sheath of the cable is provided.
US08317526B2
A clamp may include two clamping members that are pivotally connected at one end.
US08317518B2
Techniques for delivering medical care include receiving normal data that indicates normal conditions in a patient. Abnormality data is received and indicates an abnormal condition, if any, in a patient. An instance of a virtual patient is generated based on the normal data and the abnormality data. The instance includes a physiological component that describes a sufficiently comprehensive physical state of a patient having the abnormal condition to simulate clinical measurements of the patient's condition. The instance also includes a cognitive component that describes a patient's awareness of symptoms, history of behavior and ability to convey information in response to queries. Action data is received from a trainee. Response data is generated based on the action data and the instance. Display data is presented based on the response data, and indicates information about the instance available as a result of the requested action.
US08317514B2
Device for difficult intervention in a closed enclosure, including a duct, a first end of which is intended to penetrate within the chamber, the duct being furthermore connected: to a pressure reduction device, the function of which is to lower the pressure within the enclosure; to an outlet duct for extracting the sucked-up material; and to a duct connected to a device for suddenly relieving the pressure and to an opening in the device for bringing the end of the duct into contact with the external air when the pressure within the enclosure reaches a value below a certain threshold.
US08317510B2
The disclosure provides methods and systems for recovering thermal energy from heated exhaust gases. The methods and systems have particular use in conjunction with combustion source effluent/exhaust streams. The methods of energy recovery increase life expectancy of various equipment, while reducing operating and maintenance costs for economic recovery of enthalpy from heated process streams. In certain aspects, the methods of recovering thermal energy include providing a heated low pressure effluent stream. A high velocity stream is injected into an entrainment zone to form a high velocity jet which entrains the heated effluent stream. The momentum of the system is conserved and a mixed stream is pressurized and recirculated to a burning zone of a combustion source. The methods also reduce pollutant emissions.
US08317499B2
The peristaltic pump of the invention incorporates at least one pumping roller and one occluding roller. The occluding roller is located diametrically across the pumping roller and is designed to provide occlusion only and not progressive squeezing of the pump tubing while rotating in the same direction as the pumping roller. Such occlusion prevents back-flow through the tubing. More than two rollers spaced evenly along the periphery of the rotor allow for various useful combinations of pumping and occluding rollers. Two occluding and one pumping roller combination creates a pulsatile flow close to that of a human heart—with systole being about twice shorter than diastole.
US08317494B2
A compressor (20) has a housing (22) having first (52) and second (48) members. A motor (24) within the housing (22) is coupled to one or more working elements (26, 28) to drive the one or more working elements (26, 28) to compress a fluid. A number of electrical terminals (104) are each mounted in an associated aperture (132) in the second housing member (48) and electrically connected to the motor (24).
US08317481B2
A rotor of a turbomachine is provided. The rotor includes at least first and second rotor portions and at least first and second blades. The first and second rotor portions are configured to rotate about an axis. The first and second rotor portions have first and second rim portions, respectively, which are spaced a predetermined distance apart from one another and have a perimetrical slot therebetween. The first and second rim portions have first and second dovetail slots, respectively, extending therethrough communicating with the perimetrical slot. The first and second blades have first and second dovetail portions, respectively. The first dovetail portion is disposed in one of the first and second dovetail slots, and the second dovetail portion is disposed in the other of the first and second dovetail slots. The perimetrical slot has a sufficient size to pass the first and second blades therethrough when the first and second blades are removed from the rotor.
US08317480B2
A turbine assembly comprises 2 or more symmetrical vanes or blades attached to a centralized shaft. The assembly may be placed into a fluid current for transferring energy therefrom. Each blade has a scoop with a relatively broader span at the top end and a relatively narrow span at the bottom, which scoop-like vane or blade resembles an inverted tear drop. Eighty-six percent of the potential energy vector is captured within the blade assembly. One end may be connected to a power generation device that will create electrical power when rotated. Certain energy transferring methodology is believed further supported by the vane or blade designed incorporated into the overall turbine assembly.
US08317479B2
A wind turbine rotor blade extension portion having a plurality of segments, located adjacent one another in a span-wise sense. An interface between adjacent segments is configured to minimize disruption to fluid passing thereover and to inhibit transmission of longitudinal loads between segments. Each segment has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface is spaced from the second surface at a proximal region of the extension portion and the first surface is connected to the second surface at a distal region of the extension portion to thereby generate a fair surface for a rotor blade to which the extension portion is connected, in use.
US08317472B1
A larger and highly twisted and tapered turbine rotor blade with a cooling circuit having a 3-pass horizontal flow serpentine circuit in a lower end of the airfoil, a 3-pass vertical flow serpentine circuit in the middle region of the airfoil, and a plurality of radial cooling channels in the upper end of the airfoil all connected in series to provide cooling for the airfoil.
US08317467B2
An exhaust hood for an axial steam turbine that includes a radial channel, downstream from the normal flow pattern. The radial channel guides the exhaust steam flow in upper half of the hood in the flow momentum direction. Due to this pattern of flow direction, vortex generation in upper exhaust hood is reduced and increased flow diffusion results. The geometric arrangement can eliminate the outer casing of the exhaust hood over the axial length of the turbine inner casing, allowing the turbine inner casing to be supported directly by a foundation for the steam turbine.
US08317465B2
A turbine engine that includes a vortex protrusion disposed upon a component that rotates during operation of the turbine engine; wherein the vortex protrusion includes an outer surface that is configured to induce a vortex flow pattern as the component rotates during operation.
US08317461B2
A blade outer air seal for being positioned radially outwardly of a gas turbine blade has at least one cooling air passage with a dividing wall dividing the at least one cooling air passage into two separate flow paths. The dividing wall does not extend throughout an entire length of the blade outer air seal of the first dimension.
US08317458B2
A steam turbine includes a turbine rotor, a generator end having a generator end first stage with a first reaction, and a turbine end having a turbine end first stage with a second reaction not equal to the first reaction. The steam turbine includes a tub section disposed between the generator end and the turbine end, the turbine rotor and the tub section defining an annulus therebetween. A difference between the first reaction and second reaction is capable of urging a steam flow through the annulus for reducing a temperature of the turbine rotor. A method of cooling the turbine rotor is also disclosed.
US08317456B2
Described is reinforcement of a fan case in a gas turbine jet engine. In one embodiment, a containment ring and a hear resistance ring are shrink interference fit on the inside diameter of the fan case, the containment ring where the large fan blades turn, and the heat resistance ring where heated air from backfiring heats up the fan case. In one example, the containment ring is made of a sue alloy to provide added strength to the fan case should a fan blade break, containing the fan blade within the fan case. Also, the containment ring may extent forward of at least the leading edge of each fan blade and aft of at least the trailing edge of each fan blade. The heat resistance ring is made of titanium or other suitable material. Additionally, one or more stiffener rings may be shrink interference fit on the outside diameter of the fan case. The containment ring and stiffener rings can reduce the flight weight of the fan case and lower the material costs, while increasing the containment strength of the fan case. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08317446B2
Disclosed are embodiments of a system and method for treating a printed flexible book cover prior to book binding. In the embodiments, a liquid (e.g., water or a water-oil solvent mixture) can be applied (e.g., by a liquid applicator, such as a spray nozzle, sponge, brush, etc.) to the spine portion only of the book cover so that it pools on the surface. After a predetermined amount of time, the liquid can be removed (e.g., by a liquid remover, such as a vacuum, blower, heater, etc.). Allowing the spine portion of the book cover to soak in the liquid for this predetermined amount of time ensures that the liquid saturates the spine portion. Saturating the spine portion of the book cover alters the surface structure and, thereby enhances adhesion of an adhesive material (e.g., glue or tape) during a subsequent book binding process even in the presence of fuser oil.
US08317443B2
A shear screw has predetermined breaking points in two planes, separated axially from one another, and it has centrally a blind hole extending over a substantial length and having a cross section which is suitable for transmitting a torque to the shear screw by means of a pin-like tool of adapted dimensions which can be inserted into the blind hole. The blind hole extends to about level with the predetermined breaking point which is arranged in the lower region, facing the end face of the shear screw, of the latter and has a strength greater than that of the other predetermined breaking point.
US08317440B2
The invention relates to a method for optimizing vibration of a machine tool, in which a driven shaft is rotated, in which a speed range is subsequently passed through, wherein the vibrations occurring in said speed range are sensed and wherein an optimum speed having a minimized vibration is determined and adjusted.
US08317425B2
A tolerance ring (10) for providing an interference fit between inner and outer components (36, 50) is disclosed. The tolerance ring (10) comprises a deformable band having a plurality of radially extending projections around its circumference, wherein the projections include a set of axially spaced protuberances (12, 13) separated by a unformed region (11) circumferentially adjacent to an axially elongate protuberance (15), the axial extent of which spans the axial extent of the set of axially spaced protuberances. This arrangement of protuberances facilitates the transfer of retention force to a component that is composed of a plurality of independent parts, e.g. two or more bearings (54, 56) separated by a spacer (58).
US08317407B2
For a less load to a shutter and secure motions of the shutter without damaging a ferrule, a rear stopper guide (22) and an intermediate spring guide (23) covering an upper side of a hold of an optical plug, and an outer cover (24) covering a front outer periphery of the hold are provided; the outer cover (24) is pushed by an optical connector adapter (Q) to move from a front end position of the hold to a rear end position, an inner side of the outer cover (24) is provided with a shutter (21) which can be swung from a lid close position to a lid open position, and the shutter (21) is automatically opened and closed by a shutter automatic opening and closing mechanism (S) in accordance with a rack and pinion system, working with rearward and forward movements of the outer cover (24).
US08317405B2
Both an end surface of a first rib, over which a first cylindrical rollers slide, and an end surface of a second rib, over which the first cylindrical rollers slide, slope to approach the perpendicular bisector plane of a first cylindrical raceway surface of an outer ring or slope to be spaced away from the perpendicular bisector plane as it goes outward in a radial direction in a cross section of the outer ring taken in an axial direction. A first sliding contact portion of each first cylindrical roller, which is in sliding contact with the end surface of the first rib, and a second sliding contact portion of each first cylindrical roller, which is in sliding contact with the end surface of the second rib, both are located inward in the radial direction with respect to an orbital cylindrical plane of the first cylindrical rollers.
US08317400B2
An exemplary bearing for a turbocharger includes one or more thrust pads where each thrust pad includes a portion of a conical well; and a through-bore that includes lubricant channels, each channel configured to direct lubricant from the bore to a corresponding conical well of a thrust pad. Other exemplary technologies are also disclosed.
US08317399B2
A linear motion device, has a housing, an arm which is movably guided on the housing along a longitudinal axis and provided with two rolling surfaces composed of hardened steel and extending in direction of the longitudinal axis, the arm has a front end extending out of the housing, a separate receiving peg is fastened to the front end of the arm, a separate flange is fixed in position on the receiving peg in various rotary positions relative to the longitudinal axis, the rolling surfaces extend to a front end face of the arm, the flange is located in a region of the rolling surfaces directly adjacent to the front end face of the arm, and a separate orienting unit engages in a form-fit manner in the flange and in the rolling surfaces.
US08317396B2
A hybrid bearing cylinder is formed to include a composite sleeve and a metallic jacket positioned around the composite sleeve. The outer diameter of the composite sleeve is less the inner diameter of the metallic jacket to form a pre-designed gap between the composite sleeve and the metallic jacket The metallic jacket of the hybrid bearing cylinder is adapted to be secured to metallic cylinder end caps by threading, welding, swaging, or other metal attachment methods.
US08317394B2
An improved x-ray system having a DAP measurement chamber is provided. An x-ray system has a radiation path, which extends between an x-ray radiation source and a detector. A beam splitter is arranged in the radiation path, the beam splitter being used to inject visible light into the radiation path. The DAP measurement chamber is arranged in the radiation path between the x-ray radiation source and the beam splitter. An improved collimator having a DAP measurement chamber is also provided.
US08317392B2
A SAW-based micro-sensor apparatus for simultaneously monitoring acceleration/vibration and temperature utilizing a sensing element configured as a SAW device (e.g., SAW resonator or SAW delay line). The SAW device can be located in different locations on a substrate with respect to a thin piezoelectric diaphragm comprising an inertial mass. The temperature-compensated acceleration/vibration can be measured utilizing a frequency difference between an acceleration sensitive SAW resonator (e.g., SAW-g) and a temperature sensitive SAW resonator (e.g., SAW-T). The temperature can be measured utilizing a frequency shift provided by the SAW-T and a temperature reference SAW resonator (e.g., SAW-R). Similarly, the phase response of different reflectors of the SAW delay line can be utilized to differentially measure the acceleration/vibration and temperature.
US08317386B2
A planar illumination device includes an optical element outputting a diffusing light from a laser light source into an incident edge surface of a light guide plate. The optical element provides an output substantially parallel to a thickness direction of the light guide plate. A light deflecting unit, including a plurality of deflectors, is provided on a principal surface of the light guide plate for deflecting incident laser light towards an output surface of the light guide. The light deflecting unit is arranged such that a degree of deflection of the light incident on the light guide plate differs according to positions in the light guide plate, to make an amount of light outputted from the output surface uniform across such output surface.
US08317384B2
A light guide includes a light interface surface, top and bottom surfaces, a surface feature pattern, and a cut line. The light interface surface receives light into the light guide from a light source. The light received through the light interface surface reflects according to total internal reflection (TIR) within the light guide between portions of the top and bottom surfaces. The surface feature pattern disrupts the TIR and scatters at least some of the light outside of at least one surface of the top and bottom surfaces. The cut line redirects at least some of the light from a first direction to a second direction within the light guide. The first direction is a direction other than towards the surface feature pattern, while the second direction is a direction substantially towards the surface feature pattern. The light guide may back-illuminate an optical keypad with a plurality of push buttons.
US08317379B2
The invention provides a car lighting unit comprising a reflector and a light source arranged to generate light. The reflector circumferentially surrounds the light source and has a reflector opening. The reflector is arranged to reflect at least part of the light from the light source through the reflector opening. The car lighting unit further comprises a source-related 3D hologram and a source-unrelated 3D hologram. The car lighting unit is 5 constructed to generate a beam of light and a source-related holographic 3D image, using light from the light source, during operation of the lighting unit, and a source-unrelated 3D holographic image when the lighting unit is not in operation.
US08317378B2
Bimodal illumination for vehicular storage compartment utilizes two or more light sources for illuminating the storage compartment, a removable divider to establish two or more sub-compartments when the divider is inserted into the storage compartment, and a switch for selectively turning on and off one or more of the light sources. The switch is opened and closed by the presence of the removable divider in the storage compartment.
US08317368B2
Light redirecting film including a thin optically transparent substrate having a pattern of individual optical elements of well-defined shape on at least one surface that are quite small relative to the length and width of the surface. At least some of the optical elements have at least one flat surface and at least one curved surface, and intersecting each other over an intersection volume of the intersecting optical elements.
US08317365B2
Disclosed is a cover for a compact fluorescent light employing a two piece clamshell shape assimilating a conventional incandescent light bulb. The cover is formed from two clamshells hingedly secured along a top end having inter-engaging means for securing one clamshell to a second clamshell tightly securing the cover to the base of a compact fluorescent light. In the preferred embodiment, the housing is made of material to reduce or eliminate ultraviolet light produced from a gas discharge lamp and provide a cover that can be decorative through the emulation of a conventional incandescent light bulb or decorated with colors and materials wherein the fluorescent light provides back lighting or where images are placed upon the housing so as to allow the back lighting to operate as a projection surface placing images on a wall separate from the light bulb.
US08317360B2
Certain examples relate to lighting system covers that include AR-coated textured glass, and/or methods of making the same. In certain examples, at least one light source is provided proximate to a cover comprising a glass substrate. The glass substrate includes an anti-reflective (AR) coating on the surface that is closer to the at least one light source, and the glass substrate is textured (e.g., such that it is substantially prismatic in texture) on the surface opposite the AR-coated surface. The surface of the glass substrate on which the AR coating is formed may be a flat, irregular, or textured matte. An optional AR coating also may be formed on the textured surface of the glass substrate.
US08317359B2
A light emitting device is produced using one or more light emitting diodes within a light mixing cavity formed by surrounding sidewalls. The light emitting device includes a light adjustment member that is movable to alter the shape or color of the light produced by the light emitting device. For example, the light adjustment member may alter the exposure of the wavelength converting area to the light emitted that is emitted by the light emitting diode in the light mixing cavity. Alternatively, the height of a lens may be adjusted to change the width of the beam produced. Alternatively, a movable substrate with areas of different wavelength converting materials may adjustably cover the output port of the light mixing cavity to alter the color point of the light produced.
US08317338B2
An image display apparatus and method constantly maintain a desired image formation state on a retina. The apparatus includes a laser light source for emitting laser light, a focus position adjustment section for adjusting a focus position of the laser light, and a scanning section for scanning an area by using the adjusted laser light as scanning light. The apparatus also includes a light deflection section for leading the scanning light to a user's cornea, a light detection section having an optically conjugate relation with the cornea surface through the light deflection section, for detecting a part the scanning light reflected on the cornea surface and generating a detection signal, and a control section. The control section controls the focus position adjustment section to adjust the focus position of the laser light such that the detection signal agrees with an initial setting signal.
US08317333B2
Method and device for converting an emission beam from a laser light source into 2-dimensional light
A 2-dimensional beam scan unit reflects emission beams from a red laser light source, a green laser light source and a blue laser light source and scans in a 2-dimensional direction. Diffusion plates diffuse the respective light beams scanned in the 2-dimensional direction to introduce them to corresponding spatial light modulation elements. The respective spatial light modulation elements modulate the respective lights in accordance with video signals of the respective colors. A dichroic prism multiplexes the lights of the three colors after the modulation and introduces the multiplexed lights to a projection lens so that a color image is displayed on a screen. Since the 2-dimensional light emitted from the beam scan unit is diffused to illuminate the spatial light modulation element, it is possible to change the optical axis of the beam emerging from the light diffusion member for irradiating the spatial light modulation element moment by moment, thereby effectively suppressing speckle noise.
US08317327B2
An embodiment of the present invention is a system for identifying a user by observing irregularities on the surface of an eyeball of the user includes a topography system and a gaze tracking system. The topography system obtains one or more discernable features of the eyeball and stores the one or more discernable features. The gaze tracking system observes the irregularities, compares the irregularities to the one or more discernable features, and identifies the user if the irregularities and the one or more discernable features match.
US08317318B2
A side arm for an eyeglass frame includes front frame having outer edges, each of the edges terminating in a vertical line parallel to a plane defined by the eyeglasses held within the front frame. The vertical line functions as a fulcrum for the release function. The system further includes a pair of axle journals, and a pair of male bayonet clips, each rotationally dependent at one end from axles within respective the journals of the eyeglass frame. Each of the temple pieces exhibit a forward end terminating in a vertical camming surface which contacts the fulcrum upon rotation of temple members. A pair of female bayonet clips are proportioned for complemental engagement of opposing male bayonet clips, the female clips formed integrally upon inner sides of each temple piece proximally to each of the male bayonet clips when the male clips are press-fitted into the female clips.
US08317314B2
A printer is configured with a controller that transforms operation of the printer to increase throughput. The printer includes an image receiving member, a printhead configured to eject ink drops onto the image receiving member to form an ink image, a transfix roller configured to move towards and away from the image receiving member to form a transfixing nip with the image receiving member selectively, a release agent applicator configured to engage the image receiving member selectively to apply release agent to the rotatable imaging member, and a controller configured to generate firing signals that operate the printhead from image data and to transform operation of the printer from a first printing process sequence to a second printing process sequence in response to a coverage parameter for image data to be printed being less than a predetermined threshold.
US08317309B2
A system for recycling waste phase change ink in a phase change ink imaging device includes a printhead having an on-board phase change ink reservoir and a waste ink collector for receiving ink from an ejecting face of the printhead. The printhead is supplied ink from a remote ink reservoir, which is also fluidly connected to the waste ink collector by a waste phase change ink conveyor, which is configured to convey melted waste phase change ink from the waste ink collector to the remote ink reservoir.
US08317302B2
A fluid ejection module includes a die having a plurality of substantially identical fluid ejector units formed therein. Each fluid ejector unit includes a flow path formed therethrough, the flow path including a pumping chamber fluidically connected to a nozzle, and an actuator assembly including a membrane providing a wall of the pumping chamber and an actuator, the actuator assembly configured to eject fluid from a pumping chamber through an associated nozzle. The plurality of individually actuatable fluid ejector units includes a plurality of individually actuatable first fluid ejector units and at least one second fluid ejector unit, and the actuator assembly of the at least one second fluid ejector unit includes a material deposited on the actuator such that the actuator assembly of the at least one second fluid ejector unit is stiffer than the actuator assemblies of the first fluid ejector units.
US08317293B2
A printing system using multiple printheads maintains color consistency between the printheads by printing a first color patch (102) with a first color with a plurality of printheads (30) at a first pressure and with a first pixel fill coverage. A second color patch (104) is printed with the first color with the plurality of printheads at a second pressure with the first pixel fill coverage. The print density of the first patch and the second patch is measured for each of the plurality of printheads and the print density for each of the plurality of printheads is compared. A pressure for each of the plurality of printheads is adjusted to compensate for differences in density between the first patch and the second patch for each of the printheads.
US08317291B2
A method enables an inkjet printing system to attenuate image noise in an image of a test strip obtained as print media bearing the test strip travels over a roller in the printing system. The method includes illuminating blank media as the media travels over a rotating member, generating electrical signals corresponding to light reflected by the blank media as the blank media travels over the rotating member, converting the electrical signals to image data of the blank media, printing a test strip on media, illuminating the media as the media on which the test strip is printed travels over the rotating member, generating electrical signals corresponding to light reflected by the media as the media on which the test strip is printed travels over the rotating member, converting the electrical signals to image data of the media on which the test strip is printed, modifying the image data of the media on which the test strip is printed with the image data of the blank media, and storing the modified image data in memory.
US08317290B2
On performing a predetermined printing operation, whether or not, among a plurality of printing elements, only a part of the printing elements are applied is detected. If it is judged that only the part of the printing elements are used, a judgment is made whether or not the preliminary discharge operation is performed based on the number of discharges for the part of the printing elements, and if it is not judged that only the part of the printing elements are used, a judgment is made whether or not the preliminary discharge operation is performed based on the number of discharges for all of the printing elements of the printing head. This eliminates an unnecessary preliminary discharge for non-printing elements even in a printing operation mode in which only a part of the printing elements are applied.
US08317279B2
An electronic assembly includes a rack, two connecting arms, a case and two guideways. The connecting arms are mounted on opposite sides of the rack, spaced from and facing each other. The case includes a supporting housing and a cover. The supporting housing is sandwiched between the connecting arms, and secured on the connecting arms. Two tracks are formed on the lateral sides of the supporting housing. The cover are formed with two spaced slideways. The cover covers the supporting housing; and two slideways enclose the two tracks and are slidable along the tracks. The guideways are mounted on the connecting arms, respectively. The slideways of the cover slide along the tracks oriented toward the guideways, and engage with the guideways to make the cover slide away from the supporting housing.
US08317278B2
Slide assemblies having telescopic slide members, a handle assembly and open and closed positions, with either or both of the open and closed positions being a releasable locking position, while merely requiring an intuitive pushing or pulling on a handle in the direction of intended movement to both unlock and move the slide assembly from the respective optional locking position.
US08317275B2
A washing machine is disclosed, by which assembly and disassembly of a control panel (70) is facilitated to an installing arrangement of the washing machine and by which a control panel (70) is configured stable against heat or water coming from the inside of the washing machine. The present invention includes a body case configuring an exterior of the washing machine, a top plate (80) provided to a topside of the body case, a control panel (70) attached to a front side of the body case to perform various manipulations required for an operation of the washing machine, and a panel frame (100) provided to an upper or lower part of the front side of the body case to be externally exposed in part, the panel frame (100) having one side connected to the top plate (80) and the other side assembled to the control panel (70).
US08317272B2
An embodiment of a braking system for a vehicle to control a regenerative braking; the braking system is provided with: a plurality of hydraulically operated mechanical brakes; a hydraulic braking circuit connected to the mechanical brakes; a brake pump to raise pressure in the hydraulic braking circuit; a brake pedal mobile between a resting position and a maximal braking position; a connecting cap, which mechanically connects the brake pedal to the brake pump, and is divided into two reciprocally independent parts; an elastic system which tends to push the brake pedal towards the resting position; a position sensor to read the position of a part of the connecting cap integral to the brake pedal; and a pilot system to pilot an energy recovery system for effecting a regenerative braking and uses the position of the part of the connecting cap integral to the brake pedal provided by the position sensor.
US08317255B2
A vehicle seat assembly includes a side support capable of supporting a side portion of the torso of an occupant seated in the seat. The seat has a seatback capable of being tilted up or down relative to a seat cushion. A support shaft extending from a lateral surface part of the seatback in a widthwise direction toward an outside of a vehicle is rotatably supported by a bracket. A spring for urging the seatback in a forward-tilting direction is disposed between the support shaft and the bracket. The bracket and the spring are positioned proximately to a rear surface part of the side support.
US08317251B2
The removable enclosure for the rear of a vehicle provides additional storage space or cover for the open rear end of a vehicle, such as an open tailgate of a pickup truck or the open hatch of an SUV. The removable enclosure includes a housing having at least one sidewall and an upper wall defining an open lower end and an open front end. An internal frame is disposed within and supports the housing. The internal frame includes at least one elastic cord extending laterally across the housing. A pair of laterally opposed diagonal supports each extend from an upper edge of the front end of the housing to a lower edge of a rear face of the at least one sidewall. The at least one elastic cord is secured to, and extends between, the pair of laterally opposed diagonal supports.
US08317246B2
In an assist grip mounting structure, a pair of mounting parts 15 of an assist grip 10 are attached individually to a pair of mounted parts 5 on the roof side inner panel 2 side, and a coat hook part 20 projects from the one mounting part 15 side, a reinforcing plate 30 for reinforcing the coat hook part 20 overlaps a back surface 20U of the coat hook part 20.
US08317239B2
A flip-up bumper assembly for a motor vehicle having a at least one attachment assembly, a support member, a bumper frame, a lift height adjustment member, an extendable member. Additionally, the flip-up bumper assembly may further include a variable height bumper frame and/or a pivot member. The flip up bumper assembly is generally coupled to the motor vehicle. The bumper frame is operably connected to the support member wherein the bumper frame rotates about a pivot point on the support member. The extendable member is coupled to both the attachment member and the bumper frame. The extendable member extends in a generally horizontal direction and causes the bottom of the bumper frame to angularly deflect about the pivot point, resulting in an outward and upward translation. The variable height flip-up bumper assembly of the present invention allows for the use of a plurality of bumper sizes as selected by the vehicle owner. The flip-up bumper assembly of the present invention also allows the installer or owner of the assembly to select from multiple bumper lift heights.
US08317238B2
A bumper device for a vehicle, includes a bumper reinforcement extending in a width direction of the vehicle, a connecting member extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle and connected to an end portion of the bumper reinforcement, the connecting member including a bottom wall portion that is in contact with the bumper reinforcement, a fitting bore formed in either one of the bottom wall portion and a contact wall portion of the bumper reinforcement, an insertion portion formed at the other one of the bottom wall portion and the contact wall portion and inserted in the fitting bore, and a flange extending from an edge of the insertion portion, wherein the one of the bottom wall portion and the contact wall portion, including the fitting bore is supported by the flange and the other one of the bottom wall portion and the contact wall portion, including the flange.
US08317236B2
An appliance drawer construction allows, upon the press of a button, the extension of the drawer from a housing. At the same time, inadvertent unintended opening caused, e.g., by a person's body brushing past or up against the appliance, may be avoided. In another aspect, the invention provides a simple and effective latch release linkage which is particularly well suited to a drawer, like a laundry washer additives dispenser drawer, that requires an offset of the latch from the operation push-button, due to the placement of an additive storage compartment portion of the drawer directly behind the front console of the drawer, and the space constraints within the housing that receives the drawer.
US08317235B2
A flange cleat comprising a body having a first flange receiving portion and an immediately adjacent second flange receiving portion, a third flange receiving portion cooperatively disposed on the body opposite from the first flange receiving portion and the second flange receiving portion, the body having an elongate portion that extends from the third flange receiving portion, a flexible tab projecting from the elongate portion whereby the flexible tab can be depressed during installation, and the body being resiliently expandable during installation.
US08317232B2
The present invention relates to a multilayer information page (1) for a security document, which includes an information part (3) allowing at least some information to be entered into the information page, a flexible and bending resistant connecting part (2) for connecting the information page to the security document, and a surface film (7) which at least partly covers the information part (3) and the connecting part (2) and which is fastened to the information page (1) by lamination. In order to make a possible attempt at forgery even easier to detect, a visible pattern (8) is provided between the connecting part (2) and the surface film (7), and between the visible pattern (8) and the surface film (7) or, correspondingly, between the visible pattern (8) and the connecting part (2), a detachment layer (9) is arranged which consists of separately residing areas preventing the connecting part (2) or, correspondingly, the surface film (7) from becoming firmly attached to the visible pattern (8).
US08317224B2
A head restraint device (10) provides sideways restraint for a vehicle occupant's head (41) with restraint members (28) The restraint members (28) are movable between and operative position in which they extend on either side of the head (41) and a retracted position in which they are no longer positioned to the side of the head, so not impinging sideways motion of the head and/or access into or out of the vehicle. The restraint members (28) pivot between the two positions.
US08317221B2
An integrated airbag assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes a support structure that provides a single, unitary component that is securable to the airbag and other components, such as grab handles and coat hooks. The airbag, the grab handles and the coat hooks secure to the support structure, such as by snap-fitting to the support structure. The assembly including the airbag, the grab handle and/or the coat hook is mountable to the vehicle, such as by snap-fitting the assembly to a roof rail of the vehicle. Accordingly, the assembly improves installation of the airbag and other components to the vehicle.
US08317218B2
A multi-function binding system configured for use on a sliding board comprising: (a) a binding operable with a boot assembly, the binding comprising a support surface and toe and heel pieces extending therefrom; (b) a base assembly configured to be rotatably and removably secured to a deck of a sliding board and to releasably couple the binding during use of the sliding board, the base assembly comprising: (i) a support disc configured to be removably coupled to the deck of the sliding board and to secure the base assembly to the sliding board; (ii) a deck plate rotatable about the support disc and configured to be positioned adjacent the deck; (iii) a bonnet also rotatable about the support disc and configured to receive and engage the binding, the bonnet operable with the deck plate to support one or more components of the base assembly; (iv) adjustment means for facilitating the rotational adjustment of the bonnet and the deck plate about the support disc and with respect to the sliding board, thereby facilitating a plurality of stance orientations of the boot assembly with respect to the sliding board, the adjustment means configured to selectively engage the support disc at any one of a plurality of adjustment positions; (v) coupling means configured to releasably couple the binding to the base assembly, and therefore the boot system to the sliding board, thereby securing a user thereto; and (vi) release means for actuating the coupling means to release the binding from the base assembly, and therefore the boot system from the sliding board.
