US08328825B2
An implant for the treatment of cystocele, having a thin and supple structure, comprises a support body (2) from which extend at least two anterior suspension straps (3) arranged on both sides of the sagittal plane (S), two posterior suspension straps (4), arranged on both sides of the sagittal plane (S), and two middle suspension straps (5) arranged on both sides of the sagittal plane (S) and between the anterior and posterior straps (3) and (4).
US08328802B2
A surgical device includes a radio-frequency-signal-generation assembly including a radio-frequency-signal-generation circuit operable to generate a radio-frequency signal at an output and adapted to couple to a switch-mode power supply and a surgical handle including an end effector having at least one jaw with at least one electrical contact, the end effector including at least one signal input that electrically connects to the output to provide the radio-frequency signal at the at least one electrical contact.
US08328797B2
Method and device for cutting a blood vessel using a cutting tool from within the blood vessel. A first cut portion of the blood vessel is fused to a second blood vessel to provide a flow channel therebetween.
US08328796B2
A light energy delivery head is provided which, in one aspect, mounts laser diode bars or other light energy emitters in a heat sink block which is adapted to cool both the emitters and a surface of a medium with which the head is in contact and to which it is applying light energy. In another aspect, various retroreflection configurations are provided which optimize retroreflection of back-scattered light energy from the medium. The size of the aperture through which light energy is applied to the medium is also controlled so as to provide a desired amplification coefficient as a result of retroreflection.
US08328787B2
A kit for charging an infusion pump having a reservoir for holding a local anesthetic. The kit includes a first stopcock having an input port, a first input/output port and a second output port and a manual control for selectively coupling either the first input/output port or the second output port to the input port. The kit further includes a second stopcock having an input port, first and second output ports and a manual control for selectively coupling either the first output port or the second output port to the input port. The second output port of the first stopcock is adapted for coupling to the input port of the second stopcock. The kit further includes a syringe adapted to be coupled to the first input/output port of the first stopcock and tubing for coupling the input port of the first stopcock to a source of the liquid and for coupling the output port of the second stopcock to an input port of the pump.
US08328781B2
The present invention relates to an interlabial pad which is attached between female labia, especially to the pad which can be used together with the sanitary napkin, which has a good sealing efficiency with the labia deepest portion when the user moves and can prevent the chance that the leak of the menstrual blood or the dropping off of the pad is occurred. Further the interlabial pad comprises the absorbing sheet portion facing to the body side upon wearing the pad and the support sheet portion backing the absorbing sheet portion. The absorbing sheet portion includes the absorbent body (13a) which is a stick-shaped or a strip-shaped individual absorbent body and contacts with the neighborhood of the ostium vaginae of the user, the absorbent body (13b) which is a flat-shaped individual absorbent body and contacts with at least of the inner wall of the labia of the user, further said absorbent body for contacting ostium vaginae (13a) is disposed along the substantial center line of the body face side of absorbent body for contacting the inner wall of the labia (13b).
US08328769B2
A pressure actuated flow control valve for an infusion catheter permits gravity flow of a liquid through the catheter and into a patient while resisting back flow of blood from the patient and into the catheter. The valve has a hemispherical body with an outstanding circumferential flange and a normally closed, diametric slit. The slit is longer on the convex outer surface than on the concave inner surface. Dome thickness diminishes in the area adjacent the slit, reducing total apical deflection upon collapse of the slit toward the concave surface. An inner orthogonal rib biases the slit closed. Upon application of a predetermined pressure, the slit opens toward the concave surface to permit forward fluid flow. At lower pressures, the slit closes to check fluid flow. Greater reverse pressure is required to collapse the slit toward the concave surface to permit reverse fluid flow.
US08328760B2
Catheters configured to minimize, prevent, disrupt, and/or treat thrombus accumulation and subsequent occlusion are disclosed. Such catheters include at least one sidewall cut extending to the catheter distal end that forms catheter sidewall portions that move relative to each other when subjected to a force greater than a threshold force.
US08328747B2
The invention provides a knee stabilizing brace which is usable regardless of a damaged portion of a ligament of a knee joint. The knee stabilizing brace includes a brace body which has a back-side body portion applied to a back side of a thigh, a poples, and a back side of a crus, and right and left front-side body portions, which are applied to a front side of the thigh, a kneecap, and a front side of the crus, right and left support stays for reinforcement, and upper and lower fastening bands for fastening the brace body 1 around a thigh portion, wherein the brace body is fitted around a knee portion by overlapping and engaging surface fasteners of the right and left front-side body portions, four ring-like fasteners are provided on upper, lower, right, and left sides of the back side of the back-side body portion, four engaging regions are set to upper, lower, right, and left sides of the right and left front-side body portions, and first and second fastening bands for patella which are detachably engaged into one of the four ring-like fasteners and one of the four engaging regions are provided.
US08328729B2
The present disclosure concerns embodiments of an acoustic plethysmograph for measuring pulmonary function of an animal, such as a mouse. The plethysmograph in exemplary embodiments can measure thoracic tidal volume of an unrestrained animal. The plethysmograph in exemplary embodiments acoustically excites the chamber containing the animal and detects changes in the acoustic pressure in the chamber, which correlate to the thoracic tidal volume of the animal. Unlike the conventional whole-body plethysmograph, this acoustic plethysmograph provides a direct measure of thoracic tidal volume. The plethysmograph also can be configured to measure chamber flow (the flow of air into and out of the chamber). Specific airway resistance of the animal can then be determined from the thoracic tidal volume and plethysmograph flow measurements.
US08328719B2
A meter is provided that includes an improved user interface that enables the user to take a specific action, leading them directly to data input options. Such a user interface could be used to input first selected information, such as whether a test was premeal or postmeal, immediately after receiving a result. Optionally, the user interface may include the ability to add an additional comment after inputting the first selected information. Provision of such a user interface would facilitate simpler capture of the first selected information each time the user performs a test, leading to an enhanced understanding of a patient's level of glycemic control. Designing a user interface to enable first selected information to be entered by a user directly after receiving a result is more likely to engage a patient by making it easy and simple to enter important information. This may enable capture of the information thought to be most pertinent e.g. premeal and postmeal information, enhancing the understanding by patients and their carers of the patient's control.
US08328712B2
An image processing method includes the steps of: receiving image data from a body-insertable apparatus having a plurality of imaging units that captures an image of inside of a subject and generates image data and an identification information adding unit that adds identification information for identifying an imaging unit that generates the image data to the image data; displaying a list of the selected image data by the identification information; and switching image data to be displayed in the list displaying step from image data of the one identification information being displayed to image data of the other identification information.
US08328710B2
Devices and methods are provided for temporarily maintaining access to a body cavity in a targeted tissue region within a patient's body. One embodiment of the catheter device includes an elongated shaft having a proximal shaft section which is flexible enough to be folded or coiled into a configuration for deployment within the patient. An alternate embodiment includes a catheter device having one or more detachable proximal shaft sections and having at least one one-way valve to restrict fluid flow of inflation fluid to flow to the balloon. After deployment of the catheter device completely within the patient, the opening through which the catheter device is deployed is closed, e.g. by sutures, adhesives and the like to minimize infection at the site. Within a few days or weeks after the tissue has been evaluated for cancer, the temporary catheter device may be removed from the patient. If cancer or pre-cancer cells are found in the specimen removed from the cavity, then a radiation balloon catheter or other irradiation device can be inserted into the patient to irradiate tissue surrounding the biopsy cavity to ensure that cancer cells within the tissue surrounding the cavity are killed.
US08328704B2
A roller for transporting a recording medium includes an inner layer having a shaft hole through which a rotating shaft passes; and an outer layer formed outside the inner layer and brought into contact with the recording medium. At least a first end surface of the inner layer in a direction along the rotating shaft is located inside the outer layer remote from end surfaces of the outer layer in the direction along the rotating shaft.
US08328703B2
The rolling mill cast roll having a shield portion made of multi-component white iron with excellent resistance to adhesion and propagation of cracks, having a composition consisting essentially, by weight ratio, of 1.5-2.5% carbon, 3.0-10% chromium, 2.0-8.0% molybdenum, 2.0-8.0% tungsten, 2.0-10% vanadium, 0.1-0.8% sulfur, up to 2.0% manganese, wherein the manganese is balanced with said sulfur in a 2:1 ratio (Mn:S), up to 1.0% silicon, up to 1.0% of nickel, 0.1% Ce, up to 0.08% phosphorus and a sufficient amount of Fe, is produced by a centrifugal casting method.
US08328695B2
A trampoline and cage ball game device includes a trampoline frame structure with a spring supported flexible trampoline bed attached thereto and a plurality of support legs for supporting the trampoline frame and flexible bed. A single continuous open ended sheet of flexible material that is folded into four reinforced corners defining a pair of end wall panel sections and a pair of side wall end sections forming an enclosed cage structure. A plurality of elongated corner pipes are attached to inner corners of the trampoline extending beyond the top of the enclosed cage structure, the corner pipes having spring attachments secured to the four corner folds to stretch enclosed cage structure at the end wall sections. A plurality of upper horizontal pipes are cooperatively associated with each of the plurality of corner pipes and the intermediate elongated pipes for attaching a plurality of display banners to the top open end of the enclosed cage structure along the end wall panel sections and the side wall panel sections.
US08328686B2
A shift controller with a first clutch CL1 that connects/disconnects the torque to a first main shaft and a second clutch CL2 connects/disconnects the torque to a second main shaft. A transmission is configured so that dog clutches DC1, DC2 for first speed and for second speed are engaged in a predetermined turned position P1-2 of a shift drum. A linear solenoid valve that supplies clutch oil pressure, a shift solenoid that switches a destination of the supply oil pressure between both clutches and a controller that controls the supply oil pressure and the turning of the shift drum are provided. The controller supplies predetermined oil pressure P1 to the CL2 in neutral, switches the destination of supply oil pressure to the CL1 when the shift drum is turned to P1-2 according to a shift instruction to engage gears and supplies maximum oil pressure P3 to the CL1 in predetermined time ta.
US08328683B2
A transmission assembly for an electric vehicle includes a transmission having an input shaft, an output shaft, and a gear train coupled between the input shaft and the output shaft. A motor includes an output coupled to the input shaft of the transmission. A motor controller is electrically connected to the motor and controls a rotating speed of the motor. A gear controller is electrically connected to the motor controller. The gear controller outputs a speed request signal to the motor controller, and the motor controller controls the rotating speed of the motor based on the speed request signal, allowing smooth engagement between the gear train and the output shaft.
US08328681B2
A method of operating a drive train of a motor vehicle whereby the drive train comprises at least a hybrid drive with a combustion engine and an electric motor, a transmission, positioned between the hybrid drive and an output, and a clutch, positioned between the combustion engine and the electric motor. When the electric motor is exclusively driving, the combustion engine can be started by engaging a clutch positioned between the combustion engine and the electric motor. In accordance with the invention, when there is an exclusive electromotive drive and the electric motor is operated in a deceleration mode and, when a request by a driver is interpreted as a desired change from a deceleration mode to a traction mode, the combustion engine is started, by using the deceleration/traction change, in a way that the clutch, positioned between the combustion engine and the electric motor, is at least partially engaged so that the clutch transfers the required torque which is needed for starting the combustion engine.
US08328678B2
A gear train of an automatic transmission realizes at least ten forward speeds and one reverse speed by combining four simple planetary gear sets with four clutches and two brakes and three friction elements are operated at each shift-speed such that the gear train has advantages of simplifying structures of the automatic transmission and improving power delivery performance and fuel economy.
US08328677B2
Embodiments provide for planetary gearing systems with ring gears comprising cylindrical tooth forms arrayed from a central axis and encompassing at least one planetary sprocket and a sun gear. The sun and ring gears have cylindrical tooth forms. The planetary sprocket teeth are aligned for engagement with at least one of the sun gear and ring gear cylindrical tooth forms at a contact radius from the central axis selected as a function of the sprocket tooth common involute gear shape, the sprocket radius, the sprocket tooth pitch, and of the pitch, gear radius and cylindrical form diameter of the selected at least one gear cylindrical tooth forms.
US08328674B2
A hybrid powertrain for a vehicle is provided with a motor/generator for providing torque to a final drive input member. The powertrain includes an engine, a transmission having a transmission input member configured to receive power from the engine and a transmission output member. The powertrain further includes a final drive arrangement that has a final drive input member, and a motor/generator that has a motor shaft operatively connected to the final drive input member downstream of the transmission gearing arrangement. A drive system may operatively connect the transmission output member and the motor shaft to the final drive input member. A method of assembling a hybrid powertrain is also provided.
US08328661B1
A golf club head having a center of gravity located at a point close to the face and the sole is disclosed herein. In particular, the golf club head comprises a hollow body including a weight lip and face component, and the weight lip extends from the sole inside the body into the face component. The golf club head is preferably a wood-type or hybrid-type golf club head.
US08328659B2
A golf club head is provided having a body and a face insert, with a slot in a perimeter region of the body of the club head adjacent the face insert. The slot increases the flex of the hitting surface on impact with a golf ball, thereby increasing the speed with which the ball rebounds off the hitting face and increases the overall distance the ball is hit. The slot preferably moves the sweet spot of the hitting face a distance X from the face center of the hitting face. The slot may be filled with an elastomeric material.
US08328646B2
A torsional vibration damper with a friction device. The friction device is formed on at least one friction surface on two contra-rotationally and oppositely disposed disc parts that are in frictional contact with one another. In order to propose how to determine the initial stressing effect of the frictional action independently of external support of the disc parts, the frictional surfaces are pressurized against one another by means of at least one spring element.
US08328644B2
Systems and methods to provide asynchronous challenge gaming are described. In some embodiments, a method presents multiple character actions to a first user and a second user of a game, where each of the character actions defines a game action to be performed by a character in the game. The method receives a selection from the first user and the second user that identify multiple character actions. Additionally, the method receives sequence assignments from the first user and the second user that define a sequential order for performing the character actions. The game play between the first user and the second user is displayed to the first user based on the character actions and the sequence assignments, and without further interaction with the first user or the second user subsequent to receiving the character actions and the sequence assignments.
US08328643B1
Methods, systems, and computer programs for creating a crew to participate in a mission challenge in an online game are provided. The method identifies quests to complete the mission challenge. Each quest includes a plurality of tasks and each task includes a plurality of subtasks. A request feed is sent to members of a social graph requesting the members to join the crew and to participate in the completion of the subtasks of the mission challenge. The members in the social graph have a social relation with a user initiating the online game wherein the user is a mission leader managing the mission challenge. A distinct subtask is assigned to each member of the crew that responds to the request feed. Each crew member's progression in completing the mission challenge is monitored and status of the mission challenge is updated based on the progression made by each crew member of the crew.
US08328636B2
A gaming system and method for conducting a wagering game includes a special event that is triggered by a progression through a plurality of subfeatures of the wagering game. The subfeatures are completed upon the collection of a predetermined number of items. The items collected are associated with wagering-game enhancement parameters that are applied to the wagering game in response to the items being randomly awarded during the wagering game.
US08328628B2
A gaming controller arranged to conduct a game having an overall return to player (RTP) and including a base game and a feature game. The gaming controller is arranged to conduct a base game and a feature game and includes an RTP controller arranged to operate in response to a player RTP instruction to configure a relative contribution of the base game and the feature game to the overall RTP.
US08328625B1
Systems and methods provide a type driven interface for a wagering game machine. One aspect of the systems and methods includes providing a game framework including a game library manager that manages creation, update and deletion of multiple wagering games on a gaming machine.
US08328623B2
New apparatuses and methods for introducing varying levels of skill into wagering games that have historically been games of luck or strategy are provided. A card value and suit is invisible or hidden to a player initially and associated with a value and suit dealt to the player. The game enables the player to elect to display the associated value and suit. If the player exercises the option, the associated value and suit is displayed and a poker or blackjack evaluation is made based on the displayed associated value and suit. In various embodiments, the same associations are maintained for a single hand or play, multiple hands or plays or on a long term fixed basis. Associated symbols are also implemented with the game of slot.
US08328622B2
A gaming system comprises a wager input device for receiving a wager and a display for displaying a wagering game having a plurality of reels comprised of a plurality of symbols. A controller operates to (i) detect receipt of the wager; (ii) activate a play of the wagering game by spinning the reels on the display; (iii) display at least one play enhancement icon on the display; (iv) cause the spinning reels to stop and the display to display a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game; and (v) enhance the randomly selected outcome of the wagering game in response to the at least one play enhancement icon on the display at any time including at least one of before spinning the reels on the display, during spinning the reels on the display, and after spinning the reels on the display.
US08328617B2
A plurality of gaming machines for paying out award corresponding to a play, comprising an executor for starting a primary game and a secondary roulette game, a controller for manipulating a secondary roulette to determine a winning gaming machine in the secondary game, a display for representing a winning odds of the secondary roulette game on the roulette, and a decision unit for determining the winning odds corresponding to wager.
US08328606B2
An altitude switch limit assembly has two independent limit switches to monitor cabin pressure and back up performance of the auto and monitor channels on the aircraft. The auto channel closes a first switch upon sensing that a cabin pressure falls below a set value, the monitor channel closes a second switch upon sensing that the cabin pressure falls below the set value. A first independent limit switch may be wired to the auto channel and a second independent limit switch may be wired to the monitor channel. Logic circuitry may determine that the assembly closes an outflow valve regulating cabin pressure when either both independent limit switches sense the condition, or when one of the independent limit switch senses the condition and either the auto channel or monitor channel to which that independent limit switch may be wired senses the same condition.
US08328592B2
Flotation device for rescue apparatus includes a support portion onto which an injured person is placed, and a buoyant structure connected to the support portion to provide buoyancy for the support portion. The buoyant structure includes one or more fluid containers each attached to the support portion by, for example, straps. At least one pressure regulating mechanism is integrated into or onto a surface of each container and functions to vary pressure of fluid in the hollow space of the container, and may include inflation mechanisms that enable controlled inflow of fluid into the hollow space of the containers, and deflation or pressure release mechanisms that enable controlled outflow of fluid from the hollow space of the containers,
US08328591B2
Various methods and systems are provided for an air induction system for an engine. In one example, the air induction system includes an intake conduit and an assembly coupled to the intake conduit which includes a water spray for removing particulates from, and for cooling, intake air flowing through the water spray.
US08328585B2
A multi-layer TiN film with reduced tensile stress and discontinuous grain structure, and a method of fabricating the TiN film are disclosed. The TiN layers are formed by PVD or IMP in a nitrogen plasma. Tensile stress in a center layer of the film is reduced by increasing N2 gas flow to the nitrogen plasma, resulting in a Ti:N stoichiometry between 1:2.1 to 1:2.3. TiN films thicker than 40 nanometers without cracks are attained by the disclosed process.
US08328579B2
The invention provides a shield case to cover a body, the body having a main body and first and second connecting portions projecting from the main body and lying adjacent to each other along a first direction. The shield case includes first to forth conductive shells. The first and second shells cover an outer circumference of the main body; the third shell covers the first connecting portion; and the fourth shell covers the second connecting portion. The third shell is in contact with at least one of the first and second shells. The first or fourth shell is in contact with the second shell. The fourth shell is provided integrally with the first shell and is adjacent to the third shell along the first direction. The first or fourth shell may not contact the second shell if the third shell is contactable with both the first and second shells.
US08328574B1
A cable connector joint fastening structure includes a male connector, a female connector, and a fastener. The male connector includes a male terminal body with a male terminal joint, a freely rotating screw sleeve locked around the external periphery of the male terminal joint. The female connector includes a female terminal body with a female terminal joint, and an insert space formed in the female terminal joint for inserting the male terminal joint, and the screw sleeve is screwed and coupled to the female terminal joint. The fastener includes a pivot portion formed at an external side of the female connector, and a locking arm pivotally installed onto the pivot portion, extended towards the male terminal body, disposed across the screw sleeve, and locked to the male connector.
US08328571B2
A connector assembly that includes a base frame that extends along a longitudinal axis between a pair of frame ends. The connector assembly also includes a moveable mating side that is supported by the base frame and extends in a longitudinal direction along the longitudinal axis. The mating side has a mating array of terminals configured to communicate data signals. The connector assembly also includes a power connector that is configured to establish an electrical connection. The power connector is coupled to the mating side. Also, the connector assembly includes a coupling mechanism that is supported by the base frame and is operatively coupled to the mating side. The coupling mechanism is configured to be actuated to move the mating side between retracted and engaged positions in a mating direction with respect to the longitudinal axis.
US08328554B2
Embodiments described herein are related to fillers that are placed within an extraction site in need of bone augmentation and preservation. The fillers encourage sufficient new bone growth in order that normal jaw bone deterioration following tooth removal is prevented. The fillers create, arrange, and assemble an ideal growth environment for new bone growth to rapidly grow and preserve the original contours of an individual's jaw bone. Further embodiments described herein are related to dental implants that are arranged to provide a scaffold upon which a damaged or missing dental papilla may regrow. The dental implants may include a micro-pattern to facilitate directional cell growth.
US08328549B2
Apparatus for heating a fluid being injected in an injection molding system, the apparatus comprising a mold having a cavity, a fluid flow distribution manifold, a fluid flow channel body, a coiled heater tube comprised of a thermally conductive wall, a heater device disposed within the coiled tube; the coiled tube having an upstream, downstream and intermediate coiled portions, the upstream and downstream coiled portions of the coiled tube being selectively movable away from each other along the coil axis to cause the intermediate coiled portion of the coiled tube to stretch or extend in coil axial length.
US08328546B2
An auxiliary injection unit is disclosed that has an extruder barrel and extruder screw integrated within an injection molding system. The extruder barrel and extruder screw are contained within a mold plate of the injection molding system with a drive mechanism of the auxiliary injection unit being external thereof. A melt stream emanating from the extruder barrel of the auxiliary injection unit is in selective fluid communication with either a melt channel of a manifold providing melt thereto during an injection cycle or with a discharge channel of a melt discharge tube for purging melt. A melt diverter component receives the melt stream from the extruder barrel and includes a shuttle valve slidably positioned therein that is operated to selectively divert the melt stream produced by the auxiliary injection unit to either the melt channel of the manifold or the discharge channel of the discharge tube.
US08328540B2
A structural improvement of submersible cooling pumps, especially a submersible cooling pump that is capable of enhancing the stability and extending service life, comprising a motor set, an impeller set and a stud set, characterized in that in said motor set, there are provided on the motor casing a top plate, disposed on which is a fan with orifices, and a motor cover having sight holes and cross-shaped ventilating holes that spreads all over the cover, disposed on top of said fan, and a protection cover with a small elastic plate provided to cloak said motor cover which is screw fastened to said motor casing; the lower end of said motor casing fits on the upper rim of the trough of a fixing base, and is fastened onto the fixing hole base of said fixing base; on said fixing base an outlet port and shaft hole are provided, and by both sides of said shaft hole an ingress of water and a positioning hole that permits the screw fastening of another element are provided; said impeller set combines and fastening an upper cover and a lower cover to accommodate a set of vanes, wherein an outlet hole is provided by one side, and a fixing hole by the other side, of an inlet hole of said upper cover; and said stud set consists of a duct pipe and a support pipe, both of equal length, of which the support pipe has female thread at each end allowing it to be screw fastened to the positioning hole of said motor set and the fixing hole of said impeller set, respectively.
US08328535B2
A restraint system (300, 300′, 500) for a vaned diffuser (225) of a turbocharger (100) or other fluid boosting device is provided that can reduce or eliminate losses. The system (300, 300′, 500) uses a structure to provide both a pressure load on the vaned diffuser (225) and a seal for the vaned diffuser (225). The structure can be a fluoroelastomer O-ring (350, 350′, 550). The O-ring (350, 350′, 550) can be positioned at least partially in a channel (325, 325′, 525) formed in at least one of the diffuser ring (206, 206′), the compressor housing (103) and the center housing (102).
US08328527B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for determining pump fillage, using data arrays of pump plunger position with respect to time and/or pump plunger load with respect to time. In this manner, well operators may be able to accurately monitor the pump fillage and control the pump accordingly.
US08328522B2
A fan or rotor design where the surface profile may be configured to desired dimensions particular to a given operating environment is disclosed.
US08328521B2
A ceiling fan comprising a disc-like stator provided with a fixed shaft at the center, an annular rotor disposed in proximity to the periphery of the stator, a supporting frame fixed to the rotor and rotatably supported by the fixed shaft; a fan blade fixed to the supporting frame; and a retaining member having one end fixed to the supporting frame together with the fan blade and the other end coupled to the fan blade, wherein the fan blade comprises a root portion fixed to the supporting frame, a blade portion coupled with the retaining member, and an offset portion formed by bending between the root portion and the blade portion, thereby preventing the fan blade from being damaged easily even when it is impressed with a load and ensuring the safety even if the fan blade is broken since the blade portion is held coupled to the rotor side.
US08328519B2
A rotor assembly for a gas turbine engine including a circumferential array of regularly spaced apart features provided on the disk which are each configured for receiving a balancing weight. The circumferential array of features has an angular orientation relative to the circumferential array of blades such that the features are each located at an at least substantially same offset angle from a stacking line of a respective adjacent blade.
US08328518B2
A turbine vane for a gas turbine engine having an internal cooling system formed from at least one serpentine cooling channel with enhanced cooling elements. The serpentine cooling channel may include a first turn manifold with purge air discharge orifices inline with a first pass of the serpentine cooling channel. Cooling fluids may be used to cooling the leading edge of the vane and passed through the purge air discharge orifices to purge the rim cavity proximate to the endwall. The first turn manifold may also include a plurality of trip strips. The trips strips may be positioned on the suction and pressure sidewalls and may be offset from trip strips on the opposing sidewall. The cooling system may also include an aft purge rim orifice.
US08328514B2
A method for controlling operation of a wind turbine is described. The wind turbine includes a rotor having a plurality of rotor blades. The method includes measuring an atmospheric condition associated with the environment surrounding the wind turbine, providing the measured atmospheric condition to a processor, and determining at least one monitor set point limit based at least partially on the measured atmospheric condition. The method also includes applying the at least one monitor set point limit to wind turbine operation.
US08328513B2
A row of stator blades in a compressor of a combustion turbine engine, the combustion turbine engine including a diffuser located downstream of the compressor, and the row of stator blades disposed in close proximity to the diffuser; the row of stator blades comprising: a plurality of stator blades that include at least one of an inboard forward notch and an outboard forward notch.
US08328512B2
An inner shroud assembly includes an aft core segment mountable to a forward core segment to support a multiple of vanes for rotational movement relative thereto. A shroud backing plate segment engageable with the aft core segment and at least one fastener which passes through the shroud backing plate, the aft core segment and the forward core segment.
US08328505B2
A shroud suitable for use in combination with an adjacent rotor blade includes a leading portion comprising a first thickness, and a trailing portion adjacent to the leading portion and comprising a second thickness, wherein the second thickness is less than the first thickness so that stiffness in the leading portion is greater than in the trailing portion and radial expansion by thermal growth of the leading portion of the shroud is constrained.
US08328498B2
In stacking tray supplying for receiving in a stacked state a plurality of trays that are received in a state in which components to be mounted onto a board are aligned, two tray stages are provided rotationally transferably on a concentric circle. In a state in which one is positioned in a feeding tray placement position and the other is positioned in a standby tray placement position, components are fed from the tray stage positioned in the feeding tray placement position. When a component depletion state occurs, the tray stages are rotationally transferred to switchover the mutual placement positions, by which waste of time required to feed components is reduced.
US08328491B2
An axially expanding spacer (10) has respective first and second spacer rings (11,12) with complementary helical ramped faces (16,17) and abutment faces (18,19). By relative rotation of the spacer rings (11,12), the height of the spacer (10), between annular faces (14,15) can be expanded or contracted. Compression springs (20) between the abutment faces (18,19) urge the spacer (10) to its “expanded” configuration.
US08328481B2
A retaining device which can be fitted in a vehicle interior, in particular as part of a storage system. The retaining device contains at least one retaining strut with a length-adjustable rod structure and two plate-like supporting elements attached to the end sides thereof. The supporting elements can be fixed to the vehicle walls by a respective adhesive fastening device. This results in a secure support for the retaining struts without it being necessary to brace the retaining struts fixedly between the vehicle walls.
US08328480B2
A winch for a cargo restraining strap includes a frame having a base and first and second parallel spaced sidewalls. The first and second sidewalls define respective first and second apertures. A protective wall extends from the base and is spaced from the first sidewall. The first sidewall and the protective wall cooperate to define a clevis structure including a channel. A pawl is movably secured to the frame, with an inner end thereof located in the clevis channel. A spool extends between the first and second sidewalls and is rotatably supported in the first and second apertures of the first and second sidewalls. A ratchet wheel is connected to the spool and is located adjacent the first sidewall. The ratchet wheel is selectively engaged by the pawl. The frame, spool and ratchet wheel can be defined from aluminum alloy. The frame can be extruded as a one-piece construction. The spool and ratchet wheel can be extruded as a one-piece construction.
US08328462B2
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided is a safety marker with an on-board convection fan for marking areas/hazards to be avoided while concurrently producing a convection effect upon the adjacent, surrounding surfaces so as to enhance evaporation of liquids/moisture thereon. Along these lines, the safety marker will not only mitigate risks by allowing for the marking of an area to be avoided, but also, uniquely, by accelerating the elimination of what is most often the root cause of the risk; wetness on the floor.
US08328458B2
A sanitary clamp for connection to a pair of barb connectors each having one end terminating at a funnel shaped portion is described herein. The sanitary clamp includes a first member having a first semi-circular center portion disposed between a first end and a second end. A second member has a second semi-circular center portion disposed between a first end and a second end. Said first ends of the first and second members are configured to pivotally connect to each other, and said second ends of the first and second members include a locking mechanism for selectively locking the second ends of the first and second members in engagement.
US08328457B2
A sanitary clamp made of high molecular weight thermoplastic polymer for connection to a barb connector having one end with a funnel formation. The sanitary clamp includes a pair of essentially semi-circular members having a pivotal connection at one of the ends of each member and a locking connection at the other ends of each member. The semi-circular portions of the members are configured to sealing and secure a pair of funneled ends of a pair of barb connectors with an O-ring disposed therebetween. The locking ends of the sanitary clamp includes a ratchet portion on one member and a housing member configured to lockingly receive the ratchet portion on the other member.
US08328455B2
An end-connector of a select cable for a manual transmission is configured to allow a driver to perform a sufficiently smooth selecting operation even with small force by ball joint type combination between a rear protrusion of a fastener and a ball portion of a connector pin. The end-connector includes a connector housing integrally connected with both ends of a select cable and having a housing hole formed through the left and right sides, a fastener inserted in the housing hole of the connector housing, with one end protruding through the housing hole, an elastic clip member fixed to the connector housing and restraining the end of fastener which protrudes from the housing hole to prevent the fastener from separating from the housing hole, and a connector pin assembled with the fastener to freely rotate with the other end of the fastener in the housing hole.
US08328453B2
A thermal coupling includes an attachment frame; a plurality of substantially straight or planar frame ribs extending from said attachment frame, said attachment frame comprising an annular frame ring, said plurality of frame ribs generally parallel to said frame ring; a plurality of fastener rings provided on said plurality of frame ribs, respectively, said fastener rings extending substantially perpendicular to said frame ribs; and plurality of fastener ring openings provided in said plurality of fastener rings, respectively.
US08328452B2
The combination of a power toothbrush and an oral fluid, in which the oral fluid has the characteristic of changing viscosity, depending upon the action of a workpiece element portion, such as a flexible membrane, of the power toothbrush. The power toothbrush has two operating conditions. In one condition, the membrane moves toward and away from the teeth at a speed such that the fluid is liquid and flows easily to and around the teeth, including the interproximal regions. In the second condition, the membrane is moved at a significantly higher speed, in response to which the viscosity of the fluid increases substantially, having a shear rate at least as great as necessary to remove biofilm from the teeth.