US08317216B2
The present invention relates to a coupling apparatus for the pivoted coupling of a vehicle having two vehicle sections, with coupling elements which are arranged to pivot towards each other, and which can be permanently coupled to a vehicle section. A brake arrangement operates between the coupling elements and forms an adjustable frictional grip between the coupling elements, which blocks the ability of the vehicle sections to pivot toward each other. In addition, the brake apparatus includes a hydraulic cylinder unit which operates on multiple radially acting brake elements.
US08317215B2
A cargo carrier trailer for movably supporting cargo includes a frame configured to support cargo at the cargo carrier trailer and at least two wheels at each side of the frame. Each of the wheels is rotatably mounted to a respective support arm. The support arms are pivotally mounted to a carriage assembly that is repositionable fore and aft along the frame of the cargo carrier. The support arms are pivotable relative to the carriage assembly and frame to adjust the height and tilt of the frame relative to a support surface. The cargo carrier trailer is readily adapted to position the frame at a lower position for road applications and a raised position for uneven terrain applications. The cargo carrier trailer is adapted to couple to a tow vehicle via a fifth wheel hitch.
US08317213B1
A model vehicle slipper clutch is provided, comprising a spur gear for receiving torque from an actuator, a clutch driver plate secured to the spur gear for receiving torque from the spur gear, a transmission input shaft for transmitting torque from the slipper clutch to a model vehicle transmission, a spring for applying a load to the driver plate in the axial direction of the transmission input shaft, a bearing positioned between the spring and driver plate for supporting the spur gear for rotation about the transmission input shaft and for applying a load from the spring to the drive plate in the axial direction of the transmission input shaft.
US08317195B1
A document imaging system includes a document transport system that transports an original document through an imaging zone in optical communication with an image recording device. A document guide directs the original document, including a leading edge at a first angle, toward the imaging zone, while a document biasing device urges a trailing edge of the original document at a second angle toward the imaging zone.
US08317190B2
A right angle turn module having a first transport that transports side-by-side sheets in a first direction. Downstream of the first sheet transport a barrier is positioned to stop the sheets. A sensor device detects an arrival of the side-by-side sheets at the stop arrangement. Then, an actuated second sheet transport, triggered by the sensor device, is activated to transport the sheets serially in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. In a preferred embodiment, a horizontal guide plate is positioned at a downstream end of the first sheet transport. With the guide plate thus positioned, a sheet traveling in the first direction and a sheet traveling in the second direction can temporarily be overlapped and a collision can be avoided. In a further preferred embodiment, the first transport further comprises overhead belts to urge the side-by-side pair of sheets in the first direction. The overhead belts may be tensioned so as to slip over a top surface of the side-by-side pair of sheets while urging the pair of sheets towards the stop arrangement.
US08317183B2
Receiver units (10, 90) for taking over objects (100, 101, 102) are moved past a take-over location (S1, S2) and include an abutment (95) which limits the position of the object (100, 101, 102) which is fed in the feed direction (F). At least one holding element and/or braking element (45) acts in a direct or indirect manner on the objects to be taken over, for realising a defined product position, in particular so that the object (100, 101, 102) does not bend up or rebound from the abutment (95). In one variant, the holding element and/or braking element (45) brakes the object (100, 101, 102) by way of direct friction. In another variant, the object (100, 101, 102) to be taken over transmits its momentum onto an object (100, 101, 102) which is already held in the receiver unit (10, 90) by way of the holding element and/or braking element, and is braked by way of this.
US08317179B2
A sheet post-processing device includes a stacker for stacking and storing sheets therein, a feeder for receiving sheets and feeding the sheets toward the stacker, a folder for folding a set of sheets stored in the stacker, a preparatory processor, which is located upstream from the folder, for processing sheets preparatory to folding of a set of sheets, a presser for pressing the set of sheets stored in the stacker at a portion processed by the preparatory processor so as to push the set of sheets into the folder, and a controller for controlling the stacker, the feeder, the folder, the preparatory processor and the presser. The controller controls the preparatory processor not to process a sheet that will be an outermost sheet of a folded set of sheets.
US08317176B2
A cutting board comprising a base and a working board held together by magnets, aligning pins, or fingers on the base gripping the working cutting board. The base has cut-outs so that a plate, tray, or shallow bowl can be slid under the board permitting the cuttings to be slid off the board into the bowl without having to lift the board, likely tilting it and spilling the cuttings and/or juices or dumping separated portions of the cut food.
US08317170B2
A spring for applying a biasing force to a disc of a brake hub assembly including a hub having a circumferential groove, at least one disc, and a plurality of guide pins for rotatably coupling the hub and the disc wherein the spring comprises a band for circumferentially engaging the hub. The spring is characterized by a plurality of axial position retention tabs circumferentially spaced and extending radially inwardly from the band for engaging the circumferential groove of the hub and for preventing axial movement between the spring and the hub. The spring is further characterized by a plurality of circumferential position tabs circumferentially spaced and extending radially outwardly from the band and being generally U-shaped and defining a guide pin opening for at least partially engaging one of the guide pins for rotatably coupling the spring and the hub.
US08317168B2
This invention provides a mixer without a rotational or similar structure, capable of mixing quickly several liquids including at least one liquid being prone to gel or solidify, a mixing device with the mixer incorporated, and a medical component-measuring unit capable of reducing the formation of thrombi and accurately measuring the concentration of glucose, and with a small time constant, which unit can be incorporated into medical support devices, such as artificial endocrine pancreas devices. The mixer has an air bubble-trapping structure for temporarily trapping air bubbles supplied to a surface of a mixing channel through which liquids to be mixed flow. The mixing device has the mixer, an air bubble supplier or generator to make air bubbles exist in the mixing channel, and a liquid supplier for supplying liquids to be mixed to a liquid inlet. The medical component-measuring unit has the mixer or the mixing device.
US08317165B2
A nanobubble-containing liquid producing apparatus includes: a microbubble generating device that prepares a microbubble-containing liquid with use of a liquid introduced into a microbubble generation tank and discharges the microbubble-containing liquid into the microbubble generation tank; a micro-nanobubble generating device that prepares a micro-nanobubble-containing liquid with use of the microbubble-containing liquid introduced into a micro-nanobubble generation tank and discharges the micro-nanobubble-containing liquid into the micro-nanobubble generation tank; and a nanobubble generating device that prepares a nanobubble-containing liquid with use of the micro-nanobubble-containing liquid introduced into a nanobubble generation tank and discharges the nanobubble-containing liquid into the nanobubble generation tank. Therefore, an apparatus for producing a nanobubble-containing liquid with use of general-purpose products can be manufactured at low cost and in a short period of time.
US08317163B1
A pipe gate hinge comprises a substantially U-shaped bracket, at least one pipe attachment member, and at least two post attachment members. The bracket has a first longitudinally extending leg with the distal end portion angled in the first transverse direction relative to a longitudinal axis and a second longitudinally extending leg with the distal end portion angled in the second transverse direction relative to the longitudinal axis. At least one pipe attachment aperture is in the first leg and one pipe attachment aperture is in the second leg. At least one post attachment aperture is proximate the distal end portion of the first leg and at least one post attachment aperture is proximate the distal end portion of the second leg. At least one pipe attachment member is configured and arranged to be inserted through the pipe attachment apertures to secure the bracket to a vertically extending member of a pipe gate. At least two post attachment members are configured and arranged to be inserted through the post attachment apertures to secure the bracket to a vertical surface.
US08317160B2
A restraint device is disclosed that limits the movement of the cable or rope relative to the traction, thus reducing or eliminating the popping noise associated with the cable or rope snapping back against the traction sheave. In one embodiment, the restraint device comprises a molded component that is fitted to encompass the region of the sheave where separation of the wire rope from the sheave is most likely to occur. The restraint device may be mounted so that it is removable and replaceable with minimal dismantling of the hoist containing the sheave. The restraint device may be reversible so that one restraint device may by used for at least two cycles before being replaced. Indication of the need for replacement may be provided by including a second color material at the depth where wear reaches the allowable limit, thereby providing a visual signal to initiate replacement as seen during service.
US08317155B2
A driving mechanism, mounting to a flush apparatus, includes an actuation housing coupling with a valve body, a manual actuation unit including a push button and a manual plunger arm transversely extended from the push button towards a pushing platform, and an automated actuation unit including a motorized unit and an automated plunger arm transversely extended towards the pushing platform. When the push button is manually pressed, the pushing platform is pushed by the manual plunger arm to move a diaphragm member at the unsealed position. When the motorized unit is activated in responsive to a presence of a user, the automated plunger arm is driven by the motorized unit to move towards the pushing platform, such that the pushing platform is pushed by the automated plunger arm to move the diaphragm member at the unsealed position.
US08317134B2
The present invention provides a casing structure of low weight provided with a laminate stringer of high rigidity. The stringer has the form of a laminate with a plurality of metallic layers and at least one synthetic fiber layer, which is produced at least partially from Zylon fibers, provided between two metallic layers.
US08317132B2
The present application describes a quick-change fastening system for demountably mounting an element to a fastening structure. The element comprises an engagement element that is designed to engage a bearing element of the fastening structure, wherein the element is hingeably held around the bearing element between a hooked-in position and a fastened position. The element further comprises a fastening element that can be affixed to a locking element of the fastening structure when the element is in its fastened position. The engagement element and the bearing element are designed such that along a hingeing movement of the element a form-fit connection is established when the element is in its hooked-in position, and that a force-fit connection is established when the element is in its fastened position.
US08317118B2
A chad containment bin includes a chad containment space formed by a pair of opposing longitudinally extending sidewalls connected by a pair of opposing, laterally extending sidewalls. A shredder head assembly is situated above the chad containment bin. A cabinet body supports the shredder head assembly while removeably housing the chad containment bin. A generally vertically oriented support member extends upwardly from a first of the longitudinally extending sidewalls. The support member includes a handle on an outer face for carrying the chad containment bin. A panel is pivotally connected to the chad containment bin for providing access to the chad containment space when the chad containment bin is suspended by the handle over a waste receptacle.
US08317117B2
The chipper drum of the present disclosure is configured to maximize its cutting width while decreasing its overall size. In particular, the chipper drum of the present disclosure includes air deflectors recessed on the ends of the drum that are configured to generate the air flow necessary to blow chips out of the chipper.
US08317116B2
A method and process line apparatus for processing a sized ore feed excavated from an ore deposit is disclosed. The method involves disposing a processing apparatus in a processing apparatus position relative to the ore deposit, and disposing a first mobile conveyor to receive a sized ore feed at a receiving location located along a length of the first mobile conveyor. The first mobile conveyor is operable to convey the sized ore from the receiving location to a discharge end of the first mobile conveyor. The method also involves disposing a second mobile conveyor to receive the sized ore from the discharge end of the first mobile conveyor at a transfer location along a length of the second mobile conveyor and to convey the sized ore from the transfer location to the processing apparatus. The first and second mobile conveyors are oriented at an operational angle between a length of the first mobile conveyor and a length of the second mobile conveyor. The method further involves moving at least one of the first and second mobile conveyors to vary at least one of the operational angle and the transfer location to permit successive portions of the ore deposit within operational reach of the receiving location to be received for conveying along the first and second mobile conveyors to the processing apparatus while the processing apparatus is located in the processing apparatus position.
US08317107B2
A chip package includes a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag disposed as a spacer structure on a surface of a die in a chip package. A method includes assembling an RFID spacer structure, to at least one chip such as memory or logic. A computing system includes an RFID spacer structure in a chip package.
US08317104B2
Embodiments of the present invention comprise an image engine constructed as an IC structure that has one or more active regions for illuminating, imaging, and decoding a decodable indicia. In one embodiment of the image engine, the IC structure can comprise an imaging region, an aiming region, and an illumination region, all disposed on a single, contiguous substrate. The resultant constructed embodiment can fit within a form factor, wherein the form factor is less than about 500 mm3.
US08317097B2
Architecture is provided that facilitates user-controlled access to user profile information related to spam filtering. A user is allowed to selectively expose (or mask) portions of his/her profile related to spam filtering to third parties. Additionally, advertisers and/or content providers can offer incentives or enticement in response to the acceptance of which a user exposes larger portions of their profiles related to spam filtering. The architecture comprises a system that facilitates profile management utilizing a profile component that facilitates creation and storage of an electronic profile including spam filtering information of a user, and a control component under control of the user for controlling access to the profile.
US08317089B2
A manipulation detection system for removable money cassettes for use in automated teller machines is described that makes it possible to discriminate between unauthorized opening of the money cassette outside the automated teller machine and authorized opening of the money cassette inside the automated teller machine.
US08317082B2
A carton with locking sections comprises a male panel section and a female panel section. The male panel section has an edge with protruding wings, and edge tabs are formed along the edge portion inboard of the wings. The female section has a pair of females configured to receive and interlock with the males. For locking the sections together, the edge tabs are hooked beneath the edge of the female section and the males extend over the top of the female section and are pressed and locked into the females. With this arrangement, the two sections are securely locked together with the edge tabs preventing the sections from moving toward one another and the males and females preventing them moving away from each other. The sections thus do not tend to disengage during transport or as containers of product within the carton are sequentially removed.
US08317079B2
A clinching method includes establishing a first layer on a second layer. The first layer has an aperture formed therein and is thinner than the second layer. A rotating punch is engaged with the second layer through the aperture in the first layer, thereby generating frictional heat and softening the second layer. The rotating punch is configured with at least a first diameter, a shoulder, and a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter. The rotating punch is pressed into the softened second layer, thereby causing at least some of the second layer to: back extrude through an annulus defined by the aperture in the first layer and at least one of the diameters of the punch; contact the shoulder of the rotating punch; and extend onto a surface of the first layer adjacent the aperture.
US08317068B2
The bicycle carrier rack includes a main frame, a swaying frame and an adjustment device. The main frame stands vertically, combined with the swaying frame by the adjustment device. Fixed at the bottom portion of the main frame is a positioning rack to connect with a vehicle or a trailer. Two positioning holes are bored in the main frame. The swaying frame is combined with the main frame by the adjustment device, having a positioning member and a positioning projection employed to primarily position with positioning holes of the main frame. The adjustment device has a shell, and a movable element installed in the shell to co-work with the positioning member of the swaying frame. With a starting element to control the movable element, the adjustment device can work to alter the combined status of the main frame and the swaying frame, enabling the bicycle carrier rack unfolded or folded.
US08317067B2
The device holder with magnetic retainer is a holder that removably attaches to a garment by magnetic attraction. The holder typically holds a portable electronic device and includes a frame having a recess that receives the portable electronic device therein. The back portion of the frame retains a first magnetic member. A second magnetic member is designed to be positioned underneath a garment, such as a back of a shirt sleeve, so that a portion of the garment is positioned between the first and second magnetic members to attach the device to the garment. Front and rear peripheral edges of the device holder form a cord receiving channel that excess cord of the electronic device can be wrapped around, thereby facilitating neat storage of the excess cord.
US08317062B2
A valve for distributing two fluids contained in a rigid flask by propulsion, the first fluid contained in a first flexible pouch, and the second fluid in the flask so as to be isolated from the first fluid before the fluid leaves through the valve. When the valve is placed on the flask, an internal part of the valve is inside the flask, an external part of the valve is outside the flask. A first passage which can be closed connects the inside of the first pouch and the space surrounding the external part of the valve, and a second passage which can also be closed connects the space intended to receive the second fluid and the space surrounding the external part of the valve. The valve has a second flexible pouch for receiving the second fluid, which is fixed to the valve and placed around the first pouch.
US08317060B2
A overcap is provided which covers the opening of a container. The overcap, in one form, engages an exterior of the container around the rim and along an inwardly directed flange which defines an opening of the container. The overcap snappingly engages with the container to produce an audible indication that the overcap is firmly attached to the container and that air is being expelled from inside the container. In another form, the overcap includes an invertible dome which is transformable between an upward convex position and an upward concave position.
US08317057B2
A paint roller paint saving pan for a tubular roller pad is provided. The paint roller paint saving pan includes a paint can attachment portion configured to removably axially support the paint roller paint saving pan relative to an open end of an open paint can. A roller pad support portion is configured to radially support an end of the roller pad. A paint catching portion is positioned adjacent and vertically below the roller pad support portion and includes a through passage permitting fluid communication into the paint can when the paint can attachment portion is vertically supported on the paint can such that paint scraped from the roller pad supported by the roller pad support portion can return back to the paint can. The paint roller paint saving pan is configured to provide access to the roller pad by a rigid tool to scrape excess paint therefrom.
US08317056B2
A structure and method for bonding heat-insulating protection walls of a liquefied natural gas carrier is provided. Each of the heat-insulating protection walls is formed of an insulation foam layer and a fiber-reinforced composite reinforcing sheet attached to a surface of the insulation foam layer. The heat-insulating protection walls are provided in a tank of the liquefied natural gas carrier in a mutually adjoining relationship and bonded to one another at a junction to keep the tank cold. The structure includes a fiber-reinforced composite joint sheet positioned in alignment with the juncture of the heat-insulating protection walls and bonded to the fiber-reinforced composite reinforcing sheet by an adhesive agent and a spacer interposed between the fiber-reinforced composite reinforcing sheet and the fiber-reinforced composite joint sheet for keeping the adhesive agent uniform in thickness.
US08317051B2
The present invention relates to Trash field. More particularly, the present invention relates to Trash can lid. The present invention provides a design of a big lid and a small lid. When an inhabitant usually disposes trash, he or she need only press a button to open the small lid. Since the small lid is connected with the big lid by magnetism and a spring buffer unit is installed in the seat of small lid, opening the small lid is very smooth, without any noise or vibration. When a dustman collects the trash, what he needs to do is only to open the big lid, being very convenient and sanitary.
US08317046B2
A cooler includes a base; an upper rim; and a collapsible wall extending between the base and the upper rim. The cooler wall is capable of transitioning between a fully collapsed configuration and a fully expanded configuration and is stable in each configuration. Additionally, in transitioning between the fully collapsed and fully expanded configurations, the cooler transitions to at least one intermediate configuration in which the cooler is in a stable state and may be used. The collapsible wall preferably comprises a flexible membrane that is configured to be collapsible between three or more stable states, and preferably is formed from silicone.
US08317045B2
A collapsible container is provided which includes a base, a pair of opposed side walls, and a pair of opposed end walls which are transverse to the side walls. The side and end walls are pivotably connected to the base between an upright position generally perpendicular to the base and a collapsed position on the base. A support is pivotably and slidably mounted to each of the end walls. The support is configured to extend into the container and to fully retract within the end wall. The support extends far enough into the container to reliably support another container thereon.
US08317036B2
A filter or clarification system for removing impurities from a liquid to be treated, i.e., influent. The system preferably includes a chamber for receiving a liquid to be treated. The chamber has a settling plate assembly including a plurality of inclined liquid passageways through which the liquid to be treated is directed to remove impurities from the liquid to be treated. An efficiency enhancement unit is operably associated with the settling assembly to improve the filtration efficiency of the settling assembly. Preferably, the efficiency enhancement unit includes a vibrator for imparting a vibration force to at least a portion of the settling assembly to improve the filtration efficiency of the settling assembly. Preferably, the vibrator acts to prevent impurities from collecting on one or more settling members in the settling assembly. The settling members can be settling plates or settling tubes. In the preferred form, the vibrator is operated during substantially the entire filtration cycle.
US08317029B2
A wafer storage container including a container body having an opening adapted to store wafers is disclosed. The container body includes a window and wafer support parts. Delivery components are attached to the exterior face part of the container body. The delivery components includes a bottom plate disposed at a bottom of the container body, a pair of side handles disposed at both sides of the container body, and a robotic flange disposed at a top of the container body. The container further is provided with a lid adapted to seal the opening of the container body. The lid includes a lid main body, a pair of latch mechanism disposed within the lid main body, a retainer member disposed at an inner surface of the lid main body, a seal gasket member disposed at a periphery of the lid main body such that it contacts a periphery of an opening part of the container body and a lid cover. The container body, the delivery components and the lid main body are formed of a self-extinguishing material, and the latch mechanism and the retainer member are formed of PEEK, and the gasket member is formed of elastomeric resin.
US08317027B2
A re-usable dispensing container (10) for pills, tablets or capsules, includes a base portion (20) having a plurality of compartments (25). An adhesive-free sealing sheet (50) is arranged to cover openings of the compartments such that the sheet may be ruptured to provide access individually to the compartments. A sealing sheet retainer (30), having apertures thorough which the sheet may be ruptured, is removably closable over the sealing sheet removably to retain the sealing sheet between the sealing sheet retainer and the base. A lid (40) is provided to cover the sealing sheet retainer (30) and is lockable to the base with a tamper-evident locking pin.
US08317021B2
A packaging arrangement is provided for displaying a tool set and a plurality of interchangeable work pieces at a point of sale that is useable as a carrying case after it is purchased. The packaging arrangement has an insert with a plurality of receptacles at spaced apart intervals between the outer ends for individual reception of the interchangeable work pieces. A locking member is provided with the insert and is moveable between an engaged position and a disengaged position to selectively secure the interchangeable work pieces in the receptacles of the insert.
US08317008B2
A clutch 44 has a clutch boss 441, a clutch housing 442, a friction plate 64, a clutch plate 65, and a pressure plate 450. The clutch boss 441 is attached to the main shaft 41 so as to be integrally rotated therewith. The clutch housing 442 encloses the periphery of the clutch boss 441 and is attached to the main shaft 41 so as to be rotated with respect to the main shaft 41. The friction plate 64 has a plate main body and a friction material and rotates together with the clutch housing 442. The clutch plate 65 faces the plate main body via the friction material and rotates together with the clutch boss 441. The pressure plate 450 rotates together with one of the clutch boss 441 the clutch housing 442 which is engaged with the friction plate 64.
US08317007B2
A clutch device includes a sleeve-shaped first drive member, a first seal member, a second seal member, a plug, a second drive member, and a control member. The first drive member, the first seal member and second seal member cooperate to form a sealed chamber filled with hydraulic liquid. The plug divides the sealed chamber into a first chamber and a second chamber, and the plug defines a screw hole and an opening communicating the first chamber with the second chamber respectively. An output shaft is extended from the plug. The second drive member is driven by the first drive member, and includes a screw shaft threadedly engaged with the screw hole of the plug. The control member is configured for covering or uncovering the opening of the plug. The clutch device is used for prevent overload.
US08317006B2
A double clutch transmission comprising a wet dual clutch, a dual mass flywheel and a centrifugal force pendulum and an electric motor which is connected to the primary side of the dual mass flywheel.
US08317005B2
A method reduces the noise in the drive train of a motor vehicle having an automatic transmission or a manual transmission with a controllable oil pressure supply and/or automatic starting clutch. An engine sided drive unit is connected to the transmission input shaft by way of a spline connection, wherein noises in the drive train are caused by a clearance fit in the spline connection between the engine sided drive unit and the transmission input shaft. The transmission control is adapted for reducing the noise when in neutral.
US08317004B2
A valve assembly is provided. The valve assembly includes a valve sliding in a valve holder and a base. The valve holder is held by the base by a resilient holding mechanism, the valve holder is mobile with respect to the base between a compression position and an expansion position. The valve holder includes a seat and a body extending beneath the seat and extending into the base. The holding mechanism is fixed on the one hand to the body of the valve holder and includes at least one portion extending beneath the lower face of the base, the portion resting against the lower face when the valve holder is in the expansion position. A damper is also provided.
US08316993B1
A house clamp assembly having a fixed jaw and a slide bar mounted movable jaw, the fixed jaw opposing the movable jaw. A one-way drive means, by operation of a trigger handle grip, releasably engages the slide bar and advances the movable jaw towards the fixed jaw. The one-way drive means is incapable of moving the slide bar and movable jaw away from the fixed jaw. A return motion of the movable jaw (separating) is accomplished manually when the one-way drive means is disengaged. A braking lever, which is biased to bind the slide bar, prevents reverse motion of the slideable jaw away from the fixed jaw, except when the first lever is disengaged from the slide bar. A device for securing a ladder to a building, wherein the removed end of the slide member has a hook shape; wherein the jaws include jaw faces having multiple raised portions, wherein the releasable braking means of the building clamp assembly means includes a pivoting lever; wherein the locking member of the ladder hook assembly includes a pivoting lever, attached at one end to the body, and having a slot dimensioned to slideably receive the hook slide member therethrough; wherein the body of the ladder hook assembly includes a pair of slots dimensioned for and adapted to slideably receive the slide member therethrough; and wherein the slots are arranged to maintain the hook slide member substantially parallel to the slide bar of the building clamp assembly.
US08316988B2
Fabric structures having elongation yarns and ground yarns that form a sheath are provided, with the structure having two connection segments and at least one expansion segment in between the connection segments. Heat treatment of the one or more expansion segments shrinks the length of the elongation yarns during manufacture. A tensile load applied to the fabric structure stretches the elongation yarns and unfolds the gathered sheath. The elongation yarns absorb energy as the fabric structure elongates. In some embodiments, the fabric structure has more than one expansion segment so that the deployment force of the structure is not constant. In some embodiments, the fabric structure includes a band in some portions.
US08316987B2
The present invention aims to provide a muffling structure of a vent pipe and a muffling structure of a case, which is capable of muffling in a wide frequency range and preventing vent resistance in the air pipe or the case from deterioration. Vent holes (11a) are formed in the peripheral wall of the vent pipe (11), a cover (12) is so provided on the peripheral wall of the vent pipe (11) as to cover the vent holes (!1a), and a bag-like body (13) in which activated charcoal (14) is contained is disposed in the space formed by the peripheral wall of the vent pipe (11) and the inner wall of the cover (12).
US08316983B2
A construction vehicle includes a hydraulic pump for travelling driven by an engine and a hydraulic motor for travelling driven by a pressurized oil discharged from the hydraulic pump. A control unit is configured to set an upper limit of a command value of an acceleration opening degree in accordance with a magnitude of a travelling load and a magnitude of a vehicle speed, and to set a lower limit of a displacement of the hydraulic motor for travelling in order to maximize the vehicle speed at the acceleration opening degree limited to a predetermined amount.
US08316982B2
A vehicle seat includes a load sensor for measuring a load applied from an occupant and a seat cushion frame, wherein the seat cushion frame comprises right and left side frames extending in a front-and-rear direction, the load sensor is attached to the seat cushion frame, and a concave portion is formed in at least one of the right and left side frames at a position opposite to the load sensor.
US08316974B2
An adjustable radiator grill arrangement for a motor vehicle comprises at least one air channel, through which an air flow for the incident flow of a radiator can be guided. The grill arrangement has a first grill element and a second grill element, which are moveable relative to one another, in order to open or to close the air channel. The first grill element comprises a closing edge, which is disposed at a distance from a counter-edge when the air channel is opened and adjacent to the counteredge when the air channel is closed. The first grill element comprises an elastically deformable closing element, which forms the closing edge.
US08316968B2
A rolling cone drill bit comprises a bit body and a plurality of rolling cone cutters mounted on the bit body. Each cone cutter includes a plurality of gage cutting elements. Each gage cutting element has a cutting portion extending from a base portion to an extension height. Further, each gage cutting element contacts a gage curve at a gage curve contact point in a composite rotated profile view. Each gage cutting element has a cross-sectional area A1 in a first offset reference plane parallel to a base reference plane and offset from the base reference plane by an offset distance d1 equal to 10% of the extension height. The ratio of A1 to a cross-sectional area Ab of the base portion of each gage cutting element is less than 11%.
US08316966B2
According to one embodiment, a system for accessing a subterranean zone from the surface includes a well bore extending from the surface to the subterranean zone, and a well bore pattern connected to the junction and operable to drain fluid from a region of the subterranean zone to the junction.
US08316961B2
A remote controlled work robot including a remote controlled actuator and a support device therefor. The remote controlled actuator includes a spindle guide section of an elongated configuration, a distal end member fitted to a distal end of the spindle guide section through a distal end member coupling structure for alteration in attitude, and a drive unit housing connected with a base end of the spindle guide section. The distal end member rotatably supports a spindle for holding a tool. The support device includes a single degree-of-freedom system, in which the remote controlled actuator has a degree of freedom in one direction, or a multi-degrees-of-freedom system, in which the remote controlled actuator has a two or more degrees of freedom relative to a base on which the support device is installed. A drive source and is also provided for driving the degree-of-freedom system.
US08316955B2
A geothermal energy generation system comprises one or more injection wells for accessing one or more reservoirs having a first temperature, wherein the reservoirs are located below one or more caprocks and are accessible without using large-scale hydrofracturing. Each of the injection wells has an injection well reservoir opening, and one or more production wells each having a production well reservoir opening. A non-water based working fluid can be provided to the injection wells at a second temperature lower than the first temperature. Exposure of the working fluid to the first temperature can produce heated working fluid capable of entering one or more production wells. An energy converting apparatus is connected to each of the one or more injection wells and the one or more productions wells and thermal energy contained in the heated working fluid can be converted to electricity, heat, or combinations thereof, in the energy converting apparatus.
US08316951B2
A tubular actuator includes, a restrictor disposed at a tubular that is engageably receptive to a runnable member run thereagainst as long as pressure remains above a latch pressure, the restrictor configured to allow passage of the runnable member after a delay at pressure equal to or below the latch pressure.
US08316938B2
A method and apparatus is provided for diverting a ground water supply source located in a stratum that is hydraulically separated from a hydrocarbon-containing reservoir formation for injection into the reservoir proximate the oil-water interface to enhance the flow rate and production of the hydrocarbons through one or more well bores without pumping the injection water to the earth's surface. An electric submersible pump (ESP) and Y-tool assembly is positioned in the well bore at the level of the ground water supply and water is pumped down the well casing for injection into the formation, e.g., below the hydrocarbon-containing reservoir rock. Suitable seals, packers and cement plugs are provided to isolate the high pressure injection water from the ground water drawn into the first upper portion of the casing.
US08316937B2
A down-hole assembly used to locate an existing window in a main cased well bore and guide equipment through the window and into a lateral well bore after removal of a whip stock. The down-hole assembly includes a running tool with a convex section detachably connected to a concave section of a guide member. The running tool includes a window locator that locates the window. The window locator may contain a selectively reciprocating shear rod operatively associated with a stop/shear block to enable the window locator to locate a plurality of lateral well windows in a main well bore. The guide member includes an inclined or wedge shaped portion for guiding tools or equipment through the window and into the lateral well bore so that remedial work can be carried out.
US08316932B2
A wellbore system comprises a wellbore extending into an earth formation, the wellbore containing a body of fluid, and an expandable tubular element arranged in the wellbore, wherein a lower end portion of the wall of the tubular element is bent radially outward and in an axially reverse direction so as to define an expanded tubular section extending around a remaining tubular section of the tubular element. The expanded tubular section is axially extendable by downward movement of the remaining tubular section relative to the expanded tubular section. The body of fluid is located in the remaining tubular section, and a fluid conduit extends from the body of fluid to a location above the remaining tubular section, the fluid conduit being movable in upward direction relative to the remaining tubular section.
US08316928B2
A drive means for downhole use comprises an input shaft and an output shaft, the input shaft being coupled to a means of rotation, the input shaft and the output shaft being torsionally coupled, the output shaft being coupled to the rotor of the progressive cavity pump, the input shaft lies in a first axis and the output shaft lies in a second axis, the second axis being parallel to the first axis but spaced from it so that the output shaft rotates about its axis while describing a circular path.
US08316927B2
A waste heat recovery device includes a heat pipe in which a working fluid for transporting heat is enclosed, and a mode-switching valve for switching a heat recovery mode and a heat insulation mode. The heat pipe has a heating part for heating and evaporating the working fluid and a cooling part for cooling and condensing the evaporated working fluid. The heating part is made of a steel through which hydrogen gas permeates about at 500° C. and higher. In the heat recovery mode, the waste heat recovery device recovers heat of exhaust gas by using the heat pipe. Furthermore, in the heat insulation mode, a heat transport from the heating part to the cooling part is stopped.
US08316924B2
Powder coated heat exchange elements for a heat exchanger. Powder coating provides improved protective coating on surfaces of heat exchange elements. In many applications, the heat exchange elements are subjected to harsh operating conditions that promote corrosion. Traditional enamel coating tends to fracture when subjected to mechanical stresses thereby allowing corrosion inducing agents to penetrate and corrode the underlying surfaces. Powder coating reduces breaches in the protective layer. Powder coating may be adapted to withstand high temperatures so as to make them suitable for use in harsh operating environments. One such environment can be found in the processing of flue gas from fossil burning power generators, where the flue gas has a relatively high temperature and high sulfur content.
US08316923B2
A heat dissipation device includes a heat sink, a plurality of fasteners extending through the heat sink, a fan holder mounted on the heat sink and a fan secured on the fan holder. The heat sink includes multiple claws to retain the fasteners therein. The fan holder includes a hoop surrounding the heat sink and a bracket supporting the fan. A plurality of sleeves are formed on the hoop and aligned with the claws of the heat sink, to thereby guide a tool to manipulate the fasteners to secure the heat sink to a printed circuit board.
US08316917B2
A method of making a treating wash includes mixing brass granules with acetone, mixing carbon nanotube material, iron pyrite granules and copper granules in the acetone brass mixture, and straining the liquid from the remaining solid material. Methods of treating materials such as brass granules, iron pyrite granules, carbon nanotube material, and brass granules comprises washing the materials in the treating wash, followed by straining and drying the materials.
US08316887B2
The water tap has a tap stand, an outlet section and a storage frame. The tap stand is hollow and has a bottom end, an inlet and a flowing channel. The inlet is formed through the bottom end of the tap stand. The flowing channel is formed through the tap stand and communicating with the inlet of the tap stand. The outlet section is mounted on the tap stand and has an outfall communicating with the flowing channels. The storage frame is mounted on the tap stand and has a storage plank and a storage hole to hold the a rinsing cup or put on the other toiletries like a toothpaste, a toothbrush or a hand washing cream in order to keep the sink clean and use convenient.
US08316879B2
A method in which a pressure in an imaginary vacuum container is determined by calculation based on a gas flow rate difference between an estimated discharge gas amount determined from the actual opening degree of a vacuum valve provided on the discharge conduit of a vacuum container and an estimated inflow gas amount determined in the preceding operation period, an estimated inflow gas amount at the present time is determined based on a difference between the calculated pressure and a pressure measured in an actual vacuum container by a pressure meter, a set discharge gas amount is determined by adding, to the estimated inflow gas amount, a correction gas amount obtained based on a pressure deviation between a set pressure and the measured pressure, and the degree of opening of the vacuum valve is controlled such that a discharge gas amount reaches the set discharge gas amount.
US08316869B2
A system, apparatus and method for processing flat articles with acoustical energy. The inventive system, apparatus and method can remove particles from both sides of a wafer more efficiently and effectively. In one aspect, the invention is a system and/or method for processing flat articles wherein a liquid is applied to both major surfaces of the flat article. A first transducer assembly is positioned adjacent to a first of the major surfaces of the flat article and a second member is positioned adjacent to a second of the major surfaces. The first transducer assembly generates and transmits acoustical energy to the first major surface of the flat article while the second member either: (1) reflects the acoustical energy generated by the first transducer assembly back to the second major surface of the flat article; and/or (2) generates and transmits acoustical energy to the second major surface of the flat article.
US08316868B2
Provided is a dishwasher door. The door may include a door panel member having a liquid dispenser unit mounted thereto and extending therethrough from an interior-facing side to an exterior-facing side of the door panel member. A fluid-directing member can operably engage with the door panel member about the exterior-facing side. The fluid-directing member may define a containment portion that at least partially surrounds the liquid dispenser unit. The fluid-directing member may also include a conduit in communication with the containment portion. The conduit can be configured to channel liquid leaking from the liquid dispenser unit from the containment portion and through the door panel member, away from the exterior-facing side of said door panel member.
US08316866B2
A method for cleaning a substrate is provided. The method initiates with applying an activation solution to a surface of the substrate. The activation solution and the surface of the substrate are contacted with a surface of a solid cleaning surface. The activation solution is absorbed into a portion of the solid cleaning element and then the substrate or the solid cleaning surface is moved relative to each other to clean the surface of the substrate. A method for cleaning the surface of the substrate with a solid cleaning element that experiences plastic deformation is also provided. Corresponding cleaning apparatuses are also provided.
US08316864B2
One configuration of the invention provides a method of making a hair extension device. Exemplary steps may include attaching a plurality of wefts together to form at least one first and second hair flap having a top and bottom end; attaching the top end of the first hair flap to the top end of the second hair flap; and folding over the first hair flap to form a U shaped hair cluster thereby sandwiching a filament between the first and second hair flap. Certain embodiments may create the extension device using one hair flap. Additional steps may include using thread to attach the plurality of wefts together, and positioning the seams of the wefts so that all of the seams of the hair cluster inside the hair cluster are adjacent to the filament. Also a zig-zag stitch may be used to sew the plurality of wefts together. The resulting hair extension device may be reversible or be made using lace.
US08316857B2
An apparatus for use in treating a breathing condition includes a first dental arch, a second dental arch, two bodies coupled to the first dental arch, and two receivers coupled to the second dental arch. The first dental arch is configured to receive at least some of a wearer's teeth. The second dental arch is configured to receive at least some of a wearer's teeth. Each body includes a front stop, a rear stop, a threaded member, and a hook. The threaded member is configured to be coupled between the front stop and rear stop of the body and configured to rotate relative to the body. The hook comprises a threaded passage configured to engage the threaded member, and an arm configured to engage a second dental arch. The hook is configured to travel between the front stop and rear stop of the body in response to rotational adjustment of the threaded member to adjust the lower dental arch relative to the upper dental arch. Each receiver comprises a first rail configured to engage the arm of the hook of a respective one of the two bodies. The first rail is disposed exterior to an internal area defined by a span of the second dental arch. The two receivers are entirely disposed, with respect to each other, on opposite sides of a plane bisecting left and right halves of the second dental arch.
US08316843B2
A boiler for a solar receiver includes a first boiler panel having a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the first boiler panel to an outlet header of the first boiler panel. The tubes of the first boiler panel form a first solar receiver surface. A second boiler panel has a plurality of tubes fluidly connecting an inlet header of the second boiler panel to an outlet header of the second boiler panel. The tubes of the second boiler panel form a second solar receiver surface. The first and second boiler panels are adjacent to one another with a portion of the first boiler panel and an end of the first solar receiver surface overlapping an end of the second boiler panel to reduce solar radiation passing between the first and second solar receiver surfaces.
US08316841B2
An energy transmitting solar panel (12, 22, 32, 42, 52, 62) intended for invisible incorporation into a building, a part or component thereof, behind and in thermal contact with a climate shield (12, 21, 31, 41, 51, 61) on said building, a part or component thereof, is made of a heat-conducting material and has a substantial heat transmitting surface area and at least one through-going fluid impervious channel or duct (15, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65) embedded in or integrally connected with said panel for the flow of an energy carrying-capable fluid therein. The solar panel is mounted below and close up to a climate shield of a building so that good thermal contact is established there between providing excellent transmission of converted sun radiation to an energy carrying-capable fluid in the fluid impervious channel or duct.
US08316837B2
A gas grill base is pivotally attached at a first end to a folding stand with three pivoting U-shaped supports and a center pivot. Two of the supports rest on the ground on casters or wheels. The third support slides and locks within L-shaped slots below the second end of the gas grill base held horizontally for cooking. Alternately built-in gas jets or an inserted charcoal tray are used to cook. The supports pivot together and stand vertically on the castors. The gas grill base pivots down parallel to the supports so that all are vertical for storage and transport.
US08316832B2
A radiofrequency ignition device including: a control capable of generating an ignition control signal; a supply circuit controlled by the ignition control signal for applying a supply voltage on an output interface of the supply circuit at a frequency defined by the control signal; at least one plasma generation resonator connected on an output interface of the supply circuit and capable of generating a spark between two ignition electrodes of the resonator upon an ignition control; a mechanism measuring an electric parameter representative of a variation in a supply voltage of the resonator; and a module determining the fouling condition of the electrodes based on the measured electric parameter and on a predetermined reference value.
US08316829B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for efficiently operating an engine utilizing exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). The apparatus includes an exhaust manifold receiving exhaust gas from a first cylinder set, an EGR manifold receiving exhaust gas from a second cylinder set, and a passage comprising a variable restriction. The passage fluidly couples the exhaust manifold to the EGR manifold. The apparatus further includes a controller with modules for interpreting engine operating conditions and controlling actuators in response to the engine operating conditions.
US08316818B2
A control system and method for operating an engine includes a transition module that commands engine control from a first homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) mode to a second HCCI mode. The control system also includes a fuel delivery module that operates the engine in a stratified charge operation mode after commanding engine control from the first HCCI mode to the second HCCI mode and discontinues the stratified charge operation thereafter.
US08316817B2
The rotary reciprocating piston engine as a rotor rotatably journaled in a housing and a plurality of pistons movable in radial direction in the rotor between outer and inner dead points. Each piston has a piston rod mounted on a transverse shaft carrying at each end a sliding element which is displaceable in radial grooves formed in the rotor on both sides of the piston. The sliding elements are each provided on the outer side thereof facing away from the piston with a pin received in a housing-fixed star-shaped endless guide groove. The guide groove extends about the axis of rotation of the rotor and controls the movement of the pistons in radial direction between the inner and outer deadpoints.
US08316814B2
An internal combustion engine includes a carrier base having a lower portion configured as a crankcase and an upper portion having a number of upwardly directed assembly provisions such as a crankshaft bay and at least one cylinder deck, with the crankshaft bay and cylinder deck being arranged so that the engine may be assembled from a position above the engine, without the necessity of attaching connecting rods or crankshaft main bearing bolts from underneath the engine.
US08316812B2
Disclosed herein is an actuator for regulating the flow of fluids in first and second flow paths of an internal combustion engine. The actuator includes a motor having a rotatable drive shaft, a gear assembly driven by the drive shaft of the motor, and first and second output shafts rotated in opposite directions by the gear assembly. The first and second output shafts are operatively linked to valves in the first and second flow paths, respectively, to regulate the flow of fluids in the first and second flow paths.
US08316810B2
In a method and a device for engine stop/engine start of hybrid vehicles, which includes an internal combustion engine and an electric machine which is coupled to the internal combustion engine and is selectively able to be operated regeneratively or motively, the engine speed can be detected and compared to a limit speed to initiate the stopping of the engine in a hybrid vehicle using an automatic start/stop mechanism, and if the engine speed drops to the threshold speed, the engine is stopped, the electric machine being switched over into the motive or the regenerative operation when the limit speed is reached; the electric machine assuming the limit speed, whereas the fuel supply of the internal combustion engine is shut down or remains shut down and the electric machine initiates the stopping of the internal combustion engine.
US08316803B2
A pet door hood is adapted to partially enclose the exterior and/or interior of a pet door or other animal access opening. The pet door hood may be formed to protect the pet door from weather, from entry by stray animals, and/or from entry or access by humans. The pet door hood may be formed integrally with a pet door or optionally integrally with a panel having a pet door. Optionally, the pet door hood may be formed separately from the pet door or aperture, or panel having a pet door therein The pet door hood may be adapted for assembly with a pet door or aperture.
US08316797B2
New and improved microwave plasma assisted reactors, for example chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD) reactors, are disclosed. The disclosed microwave plasma assisted reactors operate at pressures ranging from about 10 Torr to about 760 Torr. The disclosed microwave plasma assisted reactors include a movable lower sliding short and/or a reduced diameter conductive stage in a coaxial cavity of a plasma chamber. For a particular application, the lower sliding short position and/or the conductive stage diameter can be variably selected such that, relative to conventional reactors, the reactors can be tuned to operate over larger substrate areas, operate at higher pressures, and discharge absorbed power densities with increased diamond synthesis rates (carats per hour) and increased deposition uniformity.
US08316795B2
Provided is a liquid processing apparatus (method) that forms a coating film by supplying and pouring a coating solution from a coating solution nozzle onto a surface of a substrate held substantially horizontally by a substrate holder. In the liquid processing apparatus (method), a unit for photographing a leading end portion of a coating solution nozzle 10 is provided. When performing a process for anti-drying of the coating solution for a long period of time in advance, a position of the coating solution and a position of an anti-drying liquid are set by using a soft scale 121a displayed on a screen where the photographed image is displayed. Therefore, a dispense control is performed based on a set value without depending on the naked eyes and a control for suppressing the drying of the coating solution in the leading end portion of the coating solution nozzle is performed.
US08316792B2
An apparatus for making a working electrode of a dye-sensitized solar cell is provided. The apparatus includes a columnar body, a rotatable mechanism rotatably received in the columnar body, and a cover enclosing the columnar body. Accommodating grooves are formed in the columnar body configured to accommodate substrates. The rotatable mechanism includes a containing chamber, rollers, and nozzles. The nozzles are configured for jetting the slurry from the containing chamber to the accommodating grooves. The rollers are independently rotatable and configured for rolling the slurry on the substrates. The cover has feeding tubes and exporting tubes extending therethrough. The feeding tubes are in communication with the containing chamber and configured for feeding the slurry to the containing chamber. The exporting tubes are in communication with the columnar body and configured for evacuating excess slurry from the columnar body.
US08316788B2
A collapsible watercraft is comprised of a single high-strength foldable panel to fold into the form of a kayak with integrally defined keel, hull, sides, and deck. Using a single sheet of high strength panel creased in a predetermined pattern to form living hinges, the panel may be folded and transformed from self-defined compact knocked down package, into a rigid three dimensional tubular manifold in a kayak form that is optimized for performance in the water. Other removable rigid structural members, primarily a cockpit rim, rib, and floorboards help maintain the shape and integrity of the shell.
US08316785B2
A flat seam construction made up of a number of sequentially formed stitches and formed on a portion of one or more stitchable materials is disclosed. Each stitch has two outer threads, formed into first and second outer thread loops, and at least one inner thread, formed into at least one inner thread loop. Each of the inner and outer thread loops transversely penetrate the one or more stitchable materials. Each of the inner and outer thread loops have a bight portion engaging a bottom surface of the one or more stitchable materials. At least one looper thread is formed on the bottom surface, and arranged such that, the at least one looper thread passes between the bottom surface and at least one of the bight portions. At least one decorative thread is visible on a top surface of the seam construction.
US08316773B2
A sub-caliber projectile of the fin-stabilized type incorporating a sabot and a penetrator linked together by shape matching linking means, said linking means incorporating a first profile machined at a bore of said sabot and cooperating with a second profile on said penetrator, each of said first and second profiles having a shape according to a section in an axial plane that alternates teeth and grooves, the axial play between one of said teeth of said penetrator and one of said grooves forming the housing of said one of said teeth in said sabot being variable along the axis of said projectile, wherein said linking means incorporate a front part (F) and a rear part (R) in which the play, at a mean temperature, between said penetrator teeth and the housings of said teeth in said sabot is variable, the play, firstly, increasing between said median zone (M) of said sabot and a front end of said sabot and, secondly, increasing between said median zone (M) of said sabot and a rear end of said sabot.
US08316771B2
A cartridge case intended for explosive materials. A releasable base plate is provided in a bottom section of the cartridge case. A base plate locking device includes a temperature dependent shape memory material. The shape memory material of the base plate locking device is provided to exert a crushing force on the cartridge case at a temperature increase passing a temperature such that the shape memory material in question struggles to resume a former shape in order to break up the connection between the base plate and the bottom section of the cartridge case and release the base plate from the bottom section of the cartridge case. A round of ammunition includes the cartridge case.
US08316763B2
A pressing tool includes a tool body having a working end, an actuator held by the tool body and operated during a pressing operation, and a disabling device operable to stop the hydraulic actuator during the pressing operation, wherein the actuator is disabled and locked in a disabled position after the disabling device is operated. Optionally, the disabling device may be configured to be reset to a normal operation position by a key.
US08316760B2
A device for displaying and cooking food such as kernels of corn includes a container with a base that can store kernels of corn extended by a compensation zone that can assume at least two positions, one folded and the other unfolded. The compensation zone includes four faces: two retractable faces and two stiffening faces opposite, whereby the retractable faces each include a fold that is approximately at the center of each of these faces and parallel to the base. The stiffening faces each include a first fold that is approximately at the center of each of these faces and parallel to the base and diagonal folds, whereby the base is rigid over a height so as to delimit a restricted space in which kernels of corn are likely to be stored when the compensation zone is in the folded position.
US08316757B2
A hydraulic control valve with a monolithic body having four sides located between a top and a bottom, and all pilot ports on a body front side, valve work ports on the top side, three bores running within the body from the front side to a rear side, a spool in each bore, and a single three section spool port lock that locks two or three ports at the same time, the pilot ports present machined female quick-connect connections, with spring wet cavities being provided for mechanically operated control spools.
US08316754B2
The present invention relates to a short recoil firearm (1) comprising a main body (2); a barrel (7) slidingly mounted on the main body (2) and movable between a forward percussion position and a backward recoil position; a slider (17) slidingly mounted on the main body (2) and movable between a forward position of closure of the barrel (7) and a backward stop position. The firearm (1) further comprises a plurality of cylindrical rollers (22) operatively connected to a spirally wound tape spring (26). The cylindrical rollers are movable between a first configuration, in which they lie mutually side by side between the slider (17) and the barrel (7), to prevent the relative movement thereof and to allow the integral displacement of same, and a second configuration, in which they lie in a recovery chamber (27). During passage from the first configuration towards the second configuration, the displacement of the barrel (7) opens an access (27a) for entrance of the cylindrical rollers (22) into the recovery chamber (27), causing disengagement between the barrel (7) and the slider (17). During passage from the second configuration towards the first configuration, the tape spring (26) brings the pushing elements (22) back to the first configuration through said access (27a).
US08316752B2
An assembly for attenuating shock waves is made of two flexible sheets arranged one over the other and joined by a plurality of seams, the flexible sheets being confined to form cells or recessed when joined together. The seams are arranged so as to surround the cells or recesses in the sheets, and the cells or recesses are filled with a shock attenuating material.
US08316749B2
A finisher for a receiver moving in a feed direction includes a cutting device having a cutting blade and a scoring blade on opposite sides of the receiver and oriented perpendicular to the feed direction, and a scoring notch on the opposite side of the receiver from, and parallel to, the scoring blade. An actuator selectively causes the scoring blade to engage the scoring notch as the receiver moves between the scoring blade and scoring notch, so that the receiver is scored, or causes the cutting blade to engage the scoring blade, so that the receiver is cut. A controller receives a job specification including one or more cut or score location(s) on the receiver and causes the receiver to be cut at the cut location(s) or scored at the score location(s).
US08316737B2
An adjustable steering column adjustable includes a steering shaft mounted in a body tube arranged in a movable support member and immobilized on a fixed support member by an electric clamping system. The clamping system is mounted in a casing supporting an electric actuator and includes a transmission mechanism, an immobilizing assembly and a clamping rod passing through the fixed support member. The immobilizing assembly includes a fixed cam rotationally fixed with respect to the clamping rod, and a rotationally movable cam, the cams having rolling paths for balls. Each rolling path has the shape of a spiral with an escape slope for a ball, in order to initiate clamping or unclamping depending on the rotation direction of the movable cam relative to the fixed cam.
US08316736B2
A cover assembly for covering a steering column of a telescoping steering assembly is provided. The cover assembly includes a roller portion, a blind portion, and a clip portion. The roller portion is attached within a meter panel, and includes a rod mounted between a pair of tensioners. The blind portion includes a film that is attached at a proximal end to the rod, such that the film is wound and unwound around the rod. The rod is biased by the tensioners to pull the film in a wound direction. At a distal end, the film is attached to the clip portion. The clip portion engages a hook in the film and attaches the film to a steering base. As the steering column moves in a linear, telescoping manner, the film covers the steering column while remaining taut.
US08316731B2
A power transfer unit that includes a structure, a tube and a seal. The structure defines a boss that projects along an axis. The boss has a first portion, which defines a gripping surface, and a second portion that defines a sealing surface. The tube has an end that is disposed concentrically about at least a portion of the boss. The seal is received between and sealingly engaged against the structure and the tube. The seal includes a seal body with a seal member and a coupling portion. The seal member sealingly engages the sealing surface and the coupling portion frictionally engages the gripping surface.
US08316728B2
An actuator for selectively extending and retracting a probe in a measuring instrument comprises an actuator body, a carriage having a first aperture slidably attached to the body, and a second aperture receiving a probe holder having a probe. The first aperture of the carriage, which surrounds the actuator body, includes a first plurality of magnets disposed around an inner circumference of the aperture. The actuator body includes a lead screw, a round lead screw nut mated with the lead screw, and a second plurality of magnets arranged on a periphery of the lead screw nut, generally aligned with the first plurality of magnets. The magnets are arranged so that the carriage may be displaced with respect to the actuator body a sufficient amount that the magnets do not significantly restrain the further movement of the carriage.
US08316727B2
A whole determination area of a targeted wafer is concentrically divided in a radial direction, COP density is obtained in each divided determination segment, a maximum value of the COP density is set as COP densityRADIUSMAX, a minimum value of the COP density is set as COP densityRADIUSMIN, a value computed by “(COP densityRADIUSMAX−COP densityRADIUSMIN)/COP densityRADIUSMAX” is compared to a predetermined set value, and a non-crystal-induced COP and a crystal-induced COP are distinguished from each other based on a clear criterion, thereby determining the COP generation factor. Therefore, a rejected wafer in which a determination of the crystal-induced COP is made despite being the non-crystal-induced COP can be relieved, so that a wafer production yield can be enhanced.
US08316721B2
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for non-destructive measurement of bending stiffness of a gas diffusion layer (GDL) for a fuel cell by measuring a sagging length of a GDL sample, which can be used for a fuel cell, without damaging or destroying the GDL sample.
US08316713B2
A high spatial resolution phase-sensitive technique employs a scanning near field ultrasound holography (SNFUH) methodology for imaging elastic as well as viscoelastic variations across a sample surface. SNFUH uses a near-field approach to measure time-resolved variations in ultrasonic oscillations at a sample surface. As such, it overcomes the spatial resolution limitations of conventional phase-resolved acoustic microscopy (i.e. holography) by eliminating the need for far-field acoustic lenses.
US08316705B2
The present invention relates to a system for monitoring the health of mechanical and structure components of a machine. For example, the present invention is capable of monitoring the operational integrity of critical components of critical components of an aircraft such as the gearbox of a helicopter. The present invention is based on the principle of detecting a traceable substance when the substance is released from the component being monitored in the event of predetermined condition being satisfied, such as exceeding the operational temperature of the component, or a fault in the component occurring, such as a crack being formed.
US08316704B2
A downhole measurement system may comprise an optional fluid inlet section configured to accommodate fluid flow between a well and a zone surrounding the well. The system may further comprise a flow conditioning section configured to receive the fluid from the fluid inlet section. The flow conditioning section may be configured to produce a substantially homogenized fluid flow. In addition, a measuring section may be provided and configured to measure at least a portion of the fluid flow from the flow conditioning section. The measuring section characterizes a parameter of the fluid flow. In other embodiments, there may be a method for characterizing a parameter of a fluid flow comprising the steps of directing the fluid flow to a flow conditioning section. Other steps may be conditioning the fluid flow to a substantially homogeneous state and measuring a parameter for at least a portion of the fluid flow.
US08316691B2
An apparatus for mounting to a head protector including a housing having a plurality of parts each defining a portion of the housing, one or more components to be accommodated in the housing, and one or more apertures in the housing for introducing a compound for securing the one or more components in the housing, a protrusion on the exterior surface of the housing for abutting against the exterior surface of the head protector, and a sensor and a coupling for mechanically coupling the sensor to the protrusion to minimize relative movement between the head protector and the sensor.
US08316690B1
A method and system for detecting hypervelocity impacts on a detection surface utilizes multiple sensors that directly measure electrical pulse radio frequency (RF) emissions generated by hypervelocity impacts on a detection surface and time of arrival (TOA) position measurements for determining the precise impact location on the detection surface. The detection surface material is compressed differentially in such a way that the inherent equalization of the compressed electron density in one area of the impact is directed to the uncompressed area of the material causing an electrical current that flows until the redistribution of the electrical charge has been completed and the rapid redistribution of charge and inherent current that results emits the radio frequency pulse that is induced into the detection surface.
US08316684B2
A tool for use on a generally tubular workpiece includes a clamp base having an opening, a first jaw coupled to the clamp base with a first linkage and a second jaw coupled to the clamp base with a second linkage, a translation mechanism disposed on or within the clamp base operatively coupled to the first and second jaws via one or more adjusting links, whereby the first and second jaws are adapted to move, under a force communicated by the adjusting links and the linkages, within the opening between an open position in which the respective bottom ends of the first and second jaws are spaced apart to a closed position in which the respective bottom ends of the first and second jaws are abutting.
US08316672B2
A net is made from a multi-layer film which is used to produce at least two layers of synthetic yarns that are unified by application of a thermal process.
US08316671B2
A known method for producing a hollow cylinder of synthetic quartz glass comprises the steps of: (a) providing an inner tube of synthetic quartz glass having an inner bore defined by an inner wall, (b) cladding the inner tube (3′) with an SiO2 soot layer (4′), and (c) sintering the SiO2 soot layer with formation of the hollow cylinder. Starting therefrom, to indicate a method in which on the one hand the sintering process is completed before the hollow cylinder is further processed together with the core rod, and in which on the other hand a complicated machining of the inner bore of the hollow cylinder of quartz glass is not required, the invention suggests that during sintering the surface temperature of the inner wall of the inner tube should be kept below the softening temperature.
US08316654B2
A Refrigerating system (2) comprises a refrigerating circuit (4) having, in flowing direction, a compressor (8), a gas cooler (10), a first expansion device (12), an intermediate pressure container (14), a second expansion device (16), an evaporator (18) and refrigerant conduits (22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32) circulating a refrigerant therethrough. The first expansion device (12) expands the refrigerant to an intermediate pressure level. A first refrigerant conduit (22) of the refrigerant conduits (22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32) connects the compressor (8) and the gas cooler (10), and a second refrigerant conduit (24) of the refrigerant conduits (22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32) connects the gas cooler (10) and the first expansion device (12), the first refrigerant conduit (22), the gas cooler (10), and the second refrigerant conduit (24) forming a transcritical portion of the refrigerating circuit (4). The refrigerating system (2) further comprises a desuperheating unit (6), being in a heat exchange relationship with at least a part of the second refrigerant conduit (24), thereby desuperheating the refrigerant.
US08316653B2
A manifold gauge set has at least one sight glass window for viewing contents of a refrigeration system or an air conditioning system being serviced. The window may be non-planar to achieve an appearance that varies with the presence or absence of liquid. Such a non-planar window may be in the form of a dome, prism, or a fresnel lens. The gauge set may have a second light transmissive window to allow light to illuminate system contents being viewed. A light source may be provided to illuminate system contents being viewed. The light source may provide light through the same window that is used for viewing contents. A diffuser may be provided with a second window to achieve an illuminated background for viewing system contents. Similar configurations may be used in standalone sight glasses, vacuum pumps, and recovery machines.
US08316648B2
A method and apparatus to determine a first heating value of a low BTU fuel, determine a target fuel quality level based on a state of a turbine system, control a second heating value of a high BTU fuel, and inject the high BTU fuel into the low BTU fuel to achieve the target fuel quality level.
US08316645B2
Disclosed is a triple swirl gas turbine combustor using various fuels such as coal gas, DiMethyl Ether, and waste gas generated in an ironworks in a gas turbine. The triple swirl gas turbine combustor combusts three different fuels simultaneously or individually and various fuels such as LCV gas and HCV gas so that fuel flexibility can be improved. Swirl generated in a second swirler of the triple swirler is reversely jetted to increase a mixing degree of a fuel-air mixture and an intensity of a turbulent flow so that combustion efficiency can be increased, harmful exhaust gas can be reduced and vibration can be reduced.
US08316642B2
A turbocharger system comprises a first relatively small high-pressure (HP) turbocharger (1) and a second relatively large low pressure (LP) turbocharger (2). The turbine (6) of the LP turbocharger (2) is connected in series downstream of the turbine (4) of the HP turbocharger (1) in a first exhaust gas passage (11). An exhaust bypass flow passage (12) provides a bypass flow path around the HP turbine (4). A rotary valve (8) is located at a junction of the bypass flow passage (12) and a first exhaust gas flow passage (11). The rotary valve (8) comprises a valve rotor (19) which is rotatable to selectively permit or block flow to the LP turbine (6) from either the first exhaust gas passage (11) or the bypass gas passage (12).