US08328442B2
A drive train for a printer is disclosed that provides and maintains a desired tension in the ribbon during transfer of the ribbon between a supply spool and a take-up spool. The drive train is configured to pre-tension the ribbon proximate the driven spool prior to driving the drive roller. During operation, the drive train provides and maintains the requisite tension in the ribbon proximate the driven spool with use of a slip-overdrive assembly. Additionally, the drive train induces a drag on the spool from which ribbon is being unwound with the use of a drag-overrun assembly.
US08328432B2
A fiber optic cable assembly includes a fiber optic connector and a fiber optic cable having at least one strength element, the connector and cable held together by a crimp band. The crimp band may include at least one lateral aperture on at least one end for inspecting the disposition of the strength element prior to crimping to ensure a uniform distribution of the strength element.
US08328417B2
The disclosure is directed to a photoelastic method for measuring the absolute zero crossover temperature Tzc of a sample of materials (transparent glass, glass-ceramic or ceramic) directly, without requiring calibration against a primary technique. The method involves subjecting the sample to a temperature gradient that generates a stress distribution pattern within the sample. When some portion of the sample is at a temperature equal to the Tzc of the material, the pattern adopts an easily identifiable shape whose measurement allows the calculation of Tzc. Silica-titania glass, which has a low thermal expansion, is used as an exemplary material.
US08328409B2
A device and method for use with the transportation of materials including holding materials having solids in a tank and allowing the materials to flow from the tank through an inlet/outlet configured with the tank, and agitating the materials by directing the materials into the tank through at least one inlet associated with the tank.
US08328408B2
The present invention provides a lamp positioning device and a backlight module using the lamp positioning device for holding lamps. The lamp positioning device includes an upper arm and a lower arm, wherein a holding space is formed between the upper arm and the lower arm for accommodating the lamp. Furthermore, at least one of the upper arm and the lower arm has elasticity and thus can provide the lamp with resistance against shock in order to avoid being cracked or shattered.
US08328401B2
A vehicle lamp is provided with: a light source unit containing a light source, a feeder socket having a male terminal conductively connected to the light source, and a feeder connector containing a female terminal conductively connected to the male terminal when inserted into the feeder socket and connected to an end of an electric wire; and a light source unit attaching section on which the light source unit is attached. The vehicle lamp further includes a holding member that is attached at a rear end of the feeder connector, bends the electric wire against a direction for inserting the feeder connector and can be grasped in inserting the feeder connector.
US08328393B2
A light source device includes a light source unit emitting light of a first wavelength and a wavelength converting element converting light of the first wavelength into light of a second wavelength. An external mirror transmits light of the second wavelength toward an emission destination and reflects light of the first wavelength to resonate between the light source unit and the external mirror. A wavelength separating section transmits light converted from the first wavelength to the second wavelength while traveling from the external mirror to the light source unit and reflects light of the first wavelength in order to separate the different wavelength light. A turnback section reflects light of the second wavelength separated by the wavelength separating section toward the emission destination. In addition, the wavelength separating section reflects light of the first wavelength from the light source unit to travel toward the wavelength converting element.
US08328391B2
This invention relates to a lighting module (101) comprising a carrier (103), a plurality of LED groups (109), arranged in an array on the carrier (103), a mesh (105), arranged at the carrier (103), and a front diffuser plate (107) arranged in front of the mesh (105). The mesh (105) has walls, which are arranged in a geometrical pattern forming a plurality of cells (113), such that the light emitted from at least some of the LED groups, which are adjacent to each other, is mixed before passing the diffuser plate.
US08328380B2
A light module of an LCD backlight module includes a circuit board and a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged on the circuit board. Each of the LEDs has a wide far-field pattern and is without a reflector, and each of the LEDs includes at least one LED chip and a molding unit packaging the LED chip. The LED chip is electrically connected to the circuit board and is also suitable for backlighting use. When a light-emitting angle of each of the LEDs is at 120 degrees, a light intensity thereof is still more than 50% of the intensity at frontage.
US08328376B2
A lighting device comprising at least one solid state light emitter and at least one luminescent element spaced from the light emitter, a surface of the luminescent element being at least twice as large as the illumination surface of the light emitter. Also, a lighting device comprising at least one solid state light emitter and at least one luminescent element spaced from the light emitter, a surface of the luminescent element surface being at least twice as large as and substantially parallel to the illumination surface of the light emitter. Also, a lighting device comprising at least one solid state light emitter and at least one luminescent element spaced from the light emitter, a surface area of a projection of the luminescent element being at least twice as large as a surface area of a projection of the light emitter.
US08328375B2
An organic luminous means and an illumination device comprising such a luminous means are described. An optical display apparatus, emergency lighting, motor vehicle interior lighting, an item of furniture, a construction material, a glazing and a display comprising such a luminous means and, respectively, comprising an illumination device having such a luminous means are also described.
US08328373B2
A vehicle side mirror includes a mirror body, a mirror base fastened to a body panel, and a mirror housing, which houses the mirror body and is supported by the mirror base, and the mirror housing has a housing body, which houses the mirror body on a back side of a vehicle and is attached to the mirror base, a cover member, which is mounted on the housing body so as to cover a front face of the housing body, and a reinforcement plate, which is mounted on the front face between the cover member and the front face of the housing body along the front face.
US08328371B2
An anti-reflection structure body comprises a base member which is made of glassy carbon and at a surface of which is formed an anti-reflection structure including a cluster of minute projections each having a diameter that contracts towards a tip thereof. The minute projections preferably have an average height of from 200 nm to 3000 nm and an average maximum diameter of from 50 nm to 300 nm, and an average pitch of from 50 nm to 300 nm. An anti-reflection structure body which is easily produced, capable of achieving an anti-reflection effect near to non-reflection, and capable of providing the minute structure even to a member having a high melting point such as quartz glass or the like by transfer or the like can be provided.
US08328363B2
An optical system includes a light source array, a dichroic mirror set, a light converting device and a light guide pipe. The light source array is used for emitting a first homogeneous light. The dichroic mirror set is disposed in a light path of the first homogeneous light and used for reflecting a part of the first homogeneous light to the light guide pipe, transmitting the remaining part of the first homogeneous light to the converting device. The light converting device is disposed in the transmitting light path of the dichroic mirror and used for transferring the first homogeneous light into a second, third homogeneous light. The dichroic mirror is further used for reflecting the second, third homogeneous light to the light guide pipe. The light guide pipe is used for mixing the first, second and third homogeneous light to obtain a white light.
US08328360B2
Aspects of the present invention involve novel display screens comprising light diffusion and retro-reflectivity. In embodiments, a retro-reflective light diffusion screen can be used to generate a three-dimensional autostereoscopic display by generating a plurality of viewing windows wherein each viewing window depicts a unique perspective image view.
US08328357B2
A viewing device usable by a surgeon to make an accurate corneal mark during an eye surgery procedure may be a face or head-mounted device to free the surgeon's hands. The device incorporates a light producing apparatus, such as an LED, that may be positioned to be coaxial or otherwise substantially co-aligned with a line-of-sight of the surgeon's dominant eye, and thus match the patient's line of sight with the surgeon's line of sight. The device include polarizing filters that cooperate with the light to minimize or even eliminate parallax viewing of a corneal light reflex by the surgeon's non-dominant or other eye. Further, the device may also include magnification lenses to enhance the view of the eye as seen by the surgeon.
US08328356B2
An apparatus and method is disclosed that enables an existing handheld eye imaging device to do direct measurement on images taken from the patient eye. In a preferred embodiment, a reticle is arranged in the handheld eye imaging device so that a reticle image is superimposed on the object image. In addition to allowing the user to make measurements, the reticle superimposed eye image can also be used to align the eye with the handheld eye imaging device, be used for registering images taken at different times, and also be used for finding previously recorded points on the images for comparison purposes.
US08328355B2
An ophthalmic device is provided with a photographing optical system that photographs an eye fundus; an illumination optical system that illuminate the eye fundus; a split target projection optical system that projects a split target for focusing the photographing optical system on the eye fundus; an alignment target projection optical system that projects an alignment target (AL) for aligning the photographing optical system with an examining eye; an observation optical system that displays optical images of the eye fundus; and a pseudo-target display processing unit that takes an observation video signal output by the observation optical system in, detects at least one of positions of the split target and the alignment target in the observation video signal, and displays a pseudo-target on the monitor in accordance with the detected position.
US08328348B2
The heater unit includes: a locking device selectable between a locked state in which the heater unit chassis is locked in the printer chassis, and an unlocked state in which the printer chassis and the heater unit chassis are unlocked; and a grip portion. When the grip portion is in a first operating position, the locking device is held in the locked state, and when the grip portion is in a second operating position, the locking device is held in the unlocked state. The operating state of the locking device changes in an interlocked manner with switching of the operating position of the grip portion.
US08328340B2
An ink for inkjet printing including a pigment, a water-dispersible resin, water, and a water-soluble organic solvent, wherein the water-dispersible resin is an anionic resin having a film elongation of 400-1,000%, a tensile strength of 20 to 50 N/mm2 and an absolute value for the zeta potential (mV) of 40 or greater, the amount of the anionic resin, reported as a weight ratio relative to the pigment, is within a range from (0.5 to 2.5)/1, and the surface tension of the ink is within a range from 30 to 50 mN/m.
US08328337B2
A liquid droplet discharge apparatus includes a liquid droplet discharge head having a plurality of nozzles which discharge liquid droplets and a pressure applying mechanism which selectively applies a pressure to discharge the liquid droplets from the nozzles; a first wiring board which is flexible and which is connected to the pressure applying mechanism; and a second wiring board which is connected to the first wiring board; and the first wiring board has a pair of extending portions which extend on mutually opposite sides from a connecting portion to be connected to the pressure applying mechanism, the pair of extending portions are bent so that forward end portions thereof face each other, and the second wiring board is connected to the pair of extending portions so that the second wiring board overlaps the mutually facing forward end portions of the pair of extending portions.
US08328332B2
A modular printhead assembly includes an elongate chassis; an elongate ink reservoir assembly mounted on the chassis and defining a plurality of distinct elongate ink supply channels; a plurality of printhead modules serially arranged along and releasably engaged with the ink reservoir, each printhead module having ink chambers in fluid communication with respective distinct supply channels; and a plurality of spaced apart sets of tubular filling formations serially arranged along the elongate ink reservoir, each filling formation of a set being in fluid communication with one distinct ink supply channel.
US08328331B2
A nozzle plate for an inkjet printhead, the nozzle plate including a nozzle through which ink is ejected, the nozzle optimally positioned in the nozzle plate. The nozzle plate further including at least one priming hole, the priming hole distinct from and of a smaller diameter than the nozzle, the priming holes positioned at selected locations of the nozzle plate to purge air from the ink jet print head.
US08328326B2
The inkjet recording apparatus includes: an inkjet head having a nozzle surface in which inkjet nozzles are arranged, the nozzle surface being oblique to a horizontal plane; and a cleaner which wipes the nozzle surface. The cleaner includes: a supply spindle and a take-up spindle of which axes are horizontal; a band-shaped wiping member which is wound in a form of a roll and installed on the supply spindle, travels along a prescribed path of travel and is taken up onto the take-up spindle; a pressing roller of which axis is arranged in parallel with the nozzle surface, the wiping member being wrapped about a circumferential surface of the pressing roller; a front-stage guide device which is disposed between the supply spindle and the pressing roller and guides the wiping member supplied from the supply spindle so as to travel in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the pressing roller; and a rear-stage guide device which is disposed between the pressing roller and the take-up spindle and guides the wiping member wrapped about the pressing roller so as to travel in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the take-up spindle. The nozzle surface is cleaned by abutting the wiping member wrapped about the pressing roller against the nozzle surface.
US08328318B2
There is provided a printing method using a first motor that applies a driving force for rotating a roll body around which a printing medium is wound, a second motor that applies a driving force for intermittently driving a transport driving roller that transports the printing medium, and a print head that intermittently ejects ink onto the printing medium alternately with the driving of the second motor. The printing method includes driving the first motor such that tension applied to the printing medium is constant during at least a part of a period in which the second motor is driven and stopping the driving of the first motor during at least a part of a period in which the driving of the second motor is stopped.
US08328315B2
A method enables a printing system to be operated in one of two registration control modes. The method includes operating at least one marking station with reference to a first velocity measurement of a web moving along a web path in response to a first registration control mode being active, the first velocity measurement corresponding to an angular velocity signal obtained from only a first roller in a web path, and operating the at least one marking station with reference to a second velocity measurement of the web moving along the web path in response to a second registration control mode being active, the second velocity measurement corresponding to at least two angular velocity signals obtained from at least the first roller and a second roller in the web path.
US08328311B2
Degradation in image quality due to disturbance in landing positions of satellites is suppressed. When scanning and printing with a printing head which has a first nozzle array ejecting relatively large ejection amount of ink, a second nozzle array arranged on one side of the first nozzle array in a scan direction and a third nozzle array arranged on the other side of the first nozzle array in the scan direction, the second and third nozzle arrays ejecting a relatively small ejection amount of ink with the same color, a printing rate of one of the second and third nozzle arrays located at the front side in the scan direction is controlled lower than that of the other located at the back side.
US08328299B2
A drawer slide with lock mechanism has an elongated outer slide member extendably coupled to an inner slide member. A latch arm or pin is fixed to the inner slide member for latching by a lock mechanism fixed to the outer slide member. The lock mechanism uses a latch receiver that rotates with respect to the lock mechanism and is in a travel path of the latch arm. A lever arm rotates with respect to the lock mechanism and is positionable to block rotation of the latch receiver in a locked position to retain the latch arm. A motor drives a cam to position the lever arm to free the latch receiver from the locked position.
US08328294B2
An electrical control system for a rotatable wheel cover assembly is presented, the system including a controller assembly comprising processors for controlling the relative motion of a wheel cover rotatably mounted to a wheel frame of a vehicle. The controller assembly outputs a first signal to motor drivers, which are mounted within the vehicle separated from the wheel cover, the motor drivers passing a first drive frequency to motor leads for open loop control of the speed of the motors that drive the wheel cover. The electrical control system provides power from an inboard side of the wheel frame to an outboard side via a slip ring assembly having connector assemblies passing through the wheel frame for controlling motion of the wheel cover. The wheel cover is mounted to a shaft of the motor, wherein the motor is mounted coaxially with the wheel frame.
US08328293B2
A shield machine including an excavator capable of excavating tunnels of various cross-sectional shapes, the excavator including: a rotary drum supported at a front end side portion of a shield machine main body to be rotatable around a first center axis; a cutter supporting frame supported by the rotary drum to be rotatable around a second center axis; a rotary cutter head supported by the cutter supporting frame to be rotatable around a third center axis and including a plurality of cutter bits on a surface thereof; a rotary auxiliary cutter head supported by the rotary drum to be rotatable around a fourth center axis; and first, third, and fourth rotating mechanisms, and a swinging drive mechanism configured to respectively cause the rotary drum, the rotary cutter head, the rotary auxiliary cutter head, and the cutter supporting frame to independently rotate.
US08328290B2
An extendable mobile fluid carrying apparatus including a first frame configured to couple to a tractor. A fluid container is coupled to the first frame and configured to rotate about a pivot device of the first frame. The container defines a closable orifice configured to decant a fluid from the container. A high-CFM blower is coupled to the container and configured to draw a vacuum. A lift mechanism is coupled to the first frame and the fluid container and configured to lift the fluid container to an angle greater than 45° relative to the first frame. A second frame is slidingly coupled to the first frame, with the second frame configured to extend away from the first frame a predetermined distance. The second frame includes a wheel set. The tractor may include a power takeoff mechanism coupled to a prime mover and to the blower.
US08328289B2
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a harness belt retaining system for a child safety seat. The system includes a first portion including a first attachment portion and configured to secure to a chest clip on a harness belt. The first portion may be configured to be removably secured to the chest clip. The first portion may include a strap. The strap may include a first end and a second end. The first end may include an aperture configured to receive the second end. The strap may be configured to form a loop having an adjustable size, such that the loop can secure to the chest clip. The first portion may have a first surface and a second surface. Each of the surfaces may include the first attachment portion. The first portion may include a toy or a decorative tag.
US08328287B2
The chair structure comprises: a chair body, including a seat cushion and a back cushion; a fixing plate, being firmly disposed in the chair body and having a plurality of fixing holes; a moving plate, being disposed above the fixing plate, the moving plate having a plurality of penetrating holes; a plurality of flexible members, being disposed on the surface of the top end of the moving plate; a plurality of fixing members, each of the fixing members having a fastening end and a connecting end; and a plurality of lifting devices, being disposed at the bottom of the moving plate, by means of the lifting devices driving the moving plate and the fixing members holding the flexible members, the flexible members being then compressed in order to adjust the flexible supporting forces of the chair body.
US08328285B2
An adjustment structure of a chair armrest is provided. The armrest is attached to a chair back through a fastening seat. A releasable fastener provided between the armrest and the fastening seat allows the armrest to be slide vertically and get positioned with respect to the fastening seat. The fastening seat has a guiding groove facing the armrest and the guiding groove is formed with toothed portions. The releasable fastener includes an engaging member for bilaterally engaging with the toothed portions, mutually engageable slanting tooth portions formed on a lever and a driven member assembled to the armrest, respectively, and a screw passing through the engaging member and the guiding groove to be screwingly fixed to the driven member. By pulling the lever upward or downward, the armrest is released to be repositioned or is positioned so that the armrest attached to the chair back can be adjusted in altitude.
US08328282B2
A seat state changing apparatus changing seat states between a first state and a second state includes an actuator moving a seat between the first state and the second state, a change detection portion detecting a change according to a load applied to the seat when changing seat states, a determination portion determining that the seat is assumed to be a predetermined state when an amount of change in accordance with the change according to the load applied to the seat is greater than a predetermined determination threshold value, and a determination threshold value changing portion changing the predetermined determination threshold value when an engaging member, which is configured to engage with the seat, engages with the seat during a movement of the seat between the first state and the second state.
US08328280B2
A vehicle seat assembly includes a pair of outboard seats and a stationary center bolster positioned between the outboard seats. Each of the outboard seats has a seatback and a seat base. The center bolster includes a cushion and a back. The cushion has a hinged portion which is movable to reveal a pair of low mount anchor bars associated with the center bolster for securing an associated child restraint to the center bolster. The hinged portion is movable from a stowed position to a support position. In the support position, the hinged portion is configured to at least partially support the associated child restraint.
US08328276B2
An apparatus for determining an impact on a vehicle includes: a load detecting portion attached to an end portion of a seat portion of a seat for the vehicle, and detecting a compressing-direction load, and a pulling-direction load; and an impact determining portion determining that the impact is applied on the vehicle in a case where the compressing-direction load, which is equal to or larger than a first predetermined value, is detected and subsequently the pulling-direction load, which is equal to or larger than a second predetermined value, is detected within a first predetermined time period, or in a case where the pulling-direction load, which is equal to or larger than a third predetermined value, is detected and subsequently the compressing-direction load, which is equal to or larger than a fourth predetermined value, is detected within a second predetermined time period.
US08328269B2
A vehicle includes a pair of opposing hinged doors. The pair of opposing hinged doors includes a first door and a second door. An articulating trim panel is moveably attached to the second door, and is moveable between a deployed position and a refracted position. When in the deployed position, the articulating trim panel conceals an interior gap between a first interior trim panel of the first door and a second interior trim panel of the second door. When in the refracted position, the articulating trim panel is withdrawn from the interior gap, thereby allowing independent pivotable movement of the first door and the second door relative to each other.
US08328265B2
The invention relates to a storage compartment (1) having a pivotable cover (5). The invention proposes that the cover (5) be mounted on a slider member (3) and driven with a constraining kinematic arrangement (15) so that, during opening, the cover (5) is in the first instance displaced with the slider member (3) in parallel and is then pivoted upwards, the cover (5) being displaced further with the slider member (3) during pivoting.
US08328264B2
A cargo bin assembly of an automotive vehicle includes a recess that extends below a floor surface. The recess preferably has a stepped conformation where a first, shallow rim portion receives support members without the potential for interfering with items stored in a second, deep storage portion of the recess. Preferably, the deep storage portion is dimensioned to receive side panel lids from side storage assemblies. Removal of the generally planar side panel lids allows elongated items to be received in the cargo area, and the cargo recess allows the side panel lids to be stored. No openings are provided along the lower portion of the side storage cavity to prevent collection of dirt or debris.
US08328261B2
A pick-up style utility vehicle having a front seat and a rear seat. The pick-up style utility vehicle includes a cargo bed movement mechanism for supporting a cargo bed movably within a predetermined movement range in a back and forth direction. Also, a seat movement mechanism is provided for supporting the rear seat movably between a use position set to be within the movement range and a shunting position set to be out of or beyond the movement range.
US08328259B2
A trim cover having overlapped first and second cover members is fixed to a vehicle surface by a structure which includes a belt-like support plate attached along an end of the first cover member, and an engaging element. The engaging element has a longitudinal base portion and spaced tongue-shaped pieces projecting laterally therefrom. The engaging element extends along an end of the second cover member which positionally corresponds to the end of the first cover member. Fasteners fix the support plate, at both ends and a center portion thereof, through the end of the first cover member, to a surface of a vehicle. The tongue-shaped pieces of the engaging element are press-fitted through spaces in regions between the first cover member and the surface which are not occupied by the fasteners.
US08328247B2
A lock for carrying cases comprises at least one block hinged at a first end to a first half-shell. The block is rotatable about a pivoting axis from a closed configuration, in which at least one tab that protrudes on the opposite side with respect to the pivoting axis engages elastically and detachably a perimetric ridge that protrudes from a second half-shell, to couple the first half-shell to the second half-shell, to an opening configuration, in which the tab is disengaged from the ridge, and vice versa. The lock comprises a lever, which is hinged to the block at a first end portion thereof and can be gripped at a second end portion thereof, which is opposite to the first one, for the rotation of the block and the disengagement of the tab from the ridge.
US08328244B2
A sanitary coupling and seal forming system which can be front mounted. Front mounted refers to a seal fitting that can be installed directly behind a coupling. It is intended to be easily manufactured, installed, disposable, and reusable. A two part seal fitting which is formed from two arc-shaped sealing elements each having one of two different inventively designed termini. Each termini are complementary with termini of different types allowing a system which can be opened or act as a hinge. The seal fitting can be axially brought into engagement with a sanitary coupling which bears complementary components. Thus the seal assembly allows for quick connection and disconnection by the sealing assembly.
US08328239B2
A mechanical securing assembly (40) is adapted to secure the structural integrity of a flow passage formed by at least a first pipe part (41) and a second pipe part (42). The assembly comprises a connecting member (43), a first fastening member (44), attached to the connecting member and adapted to secure the connecting member to the first pipe part, and a second fastening member (45), attached to the connecting member and adapted to secure the connecting member to the second pipe part. The connecting member comprises a spring element (46) exerting a force pulling the first fastening member and the second fastening member towards each other along a primary axis (y), and thus being adapted to force the first pipe part and the second pipe part towards each other. The spring element is extendable along the primary axis by a compression of the spring element along a secondary axis forming an angle to the primary axis.
US08328227B2
In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides a side airbag apparatus for a vehicle having a seat with a back rest part and a hinge mechanism. The side airbag includes an inner sleeve forming a separation element defining one of a front airbag chamber and a rear airbag chamber within the side airbag. A connecting passage connects the front and a rear airbag chambers adjacent a lower extremity of the separation element. An attaching portion provided on the rear portion of the rear airbag chamber attaches the side airbag to the backrest part. An inflator proximate the attaching portion injects gas into the rear airbag chamber which flows through the connecting passage into the front airbag chamber.
US08328226B2
A direction changeable stroller comprises a frame unit that includes a side leg frame and a push handle pivotable between front and rear positions. The side leg frame includes front and rear leg tubes, and front and rear wheel assemblies. Each of the front and rear wheel assemblies includes a wheel seat and a wheel. Each of the wheel seats includes a fixed portion connected fixedly to a corresponding one of the front and rear leg tubes, and a rotating portion connected pivotably to the fixed portion. The side leg frame further includes an automatic direction-limiting mechanism connected to the push handle such that, when the push handle is at a selected one of the front and rear positions, relative rotation between the fixed portion and the rotating portion of a corresponding one of the front and rear wheel seats is prevented.
US08328225B2
AT ski binding adaptor for alpine ski touring and downhill, including a floating heel lock assembly and multifunctional rotatable locking arms. Ski bindings are mounted on an adaptor mounting plate, channel or beam assembly that pivots at the toe. The heel lock mechanism “floats” on a rail or rails to accommodate ski flex, and includes a multi-position climbing bar or heel riser. The floating heelblock and locking mechanism are interconvertible for different ski modes: in fixed heel-mode—the locking arms act to firmly secure the heel to the ski for aggressive downhill conditions or riding style, and in free heel mode—the locking arms may be configured to support touring and climbing configurations. The ski binding adaptor with floating heel lock mechanism is optionally compatible with a range of alpine ski touring and downhill bindings.
US08328224B1
The receiver hitch assembly includes a receiver permanently attached to the towing vehicle and a drawbar removably attached to the receiver. The receiver and the receiver attachment end of the drawbar are oriented vertically, the receiver and its mounting structure being configured for concealment by the rear bumper or other structure of the towing vehicle when the drawbar is removed. The drawbar is configured to clear the rear bumper and/or other structure of the towing vehicle when installed to the receiver. The drawbar is also configured to position the hitch ball at approximately the same level as the center of the receiver when the drawbar is installed. The drawbar may include a longitudinally telescoping center section to allow the hitch ball to be spaced from the structure of the towing vehicle for clearance, load distribution, or other reasons.
US08328223B2
An attachment assembly for a vehicle having a receiver for pulling an object or being pulled. The attachment assembly includes a support member for connection to the receiver and an attachment member connected to the support member to provide both pivotal and rotational movement.
US08328222B1
An anti-sway, tongue-weight equalizing hitch for a trailer having a hitch ball socket; a shank structured for releasably connecting to a towing vehicle; a hitch head secured to the shank and having a longitudinal axis, a hitch ball with a tow axis on the longitudinal axis; an elevating mechanism for adjusting the relative elevations of the hitch head and the trailer tongue; a leveling mechanism for vertically-orienting the tow axis; right and left spring bars mounted to the hitch head to pivot about opposing right and left rearwardly-tilted stabilizing axes disposed in opposing vertically-oriented pivot axis planes spaced laterally and equidistantly outwardly from the longitudinal axis; and right and left suspension mechanisms tensionally suspending distal ends of the spring bars wherein distal ends thereof are normally spaced laterally and equidistantly outwardly from the respective vertical-oriented pivot axis planes in an equilibrium configuration.
US08328221B2
A method and apparatus for providing a displaceable fifth-wheel hitch assembly configured to be mounted in a bed of a truck. The displaceable fifth-wheel hitch assembly includes a platform track, a displaceable platform, and an adjustment assembly. The platform track defines a track space therein and is configured to be mounted in the bed of the truck. The displaceable platform is configured to be positioned in the track space and includes a fifth-wheel hitch coupled thereto. The adjustment assembly includes a means for displacing the platform and a means for locking the platform in place with respect to the platform track and truck. The means for locking the platform includes a locking pin that is spring biased into holes in the platform track. The means for displacing the platform includes an adjustment rod and bracket to displace the locking pin from its locking position.
US08328219B2
A bicycle frame, has a pedal hub connection part and a frame column part. The invention also relates to a bicycle and a method and assembly kit for assembling the bicycle frame and bicycle. The bicycle frame (1) according to the invention has a separate front fork (7) with a head tube (7P) and one or several openable head tube connection parts (5) for openably connecting the front fork (7), and that the openable head tube connection part (5) has an unrotatable connection element (21) for unrotatably connecting the head tube (7P) of the front fork (7) and that the head tube (7P) has a bearing assembly (19) for rotatably connecting the front fork (7) and the head tube (7P) to each other, and that the front fork head tube (7P) is connected to the bearing assembly (19) from the inside.
US08328216B2
The present invention relates to a mechanical element, and more particularly, to a crank connected to a bicycle pedal or a handle for rotating a rotary body and to a bicycle using the same. The present invention uses a cylindrical cam, an end cam, or a swash plate cam, and the shafts of these cams and a shaft of a pedal or a handle for applying force are equipped with a miter gear (a bevel gear the number of teeth of which is 1:1 and the shaft angle of which is 90 degrees), such that the crank retracts/extends one time per one rotation of the pedal or the handle.
US08328212B1
The disclosed subject matter relates to a suspension system for use on a vehicle that includes a knuckle, a first trailing arm structure, a second trailing arm structure, an upper arm structure, and a lower arm structure. The first trailing arm structure and second trailing arm structure can be configured to extend in a frontward direction from the knuckle to a connection at a forward portion of a vehicle frame. The upper and lower arm structures can be configured to extend substantially transversely with respect to the vehicle longitudinal axis and connect to a rearward portion of the vehicle frame. The second trailing arm structure can cross underneath the lower arm structure as viewed from a direction normal to a plane defined by the central axis and horizontal axis of the knuckle, such that the second trailing arm structure is located closer to the travel surface of the vehicle than the lower arm structure at a location where the second trailing arm structure crosses underneath the lower arm structure.
US08328210B2
An axle suspension includes a vehicular frame and first and second mounting fixtures mounted in spaced relation beneath the vehicular frame. First and second swing arms have first and second ends and are substantially parallel. The first ends are pivotally mounted to the first mounting fixture for vertical pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal first pivot axis. An axle is positioned on top of and perpendicular to the first swing arm and the second swing arm. The axle is mounted toward the second end of the first swing arm and the second swing arm by underlying resilient elastomer bushings wherein limited movement of the axle is accommodated about a substantially horizontal second pivot axis. Air spring suspension is positioned between the axle and the frame wherein pivotal movement in an upward direction about the first pivot axis is dampened.
US08328196B1
The present disclosure relates to a board game with a start point, end point, and a path between. The object of the game is to advance all of one's pawns from the starting point to the end point before any other player. In various exemplary embodiments, the game also includes a sweeper arm that comes into play at the occurrence of an arbitrary and/or random event (e.g., a particular roll of a dice or die), but the direction of movement is selected by a player (e.g., the player during whose turn the sweeper arm will be moved). The sweeper arm moves about the playing board and effects the position of pieces thereon (e.g., sending them back to the start point or changing their location on the board). In various exemplary embodiments, the playing pawns are stackable on one another. Moreover, multiple pieces may become stacked and move as a group, including pawns belonging to any number of different players.
US08328194B2
A sheet-processing machine comprises a plurality of modules which are passed through one after the other by the sheets to be processed. The modules each have a sheet input interface and/or a sheet output interface, wherein, in at least one of the modules, the sheet input interface and/or the sheet output interface can optionally be coupled to sheet output interfaces and sheet input interfaces, respectively, of at least two other modules.
US08328193B2
An image forming apparatus has a pair of registration rollers which conveys a sheet to an image forming portion. The pair of registration rollers includes a first registration roller, which is fixed to a registration roller shaft and includes first and second registration roller rubbers formed of an elastic body and third to sixth registration roller rubbers, and a second registration roller includes first to sixth rollers in press contact with the registration roller rubbers of the first registration roller. The press contact portions between the registration roller rubbers of the first registration roller and the first to sixth rollers of the second registration roller are different in length in a sheet conveying direction.
US08328192B2
A sheet thickness detection device capable of accurately detecting a thickness of sheets of various types. In a case that information about sheets stored in a sheet feed unit is set by a user through an operation unit or through an external host PC, a CPU of the sheet thickness detection device sets a pressure changeover solenoid to ON to obtain a strong nip pressure between a detection roller and a fixed roller, if a sheet basis weight specified in the information about sheets is larger than a predetermined value, and sets the pressure changeover solenoid to OFF to obtain a weak nip pressure, if the sheet basis weight specified in the information about sheets is equal to or less than the predetermined value.