US08316640B2
A drain structure where oil sucked from the oil pan by the oil pump is supplied to the torque converter and circulates therein, and the oil is drained into the transmission case through a drain oil passage; and the drain oil passage passes through a gap between the torque converter and the oil pump, is guided to an upper part facing a fitting surface between the oil pump and the transmission case, and is further guided from the upper part to a part under the oil pump and opens above an oil level in the transmission case, and drain oil from the drain oil passage is discharged toward the oil pan.
US08316638B2
A method comprises determining a temperature of a particulate matter (PM) filter in communication with an exhaust gas from an engine; and reducing a power output of the engine when the PM filter is not being regenerated and the temperature exceeds a first predetermined temperature. A control module comprises a PM filter temperature determination module that determines the temperature of a PM filter in communication with an exhaust gas from an engine; and a reduced engine power module in communication with the PM filter temperature determination module that reduces the power output of the engine when the PM filter is not being regenerated and the temperature exceeds a first predetermined temperature.
US08316637B2
In emergency regeneration, i.e., after a judgment is made that purification is insufficient after ending forced regeneration, forced regeneration has expired before completion, or when a pressure difference across a diesel particulate filter exceeds a predetermined first judging pressure difference when traveling distance of a vehicle is shorter than a predetermined distance, an alarm for urging manual regeneration is issued. When manual regeneration is designated thereafter by the vehicle's user, manual regeneration is performed. When predetermined conditions are satisfied before receiving a designation of manual regeneration, automatic regeneration is performed.
US08316630B2
A flow equalizing override assembly is provided for use in conjunction with a gas turbine engine (GTE) and a fuel divider system. In one embodiment, the flow equalizing override assembly includes a housing assembly, a fuel divider (FD) valve, a remotely-actuatable valve, and a controller. The FD valve includes: (i) a piston slidably disposed within the housing assembly and movable between a default position and a flow equalizing position, and (ii) a control chamber defined by the piston and the housing assembly. The remotely-actuatable valve is fluidly coupled to the control chamber and is configured to selectively adjust the fuel pressure therein. The controller is configured to command the remotely-actuatable valve to adjust the pressure within the control chamber such that the piston moves from the default position to the flow equalizing position after ignition of the GTE.
US08316627B1
A weed cutter that may be pulled behind a tractor is provided. The weed cutter has plurality of cutting blades that rotate when acted upon by planetary gears rotating around a central sun gear. A planetary gearbox assembly with a cloverleaf shape rotates partially around fence posts and other objects to cut weeds growing around the objects.
US08316626B2
A protective garment for livestock, such as a horse, has a first portion and a second portion defining a planar sheet of material. The first portion substantially covers a left leg and shoulder of the livestock, while the second portion substantially covers a right leg and shoulder of the livestock. The garment can comprise a one-piece protective cover or a two-piece protective cover. In one embodiment, the first portion and the second portion are connected to each other by an attachment member extending across a back of the livestock. In use, the protective garment is sufficiently secured to the livestock to protect it from undesirable external elements, such as insects and sunlight, yet somewhat loose to allow the livestock to freely move while wearing the garment.
US08316625B2
A disposal unit can include a substantially air tight chamber, an insertion component, an air tight region of the air tight chamber containing a disposal container, an air holding region, an air extraction unit, an air sanitation component, a container sealant mechanism, and/or combinations thereof. The air holding region can be distinct from the air tight region and the remaining region of the substantially air tight chamber. The air extraction unit can be configured to capture air from the remaining region and place the captured air in the air holding region. Air can be optionally redirected from the air holding region into an airtight disposal container, which is thereafter sealed. The air sanitation component can be configured to sanitize the captured air to a predetermined air quality level. Harmful byproducts of the waste (e.g., toxic vapors) inserted in the disposal unit can be reduced and/or neutralized through sanitation and/or containment.
US08316624B2
Cassette system with cassette (17, 27, 37, 47) and method for grouping a number of flexible packs (10). It is proposed that the cassette be produced from two parts which are hinged with respect to one another, one or more flexible packs being placed in each part. The parts of the cassette with the flexible pack or flexible packs placed thereon are then moved relative to one another, and more particularly are rotated, in order thus to obtain a group of packs where the packs lie close together. The group thus obtained is then placed in an outer pack such as a box.
US08316611B2
A portable skylight replacement safety assembly that includes a first and second support frames releasably connected to each other and having a plurality of support handles and support members which extend substantially perpendicularly from the first support frame for supporting the first support frame on and/or over the skylight on a working surface at a predetermined distance.
US08316606B2
A fastening system for panels and trim having a fastening element including a reveal edge and a serpentine edge. A projection and a recess is disposed adjacent to each other on the same serpentine edge. The fastening element guides and connects adjacent panel faces into a flush horizontal alignment with each other. Panels with the fastening element on each side may be combined together in a multiple course structure. The fastening element accommodates dimensional changes in adjacent wood panels from moisture and temperature fluctuations by allowing for expansion both with the elimination of the gap in the serpentine edge expansion area and with the compression of the expansion relief aperture adjacent to the expansion bulge in the recess of the adjacent panel. An expansion relief aperture on the projection of a fastening element can receive a trim fastener for applying perimeter trim with a hidden fastener onto many structurally different panel designs.
US08316603B2
An insulated panel includes a first panel portion and a second panel portion which are identical. Each panel portion includes an outer profiled sheet and an inner backing tray with a foam core therebetween. The panel portions each have external sheet overlap parts and backing sheet overlap parts. The corresponding overlap parts of adjacent panel portions are bonded together at the overlap. The bonding may be by an adhesive.
US08316597B2
A method removes moisture from a wall assembly including a supporting wall, an interior finishing layer attached to an interior side of the supporting wall, and an exterior layer disposed opposite the interior finishing layer. The supporting wall supports the interior finishing layer and exterior layer. The method includes sealing, with a moisture seal located between a base of the wall assembly and the supporting wall erected on the base, and providing a water separation plane disposed within the supporting wall so that the water separation plane is located between the interior finishing layer and the exterior layer. The water separation plane provides a substantial barrier to moisture vapor and bulk water. The method includes transporting moisture along an interior side and an opposing exterior side of the water separation plane to a moisture collection area outside of the wall assembly, and removing the moisture from the moisture collection area.
US08316595B2
Embodiments of the invention described herein pertain to a collapsible staircase comprising a plurality of tread assemblies. Each tread assembly is disposed adjacent to at least one of another of the tread assemblies and includes a tread plate and a first and a second telescoping support member attached to a rear surface of the tread plate. The first and second telescoping support members of each tread assembly are operable to slideably engage the telescoping support members of the adjacent tread assemblies for adjusting a height of the staircase and for defining a substantially fixed angle between the tread plates of each of the tread assemblies.
US08316589B2
A dual-core self-centering brace apparatus is mounted to a building, and includes a first core member, at least one second core member, an outer sleeve disposed around the first and second core members, two inner abutment plates abutting respectively against two ends of the first core member, two outer abutment plates abutting respectively against two ends of the second core member, a plurality of tensioning members, and an energy-dissipating unit for retarding relative movement of the first core member and the outer sleeve. When subjected to an external force, the length of each of the tensioning elements is increased by an elongation amount, and the total length of the first core member and the outer sleeve is increased by an amount that is two times the elongation amount.
US08316587B2
An eaves protector includes a soffit receiver and a soffit/fascia lock which are fastened to the eaves. A fascia plate and a soffit panel are engaged to the soffit receiver and the fascia/soffit lock. Some versions of the eaves protector require no fasteners to keep the soffit and fascia plate in place. The eaves protector can be simply and inexpensively manufactured from single pieces of folded material, and may be manufactured to standard dimensions that will fit any building, or custom-cut on site.
US08316577B2
The fish set line 100 is an apparatus or kit that a fisherman may use: to be alerted when a fish has been caught; to provide for adjusting the proper line length; and to provide for storing the fishing combination. The fish set line 100 may include a housing 110; an attachment 120 and an attachment line 130 for attaching the fish set line 100 with a fixed structure; a swivel 136 attached with the attachment line 130; a motion activated light 140 for detecting motion related to fish engagement; a fish hook 150; a hook line 152; a weight 158; a hook line shaft 160; and a locking crank 162 for reeling in the hook line 152 and locking the hook line 150 in place.
US08316565B2
An interactive sound generating greeting card having two separate and distinct components, one being an outer greeting card which serves as a pocket or cavity with a slot located thereon providing access to the pocket or cavity and the other being an inner greeting card which is sized to partially fit into the cavity in the outer greeting card. A sound module is contained and concealed within the outer greeting card cavity, including a switch mechanism. The inner greeting card and switch mechanism work in combination to control the playback of a digital audio file stored on the sound module such that when the inner greeting card is contained within the cavity of the outer greeting card, playback of the digital audio file is deactivated and when the inner greeting card is removed from the cavity of the outer greeting card, playback of the digital audio file is activated.
US08316563B2
Disclosed is a shoe and an interchangeable shoe cover system. The system includes a shoe having an upper with a bottom surface, a sole having an upper surface. One or more slots are defined between the bottom surface of the upper and the upper surface of the sole. The system also includes a shoe cover having at least one rigidly flexible frame member configured to engage with the one or more slots. The shoe cover also includes a cover material portion securely attached to the frame member and that is configured to be extendible into the upper portion of the shoe to secure the cover, as well as pull it taught or tension it over the outer surface of the shoe.
US08316551B2
A bow sight automatically corrects and compensates for various dynamically changing aiming, shooting, and/or environmental conditions. The bow sight can perform situation-specific aim evaluations and corrections to correct or compensate for situation-specific shooting and environmental factors, at a given time and on a per-shot basis. The bow sight includes integrated sensor-type devices, such as a range finder, an inclinometer, and an anemometer, which detects values of situation-specific shooting and environmental factors and communicates such detected values with a processor or other control device. The processor uses the situational specific data, as well as bow and arrow performance data, and data from shot calibrations, to calculate precise vertical and horizontal aim compensations required to accurately hit the desired target point. The bow sight displays a new crosshair, dot, or multiple dot set, to direct the archer to a situation-specific aiming point for the most accurate shot under those particular circumstances.
US08316550B2
A utility knife blade comprises a cutting edge portion and a remaining portion. The remaining portion is tempered martensite and has a first hardness. The cutting edge portion comprises a region that has been locally re-heat treated so that the microstructure in the cutting edge portion is untempered martensite having a hardness greater than the first hardness.
US08316546B2
A rotation drum type electric razor which includes a blade assembly (40) including a rotational shaft (100) which extends in a lengthwise direction; a plurality of rotational blade members (200) which are respectively formed into a cylindrical waterwheel shape having a plurality of blades (220) coupled to the rotational shaft (100) and in which a coupling protrusion (230) is formed at each end of the blades (220), and the blades (220) are fitted in turn to the rotational shaft (100) in the form of a zigzag shape.
US08316542B2
A total heat exchange element includes a sheet-like partitioning member and space holding members on both sides of the partitioning member to form air paths and performs a heat exchange via the partitioning member between an air flow flowing through an air path formed on one side of the partitioning member and an air flow flowing through an air path formed on other side of the partitioning member. The partitioning member and the space holding members are bonded by a water-solvent adhesive in which a water-soluble moisture-absorbing agent is dissolved.
US08316536B1
A method of making a semiconductor package substrate includes laser-ablating channels in the substrate. After the channels are ablated in the substrate, conductive material is added to fill the channels and cover the surface of the substrate. Then a photomask etching process simultaneously forms a circuit pattern above the surface of the substrate and removes excess metal above the channels, by removing metal above the surface only in patterned regions. The result is a two-level circuit pattern having conductors within and above the substrate.
US08316535B2
A method for manufacturing an electronic device and a device manufactured according to this method including an assembly of at least two insulating sheets, at least one electronic element, a first insulating sheet including at least one window in which the electronic element is at least partially lodged. One face of the electronic element flushes with the external surface of said first insulating sheet. The device may further include an internal module located between the two insulating sheets, a layer of filling material, an adhesive protection film extending over a region covering at least the outline of the window, said protection film being situated between the first insulating sheet and the layer of filling material covering the protection film and the internal module, conductive connection areas electrically linked to the internal module through an opening of the protection film and positioned on an internal face opposite to the external face of the electronic element. The adhesive protection film prevents the appearance of undesirable residues of filling material on the external face of the device in the vicinity of the electronic element.
US08316529B2
A product tagging system includes a tag tool having a housing and a tag tool needle that extends from the housing. The system includes a protective assembly that is mounted to the housing, a first retaining member adjacent the needle, and a second retaining member adjacent the first retaining member. The first retaining member includes a first aperture and the second retaining member includes a second aperture substantially aligned with the first aperture. The retaining members define a gap therebetween that is adjustable to receive at least a portion of a tag. The system further includes a protective member that is adjacent the second retaining member and includes a third aperture substantially aligned with the first and second apertures with a curved surface disposed around at least a portion of the third aperture. The first, second, and third apertures may receive at least a portion of the needle therethrough.
US08316526B2
The present invention provides electroactive polymers, transducers and devices that maintain pre-strain in one or more portions of an electroactive polymer. Electroactive polymers described herein may include a pre-strained portion and a stiffened portion configured to maintain pre-strain in the pre-strained portion. One fabrication technique applies pre-strain to a partially cured electroactive polymer. The partially cured polymer is then further cured to stiffen and maintain the pre-strain. In another fabrication technique, a support layer is coupled to the polymer that maintains pre-strain in a portion of an electroactive polymer. Another embodiment of the invention cures a polymer precursor to maintain pre-strain in an electroactive polymer.
US08316525B2
A method of attaching a first structural member to a second structural member, the method comprising the steps of: attaching a plurality of spaced apart female pieces to the first structural member, pivotally attaching a plurality of spaced apart male pieces to the second structural member, the positions of the male pieces corresponding to the positions of the female pieces, inserting the male pieces into the female pieces, and connecting the male pieces and respective female pieces together.
US08316519B2
A method for manufacturing a piezoelectric element that includes a piezoelectric ceramic body containing an internal electrode. The piezoelectric ceramic body is mainly made of a perovskite complex oxide containing an alkali metal niobate-based compound containing at least one element selected from among K, Li, and Na. The internal electrode is made of a base metal material, such as Ni or Cu. The piezoelectric element is produced by co-sintering the internal electrode and the piezoelectric ceramic body in a reducing atmosphere.
US08316516B2
The present invention relates to a mounting device having a metallic base plate, from which multiple projections project, and a method for manufacturing this mounting device. The mounting device may be obtained by cutting multiple hook preforms into the surface of the base plate while leaving at least one bending edge per hook preform. Furthermore, hook-like projections are manufactured by bending the hook preforms out of the base plate around the bending edge and possibly lateral protrusions are manufactured on the projections or these are twisted.
US08316512B2
The present technology relates to a locking device (2) for fixation of the position of an outer layers (4) relatively an inner layer (6) of a protective helmet (3), which protective helmet has a sliding layer (8) arranged between the outer layer and the inner layer, for facilitating displacement of the outer layer relatively the inner layer during an oblique impact towards the protective helmet. The locking device (2) comprises a layer-guiding member (10), that has an upper portion (12), which upper portion (12) is intended to be arranged in an opening (13) in the outer layer (4), and a resilient lower portion (16), extending from the upper portion (12), that in its free end (17) is arranged in connection to the inner layer (6). The present technology also relates to a protective helmet (3) comprising the locking device (2).
US08316510B2
A walk-behind work machine having a foldable operating handle is disclosed. The operating handle is swingable and foldable about a first linking pin relative to a handle-attachment part of a work-machine body from a usage position to a storage position and can be locked in a usage position by a second linking pin. The second linking pin is present on one of the operating handle and the handle-attachment part, and the distal end part of the second linking pin is formed in a tapered shape. The other of the operating handle and the handle-attachment part has a second pin-fitting hole allowing insertion and retraction of the distal end part. When the distal end part is fit into the second pin-fitting hole, no gap is present in the second pin-fitting hole due to the tapered surface of the distal end part, and the operating handle is locked in the usage position.
US08316504B1
A windshield roller assembly that may be retrofitted to existing wiper arms and that provides a rolling surface so that it is able to conform to surface irregularities and expel dirt and debris from low spots. The rolling surface avoids scraping the windshield glass and is not subject to the shear forces incurred by scraper type blades. The windshield roller is generally a simple cylindrical shape about a flexible shaft such as carbon fiber rod. The geometry of the roller is most typically an elongated frusto-conical shape so as to trace an arced path.
US08316499B2
Cleaning devices which use cleaning sheets affixed in traps are disclosed. The traps comprise first and second jaws, each comprising base and forward portions, each forward position having a forward surface. The forward portion of the second jaw is flexible in at least a first direction, such as towards a surface over which the device is configured to move. When the second jaw is relaxed, the forward portion of the second jaw is substantially coplanar with the forward portion of the first jaw and the forward surfaces are proximate or touching. When the second jaw is flexed in the first direction (e.g., by the application of a force from a user), the forward surface of the forward portion of the second jaw moves in the first direction, away from the forward surface of the first jaw. This opens a gap through which a portion of a sheet may be inserted.
US08316498B2
A dusting equipment (1) for dusting a substantially parallelepiped-shaped or prism-shaped item (9), in particular a book. The equipment comprises a dusting station (6), a carriage (4) and motive means (44, 51, 55) adapted to move the carriage (4) with a reciprocating motion along a moving path between a first position for receiving the item (9) and a second end-of-stroke position. The carriage (4) is adapted to move the item (9) through the dusting station (6) during a motion between the first receiving position and the second end-of-stroke position, and vice versa.
US08316497B2
A substrate processing apparatus includes: a brush for cleaning a substrate; a seesaw member which is swingable with a support member serving as a fulcrum and which has a force point section at one side with respect to the fulcrum and an actuating point section at the other side with respect to the fulcrum; a pushing actuator arranged to give a driving force to the force point section of the seesaw member, thereby to swing the seesaw member around the fulcrum, thus giving, to the seesaw member, a pushing force for pushing the brush to the substrate; and a transmission member which has an affected point section for receiving, from the actuating point section of the seesaw member, a driving force given to the force point section, and which transmits, to the brush, a pushing force for pushing the same to the substrate.
US08316489B1
An orthopedic pillow frame effective for facilitating the ideal position of the human head on a pillow while the body is at a resting position comprising in some embodiments primary and complimentary arcs, primary and complimentary inverted arcs, primary and complimentary side bars, a bottom platform, and where the various components are oriented around a first plane and a second plane.
US08316484B2
An inflatable mattress for use on a truck bed is disclosed and claimed. The inflatable mattress includes a lower mattress layer with left and right recessions dimensioned to substantially surround the wheel well sides. The inflatable mattress includes an upper mattress layer dimensioned to substantially cover the lower mattress layer and the wheel well tops.
US08316482B1
The sleeping enclosure for an infant is comprised of a sleeping cushion and a dome-shaped net that rests atop. The sleeping enclosure is a soft pillow-like structure that is further defined by retaining walls such that an infant rests within and is incapable of rolling out of the sleeping cushion. The sleeping cushion rests and secures atop a mattress via at least one adjustable strap, which in conjunction with the sleeping cushion encircles said mattress. The dome shaped net rests atop the retaining walls and prevents objects from falling upon an infant contained within the enclosure.
US08316480B2
A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a mobile cantilever transfer device for transferring mobility-impaired patients. In one embodiment, the mobile cantilever transfer device includes a support surface that is cantilevered from a lift cart so that the support surface may be positioned over the origination or destination location for a transfer, such as a patient's bed. In yet another embodiment, the cantilevered support surface may be laterally extended from the lift cart in order to allow the support surface to be positioned at different points over a transfer location without moving the lift cart. In yet another embodiment, multiple sides of the support surface may be connected to the lift cart so that a transfer can be accomplished from multiple directions, such as on either side of a patient's bed.
US08316479B2
A convertible furniture unit constituted by a sofa having an exposed wall and that can be converted into a folding double bed or into two mutually separate single beds. The conversion from double bed to two single beds occurs in the day version, with the beds arranged vertically, by virtue of the sliding movement on a rail (6) of the two portions (2, 3). The spring-based balancing system, the levers (18) and the fulcrums (22) of rotation are inside the supporting structure. The shoulders (8, 9) of the piece of furniture that embed the sprung bases in the day position are fixed to the sprung bases themselves and, by rotation, become the side boards of the bed in the night position; in this manner, the unit does not have, in the night version, the appearance of exposed wall-mounted furniture. The unit also allows, in the day version, to join without gaps the two seats into a sofa and, in the night version, to join the two single beds to form a double sprung base.
US08316478B2
An emergency eyewash unit includes a pair of water discharge ports oriented to produce a pair of upwardly directed, diverging water streams for inside-out flush flow of contaminants from a person's eyes. These eyewash streams can be combined with a plurality of smaller upwardly directed facewash streams for flushing contaminants from a person's face. The eyewash and/or facewash streams are produced by an eyewash body adapted for rotatable mounting onto a water supply conduit, with a locking clip normally preventing undesired rotational disassembly. The eyewash body may be used in combination with an overhead emergency shower which, in one preferred form, includes a shower spray head carrying multiple flow control and flow shaper elements to produce a substantially uniformly dispersed shower spray pattern.
US08316477B2
A cartridge for an emergency eyewash stations is disclosed. The cartridge assembly includes a housing having a front section and a back section that couple together. The front section has a surface defining an opening into the housing. A sealed, fluid-containing bladder having a dispensing port is contained within the housing. A bracket is configured and arranged to couple to the opening on the front section of the housing such that the dispensing port is captured in a fixed position between the bracket and the surface on the front section defining the opening.
US08316469B2
A garment that includes a garment structure, a plurality of loop members, and first, second and third pocket assemblies. Each loop member is coupled to a waist portion of the garment structure and remains attached thereto in response to the application of a leash force of 37 lbf thereto. The first pocket assembly is configured to hold a plurality of disposable plastic bags and defines an opening through which the disposable plastic bags can be dispensed. The second pocket assembly is configured to receive one or more of the disposable plastic bags that have been filled with pet excrement. Each third pocket assembly is coupled to the lower portion of the garment structure and is configured to hold a tennis ball therein.
US08321961B2
A method of fabricating high resolution atomic force microscopy (AFM) tips including a single semiconductor nanowire grown at an apex of a semiconductor pyramid of each AFM tip is provided. The semiconductor nanowire that is grown has a controllable diameter and a high aspect ratio, without significant tapering from the tip of the semiconductor nanowire to its base. The method includes providing an AFM probe including a semiconductor cantilever having a semiconductor pyramid extending upward from a surface of said semiconductor cantilever. The semiconductor pyramid has an apex. A patterned oxide layer is formed on the AFM probe. The patterned oxide layer has an opening that exposes the apex of the semiconductor pyramid. A single semiconductor nanowire is grown on the exposed apex of the semiconductor pyramid utilizing a non-oxidized Al seed material as a catalyst for nanowire growth.
US08321960B2
A portion of light emitted from a laser source (11) for detecting a displacement of a cantilever (4) is extracted by a half mirror (20) and guided onto a photodetector (21) having a light-receiving surface divided into four sections. When the direction of the emitted light is inclined due to a change in the ambient temperature or other factors, the light spot formed on the light-receiving surface of the photodetector (21) moves. Accordingly, the amount and direction of the inclination of the emission direction can be recognized from the amount and direction of the movement of the light spot. A drive amount calculator (22) calculates a drive amount according to the amount and direction of the inclination, and operates an actuator (23) to rotate the laser source (11) around each of the Y and Z axes. This operation compensates for the inclination of the direction of the emitted light and thereby prevents the inclination from being falsely recognized as an irregularity on the sample surface.
US08321949B1
In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a system that includes a network-based information server system; and a computer operable to interact with a user interface device and operable to perform operations including: receiving from the network-based information server system status information corresponding to software applications, the status information including black-list information and phoenix-list information; updating a local cache, retained by the computer, with the status information received from the network-based information server system; generating an identifier for a software application, using a digital certificate and a hash value, when the software application is launched on the computer; checking the identifier for the software application against the status information; and notifying a user of the computer when a match is found during the checking.
US08321945B2
A security measure status self-checking system which can determine the security measure status in a more simplified and effective manner by focusing on the information leakage measure in the security measures, managing the PC's security measure status and the user's take-out operation status in an integrated and unitary manner, and providing security policy samples. Accordingly, the client computer collects security inventory information and operation log information and transmits the information to the server computer. Further, the server computer stores the security inventory information and the operation log information transmitted from the client computer and determines whether or not the information conforms to the security policy which has been set in advance. The check result is displayed on the server computer and when a policy violation is detected, the manager and the client are notified of that effect.
US08321940B1
A computer-implemented method for detecting data-stealing malware may include: 1) detecting an attempt by an untrusted application to access a storage location that is known to be used by a legitimate application when storing potentially sensitive information, 2) determining that the legitimate application is not installed on the computing device, 3) determining that the untrusted application represents a potential security risk, and then 4) performing a security operation on the untrusted application. Corresponding systems and computer-readable instructions embodied on computer-readable media are also disclosed.
US08321938B2
A network analysis architecture provides a suite of complementary logic operable at different temporal and spatial timescales. The distinct temporal and spatial scales define different tiers, each analyzing network events according to predetermined temporal and spatial scales of progressive magnitude. Particular event detection logic may be operable on an immediate temporal scale, while other logic identifies trends over a longer time period. Similarly, different spatial scales are appropriate to different algorithms, as in logic that examines only headers or length of packets, or inspects an entire payload or transferred file. Deployment of logic that is focused on different timing and scope of data allows timely action in the case of readily apparent deviations, and permits longer term analysis for identifying trends that emerge over time. By selecting a suite of complementary logic directed at different deviant behavior, the focus of a single logic scheme is not charged with producing absolute screening of all traffic.
US08321937B2
An intrusion prevention/detection system filter (IPS filter) performance evaluation is provided. The performance evaluation is performed at both the security center and at the customer sites to derive a base confidence score and local confidence scores. Existence of new vulnerability is disclosed and its attributes are used in the generation of new IPS filter or updates. The generated IPS filter is first tested to determine its base confidence score from test confidence attributes prior to deploying it to a customer site. A deep security manager and deep security agent, at the customer site, collect local confidence attributes that are used for determining the local confidence score. The local confidence score and the base confidence score are aggregated to form a global confidence score. The local and global confidence scores are then compared to deployment thresholds to determine whether the IPS filter should be deployed in prevention or detection mode or sent back to the security center for improvement.
US08321930B1
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, and computer-readable media for granting access to a component of a computing device. In particular, embodiments provide methods of presenting a plurality of images on a screen of the computing device. Keyboard-based inputs are received, where the inputs are based on relationships between the images. Based on the accuracy of the inputs received, access is granted to the component of the computing device.
US08321929B2
A system and method are provided which substantially reduce the disadvantages and problems associated with previous methods and systems for generating an OTP at an information handling system. An OTP is generated at an information handling system hardware or firmware layer upon detection of a predetermined input trigger, such as a key combination. The OTP is provided for authentication independent of an operating system or applications running on the information handling system.
US08321925B1
Secure information is managed for each host or machine in an electronic environment using a series of key identifiers that each represent one or more secure keys, passwords, or other secure information. Applications and services needing access to the secure information can specify the key identifier, for example, and the secure information currently associated with that identifier can be determined without any change to the code or manual input or exposure of the secure information on the respective device. Functionality such as encryption key management and rotation are inaccessible and transparent to the user. In a networked or distributed environment, the key identifiers can be associated with host classes such that at startup any host in a class can obtain the necessary secure information. Updates and key rotation can be performed in a similar fashion by pushing updates to host classes transparent to a user, application, or service.
US08321922B1
A system and machine-implemented method for providing a username and password to a system using a device, via establishing a near field communication link with the system; retrieving a username and password from storage on the device; and transmitting the username and password to the system via the near field communication link, wherein the username and password are configured to be used by the system to authenticate the user on the system.
US08321921B1
An extensible servicing hosting platform is provided that supports the design, build and concurrent deployment of multiple web accessible services on a services hosting platform. The services hosting platform comprises a services hosting framework capable of hosting multiple service applications, each of which may be shared by multiple tenants that each customize their use of a particular application service by extending the application service to exploit run time platform services within a service execution pipeline. The services hosting framework may easily be leveraged by applications to decrease the time associated with developing, deploying and maintaining high quality services in a cost effective manner.
US08321917B2
The first terminal apparatus includes a key information acquiring unit that acquires key information from a connection authentication server, a key information notifying unit that notifies the first user of the key information, and a connection information acquiring unit that acquires connection information from the connection authentication server. The second terminal apparatus includes a key information input unit that receives the key information transmitted to the second user and an information providing unit that provides the key information and the connection information to the connection authentication server. The connection authentication server includes a key information providing unit that provides the key information to the first terminal apparatus, an information acquiring unit that acquires the key information and connection information of the second terminal apparatus from the second terminal apparatus, and a connection information providing unit that provides the connection information to the first terminal apparatus.
US08321909B2
A system, and computer usable program product for identity mediation in an enterprise service bus are provided in the illustrative embodiments. A security information is received at the enterprise service bus from a first application executing in a first data processing system. The security information is a part of a request for service from a second application executing in a second data processing system. A part of the security information is identified to be transformed such that the part upon transformation is usable for handling the request by the second application. A security policy applicable to the identified part is selected and the identified part is transformed according to the security policy. The transforming results in a transformed security information. The transformed security information is sent to the second application.
US08321907B2
An MPEG decoder decodes a video data packet for standard broadcasting to generate video data for standard broadcasting, and detects a decoding error thereof. A MPEG decodes a video data packet for broadcasting under rainfall to generate video data for broadcasting under rainfall. A synthesizing section generates a composite signal obtained by replacing a decoding error part of the video data for standard broadcasting with a corresponding part of the video data for broadcasting rainfall.
US08321902B2
A subscription system for providing content by subscription using an Internet connection is disclosed. The subscription system includes a content object store and an interface. The content object store stores a plurality of content objects. The interface is configured to receive a request to initiate a subscription with a first address for a particular account using the Internet. The subscription allows use of the plurality of content objects by the particular account without individually charging for the plurality of content objects. It is verified that a first connection speed is greater than a first threshold value before allowing the subscription, where the first connection speed is over the Internet with the first address. A request to access the subscription of the particular account is received from a second address with the Internet. It is verified that a second connection speed is greater than a second threshold value. The second connection speed is over the Internet with the second address. The second threshold value is associated with at least one of a product or a level of service for the subscription.
US08321892B1
The apparatus and method of the present invention provides a system for reducing the amount of information displayed in an on-screen television program guide. The user selects a genre by pressing a genre labeled button on a remote control. The remote control transmits an infrared signal to a set top box. The set top box then filters program guide data received from a satellite dish according to the selected genre and displays only channels and/or shows associated with the selected genre.