US08328191B2
A sheet material detection apparatus detects passage of a sheet material over a sheet material transportation path. The apparatus includes: a lever member that is exposed over the transportation path and turns from a reference position when the sheet material is brought into contact therewith; a detecting section that detects the turn of the lever member; a holder that supports the lever member in such a manner that the lever member can turn freely toward both sides in a direction of the transportation of the sheet material at a guide-facing-surface side, the guide facing surface being a surface facing a guide surface along which the sheet material is guided over the transportation path; and a counter weight with which the turning lever member is brought into contact, the counter weight turning due to contact with the lever member, the counter weight being thereafter brought into contact with the holder.
US08328190B2
A sheet feeding apparatus capable of obtaining a sufficient conveying force for pulling back double-fed overlapping sheets to a stacking tray side. A sheet feeding member feeds sheets incoming from a stacking tray which stacks the sheets into a conveying pass. A separating member separates the sheets fed to the conveying pass by the sheet feeding member one by one. A double feed detection sensor generates an output for detecting double feed of sheets fed to the conveying pass. A rotatable member contacts the fed sheet. A driving unit rotationally drives at least the rotatable member in a rotational direction for reverse feeding of sheets. A control unit controls the driving unit when the double feed of sheets is detected based on the output of the double feed detection sensor, such that the rotatable member is rotationally driven in the rotational direction for reverse feeding of sheets.
US08328185B2
A medium stack tray comprises a stacking member that stacks a sheet medium and is configured to be wound in a roll, a winding mechanism that winds the stacking member, a regulating mechanism that regulates the stacking member being pulled out to be wound by the winding mechanism, anda releasing mechanism that releases regulation for winding the stacking member by the regulating mechanism.In the stacking member being pulled out, at least a portion of a cross section thereof, in a perpendicular direction to a pull-out direction of the stacking member, has a curved shape.Alternatively, the stacking member is configured to have greater minimum area moment of inertia of a cross section when pulled out, than when wound up.
US08328168B1
An aerator particularly useful in the aeration of waste treatment systems. The aerator has a hollow support pipe communicating air to arms having diffuser stones, the support pipe extending upwardly from a weighted base. The diffuser stones are near the ends of the arms. A first pair of arms is lower than a second pair of arms and each pair of arms has a common axis. The axes of the arms are angled relative to each other. The diffusers on the lower pair of arms are angled upward and the diffusers on the upper arms are angled downward. The aerator provides a large projected area for the diffusers as viewed from above, and spreads air bubbles laterally away from the aerator. The aerator of the present invention keeps the diffusers above the bottom at an optimized height while maximizing aeration.
US08328164B2
A hive tool comprises an integrally formed elongated flat bar shaft with concavely shaped sides having a “Z” shaped portion at one end of the longitudinal axis and a gradually tapered straight edge on the other end. The “Z” shape end thereof is proportioned to slide between the frames of a hive box in the bee space and engages a top bar of a frame. The portion of the “Z” shape adjacent to the shaft provides a fulcrum holding one frame in place, while simultaneously lifting the other with an end flanged plane. A thrust and throw of the lever handle is required for operation.
US08328158B2
A module solenoid valve (14) includes a valve body (16) defining an inlet opening (22) and an outlet opening (20). The valve body includes a valve seat (18) at a distal end thereof. A valve member (24) controls flow of fuel through the outlet opening. A movable armature (26) is coupled with the valve member such that movement of the armature moves the valve member between a closed position and an open position. A stator (38) is associated with the armature. An electromagnetic coil (36) is associated with the stator and armature for causing movement of the armature towards the stator. A spring (32) biases the armature and thus the valve member to the closed position. The spring provides a spring force that is greater than a first, normal hydrostatic force applied to the valve seat, but less than a second, overpressure hydrostatic force applied to the valve seat.
US08328157B2
An electromagnetic hydraulic valve (1) is provided having a valve housing (2) with a pressurized hydraulic medium inlet channel (24), a pressurized hydraulic medium outlet channel (25), a magnet coil (3), and a valve seat (23), with a magnet armature (9) that can be excited by the magnet coil and a valve tappet (10, 10′) fixed on this armature. A valve-closing element (13) is activated by the valve tappet and that blocks the connection between the pressurized hydraulic medium channels for contact on the valve seat. The magnet armature with the valve tappet and the valve-closing element are guided so that they can move longitudinally in the valve housing and the valve tappet and the valve-closing element contact each other with facing longitudinal end sides (26, 27) in a way that is free from tensile forces. Here, one annular, continuous lobe or several lobes (28, 28′) separated from each other are formed on the longitudinal end side of the valve tappet, which span a contact plane running perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of movement for the longitudinal end side of the valve-closing element.
US08328150B2
Combination mounting plate and cover assemblies for mounting an electrical outlet box on one side of a stud in a wall are provided. The mounting plate and cover assemblies are configured to receive an additional bracket and/or outlet box on an opposite side of the stud. The combination mounting plate and cover assemblies can be single unitary members serving the multiple functions of a raised cover ring, a box support, and a secondary bracket/outlet box support. Systems including combination mounting plate and cover assemblies having an electrical box and a bracket or second outlet box attached thereto.
US08328148B2
The present invention relates to a stand for supporting a thin display unit, such as a liquid crystal display, upright. In order to provide the stand for the display unit in which a quadrangular rubber pad is attached in a not-easily removable state with a simpler structure, rubber pad attachment portions are provided, each rubber pad attachment portion (2) including a quadrangular frame rib (21) to which each quadrangular rubber pad (4) is attached and being formed into a quadrilateral in a plan view, an abutment rib which regulates a fitting depth of the rubber pad and abuts with the rubber pad in a predetermined abutment area is provided in each rubber pad attachment portion, and evacuation spaces (5(5A to 5D)) allowing further fitting of the rubber pad are provided at positions corresponding to four corners of the rubber pad (4) where the abutment rib is not provided.
US08328146B2
A cable tie assembly includes a securing panel defining a securing slot and a strap. The cable tie includes a head, an elongated strap portion extending from the head, and a mounting portion. The elongated strap portion includes a strap body and a distal end extending from the strap body. The distal end includes a plurality of teeth. The head has a securing hole and a tab disposed in the securing hole. The tab is configured to mesh with the teeth as the distal end is pulled through the securing hole.
US08328139B2
A method and device for in-flight including movable aerodynamic surfaces boom refueling operations using an articulated boom and a cable is disclosed. The method includes: (a) from a completely stowed-away and retracted position of the boom, the cable is initially released, thereby starting to lower the boom, such that the said cable is kept tensioned during the whole of step (a) by the force supplied by the movable aerodynamic surfaces and/or the force of gravity acting on the boom; (b) after reaching the maximum deployed position of the boom, or the bottom end of the flight envelope of the boom, release of the cable is stopped; (c) while keeping the length of released cable fixed, the boom is brought into a suitable position for commencing the maneuvers for refueling of the receiver aircraft; (d) the manoeuvre for connecting the boom to the receptacle of the receiver aircraft is started by control of the movable aerodynamic surfaces; and (e) once the connection has been established, the transfer of fuel to the receiver aircraft is started.
US08328128B2
An aircraft includes at least three drive units, each of which has a first rotor and a first, rotary speed-controlled electrical motor, suitable for driving the first rotor during operation of the aircraft. Each of the drive units has at least a second rotor and at least one second, rotary speed-controlled electrical motor, suitable for driving the second rotor during operation of the aircraft in a rotational direction that is opposite to the rotational direction of the first rotor of each drive unit. Autonomous means for controlling the location and position of the aircraft are also provided.
US08328124B2
A method of mechanically refining lignocellulosic material in a refiner having opposing refiner plates including: introducing the material to an inlet in one of the opposing refiner plates; rotating at least one of the plates with respect to the other plate, wherein the material moves radially outward through a gap between the plates due to centrifugal forces created by the rotation; as the material moves through the gap, passing the material over bars in a refiner zone of a first one the plates, each bar in the refiner zone having a leading face and an upper ridge, wherein the leading face includes a sidewall of the bar facing a direction of rotation of the opposing plate and the leading edge has an interior angle of between 150 degrees to 175 degrees, and discharging the material from the gap at a periphery of the refiner plates.
US08328118B2
A manual spray dispenser for dispensing a mixture of two compositions comprises a container having a first and second chamber and a single dispensing spray outlet. At least one of the chambers has a separator in the form of a pouch for physically separating the contents of the container from an interior surface of the chamber. One of the first and second chambers contains a first composition and the other contains a second composition. The dispenser further contains a dispensing system for simultaneously dispensing the first composition and the second composition, mixing the two compositions together, and dispensing a mixture of the two compositions from the container under pressure. An aerosol propellant is between the separator and the interior surface of the at least one of the first and second chambers for pressurizing the composition in the pouch for dispensing the contents thereof through the dispensing system under pressure.
US08328111B2
The invention concerns a roadway system, the system for use with model vehicles with an energy-independent propulsion as well as a steering axle, which follow a driving wire laid directly beneath the roadway by means of a magnet, wherein the roadway system comprises individual, generally two-dimensional (meaning generally long and thin in cross section) roadway segments each having multiple respective connection edges and at least one groove on their roadway side with a diameter to accommodate the driving wire. The roadway system comprises straight, curved, flexible, and special-type roadway segments.
US08328106B1
A Standard Size Convertible Transaction Card Assembly includes a conventional transaction card of standard size and a keychain size transaction card of reduced “key-tag” size which is formed from a delineated portion of the standard size transaction card and separable there-from, wherein the keychain size transaction card contains all readable transaction information required to consummate the intended transaction. The delineation may be a printed line, demarcation, a line-of-weakness or perforation, such that the keychain size transaction card can be separated from the standard size transaction card manually, or with the assist of tools. The consumer can use the Standard Size Convertible Transaction Card Assembly as a conventional, standard size transaction card or separate the keychain size transaction card at the delineation for use as an independent keychain size transaction card. The Standard Size Convertible Transaction Card Assembly has a transaction information medium for retaining transactional information, such as a magnetic stripe, bar code, or computer chip, including a smart chip. The keychain size transaction card may contain an attachment hole or other suitable fastening means so that it can be conveniently carried on a keychain, lanyard, or the like, after separation.
US08328101B2
A camera unit includes a display for displaying an image to be captured; an image sensor for digitally capturing the displayed image; a card reader having a linear scanner for scanning a surface of a removable card to sense a plurality of dots printed on the surface of the removable card, the plurality of dots representing a bit pattern encoding a program script; a card interface for receiving a signal from the card reader indicative of the sensed plurality of dots printed on the surface of the card, and decoding the sensed plurality of dots into the program script; and a printer configured to print a distorted image on print media, the distorted image being a version of the captured image distorted in accordance with the program script. The card reader comprises a molding housing therewithin a plurality of light sources, the molding being transparent to light from the light sources and shaped to focus the light on the removable card.
US08328100B2
Embodiments herein include a method, service, apparatus, etc., that sets at least one integrated circuit board (that has programmable elements) to a programming state. When such programmable elements are set to the programming state, they are capable of being changed. Once the programmable elements are set to be changed, at least one printed sheet is scanned. The scanning can be preformed using any scanner that is operatively connected to the integrated circuit board through, for example, a processor. Again, the printed data (e.g., the barcodes or glyphs or other computer-only readable markings) on the printed sheet comprises the reprogramming data. The processor reads the barcodes or glyphs from the bitmap generated by the scanner, and executes the reprogramming data to change the logical instructions and data maintained within the programmable elements.
US08328096B2
A self-checkout kiosk enables a patron to purchase product displayed in a vending area and carrying a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag. The customer exits the vending area through a security portal. The kiosk, a bill acceptor, and a computer monitor, either adjacent the portal or separated there from, enables the patron to complete a purchase transaction prior to exiting the vending area through the portal. The portal includes RFID reading antennas for detecting product being transferred through the portal. A security system responds to transfer of product through the portal without a patron completing a purchase transaction using the self-checkout station. The security system itself is also usable in conventional retail environments when an attendant is present.
US08328095B2
Payment card transactions at a point of sale (POS) are secured in certain embodiments by intercepting, with a POS security layer installed on a POS terminal, payment data from the POS terminal, transmitting the payment data from the POS security layer to a server security application installed on a POS server, and providing false payment data from the POS security layer to a POS terminal application installed on the POS terminal. The false payment data in various embodiments is processed as if it were the payment data, such that the POS terminal transmits an authorization request to the POS server using the false payment data. In addition, the authorization request may be transmitted from the POS server to a payment gateway.
US08328094B2
An automated system for facilitating sales in dynamically-changing mobile retail environments includes a vendor/supplier connector module, a carrier connector module, a provisioning module, and a point-of-sale (POS) customization module. The vendor/supplier connector module facilitates automated exchange of product data with a plurality of different vendors or suppliers of products or services. The carrier connector module facilitates automated exchange of transportation data with a plurality of different carriers, with the transportation data corresponding to specific mobile retail environments. The provisioning module automatically determines, based on the product data and on the transportation data, products or services corresponding to a specific mobile retail environment. The POS customization module automatically generates re-configuration data for each of a plurality of POS interfaces. The re-configuration data limits each of the plurality of POS interfaces to facilitating sales of only the subset of the set of products or services that corresponds to a specific mobile retail environment.
US08328093B2
A system includes a wireless-enabled smart card reader able to be connected concurrently to at least two devices and a mobile device able to be connected wirelessly to the smart card reader and to control connections of the smart card reader.
US08328088B2
A system for providing information to a user via a printed substrate. The system includes the printed substrate, an optically imaging pen device and a display device. The optically imaging pen device is configured for reading coded data from the substrate; generating interaction data using the coded data; and sending the interaction data to a computer system. Receipt of the interaction data by the computer system causes the computer system to: identify and retrieve a page description corresponding to the printed substrate; generate a query expression including one or more search terms; form a request using the query expression; and send the request to the display device.
US08328086B2
An automated banking machine operates responsive to data read from data bearing records, such as user cards, to cause machine user authorization and financial transfers. Account data read from a user card is associated in a data store with instructions for displaying a customer interface uniquely associated with the particular bank where the user holds the account. The customer interface includes user-selectable financial transaction options. The arrangement enables the customer interface of the user's home bank, with which the user is familiar, to also be automatically displayed when the user operates automated banking machines of other banks.
US08328082B1
A medication container encoding, verification and identification method is provided that includes receiving data characterizing a medication, generating an identifier encapsulating the data and applying an identifier to a medication container such that it is automatically readable by a medication administration device and/or a medication wasting device. Related apparatus, systems, methods and articles are also described.
US08328081B2
A calculating tabulating system which enables a person on a sodium restricted diet to better regulate the ingestion of sodium for prevention of medical complications. The system includes conversion of the weight of dietary sodium from a standard system of weights and measures to a simple numerical scale, conversion of the weight of dietary sodium consumed to the simple numerical scale, maintaining a running total of dietary sodium consumed in the simple numerical scale. The system includes various devices to aid in the conversion and tabulation process including various mechanical device and electronic devices.
US08328077B1
In one embodiment, a method for soldering photovoltaic solar cells includes providing a first and second PV cell, a holder, soldering ribbon and a mass reflow oven. The method further includes placing the soldering ribbon in a fixture groove in the holder. The method further includes placing the first and second PV cell in the holder such that the soldering ribbon is position in a desired position on the first and second PV cell. The method further includes placing the holder and the first and second PV cell with the soldering ribbon into the mass reflow oven. The method further includes heating the holder and the first and second PV cell with the soldering ribbon in the mass reflow oven to solder the first and second PV cell. The method further includes cooling the holder and the first and second PV cell with the soldering ribbon.
US08328063B2
A surgical tilt anvil assembly including a rod and a head assembly including an anvil plate having staple deforming pockets. The head assembly is pivotally secured to the rod and pivotal in relation to the rod between a first tilted position, a non-tilted position and a second different tilted position. The head assembly passes from the first tilted position, through the non-tilted position to the second tilted position.
US08328062B2
A surgical stapling instrument including a handle assembly, an elongated body portion, a shell assembly and an anvil assembly. The elongated body portion extends distally from the handle assembly and defines a longitudinal axis. The shell assembly is disposed adjacent a distal end of the elongated body portion and includes a non-planar, tissue-contacting surface oriented obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis. The anvil assembly includes a non-planar, tissue-contacting surface oriented obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis. The tissue-contacting surface of the anvil assembly is configured to align with the tissue-contacting surface of the shell assembly when the anvil assembly and shell assembly are in the approximated position.
US08328061B2
A surgical instrument for surgically joining tissue is provided. The surgical instrument includes a handle assembly that includes an actuator member. An end effector is operatively disposed adjacent a distal portion of an elongated shaft of the surgical instrument. The end effector includes a first jaw member pivotably disposed with respect to a second jaw member. The end effector is movable between a first position where the jaw members are spaced from one another, and a second position where the jaw members are in an approximated position. Each of the first and second jaw members includes a respective longitudinal track. An actuation assembly is disposed in mechanical cooperation with the end effector, wherein actuation of the actuation member causes the actuation assembly to translate from a distal portion of the end effector towards a proximal portion of the end effector through the tracks in the first and second jaw members.
US08328059B2
A gas combustion type driving tool (A) has a cylinder (4) for slidably receiving a piston (5), a cylinder head (8) provided above the cylinder (4), a tubular movable sleeve (15) movably placed in a vertical gap between the cylinder (4) and the cylinder head (8), and an annular sliding section (17) formed below the upper opening end of the cylinder (4) and sliding against an opening section at the lower end of the movable sleeve (15).
US08328058B2
A universal type shoulder holster caddy, designed specifically to conceal hand guns of various sizes. This invention is unique in that it provides multiple transport options in a single handgun concealment device. It provides for complete concealment of a gun holster and handgun within an enclosed Concealment compartment. It provides multiple transport methods through its' zipper and snaps detachability feature and a series of loops and a band loop for attaching to a user's belt.
US08328042B2
A port and closure device for a vessel that is configured for use with a glove bag. The port comprising includes a first annular flange with an opening, a second annular flange disposed a predetermined distance from the first flange and also having an opening, and a seal ring disposed adjacent the first annular flange and having an additional opening. At least a portion of the openings are aligned so that a path is provided through the flanges and the seal ring. A slideable door is included in the port between the seal ring and the second annular flange. The slideable door has a first position that obstructs the path and a second position that is outside of the path. Springs are disposed between the first flange and the seal ring that urge the seal ring toward the slideable door. To reduce contamination sites, the springs may be sealed within an annular interface between the first annular flange and the seal ring. Alternatively, or in addition, a funnel pipe may be used with the port disposed in the openings of the first and second flange and the seal ring. The port may also include an adapter configured to hold a glove bag thereon.
US08328037B2
A bottle cap assembly includes a mount, a hose unit connected to the mount, a mouthpiece unit and a dust cap. A lug is connected to the mount and the dust cap is pivotably connected to the lug. A tubular portion is located in the mount and has two spiral ribs. The mouthpiece unit includes a rotatable member, a seal ring and a mouthpiece. The rotatable member is engaged within the tubular portion and has spiral grooves with which the spiral ribs are engaged. The rotatable member has a knob and has a passage is defined therethrough. The seal member seals the mouthpiece unit when the rotatable member is located at the lowest position. When the knob is rotated, the spiral grooves moved upward along with the spiral rib and the passage is separated from the seal member to open the mouthpiece unit.
US08328026B2
A chassis having a housing in which at least one card module can be arrange is provided. The chassis is arranged in a first rack horizontally or a second rack vertically wherein the second rack opening width is an integer multiple of the predetermined chassis width. A fan slot and ventilation openings are provided in the chassis to allow for airflow across the card modules. Mounting mechanisms facilitate coupling of the chassis to the first and second rack and include ventilation openings through which air passes.
US08328025B2
A baffle system for use in a clarifier tank, having a tank bottom and a periphery and a substantially vertical peripheral wall bounding the interior of the tank, has a plurality of baffles mounted on the peripheral wall of the clarifier tank. each baffle has an upper baffle surface with a lower end and an upper end. The upper end of the upper baffle portion is coupled to the side wall of the clarifier tank wall. The lower end of the upper baffle portion is disposed. at a substantially 60° angle away from the side wall of the clarifier tank such that the upper baffle surface slopes downwardly and away from the side wall.
US08328024B2
A separator that uses centrifugation to fractionate a suspension such as blood comprises a separation container and a buoy. The buoy is carried in the separation container and has a tuned density that is configured to reach an equilibrium position in a suspension. The guide surface is carried on the buoy upper surface and is inclined to an accumulation position near a buoy perimeter. The buoy suspension fractionation system can be used in a method of isolating a fraction from a suspension, and in a method for re-suspending particulates for withdrawal.
US08328020B2
A material-sparing, reusable stack holding system for supporting and transporting framed photovoltaic or solar thermal flat modules.The system consists of individual molded parts, which form stable and transport-safe pillars or rails, respectively, among one another by means of mechanical cogging and with the frames of the modules by means of a locking connection. To date, only stack holders, in the case of which the solar modules are stacked in horizontal position with the use side facing up (“sunny side”), were known.The system disclosed here makes it possible to stack the modules in horizontal as well as in vertical position. In the case of horizontal stacking, the use side can be arranged facing up or down.
US08328016B2
A theft deterrent display package for at least one article comprises a product cradle having an interior space with a perimeter. A peripheral flange extends outwardly from the perimeter of the interior space. A locking slot is configured along the perimeter of the interior space. At least one self-standing leg extends downwardly from the interior space upon which the display package stands alone. A backboard is defined by a front face and a back face. A locking tab comprises a free end extends outwardly from one edge of the back face. The locking tab includes two angled fold lines used in assisting the free end of the locking tab to be inserted into the locking slot to securely enclose the display package.
US08328015B2
A container, utilized for the storage and transport of articles, includes a body comprised of one or more sidewalls drawn in a generally longitudinal fashion and two end pieces, disposed distally on either end of the container body. A plurality of ribs are disposed between the end pieces to facilitate inward compression of the container body. In his manner, the container volume can be permanently or temporarily altered to take up the tolerance between the volume of articles and the otherwise fixed volume of the package.
US08328013B2
An organizer for securely retaining paint tools, materials and other accessories, particularly where tools must be organized in an upright configuration and made conveniently available for a user to access. The device comprises a container with an interior volume, an interior shelf having apertures suitable for retaining paint tools and an open base surface for placement of upstanding tubes for insertion of paint roller and similar tools. The individual components of the organizer may be available as a kit to allow a user to customize any desired storage container, or preferably the assembly is provided in a specific configuration for retaining paint tools in a predefined fashion.
US08328012B2
A fastening element magazine strip is disclosed. The magazine strip having a carrier strip made of plastic extending along a longitudinal axis and formed over several carrier segments connected to one another. The carrier segments have at least one guide section with a guide diameter as well as feed-through openings, in which a respective fastening element is positionable. Projections project from the carrier strip to both sides of a plane defined by the carrier strip, and extend from their starting point on the carrier strip up to their free end over a length and feature a first width perpendicular to the length. The projections in the radial direction (as related to the longitudinal axis) project beyond the guide diameter. The projections are configured in at least one direction transverse to their longitudinal extension to be bendable.
US08328011B2
A windshield wiper package for containing a windshield wiper includes a front portion having a recess for receiving the windshield wiper, a back portion connected to the front portion for containing the windshield wiper within the recess, and an opening disposed in the back portion to allow loading or unloading of the windshield wiper. The opening is sized such that a length of the opening is less than about one-third of a length of the wiper package. A door is slidingly received by the back portion such that the door can be moved between an open position and a closed position. Complimentary detents and indentations are provided for securing the door in the open position or the closed position, the detents being positioned on one of the back portion and the door, and the indentations being positioned on another of the back portion and door.
US08328009B2
A bottle crate (10) is provided that is configured to hold a plurality of bottles in a generally upright orientation, and is particularly designed to hold bottles having a variable diameter. The bottle crate can include at least one tray and a plurality of fingers (601) elastically arranged on the tray, such that the fingers are configured to move in response to insertion or removal of a bottle.
US08328002B2
A scoping auger of adjustable length is described. The scoping auger includes two conventional augers interconnected to each other in with a sliding connection mounting the two augers to each other with their longitudinal axes parallel with one auger section above the other. A longitudinally extended opening is formed in the top of the auger tube of the lower auger section so that particulate material being conveyed by the upper auger section can be deposited for further conveying of the particulate material anywhere within the length of the opening.
US08327987B2
A torque converter including a housing, a lock-up clutch, the lock-up clutch having a split piston having a radial inner portion and a radial outer portion, and a drive plate connecting the housing and the outer portion.
US08327986B2
A force transmission device having a hydrodynamic component, disposed between an input and an output, comprising at least a pump shell and a turbine shell, forming an operating cavity in combination, with an actuatable clutch device for at least partially bridging the hydrodynamic component, comprising a clutch component for at least partially bridging the hydrodynamic component, comprising a first clutch component connected with the input and a second clutch component at least indirectly connected to the output, which can be brought into operative engagement with one another through an actuation device, with a vibration absorber disposed in the force flow at least subsequent to the actuatable clutch device, with a housing coupled with the input or with an element coupled non-rotatably to the input and coupled with the pump shell.
US08327981B2
The invention relates to a ball screw for a motor vehicle brake, in particular for an electromechanically actuable motor vehicle brake, comprising a rotatable spindle; a nut that is axially movable relative to the spindle in accordance with the rotation thereof; and rolling body arrangement that is disposed between, and displaceable relative to, the spindle and the nut. In this ball screw it is provided that the rolling body arrangement is preloaded into a predetermined normal position by means of at least one spring element. The invention further relates to a vehicle brake having such a ball screw.
US08327974B1
A sound enhancer for use with a speaker assembly, comprising a sound manifold forming an enclosure having upper and lower hollow interior portions, the enclosure defining an interior zone within an upper interior portion and having an inlet that faces angularly forwardly, and upwardly, a speaker assembly facing rearwardly through an inlet and into an interior zone to transmit sound rearwardly within the upper interior portion, the enclosure having a back panel to reflect sound transmission downwardly toward and into the enclosure lower interior portion, the lower interior portion having a frontward facing outlet from which sound is transmitted forwardly below the level of the speaker assembly.
US08327969B2
A mounting method for a skid steer loader is disclosed including coupling a first end portion of a component directly to a first wall of a skid steer loader frame. The method also includes coupling a second end portion of the component to an opposite wall of the skid steer loader frame by a mounting system that allows for dimensional differences between the component and the skid steer loader frame.
US08327967B2
An off-road vehicle is disclosed which comprises a driveline assembly unit operative Iy connecting the propeller shaft to the front or rear wheel assemblies. The driveline assembly unit includes a main housing, a slip clutch torque limiting mechanism, and a wet brake clutch assembly. The slip clutch torque limiting mechanism and the wet brake clutch assembly being housed within the main housing and are coaxial with the propeller shaft of the off-road vehicle. A driveline unit is also disclosed that combines torque limiting and brake functions.
US08327959B2
A walking robot, in which driving structures of a pitch direction hip joint and a knee joint of a leg are enhanced. The walking robot includes a trunk, and a plurality of legs connected to the trunk, at least one leg among the plurality of legs includes a thigh link, a calf link provided at the lower portion of the thigh link, a pitch direction hip joint connecting the trunk and the thigh link and rotating the thigh link against the trunk in a pitch direction, and a knee joint connecting the thigh link and the calf link and rotating the calf link against the thigh link in the pitch direction. The pitch direction hip joint and the knee joint are interlocked with each other and are driven by one interlocking actuator.
US08327958B2
Cutting elements having a substrate and a layer of superhard material sintered to the substrate are disclosed. The layer includes a working surface at a first surface. From the interface of the layer with the substrate, a reaction zone extends into the layer toward the working surface and a binder metal depletion zone extends into the substrate toward a base surface. The layer of superhard material has a composition including chromium or an alloy thereof. Also disclosed is an abrasive compact having a body with a composition including (i) a superhard material, (ii) a metal from a grain growth inhibitor or a metal from a metallic carbide other than WC, and (iii) an iron group binder metal. Cutting elements incorporating the abrasive compact, and drill bits incorporating abrasive compacts and cutting elements are also disclosed as well as methods of manufacture and methods of cutting material.
US08327951B2
A drill bit is described herein, having a first bit face with a first plurality of cutters oriented to bore in a first direction, and a second bit face with a second plurality of cutters oriented to bore in one or more second directions. The pluralities of cutters enable functional articulation of the drill bit, such that the drill bit can change direction within a borehole without requiring removal of the drill bit. The drill bit can thereby drill in a downhole direction and lateral directions, can back ream through the borehole, and can provide the borehole with one or more oversized regions, as desired.
US08327948B2
An electric hand tool device, in particular, a percussion drill or a drill hammer, comprises a spindle (10) that can be driven by a drive motor and cooperates at one end (12) with a tool support, and a percussion element (24) for axially moving the spindle (10) in a percussion position, wherein an adjusting element (42) is provided for adjusting the spindle (10) between the percussion position and a rotary position, the adjusting element (42) comprising a switch ring (44) which is disposed about the spindle (10) and has cam configurations (46,48) on both end faces thereof, wherein one of the cam configurations (46) can engage in a corresponding cam configuration (52) which is fixed to the housing through turning the switch ring (44), and the second cam configuration (48) can be brought into engagement with a corresponding cam configuration (60) of a pressure piece (54) which can be axially moved relative to the housing (16), in order to adjust the percussion element (42) to a percussion position.
US08327938B2
Compositions and methods according to the invention are directed to a cement composition for use in a subterranean formation. The cement composition comprises: (A) cement; (B) water; and (C) a polymer, wherein the polymer: (i) comprises a monomer or monomers selected from the group consisting of epoxysuccinic acid, a substituted epoxysuccinic acid, and an alkali metal salt, alkaline earth metal salt, or ammonium salt of any of the foregoing, and any combination of any of the foregoing; (ii) has the following characteristics: (a) is water soluble; and (b) is biodegradable; and (iii) is capable of providing: (a) a thickening time of at least 2 hours for a test composition at a temperature of 190° F. and a pressure of 5,160 psi; and (b) an initial setting time of less than 24 hours for the test composition at a temperature of 217° F. and a pressure of 3,000 psi, wherein the test composition consists of 860 grams of Class-H Portland cement, 325 grams of deionized water, and 0.4% by weight of the cement of the polymer. The method comprises the steps of: (A) introducing the cement composition into the subterranean formation; and (B) allowing the cement composition to set after introduction into the subterranean formation.
US08327937B2
An apparatus for remotely launching cementing plugs is configured such that the length of a dart need not necessarily be the same as the corresponding plug to be launched. A hydraulic-liquid reservoir and a piston are incorporated into a plug-launching system. The size of the reservoir may be adjusted such that the axial displacement of the piston after the dart lands is sufficient to cause the expulsion of a plug from the apparatus.
US08327935B2
A method for fracturing a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore comprises formulating a fracturing fluid useful in hydrocarbon drilling having the properties of both a dispersing fracture solution and an aggregating fracture solution. In particular, the dispersing properties of the stabilizing fracture solution are able to act as a dispersing fracture fluid in the clay and earthen materials discharged from the pay zone in the flow-back fluids during hydraulic fracturing. At the same time, aggregating properties of the stabilizing solution stabilize the pay zone. This stabilization property allows the flow of hydrocarbon through the fractures for a significantly longer time than with prior art fluids.
US08327934B2
A casing annulus is remediated by inserting a hose into a casing annulus, the hose having a nozzle on its lower end. An acoustic signal is directed into the annulus. A sensor in the hose receives the acoustic signal and transmits data from the sensor to the surface. The data represents the acoustic signal arrival time to the sensor, and an analyzer estimates the sensor depth based on the data. The hose is inserted from a reel into a wellhead above the annulus. An electrical transducer mechanically coupled to the hose creates the acoustic signal. The signal is propagated along the hose and transferred to the fluid in the annulus, where it then propagates further into the annulus. The transducer can be installed on a hose roller along which the hose is fed into the wellhead.
US08327928B2
A method for running a tubular string in wellbore operations according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure includes providing a tubular running tool comprising gripping assembly rotationally connected to a carrier, the gripping assembly comprising a body and slips; connecting the carrier to a quill of a top drive of a drilling rig; positioning an end of a tubular for gripping with the slips; actuating the slips into gripping engagement with the tubular; and rotating the tubular with the slips in gripping engagement therewith.
US08327924B2
A heat exchanger fin capable of increasing convective heat transfer by reducing internal conduction along an undesirable direction within the heat exchanger fin itself is disclosed. More specifically, the current invention reduces conduction within the heat exchanger fin along an undesirable direction along the direction of fluid flow because such conduction decreases the performance of the heat exchanger fin. A heat exchanger fin in accordance with the present invention utilizes a plurality of notches within the heat exchanger fin that is perpendicular to the direction of fluid flow to increase the resistance of conduction within the heat exchanger fin itself. By increasing the resistance of conduction in an undesired direction, the heat exchanger fin is capable of more uniform temperature to along the entire surface area to facilitate increase convective heat transfer in the desired direction.
US08327918B2
A method of fabricating a steel strip (1) including a) providing a functional relationship in a machine controller (8) between a slab casting speed (v) or the mass flow as a product of casting speed and strip thickness or as a product of strip speed and strip thickness and the strip temperature (t) downstream of the last rolling stand (7) for a different number (n) of active rolling stands (7) and different final thicknesses, b) determining or specifying the casting speed (v) or the mass flow (v×H) and feeding the determined value into the machine controller (8), and c) determining the optimum number of active rolling stands (7) and the final thicknesses and thickness reductions which can be rolled with them in the rolling train using the functional profiles.
US08327903B2
A manufacturing apparatus of a transdermal absorption preparation includes an adhesive sheet supplying part to feed out a band-like first adhesive sheet into a runway, wherein the adhesive sheet has at least an adhesive layer comprising an adhesive and a liquid component compatible with the adhesive, a drug liquid application part to apply a given amount of a drug liquid to an adhesive face, and a traveling section for impregnation which is set in the runway after the drug liquid application part, during which the adhesive sheet is run for a period necessary for the applied drug liquid to soak into the adhesive layer without contact of the drug liquid coated face of the adhesive layer with other members.
US08327898B2
An of object of the present invention is to provide a pneumatic tire which exhibits improved durability of a bead portion due to further suppressing compression strain at a carcass ply fold-up portion and, in particular, suppressing fatigue fracture at the carcass ply fold-up portion. Cord distance between the carcass main body and the carcass ply fold-up portion gradually decreases from the bead core toward the outer side in the tire radial direction to reach the minimum value a, then gradually increases to the maximum value b; provided that height Hf of a flange of an application rim, measured from a base line of the application rim in a state where the tire is assembled with the rim and inflated at a prescribed internal pressure, is 1, heights HA and HB measured from the base line to the positions on the carcass main body corresponding to the minimum and the maximum values, respectively, and the maximum height HT of the tire satisfy relationship formulae below, HT≧8.00 1.26≦HA≦2.14 2.43≦HB≦3.75; and a value of ratio (b/a) of the maximum value b with respect to the minimum value a of distance between cords of the carcass main body and the carcass ply fold-up portion exceeds 1.00.
US08327896B2
A tire has a first and second beads mounted on a rim. A first sidewall extends upward from the first bead to a first edge of a horizontal tread face located substantially directly above the first bead. A second sidewall extends upward from the second bead and curves toward a second edge of the tread face such that a curved tire surface is provided between the second bead and the second edge of the narrow tread face. Two tires are mounted on a rear motorcycle axle such that a gap is defined between first sidewalls of the right and left tires, and a drive extends through the gap to the axle. When the motorcycle is leaned in a curve, one of the wheels is above the ground surface, and the motorcycle is supported on the curved tire surface of the other tire.
US08327880B2
A fluid control system may comprise a pressurized fluid path; at least two sensors for determining a state of fluid within the main fluid path; an isolation valve; and fluid-filled connection paths between the main fluid path and each of the at least two sensors. The connection paths may comprise first sensing tubes connected between the main fluid path and the isolation valve; the isolation valve; and second sensing tubes connected between the isolation valve and the at least two sensors. Upon closure of the isolation valve, the connection paths may be interrupted so that the sensors may be isolated from the main fluid path and so that they may be removed from the system without a need to de-pressurize or drain the fluid from the main fluid path of the system.
US08327877B2
The present invention relates to a pressure reducing apparatus. A diaphragm made from an elastic material is provided in the interior of a body. The diaphragm includes a main body portion having a seat member that is capable of being seated on an inner tubular member of the body, a retaining portion disposed on an outer peripheral side of the main body portion and which is slidably displaceable with respect to the inner tubular member, and a skirt that is retained on a flange of the body. Additionally, by flexing of the skirt by means of an elastic force of a spring, the seat member thereof separates away from the inner tubular member.
US08327876B2
There is provided a fluid controller having an enhanced vibration preventing characteristic without affecting pressure controlling operations. A valve element 4 is moved with respect to a valve seat 3 due to a change of balance between a fluid pressure acting on a diaphragm 10 and an elastic force of a pressure-setting spring 13, thereby controlling a pressure of a fluid. A vibration prevention member 17 is placed in a disk-shaped movable member 12 which moves integrally with the diaphragm 10. The vibration prevention member 17 includes a casing which incorporates therein a weight member interposed between elastic members.
US08327875B2
An apparatus that includes a chemical-injection management system. The chemical-injection management system may include a tree interface configured to couple the chemical-injection management system to a tree and a positive-displacement flow meter.
US08327872B2
An apparatus is provided for connecting an external water feed line to an internal water line of a laundry care household appliance. The apparatus has a housing in which one end of an external water feed line is arranged and a safety valve for shutting off or opening a water line which is inside the housing. The housing has an opening for discharging leakage water.
US08327868B2
A cylinder valve for use with a cylinder containing fluid under pressure includes a valve body configured for releasable connection to the cylinder. The valve body has a flow passage extending through the valve body for fluid communication with an interior of the cylinder when the valve body is connected to the cylinder. A valve in the flow passage is movable between open and closed positions. A vent passage is in the valve body and is separate from the flow passage. A temperature relief insert is in the vent passage. The insert includes an insert body, a bore through the insert body, and a thermal relief material in the bore blocking flow through the bore until a predetermined venting temperature is reached. The valve body does not contain brass and the insert body is brass covered by a metal plating not containing brass.
US08327859B2
A novel mascara applicator blows air over a user's eyelashes after mascara is applied, wherein brushing of the mascara as it dries results in the appearance of fuller and longer eyelashes. The mascara applicator includes a housing that houses a mascara tube and brush, a fan and a battery. The housing has a vent and is configured to form an air chamber between the housing and the mascara tube. The fan blows air through the air chamber and out of the top of the housing, which is directed at the user's eyelashes after mascara is applied with the brush. The blowing air in conjunction with the upward and outward action of the mascara brush produces fuller, longer, and 200% more dramatic eyelashes.
US08327854B2
A method of maintaining airway patency in an airway of a patient which includes the steps of implanting a device into tissue adjacent an airway, the device having a bioerodable material wound around a resiliently deformable body to temporarily maintain the deformable body in a stretched, deformed state, and permitting the bioerodable material of the device to bioerode to apply a force to maintain airway patency. The invention also provides devices for practicing the method.
US08327853B2
A bistable magnetic holding device, which includes: a nonmagnetic support casing in the form of a channel with a rectangular cross-section; a magnetic core including a base and three legs set perpendicularly to the base, the two outer legs and the base forming a “U”; a permanent magnet in the form of a bar inserted between the base and the middle leg; a coil surrounding the middle leg; a flat movable part; and a return motion and guidance means built into the inside walls of the support so as to allow return motion, toward the upper part of the support casing, of the magnetic core.
US08327850B2
A forehead support for a mask assembly includes a frame connector provided to a mask frame, a forehead cushion support movably mounted to the frame connector for generally linear movement between retracted and extended positions with respect to the frame connector, and an adjustment knob movably mounted to the frame connector and threadably engaged with the forehead cushion support such that turning movement of the adjustment knob causes the forehead cushion support to be moved between the retracted and extended positions. The adjustment knob, forehead cushion support, and frame connector are constructed and arranged such that over-rotation of the adjustment knob beyond the extended position of the forehead cushion support is adapted to release the adjustment knob from the forehead cushion support and the frame connector.
US08327849B2
An oscillating positive expiratory pressure apparatus having a housing defining a chamber, a chamber inlet, a chamber outlet, a deformable restrictor member positioned in an exhalation flow path between the chamber inlet and the chamber outlet, and an oscillation member disposed within the chamber. The deformable restrictor member and the oscillation member are moveable between an engaged position, where the oscillation member is in contact with the deformable restrictor member and an disengaged position, where the oscillation member is not in contact with the deformable restrictor member. The deformable restrictor member and the oscillation member move from the engaged position to the disengaged position in response to a first exhalation pressure at the chamber inlet, and move from the disengaged position to an engaged position in response to a second exhalation pressure at the chamber inlet.
US08327845B2
An inline vaporizer disposed in a carrier gas line vaporizes a fluid and adds such vaporized fluid to a carrier gas that flows within the carrier gas line. The vaporizer includes a reservoir or wick that transfers a fluid to a vaporizing element that is adjacent to the reservoir or wick. The vaporizer releases a vapor into the carrier gas line so that the carrier gas flows past the vaporizer to form a vapor and carrier gas mixture.
US08327843B2
Dry powder drug containment systems with a stick substrate and at least one dry powder receptacle or container that can be detached or opened to release dry powder in an inhaler. Related inhalers and kits of sticks are described.
US08327841B2
The treatment of snoring related sleep disorders require the knowledge of the location of origin of snoring in a patient. A method and device are provided for the determination of a location of origin of a primary vibration signal generated by snoring in an upper airway of a patient. At least two sensors are used to respectively detect the primary vibration signal and to generate respective intermediate signals. The sensors are spaced apart in a longitudinal direction of the patient's neck. The respective intermediate signals are processed to generate an output signal. The output signal is indicative of the location of origin.
US08327839B2
An air quality instrumentation system for a concentrated solar power generation system using a fluid heat transfer medium includes a pipe, a window and a spectroscope. The pipe extends from the concentrated solar power generation system and contains system air from within the concentrated solar power generation system. The window is positioned within the pipe to permit light to pass through the pipe and the system air. The spectroscope is positioned adjacent the window to assess concentration of a constituent within the system air, the concentration of the constituent providing an indication of an operating condition of the concentrated solar power generation system.
US08327836B2
A combined air intake and combustion gas vent terminal is provided for engagement with at least one of a pair of pipes extending horizontally and being spaced apart to accommodate the inward flow of combustion air and the outwardly flow of exhaust air from a furnace. The terminal assembly is installed entirely outside of the building and has a stepped structure for engaging the pipes such that it can accommodate different sized pipes.
US08327834B1
A campfire smokestack comprising an elongated metal tube whose lower end is anchored in a fire pit, for example by burying it in the ground, prior to making a fire, or by placing it into an existing fire. The tube has an open upper end, and its sidewall is perforated over some portion of its length with draft openings, at least some of which are at campfire height such that the fire is built against or adjacent these lower draft openings to permit radial drafting of air directly through the fire into the tube. The fire is accordingly built and burned around or against the lower end of the tube, rather than within or underneath the tube. The smokestack may be used with both natural and manmade fire pits.
US08327832B2
Apparatus and methods for throwing or launching paper or other material. The apparatus may be configured engage with a roll of paper or other material, and/or to impart a spin on the roll of paper or other material upon release of the roll. This spin can cause the paper or other material to unroll as it is released from the apparatus.
US08327830B2
A fuel vapor processing apparatus includes a purge air supply device including separation device that can separate gas, which is introduced from within a fuel tank, into a fuel component and an air component. The air component is supplied into a canister for purging the canister.
US08327827B2
An internal combustion engine is disclosed, having at least one combustion chamber disposed in an engine casing. At least one fuel injector is mounted to the engine casing for supplying fuel to the at least one combustion chamber. The at least one fuel injector has at least one fuel supply inlet. A fuel supply assembly is mounted to the at least one fuel injector. The assembly is mounted adjacent to the at least one fuel injector for supplying the fuel to the fuel injector. The assembly has at least one fuel supply outlet. The assembly is mounted to the at least one fuel injector by a cooperative fit, such that the at least one fuel supply inlet and the at least one fuel supply outlet align in a sealed relationship to allow fluid communication therebetween. A method of assembling an engine is also disclosed.
US08327809B2
A tri-sector regenerative oxidant preheater apparatus, method and arrangement for utilization with oxy-fired pulverized coal combustion power plants. The preheater includes a stationary housing and a rotor rotatably mounted in the housing. Sector plates are located at the axial ends of the rotor and divide the preheater into a flue gas sector, two primary oxidant sectors, and a secondary oxidant sector interposed between the two primary oxidant sectors. A primary oxidant fan is located downstream of the preheater to create a negative environment in the primary oxidant sectors. During operation of the preheater, the environments of the two primary oxidant sectors and the flue gas sector are at about the same negative pressure, and thus there is very limited leakage between the oxidant side and the flue gas side of the preheater. The environment of the secondary oxidant sector is at a positive pressure and leakage to the negative environment of the primary oxidant sectors will be that of secondary oxidant to primary oxidant with no loss secondary oxidant to the gas side of the preheater.
US08327802B2
An animal litter box includes: an upper container, which having an upper opening for animals to come in and out, and a bottom portion, which allows fluid to pass through and over which particulate matter is spread; and a lower container having a lower opening provided below the bottom portion, and a holding portion for disposing a fluid absorbing sheet container in which the fluid absorbing sheet which absorbs fluid passing through the bottom portion is laid, wherein a fitting portion for fitting to an edge of a lower opening of the lower container is provided at a side or bottom of the upper container. The fitting portion is preferably a stepped portion or a concave portion.
US08327800B2
A portable livestock feeder has a frame supported by a plurality of wheels with a trailer hitch at one end. First and second feed troughs are positioned on each side of a longitudinal center of the frame with racks positioned above the troughs. The feed troughs are supported at their front ends by a first pair of pin members and at their rear ends by a second pair of pin members. The feed troughs are pivotable by a hydraulic mechanism about the pin members between a normal feeding position and a bottom dumping position. One of the pin members is movable between first and second stops that limit lateral movement of the feed troughs toward and away from the longitudinal center of the feeder. An adjustable cam member is arranged to engage another one of the pin members for causing the troughs to move between narrow and wide width settings.
US08327798B2
A method of hatching of hatchery eggs that includes: (a) treating the egg shell surface with a coating composition comprising a coating agent, to form a coating on the surface of the egg's shell; and (b) incubating the egg under conditions to cause hatching to occur. The hatching yield of the hatchery eggs is improved as compared to control eggs not treated as defined in (a). Also discloses is a composition for treating of hatchery eggs prior to incubation. The composition includes a coating agent, and the composition improves the hatching yield of hatchery eggs.
US08327796B2
Provided is a plasma processing apparatus having a coaxial waveguide structure in which characteristic impedance of an input side and characteristic impedance of an output side are different. A microwave plasma processing apparatus, which plasma-processes a substrate by exciting a gas by using a microwave, includes: a processing container; a microwave source, which outputs a microwave, a first coaxial waveguide, which transmits the microwave output from the microwave source; and a dielectric plate, which is adjacent to the first coaxial waveguide while facing an inner side of the processing container, and emits the microwave transmitted from the first coaxial waveguide into the processing container. A thickness ratio between an inner conductor and an outer conductor of the first coaxial waveguide is not uniform along a longitudinal direction.
US08327784B2
The invention is an apparatus and method for reducing the drag that a vessel hull experiences when moving through the water by interposing air bubbles between the hull and the stream of water that the vessel is moving through. The invention delivers compressed air to the bottom of the vessel without the need for a high energy air compressor.
US08327782B2
A device for driving movement of a piece of cloth to be embroidered includes a driving unit for driving a mounting seat to move relative to a base unit. A cloth-holding frame device holds tensionally the piece of cloth between inner and outer frames, and includes an identification module mounted to a connecting block of the outer frame that is mounted detachably to mounting seat for generating an identification output corresponding to an embroidery area defined in the cloth-holding frame device. When the connecting block is connected to the mounting seat, the identification module is coupled to a control unit via a connecting port of the mounting seat. The control unit controls the driving unit based on the identification output from the identification module so that embroidery operation is performed on the piece of cloth disposed within the embroidery area in the cloth-holding frame device.
US08327759B2
A strapping system includes a strap exchanger that is capable of delivering one or more straps to a component of the strapping system. The strap exchanger feeds a strap to a downstream component of the strapping system. A track assembly receives the strap and uses that strap to bundle product. The strap exchanger is capable of repeatedly delivering straps to the strapping system to reduce, limit, or substantially eliminate downtime associated with manually loading straps into the strapping system.
US08327749B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide firearm receiver with ambidextrous features. Some of these features include a bolt-locking mechanism on a firearm receiver that is configured to allow an operator to clear jams while maintaining hold of a firing grip. The bolt-locking mechanism may include a linking mechanism configured to manipulate a bolt-catch device in response to activation of a magazine release button on a firearm receiver. Other features include an ambidextrous magazine release mechanism on a firearm receiver that is configured to allow an operator to release an inserted magazine while maintaining hold of a firing grip with either hand. The magazine release mechanism may include a linking mechanism configured to manipulate a magazine catch device in response to activation of either a right-handed magazine release button or a left-handed magazine release lever that pivots on an external fulcrum on a firearm receiver.
US08327746B2
Wellbore perforating devices are disclosed. In one example, a wellbore perforating device includes a plurality of shaped charges and a holder that holds the plurality of shaped charges so that upon detonation the charges intersect a common plane extending transversely to the holder.
US08327744B2
A power tool in one embodiment includes a swing arm movable along a swing arm path between an upper first swing arm position and a lower second swing arm position, a latch hold mechanism movable between a first latch hold position adjacent to the swing path and a second latch hold position whereat at least a portion of the latch hold mechanism is within the swing path, an actuator configured to force the swing arm assembly away from the first swing arm position and toward the second swing arm position, a swing arm reset configured to pivot the swing arm from the second swing arm position to the first swing arm position, a latch hold reset configured to pivot the latch hold mechanism from the second latch hold position to the first latch hold position, and a control system configured to control the actuator.
US08327738B2
A composite transmission housing includes resin transfer molding or vacuum assisted resin transfer molding manufacturing processes combined with discontinuous fiber preforms. The preforms are assembled in a prepared injection and cure mold with additional details and fillers. The preforms are constructed such that the preforms are assembled into the mold in a specific order to assure proper arrangement. Using a combination of vacuum and pressure, a resin is injected into the mold to completely infuse the assembled preforms. At completion, the mold is heated to the resin cure temperature and held at this temperature for sufficient time to insure complete cure.
US08327732B2
An actuating device for selecting shift positions of a shift-by-wire gear shifting transmission. The actuating device comprises a selector lever that may be moved between at least a drive position and a parking lock position, the lever having stable selector lever settings, and a locking device for locking the selector lever in the parking lock position. The locking device comprises an actuator device such that the selector lever may be moved from the drive position into the park position by way of the locking and actuator devices. The actuating device makes it possible that the position of the selector lever of the actuating device matches the actual shifting state of the transmission at all times, and thereby offers reliable optical and tactile feedback for the driver of the actual shifting state of the transmission and may also serve as a mechanical emergency actuator for the parking lock.
US08327731B2
Disclosed is a rack bar supporting device of a steering apparatus for a vehicle which can prevent rattle noise generated due to clearance increase caused by the wearing of a rack bar and a support yoke in an endurance driving of a vehicle and maintain a uniform clearance between the rack bar and the support yoke after an endurance driving, thereby transferring stable steering force.
US08327725B2
There is provided a sample collection container, a sample collection apparatus, and a sample collection method used in a supercritical fluid system capable of collecting a multi-constituent sample contained in a supercritical fluid at low cost and high collection efficiency. The pressure of a supercritical fluid containing a sample is reduced to a pressure close to the atmospheric pressure, and the depressurized supercritical fluid is forced to undergo adiabatic expansion to form gas-phase CO2 containing a liquid component in the form of aerosol. The gas-phase CO2 is fractionated for each constituent of the contained sample, transferred to a probe 60 of Liquid Handler, and dispensed into a large number of collection vials 300 under the atmospheric pressure, each of which is provided with a vial cap 100. The aerosol-containing gas-phase CO2 is sprayed through the tip of an introduction tube 210 provided in each of the vial cap 100 in a direction downwardly-inclined from the tangential direction along an inner circumferential surface 308 of the corresponding collection vial 300, and swirls and falls in the collection vial 300. In this process, the liquid component containing the sample collides with the inner circumferential surface 308 and is trapped thereon, whereas the gas-phase CO2 is discharged out of a discharge hole 109 in the vial cap 100.
US08327723B2
On-board device for a bicycle for measuring forces and bicycle equipped with such a measuring device
The measuring device is intended to measure forces on a bicycle pedal (1) mounted to rotate on a pedal spindle (2) fixed at the free end of a crankset crankarm (6). The device includes force sensors positioned on the pedal spindle and able to detect the force directed perpendicularly to the pedal spindle and to supply a signal dependent on the force detected, and electronic elements able to process the signals received from the sensors. Some of the electronic elements are incorporated in an electronic card (23) powered by a stand-alone energy source and to which is fixed a male connecting member (24) able to pass through a fixing hole (5) of the pedal spindle (2) on the crankarm (6) in order to cooperate with a female connecting member provided in the end of the pedal spindle. The electronic card forms with the male connecting member an easily detachable assembly.
US08327714B2
A pressure gauge comprises a pressure gauge assembly and a connecting assembly. The pressure gauge assembly includes a measuring pressure port for the pressure to be measured and the connecting assembly includes a pressure measuring port. The pressure gauge assembly is adapted to be connected to the connecting assembly. In order to permit a relative rotation between the pressure gauge assembly and the connecting assembly, the pressure gauge assembly and/or the connecting assembly supports at least one annular passage section connecting the measuring pressure port to the pressure measuring port.
US08327701B2
A vane anemometer includes an anemometer body forming a receiving chamber that has a side wall forming retention slots for receiving and retaining therein an impeller assembly. The impeller assembly includes an upper cage forming retention tabs and coupling slots, a lower case forming coupling tabs and notches, and an impeller set rotatably supported between the upper cage and the lower case. Each coupling tab of the lower case forms a coupling pawl engageable with each coupling slot of the upper cage to couple the upper cage and the lower case together. The retention tabs of the upper cage are received in the notches of the lower case and each includes a retention nub, whereby the retention tabs form engagement with the retention slots of the receiving chamber of the anemometer body to easily mount the impeller assembly to the anemometer body in a secure manner.
US08327700B2
A device for measuring tire pressure in a pneumatic tire of a motor vehicle using a sensor on the rim well of a rim which accommodates a tire valve for the pneumatic tire and a receiver outside of the pneumatic tire being assigned to the sensor, wherein an electronics housing or signal housing assigned to the rim well is connected to the tire valve, said housing containing transmission electronics as the tire pressure sensor, and is connected to the tire valve by a fastening element substantially in the region of the valve base part.
US08327699B2
A method is provided for centering a steering rack in an automotive vehicle, particularly a vehicle that includes an electric power steering (EPS) system. The centering method includes locating a center by using an electric motor of the EPS system. The method includes temporarily locking the steering rack in place and subsequently installing a steering wheel to a steering column after the locating step. The method further includes operatively communicating with an on-board processor or ECU of the automotive vehicle and running a program to determine or locate the center of the rack. The method may also include detecting the first and second ends of the rack when at least one of a velocity of the electric motor reaches zero, a current of the electric motor reaches a preselected level, and steering angle of the electric motor stabilizes.
US08327697B2
An improved speed sensing system is disclosed for a machine, such as a truck, that has an axle with an end and an axis. The machine further includes a sensor non-rotatably coupled to the end of the axle and coaxial with the axis. A wheel hub is rotatably coupled to the axle and a wheel cover is coupled to the wheel hub. The machine further includes a magnet coaxially disposed with the axis and coupled to the wheel cover for rotation about the axis as the wheel rotates. The sensor generates signals based on the rotational speed of the magnet and the wheel. For non-rotating axles that are solid or include solid spindles, a passageway for a communication line between the sensor and electronic control module (ECM) may be easily drilled thereby making the disclosed system easy to add to an existing machine or vehicle.
US08327692B2
Disclosed is a device for measuring the concentration of the particles contained in a fluid. The device comprises a control volume body having a predetermined effective volume. An inlet path is formed at an end of the control volume body to feed the fluid into the control volume body therethrough. An outlet path is formed at another end of the control volume body to discharge the fluid from the control volume body therethrough. Measuring instruments are provided at the inlet path and the outlet path to emit electrical signals when the fine particles pass through the inlet path and the outlet path. A computing machine receives the electrical signals transmitted from the measuring instruments, and then computes the number and the concentration of fine particles contained in the control volume body. The device is easily integrated with Micro-TAS (Total analysis System).
US08327689B2
A method and apparatus for monitoring and determining fuel vapor recovery performance is disclosed. The dispensing of liquid fuel into a tank by a conventional gas pump nozzle naturally displaces a mixture of air and fuel ullage vapor in the tank. These displaced vapors may be recovered at the dispensing point nozzle by a vapor recovery system. A properly functioning vapor recovery system recovers approximately one unit volume of vapor for every unit volume of dispensed liquid fuel. The ratio of recovered vapor to dispensed fuel is termed the A/L ratio, which should ideally be approximately equal to one (1). The A/L ratio, and thus the proper functioning of the vapor recovery system, may be determined by measuring liquid fuel flow and return vapor flow (using a vapor flow sensor) on a nozzle-by-nozzle basis. The disclosed methods and apparatus provide for the determination of A/L ratios for individual nozzles using a reduced number of vapor flow sensors. The disclosed methods and apparatus also provide for the determination of fuel dispensing system vapor containment integrity, and the differentiation of true vapor recovery failures as opposed to false failures resulting from the refueling of vehicles provided with onboard vapor recovery systems.
US08327685B2
A particulate matter sensor includes a ceramic rod, a first metal layer deposited on the ceramic rod, a ceramic layer deposited on the first metal layer, and a second metal layer deposited on the ceramic layer. The first metal layer serves as a source electrode, and the second metal layer serves as a detection electrode. In another embodiment, a particulate matter sensor includes a metal rod, a ceramic sheet deposited or wrapped around the ceramic rod, and a metal layer deposited on the ceramic layer or sheet. The metal rod serves as a source electrode, and the second metal layer serves as a detection electrode.
US08327680B2
A metal plate material hot molding apparatus is provided for press molding a heated metal plate material. The apparatus may include supply piping for a cooling medium in a mold, and ejection holes penetrating from a molding surface of the mold to the supply piping. The exemplary apparatus may also include discharge piping for the cooling medium situated in the mold, and discharge holes penetrating from the molding surface of the mold to the discharge piping, and cooling piping. Molding procedure can be performed while the cooling medium is ejected from the ejection holes to a gap between the metal plate material and the mold.
US08327679B2
A bending apparatus including: a transferring unit for transferring a metallic rule through a passage formed by a guide, the passage defining a longitudinal axis; a folding unit having first and second rotary bodies spaced to receive the metallic rule; and a pair of bending fingers including a first bending finger and a second bending finger, the pair of bending fingers supported to revolve and move in a direction substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis for applying force against the metallic rule passing through the guide, the pair of bending fingers positioned adjacent to the guide, and for bending the metallic rule to desired angles, wherein the first bending finger is revolved by the first rotary body and the second bending finger is revolved by the second rotary body, wherein each finger of the pair of bending fingers is each configured for arcuate motion relative to the guide from a first position toward at least one second position to bend a portion of the metallic rule.
US08327678B1
A roll-forming machine in which the left and right racks of each shape-forming roll set each have two guide blocks affixed thereto at two opposite sides in an opening thereof, each guide block having an oblique sliding slot, and left and right upper bearing blocks of each shape-forming roll set each have two sliding blocks respectively affixed to two opposite lateral sides thereof and respectively coupled to the oblique sliding slots of the guide blocks and movable upwards/downwards along the respective oblique sliding slots for adjustment of the feed gap between the upper shape-forming wheel set and lower shape-forming wheel set of the respective shape-forming roll set in X-axis and Y-axis directions at a time.
US08327677B2
A twisting device comprises at least one conductor coupler configured to engage a plurality of the conductors and at least one drive operably connected to the conductor coupler. The at least one drive is configured to rotate the conductor coupler in order to bend the plurality of the conductors and simultaneously move the conductor coupler in an axial direction relative to the electric machine component. An associated method of bending conductors positioned in a component of an electric machine comprises first engaging a plurality conductors with a conductor coupler. Thereafter, the plurality of conductors are bent by rotating the conductor coupler while simultaneously moving the conductor coupler in an axial direction relative to the component of the electric machine.
US08327663B2
A substrate protective film composed of chromium metal is formed on a molding surface of a mold base material composed of cemented carbide. The substrate protective film is oxidized by heat treatment or ion implantation, so that a surface protective film composed of chromium oxide is formed. A pair of molds having such a constitution are prepared. Softened glass is pressed between the surface protective films of the paired molds, so that optical glass elements are molded.
US08327662B2
A refrigeration apparatus uses a refrigerant that operates in a supercritical range. The refrigeration apparatus includes a compression mechanism, a heat source-side heat exchanger, an expansion mechanism, a usage-side heat exchanger, a switching mechanism, an intercooler, a bypass tube, and an injection tube. The switching mechanism is configured to switch between cooling and heating operation states. When the switching mechanism is switched to the cooling operation state to allow refrigerant to flow to the heat source-side heat exchanger and a reverse cycle defrosting operation for defrosting the heat source-side heat exchanger is performed, the refrigerant is caused to flow to the heat source-side heat exchanger, the intercooler and the injection tube. After the defrosting of the intercooler is detected as being complete, the bypass tube is used so as to ensure that the refrigerant does not flow to the intercooler and the injection valve is controlled so that the opening degree is increased.
US08327660B2
The invention relates to a thermochemical device and to a method for producing refrigeration at very low temperature.The device produces refrigeration at a temperature Tf<−20° C., from an available heat source at a temperature Th of 60-80° C. and a heat sink at the ambient temperature To of 10° C.-25° C. It comprises two coupled dipoles, operating in phase opposition. The thermochemical phenomena in one of the dipoles are such that this dipole may produce refrigeration at Tf with a heat sink at the ambient temperature To. The thermochemical phenomena in the other dipole are such that this dipole may be regenerated from the heat source Th and a heat sink at the temperature To.
US08327656B2
A method of calculating sensible cooling capacity of a cooling unit includes obtaining compressor capacity, subtracting compressor heat loss from the compressor capacity, subtracting latent cooling capacity from compressor capacity, and subtracting fan power loss from the compressor capacity. Methods of controlling a cooling unit and embodiments of a cooling unit are further disclosed.
US08327654B2
An apparatus to rotate a cooling fan may employ an engine coolant radiator having a radiator inlet tank attached at an end of the radiator. The radiator inlet tank may be filled with engine coolant and transfer heat into a fan system evaporator contained inside the radiator inlet tank. The tank may contain a liquid working fluid capable of absorbing heat from the engine coolant and becoming a gaseous working fluid. A gas expander with an impeller may be employed to receive the gaseous working fluid from the fan system evaporator and impart rotation in a shaft to which the impeller of the gas expander and cooling fan is attached. A fan system condenser may receive the gaseous working fluid from the gas expander and condense the gaseous working fluid to form a liquid working fluid. A pump pumps the liquid working fluid back to the fan system evaporator.