US08321886B2
In a controlled access broadcast system, a method of providing controlled-access information to a user includes determining whether a selected channel is a controlled-access channel, determining whether a smart card mounted in a smart card mounting part is configured to access the selected channel, if the selected channel is determined to be a controlled-access channel, and displaying indicia that indicates the configuration of the mounted smart card with respect to access to the selected channel. Therefore, a user can mount a smart card to access the controlled-access channel, thus increasing user convenience.
US08321877B2
An image processing apparatus capable of previously checking a setting mistake when a macro button is generated and preventing a macro using a reserved word from being inappropriately executed. A macro acquisition unit obtains the macro. A user information acquisition unit obtains user information associated with a user of the image processing apparatus. A replacing unit, when the macro obtained by the macro acquisition unit is a macro including a reserved word that is to be replaced with a portion of the user information, replaces the reserved word with the portion of the user information obtained by the user information acquisition unit. A check unit checks whether the macro replaced by the replacing unit can be normally executed. A notification unit notifies a check result of the check unit to a previously defined user.
US08321875B2
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for enabling the selective updating of web pages provided to a mobile client using, for example, AJAX technology. The system, method, and computer program product are optionally further extended to harmonize synchronization of data retrieved by other methods with data updated using AJAX. The use of AJAX technology is disclosed within the context of additional technology suites which may be substituted to achieve the same function. Additionally, the use of queuing AJAX updates is discussed.
US08321866B2
A computer architecture and programming model for high speed processing over broadband networks are provided. The architecture employs a consistent modular structure, a common computing module and uniform software cells. The common computing module includes a control processor, a plurality of processing units, a plurality of local memories from which the processing units process programs, a direct memory access controller and a shared main memory. A synchronized system and method for the coordinated reading and writing of data to and from the shared main memory by the processing units also are provided. A processing system for processing computer tasks is also provided. A first processor is of a first processor type and a number of second processors are of a second processor type. One of the second processors manages process scheduling of computing tasks by providing tasks to at least one of the first and second processors.
US08321863B2
In a case where a master virtual machine, which is constructed on the basis of master information for configuring either part or all of a virtual machine, and an individual virtual machine, which is constructed on the basis of individual information that is configured partially or entirely in accordance with the master information, exist as the types of virtual machines that a physical client provides to a user terminal, a security check of a plurality of virtual machines is selectively executed, with respect to each check item, for a virtual machine of the type corresponding to the contents of the check item.
US08321859B2
An apparatus and method for obtaining a storage medium with a deeply customizable set of installed content. Soft assets (e.g., programs, songs, videos, etc.) that form the content are selected from among a much larger set of preinstalled soft assets previously stored on storage media, such as disk drives. In some embodiments, based on a user's selections, the non-selected assets are permanently erased from a storage medium, while the remaining assets are available as installed (wherein substantially no further processing is required to install them). In some embodiments, a new device uses the storage medium to provide its user with a fully functional device without the need to separately install the soft assets from a plurality of sources (e.g., from program-distribution CDROMS and the like). Some embodiments include the storage medium having the soft assets installed, and including a program that elicits selections from a user and erases non-selected assets.
US08321857B1
An application registration module executes on a client, extracting metadata from a local application designed for an operating system of the client, formulating installation instructions, and providing the application, metadata, and installation instructions to a distribution server. The distribution server can then be used to facilitate installation of the application on other clients having the same operating system as the source client.
US08321856B2
The subject matter disclosed herein provides methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for providing software updates. In one aspect there is provided a method. The method may include receiving software objects associated with a software update. Moreover, a container may be provided. The container may include the received software objects and attributes. The attributes may describe the software objects to configure transport to different applications. Related systems, apparatus, methods, and/or articles are also described.
US08321841B2
Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to business process model validation and provide a method, system and computer program product for validating a service oriented architecture (SOA) oriented application. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for validating an SOA oriented application can be provided. The method can include transforming a business process model for an SOA oriented application into a directed and connected, acyclic graph, further transforming service groupings for the business process model into corresponding directed and connected, acyclic graphs, computing all paths from root node to leaf node in the graph for the business process model, and validating the business process model by ensuring no loops or cycles in the graph for the business process model, and further validating the business process model by ensuring no shared vertices amongst the graphs for the service groupings.
US08321831B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for implementing a software architecture design for a software application implementing an internal projects application useful for planning and executing internal projects and measures, including network scheduling, resource staffing, cost estimation and management, time confirmation, and progress monitoring. The application is structured as multiple process components interacting with each other through service interfaces, and multiple service interface operations, each being implemented for a respective process component. The process components include a Costing process component that maintains project cost estimates; an Accounting process component that records relevant business transactions; a Project Processing process component that structures, plans and executes simple, short-term measures and complex projects; and a Time and Labor Management process component that supports the definition of employees' planned working times as well as the recording of the actual working times and absences and their evaluation.
US08321826B2
A method and/or an apparatus of core timing prediction is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method may include generating a core timing model of a core logic that is accurately transferable to any chip-level integration process. The method may reduce performance degradation and/or performance variation of the core logic caused by a number of interactions between core logic components and chip-level components in the chip-level integration process. In addition, the core timing model of the core logic may be generated by filling un-wired tracks with metal in any of an outermost layer of the core logic after a core logic routing and constructing a layer at least an area of and adjacent to any of the outermost layer of the core logic with grounded metal that is orthogonal to those of the metal used in the outermost layer of the core logic.
US08321824B2
Embodiments of a computer system, a method, an integrated circuit and a computer-program product (i.e., software) for use with the computer system are described. These devices and techniques may be used to perform STA for circuits that include multiple power domains. Power-domain crossing information and optionally the delay in each power domain can be propagated during the full circuit graph-based STA to accurately perform STA without enumerating all paths. Some embodiments can use a tag-based engine to track power-domain crossing(s) during graph-based STA. If a power-domain is crossed in a path, pessimism may be added to the cumulative delay at the end point of the path. For those paths that do not cross a power domain, pessimism may be removed from the cumulative delay at their end points. In some embodiments, pessimism may be removed from the cumulative delay at end points for paths that cross power domains.
US08321821B2
A method for designing a two-dimensional array overlay target comprises the steps of: selecting a plurality of two dimensional array overlay targets having different overlay errors; calculating a deviation of a simulated diffraction spectrum for each two-dimensional array overlay target; selecting an error-independent overlay target by taking the deviations of the simulated diffraction spectra into consideration; and designing a two dimensional array overlay target based on structural parameters of the error-independent overlay target.
US08321816B2
A method of determining an exposure condition and a mask pattern includes: setting the exposure condition and the mask pattern; temporarily determining the mask pattern using a first evaluation function describing indices of quality of an image of the mask pattern, using the set exposure condition; calculating a value of a second evaluation function describing indices of quality of the image of the mask pattern, using the temporarily determined mask pattern and the set exposure condition; changing the exposure condition and the mask pattern based on the value of the calculated second evaluation function; and judging whether to execute a process of repeating the temporarily determining step and the calculating step. In the judging step, the mask pattern temporarily determined in the latest second step, and the exposure condition changed in the latest fourth step are determined as the mask pattern and the exposure condition, respectively.
US08321814B2
Disclosed is an integrated handheld computer and telephony system. Integration of the handheld computer and telephony system is at the physical and operational level. For example, the integrated handheld computer and telephony system physically integrates a handheld computer with a mobile (e.g., cellular) telephone. In addition, the handheld computer is distinct from telephony system in that they are logically separable. However, they are also operationally integrated, for example, the telephony system executes a telephone application on the processor of the handheld computer. Likewise, the handheld computer can execute applications, for example, a phone book, that can be used to launch the telephony application.
US08321807B2
Various systems and methods for generating visual representations of services. In one embodiment, one method generates a static visual representation and includes: (1) retrieving a service description associated with the service, (2) retrieving end points associated with the service, (3) mapping the end points into roles assumed with respect to the service description and (4) for at least some of the roles, rendering the end points in the visual representation.
US08321801B2
A user-activatable dashboard (also referred to as a unified interest layer) contains any number of user interface elements, referred to herein as “widgets,” for quick access by a user. In response to a command from a user, the dashboard is invoked and the widgets are shown on the screen. The user can activate the dashboard at any time, causing the dashboard to temporarily replace the existing user interface display on the user's screen. Once the dashboard has been activated, the user can interact with any or all of the widgets, and can configure the dashboard by adding, deleting, moving, or configuring individual widgets as desired. When the user wishes to return to the normal user interface he or she was working with, the user issues a command causing the dashboard to be dismissed. Once the dashboard has been dismissed, the previous user interface state is restored, allowing the user to resume normal interactions with the operating system.
US08321789B2
An image browsing apparatus has: a display unit for displaying image data; a reproducing unit for reproducing audio data; a detector for detecting a feature of the audio data reproduced by the reproducing unit; and a controller for, when predetermined audio data is reproduced by the reproducing unit, controlling an updating interval of the image data displayed to the display unit on the basis of the feature of the predetermined audio data detected by the detector.
US08321784B1
Reviewing Objects. An example method includes generating a plurality of sections corresponding to an object. The plurality of sections includes a suggestion section and a support section. An input is received for at least one section of the plurality of sections. Further, one or more functions associated with the suggestion section are performed.
US08321777B2
Disclosed are a semiconductor memory device, and a method of driving the same, and a cyclic redundancy check code generating circuit capable of performing cyclic redundancy check. A semiconductor memory device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a memory cell array, a data processing unit receiving data that is read from the memory cell array and selectively outputting at least some of the data according to ordering information, bit structure information, and burst length information, and a check code generating unit generating a cyclic redundancy check code to detect an error in the data being output, the check code generating unit generating and outputting the cyclic redundancy check code by using the read data, the ordering information, the bit structure information, and the burst length information.
US08321775B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods and apparatuses related to NVM devices with extended error correction protection. In some embodiments, a parity cache is used to store parity values of data values stored in a plurality of codewords of an NVM device. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08321764B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, systems, and apparatuses related to multilevel encoding with error correction. In some embodiments, a plurality of bits may be encoded into a plurality of multilevel memory cells by level-shifting a subset of the plurality of multilevel memory cells for a bit of the plurality of bits. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08321762B2
The present invention relates to a method for reducing data loss comprising a first computing step for computing an intermediate result for each redundancy information entity of a redundancy set by processing respectively associated data information entities of a given data set on at least two main diagonals of a parity check matrix representing an error correction coding scheme. The method further comprises a second computing step for computing the information content of the respective redundancy information entity dependent on the respective intermediate result.
US08321758B2
A method of accessing a memory includes accessing multiple ECC words via a single memory channel. Portions of each ECC word are retrieved from different memory ranks, so that a failure in a memory device at one memory rank is less likely to result in uncorrectable errors in the data segment. By accessing the data segments via a single memory channel, rather than multiple memory channels, the single memory channel can be accessed independently, providing for lower cost memory modules, higher memory bandwidth, and lower power dissipation.
US08321753B2
A method performed by an I/O unit connected to another I/O unit in a network device. The method includes receiving a packet; segmenting the packet into a group of data blocks; storing the group of data blocks in a data memory; generating data protection information for a data block of the group of data blocks; creating a control block for the data block; storing, in a control memory, a group of data items for the control block, the group of data items including information associated with a location, of the data block, within the data memory and the data protection information for the data block; performing a data integrity check on the data block, using the data protection information, to determine whether the data block contains a data error; and outputting the data block when the data integrity check indicates that the data block does not contain a data error.
US08321743B2
An information storage medium according to one embodiment of the invention includes a card main body embedded with a module, in which the module includes a communication control unit for interpreting received data, and selectively executing normal processing for returning response data to a transmission source of the received data based on a determination result indicating that the received data is correct data complying with a predetermined communication protocol, and error processing for returning an error to the transmission source of the received data based on a determination result indicating that the received data is error data.
US08321742B2
The present invention relates to an adaptive automatic repeat-request apparatus and method for an MIMO system including a transmitter and a receiver. The apparatus comprises an adaptive retransmission component located at the transmitter. The adaptive retransmission component uses a special frame structure that divides the transmission data in a frame into several sections according to the number of transmission antennas, and adds an individual error detecting code within each section. The transmission data are sent to the receiver through the several antennas. The receiver responds to the adaptive retransmission component with feedback information of an acknowledgement or negative acknowledgement signal, and detected signal strength of data for each transmission antenna. After receiving the signal strength of transmission data, the retransmission signal vector for error data is determined.
US08321740B2
A method for handling a Transmission Time Interval (TTI) bundling mode in a user equipment (UE) of a wireless communication system is disclosed. The method includes steps of switching an operation status of the TTI bundling mode; and flushing all uplink Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) buffers in the UE when the operation status of the TTI bundling mode is switched.
US08321736B2
A transmission method for transmitting information between a transmission device and a reception device, the method includes determining whether or not an error is detected in information from the transmission device, requesting the transmission device to re-transmit the error-detected information when an error is detected, re-transmitting information corresponding to a re-transmission request as re-transmission information from the transmission device when the re-transmission request is detected, registering the re-transmission information as a test pattern, transmitting the registered test pattern to the reception device, registering the re-transmission data received from the transmission device as a collation pattern, reading out the collation pattern corresponding to the received test pattern, and collating the test pattern and the collation pattern when a test pattern is received from the transmission device, and adjusting and setting a parameter of the reception device on the basis of a pattern collation result.
US08321729B2
Scan architectures are commonly used to test digital circuitry in integrated circuits. The present invention describes a method of adapting conventional scan architectures into a low power scan architecture. The low power scan architecture maintains the test time of conventional scan architectures, while requiring significantly less operational power than conventional scan architectures. The low power scan architecture is advantageous to IC/die manufacturers since it allows a larger number of circuits (such as DSP or CPU core circuits) embedded in an IC/die to be tested in parallel without consuming too much power within the IC/die. Since the low power scan architecture reduces test power consumption, it is possible to simultaneously test more die on a wafer than previously possible using conventional scan architectures. This allows wafer test times to be reduced which reduces the manufacturing cost of each die on the wafer.
US08321722B2
A storage device in which the MR-IOV is applied to an internal network of a storage controller. Data path failover can be executed in the storage device. The internal network of the storage controller is configured to enable the access of a virtual function (VF) “VF 0:0, 1” of each endpoint device (ED0-ED2) from a root port RP0. Likewise, “VF 1:0, 1” of each endpoint device can be accessed from a root port RP1. In a first data path from the RP0 to ED0 in a normal state, “VF 0:0, 1” and “MVF 0, 0” are connected by VF mapping. When a failure occurs on the first data path, the MR-PCIM executes the VF migration, whereby in the second data path from the RP1 to ED0, “VF 1:0, 1” and “MVF 0, 0” are connected by VF mapping. As a result, failover to the second data path is realized.
US08321719B2
A method for communication via a bidirectional data link between a processing device and a memory device. The memory device includes a clock source to generate a clock signal for driving a latching at the memory device of data to and/or from the bidirectional data link. The memory device provides the clock signal to the processing device for driving a latching at the processing device of data to and/or from the bidirectional data link.
US08321718B2
The present invention provides a processor comprising: an execution unit arranged to execute a plurality of program threads, clock generating means for generating first and second clock signals, and storage means for storing at least one thread-specific clock-control bit. The execution unit is configured to execute a first one of the threads in dependence on the first clock signal and to execute a second one of the threads in dependence on the second clock signal. The clock generating means is operable to generate the second clock signal with the second frequency selectively differing from the first frequency in dependence on the at least one clock-control bit. A corresponding method and computer program product are also provided.
US08321703B2
A computer system may place memory objects in specific memory physical regions based on energy consumption and performance or other policies. The system may have multiple memory regions at least some of which may be powered down or placed in a low power state during system operation. The memory object may be characterized in terms of access frequency, movability, and desired performance and placed in an appropriate memory region. In some cases, the memory object may be placed in a temporary memory region and later moved to a final memory region for long term placement. The policies may allow some processes to operate while consuming less energy, while other processes may be configured to maximize performance.
US08321698B2
A redundant power supply may obtain a rule for increasing mean time between failures (MTBF) for a first internal power supply and a second internal power supply connected to an electronic device, apply the rule to the first and second power supplies, activate the second internal power supply based on the rule to permit the second internal power supply to provide power to the electronic device, and deactivate the first internal power supply based on the rule.
US08321696B2
A voltage regulator for use with switchable graphics processors. The voltage regulator includes a graphics processor mode selection control input. By providing the graphics processor mode selection control input it is possible to save pins for a parallel voltage identification (PVID) input (e.g., a 2-bit PVID input). The voltage regulator further includes a PVID input to allow the voltage regulator to switch a detection input to either a SVID type input or a PVID type input. The voltage regulator further includes voltage shifter for a PVID detection circuit.
US08321690B2
Systems and/or methods (“tools”) are described that enable a digital rights management policy to be associated with digital media having an arbitrary content type or transfer control protocol. In some embodiments, the tools encrypt data segments of a media file and add a descriptor to each of those segments. These descriptors can enable a receiver of the encrypted media file to decrypt the file and consume it according to the correct digital rights management policy.
US08321675B2
A shared-key encryption scheme that uses identically keyed block-cipher calls, low additional overhead, supports the encryption of arbitrary-length strings, produces a minimal-length-ciphertext, and is fully parallelizable. In one embodiment, “OCB”, a key shared between communicating parties is mapped to a key variant using the block cipher. The key variant is mapped into a sequence of basis offsets using shifts and conditional xors. To encrypt a message using a nonce, a nonce-dependent base offset is formed, and then a sequence of offsets is constructed by starting with the base offset and then xoring, for each offset, an appropriate basis offset. The message is partitioned into message blocks of the same length as the block length of the block cipher, along with a message fragment that may be shorter. Each message block is combined with a corresponding offset, enciphered, and then combined again with the offset, yielding a ciphertext block. The message fragment is xored with an appropriately computed pad to give a ciphertext fragment. A checksum is formed using the message blocks, the message fragment, and the pad. The checksum is combined with an offset and enciphered to yield a tag. The encrypted message includes the ciphertext blocks, the ciphertext fragment, and the tag.
US08321673B2
A digital Rights Management (DRM), and particularly an apparatus and method of authentication between DRM agents for moving Rights Object (RO) is provided, whereby RO and contents can be moved between DRM agents after a simple authentication therebetween using specific authentication information received from a Rights Issuer (RI), in case where the RO is moved in a user domain or among a plurality of DRM agents.
US08321670B2
To fortify trust in a roaming environment, a token is introduced in transactions between an authoritative entity (e.g., a Home AAA in RADIUS) and a service providing entity (e.g., a NAS in RADIUS). A Token-Information is sent from the authoritative entity to the service providing entity during the initial authentication. Subsequent transactions include a token computed from the Token-Information. The service providing entity discards messages that it receives that do not contain the correct token. The Token-Information is transported in an encrypted fashion. The token provides secure transactions when messages between the authoritative entity and the service providing entity are routed through proxy servers.
US08321662B2
A method, system, and computer usable program product for certificate renewal using a secure handshake are provided in the illustrative embodiments. A determination is made, forming an expiration determination, whether a validity period associated with a certificate ends within a predetermined period from a time of receiving the certificate. If the expiration determination is true, a holder of the certificate is notified about the expiration. The holder may be an application executing in a data processing system or the data processing system itself. A new certificate is requested on behalf of the holder. The requested new certificate is received. The new certificate is sent to the holder of the certificate over a network.
US08321659B2
A crypt processor is connected to a host computer and a storage apparatus. Data from the host computer is transferred to the crypt processor via DMA (Direct Memory Access) to be encrypted and then stored in the storage apparatus. The crypto processor acquires a descriptor defining a DMA number for identifying a DMA channel used to DMA-transfer the data. The crypto processor stores therein, based on the DMA number included in the acquired descriptor, the data transferred using the same DMA channel in units of a data size specified in a data bus. The crypto processor then encrypts the stored data in units of data size specified in a crypt system, and transfers the encrypted data to the storage apparatus.
US08321657B2
A system and method for BIOS and controller communication. An information handling system comprises a central processing unit coupled to a memory. The memory further comprises a BIOS. The information handling system further comprises a controller coupled to a nonvolatile memory, and a register coupled to the central processing unit and the controller. The controller is operable to initialize communication with the BIOS, and service commands from the BIOS. The central processing unit is operable to initialize communication with the controller, and send commands to the controller.A method for communication between a BIOS and a controller in an information handling system comprises initializing communication between the BIOS and the controller. The method further comprises encrypting a command using a key by the BIOS, and sending the command to the controller. The controller processes the command, and the BIOS receives the result.
US08321652B2
An embodiment of the invention relates to a mass storage device including a nonvolatile memory device with a plurality of memory management blocks and an address translation table formed with pointers to locations of the memory management blocks. A volatile memory device is included with an address index table formed with pointers to the pointers to the locations of the memory management blocks. The address index table is stored in the nonvolatile memory upon loss of bias voltage. Changes to the address translation table are accumulated in the volatile memory and written to the address translation table when at least a minimum quantity of the changes has been accumulated. The changes to the logical block address translation table accumulated in the volatile memory are written to a page in the address translation table after prior data in the page has been updated, written to another page, and then erased.
US08321647B2
Multipage preparation commands for non-volatile memory systems are disclosed. The multipage preparation commands supply data that can be used to prepare a non-volatile memory device for forthcoming multipage program operations. A host controller can use the commands ahead of a multipage program operation to optimize usage of a multipage program command. The non-volatile memory device can use the commands to configure the non-volatile memory in preparation for a subsequent operation, such as changing a command order or using the most optimized command set for the subsequent operation.
US08321645B2
At least certain embodiments include a method, system and apparatus for relocating data between tiers of storage media in a hybrid storage aggregate encompassing multiple tiers of heterogeneous physical storage media including a file system to automatically relocate the data between tiers. The hybrid storage aggregate includes one or more volumes, each volume including a volume block number space spanning at least a first-tier of storage media and a second tier of storage media of the multiple tiers of heterogeneous physical storage media and the hybrid storage aggregate further includes a control module to cooperatively manage the tiers of the multiple tiers of heterogeneous physical storage media and a file system coupled with the control module, the file system including a policy module configured to make policy decisions based on a set of one or more policies and configured to automatically relocate data between different tiers of the multiple tiers of heterogeneous physical storage media based on the set of policies.
US08321638B2
System, method and computer program product for allocating physical memory to processes. The method includes enabling a kernel to free memory in a physical memory space corresponding to arbitrarily sized memory allocations released by processes or applications in a virtual memory space. After freeing the memory, the system determines whether freed physical memory in the physical memory space spans one or more fixed size memory units (e.g., page frames). The method further includes designating a status of the one or more page frames as available for reuse; the freed page frames marked as available for reuse being available for backing a new process without requiring the kernel to delete data included in the freed memory released by the process. The kernel may organize pages marked as available for reuse in one or more local “pools” that is organized according to a variety of schemes which provide system efficiencies in that the kernel can eliminate the need for deleting of old data in those page frames without compromising data security.
US08321636B2
Memory reallocation and sharing among components of an electronic system is provided. The electronic system includes a first memory area coupled for access by a first processor via a first bus, and a second memory area coupled for access by a second processor via a second bus. An example system includes a central processor as the first processor and a digital signal processor as the second processor. The electronic system further includes memory configurations that support shared access of the second memory area by the first processor. Using shared access, the first processor can directly access the second memory via the first bus or indirectly access the second memory via the second bus and the second processor. The memory sharing also includes partitioning the shared memory to simultaneously provide the first processor with direct and indirect access to the shared memory.
US08321627B1
Methods and apparatus for managing latency of memory commands are disclosed. An example method includes receiving memory operation commands for execution by a data storage device, each memory operation command being associated, for execution, with one of a plurality of memory devices. The example method also includes maintaining, for each memory device, a respective cumulative latency estimate. The example method also includes, for each memory operation command, when received by the memory controller, comparing the respective cumulative latency estimate of the associated memory device with a latency threshold for the received memory operation command. In the event the cumulative latency estimate is at or below the latency threshold, the received memory operation command is provided to a respective command queue operatively coupled with the respective memory device. In the event the cumulative latency estimate is above the latency threshold, the received memory operation command is returned to a host device.
US08321624B2
A memory device includes a plurality of blocks, and the plurality of blocks may include a plurality of pages. The memory device may translate an external physical address into internal physical address using a non-volatile address translation memory. The memory device may access one page of a plurality of pages using the internal physical address.
US08321598B2
A serializer/deserializer interfacing a keypad or keyboard to a processing system is illustrated. However, to minimize wires on intervening cables, a serializer and deserializer is inserted between the processor system and the keypad forming a virtual keypad. The processor scans the deserializer as if it were the keypad and the keypad is scanned by the serializer as if it were the processor. The serializer converts the scanning of the keypad into a serial bit stream and clock that is sent to the deserializer. The deserializer accepts the serial bit stream and reconfigures the data into a response that mimics the response of the physical keypad. In one embodiment an actual second keypad is formed in the deserializer and activated as the first keypad is activated.
US08321597B2
A smart flash drive has one or more levels of smart storage switches and a lower level of single-chip flash devices (SCFD's). A SCFD contains flash memory and controllers that perform low-level bad-block mapping and wear-leveling and logical-to-physical block mapping. The SCFD report their capacity, arrangement, and maximum wear-level count (WLC) and bad block number (BBN) to the upstream smart storage switch, which stores this information in a structure register. The smart storage switch selects the SCFD with the maximum BBN as the target and the SCFD with the lowest maximum WLC as the source of a swap for wear leveling when a WLC exceeds a threshold that rises over time. A top-level smart storage switch receives consolidated capacity, arrangement, WLC, and BBN information from lower-level smart storage switch. Data is striped and optionally scrambled by Redundant Array of Individual Disks (RAID) controllers in all levels of smart storage switches.
US08321594B2
Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for providing low-latency handling of events and/or requesting actions of external resources in a real time environment while utilizing non-real time components. According to one embodiment, a system for providing low-latency handling of events in a real time environment while utilizing non-real time components can comprise an external resource and a resource adapter communicatively coupled with the external resource. The resource adapter can be adapted to detect events of the external resource and/or request actions of the external resource. The system can also include at least one local application communicatively coupled with the resource adapter. The local application can have a local interface and the local application can interact with the resource adapter via the local interface.
US08321587B2
A mobile ad-hoc network device includes application software. The device constructs its routing table, listing reachable devices with the same application software. The routing table knowledge is dynamic, as devices enter and leave the network or their parameters change.
US08321582B2
A communication application configured to support a conversation among participants over a communication network. The communication application is configured to (i) support one or more media types within the context of the conversation, (ii) interleave the one or more media types in a time-indexed order within the context of the conversation, (iii) enable the participants to render the conversation including the interleaved one or more media types in either a real-time rendering mode or time-shifted rendering mode, and (iv) seamlessly transition the conversation between the two modes so that the conversation may take place substantially live when in the real-time rendering mode or asynchronously when in the time-shifted rendering mode.
US08321580B2
In a network having transaction acceleration, for an accelerated transaction, a client directs a request to a client-side transaction handler that forwards the request to a server-side transaction handler, which in turn provides the request, or a representation thereof, to a server for responding to the request. The server sends the response to the server-side transaction handler, which forwards the response to the client-side transaction handler, which in turn provides the response to the client.
US08321579B2
Systems and methods for parallel stream item counting are disclosed. A data stream is partitioned into portions and the portions are assigned to a plurality of processing cores. A sequential kernel is executed at each processing core to compute a local count for items in an assigned portion of the data stream for that processing core. The counts are aggregated for all the processing cores to determine a final count for the items in the data stream. A frequency-aware counting method (FCM) for data streams includes dynamically capturing relative frequency phases of items from a data stream and placing the items in a sketch structure using a plurality of hash functions where a number of hash functions is based on the frequency phase of the item. A zero-frequency table is provided to reduce errors due to absent items.
US08321569B2
A method, programmed medium and system are disclosed which provide for end-to-end QoS for a set of processes that comprise a workload over nfs. A set of processes that comprise a workload such as the processes of a WPAR, or an entire LPAR are given a class designation and assigned priority/limits. The data are then passed to the server which allocates resources based on the sum total of all the current classes and their priorities and/or limits. This requires re-engineering the nfs client code to be workload-aware and the nfs server code to accommodate the resource allocation and prioritization needs of the nfs clients.
US08321568B2
A system and method for management and processing of resource requests is provided. A content delivery network service provider determines a class associated with a set of client computing devices and monitors resources requests for the determined class. The content delivery network service provider then identifies at least one cache component for providing content to client computing devices as a function of the determined class. In other embodiments, instead of cache components, the content delivery network service provider identifies a second set of client computing devices as a function of the determined class for providing the content information.
US08321567B1
A method for managing Internet Protocol (IP) addresses on a data communications network includes allocating multiple local IP address pools, requesting IP address usage data from one or more of the network edge devices, receiving the requested IP address usage data, determining whether the local IP address pools should be reallocated based upon the requested IP address usage data, reallocating one or more of the local IP address pools based upon the determination and updating one or more of the local IP address pool databases and a global IP pool database based upon the reallocating. Each of the local IP address pools is associated with a different network edge device that is capable of accepting connection requests requiring an IP address. The global IP address pool database includes the information maintained in each local IP address pool. A network edge device capable of managing IP addresses on a data communications network includes an allocator capable of allocating multiple local IP address pools, a receiver capable of receiving a communication, an allocator capable of allocating an available IP address from the local IP address pool if the communication includes a connection request, a determiner capable of determining whether the local IP address pool should be adjusted, a notifier capable of sending an alarm message to an IP pool manager when the IP address pool should be adjusted and a memory capable of storing an IP address allocation when the communication includes an IP address allocation.
US08321552B2
The present disclosure relates to a method and a device for creating an MO instance in the management tree of a terminal device. The method for creating the MO instance in the management tree of the terminal device comprises adding the node value to an unnamed node or a specified node of the unnamed node in the MO of the management tree in the terminal device, obtaining data information relative to the content of the unnamed node or the specified node of the unnamed node, generating the name of the unnamed node according to the data information, and adding the MO instance into the management tree of the terminal device. The present disclosure accordingly provides a communications device.
US08321546B2
Techniques are provided for implementing the WS-DeviceProfile standard as a multi-threaded process (“DFM”) executing on a multi-function peripheral (“MFP”). The DFM takes care of the discovery of devices and services on a network. The DFM also acts as a facility manager. The DFM implements various web services in a single component that applications can re-use. The DFM insulates these applications from some of the more complex details of the web services that the DFM implements. The MFP may comprise several different applications that each use web services provided by the DFM. The threads of the DFM can handle separate tasks concurrently. For example, one thread, of the multi-threaded DFM, may perform one or more functions specified by the WS-DeviceProfile protocol, while another thread may perform one or more functions specified by a WS-Discovery protocol.