US08327647B2
A low carbon emissions, combined cycle power plant utilizes vortex nozzles (38) operative at cryogenic temperatures to separate out carbon dioxide (39) from the flue gases. Complexity of the plant is minimized by operating a gas turbine engine component (10) of the plant at a turbine exhaust pressure of at least 2 bar, so that downstream components of the plant, including a heat recovery steam generator (19A), a gas cooling system (30, 33, 36), and the inlets of the vortex nozzles, all operate at the same pressure of at least two bar. To increase carbon dioxide concentration in the flue gases (37) that pass through the vortex nozzles (38), and thereby increase efficiency of carbon dioxide removal from the flue gases, up to 50% of the flue gases that exit the heat recovery steam generator (19A) may be recirculated to a location (L, FIG. 4)) in the compressor of the gas turbine engine where the pressure of the compressor air matches the flue gas pressure.
US08327623B2
Electrical power from a dynamic braking process in an off-highway vehicle is used to power an auxiliary system in the vehicle. The auxiliary system may be a urea storage container heating unit or a particulate filter regeneration heating unit. When dynamic braking electricity is unavailable, and to the extent the dynamic braking electricity is insufficient for powering the auxiliary system, electrical power from an energy device on board the vehicle is used to power the auxiliary system. The energy device may be an auxiliary energy storage device, devoted for use in powering the auxiliary system.
US08327611B2
A machine for forming a bale including a plurality of bags includes a conveyor for conveying each of the bags to an inlet opening. A film feeder is positioned adjacent the inlet opening, along with a former for forming a sleeve from the film adjacent to the inlet opening. Means for pushing, such as a pusher, is provided for pushing the bags into the sleeve. Related methods are also disclosed.
US08327606B2
A method and apparatus for sterilization in which items to be sterilized are placed in an impervious sealable package and the sterilization process is carried out within the package. The apparatus (10) includes a cabinet (18) in which a package (P) preferably with a carrier (11) located within, can be positioned. A snorkel (17) is inserted into the package (P) and via connector (23) vacuum, pressure and sterilant can be applied to the interior of the package (P). A sealing arrangement (14b, 22b) can seal the package closed after the sterilization process has been completed.
US08327599B2
A spacer for positioning rods and wire in concrete is disclosed. In some embodiments, the spacer includes first and second saddle portions joined together via a connection mechanism. Spacing members are joined with the first and second saddle portions and first and second outer edges are joined with the spacing members opposite the first and second saddle portions. A conforming fixed centering tab having a centering groove is joined with the first saddle portion at first and second ends. An adjustable and conforming centering flap is joined with the second saddle portion at a first end via a hinge connection and includes a free second end opposite the first end. The centering flap has a length greater than a width of an opening of the second saddle portion. The connection mechanism is joined with the spacing members adjacent the outer edges for pivoting the first and second saddle portions.
US08327596B2
A structural building system includes a plurality of pultruded fiberglass reinforced structure components configured to be used as a structural frame member of a building and a plurality of connectors. Each connector is configured to be mounted to one end of a first pultruded structural component and includes a mounting section that is couplable to a second pultruded structural component so as to connect the first and second structural components at right angles to each other.
US08327594B2
A roof system for a mobile occupancy structure having a roof substrate and a roof member mounted to the mobile occupancy structure may include a roof membrane having at least one thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) membrane layer affixed to the roof substrate. The roof system may also include a sealant disposed about or adjacent the roof member with the sealant being adhered to the TPV membrane layer. The TPV membrane layer includes a TPV polymer bonding additive and the sealant includes a sealant polymer bonding additive with the TPV polymer bonding additive and sealant polymer bonding additive interacting to promote adhesion of the sealant with the TPV membrane layer. The sealant may be a substantially solid sealant having at least approximately 90% solids by weight prior to being applied about the roof member.
US08327586B2
A system and methods for controlling operation of hydraulic cylinders includes monitoring position of the cylinders relative to one another, and correction of misalignment of the cylinders should they become misaligned. Further, monitoring can be of a swing-type door operated using the cylinders, which can operate the door at different speeds. Further, as the door creeps open from a closed position or closed from an open position, correction is also made.
US08327579B2
A floating island comprising one or more layers of nonwoven mesh material and optional buoyant nodules. The mesh material is optionally coated with a spray-on elastomer or inoculated with nutrients or microorganisms. The island can include buoyant growth medium, floats, buoyant blocks, a prefabricated seed blanket, a dunking feature, capillary tubes, wicking units and/or bell flotation units. A larger embodiment is comprised of nonwoven mesh material, buoyant nodules, supplemental flotation units, stepping pads and optional load distribution members. Other optional features include a stepping stone flotation assembly, a stepping stone/vertical buoyant member flotation assembly, and a floating log assembly. The buoyancy of the island can be adjusted with a rigid framework of horizontal members, vertical members that can be moved vertically within the island, and/or a framework of prefabricated flotation tubes and cross members. The present invention also covers a floating island with a boat docking location.
US08327574B2
Methods and apparatus for mounting accessories to firearms are described. A base includes a first alignment feature and a clamp that rigidly secures the base to the firearm. An actuator includes an accessory mount and a second alignment feature that engages with the first alignment feature to enable a substantially linear movement of the actuator relative to the base. A fastener secures the actuator to the base at a predetermined position relative to the base.
US08327573B1
A telescopic sighting device includes a tubular scope, an objective lens, an ocular assembly, and a laser locator. The objective lens is mounted at a bell portion of the tubular scope for focusing light at a focal point in the body portion of the tubular scope. The ocular assembly is provided at an eyepiece portion of the tubular scope for magnifying the light from focused at the focal point. Furthermore, the laser locator is mounted at the bell portion of the tubular scope at a position adjacent to the objective lens, and comprises a laser emitter arranged to generate a laser beam toward a target, in such a manner that a user is able to observe a laser indicator produced by the laser beam on the target through the ocular assembly so as to enhance an accuracy of locating the target by the telescopic sighting device.
US08327572B2
A tight, insulating enclosure for a rifle or shotgun is provided. Such an enclosure envelops the wooden stock and other wooden portions of a suitable firearm, at least, to protect the wooden surfaces thereof during storage, transportation, and utilization. The enclosure itself contains rubberized foam components to impart insulation around the wooden portions as protection against hard and/or extended surfaces that may bump, scratch, dent, or otherwise disfigure the wooden portions of a rifle or shotgun. Furthermore, the enclosure is of a single construction with suitable cut-out portions for movable parts, such as a trigger, a clip, a scope, and the like and is secured around the target firearm in a tight-fitting fashion in order to protect the noted surfaces, as well as provide shock absorption during firing. In such a manner, the enclosure permits access at all times to the necessary movable components while ensuring a snug fit around the delicate portions of the rifle or shotgun.
US08327571B2
A firearm cleaning tool and method of use is disclosed in which multiple firearm components may be cleaned using a single tool. The tool includes cutting or scraping edges to ream residue, such as carbon deposits through a scraping action. The proximal end includes a scraping head with a scraping edge, and the distal end includes pivotable scraper arm and longitudinally extending insertion pin. A method of use is also contemplated.
US08327569B2
A firearm buttstock includes a buttstock body having first, second and third passages. A transfer member is received in the second passage and a retaining member is received in the third passage. A firearm is also disclosed that has a receiver extension. The firearm buttstock can be supported on the firearm such that the receiver extension is received within the first passage. A method of assembling a firearm buttstock assembly is also included.
US08327568B1
A gunstock system having an internal magazine for storage of ammunition cartridges and for providing ambidextrous delivery of the ammunition cartridges. The gunstock has a vertically-oriented internal magazine having an upper opening and a lower reload/discharge opening, an operable cover for closing the upper opening, a biasing element, such as a spring, extending from the cover within the internal magazine to apply downward pressure upon the ammunition cartridges, and biased-retaining arms for operatively opening and closing the reload/discharge opening to permit and restrict removal of the ammunition cartridges from the internal magazine. The ammunition cartridges exit the reload/discharge opening in a forward manner and along the bottom of the gunstock. The gunstock has a bore extending therethrough from a rearward to a forward end of the gunstock for receiving a bolt to secure the gunstock to the receiver or adjacent portion of the firearm.
US08327562B2
A hydraulic system with thermal shock protection. The hydraulic system can include a controller that limits when hot hydraulic fluids may be directed to cold hydraulic components. The hydraulic system can be used in machines such as trenchers to protect hydraulic components such as hydraulic motors from failure due to thermal shock.
US08327558B2
A shed type clothes dryer, especially a shed type clothes dryer with safety ventilating member is disclosed. The shed type clothes dryer with safety ventilating member includes a heat blower, air outlet shed with plural air outlets which are set on the heat blower, umbrella shape support frame with center supporting stand which is set on the air outlet shed, clothes drying chamber formed from outer cover around the support frame. The safety ventilating member is set on the air outlet shed. A hot air relaxation chamber is formed between said safety ventilating member and the air outlet shed. The shed type clothes dryer with safety ventilating member has the following advantages: 1. mounted safety ventilating member preventing the clothes from falling on hot air port to make consumer securely use it, 2. automatically stopping after the clothes been dried by humiture probe controlling the humiture to ensure the clothes not over drying and energy saving, 3. the temperature of the hot air current let in the clothes drying chamber being uniform at each position, and the air current being mild, thus obtaining excellent clothes drying effect.
US08327544B2
A razor which includes at least one razor blade, a container for a shaving composition and an electrically powered actuating mechanism, for causing shaving composition from the container to be discharged from the shaving head.
US08327537B2
A method of friction welding a piston includes forming a piston body by friction welding an upper crown portion to a lower crown portion. At least one of the upper or lower crown portions is provided with a central support post extending along a central axis. The upper and lower crown portions have annular ribs radially outwardly from the central support post, with the ribs being aligned with one another. The method includes initiating a friction weld joint between a free end of the central support post and a corresponding surface opposite the free end of the central support post. Then, after initiating the weld joint between the central support post and the opposite surface, the method continues by then initiating a friction weld joint between aligned free ends of the ribs. Then, the friction weld joints are completed.
US08327536B2
High speed connector inserts and cables having improved heat conduction, high strength, and may be manufactured in a reliable manner. One example may provide a connector insert having several paths by which heat may be removed from circuitry in the cable insert. In one example, heat may be removed from one or more circuits by forming a thermal path between a circuit and a shield of the connector insert. Another path may include one or more pads on a side of an integrated circuit board that are soldered directly to the shield. A braiding surrounding a cable may be soldered or otherwise thermally connected to the shield. Another example may provide a cable having a braiding that includes one or more types of fibers, such as aramid fibers. Another example may provide for increased manufacturability by using a wire comb and a solder bar.
US08327535B2
A wired circuit board has a metal supporting board, a metal foil formed on the metal supporting board, an insulating base layer formed on the metal supporting board to cover the metal foil, and a conductive pattern formed on the insulating base layer and a having a terminal portion. An opening is formed in the insulating base layer to expose the metal foil.
US08327532B2
Methods for forming a microelectronic assembly (82) are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a device substrate (50) having a plurality of electronic components (42) coupled thereto, and providing a carrier substrate (54) having first and second opposing surfaces (60, 62) and including a plurality of openings (58) extending between the first and second opposing surfaces (60, 62) and a plurality of depressions (64) formed on the first opposing surface (60). The method further includes attaching the device substrate (50) to the first opposing surface (60) of the carrier substrate (54) using an adhesive material (56) such that at least some of the adhesive material (56) is adjacent to at least some of the plurality of depressions (64), and removing the device substrate (50) from the carrier substrate (54).
US08327530B2
An installation (1) for continuous application of thermally or electrically insulating material (6) around an elongate element (2) having a generally circular cross-section. The installation includes a forcing device (3), in form of a conical tube into which the element (2) is fed simultaneously at the large base end of the conical tube, a sheet (4), on which the insulating material (6) is placed, means for translation of the element through a circular section (2) of the sheet (4), and a device (7) for depositing of insulating material onto the sheet. Such an installation produces thermally insulated tubes or electrically insulated cables.
US08327529B1
An assembly tool is provided. The assembly tool comprises a body, a first vacuum channel defined within the body, and a first locating pin attached to the body. The first locating pin has a shaft portion arranged within a surrounding portion of the body. The first locating pin is configured to engage a first alignment feature of a hard drive component at a first contact area to align the hard drive component with the assembly tool. The body is configured to couple the first vacuum channel to a vacuum source and to facilitate particle evacuation from the first contact area via the first vacuum channel when a vacuum is applied by the vacuum source.
US08327524B2
Disclosed herein is an inductive component whose soft magnetic core is produced by pouring a casting resin into a mold filled with a soft magnetic alloy powder and by subsequently hardening the casting resin with the alloy powder in order to form a solid soft magnetic core. This technique prevents the surface insulation of the alloy particles from becoming damaged, thereby largely preventing the formation of bulky eddy currents in the resulting soft magnetic cores. This enables a distinct reduction in the electric loss of the inductive component.
US08327520B2
A coupling conductor for a YIG filter or YIG oscillator, which may be produced from a metallic foil by eroding, laser cutting and/or etching of a metallic foil. The coupling conductor includes at least one curved section, which at least partially surrounds a YIG element and at least one conductor section.
US08327511B2
The fixing device for the assembly and quick release of objects includes a holding element that can be fixed to one of the objects to be held together, and a retaining device that can be fixed to another one of the objects to be held together and engage the holding element. The retaining device includes a plurality of separable parts that can be held closely together around the holding element by a disengageable pre-tensioning device. The separable parts are connected to each other by an elastically deformable mechanisms which stretch to in order to draw the parts located at a distance from each other together, while the pre-tensioning device includes a link wound around the parts in order to keep them closed on the holding element, at least one end of the link being fixed to a tensioning mechanism.
US08327503B2
A surface treating appliance, such as a vacuum cleaner, includes a device generating a flow of fluid in the form of a motor and fan, housed in a main body. A hose and wand assembly, a surface treating head and a rotary change over valve are also provided. The valve is selectively rotatable so as to allow fluid flow from either the surface-treating head or the hose. A support assembly is moveable between a supporting position, in which it supports the main body, and a retracted position. The change over valve and support assembly are arranged so that motion of the support assembly between the supporting and retracted positions induces rotary motion of the change over valve.
US08327496B2
A wiper blade is provided capable of wiping a windshield of a vehicle in a suitable operating condition even in a cold winter season. The wiper blade includes a wiper strip configured to contact and wipe a glass surface of the windshield, a frame coupled to the wiper strip, an adapter disposed at a center of the frame and configured to be joined to the wiper arm, and a heating unit attached to the frame to heat the wiper blade. The heating unit includes a power source and a heating element heated by power supplied from the power source.
US08327494B2
A brush mitt includes a brush cover and a handle cover. A loop on the brush cover receives a handle of a brush of the type such as commonly used for washing vehicles. The handle cover wraps around the end of the handle and a brush cover attachment strap passes through the loop on the brush cover to secure the handle cover to the brush cover. The brush mitt prevents damage to delicate surfaces, such as the painted surface of vehicles, that might be caused by either the brush bristles or impact with the handle of the brush.
US08327490B2
An interdental treatment device, such as a toothbrush, includes a handle configured to accommodate an electric power source, a head carrying an interdental treatment tool, and a neck between the handle and the head. The head or neck includes a mechanical motorized vibratory device, including a drive which causes the head to vibrate. Electrical connections are operably connected to the mechanical vibratory device and the electric power source to power the mechanical vibratory device via the electrical connections. In various embodiments, a switch may be operably connected to at least one of the electrical connections to interrupt power from the power source to the mechanical motorized vibratory device. In various embodiments, a vibration-damping structure dampens vibration transmission from the head to the handle.
US08327488B2
An actuator allows miniaturization by realizing back-and-forth rotating motion of, for example, an electric brush without a drive transmitting mechanism which constitutes a separate entity from a drive source. In a movable body (160) of this actuator (100), an outer yoke (110) is provided with inner wall planes (112a and 113a) located opposing each other spaced a predetermined interval apart and magnets (121 and 123) of different magnetic poles opposing each other in the inner walls planes (112a and 113a). The movable body (160) has a center yoke (140) located between the magnets (121 and 124) through air gaps. The movable body (160) is provided with a shaft (150). The fixed body (180) has a coil (170) which is located in the air gaps and which circles the center yoke (140). The fixed body (180) movably supports the movable body (160) through elastic bodies (190). An alternating current supplying section (195) supplies to the coil (170) the alternating current of a frequency virtually equal to the resonance frequency of the movable body (160).
US08327485B1
A counterbalance assembly is suited for use with a fold out ramp having a ramp portion selectively movable between a stowed position, a neutral position, and a deployed position. The counterbalance includes first and second springs and a transmission element forming an endless loop. A first biasing element is coupled to the transmission element so that the first biasing element compresses the first spring when the ramp portion moves from the neutral position to the stowed position and compresses the second spring when the ramp portion moves from the neutral position to the deployed position. A second biasing element is coupled to the transmission element so that the second biasing element compresses the second spring when the ramp portion moves from the neutral position to the stowed position and compresses the first spring when the ramp portion moves from the neutral position to the deployed position.
US08327482B2
This invention is directed to a durable, compact, two-piece, light weight, load sustaining litter system for the transport of humans, animals or objects. The litter system comprises a litter frame, a fabric disposed between the structure of the frame, at least one hinge and at least one coupling mechanism. The litter system may be quickly assembled under adverse conditions and may be particularly beneficial in transporting individuals who are injured, disabled and/or incapable of movement under combat and/or emergency conditions.
US08327480B2
A patient-support apparatus includes receivers for supporting a patient-support deck. The patient-support deck is configured to engage the receivers to support the deck in a cantilevered configuration. The patient-support deck may be secured to the patient-support apparatus by a locking mechanism.
US08327474B2
A magnetic drain stopper assembly includes an actuating lever in a drain pipe and is movable to allow fluid flow into the drain pipe in an open position and to prevent fluid flow into the drain pipe in a closed position. A magnet on the drain stopper interacts magnetically with the actuating lever or a sleeve on the actuating lever. The magnetic drain stopper is easily removed by simply pulling it out of the drain pipe. Studs on the drain stopper catch objects that fall into the drain pipe for easy retrieval and further catch residue such as hair for easy cleaning.
US08327465B2
A neck pad is pulled out with a smaller force in an easy manner while assuring a positive characteristic of attached state of the neck pad.An inserting plate that can be moved in a clearance S along a peripheral direction of a putting-on or taking-off opening is provided with a fitting part and in turn the fitting part is provided with an engaging part that is resiliently fitted in opposition to a pulling-out direction of the inserting plate through insertion of the inserting plate into the clearance S, the fitting part moves to a non-opposite position against the engaging part as the inserting plate moves in a peripheral direction to cause the fitted state of the engaging part to be released, thereby the inserting plate can be pulled out.
US08332959B2
A risk assessment system and method includes an information system configured to disclose information to a third party. A risk determination model is configured to compute identifiability risk for on one or more records in storage. The identifiability risk is compared to a threshold prior to being disclosed wherein the information system is informed of the identifiability risk exceeding the threshold prior to disclosure to the third party.
US08332958B2
A Multi-Function peripheral (MFP), a server apparatus, and a client apparatus for generating image output data from document data and transmitting the image output data to the server apparatus are each connected to a network. In the server apparatus, an output data management unit stores the received image output data in an output data storage unit. Upon receiving user authentication information that is input with a user operation on the MFP, the server apparatus determines whether the user authentication information is valid. When the user authentication information is determined to be valid, the server apparatus transmits to the MFP one or more among the stored image output data associated with the user authentication information.
US08332954B2
The present invention provides a method of embedding watermarking data in an audio signal which includes the steps of incorporating watermarking information into said audio signal, sectioning said signal into at least two sections, marking at least one said section whereby said sections may be identified, generating distortion in one said section of said signal in manner recoverable by a key obtainable from at least one other said section, and appending said distorted section to said at least one other section to form a composite signal comprising a distorted section to said at least one other section to form a composite signal comprising a distorted section and at least one undistorted section. The present invention is particularly useful for enabling advertisements and or trial listening sections to be added to an audio file in such a manner that they include the key for recovering a distorted section. If an attempt is made to remove the advertisement or trial section, then the key would be lost.
US08332946B1
A malware-protection method and a malware-protection system for protecting a computer from malware infection by preventing infected files from executing on the computer before they can do harm. The malware-protection method employs a number of techniques and relies on multiple layers of protection to identify trusted files, prevent execution of untrustworthy files, accurately detect corrupted files, analyze questionable files, and quarantine files. The malware-protection system includes a client-based verification, detection, blocking, and quarantine application that interacts and coordinates protection methods with application-verification servers, scan servers, definition-update servers, and policy servers to deliver intelligent malware protection as a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) service. All users of the malware-protection system benefit from the detection of malicious files by any other user. The first time a malicious file is detected by any part of the malware-protection system, all the components of the malware-protection system are immediately protected against the malicious file.
US08332943B2
Adware and viruses are examples of objects that may be embedded in a web page or linked to a web page. When such an object is detected to be associated with a web page loading on a browser, an analysis may be performed to determine a trust level for the object. The object is suppressed based on the trust level. A prompt is displayed to advise a user that the object has been suppressed, and to provide an opportunity to interactively accept or decline activation of an action for the object.
US08332942B2
Automated file system event tracking and reporting techniques are described in which file system events requested by a user application are intercepted and recorded prior to the request being permitted to pass to the file system for execution. Similarly, file system responses to a prior captured file system event are also intercepted and recorded. Predefined patterns of file system event may be aggregated and reported as a single event.
US08332939B2
The present invention relates to a method for identifying subject-executed code and subject-granted access rights within a program, the method further comprising the steps of: constructing a static model of a program, and determining a set of access rights that are associated with each subject object that is comprised within the program. The method further comprises the steps of annotating the invocation graph with the set of access right data to generate a subject-rights analysis, wherein each node comprised within the invocation graph is mapped to a set of access rights that represent subject-granted access rights under which a method that corresponds to a respective node will be executed, and utilizing the subject-rights analysis to perform a subject-rights analysis of the program.
US08332931B1
Devices, systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with processing commands according to authorization are described. In one embodiment, a chip includes a secure module configured to store secure firmware, and to execute the secure firmware. The secure firmware prevents the secure module from at least partially processing a command that originated from an untrusted source. The chip also includes an unsecure module configured to store unsecure firmware, and to execute the unsecure firmware. The unsecure firmware permits the unsecure module to process a command having originated from an untrusted source. The chip is configured where the unsecure firmware is separately updateable from the secure firmware.
US08332927B1
The invention is directed to techniques for managing filter rules applied to network traffic at a network device. A network device merges multiple filter rules associated with separate filter matching modules to reduce lookup cycles in a forwarding path of the network device. The network device may thus simultaneously apply multiple filter rules in a reduced number of clock cycles. A network device comprises an interface that receives packets from a network, a filter memory that stores a plurality of filters, and a plurality of filter matching modules that apply the filters to packets in a forwarding path of the network device. A filter control module merges two or more filters each associated with a different one of the filter matching modules into a single merged filter, and stores the merged filter to the filter memory. The network device applies the merged filter to packets in the forwarding path.
US08332926B2
Techniques for modifying packet filters in a wireless communication network are described. In one scheme, packet filters may be performed with multiple operations, if needed. The operation(s) to be performed and the order of performing the operation(s) may be dependent on the number of existing packet filters to be replaced (N) and the number of new packet filters (M). If N=M, then N packet filters in a traffic filter template may be replaced with a single operation. If N>M, then M packet filters in the traffic filter template may be replaced first, and N−M packet filters may be deleted from the traffic filter template next. If N
US08332922B2
In a web-based service environment, third party providers need to have varying degrees of access to user data for their complementary services. To prevent third party providers from having broader access than necessary or not adequate levels of access, transferable restricted security tickets are employed to determine an appropriate level of access for third parties. Tickets with expiration and restriction roles define a duration and level of access for a third party. The restrictions are determined through an intersection of the authorizing user's security role and restriction roles defined in the system.
US08332906B2
A system and method are described herein for standardizing an IT policy that is used to configure devices operating on a network. An IT policy can be generated that applies to a group of users or to one or more special users without having to define and store a new IT policy for each special user. This can be achieved by specifying global and per-user IT policy rules and merging these rules as needed to produce IT policy data.
US08332900B2
A method and system for monitoring video assets provided by a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) includes an expert test monitoring platform (ETMP) configured to emulate MCDN client systems at a facility of an MCDN service provider. The ETMP may be used to obtain remote control response metrics, along with internal performance data, for client systems in the ETMP. Historical metrics and historical data may be logged along with the release version for the client systems, which may then be used to correlate operational performance when analyzing client system characteristics.
US08332892B2
A system for media content selection. In one embodiment, a home entertainment system for accessing content includes a processor for executing instructions adapted for: (i) receiving a request from a user input for selecting a content title; (ii) displaying formats of the content title, with one format stored in a home network and another stored external to the home network; (iii) receiving a request from the user input device to select one of the formats; and (iv) presenting the selected content in the selected format. The content can be a song in a digital format, for example. Selecting the content can include consideration of user preference information and using one or more of: a content manager, a device manager, a network controller, a purchase controller, a device supporter, a content directory, a connection manager, and a digital rights management (DRM) controller. The user input device can include, for example, a remote control device for a home entertainment system.
US08332888B2
A method is disclosed that includes receiving a selection of a channel at a set-top box device. In response to the selection of the channel, a still image associated with a program being transmitted via the selected channel is displayed at a display device. The method further includes receiving a multicast stream of video content associated with the selected channel at the set-top box device. At least a portion of the multicast stream is received while the still image is displayed at the display device. The method also includes transmitting the video content to the display device.
US08332881B2
An optical disc apparatus capable of reducing looseness vibrations resulting from a gap between a sub-guide shaft and a bearing is provided. According to an optical disc apparatus in the present invention, both ends of the sub-guide shaft are supported by being sandwiched between a pair of support parts formed in a chassis and a pair of pressing members mounted on the chassis. The support part is formed by bending a protruding portion both protruding in an inward direction of a hole from an edge of the hole of the chassis and extending along the direction perpendicular to the sub-guide shaft.
US08332875B2
The invention proposes a network device driver architecture with functionality distributed between kernel space and user space. The overall network device driver comprises a kernel-space device driver (10) and user-space device driver functionality (20). The kernel-space device driver (10) is adapted for enabling access to the user-space device driver functionality (20) via a kernel-space-user-space interface (15). The user-space device driver functionality (20) is adapted for enabling direct access between user space and the NIC (30) via a user-space-NIC interface (25), and also adapted for interconnecting the kernel-space-user-space interface (15) and the user-space-NIC interface (25) to provide integrated kernel-space access and user-space access to the NIC (30). The user-space device driver functionality (20) provides direct, zero-copy user-space access to the NIC, whereas information to be transferred between kernel space and the NIC will be “tunneled” through user space by combined use of the kernel-space device driver (10), the user-space device driver functionality (20) and the two associated interfaces (15,25).
US08332873B2
A method for determining an application instance placement in a set of machines under one or more resource constraints includes the following steps. An estimate is computed of a value of the first metric that can be achieved by a current application instance placement and a current application load distribution. A new application instance placement and a new application load distribution are determined, wherein the new application instance placement and the new load distribution optimize the first metric.
US08332872B2
Systems for handling an event in a computer system which has a kernel-mode and a user-mode. The systems comprise at least one computing device. The computing device is configured to suspend an occurrence of the event in the kernel-mode of an operating system running thereon. The computing device is also configured to cause the event to occur in the user-mode of the operating system. The computing device is further configured to determine if an occurrence of the event in the kernel-mode will compromise the computer system by analyzing the occurrence of the event in the user-mode. If it is determined that the occurrence of the event in the kernel-mode will compromise the computer system, then the computing device executes at least one security measure.
US08332855B2
Systems and methodologies are described herein that facilitate computation of composite priorities for composite events associated with a multi-radio wireless device. As described herein, respective priority values can be assigned to composite events (e.g., radio events associated with a plurality of distinct radios) in a variety of manners. Upon assignment of priority values, a radio coexistence manager and/or other suitable means can be utilized to selectively grant respective events from among a set of events that are identified within the same time period. In various examples described herein, priorities can be computed for composite events such that relative priorities of composite events are higher if the constituent atomic events of the composite events have higher priorities, such that the relative priority of a composite event is greater than the priority of any subset of its events, and/or according to any other suitable criteria.
US08332847B1
To validate manual virtual machine migration, a placement controller receives a user request to manually migrate at least one virtual machine across physical machines. Based on criteria used by the placement controller for automatically selecting placement of virtual machines on the physical machines, it is determined whether the user-requested migration of the at least one virtual machine violates the criteria. In response to determining that the user-requested migration violates the criteria, a notification of the violation is provided.
US08332843B2
When a peripheral device is connected to a host apparatus for the first time, an easy and secure installation of the driver of the peripheral device into the host apparatus is made possible. A printer 102, and a storage 103 storing a driver 104 for the printer 102 and an installer thereof, which function on a PC 200 are connected, as USB devices 111, 112, to a USB hub 110. An installation flag 105 records a value indicating an installation state of the driver 104. When the PC 200 is connected to the USB hub 110, if the value of the installation flag 105 indicates “non-installed”, the PC 200 is so controlled as to make access only to the storage 103. If the value of the installation flag 105 indicates “already installed”, the PC 200 is so controlled as to make access to the storage 103 and the printer 102.
US08332837B2
In response to a request from a client for the download installation of a device driver, device informational data that has been registered in a server and an installation set, which also has been registered in the server and includes the device driver and applications related to the device driver, are downloaded from the server to the client. On the basis of the device information data that has been downloaded from the server, the device driver and the related applications are installed in the client. After installation, post-installation processing regarding the applications related to the installed device driver is executed at the client based upon the device informational data.
US08332836B2
A system and method for updating portable electronic devices using a rechargeable battery are provided. The method includes accessing update data stored in a battery removably connected to a portable electronic device and transferring the stored update data from the battery to the portable electronic device. The method further includes updating the portable electronic device with the transferred update data.
US08332827B2
Embodiments of a producer graph oriented programming framework with scenario support have been presented. In one embodiment, a request to evaluate potential impacts by a change on an application program is received. The application program includes a set of producers, each having at least an instance and a method associated with the instance. Responsive to the request, the application program may be simulated with the change while the existing states and existing outputs of the producers are preserved.
US08332825B2
A dynamic verification system is described that enables application developers to safely include significant custom business logic in their applications. The dynamic verification system receives application behavior criteria that specify behavior of an application of interest to an application host. The system executes an application and instruments an application execution environment to detect application behavior that meets the application behavior criteria. The system determines when the application has performed an action that satisfies the application behavior criteria and provides a notification about the application behavior that occurred that a system administrator can use to take action against the application.
US08332824B2
Methods, systems, and computer code for (i) performance-monitoring a multi-tier application including a .NET tier and a database tier; and (ii) for visually presenting performance-data to a user are disclosed. In some embodiments, a multi-tiered performance data interface, for example, including a .NET tier performance data interface and a database tier performance data interface operatively coupled to the .NET tier performance data interface, is provided. In some embodiments, the .NET tier performance data interface is configured to present .NET stack data and the database performance data interface is configured to present internal database performance data, for example, wait times (e.g. relative magnitudes of different types of wait times). Techniques for matching .NET-tier requests to execute SQL statements with database-tier executions of SQL statements are also disclosed.
US08332823B2
There is provided a means to perform a source-level verification by a third-party organization in a shorter time, while preventing leakage of technology and know-how of an ISV (Independent Software Vendor). An AP (Application Program) verification system is composed of an AP development site and a verification organization connected via a network. An API-in-use (Application Program Interface-in-use) extracting functionality extracts information relating to the API (Application Program Interface) used in a source code. The encryption functionality encrypts the source code. The API-in-use set and the encrypted source code are transmitted to the verification organization by the AP transmitting functionality. The API-in-use validity checking functionality of the verification organization verifies the validity of the API being used. If the API being used is valid, the digital signature functionality provides a digital signature to the encrypted source code. The verified source code encrypted and bearing a digital signature is returned to the AP development site by the verified AP transmitting functionality.
US08332816B2
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture consistent with embodiments of the present invention may receive information associated with a dependency between an element of a first dimension of software management and an element of a second dimension of software management, and may analyze a modification to software according to the received information.
US08332806B2
A method, apparatus and computer program product is provided to create an integration process between a source system and target system. The method includes creating a mapping between one or more source objects and one or more target objects and providing a work flow as part of the integration process. A limited subset of operations is selectively included from a sequence of activities in the complete workflow that interact with the one or more source objects and one or more target objects by comparing metadata and identifying one or more customized source objects and one or more customized target objects responsive to the comparisons. The limited subset of operations is sequenced in a stepwise template that streamlines the integration process between the source system and target system, by focusing on mappings between and operations performed upon source objects and target objects associated with the limited subset of operations.
US08332804B2
The invention discloses a chipset having N input/output (I/O) ports coupled to a voltage source which have an observation I/O port. The method includes calculating a first set of impedances at a predetermined frequency or the observation I/O port, if the voltage source is internally coupled to the N I/O ports within the chipset, and calculating a second set of impedances at the predetermined frequency for the observation I/O port, if the voltage source is externally coupled to the N I/O ports through a carrier coupling the core chip to the voltage source. The first set of impedances are compared to the second set of impedances, and the impedance of the power network or the impedance of the carrier is adjusted according to the comparison result.
US08332790B1
The present invention is directed to a capacitive decoupling module and method for an integrated circuit that features providing multiple capacitive elements to decouple the power rails from the integrated circuit. The multiple capacitive elements are spaced-apart, along a first direction, from the integrated circuit. A first set of capacitive elements is closer to the integrated circuit than a second set of capacitive elements. The first set has a smaller capacitance than the second set.
US08332785B2
In an analyzing apparatus, an input accepting unit accepts input information including an analysis condition of a circuit element (circuit) to be analyzed, an analysis-SPICE-file generating unit generates an analysis SPICE file based on the input information, and an analysis-SPICE-file executing unit executes the analysis SPICE file, thereby analyzing the characteristic of the circuit element.
US08332782B1
A display manager allows for visualization and navigation of a semantic network via an interactive graphical user interface. The display manager accesses a semantic network model defining relationships amongst nodes in the semantic network. Given a portion of the semantic network, the display manager renders a radial perspective to represent the node relationships in the given portion of the semantic network. The radial perspective includes a centered node, around which other displayed nodes and relationships are substantially concentrically arranged. To navigate to and view a different portion of the semantic network, the display manager allows the user to select nodes currently displayed in the radial perspective. In response to selection of one or more nodes, the display manager updates the radial perspective to represent nodes and node relationships from a different portion of the semantic network with the user-selected node as a new center node.
US08332775B2
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to maintaining a history of user interaction data within a sliding window, where the sliding window may be sized based at least in part on a quantification of such user interaction.
US08332772B2
A computer readable storage medium comprises executable instructions to provide a workspace for a user to define an expression with expression components from a graphical palette associated with the workspace. Placeholders are indicated in the workspace for the expression components to be added by the user. The placeholders are associated with a data type. The data type is enforced for each placeholder. A structured visual representation of the expression is provided on the workspace.
US08332769B2
A rendering engine that supports directional focus navigation, in response to a directional input, shifts the focus to an appropriate focusable element. The rendering engine determines one or more focusable elements that are candidates to receive the focus based on the received directional input and based on the relative display locations of the focusable elements. The rendering engine selects the most appropriate candidate focusable element based on each candidate element's display location in relation to the display location of the element that currently has focus.
US08332763B2
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media that allow a user to select and add subsections of multiple websites to a single aggregated website that will automatically retrieve updated content corresponding to the selected subsection are provided. The content from the selected subsections may be displayed on the aggregated website. The aggregated website will periodically check a source website and update the content displayed on the aggregated site if the source website has been updated. The application generating the source website determines which subsection of the updated website corresponds with the subsection originally selected for display by comparing the document object model (“DOM”) for both the updated web page and the original version of the web page at the time the subsection selection was made by the user. Condensed DOM trees may be generated for the updated web page and the original version of the web page, prior to comparing the two DOM trees.
US08332760B2
A method, system, and program are provided for dynamically mapping chat session invitation history. A chat controller for facilitating a chat session enables chat participants to invite additional users to join in the chat session. The chat controller dynamically generates a mapping of the chat participants to graphically represent a separate correspondence between each invited additional user and each inviting chat participant. The mapping is displayed within a user interface of a current participant or an invited additional user. Further, the displayed mapping is dynamically updated to reflect additional invitation history as the chat session continues.
US08332758B2
An approach is provided that registers a component plug-in with a console application. A request is received from a user of the console application. The console application displays a console user interface in a predetermined interface style. The console application detects that the request corresponds to the component plug-in and sends an initial request to the component plug-in. The console application receives an initial model of an initial user interface from the component plug-in and this model is provided to the user in response to the initial request. The console application builds an initial component user interface based on the received initial model. The initial component user interface is also consistent with the predetermined interface style. The console application displays the initial component user interface and the console user interface in a common application window in the predetermined interface style.
US08332754B2
Systems, methods and articles of manufacture are disclosed for rendering a document having collapsible sections of content. In one embodiment, the document may be received and rendered for display. Rendering the document for display may include collapsing all but a first section of the collapsible sections of content. Rendering the document for display may also include collapsing all but a second section of the collapsible sections of content, upon determining that a period of time has elapsed since collapsing all but the first section of the collapsible sections of content.
US08332752B2
Techniques to dynamically modify themes based on messaging. An apparatus may comprise a processor and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor. The memory may store a theme manager component and a user interface component. The theme manager component, when executed by the processor, may be operative to receive a message from a message author and select a theme based on message content of the message. The user interface component, when executed by the processor, may be operative to dynamically display a user interface view with the selected theme. In this manner, a theme associated with a user may be dynamically and automatically modified based on personalized information about a user. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08332747B2
A method and systems for copying textual objects from source documents into an object document, and for tagging, linking and processing said copied textual portions, including the disclosure of a new type of hyperlinking mechanism, for enabling to identify and trace the sources and the authorship of said copied textual portions or of all textual sub-portions or fragments of text that could be generated from said copied textual portions by editing the object document. The invention can be implemented by means of software implementing the disclosed system and method running on word-processors and web browsers.
US08332740B2
System and method for storing, managing, disseminating and sharing intellectual property asset information among users over a communications network. The system comprises a processor based server, a client processor based device, and a centralized database. The server processes each intellectual property information received from the client device through a hash function to provide a message digest, thereby providing a digital fingerprint and an attestation trail for each intellectual property information. The server aggregates all message digests to provide a system level message digest, thereby providing an attestation trail for the centralized database. The server transmits the system level message digest to a third party for storage or publication to prevent tampering and to maintain integrity of the centralized database.
US08332731B1
Subject matter, for example, disclosed herein relates to an embodiment of a process, system, device, or article involving error correction codes. In a particular embodiment, an error-correcting device may comprise an input port to receive an error correcting code (ECC) based, at least in part, on contents of a memory array; a nonlinear computing block to process the ECC to provide a plurality of signals representing a nonlinear portion of an error locator polynomial; and a linear computing block to process the ECC concurrently with processing the ECC to provide a plurality of signals representing the nonlinear portion of the error locator polynomial, to provide a plurality of signals representing a linear portion of the error locator polynomial.
US08332729B2
A system for automatic lane failover includes a first device coupled to a second device via a serial communication link having a plurality of a communication lanes. The devices may communicate by operating the link in a normal mode and a degraded mode. During normal mode operation, the devices may send frames of information to each other via the serial communication link. Each frame of information may include a number of data bits and a number of error protection bits. In response to either device detecting a failure of one or more of the communication lanes, the first device may cause the serial communication link to operate in a degraded mode by removing the one or more failed communication lanes. In addition, each device may reformat and send the frame of information on the remaining communication lanes with fewer data bits and the same number of error protection bits.
US08332728B2
A method and apparatus of generating the soft value for a memory device is disclosed. Memory read-related parameters are set, and data are read out of the memory device according to the set parameters. The data reading is performed for pre-determined plural iterations, thereby obtaining the soft value according to the read-out data and the set parameters.
US08332725B2
A system and a method for reprogramming a non volatile memory (NVM) portion, the method includes: receiving an initial content of an NVM portion; wherein the initial content differs from an erase content of the NVM portion; processing the previously programmed content in response to input content that should be represented by an initial content of the NVM portion; wherein the processing is characterized by a write limitation that prevents a non-erase value of a bit to be changed to an erase value; wherein the processing comprises at least one out of skip value based encoding, generating error correction information and error correction code based encoding; and writing the processed content of the NVM portion to the NVM portion.
US08332719B2
In a mobile communication system, an error detection code or a quality frame indicator (e.g., CRC) is generated using selectively frame information, and at least one of a WCA identifier of another terminal, and a corresponding terminal identifier. And the terminal identifier can be implicitly transmitted to the receiver.
US08332715B2
A test pattern generating device generates a test pattern with respect to a semiconductor circuit having first and second common circuits and a non-common circuit, wherein each of the common circuits has a scan chain for checking an operation of the circuit by applying a test pattern from the outside of the circuit. A set of scan chains and a set of assumed faults are created for each of the common circuits. Any of the common circuits is determined as the common circuit of a first test target. After the determined common circuit of the first test target is subjected to ATPG and detection of circuit fault, a test pattern generated in successful ATPG about the common circuit of the first test target is diverted to the common circuit determined as the second test target, and ATPG and detection of a circuit fault of the non-common circuit part.
US08332711B2
Systems and methods of information transmission are provided. An endpoint receiving packets with non-voice information transmits negative and positive acknowledgements over a dedicated channel in an uplink subframe. When the endpoint receives packets with voice information, the endpoint transmits negative acknowledgements over a shared channel, but does not transmit positive acknowledgements.
US08332710B2
Aspects described a low receiver complexity approach for reliable packet decoding when Hybrid ARQ protocol is employed with persistent assignment and potentially an erasure sequence transmission. Multiple hypotheses packet decoding performance is achieved while mitigating multiple hypotheses receiver complexity. A reference number is utilized to perform hypotheses. The reference number is independent of a start of packet. A sequence of reference numbers can be utilized, which may not necessarily be sequential numbers. The reference numbers are pre-defined.
US08332700B2
IEEE 1149.1 Test Access Ports (TAPs) may be utilized at both IC and intellectual property core design levels. TAPs serve as serial communication ports for accessing a variety of embedded circuitry within ICs and cores including; IEEE 1149.1 boundary scan circuitry, built in test circuitry, internal scan circuitry, IEEE 1149.4 mixed signal test circuitry, IEEE P5001 in-circuit emulation circuitry, and IEEE P1532 in-system programming circuitry. Selectable access to TAPs within ICs is desirable since in many instances being able to access only the desired TAP(s) leads to improvements in the way testing, emulation, and programming may be performed within an IC. A TAP linking module is described that allows TAPs embedded within an IC to be selectively accessed using 1149.1 instruction scan operations.
US08332695B2
A data storage device (DSD) tester for testing a DSD is disclosed. The DSD tester comprises a plurality of bays, a screen, and control circuitry operable to detect when a first DSD has been inserted into a first bay. Independent of operator input, a graphical user interface (GUI) displayed on the screen is automatically updated to reflect the first DSD has been inserted into the first bay. Independent of operator input, a DSD test is automatically executed on the first DSD. When the first DSD is removed from the first bay, independent of operator input, the GUI is automatically updated to reflect the first DSD has been removed from the first bay.
US08332694B2
A method for notification of an error in data exchanged for an application between a client computer telnet and a server computer telnet is disclosed. The error is detected. A message corresponding to the error is generated such that the error message is separate from the data. The error message is handled such that it has priority over the data.
US08332692B2
A test apparatus for testing an information processing apparatus includes a control unit connected to the control signal line through the connector unit to receive command information from the processing unit to execute the program, and a switching unit connected to the control unit to connect the second communication signal line and the fourth communication signal line under the control of the control unit.
US08332687B1
In one aspect, a method includes providing a splitter at a first storage array, receiving data from a host, storing the data on the first storage array, using a data protection appliance (DPA) to expose a device, continuously copying data stored on the first storage array to the device using the splitter and replicating the data to a second storage array using the DPA.
US08332685B2
A method of determining whether a defect exists on an information storage medium is provided along with a recording/reproducing apparatus using the same. Such a method comprises: seeking a defect entry whose state information indicates that a defect block or a replacement block has been re-initialized without certification from a defect list for managing an information storage medium and including state information of the defect block and state information of the replacement block, wherein the medium includes a spare area for recording the replacement block to replace the defect block occurring in a user data area on the medium; and certifying the defect block or the replacement block registered in the sought defect entry. As a result, defect information can be effectively rearranged for quick re-initialization without certification in order to improve the performance of a drive system.
US08332684B2
Example apparatus, methods, and computers prevent a split brain scenario in a pair of high availability servers by maintaining single writer access to a resource by controlling the resource according to a timer bounded arbitration protocol that controls self-termination of a writer process. One example method includes monitoring control of an arbitration (ARB) block by an active file system manager (FSM) and selectively causing a selection of a standby metadata controller (MDC) when control of the ARB block does not satisfy the timer bounded ARB protocol. The example method also includes selectively forcing a hardware reset of an apparatus running the active FSM and selectively establishing an FSM on a selected redundant MDC as a replacement FSM.
US08332682B2
An interface control device includes a first interface, a second interface, a third interface, an interface controller and a clock supplying unit. The first interface is used to communicate with a first information processing device and obtain a first clock signal from the first information processing device. The second interface is used to communicate using a second clock signal with a second information processing device different from the first information processing device. The third interface is used to communicate with a controller of a data-storage medium. The interface controller performs an interface control for the first, second and third interfaces. Moreover, the clock supplying unit supplies the first clock signal to the third interface while communications through the second interface have not been established.
US08332681B2
In a first embodiment of the present invention, a method for operating a device having a device reference clock, in a system including a host with a host reference clock is provided, the method comprising: beginning a link negotiation stage between the device and the host using the device reference clock; during the link negotiation stage, sampling data received from the host to determine a frequency offset of the host reference clock; applying the frequency offset to the device reference clock to create a corrected device reference clock; and completing the link negotiation stage using the corrected device reference clock. This completing may include either continuing the original link negotiation stage or restarting it.
US08332672B2
Multiple components of a computer system may be capable of entering wake and sleep states. The power consumption of a processor during wake state may draw significant amount of current. In order to keep power consumption of a voltage regulator low, a two-phase voltage regulator may be used during wake state. During sleep state, since power consumption is lower, the two-phase voltage regulator may be operated in a single-phase mode to further reduce voltage regulator power consumption.
US08332670B2
For the discovery and detection of the relationships between power consuming devices and power distribution outlets, an aspect of the invention is directed to a system including at least one power consuming device and a plurality of outlets for supplying power, and a method for discovering a relationship between a target device of the at least one power consuming device and at least one outlet of the plurality of outlets which supplies power to the target device. The method comprises applying an external action to the target device to change power consumption of the target device; monitoring power consumption at each of the plurality of outlets; and correlating the applied external action and the monitored power consumption to obtain the relationship between the target device and the at least one outlet which supplies power to the target device.
US08332660B2
A data processor for processing data in a secure mode having access to secure data that is not accessible to the data processor when processing data in the non-secure mode. A further processing device for performing a task in response to a request from the data processor issued from the non-secure mode. The further processing device including a secure data store not accessible to processes running on the data processor when in the non-secure mode. Prior to issuing requests, the data processor in the secure mode performs a set up operation on the further data processing device storing secure data in the secure data store. In response to receipt of the request from the data processor operating in the non-secure mode, the further data processing device performs the task using data stored in the secure data store to access any secure data required.
US08332656B2
Systems for encoding and reading RFID tags on a collection of items are shown. One embodiment of the invention includes a plurality of items, where each item possesses an item identifier string, and a plurality of RFID tags, where an RFID tag is affixed to each of the items and each RFID tag is encoded with a code word element generated using at least all of the item identifier strings. In many embodiments, the collection is a plurality of goods contained within a case, pallet, container or storage area.
US08332653B2
Secure operations and components may be integrated into a conventional processing system executing a standard operating system. A secure processing environment where trusted secure application code is executed may be provided for performing secure operations. In this environment, the applications and components may access all of the components in the system including secure components. An open processing environment is provided for performing conventional operations. Conventional application code may be executed in the open environment. In the open environment, access may only be provided to open components. That is, open applications and components may not be allowed to access the secure components in the system. In this way, a secure processing environment may be provided that allows secure and non-secure applications to be simultaneously executed while protecting sensitive data and operations.
US08332650B2
A password reset disk is created using a private key/public key pair. The private key is stored on a removable computer-readable medium so that it can be removed and securely stored remote from the computer system on which it was created. The public key is stored on the computer system and used to maintain an encrypted copy of the current password to be stored on the computer system. If the user forgets a password, the user may insert the password reset disk into the computer system. The private key is retrieved from the password reset disk and the encrypted password is decrypted using the private key. If the decryption is successful, the user is allowed to set a new password. The password reset disk is effective even if the user password has been changed since the creation of the password reset disk.
US08332638B2
The present invention provides a method and system for securing sensitive data from unauthorized access or use. The method and system of the present invention is useful in a wide variety of settings, including commercial settings generally available to the public which may be extremely large or small with respect to the number of users. The method and system of the present invention is also useful in a more private setting, such as with a corporation or governmental agency, as well as between corporation, governmental agencies or any other entity.
US08332637B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, a client and a token for providing a nonce during a login associated with the token in a multi-user computer system. A login process is activated after token insertion by a request to execute a user privileged operation made by a client application process. If a password provided to the login process by an access requester associated with authorized use of the token is validated in the token, a nonce is generated in the token. The password is passed to the token in a command and the nonce is passed to the client application process in a response to the command. The nonce is used by the client application process or any other additional processes during execution of the user privileged operation. Additional nonces, including those based on security level can be generated and passed to additional client application processes as execution of user privileged operations is requested.
US08332630B2
A method and system for authentication an electronic device is provided. One implementation involves obtaining a set of authentication parameters; prioritizing the authentication parameters into: express-parameters defining one or more express check points, and post-parameters defining one or more post-check points; authenticating each express check point; upon successful authentication of each express check point, commencing authentication of the post-check points; wherein the electronic device is authenticated when all the express check points and post-check points are successfully authenticated.
US08332627B1
Mutual authentication systems and methods are described that comprise an authenticating server that is available across a network and capable of authenticating a user based on credentials provided by the user. An embeddable object provided by the authenticating server and containing a passphrase that identifies the server to the user. A credentials entry mechanism identifies the user to the authenticating server. A user device displays an Outer Page that can request authentication. The authenticating server verifies the source of the request and provides the passphrase to the user device. The display of the passphrase confirms the identity of the authenticating server to the user. The source of the request can be verified using a secure cookie. The embeddable object can be provided in a second page and can prevent display of the passphrase if user input is not directed to the second page.
US08332626B2
A method, apparatus, and computer readable medium is provided. According to an embodiment, a method includes, receiving a message from a client. The method further includes, forwarding the message to a first service when the message includes an authentication token, where the authentication token indicates that the client can access the first service. The method further includes, forwarding the message to a second service when the message excludes the authentication token. The receiving the message from the client and the forwarding the message to the first service occur over a confidential channel.
US08332624B2
An approach is provided for reducing decision diagram related communication traffic and cost by encoding decision diagrams. A hash identifier application constructs a reduced ordered binary decision diagram from a resource description framework graph, computes a hash identifier corresponding to the decision diagram, and stores the hash identifier with the decision diagram.
US08332614B2
Storing translation lookaside buffer (TLB) entries are in a TLB1 at the processor. The TLB1 includes entries associated with main storage accesses of programs executing in a guest mode in a current zone and entries associated with main storage accesses of firmware executing in a host mode. A quiesce interruption request is received at the processor that includes a requesting zone indicator. The processor is either executing in the host mode and has no zone or in the guest mode with the current zone. The requesting zone indicator and the contents of a programmable filtering register that indicates exceptions to filtering performed by the processor is used to determine if filtering should be performed. The quiesce interruption request may be filtered based on the requesting zone indicator even after the mode switches from the guest mode to the host mode.
US08332611B2
The present invention relates to methods for managing memory. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to methods for managing memory across a plurality of partitions. A first method is disclosed which allocates memory across a plurality of partitions and includes the steps of: establishing a pool of free memory 27; allocating some of the free memory 30 to a target partition when required; identifying memory 40 within one or more source partitions to replace the allocated free memory; cleaning 42 the identified memory; and adding the cleaned memory to the pool 50. A second method for allocating memory across a plurality of partitions is also disclosed. The second method includes the steps of: monitoring the workloads of each partition; identifying memory 66 from a lesser-loaded source partition to transfer to a free memory pool; cleaning 67 the identified memory; transferring the cleaned memory to the free memory pool 70; and allocating memory 80 from the free memory pool to a target partition when required. Systems and computer software for managing memory are also disclosed.
US08332591B2
A cache memory unit includes: a cache memory; an early write-back condition checking unit for checking whether an early write-back condition has been satisfied; and an early write-back execution unit for monitoring a memory bus connecting the cache memory unit and an external memory unit, and in response to the memory bus being idle and the early write-back condition being satisfied, for causing dirty data in the cache memory to be written back to the external memory unit using the memory bus.
US08332590B1
A command processing pipeline is coupled to a shared cache. The command processing pipeline comprises (i) a first command processing stage configured to sequentially receive and process first and second cache commands, and (ii) a second command processing stage coupled to the first command processing stage. The first and the second command processing stages are two consecutive command processing stages of the command processing pipeline. The first and second command processing stages may access different groups of cache resources, and the first and second cache commands may be processed during consecutive clock cycles of a clock signal. Processing of the second cache command may be performed independently of an outcome of processing the first cache command by the first command processing stage. A third command processing stage may write data associated with the first cache command to one of a valid memory and a data memory included in the cache.
US08332580B2
An integrated circuit device includes a semiconductor substrate and an array of random access memory (RAM) cells, which are arranged on the substrate in first columns and are configured to store data. A computational section in the device includes associative memory cells, which are arranged on the substrate in second columns, which are aligned with respective first columns of the RAM cells and are in communication with the respective first columns so as to receive the data from the array of the RAM cells and to perform an associative computation on the data.
US08332578B2
A method and system to improve the performance of a multi-level cell (MLC) NAND flash memory. In one embodiment of the invention, the metadata associated with the data stored in a MLC NAND flash memory is stored only in one or more lower pages of the MLC NAND flash memory. The MLC NAND flash memory has lower and upper pages, where the lower pages have a faster programming time or rate than the upper pages in one embodiment of the invention. By storing the metadata only in the pages of the MLC NAND flash memory that have low latencies of programming, the quality of service (QoS) of the MLC NAND flash memory can be improved.
US08332572B2
A memory system is provided. The system includes a controller that regulates read and write access to one or more FLASH memory devices that are employed for random access memory applications. A buffer component operates in conjunction with the controller to regulate read and write access to the one or more FLASH devices. Wear leveling components along with read and write processing components are provided to facilitate efficient operations of the FLASH memory devices.
US08332571B1
Virtual machine optimization and/or storage reclamation solutions are disclosed that manage virtual machine sprawl and/or growing enterprise storage costs. For instance, certain solutions receive recommendations based on one or more rules, policies and/or user preferences that identify storage and/or alignment criteria for virtual machine disk (VMDK) partition(s). In certain examples, a resize tool that operates within a host operating system of a host server dynamically resizes and/or aligns one or more VMDK partitions of a powered-down virtual machine. For instance, the resize tool can be injected to the host server from a remote management server and can resize and/or align the VMDK partitions without requiring contents of the VMDK to be copied to another VMDK. By reallocating storage and/or aligning the VMDK partitions, embodiments of the invention can increase virtual machine performance and improve storage management.
US08332567B2
Example apparatus and methods to communicatively couple field devices to controllers in a process control system are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a first interface configured to receive first information from a field device using a first communication protocol. The example apparatus also includes a communication processor communicatively coupled to the first interface and configured to encode the first information for communication via a bus using a second communication protocol. In addition, the example apparatus includes a second interface communicatively coupled to the communication processor and the bus and configured to communicate the first information via the bus using the second communication protocol. The bus is configured to use the second communication protocol to communicate second information associated with another field device.
US08332564B2
A data processing apparatus has a main controller for executing a programmable sequence of instructions including a transaction sequence of instructions used to process a transaction to be initiated by the data processing apparatus. The transaction sequence of instructions is programmed dependent on the interconnect protocol. The data processing apparatus has an interconnect interface unit including a plurality of queues with at least one send queue for issuing outbound payload information to the interconnect circuitry, and at least one receive queue for receiving inbound payload information from the interconnect circuitry. An interface controller is provided for pushing the outbound payload information on to the at least one send queue and popping the inbound payload information from the at least one receive queue, under the control of commands issued by the main controller. The interconnect interface unit has an interconnect port for communicating with the interconnect circuitry.
US08332563B2
A device includes a first interface to receive a signal from a first communication link, wherein the receive signal includes out-of-band (OOB) information. A detector coupled to the first interface detects the OOB information. An encoder coupled to the detector encodes the OOB information into one or more symbols (e.g., control characters). A second interface is coupled to the encoder and a second communication link (e.g., a serial transport path). The second interface transmits the symbols on the second communication link. The device also includes mechanisms for preventing false presence detection of terminating devices.
US08332554B2
In one embodiment of a networking module, a first block receives a serial digital media signal, and provides a parallel digital media signal based on the serial digital media signal. A second block, operative with the first block, stores the parallel digital media signal in a corresponding slot in an outgoing frame, and sends the outgoing frame in response to receiving an incoming frame.
US08332549B2
A method for communication between an initiator system and a block storage cluster may include receiving a first input/output (I/O) request from the initiator system. The method may also include sending a referral response from a first storage system included in a plurality of storage systems of the block storage cluster to the initiator system when data associated with the first I/O request is stored in more than one storage system of the plurality of storage systems of the block storage cluster. Additionally, the method may include directing a referral I/O to the first storage system and the second storage system for transferring data to or transferring data from the first storage system and the second storage system, and transferring data associated with the referral I/O to or transferring data associated with the referral I/O from the first storage system and the second storage system.
US08332542B2
A computer program product for procuring information from entities in a network via an Input/Output (I/O) processing system includes a tangible storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for performing a method. The method includes receiving, at a channel subsystem, at least one network topology information request from an operating system. The method also includes building at least one command request that includes the at least one network topology information request, and sending the at least one command request from the channel subsystem to at least one network entity. The method further includes receiving a response to the at least one command request from the at least one network entity by the channel subsystem, and forwarding the response from the channel subsystem to the operating system.
US08332541B2
Methods and apparatus related to peer/network/service discovery in a mobile wireless system, e.g., an ad hoc peer-to-peer network are described. Transmission of discovery information, e.g., upper layer discovery information, is divided into a number of portions to be transmitted separately over time. Transmission of the individual portions is structured so as to enable flexibility in the frequency of the peer discovery transmissions as well as the monitoring of such transmissions. Various embodiments facilitate rapid discovery and/or secure discovery, e.g., selective discovery by trusted peers.
US08332530B2
A method and apparatus for navigating a media program via a searchable transcript of the dialog of the media program is disclosed. In one embodiment, a textural transcript of the dialog is generated, wherein the textural transcript comprising a plurality of portions wherein each portion is associated with a segment of the media program, a command is accepted to display the transcript and in response to that command, user interface data is transmitted to the client computer for presentation in a user interface, wherein the user interface comprising a concurrently presented media program player and the textural transcript.
US08332529B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for obtaining and performing programs in conjunction with media content rendering. In one aspect, a method includes obtaining media data and associated data, including time codes corresponding to both the media data and the associated data, the media data including at least one of video data and audio data; introducing a program in the associated data, the program having an associated time code from the time codes; and providing the media data and the associated data, with the program introduced therein, to one or more media player programs for rendering of the media data to an output device in accordance with the time codes relative to a start time and for performing one or more instructions defined by the program in coordination with the rendering based on the associated time code for the program.
US08332528B2
A communication system that enables a specified end-user device to obtain a media file corresponding to a delayed-play entry of a content-definition table prior to the scheduled play time. To deliver the media file to the end user, a service provider requests and receives the corresponding content from a content provider, generates the media file based on the received content, and temporarily stores the media file in a storage unit associated with the service provider. The service provider then breaks the media file into a plurality of data frames and transmits them to the end-user device during an appropriate delivery-opportunity window for storage in local storage unit (e.g., a hard drive) associated with the end-user device. At the play time, the service provider transmits to the end-user device a media-activation packet to initiate rendering thereat a copy of the media file assembled from the data frames stored in the local storage unit.
US08332524B2
Disclosure is a method and system for delivering a reusable framework. The disclosure invokes an interface to define an information service within the reusable framework. The defined information service is stored in a repository. The method further includes outputting a service request as an address for invoking the defined information service and establishing a data connection after receiving the service request wherein the defined information service can be invoked.
US08332517B2
A system and method for providing multi-services within a communication network according to various exemplary embodiments can include storing, in a database of a computer, user-defined sets of rules and instructions for providing multi-services to end user devices connected to a communication network comprising a Hybrid Fiber-Wireless (HFW) network having policy management capabilities. The system and method can receive, at one or more processors, the user-defined sets of rules and instructions from a plurality of end users via a plurality of end user devices. The system and method can configure a virtual network for each end user within the communication network using the policy management capabilities based on the user-defined sets of rules and instructions provided by each end user. The user-defined sets of rules and instructions define provisioning and delivery of resources and services provided by the communication network to the end user.
US08332516B2
A method, system and computer program product for optimized cooperation between resource list servers and presence servers. The method including receiving a subscription request from a watcher, where the subscription request identifies a resource list and is a request to receive presence information regarding each of a plurality of presentities listed on the resource list, and generating a subscription request to a presence server for presence information regarding any presentity listed on the resource list only if no other currently-active subscription request is known by the resource list server to exist for presence information regarding the presentity.
US08332512B1
Methods and systems for selecting and presenting a content item, such as an advertisement, to a user of a social network are provided, where the content item is selected based on a calculated “content propagation likelihood” for the user. A user's “content propagation likelihood” is a likelihood that an entity (e.g., video, audio clip, photograph, etc.) will spread throughout the user's social network, and the social networks of the user's friends, when the entity is shared (e.g., broadcast) by the user. A user's content propagation likelihood is computed using weighted measures of various ways in which an entity can spread through a social network. A user's content propagation likelihood may also be set for a given vertical (e.g., music, sports, etc.) and/or a given media type (e.g., images, videos, etc.) that pertains to the particular user.
US08332511B1
A method is provided in one example and includes verifying a storage capacity of a network element coupled to an end device over a network connection. The method also includes executing script provided in the network element, which is configured for exchanging packets in a network environment. The script initiates a collection of data being retrieved from the end device. The data can be Fault, Configuration, Accounting, Performance, and Security (FCAPS) data associated with the end device. The data collected from the end device is communicated to a next destination.
US08332509B2
A computer monitoring system uses a set of parameterized models to gather information about monitored devices. The models include scripts for gathering information, as well as type validation and data validation functions. The parameters within the model are used to generate user interface prompts and to populate discovery scripts as well as data validation scripts. In some cases, the models may include localization settings that may customize the user interface and validation output for different languages. A processing engine may generate a user interface from the parameters defined in the models, customize the scripts from the user input, and cause the scripts to be executed. The data gathered by the scripts may be analyzed using type validation and data validation.