US08321542B1
A system and method are provided for allocating wireless channels in a base station processor to messages sent between a subscriber and the base station processor in a wireless network. A latency period is determined corresponding to a return message to be received from a responsive node in response to an outgoing message sent from a sender via the base station processor. A latency manager in the base station processor computes the latency period and stores the latency period in an allocation table. A scheduler schedules a channel to be available at the end of the latency period indicated in the allocation table. At the end of the latency period, the return message is received and the scheduler allocates a channel as defined in the allocation table. The scheduled channel is used to transmit the message to or from the corresponding subscriber.
US08321540B2
A push update system for a security system having a plurality of network nodes connected in a hierarchy to a root node, including: (i) an upstream agent of an upstream node for sending updates for respective downstream nodes; (ii) a schedule agent for scheduling processing by the upstream agent; (iii) a downstream agent of a downstream node for receiving and storing updates; and (iv) an update agent for processing received updates to queue updates for a downstream node. The root node includes the upstream agent and the schedule agent. Leaf nodes include the downstream agent, and intermediate nodes include all four agents. The updates include Internet threat signatures for Internet protection appliances of the leaf nodes.
US08321535B2
Methods, systems, and machine-readable mediums are disclosed to integrate web services with applications. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed which comprises determining an operation provided by a web service, determining an more input parameter associated with the operation, mapping the input parameter to an application input data parameter associated with an application, and storing the mapping in setup information used to invoke the operation. In another embodiment, a method comprises obtaining setup information for an operation associated with a web service, using the setup information to determine mappings between one or more input parameters associated with the operation and application input data parameters, obtaining a value associated with an application input data parameter for each of the application input data parameters mapped to one of the input parameters, and invoking the web service using the obtained values.
US08321532B2
An information processing system includes: an external device; and information processing terminals. The information processing terminal includes: a storage unit configured to store identification information unique to the information processing terminal; an obtaining unit configured to obtain media information from the external device, the media information relating to a recording medium attached to the external device; a detecting unit configured to detect notification destination identification information from the media information, the notification destination identification information indicating a notification destination of information relating to the recording medium; a first determining unit configured to determine whether the notification destination identification information matches the identification information; and a notification executing unit configured to execute a notification relating to the recording medium attached to the external device, if the first determining unit determines that the notification destination identification information matches the identification information.
US08321522B2
Systems and methods for reducing latency on a remotely-booted information handling system are disclosed. A method for access and management of remote data may include receiving from a host a standard input-output instruction including a persistent image update (PIU) parameter indicating a request by the host to access a shared computer-readable medium storing an image shared by the host and one or more other hosts. The method may further include determining a value of the PIU parameter and determining whether to allow the host to access the shared computer readable medium based at least on the value of the PIU parameter.
US08321521B1
A method and system for cache optimization in a hybrid solid state drive and magnetic storage cache architecture for a content delivery network (CDN) is disclosed. The CDN has a number of geographically distributed points of presence (POPs) across the Internet. Customers of the CDN pay for storage of content objects. Cache management in a POP analyzes information related to content objects to determine if storage will be on a solid state drive (SSD) instead of a magnetic drive. The information used in this analysis is from the application layer or above in the open systems interconnection (OSI) model. The content objects are delivered from either the SSD or magnetic storage to end users.
US08321505B1
Disclosed are various embodiments for generating and/or processing a preview bundle. Embodiments include receiving a request from a client to generate a preview network page that corresponds to a production network page generated in a production environment. Embodiments further include specifying at least a portion of the preview network page as a user developed portion. Embodiments also include generating the preview network page that is based at least upon the production network page and by replacing source elements of the production network page associated with the user developed portion with at least one data structure element that contains the data elements referenced by the source elements of the corresponding production network page.
US08321500B2
The present invention discloses a method and system for generating Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) message, wherein, at least one first information sets are pre-stored and each of the first information sets contains at least one piece of information. The method comprises: generating a first SOAP message which contains a second information set that contains at least one piece of information; retrieving a first information set that corresponds to the second information set; and generating a second SOAP message using the retrieved first information set and the first SOAP message.
US08321482B2
A stub directory is written out to a storage device for multiple files in a container file, the stub directory including identifiers of the multiple files but excluding data of the multiple files. In response to a request to access one file of the multiple files, the data of the one file is written out to the storage device. A requested modification is allowed to be performed on the one file written out to the storage device to generate a modified version of the file. After modification of the one file is completed, a previous version of the file in the container file is replaced with the modified version of the file.
US08321476B2
A system, method, and computer program product are provided for sorting a set of records in a sort run. As the records are sorted, metadata regarding the sort run is gathered, and subsequently used to determine bounds of two or more disjoint subsets of the sort run. This enables the parallelization of several tasks over the sort run data using efficient, dynamic bounds determination, such as the outputting of sorted data from the disjoint subsets in parallel.
US08321473B2
An Object Customization and Management (OCM) system is configured to identify an object for creating a website based on a business objective. The OCM system includes a customizing module configured to determine qualitative attribute categories for a plurality of objects operable to be used in websites. The module assigns the plurality of objects to the qualitative attribute categories. The OCM system also includes a data management module configured to receive a request for one of the plurality of objects to be used to achieve the business objective. This module also matches the business objective with one of the qualitative attribute categories, and selects an object in the matched qualitative attribute category for the request.
US08321465B2
Systems and methods are provided for the provision of data for transmission and/or storage, the transmission and storage of data, and, more particularly, to data coding for transmission and/or storage and to decoding of received and/or accessed or retrieved coded data. In an embodiment of the invention, data is assembled into coded data structures comprising a plurality of fields that, e.g., may contain actual or implied field values, and data associated therewith that relates to the plurality of fields. Encoding and decoding of the data may take place with reference to one or more associated data models, and a coded data structure according to this embodiment may contain content only (field values and data identifying the structure). This allows for a reduction in size of the data structure as compared to, e.g., a data structure comprising program code or all data needed to describe the data in the data structure.
US08321463B2
A system may receive a request for comments associated with a particular document, identify a comment associated with the particular document, generate an objective score for the comment that is independent of a user associated with the request, identify the user associated with the request, generate a subjective score for the comment based on parameters associated with the identified user, generate a combined score for the comment by combining the objective score and the subjective score, and provide the comment, ranked based on the combined score, to the user for presentation with the particular document.
US08321459B2
The present invention provides a method and system for facilitating access to always current contact information. Users submit their personal contact information or a collection of third party contact information or both to a storage location, where records are being searched for identical or similar entries. In case of a match the third party contact information is replaced with a link or pointer to the personal contact information entry of the owner of the information. As long as the owner of the information updates his records in the storage location, all third party contact information collections are also kept up to date and users will benefit from the most accurate and current contact information available.
US08321457B2
Techniques for building a web site with database components include a web site building appliance having a processor, a computer readable medium, and a special purpose operating system. The computer-readable medium carries a web site wizard including a template and instructions. The template holds data indicating a first arrangement of components associated with a first type of web site. The instructions configure the processor for presenting a user with a series of one or more user interfaces including controls for modifying the first arrangement of components. The instructions also configure the processor for receiving input from the user in response to user interaction with the controls indicating a modified arrangement. The instructions further configure the processor for building the web site automatically in response to the input from the user. The web site is based on the modified arrangement. The special purpose operating system has features and configuration dictated by the web site wizard and supporting program components.
US08321456B2
A method of automatically generating metadata for association with a collection of content items accessible to a system (1) for processing data included in the content items, includes obtaining sets of metadata associated with the content items individually, each set of metadata including at least one attribute value associated with the content item. At least one distribution of values of an attribute over the sets of metadata associated with the respective content items is analyzed. At least one attribute value is selected in dependence on the analysis. The selected attribute value(s) are processed to generate the metadata for association with the collection, and the generated metadata are made available to the system (1) for processing data included in the content items in connection with an identification of the collection of content items.
US08321453B2
A communication system includes: a communication device; and a data receiver that is configured so as to be capable of being connected to the communication device. The communication device includes: a content summary receiving unit that is configured so as to be capable of receiving content summary data transmitted from an external device, the content summary data including at least positional data and title data for content data; and a positional data transmitting unit. The data receiver includes a scheduled port querying unit that is configured to transmit to the communication device a query querying the communication device for a scheduled port. The communication device further includes: a scheduled port notifying unit that, upon receiving the scheduled port query from the data receiver, transmits to the data receiver a scheduled port notification indicating the scheduled port. The data receiver further includes: a determining unit that determines whether the scheduled port indicated in the scheduled port notification is available; and an availability notifying unit that transmits to the communication device an availability notification indicating the scheduled port that is determined as being available. The communication device further includes: an active port setting unit that sets the scheduled port indicated by the availability notification as an active port; and an active port notifying unit that transmits to the data receiver an active port notification indicating the active port. The positional data transmitting unit transmits the positional data for the content data to the data receiver through the active port at a prescribed timing and according to the prescribed communication protocol.
US08321447B2
An adaptive query throttling system and method are provided herein.
US08321446B2
A search query is received from a single input field of a user interface. A keyword search is performed based on the search query to generate keyword search results. A natural language search is performed of a frequently-asked question (FAQ) database based on the search query to generate FAQ search results. The keyword search results and the FAQ search results are combined in a display page.
US08321445B2
A search engine server system receives from a client system a search query and identifies a set of documents in accordance with the search query. A content snippet corresponding to content in a respective document of the identified set of documents is generated, the content snippet associated with at least one query term of the one or more query terms in the search query. A response to the search query is returned to the client system, the response including information identifying at least the respective document and including the content snippet. Generating the content snippet includes performing a first decompression operation on first token identifiers, from a compressed document repository, to provide a set of second token identifiers, and performing a second decompression operation on the set of second token identifiers to recover uncompressed content comprising a portion of the respective document.
US08321431B2
The present invention extends to methods, systems, and computer program products for iteratively and interactively searching for information. Embodiments of the invention can provide a user with relevant location-specific information in response to a query from the user. Provided information can also be relevant to a user's predicted future behavior. As context for a user is obtained and/or accumulated, such as, for example, through an interactive query dialogue, the probability of providing relevant information in response to a query from the user increases.
US08321426B2
In one embodiment, a first text fragment is made available for copying from a fragment repository. The first text fragment is electronically linked to a second text fragment that is a copy of the first text fragment, the second text fragment included in a container external to the fragment repository. A rating is provided for a derivative of the second fragment created within the container. A third text fragment that is a derivative of the second text fragment is received at the fragment repository. The first and third text fragments are electronically linked, and the third text fragment is made available for copying.
US08321424B2
Systems and methods for bipartite graph reinforcement modeling to annotate web images are described. In one aspect the systems and methods implement bipartite graph reinforcement modeling operations to identify a set of annotations that are relevant to a Web image. The systems and methods annotate the Web image with the identified annotations. The systems and methods then index the annotated Web image. Responsive to receiving an image search query from a user, wherein the image search query comprises information relevant to at least a subset of the identified annotations, the image search engine service presents the annotated Web image to the user.
US08321423B1
A method of sharing user data with a plurality of web-based financial calculators includes obtaining a user request for a selected web-based financial calculator from the plurality of web-based financial calculators and identifying at least one input data element required by the selected web-based financial calculator. The method also includes searching a relational database, storing data shared by the plurality of web-based financial calculators, for the at least one identified input data element and determining whether there are any values in the relational database for the at least one identified input data element that are associated with the user. The method further includes populating the at least one identified input data element in the selected web-based financial calculator with a value associated with the user for the at least one identified input data element and providing the selected web-based financial calculator to the user.
US08321412B2
A digital data processing method for information retrieval and an information retrieval system thereof are provided. In an embodiment, the information retrieval system trains a personalized model according to a user's feedback perceptions of at least one information piece. With respect to information pieces and different users, the information retrieval system performs estimation, based on two different stages with a generalized model and the trained personalized model.
US08321394B2
A method and a system are provided for matching a fingerprint, for example, an audio fingerprint. In one example, the system receives, from a user device, a chapter and a query about the chapter. The chapter includes computer readable data generated from a waveform of an audio signal. The query is a request to receive data related to the chapter. The system generates, at a computer, a fingerprint of the chapter. The fingerprint includes at least a digital measure of certain properties of the waveform of the audio signal. The system generates, at a computer, a hash value of the fingerprint by applying a hash function to at least a portion of the fingerprint of the chapter. The hash value serves as an identifier for the fingerprint. The system looks up, in a database system, a matching hash value for the hash value of the fingerprint.
US08321378B2
Methods and apparatus for managing information related to backup storage activities of data storage systems. In a computer system having one or more independent backup data storage systems coupled to each other and each serving one or more clients, a user may obtain information related to backup activities of any of the backup storage systems from a single location. Through a user interface associated with any of the backup storage systems, or through a stand alone user interface, a user may manage (e.g., organize, display, print) information related to backup activities of any or all of the backup storage systems. System administrators can design and store a variety of report formats that may be utilized by any user to display or print various parameters associated with backup activities in a particular manner. Report formats may be edited by users, and displayed parameters may be dynamically updated to provide for active monitoring of one or more backup storage systems. Additionally, periodic backup activity reports can be generated and automatically sent to designated locations, for example to one or more printers and/or to one or more designated recipients via E-mail.
US08321369B2
There is disclosed an anti-intrusion method for a communication network comprising a plurality of network elements. The method comprising the following steps: a) providing a passive monitoring component, a decision making component, and an action making component cooperating with the communication network; b) at the passive monitoring component, detecting management information indicative of an attack against at least one network element, processing the management information thus generating infection data and transmitting the infection data to the decision making component; c) at the decision making component, receiving the infection data, making a decision about an action to be carried out to block the attack, and transmitting the decision to the action making component; and d) at the action making component, based on the decision, instructing the at least one network element to perform the action.
US08321367B2
A data processing apparatus includes an input unit that receives input data, a calculating unit that calculates a feature vector, a selection receiving unit that presents processing options to a user and receives a user selection, a storing unit stores processing history information, and a predictor constructing unit that constructs a predictor for an identifying algorithm that predicts optimal processing for input data based on processing history information stored in a history database. An optimal function predicting unit predicts optimal processing based on a feature vector calculated for new data by using the predictor and an evaluating unit evaluates work efficiency for the predicted optimal processing, wherein the evaluating unit is configured to evaluate work efficiency for the optimal processing based on a prediction accuracy of the predictor and a user specific working time that is required for each user to select one of the processing options with the selection receiving unit. Finally, a presenting unit presents the optimal processing to a user when an evaluation result obtained by the evaluating unit is equal to or greater than a threshold.
US08321359B2
A novel method of automated, real-time website optimization at least includes: a) receiving website optimization data including an optimization goal, and website source code; b) receiving website optimization criteria indicative of the completion of a website optimization experiment; c) executing an optimization algorithm used to select an optimized website version; d) comparing the output of the optimization algorithm with the website optimization goal to determine whether the website version under consideration is optimized; e) providing feedback from the output of the executed optimization algorithm to an input of the optimization algorithm; f) based upon the feedback, determining the next iterative step of the optimization algorithm; g) performing new iterative steps of the optimization algorithm; h) converging to an optimized website state; and i) modifying the website source code to implement the optimum version of the website.
US08321358B2
An interpersonal relationships analysis method and system obtains an album comprising a plurality of photos, and recognize faces in each of the plurality of photos. The method and system further selects one of the recognized faces, matches the selected face with portraits stored in a person management database, so as to obtain basic information of a person with the selected face from the person management database. The method and system then analyzes an interpersonal relationship of the person with the selected face according to the album, and shows the interpersonal relationship of the person with the selected face.
US08321357B2
A system and method for extracting information from at least one document in at least one set of documents, the method comprising: generating, using at least one ranking and/or matching processor, at least one ranked possible match list comprising at least one possible match for at least one target entry on the at least one document, the at least one ranked possible match list based on at least one attribute score and at least one localization score.
US08321350B2
We provide techniques for uniquely linking security elements in identification documents. In one implementation we provide a digital watermark embedded on, and a smartcard chip embedded in, an identification document. The smart card chip includes a hash or a reduced-bit representation of the digital watermark, while the digital watermark includes a hash of information stored on the smartcard chip. In another implementation we cross-correlate encryption keys carried by various machine-readable features on an identification document. In still another implementation, we embed biometric information, which is stored in smartcard electronic circuitry, with a digital watermark. In one case the watermark is reversible, so that it can be removed to yield unmarked biometric information. In another case the watermark is fragile, to reveal whether the biometric information has been subjected to a transformation. In yet another implementation, we provide a jurisdictional indicator on an identification document. The jurisdictional indicator helps in decoding a digital watermark on the identification document.
US08321349B2
A method is provided of operating a self-service check depositing terminal to provide an acknowledgement receipt. The method comprises identifying a depositor, receiving one or more checks from the depositor, generating a check deposit receipt associated with the transaction, obtaining an electronic mail (email) address associated with the identified depositor, attaching the check deposit transaction receipt to the email, printing an acknowledgement receipt which contains the email address, and delivering the printed acknowledgment receipt to the depositor. In another embodiment, the printed acknowledgement receipt may contain a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) associated with the check deposit receipt.
US08321347B2
Money transfer system authorizing an escrow agent computer electronically by touch-tone telephone, computer modem, P.O.S. (point of sale) terminal, live operators, to send cash transfers from a sender's account such as their credit, debit, bank, or ATM card, or a bank account, to a recipient who accesses the money at any remote ATM type location or P.O.S. (point of sale) terminal by using cards such as a specialized magnetic cards, credit cards, debit cards, and automated teller machine (ATM) card, at anytime and anywhere. Senders can authorize the transfer by touch-tone and PIN (personal identification number) secure codes. The system can operate without pre-existing relationships, and monitor transactions and take surcharges based on transfer amounts, and use a cards tethered to ATM machines and be used with double magnetic sided cards.
US08321345B2
An interface and device architecture for a payment device. An interface between a payment application installed in a payment device and one or more value-add applications (such as loyalty programs, transit applications, etc.) that are also installed in the payment device. The API or interface design permits communications and data transfer between the payment application and one or more value-add applications. This reduces (and in some cases may prevent) the need for back-end server processing of data that may be relevant to both a payment transaction and to a function of the value-add application. Similarly, the same or another API or interface may enable communications and data transfer between a value-add application and the payment application.
US08321337B2
There are disclosed methods and systems for identifying an embedded device to a server system so as to provide an improved permission and billing relationship. The invention enables transaction activities by networked devices, each device being connectable to at least one server and associated with at least one stakeholder, wherein each device and each stakeholder has a unique identifier, and wherein there is provided a plurality of electronic certificates each owned by a stakeholder or on behalf of a device, the certificates being held on the at least one server and comprising a data structure which, when interpreted by the at least one server, determines whether a particular device acting on behalf of a particular stakeholder is entitled to carry out a transaction.
US08321336B2
The present invention relates to a mortgage having a forward portion and a reverse portion. In the forward portion, the borrower receives a loan from a lender in order to purchase a property, such as a home. In the reverse portion, the property has accumulated sufficient equity to enable the lender to disburse funds back to the borrower. The present disclosure describes various computer systems and computer-implemented methods that assist in planning for this type of mortgage. Various factors may be considered, such as, the initial loan principal, ages of one or more borrowers, and a desired mortgage interest rate, and calculates. Different scenarios for conversion from the forward portion to the reverse portion of the mortgage may then be calculated and presented. For example, one or more forward mortgage payment schedules may be calculated and future reverse mortgage capacity may be presented. In some embodiments, the reverse mortgage capacity is used to pay some or all of the forward mortgage portion.
US08321333B2
Determination of a margin requirement associated with a plurality of financial instruments within a portfolio is disclosed for analyzing the portfolio including determining a first and second time-series of returns for the financial instruments, where the second time-series occurs after the first, and calculating the correlation between the first and second time-series of returns. The system and method further implement calculating residuals and volatilities for the financial instruments within the portfolio as a function of the first time-series of returns, calculating a correlation matrix and degrees-of-freedom utilized to simulate standardized residuals for each of the financial instruments within the portfolio, generating simulated returns as a function of the simulated standardized residuals and the returns, generating a spread distribution for the portfolio, wherein the portfolio is repriced as a function of the simulated returns, and calculating a margin risk based on a risk percentile associated with the spread distribution.
US08321331B2
An interface for trading multiple tradable objects includes a price axis or scale. A first indication of quantities represented in a market for a first tradable object is displayed in association with the price axis or scale. A second indication of quantities represented in the market for a second tradable object is displayed in association with the price axis or scale. The first tradable object may be different than the second tradable object. Alternatively, the first tradable object and the second tradable object may be the same, but the indications of quantity may be provided from different sources, such as different exchanges.
US08321321B2
A computerized online marketplace that facilitates the acquisition of funding and services for the development and operation of an online business. It provides a variety of investment opportunities for investors and facilitates an entrepreneur's acquisition of capital as well as skills and services needed to start an online business. Possible investment channels for potential investors comprise: money; skills; and services. Investors are awarded investment points for monetary and non-monetary investments and are compensated according to their points. Monetary compensation is awarded periodically to investors according to their rank in relation to the respective investor base of a given business entity. Businesses are hosted at the online marketplace and all aspects of investment and operations are managed through the marketplace thereby facilitating interactions between all parties involved in business initiation, development and operation, including customers.
US08321320B1
An analysis system and method are provided in which out-of-bound accounts can be easily identified and rebalanced.
US08321311B2
A method for submitting information for an engagement is disclosed. The method might include the steps of generating a tracking screen for tracking the submission of a plurality of files, including a tax file and an image file, each file having the same client identification code, receiving the tax file from a first client device, and updating the tracking screen to reflect the submission of the tax file. The method further might include the steps of receiving an image file from a second client device, updating the tracking screen to reflect the submission of the image file, and transmitting the plurality of files to a remote server system.
US08321306B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for implementing a software architecture design for a software application implementing the selling of project-based services are disclosed. 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 a Project Processing process component that supports the management of projects, a Supplier Invoice Processing process component that manages supplier invoices, an Accounting process component that records relevant business transactions, a Customer Invoice Processing process component that manages customer invoices, and a Goods and Service Acknowledgement process component that receives a confirmation from an employee of goods received or services rendered.
US08321300B1
Systems and methods for distributing user-generated content are disclosed. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention may allow content to be generated by a user at a manufacturer's site with respect to a corresponding product and this content distributed to one or more retailers who sell that product such that the user-generated content may be incorporated into the retailer's site or brick and mortar location in conjunction with that product to allow consumers shopping at that retailer to access or view such user-generated content.
US08321298B2
A real-time, localized and mobile matching method for proxy purchase includes the following steps: position information of several default purchasing agents is received. At least one purchase request is received from at least one client. The purchase request includes information of at least one product to be purchased and location of at least one vendor of the product to be purchased. Candidate purchasing agents, position information of which corresponds to the location of the vendor of the product to be purchased, are filtered from the default purchasing agents. The information of the candidate purchasing agents is transmitted to the client, such that a selection signal, which includes information of a selected purchasing agent selected from the candidate purchasing agents, is received from the client. The purchase request is transmitted to the selected purchasing agent through a wireless communication network.
US08321296B2
A method of distributing charge capacity to electric vehicles in a charging system that includes a solar charge capacity generated locally. The method may include: determining a requested charge for the plurality of electric vehicles, calculating a requested charge time, the solar charge capacity comprising the total charging capacity of the charging system via solar generated energy; calculating a charge time capacity, the charge time capacity comprising the available charge time of the charging system; comparing the requested charge to the solar charge capacity; comparing the requested charge time to the charge time capacity; and if it is determined that either the requested charge is greater than the solar charge capacity or the requested charge time is greater than the charge time capacity, auctioning the solar charge capacity to operators of the plurality of electric vehicles.
US08321285B1
A method and system for routing transactions to a mobile-commerce platform is described. One illustrative embodiment receives, via a network, a purchase request from a user's mobile communication device; authenticates the user to the mobile-commerce platform; generates a one-time-use perishable transaction code associated with the purchase request; prefixes to the transaction code an Issuer Identification Number (IIN) corresponding to the mobile-commerce platform to form a combined number; returns the combined number to the user's mobile communication device via the network to enable the user to provide the combined number to a merchant's point-of-sale system in connection with a transaction corresponding to the purchase request; and receives, via a payment network in communication with the merchant's point-of-sale system, the transaction code and transaction details associated with the transaction, the IIN informing the payment network to route the one-time-use perishable transaction code and the transaction details to the mobile-commerce platform.
US08321277B2
A method for voice ordering utilizing catalog taxonomies and hierarchical categorization relationships in product information management (PIM) systems includes: prompting a user with a query to input speech into a speech recognition engine; translating the inputted speech into a series of words; querying a product information management component (PIM) based on the series of words; wherein the querying is performed as a matching algorithm against PIM category and attribute keywords; returning coded results to a voice synthesizer to produce at least one of: a voice response, and a text response to the user; and wherein in the coded results indicate one or more of: a not found message for zero matches, a confirmation of a suitable single match, a request for additional information in the event one or more of the following occurs: more than one matching item, category, and item attribute was found in the PIM.
US08321275B2
A system and method provide advertisement campaign information about an advertisement campaign to an advertiser. The system includes means for organizing advertisement campaign information into one or more ad groups and a web interface to receive advertiser inputs and provide a visual report including the advertisement campaign information to the advertiser. The system further includes a campaign data store configured to store advertisement campaign account data and a reporting system to produce the visual report about performance of the advertisement campaign. The visual report is based on the organization of the advertisement campaign information into the one or more ad groups.
US08321266B2
The present invention relates to an advertisement information providing system and an advertisement information providing method. According to the present invention, when a data addresser transmits data to a data addressee through a data transmitting server of a network service medium or when the data addressee receives data from the data addresser through a data receiving server of the network service medium, an advertisement matched with the field of interests of which the data addresser and the data addressee are the most interested is generated in real-time and the generated advertisement is transmitted to the data addresser or the data addressee.
US08321262B1
Systems and methods for optimizing marketing strategies. Various embodiments implement methods which can include generating a plurality of candidate solutions which satisfy pricing rationality constraints. The candidate solutions can be generated when processing resources are available for performing a Monte Carlo algorithm. The candidate solutions can be stored and a master and trade off metric can be selected. Values for these selected metrics can be evaluated (at the candidate solutions) and then input into the approximate efficient frontier algorithm. The algorithm can output an approximate efficient frontier. Users can select any of the efficient solutions on the frontier to obtain associated pricing recommendations by mousing over the efficient frontier. Various metrics associated with the efficient frontier may be updated at about the same time as the master and trade off metrics are selected.
US08321256B2
Opportunity distribution systems and methods distribute business opportunities received from lead sources for routing to one or more destination businesses that will make use the opportunity, such as an opportunity to place a webpage advertisement on a webpage that is being served to a viewer. The system identifies a set of most profitable destinations for each opportunity, for each routing, while complying with business rules associated with the opportunity source and the destination businesses. System variables associated with the lead source and the destinations may be advantageously adjusted to maintain desired flow rate and quality levels of leads to each destination and to maximize profit to the system. A system administrator module and log of lead transactions allows the system to review previous performance and to carry out simulations in order to identify desired adjustments to system variables.
US08321252B2
A yield management method and system are provided for enhancing revenue obtained from a given cargo flight capacity; the capacity being defined by the weight and volume of freights that may be transported. A set of historical profiles of capacity reserved by each category is stored for previous instances of the flight. Corresponding potential profiles are estimated independently for the weight and volume. The estimation is carried out taking into consideration the corresponding capacity currently reserved by the category for a future instance of the flight; and this result is emphasized according to a corresponding unconstrained demand for the category. A series of historical scenarios of the demand at the departure of previous instances of the flight are obtained from the potential profiles, and a stochastic model is applied to the historical scenarios according to the corresponding probabilities for calculating the optimised weight and volume authorizations for each category.
US08321249B2
A demographic attribute value of a sink online document may be determined by (a) accepting a value(s) of the demographic attribute of a source online document, (b) accepting, for each of the source online documents having an accepted demographic attribute value, a probability that a user will visit or has visited the sink online document if the user visited the source online document, and (c) determining the demographic attribute value of the sink online document using the demographic attribute value of each of the source online documents and the probabilities. A demographic attribute value of the sink online document may also be determined using the above information and using the demographic attribute value of each of the source online documents and the probabilities that a user will visit or has visited the sink online document if the user visited the other online document.
US08321241B1
A medical records software apparatus and method is described that allows a clinician, e.g., nurse or doctor, to combine entry of new patient orders, prescriptions, flowsheet observations, etc. into the documentation process or workflow. A documentation user interface is provided that pulls patient data from a database into the display. The user can select on the user interface a category of a patient record, e.g., Significant Events or Orders, view or edit prior entries in the database in these categories, and add additional documentation for that category. The documentation is written or pushed to two areas of the database, one devoted to patient documentation and a second area corresponding to the selected category, e.g., Orders. The method and apparatus improves workflow efficiency and promotes a smooth transition from the thought process of the clinician to the ordering or prescription process, without the need for changing venues or screen displays to both enter documentation and enter the order or new prescription.
US08321235B2
An electronic transaction may be processed by receiving an order to execute a transaction electronically, identifying a format for the order, identifying a version of the format, retrieving a metasyntax with a rule related to the identified format and the identified version, the rule defining one or more acceptable arrangements of one or more elements in the transaction, relating the order to the metasyntax, determining whether the order conforms to the metasyntax, and forwarding the order for subsequent processing when the order conforms to the metasyntax.
US08321234B2
Estimations of carbon dioxide (“C02”) emission of an entity upon the condition of incomplete or missing data uses one or more algorithms implemented in a machine having a processor and a memory and data concerning the entity. The data is applied to an algorithm implemented as code executable in the processor. The algorithm produces a result that comprises an estimate of the C02 emission of the entity. The C02 emission estimate can be output to a user, and the underlying formula and data can inspected and optionally modified by users with suitable permissions. The C02 emission estimate can be applied as a factor in a formula to compute a rating for the entity which can be output from the machine. Error estimates associated with the data used by the algorithm can be generated to provide improved estimates.
US08321233B2
A computationally implemented method includes, but is not limited to: providing a plurality of relevant reported aspects associated with a plurality of source users that are relevant to achieving one or more target outcomes, the providing of the plurality of relevant reported aspects being based, at least in part, on relevancy of the plurality of relevant reported aspects with respect to the one or more target outcomes; and developing a template designed to facilitate one or more end users to achieve the one or more target outcomes when one or more emulatable aspects included in the template are emulated, the development of the template being based, at least in part, on the providing of the plurality of relevant reported aspects associated with the plurality of source users In addition to the foregoing, other method aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text forming a part of the present disclosure.