US08332508B1
An extensible management server (XMS) is disclosed that includes a management interface, a scripting engine, and a data store having management scripts and a management class library stored therein. The management interface provides functionality for receiving and responding to commands received from a management application to execute management scripts, add management scripts, delete management scripts, edits management scripts, and provide a listing of management scripts. The management scripts include functionality for retrieving and setting management data on managed computers. The management scripts are configured to utilize classes contained in the management class library to perform the actual interaction with the managed server computers for retrieving or setting management data.
US08332506B2
A network monitor program operating in each node included in a cluster system, for causing the node to execute: when a response to an existence confirmation message from a relay apparatus, which relays a business request to the node, could not be received, obtaining status data of other nodes included in the cluster system; when the status data of the other nodes represents that one of the other nodes is in a usable state, confirming whether or not the node in the usable state can communicate with the relay apparatus; and when it is confirmed that the node in the usable state can communicate with the relay apparatus, notifying a cluster manager of an occurrence of a communication failure.
US08332505B2
The present disclosure provides testing of a storage system. The test may compare the storage array controller LUNs which may be configured to be accessible by a host with the LUNs which are currently available to prevent a zero path scenario from occurring. The test may verify at least one path exists for each LUN to a storage controller of a storage array before injecting an error into another storage controller of the storage array. The present disclosure also provides verification of the configuration of a storage system. The configuration verification may verify that the storage array controller LUNs which are configured to be accessible by a host are actually accessible by the host. If the configuration verification is unable to verify the configuration of storage system, the configuration verification may display an error.
US08332489B2
An applet is used to deliver a persistent caching mechanism. An initial package of the applet incorporates a lightweight caching mechanism into its root set of classes. The remainder of the applet are divided into functional modules that can be subsequently downloaded as needed. The initial applet and caching mechanism is packaged and signed in a package using tools and procedures native to each platform; and each functional module is packaged and signed in a generic, platform-independent fashion for verification and loading by any of the various platform-dependent initial applet packages. In this way, the same functional module portions of the applet (which may comprise the bulk of the applet) are cached and loaded in a platform-independent manner without requiring or relying on any caching mechanism built into a platform such as a web browser or other applet execution environment.
US08332483B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for autonomic management of data operations and performance resources on a grid computing system. An autonomic management apparatus includes a monitor module, a policy module, and a regulation module. The monitor module is configured to monitor the grid computing system for a trigger event. The policy module is configured to access one of a plurality of system policies. Each of the plurality of system policies corresponds to an operational control parameter of a system resource of the grid computing system. The regulation module is configured to autonomically regulate the system resource in response to a recognized trigger event according to one of the plurality of system policies. The trigger event may be a prediction trigger event, an initiation trigger event, a regulation trigger event, or a termination trigger event.
US08332476B2
A system and method create an interconnection among users of different social networks. Each user can provide information about the social networks they use (e.g., username, passwords, etc.). An application may register with the social network and can inter-dispose the application between the user and the social network. Then, the system can interconnect the users into a “virtual private network” (VPN) where communications between the users and the social networks can be replicated to other social networks for the other users. As such, different users using different social networks can communicate.
US08332473B1
A system and method for managing multiple message format communication that may provide the ability to route, transform, and augment inbound messages, so that virtually any outbound message may be constructed.
US08332463B2
A distributed storage system that includes: a plurality of node apparatuses connected to a plurality of different networks through a high order apparatus group or a low order apparatus group, the distributed storage system comprising: a first node apparatus that includes: a first storage unit which stores connection relationship information on the high order apparatus group and the low order apparatus group connected through the network; and a second node apparatus that includes: an acquisition unit which acquires first connection information, which indicates the high order apparatus group or the low order apparatus group that is a connection destination of the node apparatus, from the first node apparatus based on location information indicating locations of the plurality of node apparatuses; and a transmission unit which transmits the first connection information acquired by the acquisition unit to any of the plurality of node apparatuses included in the distributed storage system.
US08332454B1
A method of creating a projection of a situational network includes creating, by an event node server, an event node in a multi-dimensional personal information network, where the event node corresponds to a situation. A projection of nodes of the situational network is formed using geographic locations of a plurality of devices corresponding to nodes in the multi-dimensional personal information network. An invitation is transmitted to establish a link with the event node server to the devices corresponding to each node in the projection. A response is received from at least one of the devices accepting the invitation to establish a link with the event node server. A link with each device accepting the invitation is established.
US08332449B2
A method for generating a set of random numbers with statistics represented by a cumulative density function includes generating a set of uniformly spaced samples between an upper limit and a lower limit. Each of the uniformly spaced samples are then mapped to a corresponding value on a cumulative density function curve. The set of uniformly spaced samples are then scrambled to randomize the samples. Companding may also be incorporated in the sample generation process.
US08332443B2
A distributed, high availability scalable task execution framework that does not use a master. Each server periodically checks if there are new jobs that are scheduled to execute immediately and picks a task for execution. Multiple batch server configurations can be created and executed during a specific time period where each server can behave differently to provide improved response time to online users. Each server can be configured to execute a different number of parallel tasks during a time period, execute fewer tasks or no batch task at all, and then change server behavior to execute many tasks in parallel at a different time when there are no online users. Automatic transaction assists in task restart in the case of infrastructure failures. If infrastructure failure happens before the task completes, the transaction will be rolled back by the database automatically.
US08332439B2
In certain embodiments, generating a hierarchy of terms includes accessing a corpus comprising terms. The following is performed for one or more terms to yield parent-child relationships: one or more parent terms of a term are identified according to directional affinity; and one or more parent-child relationships are established from the parent terms and each term. A hierarchical graph is automatically generated from the parent-child relationships.
US08332430B2
A flexible and extensible architecture allows for secure searching across an enterprise. Such an architecture can provide a simple Internet-like search experience to users searching secure content inside (and outside) the enterprise. The architecture allows for the crawling and searching of a variety of sources across an enterprise, regardless of whether any of these sources conform to a conventional user role model. The architecture further allows for security attributes to be submitted at query time, for example, in order to provide real-time secure access to enterprise resources. The user query also can be transformed to provide for dynamic querying that provides for a more current result list than can be obtained for static queries.
US08332428B2
An arbitrary number of custom catalogs for an arbitrary number of customers can be published from a single database of seller catalog data. Custom browse hierarchies can be generated for each of the custom catalogs. The custom catalogs are subsets of the catalog database, and are generated in accordance with a set of rules that defines the scope of the content of the custom catalog. The rule sets define a series of sequential searches by which a subset of the product SKUs contained in the database are returned. A primary hierarchy is maintained that can have a scope coextensive with the primary database. Custom browse hierarchies can be pruned to render their scope approximately coextensive with each subset. The custom catalog subsets and the custom browse hierarchies are generated periodically through a virtual publication process.
US08332426B2
Referring expressions are identified for concepts by analyzing search query and result selection information. An ontology of concepts is identified, and at least one document is associated with each concept. The document associated with a concept is representative of the concept. Search query information from a search engine is analyzed to identify search queries that resulted in user selections of documents associated with the concepts. Referring expressions that refer to the concepts are identified based on the search queries that resulted in user selections of documents corresponding with the concepts. After identifying referring expressions for concepts, search queries may be mapped to referring expressions to identify concepts to which the search queries pertain, and search result pages may be generated based on knowledge of the concepts.
US08332422B2
A method, system, and computer program for enabling parametric searches on source data using text search engine. The invention is generally divided into a build-time process and a run-time process. During the build-time process, a crawler extracts data units from source data. A data translator then translates data units into keyword parametric entries that are submitted to the text search engine. During the run-time process, a query translator translates parametric search queries into keyword search entries. A metatag refiner then filters intermediate search results from the search engine based on the parametric search query.
US08332418B1
People are matched by obtaining, for a set of people, response information associated with previous matches the set of people have been a part of. For a person being matched, response information associated with previous matches the person being matched has been a part of is obtained. A match candidate is selected from a set of match candidates based at least in part on (1) the response information associated with the person being matched and (2) the response information associated with the set of people. Information associated with the selected match candidate is sent to the person being matched and/or information associated with the person being matched is sent to the selected match candidate.
US08332417B2
A method and system for searching using contextual data are provided. The method includes receiving one or more areas of data captured by a user from a display, the data including content and context or structure. The method converts the area of captured data to one or more extensible markup language (XML) representations of the content and context or structure. The method provides multiple hierarchical textual instances with formatting (for example, as hypertext markup language instances) corresponding to the XML representations. A query is generated for searching in a search engine for each textual instance. The one or more areas of data captured by a user include an indication of whether the area of data is selected for content, context, or both.
US08332408B1
Methods and apparatus for date annotating and displaying a web page. A web page is segmented into search data fragments. A date map is searched for matching target data fragments. Stop-words and punctuation symbols can be removed from the search and target data fragments, which can be arranged in alphanumerical order. A target data fragment matches a search data fragment when the edit distance between them is less than a threshold. The publication date of a search data fragment is the publication date of a matching target data fragment, otherwise, the current date. A search data fragment with no matching target data fragment is stored in the date map with the current date. Search data fragments are displayed using indicia to convey their publication dates. Indicia include search data fragment fonts or background colors on which search data fragments are displayed.
US08332405B2
Systems and methods are provided to enable filtered searches of marketing-related data by extracting marketing project information, including marketing activities, promotions, and campaigns information from an existing marketing system database and restructuring the extracted information in a hierarchical series of selectable nodes. In an embodiment, some of the nodes may be grouped into time, accounts, products, agreements, or marketing plan tabs. In an embodiment, once one or more nodes are selected and a search is activated, the results may be presented in a list or Gantt chart. In an embodiment, the Gantt chart may be supplemented with additional information including additional date ranges, key performance indicators (KPIs), and/or trade spends. In an embodiment, this additional information may vary according to a user role and the nodes selected.
US08332402B2
Media items can be distributed to mobile devices based on the location of the media device. The media items can be associated with location information, which can be examined and distributed to those devices whose proximate area includes the location information associated with the media items.
US08332396B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for measuring resource geotopicality. In one aspect, a method includes receiving geotokens for a resource, where each geotoken references a geographic location. An initial geotopicality score for a geographic location is computed using token attribute values of geotokens in the resource. A set of geotopical locations are selected for the resource based on the initial geotopicality score for the geographic location. Each geotopical location can be a geographic location for which the initial geotopicality score exceeds a geotopicality threshold. A final geotopicality score representing a measure of relevance for the resource relative to the geotopical location is computed for the geotopical location. Data specifying geotopical locations for the resource and geotopicality scores for the geotopical locations are provided.
US08332391B1
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that automatically identifies compounds, such as bigrams or n-grams. During operation, the system obtains selections of search results which were selected by one or more users, wherein the search results were previously generated by a search engine in response to queries containing search terms. Next, the system forms a set of candidate compounds from the queries, wherein each candidate compound comprises n consecutive terms from a query. Then, for each candidate compound in the set, the system analyzes the selections of search results to calculate a likelihood that the candidate compound is a compound.
US08332377B2
A method of controlling a search controller includes: monitoring a top level window which is activated on a top level among applications in execution; determining whether the monitored top level window corresponds to a File Open dialog box; attaching the search controller to the File Open dialog box, when the monitored top level window is determined as the File Open dialog box; retrieving a file corresponding to a query which is inputted from a user via the search controller, and outputting a file search result list via the search controller, the file search result list including the retrieved file; receiving a selection on a particular file, which is included in the file search result list, from the user; and transmitting path information associated with the particular file to the File Open dialog box.
US08332372B2
Methods, computer systems, and computer program products for processing data a computing environment are provided. The computer environment for data deduplication storage receives a plurality of write operations for deduplication storage of the data. The data is buffered in a plurality of buffers with overflow temporarily stored to a memory hierarchy when the data received for deduplication storage is sequential or non sequential. The data is accumulated and updated in the plurality of buffers per a data structure, the data structure serving as a fragment map between the plurality of buffers and a plurality of user file locations. The data is restructured in the plurality of buffers to form a complete sequence of a required sequence size. The data is provided as at least one stream to a stream-based deduplication algorithm for processing and storage.
US08332368B2
Provided are a method, system, and article of manufacture for generating information on application tasks for component objects grouped in a composite object. A composite object in a computer readable medium is comprised of component objects, wherein different application tasks are used to process the component objects. Metadata associates the application tasks for the component objects grouped in the composite object with the composite object. An operation is performed on the composite object by processing the metadata indicating the application tasks for the component objects grouped in the composite object on which the operation is performed.
US08332363B2
A storage system 1 including: a plurality of data storage systems 3000 each including a storage apparatus 5000 providing a data storage area to an external apparatus 1000, and an information processor 4000 controlling data input and output between the external apparatus and the storage apparatus, the storage system comprising; a data attribute information retention part 4420 holding data delete allow/disallow information 4423 and data attribute information 4421 and 4424; a management information retention part 2420 that is a list holding at least one of data attribute information 2421, and data storage location information 2422 of each piece of data; and a data delete control part 4440 receiving a data delete command and controlling a process of deleting the data stored in the storage apparatus based on the command. Upon receipt of the data delete command, the data delete control part sets to the file determined to be identical from being deleted when determining that the file identical to the delete target exists in the storage system.
US08332357B1
A method for synchronizing files is provided. Current metadata including a filename and a hash identifier for each file of the synchronized folder is created. The current metadata is compared to previous metadata. Based on the comparison, a first file and a first folder added to the synchronized folder and a second file and a second folder deleted from the synchronized folder are identified. The hash identifiers of the first and second files are compared. If the hash identifiers match, the filenames of the first and second files are compared. If the filenames do not match, the first file is identified as a renamed file. Metadata is sent to a synchronized device with information related to the first folder sent before information related to the first file, which is sent before information related to the second folder.
US08332349B1
An audit system structured for auditing at least one operational table of a transaction system during an audit event is provided. In an embodiment, the audit system includes at least one audit history table operatively associated with the operational table of the transaction system, and each audit history table includes at least one database trigger configured for monitoring one or more data changes in the operational table. The database trigger generates an XML message for a monitored data change and transmits it to an SQL server service broker queue, which activates a procedure to transmit the message to at least one subscriber service broker queue, which activates an asynchronous data processing service for the monitored data change.
US08332337B2
Real-time condition-based analysis is performed on a machine for providing diagnostic and prognostic outputs indicative of machine status includes a signal processor for receiving signals from sensors adapted for measuring machine performance parameters. The signal processor conditions and shapes at least some of the received signals into an input form for a neural network. A fuzzy adaptive resonance theory neural network receives at least some of the conditioned and shaped signals, and detects and classifies a state of the machine based upon the received conditioned and shaped signals, and upon a predetermined ontology of machine states, diagnostics, and prognostics. The neural network can also determine from the machine state a health status thereof, which can comprise an anomaly, and output a signal representative of the determined health status. A Bayesian intelligence network receives the machine state from the neural network and determines a fault probability at a future time.
US08332335B2
A system for decision pattern identification and application in a software engineering project includes a decision pattern miner configured to locate a plurality of decisions in a search space; a decision pattern generator configured to generate a decision pattern from the located decisions; a decision pattern repository configured to store the decision pattern; a decision pattern proposal maker configured to search the decision pattern repository for a decision pattern relevant to a decision space; and a decision pattern propagator configured to propagate the decision pattern relevant to the decision space in the decision space.
US08332334B2
According to an example embodiment, a method comprises executing instructions by a special purpose computing apparatus to, for labeled source domain data having a plurality of original labels, generate a plurality of first predicted labels for the labeled source domain data using a target function, the target function determined by using a plurality of labels from labeled target domain data. The method further comprises executing instructions by the special purpose computing apparatus to apply a label relation function to the first predicted labels for the source domain data and the original labels for the source domain data to determine a plurality of weighting factors for the labeled source domain data. The method further comprises executing instructions by the special purpose computing apparatus to generate a new target function using the labeled target domain data, the labeled source domain data, and the weighting factors for the labeled source domain data, and evaluate a performance of the new target function to determine if there is a convergence.
US08332332B2
Methods and systems are presented for managing document processing device usage in which a customer accesses a management system to buy and pay for account credits, and to apply print units to specific managed device by conversion of account credits based on current pricing information for the specified account and the particular device at the time of the request.
US08332329B1
Methods and systems for virtual checking are described. A virtual check is created by a payor's device and then sent to the payee's device. The payee can be another mobile device. The virtual check has many of the same features as a regular, paper check plus additional features only available in digital form. In an example, the data can be encrypted by either the banks key or the payor's key. Further encryption can occur between the payor's device and the payee's device, which can connect on a peer-to-peer network. The check can be an image with tag data. In an example, data can be encoded into the image itself. The virtual check can include populated data that cannot be changed by the payee. In an example, the virtual check application of the payee can automatically perform a funds availability check.
US08332323B2
Server device for performing a transaction in a system having a first entity, such as a POS, a second entity, such as a user having a mobile phone with a digital camera, and a remote server. The first entity generates a code having a transaction information and sends a first message to a server. The second entity, such as a buyer of a product or a user of a service captures the code and transmits a second message to the server having information on the transaction extracted from the code. The transaction is only authorized, when the server has determined that the first message and the second message match with each other. The transaction can be a payment transfer, a grant of an access to a service or a grant of an access to an internet portal.
US08332310B2
A system is disclosed for handling post transactional credit disputes in real-time via a variety of transactional environments and architectures. The system includes one or more workstations linked to a communication channel and one or more servers with at least one having capability of displaying a plurality of pre-existing dispute handling forms. A party in dispute may access the forms, choose an appropriate dispute handling form, provide data in the pre-defined requested fields on the form, and transmit the form over the communication channel to a server for processing. A server accepts a User ID and password from a user, retrieves and displays a set of dispute handling forms, receives input entered on the forms, routes the forms to a second user in dispute, and makes the forms available for viewing to the second user. The program may further index the data entered on the forms using a code-based method.
US08332308B2
Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for multiple client/user and capital market funded participating interest in qualifying trust. Methods include establishing a legal trust that holds assets and issues obligations that grant participation rights in its assets. The legal trust can be a legal qualifying trust. The legal qualifying trust can grant participation rights to multiple beneficiaries or participants.
US08332306B2
Systems and methods for matching orders are provided. One or more trade templates are created. The trade templates define groups of orders for financial instruments that may be combined such that all of the orders are matched. New orders and resting orders are analyzed using one or more trade templates to determine whether a combination of orders satisfies all of the elements of a trade template. When all of the elements of a trade template are satisfied, the corresponding orders may be matched contemporaneously.
US08332281B2
An image display system is provided that allows event organizers to sell images of the event to interested parties. The interested parties would have access to the images and allow them to copy and manipulate the same. In addition, customers would have the ability to order image related products containing one or more of the images.
US08332276B2
Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide a cross channel fulfillment system that enables consumers to purchase and receive items using different transmission mediums. The fulfillment system is a centralized distribution system that maintains information relating to consumers and has access to multiple transmission mediums. Specifically, the fulfillment system contains a database of consumer contact information relating to each transmission medium. The fulfillment system uses a remote device to provide information to consumers. The remote device transmits and receives broadcast messages including information relating to purchasable items. The fulfillment system may deliver a purchased item to the consumer using a medium different from that used to purchase the item.
US08332266B2
Systems and methods for managing business machine assets are described. In one configuration, the system analyzes alternate placement structures and provides for alternate asset model placement suggestions.
US08332263B2
A system and method for configuring a scoring rule is described. One embodiment includes constructing a performance level code for each performance metric in the scoring rule, designating performance levels and corresponding raw score ranges for each performance level code, assigning a performance metric point maximum to each performance metric and assigning a performance level weighting to each performance level. These relationships, which define the scoring rule, are set forth in a performance level code repository and a scoring rule repository. A system and method for computing a supplier performance rating also are described. In one embodiment, a raw score generator generates a raw score for each performance metric in the scoring rule, a performance level generator converts the raw scores into performance levels, a scaled score generator converts the performance levels into scaled scores and a performance rating generator sums the scaled scores to produce the performance rating.
US08332258B1
Methods and systems are disclosed for analyzing products. An embodiment provides a method. In one implementation, a method includes but is not limited to identifying a weak attribute of a component in the product; and generating a recommendation related to the weak attribute of the component. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the description, claims, and drawings that form the present disclosure.
US08332257B2
An analysis tool guides the selection of an external agent who will interact with a selected organizational actor. The analysis tool helps to minimize mismatches in personality and behavior between the external agents and actors in the business. The analysis tool also coaches deal external agents on how to successfully interact with the selected organizational actor. As a result, there are fewer misunderstandings about project scope and requirements, there is better communication between individuals, and valuable deals are more frequently closed.
US08332256B2
A monitoring method and system. The method retrieving by a computer, first data associated with a marketing plan associated with social networks and second data associated with marketing plan objectives. The computer processor identifies social network effects associated with the marketing plan objectives, business key performance indicators (KPIs) associated with the marketing plan objectives, and social network KPIs associated with the associated social network effects. The computer processor represents a marketing plan measurement model comprising a mathematical relationship between the business KPIs and the social network KPIs. The computer processor monitors changes associated with the business KPIs and the social network KPIs and generates and stores a report indicating the changes.
US08332255B2
A mirror system includes an image sensor coupled to a mirror, and gathers consumer shopping preferences for merchandise items. During operation, the system gathers one or more sequential images, from the image sensor, of a consumer wearing a first wearable merchandise item in front of the image sensor. Next, the system identifies in the one or more sequential images a first merchandise item being worn by the consumer. Then, the system determines a demographic group associated with the consumer, and detects behavior patterns for the consumer, wherein the behavior pattern indicates an interest level of the consumer for the identified merchandise item. The system then determines a mapping between the identified consumer demographic group and an interest level for the identified merchandise item, and produces a model which encodes the mapping.
US08332245B2
An insurance company sells a life insurance policy having a coverage period. The policy provides a total benefit amount which includes an all-cause benefit amount and an accidental death only benefit amount. The policy is initially underwritten on a limited basis and the ratio of the all-cause benefit to the accidental death benefit is low. The insured has the option of providing material to enable comprehensive underwriting and to enable risk classification. If the risk classification improves the policy benefits, the mix of coverage is adjusted to include a higher ratio of the all-cause benefit amount to the accidental death only benefit amount. If the insured does not provide any additional information or materials, or if the materials provided do not result in an underwritten risk classification that enables the policy provisions to be improved, the mix of coverage remains unchanged.
US08332243B2
A computerized system and computer-implemented method for enabling insurance vendor self-audits that receives referral data from a vendor, samples the referrals, assigns audit questions to each referral within the sample of referrals, presents the audit questions to the vendor and receives answers from the vendor, scores the answers based on rules, and reports the audit scores.
US08332240B1
An improved system, method and computer-readable instructions for tracking and monitoring vaccine and pharmaceutical information including data storage and environment sensing is provided. The improved method includes the steps of reading a tag associated with the vaccine, where the tag includes first information about the product and second information about the product recorded by an environmental sensor. The improved method further includes the step of determining the safety and efficacy of the product based on the readings from the tag, by comparing the first information including an expiration date with a current date to determine whether the vaccine has expired and by comparing the second information including a range of environments to a predetermined acceptable threshold range of environments indicating whether the product has exceeded the threshold.
US08332236B2
A computer-implemented method for tracking and monitoring a patient's compliance with a medical device usage prescription for a medical device is disclosed. This method and system includes the steps of: (a) providing a minimum medical device usage compliance value for the medical device for a predetermined compliance period; (b) providing the quantity of compliance periods in a measurement cycle; and (c) determining a compliance period value as the number of compliance periods in the measurement cycle in which an actual medical device usage value is at least equal to the minimum medical device usage compliance value. In another embodiment, the method also includes: providing a weighting factor, and applying the weighting factor to at least one actual medical device session usage value.
US08332235B2
A method and computer program product is provided that, in various embodiments, may provide a measure of efficiency of resources used in medical treatment plan options. A normalized Relative Resource Value (RRV) may be obtained that measures the level of resources required to satisfy a “normal” case for a particular aspect of medical care. Applying this value against actual costs allows ranking and/or comparison of health care providers relative to one another on the basis of the price or resources applied or utilized. Moreover, applying the RRV against the quality of outcome allows comparison and ranking of providers on overall value. The invention may be applied to the components of medical care comprising, inter alia, acute inpatient, non-acute inpatient, outpatient, professional office-based care including scheduled outpatient, and pharmacy/prescriptions. The normalized RRV obtained under various embodiments of the invention may measure resource use for medical treatment plan options/resources independent of price. The RRV may be relative across, as well as within, each of the components of medical care. Thus, provider profiling generally as well as profiling across treatment plan options based on efficiency generally is within the scope of various embodiments of the invention. Moreover, providers may be compared based on efficiency for specific conditions, as well as across conditions, across treatment plan options and across components of care using various embodiments of the invention.
US08332216B2
A method for stereo audio perceptual encoding of an input signal includes masking threshold estimation and bit allocation. The masking threshold estimation and bit allocation are performed once every two encoding processes. Another method for stereo audio perceptual encoding of an input signal includes performing a time-to-frequency transformation, performing a quantization, performing a bitstream formatting to produce an output stream, and performing a psychoacoustics analysis. The psychoacoustics analysis includes masking threshold estimation on a first of every two successive frames of the input signal.
US08332213B2
A multi-reference quantization device and method for quantizing an input LPC filter, comprises a plurality of differential quantizers using respective, different references, and a selector of a reference amongst the different references of the differential quantizers using a reference selection criterion. The input LPC filter is differentially quantized by the differential quantizer using the selected reference. A device and method for inverse quantizing a multi-reference differentially quantized LPC filter extracted from a bitstream, comprises an extractor from the bitstream of information about a reference amongst a plurality of possible references used for quantizing the multi-reference differentially quantized LPC filter, and a differential inverse quantizer using the reference corresponding to the extracted reference information to inverse quantize the multi-reference differentially quantized LPC filter.
US08332207B2
Systems, methods, and computer program products for machine translation are provided. In some implementations a system is provided. The system includes a language model including a collection of n-grams from a corpus, each n-gram having a corresponding relative frequency in the corpus and an order n corresponding to a number of tokens in the n-gram, each n-gram corresponding to a backoff n-gram having an order of n-1 and a collection of backoff scores, each backoff score associated with an n-gram, the backoff score determined as a function of a backoff factor and a relative frequency of a corresponding backoff n-gram in the corpus.
US08332194B2
A method of performing production operations of an oilfield, including obtaining a sample of separator discharge fluid from a separator, performing gas chromatography on the separator discharge fluid to obtain gas molar composition, performing oil characterization on the separator discharge fluid to obtain oil density and oil molecular weight, performing a simulation of the separator based on the gas molar composition, the oil density, the oil molecular weight, and a gas oil ratio (GOR) of the separator discharge fluid to obtain a simulated composition of separator inlet fluid, and presenting the simulated composition of separator inlet fluid, when the difference between the actual composition of separator outlet fluid and the simulated composition of separator outlet fluid is less than a threshold value.
US08332185B2
A method and system that calculate elementary symmetric functions of subsets of a set {Z} comprising a total of m numerical elements in an m2 time-frame. In one embodiment the method comprises: receiving (310) a set {Z} comprising a total of m numerical elements, wherein z(i) denotes the ith element of set {Z} indexed by number i; obtaining (320) a plurality of elementary symmetric functions for set {Z}, wherein esf(j) denotes the jth elementary symmetric function of set {Z} indexed by number j; and determining (330) a plurality of secondary symmetric functions for set {Z}, wherein for each value of index i, ssf(j,i) denotes the jth elementary symmetric function of a subset {Z\z(i)} comprising set {Z} with element z(i) removed from set {Z}, and wherein for a particular value of index i, the secondary symmetric functions are determined in accordance with a recursive relationship among the secondary symmetric function to be determined, a previously determined secondary symmetric function, one of the obtained elementary symmetric functions, and the element z(i) removed from set {Z}.
US08332175B2
An oscilloscope probe calibrating system for a single terminal probe and a differential probe includes an oscilloscope, a main branch module, a sub-branch module, and a resistor. The oscilloscope includes multiple inputs for receiving signals from the single terminal probe and the differential probe, an output for outputting an original calibration signal, and a display module displaying the waveforms of the original calibration signal and the signals from the single terminal probe and the differential probe. The main branch module converts the original calibration signals to a number of first calibration signals. The sub-branch module converts the first calibration signals to a number of second calibration signals. The sub-branch module includes a single terminal sub-branch module and a differential sub-branch module coupled to the main branch module. One end of the resistor is connected between the main branch module and the differential sub-branch module, and the other end is grounded.
US08332174B1
Computer instructions for determining coordinates for nodes on a wire secured to tow lines of a floating vessel for analyzing geological formations is provided. The computer instructions can use sensors in communication with a processor to determine the coordinates of nodes and provide azimuths tangential to the wire. A library of nominal values for polynomial coefficients, a library of known distances along the wire, and a library of preset limits can be stored in a data storage. The computer instructions can: receive sensor information, compute bearing, reorient the coordinates, rotate the azimuth, construct a polynomial algorithm, compute the azimuth, form a residual, compute updated differences until the residual is within preset limits, calculate local coordinates for nodes, and rotate the local coordinates from the local coordinate system to the projected coordinate system.
US08332164B2
A method for determining the evolution of torque of at least one rotatable shaft and the resulting fatigue damage to different power train components is provided for design and/or maintenance operations in a wind turbine that comprises the steps of determining torque (Tg) at a high speed shaft of the power train; determining moment of inertia (Ig) at the high speed shaft; determining angular acceleration (αg) at the high speed shaft; and determining torque (Tr) at the low speed shaft of the power train through the formula Tr=(Tg−Ig αg)·i. A rainflow-counting algorithm may be applied to the value of the torque (Tr) at the low speed shaft for determining the number of cycles at ranges of torque for every torque mean value.
US08332152B2
A method and apparatus provide a time-dependent calibration to essentially eliminate pipe effect in pulse-induction logging while drilling. Use of two receivers to provide calibration and measurement information allows determination of formation properties in a downhole environment while eliminating the effect of tool effects.
US08332146B2
The invention provides a monitoring device and its method of use for characterizing and evaluating the recreational quality of a ride event, based on velocity, g-forces, and vertical and lateral movement. The device optionally takes measurements for an individual ride event, displays and stores them, and if desired, transmits them to a central server for storage and or dissemination. The device can thereby document experience characteristics and scores for each ride, optionally reflecting personal preferences in the ratings. The stored data may be used for personal or managerial applications.
US08332138B2
A road information acquisition device includes: a surface elevation acquisition unit that obtains a surface elevation; a road information acquisition unit that calculates first road information relating to a travel route to be traveled by a host vehicle on the basis of the surface elevation; and a structure determination unit that determines whether or not a structure exists on the travel route, wherein, when the structure determination unit determines that the structure exists on the travel route, the road information acquisition unit obtains second road information, which is different from the first road information, relating to a point at which the structure exists on the travel route.
US08332137B2
A navigation system includes a pressure sensor, a calibration module in communication with the pressure sensor, and an altitude module in communication with the calibration module. The calibration module is configured to determine a dynamic pressure proportionality coefficient based at least in part on a static pressure proportionality coefficient, a measured pressure value from the pressure sensor, and a velocity value. The altitude module is configured to calculate a sensor-based altitude value based at least in part on the determined dynamic pressure proportionality coefficient.
US08332130B2
An injection system includes an injector, first valve, second valve, and pressure sensing device. In an embodiment, first valve is in communication with an injector outlet and includes a closed position for at least partially stopping fluid flow from injector outlet. The second valve is in communication with an injector inlet and includes a closed position for at least partially stopping fluid flow to injector inlet. The pressure sensing device is configured for sensing an injector inlet pressure drop of the injector. The injection system may be configured to stop or impede fluid flow to injector inlet when the rate of pressure drop measured by the pressure sensing device is at least equal to a predetermined pressure value that represents a rate of pressure drop measured between injector inlet and second valve when the first valve and second valve are in the closed position.