US08321229B2
A method and apparatus to encoding or decoding an audio signal is provided. In the method and apparatus, a noise-floor level to use in encoding or decoding a high frequency signal is updated according to the degree of a voiced or unvoiced sound included in the signal.
US08321225B1
The subject matter of this specification can be implemented in, among other things, a computer-implemented method including receiving text to be synthesized as a spoken utterance. The method includes analyzing the received text to determine attributes of the received text and selecting one or more utterances from a database based on a comparison between the attributes of the received text and attributes of text representing the stored utterances. The method includes determining, for each utterance, a distance between a contour of the utterance and a hypothetical contour of the spoken utterance, the determination based on a model that relates distances between pairs of contours of the utterances to relationships between attributes of text for the pairs. The method includes selecting a final utterance having a contour with a closest distance to the hypothetical contour and generating a contour for the received text based on the contour of the final utterance.
US08321212B2
A device, computer program product and method for supporting multi-language of a mobile terminal comprising: receiving broadcast data; checking whether a selected broadcast channel supports multi-language based on additional information of the received broadcast data; and outputting an indication message when the broadcast channel supports the multi-language, whereby a user can flexibly set a broadcast language of his desired channel during or before broadcasting outputted, and also a use interface environment can be improved so as to facilitate the setup or change of the broadcast language.
US08321211B2
A method and system for multi-channel detection of pitch may comprise one or more of the following steps and/or means therefore: (a) sampling an audio input stream including at least a first channel and a second channel; (b) setting a search frequency for each of the first channel and the second channel; and (c) detecting a pitch of the first channel and a pitch of the second channel.
US08321208B2
An information extraction unit extracts spectral envelope information of L-dimension from each frame of speech data by discrete Fourier transform. The spectral envelope information is represented by L points. A basis storage unit stores N bases (L>N>1). Each basis is differently a frequency band having a maximum as a peak frequency in a spectral domain having L-dimension. A value corresponding to a frequency outside the frequency band along a frequency axis of the spectral domain is zero. Two frequency bands of which two peak frequencies are adjacent along the frequency axis partially overlap. A parameter calculation unit minimizes a distortion between the spectral envelope information and a linear combination of each basis with a coefficient for each of L points of the spectral envelope information by changing the coefficient, and sets the coefficient of each basis from which the distortion is minimized to a spectral envelope parameter of the spectral envelope information.
US08321205B2
In order to know precisely and clearly what words mean, the DMTIPCI definitional method implements by use of a first algorithm steps for iteratively deconstructing all usage predicate words of all words in any language to their primary words, creating the DMTIPCI First Subject Word Dictionary. Primary words as herein defined are words that have no non-tautological words in their predicate(s). The second algorithm creates a list of all primary words and the third algorithm gives meanings to the primary words by citing examples of said primary words. All words are arranged under their primary words by a fourth algorithm creating a DMTIPCI Primary Word Dictionary. A fifth algorithm measures the accuracy of search engines.
US08321204B2
A system for generating a lexicon of words, organized into weighted categories, from a user defined set of example documents for detecting suspicious e-mails from a mail archive is provided. The system uses a set of example documents and e-mails given by the user to probabilistically find possible lists of critical words. The obtained list is now applied on an archive of e-mails. The system generates an inverted index on the mails from the archive to facilitate search for the key phrases. User feedback is taken on the results obtained and corrections in the lexicon made if necessary. Thus, the mails are scanned based on user feedback, user defined words and automatically generated word list. These lists constantly adapt as e-mails in the archive change. The system then combines all these to present the user with several possible sets of keywords and their relative importance that can be used as a policy for a desired level of accuracy. The system also shows the user any change if the set is modified. Finally, the system searches through the entire mail archive to find suspicious e-mails.
US08321200B2
A method for interpreting a Natural Language by an artificial construct using constraint satisfaction problem solving, comprises a) providing a plurality of ways suitable to define at least a grammar for at least a Natural Language, b) providing a plurality of constraint satisfaction problem instructions c) providing a plurality of values for solving a plurality of constraints, d) converting said plurality of constraints to at least one constraint satisfaction problem pattern, e) receiving a Natural Language construct, f) unifying said plurality of constraints through said at least one constraint satisfaction problem pattern at execution runtime by the artificial construct to solve the constraint satisfaction problem, g) interpreting said Natural Language construct according to a plurality of constraint satisfaction problem instructions, and h) answering to a Natural Language construct by a Natural Language construct.
US08321189B1
A method and apparatus is disclosed for improving analysis and design of physical structures whose dynamic behavior can be modeled as a linear dynamical system. The method and apparatus is operative to decouple the equations of motion of any linear dynamical systems therewith by processing the equations of motion of any linear dynamical system using a decoupling unit.
US08321172B2
A method for determining at least one air system variable in an air supply system of an internal combustion engine in successive, discrete calculation steps, a differential equation being provided with respect to the air system variable based on measured and/or modeled variables, which describe conditions in the air supply system, a difference equation being formed for the quantization of the differential equation according to an implicit method, and the difference equation being solved in each discrete calculation step, in order to obtain the air system variable.
US08321168B2
A method for compensating the drift of an element for position measurement mounted on an object, including at least one gyro for measuring rotation of the object about an axis and at least one accelerometer for measuring two mutually perpendicular components of the acceleration of gravity as a consequence of the orientation of the object relative to the acceleration of gravity along two mutually perpendicular directions, which together correspond to the rotation of the object about the axis. The output signal from the accelerometer and the output signal from the gyro are low-pass filtered. These two signals are compared and the output signal from the gyro is compensated using an output signal from the accelerometer so that the deviation of the output signal of the gyro because of drift is decreased or eliminated. The thus produced, compensated signal constitutes an output signal from the gyro.
US08321145B2
This invention relates to a cell expansion system and to a method of determining when to harvest cells from the cell expansion system.
US08321136B2
The present invention relates to a method and system for classifying biological specimen. A number of objects of interest are identified in a biological specimen. The nuclear area and nuclear integrated optical density for each object of interest in the specimen are measured and used for generating a scatter plot. The specimen is classified as normal or suspicious based on the distribution of points within the scatter plot.
US08321132B2
Apparatus, methods for forming the apparatus, and methods for operating the apparatus provide a value for a formation property or a borehole property from measurements obtained in a well. The value may be generated from determining a weighted average of the value for the formation property or the borehole property using both values corresponding to different azimuths and weights corresponding to different azimuths.
US08321128B2
A method of correcting a map matching and a navigation system for implementing the method are provided. The method includes: determining whether a vehicle turns by using an acceleration sensor; and performing a map matching correction by using the determination of whether the vehicle turns and Global Positioning System (GPS) information.
US08321123B2
A system and method for communicating with traffic detectors. A location of a vehicle is determined. A search is performed continuously for any of a number of traffic detectors in a wireless environment. A communication session is established with one of the number of traffic detectors in response to entering a range of one of the number of traffic detectors. A message associated with the one of the number of traffic detectors is communicated to the vehicle while the vehicle is within the range of one or more traffic detectors.
US08321121B2
A fuel injection control apparatus is provided with a supply control section, a stop control section, a timing estimating section and a torque recovery control section. The supply control section controls fuel supplied to an engine based on a detected prescribed vehicle running state. The stop control section stops supplying fuel upon detecting a first prescribed vehicle running state. The timing estimating section estimates a timing at which a drive train transmitting a drive force from the engine to a wheel will change from a non-drive state in which the engine rotates due to a force from the wheel to a drive state in which the wheel rotates due to a drive force of the engine. The torque recovery control section resumes supplying fuel upon detecting a second prescribed vehicle running state and stops resumption of fuel being supplied for a prescribed amount of time based on the timing.
US08321119B2
A method for assembling a gas turbine engine to prevent rotor over-speeding is described. The method includes serially coupling a first fuel system interface to a second fuel system interface, such that at least one of the first fuel system interface and the second fuel system interface is coupled to the gas turbine engine. The method also includes coupling a control system to the first fuel system interface and to the second fuel system interface. The control system is configured to identify an occurrence of an over-speed condition. The method also includes programming the control system to discontinue fuel flow to the engine when both the first fuel system interface and the second fuel system interface indicate an over-speed condition has occurred.
US08321109B2
A method and a device for controlling a clutch, for example an automatic friction clutch forming part of a drive train of a motor vehicle, for a torque transfer between an engine and a transmission, with the clutch having significant clutch way points assigned to it. For achieving the operational readiness of the clutch over the shortest possible time period, whereby an accurate clutch adjustment is still guaranteed, a clutch way point coordinate system is monitored by checking the point of engagement of the clutch, established through a learning process and having at least a relevant clutch way point for the starting procedure. In case of any recognized change(s), the clutch way point is suitably corrected or otherwise used as is.
US08321094B2
To provide an engine control system for a construction machine, which can decrease a consumption of energy to be required for the reduction of an engine lag-down that occurs upon a sudden increase in load, such as upon quick manipulation of a control device, is provided with a load condition detecting unit, a charge amount detecting unit, a boost pressure sensor, and a determination processing unit. The load condition detecting unit includes a manipulation stroke detector for detecting that a control device has been fully manipulated, and also, a first computation unit of a controller. The charge amount detecting unit can detect an amount of charge in a capacitor. The determination processing unit includes a determination processing unit of the controller. The determination processing unit performs processing to feed electric power from the capacitor to an electric motor if, when it has been detected in concomitance with manipulation of the control device by the load condition detecting means that a torque to be absorbed by a pump would exceed an output torque of an engine, a boost pressure detected by the boost pressure sensor is determined to be lower than a predetermined pressure, and moreover, an amount of charge in the capacitor as detected by the charge amount detecting unit is determined to be an amount of charge that can drive the electric motor for a predetermined time.
US08321093B2
The present invention relates to an agricultural working machine (2), in particular a forage harvester (1) with a device for adjusting the ground speed v, with which the maximum ground speed v of the agricultural working machine (2) is determined as a function of the tire pressure of at least one tire (14).
US08321086B2
A gateway control apparatus for vehicles includes a receiver receiving travel state information sent from sensors and vehicle ECUs through interfaces, a first memory storing the travel state information, a determination unit determining occurrence of a vehicle accident or an ECU malfunction based on the travel state information, a second memory, and a controller allowing the second memory to store malfunction information of an associated ECU among the travel state information if the ECU malfunction has occurred, and allowing the first memory to store pre-accident travel state information and post-accident vehicle state information with reference to an accident occurrence time point if the vehicle accident has occurred. The gateway control apparatus enables not only data communication between the ECUs having different communication modes, but also accurate analysis of causes of the vehicle accident or the ECU malfunction. A travel information recording method of the gateway control apparatus is also disclosed.
US08321083B2
An apparatus comprises a portable computer, and program code stored on the portable computer. The program code is capable of being executed to establish a communications link with an aircraft network data processing system in an aircraft, obtain information about the aircraft over the communications link, display the information on a display device for the portable computer, receive user input to control a data processing system on the aircraft network data processing system in the aircraft, and send a number of commands to the data processing system in response to receiving the user input.
US08321078B2
The object of the invention is in particular a method and a device for aiding in the control of systems installed on board an aircraft comprising at least one display device capable of displaying configuration parameters of the said aircraft and at least one associated acquisition device. After the state of the said aircraft has been determined (900), a plurality of elements to be displayed on the said at least one display device is selected (905), according to the said state of the said aircraft, in a predetermined set of elements comprising at least one parameter for configuration of the avionics, at least one parameter for configuration of support subsystems and at least one activatable representation of least one command of support subsystems of the said aircraft. The said plurality of elements is displayed on the said display device.
US08321072B2
A method for determining the quantity of fuel in an aircraft and an optimization criterion such as a cost index, notably used in an FMS, making it possible to maintain a time requirement of the RTA type, comprising a first step of computing the optimization criterion CIi as a function of the aircraft weight GWi-1 via a method of the RTA type and a second step of computing the weight of the aircraft GWi as a function of the optimization criterion Ci-1 computed in the first computation step and the aircraft weight GWi-1, executed by successive iterations, until the estimated flight time resulting from the computed parameters after the second computation step makes it possible to observe the time requirement to within a determined criterion δt, a last step determining the pair of values of aircraft weight GWi and of performance criterion CIi-1 allowing an optimal fuel payload and the maintenance of the RTA.
US08321068B2
A method is disclosed for plotting a trajectory portion (6, 6″), using flight management means of an aircraft, and linking a known position (7) of the aircraft to a point in space (4), denoted the “exit point”. A circular arc is defined, the coordinates of whose centre (1) are known, comprising two ends (3, 4) of known coordinates, one end of which is the exit point (4). The position of a transition point (5) is determined which is situated on the arc. The trajectory (6, 6″) by the flight management means of the aircraft is automatically plotted. The trajectory is successively linking the known position (7) of the aircraft, and the transition point (5) and the exit point (4).
US08321067B1
Disclosed are methods and devices for transitioning a mixed-mode autonomous vehicle from a human driven mode to an autonomously driven mode. Transitioning may include stopping a vehicle on a predefined landing strip and detecting a reference indicator. Based on the reference indicator, the vehicle may be able to know its exact position. Additionally, the vehicle may use the reference indictor to obtain an autonomous vehicle instruction via a URL. After the vehicle knows its precise location and has an autonomous vehicle instruction, it can operate in autonomous mode.
US08321065B2
A method is provided for the control/regulation of at least one task with the aid of a control program that monitors a runtime of the at least one task, the control program terminating the at least one task if the runtime of the at least one task exceeds a predefined period of time.
US08321061B2
An embodiment of the invention delivers water to plants of a specified type which reside in a quantity of soil. A condensing unit is operated at optimum intervals to condense water vapor in the air into water in liquid form. The condensed water is stored in a reservoir connected to an irrigation system, which can deliver water from the reservoir to each of the plants. A database is established that contains horticultural information, wherein the horticultural information comprises a set of values representing the water needed by plants of the specified type at different stages of growth. Estimates of soil moisture content are generated during a specified time period. Optimum watering intervals are computed during the specified time period, at least in part, as a function of the set of values contained in the horticultural database, and also as a function of the estimates of moisture content. The irrigation system is operated to deliver water to each plant during respective optimum watering intervals.
US08321052B2
A self-service kiosk apparatus is presented that has a plurality of secure service areas. Access to the plurality of secure service areas and the components of the kiosk system contained within each area is controlled. Authorization to access each secure service area is based on a person's level of training and security level.
US08321049B2
A converting line comprises a first unit at a first region of the converting line and a second unit at a second region of the converting line. The first unit is positioned in series with the second unit. The converting line further comprises a third unit at a third region of the converting line and a fourth unit at a fourth region of the converting line. The first, second, third, and fourth units are configured to each perform at least one function. The third unit is positioned in parallel with the first unit, the second unit, or the fourth unit. The converting line further comprises a controller configured to activate at least one of the units based a received product order. The converting line is configured to produce a first product different from a second product during a single run of the converting line.
US08321048B1
A method and apparatus is provided for associating operational data with workpieces and correlating the operational data with yield data. The method comprises processing a workpiece using a processing tool, associating the operational data with the workpiece during the processing of the workpiece and measuring the yield data associated with the processed workpiece. The method further comprises correlating the operational data with the yield data to make one or more determinations.
US08321047B2
A substrate processing system capable of extending and changing a substrate processing module easily according to changes of processing contents for a substrate. An embodiment is the system including a main device and sub-devices. A transfer controlling part includes an acquiring part that acquires transfer-destination specifying information that includes additional information identifying at least a local address and a substrate processing device to which the local address belongs, and that specifies a substrate transfer destination uniquely within the main device and the sub-devices, a judging part that judges which one of the main device, and the sub-devices is the substrate transfer destination based on the specifying information acquired by the acquiring part, and a local transfer part that transfers the substrate to a process chamber connected to a transfer chamber of its own device by using the address allocated uniquely within the own device.
US08321045B2
A production information reporting/recording system is disclosed herein including a number of features to ensure efficient, flexible and reliable recording of production data in a manufacturing system. Such features include validating the content of event messages to ensure compliance of event report information with a standard. The system also supports caching IDs associated with particular aspects of an event message (e.g., a production request, a process segment) as well as a unique ID corresponding to the ID assigned by the production event database to reduce the need to access the database when assigning unique database IDs to received events. The production event messaging system also supports both asynchronous and synchronous transactional messaging between the sources of events and the production database service. Furthermore, the system supports including extensions to a base production message schema through the inclusion of metadata that designates a particular production server to parse and apply/store the extension information.
US08321040B2
In order to operate a safety control in an automation network having a master subscriber which implements the safety control, the safety control is assigned an identifier. When loading the safety control, the master subscriber checks whether the stored identifier in the safety master subscriber matches the identifier calculated form the safety control, and the automation network changes to a safe state if it is determined that the identifier differs.
US08321036B2
A medical device is disclosed for implantation on an epicardial surface of the heart. The device has a transmural member providing optimal electrode locations for various therapies. The hemodynamically optimal therapy is guided by sensed left ventricular pressure and electrical activity. The device may be used alone or with a companion implanted cardiac rhythm management device.
US08321030B2
Methods and devices for delivering electrical stimulation to the sympathetic nervous system in response to the onset of eating. In some methods, swallowing is detected which then initiates a dose of stimulation which can vary in intensity, frequency, or both over the dose length. In some methods, the dose length is between about one quarter hour and one hour. The dose frequency may increase, hold steady, then decrease over the dose duration so as to mimic the response of the gut stretch and nutrient receptors to receiving food. The dose can drive biomarkers indicative of eating, for example glucagon, glucose, FFA or glycerol to at least about half of their normal post eating levels and then stop so as to retain stimulation effectiveness for subsequent doses and to prolong battery life.
US08321002B2
Cardiac monitoring and/or stimulation methods and systems provide for monitoring, diagnosing, defibrillation and pacing therapies, or a combination of these capabilities, including cardiac systems incorporating or cooperating with neuro-stimulating devices, drug pumps, or other therapies. Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to implantable medical devices employing automated cardiac activation sequence monitoring and/or tracking for arrhythmia discrimination. Embodiments of the invention are directed to devices and methods involving sensing a plurality of composite cardiac signals using a plurality of implantable electrodes. A source separation is performed using the sensed plurality of composite cardiac signals and the separation produces one or more cardiac signal vectors associated with one or more cardiac activation sequences that is indicative of ischemia. A change of the one or more cardiac signal vectors is detected using the one or more cardiac signal vectors. Cardiac arrhythmias are discriminated using the one or more cardiac signal vectors.
US08320999B2
A leak detector sequentially emits pulse signals toward a human body at a position at which a needle is inserted, detects pulse signals reflected inside of the human body, and measures a time interval between the emission and the detection for each of the pulse signals. The leak detector then calculates the difference between the measured interval and a predetermined time interval, and generates a leak warning for notification when the difference exceeds an acceptable range. Since a swelling on the surface of the human body causes a path of the pulse signal to extend, the leak detector can detect, based on the extended signal path, that the needle has come off a blood vessel.
US08320991B2
A portable system can be provided that works with a surgical navigation system. The portable system can control a localizer to assist in the tracking of a tracking device. The portable system can be provided to be substantially carried by a single user form one location to another. Further, various digital control components can be provided to assist in miniaturization, robustness, and the like.
US08320990B2
Elongate intrabody MRI-antenna probes include opposing distal and proximal portions. The distal portion includes at least one multi-turn conductor arranged as a stack of substantially flat loops, each with a substantially rectangular elongate shape. A flat loop can reside on each of a plurality of adjacent vertically stacked substantially planar layers, the flat loops cooperate to define a MRI receive antenna.
US08320985B2
Examples of touch screen interfaces with pulse oximetry are generally described, along with examples of methods of determining pulse rate, blood oxygen level, or both, with a touch screen interface.
US08320981B1
An implantable system includes light sources to transmit toward vascularized tissue, in a time multiplexed manner, light having a first wavelength of approximately 660 nm, light having a second wavelength of approximately 810 nm, light having a third wavelength of approximately 910 nm, and light having a fourth wavelength of approximately 980 nm. The system includes one or more light detector to detect light of the first, second, third and fourth wavelengths scattered by vascularized tissue. Additionally, one or more processor is configured to determine levels of blood oxygen saturation based on the detected scattered light of the first and third wavelengths, determine levels of tissue oxygen saturation based on the detected scattered light of the first and third wavelengths, determine levels of hemoglobin concentration based on the detected scattered light of the second wavelength, and determine levels of tissue hydration based on the detected scattered light of the second and fourth wavelengths.
US08320976B2
To provide a mobile terminal apparatus capable of suppressing exhaustion of the battery while securing convenience of switching to a communication system corresponding to an existing area, and a control method and communication system for the apparatus, a mobile terminal apparatus 20 is driven by power supply from a battery, capable of communicating with each of a plurality of communication systems, monitors a communication environment with each of the communication systems, and has a detecting section that detects a battery remaining amount of the battery, and a control section 21 that limits targets to monitor when the battery remaining amount falls below a first threshold.
US08320962B2
A method for controlling a contactless interface on a dual interface portable device are provided. The method allows for contactless enablement and disablement on both a temporary and semi-permanent basis, dependent on commands sent to the device by the issuer of the portable device. The commands are received through a terminal device and are transferred to the portable device during a contact transaction. Configuration data on the portable device is modified according to the received commands. An application on the portable device controls the transmission of data through the contactless interface dependent on the configuration data.
US08320937B2
In a method and arrangement for providing a reliable location for a communication terminal, a first location is obtained for the terminal by means of a first access mechanism. A second location is also obtained for the terminal by means of a second access mechanism, and the obtained first and second locations are then compared. The location of the terminal is validated if the obtained first and second locations are found to be substantially equal. Thereby, a more reliable location of the terminal can be used to support communication services requiring or needing such position information, such as emergency services. The validated location of the terminal can also be used for validating the location of an end point used by the terminal in an access network with fixed end points, or for validating a used positioning mechanism.
US08320933B2
A method for estimating whether or not a wireless terminal is in a zone is described. The method is based on the following observation: when a wireless terminal is at a particular location, the values of the traits of the ambient electromagnetic signals that vary with location represent a “fingerprint” or “signature” for that location. This enables the location of a wireless terminal to be estimated by comparing the observed values of the traits of the ambient electromagnetic signals with the fingerprint for each potential location for the wireless terminal.
US08320931B2
Method and systems are employed by a wireless location system (WLS) for locating a wireless device operating in a geographic area served by a wireless communications system. An exemplary method includes defining a geo-fenced area. The method then includes monitoring a set of predefined signaling links of the wireless communications system, and detecting that a mobile device has performed any of the following acts with respect to the geo-fenced area: (1) entered the geo-fenced area, (2) exited the geo-fenced area, and (3) come within a predefined degree of proximity near the geo-fenced area. A high-accuracy location function may then be triggered in order to determine the geographic location of the mobile device.
US08320929B2
The present invention relates to methods and arrangements for reducing the time delay associated with the initialization of a data transfer in a UMTS Radio Access Network. The Radio Network Controller, RNC, (102) connectable to a UMTS network and to a plurality of User Equipments, UEs, (108) wherein the UEs are capable of being in the states, URA PCH, CELL PCH, CELL FACH or CELL DCH, comprises means for handling a data transfer initiating message, means for introducing a delay reducing information in the data transfer initiating and means for transferring the UE from the URA PCH or the CELL PCH state directly to the CELL DCH state by means of the delay reducing information in the data transfer initiating message.
US08320926B2
The present invention relates to methods and arrangements in a wireless communication system that enable the allocation of resources to UEs based on measurements of their antenna polarization, in order to suppress the interference between different UEs at a very low overhead cost. This is achieved by a solution where the scheduling unit retrieves information about the polarization of the UE antenna configurations, and based on this information allocates radio resources to the different UEs, with the aim to minimize the interference. The scheduling unit may retrieve the information from the RBSs or from the UEs. The RBS and the UE will determine the polarization and transmit information regarding this polarization to the scheduling unit. The scheduling unit coordinates the allocation of resources with other scheduling units if necessary.
US08320924B2
A method of allocating resources to cells of a cellular communication system comprising the steps of determining a load in at least one of the cells; selecting a resource reuse pattern from a set of resource reuse patterns based on the determined load; allocating resources in accordance with the selected resource reuse pattern.
US08320915B2
An apparatus and method of performing cell reselection in a wireless communication system is provided. A mobile station determines whether first priority information for the first RAT is provided by the serving cell, and receives second priority information of a second RAT from the serving cell. The mobile station performs inter-RAT cell reselection based on the first and second priority information if the first priority information for the first RAT is provided. The mobile station performs cell reselection toward the second RAT based on measured values of cells of the second RAT without considering the second priority information if the first priority information for the first RAT is not provided.
US08320913B2
A mobile communication terminal (T) comprising connection means (MCN) for connecting to access networks (N1, N2) and registration means (MREG) for periodically transmitting registration messages to a signaling server (SS) located within a public communication network (PUB) connected to these access networks. It is characterized by a memory (MMEM) capable of associating a validity period with at least some of the access networks, and in that the registration means (MREG) are provided for transmitting registration messages with a periodicity equal to the validity period associated with the access network (N1, N2) to which the terminal (T) is connected.
US08320899B2
A mobile terminal is notified of information indicating that an operator pack or the like is downloadable, without need for a user of the mobile terminal to perform any active operation and without need for the mobile terminal to be preliminarily equipped with an extra function for automatic installation. An installation notification system 10 of the present invention includes a mobile terminal 50 and an installation notification server 60 and is provided with an operator pack presence determining unit 15 configured to determine whether an operator pack is present in the mobile terminal 50, based on originating data sent from the mobile terminal 50, and an installation notifying unit 18 configured to notify the mobile terminal 50 of installable information indicating that the operator pack is installable, when the operator pack presence determining unit 15 determines that the operator pack is absent.
US08320889B2
When a communications system initiates a connection, adaptive information can be presented to a user while waiting for that connection to be finalized. The adaptive information that is presented can be selected based on predetermined criteria which can be configured by a user. Moreover, the adaptive information that is presented can be selected based on a characteristic of the connection. For example, adaptive information can be selected which corresponds to the connection endpoint (e.g., the person or place a user is attempting to contact). A system can also delay finalizing a connection in order to present more adaptive information to a user. The delay can last until after all of the adaptive information has been presented or until a unit of adaptive information has been presented.
US08320887B2
An apparatus, including: a light source; a controller configured, in response to the occurrence of a first event involving the apparatus, to control the light source to produce a first, time-varying, illuminative effect that varies between maxima and minima of illumination intensity over a period of time following the occurrence of the first event, wherein the variation in the first illuminative effect is indicative to a user that the first event has occurred; and the controller being further configured, in response to the occurrence of a second event involving the apparatus, to control the light source to produce a second, time-varying, illuminative effect that varies between maxima and minima of illumination intensity over a period of time following the occurrence of the second event, wherein the variation in the second illuminative effect is indicative to a user that the second event has occurred.
US08320882B2
A mobile device identifier (such as an MSISDN) that typically accompanies a mobile device request is replaced with an “enriched” identifier that exposes the mobile device user's home operator but obfuscates the mobile device's (and, thus, the device user's) identity. In one embodiment, the identifier comprises a first part, and a second part. The first part comprises a data string that identifies (either directly or through a database lookup) the mobile device user's home operator. The second part, however, is an opaque data string, such as a one-time-use unique identifier (UID) or a value that is otherwise derived as a function of the MSISDN (or the like). The opaque data string encodes the mobile device's identity in a manner that preferably can be recovered only by the user's home operator. The present invention describes a method and apparatus for use in a home network to manage the generation, storage and use of the unique identifiers.
US08320869B2
In one embodiment of the present invention, an antenna arrangement apparatus includes a dipole reception antenna including a first pole portion and a second pole portion. A length of coaxial cable is provided and constitutes a feedline, the length of coaxial cable including a proximal end with respect to the first and second pole portions. The proximal end of the length of coaxial cable is coupled to the first and second pole portions via a common-mode filter.
US08320868B2
A wireless communication unit includes a transmitter for processing a baseband transmit signal to produce a first radio frequency signal. A receiver is arranged to convert a second radio frequency signal to a baseband receive signal, where the receiver has a summation module arranged to add a cancellation signal to the baseband receive signal. A selectivity element is arranged to couple the transmitter and the receiver to an antenna, where a reduced portion of the first radio frequency signal is introduced into the second radio frequency signal thereby creating a second order inter-modulation distortion component in the baseband receive signal. An adaptive estimator module has a filter for filtering the baseband receive signal to remove dc offsets associated with the second order inter-modulation distortion component and generate the cancellation signal based on the baseband transmit signal and the filtered baseband receive signal for inputting to the summation module.
US08320866B2
A wireless communication unit includes a transmitter, a receiver, a selectivity element and a baseband processing module. The receiver has at least one summation module arranged to add a cancellation signal to the quadrature baseband receive signal. a baseband processing module arranged to: receive the quadrature baseband transmit signal and quadrature baseband receive signal; apply independent gain and phase adjustments to quadrature portions of the quadrature baseband transmit signal, based on at least one signal component of the quadrature baseband receive signal, to form independent cancellation signals; and apply the independent cancellation signals to the at least one summation module.
US08320864B2
An active splitter circuit arrangement includes a first amplification module having a number of first input ports and first output ports. The first amplification module is configured to provide first stage amplification to a received input signal and produce from the amplified input signal a number of output signals, each substantially matching the input signal. Also included is a first gain control device having a number of gain input ports respectively coupled to the first output ports and a gain output port coupled to at least one of the first input ports. The first gain control device is configured to control a gain of the first amplification module. Next, a number of second amplification modules corresponding to the number of output signals has a number of second input ports respectively coupled to the first output ports. Each second amplification module is configured to receive a control signal from the second gain control device, provide second stage amplification to a corresponding one of the number of output signals based upon the control signal and produce an amplified output signal.
US08320855B2
A power amplifier module includes a first power amplifier, a second power amplifier, and a controlling module. The first power amplifier has an amplification set for optimal efficiency in accordance with most probable transmit power level settings within a transmit power level range. The second power amplifier has an amplification set for optimal efficiency in accordance with the most probable transmit power level settings within the transmit power level range. The controlling module is coupled to: enable one of the first and second power amplifiers to amplify an outbound radio frequency (RF) signal in accordance with a power setting when the power setting is not within the most probable transmit power level settings; and enable at least one of the first and second power amplifiers to amplify the outbound RF signal in accordance with the power setting when the power setting is within the most probable transmit power level settings.