US08332128B2
An engine system may include an engine generating torque through a crankshaft, an exhaust line that exhaust gas of the engine flows, a diesel particulate filter disposed on the exhaust line to trap particulate matters of the exhaust gas, a first pressure difference sensor configured to detect a front/rear pressure difference of the diesel particulate filter, a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature of exhaust gas flowing into the diesel particulate filter, and a control unit that detects signal form the temperature sensor and the first pressure difference sensor in a predetermined rotation cycle of the crankshaft, uses the detected signal to calculate a front/rear pressure difference of the diesel particulate filter, and calculates a temperature of exhaust gas flowing into the diesel particulate filter. A corresponding signal processing method is also described.
US08332125B2
Described is a method for controlling a magnet valve for controlling the injection of fuel into an internal combustion engine, which method permits precise fuel metering in the no-load running or in the lower partial load range without changes to the hardware of the fuel injection system being necessary.
US08332121B2
Methods, software codes, and devices for determining an emission flow rate of one or more CO2 equivalent gases from an exhaust system of an internal combustion engine of a vehicle and a method of determining a vehicle efficiency factor of the vehicle are provided. The vehicle efficiency factor is compared in real time to the corresponding point on a vehicle efficiency map based on at least one of current vehicle conditions, driving conditions, environmental conditions, and energy flow visualization data to derive a driver efficiency factor.
US08332117B2
An object of the invention is to provide an acceleration control apparatus, according to which accuracy for feed-forward torque may not be decreased even when a calculating accuracy for an estimated-slope torque would be decreased. Reliability of estimated slope is calculated and feedback torque is corrected, in such a manner that a gain for a feedback control portion is increased when the reliability of the estimated slope becomes lower. It is, therefore, possible to compensate a possible decrease of the accuracy of the feed-forward torque by correcting the feedback torque in accordance with the reliability of the estimated slope.
US08332112B2
A control device for controlling a front wheel drive force and a rear wheel drive force of a vehicle includes a first controller for controlling a drive force of main drive wheels and a drive force of auxiliary drive wheels, wherein the drive force of the main drive wheel is one of the front-wheel drive force and the rear-wheel drive force, and the drive force of the auxiliary drive wheel is another of the front-wheel drive force and the rear-wheel drive force, and a second controller for sending to the first controller an auxiliary-drive-wheels-limiting drive force for limiting the drive force of the auxiliary drive wheels. The second controller has a preparatory unit for preparing reference drive force, a first limiting unit for limiting a reduction in the auxiliary-drive-wheels-limiting drive force, and a second limiting unit for limiting an increase in the auxiliary-drive-wheels-limiting drive force.
US08332100B2
Reproduction is performed so that the user can grasp the details of content information on long sentence reading the reproduction of which has been suspended. If an vehicle-mounted device (10) receives content information with higher priority of the reproduction than that of the content information on the long sentence reading during the reproduction of the content information on the long sentence reading received from a center apparatus by a reproduction section (step S4; Y), the vehicle-mounted device (10) allows the control of a control unit to suspend the reproduction of the content information on the long sentence reading (step S7) and to start the reproduction of the content information with higher priority (step S8). If the reproduction ends, the vehicle-mounted device (10) allows the reproduction means to resume the suspended reproduction of the content information on the long sentence reading (step S12).
US08332086B2
A system for forecasting the outbound workload in a switchyard. The system has a processing entity for which receives information on railcar traffic for handling by the switchyard, wherein the railcar traffic includes railcars that are yet to be switched into classification tracks of the switchyard. For every departure train of two or more departure trains, the processing entity applies logic rules to the information to compute a forecast of railcar traffic that will be available to the departure train for transport out of the switchyard. An output releases data derived from the forecast of railcar traffic, describing the traffic available for each train of the two or more departure trains.
US08332077B2
In a controller for a windfarm including a plurality of wind turbine generators controllable in rotation frequency and pith of blades of the wind turbine generators, coupled to a grid through a transmission line, an anemometer is provided to each wind turbine generator to transmits wind direction and wind speed data to a central controller which process the wind direction and wind speed data to transmit an output command each wind turbine generator. The central controller predicts, on the basis of the wind speed detected by the upstream wind turbine generator, variation in wind speed at other wind turbine generators to control the output of the windfarm. The output power may be limited or charging energy as rotation energy of blades and discharging the rotation energy as output power in addition to a battery unit for averaging.
US08332071B2
An actuator having a two-parameters energy converter is coupled to a transducer and is driven by a controller. Prior to assembly and operation of the actuator, a calibration procedure is performed. The calibration procedure, together with the unique controller, enable accurate control of the output parameters of the actuator. In one example, the parameters are rate and force, and the calibration and controller enable accurate control of the rate and force at the output of the actuator by measuring only the rate at the output of the energy converter. Consequently, no sensors are needed at the output of the actuator, i.e., at the output of the transducer, where the load is applied.
US08332065B2
A method includes causing a stacking device having a first stacking unit and a second stacking unit to stack sheets of a small size on the first stacking unit or the second stacking unit and to stack sheets of a large size over the first stacking unit and the second stacking unit, and controlling the stacking of sheets by restricting stacking of the sheets of the large size on the sheet of the small size when the sheets of the small size are stacked on at least one of the first stacking unit and the second stacking unit.
US08332063B2
An apparatus, method, and computer program for process control using people and asset tracking information are provided. One or more process control data elements are received, which define a location associated with a person and/or an asset in a processing environment. At least part of the processing environment is controlled using the one or more process control data elements. For example, the processing environment could be controlled based on whether a specified area has been evacuated or whether one or more specified personnel or types of personnel are present in the specified area. The location can also be used to prevent the person and/or the asset from entering a restricted part of the processing environment, identify any people failing to reach specified zones of the processing environment during an incident, and identify a current actual or estimated location of at least one person to be rescued in the processing environment.
US08332059B2
For adding additional data, such as multi-channel extension data, to base data, such as conventional stereo data, a test fingerprint of test data relating to a test time instant of the test data is provided. The test data equals the additional data or the base data or depends on the additional data or the base data in parametric manner. Using the test fingerprint, reference time instant information is determined, which depends on a reference time instant in reference data, the reference data being the conventional stereo data. Finally, the additional data or the base data is manipulated, namely using the reference time instant information and the test time instant information, to obtain manipulated data, by which synchronous reproduction of the data information can be performed. Thus, a robust and flexible possibility for synchronous, especially late extension of base data by additional data is obtained.
US08332056B2
A communication control apparatus includes a first connection unit connecting to a power line, a second connection unit to which an external apparatus is connected, a power supply unit for supplying electric power to the external apparatus via the second connection unit, a communication unit for making the communication between a communication apparatus connected to the power line and the external apparatus via the first connection unit and the second connection unit, and a control unit for controlling the power supply unit to supply electric power to the external apparatus, based on information received from the external apparatus by the communication unit.
US08332053B1
In one implementation, a method of fabrication of stretchable electronic skin is provided. The method may include receiving an elastic material net. An elastic conductor mesh is formed on the elastic material net. A device is electrically bonded to the elastic conductor mesh. The implementation may further include forming a mold comprising a net pattern on a substrate and creating the elastic material net by coating the mold with an elastic material precursor, and then removing the elastic net from the substrate with the elastic conductor thereon. In one embodiment, a stretchable electronic skin including a net structure having a non-conducting elastic material with an elastic conductor mesh formed on the non-conducting elastic material, and a device electrically connected to the elastic conductor mesh.
US08332049B2
A multi-lead system includes a first lead and a second lead. The first lead includes a distal end and a first plurality of electrodes disposed along the distal end of the first lead. The first plurality of electrodes are configured and arranged in a first electrode axis. The second lead includes a distal end and a proximal end. A second plurality of electrodes is disposed along the distal end of the second lead. The second plurality of electrodes are configured and arranged in a second electrode axis. The second lead also includes at least one bend between the distal end and the proximal end to allow for linear alignment of the first electrode axis with the second electrode axis to form a combination electrode axis when the first lead and the second lead are implanted.
US08332027B2
An electroacupuncture system for measuring and treating meridian energy balance in a patient. The system also includes a processing apparatus connected to the electrical potential source capable of calculating an overall meridian energy balance number. The processing apparatus may be programmed to carry out a method for determining a meridian energy balance number.
US08332025B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for determining the condition of selected regions of epithelial and stromal tissue. A plurality of electrodes are used to measure surface and transepithelial electropotential of tissue, especially breast tissue, as well as surface electropotential and impedance at one or more locations and at several defined frequencies, particularly low frequencies. An agent may be introduced into the region of tissue to enhance electrophysiological response characteristics. Measured and derived electrical properties facilitating diagnosis include DC potential, impedance, subepithelial resistance, epithelial resistance, capacitance, characteristic frequency, depression angle and transepithelial potential. Ambient and varying pressure measurements applied to epithelial tissue are also used for diagnosis. Improved diagnosis of tissue condition can be made based on the electrical properties and tissue electrophysiological response to altered ion transport and pressure. Devices for practicing the disclosed methods are also provided.
US08332014B2
Methods for ascertaining, and responding to, a tissue characteristic of a surface region of patient tissue are disclosed. A scanned beam device is used to transmit a beam of sensing radiation to impinge on the surface region and to measure the reflectance of the surface region from the collected radiation returned from the surface region. The tissue characteristic of the surface region is determined from the measured reflectance, wherein the tissue characteristic is different from but related to the measured reflectance. In a first method, an indication of the determined tissue characteristic is provided, wherein the indication is other than a displayed image of the surface region. In a second method, wherein the patient tissue is undergoing medical treatment, the medical treatment is automatically modified as a function of the determined tissue characteristic. A scanned beam device having a scanning beam unit, a collector, and a controller is also disclosed.
US08332011B2
The invention is directed to structure and methods for coordinating the operation of an implantable medical device (IMD) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. For example the IMD can be made to activate a blanking period during the time when the electromagnetic radiation bursts occur. Blanking an IMD at times when MRI electromagnetic radiation bursts occur can prevent an undesirable action or incorrect sensing by the IMD while under the influence of the electromagnetic radiation bursts.
US08332010B2
A method for non-contrast enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (“MRA”) that has a short scan time and is insensitive to patient motion is provided. More particularly, the method provides significant arterial conspicuity and substantial venous signal suppression. A two-dimensional single shot acquisition is employed and timed to occur a specific time period after the occurrence of an R-wave in a contemporaneously recorded electrocardiogram. In this manner, k-space data is acquired that is substantially insensitive to variations in arterial flow velocity, or heart rate, and that further substantially suppresses unwanted venous signal in a prescribed imaging slice.
US08331999B2
A wireless handheld device is provided comprising a lid, a lower casing, and a slideable control bar. The lower casing has a bottom end and a top end. The lid has a bottom end and a top end. The top end of the lid is rotatably coupled to the top end of the lower casing with at least one hinge component such that the handheld device is rotatable from a closed position to an open position and from the open position to the closed position. The lid and the lower casing have adjacent facing surfaces when in the closed position. The slideable control bar is provided on the lower casing. When the wireless handheld device is opened, the slideable control bar is slideable along the facing surface of the lower casing towards the top end of the lower casing.
US08331996B2
An electronic device capable of transmitting and receiving a mail through an internet usually has from 12 to 20 operation keys inclusive of numerical keys and special keys. In order to input Japanese characters inclusive of “kanji” and special characters as data, complex operations must be executed by changing over the input mode. A portable data terminal as represented by a cellular phone or an electronic device such as a data terminal as represented by a personal computer or a desk top telephone, has such a shape that the first center line of the first housing and the second center line of the second housing come into agreement and in parallel with each other only in a state where the first housing and the second housing are folded by the hinge.
US08331991B2
A mobile terminal, computer program product, and method for controlling the same are disclosed, by which a terminal user is enabled to input specific commands to the mobile terminal with minimum effort in a manner of configuring a display screen with consideration of enhanced user's convenience. The present invention includes a display unit, a wireless communication unit for an internet access, a user input unit for receiving an input from a user, and a control unit controlling both a text input box and an indicator indicating one selected from the group consisting of at least two functions of the text input box to be displayed on a standby image of the display unit.
US08331990B2
The ODA database (4) contains SIM card (1) information related to the cards that shall be activated. When a SIM card (1) is inserted into a mobile equipment, such as a mobile telephone, and the mobile equipment is switched on, the ODA (2) is connected to the SIM card for updating the SIM card with a card definition file. The ODA (2) is arranged to be connected to a HLR/AUC (5) in order to transfer information stored on the updated SIM card, and the HLR/AUC is arranged to set up a subscription for the SIM card.
US08331979B2
An access network selection method in a communications network having access networks is disclosed that includes notifying devices in calling-side and called-side networks of the identifiers of currently available access networks and user preferences; making a list of candidates for an access network to be assigned to the called-side terminal, and transmitting the list to the device in the calling-side network; determining an access network to be assigned to the calling-side terminal in response to reception of the list, and notifying the calling-side terminal of the determined access network; notifying the device in the called-side network of the type of the access network assigned to the calling-side terminal; and determining the access network to be assigned to the called-side terminal in response to reception of the signal of the type of the access network assigned to the calling-side terminal, and notifying the called-side terminal of the determined access network.
US08331975B2
A method and apparatus for power control for distributed wireless communication is disclosed including one or more power control loops associated with a wireless transmit/receive unit (WTRU). Each power control loop may include open loop power control or closed loop power control. A multi-phase power control method is also disclosed with each phase representing a different time interval and a WTRU sends transmissions at different power levels to different set of node-Bs or relay stations during different phases to optimize communications.
US08331963B1
A method that enables provisioning of mobile station messages to multiple devices associated with the sender and/or receiver includes receiving, at a mobile messaging service center, a mobile messaging service message; identifying a destination mobile station associated with the received message, the destination mobile station having a Mobile Directory Number and corresponding to a primary device of a customer of a mobile communication network provider; and delivering, through a mobile communication network, the received message to the primary device of the customer. The method also includes steps of determining whether the customer subscribes to a Messaging Anywhere (MA) service; upon determination that the customer subscribers to the MA service, delivering, from the mobile messaging service center, a copy of the received message to an MA server; and delivering, from the MA server, the message to a secondary device previously identified by the customer.
US08331959B2
A mobile communication terminal device includes: an operation unit registering information related to a predetermined region in which a user desires QoS guarantee; a sending unit sending the information related to the predetermined region registered in the operation unit and information that can identify a current position of the mobile communication terminal device; a receiving unit receiving QoS guaranteed data when the current position is in the predetermined region; and a control unit controlling a behavior of sending the information in the sending unit and a behavior of guaranteeing the QoS in the receiving unit.
US08331956B2
A system and method for estimating a location of a wireless device in a wireless communication system having a plurality of nodes and a plurality of location measurement units (“LMUs”). A set of signal samples from a first wireless device and a second wireless device may be collected by one or more LMUs in a search window. A first time of arrival (“TOA”) is determined, and a second search window is estimated as a function of the first TOA. A second TOA may be determined within the second search window at a second node or one of the LMUs from the set of signal samples. A range estimate of the wireless device may then be determined, and an estimated location of the wireless device may be determined as a function of the first uplink TOA, the second uplink TOA, or the range estimate and second TOA.
US08331951B2
A system and method for uplink inter cell interference coordination and multi-user multiple input, multiple output in a wireless access system are provided. A method for providing uplink inter cell interference coordination in a wireless access system includes categorizing users the wireless access system, selecting a resource allocation plan based on the categorized users, allocating resources to the users in the wireless access system based on the selected resource allocation plan, and receiving transmissions from the users.
US08331948B2
A method and apparatus of operating a femto base station in a wireless communication system is provided. A first announcement message indicating service interruption is transmitted. A second announcement message indicating service recovery is transmitted. The second announcement message is transmitted to a user equipment or a macro base station having a wider cell area than the femto base station. Reliability of a communication service can be maintained for a user equipment even if a service of a femto base station is temporarily interrupted.
US08331945B2
Systems and techniques for providing a telecommunications service by receiving a request for a telecommunications service from a wireless client, providing a local exchange point of presence to the wireless client in response to the request, and providing the telecommunications service to the wireless client through the local exchange point of presence. The local exchange point of presence may be based on the geographic location of the wireless client.
US08331930B2
For each one of a plurality of broadcast control channels, a mobile device measures a signal strength level of a radio frequency (RF) signal from a wireless communication network. The mobile device then repeats the measuring at least one time so that at least one other signal strength level of the RF signal on the broadcast control channel is identified. The mobile device also receives and decodes information which is broadcasted on the broadcast control channel, and stores this broadcasted information in memory. The acts of receiving, decoding, and storing are performed after measuring the signal strength level of the RF signal, but prior to completion of an averaging function for calculating an averaged signal strength level of the signal strength levels.
US08331918B2
A system and method concerning the field of call redirecting enables a second subscriber to keep incoming calls, which originate, e.g. from a fixed network connection of a first subscriber but are destined for a radio network connection of the second subscriber, in the fixed network so that they are redirected to a fixed network connection of the second subscriber. This method may result in eliminating network crossover costs that would accrue when using different communications networks for setting up calls. For utilizing the call redirecting function, the second subscriber shares in the saved network transition costs by receiving a bonus resulting from the saved network crossover costs. In order to simplify the utilization of the call redirecting function, a device is assigned to the second subscriber that, when activated, automatically initiates a control call for activating the switchover function.
US08331917B2
A method is provided on an electronic communications device having a subscriber identifier, the method for identifying a contact entry associated with an electronic communication specified by a communication identifier. The method comprises searching an address book associated with the device; in response to finding a first and a second contact entry each having a respective first contact communication identifier matching the communication identifier, comparing a second contact communication identifier with the subscriber identifier; and identifying the second contact entry associated with the electronic communication if the second contact communication identifier in the first contact entry matches the subscriber identifier.
US08331894B2
A method for performing active jammer suppression on an electronic device includes: performing down conversion on a received signal having in-band interference, in order to obtain at least one down-converted received signal; performing down conversion on a jammer signal derived from a jammer source causing the in-band interference, in order to obtain at least one down-converted jammer signal; adjusting a phase and/or an amplitude of the down-converted jammer signal to obtain a jammer suppression signal; and performing jammer suppression according to the down-converted received signal and the jammer suppression signal. An apparatus for performing the active jammer suppression on the electronic device includes a received-signal down converter, at least one jammer down converter, and at least one adjustment module. In particular, the adjustment module is arranged to iteratively adjust the phase and/or the amplitude of the down-converted jammer signal to obtain an optimal version of the jammer suppression signal.
US08331891B2
A television signal processing apparatus comprising a receiver comprises a distortion estimator and an automatic gain control signal generator. The automatic gain control signal generator generates a plurality of automatic gain control and filter response control signals in response to the magnitude or signal to noise ratio of an RF signal and a non-linear distortion figure generated from the information carried by said RF signal. The distortion estimator uses a plurality of statistical methods to generate a non-linear distortion figure from the signal constellation of the information carried by said RF signal.
US08331888B2
Remote programmable reference systems and methods are described. A remote programmable reference system maintains a set of parameters from which a reference signal can be generated to transmit the reference signal to a system platform. In an embodiment, a parameters update can be received from which a modified reference signal can be generated to transmit the modified reference signal. In another embodiment, the remote programmable reference system maintains multiple sets of parameters from which respective reference signals can be generated for any one or more system platforms having different system configurations. The system platforms can interface with the remote programmable reference system through a system interface via a communication network.
US08331886B2
An integrated multi-core RF device includes a common amplifier which outputs an amplified RF signal. A common transmission line is configured to supply the amplified RF signal to a plurality of common transmission line distribution connections. Each receiver core of a plurality of receiver cores has a receiver core RF input coupled to one of the plurality of common transmission line distribution connections. Each core is configured to be tunable to a channel and to output at least one baseband output per channel. The integrated multi-core RF device is configured to concurrently down convert a plurality of channels to corresponding down converted baseband signals. The integrated multi-core RF device is configured to allow dynamic selection of the one or more of the plurality of channels over time. A method to recover a DSCC receiver IC is also described.
US08331884B1
A voltage regulator for a radio frequency circuit including a master regulator circuit, a first slave regulator circuit, and a first radio frequency subcircuit. The master regulator circuit is configured to i) receive a reference voltage signal and a feedback signal and ii) output a control voltage signal based on the reference voltage signal and the feedback signal. The first slave regulator circuit is configured to i) receive the control voltage signal and ii) output a first regulated supply voltage signal based on the control voltage signal. The first radio frequency subcircuit is configured to receive the first regulated supply voltage signal. The control voltage signal corresponds to a desired supply voltage for the first radio frequency subcircuit.
US08331883B2
Circuitry for portable electronic devices is provided. The circuitry may include wireless communications circuitry and storage and processing circuitry. The wireless communications circuitry may include an antenna and a radio-frequency power amplifier with an adjustable gain mode. The radio-frequency power amplifier may amplify radio-frequency signals to a given output power. The circuitry may include an adjustable power supply circuit that supplies an adjustable power supply voltage to the power amplifier circuitry. The circuitry may also include a transceiver that produce radio-frequency signals at a specified input power to the power amplifier circuitry. The storage and processing circuitry may be used in storing calibration data. The calibration data may specify adjustments to be made to the input power to the radio-frequency power amplifier, the gain mode setting of the power amplifier, and the power supply voltage for the power amplifier to optimize performance while minimizing power consumption.
US08331880B2
A radio transmitter includes a transmitter circuit having a transmission output and being configured to generate at the transmission output a signal for transmission; a reference voltage circuit configured to generate a substantially temperature-invariant reference voltage; a reference signal circuit having a reference output and being configured to receive the substantially temperature-invariant voltage generated by the reference voltage circuit and to generate at the reference output an oscillating reference signal of an amplitude that is derived from the temperature-invariant reference voltage; an amplitude sensor having an input and being configured for sensing the amplitude of a signal at the input and generating a sensed amplitude signal indicative of the sensed amplitude; and control apparatus configured to control the radio transmitter to operate in each of: a) a first mode in which it causes the input of the amplitude sensor to be coupled to the reference output; and b) a second mode in which it causes the input of the amplitude sensor to be coupled to the transmission output.
US08331869B2
Embodiments include systems and methods for testing a wireless device, especially one with multiple antennas. In one embodiment, a plurality of antennas are placed around a device under test in an anechoic chamber. Each of a plurality of the antennas is connected to a path of a variable path simulator capable of generating multiple paths between the antennas and external wireless communication test equipment. The variable path simulator introduces a delay spread into each path. In this way, a multipath environment is simulated with signals appearing to arrive from different angles and different distances.
US08331863B2
An embodiment for wirelessly communicating a signal includes a transmitter combining a plurality of phase shifted input data signals with a plurality of synchronization/pilot sequences to produce a plurality of combined signals, performing frequency domain-to-time domain transformations of the combined signals to produce a plurality of candidate signals, determining peak-to-average ratios for at least some of the plurality of candidate signals, identifying a selected signal from the plurality of candidate signals based on the peak-to-average ratios, and transmitting the selected signal over a wireless communication channel. An embodiment further includes a receiver receiving a channel-affected version of the transmitted, selected signal, determining an estimate of a selective mapping index, which identifies the synchronization/pilot sequence from the plurality of synchronization/pilot sequences, applying corrections to the received signal based on estimated channel perturbations to produce an equalized combined signal, and producing an output data symbol from the equalized combined signal.
US08331861B2
A mobile device wirelessly detects another device that is proximate. The mobile device provides to the other device identifications of which content from a particular content source is stored by the mobile device. The mobile device provides to the other device content from the particular source that is stored by the mobile device but not the other device, and receives from the other device content from the particular source that is stored by the other device but not by the mobile device, so that upon conclusion of an interaction between the mobile device and the other device, each device comprises all of the content from the particular content source originally comprised en toto between the two devices.
US08331846B2
A book binding system comprising an image forming apparatus for forming images on a sheet, a book binding apparatus having a coating section for coating adhesive onto the spine of a sheet bundle and forming a booklet by coating adhesive and binding a plurality of sheets on which images have been formed at the image forming device, and a coating control section for controlling a coating amount of the adhesives of the coating section in accordance with the sheet type.
US08331843B2
This toner recovery unit is detachable installed to an image forming device, and includes a waste toner storage tank, a frame, opening/closing members, and a shift member. The frame is formed with discharge outlets and with a discharge passage which communicates those discharge outlets to the waste toner storage tank. The opening/closing members are rotated to opened positions in which they communicate the discharge outlets to the discharge passage, and to closed positions in which they interrupt such communication. And, along with the shift member shifting from an engagement release position in which its end portion does not engage with a fixing knob to an engagement position in which it engages the fixing knob, it rotates the opening/closing members from their opened positions to their closed positions.
US08331829B2
A developer cartridge includes a cartridge cabinet including a developer accommodating chamber configured to accommodate developer, and a supply opening that is provided in one wall surface and is configured to supply the developer from an inside of the developer accommodating chamber to an outside of the developer accommodating chamber, a rotational shaft that is rotatably supported in the cartridge cabinet, extends parallel to the one wall surface and extends through the inside of the developer accommodating chamber, an agitating blade that is supported by the rotational shaft and rotates with the rotational shaft to supply the developer toward the supply opening while agitating the developer, and an obstruction member that is supported by the rotational shaft and rotates with the rotational shaft following the agitating blade to obstruct the supply opening during rotation of the rotational shaft.
US08331827B2
Provided is an image forming apparatus comprising a secondary transfer belt disposed at a position to face an intermediate transfer belt across the transfer passage of paper (P), a fixing belt disposed on the down-stream side of the secondary transfer belt in the transfer direction of the paper (P) and at a position to face a rotary fixing member across the transfer passage of the paper (P), a photo sensor for detecting the widthwise position of the fixing belt, a steering roller angle changing unit for making the rolling angle of a steering roller changeable, and a first control unit for controlling a stepping motor on the basis of the signal of the photo sensor. The control unit does not perform the angle change of the steering roller, if the paper is constricted by both a transfer nip and a fixing nip.
US08331820B2
The fixing device includes first and second heat sources, a rotatable fixing member heated by the first heat source, a rotatable pressing member heated by the second heat source and contacting the fixing member to form a fixing nip therebetween at which a toner image on a sheet is fixed thereto, and at least first and second temperature detectors determining temperatures of different surface portions of the pressing member. The pressing member has a width greater than that of the fixing member greater than the maximum width of the sheet accommodated by the fixing device. The first temperature detector determines the temperature of a surface portion of the pressing member, which is to be contacted with the sheet, and the second temperature detector determines the temperature of a second surface portion of the pressing member, which is not contacted with the fixing member even when the pressing member is rotated.
US08331818B2
A fuser and receiver release system and method are provided for improving the release of receivers in high speed of printing systems. This system controls the release of a receiver in conjunction with a fuser in a printing system, and specifically the efficiency and accuracy of the release system. One embodiment of this method includes a belt fuser that allows the separating of the heat transfer and release functions of the fuser such that fuser roller could be made of hard metal core that can be heated to high temperatures without the fear of delaminating elastomeric coatings which are common in roller fusing.
US08331797B2
The invention relates to a polarization-controlled encoding method, encoder and quantum key distribution system, which is characterized in that polarization maintaining light path or 90 degree rotation Faraday mirror are used inside the encoder to keep the polarization of the output pulses same, and that in the quantum key distribution system employing the polarization-controlled encoder the pulse emitted from transmitter is unidirectional-transmitted to receiver and then quantum key distribution is implemented using interference in the pulses according to the quantum key distribution protocol. The quantum key distribution system using the polarization-controlled encoder of the invention has the ability of avoiding the wiretapping to transmitter, receiver and quantum channel. Detection units each of which separates reversed photon from other photons are added at the out port of the transmitter and the in port of receiver, respectively, so that Trojan horse is prevented from entering and photons with phase modulated information are prevented from leaving the safe area in receiver. Unconditionally safe key distribution can be accomplished by using the quantum key distribution system of the invention.
US08331792B2
Provided herein are various schemes for transmitting out of band (OOB) signals over optical connections that may not support the transmission of such signals. One scheme may involve converting the OOB signals to different types of signals that are supported by the optical connection, while another scheme may utilize a separate parallel connection that supports the transmission of out of band signals in order to extend the optical connection. Yet another scheme modulates the reference clock of the original (in-band) signal to transmit and receive the OOB information.
US08331783B2
An optical communication system includes a first optical communication apparatus configured to insert a wavelength control signal in a main signal to produce a modified main signal; convert the modified main signal into a first optical signal; and transmit the first optical signal, and a second optical communication apparatus configured to receive the first optical signal; extract the wavelength control signal from the received first optical signal; determine a wavelength of a second optical signal based on the extracted wavelength control signal; and transmit the second optical signal to the first optical communication apparatus.
US08331770B2
A recording apparatus includes first identification means for identifying, in accordance with information read from a disk medium and related to a format of data recorded on the disk medium, the format defined from a purpose of the recorded data and a version of the format; storage means for storing data in which the version and information on whether processing that can be executed is executable are associated; determination means for determining, in accordance with the version and by referring to the data stored in the storage means, whether processing that can be executed is limited; generation means for generating first image data for displaying a first image representing that the processing that can be executed is limited when the determination means determines that the processing that can be executed is limited; and display control means for controlling display of the first image in accordance with the first image data.
US08331769B2
Recorded on the recording medium (BD-ROM) is an AV stream that is obtained by multiplexing a video stream and one or more audio streams. MOVIE objects are scenarios showing playback procedures of video data described using playback device-oriented commands. In addition to the MOVIE objects, enhanced-mode scenarios (Java and WebPage objects) are also recorded on the recording medium. These enhanced-mode scenarios, each of which is described in the Java language or a markup language, show control procedures with respect to playback devices. The Java and WebPage objects are capable of taking over register setting values set by MOVIE objects, and extracting parts of video data played by MOVIE objects.
US08331768B2
In response to a request initiated by a user at a user terminal, selected entertainment programming content, when broadcast, is recorded at a location remote from the user terminal. The request is communicated through a communications network, e.g., cable TV network, which is also used for transmission of entertainment programming content to user terminals. The recorded programming content is stored in a storage space at the remote location, which is allocated to the user terminal. In response to a review request from the user terminal, the recorded programming content is retrieved from the storage space allocated thereto, and transmitted to the user terminal through the communications network. The presentation of the recorded programming content may be manipulated by the user to perform rewinding, pausing and fast-forwarding thereon.
US08331763B2
An apparatus and method are provided for synchronizing a reproduction time of a time-shifted content with a reproduction time of a real-time content. The apparatus includes a tuner/demodulator which tunes broadcasting signals and demodulates the tuned digital broadcasting signals so as to output the broadcasting signals in forms of transport streams, a demultiplexer which demultiplexes the output transport streams so as to divide the transport streams into video data, audio data, and supplementary information and output the video data, audio data, and supplementary information, a data refining unit which removes unnecessary frames from the video data and the audio data, and an HDD which stores the video data and the audio data, from which the unnecessary frames are removed.
US08331758B2
According to one embodiment, an image playback apparatus which plays back data stream stored in a recording medium while decoding it, the apparatus includes a reading section which reads the data stream from the recording medium, a separation section which separates the data stream read by the reading section into audio data and video data, a memory including a first memory region allocated therein which temporarily stores the audio data output from the separation section and a second memory region allocated therein which temporarily stores the video data output from the separation section.
US08331752B2
Patch panel assemblies (150) that contain patch panel modules (50) for use in optical fiber telecommunication systems are disclosed. One of the patch panel assemblies includes a front mounting frame (210F) and at least one internal mounting frame (210I) that support a plurality of patch panel modules. The patch panel assembly also includes a hinge assembly (224) configured allow bend-insensitive fiber cables (70) to be routed therethrough. One of the patch panel assemblies includes a housing (152) with a drawer (270) that supports a plurality of patch panel modules. The patch panel modules employ bend-insensitive optical fibers (12C) to connect front and rear ports (92, 98) so that the patch panels have a reduced size as compared to conventional patch panel modules. The patch panel assemblies include a cable distribution box (300) that can store excess cable and that assists in routing bend-insensitive fiber optic cables within the patch panel assembly interior (200) in order to connect to select patch panel module jacks (90).