US08320849B2
An rf signal transmitter for transmitting rf signals through a plurality of antennas is described, which comprises: a transmit section adapted to selectively set, with respect to an input signal, the initial phase of an output to at least one of said antennas depending on a time or frequency region used for communication and to provide delay to the output on an antenna-by-antenna basis and on the basis of a transmission timing or a transmission frequency; and a quality information receive section for receiving quality information from destination station, i.e., a wireless terminal unit, said quality information concerning the rf signal transmitted from said transmit section and received at said destination station.
US08320847B2
Multiple power amplifiers in an RF front end are coupled to multiple antennas without diversity switching between the PAs and antennas. Diversity switches direct signals to broadcast by a selected antenna to a PA coupled to the selected antenna. Multiple LNAs are similarly coupled to the diverse antennas. Having one PA and LNA set for each antenna removes the need for diversity switching between the PA/LNAs and each antenna improving signal reception. In one embodiment, a single external PA performs broadcast functions and plural on-chip LNAs are used for reception. In another embodiment, phase shifters are coupled to each PA and LNA, which provide beam forming capability for broadcasts, and in phase signal combinations for received signals.
US08320842B2
An apparatus includes a tunable diplexer; first, second and third radio nodes; and path selection circuitry. The tunable diplexer includes a dedicated port, at least a first signal port and a second signal port, and control inputs configured to change at least one of frequency characteristics and phase characteristics of the tunable diplexer. The path selection circuitry is configurable to select between a first signal pathway between the third radio node and the first signal port and a second signal pathway between the third radio node and the second signal port. The tunable diplexer may have control signals inputs to select between the first and second signal pathways based on an expected interference scenario between radio signals at the first and second signal ports, and the control signals may change frequency characteristics and/or phase characteristics of at least one of the signal ports based on an operational condition of the apparatus.
US08320835B2
A method and a device for determining channel feedback information in a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system are provided. The method includes: obtaining an (N−1)th layer interference-plus-noise matrix in an LTE system, and obtaining an Nth layer interference-plus-noise matrix according to the (N−1)th layer interference-plus-noise matrix; and then, calculating a Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR) corresponding to the Nth layer interference-plus-noise matrix according to the Nth layer interference-plus-noise matrix, and determining channel feedback information according to the SINR. It can be seen that, in the embodiments of the present invention, in a processing manner, a current layer interference-plus-noise matrix is calculated according to an obtained previous layer interference-plus-noise matrix through calculation in a calculation process of the channel feedback information, thus effectively reducing the calculation amount in the calculation process of the channel feedback information.
US08320832B2
A wireless audio output device, a wireless audio output system including the same and a control method thereof are disclosed. When a user approaches the output device, while listening to music on a portable device, the output device automatically connects the wireless audio output system to the portable device, to reproduce the music of the portable device. The control method includes detecting the user, detecting the portable device if the user is sensed, and outputting an audio file being reproduced by the portable device using the wireless audio output system, if the portable device is detected.
US08320831B2
According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a communication module, a connection establishment module, a negotiation module, a service execution module, and an execution control module. The communication module executes close proximity wireless transfer. The connection establishment module establishes a connection between the communication module and an external device which are in a close proximity state. The negotiation module determines a service to be executed between the communication module and the external device through a negotiation process when the connection is established. The service execution module executes the service. The execution control module executes the negotiation process again in response to a user's request or a request from the external device if the connection is kept after the completion of the service.
US08320825B2
The invention relates to communication in a wireless communications network in which a cell comprises areas with different topographies, for example between indoor and outdoor areas. The communication is optimized by means of a repeater for use in a fixed wireless broadband communications system, comprising receiving means for receiving a downlink signal from a base station, signal processing means for processing the downlink signal to produce an output signal, and transmitting means for transmitting the output signal, said repeater being characterized in that it comprises means for creating diversity in the output signal.
US08320824B2
An apparatus is described that includes an AV receiver with a wireless audio module (WAM) host. The apparatus further includes a plurality of wireless speakers each having a WAM device to enable bi-directional communications with the WAM host. The apparatus further includes a wireless input/output device or a plurality of wireless input/output devices embedded in speakers to enable bidirectional communications with the WAM host in order to automatically configure the plurality of wireless speakers to optimize audio parameters of the wireless speakers. The automatic configuration includes determining a location for each speaker in order to identify each speaker. The automatic configuration further includes setting time delay parameters for each speaker. The automatic configuration further includes setting volume parameters for each speaker.
US08320821B2
A receiving apparatus discriminates RDS data containing traffic information corresponding to the vehicle's own position from RDS data of broadcasting stations searched for by frequency sweeping by a sub tuner front end 7; stores step by step into a pool memory 16 frequencies of alternative stations identified by each PI code of the RDS data and the number of the alternative stations; determines the PI code with the greatest number of the alternative stations by comparing the numbers of the alternative stations for individual PI codes stored in the pool memory 16 in a frequency sweeping range; and receives the traffic information from the station with the highest received electric field strength among all the alternative stations identified by the PI code determined.
US08320817B2
A method of removing charge from a charged sheet prior to stacking the charged sheet is disclosed. The method includes moving the charged sheet through a set of nipped rollers while a first roller has an AC voltage applied thereto so that a first side of the charged sheet is in contact with the first roller and has its charge substantially dissipated, whereby charge substantially remains on a second side of the charged sheet in contact with a second roller. The method further includes using at least one non-contact charge removal device to remove charge from the second side of the charged sheet, and stacking the discharged sheet.
US08320816B2
An improved architecture for use in a tightly integrated serial or parallel printer includes an inverter module that comprises a straight pass-through media path, as well as, an invert path. This auxiliary ‘pass-through’ media path of the inverter allows a sheet to enter the inverter ‘backwards’ through the traditional duplex exit path and continue straight out the inverter into the media path of a downstream engine to receive an image thereon.
US08320809B2
A cleaning apparatus using a web sheet includes: a send-out roller that is wound with the web sheet; a take-up roller that is connected to an end of the web sheet; and a rotation-regulating and canceling portion that regulates rotation of the send-out roller and cancels the regulation according to tension of the web sheet between the send-out roller and the take-up roller; wherein the web sheet is sent out from the send-out roller and taken up by the take-up roller, the web sheet is brought into contact with another roller during the sending out and taking up operation, and extraneous matters that have adhered to the other roller are removed.
US08320794B2
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus for forming an image on a transfer member, includes a main assembly of the electrophotographic image forming apparatus which is provided with a transfer member for transferring a developer image onto the transfer member; a supporting member movable between an inside position which is for supporting an electrophotographic photosensitive member on which the developer image is to be formed and which is inside the main assembly, and an outside position which is outside the main assembly; and a contacting and spacing member movable between a first position for spacing the electrophotographic photosensitive member from the transfer member in the state that the supporting member is in the inside position, and a second position for contacting the electrophotographic photosensitive member to the transfer member, the contacting and spacing member being provided in the supporting member.
US08320791B2
An image forming apparatus includes a first drive member located downstream of an image bearing member and upstream of a transfer portion and a second drive member located downstream of the transfer portion with respect to a direction of conveying a recording material on a conveyance belt member and configured to apply a driving force to the conveyance belt member.
US08320785B2
An image forming apparatus includes first and second image forming portions. The first and second image forming portions forms a toner image. The second image forming portion forms a toner image so that the toner image is superimposed on the toner image formed by the first image forming portion. The second image forming portion includes an image bearing member, a cleaning member that removes transfer residual toner existing on the image bearing member at an abutting position, and a supply unit that supplies abrasive particles or toner to the abutting position. The image forming apparatus includes a controller that controls the amount of toners or abrasive particles, which are supplied by the supply unit, in accordance with the amount of toner used in the first and second image forming portions.
US08320780B2
An image forming device has a main casing and a cartridge accommodating portion in which a combined unit of first and second cartridges can be loaded. The first cartridge includes a pressing member movable between a first position in which the second cartridge is removed from the first cartridge and a second position in which the second cartridge is combined with the first cartridge. A moving member supported on the main casing is movable between a third position in which the combined unit is unloaded from the main casing and a fourth position in which the combined unit is loaded in the main casing. The pressing member disposed in the second position presses the moving member to move to the fourth position. A determination unit does not start image forming operations until a position detector provided on the main casing detects that the moving member is in the fourth position.
US08320772B2
An optical transmission apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a plurality of optical modulating sections serially connected to each other via optical fibers; driving sections corresponding to the optical modulating sections; delay amount varying sections that provide variable delay amounts for modulating signals to be input to the driving sections, to adjust timing between drive signals to be provided for the optical modulating sections; temperature monitoring sections that monitor the temperature of each of the optical fibers and the like; and a delay amount control section that controls the delay amount in each of the delay amount varying sections based on the monitored temperatures.
US08320755B2
In an autofocusing zoom lens, a depth of focus ε is obtained based on an aperture value Fno of a variable diaphragm and a diameter of a permissible circle of confusion δ. A focal position variation amount Δsk for a predetermined positional displacement amount ΔFp0 of a focusing lens unit is obtained according to a position Fp of the focusing lens unit and a variable magnification state Zp. If a predetermined variation amount ΔFp of the focusing lens unit satisfies a first condition, the focusing lens unit is not driven. If the first condition is not satisfied and a second condition is satisfied, the focusing lens unit is driven based on a second autofocusing unit, and if the second condition is not satisfied, the focusing lens unit is driven based on a first autofocusing unit.
US08320752B1
An attachment tool for draining water from a water heater during replacement of the heating element includes an annular mounting member that has an elongate channel attached thereto. The channel has a pair of aligned notches formed proximate a distal end of channel for supporting a bucket or other container. The mounting member is disposed peripherally about the tapping of a heating element receptacle. When the heating element is removed from the receptacle, water drains from the receptacle and through the channel into the bucket supported thereon.
US08320748B2
An audio/video information recording/reproducing device capable of easily implementing a post-recording function on an optical disk by using even a low-cost disk drive having a comparatively low-speed seek time. When recording a video file, it is recorded on an optical disk continuously for a duration equivalent to more than three times a seek time. When recording dubbing audio, it is recorded continuously only with constant data size at the same time with the reproducing of the recorded video file, thereby enabling concurrent real-time continuous reproducing and recording. Accordingly, concurrent reproductions of a video file and an audio file are ensured when reproducing dubbing audio.
US08320743B2
A first input signal, which has a first playback sequence, is resequenced based upon a characteristic of a second input signal. The resequencing occurs analyzing the characteristic in the second input signal, and modifying the first playback sequence of the first input signal based upon the analysis of the characteristic to generate a second playback sequence. Finally, a third signal is output using the second playback sequence.
US08320734B2
In one embodiment, the data structure includes at least one graphic information of first type graphic information and second type graphic information. The first type graphic information is for always on display and the second type graphic information is for display in response to user request.
US08320733B2
For converting a first representation of a media content into a second representation of the media content, a data entity builder is used, which generates a data entity being the second representation of the media content. The data entity builder generates a second representation indicator, at least one regenerated media file and a payload data schedule, the payload data schedule having schedule information indicating, for each regenerated media file, the start of the payload information of the media file. The regenerated media file represents the same media content as represented by the original media file in the first representation.
US08320731B2
An information reproducing apparatus (200) is provided with: a displaying device (353) for displaying a main picture and a sub-picture of a first type whose display can be started at a desired reproduction time point; a storing device (355, 360) for storing an identification number of the sub-picture; a first controlling device (354, 359) for destroying the identification number of the sub-picture, if a current reproduction time point of the main picture is beyond a range of reproduction time points in which the sub-picture is to be displayed; and a second controlling device (354, 359) for continuing to store the identification number of the sub-picture, if the current reproduction time point of the main picture is not beyond the range of reproduction time points in which the sub-picture is to be displayed.
US08320722B1
A method and system for providing an optical grating are described. The optical grating is configured for light of a wavelength. The optical grating includes a top cladding, a core, and bottom cladding. The core resides between the bottom cladding and the top cladding. The core includes a plurality of discrete ridges spaced apart by a nonlinear pitch. The light traverses the top cladding before the core and has a plurality of angles of incidence with the core. The nonlinear pitch of the core is larger for a larger angle of incidence of the plurality of angles of incidence.
US08320720B2
A silicon-based optical modulator is configured as a multi-segment device that utilizes a modified electrical data input signal format to address phase modulation nonlinearity and attenuation problems associated with free-carrier dispersion-based modulation. The modulator is formed to include M separate segments and a digital signal encoder is utilized to convert an N bit input data signal into a plurality of M drive signals for the M modulator segments, where M≧2N/2. The lengths of the modulator segments may also be adjusted to address the nonlinearity and attenuation problems. Additional phase adjustments may be utilized at the output of the modulator (beyond the combining waveguide).
US08320718B2
A sensor is provided. The sensor includes a substrate, a waveguide having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the waveguide is disposed on the substrate such that at least a portion of the second surface of the waveguide is in physical contact with the substrate, a holder component disposed on at least a portion of the substrate, or the waveguide, or both, wherein the holder component comprises one or more cavities. The sensor further includes at least one microsphere at least partially disposed in a corresponding cavity of the holder component.
US08320717B2
An image processor includes a storing unit, an image determining unit, and an output unit. The storing unit stores a selecting condition. The image determining unit determines whether the image corresponding to the set of the image data satisfies the selecting condition. The output unit outputs an image list including either one of the image that is determined to satisfy the selecting condition by the image determining unit and a resized image resized from the image that is determined to satisfy the selecting condition by the image determining unit.
US08320715B2
An image interpolation device comprises a data storage unit (2) for storing the data in the neighborhood of a missing pixel, a filter interpolation unit (3) for performing a multiply-add computation on the data output from the data storage unit, a limiter processing unit (4) for limiting the data output from the filter interpolation unit to within the range of the data output from the data storage unit, and an interpolation data insertion unit (5) for interpolating the data output from the limiter processing unit into a position corresponding to the missing pixel in the data output from the data storage unit. The image interpolation device is capable of increasing the interpolation accuracy of missing pixels, especially in the interpolation of scanned document data including periodic data.
US08320712B2
Satellite image fusion method and system are provided. The satellite image fusion method includes matching sizes of a panchromatic image and a multispectral image captured from a satellite image; dividing the panchromatic image and the multispectral image into a plurality of blocks; calculating coefficients to acquire Intensity (I) component image data using pixel values of each block of the multispectral image; and generating fused multispectral image data by applying the acquired I component image data to a fusion algorithm. In the multispectral image fusion, the distortion of the color information can be minimized and the multispectral image data of the high resolution can be attained. In addition, the present invention is applicable to not only the IKONOS images but also other satellite images, and the present image fusion can be carried out fast.
US08320708B2
A reading machine that operates in various modes includes image correction processing is described. The reading device pre-processes an image prior to optical character recognition processing by detect distortion in an image of a page by measuring an extent to which page boundaries in the image deviate from a simple rectangular shape and correcting for the optical distortion by transforming the image to restore the page to a rectangular shape.
US08320702B2
An imaging unit programmed to reduce specular reflection in a captured image and improve the interpretation of decodable information within the image. The imaging unit is programmed to scan a predetermined region within the image that is susceptible to specular reflection, evaluate the pixel values within the region against a threshold value that is representative of specular reflection, and then replace the pixel value found to represent specular reflection with replacement pixel values that do not corrupt interpretation of the decodable information in the predetermined region. The threshold value and replacement values may be determined on an ad hoc basis and stored in local memory, or calculated for each captured image.
US08320695B2
The present invention relates to a method for deblurring a barcode image. The method includes the steps of: acquiring the terminal's n OTFs calculated by varying focal lengths for a subject; if a barcode image is inputted through the mobile terminal, fixing a specific value among NSRs as a value to be applied to an error metric of Wiener filtering, applying n PSFs calculated from the n OTFs to the error metric by a binary search algorithm and determining whether the result of the application to the error metric is not exceeding the pre-set threshold or not; and selecting a PSF value and an NSR value as values of Wiener filtering if the result of the application to the error metric is not exceeding the pre-set threshold and then performing the Wiener filtering to the inputted barcode image by using the selected PSF value and the selected NSR value.
US08320688B2
A method and apparatus for encoding an image is provided. An image coding unit, including a region that deviates from a boundary of a current picture, is divided to obtain a coding unit having a smaller size than the size of the image coding unit, and encoding is performed only in a region that does not deviate from the boundary of the current picture. A method and apparatus for decoding an image encoded by the method and apparatus for encoding an image is also provided.
US08320687B2
The present invention provides methods for universal lossy compression that provide performance at or near the rate-distortion limit and that are based on universal, implementable lossy source coding algorithms.
US08320686B2
Whether or not underflow is being occurred or underflow is highly likely to occur is judged based on an image encoded data amount in a reception buffer at a time of the judgment or a change in the image encoded data amount with time. When the judgment is affirmative, a composite image data piece corresponding to one frame is generated by extracting an image data piece in the frame memory, decoding part of an image encoded data piece in the reception buffer and replacing part of the extracted the image data piece with the decoded part of the image encoded data piece. Composite image data pieces are repeatedly generated such that an occupancy ratio of replaced part of the image data piece increases each time a piece of the composite image data is newly generated, and the composite image data pieces are outputted in order of generation.
US08320683B2
When a reference image to which a document image is judged as being similar for the first time is not the first document sheet of the document type which contains this reference image, error occurrence is concluded so that the page number indicated by a counter is set to be an error occurrence position. In case that the reference image to which the document image is similar is the last document sheet of the document type, when the number of document images having been counted up by the time when this document image is judged as being similar to the reference image does not correspond with the number of reference images contained in the document type, error occurrence is concluded so that the page number indicated by a counter is set to be an error occurrence position.
US08320678B2
A substrate having a coding pattern disposed on a surface thereof. The coding pattern comprises a plurality of contiguous tags, each tag comprising x-coordinate data and y-coordinate data. A y-axis is nominally defined as north-south and an x-axis is nominally defined as east-west. A plurality of data elements are contained in each tag. The x-coordinate data is represented by a respective set of data elements and the y-coordinate data is represented by a respective set of data elements. The x-coordinate data has two replications within a respective tag, a first replication in a western half of the tag and a second replication in an eastern half of the tag. The y-coordinate data has two replications within a respective tag, a first replication in a northern half of the tag and a second replication in a southern half of the tag. Fragments of the coordinate data are arranged such that any tag-sized portion of the coding pattern is guaranteed to contain the x-coordinate data and the y-coordinate data for a tag irrespective of whether a whole tag is contained in the portion.
US08320677B2
The present invention is related to a method of processing of output data from an Optical Character Recognition (OCR) system, wherein the output data comprises images of double printed characters. The method identifies the respective members of a suspected double printed character image by first providing a set of single character template images from images of characters identified in the text being processed by the OCR system, then combining the single character templates providing candidate models for the suspected double printed character image. Correlation between each respective candidate model and the suspected double printed character image provides an indication of which pair of modelled single template character images that most probable are the correct identification of the respective character images in the double printed character image.
US08320675B1
Disclosed is a method for determining the absence or presence of one or more instances of a predetermined pattern in an image, and for determining the location of each found instance within a multidimensional space. A model represents the pattern to be found, the model including a plurality of probes. Each probe represents a relative position at which a test is performed in an image at a given pose, each such test contributing evidence that the pattern exists at the pose. The method further includes a comparison of the model with a run-time image at each of a plurality of poses. A match score is computed at each pose to provide a match score surface. Then, the match score is compared with an accept threshold, and used to provide the location any instances of the pattern in the image.
US08320674B2
In accord with embodiments consistent with the present invention, a first action in recognizing text from image and video is to locate accurately the position of the text in image and video. After that, the located and possibly low resolution text can be extracted, enhanced and binarized. Finally existing OCR technology can be applied to the binarized text for recognition. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US08320672B2
An image processing apparatus automatically determining a composition of an image includes area dividing means for dividing an input image into areas; target area determining means for determining a target area having higher visibility from the divided image; unnecessary area determining means for determining an unnecessary area having lower visibility from the divided image; and composition determining means for determining from the input image a composition that includes the target area and does not include the unnecessary area.
US08320670B1
A method for converting a portion of an image from a first domain to a second domain. The method may apply a Hough transform on the converted portion of the image, including calculating a range of angles for each tested pixel q relative to a center pixel p, quantizing the range of angles into a plurality of bins, voting each tested pixel q using a range of bins using a weighted voting schema; and detecting one or more features in the portion of the image. The methods may be implemented by program instructions executing in parallel on CPU(s) or GPUs.
US08320666B2
A system and method implemented as a software tool for generating alpha matte sequences in real-time for the purposes of background or foreground substitution in digital images and video. The system and method is based on a set of modified Poisson equations that are derived for handling multichannel color vectors. Greater robustness is achieved by computing an initial alpha matte in color space. Real-time processing speed is achieved through optimizing the algorithm for parallel processing on the GPUs. For online video matting, a modified background cut algorithm is implemented to separate foreground and background, which guides the automatic trimap generation. Quantitative evaluation on still images shows that the alpha mattes extracted using the present invention has improved accuracy over existing state-of-the-art offline image matting techniques.
US08320658B2
An unevenness inspection method for inspecting presence of unevenness in a panel material, the method includes: acquiring a plurality of primary images by imaging the panel material under inspection on a plurality of levels of condition; creating a plurality of secondary images by processing the plurality of primary images to enhance variation of the image; creating a composite image by combining the plurality of secondary images with a prescribed weighting; and determining the presence of unevenness using the composite image, the prescribed weighting being determined so that a region having the unevenness can be distinguished from the other region, when the plurality of secondary images are created for the panel material for training use having unevenness and are combined into a composite image.
US08320656B1
A method for creating an after-the-fact (ATF) payroll journal, including identifying a payroll check cashed at a financial institution, where the payroll check is issued to an employee during a payroll period for payment via a financial institution, obtaining, using a processor of a computer system, an electronic image associated with the payroll check, extracting, using the processor, payroll check information from the electronic image, validating, using the processor, the payroll check information based on a pre-determined criterion, where the payroll check information includes a payee name, a check date, and a check amount, and generating, using the processor, an entry of the ATF payroll journal from the payroll check information based on a pre-determined payroll rule, where the entry includes an amount of tax withholding of the employee for the payroll period.
US08320655B2
The invention relates generally to a process of analyzing and visualizing the expression of biomarkers in individual cells wherein the cells are examined to develop patterns of expression by using a grouping algorithm, and a system to perform and display the analysis.
US08320654B2
To evaluate an exact bone mineral density, whena reference bar region in an X-ray picture of a mandible and a reference bar disposed beside the mandible is selected, the mean value and deviation of the brightness of this region are displayed by means of letter groups. When an evaluation object region is selected, the brightness of this region is corrected according to the mean value and deviation of the brightness of the reference bar region and standard mean value and deviation, or, in other words, according to a fixed reference. The corrected brightness is displayed in the form of histogram. Furthermore, the mean value and deviation of the corrected brightness are determined, and they are displayed by means of letter groups. The bone mineral density is quantitatively evaluated from the histogram and the mean value and deviation of the corrected brightness.
US08320642B2
A face collation apparatus has a storage that stores a feature quantity of at least one registrant, the feature quantity being extracted from a registration image of the registrant, a feature quantity extractor that extracts a feature quantity from a collation image of a collation object person, a score calculator that calculates a score indicating an analogy degree between the feature quantity of the registrant and the feature quantity of the collation object person, a score adjuster that adjusts the score using a score adjustment parameter so that any one of a stranger acceptance rate indicating a probability that a stranger is accepted at the time of collation, a principal rejection rate indicating a probability that a principal is rejected at the time of collation, and an equal error rate, which is a probability that the stranger acceptance rate and the principal rejection rate are equal, becomes substantially constant regardless of a registration condition and/or a collation condition, and a determination unit that determines whether the collation object person is the registrant by comparing the adjusted score and a predetermined threshold.
US08320639B2
An imaging unit capturing an image of a body surface with near-infrared light and generating near-infrared light imaging data, a vein pattern extraction unit extracting multiple kinds of near-infrared light vein patterns from one piece of the near-infrared light imaging data by applying a differential filter outputting a large value for a pixel having a large difference between the pixel and its surrounding pixel to multiple pixels constituting the near-infrared light imaging data and changing a parameter changing an output property of the differential filter, and a pseudo-vein pattern determination unit determining presence of a pseudo-vein pattern intentionally formed on a part of the captured body surface based on the extracted vein pattern are provided.
US08320636B2
One aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be implemented in a method for detecting a detail level of an image including receiving an original image, transforming the original image to generate one or more blurred images, deriving image differences corresponding to ranges of detail frequency of the original image based, at least in part, on the one or more blurred images and the original image, determining, based on the image differences, a detail level value corresponding to the original image, and providing the detail level value to an image management application.
US08320624B2
According to one embodiment, a computer selects trajectory data on a person positioned in an image monitoring area from trajectory data on relevant persons. The computer selects a selling space image data obtained when the person corresponding to the trajectory data is positioned in the image monitoring area. The computer analyzes the selling space image data to extract a person image. The computer checks the person image extracted from the selling space image data against image data on each customer to search for customer image data obtained by taking an image of the person in the person image. The computer stores, upon detecting the customer image data obtained by taking an image of the person in the person image, identification information on transaction data stored in association with the customer image data, in association with identification information on the trajectory data.
US08320619B2
An image such as a depth image of a scene may be received, observed, or captured by a device and a model of a user in the depth image may be generated. The background of a received depth image may be removed to isolate a human target in the received depth image. A model may then be adjusted to fit with in the isolated human target in the received depth image. To adjust the model, a joint or a bone may be magnetized to the closest pixel of the isolated human target. The joint or the bone may then be refined such that the joint or the bone may be further adjusted to a pixels equidistant between two edges the body part of the isolated human target where the joint or bone may have been magnetized.
US08320618B2
Referring to FIG. 5, the tracking start-and-stop determining unit 28 of the tracking processing unit 26 determines the starting and stopping of tracking based on predetermined conditions. During the tracking, the sampling unit 29 creates or eliminates particles using the probability density distribution estimated for an immediately preceding image frame. The observation unit causes the particles to make a transition according to a predetermined motion model and observes the likelihoods of a candidate curves defined by the particles. The correction unit 32 compares the color histogram of an area located at a predetermined position relative to the candidate curve with the color histogram of an area similarly located relative to the curve determined as a result of tracking in the immediately preceding image frame. If the matching score is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the likelihood of the candidate curve is increased by correction. The result obtaining unit 34 estimates the probability density distribution based on the likelihood thus corrected.
US08320617B2
A system, method and program product for camera-based discovery of social networks. The computer implemented method for identifying individuals and associating tracks with individuals in camera-generated images from a face capture camera(s) and a tracking camera(s), wherein the computer implemented method includes: receiving images of an individual from the face capture camera(s) on a computer; receiving images of a track(s) of an individual from the tracking camera(s) on a computer; automatically determining with the computer the track(s) from the images from the tracking camera(s); and associating with the computer the track(s) with the individual(s) and a unique identifier. The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiment(s), and it is recognized that equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the appending claims.
US08320607B2
An electronic watermarking embedding-processing section acquires layout information which specifies an embedding area of first sub information and an embedding area of second sub information in main image information. The electronic watermarking embedding-processing section performs overlapping processing for invisibly embedding the first sub information in the embedding area of the first sub information in the main image information which is specified by the layout information. The electronic watermarking embedding-processing section performs overlapping processing for invisibly embedding the second sub information in the embedding area of the second sub information in the main image information which is specified by the layout information. The electronic watermarking embedding-processing section creates composite image information by composing image information in which the first sub information is invisibly embedded in the main image information and image information in which the second sub information is invisibly embedded in the main image information.
US08320603B2
An ear loop, and an assembly of an ear loop and ear bud, wherein the ear loop retains the shaft of the ear bud such that the position and angle of the ear bud relative to the ear loop can be adjusted axially and rotationally.
US08320600B2
A communication system is provided for a patient featuring a cushion with an opening for receiving the face of the patient. The cushion includes a microphone for receiving audible signals from the patient and one or more speakers for delivering audible signals to the patient. The microphone and speaker(s) are integrated with the cushion to avoid interfering with the comfort of the patient. In one embodiment, the audible signals are delivered to and from the patient via a communication port. In another embodiment, the system includes a display device, so the patient may view parts of the patient's body on the device and then communicate with system operators through the microphone and speaker(s).
US08320593B2
A hearing apparatus for adjusting a hearing aid and an associated method. The apparatus includes at least one hearing aid and at least one external unit which can exchange data with the hearing aid. It further includes a first memory unit in the external unit which stores a point in time and a hearing situation at which at least one predeterminable algorithm for signal processing is activated, an output unit in the external unit which outputs the stored points in time and hearing situations, an input unit in the external unit for entering a measure of evaluation which expresses the satisfaction of a hearing aid wearer with the activated algorithm, and a modification unit in the hearing aid for changing at least one parameter of the algorithm as a function of the measure of evaluation. The hearing aid user is able to evaluate and change the setting of their hearing aid retrospectively for specific hearing situations.
US08320592B2
An apparatus and method of reproducing a virtual sound of two channels which adaptively reproduces a 2-channel stereo sound signal reproduced through a recording medium such as DVD, CD, or MP3 player etc., based on a listener's position. The method includes sensing a listener's position and recognizing distance and angle information about the listener's position, determining output gain values and delay values of two speakers based on the distance and angle information about the sensed listener's position and selecting localization filter coefficients in a predetermined table, and updating filter coefficients of a localization filter based on the selected localization filter coefficients and adjusting output levels and time delays of the two speakers from the determined gain values and delay values.
US08320578B2
A method or apparatus to provide an improved headset. The headset includes at least one sensor. The headset further includes a configuration logic to configure the headset based on the position of the headset on the user's head.
US08320575B2
A signal processing system enhances an audio signal. The audio signal is divided into audio sub-band signals. Some audio sub-band signals are excised. Other audio sub-band signals are processed to obtain enhanced audio sub-band signals. At least a portion of the excised audio sub-band signals are reconstructed. The reconstructed audio sub-band signals are synthesized with the enhanced audio sub-band signals to form an enhanced audio signal.
US08320573B2
A hearing device having an input unit for converting an acoustic input to a first signal, an output unit for converting a second signal to an acoustic output and a signal processing unit for generating said second signal from said first signal based on a setting indicating a characteristic of a user's ear, said signal processing unit coupling said input unit and said output unit, to a corresponding method for providing a hearing aid and a corresponding computer program. In order to provide an adaptive hearing device and a method for providing a hearing aid which allow for a compensation for the change in a characteristic of a user's ear, in particular for the change to the ear of a child during growth and which are of a low complexity and do not need additional sensors.
